Chapter Fourteen
"I wish to see Slepnir," Thor commanded the stable boy, who hurried to the stall to retrieve him. Slepnir nuzzled into Thor's neck as Thor examined the bridle, adorned with his father's medal on his bridle. Thor touched it with his hammer and gold sparks flew.
"Thor, you have finally returned! Are you not ruler now that Odin sleeps?"
Thor turned and stared at Sif. "Balder rules in my stead. I have matters to attend to on Midgard."
"Why Midgard, Thor? Surely your place is here, by my side?" Sif laughed prettily and Thor stared.
"You wax strange, Sif. Are you well?"
"Quite well, especially after seeing you."
Thor laughed. "You are much changed Sif. Where is the punch to the shoulder that used to greet me?"
Sif scowled and Thor smirked. "Come with me to Midgard, Sif. You would enjoy the battles there, I am sure." Thor attached the bags of Loki's belongings to Slepnir and led him away.
"Not joining us Sif? Unlike you!" and Thor departed, heading for the Bifrost.
Amora stared at his back, amazed at his confidence and angered at his lack of interest. Had she not chosen the most desirable form? Her amazement had paralysed her plans, for she would bind Thor down and couple with him until they were both spent. Midgard? Why Midgard? She remembered the bags, the glow of magic and laughed at her own foolishness.
Thanos entered the stables, eating again, as part of his glamour of Volstagg – say little, eat much.
"Thor has returned to Midgard and we must follow, Volstagg,".
"The plan was to keep him here. Why have you failed me? You know what we seek."
Amora moved closer to him. "What you seek is no concern of mine," she hissed, although the stable lad was too far away to hear her. Thanos glared at her.
"I desire Thor," she stated. "Thor is attached to Loki. Remove Loki and I get Thor, and you," she looked away dismissively, "get whatever trinkets you desire."
A moment later, Amora was suspended by her throat agaisnt the stable wall as Thanos stared at her. Her windpipe crushed, she could only writhe helplessly as Thanos spoke,
"Foul, mewling wretch! You are led by your quim instead of using your mind. Those 'little trinkets' have to the power to control the Nine Realms and you think only of your lust."
A punch to her gut and Amora screamed soundlessly.
"Go to your God of Thunder, pathetic wretch. I mean to get what I want. Roll in the shit like the bitch you are."
Amora gagged and retched on the stable floor as Thanos left. Her only hope was to follow Thor and plan on Midgard.
"You wish to take your father's steed to Midgard?" Was that genuine suprise on the Guardian's face, Thor wondered.
"I plan to take Loki's child, even if I have to wrestle you for the means to do it."
Bur Heimdall only looked out across the heavens and nodded.
"Thor, I only ask that you return soon. Loki has need of you, but so does Asgard."
"I promise, Heimdall."
"Very well, then.". An exchange of nods and Thor travelled the Bifrost, surrounded by a blue glow that enveloped himself and Slepnir.
Heimdall stared after them, a growing pit of fear within him. Was it the fact that Odin's lies were being found out? Or had he missed some vitally important threat whilst Odin slept? Heimdall closed his eyes and concentrated his thoughts. Was someone here to attack Asgard? The Nine Realms? Or was Asgard destroying itself from within?
Jane awoke as lightening struck and a series of thumps sounded from above. She went into the corridor to see Pepper and Tony stroll past.
"Alarm call. Thor's back." They carried on, Pepper smiling back at Jane.
Thor's back. Wait, Thor left? Again?
Jane hurried along to the rooftop, along with the Avengers, save Hawkeye. She stopped dead in her tracks, causing Erik to almost walk into her.
Surrounded by blue light, which quickly dispersed, Thor stood proudly, surrounded by bags and...
"Thor, is that a horse?" Tony stared.
"Where is Loki, Tony? I have things for him."
"That's an eight legged horse, Thor. On my roof."
"Yes, yes," Thor stated impatiently. "I brought him from Asgard. Where is Loki?"
"Where am I supposed to keep him, Thor?"
"You will need a cradle, I suppose. My brother, Tony, bring him here."
"No, no way Thor, not after last time,"
"Did Thor say 'cradle'," asked Steve to Bruce, who could only shake in head in disbelief.
Thor strode over to Tony and placed both hands on Tony's shoulders, a pleading look in his eyes.
"Please Tony. No harm will come."
Pepper decided for him. "Clint, can you bring Loki up please?"
Jane wandered over to the horse, who turned around and swished his tail. Eight hooves made a lot of noise. A journal had fallen out of one of the bags and Jane picked it up to read runes, in verse it seemed. Natasha stroked Slepnir neck as he nuzzled into hers.
"Nice decison, Pepper. Jarvis, adjust the shields."
"Already taken care of sir. Shall I retrieve the suit?"
Pepper shook her head and whispered to Tony, "You won't need it," to Tony as the elveator doors opened.
"Holy shit, a horse?!" exclaimed Clint, as Thor took Loki's arm and gently led him to Slepnir.
"I brought your books, Loki. You can undo Father's bonds."
Slepnir switched his attention to Loki and nuzzled him as Loki wrapped both arms around his neck.
"Which books do you need?"
"Just one Thor," Loki said in a choked voice. "I need the runes to break the bond."
Jane handed him the tome as Thor introduced her and Loki bowed his head to her as he took the book. Thor carefully moved the bags away from Loki and indicated that everyone should give him room, as Loki began to chant. Intoning ancient spells, a mist began to form around them both , as Thor passed Jane the picture. She glanced at it, gaped a moment and asked,
"Is that...?"
Thor nodded. "I bid you all be silent, please my friends," as a murmuring had started; after all it was not every day you had a horse on the roof.
Loki summonded his magic. Feeling the familiar power rising in his body and gathering in his palms, his hands shot out and grasped Odin's medal on Slepnir's bridle, feeling the release of golden, hateful magic as the bond broke.
The transformation took place. Bruce saw a folding, Tony a mist collaspsing in on itself, Pepper a light gathering into Loki's arms. Natasha and Clint lowered their weapons as the horse vanished and Loki held a small bundle in his arms.
Thor grinned broadly at this. Erik was reminded briefly of Thor's fake id and hid his smile. Everyone peered at the bundle, whilst Loki could not bring himself to look away from the most precious, important bundle in the Nine Realms.
Tony took a few steps forward, then stopped, annoyed.
"Jarvis, get SHIELD to clear those 'copters away."
"Already requested, sir."
Tony walked up to Loki. The bundle sneezed. The group stood, openmouthed, as Loki cradled Slepnir in his arms and Slepnir nuzzled into his neck.
"So, that's why we need the cradle," remarked Steve and Thor laughed. As the Avengers came to admire the child, Loki looked across to Thor, and Hawkeye noted his first genuine smile since coming to Midgard.
"Thank you, brother."