When Legends Become Reality

Chapter 4

"So, you said you knew where the path is," Loki spoke up, wrapped up in a thick cloak. He didn't get cold as fast as Thor and the other Asgardians did but he would rather be safe than sorry when he was going to spend a longer amount of time on Jotunheim. Beside him, Loptr was wrapped up even more than he was. Ever since she had come to stay with them, Frigga and even Odin have started treating her like the Princess she was. He should have been jealous but if he was being honest with himself, Loptr deserved every bit of good that happened to her. The more time they spent together, the more she opened up to him and Loki had found himself having to excuse himself to the bathroom more than once during the more gruesome bits.

Loptr narrowed her eyes and looked around "I only used it once," she murmured "But it should take us to Utgard. The capital of Jotunheim."

"But you're sure this is the right one?" Loki asked, slightly hesitant. He loved exploring the vast universe but whenever he discovered a new path, he was sure to be careful.

Loptr nodded "I let the Jotuns into the vault... during Thor's coronation. Not my best plan but... Yeah."

"It's in the vault?" Loki exclaimed in surprise.

"I checked some other paths and they were exactly where I remembered them to be," Loptr shrugged her shoulders.

Loki ran a hand down his face "We're lucky no one has found the path yet..."

Loptr shot him a wry look "You know that not many people travel the branches of Yggdrasil and even fewer are able to spot the paths. We are among the rare few who can do so without any repercussions. Travelling along the branches is dangerous and it takes skill to do so safely. There is a reason that everyone - even Odin - usually uses the Bifrost."

"I'm aware of that," Loki grumbled, rolling his eyes at her tone. He squinted at the wall in the vault, trying to lessen the glare of the crack. How hadn't he seen it before? "It's still dangerous to leave this path open. The idea that there is a path that ends right where Asgard keeps its most precious items... unsettles me." He shook his head and turned to look at Loptr "Shall we?"

"We can seal it. Although I guess it will depend on how this meeting will turn out," Loptr murmured. She had placed a shield around it in her old world, even if no one had really cared. She wrapped her arms around herself nervously. What she remembered of Laufey wasn't good. Her Laufey had been a big pile of bad wrapped in anger and hatred. He hadn't cared that she was his daughter. She was a runt and all had been left to die alone in a temple. At least that was what he had told her when she went back after Odin fell into Odinsleep "Do I have to come?"

Loki reached out to grab her hand, pulling her closer to his side "You promised me," he pointed out, watching her worriedly.

"I know," Loptr whispered "Still..."

"It will be alright. And if not, then we leave and close the path," Loki told her, his voice quiet and soothing "We have Mother, Father and Thor. You have me."

Loptr looked up at him through thick lashes "And you have me." Her voice lowered "I'm scared, Loki. What if he doesn't want me? I'm not of this world after all. You're his son... I'm just..."

"No," Loki cut her off "You're my twin, alright? I don't care where you came from or how you came to be here. If Laufey or anyone has a problem with that then they don't deserve you." He pressed a kiss to Loptr's temple "We won't know if we don't try..."

Loptr took a deep breath and steeled herself, pressing a little closer to Loki. Meeting new people was nerve-wreaking. Especially if she had known them previously. No one had ever liked her for... Well, for being herself. Everyone had bought into the persona she had shown them "Let's go."