Silvertongue

Loki could hear the shouts and catcalls of the crowd before he strode down the palace steps and into the street, thanks to his extra keen hearing.

He looked at the young lords as he shifted so he appeared as one of them and he strolled into the crowd.

There was a crowd of about fifty people gathered in the marble forum just before the palace gates. Most of them were young lords and craftsmen, and all of them looked indignant and angry. They shook their fists at the palace and Loki heard several derogatory remarks about the king.

"Vanaheim is falling to pieces cause the king isn't man enough to remarry and sire an heir." Grumbled one youth. The other young men agreed.

"He should give up the throne for someone who can!" another young man said.

"Anyone would be better than him!" a third shouted.

"Like you, Felior?" laughed another.

"Why not me?" demanded the youth, who was tall and handsome. "I can trace my ancestors back to the Founding."

Several of his friends cheered.

Loki rolled his eyes. The youth reminded him of Thor—back when his brother was an arrogant fool, before being banished to Midgard.

"Most of us can," his friend said and Felior snorted a laugh.

Norns, give me strength, Loki thought.

"Can Frey say the same?" one of the others asked.

"He may bear the bloodlines but not the backbone," sneered another derisively. "Who mourns a dead spouse forever?"

"Someone who loves so deeply that no other could ever replace the one who was lost," Loki said with such sadness in his voice.

"I've never known a love like that," one young lord snorted dismissively. "I don't think it exists."

"Because your one true love is yourself, Thalion!" mocked another.

"Just look in a mirror!"

snickered another.

"How would YOU know anyhow?" Thalion glared at Loki.

"Because, unlike you, I have known real love," Loki returned. "And it lasts for much longer than a night or two."

The young lords looked at him with puzzled look and Thalion snorted.

"Then you are a fool, Sir," Thalion sneered.

"Yes, I am a fool. A fool for denying myself the one thing which makes life worth living. For a life without love is no life at all."

The young males again looked at him with a puzzled look.

"Tell me," Loki continued. "How would you feel if your mothers and fathers...? Your siblings...? They made you feel unloved?"

"You speak rubbish. No parent would deny their children love. Nor would anyone's siblings," one of the young males said.

"That's not true, Maltro. My step-father does not love me," one of the young males said. "He has told me to my face."

"And how does that make you feel?" Loki asked.

"Uh...," he said then he lowered his head.

"Now...," Loki continued. "Imagine you find your soul mate. The one who makes your heart thunder in your breast at the sight of them and fills your head with pleasant dreams."

The young males looked at each other then they waited for him to keep talking.

"Whoever they are stands by your side no matter the danger, but then they are gone. Either from war, sickness or accident. How would you feel?"

There was a sudden hush as the crowd stilled, pondering Loki's words. From the looks on their faces, Loki could tell they had never really thought about it until now. Pampered and privileged, most of these young men had never felt the bone deep pain of loss and suffering.

Finally, one spoke. "I would feel as if the sun had fallen out of the sky and broke into pieces."

Loki nodded in approval. Then he said softly, "That is what the king feels, every hour of every day. The queen was his sun, his light in the dark but now she is gone and she took the light with her."

More murmurs followed this statement. Loki prayed his silver tongue was working. But then a suspiscius noble queried, " Who are you? Are you new to court?"

Loki thought fast. "Call me . . . Mobius."

"Mobius? I have never heard that name before. Where are you from?" Thalion asked.

"I come from a small kingdom south of here," Loki said.

"And you know the king well?" one of the young nobles asked.

"He is a friend of my family."

"What you said earlier? About feeling unloved by your family? Did that happen to you?" another young noble asked.

"Yes, it did. For a long time, I felt like my father and mother did not love me. Nor did my brother. It wasn't until recently that I learned I was wrong."

The young nobles looked at each other as they whispered to each other then Maltro cleared his throat.

"So, you are saying we should let Frey stay on the throne?" Maltro asked.

"Yes, I do," Loki said with a nod.

"Or maybe you wish the throne for yourself," Thalion said, drawing his sword.

By the Norns, Loki thought.

"No, that is not my wish," Loki said, holding his hands up in surrender.

"Prove it!"

"Thalion, are you mad?! He is a friend of Frey!" one of the young nobles said.

"So he says."

Loki rolled his eyes as he lightly shook his head then he felt Sigyn's mind entering his.

Is everything alright? she sent.

I seem to be in for a bit of a fight, Loki sent as he explained what happened.

Do you need me to send some of your uncle's guards?

No, I can handle this, Loki sent then he looked at Thalion.

"Do you really want to do this?" Loki asked and Thalion snorted a breath of air. Sighing, Loki quickly moved his fingers and a sword in a scabbard appeared on his back and Loki drew the sword.

"Gut him!" one of the young nobles said and Thalion smiled.

Roaring, Thalion charged at Loki when Thalion swung his sword and Loki blocked him. Thalion moved back as he growled and Loki gave him a bored look. Thalion charged again while Loki blocked his swing and the blades slammed together.

The other young nobles cheered Thalion on as he fought Loki and Loki jumped up after Thalion tried to sweep his legs out from under him.

Enough of this! Loki thought as he swiftly disarmed his opponent nonchalantly. Thalion's sword flew out of his hands. Loki kicked Thalion in the stomach as the young noble fell to the ground and Loki pointed his sword at Thalion's throat.

"Do you yeild?" Loki said while the guards ran closer and the young nobles' eyes widened.

"Are you alright, Your Highness?!" one of the guards asked.

"Your...? Your Highness?" Maltro.

"Aye. This is..."

"I guess I should have told you the truth," Loki said with a grin. "I am King Frey's nephew."

"Norns! We are doomed," one of the young nobles said while Loki held his hand out to Thalion and Thalion took his hand. Loki helped him to his feet as Thalion lowered his head and Loki sighed.

"No one is doomed," Loki said with a shake of his head. "I just hope you take to heart what I said about the King."

They all nodded, gulping audibly and slowly backing away.

Thalion looked like he was going to kneel and beg for mercy until Loki stopped him. "No. Think about what I told you. That is better repentance than any gesture of fealty."

"Yes, Your Grace," the chastened noble muttered.

He quickly huddled with his friends, one of whom whispered, "You're lucky he didn't gut you like a wood grouse. I've heard Prince Loki is the best swordsman in the Nine."

Loki lofted a raven brow upon hearing that, then supposed some enterprising skald had been spreading tales. He just hoped his silver tongue reputation helped keep the peace, because he didn't want to fight on his honeymoon.

Loki, are you alright? Sigyn sent and he smiled at the concern in her voice.

Yes, I'm fine, he sent.

Have you quelled the rebellion?

I'll tell you about once I return to the palace.

Loki looked at the guards as he nodded and they followed him.

His escort spread out in a fan formation behind him, with the ones forming the fan 'holder' gliding above him with swords out, skimming the air like butterflies. They soon arrived at the palace, where Sigyn, Frey, and Brightheart awaited them.

"Loki! Are you well?" His wife queried, her hazel eyes bright with worry. Her puppy whined at her feet.

"Aye, love. Now don't fret. I'm fine," he soothed, coming to her and taking her hands in his.

Observing that his nephew was unharmed, Frey dismissed all the guards save three, and then said, "Why don't we retire to my study? I'll have some sweet berry wine and lobster pies and fruit sent up. You can tell us what happened while we eat, Nephew."

"Of course, Uncle Frey. I'm famished," Loki agreed and he followed the king to his study, Sigyn walking beside him.

Frey sent Lyath, one of his pages, for the refreshments, then closed the door to the study. His guards would not allow anyone except Lyath inside, so Frey could speak privately.

Loki glanced about, noting the spacious bookshelves, the thick carpet with embroidered fall leaves and birds on the floor, and light airy drapes over the windows. There was a desk of golden oak with unicorn pedestal legs and a chair with rich gold upholstery behind it. A lamp that looked like a tree spread light all over the room and there were two finely carved chairs and a table whose sides folded down off to the right of the desk. A smokeless fire of applewood crackled merrily in the grate, and the king said, "Please, be welcome here. This room is warded so whatever you tell me will remain between us, Loki."

Loki and Sigyn placed chairs before the desk and sat down. Frey sat in his chair and folded his hands atop the desk.

Loki told them what he had said to the young nobles and how they reacted.

"But one of them attacked you," Frey said.

"That was due to him not knowing who I was. Once he did, he was just as remorseful as the others," Loki said.

"Or they were afraid you would harm them."

"Yes. and that is due to the tales some skald has told about my swordsmanship."

"You are an excellent swordsman," Sigyn said with a small smile.

"That may be the case, but I don't like the idea of people thinking I enjoy killing someone."

"I will check into those tales. Now, do you think they will stop trying to dethrone me?" Frey asked.

"Yes, I believe they will," Loki said with a nod.

"If they are smart, they will have learned to think before they act," Sigyn said. Then she added, "Of course my father always said there's no one sillier than a boy trying to prove he had what it takes to be a man.

Loki nodded. That is certainly true, Sigyn. He thought about all the times that he had striven to be noticed by Odin, only to be pushed aside or ignored. And how because of that he was usually driven to more desperate acts of mischief.

The door opened and Lyath entered with a gold tray in his hands. He approached the table as he placed the tray down and Loki and Sigyn looked at the glasses filled with fruit wine, plates of cheese, grapes, some slices apples and some pastries.

"Thank you, Lyath," Frey said.

Nodding, the page walked away and Loki held Sigyn's hand as she sat down. He sat next to her. Frey smiled at the loving looks they gave each other then he sat down also.

"I sincerely hope that we have no more political unrest and you can both enjoy your stay here, Loki and Sigyn," Frey said softly. "However, I'm very impressed by the way you handled that incident, Nephew. You took just the right tone with them, like a seasoned diplomat."

Loki seemed slightly embarrassed by the praise but he said quietly, "They were not too hard to persuade. Most of them were just following the lead of one vocal young fool."

"Nevertheless, it was very well done. And for that I thank you."

Smiling, Loki placed some cheese and sliced apples on the plate and he sipped on some of the fruit wine.

"So, what would you like to do for the rest of the day?" Frey asked,

"I would like to check on Jorgy," Loki said.

"Ah. Yes. I believe he is down by the pond. Poor Lad. He seems so sad."

"I would be sad as well if I lost my whole family," he said as he looked at Sigyn. They ate in silence when Loki rose, made a small bow and he left the room. He walked down the hallway when he headed outside and he cleared his mind. He reached out for Jorgy's mind when he sensed where the young sea serpent was and he walked faster.

He found Jorgy sitting at the edge of the pond as Jorgy looked out at the water and sighed.

"How are you?" Loki asked, sitting next to him.

"I have been better," Jorgy said, lightly shaking his head. "I... I was thinking about my father."

"What about him?"

"His name was Dagmar. He was the . . ." Jorgy spoke a word that sounded like the hush of the waves. ". . . Ah, Leader is the closest I can come to it in landspeak. He was sort of like a king but . . . my folk don't have such." He coughed and glanced away. "He was known as the Valorous because he knew when to fight and also when to avoid one. His people came first always. . ."

Loki nodded. "He sounds like a brave and wise ruler. You must miss him greatly."

The youth turned to him. "I do. He was not only a great Leader, but he also loved his family. My mother, Sylvie, was from a different pod, but he made her welcome in his and soon it was as if she had always been there. Father used to say, "Not even the purest pearl can outshine my wife." He was right. And he loved me, my mother, and sisters greatly."

The sorrow in the boy's expression almost made Loki tear up. "Jorgy . . . What happened was a terrible tragedy. And there is nothing I can say to mitigate your loss. Except this. Even the darkest night has stars. And one day the sun will shine upon you again."

Loki placed his hand on the youth's shoulder. After a moment, Jorgy gripped it with his other hand.

Silent tears tracked down his pale cheeks.

The prince said nothing, giving silent sympathy and allowing the distraught shifter to grieve, knowing there was nothing else to be said.

They sat in silence for a long time when Jorgy let go of Loki's hand and Loki used some magic to produce a clean handkerchief. He handed the handkerchief to Jorgy as Jorgy nodded, took it and wiped his eyes and nose.

Is everything alright? Sigyn sent as Loki closed his eyes and he pulled her mind forward. He told her about his conversation with Jorgy and he felt love coming from his wife. Do you think Viva should talk to him?

I'll have her talk to him once we get home, Loki sent.

"Uh... sir, can we go back to the palace? I'm getting hungry," Jorgy asked and Loki smiled,

"Let's go," Loki said and they stood. He wasn't sure if Jorgy wanted to be comforted when Jorgy slid his left arm around Loki's waist and he leaned into Loki. Loki held the young sea serpent against his side and they headed down the path.

After returning to the palace, they walked down the hallway and entered the study.

"Is everything alright?" Frey asked.

"Yes. Everything is fine," Loki said and Jorgy nodded.

"Good. Now, I would like to discuss something with you."

"What sort of something?" Loki asked as they went to sit next to Sigyn and she lightly smiled at Jorgy.

"It has to do with something one of my astronomers has noticed."

"What sort of something?"

"They are not sure. All they can tell me is it has to do with the Nexus."

"What is the Nexus?" Sigyn asked.

"According to an organization called the Time Variance Authority, a Nexus Event is something which occurs that makes the current most stable timeline branch and alter into a new one." Frey explained.

Loki frowned. "And such an event might be?"

The Vanir king spread his hands. "Anything. From changing one's mind on getting up for work to saving someone's life or even falling in love or destroying a world. Basically, anything that deviates from what the TVA believes should have happened."

Sigyn snorted. "This . . . TVA. . . Do they believe they are the Norns? To play with Fate and make everyone dance to their tune? Are they gods or mortals with powers?"

Frey coughed. "I am not sure. They call themselves scientists and Time Keepers. They exist outside of the time stream, the better to observe it."

Loki looked thoughtful. "That is most interesting. I might like to meet one of them someday."

"I don't think so. If they believe you to be what they call "a variant", they might arrest you."

"A variant?" Jorgy asked.

"A variant is a different version of someone from the main timeline."

"You mean there could be more than one Loki?" Sigyn asked as she looked at Loki.

"Yes, that is exactly what I am talking about."

"Now there is an interesting idea. Imagine me as...well...an alligator," Loki said with a smile then he shifted into an alligator wearing his circlet helmet. Jorgy laughed while Loki shifted back and Frey and Sigyn smiled.

"Or Thor as...um...a frog," Sigyn said as she started laughing.

"As humorous as that would be, these people are not to be mocked," Frey warned and they nodded.

"Are you sure your astronomers believe a Nexus Event will happen here?" Loki asked.

"They do. But they are not sure where it will happen or to who."

They sat in silence while Loki steepled his fingers and he had a feeling something was coming. Something which would change his life and those around him.

The TVA:

Mobius M. Mobius sat at his desk looking through some files when he sat back in his chair, frowning. He wore a simple suit which fit him well and accentuated his graying locks and mustache as well as his sharp eyes that often saw things others missed. He appeared to be in his early fifties but wasn't really sure exactly how old he was.

He wasn't sure when he started working for the TVA, but being a part of the middle management team felt...right.

He had been in charge of many variant cases, but the one which fascinated him the most was of Loki.

There were so many different variants of the God of Mischief, but the one he was assigned to observe was getting close to his Nexus Event.

"If he doesn't do what he's supposed to do, they're going to arrest him," Mobius said with a sigh. He looked up at the ceiling when a shimmering orange light appeared and Miss Minutes appeared.

Miss Minutes had a round body with a face with large eyes and small eyebrows, a dot for a nose, pink lips, lines around her face to tell time, arms with white gloves on her hands, white shoes with white bows on her feet and thin legs. She resembled a walking talking clock.

"Mornin', Suhgar," she said with a cheery smile.

"Morning."

"What's wrong?"

Mobius knew she worked for He Who Remains, but he wasn't sure how much he should tell her.

One wrong word and she'll report me to Ravonna, he thought.

"Just hungry," he said and she blinked her eyes a few times.

"Then go get something to eat."

"It isn't my assigned..."

Suddenly, the alarms sounded as he looked at the screen and Miss Minutes appeared on the screen.

"Looks like they brought in a variant," she said while the security footage appeared on the screen and he looked at Hunter B-15 bringing what appeared to be a young girl with dark hair through a portal.

"Who is that?" Mobius said.

"Looks like another Loki."

"What are they going to do with her?"

"What you do you think they're going to do?" she asked then she disappeared.

The screen zoomed in on the frightened face of the young girl as Mobius curled his fingers into fists and he snorted out a breath of air.

No. This has to stop, he thought determinedly, and he thumped his fists on the desk.

A/N: Thanks so much for being so patient. I have been so busy lately I haven't had time to write much or at all but I am trying to get back into things. Hope you enjoyed this part!