Title: Vale: Punishment

Word Count: 2879

Main Character(s): ...that's kind of a spoiler...

Notes: So because I'm a mythology geek I've started weaving actual Norse myths into MCU!Thor and Loki's backgrounds. This story concerns Loki's final punishment in the original mythology. Notes about the myths and stories involved are at the bottom, for anyone who cares. No ownie.

Also, this is set about a year after the Battle of Manhatten, and in the meantime Peter Parker has joined the Avengers because I'm sad that Spiderman can't be in this universe yet. All of the Avengers have flats in Stark Tower, including Clint and Natasha, but the latter two don't generally live there and Steve travels a lot. So does Thor, after a while of Loki being a peaceful prisoner, because he likes seeing Jane's work and she has to travel for some of it. They're only all at the tower when there's something going on. Like now...

Odin strips Loki of his powers and banishes him to Midgard, as he did Thor, where he is kept confined in some special rooms in Stark Tower. The reaction to this punishment is mixed on Asgard. Crimes of the scope of Loki's have not been committed by an Asgardian for centuries. Some want him to be punished as a Jotun and simply killed. Some believe in the old punishments, which have been neither changed nor implemented for centuries. They are no less than torture, and Odin is uneasy about using them. So he uses an alternate punishment, not dissimilar to the banishment that he inflicted on Thor, hoping in his heart that it will help Loki as it did his brother.

Some are satisfied with this punishment. Some are not. And some, in the warrior-society of Asgard, decide to take matters into their own hands.

Midgard is now considered a developed enough world to have some control over what extraterrestrials cross its borders. Odin has met with Nick Fury and the World Security Council, a meeting that was highly enjoyable for Fury (he doesn't know how the hell Odin managed to actually illuminate the four council members over video call, but their shocked expressions were a joy to behold) and have agreed that, for the time being, only a small selection of Asgardians will be given free travel until Midgard is ready. Odin is content with this, as he knows that there is unrest over his punishment of Loki and that there are many who had hoped to travel to Midgard and kill him themselves. He does not realize until it is too late that those who are angry enough to do so may find alternate targets.

There is a year of unrest before Loki's true punishment strikes.

{}

The sky over New York is strange, the clouds filled with pulsating light. Thor has been back and forth just enough times for Jarvis to be capable of recognizing a Bifrost portal, and the AI alerts Tony, who in turn wakes Thor. The Thunder God has barely stepped out onto his balcony before the rainbow light swallows him up, carrying him off to Asgard.

"I guess it's important, then?" Tony comments to the fading clouds. He returns to his penthouse, locking up Thor's floor for him while he's gone. Loki has been a surprisingly tame guest over the past year, but better to be safe than sorry, especially with that new Parker kid running around the building.

It is late in the evening, after a clear day, that thick clouds roll in, and heavy rain and lightning strike down on New York. Thor's not above announcing his arrivals with a little lightning, to the point where the citizens of New York are quite acclimatized to random thunderstorms, adaptable as ever. The heavy rain is a little strange, though.

Thor appears on Tony's balcony on the top floor. He is carrying a sleeping boy of about twelve in his arms, a child with messy black hair and oddly pointed ears, dressed in blue and black Asgardian clothes. Thor's expression is even more thunderous than the weather.

"Tony, I am sorry to ask more of you," he says as the other Avengers join him, "but I must find somewhere safe for this boy. He is not safe on Asgard, and this is the only realm I could think to take him."

"Oh my god, what's happened to him?" Pepper gasps. They've all noticed the bloodstains on the boy's hands and face.

"This boy's name is Vale," Thor says, "and his brother is dead. Please, may he rest here?"

"You've got spare rooms in your floor, use 'em," Tony says with a shrug.

"I'll come help you clean him up," Bruce offers. Thor offers him a grateful smile. Vale is only a couple of years older than Shanta, and Thor can see the doctor's heart going out to another child who has lost his family.

"Who is this kid, Thor?" Steve asks, stopping Thor as he makes for the lift.

"His name is Vale," Thor repeats, skirting the question.

"You said that," Natasha points out. "But who is he?"

"I must speak to my brother," Thor says, pushing past Steve.

{}

Loki is listening to music when Thor enters the room. Thor switches off the music, striding over to his brother. Loki looks curious about the dark expression on Thor's face, the heavy way that the older man drops into the chair opposite him. He remains silent, as he often does when Thor comes to him, waiting for his brother's latest entreaty. He does not expect this.

"Loki," Thor says heavily, "Narfe is dead."

Tony has opened up the security feed so that the other Avengers can listen in, to find out what is going on. They are all shocked by the way Loki gapes, his eyes widening and his mouth dropping open, before his face crumples entirely and he drops his head into his hands.

"There are those of Asgard who do not agree with your punishment," Thor says. "Some set about Narfe and Vale. They turned Vale into a wolf. Vale panicked, he lashed out, and Narfe was standing closest..."

Loki's breath is harsh and ragged. "Why not kill me, then?" he whispers. "If Asgard has rebelled against the Allfather's decision, why does he not simply kill me? Would it not be so much simpler?"

"You know why he does not wish to execute you," Thor says sharply, "nor condemn you to the serpent's venom. It is not all Asgard that rebels, simply an angry few. They are being dealt with, both for causing the death of an innocent child and for endangering all of Asgard. Had the spell held, Vale's rampage could have been..."

"Like Fenrir," Loki laughs bitterly. When he raises his head, tear tracks are visible on his cheeks. "That was surely their intent in turning him into a wolf. They can claim that he, too, is a monster." His face falls. "What of Sigyn?" he asks softly, hesitantly.

"She has taken Narfe's body to the water meadows," Thor says. "I do now know how long she plans to stay. She asked me to see to Vale's safety. He is here now, a boy again. Do you wish me to bring him to see you?"

Loki looks away sharply. "If he is a boy again, then better not to," he says bitterly. "No need for him to be exposed to monsters again."

{}

Thank you for staying with him," Thor says, sitting down next to Vale's bed. The boy's sleep is fitful and restless, and clearly plagued by nightmares.

"Thor," Bruce says, "I heard your conversation with Loki. We all did. This kid... is he..."

Vale's eyes drift open. They are sharp and green, and focus on Thor.

"Uncle," he whispers. "Where am I... What happened to..."

Thor smoothes the hair from his forehead. "It is okay. You are safe now, Vale."

"Where is Narfe?" Vale asks. "Where is my brother?"

"He is gone, Vale," Thor says softly. "I am sorry."

Vale's face crumples in a way that Bruce is sure that he saw not half an hour before, and then he buries his face in the bedcovers and sobs.

{}

"Loki's son?" Steve says. "You brought Loki's son here?"

"I will take him elsewhere if he is unwelcome," Thor says firmly, "but I will not see him returned to Asgard. He is an innocent child."

"Thought you said he turned into a wolf and ripped his brother apart," Clint points out.

"His transformation was not of his will," Thor says sharply. "I do not believe that he will transform again. He does not remember what has happened, and his been so grief-stricken over his brother's death that I have not yet told him."

"Guys, is this really so terrible?" Peter asks. The newest Avenger is still nervous about piping up during conferences, and flushes as everyone looks at him. "I mean, if the kid's not actually dangerous, what's the problem?"

"His father is the problem," Natasha responds.

"Vale has not seen his father since before my banishment," Thor argues. "Vale is not evil, or dangerous. I will not see him punished further for the nature of his birth, over which he has no control!"

"I'm still reeling that your crazy brother's a dad," Darcy puts in.

"Y'know, guys, I think I gotta go with Thor and Pete on this," Tony says. "This kid needs help. We can't prejudge him based on what his dad's done. Doing that might just turn him into his dad." If anyone notices Pepper taking his hand during this, they are careful to show no sign of this.

"I agree," Bruce says. "Treating this kid like a monster isn't exactly going to prevent him becoming one. Isn't that more or less what happened to Loki?"

"Somewhat, yes," Thor says, feeling shamefaced. "I beg of you, my friends. Give my nephew the gift of a chance."

"I suppose we could trial-run him," Steve suggests. "Keep him confined to Thor's floor, to start with. Monitor his behaviour and assess whether he's a threat or just a damaged kid."

"Thank you, Captain," Thor says gratefully. "I promise you, he is not a bad child. His mother is a water nymph, and she has raised him well." He smiles sadly. "Once, we did not get along. She used to say that I was pompous, arrogant. She was entirely correct."

"How'd a girl like that wind up with your brother?" Tony asks curiously.

"Loki was once very different to how he is now," Thor says. "She says that she fell in love with him the moment his reflection crossed her pond." The sad smile returns. "I think she saw a far better man in that reflection than he ever did."

{}

Thor is concerned but not entirely surprised by Vale's dour demeanour over the next few days and weeks. It pains him to see the way Vale's head constantly flicks to the side, looking for his twin's reaction to whatever he has just seen or heart, and the way Vale's face crumples when he sees nothing there.

He is not sure if Vale is aware that his father is elsewhere in the building, and does not tell him so; Loki has refused to see Vale, and Thor fears heaping more trauma on his nephew if Loki has a strong negative reaction to seeing him. He has not yet found the way to tell Vale that his brother's death was by his own fang.

Both Jane and Darcy have rooms on Thor's floor, though Jane just as often sleeps in Thor's room these days (he knows that this is not the Midgard version of marriage, but feels unaccountably nervous about telling Jane that it is the Asgardian definition). Neither have shied away from Vale. Darcy has made it her personal mission, as she did for the lady Sif and the Warriors Three during their visit and Thor and Steve constantly, to educate Vale on Midgardian entertainment and culture. She is determined to find something to make the depressed boy giggle again. Jane is not really the mothering type, but she tries her best to make Vale feel welcome and spend some time with him when she's not in her laboratory.

Peter Parker is Darcy's ally in the pop-culture onslaught, and seems to like visiting Vale. Parker joined the Avengers after the Chitauri incident, so Thor isn't entirely sure if he really understands the gravity of the situation with Loki, but he appreciates that Vale is not being made to feel unwelcome or a monster. He has no wish to see Vale fall as Loki did.

Bruce visits often, too, both Vale and Loki. He eventually brings Shanta to see Vale as well, which is the clearest sign that he trusts the boy. Shanta and Vale, being the only children in the building and only a couple of years apart in age, get along very well. Shanta, too, has lost brothers and parents, and is very good at gauging what is likely to upset Vale.

Thor keeps Loki updated on how Vale is doing. Loki shows no outward interest, but Thor cannot forget his breakdown on hearing of Narfe's death.

{}

After a month, Vale has caused no trouble or concern. Thor had been worried about Vale's mischievous streak, so like his father's, but it seems to have died with Narfe. Vale has been a quiet, sad boy, a far cry from the bubbly child that Thor once knew, but that is understandable. Vale no longer looks around for his brother, but Thor sometimes hears him talking to Narfe when he thinks he is alone.

Shanta is already planning for Vale a grand tour of Stark Tower. Vale has not yet seen Loki, and Thor has heard nothing from Sigyn, but he is determined that Vale will at least know the truth of what befell his brother before he meets the rest of the Avengers.

One night, he sits Vale down to tell him. Vale cuts him off.

"It's alright, Uncle," he says. "I know. I killed Narfe."

Thor is startled. "Who told you?"

"Narfe did," Vale says quietly. "But he forgave me. He said that it wasn't my fault. That makes it okay, doesn't it?" He looks pleadingly at Thor, begging for absolution.

"It is going to be alright, Vale," Thor says, worried that Vale thinks Narfe is talking to him but unwilling to take away anything that will ease the boy's troubled mind. He places a hand on his nephew's neck. "I swear."

{}

Thor can't help but feel some nervousness about leaving Vale on Midgard. There is no way he will take the boy with him back to Asgard, but he must talk to Sigyn and his father. The others seem to bear no ill will towards Vale, but Thor is comforted to receive Bruce's promise that both of him will see to Vale's safety.

Thor has not been to the water meadows often. They are beautiful, but the nymphs guard their pools jealously and are not above enchanting or drowning anyone they deem a trespasser; in any case, such a peaceful place did not appeal to his younger, more warlike self.

He eventually finds Sigyn's pool in a concealed copse. It is truly, extraordinarily beautiful, filled with small lights and strange plants. Thor carefully steps over a burst of silver and gold flowers, a kind which do not normally grow in the water meadows. He wonders sadly if the beautiful plants are Loki's doing. It's hard to believe that such beauty could come from the sullen mass-murderer now locked into a concealed room in Stark Tower. But Thor can still remember the feasting to celebrate Loki and Sigyn's union, how bright and happy Loki had been then. Thor had been overjoyed for his brother, happy to see him love again after his affair with Angrboda had ended so badly. That was a man that Thor could believe would make flowers.

Sigyn does not look up from the pool. She is sitting on its edge, her long golden hair unbound and floating down into the water with the hem of her dress and her cloak, as if all three are liquid as well. Thor is startled to look into the pool and see Narfe's body, perfectly preserved and without a trace of damage.

"My boy will never wake again," Sigyn says softly, "but I can at least leave him without scars." She trails her fingers in the water over her dead son's face. It barely ripples. "Why do you disturb my mourning?"

"On behalf of your son still living," Thor says. "Vale too mourns for his brother, and fears himself. His father will not see him; would you deprive him of his mother too?"

"He fears himself?" Sigyn muses. "How like his father. Perhaps I ought to bring him here. It cannot be good for him to remain in your care."

Though Thor hopes to see Vale reunited with his mother, he is stung by this. "What do you mean?" he demands. "I took him from Asgard to protect him! I mean him no harm!"

"I do not doubt that for a second, Thunderer," Sigyn says smoothly. "Nor do I believe that you ever meant harm upon Loki. I know that you love him as dearly as I. Nevertheless, harm he suffered whenever the two of you fought great battles together and the halls of Asgard rung only with tales of your might. Whenever you were praised and he was suspected. Whenever it was spoken of how different the two of you are, what a shame it was that he was not more like you..."

Thor flinches from the biting truth. "Loki has always had great gifts that I do not," he says, gesturing to the beautiful glade. "I could never create something like this. His gifts are arguably much greater than mine."

"Then perhaps you ought to have argued it more often," Sigyn hisses.

"I have changed since then," Thor says.

"So has my husband," Sigyn says, returning her gaze to her dead son's face. "And once again, you have come out far better than he."

Mythology Notes: This fic is based on the story of Loki's final punishment. Translations of the old Norse myths vary widely, and I've read a few different versions, so I've possibly mixed different elements of different versions together here :P This is the general myth, but be warned, it's kind of the definition of "fucked up":

When the other gods had finally had enough of Loki, due to his role in Baldr's death and a few other resultant acts of douchebaggery, they sentenced him to be bound eternally to a boulder/tree (it varies). The messed up part is that they don't just bind him with rope or chains. They bring his two sons, Nari/Narfi/Narfe and Vari/Vali/Vale (both have multiple translation names; I like Narfe and Vale just because) and trap the pair in a magic circle. They then turn Vale into a savage wolf and he rips Narfe apart. They then bind Loki with Narfe's entrails. Vale's fate thereafter isn't mentioned that I can recall, but probably he was killed because Fenrir was quite enough trouble to be getting on with. Anyway, once they're done tying Loki up with his murdered son's intestines (which have turned to iron because), they dangle a snake over his head that constantly drips venom onto his face. Sigyn, Loki's wife, who isn't mentioned before this in the Poetic Edda and is only brought up briefly as a nymph and Loki's wife in the Prose Edda, sits by Loki holding a bowl over his face to catch the venom. However, the bowl occasionally fills up, so she has to go empty it. When she does, venom drips onto Loki's face, and his writhing in pain is violent enough to cause earthquakes. This process repeats until he finally breaks free and kicks off Ragnarok.

The MCU versions of the gods are somewhat different in character from the mythological versions. Odin, while still not exactly being a candidate for World's Best Dad, is still far more benevolent than he is in the mythology, and I can't see Anthony Hopkins!Odin ordering a punishment this messed-up- and I certainly can't see Chris Hemsworth!Thor tolerating it. The main elements in this are the death of Narfe and the transformation of Vale, which are under slightly different circumstances.

There's pretty much nothing stated about Sigyn, but I've tried to keep what there is. She's said to be a nymph, but what kind isn't stated, so I went with water nymph because I like water nymphs and I got a very clear image in my head of her enchanted pool. She's also deeply devoted to her husband, so by extension she doesn't like Thor much at all :P And she's described as being sorrowful, though as her only appearance is when her husband is being tortured this probably isn't her default state of being :P Here Loki isn't being tortured, just confined, so her solemn guard duty is over Narfe's body while she mourns. That she isn't there for Vale is in line with the myth; if he did survive, she spends the rest of time guarding her husband, so it's not like she's there for him then either :P

I can find close to nothing about Narfe and Vale beyond their presence at Loki's binding. So I have a lot of free range to make stuff up about them, like randomly deciding their ages and that they're twins :P I figure Vale might have some interesting powers, being the son of a Jotun sorcerer and a water nymph. I mean, look at Loki's kids with Angrboda...

Oh, finally, in my headcanon, Loki was married to Sigyn and father to Narfe and Vale at the time of Thor, we just didn't get to see him interacting with them. Sigyn didn't attend Thor's coronation with her sons because she didn't approve of it, and directly after the botched coronation Loki was having to deal with angry Thor and the trip to Jotunheim. He didn't want to be around his family after discovering he was a Jotun, for reasons that I hope to elaborate on later, so he told Sigyn that he'd be away from them for a while as he had to deal with King stuff. For obvious reasons, he never got to go back to his family. Sigyn's devotion to Loki is well-known, so she's not been allowed near him since his incarceration in case she helps him break out.

So yeah, I hope you enjoy my take on the mythology in this universe, and if you want to read more, let me know :D