I am alive. Just very busy and distracted and dealing with things. Anyways I'm really sorry for the long wait. Thank you to everyone who has stuck with me so far. And all my new followers and favouriters and reviewers you are also amazing for reading this even though it hasn't been updated in almost a year. (Internal cringe)

Anyway we are now entering the movie plot. I am going try really hard not to just follow it word for word. This is Althea and Loki's story. And even though it came out a few years ago we all know what happens. By the way, (don't hate me!) this chapter was written months ago but my hard drive fried and everything was lost -except this which is the only thing that I emailed myself for whatever reason? That also made me not want to write. Everything I had worked on over the years is all gone forever :(

Althea followed behind Sif, who followed the Warriors Three: Fandral, Volstagg and Hogun. The day had finally come, much sooner than she had hoped it would, seeing how Loki was decidedly irritated all month as the preparations for this day began. And that day being when Thor would be crowned King of Asgard and Odin would step down. Althea kept her opinion whether Thor was ready for the throne to herself. She felt that he could do with a little humility before he became her King. However, the decision was only up to Odin.

She knew the real reason Odin was stepping down. The time for the Odinsleep was approaching rapidly. Her healers eyes had seen the tremors in Odin's hands. He had tried to stave off his deep rest until Thor was more capable for the throne for far too long. No more waiting could be done.

Perhaps Thor would earn humility when discovering the weight it took to run a kingdom such as Asgard, and guard the nine realms and all who lived there. She knew she would never want that burden for herself. To have dominion over so many souls would take someone of a capable and strong will to do what was necessary. Her heart seemed too soft for such a task. And besides, she was happiest in the healing halls and her life being the way it was. Well mostly happy, but she tended never to think about that…

Instead, she had gained access to the Hall of Knowledge, where information she only dreamed of seeing and reading was set before her eyes whenever she wished. Even Loki was not allowed in there. The reasons for herself being allowed was because of the approaching Odinsleep, and the reveal that she would succeed Aeris in the Healing Halls when she either retired or passed on, and Althea would be named Head Healer. It would not happen for another thousand or more years though, unless Aeris died for some unexpected reason or retired sooner than she planned to.

Nevertheless, she had to learn more and more knowledge to be capable of such a position. Althea knew she was probably only supposed to be reading about things pertaining to healing and healing magic in the relics. Yet, no one had said she couldn't read other things when she wanted. How could she resist such knowledge? The relics had official histories, not just the stories her father told her as a child. Staring at the image of Yggdrasil while she learned was just amazing. The different branches literally held realms in their leaves! There were no words to describe such a spectacular beauty. And she could see it whenever she wanted. It would be something she would remember for the rest of her life.

She would also remember this day too, it was rare for an Asgardian to see a new ruler crowned in their lifetime. She was seeing one today and it was sure to be spectacular, Thor would settle for nothing less than magnificence. She stopped just beside Sif and looked around the room at all the other High Nobles and visiting officials from other realms, dressed in their finest garbs and armour. She herself had on the finest dress she had ever worn, made of soft silk and a pretty blue that when she walked, it almost looked like water flowing down her body. At least according to Loki's eyes. To her it just seemed to shimmer when she moved.

And Sif was dressed in her ceremonial armour, more for décor purposes than actual fighting. Sif once told her that the armour was much heavier than her usual armour. Althea had much faith in her sister and didn't doubt that if the need arose she could fight in it just as well as her real armor. Althea was not so adept, though she now took to carrying a small dagger on her thigh. If she could use it was another thing entirely. Sif was trying to teach her how, but watching Sif do it easily and Althea trying to copy the moves were two different things. She was positively hopeless when it came to fighting with weaponry. A fact she slightly resented.

Using defensive magic was also a struggle. Her powers were centred to healing and life. It seemed she was incapable of doing something that would possibly lead to life being taken away. She knew enough to defend herself for a few minutes until someone with much more skill than she, arrived. Althea didn't think it would ever come to that though, she was hardly ever left alone after her return. And if Loki or Sif or one of her friends weren't around, then dozens of guards were scattered around.

"I hope this goes quickly. I'm famished," Volstagg said to them, and Althea looked over to see him patting his stomach.

Volstagg was like a gentle giant with a fierce fighting style and large reddish brown beard. He was very kind to her, and she liked most of all that he did not try to flirt with her like a certain warrior she knew. In fact she was sure that Volstagg was married and had a few children with his matching reddish brown hair. She had seen him with his children and wife at most of the feasts she attended.

"Nooooo!" Fandral replied, obviously feigning disbelief.

Althea caught Sif snickering, and couldn't help but smirk along with her. Volstagg really was hungry all the time, and if his constant complaining or large girth didn't hint at it… well she thought a person had to be blind and deaf not to notice.

"Are you attached to that pretty face of yours? Because one more word, and you won't be," Volstagg replied.

"My, we are hungry, aren't we?" Fandral said turning to Hogun, Sif and Althea. The two girls laughed, but Hogun kept a straight face as was not a surprise. He wasn't called Hogun the Grim for nothing, "Go on, Hogun. Smile. You can do it. Even you, Hogun the Grim. Just one smile," he goaded, but Hogun did not react. "Alright, half a smile. Look, forget the smile, just show some teeth."

"Fandral, is it true the famous Warriors Three are ready to meet any challenge?" Althea asked him with pretend curiosity.

"Certainly, My Lady, just name it," Fandral said turning to her with a large smile.

"How about keeping your mouth shut for the rest of the day," Sif cut in teasingly, and when Fandral backed off looking a little put out she turned to Althea and the two sisters shared a smirk.

"That was just rude," Fandral said to them.

"And you lasted less than 10 seconds, that must be a new record," Sif retorted, and before he could reply, the doors to the throne room opened with a loud boom and people began walking inside to take their places. Althea grabbed Sif's hand and pulled her away from the Warriors Three and closer to the front of the mass of people who started filling the stands closest to the AllFather's chair, who was already seated and looking straight ahead. Below his throne, Frigga stood there with a warm smile on her face, as the two of them got closer.

The Warriors Three went to the right side of the throne as Thor's closest friends and brethren, Althea was a couple spaces below Frigga, where Loki was supposed to be between them but he was still absent and Sif stood right behind her.

She watched as the High Nobles filled their seats closest to the throne, and then the lower lords and ladies and the townspeople and it seemed almost every single Asgardian was inside their throne room that somehow seemed to have tripled in size since she had last been inside.

She was so distracted with watching the vast amount of people come, that she jumped when someone took her hand, and turned to see Loki standing their with an amused smirk. She lightly swatted his arm, narrowed her eyes and let go of his hand, but couldn't help but smile back at him. She turned back to look at the hall as the Honor Guard moved into formation leading straight to Odin, his spear Gungir held straight in his right hand.

Before she knew it, everyone had quieted down and was completely silent until the doors opened and Thor came walking through them. That's when the cheering and clapping started and as Thor came ever closer to the throne, the cheering seemed to get even louder by the second. Thor of course continued on, cockily swinging Mjolnir around and waving to the crowd, obviously loving the attention.

"Oh please," she heard Sif sigh beside her, rolling her eyes subtly.

"He's late," Loki said, just loud enough that she could hear him, and the slight anger in his tone.

"At least he showed," she replied, "any longer and Odin would have fed him to the ravens," she said, trying to lighten his spirits.

"Father will forgive him," Loki said quietly, "He always does."

Althea felt a pang of sympathy for Loki right then, and so took his hand and squeezed it gently to let him know that he had her, that he was loved by her always if he truly believed no others cared for him. And many did care for him, he was just too blind to ever see it, only seeing when they showed Thor attention instead of him.

She knew it was unfair, and before Frigga had explained to her just why he was treated differently, she would have wondered why. And she still wondered why. Loki had been a part of this family days after he was born, he was called Loki Odinson, and he believed Odin to be his true father. Which wasn't wrong at all. Odin raised him as his own son beside Thor, he was his father. It didn't matter if they weren't related by blood, they were family and sometimes she wished Odin was not the king or the AllFather so she could knock some sense into him. But then she would reveal that she knew, which seemed like a very dangerous thing to do with the lengths Odin took to keep it secret when they were married.

And that was when a thought struck her. Perhaps the reason her father hated Loki, and was so against her marrying him was because he knew. He would have been there right along Odin when Loki was found in Jotunheim. What if… but surely he wouldn't have been able to keep it quiet until the very end. He would have used that information for his gain to try and stop her from staying married to Loki. Unless he had a tremendous reason to keep it a secret. But what possible reason could there be…No, she decided her father must not have known at all. Right?

It didn't matter now, that was all in the past and there was no use in questioning or thinking on things she could not change. All that mattered today was showing her support to Loki. She could almost feel the anger coming from him in waves, but he hid it extremely well she had to admit.

Thor finally made it to the throne and kneeled down before Odin, but she did catch the wink he threw Frigga. Honestly, did he have no shame? Shaking her head, she turned her attention to Odin as he stood up and hit Gungir to the ground, the loud boom resonating around the throne room and all was completely silent until the AllFather spoke.

"Thor Odinson, my heir, my firstborn, so long entrusted with the mighty hammer Mjolnir, forged in the heart of a dying star, its power has no equal, as a weapon to destroy or as a tool to build. It is a fit companion for a king. Today I entrust you with the greatest honor in all the Nine Realms. The sacred throne of Asgard. I have sacrificed much to achieve peace. So, too, must a new generation sacrifice to maintain that peace. Responsibility, duty, honor. These are not merely virtues to which we must aspire. They are essential to every soldier and to every King," Odin said to Thor and Althea could hear the pride in his voice.

She wasn't sure if it was from what Odin was saying, but she felt chills go up her spine and goose bumps form on her bare arms. She suddenly felt cold. She let her eyes turn to Sif, but could not tell whether she was affected as her armour covered her skin. Possibly a cool breeze was coming down towards her and she was only cold. Strange perhaps, but not entirely uncommon in spring. Ignoring it, she turned her attention back to Thor and Odin.

"Thor Odinson, do you swear to guard the Nine Realms?" Odin asked his son.

"I swear," Thor replied.

"Do you swear to preserve the peace?"

"I swear."

"Do you swear to cast aside all selfish ambition and pledge yourself only to the good of all the Realms?"

"I swear!"

"Then on this day, I, Odin AllFather, proclaim you…" Suddenly, Odin looked away from his son and trailed off looking over to the closest column.

Althea followed his gaze, and couldn't keep the surprise off her face when she saw ice, forming from the bottom of the column and moving up. She really was cold after all. And she couldn't help but feel confused, it was spring! There should not be ice anywhere, let alone inside. But Odin answered all their questioning glances.

"Frost Giants!" He proclaimed, banging his staff to the ground, for what she wasn't sure. After that, he nodded towards Thor and Loki, who stood up and began following after him. She saw how angry Thor was looking, but completely missed the happy smirk on Loki's face as it disappeared just as quickly as it came.

Loki strolled behind Odin and Thor as they entered the Weapons Vault. The walls were covered in ice, and Loki could see the Asgardian guards lying dead on the floor. Scattered around the room were pieces of the Frost Giants. He saw an arm and leg, some Frost Giant swords but no heads. The Destroyer did well, he'd give it that. Looking around at the destruction around him, his eyes glanced over the casket still in it's place. So they had failed their mission, but not the one he wanted. Their deaths meant nothing to him, neither the Jotuns nor the Asgardians.

He had let them into Asgard for one purpose only. To put a stop to the foolish ceremony of Thor's coronation. If people knew it was him that stopped Thor from being crowned they would be thanking him, surely if only they could see how stupid and destructive Thor really was. He would be Asgard's ruin. Why had Loki not been born first? Asgard would flourish under his rule and Thor could continue doing whatever it was he did and leave the responsibility to Loki with Althea by his side…as his Queen. King Loki sounded nice, but Queen Althea sounded better.

He could give her what she deserved, and what he himself deserved. It could only go on so long, him remaining in Thor's shadow. His lies and deceit were great but he could only continue them for so long. He was angry at the world and the fates for dealing him this hand. If only circumstances were different, he could have been a great and wondrous ruler that all admired and respected.

Yet such a thing would not happen by chance. He was the master of his own destiny. When he saw an opportunity, and there surely would be again, he would take it. Just as he had taken the opportunity when he discovered the way off of Asgard and had ended up in Jotunheim. He promised he would leave the door open and allow them the chance to retrieve their casket. He never said anything about it succeeding. If it did not fail, then Loki would have been surprised. He never mentioned the destroyer because well… they never asked.

"The Jotuns must pay for what they've done!" Thor shouted angrily looking around the room, his grip on Mjolnir tightening.

Loki kept his face calm with a hint of curiosity for show, while also seeming very submissive compared to Thor and Odin who were in the room with him.

"They have paid with their lives. The Destroyer did its work, the Casket is safe. All is well," Odin replied calmly

"'All is well?!' They broke into the Weapons Vault! If the Frost Giants had stolen even one of these relics-" Thor started, his voice raising and Loki couldn't help but raise an eyebrow and feel angry. If Loki dared raise his voice to Odin, he would be reprimanded back with an even louder voice. He knew Odin would keep his voice calm unless Thor really pushed his limits.

"But they didn't," Odin replied, looking around and Loki felt the anger inside fire even more with knowing he was right.

"I want to know why!" Thor shouted immaturely, his voice echoing slightly off the walls.

"I have a truce with Laufey, the Jotun King," Odin explained what Loki and Thor already knew.

Loki internally scoffed at Thor's stupidity. He didn't even need to read to know that, Odin and Frigga had told them countless stories of their shared history. Honestly, how was Thor to rule Asgard if he didn't know a thing about it?

"He just broke your truce! They know you are vulnerable! We must act!" Thor shouted at Odin's back.

"And what action would you take?" Odin asked turning around to face Thor.

"March into Jotunheim as you once did, teach them a lesson, break their spirits so they'll never dare try to cross our borders again!" Thor shared his plan.

"You're thinking only as a warrior!" Odin concluded.

"This was an act of war!" Thor explained his reasoning.

"It was the act of but a few, doomed to fail," The AllFather replied.

"They got this far!" Thor shouted gesturing around them.

"We will find the breach in our defences. It will be found, and it will be sealed," Odin said, his tone saying that was the end of the discussion but Thor took no heed of his tone.

"As King of Asgard, I would-" Thor started, only to be interrupted by Odin's raised voice.

"But you are not King!" He said, "Not yet,"

Loki couldn't help but feel satisfaction when Odin finally, finally put Thor in his place. And as the AllFather left the Weapons Vault, Loki realized an opportunity had just arisen. It was staring him right in the face like a bright star. How could he ignore it? It fit perfectly in what he wanted. The pieces were in motion and he had no doubt that his time of triumph had finally come. Odin and Thor's time had past. Now it would be all about him! People would love and adore him. He just had to show everyone, and set them on the right path.

A few moments after Odin left, Thor knocked over one of the empty stands before he stormed out. Loki let the smirk overcome his features for he was alone and no one would see. Then he put his submissive and meek mask back in place and started following after Thor. It was time to start the next step in his plan.

He watched Thor sit sulking while he was behind a pillar. He had to let him think for himself for just a bit longer, so that any ideas Loki suggested in Thor's mind would originate only from himself. Once he was sure Thor had enough time to sulk, and the anger was ebbing away just enough that they could have a civil conversation, Loki slowly walked forward.

"It's unwise to be in my company right now, Brother," Thor said glancing at him for a moment.

Loki ignored him and sat beside him on the steps before the table, the anger was still there and Loki needed it to stay. When Thor got angry he tended not to think things through even the slightest. It was when he was angry he was most impulsive.

"This was supposed to be my day of triumph," Thor spoke, and Loki disagreed in his mind. This is the day your reign ends brother, and the day mine begins.

"It will come." Loki replied, "In time." Those were the words he said to himself each time he thought about the unfairness of his life.

"What's this!?" Volstagg said as he and the other Warriors Three entered the room, along with Sif and Althea.

Loki ignored them but moved closer to Thor and said a little more quietly, "If it's any consolation, I think you're right. About the Frost Giants, about Laufey, everything. If a few of them could penetrate the defences of Asgard once, who's to say they won't try again. Next time with an army?" Loki questioned him.

"Exactly!" Thor agreed, as Loki knew he would.

"There's nothing you can do without defying Father," Loki reminded him gently, but knew for certain Thor would not listen to his warning. In fact he was more likely to do the opposite. Thor was quiet for a moment and then turned to him with a look in his eye that Loki knew all to well, "No, no, no. I know that look."

"It's the only way to ensure the safety of our borders!" Thor argued as he stood up and Loki followed him.

"Thor, it's madness!"

"Madness, what sort of madness?" Volstagg asked around a mouthful of food, able to hear their conversation now.

"We're going to Jotunheim," Thor announced looking around the room.

Volstagg laughed, "What!?"

"This isn't like a journey to Midgard, where you summon a little lightning and thunder and the mortals worship you as a god! This is Jotunheim! " Fandral explained, and Loki saw Althea flinch a little at the name of the place she was held captive for so many months, which made Loki hate the place all the more.

"My father fought his way into Jotunheim, defeated their armies, and took their Casket! We'd just be looking for answers," Thor replied and Loki's lip twitched uncontrollably as his plan was slid in place. He caught Althea's eye, and saw her watching him closely and so took great care to mask his features.

There were some things even she should not know. He knew she would most definitely disapprove of what he was doing and try to stop him. He was afraid she may succeed in swaying his mind. It was too big a risk. He had to go through with this and one day she would see the good he had done for them and all the people of Asgard and the nine realms.

"It is forbidden!" Sif reminded Thor.

Thor looked around at his friends and smiled with enthusiasm, "My friends, have you forgotten all that we've done together?" He asked them, "Fandral, Hogun, who led you into the most glorious of battles?"

"You did," Hogun agreed.

Thor nodded and moved over to Volstagg setting a hand on his back, "Who led you to delicacies so succulent, you thought you'd died and gone to Valhalla?"

Volstagg smirked and nodded, "You did."

"And who proved wrong all who scoffed at the idea that a young maiden could be one of the fiercest warriors this Realm has ever known?" Thor asked walking over to Sif.

"I did," she replied easily.

Thor nodded, "True, but I supported you," he said before walking over to Althea.

"And who said not a bad word when all argued over the idea of you and Loki being married?" He asked her.

Loki wished Thor would have kept Althea and himself out of it, but saw it as a necessary evil to get what he wanted.

"I suppose… you did," Althea replied nodding, but Loki recalled that Thor neither cared either way and did not exactly support them.

"And so you support me?" He asked her.

She nodded in agreement but said, "I shall not accompany you to Jotunheim, it is no place for me but I will remain here until you return and treat any wounds you may receive," she said with a gentle smile.

Thor nodded and smiled at all of them, "My friends, we're going to Jotunheim!"

Each of them nodded and Sif said, "We must put on our battle gear and fetch our swords. We will all meet at the bridge in ten minutes?" She asked and when everyone nodded she smiled and started walking towards the door with the Warriors Three following after her.

Loki saw Althea's face turn to worry, and before he could go over and console her Thor walked over and set a hand on her shoulder, "Don't look so sad, everything will be well and we will be hailed as heroes, you'll see!" He said before walking away from her and out the door, leaving Loki and Althea alone in the room.

"Must you go?" She asked him, turning sad eyes over to him.

"You know the answer," Loki said walking over to her.

"I do, but I try and pretend I don't," she said with a sad smile.

"And yet you support me anyways," Loki reminded her.

"I'll always support you Loki, you know that," she said, a true smile with no hint of sadness on her face now.

Loki nodded and answered her with a smile of his own, but inside he wasn't sure of the truth in her words. Right now she might always support him, but there would be a day, and perhaps soon, that he would do something so horrible in her eyes that she could not love or support him any longer. Althea was content and happy with the way things were and the life she led. Loki was not happy, and he would never be until he got what he wanted most of all. Recognition. And he would get it by any means possible. When he tried to do good, Thor always seemed to get the credit and step in front of him. He would only be happy once he got all that he wanted.

"Of course I do," he answered her, leaning down to touch her lips with his. He wished to keep them connected longer but he knew there was no time to waste. There would be plenty of time for intimacies later.

"And yet I still worry," she said.

Loki hated to use her like this, but it wasn't really using her if she would be protecting their lives and their future would it? "How about this, if Heimdall says our battle is going poorly, go and alert the guards, who will alert Odin and all will be well."

"Odin!? But Thor-" she started but Loki cut her off.

"Forget about Thor!" He shouted to quiet her, "Do you really think this will succeed? The six of us against all of Jotunheim? We will be lucky if we last an hour at the most. Thor is stupid and impulsive, he doesn't listen to anything Odin says unless it is his praises. This is a fool's errand."

Loki waited for Althea to speak, but she seemed a little stunned by his outburst. Usually he never yelled around her, but things were changing now and his hatred was growing. He tried being patient, he tried waiting for his turn to be worshipped. Waiting, always waiting. Well he was done waiting and his patience had worn out now for good.

His voice softened, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell. I just…" He didn't know how to explain.

"I know," she replied with a tight smile, wrapping her arms around his torso and Loki wanted to believe that she did know. But in his heart he knew she didn't have to suffer the way he did. People loved her and admired her, the only thing they frowned upon about her was her connection to him. As long as she was not ashamed of him, then Loki knew he would never be ashamed of himself.

Well there we have it! I also didn't even edit this so sorry for what I am sure are a ton of mistakes!

THANK YOU for all those reviews oh my goodness. I don't know how you guys found this... like seriously this must have been on page like 500 of the section! I am glad you found it, and for my original followers and favouriters well if you're still here you are the greatest!