Chapter 3 – What have I done?
{Author notes: This will be a short chapter which is concentrating more on Loki}
It had all happened too quickly, one moment he was watching the other as she glanced through a book – the next he was standing before Odin. Loki had no clue how any of this was really taking place – he had witnessed the Allfather meeting his demise, he had been there to watch his last breath leave his body…but there he stood, fit and well.
"It's impossible" he muttered, the guards surrounding him as they walked him back towards the prison cells. He wondered where Jane had been taken but could find a way to her later – he needed to concentrate on everything that was happening to him.
The guards said nothing, they were trained to remain serious with all matters and before long – Loki was unchained and left to stand within a familiar cell. It was the exact same cell he had been in before Thor released him, nothing was different. It hadn't even been cleaned, all of his previous rage over Frigga still remaining an obvious state. That did offer him a slight pang but he refused to show it – not in front of the others, especially not some guards who were clearly waiting to report back to Odin.
"How can this be? He died, the old fool died – this is impossible" he muttered, staring over to the bed he had spent many nights upon.
"Not impossible" a female voice chimed from behind, one that Loki was highly familiar with "you didn't honestly believe you were the only one who could play tricks, did you?"
Loki took in a deep breath and spun around, a sinister smile planted on his lips "Lady Sif, the wondrous warrior and goddess who simply couldn't stand being unloved by the God of Thunder". He stepped towards the glass screen, remaining a few inches from touching it. "It wouldn't seem overly surprising if I wasn't so certain the Allfather was nothing but a fool – an old fool who has no real control on anything".
"He controls you!" she scoffed, shaking her head "and I chose a warriors life, this had little to do with any apparent feelings I possess for Thor – which are none, not in that way".
A slight chuckle escaped Loki as he paced the cell "what do you want? To hear how I've tricked you all? To learn my darkest secrets? You honestly think I'll tell all?"
"Not quite, we're here to ensure you are made aware of everything that will follow" a booming voice came from the stairs as the warriors three came into sight.
"Oh good, Thor's noble delinquents" Loki continued to pace, not seeming phased by them but his thoughts were lingering with Jane. Where was she? What was happening to her? Surely the old fool would simply send her home – why would he keep her there?
"Enough with the games, Loki…your tricks will no longer suffice in this matter" Fandral muttered, the three of them standing beside Sif.
"It's not that I don't like catching up with all of you, it's just that I don't like it" he smirked, glancing out to the four of them with a level of pity for them. "I'm surprised you're all here, shouldn't you be fighting the righteous battle with Thor?" He glanced to Sif "oh – yes – he doesn't need any of you now that he has his precious Avengers to battle with. It must be tiresome to sit around and wait for the day he requires you again".
"Enough! This is not about us; you are the one who has committed far too many crimes – ones you will not be capable of charming your way out of. Not even your silver tongue is capable of that" Sif rolled her eyes, not seeming to enjoy his snarky and uncaring attitude. "It won't just be you who pays for these crimes ".
Loki gave her a curious glance but remained calm, not wanting to make any interest too apparent.
"Now we have your silence? I thought as much" she smiled, almost seeming pleased with herself "you didn't really think your Midgardian friend would go completely unaffected by all of this, did you?"
"Jane Foster is simply a Midgardian who I chose to have some fun with; she was no more involved in my deception than any of you". Loki stopped pacing and stared towards Sif; ignoring any of the others "it wouldn't make any sense for that old fool to punish her for something she had no control over".
"But we know she has been with you, we know she was with you of her own free will – we know she has crept around the realms with you and that she has deceived all who apparently matter to her". Sif stepped closer "she will pay for her crimes and you will – "
"No, Lady Sif, we are not to tell him. It is not our place to advise him of his punishment" Fandral chirped in, placing a hand on Sifs shoulder.
"Oh, please do inform me of my impending punishment – what has the old fool thought up? Banishment? No, locking me away in here until I'm released again? He really ought to come up with better ideas – it's becoming too obvious".
"You are the fool here!" Sif snarled towards him, clutching her dagger.
"Oh, are you going to fight your way into my cell and see I meet my demise by your own hands – that would at least be entertaining". Loki snickered "why don't you all leave, I'd much rather enjoy my time here on my own – without your insignificant comments" he turned and moved towards his bed, taking a seat on the edge of it.
"You just don't understand how much trouble you are both in" Sif glanced back to the others who shrugged, one of them nodding for her to continue. "We've followed you this entire time, we've witnessed the bond between you and we know that she means a lot more to you than you claim".
"She means nothing to me, you are all but fools to think otherwise" Loki glanced down for a moment "why would Thor follow us – why wouldn't he simply interfere to save his precious Midgardian?" He wondered that himself, it was puzzling but then it all became clearer. "Ah – but Thor isn't aware of any of this, is he?" Loki stood back up and paced towards them.
"Thor will be made aware of it all in time, he'll be on side with all that happens once he is made clear of the facts" Sif nodded, she hoped that would be the case.
"How can you be so certain of that?" he arched his eyebrows, folding his arms over his chest "Thor is in love with the silly mortal, surely he will rescue her once more and take her home".
"He won't have the option to do so; she won't be around much longer".
Loki scowled a little "What do you mean by that?"
"But she doesn't mean anything to you – why would you care?" Sif asked, turning so they could each leave him be "you'll find out soon enough".
"WHAT IS YOUR MEANING?" Loki shouted, taking in a deep breath to calm himself – he couldn't show his care for the woman.
"Your own punishment is still being thought up but the Allfather has already cast his decision regarding the Midgardian" Sif smirked "she will meet her end with a swift swing of a sword".
Loki shook his head "that is something he will never do; he is a protector of those stupid mortals and would never cast execution upon them for being a part of my plans".
"But it has been set; your Midgardian love affair will be no more. She will be executed and you will be forced to watch it" Sif snickered and walked away, leaving Loki to ponder over it all.
"This won't happen, this can't – "he turned and faced the wall, his emotions toyed with him as he thought about Jane. What if this was really happening? What if she was actually going to be killed for something he had brought on? She didn't deserve this – he didn't deserve it but she definitely didn't deserve it. He pictured her face, the sadness showing in her eyes – the trust slipping away, the trust she had so willingly given to him.
He needed to see her.
