NOT MY WORK I TAKE NO CREDIT ALL CREDIT GOES TO GHOSTQUEEN187

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Development and Acceptance

Here I am with my 3rd chapter. I had a couple of people bring up whether Loki was going to become the King of Westeros or the King of the North. All I'll say is wait and see :) I do not own Loki or the World of Westeros

Loki was restless.

He enjoyed his life at now nine name days he truly did, but alas he wanted no needed to do more. Loki had done some more research on the history and culture of Westeros and he was confident in his knowledge. Due to his need for knowledge and his love of literature his brothers and the people of Winterfell had taken to calling him 'Bran the Bright' or 'Bran the Bookworm' in his brothers cases. Names that Loki looked upon rather fondly. He knew that the current king usurped the last king. A man who was deemed completely mad and had a terrifying love of fire.

He knew how it was his father who had found the king's body, slain by one of the very people sworn to defend him. A knight who now bore the name 'Kingslayer.' A knight by the name of Jaime Lannister. Not that he could have blamed the lad. Loki would have probably done the same in his position.

Loki had done some research of House Lannister and he had to say he was impressed. Specifically with the current head of House Lannister. Tywin Lannister. Loki always respected those with a cunning mind, and he could tell Tywin possessed one. Although any respect he possessed for the man turned to ashes upon discovering what he had done to the young Targaryen children and their mother.

Now Loki himself was many things, a cruel trickster, a power-hungry monster, but he would never ever harm or kill a child. Especially ones as young as Rhaenys and Aegon were. Loki decided that if he ever had the pleasure of meeting 'The Mountain' as he was called that he would face the wrath of the God of Mischief. And as for Tywin? He better pray he never has the pleasure of engaging Loki on the political or literal battlefield. Loki had little mercy for child killers.

Back to his restlessness.

Despite him reading everything he could possibly know about the History of Westeros as well as Maester Luwin's teachings, Loki still felt restless. After all the North was rather isolated compared to the other kingdoms so it was hard for information to travel quickly. Until he had heard knews of a little spider and his spy network that stretched all across Westeros and in some parts of Essos.

So Loki decided he would make his own.

Not with people obviously. Whilst Loki was confident in his ability to manipulate people, he knew that in his current position and due to his current age that setting up and maintaining a human spy network without his family knowing would be rather difficult. It left too much room for human error and a chance of it being traced back to him should one of his spies get loose lipped.

So he decided to use ravens.

Loki found that in Westeros, the main form of communication was the use of ravens. Loki was always rather fond of ravens and would always stop and chat with the ones that resided in his daughter Hel's domain. Yes, the ravens would do nicely for his spy network. After all, who would suspect the very bird used to deliver messages to be whispering your secrets behind your back?

After successfully setting up his spy network Loki also realised another thing. Whilst the North was the largest of the Seven Kingdoms, his father and his forefathers had never truly utilised it. Whether this was the cause of low population or the cool weather mattered little to Loki.

This was about to change.

After drawing up his plans, Loki made his way to his father's scholar. Loki knew he would be just finishing up with Robb's lessons and would be available to talk before dinner. Loki felt a small bit of envy creep up on him before he promptly squashed it. His brother was not Thor, he reminded himself as he reached the door to his father's scholar. Robb would make a good Lord of Winterfell.

Loki straightened his shoulders before knocking. The door opened and Loki stared up at his father's worn face. His father raised his eyebrows at him "Is everything alright Bran?" he asked. Loki nodded smiling "yes father I just had something I wished to discuss with you after your finished with Robb," he told him before sending a small smile to Robb who was staring at him from his father's desk. Robb smiled back before standing up stretching slightly "I believe you came at a good time, little brother," he said walking over and ruffling Loki's hair "father and I just finished," Robb turned and nodded at his father who nodded back "I'll see you both at supper," and with that Robb made his exit.

The room was filled with silence at Robb's retreat. His father cleared his throat before sitting behind his desk "What was it you wanted to discuss with me?" Loki walked over and sat down. "I wanted to ask you what the North's main form of trade was," he told him. His father blinked at him before scratching his beard "Well due to the cold climate and lack of fertile soil we don't have much in terms of farming," he told him "we, however, do have a lot of forests, which provides us with plenty of timber, we also tend to trade rare animal furs such as bears and occasionally wolves when they come south although not when a winter is almost upon us," his father tilted his head "why do you ask?"

"Because," Loki said as he pulled out his plans "I might have a way to improve that." Loki's father leaned forward and gave him a look that told him to continue. Gleeful that his father was willing to listen to him, Loki readily explained his idea. "As you know the North is the largest of the Seven Kingdoms, yet we have the least to offer in terms of resources, however what if that wasn't the case?" Loki motioned to his research "What if we did have more resources to trade?"

"Even if that was the case," his father said slowly, "The North is too cold to grow much, and the cattle will simply freeze." Loki smiled "perhaps the North is too cold for most type of crops however, I've done some research to find suitable ones that can not only survive in the North but thrive." Loki handed his father the list of crops he had found in the library. All of which if farmed correctly could survive the cold. The list consisted of plants such as Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Fava Beans, Garlic, Kale, Leeks, Lettuce, Mustard Greens, Scallions, Spinach and- "Winter berries?" his father asked upon reaching the end of the list, "Their located in the Gift near Castle Black," Loki told him causing his father to squint at him "They tend to prefer colder climates so I believe if we ask Uncle Benjen to deliver us some seeds on his next trip to Winterfell we should be able to grow our own here and use it to make our own form of Northern Wine and sell it."

"And where exactly do we get the seeds for the rest of these crops?" his father asked giving him a calculating look. Loki smiled again "We can get the seeds imported from the Reach, they make a while to arrive from White Harbour and the Reach may charge us a bit for them but the overall profit as a result would more than make up for that." Loki tilted his head at his father, who was looking at him in astonishment "although if the crops aren't capable of surviving the cold as the books in the library said they could than the farmers could simply use blankets to cover the crops and keep them warm until harvesting." Loki had seen numerous Midgardian farmers practice this in the days of old and was certain it would work in the North.

"And the cattle?" his father asked. Loki pulled out another piece of parchment "you mentioned that we possess a lot of wood and timber due to the high amount of forest correct?" at his father's nod he continued "Due to the large amount of land we currently possess we could use the timber and wood to build shelter to keep the cattle warm and only let them out to graze, as long as we keep the cattle well fed and watered they should be more than capable of surviving the cold."

Loki looked up from his notes at his father only to find him speechlessly staring at him. Loki shuffled a bit under his father's astounded gaze. After a few moments his father swallowed before finding his voice "you've thought a lot about this," his father said staring at him intently. Loki nodded "I have father." His father looked down at Loki's research before looking him in the eye once more "and your certain this will work here in the North?" Loki nodded once more "I am Father."

His father stared at him hard, before his lip twitched up into a small smile. "This was certainly not what I was suspecting when you asked to talk to me in my scholar," he admitted sheepishly causing Loki to grin slightly "but, if you're sure your idea will benefit the North," His father nodded at him "than I suppose as Warden of the North I have no choice but to implement it for the sake of the North." Loki's slight grim turned into a broad smile, "thank you father, you won't regret this I promise!" he told him before getting up and heading to the door to get ready for supper. "And Bran?" his father's voice called to him before he left his father's scholar.

Loki turned to look at his father, who was smiling at him in a way Odin never did "I'm very proud of you, you'll make a fine Lord one day, wherever that may be." Loki thanked him before quickly leaving the scholar frantically wiping the tears from his eyes. His grin never leaving him as he made his way to supper. His father's voice echoing in his ear the whole way.

Dinner that night was relatively silent apart from the constant squabbling between Sansa and Arya. Loki looked to his left and smiled slightly. He watched proudly as his mother quietly conversed with his half-brother Jon Snow or Jon Stark as if he was now known as. Jon was currently asking her questions about her current pregnancy, as sight not hard to miss considering she looked like she had swallowed a watermelon, as she tentatively responded to him. The two were nowhere near a mother-son relationship, however, other the years the two had developed a tentative friendship of sorts, which greatly pleased Loki.

Loki took a bite of his chicken, he found the food here dryer then on Asgard, however he much prefered the people here than there. At least they didn't look down on him here. Loki took another bite before glancing down the table towards Robb. He noticed that Robb was quiet almost solemn, which was unusual considering his brother's usually positive and cheerful demeanor.

He watched Robb dismiss himself from the table, despite hardly touching his food, causing his parents to watch him in concern. He saw Jon about to excuse himself to go after him but Loki beat him to it. "I'll go check on him," he said before trotting after him. Loki used his magic to try and determine were Robb might be. His magic told him that Robb was currently in his room, sulking for some reason, so Loki allowed his feet to lead him there.

Loki eyed the door to Robb's room. Loki had never been in Robb's room, except for the one time he and Arya decided to dye his hair pink, but that was a story for another day. Loki knocked on his door, only for Robb to seemingly ignore him. How Rude of him. Loki narrowed his eyes, before knocking even harder. Again, silence. Loki growled quietly, how dare he ignore him!

Loki used his magic once more and unlocked the door, before swiftly opening it. Robb immediately looked up at him in shock. "I thought I locked that door," he said quietly causing Loki to snort. "And I thought I was the younger brother, but it appears we've swapped roles." At Loki's words Robb's eyes grew solemn again "I suppose we have," he said softly before turning away from him "perhaps you'll make a better Lord of Winterfell then I, you've already got the ideas for it." Loki was about to ask him what he was talking about until realization hit him.

Now Loki understood.

Robb wasn't sulking about nothing.

Robb had overheard his conversation with father.

Robb was feeling self-conscious as the heir of Winterfell.

Robb was feeling jealous.

Of him.

And Loki…..didn't know how he felt about that.

Loki knew what it was like to be jealous, Seven hells, he had envied Thor his whole life, but to be envied, to be the one others were jealous of, Loki didn't know if he liked that feeling. Especially if he was causing that feeling to arise in his brother. His strong, confident and headstrong older brother. So Loki decided to do what Thor never did for him.

He reassure him.

Or at least tried to, comforting people was never his strong point.

"You heard my conversation with father," he said causing his brother to stiffen. So he was correct. "But you're the heir to Winterfell-" "Exactly!" Robb exclaimed as he jumped off the bed, cutting him off "I'm the heir of Winterfell yet, at eight name days you've already done more to improve the North than I ever have!" Robb sat down on the bed, teary-eyed "I'd be a lousy lord, at least compared to you, I listen to father's lessons, yet I'm still not ready," Robb looked up at him "Not like you."

Loki shuffled awkwardly, before sitting next to Robb. "Perhaps your right," he said patting his shoulder. He stiffened, sniffling "Perhaps your not ready," he said causing Robb to look at him angrily "perhaps your not ready yet," Loki sighed "You've got years to prepare yourself for the role." Robb sniffed rubbing his eyes "But you-" "What about me?" Loki cut him off.

"I had a clever idea, that doesn't automatically discredit you as a decent heir, it just means I had a clever idea, nothing more, nothing less." Loki paused "besides you've always been better with people, that's a skill very valued by a Lord." And despite being the God of Lies for once, he spoke the truth.

For Loki had always been gifted at manipulating people. He could outmaneuver or manipulate anyone given the right amount of time. However, making friends, making allies or simply getting along with people was never his strongest point. He prefered his own company to that of others and could never make friends without the help of Thor.

But Robb could. Unlike him, Robb was incredibly charismatic. Of course, Loki was charismatic in his own way, just not the way Robb was. Robb got on with nearly everyone he met, and garnered instant respect from each person he meets. A true testament of this was his friendship with Theon, who appeared unfriendable to everyone else. Loki knew he would make a fine lord one day, if given a push in the right direction.

Loki glanced at Robb,to see him looking at him intently, nodding slowly at Loki's words. Loki hoped this meant that he was finally feeling less self-conscious. Loki shuffled once more before pulling out another piece of parchment "How about we come up with some more ideas to improve the North together?" he said causing Robb to look at him "And after we're done we can go to father in the morning and share them with him?" Robb nodded before smiling and ruffling Loki's hair again, causing him to give him an annoyed look "you really are Bran the Bright aren't you?" Loki sniffed arrogantly before turning to back to the parchment "It's Lord Bran the Bright to you," he said causing his brother to laugh at him.

And for the next couple of hours before Robb and he went to bed, they discussed ways to improve the North even further. Loki was impressed by his brother's untapped intellect and wondered why he had never used it before. Both Loki and Robb were completely unaware of the presence of their father in the doorway, who had heard their entire conversation, and was watching them smiling proudly at the pair of them.

That evening Loki found himself unable to sleep. After wishing Robb goodnight he had gone to his chambers only to find himself restless once more. Perhaps it had something to do with the raging thunderstorm taking place outside, the constant rattling of the thunder and flashes of lightning filling Loki with a feeling of unease. A small, childish part of Loki flinched with each bang of thunder, fearing that it was Thor arriving to take him back home to a life of misery.

Loki grumbled as another bang hit, before crawling out of bed. Quickly casting an invisibility spell on himself he made his way out of his chamber and to the kitchen. Perhaps a glass of milk would calm his nerves? He had been getting increasingly better with his magic, through constant practice and the occasional prank on Sansa he was almost at the point he used to be.

Loki snuck through the dining room, cup of milk in hand when he spotted a none other than Theon Greyjoy sitting at the dining table nursing a cup of Mead in his hand. Loki paused. He had never got on with Theon. He never truly knew why. Perhaps it was due to him being a constant reminder of Loki's past? They both after all were taken from their original homes to bring peace. Or perhaps it was because he knew what They would become in order to gain recognition. Either way he had never gotten on with Theon. Perhaps it was time to change that.

Loki removed the enchantment on himself before speaking "You know it's a little late to be out of bed." Theon jumped before turning to face him, scowling like he usually did "Go back to sleep Bookworm," he snarled before turning back to his mead. So he was drunk, Loki decided. "Why are you up so late?" he asked sitting beside him. Theon grumbled. "Is it because of Ros?" Loki asked, knowing all about Theon's favourite whore."

"No!" Theon snarled. So it was then. Loki internally sighed, realising he was going to have to attempt to comfort another self conscious teenager tonight. "You know, you don't have to go sleeping around with whores to find attention here," he said softly causing Theon to look down at him angrily. "And what do you know about not having attention Lord Bookworm?" Theon sneared. Loki fought the urge to stab him. Again. "I know you feel inferior here," he told him causing Theon to stop drinking "I know you constantly fighting with who you were and who you are now."

Theon was silent for a moment. "I know who I am," he said softly. "I know I'm a Greyjoy." Loki tilted his head "your not just a Greyjoy though are you Theon?" he asked causing him to look at him once more "You're a Stark as well." "No I'm not," Theon said gruffly "I'll never be a Stark you Northerners have made that pretty clear." Loki sighed as he noticed the hurt in Theon's eyes.

"You know Robb was born in the Riverlands during the Rebellion," he told Theon causing him to look at him in shock "He wasn't born in Winterfell yet he'll always be considered a Stark," Loki got up and faced away from Theon, a contemplative look on his face "Ever since you came here you've been fighting with yourself about whether your a Greyjoy or a Stark," Loki turned back to face Theon, who was looking at him in astonishment "why can't you be both?"

Loki waited for Theon to reply. Upon not getting one he turned away once more and began walking to the door. "Bran?" Theon called causing him to turn to face him. Theon's lip twitched up "thank you," Loki smiled causing Theon's smile to become a bit more mischievous "now get out of here you little shit." Loki smirked "Try not drown yourself in that mead Kraken head." As Loki walked out of the dining Hall and towards his chambers, ignoring the echo of Theon's laughter, he noticed that the storm had passed. Loki paused before looking around. Determining he was alone Loki headed to the Godswood removing the enchantment on him keeping his Frost Giant features hidden. Perhaps it was time he followed his own advice. Perhaps it was time he acknowledged his Frost Giant roots.

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