Thor felt the strangest mix of guilt as he descended down into the dungeons once more. On the one hand, he felt guilty for the need to go visit his friends after all they had done to his brother and the situation which Loki still struggled with even now. Yet, at the same time, he felt guilty for not having visited his friends in four days ever since he had stormed out of the dungeons after his argument with them. Aye, they had deserved it, but 'twas not like they could come to him in order to apologize. They would never be able to do so again, and while he knew 'twas their own fault, the thought was still enough to give him pause.
Everything had shifted and changed so quickly lately, and in such a permanent fashion, that Thor was still having trouble adjusting to it all, much less coming to terms with it. Even if Father were to wake from the Óðinnsleep today, his life would never be the same again. Gone were the days of going on quests and adventures with his best friends and little brother, seeking glory and excitement. Gone were the carefree thoughts of sitting on Hliðskjálf and ruling not only Ásgarðr, but all of the Nine as well.
Gone were his childish thoughts of wiping out the fro- jötnar and achieving fame and glory.
The latter still brought him shame each and every time he thought of it. Thor had been so certain of his actions before and his plans for the future, that to realize they were nothing more than the childish fantasies of a boy, were hard to accept. But he had been made to in the most painful way possible. The precariousness of Ásgarðr's position due to his own foolish actions had brought that home in a manner he simply could not ignore. Nor could he pretend not to see how his own actions had imperiled those closest to him and forced them to clean up his mess, while risking danger and death. For Thor was under no illusions of the risks involved with meeting with the jötnar, even on their terms. Had Laufey decided there was no true chance of saving Jötunheimr, then he could well have decided to attempt to kill Loki in a final act of vengeance on Ásgarðr.
For all of that and more, Thor felt more conflicted than he ever had before as he descended the familiar steps and walked ever closer to those he had always thought would be by his side forever, exactly like his little brother. The fact they had ever either despised or disliked Loki still sat ill with him, but 'twas a fact he would have to come to terms with. And, if he were forced to choose between them, then there was no choice. Abandoning his friends would be extremely difficult, but ultimately his loyalty lay with his little brother. That should never have been in doubt to anyone and the fact that it had been to almost everyone, including Loki, was no one's fault but his own.
He would need to make it up to Loki as the thought of them not being together was simply unbearable. The problem was, he was not entirely certain how to go about doing so.
"Thor!" Lad- Sif leapt to her feet when she caught sight of him approaching.
"Sif," he greeted, wincing at the sight of the thick collar and manacles she wore even in her cell. "Fandral, Volstagg, Hogun."
"Are you alright?" Fandral asked, before his eyes widened as Thor turned to face him more fully. "I see you have truly regained Mjǫllnir!"
"Aye," Thor replied, hand dropping down to touch his hammer. "I was restored three days ago."
"'Tis good news!" Volstagg boomed. "General Týr had mentioned it, but 'tis good to see it confirmed with our own eyes. Is your father awake once more?"
"What? Nay, Father still sleeps, but Mother and Lady Eir state 'tis now a fully normal Óðinnsleep, so 'tis only a matter of time before he wakes."
"You have not been by much," Sif said in a vaguely accusatory voice, making Thor sigh.
"I am sorry, but I have been quite busy. In addition to the situation with Jötunheimr and my remedial training, Múspellsheimr has been attempting to take advantage of what they perceived as our weakness," Thor explained. "And then Loki has required my presence in some of the outer villages and towns."
"Busy work," Volstagg replied. "We had thought he might attempt that."
Thor frowned. "Of what do you speak?"
"Sending you out, away from Iðavöllr," Sif explained. "Loki clearly feels threatened by you, now you are restored, and so wants you as far away as possible in order to not interfere or make people remember your true position and demand that you take Hliðskjálf until your father awakes."
Though Thor had truly hoped that spending some time down here in the dungeons, and out performing their chores as indentured servants, would calm their irrational thoughts, he had known the chances of it were slim. Still, he had not wished to give up on them entirely. They had been his friends for so long and he had never noticed this type of obstinate and treasonous behavior from them before. That, however, had not prevented him from determining a course of action should things not have changed.
"'Tis King Loki to you, Sif," Thor stated, firmly.
Much as he hated making his friends address them formally, the fact remained his brother was now king of Ásgarðr, and Thor would see them respect that. 'Twas also clear they had taken his initial request to not be overly formal when amongst themselves wrongly, thus he would no longer tolerate them being so dismissive of his brother. Loki had done far too much for all of them to warrant this type of behavior.
"But Thor-" Sif began.
"Nay," Thor interrupted. "You may still call me what you wish, but youwilladdress Loki with his proper title!"
"Is that an order?" Fandral asked softly.
The question caught Thor off-guard before he remembered the information Lord Ragnvaldr had supplied him on the dökkálfar enslavement collars, and which aspects Loki had elected to incorporate into their punishment. It had been difficult to read, and he had been forced to pace his study more than once, muttering and cursing the dökkálfar, but at the same time he had been thankful something like this existed to provide such an effective alternative to execution or permanent imprisonment in the dungeons. As Loki had pointed out, this still allowed them to be of use to Ásgarðr and to serve in a manner, though he knew they would never approve of it. Or at least, so he feared.
Even as he had read the details of the working, Thor had been well able to think of what his friends would say to various aspects of it all. Still, he had been more than grateful at some of the precautions Loki had chosen to incorporate into the collars, as the dökkálfar clearly believed that slaves should not have any restrictions placed on what their masters were allowed to request of them. The parchment had also listed the basic commandments Loki had given his friends, which could not be overruled by any but the king. It had made him realize that this too was something he would need to consider when he did finally ascend to Hliðskjálf, as he had no doubt based on his friends' current behavior that they would ask him to undo their punishment and free them.
Thor may now realize he still had much to learn about being king, but even he was already well aware of the fact he could never do that. Not after what they had done.
"Nay," Thor replied. "But 'tis something I will insist upon if you wish to see me again."
Their shocked expressions told Thor they could hardly believe their ears and 'twas not a decision he had come to lightly, but if he were to live up to his oath to himself to stand by his brother and support Loki as best he could, then he had to do this.
"But, Thor!" Sif protested. "He usur-"
"Nay," Thor declared loudly. "Loki didnotusurp Hliðskjálf! I do not know how many more times I need to say it before you realize this, but my brother is king by rightful rule of law, and I will no longer tolerate you dismissing it."
"And you would abandon us? Your friends?" Volstagg questioned.
"You are the ones asking me to choose between you and my brother."
"And you would choose him?" Sif demanded in disbelief. "Loki? Over us?"
"Of course, he is my brother."
"Thor, this isLokiwe are speaking of here!"
"Of that, I am very well aware."
"I do not understand," Volstagg admitted, looking lost.
Did they truly find it so hard to understand? Thor was rather shocked that they apparently did.
Had he truly given the impression they meant more to him than his own little brother? If so, did Loki believe it as well? He sincerely hoped not, but he had learned better than to assume by now. 'Twas part of how this particular situation had come to be and continuing the pattern would not resolve it. Rather it would entangle and ensnare them all further.
"Would you have chosen us over one of your children?" Thor asked.
"Nay, they are my children!" Volstagg retorted, shocked.
"And Loki is my brother."
"And we forced you to choose," Fandral sighed, lowering himself back to the ground.
"Aye."
"Nay, we did not!" Sif snapped. "Hemade you choose. Between us and him, between Ásgarðr and him, hel, between yourdutyand him. And you chose him."
"Sif," Thor replied, feeling four thousand years old all of a sudden. "You do not understand."
"Nay, you are the one who does not understand. He has bewitched you! Ensnared you in some enchantment, there is no other explanation for it."
"Is it truly so difficult for you to realize you made a mistake?"
"We did not," Hogun weighed in. "He is a seiðmadr of considerable power and no stranger to the darker arts, clearly," his friend continued, lifting his wrists to show his manacles. "It would be but a trifle to find a second spell where he found the first."
"The first was found in the library by Lord Ragnvaldr and Lady Dagrún."
"What?" Volstagg asked.
"Ásgarðr used to have indentured servants before," Thor explained. "We obtained the spell back then somehow, I do not know the details, but 'twas filed away in the library with the rest of the information on its use after Grandfather ceased using the practice."
"That does not mean he has not bewitched you," Sif countered.
Thor sighed. He was not certain why, but he had hoped this would go better. That they would have realized the error of their ways by now. But they still seemed insistent upon their idea Loki had deliberately usurped Hliðskjálf and, while his brother himself had admitted to occasionally being envious of him, even that still did not provide a believable explanation for how the mere idea was even plausible. There had simply been far too many variables involved and the whole process was far too convoluted to be orchestrated. How could they not see this? They were neither simple nor inexperienced in the ways of the royal court.
"How long will you persist with this ridiculous notion, Sif?" Thor asked, glancing sadly at her. "Has it not cost you enough already?"
"False imprisonment!"
"And more. I have heard about what happened with your- Lord Hermóðr."
"More of Loki's machinations!"
There truly seemed to be no more reasoning with her, Thor concluded sadly. He was loathe to give up on such a good and old friend entirely, but nothing which he said seemed to make any kind of impact. And neither did the words of others, apparently. He wondered if this was what his brother had meant when Loki had made a comment on Nornheimr once, of people being unwilling or unable to acknowledge a truth when they had believed a falsehood long enough, as it meant admitting they had been in err, or realizing all they had lost was their own fault. Thor found it difficult to believe, particularly with four as courageous as he knew his friends were, but there seemed to be no other explanation for it.
"Think on what I have said," Thor said. "I will be back and then I expect you do address Loki properly if you wish for me to return."
"How come the peace negotiations with Jötunheimr?" Heimdallr asked suddenly, right as Thor was turning to leave.
He had been able to pretend the man was not there so far by not glancing at his cell. Should he simply ignore the question?
"Has Laufey-King revealed his true intentions yet?"
Thor's fists clenched as he turned back towards the former gatekeeper, unable to allow the insinuation to go uncorrected.
"The final treaty has been agreed," Thor informed them all. "The signing ceremony will be two days hence."
"L- King Loki managed to get Laufey-King to agree to a new treaty?" Fandral questioned in shock.
"Aye."
"'Tis a trick," Heimdallr stated. "Óðinn always said Laufey was slippery and conniving."
Unable to stand being around those whom he had always thought were his friends or trusted servants of Ásgarðr while they spewed such nonsense and hatred towards his brother, Thor turned around and left. He could not help but wonder why he had thought 'twas a good idea to come visit them in the first place.
As they approached Himinbjörg, Loki could already tell there were more people in it than merely Höðr and the extra Einherjar General Týr had arranged for the occasion. He frowned and was about to ask Yngvarr if the lieutenant-general knew what was going on, when one of the men stepped forward, out onto the rainbow bridge itself.
'Twas Freyr Njörðrson, King of Vanaheimr.
Loki came to a stop not far away and dismounted from his horse, handing the reins to an Einherjar.
"Uncle Freyr," Loki greeted, looking his uncle over before stepping close.
"Loki," Uncle Freyr replied, embracing him tight for a moment, before pulling back and placing his hands on Loki's shoulders in order to have a good look at him. "You seem well."
"As do you, Uncle," Loki replied, both surprised and happy to see the man.
Though he had hoped his uncle would come, Loki had not been certain the other king would have the time.
"Ihave not been thrust unexpectedly into kingship, while simultaneously needing to prevent a war. Let me be the first of the other Realms to congratulate you on your success, I had honestly not been certain Ásgarðr and Jötunheimr could ever reach peaceful relations again."
"Thank you," Loki replied, ere he tilted his head back towards General Týr and the Casket of Ancient Winters. "I did have some excellent leverage, though."
Uncle Freyr's eyes went wide as they took in the Casket, before looking back to him. Loki was gratified, though, when they narrowed in contemplation. Of course, his mother's brother would know better than to assume he was simply going to give Jötunheimr their greatest weapon back without some form of protection.
"I look forward to receiving a copy of the treaty," Uncle Freyr finally said.
"As soon as every representative has arrived on Niflheimr," Loki replied.
Uncle or not, Freyr was not receiving Vanaheimr's copy any sooner than any of the other Realms. Loki knew better than to get tangled up in those types of situations.
"There is Frigga's son," Uncle Freyr laughed while he turned, linking their arms and stepping into Himinbjörg. "But if you expect a mere representative from either Álfheimr or Niðavellir, then you are gravely mistaken. I am certain both Queens Sága and Hreiðmarr will have turned out for an event of this magnitude!"
Not allowing the words to get his hopes up prematurely, Loki flickered his eyes over to Höðr and raised an eyebrow.
"His Majesty, King Freyr, is correct," Höðr stated. "Both Queens Sága and Hreiðmarr have already passed through here to Niflheimr."
"Did Múspellsheimr send a representative?" Lord Aðalgrímr inquired as he followed them into Himinbjörg.
"Aye, High Priestess Járnsaxa," Höðr informed them.
High Priestess Járnsaxa.
Loki was certainthatwas no coincidence. Not only was she Queen Sinmara's chosen, rather than King Surtr's, but Járnsaxa was also someone with whom Loki had personal experience with. They had interacted when he had gone to Múspellsheimr on a diplomatic mission for his father, which he had tried to combine with the furthering of his seiðr studies, with limited success.
"High Priestess Járnsaxa," Uncle Freyr repeated with a growing smile. "Was she not the one who... fancied you, Loki?"
"I hate you," Loki groaned.
"The events in question were part of an attempt to gain information from King Loki through flattery," Lord Aðalgrímr explained.
"Are you certain?" Uncle Freyr questioned, slyly. "A political marriagewouldstrengthen ties between Ásgarðr and Múspellsheimr."
"Says the middle-aged, unmarried king," Loki shot back with a scowl. "High Priestess Járnsaxa is more your age, Uncle, and Múspellsheimr having closer ties with Vanaheimr would benefit Ásgarðr as well."
Uncle Freyr laughed. "Still as quick tongued as ever, I see. I never could win an argument against your mother either."
"Though it has yet to prevent you from trying," Loki retorted, even as his core twisted.
Did his uncle know the truth and was this simply another lie to keep him fooled? It felt like the truth, but after all he had learned recently, Loki was no longer certain whether he could trust his judgement when it came to cases like this.
His parents - adoptive parents - had been lying to him for his whole life, after all, and he had never even suspected.
"Nay, it has not," Uncle Freyr agreed.
A quick glance around showed all of his men had arrived, and it seemed like his uncle's whole entourage was present as well.
"Ready to go?" Loki asked.
"We were simply waiting for you," Uncle Freyr replied.
Of that Loki was aware, he simply wished he could know what the main reason had been. It could be to see him, but it could just as easily be political; to arrive together on Niflheimr with the new king of Ásgarðr. Well, 'twas not like the other Realms were not aware of their relationship. Or at least, what they all assumed was their relationship.
"Höðr, please open the Bifröst," Loki ordered, moving towards the departure point.
Lieutenant-General Yngvarr materialized by his side and Loki had to fight off a smile. They were heading to a planet they had secured, sent by one of their own who could see the entire landing area, and still Yngvarr felt the need to be right at his side. It made him wonder what his shadow had felt, allowing him to attend the negotiations themselves without him.
"I always knew you had it in you, Loki," Uncle Freyr whispered to him just before the Bifröst opened.
Loki tried to keep the words from affecting him too much, but he knew better than to think he would be entirely successful. Now, if only Óðinn could say the same...
A part of Loki hated himself for desiring it, but he had longed for his adoptive father's approval for far too long to be able to cast off the desire so easily now, no matter what the bastard had done. After all, despite all of the lies and favoritism, Óðinnhad, most likely, saved his life when he had taken him in all of those years ago.
"Ugh," Uncle Freyr shivered as soon as they arrived, pulling his elaborate robes tighter. "I had forgotten how cold 'tis here."
Loki's lips twitched. "We are dealing with the jötnar."
"Aye, aye," Uncle Freyr muttered, before perking up. "Maybe Járnsaxa has fallen out of favor and this is Sinmara's way of punishing her!"
Loki snorted at the thought, though he could not help but wonder how a fire demon would fare here. Or what his sibling would make of her. At least he did not have to worry about Járnsaxa attempting to seduce Helblindi. He was not even certain a jötunn and rjúfendr could both survive such an encounter.
They quickly made their way inside, their entourages following but for a few guards who walked ahead of them. One of the servants who stood outside the hall door moved in ahead of them.
"Their majesties, King Loki of Ásgarðr and King Freyr of Vanaheimr," the servant announced.
This might have been his uncle's motivation or secondary motivation, though Loki could not fault the latter. He oft ensured his actions had multiple consequences, even if his primary goal was benign or for one of his family.
A quick sweep of the hall proved they were the last to arrive. Laufey-King stood off on the far side of the hall, deep in conversation with Queen Sága, no doubt discussing further details of their new trade treaty. Queen Hreiðmarr and High Priestess Járnsaxa, meanwhile, stood more in the middle of the chamber, along with Helblindi-Princex. His younger sibling was as dressed up as Loki was, in jötnar fashion, with their new fire ruby prominently displayed in the middle of their forehead, worked into the circlet.
This group turned to look at them and Loki moved forward to greet them, electing to leave his birth father and Queen Sága to their discussions for now. At least with Álfheimr, he knew it would be nothing nefarious to Ásgarðr, they were too closely allied with the ljósálfar for that.
"Queen Hreiðmarr," Loki greeted, remembering at the last moment to only incline his head slightly, rather than give the deeper bow-like movement he would have made as the second prince of Ásgarðr.
"King Loki," Queen Hreiðmarr replied. "May I congratulate you on your diplomatic success."
Even if it had robbed the dökkálfar of an excellent trading opportunity. But Loki knew Queen Hreiðmarr was politically astute enough to know war among two of the Nine was not good for any of them long-term.
"Thank you," Loki replied, turning towards his sibling as Uncle Freyr moved in to greet Queen Hreiðmarr. "Helblindi-Princex."
"King Loki."
Finally, he turned to Múspellsheimr's representative, who was already giving him a very familiar smile. So, 'twas to be like that again. "High Priestess Járnsaxa."
"Your Majesty, I would congratulate you on your ascension to the throne, but I hear 'twas in rather difficult circumstances," Járnsaxa replied.
"'Twas," Loki agreed, knowing it best to ensure this Realm, at least, knew the truth of the All-Father's condition. "But the healers tell me Father is doing well, and 'tis only a matter of time before he wakens."
"Oh, well, I am pleased. Queen Sinmara will no doubt wish to send her joy."
"Thank you," Loki replied, shifting aside slightly to allow his uncle to speak with her, and, luckily, Uncle Freyr obliged.
"Laufey-King and Queen Sága seem very close," Queen Hreiðmarr said, glancing at him.
"Hmm," Loki replied. "Álfheimr has already offered Jötunheimr a new trade agreement."
"Ah, jewels and ice blooms no doubt."
The tone was vaguely dismissive, though Loki knew even the dökkálfar would want some of the same ice gems for inclusion in their creations, since there were many beyond the Nine who preferred the pommels of their sword to be richly adorned.
"I believe 'tis their main intent, aye," Loki replied, looking back at Helblindi-Princex. "How are you finding your first encounter with the other species of the Nine?"
"Enlightening," Helblindi replied, reaching up to touch their gift. "High Priestess Járnsaxa was quite curious about my having a fire ruby."
"Aye," the lady in question said, turning to look at them, the flames covering her body flaring slightly as she shivered involuntarily. "'Twas quite a surprise to hear Ásgarðr had given it as a gift."
Ah, aye, it would be for all of them. 'Twas not what Óðinn would have done. Luckily, their other gift had been from the dökkálfar.
"We knew Laufey-King was particular to dökkálfarian beer, so 'twas the most appropriate gift," Loki explained. "We had no previous experience with Helblindi-Princex, but the first day's negotiations had shown us the jötnar fashions still included jewels, and a fire ruby was both unique and complementary to Helblindi's coloring."
There, it sounded reasonable without addressing the additional motivations behind the gifts. Namely, that choosing such foreign delicacies was also meant to tempt Laufey-King into wanting to reopen trade with the rest of the Nine.
"I tried some of the beer," Helblindi said, unconsciously reaching up to touch their forehead with a disgruntled expression on their face.
Loki could not help it; he laughed.
"I take it you did not eat beforehand or consume enough water?" Uncle Freyr asked.
"No one had told me it might be necessary with alcohol," Helblindi muttered.
"Well, both are good ideas," Loki said, wondering if his jötunn constitution might be part of why he had never possessed as high of an alcohol tolerance as the others.
A mere babe would not think to alter its metabolism to that of æsir standards, even when taking on an áss skin, any more than it would know to change its digestive system and palate as Loki already knew he had not. Though the jötnar had Ymir's sýra, so they would not be entirely unaccustomed to alcoholic beverages. Unless 'twas something reserved for special occasions only?
"So my dam told me, afterwards," Helblindi replied, clearly still disgruntled.
Wait,what?
"Why did Laufey-King not simply warn you ahead of time?" Queen Hreiðmarr asked. "They would be well aware of the beer's potency as it has long been a favorite of theirs."
His sibling's words were swirling in Loki's head along with everything else he knew of the jötnar, all of it coming to one rather startling conclusion.
But nay, it could not be!
"Dam believes such lessons are better learned through experience," Helblindi replied, confirming Loki's revelation.
Laufeyhad borne Helblindi!
Laufey hadborneHelblindi.
If Laufey had borne Helblindi, then had Laufey bornehimas well?
The very possibility disturbed Loki on a deep, fundamental level. Despite all he knew of the jötnar now, the mere possibility of Laufey not being his father, but rather hismother, had never even occurred to him. It had not even been within the realm of probabilities.
'Twas inconceivable, even now, and Loki simply could not accept it without further proof.
But how?
"Dam," Loki said, almost stumbling over the very word, its sudden weight making it awkward and cumbersome in a way it had never been before. "I had not realized Laufey-King bore you."
That should sound innocuous enough without being too intrusive either. Right?
Loki found he could no longer be certain, his shock too great.
"Aye," Helblindi-Princex replied. "The king bears the heir."
That...
It made perfect sense, the logical part of Loki's mind decided. No room for disputes over the potential legitimacy of an heir or even for a situation like his in Ásgarðr, where someone altogether unrelated had been brought in. But that meant...
Laufey was hismother?
