The Burden Of Her Arms (Loki/Sigyn)

Chapter 17

Chapter 17

It was barely an hour before the Bifrost spun for the third time. Sigyn watched from the other side of the rainbow bridge. Fandral was carried from the Bifrost by Volstagg and Hogun. Sif followed closely. But Thor, Odin... Loki. What kept them?

Loki shifted, fiddling absently with the web of his thumb. This had gone too far. They shouldn't have even made it to Jotunheim and now, what would become of Thor? He had meant to make a point, not to start a war.

"There won't be a kingdom to protect if you're afraid to act!" Thor shouted. "The Jotuns must learn to fear me just as they once feared you."
Loki breathed deeply as a wave of sickness and cold washed over him. A shiver ran up his back.

"That's pride and vanity talking, not leadership. You've forgotten everything I taught you. But a warrior impatience." Odin sneered.

"While you wait and be patient, the Nine Realms laugh at us! The old ways are done. You'd stand giving speeches while Asgard falls."

"You are a vain, greedy, cruel boy!" Odin shouted.

"And you are an old man and a fool!"
Silence washed over the Bifrost. Odin looked down.

"Yes. I was a fool...to think you were ready."
Enough, this was too far. Loki stepped forward. "Father-"

Odin jabbed a finger at him, snarling. Loki stepped back.

Know your place. Something growled in the back of his mind.

"Thor Odinson, you have betrayed the express command of your King." Odin's voice wavered, thick with the threat of tears. "Through your arrogance and stupidity, you have opened these peaceful realms and innocent lives to the horror and desolation of war!" He ripped Gungir from the ground and jammed it into the Bifrost's key. Lightning rose from the spear, spreading to touch all sides. The engine came to life.

"You are..." Odin ripped Thor's armor. "Unworthy of these realms! Unworthy of your title! You are unworthy! Of the loved ones you have betrayed."

Loki looked away, unable to face his brother's growing despair and his father's fury.

"I now take from you your power! In the name of my father and his father before him, I, Odin All-Father, cast you off!"

Mjolnir flew to Odin's hand and Thor's armor dissolved as he was thrown into the Bifrost.
He raised the hammer to his lips, murmuring to it. "Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall possess the power of Thor." It followed Thor into the Bifrost.

Loki watched it go in silence. His heart sank. This was as far from what he intended as it could ever be... But to admit to his wrongdoing... No. It was too late for that. He would have to take the winds as they came.

**

He had evaded Odin's questions and Sigyn's concern for as long as he could. The horror growing in the back of his mind made his hands shake and his stomach turn. He wiped sweat from his brow and entered the Vault.
Walking slowly, he made his way to the Casket. It hummed as he approached, drawing him closer. His breath rattled in his throat and his heart thundered wildly against his ribs.
He shook his head, trying to stop, wanting to continue.

This is madness.

But he had to know. He had to be sure.
He gripped it and lifted, gasping as it seemed to grip him in return. He couldn't let it go. His skin felt rough and as the color faded into a cerulean blue, despair punched him in the gut.

"Stop!" Odin cried.

"Am I cursed?" He fought to keep his voice steady.

"No." Odin replied simply.