Chapter 37
Steve Rogers never backed down from the right thing,that doesn’t mean he can’t get nervous. Here in a fairyland where powerful people like Thor resided ,he was about to stand witness for Thor’s cause. Thor was his friend, great ally to humans and his whole life, his brother’s (or should he say lover’s… he was still wrapping his head around it!) future was at stake. Steve looked at director fury who was sitting stiffly in high chair as jury. He was still not convinced of Loki’s innocence so the task was clear, convincing all the judges about Loki’s innocence.
It didn’t feel any different when he stood in witness circle. The truth spell encompassing him like a warm bright light.. he was informed that if he says anything that is lie to his knowledge the light will change colour and he will be removed from witness circle. There was no perjury here, the whole witness goes down the drain if a single lie is detected. So nobody lies… how very effective!
“ He is an honourable warrior from his realm.He does not lie.” Thor said .
“ We shall see that! “Said Odin. “ Start your witness!”
“ Steve Rogerson , is that your name. Can you introduce yourself ?” , Thor asked.
“ Yes my name is Steve ,son of Roger .. I am a soldier. I fought in World War Two. I am also known as captain America.”
“When and how did you came to know Loki?”
“ When he started an attack on earth.I first met him at Stutgard ,Germany.”
“ How was he behaving? Did he have a plan in place like silently taking over your power centres, manipulating the rulers and commoners alike as any man as clever as Loki would do?”
“ No! There was not much of cunning plan.In fact he seemed to be trying for attention of the authorities. He forced a hall full of people kneel, for god’s sake!”
“ So, he was acting unlike himself.!”
“ I wouldn’t know.I I didn’t know him at all before attack. But he seemed to try for attention when he arrived and then gave up easily when we took him down. He appeared quite smug even then.” Thor seemed to be satisfied with the answer and gestured Odin to ask his questions.
“So Steve Rogerson, Loki came as power hungry tyrant attacking Midgard and was so consumed with self importance that he challenged all of realm he was trying to conquer .Is this true?” , was all Odin asked to which Steve could only nod affirmatively.
Tony’s witness went similarly but in more detail. He showed footages of Loki’s arrival to Earth and the time during which he was there. He showed how his eyes were of electric blue shade which was far different from the green eyes when he seemed much more in control. Thor further underlined his haggard appearance and that he was not using full potential during fights. Tony was surprised to learn the things Loki could have done with his seidr but had not even tried to escape from them. In the end it was established that, for whatever reason, Loki had not used all his powers during his attack.
Clint was the most tricky witness. His hatred for Loki was not going to be hidden, yet he bitterly accepted that Loki was not well during the attack. He told how weak and broken Loki looked, how paranoid he had been… flinching at every sudden movement. And there were encounters with someone who spoke in his head and how shaken he would appear after those. He said that even though Loki bent his will, he never did anything cruel like torturing or killing unnecessary.Odin crossed Clint trying to get him talk about his mind control.. but in the end it all painted a blurry picture and Loki came out more as a tortured victim than a bloodthirsty monster as Odin wanted to.
Next witness was called and Jotun King entered the hall. He was followed by Jotun guards dragging a strange creature… the creature had disgusting facial features. In fact there were no distinct nose or mouth on its face. The sparse hair were askew on his head. The creature had his slits for the eyes closed and was dragging its feet trying to prevent being taken in front of Dias.The creature kept screaming obscenities.
“My master,will come for you,you worms. He courts death herself. He would not spare you for obstructing his plans. Release me…” He screamed as he was forced into the witness box which turned into a cage.
Thor introduced him as ‘the other’ and had him confirm that Loki was in fact under his control during the attack.Soon he was forced to recount the details of Loki’s history with them. How he was found half-dead in the void. How he was convinced to alliance with Thanos, the other spilled all the gruesome details of his torture. How Loki had failed their master and he will never be able to hide from them. How his future hold only punishments and pain.
The courtroom had fallen silent after mentioning of Thanos. Thor and Helblindi silently fuming over their kin’s fate. But as soon as Loki was threatened it was Byleistr that charged towards other, ice dagger ready at hand… the guards unable to hold him back. N’jord and Frey quickly contained him with a shield.Helblindi spoke to him in hushed tone and young Jotun was quick to apologise. N’jord dismissed him with a minor penalty and Byliestr bowed deeply. He was assured that the Other would face consequences for his actions as soon as he was interrogated in for further investigation.
Odin who was looking oddly pale and tired, asked the Jury for an adjournment.
“This new information is crucial. We had thought that threat of Thanos has been eliminated, which is not the case clearly. Though the thing is called to appeal against Loki’s conviction, the changed circumstances call for immediate intervention to the titan’s mission. I request the jury to please consider holding a meeting to form an action plan.”
“ There is no need to halt the proceedings,my lords.” Thor objected. “ Though the imminent threat has been confirmed, it had been ignored for long enough. If Loki’s actions were investigated during his prior trial, we would have been alerted far more quickly. But he was not given chance to speak for himself. Which again brings us to validity of the judgement in question. The culprit was not given a chance to defend himself or provide any evidence for his defence. The reason given was he being silvertongue cannot be trusted to be allowed to speak. Even if we ignored my feelings regarding this matter, how is this aligned with principles of natural justice. I implore you to take this point in consideration and not stop the proceeding. My beloved has been convicted wrongly and is continuously being punished. Please the matter of titan’s reappearance can be discussed after this matter has been concluded.”
In the end the court was adjourned for a day but it was decided that the thing will conclude about Loki’s fate first and then will consider Odin’s suggestion. Thor was asked to bring Loki for the witness and the thing was dismissed for the day. Thor’s triumphant smile disappeared as soon as Loki was summoned.