Birthright

Prodigal Son

"Welcome home, Your Highness!" Heimdal bowed as Loki walked past. This was a sight he'd never imagined he'd see. Literally. As Gatekeeper for all the realms of Yggdrasil, he saw everything. Even he though hadn't seen this coming!

Loki tried not to stare but was failing miserably. This was like nothing he'd ever imagined. In all his writing, all his research, he'd known that Asgard would - if it had existed which it did NOT - would have been spectacular. But this? Nope. Never in his wildest dreams.

They walked out of the Bifrost chamber - his spiralling mind was abke to identify that - and stood on the bridge. Thor glanced over at his little brother and smirked. Despite the circumstances, he was glad to see him. He'd missed their banter.

"So? Familiar yet?" He asked, nudging the pale and shaking man next to him. Loki looked up and shook his head.

"Mad....ness..." was all he could mumble.

Suddenly, there was a rumble, and the great gates at the end of the bridge opened. Four figures on horseback approached at speed, leading extra mounts.

As they reached them, they slowed. Asa recognised them as The Warriors Three and Lady Sif. She saluted them as they dismounted. Sif made straight for Asa.

"Sister! You're back! How fares the prince?" She hugged Asa and then looked at Loki. He stared back, mouth agape. "Ah. Goldfish syndrome. Jane was the same. Hopefully, the Queen can sort that." She winked "its really not a good look." She whispered, and they laughed, making Loki frown.

Volstagg and Fandral approached, leaving the last warrior Hogen, holding the horses. "My Prince" Volstagg bent his knee and saluted Thor. "Good to see you back. You need to make haste. Odin is... weakened. Frigga has asked us to get you to her with all speed."

He stood, his face full of concern. "Things... are changing. There are rumours from outside the city. Apparitions. Demons." Thor swore quietly.

"Come on, we have to go." He looked at Asa and Loki. "Can you ride?" He asked him. Loki shook his head. "Ok, Asa. You take him."

Asa nodded and guided Loki to her mount, a white winged mare saddled with her Valkyrie livery. It whinnied and nodded its head. She stroked the horses muzzle. "Come on, Vind." She pressed her forehead to its neck,"time to take out prince home."

Turning to Loki, she pointed to the stirrups and pommel of the saddle. "Foot there, hand there and haul yourself up. Face the pointy end." She winked and smiled, his face changing from his permanent state of shock to a small smile.

"Thanks Asa, I think I can manage that." Inwardly, he wasnt altogether sure!

He did as he was told, sliding as far back as he dared. Asa mounted in front of him and looked over her shoulder. "Hold on to me." She said quietly. He slid forward, putting his arms around her waist gingerly. "I won't break Loki. You'll need to hold on tighter than that." She spoke quietly, almost intimately. She didn't want to shame him in front of the others. The Loki they all knew was an expert horseman.

"Ready?"

He nodded. "Yes," he said into her ear. Thank you, Asa."

"My Prince."

They galloped off towards the palace. Thor and Asa in front, the warriors and Sif behind. Asa tried to concentrate on what she was doing, but the proximity of Loki was making it incredibly difficult.

She could feel his hips, pressed against her as they moved on the saddle. His hands, grasping her tightly, even through her armour. His breath on her neck as he looked over her shoulder. He was more than tall enough to look over her but for some reason, he seemed to feel the need to crouch in close.

If she didnt pay attention, she was in great danger of shaming not just herself but everyone around her.

Loki was beyond astonished. As they'd walked out of the chamber and mounted the horses, his mind had been in freefall. This was some drug fuelled dream. He would wake in some grotty bar, having had his drink spiked. He'd have been robbed, beaten - or worse - and would spend the next two days with the mother of all hangovers.

But he didnt. He wouldn't. This was all real. How did he know? By the feeling of the woman now sat between his thighs. The metal armour under his fingers and the scent of the skin at his nostrils. Intoxicating and sensual. Strong women always did something to him. Something that meant he hoped this would be a long ride.

They arrived at the doors to the huge gilded palace and dismounted. Loki got off first and helped Asa. She didnt need it in truth, but neither wanted to deny the other the contact.

His eyes lingered on hers for a moment and she thought she saw a flicker... then it was gone. One thought crossed her mind. Well, several did, but the one repeatable in polite company was that which Loki would Frigga retrieve?

The one desperately looking for a throne? The one abashed after years of suppression in exile. Or some other version none had seen before?
They could only wait and see.

"Come Brother, Asa. The Queen awaits us. It's time." Thor indicated the doors and the guards swung them open. Even Asa was impressed. The Palace was somewhere she'd visited only infrequently. Usually, she'd lived at the Sorority House the Valkyrie shared when they were not on duty.

She let Thor go first, then Loki, then she took up her usual place at the rear. The Warriors and Siff would rejoin them later on.

They walked through the hallway in silence. Thor twirling his hammer, Loki trying to control his twirling brain. Asa? Well she was just concentrating on watching the Brothers walking. Shieldmaiden she may be. Woman she definitely was!

Thor paused at a set of ornate doors. "This is where I take my leave. Mother wants to see Loki alone. Asa you are to remain outside until the Queen calls you." He looked at Loki, a serious tone to his voice as he spoke. "Whatever happens, know this. You are only alive at this point because of our mother. None of this was her doing other than to make sure you didn't rot in a dungeon for the next five thousand years. You would do well to remember that, Brother." Now he stopped, and smiled. "Good to have you back little brother!" With a chuckle he walked off.

Loki turned to Asa. "Can... can you come in? I'm... at a loss. I have no idea what to say, what to do..."

Asa put a hand on his arm. "She's just your mother Loki. No matter what you THINK you know about all this? She's just a mother getting her son home. Now, on you go. I'll be here for you when the time comes." She looked about and the guards at the door stared straight ahead, unseeing.

She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. "You'll be fine." She stood back and gently pushed him. "Now. Go."

The doors swung open and he walked through. Sitting on a chair by a window, watching out onto the Asgardian sunshine, sat a beautifully regal older woman. Hair the colour of flax, with a few silvered streaks, she looked eyernally young yet with a look of experience all at the same time. She wore a gown of azure blue, topped with a delicately engraved silver breastplate. In her hair, a silver tiara interwoven with gems.

At the noise of the door, she stood and turned to him. Her face lit up and she smiled, her eyes filling with tears.

Loki suddenly had the overwhelming need to hug her. To be hugged by her. This, he knew, was his mother.

"Loki! My son!" She held out her arms and he ran across the room. Enveloping him in her perfumed embrace, they wept together. "Oh my son. My son."

"Mother. I am home."