Sorry for the delay, everyone, it was unintentional. Yes, I was out of the country, but I had expected to update yesterday as normal now. I just completely lost track of what day it was until quarter to midnight!

The moment his adoptive parents entered his healing chamber, Loki knew they wished to do more than merely work on healing his core further.

"What is it?" he inquired, savoring the startled look which crossed Óðinn's face.

He did so love being able to catch even so experienced a politician as the All-Father off-guard.

"Relax, darling, 'tis nothing as bad as you fear," Frigga reassured.

Loki closed the book he was reading, marking his place as he did so. He was not entirely certain if he believed his adoptive mother or not. Her ideas of what was good and bad did not always align with his own.

"Thus, there is something," Loki replied instead.

Óðinn laughed, shaking his head. "I believe we will have to cover it first, if we wish to have him relax while we heal him."

"Aye," Frigga agreed, reluctantly, though she smiled a moment later. "I should have known it would be thus."

While Óðinn pulled up the chair which normally stood on the side of the chamber, Frigga moved to sit beside Loki on the bed, with her back up against the headboard. He smiled as she took his closest hand in her own. He frowned as he realized one of her thumbs was absently tracing what would have been a kin line had he been in his jötunn form. Was it deliberate, or had she merely become so accustomed to doing so before, that 'twas now done unconsciously?

"Loki?" Óðinn queried, a note of concern in his voice.

"'Tis nothing," Loki hurriedly replied. "Merely a random thought."

He had no wish to repeat the disappointed look he had received from Óðinn when the All-Father had returned the day after Loki had shifted back to áss form, to discover what he had done. He had enough memories of that look not to wish for anymore.

"What is it you wish to discuss?" Loki questioned instead.

'Twas a mark of how little he wished to converse on the first topic, that he so readily inquired after the second. He already knew he would not particularly enjoy the conversation as, otherwise, his adoptive parents would not have been so worried about it that he had detected their tension. He had always been particularly good at doing so, especially if the topic concerned him.

Loki supposed 'twas due to the chaos the worry generated. 'Twas a low-level form of it, to be certain, but chaos nonetheless, and he was particularly sensitive to all forms of it.

"There were two things," Frigga began. "The first of which concerns your... aversion to your birth form."

Despite his best efforts, Loki was unable to keep from pulling a face at the statement. He wished he could deny it, but not only was Mother Winter suddenly very interested and unlikely to allow him to easily deny it, but he knew 'twas far too important a topic to cast aside so lightly. All of the healing his parents were performing at present would be less than useless if he could not keep from reinjuring himself in the future.

"I am well aware I need to learn to accept it," Loki admitted, grudgingly. "If for nothing other than to avoid another core injury."

"I would hope you wish to do so for more than merely that," Óðinn said.

"I am not quite there yet."

Óðinn was clearly not pleased to hear this, but the All-Father did incline his head in acknowledgement. "I am pleased with your honesty, and I would ask you to continue to be so on this matter. 'Tis far too important for any misdirection or mistaken pride."

"I am well aware of that," Loki retorted, scowling. "Even if it could not kill me, the agony of the injury itself would induce me to do all I could to avoid suffering it once more."

"While I am not pleased to hear of the pain, I am glad we are in agreement on the issue itself," Frigga said, calmly. "We have some suggestions on how best you can achieve this, if you would hear them."

Loki truly did not want to, but he knew 'twas not about what he desired at present. Not if he wished to fully recover.

"I assume it involves shifting back to my birth form more often?" he guessed.

"Aye, on a rather frequent basis, at least at first," Frigga agreed. "Which may be whenever we are together, as we have already mentioned."

"Hmm."

"We would also like you to do so while in your own chambers," Óðinn added. "There, you can experiment with the advantages and limitations of the form and, potentially, even practice your ice abilities as those could be quite useful to you in the future should you ever find yourself in need of blades."

That suggestion alone would have informed Loki his adoptive parents had discussed this particular confrontation ahead of time. Not only did Óðinn's words sound more like the type of argument his mother would normally make, but 'twas perfectly tailored to appeal to both his practical side and his strong sense of self-preservation. Knives and scepters could, of course, be taken from him. His ability to generate an ice sword or even ice daggers, could not.

Hmm, ice daggers. Now there were some possibilities...

Frigga's laughter drew Loki back to the present and he mock scowled at her.

"Keep whatever thought occurred to you in the back of your mind when you do not wish to shift back, darling," she said.

"There is one issue with what you have suggested," Loki pointed out.

"Your servant, aye," Óðinn agreed. "As you have only the one whom regularly enters your chambers, I would suggest binding her with an oath of secrecy and revealing the truth to her."

Loki's first instinct was to reject the idea outright. Inform Livunn of the truth? Nay, he did not wish to do so!

"Darling," Frigga began. "She knows you far better than the average palace servant does, or than any whom have access to Thor's chambers know your brother. Given this, and her concern when you were ill, I do not think you should fear her reaction."

"And her knowing will allow you to remain in your true form for longer stretches of time, which would be far more beneficial to you," Óðinn said. "Ideally, I would also like for you to maintain it overnight, so you are able to fully control the shift and do not revert back to this form when you are asleep."

That... 'twas a concern Loki had not even considered before. His áss form was so very much his 'true' form in his mind, which, combined with his intense dislike of his jötunn form, might result in him shifting back while unconscious.

"I have never reverted back accidentally while in another form, even when asleep," Loki told them. "But I concur 'tis something which should be tested ere I may wish to rely on being able to maintain it."

"Good," Óðinn stated. "Now, there is one other item we wish to discuss with you."

Uh oh. Loki knew that tone of the All-Father's.

"Hmm?" he inquired, warily.

"When you came by my study the other day, we discussed the tome I found on Jötunheimr the day I found you," Óðinn replied.

Ah, Loki had always known 'twas too much to hope for that his adoptive father would forget about it. Still, he had hoped Óðinn might have done so for long enough to allow him to actually read some of it. He had not done so yet as he wished to properly devote time to it, and he had not wanted to risk anyone seeing him with the tome, thus reminding them of its existence.

"Relax, Loki, we will not force you to give it up," Frigga reassured, and Loki's eyes flickered between her and Óðinn.

He could not quite believe her words. Not after how he had requested access to some of the tomes from the king's library and been denied them. He settled his disbelieving gaze on the All-Father, raising one eyebrow in inquiry.

"Peace, Son," Óðinn said, holding up his hands. "Your mother is correct; I will not take it from you since 'twas clearly meant for you and is part of your heritage as an íviðja of Jötunheimr."

The shock Loki felt at this confirmation was echoed by that felt by Mother Winter, though the smugness emanating from Ásgarðr proved at least one of them was not surprised by this decision of Óðinn's. Her opinion probably did not count, though, as she would have had advance notice of it from Óðinn himself.

Potentially.

Loki would need to devote some time to exploring the difference in how both he and Óðinn connected with Ásgarðr, so he could determine precisely what was shared between them and what was not. That Ásgarðr would not betray him, he knew for certain, but that did not mean Óðinn could not glean particular information from Ásgarðr nonetheless. Beyond that, though, Loki was also simply curious as to why there were differences in how they connected with Ásgarðr. After all, why should his connection seemingly be the greater when all he had ever been had been a regent rather than the true and rightful king of Ásgarðr?

It did not make any logical sense and, while he was willing to accept this from seiðr, it had been his experience that whenever the rules of seiðr deviated from logic, there was always a reason for it. And he wished to know that reason.

With a quick check to ensure it would not harm either his seiðr or his core, Loki reached into his pocket dimension and called forth the Book of Silvern Seiðr. The second it appeared in his hands, it fell open, revealing the mysterious runes.

"You say you can read these like normal Norse runes?" Frigga questioned while she leaned closer to examine them.

"Hmm."

"They look quite different to me," Óðinn declared, tilting his head to try to see them upright.

Loki turned the book so both his parents could view it more easily.

"'Tis most peculiar," he said. "Though I can read it quite easily, I am also able to... shift my view, I suppose, and then I can see them much as you do."

"Very interesting and quite the working," Frigga stated, reaching out to turn a few pages, stopping when she found a page with a drawing of the Casket of Ancient Winters.

"This is what you used to restrict the Casket's powers," Óðinn realized.

"Hmm, 'twas most helpful in determining all of the Casket's powers and what would need to be done to ensure Laufey could not utilize it as a weapon, or to send anyone off of Jötunheimr."

"Fascinating. What else does the tome cover?"

"I have not yet had the time to examine it properly," Loki replied. "But a quick glance through its page revealed everything from further information on both Mother Winter and the íviðjur, to what seems like a comprehensive history of seiðr use on Jötunheimr."

While a lie of omission was still a lie, 'twas the most difficult of lies to detect as Loki knew well. Therefore, he had little fear of being discovered here and Loptr's secret was in no danger of being uncovered.

"You mean to read it from cover to cover," Frigga smiled.

"Naturally," Loki confirmed, with a smile of his own.

When Óðinn reached out to take the tome, Loki felt an urge to pull it back, out of reach. He resisted for, while he had absolutely no doubt of the fact his adoptive father could and would lie to him, he did not think it likely in this particular case. It made little sense to do so as the rewards were far too little for the cost it would incur, not after all which Óðinn had done as of late which seemed to indicate the All-Father wished to court his good favor.

Óðinn flipped through the tome, stopping to examine a few drawings before he quite deliberately closed the book. There was a small crackle of seiðr Loki was certain he might have missed otherwise and, when Óðinn sought to open the tome once more, he could not.

"Amazing," Frigga whispered. "I have not heard of a spell or working like it before."

"Let us hope the details of it are listed in the tome itself," Óðinn replied, handing it over when Frigga asked for it.

"If I did not know any better, I would think the pages glued together," she said a moment later.

As soon as his mother handed the tome back to him, it fell open in his hands and Loki smiled at Mother Winter's preening at their praise and admiration of the book's protections.

"Mother Winter is quite pleased with your reactions," Loki informed them, closing the book and placing it on the little table next to his bed, on top of his other book.

"I am not surprised," Óðinn responded. "It seems most effective."

"It may be best not to mention the details of it to anyone else," Loki said. "When I spoke of it with several members of the High Council, I implied 'twas similar to the Casket of Ancient Winters and thus merely required one of jötunn blood to open it."

"A clever precaution," Frigga complimented.

"Aye," Óðinn agreed. "I assume neither Vili nor Vé were present at the time?"

"Nay, which is why you must be cautious as those who were will assume you are able to open and potentially read it," Loki replied.

"I will bear this in mind. Now, are you ready for another healing session?"

"Father?" Thor called as he entered the chamber the Einherjar posted at the king's study had directed him to.

'Twas a door he could not remember entering but once, when Father had first assigned him his own study. This was the one Father had intended for him as it had been that of the chief advisor in past millennia. When Father had become king, though, his own uncle had still used it, and so Lord Ragnvaldr had taken another one when he became Father's advisor. Thus, it had been free when it came time for Thor to have his own study. He had requested his current one, though, wishing to have a view of the training fields from his balcony, rather than of the city.

"Ah, Thor," Father replied, stepping back into the chamber from the balcony. "What do you think? Would Loki like this study?"

"Loki?" Thor questioned, startled, as he glanced around. "'Tis a very large one. Is his current study insufficient?"

From the way Father's face tightened, Thor knew he had said something wrong, and he frowned. What now?

"Thor, where do you think Loki's study is?"

Thor opened his mouth to reply, ere he paused, unable to think of it. His brow furrowed as he tried to recall the last time he had visited his brother's study, but all he could think of was the personal study Loki possessed in his chambers. Surely, he had gone to his brother's official study at least once? So why could he not picture it?

A pit formed in his stomach as he glanced at his father in horror.

Óðinn shook his head once, as if to answer the question Thor dared not voice.

"He has none?" he had to check.

"Nay, it seems I never assigned him one," Father confirmed, fists clenching as he stepped further into the chamber.

That...

If Thor had thought he could no longer be either surprised or dismayed at any of the injustices of how his little brother had been treated, he was greatly mistaken. He felt a flash of anger at his father, but then it turned inwards. He himself had never noticed, so how could he justify directing any anger at Father? Nay, instead he simply felt exhausted, and he ran a hand over his face.

"I... I think Loki would appreciate this study very much," he finally said, glancing around once more. "Not least for its location."

Thor could easily understand why this had once been the chief advisor's study. Not only was it grand, but 'twas located right beside the king's own study. For one so inclined to diplomacy and political maneuverings, his brother would not be able to wish for a better study. Indeed, he had no doubt Loki would take great pleasure in ensuring the plentitude of bookshelves lining most of the walls were filled.

"'Tis rather empty though," Thor added, hoping for a smile.

He received one, though 'twas brief.

"I had thought to have the old furniture brought back, but Frigga mentioned Loki might wish to make his own selections, or commission new items," Father explained.

Hmm, Thor could see how that might be best. His brother was occasionally odd in his preferences, as many trinkets in Loki's chambers could attest to.

"Will you show him when he is released from the healing halls?" Thor questioned.

Father shook his head. "I will wait as I do not wish for him to be tempted from his rest."

Thor doubted that could be prevented, though not informing Loki of his new study would at least remove one temptation from his brother's options to entertain himself.

"If I may make one suggestion?"

"Of course," Father said.

"When the negotiations on Niflheimr were concluded, I saw the items brought back," Thor began. "Amongst them was the banner used to represent Ásgarðr and Loki."

It had been startling to see as he had only ever seen it depicted with his father's name and sigils, unless visiting the museum displaying the relics from his grandfather and great-grandfather's reigns. Before, he might not have thought of displaying the banner here, but he had given much thought to what his father had said of Loki needing to be able to shine, and he thought his brother might like to have such a potent remembrance of his regency on display in his study.

"Of course, a new banner would have had to be made for the negotiations," Father muttered, turning to look at the wall behind where the desk was intended to go. "'Tis a wonderful suggestion, Thor. I shall have it brought here at once."

It would remind all who entered the study of Loki's time as king of Ásgarðr, which Thor thought would be good for himself as well as everyone else. Especially once his brother was his advisor.

"Now, was there something you needed, my son?" Father inquired, turning back to him.

"Mother was hoping we might dine with Loki tonight, as he grows restless with his extended presence in the healing halls," Thor replied.

"Ah, aye, your brother has never taken inactivity well."

"Nor do I."

"True, but you are less liable to drive the servants, or healers, to distraction with your attempts to amuse yourself."

Nay, he was far more likely to seek to escape his healing chamber, certain he was ready to return to the training fields to spar.

Thor could not help but wince as he thought of how well both of his recent attempts had succeeded. He had made his escape, only to succumb in full view of his friends or the Einherjar.

"Surely his usual means should be curtailed without all of his seiðr," Thor said.

Father's face twisted into an expression he could not quite decipher, and Thor frowned.

"Were you informed of the íviðjur?" Father inquired.

"Aye, Loki explained it to me."

"I wonder if this may not be why he is able to connect so effortlessly with the Óðinnforce."

"How so?"

"The íviðjur seem to have been chosen by Mother Winter herself or... made almost, to interact with her and the Casket of Ancient Winters, to control the seiðr of Jötunheimr's core."

"Making him highly compatible with seiðr of that nature," Thor realized.

"Indeed."

'Twas a staggering thought; that his brother might have been made to hold and wield such great power. Yet, was it truly any different from his own ability to wield lighting in anything other than scale?

"So, what does it mean?" Thor inquired, not yet used to thinking of matters of seiðr.

Particularly not of this magnitude.

"For Loki's future? I do not yet know," Father admitted. "Though, I fear it means your brother may be a far more powerful seiðmadr than any of us realize."

"What? How?"

"I suspect he may have been hiding the full extent of his powers and seiðr from us, since he does not trust us after how we have treated him. And now the truth of what I kept from him has come to light, this will not have improved any."

The mere thought of his brother being more powerful than he already knew was not only shocking, but awe inspiring to Thor. Having grown up with Loki, he had become accustomed to his seiðr and come to view it as a normal aspect of his brother. 'Twas not until recently, he had first started to become aware of precisely how special and rare 'twas for a seiðberandi to be able to do all which Loki could.

Thus, to now think it was only part of what his brother was capable of...

"'Tis what the future is for," he finally replied, trying not to linger on the hurt he felt at the mere thought his brother might feel he had to hide the truth from him.

"Mayhap," Father said.

"I believe you may be being too pessimistic, Father. While 'tis true Loki has felt the need to hide before, and that we have not treated him as well as we should have, we now have the opportunity to alter all of that. And, while he might have been reluctant, he has allowed you to aid in his healing."

"Most reluctantly."

"It gives us the chance we need to prove that we truly do love him and are there for him," Thor insisted. "Plus, he is already mending his relationship with Mother, which shows it can be done."

"We will also need to prove his heritage and species does not affect how we view him. Not to mention, help him come to terms with it, so he can never be hurt thus ever again."

'Twas a sobering thought and a weighty responsibility, but Thor welcomed the challenge wholeheartedly. Not only because it would help to ensure his brother's health and safety in the future, but also because he knew he deserved to have some form of punishment for all that he had done to his brother and how abhorrently he had treated him.

"It will not be easy," Thor knew.

"Nay, but at least we have the time to do so."

'Twas not oft Thor wished to thank the Norns so directly, but he would need to speak with Mother to devise the best way to do so, as he knew how close they had come to losing Loki entirely.

When he had his next soul forge scan, Loki was unable but to look at the readouts. Though he still did not like the fact he was not the áss and vanir mix he had always considered himself to be, curiosity was in his very nature and, as his core had healed, it had come to the fore once more.

The readout, however, looked much as it had always been, and Loki was not immediately able to notice anything which made his true species apparent. He should not truly have expected it to, as then he would have discovered the truth long ago, or Lady Eir would have had instructions in place to insist she was always the one to run soul forge scans on him. Neither of which had transpired, but somehow, he felt inexplicably disappointed.

'Twas not great enough, though, for him to inquire after it or to ask Lady Hlín to explain the differences as she had for Lady Eir previously.

Mayhap once he had come to terms with being jötunn more.

His thoughts clearly pleased Mother Winter and so Loki returned to his healing chamber with buoyed spirits as her good mood was infectious. He was surprised to find his brother waiting for him on the bed.

"Ah, there you are," Thor stated, smiling. "I feared I had arrived too late and missed you."

"Missed me?" Loki questioned. "I am only returning to my chambers."

"Aye, and I wished to accompany you."

Loki nearly asked why, but he did not truly need to. Not after how his last attempt to leave the healing halls had ended. He was slightly annoyed his brother deemed him to require supervision, yet, at the same time, the sentiment warmed him. How oft in the past had he returned to his chambers alone after having initially had Thor and his brother's friends all visiting him when he had first come to the healing halls, injured?

Indeed, Loki could not recall the last time any other than his mother had been present for his release. While he did not require such company, 'twas a marked difference from how Thor had always returned to his chambers, accompanied by at least one friend. He had also oft been present as well, though his propensity to do so had waned over the centuries as he realized his brother was never unaccompanied.

"I am much recovered," Loki said, more to keep up appearances.

"But not entirely," Thor immediately replied, unphased.

Loki frowned, tilting his head as he looked at his brother critically. The scrutiny made Thor uneasy though his brother tried not to squirm, knowing it only encouraged him.

"Are you... lonely?" Loki finally asked, startled.

"Nay!" Thor instantly retorted.

His brother was.

The confirmation shocked Loki since he was not used to Thor being alone enough to become lonely. It discomfited him on some level as 'twas such a departure from his brother's normal behavior and state of being as to catch even him off-guard, but it made sense once Loki thought of it some more. All four of Thor's closest friends and companies were now either in the dungeons or out on work duties, and, short of visiting them, his brother could not spend time with them. Loki also had no doubt that if Thor attempted to do so for any reasons other than inspecting their work, Óðinn would soon forbid his son from doing so outside of the dungeons.

Until Óðinn had reviewed their case, the crown prince could not be seen treating those convicted of an attempt to usurp Hliðskjálf as friends.

Still, Loki would have expected his brother to go out onto the training fields and amuse himself there, or interact with the others he would oft see and spend time with outside of Sif and the former Warriors Three.

The reminder of how he had denobled them still pleased Loki and he had to keep his smile from showing. He had always greatly enjoyed enacting appropriate revenge on those who had wronged him.

Rather than press his brother on his obvious lie, Loki merely moved to sit close beside him. Though in his present form Thor's heat was hardly different from his own, and thus far less noticeable, it still comforted Loki. The oaf had always been there his entire life, and so much of it had been spent with his brother standing by him or defending him, that he still automatically viewed his mere presence as a sign of safety on some level. It confused him at times as Thor's exuberance and tendency to knock him off his feet or squeeze him too tightly could hurt, but his body seemed to intrinsically know when he was not in danger of those and relaxed appropriately.

Later, he would blame it on the fact his core was still not one hundred percent healed, but Loki found himself unable but to lean into his brother's side. Rather than resist, Thor's arm immediately come up to lay across his shoulders and pull him closer.

"Do not ever frighten me thus again," Thor demanded, voice harsh and thick with emotion.

Loki snorted as he turned his head more towards his brother. "'Twas not my intention."

"Still," Thor insisted, even as Loki felt his brother's chin come to rest on his head. "Witnessing you collapse thus..."

"I know," Loki replied, swallowing.

"Aye, after observing Father do so in the vault, I am certain you do."

The memory made Loki wrap his own arm around his brother and they sat there like that for a while, simply holding each other. Ordinarily, he might have protested the closeness, but after all which had transpired as of late, and his own worry and fear of how Thor would respond to the truth about his species and heritage, he instead basked in the proof it had all been unfounded.

"Are you certain you are well enough to leave the healing halls?" Thor finally inquired, softly.

"Hmm, both Ladies Eir and Hlín are in agreement."

"Were they not before?"

"Aye, but..."

Thor sighed. "Please tell me if anything I say or do threatens your core once more. I do not wish to hurt you or be the cause of that."

His immediate reaction was to deny the request. Loki did not share his emotions or hurts easily, since experience had taught him only Frigga truly cared to know of them. Others had either mocked him for them or sought to use the information against him. His own recent experiences, though, had taught him that, on this matter, he might need to be a little more truthful with others. Hiding what he felt would not protect him if doing so only resulted in injuries or insults to his core.

"Loki?" Thor prompted.

"Very well," he replied.

"You hesitate, why?"

Loki snorted. "It would not be the first time I am told 'tis weak to display or admit such feelings."

As they sat so close to each other, he could feel the way Thor flinched, no doubt recollecting the myriad of times the oaf's friends had said precisely that. Sif in particular.

"I had truly thought it no more than the teasing amongst friends," Thor said, resignation in his voice. "Though I see now I should have realized it was not sooner."

The acerbic response which his brother's first words had generated, died on Loki's tongue at the latter. He also found he had surprisingly little desire to lash out at Thor. 'Twas the opposite of how he normally felt when vulnerable and he did not truly understand why. Did it have something to do with the hormonal surges he had been warned about? His rational side rebelled at the mere idea, but he also knew there was little he could do about it.

Puberty was a fact of life and maybe this was the Norns' vengeance for his arrogance in thinking he had controlled himself so well before, when he had thought himself to be undergoing it.

Sorry again for the unexpected delay in day. I hadn't intended to miss yesterday's update, I just lost track of what day of the week it was while in Belgium. As soon as I realized, I dropped a notice on my blog. I don't think I mentioned anything then, but last year I lost my father, and this stretch was the first anniversary of it, which is why I was back in Belgium.

A few, shorter scenes for today's update, but hopefully all nice ones. As you can tell, we're winding down and so it's a matter of sorting the last little bits that really need addressing in this fic rather than the sequel. Only a month left to go now before the end of this fic! Just in time for NaNoWriMo, which is rather fortuitous timing, actually.

Old Norse:

jötnar/jötunn - "frost giants"/"frost giant"

íviðjur/íviðja - a word of seeming nebulous origin, often translated as "giantesses"/"giantess", but I did find some sources which said they were a different, better-looking type of jötnar.

æsir - the gods of the principal pantheon in Norse religion - so Ásgarðrians here

áss - male æsir, singular

vanir - one of two groups of gods, from Vanaheimr

seiðr - witchcraft, sorcery / a type of sorcery practiced in Norse society during the Late Scandinavian Iron Age - i.e. magic

seiðmadr - a combination of seiðr ("witchcraft") + maðr ("man") - i.e. wizard/sorcerer/mage

seiðberandi - sorcerers/mages

Hliðskjálf - the high seat of Óðinn allowing him to see into all realms - i.e. Óðinn's throne

Up next week: Loki returns to his chambers...