So this one covers a large time span. I hope it is not too confusing. The inserted lines signal the time warps.

„We found a body." „Loki. All of you leave the great throne hall. I have to talk to the messenger, alone." One of the guards whispers to another. „This is great news. Malekith is defeated and the silvertongue is no more. What a good day for Asgard." And Odins voice suddenly echoed from every wall and column in the hall. „Don´t you dare talking about my son like that!" All the Einherjar stand still in shock, including the messenger.

„He has fallen from grace and has paid for it with pain and freedom. And now with his life. I have seen many of Asgards worthiest men fall and come back wiser and more placid than ever. You have not the slightest idea what has tinted his soul and led to his actions, and he is not alive to defend himself so let the former prince have peace." „Forgive me, Allfather." „You are forgiven. But keep in your thoughts to speak more kind of those deceased." „I will. Your Majesty." „Good, now all of you leave."

When the last sounds of footsteps die away Odin turns to look out of the window. „What happend to the Einherjar I send after you, Loki? You are not in good shape. Your illusion jitters. Might be enough to fool the palace guard, but I lived with your teacher for half an eternity." Odin doesn´t turn around, but he can sense the sei∂r fading, he knows Loki must be very weak when he has so little control over his greatest gift. „Your mother and I were at cross on your behalf. I never got the opportunity to make it right while she was here to witness it. But I am tired. Tired of not having here near and tired of fighting with you. I cannot bear seeing Thor being but a shadow of himself. I need to sleep, urgently. So I would like to ask you a favor."

„And what would that be?" his voice might be shaking but the cynical undertone can not be missed. „Take over the throne in my stead, Loki. Asgard needs a king." Odin turns, the short flinch he gives, is missed by his battered son, who´s armor is stained by a dark velvety splodge on his chest. The bloodloss has him shaking heavyly and every breath hurts. „Take a few days to mend, Loki but I cannot hold the Odin´s Sleep of for much longer. You will be me for some time." And he leaves Loki alone in the Great hall.


For the first four years it was his biggest dream come true. An exciting challange to whield so much power. To see his ideas and visions thrive and blossom. A new aera was declared in Asgard. The new peace had brought wealth and comfort to the merchants. Art, music and drama flourished. Some said Asgard had not seen happier days. Loki was restless, he worked and worked day and night. Because as the Asgardians enjoyed their happiness it took a lot of effort to maintain and nourish it. And to keep it in the first place.

But three days ago, Heimdall had come during counselling time. Loki sometimes forgot that he had taken on Odins form. And none except for his family and the gatekeeper had ever called the Allfather by his first name. Nothing enormous or outragous happend. Heimdall had given account that all was well in the realms and he concluded „Odin, I think we have never been better. This is a golden age." And then had left.

Ever since Loki felt a painful pinch within him. He was a king and yet he was nothing. He was dead, lying on a desert planet, never to be missed or mourned, never to be acknowledged for his endevour. He was not existant. All he would ever do only brought laurels to others. And that was the moment when the vigor and the enthusiasm left him. When he realized that now he had become his own shadow. The one he would never escape.


„Allfather, I am so sorry to disturb you this late ..." Sif stops in her tracks as she looks perplexed from one Odin to the other. One lying on a stoney bier, his eyes closed under a cover of close meshed threads of sei∂r. The other one wide eyed, jumping out of the armchair he had sat on to ponder over some parchments and declarations on state affairs. „... but it is of pressing matter."Her hand wanders to her sword.

„Sif, hold up for a second, I can explain. Please, close the door behind you." And for fraction of a second his true face shimmers through the illusion of Odin. Revealing dark haloed eyes and a pale face. „Can you? Well that explanation better be good." She draws her sword. „For how long?" „Thirty years." „WHAT?!" „When exactly?" „Since I have died, more or less." Sif is outraged. In few quick steps she crosses the room and holds her sharp sword under his chin. „How?" „He kind of asked me." Loki says, pointing to his sleeping father. „But it was more a comand then anything else." „You did betray him. Again! We knew this would happen. Argh. I should have stopped you right that second, when I had the chance."

„And whom exactly did I betray? Except for myself. But I don´t think you ment that!" Loki is angry now. „You tricked Thor out of his throne, I bet. Convincing Odin that Thor had comitted treason and he should give the power to you." „Do you honestly think that would have impressed Odin for a second?" She took a deep breath to start her next tirade but was cut off by Loki. „Thor asked me for permission to stay with his Lady on Midgard and refused to become king. I´d be sorry for being the reason for your despised love, except I had nothing to do with it."

„Really? You are making this about me and my supposedly hurt vanity?" In her rage she grabs the open ink bottle and empties it over his head. The liquid melts away the illusion of Odin and slowly drops down from his face. He sighs and with a magical gesture collects the dark fluid into a ball floating in midair and then it flows back into the bottle. He takes it out of Sifs hand and puts it back onto the desk. They glare at each other for some time until Sif puts back her sword.

„Well, Mylady, what is it that is of pressing matter." „Just know, Loki, that the former conversation is not over." „No, I am aware of that." „So I returned from Vanaheim early because..."


„It is so strange to see them like this." Loki shoots a quizzical look at Sif. They have been sitting in Odin´s chambers for quite a while now. Sif is reporting about her latest visit in Seattle, where Thor and Jane have been living the last 20 years. „How old is Lady Jane by now?" he asks. „She is turning 75. But he still loves her so much. They do get a lot of strange looks. Especialy when Julian is with them. I think at some point they just say she is the grandmother because it is easier."

„I will never understand why she refused the Idunn´s apple I sent as a wedding gift." „You did that, Loki? I always wondered who did. What a surprise." She looks up from sharpening her sword and observes Loki scribbeling something on a parchment. He is rubbing his forhead and eyes a lot, while concentrating on his duties on one hand and having a conversation with her on the other. - Never a moments leisure.

„How is that a surprise? You know I have taken this form since Malekith´s defeat. One of Idunn´s apples is a kingly gift. You could have done the math." „Yes, I could have." She puts down the sword on the table in front of her. „I am sorry, Loki. I am sorry for not seeing who you have become. That you did redeem yourself." He pauses for a moment and stares at the parchment in front of him. „You can be really proud of yourself. I am sure that..." He puts down the quill. „You´re sure of what? That there will be a reward? Do you honestly believe that, Mylady? That all the pain and suffering was worth it? That someday Asgard will recognize that Loki has given it wealth and prosperity?"

She suddenly is aware of how naive that sentiment was. „Forgive me, Sif, I did not mean to compromise you." And he goes back to writing. Sif gets up from her seat and walks to the door. „Even though it does not feel like it, Loki, you are still here. You did not die in the dust and you made it home. When will you stop treating yourself like you are dispensable?" And she leaves.