Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Marvel-characters!

AN: Thank you so much for your reviews! You may think that I have no idea where I am taking this, but I do have a plan. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts on this chapter. I also promise that next chapter, events will turn interesting ;) I've read all of your theories (on Arta's plan) and though some of you are close, no one really has it right… You'll have to keep on reading :)

~ Fields of Blood ~

Chapter 7

Finally the Asgardian palace became visible through the trees. Loki hadn't thought he would be so relieved to see his home again. Only a few days ago he had been glad to escape from that place since he had found it such a boring place. He had been excited to go hunting with his brother.

Now he longed for those familiar surroundings again. They would make him feel safe. At least that was what he was hoping for.

He, together with his brother and friends, had been walking for three hours and Loki felt tired again. But soon, he thought, he would lie in his own bed. He was greatly looking forward to that, but first he needed to get through the city of Asgard. It was another thirty minute walk which he dreaded.

"We're nearly home, Loki," Thor smiled as he placed his right hand in the nape of his brother's neck. He squeezed it, a gesture of good nature, but Loki shrank away from his touch since it caused him pain. "My apologies," Thor prompted, noticing his brother's grimace, "I always forget that your body still hurts from the beating."

Loki said nothing since he found Thor's words hard to believe. Those three savages had mostly kicked his stomach and chest, but a foot had found its way to his face on more than one occasion. He couldn't be certain since he hadn't seen himself in a mirror yet, but he was sure he sported a black eye and a swollen nose. How could Thor forget about his condition then?

Right, he remembered, because he is an ignorant fool.

"Don't worry, brother," Thor continued, mistaking Loki's silence for concern, "as soon as we get home, you can have all your bruises fixed. You'll be as good as new."

As good as new? Had Thor really just said that? Loki glared at his brother, but Thor did not even notice him anymore. Instead Thor continued to smile as he let go of Loki and quickened his apace.

The rest of the journey happened in silence. It was almost becoming unbearable to Loki. It left his thoughts too much freedom and he couldn't help but relive the smallest details of the torture. Finally though, a little before noon, they walked into the royal palace of Asgard. Thor acted as if he just returned from war. He lifted his chin and took a firmer hold of his weapons. Loki couldn't believe Thor acted to so conceited.

Together they walked through the halls of the palace while Loki could only ignore the stares and whispers of servants and guards. Did he truly look that bad? He was starting to wonder if he even wanted to see himself in a mirror. Perhaps he was better off not knowing how awful he appeared.

They reached the throne room and two guards instantly pushed open the large golden doors. Thor entered first, his steps confident and his entire face enlightened with triumph. Loki followed close behind, his eyes instantly seeking out his parents. He wanted to see their reaction to his return though he wasn't sure why. Surely his parents would be relieved, would they not?

The Warriors Three and Lady Sif remained in the back of the room.

Thor and Loki made their way towards the throne and when they stood before the king, Thor bowed deeply. Loki didn't bother with formalities. He kept his gaze on Odin's face and noticed a smile forming on his father's lips. His usual stern grey eyes softened.

"I have brought home your son, father," Thor announced proudly.

Loki no longer bothered to keep his interests in Odin. He walked forward and headed straight for his mother. Frigga had tears in her eyes and her expression spoke of nothing but relief. When Loki stood before her, she embraced him tightly and buried her face into his shoulder. Loki couldn't help but hiss when her arms touched his back so roughly and Frigga quickly let go of him.

"Loki?" She asked in her softest voice.

Now that he stood so close to her, he could read compassion and concern in her brown eyes. He wished she would embrace him again. He didn't care about the pain, he simply wanted to feel his mother's love once more. He wanted to be reminded that the cruelty he had suffered through was over.

He had to face reality, however.

"I need a healer," he said in hushed tones, not wanting Odin and Thor to hear him.

"Of course," Frigga answered. She took his hand and guided him out of the throne room. Loki faintly realized how ridiculous he must look to the servants at this very moment; the Prince of Asgard holding onto his mother's hand as if it was his lifeline.

When they reached the healing chambers, Frigga spun around to face her son. She smiled warmly though her concern never vanished from her eyes.

"I am relieved that you are home, Loki," she told him, "I have been so scared these last couple of days. If I had lost you, I wouldn't know what to with myself." She sighed heavily and closed her eyes for a moment.

"It's all right, mother," Loki said, wanting to comfort her, "I am here now."

Frigga moved to stand on the tips of her toes and planted a soft kiss upon Loki's forehead.

"I'll wait outside."

~ 0 ~

Loki gritted his teeth together and balled his hands into fists until his nails broke his skin. Not that he noticed that at this point. All that he could feel was the biting pain of his back as a healer did his best to heal his wounds with magic.

"The wounds appear to be infected, my Lord," the healer said after a few moments of silence, "my healing spells are ineffective."

Loki had been afraid to hear that. Still, he had wanted to try. He had to try something after all. Although Arta didn't seem like the lying-type, Loki still refused to simply accept his words as the truth. The pain of his back intensified until all that he felt was a raging fire coursing through his veins. He struggled to breathe and his vision became infected with black dots. If this continued any longer, he feared he might pass out.

"Stop," he ordered in a strained voice, "just stop. It is pointless anyway. My back cannot be healed with magic." Or without, Loki thought sadly.

"Then how can I help?" The healer asked, looking uncertain at this point. Loki was certain that the healer's magic had never failed him before, but there had to be a first time for everything. "If my magic cannot heal these wounds, what can?"

Loki said nothing. He waited for the pain to ease again before sitting up. "Just make sure the wounds are clean and bandage them."

"Yes, my Lord."

The healer began to work and Loki felt himself relax. He still experienced pain, but it was almost nothing compared to what he had felt a few moments ago. He closed his eyes, inhaled deeply – though that caused his chest to ache – and he wondered if he could fall asleep at this point. It had been a while since he had slept properly. Last night in the forest he had slept for a few hours, but it hadn't been enough.

At this point, Loki wanted to sleep for days.

"There," the healer said kindly, "that should make you feel better. These bandages must be changed every day, however."

"Fine," Loki replied. He didn't bother to open his eyes just yet.

"Perhaps I can try and heal your bruises?" The healer asked carefully. "You have bruised your ribs as well, one even appears to be broken. If I can heal those, then you'll be able to breathe better."

"You may try," Loki said apathetically.

He truly hoped the healer would succeed, but somehow he doubted it. But if all his bruises would be gone, he would certainly feel better and no one would stare so at him. He also knew his family wouldn't look at him with so much pity in their eyes. As soon as the healer's magic touched him, Loki felt as if he was being submerged into a warm bath. It was a pleasant and frightening feeling at the same time. He could feel his bruises healing, but he couldn't breathe either.

The moment passed quickly.

"It worked," the healer smiled.

"Thank you," Loki replied kindly. He did indeed feel better already.

"I wish I could have healed your back as well."

"Don't worry about it," Loki said, "he'll be healed in the end."

~ 0 ~

Even though Loki was tired and felt in desperate need of rest, his mother had insisted that he would join them for dinner. He did look thin after all and he had barely eaten anything these past few days. Also, Loki couldn't deny his mother anything at this point. He had missed her and he enjoyed spending time with her. It was just a shame that dinner wasn't a family-dinner on this occasion. It appeared half Asgard had been invited.

"But Arta himself hasn't been stopped?" An Elder asked Odin. Loki's attention was instantly focused on the Elder whose name was Hringr and Odin. He knew they had been friends for a long time and apparently Hringr knew Arta as well.

"No," Odin answered before taking a sip from his wine, "but he'll be found one way or another. He'll be punished for what he did to my son."

"You should have killed Arta all those years ago," Hringr said bitterly, "you should have executed him. He betrayed you and Asgard after all and now, after all these years, he causes trouble again. He struck you hard, Odin, and he struck you personal."

Odin exhaled slowly. "I should indeed have killed him when he tried to take my throne all those years ago," he said, "but he was once my friend. My judgment was clouded at the time."

"No one blames you for that," Hringr said respectfully, "let's just be grateful that his plan failed and that Thor managed to bring Loki home again."

As if on cue, Thor jumped up from his seat. His cheeks looked slightly pink, he wore a goofy, crooked grin and his eyes stood wide with joy. Clearly he was drunk and Loki could tell that his brother was having a marvelous time. Frigga, who sat to Loki's left, rolled her eyes and sighed. She obviously disapproved of her son's behavior.

"A toast," Thor announced, lifting his glass of wine, "to the safe return of my brother."

Loki narrowed his eyes. He did not like this at all and he wanted his brother to sit down and keep his mouth shut.

Everyone in the room raised their glasses of wine, ale or water. Loki had no choice but to do so as well. The gazes of many fell on him and Loki was forced to conjure his most sweet smile. He knew his mother could see straight through his façade, though the rest was oblivious to it.

"I slayed them all for you, brother," Thor continued, looking particularly smug at this point, "and I would do so again!"

"You all should have seen him," Volstagg added with a booming voice, "Thor had never been so fierce and bold before."

"Indeed," Fandral agreed, "it was very impressive."

All the conversations in the room restarted and Loki knew no one had any attention for him anymore. He drank empty his glass of water and pushed aside his plate of food. He wasn't hungry anymore. As he stood, he felt the concerned eyes of his mother on him.

"You'll have to excuse me, mother," he said apologetically, "I am tired and I wish for some solitude."

"Are you all right?" Frigga asked quietly.

"I am fine," Loki assured her. When he smiled this time, it was genuine and warm. "Don't worry about me. I will see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Loki."

~ 0 ~

He felt as if he was fleeing from the great hall. Barely anyone had noticed him when he had gotten up and left – Thank the gods for that! Certainly not Thor since he had been too busy retelling the tale of how he had freed his brother. Loki truly didn't want to hear that again. He had lived it which was enough.

As soon as he reached his bedchambers, he hurried towards his small balcony. He opened the two narrow, but high glass doors and stepped outside. The sky was completely dark with only a few stars visible. The moon was currently hiding behind a large cloud. The air was still warm which made it pleasant to breathe in.

Loki let his gaze slide across the hundreds of small houses beneath him. There wasn't a soul still active on the streets. Then again, it was already past midnight and most citizens were already asleep. When Loki moved his gaze further up north, he saw thousands of trees. Only one night ago he had been sleeping there.

He anxiously scanned the forest for a sign.

Any sign.

He saw nothing and relief flooded him even though a small part of him was disappointed. It was a very confusing experience for Loki, but one thought echoed clearly through his mind: tonight was not the night.