Part III

Five Years Later

"It's a boy." The doctor said as he snipped the cord and began cleaning up the crying baby.

"Peter." Tony said as the newborn was placed in Loki's arms. "I think we should name him Peter."

"Yes." Loki agreed with a weak smile. "Peter is a fitting name."

"Rhodey." Tony said turning to his best friend who stood quietly in the corner of the room. "Inform the kingdom at once. A prince and future king has been born."

Rhodey bowed his head. "Of course." But then he dropped all formality and freely approached his best friend and king and pulled him into a warm embrace. "Congratulations. I may not get this. Magic. Using it so a guy can give birth. But I'm happy for you. Both of you."

Tony went back to Loki and he was in awe. They had a son. A legit, biological son. A new responsibility. One that was just as, if not more important than ruling the entire kingdom. "Want to say hello to your son?" Loki asked and he propped up the small bundle in his arms.

Tony was hesitant to do so. What if he dropped him? Or what if the moment he left Loki's arms he started crying? He son could already hate him before giving him a reason to. Tony swallowed his nerves and took his son for the first time. He didn't cry and barely moved. Tony found himself getting lost in his son's deep brown eyes. They were so innocent and pure. "Hey Peter." Tony whispered. "I'm your dad." Peter blinked for what seemed like the first time and Tony hoped this was some sign that his son was understanding him in some way. "I can't promise that I'll be good at this. But I will promise you that I'll be better than my old man. I won't just treat you like a prince. That the only reason for your existence is so I have an heir. Because you Peter are so much more than that."

"I'd hate to interrupt this first family moment." Pepper had slid into the room as Rhodey left to spread word about the kingdom. "But Tony you need to choose a nannie now that your child-"

"Peter."

"Now that Peter has been born. We need to prepare the official christening. Prepare the documentation and update your will should anything happen to you and Loki that way we can guarantee Peter's claim to the throne-" Tony appeared to be paying little attention to Pepper because instead of looking at her all his focus was on Peter. He even began making faces during to see if his son's face would change. "Tony?" Pepper said several times as her foot began to tap on the floor. She looked to Loki who was being no help, then again he looked exhausted and more pale than usual. All he probably wanted to do right now was sleep. And if Tony and he had picked out a nanny when she originally had it planned, two weeks ago, then she could already be doing her jobs so the kings could do theirs.

"Pepper." Tony finally said, but his eyes were still captivated by his son. "I made you my right hand. Didn't I?"

"And I'm trying to do my job-"

"Anyone or anything you pick and write up will be fine." He pulled her aside the best he could with a baby in tow, but he managed. "What do you see?"

"Tony I don't-"

"When you look at Peter, what do you see?"

Pepper glanced down at him. "You." She finally said. "I see you."

"Pepper, I want to be there for Peter. Really be there for him. I don't want to become my father or my son to become as damaged as me. And the best way to make sure that happens is if you run most things in the kingdom for me."

"What?" Pepper stuttered. "Me. Run Midgard?"

"Just until Peter is older." Tony said as his attention once again turned to the child in his arms. "Besides no one know the kingdom better than you."

"Tony. I don't think I'm qualified-"

"No one is more qualified than you." Tony assured her.

Pepper looked at Peter and once again to Tony. Her face softened and she shoulder's began to relax. "Only until Peter is older. And you still have to sign all the documents and come to the weekly meetings. You'll still be king in name, that's not changing, but I'll be the one pulling all the strings behind the curtain."

Pepper couldn't deny how different Tony was with his son in his arms. Even though he was only a few minutes old, his son was already changing him. She knew how important this was to Tony. How badly he wanted to be there for Peter and to not end up like his father. Tony was trying to still make his life right and to not let his father haunt him. So how could she deny his request? And it would only be for a year, two tops. "Alright Tony." Pepper finally agreed. But she felt like she was unheard, since Tony's eyes were only for his son.

"So the invitations for Peter's official Christening have been sent." Pepper said going through the list of the day's items. It was the weekly meeting she forced the new fathers to attend, and she was going to make every second she had with them worth it. "And as Tony and I agreed earlier all the rulers of the kingdoms, with the exception of King Thanos of Titan have been invited."

"Are you sure that's wise?" Loki asked. This was news to him. Then again most stuff that has been prepared for the Christening was new to him. He had been spending the past few days with Peter watching over him. At times he thought he heard laughing. The laugh of the sorceress. She had yet to come. To take Peter away. But it was only a matter of time. No one was questioning all the time he was spending in the nursery, but it was only a matter of time until he was forced to return to his duties as a King and let a nurse take care of Peter during his work hours.

"He refused to come to the peace conference. All the other rulers came, or at least sent a representative, and we even agreed to a new treaty. It's too dangerous to invite him." Pepper said. Her eyes continued scanning the papers not once straying.

"Anthony, don't tell me you agree?"

Tony leaned back in his chair, and looked up at the ceiling. As usual, he was acting like anything but a king. He was starting to get fidgety. Tony wanted to go back to his space. To start building again. "Normally I would be all for it, but it's not just us now. We have to think about Peter now. Besides, what makes you think he even cares about Peter's Christening?"

"He may not care, but pride can get in the way of any man's sense. Inviting all the rulers except him. Something tells me this move would be unwise."

Pepper straightened the papers after deciding there was nothing left for her to go over with them. "And if we do invite him most, if not all the other kingdoms will decline. It's better to just not invite him."

Loki knew this was a battle he could not win. The Mad King had a notorious reputation and would not be so forgiving that his former allies, were now aligned with the rest of the kingdoms. While there has not been a war in some time now, he felt like that could at any moment. And something told him by refusing this king an invitation, the upcoming war would only be hastened. But no one would believe this hunch. All was joyous in the kingdom. Well joyous besides the witch who was threatening to come and take Peter away. But Loki would solve the problem before anyone could even know of its existence. So, for the sake of getting this meeting over with he would bite his tongue. "Very well. We will not invite the Titan King."

After the meeting Loki went straight to Peter's room and dismissed the nanny for the rest of the day. He gently rocked Peter singing softly in the same ancient language used to perform his magic. Tony smiled in the doorway at the sight. "Imagine what your brothers would say if they could see you now."

With Peter finally asleep he laid him down in his crib, but was still quick to scowl at Tony. "I would rather not imagine their asinine comments about me using magic to rear a child let alone my lack of skills in parenting."

"Considering who both our dads were and we've only been at it for a week. I say you are doing fine. Then again you are doing better than me so I may not be the best judge." Tony wrapped his arms around Loki and both just stood in silence watching Peter sleep.

"We won't be like them." Loki assured, but he could still feel the fear and doubt in the pit of his stomach.

"Well as long as we don't have four more of them, I think we'll be alright."

Loki nudged him playfully, but still that fear will always be a part of him. He was not the perfect brother or son. His anger and hatred. It twisted him. Affected him in ways he may never be able to recover from. The darkness he let in will always be there. No matter how bright the light of Anthony Edward Stark glowed it will always be in him. It surfaced during the war and it could again. And what if he passes such traits upon his children? He couldn't live with himself if he kids ended up as broken as he.

"I think one is more than enough for now." Loki finally answered. He gently brushed Peter's cheek and felt the same warmth from his son as he does from his husband.

"I'm heading to bed." Tony said stifling a yawn. He let go of Loki and bent over the crib gently placing a kiss in his son's forehead.

"I will join you in a moment." Loki promised still staying in his spot next to the crib.

Tony nodded in agreement and gently closed the door behind him. "You can show yourself." Loki demanded when he knew Tony would be a safe distance away. He could feel it, When Tony came into the room a presence followed him. The same presence he felt when he heard the soft cackling that no one else could hear. The witch was finally coming to take his son and he still had no spell that could stop here indefinitely. The only true option would be to kill her. But if he opened that door again, he may not be so lucky in escaping a third time.

"We made a deal. You're lucky I let you keep him this long." She approached the crib and Loki began the only spell he could think of before she could make her first step. He said the words in his head forcefully and put as much power behind them as he could. He was going to protect his child. Not be a failure like his own father. If this sorceress was real and she was coming to take the child Loki promised her, he had to be ready to fight her. To make sure she could never bother him and his family even again. Then he could put his entire past behind him. Burry the darkness the resided in him completely.

His hand began to reach down for the baby but she recoiled before touching the shield. "You think you can use magic against me? Go ahead. I can wait. If you are here too long your husband will come for you. He will see me and then you will have to explain to him the deal we made. That you willingly agreed to trade me your child so you could be strong enough to win his war. I am sure he will be completely understanding to the situation."

Loki gritted his teeth glaring at the witch. She was right. Tony would return and there was no way to explain this to him. What he did. The deal he made. It was just as bad, if not worse than all the times he attempted to kill his brothers. Peter is their son. Their flesh and blood. Peter is his everything and he won't fail him. Not now. Not ever. "I can give you anything. Anything you desire. Just don't take my son from me. He is my life now. Gives me a new purpose. And I will do anything to keep him here. Even if have to fight you right now. Even if I have to tell Anthony. None of that matters now that I have Peter in my life."

The witch began pacing around the crib. A few times she got the tips of his fingers close to the barrier as if she had thought of a way to break the protection spell, but decided not to at the last moment. "The great and powerful Loki Odinson begging." She scoffed as her hand glowed red and a scroll of parchment appeared in her hand. "This is a rare sight indeed. Putting your son before your pride. This was not something I expected." Her pacing came to a stop and she held the scroll out to him. "Your plea is so pathetic that I actually pity you. So very well. Seeing as how your new life began with a three day contest, it seems fitting it should end with one. Every night for the next three nights I will come here and you have to guess my name. If you succeed I will give up my claim on the child. But if you fail he will become mine. This contract is my guarantee. If you sign it your magic will be partially suppressed until the contest is over. Any spell used to protect your son from my grasp or to kill me or to find my true name will not work. Also as an added protection, if you attempt to you the Infinity Stones on me you will forfeit the deal and your son will be mine. So, do we have a deal?" A quill with ink daring to fall off the tip appeared in her hand as Loki read over the terms in her contract. Limited magic. Partial normality. He has never done anything like a normal person in years. His magic was just as much a part of him as his blood and bones were. And how would he explain it to Tony if he took notice? But then again. Most of the spells being suppressed were not ones used on a daily basis. So, then again, how hard could it be? He just had to guess her name.

Not allowing himself to debate the choices any longer, he snapped the quill out of her hand and signed the contract, rolled it up and handed it back to her. With a smirk she grabbed the parchment out of his hand and vanished from the room.

Loki couldn't sleep. All he could think of was this new secret he was keeping from Tony. He should tell him everything. They are married and Peter is their son. Keeping him in the dark. The guilt, something he rarely felt, was consuming him. He had to tell someone. He couldn't do this alone. Especially without his magic. Names. There are thousands upon thousands of names. And who knew if she was from any of the kingdoms for this world. For the names of other dimensions could be vastly different from the ones he lives in. Loki knew he messed up. That he was in deeper than he had ever been before. And for once he accepted the fact that no matter how hard he tried, he would fail alone. And even with that resolve. With a plan brewing in his mind. He still couldn't sleep a wink, and probably never would until he knew Peter was safe for good.

Morning came and he rose from bed well before Tony and headed to his study. He just had to check one more time. One last look. He was determined that to find something in one of his mother's books. Something he looked over in the past. A spell to get around a magically binding contract. There had to be one. Magic could do anything. That's what was so great about it. But at the same time, made it so dangerous. He grabbed all his mother's old spell books off the shelf and plopped them down on his desk.

He has read them hundreds of time, could perfectly reiterate every page. If he ever had to burn them in order to keep their contents safe, he knew the entirety of their wisdom remained safe in his mind. And yet he couldn't get up hope. He had to of missed something. A folded page. A secret pocket. There had to be something in one of these books that could get him out of his contract. And yet, not matter how hard he looked for some secret folded page or more spells written from the other in reverse writing, he found nothing.

There was a knock on his door and his eyes darted to the window to look at the sun's location. "You may enter." Loki said knowing it was still too early in the morning for anyone else but the person he was expecting to be awake.

"You demanded to see me?" Rhodey had walked into the room, his eyes darting around the small space. He had never been summoned by Loki. Let alone to his private study. Part of him thought the maid was playing a joke when she said that King Loki demanded his presence. Not requested or required. Words that at least sounded nice. But no he specifically said demanded and in turn, so did the maid. Using such a word when he was in front of the younger warriors training to be a knight, he caused quite the commotion for his pupils.

Loki hated himself for doing this. The regret hit the moment he saw the knight walk through the door. But he had no choice. His lack of sleep and being unable to find a spell that could assist him in his current predicament led him to something he knew he would regret. "Sit." Loki ordered. He closed the book he was looking at in added it to the pile.

Rhodey begrudgingly sat down and waited for Loki to give more of a reason as to why he was actually summoned here. "Well?" He asked since the king was still not saying anything, but instead, his eyes kept darting over to the books piled up next to him.

"What I am about to tell you cannot leave this room." Loki said, but his eyes still refused to meet that of the knights. "And I know this may prove difficult, but hold your tongue until I have finished explaining everything to you."

"No. You cannot tell me this." Rhodey said after Loki admitted to great lengths about the various deals he had made. "You cannot tell me this and expect me to be able to keep this from Tony."

"You can't be expected to keep what from Tony?" Tony asked overhearing the last part of the conversation as he entered Loki's study.

"Your birthday party." Loki quickly said before Rhodey felt the need to tell the truth. "I still know very little about the other kingdoms and the other royal families that live there. So I needed Sir James assistance in planning the menu, drinks, and music accordingly. I have no desire to offend the other kingdoms due to my ignorance and as a foreigner from a land they know little of. I want to make a good impression and I know they already think me queer since I gave birth to a child despite being male. I want to give them no other reasons to question me as a ruler beside you."

Tony's eyes shifted between the two as Loki gave his logical reasoning. "How uncharacteristically considerate of you."

"I have my moments." Loki said flashing a grin. "So unless you want this one to end, I suggest you vacate my quarters."

Tony bowed with a sarcastic grin. "Of course my liege." He spoke before rising. "Your word is law."

Loki made his way from behind his desk, to Tony. He placed a finger under his chin and pulled him into a sweet, but terse kiss. "As it should be." He whispered quietly.

He knew it was cruel to mess with Tony like this. That acting like nothing is going on. Lying straight to his face without a second thought. Making play when he should be divulging in the truth of what could possibly happen to their son. But lies. Facades. They were his specialty. An old friend. And how easily he could open his arms to that conniving friend, should scare him. But it didn't. It was natural. No different than breathing. And the guilt. When it comes. And he knew it would once his old friend leaves would kill him. But he needed to protect Tony from this. He had already been through so much and never wanted to put him through such stresses again. So he would take on the burden of keeping this from his husband, no matter the costs.

"So long as it aligns with mine." Tony whispered back and gave his husband one last kiss before leaving.

Loki turned around to face the knight who was staring at him with hardened eyes. Loki went back to his desk and sat down looking at Rhodey as if he didn't just lie straight to his husband's face. His arms were firmly crossed across his chest, and his foot began tapping since Loki was saying nothing. "Just say what is on your mind." Loki finally said knowing the knight could containing his opinion no longer.

"Why Loki? Why would you do something like this?" Rhodey said with a more serious voice. "Lie to Tony. Your husband. My king! And expect me to do the same!" The knight was on a roll and Loki didn't know when he could stop. "And how could you offer someone your unborn child? What could you have possibly needed? More power? How is this scheming? Plotting behind everyone's back? How is it any different than what you did to your family back in Asgard? I thought Tony and having a son had changed you. Guess I thought wrong."

"It was the only way to assure that we would win." Loki said defiantly. "I needed more power. Without it Tony would have never gotten Midgard back."

"You don't know that." Rhodey fought back. "We could have won without you going behind everyone's backs. But we'll never know the truth now? Will we?"

"I did what I thought was best for us. For all of us." Loki shouted back. He could feel the rage bubbling within. Even though he knows deep down what he did was wrong. That he should have been open about everything in the first place. At the time, it was not only their best option, but only option. What he did kept casualties down to a minimum and Tony was able to ascend to the throne without any more issues arising. He was in the right. He had to be. So why couldn't Rhodey see that? See all the good he had done? That he was no longer that spiteful prince he first meet but a wise and honorable king?

"At the cost of Peter?"

"At the time I made the deal, I had no such notions of Anthony and I having a child. We are both men and using magic to create a womb was the furthest thing from my mind. And as time passed I forgot about the deal I had made with her. I was so happy with Tony. With our new life. I forgot the bargain I made to obtain it. I know what I did now was wrong. But it was a necessary evil. So please." Loki gritted his teeth because the words that needed to be said did want to to come so easily. They wanted to stay trapped. That it was a bigger weakness to admit what he wanted to say as opposed to solving this problem himself. "I need your assistance."

"Come again." Rhodey said without any remorse. "I couldn't quite hear that."

Loki clenched his teeth together. He knew far too well how much the knight was enjoying this. But he needed him. Without his magic he cannot solve his problem in the allotted time given. Maybe with a week he could figure out that witches name. But three days. Three measly days. It could change his life again. But this time it would not be for the better. "I need your assistance in discovering the name of the woman who wants to take Peter away from me. Scour the kingdom, all twelve if you must. But I need her name."

"You said you met her in another dimension." Rhodey said as he propped back in his seat. "What makes you think she is even from this one let alone one of the twelve kingdoms?"

Loki leaned forward on his desk and rested his chin on his folded hands. "It was something Princess Gamora told me five years ago that makes me believe that my sorceress is from this world." He spoke cryptically and left his answer just as that. There was no need to tell the knight any more than that. The Infinity Stones and their power. It could even make the purest man corrupt with power. And he had three of them. Three more are out there, and with the witch no less. The Space, Time, and Soul stone. The ones that are the trickiest to control; at least they were in his mother's stories.

"And are you gonna tell me anything else that oh, I don't know, that will actually be helpful in me figuring out the name of this mysterious sorceress?"

"If I knew where to start, do you think I would be asking for your assistance?" Loki muttered under his breath. He needed to think. What was the scenario? How did it all begin? He and Tony. They were hiding. Hiding in Xandar. He made the portal to the other world in a tree. A tree on the royal family's property. "Xandar." Loki finally said in a tone loud enough for the knight to hear. "Start in Xandar and work your way back here."

"Xandar?" Rhodey repeated? "That's a three day journey."

Loki's face said everything. The sly smile showing all this teeth. Fingers laced together and his chin resting on it. Those shimmering green eyes glistening more than usual. "Well then." Loki spoke eloquently adding on to gut wrenching pain Rhodey was feeling from the plan that he could easily guess.

"Loki, no." Rhodey said as he stepped back towards the door.

"You better act quickly if you are going to return to Midgard in time to save Peter."

"Loki." He said one more time in his best stern voice that never worked on Tony; so he didn't know why he thought it would work on his all-powerful magic wielding counterpart.

Loki closed his eyes and waves his hand as if saying goodbye. The incantation and location were perfectly visualized in his mind's eye. "Damn it Loki." Was the last thing the king heard from the knight. For when he opened his eyes Rhodey had vanished and he had hopefully been placed in the capital of Xandar by the fountain, the same place he and Tony first arrived at when they journey to the throne began.

Loki hated feeling powerless. Sure, he could still perform some very basic magic or any spell, so long as it was not used on Peter or to figure out the name of the witch, but that was the problem. He had power. Skills beyond most mortal men and he couldn't use it when it matters most. To save his son. Her spell was intricate. Powerful. Unlike anything he has seen before. It made him wonder how she became so powerful. Who taught her such skills? Tony was so intent on magic not existing when the met. That it was the stuff of stories and not reality. So none of this added up.

Loki made his way from his study to Peter's room. In the corner a nurse rocked quietly in her chain knitting while the prince slept. She finally looked up to see who was at the door, and nearly dropped her yarn and needles in an attempt to curtsy when she noticed who the visitor was. Loki rose his index finger to his lips to silence her and then motioned her to sit back down. He didn't want Peter waking just yet.

He approached the crib and was the brown haired baby sleeping soundly. His body was wrapped tightly in a blanket, but his body still attempted to stir as if he wanted to be free of the constricting fabric. Even though Peter was only a few days old, everything about his son reminded him of Tony. His deep brown eyes. The shape of his nose. The gentle curve of hips lips when he smiled. It made him wonder what part of himself was in his son. Question if the traits were not external but internal. What if his son inherits his corruptibility? Has the same darkness lurking in his heart. The willingness to sacrifice anything so long as it benefits himself and gives him more power. What if Peter is easily susceptible to the same power hungry hatred that whispers sweetly in his ear? That tells him to perform acts that result in death and suffering of those who care. What if Peter has developed the ability to become as broken as he?

The tiny arms finally broke free of the cocoon and the wide eyes slowly began to blink. His face scrunched up and Loki knew he was about to start crying. Loki shushed Peter as he picked his up and rocked him gently. Using the same calming song his mother sang him in the old language and in moments, Peter was quietly resting against his father as if he was about to fall back asleep.

The nurse rose from her chair and offered to take Peter, as per her job, but Loki held on to his son. What if this was the last day he saw him. Held him. What if Rhodey could not find the witch and he is forced to give her his son. He needed to hold on Peter. Treasure him. And most of all protect him, as all good parents should. "I have no business today. Allow me to spoil my son with my undivided attention now, that way I have some memories to hold on to when he reaches the age of wanting nothing to do with me."

"Of course your majesty. If you need me for anything please let me know." She said with a bow and left the room and headed next door to her own chambers.

Loki paced around the room holding Peter tightly, still rocking him and quietly singing so only his son could hear.

The door creaked open and thought it was going to be the nannie, but instead Tony's head was the one peaking in. "Ditching your duties too?" Tony asked as he closed the door behind him. "I feel like ever since I put Pepper in charge the amount of paperwork I have to sign has tripled."

Loki placed Peter back down in his crib now that Tony was in the room. He could feel the nerves starting to set in. He should just tell him. Tell Tony what's going on. None of the servants would know. Peter's room was a safe spot to talk. And yet, he couldn't tell Tony. He had survived the first 24 hours. Guessed names just the other night, none were right. And so far, no one has questioned the Knight's disappearance. He just needed to survive two more days. That was all he needed 48 hours, to guess a name and then he could put all this behind him.

"I just don't want to miss anything in his life." Loki finally said. He placed the quilt over Peter and watched as he slowly drifted off to sleep.

"Even if he is as interesting as a sack of potatoes right now." Tony now stood next to the crib. He wrapped an arm around Loki's waist and soon the taller head was resting on his.

"In a few years we will be wishing he was as boring as potatoes." Loki said with a laugh. "If he's anything like you I doubt we'll ever get a moment's rest."

"Like you're one to talk." Both chuckled briefly for they quickly grew silent and just stood there happily watching their son sleep.

Rhodey said nearly every curse word in the book every hour on the hour. His mission to find the name of the sorceress was without a doubt the worst job he ever had. He possessed no armor, weapons, nor money. He had no food, water, or identification. All he had was the clothing on his back and it was miserable. Only hours after he arrived to Xandar it started pouring and when he approached the castle he was denied entrance since he didn't have identification. He asked if either the Princess Gamora or any of the late Prince's friend could come to identify him, but the guards refused his request. And when he went to the local tavern to get out of the rain, he was immediately escorted out due to his lack of funds.

He didn't know how he was supposed to find the sorceress name or anything else. He was truly at a loss for what to do. Part of him wanted to just begin the journey home, but he knew he had to try. The young Prince's life was on the line. As much as he disliked Loki, Peter was an innocent, so he had to do everything in his power to protect him. Even if that was to travel in the rain without any sort of real plan or leads for mission that he was ninety percent sure he would fail.

He began heading west, but due to the weather the path was closed. Landslides had blocked the road, forcing him to take the even longer route back to Midgard, to the very north, where all that was left was ruins of former villages. It took him a little over a day and a half to return to Midgard. He stopped at many villages along the way attempting to garner some knowledge on the mysterious sorceress, but nothing came of it. Part of Rhodey felt like finding a needle in a haystack would be easier.

When he reached the first of the rubble villages he looked for a place to set up a camp of sorts. He hoped that maybe one of the homes still remained and he could get a few hours' sleep before he would have to continue this futile mission. But he couldn't give up hope. Since the sorceress knew so much about the Twelve Kingdoms and Midgard, his gut told him she was from their world, possibly even their kingdom. If only he had more to go off on.

He walked around the village, but nothing stood. Nothing that even resembled buildings stood. He debated if even attempting sleep was worth it, but then something caught his eye. On a hill about a mile or so away he saw smoke. He blinked a few times, even rubbed his eyes. He had to be hallucinating. From what he was told, no one survived the attack. And yet that smoke was obviously coming from a chimney.

Rhodey could feel his heart speeding up and he used what little strength he had left to run towards the smoke. He reached a small cottage, there was a small window cracked open. For once he was thankful that he didn't have any armor because he was stealthy able to approach the windowsill and look in.

"Wanda are you sure this is right?" A young boy asked. His white hair was a rumpled mess and his blue tunic looked far too small for his lengthy body. "I want revenge against the House of Stark as much as you do. But taking the prince? If we are caught-"

"We won't get caught Pietro." Her hand moved from her lap to resting on a book that was placed on the table. "Besides those weapons he created took everything from us." He eye's held contact the entire time, never breaking from the man sitting across from her. "With this." Her index finger now tapped the book and Rhodey actually took a moment to look at it. The leather was worn and torn and the spine has faded gold writing on it. The language reminded him of the symbols he saw on Loki's books. His magic books he inherited from his mother. "We can finally do that."

Pietro grabbed her hand and with his thumb rubbed the top of hers gingerly. "For our parents."

Rhodey's mind was racing. It couldn't be possible. The witch Loki made a deal with. The one who wants Peter. She lives in their own kingdom. Granted, it was one of the furthest villages. Close to the kingdoms that were attacked by the Mad King Thanos's armies. This was actually one of the few villages in Midgard that saw war. But that was much kept secret. The only reason Rhodey knew was because Sam told him. That Obadiah needed Midgard to appear untouchable for his plan to work. And a breach in the borders would ruin such an image. The worst part was, some of the weapon's Tony had designed were used in the villages destruction. And in the mix of the dead. It was citizens of Halfword, Midgard, Hala and the Ten Rings. The scene was so unusual that it was best to bury the secret instead of making this battle known. But still. Two survivors from that war. They must have been small children when it happened. Hiding in the debris. Or they were assumed dead and escaped after the few soldiers who saw the wreckage left. Either way, this was not good. They want revenge. Revenge against the man whose weapons caused a lifetime of pain. And that man is his best friend and King, Anthony Stark.

Rhodey quietly backed away from the window into the darkness of the forest and began running. He didn't have any time. He got what he needed. A name. Wanda. The witch's name is Wanda. Part of him felt guilty that he didn't bush in the door and kill her now. Then there would be no need to worry the bargain over Peter. But he was up against magic before. When Loki trapped him. And we was powerless against Loki then. And while he has learned how to apart his fighting style to magic users. She appeared to be in a different playing field. So the safer bet was to get the name to Loki. Because if he dies fighting her then the innocent Prince has no chance.

He needed to think quickly now. He made his decision. He was going to return to the palace no matter what. But he only had about eighteen hours to return before the witch would magically appear in the castle. Over 100 miles in 18 hours. And the journey on foot took longer than that. He needed a horse. A properly bred and trained horse like W.M., but he was safely sleeping in his stable in Midgard. But still. If he could find a good strong horse. Maybe, just maybe, he could make it back to the castle in time. Sure, stealing a horse wasn't the most heroic thing a knight of the king could do. But what other choice does he have? Besides, he will pay back the farmer, eventually. What needed to be his priority was saving the prince. An innocent who was once again being trapped in the web that Loki created. And this life. This mission. It's more important than the one he had of finding Tony.

The second day came and went and for Loki, it was just as successful as the first. He spent the whole day pacing in Peter's room. Tony was being held captive by Pepper so he only ever saw him during meals. Even though Pepper was technically in charge, she still found a way to preoccupy his time with vast amount of paperwork and issues in the kingdom that required his personal presence. In a way though it made things easier. Tony was brilliant and perceptive. So it was only a matter of time until he figured out something was wrong. But being as busy as he was, it would prove more difficult for him to figure out the truth on what he happening with Peter.

The beginning of day three was no different, except this time he was more anxious. He constantly looked out the window hoping to see some sign that the knight had returned, but every time the gates opened, his hopes were dashed.

After supper Loki immediately returned to Peter's room. He sat in the chair looking out the window still hoping to see any sign of the knight. There was only two hours left. Two hours until the witch would return and then take away Peter if he cannot guess her name. If only he knew where the knight was. He could teleport himself to the knight, get the name and teleport back. No muss no fuss. But without an exact location in mind, teleporting around the kingdom until he found him would be futile.

Peter began to stir, and it sent chills down Loki's spine. It was as if Peter knew too. Knew that tonight could be the last night with his father. The small child could read his father's own distress and it pained Loki that he was effecting his son in such a way. He headed back to the crib and held Peter tightly. "I won't let her take you Peter." He kissed his son's head and held him just a little bit tighter.

"Who's there?" Loki nearly dropped Peter when he heard the booming voice. The voice that was coming from the gate. Someone was attempting access into the castle. And at this time of night, Loki knew who it had to be. The knight. His last ditch gamble. Loki placed Peter back in his crib and stared out the window. "Sir Rhodes?" He heard the guard shout back. "Raise the gate."

Loki's heart stopped beating. The knight had returned. Peter was going to be saved. Part of Loki wanted to transport right to the castle doors and hound the knight for the name. There was only mere hours left and he wanted nothing to distract the knight now that he was home. But if he were to do that it would raise suspicion. It is no secret around the kingdom that the knight and king don't exactly get along. They are cordial for Tony's sake when they are in the public's eye. But the castle staff have overheard one to many tiffs between the men that the faux liking was utterly pointless. But still, he couldn't let anyone suspect that anything was going on. And Loki greeting him the moment he walked through the door would most definitely raise suspicions.

The wait for the knight to come to the nursery felt like twenty hours. Loki began pacing by the door willing him to come. Peter began to cry. It was as if he could sense his father's nervousness and was also worried for his life. "Peter." He said as he picked up his son and the pacing restarted. "You needn't worry. While I find the knight grading. He is your godfather and your father's closest friend. He will not let anything happen to you so there is no need to stir. And if he didn't succeed, I will do everything in my power to protect you. Kill her if I must. But no one will be taking you tonight. I promise you that."

Peter began to calm down and as Loki placed him back in bed the door swung open. Loki turned around and his heart skipped a beat. Rhody had returned. His clothing was torn, since he didn't have his usual armor on when he was magically transported to Xandar. And the scent that wafted in the room, made a stable smell elegant. His shoulders were drastically moving up and down and his breathing was heavy. Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead, and a few were threatening to fall into his eyes. He quietly shut the door behind him and headed straight to the rocking chair to sit down.

Loki waited for Rhodey to say something. Anything. Peter's life was a stake, and the Knight was just rocking in the chair as if he had all the time in the world.

"The name?" Loki finally asked no longer being able to wait. Time was dwindling away. They only had a few hours until midnight, when the witch was set to return. And Loki refused to let time slip away from him any further. "Do you have her name or not?"

The creaking came to a halt as Rhodey stopped rocking. "If Peter's life wasn't on the line. If Tony wasn't my best friend. I would spend so much time torturing you over this little piece of information."

"As if this isn't torture enough." Loki grumbled under his breath. "Do you have the name or not?" Loki snapped, but the knight was not phased by his harsh tone.

"This is the last night." The witch said as she circled the prince's crib. "Your last chance to save your son. So, shall we begin?"

"But of course."

Once the witch was seated in the rocking chair he began pacing as if he was still debating names. "Doreen."

"No." She said as her smile grew.

"Carol."

"No"

Loki decided one more name. That was all he was going to say. One more name. And then, the he would reveal the truth. "Kate?"

"You said that just the other night."

"Could it be Wanda?"

Silence.

There was nothing. But he could sense it in the room. His magical contract reduced to nothing and the limits on protecting Peter had lifted away.

The door swung open shattering the silence and Loki's whipped around to see who could possibly be disturbing them. Rhodey was standing outside the door incase anything were to go wrong tonight, so he didn't know who could be barging in. "Loki, what the hell is-" Tony slowly stopped walking as he saw the strange woman in the room. Her hands were clenched tightly and her teeth gritted. "Am I interrupting something here?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Loki could see it. He could feel it in his very bones. With Tony in the room and her having failed in her plan, she was going to use magic. She was going to kill Tony, or worse. Loki needed to be quick. With their contract broken, he could protect Peter and Tony. He merely thought the words of the spell, and as the witch raised her hand, her eyes glowed. She aimed at Tony with one hand and Peter the other, but Loki's shield went up just in time. "Tony?" Rhodey now ran through the door, after he heard the sound of snapping wood. The rocking chair was now in several pieces. Loki rose his own hand and the witch was floating in air choking. Peter had started crying and if felt like the entire world was collapsing around Loki. He came to Midgard with Tony to start anew. To not go down the path he was headed back in Asgard.

"Loki." The shield had dropped and Tony now stood behind his husband. He placed a hand on his arm, and saw the green eyes meet his own. They were lost. Confused. Upset. Hints of animosity. But most of all he could see failure in them. That Loki felt like he had failed everyone he loved. Peter had stopped crying and Rhodey took the young prince from his crib and began to sooth him.

Wanda had been let go on her feet fell to the floor. She grabbed her neck and she breathed heavily for air. Her head was spinning and she couldn't think. She knew the man was powerful. Had years of magical study over her. But she never imagined him to be his powerful. She assumed the Midgardian King had softened him in some ways. But it appeared the venom is still in his veins. The Time Gem had not lied to her about the wrath and power that slept in the Asgardian. If he had not been the husband of her enemy she would have sought him out. Asked him to teach her all that he knew. Part of her still wanted to learn from him. To learn all that he knows and surpass him.

"Anthony-" Loki started, but he didn't know what to say. The guilt that he had been suppressing. The lies that he had weaved.

Tony just simply shook his head and turned his attention to the strange woman in the room. "What do you want with me?" Tony asked simply. "I mean, it is me you're actually after." He said with absolute certainty.

"You know your crimes." She attempted to spat, but her throat was still throbbing in pain, but her statement sounded more pathetic than it was intended.

Tony straightened himself out and approached her. He knelt down and looked hard into her eyes. "Trust me I know. My list of crimes is longer than anyone else in the twelve kingdoms. Quill was probably the only one to ever come close. So why not being a little more specific."

Her eyes darted behind Tony to where Rhodey was standing. He was dressed very plainly compared to the armor he wore during battle. Be strapped to his belt were two gun. Tony looked at the guns then back to the supposed sorceress. The malice in her eyes while looking at the weapons was unlike any he had ever seen. "Which village do you hail from?"

"My home no longer stands." She spoke fiercely. "It was destroyed by weapons such as that. Weapons that did not exist until a juvenile prince made them. The Kingdoms were peaceful until you introduced such horrors to us. Me and my brother are all that remains."

Tony quickly stood up. "I was never aware villages were destroyed." He looked to Rhodey for an answer. "How many villages have been destroyed by my weapons?"

Rhodey's eyes shot to Peter's. He couldn't look at Tony in the eyes. But the young prince's eyes were so much like his father's it was like he had never turned away. "Before you were kidnapped, Obadiah was making deals with more than just the Ten Rings." Rhodey finally said.

"Why did you never tell me this Rhodey? Why did I not know about this? How long have you known?"

"About five years. Sam told me about it when we returned to the Kingdom. He and Scott were working as spies to sorts. Trying to get into his inner circle in order to dethrone him."

"Why didn't you tell me then?"

"We agreed that it would be best to not tell you. The kingdom was unstable enough and we didn't want to drop too many things on you at once."

"Well look where not telling me got her." Tony said pointing to Wanda. "I caused this. And it's my job to fix it."

While Tony and Rhodey spat persisted, Loki approached Wanda. While he still could not forgive, he knew he only had himself to blame. He let it escalate this far. He let power tempt him. But if he looked past that. If he just looked at the young girl sitting there. She was honestly no different than himself. Using her magic to further her own goals. That circumstances beyond her control made her turn down this dark path. Maybe if he had a teacher. Someone to guide him after his mother's death, his magic would not have become so crooked and corruptible. He might not still be trying to repair the damage that exists in his heart. This girl, while having remarkable skill, was still rough. She relied on the infinity stones for much of her magic. She still had room to grow, she just needed to be pushed in the right direction. The path opposite of what they both had been walking on. "You have never killed before. Have you?" Loki asked, but he didn't expect her to answer. "Seeing as how you knew so much about me, you must know that I attempted to kill my own brothers and father and failed just as dismally. And while I doubt any disdain you have for my husband will ever become compassion. I believe you should stay here at the castle. I could teach you a few things. And maybe one day, you could finally succeed in the vengeance you so desperately desire."

She looked at him for a moment perplexed by the offer. She had tried to take away his son. Put him through hell the last three days. Restricted his magic. And never once denied that killing the king. Destroy him was her ideal endgame. And here he was. The talented and perplexing Asgardian offering her a home and a mentorship. "Why would you do this for me?"

Loki turned around and looked at his. While his voice still sounded irritated, his eyes said another. He could never truly be mad at his best friend. Well, mad for that long anyways. "I haven't the slightest." He said before turning around to face the sorceress. "But as much as I hate admitting this, you have talent. You could be strong enough to even surpass me one day." He stood up and brushed himself off "Wouldn't you like to prove me right?"

Tony and Rhodey joined them and Loki took Peter from the knight. His son was yawning. Slowly drifting off to sleep since he no longer felt threatened. "So what are we doing with her?" Rhodey asked.

"Her, and her brother if he so wishes, will be living with us." Loki declared even though Wanda never gave him an actual answer to his proposition.

"Seriously?" Rhodey looked to Tony expecting to see some form of retaliation to this plan, but nothing came. "After all she put us through, you are going to let her live here?"

"And train her." Loki said with a grin.

"Tony. You cannot be onboard with this." The knight said incredulously.

"I think it's a good idea." Tony quickly said. "And the next time you try to kill me. You better do better than this."

"Tony you can't be serious?"

"Um, who's the king here?" Tony asked as he began walking out of the room.

"She was going to kill you!"

"I'm going to bed." Tony said over the knight's shoulder. "Join me once all this is sorted out." And with that Tony and Rhodey headed down the hall, their bickering could still be heard.

Loki put Peter back in his crib and returned to Wanda. "The choice is yours. But if you crave the knowledge I possess, meet me in the morning in front of the castle gates." With that, Loki left the room. He knew she would return. That she would be waiting for him come morning.

Loki opened his bedroom door slowly, and Tony was already in bed waiting for him. He slid between the sheets and Tony immediately pulled him into a kiss. His fingertips slowly moved up and down Loki's skin and both men were beginning to feel heated. When they parted, Tony was grinning widely.

"What was that for?" Loki asked. While he was enjoying their intimacy it was perplexing considering what had happened moment ago. "I lied to you. Betrayed-"

But Tony quieted him with a quick but sensual kiss. "I am not going to ask what happened. I know Rhodey will be more than happy to fill me in on the details in the morning."

"Then why-"

"When I think back to when we first met, you were a selfish, arrogant, obnoxious." Loki rolled his eyes, even though he knew Tony was speaking the truth. "Not to mention that whole little trying to kill your family stint. But what I saw now. You offering that girl a home. To train her to use her magic. To not let her end up like you. You have changed. Become a king that has proved daddy dearest wrong. I know at times you don't see it. That change can be hard to see after what you have gone though. But you have changed. And I couldn't be more proud."

"Such sentiment Anthony? This is most peculiar." Loki said with a raised eyebrow. "I'm waiting for you to take all the credit for this supposed change you see in me."

"I have my moments." Tony said before pulling Loki into another kiss that could easily rival the one they shared on their boat all those years ago.