The Offering

The King sat quietly at the head of his council table, his gaze focused on a mural above the head of one of his advisors, staring and unmoving as the men in his court argued with each other around him. Every meeting of his council started civilly enough, but by the middle, men were shouting over each other, trying to make their case, and dismissing one another's arguments.

There was one thing everyone agreed on, Odin needed to name an heir to the throne. The point of contention that was causing the strife was who it should be. There were suggestions of distant cousins of the King, nephews, and an uncle who was not much younger than he was. Someone even suggested tracking down some of Odin's bastards to vie for the position.

He had grown weary of the talk of an heir. It was an argument he never thought he would have to have.

"Enough!" Odin stood and the men fell silent, "Ultimately this is my choice and mine alone! All this bickering like schoolgirls does nothing to help my decision." Odin sat back heavily into his seat. "You are all dismissed."

"Might I have a word, Your Majesty?" Viggo asked as the men bowed to the king and made their exit.

"Very well," Odin let out a sigh.

"I will try and put this delicately." Viggo sat across the table from the king and crossed his legs as he leaned back in the chair. He tapped his knuckles on the tabletop, gathering his thoughts. "You owe me a grandson."

Odin stared at him passively, "You think I have forgotten?"

"I think you hoped that I had forgotten." Viggo stared back, unintimidated. "You should have kept your promise to me. You should have honored my request to wed them when I caught Thor in my daughter's bed. They could have produced many children before he was taken from us, preventing this mess that we are in now."

Odin raised his eyes to the ceiling, fighting back emotion, "Do you believe I do not think about that every day? How different things would be right now if I had notbeen so lenient with him? If I had not banished him to Midgard?" Odin looked back to Viggo and pressed his fist to his chest, "He was my son! Do you think I am enjoying these discussions about who will take my place now that one son is dead and the other rots in prison?"

Viggo scoffed, "We both know Loki is not your son."

Odin glared at him, "I raised him as my own. I saved him from that frozen Hel. Do not sit there and tell me how I may define my family!"

"Apologies, old friend. I do not mean to rehash painful memories." He held his hands up in defense. "I know what lengths it took to bring him here.

"What is it that you want, Viggo? Speak plainly."

"Very well," he sat up and rested his forearms on the table, "Name an heir, someone unmarried, and wed him to my daughter, so that she may birth the future king. As you promised."

"That is a tall order."

"It is what is owed to me."

"Owed to you?" 

"Yes, to me. Your son used my daughter as he pleased when it suited him. Dropped her like a hot stone the minute her back was turned. Now, she is ruined. No man from good stock wants her."

"That is unfortunate. Need I remind you that Thor did not force himself into your daughter's bed."

"Need I remind you" Viggo clenched his jaw to keep from shouting, "that I have done things for you that you would not want to become known."

"You dare threaten me?" Odin stood and rested his fists on the table.

"Of course not, Your Majesty." Viggo smirked, "I just wanted to remind you that we go back a long way. I still value our friendship, as I am sure you do. I am confident you will do what is right." He stood and straightened his coat. "I should leave so that you may think in peace." He bowed, "My King."

Odin watched in silence as he made his way out of the room.

oOXOo

 "He thinks I do not know what his long game is? He believes I do not see his motives?" Odin was pacing in his bed chamber. Frigga was sitting up in bed with a thick book on her lap.

She placed the ribbon to mark her place and set the book to the side as she slid out of bed. "Come," she held her hand out to him, "come relax by the fire and start at the beginning."

Odin sat in his chair by the fireplace. Frigga stood behind him and started massaging his shoulders. He relaxed into her touch as he began, "Viggo is insistent that I name an heir and wed him to Finna. He feels entitled. He says I owe him a grandson."

"He is not wrong. We did promise in front of the entire realm that we would join our houses. Frigga sighed, "Once the boys were grown, I was eagerly looking forward to when the grandchildren would start arriving." She continued to work the knots out of his muscles.

"If it were only that. He is adamant that his daughter birth the future king."

"Oh..."

"He has grandchildren from half of his daughters presently. I do not believe his desires are wholly sentimental." Odin reached for Frigga's hand and led her around the chair to pull her across his lap. "I fear Viggo wants the Crown for himself."

She ran her fingers through his hair. "How so?"

Odin shook his head, "I should not burden you with this," he picked up her hand and kissed it.

"Nonsense. What else is a Queen for if not to help ease a King's burden?" she twined her fingers in his, "Viggo is ambitious; always has been."

"There is nowhere else for him to go but up."

"True."

Odin held up one finger, "If I were to wed his daughter to my heir and the union produced a son, Viggo's grandson would now be next in line to the throne. If, by chance, some misfortune befell the baby's father, the infant would be unable to rule until he came of age. Viggo, being a blood relative as well as the head of the council, would act as regent on the babe's behalf. Giving him control over the nine realms for centuries."

Frigga shivered despite the heat from the fire. "Not good."

"Not good," Odin agreed. "I do not know how to proceed. If I refuse his request, he could make trouble for us. I could lose the faith of our people. If I grant it," he shook his head, "giving him that much power would be like throwing fuel on a fire. Viggo is dangerous. That is the reason I have kept him close to my side for so many years."

She was contemplative for a moment, "Name Loki as your heir."

"What?"

"Only a handful of people know of his true origins, and they are bound to secrecy. His claim would not be contested. Name Loki your heir. Viggo would never allow his daughter to marry a Jötun, let alone birth one."

"That would take care of Viggo, but Loki is still a war criminal; he is in prison for his own safety. The other realms would never accept him as the Allfather."

"So, we name him heir contingent he wed someone of nobility and produced a son. Name the babe the heir apparent and start his tutelage as Crown Prince earlier than we did Thor. He can grow and learn at your side."

Odin chuckled, "I do not know if I have another thousand years in me."

"The Norns will not send you to Valhalla while the Nine need you here." She wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on his shoulder. "Not while I need you here."

Odin kissed the top of her head and squeezed her tightly. He took a deep breath, relishing the scent of her. "And what of Loki? He is unstable. I could not free him."

"Loki has made great progress with the mind healer. A hundred years changes a man."

"A blink of an eye."

"For us, not for him. Not when you are confined to a small room alone day after day."

Odin shook his head, "I do not think it would work."

Frigga swallowed thickly, "Talk to him. Go and see him."

"I cannot."

"You are his father."

"I was not the father he needed." He looked forlorn. "He will never trust me again."

"Bringing Laufey here, killing him, he was trying to make you proud. It does not excuse what he did by any means, but it does tell me that he still wanted your approval, even after he discovered the truth. As for what happened in New York, well, I do not need to tell you how powerful an infinity stone is. Even on the strongest mind."

"Frigga..."

"Just think on it. For me? Please?"

He stroked her hair, "Anything for you, my love."

oOXOo

It happened rather quickly.

One day Frigga was the picture of health and vitality, the next she was confined to her bed, too weak to stand. The malignancy had proliferated in her body unknowingly. By the time it was discovered, it was too late.

Frigga passed peacefully in her bed on a sunny but crisp autumn afternoon, surrounded by her husband and sisters.

The day after her diagnosis, when she had finally come to terms with her prognosis, she went down to the dungeons to visit Loki in person again. Only the second time in over a hundred years.

Loki stood up from his small writing desk when he saw her on the other side of the barricade, thrilled to have her there so close again. But a knot in the pit of his stomach formed as he realized she only came down there with terrible news. When the barrier dropped and she fell heavily into his embrace, he knew something awful must have occurred.

"The King?" he asked tentatively as he held her tightly.

"No, thank the Norns." She released him and started to pace the small cell wringing her hands.

"What troubles you so?"

"I don't know how to tell you this... Perhaps you should sit."

"You are scaring me. What is this about?" He placed his hand on her shoulder.

She rested her hand on his cheek and he nuzzled into her touch.

"My precious boy. So handsome. I am sorry I never told you the truth." Tears pricked her eyes. "I was selfish. I had hoped that you would never discover your true parentage. I sometimes forgot that I had not given birth to you myself. You were so tiny when you came to us." She held up her cupped palm, "Your whole head fit in the palm of my hand.

"I would un-swaddle you when I would nurse you and wrap a blanket around us both, trying to warm you up." She wiped a tear from her cheek, "It never lasted. No matter how much skin-to-skin contact or how many warm baths I gave you, you never felt warm enough. I feared you were suffering. Eventually I realized that..." she hugged her arms around her chest, "that is just how you were. It was not better or worse. It was just you. You were healthy and content. A very happy baby." She covered her mouth with her hand and let out a single sob.

"Mother?" Loki's eyes were brimming with tears. "Why are you telling me this?"

"I wanted to let you know that I have loved you since the very first time I held you. I just want you to know that you are loved. I am so sorry if you ever felt otherwise. Shame on me for keeping secrets from you." She fell into his embrace once more.

"Mother? Please? Just please tell me what has you in such a state."

She pulled herself together. She wiped her eyes, squared her shoulders, and laced her fingers together in front of herself.

"I do not know how many more times I will be able to visit you." She motioned for him to sit. He sat on the edge of his cot and stared at his hands. "I had my annual examination a week ago. Nothing special. A few tests and the once over by the healer and I was sent on my way."

"Mother?" Loki choked back a sob.

"I was called back the next day for more tests. I... They tell me I have a few months, maybe a year. The truth is that no one knows how long I have left here. But I do not want you to fret. Take comfort in knowing that I will be with your brother and your grandparents. I will save you a seat in the halls of Valhalla."

"No. Mother." Loki stood and put both of his hands on her shoulders. "There must be something they can do. There must be a way to fight this. You are strong. You can-"

"Loki," she cradled his face in her hands, "My time is running out. The Norns have made up their minds. They tell me I will not suffer. When the fates will it, I will lay down to sleep and wake up in Valhalla."

Tears spilled down his cheeks. "No," he shook his head, "no, no, no, no, noooooo!" He turned and faced the wall. "I cannot accept this. Odin must do something. There has to be a way-"

"Loki, there is nothing that can be done. It has spread from my pancreas to my liver, lungs, and brain. Surgery is impossible."

"Magic then. There must be a spell, a ritual, something. A tonic or... or... a tincture. Something."

"Loki," she led him back to his cot and sat down beside him. "I am not going to spoil the little time I have left grasping at straws. I want to enjoy the rest of my life, however long that is." She stroked his hair and held his hand in his lap. "And I wanted to tell you in person, tell you how much you meant to me and how sorry I am that my selfishness caused you so much anguish and torment."

"I do not fault you, Mother. Odin is the one who stole me from my home world. Odin is the one who brought me here and then couldn't stand to look at me."

"Loki, it was not like that. It was guilt that troubled your father, not disgust."

"Not. My. Father." He let out a slow breath to keep from yelling. "I killed my father, right here in this very palace."

"Laufey was no father to you. He was wicked and cruel for leaving you to die alone."

"I should have died on that stone where Odin found me! Now Laufey's wicked and cruel blood flows in my veins! I am the one who does not deserve to be alive! Not you!" He hung his head as tears fell onto their joined hands. "You were everything that was good in my life. You taught me Seiðr. You gave me my thirst for knowledge. You loved me despite what I am and the mistakes I have made. I cannot go on without you."

"Of course, you can."

"Why? What is the point?"

"Everything that has happened was meant to be. We cannot know in the moment why. We must have faith that the Norns will do what is best for us. When was the last time you prayed?"

"This morning. I prayed for that ox in the next cell to quit snoring."

Frigga giggled despite herself, "Well it is something, at least." She stroked his hair again as she spoke, barely above a whisper, "Everything is going to work out somehow. I just know it."

"I wish I had a fraction of your optimism."

"What would you do if you were granted a release of your sentence?"

It took him a few minutes to reply, "I would get as far away from this palace as I could. The countryside or the mountains perhaps. I doubt I would be welcomed anywhere. But if I could make a fresh start, I do not know. Maybe teach? Share my love of learning in the same way that you did with me.

"Then that is what I will pray for you; a fresh start doing something you love with someone you love."

"Do not waste your prayers on me, Mother," he said quietly.

"They are my prayers; I will use them as I see fit." She smiled at him as she rubbed his back.

"The fates are cruel."

"There is no more time for self-pity. I want my last days to be as positive as can be."

"Very well. Tell me, Mother, what will you be doing in these months ahead?"

"I intend to watch every sunrise and sunset. I will indulge in as much of the finest Asgardian food as I can. I will dance in the rain, and I will make love, and I will sing as loudly as I like whenever the mood strikes me, and I will laugh. I will run through the halls of the palace barefoot. I will swim naked in the ocean."

Loki could not help but laugh at her enthusiasm.

"I will paint a masterpiece. I will tend to my garden. I will down a whole bottle of wine and tell your Aunt Borna how I really feel about her."

"I wish I could see that miserable old bitch's face when you do," he laughed.

"I will eat dessert for breakfast. I will throw my corsets into the fire and spend the rest of my days in comfortable shift dresses."

"Yes!" Loki cheered, "What else?"

"I will take my horse out and ride her as fast as she will go. I will run barefoot through the grass. I will catch fireflies, and frogs. I will climb trees. I will cast spells just for fun because I can." Her eyes were sparkling with joy.

"That all sounds so wonderful." He picked up her hand and kissed it. "I hope you do all that and more."

oOXOo

Two weeks after Frigga's funeral, Loki received an unexpected visitor. He was lying on his cot, with his fingers laced behind his head, staring at the ceiling, trying to force himself to think of anything else besides his mother when he heard the unmistakable sound of Odin's voice.

"Hello, Son."

Loki scoffed and closed his eyes; he must be imagining things again.

"The mind healers tell me that you have regained your memories."

Loki took a deep breath and squeezed his eyes tighter, willing the disconnected voice of the man he once called father to leave him be.

"In fact, you have been quite your old self the last few decades, they tell me."

He rolled onto his side to face the wall, debating if he should mention this at his next appointment.

"I have come to strike a bargain with you." Odin's voice was tight with emotion. He cleared his throat and spoke again. "I am here to offer you a way out of this cell."

Loki opened his eyes slowly. Could this be real? No. Odin had not once set foot in this dungeon for the entirety of his sentence.

'I must be having a relapse.'

He started to panic. Breathing became almost impossible. His heart started pounding in his chest. He stood up to pace and when he did, he saw the unmistakable image of King Odin on the other side of the barrier.

"Is this real?" Loki tilted his head to the side and eyed him carefully.

"Yes. Very much so. I have a proposition for you. If you are unable to have a discussion now, we can try again in a few days."

Loki shook his head, still having trouble believing what he was seeing, "You came all this way. It would be rude of me to send you away without hearing you out." He took a seat in the small chair next to his desk.

"Very well." Odin laced his fingers in front of himself, "I have been considering this for a while now. I have been kept abreast of your progress and it is time to reconsider your sentence."

Loki looked at him with wide eyes, mouth slightly agape. "You would free me?"

Odin pursed his lips and chose his words carefully, "I would free you from this cell. I could not allow you to leave your rooms just yet and I will not grant you access to your seiðr."

"You... would confine me to my chambers? But I could sleep in my own bed again?" Loki choked back a sob.

"Contingent on your behavior."

"I am quite docile without my seiðr."

"You forget that I have seen you in hand-to-hand combat? Docile is not a word I would use to describe that."

"A hundred years in the same room tends to take the fight out of you," he said quietly.

"Nevertheless, good behavior would not be the only thing I require of you."

Loki looked at his hands, "I would do just about anything to be paroled. What would you have me do?"

Odin studied him carefully, unsure of what would cause another round of anxiety. He chose his words carefully, "Long ago, I publicly made a promise to a close ally, events came to pass that prohibited me from keeping that promise and he is demanding retribution. I had no idea how I could exchange the favor I had promised for something of equal value in his mind. Until recently."

Loki was intrigued but Odin was speaking in riddles. "What would be required of me?"

Odin paced in front of the cell, squeezing his hands behind his back. "Nothing that any man would not happily take your place in doing."

He eyed him doubtfully, "And I must comply, or I remain in this cell."

"Yes. Those are my terms."

"Confined to my chambers, seiðr suppressed, and some unnamed favor to repay your old friend?"

"In return, you will be in your newly remodeled chambers, and have access to fine Asgardian cuisine, wine, mead, spirits, and a large comfortable bed. You can enjoy fresh air and sunshine on your balcony. If your compliance exceeds expectations, we can discuss more freedom to move about the palace grounds. And if you provide me with what I want, we can discuss taking that cuff off. How does that sound?"

"Too good to be true." Loki stood and made his way back to his little cot, sitting on the edge and dropping his head into his hands. Healthy food and a comfortable bed aside, the thought of seeing the sky again, walking in the gardens breathing fresh air, priceless.

Running.

Norns, how long has it been since he has been able to really stretch his legs? Being confined to this small room made him claustrophobic.

But there was something in Odin's offer that he had left out. Something Loki had been craving desperately; even more than fine wine and delicacies.

"What about... companionship?"

"All part of the offer."

Loki could not believe his ears, his heart started beating rapidly, and the thought of having a lover again caused butterflies in his stomach.

"When I say companionship, I mean- "

"I know what you mean. You are a young man with needs and desires. If you agree to my proposition, that is part of the package."

"This must be one Hel of a favor." Loki nervously picked at his dry cuticles.

"It will be quite the undertaking. No small feat by any means. But if you are truly rehabilitated, then this could be quite pleasant for you."

Loki did not have the luxury of being suspicious, but he asked anyway, "I do not get to know the favor before I agree to it?"

"The favor is to my old friend. You would be fulfilling a duty."

"A duty? I do not understand."

"You are still a member of the Royal Family. You will marry the high-born daughter of the Viscount Lord Viggo. Fulfilling the promise I made to him a thousand years ago."

'Finna...'

Loki swallowed thickly.

'All I must do is stand up and say a few words? In return, I get to be a member of society again. Possibly get my magic back?'

"I will do it."