Loki

It's a long way to the Bifrost gate.

The air has turned from a gentle breeze to a stifling heat that makes Loki regret wearing all this leather.

His horse huffs when he urges it to go as fast as his eight legs can carry him. His hooves leave colourful footprints as they pick up speed.

His guards were two paces behind him, struggling to keep up with his breakneck pace.

Thor was supposed to come back half a day ago.

Instead, it had been several weeks.

The battle wasn't supposed to go on for so long.

Loki never once tried to hide his distaste for his brother but his mind races with every possibility. Asgard was strong, as were its people but Odin's absence made their enemies eager to descend on the golden kingdom.

He had spent the morning pouring over paperwork. Ruling was not as easy as one thinks it is. There are countless amounts of taxes, requests from the crown, various resources to manage, treaties to review over, and legislation to approve.

The delegation from Vanaheim had been hounding him for an answer, eager for him to meet their daughters.

He'd rather be chasing after his idiot brother than any prospective bride.

His horse came to a stop, rearing its head back as Loki tugged at the reins.

Sif was waiting for him, her lips pressed into a thin line.

"What news, Lady Sif?" Loki asked.

Sif narrowed her eyes slightly, a glimmer of mistrust. Loki pushed down his irritation. Her suspicions were just. If anything happened to Thor then that meant that Loki would become king. Blood-related or not, Loki was a prince of Asgard.

"Heimdal is searching as we speak," She says. "Nornheim's envoys have not reached out despite multiple attempts to contact them. We fear it may be the—"

"Marauders," he stated. "I thought they were dealt with."

"Clearly they were not," Sif hissed. "Nothing more than parasites that have no honour."

Loki steps into the Himinbjorg, feeling engulfed by the newly built structure. It felt like eons ago when Thor had destroyed the Bifrost and Loki had let himself be lost to the vastness of space.

Yet another thing he must atone for.

Heimdall stands at his post, his sword clasped in his hand. His back is turned but his gaze is far away.

Loki feels his impatience bolster itself into cruel words. He holds back, just barely so.

"I cannot see him," Heimdall finally says after several moments of silence. His gold eyes turn to Loki and Sif. "The envoy has disappeared. Fandral is searching as we speak."

"That idiot," he mutters under his breath. "I can't believe the Warrior Three went with him too."

"How can this happen?"

"I told you that I should've gone," Loki said. "Sending Thor was too big of a risk."

"I have no intention to verbally spar with you, Silvertongue."

Loki feels something fierce and ugly rise inside of him. "Oh, no. We can't have the proud Lady Sif ever admit she is wrong."

"Enough," Heimdall's voice booms, echoing off the gilded gold walls.

Loki can see from the corner of his eye that Sif tightens her grip on the hilt of her sword. Reluctantly, he shares the same sentiment. There's far too much at stake.

He had half a mind to go after his brother. Years of discipline and patience held him back.

They wait, watching the vast universe shift and change. A sign, a burst of light, something to indicate that their king was alive. His only task as his advisor was to ensure his royal bottom remained on the golden throne of Asgard.

Loki started to pace, twisting the signet ring on his finger. It was a nervous tick, something he and Frigga shared. Sif sat down, her eyes flinty as she stared ahead.

It's no secret that Sif still harbours feelings for Thor. His regard for Jane Foster outweighs everything else, even if her mortality is as fragile as glass.

Once upon a time, Loki would've gladly twisted the knife but now he feels pity for her. Sif and him were not friends, nor were they enemies. At the moment they were reluctant allies, ensuring that Thor stayed alive long enough till Odin recovered.

The Bifrost suddenly activates, flooding the room will a resplendent light. He feels the Bifrost bridge tremble under his fear.

Something is coming.

Loki doesn't flinch away. Sif raised her arm to shield her eyes.

He watches as the iridescent light warps and twists as Heimdall holds his sword steady.

"Stay back!"

"I don't have much choice."

A lone figure emerges from the Bifrost, soaked in blood as lighting erupts all around them. Loki feels the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as Thor finally emerges from the Bifrost.

His golden blonde hair matted with dark red blood and there's a scratch on his cheek. Other than that he looks unharmed.

Fandral and Volstag stumble out behind him, also covered in blood. They drag Hogun behind them by the boots. Loki assumes he's alive.

"Ah, quite the welcome I see," Thor remarks, smiling wide. He tosses Mjolnir in the air and catches it again.

He walks as if he doesn't understand the emotional turmoil his family has undergone in the past few weeks alone.

"Idiot." Loki hisses.

Thor brings him into a tight hug. "It's wonderful to be home, brother."

Loki wraps his arm around him, not caring if there is blood on his clothes. "Thor, you big oaf. You reek of blood."

He pulls away. "What of the rebel Dunrir?"

"The Valkries have him in custody. Speaking of the Valkyries...I thought they had left Asgard."

"Well...I'm sure something must've changed their minds," he lied.

In reality, he had begged Brunhilde till she agreed out of annoyance. He was surprisingly good at that.

The Valkyries were now a part of Asgard once more. They were compensated and given land as well as certain privileges that had been stripped of them before Odin had taken the throne.

Loki had sacrificed his pride and it paid off.

"The prisoners?"

"Brunnhilde will take care of them." He said.

Sif doesn't even glance at Thor as she stalks past him. She looked like she going to murder the Warrior Three.

"What happened?" She asks, narrowing her eyes at Hogun's prone form. "Tell me before I beat it out of you. I want to know the details."

Fandral runs his fingers through his hair, his upper lip twitching. "I swear on my ancestors, everything was going wonderfully. You know...wine, sweet talking, general promises of support and few lovely ladies—"

"Fandral, I swear—"

He grins. "Don't worry. No hearts were broken."

Volstag scoffs, trying to get blood out of his beard. "It was a legendary battle. I'm sure there will be songs written about it."

Loki resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Thor, oh glorious king of Asgard, what in the Nine Realms happened?"

"Marauders," Thor replied, using his cape to wipe his face. "That is how Dunrir gained so many. They ambushed us. Thankfully we emerged victorious with the help of the Valkyries."

"Clearly," Loki remarked.

Sif huffs. "I knew it. Those cowards."

Loki glanced towards Heimdall. "You disappeared."

"Sorcery perhaps," Thor replied. "The attack was sudden. They took down several of my men. If surprise was the element they depended on to win, then it was an effective strategy. I'm sure they were using sorcery to conceal themselves."

"Interesting."

"Yes, well. I found it odd how they found that many sorcerers."

Everyone in the room was looking at Loki.

Of course, they were.

"It wasn't me," he stated.

Thor glared at his friends, blue eyes sparking with hidden rage. Loki didn't deserve it, neither the support nor the anger on his behalf.

His mistakes were his own to carry.

Volstag looked away first. Sif had her cold gaze fixed on him. "You were in my sights this entire time. I doubt you had a chance to slip away."

Thor twists Mjolnir in his hand. "It matters not. Nornheim is saved and they are in our debt. Another Realm back into our good graces."

"Go back to the palace," Loki said, using what little authority he could muster up. "Now. All of you. We'll discuss this once we stop bleeding all over the floor."

"A wise decision by my advisor. Later then, brother?" Thor clapped his shoulder as he walked past him.

"Later," Loki confirmed. "And Thor."

"Yes?"

"Go find Jane once you've cleaned up."

His eyes softly slightly, thanking him silently. "Of course."

Thor smiled at him and flew away, heading straight to the palace.

Fandral and Volstag half carried, half dragged Hogun to the horses. Lady Sif waited for a moment longer, silently regarding Loki.

Mistrust was nothing new to him.

"If you had anything—"

Loki had little patience. "You know I don't." He turned around, walking away from her. "I have done my duty. Now do yours. Ensure our king is well. We will discuss how many troops to send to Nornheim later."

Heimdall had stayed silent throughout the whole ordeal, returning his gaze to the universe.

Loki had once wondered as a boy what he could see. He had spent the majority of his youth testing Heimdall's blind spots. Finding them had been delightful, he had all sorts of plans to cause trouble.

Now, as Thor's adviser and prince of Asgard, it worried him.

Obviously.

Heimdall leans against his sword, gold eye sparking with interest. He could be so annoying at times.

He cleared his throat. "Now that the ruckus has left, will you tell me what you see?"

"I see chaos."

"Very specific." he can't keep the sarcasm at bay. "Thank you for your insight, Heimdall."

Heimdall does not let his irritation get in the way of his answer. "Nornheim is safe. There has been no significant activity."

"Right." He shuffled his feet.

"If you wish to ask me something, I will answer, Your Highness."

It's been a very long time since people have addressed him as 'Your Highness' without bitterness and disgust laced into the words.

Loki places his hand over his chest, where a dagger is tucked into his armour. He had been meaning to leave it behind but he simply couldn't part with it.

"Where is she?"

"She is in Midgard."

Loki feels his headache returning. "Yes, but where?"

Heimdall is silent for a moment, his expressionless face giving nothing away while Loki feels his trepidation settling into his skin.

"I cannot see her."