Loki had flipped through at least a dozen books until he fell asleep on the floor, a book in hand. When he finally awoke, he didn't know how long he had been out for. He flipped through the book in his lap, desperately searching for a man by the name of Laufey, or any trace of a Laufeyson. "Laufeyson," he groaned. The name belonged to a family he had never heard of. Loki wasn't even sure who he was looking for. Was it Laufey himself or one of his children? He wasn't even sure of how long the family line was. But the witch seemed to know. Loki Laufeyson… "Are there any books here containing the name Laufey?" he asked aloud as he rose to his feet. His plea received no answer and Loki decided that he needed to take drastic measures. If the books wouldn't tell him, then maybe King Odin would…

"A good witch?" Sif snorted as she brushed through Natalia's hair. "I don't believe in it."

"Thor said it was the Jane woman. You've mentioned her before," Natalia added.

"Jane?" Sif repeated, hoping that she had misheard the princess. She slammed the brush down on the vanity, making Natalia flinch. "Right when I thought she was gone for good, she returns as a good witch?"

"So you are jealous?" Natalia slyly wondered. "Maybe if you let Thor know who you really are, he'll see you as more than a man. Literally."

Sif rolled her eyes in annoyance. "I suggest you focus your attention on more important matters. Like ruling a kingdom."

"Loki and I still have a long while until we're officially King and Queen," Natalia noted. She didn't like to think of ruling over an entire kingdom quite yet. Her in-laws still had years ahead of them. Even if she and Loki were able to make decisions to benefit Asgard, it was still up to the King and Queen to officially pass judgment. She felt that she had much to learn, but was grateful that Frigga was there to help educate her.

"This better be important, my son," Odin announced as he set his quill aside. He was in the process of finalizing the list of foods for the chefs to prepare for the post-marriage feast. "Lest you want your guests to starve after the wedding," he chuckled.

"Thor told you about last night, I hope," Loki began as he seated himself before the King's desk.

"He did, yes," Odin nodded. "Once I finish signing off on my documents, I intend to further educate myself on any history of a witch using their powers for good."

"So you don't believe in it?" Loki prodded, leaning back in the chair.

The King folded his wrinkled hands atop the desk. "One would think that a pure-hearted witch would stand out in history… Unless this is a new phenomenon."

Loki frowned. Not even his Father believed in such a thing… "Last night, the witch mentioned a name to me-Laufeyson." He noticed Odin's brow raise and the way he inhaled sharply. He knew something. "Do you know anything regarding the Laufey family?"

"A powerful witch," the King admitted. "The very reason Asgard went to war all those years ago."

"Then why is there no information?" Loki inquired. "Why hide the name of a feared conqueror?"

"I take it you have already been searching for answers," Odin remarked. "Thank you for choosing to come to me."

"So you have books about him?"

"No," Odin flatly replied. "All records of the Laufey name have been destroyed."

"Why?" the prince prodded, growing even more curious.

Odin looked his son straight in the eyes. "He is long gone, my son. Such a man needn't be remembered."

"What about his children?"

"They are dead now," Odin quickly answered. "Gone like their father. A nonexistent family line deserves no place in history."

Loki's lips formed a thin line. There needed to be more. The King was holding something back and Loki needed to know what. Why else would the witch call him a Laufeyson? "Thank you, Father," Loki absently replied as he turned to leave. As he walked away, he noticed the bookshelf along a far wall. He had never been through his Father's books. They were the only ones he never got his hands on. That was all going to change, though. Loki shut the door behind him and headed for the library. He approached the window when his eyes caught sight of a hint of red. Sure enough, Natalia was out and about near the charred remnants of the stables. All of the horses were relocated after the fire until a new home could be built for them. Loki curiously eyed the woman as she carried a bouquet of white blossoms towards a patch of grass beside what used to be Sleipnir's pen. She knelt down before a cross made with two sticks and laid the flowers down. Loki pressed his hand against the cool glass, desperate to reach out to her. "Natalia," he exhaled.

"Yes?" Natalia turned her head at the sound of Loki's voice. She hadn't heard his approaching footsteps and was taken by surprise.

"What is all of this?" he gently asked as he strolled closer to her.

"It's for Sleipnir." She reached for Loki's hand and pulled him closer to the grave marker she made. "He deserves a memorial of some kind. I know it's not much," she admitted, "but you loved him and he deserves to be remembered."

Loki remorsefully eyed the wooden cross and nodded. "Thank you, Natalia. This means a lot to both Sleipnir and myself." He let his arm snake around her waist. "You are a truly wonderful person," he crooned into her ear. "I love you, Natalia." Her warm hands cupped his cheeks and he was rewarded with a gentle kiss on the lips.

Night had fallen and a crescent moon illuminated the night sky. Loki caught himself in a daze as he stared out his bedroom window. He had grown weary, but his hunger for the truth forced him to stay awake. Once he was sure that his Father was asleep, he brought himself into the King's office. Darkness surrounded the spacious room, so Loki summoned a ball of flame into his palm to illuminate the space. He approached the bookcase and outstretched his free hand. Loki didn't need to say a word as he produced a green light that reached the wooden case. He heard the wood scraping against the floor and felt a sense of satisfaction rush through him. Not only did the library have a secret stash of books, but his Father did, too. Unless both rooms belonged to the King… Loki tightened his jaw as he stepped into the newly discovered room. Inside was only a small bookshelf containing only a single book, along with several sheets of parchment right beside it. Loki reached for the book with the golden spine and began to read. The very moment he opened the book, he could see his Father's name etched in, accompanied with the year of Loki's birth. This wasn't a book at all-this was his Father's journal. Loki began to read through the King's journal entries and absorbed everything his Father kept secret.

Witches are born, the King had written in a legible cursive. They are born from the cruelty within one's own heart. Once one has had their heart succumbed into darkness, there is no return. Witches are capable of creating younglings of their own. The innocent babes seem as human as anyone else, such as the case of Laufey's son. Laufey's son. Loki nearly shut the book right there as fear gripped his body. The truth was so close, yet the young prince wondered if he would rather live in ignorance. He took a deep breath and continued to read. Once Laufey was dead, it was time my men and I set out for the town of Jotunheim to inform the Queen of Laufey's death. Jotunheim's Queen was holding her newborn son and it very much reminded me of Thor. I grew hesitant to kill her, but it had to be done. Laufey and his Queen had done more harm than good for their kingdom and their reign needed to be brought to an end. The two alone had turned all of Jotunheim's people into horrible witches that my men fought hard to kill. My soldiers apprehended Laufey's wife while I took the child from her. Even now, I can still hear the Mother's cries for her son to be spared. Despite being a heartless hag, she showed such love towards her child that only a Mother could possess. I could only think of my own son and staring down at her child in my arms made me incapable of taking an innocent life. That is exactly what this child was-innocent. Jotunheim's Queen was killed quickly, ending the Laufey line. I decided to take Laufey's son with me and raise him as one of my own. 'Loki,' I heard her call the boy.

The prince slammed the book shut right then and there. His mind raced at a million miles an hour as his emotions went wild. He despised his curiosity to discover the truth, he was angry at Odin for refusing to tell him who he was, but most of all, he feared himself for what he was. A witch. The exact thing people feared. Loki didn't know who he was anymore. Was he still Loki Odinson, or was he Loki Laufeyson? He released a strained cry as wisps of cold wind blew through his hair. He slammed his fists into the damp grass as he hunched over on all fours. When he opened his eyes, he found himself kneeling before Sleipnir's memorial and the tears began to fall. Loki couldn't stay here. This place wasn't home to him. Not anymore. He forced his trembling body to rise to his feet and he began to walk deep into the depths of the foggy forest.