fossilised | I come from a land of ice and snow

I come from a land of ice and snow

Asgard sat atop the branches of Yggdrasil since time began, and little had changed in their society in the years since. Each Asgardian was long-lived into the millennia, their lands were fertile, their people brave and strong. They had their vassals, their allies, and their enemies. Yet even those who opposed them respected the might of the Golden Dias, and the royalty who sat upon it. Currently that was Odin Borson, though he grew weary more easily now and had begun to consider passing the throne to his eldest son.

He had been blessed with many children, but only two that he considered worthy of his lineage and status. His firstborn, Thor, strong and honourable and everything an Asgardian warrior should be. His second son, Loki, was not natural born, though none knew that but his wife. He was different, a creature of magic and mayhem, of sharp intelligence. Both were worthy, but together they would take Asgard to a new prosperity, he was certain of it.

Midgard, where the mortals dwelt, was a land raided every few centuries for stock. It was seen as a breeding ground, much like a corral for cattle. Mortals were lesser, short-lived and weak, they were fit only as slaves. The last raid had taken place when Loki had been but a baby, nearly a thousand years ago, but the mortals that had been taken had been bred and cared for so that a healthy slave population still thrived. Slaves were given a weakened mixture of Idunn's crop with their food, to extend their natural lives to at least a few centuries in order to make them worth the effort to train. They had no rights, but they were taught well that this was their natural position.

All slave children were raised in a central pen and taught the same when small, those that then displayed talent at cooking, riding, hunting, housework, artisan skills, or singing were then measured off to be specially trained for higher masters. Every five years those who could afford to buy a slave, or those of high enough status to simply demand them, came to the corral and chose. Those who were chosen were special, were envied, and those who were not ended up working the fields out in the far reaches of Asgard, the most menial of work.

Anthony and Steven had been friends since they were little and being raised in the large pens together. Both had excelled, Anthony at crafting and Steven at warrior's skills, but neither were chosen when they were five, nor ten, nor even fifteen. Now, at twenty, it was their final chance to be chosen before they would be assigned to one of the meanest farmers beyond the borders of the great capital. Steven woke Anthony as the dawn rose, mingled excitement and nerves on his face.

"Anthony! Wake up, I've got news! I heard the overseer talking to one of the passing guards, and Princes Thor and Loki are coming to the corral today."

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Somehow Loki made it through his own defenses... Up to a point. Though he did not wear armour, clad in supple leather that left much of his body exposed for comfort of movement, her spike would not penetrate the Thunderer's skin. He felt her push against him, of course, and though she could hardly win if she could not properly land a blow, she came closer than most even did to causing damage. And indeed, were his skin less than nigh invulnerable, she would have had him.

So he dropped the hammer and raised his hands good naturedly.

"Next we meet, I shall protect my flank better," he said, a happy tone to his gruff guffaw as he turned. "You fight fantastically. I did not know that your Realm trained its royality in such a way. I dare say that an army of Jotun would be incredibly intimidating and deadly. Well fought."

Sif looked even warier now the fight was done, she had never seen Thor concede with grace before and she had disliked the trickery and illusion that the princess had fought with. The others seemed to be taken in, cheering the fight as they would any other, and Thor was obviously smitten, she would have to find a way to deal with this possible problem alone.

Loki allowed the illusions and the spear of ice to disappear, changing once more to Aesir form in order to grant him a light kiss on the cheek where a his beard was already akin to those properly full grown.

"I should like to see you fight my brothers sometime, I doubt you would have an easy time with them either, for it is Helblindi who taught me all I know."

"For our wedding, we shall have a great tournament. Your brothers may enter and you as well. All who wish to enjoy a fight should always be allowed. Perhaps even your servant would like to attend." Thor didn't know that he had lost gracefully so much as had been genuinely surprised that Loki had bested his lightning. She was right, though. It may be the last time she bested him on illusion though. He would study. They would spar again. And it would keep his sharp.

His smile faultered only when she kissed him and that was because he felt his heart melt before catching her around the waist.

"Walk with me? My mother does not approve that we two spend moments alone but how else shall I know you better?"

She laughed as she was caught up, and the Warriors Three even looked a little sentimental because they could hardly deny that it warmed the heart to see the royal couple looking so content. It would have been awful if they had hated one another and not found any joy in their union.

"I would not want to offend your mother, but perhaps she would not mind if I too were male for the time being."

She stretched and changed, still slender, still green eyed, but with a masculine edge to her features now. She wondered if Thor would still find her alluring in this form, in all of her forms. She held out a hand to him, teasing smile at her lips.

"Well? Where are we to walk?"

“Mother never complains about Sif,” Thor said, brashly, though the Warriors Three, still too young to understand a great many things like the jealousy that Sif had for Thor’s intended, thought that their friends was not exactly a maiden so much as one of them. She had many suitors already but she still took up a sword and bandied on with them in their adventures. So Sif did not count.

And perhaps Loki did not count either, considering that her race was genderless and she fought just as well, if not better, than Sif did.

When Loki’s outward appearance shifted, Thor did not seem surprised. He did give her – now him – a once over, however. “She will not be fooled. You look much the same,” he said as if he did not under stand the reason for her shapeshifting. It seemed to bother him none at least, and his arm was still offered to the Jotun.

Sif felt those careless words like blows, though she would not show it. Thor had never once looked at her as a maiden, only ever as a companion, and it ached to see how easily he dismissed her. She stepped closer to Fandral as the two began to leave, voice pitched low and concerned.

"I like this little, I fear an enchantment such as Amora enjoys. Sorcery of this kind is not natural other than the healing arts, and we know little of Jotunheim in recent years."

Loki did not catch those words, already too far away with Thor, his arm linked around that of his betrothed. "So then, tell me what it is you wish to know of me. I am an open book to you, for we are to be wed and you must know the worst and best of me."

“Your worst qualities?” Thor frowned at that. He didn’t know what his own worst qualities were, he wasn’t that self aware. Others would be able to fill Loki in on them, though they might have a hard time too and could make strengths sound like weaknesses if only to have an answer. Thor cared too much, he was stubborn and tenacious, he sometimes lost sight of other tasks to complete just one-- But those were not terribly bad qualities for a ruler to have, even if they could e exploited.

And trying to think of his own worst qualities was likely going to cause Thor much consternation.

“I have a far better idea,” he said, diverting from the group where Fandral looked at Sif as if trying to see if her worries were genuine or born from jealousy for he too felt the same for Thor, just as cast aside, and had been known to court Amora from time to time for attention. He was not her best confident in this. “Tell me what you enjoy the most. Activity or object or food or experience, your choice. I’ll know the good before you can attempt convince me that there is any bad.”

Loki was much more self aware, though she was arrogant enough to think that her poorer qualities - such as bending the truth or having a slightly wicked tongue - could be used for good purposes as well. To see Thor attempt to grasp that concept, though, was endearing as if she were watching a dumb beast learn to speak. He was not without intelligence, but somehow his naivety made him appear much younger than she though it was the other way around.

"What I enjoy the most is magic and the learning of it," she replied without hesitation. "It is my connection to the world tree, to my realm, and to my people. It feels as natural to me to change my shape as it does to breathe, and to learn more is always a privilege."

She had the distinct idea that he was not particularly given to scholarly pursuits, however, so she wouldn't torment him wholly.

"I also enjoy flyting, riding, and ice fishing."

Magic was not a subject that Thor knew much about. He might have singular control over the storms, something innate within him that had been part of his being due to his Valkyrie blood long before he was ever given possession and use of Mjolnir and yes, he could use Mjolnir in a variety of ways, but he was not a creature that studied magic and therefore, he was almost disappointed at first that Loki’s primary interest was not one that he could ever take advantage of.

Luckily for him, Loki was astute enough to know that and immediately include additional items to her list.

Thor was no master of words and so flyting was not part of his enjoyments, but he did like to listen to others game at it and so he mentioned that Fandral was proficient in the sport and Loki might enjoy the competition of it with his friend. “Riding and fishing are two things we can certainly enjoy together. We have the whole of Asgard’s stables for our use. Is ice fishing very different from the usual sport?” That Thor fished might be a surprise. He did seem to lack the patience for it.

Though Loki in her youth had dreamed of a husband who would be able to match her quick wit and razor sharp tongue, she was beginning to see that this may be better. Different, yes, but they could compliment one another and would not clash as someone too similar to her inevitably would.

"You must come to Jotunheim if you wish to see how ice fishing works, I do not think the ice layers thick enough upon any of the lakes or seas of Asgard."

It was something that saddened her a little; though Asgard was undoubtedly beautiful, it was also alien. It was not the quiet beauty of her snow-covered home, but a more overstated beauty of lush green and brilliant blue.

"I am certain my father would be glad to host you for a visit."

“I should meet your family. You have managed to pull ahead of me there.” The thought of going to Jotunheim was a long-held desire for the prince and he would not take the invitation lightly. They would be journeying back and forth once they were married but he could meet those who would now be his family before then. Surely! “And I would like to ice fish, truly. Though Asgard freezes over come winter and the mountains are perpetually snow capped, I would like to try the sport in the land it is meant for.”

Sif, for the moment, had fallen silent. Hogun was always silent and so that was no concern but the lack of chatter with his friends left the fiery redhead on edge. “I think,” Volstagg bellowed, “we should leave the royals to their royalty and return to the palace…?”

Fandral and Sif both gave him looks, but nodded. Fandral’s voice was smooth. “Oh, I suppose. Acting as entourage for a man not interested is no fun at all. Thor! Behave yourself!”

Thor glanced over his shoulder. “It is I that should offer you that advice, my friend!”

Loki glanced over at Volstagg and the others, already quite liking the fiery haired man for seeming to be more genuine and gentle than the others, and grinned very suddenly and wickedly.

"Why behave when the alternative is so much more fun?"

On a whim, she-- now he-- held out his hand for Thor to take with the intention to transport them both to Jotunheim that instant. She would see how well the warrior could hold his stomach when travelling in a way much less controlled than the Bifrost and to a climate much colder than even Asgard's snowy peaks ever reached.

He would find himself in a land as beautiful as it was austere, the whole place given a faint blue tinge from the brilliant blue of the sky down to the pure white of the ice and snow. He would feel the magic in the very air here, even if he were not a sorcerer, and would get his first glimpse of a true giant as one crested the ridge and began to run towards them in a long, loping gait.

"Sister!"

Bylestir had missed his brother and sister dearly having lost them to diplomacy, so to see her here once again brought joy to his heart.

Jotunheim was frigid but Thor was made of stronger stuff than most and felt little discomfort, if any. His lips curled slightly in shock, but even the travel bothered him little. This had less to do with his constitution and more with his mother's magical abilities. They used to steal together to Vanaheim after Odin gave her natural sons and Thor needed a little extra care since he was feeling left out. Frigga never wanted her eldest, produced by her body or not, to feel unwanted and their trips had been private and secret.

Thor was taking his time to draw in all that his wife's Realm had to offer when he heard the Frost Giant speak.

Sister? Thor beamed. This great creature was to be added then, and soon, to his own family! Thor offered his hand and arm, knowing that a proper greeting would burn him.

"You and I are to be family! I am Thor Odinson. Well met, son of Laufey-King!"

Bylestir was well behind the times when it came to the news and he had no idea that Loki had even met Thor, so it was with great surprise and interest that curious red eyes took in this tiny little Aesir. Perhaps it was good that his sister had been born deformed, she was clearly well matched with this similarly deformed Aesir prince. He had not done as much in lessons as he should have, and had never been off Jotunheim, so he had no idea that not all races were as sizeable as his own.

He made up his mind at once to not mention the deformity lest it upset the prince and welcome him warmly, striding forwards to immediately grasp the arm offered in the friendliest of greetings even as Loki frowned at him.

"Bylestir! You know that your tutors have taught you that our skin is harmful to those of other races, you shame our Father with your thoughtlessness."

Bylestir snatched his hand back at once looking chastened, voice like the rumbling of a far away avalanche. "I am sorry, my future brother, I meant no harm or disrespect. My sister speaks truly, I am not a good student but perhaps you can teach me more of your race."

Because the touch was not prolonged, though Byelstir was much larger than his sister, Thor healed right away. "I offered my hand, he was right to take it so no offense was given. My skin is make of stronger stuff," he laughed, though he spoke true indeed for only the scars Loki left were there... And faded.

A few days more and they would disappear too. Thor' ability to heal and to reject the point of a spear would make him nigh invulnerable. A good trait to have as All-Father, surely!

"As my future brother, I would extend to you the opportunity to visit your sister upon Asgard whenever your duties allow. We are to be a family and so I would like to know you as well as you care to know about myself. I fear that your father will be annoyed if I do not announce myself, however."

Thor didn't actually care but he was trying to impress Loki.

That was impressive, but it was still a foolish risk to take too often and Thor would need to learn that he was not invulnerable. Sadly, she felt that would likely be a lesson hard learned with serious injury at the end of it; or, perhaps, he would never learn it and simply end up dead for overconfidence on day.

"Yes, of course, allow me to take you to our father," Bylestir said, eager to redeem himself a bit in the eyes of his sister and future brother. It was wise of Thor not to risk offending Laufey-King for, even if he didn't really care, he might when he came face to face with the King himself for he was an imposing and impressive figure.

He looked down on Thor from a throne twice the size of the Aesir even at full height and spoke in a voice crackling with power. "Young Aesir child of the All-Father, this realm is not a safe one for playing in. Daughter of mine, you should know this."

Unfortunately, Thor was not the sort to let himself be intimidated. He had no frame of reference for it. His father intimidated him to a degree but mostly their relationship was respectful.

And Thor showed the King respect with a bow too. He might be the future ruler of the Nine Realms but Laufey was the current ruler of one and he wasn't going to risk angering him.

Not when he held the ability to remove him from Loki's side.

"I wished to meet. Your daughter has already become a favourite of my mother and it seemed only fair to meet my intended' family," he said, ever brash.

Perhaps Laufey should have been harder on his daughter and not allowed her such free reign, then she might not have come here with the crown prince of Asgard. Not that he disliked Aesir, he gave her willingly to marriage with one, but this was not a safe realm and he was sure that the All-Father would not appreciate if his son were killed on an unauthorised visit.

But he was here now, and he would not refuse hospitality to one who would become family.

"My daughter is a favourite to many, it is not always a good thing. I hope that you will be able to temper that with challenge on occasion, she is too dear to my heart for me to perform that role."

Loki rolled her eyes, but it was with fondness.

It was a similar thing that Frigga had asked of Loki, amusingly enough, but Thor had no desire to stifle anyone. "We are to rule together. We both will wear a crown. I shall be All-Father and she will be All-Mother." Thor was not being argumentative. His mother had just taught him from a very early age that his marriage was a union, a side of one coin and he would be worthless without a second half.

It was very progressive. Odin himself might arch an eyebrow at his son's forward thinking.

"It is not for myself to deny her. We will work in union to provide for all." For a prince so young, these were very strange words. But it was likely best not to overlook how incredibly smitten Thor was with Loki.

And though his visit might be unexpected and dangerous, to have Loki loved so dearly already would be a massive boon to Jotunheim.

Not only would it be a massive boon to the Jotnar, but it would also put a selfish father's heart at ease that he had not sold his daughter to a loveless or cruel union before her birth for political gain. He still would have done it, love would never conquer duty, but this way he did not have to war with his conscience over it.

"Part of a union is to bolster the weaknesses of each other, and glory in their strengths. I am pleased to host you, but I must ask that you send word to your father or mother and request their permission to remain here. I would not risk war for your childish exuberance."

Loki smiled secretly to herself, she wondered if any others had ever spoken to Thor like this, as if he were a tiny child? Her father was not one to treat even the All-Father's son much differently.

Thor thought it over for a moment. As much as he would like to stay, he wasn't here officially and this couldn't be seen as his first official visit. It would look bad and impulsive and while he rarely cared what other people thought and had been listening to the whispers and the jeers about having a giantess for a consort for ages now, Thor's sense of morality won him over.

That, and his father's forth coming anger should he ask permission after the fact.

"I would indeed enjoy your hospitality but I shall have to another time. I know the princess will need to return to her mortals and I to my home. When next I hold your audience, I shall come with better purpose." Laufey didn't unnerve him but custom said that he ought to have come with gifts and he almost felt that by impulsively not doing so, he was risking anger of the fates.

Nothing with Loki had been conventional so far, however, so perhaps this was a sign that it was all right.

Laufey was not offended at the lack of gift. If Thor had come as an official delegate of his people and failed to bring one then it would have been noted, but he did not expect much from a boy barely out of childhood acting on whim and impulse. He nodded, for it was a good decision for the Aesir to go, and gestured them to be free to leave his presence.

"Swift though it may have been," Laufey said to his daughter in the tongue of the Jotnar. "It has lifted my heart to see you. Go safely, daughter."

Loki merely smiled back at him and led Thor out before either of the could get into further issues.

"That was not unpleasant, I think he may approve of you."

"He approved of me before you were born," Thor said with typical arrogance. He might be able to show deference but he was not without his foibles. "I do not think any has refused the chance to marry into the throne of Asgard either so his approval isn't important."

These were not wise words though Thor meant them more to mean that his position was more important than his character to many people and might be viewed as an insight into whatever insecurity Thor might possess. But it also sounded as if Jotunheim was lucky to finally have a daughter chosen to consort the crowned Prince. Thor's infatuation with Loki, however, might save him his foolishness.

None, not even Laufey, could deny that having Thor wrapped around Loki's finger was a blessing.

"That does not mean that none ever will refuse."

Loki looked unimpressed at Thor's words and attitude. She was already fond of him, he obviously meant well and had good qualities, but she was not the type of person to simply swallow irritation even with those she cared about.

"Should you think the approval of my family is unimportant to our courtship, you are greatly mistaken. They are my heart, and insult to them is insult to me. I think it best that I return you to Asgard now."

Thor didn’t have too much more to say since he found himself in Loki’s presence in the hallway in Jotunheim one moment and then back in the field he had been taken from the next. The Warriors Three and Sif were there, and rushed over to him the moment he had appeared again. They had just been arguing about running off to the All-Father or perhaps even Heimdall. Luckily that hadn’t happened yet.

There was a lot going on back on Vanaheim by that point, not because much time had passed since James had returned to life, but because the three people that had seen him die had all just been informed that he was indeed breathing again.

Of all of the people to be most confused, it was Tony Stark, who kept pushing his cane against various parts of Bucky’s anatomy to test if it would pass through him or not.

“Stuff like this doesn’t happen,” Tony kept saying, mostly ingoring the festivities their small foursome were experiencing.

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