The Court
Thor approaches the dais then kneels as he drops his hammer down beside him. "You once said, there will never be a wiser king than me. You were wrong. The realms were brought together by the Aether. They all saw your actions. Now, what can Asgard offer its new king in return?" Loki ask knowing his Odin disguise is fooling his brother. He watches as the hammer barer rises while leaving Mjolnir on the floor.
"My life. Father I cannot be king of Asgard. I will protect Asgard and all the realms with my last breathe but I cannot do so from that chair. Loki for all his grave imbalance, understood rule as I know I never will. The brutality, the sacrifice... It changes you. I would rather be a good man than a great king." Thor states as he watches the illusion of his father then awaits his reply.
"Is this my son I hear, or the woman he loves?" The king ask while changing his position on his throne. "When you speak, do I never hear mother's voice?" He summons his hammer to his hand. "This is not for Jane, father. She does not know what I have come here to say. Now forbid me to see her, or say she can rule by my side. It changes nothing." Thor says as his mourning for Loki begins to seep out.
"One son who wanted the throne too much, another who will not take it. Is this my legacy?" The dark king lies, pleased with how easily he is fooling his brother. "Loki died with honor, I shall try too do the same. Is that not legacy enough?" Thor ask before offering his hammer to the Odin he sees.
"It belongs to you... If you are worthy of it." He tells Thor while waving him off. "I shall try to be." He half turns. "Thank you, father." Thor replies with mournful hope then walks away.
The trickster waits for his brother to be out of sight before dropping his illusion of Odin. "No... Thank you." Loki says with mischievous mirth. With his words spoken in his true voice, Frigga and Astrid come out from behind the throne.
LOKI WILL RETURN IN BOOK 4