oOo

Chapter 5 – Deliberation

Loki lay motionless.

He was being depraved like an animal trapped in a cage. Days— weeks maybe— he didn't know. It could be longer, he really couldn't tell. He couldn't even think, speak or breathe without feeling remorse.

"Why?" He muttered.

Loki thought Thor would return by now, that he would come back, but no... He never did. He had feared this happening but never believed it would. He had begged, shouted and screamed Thor's name too much that the guards had gagged and tied him.

What he pretended was concern from the guards was truly to stop him from making a mess. He did manage to get out of them, but with a lot of struggling and pain involved.

"Why won't you come back?" He trembled. "You said you would return."

It was cruel for him to leave.

So why did he?

It had been so long since Thor had appeared. And Loki, for some reason, always believed he'd be there, whether it was to insult him or to rudely encourage him. Now, he had no one. As he cradled and cried himself to sleep, he was driven to insanity. Perhaps Thor left because Loki couldn't stand up for himself. Thor did say he was pathetic in his arguments. He was weak and vulnerable.

But he could fight, at least, until Thor left him.

Loki looked up at the wall marking Thor's name. He had etched it there using his fingernails. It was so that he'd never forget, and maybe if he hurt himself enough, Thor would come back and laugh it off. Loki had already known he wasn't good for anyone. He only wondered if Thor thought that way too.

He wasn't sane enough to make a decision for himself.

He usually left that to Thor now.

Loki stared at the ceiling. He was confused, lost, irritable and weak. What Loki did wrong, he simply didn't know.

"What did I do wrong?" He thought. "I meant no harm. I followed the rules. I just need more time. So please answer me, Thor. Do not be cruel."

Loki pondered.

"T-Thor…" He stuttered. His mind flooded with vague memories about his Seidr acting up, then Thor showing up without much reason. The idea of his Seidr creating illusions… Loki shook his head.

No… couldn't be.

Loki laughed at his confusion.

Thor was his place of safety, of comfort and strength. With him, he felt useful, needed… loved. Thor's voice was a siren's song in the silence. Loki needed him. They had journeyed together through thick and thin, despite their falling out and Loki trying to kill him in his fit of madness and power…

But now, he really wanted him back.

Loki really couldn't handle his disappearance. He needed to kill the pain, to drown the sorrow and the loneliness. So many voices threatened his mind, whispering horrible words. Memories of torture washed over him like an avalanche.

"Leave me alone," He whimpered.

Thor was his last thread of keeping his sanity. Loki wasn't prepared to have that tie cut. Without him, he wasn't himself. He felt empty. His soul ripped out and was unresponsive… to anything.

As Time stretched, Loki poetically quoted sweet nothings.

He decided he should wait a little longer.

Maybe Thor would return.

Maybe…


oOo

Frigga felt incomplete.

When she spoke to Thor about Odin's plans, she told little of what she could in fear that Thor might do something drastic and effectively ruin their plan. She could clearly sense tension coming from Thor as they sat facing each other at the dining table. It didn't help that Sif and the Warriors Three also fell into melancholy as they joined them for dinner.

"What cold dead air—" She grimaced.

Only the sounds of cutlery clanking against each other and Thor heavy breathing resonated in the dead atmosphere.

"This is worse than I thought." Frigga dolefully assessed.

She could tell Sif and the others were forcing their company on Thor and it was taxing her son. To cheer his poor soul, they thought, trying to convince him to end his melancholy. They didn't realize they were only making things worse.

It's been so long though.

"Two awful months," She miserably remembered. "I wish it had not been so."

It took a lot of planning to get to where they were.

Odin had traveled through the realms in secrecy using what dark energy he could spare through the pathways known to him and so little few. He feared that using the Bifrost would attract unwanted attention and that wouldn't have helped their situation.

It suddenly thundered outside.

Frigga winced, knowing full well it was Thor's temper rising. She stole a glance at her son, who grimaced as he played with his food. Unless Loki was released, this family would remain despondent, buried in grief and guilt.

"I am sick of this!" Thor erupted and defeatedly placed his head on his palms. "I cannot sit idly and wait for Loki to rot in a cell!"

"We won't let that happen." Frigga assured.

"What if it already has?" He whimpered brokenly. "It's been so long."

"The King did send a raven from Alfheim just recently." Sif opened, clearly annoyed. "You shouldn't get worked over such trivial matters. It'll be resolved soon."

Everyone winced as she spoke her thoughts.

She never liked Loki.

It was clear that everyone was getting worked up over his imprisonment. It's not like the guards would disobey their King. Besides, Loki deserved it. So why in the world was everyone so touchy with the subject that it made her feel guilty over the way she acted towards the situation. But never mind that. She was Thor's friend and she had to be there for him despite her strong dislike for his brother.

"The All-Father sent tidings from Jotunheim," Fandral notified. "There's also one from Nornheim. Is that right?"

"True," Volstagg said as he devoured boar meat. "There was one from Vanaheim too."

"But why exactly is he doing this?" Thor huffed. "I see no relevance in gathering any of them, mother. Not that I dislike Lord Freyr or Lady Freya that is… but the rest of them…" Thor braved his mother's stern look and said, "Jotunheim? Honestly?"

Everyone paled.

"I'm only stating a fact." He justified.

"It's only a matter of time before you pester me for this," Frigga sighed, cleared her throat and explained. "In an emergency it's one thing to have a letter delivered by a raven or a messenger, and another thing entirely to have that messenger be Odin himself."

"So?"

"So," She gave him a grim look. "This means that the situation is dire that the All-Father himself is personally asking for help."

"What of the Council?"

"They already know of Odin's absence in court and the rumors of his— not so subtle— appearances in other realms. Odin's not making it secret that he is traveling. Else he wouldn't use messengers or ravens to deliver his letters. At the beginning there was need for discretion and concealment to not cause panic, but now… not anymore."

"Was it wise to do so?" Hogun asked.

"To update us on the on-goings of his travels?" Frigga expounded. "It's wise if part of Odin's plan is to cause a little fear among his councilmen, yet this would cause them to come up with stories about Odin's ulterior motive." She sighed, looking at her husband's empty chair. "I have no doubt they already have a wind of our plan, at least a lump of it."

"You are calm about this, milady." Sif hesitantly declared.

"Oh, I'm infuriated." She snickered. "Do not let this face fool you otherwise."

After that, they had all gone silent.

Frigga had taken action of divulging part of the plan in hopes it would ease their troubled hearts, yet this made matters worse. Thor was grumbling in his corner of the table while the rest were deep in thought. Some contemplated of ways to help do their duty while one other (Frigga eyed Sif) debated her loyalty.

"Complaining will lead us nowhere," Sif huffed

"For how long?" Thor poked his food. "Loki's waiting. He hasn't been seen or heard from besides what we're being told. For how long must he wait until we free him from this… injustice?"

"It's not that easy."

"It's easy for you to say that." He grimaced. "None of us are in the position to speak."

"But he could be fine…"

"Do you honestly believe that?" He chillingly chuckled. "Do you really believe anyone would show him mercy knowing what he is— knowing what he's done? Do you think Asgard is what we thought it was in all its full glory?"

Sif lowered her gaze.

"He could be dead." Thor disturbingly whispered.

Sif didn't want to admit Thor could be right. She eyed her friends and her Queen and noticed how the ambience of the room turned to gloom. The Queen remained passive while the servants present scurried back to their hall.

Sif grimaced.

This was all Loki's fault.

"You may think it's too late, but it's not." Frigga declared as her voice quivered. She reached out to hold Thor's hand and waited for him to grab it. "You must have faith that we would turn the tide."

"If we cannot?" He hesitated.

"We will."

For a moment, Thor eyed her hand. It was long, soft looking but old with lines. Her ring finger carried her beautiful wedding jewelry and it reminded Thor of so many things. It wasn't destiny that defined them... It was their choices. And so he held her hand, squeezed it as he unburdened himself and felt her anchor his world.

"I hope you're right."


oOo

Loki woke to a splitting headache.

He was pale, warm and sweating. His hair was a soggy mess that draped over his emerald eyes. Fever chills wracked his body as his throat and muscle swelled. He wrapped the rag tightly around himself in hopes it will alleviate the cold.

Then he could move, but now, he was a literal ragdoll.

He couldn't lift his arms or call for help or even find a sense of balance. The only thing he wished for was some peace, to get lost in an illusion and never return from it. But he couldn't fall into that luxury. Not with this kind of fever ruining his control over his Seidr (or what's left of it anyway).

He shivered.

The guards had found new ways to torture him which led to this fever. Whenever he was ready to fall into sleep, they'd come around lugging buckets of cold water. He was their personal plaything, and this was their new game. To top it off, they deprived him of food for many days, giving him some only in between other weeks when they felt generous.

Though, he didn't have to worry about water anymore.

He was way past his endurance.

Loki was done with blaming himself for Thor's quick escape away from him. He was done with everything. He truly cared about nothing. Let them do what they want, he thought. What difference did it make? Surviving was the least of his problems. He only wanted death to take him.

"Norns," He cried silently, lying in pain. "You've punished me for my crimes. Now let death take its toll. It's time… Valhalla above… let me pass quietly into darkness and let my story end."

Let it end.


oOo

As the highest ranking rulers gathered together, a crowd from different realms amassed in Odin's great hall awaiting news. Aesir, Vanir, Alfar, Dvergar and a few Jotnar mingled together in awe of each other, while others detested the variety of ethnicity roaming about.

How in Valhalla was Odin able to gather the most powerful in the nine realms in one place was a mystery, and strikingly, a miracle.

The deliberation was about to begin and the crowd increased tenfold.

A young Aesir woman, with silky auburn hair and grey eyes, sauntered lavishing among the crowd with her tight gown and robe. She leaned against the large pillar and grimaced at the quickly narrowing great hall.

"So much for the extended peace we are getting." Atli commented to herself. "They should get this done and over with quickly before chaos ensues. They'll probably have us clean it up."

"Are you that impatient?"

She recognized that voice and immediately turned around with a frown. Standing before her was a beautiful elf with long blonde hair and cerulean eyes. He was well dressed and rich looking. She rolled her eyes in annoyance and turned away.

"I wasn't talking to you."

"You've gone off the deep end, milady."

"Erland."

"Atli." He smiled.

"I thought you were in Alfheim." She rudely declared.

"I cannot stay away once I heard there was a gathering," Erland shrugged. "I asked Lord Freyr to bring me with him and he did not hesitate to. Besides, I am done being lavished upon in Alfheim and I cannot let you do all the work on your own."

"There's barely any," She mourned. "Without… without Loki around…"

"I know."

They stood there recalling memories of their wayward Prince.

Atli was younger than Thor, but older than Loki, and is his personal maid. She liked the young Prince. He wasn't unkind and untidy. He always had everything organized which made things easier for her. She had always been an all-around maid, helping in the kitchens and what not, but she really missed working for Loki.

Erland was a different story.

His mother was an elf, and his father an Aesir brigand…

Both dead.

He was a lone elf found and trained by King Freyr, taken in like a son. He met Loki in Alfheim and things took a quick turn and they ended up becoming fast friends. Loki won Erland's loyalty. Erland had insisted he come to Asgard to serve him. That's how he ended up as one of Loki's friend/servant.

Again, it was a complicated and different story.

"Has there been any word besides what rumors we know?" Erland whispered. "I've heard plenty from Alfheim alone, but Lord Freyr insisted he'd help the All-Father."

"Let it be known how grateful we are for the help of King Freyr." Atli sarcastically commented and effectively dodged the elf's curious question.

"You are awfully stingy today."

"You can tell?" She smiled.

Erland shrugged.

"You are not with them." She continued.

"I beg your pardon?"

"Why are you here, Erland?" Atli eyed the elf closely for any signs that would betray his intentions. She found none. "You may be a servant here in Asgard, but you're definitely not in Alfheim. You should be with King Freyr in the war council room, listening to their merry debates."

"King Freyr deems it… unwise."

"How so?"

"You know me, dear Atli." He chuckled. "I can keep my mouth shut as much as Thor loves reading books. I am a hopeless cause and would inspire more drama than not."

"True." Atli tucked a loose hair behind her ears. "I just wish you were there." She mourned. "Maybe then we'll have our hearts eased at the news before any others will. Now we must wait in this dreary hall."

"Cheerful," He corrected.

"Dreary," She corrected again. "To us… to them."

Erland remained silent and simply stood there with her, waiting. Atli meant themselves and the royal family. It was a sad event. Despite whatever outcome it would still be fruitless. Everyone else wanted Loki dead or banished. But they missed him, for they remembered who Loki was before.

In the sea of people, there were at least two who wished him well.

He wasn't alone.

And despite Loki against the world, the two servants he had simply wished that he knew… hoped that he knew… that he was loved.


oOo

They gathered in the war council room at the large round table.

Sitting on Odin's left was his son, Thor, followed by the general of his army, Tyr. The King of Alfheim, Lord Freyr followed next, and adjacent him was the Queen of Helheim, Lady Hela. Sitting short-tempered beside her was the King of the dwarves in Nidavellir, Lord Eitri.

By his side in huge contrast was Jotunheim's current King, Helblindi, who was obviously glaring at Thor by no stretch of exaggeration. Next to him was his younger brother, Byleistr, and then followed the lovely Lady Karnilla, Queen of Nornheim, and Lady Freya, Queen of Vanaheim and twin sister to Lord Freyr. Last but not least on Odin's right was his beautiful wife, Frigga, Queen of Asgard.

Each emanated different kinds of power and authority.

Odin looked them over.

He hoped this would rectify all his mistakes.

He looked again and noticed behind him were Heimdall, Sif and the Warriors Three looking menacingly at the council members who gathered in the corner of the room melting side by side with other guards from different realms.

"I do not like this." Thor mumbled as he felt the tension rise.

"We do not have much choice." Frigga feared.

She wanted to hold her son's hand to ease his pain and anxiety, but doing so would be a laughing stock. To think that a grown son of Odin was still running to his mother would be the shock of the century. So she stayed her worried heart. She looked around the room as well, taking in what could be their last hope.

Everyone was nervous and cautious.

And the deliberation began.

Through the All-Father's careful words, he managed to convince the leaders of the nine realms about his concern over the authority of his council. Some of the members wanted to overthrow his rule and take over jurisdiction.

Odin was powerful and the protector of the nine realms.

They needed him.

"Perhaps," King Freyr suggested. "A change of positions are in order? Upon hearing such ill intentions and the ill-treatment of your family, it is worth considering."

Many of the council members protested.

Some were guiltier and desperate to defend themselves while the others were honest in their opinion. Through the many quickly surfacing issues, Loki's name was mentioned numerous times and the conversation quickly took a horrible turn. When everyone begun to speak over each other, Odin had enough and slammed Gungnir on the ground and silenced everyone.

Mostly everyone…

"Loki the traitor killed my father," Helblindi growled. "Let him deny it!"

"There was never any doubt."

"I agree on your rule as King, All-Father, but I will not sit here knowing your so called son—" He spat. "—killed my father and slaughtered my people using your blasted Bifrost. Your apologies would never bring back our dead. Your sons had waged war on our realm and I want that long neglected compensation!"

"And you will have it as agreed upon by your attendance."

"You abuse your authority, All-Father."

"And you exaggerate," Karnilla purred as she twirled her dark hair. "Isn't power all we crave nowadays?" She slyly grinned, sending shivers to others. "Personal matters aside, this isn't what we are here to discuss, yes?"

"I agree." Hela ominously voiced.

But the squabbling continued anyway and became more aggressive. The conversation swiped from left to right as compensations of land and crops were brought up. Regulations were presented and no sooner were handling provisions to rebuilding homes and punishments to certain crimes were tackled.

It stretched far over each other and added with Loki's name became the theme of the exchange. He was then blamed for causing a rift between realms to catastrophic quantities.

"This isn't bringing us anywhere." Frigga bemoaned.

"Just another day in court," Freya jested as she patted Frigga's hand. "Everyone is just a little aggressive today."

"To lay it as just a little aggressive is an understatement." Freyr commented from his corner. "You've gotten soft in your age, Odin. You let people walk all over you."

"Brother," Freya scolded.

"And here I thought we would convene in good terms." Odin sighed.

Thor gritted his teeth in his corner. He listened to their thoughts and couldn't handle any more. He tried to be the perfect obedient little boy everyone expected him to be, but he had enough.

What would Loki do in this matter?

Now that he thought about it, Loki used to try and make peace and get the attention on to him. He was smart. He had always been able to end squabbles by saying large words and carefully thought out sentences. So Thor gave it a go.

"ENOUGH!" He shouted.

Everyone stopped.

Thor breathed heavily and realized he was standing. He mentally palmed his face. Everyone was looking at him. What a stupid move! If Loki could see him now he'd think and say 'that's one way to do it, idiot.' At least he had gotten their attention.

"I speak before you all and plead you here me." He began.

"You?" Byleistr snorted.

"Let him speak," Eitri scoffed. "It'd be better if you have something… useful… to say, lad."

"I only wish to bring us back to what is most dire," Thor began, "I am not here to fight and I am sure neither are any of you. We may have wandered far from what was agreed upon when we convened in the first place. The All-Father gathered you together to testify his worthiness of ruling Asgard and to make a decision concerning a prisoner. I ask you all to put your differences aside to attain this."

Everyone grimaced, but nodded all the same.

"Now I ask you," Thor took a deep breath. "Do any of you oppose the All-Father's authority and rule to look into Loki's supposed betrayal and to put it to fair trial?"

Nearly half the council members, Helblindi and Byleistr (only because they hated Loki), King Eitri and a few others raised their hands. Thor was very surprised that Tyr stayed his hand. So the general did have a little heart for Loki. That was a good sign indeed. He looked at everyone and nodded to which they dropped their hands.

He spoke loud and clear.

"Overruled," Thor voiced. "The number of those willing to abide by the All-Father's law is predominant."

"What of this trial?" Hela curiously asked.

"Loki was never given fair trial." Odin opened with great thanks to Thor. "But was judged harshly and thrown into prison. We have heard little from him but the assurance of few guards and half of the council. We have reason to believe we are being thoroughly deceived."

"You have not seen him?" Karnilla grimaced.

"No," Frigga frowned. "The council believed a conspiracy would happen should we remain in contact with Loki. Only now have we decided to take action."

"And why did the council take matters into their own hands?" Freyr gravely remarked.

Half of them were nervous while the others were embarrassed.

"I think his crime answers for itself," One brave council member opened. "There's no reason to judge him if all evidence was laid before us. Tell me he did not commit treason three years ago with the Jotnar?"

"Mind your tongue, wench." Helblindi growled.

"He betrayed us only to betray the Jotnar as well," Another added. "He is two-faced!"

"I understand your concerns!" Thor yelled over them. "Loki may have done terrible things but we have deliberated Loki's past crimes before, not his recent one. I remember when you all cheered for his demise! He had already fallen into the void and I believe his experience there could be what drove him over to commit the grievances we face now."

"What makes you think so?" Hela asked.

"Loki is mischievous, that I cannot deny, but his actions are different. I have known my brother for many years and he is not the same being."

"Perhaps you did not know him well enough?" Karnilla argued.

"I am not the only one." Thor stated. "Ask Lord Freyr or Lady Freya, for Loki has been in both Vanaheim and Alfheim during his travels. We have also met Lord Eitri and the other dwarves. Tyr! Ask him! He trained Loki with weapons. Ask them if you think us biased."

Odin smiled inwardly.

His son had finally grown up.

"Have you anything to say to justify this?" Byleistr questioned.

"Loki is well liked in Alfheim," Freyr opened. "If I will be honest, he is a sweet silent child with a love for magic and curiosity. The elves love him. Mischievous and slightly chaotic, and can have a sharp-tongue in his remarks, but never intentionally harmed anyone."

"I will reinforce my brother's claim." Freya joined. "He's undoubtedly intelligent and sly. He has a great love for books and is often found in the library if not his chambers. He's also an avid listener. He has great patience too."

They turned to Tyr, who crossed his arms.

"Sweet silent child isn't what I would describe him." Tyr looked as if he wanted to be elsewhere, but he was loyal to Thor's family. "He's childish and by a stretch—wimpy. When I trained him, he was terrible, but he gradually got better and favored daggers. He's not like Thor, I admit, his strength lies elsewhere. I would reinforce Lord Freyr's comment of his love of magic. It's all he ever thinks about."

"And you, Lord Eitri?" Karnilla asked.

"I've met the boy," Eitri grunted. "Stuffy and silver-tongued, nice fellow, a bit scrawny but he is a friend to the dwarves. I cannot deny what has been said."

"You state pleasantries only." Hela observed, trying to mediate.

"He is by no means perfect." Freyr wryly commented.

"His flaws?" Byleistr urged.

"I do not think it is right to state his flaws for we all have many, but if it will ease your heart to know, he is at times naïve and can be short tempered and less forgiving when insulted."

"Less forgiving is an understatement," Helblindi sneered. "He leveled my home."

"I say he has been mad for centuries," Byleistr scoffed. "And all of you were far too blind to see past your cunning and arrogance that you've harbored a mentally delusional crook in your walls."

"Dare you say that?" Tyr glared.

"I do, Aesir."

"He is not the same person," Odin vouched and declared. "We raised him, and we raised him well. We did not bring him up to be a mindless murderer."

"What led him to do what he did to dupe us both?" Helblindi questioned. "He played a dangerous game."

"And in the end," Odin expressed. "He lost."

"Forgive me, Odin," Karnilla remarked. "But I see no evidence to your claims of good deeds in his early life before things took a chaotic turn. You say he is a good obedient little boy, but evidence runs through of the crimes he did commit. The Bifrost was an end result of that, putting all realms at risk."

"That was by no means Loki's fault alone." Frigga conveyed. "It was necessary."

"What is he really?" Hela whispered.

"Misunderstood," Thor realized when he heard her speak.

Everyone turned to him.

"What was that, Odinson?" Karnilla raised an eyebrow.

"He is misunderstood." He repeated. "If I remember correctly the brother I grew up with, he is simply misunderstood. If I had learned things, I would prefer the truth than to hide behind a sweet lie. He is, by no means, perfect. None of us are. But Loki was upset and angry, which led to terrible mistakes, but he is not evil in right."

"Your point?" Helblindi grumbled.

"Loki was pushed over the edge to commit treason by his emotional state, which could happen to any of us. But Loki remedied his crimes by sacrificing himself. When the Bifrost was destroyed, we both fell."

"And yet you remain." Eitri voiced.

"Only because my father had grabbed me," Thor grimaced. "I managed to grab Gungnir with Loki at the end. He let go. Everyone else thought he died because he fell and that was the end of him. But that wasn't necessarily true."

He paused a moment to let it sink in.

"He let go."

"What drove him to commit such an act?" Hela curiously and mysteriously asked. "Was it shame?"

"Guilt," Odin voiced.

"This doesn't excuse his actions." Helblindi commented.

"No, it does not, but it opens it. When Loki fell, we believed him dead and destroyed in the void. We were wrong. Something powerful would have fished him out of there. He is not invincible. It would be a great feat to escape such a deadly incident."

"So someone fished him out?" A council member voiced.

"Who?" Another asked.

"Heimdall," Odin gestured to the gate keeper. "Saw something stirring in space. There's an entity in authority beyond our planes. Heimdall?"

"I heard him speak of his hand in Loki's… torture." Heimdall voiced unsteadily. "But by looking further into it, I discovered more as the barrier hiding him broke little by little. We have reason to believe this entity is…."

He looked to Odin for confirmation.

"Who?!" A council member screamed. "Do not hold this information."

Odin looked over at Hela, who remained silent and observing. She caught his stare and tilted her head before giving him an almost unnoticeable nod. He looked to the others waiting in grave anticipation for the news. There was no turning back now, for it was now or never.

"The Mad Titan," He confirmed.

Gasps and Grunts erupted in the war council room.

"The conqueror of all realms," Freyr gasped. "Alive?"

"That Titan was long lost," Karnilla claimed. "How did he return?"

"We did not know this." Tyr grimaced.

"That's impossible." Sif murmured, whispering in conversation to the other three warriors. "How did we not see this?"

"This must be a sick joke!" A council member laughed. "That mad man has been gone for centuries. What kind of cruel plot is this to veer our attention away from Loki's heinous crimes?!"

The other opposing members erupted in agreement.

"Outrage!"

"Blasphemy!"

"It must be a trick!"

"ENOUGH!" Thor raised his voice again. "We do not yet know the full story behind this! Let my father speak and let the story be known! It would do us good to stop squabbling and attain a little dignity for ourselves."

Odin nodded in thanks, "I think it would be best to leave it to someone who does know something." He gestured. "Lady Hela?"

She stood up silently and gracefully.

"He courts death." Hela purred. "He has amassed a number of followers to roam the realms freely to search and plunder. I have reason to believe Loki was one of the chosen few who had the skill and… usefulness… to be of service to him. We've established the boy to be knowledgeable in more than one subject."

She sat back down with a glare.

"It is understandable that the Titan take interest in such a token being," Hela tilted her head and challenged. "Is it not?"

"So the boy was plucked out of the void and recruited?" Karnilla cleared.

"It is a possibility." Odin nodded.

"You believe this?" Eitri questioned.

"I do not deny Heimdall's eyes or Lady Hela's knowledge."

"Had we put this in trial early, we might've known sooner." Freyr grimaced at the foolishness of the council. "Loki could have warned us had he the chance."

"I hate to remit my earlier vote," Helblindi amended. "But in Jotunheim we do offer trials. You speak true that the boy should have been given a chance to plead for his innocence."

"I have other proofs to the torture the boy may have received," Hela spoke. "If any are at all with heart to listen, I would impart on you the knowledge that I have."

"Speak then, Lady." Tyr curiously said.

"I have been seeing Loki in my realm far too many times in the past three years." She revealed. "Glimpses and a spark of life that prevents him from fully entering… But I would be lying if I said I only saw him that past three years. No. I have seen him even before, but only twice in succession."

"He would be gravely injured to be able to pass through yet not judged," Karnilla deemed. "Yet you have not taken him."

"He wasn't dead." Hela said. "He would always disappear before I could question him, but even then, I would not have heard him as his death was not complete. This proves of him being tortured for numerous kinds of injuries I have seen."

"You said…" Thor hesitated.

"Yes, Thor?" Frigga encouraged. "What is it you'd like to say, dear?"

"You said," He turned to Hela. "For the past three years, but he has been here in Asgard for a year and a half. Do you… Do you still see him?"

Hela nodded.

Thunder erupted outside and skies nearly darkened if it wasn't for Odin, who put a hand on Thor's shoulders to calm him down. They were all angry and disgusted when they realized what Thor was referring to. There had been a crime, but a crime against Loki. How could their trusted council do this?

Odin slammed Gungnir on the ground, and it shocked the council members and one of them spoke in a rush.

"He committed an act of treason," The man voiced. "He had to be punished."

Others followed in defense.

"He endangered all of Asgard and its people!"

"He could kill us all if he had the chance!"

"True! He would slit our throats and plot to bring Asgard down from the inside! It had to be dealt with quickly to render him immobile!"

"We did it for the sake of this realm!"

"The Mad Titan now comes because of him!"

"We are heroes for this!"

"You dare say that after whatever torture you put him through!?" Thor raged. "He is locked up and had no chance of scheming! You did this for the sake of the realm?! More like you did it for the sake of yourselves! Bastards and cowards you all are!"

"You twisted my ruling to commit an act against an already condemned prisoner," Odin menacingly voiced and judged. "You broke the laws I have placed and you manipulated us and lied about the well-being of our son. And yet you call yourselves heroes?"

"Cowards," Freya worded.

"Monsters," Karnilla glared.

"Death is too kind for cheats like you," Helblindi growled. "It only proves that the Aesir can turn on their kind for power. What a high spirited council you have, All-Father."

"Arrest them." Odin ordered.

The guilty members of the council began to run in panic.

Everyone stood up at the display.

Tyr was quick and subdued two runners while Sif and the Warriors Three took care of the rest. Thor knocked one over and Frigga had a little revenge when she tripped another one trying to escape in her direction. They struggled but were all being hauled one by one, while the other members of the council stood still while the guards surrounded them.

They also had to answer for their silence.

"This meeting is adjourned." Odin slammed Gungnir loudly. "All the agreement I have promised you will be upheld and a truce will come forth. Other personal matters would be dealt with another time, and I thank you."

They all stood there nodding to one another in agreement.

"Beware of the Mad Titan." He voiced. "Let us convene again to take on these concerns."

"This bout isn't over, All-Father." Helblindi voiced. "We watch and wait."

Odin merely nodded.

The rulers of the nine realms dispersed, speaking to their own kin about the blasphemy of such a thing and decided whether they would stay or leave immediately. The room was a mess of people, and the noise, almost unbearable.

"King Odin," Hela walked over to them. "I have a compromise."

"State it, milady."

"I would accept half of the council members who committed crimes against you and take them back to my realm."

"I see." Odin thought for a moment.

"I would take them off your hands and they will be dealt with accordingly." She gave him a terrifying toothy grin. "After all… what is a trial to them anyways?"

Tempting.

"See it done." He nodded.

"I thank you for the gift." She bowed. "They will have a special place in Hel."

"Tyr," Odin ordered. "Hand them to the lady."

Tyr nodded and ushered the council members out as Sif and the Warriors Three led them to the hall with Lady Hela striding gracefully beside them. Tyr threatened every one of them should they step out of place. They would be dealt with soon enough for their treachery.

King Freyr and Queen Freya walked over to Odin and Frigga.

"I will stay, if you permit it." Freyr voiced. "Loki is basically a nephew to me. I would see his condition. Erland would also be pleased with the news."

"Indeed, for it has been too long." Odin smiled.

"Too long indeed," He laughed. "That elf pines after your son."

"It's hard to separate them." Odin chuckled. "What of you, milady?"

"I dearly wish to stay, but I cannot." Freya sadly voiced. "I have other pressing problems in Vanaheim that must be dealt with and my advisor will be displeased if I linger here too long."

"Understandable."

"You are welcome to return any time soon," Frigga smiled at Freya. "And to you Lord Freyr, your quarters are always open."

"Thank you."

As soon as the twin rulers left, Odin and Frigga stared at each other in relief. Thor walked over to them and embraced them both for they had won the case with much difficulty. But a sudden realization hit them as the picture wasn't complete.

"Loki." He voice.

The feeling of victory left them as a sense of dread overcame their happiness. They realized while they cheered for their accomplishment, Loki was still underground susceptible to whatever torture still inflicted upon him.

"We must hurry!" Thor ran.

And his family followed.


oOo

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