Chapter 12

The three moons were ghostly coins in the sky when Farbauti arrived. He mounted a snowbeast and jabbed it with his heel, speeding over the powder snow to the palace. Laufey had been distracted by Byleister and Helblindi, making it a child's task to slip away. Farbauti was looking forward to seeing his boys, but more of how satisfying it would be to behead Thor. Farbauti was certain that Loki was sound of mind in whatever he had done—he had learned from the best. It still made the giant uneasy to step away. He almost hoped that he had provoked them enough to attack Loki and be engulfed in unnatural fire.

What bothered him most of all was how Loki had asked him to stand down, Laufey would later find some suave way to talk down Farbauti's frustrations, but he traveled with content in his fury. He had left empty handed. Thor was so worthless that there was not one boon to ask of him and Farbauti was sure that he had wounded Loki intentionally.

When he arrived at the palace, he found his mate away from the throne room. The guards acknowledged him with almost reflexive loyalty. Farbauti strode off to the chambers of his children. The royal chambers aligned in the same hallway on the highest level.

He opened Loki's door—the room had been left a mess, but even with the books on the floor, it seemed barren. He closed it soundlessly and peeked into Byleister's. The room was likewise dark, but Farbauti could distinguish the silhouette of the princeling. He smiled softly, realizing where his mate was.

Helblindi's room was bathed in dim light. Laufey looked up from the sleeping child's bedside.

"He went out like a snowflake on a flame." Laufey murmured, brushing Helblindi's hair idly. He stood, taking care not to disturb him. Farbauti slumped against the doorway, feeling as though he did not deserve the affections of his mate for his failure.

"You couldn't get him." Laufey realized, happiness fading from his face. He said nothing, not wanting to interrogate his mate and knowing that answers would come of their own accord. Laufey followed his mate into the hall. Farbauti closed Helblindi's door a little louder than he meant to.

He shook his head miserably.

"I'm going to our chambers." Said Farbauti soberly.

"I should like to know what happened," Laufey said with quiet empathy. "Unless you prefer to leave it for sunrise."

Farbauti sighed and rolled his shoulders. Laufey extended a hand and rubbed his mate's back as they neared their rooms.

"I'm sure that not all is lost." Laufey ventured, opening the door. "He did well by sending those two back."

Farbauti fell languidly onto their bed amidst luscious furs. He did not speak at first, a myriad of thoughts boiling.

"Loki made a blood vow with their prince. Its sole binding is for the prevention of harm to each other's realms." Farbauti exhaled tumultuously. Laufey's cheeks appear to hollow. "There are no extra terms."

Laufey looked momentarily relieved.

"Then they won't have to be afraid of Loki burning them." Laufey muttered. "Their prince? This will outlast us, Farbauti." There went the insurmountable power of his fire mage—Laufey supposed that Loki could still harm them unintentionally if necessary.

"Thor Odinsson did something to him, wounded his chest. That piece of work even raised his red hand to admit to it." Farbauti said vehemently. "They also claimed blindness to the identities of our own, so I suppose you were justified in concealing their names instead of isolating them on Jotunheimr."

"How does Loki fare?" Laufey asked somberly.

"I am not certain beyond his wounds. He had his dagger. I would like to know how he concealed it." Farbauti rolled over into the fur and said the rest of his words into their fibers. "It would have been unwise to send him through the Bifrost with such wounds."

"I would have stayed with him." Laufey shot back. Farbauti gave a deep growl befitting of his stature and race.

"You coddle him, my dear. You have helped him to his magical prowess. You must see that Loki needs none to guide his sword." Farbauti snickered. Laufey growled in response, pulling off both of their shoes.

"And do I coddle all of my family? Has this burdened them as they grew to be virtuosos in swordplay and magic?" Laufey bantered. He joined Farbauti and propped his head on his elbow. Farbauti snaked his way over until their shoulders aligned, both lying on their sides. "I've coddled you so much, I think you've gone soft."

Farbauti growled again and slammed Laufey on the bed, pinning his shoulders to the mattress. Laufey chuckled as Farbauti nipped harshly at the edges of his throat and jaw.

"Mmh, yes. I know now. You are the most docile among of our people." Laufey teased. Farbauti silenced him with a particularly hard bite.

Sunlight was seeping into Byleister's room. He stirred, burrowing is head under a pillow. The giant tried to turn over, but found that Helblindi had twisted in his blankets during the night. Any other day, Byleister thought hazily, Any other day, I'd shove you on the floor. Helblindi's breathing was still soft and his face was serene. Byleister blinked at the youngest and parted the hair that had grown freely, now midway down his neck. The skin was puckered with navy blue scars that had not begun to fade. Byleister trailed down his collar, following parallel lines that resulted from Thor whacking him against the column.

Byleister covered his brother's head with the rest of the blanket and eased away. I'm home. He had thought it would feel special, more welcoming perhaps, when he returned. Byleister trudged out without closing his door and went to their commons at then end of the hall. Water dripped out of the faucet in the bathroom. He listened to it, drop after drop, mesmerized in his waking.

His parents' door creaked open and Farbauti stepped out. He looked at Byleister thoughtfully.

"Where were you last night?" Byleister demanded sourly. Farbauti was taken aback. He was hesitant to tell Byleister of what he had done, if it would reassure him or not. He did not want to keep the truth from him if it was not actually necessary. "You just disappeared."

"Come, sit." Farbauti beckoned. "There are things you should know about your brother."

Byleister's eyes widened and he followed his sire obediently. Farbauti sat down on their fur-wrapped couch and folded his hands. He proceeded to tell the boy of his visit to Asgard.

"He did lie." Byleister fumed, clenching his hand around a bunch of fur. "He said that he was fine."

"Loki lied. What else is new?" Farbauti mused, dismissing Byleister's frustration. Byleister grumbled in protest.

"Don't you wonder if he lied to you?" Byleister said unexpectedly. Farbauti's expression hardened and Byleister wished he'd stayed quiet.

"He would not dare." Farbauti replied fluidly.

Helblindi peered around the corner.

"Hi." He said sleepily. "Where's faðir Laufey?"

"Good morning to you too," Byleister muttered.

"He's busy being king of Jotunheimr. Join your brother, young one." Farbauti said in an effort to sound reassuring.

"You're back."

"Aye." Farbauti replied grumpily.

"Then… If you went there and you came back, where's Loki?"

AN: Laufey birthed Helblindi and Byleister, whereas Farbauti birthed Loki. This is not a direct interpretation of the mythology, though I have read most of it (and I highly recommend it!) Thanks SO MUCH for all of your responses! I hope you like the Jotunheimr chapter. The next will return to Asgard. I'm ecstatic, I'm seeing Thor 2 again tomorrow. Yessssssss.