They Come on White Horses: Chapter 1

Requested by: NoVacancyMind and many wonderful others
Sequel to Knights.

To those who have been following my other stories, this is what I have been working on over my spring break. I always suggest you read the first story before going to the sequel and that is not going to change now. Read Knights first, then come back here.

This story will contain one of my favorite fanfiction elements: kid!Avengers. The heroes did not have kids, but may or may not have been turned into them. You'll have to wait and see ;)

Please enjoy and review!

Disclaimer: Don't own. Never will. So sad.

Warnings: None! Let me tell you, that is a first for me.

...Continued

"Even though your mind and will were not your own during your invasion of Midgard, you have yet to pay for your crimes committed on Asgard. Most people of our land do not know of what you have done here, and those that do know only of your attacking Jotunheim. They see you as a hero. However, I and the council do not. Therefore, you will be sent to Midgard with Thor and pay your dues however they see fit. Perhaps they will change you as they did Thor. I will send you off tomorrow at dawn." Odin slammed his spear down on the floor to finalize his decision then simply walked away. Loki was left feeling like a leftover piece of garbage thrown out the window. The All-Father didn't even take the time to look at him or give him any semblance of a trial before condemning him.

Heimdall had predictably, not told Odin, but instead the All-Father had been informed by his two ravens. They told him everything, and yet he still stood by and watched the whole thing unfold, not lifting a finger to stop any of it. The violence and rage on Midgard might not have been his, but the anger Loki felt towards Odin was very real and very much his own.

Loki snarled behind his muzzle as Thor appeared beside him. The crown prince took charge of the prisoner and led him to his chambers. Frigga had pleaded for Loki to not be sent to the dungeons for even the one night, and Odin, to get all of it over with, compromised. So Loki was now forced to bunk with his brother as they had not done since they were children.

"Brother, this is a good thing. It is better than being sentenced to centuries in the dungeons, is it not?" Loki continued to stare ahead and ignore Thor. How could the oaf still think of him as a brother? He was a monster after all, one the crown prince was raised believing he would annihilate. Surely the All-Father had been quick to stave off Thor mourning for a lost brother by telling him said brother was a frost giant.

But, for now, all he could do was glare. The muzzle was placed on him again as soon as he and Thor arrived, and the chains were modified to block most of his magic. They had been led directly to the private throne room, where Odin had been waiting for them. The old man barely spared Loki a glance before passing judgement. Loki had not even seen a glimpse of his mother before he was promptly shuffled along beside his brother.

Thor pushed open the doors to his chambers and walked on in as though he was not leading his bound and gagged little brother in behind him. Loki rolled his eyes, and followed him, not like he had a choice in the matter. As soon as the doors closed, Thor began stripping his armor. He draped his cape over a random chair, and left the rest on the floor. Loki sneered at the mess his brother's room was. Mjolnir ended up on a desk strewn with important documents, Loki was certain Thor had yet to even glance at. Only when Thor was in his underclothes did he turn his attention to his brother.

Loki looked tired, well, more along the lines of exhausted. Thor doubted he had slept well in the past year, or eaten well for that matter. His younger brother was more gaunt and pale than Thor had ever seen him. He had always been skinnier and more lean than Thor, but he had a healthy color to his cheeks and his eyes had shone brighter. Now, they were a dull, moss green that only showed a worn anger and annoyance. Thor approached him confidently. Showing concern for Loki, he knew, would be harshly spat back in his face at the moment.

The first thing Thor did was remove the muzzle. He did not miss the relief on Loki's face when the device was unlatched. Loki took a deep breath through his mouth and some tension seeped from his shoulders.

"I wanted to punch the guard that insisted on replacing this onto you." Loki rolled his eyes once more.

"Ever the violent one, Thor," he rasped. Thor frowned and turned to fetch something. He returned with a glass of water, which Loki eyed suspiciously. It was Thor's turn to roll his eyes.

"Do you honestly think I would poison you, Brother? It is simply water." Loki sneered at him and took the glass.

"Don't call me that." Thor sighed and once Loki finished gulping down the water, led him to a cushioned chair.

"Wait here."

"I am not a mongrel," Loki called as Thor turned away. When Thor came back, however, Loki was a bit more wary. In the thunderer's hands were two intricate bracelets and a key. Loki pulled his hands back when Thor sat down and reached for them. Thor looked him in the eye, then held one of the bracelets up for Loki to get a better look.

"Mother had these made. They work in a similar way as your current chains, but they will allow you to perform magic in defense of yourself or others. She fought hard with Father to allow you this privilege. I would take it if I were you." Loki seemed to contemplate the matter for a few minutes longer, though Thor knew it was just to keep him waiting. His brother had made up his mind the moment, he mentioned they were from the All-Mother. Loki nodded sharply and allowed Thor to remove one manacle, before replacing it with one of the bracelets. He did the same with Loki's other wrist, and gave Loki a small smile when he stretched his arms out.

Loki felt lighter. His magic was still denied him, but not as crudely as with the chains. He would not admit it, but he was...grateful to Frigga for her kindness. Sometimes he indulged himself in allowing himself to still think of her as his mother.

Thor stood then and laid the chains and key on a nearby table.

"Come, Brother. I know you are tired, do not deny it, and I am as well. We should get a good rest before Father sends us to Midgard tomorrow." Loki raised a brow when Thor hauled him up and over to the bed with him.

"You expect me to share a bed with you? We are not children. What would stop me from slitting your throat in the middle of the night?" Thor didn't answer him, but instead pulled him down next to him and wrapped his arms tightly around him. Loki rolled his eyes and snarled.

"Thor, release me." Thor chuckled and tightened his grip momentarily before falling asleep. Loki squirmed hoping to bother Thor into letting him go. He would rather sleep on the floor than with his brother, No. Thor, as though they were but five centuries old. His efforts were in vain, however, and he finally gave in.

He fell asleep to the gentle rumble of Thor's snoring and the safe feeling of being in his big brother's arms.

Just a little tidbit to get started. So you know, I update every Saturday, no specific time. (I'm not that good!) Alas, next Saturday I will be unable to update, but after that things should be back on schedule. At least until life decides to interrupt again ;)

Ciao for now! :)