Chapter 1

Loki stood at his bedroom window gazing out at the fierce battle occurring beneath him; his father Laufey, the King, fighting somewhere in the crowds. Most likely against Odin. His father had commanded him to say in his room where he would be safe but Loki could take it no longer; he couldn't just stand and watch as his people died and fought around him. With a determined stride he picked up his staff and marched out of his room; placing his helmet firmly on his head as he did so.

Thor loved war in some ways, the rush, the adrenaline; the combat and conflict but in other ways he hated it, the waste, the lives lost; the cost of war angered him and so he thought this whole battle utterly pointless and utterly wasteful. He fought his way through the crowds of Frost Giants, reluctantly smashing them with Mjolnir so he could pass. He headed towards the castle, knowing Laufey's son Loki would be inside; his only heir that was treasured greatly but as he was fighting with Odin right now Loki would be his second priority. Thor had devised a plan in his head, one he hoped would work. If he captured Loki, then Laufey would be forced to surrender then all this pain could end sooner and Asgard could retreat in the knowledge that the Frost Giants would not strike any time soon; as they had threatened to do so sparking this onslaught. The only negative being that they would have to keep Loki captive for some time to prove the Frost Giants word but Thor was hoping the Prince would understand…or at least listen to him anyway. He sighed, he had heard of Loki's stubborn reputation; let's just say Thor wasn't keeping his fingers crossed for Loki's co-operation in this matter.

Loki marched down his corridor with as much confidence as he could muster, passing through the now abandoned castle to the throne room; which lead to the battle field. His sceptre weighing heavy in his hand, almost as a reminder but Loki was not quite sure of what. He entered the throne room about the same time as another; he was dressed in gold and silver and red. An Asgardian; Loki felt his blood crawl and he recognised this man from past encounters. This was Thor Odinson, Prince of Asgard; how many of Loki's people he had already killed the Frost Giant couldn't bare to think. He marched into the throne room fully so he could be seen by Thor, "Thor Odinson," Loki greeted coldly baring his sceptre high above him.

"Prince Loki," Thor said deeply, as he fully entered the room. The small Frost Giant had grown up considerably; they had last met when they were children, a time when their Father's were at peace and not at war; such tranquil times felt like a dream compared their reality now. Loki's walk was more graceful, his movements more fluid than before, making Thor feel almost clumsy as he trudged around the room; holding Loki's gaze as he did so. "We do not have to fight Loki," he said, subtly lowering Mjolnir.

Loki sniggered. "I have heard of your thirst for blood Thor, your love of combat. Do not expect the likes of me to fall for such petty lies," he growled, now holding his sceptre with both hands.

Thor whistled out a sigh of disappointment. "At least listen to my argument Jotun?"

Loki shook his head, "I think not." He lifted up his sceptre and swept out a wave of magic towards Thor knocking the other off his feet.

Thor groaned as his back slammed into the hard floor, "Loki please!" He cried out as the frost Giant approached him. "I have a plan," he gasped. "A plan that could end this battle."

Loki paused above him, "Go on," he invited still with a wary gaze backing away so Thor could stand.

Thor jumped up, his hammer still sitting comfortably in his hand. "You're your Father's only heir and he has no Queen, you surely mean more to him than anything; I am correct?" Loki nodded slowly, his grip tensing on his sceptre. "He would surrender to save you, if you happened to be in such a situation where your life was at risk."

"This solution does not bring peace, only victory for Asgard," Loki snarled raising his sceptre once again.

"Allow me to finish," Thor asked politely. "Us Asgardians would retreat peacefully but only with the guarantee that you would not strike again in the near future."

Loki snorted, "Like you would ever trust our word."

"No," Thor bit his lip. "But with a 'deposit' of sorts we could be ensured that you would keep your word. If you came back to Asgard, the Frost Giants would not attack in fear of your life."

Loki snarled at this, "You wish to keep me prisoner?"

"No, no," Thor said. "It would not be like that."

Loki lunged at him, but Thor met his sceptre with Mjolnir mid blow; there was aloud clash of metal and then they withdrew. Loki backed away so he could prepare another blow. "You have nerve Thor, coming here and feeding me all these lies and fake hopes of peace," he glared at the Asgardian Prince. "I heard you were brutal but never did I hear of your cruelness."

"Your bitterness is blinding you Loki," Thor growled, spinning Mjolnir on it's leather strap.

Loki shook his head, "Do not try and /understand/ me Asgardian."

Thor sighed, almost to himself; looks he'd have to orchestrate this plan by himself, with Loki's co-operation or not. "I did not wish to fight you Loki, but you have left me with no choice."

He swung Mjolnir at Loki who quickly skimmed out of the way as the hammer lodged into the castle wall; sending a spider web of cracks up the marble as it did so. Loki allowed a slightly smug expression to appease his lips at this and shot another wave of magic at Thor. Thor jumped out of the way and outstretched his palm to summon back his beloved hammer; within seconds the comfort of the leather was sitting in his palm again. Then he flung his hammer at the FrostGiant; this time hitting him directly on the chest. Loki fell down to floor, Mijolnir heavily weighing him down; pushing painfully hard down onto his chest. As he hit the floor his sceptre flew out of his hands and skidded across the floor out of reach. He groaned in annoyance as Thor approached him, glaring up angrily at the other as he lent over him slightly.

"I do not wish to hurt you Prince Loki," Thor said honestly.

Loki chuckled bitterly. "Never will I believe such words," he spat.

"Hopefully one day, Loki Laufeyson," Thor replied. "You will."