Gold and Coal

Frigga sat by Thor's bed day and night for a week. Not for a moment had she left Thor's side. She had her meals taken to her, and she would sleep slumped on the little table by Thor's bed if she even sleep at all.

Gently, she brushed Thor's golden locks, tugging them behind his ears. She had sent her youngest, Baldur away earlier that day in anger when the child spoke the truth no more dared to say.

"Is Thor dead?" Baldur had asked innocently.

"Leave" She had said coldly. "I do not want you here"

She did not mean it. It was just that she could not bear to hear the how true Baldur's word rang. Thor might as well be dead. His skin was as white as sheet, every vein in his body were visible, running like a complex labyrinth over his icy cold skin. His breath was shallow, and blue of his eyes were so pale it was almost transparent.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in" Frigga answered.

Slowly, the door creaked open and Sif entered.

"My queen" She bowed.

"What is it dear?"

Sif hesitated, fidgeting a little. Frigga did not seem to notice, her eyes never leaving Thor as she watched the shallow rise and fall of Thor's chest. The only indication that her son still lives.

"Someone needs to run Asgard my Queen" Sif said softly.

Frigga tugged, Thor's blanket a little higher over his chest.

"There is the council" Frigga said.

"Yes, but they cannot assent to decisions without a King…"

Frigga wondered if she should pull the curtains apart to allow the gentle moonlight ray to enter.

"Or a Queen"

Frigga wondered if Thor was cold. Perhaps she should order more fur covers to be brought to him. Thor looked cold.

Suddenly a gentle hand lid over Frigga's shoulder, shocking her. Frigga looked up and for a moment, she did not seem to recognize Sif, then she blinks, looking back to Thor again.

"What have I done…?" Frigga whispered.

It was she who had told Thor to watch that monster. It was she who had told Thor to tolerate that beast!

Right now, if slitting the throat of that animal would bring Thor back, she would do it with her own hands and be damn with the consequence! She would rain down fire on Jotunheim if it would bring Thor back! She would kill every Jotun with her bare hands if it would bring Thor back to her!

"It is not your fault" Sif said.

"Is it true that that monster had escaped again?"

"Yes...But have no fear. Every one of our guards that could be spared are searching fo-"

"Then why isn't it found yet!" Frigga cried, standing to her feet rounding at Sif.

"My Queen" Sif lowered her head.

It took a moment for Frigga to realize with a sudden shame that she had been shouting.

Norms… What had gotten into her? Has she not always chastised Thor on the manner of being a prince? Drilling into him how a prince should and should not act? His duty? And now, what of her?

"I'm sorry" Frigga apologized. "I'm just so tired"

"I know my Queen. And I'm sorry for intruding"

"No. No…I forget myself" Frigga said. "I…I still have a duty to Asgard"

"You need to rest my Queen"

"Yes" Frigga nodded, meaning to sit back down when Sif stop her.

"You need a proper rest. You have not left this room for a week"

Frigga looked back at Thor, not wanting to leave him. What if he dies when she is gone?

"Asgard needs you more than anything now" Sif said quietly.

Frigga knew Sif was right. If Asgard is weak, the other realm would take this as an opportunity to strike. She cannot afford it. There must be a home, a throne, for Thor and Odin when they wake.

Slowly, she forced herself to leave Thor's side.

There was a man outside the door.

Tall and fair, with hair as black as night and eyes as green as the sharpest blade of grass. He wore dark green tunic, long black pants and leather boots.

Frigga gave him a critical look. He did not seem like any servant she had seen before nor did he dress like one.

"My Queen" he bowed, stepping back to make way for her.

There was something strange in the way he moves, but she could not place it.

"Who are you?" Frigga asked.

"I am here to clean the king"

"Clean?"

"Yes my Queen, the King needs to be clean even in such a state" He said. "It has been a week"

"Oh…go on then" Frigga nodded.

Sif eyed the man as she followed Frigga down the hall.

The man entered the room without hesitation, shifting with liquid grace to Thor.

"Look at you…" Loki lowered himself onto the bed. His fingers reached to take Thor's icy face between his hands and he bends forth dangerously close. "The Mighty Thor. With all your strength, what can you do now, but cling pathetically onto life…" He hissed.

What he is about to do next have nothing to do with guilt or pity. He felt none of it… In fact, he felt almost nothing. He had been incapable of these emotions for a long time now.

Over the years, his dark sorcery had taken bits out of him, slowly, rendering him more and more insensitive to sentimental emotions. It is only the strong emotions that he feels now. Anger and hate...more than anything else.

"Your people save your life, did you know that…?" Loki murmured, his thumb brushed Thor's cheek.

Thor's people were the reason that Loki could not let Thor die. He hears the whispers of what was being said in the halls and he did not like it.

Most had lost hope that Thor would ever return. But rather than despair, their blood boiled with lust for the kill.

For death!

The moment Thor passes, they would bring war upon Jotunheim in his name. Murder in his name!

Rather than chaos, they stood united and strong, behind a single man. Behind Thor.

They stood united and powerful against one common enemy.

Thor's enemy.

Him.

Jotuns.

There was no usurp of power, no riots, nothing. Just unity.

And he could not have it. Oh no… Loki cannot have that.

It seems that Loki had been playing this game all wrong. It seems that he had underestimated Asgard's love for Thor. Well, not anymore.

"You are so loved, King of Asgard… Oh how I envy you" He thought bitterly as he tilted Thor's head back a little, opening his pale lips.

He said the incantation in his mind, feel the warm surged seid in his blood, the heat rising from his throat to his tongue. He parted his lips and hovers over Thor's. Their lips brushed, his ebony locks spilled, caressing over Thor's narrow aristocratic nose.

The life force he stole from Thor, whatever was left of it that had not gone to fixing him anyway, they shimmered like golden smoke, swirling, twisting and contracting. And in the midst of it all, slick black threads too weave and curl together with gold. These were tiny bits of Loki's soul.

Thor would crave for him in time, when that piece of soul starts seeking for its true host.

But now, slowly, threads of gold and ebony flowed together from his parted lips into Thor's.

He felt bile rising, he felt sick as if spiders were crawling up his throat but he fought it down, his fingers tightened, dark nails dug into Thor's cheeks.

The fairness of Loki's flesh seeped away slightly, but still he maintained his Aesir form.

Thor began to choke, his body jerked, color trickled back into the whiteness of his skin. He let out a shuddering gasped as if the breath of life had been breathe back into him, and then his eyes snapped apart, wide, full of terror.

"No…no…!" Thor whimpered in confusion, still trap in his terror.

His heart drummed, he started to struggle, shaking hands flailing, meaning to untangle himself from his covers, from Loki.

"No! Let go! Please! Please no!" The terror was so thick in his voice it startled even Loki.

At once Loki threw his entire weight on Thor, his hand seized Thor's shoulder while the other pressed hard against Thor's chest, over his thundering heart; forcing him down.

"Mulceo" He whispered, seeking to take Thor's blind terror away.

"No! No…!" Thor trashed, his golden locks flying as he struggled beneath Loki, smacking Loki in the face.

Loki hissed, grabbing tighter against the struggling Aesir.

"Mulceo Thor" He pressed his hand harder against Thor's chest.

Even in Thor's weakened state, Loki still had to wrestle him with all his strength. It took a moment of bucking and shoving and nonsensical mumbles and cries before Thor ceased fighting. He lay there panting; his vision was foggy, blurred.

"Do not fear. You are safe" Loki said softly.

Thor felt comfortable heat against his chest. It was soothing; it was peaceful and serene. Gradually, everything came into focus. He did not recognize the face that hovered so close to his. His fingers mindlessly moved to hold the strong hand on his chest.

"Welcome back, Thor" Loki said, pulling back he sought to leave when Thor's fingers weakly curled over his wrist, stopping him.

"Wait…"

Of course Loki could wrench them away if he wished to, but he did not. He looked at Thor with mild amusement.

"Thank you…" Thor croaked; relieved.

For nights and days now he could not tell, he had been trapped in fear, in nightmare, in darkness. He could not remember very well what happened in that void, but what he did remember was cold dripping fear that clawed at him constantly; one that paralyzes him completely.

"…"

"Who are you?" Thor gave a weak tug; guiding the man towards him. "Come closer. Let me look upon your face"

In those brief moments where his mind had burst out of that drowning sea of terror, he had heard the healers around him speak in a grave voice to one another. He had heard his mother's sobs and Baldur's pleas that he opened his eyes. He wanted to shout to them that he was right there; save him, wake him, but he never could, before being dragged back again.

No one had been able to pull him out completely. This man must have done something. He needed to know who he is. He needed to thank him.

"Give me your name" Thor said.

"What would you like to call me?" Loki smirked, sliding closer along the bed.

"Your name"

"And what is my name? Tell me, for I have many" He said, hovering over Thor.

Thor frowned at the man's words. He did not know his name. Those bright emerald eyes that seem to bore into him were foreign, but yet he thought the man sounded so familiar.

That voice… he had heard them before he was sure.

He released the man's wrist and lifted his shaking hand to clumsily cup the man's cold icy face. He brushed his thumb over the man's cheek bones; then his fingers ran over the wealth of those shoulder length ebony locks. Thor searched his face hard, searching for familiarity when he notice a tinged of blue over the side of the man's neck.

His eyes widen by a fraction, realization dawned upon him.

Loki? Could it be?

His hand shifted lower to place them over the side of Loki's neck where there was a tinge of blue. They were cold enough to hurt, giving Thor all the confirmation he needed.

He trailed his fingers next over the fairness of Loki's skin, running them over his cheeks again, his lips, the side of his eyes, in wonder. Certainly they were cold, but it did not burn him.

The change was not just cosmetic; it was to some degree, biological too. Such magic…

"So you are a sorcerer and a shape-shifter" Thor murmured, letting his hand dropped.

Loki grinned. "Very good...You are sharper than all your guards put together"

Surprisingly Thor let out a soft chuckle.

"You in my bed, with me beneath you, and hearing you compliment me? This isn't something you see everyday"

Before Loki could snap that he wasn't complimenting, Thor's door was flung open. Loki snapped his gaze at once to the door to see Sif looking at him.

She did not notice that Thor had awakened. Panic and fear suddenly flashed over her eyes.

"What are you doing?! Stay away from the King!" Sif bellowed, drawing her sword, lunging at Loki.

Loki hissed, leaping off the bed just as the metal swung, narrowly missing him. He dropped his Aesir appearance, blue creeping over the fairness of his skin, his emerald eyes morph to red, the illusion that hide his horns and the true length of his locks vanished.

"I knew it!" Sif stood between the bed and the beast, she raise her sword, widening her stance.

She will die protecting Thor if need be.

"Sif…" Thor croaked.

Hearing that voice, Sif turned around at once.

"Thor…?" She gasped, barely daring to speak.

"Yes Sif"

At that moment, Loki vanished.

The meeting went as well as Laufey had expected. Thrym was roaring mad when he had heard Loki intent to plunge them into another war. Not because he didn't desire Aesir blood, but because it was Loki's idea.

He hated that runt! Abhorred him!

"How dare you to drag us into another scheme of his!" Thrym roared, slamming his large hand on the council table, standing at once to his feet.

The ice creaked beneath his powerful blow.

"Do you think war is a child's game?!" Thrym spat at Laufey. "Last I heard, Laufey was the King of Jotunheim, not Loki! Not yet!"

"Hold your tongue!" Helblindi growled. "You tread close to treason!"

"Then have my head! I care not! Someone needs to say it!" Thrym glared at Laufey.

"..."

"I wonder if you are still fit to be King. Perhaps old age had ma-"

"How dare you!" Helblindi screamed, standing to his feet. "Guards! Seize this traitor!"

"Enough!" Laufey roared, stabbing a glare at Helblindi. "Last I heard too, Laufey was the King of Jotunheim! Not Helblindi!"

There was silence.

Helblindi clenched his jaws in shame and guilt. He lowered his head.

"Forgive me" he muttered, taking his seat.

"Sit, Lord Thrym" Laufey commanded.

Thrym hissed at Helblindi as he returned to his seat once again.

Laufey's eyes were cold and hard as he looked upon the faces of his councilmen. None other than Thrym had voice any protest. Not that they ever did. He was surrounded by flatterers, backstabbers and loyal fools who hadn't the balls to correct their King even if situation called for it.

At times, Laufey was thankful that Thrym played the role of the devil's advocate well enough.

But Laufey did not miss constant silent communication between Thrym and Býleistr either. He knew that Thrym was one of his men that wanted Býleistr on the throne instead of Loki. He said nothing to it.

"I want our armies prepared, trained and armed" Laufey said. "Whether we go to war is uncertain. But we will prepare"

"…"

"And with the casket returned, I want the city rebuild. I want shelter build beneath the ice. Have storehouses made, as many as is possible. Store any and every scrap of food and harvest we have. This time, should there be war, the Aesir will not graze us bare with their cursed fire again"

"Yes my King" His men said in unison.

Laufey gave a nod.

"Thrym and Helblindi will be in charge of the armies" Laufey started dividing the task between his council of twenty.

The news of Thor's return to health spread like wildfire. Before the day was over, all of Asgard knew of it. The King has returned. There was feasting and merry-making in all of the taverns. The celebration poured to the streets as the Aesir cheered for the king. So happy were the Aesir that most had forgotten that there was an enemy in their midst.

But not Thor.

Thor remembers Loki.

Loki had not been seen since he had woken Thor a few days ago. It was rather worrying that no one was paying much attention to that Jotun.

Was this Loki's intention? Thor wondered. To have the whole of Asgard distracted with Thor so that no one would notice him while he plots his schemes?

But the fact that Loki revealed himself at seemingly random occasions to Heimdall's sight and having Thor command his guards around, chasing shadows, told Thor that Loki was calling for him. It was as if he was saying, come out and play, King of Asgard. I am waiting…

"To the King!" the hall cheered, raising their goblet to Thor who sat above them on the royal table.

"Let the feast begin" Thor smiled, raising his own goblet.

The feast started and continued well through the night. It was wild and loud, as music played and drunken men boasted shamelessly. Baldur, Sif and Frigga left before the men became too vulgar in their drunkenness.

Thor joined the warriors at their table once the queen had left. This is where he belonged, with his warriors and friends.

Everything was perfect until Loki suddenly showed up in his Jotun blue skin.

"Mind if I join?" He asked loudly, standing atop the royal table with fur and gold strap over his hips, and gems of emerald, ruby and topaz weaved within his hair.

It took a moment for the drunken warriors to notice what was going on. The moment they did, all went to Hel.

There was uproar. Drunken warriors drawing their weapons, cursing and toppling over one another in their madden haste to chop Loki to bits. There was a moment where Thor thought with a grime satisfaction that he would be rid of the damnable prince soon. Let his men finish Loki and be done with it. Loki's death will not be by his hand.

Loki stood fearless, turning his eyes to Thor.

Their eyes met, a devilish smile curled over Loki's lips.

Thor felt something stirring in him, and then came a soft whisper.

"I save you...A life debt is owed and a life debt shall be paid...or life, I will take from you..." Thor almost leaped out of his seat in shock, looking from left to right until he realized that the voice was in his head.

He looked back at Loki.

"Command that none shall touch me on Asgard and I will hold your debt absolved…" Came the whisper again. With that Loki turned towards the cursing warriors.

"You die tonight Jotun!"

"You filthy vermin!"

"Beast!"

"Monster!"

Loki spread his arms on either side of him as the warriors charged. There was no fear in his eyes, simply amusement. Daggers flew, grazing Loki's arm. At once Thor flinched, a sudden spike of pain pricked his upper arm where Loki bled.

The King swept his gaze back at the Jotun; a suspicion dawning on him.

Another dagger flew, stabbing Loki's right shoulder. Blinding pain exploded over Thor's shoulder. Thor gasped, his hand flew to clutch his burning right shoulder but Loki did not so much as flinch, as blood trickled down his cerulean skin.

"Thor...?" Volstagg frowned.

"Command it...or you shall die..." The monster whispered.

Arrows flew, piercing Loki's leg.

"Stop!" Thor roared, standing to his aching feet, as a spear ran through Loki's guts.

Blood spilled.

Thor almost doubled over at the sheering pain that tore his body; but still he stood on his feet, his hands clutching the table, hard.

More knifes flew, sailing pass the Jotun.

"Stop!" Thor thundered; the sky beyond their walls shreiked.

The entire chamber went dead silent. Their watery red eyes darting from the bleeding Jotun to their heaving King.

"What are you doing?" Volstagg hissed from his side, but Thor ignored him. He took in a deep steadying breath.

"Let him go. He is under my protection. None may hurt him as long as he is no threat" Thor said, looking Loki in the eye.

Loki grinned, his powerful hands broke the spear close to his belly and with a motion he hauled the rest out through his back.

There was a chorus of murmurs as the warriors look at one another.

Loki coughed, pulling the arrows and daggers from him next. And after a moment, his wounds knitted themselves. He straightened up.

Cerulean meets scarlet once again. A sinister smile curled over Loki's lips.

"No longer shall you bear my pain and my death...A debt is owed and a debt is paid...no more, no less..." The voice whispered again in Thor's mind.

Thor did not respond as he glared coldly at the Jotun beast.

Loki leaped down from the table.

The warriors parted when Loki move pass them. They curse him, spat on the ground he walked.

"Beast!" One of the warriors spat at Loki full in the face.

Loki snarled, striking out, he punched the large man in his flushed sweaty face. The warrior roared, swinging his war hammer, narrowly missing Loki.

Ice spikes flew, piercing the warrior's right eye.

Blood poured. The man howled, stumbling back.

There was an outrage. The crowd roared in seething fury raising their battle axe and spears. Plates and goblets smashed.

Loki grinned, turning his fiery gaze all around him, taking in the face of his enemies. His soon to be dead enemies that is; as ice dagger bloomed from both his hands.

"Amuse me, dogs"

"Enough! Leave him be!" Thor bellowed with the sound of thunder in his voice; halting the hands of men from cleaving Loki's skull in half.

"Just when I was about to have fun" Loki let out a dramatic sigh.

"You will leave at once!" Thor glared at him.

"Of course" Loki gave a mocked bow.

"Sleep with ye eyes open beast!" They hissed at Loki.

Loki ignored them.

Thor watched Loki leave; he watched the way he moved as if a predator on the hunt, his footing sure and without hesitation.

"What was that?" Hogun asked when the door click shut.

Thor sighs, sitting back down. "I owe him. I would not be here now if not for him"

"Too kind. Too kind..." Fandral slurred, downing another goblet of mead. "Gods have no need to bother with the deeds of beasts"

Thor shrugged. He had a few more rounds with his friends before he bid them goodnight. He wanted to seek the Jotun out.

The more Thor thought of Loki's actions, the odder it seemed. Almost a contradiction in themselves.

Why would Loki save him? An enemy Thor knew Loki wished dead. If it was to bind him, then why did Loki free him so easily? If Loki saved him to be made a decoy while Loki carries out his schemes, then why make such a grand entrance? Why burn the hateful memory of him in the minds of every highborn warrior in Asgard? What does Loki seek?

When Thor reached the bright hall outside the feasting chamber, it was empty and silent; torches burnt along every pillar that lined the long passage.

"Loki" Thor hissed, walking slowly down the hall.

He wouldn't want the drunken warriors to hear him. There's a beast in every man, and Thor did not wish to test its restrain again tonight by having his men know that their King would willingly seek out a Jotun. Not to kill, but to have words.

"Loki!" He called a little louder.

Bodiless laughter chimed all around Thor. Thor stopped in his steps, looking all around him.

"I told you, you are no King…Whispering and sneaking in the halls like a thief in the night in fear of your own men…" Loki's voice rang.

"At least I do not hide myself like a coward!" Thor growled.

"Valor… Ah… I forget, you Aesir valued valor beyond all…"

"…"

"But tell me…what use is valor when you are dead in the ground?"

"I will not hurt you" Thor said. "We Aesir do value valor, but also honor"

"…"

"I swear to you on my honor that I will not hurt you unless you give me reason to"

"You cannot hurt me" Loki said; slipping out from the shadows of the pillar by Thor's side.

He was in his Aesir form. Tall, fair and lean. Clad in dark green tunic, black leather pants and boots.

Loki shifted towards Thor with predatory grace. An animalistic smile on his lips.

"Why have you come?" Loki asked.

"I have been searching for you"

"Your soldiers you mean" Loki snorted.

"On my command"

"It was fun really, to have them running in all directions"

With a growl, Thor's fingers flew to seize the front of Loki's tunic, jerking him forth. Loki slammed against Thor's chest.

"Ah…I do like it rough" He purred, his hand brushed along Thor's strong arm.

Tingles of fire surged over Thor's skin, shocking him. What was that?!

"Is something the matter Thor?" Loki asked with a grin.

Thor shoved him back. "No"

"Of course"

"Why are you here Loki?" Thor asked. "Answer me! And no more lies!"

Loki smiled darkly.

"What would you like to hear?" He asked. "I can tell you any number of tale you prefer"

"I prefer the truth"

"And what is your truth, King of Asgard?" Loki asked.

"…"

"Am I here to rob Asgard of her treasures as you already believe? Am I here to assassinate Odin Allfather as most of your people would think?"

"…"

"Perhaps I am here to burn Asgard to the ground. To slaughter her people as surely a savage beast would" He steps dangerously close to Thor and leans up, pressing his lithe body against Thor's hard ones. "Or am I a simply a curious creature wishing to see the glory of Asgard told again and again to me since I was a babe?" Loki's fingers seized Thor by his golden locks.

"Loki" Thor growled in warning.

"Tell me, which of these tales would fascinate you the most? Do you prefer that I am the monster you Aesir tell your children of at night? Or just a curious Jotun? A crown prince locked away in a silver cage of ice, never once seen the world, until now…"

"…"

Loki smirked when Thor gave him no reply. He tugged at Thor's hair and pressed his lips against the shell of Thor's ear. His free fingers lid over Thor's broad shoulder.

"The 'truth' Thor…is what you believe…" Loki's breath brushed Thor's sensitive ear, making him shudder.

"My prince" Thrym bowed, as the door close behind him.

Býleistr tucks his long snowy hair over the back of his pierced ears as he look up from his desk overflowing with scrolls and crumbled drawings. He was charged with the rebuilding of their crumbling city.

"Lord Thrym" He stood to his feet as the other strutted towards him. "How was work with my dear brother?"

"Infuriating. That boy is so green in the art of war he pisses grass" Thrym sneered; running his hand over his wavy ebony hair that fell over his shoulder in frustration.

Býleistr chuckled. "How vulgar. I hope you do not speak of me in such a manner to others"

"No offence. Though Laufey may be the one leader I would follow to the end of the universe, I can barely stomach any of his children. And you are just tolerable"

"Which means you like me the most"

"I do" He pulls out the chair before Býleistr's desk, taking his seat.

He only liked Býleistr the most because he was not on Loki's side. But truth, in terms of personality, Helblindi suited him best. The second prince is a keen learner and a loyal man. He would be a good King, Thrym could tell.

But unfortunately, his loyalty to Loki loses Thrym's favour in him.

Býleistr took his seat. "Tell me, what may I do for you Lord Thrym?"

"I wish to know what Loki is planning"

Býleistr lets out a laugh. "You must be joking. No one knows what goes on in my brother's little head"

"Yes, But I wish to know what he told you two"

Býleistr look at Thrym curiously. "Why?"

Thrym smiled.

"Do you not trust me?" He asked. "You know that I am on your side. I am one of those who wish to see you on the throne"

"Ah…that I do" Býleistr said. "But I will not have Jotunheim on flames just so you can have your revenge on Loki. I will not be the King of a wasteland"

"Have no fear my prince. I will not risk Jotunheim's safety"

"Then prepare the armies as you are commanded. Ask nothing of what do not concern you" Býleistr said.

Thrym let out a bitter chuckle. "How arrogant, as is the trait of Laufey's children. You could learn a thing or two from your dam, or you would very soon find a spear through your heart after you take the throne"

"…"

"I will take my leave now" Thrym stood to his feet, giving Býleistr another bow.

He was almost at the door when Býleistr spoke. "I do not forget my friends, Lord Thrym"

"…"

"I promise you that you will hear him scream"

Thrym snorted, turning to regard Býleistr. "I care not if he screams; it is not his screams I desire. It is his life! And all the sweeter, if he would know the pain of betrayal as he draws his last breath!"

Býleistr smirked. "Then I swear to you, it will be done"