A/N: I liiiiiiiiiive!

First off, I just want to say that if you even bothered to come check this out, you have the patience of a saint. I apologize for my long hiatus. I knew that I was going to be gone for about a month or two in December, but I wasn't able to finish this chapter in time to let you all know in advance. And then life happened, and I ended up being gone for much longer than I intended. I'm sorry!

Also, guys, I got to meet Tom Hiddleston. And it was awesome.

Anyway, I don't really expect any of you to still be interested/remember what's going on/want to come back, but just in case anyone who read before is interested in this chapter I am including a little recap.

The Story So Far…

After Loki discovers that he has Asgardian blood, he sneaks into Asgard disguised in his Aesir skin and goes by the name of Luke to see what all of the fuss is about. There he meets Thor, Sif, and the Warriors Three, though they don't get along right away. After a challenge is issued and they fight alongside each other, they win each other's grudging respect and interest. Loki decides to continue visiting Asgard, since he apparently has nothing better to do and is finally finding the Asgardians mildly interesting.

Thor and Loki have a strong attraction to each other, though they of course both convolute everything. Loki makes multiples schemes and plans that he keeps changing so that he can keep visiting Asgard without feeling guilty about it (and also so that he doesn't have to admit to himself that he's interested in Thor in any way). Meanwhile, he starts researching the reason behind the war between Asgard and Jotunheim that ended when he was born. He also starts helping Thor in the realm of politics, giving advice that takes them to a lord's home in Asgard where unknown to him a trap has been set.

They are attacked by what appears to be several magi, though they never truly see any of them. Thor is gravely injured, and Loki casts a spell that knocks out one of the mages. Commander Tyr, the foreboding and disagreeable commander of armies (who is also Balder's uncle), finds the body of the attacker and brings it to Asgard's dungeons where his second in command takes over and tortures the assailant for more information. Loki had been taken prisoner at the end of the battle and was under suspicion for being a part of the group due to his ability to hide himself from Heimdall's gaze, but he is cleared when Tyr begrudgingly vouches for him. Frigga lets Loki out of his cell and reveals that she knows who Loki is. She also asks him to help her son.

Meanwhile, Thor has been removed from his position as heir to the throne in favor of Odin's illegitimate child, Prince Balder. Balder has no desire for the position, but isn't given much of an option.
Back on Jotunheim, Loki's brother Byleistr has been suffering through an abusive relationship with his mate, Aggar, in hopes of keeping a tentative peace between his father and some of the southern tribes. Loki makes plans with Thrym, who loves Byleistr, to do something to stop him. Byleistr is suspicious and enlists Helblindi's help.

I definitely don't have everything in here, but that should be enough to go on for now.

From here on out, I will also be scheduling my next posts at the end of the current post, since I always work better with a deadline. See you on the other side!

Chapter Twenty-Six

Helblindi shifted uncomfortably within the confines of the covered sledge as Byleistr watched him nervously. He had recommended that they tour the lands of the surrounding lords, and knowing that Byleistr was at least semi aware of what Loki was up to, Helblindi had agreed. Besides, it was past time that they checked in with some of the nobility in their own homes, and their father was too busy to go.

Then they suddenly received word that there was some kind of incident up north where some wild Kaites—huge, white wolf-like beasts that stalked the tundra—had gotten desperate enough to attack a storage outpost since much of their typical prey had passed away due to Jotunheim's increasingly cold temperatures. It was grim news, though grim news was growing more and more common as their planet was slowly becoming inhospitable.

Thrym had called in all of the soldiers from the closest part of the continent to the south of them to deal with the matter, since much of their army was already out dealing with various natural disasters. Helblindi had been about to ask if Byleistr thought they should return to the capital so that they might be able to go wherever their father and Thrym thought that they would be the most help, but before he could do so Byleistr gave the men orders to abruptly change direction.

Now they were heading south, and Helblindi thought he finally understood what was going on. The soldiers that had been called north to deal with the Kaites had been all of the men from Aggar's province. That couldn't be coincidental. Even Helblindi couldn't argue that it made sense though, with their men up north needing support and Aggar being the closest of the Southern Houses. So if something tragically happened to their lord in their absence… well, it would just be unfortunate timing, and thus nothing to start a civil war over.

Helblindi was beginning to regret his choice to help Byleistr thwart whatever Loki was planning, since he now thought that he would have heartily supported whatever his youngest brother had in store for Aggar.

"You don't think our presence will cause suspicion if anything… untoward were to happen to Lord Aggar?" He finally grumbled into the tense silence.

Byleistr's lips tightened and at first Helblindi thought that he wasn't going to answer. Then, finally, he said, "Then we'll just have to make sure that nothing does happen, won't we?"

-Loki-

Loki and Thor whiled away a week's worth of afternoons sitting lazily on the grass in front of the palace while Thor tried (and occasionally succeeded) to learn Vanaheim's court etiquette, and Loki provided increasingly heated rewards. The Jotun prince had tried to keep the smile off of his face after every exchange, but gave up somewhere around day three. His only consolation was that surely the dopey, sunshine-filled, love struck looks that Thor leveled at him were far more pathetic than his own. He just pointedly chose to ignore how much he enjoyed them. That day, Thor had just finished memorizing the right phrase to say over his food in thanks when Volstagg spotted them and dragged the others over. As they approached, Thor grabbed Loki to claim his kiss.

Each kiss had gotten longer and more intense as Thor pushed to see how much he could get away with and Loki allowed him to get away with more and more. Volstagg chuckled and Sif rolled her eyes as they joined them but made no comment. Fandral, however, couldn't not comment.

"Nice. Are you two finally fu—"

His words ended in a gasp of pain as Hogun's steel tipped boot seemed to accidently find his heel. Before he could say anything more, Sif addressed Thor, who reluctantly pulled away from Loki. "The preparations are going well, then?"

Thor's sunny smile dimmed slightly. "Well, I know a few pleasantries and I probably won't mix up the Ljosalfar titles and Vanir ones, but other than that…" he shrugged helplessly. Loki silently agreed with him. Even with his help, the depth of knowledge that Thor was lacking in—and his frustratingly slow pace of learning—were making this task impossible. It wasn't that Thor was stupid, only that he found learning little niceties and small details perplexing and needlessly complicated.

Sif's smile looked a bit forced, "You'll get there." They all stood around awkwardly for a moment, before Loki realized that they hadn't just come by to make small talk.

"What's going on?" He asked impatiently.

"It's not anything important, really," Fandral hedged, "Just a side note, you know. We were on our way to a hunt and we thought we'd stop by and let Thor know that, well, there are some visitors in town. So in order to stay focused, you two should probably stay out here. For a day or five."

Loki glanced over at Thor to see if this was making any more sense to him, but Thor looked just as lost. "Visitors? I'm certain my father and brother will handle them. Why would they be a cause for concern?"

Sif shifted her weight, "Not concern exactly, just… irritation," She seemed to think for a moment more before just shrugging and saying, "You know the nobility has been trickling in for a while now to bid their congratulations to Balder and to feel out the mood of the court after the announcement. Well, she has finally shown up. I just thought you'd like forewarning."

Loki raised his brows in amusement, no more clued in than he had been before, but Thor looked grim with sudden understanding. "Did she say anything to any of you?"

"Just the usual backhanded compliments and hidden insults. We just wanted to let you know before we left. We won't be back until tomorrow."

Loki cleared his throat, "Who is this, exactly?"

Sif opened her mouth to reply, and then stopped, giving him a considering look. "You know, it's funny. I can't decide if you two are going to get along, or if you're going to destroy each other." She smiled thinly, "Her name is Lady Amora, and she's a nasty piece of work. She has a reputation for twisting people to her every whim, and she usually gets away with it. Just steer clear of her."

They said their farewells, and after they had gone Loki studied Thor, who was absently tearing up blades of grass. "I'm going to assume you have a history," he said dryly.

Thor blinked and seemed to remember where they were. "Ah, well, yes. But it's not of any importance." He waved his hand dismissively and Loki sighed but decided not to press him further…at least for the moment.

He attempted to continue the lesson, but Thor stumbled over the information so much that Loki realized he was going to remember none of it. "Why don't we take a break for a while and come back to it later," he finally said, resigned. There was no way Thor was going to be ready in time.

Thor, however, brightened immediately. "Then this will be the perfect time!" He grabbed a very confused Loki and hoisted him to his feet.

"Time for what?" His suspicious nature got the best of him. Thor didn't seem to notice his hesitance, though, as he began half-dragging Loki back towards the castle. "Aren't we supposed to be avoiding the palace for a while?"

"We're not going in, we're going around back. Besides," Thor shrugged, "Amora probably won't leave until she has gotten whatever she came for, so if it does have something to do with me I'll see her at some point regardless of how much I try not to. I don't think it will be an issue, though. I think she might be Balder's problem, now." He looked half guilty, half relieved at this admission.

At first Loki thought that they were going to the stables, but only became more confused as they passed by them and paused by the pastures. He raised a brow at Thor, who for some reason suddenly appeared nervous.

"I had been thinking, you know, of a way to thank you for everything you've done. You have been helping me without promise of payment or reward, only out of friendship." Loki carefully kept his face straight. This wasn't strictly true—he had his own agenda, of course. But it wasn't as though he could tell Thor that. Instead, he let the other prince continue, "For a while I couldn't think of anything you would want. I considered books, for I know you love them, but I had no idea where to begin or what you would like. Besides, I thought that a paltry gift."

Here Loki struggled not to roll his eyes. Thor would think books a poor present. He doubted the man before him understood the value of even the least of the books in his library.

"But then I remembered how much you loved Gullfaxi, and I thought that if you wanted to continue learning to ride, you should have a proper mount." Loki watched Thor apprehensively. His "love" of Gullfaxi was a bit of a stretch. He didn't find the beast unpleasant, per se, and besides the scent he supposed it was a bit charming, but he wasn't sure if he liked where Thor was going with this.

"So… you are loaning me a horse while I learn to ride?"

Thor beamed, "Better! There's a trader who comes to the capital once a year from Vanaheim who breeds the most beautiful horses. They are powerful and well trained, and he only even sells them to the most important and influential people on Asgard and Vanaheim. He is the man I purchased Gullfaxi from after I helped her dam give birth to her. He owes me a bit of a favor, and after I told him all about you he agreed to sell you one!" Thor looked excited, so Loki managed a weak smile. "I will cover the cost, of course," the Asgardian prince quickly added, looking at him expectantly.

"I have nowhere to keep such a creature," Loki deflected, but Thor just grinned.

"Not to worry, I have emptied the stall next to Gullfaxi. You may keep your horse there as long as you wish to," He was still watching Loki hopefully, so the Jotun plastered a small but pleased smile onto his face. It was apparently convincing, because Thor eagerly pushed him forwards towards the gates to one of the pastures. "All of the beasts in this paddock are Barlan's. You may choose whichever you wish."

Loki let himself cautiously inside. All around him the large, gorgeous creatures grazed placidly on the grass. Two of the nearer ones perked up and shuffled over to investigate him, nuzzling his chest, back, and hair as though searching for hidden treats. Loki had a sneaking suspicion that certain people did, in fact, sneak treats to them. He glanced back at Thor, who was watching him with a silly grin on his face. Loki's lips twitched slightly.

He turned back and, with more confidence, moved forward across the field. He rigidly allowed several more of the creatures investigate him as he slowly became more comfortable in their presence. He was eying a lovely soft white and grey creature when suddenly a sharp movement at the corner of his view drew his gaze.

That was the one. He knew it instantly, felt the connection in the way that only two magical beings can sense each other. The beast was enormous and coal black, its tail twitching to express its agitation. It shook its head several times, and it was then that Loki noticed that, unlike its companions, it was fettered to the fence.

"Thor," he called out, and immediately the Asgardian prince joined him. "Did you choose one?" He asked, hopeful.

"Why is that horse tied to the fence?" Loki asked. He could feel the latent rage in the creature, its intelligence lending it an awareness of being more limited than its brethren, no matter how long the tether was.

Thor frowned. "Oh, don't worry about that one. He's just… a bit spirited. They were working on breeding a more intelligent war horse but whatever magic they were using backfired and, well, he's the result. Just don't go anywhere near him and you'll be fine."

Loki scowled and marched purposefully across the grass. The stallion shook its head again and danced from foot to foot, its dark eyes flashing a warning. Loki slowed and reached out to the creature with his magic, projecting his intention to cut the tether. The creature stilled and watched him with suspicious eyes. He made his way forward again, ignoring Thor's shouts.

When he drew out his knife the stallion's muscles tensed, but they relaxed as Loki quickly sliced through the thick rope that held him back. When he was free, the stallion considered him for a moment, moving forward as though to investigate him more carefully. Loki watched him steadily, unconsciously holding his breath. Then a mischievous gleam sparked in the creature's eyes as it spun around faster than Loki could register and barreled straight at Thor. The horse moved more quickly than Loki had ever seen something of his size move, and crossed the paddock almost before Thor could react.

Thor threw himself out of the horse's path just in time, banging his knee on the water trough, which sent him headlong into the feeding trough. He stumbled to his feet, sputtering and trying to wipe the muck from his eyes so that he could see what was going on. He heard the hooves approaching before he regained his sight, and slipped in a pile of horse dung as he tried to make his second escape.

Loki laughed harder than he could remember laughing in a long time. Tears ran down his face as he watched the regal prince of Asgard stumble gracelessly out of the pasture, covered in filth and probably a few bruises, but otherwise unharmed. Oh, he was not going to let Thor live this down. He couldn't wait to tell Fandral.

The midnight stallion was prancing about the pasture now, king of the field. His tail was held up like a silken victory flag, his head held upright in an arrogant arc, and Loki could feel the fierce joy and wicked amusement radiating from him.

"Oh, I think I've chosen one!" Loki crossed the pasture, smiling with devious delight.

-Thor-

"Absolutely not!" Thor yelled back. He was still wiping his face, trying unsuccessfully to glare at the stallion that was strutting about the field mockingly.

"You said I could have whichever one I wished," Luke reminded him as he approached the gate and leaned against it.

Thor looked from him to the stallion that, to his surprise, had approached his friend docilely and was watching Thor with a certain satisfaction over his shoulder. Luke reached up almost absent-mindedly to stroke the beast's muzzle. Thor wondered where his friend's nervous caution had disappeared to. Earlier in the pasture he had been tense, and that had been around far more well-behaved beasts than this nightmare.

He looked up to see two sets of eyes watching him. He swore both sets were laughing.

"What about the pretty grey one?" It was a last ditch effort. Luke just stared levelly at him, unwilling to back down. Thor sighed in defeat and waved his hand. "Oh, fine. But you're feeding him."

Luke grinned. "Of course. After you teach me. And give me riding lessons, as previously agreed. And I'm certain that you also promised that I could lodge him here…?"

Thor glowered at his friend. "Yes," he said from behind gritted teeth, "I did." He shook bits of mushy wheat and oats from his hair.

His only consolation was that Luke's expression was radiant. That, after all, was what he had been hoping for. As his friend stroked the beast's muzzle they seemed to have a silent understanding that Thor had no part of. "Does he have a name?" Luke asked at last.

"Svadilfari. His name means unlucky traveler," Thor added under his breath, "Probably named for the poor bastard who had to help bring him here."

Luke just smiled. "Svadilfari. It's perfect."

He swore the damn horse preened.

-Later-

Thor rubbed at a bruise on his thigh as he exited the stables. He had spent the past few hours teaching Luke how to put the saddle and bridle onto his new horse, as well as how to brush him and care for his hooves. Svadilfari had been as gentle and compliant as a newborn kitten when Luke handled him, but had bitten, kicked, and stepped on Thor at every given opportunity. One of the stable lads had to be sent to the infirmary. Luke wouldn't hear a single word against the demon horse, though.

He was beginning to suspect that Luke was taking a great deal of pleasure from all of the difficulty.

Thor slumped tiredly against a post and closed his eyes. A small smile crept across his face as he remembered the unrestrained peals of laughter that had escaped Luke earlier. As distracted as he had been at the time, Thor had carefully filed that memory away for later. He sometimes got the impression that Luke didn't laugh very often. At least, not quite like that.

All of the bruises (both the physical ones and the ones to his ego) were worth the memory of Luke rubbing the curry comb over Svadilfari's flank in smooth circular motions, a peaceful glow around them. It didn't even matter that he had had to watch from well away from the stall. He also noticed that Luke hadn't complained of the smell even once.

He leaned his head back, resting it momentarily against the post as he recalled every tiny emotion that had flitted over Luke's face in the past few hours, treasuring each one.

"Thor, darling, there you are."

Thor's head snapped up, his peaceful demeanor shattered in an instant. Amora was sauntering towards him, her smile predatory.

-Loki-

Loki was so lost in his own thoughts as he ran the brush over Svadilfari's coat that at first he didn't notice the freezing sensation against his skin. When it finally registered with his brain, he dropped the brush in shock, snatching the smooth stone that was radiating cold out of his pocket.

He stared blankly at the pebble in his hand, the established magical signal from Thrym slowly turning his hand blue. How could it be time already? Loki dropped the stone and crushed it beneath his boot. Svadilfari watched him curiously as he stooped to reclaim the brush and dropped it into the bucket of grooming supplies, and then stood and ran a hand over the freshly brushed hair. Who knew that Thor's gift would end up being so lovely?

He wished he had more time to spend here, but there was business to attend to first.

He had to get Thor to Jotunheim, and quickly.

A/N: Thank you for reading! 3

Some notes: Horses typically eat dry food, at least in my experience. But these are Asgardian horses, and for -reasons- I decided to make their food damp. We'll just say it's some kind of Asgardian super-food for the Asgardian super-horses. ;)

I also feel like I have to reassure everyone that though Svadilfari is a nod to the Norse Mythology, Loki will not in fact be sleeping with him. Promise.

The next post will be on Monday, June 27th (at the latest)