Mission?
Three days had passed after Thor and Loki’s return to Asgard and Loki had yet to see or hear from Thor. He spent the time grieving for his mother and wondering what would become of him. Then Einherjar came to his cell saying that the Allfather wished to speak with him. They bound his hands and led him through the palace to where Odin sat on his golden throne waiting.
As they entered, Loki stared up at the Allfather with a mask of neutrality and just a hint of defiance. Though his expression gave nothing away, he was actually relieved to have been called to the throne room. It was something different. It meant that something was going to change, and at this point, just about any change was welcome.
“Leave us,” Odin said, his voice full of authority.
The Einherjar saluted and left. When they had disappeared, Odin stood and descended the dais. Loki stood tall and proud, though internally he struggled not to take a wary step back. He noted the shadow over the Allfather’s face. It was one of grief. He wondered if his own face looked any better.
Odin came to stand directly in front of him and stared at him wordlessly. Neither of them budged. The air was tense, and Loki had to fight the urge to squirm. Odin always had that effect on him. Perhaps he always would.
Then, after what seemed like much longer than it probably was, Odin said, “Walk with me.” He turned and began walking without waiting for a response.
Loki hesitated, not expecting this. Then he reluctantly followed, knowing he didn’t really have much choice and slightly curious to see what would come next. They walked in silence until they reached a balcony that looked out over the city. Odin leaned against the thick, stone railing, taking in the view. Loki hung back a bit, watching cautiously.
“Thor told me of the fight against the Dark Elves,” Odin eventually said, still facing away. “He also told me of your contribution in securing Malekith’s defeat. For that, the Nine Realms are in both your debts.” He paused, as if thinking about something. “We are much alike, you and I. Perhaps more so than you realize… Your lawless nature, the storms within you, you inherited from me. They cannot be easily smothered. That is why I locked you away. Unlike Thor, who can grow and change if guided in the right direction, you, like me, do not so easily change. And I fear where that will take you.”
Loki stood there warily. Odin was rarely the open type, so whenever he did speak openly, Loki was left being unsure how to proceed.
“Tell me, my son, do you believe yourself capable of change?”
Loki almost bit back about not being his son, but the words got caught in his throat.
‘Then am I not your mother?”
Instead, he decided to focus on the actual question. He took a breath. “It does not always matter what one believes,” he said, reluctant to truly answer the question.
Odin chuckled. “Indeed. Perhaps I should clarify,” he said, finally turning to face Loki. “If I were to give you the chance to change, would you use it?”
Loki cocked his head. “What are you offering?”
“A reduction of your sentence. One century confined to your chambers, long enough to allow those you harmed on Midgard to pass on, then restoration of your position — under one condition, that you have managed to change.”
Loki let out a breath. It was too good of an offer to turn down. However, because it was in his nature to test boundaries, he asked, “And if I cannot?”
The Allfather hummed, a smile ghosting his lips. “I have no doubt that you can if you wish it.”
Loki heard the door close and lock behind him, magical barriers locking down around his power — though not completely cutting it off like the cuffs did.
The wave of emotions that hit him as he stood alone in his chambers caused tears to sting his eyes. He hadn’t thought he would ever be back here.
He slowly walked through the room touching surfaces, feeling book spines, picking up knick knacks. He had taken all of it for granted his whole life. The smells, the feelings, the natural sense of security that came from being in his space. He had learned the value of such things while in the void, but now he was finally back.
He slowly walked from the main room to the bedroom. Everything was just where he had left it. It was too much. He curled up on his bed, his actual bed, buried his face into the pillows, and wept.
Thor visited later that same evening with food, and they ate together. They didn’t talk much but the silence was at least somewhat comfortable.
When they finished, Thor said, “Father has granted me permission to go to Midgard for a time. At least until— At least for the next several decades, that is.”
Loki shook his head, sighing. “Well, I’m hardly going to tell you to not see Jane after I damn well risked my life back on Svartalfheim to keep her from being turned to atoms. And as for your Avengers friends, I don’t think I need to tell you what I think of them,” he said, lip curling in disdain.
Thor smirked slightly. “Fair enough.” A moment of silence passed between the two, and in it there was a spark of warmth in both of their eyes. Then Thor stood and stretched. “It is late. I should be going.”
Loki stood as well and nodded, easily switching back to his usual snarkiness. “Indeed. You get awfully cranky when you don’t get enough sleep. I’d almost pity the mortals.”
Thor snorted. “Funny,” he said sarcastically. “I will still come to visit you, but it may be less often while I’m on Midgard.”
“Then I shall be grateful to the Allfather for allowing you to go,” Loki said with a smirk.
Thor rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes. Just try not to get into any trouble while I’m away.”
Loki grinned. “No guarantees.”
“There never are with you, are there?” Thor sighed. “Fare thee well, brother,” he said and slowly turned, leaving the room.
When the door was again closed, Loki whispered, “To you as well… brother.”
Time passed.
Thor would visit every few months, and their relationship slowly began to knit itself back together. He rarely talked much about Midgard or what he was doing there. Most of their time was spent in casual conversation or reminiscing over adventures from centuries prior. Occasionally the conversations turned bitter and one of them would storm off.
One day, an Einherjar soldier came to Loki saying that a council meeting was occurring and he had been invited to attend. He almost turned it down, not overly fond of the idea of facing the Allfather again, but his boredom won out and he attended.
Much to his relief, Odin only gave him a brief nod as he entered and occasionally asked his opinion on matters as the meeting progressed. Loki would answer smoothly and things would continue. It made him feel like he had traveled back in time several centuries to when he would attend such meetings as part of his royal training and Odin would scrutinize his responses, correcting any errors in judgment he made. Loki figured that, in many ways, that was exactly what was happening.
From then on, he would attend council meetings occasionally whenever his boredom demanded some sort of change.
Another time, Loki asked one of the guards that stood outside his chambers to get him a specific book from the library. He was shocked when the door opened an hour or so later and Fandral stepped in, the book in his hand, saying that he had been meaning to come by and the book had presented a welcome opportunity. Thor, Fandral explained, hadn’t said much about what had happened during the Convergence before leaving for Midgard, and he was absolutely dying for a recount of the events.
Loki hesitantly agreed, and somehow — he still wasn’t quite sure how — that eventually resulted in the Warriors Three and even Sif in his sitting room with him, all of them drunk out of their minds, as Loki recounted a story that somewhat resembled what had occurred during the fight against Malekith.
Looking back on the incident several days later, Loki had enjoyed it far more than he would ever admit.
When the first anniversary of Frigga’s death came around, the three members of the royal family went out to the highest point in the palace and released orbs into the sky that were soon followed by many other orbs rising up throughout the city by citizens who desired to join in the silent remembrance of the queen.
Things continued in this general fashion until about two years after the Convergence. Thor had been away for an unusually long period of time, but now he was back, and as soon as he entered the room, Loki knew something was different about this visit. There was purpose in Thor’s stance and his face.
“Brother,” Loki greeted carefully. “Long time, no see. I was beginning to think Jomungandr had finally managed to make a snack out of you.”
Much to his disappointment — and increasing nervousness — Thor didn’t laugh. “Apologies. I’ve been rather busy in recent months,” he said, taking a seat on one of the couches. Loki didn’t join him.
“I see,” he stated. “And for what reason have you come to visit me on this fine day?”
At this, Thor’s brow furrowed, and he opened his mouth to speak.
Seeing the attempt at innocence on his brother’s face, Loki cut him off. “Don’t.”
“Don’t what?”
Loki crossed his arms. “I’m sorry, have you forgotten who you’re talking to? I know there is a reason you’re here, so go on then. Spit it out.”
Thor’s face dropped into a pout. Then he sighed. “Fine. There is a problem that I could use your assistance with.”
“You need my help then,” Loki said with a cocky smirk.
“I do not need anything,” Thor said out of brotherly spite, then hesitated before saying, “…but assistance from a sorcerer would speed things up quite a bit, and I’ve never been one for patience.”
Loki huffed. “You can say that again,” he mumbled. “Well, does this mission of yours involve any more murderous Svartalfar?”
“No…”
“Treason?”
Thor gave him a look. “No.”
“Annoying mortals?”
Thor opened his mouth, but Loki didn’t wait.
“Overpowered ancient artifacts?” Thor hesitated, and Loki narrowed his eyes. “Overpowered ancient artifacts, Thor?” he repeated.
“Well, it was your scepter. You tell me,” Thor snapped.
Loki didn’t catch himself in time to stop the rigid tension that immediately shot into his frame. “The Scepter? What of it?” he asked, trying and failing to keep his voice entirely neutral. Thor fidgeted a bit. “Thor.”
“We lost it,” he quickly announced.
“You—” Loki stopped, his voice getting caught. For a moment, his thoughts were frozen in place, then they began to race. His lips pressed into a thin line, and he began to pace. Thor watched him silently. Finally, he stopped pacing and turned. “You lost the Scepter?!”
“That is what I said,” Thor answered, annoyed.
Loki tipped his head back and muttered a string of curses in multiple languages.
“Oh, stop your dramatics, would you? We know who has it, but we’ve been searching for a while now and haven’t managed to find the actual location yet.”
Loki’s eyes shot open. “‘Who’? What do you mean ‘who’?” he asked sharply.
Thor sighed. “An enemy of Shield has it. They have many different bases of operations spread across the realm and are difficult to track.”
Loki groaned. “Which is where I come in.”
“Which is where you come in,” Thor agreed.
Loki sighed. “And are your Avengers friends aware that you’re asking for my help?”
“They are.” Thor nodded. “Though they have certain… requirements.”
“Oh? Do tell,” Loki said sarcastically.
“Your magic is to be restrained except for when necessity says otherwise. You will sleep in a holding cell and be accompanied by me at all other times.”
Loki gave his brother an unimpressed look. “Mhm… So basically, I go with you to the realm that I hate and surround myself with the people that I hate, all the while with my magic completely restrained — which I hate — and you hovering over my shoulder the whole time — also something I hate. Why exactly should I do this?”
Thor sighed. “I suppose ‘because it’s the right thing’ isn’t enough.”
Loki raised an eyebrow.
Thor held his gaze for several seconds then said, “You’re not getting your sentence reduced again.”
“Ok, and? Surely you’re not expecting me to do this for free.”
Thor continued to stare, then finally slumped a bit. “What do you want?”
Loki was ready. “Free access to the library. Getting people to bring me books is a pain. Getting them to actually bring the right ones in a reasonable amount of time is even worse. I don’t care if it’s an escort to the library whenever I wish it or a portal directly into the library — though the latter would admittedly be preferable — I want to be able to come and go from there as I please.”
There was a tiny, amused smile on Thor’s face. “Open access to the library. That’s what you want?”
Loki bristled like an unhappy cat. “Would you like me to raise my price?”
Thor held his hands up in surrender and chuckled. “Peace, brother. I’ll ensure you get your library back.”
“Well then,” Loki said with a wicked grin, “when do we start?”