[3] downfall ~ harry potter × marvel

1.03

the coward king

~

They were surrounded.

By the guards who were supposed to protect them. Loki wanted to kill each of them, singlehandedly. But these were the Einherjar, Odin's special troops – well, formerly special troops, Loki had no doubt that they would all be executed when the Allfather found out.

Where was Odin actually? How come that he was not already here, protecting his wife – and thus protecting him, like he would care about doing that.

"Loki." Frigga put a hand on his shoulder, noticing how he had taken an intimidating stance, ready to pull out his knives. "Calm down. There's no use in fighting."

"Perhaps if we cooperate, we'll find out more. Your father must be here soon." For the first time in his life, Loki was uncertain about the truth in his mother's words. She lied straight in his face, even though she knew he would see right through it.

Roughly, the guards in golden armour pulled him with them. To the throne room. Loki made sure to check if Frigga was not being manhandled, if not, it wouldn't matter to him who tried to stop him.

She was merely guided to the throne room, whereas Loki got dragged like an animal. Before the question had even reached his mind, Loki understood what was going on: whoever took part in this, knew of his heritage and treated him like the animal all Asgardians believed Frost Giants to be. This was an attempt to power. It had to be. Why else would the Einherjar treat their Prince, to whom they had sworn loyalty, this way?

Loki felt relieved when he saw Thor standing next to the throne, Mjolnir in his hand. But something wasn't right. He knew his brother. Thor would never look this unfazed if Loki were to be dragged into the throne room like this. Even back in the day when he deserved it. His brother had always stood up for him. Right now, it was as if Thor did not even see him and Frigga enter the throne room. No, he just stood there. Still as a statue. He wasn't himself.

"Thor! For the Norns' sake, stop him!" Sif's agonized cry awoke Loki from his thoughts. The Trickster whipped his head to the side to see what made the warrior woman sound like a kitchen maid. That was when he realised that Thor was not able to think right, because the God of Thunder would never allow anyone to hurt his friends. Certainly not kill them.

Which was exactly what had happened; the treacherous Einherjar had killed Hogun the Silent. Without mercy.

That was why Sif cried, for the loss of one of her loyal companions. For the loss of a friend. The Lady tried to get to the body. She trashed and fought all the men who stood in her way. Sif did not yield. Loki could not remember a time when Sif had yielded. Could not remember a time when she was defeated.

But on that dreaded day, the Prince of Asgard saw Lady Sif fall with a spear through her chest, her eyes ablaze with fury. He saw her eyes dart to the Queen one last time, before they lost the shine that betrayed life had left her.