Chapter 10: Forgiveness from the Wise

"Loki?" A familiar voice called out to the ebony-haired man from behind. Loki hesitantly turned because he knew it was the man whom he had hurt the most, but he knew that sooner or later, he'd had to face this person. Loki turned as he whispered, "...Father Odin?"

"Hello, my son." Loki turned away in pain as he retorted in a trembling voice, "I don't deserve to be your son."

"Why do you think so?"

"I...I caused you and Thor, everyone, so much trouble over something I couldn't control. You adopted me to bring peace and to love me like Laufey should've long ago...I shouldn't have reacted like I did, and I'm so sorry for all the pain it caused." Tears fell from Loki's eyes as he uttered his sentence, years of hate and betrayal all washing out from his heart as he cried, until a warm, familiar hand grasped his face tenderly and soothed, "It was not your fault, Loki. I'm the one to blame: I should've told you when you were a child who could understand...I shouldn't have let you find out the way you did: Being attacked by your own kinsman."

"I had to find out at some point..."

"I know, but I was wrong to keep the truth from you. Please forgive me."

"I already have. Melody showed me how to forgive and trust again...It's because of her that we're all alive and safe here in Asgard."

"Indeed...But, you are also the cause of your safety here in Asgard." Loki was taken aback at this as he stuttered, "W-What do you mean, 'I'm the cause?' Did I do something to bring us back here?"

"Yes, you did do something."

"You always have a reason for everything you do...Mother told me so when you unexpectantly fell into the 'Odinsleep' because of me...What was the reason? Did you want me back so I could be in prison?"

"No, I don't want you in imprisoned, not when you have a young girl who cares about you and will do anything to keep you out of prison."

"Then, what was the reason why you brought me back?"

"...I had a vision, months after Thor brought you back from Midgard. The vision showed me the shadow of a young woman, half-Jotun and half-Asgardian. She was the key to you becoming a prince once again and she was the reason for your change of heart, my son...The girl was with a young man and although I could not see their faces, I could see their outline and I knew they had a higher purpose than what they believed."

"It was Melody and Hunter, correct?"

"Yes, it was them...Also, when you escaped your prison, I ordered the soldiers and our people to let you run free because I knew that you would meet this girl in an unexpected place...Jotunheim, a barren land of ice. The vision showed me how you two would meet and what this girl would change in you...I even saw you make a sacrifice, which I called the 'Ultimate Sacrifice.'"

"Father, what is this 'Ultimate Sacrifice' that you speak of?"

"That, my son, is for you to figure out for yourself...You are very intelligent, so I'm sure you can find your answer through Melody and your sacrifice to save her life...You even offered to give up your own life and evil for her."

"How did you kn-"

"Thor and I watched over you ever since you escaped prison...We watched every moment that you saw and we knew what you knew."

"...Words cannot even describe how I feel, but all I can say to you and Thor is 'thank you for everything.' I'm so sorry for all the trouble I caused." Loki responded as he hugged Odin, his adoptive father, while the man hugged Loki back, whispering as he stroked Loki's hair, "It's good to have you back in Asgard as my son. I missed you so much."

"I missed you all, Father." The two men hugged each other, never wanting to let go of the other until the moment went from sweet and tender to awkward. The two men let go as Odin replied, "I'm sure you want to get...freshened up, my son. After all, you have gotten unkempt since I last saw you."

"Ah, yes. My apologies."

"Why don't you go get changed in your room while I ask about Melody?"

"All right. Let me know how she's doing. I plan to visit her tonight, if possible."

"All right...Oh, Loki!"

"Yes, Father?"

"I should inform you that you must meet with the council tomorrow as well as everyone else in Asgard. They wish to speak to you about something very important since you are now a free lad."

"Yes, of course...I can always send someone to visit Melody for me tomorrow morning."

"I'll be getting along, then. I must inform your mother of your new arrival and my forgiveness towards you."

"You forgive me?"

"Of course. I promised that when you made the 'Ultimate Sacrifice,' you would be forgiven and freed from your past sins."

"That's good to know...Thank you, Father. I'll be at the meeting tomorrrow. Until then, farewell."

"Farewell, Loki. May you live a peaceful life here where you belong: your home. Welcome home, my son." As soon as Odin had left, Loki started off towards his room to freshen up. As Loki entered the room, it looked just as it had years ago: Green and gold all over the room, including an emerald green bed and green curtains on the windows, now illuminating the room with moonlight. Almost immediately, Loki threw off his green, prison rags and stepped into the warm water of a drawn bath, washing months of dirt from hsi body as he thought of HIS Melody staying here with him in his bed chambers. When he was finally clean, he dried himself off with a thin, ivory towel and as he combed out his hair, he decided to cut it to the length he had it as a prince of Asgard. Grabbing a smal dagger from a drawer, he began to chop off his unkempt, ebony hair until it was short again. Afterwards, he slicked it back until he looked like he did in 'Thor.' Then, he put on some emerald, black, and gold clothes to his body, similar to the outift he normally wore from 'Thor.' When he was satisfied with his taste in clothes and his appearance in a mirror, he set off to go visit Melody. He walked down many hallways until he made it to the healing room...until he saw someone familiar to him standing outside the door of Melody's room.

**Author's Note: I know this was short, but it does get better. I just want to show Loki's individual dialogue with a few of his adoptive family members until a later chapter. Please review and all the comments were so nice. Thank you for reading this story and I hope I make some fans happy. Please enjoy and thank you for your time and consideration. Your comments and feedback really help. Once again, Thank you.

- Sairahiniel SakuraAeris1497. =)**