Night fell on Asgard, as Loki struggled to find sleep. His head seemed to swim with images of the woman he had once called wife. Her face, her smile, the real one not the stoney one she had given him today.
For some reason he had had this dilution that when he had finally come home from his great conquest of the Earth, he would return home and find her waiting for him sitting in that large back armchair in the chambers that she had loved so much.
Of course, he realized now how much of a dream that had been, and how much of what he had envisioned would never be. He raked a hand through his hair in frustration, he had been a fool (which was something entirely new to him).
Not knowing what else to do he turned over on his side and began tracing the ornate designs on the walls that could be found all through Asgard. Here even the prisons were beautiful...
After a while of mind numbingly following the designs with his eyes, his mind finally went blank and he began to dose. The sleep was blissful and dreamless, but unfortunately it was short lived...
"Brother!" Loki woke with a start to the sound of Thor's booming voice. "Arise, father and I have reached a decision"
Loki rose silently smoothing his hair back with his hands, then walked up to his "brother" and met his gaze steadily. Thor opened the door and allowed his brother to walk though, he did not grab or restrain him, instead he merely walked alongside him. Allowing Loki to keep his dignity by not be lead like a beaten dog.
They marched through the halls in silence, an unspoken tension hovering between them. People stared in awe as they passed, most bowed as well, not only to Thor but to Loki as well for after all he was still there prince. very few in Asgard truly knew what had gone about on Earth, and most of these people had thought him dead.
A sinister smile spread across his lips, which Thor meet with a glare. "Remove that smile from your face, there is no reason for it."
Loki merely looked up at him, his words only making the smile sweeter. "Why not, Brother?" he asked, hurling the last word as a weapon. "These people kneel willingly upon my return. Is it not good to be "home"."
Thor paused before reaching the grand throne room and looked down at his brother. "I wish that someday you will call me brother without meaning it to be an insult, and truly mean it as you once did, and as I still do." then reaching out Thor placed one of his enormous hands on the door and almost whispered. "hopefully this punishment will help that to come to pass."
The main hall was relatively empty, with the exception of the warriors 3 and Lady Sif, and of course Sigyn with her husband at her side. Loki felt as if someone had stabbed him straight through his chest. He still couldn't quite make sense of it, how could Sigyn, the only woman he had ever truly loved, move on? True, that she had thought him dead or at least gone for good but he still couldn't comprehend how easily she had moved on or possibly he just didn't want too.
Loki was brought to stand in front of the man he had once called father. the older man stood eye to eye with him, yet somehow Loki felt the older man towered over him. He had once stood where Odin was, he had had that power but now here he stood as a criminal waiting for the man he had once loved and called father to dictate his fate.
"Loki Odinson, Prince of Asgard," The All-father yelled, his voice echoing. "For your crimes against Earth, you have been found guilty and therefore sentence you to a year or more on... Earth."
There was a collective intake of breath. Sif opened her mouth as i to protest, but Odin silenced her with an upheld hand. "You are to live on Earth, without magic, for a year or until I find you worthy to return. whichever comes last."
A cynical laugh bubbled in Lokis throat, but he beat it down. The old man was serious, he sincerely thought that sending him to earth was a good punishment. He glanced over at Thor, who looked back at him with a pitying glance, which made Loki think deeper about his circumstances.
Thor had been sent to earth as banishment. He probably thought that somehow if he was forced to live like the low humans he had tried to rule it would somehow humble him, make him a better person. The more he thought about it, the more he realized what this would mean. Live like a human, without magic, or power. He was a GOD, how could he be expected to lower himself down to that level. Yet that was what Odin was going to force him to do, so maybe this was thought out after all.
Sygin watched as Loki's face changed from smug to desperate. His icy eyes searching the floor beneath Odin's boots as if the key to escape was hidden somewhere in there.
She wanted to run to him, to stroke his hair like she would when they were married. Her body ached with the need to comfort him, but instead she merely held her husband's hand tighter. She had to remember that Bjoem was her husband now and although she may love Loki, she also loved him and her place was at his side.
Sigyn looked up at her husband through her thick lashes. He was watching her, his big golden eyes full of understanding. He stroked his thumb over hers, and gave her a weak smile. Sigyn was puzzled for a moment, was he comforting her? Yes, he was comforting her she agreed in amazement. Loki, for as good of a husband as he had been, would never had been so understanding.
Loki had been capable of great love in his own way, but he had never been one for public displays of affection. He would never of held her hand in public, or pulled her closer as Bjoem did just then and place an arm around her.
Maybe, Sigyn thought, that was why she had fallen so quickly for Bjoem, because he was so opposite of Loki. He was warm, open, and when she was with him she never missed Loki, because they were so different to make a connection. And yet, standing in the same room as both of them she couldn't help but question who she loved more...
Loki was in a state of panic. He longed for the feel of Sigyn's hand in his hair, or her voice humming some obscure lullaby. She had always been there to do those thing to calm him, but now she couldn't and he was on the near verge of losing control of hi calm demeanor. He tried envisioning it, but that merely upset him more. He sent a desperate glance her way, but she was too busy staring into her husband's eyes while he held her under his arm. Loki felt he might be sick.
He was escorted from the main hall by Thor and Odin. The lead him into what at one time had been the main room of his chambers. It was still relatively untouched since he had left, books still lined 3 of the 4 walls, and the other was open and bright with only arches keeping it from not existing at all. The archways lead out to a large balcony that overlooked Asgard's University. It was a breathtaking view, not only was the school an incredible vision to behold, but its campus was filled with gardens and orchards that were true immaculate and stunning.
But Loki at the moment could care less about reminiscing in his old room. He cared more about what was about to come.
Odin looked down at his son, sadness dancing in his eyes. Still he went on with what needed to be done. Lifting his staff he drew a rune on Loki's chest. He barely had time to comprehend what the All-father was doing before th pain of the spell hit him and forced him to his knees. He fell to the floor crying in agony. The rune had been one of binding, and it did just that. It bound Loki's magic into a small box somewhere in the center of Loki's soul that only Odin had the keys to.
Several moments passed while Loki reeled in pain. Thor watched helplessly while his brother cried in anguish . He ground his teeth and held his hand closely to his sides to keep from trying to help him, which would only shame them both. He knew that this is what had to be done and being sentimental now was just foolish and the mark of a weak man. So he merely watched in silence.
Time passed and Loki regained control, finally rising to his feet in his own do time. He meet Odin's eyes and then Thor's, asking a simple question. "What now?"
"And on Loki Odinson," Odin replied, his voice hollow. "Thor will take you to Earth. Goodbye..."