Disclaimer: I own nothing. The characters should pray for their good fortune.
Title: A God's Proposal
Summary: Prequel to Where to Levy the Blame. Thor hears about a quest in the local tavern one day and thinks that the prize would be a fit proposal gift for Jane. However, he needs Loki's help to obtain this gift, and Loki is locked up in Asgard's dungeon suffering Odin's secret punishments. Warnings: Rape and Torture
Author's Comments: This is the last chapter of this story and I am planning the sequel right now. I have yet to come up with a title for it, but I will soon. The next story will definitely be Loki/OC, and the OC will be a powerful princess and sorceress named Karmin. Also, Odin will be severely punished in the next story for the things that have been done to Loki, and Loki may finally be happy.
~[~ (Thor's POV)
Thor had managed to catch Loki before he hit the ground sparing him further injury, but that did not help the guilt welling up inside his body. Thor screamed unable to contain his anguish as he watched the blood flow freely from Loki's hands and out of his mouth. Loki's eyes were closed and his body was becoming colder as he struggled for breath. Thor began to shake his brother's body while he sobbed hoping to see some sign of life. Finally it became too much for those around him to bear and Volstagg took the dying body from him. He tried to take his brother back but Sif pulled him away while giving him a look that clearly showed her sympathy.
"We must carry on Thor, that is what he would have wanted." Volstagg stated grimly looking down at the weakening form in his arms.
Thor was trying to decide what to do, and how to save Loki. It was true that if they gave up now all would be for not, and his brother would certainly not want that. However, Loki needed immediate medical attention or he would have no chance of surviving the spell he had just cast that saved them all. His guilt gnawed away at his insides for the sacrifice Loki had been willing to make while Thor had just planned on using brute force and perseverance until they had won. He had known in his heart that it wasn't working but that was all he knew and so he was planning on making it work somehow. Now because of his rash action that alerted the beasts of their presence Loki might die, and he had no one but himself to blame. He still remembered exactly what his brother had uttered to him right before he finished the spell. The words echoed through his head now. "Thor, I will not let everyone else die from your stupidity. Get in here now or die with them." In the end it had been Loki to successfully save them yet again, and his last thoughts of Thor were of his stupidity, which hurt the most.
He would go on to finish what they started so Loki's sacrifices would not be in vain, but he would no longer risk his brother's life. "Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun take Loki back to the palace for healing immediately. Sif and I will carry on and meet you back there soon. There is a place where Heimdall can bring us back around here somewhere." Thor reached into Loki's coat and quickly pulled out the book he had taken from the giant's castle flipping through the pages and finding the bifrost sights inside it. "Near the falls over there you may call to the gatekeeper and return home, but keep my brother safe and if you can, alive."
"We will do all we can rest assured." Fandral told him before the three took off, while Volstagg continued to carefully cradle Loki.
As soon as they took off Sif placed her hand upon Thor's shoulder and spoke softly "We must go before more beasts come." He nodded and they too departed finishing their trek to the cave and grabbing the first stalactite they could find. It was of good size and Thor was proud of what they had accomplished. He had all three ingredients now and once they returned to Asgard their quest would be finished.
However, they found that the hike back down the hill was a perilous journey, and they were running short on time. In the distance the howls of the wolves could be heard as they assembled again, no doubt to destroy whatever had taken out the rest of their kin. Sif and Thor hopped quickly down the rocky path trying to avoid detection as best they could while also maintaining a quick pace. Sif tripped and hurt her ankle taking Thor by surprise so he tripped over her. They were losing too much time and despite how much her pride would protest Thor decided it would be worth it to carry her the remaining distance, and although she was not happy, she did not complain too bitterly. The end was in sight and the two began to rejoice when a large wolf, clearly the Alpha male, stepped out from behind a boulder and it became clear to Thor that he would have to fight quickly, and win if he and Sif were going to survive to return to Asgard.
Thor faced off the large wolf bravely using his hammer to his advantage to block the creature's massive jaws and immense size. He had already sustained a few scratches from the beast that easily cut through his armor causing deep wounds that would not be so easily treated. He however was unconcerned for his welfare at the moment since Sif was injured herself and Loki might be dead or still dying. Dodging another pounce from the creature Thor stuck the wolf hard in the jaw breaking several of its sharp teeth. This angered the creature more and it pinned him to the ground quickly intending to finish him off and make a meal out of him. Thor produced a small dagger from his belt and hoped that it would be enough to kill the creature as he plunged it into its heart. The creature went limp falling onto Thor completely as he struggled to push it off. With that finished he hurried to Sif and shouted for Heimdall so they could return home.
~[~ (Frigga's POV)
Frigga was attending to her daily duties and instructing the maids on what to clean when a messenger from the healing room arrived to deliver the bad news to her.
The messenger had run quickly and was obviously out of breath when she arrived. "My queen I have terrible news I am afraid, your youngest son Loki is in the healing room and they fear he may not make it. I am truly sorry." The young girl looked apologetic and she bowed politely.
Frigga was struck by the news, so much in fact that she ran from the room all the way to the healing room without uttering a word until she was inside. "Where is he, where is my baby?" she shrieked to all that were present. The feeble attempts to calm her were in vain and she demanded to know where her child was and what had happened to put him in such a state. She continued searching until she threw open another door and was taken aback by the sight that greeted her. Loki was quickly being mended by the best healers in Asgard but he was bleeding heavily from his hands and blood was flowly freely from lips. Never had she felt so tormented before in her life, so she fell to the floor sobbing.
~[~ (Thor's POV)
As soon as they stepped back in Asgard Thor took off to the healing room with Heimdall shouting after him that there was still time. Time for what he was unsure but he was not about to take any chances and Sif needed help anyway. He had never in all his life made it to the healing room so quickly and when he arrived everyone looked grim. His friends were getting their injuries treated and he put Sif onto a cot so the healers could get started on her. "My friends is Loki…" he hesitated not sure if he was prepared for the answer "still living?" He finally forced the words out and held his breath as he waited.
Fandral stood and replied. "As far as we know, and your mother is here through that room where they are currently working on him." Now Thor knew why everyone looked so grim and sighed, knowing that surely she would be upset. He hurried to join her hoping to bring her comfort and see Loki for himself.
However, when he walked through the door the sight that lay before him was not one that he expected. Loki was inside a green force field similar to the one Odin used when he fell into the Odin sleep. However, Loki was floating just above the bed he had been laying on and no one was able to break inside, though they tried.
"It is no use my queen. I'm afraid that his magic is preventing anyone from interfering with him. We will only have to hope that he can heal himself and that his coma does not last too long." One of the healers stated sadly and they all left the room to attend to the other patients.
His mother began to sob so he hurried over and hugged her. "Thor my child what happened." She cried into his shoulder as he stroked her back fighting off his own tears.
He decided that he would require the help of his friends to explain it all to her so he led her out into the larger room where they were waiting. He told them the news about Loki's coma, and asked them to help him tell his mother the story, and they gladly obliged. It was hard but they managed to get through it, with a lot of tears on both his and his mothers part. The others wore sad looks and the somber mood spread throughout the palace like wildfire, reaching even Odin himself.
A week passed and there was no change in Loki's condition. His coma continued and even though the healers said that he was beginning to look better Thor was skeptical. He was angry at everyone who attempted to comfort him, and the sparring grounds were abandoned after his third day home. Even his friends had been avoiding his wrath, to the point where his father suggested that he go to Midgard for some time to cool off and collect himself. He knew that Odin was offering this suggestion nicely and that if he refused his father may use for forceful methods to send him away so he agreed.
He was grateful to see Jane again and she helped comfort him the best she could, but it didn't matter in the end. Thor was still bitter, and every time someone mentioned Loki his mood turned violent so eventually everyone stopped asking. SHIELD had called him in to talk to him about alien hostiles and news that he may have about other planets, but he offered them nothing. He had no clue what they were looking for and he ignored their questions about his brother entirely. Though they were angry they let him go sensing that the subject was touchy.
~[~ (Loki's POV)
The world was spinning as he opened his eyes and his entire body felt heavy. He was drained of energy but seeing his mother sitting by his bedside stroking his hair brought him some comfort. She immediately hugged him upon noticing he was awake and warned him not to scare her again, something he took note of. She urged him to continue resting and sent word around that he was awake. She then narrated to him the story of how he got there nearly dead, and then how he had frightened her even more when he went into his coma with the magic force field preventing anyone from getting to him. That had lasted two weeks, and it had healed his body effectively enough that he didn't need further treatment for any of his injuries. However, the magic had drained his body of all its initial energy so he had stayed asleep for an extra week to replenish his strength. It was a lot to take in so suddenly but he tried to keep up with her tale instead of falling asleep again. She took his hand in her own after she finished and gently whispered in his ear "You should rest, for I can see you are still tired." He shook his head and closed his eyes wearily.
However, a moment later loud footsteps were heard outside the door and Loki half expected Thor to bound in, but was surprised when Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun appeared at the door. He was not expecting them to visit at all so he waited to see what had brought them here. "Loki you are awake finally." Volstagg greeted merrily. He shoved the plate of food he had been carrying at Loki who was even more surprised by the fact that Volstagg was giving him food. "Eat, you must be positively famished, for I cannot imagine what it must be like to go weeks without food."
Sif entered at this point and playfully remarked "Yes Volstagg, I think that would be dangerous for us all. Why you would devour all the food Asgard has to offer. Though I am still surprised that you would willingly give away such delicacies." Loki was a bit shocked that she had also come, and that Thor was nowhere to be found.
"Still I do not think it wise to start him out on such rich food at first, for surely his stomach would react violently having been empty so long." Hogun remarked simply and without much emotion. Now Loki believed he was having some strange dream, for not only was Volstagg giving up food, but Hogun was promoting his well being.
Frigga smiled at this as he continued to look confused. Hogun and Volstagg argued over the best source of food he should eat, while Sif attempted to break up their fight. Meanwhile Fandral chatted with him about the nurses and said that he could put in a few words for him if he wished. Overall it was just odd for any of this to transpire and Loki was really hoping that this mad dream ended soon.
Finally he felt that he must speak up and regain some sort of familiarity. "Not that I'm ungrateful or anything, but what are you all doing here, and where is Thor, or is he still angry about that last comment I made to him." He was expecting everyone to appear somewhat unhappy but they all just smiled at him like they understood.
"You saved our lives and for that we are truly grateful and wish you well. As for Thor he is on Midgard sulking more than likely for he has been drowning in guilt ever since you cast that spell." Sif answered and they settled down a bit. Loki was grateful for that because he was still not feeling well and all the commotion was beginning to give him a headache.
"Ah, and proposing to Jane no doubt with the flower I am sure." He added knowing that Thor must have gotten the last ingredient and found someone to put it all together for him.
They all looked at each other at this point and Loki hoped that Thor got the last ingredient, for if he didn't Loki would personally ensure he felt his wrath. He was not going back to that wretched place and if Thor thought he was he better be prepared to fight him over it. Finally Frigga's expression softened and she answered him. "Actually dear, Thor would not allow anyone but you to cast the final spell on the ingredients, and kept them all in his room waiting for you to awaken."
This surprised Loki since he believed that Thor would have been eager to propose and the fact that he was waiting for him to was a great honor. "Well where are they? I am sure it will be an easy task." Loki was confident that his magic was strong enough to cast the spell, since he believed only his body was still weak.
Frigga looked unsure but ordered the ingredients to be brought to him anyway and when he had the ingredients and the book he uttered a few words and when the green magic faded away a beautiful Pickinese Flower remained where the ingredients had once been. The flower was quickly placed in pot with soil and water before they all gathered around to admire it. Loki composed a quick note to Thor to attach to the flower since he was planning on sending it him. Finally when the note was attached he sent the flower to Thor on Midgard, and relaxed again enjoying his visitors.
~[~ (Thor's POV)
Thor was miserable and he was sulking in Jane's trailer. It was not a pleasant day and Jane was at work leaving him nothing to do and no distractions could be found. His guilt continued to plague him and he felt restless, wishing he had something to do. As he was walking into the kitchen something quickly appeared on the table, and he readied himself to attack if necessary. When the flower appeared on the table he rushed over wondering who had cast the final spell. That was when he noticed the note that was attached written in perfect handwriting.
Thor,
I hope this flower is everything you were looking for and more, and I am sure that Jane will love it just as much as she loves you.
Loki
Also, as a side note, be very careful with this because I am not accompanying you get ingredients to make another one!
Thor inwardly smiled at this feeling relieved that Loki was awake and clearly feeling better. He would rush home and see him soon, but not before proposing to Jane.
~[~ (Loki's POV)
It had been a long day and having so many visitors was exhausting. They had all been overly nice to him and it annoyed him somehow, but he was sure that it would wear off eventually and things would return to the way they had been before they left. He was attempting to sleep when the door creaked open and in walked Odin. He looked none too happy and that made Loki nervous. In Odin's hands were two new magic restraining cuffs, and something else that he could not place in the dark. In behind him walked the man Loki had grown to be very afraid of since returning to Asgard, his weekly rapist. Now he knew this visit was going to end badly.
"Loki, you may be redeemed in the eyes of the others here, but you have a long way to go before I deem you worthy again." He turned to the other man and stated. "Reapply the cuffs we will need to make sure his magic is disabled for this." The man nodded and took the cuffs striding towards Loki as Odin left the room.
The cuffs were roughly reapplied and Loki glared at the man for using unnecessary force with him. He was already cooperating so there was no need for them to be so cruel. His glare was lost immediately as Odin reentered holding a burning hot piece of metal used for branding slaves.
He immediately tensed and backed away quickly with wide eyes. "Pull him up, we will need to put this somewhere that few will ever see it." That confused Loki even more since he assumed everyone would want to know what Odin was reducing him too. The man pulled at his cloths easily pushing his shirt up and pushing his pants down as Odin continued. "Now Loki I have decided to wave the rest of your imprisonment for your good deed, but that does not mean you are free. You will still continue your weekly sessions with my friend here, and you will bear this mark so that you will forever know what type of slave you are."
Odin's goal was to make him a sex slave for eternity then, but he was keeping it as close to a secret as he could. Sex slaves were illegal in Asgard but it was not uncommon for other slaves to wear a brand marking their position. The reason his brand was to be kept a secret was because of his illegal position and he would forever retain his awful existence. The man covered his moth while they bent him over. He felt Odin touching his left leg and he instantly knew where the brand would be placed. He struggled but the other easily restrained him and pushed the hot iron onto his skin searing him forever on his left thigh. After a moment they released him and threw him to the floor so that his burned skin was the first to make contact. He cried pitifully from the burning pain and they left soundlessly as he sobbed. After some time he managed to look at the mark and cringed at its existence. It was certainly not a pretty sight to behold and it still stung an awful lot. Curiously he used his frost giant heritage to sooth the pain away rubbing his now cold blue hand over it. The relieve felt great but bitter at the same time because it forced him to accept what he was, and showed him he could never be a true Asgardian, something that the mark reinforced. He was nothing now, and though that filled him with great sadness he found that his tears had dried up this time, and only an empty sorrow remained.
~[~ The End
I hope you all liked this story, and don't worry Odin will get what's coming to him in the sequel that I will begin working on as soon as I can. I will post another update at the end of this one informing everyone on alert when the sequel is posted so you know what it is called, and what the summary says. As sad as I am that this one is over, I am glad that I still have the sequel to look forward too, and the sequel will tie into Where to Levy the Blame somehow.