Little Lion Man

by Natalie Rushman

Odin Borson. Heir of Asgard. His story started long before he was King. And will seemingly continue long after, as it yet appears he has much to do. Centuries Pre-Thor, through The Dark World. Rated T because Odin's not exactly a White Knight and I didn't want to have to be too cautious.

37. Chapter 37

Several times in those first days, Odin had Loki brought to him.

But the destruction of BiFrost had yet to be reversed, and the bubbling turmoil amidst the Realms would soon escalate to full warfare if nothing was done.

Odin had little time for the son that drained the utmost of his patience.

Frigga visited Loki often in his cell. They had shared great confidence during Loki's youth, Odin had hoped that he might admit some great thing to her. But if the boy relayed anything to her, it was a thing she would not tell.

Odin determined that he had little time, and objects other that might benefit from his attention. Loki was obstinate. Time would wear him down. He had the guards bring Loki less often.

Finally, Frigga came to him as he sat on his throne, surveying the damage caused by Asgard's absence from the realms.

"It has been some time," she said.

"Yes," he did not bother to ask of what she spoke. They both knew full well. "He shows no sign of repentance."

"It has been some time," she repeated herself, offering it gently, touching his arm with her hand. A hope. A shadow of her old smile hovered on her mouth.

Odin sighed. He looked at his queen. "Have you in your talks with him gleaned any reason for expectation of that?"

Her eyes glowed, "I have ever dwelt in hope for my menfolk."

"Then you have no new reason to urge this, today."

"I have not seen him today," she said. "But that the time has seemed to me to be over-long."

Odin closed his eye. The unrest in Vanaheim weighed heavily on his mind.

BiFrost was in working order again, and he considered that Asgard itself was steady. Thor's strength could be used elsewhere. It ought to have occurred to him sooner. He would send Thor, when Thor returned from the western coast, to Vanaheim to aid his friends. The conflict there was troubling in its nearness and ferocity. Thor could settle it. And, besides, he had sent the Lady Sif there. Thor could stand more contact with her. It had not been so long ago that Odin had thought to hear that they planned to wed.

But that was before Thor's banishment and his foolish preoccupation with mortals.

"Fine," he said. "I will send for him. But this will be the last time."

She pressed his arm.