As Thor ventured back to the Jotunn guest chamebrs Loki were using, a day after he had dropped off five books. He was fully expecting to see Loki head deep into all those books, all of them opened up on tables and desks, papers with writing.
In fact Thor was kind of looking forward to see it, but was left disappointed as he opened the door and there was none of that.
Loki was sitting in one of the chairs, leaning back and the books… Thor had to look around before he finally found them.
Six books total, stacked into one tower. No papers, no scribbles. Nothing.
Thor turned to the Jotunn sitting in the chair then frowned, there was something different about him… He was still twice the seize of Thor. His markings were all intact… Then it hit Thor, the broken horns were missing. As if they had just magically vanished.
"So… Loki." Thor spoke closing the down behind him. "What have you found?"
There was no reply and Thor frowned.
"Loki." Thor huffed. "What have you learned?"
Still no reply.
"Loki!" Thor exclaimed.
Loki smirked. "Your majesty, always loosing your temper so very easily."
Thor sighed deeply. "You are playing me on purpose, I get it." he sighed. "Can we just… So what did you learn? Do you know how Bestla died?" he asked.
Loki was quiet.
"And what of Odin, what about the beginning of his reign. If it's so important that it must remain hidden?" Thor asked. "Do you know?"
"I might." Loki leaned back. "Question is if I feel inclined to tell you."
Thor huffed. "We had a deal!" he exclaimed. "It wasn't me asking you a favor, it was a deal! I gave you the books and you tell me what you found!"
Loki lifted an eyebrow. "Are you telling me I should know my place?"
"I am telling you to stay true to your part of the deal!" Thor stated. "You agreed to this, we had a deal!"
"Thor.." Loki spoke.
"I know you're mad at me, and you have a right to be mad!" Thor continued. "But you can't just agree to something and then refuse to do your part."
"Thor." Loki growled.
"I'm sticking my neck out for you, do you even know that?" Thor asked.
"THOR!" Loki shouted and Thor turned to him.
Loki caught Thors eyes and for a moment their eyes were locked, the red eyes keeping Thors gaze in place. Then Loki lifted his hand to his head, he folded it except his little finger and ring finger and then tapped his ear.
Thor blinked… Countless of times they had been on travels together, sometimes at places where they weren't supposed to be. They had come up with ways to communicate and this one was always the beginning.
The single sign that Loki had often given Thor.
We are being watched.
As usual Thor had to contain himself and not look around like an idiot, Loki had explained to him often enough that if Thor started to look around it would give away that they knew they were being watched.
"If you are so concerned about the contents of those books, perhaps you should read them yourself." Loki commented.
Thor frowned, the game had suddenly changed. The things Loki said… They were to distract who-ever watched them. Or just fill out time… But if they were being watched, that left some questions. Who would be watching them. And how?
Loki snapped his finger and a green spark flickered, a magic spark…
Magic, someone was using magic to watch them.
"I am a busy man Loki, opposed to what you may think." Thor stated. "A king has a lot of duties." he crossed his arms, but the left point finger was pointing forwards.
I got your message. I understand.
"Oh what a surprise." Loki snorted. "But it could only be a surprise to the likes of you." he slammed his fist into his flat hand.
Do the opposite of what I tell you to do.
It had been a clever tactic in the past… Loki would instruct Thor to go south, the people who listened would grin and make their trap, but Thor would go north. The opposite.
"So don't worry about it, leave the books here." Loki asked.
That made Thor blink… The opposite of leave the books here? Take the books?
"Erhm, no." Thor stated. "You refused your part of the deal, I'm going to take the books!" he stated, then couldn't help but look questioning at Loki.
Loki seethed. "How dare you! You owe me Thor, leave them be!" and he demanded while clapping his hands together.
You got it correct, take the books.
"Well I am!" Thor stated as he marched towards the books. "You are not going to see them again until you keep up your part of the deal!"
"I don't have to answer to you!" Loki huffed.
"Fine!" Thor stated as he picked up all of the books. "Have it your way then!"
"Fine I will!" Loki shouted.
And Thor huffed as he plainly left with all the books and Loki growled. Thor could only admire what an amazing actor his brother was.
Far from them. In another realm a Jotunn sorcerer was blinking… Those two so called brothers really despised each other on a deep level.
Then he grinned, excellent. That Loki would be sure to come to their aid sooner or later.
Thor couldn't help but feel nervous as he walked into his own chambers, carrying all the old ancient books in his arms.
Loki was being watched, someone using magic was watching him. Or was it the both of them? Was Thor being watched as well? And by who! Why?
Thor really wished he could have asked for more information, but that was always the tricky part when you're being watched… Then it was probably the best idea to put the books back where they came from.
The secret library, magically warded so only the king could enter. And Thor made a direct journey to the room, opened it up, placed the books on the floor and headed out sealing the room back up again as he sighed deeply. He was exhausted, like usual. But his mind was bothering… Like usual.
And he couldn't go asking questions if he was being watched, without even thinking Thor headed outside and soon were at his little workshop where he was doing his wood work.
A table was proudly standing, fine carvings following the table legs and edges, and there was a matching chair to! And now Thor continued work on a second chair.
He was actually quite proud of his work, it was good work! And he had made this with his own hands. Take that Loki! I'm not utterly useless.
Well, except for when it comes to the matter of being king… Thor sighed deeply as he continued working.
Just then, a group of people came wandering a large group.
Sif ran. "THOR!" she screamed and Thor looked up to see Sif. "Thor, I'm sorry. I didn't know."
Thor frowned slightly then turned his head to see the people marching towards him, the entire council. Torkild…. Alongside Tyr, Ragnil, Frej… Even Eir and Myra whom stood close together but looked away from Thor. Not like they were agreeing with the group.
Thor frowned as he stood up facing the council and all the soldiers behind them. "What's going on?" Thor asked.
Torkild stepped forward. "King Thor." he stated. "You have now been sitting on the throne for eleven days. In that time, you have lost the casket of winters. Allowed an attempt on your own life to go unpunished. Allowed the continued humiliations of Asgard to take place. Realms are looking upon us, and see us becoming weak. We the council have talked and have all agreed. Thor Odinson is not suited to be king."
Thor looked at them, then slowly he stood up. Showing his full height, he was higher than all of them. "Not suited?" Thor asked. "And what do you intend to do about this? I am the crown prince, and I was chosen by Odin." he crossed his arms.
Torkild looked up at him, as unimpressed as ever. "For now we shall take over the duties." he stated. "We shall search for Loki, and when he is found he shall take the throne. Unless Odin awakens beforehand, in which case he of course will take back the throne."
"And if you don't find Loki and Odin doesn't wakens?" Thor asked.
"Then we'll figure something out." Torkild stated. "Perhaps one of your uncles for the time being, surely prince Loki will return to us soon."
Thor sucked in a deep breath as he looked at them. "This is a coup." he stated.
Torkild lifted an eyebrow. "I wouldn't say so, not if you act willingly." he stated. "It's a simple matter, just hand over Gungnir and go back to your life as being a carefree prince whom can go joy riding all he wants. Go on hunts, drink the night away, seduce all the women in Asgard. You wont have to worry about political matters anymore."
Thor frowned. "And what if I refuse?" he asked.
"Thor." Sif gasped.
"Then you would make matters quite difficult." Torkild admitted. "We have though decided as a council, we are more than you, the Einherjers answers to us. And you lost the peoples favor. You wont win this."
Thors eyes narrowed, then he bowed to pick up Gungnir, looking at it in his hand then looked at Torkild.
"You can either work with us or against us." Torkild stated. "You can make it easy for yourself or difficult, the outcome will be the same for Asgard."
There was silence for a while, Thor glaring at Torkild and Torkild looking up at Thor in defiance.
"I do not regret my actions." Thor stated. "I did what I believed I had to do, there might be consequences we have yet to see. If there are, they are mine to bear. And I will bear them even now." he stated. "You want this?" he asked holding forward Gungnir. "Take it, but keep in mind you are not King. You do not hold that authority, all you can do is to appoint a new king when you find someone approved by the all father you find suitable."
Torkilds eyes narrowed then he reached forward and grabbed Gungnir, Thor let go and Torkild took the royal spear back.
"You made the right choice." Torkild stated. "Prince Thor."
"Maybe I'm not as dumb as I look." Thor replied.
Torkild offered him a last glance then turned around. "Asgard is now without a king, we have work to do!" he stated and all nodded as they left.
Thor standing tall as he kept looking after them with a stern look.
"Thor I…" Sif gasped. "I tried to stop them."
"You shouldn't have. Old Asgardians are stubborn, they have been living for several thousand years so they wont be changing their minds so easily." Thor groaned.
"What of Loki?!" Sif gasped. "They don't know! They are going to either throw him into the dungeon or thrust him into Jotunnheim."
"Honestly I wouldn't be to worried." Thor commented. "He's Loki, you know." he glanced at Sif. "Something tells me he's going to be just fine."
"FAFNIR TOKKASON!" A great shout sounded as the doors to the Jotunn guest chambers were kicked open. "In Asgards name we arrest you!"
An Einherjer shouted and soldiers swarmed inside only to be confused.
The rooms were empty, they looked around.
"Search the chambers." the leader asked and they started searching, go to the bathroom and the outside passageway. Searching every trace, but there was not a single trace of a Jotunn and the Jotunn whom was their real problem was grinning.
Asgard was in utter chaos, Odin was sleeping. There was no king to lead their armies. The royal family was in utter tumult.
There would never be a more opportune moments to attack Asgard.