Coterie

By: Shadow Chaser

Disclaimer:

All Marvel characters do not belong to me, they belong to Marvel Entertainment and Marvel Comics. Liberties were taken with the Norse myths.

Story:

Chapter 2

Boredom was usually never a good thing. Being the bored Trickster God he supposed was not a good thing, but Loki was never inclined to care about that. It was merely the opinions of others foisted upon others to think that it was "not a good thing." Certainly they would think so if they were being spelled upon, but he was inclined to think otherwise. He thought them as mere…beings to see what their limits of patience were. It was an exercise in patience, for them and for him, in a manner of speaking. And certainly explained why he had spelled a few birds to pretend they were flying in and out of the vast throne room, pretending to build nests within one particular courtier's nest of hair.

There were times he hated being in the throne room, subjected to the whispers of the courtiers, but the whispers of his unnatural magicks and abilities were something he was used to. No, now was the added whispers of what he had done, his battle with Thanos, the seemingly endangerment of the realm and Asgard itself…his betrayal even with a full public pardon from the Allfather, it was still whispered along with his parentage. Those were the whispers that Loki could not help but notice, yet at the same time he tried to dismiss them from his mind.

He could have easily declined participation in the Allfather's audiences, but Loki wanted the others to see him, wanted them to know that he was neither cowed nor ignorant of their whispers. Let them talk all they want, he was still standing at his place next to the Allfather where as Thor's place…was conspicuously absent. Loki would freely admit, if anyone asked, that his public appearances were twofold, one to show the realm and those under Asgard's rule that he, the misbegotten son, was more attuned to the realm's needs than Thor off adventuring with the mortals. But he also knew that the courtiers, would see it differently – they lived for the battles that Thor fought in, returned with the stories of conquests and foes that have been defeated.

He highly doubted that many of them realized that the mortals he fought with were also relevant to the lore spoken at feasts, but then again, the courtiers also held a low opinion of the mortals that Thor loved and fought with. Even now, with the retelling of the frenetic battle against Thanos the mortals' efforts were barely spoken…except maybe of the green monster known as the Hulk. He was perhaps given the most credit; after all, how could no one miss the giant green monster that practically flattened everything in his path, friend or foe.

He had even heard Faendral speak of the Hulk akin to a fearsome Fire Demon of Muspelheim, except not sending wreaths of flames everywhere, but just as much as melting or mashing things in his path into wet, pulpy pieces. Loki harbored no illusions of even remotely going near the green monster that the seemingly mild-mannered Bruce Banner could turn into, but he was secretly glad that the mortal was confined to Midgard. The realm was perhaps useful enough to confine most of Thor's activities of late, but then again, all of the other realms were still recovering from Thanos' efforts to destabilize everything, even after so many months.

The softly cackling caw from Muugin perched on the Allfather's shoulder made him shoot a glance towards the raven to see it ruffle a feather or two before seemingly look at him with a twinkle in its deep black eyes. He frowned a little as he turned back and saw that one of his birds had turned green…nearly the same green color as the Hulk itself and immediately corrected the spell. Shooting another quick look at the raven, he could have sworn it shrugged before preening itself. Muugin's brother familiar, Huugin was perched on top of Gungir and Loki noted with some amusement that Huugin was most definitely asleep, beak hidden inside a wing, eyes sleepily closed.

Another soft squawk from Muugin made his brother raven open one eye to look about before nestling back into its wing. So even the ravens were bored, he thought as he shifted his feet discreetly to relieve the pain of standing in one position for a long time. The courtiers themselves were all seemingly listening in rapt attention to the audience happening at the moment, but he could tell that some of them were getting tired by this long audience. However, none dared to voice their complaint. This audience was a matter of import – the ambassador for the Frost Giants, representing King Helblindi himself was finalizing a treaty that would finally end the uneasy truce between Asgard and Jotunheim and mark the first step in a real peace between the realms.

That was the other reason why Loki had to be at this particular audience – Odin Allfather had specifically requested his presence to oversee the so-called "fruits" of his labor and the restoration of the Casket of Ancient Winters to Jotunheim itself. He had not been to the icy realm since his audience with the young King, his younger brother if one was inclined to look at familial aspects, but the Allfather wanted him to see the results.

He sighed quietly and thought about adding another bird to the spell he was weaving, maybe this one in the colors of red and black to add to the green-colored Hulk one and the blue-white Captain America one, to portray Natasha Romanoff. However, Huugin sudden loud caw as he awoke broke through his thoughts. The raven spread its wings and flew off with a distinctive almost-gleeful cackle. Some of the courtiers' reacted by watching it fly out, but many pretended not to notice the raven, and instead kept their attention on the proceedings just as Odin had.

The courtiers themselves were used to the comings and goings of the ravens, enough that they also knew it perhaps spotted food elsewhere or was on another information gathering mission for the Allfather. Loki knew that the courtiers suspected Huugin had gone to consult with the all-seeing eye of Heimdall, perhaps thinking that was where the Allfather received many of his secrets, but all were too polite to ask about it.

Seeing that Huugin was gone, Loki looked to add to his spell once more when the subtlest of shifts from the Allfather sitting upon his throne made him quickly erase the spell instead; the quiet chirping of birds disappearing and leaving a near-silence in its wake. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Odin incline his head once before rising up from his seat. There was the briefest of shifting of feet everywhere as all knew that the treaty was almost complete which only made Loki snort silently at the sudden wash of silent relief that emanated from the courtiers.

"Lord Ambassador Ymir," the Allfather addressed in wake of the silence of Ymir's very long monologue, "the openness of dialogue and words garnered in these past weeks have allowed a new chapter of peace and prosperity to open between Asgard and Jotunheim once more. We thank you for your words and also the words of your King. The feasting halls will tell of tales for generations to come where war once was, but is no more."

"So it shall be, Odin Allfather. There is one more gift we wish to present," Ymir bowed low and Odin tilted his head, but nodded.

"You may present it," he said and Loki wondered what it was.

He had no doubt that it was not a weapon of sorts, Ymir had plenty of time to betray the trust and foundations that had been built over the past several weeks since talks had begun, but at the same time, the presentation of gifts had already been done in the midst of the talks. Here, at the very end of the talks and treaty between the two worlds, it was highly unusual. Still he made no move to summon his magicks or even prepare for an attack, noting that the Allfather was utterly relaxed in his composure. But then again, he was holding Gungir…

The ambassador drew out a geometric looking object, but did not hold it up to the Allfather in his large hands; instead, Loki noted with some surprise that Ymir was holding the object up to him. "In this, contains the proof of life that has flourished with the return of the Casket to our realm." There was a gleam that Loki could not quite identify in the ambassador's eyes, almost like mirth, "The King wished me to present this to the one who had graciously returned the Casket to our rightful place."

Loki blinked as the throne room burst into quiet murmurs and whispers. He could feel the eyes of the Warriors Three and Lady Sif upon him and knew exactly what those gazes said. That they were a bit surprised at the white-washing of the truth, of what had really happened on the Bifrost during the battle with Thanos. He had not given the Casket as readily as it had been picked off of his briefly-dead hands.

But Loki was not a trickster nor liesmith for nothing as he put on a grateful smile and reached out to accept the gift, encapsulating it with a spell to lift it to his own hands. His smile turned into a slight smirk at the grumbles of his blatant display of magicks. Examining it quickly, he brushed a spell over it and was mildly amused to find that that whatever was inside, was protected by the geometric container, or rather, a modular spell like the ones he built during times of idleness. This was going to be fun, trying to take apart what was clearly Helblindi's own magicks.

"I thank the King for his generous gift," he acknowledged Ymir with the briefest of nods as he stored it in the space in between to unravel it later. He noted with a slight disdain mingled with mirthless amusement that many of the courtiers looked shocked at his gratitude towards a gift, even from a Frost Giant. However from his vantage point, Sif was frowning, not at him, but at the courtiers and their reaction. Let her think that he was actually grateful, the courtiers thought otherwise and it only served to further manipulate the feelings of the Court itself.

"And so concludes this treaty between the realms," Odin declared, thumping Gungir on the ground. A second later, the polite applause sounded in the Court as the Ambassador bowed his head before making his way back into the edges of where other foreign dignitaries had come to witness the event.

Loki was sure there were other trade agreements between the newly restored Jotunheim and the rest of the Nine Realms to be discussed, but as the Allfather looked out towards the Court to dismiss them, the sharp caw of Huugin made everyone turn to see the raven flying low, swoop through the Court before landing next to his brother familiar Muugin. There was a sharp poke from Muugin's beak into Huugin's feathers before the other raven responded with another soft caw.

It was then that the crowd parted and Loki felt a flash of irritation crawl through him at the sight of Thor, standing at the edge of the throne room. His cape was torn in several places; armor scuffled and dried blood caked parts of his face, matting his blond-hair to the side. It was clear Thor had only come from a battle and Loki knew that the very image Thor presented was one that the Court would respond favorably to. Here was the favored son, home from what was certainly a fierce battle, perhaps scarred, with new tales to tell at tonight's feast for the realized treaty…

And everything Loki had done to make sure his presence was acknowledged since Thor had not been at any of the negotiations or audiences, was all for naught. All because Thor had to show up just now-

"I intend no disrespect Allfather, but I return with urgent news," Thor said as he walked towards the dais and stopped before kneeling on one knee to the Allfather, head bowed. Loki pursed his lips as he heard the whispers start up once more as the courtiers got a closer look at Thor.

Even though there were several steps between him and Thor, he could smell the hint of ozone wafting around his brother, and upon closer inspection, noted that there was far more blood caked across his armor, hair, and skin. Mjolnir which hung by his side had not escaped unscathed, coated in dried brown-red blood.

"Speak then, Thor," Odin intoned quietly, and Loki risked a quick look at the Allfather to see that a mask of impassivity had fallen across his face. It was the same mask that no matter what happened, he could not read.

"It is news that would diminish the occasion of joy of your most recent peace treaty, Allfather," Thor said haltingly and Loki saw Odin's eyes narrow a little as a wash of renewed whispers spread throughout the Court. Even Ambassador Ymir looked a little suspicious by his declaration. More often than not, when a warrior walked into and interrupted an audience that was going on in the throne room, the news that was declared was usually for a battle or for some skirmish that the Courts always responded to favorably. Reports from spies came from Huugin, Muugin, or were given to the Allfather himself through Heimdall or even through a spectral familiar from one of the battlemages. What Thor was doing…

Loki had to snort quietly at how underhanded his brother was being. But at the same time, he knew that Thor would have never boldly walked in if it was just a spy report. No, Thor was Crown Prince, the beloved son, the future king of Asgard so to boldly walk in and suddenly say that he needed a private audience. He did not know quite what to think, but then again, did not have to say anything as Odin stood up and inclined his head once towards the Jotun ambassador.

"As I had said, this concludes the treaty between our realms, Ambassador. We shall have a feast later tonight in your honor and those of the Jotuns. I ask your forgiveness for this early retirement," the Allfather said and Loki could see that the metaphoric gears in Ymir's head were turning at the play of words spoken by Odin. By asking the Ambassador for forgiveness, Odin had cleverly wedged Ymir into a tight spot – he could not say he did not forgive the Allfather for the early ending of the audience without insulting his host for the resulting feast later tonight. At the same time, it was also a clear dismissal for the rest of the Court.

Ymir smiled placidly before inclining his head in the same fashion, "Of course, Allfather. I must contact our King with news of this success. As you are such a gracious host, perhaps I may make the suggestion of inviting the King himself? It would be more for his honor as I am just his humble servant."

Loki immediately saw through the web of words between Odin and Ymir and resisted the urge to roll his eyes. His oafish, stupid brother did not realize what he had just unleashed by barging in with his so-called urgent news and with his attempts to bandy words to get a private audience had all but announced that there was something secret going on. Ymir had cleverly countered by asking for Helblindi himself to arrive only because if it had been just Ymir, the Allfather may have detained him for a few days afterwards on the pretense of going over the finalized trivial details of the treaty. But by having Helblindi there, the Allfather could not detain him if he wanted to. He could still detain Ymir, but with a second pair of ears at the table, which Loki knew someone was bound to ask about Thor's very recent battle, whatever "secret" Thor wanted to talk to Odin in private would have to be carefully edited. And knowing Thor, he could not even tell a lie even if he wanted to.

His brother made his life even harder and more annoying with his sudden appearance. And Loki knew he would have his work cut out for him to deflect and or preserve whatever secrets were to be spoken between Odin and Thor. He knew that he did not have to do it, but at the same time, a sense of self-preservation and chance to prove that his brother was most definitely not ready for the throne was too tempting for him – especially showing him up in front of the Allfather himself.

"Then we shall expect the young King at his rightful place of honor," Odin said and Ymir bowed once before getting up and leaving. The rest of the courtiers knew that the audience was at an end as they too, slowly left. Many of the courtiers would not hear of the tale that Thor was bound to be asked about during the feast tonight, but there would be rumors nonetheless.

As the last courtier turned to leave, Loki allowed himself to relax and shook his head at his brother who stared at him in surprise. "You are a fool," he growled out as he made his way down the throne room steps, Sif and the other Warriors already heading to the door that would lead them to the training grounds. He himself was headed to the library; hoping to maybe read off a headache that was forming and think of ways he could at least deflect the inevitable questioning that was to happen at tonight's feast.

"Loki, I…" Thor suddenly looked torn and Loki huffed an annoyed sigh as he glanced at his brother, "I would like you to stay."

His annoyance was replaced by shock as he blinked, taken aback at the request. A the momentary burst of fear that ran through him. A private audience with the Allfather was that, a private audience. Neither one of them had ever asked the other to stay since they were young boys being punished. Loki knew as well as Thor knew that there were times where matters of the realm and beyond were spoken to one another now that Thor was Crown Prince and he just…a Prince.

Even with Thanos imprisoned, the Allfather had yet to declare what his role was within the royal household, nor what was he to do in the immediate future. He was certainly not the Allfather's advisor nor was he the chief negotiator or a diplomat. He was not a battlemage or even a healer and instead had been left to his own devices. Loki had known what he was before the whole fiasco with Jotunheim, he was Thor's shadow, the once possibility of being King there, but now…

The sound of the doors closing told him that the Warriors had left, leaving him the only one who had been originally part of the Court now standing there, still staring at Thor. He could ignore it, leave as he knew it was his right to do, but at the same time he also knew that the knowledge gained would perhaps help him tonight. He turned and stood plainly facing Thor, diagonally from the Allfather still sitting upon his throne and saw the slight warmth of affection appear in Thor's eyes.

Only Thor would still think of his gesture to stay as something brotherly. They were not- he cut the thought off irritably. The oaf would still not get it, even if he was able to pick up Mjolnir and hammer it into his face.

"Speak plainly Thor," the Allfather's tone was neutral, but Loki caught the hint of a severe disappointment in them. Even the Allfather knew what a mess tonight's feast was going to be because of Thor's actions and for that Loki felt a little grateful that at least he was not the only one who was irritated at the blond-haired idiot.

"The Avengers discovered that HYDRA's newest leader is but a mere child," Thor started, "whom Iron Man, Agent May, and I saw disappear with seemingly a twist of magic, much like how you walk the shadows, my brother."

Loki shrugged, "The mortals are persistent enough to try to break the laws of their technology against magicks they do not yet understand. I am not surprised if one or two have designed spells to enable such a thing."

Thor nodded, seemingly appeased before looking back up at the Allfather, "Before leaving, their leader dropped small marbles of a gaseous nature. It was poison that has affected many of the mortal agents of SHIELD including the warrior Natasha Romanoff and Captain Steven Rogers."

That was not surprising to Loki, and he wondered if Thor had said their names to deliberately make him feel some sort of responsibility or guilt towards the Avengers, especially the two that seemed most neutral, aside from Dr. Banner, towards him the last time he was there. If that was the intention, then Loki felt nothing. Romanoff and Rogers were soldiers and warriors first and foremost and they knew when to give up their lives for whatever cause they believed in.

"The poison itself was corrosive in nature, destroying the insides of a mortal's body if inhaled directly. However, it has not affected the physical area and…it was bound by magicks that I have felt before."

That statement got Loki's attention as he whipped his head around to stare at Thor. Even the Allfather looked interested as he leaned forward a little on his throne. Thor was someone who was rarely affected by magicks of any nature, trusting Mjolnir to protect him as well as his natural warrior-enhanced senses to avoid any magicks of any type. Loki remembered training with Thor and occasionally scoring him with his own magicks if only to help him learn to avoid all sorts of spells and whatnot thrown upon a battlefield should the need arise. But there had been one time when Thor was affected by magicks…and it made Loki uneasy.

The uneasiness turned quickly into dread as he contemplated Thor's words. Corrosive poison specifically designed to be inhaled and only then would it release the toxin within a person, making them hemorrhage blood, putrefy and dissolve their innards. It was controlled by magicks and a mere child, the leader of HYDRA was seen fleeing the scene.

"Allfather, I believe that Jormungandr has escaped his prison and is HYDRA's newest leader," Thor said quietly avoiding Loki's sharp look.

Thor kept his gaze firm on the Allfather as he heard his brother start and draw in a sharp breath. Contrary to what he knew his brother thought of him, he could tell that the news affected him more than he was willing to show. But it was also news that he knew the Allfather had to know and hoped that by having Loki at the audience, he would at least have some of his feelings spared. He had not wanted to pin the blame on Jormungandr, but there was no denying the magicks he felt in the brief moment he held the small unopened poison gas marble before the man of iron had taken it back.

"Loki, I-"

"Spare me your feelings, Thor," Loki hissed out quietly as out of the corner of his eye he saw his brother try to regain his composure. Thor knew the history between Jormungandr and his brother, but also knew that whatever knowledge he had of the history between the two, there was a far deeper history that Loki had carefully never revealed, not even to the Allfather.

The real question was who freed Jormungandr. Thor did not want to believe that Loki had a hand in it, but then again, Jormungandr had been part of his brother's coterie, and a very powerful coterie at that. The intricacies of magicks had long eluded Thor, but it also meant that he did not pretend that it did not exist. He just had a habit of separating it, even though a part of him knew that his father used magic too. Loki was just…Loki. And he had to admit, it was during that time of Loki's coterie that Thor had felt the pangs of jealousy of a group of people that was able to love his brother seemingly even more than he loved him himself.

It still did not mean that he had forgiven the coterie for their traitorous actions, no, that was certainly the prevailing sentiment amongst all Asgardians and through the Nine Realms themselves. But he also knew that his brother harbored some lingering regrets and feelings for the group of beings that were almost like him.

Still, his brother needed to hear this, "Loki, I would not have spoken his name if I was not sure."

"I don't care," Loki seethed, glaring at him, but Thor would not back down. His brother needed to know that he had his support, no matter what. He would never abandon him, even after everything.

"Loki-"

Huugin's caw startled the two of them as they looked up to see the Allfather speaking to his raven before it flew off, headed towards Heimdall's Observatory. "Heimdall shall confirm the escape of Jormungandr," Odin said, but before Thor could say anything, Loki suddenly turned and in a very uncharacteristic move, dropped to one knee.

"Allfather, permit me to go to Midgard to ascertain the truth to this matter. If indeed Jormungandr has escaped, I may be able to draw him out," his brother said in the most neutral and quiet voice ever. Thor was surprised at the sudden humility and humbleness that was displayed – Loki never asked permission, he just did what he wanted, consequences be dammed.

And he realized that his brother must have been severely affected by the possible news that Jormungandr could be loose somewhere on Midgard. Thor wanted to reach out and tell Loki that everything was going to be fine, but he also knew that his brother was in such a frenzied state that he would accept nothing.

"What would you request in turn for this?" Odin tilted his head a little, his one-eyed gaze sharp.

"That the others come to no harm," Loki quickly replied and Thor drew in a quick breath at the implications of that statement.

He did not want to believe…but if it was true… No…it could not be. Loki would never do such a thing.

"Oh how little you know of me, brother," he heard Loki whisper softly, his tone amusing yet at the same time saddened. Thor realized that he had spoken his last thought out loud.

"The others will come to no harm so long as their prison holds," Odin countered, "I will however, send the Warriors Three and Lady Sif to ascertain the nature of their confinement That is how much time you will have."

"I understand," Loki looked up and Thor saw a grim determination in his eyes, not unlike when he was facing down Thanos so long ago, but at the same time, he could not help but wonder what it was for. The coterie and their bonds to one another were powerful, but Thor knew that no one held sway over his brother.

"I shall send for them after the feast," Odin continued and Thor grimaced at the same time he saw the same expression flit across his brother's face. So they would not leave immediately and instead stay for the feast.

He was never good with wordplay, especially within the Court and knew that he had bungled his attempt for a private audience by trying to make it seem like his news should not have diminished the conclusion of the Jotun-Asgard negotiations. He had been aware of Loki's involvement in them, his daily appearances in Court and in the negotiation rooms, helping draft the treatise with his brilliant ability as a wordsmith.

And he had seen the withering look Loki had sent him for his attempt to try to mitigate his own problems since his arrival from Midgard. In hindsight, perhaps he should have just waited until the Allfather had finished with his Court, but at the same time, the urgency of the possibility of Jormungandr's escape was very important.

"I…I will try to be more discreet in the future," Thor knew there was nothing else he could have said and at best it was a very poor apology for what was going to happen tonight. He knew there was the potential of mitigating the story so that the Jotuns would not pry into matters, but it would be futile. Helblindi was Loki's true brother and Thor had seen the exact same calculating eyes on the King of Jotunheim as he had on his own brother. If he did not tell the full story, Helblindi would be sure to pick it out from him…

"Then I suggest the two of you prepare for the feast," Odin dismissed them and Thor bowed his head once before standing up and heading out of the throne room.

He heard Loki's footsteps behind him and as the door closed behind them he turned and opened his mouth, but Loki beat him to the punch.

"Spare me your sentiments, Thor," his brother glared at him, "I do not wish for it."

Thor closed his mouth and watched as Loki turned abruptly on his heel and quickly headed towards the hall that led to the library. He watched his brother until he disappeared around a corner and shook his head sadly. At least Loki had only said that much – he knew Loki could have said a lot more, but was probably distracted by the news of Jormungandr's possible escape. Sighing, Thor headed towards his own quarters, intent on a long bath to wash the stink of mortal blood and sweat off of his body and armor.

Loki closed the tome he was reading with a quiet thump that echoed off the shelves in the library. He pinched the bridge of his nose and ran his fingers up and down in an effort to relieve the tension that was there. This was not a problem he needed now…not with the feasting tonight. The Allfather and Thor had all but guaranteed that he was not going to be on his top form tonight verbally sparring with Helblindi and he hated it.

But still, Jormungandr, escaped; or at least possibly escaped from his prison and bonds.

It would take Heimdall a few days to scour the whole of Midgard itself, down to the deepest core and every inch of its surface before he could ascertain if Jormungandr had truly escaped. The form he had been forced into was also a clever one, able to blend in with his surroundings. The only thing that would have given Jormungandr away in his imprisoned form were two twin specks that lit up like little stars. Stars that said mine, mine, mine…

He wondered if she had cut his bonds. It would not be the first time she had done something similar to test him even though he was her best student. He would not have called her cruel, but she was not known for her kindness either. She was however, a very effective teacher and more than any of the other battlemages in existence. He knew he could easily consult her, his connection to her renewed since his brush with death thanks to Thanos' dagger. Before then, he had severed all ties since his coterie was scattered.

But to contact her now, it would only invite a chance for her daughter to free herself from her own imprisonment and Loki...did not want anything to do with her. He knew the Allfather had his suspicions, but even he with his magicks knew that the better part of valor was discretion. In this case, the magicks that he studied versus the ones the Allfather studied were best left alone.

He flicked an idle finger and conjured a tiny ghost-like bligesnipe as it wandered the tabletop of where he sat, snuffling as it pretended to search for another bligesnipe to battle against. Adding some detail to its form, he conjured a second one before sending the two off to do battle with each other, trying to distract himself. The battle was soon over as his first bligesnipe conquered his second one and Loki growled under his breath as he released the spell.

It was no use…everything he did made his thoughts go back to what Thor had declared. Jormungandr, the coterie…the others…

"I have just opened up a path for my Queen," Frigga's voice startled him out of his thoughts as she suddenly placed a chess board in front of him, a white pawn clearly moving two spaces up opposite of his black side, "your turn."

He moved his Queen's knight before realizing that it was not the one he wanted to move, but it was too late to take the move back as his fingers had already lifted off the piece itself. Looking up, he saw his mother rounding the edge of the table to sit across from him, staring down at the board and made her second move.

"Your father told me what happened," she started conversationally before shaking her head at his frown, "you need not tell me, I know you well, my son. I merely wish to challenge you at the moment. The feast is not yet prepared and you have only recently finished another tessellation in your room."

"I could start another one," he countered, wondering what she was getting at. As much as he appreciated that she was playing chess with him, he still did not feel too comfortable around her. Guilt at what he had done was primarily his concern and he remembered waking up in the healing hall after his battle with Thanos once to see her tear streaked face and her whispered promise to never die as she could not stand to bury a son.

"You may," she replied serenely, "yet I find you here in the library."

"I am reading to figure out how to solve the problem Thor created," he made his second move, knowing he could still win even with his first bad move.

"Loki, your words do not need to be read in a book. You are far too clever for that," she smiled a little, "come now, play the game for what it is."

"I am not a child-"

"You are still my child," she blinked once before he huffed a sigh and focused on her third move. "But as a parent I still have a lot to learn. I wish to learn how to defeat my husband in chess at least once."

Loki looked up in surprise as she made her third move. He had not known that the Allfather played the game, having seen him sitting upon the throne, inspecting the warriors, doing everything that was not considered leisure. But he realized that the Allfather was seemingly a chessmaster himself, always creating options, leaving positions open, sacrificing pieces of the sort. Everything he did was for a purpose, much like the game he was playing at the moment.

"He will not be an easy opponent," he murmured quietly as he made his move to which she countered and he made another quick move, taking one of her pieces.

"And neither you," she arched an eyebrow at the loss of her piece and his lips twisted a little in a small smile.

"There are different methods of play, mother," he watched as she stared at the board for a moment before cautiously making another move to which he countered. She frowned again before making another one and he took another one of her pieces.

"Strike fast?" she took one of his pieces, but he did not care for the pawn. It was inconsequential.

"Or strike slowly. Or perhaps use both, a combination of various methods," he made his move, setting up his Queen, "check."

She frowned and Loki looked up to see her staring at the board, her brow furrowed in thought before she cautiously made her move. He smiled a little, "That was the right one."

"Or perhaps the one you wish me to think was the right one," she met his gaze with a slightly amused smile of her own and Loki nearly laughed. He reached over and pointed to one of her pieces, "If you had moved this one, then in three moves, it would have been checkmate. If this one, then two moves…" He continued to explain the methods to her as she nodded.

At least two hours later, she finally sat back, their fifth match all but done and she smiled at him. "Thank you, my son, for this very educational experience."

"Your distraction was a mild success," Loki tilted his head as she nodded and collected the pieces and board. It was true, he barely thought of what was happening until she had spoken.

"Loki, we will find Jormungandr," she stood up and looked to leave, but leaned down and reached out to grasp his hand, "we will find him."

"I have no doubt of that," he replied as she left the library. The question was, if Jormungandr had escaped and he was found, what would he do then?

Author's Notes:

Just what a coterie is will be explained in the story. It is an actual word that exists…and for those who have read Robin Hobb's books, I've based Loki's coterie upon the coterie of those books.