A GODS WEAKNESS [l.laufeyson]

EIGHTEEN

     Thor has returned to Asgard after his battle and the death of Malekith. He kneels at the foot of the Throne. Although heavily damaged by the Dark Elf invasion, the Throne Room and it's Throne look as bling as it ever was.

"You once said there would never be a wiser King than me. You were wrong. The alignment has brought all the realms together. Every one of them saw you offer your life to save them. What can Asgard offer its new King in return?" Odin stands proudly at his son knelt before him.

"My life. Father, I cannot be King of Asgard. I will protect Asgard and all the realms with my last and every breath, but I cannot do so from that chair. Loki for all his grave imbalance understood rule as I know I never will. The brutality, the sacrifice... It changes you. I'd rather be a good man than a great King."

"Is this my son I hear? Or the woman he loves?" Odin questions Thor's sudden decision.

"When you speak, do I never hear Mother's voice?" Odin sighs and casts his eye downwards.

"This is not for Jane, Father. She does not know what I came here to say. Now forbid me to see her or say she can rule at my side, it changes nothing." Odin sinks wearily to the Throne

"One son who wanted the Throne too much, another who will not take it. Is this my legacy?"

"Loki died with honour. I shall try to live the same. Is that not legacy enough?" Thor thinks back to holding a dying Loki in his arms. Odin nods and Thor looks down to Mjlnor and offers it back to his father.

"It belongs to you. If you are worthy of it."

"I shall try to be."

"I cannot give you my blessing, nor can I wish you good fortune."

"I know." Thor sighs.

"If I were proud of the man my son had become, even that I could not say, I would speak only from my heart. Go, my son."

"Thank you, father." Odin watches Thor depart, then transforms to reveal it was Loki on the throne all along.

"No. Thank you."

~

Astrid sits in her chambers. Tomorrow she is to return to Vanaheim and continue her life as Queen. To finally rule and make Loki proud of her. She hears a knock at the door and calls for them to enter. She looks to the door to see Eir standing there.

"Eir? What can I help you with?"

"Lady Astrid." Eir bows to her and Astrid can see that something is wrong. "I'm sorry to bother you at this late hour." She pauses for a moment hesitating before revealing something to Astrid.

"King Frey is dead." After hearing the news Astrid wasn't sure whether to jump up and down with joy or to cry.

"What happened?" She couldn't understand, he was fine when she saw him. Excluding the fact that he was paralysed that is.

"We're not entirely sure Princess. My girls and I are looking into it. We think there might have been some complications though."

"Thank you, Eir. You may return to your work." Eir bowed once more to Astrid before leaving.

Astrid looked at herself in the mirror. She thought maybe she should be sad about this. He was her father after all. But she wasn't, instead she laughed. She was finally free. Once she was in Vanaheim, Inez wouldn't be able to get ahold of her. She would up her security just in case but the chances were low. They were already wanted in Asgard and there's no way they could sneak through Heimdall and the Bifrost. The invisible chains that were holding her disappeared and she felt the weight lifting off her.

It was late but she thought she should still speak to Odin. She made her way to his chambers as the guards informed him of her presence and allowed her in.

"My dear, what can I do for you?" Loki was pleased to see her but didn't reveal his form just yet.

"I'm sorry my King." She curtsied to him to show her respect. "I've come quite late."

"It's quite alright Astrid. My condolences to you, I'm sorry about your father." He could see her smiling, and she noticed it.

"Forgive me, your highness. That was rude of me. He was not only my father but a dear friend of yours... Anyway, I am to return to Vanaheim in the morning. I shall become Queen and take my fathers place."

"That seems fair young Astrid. But could I by any chance make a proposal." This caught her attention unsure on what Odin was implying. He gestured for her to look out the window. She did just that looking down onto Asgard, it was beautiful anyway but at night it shone.

"Instead of Vanaheim, could I suggest that you stayed here in Asgard..." behind her a was a green light but she hadn't noticed looking down on the city. "...with me."

Her eyes widened. His voice, she could hear it and it wasn't her mind playing tricks. She turned around quickly not wanting to wait another second, and there he stood before her.

"Loki?" It was barely a whisper. He just smiled at her. "H-how?"

"Don't ask questions my love." He held his arms out to welcome her in to him. Without wasting another second she ran into him and kissed him like she wasn't going to let go.