The Trickster and the Elf

Author's Note - Hey guys, I know it's been a long time since I posted a new chapter but honestly things in my life have been really hard. Last August I lost my mum and I wasn't in the country to say goodbye to her. So I flew home for the funeral and I stayed with my family for a few months before coming back home. I just lost any passion I had to write anything and it's taken a long time for me to be able to write anything. I am trying to start writing again so I apologise that this chapter isn't as long as previous ones. SO all I ask is to please bare with me whilst I slowly get back into writing.

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters that are affiliated with Marvel, I only own the characters that are from my imagination.

Chapter 4

Thor had been confused by the events that had taken place in the great hall. It had hurt him when he had found his brother at the head of the invasion on Midgard, he couldn't understand how things had gone wrong so quickly. He was happy that it wasn't Loki who truly attacked Midgard, but he was even more troubled by the thought of Thanos returning. He had never fought him but the tales of his destruction were enough to make him fear the possible return. He was however, joyed by Princess Arabella's declaration of love for Loki.

Thor was heading towards the dungeons to visit Loki, and congratulate him when he bumped into Bella coming up from there in tears.

"Bella, are you alright. Why are you crying?" Thor wasn't the smartest person but he knew when people were hurting.

"Thor, I apologise, I did not see you there." Bella said, trying to hide her tears from Thor.

"Nay, it is I that should apologise. Have been to see my brother, I'm sure he is over joyed by your news of his freedom." Thor couldn't understand why she would be crying if she had just come from seeing Loki.

"I'm sorry Thor but I really must be going." With that Bella turned and walked away as quickly as she could.

Thor, unsure whether or not he should go after her decided to continue to his original destination and made his way towards Loki's cell. After greeting the guards he made his way to the sub levels of the basement to be greeted by a surprising sight. Loki was not in his cell. He had escaped and if he were to be caught again then he would be imprisoned, regardless that he was innocent for his crimes.

As Thor turned to alert the guards Loki dropped the illusion.

"I am here, there is no need to call the guards you idiot." Loki was in no mood to see his boorish brother. "What do you want, come to laugh at me, finally caged like the monster that I am"

"Loki, how could you think that I would laugh at you? You are my brother and it hurts me to see you this way, but alas that will all change very soon once you are let out of this cell." Thor replied with a bright smile on face, happy that his brother was innocent and would be free again very soon.

Loki face changed from boredom to confusion when Thor mentioned Loki's freedom. He was only just imprisoned, how could he be free already.

"What are you rambling on about? Why would the Allfather free me, he has only just condemned me for the crimes against Midgard and Asgard." Loki spat at Thor, he couldn't believe that his brother would toy with him like this.

It was now Thor's turn to be confused. "Why would father not free you, after all he now knows that it was not of your own free will that you invaded Midgard, but you were under the influence of Thanos who used the mind gem on you."

"How do you know that? I did not tell anyone of Thanos, how could Odin know and why would he believe it? Surely he wants to be rid of the Jotun runt that puts a stain on his perfect family." Loki said in disbelief

"Jotun runt? Loki did Princess Arabella not tell you when she came down here to visit you? She defended and pleaded your case to the Allfather. He has allowed the soul forge to be used on you to prove that there was a presence of another mind within your own. I would think that after hearing the news from your one true love that you would be elated, celebrating your upcoming freedom. Why do you act so bitterly?" Thor couldn't understand why Loki was acting the way he was.

"What? How did Bella know? I've told no-one about the Other nor Thanos. In any case why would Odin believe her? If she openly declared that she loves me then Odin should have every reason to disbelieve anything she says in my defence, after all I've most probably brainwashed her." Loki hurled the last of his words with a look of total pain that broke Thor's heart.

How could his little brother think so little of himself when he knew that he was one of the brightest and fiercest people he knew. Thor shook his head whilst Loki stood there lost in thought.

"Loki, did you not speak to Princess Arabella at all when she came down here to see you?" Thor was beginning to understand that Loki had lashed out at not only himself but at Bella as well.

Unable to look at him Loki turned to face the bed that was in his cell. "I was angry and upset with her, I didn't want to talk to her. I heard her call me a monster when I was being dragged away, she said she could never love me. My heart broke and it felt like if I didn't have her by my side then what was the point of trying to prove my innocence." He turned back to face Thor and the look of anguish upon Loki's face made him take a step back.

"My dear brother, you are so smart but other times you are such a fool. Bella only said those things to get a reaction from the Allfather. She defended you and condemned the way father has treated you. She told him that he was wrong to keep your heritage from you and he was wrong to imprison you without hearing your side of the events first." Thor paused before he continued on. "She also told him how you have been in each others lives for the better part of a century visiting her on Midgard, at least now I know where it was that you used to disappear to all the time but I digress. She has openly declared to not just the Allfather but to everyone who was at court that she loves you and will use all of her power to prove it. So Loki do not look so disheartened, you will be set free from this cell. You need now only think upon ways to mend what you have broken with Bella, for if you love her as much as she loves you then you cannot let her go."

Loki looked up from where he sat on the floor "You're right, when did you become so wise? When will father send for me to go to the soul forge?" I need to see Bella before I go, I need to make things right with her. Please Thor I beg you, bring her back to me here so that I can apologise and tell her that I love her" Loki looked a desperate man, pleading with his brother for the first time since they were children.

"Do not worry brother, I shall return her to you before the day is over, I promise you that" and with that Thor turned to go find the princess.