WARNING: This chapter contains referrals to slash interactions

NEW RULES

Several weeks passed since Loki's departure and the life seemed to resume its normal pace at Asgard. The atmosphere, indeed, seemed much more relaxed without that trickster around. The court seemed more at ease without the constant worry of watching ones back. It just seemed that Loki's decision to leave had been the most appropriate.
Odin had quickly accepted the new situation while Frigga was still missing his son sorely. She wasn't the only one missing Loki so dearly but if she was allowed to show her sorrow, that same privilege was not granted to the prince of Asgard.
The night was starry and mild and the blonde prince sought a moment for himself slipping away from the party to stand alone on the terrace. A falling star crossed the sky and disappeared behind the hills. Thor sighed thinking back of when Loki and him used to sit on the highest point of the palace to stargaze rivalling in how many falling stars they could spot in the sky. They always ended quarrelling on the exact number. He smiled sadly thinking that for sure, the sky of Jotunheim wouldn't have allowed Loki to spot the stars and remember those moments.

- "Why are you here alone?" Lady Sif found him and walked to him gesturing towards the hall. - "Why don't you come in and join the banquet?"

- "I am not in the right mood…" Thor answered quietly.

The dark haired lady looked at him and shook her head: - "Are you thinking of Loki?" Her voice barely concealed an objectionable tone.
Thor simply nodded.
Lady Sif opened her arms: - "Why? He's home now… he's among his own kind… He's got what he wanted! A realm and a throne. I am sure he is more than satisfied now!" Her voice was somehow mocking.
Thor was more than sure of the contrary. Something was telling him that Loki wasn't that much satisfied and happy, he couldn't tell how he knew that but it was rather like a sort of sixth sense.

- "Not sure of that…" He answered shortly, he didn't like the tone in Sif's voice.

Lady Sif leaned against the railing and folded her arms: - "Or is it more you would like it to be so? Do you want him back to Asgard?"

Thor gripped the railing and answered slowly but sure: - "Yes, Sif… I would like him to come back home…"

- "This is not his home!" The lady cut him off but Thor glared at her sternly.

- "I don't think you know him better than me… Sif… And believe me if I tell you that he hasn't found what he was expecting to find there! Now please, leave me alone!"

Lady Sif reluctantly nodded and walked back into the hall. Thor stood motionless, his mind full of thoughts. Yes of course, nobody would have known Loki better than him… not even Laufey.
The plain truth was that he was missing Loki every moment of his day and his night, he was missing his mischievous tricks, his gentle giggle, the soft rustle of his green cloak when he walked past him with his feline stride but even more, he was missing him in the night. He was missing talking to him until late and then, feeling his cold skin under his fingers, the soft moans that escaped his lips when he gently caressed him, the beautiful sight of his emerald green eyes and his blissful smile when they spent the whole night together and he couldn't help hoping in his return.

Loki was still preferring the loneliness and he was exploiting every free moment to walk outside the palace and try to make himself familiar with his new world. Although he really tried hard to consider that frozen universe as his own land, he was still finding hard to feel at home. After the first days he resolved on wearing his Asgardian clothes to much of his father's disapproval.

- "I am not pleased of your decision to wear those Asgardian clothes." Laufey voice was low, as always.

- "I am sorry, father, but I don't feel at my ease differently." Loki was indeed quiet.

- "It is very laughable of you to wear like the Aesir, my son… Even if they accepted you among them, remember that you are not an Asi".

That was the simplest of truths, the very reason for him being there and wishing Jotunheim's throne so much. He thought that eventually the trickster got tricked: if the Aesir did frown at him for not being like them, the Jotunns still didn't trust him fully and considered his Asgardian manners as something exotic and completely out of place. In the end, he was feeling alone even in his realm.

- "I am sure I will learn how to behave properly, father!" He answered mildly, not really believing his own words.

- "Good." Laufey nodded smiling coldly and walked to him. - "And it is better for you to start proving to be fit for the throne immediately".

Loki looked up at him quizzically, wasn't he fit for his birth right?

- "Your lineage is not enough to prove you are fit for the command, my son…" Laufey seemed to read his mind. – "I do not blame you for not knowing this, of course, you've lived all your life far from here and you are not accustomed to our sacred traditions." He stopped closed a high, frosted window.

Loki barely contained his curiosity but something was telling him that the upcoming news wouldn't have been pleasant.

- "There is something a king must be very concerned of … and this is his descent. A throne is weak if there is no rightful heir and a weak throne means the risk of internal uprising and revolts… We cannot permit this."

A cold shiver run down his spine but Loki forced himself to follow his father's speech.

- "So… the very first thing a prince must do is to prove himself capable of fathering a heir."

Loki was confused but he immediately regained control of his mind. With his most sugary smile he gently came in: - "Father… I have no fiancée, I have never had one, even at Asgard."

That was absolutely true; although he was of age for a proper marriage, Odin never considered that option. On the other hand, he would have been of very little political weight being Thor the one who should have contracted a rich marriage. Nevertheless, none of them were really paying attention to such boring matters. No woman would have ever equalled the joy of being together, they really never missed a mate.

Laufey smiled: - "No wonder Allfather has never searched a bride for you... it was not you the one who was meant to rule Asgard."

That was also true.

- "But you are meant to rule Jotunheim and you must prove worthy of it!" Loki went on. – "This is why I have decided your wedding to Angrboda, the daughter of my lieutenant, Isleifur… She's of a small size, like you… And when you've fathered a son with her, then you will be appointed the sole, rightful heir to the throne of Jotunheim! I am afraid neither he will be of the right size but he will be a rightful heir, nevertheless."

Loki was completely speechless, that was something that wasn't meant to happen! Not now, not that way! He better had to find a quick solution. He feigned gladness: - "Father, when will I be allowed to meet my bride, then?"

- "Very soon, son… at the next banquet. I am sure you will like her, she's praised as the most beautiful daughter of Jotunheim, a fit companion for a prince."

- "Very well, father…" He nodded respectfully. – "I am bound to comply with your wishes."

Laufey smiled and waved his hand: - "Good. This is a good beginning for you. Now you can go."

Loki nodded again and slowly walked out of the hall.

He clenched his fists and set his mind in motion.