A/N: Is it possible? I'm back with a new chapter after only one week of waiting! What a miracle! Okay, sorry for that, that's me trying to be funny. Well as usual I hope you'll all enjoy the new update.

And I really have to thank all of my reviewers, followers and those who have favourited Libras up until now, and those who might in the future. It's the best feeling in the world when you get a mail from telling you that there is someone new reading your story or a new comment. Thanks alot to all of you! It really means the world to me.

"This will take us years." Volstagg was the last one to enter the library, shutting the door behind him with an almost longing look out. Years had passed since he or any of his companions had last been amidst the tall shelves.

Thor had assembled them all – the Warriors Three, Sif, Jane, Fara and even, to his own astonishment, Loki. He could understand his friend's intimidation by the task that lay ahead of them, but the matter was urgent. They had to search the realm's greatest collection of texts for a clue how to handle the Aether, how to help Jane.

The main problem of course was the dimension of possible sources. Before them lay thousands of books and scrolls, millions of pages they might have to search for the tiniest of mentions, but what other choice did they have?

"Can you explain to me again why he has to be here?" Sif leaned close to the prince, eyes flying over to Loki's smugly grinning visage. She did not bother to lower her voice, nor did she trust that smile.

Thor placed a hand on her shoulder. "He knows the library better than anyone else in the realm. I would not be surprised if he has read most of the books here already." The Trickster winked at him.

"Alright then." Sif rolled her eyes, her tone laced with all the contempt she could fit in. She had to admit the Jotunn was the best help they could get with the ancient texts, magic and their enemy. Still she would neither trust him nor that stupid grin of his. He was enjoying himself too much for her taste.

Volstagg shared Sif's irritation and he let out a grunt when he heard Thor appease her. "Let's hope he doesn't try to delay us even more."

"He doesn't have anyone now he could betray us to." Fandral gave his companion a nudge. "The Mischiefmaker is of no danger to us."

Loki's lips formed a thin line, almost disappearing into his mouth. Outwardly his grin never faltered, perhaps even widened. Just as he had done with Odin he gave the two a low bow, arms outstretched as if to undermine his imaginary innocence. Watching the two men's eyes tighten only gave him more satisfaction.

Hogun shook his head at his two friends. "Enough."

"So how do we proceed?" Fandral turned to Thor next

"I guess it is best we divide ourselves into groups of two and just start looking." Thor said. He tried to appear confident, but frankly he was as much at a loss as his friends. The library had never been a place he had been much fond of, something which he began to regret now. It had always been Loki's territory, not his.

His eyes shifted to Jane, his hand held out to her. "Jane?"

She smiled her beautiful smile he had fallen in love with since Mexico and kissed him. Behind her he could see Fandral and Volstagg share winks.

Ah, young love. How adorable. Fara turned to see Loki looking at her with an icy stare, smirk crooked before he disappeared behind the first row of shelves. She could not explain it, but she could have sworn that in his mocking kind of way he had invited her to join him. Or rather dared her.

"Fara?" Sif too had noticed his snake-like stare.

Fara considered the offer for a moment, then let out a deep sigh. "Someone should keep an eye on him." And before the female warrior could retort anything she had turned around the corner and searched for his dark form.

He was already sliding his fingers over some of the books' faded backs, not looking at her when she came to a stand next to him, golden eyes burning with one question. Why did you agree to help? She was calm, collected even, but she was also suspicious. She just wanted to know.

I'm redeemed. A new man. And I've decided to help Thor and his little lap dog. His features contorted into a grimace, a laugh that reminded her of a wolf, but as usual no sound escaped the prison of his lips. When he took a few steps away from her she followed. They could neither hear nor see the others, as if they were alone in the maze of ancient scriptures.

So there is a way? A way we can help her?

He resolutely kept his back to her, continuing his almost tender book-caressing. Fara caught herself staring at the long and slender index finger of his right hand as it stroked up and down the leathern backs of books she knew he had cherished once and quickly averted her gaze. It was a loving gesture, a remnant from a time long passed. She was not supposed to see that.

Loki tilted his head in her direction only to be faced by the curtain of her hair, hiding her lowered head from his sight. It was something he had no grasp over, a force he could not control that somehow lifted his hand to that curtain and forced his fingers to part the caramel waves. Soft as silk. She lifted her head then slowly, golden eyes staring right back at him. Fearful? Disgusted? He could not tell. Maybe both. Yet her eyes were drilling right into his – gold melting into jade – he found himself incapable to draw back.

He remembered her distress the night before, could still sense the trace of the tears she had shed. For a lost sister. He also remembered the flames of desire he had felt then, to mock, to laugh, to throw acid into her gaping wounds until the pain seared her mind.

His fingers traced the line of her jaw with the lightness of a feather. Lighter that his caress of the books, slower.

These memories pulsated underneath his skin together with countless others, always present and never dulled by time. She was still holding his gaze. He was unable to blink, his breath came forced. He could hear the rushing of her blood through the bond, the racing beat of her heart. Was she terrified? Or secretely laughing at him?

Loki's finger then rose up the line of her chin, followed the curve of her lower lip, still barely touching, a phantom contact. He bent his face down, eyes still searching hers, until their noses' tips were almost touching. She did not move, did not jerk away from his touch, his close proximity. Victory.

No, there isn't. His lips formed a grin once more, another grimace of malicious glee. Like a reptile he let go of her in one swift movement and stood upright. I have told you of the only one I know of and that's one way Mighty Thor is never going to chose.

Fara felt the heat rising into her cheeks. He had toyed with her again and she had allowed it. Her thoughts were still at disarray. She knew of what he was speaking though – forcing the Aether to change hosts. "Then why are you here?"

Oh, I love to see Asgard's dear Prince defeated and he will face defeat indeed. Less than a handful of the texts here mention the Infinity Stones at all."

Show me. Fara felt sudden excitement run through her. She could see for herself if there was no alternative. Show me those that do.

It is futile, little seeress. You cannot save the mortal.

Just the books, Loki. Tell m-

Fara did not come any further. She did not notice when her legs collapsed under her weight and she fell. Nor did she register the two strong arms that caught her before she could collide with the floor. Her sight travelled away as mist hung before her eyes when an image manifested. It was a landscape, the same view she had from her balcony over the city of Asgard. The sky was of the same clear blue she had marvelled at earlier that day.

The heavy vapours she knew by now to be traces of Malekith's manipulations caused her head to ache as she tried to remain focused. She was just looking at the waters beyond the city gates, when suddenly a flicker turned her attention to the sky again. Nothing.

But then the flicker came again. Just a shadow passing on that particular spot in the air. She thought perhaps it was just caused by her dulled sight.

No, there was more to it. She fought. She fought back the Dark Elf's magic with all the effort she could muster. Her head felt as if close to implosion, her muscles burned.

A far cry of rage echoed from someplace far, faint as if miles away. It worked. Gradually the curtain seemed to lift before her eyes, the mist was gone and her senses sharpened into their usual clarity.

She had fought him off for the moment. But her throat tightened when she saw what the flicker had been. Ships, dozens of black rock-like constructions darkening the sky.

Malekith's fleet.

Fara was ripped back to the present and a gasp filled her lungs with air. Without noticing she had stopped breathing. Only then did she realise she was sitting on the floor, Loki crouched before her, a frown on his white forehead.

She could see it in the jade pools of his eyes that he had seen through the bond what she had seen.

"Fara?" Thor and Sif came running to them, followed closely by the others. "Fara? Is everything alright?"

All their eyes widened when they saw her pale figure on the ground with Loki leaning close to her.

"What happened?" Thor asked, his eyes shifting rapidly between the two of them. Behind him Jane looked at her with concern. "We heard you scream."

Fara had not realised she had screamed.

"W-we have to-to-" Her voice broke, her whole body was still trembling, shaking to fight off the coldness that had laid itself over her limbs.

Loki's hands had been holding her upper arms, but he quickly let go of her as if the mere contact had burned him. Something inside his eyes changed, grew distant. She could not read him.

Did you know? Fara took a deep breath, the trembling already vanishing from her body. Only gradually she realised she had to tell Thor so he could go to his father. She needed to know if he was involved in all of that. If he was collaborating with Malekith for who knew what price.

Loki's face was blank, still unreadable. No. How would I?

The rest had grown further agitated by the long silence, unaware of the exchange. Fandral stepped forth and bent down, forcing Loki to withdraw even further. "What did you see?"

She missed the support Loki's grip had provided to her nerves. The vision had felt so real that she would need a moment to readjust. "I- Malekith's army. His fleet loomed over the city. I don't know how he managed to get them all over the border, but there were dozens of them in the sky." She was very careful to not just rush over the sentences.

"Just looming?" Thor asked, teeth gritted.

"No, they were coming towards the palace."

"How many?"

"I don't know, around twenty perhaps. But they were massive, like giant black swords."

"Fara, how do you know those were Malekith's ships?" Fandral said.

"I-I just know. I could sense his presence and feel his anger. I could hear his voice." She tried to stand up and was pleased when her legs did not give in again. Her attention was directed at Thor. "What now?"

Thor's fingers rubbed the sides of his neck, he felt restless, impatient even. Where was that coward Malekith? "Do you know when that will happen?"

She declined, shame weighing down her shoulders for not being able to provide so crucial a clue.

"They will never be able to pass the force field. If we activate it early enough the city will remain safe." Volstagg said.

"Yes, but we have to know when. The field can't just remain activated all the time, its power sources will diminish." Fandral son of one of Asgard's most respected generals was especially familiar with the mechanism and he could not shake off the feeling that somehow Malekith would find a way around it.

Jane followed the rapid exchange carefully, listening up with curiosity. "What kind of field are we talking about? Electromagnetic?"

"It is a very old spell, forged specifically to protect the Realm Eternal. Asgard has not needed it for generations." Thor let out a hiss. "Alright, apart from that did any of you find something of interest in here?"

Fara could not stop her gaze wandering to Loki. He in turn was staring at the Prince, not meeting her eyes even though she knew he could sense hers on him. None of them had found any mention of the Power Gem or its siblings.

"Fine, we'll continue tomorrow with our search. For now I must see my father."

"That bastard elf! Let him dare come with his soldiers, they won't last an hour." Volstagg rubbed his palms against each other. Fara hoped he was right.

No one knew how Odin had taken the news. It was at dinner that the Allfather and the Thunderer came out of the former's rooms to greet their guests. Thor stood together with Odin in a corner of the large dining hall, face marred in frowns as his gaze drifted continuously to Jane who was being introduced to the wives of Asgard's generals and ambassadors by Frigga, and back to his father. Odin likewise looked as if in deep thought.

The Allfather had sent for Fara. When the messenger came she was with Sif and Hogun. All three had waited with their eyes set upon the king and Thor, waiting for news from their friend. From what they could discern from the distance the conversation between father and son did not exactly play out as hoped.

Fara already dreaded the mighty Aesir's scrutinising gaze. So focussed was she on the two of them that she only noticed the sudden silence when a hiss from a group of women close-by reached her ears.

"Loki."

All chatter had died down when to everyone's surprise the Sly One appeared in the entryway. One step after the other he approached the table at the far end of the room, the sea of people parting before him. Whispers from all corners of the hall began to rise.

The fact that he had been let out of his confinement - to which he had been condemned in the presence of almost everyone being currently inside the hall – had not been revealed to anyone. His appearance was obviously being interpreted as escape from his cell. Dozens of pairs of eyes flew to the Allfather and back to the slim man, some bearing fear, others disgust and others again the promise of certain death should he dare to move closer to any of the royal family.

Fara turned around again and continued her way towards the Allfather and his son. Only Thor acknowledged her presence with a nod, eyes on the dark figure of his brother.

"And you still think it wise to have let him loose?" Odin spoke softly to Thor, the coldness in his tone sending shivers down Fara's spine. Loki meanwhile had taken up a wine cup and raised it to Odin before taking a sip, mirth plastered on his face. Then he sat down on the nearest chair with legs stretched out before him. His gaze did not leave the Allfather and Thor. The king raised his hand to appease them and slowly the crowd recovered and picked up on their earlier chatter.

Thor sighed. "I still believe that death through your executioner is not the fate assigned to him by the Norns. Father, something has happened to him in the time of his absence, can you not see this? Someone showed to him the power of the Tesseract and the Aether. I need to find out what caused this drastic change in him."

"Loki is master of his actions and decisions. His stubbornness, arrogance and egomania will bring his death, not my word." The king then bent his head, thus signalling the subject's end. His eye then fell on Fara.

"Allfather, You have sent for me?" Her hands trembled slightly and she clasped them behind her back.

"Yes, Thor has told me of a recent prophecy of yours." He turned to eye her better with his healthy eye. "I wish to hear the particulars from the oracle itself."

Odin did not speak as Fara related the details of her vision. Twice he took a sip from his cup. When at last she had ended she waited for the Allfather to say something, but she was only met by the blankness in his sober features. "It will be during the hours of daytime. His intentions are clear. If I may, I advise quick action."

"Thank you, child." Then Odin began to walk away.

"Father?" Thor called out to him, but Odin did neither turn nor answer as he made his way to Frigga. The young god exchanged worried glances with her.

"What happened?" She was stunned by the lack of responsiveness from the Allfather. A part of Fara feared he doubted the truth behind her vision.

Thor shook his head. "He believes Loki to be a spy to Malekith. From now on he will double the number of Einherjar guarding him. He doubts my judgement. That is why he sent for Loki tonight." He tilted his head to the guards that stood at every corner of the room. Fara estimated them to be no less than twenty men.

"In his view Loki is the only means by which the Acursed and his scum could enter Asgard now that the Bifrost is no longer an option." Thor continued. "He focuses more on the possibility of another betrayal than an actual attack."

"Do you think Loki would still risk his life and spy us out for the elves of Svartalfheim?"

"What do I know about magic? For all I know this here could just be another double. He never failed to fool me with that particular trick. But I do know however that taking away his voice does not render him less harmful." He sighed, frustration evident in his movements. "Do you think he would? After all you understand his powers better than I."

"I-" She remembered Loki's eyes on her after she had recovered from her vision. The seeress had asked him if he had known. His answer had been negative, but could she trust in his word? Something old her things were not as they seemed.

The voices she had picked up from their bond, the strange laughter, the ghostly, unfamiliar whispers. She had not forgotten that. She forced her eyes to the Sly One's solitary form, still seated smugly at the table in safe distance to them. A look from him told her however that he had heard every single word.

Loki knew she suspected him and she knew that he knew. His eyes, sparkling even from afar, dared her to say it. To call him anew the traitor he already was. Next to her she could sense Thor awaiting her answer.

"I don't know." She finally spoke. It was the truth.