Frigga stood on a balcony high above Asgard and looked down upon the returning troops. How weary they looked. How downtrodden. When they had departed not long ago to battle the frost giants it had been quite different: cheers and songs, high hopes. And now...They had won, that was true. Jotunheim was sacked and the casket retrieved but the cost was so great. Frigga couldn't help thinking that it would take many, many years for Asgard to recover from this war.

She peered down harder and thought she could just spy a figure on a horse at the head of the army, leading it into Asgard. She knew that figure to be Odin but he was so far off that she could discern nothing more. Slowly, very slowly, the soldiers wove their way through Asgard in the direction of the barracks. As they approached it began to rain. Frigga wouldn't have has it any other way though; when the elements were at odds with her mood it felt strange, as though she was living in a dream.

Frigga heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Thor toddling towards her escorted by his Nurse. Smiling Frigga scooped him up and allowed him to plant a very wet kiss on her cheek.

"Look!" She attempted to direct the three year old's attention towards Odin, "Your father's coming! Do you see the man on the big white horse? That's him!"

Thor stopped playing with Frigga's hair and briefly looked up. "Can we see him?"

"Yes, child. Soon but not now. Just watch."

Strangely Thor was in one of his very rare peaceful moods. He watched quietly from Frigga's arms as the army arrived at the barracks and Odin gave what appeared to be a speech. As he finished Frigga realized that he would soon come to the palace and excitement began to mount within her coupled with anxiety. Suppose he was hurt? What if he died from his wounds and she had to raise Thor on her own? Not to mention running the kingdom. Three hours ago a messenger had arrived saying that all was well, they had won and the All-Father still lived. But nothing of whether he was likely to continue living. She really had no way of knowing if the man who was giving the speech now was really her husband or not. For all she knew Odin might be dying right now in some cruel army carriage.

Frigga suddenly realized what she had been thinking and sternly chastised herself. She was the Queen. The people looked to her for hope and for that reason she must, above all else, actually have some. And besides she need to prepare to meet Odin. Kissing Thor on his lovely blonde head she said, "You must go back to Sierra now, dear."

Thor frowned as though trying to decide if he should resist and attempt to stay with his mother or go peacefully. Frigga didn't give him the chance to decide but deposited him into Sierra's arms. Then turning to Eir, her maid of honor and she said, "Organize Thor's attendants and my own. I want to be able to meet The All-Father on the steps of the palace in ten minutes." Eir curtseyed and began to issue orders.

Two hours later, after waiting on the steps far longer than anticipated, Frigga was beginning to feel concerned. What could be taking Odin so long? Thor wasn't handling being kept still so long well and neither was she. She shifted uncomfortably. She'd already sent a messenger to inquire about Odin's whereabouts but had received no answer. On top of this it was still raining, a slow dreary, useless rain. She found she didn't like the rain quite as much now she was out in it. Frigga fixed her gaze on a fountain and succeeded in not thinking horrible thoughts about what might have happened. The minutes dragged by. Thor escaped his nurses for the fifth time. It stopped raining only to start again thirty second later. Two mockingbirds staged a fight on the lawn. And then, at long last, she saw him.

He was approaching on his white charger and he looked as healthy and proud as the day she first saw him. Almost laughing for joy she scooped up Thor who had escaped from his nurses once more and, forgetting all dignity she ran to meet him. He had dismounted by the time she reached him and they embraced, squashing Thor between them. Frigga wanted to stay that way forever. This was how it should be. All of them safe, all of them healthy and happy, all of them locked together in an embrace. After what seemed like forever and yet wasn't long enough Thor said, "Daddy what happened to your eye?"

Frigga felt Odin stiffen as Thor spoke and alarm shot through her. Perhaps they weren't all as safe and healthy as she had thought. Pulling back she examined Odin and gasped as she beheld his face. In place of his right eye was an empty, red socket.

Recovering from shock she turned to Eir and ordered, "Get a healer immediately and send it to his chambers."

"Of course, My Lady." Eir nodded to a page who sprinted away in the direction of the palace.

Frigga turned back to Odin and sadly caressed his face, "Your eyes were always so lovely, bright blue. And now..." she trailed away sadly.

Odin frowned, "An eye is a small price to pay in return for Jotunheim."

"I know, I know." She sighed and laid her head on his chest for a few moments longer. Then she stood up straight, handed Thor to his nurse and turned back to Odin saying, "Come. You need rest and to have that eye treated. I'll walk you to your chambers."

Frigga had intended to stay with her husband the whole day but events conspired against it. As soon as she'd gotten Odin to their rooms a page ran up to her and informed her that she'd had one hundred and three requests for audiences in the last hour. As it turned out this was because half the staff wanted a day off to go be sure their relatives had returned safely from Jotunheim. She would have normally allowed this except that a victory feast would be expected in the next few days and preparations had to start immediately. She spent the whole day collaborating with the head cook and several advisors to make the logistics work and it was around midnight when she finally was able to turn in.

She had expected Odin to be sleeping but she was surprised to find him in the sitting room instead. He was in a chair by the fire and was absorbed with something, she couldn't tell what, that was in his lap. She was standing in the shadows where she should have been out of sight but Odin must have felt her eyes on him for he looked up and saw her.

"Come here. I want to show you something." he said.

Frigga obliged and sat down in the other chair. Only now did was she able to tell what he was holding: a baby. Odin seeing her eying it, reached across and put it in her arms. The baby, which was sleeping, shifted. Frigga smiled and placed her finger in it's palm and watched the child form a fist around it. It has beautiful green eyes and dark hair: exactly the opposite of Thor. Unbidden a great longing to have a baby again welled up inside her.

"Whose child is it?"

"It's a long story."

Something in his tone made Frigga look up with worry. Something was wrong. Odin associated this child with the war somehow. Odin read her expression and sighed. She watched a look of concentration came over him as he contemplated how to begin. At last he said, "I found him in Jotunheim where Laufey's palace used to stand."

It took all Frigga's willpower not to recoil as she realized she must be holding a frost giant.

"He... His swaddling clothes were so elaborate I'm convinced he's Laufey's son. I think he was ashamed of the child's diminutive size and in the panic of battle he was forgotten."

Frigga remained silent, trying to figure out where Odin could be going with this.

"And as I was standing there, surrounded by the carnage of war, I realized how desperately we need peace. We may have defeated the frost giants this time but they'll rise again. And how can we be sure we'll be so lucky next time? We need peace, Frigga, and that child can help us achieve it."

"You mean to raise him as our one of our own." Frigga said quietly.

"Yes. Think what it will mean for our future! He'll be a prince of both worlds! Frost giant by birth and Asgardian by training. I would finally have true grounds for peace! Played correctly this boy could mean Asgard and mankind never see a war like this again."

"But would you tell him his true heritage?"

Odin looked suddenly tired. "No. I want him to feel truly Asgardian."

"Then you would really consider making him your heir?"

Odin looked away. "Maybe. I would try not to play favorites but a frost giant as king... That might be going too far."

"But he wouldn't know that! You would be giving him a false hope!" Frigga had tried to keep her voice even but she was afraid too much of her frustration had slipped out.

"I know. But I'm afraid he might betray us if I told him who he was too early."

"But think what will happen if you don't tell him at all and he finds out on his own! He might well betray us out of anger anyway." Before Odin could respond she went on angrily, "And then what will become of Asgard? We would be in a worse position than before."

Odin stood up suddenly. "It's not open for discussion."

Frigga stared down at the floor and said nothing. Several moments of angry silence passed. At last Odin spoke again and his voice had a softer tone to it. "You must trust that I know what I'm doing. I won't let this end in disaster."

Still Frigga stared at the floor and said nothing.

Odin gave in. "I'm going to bed. I suggest you find a nurse for the child before turning in." He turned and limped wearily away. He had almost gone when Frigga finally looked up and called after him, "What's his name?"

Odin turned and gave her a half smile. "Loki."