"If you truly believe that we could be of use to you…" Volstagg said slowly, eyeing Thor across the table where the two warriors sat in the palace of Asgard with Fandral, Hogan, and Sif.
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't," Thor assured them.
"Then I'm in agreement," Fandral spoke up. "We the Warriors Three swore fealty to Thor Odinsson when we were all just children, but it was an oath none the less, and one that I intend to make good on. If you say we're needed on Midgard, then that's good enough for me; Odin still had plenty of soldiers at his dispense."
With that, Volstagg and Hogan nodded their silent agreement to what Fandral had said, and four pairs of male eyes were turned onto the one woman at the table.
Sif rolled her eyes, declaring with a grin, "I've met this Son of Cole before, and he's a good man. I wouldn't want him to have to mind you all at the same time, so I suppose I'd best come along to corral you myself."
Thor smiled then as he looked around at his friends and said, "Wonderful!" His smile slid a little bit as he continued, "You may well have a few days to prepare for relocating, depending upon how a conversation with my father goes."
"'Conversation'?" Fandral repeated curiously.
"I have a couple more Asgardians in mind that I'd like to come to SHIELD with us, but they're more closely under the king's power, and it may take some time to convince him that it's a good idea to let them accompany us."
The Warriors Three nodded unquestioningly and dispersed, but Sif stayed where she was for a minute longer than the trio, staring at Thor intently until he met her eyes warily. She knew what duo he was considering, and they both knew it.
Alone in the room with the king's son, Sif contradicted his idea softly, insisting, "That's not a good idea, Thor."
"She can keep him in line when they're together."
"Since when?!"
"She is capable of bringing out the best in him, I know; I've seen it with my own eyes many a time over the decades."
"She won't even speak to him, Thor; not for as much as he's hurt her."
Thor's eyes darkened with confusion as he responded, "Despite what I now know him to be capable of, I never thought he would actually lay his hand on her." His brows drew together as he asked, "He hasn't, has he?"
Sif gave him a scathing glare that informed him that he had just completely misinterpreted her meaning before she heaved a sigh and pushed her chair back from the table, declaring, "The mighty Thor will do as he wishes despite my words, so I'd best just spend my energy on preparing myself for taking up residence in Midgard. If you'll excuse me, my prince?"
Thor sighed, rubbing his eyes to refocus himself before he went into the throne room.
A welcoming smile from the king met him when he strode through the throne room doors, and Thor's spirits lifted a bit, allowing him a shred of hope that Odin might approve of his plans.
"I had heard that you had returned to your home realm," Odin began. "And I can only imagine t hat means that some sort of business brings you here. So what might I do for you?"
"I'm sorry that you've already come to expect so little from my visits, Father," Thor answered with a small smile.
"But what?"
Thor decided to let Odin have his way and jumped straight into the business at hand, saying, "But I require the acquisition of my favored band of Asgardians and your permission to permanently take them with me to Midgard to help in guarding the Midgardians."
"And this band would include which warriors precisely?" Odin asked, sitting back in his throne.
"The exact warriors that I desire are the Warriors Three and Lady Sif, who have already agreed to accompany me…"
"Obviously I'll grant them permission. It would most likely be futile for me to resist if they wish to go with you." Odin said drily before narrowing his eyes perceptively upon his son as he said, "But there is more on your mind, my son. What is it? Or, more accurately, who is it?"
Thor resisted the urge to take a deep breath before he said, trying not to show his hesitation, "Loki and Sigyn."
Odin's gaze hardened a bit as it always did at the mention of his adopted son, and he gripped the arms of his throne. "Loki Laufeyson is meant to spend his days rotting in the dungeon that he currently inhabits, not only for his crimes against Midgard, but surely you remember that he tried to take over even Asgard? Even succeeded for a bit? Remember?"
"Yes, of course I remember," Thor said. "But surely you can acknowledge that someone like Loki would have so much more utility doing a job such as the one that I'm proposing? And with Loki's wife accompanying him, he'll be all the more likely to cooperate."
Odin stared long and hard at Thor, thinking this all through before he finally, finally decided, "If by some miracle of the Norns Loki is willing to accompany you, you may take him with you – on a trial period of two weeks. After that time, I want a report brought to me of his so-called 'utility' in SHIELD to judge whether or not he should remain there. If Sigyn wishes to go as well, then I, of course, have no objection. The poor child could use something to occupy her beyond worrying about those who are beyond saving."
Ignoring the obvious slight against Loki in favor of relief at being given his way, Thor nodded, even managing a small smile as he thanked his father and then turned on his heel to leave the throne room. Now he had to make a stop by his sister-in-law's chambers.
