Chapter 2

The rest of the celebration went by too slowly for Loki. His anxiety grew steadily every time he saw Thor, Frigga, or Sif until he could take it no longer. When enough time had passed to deem it acceptable, Loki finally left the crowds and retreated to his chambers. Years of hard work and concealment ruined on one night, a night that should have been a celebration. If only they had not been caught tonight. Just a few years more and Thor would have been crowned king and could freely change the law. But now it seemed their luck and time had run out.

Loki carefully removed his horned helmet. Honestly, he hated the thing. It was atrocious. It made him stand out when he preferred the shadows. It would be nice to be the center of attention on occasion, but today was not such an occasion. Frigga's startling revelation of her knowledge of his and Thor's affair was significant. He had to warn Thor. His brother had to be made aware of the situation as it would no doubt affect him as well.

Praying his brother had retired from the festivities early, Loki hurried to Thor's chambers. He did not bother knocking, instead pushing the door open and slipping inside. Startlingly enough, Thor was indeed there. Although one glance at his shirt now thrown haphazardly on the floor revealed the obvious reason. Someone had been unable to hold their liquor and thrown up all over it.

"Brother," Thor boomed, still in a jovial mood despite the mishap. "I was wondering where you had snuck off to. You were missed."

Loki paled considerably but spoke over his brother's words. "I had to see you."

Thor took in Loki's partially unkept appearance and sobered. "What's happened?"

"They know."

"They? Who are they? Know what?"

"About us," Loki hissed.

Thor turned fully to Loki giving him his full attention. "Who are they?"

Loki lowered his voice to a whisper. "Mother and...the Lady Sif."

Thor set his new shirt on the ground in stunned silence and sat heavily on the window ledge. "How?" was all he could manage.

Loki joined his brother hesitantly. "I believe they may have seen us together."

"But your shield-"

"Works only against magic," Loki finished in exhasperation. "I have told you this before. I only shield against Heimdall's sight. Anyone with eyes could see us."

The brothers sat in silence until Thor finally sighed and bowed his head. "Brother I am...so sorry. How can we fix this?"

Loki was already shaking his head. "Mother swore herself and the Lady Sif to silence. They will keep silent but if they know then it is likely the Allfather will find out sooner or later. And even if only Frigga and Sif know, then it is only a matter of time before Heimdall knows."

That thought froze Thor in his tracks. Heimdall sees everything, is aware of everything that goes on in palace. He watches the royal family and guards closely, looking for plots and dangers. If he heard the conversation between Frigga and Loki, or even this between brothers, then-

No sooner had that thought occurred to him then his chamber doors burst open and a soldier entered. "Heimdall demands your presence."

No. No no no no, this can't be happening. It could not be.

"Onwhat grounds?" Thor demanded, braking the tense silence that followed.

Loki nodded. "I understand. I will be there presently."

"Brother."

"Thor, please. It may be nothing."

"Heimdall nevers summons anyone unless it is something important," Thor countered. "I will speak to father."

"You will not!" Loki snapped, lowering his voice to a hiss. "What if this has nothing to do with our situation. If so then by speaking to father then you will Hel down on us both. Let things play through for now. Trust me in this."

Thor gazed into Loki's forest green eyes for several tense moments before sighing in defeat. "Very well. I will do as you ask. But know this, if I hear nothing from you by sunset, I will speak to father."

Loki groaned. "I would rather you didn't. What if I walk slow?"

"Take a horse."

Loki sighed, then grinned. "Very well. But think before you act. For my sake if not yours." He waited long enough to be satisfied Thor would heed his words before turning and following the herald to the Gatekeeper.

Against Thor's wishes, Loki walked to the Bifrost. He had to think and riding was a bit of a distraction. The walk was brisk and filled with a silence the could be felt as well as heard. When he finally arrived and Heimdall spoke, it was almost a relief. Almost.

"I tried watching you today an could not see you," the dark Gatekeeper said, voice reverberating within the cavernous observatory. "Why is that?"

Loki tilted his head curiously. "I do not know. I have been practicing a new spell, perhaps that could be one of the side effects."

Heimdall stood tall with ancient eyes that glittered with the light of the many nebulas in the universe. It made Loki feel young, inexperienced, and open, vulnerable. He hated it. "Perhaps," came the eventual reply. "Or perhaps one has found a way to hide that which he does not wish me to see."

"What are implying?"

"I imply nothing. But I am obligated to inform the Allfather of anything that could pose a danger to the throne."

Loki's eyes narrowed. "Is there a danger?"

"That is for the Allfather to decide."

"And decide I shall," a new voice spoke into the acoustic room.

Loki felt his blood drain from his face and race to his feet, begging him to run, to flee. He turned to face the new speaker even though he knew their identity. "Allfather."

"Heimdall has informed me of a certain conversation that took place between you and my wife earlier this evening. Is it true, Loki?"

The dark prince hesitated. "Is what true?"

"Answer the question." Though the words were spoken calmly, they carried with them a power and command that few could resist. "Is it true?"

For the first time in a long time, Loki's infamous silver tongue failed him. But that seemed to be answer enough. Odin narrowed his eye and stepped forward as he spoke matched by Loki's steps back.

"I found you, took you as my own, raised you as my son, and you repay me by breaking the law? If it had been only you, Loki, then I would most likely have overlooked it as an act of rebellion typical of adolescents. But you brought Thor into this, caused him to fall as well."

"It is not what you think. Loki began.

"Long has that tongue of yours gotten you into trouble. But to drag your brother down with you..."

"I love Thor."

"Be silent!" Instantly, all words and sounds fled Loki. No longer was he able to speak. Loki staggered back in shock As the Allfather continued to speak. "I Odin Allfather saw fit to make you my son. I see now that. Was wrong. You are not fit to be my son nor are you fit to be near Thor. Loki, you have broken a law and as such much face the , before this witness," Odin gestured to Heimdall, "I Odin Allfather hereby cast you out."

That was the last thing Loki heard before he was thrown through space to land on something cold and hard. One look around him revealed the nature of his prison world. Jotunheim.

A/N: I apologize for the delay in updating. College is hell, as is summer school. Also, I wrote this immediately after rewatching Thor on TV, it's late, and I'm tired so the quality is not my best. Maybe I'll go back and fix it later, but for now I'm crashing. Night~