Welp, we did say this fic was complete, but the plot bunnies demanded that we delve deeper into Thor's mind and create more angst for him and Loki. So here we are with a third and final chapter. Enjoy! - El Droide

...

Why did I not refuse?

"I have a task for you, Thor…"

"But you already sentenced him."

"Heimdall has shared with me the full extent of the destruction on Midgard. Do you not think Loki deserves a more fitting sentence?"

"But you could banish him just as you did with me! He will learn something good from it-."

"No, his mind is too clouded with hate for him to see reason…"

"You would destroy your own son?"

"SILENCE!"

Unworthy… what must I do to earn your forgiveness? Is there anything I can do? Forgive me Brother, please…

Thor slept little that night. Bits and pieces of that fateful argument with Odin swirled in his head. He was absolutely certain that Loki had not forgiven him for his deception, and that made everything hurt more. Worst of all, he completely deserved every bit of distrust he earned. He cursed himself for being weak, for not refusing to carry out the All-Father's plan when he had the chance. How he would ever repair the damage, he didn't know.

Shortly after Loki had fallen asleep, Thor has wandered around a little and stumbled across a deserted building. It may have been a shed or a shack, he didn't know, but it was enough shelter for both of them. Once there, he had alternated between monitoring Loki's health and drifting through various dark thoughts.

He went hunting early the next morning. By now, Loki had shifted back into his Aesir skin. He looked better, having made a full recovery from his injuries, though it was clear that he was still suffering from extreme starvation. Thor had tried to get him to eat a little of the elk he had caught, but he had refused it with a subtle accusation that it might have been poisoned. Except for the strictest necessities, no conversation passed between them for the rest of the day.

This went on for the next few days as well. Sometimes the trickster would disappear from the shelter for hours at a time, only to return as moody as ever. Thor tried to bear the silent treatment as well as he could, but it wasn't long before something finally snapped in him.

"Will you not talk to me, Brother?" he asked.

As expected, there was no answer.

Thor sighed. "I know you are still angry with me, but we cannot go on like this forever. Just… I don't know, give me a sign that you are at least hearing my voice."

A heavy blow across his face caught him by surprise. He lost his balance, toppling over and crashing into the wall with a grunt. Loki was now standing over him, glaring.

"Satisfied?" he inquired coolly.

Thor sat up, rubbing his jaw. "It will do." He stood up and shook his head to clear the fog in his brain. "Do you… feel better?"

Loki laughed shortly. "Why should I?"

"You know what I mean," said Thor quietly.

"I am fine. I know not how long your kindness is going to last, or when you will decide to turn on me again, but for now everything is perfectly fine, thank you." With that, Loki turned his back on him with a slight huff.

Thor sighed. Guilt still gnawed at his soul, gleefully reminding him how unworthy he was of Loki's trust, or anyone else's at the rate things were going. Perhaps this was something like what his brother had felt his entire life- doing all he could to win favor yet receiving none. He gazed out the window once again.

A slight movement caught his eye. He squinted a bit, trying to make out the lone hooded figure that was approaching their shelter. A smile crossed his face.

"Loki! Someone is coming!" he exclaimed. He made for the doorway, but claw-like hands seized his shoulders, keeping him firmly in place.

"No, you will not go out there," said Loki firmly.

"Why not? We need any help we can get, especially you."

The trickster looked desperate. "Fool. Don't you feel the air? Of course not, but I do. We are not safe here."

"Why not?"

No sooner had the words left Thor's mouth, he caught a good glimpse of the figure's face. His heart froze.

"Father."

Panic set in as Thor realized that he had been spotted looking out the window. He glanced around, looking for a way to escape.

"Go on. You may as well talk to him," said Loki, who had evidently come to the same realization.

"But-."

"I can take care of myself. I haven't been seen yet."

Thor relented and stepped out of the shelter. He walked quickly, putting as much distance between himself and it. He held up his hands in surrender.

"Where is Loki?" Odin's demand was harsh, quiet anger simmering ominously. Despite his disguise as an elderly wanderer, his presence was as intimidating as always, if not more so.

A dozen half-baked lies popped into Thor's head. "He… went out," he replied cautiously, "I know not where."

"Does he often do that?"

"Yes." At least that part was true.

Odin scrutinized him, then the shelter. "Is he in there?"

"Of course not. I already told you he-."

The All-Father raised his walking stick as if to silence him. "I shall take a look."

"You can't do that!"

"Are you hiding something from me?" An icy blue eye turned sharply to him.

Thor shut his mouth and led him to the shelter. There was no sign of Loki. Satisfied with his search, Odin faced the Thunderer again.

"When he returns, tell Heimdall to open the Bifrost. Use these to bind him." Here, he shoved a pair of shackles into Thor's hands. "I expect to have him in my halls by tonight at the least."

Thor stared at him incredulously for a few moments.

"What will you do to him?" he asked worriedly.

"That is none of your concern," said Odin shortly.

"It is! Will you send him back to that cave again with another serpent? Or return him to his original prison? I must know something, Father."

Odin looked slightly annoyed, but he seemed to age before Thor's eyes. "Loki has been deemed too dangerous to be left alive. There is no choice but to give him a swift death. As for you, Thor, you shall be reprimanded for the treason of aiding his escape."

"Loki was dying, not trying to escape! I could not leave him to such a fate." Thor swallowed the lump that rose in his throat. "I have been keeping an eye on him as much as I can, and he is not causing any harm."

"Not yet. Have you not considered what revenge he may be plotting, or what he does when he is away from you?"

Thor was at a loss for words. It was true, he had not thought of that.

"Loki is still too weak to try any mischief," he stammered.

"You do not know that."

"But I will not bring him to his death!" Thor dropped the shackles. "I cannot bear to deceive him a second time," he admitted as if to himself.

"You have decided to shield someone who has deceived us on more than one occasion?" said Odin, his voice rising, "Loki deserves a taste of his own medicine. He will not listen to mercy or kindness. The brother you know is long gone."

"He is my brother still!" roared Thor. "He told me the same thing, and I refuse to believe it. He has changed, but not entirely. Will you not give him one more chance?"

"I have given him all the chances I could, and he has spurned every last one of them," snapped Odin, "The only recourse left is death. Now, Odinson, will you do what your king requests of you?"

"NO! If anyone wants Loki, they will have to deal with me first." Thunder rumbled in the distance as he summoned Mjölnir, lightning crackling on it.

Odin looked slightly taken aback but quickly composed himself. "So be it," he said, "You will face the consequences of your decision."

A chill ran down Thor's spine. "I am ready for anything," he said, trying to keep a slight tremor out of his voice. But Odin took no notice of that.

"Because Mjölnir has not rejected you, you will keep your might. Loki too shall retain his powers, and I will not search for him. Consider yourselves fortunate. But for as long as the two of you live, you shall be outcasts in the sight of Asgard. The Bifrost shall no longer open to you, and any attempt to return shall result in your deaths. So has Odin All-Father spoken."

With that curse, the All-Father brought his staff heavily down on the ground. It flickered brightly, taking the shape of Gungnir as he shifted into his usual regalia. The swirling colors of the Bifrost illuminated the surrounding area as he left, leaving behind a fast-fading imprint in the snow.

Several emotions passed over Thor, leaving him gutted. To never see his homeland again was a horrible thought. He thought of Frigga, Sif, the Warriors Three, and everyone else he knew there. They would no doubt miss his company, as he would miss theirs. But he knew he was doing the right thing. He would stand by Loki and give him the support he had deprived him of so many times in the past.

"Well, that went better than expected," a smooth voice behind him said.

Thor jumped and turned. Loki was standing behind him, an impassive expression on his face that failed to mask the grief and pain in his eyes.

"What will you do now, seeing that we are stranded here?" he asked.

Thor shrugged. That was a good question indeed. "I suppose we can find someone to take us in, like Jane. Or we could find work and make a living on our own. I do know the Avengers after all. They might be able to offer us assistance," he said thoughtfully.

Loki rolled his eyes. "You forget that I will be with you. I doubt they'd welcome me with open arms."

"If they don't, I'll convince them to." Thor reached up and put his hand on the back of Loki's neck. "We will manage somehow, you and I. You have my word."

To his surprise, Loki actually smiled and returned the gesture. "Then I suppose we had better start now."