Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the Marvel Universe or Disney, The Amazing Stan Lee and Joss Whedon, or anyone else involved with the movies or comics are the ones who do. I am not making any profits from this writing, it is all for the purposes of fun and creative writing
Chapter 21
Thor let out a small sigh from where he stood half-hidden behind the large carved door. The hour had just struck midnight and most everyone in Asgard had called it a day and retired to their beds. While many in the palace had also retired, Thor was among the few who had yet to call it a day. As for right now, the crown Prince of Asgard was standing still and silent as a statue out in the hallway by his room. He was standing at the door of the room directly across from his own, having pushed the door open as silently as he could so that he could peak through and gaze inside. The tall blond's clear blue eyes were fixed on the large bed inside the room, and those who were occupying it.
There, laying fast asleep and looked quite serene was Loki, and laying over the covers on the foot of the bed was an equally slumbering Jarl. Nord, the other ice-wolf was curled up on the floor over the soft fur rug Loki kept at the foot of his bed. All three were retired for the day in every single sense of the word. A smile slowly curved up the corners of Thor's lips as he furtively gazed upon his sleeping sibling.
It had been a full month since the whole guild fire incident. In the weeks that had followed, things had been chaotic to say the least. The healers had tended to the wounded, but one of them, the young man who Fandral and Hogun had tried to help, succumbed to his injuries. The others would recover fully. Fandral himself had taken to visiting the wounded, his own arm healing nicely. It had mildly surprised Thor to see Fandral, usually so boisterous and carefree looking somber and mature. The incident had proved to be a bit of a turning point for Thor in how he felt about Fandral, Hogun, Volstaag, and Sif. While he would never look upon them with the same affection and friendship, Thor decided that he could at least be less disdainful towards them. Loki himself had been gladdened by this, and while there would always be a small barrier between himself and these four warriors, the second prince followed his older brother's example. The warriors three and Sif had been overjoyed, and while it saddened them that they could never again be the friends that they had been with Thor, the fact that both Thor and Loki were giving them a chance was something they would take gratefully.
Once the chaos of the guild fire had died down, the somber and devastating tasks that came with death had to be dealt with. Thor had been like a pitbull about this, forbidding Loki from even going into the city during the days after the fire. Loki had not protested as much as he normally would have, no doubt seeing the veiled pain in Thor's eyes. He knew that Thor was trying to spare him the sight, the sound, even the smell of what was left of the guild after the fires were quenched and the dust settled. Thor would spare him from seeing such death when he had seen so much of it already. So it had been Thor, Volstaag, Hogun, and Sif who all helped the palace guards go through the still frozen guild building. With muted grief, they all combed through the building for the charred remains of those who had not survived the deadly blaze. Another benefit of Loki's ice, what that it had encased the bodies fully, preventing them from burning further and also preserving them. It was grim work, but somehow the ice had given up what it held beneath with surprising ease, Thor having no doubt that perhaps even when he was all the way back at the palace under the watchful eyes of their mother, Loki was lending his aid by softening the ice enough for them to take away the bodies.
Once that grim task was finished, the bodies had been transported to the palace. It had been a bleak procession, with a total of twenty people having been found, and no one doubting that some perished fully within the jaws of the blaze, to where there was not even a body left. At the palace, the bodies were taken to a far of chamber of healing and laid out on cots that Frigga herself had conjured. Frigga's eyes had glistened with the sheen of tears as she had used her own magic to bestow at least some kindness on the families of the dead who had been brought to the palace to identify their missing loved ones. With a sweep of her hands from where she stood, Frigga had restored each and every body to a whole state, giving back to the charred and mangled their faces and limbs. Then the families had been let into the room, and Frigga did her best to console the absolutely devastated men and women who had come to reclaimed the lost. Thor had made his exit swiftly when the first wails of utter anguish and grief sounded. Thor had all but run down the halls, wanting to get away from that horrible nightmare.
Without even thinking it, Thor had found himself barreling straight into Loki's room, the latter had been sitting quietly by the fire absently holding a book in his hands while Njord and Jarl sat by him. Loki had taken one look at Thor's stricken face, despite how hard the elder prince had tried to keep his composure, and all but leapt to his feet. Within seconds, the brothers were all but tackling each other. For once it was Thor who was burying his face into Loki's shoulder, breathing harshly against the torrent of emotions the days events had caused. Loki had just held on as tightly as he could, letting his brother draw strength from his very presence.
Somber days had followed, Odin had declared that all funeral arrangements would be made by the palace in order to ease the burden on the grieving loved ones. All of Asgard had gathered that night, twenty one boats bearing the body of a lost soul were launched into the waters that raged beneath the Bifrost. Odin had stood in his full armor, with Gungnir is hand and his wife by his side dressed in a flowing white gown. Thor had stood a few feet away on a raised dais, with Loki at his side and Njord and Jarl, both in their formidable ice forms flanking them on either side. Both brothers had stood in their full armor and helmets as well, and on a dais directly below where they stood, Sif, Volstaag, Hogun, and Fandral all stood in their best armor. While Fandral stood somber, with his arm in a sling, the others who stood on the daises each held large, ceremonial bows in their hands. Odin had raised Gungnir and brought its end down on the ground with a resounding thud that reverberated through all who were present, and it signaled the launching of the first funeral boats.
As the first two boats had sailed out onto the water, Thor and Loki had raised their bows, glowing arrows materializing on the taught strings. As one, the brothers had let their arrows fly towards the two boats in the distance, their aims true as the arrows hit and ignited the pyres. Then the next three boats were launched and it was Volstaag, Sif, and Hogun who let fly their arrows, while Fandral watched on with slightly over bright eyes, lamenting that his injury prevented him for partaking in the somber event. So it went, with two boats launched for Thor and Loki to light, and then three for Hogun, Sif, and Volstaag. Soon the waters under the Bifrost were illuminated by twenty boats carrying a brightly burning flame. This had left one boat remaining, the boat that carried the young guild worker who had succumbed to his injuries. With a final thud from Gungnir, this last boat had been launched. Thor, Sif, Voltsaag, and Hogun all handed their bows off to the waiting pages and all eyes had turned to Loki, who had stepped forward with his bow still in hand.
With his golden armor gleaming and his green eyes filled with silent sorrow, Loki had cut a regal and composed image as he had raised his bow and slowly draw back the string. The final glowing arrow materialized against the string and there had been a moment when everything went still, all eyes gazing at the second Prince of Asgard as he stood with bow string drawn and ready to fire. Then with a soft sigh, Loki had let the arrow fly. The glowing projectile had sailed through the night air in a graceful arc and hit its mark, igniting the final boat. After that, Asgard as one had stood and watched as each of the twenty-one burning boats reached the edge of the waterfalls that roared at the end of the great lake only to float away into the air, sailing off towards the star-filled heavens. Njord and Jarl had then both thrown there great, crystalline heads back and howled for all to hear, a wolf-song for the fallen, so sad yet so achingly beautiful. There was hardly a dry eye at the sound.
Blinking back his own tears, Thor had seen Loki subtly reach up to wipe something from his eye before he had reached out and wrapped his arm firmly around his younger brother's shoulders. Loki had sent Thor greatful before he turned his gaze to the warriors three and the Lady Sif. He gave them a nod, which they all readily returned just as somberly. Thor did the same with guarded warmth in his eyes before he had turned back to his brother and gestured.
Together, both brothers had turned and stepped off of the dais with Njord and Jarl dutifully following in their wake. The princes had walked together with all regality as they joined their mother and father where the King and Queen of Asgard stood. Once the boys had rejoined their parents, Njord and Jarl, standing faithfully to the side had let loose another song.
Together, they had all watched the fallen souls enter into eternity with all grace and dignity.
Thor came out of his musings with a small start as a hand gently covered his shoulder. He turned from where he was basically spying on his sleeping sibling to come face to face with the weathered and white-bearded visage of their father. Thor opened his mouth to speak but Odin smoothly cut him off.
" Come away my son, let your brother sleep." Thor nodded and with a lingering glance at a peacefully sleeping Loki, the Thunderer pulled the door shut as quietly as he could before he followed after his father who was walking down the dimly lit hall.
Father and son walked side by side in silence until they reached a railing that gave them a grand view of Asgard. It was as they stood there side by side that Odin turned his eye to his eldest son and spoke.
" You should be asleep like your brother my son, for you are both going on a very important journey when the sun rises." Thor sighed as he leaned against the railing beside his father and shook his head.
" I know I should be but there is much on my mind father, regarding Loki and our journey tomorrow." Odin inclined his head.
" It is understandable my son, the last time you set foot in Jotunheim, things did not exactly go well." There was a beat of silence before Thor let out a light, self-depricating laugh while Odin allowed himself a small smile. Still smiling, Thor spoke.
" Well, rest assured father, I will do my best not to start any wars while Loki and I are there. But the time seems right, and in all honesty I think Loki has been yearning to get away from his new found popularity for a bit." Odin nodded.
" Indeed, your brother had gained much favor through his actions during the guild fire. I am most proud to say that your brother has handled all of the additional attention with great dignity and courtesy. Many now look upon his Jotun form as a blessing after witnessing how he used it to save the lives of our subjects, just a few days earlier I witnessed one of your mother's young ladies in waiting boldly asking him if she could gaze upon his true form. He obliged her most graciously and allowed the girl her appreciation before he retook his Asgardian form and left her with a kiss on the hand. It was yet another moment of charm in which your brother endeared himself further." Thor chuckled, not at all surprised, but his smile dimmed somewhat as he remembered the rather chaotic days that had followed after the mourning period for the fallen guild workers had ended.
" Not all of his interactions were so tame, in the days after the mourning period, I found myself having to fend of entire crowds in the off-chance that we ventured outside the palace walls. We couldn't even go for a simple ride without people being their offering congratulations to us both, but understandably focusing on Loki." Odin nodded his head at that.
" Well, at least the fan-fair has been tamed somewhat with your warning looks alone. And Njord and Jarl are formidable guardians in their own right. My youngest is safe in the capable hands of my eldest." Thor felt a light blush spread across his cheeks at his father's praises. Thor grew somber though as he spoke, his hand unconsciously going to the silver pendant around his neck, his fingers tracing the familiar contours of the miniature replica of Mjolnir with the two crossed knives at the back.
" My hands were not always capable, nor was I always there for our youngest father." Odin nodded at that before he reached out and gripped Thor by his tunic-clad shoulder.
" Neither was I my son, but we are here now, and Loki has proven quite capable of his own defense in the off-chance that were are not. But I sense that there is more on your mind that had kept you from you slumber this evening my son. Tell me, what troubles you?" At this Thor turned his gaze to the clear, star-filled skies as he spoke.
" I have already told Loki, and also the warriors three and the Lady Sif since they will be accompanying us this time around, to prepare themselves for what will greet our eyes when we go to Jotunheim. Though Hellblindi and his people have rallied together in their efforts to rebuild, what Menkos did to them is horrendous still father. They do not want anyone's pity father, but they are in dire need of aid." Odin could tell that Thor had his own idea regarding that particular dilemma.
" Am I safe in assuming that you have some thoughts as to how we might be able to aid King Hellblindi and his people?"
At this, Thor turned to his father with determined eyes, but as he met his father's wise and knowing gaze, the expression of determination slowly morphed into more of a puppy- eyed look. Odin instantly knew that Thor was about to ask him for something, and it remained to be seen whether or not he'd be able to say yes for the way his eldest son was looking at him actually did seem to have the effect of almost making him more inclined.
Several hours later, when the sun was shining high and bright over Asgard...
Thor and Loki walked down the long hallway, both of them dressed in their formal armor. They were headed for the Allfather's weapons vault, and it was this fact that had Loki frowning lightly in confusion.
" Brother, why has father summoned us to the weapons vault?" Thor sent Loki a serene little smiled as he spoke.
" Father and I had a very important talk last night concerning the people of Jotunheim and reached an agreement. Rest assured, father will explain things when we get to the vault." Loki looked far from reassured, but he did raise anymore questions as he and Thor proceeded forward, both of their capes billowing out behind them. A few feet behind them, Njord and Jarl trotted ever faithfully in their wake, their pure white fur with a silvery shine in the light.
The princes reached the doors to the vault and Thor nodded to one of the sentries that stood on either side of it. With a loud groan the doors fell away to reveal the place where Odin kept many dangerous relics and weapons under lock and key.
Both brothers entered side by side with their four-legged companions behind them. As the princes descended the dark blue stairs, they both caught sight of the solitary, white haired figure dressed in bronze and gold robes, standing at the very end of the chamber before a brightly lit wall. Subconsciously, both brothers stood up straighter as they walked and squared their shoulders as they step forward. Odin turned around to face his sons and spoke.
" My sons." He greeted as he stepped forward.
" Father." Thor and Loki replied, both of them bowing their heads in respect to their father and king. Odin stopped before his sons and turned his eye to his youngest.
" Loki, you may be wondering why I have summoned you both here to the vault, but after a very lengthy discussion with your brother I have reached a decision concerning the Jotun home world. I have asked you here so that I may appoint you with a very important task my son." Feeling his heart starting to pound quicker within his chest, Loki kept himself outwardly composed as he met his father's gaze.
" What is it you would ask of me Allfather?" He asked with all formality. Feeling silent pride in his second son, Odin turned to the side and focused his gaze on the artifact he had been obscuring.
Loki's eyes widened as they fell on a familiar glowing box filled with a swirling blue energy.
The Casket of Ancient Winters, the very heart of Jotunheim itself. Loki turned his stunned but questioning eyes back to his father. Odin spoke to answer the silent question.
" After much deliberation, I have decided that the time has come for the realm of Jotunheim to have it's heart returned to it. You shall obviously be the one to carry it, but both of you will see that my will is done."
Odin's words were met with stunned silence as Loki blinked owlishly, his green eyes wide and going back and forth between Odin and Thor. He simply wasn't able at the moment to articulate much of anything. It was Thor who reached out and firmly gripped Loki's shoulder as he spoke.
" Be at ease brother, father knows what he is doing." That just added to Loki's confusion as he gazed incredulously at his brother. Odin spoke then to explain.
" Rest assured, I would not be returning such a powerful weapon back to the Jotuns without a few precautions to ensure that such power will not be abused. I have placed upon the casket several powerful spells, they will be able to use the Casket only within the realm, they cannot transport to any other realm as they did so many centuries ago in a bid to subjugate Midgard under Laufey's rule. The added incentive is that should they seek to misuse the Casket or try to tamper with the spells I have placed on it, the Casket shall destroy itself. If they can show that they no longer hold such malicious intent as they had in the past, perhaps then I may be inclined to lift the spell that bars the inter-realm traveling ability of the Casket." Loki nodded in understanding before he turned to eye Thor with quiet respect.
" So they must prove themselves worthy, like you did brother?" Thor grinned and nodded while Odin spoke.
" It was your brother who proposed the idea, saying that if he could earn back his Godhood, then the Jotuns can surely earn back their own power once they have proven that they will be responsible in how they wield it." Thor nodded.
" Things are different under Hellblindi's rule brother, just as we have changed, so have they. Besides, it seems a fitting thing to do seeing as to how Menkos nearly destroyed them, yet they still believed me when I told them of your innocence." Loki nodded before a look of light uncertainty spread across his face as he looked between Odin and Thor.
" Are you both absolutely certain about this?" Odin glanced at the Casket over his shoulder and nodded.
" As certain as can be expected, we can never know what the future will hold. It is my fervent hope that this will be a progressive step toward a stronger alliance between our realms." Odin then stepped away from his sons, his robes billowing lighting behind his as he walked down the stone path and reached for the Casket of Ancient Winters.
He could not actually touch it, but with his hands held open in either side of the otherworldly box, Odin used his magic to raise the Casket from its pedestal. His eyes subtly went to a secluded corner of the vault, where, hidden from easy sight was a pedestal baring a certain Chitauri mage's dismembered arm, a silver gauntlet with a glowing blue stone still around its wrist. It had been a mutual agreement between Frigga and Odin that the Casket retake its pedestal, while the weapon that had helped murder their youngest and the arm it was still attached to be shuffled off to some unimportant corner. It was a hated item that deserved no place in the light.
With the Casket floating between his weathered hands, Odin turned back around, keeping his hate for Menkos's detached arm from showing on his face, and walked back to his sons. As Thor looked on, Odin came to stand before Loki and held out the Heart of Jotunheim for his youngest to take. Njord and Jarl both gave low rumbles of approval and wagged their tails, their ruby-red eyes flitting between Loki and the Allfather expectantly.
Loki looked hesitant for a moment before he hardened his gave and nodded to his father. He then reached out and gripped the handles of the Casket and took the powerful relic from his father. The moment his pale and long fingers touched the glowing blue box, his skin started to shift into the deep cerulean blue of his Jotun form. Within a few seconds Loki was completely blue and looked back at his father with somber, blood-red eyes. Odin only looked upon his youngest with approval before he addressed both of his sons.
" Keep it hidden, guard it well, and tell Hellblindi and his people that it is my wish that the animosity between our realms be put to an end."
Loki looked down at the Casket and then with a circular swipe of his hand, the large box twisted into itself and disappeared. Loki had hidden it away in an inter-dimentional pocket that only he could access. With the Casket no longer in his hands, Loki reverted back to his Asgardian form, the blue smoothly leeching away back into fair alabaster skin. Thor stepped over to his brother and stood beside him, both of them facing their father. As one, they both bowed and spoke almost in complete sync.
" Your will be done Allfather." Odin nodded and looked upon his sons with veiled affection.
" I have no doubt that it shall. Now come my sons, your mother and I shall see you off." With that father and sons walked out of the cavernous weapons fault, Njord and Jarl happily trotting behind them.
Ten minutes later, Thor and Loki were each hugging their mother tightly as she wished them luck and safety on this important journey. Sif, Hogun, Volstaag, and Fandral were assembled in their thicker winter armor, the four of them already mounted on their steeds, silently awaiting their princes. Frigga drew back from Loki and held both his and Thor's hands in hers.
" Be safe my sons, and try not to offend your hosts." Loki just sent Thor a look and quirked his eyebrow, to which Thor grinned back cheekily. Loki turned back to Frigga and gave her a helpless shrug as he motioned to Thor.
" Can't promise you he won't put his foot in his mouth mother." Frigga let out a silvery chuckle while Thor sent Loki and indignant look at what his little brother was insinuating.
" What, I can be diplomatic is I put my mind to it, I was the last time." Loki just sent Thor an indulgent smile as he nodded.
" And for that I am most grateful, but do not for a second believe that I will let up on my teasing." Thor rolled his eyes dramatically but then smiled brightly at his brother. They quickly grew serious as Odin stepped forward.
" Safe journey my sons, and while I doubt it will be necessary, just know that should you need assistance of any kind, Heimdall will have his eyes on you." Both brothers bowed to their father and and then to Frigga before they turned and headed for their waiting steeds. Njord and Jarl each received loving pats from the King and Queen of Asgard before with twin barks they trotted off and joined their princes. It had entered Loki's mind to perhaps leave the two ice-wolves at home, but the thought of just what kind of trouble these two were capable of getting into had both him and Thor agreeing that it would be best for everyone's sanity, and the preservation of the palace, to take them along on their visit to Jotunheim. They would be staying there for a week, barring any unforeseen complications, and had all packed accordingly.
Odin turned his eye to the four individuals dutifully sitting atop their horses behind Thor and Loki's steeds. Stepping forward with his face grim and regal, Odin addressed Sif, Hogun, Volstaag, and Fandral.
" You four are among the best of Asgard's warriors, though I have no doubt that my sons are more than capable of defending themselves, I charge you with safeguarding them none the less. Do not fail me, for the consequences shall be swift and absolute if you do."
The four warriors remained stoic, understanding why their King was warning them, for he was sending two of the most important people in his life to a place that while Asgard was in a truce with, could easily become hostile at the smallest misstep. As one they all saluted the Allfather and bowed from their saddles. It was Volstaag who spoke for them.
" You have our word your Highness, we would all gladly lay down our lives in defense of both our princes." The rotund warrior turned to said princes and nodded at them with a hesitant smile.
Thor nodded in polite acceptance while Loki returned the smile with what he hope was a reassuring look. Satisfied, Odin stepped back to Frigga's side and nodded to his sons. Thor pulled up the reigns of his stallion.
" We make for the Bifrost, best not to keep Heimdall waiting." With that Thor urged his horse forward into a light gallop, Loki doing the same with Njord and Jarl easily keeping up along side them. The warriors three and the Lady Sif all urged their steeds forward as well, dutifully following in both princes' wake. They were six riders in two neat lines, with a massive ice-wolf running on either side of the lead horses.
The party made quick work of getting through the city of the main road, slowing down for the sake of safety and acknowledging those who bowed to the two royals as they passed. The party, led by Thor did go to full gallop once they were clear of the city and entered the Bifrost. The rainbow bridge glimmered in its many colors under the pounding hooves as Thor and company neared the great atrium of the Bifrost where Heimdall stood waiting for them.
They all pulled their horses to a halt and dismounted, Thor leading the way with Loki, Njord, and Jarl with him while the warriors three and Sif followed close behind, all of them with their packs in hand. Thor's eyes went to the dias where a familiar tall and horned helmet wearing figure stood in ever faithful watch.
" Greetings Heimdall." Heimdall inclined his head in greeting as he turned his amber eyed to Thor and company.
" Greetings to you majesties, and to you four as well." Not to be forgotten, Njord and Jarl stepped forward and barked. There were chuckles all around as Heimdall greeted the two ice-wolves as well, looking as calm and composed as ever. Loki stepped forward.
" How fairs Jotunheim this morning?" Heimdall nodded and his eyes went off to the side as he turned his all seeing gaze to the realm of the frost giants before he spoke.
" Cold, but well. His majesty King Hellblindi and his people are gathered in the remnants of the main citadel, they await you." Loki nodded and turned to Thor, the pair sharing a smiled before Thor spoke as he eyed Heimdall warmly.
" Then we best not keep our hosts waiting. Please open the bridge Gatekeeper." The gatekeeper nodded and turned his sword where the tip was held within the chamber and activated the Bifrost. There was the sound of metal gears turning, and the low hum of energy as a light lit up the archway they would all step through. With their nods to Heimdall, Thor led his party to stand before the fast swirling archway.
" I shall be here should you need assistance." Thor nodded solemnly to the Gatekeeper.
" Thank you Heimdall." He said while Loki looked over his own shoulder to send a smile the Gatekeeper's way before turning back. Njord and Jarl wagged their tails in eager anticipation.
Then with a twist of his sword's hilt, Heimdall activated the Bifrost fully. Everyone standing before the archway was pulled forward as the Birfrost ignited in a brilliant flash of light. A moment later the atrium stood empty save for the Heimdall and all was calm and silent.
Through the space between the realm, the Bifrost beam roared as it carried Thor, Loki, and their six companions through the nebulous vastness towards a set destination. As they flew, Loki could not help but let out a laugh when he saw the way Volstaag looked ready to loose his lunch, while the others admired how Njorl and Jarl seemed almost to float within the beam with their white fur luminous in the light. They careened through the vast space between the realms for several minutes longer, and then abruptly, they all found themselves standing on solid, cold ground once more and the prism of light was fading away to reveal their destination at last.
Jotunheim, the realm of deep, eternal winter. The realm of the Frost Giants.
Thor immediately turned his gaze to Loki, who was standing beside him almost as still as a statue, his green eyes taking in the formidable ice structures and unfortunately, the devastating ruin left by the Bifrost. It was frigidly cold, but naturally while Thor and the four other warriors all felt the distinct sting of it, it did not bother Loki. His green eyes took in the seemingly desolate world, eying the jaggedness of the landscape and the darkness of the sky. The sight of this place made several powerful emotions rise up inside of Loki, but above all, Loki did not feel disgust or hate, he felt saddened to see the realm in the state it was currently in.
In the far distance loomed the remnants of what had once been the proud citadel of the Jotun kingdom. It stood a cold and black structure against the dim light from the cloud-filled sky. The fact that it always seemed to be night over the realm added to the desolation.
With concern written across his face, Thor reached out and gripped Loki by the shoulder.
" Are you alright brother?" Loki turned his deep green eyes to meet Thor's gaze and smiled sadly.
" I am alright Thor, it's just really strange. I am standing in my birthplace for the first time since father took me brother and I really don't know what to feel." Thor nodded in understanding as he too looked about the frost covered planes of Jotunheim. Beside the brothers Njord and Jarl were taking in their surroundings, pawing and sniffing at the snow covered ground. Sif, Hogun, Volstaag, and Fandral stayed close, but they too could not help but be appalled by the state of Jotunheim. Sure, the place had been literally falling apart the last time they had set foot here, but now it looked as if someone had basically smashed everything. In a way, it was an accurate description of what had happened. The Bifrost had been unleashed, and it had nearly shattered the whole realm.
As she was having a look around, movement in the distance caught Sif's eye. She stepped up to Thor and Loki and spoke.
" Your highnesses look." Thor and Loki followed Sif's hazel-eyed gaze and instantly grew alert for there in the distance, incredibly tall, muscular, and blue colored figures were walking towards them. Thor nodded to Sif before he started walking towards the approaching Frost giants. Loki, with Njord and Jarl flanking him followed along with the warriors three and the Lady Sif.
As both sides got closer, the Asgardian party could see that there were six Jotuns approaching in total, all of them well build and impressive in appearance, muscles rippling beneath their blue, skin, the ornate lines that seemed carved into their faces and bodies standing out even in the dim light. They were walking in two straight lines, so it was safe to assume that they were guards here to escort them. Then one of the giants at the front spoke out as the distance was closed between the parties, his voice deep and with a slight gravelly undertone to it as the Jotuns came to stand before Thor and Loki.
" Hail Princes of Asgard, welcome to Jotunheim." As one the Jotuns bowed before the two royals. Thor and Loki both nodded in acknowledgment while the warriors three and the Lady Sif all gave slight bows, feeling just a tiny bit awkward seeing as to how the last time they were here, things had basically imploded in violence. The Allfather's warning, and there own desire for there to be no trouble.
The leader of the guard looked over the visitors to his world, his red eyes gazing over everyone but undoubtedly they lingered on Loki. Loki for his part, stared back unflinching, knowing that he was being subtly sized up. The guard looked away quickly and spoke.
" His majesty King Hellblindi has charged us with escorting you his hall." He then looked over his shoulder at his fellows and gave them a sharp nod. The two giants at the back of the line broke away and stepped forward, each carrying what appeared to be large, grayish white fur pelts in their arms.
The two giants came to stand before the Asgardians and held out the pelts as one of them spoke.
" Cloaks." Was all he said, and that was all that was needed to be said. Everyone except for Thor and Loki stepped forward and took a cloak, giving the giants their thanks as they quickly fastening the slightly too big garments around their shoulders. The cloaks were immensely warm and kept out nearly all of the biting cold that surrounded them all. The lead guard gave a small nod and spoke.
" Come, our king awaits you in the main citadel."
Thor and Loki stepped forward, the frost giants eyes Njord and Jarl curiously as the two royals followed after the first guard. The other Jotun guard quickly surrounded the Asgardian group, to where each person was flanked on one side by a guard.
So began the moderately long walk to King Hellblindi's hall.
It was ten minutes later that found the group walking through the jagged and crumbling ruins of the rest of the city. Around them cold and blacked spired loomed, seeming to stretch all the way into the sky. It was here that Thor finally had enough of the silence. He turned to look up at the lead guard and spoke.
" I can see even from here that there had been some progress to the rebuilding of the main citadel since last I came here, so may I ask how you have all been fairing?" The guard was silent for a moment as they kept walking, but then he turned his deep set red eyes to Thor, gazing down at the crown prince of Asgard as he spoke.
" We are fairing as well as can be expected. We live, therefore we do what we can to rebuild our world. The attack by the impostor claimed the lives of many, but he failed to wipe us out entirely." With a saddened look, Loki spoke.
" Then that is a credit to your resilience as a people." The guard's eyes widened at the words of praised before he replied, the ice that had been behind his gaze thawing somewhat as he addressed Loki.
" I thank you for your kind words Prince Loki, and I would like to add that after his return from Asgard with his delegation, his majesty my king has spoken very highly of you, and the ordeal you survived through. There are many who are eager to gaze upon the one who earned the favor of the Norns themselves." At this, the guard and everyone else watched as Loki ducked his head for a moment, his cheeks turning a light crimson for a moment before he looked back up at the guard.
" Then I shall be happy to oblige them all." The guard nodded respectfully at that as they continued to make their way towards the citadel.
That one conversation seemed to thaw the ice somewhat (no pun intended) as the warriors three and the Lady Sif took their cues from their princes and started up light conversation with the Jotun guards walking beside them. Sif asked one guard about whether a Jotun could manipulate ice into any kind of weapon. Hogun asked about methods of healing, while Fandral asked more about Jotunheim's landscape itself. Of course, Volstaag really wanted to know what they would be having for lunch later. The guards would answer and in turn make their own inquiries. They were just as curious about their visitors despite how stoic they outwardly appeared.
There had been a pause in the journey when they had cleared the crumbling ruins and reached the foot of the hill upon with the citadel stood. The reason why they had all stopped was because from this place, they could see off in the distance the ginormous crater where the overloaded Bifrost had touched down and nearly ripped the realm apart.
There was something about seeing the looks of awed horror on the faces of Loki, Sif, Volstaag, Fandral, and even Hogun that had the Frost giants loosing more of the frigidness in their gazes while Thor had stood stoic and tight-lipped as he had once more seen the damage to the realm, his red cape billowing about his in the sharp, ice-laced wind. As he gazed out at the damage, Loki felt his heart lurch painfully, for while he still was wary regarding the Jotuns, he never would have wished this on them or anyone else. It was absolutely sickening, and made worse because in the beginning they and everyone else had thought it was all his doing. Using every ounce of will he had, Loki managed to keep his composure and dignity about him as he let Thor gently pull him away from the sight. All conversation understandably ceased until they were well away from the ghastly sight. By the time they reached the citadel, it had started back up, names had been exchanged and more questions politely asked. There was still a bit of awkwardness regarding everyone involved, but the initial coldness had figuratively lifted.
A few minutes later found Thor, Loki, and their company standing before Hellblindi, King of Jotunheim. The king of the Frost giants looked every bit as formidable as he had that day in the great hall when the true fate of Asgard's second prince had been revealed. Much like the guards, his eyes had gazed over all the Asgardians and lingered on Loki. As he had met Hellblindi's gaze, something quite important hit Loki like a ton of bricks.
The king sitting on the throne before him was his brother by blood. They were both the blood sons of Laufey and Farbauti and something about that caused terror to spike in him, but also a hungry curiosity. Standing tall and regal, Thor and Loki broke off from the group and stepped forward. They both bowed to the king in a sign of utmost respect and then Thor spoke, his voice reverberating through the halls as the citizens of Jotunheim stood gathered on either side, much like the halls of Asgard and eyed the Asgardian party with cautious curiosity.
" Hail Hellblindi, King of Jotunheim, my brother and I have come to take you up on your kind offer many moons earlier and are most gladdened to see that you and your people are rebuilding."
There was a low rumble of many voices in what the Asgardians all hoped was approval. Hellblindi held up his hand and the hall fell silent. With a low rumble of his own, Hellblindi rose to his feet, and he towered over Thor by three heads. The crown of icicles that jutted from his head only added to his impressive form. Hellblindi came to stand before Thor and Loki and gave them a short bow as he spoke.
" I am pleased that you have both decided to visit us, we may not be at our best, but we are capable enough to accommodate our guests. If I may ask, how fairs the Allfather?" Thor and Loki shared a look at that, the both of them silently communicating to each other that now was a good time to breach the subject of the very important task their father had appointed them with. Thor turned back to Hellblindi and spoke.
" Our father is quite well you highness and he sends his regards." The Loki stepped forward and smiled up at Hellblindi warmly, earning a questioning frown from the Jotun king as he spoke.
" He also tasked us with bringing you and your people a very important gift."
Hellblindi's face instantly took on a look of distrust, while the warriors three and the Lady Sif frowned in confusion at Loki's cryptic words. Hellblindi crossed his massive forearms and actually quirked an eyebrow in challenge, it was so similar to Loki that Thor found himself grinning despite the slight spike of possessiveness that coursed through him. Hellblindi then spoke, suspicion clear in his rich, gravelly voice.
" What gift has the Allfather deemed to give us?" Thor and Loki shared another warm look before Loki answered, raising his hands as he did so.
" He gives you the help you need desperately, but would never ask for." Then before anyone could say anything further, Loki made a sweeping motion with his hands and reached into his inter-dimensional pocket.
In an instant the Casket of Ancient Winters materialized in Loki's hands, and he started to shift into his Jotun form because of it. Once he was fully in his blue forms, he looked up at Hellblindi and stepped forward, holding out the Casket.
There was an awed hush over the entire hall, even with it filled nearly to the brim with so many Jotuns, yet not a single one made a sound, all of them too stunned to do anything.
Hogun, Sif, Volstaag, and Fandral were all wide-eyed and gaping in shock at the turn of events, but a look at Hellblindi's face told them that they were not the only ones to be utterly gobsmacked.
Hellblindi stood with his red eyes wide and his jaw all but on the floor. Loki resisted the urge to snigger, for he had never seen a Jotun look anything but serious and intimidating. But right now, the very King of the Jotun looked completely wonder-struck. A smiling Thor stepped up beside his brother and spoke.
" Your majesty, our father has deemed that the Casket of Ancient Winters be returned to you so that you and your people can fully rebuild your realm. This realm suffered terribly at the hands of that Chitauri bastard who murdered Loki and usurped his place. Please accept this gift and know that my father, myself, and my brother truly desire for there to be peace and friendship between our realms, to be bound not by the destruction Menkos caused, but by the fact that though he tried, he could not fell either Asgard or Jotunheim."
Hellblindi's face was unreadable as he took a cautious step forward, then he was reaching out and they could all see the almost imperceptible tremor that was wracking the hulking Jotun. With understandable reverence, Hellblindi took the Casket from Loki, there fingers, so very different in size brushing at the hand off. It had both pausing for a moment, a look of veiled regret filling Hellblindi's eyes for a moment as he gazed down at Loki before he quickly schooled his features and nodded mutely to both Loki and Thor.
As Hellblindi raised the Casket high and roared something in what was most likely the Jotun dialect, Thor and Loki, who proudly remained in his Jotun form, shared a look of triumph. As the entire hall roared and cheered in ear-shattering joy, the brothers shared the same thought.
Looks like they had ensured that, barring any absolute disasters, this week in Jotunheim would go quiet well. They had just earned a boat-load of brownie points if the actual smiles and looks of gratefullnes being sent their way by the citizens of Jotunheim were anything to go on.