"The land is covered in ice your majesty. Dozens of our people are dead. Now is the time to go to war with Jotunnheim and finish what your father started. They are weak, and easy to crush." Lord Svetland recommended. Many of the council members nod their head in agreement. Loki hesitates. It was but a small skirmish performed by half a dozen Jotunn. They'd raided the village for food. What they did was criminal to be sure, but hardly something worthy of going to war over. Loki is at war already, with himself. On the one hand he'd love nothing more than to march on the land of his birth and kill King Laufey for discarding him all those years ago, but he fears his own Jotunn nature might be exposed in the process. Loki has been indulging in a lot of revenge lately, which is why Thor is here.

"What do you think Thor?" Loki asks his brother.

"I know that our army is strong and fully capable of defeating Jotunnheim, but I do not think such a response is required. The people on Jotunnheim are starving. Without the Casket of Ancient Winters their world will die. Incidents like this will only grow in frequency unless a diplomatic solution can be found." Thor says. Loki quirks an eyebrow of surprise at Thor. Thor's answer was far more enlightened and in depth than Loki had expected.

"And what diplomatic solution would you suggest?" Loki asks him.

"I do not know brother. I am not as well versed as you in that particular skill set." Thor says. Loki presses his lips into a thin line. Loki may be more experienced in diplomatic relations, but in this case, he lacks the will to do what is necessary. Diplomacy is just as much about winning the hearts of the people as it is about schmoozing the people in power. He wants Jotunnheim to suffer. They deserve it for throwing him away. Being unwilling to go to war or engage in diplomatic relations, Loki decides ultimately to do nothing, for now.

"We will execute the criminals responsible and increase patrols in the outlying areas. That is all." Loki states. The council members answer his decree with a "Yes My King." And the meeting is concluded. Almost.

"Brother, we should also send aid to our people which were affected by this calamity. Winter is coming and their crops have either been stolen or ruined. They will not survive without assistance from the crown." Thor adds. This is why Loki needs him here. Loki knew this, but was unable to bring himself to care for the people under his charge.

"Yes of course brother. See to the relief effort. The people will be grateful to see you leading again." Loki says. The council members go their separate ways and the brothers are alone.

"Loki, you need to lead the relief effort. The people see you as uncaring about their welfare, and I know you are far more caring and compassionate than most. Long after my friends stopped visiting me, you were still there." Thor says. Loki knows his popularity is waning and that if Thor was seen to be performing all the benevolent duties of the crown, the people would eventually demand that Loki step down and give the throne over to Thor. But perhaps, that is what he really wants, isn't it.

The truth breaks upon Loki like a wave and for the first time in his life he feels free. Loki doesn't want the crown. He's done. He's been sabotaging his own rule so that such a scenario would play out. But he needn't be forced out in shame. He can just walk away with dignity and the people would thank him for it. As for any concerns he has about Thor being King, Loki will still be here, protecting Thor and guiding him through the more unsavory aspects of ruling. Thor is not a cruel man, but being King sometimes requires it. For the first time in weeks, Loki smiles. His name day is coming up, and on that day he will abdicate.

XxXxXxXxXx

Thor trails kisses across Loki's jaw. Thor is holding Loki in his powerful arms. He feels comforted and protected. Loki has been playing the dominant role in their coupling, but not tonight. He's tired of trying to control everything. He's tired of being worried and burdened all the time. He's tired of trying to meet everyone else's expectations.

"Open me up." Comes the breathy command of the King. Loki gets on all fours in front of Thor. Thor glides two slicked fingers into Loki's opening, scissoring the muscles wide to relax them. Loki moans and arches into Thor's hand. Thor adds a third finger and massages Loki further. "Take me." Loki whispers. Thor gently withdraws his little digits and replaces them with one big one. The tip of his pushes past the tight sensitive ring and slowly slides in.

"Mmnggph." Loki half groans, half moans. Once Thor is completely buried to the hilt he takes a moment to be still and let Loki adjust. "Ride me." He commands, and Thor obeys. What follows is a complete surrender. The high pitched whines and keening whales emitted from Loki's throat are like a prayer for Thor to completely dominate him. Thor becomes wild and animalistic in his thrusts. His hands grip Loki hips harshly and his powerful hips thrust with a violent force that speak of thunder and rain. Thor wraps a hand in Loki's raven hair and yanks hard. "Yes." Loki cries. Here in this place with this man, he doesn't need to think, or plot, or worry. Thor takes care of his every need.

XxXxXxXxXx

"For you my king." Frigga says warmly as she hands him one of her famous blankets. It is soft and warm and intricately embroidered by hand. Loki could probably build a fort in his bedroom with all the blankets Frigga has given him over the years. He has kept every one, no matter how tattered with age.

"Thank you mother." Loki says as he gives her a kiss. Thor, Fandral, Volstagg, Hogun, and Sif all lay gifts before him as well at the high table. There is an even larger pile of gifts off to the side given by the people in the hall this evening. Frigga will help him go through them all tomorrow and write letters of thanks later. But Loki is not concerned with that now. He looks at Thor and out at the crowd. The stress of the past year has been unbearable. He is ready to be done with it.

Loki stands and the room goes quiet. "People of Asgard, as your King I am humbled by the many gifts you have bestowed upon me. This past year has been tumultuous to say the least. For a time we all thought my brother was lost to us." He says. A rumbling of agreement hums through the crowd. "With each passing day I watch as my beloved brother becomes more like the man he once was, though the road of recovery ahead of him will be a long one. However, I have full faith and confidence in him. I know he will blossom into a great man, even better than the one he used to be. I…..have not been doing well. There was a time when I worried my stupid brother would make a terrible king. He lacked diplomacy and patience, and had far more bloodlust in him than could be good for continued peace. While I studied trade agreements, foreign languages, magic, and kept myself apprised of the politics of the court my heart grew bitter towards him. I have come to find that while I have the skill to be king….I lack the heart for it. I have decided to abdicate." Loki says.

The room is dead quiet. The people honestly don't know if Loki is telling the truth or if he is yanking their chain. "Did you all not hear what I just said?" Loki says incredulously. People in the room are muttering to each other and they sound slightly panicked. Volstagg runs up to Loki.

"My king, they heard you well, the problem is the people do not think that Thor is yet ready. They fear for the Kingdom." He explains.

"People of Asgard, I will still be here, by my brother's side. I will guide him and we will rule together until he finds his feet. Do not disparage this new development. It is what is best for Asgard." Loki says. Slowly cheering erupts from the crowd. Thor and Frigga are in shock. Loki did not discuss this with them.

"Brother, I am not ready." Thor says with fear.

"You have good and kind heart Thor. I am better suited to defending Asgard in the most vicious of ways when circumstances require it, and to protecting you from political intrigue. I never wanted to be the King. I know that now. I just wanted the people to see me as your equal, and now I think they finally do. I will help you find your way, but know that I am doing this because I believe in you. I have been so afraid of having the throne taken from me it has twisted my heart into something ugly. It is why I am walking away." Loki explains. Thor pulls him into a bear hug. They will hammer out the details of the hand off later. Thor turns to address the crowd.

"Good people, my brother's announcement is unexpected. I am honored to be your king, but for tonight, let us honor Loki for all that he has done for our people and for me, for I would not be here if not for him." Thor announces. The people cheer once again and the party resumes more boisterous than before. Loki turns his attention to the gifts from his friends and opens them.

Fandral has given him a very nice letter writing set, complete with ink well, quill, and letter opener. The engraving on the handle is very nice. Volstagg has gifted him a large wheel of cheese his wife makes. Volstagg could eat the whole thing in a week, but for Loki it is practically a year's supply. Hogun's gift is a new spell book, a rather rare one. He will have to find out how Hogun procured it.

Loki opens Sif's gift and pulls out a beautiful necklace. The green emerald amulet is large and heavy and matches his green colors perfectly. He puts it on immediately. Loki suddenly feels very hot and dizzy. He feels like all his magic is draining away and…..his skin! Oh dear gods! Loki watches in horror as his creamy pale skin is replaced by blue. Everyone is watching. Yells and screams ring out as Loki's eyes turn blood red. Thor does not understand what all the commotion is about. Frigga stands immediately to address the public.

"Good people of Asgard do not be alarmed."

"Why does the King appear as a Jotunn?" One of the aged councilmen calls out. Frigga explains to the people what happened at the end of the last war and how Odin brought home a little Jotunn runt that they raised as their own.

"Odin always hoped that Loki could unite the two warring realms and bring about a permanent peace. Loki is still the same person he was not a moment ago, though he is no blood relation to Odin he is still of Asgard." Frigga says to sway the crowd.

Loki looks out at the people who are all displaying a different mix of emotion. Fear, bigotry, surprise, indifference, and concern are all on display. Loki decides to add one more emotion to the mix. Since this is an unprecedented moment of honesty for him, he might as well air ALL the dirty laundry.

"It is true my people, I am no son of Odin, but a son of King Laufey. And since I am not of blood relation to the royal family…..I can do this!" Loki grabs Thor and plunges his tongue down his throat. The people gasp in shock at the sight of the King kissing his once brother Thor. More shocking is when Thor pulls Loki in closer and deepens the kiss. The people are scandalized. Loki breaks the kiss and turns to the people.

"My last act as King of Asgard is to renounce my familial ties to the royal family and to announce my betrothal to Thor." Loki announces. He turns to Thor. "If you'll have me." Loki says with his eyes full of vulnerability. Thor smiles broadly and pulls Loki in for another kiss.