Loki and his men have been in Asgard for a week. The tongues of Asgard are wagging. The common people watch the construction workers with wonderment and no small amount of trepidation. Thor and Loki have given up all pretense of being discreet and snog each other openly in public. It is assumed that they are engaging in marital relations. The nobles deride the fact that Loki is Jotunn and mock his clearly ergi sexual position beneath their mammoth prince. Angry that Loki may well ruin their chances of advancing their own family's interests, they mock him privately, saying that being on his knees before their prince is where he belongs. They wait for a mistake to be made.

Odin and Frigga smile at the young couple as they dance, smile, kiss, and taunt one another. They giggle like young boys instead of grown men and smile as only two lovers can.

Grondy lifts the massive block above his head and secures it in place with the mortar he made this morning. He works hard, not because he is grateful for the work, or because he longs for peace, but because it keeps his eyes off the Asgardians that stare and mock him openly but a few feet away. These tiny people must think him dumb and deaf! Surely they realize he can hear every snide denigrating comment they whisper to each other?

"That one right there…that one is the ugliest."

"How can Thor be attracted to such a thing? Their color is the like that of a three day old corpse."

"I wouldn't be surprised if their tiny prince lies there and takes it like one. I bet his Jotunn cunny is cold like a corpse too." Two palace guards snicker not yards away from Grondy. Grondy can't stand these fucking people. How in all the nine did these puny little assholes defeat their people in battle 1500 years ago?

Grondy starts humming a working song to drown out the voices of the people around him. His countrymen join suit, clearly at the end of their ropes as well. Their combined voices carry far and help silence the Asgardians around them, relieving some of the tension.

Eric Behur, second son of Lord Behur is not pleased by this. His younger sister has been trying to catch the eye of the Crowned Prince for years without success. If Thor marries Loki she'll have to be married off to some Baron in Vanaheim. A Baron is a far cry from a Prince and future King. For the sake of the whole of his family, he needs to help her advance. Eric picks up a rock and flings it at Grondy's head.

It is the last straw. Grondy grunts like an enraged boar and turns his gaze upon the sneering little guard behind him. He reaches down and swats at the man, sending him flying several hundred feet away and crashing through the roof of a villager. More guards come, swords drawn ready to engage in battle, but he bloodshed is interrupted by the arrival of the princes.

Thor and Loki were just on their way back from having lunch and ah….surveying the gardens for….softness. They touch down on the ground and Thor booms a thunderous "HALT!"

"What is the meaning of this?!" Loki yells.

"These puny people instigated this. We mind our work and yet they will not let us be." Grondy says.

"So you picked one up and threw him halfway across the city?"

"He deserved it." Grondy says without an ounce of chagrin or apology.

"Are you trying to start a war?!" Loki snarls at the worker. "To the Bifrost with you! The rest of you get back to work."

"You men over there will be working ice mountain patrols for the rest of the summer." Thor yells. "Bring me the one that was thrown. I would have words with that man. Henceforth, none of the general public is allowed anywhere near the workers. All of you will be charged with keeping the peace, and may the Allfather have mercy on you should another incident occur." The look in Thor's eyes is murderous. Thunder rolls overhead and a long devilish streak of lightning splits and forks across the sky, wicked and frightening in its reach. All the remain guards answer with a resounding "Yes My Prince" before running off to fetch the instigator.

Eric Behur is dragged before Thor by his fellow soldiers, bleeding and bruised with a couple of broken ribs. Thor recognizes this man and is quite familiar with the family from which he hails. He hates the lot of them. They are scheming and conniving.

"I hope you enjoy manure. You are now my personal stable bitch." Thor glares at the others. "Take him away."

"It looks like our days of carefree dallying are over." Loki comments.

"Aye. This won't be the end of this. Lord Behur will no doubt find some way to twist this around to his benefit."

XxXxXxXxXx

"But Your Majesty, that creature accosted my son, unprovoked!" Lord Behur cries out before the entire court.

"My son Thor has handled the matter and I consider it closed, unless you wish to question the judgement of your future king?" Odin stares down Lord Behur like an insect. Lord Behur senses the danger he is in and backs off. It doesn't matter. He got what he wanted, which was to rally the other nobles to his cause. The nobles of Asgard have nothing to lose by stopping the coming engagement announcement of Thor and Loki. Many of the nobles at court are afraid of Jotunnheim getting the Casket back.

"No My King." He replies.

"Thought not."

XxXxXxXxXx

"For your stupidity I sentence you to ten days in the dungeons." Laufey says to Grondy. The angry Jotunn is carted away to serve his time by the palace guards. He turns his attention back to Loki.

"You cannot leave the men unchaperoned like that again. Another misunderstanding like that will not only ruin your future with Thor and deny our people the Casket, it could cause another war."

"Understood father. It was entirely my failing." Loki apologies. In his lust and joy he had shirked his duties. He was irresponsible and he knows he was wrong to abandon his post like that.

"Father, if I may interject. Much of this rides on Loki's shoulders and his ability to woo the Prince of Asgard. He can't very well do that if he is busy babysitting all day. Perhaps another foreman should replace him at the wall so that he is free to pursue his romantic interest full time?" Helblindi offers. Loki panics. Were this offer coming from Bylestir Loki would welcome it. But this is Helblindi and Helblindi has never done anything nice for him, not on purpose.

"I agree." Laufey smiles at his second son. "You go to Asgard then as well Helblindi. You'll help your family and your kingdom. Supervise them well. We are all counting on you."

"Thank you father. I will not let you down." Helblindi says before shooting Loki a gloating smile. Loki leaves the throne room trembling in anger and frustration. His damn brother always finds a way to swoop in and further Loki's humiliation. Even when he is being supportive he is being cruel. His brother is insufferable.