His brother was being unhealthily absent once again. Thor bounded to Loki's rooms and knocked on the door.
"Loki! Brother you have been hiding for too long! Come join our friends and I on a quest," Thor demanded.
There was no response. This confused Thor as Heimdall said Loki was in his room. Thor opened the door and looked inside. His brother sat looking at a rock. Thor shook his head fondly. Oh my brother. Glory lies not in staring at rocks, or in creating mischief, but in battle. I love you, but how many times must I drag you on a quest before you see it?
"Loki, I know you know I'm here. Look at me brother," Thor ordered with exasperation.
Loki continued to ignore him. Thor lost patience.
"Enough Loki," he called and grabbed his brother's shoulder. He almost fell over when his hand passed through. An illusion! My brother can fool Heimdall now? That is truly an accomplishment! If only he would devote his energies correctly he would be a great warrior!
The illusion disappeared and a letter appeared under the jewel. Thor picked it up curiously and read. He blinked in shock. This cannot be true! Surely it is just one of his tricks. He must have done some trick that would make father angry and did this to avoid punishment. Not the act of a warrior but I can understand. Even as a child Loki was thinking of ways to avoid getting caught and punished. Without his silver tongue we would have been in trouble a lot more as children. Oh brother, mischief is a part of you, I love you because and despite it, but sometimes you go too far.
Thor took the letter to his parents. Mother, being mother, promptly became worried.
"He could be in danger and we wouldn't even know it," mother fretted.
Father had a view similar to Thor's.
"It is more likely he is evading some ill trick he played. I've indulged him too much," father commented.
Thor frowned. Perhaps that was the case, but he could remember Loki receiving punishment. It always confused Thor that Loki would do mischief when he knew father would not take it well. Perhaps Loki always felt his silver tongue would keep him from being found out. That worked a lot, but not all the time.
"Since he has chosen this course I will allow him this self-imposed exile for now. Unless the trick he played demands we bring him back right away. Perhaps time away from Asgard will help him to see things more clearly," father decided.
Thor suddenly remembered Loki pleading to go to Alfheim to learn magic. Father had not taken it well and his response had suited Loki ill. Thor remembered Loki's letter. Did Loki truly feel there was someplace better than their home? How could he? Asgard was his home and his parents allowed him to practice magic over the objections of the court. Thor had defended Loki as a child until his brother had standoffishly made it clear Thor's help was not desired. Could his statement that he pushed me away because I was not telling him I approved his choice be true? The part about our friends must be a lie, or he saw things wrong, because they are our friends. They allow Loki to come on quests.
Thor was frowning again. He felt like Loki's letter was causing him to frown so much his face would become stuck in that expression. He was not his brother's equal with words but Loki's comments made him think over Loki's interactions with their friends. They allowed him to come, and they asked after him if he had been gone for a while, but they never seemed as excited to see him as they were to see Thor. I love my brother. Surely they must be fond of him too: his wit, his sense of humor and his mischief are all in fun if used correctly.
He found his friends, as always, on the training fields. He took them to his rooms and told them Loki had left and summarized the reasons why. Thor was not as smart as his brother, but he knew Loki tended to be a private person. Given how he felt, according to the letter, about Thor's friends he would not take it well if Thor showed them the actual letter. His friends exchanged looks. Sif snorted contemptuously.
"Thor he is just escaping mischief. Surely you have seen how his tricks have become increasingly worse? He must just have gone too far this time," she commented.
"That is what I thought but the thought of Loki leaving home grieves me. Surely what he did could not be so terrible?"
"He may love you, but he has never fit in and has always been jealous. It was only a matter of time before he did something unpardonable," she said bluntly.
Thor stared at her. She gave Thor and the Warriors a look.
"Thor, you would never think such a thing because he is your brother and you are loyal to him. Us, and all of Asgard, see him more clearly," she finished.
Sif especially hates me for being unmanly when she has had to fight so hard to become a warrior while I, a man, walked away from that, Loki had written…
Frandal looked uneasy. Volstagg walked over and patted Thor on the shoulder.
"The lad loves you, but he did choose the wrong path," Volstagg commented.
"Aye, his love for you aside, he'll never be a true prince of Asgard because no one takes him seriously," Frandal put in.
"Perhaps it is best if he seeks his fate elsewhere," Hogun confirmed. Thor stared at them.
They are your friends. Not mine. They have never been mine. I am merely tolerated, had been Loki's blunt view.
Thor couldn't blame his friends for mistrusting Loki when he had cast mischief on them. It was also clear that they didn't hate Loki as his letter indicated. Still, they were not fond of him and thought poorly of him. They were glad he was gone. Had they showed these feelings to Loki when Thor was not present to see it? Could that be why Loki had pulled tricks on them? If Loki was partially right about them what else could he be right about?
"My friends, excuse me, I need to think."
"Don't worry he'll be back once people calm down from whatever trick he has played," Sif tried to assure him. The others nodded.
Thor had thought that, but now he was beginning to wonder.
Thor's fears about the letter holding truth increased when it became clear that no one had been tricked by Loki recently let alone to the point Loki would chose exile over punishment. Could his brother really have left because Asgard had treated him ill? He shouldn't have chosen magic. The Warriors and Sif understood the warrior's path was the right one. I tried to maintain our closeness but he pushed me away. Surely these slights are imagined! If he only saw clearly…
Yet statements from the letter whirled in his mind. Loki had bluntly laid out his opinion on Thor's and his friend's conduct during their travels. The tale of the dragon especially stuck out to him because it was a more recent one. Loki's magic had saved them when their pursuit of honor, or foolishly grabbing at the treasure, could have killed them. Could the view of magic be wrong? Should Thor be more cautious? If Loki was correct he could have become the only son, and therefore, heir many times over due to Thor's repeated poor choices. That he hadn't allowed Thor, or people who didn't have any fondness for him, to die spoke of his loyalty to Asgard and love for Thor. It showed a maturity that Thor himself lacked according to Thor's actions.
If Loki is more mature then why all the foolish mischief? Father did not punish him as a non-royal would be punished for doing such things. Surely he saw that? Surely he saw how his mischief has kept people from respecting him?
Loki's point of view, however, seemed to be that his mischief was the only way to get people to respect him at all. He thought people would have no respect for him otherwise because he could not, and did not want to be, the warrior Thor was.
Why didn't he tell me about why he did tricks sooner, he wondered. He thought of other things Loki had said in the letter. Remembered his brother trying to explain how magic could be useful and how Thor had disapproved of his choice. Yes, he had fought people who insulted Loki for it but he also said, more than once, Loki would not be insulted if he became a true warrior. Thor felt ashamed when the answer to his question was obvious.
Loki didn't tell you because he knew you wouldn't listen.
Father told the court that Loki was refining his skills. The people did not treat this with the respect they would have treated Thor doing so. They brushed it off. Thor, with his new appreciation of how useful Loki's magic had been, was angered by this.
All I ever wanted was to be Thor's equal. I can tell that will never happen. I will go somewhere where I won't be haunted by that anymore, had been Loki's reason for going elsewhere.
Loki could have asked for help, but did not want to look weak. He preferred to have people angry and wary of him because it was at least some awareness of his capabilities. Whose fault was this? Loki for not getting help? Or everyone else's for not understanding his brother's need for respect and listening to his point of view? Or both? Loki had crossed lines he should not have, but clearly Thor and the rest of Asgard had as well.
Brother, if I cannot reconcile with you what kind of king will I be?
A banquet was held for Alfheim's visiting ambassador and his family. Usually Loki had spoken with the elves because Thor had not the capability, or the desire, to match words with elves. Thor had never felt he had the need to be able to do so: words were not a warrior's weapon and Loki was there to do it after all. Loki's assessment of how many times he had kept Thor, or someone else's, stupidity from affecting relations with other realms was making Thor reconsider his previous opinions. Father had no choice but to have Thor speak with the elf's family while father spoke with the elf. Thor was determined to be more wary of how he spoke and the actions he took.
He was thankful for his vow because without it the evening would have been a total disaster. As it was, Thor showed he did not have Loki's knowledge of Alfheim, probably unintentionally insulted the elves several times and did not have the wit to extricate himself from errors. The elves tried to hide it, but some of their incredulousness leaked through. The evening made Thor realize two very important things. One, he needed his brother's wit. Events like this were part of being king. It was not all waging war. When Thor appeared foolish he made Asgard appear foolish. Two, he was the one held in contempt for once and it did not feel well. He wanted to do right, but he had not the ability to do so. Words were not his strong suit. He could train for centuries and not summon them as easily as Loki. This had to be how Loki had felt on the training field: not as good as others because they were naturally good at such things while he was not. No wonder he picked a different path! Magic and words were his strong suit and he could see, even if no one else did, their value.
Brother, I am so sorry.
Thor asked father leave to seek Loki and convince him to come back to Asgard. He had taken his brother for granted and he had to try something constructive to right that. Something constructive versus behavior involving Mjolnir, mead and a foolish contest. His father sighed.
"Thor there is something you need to know. I know not if Loki knows it, and hoped no one would have to know. If you find him, however, he may refer to it and I don't want you unaware."
Father went on to tell how Loki was a Jotun, Laufey's son, that he found in a temple. How he didn't want to another life to be lost and saw a possibility of bringing peace through Loki. How he later came to realize that would be impossible because Laufey would never recognize a child he left to die. That Odin had come to love Loki and would not have returned him anyways.
"Those plans no longer matter now Thor. Loki is your brother and an important part of our family. I have been unfair to him. I neglected praising him because I didn't want it to be too obvious just how different he is. In truth, and let this be a lesson that even kings feel fear, I was afraid his differences would expose him. I also did not know how to relate to him. I know magic, and can deal with other realms, but he revels in it in a way I do not. Instead of protecting him I have allowed him to be disrespected and neglected. I rescued him from a physical cold only to leave him in an emotional one. He is different from what Asgard honors, which is you my son, but he is needed. I meant for him to rule with you, but instead left him to think only sitting on the throne had value."
Thor was in shock. His beloved brother was a frost giant. He remembered telling Loki and father as a child that when he was king he would kill all the monsters. Loki is Loki. I care not what he is! He is Loki. We have grown up together, fought together, played together. We have drawn apart but how we have protected each other over the centuries shows we are brothers.
Does he know? He did not speak of this in the letter, but maybe he was too horrified to. I know not. I just know he is my brother. I will offer the rite of blood brotherhood to prove I value him. I will do whatever I have to do to make up for not seeing his value. I will stand by my brother and help him see he is my brother.
Father spoke of how different Loki is. Of course he's different! It speaks for his magic that he has an Aesir form. How, though, was he supposed to be like me if he had not the ingrown ability to be so? Everyone says how I am my father's son and wonder 'what is wrong' with Loki. What skills does Loki have that he has not been able to explore? Can he do what frost giants can? Enough. That is for him to determine if he wishes. He is my brother. That is all that matters to me.
Thor went to Vanaheim and Alfheim on the excuse of learning more about them. He tried to, as quietly as he could, look for his brother. He did not bring his friends during his searches for several reasons. One is that Loki was understandably bitter towards them. Another was that they might distract Thor from finding his brother. A third was that it meant less potential for problems being created. His friends were about as diplomatic as Thor was before Loki left. He did not find Loki and wondered if he could when Loki did not want to be found. His brother was clever. Loki had evaded Heimdall by the Norns! What hope had Thor of finding him? Still, Thor would not give up.
Father could put the Odinsleep off no longer. Thor argued that he should be Prince Regent instead of become king permanently. His trips to Alfheim and Vanaheim reinforced how much he had to learn about the diplomatic side of ruling. He also hoped, in a bit of reasoning that he hoped Loki would like, that it would reduce interest in Thor if he was not king yet. He went to the library which was filled with memories of finding Loki there poring over things Thor had never bothered to ask about. He struggled to learn as much as he could.
Unfortunately, people knew he would be king someday so there was still a considerable amount of interest in him both in Asgard and beyond. People wanted things from him and supposedly to help him. Thor did not know who he could trust. This got him to allow Sif and the Warriors Three to be by his side again. They had not loved his brother, but at least he knew they were loyal to him. They all raced to keep up with and complete the business of ruling.
"Loki made using words in Asgard's defense look effortless," Sif was forced to tiredly concede one evening as she, the Warriors Three and Thor grabbed a rare moment of relaxation one evening.
"Aye," Volstagg and Frandal agreed.
"He never had to do this amount of work. He probably did not try out of fear people would think he was trying to outshine Thor," Hogun stated.
"As I never did work like this it must have been hard for him. All he could do was try to influence people at banquets or attend some meetings. He never got a chance to show what he truly could do," Thor murmured.
He could understand father's fear that letting Loki's abilities shine would cause people to ask questions about his origins. He could understand that father wanted to let Thor be what Asgard wanted so that Loki could be safe in the shadows. He could understand why Loki felt the shadows stifling and left. The problem was that Thor was unprepared for the day to day business of being a king and that could lead to problems.
"Does anyone know what this petition actually means? I am confused," Frandal groaned and waved a paper.
Not being prepared to rule, or having his brother to help him, was causing problems.
Thor was thankful when father took the crown again. He did not want to sit the throne again without Loki by his side. If Loki would come back was a question he did not like thinking about. He acknowledged Loki might not want to. If that was the case Thor and his friends would have to learn to rule without Loki. It was promising that there had only been a few minor mistakes. Not to say Thor didn't think father didn't have to untangle some messes once he was back on the throne. Thor felt father deserved it for the mess he had left Thor and Loki in. He begged leave to continue searching for Loki and his father agreed.
Thor was recovering from another failed attempt to find Loki when he was summoned to the throne room. He found his father, his mother and his friends waiting.
"Heimdall has found your brother. He, and a group of Midgardians, are defending that realm from conquest by Malekith and unknown others. Thor, I swore Midgard would be safe from outside dangers such as this. Take Sif and the Warriors with you and aid your brother," Odin ordered.
"I shall. Come, my friends, we must make haste!"
"Thor, Loki fights Malekith alone. That must have been his choice and we need to start respecting his choices. Focus your efforts on helping the Midgardians," Odin commanded.
Thor was going to protest leaving his brother to fight alone but decided it would just waste time. They got horses and sped for the Bifrost. Heimdall gave the customary warning and activated it.
He and his friends were spat into a field of chaos. A flying metal creature fired on creatures which would have ambushed Thor and his friends. A Midgardian male and female came sprinting over to them.
"I am Agent Natasha Romanov and this Agent Clint Barton. I'm assuming you're from Asgard. We're trying to contain these aliens so they won't threaten the rest of our world. Are you here to fight beside us," she yelled to him over the sound of the battle.
Thor noticed as she spoke that Barton was shooting with an accuracy that would earn elf approval. He also seemed rather intent as if he had some deeply personal reason for doing so.
"That is so. To battle my friends," Thor declared bravely.
Lady Romanov gave himself and his friends small devices fit for the ear. She explained they would help keep them up to date. Thor saw not how, but placed the device in an ear so he could go to battle. He worried for his brother but acknowledged Loki would want to fight a magical battle alone. Instead, he worked to protect the world Loki had made his own. Alien after alien fell before him, his friends and the Midgardians. In addition to people in various uniforms, the metal creature and the two Midgardians he also saw a giant green creature, a multicolored man with a shield and a metal man taking down the aliens. During a pause in the battle he saw flashes of magical light that showed his brother had to be fighting hard. Then a voice he did not recognize came over the device in his ear. He almost snatched it out since he was shocked to have such a thing occur.
"I've heard from Director Fury that the World Council has decided on nuclear containment," a male voice announced grimly.
"Coulson, the radiation from a nuke going off will kill us, the good aliens and all the military personal out here! It could hit other populated areas in the state! Are they nuts?!"
"They would not listen to the Director's objections Mr. Stark," Coulson said.
"Well, then there's only one choice. Point Break over there can fly but he doesn't know jack squat about nukes. Even Reindeer Games had to research them. I, however, do know them. Wish me luck."
As Thor fought the aliens he saw the metal man fly and realign a metal cylinder to go towards the portal which was discharging aliens. He saw the metal man actually take the cylinder through the portal. There was an explosion he could barely see and then all the aliens around them fell. Thor saw not how an explosion on the other side of the portal could hurt them, but that was what happened.
Wondering about this was stopped when he saw the metal man falling through the portal which closed behind him. Thor surged into the air and caught the man. He realized he was above the area where he had seen the flashes and looked down to see his brother. With the metal man in his arms he flew down to see the brother he had not seen in far too long. He hoped the metal man, and Thor's relationship with his brother, could heal.