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

AN: 150 reviews! 150! I never before had a story that was liked this much! Thank you everyone who left me a review. They are what keep me writing. Seriously, you are all amazing! I'm glad Odin earned some points with some of you. Those that still don't like him very much, I will join your camp :)

~ Shadows and Regrets ~

Chapter 10

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Present time

~ o ~

Thor was breathing hard. He watched as The Other stalked from the throne room, his black eyes speaking nothing but anger and hatred. Thor couldn't possibly care less. The doors opened and closed again with a loud bang and Thor waited another moment before turning to his father. He pushed all thoughts of The Other away. If the Chitauri wanted war, they would have it. However, war demanded preparation so the young prince knew Asgard had a few days of peace left.

"We must warn the Elders and our army," Odin said. He walked back to his throne and sat down. His shoulders had lost some of their tension. "Our soldiers must be gathered and new weapons need to be forged. You, as my eldest son, must partake in the battle. I do not wish to live another long and exhausting war."

Thor understood that the burden of a new war weighed heavily on Odin, but this was not what Thor wanted to speak about right now. He had come for answers concerning Loki and he would get them. Clearing his throat, took a step closer to his father. He felt uneasy that Odin was looking down at him.

"Thank you for protecting Loki from The Other," Thor began, knowing he had to be careful with this subject, "I dread to think what would have happened if The Other had gotten his way. He speaks of imprisonment without torture, but I do not believe him."

"Loki will remain in his cell," Odin simply stated, "his magic will be erased from his blood. It is a fair and just punishment. I do not wish to see my son tortured either."

"I was confused though," Thor continued, looking directly into his father's blue eyes. Their eyes had always been the same, only Odin's eyes carried wisdom and knowledge. Thor had always wondered whether his eyes would one day have that same depth. "A few days ago, I found Loki badly beaten in my room-" Thor could see his father tense. "-and I had assumed that it was the Chitauri who had hurt him like that. I know now that it is not true. Do you know who hurt Loki?"

Odin inhaled deeply. Gungnir lay firmly in his grasp. "I regret what has happened to him, it was terribly wrong. He was a prisoner and I, as King, have always pledged that any prisoner of Asgard would still be treated with respect and dignity."

That Thor understood, but yet it wasn't a direct answer to his question. "So it has happened here?" He took a step closer to his father, wanting to see every detail of his face. He knew he was not good at reading people – Loki had always been a master at that particular skill – but he liked to believe that he was able to spot a lie in his father's old face.

But Odin remained silent. His gaze bore into Thor's.

"Father?"

"Why does it matter?" Odin seemed to lose patience while speaking to his son. "He is safe again."

"It matters to me!" Thor tightened his grip on Mjolnir. It was an instinctive move.

"Thor…"

"Who beat Loki?"

Again silence.

Then- "Father did."

Thor spun around. It was a voice he had not expected, but was still glad to hear. Thor had not even heard the doors open and close again, but yet there stood Loki with his hands bound before him. It was special rope Odin himself had created to suppress his magic. He looked much better already, yet his right eye still had a thick, reddish scar over it. Thor was sure it would heal completely over time, but Asgardian healers had clearly done their best job so far. There was hardly any sign anymore that Loki had been so badly injured only days ago.

Beside Loki stood their mother. She had her arm draped around Loki shoulders in a protective manner. Her eyes spoke of sadness and regret. When Loki had said those two short words, Frigga had averted her eyes away from her husband.

At the other side of the room, Odin rose from his throne. "Why is he out of his cell?"

"I thought Loki deserved the chance to speak for himself," Frigga replied softly, her eyes on Loki now, "to defend himself against The Other."

Thor wasn't listening to the conversation anymore. His eyes were fixed on Loki who was staring right back at him. Green into blue. Thor could not believe this. He refused to believe this. He spun around to look at his father again. "Is this true?"

Odin sighed.

Thor suddenly grew very aware of himself. He didn't know what to do or say. He didn't know who he should look at. He opted on focusing on his father. Looking at Loki could possibly break his heart because he didn't want to see his brother's smirk when he watched him fall prey to his lies. Why would Loki say such a cruel lie?

"Father, explain this to me."

"It was a difficult day, Thor," Odin said the words almost kindly as if that answer would satisfy his son, "for everyone."

"Now is not the time to discuss this." Frigga tried to steer the conversation away from this topic, but Thor would have none of it.

"You beat Loki? You beat your own son?" He swore he actually saw his father flinch at those words.

"But you forget, Thor-" Loki pulled himself free from Frigga's grasp and stepped forward. He looked defiantly at Odin. "I am not his son."

"No," Thor said stubbornly, "you most definitely are his son. He just went to war for you!"

"Loki, you will always be our son," Frigga said good naturedly. She stepped forward as well.

"So that is why The Other left so hurriedly," Loki ignored his mother completely and seemed almost amused by it all and Thor wanted to shake some sense into his brother's head, "but are not mistaken, Thor, your father acted out of guilt. Nothing more." Loki was still looking directly at the Allfather. "Is that not the truth?"

"I am sorry, Loki," Odin said with honest remorse in his voice, "my actions were unjustified."

"Perhaps they were," Loki said, his green eyes narrowed, "perhaps they weren't. I did just escape and murdered two guards. I just never knew you carried so much hate within you. Perhaps you and I are more alike than we dare to admit."

Thor was breathing heavily. He still had difficulty wrapping his head around it all. Not in a million years had he expected this outcome. Was Odin truly capable of hurting his own son? Loki had said that he had killed two guards, but was that all? "But why?" He demanded to know.

"Why does it matter," Loki sneered, "it happened, Thor, and you, you-"

Loki suddenly sucked in a deep breath, silencing himself.

Thor forgot all about his father at that moment. He turned to Loki, his jaw set in a hard line. "What about me? Why did you come to earth? Why were my memories erased?" He had so many questions and none seemed willing to answer them. It felt like a giant conspiracy and Thor wanted it to end.

Loki's eyes changed into two cold, dark abysses. They held so much – concealed everything that went on in Loki's head at this moment – and Thor was painfully aware that he knew nothing about it. There had been time when they told each other almost everything. They had played together and had laughed together. Now that time was long gone.

"You want to know why?" Loki hissed, his hands becoming fists. "Because you're a naive, ignorant and childish idiot. I came to you for help, I was bleeding and in pain, but when I told you Odin had done that to me, you refused to believe me. You refused to help me."

Thor couldn't believe he would turn Loki away like that.

"So I erased your memories because I was so desperate for your help," Loki continued, "I had nowhere else to go. It was my weakest moment and I assure you, it won't happen again."

Thor could not bear to hear all that hatred in his brother's voice. "Then I am sorry," he said, his voice shaking, "I am sorry for disappointing you. I am your brother and I failed in my most important task. I couldn't protect you."

"How far have we come as a family," Loki said slowly, "if my brother couldn't protect me from my father?"

Thor took a step towards Loki. He didn't really know why he did it. Had he intended to give his little brother a hug? A reassuring tap on the shoulder? It mattered not because Loki instantly took a step away from him. Then a new thought crashed into Thor's head that actually hurt him. When he had first found his brother – or so he thought it had been the first time – Loki had flinched away from him. Loki had been scared of him and Thor now understood why.

He and Odin were very much alike; strong, broad and tall with blue eyes. They also shared a short temper. When Loki had opened his eyes that day, he had thought Thor would have hurt him.

"Loki…"

The doors to the room opened again before anyone could react. Thor refused to look away from his brother who seemed to share the same thought. They stared at each other, one with remorse and the other with bitterness.

"My King," said Heimdall's heavy voice, "I come with news for your son."

Thor closed his eyes for a moment, steadying himself by taking in a deep breath. He regretted looking away from Loki, but he had to focus on Heimdall for now. They could continue this conversation later. "Yes, what is it, Heimdall?"

"Midgard is about to be attacked by the Chitauri," Heimdall answered, "the humans are unprepared. I fear the worst."

There was no time to hesitate, but Thor found it difficult to leave Asgard at this moment. His family was falling apart and his realm was preparing for war with the Chitauri as well. Could he truly leave at such a crucial moment to help defend earth?

"I must go to them," he decided, "I must warn them and help them defeat the Chitauri once and for all. Asgard has many great warriors. The Warriors Three and the Lady Sif can lead our men into battle."

"No," Odin said in a definitive voice, "your human allies have proven themselves worthy in battle. They will have to handle the Chitauri themselves. You must stay here and fight this part of the Chitauri-army."

"They would never split up their army," Loki interjected. He suddenly looked half bored and Thor couldn't believe Loki's behavior after all that had just been revealed. He was about to comment on it when Loki continued to speak, "They have great numbers, but their soldiers fall easily. Only together they are a force to be reckoned with. But they would never attack Midgard and Asgard at the same time."

"But they threatened with war against our realm," Thor said, confused, "why then would they attack earth?"

"It is the world I promised them," Loki explained, shrugging as if to show how little he cared, "and they know they have a bigger chance at winning there than at winning here. Asgard's armies are much more formidable."

"It makes no sense," Frigga said, frowning. She placed a hand on Loki's shoulder. "What is the point then of attacking at all?"

"It is part of their plan," Loki said in exasperation, "they attack earth and this time, they know its weaknesses and they know how to attack the Avengers. They stand an actual chance at winning because they aren't ordered to rule the planet, they're ordered to destroy it and that is what they are best at." Loki looked at Thor. His eyes were still cold and when he spoke the next few words, he almost seemed to enjoy the idea. "Earth's destruction will break you and then will they attack this world. Asgard will have lost its best warrior. Your heart will be broken and your mind unfocused. You will be an easy target. Your defeat will destroy your army's spirit."

Thor was unsure how to react. He could feel the gazes of everyone on him, waiting for his reaction.

It was Frigga who spoke first. "How do you know this?" She asked her youngest son. "How can you be sure of this?"

"Because I know them," Loki answered and Thor knew he was speaking the truth, "I spent many months with them. Their ally Thanos taught me more about magic and about the secrets of the universe while I planned to attack earth with The Other and the Chitauri. I know how they think, how they strategize. This is their plan, I am certain of it."

Thor nodded before addressing his father, "I must go to earth. The Avengers can beat the Chitauri-army again and for good this time. I can help them and if I manage to succeed, Asgard will be safe."

Odin contemplated Thor's words. "Very well. I trust that you will succeed at this task. You have never before failed me."

"And Loki shall come with me," Thor added almost as an afterthought. He was still looking at his father. "He knows much about the Chitauri and that knowledge will be useful. Together, we are stronger. Release him from those chains, father, release his magic."

Loki walked towards Thor. "That is very considerate of you, Thor," he smirked wickedly, "but I prefer to stay in my little cell."

Thor's mouth opened, but he was lost for words. He had thought Loki would be grateful. Apparently, his confusion amused Loki.

"I have done enough for Asgard," Loki explained bitterly, "I saved it from your idiotic rule when you were still an impulsive and reckless fool. I tried to rid it from it most dangerous enemy, my own kin, and I was tossed into an abyss. I just gave you every bit of information I have to win a battle you would have otherwise lost. What more do you expect of me?"

Thor was still lost for words.

"No matter what I do," Loki spoke the next words carefully, "I will never be able to redeem myself in your eyes or in the eyes of your father. But here is what matters most; I do not want to redeem myself. What I have done, I have done because I believed it was just." He turned to his mother, not caring to hear a response. "Will you escort me back to my cell, mother?"

Frigga had tears in her eyes, but she nodded. A tear rolled down her cheek.

"Then let us leave." Loki's voice was cold and strained. At that moment Thor knew that Loki was as hurt by all this as much as he was. "I wish to rest. I am tired."

Still, it pained Thor most of all to see his brother walk away from him.

AN: I had fun writing this. What did you think of it? Any and all feedback is welcome :)