When they all returned from Jotunheim, Odin had told all but his sons to go to the healers. Astrid reluctantly went with the warriors and Sif since she knew Odin was not in a pleasant mood. Fandral got the bulk of the injuries from being stabbed by a frost giant's frost spikes. Hogun was focused on tending to the fire in the healing room and on taking care of Volstagg's frost burn. Astrid retrieved her two crystals from her satchel and sighed deeply as she stroked the red one. Sif noticed her friend's sadness and went to her side.

"Astrid….I am sorry you couldn't get the answers you wanted. However, it would have been awful of us all if we left you alone with the frost giants and Laufey. Thor was wrong with how he handled things, but he only did it to protect you. Who knows what Laufey intended to do with you alone. He can't be trusted and Thor…"

"Sif just stop talking please. I'm in no mood to be spoken down to or fed sentiments Thor can't himself. It's because of him I won't know the truth about my father's death for Norns know when! Laufey was waiting for me all these years and Thor ruined my chance at the truth!" Astrid interrupted angrily.

Sif backed away slowly at Astrid's outburst but soon shot a glare back at her own.

"Thor was thinking about you…"

"He was thinking of his bruised pride because a frost giant mocked his masculinity. He was not thinking about me when he struck that giant, but more so because he was called a princess. Don't insult my intelligence Sif, it's not like you to do such a thing."

"Can you stop interrupting me Astrid! I'm trying to be a good friend and comfort you, but you're being so hostile towards me. Do you wish to linger in your anger and lose all hope so quickly." Sif expressed.

Astrid sighed and instead lingered on the crystal. Hogun went to her side and glanced at the crystal. His eyes were wary but also curious.

"This isn't a Vanir way, but a frost giant. Yet Frode learned how to do a frost giant magical art to preserve his last moment...brilliant but unorthodox." Hogun mused in a wary tone.

Astrid nodded and only sighed once more.

"But I needed my blood and Laufey's to reveal this memory. Now that Asgard is going to be at war with Jotunheim; I cannot reach out to Laufey again until the matter settles. Vanaheim is neutral in Asgard and Jotunheim affairs, and as such I am not partaking in the fight between them." Astrid told everyone while putting away the crystals.

Volstagg raised an eyebrow and looked at Hogun when he came to check his arm.

"But you're going to fight with us aren't you Hogun?" he asked.

Hogun nodded and looked at Astrid.

"I fight for Odin. You do as you wish, Astrid." Hogun spoke solemnly.

Astrid thought Hogun was stoic and loyal to Odin to a fault. Astrid however was not going to fight in a war that could have been prevented. Thor's arrogance endangered them all and this angered Astrid even more. She'd hoped Thor would have had a much more level head at this point in his life, but he very much did as he pleased. What had happened to the joyful and reasonable boy she grew up with and he couldn't have always been this arrogant could he?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of doors opening and turned to see it was Loki. Something was clearly wrong as he was alone. The warriors and Sif were also concerned as Loki went to hug Astrid. Astrid pulled away and his face told her a lot.

"Where's Thor?" Astrid asked.

Loki sighed and got out of Astrid's embrace, nervously running his fingers in his hair.

"Thor had plunged Asgard into war and got into a very heated argument with the All-Father. He took it as a challenge and saw that Thor was being entitled, greedy, and cruel. My father had no choice but to banish him until he learned the error of his ways and learned how to be a better hero." Loki explained.

The room grew quiet and everyone's stomach fell. Thor, their friend, was banished and there was little they could do to get him back. Astrid felt bad but deep down kind of hoped Thor's banishment would take some time. Perhaps she would get her friend back from their time apart and she was still furious with how his actions ruined things for her. She went by Loki's side since out of everyone, he was perhaps the one who would miss Thor the most. Despite their arguments and how much Loki felt lesser when compared to his brother, Thor was still his brother. They spent most of their lives together and Astrid knew he was taking it hard. However Astrid sensed something else was wrong and Loki was even more despondent, distant, and quiet.

"We should have never let him go." Volstagg professed.

Sif sighed as she stared into the fire.

"There was no stopping him." She expressed.

Fandral got himself comfortable on a couch and said,

"At least he's only banished and not dead, as what we all would be if that guard didn't tell Odin where we'd gone."

Astrid cracked a small smile and stroked Loki's arm. It was because of Loki they were all alive. He knew this was a dangerous and foolish journey and his foresight to let a guard know spared all their lives. She noticed Loki was still bothered and not relishing that he was a hero to them all. Loki's eyes were brimming with concern as he stared at the hand the frost giant touched.

'Why had it turned blue?' he thought. What was wrong with him and why didn't he suffer like Volstagg?

Hogun used a bit of his magic to tend to Volstagg's frostburn on his arm. It stung at first, but Volstagg soon felt Hogun's touches and magic to heal the wound. Still he wondered just how the guard knew.

"How did the guard even know?" Volstagg questioned.

"I told him." Loki said with a serious tone.

Astrid nodded in agreement and Fandral just questioned,

"What?"

"I told him to go to Odin after we left. He should be flogged for taking so long. We should have never reached Jotunheim." Loki added with a slight coldness to his voice.

"You told the guard?!" Volstagg shouted.

Astrid scoffed angrily and glared at Volstagg.

"We all could have been dead if Loki hadn't done so. We were at the edge of the cliff surrounded by frost giants; all because Thor got insulted by a passing comment. A true king would have let that comment roll off his back or handled it with grace; not like a savage animal."

Volstagg raised an eyebrow and inquired,

"You knew he would go off and tell the guard?"

Astrid nodded.

"He was thinking of a back up plan if things went south, and things went horribly south. Anyway he saved our lives...including Thor's."

She gently tried to take Loki's hand but he pushed it aside, which really concerned her.

"I had no idea Father would banish him for what he did nor did I think Thor would argue with him. Truly when I asked the guard to get Odin, I was thinking of all of us." Loki defended.

Sif got up from the couch and approached him. Astrid got defensive and started to raise her wrists but Loki claimed her slightly. Sif looked to Loki with compassion and asked,

"Loki, you must go to the All-Father and convince him to change his mind."

Loki scoffed slightly since the nerve of Sif to ask that of him. Astrid thought it wouldn't work anyway since Odin was stubborn. His word and decree were law and must be obeyed. Who knows what would happen to Loki if he questioned Odin's decision. He could very well be banished too with Odin's temper being very volatile.

"And if I do then what? I love Thor more dearly than any of you, but you know what he is. He's arrogant, he's reckless, and he's dangerous. You saw how he was today. Is this what Asgard needs from their king" he spoke bitterly.

He stormed out of the healing wing and Astrid could only look on, worrying about him since something clearly was troubling him aside from Thor's banishment. Sif looked to Astrid next and expressed,

"Go after him Astrid. Maybe you can convince him to speak to the All-Father about Thor."

Astrid rolled her eyes since Sif had to be joking to ask such a thing now.

"So you only value my relationship I have with Loki because it will help to get what you want? I'm sorry but I agree with Loki. A dear friend or not, his behavior in Jotunheim could have gotten us all killed. Perhaps being away from us all in a strange new land will gain him the traits a king needs."

Sif glared at Astrid since she expected resistance of wanting Thor back from Loki, but not her. Astrid was Thor's close friend too and she was not for wanting him back on Asgard.

"How could you dare say that? Thor cares for you and may even love you. He went to Jotunheim not only for himself, but for you. You owe him for getting what you sought after." Sif argued coldly.

Astrid scoffed and shook her head. She was either deaf or clearly not as smart as Astrid thought she would be.

"I got words from my father I can access, but my main goal of knowing how he died was foiled by Thor's violent attack on the frost giants. That incited an act of war and because of Vanaheim's treaty with both Asgard and Jotunheim, I can't really partake in much action for either side. Besides, if he truly 'loved me' he would have swallowed his pride and left me alone with Laufey. Serves him right for betraying me and hurting me so."

Sif was taken aback as to how defiant she was and it almost seemed like Astrid had no care left for Thor.

"Astrid...you do care for Thor don't you?"

"Like Loki said; Thor's arrogant, reckless, and he's dangerous. If it wasn't for Loki, we would all be dead because of Thor. You seem to forget that Loki cares for Asgard and he was trying to protect us. Thor being banished is not what any of us wanted."

Sif didn't seem so sure to trust Astrid as she saw just how devoted Astrid was to Loki. It was almost like Astrid wanted this to happen.

"Are you sure about that, since you know better than anyone how jealous he is of Thor. He confided in you and you must have heard all the loathing and hatred Loki feels for thor. Though it seems as you grew older, you always were on Loki's side." Sif glared.

"Someone had to be since everyone else follows Thor's words blindly and can't see past his muscles and his lightning. I am fond of both of them but me loving Loki doesn't mean I don't wish Thor to return home."

Astrid felt that the last part was a slight lie deep down and couldn't shake that feeling. Maybe Thor being banished was the best thing for her and Loki since he couldn't impede in their lives anymore than he had. Egil and Odin wanted her with Thor but him being banished means those plans can't happen. She twirled a loose curl and this annoyed Sif.

"You're lying. You wanted Thor to be banished. Is that why you also encouraged him to go?" Sif accused.

Astrid's eyes widened and this argument was pissing her off.

"I never wanted Thor to be banished but he needs to be punished for what he did. I would have found a way on my own to go to Jotunheim…"

"Yet why didn't you? Why wait until frost giants came here?"

"Because it would have given me a reason to go myself and serve as a diplomat while getting answers about my father. I thought I could trust Thor to be mature and as a king should be, but we were all wrong. We should be thankful that Loki saved all of our lives back there and not fighting over why Loki told the guards. Yet no, Thor being banished is all anyone seems to care about." Astrid expressed.

Hogun recalled something Laufey had said and it alarmed him greatly.

"Laufey said, there were traitors in the house of Odin. A master of magic can bring three Jotuns here." Hogun told them.

Sif's eyes widened and Astrid only got angrier.

"You're kidding me right Sif? There's no way Loki would do that? He cares for Asgard and Thor more than anyone." Astrid defended.

"I agree. Loki's been one for mischief but you're talking about something else entirely." Fandral expressed.

"If not Loki than…"

Everyone's eyes went to Astrid and this caused Astrid's magic to course through her angrily and she glared at them.

"Why would I want the Jotuns here? Laufey could have said that to cause Thor to react and fight, ever think of that as an option?" Astrid expressed angrily.

"Yet why are you coursing your magic at me Astrid? Remind me...didn't the All-Father and Egil want you to marry Thor. If Thor is not king and is banished...you could marry whoever you wish….though we know it would be Loki."

Astrid scoffed and almost wanted to blast or slap Sif for that comment.

"I'm coursing my magic because I am insulted that you think I would betray Thor or Asgard. I'm sorry Thor's banished but I did want him to be king. It would mean Loki and I could run off to Vanaheim and be married. Plus if Thor wanted us happy, he wouldn't go through the fight like Odin wanted. I had no reasons to let frost giants in and I am very insulted you'd accuse me Sif."

"Like Laufey said, traitors are in the House of Odin, Astrid is not of Odin's blood." Hogun stated.

"And Loki wouldn't do this. Lest all of you forget, he's Odin's son and Thor's brother. He never wanted the throne, just my heart and he has it. You all really need to stop seeing Loki as the bad guy and be thankful for all he's done, including saving us all on multiple occasions. Loki might be a master of magic, but he cares about Thor and all of us. To think he would betray us is a very awful thing to suggest."

Hogun glanced at Astrid's eyes and she was speaking from her own heart. She wasn't bewitched or enchanted and clearly, she was loyal and devoted to Loki. Still it was clear to Hogun that Loki must have had some involvement but if so, Astrid wasn't involved.

Sif sighed and crossed her arms at Astrid.

"Can you at least try to convince Loki to speak with the All-Father? He'd listen to you out of all others."

And here Sif goes again Astrid thought and she shook her head, angering Sif as she stared in anger.

"Thor needs to learn he can't always get what he wants. I want him back like all of you, but if he learns anything from this it is to not be a reckless, arrogant, and a careless king. I'm sorry, but Loki's right and Thor needs to go through his punishment."

Once Astrid left the Warriors Three and Sif, Sif let out an angry shout in frustration.

"Astrid is usually one to listen to reason, yet she's going against it. We need Thor in this time." Sif expressed angrily.

"Give her time. After all, she is Thor's friend too. Perhaps in a few days, she will be helping us to go to Midgard and get him home. She won't stay mad forever at Thor and it is because of her anger she's being stubborn about wanting him back. Besides, I don't think Loki would do something like this despite his mischief. Astrid just sees the good in Loki like maybe we all should see." Fandral expressed calmly.

Sif shook her head and thought Astrid was wrong; wrong about Loki and wrong about Thor. He did this for her as well and she's treating his actions so harshly despite the fact she got what she came for to some extent. Sif couldn't shake that something was very wrong, both with Loki and with Astrid. Loki was always jealous of Thor and couldn't shake that he was responsible for Thor being banished. As for Astrid...she was always the calm mind and cared for Thor immensely despite his actions. However, ever since word came out about her and Loki being a couple, her personality had changed for the worst. Sif just hoped Astrid would see they needed Thor and help to do the right thing.

"You could have told me what I was from the beginning, why didn't you!" Loki yelled at Odin angrily.

Loki was hurt, angry, and engaged that his whole life was a lie. Laufey's son...he was Laufey's son, a frost giant that Odin stole in order to achieve peace. Sadly with Thor's actions, that peace will not come. He was horrified at what touching the Casket of Winters did to him, making him show the monster he truly was. His marks on his face matched Laufey's and he was indeed Laufey's son. He was truly hurt but it now made sense to him why Odin cared for Thor more; Loki wasn't truly his son at all.

"You're my son. I only wanted to protect you from the truth." Odin expressed with a sigh.

That only angered and upset Loki even more. He was a monster that the Asier hated, that the Vanirs even... Loki's heart fell as he trailed a finger over his palm. He almost broke down in tears since he had doomed his one true love. Astrid….he cursed Astrid to be loyal to him, loyal to a monster that parents told their children to fear. She would resent him and hate him once she learned the truth about him and that broke his heart. It made sense why Odin didn't want Astrid to be married to him; he was a monster that didn't deserve love.

"What truth! That I'm the monster parents tell their children about at night! That I'm a monster that will ravage and destroy all they know and love?! It all makes sense now why you favored Thor all these years! I was never your son despite your claims and no wonder why I was put in Thor's shadow. No matter how much you claim to love me, you could never have me be the king of Asgard!" Loki shouted at Odin.

Odin started to stumble to the floor and his breathing was becoming labored.

"Loki please...I do care about you. Have I not taught you, cared for you, or allowed you to perform duties as a prince. You are my son no matter what race you are, but sadly most Asiers aren't like me or your mother. Thor was always someone I knew Asgard would accept. You have a purpose but unfortunately Thor ruined it for you my son. I truly did care for you son and if anyone treated you differently it was not because of me son." Odin expressed calmly.

Loki clenched his fists and his thoughts went to Astrid. They had made arrangements since she was born to marry the next king. Because Odin never considered him for the throne, that also meant he was never considered to be Astrid's future husband either.

"I never crossed your mind to be Astrid's husband...you wanted her with Thor because you know if Egil learned the truth...he would never allow me to marry her despite me loving her."

Odin sighed since Loki was missing the point on why Astrid needed to be the queen of Asgard and be with Thor, not him.

"She will bring light to Asgard so it is important…"

"Because you wanted me to rule the land of monsters and I was never one to be king of Asgard. Did it occur to you that Astrid being with me could have helped with peace as well, perhaps for the better and stronger. Her marrying me could tie the three realms of Jotunheim, Asgard, and Vanaheim together, but no you wanted Thor to have the best maiden possible. A perfect maiden with beauty, brains, and magic not caring who she would pick for herself! It's clear Astrid loves me and I've done nothing but love her too! You see how we are, why couldn't you just allow us to marry and not take that away from us!"

Odin gasped a bit and shook his head.

"I know you love her but Thor…"

"Thor expressed he didn't want her! I love her and she brings out the best in me! If I was your son that you truly cared for, you wouldn't have told Egil to screw off and allowed me to take her hand! But no...I'm not your son….never was and you never wanted Astrid with me...I'm not even sure she would even want me once I come forward with her about what I am...Is this what you wanted!"

"No son...I'm sorry...I never thought you and Lady Astrid would be so close...maybe partners in magic but never lovers...do understand I was thinking for all of Asgard and not just about you…"

"None of this was ever about me! This was all about you! I was never in contention for the throne and when Egil wanted to offer Astrid's hand to me or Thor, you didn't think twice about choosing Thor! Meanwhile, Egil is not even her father despite raising her and you should know if Astrid was born as a son, Egil would kill her!"

"Why say such things?" Odin barely got out as he slipped into unconsciousness.

"It's the truth and Astrid and I deserve more than what you planned for us! You never wanted me to be happy! Astrid makes me happy but no, Thor gets everything because he's your son while I'm just the stolen relic you took and pretend to care about! You're not my father and I loathe that you lied to me all these years! No matter how much you claim to love me; you could never have a frost giant on the throne of Asgard!"

Odin was deep in sleep, in Odinsleep and Loki was startled by Odin's almost lifeless presence. He bent down and reached for his hand to check his pulse. It was very weak and Odin's breathing was very slow and labored. Loki panicked and he started to tear up.

"Guards! Guards please help!" Loki called out.

As the guards took Odin away, Loki was left alone in the weapon's vault. He conjured a mirror in front of the casket and he held onto the casket once more. Loki watched in fear, horror, pain, and disgust as his form shifted into that of a frost giant. His pale skin to blue, his eyes to blood red, and ridges across his face and hands that matched Laufey's. This was what made him break down into tears as he'd cursed Astrid with the blood ritual they performed. She had sworn her loyalty and love to him; but Loki knew Astrid would feel betrayed and deceived once she learned the truth. Resentment would be what she will feel towards him and perhaps would no longer love him because he was a monster and not the Asier she thought he was.

"Laufeyson." Loki spoke weakly.

Even his voice sounded a bit different when taking the appearance of a frost giant or rather what he was supposed to look like. He was a runt, a failure and disgrace to the frost giants; left to die and Odin saved him out of pity and opportunity. By the Norns Loki hoped when Astrid learned the truth, she would stand by him and not abandon him. No Loki thought, if she abandoned him, she would die for breaking their eternal blood pact. She had no choice and prayed Astrid wouldn't resent him and would still care for him like he did for her. His only hope was that she would stand by him and still feel love for him. His life was a lie but his love for Astrid wasn't and hoped he would still have it.