Hello again my lovely little readers. I felt a little bad at ending where I did. REALLY! BUT~ I've made it up to you by adding on more than I intended for this chapter. Still a slight cliffy at the end but I'll get more out, don't you worry. ^^ More slight LokixThor (NOTHING ROMANTIC!) and I'm slowly easing my way towards the romance bit... Which, I will say, will not be until Loki permanently goes to Earth. ^^ I SHALL REVEAL NO MORE! Enjoy. ;D

"What?" Loki hated the way her voice broke and the way she could feel it quiver with the one word. Odin had wanted to wed her to Thor? To bring peace through the realms by marrying two Asgardians - one Asgardian, Loki reminded herself harshly - that were raised to believe they were brother and sister?

"But those plans no longer matter." Odin ended, not realizing just what he had said.

"So I am no more than another stolen relic, locked up here until you might have use of me." Loki knew there was a reason for most things, knew that most everything had a purpose, but she also knew that what she discovered explained why she had always been the black sheep of the family.

"Why do you twist my words?" Odin questioned.

"You could have told me what I was from the beginning, why didn't you?" She demanded again.

"You're my daughter." His voice was gentle again. "I wanted only to protect you from the truth."

"Because I'm the monster parents tell their children about at night?" She remembered the tales well herself from when others had told them to her and Thor; sometimes it was even one of the Warriors Three or Sif. She even recalled Odin himself telling such a tale once.

"No, no."

"You know," Loki didn't bother letting him speak anymore. "It all makes sense now! Why I was such an outcast all these years! Because no matter how much you claim to love me," Loki's voice was rising with each word she spoke and only barely realized that Odin was beginning to sit on the steps. "You always knew that I was a Frost Giant and a monster and was unworthy of being a princess of Asgard!" Odin had reached up at her at the end of the rage and Loki looked down at him, her anger ebbing away quickly at the sight of the All Father sagging to the side with his eye sliding shut.

Outside of his breathing, he wasn't moving; Loki passed her hands over him and was worried when she couldn't find anything physically the matter with him. Placing her hand over his, she felt her worry mounting. "Guards!" She shouted, not moving from her place beside him. "Guards, please, help!" She shouted again, louder, looking back towards the doors when they opened; relief weaseling its way into her as two guards came into the room. She moved away so that they could tend to the All Father and ignored the suspicion in their eyes whenever they glanced back at her.

Loki looked down at her hands, wondering how things had escalated so quickly. One moment she was arguing with the All Father, trying to discover just what was wrong with her, and the next she was sitting on the throne of Asgard - the one place she truly didn't wish to be - while her father - the All Father, she corrected herself shortly - fell into the Odin Sleep. It was sudden and unplanned and Loki did not like it one bit. She would be a fool to say that she enjoyed being in the position of power.

She didn't. The throne was never meant for her - and with recent developments, it was more obvious than ever. A Jotun was currently sitting on the throne of Asgard… even Loki could see the humor in the situation, regardless of how dark it was.

"All Father," It was Sif that spoke, followed by the Warriors Three, as they entered the throne room with their heads bowed and their hands clasped over their chests in salute. "We must speak with you urgently." Only when Sif had reached the edge of the pedestal did she look up, the others following shortly afterwards, and all saw Loki sitting in the throne; her discomfort at sitting on the throne no longer obvious now that she had an audience and Loki kept her face void of emotion as she continued to run her fingers over Gungnir smooth handle.

"My friends." Loki acknowledged shortly, tipping her head some.

"Where is Odin?" Fandral questioned, the four of them beginning to walk closer to the throne.

"Father has fallen into the Odin Sleep." Loki looked towards the tiled floor and continued speaking, the explanation being told more out of duty than out of desire. "Mother fears he may never awaken again."

Sif's eyes narrowed shortly as she took command of the situation, as per usual. "We would speak with her."

"She has refused to leave my father's bedside." Loki replied just as shortly as she did before, disliking the position that has been left to her more as she realized just what they were there for. She figured they wouldn't have waited long and damned herself for hoping they would have waited a few more days before bringing the matter before her. "You can bring your urgent matter to me." She had to say it; duty demanded that she say it. Heimdall was watching and Loki wasn't sure who else was at the moment either.

Loki stood from the throne and walked to the edge of her own landing and observed them all for a silent moment, allowing her mask to slip for a brief moment as her weariness showed. Only Fandral seemed to have noticed it. Volstagg was the first to drop to a knee, the others following after, and all but Sif dipped their heads in a bow.

"My queen," Sif spoke the words with no small amount of bite, Loki noted. "We would ask that you end Thor's banishment." The way she said it was almost as if she was expecting Loki to follow her command and do as she said. Loki did not like that and only narrowed her eyes some down at the warrior below her.

"My first command cannot be to undo the All Father's last." Loki told them as if they had just asked her to paint the grass blue and the sky a never-ending green. "We're on the brink of war with Jotunheim. Our people need a sense of stability, in order to feel safe in these difficult times. Bringing Thor back would only put him on the throne and allow him to deal with Jotuns in the very same way that had gotten him banished in the first place." Sif's smile was forced and tense, the Warriors Three just gave her a look of confusion. "All of us must stand together for the good of Asgard. Even if Thor must stand alone for a short time." Sif made to lunge at her, standing to her feet in the beginnings of her anger, but Hogun and Fandral both restrained her; neither one looking away from Loki as they did so.

"Yes, of course." Fandral said with his smile back into place. Loki nodded her head to him.

"If I may," Volstagg began, "beg the indulgence of Your Majesty to perhaps reconsider…"

"We're done!" Loki said, waving her hand to show she was finished with the topic and everything concerning it. Volstagg was the first to turn and leave; Sif was the last. Loki quirked a brow at her and held out an arm, daring the warrior to charge at her like she knew the goddess wanted. Sif just smiled tightly before turning to join the others.

Loki did not wish to deal with Thor's banishment; she knew it was cowardice of her but she knew also that everything she had just done was what she needed to do. None of it was what she wanted to do… She wanted to return Thor home and help him deal with the Jotun war without the Nine Realms becoming red with blood; she wanted to fix her life now that she knew what the problem was; she wanted to leave to find out who she really was now that the truth had been found. Doing what she did, however, had not endeared her to Sif or any of the Warriors Three. She knew that.

She only hoped they would some day forgive her for what she had done; Thor as well.

The day had ended much the same as it had began; the few people that had come to see the All Father were left shocked to see her upon the throne instead. It was like talking with Thor's companions all over in the beginning: they would ask where Odin was, she would reply, they would demand Frigga, she would reply, and only then would they finally tell her what they needed. Loki had settled several matters before finally leaving the throne room and making her way towards her parents' chambers, wishing to see Odin herself.

And to speak with her mother - Frigga, Loki reminded herself - over a certain matter that continued to plague her.

Entering the All Father's sleeping chambers, Loki looked around the vast room only briefly before settling into a seat on one side of Odin; her mother sitting on the opposing side. The brilliantly golden cocoon that was visible over the All Father never once brought Loki a sense of relief.

"I never get used to seeing him like this." Loki was the one to break the silence.

"He's put it off for so long now, that I fear…" She didn't need to say anything more about it; Loki understood enough from what she had already spoken.

"How long will it last?" Loki didn't want to be queen any longer than necessary. She didn't even want to be in Asgard anymore.

"I don't know." It was a whispered reply. "This time it's different. We were unprepared."

Loki flickered her viridian gaze between Frigga and Odin before finally breaching the subject that was eating away at her mind. "So why did he lie?"

"He kept the truth from you so that you would never feel different." Loki felt her jaw tighten. Different is what she had always felt. "You are our daughter, Loki, and we, your family." She was earnest in her words. "We mustn't lose hope that your father will return to us. And your brother." Even Frigga had such faith in Thor; although she was more hopeful that he would end his banishment on his own, Loki could tell.

"You hope Thor will come back on his own." Loki didn't say it as a question.

"There's always a purpose to everything your father does." Frigga smiled at Loki then, her love never having been more to Thor or more to Loki as they were children. Loki knew she cared for them both equally. Loki recalled the conversation she had last had with the All Father and leaned back to look down at him properly. Yes, she thought, he certainly does have a purpose for everything he does.

Loki remained silent as she continued to watch Odin sleep, his still form not bringing her any comfort; especially since she knew well that she was partially to blame for his condition. If she had not yelled at him, had not let her magic lose control as she had, maybe the All Father would not be in the Odin Sleep.

A thought occurred to her next, a realization the dawned on her rather belatedly. The Warriors Three would not just sit by with Thor being absent, Sif certainly wouldn't, and they would attempt to bring him back to Asgard - regardless of her order to not do so. It would be treason, but it would be just the very thing they would do. Loki stood to her feet then, bidding farewell to her mother in an offhanded mumble, and walked from the room; walking in the direction of the stables with a thought in mind, a plan forming in her thoughts.

"When Lady Sif and the Warriors Three come to retrieve their horses," Loki began speaking before the stable boy even turned to acknowledge her presence. "Stall them for as long as you can but do not make it seem obvious. When they begin to get suspicious, let them leave." Loki could see the confusion - and the fear - in the boy's eyes but he nodded; having done similar things for the Trickster in the past. "Do not," Loki stressed, "Let them know I was here. Do you understand?" The boy nodded and Loki turned, having one more stop to make before being duty-bound to return to the throne.

The Bifrost, in all its colorful splendor, did little to lighten Loki's mood as she walked along it and towards Heimdall. The Gatekeeper, for his part, did not move from his place but only shifted his eyes to give her a fleeting glance.

"Good Heimdall, might I have a word?" Loki did not want to make the Watcher more upset with her than was needed. Heimdall tightened his jaw - the motion visible - and nodded his confirmation. "I would like you to let Lady Sif and the Warriors Three go when they come." His brow arched, out of character, but Loki continued on. "They will want to go to Midgard to retrieve Thor, and will try to persuade you to do so. I would like you to let them go but not to bring them back until I say so."

Heimdall's eyes narrowed but Loki met his gaze and waited for the question.

"I was sworn to obey the king," Heimdall spoke. "And, as he is in the Odin Sleep, you have taken the throne in his stead, becoming the current ruler of Asgard." Loki nodded once. "As current ruler, I am sworn to obey you as well. However, I find myself curious, why allow them to go when I am being ordered to leave them stranded?"

"Thor cannot return to Asgard," Loki remarked flatly, explaining when she noticed the pure displeasure and suspicion on Heimdall's face. "He will basically be a mortal and I will not be able to return his powers to him. He must do that on his own and the only way he can is if he becomes worthy of Mjolnir. He can't do that on Asgard where everyone will coddle him," Loki looked out to the sky around them. "He must learn what he needs on Midgard, whether the others enjoy that fact or not."

"You have not explained your reasoning to them?"

"No, they wouldn't have listened at the time anyway." Loki shook her head then made to leave. "I will not keep them on Midgard long so do not worry about abandoning them, Gatekeeper; I just need to get them all together on Midgard so they can see for themselves what I will be explaining." Loki left after that, not bothering to see if Heimdall understood everything she had just explained to him.

He would eventually, she was sure. He would be watching the entire time.

Loki teleported herself back into the throne room, finding the room filled with several other Asgardians that had problems they needed solved. It appeared that word had gotten around quickly that the All Father was in the Odin Sleep and that Loki was on the throne now. Dealing with the situations, Loki heard the distant sound of the Bifrost activating; knowing then that Heimdall had thankfully listened to her and let the others through.

Now all Loki had left to do was finish with the people in front of her and then follow them.

"I am finished for the day," Loki told the guards by the throne. "Tell anyone that comes that I will return in the morrow and will deal with their… problems then." The guards nodded solemnly and remained silent as Loki left the room, Gungnir still clenched tightly in her hand. Her horse was prepared for her when she arrived at the stables, the stable boy had said that Heimdall had sent word for him to do so, and Loki mounted the steed and made her way rather leisurely to the Bifrost.

"They know nothing?"

"They are none the wiser," Heimdall replied. Loki never thought she would see the day when she and Heimdall would be seeing eye-to-eye. He must have seen something on Midgard that she knew nothing of. "You desire to leave presently."

"Open the Bifrost." Loki said in answer. A few short moments later, Loki was standing in the middle of a desert.

It was hot, dry, and appeared to stretch on endlessly in most directions; in one, however, there seemed to be some form of civilization. Loki could see the remains of footprints from the group before her still visible in the dirt; sighing through her nose, Loki twirled Gungnir in her hand once and began walking in the direction of the town. If the Warriors Three thought Thor was there, he more than likely was, and Loki would be able to find all of them together. She did not want to explain herself more than once to the group and wished the clearing she was dropped in wasn't as far from Thor as it was.

The heat was galling and Loki did not enjoy it one bit.

When the town was near, Loki used some of her magic to change her outward appearance; her armor disappearing to be replaced with mortal clothing, Gungnir becoming a walking cane to hide its intimidating appearance. The clothing was coal black mostly, only the shirt was not as it was a faded green, and was a dress suit; strappy black heels to match. The men on the rooftops observed her from a distance, she noted, but did nothing otherwise; which she was thankful for.

There did not need be anymore attention on the situation than could be helped, Loki thought to herself, considering Thor and the others that were already making more than enough noise for the whole of Asgard. Midgard - Earth, as the mortals called it - was not as it had been once many years prior. Times had changed, Loki knew; Loki also knew that the others did not know or frankly care about Midgard's changes.

The noise is what led Loki to Thor, his booming voice drawing her attention as easily as it always had when she needed to find him. Thor was inside of a building, the multitude of glass windows making it fairly easy for Loki to observe him make small talk between Sif, the Warriors Three, and a handful of mortals that he seemed to have found himself associated with. Loki let a moment pass, watching Thor introduce them all to one another, before walking closer to the building; keenly aware of the fact that Sif and the others stood out far more than she and Thor did in their Asgardian garb.

"Thor," Loki called as she opened the door, feeling the sharp stare of Sif land on her quicker than Thor's did; not bothering to look in the warrior's direction as Thor crossed the room and swept her up into his arms, crushing her to him and burying his face into the crook of her neck with a whisper of her name. The separation was obviously difficult on the eldest son of Odin but Loki knew little of why it would be. Thor had more than enough capabilities to make a new circle of friends, regardless of his situation.

"I have missed you dearly, Sister," Thor's voice was louder this time, his voice carrying over to the others in the room as Loki lightly held Thor in return; one hand still clutching Gungnir as the other rested on the back of his neck, lightly scratching the skin at the nape of his neck. It was a calming motion; one she was used to doing. Her presence had that effect on Thor; when he needed it, anyway.

"And I have missed you as well, Brother," Loki said, spying Sif scoff out of the corner of her eye and pulled back some to look at Thor evenly; her gaze taking in his appearance before she spoke again. "You look in good health, all things considered." Thor's smile grew into a broad grin, his hands still wrapped around her arms to keep her close as he looked her over just as she had done to him.

"And you fit in well," Thor told her, moving to one of her sides to place his arm around her instead of just keeping a grip on her biceps. "One would think you a mortal if they did not know better." Loki felt herself smiling against her will at the words.

"'Tis a fine thing indeed that you do know better, then," Loki replied just as easily, the banter between them both a normal one that seemed to lighten the situation Loki placed herself in.

"Thor," Sif addressed the situation first, apparently determined to bring down the good mood they had made. "Loki has forbidden you to come home; ordered us to leave you to your banishment on Midgard. Loki," Sif continued on, glaring heatedly at her as she spoke and not bothering to assess the stunned silence that descended on them. "Who has assumed the throne in Odin's absence as he slumbers in the Odin Sleep."

"Sister? Is this true?" Thor questioned her, the earlier mirth in his eyes having disappeared when Sif had begun her rant. "Have you forbidden me to return home?"

"In a way, one could say that," Loki chose her words carefully, turning to face Thor head-on and not bothering herself with the whispers she heard from the mortals a short ways away. "I suppose I should explain."

"Wait; wait; wait." One of the mortals chose that very moment to come closer, standing before her and Thor and looking between them both in confusion. "What's going on? Who's banishment?"

Loki glanced at Thor, seeing him flounder around for some semblance of a response, and decided to meet the mortals Thor had come to befriend and explain the situation in its entirety.

"I apologize," Loki said to the human woman before her, "I do not know your name."

"I'm Jane; Jane Foster," She said, gesturing to the two behind her. "That's Darcy Lewis and Erik Selvig." The other two - Darcy and Erik - both waved rather weakly, Erik more so than Darcy, before Jane was drawing everyone's attention back to herself. "And you are…?"

"Loki," She said, nodding her head shortly to the woman and pointedly ignoring the wide-eyed look that came to Erik's face. "Is there some place you would like to sit before I begin? It is quite a tale and I am sure you would desire to be comfortable for the duration of it." Jane gestured about the room for everyone to follow suit and Fandral nudged Hogun and Volstagg in the direction Darcy and Erik just disappeared in; Sif stayed behind, keeping her eyes on Thor and Loki. Jane led them further into the building and asked them to take a seat, the chairs scattered about the room.

Thor took a seat close to Jane, looking up at Loki and silently begging her to seat near him as she always had. Loki sat in front of the pair, Darcy and Erik nearby while Sif and the Warriors Three were around Loki and Thor.

"Now," Loki began, resting the disguised Gungnir over her lap before folding her hands over it. "Where to begin?"

"Sister," Thor started, "May I?" Loki quirked an eyebrow at him, seeing the way he glanced at Jane from the corner of his eye and smiled at the sight. Nodding her consent, Loki allowed Thor to tell the tale.

"I told you about my home, Asgard," Thor said, turning to look at Jane as he spoke. "And about another world, Jotunheim. Well, there was once a war - many years ago - between the two to determine the fate of Midgard - Earth." Jane was following, as was Erik, although Darcy looked a little confused. "Asgard had won the war and had brought peace to the universe."

"Odin had taken a few things from the world to ensure that it lasted," Loki murmured to herself, the conversation with Odin still fresh in his mind. A small Jotun baby, left for dead, in a temple for Frost Giants. Loki shook her head to clear the thoughts and returned her attention to Thor's tale, seeing the confused look he and the others were giving her.

"Several days ago, I was to be crowned as king," Thor continued, shifting in his seat whenever Jane's eyes had widened. Loki thought she heard Darcy mutter something about having assaulted royalty but wasn't sure. Loki was sure it was a story meant for another time. "During the coronation, however, rogue Jotuns had attacked our palace; trying to reclaim their weapon of power - one of the things my father had taken from them at the end of the Great War."

'One of', Loki thought to herself, it was the best way to put it; considering she was another of the things Odin had pillaged from Jotunheim at the end of the skirmish.

"They died in their attempt, however, and that should have been the end of it. But I was brash and stupid, blind in my rage and decided to enact my own semblance of revenge by going to their world and tearing their kingdom apart." Thor paused, seeming to struggle with the series of events that had followed. Loki recalled them quite vividly and was certain that Thor could do the same. "I succeeded to a point, had dragged my own friends and family into the mess; got one of them injured as well. I also failed to see that I had broken a sacred truce that had kept the peace between all the realms for decades - centuries, even." He paused again and Loki reached out a hand to him silently, letting him hold onto her hand like a lifeline as he continued.

"My father was forced to rescue us from my vengeful mission and punished me by stripping me of my rank and power; sending me to Midgard to atone for my treason." Thor shook his head, trying to clear it, and released Loki's hand after tightening his grip momentarily; his own version of a silent thanks. "The hammer that I had gone to retrieve, the one you had taken me to, is the source of my power. Without it, I cannot return to my home - return to Asgard - as a prince."

"Which is precisely why I cannot allow you to return home," Loki spoke, drawing the unwanted attention of everyone in the room upon herself. Thor's brow furrowed and his lips formed a frown, his confusion evident. "Sif would return you to Asgard as you are now," Loki gestured to him with a sweep of her hand, ignoring the glare she felt directed at her from the woman in question. "Without your power and as a disgraced prince that had not learned anything at all." Realization seemed to light up Jane's eyes, although Thor still looked a little puzzled - Loki was just thankful that a majority of the confusion had melted away.

"I do not have the type of power to undo what the All Father has done," Loki said, "I cannot return to you Mjolnir nor take away your banishment. That is not within my abilities. You must discover on your own what Father wants - needs - you to learn before you can return to Asgard; as a true prince and not a disgraced one that cheated his way out of punishment." Thor finally understood and a noise of shock was heard from behind Loki.

"You mean… you weren't jealous of Thor? Or…" Loki knew well what the others thought of her, knew that their opinions of her were not the best, but she also knew that she did not need their approval for anything she did.

"I believe I have mentioned once already, Lady Sif," Loki felt her eyes narrow, the only outward sign of her anger. "I love Thor more dearly than any of you and I had not known that the All Father would banish Thor prior to the event, regardless of what you all may think." Emerald eyes flicked in the direction of the Warriors Three and felt no satisfaction at the flinches that accompanied the look. "There is a reason to everything the All Father does; you would do well to remember that." Loki already committed the saying to memory, knowing it was true in more ways than one.

"What do you propose I do then?" Thor questioned her, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "What do I have to do in order to come home?" The sadness, bone-deep and entirely too heartbreaking for Loki to handle, was plain to see in Thor's true blue eyes; Loki got the brunt of the look, she was sure.

"That I cannot tell you," Loki shook her head sadly, not knowing the answer herself though having a few strong guesses. "You must discover the answer on your own; learn what you lacked previously in order to become the king Asgard needed." Thor nodded his head, looking towards Jane whenever she reached out to put a hand on his arm.

"You're welcome to stay with us until this is all sorted out," Jane offered, smiling at the son of Odin softly - gently; not wanting to hurt the man anymore than he already was.

"Yeah, it'll be fun! We'll roast hot dogs, eat several helpings of pancakes, and watch crappy teenage mellow-dramas on TV whenever Jane isn't making us work." Darcy shot off, grinning over at Thor whenever he turned his gaze towards her next.

Erik said encouraging words of agreement, but Loki was no longer paying attention to the words but more to the sort of camaraderie Thor had gained from the mortals - and they, in return, had earned from him. Loki had seen it before when Thor interacted with Sif and the Warriors Three and was only marginally surprised to find it happening after only a few short days on Midgard.

"Thor," Loki finally spoke up, her thoughts suddenly coming together. "Might I have a word with you?" Thor nodded, dismissing the noise of disagreement Sif made as he stood to his feet and gestured for Loki to lead the way; murmuring a few short sentences to Jane that sounded like a promise of retuning shortly. Loki smiled and led the way outside, finding herself proud of Thor for the first time in a long while.

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