A chill was in the air, and his breath formed a fine white cloud every time he exhaled. Odin stood silently in front of the Frost Giant Queen, Farbauti. She had taken control of the devastated Jotunheim in Laufey's place.

She stood before him now, almost two feet shorter than the other giants, but no less dangerous. He had always be astounded by her beauty, and no doubt, Loki had gotten his markings, magic talent, charisma, and at least half his looks from his majestic mother.

"What brings you to this place, Odin?" Her voice boomed off the ruined citadel's walls as she stood to her full height, towering at about nine feet tall. "Why do you assume that you are welcome here after your Bifrost nearly destroyed the remainder of our planet?"

"I do not assume that I am welcome here, Farbauti, I simply bring you a proposition."

Farbauti raised an eyebrow, gazing at him incredulously, seeming to consider whether or not she even wanted to hear his proposition. After a few moments, she spoke. "Speak your proposition, Asgardian."

"Your son, Loki," Odin began, "You are aware I keep him as my own, are you not?" Farbauti nodded, a solemn look crossing over her face. "Yes, Allfather, I am very much aware that you hold my firstborn son." She spat, the venom dripping from her voice. Odin continued.

"Well, my son Thor has asked for a most peculiar thing. And I propose to you a joining of our kingdoms."

Farbauti laughed at this, a loud, hearty thing, which hurt his ears. "A joining? Of our kingdoms? What makes you think that Jotunheim would even be interested? You broke our treaties numerous times in the recent years!" Her voice rose steadily in volume, and Odin spoke once more in an attempt to stave off her rage. A raging giant was a force to be reckoned with, and Odin wished not to have to kill her.

"I think you'd be interested if I told you a Frost Giant would sit on the throne of Asgard."

She stopped for a moment to consider this. "What do you speak of, Odin? What Frost Giant?"

"Loki. Your firstborn."

Again, Farbauti was silent for a long while. Odin watched her intently, as she grew still. After a few moments she began to speak again. "I will hear you, Allfather."

Odin took this as a sign to continue his proposal, so he did. "My son Thor has come to me with an odd request, as I had mentioned. A request I figured could be worked to benefit both our kingdoms. The two have erected a relationship of the more romantic and physical nature."

Farbauti sat listening, "Yes, that is not uncommon here."

"Yes, well, my son Thor, who you know is in line to be the new king, will be crowned soon. He has requested that Loki be at his side." Odin watched as Farbauti's eyes grew large, and a disbelieving look took hold of her face.

Then she said her voice barley a whisper, "There has not been an interracial marriage of Jotunn and Asgardian in many centuries."

"Well that is what my son requests. I have considered this request, as Loki meets the specified requirements of being intellectually capable, and because of his, nature," Odin was reluctant to say race for fear of angering the queen, "He will be able to provide heirs for my son. I believe that his request could be good for both of our kingdoms."

A mocking smirk crossed Farbauti's face, "And you would be willing to live with half-Jotunn grandchildren?" She teased, "A mixing of our races has not occurred in a long time. Are you sure you would be comfortable with this, giant hater?"

Odin ignored her insult, and continued. "I propose that we use the marriage as a way to unite our realms."

Farbauti stood silent, before sighing, and answering the Allfather. "Perhaps; I will have terms for this arrangement as you no doubt anticipated." Odin nodded in agreement with her, "State your terms, and I will see which ones I agree with."

Farbauti sat back down on her throne, relaxing. "First, if we are to arrange this, I wish to attend this, 'marriage'. Second, I wish to restore my son's status as my firstborn. The prince of Jotunheim. Third, I want the casket returned to us, so that I may begin to rebuild my kingdom. Fourth, I want to restore trade and travel between Asgard and Jotunheim. Fifth, I want them both to visit Jotunheim at least once during the year."

Odin sighed, slightly aggravated at this giantess' demands. So he decided to clarify. "Alright, Farbauti. Here is my offer. You and whoever you wish to accompany you may come to the wedding, which will be held in Asgard. Second, you may restore your son's birthrights, but he will continue to live in Asgard. Third, I will not return the casket to you yet, but I will allow repairs to be made in Loki or Thor's presence. Perhaps when I am surer this treaty is solid, I will return the casket in the future. But for now it stays with Loki. Fourth, I will restore trade between our realms, and I shall erect and outpost in Jotunheim specifically for this. As for travel, the same can be said for that as I said for the casket. Perhaps if will be restored once I am more sure of this treaty. Fifth, agree to send them both to stay in Jotunheim annually. Do you agree to these terms, Farbauti?"

Farbauti considered for a moment, before replying. "Alright Allfather, I agree to your terms. When will this wedding be arranged?"

Odin thought on this for a moment. The sooner this was arranged the better. He wished to have more stable peace with Jotunheim before he stepped down from his throne. He also didn't want to give Loki or Thor time to reconsider, now that Jotunheim had agreed to his proposal.

"It will be arranged as soon as possible. It will be held in two days."

Farbauti looked surprised, "Oh…well, we shall attend then. You will open the way for us at sunrise."

"Agreed." Odin turned to leave, and heard Farbauti snicker as he took the Bifrost back to Asgard. When he arrived, he turned to Heimdall.

"My Lord?" Heimdall questioned, and Odin had no doubt that Heimdall had overheard everything that had transpired.

"I need you to help me organize the…the wedding."

"Yes my Lord. I shall help make the arrangements. But don't you think you should ask Loki and Thor what they would prefer?"

Odin sighed, defeated. "I guess I have to let them know anyway…"

"Are you sure this is what they both want? Or is this what you want?" Heimdall asked him, in his trademark monotonic voice.

"It has to be done. Thor approached me about it earlier, so I assume they are both okay with it." Odin replied, taking his leave.

"You know Thor has a habit of speaking for Loki when he shouldn't."

"I know he does, but, this needs to be done. It is too ensure my kingdom is safe long after I've stepped down." And with that, Odin left in search of his sons.

When Thor found Loki next, he stood at the edge of the palace balcony. Thor approached him quietly from behind, and for a moment he thought Loki might jump.

"Well?" The sound of Loki's voice startled Thor. "Are you going to tell me how your 'plan' went?"

Thor approached, standing beside his brother, gazing out onto Asgard. "It went alright, I guess. Sif and the Warrior Three are in the prison, awaiting their sentencing."

Loki raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Oh? All of them? I wasn't expecting that." He sat down slowly, and Thor admired the way the sunshine shimmered on his brother's alabaster skin. "Thor?"

Thor shook his head, and smiled, "Sorry brother. Anyway why is that surprising to you? Sif tried to kill you."

"Because she loves you."

"What?"

Loki looked over at Thor, and Thor could have sworn that he saw hurt flash across Loki's eyes. "I said, she did it because she loves you." Thor wasn't really surprised. He and Sif had had a fling when they were younger. But it did not work out. Eventually, they parted, much to his father's disdain. Thor had guessed that was the case, but for Sif's dignity, he did not wish to acknowledge it.

"I guessed as much, Loki. I'm sorry that happened to you because of me."

"Pft, don't worry about it. That's what I'm here for!" Loki exclaimed gesturing his arms wildly, "To get in the way and to be dropped from buildings."

Thor laughed at Loki's sarcasm. "Hush Loki, you know that is not true. You are much more to me than that." Loki turned to look at his larger brother, a smirk playing on his face, "Oh really?"

"Really."

Thor leaned in toward Loki, attempting to catch him in a kiss, when he snorted and turned away. "I think you're an oaf."

"Boys?"

Odin's voice startled them both. They turned to see Odin approaching them. "Yes, Father?" Thor responded, standing. Loki continued to stay sitting, barely interested in Odin's presence.

"Thor, I must speak with you both. I've considered your earlier request seriously. I've arranged a wedding."

Thor was flabbergasted. "What? A wedding?! Father, with who?"

"Loki."

Thor stood draw dropped, staring at Odin disbelieivingly. "You what?"

"I scheduled you and Loki's wedding. You expressed to me your desire to have Loki rule with you. Listen Thor, what you said to me earlier made me think long and hard about something I had planned a long time ago. Thor, this wedding will secure permanent peace between Asgard and Jotunheim!"

"What?" Loki stood before them, mortified.