Blinking her eyes open slowly, Astrid winced at the bright light.

Astrid sat up slowly, glancing down at the thick bandage around her torso that the healers had replaced. She groaned softly when she sat up, but at least she wasn't dead. That had to count for something.

She placed a hand on the bandage and sat up more so that her back could rest against the headboard of the bed.

She had just laid her head back and closed her eyes for a moment, when the doors burst open and Frigga rushed into the room.

"Oh Astrid! I'm so glad you're okay! They wouldn't let me see you while they were working on you!" Frigga rushed to her side and held her face in her hands as she brushed the hair out of her face.

"Mother, I'm fine!" Astrid reassured her softly, leaning into the embrace of her mother.

"You could have died!" her mother cried, and her eyes told Astrid that she was hiding something.

"What is it mother? What's wrong?" Astrid asked hesitantly.

Frigga looked away. "You came so close to death. The blade just narrowly missed some of your vital organs. You are lucky to be alive. If you had moved even an inch, you could've had major internal bleeding that even Odin would have a hard time fixing. He might not have been able to save you if that had happened."

Astrid gasped softly and looked down at her torso. She stayed silent. She could have died.

"And to think that Loki did this?!" Frigga whispered softly, looking away from her.

"Mother don't!" Astrid pleaded.

"You're still defending him after what he did?" Frigga asked, looking at her with shock in her eyes.

"Yes." Astrid answered without hesitation. "He's my brother. And there was something off about him, mother. I don't know what it was but something wasn't right. Mother please-"Astrid was cut off as the door opened, revealing Odin.

"My daughter. I'm so glad you're safe." He said with a small smile as he sat down beside Frigga.

"Yes father, I'm fine." She said with a smile.

"If it weren't for Loki, this would not have happened!" Odin exclaimed.

"Stop it! Both of you!" Astrid shouted. "This is not his fault! Please stop blaming him!" Her eyes started to fill with tears and her vision was started to get cloudy. "Why won't you believe me? Something is wrong with him!"

"No. He hurt you. He could have killed you." Odin exclaimed. "You are forbidden to visit him in the Prison Chambers. He will spend the rest of his days in the dungeons, and you will not go visit him, ever. You stay away from him."

Astrid's tears immediately disappeared as she was filled with red, hot rage. "How DARE you?! He's your son! No matter if he's blood or not! How can you do this to your own son?!" She practically screamed.

Odin stared at her in shock, before finally recovering. Astrid had never raised her voice at her father before. "He is NOT my son!" his voice boomed throughout the room. "He is a monster, who almost killed you! You are forbidden to see him! End of conversation!" He stood up and turned and left, his cape flowing behind him as the doors slammed behind him.

Frigga stared at her silently. "Do not question your father. If we find you have visited him, you will be punished." She too stood and touched Astrid's cheek gently. "It's for your own good," she murmured, before she too left the room, leaving Astrid crying her own angry tears.

After a few weeks of staying in the Healing Chambers, she was finally released, as long as she stayed away from fighting and strenuous activity for a little while longer. Even though Asgardians healed faster than humans did, she was still seriously hurt and would need to take it easy for a few days more. As soon as she was released, the first thing she did was head towards the Prison Chambers. She had to go see him. She snuck around corners and hallways, hoping she wouldn't bump into any guards or worse, her parents.

When she reached the chambers, there were two guards standing guard at the entrance. There always had been. She hoped they would let her in, and that her parents hadn't told them anything. Slim chance.

When she reached the guards, she saw them straighten and give her a slight bow as she approached. She bowed in return. "Hello! May I please pass?" She asked, praying that they would.

They looked like they wanted to, but one shook his head. "Sorry madam, but we have specific orders to not let you in here. And orders that if you try, to report to Odin." Her shoulders slumped. So much for that.

"Please? Why can't I go see my brother? Why will no one let me go see my brother?" She added some tears for effect. They glanced at each other, silently wondering what to do.

"I just want to see me brother…." Astrid sobbed silently.

"Fine. But only for a few moments. Do not speak of this to your parents." The guard said before stepping out of her way. Most guards always did have a soft spot for her, which she may or may not have used to her advantage at times.

The tears were gone as quickly as they came. "Thank you!" she said before practically running inside. She had to be fast.

She was quickly walking down the hallways of cells on both sides, glancing into the cells. As she walked, fists pounded on the glass. "Come on pretty little princess. Come and play with us," one taunted. She ignored him and moved on, scanning each and every cell for her brother.

She was almost to the end of the row of cells when a loud, booming voice made her freeze, dread running down her spine.

"STOP!"

Astrid closed her eyes in defeat. And just a few cells away. Maybe she could make a run for it.

She glanced over her shoulder to see Odin standing at entrance, glaring daggers at her. She was already in trouble, might as well do what she came for. Astrid turned and ignored him, and ran towards the last few cells, quickly looking for her brother. Odin yelled at her again, but she didn't stop. Not until she reached the last cell.

She skidded to a stop when she recognized a familiar figure standing alone in the last cell. She looked inside to see Loki staring back at her, through the thick glass. His eyes were shocked, and if not a bit hopeful. She also might have possibly seen a bit of happiness.

They were both too shocked to say anything, and still had said nothing by the time Odin made his way to them. They both just stared at each other silently. She saw his eyes flick down to her torso momentarily, but he brought his eyes up to Odin as he finally approached.

"Astrid! How dare you disobey my direct orders to you!" Odin yelled as he finally reached her side, grabbing her arm tightly.

Loki's eyes narrowed at him, before glaring back at Astrid. She could see hatred burning clearly through them, before he and turned away and lay down on the bed on the opposite side of the cell with his back towards them. Astrid felt tears prick in her eyes, as Odin tugged on her arm and led her away from the cell. She didn't even resist, the pain in her heart causing her to allow her father to pull her away from Loki. When they made it outside Frigga was standing there waiting for them. Odin finally let go of her arm and stood next to Frigga, both of their eyes showing hurt and anger. Astrid stared at the ground, refusing to look at them as a stray tear fell down her cheek.

"How dare you disobey us! We told you never to visit him and what is the first thing you do? Go and visit him!" Odin shouted.

After the first tear fell, there was no stopping the others. More tears fell and she choked out, "I just wanted to see him. I wanted to see my brother. The one before everything. The one who cared about me and kept me safe. I just wanted my brother back…."she whimpered. She knew this sounded childish, but it was what she truly wanted and it was what she thought she was going to get if she went to see him again. It hurt to see the look in his eyes when he looked at her. Resentment. Pure Hatred. It felt worse than having the scepter driven through her stomach. Nothing in her life had ever felt worse.

She looked up at her parents, eyes red and puffy, cheeks already tear-stained, and saw her mother's gaze soften. Her father's gaze had not. "That Loki is gone," he stated in a cold voice.

Astrid started sobbing at her father's words. Her mother rushed forward and enveloped her into her arms, allowing her to cry, while Odin stalked away.

Frigga held her until there was nothing left to cry. It was not her brother anymore. She would never get that brother back. That Loki died. They tried to protect her because this wasn't her Loki anymore. That Loki was gone forever. Before, she never would have believed him, but now, she was starting to believe that her father was right.