Consequences

9

When Loki awoke, he found Thor's hand on his and his brother's body warm beside him. He smiled, remembering the years before he had pitted himself against Thor when this would have been common. So many slights had led to him cuddled against his brother, the only person in the realm who had made him feel safe. And yet still, Thor himself had often pummeled Loki for various things, including for cutting Sif's hair, though afterwards when Loki had earnestly atoned, he had still sought the protection of his elder brother at night, sometimes curling against him, apologizing as he cried himself to sleep, hoping whatever he had done could be forgiven. It always had been.

For a brief moment, Loki thought that things were going to be all right. That maybe Thor could help him put the pieces back together, find Amundr and Brynja, and the family would be once again intact and everyone would be fine. Then the despair hit again and he felt his heart sink as he thought about Brynja and Amundr trapped by Sigyn. It was hard not to start crying again.

Thor felt Loki moving and woke up, "Good morning, Little Brother. I see you slept."

"Yes, thank you." Thor went to move his hand but Loki caught it and held it for just a moment longer before letting him go.

"Some things never change, do they?"

"Thankfully not. I would have probably done something incredibly rash last night had you not convinced me to stay here."

"You had best get ready for the day. I will meet with the captains to see if they have news from their search last night. Prepare yourself if they have not- we will need all the skills of your sorcery to find them if the guards have not had success."

"I doubt your captains want to see me in merely my bathrobe. I will get dressed."

When Loki returned to his chambers, he went to the bathroom to wash up and realized what a mess he was. His hair was tangled, tear stains on his cheeks, and his eyes were sticky from crying himself to sleep. He bathed quickly, telling himself that every minute counted, that for the sake of his wife and child, he could not waste time.

Loki met Thor in the throne room. Sif, Fandral, Volstagg, and Hogun were already with him, ready to relay messages to the guard and the captains of the day watch.

He waited, fidgeting, until Thor beckoned him forward, "Do you have any news?"

"No. The palace was searched from the lowest cellars to the highest towers and no traces of them were found. They began searches of other halls in the realm, also without result. The day guard will begin searching other homes and buildings in the city. We will need your help to try to find them and to direct the guard."

Loki realized there were two others who ought to know what had happened and really shouldn't find out from strangers, "What about Katja and Sunny? Have they been told yet?"

Sif replied, "Katja will find out when I give commands to my soldiers."

Loki shook his head, "No. The girls should find out from family so they have time to react as they need to. Please, call them here. They need to have a safe place to scream, or cry, or overturn a table...."

Fandral spoke, "Sif, he's right. The girls can't find out their mother is missing through orders."

Sif nodded, "Then you may tell Katja. But we do not have time to waste with a family meeting."

Loki was both angry and heartbroken by her suggestion and nearly responded rather rudely, but Fandral replied instead, "No, Sif. That isn't how this is going to work. I will pull her aside, yes, but I am bringing her here. We will find her sister as well. They need to be together and it is not your place to tell them the news. I think it would be best if they heard it from Loki."