Chapter 8 – Paying the price

Silence filled the courtyard as the swords man moved to position himself, beside Jane. Loki was being held there – front row, waiting to see the mortal killed. It wasn't something he wanted, it was the last thing he wanted to happen but he couldn't let that little fact be known. No, if he did then he'd be allowing the All-father to win and that was never something Loki could allow. He wasn't going to actually kill her – that was going against all that he stood for, the protection he insisted he held for the nine realms. No, this was just a test and one that Loki wasn't about to fall under.

He stared up to the mortal woman, not showing any signs of emotion as she made her peace with the people. It was heart-warming to see her speak that way but Loki remained together, not even shifting slightly when she mentioned falling in love with him. It wasn't the first time she had said this, it wasn't a surprise to him but it was a shock to everyone else.

"I'm pretty sure you can stop all of this by admitting the truth, Loki" a familiar voice whispered from his side, keeping hold of his chain.

"What truth do you speak of, Lady Sif? I am but a witness to this punishment – I do find it quite dramatic and enjoyable – don't you" he glanced to her and smirked, not wanting to even allow Sif to see that his feelings were torn.

"She will be killed and it will be your doing".

"I'll gladly take that blame – this is just a small price to pay for the fun that's been had" he shrugged "mortals are just too eager for adventure, she was too easy to corrupt. She is slightly more intelligent than the others which will make her a great loss to their realm but I'll show no care on the matter".

Sif sighed, giving up her comments. She wasn't exactly someone who cared for Jane, there was no love lost between them but she wasn't really eager to see her die. Loki knew that, which is why he refused to play along with the game. He knew that none of them wanted to see an innocent mortal killed – especially not Odin or Thor. It would all be over soon, Jane returned to her world and Loki taken back to his cell – which would be such a waste for him but at least Odin wouldn't win this.

His attention returned to Jane, his eyes showing a very slight level of concern as Jane was moved. She was being lowered and forced to kneel, her head positioned over the wooden stump. Okay, so perhaps Odin was moving this a little further than Loki thought – perhaps he really was going to make it seem real. Loki shrugged it off, it was just a matter of moments before Odin would call this all off and they could move on.

Any moment now – or now…Loki watched as the swordsman positioned himself beside Jane, raising the blade over his head. Stop – okay, you can stop this now – Loki thought the words but still didn't want to lose, he didn't want to allow Odin to win another game. Yet, as he watched the sword hovering over the swordsman's head – he had the sickening feeling that this wasn't a game. Stop – Stop….stop…

"STOP!" The word echoed around the courtyard as soon as it left his lips, his breath scattered and his skin turned pale with fear of Jane actually being killed. This wasn't a game, this wasn't about making him lose – this was actual punishment and he couldn't handle the idea of her dying, not because of him – not ever.

"Wait – I believe my son has something to say" Odin moved to the front of his platform and waved for the swordsman to move back – which he did. He glanced over to Loki who was still looking paler than a ghost "Well, Loki – do tell us why you're stopping this 'enjoyable' moment".

Jane glanced up, being helped to her feet –she was also looking as pale as Loki.

"You know why I stopped this" Loki muttered, his heart raced but he managed to keep some of his dignity while glancing over to Odin. "I don't need to speak of anything, let her go and cast your punishment upon me".

Odin shook his head "you love this mortal, do you not?"

Loki glanced over to them, sharing a slight moment with Thor before he nodded. "You know that to be true – enough of this foolish game play, allow her to return to her own world and I'll gladly take the entire punishment".

Jane shook her head "no".

"Not now, Jane!" Loki looked back to her "you have to return home now, this is all my own doing and I'll not allow anything to harm you. I've always promised to keep you safe – and I've never lied to you" he sighed, this was not a fun moment for him but he really didn't want to lose her in a fatal way.

Odin called for them both to be brought before him, the guards grabbing Loki and pulling him by his chains. This was it, this was the real moment of punishment – at least it would mean Jane returning home.

"You have attempted to make us all look foolish; you've been incapable of showing honour or bravery…at least until this moment" Odin spoke, staring down to the man he had watched grow up. "It is not enough though, showing this level of bravery due to your own idle love for this woman – not enough, son". He sighed and glanced to Jane "you will be returned to Midgard, unable to return here again. You are unwelcome here and forbidden to speak with Thor – you are a shame to your own realm".

Jane glanced down, the tears still streamed down her cheeks from the shock. She still didn't want to be without Loki but there was nothing much she could do about it "I am sorry – ".

"I do not need to hear it" Odin cut her off, not wanting to hear anything she could say. He stepped down from the platform and moved towards Loki, stopping in front of him. "As for you, you've fallen for this Midgardian woman and shown no signs of remorse for anything you've done". He glanced up to Thor but returned his gaze upon Loki, who stood there with his head held high.

"Just get to the point; I'm still not fond of these chats".

"You are sentenced to banishment".

"Wonderful – which of the realms do you deem fit to banish me upon?" Loki smirked, he figured this was the most idiotic punishment the old man could think up – after all, he'd just find his way to Jane and work on future plans to destroy this realm.

"You deem that punishment as a light one, don't you?" Odin shook his head "not only will you find yourself banished, sent to be with this woman on her own realm – but you'll also lack any of your power!"

Loki stopped smirking; he couldn't take away his power.

"Oh – now you fear the punishment".

"No, you can't take away a power I've built myself" Loki sneered, taking in a few deep breaths.

Odin placed his hand upon him "I allowed you to believe I was deceased and that you had won – I'm more capable than you think".

Before they knew what was going on, Loki felt a force sinking through him – one unlike anything he had felt.

"Return them, son – do not allow either to fool you with any false remorse" he spoke, stepping back from Loki who seemed to be crippling from what had just happened. "Enjoy your mortal life, Loki – those thousands of years are no longer a fact for you…but alas, you'll get to live out your final sixty or seventy years with the woman you love".

Loki looked up to him "But – " it was no good, they were both pulled from Asgard and returned to Midgard.

Jane fell to the ground the moment Thor let go of her, her tears slowing down at this moment but she couldn't help but feel sorrow for Loki. He was just like her now, he no longer had his powers – he had lost everything just to protect her. She glanced up to Thor who simply shook his head "Thor..."

"No, Jane- we can't discuss this" he helped her up "find happiness, help my brother find happiness in this life…help him find some peace". Thor leaned over and kissed her cheek "goodbye, Jane".

With that said he swung the Mjölnir and was gone – vanished from both of their lives.

Jane turned back to Loki "I'm sorry" she muttered and moved towards him.

"No – no" he waved his hand "don't step any closer! I need to think. This isn't the end of me - the old fool won't win". Loki shook his head and moved into the apartment, ignoring the shocked gasps that Darcy seemed to blurt out – ignoring Jane as she followed him. He simply moved into the bedroom and slammed the door behind him, needing time to think about how he would fix this – how he would get his powers back again. He could not be a mortal, this was not his future.