Finally Thor and Loki meet in this fic... it only took nearly 140k words!

I hope you enjoy it! :)

By the time they had returned to Ásgarðr, Loki was ready to turn in for the day, but he knew his work was far from done yet. Still, it felt good to return to Himinbjörg and find Höðr waiting for them. His old guard's eyes immediately scanned him over, assessing him and his health as Höðr had so oft done in the past, even though Loki had felt the man's eyes on them quite frequently throughout the day. Not that he blamed Höðr, his king had been in an off-world meeting with Ásgarðr's greatest enemy after all. Höðr would have been remiss in his duties as gatekeeper of the Bifröst if he had not kept a protective eye on him at almost all times.

"Has Lord Birgir successfully retrieved my brother?" Loki asked.

"Aye," Höðr replied. "They returned about mid-morning, Your Majesty."

"Good, and where is Thor now?"

Höðr's golden gaze swung towards Iðavöllr for a moment before replying. "He seems to have reawakened and is with the queen once more."

That made things easier for him as Loki had promised his mother he would let her know when he returned.

"Thanks, Höðr," Loki said, before he swept from Himinbjörg to the horses which were waiting for them out on the rainbow bridge.

The return to Iðavöllr was relatively uneventful and Loki had to smile as he found Lieutenant-General Yngvarr waiting for him at the stables when they arrived.

"Does he ever miss a beat?" Loki asked General Týr as they dismounted.

"Nay," Týr replied with a grim look. "And I would replace him if he did so now of all times."

Loki's eyebrows rose at the harsh words. "Well, I can attest he has not done so in the slightest."

It seemed he was not the only one in need of some rest. He could only hope General Týr would have more time to find it than he did.

"Your Majesty, General," Lieutenant-General Yngvarr greeted as they stepped over to them. "I hope the first day went well?"

"There were no overt attempts on our lives other than with that Norns bedamned drink," General Týr stated. "Thus, I believe it went well."

Loki chuckled. "You truly do not like the Ymir's sýra, do you?"

"I do not understand how you were able to maintain such a straight face. Were you serious about the fruitful comment or was it simply to disappoint Laufey?"

"'Twas truthful and I did not find it quite so bad, unusual perhaps, but not enough to make me want to gag."

"I would wonder if we had the same drink if I did not see it being served myself," Lord Aðalgrímr commented as he joined them. "I am with General Týr, 'tis only necessity which makes me able to swallow it."

"And for that, Ásgarðr is thankful," Loki teased before he handed the Casket of Ancient Winters over to the general to return to the vault. "Now if you will all excuse me, I have a promise to keep to my mother. I shall see you both shortly in Glaðsheimr."

"Your Majesty," Lord Aðalgrímr and General Týr said nearly in unison.

That would never grow on him, and Loki felt the urge to flee rise up within him at exactly how tied down and restricted he was at the moment. 'Twas only the knowledge of how truly desperate things would become if he did so which restrained the impulse, but 'twas an ever growing one and Loki could only hope he was able to resist the temptation long enough for his father to awaken. And if Óðinn did not awaken then Loki would track him down regardless of where he had gone and drag him back to the land of the living, kicking and screaming if need be. He would not be saddled with Hliðskjálf forever!

The walk to his father's Óðinnsleep chamber was quick and silent, Loki lost in thought about the next day's negotiations, but those musings left him as he entered the chamber and caught sight of his brother. Thor was sitting across from Mother on the other side of where Óðinn lay as he slept. 'Twas both wonderful and disconcerting to see Thor again. It had only been a few short days since the attack on Jötunheimr, and yet it almost felt like decades had passed. Was it his imagination or did his brother look frailer than before? Surely it should not be so immediately visible that Thor was now mortal. Or did it show to one who knew the affected person well? Regardless, Loki could not shake the impression.

"Loki," Frigga greeted with a smile as she looked up and caught sight of him.

"Mother," Loki replied, stepping forward to embrace her when she rose to greet him.

"I am glad you are back. Did things go well on Niflheimr?"

"As well as could be expected," Loki replied, pulling back and turning to his brother who had also risen.

"Loki!" Thor exclaimed, immediately crowding close.

The exuberance caught Loki a little off-guard and it took him a moment to realize someone must have informed his brother of Heimdallr's assassination attempt. He figured he should be pleased this was Thor's reaction to it rather than outright denial and demands for him to fix the situation immediately. The only thing which was incredibly disconcerting was the fact that for all of his brother's elation and effusion, Thor's actual grip was shockingly weak and felt more like a gentle squeeze rather than the rib crushing embraces he was accustomed to.

"Thor," Loki replied, being careful of how much strength he used when he returned his brother's embrace. "How do you fare? Höðr informed us of the mortals' treatment of you."

"I am well, thanks to you for retrieving me," Thor replied, pulling back. "Can we have words, Brother?"

"That depends on how long it will take. I have a High Council meeting to discuss today's progress with Jötunheimr and to plan for tomorrow. I was going to avoid having dinner in the Great Hall tonight, though, so if you wish to join me in my study, we could have words then."

Thor seemed to almost hesitate for a moment. "Do you mean the king's study, or the one in your chambers?"

"The former," Loki replied, startling at how easily he spoke of it now.

Had it only been four or five days since he had first started using it? It felt like at least a few years. If this was how mortals experienced days, then Loki could well understand how they might not be so discontent with only having a mere handful of decades. The conversation also inevitably made him glance over at Óðinn, wondering what he thought of all of this. It had always disconcerted Loki that his father was still both awake and aware to a certain extent while in the Óðinnsleep. That the man could not see everything, he had long since confirmed as he would have gotten into a great deal of trouble one particular time if Óðinn had been able to see what he had been up to when his father had slipped into the Óðinnsleep while he had been on Vanaheimr and so he had not known to be cautious until it was already far too late.

"May I..." Thor began hesitantly, and it almost made Loki squirm to observe it. "May I join you for the High Council meeting? I would like to help out however I can."

"I am not certain how much there is you can do like this, and I do not want to distract you from being able to learn whatever lesson 'twas that Father wished you to learn," Loki began, furiously attempting to think through the ramifications of allowing Thor to sit on the High Council as a mortal.

"Aye, but is it even possible here? For all we know, the lesson might require something specific to Miðgarðr which I will not be able to learn here."

"I am more inclined to think you were sent to Miðgarðr as, without your powers, you are more akin to their levels of strength and would not be accidentally injured should someone here forget to curb their strength or enthusiasm around you," Loki countered.

On the one hand, letting Thor sit in on a High Council meeting was not the same as granting his brother his full membership back on it, Loki knew. But, on the other hand, it risked blurring the lines between what currently was and what nearly everyone would see Thor as, automatically. Still, it would allow his brother to catch up on what was going on with Jötunheimr without him needing to waste time repeating himself or explaining things multiple times.

"Please, Brother," Thor pressed.

"Very well, but you are not a full member right now, Thor, as both mortal and... well, you cannot be."

The way his brother looked away told Loki that Thor had known exactly what he was initially going to say. It made him feel a little bad for his brother, but at the same time it felt refreshing and good to actually see Thor pay for his actions, for once, instead of always being able to get away with blatantly flaunting the rules and escaping completely unscratched and unpunished for all of it.

"I understand," Thor replied. "And thank you, Loki."

Mother smiled at both of them. "Do be careful Thor, your brother is correct that Ásgarðr is not used to someone with a mortal's stamina and strength," Frigga said, embracing him once more before she moved to do the same to Loki. "And I am so proud of you, Loki," she whispered in his ear.

Loki held her tight for a moment, taking comfort from her presence and love before he stepped back once more and smiled at her. "Make sure you get some rest as well, Mother."

"I will, but do not worry about me, Lady Eir is already keeping a close eye on me, and you have far too many other things to be concerned about at present."

"Come, Thor," Loki said, turning and sweeping from the chamber.

His brother followed silently after him and Loki could not help but wonder what was going through Thor's mind as the Einherjar fell in around them as they headed towards Glaðsheimr. He had almost been far too busy lately to spare his brother much thought beyond the occasional moment to check in on him remotely, or to wonder how he was doing on Miðgarðr with the mortals. Thor, on the other hand, would have had little but time to think about what he had done to lead him to that position. Or at least, Loki very much hoped his brother had used all of the time he had while being held in one chamber or another, be it in with the healers or the warriors, to contemplate what he had done. But Loki knew Thor far too well to know 'twas guaranteed that was what the time had been used for, as his brother hated contemplation and looking back over past actions. Nay, Thor was far more of a looking forwards person, always wanting more adventure or another quest rather than spending time studying or thinking about how things might have gone better on the last quest had he only done things differently.

After all, Thor did not always assume that simply because they had fought something or someone that things had gone awry. Nay, Loki was pretty certain if an adventure ended without a battle that his brother probably thought it a failure on some level. He had noticed the time between quests was always shortest when Thor had not been able to fight something on a previous one.

"Brother, what does the High Council know of what happened before?" Thor inquired.

"Before what?" Loki asked. "You mean on Jötunheimr and what transpired in Himinbjörg immediately afterwards?"

"Aye, both of those."

"Almost everything," Loki replied, glancing over to view his brother's reaction.

Thor pulled a dismayed face at the words, embarrassment following swiftly afterwards.

"'Twas necessary," Loki explained. "Either for them to understand how and why Laufey-King had declared war, which Father was never able to tell them of ere he collapsed, or because of what Laufey-King said in his missive."

"Missive? What missive?" Thor demanded, sharply.

"The personal one he sent me along with his official reply to our request to hold peace talks."

"He sent you a personal missive outside of the official communications?"

"Aye, though they came together, obviously, as he has no other means with which to contact me, luckily," Loki replied.

"And what did he want that he could not say otherwise?"

Loki smiled. "Why, to try to flatter me, of course. 'Tis a negotiation tactic, Thor, attempting to use what they assume is my naivety and inexperience to their advantage."

"Of course," Thor laughed. "They do not know you well enough to realize how good you are with words, or your kenning."

Wordsmith. Liesmith. Loki wondered which one his brother was referring to. Knowing Thor, it could be either.

"Exactly, but it necessitated the disclosure of additional information to the Council when I passed the missive on to them."

"How so?" Thor asked.

"Because of what it referred to. Your words actually, from just before the battle on Jötunheimr."

"My words?"

"Aye, Laufey's missive said that he would not be as dismissive towards me as 'your brother's words towards you indicate that he is'," Loki quoted.

"I am not dismissive towards you!" Thor protested. "What words was Laufey referring to? We were hardly able to have proper words on Jötunheimr, there was not enough time."

Of course his brother would not remember them. 'Twas not like 'twas anything new to Thor, nay, his elder brother had been using them, or some variant of them, for quite some time now, so Thor probably no longer understood precisely how bad they could look to others. Or how disrespectful they were to Loki himself.

"Nay?" Loki questioned as neutrally as he could, stopping to face Thor. "'Know your place, Brother.' That was what you said and what he either heard or was told about and it now forms the basis of Laufey-King's strategy in these negotiations. We are lucky I am not stupid enough to be played by them, as 'tis not a bad strategy to use given the circumstances."

Thor looked stricken for a moment, but Loki was far from certain 'twas for the right reasons. Rather than it being because his brother realized exactly how poorly his words reflected on Loki and his own experience and status as a prince of Ásgarðr, he was pretty certain Thor was horrified that 'twas his own words and actions which were being viewed as a means by Laufey to influence Loki.

If only Thor knew the full truth! A part of Loki suddenly wanted nothing more than to pull Thor aside, out of earshot of the Einherjar, and tell him the truth about his heritage and the fact they were not, in reality, brothers. That Thor's actions on Jötunheimr had actually allowed a damn frost giant onto Hliðskjálf itself. Oh, the look on his fake brother's face! Loki could picture it only all too easily and, for a second, he savored it before he shoved it all aside. Not only did they not have time for it, but it would be a stupid, reckless thing to do for a whole host of reasons, but the one which mattered most to Loki was that 'twas exactly the sort of thing which Thor would pull and that normally exasperated him.

Loki was thankful he had regained enough presence of mind to realize it on his own without outside help, though he did almost instinctively reach up to touch his amulet with his free hand. It served to remind him of Loptr's words as well, that Thor was one of those few who would, in the long run, accept him despite the truth so long as he did nothing stupid to mess it all up. And, despite all else, - everything Thor had ever done to hurt him either emotionally or physically, despite all of the sharp words and careless actions - he did love his brother. The hapless oaf was important to him and Loki would sorely miss him if he ever lost Thor, regardless of the means. So he curbed his self-destructive desires for now and shoved them deep down, instead turning and continuing on towards Glaðsheimr, leaving his brother behind to scramble to keep up.

"Loki, Brother," Thor said, rushing back to his side. "Those words, I had no idea they could be overheard."

'Twas not the point, Loki bit back. But then, he had already known Thor would not see them for how hurtful they truly were. Nor how they were indicative of the whole way Thor treated him. Like he was lesser, simply another sycophant who followed his brother around like Lady Sif and the Warriors Three, instead of an equal, someone to be respected in his own right and for his own reasons. And it hurt, damnit! It hurt like a knife to the heart and 'twas all he could do not to turn around and lash out at Thor, to show him how much it hurt. But, unlike all of the other emotional attacks he had to deal with recently, this was one he had plenty of experience processing and hiding away, so he did so now, only feeling its weight because of everything else he held back at present.

"And what circumstances did you mean?" Thor added.

"What circumstances? Norns, Thor!" Loki exclaimed. "The ones we are in right now with me on Hliðskjálf! Laufey-King knows well enough 'twas never meant to happen. As Lord Aðalgrímr put it, the second son not expected to inherit. 'Tis a great position for Ásgarðr to be in as far as Jötunheimr is concerned. We are lucky none of the other Realms have tried to take advantage yet, though Huginn tells me there are mutterings on Múspellsheimr, so it may not be long.

And all of that is without taking into account both Heimdallr's actions and those of your friends. Once word of that gets off of Ásgarðr, and trust me 'tis only a matter of time now, we will be facing further scrutiny. Remember what Father feared the most before your coronation? What he wanted us prepared for the most?"

"Aye," Thor replied, wide-eyed.

"That will be nothing compared to what we might be facing if he does not wake up soon."

With that, Loki swept into Glaðsheimr, glancing around the hall as he did so. All of the others were already here, which he was not surprised at as word of their return to Iðavöllr would have spread. In addition to the Council members, though, there were a few others present - Lady Borgunna speaking with Lord Ragnvaldr, Lord Birgir speaking with Lord Aðalgrímr, and Lady Dagmær speaking with both of his uncles - thus Loki moved towards the balcony of Glaðsheimr so he could take a few moments to compose himself once more before they commenced.

Norns, but his brother was always able to set him off like no one else! 'Twas a weakness Loki had long since been aware of but had yet, despite all of his best efforts, been able to properly correct in himself. Thor simply seemed to worm his way past any defenses or blocks Loki tried to throw up to shield himself from the stupid oaf's oft callous words and actions. 'Twas as if his brother simply did not realize what he was saying or doing half the time. Surely Thor could not truly be so utterly blind? And yet how could his brother say things like that and then still pretend or act as if they were best friends and confidants the next instant? 'Twas irrational and confusing and Loki absolutely hated it!

Despite that, he still could not imagine his life without Thor in it. More fool he, apparently. Loki clutched at his amulet again as he thought of Loptr and what his temporal twin had said about having finally found a way to almost completely push Thor away. He was not certain if he fully believed it because, if the truth of his heritage and exactly what he was had not been enough to do so, then it seemed almost impossible to contemplate anything truly could. Still, the knowledge there might be something out there which could terrified Loki and he half wanted to turn around, find his brother and clutch him tight. Which was probably precisely why he now found himself in this situation because, no matter how utterly furious Thor could make him, he somehow always forgave his brother, leaving Thor free to do it all over again the next time.

So, aye, more fool he.

Loki released the amulet to rub his hand over his face as his other one tightened on Gungnir. Forget wanting to achieve a peace treaty with Jötunheimr to prove his mettle, he was ready for Óðinn to wake up now to reclaim both Hliðskjálf and Gungnir, this was not worth it.

Which Loki knew was not true because, if he did not find a way to prove his own worth and self now, then he never would and he would always be relegated entirely to the shadows, both now and in the history books, and he deserved better, damnit! He was not asking for Hliðskjálf or anything else so unreasonable. Simply to be recognized for his own worth and as Thor's equal. For now. He understood well that once his brother ascended to Hliðskjálf it would all be over, but until such time surely 'twas not so unreasonable to be recognized for all he did and achieved rather than having those things dismissed and brushed aside for each little accomplishment and achievement his brother had.

With forced, deliberate breaths, Loki calmed his breathing, glancing down over Ásgarðr as he did so. It took a few seconds for what he was seeing to fully register as he was still too distracted, but when it did, Loki missed a breath, eyes widening in shock. The banners and standards! They were...

Green.

Well, not all of them, but some of them were green. And not simply any shade of green, but his green! Loki moved right up to the edge of the balcony, his free hand falling to rest on the banister as he stared down at Ásgarðr in stunned shock. Other than on a few special occasions, he had never seen those banners and standards as anything other than gold. He had noticed them on many an occasion as he had always found it distasteful, the gold on gold on gold of his home. 'Twas as if Ásgarðr and Óðinn could not think of another color scheme other than the single most ostentatious and expensive one, making Ásgarðr seem like little more than a gilded edifice to Óðinn's power at times.

But now...

Now there was green in the mix. A quick glance about at all of Ásgarðr which Loki could see from his current position, and he pegged it at nearly thirty percent of the banners and flags being in his color now instead of Óðinn's. 'Twas...

Loki was not quite certain what to make of it, nor why it had happened. He had only been regent for a few days and during that time he had hardly been able to do more than a few things which the public would be aware of. Aye, he had sat in petition on the first day, but that had been because 'twas one of the two normal days each month for his father to do so. He had hardly done anything special by taking over that particular duty. Nor would his news and commandments have been of particular joy to the people as they were announcements of war and calamity. True, they were necessary and urgent, but not news which should have garnered him this type of attention.

So why?

Heimdallr.

The realization almost sent Loki reeling. Heimdallr, the attempt on his life and the former gatekeeper's trial. That had to be it. Ásgarðr may have no love for him as a person, but he was their prince and now their regent king, they would take offence, and great offence at that, to anyone attempting to kill him when he stood for them. So, truly, it made sense someone had thought to change their banner and, once one had, well, others would have liked the idea and followed suit. It should not really be so surprising. But still...

He was seen.

Loki clenched his hand around Gungnir that much tighter. Much as he had hoped that being regent might do this, this was proof he was actually being seen. Aye, 'twas not for the reasons he had hoped for or even wanted, but 'twas a start and from there more could grow if he was careful and played this opportunity right. He needed this before he could achieve anything else.

It made joy and hope flutter alive within him for the first time in far too long and he smiled a genuine smile. 'Twas small, to be certain, but it felt wonderful nonetheless and he immediately felt Ásgarðr respond to his change in mood, surging up within him and stoking both emotions, playfully nipping at his seiðr and buoying up his mood even further, clearly delighted he felt happy.

He loved her and Loki could already tell he would miss Ásgarðr like a lost limb when Óðinn made him sever his connection to her when his father woke. Loki shoved the thought aside in order to be able to enjoy the moment. There was no point in focusing on that which he could not change, most especially not when there was something far more pleasant to center his attentions on.

"Loki."

His brother's voice pulled him from his contemplations and Loki sighed, his head dipping forwards for a moment before he turned to look at Thor who was standing in the archway of the balcony, looking at him with an uncertain expression on his face. Absently, Loki noted Lieutenant-General Yngvarr stood right next to the door on the balcony. As quiet and unobtrusive as the man had been, the knowledge he had been watched just now grated and Loki had to push it aside as he could only focus on one thing at a time.

"Loki, are you alright?" Thor asked, stepping closer to him with concern on his features.

"I am fine, Thor," Loki replied, wondering precisely what had shown on his face.

"Are you certain? You look..." Thor trailed off, peering at him closely. "Surprised, disbelieving."

It never ceased to amaze Loki how well that his brother could read him at times. Especially considering how much that Thor could miss at other times. It made no sense, and he could only put it down to his brother not caring to notice him most of the time.

"'Tis nothing," Loki tried to brush off.

Thor smiled. "I would hardly consider anything which can catch you off-guard this badly nothing."

Of course Thor was not going to let this go.

"'Tis simply the banners," Loki said, motioning out over Ásgarðr.

"What? The fact so many are green? You are king, Loki, of course the people would do it. They were preparing red ones for me."

His brother, the oblivious idiot. Oh Thor. The only thing about what he had learned of his heritage which made any sense to Loki was the fact that it meant he and Thor were not actually related. Though it stung greatly, and the thought currently caused a burning sensation deep within his magical core, he had to admit that it answered the question he had asked countless times over the centuries. Namely, how could they be related? It turned out the answer was absurdly simple; they were not.

"That is different," Loki argued. "Yours was meant to be a permanent transition, while I am simply regent. Besides..."

"Besides what, Brother?" Thor asked with a frown.

"You are loved, Thor. The people adore you. I am not."

"'Tis not true!"

"Aye, 'tis," Loki shot back. "I am neither deaf nor blind, Thor. I know what they think of me, what they call me when they believe I cannot hear. I am the Dark Prince, the Liesmith and Trickster. The second prince who is tolerated but not liked, much less loved."

"Loki-"

"Do not lie to me, Thor!" Loki snapped, causing his brother's mouth to click shut for a moment though a mulish expression crossed Thor's face.

"They do not know you like I do, Brother."

"They do not care to."

Thor sighed, looking dejected. "You do not give them the best impression all the time."

"Aye, aye, I know, 'tis all my own fault."

"'Tis not what I meant!"

"Is it not?"

"Nay!"

"Then what was, Thor?"

"I-" Thor began, before his shoulders slumped. "Your tricks can put people off."

"I have a meeting to start," Loki stated, turning away from his brother.

As he stepped away to reenter Glaðsheimr, Loki caught sight of Yngvarr once more. The lieutenant-general would have heard everything, there was simply no way he could not have, and Loki felt a hot flash of embarrassment and anger wash through him. He hated this! Being constantly watched and guarded made him feel like a prisoner in his own home, which he almost was right now, really.

Norns, how could anyone think he wanted this? Let alone so badly he would blindly lust after it enough to move against his own family?

Only they were not his own family, now were they? The thought sent pain through him again as Loki could feel part of his core rend at the disgust and self-hate which raced through him at the thought. Ásgarðr responded quickly and protectively, her power and concern washing through him so he only stumbled a little, quickly catching his balance once more with Gungnir. A furtive glance around showed that the only people who seemed to have noticed were some of the Einherjar who were scattered throughout the hall. One of them raised an eyebrow at him and he made a negative gesture with his free index finger.

He did not need to have any attention called to this now. Not when there was still no one on Ásgarðr who could help him. Loki would simply have to keep dealing with it himself until Óðinn finally decided that he had rested enough and finally woke up. At least now he had some outside aid as Ásgarðr's power definitely helped to bolster him and whatever she did dulled the pain to far more manageable levels.

Oh, Loki and Thor. Always bickering if they're not outright fighting. I know it's a sibling thing, but those two really have a lot to sort out that isn't normal sibling rivalry. That said, they are a lot of fun to write in cases like this.

And, yes, only a tiny fraction of everything they need to say to each other was covered. You didn't think it would all happen at once, now did you?

Poor Loki's starting to feel pretty alone, though. So many secrets and plots to keep track of, and his one good moment is interrupted :(

Up next week: The Council meeting...