Chapter 5- Odin

Odin withheld a sigh and a flinch as Frigga stalked out of their private chambers, slamming the door behind her. He had upset her greatly by telling her she could not join the rescue group. His wife was a logical and calm woman but when it came to her children, she could become ferocious if she felt they had been harmed.

The dwarves had definitely ignited her rage with their actions.

Odin had to run to catch up with Frigga after Vidar and his troop had volunteered their services to help find Loki. He had found her practicing with her short swords, jabbing and swinging at invisible enemies. Her armor was already on and she looked more like the Goddess of War than the All Mother.

He almost lost his other eye when he told her he needed her to stay behind and act as regent. She had tried to argue but in this case he would not be moved. Thor was already prepared to go and he would destroy the palace if Odin ordered him he had to stay behind. Frigga was the best choice; she could keep things in hand while Odin tracked down those kidnappers.

Had Frigga thought he would stay behind, careless of the perils their youngest could be facing? Did she think her rage was the only one kindled?

There had been, for as long as Odin could recall, the belief that he favored Thor over Loki. He had long tried to correct this thought but, when one is King, it seemed like such a small thing in a sea of problems.

Every day he gets up and listens to the people of Asgard. There's always more than he can see in one day so the petition time is cut off at noon. He dines briefly with his wife (and sometimes his sons) before he spends the rest of his day sequestered away with his council men going over taxes, trade agreements and such. It can become quite tiring, trying to make sure that everyone is happy, so he often goes straight to bed after dinner, leaving him little time to spend with his sons.

But he is well aware of how they are viewed by the warriors of Asgard.

Thor is Asgard's golden child. He has the perfect physique, monstrous strength and can weld any weapon with ease, though he prefers his hammer. Ah, but that is not the only reason why the warriors look fondly upon him; not only can Thor wield any weapon, he also follows the warriors honor code to near perfection, his only fault being that he becomes berserk if his blood-lust is fed too much. Odin had been similar when he was young, so many assume he favors his eldest.

Loki, on the other hand, has a hard time lifting a broadsword; a most basic weapon to all Asgardians. Many of the warriors found Loki's lack of strength both funny and shameful and they were not afraid to let their voices be heard.

Odin knew better than to underestimate Loki. His boy may not compare to Thor on the battlefield in the traditional sense, but he is far from shameful. He has seen, hiding in his balcony between meetings, Loki using daggers and staffs better than his most skillful warriors. Even more impressive, he began incorporating his magic, using his body doubles as an advantage in battle.

Sadly, his warriors-wary of any changes in battle tactics-were quick to slam Loki down, claiming his fighting style was dishonorable. Odin had always meant to change that way of thinking.

He heaved a sigh at the thought. There were so many things he 'meant to change' that he never found the time for.

One in particular was the Rust District. The war with Vanaheim had been at the end of his father's reign and finished up just before Odin took the throne. He had meant to send aid to the Rust District but tension with Jotunheim seemed far more important. Before he knew it, he was in a war of his own.

Odin could have kicked himself for that. Asgard's warriors were still recovering from Vanaheim. It was pure luck that they had won against Jotunheim. His hastiness to dive into war and prove his worth as a king is but one reason why Thor has not been crowned. His eldest is far too war hungry. Already he was muttering about going to war with Nidavellir.

Odin had his own suspicions when he had received a letter from the dwarves asking permission to come to Asgard to renew their trade agreements. That was the first tip off; dwarves do not like leaving their realm. If one wanted something from the dwarves, one went to them.

The letter was signed by King Hreidmar, so Odin had agreed to the meeting but still kept his suspicions. Loki, as a child, had found ways to forge Odin's signature so he imagined dwarves skilled in magic would not have a problem either.

The party stayed for a week and through all their meetings, Odin felt that there was something off about their small guests. He had met these dwarves before but their mannerisms were stiff and nervous, confirming Odin's thoughts that they were likely wearing glamours or were being controlled.

He was waiting for them to do something worthy of being unveiled; he was positive they were aiming for something in the Weapons Vault and had doubled the guard and asked Heimdall to keep a special eye on it. All week he waited for the impostors to make their move which, sure enough, they did.

They made their move and took one of his greatest treasures. He was unprepared for it to be Loki.

Upon Loki's door was a concealing rune, which explained why Heimdall's gaze had been blind to the crime. By the looks of his youngest child's room, Loki had been surprised but hadn't gone down without a fight. There was more dwarven blood spilled than Loki's- dwarf blood was always a deep red while Loki's ran light, just a few shades off from pink.

Thor, in his protective mode, thought all the blood was Loki's and the sudden, booming thunder let all of Asgard know just how angry Thor was. Odin didn't even bother to try and correct his eldest on the matter. The boy was already mad that Odin was taking the time to set up a rescue party. Thor always felt responsible for Loki's safety, so it was only natural he felt he should be the one to find the dwarves and give them their dues.

His poor son had no idea how angry Odin was; the All Father was simply better at hiding it.

For these to impostors to come into his home and take his son right under his blind eye enraged him.

They were probably planning on using Loki as a bargaining chip to gain something in return from Odin. Those dwarves had probably already prepared a promise to release him for some treasure and then swindle Asgard by taking the treasure and sending Loki back dead. No doubt they felt he was the safest choice for a hostage- he was the spare after all.

They could not have made a worse choice.

Odin, though Loki did not know, had chosen to take Loki. He had been bewitched with love the moment innocent red eyes turned green in his war mongering hands. That same child was the one both him and Frigga had watched through tireless and anxious nights, both fearing each tiny breath would be the last. That child, who only a few short years later, would run to him in excitement to tell Odin about his adventures with his brother, recall what he had learned from his tutors or show Odin a drawing he had done, had brought great joy to Odin.

That same boy had grown into a kind and powerful young man. A man who knew his faults and practiced tirelessly to correct them. A man who saw all the people of Asgard and found ways to help them without bragging. He was a man who saw, listened, and asked questions; a prince worthy of his people.

But mostly he was Odin's son. It did not matter that he was second; Odin loved him as he loved Thor.

Odin has to hold back his anger. He is no longer young. When they find Loki's kidnappers, he has to make sure they live for questioning.

Those dwarves will not be thanking him for sparing their lives.

Odin has lived a long time, he knows there are things far worse than death.

These kidnappers are about to find out too.

For every pain they cause his son to suffer, Odin vows that they will suffer the same a thousand times over.