Epilogue

ASGARD

Hela pulled the necklace from around her neck, vanishing the chain to leave a yellow gem lying serenely in her hand. Serene but it was a dangerous dormancy. The bearer of this gem and others like it could send the entire universe crumbling. It had its uses, but now that she was no longer needed as Lady Death the Gem of Reality was likewise unneeded.

Loki walked up to her, both of them standing in the empty throne room. Not empty for long, it was just very early in the morning. "Are you certain?"

Holding the gem up to the light, smiling just a little at the rainbows of color that reflected back. "If no one can claim all six of them, the gauntlet can never been completed."

He smirked slightly, his reminder gentle. "I think this was the theory the last time they hid a gem between dimensions."

She glanced at him with that same knowing smirk. "Ah but this time it will be you and I fulfilling the task."

The Gems can't be destroyed, as useful as that would be. Locked away or hidden were the only two recourses. What they would be doing would be a little bit of both. A dimensional pocket, but housed with cosmic energy and locked in such a way that only those that created it could open it. Once Hela and Loki passed on to Valhalla, the Gem of Reality could never be found.

Yellow. Green. Orange. Purple. Blue. Red.

Six gems in total, some more volatile than others, and all of them locked away one by one. Now Asgard would only have possession of a useless Gauntlet that could never be completed. A museum piece that could tell the story of the past but had no more bearing on harming the future.

They both breathed a sigh of relief before sharing another smirk. They were both a little bit light headed from using that sort of controlled power but it had been necessary.

Hela grinned sunnily, obviously a little punch drunk. "That was fun."

Loki snorted and wrapped his left arm around her waist, pulling her towards the corridor. "I question your definition of fun, daughter."

She immediately rolled her eyes at him. "Well of course you would."

"Meaning?" He asked with a sideways glance.

Hela gestured vaguely as if he and Jane were in front of her. "You two are trying awfully hard to give Indel that baby brother."

"Shut up." He was blushing hotly and she grinned in triumph. He narrowed his eyes, not about to let her get away with that. Purring softly in her ear. "Will you and Fandral be presenting yourselves before king and court soon?"

Hela's eyes widened in horror as her voice lowered to a mortified whisper. "Shut up." It made it worse that she actually blushed.

Loki ignored her, pulling her along and musing out loud. "And you frequent Vanaheim so often lately."

Snarling at him. "Shut. Up."

There was silence for a few moments, as if he was keeping track of the perfect timing. Just as they entered the corridor he started talking again. He kept his tone even and firm, as if instructing a child. "Do be sure to remember the order as I would prefer a son by marriage before grandchildren."

Hela's horrified shriek echoed through the corridor and into the large throne room. "LOKI!"

Jane took a slow breath, exhaling slowly and enjoying the early morning chill. Air so crisp and clean. Home. No, it was when firm arms wrapped around her and pulled her back against the body behind her is when the word resonated. Now she was home. She leaned her head back, rubbing her temple against his chest and shoulder.

"Good morning."

She hummed softly, smiling. "Morning."

A room all to themselves. Thor's coronation was later today, nine months since the war. Enough time for the fear and newness to settle. Currently Mischief was enjoying the uniqueness of his own space next to Hela's remodeled room. Indel and Talia were sharing a suite since they were young enough and it cut down on the problem of nightmares. There were still occasions where one or both would wander into the bed with the parents but they were never refused. Today hadn't been one of those days.

"Happy, my Lady?"

Jane nodded and leaned into him, trusting him not to let her slide to the floor. "Quite happy, prince."

They both smiled with the titles. They were terms of endearment for one another, not something they expected nor demanded to hear from anyone. It sometimes still occurred, Loki was a dignitary for Jötunheim in addition to being a prince of Asgard and her husband. Not to mention the elves did frequent Asgard enough now that she was given a similar respect as more than just a princess of Asgard.

"I expect Hela will be in rare form tonight." It was obvious Loki was smiling when he said this.

Jane slowly raised a disbelieving eyebrow. "Just Hela?" Between Loki, the kids, and Tony, there were a constant series of pranks being initiated through Asgard. The only reason the frequency had been tempered was because of the recent birth of Tony's little boy Anthony. The inventor found himself very busy these days.

Loki slowly sighed as if heavily burdened. "Well, I am his brother, after all. It wouldn't be right if one or two embarrassing stories didn't escape my lips." Jane grinned.

The castle was abuzz with activity, excitement in the air. The crowning of a king. An event that didn't occur but once every several thousand years. Odin would be stepping down and Thor would be taking his place on this night. All of the nine realms were aware of this event, most of them in attendance in one manner or another.

"Do you really think the Director will come?" Jane's question was asked with a certain amount of polite curiosity.

Thor had extended invitations to anyone within SHIELD who wanted to come. Behind the thunderer's back he and Heimdall quietly weeded out those that wouldn't be suitable for attending if they seemed a little too eager for their own reasons. Loki might have left behind a hint or two on Nick Fury's desk about those operatives with questionable loyalties.

Still the guest list was impressive, the scattered Avengers temporarily reunited for this occasion along with a few who called themselves X-men…and the list continued on from there. Jane would get to spend time with Erik and Darcy. Erik had been taken under SHIELD's wing in a completely non-nefarious role of research (Loki had made sure of that). Darcy had found herself an actor to date who apparently had more patience than a saint.

"He won't miss it."

A rush of nerves fluttered in Jane's stomach suddenly. "Please tell me I don't have to say anything."

Murmuring reassuringly in her hair. "Not to worry. Anya will walk you through placement before the doors are opened for the guests to arrive."

"And you'll be with me?" She was nibbling on her lower lip and he kissed her lip gently so she'd stop abusing it.

"Actually, no. As his brother I will enter ahead of him…clearing the way as it were." His green eyes turned distant, remembering the coronation that never was a seeming lifetime ago. "Normally I would be walking mother up the steps but…"

Jane turned to kiss his jaw gently and after a moment he slowly exhaled. A wound that would only take time to heal but one that would never completely fade. But with those he now called family in his life, a wound that was only an occasional reminder instead of a constant source of pain.

"And then Thor will be king."

"And woe be to the rest of the universe." Loki sighed but what dread he could muster into his voice was obviously false. Jane just grinned, knowing Loki had every confidence in his brother.

Thor took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly and could be only described as fidgeted as he waited. His Coronation. The day that he would be king. He was older and he hoped wiser. He certainly felt more ready than before. Not to mention this wasn't just about him. It was about his people, of course, but it was also about family. He taking the throne would be establishing his father's legacy before continuing with his own. To one day marry and have children.

But that wouldn't be for a while, yet. He and Sif had all the time in the universe. The distant murmurs of those assembled caught his attention. An ebb and flow of sound, of citizens eagerly awaiting Asgard's new king. And this suddenly felt so familiar, all that was missing-

"Is this the part where I come and say something encouraging?"

He had been adamant that his brother would not wear a glamor at his coronation. Loki had retorted that that wasn't going to happen until he no longer looked like the scarecrow (that he'd cursed Tony into being for a week once someone had the nerve to tell him what it was). So now here they were, nine months post war and Loki finally looked what he judged to be presentable enough to no longer need to hide.

The tension bled out of him and he smiled as Loki came up to his side, helmet in his hands. His brother still lacked a little in muscle tone but his color had returned and his clothing mostly fit. Not to mention his magic was back in full force, as demonstrated by the variety of inconvenient and highly embarrassing 'accidents' that had befallen the now disgraced former council. That smirk on his brother's face was familiar enough that he asked without thinking. "No Frost Giants waiting in the wings this time?"

Mentally Thor grimaced, belatedly realizing how poorly Loki could handle a comment that was meant in jest but could be interpreted very differently. Instead of taking offense Loki winked. "Just the one."

Thor laughed before lightly grasping him by the back of the neck. As usual Loki surprised him. "All that I see is my little brother."

Smiling a bit brighter, Loki tilted his head towards him. "I can honestly say that I look forward to this."

A day when the two of them would at long last be equals. But funny enough it no longer mattered. His family was complete but it was beyond that. He had the respect he'd craved, the AEsir still slow to learn but change was moving and changing perspectives. The Jötunn were more frequent visitors, enough so that the warriors and guards no longer tensed upon seeing them at a distance. He and Thor being on equal footing just made life a little bit sweeter.

Loki put on his helmet as Thor released him, sighing as he plucked at it lightly with the back of his finger. After being without it for so long he felt a little silly wearing it. Thor was frowning thoughtfully. "I still do not see why Man of Iron calls you Reindeer Games."

Eyebrow lifting, the darker demi-god thought about explaining it before deciding to give up on the idea. Shrugging instead. "Perhaps if you pester him some more he might explain." Thor nodded to himself, deciding he would do exactly that.

But his thoughts had already moved forward. Thinking this could all have been avoided if he had just worked harder to accept Loki as he was. "Brother." Loki glanced at him. "I wish we had always been this way."

Loki tilted his head thoughtfully before replying honestly. "I'm glad we weren't." Thor frowned in confusion and Loki shrugged loosely. "Were it not for what was, we would not have now."

A very old AEsir philosophy of not regretting the past.

The confusion on Thor's face cleared and he nodded before facing front again. "Aye."

Back straightening a bit more. "I am proud to call you brother, Thor…and I know you will be a magnificent king." Thor turned to stare at Loki, surprised since Loki wasn't known for sincere overtures. Just before that insolent smirk curled his lip. "Just the way I planned it."

The thunderer blinked several times because that hadn't sounded like a lie. Odin had said more than once that Loki's ability as a tactician was unparalleled in his ability to plot and plan a battle years in the making.

Jötunheim.

Midgard.

Thanos.

Just to make him worthy as king? No. Not possible. "Loki?" Green eyes winked and told him absolutely nothing. The trumpets sounded and his brother slipped away. "Loki!"

NIFLHEIM

Larnvidia fell to her knees. She winced as the rocks under her hands and knees bit into vulnerable flesh. Slowly she picked herself up, looking around and shivering. She'd never seen a night so dark and the air had a bitter, sharp chill to it. She shivered again, hearing the echo of pained screams.

Where was she?

The crunching of approaching feet caused her to turn her head, paling as a tall Jötunn figure approached. She was dressed regally in black, the light material flowing around her like a shroud and holding a horned crown on her head. Her red eyes were cold as they stared through her, a sneer on her face. "You must be Larnvidia, the former queen of Vanaheim." She turned and gestured that she should be followed, Larnvidia jumping as she was swarmed on three sides by horrible creatures. She lurched forward, trying to keep up with the long strides. "Whe-…"

She cried out as she was flung backwards, the right side of her face throbbing in pain. The Jötunn looked over her shoulder coldly. "I did not give you permission to speak. I bade you to follow, nothing more."

Larnvidia didn't say a word, following and thoroughly subdued. At a pit they stopped, seeing that it led quite a ways down. "What is this place?"

Instantly she cringed, forgetting herself, but a chuckle had her curiously tilting her head.

Farbauti was gazing out at the world before her. "Mortals are so filled with assurance that the wrongs that they commit that remain hidden have no accountability. That even if it is known by one or two people, eventually accounts will be settled." Her red eyes sparked with cruelty as she turned her attention to the woman who had been born Larnvidia but had spent a century known only as Angrboda. "Can you not guess where you are?"

Larnvidia shivered and wrapped her arms around herself, glancing around and having no more answer than before. "I have seen no place like this on Vanaheim."

"This is not Vanaheim."

"But-…I remember-…I was…" Larnvidia started to stutter as she spoke before trailing off. Something tickled at the very edge of her mind but it was as elusive as smoke.

"What? What is your last memory?"

Her cottage. She'd been hidden there for over a century, scorned from the rest of Vanir society. Even her uncle had turned his back on her, rather than suffer the loss of social status. Once she'd lost her throne some elven bitch had taken it and even had the scandalous audacity to claim a human for a consort. Disgusting. Her brow furrowed.

What was her last memory?

"You don't remember receiving a visitor?" Malice entered Farbauti's voice as she asked her question.

A knock at the door, so gentle and mild. It shouldn't have filled her with foreboding but it had. She cowered from the door, afraid to walk the half dozen feet to answer. Slowly that door had opened, no hand visible as it moved to reveal a shadow. A shadow with glowing green eyes.

Larnvidia felt her heart jump into her throat, staring up at the Jötunn who was smiling viciously now. "You remember now. You received a visit from the father of Freyja, who had decided you had lived by his sufferance long enough."

Whispering hoarsely, afraid of the answer. "Who is Freyja?"

Farbauti at times felt some small amount of pity for those that came here. This was not one of those times. There was nothing redeemable about this one and in her opinion Loki should have killed her a long time ago. But then, to someone like this, suffering in the shadows was a punishment unto itself. "It is the name of the infant you killed, named by her sister Princess Hela of Asgard and honored by her father Prince Loki of Asgard."

Larnvidia's eyes widened.

She remembered the pain, praying for an end to it, praying for mercy. He hadn't offered it. Pain that had seeped into her body without harming the skin. Talons slipping through and shredding everything else in leisurely strokes.

Farbauti was all too aware of what had been done. "He settled the debt you owed to them, but that is only a physical debt. It doesn't restore the balance. You are here to spend your eternity Angrboda."

"Who are you?"

"I am Farbauti, Loki's birth mother and Queen of Niflheim."

Larnvidia shrieked as she was pushed by one of the demons, Farbauti's laughter following her down into the pit.

Dark.

Pain.

Screams. It was all she would know.

Farbauti turned away from the pit, locking eyes with Laufey for just a moment as she passed. He was trapped in a too small cage, hanging over a river of lava. A hellish fate for a frost giant. Her teeth gleamed as she smiled and swept past, off to oversee the rest of Niflheim.

ASGARD

Thor listened silently, solemnly as his council presented different needs to be voted on. One modification in place since he'd taken the crown ninety-five years ago was for there to be two seats where once there was only one. The second was occupied by Loki, who was lounging as he always did. But what most would take for a dismissive act was actually his pose when he was listening carefully to both what was and wasn't being said. Every once in a while he would murmur a comment or a recommendation in his ear but largely any feedback was saved for a private discussion between brothers.

Anya stood up and the members talking quietly amongst themselves ceased to pay attention. "Sires, there is a request that I have been charged with posing before king and council."

Thor nodded as solemnly as he had for all the other topics. "And what is this request?"

"A young warrior would like consideration to enter his first proving ground."

This peaked Loki's curiosity since such a request was usually made and honored by the head of his house. Thor paused for a moment before asking a reasonable question for a delay in such an important tradition. "Has there been reason that his father has not approved of his rite of passage?"

"Aye, sire, there was reason at the time. But that reason has long since passed." There was a certain look in her eyes as she glanced at Loki that had him flushing red before he could get the damn reaction under control. She was talking about him. "I believe the father has become overprotective."

He was going to kill Mischief.

At the time it had made sense to refuse Mischief the rite of passage. But that reason was from almost a hundred years ago. Mischief had grown enough into his own skin that he was ready and had been ready for a while now. Even Jane had been patiently telling him for a decade now that the boy was ready and still Loki had said no.

Thor frowned thoughtfully to himself. "If the boy is of age and his father still refuses then he may come before me." Then the thunderer glanced sideways at Loki who scowled heavily at his brother. "But I feel that will be unnecessary."

He was going to kill Thor first.

Those that couldn't keep their amusement off their faces politely turned their heads. It was a common enough occurrence when the oldest first born reached that age that the father needed a nudge to remind him that his duty to his son wasn't just to protect.

Anya nodded with respect to both of them and sat back down.

Whispering in Thor's mind. "I hate you."

Thor was a good king and a good brother. Good enough to know that sometimes, with as stubborn as Loki could be, subtly had to be set aside. He said nothing to Loki except to lightly squeeze the back of his neck and stand, calling the meeting to a close.

"I wanna come!"

Loki looked down and raised an eyebrow at a little girl of six. She was dressed in a lovely light green sun dress, as befitting any member of the royal family, her golden hair long and flowing freely. Her bright green eyes were narrowed, a fierce pout on her little face. Scooping her up effortlessly, he lightly tossed her in the air and smirked when she squealed in excitement.

"If she gets sick she's yours for the weekend."

She giggled as Loki shifted his hold enough so she was resting on his hip, putting together the rest of his supplies. Her giggle cut off suddenly, almost alarmingly so as she turned to confront the person who'd spoken. "Grandpa won't make me sick, mother-…" Her little brow furrowed as she considered something. "…if I get sick I get to go with you?" Immediately her attention returned to Loki.

Loki still flinched mentally every time this little girl called him 'grandpa'. He was too damn young to be anybody's grandfather. His eyes swept from Hela who was leaning in the doorway and smirking in amusement, to the little girl looking up at him hopefully. Little Astrid had inherited her mother's mercurial moods but completely embraced the AEsir preoccupations. Fandral was currently trying to teach her swordsmanship and she was a surprisingly quick study.

Another quick glance at her mother who nodded slightly in agreement since both Jane and Talia were staying behind. Talia had never held the same love for hunting that Indel had, she wanting to stay to finish her current artwork. Even at such a young age, not many would dispute her skill with a paintbrush and canvas. Jane was staying behind more so that he and the children could bond a little since his responsibility as the voice for Jötunheim during trade negotiations could take him away from them for days or even longer at a time. "You may come." Astrid started to squeal but slapped both hands over her mouth to listen when he raised a finger. "Go tell Mischief, he will help you find something appropriate to wear."

This time she squealed loudly in his ear, making him wince, as she hugged him tightly. He put her down and with a chorus of "thank you's" she went running out the doors, presumably to go find Mischief.

"Wow that was quick."

Loki raised an eyebrow curiously. "Whatever could you mean, daughter?"

Hela snickered softly. "Defeated by one of your own pouts."

Loki puffed up a little unconsciously with pride. "She does get that from me, doesn't she?"

She just rolled her eyes before replying, her response almost too close to the truth. "Fandral is afraid of having another child because of it."

"Reassure him it could always be worse."

"Worse?" Hela asked with an almost befuddled look on her face.

Loki started grinning like a shark as he vanished his pack into dimensional storage before walking across the room to her. "He could have Tony's demon spawn for a son."

Both of them shuddered. Apparently Darcy Lewis had been reincarnated because Anthony Stark, Jr. had his father's brains, his mother's looks, and Darcy's mouth…or else it was Tony's mouth cranked up to the tenth power. Not to mention the boy was always in trouble. Thor, not even a hundred years into his rule, already had developed a sigh for young Anthony and the boy had barely reached the appearance of a seven year old.

It was a fact that had Pepper in a constant temper with the boy's father. Smirking at the visual image of Tony, yet again, on his knees to try to gain Pepper's forgiveness. Well, maybe that last part was a bit of a stretch but it was a pleasant image nonetheless. "Is Virginia still mad at him?"

Hela rolled her eyes. "I think it's a turn on for those two."

Loki curled his nose in distaste.

She looked over his light armor and smirked. "I gather you aren't hunting by the traditional AEsir method."

Since that would require wearing heavy armor and fully armed instead of picking his target from the trees that was a wasted statement on her part. "When have I ever gone with tradition?"

An AEsir raised Jötunn prince who was also a mage and mated to a human. A sly mischief maker who had shamelessly passed those traits on to the next generation. Hela smirked devilishly. "Never." Kissing his cheek before turning to go check on those leaving. "And that's what we love about you."

"How come she gets to go and I don't, dad?"

Tony rolled his eyes at Loki. "I'll trade you."

Pepper turned to glare at her husband even as young Anthony squirmed in her arms, focused on his father and waiting for an answer since Astrid was even younger than he was.

Loki glanced at Mischief, then Indel, and then little Astrid. All three of them were bursting with excitement but the difference was that they knew how to contain themselves when they needed to. Tony's little brat he'd be tempted to turn into a chattering squirrel. "Not a chance."

Anthony pouted at Loki and didn't do nearly as well as Astrid. "Can't I come Uncle Loki? Please?" He bared his teeth as he said the last word and stretched it out as long as he could before pulling in a big breath.

Loki raised a single eyebrow at the boy. Usually he wanted to just say no and be done with it, but as annoying as Anthony could be he didn't want to hurt the child's feelings. If for no other reason than that would earn a frown from Jane and he strived to avoid those…unless, of course, he was trying to anger her. "If you can answer one question. A riddle."

Mischief rolled his eyes, swearing under his breath. He did NOT want Anthony tagging along. Not to mention father had promised if he made his own kill during the hunt he would finally be able to enter his proving ground and he would kill the brat if he screwed that up for him. Since he was AEsir and not Jötunn he had gained muscle as he had aged, looking a little more like an AEsir youth than Loki ever had. Still, despite his biology, he would always love magic more than physical might. He stood up a little straighter when he felt a hand lightly smack the back of his head. An invisible hand, apparently, since Loki was too far away to have done it physically.

The boy nodded eagerly, always ready to show off his smarts. Unfortunately that was part of the problem.

Loki touched his lips with a finger, thinking carefully before nodding and the hand fell away. "Most of you have two eyes. I only have one. Your eyes aren't dangerous, and neither is mine. You can see with your eyes but I cannot. Destruction surrounds me but is not within me. What am I?"

Anthony frowned heavily, thinking. A similar expression was on Tony's face.

Indel started hopping. "I know! I know!" Loki held a finger to his lips and the boy instantly pantomimed sealing his lips, locking them, and throwing away the key. He and Anthony were close enough in age that they were almost the same height, Indel just a smidge taller. Currently the elfling had taken to spiking his white hair to imitate Mischief's frizzy locks.

Those deep brown eyes were filled with such hope as he tentatively offered what he hoped was the correct response. "A tornado?"

Mischief groaned while Indel sighed with a pout that he didn't get to say the correct answer. Loki barely kept his lip from twitching. He admired the boy's intelligence, and there was no disputing the boy was smart. Crooking a single finger, Anthony all but leapt across the distance but stilled when Loki put a hand on his shoulder and stared intently into his eyes.

Whispering softly in the child's mind. "You may come since you are clever but you are not to be underfoot. You will mind the rules or if Mischief is placed in charge you will mind him. I do not compromise the consequences of breaking rules when it is about safety so if you don't think you can obey I strongly advise you to stay home."

The unspoken meaning was there and understood. All the children knew it was the only time Loki was stern. He had enough magic knowledge for the small spells that Loki had taught him. He would have learned a lot more by now, but then he'd stolen Indel's advanced spell book in an effort to prove himself and had somehow managed to toss himself into dimensional storage. It had taken Loki, Hela, and G'dath working in concert to fish him out. Since then the trickster refused to teach him anything else until he could use them responsibly enough not to blow himself up. Pepper was in complete agreement.

Whispering quietly since he didn't have any other way to respond. "I promise I'll be good, Uncle Loki."

Loki snorted a laugh and ruffled his hair. "I'll settle for mildly behaved since it will be an improvement."

"Father, this-…"

Loki frowned just enough that Mischief got the point and swallowed whatever he'd been about to say. Anthony could be annoying at times but he was as good as family and that mattered.

"I actually get the night off?" Tony looked as relieved as he sounded.

Narrowing his eyes slightly, whispering in the inventor's mind. "If you spend the evening making another little hell spawn it will be the last opportunity you ever have."

Tony scowled heavily, glancing down the line. "Look who's talking, energizer bunny."

Loki thought about continuing to banter, but then he saw her and tormenting Tony became a distant concern. A hundred years hadn't changed her a day. He patted Tony's scowling face as he turned from him to eat up the distance. Jane giggled as he swept her into his arms, dipping her backwards before kissing her. There were gagging sounds in the background but they both ignored that, Jane threading her fingers through his hair to pull him closer. Still her passionate God of Mischief. Only when breathing became a necessity did the two of them part, Loki lightly putting her back on her feet.

He saw her lips part slightly as if she wanted to tell him something before the urge seemed to subside in her. He mentally smirked. As if he already didn't know. But he had enough patience. He would wait until she was ready and act surprised. He nudged her temple lightly before kissing the skin there, looking over her head at Thor and his father who were both nodding gravely.

Supplies were checked. Goodbyes were said. With a last salute to Thor and a wink at Jane, Loki turned and started walking for the pine forest.

Hela sidled up next to Jane, giving her a sideways glance. She sighed softly, unconsciously placing her hand on her middle. Not quite the way the dream had said the future would play out, but then not everything could be planned around a trickster. "I'll tell him when they come back."

"You better or I will." A growl entered Hela's voice, not happy that Jane didn't tell him the same day she found out. As if he wouldn't be anything beyond thrilled.

Tony looked back and forth between the two women, confused. "Tell who him what?"

Hela rolled her eyes at Tony. "No one is telling you anything, you blabber fish." A man who couldn't keep a secret if his life depended on it.

"Is that even a real thing?"

"Maybe." Hela kept her expression serious.

There was a knowing gleam in Pepper's eyes but she wouldn't say anything until it was officially announced.

Tony glanced around, not about to take that kind of doubt without at least trying to defend himself. "I'm good with secrets." No one, not even Thor, looked convinced. "Some secrets." Pepper gave him a patient look. "Hey, I never told anybody it was Loki and not Hela who turned…Odin's…hair…green…" An occasion marked and remembered since it occurred during the coronation feast. Hela had been on a role, dragging out the most embarrassing stories she had on Thor. She had been blamed for Odin's hair and no one had believed the former trickster queen since she couldn't stop laughing to defend herself. The only other likely culprit had been nowhere to be seen. "Oops." A vengeful gleam leapt into both Odin and Hela's eyes. "Time to go."

The inventor left and dragged Pepper with him.

Well out of earshot, the group continued their journey for a day of hunting and relaxing. Anthony grabbed Indel's hand, the elfling wiggling loose and hiding on Mischief's left who started following Loki. Indel had gotten into trouble, too, for leaving his books where Anthony could get to them and hadn't forgiven his 'cousin' yet. The human boy moved as if to pursue Indel until a frown from Mischief convinced him to leave the young elf alone. Then he tried to wiggle free when Astrid grabbed his hand and wasn't nearly as successful in escaping. But he didn't dare complain from fear of being left behind.

Loki was completely aware of what was going on behind him. "Anthony, walk up here with me."

Astrid pouted but let go and the boy leapt forward to try to match Loki's strides. She grabbed for Mischief's right hand and he let her, just as Indel grabbed for his left. Loki turned to smirk at Mischief while picking up Anthony and settling him on his hip. The two with the same shade of green eyes grinned in unison before all of them disappeared.

Up in the trees, Mischief and Loki perched side by side on a branch. Above them Astrid, Anthony, and Indel were noisily climbing and giggling. Mischief deflated a little. He was never going to get a kill this way.

Loki glanced at his son, seeing himself in this boy and knowing it was time to let him take his own steps forward. He might succeed. He might fail. But the point was he'd always be here when his boy needed him.

"Go."

Mischief felt his eyebrows raise in surprise, then realized it was more than just a prompt to go in front of him. It was his permission. With a dazzling smile Mischief walked confidently along the branches, planning to search far enough ahead in areas that the game hadn't heard his noisy relatives. With a swirl of green Loki shifted into a fox, leaping from branch to branch until he was as high up in the branches as the rest of them.

He ignored Anthony petting him, glancing at the other two mischievously. "Come on. While Mischief hunts let's go say hello to some dragons."

Notes:

Sorry about the delay, I was on a mini vacation. And so we have the conclusion. As I said, I do anticipate making a follow up story but it will not be nearly the same length, that much I can promise. Thank you all very much for taking time out of your lives to read and comment on my humble story.

Love, Peace, and all that mushy stuff.