~ Chapter 35 ~

The Kings laughed at the expression on their children. It broke through the tension that had earlier lingered in the room and dispelled any ill will there might have been. Odin hid behind his beard while Laufey looked to the side to hide his mirth.

Both Loki and Thor looked from each other to the lunatics that they had called fathers.

"What's going on?" exclaimed Loki, demanding an answer.

Laufey coughed before straightening his face to look more professional. "You've both been gone for days, and during that time the Allfather and I had a lot of time to discuss your relationship and the future between our realms."

Odin stopped laughing and straightened his back. "You are a bad actor my son." he said fondly. "While you scared me when you were reported missing by your friends and I suspected the worst, you handled the situation as would be expected of a ruler-to-be." Odin then turned his eye to Loki. "As for your new... spouse. I can't really find any faults since he too is a crown prince, although somewhat lacking a throne since he reclined his right to Jotunheim's, he's still of royal blood and a powerful sorcerer. To call forth an Ice Dragon that's been sleeping in the ice for millenniums is no small feat. You two also rediscovered the ancient realm of Jotunheim that's been lost due to the Heklas. It was thanks to your little adventure that the threat of these creatures reached Jotunheim before it was too late, and that many more lives than could be counted for were saved."

"As for you, my son." Laufey picked up where Odin left off. "I know that I haven't always been the father you needed. We both know how our people feel about you and that those feelings won't change any time soon. That, however, doesn't change how proud I am of you. You are my eldest and it broke my heart that you were dying and I couldn't do anything. It's probably more than good fortune that brought your Aura to Jotunheim before you passed on. There is no doubt in my mind that it was destined." He looked straight into Loki's eyes. "You were always meant for greatness, my son."

They had to swallow it slowly what were being said and still their heads were spinning.

"So you're not angry at us?" Thor asked carefully.

"Angry?" Odin stated. "How could I be angry? Although your decision to come here was childish and dangerous, you've grown into becoming a fine man. One who will one day take over the throne of Asgard. Not to mention that you have found a spouse that will be able to rein you in when needed, and you share a deep love for each other, that is all your mother and I have ever hoped for you. No King should be alone on the throne."

Laufey looked over at the Allfather before focusing on the pair of young men.

"While you were gone, we have been discussing the future and we know that we can't keep you apart. We can't have either of you sneaking in and out of the realms and putting yourself and others in danger."

"One time is enough." Odin glared at his son who shrunk back from it. "Therefore, we thought the only thing left is to unite our realms in a mutual relationship of trade and protection." Odin continued. "Asgard will help Jotunheim in rebuilding itself to its former glory by opening the old trade routs that's been lost. Both realms will offer their protection when needed, and enrich each other and all willing realms in an open trade. If all things go well, we will be able to unite all realms and become stronger than ever."

"But that's not all," Laufey cut in, making the princes heads snap in his direction. "Because Jotunheim will require a source of energy to keep it running, we only have two options. The honored voices of our past Kings that rest in the heart of Jotunheim have kindly explained that only you, my son, as a Royal Sorcerer or the Casket of Eternal Winters, can sustain Jotunheim. But since the Casket is no longer in our hands," a silent hint to the Allfather. "and your Aura can not stay in Jotunheim for the rest of his life, we are in a dilemma.

"Thor has a duty as the heir of Asgard, and therefore makes it impossible for him to stay in Jotunheim as your mate. Which comes to our final decision."

"Which is what?" Loki asked as his hopes grew stronger and stronger.

"We are going to make an exchange." Odin said confidently. "In exchange for giving back the Casket of Eternal Winters, Thor get your hand in marriage."

Thor's hand tightened its grip on Loki's before they even looked at each other with surprised but happy smiles on their faces.

"For real?" Thor asked his father before giving King Laufey a look.

The old blue Jotun King nodded his head with a loop-sided smile.

The pair couldn't believe this was happening. It was beyond everything they could have hoped for.

"This alliance will be fragile for a few years until everyone learns to adjust to the changes." Odin said. "But give the people time and they will come to understand and cherish your union. This will be a new beginning for everyone, and you will lead them there."

After finishing up some of the few details left, Thor and Loki left the room to go eat and take a bath.

When they rounded the second corner and sure that they had left their fathers behind, Loki flew up on Thor. His blue hands grasping Thor's cheeks and kissed him deeply as the Aesir's hands came up on his sides.

They parted with a laugh before throwing their arms around each other. Never had they even dreamed everything could be solved so easily.

"I can not believe this is happening." Loki said happily. "We are getting married." He pulled back and kissed his Asgardian again before renewing the hug with just as much strength as he could manage.

Thor laughed joyfully as swinging Loki around in a circle before setting him down on the floor. Their happy moment was however pulled short with Loki's gasp of pain.

"What's wrong?" Thor asked concerned, without letting go.

Loki's hand came down to his thigh. "Just my legs. I guess they are not ready for big use just yet."

When he looked back at Thor, the other looked like a wet puppy, in Loki's eyes absolutely adorable. He swiped his hand over his forehead and pushed away some wayward blond strands that had gotten into Thor's face.

"Give me time and I will heal." he said before taking another kiss as insurance. "Trust me."

"I trust you." Thor moaned. He then wrapped his arm around Loki's back and started to slowly walk them down the hall. "What do you want to do first? Eat or bath?"

The Jotun thought carefully for a moment before sighing. "I'm to hungry to take a bath, but I'm too filthy for food." his eyes lit up. "How about we bring something to eat with us to the baths?"

It was like a light went on in Thor's head and he smiled cheerfully at his mate. "I love the idea." he kissed Loki's head before leaning the other against him. "I get to watch you clean yourself while feeding you little bits of food. It's a brilliant idea."

Loki chuckled at the childish enthusiasm. "I think we will need some more than little bits." Loki quoted. "I can think of some bigger thing I want to taste." there were no denying the spark in his eyes or the sly smirk on his lips. It sent blood flowing wild in Thor's body.

"Let's find the kitchen or food storage and see what they have first." he said.

Sif and her friends had been overlooking the return of their dead until recently. It had been a gruesome job to find everyone, but they finally had finished it. After the first day of meeting both Odin and Laufey had dismissed them to talk privately. Still, they had heard enough to know what it was all about.

While it took some time for them to think about Thor and the Jotun Prince in a romantic relationship, it was actually the knowledge of Thor being romantically interested in ANYONE that made them most surprised.

They had all grown up together, more or less, and they had all seen how many offers Thor got, but the few he accepted was soon over. So it went without saying that they would tease Thor without mercy.

However, one thing they wouldn't mention for a long time were the bets they were placing on him.

TBC