Pairing: Tony/Loki, Thor/Sif, Clint/Darcy

Rating: M

Word Count: Don't know and don't care

Summary: While his palace is under siege by Odin and his army, King Laufey sends his infant son away with a powerful and much sought-after weapon. His hope is that when he is old enough, the boy will be able to wield it and defeat Odin to save not only Jotunheim, but as well as the other realms that have fallen to the tyrant's rule.

Warnings: Tony.

Don't own The Avengers, because if I did Loki would have gotten that drink he wanted. And I don't own Lord of the Rings, because if I did Haldir wouldn't have died either.

Favorite Story: The-Friction-In-Your-Jeans.x

Story Alert: 20eKUraN11

Review: Cad2u

Hey people are reading this, that's cool. So yeah, a couple new characters in this chapter. Hope I don't make them too OOC compared to their counterparts.

Part 1: Chapter 2

A couple times during their travels, Loki and Fenrir stopped in order to eat lunch and take care of any other business. Otherwise, they didn't falter until after the sun went down. Just as he was asked, he stayed off the roads. He made a fire in order to set up camp and cook dinner, but it was small enough that it was hardly noticeable.

After eating and cleaning up the dishes and other utensils, Loki rolled out his bedroll and doused the fire before crawling under the blanket and closing his eyes. He heard shifting by his head as Fenrir adjusted into a more comfortable position. Just as Loki was about to slip into unconsciousness, a gust of wind blew cold air across his uncovered face, causing his bangs to cover his eyes like a silky black curtain.

xXxXx

Loki had been sleeping relatively well, considering the situation he was currently in. When he heard Fenrir let out a low growl, his eyes snapped open. He risked lifting his gaze to see what Fenrir found so threatening and he could make out a black shape crouched on the ground. By the satchel. Loki had a feeling this wasn't Tyr.

"Excuse me, but what are you doing?" Loki asked, sitting up slowly. The shape moved slightly, earning a growl from Fenrir. "Shh, Fenrir. It's alright."

"That thing is yours?" A male voice remarked from the darkness.

"Yes, he is mine. Now answer my question, if you wouldn't mind."

"Call off your dog and then we'll talk. He's makin' me nervous."

"He's not a dog, he's a wolf!" Fenrir snapped his jaws as if to emphasize.

"He still makes me nervous." Loki sighed.

"It's okay, Fenrir. I will be fine." Loki felt the wolf relax behind him, so he waited a few more seconds before speaking again. "Now talk."

"I was…just…looking through your stuff. For something to sell."

"And did you find anything you liked?" Loki asked, crossing his arms even though he knew the other male couldn't see it.

"Well, your shoes."

"Please don't take my shoes, I kind of need them."

"You have a wolf, just ride on his back."

"No! That's bad for him."

"Alright, well if you won't give me your shoes, that earring will do nicely." Loki lifted his hand and cupped it over his left ear. He had forgotten to take the earring off before he went to bed. "Hey, last I checked jewelry doesn't glow. You've got something really rare that would sell for a lot."

"I never said I would give it to you."

"I'll split the earnings with you fifty-fifty."

"No!"

"Looks like I'm taking the shoes then," the other male said, heaving a fake sigh.

"Can't you find someone else? Or find another way to earn money besides stealing?"

"Yeah, I could…but I won't."

"And I could have Fenrir claw your face off…but I won't." Loki reached back and scratched behind Fenrir's ears when he heard the wolf huff out a sigh of disappointment.

"You have made your point."

"What's your name? And how did you find me?"

"Tony. And I saw the fire. But I noticed him first. It's hard not to notice him."

"Oh Fenrir, you will be the death of me," Loki said, falling back and embracing the wolf, burying his face in its fur.

"So, you gonna tell me yours or do I have to guess?"

"Loki," the boy answered, sitting up straight.

"So what are you doing out here, Loki?"

"Well, I can't exactly stay at an inn."

"Do you not have a home?"

There was a pause, and at first Loki didn't want to answer the stranger's question. Not only because it was dangerous, but also because it was a reminder of how he had to leave the only home and family he had ever known. He bit his lip and bunched the fabric of his blanket in his hands. After heaving a shaky sigh he spoke.

"I used to."

"Ah, so you and I are in the same boat."

"You…you are homeless as well?"

"Yeah. Mom's dead and Dad just kinda…forgot about me. He was always doing weird experiments on animals and talking to trees. The man was crazy. I'm surprised we're both still alive at this point. So what about you?"

"Um, well…" Loki hesitated. It might not be safe to share that information and he had already told the man too much. "Can we not talk about this anymore?"

"Hey that's not fair. I told you my sob story."

"I think you should leave. Please."

The two men flinched when they heard a twig snap nearby. Fenrir's ears perked up, but for some reason he did not seem concerned. They waited for something to happen, then Tony screamed when he felt a hand on his shoulder. That same hand immediately moved up and covered his mouth to silence him.

"You idiot, are you trying to get us killed?" A flat voice said.

"Who are you?" Loki asked.

"My name is Phil."

"Phil?"

"Phil."

"Okay then, 'Phil,' how did you find us?"

"Amf ahn umf eh ohf of mah mauf?!" Phil lowered his hand and Tony wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "Thank you!"

"The Norns visited me in a dream. They told me where to find you and that I needed to help you in your Quest."

"The Norns?" Loki whispered.

"The Norns!?" Tony exclaimed.

"How about you just not talk anymore? That way you're less likely to draw attention to yourself," Phil drawled.

"Not to be rude or anything, but how could you possibly help me?"

"Well for one, I know the way to Alfheim. And I know of a few ways that will keep you safe from being found by Tyr."

"Such as?"

"You cannot, under any circumstances, say His name."

"Whose name?"

"You mean you don't know? The King of Asgard," Tony replied. "It's taboo. If anyone says it, the Warrior in Black will kill them."

"The Warrior in Black?" Loki was beginning to think this was becoming more and more absurd by the minute.

"Yeah. Most Asgardian soldiers wear red and gold armor, but this guy wears all black, and his helmet completely covers his face. No one knows what he looks like. And it's said that his horse escaped from Hel. And it doesn't matter if you try to run. Once someone become his target, he'll track them until his blade is coated in their blood."

"Oh, how lovely. That makes me feel so much better." Loki then furrowed his brow when he remembered something. "The Norns said his name and nothing happened. I did too, now that I think about it."

"Nornheim is protected from any outside listeners," Phil said.

"Then why couldn't I just stay there?"

"Though the Norns are three very powerful beings, they cannot provide you with what you require. Only the Elves can."

"I am so lost. What the Hel are you guys talking about?"

"Not only is it too risky to speak of it here, but it is also none of your concern, Anthony Stark."

"Don't call me Anthony, my dad calls me that! I mean called."

"Well, seeing how you already know too much, I deeply regret saying that you have to come with us."

"Oh, how disappointing…"

"Indeed."

"Why should we trust you?" Loki asked.

"Fenrir trusts me, does he not?"

Loki had noticed that the wolf had been strangely calm ever since the newcomer arrived. And how did he know his name? He probably said it when he and Tony were speaking earlier, but could the man have been watching them that long?

"Where are we going?" Loki asked.

"You will be staying at an inn until further notice."

"But inns won't let me bring Fenrir."

"There may be one. Do you know the way to the White Horse Inn?"

"Who me?" Tony asked when he realized the question was directed towards him.

"Yes, you. Do you know the way?"

"Yeah, of course I do."

"What about you? Will you be staying with us?" Loki asked.

Even though he was still somewhat cautious of this man, he trusted him more than Tony. At least he wouldn't try to steal his shoes.

"I have other matters to attend to first, but I will meet you there as soon as I can. All that I ask is that you do not leave the inn. And remember, no matter what, do not utter His name."

"Okay." There was a rustling of leaves then everything fell silent. "Phil. Phil?"

"Seems like he's finally gone."

"But he could have helped us get out of here. He found us somehow." Loki sighed and rubbed his temple before crawling back to blindly roll up his bedroll.

"So…got a light?"

TBC

The "White Horse Inn" is based on "White Horse Tavern" which is an old bar in New York City. It has nothing to do with the Prancing Pony. That's such a dumb name, not gonna lie. And Tony's not asking him for a cigarette, he's asking if he has anything to...yeah, you get it.