Oof, that first chapter was pretty dark, even for me. At least things will get better in this one. Enjoy! - Dream Plane
...
Life went on as usual for the next two years. Odin ruled with a strong hand as always, and Frigga remained generous, though she smiled less often. The Bifrost was rebuilt, thanks to the tireless efforts of several craftsmen and volunteers. Many celebrated its completion, for it meant that several broken paths could now be crossed again.
But try as he might, Thor could not find much joy in this. His heart felt as if it was being gnawed through with pain, leaving behind an empty void. He spent much of his time sparring, completing petty administrative tasks for Odin, or moodily drinking alone. The Warriors Three and Sif did their best to cheer him up, but they feared that he would never be truly happy again.
The Bifrost had been in operation for a few days when he made his way to the Observatory. He lingered for a moment before entering.
"Heimdall! What news of Loki? Does he live?" he called.
The gatekeeper was as impassive as ever. "He does, but only barely. I do not believe he has much time left."
Thor resisted the urge to smash something. Taking a deep breath, he approached Heimdall.
"I am returning to Midgard," he began, "I have been away from my friends for far too long. But before I leave, I wish to say goodbye to my brother since I have not had any success in convincing Father to free him. Will you open the Bifrost for me the moment I finish?"
A knowing look flashed briefly across Heimdall's golden gaze. "It will be done, my prince. If you wish for privacy in your meeting, I shall turn my sights elsewhere. I suggest you go quickly."
Thor thanked him fervently. Spinning Mjölnir, he winged his way to the cave and wasted no time in trekking to the heart of it. Although he was ready for the worst, nothing could prepare him for the shock that lay ahead.
Loki was lying where Thor had left him, but he was no longer moving. The snake's venom had left countless angry red trails on his face and throat, and much of it had soaked into the light tunic he wore. Thor feared that he was too late, but after a few tense moments, he found the faint thrumming of a pulse.
"Brother, can you hear me?" he asked, "Please, you don't need to speak. Just give me a sign."
His heart sank when his brother remained unresponsive. A hiss broke the silence, and Thor leapt to his feet. With a swift blow of Mjölnir, he dispatched of the snake. He quickly unlocked the chains and scooped Loki up in his arms. Rushing to the entrance of the cave, he looked up. "Heimdall! Open the Bifrost! Quickly!" he shouted.
The gatekeeper swiftly granted his request, and Thor soon found himself surrounded by rocks and snow. He eased Loki to the ground and took out the medical pouch he had pilfered before leaving for the cave. He feverishly removed his brother's tunic to mend the damage on his brother's face and torso, fearing that perhaps his efforts would not be enough. As he finished using his last healing stone, he was startled by a soft gasp from Loki. "Brother?" he asked.
Loki's eyes opened and he lurched away from Thor's touch.
"No, stay still. You're still healing. Please, don't move. I won't hurt you." The words tumbled from Thor's mouth as he held his brother in place.
At the sound of his voice, Loki stopped struggling. He raised a shaking hand in front of his face and frowned. "I can't see," he said hoarsely.
Thor looked at Loki's eyes and was dismayed to see that their once-vibrant green was clouded. He sighed. "I wish I could take you to Eir, but I cannot. I can only hope that your sight will return," he said sadly. His heart sank even lower at Loki's resigned expression. "I am truly sorry for deceiving you down there, Brother. I didn't want to do it, but Father decided that it was for the best, even when I confronted him about it afterward."
Loki shrugged slightly, wincing at the motion. "I am not surprised," he said, "how long was I down there anyway?"
"Two years."
Loki swore. "He will pay for that. I don't need my sight to exact revenge," he said harshly, "But as for you, why let me out? You should have realized by now that your feelings toward me are misplaced. The brother you knew is gone, and what remains is a stronger and less merciful Loki."
"That is a lie, and you know it," Thor said sharply, "Don't think I haven't seen your expression when you talked to Mother in your cell or your disappointment when she had to leave. Even when you sent her away, I saw your guilt."
"Enough," said Loki venomously.
Thor ignored him. "And what of the moment you realized that I was going to leave you in that Norns-forsaken cave? You can't pretend that it wasn't my brother who called out to me. You are still the person I knew, but you have been changed by of Norns knows what. I cannot even blame it completely on your jealousy and grudges. Mother suspects that your motives, nay, your personality and even your memory were twisted by your time in the void, and I believe it!" he continued.
"ENOUGH!"
Loki's eyes were closed, and his hands were clenched. "You nothing of the void, so you have no business speaking about it," he snarled.
"But it was not pleasant there, was it?" said Thor.
Loki huffed. "I grow weary of this. Just… shut up," he said.
The brothers remained silent, and Thor drew Loki a little closer as snow began to fall, the growing wind chilling him. "Where did you take us?" Loki finally asked.
"Midgard. I am not sure where, but I suspect we are near the mountains we used to visit." Thor said.
Loki chuckled bitterly. "I suppose you are as good as banished then. You can't face Odin after this," he said.
"I care not. All that matters is that you are safe," Thor insisted.
Confusion flickered across Loki's face before he smirked. "You are going to regret helping me," he said, but he did not sound as sure of himself as before.
The snow began to subside and eventually stopped while Thor continued to monitor his brother's injuries. With his magic no longer inhibited by the chains, Loki's healing abilities had returned. The remnants of the reddened skin had almost vanished, and his eyes looked a little less clouded. "Is your sight improving, Brother?" he asked tentatively.
The trickster nodded slightly, tension slowly bleeding from him. Thor couldn't imagine how stressed he must have been during those dreadful years, awaiting drop after drop of venom knowing full well that each one would be as painful as the last. Not for the last time, he berated himself for not rescuing Loki sooner.
Suddenly, Thor started. A blue tint was slowly creeping over his brother's bare torso, spreading to his face and extremities. The green of his eyes deepened into garnet red. Soon Loki's familiar paleness had been replaced by the new shade, and ridges appeared all over his body. Thor watched, mesmerized by the transformation. He shuddered as a disturbing thought crossed his mind. Loki would most likely become agitated if he noticed the ill-timed appearance of his true skin. He could try to convince his brother that he did not find his natural appearance revolting, but Thor feared that he would not be able to calm Loki, especially if he became hostile. Oh, how hated his indecisiveness in the face of the impending situation! Desperately, he looked about for a distraction, and his attention was drawn to a flicker of green and violet on the snow. Looking up, he saw the northern lights dancing in the clearing sky.
"Look, Loki, the lights!" he said, "You have always liked them."
Loki looked up at the sky and smiled faintly. "They are especially vivid this time," he observed.
By and by, the trickster's eyes closed slowly, and his breathing became even and slow. Thor smiled. "Sleep, Brother. You need it," he said softly.