Chapter 35
Odin did try to contact Loki after the incident on bifrost but the guards held their ground politely but firmly. It seemed that he will not be able to reach Loki without Thor’s permission.
Nana was bringing food to Loki’s chambers ,when she was stopped by Odin himself.
“ Nanna, a word please!”
Nanna halted, her patience already thin, “Yes Allfather?”
“How is Loki?”
“He is alive, yes.” She said curtly.
Allfather sighed.He had not expected a straight answer, not from her.
“ How fares he?” , he asked further.
“That you Should better ask a healer my lord.” ,Nanna deflected. The boy had taken ill after the trip to bifrost. His already fragile constitution shaken with fear of what Odin might do after discovery of his child. His despair and fright wore her down as she along with royal healers tried to find solutions in the tricky situation. She would try to soothe him as he cried out in the grip of nightmares.. and kept praying for Thor’s return. But she was not going to give these details to the old fool. She would not betray her dear boy.
Odin was getting furious and about to rage at her when bifrost thundered outside.
“Thor must have returned!” , Nanna exclaimed and Odin whirled around to go to bifrost.
Thor had expected to be welcomed by a happy Loki.. and he was disappointed. Loki did not come to receive him as he expected. Fear gripped his heart and thousands of possiblities where Loki was harmed started to run in his mind. Warriors three had welcomed him but he was too hurried to talk to them.All he spoke was, “ Where’s Loki?”
Sif greeted him near stables. Her face was enough to know that something was wrong… Yet he asked, “What happened?”
“ He is unwell.. go to him!”
These words were enough to make him rush.. he almost ran to his chambers. The servants and onlookers gaped, seeing their king after absence of a month, running through the golden corridors. Thor has eyes only for his Loki, who he found in bed burning in fever. Healers fretting over him.
“ Loki, love.. I am here!” , Thor almost pushed the lady aside.
“ Thor, you are not Thor! Don’t do this to me please… come back! Thor please…”
Thor’s heart broke when healer told him that Loki is delirious and couldn’t understand what he was being told.
-@-@-@-@-@-
It took three days for Loki come out of delirium and realise that Thor has actually returned. Thor would have loved to spend all his time besides his lover, but he had so much to do. When he learned about Odin and Loki’s encounter on Bifrost from Heimdal’s report, he had rushed to confront Allfather. ‘I have to ensure my child’s safety’ was all he could think when he marched in.
“ You think me so cruel that I would harm an unborn child ,that too yours?” ,Odin had asked.
“It’s Loki’s too!”
“I wish no harm to the child, be assured. But the child will not inherit my throne.”
“ I know the ruling, but I am a father and I will do best to protect my child” , Thor was adamant.
“ What do you want me to say?”, Allfather asked tiredly.
“ Swear to me. Swear on mother’s memory.”
Odin did!
-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Whole Asgard was talking about ‘The Thing’ and the way it was called. By evening everyone knew that king Thor has called the Thing to clear charges on his concubine and has requested for the mortals to have a seat in jury.
The Thing was the magical court for inter- realm confrontations. The hall was built by volvas from all of the realms within a day with seidr. And it was glorious.. three high chairs were made for the Norns in case they decided to join, though it was rare of them to grace any meeting with their presence.Nine chairs were arranged for representatives of each realm who were to act as jury.
King Frey arrived to represent Alfheim along with his father King N’jord of Vanaheim. They arrived in official capacity but they were also uncle and grandpa to Thor as well as Loki. They were family who had centuries of history together.. so they went straight to the royal residence to meet with the royal couple.
Jotunheim had sent a councilman instead of king himself, but Byleistr accompanied him ,so that he could see their young prince ,who was carrying child of Asgard’s king. The family gathered in Loki’s chambers trying to cheer him up. Loki’s fever was better, but Eir had prohibit him to leave his bed. The trickster was happy to see them all united for the sake of his child, but he couldn’t stop being anxious. This court’s proceedings were to decide the future of his child . Though more than half of the jury had familial ties with him, they couldn’t act partially once the spells of Thing are in place. He himself would have to testify on the altar… under truth spell. The way Thor had called the Thing for him, everyone’s attention was going to be on him and that was making him nervous.
Dwarf king Eitri came to represent Nidavellir, but stayed in official quarters. Muspelheim was deserted and dissolute after Malekith and his associates were wiped off during dark elf war. Niflheim being realm of primordial ice was devoid any life and Helheim never bothered to connect or send any representative. Thor had petitioned that Midgard is developed enough to have a seat in jury. It was allowed as Midgard was becoming aware of other’s presence in recent years and though it’s the prime target for inter realm attacks, they had been handling the threats quiet well. No representative from Midgard had arrived yet.
Thor tried to calm Loki’s nerves after the guests left to their own accommodation.But it was difficult when he himself was fretting over the outcome. The thing was to decide his and his family’s fate. He was challenging Allfather’s ruling and loosing the case he would loose everything! Yet he had to try… for Loki, for their future ! He would fight with everything he had to free his brother from this unjust punishment.
They talked late into night, planning every possibility and considering every outcome.