The several months between Odin's announcement and the eve of Thor's coronation were somehow too slow and yet too fast. Thor was bestowed an unbelievable gift: Mjølnir, the hammer forged in the heart of a dying star. Odin did not fail to mention it was the same star from which the Tesseract originated. Loki thought it ironic that his brother would be gifted such a thing. He also wondered how Mjølnir's birth was logically possible. When the star combusted, it destroyed everything. No one would have been alive to forge it. Even the gods could not keep up with their own mythology. Thor, however, was unconcerned. He ruthlessly tormented his younger brother with the hammer. The weapon could only be brandished by what it deemed to be worthy. What made Thor worthy? Did it have a conscience? A personality? It obviously had a twisted sense of humor.
It drove Loki mad to see his brother lavished so richly. This was always their fate, though. The crown prince was bathed in treasures before he even felt the gilded title caress him. Where was Loki's praise and adoration? What praise did he deserve? What had he done? Not enough. The servants and maids who flocked to the mighty prince shied away nervously from Loki. Funnily enough, it almost hurt. Almost.
Thor did not heed Odin's words. He flaunted that hammer with an arrogant smile. The more he wielded Mjølnir, the cockier he became. The cockier he became, the more the brothers fought. The more the brothers fought, the more Thor wielded Mjølnir. The more he wielded Mjølnir, the cockier he became. It was an endless cycle. So how was it that Thor managed to evolve into someone so strange? Already, he seemed older some days. When the council called for him, when he joined his father in observing the troops. But then, some days he seemed to regress back into the stages of childish mentality. He was always there, Loki reminded himself.
Loki soon learnt the weight of the hammer, as well. Thor would not have any of Loki's nagging; he set the hammer atop his brother's chest and walked away. Armorless, the raven haired prince felt Mjølnir crush his ribs over and over, his magic doing its best to heal him. Frigga hounded Thor until he removed it. She could not lift the weapon. Or rather, she did not want to lift the weapon and find out she was unworthy. Loki suspected that if his magic ever ran out, and Frigga was not there, he would have a hammer-shaped hole cut out of his lungs. Wouldn't that amuse the commoner children?
The evening of the coronation was a tense one. The royal family tiptoed around each other, despite their smiles and anticipation. Even Loki could not resist donning a grin for the historical event. The title of "King" was a hard one to grab when your opponents lived for a good few millennia. He tried to enjoy himself as best he could. He had a surprise of his own for the festivities. He suppressed the danger that flickered at the corners of his lips.
"Another!"
A smash.
A rise in flames.
Ah, here came the new king, donning his recently casted battle armor. It was truly gorgeous. Loki straightened his back; his armor, too, was magnificent. He delighted in his fresh gold and emerald. For so long as a child, he lived in muted earthy tones. This was exhilarating. He felt cloaked in vernal Asgard itself. But what of Thor? Silvers and blues of cold clouds and dark storms? Though, it did make sense. Loki chuckled silently. Thor still kept ahold of his favorite red cape. It might as well have been his infantile security blanket. Loki joined his brother's side at the fire pit.
"Nervous, brother?" Loki asked, grinning keenly.
Thor laughed. "Have you ever known me to be nervous?" he replied, turning to Loki.
Loki shrugged. "There was that time in Nornheim."
"That was not nerves, brother!" Thor denied. "That was the rage of battle."
"Ah, that's it." Loki nodded.
Thor bristled slightly. "How else could I have fought my way through a hundred warriors and pulled us out alive?"
Loki narrowed his eyes in thought. "Uh, as I recall," he said slowly, "I was the one who veiled us in smoke to ease our escape."
Thor laughed again. What a condescending sound. "Some do battle, others just do tricks."
A servant approached with Thor's request for another drink, chuckling at the tail end of the princes' conversation. Loki turned to him. What realm allowed their servants to eavesdrop so openly? He waved a hand at his side. The servant paled, looking up at Loki. He gave a sharp cry and dropped the goblet. Out poured three slithering serpents. Loki snickered.
"Loki," Thor apprehended. "Now that was just a waste of good wine!"
"Oh, it was just a bit of fun," the raven haired prince countered, donning an innocent expression. "Right, my friend?" he asked the servant, waving his hand again. The snakes disappeared. The servant swallowed and gave a nervous smile, but he was not so sure. Loki continued to chuckle as the servant bowed and scurried away. A soldier approached and offered Thor his helmet. Thor handled it quietly, musing over his not-so-hidden thoughts. He was remembering the night he received that gift.
"Ooh," Loki breathed. "Nice feathers."
Thor let out an unamused chuckle. "You don't really want to start this again, do you? Cow?"
"I was being sincere!" Loki replied.
"You are incapable of sincerity," Thor retorted.
"Am I?"
"Yes!"
There was a beat. Loki lowered his voice. "I have looked forward to this day as long as you have. You are my brother and my friend. And, sometimes, I am envious, but never doubt that I love you."
Thor softened, clapped his brother on the neck. 'What a sap,' Loki thought. "Thank you," Thor smiled.
Loki returned the smile, and then, "Now give us a kiss."
"Stop." The brothers shared a quiet laugh. Thor turned to the fire pit. "Really, how do I look?"
Loki turned to look at Thor. "Like a king," he answered. He took a breath. "It's time."
"You go ahead," Thor murmured. The raven haired prince looked over. "I'll be along, go on!" Thor insisted.
Loki entered the throne room. The curtains and flags blew with a honeyed wind. Cream colored taffeta floated at every woman's heels as they scurried to find their place. Golden armor and horns gilded every man's figures as they awaited the ceremony. In front of the throne, the usual suspects bantered amongst themselves. They could not contain their excitement.
"I hope this goes quickly, I'm famished," Volstaag said, checking his cuffs.
"No!" Fandral gasped in mock amazement.
"Are you attached to that pretty face of yours? Because one more word and you won't be," Volstaag replied cheerily.
"My, we are hungry aren't we?" Fandral paused. "Oh, go on, Hogun, smile! You can do it. Even you, Hogun the Grim, just one smile!" Hogun offered his signature dark stare. "Alright, half a smile. Look, forget the smile, just show some teeth. Remember, we are the Warriors Three!"
"Fandral, he is not going to do it. But if you'd like a challenge, I know of an even greater one for you," Sif trilled, looking away.
"Name it, Lady Sif," he said proudly.
"Keeping your mouth shut."
Loki chuckled as he joined them. They nodded to him and the five took their places on the steps. The court filled quickly. Nobles found their places in the throne room itself; stands and floors were modified to accompany the entire realm of Asgard. Loki stared out over the sea of people and could not help but feel slightly claustrophobic. Should the palace fall, literally every single person would be crushed to death. Asgard would become a dead realm. Hypothetically, of course.
The King and Queen made their appearances and their speeches, then took their places. The horns sounded. The drums beat. And yet, no Thor.
"Where is he?" Sif whispered.
"He said he would be along," Loki answered.
"Knowing him, Thor would –"
But before Fandral could get the words out, Thor appeared in the commoners' area. They clapped and cheered and young maidens screamed his name. He lifted up his hammer. They screamed louder. He trekked up the pathway, riling up the people. It took him nearly twenty minutes to make it from the very back of the hall to the foot of his future throne.
"Oh please," Sif scoffed.
Frigga looked up at her husband. Odin clenched his jaw. His stoicism could not mask his displeasure.
Thor knelt before his king, placed his hammer at his knees and his helmet atop its handle. He winked at his mother.
She shook her head as if to say, "Oh, stop it!"
Odin leaned forward, stood; an excited silence fell over the hall.
"Thor Odinson, my heir, my firstborn."
Loki examined the toes of his boots. 'You've clearly miscounted.' Frigga looked down at her younger son, aware of his internal argument.
"So long entrusted with the mighty hammer Mjølnir, forged in the heart of a dying star."
''So long entrusted?' He's hardly had it a full year,' Loki thought.
"Its power has no equal, as a weapon to destroy or as a tool to build. Tis a fit companion for a king. I have defended Asgard and the lives of the innocent across the nine realms from the time of the Great Beginning."
'Your father, Bor, was the one who protected from the Great Beginning,' Loki countered mentally. 'So much for your continuity.'
"Though the day has come. . ."
The All-Father continued with his speech, but Loki no longer cared to listen. He wandered astrally through the halls. It was much more efficient than creating a doppelgänger and turning it invisible. In the deepest part of Odin's treasure room, Loki joined two guards. They protected several appropriated rarities. Loki had not been there since his childhood. Since the morning he met – ah, he promised himself he would no longer pine over that day.
Something felt cold. An arctic chill shrouded Loki's astral skin. 'Again?' he wondered, remembering the last time he saw Siv – the Tesseract. And then he saw the frost creeping up the pillars.
"Do you swear to guard the nine realms?"
Loki looked up, attached to his body once more. He glanced around stiffly.
"I swear."
"And do you swear to preserve the peace?"
"I swear."
Loki bit his tongue. Soon. Soon.
"Do you swear to cast aside all selfish ambition and to pledge yourself only to the good of the realms?"
"I swear!" Thor bellowed.
'You know damn well you cannot uphold that promise. I'll prove it.'
"Then, on this day, I, Odin All-Father, proclaim you. . ." He paused. "Frost Giants."
"That's an odd way to proclaim a king," Loki whispered. Sif snapped her head up at him.
Thor stood quickly. "Father, what is happening?"
Odin clenched his spear and awoke the Destroyer with a tap of its magic. He raised his voice above the anxious murmur of the hall. "There is an urgent matter that must be tended to. People of Asgard, please refrain from panicking. Return to your homes immediately." He lowered his voice and turned to the soldiers before him. "Make sure everyone gets out safely. Frigga. Sif. You and the Three do the same." He spun on his heel; the princes followed him in grave silence.
The Jotuns tried to flee. It was no use. The Destroyer stayed true to its namesake.
By the time the three men entered the vault, the fight was over. The two guards were frozen to death with the Casket of Ancient Winters; the Frost Giants were piles of ash.
"The Jotuns must pay for what they have done," Thor growled, gripping Mjølnir with frustration.
"They have paid. With their lives." Odin looked around quietly. The princes knew their father seethed with anger; this reserved appearance was only a mask. "The Destroyer did its work, the Casket is safe, and all is well."
"'All is well'?" Thor repeated, voice rising. "They broke into the weapons vault! If the Frost Giants had stolen even one of these relics –!"
"They didn't," Odin interrupted.
"Well, I want to know why!" Thor snarled.
Loki kept a good distance between the two of them. This was not exactly how he planned his surprise to go, but it was not unwelcomed. It only added more proof. He kept his innocent expression, staying quiet lest they dragged him into the argument as well. He doubted Odin would take the jest in good manner, much less Thor.
The All-Father spoke low. It was obvious he struggled to contain himself. "I have a truce with Laufey, King of the Jotuns."
"He just broke your truce!" Thor retorted. "They know you are vulnerable!"
Odin turned to look at his elder son. "What action would you take?" he asked.
"March into Jotunheim as you once did. Teach them a lesson. Break their spirits so they'll never dare try to cross our borders again."
"You are thinking only as a warrior."
"This was an act of war!"
"It was the act of but a few, doomed to fail."
"Look how far they got!"
Loki wished he could hide himself away, step back and blend into the pillars still glittering with ice. And yet, this was so amusing. The All-Father was close to bursting a vein in his temple, and Thor, Thor aimed to initiate war within his first breaths King. What fools.
"We will find the breach in our defenses and it will be sealed."
'No, you won't,' Loki thought.
Thor bared his teeth. "As King of Asgard –!"
"BUT YOU'RE NOT KING," Odin snapped. The vault reverberated with his poisonous fire. He collected himself. "Not yet."
Loki would have laughed at the look of hurt on his brother's face had the time been appropriate.
Later that afternoon, Loki sat in the window of the great hall, tottering precariously over the edge. He had not done this in a while. The breeze felt nice. From up here, he could hear the murmurs of confusion as the commoners gossiped. Thor paced somewhere behind him, muttering angrily to himself. The raven haired prince quickly ran over scripts in his head. The time was approaching. If he was going to do this, it needed to run smoothly. One misstep would be the end of him. Warring Midgardians were one thing; Jotuns and Aesir were quite another.
Thor upended a decorated table with a mighty roar. Loki stood. It was time. Thor sat on the ledge, clenching his fists. Loki cautiously stepped around a pillar and went to him.
"It's unwise to be in my company right now, brother," Thor growled. A warning shot. Loki still sat beside him. "This was to be my day of triumph."
"It'll come," Loki said slowly. "In time."
"What's this?" Volstaag asked as the Warriors Three and Lady Sif approached. He seemed more upset about the upturned food than his friend's disposition.
Loki rubbed his palms together. "If it's any consolation, I think you are right," he whispered into Thor's ear. "About the Frost Giants, about Laufey, about everything. If they found a way to penetrate Asgard's defenses once, who is to say they won't try again? Next time with an army."
"Exactly," Thor agreed.
"There is nothing you can do without defying Father," Loki reminded him. Thor turned to look at his brother. Loki's face fell. "No. No, no, no, I know that look," he started.
"That is the only way to ensure the safety of our borders," Thor stated, standing to pace.
"Thor, it's madness," Loki pleaded.
"Madness?" called Volstaag, scrounging up the forgotten food. "What sort of madness?"
Sif watched the brothers carefully. Loki knew she was close to understanding his motives. He avoided her eye contact.
"We are going to Jotunheim," Thor answered.
"What?" Fandral scoffed. "This isn't like a journey to Earth, where you summon a little lightning and thunder, and the mortals worship you as a god. This is Jotunheim."
"My father fought his way into Jotunheim," Thor countered proudly, "defeated their armies and took their Casket."
Loki pinched the bridge of his nose. How could he be proud of that?
"We would just be looking for answers."
"It is forbidden!" Sif spoke loudly.
Thor smirked. "My friends, have you forgotten all that we have done together? Fandral, Hogun." The golden haired prince swaggered up to them. "Who led you into the most glorious of battles?"
"You did," Hogun answered, looking away.
"And Volstaag," Thor continued, "to delicacies so succulent, you thought you had died and gone to Valhalla?"
"You did," Volstaag answered, smiling sheepishly. Thor clapped his shoulder.
"Yes! And who proved wrong all who scoffed at the idea that a young maiden could be one of the fiercest of warriors this realm has ever known?"
"I did," Sif answered, smirking up at him.
Thor paused. "True, but I supported you, Sif. My friends, we are going to Jotunheim."
The six of them gathered Asgard's fastest horses and tore their way to the observatory. The Bifrost was somehow wide enough to accompany their V-formation. It make Volstaag a bit uneasy to be the one closest to the edge.
"Don't worry!" Fandral assured him. "If you fall, you'll float!"
Heimdall stood as a barrier between the six and the observatory. They dismounted their horses and sent the steeds back toward the palace stables.
"Leave this to me," Loki murmured, stepping to greet the gatekeeper first. "Good Heimdall," he started.
Heimdall might have smiled. "You are not dressed warmly enough."
"I'm sorry?"
"Do you think that you can deceive me?" Heimdall gazed at the band before him.
Loki chuckled. "You must be mistaken."
"Enough," Heimdall interrupted. Loki bit the side of his tongue.
Thor took Loki's place. "Heimdall, may we pass?"
"Never has an enemy slipped past my watch until this day." Heimdall glanced at Loki. The prince stayed silent. This was not the time to reveal Jotuns had broken into Asgard before. "I wish to know how that happened."
"Then tell no one where we have gone until we've returned. Understand?" Thor ordered. He brushed past the gatekeeper and overseer, his friends following slowly behind him.
"What happened? Silver tongue turned to lead?" Volstaag snickered as he shouldered Loki. The raven haired prince was unamused.
Heimdall and Loki shared a glance. The gatekeeper understood. As the six battle-ready warriors gathered before the gate, Heimdall slid the sword into the control panel. Lightning erupted from the center of the room. The floor rattled as the generator rolled into place.
"Be warned," Heimdall said over the roar of the gate and its energy. "I will honor my sworn oath to protect this realm as its gatekeeper. If your return threatens the safety of Asgard, the Bifrost will remain closed to you and you will be left to die in the cold waste of Jotunheim."
"Couldn't you just leave the bridge open for us?" Volstaag asked.
"To leave the bridge open would unleash the full power of the Bifrost and destroy Jotunheim with you upon it."
'Oh, wonderful,' thought Loki.
"I have no plans to die today," Thor grinned.
"None do," Heimdall responded. He dropped the entire blade of his sword into the machine. The bridge pulled the young warriors through, distorted their images as they were transported from Asgard to Jotunheim.
13.3.14
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