Stolen Relic ~ A Loki Fanfic

Chapter Twenty-Three

Hello friends! It's been FOREVER since I updated this story, but seeing the previews for the upcoming Loki series inspired me to dust off this story and put out the chapters I have written knowing I will have renewed Loki inspiration come June. I hope you enjoy!

Happy Reading!

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"We're going to Jotunheim," Thor said resolutely.

Loki paled. He had not anticipated this reaction from his brother. Yes, he knew Thor would be upset by the delay of the coronation, but he had never thought his brother would consider going against the All Father so completely. Going to Jotunheim and attacking the Frost Giants would be viewed as treason.

"What?" Volstagg called, looking up in disbelief. The big oaf was already digging through what food had survived Thor's temper. He was carefully picking through the trays and dishes on the floor making himself a snack.

Sif stepped forward, her dark eyes serious as they flickered back and forth from Loki to Thor as though she were trying to figure out how this might be Loki's fault. "Thor, of all the laws of Asgard, this is the one you must not break," she said urgently.

Thor simply shook her off, his excitement rising along with his resolve. He would prove to everyone that he was a worthy leader and he would protect Asgard from the monsters who threatened their home. Once he was victorious his father would see he had been right all along.

Fandral stepped forward an uncharacteristically serious expression on his face. "This isn't like a journey to earth where you summon a little lightning and thunder and the mortals worship you as a god. This is Jotunheim."

"If the frost giants don't kill you," Volstagg said gravely. "Your father will."

Thor scoffed at their concern. "My father fought his way into Jotunheim, defeated their armies and took their Casket. We would just be looking for answers," Thor explained as though it were the most simple and ration thing to do. If the Frost Giants just so happened to attack all the better.

Loki put his head in his hand and scrubbed at his eyes. How was he ever going to get them all out of this one? He recognized the resolve burning in Thor's eyes and knew his brother wouldn't see reasoned. Loki felt a flare of guilt. He had never intended this to go this far. It was only meant to disrupt the coronation, not lead his brother to treason.

"It is forbidden!" Sif said desperately.

Thor chuckled as though the rules didn't apply to him. "My friends have you forgotten all we have done together? We defeated the immortal army of Harokin!"he exclaimed.

Loki's head snapped up at those words, shock etched on his face. Thor genuinely believed it had been he, and only he, that had defeated Harokin. Without Loki and Kenna, Thor and his band of soldiers would have been dead on the ash covered fields of Alfheim. Loki ground his teeth. His and Kenna's efforts to save Asgard had led to more than one dangerous assumption. It seemed not just the All Father believed it had been Thor's victory alone, but Thor himself. How short a memory his brother had. Loki ground his teeth, but forced his expression back to neutral.

When the others still didn't look convinced Thor strode towards them his excitement palpable. "Fandral, Hogun, who led you into the most glorious of battles?"

Fandral chuckled and nodded in agreement right away. Hogun however slowly nodded his head, crumbling under Thor's pressure. "You did," he agreed quietly.