There was such turmoil at Valhalla that day, an unprecedented event was to take place in the huge hall of audiences. Servants were swarming around tables covered with golden tableware while Asgardians were beginning to crowd the sides of the hall, eager to witness a moment in history.
Odin was as always, cool and self confident in his gleaming suit of armous, Gungnir the spear secure in his grip, the ravens Muninn and Huginn on both his shoulders. He did not show anything of his feelings about that unique event.
His sons, Thor and Loki, were smiling trying to hide the uneasiness about the coming meeting; their sight was, as always, breath taking. The blonde prince draped in his flame red cloak was wearing his winged helmet carrying Mjollnir the hammer with him at every step. His thunderous voice could be heard from any corner of the hall while he was stealing pieces of meat and fruit from the tables.
His more demure brother was smirking following the last preparations, standing close to a column, tall and princely in his gilded suit of armour with a long, flowing green cloak trimmed in gold.
The atmosphere was obviously electric, the buzz of the voices was raising minute after minute until the trumpets blared. Odin sat on his throne, the ravens flew away in a soft fluttering. Loki and Thor stood on the steps of the platform, one at each side, expectantly waiting for the very beginning of that historic meeting.

The silence fell on the hall, the only noise heard that of the waving banners around the throne. A huge bronze double door opened and a small group of blue, weird creatures walked ahead. The Asgardians looked at them with mixed feelings: suspect, wonder, hostility. The blue creatures didn't seem to care of the people around them as they were proceeding towards the steps of the throne, under the watchful sight of the Sons of Odin. The Frost Giants were more than an eccentric sight in Asgard, their primitive outfit consisted in a simple short skirt, their bare torso showed all the mysterious scars of their kind.
They stopped and nodded slightly in a sign of greeting: - "Odin Borrsson, we thank you for your invitation!" The one who seemed to be leader spoke in his low, hissing voice.

- "You are most welcome!" Odin answered looking at them.

The Frost Giant quickly swept his look from Loki to Thor, then back to Odin: - "Our King, Laufey , sent us as his ambassadors to discuss the most delicate issue of the peace between our realms."

Odin nodded, he was expecting Laufey to send envoys instead of coming personally being too concerned about his own safety in the Realm of Asgard. – "I understand!" He answered calmly. – "You will be treated with due respect."

The giants nodded and after a moment the leader went on: - "King Laufey carefully considered your offer, Allfather, and wants you to know that he is more than inclined to accept…"
A relieved, slight buzz spread along the hall.

- "But…" The giant was not over. The silence fell down suddenly as heavy as stone.

Thor and Loki slight leant forward, the entire audience in anxious wait. The giant sneered pleased with the suspense. Only Odin sat coolly patiently waiting for the giant to go on.

- "But our King wishes to have a clear sign of your good will, Allfather, something that will allow him to think you are really inclined to respect this truce."

- "Go on…" Odin waved his hand.

- "Our King wishes to have his son back to Jotunheim." The giant answered coldly.

A buzz raised from the hall as Loki struggled to stand emotionless. Thor wasn't so successful, he stepped down on step obviously astonished and speechless.
Odin didn't seem like grasping the true meaning of the request or, more likely, he did but was perfectly hiding his thoughts. He sat still, as if he was considering it. Loki was looking back and forth, the Frost Giant and Allfather unable to phrase a consistent thought.

- "Your King is demanding much from us…" Odin mused.

- "The truce between our realms is worth a precious token, don't you think?" The giant's voice was still low and self confident.

Odin nodded: - "The truce is much of importance but why trading it with one of my sons?"

Loki felt a surge of pride in listening those words, he looked at Odin, then at Thor, who was fidgeting forcing himself to stand still and silent.

- "Allfather, don't try to play with words… Loki is King Laufey's son…" He looked at the prince and smiled coldly: - "He's our prince and now we are demanding him back home."

The Asgardians whispered each other their own opinion; some were nodding clearly agreeing with the giant's words. What a marvellous chance to get rid of that frost giant raised as an Asgardian! Sending him back to his realm would look to their eyes as the best fortune ever.

Odin seemed like thinking about it: - "I shall think over it. For now, you're more than welcome in my realm."

The giant grinned and nodded whispering his answer: - "King Laufey desires an answer in short time, Allfather, do not waste time thinking over his gracious offer for too long!"

The giants greeted the king and the princes, then followed the courtiers that were appointed to escort them to their rooms.

The buzz raised at an uncontrollable volume while Thor and Loki seemed like coming back to life after being nailed down to the platform for the entire time of the meeting.

- "Father… father… you cannot accept such…" Thor rushed to his father's side but Odin stopped him with a gesture of his hand.

- "Hush… we will speak about it later…" Thor was sure he glimpsed a hint of worry and sorrow in his father's features.

Loki was speechless, he stepped back to a corner of the platform, unable to speak. He felt deeply confused, his true father was now claiming him back to his true land. Until a few hours later he would have been delighted of such a fortune… coming home, being reinstated as a crown prince… he too would have had a realm to rule, one day. He would have been a rightful prince and not a bastard one. Wasn't that everything he had always wished for? So, why was he so much confused? Why was he unable to rush to Father and beg him to let him go with the Frost Giants? He was, instead, dazed and trembling, his eyes shifting continuously from Thor to Allfather and back, his ears full of the whispers of the Asgardians who were hoping Allfather would have complied with Laufey's request.