Thor kept true to his words, the next evening he came back. Not with one new book, not two or three but five. Five books in his backpack.
It was enough to make Loki forget all about being angry and just dismissed Thor entirely laying the books out on the floor. He didn't even notice when Thor left.
As it always would be with historical accounts, messages would be inconsistent, there would be a lot of speculation and cross references were needed.
Loki pulled out parchments of papers and started to write, comparing the timelines and noting what pages in what book concerned itself with what specific events.
He had to be methodical to use his time best, but it was hard to resist the urge to just go forward in time!
Bor was killed in battle, speared by Surturs magma spear. Odin was at the battlefield and in a rage had killed the person whom had wielded the spear. Surturs son, Prince Sandun of Musphelheim. All in the same battle and Asgard had been declared the victor, forcing Musphelheim to their knees.
Odin swore to continue his fathers work, to avenge Bors death… it had happened right in front of Odins eyes. Odin whom was only a very young man back then. He swore, what-ever it took.
Then what… Then what?
Loki flipped through the pages and he halted, for there was an illustration.
The illustration of a woman wearing green armor, a large hornet helmet, she was wielding a massive axe and under the illustration was a name.
Hela Odindottir.
Loki halted, slowly he glanced back up at the illustration. The woman took front stage, next to her, slightly in the background was the illustration of a king.
This one though had two eyes and blond hair… He was young. Much younger than now.
Loki swallowed as he dared himself to read the text.
Hela Odindottir, the goddess of death. Future Queen of Asgard. The mightiest of all Aisir. She will bring peace to the nine realms, all shall be united under her rule.
Loki gasped for breath, then slowly he flipped back, he went back to the start of the book and looked at an illustration. A woman, a very beautiful woman. With long dark hair.
On her lap was a young blond boy, resting in his mothers embrace. And next to her a cript with twins. The text read.
"Quenn Bestla. Beloved by all. Her husband, the people. But most of all her sons. Taken to soon by vicious enemies. May her death be avenged, so she may go forward to Valhalla in peace."
Loki halted, then he looked at the young boy on his mothers lap. Resting towards her stomach… And two babies sleeping right next to them.
Loki tilted his head as he looked at the image… Then he moved on, opening another book to find another portrait of that horned woman.
She seemed to be grinning in the picture, there was something odd about her, something malicious. And that name.
Hela Odindottir… Princess of Asgard.
Loki looked up, that was when a small glimmer appeared in front of Loki.
Loki frowned as he stood up.
"Loki…" the magical speck called out. "Prince Loki… Respond."
Loki stood as he looked at the cold white spec of pure magic, calling his name, then he reached out his blue hand and tapped the shimmer, only for a window to open up, showcasing a icy throne room and a Jotunn sorcerer.
"I told you my king it could be done!" The sorcerer grinned.
Loki frowned by the sight as a deep voice sounded. "Move aside."
"Of course my king." The sorcerer bowed and walked aside to reveal the big icy throne and on it a King, looking at Loki with narrowed red eyes.
Loki mirrored that look exactly as he looked at the big king, only wearing a loin cloth and a cape with fur trimmings.
Then Laufey smirked. "So you maintained Jotunn form even now." he commented as he leaned forward. "How commendable. I am almost feeling a sense a pride."
Loki lifted his head as he snorted, and then he changed shape. He shrank down in seize, the broken horns vanished. His height turning into that of an aisir and his build much more slender, his clothes transformed into green aisir clothes. And yet his skin color and red eyes remained the same as he stood with his hands behind his back glaring at Laufey.
Laufeys eyes narrowed.
"A fitting form yes?" Loki asked in a voice which was exactly like his Aisir voice not his Jotunn one. "I am a bit of both, yet neither." he stated. "And I am not your kin. What do you want?" he asked in a huff.
Laufey was clearly displeased but then cleared his throat. "I thought perhaps it was time we talk." he then stated. "It is true I miss treated you in the past, but perhaps I acted hastily."
"Miss treated me?" Loki asked. "You left me to die the same day I was born. The second we reunited you had me beaten to force me to tell where I came from. When I refused to talk, you let the beating continue and I am sure would have continued until I was dead." he stated crossing his arms.
Laufey smirked. "As I said, I may have acted hastily."
Loki huffed.
"You may be unaware." Laufey commented. "But you are my oldest son, thus the throne of Jotunnheim is your birth right." he commented.
"Fantastic." Loki replied. "Then all I need to do is to kill you and I would be the rightful king. It would solve a lot of my problems." he commented.
For a moment Laufey looked at Loki, then he smiled clearly amused. "How amusing." he commented. "That you honestly believe it would be that simple." he stated settling on his throne.
Loki shrugged. "I was offered the position of being King of Asgard the other day. I have my ways." then he glared at Laufey. "I am tempted to take that offer. The attack I would launch would be without mercy, and be aimed very specifically at you."
"Oh you are amusing little one." Laufey chuckled to himself. "I'm almost feeling a bit of fondness."
"Trust me, the feeling is not mutual." Loki commented.
"What a shame." Laufey commented. "For I have a proposition for you."
"Do you now?" Loki asked in a snort as he crossed his arms.
"Indeed." Laufey stated. "You are Loki, Odins so called second son. Are you not?" he asked.
"I am not Odins son." Loki replied.
Laufey grinned, all of his sharp teeth showing. "Of course not." he stated. "He took you out of pity, then put you on a display. Forced you into a form which isn't your own. Raised you while filling your head with lies. And yet you were being made a fool to make his true son look grander. Is that not true?"
Loki snarled, a low growl coming from his throat.
"Oh I know of you, Loki." Laufey smirked. "One of the greatest sorcerers in all of Asgard. Do you know something about the casket of winters?" he asked. "Only Jotunns can use it, but we have no sorcerer with the… Skill, to harness its full potential."
Loki lifted an eyebrow.
"Listen to me, little one." Laufey spoke in a low tone. "Odin is sleeping, the people are unsatisfied with their new king. They are questioning his orders and his motives. They are at odds, they lack a strong leader. Now would be the time to strike!"
Loki looked at Laufey. "You are telling a Prince of Asgard about your plans to strike?" he asked. "That seems pretty foolish."
"Prince of Asgard?" Laufey asked. "Or Prince of Jotunnheim?" he leaned back. "When I caught you, I weren't aware of your amazing gifts as a sorcerer. A person like you… Could truly harness the powers of the casket of winters. A person like you, could be revered and honored in the halls of Jotunnheim. I might even be willing to accept him as my heir after all."
"Somehow I doubt the current crown prince would be to pleased." Loki commented.
"Helbindi will fall in line." Laufey huffed. "Of course, what we need from you is a sign of your loyalty." he stated. "Simple really." and he looked at Loki. "open the passageway, let us inside."
Lokis eyes narrowed.
"Odin is a sleep." Laufey spoke in such a soft voice. "Allow me to assure that he never wakens." he asked. "Odin wronged you, for all these years he made you a fool. I swear to you, do this for me, and I will do right by you."
Loki stood still, absolutely still and Laufey smirked.
"Think about it, Prince Loki of…" Laufey halted then grinned. "Well, I guess that last part is up to you." and the window vanished leaving Loki in the guest chambers he was currently occupying. Then he looked down at the books in front of him, before glancing up… What now?