Loki sits in his mother's rooms, confused. He is still in chains, but the guards deposited him here instead of in the dungeon. He did not expect this. It does not make sense to him. He sits at her table, remembering when the cloth that is now draped over his own table would have covered it. The door clicks open. Odin sits across from him. Loki removes the helmet and sets it on the table, his heart sinking as he feels the branches of Yggdrasil pull from his mind. It feels wrong to be without them in this place where he learned to utilize their power.

"Why?"

"Oh, the usual reasons, I suppose."

"Enlighten me."

"Because I am a deeply wicked creature."

Odin bristles at the grate in Loki's voice but maintains the mask of a disinterested interviewer, "I have spoken to your friend. She seems to deeply care about you."

"She is a fool to do so."

"Stop. You do yourself no favours."

"Why should I? I face life imprisonment. Bitterness suits those facing such a promise far better than a simpering heart."

"No, actually, you do not face such a thing. That is but one choice you might make."

"What?"

"First you must tell me why you wished an audience with me."

"Because there is an Infinity Stone in my helmet and I do not wish to attract the creature seeking it. And I have a bargain to make."

"And?"

"Because I know I could use it to make things right." Loki deflates, "I could bring her back."

Odin stares at the helmet, "How?"

"I would have to go back. Replace reality with illusion. Remove her before her death and return here with her. You would send something unreal to its grave and she would come home."

"You believe you could do this?"

"I have to try."

"But why, Loki? She rests, and we have started to heal from her loss."

"Perhaps you have."

"You have not?"

"Somewhat. But not enough. And I need her."

"Continue."

"I just wanted to bring back a time when I was deeply treasured by someone. Since I cannot go back in time to stay, I thought I could bring someone forward to live."

"Were you not loved by your friends in Midgard?"

"Yes. But my soul's companion left. And there is a hole. All I can think of are those who are gone. If I cannot fill that gap left by Alexi, I need to fill the one left by Mother."

Odin sighs, "Loki...no. I know you think this sounds like a good plan, but...no."

"Please...the helmet allows me to use magic. I can do this."

"No. The helmet was sent to you by someone unknown to us who would use you as a puppet on strings. You cannot keep this magic."

Loki's face falls and he is frustrated, desperate, "But it...it is a piece of my soul."

"I understand this. Even without the helmet, it still is. There are those who can reach out and brush Yggdrasil even in Midgard. They are few and far between, but they do exist. And I will not bar you from this. But you must work for it yourself so you value it and do not take it as a given."

"Sokovian Grandmothers."

"I do not know what they are called."

"Is there a book on them I might borrow while here?"

"Yes. But I will also offer you this. You have spent your time in Midgard well. And I will gift you back your magic and your long life if you will willingly live in a cell here. Or I will release you back to Midgard as you are. But not immediately, as I must see who you now are before I do."

"If you release me, I will not have this," he brushes the helmet, "or many years."

"This is true. But you may search for Yggdrasil."

"Where will you protect me from Thanos?"

"He will not search for you in Midgard, but we will watch you still the same. He cannot find you in our dungeons, either."

"May I have time to think on this?"

"Yes. There is a cell prepared for you."

"Ah, lovely. A taste of my imprisonment so I might be tempted to stay."

"No, I assure you your lifelong quarters would be much more comfortable. I have instructed some sparse comforts be afforded to you in your confinement, but were you to choose to stay, we would do better."

"May I try to-"

"No. You will not try to bring her back."

Loki pushes the helmet towards Odin, "Then you ought to make sure this is safely stowed."

"I will."

Odin rises to leave, "I will tell the guards to escort you to your cell after a few moments."

"Wait. I have a question."

"Yes?"

"Why did you tell me my birthright was to die when I have a note proving otherwise?"

"You believe it is truth?"

"Why should I not?"

"That is exactly what your mother said. You often sound so much like her, Loki. More than you know. And she believed the letter. I did not. I thought it only a trick to lure us to a defeated realm. I did not wish for her to go, but she insisted and, like you, stubbornness was in her nature. I could not stop her, so we went. And we saw a king ready to spring at any false move and a queen desperate to see a child no longer hers. We gave the queens a few minutes with you and then left. But we brought a garrison and we were prepared for the worst. I am convinced Laufey would have sprung upon us had we not come with an army."

"You do not believe they wanted me."

"I did not know what to believe. We would have never abandoned a child in war."

"And so you stole me away."

"Yes. You must believe I had mercy in my heart when I did."

"I do not know what to believe. But I will consider it."

Odin sighs and takes the helmet from the table, "At least there is that. I will send for you in a few days and we will talk further about your choices."