[Asgard]
His eyes can see everything, but what he seeks is not there. Heimdall, the gatekeeper of Asgard held an internal burden that not many knew. The burden of the fallen prince was a heavy toll on his shoulder. As a seer, he could watch what others thought and saw. The way Loki Odinson had fallen, had never sat well within his gut.
Like yesterday, like the day before yesterday. Heimdall would cast his eye into the abyss of darkness. For the hope of even the slightest glimpse to see what became of the second prince.
Regret was something no Asgardian would ever admit. At first, Heimdall had thought it was his fault. To plague the young prince as his aggressor, but as he stared into the hearts of all Asgardians, he realised the guilt that plagued his memories was shared amongst most. It was not long before the whole of Asgard was privy to the accounts of the fallen prince.
He fell willingly. With the intent to die, mused Heimdall, but even he knew it was more than that. Significantly more than a willing capability of yearning death. Loki, he gave up on Asgard.
He was different… but are we all not? He was Jotun… but do we not adopt? It was because he chose the art of seidr, mused Heimdall.
Loki was different by birth. He never tried fitting in because innately, it was impossible. He was his own man and not the man defined in Asgardian cultures.
But Asgard had changed, mused Heimdall.
"But it was too late," said Heimdall ever so quietly.
It seemed the night would be his ally tonight. At least, till he felt the presence of the queen.
"queen Frigga," Heimdall said as he stared out into the sky. "Tis a good night don't you think."
She smiled as she too stared into the sky. "I know the realm well Heimdall. A woman's intuition is never wrong. The burden of the youngest… it falls on us, as parents."
Us, referring to herself and the King, mused Heimdall.
"I miss him… so much," said Frigga quietly. "Not a moment goes by where I don't think of him."
Heimdall did not say any words. Not out of disrespect, but because the queen was not expecting a response. Instead, she was needing someone to listen to her.
"Sorry Heimdall, I don't mean to burden you with any grief," said Frigga.
It is fine my queen… a mother's grief…" started Heimdall.
Frigga waited a moment, expecting Heimdall to finish his sentence, but nothing came. Instead, he was staring into the sky.
"Heimdall, is everything okay?" queered the queen.
"Your son," said Heimdall.
"What did Thor do?" asked Frigga.
Heimdall slowly turned his head around as he faced the queen. His expression blank but ever so tense with apprehension.
"Loki…"
[Flashback Begins]
Darkness crept up on the icy realm. Snow spiralled in thickly clustered blots and fluttered against the breeze. Asgardians and Jotuns were at war. Blood was spilt. lives were taken either frozen or lost in the depths of the growing snow.
Is this war? Is this what you were trying to teach me, father? Have I erred? Mused Odin.
This was not his first war, nor would it be his last. But he could not help wondering why such victory felt so hollow. Such emptiness.
Even now, with the Ancient Casket of Winters, Odin stared out into the scene that lay before him. His soldiers, the bravest of them all doing their best to find survivors as well as piling the dead so they could be taken back home to their loved ones.
He did not know how long, but he must have drifted away. Walking and walking until he saw the exquisite temple. It was small, it could easily be mistaken for a little house, but the markings were clear.
A basket left all alone. But with no child inside and then two Jotuns walking into the temple distracted him.
"The war is over, begone," Odin commanded with Gungnir in hand.
"You do not belong here," one of the Jotun warriors said as he gripped his sword.
Odin ignored him, instead watched the other Jotun warrior holding a child. The child was scared, trying to scurry out of the Jotun's grip.
"What are you doing with that child?" Odin asked taking a step towards them.
The pair did not answer.
"A sacrifice?" Odin asked.
No words were needed, in that moment he let a feral growl escape. Darkness grew tenfold. He did not care if they were Jotuns. At that moment, all he saw was red. Only monsters can sacrifice children, he mused. The ground, air and snow hummed in harmony as it caused a storm. Willed by Odin's blood, his seidr attacked. Gone was everything. The child ever so slowly floating down to the ground.
The child was young. He crawled towards Odin. It was instinctive, a lost child after all. He immediately dropped Gungnir and picked the little boy up. Markings carved on the back of his skin, the house of Laufey.
How could you Laufey, he wondered.
The boy grasped his beard. Odin looked down and smiled. Gone was the blue skin, there in place stood Aesir. Shapeshifter.
Then he watched and marvelled as the child with his free hand was moving his about as if to try and grab something that was not visible. No, he is creating a storm. Are you trying to copy me?
The child just stared back smiling.
What do I do with this child? I cannot leave him.
Snoring sounds distracted him. It seems you are asleep little one.
Odin could feel it, the clenching fists grasped onto his beard. Yes. I will take you as mine.
[Flashback Ends].
The sound of doors opening awoke Odin out of his trance, bringing him back to his sense of reality. Heimdall stood in front of him with the queen in tow.
"Heimdall," Odin said.
"My king. Your son-," he started.
"What of Thor?" asked Odin.
"He means Loki," Frigga said.
"He… he lives?" asked Odin
Frigga goes to hold his shaking hand. "Our son lives my King."
"Where is he? I will go get him," said Odin as he walked past Frigga and Heimdall.
"My king," started Heimdall.
"Listen to him Odin," Frigga said firmly.
"What is there to listen to? He is my son. I want him home, now," roared Odin.
"His heart and mind have been tainted, my King. I see his pain… his burden. His experience and his sorrows." said Heimdall.
"Speak clearly," said Odin.
"He was tortured," said Heimdall.
Rage and fury filled the throne room as tapestries lit ablaze. Glass statues crackled with his quaking anger.
"Tell me everything," seethed Odin.
"His mind is his own, yet I feel the mind stone sparkling his heart. I feel and see the pain and torture. The scars so evident as he travels in Midgard. Hunger, desperation all seeking into one. He is nothing more than skin and bones. Colour lost as his green eyes darken in the night sky… but I see on distinctive memory. A memory he plays over and over again," said Heimdall.
"What do you see?" asked Odin as vivid images of Loki in torture began to cloud his mind.
Heimdall took a long breath before speaking. "His anger with Asgard. His anger with everything and no one. He seeks revenge against his accursed torturer."
Sorrow and hurt crackled against Odin's heart. Such words caused more pain than any battle wound inflected in any war he was in, but even he knew. While his son might reject his help, Odin refused to let things slide when matters came about his youngest.
"The stone?" asked Odin.
"I don't know… the stone is the mind stone, but I cannot be sure that the stone controls Loki," said Heimdall.
"You mean to say that Loki may be controlling the stone?" asked Frigga.
"That is impossible…" said Odin.
"Loki plays a game of chess and we are his pawns, my King. There is a reason why I can see him. We both know, that Loki is far more capable of most if not everything. His desires and hunger have no bound."
Odin nodded as he turned and began to walk away.
"Odin, where are you going?" asked Frigga.
"To get my son," answered Odin hastily.
"No, send me," Frigga said.
"Frigga…" Odin started.
"Have you learnt nothing from before?" she screamed.
Yes, she too has been hurting, mused Odin.
"He is my son, I refuse to sit by idly while you continue to fail him," she screamed.
Have I failed Loki? Yes… I did let him fall. But no more...I will not let him fall, I will bring him back home.
"Odin say something," Frigga screamed.
"I won't let him fall anymore," he whispered.
Anger subsided, he watched as Frigga knelt by his side, hand on his knee.
"I'm sorry Odin," she said.
You said the truth. One does not apologise for the truth, thought Odin.
"It has been a terrible year," she said jokingly.
"Yes, but he is alive my dearest," he smiled.
"Do you remember when you first bought him from Jotunheim?" Frigga asked.
"I walked into the throne room with Loki and the first thing you told me was the give you the child," Odin replied.
"I knew it then, he was mine," Frigga said smiling.
As silence was bestowed between the king and Queen, Heimdall opted to bow and leave the throne room in silence. His mind solely focused on the younger prince.
Tread carefully, Loki. I have seen rage and anger consume your father once. I dare say, the royal family nor Asgard could stand if you fall again, mused Heimdall… but almost instantly having a recoil as he faltered. He could imagine what Loki would say, something along the lines of saying that he cares not for Asgard, the people or the family.
[Earth]
He stared at himself in the mirror. A black suit and a winters scarf. Rather charming if I do say so myself, mused Loki.
It was a little different from his usual green and black, but every actor who played a role had to improvise in one way or form. He let a gleaming smile appear over his face. His whitened teeth glistened brightly against the lights perched on the walls.
Showtime, mused Loki as his eyes pulse darkening blue.