Laufey was sitting behind the golden force field of a his cell, his arms chained behind his back, and yet he was grinning.

Hogunn couldn't help but swallow as he tightened his hand around his sword, Torkild a seasoned warrior stood tall. The Einherjers standing ready as well.

Hogunn took a breath and as he exhaled, mist escaped his mouth.

"Jotunns… They are approaching." Torkild breathed.

"Are you sure?" Hogunn asked.

"Lad, I fought in the last war." Torkild informed pulling his sword. "I know what the air feels like when a Jotunn approaches."

Hogunn nodded standing ready, the foot steps came and then.. Jotunns.

Jotunns, not just one but multiple. Ten… Twenty… Walking forward.

Hogunns body tensed, his grip tightening around the sword handle.

A Jotunn stepped forward, this one larger than the others. Wearing white furs as he looked down at them, then pulled his own sword.

And then, a clank sounded as Torkilds sword dropped to the floor and the old man held up his hands.

Wide-eyed Hogunn looked at him. "What?"

"We are outnumbered." Torkild stated. "I will go out fighting if there is no other way, but what use will I be to Asgard if I am dead? Sir." he looked at the Jotunn in front. "Will you fight us, for I will fight. And I will take a couple of your soldiers with me, maybe even you. Or will you let us live?"

The larger Jotunn in white furs regarded Torkild for a while, then he smirked. "You are wise indeed." he stated. "Spare them." he held up a hand. "Let the Asgardians see that Jotunns are not without mercy regardless of what they might think."

The Jotunns grinned as one stepped forward and hit the button which dissolved the force field and Laufey grinned as soldiers came and unchained him, allowing Laufey to stand up and step out. Next thing Hogunn, Torkild and the three Einherjers were pushed inside.

They were not alone though, a figure was suddenly dragged by the arm. A blue figure like the rest, but smaller and with broken horns. Wounds all across his body, ones again there was a trail of blood following the limp body and then the smaller Jotunn was cast inside with the rest of them before the force field was put back into place.

At ones Hogunn rushed to the limp figure. "Prince Loki!" he gasped.

The einherjers eyes widened as they stood back, Torkild though was unmoved. Then slowly the older man walked towards them and sat down on one knee looking at Lokis wounds. "We need to stop the bleeding." he simply said as he took off his cape, and then started to rip it into pieces.

Hogunn looked at the older man. "Sir… Prince Loki… He erhm."

"I know what he is." Torkild informed. "I always knew, I was one of the men following Odin home that night when he found a Jotunn babe. I was merely sworn to secrecy." he stated as he started to wrap his torn up cape around the worst wounds.

Hogunn gaped.

"You might find me cruel, but my loyalty is indeed to Asgard. Always." Torkild stated as he worked. "Thor was loosing control of his people, and we could not afford the people rising up at this time. He needed to stand stronger in his own convictions. Had he refused to hand over Gungnir I would have respected it. In fact I hoped he did, he had to stand stronger. Loki has a way of making people fall in line, he will not show his own doubt but stand strong. It was only a matter of time before Laufey would attack now he had the casket, we could not afford weakness. Asgard had to be united."

"Didn't help did it?" A deep voice sounded and they looked down at Loki. "Laufey has taken the palace. With Ymirs heart without a container, large portions of the palace will be to cold for any Aisir to enter."

Just then the forcefield was opened and they all turned to see a battered and wounded warrior maiden being pushed inside and she fell down.

"SIF!" Hogunn ran to the woman. "Sif, speak to me. Are you hale."

Sif hissed. "Forgive me." she asked her eyes squinted.

Lokis eyes widened. "What happened to mother and father?" he asked. "SIF!" he shouted loudly.

"I don't know." Sif sniffed. "There was a secret passageway in the royal chambers. The Queen used it to escape and had an einherjer carry the all father! I stayed behind, tried to buy them as much time as I could! But they were just to many, I could barely buy them two minutes!"

"You did well." Hogunn assured. "Just rest."

Sif hissed as she sat up on her knees, holding her wounded shoulder. Then looked up at Loki, tears streaming down her face. "You…" she spoke in a shaking voice. "You let them inside… You let Jotunns into the palace!"

Loki swallowed. "I thought I had control over it."

"SO YOU SAY!" Sif shouted. "Is this part of your plan?!" she asked. "To take the throne for yourself for-ever?!"

"SIF!" Hogunn grabbed her. "Calm down, look at him! Loki is in this cell with us!"

"Perhaps to make me tell him where the all mother and all father is." Sif hissed. "To bad! I don't know! So you can stop the charade!"

"I THOUGHT I HAD IT FIGURED OUT!" Loki shouted in a cry. "Laufey thought he could have his way with Asgard and with me because of the change in leadership, I wanted him to know he was wrong! He was supposed to hand back the casket and go home in shame! That was the plan!"

"Why should I believe a word you say?" Sif asked. "You're JOTUNN! You're one of THEM!" she pointed at the guards outside the field.

There was silence, a painful silence.

Struggling Loki managed to sit up, leaning up against the wall as he gasped for air, then slowly he shrank in seize. Ones again his skin was pale and his eyes green as he gasped for air.

"You think that is going to change things?" Sif asked.

"No." Loki closed his eyes. "I don't know what I am… I do know there's no future for me in these halls. Not anymore." he gasped. "It's over… Now everyone knows." he stated. "How-ever Thor brought up a good point… Will I really let Laufey have the last laugh?" he asked. "The man who left me to die before I even had a chance at life? And then gladly would have me beaten to death? Then turns around only because he sees he has a use for me?" he asked. "No… There is only one reason I am still alive."

"And that is?" Sif asked.

"Ymirs heart." Loki breathed. "I am the only one able to unlock its full potential. He still has a need for me… But it will be a long game. For he knows I wont be willing to comply." he gasped. "He has to break me first."

Sif gasped for air as she looked at Loki and Loki closed his eyes.

"Sif… You may not trust me. But you need me." Loki stated. "To have any chance against Laufey and his army, you need to get close to it. You need to neutralize Ymirs heart. I am the only one you got able to do it."

"Or you could unlock its full potential for yourself." Sif stated.

"True." Loki nodded. "How-ever the way I see it, you can either bet on trying to take on Laufey and Ymirs heart without me. Which is one hundred percent a guaranteed failure. Or you can choose to work with me, where you'll at least have a tiny chance of winning."

Sif took in a deep breath.

"It is sound tactical advice." Torkild stated as he sat down.

Hogunn nodded. "Beside, if my choice is between King Loki or King Laufey... I do think Asgard would be better served with Loki." he stated.

Then finally Sif's head fell and she moved back, until she was leaning against the other wall.

"Thor believes in Loki." Hogunn reminded him of Sif. "He would want us to protect him! And help him!" he stated. "Remember what Thor said? We are only to act against Loki if we know for absolute certain! Without a single doubt that he is working against us! Thor ordered it! We are to support Loki! As long as there is doubt, we are supposed to serve him!"

Sif hissed but finally nodded. "Fine." she muttered. "What-ever you say, my Prince." she muttered.

The great throne room of Asgard, now frozen over and in the door stood the large Jotunn king.

Laufey grinned as he looked around, then took a large step up towards the golden throne.

For a moment he looked at it, then he grinned as he turned to sit down, and crossed his legs as he leaned back.

"Such a short time, so many kings." Laufey smirked. "King Thor of Asgard, King Loki of Asgard." he stated. "Now I present to you. KING LAUFEY OF ASGARD!"

And the Jotunns all raised their arms and shouted and cheered.

"ALL HAIL KING LAUFEY! KING OF JOTUNNHEIM! KING OF ASGARD!"

And Laufey grinned then his grin turned to a frown as he growled. "Odin… I shall find you… I shall find you… Your son and your daughter and your line will end!" Then he stood up. "AND THEN ALL OF ASGARD SHALL KNEEL TO ME! TO US! TO JOTUNHEIMM!"

And everyone screamed and cheered happily as Laufey lifted up his arms.

"LONG LIVE KING LAUFEY! LONG LIVE KING LAUFEY!"