Chapter 11
Thor and Frigga finished gathering everything Loki could possibly need into the chest as quickly as possible, then the queen shrunk the smaller of the two down and placed it into the larger chest so that none of the spies her son mentioned could discover it and get rid of the evidence. Once everything was locked away under Frigga's most powerful spells the pair made their way to the royal bedchambers to wait for Odin.
And well they waited mother and son discussed what they would do next and came up with a rough plan. Using Frigga's idea to have Sif and the Warrior's Three deliver the chest to Loki it was also decided that the four Asgardian warriors would also stay at Avenger's mansion. Though Thor trusted his midgardian allies with his life he would feel safer knowing that they had the backup in case the council heard of Loki's reappearance.
Thor in the meantime would travel to Niflheim and retrieve the treasures Hela had been entrusted with. With the means of saving his nephews the thunderer would free Sleipnir and Fenrir well Odin and Frigga discretely searched for Sigyn and the Enchantress.
When Odin entered his chambers and saw the furious look upon his wife's and son's the king knew something was wrong and asked what had happened. Frigga calmly took out miniaturized chest, returning it to its original size and handed it to Odin with a dark look. Confused Odin spoke the password and began sifting through its contents, once he had finished reading the journal and looking at the portrait's tears were running freely from the kings one eye.
"This is no time for tears my love," Frigga told her husband sternly watching as he placed the items back in the chest with the greatest of care. "Now is the time for action."
Odin wiped the tears away and nodded letting anger push aside the heartbreak and shame he felt for causing so much pain to Loki. "I agree, but I am still saddened by just how much I have hurt our family without ever realizing it. I will immediately have the council arrested for these crimes."
Thor moved quickly to stand between his parents and the chamber doors. "Father, though I would normally agree with you and lead the charge myself I must remind you both that we need to be careful about how we approach this."
"They have used me to hurt those I love, I want their blood for this offence." Odin growled clenching his fists looking ready to call upon Gungnir at any moment and set out to hunt each man on the council down.
"We both do," Frigga hissed nodding along with her husband's idea looking at a tempting pair of swords that hung over their fireplace. "Their heads on pikes will do as a start."
"And what of Loki?" Thor asked reminding the pair of Loki's current condition. "In his present state, he would not be able to defend himself against them or anyone they might send after him."
Odin looked at his eldest with an unreadable expression. "Then what do you suggest we do my son?"
"We take a page from Loki's book as the saying goes," Thor answered grinning deviously. "My friends will go to Midgard and secretly assist them in keeping Loki safe. During this time, we will work on removing as much power from the council's hands without arousing their suspicion."
"What then?" Frigga asked looking slightly less furious than before yet still reminding Thor of a serpent poised to strike.
"We save them all," Thor assured his mother watching as a little more of his anger disappeared from her eyes as she was reminded of her grandchildren. "Then we will find a way to return Loki to how he was before so that they may be reunited."
Odin looked at his son proudly. "You have become wise in these last years my son."
"Believe me, father I wish I wasn't," Thor growled looking at both his parents well his wrapped one hand around Mjolnir's handle feeling her raging storm pulse beneath it. "I would enjoy nothing more than beating these men into paste with Mjolnir, however Loki and his children are more important. Once they are secure we can handle the council and their wrongs against our family at our leisure."
"Agreed," Odin nodded looking at his wife. "You should search for Sigyn and Vali my love well I look for the Enchantress so that the council does not become suspicious of us."
"It worries me about why Loki would trust her so much." Frigga said remembering the bad blood between her son and Amora, even though they had once been good friends in their youth.
"I believe I have an idea on the why," Odin said looking worried at the possible motive. "Amora is just as skilled as our son with magic, even better in some ways which would make her a powerful ally. For years the council has been trying to suppress magic because they despise it leaving many skilled practitioners waiting for a chance to strike pack against them."
"Surely even they would not be so bold as to try and cut magic out of Asgard." Thor said horrified by the idea. Even though he was unable to use it like Loki the thunderer knew that Asgard depended on magic as one of its lifeblood's.
"Unfortunately, Thor they have been trying to do just that," Frigga said in a frustrated tone to her son. "Over the past view centuries many magical studies have been deemed criminal to even study because of their loathing, and these last few years have been some of the worst."
"Is it because of what Loki did?"
"More of what he could have done my son," Odin said looking grim. "They also believe that by doing away with magic our warriors would be strong enough to conquer all nine realms."
"They still hunger for the past where Asgard asserted dominance through war," Frigga continued placing her hand on Odin's arm. "We have fended it off as best we could but they are just waiting for the opportunity to wage war again."
Thor now understood why Loki had tried so hard to make sure he hadn't been placed on the throne; his brother was worried that with Thor's thirst for a war he would do exactly as the council wanted and draw all the realms into a senseless battle.
"We shall not let that happen," Thor vowed looking determined. "Once the matter with Loki is settled we shall restore the kingdom to its former balance of magic and might."
"This is why I wished for you and Loki to rule together," Odin said looking sad again at the dream he had once had. "You both understood Asgard and her people, even though it was from completely different paths."
"I will do my best to make your dream come true," Thor swore to his father before looking at his mother. "Mother I will make sure that you can hold your whole family once we have finished our work."
"Thank you, Thor," Frigga smiled at the idea at her family whole once more. "Though Narvi is forever lost to us and Hela ruler of another realm I would still very much like to know them as Loki did."
"Then let us begin."
Heimdall's Observatory
Summoning Lady Sif and the Warrior's Three hadn't been much of a challenge, they were already prepared for another quest after hearing about Thor's early return from Midgard. What was surprising was that the king and queen were with him and that Odin had sworn them all too absolute secrecy as soon as they arrived.
Although they had a harder time believing Loki's story they agreed to hold off their judgment until they had more proof than a journal to back up the trickster's accusations against some of the highest ranked men in the realm.
"My King, the council will notice something is amiss and ask me what is happening." Heimdall spoke to Odin seriously.
"My friend, I would never ask you to lie," Odin smiled looking up at the guardian. "If they come to you then what you tell them up to your discretion. If it is that Thor searches for clues about a sorcerer who has made their appearance on Midgard or something similar then that is completely up to you."
"Meanwhile should anyone ask you four have been sent to midgard to offer the mortals support against an enemy as a sign of good will between our realms." Frigga added in case the council noticed the missing warriors.
"I will do as you ask but it shall only stall them for so long," Heimdall nodded looking back towards the city briefly. "I fear they will find out the truth about the young prince somehow."
"How?" Fandral spoke raising one eyebrow. "If they hate magic so much they would never use it themselves."
"Something has been suspicious about them since the young prince's disappearance three years ago." Heimdall explained to everyone giving all a slight shock at his words.
"Do you think they had something to do with it?" Odin asked dangerously.
"I am not sure," Heimdall answered honestly looking at the royal couple with a serious face. "Loki's cell was blocked from my sight when he disappeared and they were a little too happy when I was unable to find him."
"I see," Frigga said in a calm tone of voice at the news well everyone else felt a shiver run up their spines. "Heimdall please keep an eye on them as best you can, if they show any suspicious behaviour or disappear alert Odin or myself immediately."
"Yes, my queen." Heimdall bowed knowing that as powerful as Odin was Frigga could best him when angry-making her extremely dangerous when in battle.
Opening the Bifrost the four warriors made their way through but not without Fandral looking back at Thor and grinned. "Loki always did like leaving puzzles behind didn't he."
"It is his nature." Thor answered back before his friends disappeared and he made his way forwards intent on seeing his niece for the first time in decades.
Avengers Mansion
Loki watched his brother disappear in a bright flash of light leaving only an empty space and burned grass behind. Not wanting to miss Thor's return Loki sat down on the grass and started to wait for his brother.
Seeing that the boy wouldn't be leaving anytime soon Jane gave the others a thumbs up letting them know that she would stay with him. Sitting down beside him Jane decided she wanted to know more about the person who had inadvertently brought her and Thor together.
"I know how you feel; I always hate it when he leaves."
Loki looked at the woman next to him curiously. "Do you always wait for him?"
"Yes," Jane nodded glancing up at the sky momentarily before back at Loki. "I once waited for two years to see him again."
"It was because of me?" Loki asked bringing his knees up so he could rest his chin on them. "Because of what I did."
"Yes."
"Will you tell me about it?" Loki said wondering how he could have hurt someone who was so nice to him.
"If we're being honest, I hated you," Jane answered looking serious well Loki couldn't help but flinch at the brutally honest answer. "I know Thor told you how you killed him and he forgave you, I just couldn't do that though."
Loki placed one hand over his heart. "It still hurts here, hearing about what I've done. But I think it would hurt more not knowing."
"Which is why I can't help but envy you," Jane muttered acknowledging that feeling that had taken root in her chest ever since Thor first told her he wished to save his brother from himself. "You killed Thor and separated us, you also hurt my friend Erik when you invaded New York. Most people would just let you rot in jail but Thor can't do that, he loves you so much that he would do anything for you."
"Is he dead?" Loki asked. "Your friend."
"No, you see you were able to take over people's minds five years ago, like how we now know yours might have been taken over," Jane said telling Loki of what he had done to her mentor. "Erik was one of those people, you made him help build a portal device to help. You and that not only hurt him but Darcy and I tremendously when we heard what had happened."
"Do you still hate me?"
Jane just gave a small smile and placed one arm around the boy pulling him closer to her in an awkward looking hug, much to Loki's confusion.
"No, I held onto it for a long time but then Thor showed up saying that you had gone missing," Jane responded remembering the look of panic and agony on Thor's when he told her that Loki had disappeared suddenly and no one was able to find him. Though he didn't cry that night Jane spent the night holding the God of Thunder like he was a small child. "I haven't forgiven you completely yet but I've learned to let go of much of my anger."
"Why?"
"Because if Thor was able to love you so much then you can't be all bad," Jane replied remembering all the stories Thor had told her that night about his brother before everything had gone wrong for them. Hearing about Loki's dry sense of humour and cleverness had piqued the scientist curiosity the more she heard about it from Thor's stories. "There had to be a glimmer of something good inside you somewhere."
Loki lifted his arms and returned the hug. "Lady Jane you remind me of my mother."
"Why's that?" Jane wondered trying to figure out what she and an immortal queen could possibly have in common.
"Mother has this strength about her that is more powerful than anything I have ever seen before," Loki explained. "She smiles and forgives, even when a person has committed the most horrible of deeds."
"Thank you, Loki," Jane smiled giving the boy a small kiss on top of his head. "What do you plan to do now that I've told you this? Will you continue to seek the truth about your past?"
"Yes," Loki nodded determined not to let Jane see his red face. "I promise you though when I am big again I will find your friend Erik and apologize to him for what I have done."
"He may not accept it, Erik still blames himself and you because of what happened." Jane said remembering one of the many drunken rants to her over the phone about how he would never be able to forgive the trickster for what he made Erik do.
"Even so I must do it to try and fix some of the harm I have caused," Loki said snuggling into Jane's side. "And I will apologize to you, Lady Darcy properly also."
"I'm starting to see why Thor loves you so much." Jane said seeing for the first time in the boy the man who her lover cared for so much.
"And I see why he loves you too," Loki said back giving the woman a slightly mischievous look. "Thor had better not hurt you though Lady Jane or I will have to remind him of his manners."
Jane just laughed giving her small protector another hug well they continued to talk, mostly about Asgard and magic but Loki also threw in some funny stories about Thor well they waited. When it started to get dark Clint came over and convinced them it was time to come inside, even though Loki hadn't wanted to come in at first but the archer had promised that if Thor showed up they would immediately tell him.
Loki knew walking back to the mansion that his quest to find the truth about his past was just starting but if he was going to make amends once he was an adult again he had to start somewhere.
Author's Notes
I'm SO sorry this update took so long I went to a weekend workshop and then had a lot of shifts at work right after, not that I'm complaining mind you. It's just with the holiday season fast approaching and my working in retail my updates might become a little less frequent so please don't think I'm abandoning all of you.
Next up Thor visits Hela and the Warrior's Three and Sif arrive.
Don't forget to leave me a review and tell me what you thought and I'll see you all again next time.
