The next day Fury allowed the Avengers to escort Loki to a pick-up point where Thor would use the energy of the Cube to transport Loki, Maryn, Fenrir and himself back to Asgard.
Stark chose and open area of Central Park for them to leave from. He paid to have it empty of people so that there wouldn't be any witnesses or reporters.
Maryn's stomach was in knots. She was glad to be going home, but worried of what would happen once they got there. Odin had said that Loki would be treated as a common criminal. She knew he deserved to be punished for what he had done, but she was scared the Allfather would treat him unfairly to show his people that he did not favour his sons above his people.
"You're scared," Loki's voice entered her mind and she cut a look at him.
He stood near Thor, the metal muzzle over his mouth and shackles around his wrists making her wince. "There is much to be scared of," she told him silently, her gaze flickering to the Avengers milling around them in groups of twos and threes. Fenrir nudged her shoulder with his head and she turned with a small smile to scratch behind his ears.
"Odin will treat me as he sees fit and you will be safe in the palace once more."
Now that the influence of the Tesseract was gone, he had returned to worrying about her safety. It was welcome in so far as it meant the Loki she loved was returning; however, she hoped he would not become as overbearing as others had back on Asgard.
Watching Natasha and Clint whispering together and then smirking at Loki as he stood chained, Maryn sighed, "This may be the best that you experience for years, my love."
His gaze lowered to the bricks under his feet, "Perhaps."
Thor then stepped forward with the Tesseract contained in a glass cylinder with a metal handle at each end. He held out one handle to Loki, Maryn stepping forward as well, Fenrir at her side. After a slight pause, Loki wrapped his hand around the handle closest to him, Maryn making sure to cover his hand with hers.
Thor reached out and wrapped an arm around Fenrir's neck, making sure the beast would travel with them, With one last grateful look to the Avengers, Thor turned the handle he held and Maryn stifled a gasp as the Tesseract's energy filled her senses. Pale blue light surrounded them and then they were flung up through the universe toward Asgard, toward home.
Their landing was easy, their feet alighting near the fractured edge of the Rainbow Bridge. They were met by Heimdall and twenty guards.
"The Allfather wishes to speak with his son," Heimdall spoke emotionlessly. "The prisoner will be taken to the dungeons until his sentencing."
Biting abck her refusal of his words, Maryn stepped back and allowed four guards to lead Loki away, the others encircling them in a tight group. He didn't look back.
She then followed Heimdall and Thor to the palace, and into Frigga's audience chamber.
As soon as Frigga saw them she rose from her chair, crossed the room and pulled both Thor and Maryn into a tight hug.
Swallowing around the lump in her throat, Maryn closed her eyes and embraced the woman tightly.
"I was so scared I would never see teh two of you again," she heard Frigga speak to Thor, before her voice lowered and she whispered in Maryn's ear so no one else could hear, "How is he?"
She knew who the Allmother spoke of and shook her head quickly, "I do not know. I cannot tell how hurt he is," she spoke truthfully.
With a final squeeze, Frigga kissed her temple and then stepped back. Odin moving to clasp his son's forearm and then draw Maryn into a hug as well. He did not speak but she read the strength of his emotions in his eye and face.
"What will happen now?" Maryn asked waiting for his answer with a dizzying fear curling through her.
Odin drew himself to his full height, his emotions covered with a mask of indifference, "Now, Loki will be tried and punished as any other war-criminal would be."
Her stomach dropped in panic, "You would punish your own son, Allfather?" she spoke so softly it was nearly a whisper.
"I rule by grace but must be firm in this, daughter."
She felt Thor's hand heavy on her shoulder.
Odin continued, "Loki may have been my son once, but he has chosen to spill the blood of those under the protection of my crown and tried to take the throne by force. He will suffer for the pain he had caused."
Turning her face away Maryn closed her eyes, "He has suffered enough, father."
Odin clenched his jaw, ignoring the hurt and anger in the faces of his wife, son and daughter. "He does not know the meaning of the word, girl. He has rained down death and destruction without care and will be punished accordingly."
"Odin, my love, please be reasonable," Frigga pleaded, tears sliding down her face.
"My mind has been made, wife!" Odin snapped, "Loki will be treated as any other who has committed such heinous crimes against the humans and our own people."
"I hate what Loki has done, but is there no other way, father?" Even Thor spoke in Loki's defense.
"No," Odin growled, sounding more and more tired with every word. "The people have spoken. The sentencing will be in two days' time." He turned to leave the room, a hand running over his face.
"And until then, what will happen to Loki?" Maryn stepped forward, Thor and Frigga coming together as the son tried to comfort his heartbroken mother.
Odin stopped but did not turn, "Until then he will be taken to the darkest cell and deprived of food and water. Then...he will be flogged."
Frigga's sobs grew louder but all Maryn could do was watch Odin retreat from the room, her mind whirring as Odin's words echoed in her brain, everything melting away around her until she could think of only one thing. Turning on her heel she swept out of the room, ignoring Frigga's call for her to return. She had only one goal, to save Loki even some of the pain he would endure, even if it meant sacrificing herself in the process.