~One Month After The Convergence~

Loki grinned as he eyed himself in the mirror. Odin Allfather smiled back and then frowned. His pale son snapped his fingers and Loki’s own image appeared in the mirror. “Much better.” Dusting off his emerald green tunic, he picked up his helmet and placed it upon his head, as usual, it fit perfectly. “No better crown than this…” He murmured, before returning to his seat.

No sooner had he than a servant knocked on the door of the hall. “Come in.” Loki called, a smile curling one end of his mouth. The servant hurried in. “Your majesty...your son, Thor, has returned and is requesting an audience.” Loki perked up immediately. “Send him in.” The servant backed out, still bowing, and moments later, Thor Odinson strolled in.

“Father.” He said, bowing before Loki, who could barely keep from flinging himself at Thor, who had not returned to Asgard in a month, putting things to rights again in the Nine Realms. He nodded gruffly at Thor, who rose and smiled at Loki. “I hear you have been ruling Asgard well, the people are happier than they have been in the recent thousand years.” Loki smiled, distracted by the sunlight glinting off Thor’s golden hair.

Thor squinted at Loki. Was something wrong with the Allfather? He was...he was fingering his collarbone, a movement he’d seen his own brother do a mere month earlier…! In his left hand he held something small and sharp...a...needle…?

He inhaled quickly, touching the leather necklace around his neck. In the center hung a silver needle, intricately carved and sharpened to a point. It seemed that his father had a duplicate in his hand...unless…

Stepping up onto the dais, Thor removed his necklace and in one reckless swipe, slashed it across Loki’s jawbone. His illusion flickered and died as Loki gasped, a hand clamped to the wound. Thor’s eyes widened and so did Loki’s as he quickly stood and walked backwards from Thor towards the balcony. Too late. Thor charged towards him and Loki shut his eyes, expecting a blow to the head to end him.

Instead, strong, muscled arms wrapped themselves tightly around him as Thor hugged him. “Loki!” The younger opened his eyes in shock and looked at his brother. “Thor?” Thor grinned, all troubles lifted off his shoulders for a moment. “Loki! How-when-what-huh?” Loki smiled. “I...um…”

"Wait a minute! Where's...where is Odin!?" Thor growled, stepping away from him. Loki's face fell and he stuttered. "Um...he's recuperating..." His older brother glared at him, hauling him back inside and pacing around the hall. "Loki! Don't lie to me!" Loki shook his head stubbornly, "I'm telling the truth!"

"Heimdall!" Thor dragged Loki into the Bifrost hall. Expecting to see Heimdall standing sentry at his post, Thor was shocked to find that he, in fact, wasn’t. “HEIMDALL!” He roared, fury filling his eyes at Heimdall’s desertion of his post. Loki sighed. “You know, if you take your grubby paws off me, I could show you where he is.” His trademark smirk was wiped off his face as he was seized by the shoulders and pinned against the wall. “What have you done with them!?”

Loki led the way back to the palace calmly, as Thor fumed behind him, silently promising his brother twice as much hurt as had been inflicted on his father and Heimdall. As they stepped into the hall of the palace, Loki took a left down a corridor Thor had never seen before. It was narrow but well lit, and as they reached the end,Thor blinked in utter shock and confusion.

His first impression was that it was some kind of overgrown garden. There was a medium-sized waterfall in the middle of a small forest. Slowly, keeping Loki warily in his sights, Thor followed him up onto the grass beside the waterfall, where ahead lay a simple hut.

As Thor ducked into the dim interior, he withdrew Mjölnir and gripped it, but there was no intention of harm from within.

Odin Allfather lay inside, enveloped in a golden mist and floating slightly. Thor circled him in disbelief. "W-what...w-what h-have you d-done!? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, LOKI!?" He roared, turning on Loki. He gripped Loki by the collar as different emotions, rage, disbelief, gratefulness and yes, fondness, shook his entire being.

One month ago, Thor had watched his brother die, sacrificing himself for Thor. Now, his brother was back somehow, in the flesh, yet causing mischief as always.

"My lord!" Heimdall's surprised voice cut through his thoughts as he swivelled to face the golden-garbed guard, who stood to attention for a moment before hurrying over to the fire and dumping the herbs he'd collected into a pot.

"Heimdall, what happened?" Thor demanded. "His majesty was overcome with grief at her majesty's death...he fell into a sleep deeper than one could wake from by one's own accord. Thus, I must tend to my king, until he recovers." Thor blinked, shocked. Had Loki...been telling the truth? He turned sharply and glared at Loki, who was leaning against the doorframe, looking smug. "Will you ever learn to trust me, brother?" Thor rumbled, "I doubt so."