It took a few minutes but Thor was finally sitting at his side playing quietly with his stuffed dragon. Odin would have preferred his son to be listening and learning from the meeting but since Thor was equivalent to a six year old Midgardian child that was probably asking too much.

At least he was not throwing a tantrum.

The same could not be said for certain leaders after the meeting finally began. Hreidmar and Freyr had returned to their shouting match and refused to listen to the others when they finally got a word in. Soon Njord and Alfyse became annoyed and began raising their own voices, Odin had his head in his hands and Laufey remained stoic as his child took in the scene with big eyes.

"Your merchants are liars, Freyr! I have told you once and I shall tell you again a thousand times until it gets through your thick skull!" The Dwarf King yelled.

"My people are not liars!" The other screamed back fiercely.

"Then perhaps they are just idiots who do not know how to count because I'm telling you, the tariff is the same for everyone."

"An expensive tariff; not even really worth going for." Njord snorted and Hreidmar spun to give him a glare.

"You have a problem with how I run my realm?"

"No. My problem is you clearly take too much pride in your goods and too little in others if you think such a high tax for outsiders is fair." The other sniffed.

"Oh, like you're one to talk!" Alfyse snapped. "My people always get hassled at your gates for identification and then you make them pay a high fee for entrance if they don't have the proper papers!"

"Forgive me if I would like to know who is entering into my realm! I care for the safety of my people and have no desire for ruffians and people of certain reputations to be allowed entry." Njord countered with a spiteful glare.

"You dare-!"

The squabbling probably would have broken out into declarations of war, and Odin was just about to step in when a cold voice ran across the table, freezing everything in its path.

"Enough." Laufey chimed in, his voice strict, making everyone straighten up and making Odin feel a little jealous.

He always had to raise his voice in a war cry and all Laufey had to do was speak. Who, exactly, was the Allfather here?

"It is clear that you cannot have a civil conversation with one another, so let us do it a different way; instead of all talking at once, we shall go around the room one at a time and speak of any problems we have with other realms- without insults. After the person is finished speaking, we shall converse and hopefully find a solution. Is that suitable for everyone?" The Frost Giant ended in a deep rumble.

Abashed, all the leaders agreed with nods of their heads, blushes high on their cheeks as they stared at the table.

"Good. Njord, you may start."

As much as Odin disliked Laufey for high jacking the meeting, he had to admit it was a good plan. Njord's and Alfyse's problem regarding the entrance fee to Vanaheim was quickly fixed after Alfyse promised to enforce her people to have the right papers if Njord lowered the fee.

That small problem repaired, Hreidmar quickly took over, explaining how hostile actions from certain merchants had caused injury to his guards and surrounding property.

"Not only that, but the goods they bring are deplorable: broken weapons, stale food, and cheaply made trinkets are but a few things I've come across. Even with the tariff, I can't in good conscious let them pass." The old dwarf complained.

"Perhaps they are simply rebelling to the tax." Freyr pointed out frigidly. The two politely argued back and forth and just when Odin thought they'd go back to yelling, a little voice broke in, interrupting the two.

"You should put the merchants in time out." Loki told the two kings seriously.

"Time out, you say?" Hreidmar asked, humoring the child.

"Yes. When I do something bad, Papa puts me in time out. It's not very fun." The little boy said with a grave nod of his head.

"And what about the tariff, hmmmm?" Freyr asked with a smile. Red eyes became confused and Loki bit his bottom lip as he thought. After a moment, he turned to Laufey.

"Papa, what's a tariff?"

"It is a tax on imported and exported goods." Seeing his son's look become more baffled, the King of Jotunheim took a different route to make his child understand. "Do you remember when you wished to play with Helblindi, but he would not open his chamber doors unless you had pastries from the kitchen?" Loki nodded. "It is like that."

"Oh!" Finally understanding (somewhat), Loki turned back to Freyr. "You should make your tariff the same so it's fair for both sides."

"Hah! Little prince, it does not work like that!" Hreidmar boomed out but Freyr stayed quiet; an inquisitive look taking over his face.

"Actually, it's perfect." Hreidmar snapped his head to look at Freyr in shock after the other had spoken.

"What? You can't be serious." He sputtered.

"Why not?" Freyr challenged. "My kingdom won't be financially hurt at the increase in profit; many have told me the tariff was too low in the first place."

"And what of your wily merchants?" Freyr shrugged at the question.

"Put them in time out." Hreidmar's mouth dropped open at the proclamation.

"What?"

"I do not believe my people have been trying to cheat you." Freyr told the Dwarf King. "A leader must believe in his people, however, if you feel they are attempting to swindle you, ban them from Nidavellir for a certain amount of time. If there a more offences, bring me some of their goods so that I may deduce if they are worthy to trade. If they are not, then I will deem a fit punishment."

The two conversed for a few more moments hashing out the smaller details before finally agreeing.

"Fine, but do not be mad at me when half your merchants are blocked from my realm." The dwarf huffed, clearly wanting the last word in the argument.

That finally over, Odin passed over himself, citing he was happy with the current treaties he had and gave the floor over to Alfyse.

"My main problem has been taken care of." The queen admitted. "But I would like to open more trade with your realm, Odin."

"What sort of trade are you looking for?"

"Mostly food. I heard your cooks make excellent cakes. My people who have visited your realm have found them exquisite. In return, we would give your cooks our cabbages, which, as I'm sure you know, are quite famous themselves." She ended with a smile.

"No!"

It was not Odin, but Thor who had spoken; the boy's blue eyes boring into the queen's.

"You dare try to take my precious cakes away and replace them with cabbages? Blasphemy! You may not have them! Not one! I am already forced to eat rotten vegetables daily; I will not stand for you taking my cakes! Prepare for your doom, Lady Alfyse, for the Mighty Thor will bring you justice!" Thor boomed out, stamping his foot.

"Thor. . ." Odin trailed off, warning clear in his voice.

"Nay, father! Clearly, she has bewitched you if you wish to trade delicious cakes for tasteless green leaves! If Asgard loses its cakes, we riot!" Thor roared.

"Thor," Odin groaned, grabbing his son's arm before the young lad tried to attack Queen Alfyse. "You do not understand trade at all; Queen Alfyse would not be taking all the cakes, just as Asgard will not be taking all of Svartalheim's cabbages." That stopped the boy's struggling and he turned to look at his father.

"So, Asgard will still have cakes?" He asked, suspicion clear in his voice.

"Yes. And we will also have cabbages. Strong warriors eat cabbage. I thought you knew that." Odin chided Thor, knowing how much the child wanted to be viewed as a warrior of great strength.

"Strong warriors eat meat!" The younger protested.

"And what is around that meat, Thor?" Odin asked patiently.

"Carrots, corn, and cabbage." The boy muttered with a put upon sigh before turning back to Alfyse. "You may have some of our cakes, even though all we get back is nasty cabbages, because mother told me it was nice to share. But! If you take even a crumb more than what is agreed on, there will be war!" He warned, wagging a finger at her.

"I will endure to remember that, your majesty." Odin blessed Alfyse silently for playing along instead of smiting his little hellion into the floor. He made a mental note to make sure she got an extra cake or two and to make Frigga force Thor to write an apology when he got home. She was the only in the world with the power to make the boy apologize to someone.

"Well, I think that concludes this meeting." Odin stated pleasantly. "All problems seem to be solved-"

"Not all problems, Odin Borson." Laufey's voice rose over his own.

The light hearted air that Thor brought about with his minor issue with cabbages was quickly replaced with a tension as all eyes turned to Laufey.

"I believe I am the last." The giant stated, eyes locking with Odin. "When my problems are sorted, then you may dismiss us."

The one thing that Odin found truly annoying (and somewhat admiring) about Laufey was that the other was not afraid to stand up to Odin.

"My apologies, Laufey. Please, speak your piece." Odin gritted out.

"I am satisfied with the treaties I have with these leaders and their realms." The King of Jotunheim admitted. "There is only one thing that I want: The Casket of Anciet Winters."

"Out of the question." Odin replied quickly.

"It is rightfully mine and it rightfully belongs in Jotunheim." Laufey shot back and for the first time, the others could hear the anger laced in his voice.

"No, Laufey." Odin shook his head sadly. "With that sort of power in your possession again, realms would be endangered, such as Midgard was last time."

"Oh," Laufey let out a bitter laugh; one that sounded like ice shattering against a blade. "Midgard is the last thing on my mind. My people went there because our population was growing too fast. After our little war, my people have been virtually wiped from the planes, save a few. The snow falls over all the things left behind. Why, it's almost as if it was never there; my once majestic kingdom and my subjects. Do you not understand, Odin? By taking the Casket, you have sentenced my surviving people to a slow death. The only thing that decays faster is the realm itself."

"I'm sorry, Laufey." Odin said, voice hard. "But my decision stands."

The hiss that Laufey let loose was like a harsh wind and the others shot each other nervous looks. Everyone knew Laufey's realm had been weakened greatly by the war. None had dared to try and take it though because, even when jotun's were weakened, they still had great strength and great magic that very few dared to trifle with.

Odin had, of course, been one of those few, and even he lost something in his fight against Laufey. The bones under his eye patch ached at the thought.

Before a true (and no doubt, very bloody) fight broke out, Loki patted Laufey's arm to get his attention.

"Papa, calm down! You're scaring people!" A little voice chided and, quick as lightening, Laufey's form relaxed as his focus returned to his child. He even had the grace to appear abashed as big, red eyes looked up at him in disapproval.

"I apologize." Laufey said lowly and Odin let his own muscles return to a peaceful state.

"No harm has been done." Odin replied genuinely.

"Regardless, I am not leaving until the Casket is once again in Jotunheim." The other said.

Damn giants and their stubborn streak!

"Unless you have something of equal value, the answer is the same." Odin snapped, being truly petty because Laufey had just admitted there was nothing in Jotunheim but ice and death.

"Why?" Loki's voice filled the air and Odin found himself looking into ruby eyes.

"We're really sorry about what happened and promise it won't happen again." Loki implored. "Papa's told me lots of stories about our nation before the war. It sounded really pretty." A little sniff came from him. "Now it's dark and everyone is sad and no one laughs. It's not very fun. May we please have the Casket back?" The child begged.

For some reason, Odin felt like dirt for what he was about to say.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Prince Loki." He really was. For a child to grow up in such an environment . . . he didn't want to think on it. "But I can't give it back unless you have something worthy to offer up in exchange."

The little form seemed to fold in on itself in disappointment and Odin pretended he didn't see the others glaring at him.

"Wait, Papa." Loki piped up when Laufey opened his mouth to respond with an angry retort. With the click of his jaw, Laufey watched as his child crawled over to his left leg and began to dig in the pocket that a seamstress had stitched into his loincloth upon his request. Loki dug around for a moment before pulling something out and, using the table, walked up to Odin.

The object was hidden behind the boy's back, so Odin could not get a clear view, but as Loki neared him, he found the little giant was holding back tears.

"Papa always says that a trade should be fair for both sides." Loki's voice hitched and wavered as he brought forth a plush toy. It was a white fox and it was clearly loved by its itty bitty owner.

"This is my most prized possession, her name is Fana." The Ice Prince confessed to Odin with big, soulful eyes. "She's not made of white gold, silver, or have any gems on her, but she keeps me safe at night when I'm scared and she's been with me on all my adventures. She knows all my secrets; all the things I love and all the things I think are icky. When I'm sad, she soaks up my tears and she lets me use her as a pillow when I'm sleepy. There are not many other children in Jotunheim and the ones that are there are so much bigger than me. It's not very much fun playing with them; they forget I'm there. Fana doesn't because Fana is my best friend." Finally the tears slid down blue cheeks and Loki began sobbing so hard, it was difficult to make out his words.

"I-I don't want to give her up, b-b-bu-ut if you pr-promise to give back the Casket, I-I will because a p-prince of J-J-Jotunheim must make sacrifices for his people."

With shaky arms, the boy held out his toy and Odin found himself staring at a furry face with twinkling blue eyes.

"Very well Loki Laufeyson, Crown Prince of Jotunheim. You may have the Casket of Ancient Winters back in exchange for Fana, the white fox." Odin uttered in a grave voice, sealing the deal.

The heartbreak in the boy's eyes was almost unbearable as wizened hands met tiny ones and took the toy.

Then, the boy lost all composure, turned around, and ran straight into the waiting arms of his father, who was quick to comfort the child with gentle whispers as the boy sobbed into his chest.

"You should be ashamed of yourself, Odin." Alfyse hissed. "Taking a child's toy like that- is the need to hold power of Laufey so important that you felt the need to make his son cry?"

"Loki made the offer, not I." Odin whispered back.

"Only because you would not listen to Laufey!"

"It is a toy, Alfyse. The boy will get over it. I am being generous; giving back such a powerful weapon for a toy is not often seen as a good trade." Odin defended himself.

"No, you are being cruel. That fox you're holding is not just a toy. Do not tell me you never had a toy in your childhood that you loved beyond measure. Do not say it, because it is a lie." The Queen said fiercely.

A blurry memory of himself playing with a big, stuffed lion came to him and suddenly he did feel guilty.

He would have never given Gruff up for anyone.

"If you do not right this, I will be speaking to Frigga and if Laufey does not give you blue balls for this, then I know she will." Alfyse threatened.

Oh.

If Frigga learned he had made a child give up his most cherished companion and shed tears, he would never be allowed back into their bed chambers.

"Don't be sad!" Thor's boisterous voice caught his attention and he turned his head to see his son at the end of the table talking to a tear-stained Loki.

"Here!" With a cheerful shove, Thor pushed his stuff dragon into Loki's arms. "This is Varme. He's kinda like Fana but not because he can fart fire!" Thor laughed. "He's really big, so he'll be able to protect you at night, and I haven't whispered any secrets to him, so he's secret free! Also, he can shoot fire farts to light up Jotunheim until you get the Casket back. It might smell like dragon dung but it will be a majestic show. And! And! He can eat those bigger jotuns if they scare you or try to step on you. So don't be sad! You and him can go on lots of adventures."

"Really?" Loki sniffed, inadvertently hugging the dragon that really was as big as him.

"Yeah!" Thor grinned and patted Loki on the head. "If you still miss Fana, you can come and visit her!"

"You'll let me see her?" Loki asked hopefully.

"Sure! I'll wage war on my father if I have to. I don't want to 'cause he's really strong, but I will!" Thor yelled enthusiastically.

Odin couldn't hide the snort at that and reminded himself to set Thor up with a tutor the moment they returned to Asgard. That'll teach the boy.

"And if I lose, I'll tell Mother! She would let you see Fana." Thor continued in a knowing tone.

Why was everyone using Frigga against him? Odin wondered, a little annoyed.

"You should visit a lot. My friends have never seen a jotun before, and we could have fun playing tag and hide n seek." Odin could see his boy getting more excited by the moment. "Hey, if you really like it, you and all the other jotuns could stay forever!"

Ok, when Thor practically invites an invasion to his doorstep, Odin figures it's time to cut in.

"Thor! Enough, child. Prince Loki is not coming to live in our realm." Odin admonished. "But, if he wishes to visit, then he may." Both of the children's slumped shoulders shot up.

"Truly, father?" Thor asked eagerly, as he ran back and jumped into Odin's lap.

"Oof! By Valhalla, yes Thor. Prince Loki may visit with his father to see that Fana is being taken care of and in return, we shall visit Jotunheim to make sure the Casket is working properly."

'This is my last offer; take it or leave it.' Odin thought as he stared Laufey down. After a moment the giant gave a shallow bow of his head.

"That is acceptable." Laufey rumbled, absentmindedly stroking Loki's hair.

"Meeting adjourned!" Odin yelled before anyone decided to speak up.

Next time he was just going to let them all go to war. This meeting had been more stressful than all of the years he had been at odds with Jotunheim.

He had been quick to gather Thor and their belongings and head for the door. However, Laufey had blocked him and he had been forced to commit to a date to which he would travel to Jotunheim and give back the Casket.

Then Thor whined and said that the planned date was too far away and before he knew what happened, Odin found himself promising to give the casket back at the end of the week.

As Loki reached out from his father's arms to tearfully pat Fana goodbye, Odin wondered what life would have been like if he taken the boy that day in the temple.

"Thank you, Laufey, for being patient with my child." Odin said as he belatedly realized Laufey could have chosen andy moment during that meeting to hurt or kill his son; especially when the boy had been talking to Loki. After all, the other king had had nothing to lose with Odin denying him the Casket.

"You spared mine, I returned the favor." Was all Laufey said before turning around and making the slow trek back to Jotunheim, ignoring Thor's loud goodbyes and Loki's returning ones as he waved from his perch on his father's shoulder.

That night, when they had returned home themselves, Odin walked his darken hallways until he reached the weapons vault.

Walking past the Casket of Winters and all other types of devices, he came upon a shelf and gently set down a small white fox.

. . . Right next to a big, gruff lion.

A/N: Fana means heavy falling snow in Norwegian and Varme means fire. At least, according to the translator I found online. Very creative, I know.

Hope you guys liked it!