"The Frost giant... he has taken a mortal to Jotunheim. We must follow him and retrieve her!"
Odin watched silently as his son raged about the trickery with which the strange Jotun pretended he was a honorable one, only to turn around and kidnap a mortal from her own realm and take her to the frozen hell of his own.
He already knew about Loki returning to his realm, Heimdall mentioned that Frigga had successfully healed the young mortal, and will return to Asgard.
"Thor..." he started to speak but was cut off.
"We must assemble the army and rescue her!"
"That's enough, Thor!" Odin was old, but his voice still had the power and commanding sound of his younger days.
Instantly the Asgard's prince quieted, his warmongering forgotten for the time being. Instead of explaining anything to his son Odin turned to look at Heimdall.
"The queen is ready to return." the gatekeeper spoke calmly, like he had not just witnessed his king lose patience with his heir.
"Bring her home." Odin said calmly and the golden-eyed man nodded silently, before doing as instructed.
"Where was mother? Did she visited her relatives on Vanaheim?"
All-Father turned towards Thor, his single eye watching closely what his son's reaction will be to. But the fact was he already knew. He had made a series of mistakes and this was the result of it.
"She had traveled to Jotunheim." Odin raised his hand to silence his son, just as Thor opened his mouth to speak, "We both have. There were things that needed to be cleared. Amends that needed to be made. Knowledge that needed to be shared." Odin sighed, "And an old man that needed to see the mistakes in his actions."
"Father..." Thor started to speak but the activation of Bifrost interrupted him. And once Frigga appeared in front of them he went to greet his mother, seemingly pleased to see her again, but both she and Odin could see he was actually checking for hidden injuries. For a sign anything was wrong.
It wasn't. Frigga was as healthy as she was before following her husband to the icy realm. Because the Jotuns aren't the monsters they were seem as.
And perhaps it is time for it to be made clear to the others as well. Because Odin's eye had certainly been opened today.
But getting the Jotuns accepted in their rightful place in Iggdrasil will not be easy. His people alone will be extremely prejudice against the Frost giants.
But Odin believed the solution to that problem lied in the young prince. He was powerful, the All-Father himself did not possess that much seidr, and power was respected. Aesir put strength of muscles first, and the ability to wield a weapon. But magic is the most powerful weapon of all.
Odin offered Frigga his hand and she accepted it with a small smile. She was pleased with today's events, and with the lasting peace they might bring if the right actions are made.
She had faith in her husband. She knew he did not admit his wrongdoings easily, but today he had done exactly that. Today he had learned what he refused to learn before.
And the time has come for the others to learn as well.
Starting with their son that stomped behind them.
Frigga was not blind to Thor's flaws, to his thirst for battle that brought him and those who follow him into serious peril one too many times.
The Asgardian queen smiled slightly, earning the look of curiosity from her husband.
"I have offered my assistance to the young prince. Their last seidr wielder was lost many years ago and most of the knowledge died with him. Mine is limited but there are books on Asgard that will aid him." she clarified.
It was unheard of for a woman to made such a big decision without consulting and receiving a permission from her husband, but Frigga wasn't like other women. And Odin knew her well enough to know there were always reasons behind her decisions.
Sometimes it was intuition that told her which choice to make.
Sometimes it was the visions gifted to her by the Norns.
Jane was in awe of her surroundings, of the incredible sight in front of her. Until now she only saw the real beauty in the night sky, in the stars she loved so much since childhood. But standing on the small balcony of the chamber given to her she had to admit there is also beauty out there that isn't linked to celestial bodies.
The frozen landscape in front of her looked bland at first sight, just white as far as she could see. But with each passing second she noticed little details, little changes in the shades of the snow.
Jotunheim was a frozen realm, but it's beauty was unmistakable if one only takes the time to see it.
And from this day forward it will be her home.
The sound of the doors opening and closing informed her someone had entered her chamber and Jane walked inside, closing the large glass doors after herself. That was another of many wonders she discovered on this world. Glass thin as a bubble, but strong and durable. And incredible at keeping the chill outside.
"It's strange." Loki spoke when she turned to look at him, "A week ago I was a hermit living in a cave and stealing to survive. Now I am a heir to the throne, living in a palace of ice, and have servants. And I have you to thank for that."
"I believe you would have eventually found your way back home. You would have found the Casket eventually."
"Maybe... if I braved the maze again." he approached her slowly like she was a frightened animal. After arriving on Jotunheim all he wanted to bring Jane here as well, and now that she is here he worried about her.
"Loki. What is this about? Really?"
"I promised to show you the stars. But right now I can't. I'm bound to Jotunheim for the time being,learning about the people and the culture."
"You are a prince, it is expected from you to know these things." she pointed out, the scientist in her seeing things from the most logical point of view.
"But I promised you."
Warm hand took his much colder, and he looked down to see pale pink skin clashing with his blue one. It was such a difference, and it frightened him. She could still change her mind, ask to return to Earth, and he wouldn't have any other choice but to follow her. And leave his family and true home behind.
But she was his mate, and where she went he followed.
"I ate the apple willingly Loki. I knew my options, I knew how it would change me." gently she squeezed his hand, "I do not regret it. It's strange and possibly too fast... we only knew each other for a few days, and don't really know each other when you think about it... but it was a right choice. I can feel it deep down. And as a scientist I rarely follow my feelings, I was taught to rely on facts, but when it comes to you... I do both."
A knock on the door startled them and Jane called the person in. When the large door opened queen Farabauti entered the chamber and smiled at her son and his mate, their hands linked.
The mate bond in a mysterious thing. Happening when the male Jotun reached maturity, and proved he was able to provide for the female. And the female is the one who must accept the male, accept him as her provider and protector.
She spoke the truth when she told Odin their kind will not care her son's mate is a mortal. The news of Jane of Midgard being the mate of the throne prince had already reached even the most distant villages. And not one Jotun spoke against the bond, for they were not the monsters they were seen as on other realms.
They saw the mate bond as sacred. If prince Loki chose a mortal as his mate then they will accept her.
"A grand feast will be organized in your honor tonight after nightfall." the queen spoke, "Laufey will name Loki his son and successor. And Jane, you will be formally introduced as his mate."
"It's so odd." Jane made Farabauti pause just as she turned to leave and give them privacy, "Both Loki and I were accepted without a complain. A small Frost giant and a mortal."
"Our kind is like that Jane."
The astrophysicist had to smile at the irony as she considered how wrong the people from other realms were, "The coldest realm is the home of the most warmhearted race."
The meeting of the realms that was organized on Asgard a month later was the largest ever in history. Never before did the Realm Eternal welcomed representatives from all occupier realms of Iggdrasil.
The news that both the mortals from Midgard and Frost giants from Jotunheim will be attending spread like wildfire throughout the population. The response to the news varied, not many were pleased, but Aesir trusted their king and respected his wisdom.
Odin send Thor on Midgard, to the same group of people he fought with during the attack on the realm that went unnoticed by general population. All-Father believed it was probably for the best. From Frigga, who was regularly visiting Jotunheim to act as a teacher to the young prince, he learned he was seen in his true form several times by the mortals and every time they perceived him as a monster. The mortals were not completely ready to learn the truth about the universe they were a part of.
But some, the soldiers his son had met, were different. More accepting of differences. The man that grew into a large green creature of rage was a proof of that. His peers accepted him into their rank. And that made them worthy of represent their realm.
The fact their group, that called itself SHIELD, worked towards the goal of keeping Midgard safe from any enemy was only a bonus.
They did not represent any government, but warriors who fought for the safety of their realm. And as a king of a race that respected warriors Odin was looking forward to meeting them. The mortals who fought as bravely as any Aesir.
In command of them was a dark-skinned man that introduced himself as director Nicholas Fury. He then continued to name the others who accompanied him, a colorful group he called the Avengers. And in the end he named doctor Erik Selvig, a scientist who was assisting them with several things while working with them, the last one being the Tesseract.
But the older mortal man looked more curious in observing his surroundings than in what was being said. Odin watched him and he had the feeling the man was looking for something. Or rather someone.
And that was proven as correct when the representatives of Jotunheim arrived.
Laufey had came himself, accepting Odin's invitation to visit Asgard for the first time in over a thousand years. And with the Jotun king came his son and the prince's mate. And doctor Selvig's eyes widened in shock at the sight of the young woman before he looked at the man on her side in suspicion.
The first gathering was casual, and it allowed everyone to become more acquainted. Jotuns have been separated from the other races for far too long, but they were welcomed back easily. The Midgardians were present for the first time in the company of the highest ranking individuals from other realms, but Frigga had to admit they were adapting very well. Most of them anyway. The oldest man among them observed young Jane like a hawk.
Unlike her husband she knew more about the young mortal's life before she found Loki and became his mate. Jane had talked about her studies and her love for the stars during the times queen of Asgard visited Jotunheim. She also talked about her trying to find proof of, something she called, Einstein-Rosen bridge and the man that was her mentor, before she learned he was aiding a certain agency in preventing her from getting too far with her research.
The Asgardian queen was certain the man that was introduced as doctor Selvig was the same man Jane never named when talking about him.
Currently the young woman was focused in her conversation to queen of Alfheim and wasn't aware of the audience she had. It did not surprise Frigga. Jane took her title of Loki's mate seriously, as well as the responsibility of being one of representatives of her new home realm.
Frigga was impressed by her hunger for knowledge, and she always made sure to bring a new tome about astronomy from palace's large library for Jane, when she brought copies of books containing helpful information about magic to Loki.
Books weren't so common on Jotunheim, their knowledge written mostly on the walls of the caves it is believed their race originated from. But during Frigga's third visit Laufey escorted her to their sacred place where she met with several Frost giants who had the task of transferring their knowledge and history to large tomes.
She was certain that will help for the Jotuns to be integrated back among the races of Iggdrasil. The king of Vanaheim certainly had no problem with them and their presence in Asgard, if the way he started to discuss things with Laufey was any evidence.
"The alliance would be beneficial for both our races." Freyr, the king of Vanaheim spoke, "The unity of your son and my daughter Sigyn would bring long lasting peace and prosperity to both our realms."
Laufey agreed with that, but had to inform the king the marriage was impossible, "While I have no doubt your daughter would be a lovely bride, my son has already found a mate. And for the rest of their lives they are bound to each other."
Freyr turned to look at Jane who just said something to Niniel of Alfheim, before she turned towards Loki and smiled at him. And the unusually small Frost giant smiled back at her, his red eyes never leaving her lovely face.
There was an invisible bond between those two, and seeing them interact was fascinating. A Jotun and a mortal.
Mate bonds were slowly becoming rare in the realms of Iggdrasil, but from what he learned from All-Father it was a matter of biology for Frost giants, not a choice like with other races. And if there was anything Freyr respected it was such bond.
"They are an odd pair." he eventually pointed out.
"But my people have accepted them as such." Laufey responded.
Freyr smiled, "Perhaps more bonds like these is what it takes to bring permanent peace to Iggdrasil."
Jane heard someone approaching her, and she wasn't at all surprised when she turned to see who it was, and found Erik standing behind her.
"Is there somewhere private we can talk?" he asked tentatively.
"The great hall has many balconies." Thor startled the scientist, "One of them will be suited for your conversation."
While Jane nodded silently, Loki wasn't so happy about her going anywhere with Erik. He did not trust the man, not after everything he told him about her mentor. He understood loyalty and betrayal. And he was about to follow them, listen in on their conversation to ensure his mate doesn't get upset by whatever Erik had to say, when a soft grip on his forearm stopped him.
It was Thor who stopped him.
"Is there something you needed?" he asked the thunderer.
The blonde nodded, he wasn't an expert with words, but he had to try his best. He was a prince of Asgard, the heir to the throne, and he needed to prepare himself for the responsibility of ruling the realm. His father made it very clear to him the throne will not be his until he has learned his lessons, and also learned to control his temper.
"Upon returning from Midgard I was ready to storm Jotunheim with an army, because I believed you kidnapped the mortal Jane Foster. But my mother explained to me your link. I wish to apologize for my prejudice based assumptions, and congratulate you on finding a life mate."
Loki bowed his head in thanks, "Queen Frigga explained the prejudice towards my kind during one of the visits, and also expressed her hope those times were behind us. I am certain she will be pleased her son is starting to see beyond our appearance."
"It's helpful that you are so short." Thor said with a shrug.
"She also mentioned you rarely think before you speak."
Erik watched Jane quietly for a few minutes, observing the little changes about her, before he finally sighed. It was obvious in her gaze that she was humoring him and didn't actually want to be here with him and listed to anything he had to say.
"When are you coming back to Earth?" he started their conversation with the question that kept him awake for a while now.
Jane shrugged, "We haven't discussed that yet. I am currently focused on learning everything there is to know about Jotunheim."
"Why?"
She blinked in confusion, "Because it's a while different world. Because it's my new home."
"Earth is you home, Jane." he was unhappy with her words, and let it show, "Your family and friends are there."
"I have those on Jotunheim too." she turned away from him and focused on the lovely view from the balcony; The Realm Eternal was beautiful in dusk, "I know what you want from me Erik, but it's my life and my choice. Just like it was your choice to start working with SHIELD and try to tamper with my research."
"I did it to protect you!" he was trying to make her see things from his point of view, "You went to Norway alone and look what happened!"
"What happened is I found someone who loves me. I found out other realms exist, and I also traveled with an Einstein-Rosen bridge."
"But no one on Earth knows that. All those scientist who called you foolish for following such a foolish path and wasting your potential." he tried to influence her by reminding her of the treatment she received since graduating and starting her research, "You should return and prove them all wrong."
Jane just laughed, "You know very well SHIELD would never allow me to publish my work. They would claim it was a matter of national security and just seize everything."
"Jane..."
"I will not return just to be locked up in some facility by your buddies, Erik. I have better things to do."
"Like being with that man." he glanced briefly in Loki's direction and saw him talking to Fury. Obviously the director wanted to discuss the events that happened a month ago, the invasion and the blue cube the Frost giant used.
"That man is my mate." she pointed out calmly and Erik instantly grimaced. He didn't like that title. Mate. Last time he heard that word it was on a Discovery channel.
"What would your mother think if she heard you say that?"
Jane snorted, a response that surprised him, "She wound want to know when she'll be getting grandchildren."
One more chapter to go!
Expect pure Lokane fluff.