It wanted only a few hours until dawn, and still Thor had yet to sleep. The wounded were tended, the dead decently laid out, and the worst of the mess attended to. His chambers had been made straight and tidy, but there were a number of items of furniture and soft furnishings that would require repair or replacement before they were back to their proper state. When Thor finally retired, his sole aim was to fall onto his bed as quickly as he could. It was quite possible, he thought ruefully, that he could sleep standing up if his bed were denied him much longer.

The last thing he expected was to find his brother waiting for him, looking pale but determined.

"Good morning brother"

"For the Nine's sake Loki, can you not just send a message in the normal way? And what are you doing here at this time of the night - morning?"

Loki's expression was very serious. "I have been thinking brother. We have to talk….. "

He held up a sheet of closely written parchment. "This is from Kingsley Shacklebolt, the Minister for Magic - the old friend of Hermione and Harry's that we have been meeting with. He notifies us that Atticus Jones, the Head of Magical Law Enforcement was found dead in Diagon Alley. It seems that they were waiting for him when he left after dining with us. His throat had been cut just like the others." Thor was shocked at the naked fear in Loki's eyes. "They were there Thor - the Dark Elves. Within a stone's throw of where my wife lay sleeping. The night before she did not even have me to protect her. What if..." Loki's words faltered, his mind full of the image of Hermione hair spread across a pillow stained scarlet with her blood, eyes wide and lifeless... He looked down to see his hands shaking and closed his eyes, willing them to be still.

Thor dropped onto the windowseat beside him, casting one final longing glance at his bed, before putting a reassuring arm around his brother's shoulder. Loki leaned into him wearily.

"Brother, you have not slept either?"

"No, nor am I likely to now... Jones knew too much Thor. Hermione and Harry were introduced to him in good faith by Shacklebolt - who they have known and trusted for many years. Kingsley informs me that a search of Jones' accommodation has revealed evidence that he was the one that coerced Fletcher and the others into stealing the casket. Ironically, he probably knew nothing of the Aether. It appears that he was deeply in debt to some very unsavoury characters, and it may be that he believed that the vault would contain goods of monetary value. Instead he has unleashed Hel upon us all. Brother, we cannot sit here like rats in a trap waiting for Malekith to wreak vengeance upon those whom we love most..."

"What are you suggesting Loki...?"

ooo0ooo

Just before ten that morning, Hermione was woken by a knock on the door. Desperately trying to clear her head, she answered, to find none other than Frigga herself on the threshold.

Hermione squinted, a little blearily still. "Frigga. Good morning. I didn't realise Loki had brought you back already…."

"Loki didn't bring me back – Harry did, first thing this morning. I was never so glad to be ...". Her Mother in Law's face was unusually grave. "I apologise for waking you, but you need to come to the Throne Room"

Looking down the corridor, Hermione realised that her mother in law had come with an armed escort. She looked at her, suddenly wide awake, eyes wide. "Frigga - what is going on?"

Frigga's face was grim. "Trouble my dear. Trouble."

Hermione dressed quickly and followed Frigga down to the Great Hall in silence. The worst of the rubble had been cleared away, but the elven ship was still embedded in the structure, and the damage it had caused was impressive. The room was full to bursting.

Frigga ushered her over to stand beside Harry who was also watched closely by a group of guards. He looked up as she approached, and his green eyes also signaled trouble.

Loki was standing at the foot of the steps leading up to the throne. He stood with unusual formality, hands clasped behind his back, guards to each side of him. He didn't look round as she entered. Thor, was seated on his throne, Gungnir at his side, anger and distress warring for dominance on his face.

Hermione's eyes quickly swept around the area before the throne. She realised that she was the last to arrive - in addition to Frigga, Jane and Harry; the Warriors Three, Sif, Romanoff, Steve Rogers and a man she had seen the previous night and presumed to be Tony Stark were all present.

The atmosphere was crackling with a tension so thick that she could cut it with a knife.

Hermione looked at her husband's back, her eyes huge and apprehensive. "Loki. What is going on?" He did not respond.

Thor called for order, and the soft buzz from the back of the room fell into a silence so thick that it made her ears ring. Thor looked every day of his 1200 years, she thought.

"This morning, just before dawn, Loki, Prince and Lord Chancellor of Asgard attempted to kidnap one Mundungus Fletcher, an important guest of this house. He has admitted that it was his intention to use this person to broker an accord with Malekith of the Dark Elves. He stands accused as a traitor to this Royal House, and to the Realm of Asgard." Thor looked down at Loki, his eyes hard and cold. "Do you have anything to say in your defense?"

"Thor, what are my wife and Harry doing here? Was it truly necessary to drag them into this? I have already admitted everything. They know nothing."

Hermione's legs gave way completely, had it not been for Harry's quick thinking and strong arm, she would have collapsed. "No. I don't… Loki – what does this mean. You wouldn't…."

Hermione gasped in shock as he finally turned to look at her. Those eyes. Even when they had quarreled, she didn't think she had ever seen them so empty, so cold.

"Of course I did you stupid woman! You didn't truly think that I …." He laughed shortly. It was the worst sound she had ever heard in her life. "I used you Hermione. What better way to seal the touching tale of my redemption - how all I needed was the love of a good woman. You got me home, and you got me my life back and for that I thank you. But the throne of Asgard is mine by right – not this witless oaf, unable to rule one realm let alone nine, without me to hold his hand"

Deep inside, something in Hermione was telling her that this was not possible, but this was neither the time nor the place to give vent to her feelings. Besides, if she opened the lid on her emotions now, she would never close it again, and that way lay madness. "I don't believe it" she whispered, "Loki – it was real – I…."

Loki turned away from her, his tone utterly bored. "For the love of the gods Thor, let us get this over with. I don't know how much more of this I can take"

Thor clapped his hands, and a guard stepped forward with a wooden box, Thor shook his head more in sorrow than in anger. "I had believed that I would never need these again, that we were past all of this". Volstagg took the box from the guard, opening it to remove chains, and a second object. Even from a distance, Hermione could feel the enchantments on the chains, feel them dragging at her magic. Odin must have enchanted them to suppress Loki's powers all those years ago. When it became apparent what the other item was, Hermione finally broke, turning into the shelter of Harry's shoulder.

The muzzle. That awful device that she had only ever seen in a newspaper picture, weeks before her marriage.

Thor rose to his feet, his eyes scanning the room. "Let it be known that at this time I know of no charge against the Princess Hermione, or Harry Potter of Midgard, who will remain here under my personal protection."

He turned to Loki, his voice cold, his face expressionless. "But you Loki of Asgard. I name you betrayer, oath breaker, traitor to this house, and to this realm and I strip you of your rank of Lord Chancellor, and of your title of Prince of Asgard."

Above the muzzle, Loki's eyes burned. "I have no time to deal with him further at the moment, when the realm stands on the brink of war. Take him to the dungeons." Thor's eyes were like chips of ice.

The last thing Hermione saw before the world turned black, was the man she loved being dragged to the dungeons, muzzled and in chains. He did not look back.

ooo0ooo

Back at Stark Tower Eric Selvig was awoken by the disembodied voice of Jarvis.

"Dr Selvig - I apologise for waking you"

"What is it Jarvis"

"I am concerned for Dr Banner. He has not been to bed tonight. This is normal for Mr Stark, but not for him. He appears to have been awake and pacing in some distress for a while. I believe he may benefit from some company that I am unable to provide. I have attempted to locate Ms Potts, but she is not in the building."

"Thank you Jarvis. I'll get up. Where is he?"

"On the kitchen balcony Dr Selvig. Do not be alarmed. He is quite - himself"

When Eric arrived in the kitchen the door was open onto the balcony. Bruce was standing looking out over early morning New York, his eyes miles away, his shoulders rigid with tension. Eric put a pot of coffee on, before joining him.

"Are you an early riser too Bruce, or have you not been to bed?"

Bruce looked at him, his face drawn. "I haven't been to bed. You know that Tony was summoned up to Asgard yesterday? From that we can deduce that these - Dark Elves have attacked. There's a battle going on up there, and I'm stuck down here with no idea of whether she's alive or dead"

Eric cocked an eyebrow. "She?"

Bruce turned away. "They - Tony, Steve, Natasha, Thor. I even went up to the roof and yelled for Heimdall - but nothing."

"If they've been under attack it's likely that the Bifrost is closed. We should hear from them soon. Would you like some coffee - I've just put some on."

Banner smiled wryly. "I try to avoid caffeine as much as possible, but I'll gladly join you for a cup of tea. I've done my best to keep busy. I think I've checked and rechecked our figures a dozen times tonight - I'll be glad of the company."

Eric put a hand on his shoulder as they returned to the kitchen. "Don't worry Bruce, I'm sure Natasha will be fine."

When Bruce turned and glared, Eric just smiled innocently and reached for the kettle.

ooo0ooo

"Hermione. Hermione dear, can you open your eyes for me?"

Something particularly pungent was wafted under Hermione's nose, making her cough, but the smell cleared her head wonderfully. She opened her eyes, to see Lucilla crouched before her. She realised she was cradled firmly against Harry shoulder, his arms around her, and Frigga was holding her hand. Her head ached appallingly. Looking around, she realised that she had been carried from the Throne Room to Thor's study, which seemed to be crowded with people.

"Just keep still for now, you've had a busy morning. Do you have a headache?"

Hermione went to nod but that just made the pain worse. "Yes" she whispered weakly.

Lucilla's voice was warm and calm and professional. It reminded Hermione of many happy days spent brewing potions, talking, laughing, teasing Loki…"

"Loki." Memory returned in a flood, almost causing her to black out again.

The smelling salts were back. "Just try to stay calm Hermione. In a moment I can give you a potion for that headache, but let's give everything a chance to settle first shall we?"

"Can I have some water please". It was Thor himself who fetched it, his blue eyes gave nothing away, but a large gentle hand steadied her cold and shaking one when he put the cup into it. "Thank you Thor" she murmured.

Thor turned around to the interested crowd. "Can you leave us please. My sister has had a terrible shock, and requires a little time to recover herself. If you wouldn't mind waiting in the library I will call you back in a few moments."

The majority of the room's occupants cleared swiftly, Frigga, Harry, Lucilla and Jane remained. Thor bent over her, his voice pitched softly to avoid aggravating her already pounding head. "Hermione, sister, how are you feeling? Do you feel up to speaking privately with me for a few minutes?"

Lucilla frowned. "Your majesty, as her physician I must ..."

Hermione put a hand weakly on her arm. "Lucilla, it's alright. If the Allfather wishes to speak to me that is his right. I can send someone for you if I need anything."

Lucilla still looked concerned, but nodded agreement reluctantly. "Very well, but I must insist on giving you this first." She pressed a small vial of headache potion into Hermione's hand. "I will leave, once I have seen you drink this, and not a moment before." Hermione drank the potion obediently, grimacing at the taste and the sudden bout of nausea it brought on.

Once Thor had ushered Frigga, Lucilla, Jane and a deeply reluctant Harry out of the room, he turned back to Hermione, crouching down before her. "Hermione, I understand that you can prevent us being overheard. I am sorry to ask this of you at the moment, but are you able to do this for me...?"

Hermione looked at her brother in law in surprise Obediently, she took out her wand, murmuring spells that were so familiar now, even in her distressed state she barely needed to think about them. When all was completed, she turned back to her brother in law.

"Very well Thor, we cannot be overheard. What do you need to say to me?"