Working Title : Loki & Annie

106 Home Again

Odin was aware of both his son's stare and his wife's gaze so when he felt an unusual twist in the unbinding of the spell he had placed on the collar he said nothing. The spell should have come undone in one fluid motion rather than the rough yanks and pulls he felt. He felt the spell reverse and then continue to unravel several times which should not be possible yet Odin was also not overly surprised. This was Loki, the boy never did anything as expected. Despite this, he kept his face smooth except for a quick twitching blink. Thor of course noticed nothing yet he knew Frigga saw it.

"Well?" Thor asked impatiently as his fingers tapped against Mjolnir. He had never had a spell placed on him nor had he ever seen one removed so he didn't know how long he would have to wait. He hoped this wasn't going to -

Odin ignored Frigga's raised eyebrow to answer his son, "It is done."

Thor did nothing to hide the expression of relief that came over his face. "I will get him." He at least waited for the AllFather's nod of dismissal before giving his king and queen sloppy bows before turning and rushing from the office.

There was silence as Thor left, clumsily closing the door behind himself with a sharp noise. Odin turned to fully face Frigga, preparing an answer to a question he knew was coming.

Frigga wanted to know what went wrong. She knew her husband well enough that she could decipher that little twitch correctly. She remained silent, letting him wait then when she spoke she didn't say what she knew he was expecting. "Thank you."

Odin raised an eyebrow in surprise, he wasn't expecting to be thanked so he asked, "For exactly what do you thank me?"

Again Frigga didn't say what Odin expected which was her thanking him for releasing their youngest son. "For you giving Thor his brother back."

Now Odin didn't hide the expression that came over his face, "I'm not sure  have." It was time to distract Frigga from the truth by giving her half a lie. Or half a truth. It mattered not which option he chose, his words would be the same.

"What are you meaning?" Frigga felt alarmed at Odin's admission, he did not reveal mistakes. "What has happened?" She clasped her hands tightly, trying to hide how her fingers nervously pinched at the skin of her palm.

Odin refilled his glass and then took a seat before the fire while choosing what to reveal and what to keep to himself. After a sip, he answered, "I am not sure Loki has returned to Asgard. I fear he has once more escaped us."

Coming to stand in front of Odin Frigga asked, "How would you know? Once he was released his seidr should return to him and Heimdall would see enough to return him."

He took another sip, using it to stall, then he lied, "I believe he did not reveal himself to Heimdall as we had thought he would. He seems to have hidden before he could be retrieved."

Despite momentary pride at her son's abilities, Frigga made a noise of frustration and anger while glaring down at Odin, "This entire plan of yours has fallen apart every step of the way." She shook her head at Odin's bland expression, "You have created nothing but failures despite having every opportunity to succeed."

Now Odin scowled up at his wife, "Woman, it is only a failure if in the end Asgard burns. That is not going to happen therefore any deviation from our plan is trivial. We will succeed. " He narrowed his eyes at her, "And you will help to make sure of that." He waved a dismissive hand, "Go back to your weavings, tell me what you see."

Biting her bottom lip Frigga hesitated then revealed, "I have been unable to weave. I, I believe the Norns are unhappy with our meddling in their skeins." At least that is what Frigga hoped. Better that than her having lost her gift although the Norns could have done that as well.