Title: Grievances

Summary: Mid-TDW. Thor grieved for the stranger who bore his brother's name. When the time came for Thor to ask for Loki's help to save Jane from Malekith, he hesitated. In his anger and grief, he blamed Loki for Frigga's death and left him in torment. When Thor came back after his victory, Loki was engulfed in sorrow. What would Thor do when he learns that Loki isn't to be blamed at all?

oOo

Chapter 1 – What I learned

Thor was calm.

He was relieved that Jane had a chance at survival, yet a weight pressed against his chest. He walked out into the market and couldn't help but compare what he knew then to what he knew now. The sun was perfect. The Cherry blossom trees in the corner and the yellow orange hue of the leaves planted on the ground radiated a soft beautiful glow.

The people walked roughly on the patterned stone floor and only added to its beauty.

Thor moved among them.

When they greeted him, he returned it with a smile, like the sun who gave them hope. For Thor, thinking of such things was absurd. For someone as young as he was, the people forgot the boy in him. And they seemed to forget the boy in Loki was well. Because of the power he held, the responsibility he took, and the promises he made, they forgot his age.

Thor wandered around the streets as memories plagued his unguided thoughts to the past. As he made his way to the lower parts of Asgard, there his memories resurfaced a ghost of his past. Haunting as they were, he pushed the muddled memories away and watched the children run past him, as if he were a stranger. It felt wonderful, for a moment, to not be recognized by the youth. And for a brief moment, Thor felt himself submerge into long buried thoughts of Loki walking by his side.

Had things not happened as they were, would it remain the same way as it did?

"Look at them," He heard Loki's voice ring at his ears.

He turned his gaze to his people.

"They stare at you."

Thor recalled the memory perfectly.

"Strange is it not?

Loki had joined him through the market to scout for a gift and begun to discuss the citizens of Asgard. As much as Thor hated to admit, the memory scratched itself deep into his mind as he remembered Loki asking him so many things he could never before answer.

"What is it that they look for in a King?" Loki had wondered.

Now, Thor was not sure if he could answer.

Thor observed his people, and at the expense of Loki's words, Thor now knew what to look for. The knowledge to know when you look at people for what they displayed and what they hid. It was taxing, unbecoming and harsh. Yet, it was a trait he must possess. The benefits in knowing his people are consequences he would face in his rule one day.

"Everyone wants something in return," Loki warned. "Secrets await to be uncovered."

Should they be?

"Do you not see, Thor?"

Had Loki always lived in that piece of mind?

"People lie and hide what they do not wish to be known."

When Thor reached the lower parts of Asgard, he was met with a crowded street. There, he saw what had first captured his eye, yet darkness stood by its side. There stood Jane in the middle, watching the lovely toy float above her. Beside her, was the memory of Loki; young and curious, watching the same object Jane saw manifest itself in the air.

Thor chuckled to himself.

The metal chimed and the springs spiraled to life as metal coiled through metal. Thor remained still, as he bore into the once lively emerald eyes of his brother. It took him back into a memory he thought he had long forgotten.

"Amazing, is it not?"

"That toy is for children, Brother."

"I am unfolding the truth and reality of how this toy works, Brother. Do you not wish to know why it does what it does?"

"Nay, Loki."

"Mother agreed that I could dismantle it."

"It is a toy."

"But Thor, do you not wish to know?"

"Nay, I do not."

"Does it not fascinate you?"

"Loki, it is a toy that holds no value to me. It floats and spirals, what need have I for it?"

Thor shook off the memory and walked forward to meet Jane. He timed his steps, hoping he would not startle her. She noticed him and pointed above her with enthusiasm, one that caught Thor's attention as well. Thor did not break his gaze as Jane flustered over the toy and grinned foolishly at him. Thor couldn't help but compare his sweet young little brother to the woman he had fallen so hard for.

"This thing is amazing!" She voiced.

Amazing, is it not?

"I mean, the magnetic propulsion alone would advance Earth science by decades." The toy moved around and plummeted towards her. Jane caught it and fiddled it around. She giggled as she tried to look for an opening.

"Uh, Jane?"

"I am so taking this apart."

"Jane."

"What?"

"You have their ball," Thor pointed.

Jane turned to the three boys staring at her by the small staircase. They looked absolutely bored and Thor couldn't help but take the moment in. Time stopped and another memory evaded his thoughts before he could stop them. The toy on Jane's hand and the look she had earlier, reminded Thor of the look Loki once held and he could not help but fall into reminisce once more.

"It is imbued with Seidr," Loki lifted it.

"It is a trick."

"Do you think Mother appreciates you calling her talents a trick?"

"That is different," Thor grinned. "It is still a trick."

"A trick you never appreciate."

"Mayhaps one day I shall."

"That will be the day, Brother."

"Mayhaps, Loki." Thor chuckled. "Mayhaps."

Thor was drawn from the memory again when he saw Jane's face contort in realization. It reminded him so much of Loki, who expressed his distaste at the interruption. Jane awkwardly chuckled and tossed the ball back to the children. They caught it and ran off. Thor moved forward and walked Jane around the city. As they walked around, Thor began to see Seidr differently.

The world was different.

But at what cost?

Loki had changed and Thor felt guilty.

He had refused to visit Loki and left him alone in his trial. Hope had been lost between them, and Thor believed it, yet a small part of him knew that the events could still change. Loki was no longer by his side, but was it worth it? Had the Norns planned it all along? Or was it his and his brother's undoing? Thor turned to Jane expectantly, hoping to speak to her of thoughts on Loki, but the beautiful gaze on his lovers eyes were too good to disrupt. He turned away, and recalled the time when Loki used to see the same things she did once.

"Thor! Close your eyes!"

"Why?"

"Close your eyes, Brother."

"This better not be a trick, Brother." Thor frowned. "The last time I closed my eyes you—"

"Nay it is not a trick," Loki snorted. "It is better than that."

"Alright, do your worst."

"I am not going to hurt you, Brother."

"That is not what I fear," Thor chuckled. "But do go on, Loki."

"Close your eyes."

"Of course."

Loki waved his hands and made a perfect illusion of his brother. The same striking features his brother possessed were matched perfectly with the image. The illusion struck a powerful pose and watched Thor fidgeted in anticipation. Loki giggled inwardly, excited by the reveal. He smiled at the thought of his brother's reaction and grinned openly.

"Open your eyes!"

Thor followed his brother's command and was startled. He eyed what seemed like his reflection, strange as it was, it made Thor's heart jump in excitement. He felt pride for his brother's accomplishment and the smile that grazed Loki's lips were more rewarding than any treasure he could ever receive.

"Is it well?"

"Well?" Thor grinned. "It is wonderful!"

The brilliance and passion Jane expressed when they first met, was a reflection of what Thor missed the most. As clear as day, the truth would never wither, for Thor knew that Loki was cunning and insanely smart. One so young, already had an idea of the world he lived in, and Thor had easily broken that as Loki had done. None would admit their jealousy for Loki, for doing so would only make you the lesser being, and Thor was foolish enough to believe that when he should have stood by Loki's side through thick and thin.

"When you came for me, you knew I was in trouble."

Thor turned to her in surprise and answered.

"When Heimdall lost sight of you, you were no longer on Earth."

"How is that possible?"

Thor thought for a moment as they stopped by the lake to sit by the ledge. Another memory came to him as quickly as it left. Loki sat on the floor by the edge with him, both their legs dipped into the cool water. When Thor had told his brother that he could not understand the lessons taught to him by their tutor, Loki excitedly spoke tales about Yggdrasil and the nine realms that Thor could easily love as he did.

"Did you know the branches of Yggdrasil extend to Valhalla?" Loki asked.

"Of course I do."

"Do you know the Norns tend the tree?"

"Of course!"

"Do you know that-?"

"Loki! Tell me something I do not know."

"The relationship between the Nine Realms is uncertain," Loki quipped. "Their exact position cannot be stated, nor can they truly be mapped. One must feel Yggdrasil to locate it. But there are ways to know, much like the library Father has where it keeps watch of the Nine Realms."

"This is too much," Thor mumbled.

"Do you not find it remotely interesting?"

"Nay, I find that," He pointed. "Interesting, and not this."

Loki turned to the other side of the lake where Thor's friends played. They threw rocks into the water, played with the vases and Cherry Blossom trees and played with some of their new toys. Loki looked back at his brother, who longingly watched them.

"If you are bored, you are welcome to ditch my company."

"Nay," Thor frowned.

"Why?"

"I would not do that to you."

"But you do not find this remotely interesting."

"I will. Now tell me more."

"Fine."

"I am serious, Loki."

"Do you know about the convergence?"

Thor had learned a lot of things from his brother. It was Loki who helped him reach the point he had now, if it had not been for him, Thor would never have gotten so far in his studies. He took a deep breath and looked at Jane. She patiently waited for his answer, unable to tell if he had one or not, but she didn't care. Thor smiled at her for her efforts alone to put up with him. Thor knew Loki won hands down when it came to tolerating him, it just never lasted as long as he hoped it would.

"I believe you were and you weren't."

The explanation spoke for itself.

"Do you know there are other means of travel besides the Bifrost?"

"Why must we bother when we have the Bifrost?"

"That is only one way to travel," Loki snorted. "There are inter-dimensional portals scattered through time and space, and tunnels that lead between universes."

"How would you know?"

"Unlike you, I read."

"I read as well, Loki."

"Truly?" Loki teased. "What did you read?"

"Uh..."

"Thor, you do not need to prove yourself."

"It doesn't matter."

"What do you mean-?"

"Tell me more."

"What?"

"Just tell me more, Loki."

"The Nine Realms travel within Yggdrasil, orbiting Midgard as much as your planet orbits the sun." Thor answered carefully. He took Jane's hand and intertwined it with his own. He looked at Jane, and a scene exploded in his mind, before him stood Loki with a smile on his face. His emerald eyes twinkled.

"You are my brother, and my friend. Sometimes I am envious, but never doubt that I love you."

"Every five-thousand years." Thor opened. "The worlds align perfectly."

Thor couldn't help but feel emotions well inside of him as he drifted back to Loki. The memories were vague and vivid, coming and going. He could not understand the pressure, the stimulation it puts him in. Loki sat alone in his cell, and here was Thor, speaking of words his brother once said.

"And we call this the convergence."

He swallowed.

"During this time," Thor slowly voiced. "The borders between worlds become blurred."

"I could have done it! For YOU! For all of us!"

"No, Loki."

"It is possible you fell into one of these points." Thor murmured.

"This is goodbye, Brother."

"We are lucky they remained open." Thor finished as he turned his hand. He stared at it, as if time had stopped moving. Guilt rose in his chest. It was the hand that could have saved his little brother's life. The hand that could have changed the course of history, yet it was for naught.

"Once the worlds pass," Thor moved his hand again. "Out of alignment…"

Loki let go.

He had fallen.

The void swallowed him.

And the Loki Thor knew, was gone, forever.

"Then the connection is lost," Thor whispered.

They both leaned forward and captured one another with a kiss. Thor's thoughts muddled as part of Thor believed there was hope for Loki, for how could someone he knew as a babe change from an innocent being to a cruel cold-hearted person? Thor wondered if he could trust Loki again, or if Loki's words were ever sincere? Did Loki hold a grudge? Could he be redeemed?

"I like the way you explain things."

Thor felt spark rekindle in his dormant heart, knowing that there was something that could fill in part of that void.

Yet nothing could replace the hollow void, not even Jane's love.

"I'll find a way to save you Jane." Thor vowed.

He could not save his brother, at least, not yet. But he could save Jane, and he will make sure of it. Thor brought Jane closer, staring into her beautiful eyes. Thor used to remember he and Loki being so close to each other. No amount of awkward contact could hold sway over them. Thor still loved his brother, deep in his heart, he loved him.

"Your Father said that—"

"My Father does not know everything." Thor knew.

"There's nothing out of order but your confused and distracted heart. Human lives are fleeting, they're nothing. I am telling you this not as the All-Father but as your Father. "

"Don not let him hear you say that."

In his distraction, Thor hadn't noticed his Mother approach. They were the same, she and Loki. His brother learned everything he could from his Mother and Thor questioned whether her love for him was justified. But nonetheless, Frigga was caring and sweet, she loved Loki with all her heart just as she loved him.

"Jane Foster, please meet Frigga, Queen of Asgard, my Mother."

As Thor spoke, Jane released her hand from his and Thor felt a swell of hurt for a moment. But when he saw Jane's embarrassed look, he understood that she was a fish out of water. She was not where she was supposed to be. She was in a world stranger than hers, too advanced than hers, even if it was her dream to learn, she could never be part with it.

Not unless Thor gave up part of his life for her.

"Uh, hi?"

Another memory resurfaced in his mind as he recalled Loki's shyness when he saw Jane's. His brother wasn't very open and it took centuries before Thor managed to coax Loki to play along. And Thor suspected that it took those same years for Loki to perfect his play with words before he could join. What better way than to attack someone first than to be made a victim, yet it never stopped Loki's case.

"Come, Brother! Let us join their training."

"I am not sure."

"Why?"

"They do not look very friendly."

"Warriors aren't supposed to look friendly, Brother."

"I know, but…" Loki paused. "I am not sure it is wise at the moment. Look at Tyr. I do not think he wants us to join them. Cam you not sense his irritation?"

"I've met them before and they let me join."

"You have?"

"Of course, now come with me and I will introduce you."

"No, thank you."

"It will be fun, Loki! Trust me!"

"Thor, I do not want to."

"Please?"

"I… I am going to look for Mother."

"Loki!"

Thor was pulled back into reality when he heard Frigga laugh. He saw how entertained his Mother was with Jane, and it was rare that they met new people.

They spoke playfully together, or at least Frigga did. She always knew how to make someone feel comfortable yet intimidated at the same time. It was one of the traits Loki had gotten from her. Her mother had a mischievous side, one that Loki adored. They were so alike, that Thor could even believe he was the adopted one. Peace, seemed wonderful in that brief moment, but when the horns blared, trouble was not far.

"Prisons," Frigga declared.

"Loki." Thor voiced.

"Go, I will look after her."

Thor wasn't sure if Loki was part of the scuffle, but he would find out either way. If there was hope for his brother, he would see. He did not wait to be told twice as he ran and took off to the prison cell where his little brother sat, watching the chaos unfold.