Hello friends! It's been FOREVER since I updated this story, but seeing the previews for the upcoming Loki series inspired me to dust off this story and put out the chapters I have written knowing I will have renewed Loki inspiration come June. I hope you enjoy!

Happy Reading!

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"We're going to Jotunheim," Thor said resolutely.

Loki paled. He had not anticipated this reaction from his brother. Yes, he knew Thor would be upset by the delay of the coronation, but he had never thought his brother would consider going against the All Father so completely. Going to Jotunheim and attacking the Frost Giants would be viewed as treason.

"What?" Volstagg called, looking up in disbelief. The big oaf was already digging through what food had survived Thor's temper. He was carefully picking through the trays and dishes on the floor making himself a snack.

Sif stepped forward, her dark eyes serious as they flickered back and forth from Loki to Thor as though she were trying to figure out how this might be Loki's fault. "Thor, of all the laws of Asgard, this is the one you must not break," she said urgently.

Thor simply shook her off, his excitement rising along with his resolve. He would prove to everyone that he was a worthy leader and he would protect Asgard from the monsters who threatened their home. Once he was victorious his father would see he had been right all along.

Fandral stepped forward an uncharacteristically serious expression on his face. "This isn't like a journey to earth where you summon a little lightning and thunder and the mortals worship you as a god. This is Jotunheim."

"If the frost giants don't kill you," Volstagg said gravely. "Your father will."

Thor scoffed at their concern. "My father fought his way into Jotunheim, defeated their armies and took their Casket. We would just be looking for answers," Thor explained as though it were the most simple and ration thing to do. If the Frost Giants just so happened to attack all the better.

Loki put his head in his hand and scrubbed at his eyes. How was he ever going to get them all out of this one? He recognized the resolve burning in Thor's eyes and knew his brother wouldn't see reasoned. Loki felt a flare of guilt. He had never intended this to go this far. It was only meant to disrupt the coronation, not lead his brother to treason.

"It is forbidden!" Sif said desperately.

Thor chuckled as though the rules didn't apply to him. "My friends have you forgotten all we have done together? We defeated the immortal army of Harokin!"he exclaimed.

Loki's head snapped up at those words, shock etched on his face. Thor genuinely believed it had been he, and only he, that had defeated Harokin. Without Loki and Kenna, Thor and his band of soldiers would have been dead on the ash covered fields of Alfheim. Loki ground his teeth. His and Kenna's efforts to save Asgard had led to more than one dangerous assumption. It seemed not just the All Father believed it had been Thor's victory alone, but Thor himself. How short a memory his brother had. Loki ground his teeth, but forced his expression back to neutral.

When the others still didn't look convinced Thor strode towards them his excitement palpable. "Fandral, Hogun, who led you into the most glorious of battles?"

Fandral chuckled and nodded in agreement right away. Hogun however slowly nodded his head, crumbling under Thor's pressure. "You did," he agreed quietly. 

"And Volstagg," Thor called marching over to his friend and clasping him on the back. "-to delicacies so succulent you thought you had died and gone to Valhalla."

"You did," Volstagg agreed after a beat.

"Yes!" Thor agreed, knowing of all of them Volstagg would be at his back. He turned, a wide smile on his face as he met Sif's gaze. Only she remained looking unconvinced with her arms crossed over her chest and a shrewd expression on her face.

"And who proved wrong all who scoffed at the idea that a young maiden could be one of the fiercest warriors this realm has ever known?"

Loki grimaced as his brother tried to take credit for all of Sif's hard work and dedication. His brother had never been as charming as he liked to think.

"I did," Sif responded sharply. Her eyes glinting dangerously.

The smile fell from Thor's face as he quickly realized his mistake. "True, but I supported you Sif," he said more seriously.

Sif nodded in agreement. She couldn't argue with that. Thor had always been a good friend to her.

Thor moved back to stand near Loki. "My friends," Thor said, turning to face them. "Trust me now. We must do this. You aren't going to let my brother and I take all the glory are you?" Thor asked clapping Loki on the back so hard Loki's body jerked forward.

"What?" Loki asked, looking up at his brother from where he still sat on the stairs.

"Well you are coming with me aren't you?" Thor asked, looking so wounded it actually made Loki feel bad.

Loki froze for a moment, realizing that if he didn't go with Thor his hot headed brother was likely to get himself killed and it would be his fault. Somehow he should have foreseen this, he should have known Thor wouldn't be satisfied to just leave the Frost Giants well enough alone. It was the reason Thor wasn't fit to lead, but Loki wouldn't let his brother get himself killed.

Loki shoved himself to his feet and stood beside Thor who clasped a hand on his shoulder. "Of course, I wouldn't let my brother march into Jotunheim alone," he said confidently.

Thor's smile was radiant and Loki felt it like it was the sun. He hated that Thor's acceptance meant so much to him, but he would stand at his older brother's side no matter what.

The other's resolve crumbled in the face of seeming disloyal to both their Princes. Volstagg, Hogun and Fandral all slammed their fists over their hearts and bowed. Sif was slower but nodded slowly her eyes flickering back and forth from one prince to the other. "Very well," she finally agreed.

"We're going to Jotunheim," Thor said again with an excited smile. "We can't all be seen heading to the armory at once. Prepare yourselves and enter one at a time. We can't allow the All Father to catch wind of our plan. Volstagg, make sure the grooms have our mounts ready. We must act quickly."

The others nodded and slipped from the room. Thor turned back to Loki. "I knew I could count on you brother," he said and he slapped him on the back just a little too hard one final time and left the hall.

Loki blew out a frustrated sigh and rolled his painful shoulder. Time was of the essence. He glanced around himself, and when he was sure he was alone he teleported to the garden. He knew he should stay away. Kenna made it more than clear she didn't want anything to do with him after all that had happened with Magdol's magic and to be honest he didn't blame her. He had been deliberately rude and hurtful to keep her away from him. And it had worked. Now, he regretted it and he needed to see her. He missed the magical connection more than he could ever say. Not having her warmth and light in his chest was like missing a limb.

He appeared beside the shed. He looked around, but didn't see her. Straining his ears he heard the quiet scrape of a shoe on stone.

Kenna stepped around the corner and flinched as though surprised to see him. He supposed it had taken her that long to walk here from the banquet hall. She still wore the golden serving dress from the coronation ceremony. It only seemed to enhance the loveliness of her caramel colored skin. Her silver hair hung in a rope over her shoulder, standing out almost metallic against the gold of her dress. Her wide, black eyes met his and for a fleeting moment he thought he saw her behind the magic of the slave collar.

"Loki," she breathed, and then the look was gone and his Kenna disappeared. Kenna's eyes softened ever so slightly and her posture relaxed into something more submissive. "My Prince," she said with a nod of her head.

"Are you all right?" he asked her gently. He hated that Thor's temper tantrum may have scared her. He was just glad he had gotten her out of there before she could be hurt. Thor and the other Asgardians were not always aware how much stronger they were than other races. It would be far too easy for Kenna to be hurt by them in a moment of carelessness.

Kenna nodded sharply. She may not have all her memories or her magic, but there was still defiance in his little elf and she wouldn't show her fear. He froze for a moment as he realized the direction his thoughts had taken him. She wasn't his. He had pushed her away and been cruel enough she had sought to end their magical connection even though it protected her. He didn't deserve her.

"I'm fine, thank you," she said formally.

"It was good you left when you did," Loki told her. "Thor-"

"Was having a temper tantrum?" Kenna asked, looking up into his eyes.

Loki nodded.

"I take it the plan worked then?" she asked cautiously.

"It did...mostly..." he dragged off.

Kenna frowned. "Mostly? What's wrong?" she asked.

Loki wondered for a moment if she could somehow feel him despite the collar, or if she was just that perceptive. The collar seemed to barely be able to contain her these days. He didn't want it to hurt her though, and now that they averted the crisis of keeping his brother from the throne he could turn his entire attention to her. He frowned and took a step closer to her, reaching out he let his fingers brush against the smooth bronze surface of the collar. Foreign magic zinged up his arm but he didn't react.

"I swear to you I will free you from this," he vowed in a low tone.

Kenna froze for a second, a frown crossing her face as though she didn't understand his words. Loki realized once again the collar was doing it's job, stealing her memories of the very thing that kept her trapped and disrupted her magic.

Kenna's stress at not understanding his words flashed on her face. He quickly smiled to soothe her despite the churning in his gut. He didn't want her to worry. "I'll be leaving for a short time, with my brother-" he started to say. He hesitated and lifted his chin. "-to Jotunheim," he said the word clearly and hoped for maybe the first time that Heimdall's gaze might be upon the two of them. If Heimdall caught wind of Thor's plan he could stop their little adventure before they ever left Asgard.

Kenna frowned, her eyes flitting over Loki. "Jotunheim?" she asked in a low voice, shock on her features. "But-"

"My brother has asked for my allegiance in this and my trust. I will stand with him," Loki said simply, but the truth was in his eyes. He thought it was a dangerous fools errand.

A frown formed between Kenna's eyes as she watched Loki's features. The haunted look in his eyes did little to reassure her. He knew how dangerous this would be and still he would stand at his brother's side. Thor did not deserve his loyalty. "Be safe my prince," Kenna said gently.

Loki nodded, a sense of foreboding hanging in the air. He couldn't quite place what had him feeling so off, but it was like ants crawling over his skin. He reached up and cupped Kenna's face in his hand. Her eyes flickered down, unable to hold his gaze. His jaw tightened. He wanted to shove his power into her, and block the magic of the collar. He wanted to see his Kenna's eyes staring up at him defiantly, and asking him why he would do something so stupid. But his Kenna wasn't here and he wouldn't cause her pain just because he wanted to see her, he wouldn't be that selfish, not with her.

"I will," he promised, and he turned and left her behind in the garden. Part of him wished he could bring her with. He trusted her more than anyone else to watch his back, and yet he would not risk her. Her type of magic would do little against a Frost Giant and she was so delicate.

Loki made his way to the armory where he was the last to arrive. The others were thrumming with nervous energy as they prepared for battle.

"First we must find a way to get past Heimdall," Thor said as they gathered their gear. Loki tightened his bracers with his jaw set. So far it seemed Thor had come up with only the most basic plan. While Thor's power might save him, it would do little to keep their friends alive if it came to a fight. Which with Thor, it always did.

"That will be no easy task," Volstagg said. "It's said, the gatekeeper can see a single drop of dew fall from a blade of grass a thousand worlds away!"

The others laughed at their friend's dramatic reply.

"Yes, and he can hear a cricket passing gas in Nifelheim," Fandral mocked with a chuckle.

"Jest not, he heareth all!" Volstagg exclaimed looking over his shoulder as though Heimdall would suddenly appear.

"Please," Fandral scoffed, sliding his sword into it's scabbard. "Getting by him should be simple enough as he seems to be letting frost giants sneak by under his nose," Fandral mocked as he led the way out of the armory towards the stables.

Volstagg looked up at the sky. "Forgive him, he means no offense," he muttered, his respect and fear of the ancient guardian clear in his voice. Then the large warrior hustled to catch up to his friends where grooms stood holding their horses outside the stables.

Loki snorted, if they only knew the true might of Heimdall's power they would be far more cautious in how they spoke of him. Loki hesitated a moment as the others filed out. When he was the last he turned to a servant who stood at attention outside the armory. He stepped up next to the young soldier. The soldier raked him with a barely contained sneer. It was obvious General Torik's feelings about the younger prince were well known among the men. Loki gnashed his teeth together, but ignored it for now. This was too important to risk over something as silly as his ego.

"You will go to the All Father and you will tell him what you heard and saw this day," Loki ordered. "Do you understand?"

The servant looked confused, his gaze traveling from him to Thor's retreating back.

"This is an order from your Prince," Loki snapped impatiently. The others would notice his delay soon.

The soldiers eyes snapped back to him in surprise. "Yes, My Lord," he finally replied although he didn't sound entirely convinced that he should betray Thor.

Loki turned and mounted his horse. He kicked the large black stallion forward into a gallop to catch up to the others as they cantered down the rainbow bridge. Hogun glanced over his shoulder curiously as Loki caught up, but the stoic warrior didn't say anything about his tardiness. The group slowed their horses as they approached the Bifrost.

Heimdall stood at it's entrance. His great, golden sword, Hofund, was held in both hands, the blade resting against the rainbow bridge. Even from a distance Loki could feel the power radiating from the bridge into the ancient sword. Heimdall stared imperiously at them, unblinking, as they approached.

Loki swung down from his horse and stepped up to Thor. "Leave this to me," he said, flashing his brother a confident smirk. Thor grinned back, knowing if anyone could talk their way past the all seeing gate keeper it would be Loki.

Loki nodded his head respectfully as he approached the guardian. "Good Heimdall-" he began, locking gazes with the gatekeeper. It was said the gatekeeper could see all, that he could measure the weight of a man's soul just by looking him in the eye. Loki only hoped he could see enough to know what was happening and stop them. He had done all he could in the garden, this would be their last chance. Staring hard into Heimdall's golden gaze he tried to convey with his eyes what was going on.

"You aren't dressed warm enough," Heimdall intoned, cutting Loki off before he could finish.

"I'm sorry?" Loki asked in confusion.

"Do you think that you can deceive me?" Heimdall asked gravely, and Loki realized in that moment that the guardian's long dislike of him was going to blind him to seeing the truth. Frustration coursed through his veins as Heimdall's gaze slid over him and landed on Thor.

"Heimdall may we pass?" Thor asked, striding forward confidently.

All of Heimdall's attention was on the heir of the throne of Asgard. "Never has an enemy slipped my watch until this day," Heimdall said, his eyes flickered once more to Loki as though he suspected him of something, but had never been able to prove it. "I wish to know how that happened," he said gravely, looking back at Thor.

"Then tell no one of where we have gone until we return," Thor ordered. "Understand?"

Heimdall nodded his head once respectfully and Thor led the way past him into the Bifrost.

"What happened?" Volstagg mocked as they moved past Loki to follow Thor. "Silver tongue turned to lead?"

Loki bit the inside of his cheek to keep himself from responding although a devastating retort was on the tip of his tongue. It would do no good to upset his allies mere moments before they stepped into an enemies territory. Instead, Loki followed the others and stood before the entrance to the Bifrost. Behind them Heimdall stepped up on the dais and activated the bifrost by sliding Hofund into the lock. Power began to hum all around them. Lightning crackled as the sphere rotated, building power.

"Be warned," Heimdall's deep voice called calmly, somehow still heard over the crackling power of the bifrost. "I will honor my sworn oath to protect this realm as its Gatekeeper. If your return threatens the safety of Asgard, the Bifrost will remain closed to you and you'll be left to die in the cold waste of Jotunheim."

"Couldn't you just leave the bridge open for us?" Volstagg asked with a nervous chuckle.

Loki looked around at their small group. Thor looked determined, but Loki could see the others were nervous. They weren't as committed as his brother and they were perhaps beginning to doubt his motives as well. He hoped he was wrong, but he feared they were going to their ruin. Heimdall's ominous words did little to lessen his unease.

Heimdall's all seeing golden eyes turned to regard first Volstagg and then Loki. "To leave the bridge open would unleash the full power of the Bifrost and destroy Jotunheim with you upon it."

Thor laughed. "I have no plans to die today."

"None do," and Heimdall turned Hofund in the lock and they were all swept up in a flash of power and light.

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Hi guys! I'm so excited to be back writing. I've missed Loki and Kenna. I hope you enjoyed the update! Look for another coming soon!