Working Title : Loki & Annie

Chapter Twelve

When Thor arrived in the Observatory in Asgard he took a moment to exhale the air of Midgard and breathe in the smell of home. It was difficult to describe, he had tried before to speak of the sharp tang of magic that saturated the very air in Asgard. Sinking deep and refilling his bones, a replenishment of himself. It had never failed to sooth him, the scent of coming home, where he belonged. This time he wondered at the unsettled roll in his stomach and hoped it wasn't a sign of things to come.

He caught the eye of Heimdall as he walked forward and gave the Gatekeeper a nod of acknowledgement. He felt the unease of long ago when he had been up to mischief on another realm and had returned to the Watchers knowing gaze. "Heimdall. How fares my father?"

The yellow eyes watched as the Heir to Asgard walked closer then stopped in front of him. "Your Highness." He gave a slight bow of his head. "The Allfather asks for you."

Thor's chin rose slightly. "What did you tell him?"

The all seeing gaze moved to look back out over the cosmos. "That you were to return soon and would have news."

Thor nodded then walked from the Observatory. Taking Mjolnir in hand, he was soon flying over the city and landing within the Palace walls. He tucked his hammer away and allowed his feet to take him to where he knew Odin would be waiting for him. At the gold doors of the Throne Room the guards were already pushing the massive doors open as he approached. They closed behind him.

Walking towards the AllFather's throne he thought about the many times he had made this walk before. The reasons had been many. When he was young his feet had carried him here to run into his fathers arms to be lifted to his shoulders. Then as he grew older he had reluctantly walked here for discipline. Other times he had come to request permission to travel, then later to return to tell of a triumphant return. Nearly every time Loki had been with him, silently walking behind him.

Thor saw the Captain of the Guard, Reapt, standing on the floor near his father's throne, arms folded. There was a faint smile on the Captain's lips that Thor disliked and he frowned. Coming to a stop at the bottom of the steps he gave his father a respectful bow while bringing a fist up to his heart. "Father."

"What news do you bring from Alfheim?" Odin's one eye bore into Thor's blue ones with force.

"They are the same as all the other realms. They have no news pertaining to Loki." Thor's eyes slid to Reapt. The man wore a small smirk. Turning to fully face the man he asked, "Considering it was from your custody that Loki escaped, where comes your smugness?"

Reapt's face fell into a scowl. Loki's disappearance was a blow to his pride and shook his standing with the AllFather. The fact that he knew Loki was physically in no condition to escape meant someone aided the younger Prince. Reapt believed he was being challenged by that very one standing in front of him. "Did you have enough time to thoroughly check all Nine Realms, Your Highness? In between your visits to Midgard?"

Thor took a step towards Reapt when Odin hissed a warning. Thor took another step in defiance. Reapt's eyes widened. Thor spoke in a low voice that rumbled, it's echo came in the thunder outside. "What did you do with my brother?" Thor felt his rage building. This question was asking what agonies Reapt had put Loki through but the man would never know that.

"I? I did nothing! He was put back in his cell. When he was next checked on, the cell was empty." Reapt's eyes darted towards the AllFather while he licked suddenly dry lips. When his eyes jerked back to Thor he spat out, "that little brother of yours was helped by another." Reapt smiled a snarl, he too spoke with hidden meaning. "And I will  find out who dared to violate the AllFather's commands by aiding him in escaping. And be assured, that one will face the full measure of punishment."