Odin holds the volume carefully, as though it might be dangerous. It has only been a few hours since he stripped Loki of his illusion and ordered him executed without a name, a foreign traitor unworthy of such graces. He stares at the book, considering throwing it on the fire with the rest of the papers turning to ash in the roaring flames nicely warming Loki's former bedchamber. But he had told him he would read it in lieu of last words. He runs his fingers along the intricately bound book, admiring the craftsmanship, remembering the care Loki had once taken in every endeavour. He sets it aside and tosses another stack of letters on the fire.

He accepts that these things have happened and when he took the boy in, he knew somewhere in his heart that he would not be able to school out the savage nature of Jotunheim.

He lifts the cover and recognises the cramped, elegant handwriting that once copied lines from ancient books onto the hundreds of pages of loose leaf already burning. He presses his fingers to his forehead, wondering why was keeping his word to a dead man. Loki had been quiet and resigned to his death even as he knelt for the executioner. These pages would undo the silence, reveal the workings of his mind, and possibly reverse the illusion Odin believes, that Loki was at peace with his own death. He wants to delay telling Thor, still in Midgard and unaware of Loki's execution, that the illusion is over.

He takes a sip of his tankard, stokes the fire, and begins reading.

Author's note- I am experimenting with format, so please bear with the short chapters- it seemed like the best way to break up the story into diary entries and the present. I would appreciate feedback as to how it works for you, as well as feedback on the story as a whole. Thank you!