There you go guys! Again, I'm so sorry to make you wait sooooooo long. I honestly feel bad about it. But... this one is a bit longer! So ENJOY!

Chapter 56

Arya watched as her friends got ready to depart. The sun had risen above the horizon and was bound to wake up the first sleepy Asgardians, but that didn't stop Thor and his friends. They were standing at the stables, nervously waiting for Volstagg who still had to return from the armoury with his full armour and weapons. They all knew that the servants in charge of the stables could appear any moment, so they had to hurry. Arya sighed. She still wasn't very keen on staying behind, but Thor was right. She was closest to the people of Asgard. They would listen to her. And Jane had been Queen… so that would work out.

"Dreaming of me, are we?" a voice suddenly sounded. Arya snapped from her thoughts. Fandral stood next to her, smiling his biggest smile possible. The golden warrior was happy to be in armour and ready for battle once more. Arya smiled shortly.

"You wish…" she answered dryly, but Fandral didn't seem offended. On the contrary, he smiled and looked up at the young warrior in front of him.

"Don't worry…" she said kindly, taking Arya by surprise. "We'll bring Loki back…"

Arya blinked confusedly. Fandral smiled mysteriously and winked before turning his back to the young dazed warrior to join his friends. Arya frowned. It almost seemed as if Fandral knew about her true feelings… Sif wouldn't have told him, would she? And Jane… no…. Of all people, Fandral would be last they'd tell!

For some reason Arya felt a bit relieved. As if knowing that Fandral knew (possibly) made it all a lot easier. After all, Fandral had grown into being one of her best friends and although he just loved to make fun of absolutely everything, Arya knew he also had a caring, serious and genuinely smart side.

Jane walked up to Arya and sighed while rubbing her arms in the chill morning air.

"Volstagg's here…" she pronounced. Arya nodded, but she wasn't really paying attention. Her mind kept on wondering off to Loki. In what state was he? Would they be able to save him?

Arya shook her head and rubbed her temples. She had to keep positive! Loki was alive! She was certain! He had to be… She would know if he wasn't, right?

Jane threw her arm around the young warrior and squeezed her shoulder, until Arya looked up.

"They'll be fine!" Jane said with a smile, even though she couldn't fully hide the fear in her words. "Loki'll be back before you know it!"

Arya wanted to smile, to let Jane's encouraging words wash over her, but the fear didn't fade.

"We're leaving…" Thor's voice sounded. Both women looked up and found the prince if Asgard mounting his horse. The rest followed his example. Arya's glare shifted to Jane, who had locked her eyes on her husband. Thor looked back and smiled shortly, before guiding his horse towards the bridge. Arya swallowed. The love those two were sending each other, just by means of stares… For the first time ever, she craved to feel the same way.

Only when the trampling of hooves had died in the distance did Jane turn back to Arya. She smiled a smile which only mothers could master. That look that told you it was going to be fine, while hiding the worst of fears imaginable.

"I'll better go back. I'm certain Frigga woke up. She always does… whenever something is going on."

Arya nodded. "I'll think of a way to get the people to gather, without too much guards around…"

Jane nodded and quickly turned around, rushing back to her chambers.

Arya stared in the far distance, trying to figure out the best way to convince people to follow Loki instead of Odin… The idea in general wasn't very difficult to put into practise. After all, there weren't many Asgardians who were happy with the current situation, but would they be brave enough to conquer their fears? The young warrior turned around. She started making her way back to the palace when a familiar face suddenly came into view. It was Kale, the father of Brenna and Bjorn, Frigga's friends. Kale slowly made his way to Lynn's stable. Arya made a quick decision and rushed after him.

"Kale!" she called out. The surprised groom turned around and smiled when he saw Arya coming closer.

"My lady!" he answered, even though Arya had lost her title along with her job as Captain. "What brings you here on this beautiful morning!"

Arya smiled, hoping she didn't seem too nervous.

"I couldn't sleep… So I thought I'd made a quick morning stroll…"

Kale nodded. "Asgard is at its best during this time of day… A silent awakening of golden beauty. Every morning, without fail, free of charge! The wonder of dawn…"

Kales eyes locked on the magnificent sunrise. He smiled softly, but his eyes were sad. Arya saw her chance.

"Asgard does miss its beauty these days…" she said softly. Kale nodded.

"The warmth is missing…" he confirmed.

Arya bit her lip. It was risky to ask, but what did she have to loose.

"Is it just me? Or does it seem Asgard misses Loki?"

As expected Kale jerked his head towards the young warrior, his face pale, his eyes wide open with fear.

"I… I… I wouldn't know, Arya. It is forbidden to speak of… him."

Him? Arya thought while a warm spark of hope lit up in her heart. Odin often spoke of that or it when he'd announced Loki's true parentage. A Frost Giant… a monster… and the whole of Asgard had to remember!

But Kale spoke of him. Arya wondered if the friendly groom was the only one.

"No one can forbid you to think about it…" Arya continued with a smile. Kale turned to her once more, his eyes showing a look that Arya hadn't expected to see. It was a look of sadness, but also determination and faith. A look that told her how much Kale had been thinking about it.

Arya took a decision. She could ruing everything, but she had to start somewhere and she wouldn't get there on her own. So the young warrior stared back for a few seconds, changing her smile into a serious expression.

"Prince Thor, Lady Sif and the Warriors Three have left for Jötenheim this morning. They intent to rescue Loki and bring him back!"

Again Kale's eyes lit up in fear, but Arya didn't waste any time.

"I am certain that they will succeed, but if Loki sets foot on Asgard, The Allfather will not show him any mercy. However, if we get the people to gather, to show their faith in Loki, Frost Giant or not, then we might be able to stop Odin from killing him!"

Kale took a few steps back, while his eyes slowly locked on the Bifröst in the distance.

"Heimdall is on our side!" she answered before Kale got a chance to say anything. "He will not betray us to Odin."

Kale was obviously still not convinced. He diverted his eyes, turned around and nervously fiddle with the lock on Lyn's stable.

"Kale!" Arya called out. She was starting to panic. The groom licked his lips and took a shaky breath.

"This is treason you speak of!" he bit back.

Arya sighed and put one hand on Kale's shoulder. She walked a bit closer until she was standing right next to him.

"Kale…" she whispered. "Loki was your king… you trusted him, you followed him… he was a better ruler then Odin has been so far.

It stayed quiet while Kale made up his mind. Every second that past made Arya more and more anxious. If Kale wasn't prepared to follow her then there was a chance he would go to Odin and betray her. Not because he wanted to be a total idiot, but because he was scared.

Kale swallowed in the cold morning air before slowly turning to give Arya his final answer.

-xxx-

"Fandral! Stop whining! You knew it would be cold!" Sif shouted through the icy storm wind.

"I'm a simple soul with simple needs, my lady!" the golden warrior called back.

Sif sighed loudly, yet somewhere she knew Fandral was only keeping up the good mood. None of them could deny the fear, building up in their hearts. At least Fandral's whining would keep Sif distracted. She just couldn't rap her mind around the idea they were out to rescue a Frost Giant who also happened to be her lifelong friend.

"My friends, please!" Thor shouted. The God of Thunder pulled his big furry coat a bit tighter around his shoulders. He turned his head to face his two friends who were walking behind him. "Stop arguing! We need to find a way to rescue Loki without attracting too much attention."

Fandral smiled. "I was hoping on a bit of healthy Thor-improvisation!"

Thor shrugged. "You know, the only reason my improvisation ever worked out is because Loki added it to the plan already!"

"Eeeer… when did your improvisation ever work out?" Sif asked playfully. Thor laughed aloud, making everyone smile voluntarily.

The five of them travelled further in silence until the dark silhouette of Laufey's palace arose in the distance. The icy storm wind, which was cutting in their frozen faces, came blowing from its direction and seemed to carry shouting noises in its wake. The four friends glanced at each other, not really knowing what to make of it.

"Perhaps there's a show running!" Fandral suggested. "We could use that in our advantage! I bet the palace and the dungeons are barely guarded!"

"A show!" Sif shouted. "What in Odin's name would Frost Giants have to celebrate! They don't know entertainment!"

Volstagg laughed. "Perhaps they've discovered the fire! Drinks on me!" he joked, earning a few warm laughs form his friends. Only Thor seemed to have turned silent. The God of Thunder stared into the distance, his eyes locked on the palace.

"Stop laughing!" he unexpectedly roared while turning to his friends in one sudden move. Sif and the Warriors Three immediately noticed something was wrong. Terribly wrong… Thor's eyes stood dark and wild with fear. His face was as pale as ice, his hands trembled in his rage.

"The Jotuns know only one way of entertainment! And that's torture!"

If possible everyone turned even more silent. It almost seemed as if every sound around them fainted away, only the ongoing sheers remained to fill their being. Without saying a word, all five of them started running towards the palace, suddenly fearing that every second it would take to get there would be one too much.

-xxx-

Loki breathed out, tasting the fresh blood on his lip. He sniggered. He'd almost forgotten what his own flesh tasted like. Only blood… He was back in the arena. Thousands of Jotuns were yelling and scorning above him, but they were the last thing Loki cared about.

Loki swallowed while gripping his fingers tightly around the cold metal handle of a rusty sword which was probably an Asgardian relic of the Great War. He fixed his eyes on the charging form of what Loki had started to call a beasty. He'd seen it before on the day he'd found out he was a Frost Giant. The day Thor had ruined everything. It was a Jotun monster, made only of rock and ice. Difficult to create, but rather easy to destroy. At least if you had excess to a flying, unbreakable hammer!

Loki ducked out of the way when beasty sliced its enormous paw towards his head. Its nails slashed into the stone wall behind him, making the wall crumble down with a thunderous noise. Loki only just managed to keep himself from being buried alive. Sadly, Beasty saw its chance and attacked again. Loki felt its cold skin make contact, just before he found himself flying through the air, only to smack back down at other end of the arena. Every last bit of air was forced out of his burning lungs. Black spots started covering his view, but Loki knew better than to faint right now. Over the last weeks he'd had the unsettling feeling that the Jotuns cared less about his well-being than before. That is, about his chances on surviving in the arena. Before, they would make sure Loki got away with a few scratches, a broken bone at most. Now, on the other hand, they seemed to get bored with him, because there was absolutely no "help" coming from their side. The only way Loki could survive was by defeating another beasty. Then he could leave the arena to spend another wonderful night in his freezing cell, before being dragged in again. To be completely honest, Loki didn't really know anymore which option he preferred most. Dying seemed more and more attractive every second. The only reason, Loki hadn't given up yet, was because he knew Farbauti, his mother, wanted him to beg for his life, to fall at her feet and beg for mercy. That was a pleasure he wouldn't grant. If she was to watch him die, it would be at the hand of Beasty here!

With a lot of effort Loki rolled on his side, only narrowly avoiding Beasty's next strike. While moving, Loki felt the sword, which he'd dropped while falling, cut through his shirt into his side. Loki opened his eyes while anxiously searching the ground for the handle, but his view was getting darker. Another stab of pain cut through his being when Beasty's nails suddenly cut through his other side, completely covering the pain of his hand closing around the sharp blade of the sword. While fighting to remain awake, Loki let his in blood covered hand slide down the blade until he found the handle. With a loud cry of agony Loki rolled back on his back to his original spot. Beasty towered above him, reading for the final strike while roaring so loud that Loki could feel his insides tremble. With the last remaining bit of strength in his body, Loki lifted the blade in front of him, facing the grey sky which instantly turned dark when Beasty crashed down on him.

The roaring instantly stopped and a deep silence covered the arena. Loki carefully opened his eyes which he'd screwed shut in fear, but it remained dark. He tried to breath. Slowly, he drew a shaky breath, tasting only blood in his mouth.

Loki couldn't help himself. He just needed to laugh, no matter how much it hurt his crushed ribs and aching spine. His laugh echoed in the tiny dark space between his lips and the frozen body of Beasty.

"I'm sorry, Beasty..." Loki whispered with a smile, just before the light suddenly crashed back into his eyes. Before he got any chance to react or focus, Loki felt the ground disappear underneath him. Two pairs of strong, big, ice cold hands closed around his upper arms and dragged him out of the arena. The light changed from dusky outside storm light to cold dungeon darkness. The wind and cutting snow disappeared, but the cold remained.

And there the ground was once more. Loki cursed under his breath while the loud footsteps of the two Jotun guards faded through the tunnels and his ice cell bars were put in place. With a loud moan, Loki sank back against the wall, hoping he would fall asleep as fast as possible. Perhaps tonight he would get a nice dream, for a change…

-xxx-

Thor came to an abrupt stop in front of the enormous wall of the arena build right next to the palace. Even before his friends had joined him, he started turning his hammer around in fast circles until it lifted him in the air.

Sif and the Warriors three finally reached the wall.

"Thor! Wait!" Sif called out, but it was in vain.

Fandral sighed. "Right, sure… We'll just climb!" he shouted, just before a wave of snow hit him in the face.

With a blast of snow in his wake, Thor raced upwards until he landed as soft as possible on top of the wall. The moment his feet touched down he ducked behind an icy pillar standing near. The God of Thunder looked down and found that he'd landed right on top of the outside wall of the arena. Underneath him were rows of seats, going down until they formed an open circle in the middle. Thor felt his blood run cold when he spotted his brother being chased by one of those Jotun monster. Loki wasn't much bigger than an ant in front of the bloodthirsty monster. Thor needed all his willpower not to fly down immediately and crash that monster with one strike. There were simply too much Jotuns present. He didn't stand a chance. And starting another war was the last thing he needed.

The God of Thunder watched as Loki was thrown across the arena after one blow of the monster. His brother smacked on the ground and stayed there, motionless, while the monster charged again. Loki rolled out of the way just in time. What happened next went too fast for Thor to follow. One moment, Loki was rolling aside, the other he was screaming in agony while the monster crashed down on him. Loki's scream, mixed with the loud roar of the creature echoed through the air. Thor found himself frozen behind the pillar, again feeling an impossible fear clench around his heart. His grip around Mjolnir tightened, while his eyes desperately searched for a sign of life, but his brother was completely covered by the motionless body of the monster. Thor slowly let his eyes glide over the silent crowd until he hit upon the first row seats, meant for the king and queen and their guards. Thor's eyes locked on the figure of Farbauti. His father had told him about the Queen taking the lead on Jötenheim. She was most likely Loki's real mother, which made Thor feel even more sick. How could she even allow this! Farbauti's ruby eyes were locked on the motionless sight in front of her. Almost invisible she moved her hand, gesturing to five guards to enter the arena. Without showing any emotion she watched the five Frost Giants leap over the balustrade and slowly stride over to the monster and Loki. Thor held his breath, horrified of what he would see, but he had to know! Three of the five Jotuns gripped the lifeless body of the creature and effortless removed it from the scene, showing Loki's in blood covered limp body. Thor could see how Loki's hands were still clasped around the handle of the sword. One of the Jotuns bowed over Loki's body and quickly checked his pulse. Afterwards he turned towards his Queen and nodded. Farbauti didn't give any sign of emotion while she watched the two guards drag Loki back to his cell. Thor followed his brother's limp form until he'd disappeared from his view. Only then he noticed his warm tears dripping from his bearded chin onto his trembling hands.

"Is he here?" a voice suddenly sounded. Thor looked down to find Fandral and his other friends finally climbing over the edge of the wall, hoisting themselves next to him. One look on Thor's face was enough.

Sif and the Warriors Three shared a glance.

"Is… is he alive?" Sif finally asked, verbalizing the one thought than was torturing everyone's mind. Thor grimaced while letting his final tears cross his cheeks. His fingers whitened around the handle of Mjolnir and his jaw clenched while his eyes, filled with fire and rage, locked on the silent form of Farbauti still sitting in her throne.

"He'd better be…" he said in a low growl. "If he isn't, I won't rest until I've rid this universe of every last damn Frost Giant!

-xxx-

"Maybe we have to wait till it's dark…"

"Fandral, if we wait till dark, Odin will have known for ages and he'll come to get us himself!"

"Guys, please, be quiet!" Thor sighed. They were standing just outside the arena, trying to come up with a plan to get inside. Now that the "show" was over, all the Jotuns had returned to their duties, which meant that the guards were back in place.

"Isn't there some kind of sewer then?" Volstagg asked. "Like we did on Vanaheim?"

"I don't think there's anything fluid in this realm, altogether, my friend…" Hogun answered.

"Then what do we do?" Fandral asked after a short silence. "I'm out of ideas guys!"

Thor sighed and rubbed his eyes. "We do it my way!" he finally announced.

Sif threw her friend a questioning glare. "I don't mean to offend you, Thor, but "your way" mostly involves running inside, screaming like lunatics, killing everything that crosses our path…"

Thor smiled mysteriously. "Exactly…" he answered.

-xxx-

Loki tried to steady his breathing, but the burning pain everywhere in his body made that impossible. His mortal heart was fighting to keep up.

Damn it! he thought while screwing his eyes shut, hoping he would fall asleep. I can't die here! Not in this godforsaken cell!

Perhaps you can… a voice sounded in his mind. It sounded an awful lot like his own and he craved to just obey it.

It pathetic… Loki though in response.

But easy… it sounded.

"So easy…" Loki whispered while breathing out. "So… easy…"

Slowly a deeper darkness took hold of his body, dragging him further and further down. No more cold, no more pain…

So easy… Loki heard, although he wasn't sure if it were his own thoughts or the voice ringing inside his head.

"Sorry mate!" it sounded, followed by a short, sickening scream and the sound of a body unwillingly touching the ground.

Footsteps…

Lots of footsteps…

Loki wanted to frown, but his body and mind forced him to sink deeper into the silent darkness.

Why footsteps… he thought.

"LOKI!" a voice roared, making Loki jump a foot in the air. At least he would have, if his body had cooperated.

A familiar metal sound and the breaking of ice.

Loki wanted to open his eyes, but it seemed his eyelids had turned to lead.

Footsteps again. Then silence.

"You think he's…," a voice sounded.

Somewhere far in his mind, Loki knew it was Sif, but it didn't seem to matter.

"No… I think he's breathing…," another voice – Fandral – echoed in Loki's ears. The golden warrior was probably referring to the almost invisible, irregular damp clouds leaving his chapped blue lips.

Footsteps again, slowly, carefully coming closer. It all sounded very far away. The ruffling of fabric when someone knelt down in front of him.

"Brother?" a voice sounded, dripping with desperation. Loki almost wanted to laugh. The irony. Thor coming to save him… he wasn't his brother, the evidence was clear enough now.

Suddenly Loki felt two warm fingers pressed in the frozen skin of his neck. A desperate search for a heartbeat which was barely present, but Loki could hear his brother sigh in relief when his fighting heart finally gave notice of its existence. And then, all of the sudden, a warm, tantalizing feeling spread over Loki's whole body, filling him with a sense of security for just a second. Confused, but also curious, Loki forced himself to open his eyes.

-xxx-

Thor laughed shortly when he felt Loki's veins pound under his trembling fingers, but his smile faded when Loki's skin suddenly lost its Jotun blue colour. It started in Loki's neck and quickly spread over his bare arms and legs until it reached his toes. The typical Jotun curves disappeared as well, showing the familiar light skin tone Loki had always had in Thor's memory. The change of colour extended to his brother's face, slowly making its way to his forehead and pitch-black hair line. Just at that moment Loki opened his eyes, showing the transformation, turning his ruby Jotun eyes into his unique emerald orbs, shining with surprise.

Loki opened his mouth, but coughed up some blood before he could start speaking. His eyes slowly focused on his in blood covered, grazed, but obviously pale skinned hands.

"What?" he managed to say in a broken whisper.

"All right… Considering I'm in the middle of a Jotun dungeon, that wasn't as creepy as it would seem…," Fandral interrupted the silence, but if effectively ripped Thor and the other's from their surprised states.

"We don't have a minute to loose, Thor!" Volstagg called out. He and Hogun were still standing outside the cell, keeping guard. The God of Thunder nodded and put his hand around Loki's shoulder in order to pull his brother on his feet.

Vaguely, Loki felt the ice floor disappear from underneath him, but the pain, torturing his whole body due Thor's rash movements, made that all disappear to the background. Loki wanted to scream, but his voice seemed to run behind on his brain. So he simply screwed his eyes shut, ignoring the fact that he was holding on to his brother's shoulder just to remain standing, and waited for the waves of pain to fade.

"Very sensitive, Thor!" Sif scolded. The God of Thunder sighed and looked down on his brother, not entirely sure whether Loki had fainted or was just taking a nap against his chest, until he drew a ragged breath and opened his eyes.

Loki tried to smile, but that didn't really work out. "I take it the whole of Jötenheim will be chasing us within the next ten minutes?" he asked.

Sif smirked. "Exactly according Thor's masterplan!" she said with a playful smile. Thor smiled back before turning his attention back on his brother.

"Can you walk?" he asked. Loki smirked.

"Thor, seriously…," he laughed. "You hurt my pride! Are you suggesting I'm injured, brother?"

Thor smiled, but his smile didn't last. He couldn't stop thinking about what Loki's welcome would be. Even if his brother managed to drag himself to… wherever they would find a way out, he would still be in danger on Asgard.

Loki was thinking the same thing, but he'd decided not to ask about the next step of Thor's plan. In fact Loki was quite certain that Thor didn't have a plan, nor a way out. As always, Loki would be the one to fill in that part. Asgard on the other hand was another matter. There was nothing Loki could do to insure his safety back home. All he could do was hope that his oaf of a brother had at least managed to come up with a solution on that part. And if not… well, at least dying at Odin's hand would be a lot less painful than another visit to the arena, not to mention it would be one last chance to torment Odin one last time by proving he'd survived this long.

-xxx-

One foot after the other and you'll keep moving… Loki repeated that same sentence in his mind over and over and over again. They were running through the dungeons, trying to find the fastest way to the outside world. Loki was trying hard to keep up with Thor's big steps, but he'd very quickly decided to let his brother do the running and focus his energy on not tripping and holding on to Thor's shoulder. Every few seconds, dark spots would cover Loki's view, but he'd refused to give in, no matter how much his body ached and pleaded to stop. Everywhere around him, cold bodies littered the ground while shouting voices echoed around them. It wouldn't take the Jotuns long to find them.

In an attempt to distract himself from the pain, Loki focused on something else.

"Where's Arya?" he asked, noticing that the black archer wasn't present, which for some reason, made him feel sad.

"She remained on Asgard…," Thor answered shortly, not really in the mood for explaining.

"I figured that much, Thor…," Loki answered, slightly irritated.

"She and Jane are gathering the people of Asgard to try convince Odin to let you stay. So in a way, your fate is in their hands!" Fandral explained with a grin.

Loki looked up from his feet and watched the amused golden warrior in front of him, not really knowing if this information made him feel much better, but Fandral only grinned back.

"They'll manage, Loki!" Sif quickly added, before throwing a accusing glare on Fandral. Suddenly three Jotuns appeared around the corner up ahead. The first one never knew what hit him, because Volstagg and Sif quickly reacted. Hogun, who was last in the group, also turned around to find another four Jotuns close in on them from behind.

Loki never got the chance to get a grip on the situation. Suddenly Thor's supporting shoulder disappeared and he was pushed against the wall. His friends threw themselves into the fight, keeping Loki safely in between them. Loki felt terrible. How deep did he fall to rely on his brother to save his skin?

"Loki!" Fandral's voice shouted. Loki looked up, only to find one not friendly looking Jotun tower over him, ready to strike.

Whether it was out of fear, or just a dodge reflex, Loki didn't know, but he decided to give in to his aching legs and drop on the floor, evading the deadly strike. Sif and Fandral had taken the opportunity to rush forwards and strike the Jotun in the back. Thor only just managed to keep the falling body from crushing on Loki, but his brother had spotted the danger and quickly crawled aside, giving the Frost Giant all room to collapse onto his final resting place.

But by doing that, Loki had left the protective circle of his friends. Two Jotuns saw their chance and charged. Automatically, Loki ducked out of the way, allowing the his first attacker to loose balance and trip. The second, distracted by Loki's first move, didn't noticed Loki slipping behind him. To late he realised he'd been tricked. The Jotun turned a little too quickly. All Loki needed was one well-placed push and the Jotun stumbled backwards, tripping over his friend who had just managed to get back on his knees. Loki grinned shortly. Using your wits was still the best way to win a fight.

Loki stumbled backwards until his back hit the wall. Somewhere his body was still screaming to just lie down and never get up again, but the pain had faded to a very uncomfortable shimmer in the background. Thanks to the sudden danger, Loki's body was filled with adrenaline, keeping him up straight. The fact that he'd just realised that the Jotuns were out to kill him now instead of bringing him back to his cosy cell, only added to that.

"Loki?"

Loki looked up to find his brother's worried blue eyes looking down on him.

"I'm fine, Thor…," he said shortly while shaking of the hand which Thor had put on his shoulder. "Just let's get out of here. I've had enough ice for a lifetime…"

Thor grinned and turned around to call his friends. Half an hour later they were back on track, leaving the dungeons behind them when they finally entered the dim sunlight of the Jotun plain.

Fandral let out a long sigh. "Remind me never to get captured by Jotuns!" he said while stretching his arms above his head.

Loki blinked against the sudden light. Even in the arena he'd always felt a heavy shadow over him, keeping the sunlight away from him. He looked up to the grey sky, almost expecting to see the Bifröst take shape, ready to deliver Odin and a nicely shaped Asgardian army. Luckily all remained quiet.

"I've got a few options to get out of here…," he announced. No on needed to tell him he was supposed to come up with an escape route.

Loki looked around the plain, trying to orientate and figure out the best and, more importantly, fastest way to escape this godforsaken realm of ice. The biggest problem with Jötenheim was that because of the bare conditions, you were never certain whether a portal was still active. One earthquake or avalanche was enough to break the contact, or redirect it to another realm.

After a few seconds, Loki had made up his mind. He pointed towards a spot right of the Jotun palace that was towering over them.

"There's a portal to the outskirts of Asgard over there somewhere…," he said. "It's the closest option, but I suggest we hurry nonetheless."

Everyone nodded, knowing all too well that the Jotuns would catch up soon. And so the fellowship stared walking, keeping close to the shadows of the palace. For the first time in their lives, they were thankful when another one of Jötenheim's infamous blizzards started taking shape. It didn't exactly ease their journey, but it certainly made them harder to spot. They'd been walking for about forty minutes when Loki started to feel his adrenaline levels lower with every step he took. Soon the old pain and exhaustion would be back, but he refused to let it show.

Five minutes later, however, they could all here the deep sounds of footsteps, carried by the strong wind which was pushing them in the back. A few seconds later dark silhouettes became visible through the snow as well.

Fandral, Sif, Volstagg and Hogun drew their weapons once more. "Thor, I suggest you take Loki and get out of here!" Sif called out through the storm wind, but The God of Thunder shook his head.

"There's no way I can see where I'm flying in this weather!"

"Then you better start moving!" Fandral shouted back. "We'll keep them off!"

"Let's just drop our pride and run!" Loki shouted to his friends. "There're just to many! Time to fall back!"

Thor didn't waste any time. He pushed Loki in the back, gesturing he had to start moving.

"Loki's right! Fall back!" he shouted just before he started running after Loki. Sif and the Warriors Three hesitated for a second, but decided to follow. If they lost track of Loki in this weather, they would probably never find the portal anyway.

The six of them raced over the ice plain, ignoring the loud drumming steps, closing in on them. Loki felt a new wave of adrenaline fill his being and giving his muscles the strength to keep moving.

After a few minutes, Thor saw something loom up in the distance.

"Loki!" he shouted to his brother who was sprinting just in front of him, which was remarkable, since his body was only mortal. "There is nothing there! We're running towards a cliff!"

Loki grinned. "Exactly!" he shouted back. "There's a portal just over the edge!"

"What!" Thor shouted back.

Loki laughed in a new found excitement. "I wouldn't worry too much, brother!" he called out while the cliff came closer and closer. "If the portal is still active, we'll be fine!"

"And what if it isn't?" Thor called back.

Loki smiled his own creepy smile. "Then that cliff is just a cliff and we'll fall to our deaths!"

"Loki wait!" Thor shouted angrily but as always his brother was a lot lighter on his feet and easily avoided Thor's grasping arm.

Loki laughed and, without slowing down, leaped over the edge of the cliff. Thor immediately jumped behind him, gripping Mjolnir tightly and ready to catch his brother, but Loki suddenly vanished mid-air. The next second Thor felt the cold air of Jötenheim disappear. In one breath taking moment he was surrounded by a thousand colours, each one gripping onto him until the darkness became a bright flash of pure light. And then there was water. All around him. Thor instinctively searched for the surface, desperate for breath, but he'd lost every kind of orientation, until he found the swimming form of his brother right underneath him, swimming towards a soft light.

Ignoring his own senses, which were screaming he was only swimming deeper down, he followed his brother. The light became stronger and just when Thor was certain he wouldn't be able to hold his breath much longer, he finally broke through the surface, right next to the smiling face of his brother. A few seconds later Sif and the Warriors Three followed, one by one.

"ARE YOU CRAZY!" Sif shouted while splashing a good portion of water towards Loki.

"Definitely!" Fandral answered for him, smiling widely. Loki laughed with him.

"Won't the Jotuns follow us?" Volstagg asked.

Loki shook his head. "We had enough of a headstart to make them belief we fell over the edge, invisible by the storm. They won't follow us…"

"Smart thinking there, my friend…," Volstagg said with a smile. Loki grinned widely.

"Any time!" he answered with a playful grin.

TADAAAA! Did you like it? I hope you did... if not, sorry, if yes, than, you're welcome!

Sorry... I'm a little bit brainwashed. I've been working a lot for school lately, but it doesn't seem like that's gonna change any time soon because... EXAMS!

*crying*

So in other words: I won't be able to write that much... *crying hysterically* But, as always, I'll try my best!

In case I can't give you guys anything before Christmas and New Year:

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR! I HOPE YOU ALL HAD A FANTASTIC YEAR, LET'S HAVE AN EVEN BETTER ONE, SHALL WE! ;)

I hope you guys like the story so far! I certainly have enjoyed writing it for you!

Lots of love,

Rumple x

PS: I'm not sure I'll be able to write a Christmas special like I did last year. I'll certainly try, I have some ideas, but I cant promise anything. Maybe it will be a bit of a late Christmas special... We'll see ;) MERRY CHRISTMAS!