The first thing Loki registered upon their arrival in the Observatory – other than the uninhibited gasps of delight from both Jane and Stark – was the sight of the Allfather himself standing just behind Heimdall, two stiffly postured rows of Einherjar on the bridge beyond.

Loki took Sigyn's hand in his once more and squeezed it gently. "He's deigned to meet us here rather than the palace – and with guards, no less. That doesn't bode well. I would say to hope for the best, but it's probably better if you prepare for the worst."

"I've been prepared for the worst for far too long, Loki. Just once, I'd like to be pleasantly surprised."

Frigga stepped forward briskly, curtsying to her husband. "My King…what an unexpected honor for you to meet us yourself."

Almost everyone else in the room followed suit immediately; Sigyn and Jane mirrored the queen's genuflection, with Thor bowing to him. Stark was too busy studying the Observatory mechanism to take notice of his own impudence, until a sharp elbow from Jane caught his attention long enough for him to correct his mistake.

Loki remained upright, determined to show no obeisance to his false father – but when he stole a quick glance Sigyn's direction, she was looking back at him in incredulous wonder. With an audible sigh, he finally lowered his head…but refused to bend his knees.

"Father," said Thor, "this is Anthony Stark and Dr. Jane Foster of Midgard. They bring important information regarding the Chitauri attack and our involvement." The two Midgardians approached Odin at Thor's beckoning.

"Jane Foster, Anthony Stark," said Thor, "may I introduce His Majesty, King Odin, Allfather and Protector of the Nine Realms."

Odin regarded the newcomers with measured coolness. "I am fully aware of the reasons for your presence. You will be granted an audience with myself and my advisors before the day is out. For now, we have other business to attend to."

He then turned to the head Einherjar guard. "You know your orders. Carry them out as we discussed."

The Einherjar stepped forward, and Sigyn's grip on Loki's hand went tight.

"I'll beg them to take us with you," she said, her voice barely audible. "They can throw us all in the dungeons together."

"You'll do no such thing," he said, but he didn't drop her hand.

She didn't even look at him, drawing in a breath to speak; quickly expelling it once again when it became clear they weren't approaching Loki at all – but rather the boxes containing the equipment and belongings they had brought with them from Midgard, including The Other. They gathered everything with efficiency and speed – pointedly ignoring Dr. Foster's repeated admonitions to use caution in their handling – before carrying it off down the Bifröst and toward the palace.

"They're not going to throw that stuff in the water, are they?" asked Stark. "I mean, it's not all impossible to replace, but it would be pretty time consuming."

"Your equipment and belongings are perfectly safe," said Odin. "If you would, please follow the guards to the palace. Our staff will show you to your quarters upon your arrival. For now, I would speak to my son…alone."

"Well, in that case," said Loki, "good luck, Thor."

Odin sighed, the sound full of weariness and regret. "It is you I wish to speak to, Loki."

Sigyn looked at him, her eyes pleading with him to rein in his tongue. "Please, restrain yourself. Let's not actively try to make things worse than they need to be."

He clenched his jaw, leaning forward to kiss Ari's head. "I've held my tongue long enough, Sigyn; I will have my say. If he is determined to punish me further, I can't imagine my words will have any effect on the outcome."

She threw her free arm around his neck, leaning in closely to whisper in his ear. "I love you. I'll see you inside." She kissed his cheek and stepped away, approaching Odin to speak to him.

Ari smiled at Odin as they drew near to him – babbling something that sounded far too much like Afa for Loki's liking, and not enough like Tyrant. Loki couldn't hear what Sigyn was saying, but as he watched, Odin smiled back at Ari, allowing him to grab his finger while he listened.

A flare of envy, white hot and painful, shot through Loki; but he would have been hard pressed to describe just whom it was directed towards. Odin, for reaping such undeserved affection from Ari? Or to Ari – for reaping affection from Odin, affection Loki himself had always felt denied? With great effort, Loki smothered his urge to lash out, to scream at Odin to leave his son alone.

Sigyn looked back in Loki's direction – once more silently begging him to be on his best behavior – before following the rest of their party out the door, and down the Bifröst.

Loki remained where he stood, his posture rigid. Let the mighty Allfather approach him and speak first – even with no one to witness it, he wouldn't give his false father the satisfaction of making him beg for leniency.

Odin stepped closer, but to Loki's surprise, circled around him instead to approach the front of the Observatory. Loki couldn't help but turn to face him – partially out of curiosity, but also for fear of having Odin at his back.

"I remember the first time my father brought me here," said Odin, staring out at the stars. "Though, of course, it was all different then – the Observatory, the guardian, even the constellations in the sky. It was all less…burdensome. More magical."

"What's this?" asked Loki, his impatience getting the best of him. "A little father and son bonding time before you pronounce your judgment? If it's all the same to you, I'd rather you just get on with it."

Odin turned to him, and Loki was struck by just how frail he looked. How ancient. Loki's stomach turned at the sight; the man who had held such sway over him and his happiness for so long – this giant of a king and father – was quickly revealing himself to be just as vulnerable as any other being. Just as mortal.

"I am still your king, Loki. And your father, whether you acknowledge me as such or not."

Loki ground his teeth together so hard he could hear his jaw creak. "And what of your precious older son? Is he not to suffer your reprimands for his disobedience to you?"

"Do not think Thor will avoid answering for his defiance, Loki. But right now, you will listen to what I have to say."

"Then by all means…say it."

"The Einherjar I sent to Midgard, the Lady Sif, the Warriors Three – they have all been questioned extensively about what occurred there. They have shared countless stories about acts of bravery against the Chitauri threat – with one common thread amongst them. They all concur that you fought harder than anyone, that you were merciless in your vengeance – and that without your aid, the day would have been lost."

Loki was stunned by this revelation. He'd hoped that the Aesir warriors and his former friends would at least not speak disparagingly about him upon their return to Asgard – but for them to credit him with the largest portion of their victory was wholly unexpected. But even his surprise couldn't fully keep him silent.

"That must have been painful, to speak so highly of a filthy jotun. I do hope they aren't permanently scarred by it."

"They spoke of you as their prince and a fellow warrior, nothing more."

"Out of fear, no doubt; but I suppose there's nothing to be done about it now. I don't imagine you'll be able to let this stand, will you? Me having fully revealed my true nature to so many? It's not something you can keep hidden any longer, Allfather, no matter how hard you try."

"It's certainly not how I envisioned this happening, my son."

Loki bristled at Odin's use of "son", but let it slide, too angry to care anymore. "So, is that why we're having this little chat here? Do you plan on ridding Asgard of my presence via the Bifröst this time?" he asked, indicating the Observatory mechanism, "or should I prepare to be tossed from the edge again?" He laughed bitterly. "I suppose I should thank you for sending my wife and child away first; it would be a shame for them to have to witness my demise."

"Is that what you think I wish to do? Deprive your wife of her husband? Your son of his father?"

"I can't imagine it would be much of an inconvenience for you, or very difficult for that matter. You did, after all, deprive my father of his son."

"I did no such thing. You were never truly Laufey's son –"

"Well my skin certainly says otherwise," hissed Loki, holding his palms out. "Or is your remaining eye now as useless as the one you lost? Look at me!"

"I see you now, just as I saw you all those years ago. You were discarded and abandoned like so much rubbish; I saved you from certain death."

"And what choice have I but to believe that? For all I know, you tore me from my mother's arms and butchered her where she stood."

"Does your hatred for me know no bounds that you truly think me so cruel? So heartless?"

"I no longer know what to think of you."

Odin dropped his head in defeat. "I suppose uncertainty is better than hate – but I hope you never feel the sting of either from your son."

Rage welled up in Loki, and his words were like a whip from his tongue. "Do not bring my son into this. He will never feel about me the way I feel about you. He will never feel less than, he will never feel unworthy, he will never feel unloved."

"And I hope without reservation that you are right. But do not fool yourself into thinking you are infallible, Loki. You will spend years doing what you believe to be right by your child, only to find out far too late that you were wrong."

"Well, I hardly think I could do worse than you."

"I've only ever acted out of concern for your well-being. For your own good."

"Is that truly how you see your actions?" said Loki, his voice rising with every word. "Raising me in my brother's shadow, a false Aesir prince trained to hate Jotunheim and all it represented, never the wiser to the truth – but it was for my own good. You were only acting in my best interests."

"Where would you be now, had I left you behind? Long dead, your carcass buried if you were lucky, left for the creatures of the Jotunheim waste if you were not. Instead, you were raised in abundance, a prince of the most powerful of the nine realms."

"I suppose that alone should earn you my undying gratitude?"

"Detest my actions all you like, but without them, you wouldn't have your wife, or your son to raise with her."

"It must gall you, to see her so devoted to one so undeserving."

"On the contrary. To see her devotion to you so thoroughly reciprocated gives me hope. Hope that with her, you will be the best husband and father – the best man – you have the potential to be."

"And are you granting me the freedom to be those things? To raise Ari with Sigyn – by her side, not from a prison cell?"

"That is my most fervent desire. However, our Midgardian guests have traveled a very long way to speak on your behalf. I will hear what they have to say before I make my final decision."

The thought that Tony Stark would have any kind of say in Loki's potential freedom was infuriating, but Loki said nothing about it. He would, this once, emulate his wife and hope to be pleasantly surprised.

"What of my powers?" he asked instead. "Am I to be stripped of them permanently?"

"I have no plans to leave you powerless, Loki. If what your Midgardian friends tell me corresponds with what I have already learned, you will have more than proven yourself worthy not only of your freedom, but also your powers."

Loki's vocabulary was extensive – he'd used it to devastating effect countless times before – but he couldn't conjure a single phrase to his lips to adequately express both his grudging gratitude and his continued resentment simultaneously. He settled on a stiff nod.

Worthy. Such a small word, but powerful enough to make Loki's legs go weak. I have always been a worthy son, Allfather. How much grief could we have avoided had you realized that sooner?

Odin stepped closer, placing his hand on Loki's shoulder. "I am old and weary. When next I feel the pull of the Odinsleep, it could be as all the others before – or I may never awaken from it again. When I am called to Valhalla, I will go with a great many regrets; but I would have you call me Father once again before I am gone."

Loki stared at him, unblinking for fear the tears in his eyes would be unstoppable if he let them fall. It was a simple request – but try as he might, it was one he couldn't grant. He shook his head gently. "Not today."

If his answer angered Odin, he had the grace not to show it. "So be it. Then let us return to the palace. Your wife and son will be most anxious to see you free and unharmed." He had turned to walk toward the Observatory doors, when Loki stopped him.

"Wait. The Chitauri creature – what have you done with him?"

"He has been taken to the dungeons. You will have whatever time and tools you need to glean information from him."

"And the guards? They will allow me unrestricted access to him?"

"You will receive no resistance from them in your endeavors, and no one will question your methods. The Einherjar fought well on Midgard, but they did not come away without casualties. The survivors would not want their fallen brethren to have died in vain."

The terminus of the Bifröst was virtually empty as Odin and Loki approached it, save for two people – Sigyn and Ari. She was sitting on a bench, watching Ari as he stood next to her, excitedly slapping the surface of the stone as he made his way around the edge.

She stood with a gasp the moment they came into her view, meeting Loki halfway as he rushed to greet her, sweeping her up into his arms with no thought to the ache of his still-healing wounds.

Her voice was tearful in his ear. "Has he freed you?"

"It seems so, beloved."

She made no further reply; instead she dropped to the ground and rushed to Odin, throwing her arms around his neck in a mad display of relief and thankfulness.

Loki had to look away before his anger could get the best of him – when he turned Ari's direction, he was looking back at him; Loki was shocked to see only the tips of Ari's fingers on one hand remaining on the stone bench.

"Papa," he said, and let go completely.

Loki approached him slowly before going down onto one knee and holding his hands out to his son. "Yes, that's it. Come to me, Ari."

Ari stared at his father for a breath, his legs shaky but strong. And then – a small movement of his foot, and he stepped forward once…twice…and promptly fell to the ground, far from his intended goal. He didn't cry, merely smiling around the fingers jammed in his mouth.

Loki had him scooped up into his arms without another thought, praising him effusively, all resentment and irritation forgotten in his joy. "That was wonderful! I'm so proud of you!" He spun to face Odin and Sigyn. "Did you see?"

Sigyn ran to them, wrapping both of them up in her embrace.

"Did you see?" asked Loki once more, lowering his forehead to Sigyn's shoulder and dissolving into tears.

It was decided that Loki would not sit in on the meetings with Stark and Dr. Foster, for fear his presence would affect their candor. Loki didn't argue, knowing that being in Loki's company had the potential to exacerbate Stark's belligerence, even if he was trying to be helpful.

Sigyn, on the other hand, was given the opportunity to be a part of the discussions, if only to reiterate facts she had already divulged and object to anything she knew to be false. Any worries she may have had, however, proved to be unfounded within the first few minutes of the meeting with Stark.

"We can skip all the formality," he said once he'd been seated in Odin's council chambers. "Earth – sorry, Midgard – has no reason to demand Loki's continued incarceration. He fought like hell for us against the Chitauri. If I had to guess, he likely killed ten himself for every one anyone else was able to finish off."

"And what do you feel prompted his change of heart regarding your realm, Mr. Stark?" asked Odin. "When last he was there, he made no secret of wanting to rule it." He had already been thoroughly apprised of the reasons for Loki's berserker rage, but Sigyn figured he wanted to hear it directly from the Midgardian himself.

Stark nodded at Sigyn. "It was her," he said simply. "Or what he thought was her, being violently murdered before his eyes. He just…snapped. Can't say I blame him really; she's cute, smart, and I have to admit…their combined genetics is pretty adorable. He clearly wants to keep her around for a while."

"You concede, then, that he fought more for his wife than for your realm. Now that she has been returned to him, what makes you certain that he won't attempt to rule your world once more?"

"Something tells me Loki's got a more important purpose now than the subjugation of Earth. Midgard, sorry. I don't think I'm ever going to get that right."

"So, you no longer fear Loki's wrath – indeed, you also wish for his continued assistance. With the Chitauri creature you brought with you."

"He seemed pretty eager to help in that regard. And yeah, if that creature's boss comes around, I think both our worlds would like to know what we're up against."

"In this we both agree, Mr. Stark. I shall hear Dr. Foster's thoughts first, but know that I am of a mind to grant Loki the return of his powers. With them, he will be able to collect any information you seek."

"Fabulous," said Stark, slapping his palms on his legs. "If you don't mind, I'd love to attend those diplomatic negotiations. I want to see exactly what a fully powered and operational Loki is capable of; that way if he ever changes his mind about Midgard, we'll be better prepared for our defense."

Loki was waiting for Sigyn outside the council room when the meetings were over.

"How did it go?" he asked, the eagerness in his voice betraying his attempt at nonchalance.

"Really well," she said. "Both Stark and Dr. Foster spoke highly of you – though I'm certain Dr. Foster had more questions for Odin than answers to his inquiries. The king was rather won over by her exuberance; he's granted her unprecedented access to the palace library, as well as the Observatory."

"Thor must be pleased, although I'm not sure Sif shares his happiness."

"I wouldn't count Sif out just yet. She's a strategist, and she doesn't like to lose."

He smiled. "On a happier note, Mother informed me that my chambers will be unsealed by this time tomorrow, with plans for making them a bit more family appropriate."

"So, we will have a home. The three of us, together," she said, her voice soft. "I've dreamt of this for so long, Loki. I truly feared it would never come to pass."

"It wouldn't have, not without your persistence."

"Is that an acknowledgement of just how lost you would be without me?"

"I suppose it is. Don't let it go to your head," he said, kissing her soundly with no thought to anyone who might be watching.

They were in Sigyn's chambers later that evening, preparing for dinner, when there was a knock on the door. Sigyn answered it, shocked to find Odin himself on the other side.

"Allfather," she said, awkwardly curtsying to him in her shock. "Please, come in."

"Thank you, Sigyn," he said. "I won't be long. I have one last bit of business with Loki before we greet our guests."

She led him to the balcony, where Loki was crouched next to Ari, attempting to get him to take a few more steps with varying degrees of success. Loki rose as soon as he saw them, his posture defensive. It was painful to watch; Sigyn knew it would be some time before the wounds between the two men were healed, if ever. She could only hope, for Loki's sake, that he could make peace with Odin before it was too late.

"Loki, an official announcement will be made to the realm tomorrow, but I see no reason to make you wait. As your king, I hereby decree you released from your imprisonment, with all rights and titles of a prince of the realm restored to you." He stepped closer, cupping Loki's neck in his hand and whispering the words to restore his powers.

Sigyn could see the relief as it washed over Loki's face; he released a stuttering breath, visibly shaken by the return of his abilities.

He wasted no time reverting back to his Aesir form; even if Loki never judged Ari for his natural appearance, Sigyn knew accepting it in himself would take Loki far longer.

"Thank you," he said to Odin, when he was calm enough to speak. "Thank you."

For a moment, Odin looked as if he wanted to say something more, perhaps even to embrace his son – but he refrained, settling instead for a simple nod before retreating back the way he came.

A/N: We got a lot of resolution in this chapter, but we're not quite finished. One more "regular" chapter to go (hopefully on Monday!), and then the Epilogue, with a possible bonus after that. My continued humble gratitude to those who have followed this story from the beginning, and those who have joined me mid-journey. I appreciate all of you more than you know. :)