Thor took in a deep breath, he did his best to stand straight and look calm as he was standing just slightly behind Loki. As if he was Lokis guard rather than a Prince.
Ones again he was dressed in his finest most shining armor, his red cape flowing behind him. And his trusted silver hammer was ones again in his belt.
Thor couldn't help but look at the back of Lokis head.
Loki to was wearing his finest most beautiful armor, green and golds. He was holding Gungnir in his hand and stood straight without moving so much as an inch.
If Thor didn't know that was Loki, it would be excusable to think it was some sort of mannequin standing in front of him.
They hadn't spoken a single word to each other since Loki had visited Thor in his chambers the other day. Thor wanted to talk to Loki, he really wanted to. Crack a joke, give a word of assurance, anything.
But every time Thor opened his mouth to address Loki, Loki would lift his hand to silence Thor before he even got to say a word. And then move on, dismissing Thor entirely.
Even now as they stood at the observatory they weren't speaking. Guards were standing in lines, all wearing gold armors. Heimdal was at his post as always, and no one was speaking.
It was eerie.
The seconds just stretched on and Thor was begging for something to happen… Couldn't they just speed this up? Please?
Then finally, finally… A large beam of white light.
Shadows appeared in the light, shadows much larger than any of their aisir and as the light vanished they were revealed.
Blue skin, any clothes they wore skin and fur. Bare feet, bare chests. Long black horns, blood red eyes.
One Jotunn was bigger than the others, he was massive. Standing in front, lean build but pure muscle. Spiraling horns, chains of pure gold around his neck. Burning red eyes.
Thor tried to keep back a shiver but couldn't help his beating heart as the cold flowed towards them… Jotunns. Jotunns were inside of Asgard.
Then Loki stepped forward until he stood right in front of Laufey, the two looking at each other with unreadable faces.
In that moment, Thor couldn't help but notice… They honestly looked a lot alike. Then Loki made a bow for Laufey. "King Laufey." he spoke. "I hereby welcome you to Asgard!"
Laufey grinned, then he to bowed. "King Loki. I am humbled, and I appreciate such a sign of trust." he stated as he stood up. "I believe that when invited as a guest, you bring gifts. If that not so?" he asked as he lifted a hand, and forward stepped a Jotunn holding a pillow, and on the pillow a small silver box.
Loki glanced at the box, he reached forward his hands and opened the lid to glance inside.
Thor couldn't help but tiptoe to try and have a peak himself but came off short.
Then finally Loki nodded as he closed the lid and allowed the Einherjers to take it. "Bring it to the vault." he asked. "Make sure it's safe." then he turned to Laufey. "Thank you, King Laufey. For this gift." he bowed again then stretched out his arm. "Come, allow me to lead you to the palace. Chambers has been made ready. You can rest, make yourself comfortable until the feast tonight. It shall be held in your honor. Of course if you like, I could show you around. The gardens are a sight to behold at this time of year."
"It is rare to see anything green on Jotunnheim." Laufey commented. "For us Jotunns, a simple flower is such a precious and rare thing." he stated.
Thor couldn't help himself as he asked. "You like flowers?" he asked and Laufey turned to him, his red eyes on Thor. "Your majesty." Thor added a bit bashfully.
"Yes. I rather do." Laufey replied as he turned away from Thor and back towards Loki whom gestured for Laufey to come.
"Shall we?" Loki asked.
"Yes. Indeed." Laufey replied as he stepped up beside Loki and then the two kings walked side by side, followed by a line of Jotunns behind Laufey and a line of Einherjers behind Loki. Thor walking a bit behind Loki as well, keeping quiet so he could catch anything Loki and Laufey might be talking about.
As it turned out though, the two didn't even talk at all. Just walked in silence.
Thor really… Really wished the two would talk, so there was something for Thor to focus on, to make sense of these things. But no. Both were silent as the grave, as they reached the entrance hall of Asgard Loki waved his hand. "Guards may leave, I believe you all have places to be. I and the servants shall take it from here."
No one dared to say anything, and the guards finally all saluted then walked each their way. Thor took a breath then stepped forward.
"I believe I said all guards may leave." Loki commented.
Thor halted as he stood.
"Make yourself ready for the evening. Brother." Loki commented. "It might be one of the most important evenings of our lives. Determining the future of the relationship between Asgard and Jotunnheim."
Thor stood still, but then at least bowed. "Welcome to Asgard King Laufey." he finally stated. "I hope you'll enjoy your stay here at Asgard. I think you will like Queen Friggas garden, it has a lot of flowers."
Laufey glanced at Thor, then offered him a nod. "I shall look forward to see it, Prince Thor." he stated and then turned walking away with Loki, his own following of Jotunns and some servants leaving Thor behind ones again.
That evening the strangest feast Thor had ever participated in took place.
The feasting hall was lacking absolutely nothing! It was the most glorious feast for the ages, any kind of meat, cheese, fruit or beverage Asgard had to offer was being presented.
Every delicacy, even the ones that wasn't normal to eat at this time of year. The hall was decorated with banners and great big flower decorations. It was worthy of a royal wedding or other such special occasion. Everything looked glorious.
And yet there was an eerie silence.
The Asgardians were sitting, but they weren't cheering or laughing. Instead they were quietly eating while stealing glances at the royal table where Loki was sitting in the middle, on the kings seat. And on his right was Laufey, and on Laufeys side a couple of Jotunns while on Lokis side was Thor and a few other Asgardians.
Laufey glanced at Loki. "Is this a feast or a funeral?" he asked.
"Please pardon the Asgardians." Loki asked. "They are unused to Jotunns in their halls. There was one here a short while ago, but he made quite the scene."
Laufey smirked. "You know all about that don't you?" he asked.
"I shall neither confirm nor deny." Loki stated.
Laufey shook his head and then stood up, lifting his golden goblet and everyone looked at him. "A TOAST!" he shouted. "Only such a short while ago, and it seemed like the war between or realms would start anew. But here we stand today, drinking for peace!" he stated and he hoisted the goblet. "LONG LIVE KING LOKI!"
There was silence, then finally a shout in response.
"Long live king Loki!" A Asgardian shouted as he stood up and then more followed, a big shout from many.
"LONG LIVE KING LOKI!"
"See! This is it!" Laufey grinned. "This is a night for feasting and drinking!" he stated.
The Asgardian smiled a bit awkwardly, but seemed to do better.
"So I say long live Prince Thor." Laufey grinned. "Long live king Loki!" he raised his goblet. "And long live the all father Odin!" and he emptied his goblet as people cheered for him, yelling happily.
Just then the doors slammed open and everyone turned their heads to see a warrior maiden, Sif. The warrior three and behind them three Jotunns all chained up.
People gasped and Laufeys eyes widened.
"KING LOKI!" Sif shouted. "These Jotunns were found sneaking into Odins chambers!" she informed. "Carrying weapons! Trying to end All Fathers Odins life!"
There was big gasps, Laufeys eyes were wide. Thor was looking down… and Loki… Loki was smirking.
A slip of paper… A slip of paper had been left alongside Mjolnir, the handwriting was Lokis, Thor would recognize it anywhere.
Laufeys eyes are on me, not you. Doing the feast he has been invited to, his soldiers will sneak into Odins chambers with weapons trying to take his life. Hide Sif and the warrior three in Odins chambers. Allow the soldiers to make it to the chambers and then catch them in the act.
My instructions are simple, do not let me down.
Laufey seethed then Loki spoke.
"King Laufey." Loki spoke in a calm voice, and yet everyone could hear it. "I invite you to Asgards halls, as an honored guest. I offer you our friendship, and this is how you repay me?" he asked. "By making an attempt on Odins life?"
Laufey snarled. "This has nothing to do with me!" he stated.
"Those are the soldiers you chose to follow you." Loki stated as he stood up. "What they do is on you, they are your responsibility. It might as well have been you who put the knife to Odins throat!"
Laufey seethed, all of his teethes showing while guards were running in, now standing in a circle around the royal table and all their spears were pointed at Laufey and the Jotunns.
"This is cause for war!" Loki exclaimed. "I should shatter your realm!" he stated. "How-ever, I am a generous man. Kneel before me! Give back the casket of winters and then… Maybe. I'll let you live."
"You rat." Laufey seethed.
Loki smirked as he bowed over. "You thought you could play me?" he asked. "It's me who controls the strings!" he stated furiously. "Got that?"
Laufey looked at Loki, then he stood up, towering over Loki as he was clearly burning with fury.
The guards all holding their spears looked determined, all the weapons aimed straight at Laufey.
Then Laufey smirked, and suddenly without warning he launched forward and grabbed Loki by the throat lifting him up.
"LOKI!" Thor screamed grabbing his hammer.
Laufey though was grinning. "You thought you could set me up?" he asked. "Now… let everyone see. WHAT YOU REALLY ARE!" he held the struggling Loki up and towards the Asgardians as the blue started to spread from Laufeys hand unto Lokis skin.
"STRIKE HIM DOWN! STRIKE LAUFEY DOWN!" Loki screamed, but the Einherjers were to stunned to act as the blue crawled across Loki and then he grew, he gasped as he grew in seize, his eyes turning bright red, his clothes tearing and two broken horns appeared.
"BEHOLD HALLS OF ASGARD!" Laufey shouted as he held up a clear Jotunn figure wearing torn green clothes. "YOUR KING! LOKI LAUFEYSON!"
"GET AWAY FROM MY BROTHER!" Thor screamed as he launched forward and hit Laufey with Mjolnir, sending Laufey flying in one direction as he dropped Loki who flew in the other and rolled across the floor.
"LOKI!" Thor shouted as he ran to Loki on the floor, now in complete Jotunn farm. Big and with broken horns. Loki groaned as Thor touched him. "Loki… Are you."
"Don't worry about me." Loki hissed opening his eyes revealing their red. "You must chain down Laufey, before his army comes."
"What?" Thors eyes widened.
"The gift he brought." Loki hissed. "I didn't know he would do it, there was nothing I could do ones he had presented it to me. They can trace it from the other side. To find the portal… But if you have Laufey in chains. That's your bargaining chip." he stated. "You want to know how I kept the council in line? Make them feel like I am the one doing them a favor by taking on the burden. Don't let them feel like they are doing me a favor by letting me be king… With Jotunnheim. Don't let them feel like they are doing you a favor by not attacking. Make them feel like… You're doing them a favor by giving them Laufey. Make them feel like they are in your debt." then he coughed.
"Loki, you need a healer." Thor gasped.
Loki shook his head. "It's over." he stated. "It's all over for me, now everyone knows what I am."
And then a laugh, Thor turned to see Laufey standing. Laughing as a cold wind entered, everything was freezing. "THEY ARE HERE!" he shouted gleefully. "AND THEY BROUGHT IT! IT'S HERE!"
"What… What is?" Thor asked.
Loki swallowed. "The casket of winters."