Truth - Part 2

Loki grunted as he crashed into Thor's back when the Asgardian stopped suddenly. Far, far above there was a faint pin-prick of light that illuminated the dried up bathing area in front of them, more dwarven skeletons were scattered about. One body laid out in the bottom of a pool, as he edged around Thor, had an orcish arrow through its left eye-socket.

Shook himself and asked, "Just why is it so hard for you to believe that Father lied to you, Thor ? Truly do you think I would lie about something this important ? What have I to gain by doing so ? Nought." as he turned to look at Thor.

Tanned, calloused hands landed on his shoulders, that fluttering in his stomach and he resisted the urge to shiver at the intensity in those eyes. 'If I hadn't already told Legolas I loved him, I think I would have just told Thor.'

A hand slid down to land on his chest, "How could you have hated yourself, Loki ? Who could hate my little brother ?"

Mirthless laughter burst from his lips, "Who could hate me ? Who could hate me, Thor ?! How about nearly fucking everyone on Asgard ! Oh, look everyone it's Loki, let's tell him how useless he is for not wanting to train every second of every day or wanting to read instead. Let's tell him how weak he is for preferring long-range weapons and using magic instead of short-range weapons. Otherwise known as Sif, Hogun, Fandral and Volstagg - all of your friends who only put up with me because you wouldn't be friends with them otherwise ! They left me to die on Vanaheim, Thor, if it hadn't been for that old lady I would have died that day." ice spiralled across the floor in his anger.

Thor was looking down at him like the man had never seen him before, Thor's hand slid to his side and then he was jerked into a crushing embrace, "I-I didn't know that Loki, I'm so sorry, brother. It does explain why they refused to come with though. So, Father lied to everyone about you, even yourself ?"

'One thing I didn't miss, being crushed every single time he does this. It still feels nice in that romantic way, but is it ever going to go away ?'

He nodded and pulled back so that he could breathe, "Everyone, but Mother, Laufey told me he suspected that Father had taken me when I showed up. And it's likely he lied to my birth mother about what happened to me before he killed her. That's part of why I enjoyed killing him so much, but just like Sif and the others he thought I was weak. I thought if I killed him, if I destroyed Jotunheim that I could erase the memories of finding out what I was and Father would finally be proud of me. I'm glad you let me go, otherwise I wouldn't have learned all that I have now is real - I have friends, Thor, real friends ! Acharn, Air, Merry, Pippin and even Boromir. Hmm, then there's Legolas, it's funny that he punched you as you really were an ass to me for quite a few years."

Another apology from Thor, before, "Oh, I found your knives after I electrocuted that kraken. Just how many of these do you have, Loki ?" and the blue-leather and steel clad Asgardian started handing them back to him.

When Thor gave them, he started re-sheathing them on his belt and replied, "As many as I need. Mother and yourself really looked for me for two years ?"

"You may be a jotun now, but you are still my brother, you will always be my brother. No matter what happens, if Mother and I are able we will look for you as you would us."

They started to try to find their way back along the now black rock walls and after going down many hallways they realized that they were lost. He ran a hand through his hair before he announced, "I could shift into a bird and try to find the way back to the others."

"No, Loki, then if you get lost, we'll both be lost possibly far apart and I just barely found you again. We look, and if there be enemies, we fight together as we would have these past two years."

'Well, it's nice to have you back on my side, big brother.'

So, yet again, they started looking while he called for Mother, Legolas and the others, Thor called for Mother. Mother was in front as she, Legolas and Boromir ran along the path up to them.

Legolas shook his head with a faint smile on his pale-skinned face, "What happens when I ask Lady Varda to guide you in not getting lost ? You get lost, perhaps then I should have asked her to help you get lost instead. Remind me to do that if you have to leave again, no ?"

"Of course, love."

It felt nice having his family back together, a part of him almost wished Acharn and Air could have been there as well. 'Even if this does go wrong, at least, Air, Acharn and Elrond will be able to live a bit longer, before having to fight for others and their own lives once again. While we would be meeting in Valhalla or Mandos' Halls, while all of Middle-Earth would be in ruin, Valog would be eating our corpses, and that's not acceptable.'