Hello friends! It has been months and months since I've updated! Life has gotten busy and I've been distracted by other stories, but I promise I haven't forgotten about Kenna and Loki's story. There's still so much to tell and I seriously ship them. Thank you all for those who have stuck with me. I hope you enjoy the update.

Happy Reading!

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The evening of the coronation came faster than Loki could have imagined. It had been days since he had allowed himself to see Kenna. Not being around her was uncomfortable, but the loss of their magical connection, to not be able to feel her and to be so alone in his head made him ill. He hadn't been able to sleep and he was more irritable than usual as he prepared himself for his brother's coronation.

He found himself wondering if she too felt the burden of their separation or if the collar around her neck protected her from those memories as well. If enough time passed would she simply be free of him while he was left alone with the regrets of what might have been. He knew every servant and slave in the palace were busy with the final preperations. The bifrost had been running almost nonstop as important visitors from allied realms arrived to witness the crowning of Asgards new King.

Loki stood in the hall, awaiting his brother who was uncharacteristically late. His irritation grew. This was Thor's day, and he was keeping them all waiting.

Behind him, the doors slammed open dramatically and something was thrown into one of the large, golden braisers. The flames flared, stretching for the ceiling and sending several servants scuttling back in fear. Loki didn't even bother to turn around.

"Another!" Thor bellowed, his voice thick with drink.

It seemed his elder brother had begun the festivities early. Thor stalked down the hall, Mjolnir gripped in one hand. Loki slipped out of the shadows to stand beside him as they waited for their signal to enter the hall. Loki glanced towards Thor. His brother kept adjusting his grip on his hammer and shifting his weight.

Loki was resolute that his decision was the right one, but he felt a pang of sympathy for his brother. Thor had been preparing for this night all his life and it was about to be taken from him. One day Thor would be king, and a great one Loki was certain, but following the might and renown of The Allfather was not something Loki envied.

"Nervous brother?" Loki asked after a moment.

Laughter rumbled in Thor's chest. "Have you ever known me to be nervous?"

Loki smiled at his brothers good nature. "Well...there was that time in Nornheim," he allowed.

Thor snorted. "That was not nerves brother, that was the rage of battle," he defended sincerely.

A small smirk tugged up at one corner of Loki's mouth but he nodded placatingly. "Ah yes, of course," he agreed not wanting to upset his brothers ego.

Thor grunted and took a step towards Loki, his brow furrowed. "How else could I have fought my way through one hundred warriors and pulled us out alive?" 

Loki frowned. "Ah-" he started to say. "As I recall I was the one who veiled us in smoke to ease our escape."

Thor threw back his head and laughed. "Ah yes, some do battle, others just do tricks."

Thor's words were like a knife in Loki's chest but he refused to allow his brother to see how much his brother's words hurt him. He and Thor had fought side by side for hundreds of years and yet since the Battle of Harokin Thor's overconfidence and ego had begun to color even his memories of their times together. Loki had made the right decision. Thor wasn't ready to rule.

A servant stepped towards Thor, holding a goblet of mead on a tray for the future king. The servant chortled along with Thor and Loki narrowed his eyes menacingly. He had taken the abuse from his brother for years, he would not however stand by and allow a mere servant to behave so disrespectfully.

Loki waved his hand and serpents began slithering out of the goblet. The man tried to maintain his composure. He turned wide and fearful eyes from Thor and back to Loki before he threw the tray away from himself seconds before the serpents would have touched his skin.

The gilded tray clattered loudly against the marble floor as the man cried out. Loki smirked down at the man until he dropped his chin submissively. Loki laughed.

"Loki," Thor admonished. "Now that was just a waste of good wine."

Loki schooled his expression. "Oh it was just a bit of fun," he said. "Right my friend?" he asked flashing a smile that had entirely too much teeth at the servant. He waved his hand and the serpents disappeared in a shimmer of green power.

The servant didn't dare do anything but smile back at the younger prince for fear of further repercussions. He hurriedly scooped up the tray and goblet and fled. Thor laughed at the man's cowardice.

A soldier stepped forward and held out Thor's newly crafted helmet. Thor took it without comment, a serious expression for once crossing his face. He frowned down at it as he turned the shinning silver helmet over in his hands. For a brief moment Loki stared at his brother. Thor was impentuous and young but the serious expression in his brother's eyes made Loki wonder if perhaps his brother had grown up despite his best attempts to hide it. Loki swallowed, either way it was too late now. The coronation wouldn't happen.

Thor glanced up, meeting his brothers gaze. He immediately looked embarrassed being caught and flashed Loki a confident smile.

Loki smirked back, not drawing attention to what clearly made his brother so uncomfortable. "Oh, nice feathers," Loki teased, bringing back an old argument.

Thor jumped on the chance for them to rest on familiar ground once more. "You don't really want to start this again do you? Cow?" he asked his eyes flickering up to the horns that adorned Loki's own dress helmet.

"I was being sincere," Loki tossed back, a true smile on his face as he and his brother laughed together.

Thor shook his head, mirth glinting in his blue eyes. "You are incapable of sincerity."

"Am I?" Loki asked with false sincerity.

Thor snorted and shook his head. "Yes."

Loki nodded and met his brother's gaze, letting all pretense fall away. "I have looked forward to this day as long as you have. My brother, my friend. Sometimes I'm envious, but never doubt my loyalty."

Thor nodded and reached out, clapping Loki affectionately on the shoulder. "Thank you brother," he said sincerely.

Loki smirked. "Now give us a kiss," he teased.

Thor snorted. "Stop," he ordered, shaking his head exasperatedly at his younger brother.

The two laughed together and turned back to the doors in front of them. Thor drew in a deep breath and actually looked nervous for a moment. "How do I look?" Thor asked, his voice tight with uncharacteristic nervous.

Loki sighed and turned back to his brother. "Like a King," he assured him.

Thor nodded, fidgeting with the helmet in his hand.

"It's time," Loki told him.

"Go ahead," Thor encouraged him.

Loki glanced back at his brother. The seriousness in Thor's eyes was something new.

"I'll be along," Thor assured him. "Go on."

Loki nodded at his brother and stalked down the hall. If Kenna's plan didn't work, this would be the last time he and his brother were on equal footing. If his and Kenna's plan failed, his brother would be king by the end of the night.

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Frigga stood in the shadows and watched Loki walk towards the hall. Already she could hear the bustle of the waiting crowds. Something was off with Loki, had been since that night. She couldn't help the fear that wormed it's way in her chest the Sigyn had somehow betrayed them. The when she took the power out of Loki she had taken something else with it. She didn't know how to help her son, and tonight she needed to focus on her eldest. Thor's footsteps echoed loudly against the marble.

"It's all right to be nervous," she called to him as he passed.

He stopped and turned back to her. Thor shook his head as his mother stepped out of the shadows just as Loki had done. "Why does everyone keep saying that? I am not nervous."

But he paced restlessly back and forth in front of Frigga. She stepped out of the shadows and the flickering firelight illuminated the gold of her gown. "You may be able to fool the rest of Asgard but-"

"Never you," Thor interrupted impetuously. "I know." he grumbled.

Frigga smiled indulgently up at her son. "Just remember," she said smoothing his red cape were it rested over his shoulders. "You have something even the great All Father never had."

Nerves made Thor open and close his grip on Mjolnir. "Yes? And what's that?"

Frigga smirked up at him, reminiscent of the one that Loki used. Sometimes it was unsettling how similar mother and son were. "Me for a mother," she said resolutely.

Thor smiled as he was supposed to, knowing it would make his mother feel better.

Satisfied Frigga stepped back. "Now, don't keep your father waiting...too long" She warned with a teasing wink, and she glided towards the hall.

The grand hall was filled to capacity. People were standing shoulder to shoulder all dressed in their finest and all desperate to get a look at the future king of Asgard. When the doors at last opened and Thor stepped inside the excited roar of thousands was deafening. Thor made his way towards the dais at the front of the room waving and raising Mjolnir as the people cheered and screamed for him.

Any reservations Loki had were laid to rest by the pompous smile on his brothers face as he raised his arms encouraging the crowds to cheer even louder for him.  This was not behavior befitting a king. The King of Asgard needed to behave with dignity, not like a drunken fool.

The roar grew even louder as Thor approached the dais and stepped to walk through the line of the All Father's honor guard. Thor threw Mjolnir up in the air and caught it, flashing a cocky wink at the ladies of the court who cheered and smiled.

"Oh please," Sif muttered seeming unimpressed, but the smile on her face spoke to her true feelings.

Beside Loki his mother shook her head, but still the indulgent smile on her face told him she didn't see what he did. Only his father's stern expression reassured Loki that what he had done was correct. Odin was displeased with his elder sons show of ego as well.

Loki stood on the step below Frigga, with Sif two steps below him on his right. She seemed uncomfortable by their close proximity and Loki regretted the strain the past month had put on their friendship. Across from them the warriors three stood tall and proud of their connection to the future king.

Thor knelt at the base of the dais, setting Mjolnir down with a heavy thud as though the hammer weighed more than it should. He pulled off his helmet and shook out his blonde hair making the ladies of the court swoon. Loki tightened his jaw. This was to be a serious event. The leaders of their allied realms were all here to witness his brother behaving like a fool. Thor could not even keep a straight face as he looked up to his family. He winked at Frigga who shook her head subtly, warning her son he was pushing things too far.

Thor flashed a smile towards his friends, all of whom seemed far too pleased with their elevated status.

Odin stood and slammed Gungir against the floor and the entire hall, all hundred thousand of those gathered fell silent before the strength of the All Father's will. Thor liked to play at being a general, but their father wielded true power.

"Thor Odinson, my heir. My first born."

Loki looked away as Odin's voice cracked with pride as he stared down at his older son.

"So long entrusted with the mighty hammer Mjolni, forged in the heart of a dying star. It's power has no equal as a weapon to destroy or as a tool to build. Tis a fit companion for a king. I have defended Asgard and the lives of the innocent across the nine realms from the time of the great beginning. Though the time has come-"

Odin's voice drifted away as a strange feeling came over Loki. He frowned as power he had never felt stirred within his chest. He cleared his throat and frowned, trying to focus on his fathers words. Frigga turned to him, a look of concern in her eyes as her expression seemed to ask if he was okay. He nodded briskly and resisted the urge to touch the block of ice he felt growing in his chest.

Loki opened his eyes and somehow his gaze landed directly on a single woman standing within the crowd of thousands. She was lovely, but it was in the way a poison fruit was lovely. The way a roses thorns were lovely. Her mouth twisted in a seductive smirk as she held Loki's eye.

Glad tidings this day, her voice slithered in his head like the first chill winds of winter.

Loki pulled back and his mother glanced towards him once more in concern. He schooled his expression so none could see the shock he felt over having someone invade his mind. The power it would take was unimaginable.

Who are you? I don't know you. Loki pushed his own thoughts back towards her with as much authority as he could muster.

Her smirk stretched wider. But I know you Mischief Maker, Spinner of Lies, Courter of Chaos.

"Do you swear to guard the nine realms?" Odin asked.

"I swear," Thor's voice boomed through the hall.

Loki's scowl deepened. What are you doing here? He projected towards her.

"Do you swear to preserve the peace?"

"I swear."

The twist of her lips was an indulgent one, as though Loki's question was quaint. Today will be a day for the histories. It will be sung of, spoken of in hushed whispers. It will echo through eternity. Even I couldn't resist the chance to witness it's splendor.

Loki rolled his eyes as his gaze slid over the opulence surrounding them. So you're a prophet, he couldn't hide his disgust as they spoke mind to mind. It seemed his plan to delay his brothers coronation would fail after all. This woman clearly knew something he did not. He just wondered how it had failed.

"Do you swear to cast aside all selfish ambition and to pledge yourself only to the good of the realms?"

"I swear."

I speak the truths as the universe provides. And history has it's eyes on you young one. Beware the elf. The voice warned.

"Then on this day-"

Loki scowled and slid his eyes over the crowd, trying to find Kenna, to reassure himself she was alright. Without the magical connection however he found it more difficult to locate her.

"I, Odin All Father-"

At last Loki spotted her. She stood at attention on the side of the room with all the other servants who had been ordered to attend. They all wore matching golden dresses, but hers clung to her curves and highlighted her Carmel colored skin. Loki couldn't take his eyes off of her. Her silver hair was braided back from her face and coil over one shoulder in a long tail. She was so beautiful.

Her eyes lifted to meet his gaze. Staring into her eyes was like looking into the vastness of space. Something that had nothing to do with magic made Loki's breath catch in his chest. Even without their magical connection he couldn't shake the feeling the she was his.

As though the woman knew Loki's thoughts, she chuckled before her cold voice snaked through his mind. She has been marching across eternity to this time and place. Asgard will fall.

Loki shook his head. She is nothing but a slave. Leave her in peace. The urge to find and protect Kenna choked him. His hands trembled with the need to do something. Any being powerful enough to invade his mind was not one to be trifled with. She could crush Kenna easily, especially when Kenna was trapped by the collar.

She is much more than that, you and I both know that. The woman's voice was a sensual purr in his mind.

Who is she? Loki pushed.

The woman's voice trailed off in a maniacal giggle. Ask The All Father.

"Proclaim you-"

The block of ice in Loki's chest twisted painfully. He sucked in a breath and lost his focus on the woman's voice. He jerked as he fought to control the ice that raced through his veins. He had never felt anything like it.

"Frost Giants!" Odin yelled and his voice penetrated the pain pounding in Loki's temples. Odin slammed Gungir down on the floor then turned to his sons. "Come!" he called.

Thor and Loki didn't hesitate. Odin turned back to general Torik. "Secure the path to the Bifrost. No one leaves Asgard." The general nodded grimly and ran from the chamber, a small group of his men accompanying him.

Loki turned back towards the woman he had seen even as he followed his father and brother from the room.

Her voice whispered in his head. It has begun. Hurry Bringer of Chaos, eternity is waiting.

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The three men hurried down the the vaults. The doors opened and when Odin stepped into the room The Destroyer stepped back into its place of sleep. There were the remains of frost giants spread across the room, as well as two bodies of dead Asgardian guards. Loki tightened his jaw. Angry the men guarding the vault had been involved.

"The Jotuns must pay for what they have done," Thor snarled as he stomped around the vault.

It had been hundreds of years since Loki had been down to the vaults. His father used to bring them down here when they were young to show them the treasures of his conquests. His eyes caught however on the swirling blue power of the Casket of Winters.

"They have paid, with their lives. The Destroyer did it's work, the casket is safe and all is well," Odin dragged off thoughtfully as he stared down at the dead Jotuns.

Never before had the casket drawn Loki's attention in this way. It took effort to drag his eyes away from it. He scowled and looked down, his eyes landed on the frost that covered the polished marble floor of the vault.

"All is well?" his brother raged. "They broke into the weapons vault!" he exclaimed. "If they had stolen even one of these relics-"

"They didn't," Odin responded calmly, regarding the Casket as though staring into it would somehow give him some insights into the giants plan.

"Well I want to know why!" Thor exclaimed.

Loki lifted his eyebrows in surprise at Thor's outburst. He took a step back away from his raging brother towards the calmness of his father.

"I have a truce with Laufey. King of Jotumheim." Odin said firmly.

"He just broke your truce. They know you are vulnerable!" Thor's voice rose with tension.

Odin's shoulders tightened and he turned to face his eldest son, his face pinched and angry at having his power questioned. "What action would you take?"

Thor puffed himself up importantly. "March on them. As you once did. Teach them a lesson. Break their spirit. So they will never dare try to cross our borders again."

Odin shook his head in disappointment. "You're thinking only as a warrior," he warned. 

"This was an act of war!" Thor defended gesturing to the fallen Asgardian guards.

Odin shook his head. "It was an act of but a few, doomed to fail."

"Look how far they got!" Thor growled.

Odin was calm. "We will find the breech in our defenses and it will be sealed."

Thor's eyes blazed. "As King of Asgard-"

And just like that Odin lost his own temper. "But you're not King!" he bellowed, his powerful voice booming off the stone walls.

Thor looked as though he had been slapped. His jaw tightened as he closed his mouth and gazed down at their father defiantly.

"Not yet," Odin hissed. Then he turned and stalked out of the vault. Leaving his sons behind.

Loki kept his gaze carefully averted as Thor's anger became nearly a palpable thing. He had no doubt outside a storm was already raging.

"Brother-" Loki started to say but Thor whirled away from him and stalked out of the vault. Loki turned to follow his brother. The Casket caught his eye once more and that strange cold moved through him. He had the overwhelming urge to touch it. He had actually taken a step closer to it before he caught himself. He shook his head and quickly walked out of the room following the sounds of his raging brother.

Thor stormed into the main dining room. Loki was on his heels when he spotted Kenna cleaning up the feast that never happened. Glancing towards Thor Loki slipped around the side of the room. He cast an illusion to discourage anyone from noticing him. He needed to get her out of here. Kenna was far too breakable to be in the same room with a raging Asgardian.

He came up behind Kenna and caught her arm. She jerked in surprise but she recognized Loki before she tried to pull away. There was a quiet urgency in Loki's eyes that made her follow willingly as he led her around behind one of the large pillars.

She could feel his anxiety thrumming from his body like a plucked harp string. When he touched her his magic instantly shielded her from the collar and she looked up at him with knowing eyes.

There was a huge crash behind them as Thor overturned one of the large feast tables. Breaking glass and clanging dishes rolled across the floor. Kenna jumped and Loki moved his thumb over her smooth skin in soothingly circles. He regretted it immediately. All it did was make him want to touch more of her.

He glanced back to where Thor threw one of the benches across the room. It crashed against a pillar and shattered. He winced, knowing how dangerous his brother would be to Kenna right now.

"You should not be here," Loki warned her.

Kenna's eyes were wide as she watched the older prince tear apart the room.  "I take it the plan worked?" she breathed, when she looked back up at Loki she sucked in a breath. He was only inches away, using his body to shield her from the room.

He nodded grimly. "It did," he pinched his lips together. "I will do my best to calm my brother, but his outburst has given Father pause on moving forward with the coronation."

Kenna nodded, pleased the plan had worked. She wanted to say more, to reach out to Loki, but nothing had changed. It couldn't change. She was a slave.

Loki looked down at her and opened his mouth to say something but she looked away quickly. "I had better go," he said awkwardly and he realized he was still holding her arm. He dropped his hand and turned back to the room.

"Prince Loki," Kenna called to him.

He turned back to face her, a pained expression on his face.

"Thank you."

Her gentle smile was like a blow to the chest and she turned and strode quickly out of the room. Another bench smashed into a pillar and Loki closed his eyes in frustration. He turned back to the room and slipped around the outside. Thor had stopped his rage and dropped to sit on the steps of the balcony. Loki stepped around the side of the pillar, making a point to make noise so his brother would know he was there.

Thor glanced back at him. "It is unwise to be in my company now brother," Thor warned.

Loki shrugged but sat down beside his brother regardless.

"This was to be my day of triumph," Thor growled.

Loki nodded in understanding. "It will come," he allowed gently. "In time."

The door opened and Sif and the warriors three came into the throne room. "What's this?" Volstagg exclaimed in disbelief.

Loki glaced towards them in annoyance before leaning into his brother. "If it's any consolation. I think you're right. About the Frost Giants, about Laufey, everything."

Even as he spoke he could see his brother's mood improving. "If they found a way to penetrate Asgard's defenses once, who's to say they won't try again? Next time with an army."

"Exactly!" Thor exclaimed.

Loki nodded. "But there's nothing you can do without defying the Allfather."

Thor went very still and a slow smirk crossed his face. Loki felt his face fall as his whole plan unraveled in the wake of his brothers ego. "No, no, no, I know that look!"

"That's the only way to ensure the safety of our borders!" Thor

"Thor, this is madness," Loki argued.

Volstagg turned back to the princes. "Madness?" he asked "What sort of madness?"

Thor tightened his hands into fists. "We're going to Jotunheim."

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I hope you enjoyed the update!