A/N: Holy guacamole! It's been over two years since I last updated this. There's not much I can say, except that I am sincerely sorry for having waited so long to update. Please forgive me? I hope you enjoy this newest addition and I think it's long enough to satisfy you all.

The Art of Love and War
A Thor Fanfiction

By: alcatluvr13

Chapter II

The kingdom rejoiced in the news that the princess had agreed to marry a prince, and all hoped that she would find a suitable husband. The people longed for an heir, and as their beloved princess, they wished to see a fairy tale ending. Their sorrow at the king's premature death had left a bittersweet taste in the land, and it was with open arms that they welcomed this news of a happily ever after…

Jane had taken Erik's suggestion and had gone for a long walk, not returning until it was well past the evening meal. Most of the court had retired to their own rooms, leaving none but a select few of servants completing last minute chores. She was sad and angry, but also quite wary, for most the afternoon had spent with her raging at the restrictions against women, even a royal princess. She had raged into the wind and the rain carried the sound of her screams away. Having spent her anger thus, she walked all throughout the royal park, her gown soaked and the wind blowing at her face. The rain washed away her tears and her emotions, leaving nothing but her determination to prove the Council wrong.

So she returned to the palace with her eyes dry and ablaze with sheer will. Upon agreement with Erik, who had promptly ordered her to bed, tucking her in himself after a long discussion, she fell into a dreamless sleep that was only interrupted when her maid opened the bed curtains. Erik had provided a detailed list of all that needed to be done, including the appointment of a secretary for the princess, and after her morning ritual, Jane walked to the Hall of Meetings with her head held high.

Taken aback by this unexpected arrival of the now haughty looking princess, the Council of Elders could only look on as Jane announced her intent to marry a suitable prince from any neighboring kingdoms or allies. Relieved, and a little satisfied, the Council agreed to her request that she attend one more week with the scholars. Erik had then taken over, as Jane sat straight backed on her throne, looking down at the old men whom she considered little more than enemies, notwithstanding the fact that most were twice her age and were part of the powerful nobility.

And now, almost six months later, Jane sat as her lady-in-waiting, Elana, pulled and twisted at her hair. Two hours from now, Jane would walk down the Grand Staircase, escorted by Erik and Melanie, her head lady-in-waiting and official secretary, and into the Grand Ballroom. Nearly forty men had come to present themselves as suitors for her hand, and she would have to curtsy and extend her hand to each and every one of them.

She had endured instruction on the etiquette of a lady (despite having been tutored and prepared from the moment she could open her mouth. How she had delighted in proving the Council that she remembered the rules of precedence!). She had continued her lessons in diplomacy, a feat that the Council had begun to regret. Her sharp powers of observation had been like a whip when they met weekly in the Hall of Meetings. She could recite the laws of the realm word for word. Once a week she would hold court for two hours for those who had petitions. She would dine nightly with her court, surrounded by fawning noblemen and beautifully dressed women.

And every day a little bit of her died inside. Erik had watched with pride, and then an increasing sadness as he watched his little princess shrink inside herself. Her laughter held a trace of bitterness, unnoticed by all except a select few. No longer did she talk about the stars or her latest theory in physics. Instead, she sat straight, her gaze focused, her smile kind and dispensed with justice with the same pleasant voice as she always had. But her days of happiness were over, and Erik blamed himself for the loss of the strong young woman she had been.

Jane could find little joy in her life as her days as single woman slowly dwindled. Not yet engaged, the Council was still urging her towards one suitor or another. Pulled this way and that, she had little time for the things that she once enjoyed. Her life as a queen, a wife, and eventually a mother will soon take prominence.

Today was her 18th birthday. What should have been an occasion for celebration was instead a cause for dread and fear.

Jane could only note with bitterness how her life was practically over before it had barely begun.

Thor was numb. The once golden prince of Asgard was in disgrace. What should have been quick battles, culminating in an easy victory, instead everything had gone wrong. And it was all his fault. He didn't understand it. In fact, he didn't understand many things these days. He shifted, the chains rattling as he tried to make himself comfortable. Comfort was in short supply these days, he had learned quickly.

He thought back through the last half year. The siege against the Frost Giants was where it began. Along with the Warriors Three and Lady Sif, he had efficiently defeated their enemies in a series of battles, only for the Giants to retreat behind their high-walled capital. Increased by the reinforcements his brother had brought, they had attacked a weak point in the wall. But somehow the Frost Giants knew of their plans, and the attack was repelled, with severe casualties for the Asgardians. Sif had been kind enough to point it out, but Loki insisted there was no way they could have found out. Even the Warriors Three agreed, though they also said something about the battle wasn't right.

And that was just the beginning.

Soon after, Lady Sif disappeared. His best friend and closest advisor had suddenly vanished and he had no idea where she had gone. He had wanted to abandon the siege, but as his brother had pointed out, the war was too important and so Fandral was sent searching for her. But then he, too, vanished. Concerned, Loki offered to return to Asgard to report back on the mysterious happenings and to relay the details of the siege to their father.

Thor had continued planning with Volstagg and Hogun, but none of them had their hearts in it. When a scout had reported back that small groups of Frost Giants were leaving nightly through a small gate on southwest side of the wall, Thor had jumped on the chance to do battle. With his companions, Thor led a battalion of seasoned soldiers to ambush the next group and make their way into the city.

The plan almost succeeded. He had lost more than half his soldiers and had to fight his way back through.

And then suddenly, an imperial messenger had arrived at his tent with an urgent message from Loki. Thor dropped everything and raced back to Asgard. It was there that Loki had sat him down, his face grave, and had explained why he had sent from him.

The All-Father, Odin, King of the Heavens, was dying.

Thor didn't believe Loki at first. He demanded to see the king, and was quickly taken to his bedside, where Thor let loose a bellow surpassing anything ever heard. Sobbing, Loki told him that upon his arrival home, Asgard was in despair. Queen Frigga was in shock and she refused to leave Odin's bedside despite his impending death.

The war with the Frost Giants was abandoned. The warriors came straggling home as news spread like rapid fire that The All-Father was dying. The kingdom of all the heavens mourned as their beloved ruler passed away peacefully in his bed.

Frigga retreated to the summer palace, gifted to her as a belated wedding present shortly after her marriage. She refused to see anyone, least of all her beloved sons, and forsake all contact except for those who had traveled with her. Thor had still not seen nor heard from her since she left with her escort. That was almost three months ago.

Thor was numb, barely eating enough to survive, while Loki had wandered the hallways in a blank state of mind. The nine days of traditional mourning had come to an end, and with it, Thor's independence.

Spurred on by jealousy and a genuine well-being for the kingdom, Loki had seized the throne and quickly asserted his power by having Volstagg and Hogun arrested. Accused of killing Fandral and Lady Sif, along with numerous other crimes, they were exiled to Midgard. Thor had protested their innocence, but Loki, maddened with power and growing accustomed to having things his way, had thrown Thor in the dungeon, to the shock and growing unease to all.

And here he had remained, at the king's pleasure. Grieving for his trusted friends, and worried for those who were missing, Thor had almost given up. Almost, but not quite. He couldn't understand how things had changed so quickly and he wondered if his mother had been told of her first-born's arrest and her second-born's seizure of power. He doubted it.

When he was released, he would get to the bottom of things. He wasn't sure how, but he knew Sif and Fandral's disappearance had something to do with Loki's sudden change of attitude. He had to find them and quickly, lest all he loved and held dear became truly lost to him.

"Your highness, may I present the Duke of Clintonsberg? A loyal subject to you and an old friend of your father. And of mine."

Erik had insisted on presenting the princess to all the eligible suitors, asserting his authority as Regent gave him the right to do so. In truth, he wanted the princess to be beside someone who she trusted. And none of the Elders were in such an honored position.

"You are welcome to my court, your grace," Jane said pleasantly. The fact that he was a friend to her father made the introduction easier.

"Thank you, princess. Allow me the honor to introduce my son, Lord Henry?"

A young man with startling green eyes bowed over her hand. His dark brown hair was pulled back into the customary ponytail that was all the rage in the young courtiers. His tanned skin suited the dark burgundy of his jacket, and his eyes danced with hers as he came up from his bow.

"Your highness, it is an honor."

Jane smiled politely, willing herself not to blush. She succeeded.

"I'll leave you two get acquainted. George, my good fellow, care to grab a glass of port with me? It's been far too long since we've enjoyed one of those."

The two men walked away, chatting amiably, leaving the young couple alone to watch the dancers.

After her grand entrance to the ballroom, where every man stared at her, she had been escorted around the room while the musicians struck up a waltz. Her gown of dark blue silk was modest enough, leaving only a little cleavage to show. Embroidered with silver thread and deep sea pearls, the gown was accompanied with a diamond necklace and matching earrings. Her hair was swept back and up, leaving only a few curly tendrils to frame her face. With every eye on her as she was paraded through the room, Jane actually felt beautiful. But that feeling was soon followed by acceptance and she had toppled over in her curtsy.

It was real. It was happening. And everything was going to change. Forever.

"Would you care to dance, your highness?" Henry held out his hand, a tentative smile forming on his face as she looked at him.

"I would love to," she replied. At least dancing didn't require small talk.

He led her out to the floor, where the orchestra struck up a different tune and put his hand on her waist, drawing her closer to him. Couples followed suit, and soon they were dancing across the room to the sound of music.

Jane gritted her teeth. The melody the orchestra had chosen was a romantic waltz whicch left one in a dreamy daze. She would speak to Erik later about it. In the meantime, she felt Henry draw her closer and her heart skipped a beat.

"Your highness," he began, "I know you don't know me, and I'm sure there's a part of you, however small or big, that wishes you were somewhere else this evening."

Jane's eyes flew to his. "I don't know what you mean," she replied.

He chuckled. "I think you do. But I won't press you. I'll just talk, if that's okay?" She merely nodded. "I can only imagine how terrified you must be. A princess, without her mother to guide her or her father to instruct her, left alone at a young age. A regent who presided over her household and her lessons, who was more of a father than any of the men on the council. A doting, loving regent, I might add, and one who watched over you with genuine care."

Jane wondered where he was going with this. She found herself lost in his eyes. Those eyes that seemed to search hers as much as she was looking into his.

"A princess on the eve of her 18th birthday, forced into choosing a husband for the good of the kingdom instead of allowing her heart to choose."

Could it be that Erik was right and there were good men out there?

"There's not much I can say to that. But I will tell you that I hope, whomever you choose and whatever happens, that you will allow us to become good friends. A queen needs trusted advisors, so as your father once trusted mine, please allow me to become your most trusted advisor."

He paused to let the words sink in. He stopped and the waltz ended. Bowing over her hand once again, he looked up at her with a cheeky grin.

"And as a good advisor, I will begin with my hope that you do choose me. Let that be an honest start to a well-meaning friendship." He kissed her hand and sauntered off into the crowd.

But it was the wink that captured her attention; Erik had to hide a smile as he heard her laughter.

"Thor Odinson, you stand accused of betraying your vows as Protector of Asgard. You allowed the Frost Giants to attack, thus triggering a massive heart failure in the All-Father that led to his eventual death. How do you plead?"

"Not guilty."

Thor saw Loki shake his head from the corner of his eyes and he resisted the urge to pummel him with his fist.

"Thor Odinson, you stand accused of assisting the kidnapping and eventual death of Lady Sif and Fandral, a member of the Warriors Three. How do you plead?"

"Not guilty."

Loki shook his head again.

"We stand on this council to examine your conduct into the mysterious circumstances of these past months. We will present our verdict at the final proceedings this evening."

The jury filed out, and Thor was led back to his prison cell in chains. After the shock of being falsely accused, along with no time to prepare a defense, had worn off, Thor had stood against the bar and stared defiantly at the king. His brother. His blood brother. The one who has always supported him in every plan, who defended his honor against their father. Who he had trained with and fought with; who had lifted his heart when he was lost and who gave him the definition of "keep marching on."

Whatever madness had possessed Loki, he knew there was nothing that could shake him out of it. Deep down, Thor knew Loki kept a hidden darkness locked away. He was the master of disguise, the lord of trickery. He should have guessed that there might be a way to release his inner turmoil.

"Thor."

Loki had appeared noiselessly in the cell.

"Thor."

"No," he growled back.

"Thor, please listen to me."

No response.

"Very well. I'll talk anyway. I'm sorry it's come to this. I myself find it hard to believe that you are capable of such betrayal. If I could change the law, I would. But alas, to change it would require more time than the Council will give me. They want revenge and unfortunately, you were the first to blame. Doesn't make sense as to why you were blamed, but to senile old men, who knows? They want what they want and as king, I must find justice."

"Get out."

"Thor?"

"GET OUT!"

"I tried, Thor. I really did."

Thor laughed bitterly. "You have always cared for no one but yourself, Loki."

But he said it to an empty room.

A/N: DON'T FORGET TO REVIEW! :D