To Trust A Snake, Book 1

by LerenLoki

The words slip out of my mouth before I can stop them but thankfully Loki doesn't question it, just gazes at me. Suddenly, the princes blue eyes look like tiny shards of ice and his pale skin far too much like white snow. How could he be the one that I had dreamed off my entire life? *Hey guys, just a little Loki drama. P.s. This is not a romance story.*

Prologue

I watch as my six year old brother, Aiden, scribbles on a piece of paper, broken crayons slipping off the table as he flings his hand from side to side. Our mother stands in the kitchen, hardly paying attention to me or or my brother. The sun is falling behind some of the taller buildings creating a pretty silhouette encased in a swirl of fiery colors.

"Mom I-"

"Don't call me mom, my name is Kathryne." The slight woman snorts, hardly looking at me.

"Oh, Kathryne, look what I drew." I hold up a paper that contains a swirl of colors and the silhouette of the buildings but she doesn't even give it a glance, not seeming to be able to tear her gaze away from her phone.

"Yes, very good." She says, her eyes still fixed on the phone. Aiden glances at me and shakes his head before turning to our mom.

"You didn't even look." He says indignantly. Kathryne turns around and squints at him.

"Mommy knows in her heart that your sister drew a good picture." She says sweetly, I clench my teeth. Why does she care about him more than me? I think. What could my father have done that was so bad? I've always wondered who my father is and what he did to make my mother hate me so much.

All I've ever known is Aiden's father who's hardly ever around and when he is, only gives a gruff 'hello Aiden' or 'don't touch my stuff Aiden'. He's never once said a word to me, or more than glanced at me which is an upgrade to the abusive ways of my mother.

"Mo- Kathryne?" I say, correcting myself quickly. She glares at me for a moment before looking back at her phone.

"What." She says, uninterested.

"I want to know who my father is." She looks up suddenly, her expression serious.

"I've already told you, he's gone. You're not ready to know yet." She says, surprisingly turning her phone off and continuing to look at me. I hold my head high, dropping my crayons and folding my hands neatly on the table.

"I might only be nine but I think I'm ready, how could no more than my father's name hurt me?" I say confidently. She shakes her head and looks at the ground, which I've never seen her do before. To be honest, it kinda scares me. Aiden looks at me and gives the motion to continue questioning her, he might be five but he is super intelligent for his age.

"Not yet." She sighs before I even have time to say another word. I dare not say more because 'not yet' is a major improvment to, 'shut your stupid little face'. I look at Aiden who is reflecting my happyish expression.

"Ok, Aiden and I are going to our room." I say, leaping out of my chair and skidding towards one of the three rooms in our small apartment. One is a bathroom, one is the parent's room and the other, really no more than a large closet, is mine and Aiden's to share.

"She actually might tell us!" Aiden says excitedly, climbing into his bed. I nod happily and climb into mine which is actually just a yoga mat on the floor with a sweatshirt for a pillow. I pull an old rug over myself and close my eyes before a thought strikes me.

"What if he really is awful?" I say, worry creeping into my voice. "What if he's a criminal or a… Aiden, what if he's like a supervillain or something?" I say, fear suddenly overwhelming me. "What if he doesn't even like me?"

"Or something." Aiden says with a smile. "I bet he'll love you more than Kathy does, she doesn't even let us call her mom. And I bet he's way cooler than my dad, he's only a plumber." Aiden says reassuringly. "What if he's a superhero?" I nod and force a smile although he can't even see it through the shadows of the room. The sun must have fallen far behind the buildings now and I can't see a thing, there's not a window in this room. I close my eyes again, forcing only the good thoughts of my mysterious father to stay in my mind. As I drift off, the only thing I see is the red and orange masterpiece of the sky, flickering into darkness.

Chapter 1

I pull my backpack over my shoulder and stifle a laugh as Aiden skids through the kitchen with his socks pointing finger guns at me. I roll my eyes as he walks over to me and turn to open the door. I almost fall forwards when it opens in front of me and something slams into me, knocking me backwards instead. As I fall onto my back I don't have time to slide aside before Aiden's father purposely stomps on my hand. I let out a cry of pain and yank my hand away from his boot.

I grip my hand as he saunters through the kitchen with a deep throated laugh. Aiden stares after him and the moment he disappears he reaches down and helps me to my feet but when he grasp's my injured hand a jolt of pain ripples through it and I yank it away with a yelp.

"I'm sorry! Are you ok?" Aiden says quickly, pulling his own hand's away. I nod quickly, fighting back tears and push my way through the doorway. I've always had a way with vanishing, losing Aiden in a crowd of college students I make my way to school.

I sit head high as my teacher, Mrs. Chain, tangents about time travel and how it might be possible and wormholes and stuff. I can't really pay attention due to the fact that my hand has swelled up about twice its size and hurts like heck.

"Recess time, class." Mrs. Chain calls, slipping out of the room. I leap out of my seat and slide amongst the other student's in my class until I've reached the blacktop and come to a stop to examine my hand which is throbbing. I wince as I touch it and look back up to find myself face to face with Eli widdle, the rich kid.

"Hey, Leren, what happened? Did you get stung by a gigantic bee?" He mocks, I glare at him and turn to leave but he grabs my hand and I yelp again, yanking it away. "Awww, poor Leren got hurt!" He shouts, giving me a shove. I stumble and fall to the ground and bite back another cry of pain as a crowd gathers around Eli and I.

"Cut it out Eli." I hiss, glaring up at him. He snorts and digs his foot into my hand and I can't help but cry out again until I notice he has very expensive white shoe's on. I remember him talking about his new Vans which are the coolest shoes in school and stop yelling but continue to rub my hand gently. I glance around quickly as I let out a mournful scream and spot wet tar that was just spread out yesterday. Is it still wet? I wonder, continuing to cry out as Eli laughs. It's all I have, my one shot.

I rest my hand on the ground, sort of as bait for him to try and step on it again. Sure enough he tries and when his foot lands I jerk my hand away and lunge for the crack in the blacktop. I yank out a handful of the blag goop and slap it onto his shoes before he has time to move. He lets out a gasp that echoes around us and locks eyes with me.

"Do you know how much these cost?" He hisses.

"Oh no, I must have forgotten since the last million times you told us." I snarl, pulling my hand back before he can stomp on it again.

"Get up and fight!" He says suddenly, balling up his fists. "Get up!" He yells when I don't move. I shift my weight onto my fingers so that my left hand doesn't hurt as much and shift my feet ever so slightly onto my toes. "What, are you scared?" He sneers. I'm done with this. So done. I glance around and find Aiden's face among the crowd, grinning. He knows this is the pose I get into before I leap to my feet, we've fought many times.

Before he can say another nasty word I spring to my feet and punch him right in the gut, stumbling backwards he falls into the crowd and lands with a thud on his butt. I grin and turn my side to him so I can block any attacks better.

"That was a mistake." He's taller than me but skinnier and launches himself back at me, I slide to the side and he smacks some poor second grader in the jaw. I don't have time to worry about it and palm strike him in the side of the head before he can even pull his hand away from the second grader. He slides unconsciously to his back and the other kids stumble back with gasps of astonishment. I let my hand's fall to my sides and dart away, Aiden close behind me.

"Wow, I've never seen you do that!" He says excitedly as I skid to a stop under a tree and nod, panting. We don't have a very big field but there's at least four tree's in a small area that provides shelter. I glance under the branches and I see one of the school nurses kneeling beside Eli, still slumped on the blacktop. I see the kid that got punched by him run up to the nurse, clutching his face, and point in my direction.

"They'll find me, I can't hide forever." I mutter, lowering my head to Aiden.

"Uhhh, yes you can. You're like the best at hide and seek, tag and apparently fighting too. And you know what? I just realized something." He says, resting his hand on my shoulder. I look back up at him, my hand screaming from the pain of being stomped on over and over.

"What." I sigh, glancing at my hand which is now shaking.

"You're father must have been pretty cool because Kathy will never be half of what you are right now." I smile, his words are kind and quiet, just like him.

"But I bet he wasn't a liar." I sigh, watching as the nurse and the kid make their way toward us.

"He might have been?" Aiden suggests, knowing all too well that I'm not changing my opinion. "Ok, I'm not part of this, I'll see you at home." I nod and race directly towards them, knowing I'll be in a lot of trouble.

"It was me, I did it." I say bluntly, remembering the one piece of advice that Kathrine gave me that wasn't half bad. "My mother used to say that you should never start a fight but if someone starts one with you, finish it. He attacked me first. I'm sorry." I say quickly, pulling my hand up to my chest and clutching it, I let out a small yelp of pain as the nurse yanks it away from me and stares at it wide eyed.

"Did Eli do this?" She says with a gasp.

"Yea." I say after a moment's hesitation. It's not entirely a lie, he did do this only after Aiden's father did.

"We need to get this X-rayed." The next thing I know I'm in the nurse's office being examined. I flinch as she touches my hand lightly and resist pulling away.

"I-is it going to be ok?" I say after a while of her touching it. She hesitates and holds up one of the photos. I raise my eyebrows, unsure of what all the black and white markings mean so she point's to a mess of tiny fragments.

"It will never truly be the same, all of the bones in your hand besides fingers have shattered. It will heal but you'll always have pain there when you put pressure on it." I let my jaw drop and feel my whole body begin to shake.

"But…" I whisper, unsure of what to say, knowing no words could ever describe how I feel. Instead, I feel my gaze turning to focus on Eli who's sitting on the bench adjacent to me, he's not grinning as I'd thought he would be, he just looks sorry.

"I'm going to call your parents-"

"No!" I yell, not caring how she reacts. I turn to Eli who looks up, his blue gaze round with worry and his head low in submission. "This is your doing!" I snarl, getting to my feet and starting towards him. He slides backwards and pushes his back against the wall, fear in his eyes. "Why would you ever think of picking on me in the first place?"

"I-I didn't know you would… knock me out lets say." He whispers, pulling his knees up to his chest. "I'm sorry ok? I just… I saved up so much money to buy those shoes." I stop, inches from punching him again on two accounts. One, why the nurse isn't stepping in and two… He didn't save up for those shoes, his parents are rich. He's lying to my face now?

"No-" Before I have time to argue he cuts me off.

"Now before you say I'm lying, let me tell you that my parents don't give me any money. Ever. I only get money on special occasions and I have to buy my own shoes, clothes and whatever else I can afford on the side. I just… I got really mad because this took me almost a year to save up for." He says quickly, his blue eyes round with sorrow.

I don't say anything, unsure of what I could say in a situation like this. Instead I pull my arm back and step away, head low. He watches me as I struggle back onto the bench and stare at my hand and we don't speak until my mother, Aiden's father and his parents show up. Dispite my protest the nurse must have called the, that's why she was out of the room. I even notice Aiden has found some excuse to sneak out of class and see me.

"What have you done Leren! You ruined this nice boy's shoes!" Kathy snarls, glaring at me. Eli's parent's watch me through narrowed eyes but don't say anything. I open my mouth, anger rising in my chest but before I can say a word Eli slides off his bench and walks over to me.

"She only did that because I destroyed her hand, which is fair." He says with a longing look at his shoes that sit on the bench. Glancing back he looks me in the eyes. "I deserved it."

"You… you're just a curse! A stupid accident!" I whip my head around to face Kathy who has completely ignored everything Eli said. "You should never have been born, your just like your father!" I glare at her, my whole body beginning to shake with anger and pain.

"Then tell me who he is!" I yell, getting awkwardly off of the bench and facing her, anger flooding my gaze. The nurse had left the room a while ago and I don't really care if Eli hears us arguing so I continue. "Who is my father." I growl.

"Your father is Loki, that good for nothing prince of Asgard." Kathy snarls. "Why don't you just go off and live with him!"

"He's not even real! Thor, Loki, they're just myths!" I yell, glaring at her. Who does she think my father is?

"Oh he's real alright." Kathy snarls.

"W-what?" It takes me a moment to comprehend this but Kathy, no matter how cruel, has never been one for lying. It takes all my will power to force audity into my voice. "No… no no, he's not... I'm not…" I feel tears welling up in my eyes and force myself past her and the other parents. Eli's parents weren't in the room, thank goodness, but Eli was and now he knows… he knows the awful truth.

I race through the halls and out of the school and keep running, and running and running until I reach a thin alleyway between two buildings. I slump to the ground and rest my head on my knees as sobs rack my body.

"How could he be my father!" I yell to no one in particular. After a moment of just staring up at the sky I remember something I learned in second grade. Can't members of the royal blood summon the Bifrost? I lower my head as I hear footsteps and a moment later see Aiden and Eli skid around the corner, a moment later, Kathy follows, anger in her eyes as she charges at me.

"Take me home!" I yell, backing away from them. Bright lights encase me and I widen my eyes in shock. The last thing I see is Aiden's appalled face as a whirl of lights whisk me away.

Chapter 2

I find myself on my hands and knees, gasping for breath. I have absolutely no idea what just happened, only that now I must be on Asgard.

"Who are you." I'm greeted by a man with astonishingly golden eyes and I stumble back with a gasp.

"I… I'm Leren." I say quietly as the man stares at me.

"I see all, I know all and today I'm going to pretend I didn't see you." The man whispers, bringing a finger up to his lips. I nod quickly and realize who this must be. It's Heimdall, he's right, he sees all and he must know what just happened. I turn around to give him a nod of thanks and make my way down the legendary rainbow bridge. The lights flicker under my feet and when I reach the end I hesitate before I take a step off.

I glance around, awestruck, at the beautiful golden buildings around me and walk slowly through the city. A few oddly dressed people give me weird looks and I realize that to them, I'm the one who's oddly dressed. I smile at them as I pass but my mind is really on what the heck I'm going to do now. I can't just walk up to Loki and expect him to welcome me with open arms. There's no way he'll ever do that. I'm so caught up staring around at the buildings that I stumble into a tall dark haired woman.

"I'm so sorry, I wasn't paying attention." I say quickly, the woman searches me up and down but doesn't move.

"Where are your parents." She says finally in a curt manner.

"I don't have any." I say slowly. She narrows her eyes at me and examines me again before deciding something.

"You're mine now." She says matter of factly. Is this how it works on Asgard? I open my mouth to protest but then realize that this might be good. If I have somewhere to sleep at night I have more time to find Loki and figure out what I'm going to do and less about where to stay. I smile and thank her as she leads me back to one of the huge golden buildings.

I stare up at it and wonder why they would build it to end in a point. Most of the buildings do and it sure looks good but I'm unsure of it at first. The woman introduces me to her husband who nods to me and doesn't say much more and gives me a small room. She doesn't have any children so that's a plus.

"Just don't mess with anything." She says curtly, leaving me in my new room. I glance around and smile. It's not even that bad. I think to myself. She isn't necessarily warm but she has to be better than Kathy.

The next day I don't have anything to do because my new mother, who's name is Neveah, never told me exactly what to do so now I'm sitting on a weird metal stool in the middle of a square filled with people. I feel something hard hit my hand and pull it away with a squeak of surprise and pain and remember that it's still broken.

"Who are you?" I turn and see four boys with armfulls of strange glistening stones and mischievous grins.

"I'm Leren." I say shakily, remembering Eli. This time it's four to one and I have a broken hand witch really stings.

"Hi Leren, eat this!" The lead boy shouts, all the boys begin launching the hard glittery stones at me. They have impeccable aim and they seem to have noticed my hand, I ball up on the floor as a few groups of parents gather around, unsure of what to do.

"Not again!" I mutter as stone after stone strikes me. Then I hear the sound of metal against stone and look up to see that one of them is holding a sword. They have weapons now! I think frantically.

"Get up and fight." The lead hisses. I can't do this. There's no way I can beat them all! I think with horror. I should never have come to Asgard. I twist onto my finger and slowly push myself up a bit. With a grunt I manage to get into a crouching position and with another excruciating motion, I'm on my feet.

"I'm not going to die today, and when I do it will not be at the hands of fiends like you." I hiss. Facing the boys I take a deep breath and ball up my fists. The boy raises the sword. I stare him down and I grit my teeth. I dodge back as he swings but I needn't have. I blink and the moment I open my eyes something black and green appears. I gasp but hold my guard as Loki turns around to face me.

"Who claims this child?" He says, glancing around the crowd. I find Neveah's blank expression and realize she's not going to claim me. "Let your guard down." I do as he says and let my hands fall to my sides and lower my head in shame. "No one claims this child?" He waits a moment more and then turns back to me. "Then I guess she's mine."

"Excuse me?" I say with shock, raising my head.

"I said your mine now." He repeats, I glance at Neveah who I notice is jostling her way through the small crowd.

"She's mine!" She says, Loki turns to her with a frown.

"If you didn't want her then, you won't want her now." He says with a challenging look, nodding to the castle. I freeze for a moment as I gaze up at the shimmering golden sides before following him nervously. Well, I guess that's how I find him. I watch as he leads me to it and then turns towards the cliffs on the other side but I continue without question.

"What is this place?" I whisper as he leads me into a small cave.

"I can't exactly let you into the castle, you can stay here." Well, it's not really an upgrade from a real house but at least I get my own room. With a nod, he vanishes as suddenly as he had appeared and I take a seat on a shelf of rock that sticks out from the back of it.

Over the course of four days, I find food hidden near the front of the cave but Loki never appears. I sit, toying with pebbles and wondering if this is really my life now until the fifth day. He appears without food and not as silently as he had the other four times, his blue eyes betray that somethings not right.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"My mother found out, she wants to meet you." He says with annoyance.

"I don't see how that's so bad." I say with confusion.

"It's just annoying, if my father or Thor find out then you're done." He says, nodding to the mouth of the cave. "We best go before she tells them herself." I follow him into the castle without a word, afraid if I put one foot out of line something bad will happen.

"Ah, so this is Leren?" I hold my breath as I see that Thor in the back of the room spinning Mjolnir around. He looks up with a start and watches me with surprise. Loki doesn't look at his brother at all as he stares at Frigga with a very annoyed looking smile.

"Yes." He sighs.

"Oh do sit down you two." She says, pointing to two chairs near her. I'm feeling rather uncomfortable as Thor watches us with utter confusion but I am grateful for Frigga's kindness.

"Loki?" Thor says after a while of awkwardness.

"Why did you tell him." Loki hisses through his teeth.

"You're brothers, I think it's fine."

"He's going to tell Odin." Loki says a bit louder.

"No I'm not, and I can hear you." Thor says. "Why is this girl here?"

"I'm letting her shelter in a cave under the castle." Loki mutters.

"What?" Thor says. I know he heard him. He's just trying to make him mad.

"You heard me, brother." Loki snorts.

"It just doesn't seem like you." Thor says. "You sure she's not a snake?" Loki mutters something and stands up.

"She's going back to her cave-" He starts

"Cave? No no, she's staying here." Frigga says, standing up as well. I stand too, being the only one sitting, and fold my hands behind my back. "She can have a room on one of the lower levels, Odin needn't know." She adds with a sideways glance at Thor. He stares at her in utter confusion but nods.

"I just… you adopted a… a commoner?" Thor says with an amused snort. Loki opens his mouth to say something but then looks down and glances at me. Did I just get adopted by someone I just realized was real yesterday? I realize two more things and force myself not to have another breakdown. I just got adopted by my real father… The god of mischief is my real father.

"I guess I did." He mutters.

"I'll show you to your quarters." I turn and see Frigga and follow her towards the door. We walk back down a few corridors and down two floors until I'm facing a light brown door with a silver lock. "This room hasn't been used in ages." The brown door opens to reveal a dark ebony brown room with gold linings. There's a small bed in the corner with a red velvet blanket and I can't suppress a gasp of amazement. Other than the thin layer of dust it's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.

"Wow." I murmur. "Thank you so much." I turn to Frigga who has a knowing look in her eyes. "Is something the matter?"

"Oh no." She says kindly. "Nothing's wrong, I've always wanted a daughter, a granddaughter at that. You look quite a bit like him don't you?" She doesn't say it but I'm fairly sure she knows as well. "You're just what Loki needs. I'll leave you to do what you must then." She gives me a nod and closes the door behind her.

I turn and look around. There's a giant window on one side and an old wardrobe on the opposite to the bed. Another door beside the wardrobe must open to a closet and I decide to take a look and see what 'Asgardian' things I can wear.

I dig around, passing on several brightly colored things until I see a flash of black and white. I pull it out and hold it up, it's a long robe that opens up in the front sort of like a long shawl. It's white with black edges and has a hood, which I like. I pick out a simple black shirt and pants and slip it on, I turn and pick up a black pelt and connect the two sides of the robe with it and move around. It's like it was just waiting here for me. It's so beautiful and comfortable at the same time. I think happily.

I make my way to the door and open it before heading down the halls again. Once I'm outside, my feet take me back to my old cave and I sit down on the ledge. So much has happened in a weak. More than I'd ever imagine. My mind wanders and I find myself thinking about Aiden and my happiness fades.

"I'll see you again one day, Aiden."

Chapter 3

"You can't be serious, brother." Thor laughs. I close my eyes for a moment, wondering if I really am sure. Yes. I'm very sure.

"Yes, Thor. Yes I am sure." I hiss, flashing my gaze back up to him. I hold his mocking gaze for a few moments before he looks away.

"Why is that. How are you so sure that you can handle a child?"

"Because she's tough, she's a survivor I'm sure of it." I say, meeting his gaze evenly.

"Yes but how are you sure? What did she do that was so 'tough'?" Thor asks, the mockery leaving his tone.

"When I was out the other day, I saw a bunch of kids fighting and noticed they were fighting a girl. I didn't care at first-"

"So like you, Loki."

"I thought you wanted to hear." I say defensively.

"Yes, go on."

"I've seen those boys kill, many times and I've never bothered to do anything. This time though, the girl got up. She said this, 'I'm not going to die today, and when I do it will not be at the hands of fiends like you.'" Thor squints at me but says nothing.

"Alright, we'll see how long you can keep her alive, although I don't understand why she would want to hang out with you and not me." He says with a grin. I punch him weakly and smile back.

"I do." I say mischievously.

"Oh?" Thor says challengingly.

"Because I'm the one who saved her." I say with a grin.

"Hey! I wasn't even there!" Thor yells indignantly. "That's not fair, she would like me better if I was the one who saved her."

"But you weren't," I add innocently. Thor shakes his head and sighs before getting up and heading for the doors.

"Alright, you have fun wooing little girls, I have better things to do." I snort and stand up.

"I did not woo her, brother. Do not mistake my kindness for wooing." I call after him jokingly. Then a thought strikes me. She would like him better if he was the one to save her. I frown as I realize something else. She probably likes him more right now even. Why should anyone love me?

"Loki." I jump at my mother's voice and turn around. He knowing gaze tells me that she somehow knows what I was thinking.

"Why does everyone favor Thor?" I say, not even feeling angry. I should just accept it by now. I think. Frigga gives me a look as though she's unwilling to tell me anything and instead opens her arms to me for a hug. I don't hesitate to lean into her gentle grasp and rest my chin on her shoulder.

"You'll always be my favorite." Frigga whispers. I open my eyes, confusion setting in before I realize what she means. I'm her favorite son. "I'm your mother just as Odin is Thor's father. You'll always be my son." You'll always be my son. My mother's words echo in my mind as she holds me and we just stand there as though glued together. It's as though she's claiming me. I'm her's and Thor is Odin's and that's how it always will be.

Chapter 4

I take a deep breath as I gaze up at the golden castle walls. I'm still not entirely used to going in yet and it's been two weeks. I'm nervous as I pass the two guards out front and I still feel weird as they let me pass.

I slide down the stairs to my room and take a seat on my bed. I glance out the window and notice the colors of the Bifrost flash for an instant between two mountains. A small black ship that looks a bit like a boat soars across the water and I lose sight of it as it dips below the trees.

"Ah, Leren." Frigga's voice startles me and I turn away from the window quickly. She gives me a funny look but doesn't question me.

"Greetings Frigga." I say, dipping my head awkwardly.

"You haven't seen Loki have you?" She says, the look on her face tells me she genuinely doesn't know. "Thor is to be kinged tomorrow and I need to make sure he's prepared." Maybe I'm imagining it but there's a hint of regret in Frigga's voice. Thor is to be kinged? I stiffen. And by the way Frigga said it… I don't think Loki knows.

"Why Thor?" I say hesitantly, not wanting to seem rude.

"For many reasons." Frigga says vaguely.

"Many?" I say, a hint of challenge to my tone.

"A few." She says. "Honestly I believe Loki would be a better king but…" She stops and shakes her head. "Odin chose Thor, that's final."

"Can't you tell me?" I say, wanting to know at least a bit more about my family.

"Let's sit down." Frigga says after a while. I follow her with my eyes as she takes a seat on my bed beside me. "I can't have you know. It affects you as well." She says slowly.

"If it affects me why shouldn't I know?" I counter. Frigga eyes me for a while before she smiles.

"You're so much like your father." She says fondly, seeming to forget my question.

"Yes." I say. "I don't want him to know yet. I mean, about me." I say quietly.

"Of course, just as I don't want either of you to know my secret." It's like she got me to say that just so she could counter it. I think. I can see how she's my grandmother.

"Ok. If it's really that bad…" I say jokingly, Frigga forces a smile and nods.

"I best go find my boys." She sighs. I watch her pace carefully as she heads towards the door, she walks in a sort of neat way that seems to command respect. "Let me know if you see them."

"Ok." I say, standing up as well. I find my mind wandering back to the mysterious ship and I head back to the window. Nothing. There's no sign of the black object even as I search around with my eyes. Even if I knew every inch of this place I doubt I'd be able to see it now yet something is nagging at me.

Maybe it's the fact that something serious about myself is held just out of reach, or maybe it's the fact that I know the person driving that ship was Loki.

Chapter 5

I can feel sweat sliding down my forehead as I make my way as silently as possible to my room. I can still feel Laufey's icy gaze eyeing me as I explain my plan. How could they choose Thor over me? I think miserably. I'd make a far better king! I'm smarter than him, far smarter and I feel that under his rule I would be highly overlooked. More so then I already am. I shake the thoughts from my head as I slide into my room. I shut the door quietly and turn around.

"Ah, there he is." I freeze at the sound of my father. Does he know about Leren? I think suddenly. Did Thor tell him? I say nothing as my father's disapproving eyes watch me from the corner of the room. "Your brother has been chosen as king, he will be crowned tomorrow at sunhigh." Odin's voice is steady and confident yet his gaze is as disapproving as ever.

"Why not me." I say, letting my anger flow into my voice. "Why is it that Thor was chosen over me?" Odin hesitates for a moment and I hold his gaze.

"I have chosen Thor because I believe he will lead Asgard to a great destiny. I feel it in my gut. My son-"

"That's not a reason. That's an opinion." I growl with frustration. "You're choosing the next kind of Asgard based on a gut feeling?"

"You are not one to question-"

"But I would be if I was king! Give me a chance, just give me this one chance." I beg. "Please, father."

"No Loki." He says almost an instant after I've finished, which of course makes me angrier.

"You're so quick to reject me, but you're so open to choosing Thor. He's arrogant and rude, he's reckless. He is Asgard's doom, if not me, choose someone else." I never wanted to be king, I just want to be my brother's equal but if he's made king we'll never be even close to the same.

"I have no other children to take my place." Odin says, his voice sounds strained almost as though he's lying. I squint at him, confused but I highly doubt he has another child hidden somewhere.

I let out a defeated sigh, lowering my head I step out of the way as the All-Father walks past me indignantly. I can't help but see my brother's arrogant stride in my father's purposeful steps, and in the way he holds his head high.

"Tomorrow. You will attend, Loki." He says as he makes his way through the doorway.

"Do I have a choice?" I say weakly. Odin stops and tilts his head to the side, not enough to see me, just for dramatic effect I suppose.

"No." He says curtly. I shut the door, maybe a little harder than needed, and slump down in a chair. I let out a sad sigh and fold my hands neatly on my lap. I'm still a prince, but I'll never be a king. I think sadly. We'll never be equal Thor, are you happy now?

Soft footsteps sound from outside of my door and I glance up, half expecting to see Odin before realizing that his steps are more of stomps, not the soft and steady pace of these. Frigga walks in and I already feel some of my sorrow vanish.

"Mother." I say with a half smile. She closes the door behind her and sits beside me on the bed.

"I believe Odin has told you about your brother's coronation." I cringe and feel defeated once again. "For what it's worth, I believe you'd be a better king." My mother's words are soft and I can feel the truthfulness in the gentle way she rests her hand on my shoulder.

"To me it's worth quite a bit." I say. "Why doesn't Odin like me? No matter how hard I try, no matter what I do I'm never good enough for him. I just don't get it." I'm not angry when I say this, although I should be. Frigga opens her mouth to say something, but thinks better of it and instead just squeezes my shoulder.

"You'll always be my son, Loki. Maybe not a king, but you'll still be my son." I clench my teeth and nod, a little upset that I've been bested by my brother, again, but I know that I'll always have our mother on my side. Which is far greater than any crown. "Please be there, for Thor's sake."

"Father said I didn't have a choice." I grumble.

"Well, at least go there as though it's your choice. Support him." I nod as she gets up and heads for the door. She pauses at the handle as though thinking something over. "You should bring Leren."

"What?" I say, shocked that she would suggest that. "If Odin see's her he'll-"

"Odin won't see her, he'll be too focused on Thor." Frigga says, turning around. "She's your daughter now, she's your responsibility."

"If she's my responsibility why don't I get to make the choice?" I say challengingly. Frigga looks as though she's about to say something before looking as though she's remembering a funny memory and stops. "What." I say.

"Nothing." She shakes her head quickly and looks back at me. "It can be your choice, but I think she should be there." She opens the door and as she's about to open it I decide that my mother is right.

"Fine." I say. I can tell she's smiling even though I can't see her face.

"Good." She says shortly, closing the door behind her. I hope father doesn't see her. Who knows what he'll do. I think, worry finding its way into my thoughts. If he's already disappointed in me, he'll surely be angry that I've taken in a commoner.

Chapter 6

I'm still sitting on my bed when Loki opens the door, I'm not really surprised by it since he's probably angry about Thor's coronation but I have no Idea why he would come to me.

"Leren." He says walking over to me. He stops in front of the window, hands folded behind his back and I can tell he's definitely been told about Thor. "I'd like you to attend my brother's coronation." I'm caught off guard by this request, I've only been on Asgard about three weeks now and one of the princes is asking if I'd like to attend a coronation. Even if I am truly royalty, he doesn't know that.

"What if Odin see's me?" I say, worriedly.

"He won't, he'll be too focused on his heir." He says the word 'heir' with a hint of mockery in his tone. "The queen has specifically requested your presence." Frigga wants me to be there? I think with surprise. Well I guess I have no choice.

"Are you sure you want me there?" I hesitate before saying slowly. "Do you even want to be there yourself?" Loki hesitates.

"I have no choice." He sighs. "But there may be an... interference." He adds vaguely.

"It was you wasn't it." I say.

"Beg your pardon?" He says, turning around.

"It was you, you were driving that ship." He stops, looking surprised.

"How did you know?" He says, questioningly.

"I was looking out the window. Thank the gods Frigga didn't see." I say.

"I was talking to someone… someone on Jotunheim." I hold my breath, knowing what he's going to say but begging it not to be true. "I've requested that Laufey send a few of his own to attend the coronation."

"Why?" I say. "To kill Thor? To put a stop to the coronation?"

"Perhaps." He says. "Will you be there." I hesitate, I don't think I really have a choice.

"Yes." I say. He nods and heads back to the door. He says nothing as he leaves and I have nothing left to ask so I just sit there, watching the light fade from Asgard.

The next day I pull my hood over my head and make my way to Thor's coronation, desperately hoping Odin doesn't see me. I push my way through a number of people and realize with a rush of relief that most of the people gathered are commoners. I still feel that I should be with my father but instead settle with being in the front of the crowd. People are cheering as Loki makes his way down the aisle with Frigga. They walk to the left of Odin, Loki takes his place on the second step and Frigga on the first. A woman that I do not recognize stands behind them and slightly below, her shining armor tells me that she is a warrior.

Finally, the crowd is yelling louder than ever as Thor stands on the other side of the room, holding Mjolnir high. Loki's smile fades and instead he looks down at his feet. Thor walks down the aisle spinning Mjolnir and shouting things happily at the people. I can't tear my gaze away from Loki's broken expression and it takes all my willpower not to turn and flee. I can't see Thor's face but by the way Frigga shakes her head at him I can tell he did something disrespectful. Odin hits a golden gong and everyone falls silent.

"Thor." He says, his voice quiet. "My first born, my heir." He looks slightly regretful when he says 'first born' and I see Frigga look away for a moment. I'm not entirely paying attention to what Odin is saying as I'm too focused on when the Frost Giants will appear, and where. "I proclaim you-" Odin pauses as I hear a faint sound, he must have heard it too. "Frost Giants."

Oh no… I finally realize where they are. They're in the vault! I can't handle Loki's mixed expressions any more, and the fact that he sent them here. We lock eyes for only a moment before I sink back into the crowd. I see my father push the woman to his right aside and start after me but I know he'll never catch me if I don't want him too.

I wind down halls and through corridors until I find myself back outside, I hear footsteps behind me and turn to see someone running after me. I can't make out who it is because I'm running so fast, and because I only glanced back for a split second, but they're fast. I zigzag between buildings and trees and whatever is in my way until I realize that this person will catch me eventually. I skid to a stop and whip around to face my attacker.

It's not Loki and it's not Frigga, Odin or Thor but it's someone I don't recognize and of course she looks hostile. I clutch my hand which has begun to throb and glare at the woman. It's the same one that Loki almost knocked over, she must have seen him run after me and come after me herself.

"Who are you?" She growls.

"Who are you?" I retort, sliding into a defensive position. She has a sword and a shield and looks like an incredible fighter so I don't move. When she sees that I've realized I'm no match for her, and that I'm not in any position to attack, she lowers her sword.

"I am Lady Sif." She says, still looking distrustful. "Why did Loki run after you?"

"Why should I tell you." I growl defensively.

"Because I saved you the trouble of fighting him." If I tell her she might tell Odin and then I'd be done, but if I don't she'll figure out sooner or later and most definitely tell him. I raise my head high and rest my hands at my sides.

"I am Leren, daughter of Loki." I say. Sif looks utterly shocked and I use that moment to knock her sword out of her hand with one powerful kick. It falls onto the pavement with a clang and I scoop it up quickly. She holds the shield up defensively but I'm still not planning on fighting her. "I don't want a fight, if you'll allow me to leave I will cause you no trouble."

"I can see how you're related." She grunts. I don't correct her on the 'adopted' part because it's not actually true. "Who knows."

"Thor and Frigga. Odin needn't hear about this." I say, an edge to my voice. Sif hesitates before lowering the shield.

"The Frost Giants have been dealt with, if you care." Sif says.

"Good." I say a little awkwardly. She searches my gaze suspiciously for a moment and doesn't move out of my way.

"What do you know about them?" Sif hisses.

"Forgive me, but... are you accusing me of the Frost Giant incident?" I say, trying to sound offended. I can see in her eyes she doesn't trust me.

"That's what Loki would say, wouldn't he." She growls. "What did you do?"

"I did nothing wrong." I insist innocently.

"If you won't tell me, I'll tell Odin about you." Sif threatens. I stiffen and grip the sword tighter. If I strike her down now, she'll never have the chance to tell but if I miss… I stare at her, refusing silently to expose my father but not sure if I'd like to be exposed myself. It's me or him. I think.

"I did nothing wrong." I repeat firmly, locking eyes with her. She seems to understand what I mean and steps to the side, still looking uneasy.

"I'm watching you, Leren." I can tell that she doesn't believe that a close friend of hers would betray her like that but she's not ruling it out. I dip my head and follow her as she escorts me back to the palace. She makes me return her sword as well.

She seems to sense something and I spot Thor sitting on one of the steps that leads to his father's throne. Sif heads away from him and I see her talking to three other men who cast worried glances at Thor. I guess I understand why he's upset. I think. Then, silently Loki slides out from behind one of the pillars and takes a seat beside Thor. I hear Sif mutter something to the three other guys and they glance from me to Loki and nod.

I can't make out what Loki and Thor are saying but I assume it doesn't concern me. Sif leads the three guys towards them and Thor starts telling them how awesome he is or something. I sigh and turn away. I can feel Loki's icy gaze on my back before I disappear down the stairs and into my room, wondering what I'm going to do.

Chapter 7

I'm sitting silently on my bed when Sif charges in later that night. I turn around expecting her to attack me or try to take me prisoner but she looks really anxious.

"The All-Father has exiled Thor. He has gone into Odinsleep as well." My eyes widen with surprise and I follow out of my room and down a few halls. She stops outside the door and I stop too, gazing in warily. "Aren't you going in?" She says. I say nothing and walk in almost silently, not wanting to alert him. I know as well as anyone that Odin is completely aware of everything around him, even in this mystical slumber.

"Leren." I hear Frigga breathe. I still say nothing as I walk tentatively towards the sleeping king. I glance back up at Frigga who is giving me a sad but odd look.

"Is something wrong?" She shakes her head slowly, tears brimming at her eyes and I don't press her.

"Loki will tell you eventually." She says softly. He knows. Whatever secret Frigga was hiding from him he must have found it out. I hold my breath worriedly and back out of the room.

"Why was Thor exiled?" I ask quietly. Frigga holds my gaze but remains seated beside Odin, her hand clasping his.

"He went to Jutunhiem without Odin's permission and just about started a war with Laufey. He's been exiled to Midgard." Frigga sighs sadly. I can't imagine how she must feel, her son is gone and her king has fallen into Odinsleep unprepared. "Loki is king now." I'm caught off guard by her next words and I'm not entirely sure how I feel about them.

"Why?" I whisper. Frigga shakes her head as though she doesn't know and turns back to Odin.

"When he wakes he will know about you." Frigga says, ignoring my question. He knows about me now. I realize. I know from stories that you can see and hear whilst in Odinsleep and the All-Father has heard everything I've said. I dip my head respectfully and back out of the room, fear overwhelming me.

I make my way to the throne room and walk silently down the hall, I slide behind pillars until I've reached the throne. I hear someone move ever so slightly and I catch the glint of something gold and pointy. Well, the entire throne is gold idiot. I think, rolling my eyes. Then I notice that it's definitely Loki's helmet.

"Loki." I say, sidestepping out from behind a pillar. "I see your plan worked." I remark. Loki grins and twists Gungnir slyly.

"Indeed it did." He hisses. He wasn't like this before… what happened? I think. That secret must have been really powerful. "I am king now, Thor has been exiled and the All-Father has fallen into Odinsleep. What could be better."

"Did you plan for your father-" Loki cuts me off, his expression hardening. I can't tell if he's upset or sad or a mix of multiple but he definitely does not look pleased.

"He's not my father." He says quietly yet firmly.

"W-what?" I say, worry creeping into my tone. Loki eyes me as though he's asking himself, Why should you care?

"Odin isn't my father." Loki repeats. I can see Gungnir quivering ever so slightly and his voice sounds strained when he says this. "I was stolen from my rightful father by Odin."

"Who." I say, desperately hoping that it's just a random Asgardian or even someone from Earth. "Who is your father." Who is my grandfather.

"Laufey." Loki hisses, clutching Gungnir. "I'm a Frost Giant, Odin and Frigga have kept it from me for all this time." I can hear anger creeping into his voice but his blue eyes just look pained.

"I'm half Frost Giant." The words slip out of my mouth before I can stop them but thankfully Loki doesn't question it, just gazes at me. Suddenly the princes blue eyes look like tiny shards of ice and his pale skin far too much like snow. My father's a Frost Giant.

Chapter 8

What am I meant to do now? I think. I half staggered half marched down the halls until I reached my room, silently hoping that this is all a dream. Or a nightmare. I think darkly. Only a few weeks ago I knew not my father's name, let alone his heritage and I was at least safe with my mother, my brother and his father. Now I know I'm not. If Loki finds out that I am in fact is daughter, I'm afraid of what he'll do. Not only to Asgard and probably Midgard, but to himself and me.

"Leren?" I hear the door creek open and I know from the gentle tone that it's Frigga. I'm touched that she left Odin to see me, even if only for a moment. I keep my eyes locked onto tall shiny building in the distance. "What are you going to do now?" Her question surprises me but I don't have enough energy to look upset or even the slightest bit bewildered.

"What is there to do?" I say simply, emotion thickly laced in my tone. I hear footsteps and feel Frigga's kind hand on my shoulder. I don't resist and it's probably the most loving thing I've felt since I got here. No, since I was born. I think hastily, remembering my mother's harsh tone and angry movements forever burned into my memory. "Thank you."

"For what dear?" Frigga murmurs. I glance up at her and put on a simple half smile.

"For being here. For being someone I can trust and talk to." Frigga smiles at me and pulls me in for a hug. I embrace her without a second thought and the warmth of her arms reminds me just how lucky I am to have someone as understanding and gentle as her. "I don't care that you're not my true family, you can be my grandmother all the same." I pull away from her and see that tears of both sorrow and joy have entered her eyes.

"You're a wonderful young girl aren't you?" She says with a slight laugh. "If you ever want to learn the tricks your father knows, just focus and I'll show you." I say nothing and watch her as she leaves the room and my smile fades. What do I do now? Fear re-enters my thoughts at the image of Loki's furious face at the mention of my true bloodline. I'm not safe here but I can't just leave. I pause. No, I wont just leave.

"I'll stay here until he truly knows." I freeze at the sound of a door and hope desperately that it was just Frigga.

"Who knows what?" I turn at the sound of Loki's voice and cold fear engulfs me once again. What am I going to do! I think desperately. He watches me intently holding Gungnir but at least he doesn't look suspicious of me at all. Oh gosh Leren, if you screw this up now it's over. I think to myself.

"Oh... er... I just hope Odin doesn't figure out I'm here." I suppress a sigh of relief at the unconcerned look in his frosty blue eyes.

"Indeed." He says. "I was just going to check on you, tell me if you need anything." I smile and nod to him and he leaves. The moment the door creaks closed I find my legs can no longer hold my weight and I slump to the ground. In a few moments I'm sitting on my bed wishing Frigga was still here to comfort me. I push the thought away, afraid of sounding selfish even in my own mind and instead let out a groan of pain. Emotional pain.

I don't feel safe here anymore. I realize. But I don't want to leave either, I need to know if Odin will be alright and if Thor will return. With another thought something else comes to mind. Frigga's like a mother to me, she's so wonderful... I can't go back to living with Kathy. Even the thought of my birth mother gives me a sharp pang of pain in my heart. I need someone to talk to. I think, knowing Frigga and Loki already aren't options. Frigga won't leave Odin's side and Loki... well, I can't talk to him about him. My mind turns to Thor. No, he's been banished to Midgard. What about Lady Sif? No... she's not close enough to me.

"That leaves one person." I mutter, knowing he is already watching me. I close my eyes and rest myself comfortably on the bed and try to sleep. I'll talk to him tomorrow.

In the morning I get up before the sun rises. Or before the light. I think to myself. There isn't really a star that provided Asgard with light and it doesn't spin or rotate like earth does so I had learned that the Asgardians called it simply 'the light'. I can see a sliver of the light on one side of Asgard as I glance out my window and slip on my robe. I hope he'll understand... I need someone to tell me what to do and there's only a few wise enough to trust. I think, making my way as quietly as I can towards the bifrost.

"Leren." I hear him say. He isn't facing me but I know he can still see me. "If you're planning something I doubt it will work." I can't help but smile as he turns around and shake my head.

"No, but that's sort of why I came." He eyes me questioningly balancing the bifrost sword's point on the floor.

"If not to escape, why is that your reason to see me?" He says. I can tell he's prepared to fight even though his dull golden eyes are calm.

"Am I safe here?" I say blankly. Heimdall eyes me, not looking confused but also not entirely sure what I mean. "Does Loki know? Is he suspicious of me?" Heimdall's gaze flickers to something off in the distance before returning sharply and shaking his head.

"Are you afraid of him?" He says with a questioning tilt of his head. I hesitate for a moment, unsure of my own fears. Am I? I think. My mind returns to the earlier night and the fear I felt as he walked in.

"He's unpredictable." I say finally. "I guess that makes me fear him." Heimdall nods and another question comes to my mind. "Were is Thor?"

"On Midgard." Heimdall says.

"I mean what is he doing. Is he ok?" I say, letting a bit of worry into my tone. Huh, I didn't realize I cared about him all that much. I muse before shaking the thought away. Heimdall's golden eyes flicker once again and he nods.

"I see him. He is with a woman." He smiles and I can't help but grin as well. "They are sitting together on a big object and he is telling her about the nine realms." He turns back to me.

"Is that all you came to ask for?" He says, a knowing look in his all-seeing eyes.

"My brother." I say hesitantly, when he doesn't answer I duck my head. "I don't mean to bombard you, I'm sorry-"

"He is well, sad but well." I say nothing and nod to him. "You do not bombard me by asking questions." He says with a sweet smile.

"Thanks." I say, nodding to him and turning back to the shimmering rainbow bridge. Light catches it's ever changing surface and twists the spirals around like flickering flames and wherever I place a boot a small white spot follows. I walk slowly, relishing the beautiful thing until I reach the end and make my way back to the castle.

"Leren." Frigga's pleased tone invites me into the room where Odin lies. I nod to her and enter, I'm still not used to seeing the All-Father like this and I have to tear my gaze away to look back at Frigga who is watching him worriedly. "Do you need something?"

I shake my head and instead take a seat beside her. I can see her hands fidgeting slightly and her eyes remain locked onto the sleeping king. My worries of Thor, Loki and Odin himself jumble together and I find my head hurting. What do I do now? Loki won't bring Thor back, Odin's in Odinsleep and.. well... I'm probably in trouble.

"I don't know what to do." I whisper. "I've only been here for a few weeks, I'm starting to think I'm unlucky or something." I add quietly. Frigga turns to me and shakes her head.

"You're not bad luck, dear." She says quietly. I glance at her, unconvinced and return my gaze to Odin.

"I haven't even been able to talk to him yet. All he know of me is whatever we're talking about." I sigh, changing the subject.

"Then tell him." Frigga says. I glance at her, confused before she explains her words. "Tell him about yourself. He can't say anything but he can hear, he can see you." A chill runs up my spine although I already knew that. I turn back to Odin who I swear has shifted towards me slightly and think of what I could say.

"Odin." I start awkwardly. "Well, I know you haven't heard anything of me until now but I'm Loki's daughter. He doesn't know that though... its... well, complicated." I sigh, glancing at Frigga who gives me an approving nod. "So you know I'm half Frost Giant but my mother was from Midgard. I honestly don't know how I ended up here... it was sort of an accident but Hiemdall let me pass. You might be unsure of me right now and I'll have you know that Loki is a bit of a madman but I don't think I am. That part I didn't inherit." I say with a smile.

"Yes Odin, she's a wonderful girl." Frigga says. Her gentle tone soothes me and I feel a bit of happiness at her praise.

"I should go." I say. "I'll go see what Loki's up to." I say with a nod. "I hope I'll get to know you better in the future." I add to Odin, stepping out of the room. I make my way to the main room, which isn't that far thankfully, and find Loki still sitting alone on his throne. His frozen form makes me shiver slightly but I make my way towards him anyways. I stop suddenly as I realize he's talking to someone.

"Please Loki." I hear someone say. I anticipate a sharp 'no' to whatever this woman is asking but instead I can feel him hesitate. "Just bring Thor back, you're still king and there's nothing he can do about it. If you want to be king your position is secure, just bring Thor back." I recognize the pleading voice to be Lady Sif's but I'm confused as to why he isn't just saying no and brushing her off.

"That's not the only reason I wanted him gone." I hear Loki murmur. I'm standing behind a pillar currently and I can't see them but I know something has passed between them, some sort of unspoken message. No one says anything for a long time while the words sink in. I don't get it... why would he want Thor gone if not to be king? I think.

"Never." I hear Sif snarl. She obviously got the message even if I didn't, probably because I'm only nine.

"Sif!" Loki calls. Sif stomps away and I hear Loki stand up but he doesn't go after her. "Sif, please don't side with him." I hear him beg. Sif doesn't look back, I can see her now as she makes her way angrily down the rows of pillars. "I've seen him, he's with a woman." Sif stops but doesn't turn.

"A Midgardian?" She says after a while.

"Yes, her name is Jane, he's really taken a liking to her." Loki says. "You'll never have your chance so long as she's around." He says pointedly in a low voice. "Don't think I haven't noticed." Sif stiffens as he says the words, his voice smooth and quiet. I'm so confused. I think, shaking my head. What is going on? I decide its best not to get involved though and I stay frozen behind the pillar.

"No. You won't get me with your tricks, I'll go there myself, I'll find out the truth." She hisses, turning around. "I'll never be seen with a Frost Giant, never again." I peer around the pillar and see a hurt look flash across Loki's face and at any moment I expect to see it turn to anger and most likely a spear through the heart of the person who defied him but he just sits there gazing at her as she walks away. He lets his head lower and slumps down in the chair, looking broken.

"Why am I cursed like this." I hear him murmur quietly. "I don't want this, I can't do this." He says, flinging Gungnir to the ground. "Why no matter what I do, you're always better!" He says a bit louder. He stands up and walks away, leaving the golden staff on the ground and I shift slightly so that he can't see me. When I'm sure he's gone I dart forwards and grasp the golden weapon in my hand. It feels wrong to wield a weapon clearly built for a king but I know that the least I can do for Odin is to get it out of Loki's grasp.

I head down the hall and pass Odin's room on the way when I hear something. I stop as I hear the distinct noise of someone getting thrown to the ground and hear Frigga cry out. I freeze once again as as I hear someone snarl Odin's name and peer inside. Fear wells up in my chest as I see a large Frost Giant leaning towards the sleeping king with a strange looking icicle pointed at his throat. Frigga is sitting helplessly on the floor as she gazes at Odin and the Frost Giant fearfully.

Oh no... oh no... Panic enters my thoughts as I clutch Gungnir. Gungnir... I realize. Can't Loki shape shift? And Frigga? I think quickly. I need to try. I grit my teeth and focus on an image of Loki and on making an illusion cover my true image. In a flash of white I blink open and glance at my hands and see that they're slightly bigger but one of them flickers and I know it won't hold. If you ever want to learn the tricks your father knows, focus and I'll show you. Frigga's words enter my mind and I focus harder, making the image reappear.

I'm not paying attention really to what the Frost Giant is saying but I can see he's holding Odin's eye lid open and hissing something about Odin's father, Bor, and his own father who's name I can't pronounce. He continues to gloat over his soon victory, not paying attention to me at all. Words come out of my mouth instinctively and I strike the Frost Giant down before blasting him with a golden jolt of electricity. I'm not sure exactly what I said or what happened but Frigga looks up at me in shock.

"Loki, you saved him." She breaths. I feel the illusion wearing off and I feel exhaustion overcoming me. "Leren?" Frigga says, confusion in her tone. I slump to the ground and Gungnir falls as well, landing with a clang beside me. She slides to my side and touches me to make sure I'm real and lifts me to my feet. I force myself to stay standing even though my legs feel wobbly as she grips me in an embrace. I hug her back and she holds me there for a few moments before releasing me.

"I... I was walking and I heard them." I say quietly. "It was lucky I found this on the ground." I add with a smile, nodding the Gungnir.

"That Yodon you killed, that.. that was Laufey." Frigga says, not joy nor sadness in her tone. I killed Laufey? I stop and turn towards the headless form of Laufey sprawled out on the floor. I killed my grandfather? I think, not feeling any sadness or regret at the thought. No, Odin is my grandfather. Laufey will never truly be my family.

"He was trying to kill Odin." I say blankly. "What did he expect?" Frigga smiles at me and bends down to scoop Gungnir from the ground and hand it to me. The same feeling of wrongness enters my mind but I take it anyways.

"You should put this back before Loki finds out you took it." I nod and despite thinking it would be better if he didn't have it, make my way to the throne room. I place it back down where it was and slink back into the shadows of the pillars before making my way back to my room. Once I'm there I fall onto the bed and close my eyes, exhausted once again. As I drift off I can almost sense Odin's eyes fixated on me and this time, I'm not scared.

Chapter 9

I stand in my room, hands behind my back and I can almost feel that my plan did not work. Who cares. I think. Sif doesn't love me back, in fact... she hates me now. I think with a sad sigh. The light has long faded from Asgard and I can still feel Odin's presence. Alive. How could he have survived Laufey's attack? I wonder. Unless Frigga... I realize that she must have used her tricks to fool him and then kill him or at least drive him away. My mind returns to Sif's harsh words. I'll never be seen with a Frost Giant, never again. She had yelled. It had hurt that she'd referred to me as 'Frost Giant' and not... well, my name.

"I hate Thor... and Odin." I growl. "I hate them both." I add, glancing angrily to a picture of me and my brother standing beside each other on my dresser. It was my eighth birthday and we had spent it here like all my birthdays. Thor had opened one of my gifts for me claiming that I was opening it wrong and then later claimed that the mini action figure was his own since he'd opened the gift. I had of course stolen it back that night and it had sat beside the picture for the rest of my eighth year, my most prized possession, until I had discarded it the next year.

I walk forwards and pick up the photo, the smooth metal surrounding it feels cold on my hands and I examine my brother's prideful look and my own, un-amused one as he held up the toy. This picture usually makes me smile but now it makes my rage boil over for some unknown reason.

"Its just a toy." My father says, glancing from me to my brother.

"Yes but its my toy. You got it for me, remember?" I say, confused as to why my brother is being given my gift.

"I can get you another one, Loki, but I can see how much your brother likes that one." I stare at him, shocked, and glance at Thor who is giving me a smug look.

"He only wants it because I want it!" I say.

"No Loki." Odin says. "I won't allow you to fight over an idiodic thing like this. You're princes, you must remember that." I watch as he walks away, leaving me and Thor alone in the throne room. I turn to him, anger bubbling up inside me like a volcano, and leap at him. He reacts quickly and slams me aside with one movement and I fall to the ground.

"That's mine and you know it!" I snarl, lunging for the toy again. Thor stares at me with amusement and dodges backwards with a laugh.

"You'll never get it back!" He sneers, waving it in front of my face. I grit my teeth, a deep rage burning inside me once again. I leap again, this time gripping his arm tightly as he attempts to fling me aside and twisting myself around him like a snake. I get a hold on his neck and bring him to the ground with a mighty shove and have him pinned there. "Hey!" He protests as I wrench the toy out of his hand.

"I got you, see?" I hiss, stepping back with the toy in my hand. Thor gets up, anger in his eyes as well now and throws himself at me. His greater size forces me to the ground but I kick him hard in the stomach and dart behind a pillar, focusing my magic on making an illusion of myself standing in front of him.

"I have you now Loki!" Thor yells, throwing himself at the illusion once again. I laugh as he lands on the ground with a thud and looks around confused.

"Idiot!" I yell, stepping out triumphantly from behind the pillar again. "Every time!" Thor looks up at me as I hold the toy and his confusion is quickly replaced by more anger.

"I'll get you for that!" I turn to run but I find myself face to face with my father instead.

"Loki!" He yells. His angry tone scares me and I freeze, staring at him. "Give Thor back that toy."

"But It's mine.." I say weakly. Odin shakes his head and points to Thor who I see has put an innocent look on and is gripping his arm as though I've hurt him in some way.

"Give the toy to Thor, Loki." Odin growls. I lower my head and hand the action figure to Thor who hardly seems to notice it because he's too focused on my defeated expression. Odin marches away again and I turn back to Thor, all the fight drained from my body.

"Are you happy now?" I mutter bitterly. "You got what you wanted."

"Yes Loki, I am happy now." He says with a grin. Hurt engulfs me and I turn and make my way to my room.

I place the photo back down gently as the anger continues to fill my thoughts. He's still like this and he always will be. I think. Nothing I ever want is mine, even though I'm king now no on respects me as much as they do Thor. I add to myself bitterly.

"I'm going to punish him for all the times something like this has happened." I say suddenly, turning to the door. I make my way the the throne room where I left Gungnir. I find it still in the same place I left it and pick it up. What happens next is all a blur to me but I know one thing is clear. My intentions are to kill.

Chapter 10

Thor flings me aside with Mjulnir and I skid across the bifrost bridge with a wince. I prepare to get back up but before I can Thor places Mjulnir on my chest. I wince again as I hear a crack, knowing at least one rib is broken and try to push it off with a grunt of frustration. I've just returned from Midgard and The Destroyer is well... destroyed as well as most of whatever town I was in.

"Ow!" I yell as it presses a bit harder against my bones. Thor glances at me and then back at the beginning of the bridge. He shakes his head and lowers it, looking defeated for a moment and I allow a malicious grin to cross my face.

Thor raises his hand to retrieve Mjulnir with another defeated shake of his head and I let out a sigh of relief as the weight from my chest is lifted. A moment later I see him grasp the hammer and bring it down hard on the bifrost.

"What are you doing?" I yell, getting into an awkward sitting position. Thor doesn't answer and strikes the bridge again. "Are you mad!" I call, angrily. Thor doesn't say anything and raises the hammer to deal the finishing blow. "You'll never see her again!" I yell, a memory of Jane, the girl I know he likes, flashing through my mind. Thor hesitates, his hand hovering in midair for a moment and I feel a spark of hope that he won't destroy it.

"Forgive me Jane." I hear him mutter. My eyes widen and I let out a defiant yell as he brings the hammer down. Nothing happens at first but within moments shards of the rainbow bridge are slicing my skin and a blinding light encases us.

I feel myself flung backwards and flail around, searching for a handhold as I stars, sky and glistening shards sparkle around me. Thor is flung towards me as well and I reach for him with a last desperate lung and manage to grasp something. I feel the cool golden metal of Gungnir and see that I've only just managed to grasp the end, a bit above me Thor is holding on as well.

I grit my teeth and peer past him to see who's saved us. Odin. I can see that Odin is gripping the sharp end of the staff, trying to hold us both on, desperation in his pale blue eyes. He must have just woken up. A plan to haul myself over Thor and escape forms in my mind but the pain in my ribs says otherwise. It doesn't matter, I'll find some way... some way to live.. I realize one thing as the thought passes through my mind. I did this for you Odin. To show that I'm not a Frost Giant, not at heart. You must be proud of me, right?

"I could have done it father!" I say, trying to smile a bit. Odin turns his gaze from Thor to me, his eyes cold and unforgiving and I feel a chill run up my spine. He.. he does still love me, right? I think, trying to hold onto the thought.

"No Loki." A whir of memories fill my head until I'm left, almost trapped, in a single one.

"Loki!" Odin yells, gazing desperately at Thor who is struggling to entangle a snake from around his neck.

"I'm sorry." I say quietly, lowering my head.

"Get them off Loki!" Odin yells. I glance up and with a wave of my hand the snake vanishes leaving only the wine that I used to create it. It splashes down on Thor's head, making his shaggy blond hair a mess of purplish golden. I open my mouth to say more but Odin pushes me out of the way as he makes for the other prince. I fall to my hands and knees and don't try to get up, knowing I'll just be thrust down again.

"I... I really am sorry." I say earnestly, not looking up. "They're harmless anyways..." I add a bit quieter. I risk glancing up and the moment I do I feel a sharp blow on my cheek. With a gasp I find myself sprawled on my side, my cheek burning. I raise a shaky hand to feel the wound and the moment I touch it pain ripples all along my face.

"Go to your room Loki!" Odin yells, pointing down the hall. I feel tears welling up in my eyes and I open my mouth to protest but he stops me. "Now Loki!" The ferocity in his voice makes me struggle to my feet at once and I bolt down the halls, afraid he'll hit me again. I shove open the door and fall to the ground once again, emotion taking over. I feel hot tears stream down my cheeks, each one stinging as they pass and I cover my face with my hands. Father's never hit me before. I think, sobbing. Why did he hit me over a stupid harmless snake! I kick the door shut with a forceful thrust of my foot and hear it slam.

I'm not sure how long I sit there and how many tears find there way out of my eyes but it's long after dark when I hear a knock on my door. I sit up immediately and struggle to wipe the tears away with one of my sleeves, wincing slightly as the saltiness gets rubbed deeper into my skin. Please let it not be father. I hope desperately, feeling my hands begin to shake again.

"Loki?" I let myself slump slightly more to the ground as Thor walks in, his blond hair still a wet mess. "I heard you.. uh... sobbing." I look away, embarrassed that my brother was listening to me cry. "It's alright, I'm not mad."

"But father was." I say hoarsely, wiping a stay tear from one of my eyes. "I'm sorry... I just, I didn't think father would..." I trail off, glancing back up at Thor.

"Hit you?" Thor says. "I didn't think he would either."

"Are you just here to agree with me or do you need something?" I say defensively, shifting slightly. Thor says nothing and walks towards me. He sits down right on the floor beside me and rests one of his arms on my shoulder. I stiffen at the touch but when I realize he's just trying to be comforting I lean into him and close my eyes, more sobs racking my body.

"Loki, we'll always be brothers, right?" Thor says softly. "No matter what happens?" I open my eyes and glance up at him, blinking tears from my eyes so that I can see him properly, and give him the satisfaction of a half smile.

"No matter what."

"No Loki." Odin's words pierce my heart, shattering it into a million unfixable pieces. My smile fades and I feel my grip loosen on Gungnir. No Loki.I say nothing as the words bounce around in my head, each time I hear it it feels as though Odin has slapped me once again. Each one making my grip loosen even more slightly. Each one making my promise to Thor fade a bit more.

No Loki. The words haunt me as I let go, the shocked face and the yell of Thor drowned out by those two words. No Loki. It seems to get louder the more I fall until it's merely a shriek. I ignore the words, letting my gaze rest on Odin. The one thing in all of the nine realms that could possibly hurt me more is waiting, staring right back at me from his pale blue eyes and with a shake of his head I see it, what has been there all my life.

Disappointment.

The End

FINALLY. This is the end of the book as you can see. There will be more if you like this one... six more... I've already written four of those six but they're written out of order so I need to finish the one that I'm writing after this one. There will be more Loki and Leren, there will be Thor, Sam Wilson, Bucky Barns, Nick Fury, Clint Barton and two new characters along with Leren. Hunter and Cooper Roth. (But they come in book six.) Now I don't exactly know how many books I have/am writing/written but I'm pretty sure its around seven.

Stay tuned for more by LerenLoki and leave a comment if you have time. Thanks :)