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.
FINAL PART of this chapter! FINALLY HERE! I hope you enjoy how the changes are settling in...
Finally, the deviation set in. I hope everyone is still on board... (is very nervous) I know that some of you guys wanted more different plot lines and I know some of you guys didn't. In the words of Tim Gunn and other famous Project Runway winners, I really need to be true to myself and what my vision is for this story. On the other hand, I do appreciate all of your guys reviews and input, because it does help me know if I'm totally crazy or not.
So, this is a big thank you to all those people who have hung in there so far and who have been so so so supportive. Thanks to those who reviewed last chappie: Cecld, InsolentKatt, Chiharu-Angel, zippy zany, wbss21 and Gz (welcome!). I'm so blessed to have you guys cheering me on!
THANKS EVERYONE!
Distortions In Time
[Bitter Desolation, Incandescent Harmony]
Chapter 61
Consequences III
[...this is the time...]
[...when one comes into his own...]
[...when one stands tall...]
[...stands proud...]
From that time on, Loki found it a little easier to accomplish what he considered important. I am not King, Loki thought, but I am the closest I can get to the throne... and at least my voice is heard and we are taking more appropriate measures for this war. Of course, the generals and mages still forced through certain things they wished to see done and the squabbles for power continued on, albeit more inconspicuously, but at least now with Frigga and Loki more firmly at the head, there was a general feeling of accomplishment.
The generals continued to increase security for the Palace, which Loki did not protest, knowing that it would result in better protection of the King and (more importantly to his mind) the Queen. Drills and parades and sparring took place every day all day long as farmers and merchants and other craftsmen came in from their fields and shops and markets to take up the sword once more. Even Loki found himself inveigled into some hand to hand combat review with Volstagg, which annoyed him greatly seeing as there were other more pressing matters to attend to.
Such as the younger and more unruly nobles and mages who had looked up to Thor and wished him to fight alongside them. Moving the Mages' focus from looking for ways to return Thor (other than using the Bifrost), Loki managed to curb their interests with reasoning, pointing out that Odin had sent Thor to Midgard for a Reason, that there was absolutely nothing to be done on their part short of overriding Heimdall (which no one wished to do) or sending someone through the Dark Paths (something else everyone was loathe to do, excepting Loki who could not now be spared, and even then, he had never travelled to Midgard before and would think twice before attempting such a thing without adequate research), that Thor was no doubt in good hands and in a much more secure position than them at present, that it would be better to focus on their own (and Asgard's) security than that of one Aesir. With that, the Mages turned to other more practical duties – making potions, harvesting herbs and verifying the potency of healing stones, blessing weaponry, carving spell-runes upon said weaponry, fortifying shields, enhancing other magickal protection seals and casting runes in hopes of divining further guidance from the Norns or the Heimsrsal itself.
Discouraging the Warriors Three and Sif from going out to look for Thor was a much more difficult task, since Loki's recent 'elevated' status (such as it was) seemed to raise Sif's suspicions even more. Loki knew that a few of the younger lords and ladies were already fearing that he would attempt to take Thor's place on the throne. A few others who lacked even more commonsense were laying bets on it. Loki cursed the lot and set those he could to work. Hogun and Fandral were packed off with Ambassadors to Vanaheim and Alfheim. Sif was sent south to Fellbjorg and Sothaborg to accumulate more information on the metalwork in the mines and the conscriptions continuing through the small villages and hamlets in the south of Asgard. Volstagg remained behind to aid General Tyr in fortification of the trenches along the sea and the bulwarks and towers which ringed out the outer edges of the massive city.
It weighed heavily on him, these additional burdens, but Loki soldiered on, as the week drew to a close. If I could but trust them not to suborn Heimdall as they have done so many times before. With the Odinsleep, Father cannot stop them either and Father... has been sleeping for the last five days, Loki thought. A short time... yet it feels unending.
[...the warp and weft of Fate...]
[...the parts we must play...]
[...let us begin with the small discordant notes...]
[...here it is proven...]
[...as it had been before...]
[...destinies already carved in stone...]
[...or not...]
[...revealed...]
Initial responses from Vanaheim and Alfheim did not bode well and when Hogun returned as guard to the courier bearing the latest news, the dark-haired taciturn warrior looked grim. The Jotunn were in no mood for parley. War is forefront on their minds, the Vanir reported, and the Giants would give them no chance for an audience with the King, responding only that the insults and injuries which Prince Thor had inflicted upon them would be repaid ten thousand fold.
Loki winced as he read over King Frey's succinct letter. Reading between the lines of the spare words written, Loki could feel the worry emanating from his uncle. No one but the fools of Asgard wish for war, Loki sighed. Rubbing his forehead tiredly and wondering once again how long he had been sitting in his chair, Loki handed the letter wordlessly over to Councillor Stafyn, letting the older warrior read it aloud to the Council. At the end, Stafyn sat down heavily, with a great sigh and a barely suppressed grim smile.
"So it is to be war then," he said.
"May the Norns be with us and may the Heimsrsal give us strength," breathed Agaeti, looking older than usual.
The Heimsrsal give aid to all, for their domain lies in the ephemeral border of What Is and What Is Not, Loki wanted to say. As such, can their guidance be any more certain than fickle Fate or the nebulous Norns?
Loki thought of the dying Spirit of Jotunheim and shivered.
Although... If it were up to the Heimsrsal entirely, then perhaps I would say it was a war we won long ago...
At the thought of the Heimsrsal, at the thought of the dying world, at the thought of the war now certainly laid before them, Loki turned the pieces, the tools which lay before him over and over in his mind, shuffling his options and considering what course he could lay which would bring Asgard to safe harbour. What do I have, he thought, that could end this without any bloodshed on our side?
Something that would teach the Jotunn to fear us – that would send them a message – that would not kill them entirely, no, but would force them to retreat... permanently...
Or wipe out their pathetic existence entirely, whispered that darker side from which he found himself hard pressed to turn away. They are dying after all. It makes no real difference... now... It would be an act of mercy.
A sad necessity, corrected Loki. A last resort.
Are we not at that moment? If it is Asgard's life you wish to protect, if it is a lesson you wish to teach, if it is a future threat you wish to eradicate, is this not the logical conclusion? You know the power of the Casket, it answers to your call... it will do your bidding... and you know the power of the Bifrost more fully than some of these ignorant warriors do. The true power of the Bifrost combined with the Casket... what could you not do, Loki?
That night and the following day, Loki wrestled with his decision. Listening carefully to the most recent information sent from Fandral concerning the enemy and gleaning rumours of mercenaries unfriendly to Asgard joining the Jotunn's cause in hopes of overthrowing Asgard's current place as chief among the Realms, Loki weighed his options. Lunch was spent with Frigga, discussing where she was planning to send the city's women and children should the Jotunn find a way to go on the offence. It would all depend upon the direction from which they attacked. If the rumours were true and a few magicians had stepped forward to aid the Frost Giants, then newly made Dark Paths were a potential as well as previously trodden ways through the Void.
As the sun began to slowly set through the golden afternoon, Loki found himself back in his room, summoning the Casket. He remembered the first day Odin had given it to him.
I should have known then. A fool, Loki, that is what you are. To not have guessed even then! What kind of king would so easily part with such a treasure? Learning another Realm's magick, that is what Odin said... but no doubt he wished to see if I could wield the power of my heritage adequately.
Loki thought of all the times he could have used it – and abstained for fear of showing the truth of his birth.
Foolish, foolish Loki...
Foolish Loki no longer...
He stared down at it. Standing there, surrounded by his papers and books, it seemed even more magickal than ever - the blue and white swirling Casket. His now cerulean blue hands gripped the metal clasps with familiarity. The metal clasps which held the crystals together, which held the Spirit of something so great it could never really be contained.
Not really, Loki thought, lifting the Casket and turning to allow the dim light slanting in through his open balcony doors to light up crystal within, not really. Not unless... Without further thought, Loki let the Casket go to hover momentarily before himself and then twisted his hands in his familiar gesture, storing it safely away in his magickal niche between What Is and What Is Not. No one would know – as no one knew before... that I have retaken it – again.
This time, Father, Loki's jaw set in determination and his green eyes hardened like steel. I will use it well. I will show you... what I can do – what I will do for Asgard.
-0-0-0-
The journey down from the palace to the Bifrost brought renewed urgency to the sharp-eyed prince as he rode down through the main streets, noting the increasingly frenetic activity among the civilians as they bustled about in preparation for the war. It seemed as though no one was standing about idly.
Men in armour marched in time, practising the synchronised movements which had been familiar so long ago. Others ran to and fro bearing arms or charged crystals or energy cells. Elderly men sharpened knives, spears, swords and mended shields. Carving runes, the more gifted ones provided the standing soldier's armour and weaponry with additional protection. Down wide avenues and in recessed courtyards, groups and pairs of warriors practised their craft in their spare time, while along the tops of the walls, on the lower ramparts and through the various streets, patrols ran or walked by, keeping a weather eye out for spies. Meanwhile, overhead, the fleygja-skips patrolled the skies and a few of the squads were also sharpening their aerial maneuvers and targeting efficiency.
Women sat on stoops, sewing banners and flags and leather tunics and mending socks and patching breeches. Others were packing herbs and crushing medicinal plants or crystals, humming tuneless magickal melodies as they worked. Elderly women wrapped long white bandages in rolls, sending the large stock piles up to the armouries, the wall towers and the Palace. Bread, pastries, dried fruit, smoked meats, and stews were carefully being carted down in baskets and bushels and crates and cauldrons attended by giggling young women, who at the sight of their Prince riding by gave him shy glances and giggled.
Even the children were kept busy. Either they peered out of the windows, obviously kept indoors where they were left small menial cleaning tasks to finish or ran through the small winding side streets with errands or baskets or piles of cloth or stacks of wood and other items that the warriors or healers or stables wanted.
Without fanfare, Loki rode by, saying nothing but he smiled at those who nodded at him and continued on, feeling heartened by the well-focused activities around him. Although the prince knew now exactly what he needed to do to save Asgard from the pressure of war, the sight of his people working so hard to work together comforted him. There is a reason why Asgard has maintained its position within the Nine Realms for so long, he reminded himself. Even if the danger is no longer a true threat, it is well to know how closely our bonds bring us together in times of hardship.
In this way, the prince moved on downward and outward to the great gates of the Bifrost and beyond. With a spare horse, jogging behind, tethered securely to his saddle's pommel, Loki moved quickly across the Rainbow Bridge to the Observatory on the far side. When he arrived, the Gatekeeper, standing tall and imperious in his gleaming gold armour, was waiting.
"Loki," Heimdall's deep voice reflected nothing of his thoughts or emotions, as usual. His golden eyes seemed to look through the young prince, as though the Gatekeeper was watching something else, or perhaps reading Loki's mind.
The prince raised his chin and held up a small squared off scrip. Dismounting his horse, Loki let slack the reins and stepped forward to hand the letter to the Gatekeeper with an air of indifference.
"High Mage Agaeti, I believe. The Mages wish to consult with you on some matter... I know not what but..." Here, Loki shrugged. "Perhaps they explained further in their missive."
Loki edged closer to Heimdall's elbow, craning his neck, as though he cared about the reason for which the old fools had wished to meet with the far-sighted Gatekeeper, as though he did not know. He smirked as he caught a brief glimpse of the word 'Jotunheim'. So Agaeti took the hint about further reconnaissance... Green eyes watched the tall, brawny Gatekeeper carefully. Heimdall, face stoic as usual, stored the letter away underneath his left breastplate, sheathed his sword and gave Loki a sharp look.
"You have finished your errand, young Prince." A pause. Then: "Odd that a prince such as yourself would stoop so low for such a task."
"We are all rather short on help these days," Loki replied stiffly. "No hand can be spared for this war - not even mine." A beat, then: "Do you doubt my dedication?"
When Heimdall did not immediately respond, Loki frowned.
"You doubt it. Even now."
"I doubt many things," Heimdall said. "Only what I see with my eyes, do I believe."
"But you have seen nothing, have you not?" Loki cocked his head, eyes narrowing. "You rely on rumours and slander."
"I have seen nothing when there must have been something to be seen," Heimdall finally responded, stepping forward to loom over the slender prince. "I have sought you out on many occasions and have not found you where you ought to be. You have hidden yourself from my gaze... as were the Jotunn who came that day to Asgard."
"You imply I brought them here. You accuse me so easily with little or no evidence to the contrary-"
"There is only what I see and what I do not see," Heimdall replied calmly, "and the patterns that lie within such activities."
"What are you trying to say? Whatever you think I have done, I was not the one who started the war and I am not responsible for Thor's decisions," Loki bit out defensively, bristling with barely contained anger.
"I have attempted to say nothing." Heimdall leaned forward, but Loki forced his back to stiffen, refusing to back down although the Prince's clenched fists shook and his belly churned with uneasiness. "Or perhaps I have," Heimdall said softly. "A warning to those who threaten the throne."
"So even the glorious Heimdall stoops to the level of his inferiors, mucking about in baseless accusations-"
"Listening to the people, that is a dangerous thing, I agree. However, when it is something I see with my own eyes... Then, I hold my tongue and wait for moments such as these." After a second's pause, Heimdall straightened and gave Loki a look. "I am no tale-bearer and have spoken of this to none but yourself."
"I should hope not, considering who I am. I am Prince Loki of Asgard and as such, I deserve your allegiance. Mother - your Queen has given the injunction that I should oversee the country until All-Father returns."
"But you are not on the throne," Heimdall smiled then. A small infuriating smile. A knowing smile. "I hold my allegiance to the King - the King, which you will never be, Prince Loki. I must go." Bowing to Loki – just barely – Heimdall passed the furious warrior mage. "If you will excuse me."
Watching the tall, gold-armoured Gatekeeper walk down the Bifrost to mount the extra charger Loki had brought, the Prince smiled slowly.
"Oh," he whispered, "you are excused."
[...the warp and weft of Fate...]
[...the parts we must play...]
Loki waited. Patience, he thought, rewards the one who waits with the greatest prize... Standing there quietly, after running through his checklist of things he need to accomplish later on in the day, Loki considered his plan once again. Risky, he thought, but the result will be... quite effective, I think. Thor would be right at my side enjoying this one - if he could grasp the subtlty of the moment. Perhaps he would be disappointed he was not down on Jotunheim himself smashing the Jotunn to bits, but Father would approve, surely. Surely... Loki considered the white-haired king who had called himself Father and yet seemed to be so aloof around his youngest. Father will be proud, I should think. Finishing what he started all those years ago.
When Heimdall passed his second illusion stationed just outside the Mage's Academy, Loki set to work at once. Making his way swiftly into the Observatory, Loki withdrew one of the swords he had 'borrowed' from the Einherjar's weaponry room and slotted the blade carefully into the Observatory's podium. Just as he hoped, the runes which he had temporarily etched on the silver blade disguised it enough to fool the mechanism. Smoothly, the walls rotated around, the axis and the outer rings began to spin, the Eye moved its usual journey forward and down, responding to the unspoken command of the sword-bearer and pinpointing Jotunheim.
Loki hoped.
Summoning the Casket out of his unseen niche, Loki held it within his hands, revelling in the power as its icy blast flowed forth ceaselessly outward and upward, following the crackling lines of energy until the power, housed in ice branched like a great blue-white tree.
Now, the power will flow continually up and out, Loki thought. Trapped by ice, looking as glorious as a silvralmr or hota-eik. A beautiful thing. An alluring travesty. The most elegant weapon of death.
Backing away, Loki stowed the Casket carefully and surveyed his handiwork as it continued onward, unchecked, blasting fiery icy and death upon the unseen land targeted below the blinding gaze of the Eye. The starlight, the fiery glimmer of ice flickered in his wide green eyes as he stepped back toward the door. He could not see Jotunheim. He was not Heimdall, but Loki could imagine.
Shutting his eyes, he thought he could see it as it had happened before – in another life, perhaps – or in a dream. A dream when he was young and stood upon the Svelshelf and gazed into the Void. It had promised so many things.
...DEATH...
Gaze into the Void too long... and it will gaze back at you, the Light Elf librarian had once told him.
...DEATH...
...IS MINE...
...YOU ARE MINE...
I am not afraid, Loki had once stated, courageous in his innocence.
You should be afraid... Elethed also had said.
You should be.
...SUCH GLORIOUS GIFTS...
Loki shivered as the insidious voice curled around in his head, taking root again – or perhaps it had never left. His stomach turned and the warrior mage's hands began to shake. He could see it – the shaft of light and fire and magick increased by a thousand fold thanks to the Casket, shrieking and crackling and roaring down upon the land, cutting into the crumbling wastelands of Utgard and widening as it's beam focussed downward for too long of a time.
Finishing what my ancestors started, Loki opened his eyes again slowly, all those ages ago. I suppose, in the end, I am more like them than even Mother and Father know. Turning away he looked over the edge of bridge carefully, watching as the matter and dust disturbed by the energy field moved lazily in a circle. Soon, he thought, the Mouth of the Void, the Muthr'a'Ginnung, it will form.
It will devour all, for it is always hungry...
...DEVOUR...
...SUCH GLORIOUS GIFTS...
...FOR DEATH...
...DEATH...
It is will always be hungry. Loki leaned away and shivered as the small black hole formed. Soon, Jotunheim will be no more – never to haunt my dreams again, nor to threaten the peace of Asgard.
For a second, he thought he could hear it – the shrieking wails of the Heimsrsal, the rumble of feet running away from the collapsing cliff faces of the Eybjarg, the cry of dying Jotunn – and Loki staggered back, gasping as he shut his eyes to the terror before him. Terror from which he could not turn away.
...beloved...
...no no no no...
...no no no nonononono...
...this was not how it was to be...
He thought of Laufey, tall and remote. He thought of Farbauti, double-minded and kind-spirited. He thought of Helblindi, proud if uncertain. He thought of Byleistr.
Byleistr. Gentle-hearted, learned and gracious.
Loki drew a rattling breath, green eyes glittering with unshed tears, as he stepped back from the edge of the Bifrost. His face was set and pale, lips pressed together in a thin hard line as he turned away.
"Goodbye, Byla," he whispered, back to the calling Void. "Goodbye, Meir'brothir."
Meir'brothir.
[...let us begin...]
Odin's brow wrinkles. His lashes flutter as his eyes roam over Asgard. As he...
[...let us begin with the small discordant notes...]
[...here it is proven...]
[...as it had been before...]
Heimdall sees everything. As a young child, his golden eyes had captured the very glory of the Heimsrsal and, blessed with her grace, the Gatekeeper continues his watch as his father and his forefathers did before him. He sees a droplet fall, years of light away, upon a slender stem in the deep jungles of an alien planet. He sees the girls kick their heels to the stars and the warriors brawl in the deep pits of lost city planets. He sees a jouncing vehicle jolt its way across sand, bearing an unconscious blonde stranger into a small village. He sees a slender figure standing with its back to the gaping Void. He sees the anxious swirl of a great serpent as its world shakes.
As its world shakes...
As Jotunheim shudders...
Heimdall, scattering maps and papers every which way, flees the great halls of the mages and makes his way through the palace at breakneck speed, taking every shortcut he knows to reach the King and his waiting Queen.
The world is shaking.
Jotunheim is breaking.
Doom had come.
[...destinies already carved in stone...]
[...or not...]
[...revealed...]
Heimdall found his way to the King's Chamber and with a peremptory wave of his hand, glared down at the guards who had stepped forward to halt his approach and entered the room, ignoring their muted protests. As he clattered down the stairs, Heimdall caught his breath and then realized with a start that the golden aura around the King's bed had disappeared. The bed itself was empty.
"All-Father-" Heimdall glanced about warily – and then relaxed minutely as the small door, which he knew led to the Healer's store room and the privy, opened. Odin and Frigga emerged, pulling on Odin's tunic, overcoat and short-waisted vest, clearly in the middle of an argument.
"-is madness. I did what I had to do for Thor, but this-"
"These are the actions of a confused heart-"
"All-Father," Heimdall strode forward, took to one knee and bowed his head. "Your Awakening has never had better timing than this. Prince Loki-"
"I know," Odin said shortly, face grim.
"He means well-"
"This deed cannot go unpunished. Damage to the Bifrost will result in-"
"Can it be stopped?" Heimdall asked, rising to his feet and helping a silent, pale-faced Frigga to place Odin's light armour on top of his tunic and leathers.
"It must be. That boy-"
"That boy?" Frigga's voice quavered with unshed tears and frustration. "He is our son!"
"He is destroying a planet and the foundations of an entire Realm! Our position will be threatened as the rest will fear that our next target will be them! To show our abilities so blatantly will upset the delicate balance of-" Odin's rising voice broke off. Then he added, "This is not the Loki I remember, sitting at our table. This is not the Loki I had wished for - I adopted that child in hopes of peace, not – not this creature of destruction!"
"In hopes of what?" Frigga ground out. "Is that all you saw him as – a bridge to cross the chasm you dug? To bandage the ills you dealt? Are Loki's fears to be justified after all?"
"His what?"
Odin, Frigga and Heimdall made their way out of the room and down the hall, ignoring the startled guards and continuing their increasingly vocal argument.
"His fears, beloved," Frigga shook her head. "He fears so – so much – being used and cast away. These fears, which eat away at him, they are legitimate, considering his past."
"When we spoke in the Vault, I looked in his eyes and I saw Nothing. A Void where his heart lies," Odin shook his head. "Loki is a wild fire, an untamed double-edged blade. I should have thought twice before committing to his potential."
"Thought twice? Committing to – to-" Frigga's blue eyes flashed, her hands rose in the air with a gesture of despair and anger. "I committed to a son, to a child, to a future – whatever that was! You cannot make contracts with Fate on such matters, nor can you attach such expectations to your affections. His heart may seem empty, but it needs only to be filled over with our hope, our acceptance – and our love."
"Well, I do not blame him entirely..."
"I should hope not!"
"But he is not entirely blameless-"
Odin paused as he and Heimdall made their way out to the courtyard which now bustled with frenetic activity as courtiers and nobles and officials and warriors and mages and servants and pageboys all rushed to the battlements to look across the city at the sparkling vision of the gold and silver Observatory flashing like a precious jewel on the edge of the Sea. The ominous creak of metal and ice filled the air and a freezing blast of icy wind blew back over the sea and through the city.
"We are to blame also for putting such responsibility on him-"
"That is not the problem," Frigga snapped. "He was handling the entire situation quite well. No. It is an issue of insecurity. He lacks confidence. Dearest," Here, Frigga tugged on her husband's arm, whipping him back to look at him. "Loki needs, no, he craves your acceptance. Your love. Your praise. Loki – he – he merely wishes to prove himself the equal of any man who stands before you, the equal of Thor."
Odin blinked at his wife, mystified.
"What?"
"I think, dearest, he has always found himself wanting-"
"Nonsense," Odin gave a bark of laughter, waving a hand in dismissal. "Surely not."
Frigga gave Odin a look.
"Is he that foolish?" Odin asked uneasily. "I gave him charge of Thor – I looked to his counsel on various matters. I accepted both Loki's talents and his heritage. How can he not see how much I value him?"
"Value? Value? The way you say it speaks for itself. Look, dear, have you ever said as much to him?"
"What – Frigga – we do not have the time for this-"
"We must take the time!" Frigga insisted, voice now harsh with worry. "Or I will lose another son – and this time, I will lose him in such a way that he will never be fully mine again."
"Frigga-"
"I have seen it."
A pause.
"Have. You. Ever. Said. As. Much. To. Him." Frigga repeated her question, quietly emphatic.
"Sire, we must make haste-"
Odin, ignoring Heimdall's reminder, held Frigga's gaze for a moment before letting his eyes wander over the broad courtyard before him.
"I – I – I may have mentioned it-"
"You may have mentioned it," Frigga echoed Odin disbelievingly. "I do not think you have – or if you have, you were not clear."
"I-"
"You must, dearest. When we go to speak with him-"
"We? You are not joining us-"
"When we go to speak with him, yes, I know that as King you must punish him for his wrongdoings and as a father you cannot but allow exhortation and disappointment to take its due. Yet... yet... also show him your love-"
"Frigga-"
"He is your son. Our son."
"And what would you have me do with this son of ours then, wife?" Odin finally asked her, taking her by the hand.
"What you would do with any son," Frigga finally whispered.
A pause and she added painfully, as though her heart was breaking in two.
"What you have done with Thor."
[...let us begin with the small discordant notes...]
[...destinies already carved in stone...]
[...or not...]
[...revealed...]
All my life, all my life, it has lurked, it has loomed in my memory – a shadow of a threat, a dark promise of things to come. It has been my constant companion, my past and my future. It lies there on the edges of my consciousness, whether I will or no. Never far no matter how far I may roam.
This is Jotunheim...
Jotunheim...
no more...
Well, there you go~! The pivotal chapter now done! Craziness.
So there are a few questions folks have raised...
Q: How does Odin feel about Loki?
A: Odin feels affection for Loki - and respect - but at times, I think he can't really show his love for Loki in the way that Loki needs. Also, I don't think his love for Loki is entirely altruistic... so yeah... He does value Loki, but as Frigga says, if valuing something isn't accompanied by love, then it is a terrible, cold kind of affection... and not what Loki needs in the slightest! Odin... (shakes head)
Q: Why would you have Loki destroy Jotunheim? Does he hate Jotunheim that much?!
A: Well. I think one can commit genocide out of necessity and not hate per se. I think the Loki in the film definitely attempts (we don't know if he succeeds really) to eradicate Jotunheim out of necessity AND self-hatred. This Loki has less self-hatred and more fear. I would definitely say that the necessity of the moment is flavoured by the need for revenge and fear/hatred of himself... but I would say that this Loki's response to destroying Jotunheim is a cold thing. Not a hot-tempered thing. Does it make it right? No, but I would compare this to (in a way) the Americans' use of the atomic bomb in WWII. Many people saw it as a sad necessity, but quite a few other people saw it as 'coming to the Japanese' (to put it nicely). So, yeah. A difficult moment for the chara we love... v.v
Let me know what you think~
The next update will most prolly be in 4 or 5 days time. It'll probably be the side story for this fic, which is up on FF NET and etc. The stories are available for public viewing and I encourage you to put that side story fic collection on your favs and alerts. XD
Also, for those who love Hiddles, I wrote a funny one-shot for Hiddles's birthday. A Tom & Loki fic which you can read on my Tumblr (a few pages or so back), or on AO3 called "As Thanks To You a.k.a. The Cake Incident". Enjoy~
-KI
Alien Glossary:
'auzha – fucker
chi'iano – a radioactive piece of rock similar to uranium
cho'ai - lover
Dou'ma – idiot
iz'kyr – a kind of frozen stone powder which is used as a narcotic for some species
kalo – a kind of purple-red fruit, similar to a pomegranate or dragonfruit
kol-sava'atha – a titanium-rich ore
Morning-star - a mace
n'ch'nka – a kind of cow
oma'auzha – mother-effer
oto'oa - big sister
r'senk'ne – a kind of deer/cow hybrid
udji'oo – a drug, like opium
Asgardian Glossary:
bikkja – bitch
Brenna-Fir – the Immolation
Drakka Thyod – Dragon Race
ergi - womanly, weak, "gay"
Fiendfyre – a phoenix-firebird
Flauguna – flying feet/teleportation
fotr'ro - footstool
Ginnung – the Void
harhvila - high bed
Haugbui Bustathr – the Shrine of the Kings
Hiti-mothr – Flame Fury (also known as Lachruth)
Kaesia-Seithr – Spirit-Spear style
Koma a Aldr – Coming of Age
Kveykva-herklaethi – Light Armoured style
Laegja – the Immersion
Ofolr Leith – Dark Paths, Other Ways (crossing the Void)
Ominni-tith - the Forgotten Times
Rikr-Hringraevi – Grand Cycles of Time
Runa a Fyrsta – Rites of Initiation
Runa a Kelda – Rites of Spring
Runa'a'vetr – Winter Solstice
Saga-Vefr – Story-weavers
seithr - magic
seithrmaster - mage, sorceror
Skjald-borhyrr – Wall of Flame
Skipa – the Infusion
Skokkr-a-Mir – concealment skills, Box of Mirrors (also known as Col'ca-cenedril)
stormerki – mysteria
Tveir-Andlit – illusionary skills, Double Face
Velspara-Speki – the Well (of Wisdom)
Elvish Glossary:
skreyppa – slippery one
gargani – snake
fintalenir – trickster
vanwa – defeated one, impolite term for "loser"
caitahto – liar
curunar – fiery one
Lachruth – Flame Fury
Col'ca-cenedril – Box of Mirrors
Cebir-Gondlug – Spike-Stone Dragon
Am'loce Norie – Dragon Race
raudhaust – high bed
Jotunheim Glossary:
Aldinn Stathr – Ancient Place
Almror'ganga - Long Range Weapon Contest
Arlang'leith – the Annual Caravan
Atfirth – energies
ausa'songr fugl - flow-songbirds
blakkrbjorr – black beer
Blakkrbjorn – black bear
blakkrgras – black grass
blargras – blue grass
blar'iss hros - black ice horse
Blaufe'irsteinn - blue fire stone
Brandr'ganga - Unarmed Combat
Dagaheim
Dauthr'ganga - Death Duel
dvegr – dwarf
dyrspeki – zoologist
Eybjarg (Chasms of Forever)
Faetha'snaer - "Mother", "who births the snow"
Farbjothr – the Destroyer
fauld – a part of armour around the lower midsection
Fjor'fylgja – Life Mate
Flara River – Treacherous River
fleygja-skip – flying/shooting ship
For-Eldra – Ancestors
Forn Vegr – Old Ways
Frothleikr'ganga - Battle of Magick
Fylgja'snaer - "Father", "who aids the snow"
Gastropnir
Glima'ganga - Battle of Swords
Gnaefki-Seggr – High Guard
Gnottvatn (Lake of Abundance)
Gothahus – temple
Grarfjall – Grey Mountains
grarulfr – grey wolves
Griotunagardar
hafnathr – sea serpents
heillgrjot – healing stones
Heimsrsal – Soul of the Realm
heithrsker – crystal flowers
hjarr'veithr - rabbit chaser (a kind of eagle)
Holdra River – Hero's River
holkimurtr – small flat fish
Holkn Vollr – Flat Plains
holmganga – a method of ending feuds/disagreements
hota-eik – white oak
hvaeta – wheat
hvitr'steinn - white fire stone
Innaheim – Inner Realm
iss'hona'by - ice honey bee
jarnkottr – iron cat (beast which Laufey released in Thor)
jarnvithr – iron wood
Kaldrfjall (Cold Mountains)
Kero Fornvetr – Casket of Ancient Winters
kostrboth – a method of proving virility for the purpose of marriage
lagreinn – small one (epithet)
lagr'hyggr – fool
Lengi Ofrithr – Long War
luthrblom – trumpet flower
manisilfr – moonsilver
Meir'brothir – Older Brother
melrakki – white fox
Muthr'a'Ginnung - the Mouth of the Void, black holes
Myrkr Skogr – shadow forest
Nattura – spirits
Northri Stjarna – North Star
rjothr'auga haukr - red-eyed hawk
silvralmr – silver elm
silvrfiskr – silver fish
Sithr Efingi – True Heir
Skalldi
skordyr – Jotunheim goat
Smar'brothir – Younger Brother
snaerharra – snow rabbit
snjarlang'hvartha - snow camel
Storrholl – Great Hall
thurblakulfr – giant black wolves
tunglbom (moonflower)
Utanheim – Outer Realm
Utgard
vaetki – nothing
ventrmellin – winter melon
villrkyr – wild ox
Virtha Aevi – Coming of Age
Vit'ganga - Battle of Wits