Summary: The war between Jotunheim and Asgard draws to a close, but thanks to a horrible twist of Fate (or perhaps not), the nameless runt of Laufey-King is not discovered by Odin and so begins a remarkable journey of life that should not have been. Jotun!Loki AU. Set pre-/during-/after Thor/Avengers Assemble. MCU-verse only.

Warnings: ANGST! Loki-whump! Language, adult situations, violence, child abuse, dub-con, sexual assault (also of a minor), substance abuse, one abortion scene (sort of), slavery, sex trade (maybe), some mild original character/Loki M/M pairings.

Comments: This is not a slash fic. Sorry. It's Loki-centric, although I definitely show the rest of the Avengers and etc. Please review! Constructive criticism welcome.

Disclaimer: I do not own Avengers. Marvel owns it. I do not get paid for this piece of work. Sadly, but understandably. LOL.

Alright - first up, THANK YOU WONDERFUL REVIEWERS! YOU ARE THE AWESOME! I GOT THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF REVIEWS FOR THE LAST CHAPTER! *foams at mouth from excitement and passes out*

To: Double-Gemini, TheObsessor11294, Ireland Ranger (welcome!), Winter Cicada, DragonsFlame117, ClaMiAl, Hrosanna, Immortal Sailor Cosmos, wbss21, Lady Ray Ray (welcome~), Ellie

Ellie: I'm glad you are enjoying my Odin so far. He's not going to be pure evil - like he is in the comics Earth-616, but he's not going to be painted in a perfect light... and I really hope that this will continue in the vein that Kenneth Branagh wanted to portray. XD Thanks again for the support!

AND THEN... I went onto my author stats page and realized I had broke 1,000,000 words for total words archived! WOOT! (Should I be happy? I feel happy...)

I couldn't help but notice that there are people from Canada (my home and native land~~~) reading this story! WOW! And other countries as well! This is amazing! The way fandoms unite people is awesome. I was just in Malaysia... and I really enjoyed myself there, particularly since they have double quarter-pounders at McDonalds and awesome bookstores and a lovely multiplicity of languages and fresh air and Mars Bars and an anime/cosplay/comic con showing! (blown away) Good times. I bought a ton of books to take back to the Middle Kingdom with me - as well as some cinnamon white coffee which I have discovered an affinity for. Tiramisu white coffee is also good. (sigh)

Also, I made a silly meme thing for Loki's Army if you wanna see on my tumbr:

dappled-things DOT tumblr DOT com SLASH post SLASH 57698828996 SLASH enlist

So here it goes. Kol'la's first day in Asgard... Don't get too excited.

Distortions In Time
[Bitter Desolation, Incandescent Harmony]

Chapter 32
Golden Light Breaks

At the sight of his people, Thor felt his heart swell with pride and joy and relief – they had come just as he had said they would and he no longer looked the fool before Kol'la, the sharp-tongued. Kol'la, he thought, remembering Hogun's soft reply.

No, you wouldn't... You wouldn't.

You never share your past, never speak of it, Kol'la, Thor thought. Yet I can feel it sometimes – smoky, dark and bitter on my tongue in a rare moment – A door closing between us. And on those days... A sharp look. Just those days - there is a certain stillness. There is a darkness which lies upon you.

As Thor's eyes rose to meet Odin's, he decided to consider the matter further at a later time. I am no man of words – but perhaps I may help my friend a little and this is the first step to show him the power of constancy... and the promises of Thor.

"Father."
"Thor," Odin's blue eye lingered on the Prince's cheery, unrepentant face. There was no trace of pain or sorrow on his strong son's face – only barely contained pride and glee. Once again, Prince Thor had survived a mighty trial wits and health in tact. "So you have returned to us, my son – unharmed, I think, and whole..."
"Father," Thor's smile remained undimmed. "But of course - as your son, could I return in any other way?" He looked about. "You brought many for a mere expedition! Are we to battle? Although... without Mjolnir -" Thor looked about uneasily.
"There is no need for war when our objective has been so easily obtained," Odin shook his head curtly, lips tightening with obvious anger sparking in his eye, promising Thor a scolding later on. "No need for battle or Mjolnir, and so at home it remains, having returned at my call. Still," the old King clasped his son's shoulder firmly, blue eye pinning Thor with a hard glance. "Your mother will be relieved – she was worried. To say the least." Odin paused. "It will ease her mind to see you safe and sound in Asgard."

Thor shuffled his feet and for a bare second, a look of remorse flitted across his face – but then he brightened and said, "She will see that I have come to no harm, and have proved my honour in glorious combat! It has been a great day, for Asgard has shown its true strength - and if we are to return home now, then Kol'la will be able to end his fretting."
"Kol'la?" Odin repeated slowly.

At Odin's frown, Thor hesitated, then nodded jerked his head a little, blue eyes glancing to the side in unspoken gesture.

"The dark-haired, tall, thin one. Like Hogun, but not. He's strong, Father -"
"We do not make a habit of bringing strays home, Thor," Odin's voice was even more tired than before and his son pressed his advantage.
"But Father -"
"Let him return to the place from whence he came."
"He has no home – please, Father. I promised him this thing – freedom – and freedom on this world is no freedom at all. Kol'la is strong. He could – he could work. And his magicks -"
"He practises seithr?" Odin asked sharply, his blue eye rising to look past Thor, no doubt trying to analyze the willowy warrior-mage more intently.
"Yes – but he is no old man, nor given to witless superstition and his grasp of the elements and strategy are strong. You know how I never think things through, Father, but when Kol'la is at my side, he is a great aid in battle and reads the enemy well. I have learned to listen to him -"
"Indeed?"
"Even though he scolds me with no respect and he has a sharp tongue on him – just as keen as a fisherman's wife at market. His turn of phrase can be quite smooth as well, I know -"
"He can come then -"
"I know we do not take captives. See him as an ally. A useful future citizen of Asgard. He could work on a farm – or on the field in our reserves or at the Mage's Court or in the -"
"Thor. He can come, this Kol'la of yours," Odin repeated a little more forcefully.
"- palace. Mother would like him. He -" Thor stopped. "He can come? Truly?"
"Asgard may have some use for him," Odin finally said. "And," he paused as a ghost of a memory that had never been flittered through his mind. "I feel as though..." He shook his head slowly and then raised a hand at Thor's questioning look. "Never mind, Thor - just bring him along."
"Thank you, Father!" Thor gripped his father's forearms fiercely. "You will not regret it."
"Hm," Odin replied noncommittally. "Let us hope not."

And with that they were off to Asgard.

[... the skies are blue...]

[... Asgard teems with life...]

[... the Golden City...]

[... the Realm Eternal...]

Above Asgard, white clouds leisurely drifted across a clear blue sky, the like of which Kol'la had never seen before, even in his wildest dreams. A blue – paler than his hidden skin and more delicate – and the gentle white strands of clouds. Rising upward majestically into the clouds, behind the great Golden City of Asgard's capital, the City of Asgard, grey mountains with snow above, grey in between and green below, loomed. Such mountains! And the forests which clothed the lower regions of the spurs which spread outward and down to the great city also were neither stark and black nor small and protected. The great trunks and branches, bearing golden fruit and green leaves, stood tall and proud as the natives of the land.

Asgard smelled of green and soil and rich earth and hard rock. Kol'la lifted his face into the clean crisp air and breathed deeply. Inhaled. It was a warm wind and was neither silent as Sharda'aa's nor wild like that of Jotunheim. Filled with warning and dark promise.

... who are you, young one, to stand on these golden shores...

And Kol'la stiffened his back, green eyes fixed on the capital and strode forward, undeterred. This was his chance – and he would not be moved from his goal: the promise of knowledge and the call of magic.

Striding down after the company of soldiers who marched smartly down the famous Bifrost bridge after the main pack of generals and mages who accompanied the two Royals, Kol'la kept pace with the rest, not wishing to get lost in what looked to be a complicated and large city.

The City of Asgard was a golden place. It shone, literally, like a treasure, the rarest jewel of the Nine Realms – and Kol'la could understand now the envy of all those who had gazed upon her from afar, knowing that this was no home for them. No place for them to stay. A golden realm – and in the centre, more gleaming and fantastical than the rest (if possible), rose the Palace. Even though he had not seen it before, Kol'la could tell with a short glance that it was the principal part of the capital. It was the seat of King Odin, the All-Father.

Yes. A blinding place. The Bridge beneath his feet, the Bifrost, the Rainbow Bridge, flared with colour. The greenery overwhelmed the senses with spices and the scent of fresh fruit. Gold, of course, everywhere. Intricately carved stone. Obelisks. Statues. Ancient and yet looking so new as if they had been carved yesterday. Sinuous lines and martial edges combining into a balance of art and utility. Above one part of the city, revolving pieces of stone hovered and turned slowly.

"What is that place?" Kol'la asked the soldier next to him.
"Mage's Court," the soldier replied shortly.

Another laughed and added, "Where those who are gifted in the lesser arts of seithr study their books, perfect their workings and pass on the tales of witless men and superstitious hearts. It is also where our women study the healing arts – and there are men also, those faint of heart and ill-suited for glorious combat."

Kol'la did not reply to that, but his eyes went back to the far glimpse of Thor's golden head bobbing alongside Odin's and frowned, remembering the warrior's dismissive attitude about Kol'la's abilities. It seems Asgard has no respect for its own power? A strange state of affairs, considering the All-Father's abilities. Lips pinching together in distaste, Kol'la shook his head.

They walked onward – winding through streets lined with tall, husky, blonde-haired and sometimes dark-haired folk, all dressed well and looking cheery and excited as they hung from windows and balconies, lounged in front of their businesses and on their homes' doorsteps. Flowers were scattered on the soft breeze, drifting downward to light on Thor's blonde hair and Odin's cape, the Mage's cloaks and the intricately linked cobblestones underneath the horses' hoofs.

Raising his hand, Kol'la caught a soft gold-white petal and held it to his nose with a swift inhale. The scent of a flower. Stronger than tunglblom and sweeter. There is nothing sweet on Jotunheim, he thought bitterly and dropped the petal, feeling as though his very touch would burn the fair and delicate thing.

Then, they were before the Palace proper and trooping into the main courtyard. Thor and Odin and the rest were escorted inside, the companies were divvied up as was custom (apparently) and scattered for various duties. Kol'la found himself standing before a tough-looking Aesir who glared down at him from a rather crooked nose.

"So, you are the stray the Prince picked up," the craggy old commander spat at the ground roughly by Kol'la's left foot.

Kol'la's back stiffened, his chin rose and his green eyes met blue squarely – and he did not budge. For a moment there was silence and then the taller, much older man nodded curtly with approval.

"The name is Farfin. Farfin of the King's First Company. You will refer to me as 'sir', from this day on."
"Yes, sir," Kol'la nodded.
"Now, according to his Honoured Lord Tyr, his Majesty wished you to first try your hands out in the stables and see how you go about things."

A sharp look – but Kol'la stared back dutifully, keeping any angry or annoyance from his face. Anger was a tool – but to wield it, you also ran the risk of being manipulated in turn. Experience had taught him this lesson – it had taught him well: indifference is the wall that can never be broken as it thickens over time. Kol'la's silence was rewarded by another grunt and Farfin spat again onto the straw, jerking his head toward a row of splendidly bricked houses with rows of well-tended, intricately carved wood doors. The stables.

"I will show you your quarters then – and the horses which you will be caring for," Farfin strode off, with Kol'la falling beside (and just slightly behind) him. "Each stable boy, and you are now one, cares for five horses. A stallion or two and a few mares. Every day, there will be regular times for feeding, of course, and grooming and the necessary daily exercise about our Royal Stableyards – and readying any for the use of the Court. You ever work in a stable, boy?"
"No, sir."
"Hmph. Thought as much."
"But I have cared for animals before," Kol'la hastened to add.
"Hm," was all Farfin said in reply, obviously not entirely convinced. The rest of the journey around the side of the stables to the back, where the yards and sheds laid, was spent in silence with the occasional muttering on the part of Farfin. Something along the lines of "never worked a horse in his life, I warrant" and "useless strays" and "what was the All-Father thinking?"

What was he thinking? Kol'la thought to himself in agreement. A part of him wanted to rage against the injustice of it all. Thor had promised – promised freedom. And other things. Not that those mattered... Yet another side of him had to point out that it was freedom – of a sort. You could walk away from this, but at the cost of a chance to learn what you always wished to know all your life.

... who are you, young one, to stand on these golden shores...

... why have you come, Other-Soul...

Kol'la shivered and quickened his pace. Asgard fears you. They will fear you and hate you as well. It was that dark part of him again. It whispered those hated truths. Not truths, Kol'la shook his head firmly, remembering Thor's face sharpening as Kol'la woke from the call of the Visha'anas. There are some... some who brought you here out of hope for you. And you will overcome this – Yes, Kol'la told himself. This is, after all, a test. He smirked to himself, envisioning Odin's surprised face. I am no fool, Odin All-Father.

... who are you, young one, to stand on these golden shores...

... why have you come, Other-Soul...

... you should not have come...

That night, lying on his new bed of straw and rough canvas, three new outfits hanging ready for him in the small chest at the foot of his bed, a string of horse names to memorize by the morning, and a comfortably full belly, Kol'la stared up at the wood ceiling above his head – the underside of the well-thatched roof of the stables. On either side of him, five other stable boys, all of them tall, well-fed, red-cheeked and tan skinned, slept. Soft sounds of breathing and one stable boy's harsh snoring filled the silences. Below, the horses whickered softly and various wild birds swooped in and out of the barns. Kol'la's sharp ears could pick out the soft winnow of their wings and the sleepy chirps of baby birds nestled in the straw, mud and twig nests clinging to the corners of the barns.

A different kind of night compared to Sharda'aa and Tarnax and Jotunheim – a welcome change, in a way. But not my home, Kolla reminded himself sleepily. This is not home.

But he was there. Almost.

He could feel it.

OK. So there we go. Kol'la is now installed... in a way... in Asgard. Is he going to go for the top? Is he going to scratch and claw his way to power? We'll see...

Some people were mentioning a few things... so here they are.

Q: What is the current relative age of Thor and Loki here? (which is when they first meet)
Thor is about 19 or so here and Kol'la around 17 or so. XD Therefore Kol'la's first positive sex experience was the relative age of 17.

Q: When is the name "Loki" going to show up?
A: Not for another 8-9 chapters, I'm afraid.

Q: Frigga greeting Thor when he gets back will be awesome.
A: It would be, but I didn't write it... but there are a growing list of "side-stories" or "anecdotes" which I'm feeling an increasing need to write. Let me know if you guys want side stories which I would post in a side-fic called "Distortions In Time [insert something here I don't know what]". Some of the side stories would be: A Day with Elska (self-evident), The Jotunn Brothers (on Helblindi and Byleistr), Kayra (Loki and the Apprentice Healer - which is something mentioned up ahead), Welcome Home (Frigga welcoming Thor back, first reaction to the unknown Kol'la), Fingers In Many Pies (a prank Kol'la pulls on one of the Asgardian Mages as a way to get back for something), Here We Go Again (a quest initiated by Thor goes wrong - again),
Forgetting (Kol'la gets drunk for the first time at Poison Paradise). More would be added as I write more of the story...

This was a shortish chapter, so I'll see about updating it around Sunday. We'll see... depends on a certain sticky conversation in Chapter 38 that I have to iron out...

-KI

Numbers (for this quadrant):

0 - nai
1 - sa
2 - tho
3 - frei
4 - ah
5 - ko
6 - yul
7 - vee
8 - mah
9 - lei

Alien Glossary:

'auzha – fucker
Dou'ma – idiot
r'senk'ne – a kind of deer/cow hybrid
n'ch'nka – a kind of cow
chi'iano – a radioactive piece of rock similar to uranium
cho'ai - lover
kol-sava'atha – a titanium-rich ore
Morning-star - a mace.
oma'auzha – mother-effer
oto'oa - big sister
udji'oo – a drug, like opium