One week earlier...

Walking through the empty hallways of Asgard was a common pastime to the mischievous loner by now.

As a result, when Thor finally got Loki out of his room, it was not a surprise that the first place that Thor wished to go was the throne room as heading to the throne room was something of a common occurrence for the heir of Asgard.

What he didn't expect was the guards preventing travelers from entering the throne room.

Loki sighed. It was way too early for meetings with the common Asgardian folk, were it not?

"Please sir, we must speak with the King! We have urgent business to attend to!", a high-pitched man wailed to a guard situated outside the throne room.

"You may speak with King Thor when he is ready," the guard echoed back.

"We can wait a while," one of the party members replied to the previous speaker.

Seeing that the high-pitched man shut his mouth after hearing that, Loki wagered that whomever spoke must be their head representative to command instant respect like that.

Suddenly, Loki sensed a sudden breeze and soon saw the mighty oaf strutting off.

That fool is going to get himself killed one day over his impulses, he thought.

"Good morrow, Arnviðr. You may let these men through; I shall see to it that their affairs are settled forthwith."

Since when does he know the name of the guards?, Loki wondered.

"Yes, King Thor." The guard bowed curtly and let them through.

Thor situated himself on the high platform in the hall and Loki stood to his right, mostly out of convenience rather than disrespect.

"Who are you and what is your true intent here?", Thor asked to the bewildered party.

The first speaker from earlier answered, "We are humble Vanirs come from the realm of Vanaheim and we come with greetings for the new king as well as a warning from our most-respected soothsayer."

Loki glanced at the Vanir representative in the center and gasped aloud out of shock.

"Kadir?", he said in disbelief.

"Is there any other like...wait, is that... Loki!", Kadir responded as he raised his hands towards the air and tears came out his eyes.

"The one and only," Loki replied as he came down to embrace his dear friend and fellow noble.

"We received word that you were dead! I see that they must have been false as I see you standing before me with your brother as king!", Kadir postulated.

"Reports of my death were greatly exaggerated," Loki retorted sarcastically.

"It is so good to see you in the flesh! Coming back from death and at your brother's side...Frankly, I'm impressed," Kadir teased.

Meanwhile Thor was shaking his head in annoyance, as the two caught in each other's reunion, simply ignored the Asgardian king.

"Can we get back to the task at hand?", a member of the Vanir party pleaded only to be met with a glare from Kadir.

"Or not...", he muttered under his breath, out of fear from upsetting the Chief of Vanaheim's son.

"How's my favorite non-relative?", Kadir inquired.

"As charming as ever. And you, Kadir?"

Kadir sighed. "You know...the usual. As bereaved as ever with these dullards panicking at every single threat another realm makes to take over Vanaheim."

"Then let us not tarry any longer and get to the heart of this matter," Loki told him as he patted him on the back and climbed onto the platform once again.

"Alright. King Thor, our realm has and always will defend itself against intruders. However, that is not the reason why we have come as of late."

"What other reason could it be? You have already given your salutations to me and all but congratulated on me ascending the throne," Thor answered.

"I apologize for not being able to make it; our borders needed reinforcing at that time, but I sent others from my family to your coronation to do the honors," Kadir replied and smiled benevolently, bowing as would become a repentant servant.

Under that smile, Loki saw a grimace threatening to take hold and knew for certain Kadir was lying.

Their borders had been having trouble as of late with keeping the marauders at bay, but Loki knew that the Vanir prince was no warrior and would not let formalities fly by the wayside unless the mighty oaf was present. Kadir prided himself as the ambassador of Vanaheim to the allied realms and only Thor could make the prince bristle with hidden animosity.

Being regarded as a distant cousin of Thor and occasional childhood playmate of Loki's had led the Vanir to develop a negative opinion of Thor.

Their common resentment at Thor being spoiled senseless by the Asgardians had led to their childhood friendship forming as the Warriors Three never hanged out with the lesser royal as their interests were more towards scholarly activities rather than arena fights.

Unfortunately, Thor had allowed his friends that privilege from a very young age.

Even Hogun, a fellow Vanir, shunned him out of indifference when he visited Asgard which was ironic considering that in Vanaheim, Kadir was royalty and Hogun but a mere peasant.

Alas, Loki promising to redeem himself had still not changed their former opinion of him which was just as well as the only one he had ever held in high regard was Hogun.

For all his social incompetence, Hogun was a skilled fighter with a clear head on his shoulders. Additionally, Loki also knew that Hogun was clever enough to recognize Kadir's sentiments against him and fight for Asgard instead of Vanaheim.

"I understand, but pray do tell what I can assist you with?"

Kadir gulped before saying, "We have been entrusted with a message to be given to the Asgardian king and his brother. War is coming to the realms and the second prophecy is to be fulfilled. Only by the realms standing all as one can there be hope to defeat this ancient threat."

Loki murmured, "That is grave news indeed. Thank you Kadir for sharing that with us."

The man who had wailed at the guards whispered in Kadir's ear only for Kadir to shush him.

"What else is there?", Thor asked, seeing concern on the party members' faces.

"The soothsayer-she also mentioned that Vanaheim is to fall a great peril unless we help in your current undertaking. You need someone who can see one step ahead...so I volunteered for the quest," Kadir confessed.

"You are not a warrior," Thor blurted out.

"No, I am not, but I am one of the youngest mages to control their foresight and as the youngest prince of Vanaheim, it is my duty to see that the realms are at peace."

Thor turned his head and questioned Loki. "What do you think, brother?"

Loki bristled, but answered truthfully. "We could use him on our side when we go meet your friends."

"Then it is settled. Welcome aboard!", Thor declared.

Kadir quipped, "When do we start?"

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Author's note: And off to the races we go!