Chronicle of the Jotenhiem

By Emma Helton

Table of Contents

Part I: Not So New Surroundings

Part II: Sick

Part III: Cold

Part IV: Freedom and Sacrifice

Part V: Tricked

Part VI: Torture

Part VII: Rescue

Part VIII: Home At Last

Part I: Not So New Surroundings

*Loki wakes one day, and hears a loud ringing in his ears. He’s bitterly cold. He turns. He must’ve left the window open again. He sits up, opens his eyes groggily, and gasps. Everything around him is covered in snow. It’s a full out blizzard. How did he get here? What was happening? He looks around frantically. He practically hyperventilates, each icy breath fogging up the air in front of him. He panics. He looks down at his hands. They’re blue. How? That only happens when he’s touching something Jotun. He tries to change himself back to normal. It doesn’t work. He exclaims, and hits the ground. This was all so sudden and confusing. His clothes are soaked. It would be a death wish to wear them. He summons a giant fur cloak, his gold horns, fur pants, and leather snow boots to replace his icy armor. He was in his Jotun form. The best form for weather like this. As much as he hated looking like a Frost Giant, it protects him from the cold... he suddenly realizes...*

Loki: Jotenhiem...

*That’s why his hands were blue. His bare hands were touching Jotun ground and air. His concealment spell wasn’t as strong as Odin’s, so now that he’s dead, and Loki is maintaining his spell, just being in the Jotenhiem must transform him. But how on earth did he get in the Jotenhiem? He hears a loud cough. He looks around. Through the curtain of snowfall, he can just barely make out another figure lying in the snow. He stands up, and walks forward. The man was covered in ice and snow. He must’ve been lying there for hours. He wasn’t a Frost Giant. If he had been lying still in these conditions for long, he would probably be dead. He turns the man over with his foot and gasps*

Loki: Thor?! How did-?

*He's cut off by Thor coughing loudly. He’s ice cold. Loki bends down, takes off his cloak, so that he’s only wearing the fur pants, and wraps it around Thor.*

Loki: Thor?! Thor, say something!

*Thor coughs loudly*

Thor: How... did... we get in... the Joten...

*He trails off. His core temperature was too low. And he was to weak to warm himself up. He was going to die*

Loki: Thor! Hang on!

*he looks all around, calling out at the top of his lungs*

Loki: Somebody! My brother’s dying! Help!

*the only response is an echo. He looks at Thor. Who’s breathing begins to slow more and more. He stands up, and pulls Thor up, pulling his arm around his neck, careful not to allow his bare skin to touch Thor’s. For Frost Giant skin is so cold to the touch it will instantly give unguarded flesh frostbite. Loki trudges forward, dragging Thor with him. He looks around. His red eyes see well in the snow, and luckily prevent snow blindness. Every so often when his bare skin touches Thor’s, he hears Thor react feebly. On the horizon, he sees what looks to be a building. A giant building. Loki knows that going into an inhabited home could be risky, but it’s worth the risk. Even he begins to shiver. And he would do just about anything to find out what in the nine realms was going on. After a few minutes he approaches the colossal door, his brother hanging limp on his shoulder. He knocks. No reply. He tries to push the door open. He cries out*

Loki: Someone, please! My brother is dying! He needs help!

*he hears a voice on the other side of the door. The voice is deep and smooth*

Voice: State your name and business.

Loki: I am Loki Odinson, Prince of Asgard. My brother, Thor Odinson, king of Asgard is in peril! Please! He will die!

Voice: And why should I help you? You are both enemies of the Jotenhiem. You, Prince of Asgard, have sought quarrel with us.

Loki: I have made mistakes! That does not mean the innocent should die for them! You can leave me out here to die! But have mercy on him!

*theres a long silence. Loki sighs, and as he’s about to turn away, the door cracks open. A man almost twice their size stands in the doorway. A Frost Giant. He wears similar attire to Loki, and has a short white beard. He holds an oaken staff with a jade tip. He lets them in. Loki drags his brother in*

Loki: Thank you...

*The Frost Giant grunts. Loki looks around. The dwelling looks as icy as it is outside, but magically is warm. He sits Thor down, wrapping him tighter yet in the cloak*

Frost Giant: You are of the Jotenhiem?

Loki: Yes.

Frost Giant: But How? You say you are Odin’s son.

Loki: It’s a long story. To put it short, I was adopted. My real father was King Laufey. I know not who my mother was. If I did, perhaps I’d know more about who I’m supposed to be...

Frost Giant: Laufey?! You are his heir?!

Loki: Heavens no. My home is with my brother. As, not his successor, but his friend.

Frost Giant: You obviously care very much about him, if you are willing to renounce your claim to the throne.

*Loki smiles*

Loki: I am in his debt. I did awful things, and he allowed me another chance. Who would want to rule a place like this anyway? Er... no offense.

Frost Giant: None taken.

*Loki tends to his brother. He puts his hand in his cloak and grabs Thor’s hand and holds it up to his mouth to blow on it and warm him. He takes Thor’s now ice encrusted shirt off of him, and fixes the cloak to be his attire, and summons a new, slightly different one for himself. Thor’s leather pants managed to keep enough water away on their own, so luckily no replacement was required. He had already been wearing his boots as well.*

Loki: You wouldn’t happen to have a fireplace, would you?

*the frost Giant grunts and hits his staff against the wall. A magic blue fire ignites. Loki instantly feels the warmth fill the room. He smiles as Thor begins to breath more. He looks down, half-expecting his arm to turn back to normal. Nothing. He sighs*

Frost Giant: What troubles you, little one? Your brother is well.

Loki: It’s nothing, I just... I don’t usually look like this. I usually look Asgardian. I cannot change myself back. I fear I may be stuck this way. I can’t even touch him.

*he sighs. The frost Giant walks up to the fire and hangs a large rusty kettle above it. It instantly starts steaming. After a few minutes he takes it off the fire and pours its contents into a few large cups, each assorted shapes, sizes, and materials. He hands Loki, who was now standing, one of the cups. A tin mug, like one found in a prison. Inside is tea. He places a china teacup next to Thor for when he wakes. He drinks out of a beer mug.*

Loki: Um... Thank you...?

Frost Giant: Don’t mention it... What brings you here anyway?

Loki: I... don’t know. We woke up here this morning.

Frost Giant: Well that is quite a predicament...

Loki: The worst part is, I don’t know how to get home. We don’t have my brother’s weapon, to open the bifrost.

Frost Giant: I’d wager that if you can find something anywhere, it would be in the palace.

Loki: Of course! I opened a two way gate for the Frost Giants to almost any realm in exchange for delaying the coronation! That’s how you invaded Asgard! It was very dark magic to create...

*he looks to be recalling a horrible memory. He shakes his head*

Loki: It’s in the palace.

Frost Giant: It’s just about a quarter mile from here. I am the gamekeeper. When your brother recovers, I will give you the key, and you two can sneak in...

Part II: Sick

*While they speak, Thor opens his eyes slightly. His vision is blurry. He hears Loki’s voice, though he does not see him. He sees... Frost Giants. Had he been taken captive? One turns just enough for Thor to see its face... Loki.*

Loki: What? No! It’s too risky! They’ll surely catch us! I go in alone! Thor stays!

Frost Giant: You will perish without his aid!

Loki: If there’s a chance of getting him home, it’s worth it. He won’t survive here, and in this state, he’ll be killed if I take him with me! It’s a lose-lose situation for everyone if I don’t try to go alone! I’ll bring back the gate... Take care of him shall I not return... He acts tough... but he needs other people...

Frost Giant: I am loyal to the throne. If you are the true heir, I cannot let you go on a suicide mission!

Loki: I-

*suddenly Thor clears his throat. Loki turns and smiles.*

Thor(slurring): What’s going on?

*loki looks down*

Loki: Ah, yes. I am sorry you have to see me like this.

Thor(slurring): No, it’s a- it’s a good look on you...

*He sneezes.*

Loki: Bless you-

*he sneezes again. And again. Thor’s positively having a sneezing fit. Loki can’t help but snicker.*

Thor(slurring): Not- *sneeze*- Funny!- *sneeze*

*loki stops smiling when Thor starts coughing violently, and wheezing so much that he barely breathes. He runs up, slides to his side, and lifts Thor’s arm above his head, and hits his back.*

Frost Giant: Hypothermia...

Thor(slurring): Wha...?

Frost Giant: If I were you, I would check his pulse.

*loki does so, through his cape, being sure his skin doesn’t touch Thor. It’s slow*

Loki: Really weak.

Frost Giant: Definitely hypothermia. He wasn’t dying earlier, his body was conserving thermal energy. But any longer in the cold and...

*he imitates cutting across his throat*

Frost Giant: You are lucky it is only a mild case, or he’d already be dead. Perhaps it’s better if you don’t bring him... he’ll probably be a bit... out of it.

Thor(slurring): Nonsense! I’m f... fine! I’m fine! I will not let you... go... alone....... I’m up! Sorry!

Frost Giant: What did I tell you? Out of it. Hypothermia causes drowsiness, confusion, and slow reaction time. He’s no better than asleep!

Thor(slurring): I won’t let you... risk... your life!

*loki sighs*

Loki: Thor... I cannot allow you-

*he's cut off by Thor falling to the side, unconscious. Loki doesn’t know whether to laugh or scream*

Frost Giant: Don’t worry. He is fine. Loss of consciousness is yet another symptom. You have to know a lot about this stuff as a gamekeeper in sub-zero temperatures.

*loki stands up, and summons a quill and paper. He begins to write. When he finishes, he sets the paper next to Thor. He pulls his hood up, and heads to the door. Before he leaves, he turns around towards the Frost Giant*

Loki: Thank you. I know not why you show us such kindness. But I owe you my, and my brother’s life.

Frost Giant: You mustn’t judge a book by its cover. Not all Frost Giants are evil, just as not all humans are good. I saw a good man in need, and I simply opened my door.

*loki smiles. He looks at his brother one last time, and feels tears welling in his eyes*

Loki: Farewell...

*he exits. As soon as he’s out of sight, the Frost Giant turns and walks towards Thor. He shakes him awake.*

Thor(slurring): I’M UP! Sorry Lo- What the...? Where’s Loki?!

*the Frost Giant hands him the piece of paper. He squints at it. His vision is slightly blurry. He shakes his head. It reads: “Thor. I am truly sorry it has to happen this way. More deceit and lies. If I do not return, know that I was fighting for you until the very end of the line. And I am sorry I was unable to get you home. The time I spent with you were the best moments of my life. I thank you. I only wish I could have had more time to make up for all I had done. But I couldn’t live a life without the only thing I had to live for. You have become the most important thing in all the nine realms to me. More so than the tesseract. More so than my scepter. More so than a kingdom. I thought I could make people love me. Force them to. But now I see, I had what I sought all along. I had the glory. The power. The love. In you and Mother. I forgot that. And let my greed and vengeance take one of you away from me. But I’m not letting anything take you. Not as long as I live and breath. Shame it took me until our home was destroyed to see it. Even when I am gone, know that my heart is with you. I suppose my biggest regret was not having been there, every sick day, every holiday, every birthday, every victory, every accomplishment, every moment I missed. Odin’s beard, I should have been there. I never should have left. I am sorry. I only hope you will remember me fondly. Farewell, Brother. Sincerely yours, Loki”. Thor sighs and looks up at the Frost Giant, who pulls a sword off the mantlepiece, and hands it to Thor*

Frost Giant: Go... go west.

*Thor stands up, staggers, then sheaths the sword, fastens the cloak, and walks clumsily towards the door. He opens the door, the blizzard has slightly subsided. He pulls up his hood, and runs off. The cold hits him like a bullet. He is already weak with hypothermia. He begins to wonder if Loki had been right. His legs grow weak, and he grows dizzy. He sneezes loudly. Meanwhile, Loki trudges slowly onward. He hears a loud cough. He turns around to see Thor staggering and stumbling through the snow. He suddenly stops and falls to his knees, then forward. Loki runs up.*

Thor(slurring): I’m... fine...

*loki helps him up*

Loki: I told you to stay! Look at you, Brother! You are unwell! With all do respect, “my king”, I request you go back!

Thor(slurring): I told you not to go alone. Request overruled. The longer you stall, the longer I will be out here, and the more sick... I... become.

*he nods tiredly, and shakes his head. He knows Loki was right. He will die if he stays out here long. All the more reason to hurry*

Loki: I can’t allow you!

Thor(slurring): It’s a good thing I didn’t ask your permission then.

*he walks forward... In the wrong direction. Loki rolls his eyes*

Loki: West is this way, Dummy.

Thor(slurring): I knew that.

*loki smiles. He secretly is a little bit relieved Thor is coming with him. The blizzard has now completely petered out. Thor stumbles over the gleaming white snow. Loki summons two oaken walking sticks, tosses one to Thor, and trudges onward in the beautiful, glittering, untouched snow, Thor not far behind.*

Part III: Cold

Loki: Keep up, Thor!

Thor(slurring): Easy for you to say! You were built for this weather!

*loki turns towards Thor, so that he’s walking backwards*

Loki: I don’t like this any more than you do. I’ll be thrilled to get home, with a hot cup of tea...

*He sighs. Though he does want to get home, he would be lying if he said he wasn’t enjoying himself. He inhales the crisp icy air. This was his birthplace. He does love his home with Thor, but... Thor notices the look on Loki’s face. The same look Thor himself had had in Asgard. He frowns. Suddenly, a creature as white as the snow all around them darts in front of Loki. Loki bends down. It looks almost like a giant hare. But far more majestic. It had the antlers of a buck(though smaller), and icy blue eyes. It’s sleek white fur glimmers in the light. It looks like a living ice sculpture.*

Loki: A jackalope! Ha! I thought you were a myth!

*he extends his hand. The creature sniffs it, and licks it. It chitters happily, and allows him to stroke its silky coat. It then bounds away, in the direction of the palace. Loki notices another creature, in the ice. It stands tall, and stock still in front of them. It’s fur is so white, that the snow around them looks dull. It’s a majestic stag. It’s broad antlers look to be made of ice. It looks royal and wise. It walks towards them as if it owns the realm. It bends down in a bow, welcoming the newcomers. Loki instantly imitates. The stag puts its wet nose up to his face. It exhales, fogging up the air in front of it. It licks him. Loki laughs and stands up. The stag does the same. Loki strokes it’s fur. It snorts contentedly. Thor sneezes, and it runs away*

Loki: Wow, Thor...

Thor(slurring): What? Am I not allowed to sneeze now?

*they keep walking, until finally, they reach the palace. Loki pulls a key out of thin air. It looks like it’s made of finely carved ice, with icicles for the teeth. He feels around the wall until he finds a keyhole. He inserts the key, and turns it. The back door magically opens. Loki walks in, followed by Thor. Thor suddenly stumbles and leans against the wall coughing. Loki shushes him frantically. He finally stops coughing and breathes deeply, nodding tiredly.*

Loki: Thor! Snap out of it!

Thor(slurring):.... uh..... SORRY! I’m up, I’m up.

*Thor shakes his head. Loki is right. He has to snap out of it. But he feels horrible. He is cold, dizzy, incredibly drowsy, and appears to have a cold on top of the hypothermia. How long had he been lying in the snow before Loki found him? Probably hours. Loki sighs*

Loki: Come on.

*he walks on, Thor not far behind him. The palace is huge. It’s not as pristine as the palace in Asgard was, but it is a fascinating place. It looks to be made completely of... ice. There are random holes in the roof. Loki stops at the end of one hall, and leans against the wall. He has Thor do the same. He hears voices. Two guards walk by. Loki holds his breath. They pass by, and Thor sneezes loudly. Loki cringes. Thor, who was growing steadily worse, was so confused by his illness, he doesn’t even flinch when the guards turn around*

Guard: Intruders!

Loki: Thor!

Thor(slurring): What?

*The guards rush forward. Loki grabs his walking stick and blocks the one who had started fighting him. Loki kicks him back. He suddenly hears a yelp. He looks where Thor had been standing. The guard now holds Thor by his collar and holds his cutlass up to Thor’s neck. Thor kicks and thrashes, trying to get away, but he’s to weak. He looks worse than ever. At this point, it was so bad he was lucky to be alive*

Guard: The puny god is too sick to fight... Surrender or he dies...

Thor: Don’t... do it... Lo...

*thor’s head falls. Loki can hear him snoring*

Guard: Aw... he’s going to die in his sleep...

*loki drops his weapon, and slowly lifts his arms above his head. The other guard apprehends him and ties his hands behind his back. He snarls at them, but comes quietly. He looks at Thor. His skin is pale, and there are dark circles under his eyes. He’s shaking with cold. Much longer in these conditions, and he’s a goner.*

Guard: Oi! Get up! Walk!

*thor, though still half asleep, trudges along, guided by a guard. Thor is so weak now that his body has stopped fighting. He no longer sneezes and coughs. After a few minutes he falls to his knees. The guard kicks him*

Guard: Get up!

*thor's eyes roll up. He was positively dying. He is kicked more. He falls to the ground*

Loki: Stop! Can you not see he is dying?! He has hypothermia!

Guard: Nonsense. It is not even cold.

Loki: It’s -30 degrees! His body is shutting down! He’s been fighting death all day! Let me tend to him! Please!

*The guard growls*

Guard: You can tend to him... in prison.

*loki gasps. The guard drags Thor across the ground. Loki struggles*

Loki: You’re killing him!

Guard: So what?

*loki purses his lips together. He sighs. He looks down at Thor. His breathing begins to subside. Loki finally screams*

Loki: I AM LAUFEY’S LONG LOST HEIR! HIS TRAITOR SON! MY COUSIN IS AT THE THRONE! HE HATES ME FOR KILLING HIS UNCLE! I’LL LET HIM DO AS HE SEES FIT TO ME! I’LL DO WHATEVER YOU WANT! I’LL TELL YOU WHATEVER YOU WANT, JUST PLEASE LET ME GO!

*the guards look at each other, then back at Loki, grinning nastily. The guard holding him thrusts him forward. They untie his hands. He crawls towards his brother, and shakes him. He’s stopped breathing.*

Loki: BREATHE THOR!

*Thor can’t. He’s just too weak. Too cold. He closes his eyes. He can’t breath. Can’t move. He can hold his breath for a long time(up to an hour when he isn’t sick), but Loki knows he won’t last much longer. Loki sobs*

Loki: Please! Please Thor! I need my brother!

*he needs him. He has to breath. But he can’t. Loki ignites a magic fire in his hand. Nothing. He compresses his chest. Prompting him to breathe. He repeats this several times, until... Thor gasps. He’s breathing. Loki laughs delightedly*

Loki: Brother!

*loki sobs and hugs his brother. He suddenly regains his composure, clears his throat, and sits up. All the while, Thor lies there weakly, Loki finding every possible way to warm him. His eyes close yet again*

Part IV: Freedom and Sacrifice

*thor wakes up in a cell. He looks around. A fire is lit near him. He sighs. It’s warm. He doesn’t know how much loki had gone through to get that for him. He looks around. A guard stands*

Thor: What... did you do... with Loki...

*the guard laughs*

Guard: You should be asking what he did to himself.

*Thor goes wide eyed. Loki... in attempts to prove his relatively newfound loyalty to Thor, he often went too far. What had he done? Meanwhile, Loki trudges, guided by two guards. His hands are bound in front of him. He no longer wears his cloak. His bare chest is covered in cuts and blood. There is a blood red bandanna around his neck that had been used to gag his mouth so thor could not hear him scream. That was his choice. He staggers weakly. He is finally lead into the throne room. A Frost Giant sits on the throne. His head rests on his hand. He grins nastily*

King: Hello... cousin...

Loki: I am Loki Odinson. I have come...

*Loki sways on his feet. He is severely beaten.*

Loki: ... To plead for my brother’s freedom...

King: Eager, aren’t we?

*loki glares at him. He staggers, and the guard catches him, almost sympathetically. The king frowns*

King: What’s the matter with him?

Guard: He...

*The guard pulls a cat o’ nine tails out of his belt. Loki winces. The king realizes why he is covered in bleeding cuts*

Guard: ... made a trade...

Loki: My brother needed a fire... he would have died... an hour, cousin...

*he looks at the wretched weapon and shudders. He looks up determinedly*

Loki: I will say it again...

*he gnashes his teeth fiercely. There looks to be a fire in his eyes. He speaks loudly and boldly*

Loki: I am Loki Odinson! I have come to plead for my brother’s freedom!

*the king smirks*

King: Then plead! Plead like the mewling coward you are! Give me one good reason to give you what you want after you murdered my uncle! Your own father! Do you have any idea what an honor it would be to be the son of the greatest king to ever live?!

Loki: HE’S NOT MY FATHER! HE WAS NEVER MY FATHER! HE LEFT ME FOR DEAD!

*the king rolls his eyes*

Loki: ... And I’m not his son...

*he yells louder yet*

Loki: I HAVE COME TO PLEAD! PLEAD FOR HIS FREEDOM! FOR HIS LIFE! JUST NAME YOUR PRICE!

*the king strokes his chin in mock pondering. He grins evilly, and sits up straight. He

stares at Loki intently. His ill intentions shine in his red eyes. He has something sinister he is currently projecting in his mind onto Loki.*

King: Alright...

*He stands up and walks forward*

King: I have a proposition for you... His freedom... in exchange for your servitude...

*loki looks taken aback. He raises one eyebrow*

Loki: How long, may I ask?

*the king smirks*

King: Forever.

*Loki goes wide eyed.*

Loki: I... I... I will consider your proposal...

King: Oh, no... no, no, no... Take it or leave it... now...

*loki purses his lips in deep thought. Thor will surely die here. But would it really be worth his freedom? Either way, he would never see Thor again. He would probably be even more miserable if he chose the life of servitude. And here in the Jotenhiem... But he doesn’t know if he can live with any more blood on his hands. He had sworn his allegiance to Thor. He may be the god of lies, but he can not go back on his oath. His pact with Thor. The king watches him squirm, trying to come to a decision. He exhales.*

Loki: I accept your terms... on one condition...

*the king cocks his head*

King: And what would that be, “dear cousin”?

Loki: I want to say goodbye to my brother...

*the king nods*

King: Fair enough... Bring him. As for you...

*loki inhales sharply. The guard had grabbed him firmly. Meanwhile, in the cell, Thor stands, hands shackled behind his back, throwing himself repeatedly against the bars. Loki was in trouble. He bangs against the bars again. He had been doing this for an hour. He slides down and sobs. His brother was in peril and he couldn’t even break a few measly bars to save him. Suddenly, the bars that he’s leaning against retreat and he falls onto his side. He looks up. A guard holds the door open*

Guard: The king requests your presence.

*thor stops looking at the guard*

Thor: I’m not doing anything the wretch who has my brother wants...

Guard: Perhaps I should rephrase...

*thor sighs in annoyance*

Guard: Your precious brother requests your presence...

*he looks up. Before he knows it, he is being led to the throne room by two guards. He walks in to see Loki. He stands, hands still tied in front of him. Thor notices his bare, blue chest has awful cuts all over it. As does the rest of his upper body. Yet Loki still smiles at the sight of him. He laughs sadly*

Thor: What happened to you?

*loki shakes his head, smiling, with the glimmer of a painful memory in his eyes.*

Loki: Nothing I couldn’t handle... an hour of physical torture seems small next to a lifetime of mental torment... and the lifetime I’m about to endure...

Thor: What...? Loki, what did you do?

*loki smiles sadly. Tears flowing out of the corner of his eyes. Thor feels tears beginning to well in his eyes. Loki lifts his bound hands to reach Thor’s shoulder.*

Loki: You’re free...

*thor puts together the pieces*

Thor: Loki, no...

Loki: Promise to take care of Brunnhilde for me?...

Thor: Loki, no! No! I won’t let you do this!

*loki sighs through his obviously fake, yet reassuring smile*

Loki: It’s already been done...

Thor: LOKI, YOU FOOL!

Loki: Yes... yes... I am a fool... a horrible, horrible fool...

*tears roll down his cheek*

Loki: For not doing better...

*though neither of their arms are free, Loki walks close, and rests his head on Thor’s shoulder. The closest he can get to a hug. Thor sobs. Loki steps back*

Loki: Go...

Thor: I’m not leaving you!

Loki: And I don’t want to leave you... but that’s just life... at least for me... things, more often than not, don’t go my way... I am sorry... sorry my existence has hurt you in so many ways... at least now... I’ll never be able to hurt you again...

*thor is pulled away. He sobs, yanking and struggling against his restraints.*

Loki: Goodbye...

Part V: Tricked

*thor is lead, brooding, down several flights of stairs, the king leading the way. He feels hot tears roll down his cheeks, just recalling the painful memory of being pulled away from his brother, who had sold his very soul to the Frost Giants. His own cousin. How could he have let this happen? His only family. His only brother. After countless stairs, they finally reach their destination. A large treasure room, not unlike the one in Asgard. At

the very end is what looks to be a gateway.*

King: Here is where we depart. Just step through, and think of where you want to go..

*Thor sighs, looks behind him one last time, and as he’s about to step through the gateway, the king grabs his arm. He screams in pain.*

King: There is one thing you should know before you go...

*he bends down and whispers in Thor’s ear*

King: I brought you here... and poor, gullible Loki played right into my hands...

*thor feels a surge of rage, finally remembering exactly what happened, before being pushed into the gateway. He suddenly finds himself falling onto the floor at avengers HQ. Peter and a few of the others are in the room. Peter gasps*

Peter: You’re alive! HE’S BACK! We’ve been looking for you for hours! Is Loki with you?!

*everything seems to be happening in slow motion. Thor feels numb with depression. He had been tricked. Loki had been tricked into selling himself to the Frost Giants. The king had just wanted revenge. He remembers now. He remembers waking up in the middle of the night to see a giant. He had hit him in the head knocking him out. He had probably sent Thor first and allowed him to freeze in the snow, which is one of the few things which can make him ill, considering he’s nearly immune to all terrestrial germs and plagues, to play on Loki’s only humanity. His care for Thor, Brunhilde, and Frigga alone. (As a matter of fact, his love for Frigga was the only thing strong enough to temporarily and partially break thanos’s scepter's effect on him). And it had worked. Thor had given into his weakness and sentenced his brother to eternal slavery. He stares blankly forward, as everyone fusses over him, unties his restraints, and helps him up, ignoring the overlapping conversations*

Bruce: Thor! Where’s Loki?!

Thor: I don’t want to talk about it...

Bruce: Thor?...

Thor: I’m going to my room...

*he walks sulkily up the stairs, and into his room, closing the door behind him. He sits on the end of his bed and stares blankly at the door, as though half expecting Loki to walk through. He sighs. Suddenly, the handle jiggles. He inhales sharply. The Valkyrie walks in. He sighs, and continues to brood*

Valkyrie: Hey, big guy...

Thor: I don’t feel like answering questions if that’s what you want.

*She looks down. She decides to push her luck*

Valkyrie: Where is he?...

*she half expects Thor to snap at her. He doesn’t. Instead he utters the words*

Thor: You will be at more peace if you don’t know...

Valkyrie: But-

Thor: I SAID NO!

*she walks up and grabs the front of his shirt. She snarls*

Valkyrie: Where is Loki?!

*thor stands up. His face is in the shadows, and his voice booms like the thunder from his axe*

Thor: LEAVE ME BE!

Valkyrie: WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?! WHERE IS HE?!

*thor trembles with rage. Valkyrie steps back. She had definitely crossed the line. She had never seen him like this. He looks ready to punch someone*

Valkyrie: I’ll go...

*Thor suddenly, instead of snapping at her, begins to... cry. He sits down and buries his head in his hands. The Valkyrie bites her lip. She approaches, and sits next to him. She hesitates, then pats his back*

Thor: I’m sorry... I’m so, so sorry... It’s all my fault... all my fault...

Valkyrie: What?

Thor: He’s gone and it’s all my fault... He sold his soul to the devil... for me... And now have failed his final request to me...

Valkyrie: What?? What do you mean, “sold his soul”? Is he dead? What was his request?

*thor sniffs, shakes his head, and looks up*

Thor: For me to take care of you... And I have honored him by doing the opposite... he sold himself into slavery to the king of the Jotenhiem so I may walk free... for all I know, he could be...

*He just stops. He can’t bear it. The Valkyrie stands up*

Valkyrie: Well I propose we do something about it, instead of sitting on our lazy butts...

Thor: It’s not that simple...

*the Valkyrie bends down and supports her body weight on her arms, which rest on Thor’s knees, so she can look him in the eye*

Valkyrie: Was saving Asgard from the all-powerful goddess of death “simple”?

Thor: Not until Surtur and Loki saved our “lazy butts”...

Valkyrie: Touché...

*she looks at him determinedly. He coughs again. He is still unwell, but rapidly getting better. The Asgardian immune system and other healing properties are unbelievably faster than a human’s. Now that he was in a warm environment, he was recovering at an amazing pace*

Valkyrie: I’d say it’s time for you to man up, and lead the avengers like the king you’re meant to be.

*she stands up*

Valkyrie: You have an army of the worlds mightiest heroes at your disposal! We haven’t met an enemy yet we can’t take down! You’ve saved the universe multiple times! You can take the Frost Giants with your bare hands!

Thor: You don’t understand! This is different!

Valkyrie: How?! What is there in the nine realms that the mighty Thor can’t face?!

Thor: I DON’T WANT TO LOSE ANYONE ELSE BECAUSE OF MY PETTY WEAKNESSES!

*valkyrie falls silent. thor sighs. Meanwhile, in the Jotenhiem, Loki stands, his cloak removed once more, and a guard circling him*

Guard: What made you think it was a good idea to try and contact help?

*loki glares at him*

Loki: I just wanted to make sure Thor was alright. He isn’t well.

*the guard strikes him against the side of his face with the cat o’ nine tales. Loki winces. He brings his bound hands up, and feels his bleeding cheek. He looks at his now blood-covered fingers*

Guard: WRETCH!

*loki continues to stare ahead, in an almost defiant way. He refuses to let them see him crumble*

Guard: Nothing but silence.... don’t worry... by the time you leave here, you’ll be crying for mercy...

Loki: Try me...

*loki glares at him more than ever. The guard cracks the whip, so it makes a loud, ear-splitting THWACK sound. Loki doesn’t flinch. The guard slashes the whip at him, so nine, new, bleeding cuts are made across his chest, to go with the countless old ones. Loki represses a scream of anguish. The king walks in to watch*

King: Yes. Beat him into mindless submission. Drive him mad with agony. Soon he will kneel before me... just like the others.

*loki is whipped again. This time he cries out. He speaks defiantly*

Loki: I will never bow to a man like you! Not again!

King: There are no men like me.

*loki pants, and hisses the words*

Loki: There will always be men like you...

*he is whipped again. He falls to his knees and screams. The king smirks. Back at avengers tower, Thor sits, talking to the Valkyrie*

Thor: People think because I’m “the mighty Thor” I’m invulnerable. But no. As a matter of fact, it’s me who more often than not drags us down! Back before any of this happened, my conceited greed drove my brother to madness. I equipped the dark elves with the aether! When I lost my hammer, I let Hela kill hundreds, because without it I was weak! I failed to kill thanos because I wanted to mock him out of petty spite! And now, because I fell ill, my brother is gone!

Valkyrie:... Well, there’s only one way you can fix that...

*she looks him in the eye. She too had been in this very situation. He sniffs. Not from tears, but from his illness*

Valkyrie: Stop hiding.

*thor sniffs again, and sighs*

Part VI: Torture

*In the Jotenhiem, Loki, by now has been beaten even longer than before. He is on all fours like an animal. He pants. Pain gleams savagely in his eyes. They whip him again. He yells. It cuts deep into his flesh, and is pulled out, leaving rough, jagged cuts. He feels blood trickling down his back. He is blinded by pain. It feels like fire, dancing in front of his vision. He cries out*

Loki: END THIS! PLEASE!

*The king smirks*

King: Keep it up. Stop only when he snaps. It’s clear that his word is not enough to make him submit.

Loki: PLEASE!

*he sobs loudly. Now horribly delirious from pain, he screams for help*

Loki: BROTHER!

*he falls completely onto the icy floor and sobs*

Loki: Brother... Brother please... please...

*the guard looks at the king. Even he begins to feel sorry for the poor, wretched man. But the king signals for him to continue. He is forced to stop, however, when he hears a voice yelling*

Voice: LEAVE HIM ALONE!

*thor runs into the room, and attacks the guard. He wears his armor, and the fur cloak is tied around his shoulders. The Valkyrie follows, and takes a couple other guards. Thor, after taking out his opponent, coughs, then runs up to Loki.*

Loki: No... no!

*thor smiles*

Thor: It’s alright! We’re here!

Loki: No! You cannot be here! Go home!

*thor's smile fades into a perplexed look*

Loki: Go! GO! He-

Thor: What? He what?

Loki: LOOK OUT!

*Loki pushes him out of the way, as the king points his staff at them and fires. An icy blast comes out. Loki gasps. Thor watches as the beam hits him square in the chest, and sends him sliding across the floor. He slams into the wall and moans weakly. He coughs up blood. Thor roars and charges at the king, attacking him. Though Loki is injured, he can still see the battle. Thor cannot do this. He doesn’t understand. This is a fight he can’t win! What could he do?... Suddenly, Peter swings in, followed by Clint, and webs the kings staff, that he had pointed at Thor*

Peter: Ooh, what’s this thing? Looks fancy! Hope I don’t accidentally- whoops!

*he “accidentally” fires it at the king. He’s knocked back into the wall*

Peter: Aw, sorry man! I guess we’ll have to put this on ice.

Clint: You’ve already used that pun twice!

Peter: I know! It’s good, right?! Guess he’s not armed anymore. Might still be dangerous though...

Clint: Help me over here! I’ve got a blue guy on my 6 ‘o clock, 7 ‘o clock, and pretty much every other “‘o clock”! You guys got the jerk?

*loki gives him a “what the heck, man?” look. Valkyrie turns towards Thor*

Valkyrie: Quick! Check on Loki! While the King is recovering!

Thor: On it!

*He runs up to Loki and kneels down next to him*

Thor: Loki! Loki, are you alright?!

Loki: I’ll... be fine... Now help me up so I can kick this guys butt...

*thor stands up and helps Loki stagger to his feet*

Loki: Thank you.

Thor: Are you...

Loki: I’m fine.

*he extends his hand. Thor squeezes it, pulls him close and pats his back. Loki winces*

Loki: Ow...

*thor begins to apologize, but instead says*

Thor: Admit it. You deserved it. What with that little stunt you pulled.

*loki holds up his hand and opens his mouth, as if about to protest, stops, raises one eyebrow, and shrugs*

Loki: That’s fair. I’m sorry, it’s just... You’re putting your life in danger... I saw what they did to you... You’re the strongest avenger!... I just... If something were to happen-

Thor: We’d deal with it the same way we deal with everything else...

*he grabs his hand and looks at him*

Thor:... Together... as a team... as brothers...

*loki smiles and rolls his eyes*

Loki: Well, if we’re going to do this, let’s cut the sappy stuff and do it!

*he summons his cloak and horns. He suddenly frowns and squirms uncomfortably*

Thor: What’s wrong?

Loki: The fur from my cloak is getting in my cuts!

Thor: That sounds... annoying.

Loki: A little.

Thor: ... Are you ok?

Loki: Honestly... no. I’m actually severely tortured. Also, they where torturing me earlier, if you want to hear something new.

*thor looks confused, then shrugs.*

Part VII: Rescue

Loki: If we’re going to take these goons, we need a strategy... and, you’re gone.

*thor had run off. Loki exclaims in aggravation, and watches as he easily takes out one with his bare hands, and another three with one fell swoop of stormbreaker. He coughs. He had obviously had plenty of time to recover. Loki groans. Show off. Valkyrie runs up to him.*

Valkyrie: Hey.

Loki: Hey...

Valkyrie: You had me worried...

Loki: You have my sincerest apologies, M’lady...

Valkyrie: You’d better not do it again...

Loki: You have my word.

Valkyrie: And I have something for you...

Loki: Yes?

*she grabs his collar, yanks him down, and kisses him for a moment. When she stops, Loki just stares wide eyed. He suddenly kisses her again, thanking his lucky stars the Frost Giant’s kiss does not apply to the same rules as its touch. He puts his arms around her and closes his eyes. A while later they stop. The bridges of their noses touch*

Valkyrie: I missed you...

Loki: I missed you too...

Valkyrie: ... Now let’s do this.

*loki smiles and kisses her forehead one more time. He notices out of the corner of his eyes, the king gathering his bearings. He chuckles. This would be good. He approaches sinisterly*

Loki: Hello, cousin...

*the king turns. Loki glares at him and summons a dagger in one hand, and a whip in the other. The king gulps, pinned against the wall*

King: N-now cousin... let’s not be so hasty...

Loki: Oh, this is anything but hasty. In fact, it’s long, long overdue... Not so tough now. I guess you’re nothing more than a pretty... ugly face.

*the king frowns. Loki leers, a glimmer of vengeance in his eyes. He lifts the dagger above his head. The king closes his eyes. Loki grunts and brings down the dagger. The king gasps. It had pierced... his shoulder. He looks up at Loki. He scowls down at him*

Loki: What? Did you think I would bless you with death?... Not before we’ve had some fun...

*loki cracks the whip menacingly. Thor looks at his brother. He raises the whip. Thor smirks. Loki was going to enjoy this. But he never brings the whip down. Loki breathes heavily. He wants so badly to make him hurt. Make him bleed. Make him scream. But he doesn’t. Thor takes out his opponent, and runs over. He smiles*

Thor: Hey, how’s it going? Um, I couldn’t help but notice, you aren’t doing anything.

*loki, pants, staring at the king savagely, and purses his lips. His muscles relax, and he lets his arm fall to his side. He shakes his head and steps back. Just the thought of seeing a whip crashing down again makes him nauseous.*

Loki: I can’t do it. Great, Thor, you’ve made me soft!

*thor shrugs*

Thor: I tend to do that.

*loki cracks his knuckles*

Loki: I guess I’ll have to do this the old fashioned way.

*he approaches the king and jabs the dagger in his back, and takes him out. Thor frowns*

Thor: I thought you said I made you soft?

Loki: This is soft!... For me.

*They run in different directions and take out more giants. Loki shouts across the room, as he snaps another giants neck, and yanks one down and literally stabs him in the back*

Loki: Brings back memories, doesn’t it?

Thor: Aye!

Clint: Oh, cut the cute stuff and help me out! Big, blue, and ugly here has me cornered, and I’m out of arrows!

Peter: On it!

*peter webs the Giant, pulls him back, and kicks him. Clint clears his throat*

Clint: Nice job kid. For a new guy.

Peter: Um, thanks?

*clint nods and begins to pull his arrows out of corpses. Peter exhales and shakes his head, before yelling*

Peter: Hey! What do you think you’re doing Frosty?!

*loki looks at him*

Peter: Not you, that guy!

*he runs up and takes out another. He puts his finger up to his ear*

Peter: Hey, we could use some back up!... Ok!... Buh-bye!

*loki looks at him disgustedly*

Loki: “Buh-bye”?

Peter: Bucky, Scott, and the others are coming.

Loki: I hate you all.

Thor: That’s Loki-speak for “thanks”.

*after a few minutes, Thor hears something*

Voice: Boo!

Thor: Hello, Lang.

*scott groans. He stands, the size of an ant, on Thor’s shoulder*

Scott: You Asgardians are no fun. I came to give you a “little” help.

*thor grins*

Thor: As always.

*scott laughs, and hops down. Hope catches him in midair and flies towards a couple Giants*

Scott: Hey, Hope.

Hope: Shut up. When you said Thor had invited you on a mission, you should have told me it was to another realm!

Scott: My bad.

*hope drops him. He lands next to the foot of a giant. He chuckles. He grabs his foot and swings him around. He swings him into the other guard, knocking both out. He flexes*

Scott: Oh yeah! Gotta love the ant strength!

Hope: Nope!

*scott groans, Bucky runs in with a machine gun*

Bucky: Sorry I’m late!

*he aims the gun exactly eight feet up. He fires it all the way from one side of the room to the other. All the Giants fall to the ground. He stands the gun up and leans on it. Everyone stares at him*

Bucky: Figured that little hack out when we first got here.

Loki: And this, is why I tolerate James.

Bucky: ... Uh... Thank you?...

*loki sighs. He notices the searing pain all around his upper body again, and the lightheadedness from blood loss. He feels the pain in his chest. His cloak and horns disappear, and he falls to the side unconscious. There’s a long silence*

Bucky: ... Is he ok?

Thor: No. He’s actually severely tortured. Also, they where torturing him earlier.

*everyone else looks confused. Thor grins, and swings Loki over his shoulder*

Thor: Let’s go home, shall we?

*He coughs, and heads out the door*

Part VIII: Home At Last

*loki opens his eyes. He’s in his bed. His own bed. He has never been so relieved. He looks down. His arms, hands(excluding his now, to his delight, regular colored fingers), chest and abdomen are all covered in pristine, white bandages. He lays his head back, sighs, and laughs. He’s absolutely exhausted. He looks to his right to see a get well card. He picks it up and opens it. It’s from Peter. He chuckles, puts it back, then lays back down. Of course Peter would go out of his way to get a card for anyone who got hurt in battle. He’s Peter. Loki closes his eyes, positively fatigued. He hears the door open, and footsteps approaching, then a chair rolling up, and the squeak of someone sitting in it. He feels his covers being pulled up. He opens one eye groggily and smiles. Thor smiles back at him*

Thor: I was beginning to worry. You’ve been out all day. You talk in your sleep you know.

*loki closes his eyes again.*

Loki(tiredly): Do I?

Thor: Yes. You kept having nightmares I assume. You muttered a bunch of stuff. Most of it unintelligible.

*loki shudders. He can imagine what he had been dreaming about. He would probably have nightmares for the next ten years.*

Loki: I’m glad to be home...

Thor: Yes... Must be better than a life of torture and servitude.

Loki: You have no idea. But it’s over now...

Thor: Aye. I’ll be sick if I see another snowflake again...

*Loki chuckles and summons two cups of tea*

Loki: I told you I’d be happy to get home with a nice hot cup of tea. Want some?

Thor: I don’t drink tea.

*loki sips his drink*

Loki: What do you drink?

*thor pushes away the teacup*

Thor: Not tea.

*loki rolls his eyes. He snaps his fingers, and the liquid in Thor’s cup changes to coffee. Thor smiles, and drinks some*

Thor: You know, you and Stephen should really hang out. You have a lot in common.

*loki laughs. That wasn’t happening any time soon*

Thor: So... I heard you and Brun...

Loki: By the Norns. I’m not going to hear the end of this anytime soon, am I?

Thor: Hey, I’m your older brother. It’s my job to scrutinize your relationships.

Loki: Yes, I kissed Brunhilde. Get over it.

*thor chuckles*

Thor: I’m happy for you...

*loki smiles*

Loki: You know, that means a lot coming from the king. And even more coming from my brother.

Thor: Oh, you’d better believe it.

*thor chuckles. This was truly a satisfactory ending to an amazing adventure... and he knows it’s just the beginning. Who knows what’s waiting for them just around the corner? Whatever it may be, he’s sure it will only bring them closer together... and he’s ready*

Loki and Thor will return...