Freya had sought out Thor just after sunrise, and though he had been glad that she was accepting the job, he had not been best pleased otherwise. The mortal woman had petitioned to be allowed to see Loki, and the God of Thunder was more than a little dubious about her motivations. After all, she was the reason that Loki had collapsed in the first place, and he still was not sure about their relationship. Though Loki had claimed that they were not friends, it was pretty evident that Freya thought otherwise, and Thor wondered just how much Loki had manipulated the woman for his own ends.

"Look, his trial is tomorrow, and I just want to make sure I have enough evidence to give as good a case as possible." Freya stated, feeling tired of arguing already. "The only way I can do that is by double checking things with your brother, and I can't do that without your say so."

"Why do you care so much Freya? You have every right to hate him, and yet you have done everything you can to defend him." He asked, and she gave a heavy sigh, already sick of this question.

"I care too much, I know, but that is just who I am." She pointed out. "I know I should hate him for what he did to me, and believe me, I tried." She sighed. "But I don't have it in me, especially after learning what he's done."

"What happened in there earlier?" Thor was curious now, while Freya rubbed her forehead to try and get rid of the tension headache that was forming.

"He showed me what happened." She sighed. "Everything from the moment he returned to Asgard, until he faced Thanos a second time."

"And that is why he collapsed?"

"He overdid it." Freya pointed out. "I've felt guilty ever since."

"I can see why he chose you." He told her, and she smiled ever so slightly.

"So can I see him?" She prompted after a moment.

"I don't think I'll be able to stop you." The pair laughed, before they headed to Loki's room. Thor talked with the guards, and Freya was instantly allowed inside.

"What are you doing here?" Loki asked as he saw her. He did at least look a lot better, but he was still not one hundred percent, and Freya knew that this was going to be a bit of a battle. After all, the Trickster did still have his pride, and he looked in desperate need of a rest. For the briefest moment, Freya felt a stab of guilt, but she knew that time was of the essence. Tomorrow presented the perfect opportunity to prove that the Trickster was not the villain that the Earth believed him to be, and she was determined to present a comprehensive case in his favour.

"Good morning to you too." She greeted.

"Surely you cannot have any more questions of me?" He asked, and she looked a little apologetic.

"I'm truly sorry, but as time is so limited, I thought that I could double check some things with you." She admitted, while he groaned. "I just want to do the best I can to…"

"Fine." He reluctantly agreed. "You can stay."

"I'll try not to disturb you too much." She promised, but he just returned to his book.


That had been a number of hours ago now, and Freya stifled a yawn as she closed down another webpage. The growing list of evidence was certainly quite comprehensive, and she just hoped that it would be enough to release the God of Mischief. She definitely had a compelling case, but she knew that it would be difficult to change people's opinions of him. After all, to the world he was the God who had attacked New York, and had yet to face punishment for his crimes. No one knew that he had actually risked everything to save the universe. Sighing deeply, she rubbed her tired eyes and turned back to her work, for she was determined not to mess up the only opportunity she had of getting Loki to stay with his people. After all, she sincerely doubted that anyone would be willing to give him another chance otherwise, and no one could present a defensive case for the God of Mischief like she could.

Her eyes shifted to the bed then, and she smiled at how peaceful the raven-haired prince looked as he slept. He was still remarkably handsome, and Freya could not help but wonder how much more time she would get to spend with him now that she was on Asgard's council. As hurt and angry that she had not heard anything from him since he had abandoned her in Wakanda, she was also exceedingly grateful to him. After all, he had saved her family, and he was responsible for her new role. She would also count him as a dear friend, even if he did not feel the same, and she had no wish to lose that. It was undeniable that he had done so much for her, and she still was not entirely sure why she deserved it. Though she had happened to accidentally bind him to her over a decade ago, she was nothing special otherwise.

"Freya?" A quiet murmur distracted her from her thoughts, and she was instantly by his side. "You're still here?"

"Evidently." She gave him a kindly smile as she handed him a drink. "I thought I'd let you rest while I worked."

"You have been busy." He commented as he took note of the various piles of paper surrounding her laptop. "Tell me, why go to such effort when your people already believe me to be guilty?"

"They should be celebrating you as a hero." She pointed out, while he grimaced as he shifted in the bed. "Regardless, this is just what I'd do for any of my friends."

"Your friends are lucky to have you." He told her sincerely. "Is there anything you wish to ask?"

"No, but you are more than welcome to read what I've got so far." She shrugged. "One way or another Loki, I will make sure you can stay with your people, even if it's just for a little while." She assured him, and he smiled, for he knew she meant it.


The following morning found Loki standing trial. Everyone had assembled in one of the conference rooms at the compound, and the God of Mischief was sat in a chair with four armed guards surrounding him, while the Avengers and various members of SHIELD were sat at the table. Thor was stood nearby, keeping a wary eye on his brother, while the evidence was given against him. Loki answered every question thrown at him, but otherwise remained quiet, while Freya did her best to prove that the Trickster was not to blame fully for New York and so should not face punishment for it. Thor had also explained that Loki had already served justice on Asgard for what had happened, but it was evident that the humans did not trust Loki to not try and take over Midgard again.

"Can I say something before you make your decision?" Freya asked as Loki was escorted out of the room. She was exhausted now, and she just hoped that she had done enough.

"What more could you possibly have to say Wilkes?" Stark asked, already fed up of all the questions.

"I know you don't trust him. I know you see him as the villain who destroyed a city, but he did do the one thing that none of you could." She hesitated, for none of them looked happy at this. "Loki brought back half of the universe, and then handed the Infinity Stones over. He had access to unlimited and unrivalled power, and yet he gave it up." She paused, feeling her courage start to wane. "And, let's face it, would the Avengers even exist if he had not attacked New York a decade ago? Did that instance not warn us about the threats that exist outside of Earth?" There were more uneasy looks, but she was speaking only the truth. "I would ask you to give Loki a second chance. Our legends are just that, legends, and you have only known him through New York. He is not evil, and I know for a fact he can be good. He ruled Asgard for a few years without any harm coming to it."

"The other realms fell into chaos." Thor pointed out, somewhat unhelpfully, while Freya glared at him.

"But Asgard?" Doctor Banner asked.

"Asgard prospered." The God of Thunder confirmed.

"Are you suggesting what I think you are?" Rogers asked, while Freya bowed her head, thankful that the Trickster was not in the room.

"I suggest you let him join the Asgardians in their new settlement, wherever that will be. It will keep him occupied, and he can use his skills for a good purpose. I am sure he can be kept so busy that he will not have time to think of any schemes or plots. I know that there will have to be compromises made and a treaty drawn up, but I have no doubt that an agreement can be reached on both sides." She paused, and there was a moment of silence as they took in what she was saying. "Otherwise, the Asgardians will never fully trust us if their prince is imprisoned for something he was forced to do ten years ago when under the influence of the mind stone."


Freya was not present when the decision was made, and she had spent the following couple of hours sitting at the foot of the spaceship, hoping for news while looking at potential settlement sites. A few of the Asgardians were also lying in the grass, but few spoke to her, and none had joined her. Freya knew that it would not be easy to befriend them, for Loki had warned that the Asgardians did not view Midgardians in an entirely favourable light. However, she knew that she would do her best to help them, regardless of whether they liked her or not, for that was her job now. Scrolling through yet another archaeological report, she frowned as someone appeared in front of her, blocking her light.

"Perhaps mine is not the only silver-tongue here." A voice drawled, while Freya looked up and smiled as he joined her in the grass. "I do not know what you said, nor how you managed it in such a short space of time, but it seems to have worked." Loki continued.

"You're free?" She asked hopefully.

"Not quite. There are still some things to work out, but I am to remain with my people." He told her. "Thank you, Freya."

"You're welcome." She grinned. "I guess that planning will be going ahead at full steam now?"

"Probably." He paused as he saw the notes by Freya's side and then the number of tabs open on her laptop. "Have you actually stopped since you got here?"

"I have work to do." She dismissed, not wanting to admit that she was distracting herself. She knew that if she didn't then she would break down, and she had no wish to do so, especially as there was so much to do. At least focusing on work meant that she could not dwell on the visions of Ragnarok or the bad memories that had been dragged up recently.

"You're looking for a settlement?" He guessed.

"I'm trying, but I have to admit I am struggling a little." She sighed, while Loki knew that Freya would not ask for help.

"I am certain we can find somewhere between us." He said, and Freya was a little surprised at the offer.


The pair were found a few hours later, surrounded by books, notes, maps, and empty sweet wrappers. Both were exhausted, and Freya was struggling to keep her eyes open, while Loki was frowning at a picture of a place somewhere in Norway.

"I wondered where you'd gotten to." Thor said as he joined them. "What are you doing?"

"We're looking for a suitable place for New Asgard." Freya explained as she stifled a yawn.

"I believe I may have found somewhere." Loki stated as he turned the laptop around to show an image of a destroyed Mjolnir in the grass, while a rock formation and the sea were behind it. The brothers shared a meaningful look, before turning to the Midgardian woman.

"Tønsberg, Norway." She told them, already googling the place.

"Odin called it home." Loki said quietly, while Thor took in the information.

"It is also the site of many encounters with Asgard and the other realms." Freya explained as she retrieved a particular sheet of paper and handed it to the God of Thunder. "From what I can see, it should be relatively easy to move in to. It is out of the way, and there are already plenty of dwellings to inhabit. Of course, you can construct your own, but…"

"It should be discussed with the others first." Thor pointed out. "But I think you are right Loki. This is where our father… It has a strong connection already."

"Then I'd suggest a visit." Freya said.

"I'll see what can be done." Thor assured them. "Both of you should probably get some rest. You've certainly earned it."

"That does sound like a good idea." Freya agreed as she got to her feet. "I'll leave my notes here for you to look at." She decided, not having the energy to pack them away.

"And I should say thank you for today." Thor said just as she reached the door, while Loki remained seated.

"You're welcome." Freya smiled, glad that her hard work had not been for nothing.