Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Marvel-characters!

AN: Thanks for all the reviews, guys! They made my day. I forget to say this last time in response to a review: someone thought this might turn out to be Thorki, but I assure you: there is NO slash in here I thought I'd clear that up to avoid any confusion.

This is a longer chapter with a lot of talk. I hope it didn't turn out too boring. Let me know what you think of it!

~ Shadows and Regrets ~

Chapter 9

~ o ~

Present time

~ o ~

When Thor stormed through the halls of the palace towards the throne room, he hadn't expected anyone to stop him. People left him be when he was angry or upset (mostly because he had the tendency to break things with his hammer when that happened), but there was one person that would never be afraid of him.

His mother.

He hadn't even realized she had been running after him until she pulled his arm and forced him to stop. She looked like she always did; beautiful and regal. She wore her favorite golden dress and her hair was pulled back into a firm plaid. It made her look younger, but her eyes still revealed age along with wisdom and, at this time, sadness.

"Thor, you must listen to me."

For a moment, he contemplated on ignoring her. He wanted to pull his arm free and tell her to leave him alone, but this was his mother. He could not disrespect her. "I know what you are about to say," he said, "I know the Chitauri are here and the thought alone sickens me."

Frigga's shoulder grew tense. "You must not forget the position your father is in now," she spoke softly, as if she did not want anyone else to hear her even though only a few guards were around, "he has to think of the safety of this realm, as well as of the safety of other worlds. He is already risking much for Loki's sake."

Thor's brow creased into a deep frown. "I thought you of all people would understand why I am so angry."

"I do understand, "Frigga said quickly, "I have talked to your father and reminded him of whom Loki is." Something dark and dangerous flitted through Frigga's eyes – something Thor had never before seen in his mother – and he knew she was remembering something difficult. "He is my son, no matter what he has done. This doesn't mean I approve of what he has done on Earth, but I will not give up on him, Thor."

"Neither will I," Thor assured her, placing a hand on her arm, "neither will I."

"Times are difficult," Frigga sighed, placing her own hand on top of Thor's, "your father has many responsibilities and worries at the moment. And when the Chitauri arrived, demanding Loki to be handed over to them, I feared Odin might actually do it."

Thor nodded. Then it hit him. "What?"

Frigga frowned, not understanding Thor's reaction. "What's wrong?"

Thor swallowed heavily, knowing he had to collect his thoughts. When he had found Loki beaten in his room, he hadn't thought of who had done it. Only later had he begin to assume it had been the Chitauri since they had come to earth to claim Loki. It is why he thought his brother had been so afraid. Now none of that made sense.

"Odin never gave Loki to the Chitauri, did he?"

"Of course not," Frigga looked shaken, "I would never let anyone take my son and hand him over to his worst enemy."

"But if the Chitauri didn't-"

"Thor!" It was Sif's voice that interrupted him. She, along with the Warriors Three, had finally caught up with him after he had stormed away from them just moments earlier. They all looked worried, thinking Thor was acting irrational and impulsive. Their concerns were just, but now Thor was strangely calm.

But his mind was racing, trying to make sense of the situation. There was only one conclusion he could reach: Loki had – not surprisingly – lied to him again. Perhaps he hadn't necessarily lied, but he'd heard Thor make assumptions and he hadn't bothered to correct him. But why? Why would Loki allow Thor to believe a lie? It made no sense.

"When Loki escaped-" Thor now looked at his friends, knowing he would be able to see in their eyes whether they were speaking the truth or not. He would also be able to see if they were hiding something. "When Loki escaped, what happened exactly?"

Sif turned her head so that she could look at both Thor and the Warriors Three. It was an instant sign that she knew something. Thor could see his mother grow tense and he pulled his hand away from her arm. He quickly realized that she knew the truth as well. Thor felt left out. Everyone seemed to know but him.

"I found him bloodied and hurt in my room," he said, looking directly into Frigga's eyes. He was playing it dirty – he was well aware of this – but he wanted answers and he would get them. "He wasn't even conscious at first, but then he woke and you should have seen him, mother, he looked scared. No, he looked absolutely terrified."

Frigga dropped her gaze.

"If the Chitauri didn't do that to him, then who did?"

There was a long moment of silence.

"Was it the guards?" Thor was growing agitated. "Did they lay their filthy hands on my brother?"

"He's all right now," Sif said, her voice strong, "that is what matters. He is safe in his cell and no one can harm him."

"Unless father decides that handing him to the Chitauri is the best way to go."

"No," Frigga said, tears in her eyes, "Odin will not hand him over."

"How can you know?" Thor was tired of switching his gaze between his mother and his friends. He was tired of looking at their concealing eyes. "It is no secret that father can be harsh. He banished me only months ago. What if he decides that handing Loki to the Chitauri will teach him a lesson?"

"He won't," Frigga repeated.

"Damn sure he won't," he was surprised by the rudeness in his own voice, "because I'll stop him if I have to. I was unable to protect him before and I refuse to fail again." With those words, he left behind his mother and friends. If they denied him answers, then perhaps Odin could explain all this to him.

~ o ~

Odin wanted to sigh heavily. He wanted to close his eyes and wish it all away. He was not foolish enough to actually do so. In his very long life, he had faced many foes. But his foe was one he had never encountered before. He did not know their weaknesses, but he did know their desires. That should give him an advantage, but Odin simply did not know how to use it.

"Loki is a Prince of Asgard and he has been tried according to the laws of this realm," Odin spoke with dignity and authority in his voice, "I understand your demands and I have considered them, but I cannot give you what you want."

The leader of the Chitauri was unlike the others. Odin had thought they were uncivilized creatures – and most of them were – but not this one. The creature standing before him had nearly transparent skin, a long chin and a thin nose. His eyes were nothing more than two black dots. Odin was also sure he had more intelligence that he let shine.

"The War Criminal has been tried," the voice was hoarse and husky, "but not for the crimes he has committed to my people. He promised us a world we could inhabit, he promised our ally the Tessarect."

"The Tessarect was not his to give away," Odin had been speaking to – what did he call himself again? – The Other for what appeared to be hours and he was growing weary. He knew that no matter how long they discussed this, they would never reach a settlement. "It belongs here where it can be kept safe."

"Safe from us?"

"I did not say that." Odin tightened his grip on Gungnir and stood up from his throne. The Other only eyed him dangerously. He did not look frightened and Odin did not like this at all. There was not a being in the universe that did not fear or respect him. But The Other seemed simply indifferent. Odin, however, was the King of Asgard, ruler and protector of the Nine Realms and he demanded to be respected. He felt pleased to be looking down on The Other. "I cannot accede to your demands," he said, "Loki will remain here, under the guard of Æsir and he will carry out the rest of his punishment."

"Imprisonment here is not severe enough," The Other hissed. Odin had not thought it possible, but those black eyes darkened even more. "I lost hundreds of my people as they fought his battle."

Now Odin did sigh, but he did not drop his shoulders. He made sure he remained tall and impressive. Just as he was about to speak did the doors to the throne room open. Odin was about to let out an angry roar since he had clearly told the guards he did not want to be interrupted, but he decided otherwise when he saw it was Thor.

His eldest son stormed into the room, throwing the door shut behind him. It was characteristic of him, but Odin still disapproved. He was in the middle of a congregate and Thor had no right to barge in like that. Normally, Odin would reprimand him, but not this time. It was clear why Thor was here – for Loki's sake – and Odin actually needed someone else on his youngest son's side. Thor's arrival might finally announce the end of this difficult conversation. Or it might announce the arrival of another war. You could never predict such a thing with Thor's impulsive behavior.

Still, Odin had the difficult task to maintain peace and order. "Thor, now is not the time to intervene."

"I come to speak on Loki's behalf."

Odin had already known this. Thor was one of the few people in this entire universe that he could understand and predict. If only he could do this with his second son. Life would have been much easier. "Then what do you have to say?"

The Other turned to look at Thor expectantly.

"I will not stand by and watch him being handed over to the Chitauri," Thor spoke calmly, yet with a sharp edge to his voice, "he is facing punishment here according to the laws of his sovereign. What punishment would you express?"

The Other folded his hands together. "The punishment for murder is death and Loki is guilty of this. He might not have killed my people with his own hands, but he is directly responsible for their deaths. I understand we cannot sentence an Asgardian Prince to this fate, but I do want him tried on our world none the less. He would be imprisoned for a long time, with little food and water. He would have to work hard."

"And torture?" Odin inquired. Since he knew little of the Chitauri, he was aware that this was his best chance to learn more of these creatures.

The Other smiled crookedly. "We are not primitive people," he said, "we do not torture our prisoners unless they have information we need and Loki has none."

"I see little reason why Loki must be tried on your world," Thor said, his arms crossed over his chest, "whether he is imprisoned here or there makes little difference."

"Of course it does," The Other spat, "he already escaped your cell, Allfather!" The Other looked furious when looking directly at Odin. "That is impressive considering he has no powers, but still ridiculous and unacceptable. Such an event would not occur on my world."

Odin contemplated on The Other's words, but not for long. "I agree with my son," he said, "Loki will not be handed over to you. He will remain under my protection."

"Is that your final decision?"

"Yes."

Odin could see something shift within The Other. "Then you have denied me and my people the right to pass judgment on a War Criminal. That in itself is an act of war."

"If it is war you want, then you shall have it." Odin spoke the words in a sharp tone. He never took a threat of war lightly, certainly not with these creatures. "I have said all I want, this congregate is over."

"So be it."

AN: So…yay, Odin? He'll never get the 'Dad of the Year'-award, but this might earn him a few good points, right? Also, I tried to portray The Other (and the Chitauri) in a way I hadn't seen before. I hope I managed to make him interesting… Thoughts?