I'm so, so so sorry it took so long! But my beta reader didn't answer and I waited and had to ask another beta reader but things are fine now! Here is the chapter! :D

Thank you for everyone who read so far, who favorited, followed and reviewed! :D

Also, I posted this fanfic on tumblr ;)

Derama : Congratulations? I feel like I just had a child, but I guess it's positive? x)

SuperPsychoLove : For now, everything is sweet and nice but wait till trouble comes~ ;) I'm glad you love and I hope you'll like this chapter! :D

MissyMaestro : Thank you, I hope you like this chapter as well! :D

FANFICTION

THE RISE OF LOKI, GOD OF MISCHIEF

CHAPTER IV : Departure for Jotunheim

[After Queen Frigga and the Princes are attacked, a new threat of war against the Mountain Giants or another group enemy of Asgard is now upon their heads. After Thor is injured and poisoned, Odin accepts to send the one and only spy he can trust without doubt: Loki.]

Loki watched his brother sleeping. It was a strange vision to see Thor so pale, sweaty and weak, frowning and shaking in his sleep from fever and nightmares.

Taking a towel he dived into fresh water, he squeezed it before patting his brother's forehead with it.

For a moment, Thor's poisonous torment didn't change before he relaxed a little, he sighed and calmed down, falling into a deeper slumber.

"You should rest."

He turned towards Frigga who smiled at him, walking over to the bed and sitting on its edge. She took the wet towel from Loki before patting her son's forehead tenderly as well.

"I can't sleep." He replied with a little, awkward smile.

She threw him an almost amused look before answering.

"Eager for your mission? I might think you are Thor and not Loki then."

"Thor is eager for battles, I am eager to go to Jotunheim." He said simply, glancing at his sleeping brother.

She hesitated a little but if he saw anything in her gaze, it was gone when she turned towards him with a smile.

"I am proud of you Loki. And we love you, you must know that…" She said, putting her hand on his cheek.

He smiled and leaned against her, relieved to have his mother at his side by all times.

"Thank you…" He murmured, his eyes shining gold from the fire in the torches scattered in the room.

She only smiled more, watching him with a motherly look while he felt his heart grow warm. He didn't thank her only for her comforting words, but also because she stood by his side and faced Odin with him so he could have this chance. He looked back at Thor thoughtfully. After all those years in the shadows, helping his brother and being blinded by his brightness, he had a chance to shine on his own and make his father proud.

He held back a chuckle as he felt almost grateful to whoever had attacked him and Thor, whatever world that enemy was from.

"Mhm gnn…"

Their attention turned back to Thor who grunted in his beard before frowning and shaking lightly.

"Thor?" Loki asked hopefully.

His brother blinked open his cloudy eyes and looked up at him, looking terribly lost and confused. A deep sigh of relief escaped the green eyed man's lips and he smiled. Thor's memory slowly came back and he suddenly sat up, almost making their mother fall down on the ground by the sudden move.

"Thor, calm down!" Loki exclaimed, grabbing his brother's arms tightly while he struggled.

The feverish Thunder God looked around, grunting as if he wanted to make invisible enemies run away.

"Thor!" Frigga called.

Despite his fever and confusion, the god seemed to come back to himself and fell down again the pillows once again, breathing heavily and glancing around, his eyes showing more fear than his usual self would have allowed. He looked up at Loki when he gave him a glass of water to drink, but was too weak to drink on his own. Thor could only allow his brother help him drink.

"How do you feel?" Loki asked, worry shining in his eyes despite himself.

"Gnh…" He answered, which was probably a good sign considering the injury and poison in his body.

Loki almost laughed in relief, but only grinned at his brother, giving him some more water.

"W-what happened..?" Thor asked with a grunting hoarse voice.

"We were attacked by someone when we were on our way back to the Palace. You received a poisoned dagger," Loki explained before sitting on the side of the bed, frowning lightly, "How stupid of you to push me out of the way. Now, you are injured…" He continued, his voice slightly scolding from the worry and fear he had felt seeing his brother falling on his knees, vanquished by poison.

Thor seemed to hesitate a long time, either because he was too feverish to really understand or because he didn't know how to consider Loki's words.

"I couldn't let my little brother die…" He murmured, his blue eyes shining brightly into green ones.

"I would die happy if it meant saving your life." He answered, squeezing the Thunderer's arm tightly.

"And I would call you a fool for not letting me protect you…" Thor replied with a shaky voice.

The two brothers grinned at each other; the first brother beaming in relief to know the other awake and the second happy to simply have his brother by his side.

"Boys, your love and vows of protection for one another are touching, but I'd rather have not you talking about your deaths." Frigga said, but she couldn't help and smile tenderly.

"Sorry, mother." Loki said, still grinning.

"I will go get Eir. Stay calm you two." She said, getting up and leaving the room.

"What happened to that intruder?" Thor asked, grunting in pain and pouting.

"He disappeared with magic." Loki said.

"More tricks…" He grumbled, brows furrowed while he struggled to try and sit up but his brother wouldn't let him.

"Rest, Thor. The poison is playing with your mind, you have a high fever and need sleep." He said, pushing him back against the pillows.

"But.. the Kingdom..! We can't let it unprotected when the Mountain Giants could attack us at any time..!" He replied, still trying to sit up but grunting in pain.

"Thor, rest at ease. Father protects the Kingdom. And you need to rest and heal to protect it." Loki said.

It seemed to calm down his brother a little who sat back, throwing him a hesitant look.

"But…"

"Be at ease. Plus, we aren't sure the Mountain Giants are the enemies." He added but sighed at the frown increasing on his brother's face, "This is why father is sending me to spy on them. I will find out the truth, I promise." He said proudly with a confident smile.

"No!" Thor exclaimed, getting up suddenly and pushing away the sheets and covers, "I'll go with you!"

Loki grabbed his shoulders and forced him back on the bed, slightly annoyed he would want so badly to be the hero. Was it so bad if the hero was Loki for once?

"Don't open your wounds again, you fool." He said, his tone slightly irritated.

"But! I can't let my brother go alone to Jotunheim!" Thor exclaimed, before wincing at the pain in his abdomen.

Loki blinked, before cursing himself for thinking Thor would want to be the hero of the story. He was worrying for him and he only thanked him with dark mistrustful thoughts. He leaned towards him, taping his shoulder confidently and reassuringly.

"Don't worry. My tricks and magic will hide me and I will spy effectively on the Mountain Giants."

"But if you're in danger? And—"

"Thor."

Loki sat on the bed, his tone so hard and his gaze so confident that for a moment, Thor's breath was caught in his throat. He watched his little brother carefully while he spoke up again:

"I know I can do it. On my own. I am stronger than I look. I am skilled with weapons and gifted with magic and tricks. I will come back from Utgard with the information necessary for father to make a decision. I can do it, I know it!" His voice was so confident it was quivering, sending shivers down Thor's spine – or perhaps that was just the fever.

Thor hesitated, swallowing, his heart hammering in his chest.

"The Warriors Three – surely they can come and protect you?" He proposed with hopefulness, too worried for his brother.

"A smaller number would be more efficient, and the Warriors Three, as skilled as they can be with swords and axes, aren't spies."

"You aren't either."

"I can be if I want."

Loki was tempted to add that the Warriors Three were loyal only to Thor, but he didn't want to make him feel bad.

"Give me a chance…" He murmured in a low voice, his eyes now hesitant and almost hurt that his brother wouldn't have some faith in him.

He glanced away and opened his lips to answer but they were interrupted by doors opening. Eir, Frigga and Odin all entered and approached the bed. Loki got up and stepped away as the Goddess of Healing was checking Thor's state and injuries.

"My son. How are you?" Odin asked, the slightest tremor of worry in his voice, but barely perceptible.

Thor looked up at his father then glanced at Loki. He opened his lips to ask to join him, but after seeing the green gaze pleading him to trust him, he couldn't. He looked down and pouted.

"Fine… But worried."

"Worried?"

"Why would you send Loki on his own in Jotunheim?!" He asked, frowning. "You can't let him go alone, he would be in danger, in the middle of our enemies, outnumbered and—"

"Thor." Odin interrupted, frowning. "Loki has volunteered himself. If he thinks he can do it, then he will. Have some faith in him."

"I-I do, I trust him, but I am worried. What if danger were to come to him? What if he was injured – or worse?"

"That won't come to it, brother." Loki said with a smile, his heart beating warmly for their worry and trust.

"But…"

"Thor, as a warrior who volunteered himself many times before, you should understand your brother better than anyone." Frigga said.

The blond haired man hesitated, his lips shaking before giving a little nod.

"I understand, but I never go alone."

"Loki won't be alone, Heimdall will watch over him and I'll send other spies in secrecy to keep an eye from a distance." Odin said.

That seemed to reassure Thor a little bit but he was still hesitant. He glanced at the raven haired boy who grinned proudly:

"Not to worry, I'll make you proud! All of you!" He exclaimed.

Thor gave a tiny sigh, not understanding why he would try so badly to make his family proud. They already were.

The next morning, Bifröst

"Have you packed everything? You're sure, Loki?" Frigga asked for the tenth time, her hands moving anxiously.

The god smiled at her, squeezing her arms and nodding:

"Not to worry, mother. I have everything in my pockets." He said, thanking magic to allow everything to be reduced in order to fit in a pocket.

"Be careful on your way…" She said with a smile and taking him in her arms, hugging him tightly.

"I'll be back before you have time to say 'prankster'!" He joked happily.

"On your way prankster, if you are so confident." She chastised lightly, hitting him slightly on the arm.

He grinned then turned towards his father, straightening a little and looking at him seriously.

"Son…" Odin started, his voice hard, "I trust you on this mission. Execute it well, execute it fast and don't let anything disturb you on your journey." He said, putting a firm hand on his shoulder and clenching it tightly.

"I shall make you proud, father." He said.

Odin didn't say a thing, looking straight at him before Loki turned towards the gatekeeper, exchanging a quick glance with Heimdall before stepping forward in the gate. The Golden God spoke up:

"In order to avoid the Bifröst to be seen by the Mountain Giants, you will be sent at four days on foot of Utgard's fortress. You are expected to be back by twelve days, if by then you aren't, war will be declared." He said with his strong and firm voice.

Only four days to find out the truth. Loki shuddered but managed to hide it, looking firmly at the opening when the Gate Keeper thrust his sword into the receptacle, his magic flowing. The bright familiar colours of the rainbow started to spin and shine in front of them, sending light in the whole golden room. Loki wanted to glance one last time at his parents, but thinking it would only make him look weak to his father's eyes, he stepped forward and disappeared into light.

Jotunheim

Loki glanced around warily, seeing nothing but vast plains ending with the beginning of mountains. Further in, lost in those mountains, was the citadel of Utgard and fortress of the Mountain Giants.

He took a deep breath then started walking. He had four days to reach it, four days to investigate and four more days to come back here and return to Asgard. Until then, he had to accomplish his mission as his best he could.

Himinbjörg, Bifröst, Asgard

Odin walked quickly into Himinbjörg, Heimdall's home and Asgard's guarding station.

"Heimdall, you called me?" He asked the Golden God.

The golden eyed man turned around, giving a short nod.

"Yes, my King. There is something you need to know." He announced.

The blue eye hesitated a moment, his heart suddenly squeezing in silent fear that his son might be in danger in Jotunheim.

"Prince Loki has disappeared from my view almost immediately after his arrival." He announced darkly.

Dread fell upon the King's heart, wishing that for once, his feelings would have been wrong.

Jotunheim

When the grass turned into rock, Loki had to slow down his pace. After half a day of walking, he was finally reaching the beginning of the mountains. He glanced around to make sure there wasn't anyone – or anything and kept going on. Walking all the way to the fortress was a pain, but it was necessary. The Bifröst's light was too easily recognizable and he couldn't take the risk to have suspicions rising among the Mountain Giants.

He ignored the shriek of an eagle that echoed on the mountain walls but he froze when he heard pebbles falling. He turned around, getting out his dagger, his sharp eyes watching the rocks around him. Everything remained silent and nothing moved. A slight breeze of air shook his black hair and he focused, using his magic to try to detect any trace of it around.

He immediately noticed the trail of green magic shining behind a rock. He threw his dagger so fast the stalker didn't even have time to move. He heard a yelp of pain and the magic dropped, revealing who had been following him. But Loki had already grabbed the spy by the neck and lifted her up from the ground. The woman gasped, struggling and moving her legs, trying to kick him and scratching his hands.

"Who are you? Why are you following me?" He asked, his voice cold and sharp.

"L-let me go..!" She gasped, trying to breathe.

He frowned, tightening his fingers around her pale neck.

"Give me one reason to do so!" He hissed.

She struggled for air, her nails barely touching his skin, her movements slower and weaker. She closed her eyes, anger shining in them and he finally let his hand release his grip to let her at least talk. He wasn't like Thor who hit first then asked questions after.

She took as deep of a breath she could and flicked her eyes to him:

"All Father..!" She breathed.

He frowned even more if it was possible, tilting his head slightly forward, ready to snap her neck if necessary.

"What of my father?" He asked before cursing himself for saying he was the All Father's son – Silvertongue, indeed…

"H-he sent me..!" She breathed.

She gasped and he released her. She fell on the ground, taking a desperate guff of air while he looked down at her, another dagger ready to be thrown. Glancing up at his threatening stance quickly, the girl frowned before speaking up again, her voice weak from the lack of oxygen:

"The All Father sent me, to watch out for you! As another spy, in case something would happen to you. Other spies are all around the mountains, ready to come for help if you were to diverge from the path you follow!" She explained, breathing with difficulty.

The God of Lies eyed her suspiciously. She was a very good liar, but his father would never send a spy as close to him as she was and especially not a Völva after the betrayal from his mother's maids. She looked up at him and despite the challenging gaze, her teary scared eyes proved she definitely wasn't a spy.

"Give up the lie. Who are you, really?" He asked, the tip of his dagger shining just enough to threaten her.

Sure enough, her eye caught the light and she glared up at him and for the first time, he felt like he was witnessing the real her and not a mask she was wearing.

"I've been following you."

"So far, I've noticed." He mocked with a cold smile.

"I am the daughter of Thorunn."

"Thorunn? My mother's maid? The one who betrayed her?" He hissed in suspicion, raising his dagger once again.

"She didn't!" She exclaimed, getting up suddenly and staring at him, "My mother would have never betrayed the Queen! She was used, manipulated! Someone played with her mind!"

Her voice echoed in the mountains and Loki snorted. But his will to kill her without hesitation melted when he heard her words.

"What makes you think so?" He inquired.

She seemed to hesitate a little before speaking up again:

"I-I am aware that you shouldn't have me by your side… But I want to find out the truth about my mother! I want to know who used her until she died!" She exclaimed, "I can fight and I can use seiðr, I could help you!"

He snorted, laughing and shaking his head, highly amused by her foolishness.

"A fool like you? Helping me?"

"Yes! I just want to find out what happened to my mother! Let me come with you to the fortress of Utgard, and let me find out if those monsters, those Giants are responsible for my mother's death!"

He eyed her before snorting another time, looking down at her with his entire royal figure.

"Go back to Asgard, child. I can take care of myself and I don't need someone slowing me down." He said, his voice hard.

"If Heimdall or the All Father considered me a threat, they would have sent guards to kill me. They didn't!" She said, sounding almost desperate.

She grabbed his arms, coming closer and he took a step backwards, pushing her away suddenly.

"Don't touch me!" He ordered. "I am Loki Odinson, of Asgard and I won't let a peasant such as you touch me with such familiarity!"

She looked down sheepishly before glancing up through her dark eyelashes, a strange emotion he couldn't read in her green eyes.

"Please… Don't you understand how it feels to lose your mother for treason? To be treated as a monster? Enemy of Asgard..?" She whispered.

"No. I don't. Now go back to Asgard or I'll send you to Helheim with my own hands!" He threatened, frowning.

Her lips trembled but she looked down. He snorted one last time and turned around, ready to leave before glancing one last time at her:

"What is your name?" He asked.

She looked surprised at his question and she swallowed before answering:

"Eisa."

"Eisa…" He repeated, rolling the name on his tongue. "Enjoy your freedom while you still can, Eisa. When I'm back in Asgard I'll send you to the dungeons myself for daring to try following me." He continued darkly.

He turned back to his path instead of watching her reaction, walking straight forward and ignoring the look she threw him. He glanced over his shoulder when he saw her walking back towards the plains at last, and after making sure it wasn't an illusion, he definitely looked away from the long brown hair.

He had a mission to focus on, a mission given by his father. It was his chance to shine, and he would take it.

Loki is (finally) in Jotunheim. Also, just to clear things for the ones who might not know, Jotunheim isn't only made of ice (Marvel universe and myths) and there are different kinds of Jotunns.

Tell me what you think! :D

Next chapter probably beginning of next week : CAT & MOUSE (I might change the title...)

Yours Truly,

May