Prologue
** prologue **
Thor's heavy footsteps pounded against the rainbow bridge as he tore his way towards the figures who had congregated at its ragged edge.
As he drew closer, Heimdall the ever-vigilant guardian of the Bifrost broke away from the others and turned to meet him.
"Where are they?"
Thor cried, panting heavily due to having ran all the way from the Throne room without stopping for breath.
Heimdall's expression was grim, causing Thor to prepare himself for the worst.
"The Lady Sif was unconscious, she was discovered so and has been taken to the healing rooms."
Thor's heart sank, his thoughts immediately jumping to Loki.
What had he done to her?
"And where is...he?"
He asked gruffly, refusing to speak the name of the prisoner.
"I will question him alone."
"I'm afraid that won't be possible at present."
Thor's expression instantly went from one of agitation to fury. It took a great deal of effort to keep his tone level.
"Heimdall, you know you are one of my most dearest friends but with all due respect I must warn you against attempting to dissuade me in this matter."
Heimdall eyed him steadily with his golden gaze, his brow furrowed deeper.
"You do not understand, he is also....incapacitated."
"What?!"
Heimdall turned his attention back towards the group of Einherjar and guards, gesturing for Thor to follow him.
The soldiers were huddled around in formation and upon seeing Thor approach they parted to reveal what could easily have initially been mistaken in their shadows, as a large sack strewn at their feet.
But on closer inspection, Thor's look of bewilderment became one of utter shock as he realised it was the limp, dishevelled body of Loki.
"What happened to him?"
He demanded.
Loki had been in quite a state the last time he'd returned to Asgard and similarly he had been clamped in shackles, but this time chains had also been attached to both of his long legs, each one held by a burly heavily armed guard.
"Are those absolutely necessary?!"
Thor barked at them,
"You're holding onto him as though he were a savage dog, complete with neck collar!"
At that, Tyr, the master of the guards stepped forward to address the son of Odin.
"My Lord, the leg restraints were to prevent the prisoner from attempting to lash out, I believe you're aware of how lethal his kicking can be? It's one of his most favoured fighting methods-"
"Why is he unconscious?"
Thor interrupted impatiently.
"We had to subdue him my Lord."
Tyr explained,
"It was done quickly and effectively by applying pressure to his jugular, I assure you he was not rendered unconscious by a blow to the head."
Thor crouched down in order to examine the trickster more closely.
He could see the imprint of red finger marks on his throat, which supported Tyr's claim, but then he also surveyed the way Loki's armour was torn in places, and the angry purple bruising and dried blood which caked his broken hands.
"What happened here? Who is responsible for this?"
"He is..."
Tyr replied bluntly, nodding towards Loki.
"...that is why we linked the restraints from his wrists to his neck, in order to prevent him from damaging himself further."
Visibly shaken by this proclamation, Thor stood hurriedly and turned back to Heimdall.
"Have him sent to the healing rooms immediately."
"But the Allfather has demanded the prisoner be taken directly to him upon arrival."
Heimdall protested.
Thor shook his head, unwilling to back down.
"He needs his injuries assessing. This must be done by order of Frigga. That is why she sent me to meet him, to ensure his safety. I shall inform my father."
Tyr nodded and four of the Einherjar lifted Loki between them, taking an arm and leg each. Not only had they found this to be the most effective way of carrying him, as he was a dead weight, but they were also mindful not to handle him too roughly, knowing that the Queen was still so concerned for his well being.
Heimdall leaned towards Thor, speaking in a lowered tone so as not to be overheard.
"The Lady Sif is still in the healing rooms, I would strongly advise that they be kept apart. If he discovers where she is the consequences will be disastrous."
Thor sighed heavily, nodding slowly in agreement before adding,
"Instruct Tyr, he will accompany them and explain this to the healers...but say nothing more on the matter. And be sure they are all sworn to silence."
Heimdall nodded, as Thor turned on his heel and marched back across the Bifrost in the direction of the palace.
*** *** ***
Loki suddenly became aware of the sound of distant muffled voices.
In the next instant, his attention was temporarily distracted by a throbbing pain in his head and a tightness in his throat which made it difficult to swallow.
His mind was hampered, everything was a haze and he could scarcely make sense of where he was.
Returning his focus to the voices, one of which was distinctly female, the other male and vaguely familiar. He strained to listen but he realised they weren't far from him, they were simply conversing in hushed tones.
......That could only mean one thing, whomever these mysterious voices belonged to, they did not intend for him to overhear their discussion.
Keeping his expression steady so as not to draw attention to himself, he desperately tried to hone in on any audible words.
The only one he heard just at the moment, was a name.
"....Sif.."
And bang! Just like that, everything came flooding back like a terrible nightmare. Perhaps it had just been a horrific dream spawned inside his own head due to his deepest, darkest fears and insecurities.
Perhaps he hadn't lost her at all and he'd awake to see his beautiful shield maiden beside him once more.
He could bear the uncertainty no longer and prised his heavy eyelids open. The glare of the light that shrouded his body, impairing his vision somewhat.
Blinking rapidly he attempted to adjust his sight to the sudden brightness.
He recognised the room he was in as the healing room. He was no stranger to it, having been treated here for several broken ribs after returning from his failed attempt to take control over Midgard.
But why was he here now, stretched out on the table, being bathed in the regenerating glow of the healing device?
He turned to his left, his eyes falling on one of the healers, instantly identifiable by her white robes. And by her side stood the familiar broad, blonde figure of Thor.
...but no Sif.
His heart immediately sank into his boots.
It hadn't been a nightmare at all. This was reality.
Instantly rattled, he made to stand, causing Thor and the healer to try and force him back down onto the table by placing their hands on his shoulders.
"Be still Loki, you need to rest!"
Thor insisted, his expression stern.
Obediently, but more through the lack of will to fight or protest, Loki collapsed back against the table heavily. His nerves were jangling, causing his hands to tremble slightly.
"Why am I here?..."
He rasped, barely recognising the sound of his own voice, which sounded hoarse and felt tender and raw when he spoke.
"We're renown for our durability, our dense bones and self healing skin regenerate quickly, I've endured far greater injuries than this-"
"Yes but your wounds have never before been self inflicted brother!"
Thor interjected sharply, rendering Loki temporarily silent.
"And why are you here?"
Loki demanded, after a few moments of awkward silence.
"Have you come to gloat? To mock?"
"I am here at the behest of mother."
Thor answered flatly, his response clearly catching Loki off guard.
The look of surprise was easily readable on his pale, slender face and he felt too emotionally drained to even attempt to conceal how he was feeling at present.
"What, what word does she send? And what of Sif? Where is she?"
His tone was desperate and his red rimmed emerald eyes now stared back at Thor imploringly.
"If you truly care for Sif, then you must do whatever is necessary in order to protect her."
Thor shot back at him, bristling slightly due to having to discuss Sif with him in such a way.
Loki's wide-eyed stare was almost childlike now, and for a moment he appeared so innocent and vulnerable, it reminded Thor of the times he used to hide in fear from Odin, after having played one of his more devilish pranks on a member of the household.
"Go on...."
Loki urged, somewhat apprehensively. His voice small now, so it wasn't at odds with his lost child expression.
Thor took a deep breath, his own expression grave.
Then he spoke hurriedly in order to deliver this verbal blow as quickly as possible...
"You must take full responsibility for her rash actions Loki....if you claim to have beguiled her somehow with your trickery, then she won't be held accountable for her traitorous behaviour."
A strangled gasp involuntarily escaped Loki's previously scarred lips.
The rays from the healing device having already replaced the damaged tissue and skin cells....
"Traitorous behaviour..."
He repeated the words slowly as if mulling the implication over in his mind.
".....loving the wicked son of a Jotun, yes I suppose that is rather appalling....Odin would be utterly horrified if he thought that anyone was capable of such a thing....but especially your betrothed. His would-be daughter-in-law."
Thor placed his large square hands on the table and leaned over him, making Loki feel inexplicably oppressed.
"Your actions on Vanaheim has thrown the nine realms into chaos. News of an escaped war criminal wielding sorcery, flitting between worlds without the Bifrost and threatening the ruler of the Vanir, has everyone panic stricken."
He explained, his voice low.
Loki pursed his lips as he digested this new information. As much as it pained him, he wasn't sure he was capable of sullying Sif's previously untarnished reputation. He knew he should not care. But the fact remains that he did. He loved Sif.
But still a selfish dark part of him raged within, agitated and aggrieved at the very thought of denying her love of him.
"Brother please, you must speak with the Queen of the Norns. She has in her possession a potion which may reverse the effects and restore Sif's memory..."
He begged, suddenly desperate to try and rectify the damage he and Karnilla had caused.
"...at least then, when I falsely implicate myself and bear the brunt of Odin's anger and punishment, at least she will love me once again. Even if I'm sentenced to death, I can go to the gallows knowing I still have her love."
"It is too late Loki, mother assures me there is no potion powerful enough to restore whatever feelings she unintentionally developed for you."
Thor's words were harsh and they sliced through Loki's heart like a knife, causing his hurt to turn into feelings of resentment and blistering rage.
"It burns you to know that she loved me doesn't it brother? Do not dismiss what we shared as mere feelings, as if they're of no consequence...she wanted me! And you want to preserve her reputation simply because she's betrothed to you....Well I will not falsely claim to have bewitched her, she came to me willingly and if she cannot recall having done so then perhaps a stint in the prisons may jog her memory...she'll have plenty of time to think over why she's there!"
He spat, barely pausing for breath throughout his tirade.
"Damn it Loki!"
Thor bellowed, bringing his fist down hard on the table, causing it to shake violently.
The healer shot an alarmed look at him, which he registered and duly attempted to rein in his rising temper.
"Vanaheim have declared war against us, I am needed there to try and bring the situation under control whilst father dispatches an emissary in the hope of bargaining a peace treaty....more innocent people are dying...."
In his frustration, he turned abruptly and began to pace back and forth.
"....This is opening up old wounds that have still yet to heal. Father wanted to imprison you after what you did on Midgard, but he trusted Sif's judgement when she pleaded on your behalf. He will blame her and you'll both be condemned, is that what you want?"
Loki, turned his face away, refusing to look at him any longer.
Shaking his head in disgust and despair, Thor began making his way to the door.
"Sif was a fool to have believed in you..."
He remarked scathingly, hoping that this cruel jibe may have the desired impact on his wretched brother's conscience.
Reasoning with him clearly hadn't worked, so in desperation he was now resorting to emotional blackmail tactics.
Just as he was about to leave the room, Loki called out to him, halting him in his tracks.
"Tell Odin it was all my doing....tell him that Sif was merely collateral damage, that I took her hostage...and that my aim was to overthrow the Vanir and steal Njord's throne....that is a ridiculous enough tale to tell. It's befitting to my character, it'll be believed without question."
He spoke quietly, still without turning to look at him.
Thor heaved a heavy sigh of relief.
"Mother will be proud of your sacrifice Loki."
He assured him gently.
He waited a moment, but Loki still refused to move or respond, so with a heavy heart he left the room, with the healer following behind.
"His fractured hands are repaired, and the damage to his larynx caused by the pressure applied to his carotid artery, will soon be remedied....."
She informed Thor now they were safely out of Loki's earshot,
"....however, I cannot vouch for the current stability of his mind your highness."
Thor slowed his pace and turned to her. The uncertainty was visible in her eyes.
"I understand...."
He replied finally,
"...which is why he must not, under any circumstances learn of the life which now grows inside the lady Sif. You must continue to monitor her closely, but you're sworn to secrecy...."