It took Thor even less time than he anticipated to collect up the remnants of his life. The apprentice from the next township over practically kissed Thor's feet when he handed him the keys to his shop and his family home. In exchange he only required that the young man finish his sword contract for the local garrison. As for personal effects, he was embarrassed by how sparse his luggage was. His clothes were not fine enough, or really even serviceable to be worn in the palace. Still, Thor hung onto a couple of old tattered tunics, more for sentiment than anything else. There were other trinkets scattered throughout the home that he packaged up, but it was the tools in the shop that were really the heirlooms of his family and he wouldn't need them anymore. He lingered, longer than necessary to commit the house he'd grown up in to memory. His chest ached as he left it. He and the men that went with him arrived back to the palace before dinner, and Thor was invited the dine with Odin alone.

"Ah, you made it back quickly. I am glad for it. There is much business to discuss." Odin said. Servants came round the table and a little breast of chicken and some greens were served along with bread. It was a simple meal and Thor had expected it to be as rich as his breakfast had been. But then he remembered his own thinking from this morning. Lavishness can lead to laziness. Odin was old and a little pudgy in the middle, but he still looked fit and imposing for his age. The man was disciplined to be sure.

"Aye. I've been mulling over things all day today and I have one question in particular that will not leave me."

"Ask it."

"Why did you make Loki think he'd ever be King?" Thor asked. Odin sighed and shook his head. He grabbed his cup of ale and drank it. Nothing drove him to drink like his boy Loki.

"When Loki was born he was my pride and joy. I knew he wouldn't be an Alpha. His frame was too small for it. But I did hold out hope that he would at least be a Beta. There haven't been that many Betas that have reigned but the few that have are praised in our history for their intellect, wisdom, and patience. My grandfather was a Beta, and he was a master tactician. With that precedent, I knew my son could rule. However, when he hit puberty it became plain he was an Omega. Loki sensed my disappointment. I tried to hide it from him but he knew. He threw himself even harder into his studies and took up sword training 2 years earlier than is traditional. He wanted to prove himself a capable warrior. I was so proud of him, that I did not wish to dash his hopes or mine. Even as he got older and the alphas his age started getting bigger than him, and he began to lose every single match. I held out hope that with his good intensions and earnest desire to be the strong leader Asgard needs, that he would gain the endorsement of Mjolnir, and the power to go with it."

"But Mjolnir didn't endorse him."

"No she did not. Loki has tried to lift her many times over the years when no one was looking. I thought that maybe it was because he was too young or not ready, but once he reached the age of succession the issue became forced. Members of the court asked to witness Loki lift Mjolnir, and when he failed all hope of his reign was lost."

"Why does it matter what they think? He is your son. So what if he is an omega?"

"Oh Thor my boy, you have much to learn about politics. It's not that Loki isn't capable of ruling, it's that those that he means to rule do not want him. You're an alpha. Tell me in truth, have you ever been submissive to an omega?"

"I see your point. Why do you think Mjolnir rejected him?"

"I could give you reasons, but the biggest one I think is self-loathing. Some in court say it is because he uses magic in battle. They say it is dishonorable, even though I have wielded magic in battle many times. And what is Mjolnir, if not a powerful artifact of magic? Anyone with half a brain can read between the lines. They don't want an omega on the throne."

"That's not fair. No wonder he hates me so."

"You'll hate me too in time. You are now tasked with cleaning up my mess."

"How am I to do that? You spoke of shutting us in during our honeymoon. What am I to do with him if he is unwilling to couple? Forcing him…how could Mjolnir find me worthy? Even if I were inclined to do such a thing, which I am not, it would turn our marriage bed into a battlefield."

"I don't know Thor. Wooing Loki…I don't know if that is even possible. I don't even know if my son has had relations with anyone. He's so secretive. That's another thing by the way. My son is a master of illusion and trickery. He'll use it both for harmless humiliation and to mortally wound you, depending on his mood."

"If I cannot woo him, how am I to make this marriage work?"

"Your guess is as good as mine. Do you hate me yet?"

"A little." Thor said with a small smile. "Perhaps it is Loki's destiny to set precedent for an omega ruling Asgard."

"Perhaps, but if that is so he'll need your help to do it. Loki has played at being an alpha for so long he has lost all sense of self or identity. I have failed him in the worst possible way." Odin said.

"I need time with him, before the wedding. Simply shutting us in will not work."

"Alright. Although I still think locking the two of you in still has merit. Loki's demeanor these past couple of years has been unbearably sour. Honestly I think a good shagging would transform his personality considerably. I will make time in the schedule and require Loki to show up to places where the two of you can have some alone time to get to know one another. Now, on the subject of the schedule. Tomorrow morning you are to go to the training grounds and learn how to wield Mjolnir. In the afternoon, one of my advisors will go over basic etiquette for the court and for inter-realm dealings. The lessons will go from there."

XxXxXxXxXx

Fandral tested out the balance of the wooden sword he was given as he waited his turn to audition for the Einherjar. He was out of money, out of prospects, and if he failed he'd be out of luck.

"You, the pretty one, you're up next." A soldier said. The soldier and the hopeful in the ring had just finished a bout with the tryout ending up flat on his back with a broken nose. Fandral knew a rejection when he saw one. Just then a new face entered the area and Fandral blanched when he saw her.

"Next set!" Sif said. She stepped into the ring and when she saw Fandral she smiled wide. It had to hurt to do so, however. Both of her eyes were still black and blue from Thor punching her in the face.

"Oh this is going to be satisfying." She said.

"Oh come now. I wasn't the one that punched you in the face. Besides, you were rude to us. You deserved it."

"That's a bold thing to say to the person that is deciding your fate." She said.

"If you possess half the honor the other warriors here have, you'll give me a fair shake. Besides, I'm friends with the next King of Asgard." He said. Sif frowned and lunged at him. Fandral, despite his lack of experience had some training with swords and a good head on his shoulders. He blocked her thrust and went in close to shove his elbow in her nose. With his false bravado and cheesy grin, his truly brutal nature was well hidden and unexpected. Fandral liked to go straight for the kill shot. It was his instinct not to dance around or boast or try to dazzle others. Not here. No, here he was a killer.

Sif kicked him and knocked him down to give herself a moment to recover from the pain as more blood poured out of her nose. Fandral did not relent, not even as she started to speak. He grabbed a handful of sand from the arena floor and threw it in her eyes. She slashed her wooden sword about, blinded, as she tried to keep him at bay. He tackled her like a football lineman and pinned her to the ground and let loose a barrage of punches to her midsection.

"Enough!" Volstagg cried. "The match is yours lad, let her go." Fandral stood up and pulled her with him to her feet.

"Do I have your respect now?"

"Aye." She said. Hogun guided her away to get cleaned up as the blonde and the redhead spoke.

"A valiant effort lad. Welcome to the Einherjar."

"You mean it?"

"Aye."

"I didn't think you'd give an honest shot after the other night."

"You'll have to forgive Sif's hot temper. She and her long-time lover broke it off recently. She caught him dallying with another woman. He had blonde hair and a mustache too."

"Ah. A little misplace latent aggression then?"

"Most definitely. I'd show you around but your friend is due to arrive any minute to begin his training."

"Thor?"

"Aye."

"I can't believe he is going to be our King."

"How well do you know him?"

"I don't. I met him for the first time on the cart ride into Gladsheim. He's a good man, generous, happy, contemplative. With a dash of bold stupidity. He's perfect for the job." Fandral said, and Volstagg chuckled.

"That is good to hear. Speaking of the devil…" Thor entered the training area and a hush fell over the other warriors. The object which none of the others could budge was in his hand. He carried it as though it were an ordinary hammer.

"Welcome to the proving ground." Volstagg said.

"You? You are to train me?"

"Aye."

"I hope you aren't the type to hold grudges." Thor said.

"Nay. I hope you aren't the type to hold grudges."

"No, however if you would like to earn some good will with me you could provide me with information."

"Oh, like what?"

"Do you know Loki personally? Have you ever spent any time with him?"

"Aye. I trained the lad in combat. Sif is his personal opponent."

"Tell me everything you know about the man. I am to marry him and I need to know how my countrymen see him. The good and the bad." Volstagg nodded and looked around.

"Walk with me." They took a turn around the training yard, watching the men as they bashed each other's heads in.

"Loki is a very private man who cares a great deal about appearances. It is one thing to embarrass him in private and another to embarrass him in public. A private shame is punished with pranks. Shame him in front of others, and he'll maim you in horrific ways."

"Surely the public does not permit such behavior from a royal. Does the King not punish him?"

"He would if he could prove Loki's guilt. That's the problem. Loki is very smart. People have been found dead that were known to have angered him. Though someone like a common thief is usually found with an orgy of evidence around him to point to his guilt. People always suspect Loki is the master behind the murder."

"How many have there been over the years?"

"Three, and countless other accidents where people survived their injuries, but only just. I'd watch your back lad."

"What of his lovers?"

"I don't he's had any, but again he guards his secrets well. He values discretion. That much I know."

"What does he like?"

"He loves sorcery, and in truth he is actually a very talented fighter. If he were one on one with someone of his size and strength I have no doubt he would win every time. But for him to win against an alpha warrior, while following the rules, is next to impossible. Every win he's ever got in the arena is because he broke the rules by either using magic or some underhanded trick. The losers lament that it was not an honorable win and therefore doesn't count. Even if he did win honorably, they'd still resent him. Omega are not supposed to beat alphas in combat."

"What are his hobbies?"

"He likes music and to dance whenever there is a ball. And he is a permanent fixture in the palace library. The man always has a book in his hands."

"Thank you. You have provided me with valuable information."

"Excellent. Now, are you ready to feel the pain?"

"Pain?"

"Aye. It's your first day of training. You will sleep well tonight."