Working Title : Loki & Annie

115 The Return of Prince Thor

When Thor walked out of his chambers he was still tired because he hadn't taken the nap he wanted, instead, he had bathed and changed into clean clothes. Each time he returned from Midgard he once more wished Asgard had the mortals equivalent to jeans and a hoodie. Even the most casual clothes here in Asgard were less comfortable than any of his Midgardian clothes. Unless he were willing to go about in sleep clothes he would once more have to get used to the weight of armor, leather, and layers of fabric. Pushing a hand through his still-damp hair he wondered if he had time to go by the Healing Halls to check on Myrun, he had promised Loki he would return to tell him how she was.

"Thor!"

It took effort not to growl at the sound of Fandral calling his name. Thor didn't bother putting a pleasant expression on his face before turning to face his friend nor did he stop walking backward. 

"Thor, you look better rested." Fandral gave a bright smile.

Once his friend walked at his side Thor turned to walk forward as he grunted at Fandral's poorly told lie. 

"Ah, well, I do hope you at least feel better." There was an uncomfortable undercurrent in his tone as the silence stretched, "You seemed, ah, rather unlike yourself."

Thor hummed, he really didn't want to make his friend uncomfortable but he also didn't want to have a conversation that would simply turn into an argument. An unwelcome feeling of guilt forced him to make an attempt at talking. "I do. Thank you for asking."

Fandral looked at Thor sideways, keeping the uneasy expression.

Thor shook his head just slightly as he realized even with the short time he had spent on Midgard he had gotten into the Midgardian habit of thanking someone for even small courtesies. Asgard didn't think pleasantries were needed unless something large had happened. Like saving someone's life, that was an acceptable reason to offer thanks. Thor quietly scoffed at this thought, perhaps not that drastic but certainly close.

Walking beside his Prince Fandral thought perhaps they should have sent Volstagg in his place, the jovial axeman was much more able to break Thor's odd moods. They were rare but did happen. And Thor was in a truly odd mood since his return. Hopefully, he would explain as he had said so that they could all determine what needed to be done to bring back their carefree friend.

Walking past the guards at the door to the feast hall Thor gave the man on his right a nod then ignored the slight widening of his eyes. Norns! He had to stop this foolishness! Already the hall was full of loud nobles and various others who were fortunate enough to be allowed to dine in the main hall. The noise level was moderated but would rise the more mead and ale flowed.

Fandral was swept up by women who fluttered around him and he stopped to flirt with them all as Thor continued to the head table. As always his eyes went first to the missing seat that should be filled with Loki who would be in some boring discussion with an anonymous nobleman, most likely still working out tax rates and how many sheep a farmer needed to send as tribute. The chair had been removed and no one spoke of it to him but he had heard the rumors. Odin had not had a public trial for Loki, even Frigga and Thor had not been there so most people knew nothing of Loki's imprisonment. But rumors flowed as ale through the realm with various fantastical tales of what had caused the removal of the second Prince's chair so long after his accidental fall from the BiFrost.

Before taking his place next to his Mother who sat next to Odin Thor looked and found the table where Sif, Volstagg, and Hogun sat. Fandral was approaching with both arms around women with several more trailing behind. Thor wasn't looking forward to joining them only because he knew he would have to refrain from revealing what had been his part in Loki's escape. Once the meal was fully on its way Thor would move to the table with his companions, but to begin with, he had to sit with his family.