Wow, two chapters this close together? Who said quarantine was all bad? If I keep up this role we might have a completed plotline in no time!

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Avi opened her eyes and saw she was now standing just twenty feet away from the sofa Odin had thrown her over to beat her. It seemed like ages ago, but it couldn't have been more than a couple of hours. Odin released Avi from his grip and stormed across the room, his armor disappearing and leaving him in his palace robes.

"Guards!" he roared.

The massive doors opened, and two Asgardian guards stepped in. Avi recognized one of them as Einar, one of Loki's childhood friends. He glanced at her momentarily then returned his gaze towards the far wall, body taut in attention.

"Summon my wife and son Thor," ordered Odin. "Immediately." The guards hurried to obey, and Odin stepped onto his balcony, looking out over the courtyard below. "Avila! Come."

Avi stepped forward, fighting inwardly for a sense of composure, but stopped when she founds her legs were shaking. "Move," she whispered. "Please, move." Closing her eyes for a brief moment, Avi took a deep breath, letting oxygen flood into her lungs, and tried to force her muscles to relax. It did make her feel slightly better, and by clenching her fists tightly, she could push the tears to stay at bay. Avi moved forward again and joined Odin on the balcony.

"Who told you?" asked the All-Father, keeping his eye fixed on the men practicing their archery below.

"Strange started to," said Avi, her voice unsteady but clear. "Loki told me in detail."

"So that's where he ran off to," snapped Odin. "I made a grave mistake trusting him after the trouble he caused on Midgard."

Avi almost argued that Loki was under mind control during his attack of Midgard, but she thought it best not to anger her father further. Odin leaned forward, staring across the landscape, and Avi remained next to him, head bowed, as she waited for him to speak. It occurred to her that someone must be roasting a cow nearby as the smell wafted up to where they stood. She could hear laughter and merry conversation and remembered it was Volstagg's birthday. That was probably where Thor was, celebrating with his dear friend.

"Sir, I…" began Avi.

"Silence!" hissed Odin, cutting her off. "You will not speak until I demand it of you. We will wait for your mother and brother."

"She is not my mother," mumbled Avi.

Odin grabbed Avi by the shirt and shook her hard, "Are you deaf, child? I ordered you to remain silent! Do you wish to feel my wrath greater than you have already earned?"

Avi shook her head, too terrified to reply and not entirely sure if she was allowed to speak. Odin seemed satisfied by her silence and let her go, turning back to the balcony wall. Avi's legs were shaking again, and she thought for sure she was going to pass out. She reached out a hand to steady herself against the wall and took a labored breath, fighting the urge to cry. The tears welled up in her eyes, but letting them free would be allowing Odin victory. She would not let him win this battle of intimidation.

"Avi, my love!" came Frigga's voice from inside.

Avi turned and saw the queen gliding across the floor, arms extended. All anger that Avi had convinced herself she held towards the woman vanished, and she rushed to fall into Frigga's embrace.

"Mama," she whispered, letting the sweet word slide free. "Mama."

Thor's voice boomed through the room, and Avi lifted her head to see him. "Ah, my sister!" he greeted, a grin spreading across his bearded face. "I have not seen you for several days. We have surely indulged greatly in our celebration of my friend. Tell me what mischief you have been creating." He pulled Avi into his arms and picked her right off the ground, his massive arms pressing her against his chest.

"Great mischief indeed," said Odin, entering the room and striding towards his family. "Thor, you will go immediately to the man they call Doctor Strange and bring back your brother. He has caused deep hurt, and I have no choice but to imprison him again. The boy cannot be trusted."

"Wha-what?" asked Thor, a confused smile on his face as he set Avi down. "What is this jest, Father?"

"It is no jest, my son," sighed Odin. He gazed affectionately on the god of thunder and narrowed his eye, "Loki and Avila have betrayed my trust too great to forgive. Your brother has earned imprisonment and I have yet decided how to punish your sister."

"Betrayed you?" cried Frigga. "How has this child betrayed you?" She put a protective arm around Avi's shoulder, pulling her daughter close.

"Father, what are you saying?" asked Thor, his expression now one of concern and disbelief.

"In several hours, this girl has practiced dark and evil magic, stolen from my vault, consorted with the sorcery of another world, and forsaken her place as my child," spat Odin, wrath clouding his face.

"What?" scoffed Thor. "This cannot be. Let Avi speak for herself and explain to us what has happened."

"Am I not your king?" asked Odin forcefully.

"Well, yes, Father…" said Thor.

"Then you will do as I have commanded," demanded Odin. "Bring me your brother. Now."

Thor gave his mother a look of irritation from his father's order but nodded his head in a bow. "As you wish, Father." Mjolnir flew into his hand, and a moment later, Thor had flown off towards the Bifrost.

"Odin, we must allow the child to speak," insisted Frigga, giving her husband an insistent glare.

"She shall speak," nodded the All-Father. "You will be remorseful that you did not trust me, my queen, when you hear her story. Come, girl." Odin held out a hand to Avi.

Frigga nodded reassuringly and gave Avi a gentle tap towards Odin. Avi stepped forward and felt the man's hand rest on her shoulder, though not as aggressively as before, and lead her to a chair.

"Sit," he ordered.

Avi obeyed and waited as the king and queen sat down across from her. She pressed her hands between her knees, head bowed, and waited for Odin to allow her to begin. Emotion flooded her body, and Avi was focusing all her willpower on saying her first words without crying.

"Speak," said Odin.

Avi looked up, letting her eyes rest on a vase across the room. She couldn't bear to make eye contact. It was time to tell all, and she decided to do it as quickly as possible. "It all started when Loki taught me how to travel between worlds. I met Doctor Strange, and he taught me many wonderful spells. I did not think they were dark magic. This morning I was practicing one that the doctor taught me in which the mind's eye can travel below the surface of the earth. I did the spell incorrectly and found myself within the very center of Asgard itself. Little did I know that we had a vast tomb within our country, filled with soldiers from another lifetime. I was scared yet curious, and when I saw the great beast I…, I had to know of what it was capable. I did not stop to think, but went straight to the Vault and took some of the Eternal Flame."

"Stole," interjected Odin.

Avi blushed deeply and lowered her head, twisting her shirt in her hands, "Yes, sir. I used the flame to arouse the beast, and it would have killed me had Pa…the All-Father not arrived. When the doctor appeared, I had no idea he would take me back to Midgard with him, and when he did, I lay on his floor and wept for a long period. I was confused and unsure of my actions. I don't know what made me awaken the wolf. I see now it was wrong. The doctor began to tell me of my past, but we were interrupted by Loki's arrival. He had come merely to bring me back to Asgard, but when he learned of what the doctor had been telling me, I demanded that Loki give me the full tale. When he had explained to me that…" Avi stopped talking and took a deep breath. The tears had almost freed themselves, and she was having none of that.

"Darling," whispered Frigga, leaning forward, but Odin put his hand out, stopping his wife.

"When Loki told me that Tony Stark was my father, I grew wrath with anger," continued Avi, her voice quieter as she battled threatening sobs. "Loki tried to put me to sleep and bring me home, but I reversed his spell. Doctor Strange sent me to Stark's home, as I had an overwhelming urge to meet the man who was my birth father, and hear the story from his mouth. The All-Father came before Stark and I could speak and brought me back. That is all." Avi closed her eyes, relieved to have the whole thing out.

"Betrayal?" spat Frigga. "The child has been through nothing but pain and hardship, and you claim she has betrayed you?" Frigga's eyes were enraged, and she stood, stepping away from her husband. "You rule this land as kind and just, but your children you treat as dogs. You would imprison Loki for telling his sister the truth?"

"Enough of this treason, woman!" shouted Odin, standing and drawing himself to full height. "Do not force me to send you away as I govern this manner!"

"Treason!" scoffed Frigga. "This is a word you use freely today, my king. To not only beat an innocent child, but to deny her your fatherly love and understanding is the only treason that has been committed."

A distant shout was heard and seemed to grow steadily closer, and seconds later, Thor and Loki landed with a thud on the balcony, Loki shouting and hollering as he twisted in Thor's grasp.

"Release me, brother!" he shouted but stopped when he saw the rest of the family watching them. "Father," he said, rushing forward with a gleam of anger in his eyes, "this is madness! Surely you will not imprison me for attempting to bring my sister back to her homeland."

"You told her of Stark," said Odin, his voice low and ominous.

"I told her the truth," said Loki. "I know exactly what it feels like to live lies about one's birthright, and I realized that she deserved the truth. Besides, I did not tell her on my own accord. Strange had already begun to explain."

Odin seemed ready to reply, but instead took a deep breath and stood back, looking around at his wife and children. There was silence for an uncomfortable length of time, and then Thor cleared his throat. "Um, Father, may I offer some advice?"

"What is it, my son?" asked Odin.

"Perhaps we should all calm down and try to think this through," said Thor. "I can understand your anger at what has occurred. If Avi has done everything you have accused her of, there is a great need for discipline."

"You do not know the whole story, my son," said Frigga gently.

"I didn't think so, Mother," nodded Thor. "But I do know my sister. Of course, I cannot deny she is mischievous and a troublemaker, but I have never known her to be malicious or evil in her ways. She has always been the embodiment of kindness and joy. Now, Loki has filled me in somewhat on what occurred in Strange's home, and I must confess that if I were Avi, I would be confused and hurt. I cannot imagine what it must be like to discover you are not who you thought you were. Father, I understand your wrath and desire to maintain order, but I believe you act unjustly towards this child. And, well, I suppose that is all I have to say."

"You speak clearly and with wisdom, my son," said Odin. "I confess I have reacted swiftly and perhaps, as you say, unjustly."

Avi looked at her father, surprised at his admittance.

"This matter requires much discussion and thought," said Odin, folding his hands and beginning to pace. "Avila and I will be left alone to confer."

"Please!" cried Avi, clinging to Loki, who was now at her side. "Let them stay, sir!"

"No, child," said Odin, speaking to Avi in a gentle voice for the first time since that morning. "We will speak alone. But I can assure you that no punishment will I inflict at this time."

"Darling," said Frigga, her hands on Avi's shoulders, "trust your father. He will not harm you." The queen could see the sincerity in her husband's eyes and was aware of the anger swiftly leaving his spirit. Frigga kissed her daughter and then eyed Odin forcefully, sending a look of warning to him.

"Am I still to be imprisoned?" asked Loki, in his trademark sarcasm.

"Thor, do not let your brother leave your sight," ordered Odin. "And Loki, do not fail my trust again, or you shall not see the light of day for a great deal of time."

"Your faith in me is inspiring, Father," said Loki, his arms still wrapped around Avi.

"Come, Loki," said Thor, following his mother from the room. The god of thunder gave his sister an affectionate pat as he passed, and she smiled gratefully at him from under Loki's embrace.

"You'll be alright, darling," said Loki, bending down and kissing his sister tenderly. "I won't be far away." In her mind, Avi heard Loki's words hum quietly, "You know how to call me." Telepathy was a skill Loki had just recently tutored his sister in, and now he was relieved he taught it when he did. "If he tries to beat you again, tell me. I believe he shall do you no harm, though."

"Thank you, Loki," Avi said back, her words inaudible but clear to her brother. "I'm sorry I put you to sleep. You have always been good to me. Please forgive me."

"Loki, leave," said Odin, unaware of the silent conversation.

"I already have forgiven you, my dear sister," replied Loki. To his father, he said, "As you wish, my king." The god of mischief turned and followed Thor from the room, leaving Avi alone with the All-Father once again.

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Thanks for reading! This chapter was surprisingly easy to write and I am excited to include more Tony in the near future.