Tony looked over the vast garden from Loki's balcony. It still amazed him that he was actually in Asgard…with his god…in his room…alive. It was all a little too surreal.

"Good afternoon, Anthony."

Tony turned towards the warm voice, a little surprised since he didn't hear the chamber doors open. "Good afternoon your Highness." He said with a polite bow, if not just a little over dramatic in fashion.

The Queen's smile lit up the room. "Please call me Frigga, or Mom, if you prefer. And please do not bow." She reached for his hands with both of hers. "It is I who should bow to you. You have brought me my son back."

Tony chuckled. "Loki would love that. He tells me my ego is already intolerable as it is. What can I do for you?"

"And he is one to speak. You have done so much already. I feel hesitant to ask you for your assistance, for it is something that you must keep from Loki." She paused as his expression hardened. "Anthony, I need your help."

"I'm not particularly fond of the idea of having to hide anything from Loki." He was trying his damnedest not to sound standoffish, but that's exactly what happened.

"You misunderstand me, Man of Iron. I mean this to be a glorious surprise for Loki." He waited for her to continue. "I need to locate his children."

At that, he let go of Frigga's hand and took a few paces back. "I'm afraid I cannot help you there."

"I know you have contact with them, Anthony." She started. "There are times when his son disappears for days on end when Loki has called him to Midgard. I have seen how you speak to Slepnir even when Loki is not present. I do not mean them harm. I only wish to right a wrong." The Queen implored.

"Right a wrong? You mean when his father banished and then tried to imprison his own grandchildren? Why would I willingly give you that information? So that this time he can finish them off? No thanks your Highness, you're on your own on this one." Tony turned his back on her and gripped the balcony railing. He fumed inside. Did she really just ask him to betray Loki?"

The Queen clasped her hands together. "I understand your reluctance to get involved. What you say is truth. It was an injustice to Loki and his children. A heinous infraction I intend to mend if given the chance to do so."

Tony turned on her. "Do you, do you really understand? Even I can't comprehend the pain he's gone through. All I know is Loki is his happiest and most content when he is with them and I'll be damned if I am going to let someone take that away from him. Again."

"What if I told you I found a way they can always be together?"

"I'd say prove it." He watched her carefully, searching for any hints of deceit. "I'm listening."

"I have come across a spell that gives them a more—mortal appearance. It is temporary, with the potential to become permanent. However, I would not try to attempt something of this magnitude without their consent. It would have to be their choice if they wished to remain so." Frigga waited on baited breath for his response.

"Don't you think Loki would have tried that himself? Forgive me, but your son is no slouch when it comes to magic. I think he would have found a way to make that happen by now." Tony countered, trying to find flaw in her argument.

"You are right. Loki is very powerful. It would not surprise me if he had found the spell I am referring to. Maybe he chose not to use it because he feared repercussion or that it made his children seem more vulnerable. They would not become mortal, only appear as such."

"And what does the "All-Father" have to say about all this?" Tony crossed his arms over his chest.

"He doesn't have a say." Frigga said firmly.

"So you're doing all this behind his back. How am I to know that the wont come after the kids later?"

"I give you my word, Anthony. They will be protected." She stated as if that should be enough.

"Mmm, yeah. That doesn't quite work for me. Been there, done that, been betrayed by it. I've learned not to take people at their word." Tony said pointedly and tapped his chest as if that said it all. Standing up a little straighter, he cocked his head to the side. "You are asking me to deceive the man I love, your son, who we all know has horrific trust issues, for something that might end up getting his kids killed if his own—and I use this term loosely—father deems it. Not only that, but you want me to give up his kids, who have just gotten their father back. None of this sounds like a stellar idea, your Majesty. I can't do that, not to Loki, not to his kids." For Tony, that was the end of discussion.

Frigga was nothing if not persistent. "Will you please speak to them, Anthony? At least let them make their own decision. If they do not wish it, then I will speak of it no more."

Tony studied Loki's mother. He knew she only had his best interest at heart. She said she wanted to right a wrong. Pffsstt, understatement of the millennia. But what if this worked out and Loki could be with his children all the time? He wanted Loki to be happy; this would have him on cloud nine. Then again, what if he saw this as an unforgivable betrayal for revealing the whereabouts of the grove?

Frigga watched him patiently, hands still clasped in front of her. He needed more time. "Let me think about it; and that's not a yes." Sighing and rubbing his temple, "I need to mill this one over."

"Yes of course. Thank you, Anthony for considering the offer. I know what I ask of you is not a simple matter." The Queen smiled graciously and departed the chambers.

Oh boy. What did I just get myself into… Tony leaned over the railing with his hands clasped together gazing out over the garden once again. Huffing out a sigh, his sight landed on Steve as he sat on an obscure bench under what appeared to be a willow tree. Sketch pad in hand, pencil diligently moving across the page. Maybe Old Man Winter will have some words of wisdom.

AN: ok, so you can clearly see where I am going with this.. thoughts? Comments? Love it, hate it? Please let me know.. take care and besistos!