Asterisk Blue: "Odin, much has happened in your sleep." "Tell me, Frigga, what of my sons?" "They returned with Midgard with two humans and one of their creations, a thing called 'Pop-tarts.' It is a food." "I will try these 'Pop-tarts' later, Frigga. For now, let me speak with my sons."
siesiegirl: Odin is bound not to approve of Jane and Darcy. Loki and Thor need to go to bat for their girls. ;)
xSUPERGIRLx: Who remembers when Odin called Jane a goat? Let's have him comparing our lovely Jane and Darcy to farmyard animals and our boys having something to say about it :)
Vaneria Potter: Frigga wanted her sons to be happy. Odin had loftier expectations.
Wherein the sons of Odin get a stern talking-to. (Family. PG.)
(Sorry, Asterisk: didn't manage the Pop-Tarts.)
The day Odin allowed Frigga to teach Loki was the first day he sacrificed his realm for his family.
He must have something, his wife had insisted, a challenge in her eye, her words (as they often were) a sharp but subtle weapon. Thor casts a large shadow. Would you deny your second son a light of his own?
The denial sat upon the tip of the All-Father's tongue. Loki was meant to learn the ways of the Aesir, to develop a connection to these people, to love Thor as a brother, and to take that connection and that love to the throne of Jotunheim. He would bring about a permanent peace between their worlds. He was born to be a king, and a king he would be. Loki, the prince of the Jotuns, the first son of Laufey. Not the second son of Odin.
Yes. There the denial sat.
But the lie would not be spoken.
For in his heart, as in the heart of his wife, Odin had two children. Two children whom he loved. Though now only one could be king.
The ruler yielded to the parent. Loki learned Frigga's magic. And from that moment on the All-Father's plans for Jotunheim no longer mattered.
Frigga won that battle, as she won many. But she did not win them all.
Banishment! Exiled to a world of mortals, stripped of their powers! How could you have done this?
Do you understand what they have set in motion? They have taken us to the brink of war!
They are your sons! They are my sons! Both my sons!
And you see them through clouded eyes! Thor courts bloodshed without a thought to consequence. Loki whispers poison for his own spiteful gain. One reckless, one devious, both dangerous — where do you imagine this path will lead?
And rather than guide them from their errors you would lose them forever?
Is it only you who feels pain, woman? I, too, grieve the loss of our sons! But I will not risk the nine realms falling to ruin and death because of two vain, greedy, cruel boys!
But the duties of a king did not sway the love of a mother. Do not forget who I am, Odin All-Father. The Queen's face flashed, her hands flashed, the walls trembled at the force of a sorceress's rage. Do not think your power so much greater than my own.
Odin had been intending to sleep after Thor's coronation. He had put it off for too long already, and falling unplanned could have disastrous consequences. But the invasion of the vault… the battle with Jotunheim… the exile of his sons… the fury of his wife…
I am Frigga, Queen of Asgard and mistress of mages. My children will be returned, or the ruin and death you fear will be visited tenfold upon these worlds.
The void beckoned.
They must find a new path, he had whispered. Their fates are in their own hands now.
Odin slept.
His wife had been at his side when he woke. Much has happened, she told him, as though their conversation had never ended. I am still angry. But I should not have forgotten that there is purpose to everything you do.
And he had smiled. I will speak with them alone.
It both gladdens and grieves Odin to see the anxiety in the way his sons kneel before the throne. Princes ought fear their King. Sons ought not fear their father.
But he cannot be both at times like this. "Rise," he commands.
They do, and they wait in silence. Odin allows them a moment of uncertainty — which will surely do them no harm — before he nods. "Welcome home," he says.
As always, his elder son's reaction is more visible than his younger's; Thor grins broadly, while Loki only blows out a relieved breath. "Thank you, Father," says the latter. "It was a… trying period."
"Trying is the right word. You were tried. You were tested. So show me: did you pass?"
Thor holds out his hand; it only takes a moment for Mjolnir to fly to his grasp, as though forged for his grip.
Loki raises his palm and conjures a small, glistening globe of golden light.
Once their expressions would shine with superiority at such demonstrations of power. Now it merely is a demonstration, nothing more. No arrogance shines from their souls.
They have learned.
They are worthy.
"I am proud of you both," Odin tells them.
Now even Loki cannot conceal his pleasure. And Thor — Thor, his reckless firstborn — says: "Father, we are sorry. For our behavior on Jotunheim, and for that which came before it." (Loki stiffens slightly at the mention of the ice world. Frigga spoke of their son's question; it must be answered — and soon — but not this day.) "We swear to you, you will never be disappointed again."
"A valiant promise." And now to less pleasant matters. "I have been told of the broken Rainbow Bridge."
They both wince. "It had to be done," says Loki.
"The full force of the Bifrost had been unleashed," adds Thor. "Midgard was on the brink of annihilation. There was no other choice if we were to save the lives of the people."
"I do not doubt your just intent, but Asgard sits a broken branch of Yggdrasil. The other eight realms are now beyond our protection or power. What will become of them?"
Thor and Loki look at each other.
"Ah," says Thor.
"Well," says Loki.
Odin hardly expected them to have an answer at the ready; it is something for them to think upon. "And there are yet further consequences. What of the human women you've brought to our halls?"
His sons' expressions turn respectively closed and stormy in turn. Yes, Frigga did warn this would be a sensitive subject. "What of them?" asks Thor, with the edge of belligerence that it would seem his exile did not entirely wipe clean.
"They are hardly suitable companions for the Princes of the Realm Eternal."
"You have not even met them yet."
"Will meeting them make them any less mortal?"
"Surely you did not expect for us to live on Earth all this time and develop no connection to the people." Loki's face is bland, shuttered. "Indeed, was that not your very intention, Father?"
"My intention was that you learn humility, patience, and compassion. Not that you return home with pets."
For reasons the All-Father does not understand, the comment makes both Thor and Loki grin. The latter turns to the former and says: "Brother, you must permit me to be present when you tell Darcy Lewis of this exchange in status."
"You may, but she will laugh it off as she does all else. I wish to see Jane Foster's response." Loki blanches, and Thor chuckles. "You should begin searching for chocolate now, brother, or you truly will never get laid again."
"Shut up."
'Get laid'? What is this speech his sons have acquired? "Do not believe me ignorant of the service these women have done for you, and thus for Asgard," intones Odin. "For this, they have the gratitude of a king. But do not imagine this gratitude translates to welcome, nor that they will be permitted to stay."
"The Bifrost is gone," Loki replies sharply. If Thor retains an edge of belligerence, Loki still wields his silver tongue as a blade. "Would you see us cast them into the abyss?"
"You think me so hard-hearted?"
"I think we were left on Earth in fear and solitude for months on end."
"Solitude. Is it solitude to have had your brother at your side? I am Odin All-Father, King and Protector of this realm. I could have banished you to opposite corners of the stars. Instead I gave you each other for solace." Odin stands before his throne and strikes Gungnir against the stones; the sound echoes through the hall. "Look at me and say you are not grateful for that mercy."
Loki glances quickly at Thor, then lowers his eyes to the floor. "I am grateful, Father," he mutters. "Truly."
"As am I," says Thor.
"Good. Then know this: your mortals shall be shown hospitality, but no more. And they will be returned to Earth as soon as a path is open. Humans do not belong on Asgard any more than goats belong at banquet tables."
His younger son's body grows unnaturally still; the elder shifts his weight. "You test the limits of our new restraint—"
"—and we thank you for your kindly meant words," finishes Loki smoothly. "Be assured we will take your endless wisdom to heart." He places a restraining hand on Thor's shoulder, as though Odin cannot see the difference between a cold temper and a hot one. "Come along, brother."
Thor twists Mjolnir in his fist, but allows Loki to lead him away.
Odin bows his head.
His solitude lasts only a moment before his queen says: "You handled that poorly."
"I told you, wife, that I wished to speak to them alone."
"And when, husband, have I ever listened?" Frigga appears in a shimmer beside the throne. Her expression is reproving. "Please, do not alienate them. Not after all we have been through."
"I think of Asgard."
"I think of our children."
"And that," says Odin heavily, "is why I am King."