Chapter 4

The night went quite well with no further conflict and ended with Erik holding up a turkey leg and claiming it was Mjolnir.

"Okay Erik, how 'bout we take a nap." Jane said giggling as she and Thor carried him to the couch.

As the night came to a close, everyone began saying goodbye and embracing each other in farewell. Loki felt out of place in this display of affection, and didn't want to ruin the night by causing anyone  any uneasiness, so he silently slipped outside and waited for Thor below the front steps of the porch.

He didn't utter a word until he heard his brother's thundering footsteps behind him.

"I suppose it's time for me to return to my cell." There was no sense of sarcasm in his words, nor did it seem that he was trying to toy with his brother's emotions. He had allowed his illusions to drop that night and he said these words softly and more to himself.

"Not exactly." Thor said with a sad smile.

Loki  turned to face him and arched an eyebrow in question.

-------

"Odin didn't authorize this."

"No," Thor said thoughtfully, "But she would have liked for you to have this moment."

Loki closed his eyes as he drew in a deep breath of the cool Asgardian air. In his hands he held something that he considered to be far more precious than any treasure that the nine realms possessed. He valued it more than power and even his freedom.

In his hands he held precious memories.

Memories of her.

The good and the bad all burning together in a fiery blue passion inside the orb formed within the palms of his shaking hands.

He had never forgiven himself for what had happened to her that night, nor was he able to forget that he wasn't able to pay his respects.

But all those feelings of guilt, anger, and loss were subdued in that moment as he released the burning orb of remembrance into the sky above. Tears silently slipped down his cheeks as he watched it meet with the others.

He slowly turned to his brother, who was standing not far off, and found that he could not utter a word. He was thankful for this moment, more than he could express. He was thankful for this certain kind of freedom.

For once, his silver tongue weighed heavily in his mouth.

Thor quickly embraced his fallen brother into a hug, thankful that Loki , whom he loved dearly, was not completely lost to him.

As Loki slowly hugged his brother back, he began to realize the beauty of the Midgardian holiday. It was not about the decorations, the parades, or even the feast. It was about giving thanks for moments like these.

"Thank you, Thor."