Chapter Text
The morning was cold, even by the standards of Jotunheim. Prince Loki stood among the greeting party, all in full court regalia, waiting for the guests to arrive.
Loki refused to quail as King Laufey glared in his direction. Obviously his sire was trying to figure out if his youngest son was in fact properly present, or if a cloned image stood instead in his place. Loki was not so daring as to duck his responsibilities today, and not simply because of the risk of provoking his sire's anger. The stakes were higher than even that. He had made every effort to present himself well, too, beyond his usual vanity. His horned silver circlet was polished to near-glowing, as were his vambraces; his kilt was pressed beautifully, and his furs soft and sleek to the touch. Simple, but elegant.
Also, in truth, he was curious about these visitors, what they might look like, sound like. He wanted to get a glimpse of the crown prince of Asgard more than he wanted to please his sire.
Laufey had warned everyone present, each one a noble or a general, that the smallest mistake could cost them the return of the Casket, after so many years waiting for this moment to come.
For the first time in a generation, the roof of the palace of Utgard blossomed with the colours of the Bifrost. A gasp went up from the greeting party as the ground trembled, despite Laufey’s prior warnings to all present to hold onto their dignity. Loki had to admit it was an astonishing sight, and more than worthy of those sounds of awe. The kaleidoscope beam pulsed with power for a moment, and then withdrew, revealing a sight just as astonishing and rare to Jotunn eyes...Prince Thor of Asgard.
Loki hated him immediately.
This wasn’t entirely true, of course. Loki could not quite claim to hate Thor Odinson on sight. He had hated him, or the idea of him, from the time he had been old enough to understand the history shared by their two realms, but never more so than in the weeks leading up to this.
So, finally, after much anticipation, the Asgardian visiting party had arrived. Loki could not help thinking of them as an Asgardian raiding party, however. The Odinson and his companions were invited and honoured guests, true, but their purpose was to take what they could from Jotunheim, as far as Loki could see.
Thor was as golden and beautiful as the sparse rumours that reached Utgard had suggested, with broad shoulders and yellow sunshine in his mane of hair. Loki was somewhat disappointed to see that Thor was also likely slightly larger than he. Blast it. I am not even as tall or as broad as an Aes warrior. However, Thor’s companions were of diverse shapes and sizes. Perhaps Loki might seem of a relatively typical size to them. It would be a novelty to be able to look at someone on his level while conversing.
If they bothered conversing. No-one in Utgard knew quite what to expect from their Asgardian visitors, not even Laufey, though none would say that aloud, of course. Everyone accepted that this two day visit would be entirely on the visitors’ terms. Jotunheim had petitioned for this visit, and was therefore a supplicant, not an equal in any sense. Loki felt bile rise as he thought of how humiliating this visit by the Asgardians was likely to be, and suspected he was not the only one.
But they may decide to return the Casket of Winters to us, was the unspoken hope held by all around him, and indeed all in the palace from the meanest kitchen boy right up the king himself. No matter that there were no guarantees, and that the Jotunn could not realistically refuse any request from their Asgardian guests for fear of further enraging the so-called Protector of the Nine Realms, Odin Borson. So, his son, Prince Thor, was to be afforded all the courtesies and privileges that he could expect or demand.
Loki therefore already despised him. Nevertheless, it was incumbent upon him too to be courteous and warm to these reavers, and facilitate their whims, give whatever they asked for. They would find little to take in Jotunheim, in any case. Jotunheim had nothing left to give, except perhaps her dignity. It would be worth it, was the dark unspoken thought of all in the palace. If they return to us the Casket, and Jotunheim can live again.
Laufey inclined his head a fraction and spoke words of welcome to the Asgardians. He got a terse nod in return from the blond prince. As the royal family and the royal council of Jotunheim was introduced one by one to Thor and his companions, Thor did not bother to hide a shudder, and acknowledged each Jotunn with a jerk of his head, moving on to the next person before Laufey had quite finished introducing them.
Until he came to Loki. Thor stared at Loki for long seconds, and near enough looked him up and down, taking all of him in. Loki tried not to scowl. He was accustomed to being stared at by new arrivals to the palace, small as he was, but he did not wish to be scrutinised and found wanting by this arrogant princeling. I am not too much shorter than you, Odinson. Luckily, Loki was adept at smoothing his features to blandness so as to deprive members of the court and even his sire -especially his sire- of any ammunition that a clue to his opinions or mood might give. He gave what he hoped was a welcoming smile, murmured polite nothings, and bowed his head in deference. Loki was a skilled liar, after all. Thor finally gave him the brief nod that he had given the others, and swept on by. He did not introduce his own companions.
So this was how the visit was going to be. Ah well. What can you expect from a pig, but a grunt?
Feeling he might be maligning an intelligent and kind animal, Loki followed the rest of the royal party into the palace.
Laufey had instructed Loki to personally escort their visitors to their chambers to further demonstrate the importance of their presence to the palace. “You and they are of a size, and perhaps the Odinson will feel more comfortable in your company than that of your brothers,” Laufey had said in preparation for the visit. Loki had discreetly rolled his eyes, accepting that he would only ever be allowed scraps of responsibility. As usual, his duties here were hardly challenging, but he was looking forward even less than usual to this particular pointless exercise. Just his luck to get stuck escorting the obnoxious son of Odin about the palace. At least it wouldn’t take much of his time.
So, followed by the palace servants and their overnight luggage, Loki accompanied Thor and his companions to the guest wing. It was unusual for him to be able to keep pace with another; his relative shortness always meant he had to trot to keep up in company, one of the many reasons he preferred his own. Thor set the pace now, and was taller than him only by a hand at the most, walking briskly at a speed Loki found pleasantly invigorating.
“You and each of your esteemed companions will have a personal bodyservant assigned while you are our guests, your highness,” Loki explained. “They will help you unpack and settle in, and if, for example, you feel the need for refreshments before lunch, they can arrange this for you.”
Thor nodded at him, slightly less abruptly than he had on the roof at their introduction. “I have not yet had the pleasure of trying the cuisine of your realm. I look forward to it.” He did not sound like he was looking forward to it, but at least he was making an attempt at politeness.
“I am sure our chefs are delighting in the opportunity to impress. We do not get a lot of visitors, as you know,” replied Loki. Thor looked at him, really looked at him. Loki could almost see gears turning, but he was not sure what Thor could be thinking. It was slightly disturbing to be so close to someone so alien, and to be the focus of their attention, especially before Loki had properly got their measure. What was happening behind those strange blue eyes?
They reached the guest chambers, and Thor’s four companions dispersed, accompanied by their assigned servants. Loki stayed with Thor and politely gestured for Thor to walk ahead of him as a servant held the door open. Thor entered, nodding thanks to the servant. So, he can display good manners. How unexpected.
Loki made to bid Thor goodbye until lunch when he realised that Thor was standing just inside the chamber, evidently expecting Loki to join him. Loki hesitated for a moment. Tch. I had hoped to escape until lunchtime. A bland smile fixed on his face, Loki stepped inside the room, which was considerably warmer than the halls and much warmer than the open roof had been. The servant started to unpack Thor’s sparse luggage as Thor threw himself into a seat, gesturing for Loki to sit opposite to him. What could he possibly want to talk about?
Thor asked, “So what is your role here, Prince Loki of Jotunheim?”
What a strange thing to ask. What is my role? “I am not sure I understand your question, your highness. I am a prince of the realm, and a student of seidrcraft, if that is your meaning.”
Thor laughed. “No, your highness. I mean, what is your function here? Are you to be...my companion?”
Loki bristled internally, but did not show it. Was a dedicated bodyservant not enough for him? This whelp of Odin wished for a member of the Jotunn royal family, albeit the most junior member, to be his servant? Well...fine. Loki was not in a position to refuse, no matter how politely. And better he, the least significant of Laufey's heirs, than one of the Crown Princes. Their dignity needed to be preserved as far as possible, insofar as Helblindi had any dignity, at least, the oaf.
Or could the Odinson be insinuating something...else? Surely not. Those blue eyes carried an intensity that Loki could not quite fathom.
“If you wish it, Prince Thor, I would be honoured,” replied Loki, with all the hauteur that the royal blood of Jotunheim afforded him. “A schedule of entertainment has been arranged already, and I would be happy to show you what else Jotunheim might have to offer you.”
Thor smiled at him then, a bright smile that seemed like the first genuine expression that Loki had seen on the man’s face. Loki did not wish to think so, but it was a very attractive smile, warm and full of good humour. “Excellent,” said the golden prince of Asgard. “Now, that is something to look forward to.”
Pleasant though it was to be the recipient of this sudden flash of charm, Loki was certain he did not share the sentiment.