《The Burden of the Throne》


 Chapter 1

    "Remind me again why we''re doing this," Loki said in a mildly irritated tone to Thor, both he and his brother dressed in Asgardian hunting frocks of brown and forest green.


    Each brother had awakened before dawn, far earlier than Loki preferred and typically began his day, already putting him in a prickly mood from the outset. They had entered the forest of Asgard just after the sun had risen with a quiver of arrows and a bow slung across their backs. Having found what Thor considered a promising location to lay in wait, they rested prone on the soft detritus that carpeted the forest floor, peering over a moss covered trunk of a fallen tree.


    It was the eve of Kynsblot, Asgard''s yearly celebration of family. It was one of the more minor holidays of the Asgardian calendar compared to the midyear solstice and Yule festivals, though still considered an important rite. Each year on this day, since they were of age to do so, the brothers ventured into the forest to hunt for the meat that would grace their table the next day for the feast.


    Loki reveled in the pomp and ceremonial splendor that accompanied such celebrations but he had never been much into the sport, though he was an able huntsman and would in no case starve if he were ever to find himself forced into a survival situation, at least if there was game to be had. He was more than satisfied to allow those whose task it was to procure food for the royal table to do their duty. He had better things to do. Spying an arachnid crawling up Thor''s back toward the God of Thunder¡¯s shoulder, another reminder of why Loki detested the activity in which they were currently engaged, he reached out, flicking it away.


    "Remind me again why I have to answer this same question on this day every year. It''s tradition and traditions are important-" Thor replied before Loki interrupted.


    "For the unity of Asgard and to connect us with each other and our ancestors, etcetera, etcetera...I know," Loki stated.


    "If you know, why did you ask?" Thor queried.


    "It''s tradition," Loki answered sarcastically before he and Thor heard rustling in the vegetation in front of them.


    Gesturing to Loki to be silent, Thor slowly raised himself onto his knees as he removed an arrow from his quiver, notching it in his bow, Loki following suit.


    Making their way through the forest, sniffing the air warily, came two hjorts, creatures very much like red deer, one a stag, full grown, with an impressive rack, the other a doe.


    "I have the one on the left," Thor whispered to Loki, Loki nodding, aiming his arrow at the second hjort.


    Thor pulled back the string of his bow just as Loki was preparing to let his arrow fly, the elbow of Thor''s muscular arm nudging his brother''s just enough to throw off Loki''s aim. Thor''s arrow lodged itself into the hjort, a clean shot to the heart, while Loki''s arrow zipped past his quarry, narrowly missing its target, sticking itself into a tree as the surviving hjort leapt and bounded away.


    "You oaf!" Loki exclaimed, perturbed.


    "I''m sorry, brother," Thor apologized.


    "No you''re not," Loki said acidly as he set down his bow and rose, stepping over the fallen tree trunk, walking past the lifeless body of the stag to the tree from which his errant arrow protruded, reclaiming it.


    Thor followed, kneeling by the stag to ensure it had breathed its last.


    "Would you like to wait for another or should we dress the one and return?" Thor asked, reasonably sure what Loki''s answer would be.


    "What''s this ''we?'' It''s your kill. Considering Volstagg will be with his own family, one will do," Loki said, impatient to return home.


    Loki disliked the idea of being forced to lie still and silent for what could be hours until another hjort happened to wander by. Thor pulled a knife from its sheath at his waist, preparing to slice open the abdomen of the creature as Loki stood a few paces to the rear of Thor, brooding.


    Once again Thor would return to the palace triumphant. Loki was also aware that in the very near future Thor was likely to again be victorious. Odin had recently announced that the ceremony in which he would declare his choice of heir to the throne of Asgard would take place in a week¡¯s time. Loki had no doubt which of the two of them his father''s favor would fall upon. He questioned why his father would even bother to go through the trouble of putting on a show of it as if he hadn''t already decided ages ago. If Loki was to be humiliated in front of nearly the entire populace of Asgard he would prefer for once that his father dispense with formality.


    The knowledge of what he knew would soon come to pass had sent him into a funk. There was no longer any time remaining in which to prove himself to Odin, the sand had run out of the hourglass, though he doubted no matter what he would or would not have done it would have made any difference. Odin had always favored Thor, it was evident to Loki from his earliest memories, though his father''s favor had become more pronounced as they grew to manhood and it became clear Thor was far more the image of his father in his younger days, and the image most others had of a king with his broad muscular frame, golden hair and resonant voice along with his warrior mindset to rush in where angels would fear to tread. There had been a time when Loki had been a child of tender years when Odin had attempted somewhat to obfuscate it, though Loki had always been far too intelligent not to pick up on it even then.


    He had even been surly with his mother as of late though he had been quick to apologize which he rarely did for anyone else. In Loki''s view, if he was churlish with someone, obviously they had it coming, having done or said something to deserve it. They should have known better so why should he be in the least apologetic for a natural reaction to their affront?


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    He knew that a large part of the tradition he and Thor were then engaging in was to renew and strengthen the bonds between them, yet it always seemed to have the opposite effect. In past years, the best that had happened was that he bagged his own beast for the table, both returning to the palace equally accomplished, but he had never returned as the conquering champion and Thor empty handed. This day especially the intended purpose was not to be realized as it only reminded him of Thor''s approaching designation as heir.


    When that day came, what was there left for Loki? There was no formal role for the ''spare'' spelled out. Of course, once on the throne, Loki was sure Thor would find something for him to do to occupy himself but it would feel like charity and mere busywork. He would be but a footnote in Asgard''s history, merely the brother of Thor and no one of any renown or significance in his own right. They had played together as children, fought various foes together as they came of age to do so, yet as time passed they grew further distant from each other simply due to the nature of their position as Princes of Asgard vying for their father''s favor and the throne.


    Loki had sometimes wondered if things would be different between them had they been born to no one of any special significance. Perhaps not. Aside from the natural competition engendered by their positions, they were also two very different people seemingly in every way imaginable...physically, intellectually, in their temperament and their skills and interests. In fact, it was hard for Loki to believe at times that they shared the same parentage. It was a sentiment he had heard voiced by others when they were unaware that he was listening...and Loki was always listening. He had learned long ago that the best way to gain an advantage was to merely shut up and listen. Often people would forget one¡¯s presence and their tongues would be loosened.


    Loki suddenly felt a strange sensation wash over him, as if a tiny bell of warning deep within his brain had begun to ring, as if something were in the process of changing. It was akin to a railroad switch being thrown, the train that had been chugging along on one set of rails being transitioned to another. The feeling that something was ''off,'' not quite right, continued and grew stronger, nagging at Loki.


    "Brother....something''s-" Loki began to say, not sure how he was going to explain what he was experiencing without sounding completely mad, as three figures clothed in what looked to be white form fitting hooded body suits with solid, featureless masks over their faces appeared between him and Thor.


    Another appeared behind Loki, placing something cold and metallic on the back of his neck. Before he could react, Loki felt a shock travel down his spine, finding himself unable to move or speak. He watched helplessly as one of the three figures grasped in one hand the hilt of what appeared to be a short sword.


    Before Thor became aware of their presence and could react, the figure with the short sword ran Thor through with the blade, back to front, before withdrawing it. Though in pain and seriously injured, blood running down his torso and back from the entrance and exit wound, Thor rose swiftly to his feet to face his attacker. The two accompanying the assailant grabbed hold of Thor''s muscular arms but they were no match for Thor''s strength, even wounded. Thor, enraged, with a roar of anger and pain, shook off the two figures, taking hold of an arm of each and bashing them violently together into one another, their heads colliding with a deep hollow sound like a watermelon or pumpkin hitting concrete, the two figures slumping to the ground from which they failed to rise. The figure holding the sword seemed to simply wink out of existence. Loki felt the device that had been attached to the back of his neck withdrawn, regaining his ability to move, swiftly turning to see the figure behind him vanish into thin air.


    "Brother!" Loki exclaimed in shock after returning his attention to Thor as he witnessed his sibling put a hand to the exit wound on his abdomen, the front of Thor¡¯s hunting clothes now red with blood, the stain continuing to spread in an ever widening circle before he collapsed to his knees.


    Loki rushed to his side. Soon another joined him, Loki looking over to see Heimdall.


    "We must get him to the healing room!" Heimdall exclaimed, putting an arm around Thor, Loki doing the same on Thor''s other side, both men moving Thor''s arms across their shoulders and raising the God of Thunder to his feet as Thor''s head hung down as if his neck was no longer strong enough to support its weight.


    "Who were they? Where did they come from?" Loki asked Heimdall.


    "I don¡¯t know. The bodies of the two Thor sent to Hel may provide us with answers," Heimdall replied.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Thor lay on the soul forge in the healing room, a middle aged female healer working with the mechanisms of the forge. Odin, Frigga, and Loki stood across the room, giving the healer and her assistants space to work. Odin watched the activity around his son stone faced, though his despair could be discerned in his lone remaining eye. Frigga''s sorrow was far more apparent as tears coursed down her cheeks, her hand splayed over her mouth as she attempted to stifle her sobs at the sight of her gravely injured son. Loki wrapped a comforting arm around her as he looked to the soul forge and its occupant with an uncharacteristic expression of great concern mixed with lingering shock at the surprise attack. Why had they left him alive and uninjured, merely rendering him immobile?


    Sif, Fandral, Volstagg, and Hogun entered the healing room, making their way to stand near Frigga, Loki and Odin. All four wore expressions of disbelief and distress though Sif''s was even more pronounced. Unlike Frigga, she shed no tears though it was apparent to Loki she was on the verge as she swallowed hard witnessing Thor lying as pale and still as death and the frantic activity of the healer and her assistants surrounding him.


    "What the hell happened?" Fandral asked.


    "We were attacked in the forest, taken by surprise. I was rendered immobile, unable to come to his aid," Loki explained, Sif glancing at him skeptically before returning her attention to Thor.


    An assistant to the healer, far younger than she, left the healer''s side and approached the group that now lined up along the wall on the opposite side of the room.


    "The wound will not heal. It''s possible the blade was contaminated with a toxin of some kind. We''re attempting to discover what it may be. We have been able to stop the bleeding, at least for the moment," the assistant addressed Odin directly, though speaking to all present.


    "Will he live?" Frigga asked, her voice strained with emotion.


    The assistant''s shoulders drooped slightly, perhaps imperceptibly to the others, though Loki who took note of the smallest details noticed. Trepidation grew within him, viewing it as an ominous portent.


    "He''s in the best of hands," the assistant answered the Queen of Asgard with what Loki recognized to be an obvious dodge before she turned away from those assembled, hastening back to the healer''s side.


    "My son¡­" Frigga wept, Loki embracing her to provide what comfort he could in her profound anguish.

 Chapter 2

    There was little more that the healer could do. She had stabilized Thor as much as possible before he had been moved to his bedchamber to rest in his own bed to heal or to await what she feared...no, what she knew if a miracle of some sort did not occur, was inevitable. She could not, however, bring herself to voice her prognosis to her king and queen. She had been wrong in the past, though only a scant handful of times over the millennia. There was good reason why Odin had appointed her to her position as personal healer to the royal family and those who served him.


    The wound itself should have been relatively quick and easy to repair and with Thor''s own Asgardian physiology to assist, and his strength and resilience surpassing even other Asgardians, he should have already been on the road to a relatively speedy recovery. Yet the wound had not responded to treatment which should have closed it within minutes under normal circumstances and showed absolutely no signs of natural healing. In fact, the tissue surrounding it appeared to be necrotizing.


    Eir, the healer to the royal family and those who served Asgard¡¯s king, had always found Midgard to be a fascinating realm and had received permission from Odin to spend time there in the past incognito, learning of their methods of dealing with human illness and trauma. Though their methods were primitive and their knowledge paled in comparison to her own, they did manage to achieve positive results in many cases which she found astounding. She had finally resorted to sending one of her assistants to her chambers to fetch for her a Midgardian surgical kit that she had acquired as a sort of artifact and memento of her time there and had used the supplies and tools it contained to stitch closed the hemorrhaging vessels and the entrance and exit wound as if repairing a seam with a needle and thread. Yet if Thor''s own body did not begin to mend, to knit his damaged flesh, vessels, and organs back together, it would make no difference.


    She was stymied. She could find no residue of any kind around or within the wound or evidence in Thor''s blood of any sort of toxin that would provide an explanation. There were only a few known substances in the universe that had that sort of effect and of those, fewer still that affected Asgardians. The only other explanation was magic. She of course was no practitioner of the art (though she knew that the people of Midgard would consider her methods of healing magical) though she was familiar with some of the potentially lethal effects of different types. It was only those who practiced the blackest of magic, that drew energies from the darkest of dimensions to do their work, that would dare use it to cause suffering and death, though there were of course exceptions for purposes of self defense. Of course magic left no residue, nothing that she could test in order to identify it or its source. All Eir could do at this juncture was relieve Thor''s pain and also hope for that miracle she knew must come if he was to survive.


    Frigga sat vigil at Thor''s bedside, watching his chest rise and fall with each breath, willing that there be another after it. He had yet to regain consciousness. Loki, still sporting the hunting clothes he''d been wearing upon his return to the palace with his injured brother and Heimdall, stood beside his mother. Frigga had placed her right hand on top of Thor''s, her left arm crossed over her chest to rest her other hand atop Loki''s that he had placed on her right shoulder.


    The scene reminded Loki somewhat of when his father entered the Odinsleep, Frigga during those times dutifully keeping watch over her husband, though that was generally not a life and death situation unless he were to put it off too long, though as Odin grew more aged the time between those necessary rests had grown shorter. There was more danger of him doing so as he was loath to leave Asgard under the auspices of another, concerned that the moment he lay himself down for an extended slumber that would be when a cataclysm of some sort would befall the realm.


    Sif sat on the other side of the bed also looking upon Thor with anxiety and anguish. Though she had never voiced it openly, Loki was well aware that Sif''s feelings for his brother went deeper than friendship, though to his knowledge Thor had never given her reason to believe that he returned the sentiment, that he viewed her as more than a close friend and comrade in arms, perhaps at best the sister he never had.


    Sif had continued to glance at Loki every so often with a hostile expression. Of course she would blame him for what happened. He was always the one to blame for everything since he was a child it seemed. She could believe what she wanted. He cared little what she thought. He knew the truth and that was all that mattered. It''s wasn''t as if she had ever thought all that highly of him anyway. Since their childhood she had looked upon him and treated him with disdain. There were times he pulled pranks on Thor not just to get under his brother''s skin or even primarily for that reason in some instances, but for the satisfaction of getting under hers as well, sort of a two for the price of one deal.


    "Loki, Sif..." Hogun''s voice said from the doorway to Thor''s bedchamber, "We are summoned to the King''s study."


    "Go," Frigga said to Loki, sensing that he was reluctant to leave her side, patting his hand before removing hers from his own, now placing both of her hands over Thor''s.


    Sif stood, walking around the bed in the direction of the door at the same time Loki was making his way there.


    "After you," Loki said to Sif, gesturing for her to go before him.


    He would have done so anyway, he was a gentleman after all as any Prince of Asgard should be, but her current demeanor left him certain that the last thing he wanted at the moment was to expose to her his back.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    "The bodies of the assailants felled by Thor have been searched and examined. They were of Midgard," Heimdall stated as he stood beside Odin in the King of Asgard''s study, looking upon Loki, Sif, and the Warriors Three with his piercing golden eyes.


    "Midgard? Mortals?" Loki asked, aghast.


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    "How is that possible?" Fandral questioned, bewildered.


    "They have no ships, nothing akin to the Bifrost. They are not aware of our existence nor that of any life outside their own realm," Hogun pointed out.


    "Obviously at least a few are," Sif replied.


    "Why would mortals want Thor''s death? It makes no sense," said Volstagg.


    "They had to have been in league with another or others from off world with reason to wish my brother dead and promised something in exchange," Loki surmised, Sif turning her head to gaze at Loki with an icy stare though she remained silent.


    "But why seek out the assistance of mortals? My grandmother could take on the strongest of them with one hand tied behind her back," Fandral inquired.


    "An attempt to assassinate the-" Odin spoke, pausing as if reconsidering his words, looking to Loki before continuing, "a prince of Asgard is an act of war. I have not sought it out but we must be prepared for it."


    "War? With Midgard?" Volstagg asked, chuckling, "That would be little different than crushing ants under our boots. Even the frost giants in their sorry state would be more of a challenge."


    "I would advise that you do not underestimate the mortals of Midgard. Many fought by my side during the war with Jotunheim. I do not believe this attack was carried out on behalf of their realm," Odin responded to Volstagg.


    "This was all that was found on the bodies," Heimdall said, holding out to the others what looked like a business card, Loki taking it from him and examining it.


    "Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division? Phil Coulson?" Loki read from the card aloud, "Who is this son of Coul? An Asgardian in exile?" Loki asked, passing the card back to Heimdall.


    "No. I believe he is likely mortal, his ancestors from the lands in Midgard where we once held sway, that for a time adopted many of our ways and were under my protection," Odin answered.


    Loki thought back to his childhood when his father had taken him and Thor to Midgard for the first time. He and Thor had played with the mortal children of those lands. He had also played his fair share of tricks on both those children and adults alike. It had not posed much of a challenge, Loki finding them rather simple minded and easy to fool.


    Thinking of Thor lying in his bed near death, his mother''s grief, and reflecting on the helplessness he had felt while immobilized, that this Coulson could be responsible for it all, Loki sensed the anger he had bottled up in his mother''s presence and that had initially been displaced by shock and anxiety for his brother rising within him. It was true he was jealous of his brother, that he had in the past injured Thor himself, intentionally and unintentionally, while playing various pranks or simply out of that jealousy and anger, a few times even stabbing into Thor''s flesh with his own daggers though the wounds were never too serious. He knew they would heal quickly even without the intervention of a healer, but it was no one else''s place to do so. He had been forced to witness the attack as if he were an impotent, cowardly fool, which he was sure was what Sif believed him to be, likely doubting his explanation. Perhaps Fandral and the others believed the same and were merely far better at obfuscating it than Sif as the object of her affection fought for his life.


    "We must find this son of Coul and learn from him who would be foolish enough to court war with Asgard," Volstagg said.


    Loki was aware it had been some time since the Warriors Three and Sif had set foot in Midgard. Much had changed since then. He envisioned them bumbling their way along the modern streets of the realm. It would have been humorous if not for the seriousness of the situation and how imperative it was to track down the man.


    "Sending only one more familiar with the realm would draw less attention. He could be more easily taken unaware. I will-" Loki began.


    "I have not yet decided our course of action," Odin interrupted, "I will call you together again when I have made my decision," Odin told those gathered, dismissing them.


    The Warriors Three and Sif bowed their heads before making their exit, Loki following them.


    "I return to my watch," Heimdall informed his King, following the others.


    The Warriors Three along with Sif progressed down the corridor, Loki trailing them.


    "My prince...Loki...a word, if I may," Heimdall said from behind him.


    Loki came to a halt, turning to Asgard''s gatekeeper as the others continued on their way.


    "I agree with you. Someone must go to Midgard and locate this Coulson. With your skills in magic and your familiarity with the realm you would be the one most likely to succeed in the endeavor. I also wish to know how those responsible were able to slip by my watch. I will do all I can to convince your father."


    "Thank you, good Heimdall," Loki responded before Asgard''s gatekeeper continued on his way, Loki left gob smacked by Heimdall''s vote of confidence.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    As Loki entered his chambers he sensed another''s presence within. Scanning the room he saw her dressed in the gown of a palace servant seated on the cushioned chaise. She rose swiftly, her features expressing concern mixed with relief, as she closed the distance between them.


    "Loki! Are you alright?"


    "I was unharmed. Thor appears to have been their lone target. Verda...what are you doing here?" Loki said, irritated.


    "After I heard what had happened I had to see you," Verda said as she extended her arms to embrace him before lowering them as he stared at her icily.


    "You''ve seen me. You may go. I''m sure you have duties to attend to," Loki told the fair skinned woman with copper hair, Verda looking at her feet, her shoulders slumping.


    "Why have you not visited me? You said that you would."


    "I don''t have time for this. I only returned to change my clothing before I rejoin my mother at my brother''s bedside, a matter I''m afraid takes precedence over the mewling of a guileless chambermaid," Loki told her harshly, clearly annoyed by her presence.


    Verda was silent for a moment, stung by his words and his cold demeanor.


    "It was you. You asked that I be reassigned."


    "Of course it was me. It took you this long to reason it out?"


    "Why¡­.?" Verda asked, her voice reflecting her confusion and pain at the revelation.


    "A discussion for another day...my brother is dying. Leave me."


    "I was worried about you. Forgive me. I will trouble you no more," Verda said, her head hanging as she began making her way forward past Loki to the door, Loki reaching out, taking hold of her arm.


    "I suppose I should be grateful someone bothered to worry over the brother of Thor," he said, his own head bowed, before releasing her.


    "I was not concerned for the brother of Thor. I was concerned for Loki Odinson," Verda replied before exiting Loki''s chambers.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    "It''s madness! You don''t honestly believe¡­.his own brother?" Volstagg sputtered, speaking to Sif.


    He, Hogun, Fandral and Sif sat around a large burning cauldron in what appeared to be a common room of the palace.


    "Loki is certainly one for mischief but not of that sort. That''s something altogether different," said Fandral, though Sif could tell from his expression he wasn''t entirely convinced by his own words.


    "Fandral is right. It would not only be fratricide but treason against the throne," Hogun added.


    "Who else would stand to benefit? Odin was soon to announce his heir. Loki had to know it was unlikely to be him. He''s always been jealous of Thor!" Sif exclaimed.


    "What you''re saying could be considered treason," Fandral warned.


    "It''s not treason if it''s the truth," Sif replied.

 Chapter 3

    Loki navigated the corridors from his own chambers to those of Thor, now clad in a royal blue tunic with gold embellishments, one of the few more colorful choices in his wardrobe. He had initially reached for one of his many go-to dark green to black colored ensembles but reconsidered his choice. Loki was well aware of the messages that were sent to others by one''s clothing choices. On Asgard, as was true of many cultures in Midgard as well, dark colors were associated with mourning and death. The last message he wished to send to his mother or anyone was that he was anticipating his brother''s demise.


    Most Asgardians preferred lighter colored shades for their clothing which reflected the generally joyful and contented nature of the realm''s inhabitants. Loki was one of the few that did not, something that among other traits he was cognizant set him apart from the majority. With the exception of anything dripping in gold, he simply preferred darker hues. They favored him, at least he thought so, and no one had ever told him any different. He also appreciated the air of mystery and the message to be wary, not to cross he who wore them that they signified.


    Four einherjar stood sentry outside of Thor''s chambers, three more than was customary, lined up before the doors, blocking the entrance. They bowed their heads, shifting aside and opening the doors for Loki to enter. He knew that there were two more posted directly outside of Thor''s bedchamber. Odin was also currently flanked with more guards than usual. Why had his father not also assigned him a retinue of protectors? He supposed the fact that the assailants had already had their chance to fell him and had neglected to do so had something to do with it.


    The question of why they hadn''t taken the opportunity troubled him, not that he wasn''t happy to have been left unscathed. It was obvious they wanted him alive. If they wished to disrupt the line of succession, if the attack on Thor was an attempt at a coup or conquest, surely it would have made far more sense to take out both contenders for the throne. The only explanation Loki could come up with was that either someone had a personal grudge against Thor, though he couldn''t think of anyone in Asgard or elsewhere who would have reason to harbor such feelings toward his universally beloved brother, or they wished to ensure that Loki would be the heir and soon take the sacred vows of kingship believing Loki''s rule would benefit them more than Thor''s. However, the assailants, at least the ones whose bodies had been left behind, were of Midgard. Why would they care? Why would this Coulson care? In any case, Loki had no intention of being anyone''s useful idiot. He was not a puppet that would dance as another pulled the strings.


    As he had expected, his mother had not moved from her position at Thor''s bedside. He was surprised to see that Sif had not returned as of yet, the chair placed on the other side of the bed empty. Eir had returned to check on her patient. She drew back the sheet and smooth, velvety blanket that covered Thor to expose the bandage over the exit wound in his abdomen, just below his diaphragm. Loki wordlessly returned to his mother''s side, again placing his hand on her shoulder. Frigga did not look to him to acknowledge his presence, her eyes instead watching as Eir removed the bandage to examine the wound.


    Eir did her best to remain stoic though she was not entirely successful. Loki attempted to do the same for his mother''s benefit, raising a closed fist to his mouth as if he were about to clear his throat to both obscure his expression of horror at least somewhat as well as to block off his nostrils, the air now corrupted with the pungent odor of rot. Frigga gasped, raising one of her hands from atop Thor''s to cover her mouth, tears beginning to flow copiously once again from her eyes, as she viewed the blackened flesh around the stitched area of Thor''s torso. Loki was sure he could see the blackness spreading outward from the wound, Thor''s tissue dying before his eyes.


    "Mother, look away," Loki told Frigga, moving his hand to the opposite side of her head, gently turning it.


    Frigga buried her face into Loki''s side as she continued to weep. Eir herself was on the verge of sobbing as she re-covered the wound.


    "There''s nothing more I can do. I''m sorry, my Queen," Eir said to Frigga, her voice breaking.


    Frigga turned her tear streaked face from Loki and reached over Thor, grasping Eir''s hand.


    "You''ve done everything you could. Thank you."


    "I can attempt to wake him, though it may only be for a short while," Eir said to Frigga, Loki fully aware that Eir was offering her the opportunity to say her goodbyes to her son...and Loki to bid farewell to his brother.


    "Will he be in any pain? Will he suffer?" inquired Frigga.


    "I''ve relieved him of that burden. He should experience no discomfort," Eir assured her queen, Frigga looking up at Loki mournfully.


    "Summon your father."


    Loki nodded morosely, leaving Frigga''s side, exiting the bedchamber and addressing one of the einherjar standing guard outside the door.


    "Summon the Allfather," Loki said, the einherjar bowing his head before leaving his post.


    "Find Sif as well as Volstagg, Hogun, and Fandral. Tell them to come quickly," Loki ordered the second guard who also bowed his head before following the first.


    Loki stood in the doorway of the bedchamber looking in at his grieving mother and dying brother in a daze. Was this all a dream? If it was, that would explain the strange sense of something not being right, not the way it should be he had been experiencing since right before Thor was attacked. But then why had he not awakened? In the past during his slumber in the midst of a dream, once recognizing it for what it was, he had rather quickly roused from it. If it was a dream, it was the most vivid and realistic he had experienced in his nearly fifteen hundred years of life.


    He couldn''t begin to count the many times over those centuries that his brother had vexed him, had been a thorn in his side, though in most cases unintentionally. It was that fact that had often irritated Loki...his brother''s naturally jovial attitude, his boisterous nature that drew others to him like moths to a flame, something that Loki, though a talented actor, had never been able to emulate. All eyes were always on Thor, everyone vying to be in his presence, to bask in his glow, to heap praise upon him while Loki was at best tolerated. Whenever they had found themselves battling an enemy a part of him had envisioned Thor being slain. Loki had often fantasized about ways to be rid of him who cast such an immense shadow that he could never escape its darkness. If he had ever truly wanted to do so, however, he could have long ago. It was unlikely Loki could ever best the God of Thunder in combat, though he could hold his own for a time at least, but there were other ways and as intelligent, clever and sly as Loki was, he would have had a good chance of getting away with it.


    How could Thor have been brought down so easily in moments, he who had fearlessly taken on and bested so many perilous foes, and by mortals no less? It was definitely evidence of the immense value of the element of surprise, something Loki himself well knew the importance of as he employed it quite often to even the playing field to make up for the brawn Thor possessed that he lacked. Not that Loki wasn''t physically strong...he was, deceptively so as many an enemy had learned firsthand, and his svelte frame allowed him agility and litheness and a grace in battle that was absent from Thor''s fighting style, but he would never be able to measure up to his brother in brute strength.


    Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    Loki returned to his mother''s side as Frigga wiped the tears from her eyes, attempting to put on a brave face along with a warm and comforting smile for her dying son in what was likely to be his last moments as an actor prepares to get into character before going on the stage. Sif and the Warriors Three entered, their faces expressing sorrow and bewilderment. Despite their knowledge of the dire circumstances, they had up until that moment continued to believe that some way, somehow, Thor''s strength and resilience would win out. Sif appeared especially distraught and dazed. It was not only her friend that was leaving them for an eternity in Valhalla but the man that she loved, her hopes dying along with him. Moments later, Odin made his entrance, standing by the foot of the bed, gazing down on his ailing son.


    "Fate has made its decree? All hope is lost?" Odin asked Eir standing behind Sif and the Warriors Three who had gathered on the opposite side of the bed from Frigga and Loki.


    "It is so, my King," Eir answered mournfully.


    "So be it," Odin said as if proclaiming an edict.


    Eir approached the bed, Sif and Fandral moving apart from each other to make room for her. She reached out, placing what looked like a smooth crystalline stone onto the center of Thor''s forehead which began to glow a bright electric blue as those gathered looked on expectantly. Loki was the lone inhabitant of the room to lift his gaze from Thor, taking in the scene, having moved to stand behind Frigga, both of his hands resting on her shoulders, his eyes moving from Sif and the Warriors Three to his father.


    If his and Thor''s places were switched he couldn''t help but wonder if there would be such a gathering surrounding him to see him off to Valhalla. Loki had always felt alone in the universe, but perhaps never to the degree he did in that moment. He had up until then convinced himself he didn''t care, it didn''t matter, he was perfectly capable of going it alone in life but now he found himself wavering in those convictions. He was also troubled by the fact that in what could be his brother''s final minutes it was himself he was thinking about. If his mother knew he was certain she would be disappointed in him. An emotion washed over him that was rare for Loki¡­shame.


    Thor''s eyelids twitched before beginning to flutter. Eir removed the apparatus from his forehead as his eyes slowly opened. Frigga grasped his hand, looking down on her son with a loving smile as Eir backed away from the bed and silently slipped from the room.


    "Mother¡­?" Thor asked, his voice raspy.


    Loki could not recall his brother ever before appearing so pale and sickly, his voice so weak, its usual resonance gone.


    "I''m here," Frigga answered, still gripping Thor''s hand, reaching out with her other to caress his clammy cheek.


    "My son¡­.fate has decreed this day you will join your ancestors in Valhalla," Odin announced as if he were seated on the throne giving a proclamation.


    Odin''s words echoed in Loki''s head. None of it seemed real, it couldn''t be real.


    "I accept its verdict," Thor managed to say.


    It was at that moment that Loki truly knew that all hope had flown as Thor had never been one to surrender without a fight.


    "My friends¡­" Thor said, turning his head to where Sif had seated herself as she took Thor''s other hand in her own, the Warriors Three behind her.


    "Brother¡­" Thor said, turning his head once again, Loki moving from behind Frigga to stand next to the bed.


    Thor removed his hand from Frigga''s and reached out, gripping Loki''s.


    "I''m sorry, brother. If I had-" Loki began, Thor cutting him off.


    "This was not your doing. Do not blame yourself. Your intellect far surpasses my own. You have a keen eye and are a careful judge. You will be a good king and a worthy successor to our father," Thor said, his words leaving Loki speechless for a moment.


    "I will prove myself deserving of your confidence," Loki finally responded.


    It was all Loki could do to hold his emotions in check but he refused to give the others, Sif especially, the satisfaction of seeing him dissolve into a blubbering mess. In his mind''s eye he pictured the mountains of Asgard, the hard rock of which they were made, willing himself to be as they were, a mental trick he had developed long ago in the face of the taunts of Sif, Fandral, and the others along with other children who had teased, mocked and derided him in his youth.


    Frigga could no longer hold back her grief. Loki released Thor''s hand, returning to stand behind her as she again took hold of it.


    "Mother¡­.do not grieve. I go to a better place. We will be together again," Thor looked to all who gathered around him, "In time we will all be together again..."


    Thor''s words proved to be his last. Shortly after uttering them, his eyes closed in permanent slumber. It was Frigga who first realized that his breathing and his pulse, weak as it had been that she had felt in his hand as she gripped it, had both ceased.


    "No!" Frigga wailed, rising and moving into the bed, cradling her son in her arms.


    Sif rose swiftly from her chair and rushed from the room as if it were in flames. Hogun, Fandral and Volstagg stood shocked and grieved, rooted motionless where they stood. Odin moved from the foot of the bed, walking around it, stopping as he reached Loki, reaching out and taking his arm. Loki as if in a trance slowly turned his head from where he stared down at his brother''s corpse to lock eyes with his father.


    "The burden of the throne falls to you now, my son. May you be worthy of it," Odin said before releasing Loki, stepping past him to stand at Thor''s bedside, placing his hand on Thor''s forehead as Frigga continued to cradle his lifeless body, "Thor, my son, I bid you to take your place in the halls of Valhalla, where the brave live forever. Nor shall we mourn but rejoice for those who have died the glorious death."


    After Odin had finished reciting the blessing for the dead, the Warriors Three, their heads hanging, solemnly made their way out of the room.


    Loki exited Thor''s chambers a few moments after them, leaving Odin and Frigga alone to grieve for their son, assuring Frigga he would arrange for Thor''s body to be prepared to lie in state in the throne room the next day before his funeral the following evening. The Warriors Three and Sif stood gathered in the corridor. As Loki exited Thor''s chambers, Sif swiftly turned to him, her face tear streaked, her eyes burning with anger.


    "You got what you wanted, didn''t you?! What did you offer them?! What was the price of your own brother''s life?!" Sif exclaimed in fury, lunging at Loki as he quickly back peddled before Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun intervened, pulling her back from him.


    Loki expected her to be upset and grieving but was taken by surprise by her vehemence and her words. He had believed she blamed him for not acting to save Thor out of cowardice but now it was clear to him that it was more than that.


    "She knows not what she says. It is her grief that speaks," Hogun told Loki.


    "You know...all of you know...I loved my brother dearly," Loki insisted, "I played my share of tricks, we had our squabbles, but I would never do such a thing," Loki said to Sif and the others, unsure what more he could possibly say to assuage her suspicion.


    "We''ll take her to her chambers and remain with her," Fandral said to Loki, the surviving son of Odin nodding before turning in the opposite direction as Sif, weeping, was led away by the others.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Loki entered his chambers as the sun was setting, the cauldrons having been lit. He thought of how he and his brother had left the palace and entered the forest as that same sun had risen that morning, no inkling of how the day that had started out as any other, aside from Loki''s earlier than usual rising, would end. Loki sank himself heavily into an armchair before the burning cauldron in the middle of the room staring blankly into the dancing flames. From beside him a hand came to rest on his shoulder. Loki turned his head, looking up at Verda.


    "Thor?" Verda asked quietly.


    "My brother is dead."


    "I''m sorry," Verda said sadly, "Do you wish to be alone? Should I go?"


    Loki was silent again for another moment, contemplating.


    "Stay," he replied.


    Verda sat in Loki''s lap, taking his face in her hands, looking into his eyes, her own teary, before embracing him. Loki returned her embrace as if he were a drowning man grasping onto a buoy.


    "You will be king¡­"


    "I never wanted the throne. I know now I only ever wanted to be his equal."


    Verda moved out of Loki''s arms and stood in front of him, extending her hand.


    "You should rest," said Verda as Loki stared unblinking at the hand she offered before reaching out and taking it, rising.


    Verda led Loki across the great room of his chambers in the direction of the doorway leading to his bedchamber before she sensed his forward momentum stop. As she turned to face him, Loki wrapped his arms around her as he lustfully kissed her.

 Chapter 4

    Loki lay in his bed, staring vacantly at the embellished ceiling of his bedchamber, the flickering flames from the burning cauldron along the far wall casting the room in dim, warm orange light. Verda lay on her side facing him under the silky soft sheets, propping her head on her arm, reaching out and tracing her index finger along his breastbone, down the center of his bare chest.


    "This can''t continue," Loki said stonily, breaking his silence.


    "I don''t understand..." Verda replied as she withdrew her hand, hurt and confusion in her voice.


    Unlike some kingdoms in the past and present throughout the universe, in Asgard a servant was as equally suitable a candidate for a prince or princess, the consort of a current or future reigning king or queen or other member of the nobility. There was no shame in loving whomever one loved whether opposite sex or same sex and regardless of their station.


    "Considering Lorelei''s crimes, what she is capable of, you must know how it would look, what others may believe."


    "I am not my sister. I''m nothing like her," Verda responded, it clear from her tone she disliked being linked with her sibling.


    Lorelei, a highly skilled sorceress, was one of Asgard''s most infamous and dangerous criminals and a power hungry megalomaniac, though few who were not not familiar with her history would believe it upon seeing the beautiful, harmless looking woman with the coppery hair so much like Verda''s own. She had spent the last six centuries a prisoner, sentenced by Odin to the dungeon for the remainder of her life, her ability to enslave the minds of men to fall madly in love with her and do her bidding simply by the sound of her voice curtailed by the enchanted collar she was forced now to wear at all times. The only man Sif had ever loved aside from Thor had been one of Lorelei''s many victims.


    Loki had almost forgotten about Haldor, Sif''s former lover. She had now lost not one but two men she had set her heart upon. The state she had been in when last Loki had seen her hours ago was even more understandable now. Loki recalled the enmity Sif bore Lorelei for the death of Haldor. He knew he was now looked upon by her with the same, if not an even deeper hatred, Sif suspecting him of having orchestrated Thor''s demise.


    Loki had met Verda in the tavern, she sitting alone and forlorn, their eyes meeting for a moment as she had looked up from her drink. It wasn''t in Loki''s nature to care much about such things, after all, few ever showed any care for or interest in him when he was in the same state, so why should he? However, something about her drew him to her. Seating himself across from her, he struck up a conversation. She''d told him her story, how she was distrusted, shunned, and even feared by others once they learned who her elder sister happened to be. It had struck a chord with Loki, he feeling a sort of kinship with her, both suffering through no fault of their own simply due to the identity of their sibling. After returning home he had spoken to his mother, requesting that Verda be granted a position in the palace. Pleased at Loki''s display of altruism and due to her own, Frigga had agreed. At Loki''s request she had been assigned as a chambermaid to the area of the palace where his own chambers were located and had proven herself industrious and hard working, pleasing all who resided in chambers under her purview with how well she kept them.


    When one day after falling victim to another of Loki''s pranks she had expressed an interest in his magical and illusionary abilities, he had out of curiosity and unbeknownst to her tested her aptitude and found her to have a natural foundation on which to build. He knew that his mother and certainly his father would disapprove and Loki himself, of course aware of her familial connection, questioned the wisdom of it, but what could it hurt to teach her a few simple tricks? Of course he had ended up teaching her far more than he had intended and had loaned her books from his personal library for her own private study. To his knowledge she had respected his request to refrain from speaking about or displaying her newly acquired abilities in the presence of others.


    Loki could not recall the exact details of how things had ended up progressing so far but it had all started out innocently enough, as is usually the case...a few good natured pranks, a bit of sport and fun and flirting that would be natural between two young people. Eventually it had escalated to Verda providing him with services that went beyond merely tidying his chambers though without the two of them going so far as to actually be lovers in the strictest sense. It was the sort of casual, non-exclusive relationship that Loki generally sought, there seeming to be no expectations from either side of the equation, but then recently for whatever reason, perhaps something as simple as a particularly alluring scent she had worn that day paired with the longevity of their association, the line Loki had previously been so careful to toe had finally been crossed.


    "Why should you care what anyone thinks? You''re to rule Asgard," Verda continued.


    "I''m the heir, I''m not yet the king."


    "You believe your father would deny you the throne? Would he pass you over for a cook in the kitchen?"


    "If he thought them more worthy. You don''t know my father...not as I know him," Loki responded in a grim tone.


    "You''re no longer a child. You''re free to love whoever you wish."


    "A mare and a stallion cross paths in a field and nature follows its course. Is that love?" Loki asked, Verda stunned by his words into silence for a moment.


    "Is that all I am to you?" Verda asked, turning away from him, leaving the bed and reclaiming her discarded gown from the floor beside it, "I suppose in that case this mare should return to her own stable," Verda retorted as she dressed.


    "I''m sorry, that was rather crass," Loki said sitting up, Verda having donned her shoes, making her way to the door of his bedchambers.


    "You are soon to be the King of Asgard but it appears you are already the king of understatement."


    "I meant only that anyone can do as we have done. That particular sentiment is far from necessary. I believe love requires more. I...I care for you..." Loki said as Verda reached the doorway, his words seeming to fall on deaf ears, "Verda...wait," Loki called to her as he threw back the covers, preparing to follow her.


    Verda came to a halt, standing with her back to Loki before turning to face him.


    "Earlier this day you told me to leave you, displeased by my presence. Now you wish me to stay. You told me you wished to be king yet now you claim you never wanted the throne. Do you even know what it is you want?"


    "I thought I did. My brother...I-" Loki broke off, unable to continue, his voice breaking.


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    Thor''s last words to him, his brother''s last moments of life as Loki watched him die, all the tragic events of that day replayed in his mind. Bowing his head, he placed a hand to his mouth, stifling a sob.


    Verda''s expression transformed from one of hurt and anger to sympathy and sadness. Leaving the doorway she approached Loki, sitting down on the edge of the bed near him, once again taking him in her arms.


    "It''s because you do not desire it that you will be a good king."


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    The Kynsblot festivities had naturally been cancelled. Instead, Loki spent a long, arduous day in the throne room, watching as whole families of Asgardians filed through to view Thor''s corpse laid out on his bier before the throne, Frigga standing near it as if a sentinel, accepting the condolences of the people. His father, who would be overseeing the funeral that evening once the sun had slipped below the horizon, had not yet made an appearance. The line of mourners stretched through the palace and into the plaza outside and beyond. Loki doubted there was a single soul in Asgard who had not already viewed his brother''s corpse or did not wait among the crowd to do so. Thor lay on his bier, his hammer gripped in his hands resting on his chest, appearing as if he were peacefully dozing. Loki could not help but think that perhaps Thor had slept thus in life.


    Loki had managed to get a few hours of sleep after his emotional display, Verda returning to the bed to lie beside him until he had at last succumbed to slumber. When he had awakened with the daylight he found her gone. He had not seen her yet this day, assuming she must be among those waiting to pay their respects to his brother.


    Sif and the Warriors Three had been the first to view Thor. Sif, though still in the throes of sorrow and grief, had appeared far more subdued than last he had seen her, paying little attention to Loki as he stood far to the side of the throne room. She had looked as if she had slept as little as he had and what sleep she''d gotten had been poor. Loki didn''t look a great deal better, dark circles to match Sif''s under his eyes.


    The sound of weeping and wails echoed throughout the expansive room. Loki could no longer endure the cacophony of mourning. Just as he was about to take his leave and exit the far side of the throne room into the corridor that led to his chambers, hoping perhaps to get some additional rest before that evening''s proceedings, an einherjar approached him.


    "Your father requires your presence in the vault," the einherjar informed him, Loki nodding in acknowledgement.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Loki entered Odin''s vault, descending the stairwell into the subterranean chamber, feeling the cool air on his skin. Why would his father wish to meet with him here? Was it some sort of initiation to prepare him to take the throne?


    Odin awaited Loki at the bottom of the stairway in silence, Thor''s hammer held in his hand at his side. Loki realized that the one Thor gripped as he rested on his bier was a convincing fake.


    "You wished to see me, Father?" Loki asked after descending the stairs.


    "This belongs to you now," Odin said, presenting Loki with the hammer, holding it out before him.


    Loki reached out, Odin passing the hammer to him. Loki peered down at it in his grasp. It looked and felt out of place in his hand.


    "Join me," Odin said, turning and walking farther into the vault, Loki following him.


    Odin and Loki passed various relics on their stands or in their niches. Suddenly Odin came to a halt, turning to Loki.


    "You know what these are and with what powers they are imbued. You also are aware of the danger they pose, which is why I have brought them here. It is my...and will soon be your own sacred duty and imperative to protect the nine realms and the greater universe from the devastation that could be wrought if they were to fall into the wrong hands. Silence your mind and listen. Is there one that calls to you?"


    Loki wasn''t quite sure what Odin meant but did as his father instructed. Nothing particularly caught his attention or ''called'' to him as his father had put it. He slowly made his way through the vault, stopping and pausing before various relics but nothing struck him as out of the ordinary, though he could sense the energy in the air around each one. Loki continued on. He felt a sense of being led though he had heard no voice, no palpable energy pushing or pulling him along. Finally he approached the pedestal upon which rested one of the most powerful relics in Odin''s collection. He stood before it, bathed in its blue glow, sensing a frosty chill in the air surrounding it. He stared down at the Casket of Ancient Winters for a moment before looking up at Odin questioningly.


    The Casket had once been the greatest, most powerful treasure of Jotunheim, the realm of the frost giants, creatures that had long been the boogeymen of the stories Asgardians told their children. Cruel and cold, both literally and figuratively, were the Jotuns as well as merciless, fearless warriors...or at least they had once been. Odin had defeated them on their home world around the time of Loki''s birth and had taken the relic, their source of power, back to Asgard to rest safely in the vault. Their civilization had descended into ruin. Laufey, their king, now reigned over a crumbling world with little hope of ever again ascending to greatness in the realms or the universe. Why, Loki wondered, out of all the relics that rested there would he find himself drawn to that one?


    "Before I pass the throne to you, declaring you king and protector of this realm and the others that look to us to guide and safeguard them, there is something you must know. Your mother and I raised you alongside your brother from an infant. You are my son, yet you did not spring from my seed, nor from the womb of she who you know as your mother."


    "What are you saying?" Loki''s expression reflected his shock and confusion at Odin''s revelation.


    "Reach out and put your hands upon it," Odin directed Loki.


    Loki sat the hammer down at his feet and did as he was instructed, grasping both sides of the Casket, feeling as if the blood in his veins had transformed into ice. He watched in wonder and fear as his hands turned blue, the color creeping up his arms.


    "After the final defeat of Jotunheim I entered the temple. There I found an infant, helpless and weak, small for a Jotun...Laufey''s son, left to die on that icy rock. I brought him here to Asgard and raised him as my own," Odin explained as Loki stared at his father aghast, barely able to make his lips move to form words.


    "You speak of myself?"


    "I used the dark magic to transform you into Asgardian form. You are Asgardian, yet you still carry the echo of your past, your true origin. I believed someday you would become an instrument of a permanent and lasting peace between our two realms."


    Loki stood stunned. He had spent his entire life believing he was one thing only to learn that he was another. He removed his hands from the Casket, realizing they still rested upon it. The blue color of his flesh faded, returning to its previous tone.


    "You now have a choice. You may raise the hammer, strike me down for my treachery," Odin said as Loki continued to study him, baffled, realizing how weary his father appeared, "or you can accept yourself for what you are, make peace with it, and think on it no more."


    Loki took hold of the handle of Mjolnir from where he had sat it at his feet, lifting it from the floor, staring in silence at his father, contemplating his words for a moment before finally speaking.


    "Let us leave this place."


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Thor''s body on its bier had been placed into the boat in which it would make its final journey. All of Asgard it seemed had assembled to see their golden haired warrior prince sent off to his final rest, the crowd stretching back as far as Loki could see. He wondered to himself what the point was for some of them as they would be unable to view any of what was taking place.


    Loki stood at Odin''s side, his mother taking her place on the other side of his father, all dressed in the finest of their finery for the occasion, Odin and Loki donning their helmets and armor. Loki looked down for the last time on the serene face of his brother as the boat was launched and began to float away toward the border between Asgard and the void of space. After it had traveled some distance, Odin subtly signaled to an archer who notched a flaming arrow into his bow, carefully aiming before releasing it over the water. A moment later flames erupted within the craft carrying Thor''s body.


    "Farewell, my son," Loki heard Frigga say softly.


    The flaming boat had almost reached the drop off into the darkness of space when Odin grasping Gungnir, his spear, passed it to Loki. With the knowledge of Asgardian magic his father had that day passed onto him that Loki had not previously possessed, he raised it and brought it down, producing a loud, reverberating sound. Thor''s body within the boat transformed into a sparkling mist of energy that rose up to disperse among the stars.


    "Farewell, brother."

 Chapter 5

    After the crowds had dispersed at the conclusion of the funeral, Loki had escorted his mother back to her chambers in the palace. The shock of the unexpected and tragic loss of her son had drained her both mentally and physically. Though she was not yet elderly she appeared weak and frail as if she had aged a millennium in just the single day since Thor had breathed his last. Loki sat at her bedside as she lay on her side, her hand in his.


    "I''ve always known I could lose either of you or your father when you were called upon to face our enemies. If that had been his fate it would be easier to bear," Frigga said.


    "Though it did not take place on a battlefield, it was an honorable death nonetheless," Loki reassured Frigga.


    "He is in a better place, free from pain and sorrow, but I mourn the future that was stolen from him," Frigga said dolefully, Loki raising her hand to his lips.


    "I swear to you, I will find who did this," he promised her as Frigga examined his face.


    "Your father has told me he revealed to you the truth of your origin. We didn''t want you to feel different. From the moment you were placed in my arms you have been my son."


    "You must rest. Sleep now," Loki said, Frigga''s eyes closing as he released her hand before rising to his feet, quietly exiting her bedchambers.


    Where was his father? Loki questioned Odin''s absence before another''s absence came to mind as he traversed the corridor on his way to his own chambers. He had not seen nor heard from Verda the whole of the day. He had not noticed her in the crowd of mourners at the funeral, though it would have been easy to overlook her among so many. Although she had remained with him the evening before as he had finally allowed himself to express his grief, perhaps she had ultimately decided after his crude analogy to distance herself, his display of emotion only momentarily arousing her sympathy. But was that not what he had wanted? He wasn''t at all sure what he wanted anymore.


    She had rarely seen him at his worst, his darkest, the side of him that could be so callous and cold, hard and harsh. In truth, Loki was a man of deep feelings, vulnerable and sensitive, though only his mother had ever seemed cognizant of that fact. No one who did not feel so deeply would be capable of lashing out the way he had at his brother and others over the centuries. It was this dark aspect that he had nurtured over the years to shield him much like the solid exoskeleton of an insect protects its soft insides. He would hurt others or push them away before he was hurt by them. He would leave before he was left, betray before he was betrayed. However, Thor''s death had jolted something within him.


    He had not only sensed a shift in the universe but now one within himself. He was on the verge of having everything, or at least nearly everything he had desired, or had once believed he did¡­.the throne, the power and respect that came with it, not just in Asgard but throughout the universe. He was now free of the shadow of his brother...or was he? Somehow Loki still sensed it hovering over him...or perhaps that shadow had been replaced with the burden of living up to Thor''s confidence in him. Despite all he had previously wished for now being in his grasp, he did not find the taste so sweet as he had imagined. He felt the ponderous weight of it all. Why couldn''t being a king be all flowers and parades, revels and glorious pomp and ceremonies and monuments and theater celebrating his greatness? He had paid little attention over his lifetime to the numerous and far less grand and more drudgerous responsibilities of kingship that rested heavily upon Odin''s broad shoulders.


    As Loki neared a T in the corridor he slowed, setting aside his thoughts as he believed he sensed a presence as the flames of the cauldrons lining and lighting his path sent flickering shadows dancing on the stone walls. He approached the intersection of the two corridors cautiously.


    As he turned to the right into the corridor where his chambers were located, Sif lying in wait for him swung the mace in her hands, its heavy, metallic round head cutting through the air as Loki''s image vanished. Sif spun on her heels without hesitating as Loki reappeared behind her.


    "Are you mad-" Loki managed to exclaim before the mace struck him in the chest, knocking him across the corridor against the far wall.


    Loki recovered just as Sif came at him once again. Loki produced his daggers, taking a battle ready stance, dodging another blow from the mace.


    "Enough! Sif! Stop this!"


    "You betrayed him! You brought them here!" Sif cried as she continued to pursue Loki down the corridor, swinging the mace, Loki skillfully dodging each potential blow from the weapon in her hands.


    Her choice of weapon told Loki much. It was not one she usually wielded, though she had enough training and practice with it to be skilled. She must have believed to run Loki through with her sword too easy a death...or perhaps she believed he was unworthy to die in the same manner as Thor. She wanted to bludgeon him, to beat him to Valhalla...or Hel where she likely believed he would find himself after death, his soul wandering aimlessly and alone for the murder of his brother.


    Loki was running out of options. He was preparing to launch one of his daggers in her direction, perhaps a wound to her arm would be enough to end her attack, though knowing Sif that was doubtful, before another thought crossed his mind.


    Sif was preparing to strike another blow when Loki stopped his backwards momentum away from her. He stood before her, lowering both arms to his sides, dropping his daggers sending both of them clattering on the stone floor. Falling to his knees, he bowed his head. Sif looking down at him in confusion.


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    "I yield to you, Lady Sif...if you truly believe I have my brother''s blood on my hands I ask only that it be swift. If you''re wrong, it will be you that will be the murderer having slain an innocent man and the only surviving son of your king."


    Sif stood in shock and uncertainty. As she began to lower the mace, a female voice unfamiliar to her cried out from behind Loki farther down the corridor.


    "Get away from him!" commanded Verda.


    Sif was unexpectedly and violently thrown backwards by an invisible force, landing hard on the stone floor on her back, the mace flying from her hand. Loki quickly turned his head to see Verda approaching as she rushed to him, Loki retrieving his daggers and raising himself off his knees to stand. Sif, farther down the corridor recovered, rising to her feet.


    "That wasn''t necessary. I had the situation under control," Loki scolded.


    "That''s not what it looked like from where I was standing! You call that under control?! She was about to bash your head in!"


    "Who is this?" Sif asked, approaching the two, confounded, Loki turning his back to her, placing himself between the two women, gripping Verda''s shoulders.


    "Go to my chambers. Wait for me there," he told her quietly.


    "But what if-"


    "Go," Loki said, Verda looking past Loki to Sif with animosity.


    "If you harm him, I will kill you," Verda warned her.


    "Good luck with that," Sif retorted.


    "Go! Now!" Loki commanded Verda.


    Verda glanced once more at Sif before turning and making her way back down the corridor. Loki had turned back to face Sif when around the same corner Loki had rounded just as Sif attacked shortly before, Fandral, Volstagg and Hogun appeared. All three looked to the mace lying nearby and then to Loki and Sif with apprehension.


    "Is everything all right?" Fandral asked.


    "I believe we''ve come to an understanding," Loki said, looking into Sif''s eyes, she remaining silent staring back into his.


    "Your father has summoned us to the throne room," Fandral said to Loki and Sif.


    Loki broke his shared gaze with Sif to look over to Fandral, Sif doing the same. For Odin to call them together to meet at this late hour did not bode well.


    Loki stepped past Sif, recovering the mace and returning it to her before they joined the others.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    "Lorelei¡­." the coppery haired woman heard her name as she lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, a collar attached to her neck.


    Lorelei sat up, looking around her cell, the lights having been turned down for the night. As she was of those few sentenced to spend the remainder of their natural life entombed in the dungeon, she had been allowed a few comforts. There was a desk and chair and writing utensils as well as a supply of paper along with another small table and a cushioned armchair. Books sat atop the smaller table, delivered to her from a list of approved reading material from which she made her selections. She had never been much into reading but there was little else to do to occupy her time over the last six centuries. She had even written a few novels of her own, though she was sure they would never see the light of day.


    She was allowed an hour of exercise each day, transported shackled under heavy guard to a high walled courtyard where, supervised with what seemed an entire regiment of einherjar, she could move about and enjoy the fresh air and sunlight, though the shackles were not removed until she returned to her cell once again. It was an empty, bleak existence, more than enough to drive one mad, though many had already believed she was as there was no other explanation for the crimes of which she was guilty.


    Lorelei spied her, standing off in a corner between two of the three forcefields that kept Lorelei contained. Lorelei knew she wasn''t actually physically present, her form merely a mental projection.


    "Verda," Lorelei said as she sat up, "I haven''t seen you in months...or has it been years? I find it difficult to keep track locked away like an animal."


    "I''ve been busy. I''m now a chambermaid in the palace," Verda said, smiling.


    "So you clean toilets," Lorelei responded, "I see you''ve acquired new skills," Lorelei observed.


    "Loki taught me. I''ve taught myself much as well. He said I have a natural talent," Verda explained proudly.


    "I remember watching you pine over him from afar, too fearful to even say hello. It was pathetic, pitiful."


    "I have done far more than say hello," Verda said, smiling slyly.


    "Is that how you repay him for his tutelage?" Lorelei asked, "You don''t honestly believe he will make you his queen."


    "I care not for grand titles."


    "So you say...until you realize one is within reach," Lorelei responded.


    "If I do become queen I have no intention of convincing him to free you. You will die here."


    "He would do better to take a bilge snipe as his queen."


    "Goodnight, sister. May your dreams be as unpleasant as yourself," Verda said, her image fading out, leaving Lorelei alone once more in her darkened cell.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Loki, the Warriors Three, and Sif entered the throne room, making the long trek to the throne, Odin seated upon it. He stood as they approached, stepping down from it. Loki could sense from his father''s demeanor that he was anxious and agitated on top of his sorrow. He appeared even wearier than he had earlier that day in the vault.


    "I wish to speak to my son alone. I will rejoin you shortly," Odin said to those assembled, turning and starting toward a doorway that led into his study, Loki looking at the others, as baffled as they were, before following his father.


    Entering his study, Odin strode to the middle of the room before he spun to face Loki.


    "I have received word from Jotunheim. Laufey is dead," Odin said grimly.


    "How?" Loki asked, aghast.


    Jotuns like Asgardians had very long life spans. Laufey was not as aged as Odin. He should have had many more centuries ahead of him.


    "He was taken unawares, murdered in his bedchamber in a similar manner as your brother," Odin informed Loki.


    Loki looked at Odin astonished. Not that he cared what befell Laufey, or any frost giant for that matter. He''d be perfectly satisfied if they all were no more. He cared even less now, knowing that it was Laufey, his own biological father, who had abandoned him to die as an infant.


    "Was this your doing?" Odin asked.


    "No...of course not. I was with you and mother, my presence was witnessed by nearly everyone in Asgard," Loki said, glad that this time he had witnesses as the last thing he needed on top of Sif believing he had killed his brother was his father suspecting that he had assassinated the King of Jotunheim.


    "You did not have another act in your stead?" Odin inquired.


    "I swear to you on the soul of my brother in Valhalla."


    It was imperative that his father believe him, especially this time when he actually spoke truth and was not simply attempting to avoid punishment for a prank gone wrong or some other infraction as he had as a child and even from time to time now as a young man. Odin reached out, resting his hand on Loki''s shoulder.


    "There is no need to invoke your brother''s soul. I have spoken to Heimdall. He believes that you are the one most likely to succeed in uncovering the truth. Tomorrow you will go to Midgard, locate this Coulson, and learn from him what you can."


    "I swore to mother I would find who is responsible for my brother''s death. I make the same vow to you."

 Chapter 6

    After being apprised of the situation in Jotunheim, Sif, Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg were apprehensive upon being informed by Odin that Loki would travel to Midgard to attempt to locate the mysterious Phil Coulson. His previous sojourns to the realm had been all in good fun (at least from his perspective), not missions to apprehend treacherous assassins. Though killing or even injuring an Asgardian would be extremely difficult for a mortal of Midgard to achieve, it wasn''t entirely outside the realm of possibility as Thor''s fate proved.


    It had been a long, trying day for everyone. Exhaustion overtook Loki as he trailed behind the others after leaving the throne room to retire to their chambers for the night. After the Warriors Three ahead of Sif had rounded a corner she came to a halt, turning to face Loki and putting him on his guard. He relaxed somewhat as she bowed her head, her countenance exuding shame.


    "Thank you¡­.for your discretion. I should be in the dungeon," Sif told him after a moment of silence, as if she had been in a battle with her ego to speak the words.


    "It would not have pleased my brother for you to be locked away."


    "Nor would he have been pleased with my actions," Sif responded.


    "Those responsible for my brother''s murder will be for the axe. If it''s your wish, as king I will grant you the honor of swinging it."


    "I can think of nothing which would give me more pleasure," Sif replied, turning and disappearing down the corridor.


    Loki entered his chambers, dark but for the large fire in the cauldron in the center of the room. On the chaise sat Verda, what appeared to be a small leather bag lying on the cushion beside her. In her palm she held an assortment of quartz crystal-like stones of various shapes and sizes, clear but for a rainbow effect in their center.


    "What are you doing with those?" Loki asked, perturbed, as he briskly strode over to her and snatched them from her hand, along with the bag, placing the stones back into it, "I''ll thank you to stay out of my things."


    Loki was well aware that Verda would have had to employ a spell to reveal magically hidden objects in order to have found them. He didn''t recall teaching her that particular trick. He had never taught her how to do what she had done in the corridor either. He wondered what else she was now capable of.


    "I grew restless awaiting your return. What are they?" Verda asked.


    "I came by them fairly recently. I haven''t had the opportunity to fully explore their capabilities," Loki replied brusquely, the bag of stones disappearing from his hand as he magically stowed them away, "What were you thinking? I thought we had an understanding."


    "What was I supposed to do, sing a song? She was going to kill you! If I''m not allowed to save someone''s life¡­and not just anyone''s, the only one for which I''d gladly sacrifice my own, what''s the point?" Verda said as she rose from the chaise to face Loki, the expression of animosity he displayed fading as he processed her words.


    "You''d give your life¡­?" Loki asked in disbelief.


    "I know you don''t care for the sentiment, but regardless of what it is I am to you, a horse in a field or whatever... I love you. If I couldn''t save you, I''d die with you. I would have! They lied to me! They told me-" Verda said, tears welling in her eyes before she went silent, appearing fearful for a moment before she started swiftly forward, passing Loki, headed for the doors, "You''re right, this must end. I don''t wish to cause you more grief."


    Verda came to a halt as a wall of flame sprung up, blocking her path.


    "A horse would shy away from flames. You''re not a horse," said Loki.


    "Thanks for noticing," Verda replied.


    "I should be publicly flogged for a lout."


    "Knowing you, you might enjoy that," Verda responded, unable to hold back a grin from the corners of her mouth, a smile crossing Loki''s face as well.


    The flames vanished as Loki approached her, standing behind her, gently gripping her shoulders.


    "I''ve just met with my father. That was the cause of my delay. Tomorrow I go to Midgard," Loki informed her, Verda abruptly turning to face him as Loki released his hold on her.


    "Midgard? Why?" Verda asked anxiously.


    "There''s a man in Midgard...he may be responsible for Thor''s murder and that of Laufey, the King of Jotunheim, who has been slain as well this night. If he''s not responsible, surely he knows who is."


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "You are your father''s only heir! You can''t go! He could kill you too!"


    "They had the opportunity to slay me. I need to know why they didn''t."


    "If you pursue this man, they may change their mind. Midgard is a horrible place! It''s not like Asgard at all!"


    "You''ve been to Midgard?" Loki asked curiously.


    "No but I''ve read about it. I''ve heard stories."


    "I''ve visited Midgard many times. I''ll be fine," Loki attempted to reassure her.


    "Do you know where he is? To find one man among all those in Midgard would be like finding one particular grain of sand on the beach," said Verda.


    "If all goes according to plan, he''ll come to me. When I take the throne I wish to do so knowing those responsible for my brother''s murder are in the dungeon. My first act as king will be to sentence them to the axe."


    "You would have them executed? Your father hasn''t sentenced anyone to the axe since before we were born. He even refused to execute my sister."


    "I''m loath to begin my reign with bloodshed, but I can think of no punishment more fitting for the murderers of the heir to the throne of Asgard. My father had not yet made the formal announcement but everyone knows Thor was my father''s choice to succeed him," Loki told Verda, "Sif was in love with my brother. She lost another long ago...Haldor...the only man ever to equal my brother in her affections. He was one of Lorelei''s victims."


    "No wonder she lost her mind. I wish I could tell her I despise my sister as much as she does."


    "I''ll arrange a proper introduction another time," :Loki replied.


    "I thought you didn''t want anyone to know."


    "I''ve given the matter more thought. I believed it unfair how you''ve been treated by others but then I behaved no better. You''ve committed no crime...you have, actually. You''ve stolen something from me," Loki replied.


    "I''ve taken nothing from you-" Verda began, confused.


    Taking Verda''s hand, Loki raised it, placing her palm over his heart.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Loki awakened at dawn and carefully removed his arms from around Verda, slipping out of hers as she dozed. He had slept well, once the both of them had gotten around to it. Upon taking Verda to his bed, he had experienced a second wind, or more accurately a third. Afterwards, however, both had rapidly given in to exhaustion. Though he had gotten fewer hours of rest than was customary, which had been the case the previous night as well, the deep nature of the sleep he had fallen into had made up for the quantity. He couldn''t help but feel somewhat guilty. His brother had been murdered and right in front of him. How could he have even considered let alone engaged in what he had with Verda the last two nights? But then perhaps that was what had kept him sane over the last two days. The blessing for the dead did say not to mourn but to rejoice.


    Loki prepared for the day and dressed, finishing just as Verda rose.


    "Promise me you''ll be careful," Verda said tearfully as she embraced Loki after they had both moved from his bedchamber to the great room.


    "I swear it. I''ll send word upon my return," Loki assured her, kissing her forehead before she made her way to the doors of Loki''s chambers, turning to gaze at him once more before passing through them.


    Loki crossed the room in the direction of Mjolnir, the hammer resting alongside the chaise, before coming to a halt and staring at it for a moment. As he had seen Thor do countless times, he reached out his right hand. Just as it had for Thor, the hammer rose from where he had placed it, rocketing to him. Tossing it away it returned to him.


    He considered whether he should bring it along with him to Midgard. It still did not feel ''right,'' as if it didn''t belong to him. However it was a useful weapon and he could easily disguise it as something mundane that would not attract attention. Gripping it, he exited his chambers.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    "Uh¡­.Jane? Would you call this weird because you said to let you know if there was anything weird," Darcy, Jane Foster''s intern, said as she approached her holding a device that was somewhat larger and bulkier than a cell phone.


    Jane sat at a desk in front of a computer inside the vacant car dealership that now served as her and Erik Selvig''s base of operations. Jane took the device from Darcy, examining it, quickly rising to her feet.


    "What the hell?!" Jane exclaimed, befuddled.


    "I guess it''s weird, then."


    "Yes, it''s weird...it''s more than weird...it''s...where''s Erik?"


    "Right here. What''s going on?" Selvig said as he entered the building, a paper bag of sandwiches held in one hand as he approached the two women.


    "I don''t know. I''ve never seen anything like this. It''s not like before," Jane said, handing the device to Selvig as Darcy took the bag from him.


    "You told them to hold the mayo on mine right? I hate mayo...blecch," Darcy said, opening the bag and looking into it.


    "Yeah...I had them put your name on it," Erik answered Darcy as he examined the screen of the device Jane had put into his hand, "This can''t be right. Are you sure it''s not picking up some kind of interference?" Erik asked, bewildered.


    "We have to go...now!" Jane exclaimed, rushing towards an older beige colored Pinzgauer.


    "What''s the big deal? Can''t we eat first? I''m starving!" whined Darcy.


    "You can eat on the way!" Jane called out as Erik and Darcy followed her.


    "I hate eating in the car!" Darcy griped.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    As the dazzling light of the Bifrost lifted, Loki found himself standing in the middle of the circular pattern it left behind, seared into the ground, as he surveyed the dry, dusty landscape.


    The air was stiflingly hot. Loki appeared to be dressed in a black button down shirt and trousers, a pack on his back. Attached to it was an umbrella, though Loki reconsidered the wisdom of the illusion he''d chosen to disguise the hammer.


    Rethinking the color of his clothing as well as he walked under the blazing sun, his shirt transformed from black to white, the trousers to a khaki color. He was not a fan of those particular shades but knew he would be far more comfortable. Trekking across the barren landscape he finally came upon the first sign of mortals'' presence in the area, a two lane road. Entering the roadway, Loki looked to his left and right. In the distance to his left he noticed a large billboard. Turning in that direction he made his way down the road.

 Chapter 7

    "We have to be getting close," Jane said as she raced the vehicle down the road, Selvig in the passenger seat studying the screen of the device in his hand.


    "Whatever it was I think we missed it," Erik informed her.


    "Damn it!" Jane swore in aggravation and disappointment.


    "Hey...innocent ears! I''m your intern. You''re supposed to be setting a good example," Darcy said, speaking with her mouth half full as she''d just taken a bite of her sandwich.


    "I can''t believe we haven''t seen anything with those readings," Jane groused, ignoring Darcy''s admonishment.


    "It may not have lasted long¡­seconds, a few milliseconds. With this sort of thing it''s often a matter of being in the right place at the right time. All the gadgets in the world can''t replace good old fashioned luck," Erik informed her.


    "Maybe I need to find an Irish research partner. You know, luck of the Irish, four leaf clovers, the Blarney Stone," Jane quipped looking over at Erik with a teasing smile.


    "Kissing the Blarney Stone is for eloquence, not luck," Selvig responded.


    "Jane!" Darcy cried out from her seat in the back as she stared wide eyed, pointing at the windshield.


    Startled, Jane turned her attention back to the road, her brain registering, to her horror, a dark haired figure, a pack on his back, turning to face the oncoming vehicle. Selvig looked up from the device in his hand at Darcy''s warning, spying him at the same moment as Jane. As she slammed on the brakes, the vehicle''s tires squealed against the pavement in protest of the sudden command to cease spinning. As if in defiance of that command, the vehicle continued to slide forward. Not wishing to witness the demise of the man in the road, Jane squeezed her eyes tightly closed.


    The vehicle came to a sudden, jarring stop, the immediate nature of its forward momentum ceasing sending all three occupants lurching forward in their seats, the contents of Darcy''s sandwich spilling into her lap as the rear of the vehicle rose off the ground before gravity pulled it to the pavement once again.


    Jane slowly opened her eyes to see what the other two of the vehicle''s occupants already were viewing with amazement. The man stood at the front end looking back at them, seemingly unscathed, both arms stretched out in front of him, the palms of his hands resting against it as if he himself had brought it to a halt, though Jane was sure it was simply an optical illusion due to timing.


    "Talk about luck," Jane said under her breath as Selvig opened the passenger door, exiting the vehicle.


    Jane exited next, Darcy following, the sandwich contents in her lap falling onto the pavement as she tossed the bread onto them as well.


    "This is why I hate eating in the car!"


    Selvig made his way to the front end of the vehicle as Loki removed his hands from it. Jane stood at the other side of the vehicle''s front end, across from Selvig, Loki between them. Darcy had joined Selvig, looking around him at Loki cautiously.


    "What the hell are you doing? You damn near got yourself killed! This is a road, not a hiking trail!" Selvig scolded.


    "So it is. My apologies," Loki responded.


    "Are you alright?" Jane asked.


    "I believe so," Loki answered.


    "Car trouble? We can call someone-" Selvig began.


    "I''ve lost it," Loki answered.


    "You mean your car? How do you lose a vehicle?" asked Selvig, puzzled.


    Loki''s mind that had momentarily been rattled by the swift approach of the vehicle began to recover, his thinking quickening once again.


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    "It was stolen," Loki answered.


    "You were carjacked? Out here?"


    "They took my phone and money as well," Loki responded as Jane looked at him sympathetically.


    "We''ll give you a lift into town. You can file a police report," Selvig offered, his animosity having faded.


    "My side," Jane said before she turned, Loki following her.


    Selvig and Darcy made their way back to the passenger side doors. Once everyone was inside and seated, Jane turned the vehicle around in the road, heading back in the direction of town as Darcy peered over at Loki.


    "Seatbelt," Darcy told him, Loki locating and fastening it.


    "I''m Jane Foster. This is Erik Selvig¡­..Darcy,"


    "Nice to meet you," Darcy said, "You owe me a sandwich."


    "I''ll get you another," Selvig said.


    "Selvig...your ancestors were warrors?" Loki asked, familiar with the meaning of the last syllable in the ancient language of Asgard and the lands of Midgard that once looked to Asgard and Odin for protection.


    "Genealogy isn''t my specialty. I''m Scandinavian. I don''t know much more than that. Whatever they were, I''m a scientist."


    "Takka t¨¦r fyrir g¨®evild t¨ªna. (Thank you for your kindness)," Loki said as Selvig turned his head to look at him in surprise to hear a language, or at least a variation of it, spoken in his homeland.


    "Verei t¨¦r ae g¨®eu (You''re welcome)," Selvig responded.


    "Skilja d?murnar tetta tungum¨¢l? (Do the ladies understand this language?)" Loki asked, Darcy looking from Loki to Selvig in confusion.


    "Nei, vie ?ttum ae tala ensku. Vie viljum ekki vera d¨®naleg (No. We should speak english. We don''t want to be rude)," Selvig answered.


    "Yes, of course."


    "You haven''t told us your name," Selvig noted.


    "Lucas," Loki replied, using a name he had heard on one of his previous sojourns to Midgard.


    "What brings you to New Mexico?"


    "My brother was recently murdered. I''m hoping to find those responsible."


    "I''m so sorry. That''s terrible!" Jane said from the driver''s seat.


    His brother murdered and then carjacked and robbed...most definitely not someone with the ''luck of the Irish'' Jane thought, recalling her and Erik''s conversation.


    "You believe they''re here?" Selvig asked.


    "Are you acquainted with a man named Coulson? Phil Coulson? Are you familiar with the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement, and Logistics Division?" asked Loki.


    "I don''t know anyone by the name of Coulson. You''re talking about S.H.I.E.L.D?" Selvig asked, the color draining from his face, his countenance one of unease, "I''m familiar...somewhat. I wish I wasn''t. I know a few others who feel the same. One of them disappeared. He hasn''t been heard from since he had dealings with them. He was a scientist, an expert in gamma radiation. The man was a genius, had seven PhDs."


    "You believe they murdered him?" Loki asked.


    "I don''t know what to believe. They were a scientific arm of the military in World War II. I''m not sure exactly what it is they do now. I''ve known a few scientists they''ve attempted to recruit who turned them down. I''d keep my distance if I were you. Hire a private investigator and let them go poking their nose around."


    "I''ll take your suggestion under advisement," Loki replied, spending the rest of the journey in silence, watching the landscape go by out of the window, Selvig glancing back at him from time to time.


    "Here we are," Selvig said as they reached their base.


    Jane parked the vehicle, Selvig opening the door and exiting, the others doing the same. Loki stepped out, examining his surroundings.


    "Hey, you said you were going to get me another sandwich," Darcy said to Selvig.


    "The police station isn''t far from the sandwich shop," Selvig said, pulling out his wallet and handing money to Darcy, "Lucas, go with Darcy. She''ll show you where it is. If you''re hungry she''ll get something for you."


    Darcy gestured for Loki to accompany her, Loki following.


    "What do you think?" Selvig asked Jane.


    "He''s a bit strange."


    "I think there''s more to his story. I''ll take him out for a couple of drinks, loosen him up, see if he''ll tell me more. I''m going to call Hank, see what he thinks. He knows more than I do. He''ll need a place to stay. The weather''s supposed to be nice. He can sleep on the roof¡­.if you''re ok with that."


    "I''m not going to kick him out on the street, not after what he''s been through," Jane replied.


    "I''d like to keep him from getting in over his head. If S.H.I.E.L.D is involved that''d be easy to do."


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Sif traversed the corridor of the palace as she returned to her chambers after her daily training session, her hair damp with perspiration. She had not been at her best, distracted not only by her grief but also worry over Loki''s mission to Midgard. Now that her suspicions had been allayed, her feelings toward him had shifted to the opposite end of the spectrum. He was Thor''s brother, a living link to him, and the heir to the throne. He should be protected at all costs.


    Sif thought highly of Odin and respected his wisdom but she couldn''t help but be concerned that Thor''s death, along with the uncertainty and unanswered questions regarding it and that of Laufey, could have a detrimental effect on his judgement and reasoning.


    Sif entered her chambers as the woman whom she recognized but whose identity was unknown to her rose from the chaise dressed in the gown of a chambermaid.


    "Lady Sif, I must speak with you."


    "Who are you?" Sif asked.


    "Verda, a friend of Loki¡­more than a friend."


    "Leave it to Loki to charm the chambermaid into granting him favors. What is it you want?" Sif asked, fatigued from her exertions and weighed down with sorrow at the loss of Thor, having little desire to converse with Loki''s strumpet.


    "I need your help. Loki is in danger."

 Chapter 8

    Loki and Darcy had returned and seated themselves at the small table inside Selvig and Jane''s base of operations with their sandwiches. After perusing what lay between the bread and seemingly satisfied that it was edible, Loki took a bite just as Selvig''s phone rang, Loki turning his head in the direction of the sound coming from the other side of the room where Selvig sat in front of a computer monitor. The scientist picked up the phone from the desk where he had placed it beside the computer''s keyboard, answering the call.


    "Hank! Hello...I know. It''s been too long. I didn''t expect you to return my call so soon. I thought you''d be busy...No, no, everything''s fine¡­" Selvig said as he glanced at Loki before exiting the building to continue the conversation.


    Selvig knew that his old friend and colleague, Hank Pym, the founder and CEO of Pym Technologies, a man whose genius...and wealth...made him one of the few to rival Tony Stark in those departments, had once been a consultant for S.H.I.E.L.D, though he wasn''t sure of the exact nature of the work he''d done for them. He knew only that Pym had warned him about them in the past and seemed to hold quite a grudge. As succinctly as he could Selvig explained the situation.


    "You told him the same thing I''d tell him," Pym told Selvig as he stood in his office, his phone to his ear, gazing out of the window, "Go back for a second...you said he stopped a two ton vehicle...?"


    "He didn''t actually stop it, just a fluke of timing."


    "You''re sure about that?" Pym asked, "You''ve heard of Steve Rogers...Captain America during the second world war?"


    "Of course I''ve heard of Steve Rogers."


    "S.H.I.E.L.D and others have been trying for decades to replicate the process used on Rogers. Maybe they finally succeeded."


    "You think he''s one of their experiments? That they sent him here to spy on us? We''re studying atmospheric anomalies, nothing S.H.I.E.L.D. would be interested in."


    "There''s not a whole lot S.H.I.E.L.D isn''t interested in," Pym replied, "They could very well be the cause of them. Some new weapons technology they''re testing. If that''s the case¡­."


    "They wouldn''t want a couple scientists poking their noses around," Selvig finished, "The reason we were out there...we picked up some strange readings, an energy signature. Never seen anything like it, not outside the theoretical. Whatever it was it was over and done before we made it there. I haven''t had a chance to really dig into the data yet."


    "It may have been a set up so you would meet up with him. Whatever data you have make sure you back it up then back up the back ups off site. If they come after it it''ll be like the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, they''ll take everything. You''ll be lucky if they leave you any toilet paper to wipe your ass," Pym warned.


    "I''m planning on taking him out for a drink later hoping he''ll open up, give me more information," Selvig informed Pym.


    "Check in with me, let me know what''s going on. We still don''t know what happened to Banner. I don''t want you ending up as the next hide and seek champion."


    "I mentioned Banner when I was trying to discourage him, not by name but it wouldn''t be hard to figure out who I was referring to. I''ll give you a call in the morning," Selvig said, sounding uneasy.


    "You do that. Give my number to Jane as well. Don''t get yourself too twisted up in knots. He may be who he says he is. There''s good people in S.H.I.E.L.D. but I''ve suspected for awhile that they''ve been compromised. Keep your eyes open. Take care of yourself, Erik."


    "I will."


    Selvig ended the call, slipping his phone into his pocket as Jane exited the building, approaching him.


    "Was that Hank Pym?" Jane asked.


    "Yeah...let''s take a walk," Selvig said, walking away from the building, Jane following with a curious expression, noticing how troubled Selvig appeared to be.


    Selvig related his conversation with Pym to Jane who grew increasingly discomforted by what she was hearing, her unease now matching Selvig''s own. They had not traversed far from their base, Jane glancing back at it.


    "He thinks he could be some kind of super soldier?" Jane asked.


    "You saw what he did. I thought the same as you, a fluke of timing and physics. I could show you the formula to explain how it''s possible, of course I''d have to estimate a couple of the variables, but now I''m not so sure."


    "Are you still planning to take him out for a drink later? Maybe I should go with you."


    "I''ll be fine," Selvig said looking at Jane and her petite frame, "If he wanted to do me harm there''s not much you could do to stop him even if he hasn''t been juiced up with some kind of super soldier serum," Selvig finished as he noticed Loki exiting the building, "We should get back."


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Loki walked the streets of the town of Puente Antiguo. He had informed Selvig and Jane as they returned that he was going on an "excursion." Selvig had jokingly directed him to stick to the sidewalk before inviting Loki to join him at the local tavern upon his return, telling him that after what he had experienced recently he deserved a drink. Though the carjacking story was a fiction, Loki had to agree with that assessment.


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    Loki reflected on all that had brought him there, to a small, nondescript, dusty town surrounded by desert on Midgard. It was certainly not a situation he would have predicted only a few days previously. As he came upon a clothing store, a mannequin in the window caught his attention, the human representation''s fair skin tone and the copper colored wig atop its head recalling Verda to his mind. He wished nothing more at the moment than to be back in his own bed, her arms wrapped around him, his about her, enjoying the feeling of her soft, warm skin against his own and the smell of her perfume, the scent of her hair.


    She wasn''t the most beautiful woman he had ever known or taken to his bed, though no one could say she was homely. At worst one might consider her unremarkable, not one who would stand out in a crowd. It was her sister locked away in Asgard''s dungeon who had hit that jackpot in life''s lottery. It wasn''t her physical features that most attracted Loki, though he couldn''t put his finger on exactly what it was, pondering the question as he continued to stand before the display window.


    Was it the kinship he had initially felt due to their struggles related to their respective siblings? Was it her innate talent in magic...though generally something of that sort would arouse a sense of rivalry in Loki. Could it be her sense of humor, something that in Loki''s view far too many in Asgard lacked? Rarely had she taken a prank or a joke badly, though Loki conceded he had never, unlike with others, devised any meant to irritate or offend her, but then that begged the additional question, why was that? Was it that she displayed genuine interest in what pleased and interested him? Was it that she had never asked him for any ''special favors'' that his status could grant to her? She had not asked to be given a position in the palace, it had been his idea. She had not asked him to take on the mantle of a teacher, he had taken it upon himself to do so. If she had asked, he likely would have said no to both requests. Loki had a natural abhorrence to doing what others asked or demanded of him which was a contributing factor to the friction between himself and his father. It had to be his idea (or at least he had to believe it had been.) Loki decided it was all those things along with what she had said to him with such sincerity and conviction¡­that she would give her life for his own or die at his side, a sentiment no other had ever expressed.


    Realization struck him as he recalled Verda sitting on the chaise, the clear crystal stones held in the palm of her hand. They had completely slipped his mind due to his exhaustion at the time, both mental and physical, and what had taken place after. He held out his hand as he stood in front of the shop window, summoning the stones to appear within it once again. Loki had been honest with Verda when he told her that he was not fully aware of the extent of their capabilities. In order to explore one of those capabilities that he did have knowledge of, however, he would have need of something he was unlikely to find in the middle of a desert. Stowing them away again, he glanced once more at the mannequin before continuing on his way.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Selvig entered the tavern, Loki trailing behind him. Evening had fallen and with it the temperature, at least enough to be more comfortable, and Loki had ''changed'' into his original black ensemble, Selvig assuming he had kept extra clothing in the pack he had been wearing on his back. The typical sounds of the interior of a bar greeted them. Music played, an upbeat 70s era rock and roll tune, as people conversed more loudly than usual in order to be heard, billiard balls making their distinctive clicking sound as they collided. The song ended, followed by another from the same decade.


    "Rita must be tending the bar tonight," Selvig said to Loki.


    In the time Selvig had been there, he had visited the establishment enough times to know the blond female bartender, Rita, approaching middle age though doing her best to hide that fact, was an avid fan of the music of that particular era. As Selvig took a seat at the bar, Loki sat beside him.


    Rita, her hair done in a style that was popular more than a decade previously and wearing layers of heavy makeup approached the two men on the other side of the bar with a friendly smile, Loki examining her curiously.


    "Hi fellas! What''s your poison?" she asked.


    "The usual," Selvig said to Rita.


    "And what about you, tall, dark and handsome?" she asked Loki flirtatiously.


    "The same," Loki answered.


    Loki watched as Rita filled two large glass mugs from the tap and two shot glasses from a bottle, setting one of each in front of them.


    "Thanks, Rita," said Selvig.


    "Thank you," said Loki as Rita moved farther down the bar as another man approached and sat down.


    Selvig dumped the contents of the shot glass into the mug, Loki following suit. Loki raised the mug to his lips, to Selvig''s amazement downing half of it in one drink.


    "Your brother, tell me about him...unless you''d rather not talk about it," Selvig said as Loki lowered his mug.


    "He was a good man...a far better one than myself. I didn''t appreciate him as I should have," Loki said, looking down into his glass.


    "That''s usually how it goes...what happened?"


    "We were hunting in the forest when we were taken by surprise. He was run through with a sword," Loki explained.


    "A sword? That''s a rather unique murder weapon these days. You believe this Coulson, S.H.I.E.L.D was involved?"


    "There were four assailants. I was subdued by one, unable to come to his aid. Thor felled two but the others escaped. One of the fallen had this on his person," Loki said, removing a card from his pocket and handing it off to Selvig, Selvig examining it before returning it to Loki.


    "Your brother''s name was Thor? Like the God of Thunder? I was told the stories as a child. Odin...Thor...Loki..." Selvig said, beginning to chuckle, taking another drink from his mug before continuing, "When I would get into trouble as a boy I''d tell my mother Loki made me do it...the god of mischief. My mother would probably say I gave him a run for his money."


    "I rather doubt that," Loki responded, finishing the last of his drink.


    "Why didn''t they kill you? You''re a witness," Selvig asked, suspicious of Loki''s story.


    "I hope to learn the answer to that question. They were wearing masks. I couldn''t see their faces," Loki replied looking across the bar at two men at the pool table finishing their match, replacing the cues.


    "How about we play a round?" Selvig asked.


    "All right," Loki agreed.


    Loki was beginning to relax somewhat. A new song began to play, this one a disco tune with a catchy beat from Rita''s preferred era, Loki listening to the lyrics, finding that they spoke to him...something about an inferno, burning things down. Selvig finished his drink before summoning Rita once again, ordering two more boilermakers, both men leaving the bar, drinks in hand, making their way to the pool table. Selvig racked the balls before grabbing a cue and handing it to Loki, taking another for himself.


    "You break. I''m stripes, you''re solids," he told Loki.


    Selvig stood back, picking up his drink from the small table nearby as Loki positioned himself, sending the cue ball into the others. Selvig watched as the balls separated, spreading out. Selvig came close to spitting out the drink he had just taken from his mug, almost choking to avoid doing so as he watched all the solid balls find their way into the various pockets, leaving only the striped still on the table.


    "How the hell did you do that?"

 Chapter 9

    "Even Steve Rogers couldn''t have done that!" Selvig said, no longer attempting to hide his suspicion, "Who are you?"


    Loki had come to the conclusion that it would be difficult to accomplish his mission without the aid of a mortal ally. Besides, it seemed as if fate had brought them together, that their meeting had been somehow preordained. What were the chances that the first mortal he would come across would hail from the lands where his father had once held sway?


    Selvig, still holding a pool cue in his right hand, his drink in his left, felt the texture of the smooth wood change, his grip expanding around it, now finding himself holding a snake which bent the upper portion of its body to stare into his face, flicking its forked tongue.


    "Shit!" Selvig cursed in horror, jumping back, as he swiftly released the serpent, almost dropping his drink as well, the snake reverting back to a pool cue before striking the floor.


    "Whatever mischief you wrought as a child was of your own volition. I''m certain I was much too busy fomenting my own," Loki told Selvig.


    Loki stepped forward in Selvig''s direction to retrieve his drink from the table behind the scientist, Selvig shuffling aside and backing away at Loki''s approach, appearing gobsmacked and frightened, almost tripping over the pool cue that remained lying on the floor. Loki raised his mug, emptying it though it had been almost full.


    "I''ll tell you everything you wish to know," Loki said before peering down at his empty mug, "if you would be so kind as to provide me with another drink."


    "Yes...of course¡­" Selvig replied, scanning the tavern and spying an empty booth in the corner, no one seated nearby.


    Selvig picked up the discarded pool cue and placed it in the rack, Loki handing the one in his hand off to him, Selvig replacing it as well, taking Loki''s empty mug from him, his own drink still in his other hand.


    "Follow me¡­" Selvig led Loki to the booth, setting his drink on the table, Loki seating himself before Selvig returned to the bar with Loki''s empty mug.


    Loki awaited Selvig''s return, pondering whether he was making the right decision. There seemed to be no other option. Loki decided there was no cause for worry. If Selvig told others what he was about to tell him, knowing how closed minded Midgardians were known to be they would never believe him, thinking his words to be the ravings of a lunatic. He''d likely end up locked away in an institution.


    Loki listened to the lyrics of the song that had just begun playing a few moments before. The tune sounded somewhat merry, the singer crooning about joy and fun and ''seasons in the sun'' yet the words also spoke of the singer''s approaching death, the contrast catching Loki''s attention and putting him into a reflective mood. Living under Thor''s great shadow and all that came with it, it had been easy for him to forget that they had also shared good times together, had had their share of fun and laughs and moments of camaraderie.


    Selvig returned with a small tray holding two more mugs of beer and two shot glasses of whiskey, placing it on the table before seating himself, Loki removing one of the mugs and shot glasses, setting them on the table in front of him. Selvig pushed the tray with the other mug and shot glass aside, grabbing hold of the handle of the almost full mug he had brought with him to the table.


    "I have a feeling I''m going to need it," Selvig said regarding the second drink before noticing that the expression on Loki''s face had changed since he had left him to procure more drinks, Loki appearing sullen, "Are you all right?"


    "The song...it reminds me of times past," Loki replied before pouring the shot of whiskey into the beer and taking a drink, emptying a third of the mug.


    "Music can do that. You''re speaking of your brother?"


    "All that I''ve told you about his death is true."


    "I''m to believe you''re Loki...the Loki¡­the God of Mischief?"


    "You''re not convinced? You have need of another demonstration?"


    "No! No..."


    "Most, I dare say almost all of the stories you were told growing up are fiction. However, we do exist...Asgard...my father, Odin...Frigga, my mother...myself of course, my brother Thor...he did until two days ago. His soul is now in Valhalla."


    "How could a god be killed by something as simple as a sword?"


    "Asgardians are born, live, and die as do the people of Midgard...Earth, though our lifespans are far longer...five thousand years on average, give or take a few centuries, if we are not felled by means other than age. I myself am now nearly fifteen hundred years old. We are of course far stronger and resilient than mortals. There are few diseases to which we are susceptible and we have superior knowledge when it comes to healing the body. The sword that was used to kill Thor is believed to have been cursed. If it had not been, he would likely have survived such a wound."


    "Why would S.H.I.E.L.D want your brother dead?"


    "That''s what I hope to learn," Loki paused for a moment, "I''ve replayed those moments in my mind many times over these last two days...perhaps if you were to witness it yourself. As one of the more intelligent of your species, you may notice something I''ve missed."


    "You have a video of it?" Selvig asked in surprise.


    "Not exactly," Loki said.


    Loki reached out, placing his palm on Selvig''s forehead. Within Selvig''s mind it was as if he stood in Loki''s place in the forests of Asgard, vividly living all that Loki had seen and experienced that morning.


    Loki removed his hand from Selvig''s forehead and took hold of his mug, taking another long drink before setting it on the table, bowing his head, his shoulders slumped.


    Selvig had no doubt whatsoever now that Loki was speaking the truth. He reached for his mug as well, finishing off what was left in it. Immediately afterwards he slid the empty mug aside, his hands shaking, grabbing the full one from the tray, dumping the shot into it and chugging from it, almost emptying it before setting it down.


    "I just had a god in my brain," Selvig said in explanation as he noticed Loki peering at him from across the table with an expression that was a mix of both surprise and admiration.


    The two men continued conversing, though there was not much more to be said regarding Loki''s mission itself, except for one inquiry he made of Selvig that might assist him in that mission that Selvig assured him he would look into. Loki regaled Selvig with a few tales of his and his brother''s adventures, Selvig having coaxed Loki into recalling happier times with his brother, noticing that Loki seemed to have slipped into a depressive state since sharing his memory of Thor''s murder with him, knowing that was often beneficial to those in mourning.


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    Loki had eventually turned the conversation around to Selvig who by this time, having visited Rita once again for more drinks for himself and Loki, was more than happy to share his life story with the man he had once thought to be a myth. Loki did not at all come across to him as the dark, dishonest, and evil troublemaker destined to initiate the destruction of the world and as near a figure to Lucifer as there was in Norse mythology that those tales had painted him to be. Selvig was now clearly drunk while Loki, who had imbibed just as many, was only experiencing mild effects.


    "You got a girl back there? You were married in the old stories," Selvig slurred.


    "I''m unequivocally unespoused...nor have I fathered a host of monsters...as of yet," Loki stated with an impish grin.


    "I think Darcy has eyes for you...never mind. I wouldn''t wish that on the devil himself. Hopefully I don''t end up taking him out for drinks next," joked Selvig, chuckling drunkenly.


    "I have no interest in your women."


    "They aren''t ''my'' women. Jane is the daughter of an old colleague of mine and a former student. Darcy''s...well¡­.Darcy''s Darcy."


    "I have no interest in any women," Loki said.


    "Oh, you mean you''re-" Selvig began, clearly misunderstanding Loki''s statement.


    "Would that trouble you?" Loki interrupted, aware that many Midgardians had not advanced past immature and irrational bigotry.


    "No...of course not. I have several friends and acquaintances..."


    "I''ve had my adventures, you might say. Variety is the spice of life," Loki said with a sly grin before his expression became serious once more, "I meant that I have no interest in the women of Midgard. There would be many impediments not the least of which would be our vastly different lifespans."


    "I can see how that would put a wrench in things," Selvig replied.


    "There is someone. I''m not sure where it will lead as of yet. There are...obstacles. She''s a chambermaid in the palace. I secured the position for her."


    "She''s considered unsuitable...beneath you?" Selvig asked.


    "Station and status mean little. It''s her family...rather one particular member''s history. I''m certain however that in time...if things were to progress..."


    "Do you love her?" Selvig asked, Loki silent for a moment, contemplating.


    "I''m not sure I know what that means...love of that sort. I''m still figuring that out. And you? Is there a Mrs. Selvig?"


    "I''m afraid not. I never met the right person. With my studies and my work I''ve never had much time for anything else."


    "Do you regret it?" Loki asked, Selvig''s drunken smile and his convivial demeanor fading.


    "We all must live with the choices we''ve made," Selvig answered, emptying the mug in front of him, "Do you believe she loves you...your chambermaid?" Selvig asked.


    "As a Prince of Asgard it''s difficult to be certain if one is sincere in their affection. She''s never asked anything of me...more than that, something she said, that she would give her life for my own. They''re but words, anyone could say the same...It was the way she said them."


    "It sounds like you have what we ''mortals'' call ''a keeper,''" Selvig said, the drunken smile returning to his face.


    "I suppose time will tell," Loki replied, "Speaking of time, the hour grows late."


    "You''re right. We should get back. I''ll pay the tab," Selvig said, sliding out of the booth and standing unsteadily.


    Selvig clumsily removed his wallet from his back pocket as he swayed from side to side, struggling to remain on his feet, having difficulty removing a card from it.


    "May I be of assistance?" Loki asked as he stood from the booth, taking the wallet from Selvig who pointed to a credit card, Loki removing it and returning the wallet.


    "Give that to Rita and she''ll ring it up," Selvig told him before sinking heavily down on the end of the booth seat.


    Loki approached the bar. Rita meeting him there, Loki handing her the card.


    "You two calling it a night? I don''t think I''ve ever seen Erik tie one on like that before. Are you celebrating some great discovery?"


    "In a manner of speaking," Loki answered as Rita rang up the tab, charging it to the card.


    "You''re certainly a fella who can hold his liquor. I''m impressed," Rita told him, "I didn''t catch your name¡­"


    "Lucas...Lucas King," Loki answered.


    "I hope to see you again, Mr. King. Enjoy the rest of your night," Rita said with a smile, handing Loki back Selvig''s card which he slipped into his pocket before returning to the booth to retrieve Selvig.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    After returning to their base and settling the drunken Selvig into bed, Jane had found a set of lounge pants and a T-shirt of Selvig''s for Loki to sleep in. Stepping out of the RV after changing, he had heard the sound of music, tracing it to an old radio on the desk that held Jane''s computer. Asking to borrow it he had taken it with him, settling on a station playing music similar to what he had heard in the tavern as he lay on one of the lounge chairs on the roof under a blanket, staring up at the stars as he listened.


    "Bowie fan, huh?" Loki heard Jane''s voice say, so engrossed in the music he hadn''t noticed she had joined him, "Of course you are. I''m about to turn in. Do you need anything? Another blanket? It can get chilly up here at night."


    "I''m fine. Thank you."


    "I''ve never seen Erik that drunk before. Did he lose a bet or something? You don''t seem any worse for wear...You''re stronger than you look," Jane commented, recalling Loki''s entrance carrying the drunken Selvig over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, "If you find who killed your brother, what do you plan to do?"


    "They''ll answer for their crime," Loki replied.


    "I wouldn''t get my hopes up. Agencies like S.H.I.E.L.D. protect their own...but you already know that, don''t you? Are you one of them?" Jane asked.


    "I had no knowledge of S.H.I.E.L.D. until two days ago. All that I''ve told you about my brother is true," Loki replied, pausing for a moment before he continued, "If anyone had told me I would mourn him as I do...there were times I considered killing him myself."


    "He wasn''t a good man?" Jane asked, curious, as she sat on the other lounge chair, "Is that why he was killed? Was he involved in something? Drugs? Organized crime?"


    "No, nothing of the sort. He was loved so dearly by everyone that I''m afraid there was little left for me. That was most certainly the case with my father. It was only after his death that I learned why. I was adopted. It had been kept a secret from me all these centur-years," Loki said, correcting himself.


    "They waited until you were an adult and right after your brother''s death to tell you?" Jane asked.


    "My mother said they didn''t want me to feel different, though I did...every day...it should have been me. I had been abandoned to die as an infant. I was marked for death long ago."


    "I don''t believe in fate. We like for things to make sense, to feel like there''s some sort of order to the universe, but the universe is a chaotic place. Erik would tell you the same."


    "That''s true. My father has spent his life attempting to bring order to it. Soon it will fall to me to do the same."


    "What do you mean?" Jane asked, puzzled.


    "A story for another day," Loki replied.


    "Yes...of course. You''ve had a long day. You must be exhausted," Jane said with a smile before rising.


    "Thank you...for your kindness. I believe my brother would have liked you very much."


    "I''m sorry I didn''t get to meet him. Goodnight."


    Jane left the roof as Loki stared up at the stars, his eyelids growing heavy as another song began to play over the radio like a lullaby, the singer crooning about his amazement at how much his lover loved him and how he loved her, the words seeming to fit nicely with what...or rather who...now came to Loki''s mind as sleep began to overtake him.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    It was one of those rare days when Phil Coulson found himself actually walking into his office in the morning. Setting his coffee he held in one hand and the folder he held in the other down on his desk, he settled into his chair behind it, sliding the folder in front of him and opening it.


    "Good morning. Fancy seeing you here," a voice familiar to Coulson said as he looked up from the contents of the folder to see Nick Fury standing by the door.


    "I know, I shouldn''t get used to it," Coulson said.


    "How was Portland?" Fury asked.


    "Lovely this time of year. It only rained for thirty five of the forty eight hours I was there," Coulson quipped.


    "I''m thinking you didn''t give a damn about the rain."


    "Not really, no."


    "So what''s on the agenda for today?" Fury asked.


    "Seeing as you''re here I thought that you had something for me," Coulson said to Fury.


    "I might."


    Coulson skimmed the first page of the document in the folder, next examining what looked like satellite photographs on the page behind it.


    "An energy surge in New Mexico picked up by satellites¡­.probably nothing...some atmospheric anomaly."


    "No word from our new friends?" Fury asked.


    "Not yet...probably got cold feet. I''ll give them more time. Sometimes it takes awhile to get past the jitters," Coulson answered, "If I hear anything you''ll be the first to know."


    "I should always be the first to know," Fury commented, "Word on the street is we might have another new friend, I don''t mean a new head on the old one...in competition with them."


    "What ''street'' did you hear this on? No one tells me anything."


    "I''ll send you what I have so far. If it''s true, you''re going to be seeing this office even less often," Fury said stepping out and closing the door behind him.


    Coulson thumbed through the papers in the folder before going back to the satellite pictures, examining them more closely, an expression of puzzlement coming over his face. Opening his desk drawer, he removed a magnifying glass.

 Chapter 10

    Loki had awakened, throwing off the blanket covering him, the morning sunlight rapidly raising the temperature on the rooftop so that it was quickly becoming uncomfortable. Returning the blanket, pillow, and radio to Jane who was already up and working at her computer, thanking her again for the use of them, he stepped into the former office to change so as not to disturb Selvig who he was sure would not be rising for some time, Loki certain he would regret doing so when he did. Reluctantly, he returned his clothing to the white and khaki shades. Loki informed Jane, who had turned her attention from the computer to a device in her hands, that he was going off on another ''excursion'' and would return.


    Loki arrived at his destination, Darcy having pointed it out to him the day before, just as a man appearing to be in his mid 30''s Loki assumed to be the proprietor of the business was unlocking the door and invited Loki inside. The transaction had not taken long and after he had been instructed on how to use it and producing Selvig''s credit card he had pocketed the night before, Loki exited with a phone in his possession.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Phil Coulson continued to study the photographs, holding the magnifying glass over one and then another, disbelieving what he appeared to be seeing when the cellphone he had placed on his desk nearby began to ring.


    "Coulson," the S.H.I.E.L.D agent answered.


    "Phil Coulson? Of the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division?" a voice Coulson didn''t recognize inquired through the phone.


    "Yes. Speaking," Coulson answered curiously as he sat up straight in his chair.


    "I have your card," the voice informed him.


    "In the bottom right hand corner¡­the number?" Coulson asked the caller.


    "Three hundred twenty five."


    "What''s your location?"


    "New Mexico, a town called Puente Antiguo," the caller informed him, Coulson turning to the computer on his desk, entering the information.


    "I can be there at six. Is there a place you''d like to meet?" Coulson asked.


    "The Bridge Bar."


    "Six o''clock. The Bridge Bar," Coulson repeated before the call disconnected.


    Coulson sat the phone down, running the short conversation through his mind again. The voice didn''t sound like the man to whom he knew he had given his card numbered 325 whose call he had been awaiting. Coulson thought he''d picked up on a slight hint of a foreign accent. If he was in a small town in New Mexico it could have been due to a bad connection but it made Coulson uneasy, especially considering the circumstances under which he had met with the man before and had given him his card.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Loki looked down at the phone in his hand as he put Coulson''s card back into his pocket. That had been too easy. The elaborate story Loki had concocted had not been necessary. No matter, he would soon have the answers he sought. He found himself once again passing by the clothing store, glancing through the window at the mannequin. He would sleep in his own bed that night and he did not plan on doing so alone.


    At the business next to the clothing store, a woman appearing to be in her 40''s wearing a gray skirt suit had just unlocked the door and turned the sign to display the word ''open.'' Loki''s eyes perused the baubles in the window, gold and gemstones glittering. Unable to resist, he stepped inside.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Loki had returned to Selvig and Jane''s base to find Selvig awake, or at least a simulation of it, obviously nursing a hangover, his hand wrapped around a glass of fizzing water as he sat at the table where Loki and Darcy had eaten the day before.


    "That''s the last time I drink with a god," Selvig told him wearily.


    "I''ve contacted Coulson. We''re to meet at the bar at six."


    "Six¡­.today?" Selvig asked.


    "Is that a problem?"


    "I have an idea, what you said you needed, but we can''t check in until 2:30. Will that be enough time?" Selvig said.


    "I believe so. I neglected to return this to you," Loki said, taking Selvig''s credit card from his pocket and handing it to him.


    "Oh, yes. Thank you," Selvig said, placing it back in his wallet as his phone rang, reaching for it where it sat on the table and answering the call, "Hank...I was just about to call you¡­"


    Loki turned away from Selvig, walking outside. Holding out his hand, the leather bag appeared in it once again. Loki emptied its contents into his palm. The sunlight from above enhanced the rainbow effect within the stones as he stood staring at them as if in a trance.


    "Are you certain you wish to see what they will show you?" Loki heard Thor''s voice speaking to him.


    Loki looked up from the stones to find himself standing in a forest, a familiar one, Thor standing before him.


    "I have to know," Loki replied.


    "I warn you brother...it will only bring you pain."


    "Hello? Anyone home?" Darcy said as Loki looked up from the stones, the vision having ended as her voice broke the trance, Darcy standing in front of him waving her hand in front of his eyes, "What are those? Are they like those fortune telling stones?" she asked.


    "You could say that," Loki said, putting the stones back into the bag and slipping them into his pocket.


    "You''re into that stuff, huh? Maybe you can tell mine later. I had a reading done about a year ago. Jane and Erik say it''s bullshit but she told me I was going to meet a British guy and here you are. We''re going to get breakfast. You coming?" Darcy asked, Loki realizing he hadn''t eaten since the sandwich the day before and was quite hungry, "You all right? You''re kinda spacey."


    "I''m fine," Loki replied, faking a wan smile, as Jane and Selvig exited the building.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    The young woman with the copper hued hair dressed in a long ankle length skirt, blouse, and sweater listened to the sound of the sea, chilled by the wind as she stood before the cairn of large, smooth stones that had been constructed on the seashore that served as a memorial and place of mourning for the displaced now making their home in New Asgard.


    There was much and many to mourn. There was Asgard itself, after that were those who had not survived Hela''s wrath and Ragnarok. Of those who had survived, nearly half had fallen as a result of Thanos'' unprovoked attack, a true case of kicking someone when they''re down if there ever was one. Then there were those who had recently been rendered dust, also at the instigation of the Mad Titan, as he was known.


    The woman held in one hand a bouquet of flowers she had collected, in the other a crown featuring long, bending horns that had been sculpted of clay, fired, and painted in gold by her own hand.


    Kneeling before the cairn, the woman leaned the crown against it, placing the flowers in front of it, before bowing her head.


    "Guardian of Souls, as Loki has taken his place in the halls of Valhalla, know that he was loved. Watch over him as he was a soaring spirit and a brave warrior--"


    "Worthy of honor and glory," both the woman and the man whose voice she heard from a few feet behind her finished, Verda turning as she rose to face Thor.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    "My king¡­" Verda said in surprise, "I didn''t know you had returned to us."


    "I arrived only a short time ago. Thanos is dead," Thor informed her, "You pay tribute to my brother? You knew him?"


    "No...but I owe my life to him twice over," Verda replied.


    "How so?" Thor asked, curious.


    "When I was a young girl, I had run away from home after my sister threatened to do me harm. I hid in the forest but became lost. I heard a boy crying. I thought he was lost like me. As I searched for him the ground opened beneath me. Loki found me and helped me out of the pit and led me out of the forest. He never told me his name...he likely thought I knew who he was but I had been so frightened It was only later I realized. I''m sure he had forgotten about it by the next day. I never did but I was too afraid to speak to him. I didn''t feel I was worthy. Later, after what my sister wrought, I was certain your father had forbidden both of you from having anything to do with me," Verda explained, telling her story.


    "My father never forbid us to associate with anyone. I suspect it was one of Loki''s traps he set for me that you stumbled into. I recall him speaking of your rescue. He returned home quite pleased with himself. He remained so for at least a week. Who is your sister?" Thor asked, puzzled.


    "Lorelei, the criminal. She was sentenced by your father to life in the dungeon."


    "I was unaware Lorelei had a sister. I knew only that she had slain her--your parents before embarking on her ill-fated scheme. I''m sorry..." Thor said as Verda mournfully bowed her head at the reminder of her parents'' fate, "Knowing Loki as I did I''m certain if he had believed it would have vexed our father he would have been more than happy to consort with you," Thor continued as he looked past Verda to the cairn, approaching it and picking up the crown Verda had left there.


    "You came here to be alone--" Verda began.


    "You crafted this? It''s beautifully done," Thor complimented her as he examined her handiwork.


    "Thank you," Verda meekly replied, clearly unaccustomed to praise, especially from someone of Thor''s status.


    "Thank you...for honoring him."


    "I do so each day at this time," replied Verda before walking away, leaving Thor staring mournfully at the crown in his hands.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Selvig, still appearing a bit ragged around the edges after the night before, slipped the key into the lock of the old motel room''s door. It was an older establishment from the days of the motor inns, two stories, all the rooms accessible from outside. There being few points of interest within or around Puente Antiguo to attract vacationers and tourists, there were only a couple such places in town.


    Opening the door, Selvig stepped aside. Loki, carrying his pack, entered and perused the room. It was slightly outdated, its last refurbishment having been a few years prior, though it was in good repair and clean. A queen sized bed was located against the wall to the right, a television sitting on top of a chest of drawers on the opposite wall along with an armchair in the corner and a desk and chair. Selvig followed Loki inside, closing the door.


    "This way," Selvig said, walking past Loki to the far side of the room, Loki following.


    Selvig opened another door and flipped the light switch, revealing a bathroom with a tub and shower combination as well as a sink and toilet.


    "Will this do?" Selvig asked, Loki walking into the bathroom and to the tub, looking down into it.


    "Yes, I think so."


    "Well then, I''ll leave you to it...whatever it is."


    "Thank you," Loki said as Selvig exited the room, closing the door behind him.


    Loki opened his pack, pulling out a small votive candle he had taken from among a few others Jane had on her desk. He sat it on the vanity before setting his pack on the closed lid of the toilet and seating himself on the edge of the tub, turning on the water and adjusting the temperature. Standing, he began to undress.


    Folding his clothing, he sat them on the toilet with his pack. He had no need of matches or a lighter for the candle, as a flame burst into life on the wick. The tub sufficiently filled, Loki turned off the faucet and held out his palm, producing the bag of stones. Removing the stones from it, putting the bag on top of his clothing, he held them in his hand as he used the other to turn off the light, leaving the room bathed in the glow of the candlelight.


    Loki entered the tub, sliding his body under the warm water, his muscles relaxing. He looked to the stones in his hand once more before lowering then under the water as he closed his eyes, slipping farther down into the tub until his head was under the water as well.


    Behind his closed eyelids, Loki saw only darkness then suddenly a flash of light. He found himself standing in an almost blindingly white room, though he could discern no corners or walls. A woman stood before him in a long, powder blue gown, her wavy white hair flowing far past her waist, her brows and eyelashes white as well, the irises of her eyes a piercing deep blue.


    "You have come believing your path to have been altered. You wish to see what was to be but will be no longer?" she asked.


    "Yes," Loki answered.


    "Are you certain you wish to know? Once you have seen you cannot unsee. Once you know, you cannot unknow."


    "There are questions I must have answered."


    "Take my hand," the woman said, reaching out.


    As Loki did so he was jolted by a barrage of images flashing through his consciousness, images of Thor, his father, Laufey, einherjar lying frozen to death within Odin''s vault, he looking up at Thor and Odin as he hung over the edge of a decimated Bifrost, the void of space below him¡­.


    Selvig sat with his upper half resting against the headboard of the bed holding the remote to the television in his hand having switched it on, flipping through the channels, stopping on a twenty four hour news station, purposely keeping the volume low as to not disturb Loki. He had little need to hear what the newscasters were speaking about as the images of chaos, death, and destruction spoke for themselves. Selvig thought of Loki''s appointment later that afternoon and couldn''t help but wonder if S.H.I.E.L.D had been involved in any way with what he was now viewing. What had Pym meant when he''d said that he''d suspected for some time that S.H.I.E.L.D. had been compromised?


    In the bathroom, Loki suddenly shot up from under the water with a loud roaring cry, clumsily pulling himself out of the tub. He slipped over the side to sprawl on the hard, cold tiled floor, his body shaking as if he were in a deep freeze, drawing himself up into a a fetal position, water collecting in a pool under and around him.


    Selvig, hearing Loki''s cry, jumped from the bed, rushing to the bathroom door. Throwing it open, he spied Loki on the floor in the candlelight before flipping the light switch.


    "Lok-" Selvig began to say before a hand appeared from behind him covering his mouth, another arm wrapping itself around his body, dragging him away from the doorway, back into the motel room.


    "Here!" Verda said, holding out a pair of Asgardian shackles.


    "Why do you have--no, I don''t want to know," Sif said, removing her hand from Selvig''s mouth and pulling his arms behind him, placing the shackles around Selvig''s wrists before grabbing the back of his shirt, hauling him over to the armchair in the corner of the room and pushing him down into it, "Are you Coulson?" Sif asked as Verda rushed to the bathroom.


    "No! I''m not Coulson," Selvig said.


    "Sif!" Verda called from the bathroom.


    Sif left Selvig, returning to the bathroom as Verda attempted to lift Loki''s torso off the floor, Loki babbling words and phrases that made no sense to either woman. With an expression of disgust at the sight of Loki''s nude form, Sif reluctantly took hold of his legs, Verda his upper half, the women removing him from the bathroom. Reaching the bed Verda pulled the blankets aside as she laid Loki''s upper half onto the mattress, water dripping from his hair soaking into the pillow, as Sif moved the rest of him into the bed.


    "Thank you," Sif said as Verda quickly covered him.


    "An ant has no quarrel with a boot¡­..freedom is life''s great lie¡­.you will know peace¡­" Loki babbled, his eyes closed.


    "What''s wrong with him?" Sif asked Verda before turning to Selvig,"What did you do to him?"


    "You must be truly desperate¡­was that her last expression? Trust? While you let her die?...Who put me there?!" Loki raved, angrily crying out the last.


    "Nothing! He said he needed water, a pool¡­."


    "Take him and go," Verda ordered Sif as she sat on the edge of the bed.


    "I''m trying to help him! He told me who he is," Selvig said to Sif.


    Sif grabbed Selvig''s arm, raising him from the chair and removed the shackles before leading him to the door and with a hand on his back moved him through it, closing it behind her.


    "Your savior is here!" Loki cried, his body continuing to shiver.


    "You saved me, you saved Asgard. Loki¡­it''s me...Verda. I''m here. Come back to me," Verda pleaded.


    "I, Loki, prince of Asgard¡­.Odinson¡­the rightful king of the Jotunheim...God of Mischief...do hereby pledge to you my undying...undying¡­"


    "Loki!"


    "Undying fidelity¡­.dying¡­I''m dying¡­" Loki said, his voice growing hoarse as if he were being choked.


    "No! I won''t let you! Not this day! Listen to me! Come back!"


    "Dying¡­"


    Desperate, Verda straddled Loki, slapping him hard across the face, then as if wracked by guilt after the assault, swiftly pressed her lips to his. After a few moments, Loki returned the kiss. His body still shaking slightly he opened his eyes to gaze, confused, into hers.


    "Verda?¡­.What are you--how did I--"


    "I''ll explain later. Sif is with me. She helped me get you into bed," Verda told him. Loki now recalling where he was and what he had been there to do, undressing, getting into the tub, putting the stones into the water. Realizing he was nude under the blankets, a grin spread across his face.


    "I''m sure that made her century," Loki said as Verda smiled.


    "She''s scarred for life," Verda chuckled before her eyes grew teary once again, "I thought I''d lost you."


    "You honestly believe it''s that easy to be rid of me?"


    "I''ll let Sif and your mortal friend know you''re all right."


    "They can wait," Loki told Verda, grippng her arm as she moved herself off of him to sit on the edge of the bed, preparing to stand from it, "I have a gift for you."


    "Let me guess. It''s under the blankets," Verda said with a grin.


    "A gift for another time. I don''t intend to keep them waiting quite that long," Loki said, returning a grin of his own.


    "You certainly do like to flatter yourself," Verda responded with a smirk.


    "If you could bring me my things."


    Verda slid off the bed and returned to the bathroom, grabbing Loki''s pack from the toilet along with his clothing. Returning to the bed, she found Loki sitting up. After handing him the pack, he opened it, pulling out a flat rectangular box and handing it to Verda.


    "What is it?" Verda said, opening the box, her eyes falling on a necklace, the round gold pendant surrounded a many branched tree, tiny leaves of gold dangling from the branches, catching the light, "It''s beautiful¡­"


    "I believe it''s fit for a queen."

 Chapter 11

    Loki assisted Verda in placing the necklace around her neck and fastening the clasp. As he did so, he took note for the first time of the Midgardian clothing Verda appeared to be wearing, though he knew it to be an illusion. She would blend in perfectly with the mortal population. Though he hadn''t seen Sif since regaining his faculties, he was certain when he did she would appear similarly clothed. Obviously Verda had more than a passing knowledge of how mortals of Midgard typically dressed, yet she''d told him she''d never been to Midgard. Why had she come and with Sif of all people?


    Loki found those questions crowded out in his mind by what he had just experienced. His heart ached recalling the vision of an einherjar informing him of his mother''s death as he sat helplessly locked away in a cell after he had thoughtlessly and inadvertently sent her murderer in her direction. He could still feel the Titan''s enormous fingers around his neck. He could not consciously remember all of the memories of a life that he had not and would not now live. They had washed over him as a river swiftly flowing over its banks, though he was sure the entirety of it was locked away within his mind somewhere. He at least grasped the overarching theme of the narrative. What he did recall was more than enough to chill him to the marrow of his bones.


    He had been correct in his feeling that it had been fate that had brought him, Selvig, Jane, and Darcy together. They''d had a role in his visions as well, though very different ones than they now played, at the moment Loki unable to recall every detail.


    What he remembered most from the visions, however, was not any specific event, but the pain. Not physical but of another sort, the mental and emotional equivalent of a wound not unlike Thor''s that had grown and festered. Each act he''d committed in response to that pain had only led to more of the same as if he existed in some hellish loop. Unfortunately the experience had not given him any insight related to Thor''s murder as he had hoped, only raising more questions, though he at least had the satisfaction of knowing he was right. The trajectory of his life had been altered, though why and how that had been accomplished he didn''t know. The ''why'' was at least as important as the ''how.'' Based on what he could recall, he would be glad of it if it were not for Thor''s death. Had the only possible way for him to avoid the madness, the darkness he had succumbed to in that aborted future been for his brother to die?


    Verda held the pendant in the palm of her hand, appearing to be making a thoughtful study of it. It seemed to Loki her countenance was of one who had believed something to be a myth but now had been handed tangible proof of its existence.


    "Thank you...I will wear it always," Verda said before embracing Loki, "Though as it is fit for a queen I''m not worthy of it."


    "My father didn''t believe me fit to be a king." Loki responded.


    "As you will prove to him, your father was wrong and not for the first time," Verda replied.


    Loki was somewhat shocked at Verda''s statement. It seemed to him that everyone but himself believed Odin to be infallible.


    "You should dress," Verda said as she spied the bag that had held the stones on top of Loki''s folded clothing, picking it up, "I''ll collect them."


    "Don''t-" Loki began, fearful after what he had just experienced.


    "It''s alright," Verda interrupted, "I know what they are. I wanted to know if you did. My sister used to speak of them. I suppose it''s easier for a Prince of Asgard to obtain such things."


    "I stole them from a purveyor of rare goods I''d had dealings with in the past. I replaced them with fakes. He likely acquired them by similar means."


    "It''s frightening to think of such objects falling into the hands of those who don''t understand their power. It is no less terrifying to think of them falling into the hands of those who do," said Verda.


    "You sound like my father."


    "What did they show you?" Verda asked


    "What will no longer be...It doesn''t matter," Loki replied, attempting to outwardly dismiss his experience with the Norn Stones as insignificant, though the unease and disquiet he could not fully mask in his tone betrayed him.


    "It does matter...I am from that future that will no longer be."


    "How is that possible? Even my father can''t travel through time," Loki said, baffled by Verda''s confession.


    "We met only once, as children. We never spoke again after that day. When you returned to Asgard to save us from Hela, you spoke the same words you said to me before you pulled me from the pit in the forest," Verda told him, Loki quiet for a moment as he searched his memory before his face lit up as he recalled the long ago incident of which she spoke.


    "That was you? I remember that day! For once I was the hero."


    "After Thanos attacked the ship, I wanted to stay, to fight, to share your fate. The others lied to me. They told me you were going to lead us to safety. It wasn''t until we arrived in Midgard I learned you were not among the survivors. You were thought to be dead before but somehow I knew...but this time¡­" Verda said as tears began to flow from her eyes as she called up the memory as vivid to her as Loki''s recent experience had been to him, Loki reaching out, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder, "For five years I honored you...in rain, snow, the bitterest cold, each day without fail.


    "When the day came to fight he who had taken your life, though not a warrior I volunteered willingly. I wished to be the one to slay him, to avenge you. If I failed I would have been pleased to die and join you in Valhalla. I hated Midgard and life itself in a universe without you in it. After the battle Thanos had been vanquished, those he had rendered dust by the power of the ancient stones returned to us. Yet for me nothing had changed. At the monument as I honored you a man approached me. He told me all that had happened could be undone if I would help him. He would take me back to Asgard. You would live once more."


    "What was it he wanted you to do?" Loki asked.


    "There was something hidden in New Asgard. They had been brought there by Thor after the battle. He said that his son was dying, that the cure was a plant that once grew in Midgard but was now extinct. He needed what Thor had hidden away so that he could go back to a time when this plant still existed and obtain it to save his son''s life. I was sure I knew where to find what he sought, the crypt under the museum in one of the sepulchers that held the bodies of the honored dead of Midgard who long ago had fought the frost giants at your father''s side. Few knew of its existence. Your brother once told me of it. I had visited him to give him a gift I had made for him for Yule. He invited me to join him for a drink. We spoke of many things. He mourned for Asgard, for all who had been lost...for you."


    Loki''s mind processed the story Verda had just told him. Just as his visions had done, it left him with more questions.


    "Was this man''s name Coulson?"


    "He wouldn''t tell me his name. If I were to be discovered I couldn''t give away his identity," Verda explained.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    "What of the you from this time who already existed?"


    "I know not what became of my past self. I thought she had ceased to exist upon my arrival. I wasn''t sure how it worked. When the man took me to the past and to the portal to Asgard, he said everything could now be different. I was determined that they would be. I overcame my fear. I placed myself in the places I knew you frequented."


    "He knew of a portal to Asgard? Did you know what was to happen to Thor?" Loki asked, Verda bowing and shaking her head.


    "I swear to you...I never wished any harm to come to him," Verda told him, her voice heavy with guilt, breaking with emotion.


    "Even if it meant I would be king?"


    "I had thought it better that you would not be. What time does a king have for any one person, even his queen?" Verda said.


    Loki thought back to his childhood, how his father had little time to spend with either of his sons and more recently, the night of Thor''s funeral, how he had questioned his father''s absence as he had consoled his mother. He now knew the reason behind it, the news of Laufey''s murder, but it also made Verda''s point.


    "In my time, I feared your brother would go to his death from drink. After all that had happened there was nothing that could heal his broken spirit," said Verda.


    Loki recalled the vision of his death. Thor had been subdued, helpless to come to his aid, forced to watch his brother die in front of him. It was a similar scenario in reverse that Loki had recently experienced.


    "If this man you search for is the same who took me back...he said if I told anyone, if anyone came to Midgard to seek him out, he would kill them. I was thinking with my heart and not my head. It cost your brother his life. When we return to Asgard I will leave the palace and live out my days alone in shame as I deserve," Verda said, her head bowed.


    "You will not leave the palace...you will leave my father''s service. Never again will you toil for another. You will leave your chambers for my own."


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Phil Coulson, dressed in a dark suit, a pair of sunglasses shielding his eyes from the desert sun, stepped out of the black car in the parking lot of the bar and took stock of his surroundings as he had been trained long ago to do and as he always did. He noticed that the car in which he had arrived was already coated with a layer of dirt and dust. He was glad for once that he wasn''t driving Lola, his cherry red and highly modified 1962 Corvette. His eyes fell on the old beige Pinzgauer parked a few vehicles from his own. He didn''t see many of those around thus it had grabbed his attention. In a desert environment, it would be quite handy.


    Entering the establishment, Coulson approached the bar, Rita greeting him with her customary smile.


    "You in the C.I.A. or something?" Rita asked jokingly.


    "Or something," Coulson responded.


    "What can I get ya?"


    "Nothing at the moment. I''m meeting someone."


    "That fella over there? He said he was meeting someone, too." Rita said, pointing to the same booth where Loki and Selvig had sat the night before.


    "Yes. Thank you," Coulson said, leaving the bar and making his way to the booth, sliding into it across from its lone occupant, "Mr. Krieger."


    "Coulson." Krieger said.


    Coulson recognized the man with the dirty blond hair sitting across from him, a pack on the seat next to him, yet he sensed something was off. He concluded the man''s nose was different, somewhat crooked. Perhaps he had broken it recently, but if that was the case, he would think it would still be swollen and bruised. It had only been a week since he had met with him for the first time. His voice, as Coulson had noted during their short conversation over the phone, had also altered.


    "What would you like to drink?" Krieger asked.


    "I don''t drink on the job," Coulson answered.


    "We''re in a tavern. A tavern is where one goes to drink. You will have a drink with me," Krieger answered.


    "All right. A bourbon and soda."


    Krieger slid from the booth and approached the bar. Coulson leaned out of the booth, keeping a careful eye on the man as he spoke to the bartender, the blond woman pouring the drinks, placing them on a tray. Krieger returned with a tall glass mug of beer and a shot of whiskey and a smaller glass of fizzing cola. Coulson watched Krieger empty the shot glass into the mug of beer as he lifted his own drink from the tray, taking a small sip from it before setting it down. He had watched the drink being prepared by the bartender and immediately brought to him by Krieger and had seen no opportunity for it to be adulterated but he wasn''t taking any chances.


    "Is something wrong with your drink?" Krieger asked.


    "No. It''s very good. A simple drink but not many get it right. My compliments to the bartender."


    "Rita."


    "Rita," Coulson repeated, "Mr. Krieger, I''ve come a long way¡­"


    "I dare say I''ve come much farther," Krieger responded, appearing to glance around the bar before lifting his mug and emptying half of it.


    Lowering his mug, Krieger found himself alone in the booth, an empty space across from him where Coulson had been seated. Scanning the immediate vicinity once again, he slid from the booth, grabbing his pack. Coulson''s suit jacket lay in the booth, his shirt within it, his tie still knotted around the neck, his pants having slid onto the floor where his socks and shoes rested. Inside the shirt Krieger noticed movement. Holding his hand out over the table, a shoebox appeared in it. After setting the box on the table, he reached into the buttoned shirt within the suit jacket, removing a frog.


    Krieger placed the frog into the box, replacing the lid before rifling through the clothing. He came upon a small, round device, storing it away in a pocket on the front of his pack. From under the jacket he produced a gun in a holster which he placed inside his pack. Folding Coulson''s clothing he stuffed it into his pack as well. Lifting his mug, he finished the other half of his drink before setting it down. Krieger picked up Coulson''s drink, emptying it in one swallow. Coulson was right, it was very good. Krieger, slinging his pack over his shoulder, lifted the shoebox from the table.


    As Krieger crossed the bar, heading to the exit, Sif and Verda rose from another table, following him to the door. Before exiting the bar, shielded from view by the women behind him, Krieger''s form morphed into that of Loki, once again having converted his clothing to his preferred color.


    The man and woman, dressed as conservatively as Coulson had been who had arrived at the bar shortly after him in a vehicle almost identical to Coulson''s, paid no mind to the three as they exited and walked past their vehicle.


    Loki and the two women reached the Pinzgauer in the parking lot where Selvig sat behind the wheel. The women climbed into the back as Loki sat in the passenger seat, setting his pack on the floorboard, holding the shoebox in his lap. Selvig looked over at the shoebox as a croaking sound emanated from within it.


    "Coulson?" Selvig asked, Loki peering over at Selvig with a mischievous grin, all the answer Selvig needed, "Sounds like he has a frog in his throat," Selvig quipped as he started the vehicle.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    After Selvig had brought the vehicle to a stop in the desert, far from town and the road, Loki grabbed his pack, placing it over his shoulder, carrying the shoebox as he and the others opened the doors and stepped out. After walking a short distance, Loki put the shoebox down, lifting the frog from it and placing it on the dry, dusty ground. Verda held out the shackles Sif had earlier returned to her possession, Loki taking them from her.


    Coulson suddenly found himself human again, standing nude and speechless under the desert sun with an expression of shock and embarrassment. Noting the presence of the women he quickly covered his nether region with both hands as Sif groaned, turning her back, the second time that day she had been treated to such an unwelcome sight.


    "What the hell¡­.?" Coulson managed to say.


    "Get dressed," Loki commanded him, removing the clothing and shoes from his pack and tossing them in front of Coulson.


    The four waited as Coulson nervously put his clothes back on, Sif continuing to stand with her back to the man. After Coulson had dressed and straightened his tie, his hands shaking, Loki shackled his hands behind his back, Coulson too flustered to ask questions. Sif turned back to face Coulson, Loki gesturing for her to approach, she taking hold of Coulson''s arm in a firm grip.


    "Before I go¡­" Loki said as he approached Selvig, removing the umbrella from his pack, Mjolnir returning to its true form as Selvig stared at the hammer in Loki''s hand in astonishment.


    "Mjolnir..." Selvig gasped in disbelief.


    Loki held out the hammer, Selvig wrapping his hand around it. As Loki let go, the hammer dropped heavily to the ground, Selvig struggling to lift it. Loki, grinning, picked it up, supporting it as Selvig held it between his two hands, staring down at it in awe.


    "We must return. Goodbye, Erik Selvig," Loki said, lowering the hammer to his side, "Takka t¨¦r enn og aftur fyrir hj¨¢lpina. (Thank you again for your help)."


    "Verei t¨¦r ae g¨®eu. Mun ¨¦g sj¨¢ tig aftur? (You''re very welcome. Will I see you again?)" Selvig asked.


    "T¨² veist aldrei. Enda er ¨¦g gue ¨®heilla. (You never know. I am the god of mischief,)" Loki said with a grin befitting the moniker.


    Turning from Selvig, Loki joined Verda, Sif and Coulson, "Heimdall, bring us home!" Loki called out.


    Selvig found himself nearly blinded and knocked back on his feet by the bright white light of the Bifrost as it descended as swiftly as a bolt of lightning. Blinking, he looked to where the four had once stood, cautiously approaching the pattern burned into the ground.

 Chapter 12

    "Unless he is capable of illusion casting, he is not the man," Verda said just above a whisper to Loki as they left Himinbjorg which housed the Bifrost, the Asgardians'' illusion of Midgardian clothing dispelled, Verda now dressed in the clothing of a female Asgardian warrior as she and Loki stepped out onto the Rainbow Bridge behind Sif who continued to lead the stunned and confused Coulson by the arm.


    Verda''s revelation did not surprise Loki. Coulson had not uttered a word, in awe of the experience of travelling via the Bifrost and finding himself in Asgard as one would expect to be the reaction of a mortal who had heretofore been ignorant of its existence. Coulson viewed the sights around him with a mix of fear and child-like wonder. Surely if he had been involved in Thor''s murder he would not behave in such a manner. Yet the presence of his card on the person of one of the assailants pointed to a link and Loki was determined to uncover it.


    Loki came to a sudden halt as a vision flashed before his eyes accompanied by a shooting pain that he could only equate to his skull being run through with a spear as he dropped Mjolnir and held his head between his hands, squeezing his eyes tightly closed.


    "Loki? Are you all right? What''s wrong?" Verda asked anxiously, gripping his shoulder as Loki recovered before walking to the edge of the bridge.


    "It was here I let go¡­plunging into the abyss."


    "Your experience with the stones was draining. You should rest," Verda counseled.


    "I must speak to Coulson."


    "He will wait. Time in the dungeon may serve to loosen his tongue," Verda said as she reached out, taking Loki''s hand in hers, gripping it tightly, "I will never let you fall."


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Sif led Coulson down the dreary stairway into Asgard''s dungeon and past cells occupied by detainees of various humanoid species who glared at him with hostility.


    "What is this place? Why have I been brought here?" Coulson finally spoke to Sif.


    "I am to believe you are ignorant?"


    "Humor me."


    "You are in Asgard. Thor, son of Odin our king was murdered. Your card was found in the possession of one of those responsible."


    "Thor¡­Odin?" Coulson repeated, bewildered, "This is why I don''t drink on the job. I only took a sip. He''s good. No one''s succeeded in slipping me a Mickey in a long time."


    Sif led Coulson into an empty cell, removing Coulson''s shackles before stepping out, activating the containment field as Coulson turned to face her.


    "Do I get a lawyer?" he asked.


    "You will remain here until you are questioned and brought before Odin. If you are found innocent you will be returned to your people. If you are guilty...I have been granted the honor of swinging the axe," Sif answered, a look of terror crossing Coulson''s face before Sif turned and walked away, leaving Coulson alone in the cell.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Loki and Verda entered Loki''s chambers, Verda coming to a halt as Loki made his way to the chaise placing Mjolnir beside it.


    "Did you mean what you said...about leaving my chambers?" asked Verda, Loki turning to her.


    "If this man would return to do you harm you''ll be safer here," Loki replied, Verda appearing crestfallen though attempting to conceal it before Loki approached her, taking her hands in his, "Your safety is my greatest concern at the moment. I''ll assign an einherjar to escort you when you leave our chambers."


    "Won''t it appear strange for a chambermaid to be assigned a guard?" Verda asked.


    "A chambermaid, perhaps. A queen in waiting is a different story...unless, of course, you wish to retain your current position. I did enjoy watching you work. You must have thought me quite slovenly, all that I left lying about," Loki responded with a sly grin.


    "I...I don''t know what to...are you certain?" Verda stammered, bewildered.


    "Is there another who would honor me each day for five years?" Loki asked, "Will you have me?"


    "What will your father think?" Verda asked.


    "I care nothing what my father thinks."


    "It is of your father we must speak," Loki heard his mother''s voice say from where she stood in front of the doors to his chamber, her entrance having gone unnoticed by the couple.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    "Is he unwell?" Loki asked as he followed his mother into her chambers, concerned not only for Odin''s wellbeing, but also what he now knew from the snippets of what he could recall from his visions would befall Asgard if his father''s life were to end.


    "Thor''s death weighs heavily upon him. He must take his rest. If he does not I fear the consequences."


    "Before he does I must speak with him regarding an urgent matter," Loki informed Frigga.


    "Verda...I have known for some time of your involvement with her but chose not to speak of it as you are no longer a child. When you had her reassigned I believed you had put an end to it. You intend to take her as your queen?"


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    "If she will have me."


    "And if he refuses to grant you his blessing?"


    "What reason would he have to refuse unless to love me is a crime."


    "If to love you was a crime I would be in the dungeon along with your father. She has done no wrong of which I am aware. Your father does not hold her sister''s crimes against her but if the people do not accept her they may not accept you as their king," Frigga explained, "He may be concerned they would believe she is manipulating you, through sorcery or otherwise, that it could lead to Lorelei gaining her freedom."


    "Lorelei tormented her for centuries! She murdered their parents! If father had sentenced her to the axe Verda would have petitioned him to be the one to swing it!" Loki exclaimed.


    "You are still young. You have often been impetuous. Are you prepared to make such a commitment?" Frigga asked.


    "It''s true I''ve often failed to look before I''ve leapt. I have never been a man easily satisfied. Out of fear, like a fool...not like, I was...I pushed her away. Things have changed...I''ve changed," Loki informed his mother, Frigga silent for a moment as she studied him, considering the certainty with which he spoke.


    "If that is due to her influence I can only be grateful for it. I am concerned only for your happiness," Frigga said, taking Loki''s hands in hers, "I will speak with him and intercede on her behalf."


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Loki approached his chambers, a plethora of disparate thoughts crowding his mind. He had naively believed, had hoped, that simply finding Coulson would provide him with the answers that were necessary to solve the mystery of Thor''s murder but nothing made any more sense than it had from the moment he had witnessed Thor run through with the blade.


    He was overcome with guilt as he realized that though he mourned for his brother he was now certain his future would likely be better for the tragedy having taken place. He wished he had heeded the warnings of both his vision of Thor and the Norn, though he knew he would have been equally troubled sensing that his life had been somehow altered but ignorant of how. As Loki had often felt over the course of his lifetime he had been damned if he did and damned if he didn''t.


    Loki''s thoughts returned to Coulson. He had obviously known by name and sight one of Thor''s assailants. The damage Thor had done to the man''s face had forced Loki to compensate for it when conjuring his illusion. He must have done at least a passable job for Coulson to have recognized him. Would he also know the man Verda had dealings with? If only Loki had seen him as well so he could share the memory with Coulson as he had shared Thor''s murder with Selvig.


    Loki entered his chambers noting that Verda had changed into a sea green Asgardian gown. She rose from the chaise, the gold of the necklace he had gifted her catching the light.


    "Is everything alright?" Verda asked as Loki gazed into her eyes, eyes that were the only ones that had seen the mysterious man just as his had been the only witness to Thor''s murder.


    "During your own study, did you get as far as memory spells?" Loki asked.


    "No...I thought meddling with others'' minds too dangerous. Why?" Verda responded.


    "I believe it''s time we resumed your lessons."


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Loki had decided Coulson''s interrogation could wait until the next morning. After assigning an einherjar to escort Verda to collect her things and assist her in moving them, which had amounted to only one trunk of clothing and a few odds and ends, they had shared a meal, Loki requesting that it be brought to them in their chambers. The events of the day and the rich food in his belly sent him to his rest earlier than usual, Verda equally fatigued joining him. They lay together in awkward silence staring at the ceiling of the bedchamber, never having shared a bed merely to sleep, neither having the energy for anything more.


    "I didn''t give you an answer," Verda finally said, "Yes, I will have you...unless your mother has changed your mind."


    "She has offered to intercede on your behalf for my father''s blessing," Loki informed her.


    "She approves of me?" Verda asked in disbelief.


    "She''s grateful to you for your influence on me," Loki said with a grin.


    "If she only knew," Verda chuckled, "I think it''s somewhat the other way around. You must have put on quite an act."


    "It has been said I have a silver tongue but it was no act."


    "Did you tell her the truth about me?"


    "Keeping such secrets appears to be tradition in my family. For the moment I see no reason not to carry on with it," Loki answered as Verda moved onto her side to face him, Loki turning onto his, caressing her cheek, "I have never before said these words to another...I love you."


    "I love you, too," Verda said before breaking into a fit of giggles.


    "What''s so funny?"


    "You should have seen Sif''s face when I handed her the shackles I stole from the armory. She thought-"


    "I''m sure I know what she thought," Loki interrupted.


    "She couldn''t wait to be rid of them," Verda chuckled, "I''ll return them tomorrow."


    "I''m certain they won''t be missed," said Loki, grinning slyly.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Coulson had awakened in the cell, sitting up in the bunk as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, the events of the previous day coming back to him as he realized where he was. Obviously it had not been a drug induced hallucination. He had eaten the food that had been delivered to him which he had to admit for prison food was very good. The fact he was famished had perhaps made it even more palatable.


    The woman who had brought him there had called it a dungeon yet it was not exactly what he pictured when he heard that term. The cell was clean and dry, the temperature pleasant, the bunk he had slept in, though basic, was comfortable. There were no shackles on the wall or devices of torture.


    "Phil Coulson," Loki said from outside the cell, Coulson looking up from where he sat on the bunk, rising to his feet.


    "Yes," Coulson said, acknowledging his identity.


    "I am Loki, son of Odin. You have been brought here on suspicion of involvement in my brother''s murder. Tell me what you know and it will go easier for you," Loki said as he looked Coulson up and down, realizing that he had seen the man in his visions but could not at the moment call up the exact memory.


    "As I told Xena...the woman who brought me here...I don''t know anything about your brother''s murder."


    "The man you believed you were meeting, what was your relationship to him? What do you know of him?"


    "Jeffrey Krieger. Ex-military, special forces. Got mixed up with the wrong people. He''d been recruited by Hydra, a criminal organization. He became disillusioned...or he told me he was. He and a friend he''d served with who had joined Hydra with him made contact with S.H.I.E.L.D. through a third party. I offered him a deal. That''s when I gave him my card. That''s all I know."


    "There was a scientist, an expert in gamma radiation. I''ve been told he disappeared after contact with your organization. Do you know what became of him?"


    "Banner? Bruce Banner? What does he have to do with this?"


    "Nothing...I''m asking for a friend."


    "He''s alive and well. He went into hiding. He''s in India. S.H.I.E.L.D. has him under surveillance. We''ll keep our distance as long as he stays out of trouble. He has some issues with anger management."


    "You claim to be innocent, that you know nothing of my brother?"


    "Until yesterday I thought you were myth. It would have been like me putting a hit on the Easter Bunny," Coulson answered.


    Before Coulson''s eyes, Loki''s form morphed into another, that of a middle aged man, his blond hair graying, his hairline slightly receding. He wore a dark blue sweater over a button down shirt and navy trousers. Coulson stared in wonder at Loki''s transformation.


    "Do you know this man?" Loki asked.


    "I know of him. S.H.I.E.L.D. consulted him in the past about stolen artifacts. He''s a professor of Norse Mythology at the University of Seville in Spain. Randall¡­.no¡­.Randolph. Elliot Randolph."

 Chapter 13

    "Erik¡­.take a look at this!" Jane Foster called to Selvig as he entered their base from the RV, his hair still slightly damp from the shower.


    "What is it?" Selvig asked as he made his way to the desk where Jane sat in front of a computer monitor displaying a series of graphs.


    "I entered the data from all three events. They didn''t originate in the atmosphere."


    "I know," Selvig replied.


    "What do you mean you know?" asked Jane, perplexed.


    Jane and Selvig looked away from the monitor to the entrance as multiple black cars, SUVs, and a van pulled up outside. Men and women in dark clothing and suits along with a brunette woman, her hair pulled back and sporting a military style jumpsuit, exited the vehicles, swarming like locusts.


    "What''s going on?" Darcy asked as she exited the RV, rubbing sleep from her eyes.


    Jane stood as the brunette woman approached, accompanied by two muscular men in similar dark military style garb, as she gave directives to others in uniforms and suits.


    "Erik Selvig?" the woman asked as she neared them.


    "Yes..." Selvig said nervously as the woman displayed what looked like a government ID.


    "Maria Hill. I''m an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. You''re being detained for questioning in the abduction of agent Phil Coulson," Hill said, one of the two agents on either side of her stepping forward and cuffing Selvig, the other ready to intervene if he resisted.


    "What?! That''s insane! Erik hasn''t abducted anyone! We''re scientists! Wait! Where are you taking him? Hey! Those are ours! We need that! " Jane cried out, aghast, watching as Selvig was led away as other agents gathered up computers and scientific equipment.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    "This Randolph...he''s an expert in the stories told of us long ago? They''re fiction," Loki questioned Coulson.


    "That''s why it''s called mythology," Coulson replied.


    "Why would anyone study what they know to be untrue?"


    "To gain insight about the people who created them," Coulson answered Loki''s query.


    "They were backwards and ignorant, simple minded and foolish as are the majority of Midgardians today."


    Without warning, Loki experienced another episode of sharp, crippling pain that shot through his brain like a lightning bolt, another vision flashing before his mind''s eye, he holding a scepter in his hand as he stood behind the man he now knew to be Coulson, thrusting it into his back, leaving the man mortally wounded, sitting propped against a wall, blood staining his previously neat dress shirt, trickling from his mouth.


    Coulson noticed Loki wince as if he had just been struck with a migraine, holding his head with one hand as he swayed on his feet. Though his abductor and jailer, Coulson''s natural instinct to be concerned for others'' wellbeing kicked in, evident in his expression.


    "You all right?"


    "You said I lacked conviction....You were right," Loki struggled to speak, continuing to hold his head before the pain began to recede, Coulson confused as Loki stepped to the panel that controlled the force field surrounding the cell, deactivating it, "I find you innocent. You will help me to discover who is guilty."


    "Do I get a choice?" Coulson asked, warily stepping out of the cell.


    "Of course. Verda would enjoy a pet. I''ll have a proper habitat constructed."


    "I''m not sure I consider that a choice."


    "You have experience in investigation," Loki stated more than asked.


    "It''s one of many parts of my job, yes," Coulson answered.


    "Then tell me, where do we start?"


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Erik Selvig sat alone at a table in a small interview room that S.H.I.E.L.D. had commandeered for their use at the local police headquarters. They had removed the handcuffs, much to Selvig''s relief. He thought back to the evening before. Their getaway had seemed flawless. The two sitting in the car in the parking lot that Selvig was sure were Coulson''s backup in case his meeting went sideways had hardly given Loki, Sif, and Verda a second glance as they''d exited the bar, obviously believing them to be locals and unrelated to the reason they were there. The only surveillance camera he was aware of in the bar was over the bar itself and the cash register and he hadn''t entered the building. It had likely been some time before they realized Coulson had disappeared. After driving Loki and the others outside of town and seeing them off, he had returned to their base, informing Jane and Darcy that ''Lucas'' had contacted an acquaintance, Selvig driving him to meet them.


    Selvig thought back to those last few moments in the desert. Loki had called out to someone, a moment later the Bifrost descending. He attempted to recall familiar names from the stories he had been told as a child. Rifling through the files in his brain, it came to him. It was worth a shot as at this point he had nothing to lose.


    "Heimdall...if you can see me, if you can hear me...tell Loki I''ve been arrested by S.H.I.E.L.D," Selvig said aloud in the empty room.


    "I can both see and hear you," a deep, resonant voice replied, "I will inform my prince of your plight."


    Selvig looked to his left to see a tall, muscular and imposing man, his skin ebony, his eyes golden, almost appearing to be glowing, wearing a helmet and armor. What he could not see was that his own eyes had taken on the same golden hue.


    "Thank you," Selvig answered, that being all he could manage to say.


    Heimdall''s image was gone as quickly as it had appeared, Selvig''s eyes returning to their natural color just as the door to the room opened, the woman who had given her name as Maria Hill entering along with an African American man with a goatee and a cleanly shaved head, an eye patch over his left eye, Selvig unable to help wondering what the story was behind the loss of it.


    "Dr. Selvig. Can I get you anything? Coffee?" Nick Fury asked cordially.


    "No, thank you," Selvig answered.


    Fury and Hill seated themselves in the chairs that had been placed opposite Selvig at the table.


    "I''m Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. I don''t do too many of these anymore. I usually leave them to people like Agent Hill here. This is a special case. Not only is Phil Coulson a colleague, he''s also a friend. Why don''t you save yourself a boat load of trouble and tell me where he is?"


    Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "I don''t know what you''re talking about. I''m a scientist. I''m here studying atmospheric anomalies," Selvig said, doing his best to sound convincing as he feigned ignorance before Hill produced a digital voice recorder.


    "We must return. Goodbye, Erik Selvig," Loki''s voice emanated from the recorder, slightly muffled.


    Hill stopped the playback, glaring back at Selvig.


    "Who''s that you''re speaking to? Who are you working for?" Fury asked.


    "I''m not working for anyone."


    "I''m going to ask you one more time. Where''s my friend?" Fury said, sounding more than a bit perturbed and impatient.


    "Where''s mine? Bruce Banner hasn''t been heard from since he had dealings with you people."


    "Is that what this is about? Banner left the country of his own accord. He''s eating a lot of Indian food these days. Actually, that sounds pretty good. I don''t suppose there''s a place to get Tandoori around here? We''re just keeping an eye on him. Believe it or not, that''s more for his safety than ours. I''ve given you what you asked for..."


    "You wouldn''t believe me if I told you," Selvig said.


    "Trust me, I''ve heard some weird ass shit in my day. Some of it actually turned out to be true."


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    "Hello again, sister," Verda''s voice said from within Lorelei''s cell, Lorelei seated on the edge of her bed looking up from the book she was reading to view Verda''s form in the same place as previously.


    "Your dearest love was here. I still fail to understand what it is you see in him," Lorelei said, closing the book in her hands and setting it aside, rising from the bed.


    "I wouldn''t expect you to. You''ve no idea what love means."


    "What is it you want?" Lorelei asked impatiently.


    "I''ve come to inform you that the next queen of Asgard will not be a bilge snipe," Verda replied, "Considering you said that you would go to your death more quickly, I couldn''t wait to tell you."


    "Asgard will come to regret the day that pitiful excuse for a prince takes the throne, a worthless quim for a queen at his side," Lorelei sneered.


    "This will be my last visit. It would not be proper for the Queen of Asgard to speak with such a low creature. Farewell, sister," Verda said before her image vanished.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Loki and Coulson stood in front of two stone slabs that held the bodies of Krieger and his partner in crime as Loki disengaged the energy field surrounding both corpses.


    "They''ve been searched? All that was found was my card?" asked Coulson, Loki confirming.


    Coulson moved to the side of the slab upon which rested Krieger''s body. Krieger''s nose was obviously badly broken, almost smashed flat and depressed into his skull as was the midsection of his forehead. There were obvious additional injuries to the brows and cheekbones.


    "Your brother did quite a number on them. You did a damn fine job of simulating him considering the disfigurement," Coulson complimented Loki, now understanding why the nose of Loki''s rendition of Krieger had looked off, "These are the masks they were wearing?" Coulson asked, picking up and examining the mask lying on Krieger''s chest.


    It was a full face mask made of a solid resin material, vaguely similar to the masks once worn decades ago by hockey goaltenders. Coulson turned it over to look at the inside, his expression darkening at the sight of dried blood.


    "No manufacturer''s mark...custom made. No way to trace them. They know how to cover their tracks. My card was either a mistake on Krieger''s part or a plant to misdirect you."


    "If it was meant as a misdirection they must have reason to wish you harm as well," Loki responded.


    "Elementary, my dear Watson," Coulson replied, Loki obviously from his expression not understanding the reference, "Sherlock Holmes...though he never actually said that in any of the books. I read them all as a kid. They taught me to think like a detective which turned out to be useful when working on cars with my dad, too."


    "I''m afraid my knowledge of Midgardian literature is lacking."


    "You should give them a read. I think you''d enjoy them," Coulson suggested, placing the mask back where he had found it on Krieger''s body.


    "My time will soon be far more limited," Loki informed Coulson, "I am to take the sacred vows of kingship. My father wishes to enjoy what time remains to him less encumbered. I was not his choice to be his heir. My father had intended my brother to ascend the throne. The king of Jotunheim was murdered as well the next day."


    "Jotunheim?"


    "The realm of the frost giants, one of the nine realms of which Midgard, your Earth, is a part. They are all connected as the branches of a tree. We call this ''tree'' Yggdrasil. The realms look to Asgard for guidance and protection, all but Midgard who petitioned my father to be allowed to go their own way. It was a foolish choice but my father granted their request."


    "So the king of another realm was murdered along with your brother? Jotunheim is an ally?"


    "They warred with us at the time of my birth. Laufey, their king, the same who is now dead, attempted to conquer all nine realms, including Midgard. My father defeated him. Since then we have existed under an uneasy peace. In keeping with the treaty, as their own source of power and defense as well as offense was taken from them, we protect and would defend Jotunheim from aggression by others."


    "We fought a war to stop a madman from taking over the whole kit and caboodle on Earth seventy years ago. Has anyone in any other realms been targeted?"


    "Not thus far."


    "There has to be a connection. I assume a child of Laufey has taken the throne."


    "His brother. Laufey had seven wives yet had no-" Loki began before falling silent, appearing contemplative.


    "You think of something?" Coulson asked.


    "You have released the prisoner," both men heard Heimdall''s deep voice say from behind them.


    "He is innocent of Thor''s murder. He has agreed to assist me in the investigation as he has experience in such matters," Loki told Heimdall as he and Coulson turned to face Asgard''s gatekeeper.


    "I''ve never investigated the murder of royalty...or an extraterrestrial...or extraterrestrial royalty," Coulson confessed.


    "Erik Selvig has been taken captive by S.H.I.E.L.D."


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Verda stood on the balcony off the great room of Loki''s chambers enjoying the view along with the fresh air. Hearing the doors open behind her, she turned, expecting to see Loki enter, surprised instead to see the Queen of Asgard standing before them.


    "My Queen," Verda acknowledged her, bowing her head.


    "As you are to be my daughter I thought we should get to know each other," Frigga said with a warm, welcoming smile as she crossed the room.


    "Of course," Verda replied.


    "You will also take my place as Queen. Are you ready for such a responsibility?"


    "It seems I have little choice but to make myself so."


    "I will prepare you as best I can but in the end you must forge your own path. Every Queen is her own person. I''m quite a different person than Bestla, Bor''s Queen, as you will be from me. I go now to speak to my King. Upon my return, together we will find something suitable for you to wear to the coronation as you will stand with your betrothed. You will then share the secret you and my son are keeping from me," Frigga said, turning and walking to the doors, exiting Loki''s chambers.


    Verda stood speechless before the doors opened once again, Loki entering, Coulson trailing behind him.


    "Verda!" Loki called out in alarm just as she sensed a presence behind her.


    Turning swiftly, Verda''s eyes fell on a female in a white hooded bodysuit, a mask obscuring her face, her right hand raised as it gripped a dagger. The figure stabbed downward before Verda had time to recover from her shock, the point of the dagger breaking her skin, sinking into her flesh through the pendant of her necklace in the open space between the tree and circular border around it, dislodging a few of the tiny gold leaves.


    With a cry of fright and pain, Verda fell back from her attacker. Losing her footing, she lay supine on the floor, raising her hand to the wound as Loki thrust his arm out, Mjolnir rocketing to him from where it rested beside the chaise. Loki hurled the hammer in the assailant''s direction, Mjolnir catching her full in the chest, sending her flying over the balcony to plummet to the courtyard below. Loki deftly caught Mjolnir as it returned to him before rushing to Verda''s side, Coulson remaining where he stood, unsure what he had just witnessed.


    Verda sat up, Loki setting Mjolnir down as he knelt beside her, assessing her wound.


    "It''s nothing," Verda assured him before he assisted her to her feet.


    Coulson had crossed the room to the balcony, looking over it at the body below, Asgardians who had been in the courtyard and witnessed her fall gathering around her, einherjar moving them aside, taking control of the scene.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Having rushed to the courtyard, the einherjar moving aside for them, Loki, Coulson, and Verda now stood at the side of the would-be assassin, her chest heaving as she struggled for breath. Blood trickled from Verda''s wound, staining the front of her gown as Loki wrapped an arm protectively around her.


    Coulson knelt beside the woman, reaching out and removing the mask to reveal the visage beneath it. All three stared in shock and confusion as they viewed a carbon copy of Verda''s face.


    "Loki..." Verda''s double said with her last breath as she set her eyes on the God of Mischief before life drained from them, leaving them fixed on Loki in a glassy stare at the same time as Verda''s body went limp as she swooned.


    "Verda!" Loki exclaimed, catching and lifting her in his arms as he addressed Coulson, "I''m taking her to the healing room. I leave this to you," Loki said to Coulson before turning to one of the einherjar, "This man is Coulson of Midgard. I''ve given him authority to investigate the murder of my brother. Do all that he says. When he is finished here, escort him to my chambers to await my return."


    The einherjar nodded, Loki anxiously crossing the courtyard cradling the unconscious Verda.

 Chapter 14

    Eir stood beside the soul forge, Verda lying upon it as Thor had the last time Loki had found himself in the healing room only days before. Eir examined the golden representation of Verda''s body projected above her with concern.


    "The wound is superficial but as was the case with Thor it is not healing. If it follows the same course it will soon begin to necrotize. The infection will spread throughout her body."


    "Is there anything that can be done?" Loki asked anxiously.


    "I could attempt to debride it. However, it would be fruitless and hasten her end if the whole of her body has been affected. There is no way to know."


    "Yes there is," Loki said approaching the soul forge.


    Before Eir realized what Loki was about to do, he produced one of his daggers, moving the sleeve of Verda''s gown up to expose her forearm, using the blade to inflict a small wound, little more than a scratch that for any healthy Asgardian would heal quickly within a minute or two. Loki and Eir watched with bated breath for any sign of healing.


    Loki''s heart sank, his world shattering as the wound remained unchanged. His vision blurred with tears, he placed his hand over his mouth, stifling a vocalization of anguish as he turned away. Eir remained silent as there was nothing to be said as Loki composed himself, remaining with his back to the healer.


    "How long?" Loki asked.


    "The wound involves far less tissue than your brother''s. If it progresses at the same rate...a day, perhaps two."


    "Loki...I had only just left her...how is she?" Frigga said as she entered, rushing to her adopted son.


    "The weapon was cursed," Loki informed Frigga.


    "No..." Frigga replied mournfully.


    "If she is to die she will do so in our own bed," Loki said, lifting Verda from the soul forge and carrying her in his arms as he made his way to the exit, Frigga following.


    "Wait¡­" Eir said, Loki and Frigga halting as she approached, Verda''s necklace in her hand, Frigga taking it from her.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Coulson rose from the chaise in Loki''s chambers, an object wrapped in cloth in his hands, as the doors opened. Loki entered looking grim, Verda in his arms. Frigga followed behind Loki, noticing Coulson. Without a word to him, Loki headed in the direction of the doorway that led to the bedchamber. Frigga continued to follow Loki, assuming from his lack of response to Coulson that his presence in Loki''s chambers was expected.


    "I am Frigga, Loki''s mother," Frigga said to Coulson, her face devoid of the usual smile she would have given upon meeting someone under rosier circumstances.


    "Phil Coulson. I''m an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.," Coulson replied, introducing himself as he followed Frigga.


    "I must assume my son has found you innocent."


    "Yes, m''am...Mrs. Odin...your majesty?" Coulson floundered.


    "Frigga will suffice."


    "I''m investigating the murder of your son," Coulson explained.


    "You do this willingly?" Frigga asked.


    "Define ''willingly.'' I had the choice between that or spending the rest of my life in a box eating insects."


    "That does not sound like a choice," Frigga responded.


    "That''s what I said."


    "Forgive my son. He has been overwrought and is at times overzealous in his passions. If you wish to return to Midgard-"


    "I''m involved now. I can be somewhat overzealous myself."


    Loki, with Frigga''s motherly assistance, settled Verda into the bed. Loki stood beside the bed looking dazed and lost as he gazed upon her. Frigga beside him placed a comforting hand on his arm, holding out to him the pendant of the necklace lying in the palm of her other hand, the chain dangling. Loki took it from her, seating himself on the edge of the bed, clasping the chain around her neck.


    "The body''s been taken to the morgue with the others," Coulson informed Loki, uncertain if it was the proper time but feeling awkward, "I have the weapon here. There was nothing else on the body," Coulson walked around the bed, handing the cloth wrapped dagger to Loki, "How is she?"


    "She''s dying," said Loki stonily.


    "I didn''t think it was serious," Coulson replied, stunned.


    "The weapon was enchanted in the same manner as the sword which felled my brother. If one were to suffer so much as a scratch from this blade¡­" Loki said, uncovering the dagger.


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    "I''m sorry....I''ll leave you alone," Coulson said, exiting the bedchamber to return to the great room.


    Frigga looked to Loki with concern as he continued staring silently at the dagger in his hands before seating herself beside him.


    Loki considered a question he had often found himself pondering many times over the previous centuries. Was he cursed? Verda had said she would give her life for him...or die with him. Was he willing to do the same for her? The last thing he had said to Coulson before his departure echoed in his mind...a mere scratch from the blade that now rested in his hand was all it would take...all that would be necessary...but first he would have his vengeance.


    "I will lead an army to Midgard. If they do not surrender this Randolph and all those in league with him they will burn," Loki said darkly, breaking his silence.


    "Your father would never allow that. Midgard is not our enemy," Frigga gently admonished.


    "They slaughter each other in droves and now they slaughter us...my brother, she who was to have been my wife," Loki responded.


    "This is the work of a few. There are billions of people in Midgard," Frigga cautiously and carefully reached over, moving the cloth back over the dagger, taking it from Loki, "It would be better if this was in my possession," she said, as if she had read Loki''s previous thoughts.


    "Summon father. Though she will not live to be Queen, she will die as my wife," Loki said to his mother.


    Frigga squeezed Loki''s hand before she rose with the dagger, making her way out of the bedchamber. Loki turned to Verda, taking her hand. Only days after watching his brother die he would now witness the death of the woman he loved...the only person, aside from his mother, though that was altogether different, to whom he had ever found himself capable of saying those words.


    "Loki¡­?" Verda said weakly as she regained consciousness.


    "I''m here."


    "The blade...it was cursed¡­"


    "You will feel no pain. I would never allow you to suffer," Loki said, struggling to maintain his composure.


    "She was me...the me from this time. Her essence joined with mine...her memories...he lied to her...he took her to Midgard...he told her I was an imposter...she thought she was protecting you...my sister...it was she who cursed both blades."


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    "Do you believe him?" Hill asked Fury after they had left the interrogation room after having another agent cuff Selvig once again and transfer him to one of the jail''s cells.


    "I don''t know what to believe...if I''ve learned anything in this job it''s that just because something sounds crazy doesn''t mean it''s not true," Fury answered.


    "But Thor?...Loki? Really?" Hill said incredulously, "The man he was with at the bar told the bartender his name was Lucas King. She identified his voice on the recording. It has to be an alias but I''m not ready to believe he''s a god."


    "Before we went in he was talking to someone...asked that Loki be told he was here. I say we wait and see if he shows up."


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Lorelei sat at her desk in her cell in the dungeon scrawling on a piece of paper she had pulled from the top of the stack resting on the corner of the desk.


    "Lorelei."


    Upon hearing her name, Lorelei ceased writing. Rising, she turned to view Loki standing outside of her cell.


    "You could have saved yourself the trouble. My simpleton sister is to be queen. Clearly neither intelligence or beauty are traits you find attractive in a woman. Did you come to gloat as well?" Lorelei said, perturbed.


    "Strange for me to say...but no."


    "What is it you want from me?"


    "I believe you know," Loki answered.


    "I do not. Enlighten me."


    "Verda has been attacked. The dagger was cursed by your own hand," Loki replied.


    "If I was capable of such a thing do you think I would still be here? As it was your father who created it, you know the collar renders me powerless."


    "I''ve come to make you an offer. Remove the curse, save her life, and I will release you as well as arrange passage off Asgard if you agree never to return," said Loki.


    "I am not a gullible fool like my sister. Your father denied you his blessing on account of me. I put one foot out of this cell and it will be all the excuse you need to end me."


    "We are already wed," Loki said, holding up his left hand, a ring on his finger, "I have stated my terms. Do you agree to them?"


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Lorelei, shackled, the collar around her neck, entered Loki''s bedchamber, Loki following the sorceress. Reaching the side of the bed, she looked down on the pale face of Verda.


    "Sister¡­" Verda greeted her wanly.


    Lorelei turned to Loki raising her shackled hands. He removed the shackles followed by the collar. Lorelei sat on the edge of the bed, placing her palm over Verda''s forehead as if checking for a fever, closing her eyes in concentration. After a few moments she rose from the bed, turning to face Loki.


    "She will live," Lorelei told him before she began to smile seductively, her voice changing, slightly echoing, "I now realize what it is she sees in you...you will leave her and serve me. Together we will rule an empire," Lorelei cooed as Loki stared transfixed into her eyes as she placed her palms on his chest before sliding them to his shoulders, moving her lips to meet his.


    Loki took hold of Lorelei''s head between both hands, twisting it sharply, her neck audibly snapping. Lorelei''s eyes stared blankly, her mouth gaping open as her body sank heavily to the floor. Loki covered his ears with the palms of his hands before lowering them, removing the spell he had placed on himself that had rendered him deaf.


    Odin and Frigga appeared as if they had walked through the wall, having been standing along it concealed by their magic since before Loki had entered with Lorelei. Loki removed the ring from his finger, returning it to his father.


    "Guard!" Odin called out, an einherjar who had been standing outside the bedchamber entering, awaiting instructions from his king, "Remove that rubbish and burn it."


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Fury and Hill sat in the interrogation room facing each other, a cup of coffee in front of each of them as they waited. What they were waiting for neither were exactly sure.


    "Why does jail coffee always suck?" Fury asked, removing a flask from inside his leather duster that he insisted on wearing even in the oppressive heat of New Mexico, pouring a healthy dose of whatever it contained into his coffee, offering the flask to Hill.


    "No...thank you."


    Fury returned the flask to the pocket of the duster before taking a drink.


    "Better...not a hell of a lot."


    The door behind Fury opened, he turning to witness Coulson entering. Both agents shot up from their chairs, shocked at the sight of their missing colleague and friend.


    "Coulson! Where on god''s green earth have you been?" Fury exclaimed.


    "Ironic you should use that phrase. There was a bit of a misunderstanding," Coulson explained as Loki and Verda entered the room behind him, "Loki, Verda¡­this is Maria Hill and Nick Fury," Coulson said, introducing the Asgardians to his colleagues, "Release Erik Selvig and return his equipment. I need a location for Elliot Randolph, the professor of Norse mythology at the University of Seville. Get a team together to bring him in."


    "On it," Hill said, swiftly exiting the room.

 Chapter 15

    "He''s not American, but he has rights! I just want is to see him so I know he''s ok!" Jane Foster, anxious as to Selvig''s wellbeing, stood in the lobby of the police station arguing with the officer manning the reception desk who appeared as if he would rather be doing anything else up to and including busting a crack house or a den of mobsters than dealing with the irate woman.


    "I''ve told you ten times already, he''s not in our custody. They outrank us. There''s nothing I can do."


    "So they just get to waltz in here and do whatever they want?" Jane asked, frustrated.


    "Pretty much," the officer replied as a door on the opposite side of the lobby opened.


    "Jane..." Selvig called to her as he stepped through.


    "Erik!" Jane cried in relief as she rushed to him, "I told them you hadn''t abducted anyone!"


    "I did, actually."


    "What?!"


    "I''ll tell you everything," Selvig said, glancing at the officer Jane had been harassing, "but not here. They''re returning our equipment. We should get back."


    Loki, Verda, and Coulson entered the lobby after Selvig through the same door, Jane staring at Loki with an expression of shock.


    "Jane Foster, it''s good-" Loki began, Verda upon hearing Jane''s name turning her attention to the mortal woman as Jane stepped in front of him, slapping him across the face.


    "You lied! You ARE one of them!" Jane shouted in anger, Selvig grabbing hold of her arm and moving her back.


    "How dare you!" Verda proclaimed indignantly, taking a step in Jane''s direction, Loki extending his arm in front of her.


    "Girls! Girls!" Selvig exclaimed, attempting to prevent a brawl from breaking out between the two women, both Verda and Jane turning their heads to glare at Selvig with irritation, "I mean ladies."


    "It''s not as if you''ve never done the same," Loki reminded Verda.


    "That was different. You were dying," Verda replied as Loki turned his attention back to Jane.


    "He''s not one of them," Selvig informed Jane.


    "They aren''t responsible for my brother''s murder. They''ve agreed to assist me in finding those who are," Loki explained.


    "Oh...well...alright then," Jane responded as the exterior door to the lobby opened, an older man, bearded with gray hair and glasses entering.


    "Erik!" Hank Pym called out, relieved to see his old friend outside of a jail cell and that he hadn''t disappeared off the face of the earth.


    "Hank! What are you doing here?" asked Eric in surprise as he crossed the lobby to Pym, placing a hand on Pym''s shoulder.


    "Jane told me S.H.I.E.L.D. had taken off with you. I got here as soon as I could," Pym explained.


    "It''s all been sorted out. Banner''s alive. I know where he is."


    "We should be going," Coulson said to Loki amid the reunion of the two scientists.


    Loki and Verda followed Coulson to the door, Loki halting as he reached Selvig and Pym.


    "Thank you again, Erik Selvig," he said, extending his hand, Selvig taking it.


    "My pleasure. If you need me I''m sure Heimdall can find me," Selvig replied before Loki and Verda followed Coulson out of the police station.


    "Was that Lucas?" Pym asked.


    "Lucas was an alias. His real name''s Loki," Selvig answered.


    "Like the god?"


    "Not like...he is," Selvig answered, Pym and Jane befuddled at Selvig''s answer.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    "That was Jane Foster?" Verda asked Loki as the Asgardians and Coulson crossed the parking lot in the direction of a group of black cars parked beside each other.


    "You know of her?"


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    "Your brother spoke of her....your brother in my time. I don''t see what he found so special about her. She''s a mortal like any other," Verda said, sounding slightly irritated.


    Following Coulson''s lead to one of the black cars, Loki opened the back passenger side door, Verda entering the vehicle, Loki closing it and entering the front passenger seat as Coulson entered on the driver''s side, starting the engine and pulling out of the parking lot.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    After a short flight on the Quinjet that had been awaiting them outside town, the trio arrived at the nearest S.H.I.E.L.D. facility in the Mojave desert. Coulson had received word that Randolph''s location had been ascertained and confirmed, a team of S.H.I.E.L.D. agents dispatched to collect him though it would be a few hours until his arrival.


    Coulson led Verda and Loki through the facility, arriving in an expansive, high ceilinged room. The space was empty, not at the moment in use for any specific purpose. A doorway to a corridor could be seen on the far side, Coulson making his way to it, their footsteps echoing off the metallic walls.


    "I''ll show you to the living quarters. There''s a common room, a television and game room, library, all the comforts of home...on Earth, anyway. We''ll let him cool his heels for awhile once he gets here," Coulson said, not mentioning the fact that he was well aware the same tactic had been used on him after his arrival in Asgard.


    As Loki took stock of the cavernous room, a now familiar pain came over him once more, stopping him in his tracks as he grimaced, holding his head. Coulson, his back to Loki, failed to notice as he continued on, Verda grasping Loki''s arm in concern.


    "I am burdened with glorious purpose¡­" Loki muttered softly, his eyes closed, a vision assailing him.


    "You''ve been here before? In your visions?" Verda asked as Loki recovered, opening his eyes, all the equipment that had filled the room in his vision not extant in his current reality.


    "Where are you keeping it? The relic?" Loki called out to Coulson, his voice echoing off the walls.


    "Relic?" Coulson questioned as he stopped, turning to face him, Loki unsure whether the agent''s apparent confusion was sincere or feigned.


    "It possesses power you cannot hope to control or contain. He will come for it."


    "Not now," Verda whispered to Loki before speaking to Coulson, "At times Loki has visions of the future. Perhaps he''s foreseen an accident taking place here that may put your people in peril."


    "I''ll pass on the warning," Coulson replied as Verda led Loki forward.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    "Did you think they would just hand it over to you?" Verda asked, seated in an oversized chair as Loki perused the shelf of books before him after Coulson had excused himself, leaving them alone in a small library/reading room, "If you take it from them, what will you do with it?"


    "It could be taken to Nidavellir and jettisoned into the heart of the dying star that powers the forge. Even if it''s not destroyed, it couldn''t be obtained," Loki said, pulling a book off the shelf and opening it, scanning the first page.


    "One thing at a time. Let''s deal with Thor''s murderers first, then you must return to Asgard and speak with your father. If that isn''t dealt with, nothing else will matter."


    "Of that I''m well aware," Loki said, turning the page of the book as silence fell between them, Verda looking down at her hands clasped in her lap.


    "There''s something I must tell you," Verda finally said, Loki turning to face her, uneasy at the tone of her voice and demeanor.


    "What is it?" Loki said, closing the book and returning it to the shelf before approaching Verda, seating himself in the chair across from her.


    "I don''t believe Randolph meeting me at the memorial was random chance....In my time, in New Asgard, before your brother began to seclude himself, when I went each day to the memorial he would be there, waiting to join me in honoring you. In our shared grief, we grew close. I should have known it to be doomed from the start. We were searching for another in each other. I thought I could help him but It was not enough. I was not enough. He began to seek solace in drink and petty amusements. I could no longer watch him destroy himself. We never spoke of us to others but our meetings at the memorial, as often as I visited him, I''m sure others suspected. Randolph likely overheard talk of us. He must have believed if anyone was to know where Thor had hidden what he was seeking or could obtain that knowledge it would be me," Verda finished, Loki stunned speechless by her revelation.


    "You...and my brother...?" Loki finally said in disbelief before he rose, exiting the room.


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Coulson stood between Loki and Verda in front of a large two way mirror watching as Elliot Randolph, confused and bewildered, was led in shackles by two S.H.I.E.L.D agents into an interrogation room. After seating him, the agents exited through the same door, closing it behind them, leaving Randolph alone.


    "That is the man," Verda said.


    "You''ll be able to hear everything we say," Coulson said as he pressed a button on a wall panel before exiting into the interrogation room through a door a few feet to the right of the two way mirror.


    Verda glamced over at Loki as he stared unblinking at Randolph, a dark expression on Loki''s face she knew was not only due to the presence of the man who was likely responsible for his brother''s death.


    "I didn''t want you to be caught off guard if he spoke of it," said Verda, breaking the uncomfortable silence.


    "Did you love him?"


    "Of course I did. but it was different. It''s hard to explain. I''ve heard it said everyone one loves is different....he abdicated the throne and left us. He didn''t say goodbye to me as if he had forgotten I existed. As much as he''d been drinking, maybe he had," Verda was quiet for a moment, contemplating, before removing the necklace Loki had given her and taking his hand, placing it in his palm, "You should not spend your days questioning if your Queen''s heart belongs to another."


    Loki gazed down at the pendant, his eyes drawn to the damage it had sustained during the attack by her double.


    "My brother was not a drunk who would treat with disdain one who cared for him. He met his end nobly and honorably," Loki said before placing the necklace around Verda''s neck once more.


    "I''m just a university professor. I haven''t killed anyone or had anyone killed! Why would I?" Randolph exclaimed, Loki and Verda returning their attention to him.


    "You''ve been positively identified by a witness. How do you explain that?" Coulson grilled Randolph.


    "They say everyone has a twin. I haven''t left Spain in almost two years," Randolph answered, Verda''s expression changing to one of realization.


    "He''s telling the truth...he is the man but not the man..." Verda said, turning from Loki, swiftly making her way to the door of the interrogation room.

 Chapter 16

    "A place for everything and everything in its place. I think they organized it better than we did," Selvig said, Pym standing on one side of him, Jane and Darcy on the other, as they examined a shelving unit of scientific equipment that had been returned on Coulson''s orders by S.H.I.E.L.D agents.


    "I tell my people if a job''s worth doing, it''s worth doing right," the four heard Nick Fury''s voice say from behind them.


    "I thought my part in all this was over," Selvig said as the four turned to face Fury.


    "It is. All water under the bridge," Fury responded.


    "Is there something else I can do for you?" Selvig asked, anxious for Fury and the other S.H.I.E.L.D agents to be on their way and for life to return to normal, or as normal as it ever would be now that he had been enlightened about the existence of Asgard and the fact confirmed that they weren''t alone in the universe.


    "You have quite the resume, Dr. Selvig. I''m impressed. I''m here to make you an offer," Fury explained.


    "He''s not interested," Pym said, his tone hostile.


    "Hank Pym. I''ve heard a lot about you. I was with S.H.I.E.L.D. during your time with us but of course I was a bit farther down the ranks back then. I never got the chance to meet you. Nick Fury," Fury said, approaching Pym, his hand extended, Pym neglecting to take it, giving Fury a death stare as Fury lowered his arm back to his side, "I get it. I''d be pissed too, but a lot''s changed since then."


    "The more things change, the more they stay the same," Pym responded, Fury turning his attention back to Selvig.


    "We''re researching a possible source of clean energy. If we''re successful we''ll be saving the planet and everyone that calls it home. We know we can''t go on the way we''ve been going or sooner or later, likely sooner, we''ll go the way of the dinosaurs. I''d love to have you on board. If that sounds like something you''d be interested in¡­" Fury said, handing Selvig a card.


    "I''ll think about it," Selvig replied, looking at the card in his hand.


    "Just be sure it''s you doing the thinking," Fury said, looking at Pym, Pym glowering back in return, "I''ll get out of your hair and let you get on with your work," Fury turned, taking a few steps toward the exit before turning around again to address Pym, "I heard what you did to Mitchell Carson. I can''t say I wasn''t tempted to do the same myself a few times."


    "Why didn''t you?" Pym asked.


    "As the saying goes, I like to keep my friends close and my enemies closer," Fury answered.


    "Your enemies might be a lot closer than you think."


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Coulson turned his head as the door to his left opened unexpectedly, Verda entering. Randolph''s eyes widened, his jaw dropping at the sight of the woman dressed in the attire of a female warrior of Asgard.


    "This isn''t about any murder. Odin sent you to bring me back. After all this time never setting a foot wrong...well, there was that French woman...I admit, I''m a sucker for a pretty face, but that was centuries ago. Why now?" Randolph asked as a confused Coulson looked from Verda to Randolph then to Loki as he entered.


    "You''re Asgardian?" Verda said in astonishment.


    "You''re one of them?" Coulson asked, bewildered.


    "Maybe you''ve read about me...I doubt it, everyone''s into the Greeks...the Warrior Who Stayed."


    "You weren''t involved in Thor''s murder?" Verda asked.


    "Thor''s dead? Of course not. I''m a pacifist now. I''d had enough of killing. Before I got tired of fighting, I got tired of breaking rocks. I was a mason. All I wanted was to travel. When Odin asked for volunteers to replenish the ranks I saw my chance."


    "The man who looks like you, he kept someone hidden somewhere underground, like a crypt. He said he...you...had hidden something else there long ago which had never been found," Verda said, the color appearing to drain from Randolph''s face.


    "The catacombs under El Divino Nino in Seville. They were built over ancient Roman ruins in the 8th century, the church was later built over them," Randolph answered, "If he has one, that''s bad enough, but if he knows where I hid the other two...."


    "The other two what?" Coulson asked, uneasy due to Randolph''s demeanor.


    "Have you ever heard of Berserkers?" Randolph asked Coulson.


    "The Berserkers? My father disbanded them after--" Loki began.


    "I wasn''t asking you. I was asking him," Randolph interrupted Loki, "Of course you know of them, Odin son...the brat prince...always boasting you were born to be a king, too blinded by your ego to realize your only purpose in life would be to polish your brother''s boots...annoying the hell out of everyone with your stupid tricks...stabbing anyone who got their own back before running home crying to mommy. So someone succeeded where you failed. What does it matter to you? You have what you always wanted...and without getting a drop of blood on those manicured hands."


    "Insolent bastard!" Loki growled, enraged, as he strode around the table.


    "Loki! Don''t!" Verda cried, Loki ignoring her as he grabbed the shackled Randolph by the throat, hefting him from his chair.


    "Just as...I thought...soft as...a baby...unlike...the hands....of a mason," Randolph hoarsely wheezed as Loki tightened his grip on the fellow Asgardian''s throat before hurling him violently against the wall, Randolph''s impact leaving a deep dent in its metallic surface.


    Randolph recovered, rising as he effortlessly broke out of the shackles, dropping them to the floor before pointing to Loki.


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    "That...multiply that rage, that strength by twenty, maybe thirty in the case of that royal runt, and you have a Berserker. Now imagine an army of them. If he gets his hands on all three pieces and reassembles the Berserker Staff, raises an army, there''ll be no stopping him."


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    "I had thought he was manipulating my sister but he was once a warrior with no skill in magic. He couldn''t have accessed my sister''s cell or removed the collar," Verda said as Loki once again perused the bookshelves of the library.


    Loki removed a book after reading the title on the spine, ''The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.''


    "After Hela''s arrival in Asgard, what became of those in the dungeon?" Loki asked.


    "Heimdall rescued everyone he could. If he released them they never made it to the stronghold. Why?"


    Before Loki could answer and as if Verda speaking his name was a summons, the imposing figure who had visited Selvig appeared beside Loki, though only he could hear and see Asgard''s gatekeeper.


    "Your mother summons you."


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    Loki and Verda crossed the rainbow bridge, no words passing between them, after Heimdall had advised Loki of the situation that had prompted Frigga to recall him from his mission in Midgard. To Loki''s, as well as Verda''s relief, the situation was not as dire as he had feared, though the clock was still ticking. A darkness had descended over him as he had stepped out of the Bifrost into Himinbjorg, like a specter of Thor''s shadow returning. He knew Verda had not wronged him but what he felt had yet to catch up with what he knew. He had believed he had possessed something that was his and his alone, that his brother had never had. It had been a feeling akin to what he would have felt if he had for the first time returned from the Kynsblot Eve hunt as the victor and Thor empty handed.


    "You should have brought Mjolnir. We could have flown as your brother once did. It would have been less painful. Sif''s feet are just a bit smaller than my own," Verda said offhandedly to break the uncomfortable silence, referring to the pair of Sif''s boots that she wore.


    "My brother''s ways in all things were superior," Loki responded.


    "I never said that," Verda paused for a moment, looking over at Loki, his eyes downcast, "I didn''t come here for your brother!" she exclaimed as she doubled her pace, striding away from him.


    "Verda¡­" Loki called out, "Wait..."


    Verda turned to face Loki as he caught up to her.


    "This is why you went mad! The only person it''s necessary for you to be better than is the man you were yesterday! Not your brother, not your father! One cannot love another unless they first love themselves!"


    "Many would say that is not an area in which I experience great difficulty," Loki responded.


    "They would be wrong. You''ve betrayed yourself more than you ever have anyone else."


    "Is this what I have to look forward to for millennia, such impudence and brazen honesty?" Loki asked, irritated, before his tone and expression changed as he grinned, "Good."


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    "Father¡­" Loki said, approaching Odin whom he found sitting upon a stone bench within the palace''s lush gardens, staring out over the crystal water of a pool reflecting like a liquid mirror the blue sky above.


    "My son...join me," Odin said, his voice calm and quiet, unlike what Loki was used to hearing emanate from the usually imposing figure.


    ""Mother said I would find you here. She worries over you."


    "My queen has spent far too much of her life worrying over me. When my time comes it will be a relief to me to know that she will no longer need to do so....It has been some time since I have come to this place. I have dedicated my life to safeguarding that which I have taken so little time to appreciate. I''m afraid it was the same with you and your brother. I failed you, both of you. I concerned myself with preparing you to be worthy of the throne. I did not appreciate you as my sons."


    "It''s true you have not been a perfect father. It is equally true I have not been a perfect son. I''ve caused you much grief. There''s something we must discuss. It concerns the future of Asgard...the greater universe as well."


    "You have used the stones," Odin said, "I was aware you possessed them. As you have come to know I am also aware things are not as they were to be."


    "Then you know of whom I wish to speak."


    "Hela, my firstborn," Odin said, staring out over the water, at the reflection of the clouds above drifting across it.


    "If she is released all for which you have dedicated your life will fall."


    "I had planned to transfer the lock of her prison to Thor after he had taken the throne and I had prepared him."


    "Life can be fleeting, one''s demise unexpected. The security of the realms and the universe should not rest on the shoulders of one person. The Norn Stones hold great power, enough to keep her imprisoned for eternity."


    "As lives can end so too can a relic be destroyed or fall into the wrong hands," Odin stated.


    "Not if it can''t be reached," Loki replied.


    "There is another matter that concerns you...she who you intend to take as your queen."


    "That is of no import at the moment-" Loki began.


    "On the contrary, the contentment of Asgard''s king is of great importance. That is why it is imperative that a king chooses his queen wisely. A man can possess nothing better than a good wife nor anything worse than a bad one. I can attest to the truth of that statement. Hela''s dark ambitions were only rivaled by those of her mother."


    "She is not her sister. I could extoll her many virtues but it would be far simpler to say that it would be a great loss to Asgard if it were not to have such a woman as its queen."


    "May she bring you the joy and comfort that your mother has brought me these many centuries," Odin replied.


    "Mother wishes you to join her. I must return to Midgard."


    "And I must take my rest. I can wait no longer. Before I do and before you depart once more¡­" Odin said, rising unsteadily, Loki assisting him, "If you are both prepared¡­"


    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX


    It was not the grand, glorious coronation Loki had envisioned but strangely he didn''t care. The people who had come to matter to him most were there...his mother, the expression of anxiety she had displayed upon meeting them as they entered the palace upon their return was now replaced with a proud smile as she stood beside the throne, Verda at her side, Sif and the Warriors Three also bearing witness as he kneeled before his father.


    "Loki Odinson, my heir...I have defended Asgard and the lives of the innocent across the nine realms in the time of the Great Beginning. The day has come for a new king. Do you swear to guard the nine realms?"


    "I swear," Loki replied.


    "And do you swear to preserve the peace?"


    "I swear."


    "Do you swear to cast aside all selfish ambition and to pledge yourself only to the good of the realms?" Odin continued.


    It was perhaps the most difficult vow for Loki to make. He had for so long he now realized lived his life mired in selfish ambition. Now his only ambition was to return from Midgard with Thor''s murderers in his custody and to bestow upon Sif the axe with which the justice due them would be meted out.


    "To you and all of Asgard, I swear," Loki proclaimed.


    "Then on this day, I proclaim you King."


    The words echoed inside Loki''s head. He was king, the burden of the throne now his to shoulder. It was a moment of satisfaction but also of doubt and fear as he hoped he would be proven equal to the task.


    Frigga took Verda''s arm, escorting her to Loki''s side as he raised himself to his feet. Odin stood from the throne, making his way from it to stand before the two.


    "This day Asgard gains not only a new king but a queen as well," Odin announced.


    For the second time Loki found himself swearing a vow, one of a different sort, as he took Verda''s hand in his own, slipping the gold, rune engraved ring that had been procured for the occasion onto Verda''s finger.


    "I give you that which is mine to give. I pledge to you my living and my dying, each equally in your care. I shall be your shield and shall honor you above all others," Loki recited the traditional Asgardian vows.


    As Loki finished, Frigga stepped forward, placing a gold, rune engraved band into Verda''s hand which she then slid onto Loki''s finger as she repeated the same vows.


    At the completion of their promises to one another, Odin produced a golden cord, wrapping it around their clasped hands from wrist to wrist.


    "What I have joined is joined eternal," Odin pronounced.

 Chapter 17

    "Yerrick¡­" Elliot Randolph''s doppelganger said as he approached then knelt before the svelte man in the long, hooded leather tunic whose face was obscured by the black, gold trimmed mask almost identical but for its color to those worn by Thor''s assassins.


    The masked man turned, his hands clasped behind his back, to face Randolph.


    "Rise. You have news?" Yerrick asked in a measured, low voice from behind the mask.


    "They''ve taken him." Randolph said, standing.


    "Good," Yerrick replied, turning back to face a wall of television sets in the metallic paneled room, all tuned to various news channels, each displaying video of some sort of unrest, violence and warfare and its aftermath in various places around the globe, "Do you know from whence all of this originates? All of this destruction? All this suffering and chaos?"


    "Greed? Selfishness?" Randolph conjectured.


    "Merely symptoms of the malady which plagues them. They live their pathetically short lives in a mad scramble for power, for identity. At the heart of it all is one great lie. I have come to put paid to that lie. They were made to be ruled. Only when they accept that can they experience life''s true joy. The wretched creatures of this realm will know peace."


    *******************************


    "I wouldn''t be surprised to run into Dracula down here. He kept her here for a year? I guess when you have a lifespan of a few thousand, one must be like a week," Coulson said as he, Randolph, Loki and Verda traversed the dark, narrow, winding, cobwebbed corridors of the subterranean crypt, Coulson carrying an electric lantern, its bluish tinted glow lending to the eeriness of their surroundings.


    "Time passes for us the same as for mortals," Loki informed him.


    "He had convinced her that Loki''s life was in danger and she was fated to save it. That was what allowed her to endure," Verda led them into a room, a small bunk along one wall, a television, DVD player, and a video game system sitting on a stand, all plugged into a large battery powered generator, "He provided her with amusements...the same sort as your brother had become fond of," Verda told Loki.


    "Every anti-social teenager''s dream come true," Coulson quipped as he examined the room and the modern devices that clashed with the ancient stone walls of the crypt.


    The sound of multiple bootsteps reached them, echoing from far down the corridor. Coulson silently pointed to the others, motioning for them to stand along the wall by the doorway before switching off his lantern.


    The bootsteps grew nearer, the glow of a lantern preceding them. All four stood stiffly, holding their breath, preparing themselves for a confrontation. A body appeared in the doorway, shining his light into the room for a moment before withdrawing, Coulson taking note of what he could see of him reflected in the dead television screen along the far wall from the entrance to the room...a man sporting the black uniform of a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, the lantern in one hand, a firearm in the other. The bootsteps passed the doorway, continuing down the narrow corridor, Coulson counting what he thought to be ten men.


    "I didn''t call them in. What are they doing?" Coulson whispered, troubled and confused before Loki produced Mjolnir in his hand, stepping through the doorway.


    "Are you looking for me or vampires? You brought the wrong weapons either way," Loki said, his voice echoing, startling the men who turned, raising their rifles, deafening gunfire erupting, Loki using his magic to deflect the trajectory of the bullets, shards of stone chipping from the walls.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Loki hurled Mjolnir in their direction, the hammer felling the group of ten like dominoes before returning to Loki''s hand as Coulson and the others exited their hiding place.


    "It seems you''ve provided me with an army of traitors," Loki said with irritation as Coulson cautiously approached the deceased men lying in the corridor, peering down at the nearest man.


    "Walters was as loyal an agent as any I''ve ever known. Where''s Miles and Solukis?" Coulson said, fearful for the fate of the two women that had accompanied them there.


    Coulson''s question was answered as they swiftly exited the church, rushing to the van parked on the street nearby. Cautiously opening the back doors, the four found the two missing female agents lying in the back, obviously deceased, their necks broken.


    "Would they not agree to betray us?" Verda asked.


    "She''s here. We have to go...now," Loki said with urgency.


    Verda''s expression displayed her shock as she put two and two together, recalling Loki''s question regarding the fate of the inmates in Asgard''s dungeon.


    "Who''s ''she?''" Coulson asked.


    "My sister," Verda informed him.


    *******************************


    "She wasn''t on the ship, she wasn''t among the survivors when we arrived in Midgard. She couldn''t have used the Bifrost. She had to have died on Asgard," Verda said as she sat next to Loki on the bench seat within the quinjet.


    "As you well know, ships and the Bifrost are not the only means to travel to Midgard," Loki replied.


    "Why would she have only Thor murdered? Why not murder both of you and your father and take the throne? Why send me back?" Verda asked.


    "Seizing a throne is easier than holding it. A usurper tends to foment discontent."


    "She had Laufey murdered. You have a claim to that throne as well."


    "Yes..." Loki acknowledged.


    *******************************


    "Seventy years ago, we fought a war against a madman¡­a few actually," Fury began as he and Coulson sat across from Loki and Verda at a conference table, "It gave rise to a terrorist paramilitary organization called Hydra. They may have existed in some form even before that. Its origins are a little murky. Nazi Germany went the way of the dodo but Hydra survived. They''ve infiltrated other organizations, governments, they''re like a virus. Recently we''ve received intelligence that a good number of their members have been abandoning ship, recruited away by some new organization. I''ve been contacted in strict secrecy by someone high up in Hydra''s chain of command actually asking for our help to find out who these people are. As the saying goes, better the enemy you know. They don''t seem interested in recruiting Hydra''s female members. I thought they were just misogynist bastards. There''s women in S.H.I.E.L.D. that I''d put money on in the ring over most men any day of the week, but from what you''ve told me about her, if Lorelei is involved it makes sense."


    "She''s building an army," Verda said, "She means to rule...not just this realm, but Asgard, the others and beyond...an empire."


    "Even if we take out the one she''s building now, if all she has to do is whisper a few sweet nothings in a guy''s ear, she''ll raise another pretty damn fast. We have another saying, ''blood is thicker than water.'' She''s your sister. You know her best. Is it possible you could reason with her?" Fury asked Verda.


    "My sister is beyond reason. There''s only one way to stop her...by doing what your father should have done a long time ago," Verda said, addressing Loki.


    *******************************


    "I guess this isn''t much of a honeymoon." Coulson said as he, Verda and Loki walked the corridor after leaving the conference room.


    "A what?" Verda asked.


    "On Earth, in some cultures, when a couple get married they usually go on a trip, a vacation. It''s called a honeymoon."


    "That would be nice. I''ve heard Alfheim''s beautiful," Verda responded.


    "Alfheim?"


    "It''s the realm of the light elves." Loki answered.


    "Elves? They''re real too?" Coulson asked.


    "Speaking of travelling, I want you to return to Asgard," Loki said to Verda.


    "Don''t tell me I''ll be safer there. We both know that''s not true," Verda said, touching the pendant of her necklace, "I''m not leaving you."


    "Excuse me. I have some calls to make," Coulson said as he continued down the corridor, sensing an argument brewing and not wishing to be caught in the middle of it.


    "We should both return," Verda continued, "You are Asgard''s king. Its army is yours to command. They should be made ready. We must come up with a trap for my sister to stumble into."


    "Perhaps if we were to lure her into a forest...you do realize the pit you stumbled into was a trap of my own making. It had been intended for my brother, not wayward girls," Loki said with a puckish smile.


    "I had come to suspect as much."

 Chapter 18

    The floor of the large gymnasium was marked with painted white rings, two men sparring within each. In the hands of the men were wielded lethal swords, staffs, and maces. Those within the circle knew what they must do if they hoped to leave it the same way they had entered it...alive. Only one of them would do so.


    From a walkway running the length of the far wall, Yerrick observed the proceedings below, any expression that would provide a clue as to his thoughts and feelings about what he was witnessing were obscured by the mask he wore, his gloved hands clutching the metal railing as Randolph approached him.


    "You requested my presence?" Randolph asked.


    "Yes. Join me," Yerrick said as he continued to watch the activity taking place below, Randolph also turning his attention to the proceedings, his face taking on a dark, glum expression.


    Combatants, their individuality stripped away by their identical white masks and jumpsuits, fell in combat, Randolph watching as their bodies were dragged from the circle, the victor celebrating with machismo his triumph before stepping out, as two more entered, the action beginning once again. Any that for whatever reason left the confines of the painted ring during their bout were quickly thrust back into it to continue the fight until it had reached its fatal conclusion. Yerrick turned his head slightly, glancing at Randolph.


    "This troubles you?" Yerrick observed.


    "When I served with the Berserker army, if we fell, it was not by the blades of our comrades but those of the enemy."


    "The Berserkers, the Valkyrie, two of the most formidable armies in the universe are no more. An army is only as strong as its weakest warrior. Odin lacked the courage to do what needed to be done. In my army, one must earn their place. The cowardly and the weak must be winnowed out," Yerrick said before vanishing in a green glow.


    A blade of a short sword emerged from Randolph''s chest in the area of his heart as he was run through from behind. Yerrick withdrew the blade, Randolph''s body slumping over the railing, Yerrick pushing it over. Randolph''s corpse landed in the middle of the ring directly below. The men within it in the midst of combat ceased fighting, looking up to see Yerrick staring down at them through his mask before he turned, disappearing from view.


    ********************************


    Coulson glanced at the watch on his wrist as he, Loki and Verda stepped out of the sprawling S.H.I.E.L.D. facility and into the searing daytime heat of the desert surrounding it.


    "Our warriors will be ready. We must see to our duties in Asgard. I will return-" Loki said before Verda interrupted him.


    "We will return," Verda said somewhat testily.


    "If you have need of me-."


    "Us," Verda corrected him.


    "Heimdall will be watching," Loki finished before turning to Verda, "I seem to remember it was I that took the sacred oath of kingship," Loki said to Verda.


    "You took another oath after that one," Verda replied.


    "I don''t recall vowing to be the host of a likj."


    "A what?" Coulson asked.


    "A wormlike creature which attaches itself and drains one of their blood," Loki explained.


    "We have something like that, too. They''re called leeches."


    "A likj is the length of one''s arm. They''re disgusting. I can''t believe you would compare me to a likj and in the presence of another!" Verda said, angrily striding away.


    "Perhaps I went too far," Loki said to Coulson.


    "Maybe a little," Coulson answered.


    "I only want to keep her safe. I hope to convince her to remain in Asgard."


    "Comparing her to a parasite probably isn''t the best strategy," Coulson said.


    "I admit this is all new to me."


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "I''ve never been married myself but my father was married to my mother for over fifty years. As he used to say, you catch more flies with honey than vinegar," Coulson replied.


    Loki excused himself, following Verda who stood with her back to Loki, her arms crossed as she brooded, he resting a hand on her shoulder.


    "First I was a horse, now I''m a likj," Verda said.


    "Surely you know by now to take seriously only half of what I say."


    "How am I to know which half?" Verda asked as she turned to face Loki, "On the ship...I had finally gathered the courage to speak to you...I was looking for you when he came for it...for you."


    "I almost lost you once already."


    "I don''t fear death. I fear life without you," Verda replied.


    "In that we are agreed--"


    Loki was interrupted by a sound similar to a jet engine but on a smaller scale, both he and Verda looking up as a man in a red and gold metallic suit descended between them and Coulson, Coulson again checking his watch. Tony Stark ignored their presence as he approached Coulson as Verda began to drop to one knee, Loki taking hold of her arm.


    "What are you doing?" Loki whispered.


    "It''s him, he who claimed the honor of ending Thanos," Verda replied quietly back.


    "You''re five minutes late," Coulson said to Tony Stark as Stark raised the front of his helmet, revealing his face.


    "Took a wrong turn at Albuquerque. Thought I was only a consultant. I seem to remember something about displaying ''compulsive behavior,'' that I''m ''self destructive,'' narcissistic...for the record I agreed with that one."


    "We''re consulting you now. I''ll brief you on what we know so far," Coulson said as Stark turned to see Verda and Loki as they stared at him.


    "You were playing Dungeons and Dragons and you didn''t invite me?" Stark asked.


    "This is Loki and Verda, the king and queen of Asgard. Loki, Verda...Tony Stark."


    "Asgard? Never heard of it."


    "What about Odin...Thor?" asked Coulson.


    "The Viking God? The one with the hammer?"


    "Loki is Thor''s brother," Coulson answered.


    Stark stared at Loki and Verda for a moment before bursting into laughter, turning back to Coulson.


    "I know some people really get into role playing stuff. Didn''t picture you as one of them. So what are you? Dwarf? Half-elf?" Stark turned back to examine Loki once more, "You''re kinda puny for a god."


    "Am I, metal man?" Loki said, stepping away from Verda, Mjolnir appearing in his hand as Stark took a step back, "This once belonged to my brother," Loki said, holding the hammer out to Stark, "Take it."


    Stark appeared suspicious as he eyed the hammer before reaching for it. As he wrapped the metal gloved hand of the suit around it, Loki released his hold on it. Mjolnir dropped heavily to the ground. Stark, as had Selvig, struggled as he attempted to raise it.


    "What the hell?" Stark said, bewildered.


    "I am who the son of Coul says I am. I am Loki, son of Odin," Loki said, Stark finally giving up, Loki easily lifting the hammer from the ground.


    "Electromagnet!" Stark exclaimed, his face lighting up.


    "You wouldn''t be able to move in that tin can," Coulson said.


    "Ok, you got me. How''d you do it?" Stark asked before Loki turned, hurling Mjolnir far out over the desert, Stark watching in awe as it returned to his hand, "You mean for once someone from S.H.I.E.L.D. isn''t lying?"


    "I assume Coulson has summoned you here believing you could be of assistance to us. I leave it to him to explain the situation," Loki returned to Verda, she taking his hand, unable to help grinning at Starks astonished expression, "When I return-"


    "We," Verda said, again correcting him.


    "Perhaps we can have a drink," Loki finished.


    "Yeah...sure," Stark said in disbelief.


    Loki led Verda a few feet farther away to the area previously marked by the Bifrost.


    "Heimdall. Bring us home," Loki called out, Stark bewildered as the Bifrost descended.


    ********************************


    Loki and Verda stepped into Odin''s bedchambers, the light dim, two einherjar standing inside the room on either side of the door and one in each of the two corners of the room nearest the bed where his father lay asleep surrounded by a golden field of energy. Frigga, noticing them, rose from the bedside to greet them.


    "You''ve returned," Frigga said before embracing Loki, Loki and Verda both taking note of how fatigued she appeared to be, "It is done," Frigga said, extending her hand, in it the bag containing the Norn Stones, Loki taking it from her.


    "I''ll safeguard them," Verda said, taking the bag from Loki''s hand, "You have an army to make ready."


    "An army?" Frigga asked, concerned.


    "We''re close to apprehending Thor''s murderers but they may have an army of their own. In the event our Midgardian allies'' forces are not enough to subdue them¡­" Loki turned to Verda, "Remain with her," Loki told her before exiting the room.


    As Loki stepped out into the corridor from Odin''s chambers, past the two einherjar standing sentry on either side of the doors, Sif approached.


    "Loki," Sif said before recalling his new position, putting a hand with a closed fist across her chest and falling to one knee, "My king¡­.forgive me. It will take some getting used to."


    "We can dispense with the formalities...for now," Loki said, Sif rising, "See to Verda''s safety. Do not allow her to be alone."


    *******************************


    Hank Pym stood in front of a chest of drawers in the bedroom of his home. Slowly opening the top drawer, he pulled a framed photograph from under a few folded shirts, looking down on the face of his lost wife.


    "Her death wasn''t in vain," Pym heard Fury''s voice say from where the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. stood leaning in the doorway, his arms crossed.


    "It was all in vain. Everything. Everything I worked for," Pym replied.


    "When was the last time you used the suit?" Fury asked.


    "That day. I hid it. No one can get to it. Not even you. Even I couldn''t if I wanted to."


    "If S.H.I.E.L.D.''s been compromised I need to know by who. Think you could help a brother out?"


    "You mean someone in S.H.I.E.L.D. is finally going to listen and take me seriously? You''d better be careful. I''m an old man now. I might have a stroke," Pym told Fury sarcastically.

 Chapter 19

    Fandral, Volstagg, and Hogun approached the throne to see Loki seated upon it, so engrossed in the book he held in one hand, Gungnir, the spear of the king in the other, that he at first failed to register their presence. Though they had witnessed Loki''s impromptu coronation, had heard him take the oath, and knew well that they were now the subjects of a new king, they were unaccustomed to the sight of Loki seated in that exalted position. Had it been Thor, the sight would not have been so jarring as they had for quite some time expected him to be the one to succeed his father.


    The Warriors Three glanced at each other questioningly, Loki appearing to be ignoring them before they knelt in deference to their new king, placing an arm across their chest as they did so and bowing their heads.


    "As I suspected¡­" Loki said out loud, referencing the story as he snapped the book shut, the three men before him unsure whether he was speaking to them or himself.


    "My king..." said Fandral as the tome vanished from Loki''s hand before he peered down at the three from the throne.


    "As much as I enjoy the sight of you groveling before me...and I most certainly do¡­" Loki said with a satisfied grin, recalling the many times since his childhood he had been teased and chided by the three now paying homage to him, "We have important matters to discuss," Loki said as he rose and stepped down from the throne, The Warriors Three rising to their feet as Loki walked past them carrying Gungnir, the three turning to dutifully follow their new king.


    *****************************


    "Will she be alright? She looked so tired," Verda asked Sif as the two women exited Odin''s chambers, entering the corridor.


    "It is far from the first time she has sat vigil during his rest. She is strong. She will endure," Sif assured Verda.


    "There is so much I have to learn. I have no idea what I am expected to do," Verda confessed.


    "The most important duty of the Queen is to support her King."


    "I''d like to visit the gardens, unless Loki has forbidden it."


    "He charged me to remain by your side. He said nothing of restricting your movements."


    "You don''t mind, do you?" Verda asked.


    "It is my duty to accompany you wherever you wish to go, my Queen," Sif said as Verda glanced over at her with an expression of discomfort, "You are now the Queen of Asgard. You must accustom yourself to it."


    "You''re right," Verda acquiesced with a sigh, a moment of silence passing between the two before Verda continued, "Loki has told me of your feelings for Thor...if he had in time come to return them and had ascended the throne as was Odin''s wish, would you have been pleased to become queen?"


    "I''m not sure ''pleased'' would be the correct word. I would have willingly performed the duties that Asgard and my King expected of me, just as I have always done."


    "But would you not have had to sacrifice your life as a warrior?"


    "Eventually, for a time, at least. That does not mean I would have ceased to be a warrior. It would not have changed who I am. The king as well must make sacrifices."


    "What sacrifices?" Verda asked.


    It did not appear to her as if Loki had been forced to give up or fundamentally change anything about himself since taking the oath, at least not to the extent Sif would have been expected to were she to have become Asgard''s queen. It hardly seemed fair in Verda''s view, especially for someone in Sif''s position, who had worked so hard to earn her place.


    "How much of your time did you spend before all of this considering the welfare of Asgard, that of the realms? Did you much worry over any of it?" Sif asked.


    "Not much. I suppose I assumed all would be well. I was concerned with my own affairs."


    "For a king, Asgard and the realms are his affairs, his only affairs. Everything he does, every decision he makes he must have their wellbeing as his primary consideration, even in what would for anyone else be considered private matters. The king must swear to cast aside all selfish ambition, to pledge himself only to the good of the realms. That is why others that call Asgard and the realms home have the freedom to concern themselves with other things, to pursue their own pleasures and ambitions, freedoms that Loki will never again enjoy. It will be quite an adjustment for a man such as himself," Sif explained.


    "You do not believe he is up to the task?"


    "I did not say that, only that it may be more difficult for him than it would have been--" Sif broke off, pausing for a moment, "You are now my queen. I must ask your permission to say what it is I wish to say," Sif informed Verda.


    "You need never ask my permission to be honest with me whether it is in regards to myself or Loki. I want to be told the truth, always. It will serve neither myself nor Asgard to coddle me."


    "Spoken like a true queen," Sif said to Verda, appearing somewhat surprised by Verda''s words and the confidence in which she had spoken them considering what Sif had witnessed and taken as Verda''s seeming complete devotion to Loki, fearing Verda would not wish to hear anything that might be taken as criticism of him, "Though Thor was far from stupid, if it had come down only to intellect, Loki would have been the clear choice to succeed Odin. Yet despite his intelligence, he has always had many blind spots. He is very good at spotting flaws and weaknesses in others but not in himself. That is another of your duties as queen, to make him aware of them, to right him when he may err. It may be the duty that takes up the greatest amount of your time," Sif said as the two reached what was now the King and Queen''s chambers, Verda wishing to change out of Sif''s clothing, the einherjar standing sentry at the door opening them for the two women.


    "On the contrary, he has always been very aware of them, painfully so. The day we met as children, it was he I heard crying in the forest. He would go there to release his pain, his anguish as he wished no one to think him weak. He could not be Thor, he could only be himself. He was so different from the picture others had in their heads of what a Prince of Asgard, what a King of Asgard, should be. All he wanted was to be seen as Thor''s equal, to feel that he was equally valued," Verda explained.


    "I admit I was often unkind to him," Sif replied, not having expected such a revelation and never having considered it, shame coloring her tone.


    "If given a fair chance to prove himself, he will do so." said Verda.


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    "You may not have wished to be queen, but I would say you are doing quite well."


    "I don''t say what I do because I am queen. I say it because I know the man he truly is, that he has always been behind the mask he has long worn," Verda was silent for a moment as if pondering a question, "The danger we face is great. We can use all the help we can get. There is something I must try. I''m not certain it will work. I would not usually ask you to keep a secret from your king, but I must do so now."


    *****************************


    "You would betray your own queen?" Fandral asked, aghast, Volstagg and Hogun appearing equally confounded.


    "I will do what I must," Loki said as he stood behind what had been Odin''s desk in what had been Odin''s study, now his own as king.


    "She would never forgive you," Volstagg said as he nervously stroked his beard, discomforted by the scheme Loki had just outlined after enlightening them to all that he had learned on Midgard and the danger they faced.


    "If she is willing, why not allow her to fight?" Hogun asked.


    "I know what I would become if she were to fall," Loki turned his back to the three, crossing his arms and bowing his head, "When others yearned for my brother''s attention and affection, she longed for mine. Unless you are aware of another of which the same can be said, I believe that makes her quite extraordinary, even more so than any relic my father has stored away in the vault."


    "Like them you would lock her away?" asked Volstagg.


    *****************************


    "Randolph is no more," Yerrick said to the woman in the sky blue gown, her long copper hair flowing down her back who stood before a small bar, pouring herself a drink in the windowless room that shared the same cold, gray walls as the others in the compound, yet the decor, the tapestries and the canopied bed gave it a palatial air.


    "Good," Lorelei said, pouring a second drink, holding it out to Yerrick, "You have done well. You will be rewarded."


    Yerrick took the drink Lorelei offered, using his other hand to remove the mask, revealing his face. Loki lifted the glass to his lips. Setting it down along with the mask onto the bar, he took Lorelei''s glass from her hand and placed it on the bar as well before taking her in his arms.


    *****************************


    Verda and Sif approached the pool in the gardens, the same by which Odin had previously sat. Verda stood by it, gazing down at her reflection. Holding out her hand, the bag containing the Norn Stones appeared within it.


    "I''m not sure about this," Sif said warily, recalling the state in which they had discovered Loki in the hotel.


    "I''m not asking them to show me anything."


    "If anything happens to you it will be me that will be for the axe," Sif said.


    Sif watched nervously as Verda in her gown waded into the water of the still and crystal clear pool a few steps before turning around and lowering herself to float on her back for a moment before going under.


    *****************************


    Verda walked the familiar path through New Asgard, sea water dripping from her hair and gown, as if in a state of shock after her experience, so out of sorts she didn''t think of using her magic to dry herself. Those she passed looked at her curiously, both due to her state and the Asgardian gown she wore which, though Asgardian themselves, they had not seen worn by another Asgardian for some time. Finally reaching the door of the familiar abode, Verda stood for a moment, wet and shivering, before taking a breath and preparing herself, extending her arm, her fist closed around the stones, knocking on the door.


    "Just a moment¡­" the familiar voice called out as she remembered having heard so many times before.


    Verda braced herself as the knob turned and the door swung open. Thor stood before her, his hair that had once been cut short on Sakkar growing out, reaching his shoulders, his body not yet ravaged by drink. He looked at her with surprise and concern.


    "Verda¡­? Why are you-"


    Before he could finish, Verda threw herself at Thor, wrapping her arms around him, the sea water that soaked her gown now soaking through Thor''s clothing as she clung to him.


    "Did you have an accident?" Thor asked, leading her through the door into the house, closing it behind him, "I''ll be right back," Thor said, disappearing into another room and returning with a blanket, wrapping it around Verda like a cloak, rubbing her hair and her arms with it in an attempt to dry and warm her, "Did someone do this to you?"


    Verda shook her head, tears escaping from her eyes. As her shivering subsided somewhat, Thor took her in his arms, as much to continue to warm her as to display affection, looking into her face as if he would find answers there, though she only stared silently back at him. Thor moved his lips to hers, Verda returning the kiss.


    "No¡­" Verda said, suddenly turning her head away and stepping back.


    "What is it? What''s happened?" Thor stepped forward, gripping her shoulders, for the first time noticing the necklace, lifting the pendant in his hand, "Yggdrasil. I haven''t seen you wear this before."


    "It was a gift from Loki."


    "Loki?"


    "You haven''t been drinking?" Verda asked, scanning the room, noticing the table was devoid of empty bottles before realizing there had been no taste or scent of alcohol on his breath when he had kissed her, reminded why she had chosen this point in time.


    "It''s a bit early yet. Would you like one? Ale?" Thor turned towards the kitchen.


    "Perhaps something stronger?" Verda asked, aware that beer was not the only alcohol Thor had available.


    "Yes...of course...please, sit," Thor said, leaving the room and entering the kitchen as Verda took a seat on the couch, wrapped in the blanket.


    Thor returned after a few moments with a glass and a bottle of what appeared to be whisky or bourbon and sat beside her, placing the glass on the table and pouring a drink, setting the bottle down and picking up the glass, handing it to her. It was then Verda realized that her right hand still clutched the stones. She opened it, transferring them to her left hand and taking hold of the glass. Thor eyed her left hand, not only due to the mysterious stones he had caught a glimpse of, but the ring he now noticed on her finger.


    "Thank you," Verda said downing the drink in one swallow and reaching for the bottle to pour herself another, Thor grasping her wrist.


    "Tell me what''s happened."


    Verda turned her gaze from the bottle to look at Thor, at the concern in his expression mixed with the underlying pain she remembered had always been there since the day they had first met at the cairn.


    "I shouldn''t have abandoned you. I''m sorry," Verda said sorrowfully, tears once again welling in her eyes.


    "Abandoned me? I don''t understand," Thor replied, perplexed.


    "Loki needs your help," Verda told him, Thor silent for a moment, processing her statement, more confused than before.


    "My brother is beyond my help," Thor answered.


    *****************************


    As the sun began to set, Loki paced the great room of his chambers, two einherjar standing inside on either side of the door. As the doors were opened by the einherjar stationed outside them, Sif and Verda entered. Loki turned to face them, quickly crossing the distance between them.


    "Where have you been?" Loki said, sounding upset yet relieved.


    "The gardens. Sif was with me. I didn''t mean to worry you," Verda said apologetically, embracing him.


    "Do you wish me to remain?" Sif asked.


    "No. Thank you, Lady Sif," Loki told her, Sif bowing her head before turning and exiting the chambers, "I thought we might have our evening meal and retire early. We''ve been neglecting our rest."


    Verda then realized how tired Loki appeared to be, fatigue overtaking her as well. She looked to the two einherjar by the door and then the two others standing on either side of the doorway that led to the bedchamber.


    "We''re now husband and wife and I have yet to have any time alone with you. Perhaps once all of this is over we should follow the tradition that Coulson spoke of."


    "A tour of the realms," Loki said, taking Verda in his arms, "to introduce them to the most beautiful queen Asgard has ever known."


    "You''re laying it on thick. Are you seeking forgiveness for some foul deed I''m not yet aware of?" Verda asked, "Your mother is far lovelier. I once thought if only I was as beautiful as she maybe I wouldn''t have been afraid to speak to you fearing you would find me hideous."


    "If I had found you hideous I would have left you in the pit," Loki said, grinning.


    "No, you wouldn''t have," Verda laughed, "Did you really boast about my rescue for a week?" Verda asked.


    "Nine days. Sif threatened to beat me if I made it ten."


    "Perhaps you should have married Sif. It sounds as if she kept you in line. Is that not a queen''s duty?" Verda teased.


    "A queen has many duties...one in particular comes to mind. Of course my assistance is required," Loki said as he smiled mischievously.


    "I thought you were tired. We have yet to have time to enjoy each other''s presence and you talk of adding another''s. It''s not happening with these others present."


    "What would they tell anyone? That the king and queen were fulfilling their duties?"

 Chapter 20

    Though one would never expect Asgard''s dungeon, or any dungeon for that matter, to be a location that would engender feelings of cheerfulness and gaiety, after his visions Loki was even more discomforted within its confines than he had been previously the few times he''d had reason to enter. The dark patches that had been evident under his eyes the evening before had vanished and he appeared refreshed physically, though mentally he was troubled. Verda couldn''t help but notice as they made their way down a row of holding cells, most unoccupied.


    "What are you to do after we''re finished here?" Verda asked, attempting to divert Loki''s focus from their surroundings.


    "I am to meet with my ministers, after that, the security council and then with Heimdall after which I am to hear various petitions as well as bestow my blessing as king on a newborn child."


    "That all sounds incredibly dull, except for the last. Why couldn''t that be one of my duties?" Verda remarked as they reached their intended destination within the dungeon, Lorelei''s deserted cell, Loki having floated the idea that morning of searching it.


    Verda stood alongside Loki as she peered into the former living space of her sister. Everything was as Lorelei had left it...the stack of books on the round table, the paper on the small desk, the writing utensil with which she had been scribbling when Loki had approached still lying atop the paper where she had placed it when he had made his presence known to her. Verda and Loki warily stepped inside almost as if they were entering a location known to be haunted.


    "What are we looking for exactly?" Verda asked as she picked up a book from the stack on the small table, thumbing through it before turning to Loki to see his image fade.


    Verda spun around as the glow of the containment field activated, Loki standing outside of the cell.


    "Very funny. I should have known," Verda said before realizing that Loki''s face was devoid of the smirk she knew well that he exhibited each time he was successful at pulling off a prank, "No...Loki..."


    "You''ll be safe here."


    "You can''t...don''t do this...please...Loki..."


    "I''ve commanded the guards to provide you with anything you require. They are to treat you with the respect due you as queen until I return."


    "What if you don''t return? We pledged that our living and our dying are in each other''s care. Did those words mean nothing to you?"


    "They mean everything to me. It''s the living part I''m most concerned with."


    Verda moved to Lorelei''s bunk, seating herself on the far edge, her back to Loki, her shoulders slumped.


    "I was once told that there was no one you would not betray. I refused to believe it."


    "It''s not a betrayal. It''s for your-" Loki began before Verda interrupted him.


    "Go...just go...leave me," Verda said, resigned.


    Loki turned his head to look to the control panel before clasping his hands behind his back as he turned and walked away.


    ****************************


    "Thought I''d find you here," Fury said as he entered the gym, the blond man with the athletic physique sprinting past him as he ran laps around the room, completing each in half the time it would take any other physically fit man.


    "It''s not like there''s that many places to look," Steve Rogers said as he once again passed Fury.


    "It took seventy years to find you the first time."


    "Are they here?" Rogers inquired, ending his run and approaching Fury.


    "They''re on their way. Coulson''s spoken to our Asgardian contact. I expect they''ll be joining us soon."


    "You sure I''m ready for this?" Rogers asked.


    "I think the real question is are they ready for you? You''re going to need this," Fury said, holding out a black permanent marker.


    "Why?" Rogers asked, taking the marker and examining it.


    "You''ll find out soon enough," said Fury as he took hold of the edge of a manila folder, thick with papers from where he''d had it tucked under his left arm, "I thought you might want to take a look at this."


    Rogers opened the folder, looking at the first page.


    "Stark?"


    "Tony Stark. Howard Stark''s son. Howard and his wife were killed quite a few years back. Car accident."


    "Not a flying car, was it?" Rogers asked, recalling the first time he had laid eyes on Howard Stark demonstrating a hover car prototype, "Not the way I expected Howard to go out," Rogers said, looking at the second page, "Bruce Banner...a scientist?"


    "People over the years, including Banner, have tried to replicate the process Erskine used on you. No one''s quite nailed it yet," Fury said, taking a tablet from inside his jacket, calling up a video before handing it over to Rogers.


    Rogers watched, his expression disturbed as he witnessed the titanic green creature on the screen angrily rampaging.


    "Guess it didn''t exactly go his way."


    "He''s not like that all the time. Just don''t piss him off."


    "I''ll do my best," Rogers said warily before handing the tablet back to Fury and returning his attention to the contents of the file, "Barton, Romanoff...so we''ve got assassins, aliens, a guy in a metal suit, a mad scientist, and a hundred year old man you dug out of the ice."


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    "So far."


    "Not sure if we''ll be the ''29 Yankees but I guess we''ll see what happens. I''m going to go look the rest of this over. When you''re ready for me it shouldn''t take you seventy years to find me," Rogers said, making his way past Fury towards the gym''s exit as he continued to peruse the file, Fury turning to follow him as his phone rang.


    "Fury..." he answered, a grin spreading across his face, "Dr. Selvig¡­"


    ****************************


    Loki rose from the throne, stepping down from it as the beaming, flaxen haired woman cradling an infant approached. Her husband, his hand resting gently and lovingly on her back, led her forward, his face exhibiting a bright smile to match that of his wife.


    "My king¡­" both said, almost in unison, beginning to lower themselves to one knee. Loki held his hand out, gesturing for them to forego the show of deference in light of the baby in the woman''s arms, they instead bowing their heads.


    "I am Elaina and this is my husband, Olin. We would like to express our sympathy on the passing of your brother," the child''s mother said to Loki.


    "Thank you. A dark day for all of Asgard," Loki said in acknowledgement, "You''ve come for my blessing. A son or a daughter?" Loki asked as he could see no clues to discern the gender of the swaddled infant.


    "A daughter, Thora, in honor of your brother as she was born on that day. I wish it had been any other, however nature has her own way," Elaina informed Loki as he peered down at the infant.


    "As my father says, there is light to be found within the darkness. Is she always so content?" Loki asked, having almost no experience with children and having expected more fussing from a child so young.


    "She has a wonderful temperament...until she grows hungry, then she is sure to let everyone know it," Olin, said.


    "Then she is aptly named. My brother was much the same way," Loki said with a grin but sadness in his eyes at the reminder of Thor.


    Loki extended his hand, placing it gently upon the infant''s forehead.


    "I, Loki, King of Asgard, bless this child, Thora Olinsdottir. May she be as noble and brave as her namesake and may she know happiness all the days of her life."


    "Thank you," Elaina said, smiling as she looked down at her daughter.


    "We will take up no more of your time," Olin said.


    "Good luck to you," Loki said to them.


    Olin and Elaina turned from Loki, traversing down the wide aisle between the tall columns of the throne room. Loki watched them go, Olin''s arm around his wife.


    ****************************


    Hank Pym stood outside the S.H.I.E.L.D. facility, blocking the scorching desert sun from his eyes with his hand as its rays glared off the sleek black body of the helicopter as it descended from the sky and touched down. After a few moments, Natasha Romanoff, her hair a brilliant hue of red that stood out against the dark background of the helicopter, left its confines followed by the man Pym had come to greet.


    As the rotors of the helicopter slowed, the dust from the ground no longer being whipped into a miniature cyclone around it, Pym approached, an ecstatic smile taking over his features.


    "Bruce!" Pym called out, approaching Bruce Banner and Romanoff.


    "Hank? Hank Pym?" Banner called out in disbelief.


    Bruce Banner knew well Pym''s feelings towards S.H.I.E.L.D. Both men met, Pym extending his hand, Banner taking it.


    "No one knew what happened to you. You went off the radar," Pym said.


    "Yeah...sorry about that."


    "How are you doing? Fury told me what happened. I''d have thought you''d have known better."


    "I''m fine. I''ve got it under control. I thought you were keeping your distance from S.H.I.E.L.D.?"


    "Something bigger than any beef I have with them has come up. Let''s go inside, get out of this heat. You were in India?" Pym asked, attempting to catch up, as he and Banner walked side by side to the entrance of the facility, Romanoff and the helicopter pilot trailing behind.


    "Seemed as good a place as any. There was an outbreak of Chikungunya Fever while I was there. Thought I''d do what I could to help."


    "You didn''t bring any of that back here, did ya?" Pym asked.


    "No. Nothing to worry about."


    "Good. We have enough trouble already."


    ****************************


    Loki stood once again in the dungeon, outside what was Lorelei''s cell near the control panel for the containment field. Verda lay on the bunk on her side, her back to Loki. She had done some quite extensive "redecorating" since Loki had left her there. It appeared as if a bomb had gone off within the cell. The table now lay across the cell from its original location, the books scattered about the floor along with all the papers from the stack that had once sat upon the desk, the desk itself tipped onto its side. The armchair also lay on the far side of the cell, upside down.


    Reaching out, Loki silently disengaged the field, the orange glow dissipated as did the soft, almost imperceptible hum that accompanied it when activated. Verda continued to lay still and silent facing away from him.


    "Verda¡­" Loki said, Verda failing to acknowledge him as he entered the cell and approached the bunk. He sat on the edge, resting his hand on her shoulder, "I''m sorry," Loki apologized, a heavy silence falling between them as Verda continued to lie in the same position, staring at the white wall, "Please...say something."


    "I have nothing to say. May I go now?" Verda asked.


    "Yes...of course," Loki said standing.


    Verda rose from the bunk and walked around it past Loki, her countenance one of capitulation. She stepped out of the cell and turned to her left in the direction of the stairs that led to the dungeon''s exit.


    "Volstagg said you would never forgive me," Loki said, staring down at his feet, appearing as downcast as a child who had just broken their favorite toy.


    Verda came to a halt, bowing her head.


    "There is nothing to forgive. You are the King of Asgard. We are not equals. I must obey your command. The day of Thor''s funeral...I spent the day in the forest where we had first met. I wished to be alone, not only to mourn him but also that you would be king, that after you would take the throne nothing could or would ever again be as it was."


    "When you were dying...I found myself contemplating the same dark thoughts as I had in my visions," Loki turned Verda to face him, "I don''t want to be that man."


    "Regardless of my fate, who you are, who you become is your choice."


    "My King," Heimdall said, Loki looking past Verda, Verda turning as Asgard''s gatekeeper approached them, "I have received a message from your mortal ally, Coulson."


    ****************************


    In a conference room in the S.H.I.E.L.D. facility, Loki, Verda, Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, Bruce Banner, Natasha Romanoff and Clint Barton along with Hank Pym sat on one side of a long table. Fury stood on the other, Coulson nearby, what appeared to be a briefcase in his hand.


    "We''ll play the getting to know each other game later. I''ve brought you all together because we need your help. I don''t mean S.H.I.E.L.D...I mean us, all of us...Earth...Asgard, the others you''ve told me about," Fury said, looking to Loki and Verda, "You came here looking for the people that murdered your brother. It''s now a whole lot bigger than that."


    Coulson approached Fury, handing him the case, Fury placing it flat on the table.


    "Some time ago I had an idea...to put together a team of people with extraordinary abilities to protect this planet from extraordinary dangers. During World War II, Hydra got their hands on something, an object of phenomenal and apparently limitless power. Rogers knows what I''m talking about, the rest of you will soon. This thing''s the real deal, a clean, limitless source of energy. If we could figure out how to harness it, we could say goodbye to fossil fuels and nuclear power and all the problems that come with them for good. However, there''s two sides to the coin. Energy can be used not only to create but also to destroy," Fury said, opening the case, "Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the Tesseract."


    Loki stared at the glowing blue cube, grappling with himself to resist taking possession and fleeing with it.


    "I would have¡­" Fury removed the Tesseract from the case, turning to face the far side of the room as he hurled it against the wall, the cube shattering, the fragments littering the floor, "The real Tesseract was stolen right under our nose. Your job, Banner''s job actually, is to find it. Once he does, the rest of you will go in to reclaim it. Any questions?"

 Chapter 21

    "I can''t believe any of these are still around," Steve Rogers said as he signed Coulson''s vintage Captain America cards laid out on the conference room table, now understanding why Fury had given him the marker.


    "There aren''t many. It took me awhile to track them down," Coulson said, "Never thought I''d ever be able to have them autographed. I was there, after they found you. It''s still hard to believe...was it like being asleep? Did you dream?"


    "If I did I don''t remember any," Rogers answered and not entirely honestly which was unlike him.


    Rogers knew for certain that he had dreamed at least one dream as he recalled it quite vividly. He had often replayed it in his mind since he had awakened, the memory of it his and his alone, sacred, not to be shared with anyone. Rogers finished signing the last of the cards and capped the marker, slipping it into his pocket.


    "After all this is over, I thought maybe you''d like to see my collection. There''s a lot I''m sure you''d recognize. Maybe you could answer a few questions I have about a couple of them," said Coulson.


    "Yeah, sure," Rogers said, watching as Fury, Banner and Pym who had been talking together filed out of the conference room, Barton, Romanoff and Stark who had been conversing with Loki and Verda following, leaving the two Asgardians behind, "The closest I came to meeting an alien before today was reading science fiction magazines. They usually weren''t the good guys. Can we trust them?" Rogers asked Coulson in a quiet voice.


    "Yeah. Just don''t meet him at the bar for a drink."


    ***************************


    "Lorelei has it. What are you-" Verda began after she and Loki had entered the quarters that Coulson had shown them to after their arrival, they having decided it would be more expedient to remain on Earth.


    Loki put a finger to his lips indicating for Verda to be silent as he stepped over to the radio he had earlier asked Coulson to procure for him that now sat on a chest of drawers. Loki switched it on, turning up the volume.


    "They may be listening," Loki said quietly as he returned to Verda and took her hand, leading her to seat herself along with him on the edge of one of the two bunks in the room, "Even if S.H.I.E.L.D. is able to reclaim it, the Tesseract must not remain in Midgard. Their intentions for it are not limited to a warm light for all mankind to share. He will come for it. I believe the time has come to revisit the agreement my father made with Midgard. There is much knowledge we could share with them that would resolve many of their difficulties."


    "I''m not sure that''s a good idea. Such knowledge would likely be misused by them," Verda replied, "They continually war amongst and slaughter each other as they have for millennia. I fail to understand what it was about Midgard or mortals that Randolph became so enamored with that he wished to remain here. After you, even after Thanos, after learning they were not alone in the universe when one would think their eyes would have been opened they continued to do so. Would it not be better to allow such ignoble beings to continue to go their own way until they bring about their inevitable end?"


    "They are not all so ignorant or ignoble," Loki said, recalling Erik Selvig and Jane Foster.


    "No, but it''s true of far too many. Midgard poses no danger to Asgard or other realms but if you were to pass on to them such knowledge, that could change."


    "You''ve given me much to think about," Loki said, contemplating.


    "Is that not one of my duties?"


    "It is," Loki said.


    "Speaking of duties..." Verda said to Loki with a suggestive smile, "we''re alone."


    ***************************


    "So you''re the guy my dad never shut up about. Surprised he didn''t name me after you," Stark said as he entered the library, spying Steve Rogers seated in one of the oversized chairs, flipping through a large volume of 20th century history.


    Rogers raised his head, Stark making his way to the matching chair opposite Rogers.


    "I was sorry to hear about the accident. Howard was a good man."


    "No, he wasn''t," Stark replied.


    "I suppose you got to see a different side of him than I did. I never knew my dad. He died in the war...the first one."


    "You''re lucky," Stark said, Rogers giving him a confused look, "I know, it''s an asshole thing to say. I''m the biggest asshole you''ll ever meet. But that doesn''t mean I''m not right. Think about it. Even if he was a bastard you got to grow up thinking of him as a hero who sacrificed his life for his country. You never got to see the chinks in the armor."


    "I guess that''s true. Never thought of it that way," Rogers responded.


    "Of course it''s true. You can always count on an asshole to tell you the truth." Stark replied.


    "So you''re the man to go to when I want someone to tell it to me straight," Rogers said, a touch of sarcasm evident in his tone.


    "You''re damn right I am...and I''m giving it to you straight when I say you should be careful who you trust around here, especially the ringmaster leading this circus."


    "Fury?"


    "I''ll take liar, liar pants on fire for $500, Alex. You forgot to phrase your answer in the form of a question....''Who is Nick Fury?'' That''s the question you should be asking yourself."


    ***************************


    Sleep evaded Verda as she lay nestled beside Loki who, in contrast, slumbered soundly on the bunk that had clearly not been designed to comfortably accommodate two, though it was not that fact keeping Verda from her rest. Carefully sliding from under the blankets out of the bunk to avoid waking him, she located her clothing that had earlier been enthusiastically discarded, dressing in the darkness and slipping silently out of the door.


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    As Verda neared the library, Stark exited, a dark expression having overtaken his features, Verda holding herself back from once again kneeling in deference.


    "Good eve-" Verda began to say in greeting to the man she knew as he who had claimed the honor of ending Thanos, Stark passing by her without acknowledging her presence.


    Verda watched him until he rounded a corner in the corridor before she continued on to the library, reaching the entrance just as Rogers stood, placing the book he had been reading on the coffee table in front of the chair in which he''d sat. Verda took note of Rogers'' troubled demeanor linking it with that of Stark''s.


    "Is everything alright?" Verda asked uncertainly as she stood in the doorway, unsure if she should enter, Rogers, who had not noticed her arrival, looking from the book on the table in her direction.


    "Yeah...I''m surprised Stark can get that suit off the ground with the size of the chip on his shoulder," Rogers replied.


    "I know nothing of that. I know only that he is an honorable and selfless man," Verda responded, Rogers emitting a sarcastic snort.


    "Are you sure we''re talking about the same Tony Stark? I don''t know what Fury was thinking. A guy like that will have people turning on each other in no time. It''s bad for morale. I think the only thing he fights for is himself. I don''t see him as the kind to make the sacrifice play."


    "You might be surprised."


    "Wouldn''t be the first time. Were you looking for me?" Rogers asked.


    "No. I couldn''t sleep. I thought I would find something to read. Do you have any recommendations?"


    "Nothing recent...The Great Gatsby...A Tree Grows in Brooklyn...I know the feeling. I was asleep for seventy years. Sometimes I think maybe this is all a dream...that I''m still back there...in the ice, but then considering the state of the world I woke up to, that might not be such a bad thing. Before I went into the ice we were fighting a war, when I woke up, they told me we won, they didn''t say what we lost."


    "You''ve been given a second chance. That is a gift that most people, Midgardian and Asgardian alike, never receive."


    "That''s one way to look at it. This is the first time I''ve ever teamed up with someone from another planet. In the stories that were written about your people, from what I can remember, Loki wasn''t exactly someone you''d want to depend on. Coulson tells me we can trust you. Is he right?"


    "Those stories are fiction. We share a common enemy as well as a common goal," Verda answered.


    "That''s the basis of most alliances. It''s good enough for me. Think I''m gonna turn in," Rogers said, making his way to the door past Verda.


    "Give Stark a chance to prove himself," Verda said.


    "I give everyone a chance. That''s all I wanted a long time ago."


    Rogers left the library, exiting into the corridor. Verda walked to the bookshelves, perusing the offerings, pulling one from the shelf and opening it.


    "Verda..." Verda turned towards the entrance as she heard Loki''s voice.


    "I couldn''t sleep. I didn''t want to wake you."


    "Come with me," Loki told her as he approached her, holding out his hand.


    Verda replaced the book back on the shelf before reaching out and taking it, Loki leading her from the library.


    ***************************


    Banner and Pym stood in front of separate computer monitors as they watched data scroll down the screen. Pym appeared exhausted as he rubbed his eyes, Banner taking notice.


    "Go get some sleep. I''m still running on Asian time. I''ll be good for a few more hours. I''ll come get you when I need some z''s." Banner suggested.


    "Yeah...ok." Pym said, stepping away from the monitor. As he did so, a trilling sound came from Banner''s computer, the scrolling series of numbers halting, the last that had come up flashing green.


    "What the¡­that can''t be right." said Banner.


    "We got a hit?" Pym asked, perking up.


    ***************************


    Loki led Verda into the large cavernous room Loki had seen in his visions filled with an array of equipment, where who was to have been his future self had been transported via the Tesseract.


    "Why did you bring me here?" Verda asked.


    Loki held out his hand, a large glowing blue cube identical to the one Fury had shown them materializing within it. Loki took hold of Verda''s arm in an iron grip as a stream of blinding, blue energy shot from the Tesseract to the ceiling overhead, spreading out like a swirling cloud. Verda swiftly grabbed the gold chain of her necklace, wrenching it from her neck and breaking the clasp, dropping it to the floor just before she and Loki vanished.


    ***************************


    Loki, Rogers, and Stark gathered in the corridor outside the living quarters as a grating alarm sounded.


    "Ok... who pulled the fire alarm? I''m looking at you, God of Mischief," Stark quipped.


    "I had no part in this. Where''s Verda?" Loki asked as Barton and Romanoff rounded the corner, headed in their direction.


    "You didn''t find her in the library? I don''t know how you could have missed her," Rogers replied.


    "What do you mean? I awoke to this cacophony to find her gone."


    "But I saw you...you were headed that way. I told you where she was," a confused Rogers said.


    "No one''s there now," Romanoff informed them.


    "We have to go!" Banner called out as he and Pym rushed to those gathered from the other end of the corridor, "They brought it back here! This whole place is going to come down on top of us! Where''s Fury?"


    "Right here! I''ve put out the order to get the hell out of Dodge! Go!" Fury said as he moved swiftly towards those gathered from down the corridor.


    "Verda!" Loki exclaimed, turning and running the opposite direction from the others down the corridor.


    "Wait!" Rogers called out following after him.


    Loki entered the cavernous room from his vision, a bright blue glowing mist of energy swirling on the ceiling. Staring up at it a sense of deja-vu overtook him for a moment before he looked away from it scanning the empty chamber, a glint of gold reflecting the blue light from above catching his eye. Rushing to it, Loki looked down to see Verda''s necklace. Picking it up, he held it in the palm of his hand, noticing the broken clasp before looking despairingly back to the ceiling once again.


    "We have to get out of here! Now!" Rogers called from across the room.


    "He''s taken her!"


    "At least you know she''s not here! We''re running out of time!" Rogers said insistently.


    Loki, closing his hand around the necklace, rushed after him.


    ***************************


    Rogers, Loki, Banner and Pym piled into the back of a pickup truck as Stark, having donned his suit, lifted off from the ground, jetting towards the exit.


    ''Hold on. It could be a rough ride!" Barton said as he swiftly made his way to the driver''s door, throwing it open, Romanoff entering the passenger side of the truck''s cab. Barton started the engine, gunning it as he followed Stark, racing towards the exit of the garage and out under the clear night sky of the desert to safety, a row of vehicles following, Fury and Coulson in the car directly behind the truck.


    Those riding in the bed of the truck watched in horror and wonder as the facility from which they''d just exited appeared to collapse in on itself, as if sucked into a sinkhole as they continued to race away. The ground itself began to give way, Barton pushing the truck''s engine to its limits, as did the drivers of the vehicles trailing behind, the last vehicle in the convoy disappearing as the roadway vanished beneath it. Loki couldn''t help but think of the trap he set for Thor in the forest, the one Verda had inadvertently stumbled upon.


    Loki opened his hand, staring at the pendant within it.


    ***************************


    "Loki, listen to me. I know you don''t remember me-" Verda pleaded as Loki dragged her towards a cell, one that looked far more like that of a dungeon than those on Asgard.


    "I do. You''re that sniveling brat with no sense of direction," Loki said as he hurled her into the cell, Verda losing her footing and falling to the stone floor as she heard the cell door slam closed behind her.


    "Well done," Verda heard Lorelei''s voice say to Loki as she came into view in the dim light as she neared the cell, "Hello, sister...how does it feel to be the one locked away?"

 Chapter 22

    Once confident they had reached safety, Barton pulled the truck off the side of the road into the desert, the various vehicles trailing him doing the same. Loki, Pym, Banner and Rogers climbed from the bed of the truck, Barton and Romanoff from the cab. Loki continued to clutch the necklace in his hand as vehicle doors opened, occupants exiting and gazing into the distance in the direction from which they had come. The imposing facility, which should have been discernible even in the dark of night was no more. A stunned silence fell over the scene as Stark descended next to Rogers.


    ¡°Still think they want that thing just to keep the milk cold for your Wheaties?¡± Stark asked.


    Hill approached Fury as he climbed out of the passenger side of the vehicle, Coulson from the driver¡¯s side.


    ¡°Sir...we lost Shaw. He was behind me...then he wasn¡¯t. Not sure how many were with him,¡± Hill said.


    ¡°Call in search and rescue. Get a head count, find out how many and who we¡¯re missing,¡± Fury ordered Hill.


    Hill nodded, returning to her vehicle and the agents gathered around it.


    Loki walked away from the truck and the refugees from the facility into the cool desert night, continuing on in silence before seating himself on the parched earth, overcome by the aggregation of events. Those gathered at the truck watched him for a moment before Romanoff stepped forward, Barton gripping her arm.


    ¡°Give him some time,¡± Barton said quietly before releasing his hold on her.


    Ignoring his advice, Romanoff continued on, approaching Loki from behind, taking note of the necklace in his hand, the chain with the broken clasp wound around his fingers, the pendant in his palm, his eyes fixed on it as if in a trance.


    ¡°Hey¡­.¡± Romanoff said softly, Loki startling.


    ¡°There¡¯s not many people who can sneak up on me,¡± Loki said, turning his attention back to the necklace as Romanoff lowered herself to the ground to sit next to him.


    ¡°They want her alive or they wouldn¡¯t have bothered to take her. We¡¯ll find her.¡±


    ¡°Do you know what it is to live your entire life in darkness?¡± Loki asked.


    ¡°I have some idea,¡± Romanoff replied.


    ¡°Then one day within that darkness suddenly there appears a light...but you¡¯ve been in the darkness so long...you don¡¯t want to grow accustomed to that light for fear it will go out, of what you will become if it does.¡±


    ¡°I was always told love made you weak. Then I met Clint and his family. I realized I¡¯d been lied to. It doesn¡¯t make you weak, it makes you stronger...to have something to live for, to fight for other than yourself.¡±


    ¡°Loki¡­?¡± Loki heard Verda¡¯s voice, quickly raising his head and rising to his feet, scanning the darkness.


    ¡°Verda?¡± Loki replied in disbelief.


    ¡°What is it?¡± Romanoff asked, confused, as she also rose from the ground.


    ¡°Are you alright?¡± Verda¡¯s voice asked, Loki realizing the voice was within his own mind, wondering if he was descending into madness as in his visions.


    ¡°We were able to escape. How are you speaking to me?¡± Loki answered with his thoughts.


    ¡°The necklace...I learned the spell from one of your books. I was afraid you wouldn¡¯t find it, there wouldn¡¯t be time. I wasn¡¯t sure it would work. I¡¯d never tried it.¡±


    ¡°Where are you?¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t know...a dungeon. I¡¯m beginning to believe you derive pleasure from seeing me locked up,¡± Verda joked, Loki couldn¡¯t help but smile at the quip despite the situation, ¡°You must return to Asgard. If Heimdall can see me, you mustn¡¯t come for me. She plans to kill you and replace you with the other you she brought here. She would have him press your claim to the throne of Jotunheim. They would be unable to resist. With Asgard¡¯s army as well as that of Jotunheim and the one she¡¯s building here, they would conquer Midgard before moving on to the other realms and beyond.¡±


    ¡°You planned this?¡± Loki asked.


    ¡°Did you think yourself the only one able to devise a trap? I sensed his presence, the same way I knew you weren¡¯t dead before. I knew he would come for me.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯d sussed out her scheme some time ago. I believe I know yours as well. He¡¯s mad. He cares for no one. You can¡¯t save him.¡±


    ¡°I have to try.¡±


    ¡°You¡¯ve already saved me.¡±


    ¡°Return to Asgard. I will speak with you again soon,¡± Verda told him.


    ¡°I must return to Asgard,¡± Loki said to Romanoff as he walked away from her some distance before coming to a stop, turning to face her, ¡°Tell the others to be ready. Heimdall, bring me back!¡± Loki called out, the Bifrost descending, its light blinding in the darkness, its energy sending tremors through the ground under everyone¡¯s feet.


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    Barton left the others to stand at Romanoff¡¯s side.


    ¡°Where¡¯d he go?¡± Barton asked.


    ¡°Home. He said to be ready.¡±


    ¡°Ready for what?¡±


    ***********************************


    ¡°My lady¡­¡± the tall man with the German accent, shaved head, and monocle said as Lorelei entered what appeared to be a sort of hybrid between a workshop and a lab, various devices resting on stands atop tables around the room, ¡°Everything is operational. When they arrive we will be more than ready for them. Allow me to present a demonstration. Oskar, can you join me for a moment?¡±


    From an adjoining room, a young man appearing to be in his mid 20s entered, approaching Strucker and Lorelei and standing at attention.


    ¡°You require my assistance, Herr Strucker?¡± Oskar asked with eagerness.


    ¡°You are just the right height. Do you see that red X on the floor?¡± Strucker asked, pointing across the room as he picked up one of the devices from the table, what looked like a large chrome plated rifle with a wide barrel, ¡°All you need to do is stand there as I make a small adjustment to the sight.¡±


    Oskar turned, crossing the room to stand upon the marker Strucker had indicated, turning to face Strucker and Lorelei.


    ¡°It will only take a moment.¡± Strucker said to Oskar.


    Strucker lifted the weapon, aiming it in Oskar¡¯s direction. A bright blue blast of energy shot from it, striking Oskar, his body instantly disintegrating.


    ¡°Dummkopf.¡±


    ¡°Nothing can stand against us,¡± Lorelei said as she faced Strucker, putting one hand on his shoulder, the other caressing his face, ¡°You have done well. You will be rewarded.¡±


    ***********************************


    Verda lay on the worn pallet on the cold stone floor of the cell. Hearing the sound of footsteps echoing off the walls, she opened her eyes, raising her head to see Loki approaching the door of the cell, a bowl in his hands. Stooping down, he slid it through a small opening at the bottom of the cell door before turning away.


    ¡°Wait¡­¡± Verda said as she sat up, raising herself to her feet, approaching the bars of the cell, ¡°She will kill you eventually. You are but a means to an end. This isn¡¯t you. It isn¡¯t who you are.¡±


    ¡°On the contrary, I have never been more myself. You know what I am...the monster parents tell their children tales of at night. It was I who murdered Thor. I wanted my father to see his golden boy rot.¡±


    ¡°She will do the same to you as she did Haldor, all the others. You mean nothing to her! She doesn¡¯t care about you, she doesn¡¯t love you...I do.¡±


    ¡°Be silent!¡± Loki exclaimed angrily, turning and reaching through the bars for Verda¡¯s throat.


    Verda¡¯s form vanished, her true self reappearing to the side of where her illusion had stood. Her arm shot through the bars, grabbing hold of the front of Loki¡¯s tunic, pulling him forcefully forward, his head violently striking the bars of the cell, the clanging, metallic sound of the collision echoing throughout the chamber as Loki collapsed to his knees. Verda fell to hers as well, again thrusting her hand out through the bars, placing her palm on his forehead.


    ***********************************


    Loki, a child, sat under a towering tree surrounded by the dense forest of Asgard, his knees drawn up, his head resting against them, warm tears staining his cheeks as his body shook with sobs of anguish and frustration.


    ¡°I am worthy! I was born to be a king!¡± Loki said angrily through clenched teeth as he raised his head from his knees, balling his fists and pounding the ground on either side of himself, ¡°I¡¯ll show them! I¡¯ll show them all! They¡¯ll all kneel before me!¡±


    A shrill scream pierced the air from somewhere in the distance. Birds reacted to the shriek by taking flight, the sound of their wings flapping overhead. Loki looked in the direction from which he discerned the sound had originated.


    ¡°Help! Help me! Somebody! Please!¡± a young girl¡¯s voice desperately called out pleading as she sobbed.


    Loki wiped the tears from his face with the back of his hand before standing, listening as the cries continued. Starting forward, he followed them.


    ¡°Is someone there? I¡¯m down here!¡± The girl¡¯s voice called out as Loki neared the trap he had set some time ago and to his disappointment was never sprung by its intended victim, its existence having been long forgotten.


    Loki reached the edge of the sinkhole, looking down into the pit. A girl, her hair a bright copper color, stared up at him in wide eyed fright.


    ¡°Your savior is here!¡± Loki said, turning from the pit, scanning his surroundings for anything he could use to reach her.


    Spying the long length of a dead branch that had fallen from a tree Loki raced to it, hefting it up and returning to the pit.


    ¡°Take it!¡± Loki said, lowering the branch, Verda wrapping her hands around it.


    ¡°I¡¯ve got it!!¡± she called back.


    ¡°Hold on!¡±


    Loki walked backwards as he pulled the branch out of the pit, one hand over the other. The top of Verda¡¯s head emerged, her hair catching the light filtering through the canopy of branches above. Soon Verda lay atop the branch on the ground near the edge of the pit. Loki quickly dropped the branch, and stepped back in the direction of the hole offering his hand, Verda taking it, rising from the ground.


    ¡°Thank you!¡± Verda exclaimed as she sobbed, practically falling into Loki, wrapping her arms around him so tightly he had to struggle for breath.


    ¡°Are you injured?¡± he asked as she finally released him.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think so. I¡¯m lost. Are you lost too? I heard you crying.¡±


    ¡°I never cry. It must have been a Gjalla bird. They sound as if they¡¯re weeping when they call to each other. I know the forest well. Come with me,¡± Loki said, extending his hand, Verda taking it.


    Loki led Verda along a dirt path, the two children continuing through the forest. As they exited, Verda looked to the horizon, daylight beginning to fade.


    ¡°It¡¯s growing late. I must go. I don¡¯t want to get in trouble if I¡¯m not already. You should be on your way home as well. I wouldn¡¯t want you to get in trouble,¡± Verda told him.


    ¡°I doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯m always in trouble,¡± Loki replied.


    ¡°Thank you again,¡± Verda said, turning to Loki and embracing him once more.


    As she ended the embrace, Loki put his lips to her forehead. Verda smiled as she blushed, looking down at her feet.


    ¡°Off with you,¡± Loki said to her, Verda walking away from him, turning her head, glancing over her shoulder at Loki as he watched her go.


    ***********************************


    Loki placed his hand on his throbbing head as Verda removed hers, slowly opening his eyes, staring at Verda as his vision focused.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe you fell for that,¡± Verda said with a smirk.


    Loki rose to his feet, still holding his head with one hand, gripping a bar of the cell with the other, Verda standing along with him on the other side of the bars. Loki lowered his hand from his head, continuing to stare at Verda in silence before unlocking the cell door, swinging it open.


    ***********************************


    Loki, Fandral, Volstagg and Hogun stood at the side of the throne, examining a holographic projection of what looked to be a large stone castle as the sound of footsteps echoed through the throne room. The four men turned their heads to see Sif approaching the throne, a cloaked figure following behind her.


    ¡°Heimdall has located Verda. She¡¯s being held in a land called Sokovia within a fortress. I have ordered our warriors to prepare to go to Midgard. Lady Sif, I grant you the honor of leading them,¡± Loki said as Sif stepped aside.


    ¡°A wise choice,¡± the figure said in a familiar voice, Loki, Volstagg, Fandral, and Hogun stunned and speechless as the man removed the hood.


    ¡°Brother??¡± Loki gasped.

 Chapter 23

    ¡°Where¡¯s Fury?¡± Barton said as he, Romanoff, Banner, and Rogers entered what appeared to be a war room of the helicarrier as they crossed the expanse of the Atlantic on the way to their destination, Stark turning from a screen airing a news broadcast at the sound of Barton¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Fury didn¡¯t call you here. I did,¡± Stark informed them.


    ¡°What¡¯s this about?¡± Rogers asked suspiciously.


    ¡°Have a seat,¡± Stark said.


    The others seated themselves around the table in the center of the room, looking at Stark expectantly.


    ¡°Banner!¡± Stark called, tossing a small plastic pill bottle in Banner¡¯s direction, Banner catching and examining it.


    ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± Banner asked.


    ¡°Diazepam...Valium. What I¡¯m about to show you is gonna piss you off. Not sure what the dose is to prevent turning into a giant green rage monster.¡±


    ¡°I think I¡¯m good,¡± Banner responded, placing the bottle on the table.


    ¡°As I think you all know, I was in the business of developing weapons for the U.S. government. It¡¯s a good gig if you can get it, got to travel the world...warzones, deserts mostly...met lots of uninteresting people, ended up with a chest full of shrapnel, taken hostage...good times. It paid the bills, allowed me to become the billionaire, philanthropist, playboy you all know and love¡­.don¡¯t deny it, Romanoff, after that love letter you wrote about me to Fury¡­surprised you didn¡¯t draw little hearts all over it,¡± Stark said before noticing the impatient expressions on the faces of his audience, ¡°Anyway, I know how the system works. That¡¯s why I had a hard time believing that S.H.I.E.L.D. had suddenly become a card carrying member of Greenpeace. As always, I was right,¡± Stark picked up a remote from the table in front of him, switching the screen from the muted news channel to what appeared to be a blueprint of a missile, ¡°Is that what I think it is? Maybe I¡¯m looking at it wrong...no, I¡¯m pretty sure it¡¯s-¡±


    ¡°Phase 2,¡± Fury¡¯s voice said from the doorway behind them, ¡°Our intentions for the Tesseract aren¡¯t limited to clean energy, though that¡¯s a part of it. In fact, one of the most highly regarded astrophysicists in the world just signed on to help us with that...providing you¡¯re successful at getting it back. Our Asgardian friends aren¡¯t our first visitors and I can guarantee you they won¡¯t be the last. Gather ¡¯round kids, Papa Fury¡¯s about to tell you a story....¡±


    ****************************


    Loki willed his legs to hold him upright, almost having to remind himself to breath so great was his shock as he approached Thor. Both brothers once again stood in the presence of the other whose death he had witnessed and mourned. Loki reached out, gripping Thor¡¯s shoulders as if he were testing the reality of he who once again lived and stood before him, examining him, looking into his eyes for any hint of fraud.


    ¡°How...¡± Loki said breathlessly in awe.


    Thor grasped Loki¡¯s arms as well as he grinned through the tears collected in his eyes as he recalled the last time he had seen his brother, lying grey and lifeless upon the cold metal deck of the Statesman. Thor pulled Loki into an embrace, Loki returning the gesture.


    ¡°Remain-¡± Loki began after ending the embrace and again examining Thor in disbelief, addressing the Warriors Three and Sif, his voice breaking before pausing to compose himself, ¡°Remain here. I will speak to my brother alone.¡±


    Loki led Thor through the throne room to the doorway that led to the king¡¯s study, Thor taking in the sight of the expansive, golden gilded room that in his time, along with the rest of his home world, was no more, memories flooding over him. Reaching the study, Loki entered, followed by Thor.


    ¡°I must say, brother, this isn¡¯t what I expected. No theater? No monuments?¡± Thor said jokingly.


    ¡°I have other priorities at the moment. How is it you¡¯re here? I returned your body to the stars,¡± Loki said as he continued to look at Thor in wonder.


    ¡°You have the Norn Stones and your Queen to thank. You chose well. She is a remarkable woman.¡±


    ¡°You would know,¡± Loki replied bitterly.


    ¡°I have done you no wrong, brother,¡± Thor said as Loki made his way behind the desk and seated himself wearily, putting his elbows on the desktop, holding his head in his hands.


    ¡°How could I fault you for finding comfort in the arms which have provided the same for me? I used the stones to view the future that was to be. The Loki you knew was a fool. I may now avoid those same mistakes but I fear I¡¯ll only make new ones.¡±


    ¡°You will...as did father and his father before him.¡±


    ¡°I can¡¯t afford to make them now. How did he not go mad?¡±


    ¡°I once said that you understood rule as I never will. I believed it then as I believe it now. All kings must endure their trial by fire. You are enduring your own far earlier than most. She did not bring me here because she believes you to be unequal to the task. Your duty as king is to safeguard the throne. I will return her to you...on one condition.¡±


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    ¡°What is it?¡± Loki asked curiously, lifting his head.


    ¡°You must commission a statue of me,¡± Thor grinned.


    ¡°You will have the biggest statue in the nine realms! I¡¯ll write a play as well. It¡¯s been some time since I put pen to paper. It will be performed in commemoration of you,¡± Loki said as he stood, walking around the desk to stand once again before Thor.


    ¡°I jest, brother. I have no need of statues or dramatic productions.¡±


    ¡°You shall have both regardless...along with my eternal gratitude,¡± Loki replied.


    ¡°That is as much as I require.¡±


    ¡°I know after all I¡¯ve done...all I would have done¡­.please...bring her back to me,¡± Loki said, barely managing to hold his composure.


    ¡°You once rejected such sentiment,¡± Thor replied.


    ¡°I am not the man you once knew. Much has altered and in turn altered me.¡±


    ¡°No, brother. This is the man I always knew you were.¡±


    ****************************


    ¡°Thanos¡¯ pathetic excuse for an army had failed me. I had been attacked by that dull creature, all was lost...then she was there, offering me a second chance,¡± Loki told Verda as they stood outside the cell.


    ¡°How was she able to obtain the means to travel through time?¡± asked Verda.


    ¡°She had been rendered dust. After she had been brought back, she learned of how Stark had discovered the secret. She enchanted Banner to give to her the knowledge to build another mechanism. He told her that Thor had taken the component to render it operational to New Asgard. Afterward, she erased his memory of their meeting knowing she might have need of him in the future. Disguising herself as a mortal she visited New Asgard and learned of your survival, of your visits to my brother. Aware of your feelings for me she used them to her advantage,¡± Loki explained, ¡°It was all quite ingenious. I¡¯m not certain I could have devised such a scheme.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t sell yourself short,¡± Verda said, ¡°You faked your death, enchanted Odin to forget his identity, left him in a home for the care of the elderly here in Midgard, disguised yourself as your father and usurped the throne.¡±


    ¡°I did?¡± Loki asked as he grinned in satisfaction at the idea that he had been successful at such an endeavor.


    The sound of footsteps reached them from the stone stairway. Verda quickly stepped back in the cell, Loki quietly closing the barred door. Verda looked down at the bowl of what appeared to be stew Loki had previously left on the floor.


    Lorelei emerged from the stairwell, turning to view Loki standing in front of the closed cell door, Verda within on the other side, Loki¡¯s arm reaching between the bars, his hand closed around her throat, the contents of the bowl running down the front of his tunic.


    ¡°Release her,¡± Lorelei commanded.


    Loki complied, dropping his arm to his side. Loki stepped aside as Lorelei approached the cell, glancing at the mess staining the front of Loki¡¯s clothing.


    ¡°I see you are as ungrateful as ever, sister,¡± Lorelei said, turning to Loki, unfastening his tunic and removing it, dropping it to the floor, leaving Loki in the dark green shirt he wore beneath it as she pressed herself against him, caressing his cheek, ¡°I never understood what it was you saw in him. Now I find myself searching for any excuse to reward him. He has taught me much...not only the secrets of the Tesseract but my illusionary skills were once mediocre, I rarely used them. I¡¯ve been informed that my savior has arrived. I must go to meet him. It¡¯s a pity I only need one of you,¡± Lorelei told her fellow Asgardians as her form altered, she now appearing as a mirror image of Verda, a groan escaping Loki as she drove the dagger she materialized in her hand into his gut before shoving him away with the other, sending him flying into the wall.


    ¡°No!!! Why?! You need him!¡± Verda cried as Lorelei made her way to the stairway.


    ¡°Not anymore,¡± Lorelei told her as she ascended the stairs.


    Impatiently waiting until Lorelei¡¯s footsteps could no longer be heard, Verda materialized the key to the cell in her hand. Hooking her arm through the bars, she placed it in the lock, throwing the door open and rushing to Loki who lay crumpled on the floor, moving him gently onto his back, the front of his shirt stained red by the blood from his wound.


    ¡°Loki¡­¡±


    ¡°Go. There¡¯s nothing to be done for me,¡± Loki said, his skin growing pale and gray, his voice breathless and pained.


    ¡°I¡¯m not leaving you.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t think it had worked,¡± Loki raised his hand to Verda¡¯s cheek.


    ¡°You didn¡¯t think what had worked?¡±


    ¡°A minor spell...only so you would remember me...¡±


    ¡°The kiss...you enchanted me?¡± Verda asked, now realizing how it was that in the past she had known he was not dead, how she had sensed the presence of another version of him in Midgard in this time, his novice attempt as a child at enchantment well over a millennium ago having produced an unintended side effect.


    Verda held out her hand, the bag containing the Norn stones materializing within it. Hurriedly removing them from the bag and setting it aside, she placed the stones in the palm of his hand, closing his fingers around them.


    ¡°Take them. Use their energy.¡±


    ¡°The blade was cursed...it will make no difference,¡± Loki said, hopelessly.


    ¡°That¡¯s where I come in.¡±


    ¡°Removing another¡¯s curse...is perilous,¡± Loki struggled to warn her.


    ¡°I have to try. If I hadn¡¯t been afraid, if I hadn¡¯t listened to my sister, if I¡¯d thought more of myself maybe none of this would have happened. Sometimes it¡¯s the things we don¡¯t do far more than what we do...¡± Verda told Loki before placing her hand on his forehead, closing her eyes.


    ****************************


    ¡°Loki?¡± Verda¡¯s voice said within Loki¡¯s mind as he stood inside Himinbjorg alongside Sif, having just witnessed Thor¡¯s departure, Asgard¡¯s warriors awaiting the call to action on the Rainbow Bridge.


    ¡°Verda! Are you alright?¡± Loki asked with his thoughts.


    ¡°I¡¯m fine...where are you?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m with Heimdall and Sif in Himinbjorg. Thor has taken the Bifrost to Midgard to free you. Our warriors await our mortal allies and word of your rescue.¡±


    ¡°We were wrong! She didn¡¯t intend to replace you, she planned to replace me! She¡¯s disguised herself. She thinks Thor is you. She just left to meet him! I was able to break her hold over you--him. He freed me but she wounded him. I¡¯m going to attempt to remove the curse.¡±


    ¡°No! Leave him!¡±


    ¡°I would not leave you to die alone.¡±


    ¡°He isn¡¯t me!¡± Loki exclaimed in frustration with his thoughts.


    ¡°He is you!¡± Verda insisted.


    ¡°Must I command you as your king?¡± Loki responded in desperation.


    ¡°What will you do if I disobey? Lock me away again? You must trust me!¡±


    ¡°I trust you with my life...with your own is another story.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me! Get word to Thor!¡± Verda exclaimed before breaking the link with Loki.


    .

 Chapter 24

    The rumbling of the engine of a motorcycle reverberated through the forest surrounding the stronghold in the mountains of Sokovia, its rider, clad in white combat gear and a mask over his face slowing to a stop, peering off into the mass of trees on one side of the road then the other. A black Jeep with an open top pulled up behind him, a similarly uniformed figure driving, another in the passenger seat. The man on the motorcycle made a hand signal to the driver of the vehicle, preparing to continue down the road when an arrow suddenly pierced his throat, he and the motorcycle falling over onto the road.


    The occupants of the vehicle had little more opportunity to put up a defense as the next arrow found its mark, the driver¡¯s body limply slumping as he was pinned through the heart to the driver¡¯s seat. The passenger began to bail out of the vehicle as a large, round, metal object painted in concentric circles of red and white came whizzing through the air, making contact with his head, sending him sprawling onto the shoulder of the road.


    Barton and Rogers, Rogers now clad in an updated version of his old uniform that Coulson had been sure to boast he had a hand in designing upon presenting it to him, moved from their hiding places behind two trees just within the border of the forest, cautiously approaching the vehicles and the downed men. Rogers headed in the direction of the motorcycle.


    ¡°Hey, why do you get the bike?¡± Barton asked.


    ¡°I¡¯m the oldest,¡± Rogers replied with a smile, lifting the motorcycle from the road and climbing on, restarting its engine, Barton, shaking his head.


    *****************************


    ¡°You don¡¯t have to do this, you know.¡± Romanoff said to Banner who appeared reticent and nervous as both lay prone behind the trunk of a downed tree, Romanoff peering through a pair of binoculars at the four soldiers in white that stood atop the guard tower in the distance.


    ¡°When we get in there there¡¯d better not be some little guy in a mushroom hat telling us the princess is in another castle,¡± Banner joked.


    ¡°They¡¯re all yours,¡± Romanoff told Banner.


    ¡°Wish me luck,¡± Banner said as he rose from behind the log, taking a deep breath and exhaling.


    ¡°I don¡¯t think you¡¯re the one that¡¯s going to need it,¡± Romanoff said as Banner stepped over the log, transitioning into the hulking green beast, with a monstrous roar taking off running in the direction of the guard tower.


    *****************************


    ¡°What are we looking at Jarvis?¡± Stark asked as he soared over the landscape.


    ¡°There are eight bunkers positioned throughout the surrounding forest along with five watchtowers. The structure itself is shielded by a type of energy I am unable to identify.¡± the calm voice of Stark¡¯s AI assistant informed him.


    ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve got the right place. Find me a weak spot in that shield,¡± Stark ordered Jarvis as hordes of armed figures in white began to pour from out of the stronghold¡¯s gate towards the forest in a mad frenzy, ¡°Mr. Mischief did say he was sending an army, right?¡±


    *****************************


    The wounded Loki clutched the stones Verda had placed in his hand, willing their combined energy to flow through him. Even so, he could sense his mind drifting, his consciousness fading. He could no longer hold his eyelids open. His body began to feel lighter, as if he were floating in a pool or in the void of space.


    ¡°Go¡­¡± Loki told Verda, his voice barely audible.


    An icy chill, similar to what he had experienced when he had placed his hands onto the Casket of Ancient Winters spread over his body. Verda did not respond as she continued to hold her palm against his forehead, deep in concentration, though Loki could no longer sense her touch.


    Loki¡¯s senses returned in a rush as he felt as if he was falling through the floor, what appeared to be patterns of stars streaking past in his vision behind his closed eyelids. It recalled to him what he had experienced after he had plummeted from the Rainbow Bridge, falling through space.


    The stars faded, all again going black as the falling sensation ceased. Realizing that his strength had returned, his body once more imbued and flowing with life, he opened his eyes to see the stars were now above him, billions of them, as if he were lying under the night sky. Glancing to his left and right, he saw a rocky landscape, seemingly devoid of any life. Slowly setting up, he cautiously rose to his feet.


    As his mind cleared, Loki realized, much to his horror, that he recognized the lifeless rock upon which he now found himself, though unsure whether it was real or an illusion. Sensing that he wasn¡¯t alone, a presence behind him, he turned, fearful that who stood there was a being he had no desire to ever again lay eyes upon as each time Loki had previously encountered his grotesque, partially masked and obscured visage, had heard his raspy voice, it had sent a cold shudder down his spine. He was surprised and relieved to see another whose appearance was far more pleasant.


    ¡°Are you a servant of Thanos?¡± Loki asked the woman with the long white hair that extended almost to her feet, her skin the lightest shade of ivory, the color of her eyelashes matching that of her hair.


    ¡°I am Skula.¡±


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    ¡°The Norn, you are one of the three sisters?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it is I.¡±


    ¡°Why have you brought me to this place?¡±


    ¡°You have brought yourself here,¡± Skula stated, Loki once again looking over the dreary landscape.


    ¡°I suppose I did,¡± Loki said, recalling all that had passed, the choices he had made over his lifetime that had led him to that place, ¡°You come to herald my fate? Am I dead?¡± Loki asked.


    ¡°Not in this universe. There are many. Yet in each it holds true that you are a man of contradictions, capable of the greatest depths of love and hate, loyalty and betrayal in equal measure. I knew upon your birth that you would be unique, that you would follow a singular path. The time has come for you to make a choice.¡±


    *****************************


    Thor prepared to hurl Stormbreaker at the masked soldier in white that sprinted towards him spraying bullets in his direction but before he could release the axe the deadly accurate aim of Barton¡¯s arrow felled him. Thor, continuing to hold his weapon defensively as he looked to his right, watched Barton exit his commandeered vehicle and enter the small clearing in the forest.


    ¡°Barton, my old friend!¡± Thor called in greeting as Barton went to retrieve his arrow, Barton turning and raising his bow, another arrow already notched. Thor was puzzled for a moment at Barton¡¯s reaction before recalling that in this timeline the two had never met.


    ¡°Do I know you?¡± Barton asked as he studied the God of Thunder before lowering his bow, ¡°You¡¯re a friendly? Asgardian?¡±


    ¡°Yes¡­¡± Thor answered as Barton approached him.


    ¡°I thought Loki was sending an army. We¡¯re gonna need more than Paul Bunyon,¡± Barton said, eyeing the axe in Thor¡¯s grip.


    ¡°They await word of Verda¡¯s rescue-¡±


    ¡°Thor?!¡± both Barton and Thor heard Verda¡¯s voice speak in a tone of shock as both men turned in the direction from which it had originated, ¡°How¡­.where¡¯s Loki?¡±


    **********************************


    Loki once again raised his eyelids, blinking a few times as everything appeared a dark blur for a few moments before his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting of the dungeon. Verda removed her hand from his forehead before he sat up, looking down at his abdomen, raising his bloody shirt and placing his hand in the location of the wound of which there was now no evidence before looking up at Verda. She smiled wordlessly before he placed a hand on either side of her head, kissing her forehead in enthusiastic gratitude.


    Loki then realized how pale she appeared, dark purplish black circles under both of her eyes as if she hadn¡¯t slept for a month. They closed, her body slumping forward, Loki catching her and laying her gently on the stone floor.


    ¡°Verda? Verda!¡± Loki said, attempting to rouse her without success.


    Checking for a pulse, he discerned one, though it was troublingly weak. He reached for the leather bag, placing the stones in his hand back into it and magically stowed it away before he stood, hoisting her limp body in his arms.


    **********************************


    The ground of the forest trembled to the rear of Thor and Barton as the Bifrost descended upon it, Sif running from it towards the men.


    ¡°Thor!¡± she called out.


    Sif stopped as she reached the two men, her eyes locking with Lorelei¡¯s in her disguise as Verda.


    ¡°That is not Verda. You must go...you must not be anywhere where you can hear her voice,¡± Sif quietly told Thor and Barton.


    Barton tapped Thor on the arm before gesturing for him to follow, Thor hesitating.


    ¡°I will deal with her,¡± Sif said to Thor, he finally turning to follow Barton as Sif stepped towards Lorelei, sword in hand.


    ¡°Sif¡­¡± Lorelei, now convinced the jig was up, transformed back into her own form, producing her own sword, ¡°You must give my regards to Haldor.¡±


    ¡°She¡¯s on the field,¡± Barton said as he and Thor made their way to the vehicle parked by the side of the road, communicating with the others.


    ¡°She¡¯s not the only one!¡± Rogers said as he skidded the motorcycle to a stop, a throng of white clad soldiers maniacally running towards him. He looked to his right and left, a sea of white entering the forest before turning the motorcycle around and racing away from the advancing hoard.


    Romanoff listened to the conversation as she witnessed Hulk demolishing a bunker, tossing occupants against trees and grabbing others by their legs, smashing them repeatedly against the ground. Emitting a deafening roar, Hulk bounded off, Romanoff trailing behind.


    ¡°Hey! Wait up!¡± she called out as she attempted in vain to catch up to him.


    *********************************


    Loki emerged from the empty bunker in the forest which served as a secret entrance and exit of the tunnel that connected with the underground portion of the stronghold, Verda in his arms.


    ¡°Heimdall, bring us home!¡±


    The Loki standing near Heimdall in Himinbjorg looked over at Asgard¡¯s gatekeeper as he heard the sound of his own voice. Heimdall turned his head, his eyes meeting his king¡¯s as Loki nodded.


    Loki watched as his double, Verda in his arms, emerged from the rainbow of blinding light, Loki upon seeing Verda¡¯s state rushing forward, his double transferring Verda from his arms to that of his doppelganger.


    ¡°Take him to the dungeon,¡± Loki commanded an einherjar guard, the guard stepping forward.


    ¡°Wait¡­¡± Loki¡¯s other said as he held out his hand.


    The einherjar who had been reaching for a pair of shackles drew his sword. Within Loki¡¯s outstretched palm, the leather pouch containing the Norn Stones appeared. Heimdall stepped forward taking them from him. Loki nodded to the einherjar who placed his sword back into its sheath and shackled Loki¡¯s double, leading him away toward the exit and the Rainbow Bridge. The warriors waiting on the bridge began to make a path at the same time as those farther back also began to part.


    ¡°My son¡­¡±


    Both Lokis stood in silence as Odin entered Himinbjorg, Frigga following behind him. The einherjar, his hand closed around Loki¡¯s double¡¯s bicep, bowed his head before leading Loki¡¯s double past them.


    ¡°Father...mother...¡± Loki¡¯s double said.


    Odin approached Loki as the God of Mischief gazed forlornly down at Verda in his arms.


    ¡°She said she would give her life...¡± said Loki mournfully.


    ¡°She has drained her life force. She must rest as I have done,¡± Odin said, motioning for the other einherjar present to approach, Loki transferring Verda into his arms, ¡°I will watch over her. Go, my son.¡±


    ¡°My duty is here. I must safeguard the throne.¡±


    ¡°The throne is safe enough. Your place is by the side of your warriors defending Asgard and the realms.¡±


    ¡°If I do not return?¡± Loki asked Odin, recalling Verda had asked the same question of him.


    ¡°She has proven herself more than worthy.¡±


    ¡°She does not wish it,¡± Loki told him.


    ¡°No one who is truly worthy does,¡± Odin told him.


    Odin turned from Loki, the einherjar bearing Verda¡¯s body following behind him as Frigga approached Loki.


    ¡°I will remain here and await your return.¡±


    Loki looked at his mother, at her tired, careworn face.


    ¡°You must rest as well.¡±


    ¡°I cannot and will not until she who took your brother¡¯s life is no more.¡±


    Loki embraced Frigga before stepping away from her, gesturing for the warriors assembled on the Rainbow Bridge to follow him. As they did so, he stepped to the Bifrost with a determined expression, preparing and steadying himself, producing a dagger in each hand, tossing them and catching them as Heimdall activated the Bifrost.


    ¡°Nor shall we mourn but rejoice for those who have died the glorious death...¡±

 Chapter 25

    "It''s over, Lorelei. Surrender."


    "I''ve bested you before," Lorelei replied to Sif''s command.


    "You will not do so again. Unlike you I don''t repeat the same mistakes."


    "No, you make new ones," Lorelei sneered as Sif lunged at Lorelei with her sword.


    Each woman skillfully deflected the blows of the other''s sword with her own as they battled over the forested ground.


    "Would you care to hear the last words of your dear Haldor before I ran him through? Even in his final moments he was completely devoted to me," Lorelei taunted Sif as they battled, "Poor Sif, never to have what your heart most desires, while I can have any man I choose."


    "They are but slaves."


    "Is that not what love is? You become a slave to them or to the idea of them, as you yourself have been for so long," Lorelei said scornfully, "You and my sister have much in common."


    "I take that as a compliment," Sif said, landing a kick to Lorelei''s midsection, sending her hurtling against a tree, Lorelei recovering just as Sif rushed at her, dodging her.


    "It is a compliment to be compared to my pitiful, pathetic sister who spent her life pining for one so insignificant and worthless? At least you have better taste. I never understood how the same loins who brought forth one such as Thor could also create such a sorry excuse for a prince. It was no surprise to me to learn of his true heritage. When I take the throne, Asgard will again be ruled by an Asgardian."


    "What are you talking about?" Sif asked, as the two women circled each other.


    "You do not yet know before who...or what...you now bend your knee, whose orders, like a dog, you follow?"


    *************************************


    The battle commenced among the trees as those Fury had brought together along with the troops he had sent in that had arrived to back them were joined by Asgard''s warriors, Thor in disbelief as he witnessed Loki at the head of Asgard''s army, rushing to his side to join him amid the fighting.


    "Brother! What are you doing here?" Thor asked as the battle raged, both Thor and Loki downing foes rushing upon them, Loki with his daggers, Thor with Stormbreaker.


    "You thought I was going let a dead man have all the glory?" Loki answered as he felled another attacker.


    "If you were to fall--" Thor began.


    "I believe my queen brought you here to ensure that doesn''t happen," Loki said as he and Thor each dispatched another masked soldier in white, both brothers observing the frenzy of the oncoming soldiers.


    "They fight like Berserkers!" exclaimed Thor as he swung Stormbreaker, taking down more attackers.


    "They are," Loki said, recalling that along with the Tesseract, Lorelei had also gained possession of the Berserker Staff from Randolph.


    Deciding that he needed a more formidable weapon than his daggers, Loki stowed them away, producing Mjolnir in his hand, quickly sending it flying into the oncoming throng, catching it as it returned to him.


    "Give it a bit more of a twist on the release. I''ll show you," Thor said, holding Stormbreaker out to Loki and reaching for Mjolnir. Loki taking Stormbreaker, eyeing Thor as he handed Mjolnir over, "Like this..." said Thor as he hurled Mjolnir into the ranks of the oncoming army, the hammer cutting a swath through them, "It''s all in the wrist."


    Loki reached out, intercepting Mjolnir upon its return, as he handed Stormbreaker back to Thor.


    "All you had to do was ask," Loki said knowing full well Thor''s motivation was far more nostalgia for Mjolnir, the chance to wield it once again, than giving Loki instruction.


    As the battle continued to rage, Loki and Thor repeatedly sent their respective weapons at their opponents, more filling the gaps that were left by those slain. Loki, taking stock of the situation, saw the bodies of fallen Asgardians and S.H.I.E.L.D. troops littering the field, the members of the team of which he was a part continuing to battle among the living and the dead. Banner''s beast roared as Lorelei''s soldiers assailed him, hanging from his massive arms as he flung them off and away from him, Stark using every weapon in his suit''s arsenal. Barton, who had long since used his last arrow had taken up a rifle from a slain soldier.


    A blue bolt of energy shot from the front line of the oncoming enemy, followed by another farther down the line, striking an Asgardian and a S.H.I.E.L.D fighter, both instantly disintegrating, leaving nothing behind. Loki and Thor, horrified, witnessed another blast of blue that had the same effect on a line of Asgardian warriors not far from their position.


    "What the hell was that?!" Barton exclaimed in awe of what he had just seen.


    "They''ve harnessed the Tesseract''s power to make weapons," Loki explained.


    "We can''t fight that! We''re barely holding our own against them now!" Barton replied.


    "The time has come," Loki said aloud more to himself than to Thor or Barton.


    Loki moved forward just as the others on his side of the fray began to fall back.


    "Loki! Are you mad?!" Thor cried.


    Mjolnir disappeared from Loki''s grip as he held out both hands, the Casket of Ancient Winters materializing in them. The hue of Loki''s skin began to change to match its sapphire glow. A blast like the wind of a winter storm erupted from the Casket, the enemy combatants before Loki within its range finding themselves frozen in place like statues, encased in ice.


    *************************************


    "You lie!" Sif exclaimed in response to Lorelei''s revelation of Loki''s origin, moving in on Lorelei for another attack.


    "You''ve always known he was different. Will you allow a frost giant to sit on Asgard''s throne? The time has come for us to rise up. Too long have men held power. How much harder did you have to fight to prove yourself? Before Frigga, before Thor, Odin had a daughter. He banished her to Hel, locked her away, erased her from our history, her only crime that she dared have the ambition to claim her birthright and to rule! He would introduce the rejected son of Laufey, our enemy, into our midst, perpetrate a fraud, set him on the throne but not his own flesh and blood!"


    Sif stood shocked and bewildered upon hearing Lorelei''s words.


    "I refused to submit to any man. I ruled them! It struck such fear into Odin that he locked me away as well. He is the one that should have been locked away! Haldor was a fool. He would not have made you happy. Throw off the shackles they have placed on you and free yourself. Join me...I will place you at the head of my army. We women must stick together..."


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    "We certainly must," Frigga''s voice said from behind Lorelei, "For my son!" Frigga exclaimed as she ran Lorelei through with her sword before withdrawing it.


    Lorelei''s mouth gaped, her eyes wide with shock as she stood frozen in place, her sword dropping from her hand to the forest floor. Frigga stepped back, her and Sif''s eyes meeting, an unspoken message passing between them.


    Sif closed the distance between herself and Lorelei, swinging her sword, detaching Lorelei''s head from her body, sending it flying against a nearby tree. Lorelei''s decapitated body slumped to the ground like a heavy sack.


    Sif spat on Lorelei''s headless corpse, staring down at it in silence as she realized it was over. Lorelei, as she had fantasized about for centuries, lay dead at her feet. Sif looked up at Frigga, struggling to hold back her emotions and maintain her warrior stoicism, the endeavor taking every ounce of her strength, her body slightly quivering as if she were straining every muscle with the effort. It had taken her much time after her emotional display following Thor''s death to overcome the shame she had felt at losing her usual tough as nails composure, especially in front of Loki, and she had vowed no matter what the circumstance to never allow such a thing to happen again. Even Haldor''s death had not led her to such a public exhibition of her sorrow.


    Frigga had no such compulsion, allowing her tears to flow freely.


    "It is not a weakness. It''s a strength," Frigga counseled Sif, her words breaking down Sif''s defenses, Sif bursting into sobs as Frigga held her arms out, Sif dropping her sword and rushing into them.


    *************************************


    Asgard''s remaining warriors and S.H.I.E.L.D. troops surged ahead like a wave, attacking the frozen masked soldiers before them and the few that had been left unfrozen as Loki stood holding the Casket in his hands.


    "This must bring back memories," Stark teased Rogers, "Hold on to your tights, Cap," Stark said grabbing hold of Rogers and lifting off.


    It had taken some time for Sif to traverse the forest. Warriors hacked and slashed at the frozen soldiers of what had once been Lorelei''s army as she approached Loki. Her pace slowed as she viewed Loki still holding the Casket of Ancient Winters in his hands.


    ""It''s true¡­" Sif said in disbelief.


    Loki turned his head, looking to her with eyes as red as Lorelei''s blood she had spilled.


    "It was only after Thor''s death I learned this was not all my father brought back with him upon his return from Jotunheim. I must accept myself for who and what I am. I hope you will find it within yourself to do the same," Loki said, looking back over the field as the battle reached its conclusion, the Casket vanishing from his hands, Loki returning to his Asgardian form.


    "Lorelei is dead. It''s over," Sif informed Loki, not disclosing to him Frigga''s part in the sorceress'' demise, she having asked Sif not to do so, the second time she had been asked by a queen to keep a secret from her king.


    "Not yet," Loki said peering past the warriors in the direction of the stronghold.


    *************************************


    "Ready? On three...one-" Stark said before throwing Rogers at the tall, gothic window, Rogers quickly moving his shield up in front of him.


    Rogers landed on his feet on the stone floor of the workshop/lab, quickly straightening, finding himself face to face with a roomful of masked men. He sent his shield flying, bouncing off each of them before returning to him. Stark landed beside Roger, both men scanning the room for any sign of the Tesseract.


    "They must have it hidden somewhere." Rogers said.


    "You think?" Stark replied sarcastically, "While we''re here¡­" he said to Rogers as he examined the computer monitors, setting a device down in front of them, "Jarvis...I want it all¡­while you''re at it look for an energy signature identical to what was powering that shield."


    "One level down. I''m unable to locate an access, though on the wall to your left, I''m reading steel reinforcement and an air current," Jarvis answered.


    "Wish Jarvis would have been around when I was a kid. Would have made finding where mom hid my Christmas presents a lot easier. Guess there wasn''t a point in trying to sneak a peek back in your day. You got a penny and a tin cup."


    "I''m not that old," Rogers replied.


    Stark neared the area of the wall Jarvis had indicated, Rogers trailing behind him, keeping watch behind them. Stark placed his hands flat on the stone wall.


    "Open sesame...says me!" Stark said, the wall moving back, revealing the landing of a stairway, both men entering and beginning to descend it.


    "Gentlemen¡­" Strucker greeted them, standing beside a table upon which the Tesseract sat on a pedestal, aiming a large barreled chrome plated rifle in their direction.


    Stark quickly lifted off from the stairway, Rogers hurling his shield as Strucker fired the weapon, Rogers diving from the stairway, narrowly avoiding its beam. As the blue streak of energy hit the stone steps where Rogers had stood, those struck by it disintegrated leaving a gap in the stairway. The shield knocked the weapon from Strucker''s hands at the same time that Stark hit him with a blast from his palms. Strucker flying back from the table to sprawl on the floor where he lay motionless. Rogers swiftly climbed to his feet, collecting his shield and rushed to the table, retrieving the Tesseract.


    "The cat''s back in the bag," Rogers said, notifying the others through their earpieces.


    Stark landed near Strucker who lay on his back, Rogers walking up behind him, both looking down at the fallen man as Strucker bit down on something in his mouth.


    "Hail Hydra¡­." Strucker said before his body began to convulse.


    *************************************


    Loki entered the vault beneath the palace on Asgard. Traversing past the various relics, he reached the empty pedestal. Holding his hands out, he materialized the Casket of Ancient Winters reverting to his Jotun form as he held it. Placing it back on the pedestal and removing his hands from it, he regained his Asgardian appearance. Turning from it he made his way past other relics to another empty pedestal. Holding out one hand, the Tesseract appeared within it.


    Loki stared at the relic, knowing from his visions what was contained within it and all it was to have led to had events not been altered. He recalled what Rogers had told him of his experiences with it before he went into the ice after he had handed it over to Loki, disobeying the order to return it to the possession of S.H.I.E.L.D. Loki knew it could not remain on Asgard just as Rogers had known it could not remain on Earth. Turning his back on it, he walked away.


    *************************************


    It had been days since Verda had been placed in a bed in an unoccupied chamber near that of her and Loki''s own. Odin, as he had assured Loki he would, continued to sit vigil as Loki had attended to his duties as Asgard''s king, returning to her side whenever he had a free moment, which he found were few. There was one task however that superseded his responsibilities, at least in Loki''s estimation, and he had only just returned from completing it. Odin raised his head from the book in his hands as Loki entered the bedchamber carrying a small, flat box.


    "There''s been no change?" Loki asked, likely for the hundredth time over the previous days.


    "Do not lose hope," Odin answered, looking from Verda to Loki and the despair evident in his expression as he came to stand by the bed.


    "You have never rested so long."


    "She drained herself almost to the point of death. Both your mother and myself would have done the same for your brother but we are no longer young. It would have cost us our lives and changed nothing," Odin replied, his voice heavy with sadness and guilt.


    Loki sat on the edge of the bed, opening the box. Within lay Verda''s necklace, the clasp and the damage from the dagger repaired, the gold polished and shining as it had when he had first laid eyes upon it. Removing it and setting the box aside, he leaned over Verda, placing it around her neck and straightening it before putting his lips to her forehead. Rising and retrieving the empty box he looked down upon her once more before leaving Odin to continue the vigil.


    *************************************


    Loki''s double lay on his bunk in the dungeon, tossing a silver cup into the air and catching it. A table holding various books sat in the middle of the cell, a chair nearby. Hearing footsteps that he knew did not belong to an einherjar, Loki caught the cup once more before lowering his hand that held it, sitting up to see Asgard''s king approach.


    "Has she awakened?" Loki''s double asked hopefully.


    "Not yet."


    "I told her to leave me, to let me die."


    "As did I. I''ve learned when she''s determined to do a thing nothing and no one will dissuade her."


    "She''s not so different from ourselves," Loki''s other replied, "What of me? Am I to be brought before you in chains?"


    "I would spare you that indignity," Loki, the king, answered, recalling his vision of his audience with his father after his defeat in Midgard.


    "So I''m to be left here to rot? Will you have father render me mortal, exile me to Midgard...or am I for the axe?"


    "You believe I would put to death one she was willing to give her life to preserve?"


    "My-our mother...I wish to speak with her."


    "I''ll inform her of your request," Loki said, turning away.


    "Tell me...what would have become of me had my future not been altered?" Loki''s other asked, Loki turning back to face him.


    "It doesn''t matter. All will now be different for both of us."

 Chapter 26

    "Mr. Secretary," Fury acknowledged the graying blond older man in the suit standing behind a desk as he entered the wood paneled office along with Hank Pym.


    "We need to have a talk," Alexander Pierce, Secretary of the World Security Council said to Fury, sounding more than a bit tense and displeased with S.H.I.E.L.D.''s director.


    "Funny, I was about to say the same thing," Fury replied, he and Pym sitting in the two chairs in front of Pierce''s desk.


    "This was supposed to be a private meeting," Pierce eyed Pym.


    "The prodigal son has returned home. Dr. Pym''s been consulting with us on a project paramount for the future of S.H.I.E.L.D. His assistance was invaluable in the search for the Tesseract."


    "Which is precisely the reason I called you here. What the hell were you thinking? You just handed it over to him?"


    "I didn''t hand over shit. It was Rogers'' call. I just didn''t argue with him. He''s seen the other side of the coin firsthand. We didn''t walk away empty handed. The information Asgard''s shared with us is going to keep us busy for a long time. In fact I already have a team working through it, headed by one of the top physicists in the world who believes in what we''re doing so much that he agreed to come on board even after we threw his ass in a cell," Fury paused for a moment, "It''s time to move on to other things. Which is where Dr. Pym comes in¡­" Fury pulled the tablet from the inside pocket of his black leather coat, calling something up on its screen before setting it on Pierce''s desk, pushing it towards him.


    "What''s this?" Pierce asked.


    "Names...of Hydra agents that have infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D." Fury said as Pym stood, "Guess who''s at the top of the list?"


    Pym reached out, grabbing Pierce by the hair and slamming his face into the desktop. Stunned and dazed, Pierce began to raise his head, blood running from both nostrils of his nose as Fury made his way around the desk, taking hold of the back of Pierce''s suit jacket and hauling him up out of his chair to his feet, kicking the chair aside as he moved Pierce''s hands behind his back and cuffed him.


    "How was that?" Pym asked.


    "I''m gonna pull the cam footage. Think I''m gonna kick back tonight, have a few drinks and watch it on a loop. You''re welcome to join me," Fury replied to Pym.


    "I might just take you up on that."


    *********************************


    "I didn''t think you would come," Loki''s double said as he rose from his chair, setting the book he had been reading aside on the table as Frigga approached the containment field of his cell.


    "Am I not your mother?" Frigga replied as Loki approached the forcefield.


    "No...you''re not," Loki said, "There is something I must tell you. It was I who murdered Thor," Loki told her, Frigga remaining stoic and silent, though her pain upon hearing his confession was evident in her eyes.


    "Your will was not your own. I always sensed your suffering, the conflict within you. I could only love you and hope it would be enough," Frigga finally spoke.


    "My guilt is not your burden to carry. I won''t ask nor do I wish you to intercede on my behalf in what is to come."


    *********************************


    Loki sat in the king''s study off the throne room, the same book he had been reading as he sat on the throne previously open before him on the desk, the book he had purloined from the S.H.I.E.L.D. facility library, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.


    The somber expression on his face began to darken, his ability to attend to what he was reading disrupted by his thoughts. Placing his elbow on the desk, Loki rested his face in his hand, closing the book in frustration with a disgruntled sigh. Lowering his hand, Loki picked up the book and with a roar of anger flung it across the room where it struck the wall, falling to the floor. Grasping a mug that sat on the desk nearby he hurled it at the wall as well, sending broken shards flying to scatter on the floor. Loki swiftly rose from the chair, turning his back to the far wall, scanning for something else to destroy as an emotional release.


    "Brother¡­" Thor said, Loki turning to see him standing inside the doorway as he lowered the hood of the cloak he wore to reveal his face, looking off to his right at the mess on the floor, "I assume there''s been no change."


    Loki sank back into the chair, his shoulders slumped, his head bowed.


    "No¡­"


    "You must not-" Thor began.


    "Lose hope¡­" Loki finished for him, "I know...I know. It''s taking everything I have not to go and throttle the life out of him. Would that be murder or suicide?" Loki asked as he put his elbow on the desk leaning his forehead against his hand, "In an hour I''m to officiate a marriage. How am I to do that when my own bride may never return?"


    This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "I''m certain father would be happy to-"


    "No...."


    "Have you considered my suggestion?" Thor asked.


    "Are you certain?"


    "It is for the best," said Thor before changing the subject, "What of the Tesseract?"


    "In the coming days I will transport it to Nidavellir to be cast into the heart of the dying star."


    "And the Norn Stones?" inquired Thor.


    "I will deal with them as well."


    "There is another Infinity Stone in Midgard. Thanos may yet come to Midgard to claim it."


    "Where?" Loki asked, his countenance changing to one of concern.


    "A place known as Kamar-Taj. Those who make it their home are sorcerers. They are sworn to protect it. I would not advise taking it from them."


    "I was not aware Midgard had sorcerers. Do they know of us?"


    "I believe so."


    "I will warn them of Thanos and come to an arrangement," Loki responded.


    "I have come to ask a favor of you."


    "Anything," Loki replied.


    "There are places in Asgard I would like to revisit one last time. I have asked Sif to accompany me."


    "Say no more," Loki said before casting an illusion over Thor, changing his appearance, "You have spent much time with her since Verda brought you here. Her grief at your death was profound. I''m concerned for her when you return."


    "She will persevere," Thor replied, though his tone and expression conveyed he had been contemplating the same issue.


    *********************************


    Loki stood in the throne room in the same spot in which Odin had stood as Loki and Verda had made their vows. In their place now stood two other Asgardians, the woman in a lovely golden colored gown, her betrothed in equally formal attire, a small crowd of supporters standing nearby.


    Loki fought to keep his expression from giving away the melancholy he felt as the pair recited the traditional promises to each other. As he proclaimed that they forever after belonged to each other, his eyes caught sight of Frigga approaching.


    Uneasy, as his mother would generally not interrupt an audience unless it concerned a matter of great importance, he attempted to discern any clue from her face or body language as to the reason for her presence. As the newly wed couple were being congratulated by their family and friends, Loki, his part in the proceedings now completed, excused himself and crossed the throne room to meet his mother.


    "Verda?" Loki asked anxiously.


    Without a word, Frigga embraced Loki.


    Now more disquieted than before, Loki returned the embrace. As Frigga ended it, stepping back from him, he felt his heart skip a beat as her form magically transformed into that of Verda.


    "Surprise!" Verda said with a grin as Loki swiftly and enthusiastically took her into his arms once more.


    *********************************


    Loki''s double rose from where he lay staring at the ceiling in the bunk in his cell as two einherjar approached the containment field, noticing the shackles held in the hand of one of them. He crossed the cell to meet them as they stopped before the containment field.


    "The time has come. So be it," Loki''s double said, extending his arms in front of him as one of the einherjar lowered the field, the other stepping into the cell and placing the shackles on Loki''s wrists. Each taking hold of one of Loki''s doubles arms, they led him from the cell in the direction of the stairway.


    *********************************


    Thor, Loki, Verda and Sif stood before the pool in the garden as the two einherjar approached, Loki''s double between them, a look of confusion on his face. He had expected to be escorted across the Rainbow Bridge to Himinbjorg where Odin would be waiting to use the dark magic to transform him once again, as he had done upon finding him as an infant, this time into a mortal, and to relieve him of his magical abilities before Heimdall would send him into exile in Midgard.


    "Why have I been brought here?" Loki''s double asked as one of the einherjar removed his shackles.


    "You are to return with me to New Asgard," Thor informed him.


    "With you?"


    "I trust you will behave yourself in the future," Loki said, his use of the word ''future'' being quite literal.


    "Define ''behave,''" Loki''s other answered.


    "Let''s keep it simple and begin by not attempting to conquer the planet," Loki responded.


    "Agreed."


    Sif turned to Thor, this time making no attempt to hold back the tears in her eyes.


    "I will miss you," Sif told him.


    "And I you, Lady Sif. I thank you for your sword and your company."


    Sif threw her arms around Thor who returned her embrace. Separating, Thor took Sif''s hand, kissing it.


    "Are you ready?" Verda asked.


    Both men took their place on either side of Verda, linking arms with her as she led them into the pool, the stones clutched in her right hand. Loki, who had already said his final goodbyes to his brother in private before they had made their way to the gardens, watched Thor disappear along with Verda and his double under the water.


    "Thor asked me to give this to you," Loki said to Sif, handing her a folded paper sealed with a wax seal.


    *********************************


    The chill wind off the sea lifted Verda''s hair from her shoulders as she approached the cairn. Thor was not there which was unusual. She waited a few moments before deciding to go on without him.


    Kneeling before the cairn, Verda laid the bouquet of flowers she had collected at its base before bowing her head.


    "Guardian of souls, as Loki has come to you, know that he was loved. He was a soaring spirit and a brave warrior. Watch over him and welcome him with honor and glory. Loki, son of Odin, I bid you to take your place in the halls of Valhalla-"


    "Where the brave live forever," both she and a voice she recognized, though it was not Thor''s, finished the blessing.


    Raising her head, her eyes wide, she rose swiftly to her feet, turning to see Loki standing in the same spot Thor had stood on the first day she had met the God of Thunder there. Verda''s hand flew to her mouth as she gasped.


    "Verda...that is your name? I believe we met some time ago," Loki said.


    Verda stood as if frozen for a moment before slowly lowering her hand, her eyes still wide as she stared at the man she had believed to be long dead. She then recalled the strange sense of his presence she had experienced since the afternoon of the day before that she had been unable to explain. She had half expected to see his specter since then, however, the man who stood before her now did not appear to be in the form of a spiritual visitor, but solid and alive.


    "Yes¡­" Verda answered, finally finding her voice.


    "It seems you will need to find something else to occupy your time," Loki said, holding out his hand, Verda staring at it before reaching out and taking it before Loki embraced her.


    Verda returned the embrace, wrapping her arms as tightly around him as she had well over a millennium before in Asgard''s forest.


    Looking over Loki''s shoulder, her vision blurred by her tears, Verda''s eyes fell upon Thor standing a few yards away. He raised his hand in greeting, though he knew in a sense it was also a farewell, before turning and walking away.

 Chapter 27

    Sif sat near the burning cauldron in her chambers. After Thor''s presence within them in recent days, his departure left them feeling desolate and empty. To Sif it was as if he had died for the second time. For hours she had left the letter unread. To draw it out, to not know his final words to her in a sense kept a part of him alive. In the end however, she had to know what it was he had to say to her that he felt he could not tell her during the time they''d had together. She now held the letter in her hand after having finally broken the seal and read its contents.


    Standing, Sif moved the folded paper to her lips before placing it into the fire.


    ***************************************


    "What did you think?" Loki asked as he and Verda walked arm and arm past the towering golden statue of Thor that had just been unveiled that morning after leaving the open air theater where they had watched the play Loki had promised him, commemorating him.


    "It was...interesting," Verda answered.


    "Interesting¡­" Loki repeated.


    "He would have liked it very much, though I don''t believe those were likely his last words to you on his deathbed. There was some dialogue I spoke that I don''t recall taking place as well...though my memory may be faulty."


    "I took some dramatic license, of course," Loki responded.


    "Of course. The actress portraying myself--" Verda began.


    "I believe she captured your essence quite well."


    "She was very good, though a bit more...liberally endowed," said Verda, glancing sideways at Loki.


    "I cast her solely for her talent on the stage."


    "I''m sure," Verda replied, though it was clear from her tone she was not wholly convinced.


    "We should change into something more comfortable for the revels," suggested Loki, as they had both dressed in formal attire as was fitting their position for the public presentation of the monument and the theatrical production.


    "I''m afraid I won''t be joining you," Verda said as Loki looked over at her, noticing that she appeared fatigued and slightly pale.


    "Are you not well?" Loki asked, concerned.


    "I''m fine...just tired. It''s been a long day. I''m also afraid I wouldn''t be much fun seeing as I''d be unable to participate in the principal activity."


    "What do you--" Loki began to ask before breaking off as Verda looked over at him with a smile, Loki putting the pieces together, "You''re¡­we''re to¡­?" Loki stammered.


    "Yes," Verda replied.


    Loki grabbed Verda, excitedly lifting her off her feet, laughing joyfully as he spun her around.


    "Loki! Loki..stop! " Verda squealed, Loki quickly setting her back on her feet, steadying her as she swayed dizzily.


    "I''m sorry," Loki apologized.


    "It''s alright," Verda chuckled, "Just be thankful I haven''t eaten recently or you''d be changing for another reason."


    "Why didn''t you tell me? We could have made the announcement before the performance."


    "I didn''t want to overshadow the celebrations for Thor. Besides, now you''ll have another reason to hold revels."


    This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    "You know me too well," Loki responded with a grin.


    ***************************************


    "Erik Selvig," Loki said, appearing to be dressed in the clothing of a mortal, of course of his favored hue, as he rose from the booth in the bar in Puente Antiguo to greet Selvig as he approached, the two men shaking hands.


    "Loki! It''s good to see you again," Selvig said with a wide grin as both men seated themselves.


    "How goes your work?" Loki asked.


    "Very well...extraordinarily well, actually. It''s going to take awhile to work through all you''ve given us," Selvig answered happily.


    "It was Verda''s idea, to give you the information to begin to unlock those secrets yourselves over time."


    "She''s not joining us?" Selvig asked.


    "Oh...no. It has been some time since we last spoke. She sends her regards. I must have forgotten to mention it when I invited you here. Things have been quite hectic as of late. She recently gave birth to our first child."


    "Congratulations! Boy or girl?" Selvig asked.


    "A son...Thor, in honor of my brother," Loki replied.


    "So I guess you figured it out," Selvig said.


    "What have I figured out?" Loki asked, puzzled.


    "The first time we were here you said you were still figuring it out, what loving someone means."


    "Oh...yes," Loki answered, surprised Selvig remembered such detail of their conversation, Selvig having been obviously very drunk at the time.


    "I suppose I''m figuring it out too. I''ve met someone as well...Lynn. She''s a physicist like myself. She''s working with S.H.I.E.L.D. along with me. She worked for N.A.S.A. I guess we''ll see where it goes."


    "What of Jane and Darcy?"


    "She''s taken a position in London teaching part time while she continues her research. Darcy went with her as a graduate assistant. She''s met someone too. He''s a doctor, I don''t recall what specialty."


    Loki looked across the bar to the door he had been keeping an eye on since his arrival for both Selvig as well as the man who now entered, a gift wrapped package tucked under his arm.


    "Excuse me," Loki said to Selvig, leaving the booth and walking to the entrance, greeting Stark and leading him back to the booth and introducing him to Selvig who slid over to make room for Stark to sit.


    "The others aren''t coming?" Loki asked as Stark sat down next to Selvig.


    "Barton and Romanoff are off somewhere playing Robin Hood and Little John on some assignment. Banner doesn''t drink...for obvious reasons. I''m not sure why Rogers bowed out, something Coulson told him, oh, and the fact he can''t get drunk. I guess there is a downside to being a nearly indestructible super soldier," Stark said before handing the package to Loki, "For the kid. Pepper picked it out. I''m sure it''s something nice."


    "Thank you. I''ll let Verda open it," Loki said, "Let us have that drink now."


    ***************************************


    Loki walked in the darkness from the Rainbow Bridge to the palace, the package Stark had given him tucked under his arm. Passing the statue of Thor he stopped in front of it, looking up at it before ensuring there was no one else nearby. Passing his hand over the base of the statue, the door to a compartment appeared. Opening it, Loki reached in, removing the leather bag containing the Norn Stones. Emptying the bag into his hand, he examined them for a moment before replacing them in the bag and back into the compartment before disguising it once again.


    ***************************************


    Loki entered his and Verda''s chambers, the room lit by the dancing flames of the cauldrons, as Verda rose from the armchair, the infant Thor swaddled in a blanket in her arms.


    "Did you enjoy yourself?" Verda asked.


    "A good time was had by all. You didn''t have to wait up for me."


    "I wasn''t planning to. Someone else had other ideas. He just went back to sleep. What''s that?" Verda asked, noticing the gift Loki held in his hand.


    "A gift, from Stark. I thought I''d let you open it."


    Loki approached Verda, reaching out and taking the infant from her as he handed her the package, doing his best not to wake the sleeping baby. Verda opened the box, revealing a blue blanket embroidered with a crown and the words, ''Little Prince.''


    "It''s adorable."


    "Go to bed. I''ll join you shortly," Loki told her before kissing her.


    Verda made her way to the doorway leading to the bedchambers, the blanket over her arm.


    Loki crossed the room to the balcony, peering into the darkness over Asgard. Loki thought once more of his visions of the future and how different was the trajectory his life had now taken. All was quiet and peaceful, but would it remain so? Looking down at his newborn son slumbering in his arms, he knew he would do whatever it took to put an end to any threat to that peace as his own father had done.


    It was then that it hit him like a bolt out of the blue. The pain, the loneliness, the self loathing he had carried in his heart for so long had flown. Selvig was right, he had ''figured it out.'' He was Loki, son of Odin, King of Asgard...and of course, the God of Mischief, as Verda had been reminded that morning upon opening her trunk to find a mass of twisting, writhing likjs.


    "What surprise shall we spring on your mother tomorrow to keep her on her toes?" Loki said quietly to the sleeping baby Thor.


    The End