Chapter Text
“You are needed in the throne room, my Prince,” Heimdall said as soon as Thor and his friends came through the Bifrost. “Your father wishes to see you.”
Thor nodded. He waved good-bye to his friends and took off flying towards the palace, wondering what new mission Odin would have for him.
In the past few of years, since his return from Midgard after the battle against Ultron, Odin had had him constantly doing something. Renewed lessons in diplomacy that Thor had not paid much attention to the first time, reviewing all of Asgard’s treaties with the other realms, training, going all over Asgard to check on provisions, defenses and the state of their army… To be honest, Thor was quite exhausted. He understood the need for it, though. Asgard had been attacked by the Dark Elves and they had found themselves unprepared. Their losses had been great (Frigga was dearly missed) and it was only natural that they would rethink their practices in the face of such tragedy.
At first, Thor had been concerned about how his father would deal with the loss of both Frigga and Loki. He had been surprised by Odin sending him back to Midgard in the immediate aftermath of the attack. Surely it would have been better for Thor to remain and assist in rebuilding Asgard. Odin, however, had pointed out that Thor would not be effective as long as his heart was not truly there. His father had been trying to give him time with his beloved – time that Odin himself had been robbed of with Frigga. Unfortunately, only a couple of months later, Jane had ended their relationship citing cultural differences that made them incompatible. Thor had tried to argue, but he knew, deep down, that she was right. Their different lifespans were an insurmountable obstacle. Jane deserved someone who could grow old with her.
After that, he had joined the Avengers in the search for the scepter, and that took his mind off the breakup, which was perhaps a good thing. It had been fun being around the Avengers and fighting with them. It was not exactly the same as Asgard, but he felt useful. Plus he knew his friends back in Asgard would still be there, steadfastly by his side.
He missed Loki, though. Despite how difficult things had been between them, Thor still mourned his brother. He had believed that the brother he’d known had been lost for good in the void only to see him again at the end, dying on that wasteland in Svartalfheim. Had he been wrong all along and Loki could have been reached and reasoned with? Had the madness that had taken over his mind been curable after all? It hurt to think Thor could have done something more and perhaps Loki would not be dead now.
The palace guards bowed to him as he passed them and Thor nodded back absent-mindedly, mind still far away.
“Father, I have returned.” He knelt in front of the throne and waited.
“Thor. My son.”
When there was nothing further, Thor raised his head. “Yes, father? Shall I give my report?”
Odin clenched his jaw and waved a hand for him to continue, so Thor did. There was not much to say, in truth, only that the Vanir had agreed to their proposal and that there had been no incidents or problems. Once he was done, Thor waited again, but Odin remained silent. It was odd. Thor had expected further questions or, at least, an acknowledgement of his success.
“Father, is everything all right? Has something happened in my absence?” He had only been gone a fortnight. It was not very long, but disaster could often strike quickly and swiftly.
“No, nothing is wrong,” Odin finally said. “You may go.”
Thor frowned, unsure. Odin’s demeanor was strange. “Is there something else I can do, father?”
“No. You are dismissed.”
Thor bowed and left. As he went through the palace, he asked a few of the guards and servants if there had been any problems while he’d been away. They all said there had been nothing out of the ordinary.
Perhaps I am being overtly paranoid, Thor thought. If there was a problem, father would surely tell me, he reasoned. Thor had come a long way from the recklessness of his youth, and Odin had trusted him with important matters these past few years.
For the next few weeks, Thor had nothing specific to do. After almost non-stop tasks, he found himself suddenly idle. Odin sequestered himself in his chambers and was seldom seen. Thor had no idea what he was doing, or why he was no longer issuing commands to all manner of people as he had before. Whenever Thor attempted to speak to his father and offer his assistance, he was turned away. It was disappointing, if he was to be honest. And puzzling.
His friends, however, quickly decided to take advantage of the lull in missions to insist they go on an adventure the way they used to. Thor wasn’t really sure about it at first, still concerned that there was something wrong, but at their continuous insistence, he finally agreed.
It was not the same. Loki’s absence was painful, even if Thor seemed to be the only one to notice it – or perhaps because of it. He could no longer be as carefree as he had been. Back then, being king had been a fun fantasy; he’d had no real idea what it would truly mean. Now he was more aware of the responsibilities and duties that awaited him when he took the throne. And, if he was honest, he did not think he was ready. It was easy to take charge in a battle, to come up with plans and strategies to defeat the enemy. Ruling was more than that, however. The diplomatic and the day-to-day administrative parts seemed incredibly daunting. He had always assumed that he would have Loki by his side to help him with that, but now… Being king was not the glorious reward he had believed in his youth, and Thor honestly wasn’t sure he even wanted it anymore. It was too much work, and most of it extremely boring. He had not told anyone of his thoughts, of course, but he secretly hoped Odin would continue to rule for centuries more.
Thor returned from his excursion in no better spirits than when he’d left. He felt restless and antsy, so he began training harder than ever. He was ruthless in putting the guards and recruits through their paces. No one complained, though, well aware that they needed it. Asgard had become complacent and had lost their Queen and Prince as a result.
No one spoke of Loki. Frigga was constantly remembered, with people sharing stories of her kindness and beauty. Loki, on the other hand, seemed to have been forgotten. Not even his final sacrifice was retold in song. It made Thor feel sad, like he was letting his brother down somehow.
Loki chose to betray us, Thor thought. He was imprisoned because of the many crimes he committed. He turned his back on us, on Asgard. He made his choice. Even knowing all that, it still hurt. There was nothing he could do about it, however, and it was best to focus on the present.
After several more weeks of constant training and occasional adventures that left him feeling more tired than anything, Odin once again summoned Thor to the throne room. He had not seen much of his father, as the king had been busy with his advisors and councilmen. There had been delegations from Alfheim, Vanaheim and Nidavellir to speak with Odin as well, but Thor had not been invited to attend. He had tried not to let it show, but the exclusion had bothered him. Since his return from Midgard, he had been at least present for a lot of meetings, even if his father had often told him to keep quiet and observe only. At first he had been annoyed by that, then he remembered that he still had much to learn about kingship, and Odin was likely trying to teach him. He had then paid as close attention as he could despite the fact that most of it was just boring talk that he did not fully understand the purpose of. Now he could not decide if Odin believed the lessons were no longer necessary or if he just didn’t want to bother anymore.
That Odin looked irritated was the first thing he noticed upon entering the room, and it made him wary. In the past few years an irritated Odin had meant scathing remarks that Thor had had to fight not to flinch from. Ever since the failed coronation and his idiotic actions, Odin had been increasingly short-tempered with Thor, angry and insulting in a way he had never been before. There was a part of Thor that understood why, as he had shown himself foolish and reckless – unfit for a king. Another part, however, longed for the simple days when he felt invincible and righteous. Life had been much easier then. Now he was often plagued with uncertainty and self-doubt, and he hated it.
Thor knelt and waited, keeping his eyes on the ground. It was unnerving to think he had done something to displease his father, even more so because he had no idea what it could have been.
“I want a full report of all your missions since you returned from Midgard,” Odin said.
Thor blinked, confused. Nevertheless, he obeyed, standing and straightening to deliver his report (again). Once he was done, Odin waved a hand in dismissal and Thor frowned.
“Father, I don’t understand.”
“You are not required to understand,” Odin snapped and Thor clenched his jaw. “You are dismissed.”
Knowing that there was no point in arguing, Thor bowed and left.
He felt more alone than he ever had. He was no longer the favored son (and now, in hindsight, Thor could see that he had been favored over Loki – and a part of him still felt that it was deserved; was he not the stronger warrior?), he could no longer fill his days with idle adventures and amorous conquests without a sense of emptiness descending on him like a smoldering blanket. He often found himself turning around to say something to Loki only to realize he was not there (and would never be there again). There were no sarcastic remarks to be heard, no eyes rolled in exasperation or impatient huffs as Loki insisted Thor was being an idiot.
There was no one to talk to at all.
In the past, he had gone to either Loki or Frigga when something was bothering him – or just when he wanted companionship. He still had Sif and the Warriors Three, but it was not the same. They did not understand his loss, not really. Loki had been their friend too, yet they seemed to have forgotten him much too easily. Or perhaps they didn’t want to add to Thor’s grief by speaking of him. Either way, sometimes Thor thought he was the only one in the whole realm who mourned Loki, and that made him feel unbearably lonely.
Perhaps he could return to Midgard for a while, spend time with his shield brothers there. It would be good to be surrounded by friends, people who understood what it was like to lose someone important. He did not have to be Prince Thor in Midgard, only Thor. He was respected and admired, but not in the same way as in Asgard. There was less expectation there, less doubt of his own suitability. His friends didn’t care if he was ready to be king, they would welcome him regardless.
Yes, that might be a good idea. It was obvious that his father had no use for him now. Maybe there were enemies to defeat in Midgard that he could help with. It would make him feel less useless (and bored).
Still, Thor was reluctant to just abandon Asgard. It did feel like he would be running away, and that didn’t sit well with him. What he really wanted was for his father to send him to Midgard as he’d done before, so that Thor would have an excuse to go that wouldn’t sound like he was avoiding his problems (even though, in truth, he was).
So he waited a few more weeks, hoping for a chance to either do something productive or figure out a way to make his father send him off (unlikely – that kind of thing was Loki’s talent, not his). Odin, however, remained stiff and impatient with Thor, and seemed to spend his days going over everything he’d done in the last few years as if he couldn’t remember why he’d done any of it.
“Father,” Thor said when he couldn’t take it anymore. He had waited outside the council room to catch his father alone.
“What?” Odin asked in the same irritated tone he had been using for months – and not just with Thor. No one, not even Heimdall, seemed to have escaped it.
“I was wondering… Is there something you need me to do?” Anything, Thor thought. Even going on diplomatic missions would be better than sitting idly with his thoughts and loneliness.
Odin gave him a searching and calculating look that made Thor quite uncomfortable. Before his exile, he had never been afraid of his father, not really. There had been other occasions in which Odin had been furious with him for some reason or another, but never like that day (though, in fairness, he’d never started a war before). Since then, it felt like Odin was constantly on the brink of another explosion. In the years Loki had been incarcerated, Odin’s short temper had been somewhat mitigated by Frigga. After her death, grief seemed to have been the prevalent emotion. But now he was back to anger. It made Thor uneasy in a way that he could not define or express. It made him scared.
“I have no need of you now,” was the response Thor got. Another dismissal.
Thor bowed his head and tried to hide his disappointment and hurt. He gathered his courage and spoke again. “If there is nothing, then I would like to request permission to go to Midgard. It would be good to check on our allies there.”
Odin scoffed and walked past Thor. “You may do as you wish, but be prepared to return immediately if I send for you.”
“Yes, father.”
Easier that he’d expected, yet it didn’t quite feel like a victory.
On the way to his chambers to pack his things for the trip, he ran into Sif and Volstagg.
“Ah, there you are, Thor,” Volstagg said. “We are going hunting in the northern plains and we thought you might like to go with us.”
Thor considered it for a moment, then decided to decline. These trips with his friends had done nothing to improve his mood so far, and he didn’t see how this one would be any better. He’d tried, but they only seemed to remind him of all that he’d lost, all that had irrevocably changed.
“I’m afraid that I must decline. I am bound for Midgard.” He almost said it was on his father’s request, but couldn’t quite bring himself to lie to his friends. It was not their fault Thor needed to escape Asgard for a while, and they did not deserve to be deceived.
Sif pursed her lips, a slight scowl on her face. The last time he had left for Midgard, Sif had asked if he was going because of Jane. Thor hadn’t really known what to tell her, and had left her to draw her own conclusions. When he’d returned, she had asked after Jane and had looked relieved once Thor had told her his relationship with the mortal was over.
“Then perhaps this time we might accompany you. We would like the chance to meet the warriors of Midgard you speak so highly of,” she said.
Volstagg nodded. “Aye, that would be interesting. It seems the king has no need of us at the moment.” Like Thor, his friends had not been given any new orders for several months.
“I will tell Fandral and Hogun so we can prepare,” Sif said without waiting for Thor’s response. Then she was gone, Volstagg right behind her.
Thor stood on the corridor alone, feeling incredibly tired. He wasn’t sure it was such a good idea to bring the others, yet now it was too late to tell them they couldn’t come. With a sigh, he continued on his way, a feeling of foreboding heavy in his stomach.
*****
Thor and his friends found themselves surrounded by people with guns as soon as the energy of the Bifrost dissipated. Sif, Fandral and Volstagg immediately drew their own weapons, but Thor gestured for them to sheath them again. He addressed the mortals.
“Greeting, friends.”
A man wearing a business suit like the one Man of Iron sometimes did came forward and the men with guns lowered their weapons. “Prince Thor?”
“Aye, it is I.” He did not recognize the man and the building behind him, the Avengers Compound, looked different. The feeling of dread returned.
“And your companions?” The man asked. Thor noticed that the guards remained wary, watching them all suspiciously.
“They are my friends. We mean you no harm.” When no one seemed any more relaxed, Thor continued. “Perhaps I could speak to my shield brothers, the Avengers?”
The man in the suit and the guards looked at each other. At a nod from the suit, a couple of the guards went back inside.
“I must ask you to surrender your weapons and wait while he contact… the Avengers.”
“Of course,” Thor replied, eyes on Sif, who looked like she was going to protest. She huffed and complied, the others doing the same.
“They will be returned when you leave,” the man said. He glanced at Mjolnir still in Thor’s hip with annoyance.
“I will place Mjolnir inside as we wait for my friends, have no fear.”
The man scowled and gestured for them to follow him.
Thor and his friends were escorted into the building, which did not seem as Thor remembered at all. He had only been there a few days after the battle against Ultron before returning to Asgard, yet he could tell that things had changed.
Another man in a suit appeared once they were seated in a kind of conference room. “My name is George Fields, I’m the coordinator of this facility. What is the purpose of your visit, Prince Thor?”
The sense of wrongness continued to increase and it was all Thor could do not to squirm in his chair in discomfort. Where were the Avengers? Why were these people here asking all these questions? This had never happened before.
“I am a friend of this realm,” he said, in as reassuring a tone as he could manage. Surely the people of Midgard knew that Thor was not a threat to them. “I have come to see my friends, the Avengers.”
Fields tilted his head slightly. “And your associates?”
“They are my friends. They wished to meet the mighty warriors of Midgard in person, as I have told them many tales of their strength and bravery.”
Before, it would not have occurred to Thor that having his friends along would be a problem, but now he realized it might not have been the best idea to bring the others uninvited. Thor was known to the Midgardians, yes; the others were not. He should have checked with the Avengers beforehand (he should not have allowed the others to come at all).
“I apologize for the… suddenness of our visit,” he said, trying to be diplomatic.
“So you are not here on official business?” Fields asked.
Thor hesitated, unsure what the best answer was. He knew now that saying he’d come because he wanted to would be… impolite. One does not simply walk uninvited into another realm without a very specific reason, Thor, Odin had told him. Even if they are our allies, you must remember to respect their boundaries and be polite. Thor remembered thinking that sounded like something Loki would say (perhaps had said, and Thor had ignored it). Then he remembered the reason he’d left Midgard in the first place. That would be a good excuse, wouldn’t it?
“I have… news… to share with the Avengers.” It did not quite answer the question, but it sounded better as a motive for the trip.
“I see. My people are contacting the Avengers now. You and your associates can wait here. I can have food and refreshments sent, if you want.”
Thor saw Volstagg lean forward eagerly and cut him off. “That will not be necessary, though we thank you for your kind offer.”
Fields nodded and took his leave, the guard who had been hovering discreetly in the background going with him. Thor heard the door lock and sighed. He did not know what was happening and he did not like it.
Sif shifted impatiently in her chair. “They took our weapons,” she muttered.
“So what?” Fandral replied, leaning back in his chair. “If they try to hurt us we are more than a match for them, weapons or no weapons.”
“We are not here to harm anyone,” Thor told the others firmly, well aware that they were likely being monitored. “The people of Midgard are our allies and under Asgard’s protection.”
“How long do you think we’ll have to wait?” Volstagg asked. “I thought you said this is where the Avengers live.”
Thor shook his head. “It was when I was last here. Things have obviously changed. No matter. I’m certain they will be here shortly.”
In the meantime, the feeling of discomfort only grew. Thor was beginning to regret the whole idea.
He did not know how long they waited. After a few minutes Thor started to recount some of the Avengers’ battles as a way to pass the time and ease his anxiety, even though his friends had heard them all before. Storytelling was a soothing pastime, and Thor found himself relaxing as he spoke. Perhaps he was being paranoid and there was nothing amiss. He had almost convinced himself of that when the door opened once again.
Thor was immediately on his feet, a smile ready to greet his friends. He faltered only slightly when he saw only Stark and Banner.
“My friends!” He boomed, trying to subtly look past them in search of the others.
“Thor,” Stark replied. He did not smile, and neither did Banner. Thor’s unease returned with a vengeance.
“My friends, is there something wrong? Where are the Captain, Lady Natasha and Barton?”
Stark ignored the question, waving a hand at the other Asgardians. “I see you’ve brought guests. Care to introduce us?”
Thor frowned, then motioned his companions forward. “These are the Warriors Three: Fandral, Volstagg and Hogun. And Lady Sif.” He pointed at each in turn and they nodded in greeting. Then he turned to the Avengers. “Anthony Stark, the Man of Iron, and Bruce Banner, the Hulk.”
Stark and Banner’s expressions remained neutral, though they responded politely.
“Fields said you have information for us?” Stark asked.
“I… Yes. But… Where are the others? I would like to see them.”
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible. A lot has happened since you left, Thor. The others are no longer Avengers.”
“Are they… Have they…?” Thor’s stomach dropped at the thought that they might be dead.
“No, they’re alive. But they are in prison.”
Thought of his fallen comrades were interrupted at Stark’s words sunk in. “Prison? What do you mean?” It could not be.
“Yeah. They got stupid, committed a bunch of crimes and ended up in prison.” Stark didn’t seem concerned with the fate of his friends. Thor didn’t understand.
“Surely it was a mistake,” he said, sounding uncertain. “I cannot believe they would do such things.”
Stark shrugged. “Well, they did. They got caught, had their trials and were convicted. There’s a new team now, and a bunch of other things I don’t need to get into now. Point is, if you’ve got something to say, we’re here to listen.”
Thor glanced at his fellow Asgardians, feeling very much out of his depth. He wished Loki was here to help him deal with all this.
Everything had changed in Midgard too. Thor was just as lost here as he’d been in Asgard. He had hoped to speak to his friends and settle his heart and mind after the upheaval of the last few years, and now that seemed impossible. In fact, there seemed to be even more upheaval coming his way.
He had never been as close to Stark and Banner as he had the others. Both of them were more men of learning than proper warriors – Stark in particular had always reminded him of Loki, which made being around him for long rather unsettling. Banner, for his part, had been reserved and quiet, constantly worried about his berserker self. Neither were the friends Thor had wished to see.
“I… It is nothing overtly important.”
“Is it about the Infinity Stones?” Banner asked. “That was why you left, wasn’t it?”
Thor now remembered that Banner hadn’t been there, having disappeared after the battle in Sokovia. Thor had not understood why, though he assumed that the man would return eventually.
“Ah… yes. I have confirmed that the Aether remains protected, as is another one, though I know not which it is. I was unable to find much about the others.”
“The Tesseract is still in Asgard’s vault?” Stark inquired.
“Yes, of course.”
“Good. So, as far as you know, they’re all safe somewhere.”
“Yes, as I said. There are two still unaccounted for, however.”
“I see.” Stark stepped a bit further into the room, glancing somewhat suspiciously at Sif and the Three. “So, how are things in Asgard?”
“All is well,” Thor replied, though he was not entirely sure of that. He was not sure of anything anymore.
“Odin is fine? No attacks by anyone?”
“Odin is indeed well,” Thor hoped, at least. “And there is peace throughout the Nine.”
“Good to know.”
An uncomfortable silence descended. Thor fidgeted nervously, wondering what to do next. Nothing was going according to plan.
“Well, the Accords Panel will probably want to talk to you,” Stark finally said, and Thor frowned in confusion. “Right,” he continued. “As I said, a lot has changed. The Avengers answer to the people of Earth now. There’s a Council, and they deal with alien stuff.”
That, at least, seemed familiar. Thor had spent quite some time listening in on Asgard’s Council. It had been tedious, but at least Thor now knew how those things worked.
“I see. I will be happy to do so, then.”
“Good. I’ll set it up. In the meantime, we’ll find somewhere for you and your… friends… to stay.”
“I thank you for your hospitality.”
Stark nodded. “I have some stuff to do. Bruce will keep you company and answer your questions. I’ll be by later to take you to your accommodations.” He glanced politely at everyone and left, his phone already in his hands.
Thor turned to Banner and gave him what he hoped was a welcoming smile, but Banner’s neutral expression didn’t change.
“Please have a seat,” Banner said, making himself comfortable in one of the chairs.
Thor did as he was told, as did his companions, though they were as wary as he was. Bringing them had been a mistake, and he would try to send them back at the first opportunity.
“So why are the Captain and the others in jail?” It still seemed hard to believe. They were good warriors, defenders of their people. How could that be? “What of the new members that joined before I left?”
“Vision is still an Avenger. Wilson is in jail and Maximoff is dead.” Bruce then explained what had happened to divide the team.
“I don’t understand,” Thor said. “Why would Steve defy your world leaders?”
Banner snorted. “Because he is an arrogant selfish ass who only thinks of himself.” Thor couldn’t help flinch a little. His father had said something similar before banishing him. “He has no idea how the world works, thought he could just do whatever he wanted without thinking about the consequences to other people.” Again the words hit a little too close to home. “His friend and his need to be a hero were more important than anything else, and he dragged the others down with him, since they didn’t have the sense to realize they were being stupid.” Banner’s tone was angry and the words harsh, and reminded Thor of his father that day at the Bifrost.
He had found something of a kindred spirit in Steve, a worthy warrior who fought for his people. It was unsettling to realize they had some flaws in common as well.
There was more, however. Banner went on to say how Steve had kept a secret he had no right to keep, and almost killed Stark when the truth had been revealed.
Thor remembered his mother telling him about the terrible secret she and Odin had kept from Loki (and Thor), and how badly Loki had reacted when he’d finally learned about his origins. She had cried as she told him that Loki should not have had to find out like that, and that she should have supported him more in the aftermath.
“It is our fault he’s gone,” she’d said. “He thought we betrayed him.”
Later, when he’d had some time to digest that piece of news, Thor realized he should not have attacked Loki. That Loki was hurting and lashing out, and Thor should have tried to help, to listen. He had never been good at listening. It seemed Steve wasn’t either.
Banner spoke of the rogue Avengers’ capture, trials and eventual conviction. Thor wondered how it all could have gone so wrong so quickly (yet he knew how the world could spiral out of control in the span of a heartbeat).
“We have new people now on the Avengers. Besides myself, Tony, Rhodey and Vision there is Hope van Dyne, codename the Wasp, and Doctor Stephen Stranger, the Sorcerer Supreme.”
“A magic user?” Thor asked in surprise. There had been the Maximoff woman, but she got her powers from the Mind Stone, as far as Thor had understood it (though of course he didn’t really know much about magic).
Beside him, he heard Sif scoff. Banner immediately turned to her. “Strange is a skilled sorcerer and a valued member of the team. His abilities are very useful.”
Sif scowled. “A real man fight with real strength, not magic tricks.”
Banner narrowed his eyes. “That might be so in Asgard, which is stupid by the way, but here strength without intellect is meaningless. Hitting someone hard is not what we consider most important. And there is nothing dishonorable about using the talents one has to get things done.”
Thor squirmed a bit, feeling that those words were directed at him, even though Banner was glaring at Sif. He thought of Loki and all the times he or the others had mocked his brother’s magic. He wished he’d had the opportunity to tell Loki he was sorry for all the hurtful things he’d said. But now it was too late, of course.
Sif straightened and Thor sent her a warning look. She subsided, still visibly annoyed.
“We have sorcerers of our own now,” Banner continued, deliberately looking away from Sif.
“I was unaware that mortals could do magic,” Fandral said in a cautious, curious tone.
“I reckon there is a lot about us you don’t know. And we prefer ‘humans’, not ‘mortals’. It sounds a lot less like you have a superiority complex.”
Once again Sif shifted in her seat, though his time she held her tongue.
“Fandral meant no disrespect,” Thor said.
“Perhaps not, but it’s hard to feel respected when we’re called ‘goats’ by your people.”
Thor winced. Jane must have told them about that. “I apologize for that. It was an… unfortunate choice of words.”
Banner didn’t seem convinced, and Thor couldn’t blame him. “Anyway, we have new people. A new team. A better team.”
And Thor wasn’t a part of it. He wasn’t sure he would ever be again.
It should not have bothered him that much. Humans were short-lived. No matter what, the Avengers he knew would not have lasted long, not for someone like him. Still, he had found something with them that he was loathe to lose. Yet lose it he would – already had, apparently. The little family he’d made in Midgard had crumbled completely. First Jane – and by extension Darcy and Selvig – and now the Avengers. The first he had at least managed to say good-bye to, the latter had simply disappeared while he wasn’t looking. It hurt.
“I… It’s good to know that Midgard still has warriors to defend it.”
“We’re not exactly warriors, but whatever. In any case, yes, it is, because we are going to need them. We have reason to believe we will be invaded again soon.”
Thor frowned. “Why? I was under the impression that the Man of Iron had destroyed the Chitauri fleet.” And with Loki dead too… what did they have to fear?
“That might be so, but we now know that it wasn’t really Loki behind the invasion, and the guy who was pulling his strings is still out there, gunning for us.”
“What… What are talking about?” Thor asked, heart suddenly hammering in his chest.
Banner gave him a pitying look. “Loki was not responsible for the invasion. He was controlled by someone else. Kinda like Barton was.”
No. No, that couldn’t be…
“You don’t know Loki,” Sif interjected. “He is guilty. The Allfather himself pronounced him so.”
“Be silent!” Thor hissed at her, trying to keep his emotions under control. He turned to Banner. “What makes you think so? What proof do you have?” Could it be true? Why hadn’t Loki said anything?
“His eyes glowed blue just like Bartons and Selvig’s when he first came through the portal. We have recovered the surveillance footage from the SHIELD base, and it’s pretty clear. After the Hulk beat him into the ground, his eyes went back to green. A hard blow to the head was also used to get Barton and Selvig back to themselves. Plus, you told us how smart Loki was, and the invasion was anything but.”
Thor thought back to that time, trying to remember the color of Loki’s eyes. It had been dark the first time he’d seen his brother near that forest. Later, at SHIELD’s flying fortress, Thor had not paid attention. Same for the actual battle against the Chitauri fleet. Could he have missed it? He had been so angry…
“How… How certain are you of this?” Fandral asked, watching Thor warily.
“Pretty certain. We have the tape if you want to see for yourselves.”
“Yes, I do,” Thor answered immediately.
“What difference will this make?” Sif said. “Even if the mortal is right, Loki is dead.”
This time Thor exploded. “I said be silent!” he shouted. “Loki was my brother, and if he was innocent, it matters a great deal.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “You will not disrespect his memory in my presence!”
“I only meant–”
“I do not care! I do not want to hear any more from you.” He turned back to Banner. “I would very much like to see this tape.”
Banner nodded. “I’ll arrange it.”
“And what makes you think that the person who… controlled Loki… will come again?” It was Volstagg who spoke this time. He seemed just as confused as Thor felt.
“A few reasons. One, we had another person sent by this guy who pretty much told us so. Two, we know this guy is after the Infinity Stones, and he knows we have one.”
Thor’s mind was still reeling from the fact that Loki might have been innocent. And he’d been imprisoned all the same. How? How could Odin have allowed it? And how could Thor not have seen it?
He remembered the harsh words he had spoken to Loki after Frigga’s death, and the threats he and his friends had made against him, warning Loki about betraying them. But if Loki was truly innocent, then it was Thor who had betrayed him by not doing anything to help.
“He never said… He never said anything…”
“Would you have listened if he had?”
It was only after Banner spoke that Thor realized he had voiced that thought aloud.
“Of course I would have!” he exclaimed, only to falter at Banner’s skeptical expression. Would he? Or would he have assumed that it was another one of Loki’s tricks and lies?
“The Allfather found him guilty,” Volstagg said.
“Ah yes,” Banner said, supremely unimpressed. “Was there a trial? Were there witnessed called? Was there an investigation? Was Loki allowed to present a defense? Or was he just convicted without any of that?”
Thor opened his mouth to say Odin knew what he was doing, but the words refused to come out. Had he? Banner was right; Loki had been convicted before he’d even set foot back in Asgard. And aside from Frigga, no one had spoken in his defense. Loki could have said something, but would anyone have even cared? Even after Loki’s death – a heroic one – there didn’t seem to be much good will towards him in Asgard. What chance would he have had if the people were already biased against him? The news of his true heritage had spread like wildfire and people saw it as a reason for why Loki had always been untrustworthy.
“He was guilty of other crimes,” Sif said. “He tried to kill Thor. He committed treason.”
“Treason?” Banner asked. There was something dark in his expression, as if the other guy was just itching to come out.
“Yes. He let the Frost Giants into the vault because he was jealous of Thor and wanted the crown for himself.”
“Is that so?” Banner asked, addressing Thor.
Thor lowered his head. “Yes, but he was right. I was not ready to be king.” I’m still not.
“It does not matter, it’s still treason,” Sif insisted.
“Hmm… So going against the crown is always treason, no matter what? As I understand it, after Thor was banished, Loki took the throne because he was next in line.”
“He stole the throne!”
“No, he did not,” Thor interjected. “Mother gave him Gungnir because, as Banner said, he was next in line.”
“So he was rightfully king.”
“A Frost Giant as king? Never!” Sif hissed.
“Ah, but you didn’t know that at the time, did you? No one did.” Banner remained unperturbed, but the glint in his eyes intensified. “Well, except the Queen. Are you saying you disagree with the Queen’s decision?” When Sif didn’t answer, he went on. “So, again, Loki was the rightful king. And yet you” he indicated Sif and the Warriors Three “disobeyed the king’s command – both Odin’s and Loki’s – to come to Midgard after Thor. Isn’t that treason too, by your own definition?”
Sif growled and reached for a weapon that wasn’t there. Fandral and Volstagg lowered their heads a bit as if in shame. Hogun looked away.
It had not occurred to Thor until now that his friends’ actions could be seen as treason, but he had to admit that Banner’s words made sense.
Sif, however, didn’t think so. “Have a care how you speak, mortal.”
Banner smiled. “Or what? You’ll attack me? I’ll warn you that it won’t end well for you. And anyway, I’m only stating facts. It’s not my fault that they don’t put you in a good light.”
“I am not–”
“Enough!” Thor roared and Sif backed down immediately. “I have warned you, Sif. Banner speaks true. If you defied Odin and Loki’s orders, that is treason, regardless of your intentions.”
“My Prince, I would never–”
“I said enough! I will hear no more of you.” Thor stood abruptly. “I… I must… I would like to be alone.”
Sif looked as if she wanted to speak again, but Fandral took her arm, shaking his head at her. “Of course, my prince.” He looked at Banner. “Is there somewhere we might stay for a while?”
Banner nodded, still looking at Sif with contempt. “Follow me.”
Thor paced restlessly for several minutes, trying to make sense of everything he’d learned in the last hour.
He had been wrong about Loki, about the reason for his actions. He had believed Loki’s attack on Midgard had been done out of jealousy and anger, had believed that Thor had been the target of his hatred. If what Banner said was true (and he had no reason to lie, no reason to defend Loki), then the invasion had had nothing to do with Thor at all. Loki had been hurting, alone and scared, and Thor had turned away from him. Humans had noticed Loki wasn’t himself when his own brother (and it mattered not that they were not blood kin) had not. Norns, Loki must have hated him in the end. All of them. All of Asgard (save Frigga, perhaps) had turned their backs on him.
And his friends… they had defied their rightful king purposefully and deliberately – and had suffered no consequences. How could that be? And why had Thor never thought about any of this before?
He had come to Midgard to find peace, to regain his equilibrium, and had gotten the exact opposite. Instead of reassurance, he now had even more questions and doubts, and no idea how to deal with any of it.
He was still completely lost. And he hated it.