Author's Notes: Fifty chapters, holy crap. Honestly, it was originally planned for thirty, but everybody wanted their say! Could YOU say 'no' to any of the Avengers or Asgardians? Sigh.

Since this is a milestone chapter, before we get down to it I'd like to acknowledge the faithful readers who have also taken the time to review. While I love all of my readers, I'm especially grateful to the reviewers. They are the ones who let me know if I'm going off the track or if I'm hitting the target at which I've aimed. Those lovely people are, in order of the number of reviews they've submitted:

CLTex, Kathalla, DoctorLokiLove, RemaSofiRuin, Loki'sdreamer, BlooAngels, miller330, Ynath Esrith, thinggtwoo, jeanette9a, Miko Hayashi, MissKikkiKat, Lioncourt619, Mutinious Pirate, Sesshomaru'sGinstuki, DMMD, Frostfire613, Ellize Avalon, Freyalyn, ikatiecullen101, Tashio, Yasumi, AliceOfCards, AwkwardGiraffe, BarefootBalerina, CheerupSkitz, C'ielAster-Stuart, d1x1lady, Doctor-Tardis-Yes, Fleeing Dawn, Genevieve, Hope of the Darkness, horsesforcourses, IthilAerlinn, LadyAmazon, lizzymcguires899, MagnaMagic, mimi12349876, Mrs Capt Jack Sparrows, rajanihala, Random chicky, SAINTIXE56, ShizukaRen-Hime and TwilightWorshipper13. There have also been about a dozen "guest" reviewers who did not leave names. You are no less appreciated!

Again, thank you, with all of my heart. Now, on to the story!

… …

Eir entered the private study as bid and then bowed respectfully to her monarchs. "I've just left Prince Loki and Princess Kara," she reported.

"And what did you find?" Lady Frigga asked eagerly.

"As we anticipated from the last exam, the princess's conversion is advancing far more swiftly than normal. The power of the Key in her body is rushing the rest of the conversion along at a breakneck pace. Your son expressed concern that she appeared to be growing too thin and I must agree with him. Obviously she's gained weight as her muscle and bone density increase, but her ribs and spine are becoming too prominent. I've recommended a small meal every one to two hours for a time to compensate for the energy being burned so quickly. Her meng mein is almost fully developed. I'm not embarrassed to admit that I am astounded."

"Loki tells me that they've been practicing the release and rebinding of his magic several times a day so that it becomes second nature for them," the All-Father said thoughtfully. "That is also likely a contributing factor to her development. Additionally Kara has been working hard to adjust to the new strength of her gifts. Loki believes she is actively using her meng mein to channel her power, which I find quite amazing considering her youth as an Æsir."

"Dear, she was already using the chakra of that area to channel energy. Transferring the channeling to the physical organ likely came naturally to her," the queen told her husband. "What of our other concern?" Frigga asked.

Eir sighed. "I had them practice the release and binding while I watched. Loki's power is too strong; she will not be able to safely carry a child any time soon. I am sorry; I know you were both looking forward to their giving you grandchildren."

"And in the future?" her king asked.

"I cannot know for certain since the fate of Loki's birth mother is a mystery, but once it is otherwise safe for her to bear, I believe that, with proper instruction, the princess will be able to bind the infant's ability to change forms in the womb so that the mixture of races will not be a true concern to their health." Frigga smiled and her gaze grew distant. "Your majesty, you have thoughts on this?"

"Yes. I believe you are quite correct. But still, so long as Loki's magic must be bound, it cannot be risked." Frigga's eyes refocused on the room. "Are our son and our daughter by marriage coming to speak with us?"

"I have told them to. They wished to have a few moments alone first to absorb the news I gave them."

… …

"It's good news," Kara insisted. "Yes, we'll have to wait until I can release your magic permanently, but then we can have a baby safely."

Loki shook his head with a frown. "Eir said that we should be able to risk having a baby, and that we should be able to bind its ability to shift forms in the womb. She did not say it would be safe or that we would be successful."

She rolled her eyes. "You're such a pessimist. She was pretty damn certain, and that's based on what I can do now. You heard her; I might be able to do a lot more by that time. My body will be able to tolerate the necessary magic easily."

"Yes, tolerate. That means it is still not something natural." He huffed, still looking depressed about the whole thing. She dropped her shields slightly. Crap, he wasn't just down, he was pissed and felt like he wanted to strike out at something. "I cannot risk you in that way," he snapped.

"Loki, stop it. That's decades away; by that time I'll be a lot stronger and you'll know better what I'm capable of. Don't let it get to you now. Sure, if we were to try it right this minute the risk would be too unknown and too high. So, we're not. When your magic is permanently unbound, Eir will check me out again. If for some reason she doesn't think it's a good idea at that point, then you can be upset. Right now, it's very hopeful that we can, so please don't dwell on the slight possibility that it isn't."

He took a deep breath and stared into her eyes for several long moments. Finally he nodded and his hands caressed her shoulders as he looked down at her with a half smile. "Very well. I suppose I'm being greedy. I have you, my other half, and all I can think is that I want it all and that I want it now."

"That's probably from too many years of feeling as though you had nothing. It's natural." She moved in to give him a quick hug and then tugged at his arm to get him moving down the hall. "Let's go see your mother. If she isn't disappointed, then you can pretty much count on having it all one day."

His eyebrows rose. "You…are likely right. Now why didn't I think of that?"

"Because you're too wrapped up in feeling sorry for yourself and pissed off at the universe. Knock it off."

"As you wish."

She snickered and looked up in time to see his confusion. "Seriously, our first order of business when we move back into Avengers' Tower is movie night with 'The Princess Bride'. Damn, I'm going to have to lift my ban on eighties' films."

… …

The guards opened the doors to Odin's private study as they approached. Loki schooled his features to nonchalance; he would not let them see that he was surprised that they were told to admit them without announcing their arrival. He settled Kara's hand in the crook of his arm so that they could make a more formal entrance only to stop short as his mother literally threw herself at them before they'd gotten more than two strides into the room. "Oh, Loki, Kara, is the news not wonderful?" she asked joyfully.

He gave his mother a confused hug and stepped back. "Which news has pleased you so?" he asked.

Kara snickered again as Frigga gave him an exasperated look. "The news that Kara should be able to safely bear you children one day, of course."

"Mother, should does not necessarily equate to will. We shall have to see when the time comes."

Odin chuckled from his seat by the ornate fireplace. "There is no dampening of your mother's enthusiasm, my son. If determination alone could make something true, it will happen."

Loki stared with his mouth open for a second. Hearing the All-Father casually addressing him as 'my son' was still so unexpected that it shamed him anew each time. "I-well, she is a force of nature…father."

Odin's smile at the form of address was genuine. "She is at that. As is your lady, in true command of an element, no less. Your heart has chosen wisely."

"My heart chose a woman of compassion. Her power was of little concern to it." His father frowned slightly at his assertion. "Truly, her fire was amazing, but had no bearing on my love for her. It was her understanding of how it felt to be considered a monster and to rise above that feeling that called to me."

"As well it should have," Odin agreed, his tone accepting. "You'll forgive my enthusiasm over her prowess as a warrior."

"No, actually, I will not," he said, trying to rein in his growing temper. "My wife is not Asgard's newest weapon, and her power is not to be used as a threat to the other realms. While she will fight if she must, and woe betide the man who tries to prevent her, I am certainly not that foolish; she would prefer diplomacy and compromise to achieve peace. And I-I will stand with her on that."

The old man was grinning widely. Loki's eyes narrowed as he wondered what had pleased the war-mongering old bas… "Good." His father stood and strode over to them. Gasping as Odin threw his arms about him in a hard embrace, he staggered a bit before regaining his balance. "I know you will bring me much pride as you pay your debts, Loki. You have grown in wisdom and courage as well as in compassion. Thor will be blessed to have you by his side once he takes Hlidskjalf."

"The Norns grant that my brother will not take your high seat for many years yet," he muttered. "He has made great gains, but he is not yet ready."

"I know this. You tried to tell me so before, but I discounted your words. I apologize."

Loki turned at Kara's giggle. She and his mother were standing together, both smirking. Kara shrugged as he glared at her. "It's amazing when men finally start to grow up, no matter how old they might be when they finally get to that point," she said, nodding at Odin. He glanced at his father who was frowning at the women.

"I have to agree," Frigga said as Odin's frown deepened. "Unfortunately, learning wisdom is a process that goes in fits and starts. Sometimes millennia will pass between one such growth spurt and the next."

"Leave off, wife," Odin growled as amusement took over his features. "I have admitted such as well you know."

"So you have, but a reminder is rarely amiss."

"Yes, yes. Now, come and sit down, all of you. We must take care of the business for which our children were summoned." They settled themselves down in the seats arranged by the fireplace. Though the weather was moderate, a small fire burned in it. Loki knew the flames were used for contemplation and for seeing great distances rather than as a source of heat. Kara was staring at them, her curiosity obvious. He'd remember to explain later. "We have a solution to the problem of defense against a magical attack while Loki's power is bound." Odin reached into a box set on a small table near his chair and drew two wide bracelets from it. They looked like tokens of marriage that were often exchanged between Æsir couples; each of the gleaming gold bands was etched with runes and set with an emerald green crystal, and those crystals were charged with potent magic. "I thought to disguise them as something you both might be expected to wear so that they would not be immediately targeted by an enemy. We've made them so that they will not only deflect an initial attack, but will alert the one who is not attacked that such has happened."

"So if Kara is attacked, she will release my magic and I will know to take that power and come to her aid immediately," Loki supposed.

"Yes. And if you are attacked, she will know it and will release your power so that you may defend yourself from subsequent attacks."

"Good. Wait, you say this as though we may not be together, is that the intent?"

"Yes. You can even be in different realms when the Key is used to release your power, my son. But you will need to be in the same realm to bind it again or you will suffer great agony from the binding as that magic travels through the realms unwillingly."

"That's acceptable. You said initial and subsequent attacks. Are these amulets good for one usage only, then?"

Frigga spoke up. "No; one usage per charge of power. We've built them in the manner of a permanent ward. Once a ward has done its job it must be recharged to be used again. So is the nature of these amulets. Once the danger has passed and before your magic is bound again, you will need to recharge them. It would be the same process as charging any major ward and should not be an issue for one of your skill."

Loki nodded. "You've made a mobile permanent ward. I did not know such a thing could be done. I suppose if it had occurred to me, I could have managed it." He shrugged. "The need was never there."

"Necessity is the mother of invention, is what we say on Ear…Midgard," Kara told them.

Odin frowned thoughtfully. "I suggest that you do not let anyone else know about the amulets and that there is no requirement for the two of you to be together when Loki's power is released, that way the return of his power will be an advantage no one can expect in those situations. It might well mean the difference in any battle."

"You are right," Loki agreed. "Kara, not even our friends may know. While they would not willingly disclose it," he added hastily as she frowned. "They cannot be forced to reveal knowledge they do not have."

"Oh, okay."

Odin gestured to the two of them to come closer. He snapped one of the bracelets around each of their left wrists. Loki could feel the power in the thing. "There, it is done. You may tell your friends and any others who ask that my lady chastised me for not providing such when I joined the two of you in marriage. And that though they are not the style of marriage adornments on Midgard, you would honor your home in Asgard by wearing them."

Loki looked at his wife. She smiled back at him and gave him a tiny nod. "We would be pleased to wear them for that reason alone," he told Odin.

… …

Natasha examined her uniform with a critical eye. The leathers were not only spotless; all signs of wear had seemingly been erased. "How did they do that?" she asked her Hawk.

"Do what? Isn't it clean enough for you," he asked with a smartass grin. She looked him over as he dressed. The worn spot on his left boot was also somehow gone.

Frowning, she met his dancing eyes. "You know exactly what I meant. Out with it."

He shrugged. "It's magic, and don't glare at me. I'm not being facetious, that's what I was told when I asked last time I was here."

"So they use magic even for everyday tasks?" His nod confused the hell out of her. "If magic isn't taboo, then why were they so down on Loki when he's evidently an expert?"

"Because he's not a woman, I guess. Apparently, with few exceptions, magic is considered a woman's art and it isn't manly to practice it to that extent. Which kind of drove me a little nuts, Odin is really big with the magic, so why did they make it seem so damn shameful for his kid?"

Natasha thought about it. "Jealousy," she finally concluded. "They couldn't hope to be better at it, so they belittled it."

Hawkeye stared at her. "Damn, I bet you're right."

"Of course I'm right," she told him as she zipped up and then grabbed the pack that contained her arctic gear, weapons and other essentials for their trip to Jötunheim. "Come on, we're late for breakfast and I'm starving."

"Yeah, well, you're eating for…"

"If you finish that sentence you won't be able to straighten up for a week."

"Geez, touchy much?"

She stopped with her hand on the door and let her glare convey her exasperation. "Clint, I'm going to have to listen to that crap from everyone else for the next eight-plus months. I don't need to hear it from you."

His face scrunched up as he thought about it. "Ouch. Stark is going to have a field day. Maybe Kara could make him see how it makes you feel to shut him up."

Her mood lifted for the first time that morning. Or rather, for the first time since after he'd awoken her with a lovely bout of oral worship. "That is brilliant. I'll ask her. We'll be proactive and shut him down before he gets in the habit."

Bruce smiled as they met him in the corridor. "Good, I'm not late," he said. "Do they have those sunken baths in every room?"

Clint shrugged. "In all the VIP guest chambers I think. At least, we had one in the rooms I was sharing with Cap and Tony before and Nat and I had one last night."

"It was amazing. The mechanism for circulating the water is ingenious. Tony should try something like that."

"He took pictures and made lots of notes once his suit got recharged, so he just might."

"If he does it for his floor, he'd better do it for the rest of us…do you think he'd fall for a threat of me getting angry with him?"

Natasha smirked. "No, but we can describe it to Pepper; she'll make him do it for everyone."

"I'll leave the strategy to you." They followed the servant in companionable silence until they reached the hall where they'd eaten dinner the previous night. "Anybody else starved? I'm not sure why I am, we ate well last night. Maybe it's the place?"

"Then I'd better not spend too much time here," she said. "I'll get as big as a house."

"Well, uh. You might be getting a bit bigger than you want anyway," the scientist said hesitantly.

"Bruce, ixnay on the regnancypay ommentscay," Clint muttered.

"Hawk, pig Latin, seriously?" she asked.

"Sorry, babe. I just thought…"

"Don't." Natasha sighed. "Sorry. I know you're trying to be sensitive, but you're not that kind of man. Your sensitivity is all in your heart not in your speech."

He shrugged. "Nice to know you think I've got some." Clint grinned when she lightly backhanded him in the chest. "Yeah, Nat. I love you too."

She turned to glare at Banner who was grinning but silent. "I wasn't going to say a word," he promised.

"Good."

… …

Thor tried to smile as his brother and his sister by marriage joined him and the Warriors Three in the small dining hall. The pair was hand in hand and smiling at each other happily. He was glad for them, truly, but he could not contain the pang of envy he felt. Seeing their happiness in each other was what had brought him to the realization that while he felt much for Jane, it was not the depth of feeling one had for their other half. Perhaps he should look at it as Loki and Kara had done him a favor and saved him from making a mistake and ruining both his life and that of the mortal woman. But still…he longed for that happiness. "Good morning, Loki, Kara. Did you sleep well?"

The two turned as one and smiled at him, Kara more enthusiastically than Loki, though considering their history he was very glad to have any smile at all from his brother. "We did, thank you brother," Loki responded. Thor finally found a genuine smile. There had been no hesitation whatsoever from Loki in calling him brother. "After I finally allowed her to go to sleep, that is."

"Loki, stop teasing," Kara scolded. "You were the one who insisted we had to go to bed and get some rest." She winked and Thor stared at her mischievous expression. "I have to have a bath like that back on Midgard," she told him. "It's the ultimate in decadence; you can never have too much luxury in the bathroom."

"Much of its workings depend on a combination of architecture and magic, my sister. I do not know if such can be duplicated on Midgard."

"Well, if science can find a way to do it, I'm going to twist Tony's arm until I've got one."

Thor frowned. "You would harm him over a bath?"

"That's not meant literally, Thor," Loki told him. "Kara meant that she will keep bothering Stark until he provides what she wishes."

"What are we bothering Tony about now?" Thor turned to see the remaining visiting members of the Avengers enter; Dr. Banner grinning as he asked the question.

"The sunken bath in Loki's chambers," Kara began.

"Our chambers," her husband interrupted.

"Whatever. Our chambers, the sunken bath, I want one, pretty desperately."

"Ah, yes, us too. Well, Natasha and I at any rate. Barton has yet to weigh in on the idea."

"I'm all for it," the Hawkeye said. "It will be safer for Nat once she's in the last trimester. I know she doesn't need it," he said as the other assassin frowned at him. "But it will make me feel a hell of a lot better."

"Then it's settled," Kara said. "We'll gang up on Tony until he builds us baths like these."

Thor grinned. The Man of Iron did not stand a chance. "Since all is settled, let us eat. The company of warriors will be ready to journey to Jötunheim shortly; we'd best be ready to join them."

"We? Are you coming along, Thor? Did the All-Father approve it?" Loki asked.

He sighed. Loki still wasn't easily addressing Odin as father. "No. I misspoke. Hogun and Fandral will accompany you and our friends from Midgard. Helblindi made it quite clear that I was unwelcome. I cannot say that I blame him."

"If he didn't need me to bring the Casket and to publicly renounce my claim on his throne, I would be even less welcome. Perhaps things will change once the ice fields are restored and we can establish a true and fair treaty."

"I do have hope of that, Loki, as does our father." He looked directly into his brother's eyes as he spoke, hoping to gauge his reaction.

Loki smiled. "Good. I understand that Laufey was unwilling to negotiate a meaningful treaty. Perhaps Helblindi will be more reasonable so that father will have one less problem to deal with." His brother come up behind him and leaned over to whisper in his ear. "And yes, I do know why you stared at me as you spoke. You need to be less obvious when you are testing the waters."

He blushed at the gentle rebuke. But it was gentle and as private as Loki could make it under the circumstances. "Thank you, brother," he murmured as softly as he could manage. "I will work on that." He grinned as Loki clapped him on the shoulder and turned to seat his lady before taking his place beside Thor.

"Well, then. Let us eat."

… …

"I thought you said you were not going with us?" Loki asked Thor when they headed for the Bifröst.

"I am taking the company there and then returning and taking you and the Avengers after. Once you are all in Jötunheim, I will return here. Heimdall will listen for your call so that I may return for you once your mission there is completed. He will also keep an eye on your progress and alert us should you be betrayed."

"Or should I do the betraying?" Loki asked bitterly.

"I do not expect such," Thor retorted. "Nor does our father. We know you have every intention of doing right by the Jötunn people. What we do not know is how many of them may wish revenge for Laufey enough to disobey Helblindi."

Loki sighed. "True. While their council advised my half-brother that I was well within my rights to kill our sire, some still may take it amiss. I thank you for your concern, Thor, but I do think we can manage any or all of the Jötnar without further help from Asgard. Father is sending a full company and while they are supposedly to oversee my behavior, we both know it is out of concern for my and Kara's safety. Added to that, we have three of Midgard's greatest heroes along. We shall be fine." Kara cleared her throat and he frowned down at her. "I was not forgetting you. I said we have them, which means I was speaking of us as a couple, not ignoring you."

She rolled her eyes. "You were ignoring the fact that we could probably kick the entire realm's collective ass between us."

"Only if you must release my power." He grimaced. "Though once you are forced to set even one of them afire I think the rest would prostrate themselves and beg for your mercy." He shrugged. "Regardless, Thor. We will have any situation well in hand, you need not worry."

Thor snorted. "Tell that to mother."

"If the boot fits…"

"Brother, I am not dissembling. Our mother is quite uneasy about this trip. Take care, something is likely amiss."

Loki frowned thoughtfully. If Frigga was uneasy it meant that she'd had a vision that was too unclear to see the outcome with any degree of certainty. He wanted to reach for the bracelet on his left wrist but quelled the impulse. "We will be on our guard at all times, brother." He smiled as Thor shook his head slightly. "I promise that I will not let my pride stand in the way of calling Heimdall for help if we cannot handle any situation that may arise. I do have my lady's safety to think of and that outweighs even my vanity."

Thor's jaw dropped. "You…you made me a promise."

"I did. Do not become accustomed to it; it will not likely happen again."

"I am not that much of a fool. Very well then, let me get the company across; then I will return for you and our friends.

… …

Bruce grinned as he struggled to fasten the snug arctic rated body armor. He still wasn't sure how his other would deal with it if he was forced to let him loose. Hopefully he'd retain enough of his mind to not rip the stuff off, otherwise he was going to freeze his ass off, possibly literally, once he changed back. At least he didn't have to worry about it being ripped off from the change itself thanks to that nifty amulet. He turned as a hand clapped him on the back. "You got it?" Clint Barton asked.

"I think so," he told the archer as the last snap clicked shut. "Can you look it over to make sure?"

He turned around as his fellow Avenger looked him over and prodded at the different fasteners. "Looks good to me; I just hope Thor gets his butt back here soon, it's getting warm in here."

"Enjoy it," Loki said. "You'll be far too cold soon enough." The half Jötunn prince had shifted forms and stripped down to his leather pants and boots. His blue skin with its raised markings had a startlingly barbaric effect, even if he had seen it before. The man was unarmed, which confused the hell out of Bruce, and he was carrying a gothic looking chest.

"Loki, no weapons?" he asked.

"Kara has my scepter," Loki replied. "In this form, my knives are unnecessary."

"Why is that?" Natasha asked as she strapped her handguns to the outside of her body armor.

"I'll show you once we've arrived. There are too many spectators here and I have no wish to alarm them any further." He had a point. There were a number of Asgardians milling about to watch their departure, and likely, Bruce guessed, to see their prince turn blue. The gasps from the crowd would have been comical if Loki hadn't seemed so miserable.

They turned as Kara stepped up to them and wrapped an arm around Loki's bared waist. She'd removed the Kevlar plates from her arctic gear and was wearing the insulating portion under the Hellbringer armor. Her face plate was still up and the portion of the arctic wear that would normally cover her mouth and nose was also unfastened. "I don't even need to adjust my temperature through all of this stuff," she said.

"Good, then you won't be draining your energy when we reach Jötunheim." Loki frowned down at his wife. "This is hardly proper public behavior," he said softly.

Bruce hid a smile as Kara scowled in response. "What? Married couples aren't allowed public displays of affection?" she asked.

"Well, yes. But…"

"Good." She rose up on her toes and kissed him full on the lips. Bruce had to clap a hand over his mouth to keep from laughing aloud at Loki's shocked expression. When she finally let him come up for air, the crowd was murmuring quietly. Their expressions, for the most part, were no longer fearful but amused. "There," she said. "Mission accomplished."

Loki was staring at her as though she'd lost her mind. "What mission?" he asked incredulously.

"Making them see you as a man, not as a monster just because you're blue." Bruce couldn't hold his chuckle in as Loki sighed. "Don't be like that, it worked. Now most of them are either feeling sorry for you because I'm so inappropriate or have the 'oh how sweet' vibe going."

"She's right, Loki. I can see it in their faces," he confirmed. "That was a pretty smart move."

"Of course it was, I'm a near genius," Kara told them.

"Depends on what scale you use. You tip over into the genius category in most of them."

"Genius or not," Loki interrupted. "That was…oh for pity's sake are you going to pout at me now?"

"Maybe."

"Fine, whatever." Loki glowered as Bruce snuck a look at Natasha and Clint. The former agents were unsuccessfully fighting grins. "Thank you," the prince said grudgingly.

"You're welcome," Kara said as a blue glow appeared inside the Observatory. "Thor's back."

… …

"Are you ready, my friends?" Thor asked as he approached the group. Loki was already in his Jötunn form. He stole a look at the gathered Æsir. While a few were eyeing his brother warily, most seemed amused for some reason. His eyes narrowed as he noticed his sister's mischievous expression and his brother's apparent exasperation. Ah, Kara had done this, he was certain.

"As ready as we'll ever be," Dr. Banner responded.

"Did you have the company take a defensive position?" Loki asked.

"Fandral and Hogun have it well in hand. Your half-brother had sentinels waiting. They have sent a messenger to him and expect that he will either come himself or send an official delegation to meet you."

"I'm surprised you got that much out of them."

"As was I, but the one in charge was one of the guardsmen that accompanied Helblindi here." He stepped as close as he could without touching his brother's freezing skin. "Take care, Loki. I trust this not."

"I never trust anything."

Thor grinned and braced himself for pain as he threw an arm around Loki's bare shoulders. The cold bit through the metal and leather quickly and he managed a brotherly half hug before he had to withdraw. "I think, in this case, that habit shall serve you well."

Loki's blood red eyes narrowed and he grabbed Thor's sleeve. "You are an idiot," he hissed. "Get to a healer, now."

"Not until after I take you and the others to Jötunheim. It will be fine. I went several hours without treatment before and their touch did much more damage. And look, our people have all relaxed now."

"Thor…"

"Smile, brother, we are being watched. You can be angry with me later."

"I'm not…never mind. Let's get this over with." Loki turned on his heel and held his hand out for his lady. "Why are we using the Observatory?" he asked as Thor led them to it "The Bifröst is not fully repaired."

"No, but Heimdall thought that if we go into the Observatory with the cube, we do not need physical contact to travel in this manner. He proved correct. It's much more convenient for transporting more than a few at a time."

"Ah, good. I was wondering how we were going to manage since only Kara can touch me barehanded with any degree of safety and I must hold on to the casket."

Thor nodded. "I thought as much." He directed the others to stand in the optimal formation for the trip and then took his own place, nodding to the Gatekeeper. "I'll be back shortly, Heimdall."

… …

Natasha dropped to her knees. She really and truly hated this kind of travel. While the medicine Lady Eir had given her before they left the Valhöll had kept her from actually vomiting, the nausea still remained. She willed the feeling down and then accepted Clint's hand to stagger to her feet. As they walked out from behind an outcropping of ice covered boulders they found a line of giant blue scantily clad men facing them, every last one holding a spear of ice. They topped Loki and Thor's height by a good two feet, and unlike Loki, there was no elegance to their sharp features, just menace. "Bozhe moy," she said softly.

"Yeah. That was my reaction last time I saw one," Hawk agreed. "The Hulk's bigger, but they make him look like a teddy bear."

"They look…merciless."

"They are," Loki said. "To their enemies. We are here as friends." He took a step forward toward one of the giants who bore body and facial markings very similar to his. "Prince Býleistr, I presume?" He asked as he made a polite half bow.

"I am he. Why is that one here?" Býleistr said, pointing at Thor.

"Since my magic is bound, as our brother Prince Helblindi was promised, Thor needed to transport us. He will be leaving now."

Býleistr's eyes glowed as they narrowed. "My brother, not yours."

Loki straightened to his full height. Not impressive next to the Jötnar, but Natasha decided it was more a point of refusing to be intimidated than anything else. "My half-brother, as are you. You can deny it if you wish, it matters not to me."

"You will not have my brother's throne," the Jötnar prince grated.

"Oh for the love of Yggdrasill, are we back to that again?" Loki all but snarled. "I have pledged to all of Asgard and to the War Council of all the Nine Realms that I have no interest in Helblindi's crown. Did he not tell you this?"

"You are named god of Lies. He is a fool to believe you."

Loki took two measured steps forward. "Are you doubting the wisdom of your crown prince? Do you mean to take the throne in his place?" Býleistr was silent. "Answer me!" Loki roared in a voice that literally shook icicles from the rocks that surrounded them. All of the Jötnar stepped back at his tone; Natasha swore she saw fear in their eyes as they darted glances to the chest Loki carried, the thing Thor had said was called the Casket of Ancient Winters. "Yes," Loki said far more calmly. "The Casket answers to me. Yes, even with my magic bound I would be a formidable foe. Yet I would rather be a friend to the people of Jötunheim. I would rather they prosper. I would rather see the elder of my half-brothers crowned their king, though I am the one who has earned the right by the old ways."

Býleistr looked shaken. "I will take you to Helblindi once that one is gone," he finally said in a subdued tone as he pointed again at Thor.

Loki nodded. "Thor, go home. We will let Heimdall know when the repairs are done so that you may then return us to Asgard." Thor looked at all of them then nodded silently. He stepped back to the point where they had appeared. A column of blue enveloped him and he was gone.

… …