The stench of rotting corpses hung in the air of the battlefield. After weeks of fighting, Asgard had finally emerged the victor in the war. Frigga stepped out of her tent, a bag of medicine and tools in hand. She had come against her husband's will, knowing full well he wouldn't last ten minutes without her. She had been right, of course, as she'd had to heal him on the first day after an arrow struck him in the leg. Now she combed the battlefield in search of survivors, but found only silent, still bodies. She stepped over the corpses of both Jotuns and fellow Aseir. She paused at the body of a young Jotun. A look of pure terror was frozen in his red eyes. His mouth hung open in shock, revealing jagged teeth. Frigga was reminded the Jotuns were not so different from them, no matter what other Aseir said.

The common belief among Aseir was that all Jotuns were hideous, unfeeling monsters, but the look on the young giant's face begged to differ. She wondered if he was truly evil, she thought not. Perhaps he had only thoughts of defending his home. We may be the monsters to them, she thought as she studied his frightened face. She almost couldn't tear her eyes away from the young soldier, but her duty was to help the living, not pity the dead. Up ahead she saw what appeared to be an abandoned Jotun field station. Part of her thought it would be dangerous, that if there was a survivor, they would not welcome her, but a stronger part of her urged her on.

As she approached the tent, she heard a quiet, muffled sobbing. Frigga cautiously opened the tent flap to find a small child curled up on the dirt, sobbing and shaking. Surely he is not a soldier, she thought, he is so small, even for a young one. He shouldn't even be out here. She thought of her own son, safe at home in Asgard with his nursemaid to take care of him. "Are you hurt?" she asked softly. The boy's head snapped up with a look of horror in his crimson eyes. He scrambled to his feet and whipped a dagger out of his pocket. "What do you want!?" he demanded, hands shaking. "I'm a healer," Frigga hastily replied, "I'm here to help you." His face reminded her of the dead soldier she'd seen earlier and this time it terrified her. "Why do you want to help me!? You're one of them!" We may be the monsters to them, the thought forced its way back into her mind, making her eyes water.

"I'm a healer, I only want to help people," she tried to explain. The boy's eyes drilled holes into her through the mats of black hair that hung down in his face. "I have no weapons," she lied, "only medical tools." They seemed to be locked in a standoff. Perhaps she should just leave the boy to his own devices, he clearly didn't want her help, but her instinct told her otherwise. "At least tell me your name," she was almost begging. "Loki," the boy snapped. She nodded. "Loki, that is a nice name. My name is Frigga," she replied. He stared blankly at her for a few seconds. If it was at all possible, his eyes grew wider. "Y-you're," he stammered, "y-you're the queen! You're their queen!" Her heart dropped to her feet. Now he may never trust her. "I only came to heal people," she said desperately, "I want to help you. You must trust me!" He continued to stare in silence. Then came an all too familiar question for her, the question every child asks every day. "Why?" Loki's voice tore through the eerie silence.

Frigga struggled to find the right words, any words. Why did she want to help this boy? Was it the dead Jotun? Because he reminded her of Thor? Simple maternal instinct? A bleeding heart, perhaps? She took a deep breath. "Truthfully," she began, "I am not sure. I think it is because you remind me of my son," the ghost of a smile crept onto her face, "and maybe I've got a soft spot for children." To her surprise, he lowered his dagger. "How about you give that here?" she asked. She might be pushing her luck, but it still made her uneasy. "I don't let my son have knives, either," she tried to make her case. "I'm not your son," Loki said coldly, slipping the knife in his back pocket. "Fair enough," Frigga said softly.

As she took a cautious step towards him, she noticed how sunken in his face was. Clearly he had not eaten in some time. "Now, why don't you come with me and maybe we can find your parents?" she asked hopefully. Loki's eyes watered. "No, they're dead!" he cried, tears spilling down his face. "They're dead because of them! Because of you!" He sank down to the ground in defeat. Now Frigga was dangerously close to crying herself. "They're dead and I don't know what's going to happen to me," he whispered. Frigga's heart sank down to her feet. She could only picture Thor weeping for her and Odin. "Nothing will happen to you," Frigga spoke without thinking. A Jotun would be unwelcome in an Aseir camp, but Frigga would fight her way in if she had to. "Come to my camp and I'll make sure you're taken care of," she promised.

Loki stared up at her with dripping eyes and she felt her own tears spill onto her cheeks. She was beginning to love those ruby eyes. "Why are you crying?" he asked her. She sniffed. "Because you are in pain and that hurts me," she extended her hand, weaving a quick protection spell, "Take my hand and we'll walk to camp. There's food and a warm bed for you." Something must have gotten through to him. No longer did he look at her with fear or disdain, but with desperation. He looked at her hand, then back up to her. "But I'll hurt you," he said nervously. She smiled and shook her head. "No you won't, come now," she said gently. Loki reached for her with a shaky hand and smiled weakly when she did not scream in pain or draw her hand back. "Let's go get you some food," Frigga said warmly.

When they reached the camp Frigga felt Loki's hand tighten in a vice-like grip. She stopped to kneel down and met his eyes. "No harm will come to you here," she assured him. His lip quivered. "But they killed my parents! They killed everyone!" he wailed. Without thinking, Frigga wrapped the crying boy in her arms. "What will happen to me?" he whimpered into her shoulder. Frigga found him pulling at her heartstrings even harder. She let herself think for a split second before answering. "I'm going to take care of you," she decided. She didn't care what her husband would say, there was no reason why they couldn't take care of him. Yes, if he had no family, he was coming with her to Asgard. Thor would surely love to have a play mate; she was sure Loki would too. "Don't worry about anyone in there," she pointed to the camp, "remember, they have to listen to me." She smiled, and her heart warmed when he returned the favor. It was a tiny, awkward smile, but it was there.

They were met with several odd stares from soldiers when they entered the camp. Loki clung to Frigga's side as if she were his mother. "Back to your posts!" barked Frigga. The soldiers scurried away, mumbling apologies. "See?" she said. "They do everything I ask of them." Frigga led Loki into her tent and sat him down on one of her chairs. "Now," she said, studying him, "I think you'll need a bath first." Loki only nodded, craning his neck to study the tent. Frigga noted his long, matted black hair. "And a haircut would also be nice," she added. She had water brought over to the tent and fetched some clothes while it warmed. She came back to find Loki poking around the tent exploring. He was inspecting the books she'd brought. As soon as he heard her he whipped around. Frigga thought he would be blushing if his cheeks weren't a deep shade of blue. "I've never seen Aseir books," he said shyly. Frigga smiled, "Perhaps I'll tell you some of our stories, then," she replied.

She sat down with her back turned while Loki stepped into the bath. "Um, Frigga," he said nervously. "Yes," she answered. "Um, do you think you could tell me one of those stories?" he asked shyly. She smiled. "Of course," she replied, "just give me a moment to think of one." It took her more than a moment to recall an Aseir story that didn't involve battle with the Frost Giants, but eventually she settled on one. He seemed to like it, as he didn't make a sound while she told it. She would periodically stop the story and remind him to do something, as mothers do. "Don't forget to wash your hair," she told him right in the middle of the story. By the time she had finished telling her story, he was done as well, and announced it with a splash and a thud. "Ow!" he cried. Frigga sprang up and whirled around to find him on the floor flat on his face. "I tripped," he said pathetically. He curled himself up into a ball while Frigga got his towel off of the tub. She let out a gasp as she went to drape the towel over him. Ugly bruises danced over his back and arms. There was no way he could have gotten them during his fall. He hastily covered himself. "What did this to you?" Frigga asked in shock. Loki shrugged. "Mother and Father make me mind sometimes," he said simply, as if the matter needed no further explanation. Frigga simply knelt where she was, mouth open in shock. Not all Jotuns were monsters, that much she knew to be true, but this boy's parents clearly were.

Soon Loki looked like a completely different boy. He'd had about two weeks' worth of dirt scrubbed off, and his hair had been combed for the first time in weeks and was now out of his eyes. The clothes Frigga had brought for him were about five sizes too big, but after some cutting and sewing on her part they were only two sizes too big. He looked like he was wearing a sack of grain. "Well," she said, standing and inspecting her work, "I think all that leaves is the food." With that she left for the mess tent. She even managed to find some milk. She made her way back to the tent, beaming. Frigga pulled the flap back and found Loki levitating one of her books absentmindedly. He froze and the book thudded to the ground. His eyes were red saucers as he stumbled back, sputtering unintelligibly. "I-I'm sorry!" he yelped. "I won't do it again! I-I p-promise!"

Frigga's jaw dropped as she stared at him. She set the food down and swooped down to embrace him. He flinched as she came closer, but relaxed at her touch. "Why would I ever be angry at you for that?" she asked, astounded. He sniffed. "Mother and Father didn't like it. Said it was unnatural, that it was evil. Nobody liked it, not my parents, not my brothers," he sounded so hurt, Frigga wanted to take him home with her that instant. "This is not evil!" exclaimed Frigga. "This means you possess an incredible gift denied to many!" Loki sniffed and met her eyes. "It does?" he asked pitifully. She smiled down at him. "Yes, I have it, too," she replied, levitating the same book he had. At that moment, the little boy looked the happiest she had ever seen him.

Loki ate like a starving animal and in no time at all the entire tray of food was gone. "Would you like some more?" Frigga asked. He shook his head. "No thank you." Frigga peeked out the tent flap and saw the sun going down. She looked back and saw Loki slumping in his seat. "Loki," she said. He looked up at her with tired eyes. "When was the last time you got any sleep?" she asked. "I don't remember," he answered, rubbing his eyes. She crossed the tent and beckoned him over. He shuffled over and she pulled back her bed covers. He gave her a confused look. "But this is your bed," he said simply. "I won't miss it," she replied. He looked at the bed, then back at Frigga. "You don't want me to sleep on the floor?" he asked. Once again, Frigga found herself at a loss for words. Perhaps he came from a poor family. "Why, no," she said, "of course not." Loki stood there for a moment, but his fatigue must have got the better of him. He crawled between the sheets and made himself comfortable.

"Sleep for as long as you like, and I'll be right here when you wake up," she assured him. He smiled and his eyelids began to droop. "Frigga," he said when she'd gotten up. She turned around. "Thank you," he said, tired but sincere, "for everything." Frigga beamed. "You are most welcome, Loki," she replied. With that, he rolled over and fell fast asleep.

It had been nearly half an hour when Odin stepped into Frigga's tent. "I thought I would come visit you before mess was over," at the sound of Odin's voice, Loki stirred for a moment and let out a tiny, pathetic groan before drifting back off to sleep. Odin flinched. "Frigga, what is that?" he asked incredulously. Frigga stood up from her chair and checked on Loki. "A boy," she answered simply. Odin furrowed his brow slightly. "I see that, but what is he doing in your bed?" Frigga smirked. "Obviously he is sleeping," she replied. Odin sighed. "Frigga," he started, growing frustrated. Frigga smiled and threw her hands up in surrender. "Alright, alright!" she laughed softly. "He's an orphan I found on the battlefield. He's simply the sweetest boy, he has the gift of Seidr! He says there is no one left to take care of him, and if that is true I wish to take him in." Her stern face told her husband she would not take no for an answer. Odin struggled to come up with an argument. His mouth opened, but Frigga cut him off. "His name is Loki and I am very fond of him," she said, decidedly, "besides, Thor could use a playmate."

Odin sighed. "What did you say his name was?" he asked. "Loki," replied Frigga. Odin peered at the boy, studying his face. He frowned and pinched the bridge of his nose. "I assume that you had no idea he is the youngest member of the Jotun Royal Family?" Frigga's eyes widened. "No!" she exclaimed, managing to keep her voice down. "I thought he came from a poor family! He expected me to make him sleep on the floor! He was left all alone!" Odin saw desperation in his wife's eyes. She clearly wanted to keep the child. "I'm sorry, Frigga," he said, "but his brother, Helblindi, is still alive and I'm sure he will want his brother back."

Frigga's mouth hung open. She looked on the verge of tears. "But," she nearly choked, "you wouldn't believe what he's told me! He says they beat him if he uses his gift!" Odin gave his wife a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry, Frigga, but taking Loki will not help our post-war negotiations," he said. Frigga nodded. "I know," she said shakily, "I just wish…" Her voice trailed off and a tear rolled down her cheek. "I know," said Odin softly as he wrapped his wife in an embrace. "I meet with Helblindi in half an hour, I will tell him his brother is alive," he said. Frigga sniffed and nodded. Loki slept on, blissfully unaware of the situation unfolding.

Freezing cold wind bit at Odin as he made his way to his tent. He pulled back the flap and a young Jotun sat at his table, propping his feet up on it. "Nice of you to join me," the Jotun drawled. "My most sincere apologies, Helblindi," said Odin, "I have just received some interesting news from my wife." Helblindi raised his eyebrows. "Interesting, you say?" he asked, taking his feet off the table. "Yes," replied Odin, "my wife discovered a small child on the battlefield. He said his name was Loki. He wouldn't happen to be your younger brother, would he?" Helblindi rolled his eyes. "So the little freak's alive, is he?" Odin furrowed his brow. "I beg your pardon?" he asked.

"Yeah, he can do these unnatural things like making things float. No telling what he'll learn to do next. Mother and Father tried to beat it out of him, but it never worked. I honestly didn't think the little runt would make through this," said Helblindi bitterly. Odin couldn't come up with a response. He needed to get back on good terms with the Jotuns, though. "Well, I assumed you would want him back," Odin said awkwardly. Helblindi scoffed. "I wouldn't say that I want him back, but if you're tired of him already I'll take him." Odin couldn't see why Helblindi had such hate for a child, his own brother, at that.

He thought of how much Frigga cared for the boy. "Well, my wife seems to be very fond of him," said Odin. Helblindi snorted. "Does she want him?" he asked. "Ah, well," this was one of the first times in his life Odin actually stuttered, "we wouldn't want to take him away from his home, his family." Helblindi stretched upwards. He looked to be about fifteen, but he towered over Odin. "If your wife wants a pet, she can keep the little beast," he said, "it's not like I need any future competition for the crown." Odin fought back a smile. Frigga would be overjoyed!

The two monarchs decided that they would leave each other alone for the time being so Helblindi could acquaint himself with the crown. A treaty was drafted and signed by both of them, ensuring each realm would ignore the other for now. With that, Helblindi left, assuring Odin that Frigga could take Loki. Once the Jotun left, Odin allowed himself a smile. He couldn't wait to see the look on Frigga's face. He hurried back to her tent and threw open the flap. Loki was up and looking quite nervous. Frigga was kneeling beside him, hand on his shoulder trying to console him. "But I want to stay with you!" Loki wailed. She must have told him he was going home. Odin cleared his throat. Frigga's head snapped around. She looked on the verge of tears. "When do I have to take him back?" she asked. Odin smiled. "You don't have to."