"It was one thousand and forty seven and a half years ago. On the day Jotunheim fell to Asgard, mother gave birth to a son, my brother. The Asgardians were attacking our palace, and so three Keepers spirited the baby far away. The hopes of our race rested with this child so our people could begin again.
"The Keepers took my brother to the temple on the furthest reaches of our land, to the great goddess of ice and protection in hopes that she would protect the child. However the Keepers had not gone unnoticed and were stalked by a contingent of Asgardian troops that attacked the temple. The Keepers hid the child away before being slaughtered. The Asgardians plundered the treasures of the temple, and as legend says, spirited the child away to a vast, unknown land.
"This boy became our lost prince. He is our legend, our hope. It is told that he will return one day, with a heart filled with sorrow and pain, bringing back with him the Casket. It is told that he will return us to our former glory, as a great king, a wise and fair ruler."
It was the second time in the same day Loki was overwhelmed. This time it was Bella who squeezed his hand. He was truly a king. He was their symbol resistance, and while they knew of what he had done, the knowledge that flowed through Yggdrasil, he still remained their shining beacon of hope for the future and the continuation of their species. Then the more logical part of his brain reminded him that until this moment Jotunheim's people had no idea that Loki of Asgard and Loki of Jotunheim were one in the same.
"I guess Father was right," Thor said simply.
"If I knew I was an older brother, I would have tried to set a better example," Loki said shakily, the right words alluding him, as was usual right now.
"And failed," Sif scoffed.
"You are first born," Byleist continued, "You are well within your rights to depose me as king."
Loki's mouth sort of opened and closed, "the sorrow and pain . . . was caused by the throne of Asgard. I do not wish to relive it with your world," it took a few moments to reassert himself; "All I wish for is the information that we require to save the life of a small girl."
"It's more than the life of a small girl, brother," Byleist spoke, "Utgardaloki is behind the kidnapping,"
"We suspected as such," Loki replied.
"There have been stories, the kingdom of Utgardaloki which had been lost for centuries. Now and then people search for the kingdom, some come back, some disappear," he offered Loki some wine, which he waved away.
"No thank you, I'm driving."
"The disappearances began about a hundred years ago, and every twenty four years like clockwork, people disappear in a three month period," Byleist sipped his own wine, "we thought nothing of it, until one man returned. He was in a dreadful state, beaten and tortured, however he had overheard Utgardaloki's plans for the girl."
Loki nodded, "keep going."
"Utgardaloki wishes to create a new order among the realms. He wishes to conquer Midgard first in order to use the natural resources to take over the realms, and beyond. The girl can channel unimaginable energy, for a short time, and this energy he intends to use to change the shape of the universe. He intends to do this by opening the Void. I fear for the fate of the girl once he has finished."
"Not the girl," Loki growled, "her name is Sophia. I suggest you use it before I decide to split your skull."
Byleist smiled, "you are definitely Father's son. When you killed the old bastard, I was truly torn to whether I should send you flowers or perhaps a box of our finest chocolates," he shrugged, "Helblindi and I were three days from beginning out military coup; you and your Asgardian brother took out most of our opposition. Because of you, not a drop of blood was shed."
"Except the blood I shed," Loki sneered, "where are they going?"
"He said Midgard. They travel to a place called New York."
Loki fumed, "why the fuck is it always New York?"
"Don't swear, Loki," Bella said bitterly.
Loki's brow furrowed, "but you get to do it."