Maryn slipped silently into the library. All her research to try break Frigga's numbing spell had dredged up books on all facets of Asgardian life, legend, history, and most importantly law.

She remembered one dusty tome filled with loop-holes in Asgard's legal system. Why that book was even kept at all was a mystery to her but she was thankful it had been because she needed it now. That time in her life had been dimmed by the spell and she struggled to remember what the book looked like or what it said on the law exactly, but she was determined to find it. Striding through the room, she went to the shelves she thought would hold the book.

She had barely two hours before Loki's sentencing and knew she had to hurry. Her gaze flickered over the different titles embossed on each spine until she suddenly found the one she was looking for. Her eyes had grazed over it and only a feeling made her return and read it again carefully. Asgardian Law read the title, and she picked it up. The book was small, and looked to be fairly old. Flicking through it as she walked toward the tables set up in the middle of the sprawling library, Maryn found pages that looked familiar. Taking a seat at one of the tables provided for study and writing, Maryn read the words that could help her save Loki.

Taking a breath, she stood and left the library, the small book laying forgotten, open to a page which title read, The Law of Substitution.

Striding purposefully through the corridors that led to Odin's throne room, Maryn let her magic shimmer over her, changing her casual garb into an off the shoulder gown of sapphire blue velvet, with flowing sleeves and gold stitching. The skirt was made of velvet and chiffon panels outlined in the gold stitching and the sleeves were also lined with the same chiffon as the skirt. Her hair was twisted into a low braided bun and she wore her wedding ring, the pendant Loki had given her so long before, sapphire and gold earrings in the shape of blue suns, and an etched gold band on her right ring finger.

She was stopped at the throne room doors by the guards but all it took was one look and they stepped back, seeing her magic glimmer at her fingertips and in her irises. Taking a breath, Maryn stepped forward and pushed both massive golden doors open. The noise of the portal opening had all eyes turn to her.

Loki was standing between two guards, chained at the neck, wrists and ankles. Frigga stood off to the side, worry and sadness clear in her eyes and on her face. Odin sat in his throne, Gungnir clutched in his right hand and his face dark with disappointment. Looking unaffected by all that was going on around him, Loki stood with a smirk, his armour in place and no sign he had ever been struck by a whip on his father's orders.

Ignoring the eyes on her and the warning look Odin was giving her not to interfere, Maryn strode forward, her head held high and curtsied deeply at the foot of the raised dais where the throne and Odin sat. "Allfather," she pressed a hand to her chest over her heart. "I wish your indulgence."

Odin looked wary but nodded for her to continue.

Rising, Maryn didn't dare look at either her husband or mother-in-law. She lifted her gaze to Odin and spoke clearly for all in the room to hear, "I invoke the Law of Substitution and offer my life for the life of Prince Loki." Speaking over Frigga's outraged cry, she continued, "As the prince's consort and wife, I will take his place and sentence, as is my right. I will forfeit my title, my people and my position in court to substitute myself for the punishment meted out today."

"No," Frigga caught her arm, "I will not allow such a thing, my Lord," she spoke to Odin but her gaze was on Maryn.

The princess wanted to wince at the fear and disappointment in the Allmother's face; she knew that Frigga was worried Odin would allow her to substitute herself for Loki. The wave of energy she felt from Loki was another story completely. She knew he could break his bonds if he so wished and disappear in the blink of an eye, but she also sensed the guilt he felt over what he had been manipulated into doing on Earth, even though he would never admit to it. He was beyond angry with her, enraged was a more apt description, but even that didn't come close to what he was feeling. Even his magic tasted of his rage.

Odin had been quiet throughout the uproar of her entrance and declaration, and Maryn refused to look away from him, waiting for his decision.

His one eye piercing her with an unreadable look, Odin leaned back in his throne and studied her and then his wife and son. He knew that if Thor had been here instead of off-world trying to calm the disorder Loki's actions had incited on other worlds, he would have been just as vocal as his mother on the subject of Maryn taking Loki's sentence on herself. Despite everything, he even saw the fury in his adopted son at the princess's words. Straightening, his shoulders, the ancient monarch decided on his ruling; "No."

Maryn's spine stiffened and her eyes flashed with her power at that single word. "You refuse my right to substitution?" she asked, her tone cold and aloof.

Odin's gaze held hers, a look of obstinacy on both their faces. The silence stretched before Frigga spoke up in a tight voice, "Of course Odin refuses to agree to this, Maryn. If you think he would allow his only daughter to do such a thing…" she shook her head with tears in her eyes.

Maryn felt her heart sink as Odin nodded, agreeing with his wife. "I have the right to ask such a thing," she still had hope she could sway the judgement in her favour.

Odin stood and she waited silently for his answer. His sharp gaze fell on his son, "You would allow your wife to sacrifice herself for you?" he growled low.

The disgraced prince shrugged, his face carefully devoid of any emotion, "She is her own woman and I am not her keeper." He longed to bend Maryn over his knee for such a ridiculous risk to her own life.

Anger burned in the Allfather's veins at his answer, but it was the Allmother who spoke, "Loki, this is not a game."

The dark prince turned his bored gaze to his mother, "No, mother, it is not. Maryn, dear girl," he looked down at her where she stared defiantly back at him. He smirked and let his gaze sweep over her. She looked delectable when she was dressed in a prim and proper gown but her eyes flashed with stubborn anger. With a flash of grinning teeth, Loki shrugged and didn't say any more, "How do you wish me to punish her, Odin? I am in chains."

The guards' hands fisted at their sides, Maryn noticed. With narrowed eyes, his parents held their tongue.

But Maryn was the one to glower as the prince spoke lowly in her mind, "You will leave this be, girl."

"Insufferable fool," she bit back through their mind link.

His eyes sparked with anger but she turned her back on him and stayed silent.

The silence lengthened until Loki spoke again, the matter or Maryn appealing for substitution seemingly dropped. "Have I made you proud mother?" he asked, the Allmother still looking at him with disappointment.

"Please, don't make this worse," she implored him, her thumb rubbing restlessly over her opposite palm.

He quipped, "Define worse."

Odin was tired of his son's disrespect and total disregard for the seriousness of the situation, "Enough!" he commanded. "I will speak to the prisoner alone."

Maryn watched as Frigga bent to his will and left silently. She nearly decided to defy him, but Odin's look was enough, this was something he would do alone and her bid to use the law of substitution was done. Jaw clenched, she turned on her heel and left the room.

Frigga sought her out once she had left the throne room. "Maryn."

Seeing the disappointment on her face, Maryn bit her tongue and steeled herself for a verbal dress-down. However, the Allmother surprised her by pulling her into a tight hug.

"You scared me, daughter," she whispered against the princess's hair. "If I lose you too it will be too much."

Guilt gnawed at Maryn's insides but she knew her choice had been right, "I love you, mother," was all she said.