Thor trudged to his room, shedding his cape and armor and collapsing on the bed like a marionette whose string had been cut. He felt weary, wearier than he had ever felt before. Thor felt tendrils of doubt seep into his mind, was he doing the right thing? Insisting that Loki be sent to Midgard. What if his friends disagreed? What if Loki went out of control? What if, what if, what if...

Thor was broken out of his reverie by a knock on his door. Taking a moment to compose himself, he said, "Come in."

The door opened to reveal his mother in all her flawless glory. Her curled golden hair was pinned up neatly by the sides of her head, allowing the waves to cascade gently down her back, her white tunic wrapped around her like a cloak, the ends of it trailing behind her. Even in a simple white gown, Thor thought, his mother's beauty and grace rivaled no other. She smiled at him, "Thor." She greeted her son.

Thor stood before her, bending to hug her, "Mother." He greeted back, stepping backwards to allow her into his room. He closed the door quietly, "Mother, what, if I may ask, are you doing here?"

Frigga smiled, "Can't a mother come visit her child?"

Thor's face reddened, he looked down sheepishly, feeling like he was 820 years old* again. Frigga laughed, "Oh Thor, you don't need to look so troubled. You are doing the right thing."

Thor looked up in surprise, "How...?"

Frgga gave a knowing smile, "I am your mother Thor, every mother knows her children well."

"Then how can you know if what I am doing is right? What if by freeing Loki I am setting things into motion that would result in grave consequences? What if Loki wreaks havoc on Midgard? What if I am wrong about everything?"

He bowed his head and whispered, "What if I am wrong about Loki?"

"Shhh," Frigga soothed, running a hand through his dirty blond locks, looking at him with sadness evident in his eyes, "I will tell you what I told your father, you and Loki belong together. You both are two sides of the same coin, without Loki, there is no Thor. And without Thor, there is no Loki. People call him the dark prince, and they call you the golden prince. It may be said in jest and ridicule, but their words hold truth." She hushed Thor's protests, lifting a finger to his mouth. "Loki is the darkness to your light. Every candle casts a shadow. You both were meant to complement each other."

She looked down in regret, "The bond you both had was meant to last through the ages. But," she looked up at him again, her eyes shining with hope, "Perhaps through this way, you both will forge another bond. One that is stronger than the one you lost."

Thor looked at her, feeling comforted but thoroughly confused, "I...I do not understand mother."

Frigga smiled at her eldest, "Oh Thor, I cannot say any more, but you are both my sons, I have brought the both of you up regardless of background. Do you not think that a mother would not know her own child? Loki belongs beside you Thor, he watches your back, and you watch his."

"He hates me mother," Thor said, "He told me so himself on Midgard."

Frigga gave a knowing smile, "Trust me my son, when I tell you that your brother does not hate you. Now," she said, getting up, placing a hand on her son's shoulder, "get some rest, you look exhausted. I will tell the maids to wake you for dinner."

Thor nodded silently, leaning into her touch for a moment like he did so when he was younger. Frigga glided out of his room, shutting the door behind her silently. Thor climbed under the covers, remembering how Loki used to sneak in his room and climb under his covers, snuggling into his side when they were children. He closed his eyes, regret tainting his heart for a moment before he fell into a dreamless sleep.

The next day felt as surreal as the day before. Thor slipped into his usual routine, cleaning himself up, putting on his armor plates slowly. His father had told him that a council session would be held today in the Great Hall to determine Loki's fate. Again. He was lacing up his boots when a knock sounded. "Enter." He said gruffly. A servant timidly stepped in and bowed, "My Lord, the Allfather requests you presence in the Great Hall immediately. It is nearly time for the council session to begin."

Thor blinked, surprised that time had passed so quickly. He nodded, "Very well. Tell him I shall be there soon." The servant bowed and hurried out of the room. Thor finished lacing his boots up and attached his cape to his armor. He took a deep breath, running his speech through his head. There were many on the council who detested Loki, while others appreciated him, if only for that sharp tongue of his that would have made him a great politician. He had to convince those to see his logic, and convince the ones who did not that there was no other way. He prayed silently to the Norns, Odin knew he never had the ability to convey arguments like his brother did. He made his way to the Great Hall, footsteps echoing along the corridor. When he reached, he pushed the door open, revealing the full council. His external expression did not change, but Thor was nervous, he had fced the council once before, when they determined if he was worthy of taking up the challenge to obtain Mjolnir. Even then, he had not been nervous. Quite the opposite in fact, because he was too excited at the prospect of getting his own specially crafted weapon. He banished those thoughts away and quickly bowed to the council, while Odin straightened, addressing him in a booming voice, "Thor Odinson, you have brought a matter to the council regarding the former second prince of Asgard, Loki Laufeyson, and our slight overlook on our part in the midst of deciding his punishment. As of now until a decision has been made about the prisoner, you shall stand witness to this council session until you are called forward to present your case. There will be no form of interruptions. Is this understood?"

Thor sank to one knee, placing his right fist over his heart, "Yes Your Majesty."

Odin gestured for him to rise, and Thor moved to the side respectfully, Mjolnir hanging from is belt. He waited with bated breath as his father announced the entrance of his brother, "Bring forth the prisoner!" Slamming Gungnir down for emphasis.

The double doors at the far end of the hall opened, the sound of chains clinking against each other echoing in the vast hall. Thor hid a grimace at the sight of his brother, a collar attached to his neck like a common pet, with chains binding his hands and feet together, the silver metal attaching to the collar, restricting his brother's movement. Thor could hear the murmurs from the members of the council, and from Loki's demeanor, he was sure his brother could too.

Loki grinned then, a wicked smile that showed more teeth than was necessary, he could feel the council's uncomfortable shifting and it sent a thrum of pleasure through him, to know that he could still affect them even though he was powerless. He took his time to walk to the base of the throne, disguising his disgust at the feeling of déjà vu. He risked a glance at Thor, his not-brother as still as a statue, face a hardened mask. He ignored the ache in his chest and smirked, watching in delight as Thor twitched, his hand having to close into fists.

Loki reached the base of the throne, staring up mockingly at the king of Asgard. His blatant show of disrespect did not go unnoticed by the council, and the disapproving murmurs rose in volume. Odin banged his spear thrice, "Silence!" he boomed. The hall descended into utter silence. Odin stared down at his wayward son, who stared back unflinchingly at him. The king flicked his hand, and the guards surrounding Loki pushed him down, his knees cracking against the polished floor. The trickster expertly hid a wince, choosing instead to chuckle slowly. He grinned, surveying the entire council, "A full council session, what have I done now Allfather?" Loki glanced back at the silent king, presenting his handcuffed hands as evidence, "Not," he drawled, "That I could have done anything with such...restrictions." He smiled, a terrifying smile that sent shivers down Thor's spine. His brother seemed more unhinged than when he visited him the day before. Thor pressed his lips together. Loki was not helping his own case.

"Enough Liesmith!" Odin said, "This trial, brought forward by the Crown Prince of Asgard, Thor Odison, shall henceforth commence. No interruptions by the prisoner shall be entertained. Is this clear?"

Loki rolled his eyes, "Crystal." He smirked.

Odin gripped his spear tighter, "Thor Odinson, step forward and present your case."

Thor took the cue and stepped beside his brother, ignoring his brother's curious glance. He bowed once, "Esteemed council members, it has come to my attention that there has been a lack of compensation towards Midgard, the realm which suffered the brunt of the prisoner's attack." He said, gesturing to Loki who was kneeling beside him. "As per our laws," he continued, "proportionate compensations should have be given to the respective realm which has suffered an attack from one of our own. This is evidenced by the reparations given to Jotunheim as a result of the prisoner's attempt at destroying their realm via the Bifrost..."

If he wasn't trying to keep up an appearance, Loki would have just sat down on the ground there and then. Instead, he settled for displaying exactly what he thought of the entire proceedings, his face the epitome of boredom. The council was still debating amongst each other after Thor had presented his opinions and his suggestion that Loki be sent to Midgard to give compensation to the mortals. The council had argued that since he wasn't technically Asgardian, so to speak, there should have been no need for any form of reparations anyway. His favorite was the murderous expression on Thor's face when the council member scoffed at the need of having to repay 'mere mortals'. Loki had smirked then, I told you, he thought to himself, sending Thor a satisfied smirk, which the thunder god studiously ignored. I'm not the only one who thinks of mortals beneath me. He thought viciously, smiling as Thor was proven wrong that Asgardians would even care about the mortals on Midgard. Loki could have rolled his eyes again at his brother's foolishness, as if Asgard would allow their most dangerous prisoner out of the realm just to placate several worthless mortals. Even if they placed restrictions on him, his absence would cause paranoia in the realm. Loki smirked inwardly, he had come far, from being the slighted and unknown prince, to a renowned criminal who instilled fear in people both with his presence and absence.

A side glance at Thor told him that his brother-once-brother- was feeling bored, and just a little frustrated. Well, Loki amended, more than a little frustrated, he thought, seeing Thor flex his hands. The crown prince turned, feeling eyes on him, and met the gaze of his younger brother.

Perhaps it was a coinicidence, or perhaps it was fate, that as the two brothers shared a look like so many times before in their childhood when they were to be punished for one of their many pranks, Odin Allfather bore witness to the entire scene. Caught up in a moment of sentiment, Thor and Loki had a silent conversation as they used to when they were caught in bouts of mischief. Loki smirking at the antics and paranoia of the council, while Thor grinned knowingly at his brother's less than polite thoughts of them.

The moment passed quickly, with Loki turning away from Thor, realizing that he had let sentiment rule his head. Thor turned back to watch the council as well, the mask back firmly on his face, feeling awkward without knowing why. But Fate had played her hand, and Odin made his decision.

He slammed Gungnir into the ground, effectively shutting the council up and gaining the attention of his sons.

Njord, a member of the council, voiced the thoughts running through the council's mind, "Your Majesty, we have not yet come to a conclusive decision, perhaps we could break and convene again at a later date?"

Odin closed his one eye and sighed heavily, "I have made my decision. The prisoner will go to Midgard."

The hall was silent for a moment, then chaos erupted.

Thor was disbelieving, as was Loki, ironically, for the same reasons, they had not expected that the Allfather would agree to allow Loki to even leave Asgard, let alone set foot upon Midgard.

The council members were in an uproar, each one clambering over one another in a futile effort to convince the king otherwise.

Loki's confused gaze met Odin's stern one.

Thor roared at the council, hefting Mjolnir for extra emphasis, "SILENCE! Let my father speak."

A heavy silence blanketed the room. The king and prisoner locked in a staring contest.

Odin gripped Gungnir and rose from his throne, stepping down the dais, coming to a stop in front of Loki.

"Loki... Odinson," he said softly, his voice carried in the echoes of the hall, "You will be sent to Midgard to atone for your crimes against that realm as well as to deliver compensation from Asgard. Your magic will be bound at all times unless it is needed. You will take an oath on the Norns to aid the Midgardian heroes in their battles should they require your help. Only in the duration of these battles would your magic be unbound. An exception of this rule would be if you were attacked directly, in which you would be able to use your magic in self defense. However, only a portion of your magic will be unbound should you require it for self defense. This is to prevent any unnecessary death. If you use your magic for anything other than the above stated exceptions, the consequences will be severe. And dealt by the Norns themselves." Odin looked down at his second son, "Will you, Loki Odinson, prisoner of Asgard, accept these conditions?"

Loki stared at him, feeling cold fury surge through him, How dare he? Treating me like a common mutt, to be used by the so called heroes of Midgard? Pathetic creatures, if they cannot even fight their own battles.

Loki drew himself up as much as he could on his knees, "What is in it for me, Allfather?" he hissed.

Odin stared silently at his son, uttering a single word, "Redemption."

Loki recoiled in shock, then threw his head back and laughed, poisonous green eyes ringed with blue gleaming with malice, "You think that I desire redemption? Oh how misguided you are Allfather!" He spat.

The council stirred in anger and Thor stepped forward, a hand on Mjolnir, but Odin raised a hand, silencing them.

"Redemption. And freedom." Odin repeated.

Loki glared at him, feeling the poisonous hate flow through his veins. For a second, he felt a tugging sensation in his mind, and in his mind's eye, he saw destruction and ruin. A voice whispered gently in his head and he grinned maliciously, "Freedom," he tested the word on his lips, savouring the sweetness it brought, "Then I accept your conditions, Odin."

Odin nodded, and Loki frowned, confused at the sudden glimpse of triumph he saw in the Allfather's eyes.