A/N

Takes place in Multiverse 419

***

Throne Room, A Few Days Since the Events of "The Avengers"

It was no surprise that Loki was in chains when he was brought before Odin. Even Olivia had to admit, they'd be stupid not to. Even so, she walked in with Loki, protocol be damned.

"Loki." Frigga's soft voice said from in front of Odin's throne.

"Hello, Mother. Have I made you proud?" Loki asked, semi sarcastically.

"Please... Don't make this worse."

"Define 'worse.'"

"Enough. I will speak to the prisoner." Odin said. Frigga turned and left. It hurt Olivia severely that Odin only saw Loki as a 'prisoner.' Shows how much he cares. "Alone." Odin added to Olivia.

"I have a right to be here." Olivia argued. She would have added a 'with all due respect,' but the day she felt Odin deserved that was the day Odin acknowledged Loki as an actual son and not some monster like he had led Loki to believe. So, never.

"I really don't see what all the fuss is about." Loki cut in.

"Do you not truly feel the gravity of your crimes? Wherever you go, there is war, ruin, and death." Odin asked.

"I went down to Midgard to rule the people of Earth as a benevolent god. Just like you." Loki defended.

"We are not gods. We are born, we live, we die, just as humans do."

"Give or take five thousand years."

"Allfather, I feel it's best to mention that attacking Midgard was not Loki's fault." Olivia said.

"Explain yourself." Odin said.

"It was mind control. Loki was under the influence of the Mind Infinity Stone. I've no idea who did it, but the scepter it was contained in to do so is safe in the hands of SHIELD, so no harm can be done." Olivia explained.

"Do you have proof?"

"Loki's usually green eyes were blue, just like those who's minds were claimed by the scepter. Loki used more aggressive, upfront tactics rather than sly maneuvers. Once a cognitive recallibration was completed, Loki returned to normal." Olivia said. "You can verify with Heimdall if you don't believe me."

Odin thought for a second.

"Anything else?" He asked.

"Yes, I believe Loki was also turned against others by way of exploiting the feelings of inadequacy because of the lies that you told him and us. You said he was born to be a king all his life-" Olivia added.

"So all of this because Loki desires a throne?" Odin asked.

"It is my birthright." Loki snapped.

"Your birthright was to die! Cast out onto a frozen rock. If I had not taken you in, you would not be here now to hate me. Either of you. I know you hate me, daughter of Iri, don't even try to hide it." Odin yelled.

"You haven't given me a reason not to." Olivia shot back.

"I provided you a home and a family after your parents died. It's because of me you even know Loki, and I can just as easily make sure you'll never see him again for his crimes."

"Frigga did all those things. She raised me, she taught me magic, she allowed Loki and I to be together. You are not my family and never will be. And you will not tear us apart because of your horse shit. Even if I have to sneak down to the dungeons to see Loki, I will do it, orders be damned. And I demand a fair trial. This-" Olivia cut herself off, circling her finger around the room to gesture at their situation. "-is bullshit. If Loki must be locked up, I get to see him whenever I damn well please and in one and a half Midgardian years at MOST, he will be given a proper trial where Heimdall must give his honest witness statement to you, Frigga, and council members. I'll accept nothing less."

"You have no right to make such demands!"

"I'll do whatever I damn well want to. I bow to no one, not even you. It's because of you that we're in this mess in the first place. Don't you dare even try and deny it. My demands will be met, or I'll have your head on a spike so Frigga may sit the throne and do a far better job than you ever will. Speaking of, I wonder how Frigga would feel about your comments..." Olivia said. She never had this much confidence talking to anyone, let alone Odin. Maybe it was her rage mixed with her adrenaline, but once she started, she refused to stop, enjoying the feeling.

Odin stared at the young woman for a long time. He could throw her into a cell as well if he considered what she had said to be treason. To be fair, it was really close to crossing that threshold. Then again, like Olivia had said, Frigga probably would mount his head if he did. He may as well meet Olivia's demands, else she would make his life a living Hel. He sighed.

"Your demands will be met if that is what must be done to keep you... Out of risk." He wanted to say 'shut up and in line,' but Frigga would definitely rip him a new one if he said that. He gestured for the guards to take Loki away.

"And what of Thor? You'll make that witless oaf king while I wait for a chance at freedom?" Loki asked as he was pulled away.

"Thor must strive to undo the damage you have done. He will bring order to the Nine Realms, and then, yes, he will be king." Odin said as Loki was all but dragged away, Olivia following close behind.

"You and I both know Thor's not that stupid." Olivia said.

"True, but you know you shouldn't have done that, no matter what misery he has caused. You could have been tried for treason and thrown down there with me." Loki argued. Olivia rolled her eyes with a smile.

"Direct thine eyes onto the field where I grow my damns, and gasp as you do, for it is barren." She said, gesturing ahead of her. Loki chuckled at her.

"One day with Stark was too long." He said. Olivia laughed.

"No, that's all me." She said.

The dungeons themselves were mostly empty, a few prisoners spread out far between the several cells inside. The two guards led Loki to the first one on the left side. Entering a code, the golden barrier faded in color so Loki could get inside safely.

"Shall we let you stay as well, my lady?" One guard asked Olivia.

"For a few minutes, yes." She replied. The guard entered the same code and Olivia stepped inside with Loki. "I'll call when I wish to leave."

"Yes, my lady." The other guard replied.

"Do I really deserve a chance at escape?" Loki asked. The question startled Olivia.

"Of course you do. Loki, it's not your fault."

"I still killed people."

"It's not your fault."

"Innocents."

"It's not your fault."

"I made good people do bad things." Loki was tearing up at this point.

"It's not your fault." Olivia repeated again, taking his hands in hers.

"Who knows how many more people would have died?"

"It's not your fault."

"I could have put you under the same thing, made you suffer what I suffered." Tears were pouring down Loki's face.

"It's not your fault." Olivia continued to repeat.

"I could have killed you."

"It's not your fault."

"Or what if I had gotten you killed? If not by me, then someone else. You could have been under my control and someone could have had you killed if you went with me."

"It's not your fault."

"I wouldn't be able to live without you."

"It's not your fault."

"You keep saying that, but we both know it's not true." Loki said through choked sobs. Olivia smiled at him sadly.

"It's not your fault. I swear to the gods, it's not your fault." She reassured him. Loki finally completely broke down in sobs, collapsing into her embrace. She pulled him close, resting her head onto his shoulder.

"It's not your fault." She kept whispering into his ear.

"I could have endangered the universe if I had actually helped that... That monster." Loki hiccupped.

"Who?" Olivia asked, slightly taken aback.

"I can still hear him. Remember him. What he did to me." Loki muttered. Olivia looked at him, before sitting him down on the ground, her hand still tightly gripping his.

"Tell me everything. It's all okay." She said calmly.

"But-"

"Loki.... I promise it's not your fault."

***

Feast Hall, One Year Later

"There was a time when you would have celebrated for weeks." Olivia said, approaching Thor. He turned and smiled at the woman he saw as a little sister.

"When we won the Battle of Haragon, you, Loki, and I nearly started a second." Thor said warmly.

"Well, the first was so much fun." Olivia said. "So Vanaheim is at peace?"

"It is. I told Hogun he should remain with his people before returning to Asgard."

"That's nice of you. I'm really sorry you had to clean this mess up."

"It's alright. The adrenaline of battle is good. How fares my brother?" Thor asked. Olivia sipped the flavored water in her goblet.

"As well as he can be. Frigga sends gifts for him, even if she isn't really supposed to. A nice bed, enough books to fill a shelf, a table and chairs, and other small decorative things." Olivia said. Thor smiled.

"Mother has always been like that. Caring." Thor replied.

"You know, it has not gone unnoticed that you disappear every night. There are Nine Realms. Future king of Asgard must focus on more than one of them." Olivia said.

"It's just-"

"I know. You miss her. Miss Jane Foster. It's been almost two years. When the circumstance presents itself, maybe drop in for a visit now that the Bifrost is fixed." Olivia said. Thor nodded,

"I thank you for your council, sweet sister." Thor said, patting Olivia affectionately on the shoulder before walking off. That left Olivia alone on the balcony. She sipped her water, an arm draped over the railing. The sounds of the party could be heard behind her, though they sounded distant.

A party celebrating Thor cleaning up one of Loki's messes.

Sounded like the story of their lives.

***

Bifrost Observatory

"Heimdall, where has Thor gone?" Olivia asked.

"Midgard." The gatekeeper replied.

"I see he took my advice for once." Olivia mused.

"Olivia, Miss Foster escaped from my sights. Shs returned infected." Heimdall clarified.

"Infected? By what?"

"The Convergence draws near as I know you're aware. With it, comes rifts between the worlds. She found the Aether."

"She WHAT?"

"Even I knew not where it was, which is why it was hidden from my sight. Miss Foster stumbled upon it and now it's within her. And you know as well as I what that could bring, especially because of the Convergence." Heimdall said, foreboding.

"Malekith." Olivia whispered. The leader of the Dark Elves, sought to harness the Aether, also known as the Reality Infinity Stone, to bring darkness to the Realms by way of the rifts caused by the Convergence. Once the Aether awakens, so does he.

"Yes. You must warn the healers and the Allfather." Heimdall said. Olivia stiffened.

"I'll inform the healers, the Allfather I'll leave to them." She said shortly.

"If that is what you wish." Heimdall said as she sped back to the palace on horseback.

***

Later

"Welcome to Asgard." Heimdall said as Thor and Jane emerged from the Bifrost.

"Jane, this is Heimdall, gatekeeper of the Bifrost. He sees all across the realms." Thor introduced.

"Hi." Jane said, waving her hand once uncertainly. A new figure came down the Bifrost at full gallop. She dismounted her horse and ran into the observatory.

"Thor, you have to get Lady Jane to the healers so they know what to do with her. If the Aether is in her for too long, I fear what it could do." Olivia said half breathlessly.

"Uh... Who are you?" Jane asked.

"Jane, this is my sister-" Thor answered.

"I didn't know you had a sister."

"I'm not really. His parents took me in after my parents died when I was a baby." Olivia explained, leading Thor and Jane out of the observatory. She mounted her horse, but followed them slowly.

"A case could be made for sister in law." Thor said, smirking.

"Thor, please, we have more pressing matters to attend to." Olivia chuckled, blushing. "Besides, marriage is a long way off."

"It's been over four hundred years."

"Maybe once Odin drops the charges and we figure out this Aether business, we can think about it."

"Wait wait wait, what?" Jane asked, a little confused.

"Olivia has been in love with my brother, Loki for years. Midgardians call it 'dating,' I think." Thor explained.

"Wait, Loki? As in-"

"Yes yes, New York, yadda yadda." Olivia sighed, waving her hand in a dismissive gesture.

"Wait a second..." Jane started to say, remembering something.

***

~2011, Puente Antiguo, The Morning Before the Destroyer Attacked~

"What is it you have there?" Thor asked Jane after they gave Selvig and Darcy their plates. She had picked up a thick book and started flipping through it.

"Oh, just a book on mythology. You've mentioned a few things in here." Jane replied, flipping through aimlessly. Thor took the book from her and read a few random pages.

"Some of this information is false." Thor said, examining the pages.

"How do you know? These legends are hundreds of years old." Jane protested, looking down at the book.

"Well, my brother isn't any sort of Giant that I know of." Thor said.

"So you're saying your brother is Loki?" Jane asked, staring at Thor like he was crazy.

"Yes." Thor replied simply before flipping a few pages later. "Hold on... This name is foreign to me."

"Sigyn? By your logic, she'd be your sister in law. Says so right here." Jane said, pointing to a sentence on the page. "Wife of Loki, Goddess of Fidelity."

"No, she's the Goddess of Dreams. And her name is Olivia." Thor said with an insistent tone. "Her parents were fond of the mortal realm, so they gave her a name that came from there. They died long ago, however. And she and Loki aren't married, at least not yet. I will admit my friends and I pushed for a while to try and bring them together. It led to a lot of embarrassing times."

"Did Loki ever mess with your wife's hair?" Darcy called over.

"Wife?" Jane and Thor asked at the same time.

"Yeah. Loki pranked your wife, Sif, by cutting off all of her hair, resulting in dwarves making her a wig that still grew like real hair." Darcy explained, taking a bite of the eggs.

"I mean, he did give her a bad haircut once, but never cut it all off. And Sif isn't my wife. Why, she's like a sister to me." Thor said, laughing.

"Interesting. And the eight legged horse?" Darcy asked.

"Well...."

***

"You're Olivia, aren't you?" Jane asked.

"Yes, Lady Jane. Thor spoke of me while he was banished?" Olivia asked.

"You... Came up at some point, yes. So did Loki, among other things. How did you deal with what happened in New York?"

"It's a long story, but someone else was behind the attack on Midgard. We still don't know who, but they controlled Loki into taking the realm by use of-" Thor started to explain.

"By exploiting Loki's feelings of inadequacy and self loathing because of discovering he was adopted and such." Olivia cut in, shooting Thor a glance. Infinity Stones were complicated to explain, though only Olivia really knew they were in the presence of one at that moment. She figured she better keep shut for now.

"I had a friend in high school who was adopted. She never seemed like she would try to take over the world because of it." Jane recalled.

"It was a little more complex than that. I'll explain it like this: what would you say is the worst type of person on Midgard?" Olivia asked.

"Uh... I don't know? Murderers? Terrorist groups?" Jane suggested.

"We'll use terrorist groups. Okay, imagine you'd been told your whole life that all terrorist groups are the most vile creatures on Midgard. Zero redeeming qualities, murderers, savages, et cetera. You never really fit in with your family, always considered second best to your older sibling. One day, you discover you are actually the child of the leader of the terrorist group that has done the worst evil deeds. You were taken in by your 'parents' and it basically explains everything. Why your parents treated you a certain way, why you were always different. Your father always expected you to do bad things because he knows where you come from and he expects you will have similar traits about you. So, you've been lied to your whole life, your upbringing has made you racist against your own kind, and since your father always said ALL terrorists are bad people, you wonder if you yourself are a bad person because of where you come from. How would you feel?"

"I guess... angry, upset, maybe a bit of self doubt or very low self esteem?" Jane replied, nodding her head.

"It was not exactly a good experience to watch it happen, let alone actually experience it." Olivia said. "Now do you understand?"

"I guess so. That really is how your dad acted?"

"Unfortunately so. Odin told us awful things about Frost Giants, horror stories, really, knowing full well Loki was one. I was never really fond of Odin, and now I can say I'll be taking my sweet time forgiving him." Olivia said, muttering as she trailed off. "Queen Frigga is far more amenable."

The trio had reached the entrance to the palace. Olivia dismounted and sent her horse away. She followed Thor and Jane inside until the reached a crossroads.

"Thor, make sure Lady Jane gets to the healers. I'm going down to the dungeons for now. I'm curious to see these new prisoners once they arrive." Olivia said.

"Stay safe, sister." Thor bid her.

"Thank you. I'll see you soon, Jane Foster. Lovely to meet you." Olivia said, smiling as she turned down the path to the dungeons.

***

Loki's Cell, Dungeons.

"Look, the prisoners." Olivia said, pointing. Sure enough, the last of the rebels from Vanaheim had arrived, led into cells in small groups.

"Odin continues to bring me new friends. How thoughtful." Loki said sarcastically.

"The books I sent, do they not interest you?" Frigga asked. Both Olivia and Loki knew it was just an illusion. Frigga wasn't technically allowed to even see Loki, let alone come down to the dungeons. One of the few things she kept from her husband.

"Is that how I'm to while away until I'm let out? Reading?" Loki asked.

"We've done everything in our power top make you comfortable. It's a miracle Olivia can still see you or that you're not trapped in here for all eternity." Frigga said calmly.

"Have you? Does Odin share your concern? Does Thor? It must be so inconvenient them asking after me day and night." Loki replied, again sarcastically.

"Thor asks every now and again. Can't say the same for Odin, though that shouldn't be unexpected. Just a little longer in here, then you'll be safe to go. We can put everything behind us and continue as normal." Olivia said, standing up off the bed and taking Loki's hand in hers. He looked at her, a small smile on his face.

"Don't worry. Everything's going to be fine." Frigga said, before her illusion faded into a green light.

"These are from the Astronomy shelf. Could be interesting." Olivia said, picking up one of the thick books Frigga had left, this particular one bound in a deep blue leather.

"Why not read 'Twelfth Night' again?" Loki suggested. Olivia smiled and rolled her eyes.

"I don't want to read it if it's just because the main character's name is Olivia." She said, giggling.

"Of course not. That's just a fun add on." Loki replied, smiling as he pulled out the book. Olivia rolled her eyes again.

"Okay, okay." She said as Loki laid down on the bed, back to the headboard. She climbed in and lay against his front as he opened the book in front of him.

***

"'...I love thee so, that, maugre all thy pride,
Nor wit nor reason can my passion hide. Do not extort thy reasons from this clause, For that I woo, thou therefore hast no cause, But rather reason thus with reason fetter, Love sought is good, but given unsought better.'" Olivia read aloud.

"'By innocence I swear, and by my youth I have one heart, one bosom and one truth, And that no woman has; nor never none Shall mistress be of it, save I alone. And so adieu, good madam: never more Will I my master's tears to you deplore.'" Loki read in turn.

"'Yet come again; for thou perhaps mayst move-' what was that?" Olivia started again, but was cut off by a noise.

"What was what?" Loki asked.

"It sounded like a... A buzz of some sort?" Olivia said, sitting up and looking outside the cell. It was largely undisturbed outside...

...Until she looked to her left and saw a figure violently shaking in one of the cells, black smoke emerging as the other prisoners inside tried to get out.

"Somethings happening in one of the cells!" Olivia said, pointing. That's when she saw the yellow barrier shatter when the figure punch it with an armored fist. An alarm started blaring as Asgardian guards started for the figure as it began to break more cells open.

"You need to go." Loki told Olivia, coming up behind her.

"I can't, the cells go on lockdown when there's a breakout, remember?" Olivia said, picking at her lip.

"There has to be a way to get you out, it's not safe."

"I know that, but there's nothing I can do." Olivia said, pacing around the cell.

The armored figure approached the last cell, the one that Loki and Olivia were in. It looked at them for a moment, considering breaking it open. He turned away after a moment, thinking it best to keep them inside.

"You might want to take the stairs to the left." Loki said after it. The figure glanced back before continuing on its way.

"What the hell was that?" Olivia asked.

"Confusing him. If he goes that way, there shouldn't be anyone there to meet him if everyone evacuated appropriately." Loki explained. Olivia nodded after an apprehensive pause, realizing it made sense.

The guards that had subsequently arrived to contain the break out battled against the mercenaries that had been released, along with Fandral and Volstagg, one of their warrior companions missing. Alarms were blaring.

"What do we do now?" Olivia asked.

"Sit and be patient." Loki replied, sitting on the corner of the cell and opening a different book.

"Two minutes ago, you were insistent on me finding a way out." Olivia argued.

"Well, the cell wasn't being destroyed as I was worried about. There's a battle at the mouth of the dungeons and you have no weapon with you. It's safer here now." Loki explained. Olivia opened her mouth to argue, but shut it once she realized that Loki was right.

That's when they heard someone crash inside the room.

"Return to your cells and no further harm will come to you, you have my word." Thor said. One mercenary punched Thor in the face. Popping back up, he held the merc tight. "Very well, you do not have my word."

More fighting continued, Olivia trying so hard to ignore the chaos outside. She found herself reading the same paragraph over and over again.

A bad feeling was growing in her gut. This was more than a well timed breakout.

The sounds of gunfire above them answered that question.

Asgard was under attack. Probably because of Jane and the Aether.

I knew this would happen. The Aether attracts Dark Elves around the Convergence.

The sound of a loud boom and the dungeon shaking indicated the palace had been breached. Dust fell from the ceiling as the fighting temporarily stopped, quieting down.

After a minute of unsettling silence, yells and gunfire could again be heard, this time much closer.

"Sister, you need to get out of here." Thor told her.

"Thor, I can't, it's locked down." Olivia protested.

"Do you not see the guards leaving? Lock down is over once a certain amount of security decreases." Thor reminded her, pressing a few buttons to weaken the barrier enough so Olivia could slip out. It resolidified once she got out. She glanced back at Loki, who nodded at her to tell her to go. She smiled softly at him, Thor leading her back up the stairs before he went back to sweep the area.

Gotta get to my room. She thought, speeding past fallen bodies of guards and Dark Elves alike.

She turned a corner into her room and found her sword on it's display stand for when she wasn't using it. She left the room, scouting around for strays.

Olivia heard an agonized yell from a few halls away. It sounded like Thor.

She knew where he was.

Oh gods... No...

She sped up and turned a few corners (the palace was like a maze sometimes).

Please... No...

The door was shut and Olivia tried to force it open. She was scared of what she'd find.

Tell me it's not true.

She opened the door and her fears were confirmed.

Thor was looking down at the floor, expressionless. Frigga lie limp on the ground, blood emerging from an unseen wound on her back. Her eyes were shut and she wasn't moving.

Olivia did a double take and stumbled back.

"No... No, no, no." She whispered. Her legs wobbled as she walked over to Frigga's body. She knelt down and saw her tears fall onto Frigga's pale face.

She saw Jane out of the corner of her eye, emerging from a hidden area of Frigga's chambers.

Olivia burried her face in Frigga's chest, starting to sob violently.

Wake up, wake up, WAKE UP, please... She thought, unable to form cohesive words.

Olivia felt Odin try and pull her off of her dead adoptive mother. She refused to let go for a second, gripping Frigga's shoulders tightly, like a life raft. Odin pulled more forcefully the second time, this time Olivia letting go. She continued to sob as she landed on her butt, Odin having all but thrown her aside.

She couldn't stop shaking.

She thought her miseries would end in time once Loki was released, but they just kept coming.

Her parents were still dead, Frigga now as well, and Loki was still imprisoned for something that wasn't his fault.

It hit Olivia full force once she realized.

Oh gods.... Loki.....

***

A Few Hours Later, Throne Room

"Are you actually serious?" Olivia asked, shocked. Odin had called her to the throne room a few hours after Frigga's death. He had been explicit in telling her that she was not to tell Loki about the death, let alone let him out of his cell to attend the funeral.

"He has been locked up for reasons I'm sure you're aware of. You know our laws: no prisoners are to be let out for any reason until their incarceration is complete or they die." Odin replied sharply.

"What about the laws about 'unintentional crimes' and whatnot? On Midgard-" Olivia shot back.

"This is not Midgard. Our laws are different. Or have you forgotten that?"

"I was there for maybe a day or so. I have not forgotten our laws, but I feel like there should be some sort of leway or amnesty. It was the work of an Infinity Stone and torture that forced Loki into attacking Midgard."

"It's amnesty enough that he only be locked up for a few years and not forever, or at least until the trial. And need I remind you that it is I who allow you to spend time down there? I can just as easily take that privalege away."

"And how would Frigga feel about that?" Olivia hissed. There was a deafening silence. "Frigga was not just your wife and Thor's mother. She was my mother and Loki's mother, biological or not."

Odin wasn't replying at this point, so Olivia continued.

"I understand that you like Thor better than the both of us; he's your son. However, you are allowing me and Jane to attend the funeral. So why should Loki not? I'd protest by not going at all, but first, that's disrespectful, second, Frigga would want me there, and third, you wouldn't change your mind if I were to do so. And Frigga would want Loki there, crimes or no. Think about what she would want. And why should he not know, or at least not find out until after?"

"I have my intentions." Odin replied stiffly.

"That's the most pathetic excuse I've ever heard." Olivia snapped. Normally, she'd at least think twice about insulting Odin, but she was too far beyond pissed to apply a filter. Odin was about to retort, but Olivia cut him off.

"And don't think I haven't noticed." She said.

"Noticed what?"

"There are no mines on Asgard."

"What's that got to do with anything?"

"Where did the gold come from? Certainly not here. Maybe it came from the other realms? The realms that Asgard heads? But who decided that? Vanaheim is a lovely place, Alfheim is as well. I'm sure they could be perfectly autonomous. Who decided Asgard is at the top of they pyramid? Why would they give up their gold? Unless-"

"You would do well to watch what you say." Odin hissed.

"I'm sure you're aware, but I am very good at digging around. I discovered information on the Infinity Stones when I was 400 or so. Most hear only a little about them by the time they're my age now. You hid Loki's true heritage from us for over a thousand years. Thor's stupidity revealed that, but how long were you planning on keeping that a secret? I can tear this place apart until I find what you hide. I can travel the realms as I please. Would I find something else in Jotunheim? Or maybe Helheim-?"

"What is your bargain?" Odin asked.

"Let Loki out, if just for the funeral, and I'll keep my nose in my business. If you let him out for good, then he and I can stay on Midgard with the Avengers. Keep your secrets intact? Thor will be crowned king anyways." Olivia offered.

Odin knew he had been backed into a corner. Truth was, Olivia was excellent at poking about. And Odin knew she would defend Loki faster than herself. Also, she never said that if Loki was let out, then put back in, she wouldn't start prying. Perhaps it would be a better course of action to let the two of them go. Sighing, he sat down on his throne.

"Loki will be free to go to Frigga's funeral, then the two of you can reside on Midgard after this whole Dark Elf thing has blown over, you will be allowed to come and go as you please. But no snooping about where you have no right to. Is that understood?" Odin said, relenting.

"Yes, Allfather." Olivia said.

"The two guards posted at the entry know how to open the cell. Tell them I gave my order." Odin ordered. Olivia nodded and turned away.

"Ifas maisi yeri." She muttered as she went. Making her way down to the mostly empty dungeons, she approached the guards.

"Welcome back, my Lady. Should we-?" One started.

"I come bearing an order from Odin. Loki is to be released immediately. He will attend Queen Frigga's funeral, then after the Dark Elves have been dealt with, he and I will spend time on Midgard." Olivia said, her tone slightly demanding.

"A-are you sure, my Lady?" The same guard asked.

"Yes. You can verify with Odin if you wish, but Loki is to be released. Immediately." She replied.

"What caused the Allfather to change his mind?" The other guard asked.

"That is none of your concern. Take me to the cell." Olivia said, now growing impatient. The guards nodded, then led her down the ancient stone stairs, taking her to the first cell on the left. Perking up from his book immediately, Loki seemed excited to see Olivia again.

"What brings you here? I thought you had to speak with Odin?" He asked.

"You're free now. I negotiated with Odin, you can leave." Olivia said, though the excitement of the words didn't translate to the aloof tone of her voice or to the bittersweet expression on her face. Though, Loki didn't catch that something was wrong right away.

"Are you certain?" He asked, standing up right to the barrier.

"I am. Once this Dark Elf business is over and done with, us and Thor can spend time on Midgard with the Avengers, and come back here whenever we want." Olivia replied. This time, she smiled. One of the guards deactivated the energy barrier of the cell, and Loki stepped out, embracing Olivia tightly.

"Thank you." He whispered into her hair.

"Loki... There's something I need to tell you. It's not going to be easy to hear, but I only really told you half the reason you were let out. Can you take us to your room?" Olivia asked as they separated. Loki, albeit a bit confused, teleported the pair of them to his still clean room (it hadn't been lived in for a long while). They sat down on his bed, Olivia taking Loki's hands in hers.

"What's wrong?" He asked. He now noticed the fact that her eyes were wet and a little puffy.

"Loki... The attack today... Well, there's no easy way to say it... Frigga was killed." Olivia whispered. Loki looked at her right in the eyes, shock in his expression. He could tell if someone was lying quite easily. Olivia almost never lied to him, and he knew she wouldn't lie about this.

"What?" He asked, barely above a whisper.

"I don't know the details, but she was found in her room, stabbed through the back." Olivia said. She could see the tears leaking from Loki's eyes.

She also chose to ignore the obvious elephant in the room: Frigga hadn't left her room like Loki had thought she would.

"So, is the funeral tonight?" He asked.

"That's the other half of the reason why you were let out. I had to advocate for your release. Odin didn't want you there or to even know until it was over, said you had to keep going with the sentence. I had to pull guilt cards and maybe a little blackmail just to make sure you could go tonight. He didn't even have a good justification. I swear, sometime, I'd love to see him get what he deserves." Olivia explained. Loki didn't reply. He should have probably assumed that was what the deal was once he found out. He didn't allow himself to cry all that much very often. This time, he allowed it.

"She's really gone?" He asked, his voice cracking. Olivia nodded slowly. She opened her arms and they embraced tightly, Loki burying his face into her shoulder. She could feel her shoulder getting damp from tears and hear muffled sobs. Then, she allowed herself to bury her face into his shoulder, weeping softly.

They stayed like that for about a half hour, sobbing into each other's shoulders. Eventually, they fell asleep, curled in one another's embrace. A few hours later, they awoke to a knock at the door. Loki woke up first, answering it. A servant was there, telling him that they needed to prepare for the funeral as twilight had fallen. Nodding, Loki shut the door and slowly shook Olivia awake.

"I'll meet you outside your door in a half an hour." Loki told her. Olivia nodded and left for her room. Finding a deep plum colored dress in the back of her closet, she put it on. There were other small things she did, the last of which was wearing a necklace with a faintly glowing blue pendant on it. Frigga had gifted it to her years ago.

It felt right to wear it.

***

The boat with Frigga's body floated down the river, the people of Asgard on either side of the bank. Some had skylights, others just hung their heads. Their queen had died today, and everyone was in a somber mood. Though, they knew in their hearts she was in Valhalla, happy, they hoped. She deserved it.

As the boat hit the open water, Odin signaled for the guard to fire the arrow. Dipping it into the flame, he fired it at the boat, it catching on fire. Then, all the boats for all the fallen soldiers were lit, following the same course as Frigga.

At the altar, Olivia looked on in sadness. She had a skylight in her hands, as well as Loki, Thor, and Jane. Her mind battled back and forth as the boat slowly made it's way to the edge.

Is this really happening?

She's in Valhalla, at least be happy for her about that.

She deserved to keep living.

She can tell your parents about you.

She didn't deserve this.

Why her?

Why did she have to die?

As the boat cascaded off the edge, a small constelation appeared in the sky. It shone brightly. It was then that Olivia let her skylight fly. Loki followed suit, as did the rest of Asgard. Olivia took Loki's hand and rested her head on his shoulder and staring bittersweetly into the heavens.

The little glowing orbs filled the sky, floating off into eternity.

***

A/N

Didja catch what I did at the end there?