A/N: Hello everyone and welcome to chapter number 23. As always I hope you'll like it and hopefully leave a tiny comment to let me know what you thought about it.

Odin's chambers were empty when he entered them. In truth he had not expected to be so fortunate but it seemed that, just for once, luck was on his side. Who knew where the Allfather was. He would need to find him later. But he had his priorities.

Loki's strides led him with certainty to what now seemed to him like a beacon across the room. He remembered when he and Thor had been children, when they would spend the cold winter evenings in Odin and Frigga's apartment amongst laughter and old tales. There was a hidden room behind one of the walls. Frigga would tell the boys that this was where Odin kept his greatest treasures.

Loki winced at the memory of Frigga's soft smile as she had told them of the chamber, so full of mischief. He blinked. He forbade himself to be slowed down by his sentimentality.

He knew how to open it. Once again he made sure no one had followed him. So close. He was so close.

What he sought lay in a crystal case in the centre of the room - a golden locket, the rough size and shape of a walnut and engraved with line upon line of runes. It was ancient magic, complex. For one moment he actually snickered at the pomp. Of course Odin would not spare any dramatics for it and he wondered if he should feel flattered. No barrier hindered him to take the locket and dangle it before his eyes. So long without. It was as if the thin metal responded to his proximity, as if what was kept inside knew he had come. It shone brighter, warmer in his hands.

He hid the locket inside his fist and like a real nut he crushed the golden layer.

A bright ball of light escaped its now destroyed prison. It sensed his presence. Within a second it floated against his throat, dissolving as it was absorbed by his skin.

He choked at the burning sensation that now filled his throat before gradually the fire subdued and left back a balm of cool. Loki's body was shaken by coughs as he tried to breathe.

Had it worked? His cool sense of logic told him yes, but there was a part of him who responded to the fear of failure. His hand shot upwards to his neck. He needed to compose himself.

"Finally."

For almost a year his silver tongue had been forced to silence. He had forgotten the sound of his own voice. Indeed he almost did not recognise it at first. So hoarse, he could not believe that was truly him speaking.

A faint smile stole upon his lips. His body ached, his scars still sore. His head burned with the knowledge of triumph. Amidst all the throwbacks of the last years it was his first victory of sorts.

As his excitement ebbed away he became increasingly aware of another's presence. Seconds passed as he listened for something, anything, but neither word nor action disrupted the silence. He would not have needed to turn around to know exactly who it was staring holes into his back, yet his curiosity to see the man's face was impossible to ignore.

"How long have you been watching?"

Odin stood farther than he had imagined. There was no way reading the lack of expression in his healthy eye, even for someone like Loki, who not only knew how to read minds and interpret looks, but had grown up to with that exact look silently chiding him throughout his life. He hated it - the mercilessness, the cold calculating mind hiding behind that one look.

"Finally, the outer shell has come to reflect the horror underneath." The Allfather eventually spoke and his voice was astonishingly soft. "Long enough." He added when Loki's glare would not lose in intensity.

The Trickster kept his eyes trained on the old man. Did he look older? Indeed, the Allfather had never appeared more...well, mortal. Without shifting his eyes Loki noted the changes the Aesir king had undergone in the time of his absence. What had happened? Part of him could imagine the reason for Odin's bearing. He did not allow himself to linger on the thought. He had long rid himself off the emotion of pity. "Why did you let me take it then?"

"Because I know you have returned to convey to me something of importance, Loki. To hinder you from taking back your voice would only mean a disadvantage for me, not you."

Loki snorted at that. "You are mistaken."

Odin's eyebrows rose in surprise. Perhaps he expected Loki to elaborate the cryptical meaning of his words, but if so then he waited in vain, Loki thought with satisfaction.

"I bear information on how to rid the human of the Aether. I know the name of Asgard's true enemy."

"And how exactly did you come by such knowledge?" The question was uttered even though Odin began to form his own suspicions as to the answer.

Loki winked. How much lighter he felt without Thanos' presence inside of him! "I have my connections." He took a step closer. "But of course my assistance requires some favours."

"I did not expect any better from you." Odin's voice now approaching a dangerous tone. "And what are your terms?"

"My freedom."

Loki watched attentively the flashes of thought that crossed Odin's sight. He seemed to honestly consider the idea. Could he hope? Freedom or death were the only options he was willing to settle on and as he was not exactly a fan of death, that left only freedom. No more cold prison walls. No more torture and humiliation. No longer at anyone's mercy. His voice trembled with anticipation. "You see, I'm quite tired and I would like to know I can lie down in my bed tonight without fearing to be apprehended."

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Thor did not know what to think as he listened to the Vanir. Loki was back?

He had spent hours next to Jane, holding her hand, stroking her hair. He had growled at anyone who had opened the door to her chamber. Her tiny fingers had felt dead in his, but still he had hoped. Then her eyes had fluttered open.

He felt as if he himself had reawakened from death. She was still pale, but the colour in her cheeks returned with such vigour as if it wanted to prove that she was still too strong a match for the Aether. She was a true fighter...just like his mother had been.

Now both of them listened attentively as the Vanir related her tale. "The prince was seen striding into the direction of the king's apartments. Someone helped him slip into the palace undetected."

"Who?" Thor asked, although he already suspected the answer.

"Fara, Your Highness." The news bearer lowered her gaze.

"When did that take place?"

"Some hours ago."

Jane watched as Thor's features darkened. "Go to him."

"Not until I am certain that you are better."

"I'm fine. Just need some sleep." She assured him with a tired smile. A coffee would be just the right thing to get her going but there was no coffee in Asgard. Oh well. It was late any way. And she really could do with some more sleep.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive, Thor. Now go!"

He gave her a quick nod. "Thank you, Freyja."

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"Your freedom?" Odin retorted. "I fear that is something I cannot grant you."

It was as if something inside his head finally exploded.

"Why?" asked Loki. "Why? How much longer do you plan to keep me down there, old man? Until my death or yours?"

"Do you still not understand the gravity of your past actions? The grief you have caused?"

Loki took a step closer to him. "Oh, I understand perfectly. You just cannot stand the idea that someone different from your kind could do what I have done. Who needs brains when there are axes and hammers. Let's crush each other's heads into mush until the world's end. What a clever way to handle things. Bravo!"

Odin shook his head. "I do not have time for this."

"And so you will let Asgard fall?" Loki spoke, incredulous at the old fool's nerve. He was not a child to be dismissed with such a cheap excuse. "Does this realm mean so little to you that you will not even listen to what I have to say?"

"I will-"

Odin was interrupted by a third voice. "Loki?"

Thor's eyes widened as he looked at the man before him. Had Malekith done that to him?

He had only caught the last few snippets of their exchange but still Mjolnir was clutched tightly in his grip. What he had heard indicated conflict.

"Ah, Thor. Nice to see you again too." Loki sneered at him.

"What is this about?" Thor moved his gaze towards his father, before suddenly snapping his head back at Loki. "And why can you talk again?"

The Mischiedmaker was preparing for a snide remark but Odin was quicker. "Thor, leave us."

"Why?"

"Yes, why actually?" Loki raised an eyebrow. "Why should he not hear what I know? I must confess, I did not plan for such a large audience but perhaps it will serve us better this way."

"What is the reason for return?" Thor asked.

"I bear information that will help you in your fight but I have my demands."

"And what are those demands?"

"I only wish to regain my freedom and in return I will help you save your mortal's life."

Thor hesitated. Odin next to him continued to scowl. "You will not play your tricks on us. Asgard's dungeon shall keep you for the rest of your days."

"Wait!" Thor stepped in-between the two men, facing his father. He needed to hear more. Perhaps Loki could give him the information he needed to help Jane. They were running out of time and he would not dismiss the only chance she might have.

"At least one is displaying common sense." Loki flicked his tongue. He watched the silent exchange between father and son, the fight in their gazes.

"Enough with the jokes, Loki. Tell us what you know." Thor had won. Odin sighed, acknowledging the need for Thor to hear what might help his woman. The dark-haired man before them curled his lips up into an undecipherable smirk but as soon as that smirk had appeared it was gone, replaced by a seriousness that made Loki's features appear older than they were.

"Malekith may be the head of the Dark Elves' troops but he is not the one who awakened them from their long slumber. The true leader and your enemy is Thanos."

"Thanos?" Thor asked confused. He did not recognise the name.

"He is of an unknown species. A creature that seeks only to destroy and conquer." Loki paused. "Thanos is strong and powerful but untrained in the craft of magic. What he desires is to multiply his powers by uniting the Infinity Gems under his hand."

Thor formulated his question even though he already suspected the answer. "How come you know of this?"

"Because he worked for him. Isn't that right, Loki?" Odin had his eyes fixed on the trickster with growing contempt.

"And did you know of this?" Thor turned to face his father.

The Allfather replied in a heavy voice. "The name of Thanos is as unfamiliar to me as it is to you, my son."

Loki felt a deep satisfaction, for now he finally had his audience's full attention. "He already has the Mind Gem and now he's out for the Power Gem. He will not stop at anything until he has collected all of them."

"Your sceptre." Thor suddenly realised. "Back in New York. It contained the Mind Gem."

"Ah, I wondered when you would make that connection. Yes, Thor, I did hold the Mind Gem inside that sceptre but it was given to me by Thanos."

"But we gave it away. Sif and Volstagg gave it to the Collector."

"Duplicates, Thor, duplicates. What your minions took was a copy whilst the original was kept safe until Thanos' servants came to retrieve it. You did not honestly think I or he would let you have it." A tingling crept down Loki's spine at the thought of the Other.

"And what has Malekith to do with all this?"

"Thanos prefers to sit in his hideout and let others do the nasty work. He has promised Malekith the Power Gem in exchange for his cooperation." Loki replied with a snort at the Accursed's naivety. "Of course he never intends to keep that promise."

Thor pressed his eyes shut for a second. It all made sense now – the attack on Asgard, the stolen Infinity Gauntlet, the Chitauri in Midgard with Loki at their head, the Tesseract. He could not believe that they had all been blind for so long. And surprisingly he did not doubt Loki's words. Something in the younger man's eyes told him he was speaking the truth. He could not say what it was and he was sure Loki himself was unaware of it, but he sensed instinctively that it had something to do with Loki's scars.

"So what do you propose?" Odin stared at the Jotunn. A heavy silence had laid itself over them, a silence full of understanding that weighed heavily on the two Aesir's shoulders. Loki waited, unsure if he had just secured his freedom or not. When Odin spoke however he knew that he had moved something inside that old man's obstinate head.

He was not far from his goal. "Thanos awaits Jane in four days' time. We will bring her to him and he will separate her from the Aether. As soon as the Gem is fastened unto the gauntlet we attack. He will be distracted and someone of us gets to steal it."

"And how do you imagine that to work. I'm sure he will notice someone trying to steal it from his hand."

"Sometimes you really lack imagination, Thor. Duplicates. I will make a copy of the gauntlet and he won't even notice the difference." The corner of Loki's lips curled upwards. He was in his element.

"What gives us the reassurance that you will not betray us?" Odin spoke, eyes ice cold and as hard as stone.

"Believe me, Allfather." Loki lowered his head with a smirk, his gaze just as unyielding as the Aesir's. "I could have disappeared between the branches of Yggdrasil and never come back the moment I was set free by Malekith and Thanos. I could have chosen a much easier exit, but instead I offer my services to you. One could say we all have our motives to see Thanos fall."

Of course he had lied about the first part. The space between the World Tree's branches was no option for he would rather take his own life before ever having to return there. And of course he would never be truly free until someone took the Mind Gem from Thanos. But they did not need to know that. He would never allow anyone to know how much power Thanos truly held over him.

"Once a traitor, always a traitor." Odin said, but his lips were slightly parted as if he wished to say more. He looked uncertain, undecided as he stared at the one man who had tried to destroy them all and was likely to try it again. But then Odin remembered Frigga. Had she been alive his wife would have begged him to reconsider. She was watching them. In the afterlife she was still watching them and softening his stern mind.

"Very well." The old king finally announced, indicating that it was time for them to disappear from his rooms.

Loki could not stop the feeling of triumph stream through his blood.

Perfect.