— MENTIONS OF SEXUAL THEMES —

THOR AND ASTRID ESCORTED LOKI TO ASGARD'S THRONE ROOM WHERE ODIN PATIENTLY SITS IN HIS THRONE.

Between the time that the trio left Earth and arrived in the throne room, guards had changed Loki's restraints. Exchanging his handcuffs to chains that loops to his feet and removed his mouth covering. During that time, Astrid had transformed her armour back to a dress. One made out of a thick blue coloured fabric with an overlaying material of gold embroidered patterns. Her hair was pinned up with twists and gold and blue flowers clips.

Thor pushed his adopted brother along the path. Astrid walked on the other side of Loki, her expression hard. Loki used his freedom of speech to make his case even worse. "Ah, Astrid, you look ravishing. As always."

Astrid rolled her eyes. "Don't try it."

"Ooh," he winced sarcastically. He leant to the side so his head to close to her ear. "Feisty." He whispered.

Astrid huffed as she raised her hand to pushed her palm against his face, shoving his face away from her side. "Idiot." She grumbled.

"Loki," Frigga addressed her son. Her face was etched with disappointment, upset and confusion. She must be thinking why her beloved son did such a reckless thing.

Loki smiled with a hint of sarcasm. "Hello, mother. Have I made you proud?" His tone was condescending, mocking.

"Please don't make this worse," Frigga begged her son.

"Define worse." Loki smirked.

"Enough!" Odin yelled from his throne. "I will speak to the prisoner alone!"

Frigga nodded, placing a gentle hand on Astrid's back as she escorted her out, Thor following. But Astrid took one last glance at Loki, one of pity, disappointment, and sadness. Loki noticed and turned to watch her fleeting figure.

Thor pressed a kiss to his mother cheek. "I'll be off then," he said.

Astrid furrowed her brow. "Why? Do you not wish to know what will happen to your brother?"

Thor shrugged. "There's something more important waiting for me," he waved goodbye to his mother and Astrid, leaving the two women alone.

"What do you think will come of Loki?" Astrid tenderly asked the Allmother. She knew Frigga loved Loki as though he was her flesh and blood, but she could not deny the chaos he had caused.

Frigga sighed. "All I know, my dear, is that I pleaded the Allfather to not sentence him to death. He's still my son, after all."

Astrid smiled gently. "Of course, Your Majesty, I know the Allfather will keep his word."

A teasing grin spread over Frigga's lips. "You still care for my son, don't you?"

Astrid's blue eyes widened at the queen's words as a flush rose up her neck and cheeks. "Oh, umm w-well, of course not! That would be... be- be absurd of me!"

Frigga's eyes closed with a sweet hum. "I see, Astrid."

The younger queen opened and closed her mouth several times like a fish out of water. She soon collected her thoughts and huffed. "I don't," she whispered.

The doors then swung open, held from swinging back by two Asgardian guards.

Odin ordered. "Frigga. Astrid. Enter."

The two women follow his demand, walking at the same pace into the throne room. They stopped either side of Loki. The black-haired prince turned his head to see Astrid, a blush still present on her face. He smirked at the sight.

"I hereby sentence you, Loki, to spend the rest of your days in the dungeons. Forbidden to see anyone. You will spend the rest of your life alone." Odin spoke clearly. Astrid turned to see Frigga visibly upset at her husband's ruling but knew it was better than death. "Queen Astrid." Odin spoke once more. The queen cast her gaze back on the Allfather. "If you will be accepting, I would prefer for Loki to be held in your dungeon. That way he will certainly have no visitors." He pointed a one-eyed squint to his wife. "Do you accept?"

Astrid gulped with a furrowed brow. "I understand, Allfather. But since he will be under the eyes of my Menvollrian Guards, surely, he should be under my punishment too?"

Odin contemplated, rubbing his fingers over his beard. "Hmm, you raise a good point, my child. So be it. You shall travel back to Menvollr with Loki and cast your own punishment for him."

Astrid nodded. "I accept."

Odin nodded. "Thank you, Queen Astrid. You may take your leave."

And so she did. She summoned a portal beside her that led to her throne room. She dragged Loki in with her, waving goodbye to Odin and Frigga before closing the portal.

Loki looked around the throne room with a mocking expression of awe. "Have you redecorated since I was last here?"

"Enough out of you," Astrid spat. Her guards approached the pair as soon as they entered and seized Loki as she walked up to her throne.

The guards pushed Loki onto his knees, his bound hands being dragged with them to the floor. Loki looked up through his lashes at Astrid. There she sat, one leg crossed over the other, exposing a sliver of skin at her ankle and calve. Her shoes were baby blue flats, lined with gold satin. Her hand was clenched in a fist that propped up against the arm of her throne, her head leaning against her fist. On either side of her stood her personal guards, Jinx and Janus, proudly.

She's so ethereal. He thought.

Astrid narrowed her eyes at him, a small blush coating her cheeks at the scandalous position he was put in.

"Well, my Queen, what's your ruling?" He asked, his voice low as he stared back at Astrid.

The queen's legs clenched ever so slightly, yet Loki noticed and smirked. "Death would be nice," she started, smiling at the way Loki's smug face turned to one of fear. "But I would not want to bestow that grief onto the Allmother." Astrid thought for a second. "I suppose it's either the dungeons or become a servant," she turned to look at Jinx, as if asking if there was anything else. Jinx shook her head. "There's always the possibility you use your powers or run away if you become a servant, however, so I suppose the dungeon will have to do."

Loki nodded his head. "Though," Astrid spoke up once more, catching his attention. "We do need the help around the castle..." She spoke to herself mainly. Anyone could tell she did not regularly have to punish anyone. Why would she? All her citizens loved living in Menvollr under her rule.

"If I may," Loki started with a sly grin, causing Astrid to turn her gaze back to him. "I would happily be your servant."

He watched smugly as Astrid silently chocked on air at his words and as she squirmed softly in her seat. "Then it'll be the dungeon then."

"Oh, Astrid, I insist!" Loki teased, enjoying the way Astrid squirmed.

"So do I," Astrid confirmed her order. She nodded to the guards holding him down. "Send him to the dungeon. The Allmother is free to see him whenever she likes."

Loki titled his head. "So generous," he muttered as he was dragged away to the dungeon.

Janus turned to her queen. "Are you alright, My Lady? You seem uncomfortable." He pointed out to her reddening face and slightly fidgeting in her seat. Jinx smirked at the observation but remained silent.

"Yes, quite, thank you. Now, it's been a rather long week so I think I deserved some time with my cats."

And just like that, Astrid stood from her throne and made her way to her chamber to relax Tofa and Karl.