Stolen Stars

Chapter Seven

The guards at the on-ramps
Are armed to the teeth
And you can case the grounds
From the Cascades to Puget Sounds
But you are not permitted to leave
(This Place is a Prison - Postal Service)

0o0o0o0o0o0

"The riots in northern Nidavellir have calmed according to the Einerjar stationed at the palace."

"Good, tell them to watch the southern borders. The forests conceal rebels well."

"I will, Father."

"One more thing, Thor. Is there…any change?"

Thor understood the All-Father's meaning. While he had other duties to attend to, Thor made sure to talk often with Lady Tyler to access his brother's progress. Perhaps not as often or as thoroughly as he would like, but the Midgardian woman kept many things close to the chest. He tried to evaluate Loki's mental status from the warden at the prison as well, but there was little to be gleaned from him either.

"The poison has been mostly dissipated, according to Lady Tyler. The wardens tell me that their sessions have become longer. They talk, mostly about trivial things. Loki insists that she is not a friend, but it seems that Lady Tyler has finally brought him to treat her as such."

"That is an improvement, I suppose," Odin replied. Thor could sense his father was concealing his true relief.

"Do you think it odd that she would come at such a time? Loki would not talk to anyone on any pleasant terms before she arrived."

"I trust the Fates. They have a larger universe to weave, and if healing Loki is of such import to them I do not foresee a problem. Why do you ask? Has she done anything to warrant concern?"

"Nothing at all, no," he told his father truthfully. "I believe Rose Tyler to be trustworthy. She is as worried about Loki's well-being as we are."

Odin hummed in consideration.

"She is impatient to understand what it is you plan for Loki after she has finished her task here. She asked why you have not granted an audience with her yet."

"I have been busy," Odin replied, looking slightly amused and at the same time annoyed at the mention of her discourteous persistence. "Does my answer interest you as well?"

"As a matter of fact it does," Thor answered. Rose's questions earlier that evening piqued his own attention of the details of Loki's predicament. She had pulled him aside after she had returned from the prison. She was awfully determined to express her frustration at Odin's refusal. "If the Chitauri had been controlling him the entire time, I do not see why he must stay imprisoned. Surely it would be of much better influence to have him here?"

The king sighed, and strode across the sitting room to the terrace. Thor followed closely behind, not about to allow his father to evade his question just yet. "You forgive and forget too easily, Thor. Your love for your brother blinds you. Do you not recall the actions that led Loki to fall prey to those beings?"

"Was it not you who was bereaved after he found out his true parentage? You laid the guilt of Loki's reaction upon your own shoulders. I cannot absolve my brother completely of his actions, father," Thor added, "but we all had a hand in Loki's madness. We cannot just shut him in a cage until Ragnarok."

He thought Loki dead once, and then he was pitted against him once more. But regardless of his actions, Thor could not turn his back on Loki. Not now, when there was so much hope to be had for the recovery of the friend and brother he lost. Thor watched as Odin considered him in silence. When he did not receive an answer, Thor changed tactics.

"What do you think of her connection with Loki?"

"I know not what you mean," Odin replied, but his expression said otherwise. Thor shifted from one foot to the other.

"We both know Loki's nature. It is not the most harmonious, even to those closest to him. Even before he fell. And yet somehow a singular woman from Midgard has developed such a profound bond with Loki that she has managed a miraculous feat beyond any of our healer's abilities."

"That can be attributed to her association with the Doctor. There were many magicks still lost to us when Gallifrey fell."

"She cut his hair, Father," Thor stated, still finding the idea ludicrous himself. "Those are not the actions of a mere acquaintance."

"I will not look a gift horse in the mouth, Thor. And I suggest you do the same," the king said. "If you suspect that Loki and Rose have a more than platonic history, I would not disagree. However, our priority here is not match-making. Loki should not be distracted from his crimes by a pretty face, or I fear that he may find such shallow attractions boring all too soon. If Rose falls prey to a false trust, that may prove disastrous to all. Watch her, Thor. For her sake, perhaps, more than Loki's."

"And what of Loki?"

"You and Lady Tyler are correct. Leaving Loki in the prison is not suitable to his recovery, and I see now that perhaps it would have been wiser to assess his situation at home." Thor caught the note of regret in his father's tone. He looked on grimly as the king sighed. "The realm will not look kindly on this particular form of mercy."

Thor drew himself straighter, his brow furrowing at the prospect of rumors in the kingdom over Loki's release. It was no secret that some of the Aesir believed Loki's punishment was already too lenient.

"Your judgment will not be questioned, Father, I will make sure of that." Odin nodded shortly, and then looked back out over the grounds.

"Loki is like you in many respects, Thor. Perhaps more than we know. I pray this woman may reveal his hatred as Jane revealed your egocentricity."

0o0o0o0o0o0

Rose had another blasted nightmare again. It was getting rather obnoxious, as his efforts to soothe them were not as potent from a distance. He had been jolted awake four times in the past week by her panic. But really—how was he supposed to enjoy the easing of his own night terrors?

So while he was actually sleeping better with the poison subsiding, it wasn't personal that Loki threatened to snap the neck of his warden when the loathsome being entered his cell in the middle of the night.

"Odin All-Father requires your immediate presence at the Hall," he was told when they were both certain of the empty threat.

"How flattering, but I will have to decline. I haven't a thing to wear," Loki said flippantly. His warden looked indignant, but he was interrupted as the cell door opened once more.

"It was not a request. It was an order." Loki scowled at the entrance of Thor.

"Ah, well. That changes things, doesn't it?" He stood, crossing his arms. "What exactly am I being called for?"

"Mother and Lady Tyler will join us in the Hall. I am to escort you."

Loki narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Thor avoided the question badly, so it was obvious that the manner of being called upon in the middle of the night indicated discretion.

It suddenly occurred to him that this little family gathering might be in discussion of his release from prison. A shot of anticipation went through him, but he kept his expression cool.

"Well, lead the way."

Thor nodded to the warden, who pulled cuffs from his belt. Loki rolled his eyes in exasperation, but willingly held out his wrists to be bound. A rune was cast over his mouth, sealing it shut until he entered the presence of the All-Father.

Loki supposed he should consider himself lucky. The last traitor to be thrown in the prison of Asgard had his lips physically sewn shut as punishment. He was mad, but not deaf to the demands of the furious Aesir at his public trial. They wished him the same fate.

It was the dead of night, so few would have seen the crown prince haul his disgraced adopted brother to the palace. As soon as the two of them touched ground once again, they were surrounded by guards. Loki attempted to trip up one that snatched at his shoulder a little too tightly, but all he got in return was a swift knee in the ribs.

Thor glared at the guard and muttered something to him. Before Loki could catch what was said, however, he was frog-marched into the Hall.

They entered from the side, immediately before the steps that led down to the throne. Thor thumped his fist against his chest when they stopped at the base.

"Enter," the All-Father's voice echoed, sending undue chills down Loki's spine.

As he looked up, Loki swallowed defiantly against unwanted emotion as he looked upon Frigga on Odin's right side. There was no anger or resentment in her stony expression. The only emotion, if any that fell through the serious demeanor, was sadness. It was worse than her fury, and suddenly Loki wished he was awash with poison as to obscure her face.

Quickly he looked to the left, where Rose was standing. She was wearing the attire she had on the day she arrived, including the blue leather jacket. She looked nervous. Loki wondered if she knew if Odin had decided to release him.

"Loki."

Loki directed his glare at the king. So not Odinson. Not Laufeyson. Still banished, in every sense that mattered. Still just Loki.

"You are brought here to be examined, as per the requirements of the Norn. " He nodded to the guard at Loki's side, and he felt the rune dissipate from his mouth. "The Lady Tyler considers you well enough to think and speak without the taint of another's influence. What have you to say of this evaluation?"

Loki's attention flickered to Rose for a moment, and then went back to the king.

"It's not completely gone, but I can distinguish reality now."

"Not completely gone?" Odin looked at the blond, his expression stern.

"Give me a few more days and he'll be good as new!" Her tone dripped with sarcasm. Loki suppressed a grin. "I can't give you exacts. From what I see, there're a few corners that need sweepin'. This ain't a perfect science, you know," Rose snapped. Odin sighed.

"You have enough power in the palace to assure I don't…run amok," Loki stated, catching the king's attention once more. "You only need to worry about me and me alone at this point, not some foreign invader."

Odin was silent for a few moments.

"I have already ordered you—and your quarters here at the palace—to be monitored at all times. You will continue to meet with Lady Tyler until every trace of poison is scoured. For your own good, and the good of this realm, I suggest you keep to your corridor and with your escort."

"Ashamed to have a fallen prince free to roam the palace of Asgard?" Loki sneered.

"You will ascribe to me the respect of your king and warden, Loki." The All-Father's voice was low and dangerous. Once upon a time Loki would flaunt the challenge, but he had no power here. He bit down on his pride and tilted his head slightly in reverence.

"My apologies, your Highness," Loki murmured, letting a hint of impudence though.

"You are free to go about the palace and the grounds, as long as you are properly restrained in your magic and are escorted. Any attempt to escape will be dealt with severely. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Then, I, Odin All-Father, in the presence of these witnesses, release Loki from his containment and into the custody of the royal family of Asgard. All future restrictions and release of restrictions on his person will be determined by myself and Rose Tyler of Midgard."

He was released from the cuffs, but his imprisonment did not leave him. More powerful runes were clapped onto his person to keep him from leaving the palace, and the feeling was like being collared and leashed like some common beast. Part of him found the image to be slightly amusing, if morbid. Well, if he couldn't keep a sense of humor in this condition he might as well be mad.

Odin dismissed the group from, asking only Frigga to stay behind. Loki hardly had time to process the fact that he would not be thrown back when one of the larger guards (luckily not the one who assaulted him on his arrival) ushered him out of the Hall and towards the east wing.

"Now you know how I feel," an artificially light voice commented from behind him. He turned to see Rose tilting her head pointedly at Hermod who was walking slightly off to her side, his hawk-like attention completely on the woman in his charge.

"Slightly different," Loki muttered, absently rubbing his wrists.

Rose made a noise of agreement.

"Yeah, probably. Well, um. Glad to see you out." Loki saw her make a face, like she felt ridiculous saying it. The corner of his lip tugged up in amusement and (could he really feel this?) fondness.

"Don't get your hopes up just yet, Lady Tyler." Her nose scrunched up at the title, and he could help but release a chuckle.

The two were eventually led down separate flights of stairs, but Rose wished him a good night just as she disappeared from sight. Loki chose not to return it, seeing as she would very likely keep him up anyway.

His escorts guided him further down the east wing until they reached a relatively unpopulated collection of rooms. Loki felt the shift in magic as he stepped through the doorway of the bedroom. He was grudgingly grateful when the men left him with a warning and a shut door between them.

One scan of the room revealed luxuries that he had not enjoyed for nearly two years. While he had gone longer without plumbing (that awful stint in Midgard for a hundred-odd years came to mind), he yearned for a proper bath.

It wasn't his old accommodations. He cursed the part of himself that felt disappointed. He was no longer that man, and he never would be. Why would he even want to go back? That person was sniveling, pathetic, and ignorant of the reality that shaped his history and his future.

No, this was better, Loki mused as he dragged a hand along the worn stone. He felt the prickling of runes there; muting whatever magic he had left.

It had to be.