Summary: Loki condition worsens while Thor has visitors. Some are welcome, one not so much so...
Negotiations are made.
Chapter 5:
Thor and the Warriors Three's arrival was into a scene of ordered chaos. From the clear window, they could observe the two doctors busying themselves with all due haste at Loki's bedside; removing some of the medical equipment from the prone body of the second prince, while ensuring that others were being securely transferred alongside their patient as they moved him to a liter. The two doctors and Banner rushed into the corridor and paused only for a moment when Thor spouted, "Doctors!"
"He'll be fine, Mr. Odinson, but we must get him to the O.R. right away. Please don't worry." Doctor Lei informed him with a confident nod.
The Asgardians were given one fleeting glance at Thor's adopted brother as he was whisked away down the hallway.
Fandral looked slightly pale and wide-eyed when he spoke in a hush. "They mean to-to cut him open? These mortals will use their crude medical techniques to heal Loki? Norns!"
"If I'd known that he were that badly injured, I would have brought a healing stone," Sif added in an afterthought
"I am told that these doctors were the best in dealing with serious injuries. Banner and Stark are good men too. I have faith that they will heal my brother." Thor conceded. After a moment, he sighed and sank into one of the chairs that had been placed outside the hospital room. "I can do nothing but wait, my friends.
Sif stood next to Thor, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. She sank into the chair next to her prince, "Now," she said firmly, "Please tell me what happened on Svartalheim and Midgard."
The Thunderer's expression was grave as spoke of his experience over that past few days, speaking with great sadness when he came to Loki's supposed final moments. Sif was the one who always listened to those who unburdened themselves to her when it came to personal conflicts. When Thor had finished his story, she could only stare at the shimmering tiles with nothing less than disbelief.
"He saved your life," Sif breathed
Thor bowed his head, "He kept apologizing. And I know not why. I think he blames himself for it." his head to his chest, a quiet sob escaped the normally composed prince, "I blamed him, Sif. I asked him what help he had in his cell. That was cruel...I wish I hadn't spoken about it now. I fear he shall never forgive me."
The conversation tapered off after a while, a silence ensued between them that was hours long. It was finally broken when they heard clicking footfalls from the left hallway, as Doctor Carter approached the pair with a confident smile. Her green Midgardian robes were soaked slightly at the neck with sweat.
Thor shot off his seat almost immediately, "My brother? How does he fare?" He blurted this all out without a single inkling of decorum that he had been taught on Asgard.
The doctor raised one hand to stop him, 'Please, have a seat Thor." When Thor obeyed, she continued with a glance at a silvery board that had papers attached to it. "Loki came through the operation well. The blood re-generator worked wonders." she glanced at the medical notes again and went on, "We'll be keeping an eye out for any signs of infection-"
Thor's head shot up, "Is that possible?"
Doctor Carter signaled to the affirmative, "There's a laundry list of things that could go wrong, although we are fairly certain that won't happen. That is why we have incurred an isolation period of 48 hours; it allows us to monitor his recovery and keep any germs from possibly infecting his weakened immune system before allowing visitors."
"I understand, doctor." Thor replied, he stood again to shake hands, "I thank you all for your assistance in saving my brother."
"It's no problem, all in a day's work." Doctor Carter sighed tiredly, then his face became businesslike again, "We'll give Loki another hour or so in the recovery room we've set-up before he's moved back here. Now I know that you're concerned about your brother, but as a doctor, I insist that you not spend the next two days sitting yourself in that chair. You need food and sleep." His gaze went to Sif, "And you Miss…?"
"I am Lady Sif of Asgard," She replied and shook hands, while cocking an eyebrow with some slight surprise.
"Lady Sif, would you please take Thor downstairs for some chow?" A confused look from both Asgardians made him chuckle, "for some food, Ms. Sif. Mr. Stark's A.I. has told me that he hasn't eaten anything but Pop Tarts since his arrival yesterday."
"I am still present." Thor complained quietly, but was pulled by the arm by the female warrior into the elevator.
Fandral and Volstagg hesitated, but nodded. "Is there a way we may return to the lower grounds without the use of that-" he jutted his thumb at the elevator, "contraption?"
Thor nodded, "There is a set of stairs on the right side of this corridor. Stark didn't really want to put them in, but the law of the land said he must do so." The two men silently began to walk followed by Sif and their prince.
"Thor, come and join us," Volstagg boomed from the L-shaped tan leather sofa they had plopped down on after they arrived, "The Captain of America is going to regal us with his adventure during a war!"
"How's Loki, Thor?'" Steven addressed the Thunderer despite his raucous companions who grew quiet when he eased himself into a plush recliner.
Before he could answer, Fandral piped up, "I still think it barbaric how mortals cut open flesh to heal organs!" he sniffed, with a wrinkled nose of distaste.
"What's the alternative, magic?" Steve put in as he relaxed back into the couch.
"'Tis the preferred method, on Asgard, Steven." Thor returned, "Magic, elixirs, and even spells at times."
"We unfortunately don't have that here on Earth, so a more primitive form of medicine has to be practiced by doctors and nurses." Steve voiced, "Though it has advanced considerably since my time."
The conversation jumped from topic to topic as the hours went on. It came to an end when Stark appeared from seemingly nowhere to step into the lounge.
"Hey guys, we might have a problem; Natasha and Clint are coming back to the tower now that their mission with S.H.I.E.L.D is over."
Thor's golden eyebrows drew together with confusion, "How is that a problem, Anthony? I shall hail their return and eagerly introduce them to my friends who are also warriors of their own realm."
"Yeah, no, that's not the problem. You and your friends won't be a problem. They might not take well to Loki being here. Natasha won't care, she's got all the warmth of an iceberg. But Clint-"
Thor's lips turned downward, "He still harbors feelings of anger towards Loki for what he did two years ago."
"I don't think anger begins to describe it, Thor." Tony commented.
"I will speak to them and explain-" The Thunderer began, but was cut off by the billionaire.
"I don't think that explaining will make Clint see reason after being mind controlled by Loki and his glow stick of doom...and I mean his Tesseract powered staff."
Sir, we have an intruder on the outer launchpad demanding entrance into the tower Jarvis reported.
"Damn," Tony groaned, "And I didn't think it could get any worse. Who is it Jarv?"
A pause, and then, He has informed me that he is Odin All-Father, sir.
This time it was Thor who stiffened and could be heard cursing under his breath in Old Norse.
"Jarvis, tell Bruce and the other doctors what's happening and lock down that floor." Tony commanded. His attention went to Cap and Thor, "He's here to finish what he started, I suspect. I'm sure Doctor Carter wouldn't love that after all the work they did to keep him alive."
"We shall stand by Thor too, even if it means banishment," Volstagg bleated, and all three warriors stepped next to their prince.
"Alright Jarv," Tony called out, "Let His Majesty in."
The group all tensed as the imposing figure of Odin was brought indoors via the balcony that had been placed after Loki's destruction of Tony's glass pane windows. The Warriors Three all kneeled as he came into their presence.
Thor, meanwhile, silently pleaded with the gods that Tony would not say anything that would enrage the All-Father.
"You know, you could have used the doorbell, or the front door. You know what a doorbell is? Round thing next to the door that makes a sound?" Tony remarked dryly. Behind him, Thor and the other warriors smacked their heads.
"I am Odin-All father. I wish to know what has happened to Loki Laufeyson." Odin boomed, and for a moment looked like the last person you would want to cross.
"Oh, you mean the guy you grievously wounded? He's recovering from his injury upstairs. I'm afraid that it's off limits at the moment. The whole floor's being...painted you see." Tony lied.
"Tony..." Steve breathed between his teeth, glancing from the King to the billionaire.
"I will see him immediately," Odin commanded with a mighty tap of his scepter.
"Oh, where are my manners?!" Tony continued casually, as though he hadn't heard the All-Father's demand, "This is my friend, Steve Rogers, or Captain America as he's known around here. Nice guy, can't take a joke worth a damn though."
"Thanks, Tony." Steven grumbled with an eye-roll.
The All-Father struck his staff onto the floor and this time retaliated, "I SHALL SEE THE TRAITOR LOKI LAUFEYSON!"
"You don't need to yell, we heard you the first damn time," snapped Tony. "I tell you what, Your Majesty, let's all sit down and have a nice cup of tea and discuss Loki, okay?"
"Please, father, let me explain-" Thor began, but was interrupted by Odin.
"You shall not!" The All-Father snapped, "And you will return to Asgard, never to speak to these-mortals again." he spat the word viciously.
"Hey, I have a question. Who was it that helped save the nine realms from destruction?" Tony quipped, annoyed at the King's dismissal of the human race. "Also, didn't you banish him again?"
Odin raised Gungnir to Tony's neck. "You will not speak again until you're spoken to, mortal."
"Father-" Thor spoke tensely, "I cannot leave Loki alone on Midgard. As for the mortals, they have fought bravely to save this planet. Jane Foster and her fellow astrophysicists were able to coordinate the Convergence so that I could stop Malekith."
"I care not, Thor!" The All-Father roared, in such a way that it made the Hulk sound timid in comparison.
"Nevertheless," Thor retorted, "I shall not allow you to harm Loki further."
"Your Majesty," Steve stepped forward, "Loki may not be wholly trustworthy-" He shot an apologetic glance at the Thunder God, "But he has saved the life of your son, the crown prince. If it were not for that, your son could have been killed. You would not be with an heir and Loki would `have been made king in his place. Malekith would have destroyed all the realms and there would be no Asgard, let alone anything else by any account. Loki that helped save everything, if not for that reason, and gained nothing but an injury. He's mortal now, I don't think he'll be able to cause as much trouble."
Everyone in the room seemed to gape at Steven's straightforward words to the King of Asgard.
"Father, Loki wished to help me. I seeked him out to end Malekith's madness, but both of us wished to avenge Mother. Loki is not without feelings, he felt the loss of Mother more than I ever could." Thor admitted. "He saved my life and now I wish to save his."
The All-Father's lips pursed, as he considered. The room remained tense, not a word was spoken. Odin struck his scepter to the ground once more, "Very well, I shall allow a chance to see if he is worthy of redemption." There was a sigh of relief that rounded about the room. They all tensed once more.
There was a pause before Tony turned to the King of Asgard, "Like I said, Loki is not….conscious right now. He's just got out of surgery to repair the wound he received. May my associates and I conference for a moment?"
Odin grimaced, "You have my permission."
Thor, Steven, Tony, as well as the Warriors Three huddled another few feet of the All-Father.
"We have to have time for Loki to go through the isolation period right?" Steve queried.
"We'll have to take the risk, it's his life here as a mortal or dead," Tony stated flatly.
"I think it only fair that Loki speaks on his own behalf in the situation, do you not, Stark?"
"It's kind of the rule of law here on Earth." Tony agreed.
The huddle broke, and it was Thor who bowed his head slightly with all due deference at his father.
"Odin All-Father, we wish to allow Loki the chance to speak on his own behalf, he who may be in control of his own life and own destiny."
"And what will you bargain with in return should he fail?" Odin asserted.
Thor did not look up, "My crown, your majesty." There were a few astonished gasps from the Warriors Three, "If Loki cannot be reformed, then it has shown that my judgment has been so clouded that I cannot make a conscious decision for the good of myself or my people, and those of Midgard."
Another pregnant pause ensued, "I shall grant this. When shall I be allowed to enter his quarters?"
"The Doctors have said that we will not be permitted to do so for 48 hours, father," Thor spoke up.
A look of discontent crossed the All-Father's face before he spoke, "I will wait no longer than 24 hours for Loki to regain his wits. I will speak to him then, is that understood?"
"But Father-" Thor began to protest and was only cut off by Odin.
"24 hours, and for his sake, he had best righted enough to understand his fate." The All-Father concluded, then called for Heimdall to open the Bi-Frost. With a flash of golden light, he had disappeared from the living room and left just as if he had never been there.
"So-what are we going to do?" Steve finally managed to exhale after the imposing form of the Kind had gone.
"This is a disaster in the making, you know." Tony grumbled while running a hand through his dark locks.
"Are you saying that my brother is unlikely to reform his character?" Thor hissed, his blue eyes narrowing at the billionaire.
"No, well-maybe." Tony confessed, "I didn't think we'd have to deal with Big Bad Daddy already. The next few months are going to be hell, let me tell you. Plus, we don't know that your little brother is actually going to behave himself even if he says he will. He's the Trickster after all. I guess all we can do is wait for him to talk. Jarv, tell Doctor Carter, Lei and Banner that Loki has to be woken up and able to speak by this time tomorrow. We'll be receiving a guest of the highest caliber, namely, Odin. Transcribe the entire conversation we had to them. "
Right away sir.
TBC...