The sun was setting on the distance horizon, sending a beautiful stream of orange across the water. Tony and Hawkeye were looking out across it as they waited. Captain America was clearly too agitated to join them. Right now there were a lot of other Asgardians gathering in the street.

"So does this send off include us, or just the Asgardians?" Tony asked off-handedly. He sniffed "Probably just the Asgardians I would guess."

"I don't think we're even supposed to be here." Hawkeye responded. He smiled slightly "Loki isn't the only disobedient son apparently."

"Where he get off to?" Tony asked.

"I don't know. Hopefully he's with Thor and the others or we're all in trouble." Hawkeye responded. He glanced at Tony "Do you believe him? About Thanos or whoever?"

Tony's eyes flicked back and forth "Were we not supposed to?"

"Probably not. But I do." Hawkeye replied "I wish I didn't."

"Yeah, well, now might be a good time to let the rest of the world in on it." Tony said. He had to talk just a bit louder because of all the noise from the crowd. He was going to speak again when we was drowned out by a loud horn.

Thor swung himself up onto his horse and guided it around in a circle until it faced the other way. Generally when him and his friends were sent off, they were joking and teasing one another, but not now. The warriors sensed this was not the time. Even so, they did try once or twice.

Thor looked over at the horse near the gate. This horse had no rider, although it was bridled and ready to go.

A palace guard walked through the gate, his helmet off.

"They are ready for you, Prince Thor." he said.

Thor nodded at him and the warriors fell in formation behind him. The loud horn blew and celebratory music followed it.

The horses walked out swiftly into the crowd of cheering citizens. The warriors waved as they passed, smiles covering their faces. Clearly they had missed this.

Thor, previously the most arrogant, was riding silently, his face serious. He had invited Loki to join them, but the God of Mischief had declined. Even so, his horse had been prepared and Thor was off center in the formation, leaving an empty space where his younger brother used to ride. It didn't seem intentional, but something he naturally had done in the past.

Loki was near the end, watching with expressionless eyes, before he looked down at his book again. The other Avengers had just noticed him as well. Silent, not cheering, just simply there. None of them commented on it though.

Near the end, Thor finally gave a wave to the wanting crowd, symbolizing that they had nothing to fear. Asgard was protected.

"Well we haven't done that in a long time, I almost forgot what it felt like." Volstagg said joyously.

"I agree, it is enjoyable." Fandral replied, tucking his long, thin sword back into its guard "Generally though, we are heading off to war. It almost seems disappointing."

"There will be war, never fear that." Volstagg admonished.

The other Avengers had joined them back in the large hall, where the warriors voices were echoing loudly. Loki wasn't with them but his guards were on the opposite end. Thor was walking over to them across the room. They both stood there, arms hanging at their sides, eyes expectant at his approach.

"Where is Loki?" Thor asked "We need to return to Midgard."

"The prisoner is in his old chambers." one of them replied.

Thor blinked, his head turning slightly.

"The king granted him access to Queen Frigga's private quarters." the guard explained "I saw no reason not to allow him in his chambers as well."

Thor hesitated a moment before nodding at him. He had already said goodbye to his father. However unfortunate, it was time to leave.

Loki stared at the room he had been in so many times as a child. His mother's quarters had always been so calming. He often went there to get away from Thor or even for his magic lessons.

But now, it was silent. His guards had remained outside. After all, he was shackled with powerful cuffs. He has already picked up a book. It wasn't old; probably only read a few times. Loki hadn't read that one, but he knew Frigga had. For a few more moments, he looked up at the vaulted ceiling and over towards the balcony doors. Then he turned to leave the room.
As he walked out, his guards said nothing, not even about the book. Loki spoke briefly with the taller of the two. He inclined his head to the former prince and motioned for the other guard to follow him. Loki walked behind them until they reached his old quarters. The doors were very large and not very far away from Thor's. The God of Mischief placed his hand on the door and opened it. As he walked in, he noticed that nothing had really changed. Not that he could remember everything exactly as he left it. Loki ran his hands over the very tidy line of books on his desk before selecting one. His room was always neat and clean, just how he liked it.
He flipped through the pages for a moment before replacing it and taking another. He held this one next to the one from Frigga's room.

Loki glanced over at the large bed that was furnished with many decorative pillows and blankets. After a moment, he walked over to it. He fingered the blanket near the end for a moment thoughtfully.

Then he heard Thor approaching and immediately stopped. He glanced behind him as his older brother stopped to look at him solemnly.

The God of Mischief didn't speak, but he walked over, not needing Thor to tell him they were leaving. His older brother was so close to speaking to him but remained silent, although he wasn't sure what held him back.

Loki walked up to his guards and held out his hands. One of them reached forward and removed the manacles with a click. They lifted them off his arms and Loki turned back to Thor, both books still in his hand. His eyebrows were up, shielding any emotion from coming across his face.

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