Thor was laying on his back on his bed, on top of the covers looking up at the ceiling.
And official invitation for King Laufey to dine in the halls of Asgard? And his own guard of course… The council was not happy. Obviously. But as Fandral had put it, Loki had them eating out of his hand. Thor couldn't admit it was kind of nice seeing them squirm under Lokis cold gaze.
Not that Thor had seen much of it, he had barely seen Loki. Only short glimpses on a distance, when-ever they were close to each other Loki would just dismiss him entirely.
What in the name of the all father was Loki planning? Obviously he was planning something, Loki was always planning something.
But Thor for the life of him couldn't figure out what it was.
Was this really just an attempt to make peace? Or… was there another reason?
Thor picked up the book laying on his stomach and lifted it over his head, trying to give this reading thing another go.
All right, where was he? … At the Affleheim court it is etiquette to stand behind your chair until the host has arrived. You are not to sit before the host has sat down first. Thor groaned, why did this have to be so boring? And the only thing this did for him was making him not want to go back to Affleheim anytime soon.
Just then the door opened, there had been no knocking or asking permission to enter which was unsual and Thor glanced up to see a young man with black hair dressed in green.
Immediately Thor gaped as he sat up. Loki!
Loki closed the door behind him then turned to Thor, he glanced down at the book in Thors hands then up at Thor.
"Heh." Thor smiled as a red blush crawled over his cheek. "It's erhm… It sure is an interesting book!" he stated.
"No it's not, it's really boring." Loki replied and Thor halted.
Then he sighed as he looked down and put the book aside so he could stand up and face Loki. "Loki…" Thor breathed.
Loki held up a hand making Thor silence and then Loki slipped a hand through his hair, but in the same motion tapped his ear with his little and ring finger making Thors eyes slightly widen.
"Now Thor, I believe I should make this short." Loki stated as he snapped a finger and green sparks appeared for a second. "King Laufey will soon arrive at Asgard to dine with us, and I want to make sure you will be on your best behavior."
"I… I'll do my best." Thor assured.
"Your best." Loki snorted. "It is less than two weeks ago you went to Jotunnheim to bullheaded just kill any Jotunn you happened to find." he stated. "And from what I re-call, you spend your entire life boasting about how you are going to kill all of them."
"I know." Thor closed his eyes. "It's just… Loki." he looked up. "Do you really think it's wise to invite Jotunns in here?" he asked. "They are not… What I mean is. Erhm." he halted. "They are…"
"Monsters, right?" Loki asked his green eyes sternly looking at Thor.
Thor closed his eyes taking a deep breath then looked up. "They are not fond of Asgard." he stated. "And I doubt just having the casket of winter has calmed their anger. You know how it is Loki, when people are angry they no longer act rational. They will be out for blood."
Loki smirked. "Speaking from experience Thor?" he asked.
Thor nodded. "Aye."
Loki halted then looked at Thor with slightly wondering eyes.
"And I'm not proud of it." Thor stated. "Loki I swear, I wont get in your way. I'll behave!" he stated. "If you think this is the way to ensure peace then… I'll follow your lead. Brother." he stated.
Loki looked at Thor then he turned to the side, to glance at Thors new table. "And what of your friends?" he asked. "They to tend to act rash."
"I wont allow it." Thor assured. "I'll keep an eye on them."
Loki smirked. "For your sake I hope so." he stated looking at the table. "That table is new, is it not?" he asked.
"Aye." Thor nodded. "I… I made it myself."
"Huh." Loki looked at it. "That's not bad work, I am a bit surprised to see you have it in you."
"Honestly, so am I." Thor admitted slightly amused. "Makes you wonder what else I can do if I just took the time to do it." he stated.
"Indeed." Loki nodded his eyes wandering to the chair.
"Can I get you something?" Thor asked. "Refreshments? Some of that wine you favor so much? I have a bottle hidden away."
"No." Loki shook his head. "I only came here to make sure we were in agreement."
"Not just a glass?" Thor asked. "I know that being King comes with a lot of duties… I really don't miss that part at all." he plainly admitted. "But you know, just a glass?" he tried again.
"Why?" Loki asked as he looked at Thor.
"Because.." Thor halted. "I miss you." he stated. "I want to talk to you, it doesn't have to be anything important. We can talk about what-ever you want. Affleheim court etiquette if that's the thing." he joked slightly.
Lokis eyes were on Thor, impossible to read. Desperately Thor looked for a sign, but there was nothing. Then finally their eye contact broke as Loki turned around. "I must beg your pardon, I am afraid I have duties I must attend." he stated as he took a step towards the door.
"LOKI!" Thor shouted reaching out a hand and Loki halted. "Listen I just… I tried to apologize before, but none of it was right." he stated. "I just need you to hear this okay?" he asked. "I'm sorry, about what happened at Jotunnheim. I really am." he stated. "I should not have forced you to open that portal, and certainly not have forced you to come with us. I was wrong… I was so wrong." he stated. "And I know, I have wronged you many more times than that yet never apologized. And I know I can never truly apologize for all of it. I am afraid that… This is the best I can do." he stated. "And I swear, I wont mess up. I will meet Laufey with respect. And treat him and his guards with respect, as if they were guests from any other realm. That's what you want is it not?" he asked.
Loki was quiet as he stood with his back to Thor.
"Loki?" Thor asked just hoping that he would respond.
"I am counting on you to stay true to your word." Loki replied and then finally walked out closing the door behind him leaving Thor behind who could only stare at the closed door. What was going to happen now?
Only an hour after did Thor get a surprise as it knocked on his door and after getting permission to enter an Einherjer came inside. "Prince Thor." the einherjer bowed. "Please, follow me."
Thor blinked. "Why?" he asked. "Where are we going."
"It is King Lokis wish that I should take you to the vault." The Einherjer replied.
"Okay." Thor sat up still feeling very confused. "Lead the way then." he asked as he stood up.
And he followed the Einherjer as they walked through Asgards halls, soon they found the stairs which lead to the dungeons and the great vault. As Thor stood in front of the vault the guards at the door saluted and then slowly the door started to open.
"Erhm…" Thor halted. "What are we doing here?" he asked.
"King Loki has insisted that you may fetch a certain item." The Einherjer spoke and Thor blinked but allowed the man to guide him inside, they passed a few treasures and artifacts until suddenly.
Thor halted… He lost all his breath.
For there, on a stone slap. It was… Mjolnir!
"Courtesy of his majesty King Loki." The Einherjer presented.
Thor swallowed, he had to stop himself from crying as he reached out his hand, and then finally. Grabbed such a familiar warm handle. With ease he picked up his hammer, shining silver and he felt the warm familiar energy running through his body as he sighed deeply. Then lowered the hammer as he looked at it with a smile.
"How I missed you." Thor whispered softly. "My old friend…" only then did he halt, he turned his head and looked at the stone slap. There was something else there, a slip of paper. Thor bowed forward and picked the paper up to read the small neat writing.
What in the… Thor blinked as he tried to take in what the piece of paper had said. What did this mean?