Disclaimer: I own nothing and no one

Actually did research for this chapter

Do you have any idea how rare that is

Once again a big thank you for everyone who reviewed

This has to be one of my most popular stories ever

Part Seven

"Yes," Fury drawled. "About that, what exactly made you believe that your daughter was in danger?" The Avengers had been understandably hesitant to press Thor for details considering the circumstances. The god of thunder may not have been in his brother's league, but he was not that stupid.

"Experience," Loki answered softly. He gently stroked the still sleeping Ariana's hair, green eyes distant as he stared at something only he could see. He wasn't exactly eager to share his life story with these mortals, but he knew they had to know.

"I was very young when I gave birth to my eldest," the god continued after a moment of silence. "Perhaps the human equivalent of seventeen," he grimaced remembering. "The Allfather had foolishly wagered something he was not willing to lose, and of course I was expected to clean up the mess." Not to mention threatened with dire consequences should he fail.

"It was a very traumatic time for me, and the reactions of the court didn't help." Freya in particular hadn't been shy about sharpening her tongue on him, despite the fate he had saved her from. "And," Loki choked, but forced himself to go on. He had never actually shared this story before. "And so I was more than happy at the time to let Odin take charge of things."

"I didn't object when Sleipnir was first placed in the stables. I thought it was only temporary," after all, his rooms were hardly appropriate for a newborn horse. "But when the Allfather announced he was planning to ride him" Loki's hands clenched, rage as sharp now as it had been then. "Of course I objected."

The god looked up, meeting Fury's eyes. "Sleipnir's form may be that of a horse, but he is my son. Anyone who bothered to pay attention could tell he is no mere animal." It hadn't been long after that that he had been banned from his eldest's presence entirely, not that he had heeded the edict. "That didn't matter though, not to the Aesir," and all thing considered Sleipnir had been lucky.

"Next were my three children by my first wife; the Allfather's forces seized them while I was away one day." He would just leave the part about eating her still warm heart out of the story. The Aesir had known that to try such a thing while he was present was to invite their deaths. "Fenrir is chained down, unable to move a single limb," and oh how Loki wished his child had managed to take more than just Tyr's hand. "I admit he was a little unruly, but he would have grown out of it," all teenagers do. It wasn't as though he had hurt anyone.

"Hela was banished to the realm of the dead, where she rules those considered unworthy to enter Valhalla." Not that this changed the fact that the Allfather had deemed her to be unworthy herself. Ruled that Asgard could not be allowed to be contaminated by his daughter's so-called imperfections.

There was a moment of silence while Loki struggled to get his volatile emotions under control. "And the third," Fury said neutrally, ready to act if the god took offense.

"Jormungandr is here on Midgard actually. He was banished as well, cast into your seas," and Loki didn't doubt for a single minute that Odin would have spared an ounce of regret if his serpentine son hadn't survived the fall. If anything the Allfather probably regretted that he hadn't died, all thanks to the norns thrice-cursed prophecy.

The god of chaos wasn't one to let anyone or anything decide his fate. However, he had to admit that with each passing year it became more and more likely that one day the Aesir would push him too far. That he would bring ragnorok down on their heads one day. It was the classic self-fulfilling prophecy.

"Finally," now Loki's voice did break. "There were the twins." He closed his eyes briefly before opening them again. "I need to you understand something mortal," he addressed Fury directly. "I do not play favorites; I love all my children equally." The sorcerer had spent more than enough time in his own brother's shadow to know it was a damn uncomfortable position. "But when Vali and Narfi were born they," his breath caught again. "They were perfect."

Ten fingers, ten toes, his eyes and Sigyn's hair. Looking at them no one would have guessed that they were not full Aesir. "I should have known better," Loki forced the words out, trying desperately not to cry. "I was a fool to hope that. . ." his words trailed off.

It was Agent Coulson who first realized. "They are dead," he said gently. "Aren't they?"

Loki nodded. "Narfi is. The Aesir probably thought it was funny, to use my own weapon against me." Haltingly he described how the elder of the pair had been bespelled. Transformed into a giant wolf who ripped out his brother's throat. "When, when Vali realized what he had done, he lost his mind." He had had no choice but to freeze his son in time, insuring that he would never again reach that moment.

"Well," somewhat nervously Fury cleared his throat. "I think that is more than enough to grant Ariana asylum." He didn't consider himself to be a particularly nice man, most spies weren't. But that, that was just sick. "And it doesn't hurt that she was born in the United States," Coulson had found the records while they were talking.

Loki just looked confused. What did that have to do with anything?

"I am not surprised you don't know," the director said catching the look. "But the fact your daughter was born on American soil makes her automatically a citizen, and thus gives her certain rights." Unalienable rights as the Declaration of Independence stated; life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

"And Odin?"

"I sincerely doubt the Allfather is willing to go to war over one child." Fury smirked coldly, "and last time I checked the United States didn't have an extradition treaty with Asgard."

Eye of the Beholder

Next chapter will see the return of Thor

Will be up before/on Christmas

Promise