A few months after learning of Laufey's condition, Loki made the decision to go to Jotunheim.

"Are you sure about this?" Asta asked as she straightened his armor.

He placed his hands on her shoulders. "I know you're frightened, but I'll be fine. Laufey can't kill the king of Asgard on sight. And once I explain matters, I think it will greatly improve things."

"Perhaps I should go with you. Heal you if necessary."

"And who will stay with Fredrik?"

"Frigga will be happy to, I'm certain."

"I'm certain she would as well. But on the tiniest chance that something does go wrong, I need to know that our son is safe here with you."

Asta bit back a sob. "Very well, then."

Loki pulled her into an embrace. "My love, I'll be fine. I have the best reason to be careful and to make it back safely."

She nodded, unable to find the words.

"Jeg elsker deg min kjære," he whispered into her hair. (I love you, my darling)

"Som jeg elsker deg, mitt hjerte," she softly replied. (As I love you, my heart)

He pulled back and kissed her deeply. "I shall see you soon." And with that he turned and left before he could see the look of sadness on her face.

"Your majesty, the king of Asgard wishes to speak to you," the Jotun steward said as he entered Laufey's chambers.

"Tell the messenger that I do not wish to hear from Asgard."

"But… there is no messenger, my king. Loki himself stands at the border."

"What?" For a moment, Laufey was visibly confused. But his curiosity was piqued. "Very well then. Grant the king safe passage to the palace. I will see him in the throne room."

"Are you su—"

"I will see him in the throne room!" Laufey bellowed.

"Right away, your majesty."

Sooner than expected, Loki found himself in the Jotunheim castle and was guided to the throne room. He looked around and wondered what it would have been like to be raised in this palace, as opposed to Asgard's.

As he entered the room, he found Laufey on the throne. Laufey definitely didn't have the presence that his reputation gave him, but Loki supposed that was from the mortal wound.

"King Loki!" Laufey called. "To what do we owe this visit?"

Loki respectfully bowed his head as he approached. "I mean only a diplomatic visit, King Laufey. To see how Jotunheim fares. And… and to bring information."

"Jotunheim fares just fine. And information?" Now he was definitely interested. "Pray tell, what information could you have?"

"First, I need your assurance that I will be able to voice freely. I need to finish speaking before you say anything."

"I'm not sure I like these terms, but you have me curious. Speak."

"Also, I request that you and I be alone when I divulge this information."

Laufey tilted his head in thought.

Alf, his steward, instantly spoke up. "Majesty, you can't possibly be considering this!"

"What will he do? Murder me in my own throne room? Leave us! If he does kill me, you have my permission to turn Asgard to ash."

Alf rolled his eyes. "Very well. But we will only be out in this hallway." He motioned for the guards to follow him. None seemed happy.

As the door closed, Laufey turned his attention back to Loki.

"Now then, what is this information that could not be sent via a messenger, but the king himself?"

"I know the location of your youngest son. The one that was taken."

Laufey stood and immediately collapsed back into his chair. Loki pretended not to notice.

"How dare you speak of my son?" Laufey screamed. "I should throw you in the dungeon for these deceptions!"

"Please, your majesty, let me speak."

Laufey grumbled. "How would you know where he is? How do you even know he exists?"

Loki took a few more calculated steps towards him. "I know because… I am him."

At this, Laufey laughed. "Oh yes, I see the family resemblance now! How could I have missed it at first?"

"This is merely a glamor to hide my true identity. If I may be allowed to use magic here?"

Laufey waved his hand in allowance. Loki dropped the magicks that covered his Jotun appearance.

Laufey's eyes went wide. "How can I know that this isn't the glamor instead?"

"Feel free to put any magic prevention up and keep me from changing back."

Laufey did not feel well enough to do that, so he instead chose to look indifferent. "Fine. You're a Jotun in disguise. It's an interesting story, but how do I know you're actually my son?"

"I can tell you of your other two sons. And how it took 7 Asgardian soldiers to kill both Byleistr and Helblindi."

"So you read a history book. What else?"

"I can tell you that your third son was hidden in the temple. That he was stolen by Odin after the great battle that gave you that wound on your side. Caused by an enchanted blade."

Laufey shifted a bit.

"How do you know we even had a third son? Or where he was?"

"Odin told me."

"A convenient excuse."

"I understand your skepticism. But why else would I risk my life coming here? Lying would prove to be a costly move."

Laufey was quiet for a beat while considering that. "And why are you telling me this now?"

"I come to make amends for all that Odin has done. What he took, from both of us."

"I should burn Asgard to the ground for this," Laufey growled.

"You could. And frankly, I wouldn't blame you. But would you want to do that to your grandson?"

"My… what?"

"My son was born less than a year ago. I would hate for him to lose his home already."

Laufey sighed, almost convinced. "We clearly have much to talk about. Will you stay for a meal?"

"Yes, of course," Loki replied as he put the glamor back up.

"Alf!" Laufey called to his steward.

The servant entered quickly. "Yes, your majesty?"

"Bring a meal here for me and my guest. And a table to eat at."

Loki spoke up. "If I may?"

Laufey gestured for him to continue.

Loki turned his hand slightly and conjured a small stone table and two high back arm chairs with plush cushions. "Will those do?"

"Yes, I believe they will. And I'm keeping those," Laufey answered.

Loki laughed. "Consider them a gift from Asgard."

Alf's eyebrows furrowed as he wondered just what he missed while he was sent from the room. But he went to get the food anyway.

Laufey straightened in his seat. "Come here. Let me take a closer look at you."

Loki took a few tentative steps as he resumed his Jotun form.

"I have nothing to gain from killing the King of Asgard. Do not worry," Laufey said assuringly.

As Loki approached, the Jotun King gasped. "By the gods, you are him. You look so much like your mother."

"I do?"

"Yes, in so many ways." Laufey attempted to stand but faltered a bit. Loki rushed to help him. "Thank you. I was hoping to do this on my own, but I do appreciate the assistance."

Loki helped him to the table. "You're very welcome."

Once they were both seated, Laufey cleared his throat. "So, tell me of your family, of your life, the things that were taken from you."

"Well, that's quite a long story with many twists."

"I've got the time," Laufey laughed.

"Fair enough. Well, after I was brought to Asgard, I glamored myself to look like them. Frigga was delighted to teach me magic from a young age when I showed such powers. How Odin managed to convince the entire realm that I was their child is still beyond me. But at first, everything went well. Thor and I were brothers and friends. But eventually, he grew to want training and battles, and his warrior friends were more important. I was lonely for a time, even with Frigga, but then a new council member moved into the palace with his daughter, Asta. Her mother had abandoned them after her birth, and she really had no friends either. We became inseparable. I teased her all the time that we would get married someday, but I never really meant it until one day I realized how much I did love her after hundreds of years together. It was right after my revelation that Asta came into her powers, healing powers. Odin made her the goddess of healing and the night of her celebration ball, I was just about to declare my love when Odin announced that he would be sending her to Midgard to help Thor's friends, the Avengers. She was literally taken from my arms."

Laufey clenched his fists on the table.

Loki placed a hand on one. "No, as much as I'm loathing admitting this, it was the one thing Odin did right. I was becoming more and more bitter as the years went on, watching his favor with Thor and his obvious disgust with me. I wasn't a good enough man for Asta, but she probably would have dealt with me anyway. It wouldn't have been fair to her. But once she was gone, I lashed out more. During one argument with Odin, he shouted the truth about my heritage. After continuing being miserable for a bit longer, I ran away and explored the realms."

"Why didn't you come here, my son?"

Loki paused at being called that. Taking a deep breath, he continued. "I couldn't face that yet. I wasn't ready to come to a place that I had been told such lies about."

"What did he tell you of how he found you?"

"That I was abandoned. Found in the temple."

Laufey growled. "You were certainly not abandoned! After the death of your brothers, we hid you there in the hopes of saving you. We were devastated when you were not there after the final battle."

"Is it true that… that my mother passed away after I went missing?"

Laufey lowered his head. "Yes. Her heart was broken. Your older brothers were killed in battle, you were taken, and I was wounded to the point that no one thought I would survive. She couldn't take all of that at once. She was a strong, proud woman, but that much heartache is too much for anyone to bear."

"You lost everything at once. How did you continue on?"

"My rage. I vowed to have my revenge one day." He chuckled lowly. "And here I am with it."

Loki raised an eyebrow and went back to his Asgardian form.

"My son, not Odin's, sits on the throne of Asgard. I'm not sure I could have planned it any better!"

"I suppose that is true. And the heir is more Jotun than Asgardian —"

Alf's return with the food interrupted the thought. Once he left again (disappointed to not have gained any information), Laufey questioned the last bit.

"Your son is more Jotun?"

"Yes, in a twist of fate that no one could have seen, my beautiful queen is actually a quarter Jotun. Her grandmother was a noblewoman named Marte."

"I remember her. She disappeared during the war and we all thought she was killed."

"No, they magically hid her and brought her to Asgard. They had a daughter and she married a scholar named Gosta. They had a daughter as well, my precious Asta."

Laufey laughed. "I cannot believe how much fell into place without you being here. You still fell in love with someone of noble lineage."

"I hadn't thought of that. Our marriage would still be respectable here in Jotunheim."

"Indeed. Your mother would have been thrilled to know you married a relative of Marte. They were good friends."

"My mother," Loki said wistfully. "What else can you tell me about her?"

Laufey sighed. He normally avoided talking about Farbauti, but Loki deserved to know. "She was beautiful. And she loved her sons. Byleistr and Helblindi were her pride and joy. And then, completely unexpectedly, we found out that we were having you. We thought those days of little ones were behind us, but we were overjoyed! She was very nervous about what seemed like an inevitable war and I always feared that her anxiety caused her to go into early labor with you. You were so very small for a Frost Giant."

"So I've heard," Loki grumbled.

"But it mattered not to us. You were our precious boy, our tiny prince. Your older brothers would dote on you every chance they got. Grown men losing their minds over a little baby. The sight always made Farbauti smile. But then the war came. And we lost your brothers in battle. The Asgardian troops were getting closer, so we hid you in the temple, thinking that even Odin would not enter there. We were wrong and I wish so dearly that we would have thought of somewhere else. Eventually, Odin found me. We fought and he wounded me with some sort of magical weapon. No one has been able to cure it. And once we found that you were gone, and Byleistr and Helblindi were killed, Farbauti passed away just a week later. Odin took everything from me," he added with a tear in his eye.

"Father," Loki began, noting how it didn't really feel wrong to say. "Regarding your wound, I wonder if Asta could heal it."

"I couldn't ask that of either of you."

"She is the most giving person I know. I'm certain she would want to help."

"Perhaps one day. For now though, we should probably finish this. As much as I hate to see you go, I doubt you are ready to announce your true heritage, and my staff will be getting suspicious soon."

"No, I'm not yet prepared for all that will come from announcing my actual parentage. Someday, I promise."

Laufey stood and stretched his arms, obviously unsure how to ask for an embrace. Loki went to him and hugged him tight.

"Thank you… Father."

"I'm just so glad to hold you again, son." After a moment, Laufey called for his steward. "Alf!"

He returned and bowed. "Yes, your majesty?"

"Please see that King Loki is safely returned to the Bifrost."

"Yes, of course."

"And Jotunheim will be glad for future diplomatic visits, King Loki."

Loki smiled. "Yes, and Asgard shall as well."

Alf led him to the guards and gave explicit instructions that Loki was to be safely led back to Asgard. Then Alf returned to Laufey.

"How are you, Sire?"

"Tired, Alf, as per usual."

The Stewart nodded. Having served Laufey and his father for centuries, he knew the family well. "Laufey, may I ask a question?"

Laufey nodded, fairly certain of what he'd be asked.

"Loki… he's actually Eivind. Is he not?"

Laufey sighed. "How did you know?"

"I haven't seen you smile so brightly since the day he was born."

"Yes, he is the missing prince. But, please old friend, tell no one. Loki isn't ready to deal with all of that. He's only found out recently."

"Of course, Laufey, of course. Congratulations on finding him."

"Well, he came to me, but I couldn't be happier to know he's alive and well. And with a family of his own." He paused. "Can you help me back to my chambers?"

"Yes, your majesty."

Back in Asgard, Asta was sitting on their balcony, staring at the sky. Fredrik had long since been put to bed, but the queen knew she wouldn't be able to get to sleep until her king was home safely. So, for now, she was waiting for the bifrost to light up the night sky and let her know that Loki had returned from Jotunheim.

Finally, she saw the telltale colors and stood in excitement. Before she could even get back into their room, she felt a pair of strong arms surrounding her from behind.

"Hello, darling," Loki whispered in her ear.

"Loki! You scared the life out of me!" Asta gasped as she jumped. She spun around in his arms and kissed him soundly. "I should have known you wouldn't have taken a horse to the bifrost."

"Not when teleporting back to my beautiful wife is so much faster!"

"So, how did it go?"

He took her hand and led her back into their chambers. "Better than I ever could have imagined." He glanced to the nursery door. "Is Fredrik asleep?"

"For a while now, yes."

Loki frowned for a moment, but accepted that he missed bedtime. "Right, tomorrow then. But, yes, Jotunheim. I was greeted with much less animosity than I expected, and I barely needed to convince him that I was in fact his son."

They both sat on the bed, but she kept holding his hands. "Really? I expected to be healing injuries after hearing of the fights you got into."

He chuckled. "I expected that as well. But apparently, I look enough like… like my mother that he was convinced easily."

"Oh. And how are you with that?"

"Still coming to terms with it, I think. But honestly, the biggest shock was just how well the conversation went. He's nothing like I was told. Not that it's a surprise."

"What was he like?"

"Honestly, very open and accepting. But sad, as well. The stature I had always heard about is gone. He was injured by Odin in the war with a weapon that prevents the wound from mending. He has been surviving on his rage from losing his entire family."

Asta was quiet for a moment, then tilted her head. "The wound can't heal?"

"No. Nothing has helped him."

"For centuries he's lived like this? And hasn't burned Asgard to the ground?"

"Trust me, he and Jotunheim are in no position to take on Asgard."

"But he could have tried. And didn't. That alone should tell the realm that we were lied to." She paused again. "Loki, would you like me to try to heal him?"

He held his smile. Loki knew his wife would want to help, but he didn't want to ask. "Do you think you could? I don't know what Odin used."

"I couldn't guarantee anything. I know nothing of the weapon and this wound has been around for hundreds of years. But, I'd be willing to try."

Loki kissed her temple. "My wife has the biggest heart in all of Asgard! In all the realms!"

"It's the right thing to do. Besides, if we are to make amends for all that Odin has done, why not start with my husband's father?"

"We may need to do a diplomatic tour of the realms in order to not raise suspicions."

"Oh darn! Will we need to take a trip to Midgard? That's a shame!"

"Yes, I know. I guess we'll need to survive on shawarma and Roberto's pizza for a few days. It'll be a hardship, but it's for the good of the realms and for saving my father."

Asta paused. "Your father… How are you handling that?"

He took a breath. "Better than I expected. To be fair, he's not the monster I was always told he is, so it's reassuring. I'm still wary, though. As much as I felt comfortable when I was there, I'm still worried."

"Worried that it's not real?"

"Yes, that he'll take advantage of the situation."

Asta frowned. Years of Odin's oppression led to Loki's trust issues and this was a prime example. Though, years of hearing how horrific the Jotuns were had her feeling a little skeptical as well.

Loki sighed. "Does that make me terrible? I finally meet my birth father, and I can't even fully trust him."

She put a hand on his cheek. "No, my love. You aren't terrible at all! It's hard to separate years and years of hearing one thing and then changing your mind about it. But set up a visit and I'll happily try to heal him. And from there, we will continue to heal the rift between Asgard and Jotunheim."

He turned his hand and changed into his night clothes. "My beloved, what would I do without you?"

"Let's not dwell on that," Asta replied as she led him to get under the covers. "Let's just get some sleep and make plans tomorrow."

Loki kissed her gently. "As my queen wishes. I love you, darling."

"As I love you, my mischief. Good night."