"Unless he is capable of illusion casting, he is not the man," Verda said just above a whisper to Loki as they left Himinbjorg which housed the Bifrost, the Asgardians' illusion of Midgardian clothing dispelled, Verda now dressed in the clothing of a female Asgardian warrior as she and Loki stepped out onto the Rainbow Bridge behind Sif who continued to lead the stunned and confused Coulson by the arm.
Verda's revelation did not surprise Loki. Coulson had not uttered a word, in awe of the experience of travelling via the Bifrost and finding himself in Asgard as one would expect to be the reaction of a mortal who had heretofore been ignorant of its existence. Coulson viewed the sights around him with a mix of fear and child-like wonder. Surely if he had been involved in Thor's murder he would not behave in such a manner. Yet the presence of his card on the person of one of the assailants pointed to a link and Loki was determined to uncover it.
Loki came to a sudden halt as a vision flashed before his eyes accompanied by a shooting pain that he could only equate to his skull being run through with a spear as he dropped Mjolnir and held his head between his hands, squeezing his eyes tightly closed.
"Loki? Are you all right? What's wrong?" Verda asked anxiously, gripping his shoulder as Loki recovered before walking to the edge of the bridge.
"It was here I let go…plunging into the abyss."
"Your experience with the stones was draining. You should rest," Verda counseled.
"I must speak to Coulson."
"He will wait. Time in the dungeon may serve to loosen his tongue," Verda said as she reached out, taking Loki's hand in hers, gripping it tightly, "I will never let you fall."
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Sif led Coulson down the dreary stairway into Asgard's dungeon and past cells occupied by detainees of various humanoid species who glared at him with hostility.
"What is this place? Why have I been brought here?" Coulson finally spoke to Sif.
"I am to believe you are ignorant?"
"Humor me."
"You are in Asgard. Thor, son of Odin our king was murdered. Your card was found in the possession of one of those responsible."
"Thor…Odin?" Coulson repeated, bewildered, "This is why I don't drink on the job. I only took a sip. He's good. No one's succeeded in slipping me a Mickey in a long time."
Sif led Coulson into an empty cell, removing Coulson's shackles before stepping out, activating the containment field as Coulson turned to face her.
"Do I get a lawyer?" he asked.
"You will remain here until you are questioned and brought before Odin. If you are found innocent you will be returned to your people. If you are guilty...I have been granted the honor of swinging the axe," Sif answered, a look of terror crossing Coulson's face before Sif turned and walked away, leaving Coulson alone in the cell.
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Loki and Verda entered Loki's chambers, Verda coming to a halt as Loki made his way to the chaise placing Mjolnir beside it.
"Did you mean what you said...about leaving my chambers?" asked Verda, Loki turning to her.
"If this man would return to do you harm you'll be safer here," Loki replied, Verda appearing crestfallen though attempting to conceal it before Loki approached her, taking her hands in his, "Your safety is my greatest concern at the moment. I'll assign an einherjar to escort you when you leave our chambers."
"Won't it appear strange for a chambermaid to be assigned a guard?" Verda asked.
"A chambermaid, perhaps. A queen in waiting is a different story...unless, of course, you wish to retain your current position. I did enjoy watching you work. You must have thought me quite slovenly, all that I left lying about," Loki responded with a sly grin.
"I...I don't know what to...are you certain?" Verda stammered, bewildered.
"Is there another who would honor me each day for five years?" Loki asked, "Will you have me?"
"What will your father think?" Verda asked.
"I care nothing what my father thinks."
"It is of your father we must speak," Loki heard his mother's voice say from where she stood in front of the doors to his chamber, her entrance having gone unnoticed by the couple.
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"Is he unwell?" Loki asked as he followed his mother into her chambers, concerned not only for Odin's wellbeing, but also what he now knew from the snippets of what he could recall from his visions would befall Asgard if his father's life were to end.
"Thor's death weighs heavily upon him. He must take his rest. If he does not I fear the consequences."
"Before he does I must speak with him regarding an urgent matter," Loki informed Frigga.
"Verda...I have known for some time of your involvement with her but chose not to speak of it as you are no longer a child. When you had her reassigned I believed you had put an end to it. You intend to take her as your queen?"
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"If she will have me."
"And if he refuses to grant you his blessing?"
"What reason would he have to refuse unless to love me is a crime."
"If to love you was a crime I would be in the dungeon along with your father. She has done no wrong of which I am aware. Your father does not hold her sister's crimes against her but if the people do not accept her they may not accept you as their king," Frigga explained, "He may be concerned they would believe she is manipulating you, through sorcery or otherwise, that it could lead to Lorelei gaining her freedom."
"Lorelei tormented her for centuries! She murdered their parents! If father had sentenced her to the axe Verda would have petitioned him to be the one to swing it!" Loki exclaimed.
"You are still young. You have often been impetuous. Are you prepared to make such a commitment?" Frigga asked.
"It's true I've often failed to look before I've leapt. I have never been a man easily satisfied. Out of fear, like a fool...not like, I was...I pushed her away. Things have changed...I've changed," Loki informed his mother, Frigga silent for a moment as she studied him, considering the certainty with which he spoke.
"If that is due to her influence I can only be grateful for it. I am concerned only for your happiness," Frigga said, taking Loki's hands in hers, "I will speak with him and intercede on her behalf."
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Loki approached his chambers, a plethora of disparate thoughts crowding his mind. He had naively believed, had hoped, that simply finding Coulson would provide him with the answers that were necessary to solve the mystery of Thor's murder but nothing made any more sense than it had from the moment he had witnessed Thor run through with the blade.
He was overcome with guilt as he realized that though he mourned for his brother he was now certain his future would likely be better for the tragedy having taken place. He wished he had heeded the warnings of both his vision of Thor and the Norn, though he knew he would have been equally troubled sensing that his life had been somehow altered but ignorant of how. As Loki had often felt over the course of his lifetime he had been damned if he did and damned if he didn't.
Loki's thoughts returned to Coulson. He had obviously known by name and sight one of Thor's assailants. The damage Thor had done to the man's face had forced Loki to compensate for it when conjuring his illusion. He must have done at least a passable job for Coulson to have recognized him. Would he also know the man Verda had dealings with? If only Loki had seen him as well so he could share the memory with Coulson as he had shared Thor's murder with Selvig.
Loki entered his chambers noting that Verda had changed into a sea green Asgardian gown. She rose from the chaise, the gold of the necklace he had gifted her catching the light.
"Is everything alright?" Verda asked as Loki gazed into her eyes, eyes that were the only ones that had seen the mysterious man just as his had been the only witness to Thor's murder.
"During your own study, did you get as far as memory spells?" Loki asked.
"No...I thought meddling with others' minds too dangerous. Why?" Verda responded.
"I believe it's time we resumed your lessons."
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Loki had decided Coulson's interrogation could wait until the next morning. After assigning an einherjar to escort Verda to collect her things and assist her in moving them, which had amounted to only one trunk of clothing and a few odds and ends, they had shared a meal, Loki requesting that it be brought to them in their chambers. The events of the day and the rich food in his belly sent him to his rest earlier than usual, Verda equally fatigued joining him. They lay together in awkward silence staring at the ceiling of the bedchamber, never having shared a bed merely to sleep, neither having the energy for anything more.
"I didn't give you an answer," Verda finally said, "Yes, I will have you...unless your mother has changed your mind."
"She has offered to intercede on your behalf for my father's blessing," Loki informed her.
"She approves of me?" Verda asked in disbelief.
"She's grateful to you for your influence on me," Loki said with a grin.
"If she only knew," Verda chuckled, "I think it's somewhat the other way around. You must have put on quite an act."
"It has been said I have a silver tongue but it was no act."
"Did you tell her the truth about me?"
"Keeping such secrets appears to be tradition in my family. For the moment I see no reason not to carry on with it," Loki answered as Verda moved onto her side to face him, Loki turning onto his, caressing her cheek, "I have never before said these words to another...I love you."
"I love you, too," Verda said before breaking into a fit of giggles.
"What's so funny?"
"You should have seen Sif's face when I handed her the shackles I stole from the armory. She thought-"
"I'm sure I know what she thought," Loki interrupted.
"She couldn't wait to be rid of them," Verda chuckled, "I'll return them tomorrow."
"I'm certain they won't be missed," said Loki, grinning slyly.
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Coulson had awakened in the cell, sitting up in the bunk as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes, the events of the previous day coming back to him as he realized where he was. Obviously it had not been a drug induced hallucination. He had eaten the food that had been delivered to him which he had to admit for prison food was very good. The fact he was famished had perhaps made it even more palatable.
The woman who had brought him there had called it a dungeon yet it was not exactly what he pictured when he heard that term. The cell was clean and dry, the temperature pleasant, the bunk he had slept in, though basic, was comfortable. There were no shackles on the wall or devices of torture.
"Phil Coulson," Loki said from outside the cell, Coulson looking up from where he sat on the bunk, rising to his feet.
"Yes," Coulson said, acknowledging his identity.
"I am Loki, son of Odin. You have been brought here on suspicion of involvement in my brother's murder. Tell me what you know and it will go easier for you," Loki said as he looked Coulson up and down, realizing that he had seen the man in his visions but could not at the moment call up the exact memory.
"As I told Xena...the woman who brought me here...I don't know anything about your brother's murder."
"The man you believed you were meeting, what was your relationship to him? What do you know of him?"
"Jeffrey Krieger. Ex-military, special forces. Got mixed up with the wrong people. He'd been recruited by Hydra, a criminal organization. He became disillusioned...or he told me he was. He and a friend he'd served with who had joined Hydra with him made contact with S.H.I.E.L.D. through a third party. I offered him a deal. That's when I gave him my card. That's all I know."
"There was a scientist, an expert in gamma radiation. I've been told he disappeared after contact with your organization. Do you know what became of him?"
"Banner? Bruce Banner? What does he have to do with this?"
"Nothing...I'm asking for a friend."
"He's alive and well. He went into hiding. He's in India. S.H.I.E.L.D. has him under surveillance. We'll keep our distance as long as he stays out of trouble. He has some issues with anger management."
"You claim to be innocent, that you know nothing of my brother?"
"Until yesterday I thought you were myth. It would have been like me putting a hit on the Easter Bunny," Coulson answered.
Before Coulson's eyes, Loki's form morphed into another, that of a middle aged man, his blond hair graying, his hairline slightly receding. He wore a dark blue sweater over a button down shirt and navy trousers. Coulson stared in wonder at Loki's transformation.
"Do you know this man?" Loki asked.
"I know of him. S.H.I.E.L.D. consulted him in the past about stolen artifacts. He's a professor of Norse Mythology at the University of Seville in Spain. Randall….no….Randolph. Elliot Randolph."