Chapter 12

"Unless he is capable of illusion casting, that is not the man," Verda said just above a whisper to Loki as they left Himinbjorg which housed the Bifrost, stepping out onto the Rainbow Bridge behind Sif who continued to lead the stunned and confused Coulson by the arm.

Verda's revelation did not surprise Loki. Coulson had not uttered a word, in awe of the experience of travelling via the Bifrost and finding himself in Asgard as one would expect to be the reaction of a mortal who had heretofore been ignorant of its existence. Coulson viewed the sights around him with a mix of fear and child-like wonder. Surely if he had been involved in Thor's murder he would not behave in such a manner. Yet the presence of his card on the person of one of the assailants pointed to a link and Loki was determined to uncover it.

Loki came to a sudden halt as a vision flashed before his eyes accompanied by a shooting pain that he could only equate to his skull being run through with a spear as he held his head between his hands, squeezing his eyes tightly closed.

"Loki? Are you all right? What's wrong?" Verda asked anxiously, gripping his shoulder as Loki recovered before stepping past her to the edge of the bridge.

"It was here...I let go…plunging into the abyss," Loki said quietly, staring down into the void of space below with a troubled expression.

"Your experience with the stones was draining. You should rest," Verda counseled.

"I must speak to Coulson."

"He will wait. An extended time alone in the dungeon may serve to loosen his tongue," Verda said as she reached out, taking Loki's hand in hers, gripping it tightly, "I will never let you fall."

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Sif led Coulson down the dreary stairway into Asgard's dungeon, past cells occupied by detainees of various humanoid species. Coulson glanced into the cells as they passed, the occupants staring back at him with either hostility or gloomy expressions.

"What is this place? Why have I been brought here?" Coulson finally spoke.

"You expect me to believe you are ignorant?" Sif asked in a hostile tone.

"Humor me."

"You are in Asgard. Thor, the son of Odin our king was murdered. Your card was found in the possession of one his murderers."

"Thor…Odin?" Coulson repeated, bewildered, "This is why I don't drink on the job. He's good. No one's succeeded in slipping me a Mickey in a long time. I have no idea who you people are. I had nothing to do with anyone's murder."

Sif led Coulson into an empty cell, removing Coulson's shackles before stepping out, activating the containment field as Coulson turned to face her.

"What now? Do I get a lawyer?" he asked.

"You will remain here until you are questioned and brought before Odin. If you are found innocent you will be returned to your people. If you are guilty...I have been granted the honor of swinging the axe," Sif answered, a look of terror crossing Coulson's face before Sif turned and walked away, leaving Coulson alone in the cell.

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Loki and Verda entered Loki's chambers. They had both dispelled the illusion of Midgardian clothing before entering the palace, Verda now dressed in leggings and a leather top, the clothing of a female warrior of Asgard. As Loki made his way to the chaise, Verda stood in place a few strides past the doors.

"Did you mean what you said before? About leaving my chambers...?" asked Verda, Loki turning to face her.

"If this man would return in search of you...you'll be safer here," Loki replied.

"Of course...you're right," Verda said, sounding and appearing crestfallen though unsuccessfully attempting to conceal it.

"That's not the only reason," Loki said, crossing from the chaise back to where Verda stood, taking her hands in his, "Your safety happens to be my greatest concern at the moment. I'll assign an einherjar to escort you when you leave my--our chambers."

"Will it not appear strange for a chambermaid to be given a guard?" Verda asked.

"A chambermaid, perhaps. A queen in waiting is a different story. Unless, of course, you wish to retain your current position. I always did enjoy watching you work. You must have thought me slovenly, all that I left lying about," Loki responded with a grin.

"You said only days ago that you believed love required more," Verda responded in astonishment.

"Was there another that honored me each day for five years?" Loki asked.

"I...I don't believe so."

"What more could I require?...Will you have me?"

"What will your father think?" Verda asked.

"I care nothing what my father thinks. I would imagine he's accustomed to that by now."

"Most likely so. It is of your father we must speak," Loki heard his mother's voice respond from where she stood in front of the doors to his chamber, her entrance having gone unnoticed by the couple.

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"Is he unwell?" Loki asked, concerned, not only for Odin's wellbeing but also what he now knew from the snippets of what he could recall from his visions would befall Asgard if his father's life were to conclude, as he entered his mother's chambers behind her.

"Thor's death weighs heavily upon him. He must soon enter the Odinsleep. If he does not do so I fear the consequences."

"There is an urgent matter I must speak with him about before he takes his rest," Loki informed Frigga.

"Verda. I have known for some time of your involvement with her but chose not to speak of it. You are no longer a child. I did not feel it was my place. When you had her reassigned I thought that you had put an end to it as you had with others. You intend to take her as your queen?"

"If she will have me."

"If he refuses to grant you his blessing?"

"What reason would he have to refuse? Unless to love me is a crime she has committed none."

"If to love you was a crime I would be in the dungeon along with your father. She has done no wrong of which I am aware. I do not believe your father holds her sister's crimes against her. If the people do not accept her, they may not accept you as king," Frigga explained.

"Would they if they knew my true origin?"

"Your father may be concerned that the people might believe she is manipulating you, through sorcery or otherwise, that it could lead to Lorelei gaining her freedom."

"She has been clear that she wishes never to see her sister set free. I only ask that she be given a fair chance...perhaps I ask too much as I was denied the same. Father knew long ago he would never willingly place a frost giant on the throne of Asgard. My choice of queen gives him the excuse he seeks to deny it to me," Loki replied darkly.

"You ask that she be given a fair chance yet you refuse to grant your father the same. He only wants what is best for Asgard and for you as his son. You are still young. You have often been impetuous. Are you certain that you could never love another? Are you truly prepared to make such a commitment?" Frigga asked.

"It's true that I've often failed to look before I've leapt. I have never been a man easily satisfied. I had pushed her away, fearing as you do what others would believe. Things have changed...I've changed," Loki informed his mother, Frigga silent for a moment as she studied him, considering the certainty with which he spoke.

"If that is due to her influence, I can only be grateful for it. I am concerned only for your happiness. I will speak with your father and intercede on your behalf."

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Loki approached his chambers, a plethora of disparate thoughts crowding his mind. He had naively believed, had hoped, that simply finding Coulson would provide him with the answers that were necessary to solve the mystery of Thor's murder. Though the man now sat cooling his heels in the dungeon, things had become more complicated after Verda's observation that he was not the man she'd had dealings with in Midgard. Were the two events related? The mystery time traveler's threats would seem to point in that direction. A man simply seeking a cure for his ailing son would have no reason whatsoever to make such threats.

Nothing made any more sense than it had from the moment he had witnessed Thor run through with the blade. Guilt flooded over him as he realized that though he mourned for his brother, knowing now what would have been had the attack on his brother never occurred, he was aware his future would likely be better for the tragedy having taken place. He wished he had heeded the warnings of both his vision of Thor and the Norn, though he knew he would have been equally troubled sensing that his life had been somehow altered but ignorant of how. As Loki had often felt over the course of his lifetime he had been damned if he did and damned if he didn't.

Loki returned his thoughts to Coulson. Coulson had obviously known by name and sight one of Thor's assailants. The damage Thor had done to the man's face had forced Loki to have to compensate for it when he produced his illusion. He must have done at least a passable job for Coulson to have recognized him. Would he also know the man Verda had dealings with? If only he had seen him as well so he could share the memory with Coulson as he had shared Thor's murder with Selvig.

Loki entered his chambers noting that Verda had changed into an emerald green Asgardian gown. She rose from the chaise, the gold of the necklace he had gifted her catching the light.

"Is everything alright?" Verda asked as Loki looked into her eyes, the eyes that were the only ones that had seen the mysterious man as his had been the only witness to Thor's murder as a thought struck Loki like a lightning bolt from the blue.

"In your studies of my library, did you get as far as memory spells...their transference?" Loki asked.

"I had put those off in favor of what I thought might prove more useful. I would have had no desire to share my memories with anyone for obvious reasons. Why?" Verda responded, confused.

"it's time we resumed your lessons," Loki said with a grin as Verda approached him, sporting one of her own.

"Will I be rewarded as before for my erudition?" Verda queried Loki suggestively as she placed her palms on his chest.

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Loki had decided Coulson's interrogation could wait until the next morning. After assigning an einherjar to escort Verda to collect her things and assist her in moving them to his chambers, which had amounted to only one trunk of clothing, they had shared a meal, Loki requesting that it be brought to them. The events of the day and the rich food in his belly sent him to his rest earlier than usual. Verda, having changed into a long nightgown after removing her necklace and placing it back in its box she had stowed in her trunk, slipped into bed beside him, both lying in awkward silence, staring at the ceiling, never before having joined each other in the same bed merely to sleep and neither having the energy for anything more.

"I never gave you an answer," Verda finally said, "Yes...unless your mother has changed your mind."

"Actually, she's interceding on our behalf for my father's blessing," Loki said, turning to his side to face her, taking her hand.

"She approves of me?"

"She's grateful to you for your influence on me," Loki said with a grin.

"If she only knew," Verda chuckled, "I think it's somewhat the other way around. You must have put on quite an act."

"It has been said I have a silver tongue but it was no act."

"Did you tell her the truth about me?" Verda asked after a moment of silence.

"Keeping secrets appears to be tradition in my family. At the moment I see no reason not to carry on with it," Loki answered as Verda moved onto her side to face him, Loki gazing into her eyes, reaching out and caressing her cheek, "I have never said these words to another...I love you."

"I love you, too," Verda said before breaking into a fit of giggles.

"What's so funny?" Loki asked, unable to help smiling though he had no idea what had prompted her laughter.

"You should have seen Sif's face…when I handed her the shackles I stole from the armory. She thought-"

"I'm sure I know what she thought," Loki interrupted.

"She couldn't wait to be rid of them. I'll return them tomorrow," Verda said, still chuckling.

"Don't trouble yourself," said Loki slyly.

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Coulson had awakened in the cell, sitting up in the bunk as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, the events of the previous day coming back to him as he realized where he was. Obviously all he recalled from the day before had not been a drug induced hallucination or a dream. He had eaten the food that had been delivered to him which he had to admit for prison food was very good. The fact he was famished had perhaps made it even more palatable.

The woman who had brought him there had called it a dungeon, yet it was not exactly what he pictured when he heard that term. The cell was clean and dry, the temperature was pleasant, the bunk he had slept in, though basic, was comfortable. There were no shackles on the wall or devices of torture, at least that he could see or recognize as such.

"Phil Coulson," Loki said from outside the cell, Coulson looking up from where he sat on the bunk, rising to his feet.

"Yes," Coulson said, acknowledging his identity.

"I am Loki, son of Odin. You have been brought here on suspicion of involvement in my brother's murder. Tell me what you know and it will go easier for you," Loki said as he looked Coulson up and down, realizing that he had seen the man in his visions but could not at the moment call up the exact memory.

"As I told Xena--" Coulson began.

"Xena?" Loki questioned.

"The woman who brought me here."

"Sif...Lady Sif to employ her formal title."

"I'm sorry. I meant no disrespect. There was a TV show...she reminded me--never mind. She didn't tell me her name. It wasn't exactly a friendly chat...generally those don't end with threats of decapitation. I don't know anything about your brother's murder...my condolences, by the way...I'm still having a hard time believing this is real," Coulson rambled, still a bit off kilter after events.

"Your card was found on one of the mortals of Midgard who assailed my brother, the man whom I disguised myself to appear to be. What do you know of him?"

"Jeffrey Krieger. Ex-military, special forces. Got mixed up with the wrong people. He'd been recruited by Hydra operatives...they're a criminal organization...more than that but that's the simplest description. He quickly became disillusioned. He and a friend that they'd recruited at the same time made contact with S.H.I.E.L.D. through a third party. I met with him a week ago and offered him a deal. That's when I gave him my card. That's all I know."

"There was a scientist, an expert in gamma radiation. I've been told that he disappeared after contact with your organization. Do you know what became of him?"

"You're talking about Banner? Bruce Banner? What does he have to do with this?"

"Nothing. I'm asking as a favor for a friend."

"He's alive and well. He went into hiding. He's in Calcutta, India. S.H.I.E.L.D. has him under surveillance but we'll keep our distance as long as he stays out of trouble. He has some issues with...anger management."

"You claim innocence, you know nothing of my brother, who was responsible for his murder?"

"That's what I said. Ask me again tomorrow, a year from now and I'll tell you the same. The truth doesn't change. Until yesterday I thought you were myth. It would have been like putting a hit on the Easter Bunny," Coulson answered.

Before Coulson's eyes, Loki's form morphed into another, that of a middle aged man, his hair cropped closely on the sides, his hairline slightly receding. He wore a dark blue sweater over a button down shirt and navy trousers. Coulson stared in wonder at Loki's transformation.

"Do you know this man?" Loki asked.

"Yes. I mean, I know of him. I don't know him personally. We've never met. He's somewhat well known, at least in certain circles. He's been interviewed for a few documentaries on television. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents have consulted him in the past regarding stolen artifacts. He's a professor, a teacher, primarily of Norse Mythology at the University of Seville in Spain. Randall….no….Randolph. Elliot Randolph."