Lilimar Times Gazette

PROMPT.

When Loki finds himself King Regent of Asgard when Odin has fallen into Odinsleep, Frigga will not leave Odin's side, and Thor banished to Earth.

A much more ambitious coup is perpetrated by Sif and the Warriors Three, which only succeeds because Loki had not seen it coming so fast after being seated upon the throne.

This coup did not involve Thor in any capacity, and placed Sif on the throne. Sif, who still nursed grudges against Loki from centuries past and fancied herself to future wife of Thor, whom she claimed the true heir. She claims she shall be Queen Regent until such time as Odin wakes or Thor returns.

Loki finds himself banished to another realm, though curiously Sif does not choose Midgard.

His banishment is swift. For all she is bold and full of arrogant courage, Sif is not stupid and she knows if she allows Loki to stay on Asgard for long he will find a way to take back his throne.

Loki is gone a month, nursing angry and petulant wounds, when he hears word that Sif has had you, his beloved wife, thrown in the dungeons when you refused to swear fealty to her.

Loki is proud of you, but also frightened for you. Sif is power drunk, clearly, and she had never liked you. She had liked you even less when you and Loki had wed.

He knows that he must stop feeling sorry for himself and sulking and get on with his scheme to take back the throne. Not for himself, not even for Asgard, but for you. He had to ensure your safety and restore your dignity. He had to hold you and see for himself that you were alright.

PROMPT.

That moment when Loki is brought back to Asgard in chains after trying to take over New York. He is walked into the throne room by the royal guard, chains clinking.

He stands tall, defiant. A haughty look on his face. The picture of entitled royal arrogance. A facade, as always. Yet, as always, he will not be cowed. Despite everything, he still has his pride.

And if everyone, including Odin, wants a villain then he will continue to play the part.

But no one has a chance to say anything before you break away from where you stood beside Frigga, your mother-in-law, and ran over to your husband in tears, throwing your arms around his broad shoulders in a tight hug, burying your face against his chest. You don't care if the armor isn't soft, if it's rough against the skin of your cheek.

"Loki!"

You had thought him dead. Everyone had told you so, except for Frigga and Thor. But Odin had insisted it was a vain hope Loki's mother and brother carried.

And now here he was, the answer to your prayers. You prayed the Norns bring him back to you, that he wasn't truly dead. And though the way they had done it was shocking, you didn't care. The Norns had had mercy upon you, taken pity perhaps at your grief, and here your husband stood in your arms again. The answer to your constant prayers, at last.

You would not spurn this gift with anger or accusations. You didn't care for anything but that your husband was alive.

And Loki cannot completely keep up his facade then. Not with you crying, your sobs tugging at his heart.

His heart which he knew beat only for you.

"Shhh, my love. I am alright. I promise, I'm fine," he reassured you with soft, soothing tones and rested his chin atop your head.

His hands, bound as they were, could not hold you the way he wished to. But he did gently touch your stomach and your waist, all that he could reach, a soft and gentle touch. His fingers, rough and calloused from recent battle, gentle against the smooth Asgardian silk of your gown.

He pressed a soft kiss into your hair. "All shall be well, my darling."