Chapter Fifty - Pesky Politics

Cami stayed with Loki all day as their keepers switched out every few hours. Then she refused to leave Loki overnight, so Steve Rogers volunteered to watch over them as he could go days without sleep. He arrived at bedtime with a small lantern and a couple paperbacks. "Don't mind me." He switched the chair to the opposite side of the study table to have a direct view of the bed and started in on his reading.

Frigga gave both Cami and Loki mild remedies to help them rest. Once comfortable, they drifted off, not to rouse until hours later when Steve used the bathroom.

"Good morning," the captain called, noticing their stirrings as he passed the bed to collect his things at the table. "You two didn't move all night, but the dueling snores and heavy breathing reassured me that you weren't dead or anything."

"I do not snore," Loki declared, but Cami laughed like she knew better, scurrying off to use the bathroom next.

Loki could hear Igus directing servants in the dining room as they laid out breakfast. "Are you going to join us, Steve?" he asked, sitting up against the headboard and rubbing his eyes. "I'm sure there will be plenty."

"I guess I could. Natasha and Clint are supposed to arrive any time now. Maybe they want you two all to themselves."

Loki left the bed, pulling clothes from his armoire to dress in the bathroom when Cami came out. Though irritating to be under such close scrutiny, he would endure it because Cami was as eager to remain with him as he was her.

Moments later, Clint's voice called into the space, "Is everyone decent?"

"No!" Cami tossed back, her tone playful. "We're having a threesome!"

"Not likely," Clint responded, strolling in as Loki stepped out of the bathroom. The archer wore a pleasant grin. "I know I can trust Steve. If Tony had been with you, however..."

"Any news?" Steve asked, anxious to change topics.

"Sorta. Let's eat, and we'll fill you guys in."

Two hot topics circulated through the castle and within the Realms Assembly. The first was a proposed idea of forming a mixed task force to investigate any crimes that affected multiple realms. "Humans would be working alongside Asgardians, Jotun, Elves and Dwarves," Natasha said. "Basically expanding the Mischief Makers. It would be a huge deal."

"In light of this mess," Loki said, "the idea must be gaining support."

Clint nodded. "Fury and Hill think the task force will be a good opportunity to keep a closer eye on the other realms. I assume anyone appointed to the new team from Earth would be a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent first."

Natasha attempted to be delicate when she divulged the second topic of the Assembly's interest. "It came out in court late yesterday that Loki is Farbauti's son and that Odin took him without her knowledge. Then, somehow, that information leaked to the public, causing quite a backlash. Even realms that shouldn't be affected in the least are expressing outrage."

Loki pushed aside his plate, having lost his appetite. He sighed, resting his face in his hands.

"What has Farbauti said on the matter?" Cami asked. "Has she made a public statement of any kind?"

"Sif said Farbauti returned to her quarters after court and hasn't left or received visitors since."

Steve asked, "Didn't Odin see this coming? He should have issued a statement."

"That would give the representatives the impression that the King of Asgard had done something wrong," Loki explained. "The decisions of the All-Father have always superseded others within the realms. Only now, as Odin attempts to peacefully unite these worlds is his authority being challenged. It is a double-edged sword. Giving up some of his power hurts him, as would attempting to keep the realms subordinate."

"Why not just let every realm manage themselves?" Steve asked. "He left Earth alone for centuries."

"The universe is vast and the threats innumerable. Any world left to its own defense, will fall. The realms must pull together and also make alliances with neighboring systems."

Clint teased, "You sound like a politician."

"No," Natasha interjected, her features brightening with a proud smile. "He sounds like a leader."

Steve suggested, "Maybe you could address the Realms Assembly on Odin's behalf."

Loki scoffed and abandoned his chair. "The last thing the king needs is a mass murderer coming to his defense, Captain." He left the dining room to find Igus in a heated discussion with Vali in the sitting room. "What's going on?"

Vali pushed past Igus, nearly knocking the man over. "You cannot hide from me behind this old fool, Father!"

Steve entered, promptly stepping between Loki and Vali. "Hey, you can be civil or you can leave."

The justicer stood toe-to-toe with Captain America, the only Midgardian in the group who could dare challenge him, but backed off when Steve refused to flinch.

Loki prompted Vali, "Say your peace."

"You find out you're a Jotun and don't think to tell the family. How will we endure the shame? Narvi and I have families of our own now. Do you and Odin not care at all?"

The rant was almost comical, but Loki wasn't in a laughing mood. "I do care."

Vali remained harsh, his features tight. "I'm not convinced."

"You sense a lie?"

Vali stilled, studying Loki. His anger dimmed some, but not his distaste. "No, I do not."

"Continue to denounce me and my actions to those in your circle of influence," Loki advised. They will praise your resilience and perseverance. In a few decades, the topic won't be worth anyone mentioning."

"As always, you have nothing of real value to give," Vali snapped. "I hope they execute that abomination and damn you both to the fires of Helheim."

His words stung, cutting so deep that Loki's chest constricted and he thought he could feel the actual hemorrhaging of his soul.

Cami neared, offering him comfort while she glared at Vali.

Steve criticized, "That's a pretty severe opinion for an officer of the court to have. Perhaps you are too biased to be part of this trial. How will your reputation hold up if I make that accusation to the Assembly?"

It was an effective threat as Vali chose to restrain his anger. "Your devotion is sickening. Why do you all protect him knowing the horrors of which he is capable?"

"We've all made mistakes," Clint answered. "Why wouldn't we give him the chance to do good when his heart is willing?"

Vali rolled his eyes. "Is your entire world so naive? Do you truly not see that he's using your people and his suffering to save his own hide? You are a convenient ploy to show compelling evidence of rehabilitation. The hope is that the court will not execute the double, knowing that a seemingly innocent and repentant man will die as well."

Loki drew in a deep breath, releasing it through his nose to settle his system. "Son, I am not attempting such a deception."

"You are as ignorant as your friends if you believe that monster isn't exactly where he wants," Vali said with disgust and strode out.

Cami asked, "Could that be true?"

Natasha said, "Loki does have sympathy from the realms."

"The Assembly chose not to try our Loki for any crimes," Steve pointed out. "I'm sure we all hope that his situation will keep them from seeking the death penalty."

Days passed with no new information. Jorn had not found any references to splitting a soul, everyone was still stuck in Asgard while the court called in witnesses, and Loki remained under constant guard within his rooms.

"Why doesn't the court call for me?" Loki interrogated Odin. "Do they not wish to hear my side?"

"Possibly they fear what you will say. News has spread throughout the realms of your circumstances and that you are engaged and expecting a child. The Assembly and court are under pressure to not cast you or Cami in a disfavorable light."

"Which is what the double wants."

Loki wandered out onto the balcony to get some sun and fresh air while he fought to push away the shared images that surfaced with his aggravation. "I'm going mad in these rooms." He gazed down upon the palace grounds, wishing he could stroll through the gardens or take Sleipnir out for a ride.

Odin said, "Perhaps you would appreciate a new visitor."

Loki turned, leaning against the door frame. He projected weariness and dejection with his words. "I have constant visitors. I need a change of scenery."

"Let us go together." Odin gestured Cami closer. "I have a perfect destination in mind. If we hurry, we can find Frigga there."

Loki stepped into his father's reach. There was a flash of light, a moment of disorientation and then a cold chill washed over them as they transported directly into the guest wing of the castle and Farbauti's suite. The Jotun guards grabbed their clubs, but were ordered not to attack by their queen who sat on the floor beside Frigga and Ashaunti.

"You tricked me!" Loki growled at Odin.

"We tried asking nicely," Frigga reminded him, showing both her disapproval and insistence that he stay.

Farbauti examined Loki with intuitive eyes. "You promised you wouldn't force him to speak with me, All-Father." She looked past them to a guard walking up behind. "Show Prince Loki out, Mabrun."

Loki started for the door then halted when Cami addressed the escort.

"You are Mabrun, the warrior that saved my brother from being blown up?" she asked with apparent enthusiasm.

The giant's brow furrowed and mouth tweaked with a suppressed smile. He affirmed with respect, "Yes, I saved his life."

"Thank you so much. How do I properly show my appreciation?"

"I require no reward," he said. "Though, my queen does long for some time with her son."

Mabrun's eyes never shifted from Cami's, but Loki glared at him anyway. He shrank back as Cami's pleading gaze fell on him. "This isn't fair," he complained. "You are supposed to be on my side, dearest."

"I am." She begged in a whisper, "Please? I would give anything for a chance to spend time with my mom again."

Manipulative minx, said a hateful voice at the back of his mind, which Loki wasn't certain was his own.

Frigga approached, offering him the leather bound book in her hands. "This is what we've been discussing."

Though he did not take the book from her, Loki saw the drawing that spanned both pages. It was Frigga's familiar artwork, a carefully colored and textured scene captured from her mind into her dream journal. The image was of Loki and a small, blue-skinned girl snuggled together among pillows and blankets, sharing a book.

"You saw this in a vision," Loki said, hot emotion flooding his core.

"I did," Frigga admitted. "When I saw you with her, I knew I could not let Odin put you in prison."

Cami drew in, also examining the drawing. Her eyes grew wide. "Is that—?"

"It's Edie." Loki looked to Frigga. "She is why you sent me to the Jotunheim."

His attention wandered to Farbauti. A desperate, turbulent urge came over him to speak his mind. He moved closer, ignoring the unease her size caused him. "You have no claim to me or that child!" he raged. "You chose to let me go."

Her large brow furrowed. "You will not give me a chance to explain?"

"Laufey wanted me dead! I understand all too well."

"Why are you so angry with me?"

"Because my whole life has been a lie, Mother; and I don't know who or what I truly am."

"You are very special—" she started to say before Loki cut her off.

"Frost Giants are bullies. You invade other lands, taking whatever and whomever you wish. Your laws allow the keeping and abuse of slaves." Loki paused only to take a breath. "When Jahla ran away, she was hunted. She couldn't go to her mother's people in Alfheim for fear they would reject and kill her. She traveled to the capital to beg your protection; and your guards threw her in prison as a runaway. She'd have been returned to her abusers if I hadn't helped her escape. What choice was left her than to strike back at the threat?"

Farbauti tensed. "I wasn't aware."

"Individuals of mixed parentage have no rights in the Frost Lands," Loki continued. "All of my children are considered half-breeds by your laws. Therefore, it is my wish that you never see any of them."

He stormed out of the suite, leaving even Cami behind.