Hello again!

I can't believe that 5 people have followed this story so far. Thank you so much! I wasn't really expecting anyone to read this.

It's been about a month since I posted the first chapter. That was longer than I meant it to be. Procrastination is a thing. I'm also back at school now and have been drowned by all the coursework and had my impending doom shoved down my throat. Despite that, I'm going to try and post the next chapter in 2 weeks because optimism.

Anyway, on with the chapter.


Eir was on her way to leave the healing rooms when two of the guard entered. The room immediately quietened. It was no surprise to see the guard in the healing chambers, but usually they only visited when they were injured, though a few had friends and simply visited to converse with them during the tedium of their day. This was different. They did not look at them as they would if they were there to talk with them as friends and no one recognised them.

"The King has called all of you to the throne room," said one of the guards.

Everyone looked around at each other in confusion.

"Why would the Allfather call for us?" asked one of the girls who looked up from a round table sat around a book.

"Not the Allfather," replied another. "Thor will have been crowned by now."

"I thought that Thor's coronation was postponed."

"Wait, why?"

Eir shook her head and turned to the guards. "Did Loki inform you why?" she asked, puzzled.

"He did not, my Lady"

One of the girls sitting at the table spoke up again. "Wait, Loki? He's the king? How?"

Eir ignored her.

All the people in the healing rooms started filing out, save for one of the older women who was tending to an unconscious man in the partially removed uniform of the Einherjar. She looked up to Eir with a frustrated and slightly worried expression.

"I'm sure you will not be missed," said Eir. "Do not worry, Sara. You may remain here." The woman nodded and looked relieved at Eir's reassurances. Eir then began walking out and led the way while the group was flanked by the two guards.


Once everyone had left, Loki peered out from behind a pillar. Brown hair now fell around his face in soft curls, his eyes were a dark brown and he wore one of his mother's most simple dresses. As long as no one inspected the material too closely, they would assume him to be an insignificant serving girl, which made doing anything unnoticed much easier. He would look right in place in the healing chambers.

He walked as purposefully towards the healing rooms as would be appropriate for a serving girl, though he could not see anyone who would take notice of him and peered around the corner. Sara looked up at him.

"Are you alright young lady?"

He stepped into the room quickly. "Oh, yes, sorry," he said, quickly putting aside his own mannerisms and falling into his disguise.

He hadn't expected anyone to stay in the chambers, though he had shapeshifted himself just in case. He was now really glad that he did. There had been no one in need of treatment when he checked before giving the command for everyone to go to the throne room, but someone had obviously been brought in since then. He stayed close to the door, his hands behind his back and leaning against them, both deeply uncomfortable and faking his outward emotions for his character.

After a few awkward seconds, he gestured over to the man lying unconscious on the bed next to her. "Is he alright?"

She looked down to her patient. "Currently, no, as is obvious." She smiled wryly and, at Loki's worried expression, she added, "Don't worry. His life is not in any danger. Not anymore at least."

"That's, well good? Not that he is not alright, of course, that he'll be alright, I'm sorry, never mind," he said, emulating the nervousness of many of the newer servants he often spoke to. He couldn't think of how to get to the beds and remove one without Sara noticing. He wouldn't be able to get her to leave the room with a patient to look after. He would have to give some reason for needing to take the bed.

"So, what happened then? Or, what ails him?"

"I must tell you that it is most unusual," she said, shaking her head. "Firlur found him lying on the floor at his post near the royal quarters, I believe, and brought him here. Such a good lad, that one, you know. It was very fortunate. If he hadn't found him I can tell you that this would have been much worse. Why, this has happened many a time, let me tell you. Once, one of the guards fell ill down behind the vaults and wasn't found for three months afterwards. Must have been such a shock for the poor guard who found him."

Loki very much regretted prompting Sara to speak.

"Anyway, back to this poor man. I seem to have gotten sidetracked. I do that a lot you know. I've been told it many times. My mother did quite the same thing actually."

He found himself fighting a sudden, overwhelming urge to stuff her in a dimensional pocket and be done with it.

"What did you want to know again?" she continued. "Oh yes. Of course, it was most strange. We believed it some form of sickness, but, upon closer inspection, we realised that he was poisoned. Of all things!"

"Poisoned?" Suddenly, Loki was very interested.

"I know. It was quite a shock, let me tell you. Why, we haven't had to deal with an actual poisoning since that banquet back when..."

"What was the poison used?" he cut her off.

"Eisjenvenom. Not a very deadly poison really. It only usually kills people who are really old or really young. Unless you have a hel of a lot of it. It keeps you unconscious for a long time though. Some of the other realms use it in their medicine for that reason actually. It's quite fascinating."

"So what happened then?" He asked, keeping her on track. "How was he poisoned while at his post? And why? Nothing has happened has it?" Given the previous plots that he had found out about, a guard poisoned while guarding the royal quarters was without a doubt something to be very concerned about. He needed to get more information from Sara.

"At first, we worried about that as well. It turns out actually that it was a pouch he was holding himself. He spilled it on himself I think, and absorbed it through his skin. We found a pouch half full of it clipped to his belt and what was likely the other half of it all over his hands."

"He carried it himself?"

"Yes. I believe so." At Loki's shocked expression she added, "I know, worrying, isn't it?"

"I must agree," he agreed. "Have you any idea as to why?"

She turned back to her patient. "As of yet, I have no clue. Of course, we will ask him when he wakes, but I have only just administered the antidote, and that much later than would be ideal. He may not even be awake by tomorrow. I know not what else to do." Sara looked back up at Loki. "So then child, what was it that you came in here for?"

"Oh, oh yes, sorry…" Loki fumbled around and clenched the material of his dress in his hands, seeming nervous. "I actually came here because I needed one of the transport beds…"

Sara looked confused at that. "Why do you need one of those?"

"I'm not really sure. Well, um, Lynarfir asked to come down here to get one for him. He didn't tell me why. Something to do with an experiment I think. I really don't know."

She laughed slightly. "Typical really of Lynarfir. He never tells anyone what he's doing. We all just assume he spends his life sitting in that library."

Loki let out an awkward half-laugh, to try and agree with Sara, then coughed and stared at the floor.

"Anyway," Sara started again. "What's your name, young Lady?"

"Aran," replied Loki easily.

"Right then Aran, do you know where to find them?"

"Yes, I believe so. That back room over there, right?" he said, walking over to where he knew them to be.

"Right. Usually, you would need to ask Eir to use any of these things in the healing wing but, since she is not here, I shall let you use one."

"I thank you," came his muffled reply from in the other room.

Sara stood up but then thought the better of it and sat back down. "Do you need any help? Those beds are not easy to move around alone?"

Loki came back into the first room, dragging one of the beds with him. "No, I'm fine."

"Are you sure, because I'm sure I could get Firlur to come and help you?"

"No," he said again, trying to sound calm rather than insisting too strongly which would be suspicious. "I'm sure I'll be fine."

Sara looked concerned. "If you're sure…"

"Yes, I am. Thank you for the help," he said as he dragged the bed out of the room as fast as he could, not looking back at her, dropping the nervous smile he wore that was making his face ache.

It took longer than Loki expected to get back to the royal chambers. He passed a few people on the way but they didn't take any notice of him, assuming that he was one of the girls from the healing rooms running some errand or other.

Once he got around the corner, Frigga appeared in the doorway and told the two guards to go and find Loki in the throne room and Eir in the healing chambers. Once they had gone, Loki stepped out and pulled the bed into the room. The two of them then carefully moved Odin's sleeping form and left the rooms. Frigga cloaked them so they wouldn't be noticed. They then carefully avoided all of the hallways that were anything more than abandoned, which was easier higher up in the palace where the royal chambers were than down by the more common areas.

They were almost to Loki's room when a servant darted out from around the corner with his head down, looking lost in his own thoughts and came straight for them. Frigga noticed and tried to get them out of the way in time but it wasn't fast enough and he ran straight into them.

"Sorry," the servant said, picking himself up and keeping his head focused on the floor, not noticing that there wasn't anyone there.

He began to leave again but then stopped suddenly and turned around. He couldn't see anyone.

He looked around himself again, absolutely perplexed. He then walked back over to them with his hands in front of him. As soon as he touched them, they both appeared.

He jumped backwards immediately.

"What? What is this?" he then noticed Frigga. "My queen!" he squeaked. He looked over at Odin and then back at Frigga. "What are you…?"

He backed away from her and turned to run away. Before he could, there was a loud clang and he crumpled to the floor unconscious.

Loki stood over him, the heavy, metal hilt of a dagger in his raised hand.

"Loki!"

"What?"

He picked up the servant's unconscious form and put him behind one of the doors so he was out of the sight of anyone else who might pass through.

"Why did you do that?" asked his mother.

"Let's go," he said, brushing past her.

They both continued down the hallway.


Meanwhile, back in the throne room, an illusion that Loki left sat on the throne.

Flanked by the guards, the healers all arrived.

"My king," said Eir, at the head of the group. She put her forearm across her chest and bowed. The others followed suit. Though, three at the back looked around and followed everyone else awkwardly, starting and finishing too late and looking around instead of at the ground. They had likely never been to the throne room or had to address the king before. Also, that it was Loki who they were bowing to was strange.

Eir continued. "May I ask why you called us here."

Loki faked an air of confusion, though, as it always did when he spoke, it came across as sarcastic. "I know not why."

Some of them glanced at each other. Eir tilted her head.

He clarified. "I did not ask it."

Then, everyone in the room was confused. The guards tried to remain expressionless, though it didn't quite work.

One of the others chimed in. "Loki…"

Everyone stared at her.

"I mean, my prince"

Everyone continued to stare at her.

"No, no, wait… I mean my king"

Loki raised his chin slightly, acknowledging her.

"Sorry. Anyway… How could you have not had us sent here, but we be brought here by your summons?"

Loki put his hand up by his mouth, appearing contemplative. "I suppose I must have been misunderstood. I asked that Eir be sent here. It makes sense that my orders would have been misheard."

What he said didn't directly blame the two guards but his accusation was obvious. They stared up at him indignantly. One of them opened his mouth to speak but stopped when he was nudged by his friend. He looked up at him angrily as his friend tried to remain completely composed and expressionless. The other followed suit, though he didn't bother hiding his scowl.

Loki tried to ignore them and continued. "You are all free to go back to the healing rooms."

They all looked around at each other, not sure if that was their cue to leave, before a few started to turn and others followed them, leaving Eir standing alone in front of the throne.

The guards moved to retake their stations either side of Loki, but he held his hand out to stop them.

"You are also dismissed. I wish for privacy."

Once they had left, Eir walked closer to the throne and Loki stood up.

"So, what did you wish to speak to me about?"

Loki bit his lip.

"'Tis about Jotunheim. You have told me that you and many others wish to avoid war."

"Of course."

"Since we are now on the brink of war with Jotunheim, I wondered how you thought that I should proceed."

"I doubt that I am the best person for that. Might it not have been better to seek advice from General Tyr?"

"Maybe," Loki retook his seat on Hlidskjalf and let out a breath. "But he does not like me."

"What makes you say that?"

"It matters not. You may leave if you wish."

"Is this about something else, Loki?"

"Of course not."

The silence was broken by a guard who came into the room and bowed.

"I already know about my Father's state," he dismissed, not paying attention to him.

"No, that's not the message sire."

"What have you to say then?"

"My leige, the Warriors Three and the Lady Sif have gone by the bifrost to Midgard."

What?

They had gone to Midgard. Abandoned him in favour of his brother, after he, not just as their friend but as their king, had expressly forbidden it.

What was he thinking? Of course they had.

Instinctively he tried to look for them using Hlidskjalf's sight, only to be reminded that his form was only an illusion here and he couldn't operate it when he wasn't actually there.

He didn't know why their betrayal hurt so much. He knew they didn't like him, only ever seeing him as the annoying tag-along of the friendship group at the best of times. He knew he couldn't rely on them; he wouldn't have used their moral support while he was king anyway. He didn't need anyone else. No one could be trusted so he would do everything alone. It didn't matter to him.

He nodded his head at the guard who then left the room. There was silence between him and Eir for a few moments.

Thinking about it, he was almost glad that they'd gone to join Thor. He would be safer with his four warrior lackeys to protect him if there truly were people trying to kill him. Perhaps he would have ordered them to do exactly that had they waited a few hours longer.

Sif especially would be outraged if she found out that their act to spite him was exactly what he wanted them to do all along. That thought almost lifted his mood.

He turned back to Eir.

She had been staring at him throughout his train of thought intensely, almost through him as though she were trying to figure something out.

"Loki," she finally asked. "Where are you right now?"

"Sitting right in front of you. What kind of question was that supposed to be?"

He didn't know what gave him away.

She walked forwards and went to take his hand. He looked to the side and breathed out in resignation as her hand passed straight through his and his whole form flickered.

"Where are you really Loki?"

"Walking to my chambers. I will return soon."

"And why do you project an illusion of yourself here?" She asked.

"My reasons are my own."

"Why did you need everyone out of the healing rooms? Loki, what are you up to?"

Loki glared at her. "Nothing that you would disagree with. Nothing traitorous. Is that what you wish to hear?"

Loki stood up from the throne. Closed off though he moved towards her.

"Loki, I do not accuse you."

"Do you not?"

"You are so quick to assume that people think the worst of you. You must know that it is not always so."

"My King!" came the voice of a guard from the back of the room, interrupting them. He moved as quickly as he could towards the throne until he stood in front of it.

"What is it?" He snapped.

"Your mother wishes you join her. Your father's state has worsened."

"I am aware. Thank you for informing me."

The guard looked confused.

"My mother sent an illusion of herself here to inform me, but the situation has passed, and all is fine."

The guard's jaw dropped, and Loki had to fight the urge to smirk.

"You may leave."

The guard nodded his head respectfully but left the throne room barely concealing frustration. Eir turned to Loki.

"What was that about your father's state having worsened?"

"He's alright now," he dismissed.

"Why was I not informed?"

"You would have been. You weren't in the healing rooms."

"What!"

"You need not be worried. My father is in no danger."

"Was he ever in any?"

Loki held her gaze for a few seconds before he dropped his eyes to the floor.

"No. He wasn't"

"And it was you who sent the guard on the fool's errand?"

"I don't have to answer these questions."

Eir ran a hand through her hair.

"Loki, you must know that you cannot play tricks on everyone as you are. You should not hide your every move from those that are only trying to help you. It only causes more trouble further down the line, for yourself and everyone else. You know this."

Loki's eyes narrowed further. He straightened up and recomposed himself, trying to regain the regal disposition he found comfort and distance in. "You were right. I need not your advice on dealing with Jotunheim. You may leave."

"Loki..."

"I am your king."

"My king… If I may…"

"You may leave."

Eir let out a breath. "If you wish it, my King."

Loki did not respond to her, just stared hard at one of the pillars. Eir turned back to him and gave him a worried look as she left.


"Are you alright Loki?"

Loki refocused most of his attention through his own eyes to look up at his mother who had spoken to him. He realised that he was scowling intensely and tried to relax his expression.

"Of course."

They moved the bed around the last corner and moved into the first room of Loki's chambers, then into his bedroom, finding it difficult to manoeuvre the large bed through it, around the many items of furniture placed in odd places and random trinkets sprinkling the floor. Loki claimed it was all ordered and perfectly intentional. The two of them carefully moved Odin over from the flimsy transport bed to Loki's own bed.

There was a pause for a while as Loki adjusted the intensity of the healing field and his mother stared at him. Once he had finished, she waited a few more seconds before asking him gently, "My son, why did you think this necessary?"

He looked up at her. "I told you before. He is vulnerable and everyone knew where to find him."

"He has been so many times before and nothing has ever happened."

"I know. I heard some talk among the servants and it worried me."

"What kind of talk?" She asked.

"Nothing that important," he replied.

Frigga realised that he wasn't going to elaborate and sighed. She looked back down at Odin and put a hand on his shoulder.

"I hope he wakes soon, relieve the pressure on you my son. I'm sorry that this burden fell on your shoulders."

"You don't think me capable?"

"No, Not at all. You know that's not how I meant that."

Loki looked down.

"To rule a realm is a great burden," she continued. "The fate of every single one of your subjects is on you. Not that I doubt you are capable, but I have never been able to rule. Millennia ago, my best attempts led my realm to ruin.

His mother was talking about when she had been regent during the Aesir Vanir war. The Vanir had lost, horrifically.

"That wasn't your fault. You were at war."

"As this realm is now," she said. "This burden should not have fallen to you."

"You need not worry. I can do this. Did you not tell me to make my father proud?"

She Looked worried. "I did not mean to pressure you. After telling you about where you came from, that may not have been tactful."

Loki stiffened at the mention of his heritage. Frigga seemed to pick up on it.

"Loki, know that you do not need to prove yourself a part of this family."

Loki stared at her, his eyes wide, before dropping his eyes to his hands and almost grimacing. Without looking up at her, he nodded.

"I know."

She reached over and took his hand in her own, squeezing it reassuringly.

"We accept you. You need not do anything to prove that to us"

Loki's blank expression didn't change, and he didn't look up at her, but Frigga felt him squeeze her hand back and smiled weakly at him.

He held her hand for a while longer before he pulled away and stood up.

"I must return to the throne room."

He turned away and walked through a door, shutting it behind him. It was a few minutes before he re-emerged, looking like himself again. His hair was once again black and slicked behind his ears and he wore his own golden armour, though he still held his horned helmet with underarm. He made eye contact with his mother, then dropped his gaze to the floor.

"I shall take my leave now." He hesitated, then walked across the room over to the door.

"Loki."

He turned back to face her.

"We love you. Remember that."

Loki turned around and left the room quickly, without responding to her.

Once he was back in the throne room, he turned Hlidskjalf's sight to Jotunheim where he watched Laufey and some of his guards prepare to come to Asgard, resting his forehead on his fingers.


So yeah...

About Frigga, for this, I kind of made her the same person as Freyja because doesn't everybody? That's going to mean that she's actually Vanir, not Aesir, she's Freyr's twin sister and all of that stuff. I also decided to make Freyr the king of Vanaheim just because.

I was always confused as to why Frigga wasn't made regent during the Odinsleep. Also, even though I really liked her, looking back over what she did in the film, she just seemed so passive. I just kind of had an idea and ran with it that she doesn't want to be in a position of power for more reasons than just Asgardian gender roles so that's going to be important later in the story.

Also, it's been quite fun writing Loki. I don't think I did it that well - characters are hard, no one sounds right - but nevermind. I thought that he seemed overly paranoid and had a tendency to think up overly elaborate plans for reasons everyone else might not disagree with but then put them into action without telling anyone so the plan itself is a terrible idea and everyone else works against him because they don't trust him and the whole thing just leads to disaster. See the whole plot of Thor (... well, without Thor).

Anyway so I actually wrote him telling everyone sort of what's going on so that's good, but both Frigga and Eir (and all the random confused people who get roped up in this) are still left out of the loop about so much which causes him to feel attacked by them because they're annoyed. I think he has a really pessimistic view of the way everyone else thinks about him. I mean, look at the whole thing with Odin. He tried so hard to gain his favour because he was convinced that Odin only ever saw him as a political tool and was so focused on trying to set that right that he caused his own downfall, while Odin did actually love him all along. (Or at least that's how I like to interpret it. TDW never happened, no. I disagree. No!)

Anyway, I'll stop rambling now. Thanks for reading everyone!