The Asgardian troops marched down the steps from the palace, lined up in near perfect formation as they made their way towards the Bifrost. Odin had been observing them for the majority of the time, stopping men along the way to speak. Thor waited beside him, trying to listen, but he was distracted anticipating the arrival of Proxima and Corvus. They had remained on Anaheim throughout Loki's recovery, but Valder and Odin had come to an official agreement that the Black Order members would be held on Asgard until their trial. Though he wasn't looking forward to seeing them, Thor was grateful for the segue from talking about Hena. He felt that the conversation had not ended properly.
Around an hour had passed since Hena and her cousins left to explore the palace. He wondered how in depth of a tour Loki was going to give them. Though the palace was large, there was not a great deal to show visitors unless they wanted to spend a few days in it. Svleiva had given Mazi permission to go in and explore. Cooper and Nathaniel joined her after Laura gave the 'all-clear' for Lila.
The atmosphere of the realm had changed once the soldiers came out. The mortals and Warriors still mingled, but all of them, like Thor, were waiting to see Thanos' former servants.
"We will be notified when they are coming. It will take a moment." Odin broke the tension surrounding that issue and glanced back at the others. Sometimes, Thor felt he had mind-reading powers similar to Hena's.
"We'd rather be overly cautious than risk setting them loose." Valder added, justifying the other king's words while also trying to ease their worry.
"Has the gauntlet been brought over yet?" Thor asked.
"It is being transported as we speak." Odin replied, only partially telling the truth. He severely disliked more than one Infinity Stone being within one realm, least of all Asgard. The Tesseract and Mind Stone were already secured, but they were not sealed in the Vault quite yet. The gauntlet was safely on Anaheim and would be brought once the Black Order members were imprisoned, but he did not want that to be public knowledge.
Thor again looked over at the Frost Giants, who stood like sentries waiting for Loki. They were among the few realms not interacting. Their facial expressions were not inviting, but he felt awkward letting them stand alone. Several more Jotuns had arrived in the past few minutes, though they remained a ways off.
Around the same time, realms neighboring Anaheim had come. Valder and Svleiva were curious to learn about a few of them. Thanos had controlled much of the outer rim and because of that fact, they were unfamiliar with many of the worlds there. Some felt liberated by the Titan's destruction; others were angry. Though they had expressed their disapproval of Thanos' death, those realms were not willing to go to war with either Asgard or Anaheim.
Several realms had been particularly oppressed, relying solely on a black market to get supplies to their citizens. Valder and Odin were therefore addressing their needs more heavily than other more fortunate realms.
Shortly after the Asgardian soldiers had arranged themselves to accept the prisoners, Hena and her cousins came out of the palace. As expected, Adeline had stayed with the healers. Leah looked absolutely delighted from the tour. Thor could hear her as she approached.
"You're going to get lost so many times before you learn that place. I don't think I could find my way back to library even right now."
"Don't worry; I still get lost occasionally." Fandral replied, inserting himself into the conversation.
"Then good luck, Hena." Leah said, noting the Warriors comment. With Loki's restrictions, Anaheim's princess would certainly be here often. She tilted her head and frowned at the larger group of soldiers ahead.
"They are transferring prisoners." Volstagg replied before she could ask. Her eyes landed on Odin and then widened in shock upon seeing the King of Asgard.
"Oh, from Anaheim." Hena realized from beside her, oblivious to her cousin's reaction to seeing him. She glanced back at the palace with raised eyebrows as she looked for Loki. She was not sure he should should out here for that. And, personally, she did not want him to see them.
"Did you happen to see where my father went off to?" Evera asked Valder. He shook his head at his niece.
"No, but he may have gotten into a conversation with Alfheim. That wouldn't surprise me in the least."
"Hena, did you see Mazi in there?" Svleiva asked a similar question in her turn.
"Svleiva, I promise there is nothing she could do that would be worse than Thor and Loki." Odin assured her. The queen glanced down with a tiny smile.
"When we were younger." Thor clarified irritability.
"Or even three years ago." Odin gave him a withering smirk. The entire group had seen more of the king's humorous and sarcastic side in the past few hours than they had in every other interaction thus far. When their allies in the Nine Realms had gathered in the past, he had always enjoyed himself at the parties, but there had not been a gathering since Thor's intended coronation. The God of Thunder was grateful to see these attributes of his father again. But, it was short lived as one of their guards approached them.
"We are bringing the husband and wife through now." he said. Odin dipped his head, giving his men the confirmation.
"Is Loki still in the palace?" he asked.
"He was when we left. Eira wanted to check him over briefly." Hena responded.
"It might be better if they avoid interacting." Odin echoed her thoughts. Through the crowd of soldiers, there came a more condensed group shuffling through. Corvus and Proxima were adequately restrained and held in place by chains grasped by guards. Their expressions were full of disdain, especially as they caught a full look of the Asgardian palace. Corvus let his gaze wander while Proxima kept hers solidly ahead. His eyes landed on Hena and she felt a wave of animosity flow from him.
Odin said nothing as they passed, stoic and firm. Corvus watched him briefly but even he had a hard time looking the king of Asgard in the eye.
Unfortunately, Loki appeared at the entrance to the palace at that moment. His face suggested he already knew what to look for. He walked quickly down the steps and then slowed to watch the Black Order members be shuffled past. Both of them looked at him and the hatred could be felt even without the Anaheimien powers. The God of Mischief looked in better condition than he had just an hour prior. Thor suspected he may have been using his powers to maintain an image in front of his former allies.
Odin didn't intervene, but he watched warily. Loki said nothing to the pair. His expression was cold and calculating. He stared them down until they ascended the palace steps and went out of sight. Then, as if nothing had happened, he retraced the steps they had just taken back to the others.
Hena stepped closer to stand by him and he put a hand on her back with an exhale.
"We may lose the children running through the palace." he said plainly, lightening the mood. His voice was still raspy, but it was steadily improving.
"Running through?" Svleiva's eyebrows rose "Exactly how far in have they gone?"
"Not far. But probably farther than what you told Mazi." Loki responded cheekily "Being fair, she is distracted."
"It really won't cause a problem, Svleiva." Odin reiterated mildly.
"Yes, but I would like her remain somewhat close. I nearly lost her in that battle to Thanos' mutts. Two of whom were just escorted into the palace. Forgive me if I don't want her wandering." Svleiva responded honestly.
"We can send word to the guards to watch over them more closely." Odin replied, understanding the worry more deeply now.
"How was Lila doing?" Laura asked.
"About the same when I saw her. She is interacting more with Mazi than the others still." Hena responded, glancing at Leah and Evera for their opinion before she remembered that they had not seen Lila prior.
"As long as she isn't worse." Laura replied, without knowing what worse would look like.
"How many prisoners are we bringing through?" Thor's curious question was aimed only at his father, but loud enough to be heard by everyone. Odin deferred it to Valder next to him with a glance.
"Only a dozen or so today. The more resourceful ones." the king replied "I would rather focus on friends than enemies right now. There are worlds here that we have not encountered."
"Many. Some of which are waiting for us to finish the prisoner exchange to speak with us." Odin added to his son.
"Which willed be halted for a moment. Our guards need to regroup for more to come through." Valder looked to his wife and then inclined his head to the left. He was eager to go and scrutinize their unfamiliar neighbors.
"Shall I come?" Hena asked.
"You may if you wish. I doubt that we will do anything interesting with them for a little while. A friendship will suffice."
"Then I'll come after you've spoken with them for a bit." Hena responded. He nodded.
After her parents left, Odin looked at Loki with intense curiousity.
"Was that inopportune timing or did you know they were coming?"
The God of Michief returned his eyes back to where Corvus and Proxima had entered the palace, knowing exactly of what his father was speaking.
"I was on my way back at the time." his voice held the detestation he had been holding back from seeing them "But, yes, I could feel them arriving."
"What are your plans for them?" Hena asked.
"It is not entirely up to me. Nor can I decide anything until they are tried." Odin shrugged slightly "Though in all likelihood...they will not be given anything near a light sentence." he turned "And I do not wish for them to either."
He then left to join Valder and Svleiva, leaving Loki still staring after his former Black Order allies. Despite the tension, Leah exhaled loudly.
"Oh my goodness, that was Odin." she said, her voice in utter awe. Thor scowled briefly.
"Oh...yes! Thank you!" Hena held out an exasperated hand towards her. Then she laughed "The first time I saw him, everyone thought it was ridiculous how amazed I was."
"Excuse me." Loki objected indignantly.
"Oh sorry. Well, actually, no. You may not have said anything, but your face certainly did." Hena responded, before returning her attention to Leah "All my life, I'd heard about the king of Asgard and then to meet him and have him be entirely normal was...underwhelming. He's everything I expected, yet...personable, right? The rumors about Asgard that fly around are absurd."
"I doubt we started them." Loki replied.
"I know. But they still bounce in between realms. And don't get me started on Midgardian Norse mythology." the princess rolled her eyes.
Several of the Warriors snickered at that.
"Well, they don't have it all wrong." Fandral said with a knowing wink.
"Wow, so you could all correct us then?" Hawkeye asked, eyeing them all with a raised brow.
"Rewrite history." Tony added "And maybe adjust the timeline a bit because clearly all of you are still young and wouldn't have had time for all the things that we consider your history."
Fandral shrugged "As long as you know the truth, what does it matter?"
"Because there are millions of other who don't. Have a heart, my goodness." Tony responded.
"It does make you wonder where Midgard received all the details for their stories." Hena scowled curiously over at the mortals for a moment. Then her thoughts returned to the previous subject "Loki, I've been wondering about this for the past month, so I suppose I'll just ask. How does one get on Odin's best side?"
"You?" Loki asked in surprise.
"Anyone really, but yes, me."
Loki nearly scoffed in amusement but refrained "I wouldn't worry about that. You have already won him over."
"What? How would you know? How do you know?" Hena demanded, perplexed.
Loki shrugged, less concerned than she was about the matter "I can simply tell."
"When could you tell?"
"Around the moment you walked up and introduced yourself."
"Why? I did not do anything." Hena blinked at him.
"You must have." Loki smiled.
"Loki, please, I am serious. What?"
The God of Mischief sighed and it ended in a laugh "Hena. You have this...you radiate innocence. That's endearing to him. You're kind. You're gentle, but not afraid to tell someone when they've stepped too far. Innocence without naivety is difficult to find. It is something he-and I-want to protect."
Hena was unable to hide a smile from him. Her cheeks flushed a bright red as he finished and she had to look away for a moment. Her happiness then faded and she exhaled.
"Not anymore."
"What?" Loki asked, tilting his head as he blinked in confusion.
"I lost my energy force." the princess glanced down at her hands in deep sadness. Then she looked back up at him "I chose it. I used my magic on Red Skull. Cruelly."
"As you should have." Leah chimed in.
"I did notice that it was gone." Loki said, without his eyes leaving her face even though he agreed with her cousin "But that isn't what made you innocent. Besides, yes, I would consider what you sacrificed it for as a worthy cause."
"Then...it doesn't bother you?" Hena asked tentatively. Evera smiled a bit as she waited for his response.
"No, of course not. It would honestly only bother me if it upset you."
Hena cocked her head in adoration and sighed "On Anaheim it is a very charming attribute to men. I suppose it is hard to let it go."
"Then it is a good thing I am not from shallow Anaheim." Loki replied, hiding a grin. Hena gave him a stern look.
The soldiers a short distance away began to return to their formation as they prepared for another exchange. The Anaheimien and Asgardian men had formed a quick bond during the battle and they mingled as they did so. It was refreshing for all those aware of the past conflict between the realms.
"Who were those first prisoners?" Evera asked, watching the scene. Hena briefly waited for Loki but decided to answer herself.
"Thanos' servants. Definitely not the kindest people I have met."
Loki huffed in amusement and she grinned at having made him laugh at the taboo topic.
"Yes, but I imagine he had more than that." Evera raised her eyebrow at their jesting.
"He had millions. But only select that were closest to him. Those are the only two left. Fortunately." Loki responded.
Laura leaned over to Hawkeye, holding out the tincture from Eir as she quietly said something. He shrugged and shook his head.
"Do you need Lila?" Hena asked, not missing the interaction.
"No." Laura declined instantly, feeling apologetic that the woman had seen her worry.
"Are you sure?" the princess refrained from reading her mind, but she could sense the unease.
"Yes. It looks like there might be more of your prisoners coming through. We can let them pass. And, for all I know, she could be having fun. I'll get her in a bit."
"Who else do they have?" Captain America asked, referring to the soldiers standing in position. There had been thousands upon thousands of creatures fighting for Thanos. He was not sure who else they could be referring other than the Chitari or Outriders.
"Well, we captured captains of the squadrons he sent out. Each of them had leaders. They were more organized than we realized at the time. Until you arrived." Hena elbowed Loki once without looking over "But, Thanos' planet had others there."
"Did you guys go there?" Hawkeye asked, tilting his head. Loki also looked at her with raised eyebrows.
Hena nodded "Yes, my father sent in men after collaborating with Odin. We found the location of the prisoners they moved. The ones that survived. We captured several of his people there and freed the others."
"Is Anaheim keeping any?" Captain America continued to ask questions.
"Not permanently. A few are being used as hostage exchanges for other prisoners held elsewhere. We'll let Asgard handle that." she shrugged "My father does not like our cells to be occupied if he can avoid it."
That was a source of conflict between her parents at times. In fact, even her and Loki disagreed. Anaheim rarely had reasons to permanently imprison someone, but when it came to it, Valder was much more lenient than his wife just as Hena had the tendency to be more lenient than Loki. Svlieva felt strongly that certain crimes warranted certain punishments. Her and Odin agreed on this policy. Frankly, in Corvus and Proxima's case, Hena felt the same.
"Did we catch the two people who kept coming into our cell?" Captain America asked "The ones who were helping you?"
"Then and Sey?" Hena nodded "They are in cust-"
"Don't use her name." Loki interrupted swiftly, voice sharp. Hena looked over, falling silent. She closed her mouth and blinked at him curiously as he backed off, realizing how abrupt it had been. There was a brief moment before of awkward tension until Hena spoke.
"Sorry, I suppose you knew her didn't you?"
Loki pressed his lips together, knowing he had to explain his outburst now. He exhaled and shook his head in irritation at himself.
"No, I'm sorry. Sey and Then are brother and sister. I know them far too well. Thanos rescued them when they were young and raised them-as he did most the Black Order. But these two were raised to be torturers, not soldiers. Thanos clearly didn't have a merciful punishment for those who defied him. Least of all those who betrayed him personally. Like me. He assigned us a specific person for us in the dungeon. And Sey was mine. Had been for a while. We were conditioned to fear their name." he stopped for a moment "I did not realize it took that strong of hold. More than I thought."
"But it makes sense. I would feel the same." Hena's voice came softly and then she cleared it "Both of them came in to treat the injuries Thanos gave me."
Loki gave a brief bitter smile accompanied by a dark chuckle "Then she left me to come to you. That is exactly the kind of cruel thing Thanos would do."
Listening to this, Hawkeye felt the familiar tug to offer an apology for having deviated from the plan and causing this. Yet, he knew it wouldn't make it better. In all senses, Loki and he were largely on equal ground now. He instead looked at his wife. Laura was shaking her head as she listened.
"I read her mind to find out where you were after Odin let us out of the cell." Hena continued. She took a quick survey of the other's expressions.
"Anyways," Loki swept on "I'll avoid the name for a while until I have to break myself from it."
Hena examined him, still worried. He had been acting so normal, it was difficult to remember to be careful around him. She looked at his wrist inadvertently. It was not bleeding, much to her relief.
"I'm fine." Loki gently chided her.
"I just want to make sure." Hena replied.
"Why? Because Eir came and gave everyone instructions on how to deal with me?" Loki raised an eyebrow. The princess blinked in shock and indignance. The God of Mischief continued however.
"Be wary of making sudden noises, don't startle him, be kind but not patronizing." he smiled "I'm sure she made me seem quite unstable."
Hena's hands rose to her hips and she scowled.
"While I appreciate the gesture," Loki said, whispering loudly as he leaned forward "I'm fine."
"How did you know? And, regardless, I think I have done a fabulous job of remaining unpatronizing." Hena's arms folded now and her scowled deepened.
"I didn't say anyone had been patronizing. Some looks I've received have been a little concerned, but that I can ignore."
"You mean like this?" Leah tilted her head and stuck out her bottom lip. Loki waved his hand near her face and she pulled back. Hena exhaled with a shake of her head. She appeared to be about to speak, but then sighed and shook her head again.
"I'm going to join my parents, you little devil. If you begin to bleed, you should go back to the healing chamber."
"I'll come with you." Loki replied. At her look, he held up a pacifying hand "I promise, if something feels wrong, I'll send for Eir."
Reassured, Hena gave a small wave to the others before she left. The soldiers were returning the way they had come for the next group of prisoners. Firo, one of the soldiers they had met on Anaheim, gave his men the confirmation.
"Well, if you don't mind, I'm going to take a walk around the palace grounds." Leah announced and looked at Evera "Join me?"
Her cousin nodded and turned back towards the royal home behind them. Leah did the same, but not before sweeping her eyes over the God of Thunder briefly. They met gazes for a few seconds though the woman averted hers quickly.
"Prince Thor?"
Thor looked behind him, eyebrows raised. He tried to shake Leah from his mind. One of the palace guards approached him, though he was scanning the crowd behind the prince.
"Is your father near? Heimdall is requesting his permission to allow someone entrance into the realm."
"Yes, he is speaking with the other leaders." Thor turned to point out the king but he didn't see him right off "Who is it?"
"Heimdall called her Nebula."
Thor blinked in surprise back at the man who in turn widened his eyes at the prince's reaction.
"Do you know where she's traveling from?"
The guard shook his head "No."
The God of Thunder took a moment to think but quickly nodded "He can let her in; I'll tell my father."
Upon dismissal of the solider, he immediately looked at the Warriors.
"Apparently she's in need of a friend." Hogun said, recalling Loki's earlier statement.
"I just hope she has good intentions." Thor admonished even though he had not hesitated in allowing her into Asgard. Her actions during the battle had significantly contributed to their success. Yet, her apathetic and harsh approach was difficult to come to terms with.
"I wonder why her and her daddy never got along." Tony said.
"Because he was a sociopath." though sarcastic, Black Widow sounded extremely flat "And not the good kind." her mouth curved up a bit.
"Fair point, the good kind usually create less daddy issues."
Out of sight, there was a sudden uproar in laugh from the children. Hawkeye leaned slightly in amusement, secretly smiling at his kids running wild around Asgard. It had been a few weeks since they had enjoyed themselves. Taking them through Thanos' awful prison was something he blamed himself for. He was very happy to hear them laugh. Fandral looked behind him curiously. There was certainly more than one girl giggling.
Laura paused and then her eyes flew open as if she just realized. The sound was so familiar that she had not thought anything of it. Hawkeye and her both took a few steps to see her, but all of the children came around the pillars hiding them. They were running from Mazi, who was chasing them ferociously.
"Lila?" Laura asked as the girl passed. She wanted to grab her and see for herself, but Lila was sprinting to keep up with her brothers and away from Mazi.
The children split up and she then caught up with Nathaniel quickly. She reached to tag him and they both slowed to a stop to catch their breath. Cooper and Lila stopped where they were, taking the needed break as well.
"Hey, guys, hold up!" Hawkeye was walking over with Laura right behind him. Mazi stopped, looking indignant as if she thought they were in trouble. The other children paused to listen.
Hawkeye watched his girl in particular "How are you feeling, Lila?
She half-glanced at the others "Good?" she sounded confused and slightly nervous at her father's question.
"Oh...um, good. Then, keep playing. Have fun." Hawkeye replied, a bit rattled.
"Tell us if you need anything." Laura added.
Lila hesitated, looking at her parents as if they were the crazy ones, but then she immediately forgot as Nathaniel staightened up to begin chasing them. Mazi had made it clear that they could not retag the person who had gotten them initially so his only targets were his two siblings.
Once the children made it out of earshot again, Hawkeye looked back at Laura with raised eyebrows. She stared in shock.
"Did it just need time to wear off?"
"I don't know. Maybe Eir helped more than she thought." Hawkeye replied, thinking back "Maybe the other potion thing she gave her in there worked."
"This is good news!" Volstagg chimed in. He understood their puzzlement, but he wanted them to celebrate regardless.
"No, I know, I just..." Laura moved her hand up towards her mouth, both from emotion and thoughtfulness.
Her kids were already running back, squealing. Mazi, secure in her tagging rule, doddled a bit as she followed.
Laura exhaled slowly. Then she put her sights on the Warriors and Thor "Can we talk to Eir? She didn't DO anything as far as I...know."
Thor hesitated a moment, but nodded "I'll have a guard bring her."
"Honestly, she probably doesn't know what she did. Our healing techniques may just work in different ways for mortals than they do for us." Volstagg replied "I am glad to see such a large change in her. And, so quickly from just an hour ago."
"Hey, Mazi!" Hawkeye called to her without warning. She perked instantly and he beckoned her. As she came, he crouched down to her height.
"Lila seems to be a lot happier. How did you guys cheer her up?" he asked.
"She wasn't sad, she was sick." Mazi replied, scowling at him.
"Oh. Okay, how did you make her feel better?" Hawkeye corrected.
"I didn't. Loki did." she answered.
"Loki?" Hawkeye eyebrows rose.
"Yes. He had me distract her and then used magic. He fixed her memory of Thanos and the red man so now she can't remember it anymore." Mazi explained as if they were younger than her.
Hawkeye leaned forward a bit in shock. He frowned as he thought.
"But...?" Laura looked up and around for the God of Mischief but she didn't see him. She hadn't seen him take her daughter aside or anything else.
"But no, you have to keep it a secret!" Mazi quickly waved her hand to stop the mother from looking. "He told me not to say what he did, but you guys saw that she was better."
"Mazi, you're cheating." Nathaniel complained. He was standing a few yards away, having failed at tagging either of his siblings.
"NO." the princess reprimanded him indignantly. She walked towards him, although Laura nearly followed. Then she looked at her husband, distressed.
"I don't...she's okay." her voice flooded with utter relief.
Thor stood in silence, feeling just as confused as the parents. Loki had never used his powers in this way before. Thor hadn't even known it was possible.
"That was it then? Just the memory?" Hawkeye asked.
"Probably the trauma associated with it as well." Volstagg added. He was still looking for the Jotun king, despite Mazi's request otherwise.
Lila generously let Nathaniel tag her and then set her sights on Cooper. Her peace-making nature had been the first trait to go once Thanos touched her. It was good to have it back.
"Wow." Hawkeye said, mouth curved down as he slowly accepted the unexpected shift back to normal. His wife couldn't do the same yet. She finally found Loki over with Hena and other people she did not recognize. He didn't see her looking over.
"What?" Hawkeye broke her thought process with a probe.
"I just..." Laura shrugged in utter disbelief "How did he know to do that?"
Hawkeye then hesitated. He shrugged, feeling as befuddled as she did.
"We should say thank you." Laura said, even knowing that Loki had tried to keep it subtle. She continued to stare over at the God of Mischief, trying to wrap her head around his kindness.