A/N: Well, this is kind of a milestone for me—I've never reached 30 chapters for a fic before! Go, me, lol.

Tony paused in what was about to be an upward swoop to capture Loki's mouth, but JARVIS' words, "Captain Rogers is here to see you," caused prickles of adrenaline to swarm through him instead; the expression on Loki's face told him that he was having a similar reaction. They stared at each other for a moment.

"Get rid of him," Loki commanded, shooting a dismissive glance up toward where JARVIS' voice had emanated from.

"No! Cancel, J, cancel!" Tony gave Loki a disapproving frown. "We can't do that."

"Why not? Our morning was ruined, must the rest of the day be so as well? Tell your Captain to run along and come back when you're not so... busy." Loki ran a fingertip along Tony's cheek, and then down his chest in a totally distracting way.

"Uh... Huh? Oh, no, I mean—look, this was going to happen sooner or later, we might as well get it out of the way."

"Get what out of the way?"

Tony pursed his lips, considering the best choice of words. "Having him see you again. Here."

Loki's rakishly raised eyebrow and evil grin made Tony realize he could have phrased that better. Loki purred, "Oh, you're inviting him to our bedroom? I thought there was a bit of subtext between the two of you. Well, I'm not the best at sharing, but perhaps, just this once—"

"No! I just meant—Oh. You're teasing, right?"

Loki chuckled none too sincerely. "Of course."

"Great. Okay, I'm going to go make nice with our guest. You get dressed, but stay here until I call you. I have to find out how much, if anything, he knows about the... situation."

"The situation will not be to his liking, I'm afraid."

"No, it won't. But, it is what it is, and he'll have to figure out a way to accept it sooner or later. Might as well start now."

Loki resignedly watched as Tony got up and pulled on his clothes. "Fine. But, do try to hurry this up. Tell him we have baby things to shop for, as well as useless fretting to do about Selvig and Barton's unfortunate conditions. One or the other ought to persuade him to be on his way."

Tony shot him a long-suffering look as he opened the bedroom door. "Yeah, good thinking. God, I love you. Why, I don't know, but I do."

A lazy grin came over Loki, and he settled back under the covers, not quite ready to leave the warmth of his and Tony's bed just yet.

Thor and Frigga rose at Alfarin's announcement of the Queen's arrival. Thor stared in amazement at the vision coming through the door.

A sleek jaguar on the hunt came to mind. Queen Farbauti moved sinuously, shiny black hair cascading down over her shoulders, a headpiece of small golden horns protruding from among the thick tresses. A gown of buttery-soft animal skin gripped her voluptuous figure, bound at the neck and waist by a band of glinting gold, and a sheathed knife hung over her shapely hips. Lower, the gown split to reveal long, slender legs that Thor couldn't help but envision wrapped around him for a round of the most exotic coupling he'd ever experienced—a thought that was quickly dismissed by an elbow jab to his ribs, courtesy of Frigga.

He forced himself to raise his eyes to the Queen's face, and was soon lost in fascination. Farbauti's bone structure could have been sculpted by the gods themselves—high cheekbones, long Roman nose, a narrow jaw that could have looked severe but which was offset by huge, long-lashed ruby eyes rimmed by black kohl. Her skin was a rich shade of blue, her full lips painted deep violet, and the tribal markings on her forehead and chin were subtle, small and vertical. She had others on her cheeks that were harsher, a darker color than the others, but they just added a rough edge to her beauty.

The very air in the room seemed to vibrate as she entered, such was the strength of her presence. Her stature was, as expected, considerably greater than anyone's on Asgard. She stood easily a head taller than Thor, but she carried herself with such fluid grace that he soon forgot how unusual it was for him to have to look upwards to meet someone's eyes.

And, those eyes... Farbauti appeared quite youthful until Thor peered into her eyes. He wasn't the most perceptive, but even he could see the ages of sorrow and pain they harbored. But all that seemed to melt away as they crinkled in welcome and she purred in a low, melodic voice, "My most treasured guests, at last you are here. I'd begun to fear the ocean had claimed you."

Farbauti turned to Frigga. "Your Majesty—I cannot tell you what an honor it is to look upon your face and hear your voice at last." She dipped her head deferentially and held out her long-fingered, black-nailed hands, palms up. Frigga placed her hands, palms down, upon them and they were enveloped by Farbauti's firm grip. Then, Farbauti moved to stand in front of Thor, and her eyes seemed to bore into his.

"Your Royal Highness. Forgive my staring, but I've heard so many tales about you. I've pictured you in my mind so many times, and I must say, the image has fallen far short of reality. You're hardly the fearsome monster I expected, but are instead fair of face, and a powerful warrior. Having you here under peaceful circumstances brings me great joy—it is an honor." She again offered her open hands and Thor gingerly placed his as his mother had, upon her upturned palms. She closed her larger hands around his and squeezed; he could feel controlled strength in her sinewy fingers and he resisted the temptation to squeeze back with a show of force. Instead, he just lightly closed his hands around hers and gave a small smile.

She returned it with a flash of white teeth. "How strange all this must be to you, young prince!" she said with a laugh, still holding his hands. "It is to me, too. If, years ago, someone had told me Aesir would be standing before me in these halls pressing hands, I would have slit their throats for their impudence. Yet, here you are!" She dropped Thor's hands, shaking her head in wonderment. "How times have changed."

"Indeed." Frigga spoke softly, and then reached into her travel bag. "Please accept these small tokens of our esteem." She brought out a flask of mead, a box of little cakes, and several jars of fruit preserves, earning oohs and ahs from their hostess. Once the gifts had been laid out, Frigga continued. "I've been looking forward to meeting you, too. I know it must be difficult..." Frigga dropped her eyes respectfully. "...knowing all that has befallen your land and your people." Frigga took a deep breath and added, "My sympathy on the loss of your husband."

The room was deathly quiet for a long moment, and Thor noticed Alfarin standing near the queen, apparently on high alert. But then, to both Frigga and Thor's surprise, Farbauti broke out in peals of infectious laughter. "Oh, your sympathy is much appreciated—but utterly unnecessary." She gazed at Thor with luminous red eyes. "The fact is, I've often wished for the opportunity to do this—" and, with that, she leaned forward and down and pressed a soft kiss onto Thor's lips. He blinked rapidly, frozen for fear of making some unforgivable faux pas.

Farbuati straightened and laughed again. "That is a thank-you for the tremendous favor you did for me and my kingdom. Taking Laufey's worthless life was the greatest act of kindness you can imagine. I am forever in your debt." She dipped into a small curtsey and then smiled enigmatically at Thor and then Frigga. "Now, please, sit down. The refreshments should be here any moment." She sat in one of the larger chairs positioned in front of the two Aesir-sized easy chairs, and Thor and Frigga took their seats as well, puzzled expressions on their faces.

Alfarin made his way to the door and stepped out into the hall. He said something in the Jotun tongue and ushered in a servant carrying a large tray with cups and a plate of small dry-looking pastries upon it. Once it was in place on a table, the servant was dismissed and Alfarin poured steaming cups of coffee for Thor and Frigga, and something thick and murky for Farbauti. She took it and settled back, beaming at her visitors. "Well, we have much to discuss—where shall we start?"

It was one of the very few times in Thor's life that he saw his mother appear at a loss. He could almost discern her brain rapidly flipping through various responses and summarily rejecting each one in its turn. Finally, she leaned forward a bit and said, "Queen Farbauti—I don't wish to dwell on a difficult subject, but I do feel it is important to correct a misunderstanding straightaway. Thor is not responsible for Laufey's death—it was my other son, Loki, who did the deed. He was in a rather fragile state of mind at the time, and—"

Farbauti cocked her head in mild surprise. "Loki? Oh, yes, you do have a second son, I'd forgotten. So, it is he to whom I owe my good fortune? Well, I hope I will be able to personally thank him one day. In the meantime, please let him know I am most grateful." Farbauti blew a blast of cooling air across the top of her drink and sipped it noisily.

Thor and Frigga exchanged glances. Frigga cleared her throat. "Your Majesty—again, I hate to bring up unpleasant issues, but I do want us to converse in complete honesty. Am I to believe that you truly harbor no ill will toward Loki?"

Farbauti raised her eyebrows. "For what? For killing a vicious brute? A criminal? Please. You see these?" She indicated the tribal marks on her forehead and chin. "I was born with these. These?" Now, she pointed to the more pronounced markings on her cheeks, and her voice became a snarl. "He gave me these. To make me look like one of his filthy tribe. He held me down and carved my face without so much as a draught of mead to dull the pain. And, that wasn't even done in anger! He—" Farbauti seemed overcome and she stopped speaking. Alfarin came to stand behind her and he put a hand on her shoulder. She reached up and gripped it tightly. "He could be cruel beyond reason," she added softly, her eyes hooded.

"I'm so sorry," Frigga said. "Forgive me. I've always wondered... about the circumstances of Loki's birth. I think I understand now."

Farbauti was staring blankly at the floor, but at Frigga's words, she raised her eyes and fixed Frigga with a piercing stare. "What do you mean?"

"Well—it's just that, when Loki was brought to me as an infant, it seemed so... Such a terrible thing, leaving a babe abandoned to die. I could hardly—"

Frowning, Farbauti set down her cup and leaned forward. "When he was brought to you? What are you saying? Explain!"

"My father brought Loki home after battling Laufey on his own soil," Thor said impulsively. "He is your son. Loki is your son."

"Thor," Frigga hissed warningly.

But, it was too late. Farbauti's eyes had taken on a feral glint, her lips were pulled back in a nasty sneer, and one hand was on her blade. "You lie, son of Odin! I have two sons, they're here with me, and I have no other!"

"I'm sorry," Frigga said soothingly. "Thor spoke out of turn. Perhaps we should—"

"It is no lie! Loki was found on Jotunheim and brought to Asgard, to be raised as my brother! Odin told me so himself!" Thor's nostrils were flaring and he gripped Mjolnir tightly.

Farbauti seemed to dismiss Thor as one would an annoying gnat and turned instead to Frigga. "How disappointing. I invite you here in good faith, yet you bring this fantastic tale to torment me. No wonder we have long been taught never to trust the Aesir."

Frigga sighed and then pulled herself up into her most regal pose. "I came here in good faith, as well. I want only to see our two realms set on the path to peace. This is no lie, no tale to cause you grief. It is truth, and I am so sorry to have it come forth in this way—but it never occurred to me that you did not know the fate of your own child."

Farbauti seemed on the verge of a violent outburst, but Alfarin leaned down and spoke in a kindly tone. "My queen, please. I have heard this story once before. I was imprisoned in Laufey's dungeon. Of course, no one would tell me anything directly, but one night I heard the guards talking and laughing. They spoke of the king's first-born. One of them said he was to be raised by the Aesir, and how fitting that was... for such a weak and pitiful runt." He squeezed Farbauti's shoulder and then continued. "I didn't believe it, of course. I thought it was foolishness, that they were speaking in jest. But, it seems they were not. I'm so sorry, my love."

Farbauti jerked sideways to face Alfarin. "Why did you never tell me this?" she hissed in a low but dangerous voice that seemed to startle the old man. But he answered firmly, "You know I was allowed no contact with you until after Laufey's death! By then, it was only a vague memory. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, but what good would it have done to tell you such a terrible thing?"

The queen's eyes narrowed and her mouth took on an ugly twist. She abruptly stood up and took a step forward, setting everyone on the defensive. But she stopped, threw back her head and shrieked in fury. Thor raised Mjolnir slightly, but Alfarin hastily put himself between Farbauti and the guests.

Then, to everyone's surprise, the animal-like roar quickly spiraled down into a low moan of despair, and then wrenching wails. Her hands were clenched so tightly that they shook, and every muscle seemed tensed to an extreme degree. As her agonized sobs reverberated through the room, Alfarin carefully approached her, speaking softly, and then guided her back to her chair.

"Betrayer..." she gasped. "Liar..." Farbauti cast a wild look to the ceiling. "Murderer." All at once, she slumped back, apparently utterly spent, and the room was again silent for several moments. Slowly, she straightened, and then dropped her head into her hands.

"Oh, my dear. You truly didn't know," Frigga said gently.

Farbauti moved her head slowly from side to side. "No," she whispered. "No." By now, she was breathing heavily and tears were streaming down her scarred cheeks. No one quite knew what to do. Frigga gave Alfarin a beseeching look, but he could only shake his head uncertainly.

Then, Farbauti began to speak. "Long ago, Jotunheim was a divided kingdom. Laufey's ancestor ruled the upper region, and mine the lower. There was always conflict, but we mostly kept to ourselves. Then, Laufey himself rose to the throne. He brought war. He killed my father. He imprisoned my grandfather." She absently patted the old man on the arm.

"And, he stole me for his bride. I was... young. Too young to bear children easily. But he... he wouldn't wait. I quickly became pregnant, but I was not well. The baby came early and I... I lost a lot of blood. I became unconscious before he was delivered, and didn't awaken for days. I almost died... When I came to, they told me..." A spasm of sobbing stopped her and they could see her fight to regain control.

"They told me he was born dead! I never got to see him... Never got to hold him. They told me his little body had been deformed, and that it was a kindness that he didn't live. I begged to see him, just once, to look upon his precious face, but they... they said he'd been left for the wolves as an offering, so that future heirs would not suffer such a fate. I believed them—why wouldn't I? What sort of devil would put his own babe to death? I had no friends, no allies to tell me the truth. But I always felt... a part of me was missing. I couldn't understand it, but now I see. I've always known, somehow... that he was still in this world, though lost to me..." She raised streaming eyes to Frigga. "You... You raised him?"

Frigga nodded. "Yes."

"Why? Why would you take in a Jotun child?"

"When Odin found him in the temple, he made him to appear Aesir. When he brought him home, we agreed—we would raise him as our own. We decided never to tell him..." Frigga was herself crying by now. "...never to tell him of his heritage. That was wrong. It was a terrible mistake. But, we loved him, we always loved him, you must know that." Overcome, Frigga dabbed at her eyes with a kerchief as Thor uselessly patted her shoulder.

For long moments, there was no sound in the room except for soft sniffling. But then, Farbauti moved to kneel before Frigga. Thor was ready to intervene in an instant, but Farbauti simply picked up one of Frigga's hands and clasped it between her own. "Thank you," she said, her voice ragged.

Frigga smiled around her tears and nodded.

"Is he well? Is he... happy?" the Jotun queen asked.

Frigga cleared her throat and gave Thor a glance. "He... suffered a great sickness of the mind, due in no small part to our deception. He did some terrible things, and he was punished. But, he is well again and has found a place in the world, and a love." She reached out and gently smoothed a strand of hair away from Farbauti's face. "And... he is with child," Frigga added, a note of joy coming through her voice.

A smile eased across Farbauti's face and she sat back on her heels. "Oh—my son. My babe. I have seen his face so many times in my dreams." She gracefully rose to her feet and paced across the room to stare out a window. Everyone relaxed a bit and once Farbauti was again in control of her emotions, she returned to her seat.

"This day is not turning out one bit the way I expected!" she said with a small laugh. "But, it is a great day. My son lives and is well and happy. I could ask for no more than that. But, I do have a wish—I wish to see him, somehow. Where is he? Could he come here, or I there?"

"He... resides on Midgard," Frigga said slowly. "And, it would not be good for him to travel in his condition, I don't think. But, more than that, I have to say—I am afraid hearing the news that his Jotun mother wants to meet him might not be well-received. I fear that he could be adversely affected if we... What is the Midgardian phrase, Thor?"

"Sprung this on him," Thor said dryly.

"Yes, sprung this on him so abruptly."

"Hmm. I can see your point." Farbauti frowned thoughtfully. "Still, perhaps something can be worked out."

"Perhaps. But, Your Majesty, are you well enough to hear the main reason for our visit? I don't wish to rush you, but as you say, there is much to discuss."

"Oh, I'm fine now. Please, tell me what you came here for."

"Thor can explain it better than I."

With that, Thor launched into the story of how Agent Barton and Dr. Selvig came to be in their unfortunate situation. Both Farbauti and Alfarin listened intently, and when Thor was finished, they looked at each other.

"Mind control... That is nearly a lost art here on Jotunheim," Alfarin mused.

Farbauti grinned. "One you have practiced in your day."

"Indeed. And, I have seen this effect before as well."

"You have?" Thor asked interestedly.

"Oh, yes. The bond exists long after the control is no longer active. You say that the sufferers had a strong reaction in your presence?"

"Yes."

"Do you recall what Loki said or did just before they were seized?"

Thor shrugged, but thought hard to replay the scene in his mind. "We were all accusing Loki of lying about controlling our friends' minds and he was very upset. But... Oh, I remember—his mate, Tony, spoke up in his defense. He made it clear that he would stand up for Loki, even against all of us."

"And, how did Loki respond to that?" Alfarin asked.

A small smile came over Thor. "I have never seen my brother so happy. It was at that moment that I realized he truly does have much of his old spirit back. It was good to see."

Alfarin nodded sagely. "Ah. And just at that moment, your friends began to suffer, yes?"

"Well... yes, that's true."

The old man chuckled. "Classic. As I said, the bond can remain dormant for, well, eons, I suppose. But if the former mind master undergoes a profound emotional event—such as falling deeply in love—the bond can be revived. And, as the master experiences great joy, his victims become the receptacle as the worst of his emotions drain away. And, vice-versa, too. It's simply more apparent when things are... bad."

"And, you know of a way to break the bond?" Frigga asked.

"I do. I've never had Midgardians involved, but it should work just the same."

Farbauti turned to Frigga and Thor, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "My grandfather and I need to confer. But, we can help your Midgardian friends. Assuming we are able to attain something for ourselves along the way."

Frigga smiled back, but there was steel in her eyes. "We don't expect something for nothing, of course. But, please know—there are some things which are simply off the table."

Farbauti tipped her head respectfully. "I do know that. But, there's always more than one way to roast a boar. I'm sure we can come to a mutually satisfactory agreement. If you'll excuse Alfarin and I for a moment?"

Frigga gave a small nod, and as their hosts left the room, she and Thor sat in contemplation for a long moment. Then, both reached for a pastry. Frigga took a small bite, while Thor popped his into his mouth, whole. Their eyes met, and Frigga drew out another kerchief and handed it to Thor. They both quietly spat out the inedible sweets and washed away the taste with coffee.