“He and another boy were building with prism blocks. The boy knocked over a section of the wall by accident...Vanar attacked him,” Frigga explained as Loki sat beside her on the chaise.

“He’s been isolated from other children–” Loki said, Frigga interrupting him before he could finish.

“He changed...into a wolf...a creature resembling one,” said Frigga, her horror at what she had witnessed evident in her expression and voice as she placed her hand on Wolfie lying in her lap.

“How? Before yesterday he was ignorant of Asgard. He believed magic was pulling rabbits out of hats. This morning I showed him the first trick…” Loki trailed off as a revelation struck him, “He spoke last night of a Shadow Man. He said Dario took him to see this Shadow Man, that he asked him if he liked wolves. When the Shadow Man touched him, he lost consciousness. He could remember nothing more.”

“And you made no mention of this to your father?” Frigga asked in disbelief as Loki rose from the chaise, pacing.

“I planned to have him speak to father after you returned with him. I wanted him to enjoy his time at school without it weighing on his mind. I thought it could wait. They have no means to travel here, no ships, nothing akin to the Bifrost.”

“You know as well as I there are other means to travel between the realms.”

“Few Asgardians possess that knowledge, certainly no one in Midgard. The boy...how is he?” Loki asked as he ceased pacing.

“His injuries were serious but the healer was able to treat them. He will recover physically...mentally may take more time, not only him but the other children who bore witness. Your father has ordered that Vanar join his mother.”

“He’s taking my son from me?” Loki replied.

“What other choice does he have? Would you rather he sent him to the dungeon?”

“What of Boda if he were to have another episode? She would allow him to tear her apart before she would harm him even to defend herself.”

“I’m certain your father would have no objection to assigning einherjar to the cottage to see to her safety,” Frigga answered.

“She would never allow them to harm him either. Did he know what he was doing? Does he remember?” Loki asked.

“He claims to have no recollection. Based on his reaction to what he had done after he became himself again, I believe he speaks the truth," Frigga replied as Loki seated himself next to her and took Wolfie from her lap, looking down at the stuffed animal that had been the final clue to Vanar’s existence.

“I know little of curses. Is it possible father could remove it?”

“Without knowing who and what this Shadow Man is…even with that knowledge, removing another’s curse is dangerous,” Frigga answered, “Your father is no longer young. He grows weary more easily. Thor--nor yourself are ready...”

“You no longer need trouble yourself in the interest of sparing my feelings. We both know father intends to chose Thor as his heir.”

“Your father carries more burdens than the throne,” Frigga continued.

“What do you mean?” Loki asked, puzzled.

“I go now to speak to your father. Remain here with Vanar until he summons you,” Frigga said, rising, Loki standing from the chaise as well, Frigga embracing him before crossing the room to the tall, gilded double doors, exiting Loki’s chambers.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Loki entered Vanar’s bedchambers, far larger than his bedroom in Boda’s apartment, to find him playing with a set of small, square blocks that appeared to be made of the same material as the Rainbow Bridge. Vanar continued to build with the blocks, not acknowledging Loki as Loki sat down across from him and the structure he was creating. Wordlessly, Loki picked up a block from the pile on the floor beside Vanar and went to place it next to the one Vanar had just added.

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“No!” Vanar exclaimed, Loki withdrawing his hand holding the block.

“I’ll be careful,” said Loki, placing the block atop another, “I spent many hours with these when I was a child as well. I once built the palace along with the Rainbow Bridge and Himinbjorg. It took days. Once I’d completed them… I destroyed them.”

“Why?” Vanar asked, perplexed.

“I was angry with my father,” Loki answered as he picked up another block and placed it beside the other.

“But your father didn’t build them, you did,” Vanar said, confused.

“They reminded me of him,” Loki said, adding another block as Vanar watched him.

“I hurt someone. I broke a rule. I didn’t mean to. Is he going to send me back?”

“No. You’re going to stay with your mother.”

“He knocked the wall down. I was angry…I’m sorry,” Vanar said sadly, “I’m really sorry this time. I’m not lying.”

“It wasn’t your fault,” Loki said, continuing to add more blocks.

“Everyone will be afraid of me now. They won’t be my friends. I don’t want to hurt anyone,” Vanar said before throwing himself at Loki as he began to cry, knocking down part of what he had been building in the process, wrapping his arms around Loki as Loki held him, stroking the boy’s dark hair that was so much like his own.

“We’ll speak with my father soon. After we’ll pack up whatever we wish to bring with us and join your mother.”

“You’re going to stay with us?”

“I am.”

“Oops," Vanar said as he turned to see the pile of blocks.

“Let’s finish the job,” Loki said, both alternating between laughter and monstrous growls as they reduced the remaining walls of the structure to rubble.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Loki and Vanar neared the entrance to the throne room, Vanar nervously gripping Loki’s hand.

“Brother!” Loki and Vanar heard Thor’s voice call out from behind them, turning as Thor caught up with them, “Mother asked me to join you. Up you go,” Thor said as he lifted Vanar onto his shoulders, the trio continuing to the throne room.

“You’re not scared of me? I’m a monster,” Vanar told Thor.

“You’re not a monster,” said Loki.

“I’ve fought monsters ten times your size, I’ve fought monsters ten times my size,” Thor told Vanar before addressing Loki, “If there’s anything I can do…”

“Aside from finding a remedy for eitr poisoning or lifting curses, I can think of nothing–…actually there is something. When we’re finished here we could use some assistance transferring our things to the cottage,” Loki replied.

“You’re staying there as well?” Thor asked.

“Of course. Would you not do the same? You think me such a churl?”

“Yes…No..." Thor answered, flustered, "Yes, I would do the same...no, I do not."

“Also, I have a bit of unfinished business to attend to this evening. I’d rather someone remain with them considering the circumstances. I shouldn’t be long. If you have no plans…”

“No plans that cannot be altered,” Thor responded.

Loki, Thor, and Vanar riding on his uncle’s shoulders, approached the throne to see Odin standing before it, Frigga at his side as Heimdall faced the King and Queen of Asgard. Heimdall placed his arm across his chest, bowing his head before turning and walking past the three.

“Has something happened...other than the reason we’re here,” Loki asked, aware that Heimdall would not leave his watch in Himinbjorg except in the case of an emergency or a summons from his father and also noticing the troubled expressions on his parents’ faces.

“There has been a murder,” Odin said gravely.

“Who?” Thor asked, shocked as murder was an exceedingly rare occurrence in Asgard.

“Stian Halvorson, the shepherd. The perpetrator is not yet known,” Odin replied.

“Stian? I’ve shared a drink with him in the tavern many times. I’ve never known him to quarrel with anyone,” Thor replied.

“We will speak in my study,” Odin said.

Odin and Frigga stepped down from the dais, Frigga looking to Loki with trepidation, locking eyes with him, before following Odin towards the entrance to the King’s study, Loki, Thor and Vanar trailing behind.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Arvid entered his abode, slamming the door closed behind him and crossing the room, sinking into an armchair.

“You know what’s going to happen, what always happens. You’ll have a few too many drinks, he’ll charm you with that silver tongue, round and round we’ll go again, just like always,” Arvid said gruffly aloud to himself, “I must be the biggest fool in Asgard.”

Arvid turned his head as he heard the bell ring at his door. Rising from the chair, he approached the door, opening it.

“Stian?” Arvid said in surprise at the identity of his visitor.

Though Arvid knew the shepherd, as did everyone in Asgard, the two were not close. He couldn’t recall being visited by him in the past.

“May I come in?” Stian asked.

“Yes, of course,” Arvid said, stepping aside, Stian entering, Arvid closing the door behind him, “Is there something I can do for you?”

“You assault a prince and are allowed to walk away?” Stian asked.

“I think it happens often enough the einherjar no longer bother. It would have been worth the time in the dungeon,” Arvid replied.

“You know him well?”

“Too well,” Arvid answered, pausing a moment, a thought dawning on him, “Don’t tell me...as he always says, variety is the spice of life...”

“I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. You’re meeting with him this evening?”

“If he keeps his word, which I wouldn’t place any bets on,” Arvid answered.

“He’s taken something of mine. I would like it back. I thought you could be of assistance,” Stian said, taking note of a painting tacked to the wall, stepping past Arvid to the wall to stand in front of it.

“If he has something of yours, you must know him as well as I. Why would you need my help?”

“You were with him...at the museum?” Stian asked, studying the painting.

“How did you know about that?”