Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Thor, The Avengers, or Marvel. If you recognize any reference to certain movies it is not mine. Do not sue me.

Edited by Kita42

First Fanfiction Please read and Review

CHAPTER 1

I stood on the balcony of my room watching Asgard's sunrise. Once again I found no sleep the previous night. In fact, sleep has been evading me since I watched Loki fall into the void created by the broken Bi-Frost. My heart had been heavy with guilt at not seeing my brother's torment and pain that he and others caused. Loki's silent suffering drove him to madness; madness that lead a foreign army to Midgard that killed an astonishing low number of its people. SHIELD assessed the Chitauri were taking hostages instead of killing.

No matter the death toll Loki still had to answer for his crimes, and with a saddened heart I still had to fight him. I and the Midgardian heroes prevailed over my brother. The victory was won for Midgard, but it was a loss for me. Another triumph over my brother only served to further the gap between us. I saw the anger and shame in his eyes as he was brought back to Asgard chained and gagged. To spare him more shame I bought him in through one of the secret tunnels known only to the royal family to the All-Father's study.

Father had looked upon Loki with disappointment and sadness. He placed his hand on Loki's shoulder only for Loki to jerk away. Loki wore a mask of cold indifference to the man who had raised him. I couldn't blame Loki for his anger against our father. After finding out he had been lied to for centuries, and father falling into Odinsleep; it left Loki unsure of his role in this family. Once our mother entered the room she went straight for Loki, ignoring any warning we gave. The change within Loki was immediate. It was clear mother still had Loki's love. Mother had always had a way with Loki. She was his champion, and what I thought as of her favorite child. She still called Loki her baby. Seeing mother with Loki, I knew he wasn't truly gone if he still had an open heart to our mother, perhaps I could squeeze a place back inside it. Then again it might be my wishful thinking after years of neglecting him.

For centuries I was ignorant of how Loki felt. I neglected his feelings and wrote them off as jealousy as others did. Now that I think back Loki was happier when it was just the two of us, before I met my friends; if I can still call them that. The Warriors Three and Sif had always mocked Loki and I had always overlooked their behaviors thinking they meant what they said as friendly jests. After Loki's fall I started to understand what vexed Loki's soul so much. The Warriors and Sif were my friends and not Loki's. They all accepted Loki's death with ease; especially Sif. A week hadn't even passed and Sif asked me to join them on a hunt. She thought it be good if I got out the palace for a while. While I took my anger out on my kills, my heart wasn't in it. While camping I was asked rather rudely by Sif about the Bilgesnipe that crawled up my armor. I found myself taken back. Did she honestly not care? Did any of them? Did anyone besides he, and his parents care?

It was Hogun who took me aside and who was honest with me. None of the Warrior Three hated Loki but they didn't consider him a friend.

"I can't speak for Lady Sif, but I can speak on behalf of Volstagg, Fandral, and a few others, and we're sorry Thor," he said grimly. "I never lost a brother, so I can't begin to imagine what it is you're going through right now. "Hogun looked very apologetic before he spoke again.

"Loki wasn't the most beloved person on Asgard, and we all rather see him leave than come. The truth is very few people are going to mourn Loki. They are going to mourn for you, and hope you forget about Loki in time and see Loki as they saw him."

I practically felt the low growl coming forth to warn Hogun. "And how did they see my brother?"

Before he spoke Sif and the other warriors came through the clearing. Sif spoke the answer to my question. "He was different from the rest of us. He hid behind his magic, his lies, and he wasn't a true warrior. He was without honor, and died the way he lived," she spat.

It took every ounce of will power I had not to strike her for her disrespect of my brother. "Is that how you speak of the dead Sif?" I growled, challenging her.

"Loki never had my respect, nor did he have respect of any of ours; he didn't even have yours."

This time I did strike out grabbing her around the neck. The warriors frantically reached out calling for me to let go and trying to pry my finger from around her neck. "If I were you I would mind my words more carefully," I said finally letting go.

"He was different from us, from you," she wheezed out.

It was true Loki wasn't like us. Nobody but, father, mother, Heimdall, General Tyr, the council, and I knew just how much different. To my great shame up until my banishment I would have agreed with them. If Loki had not confronted me about his true feelings, I'd be agreeing. I loved my brother but I treated him poorly, and took him for granted. It isn't until the one you love is gone do you truly realize your mistakes. I needed to defend Loki to let them know where I stood now. I would no longer allow them to slander Loki's name as I once had without consequence.

"What's wrong with being different? So what if he chose magic. He still stood on the field of battle with us. In fact he's the only magic user who stood in the mist of wars, besides the All-father. So what if he prefers books to Asgardian steel? He was no more deserving than any of us just for the simple fact he was out there on the front line with us."

Fandral and Volstagg had the decency to at least look shameful. Hogun kept his indifferent stance as always. Only Sif look dumbfounded at what I said.

In spite of what Hogun said it was a different story at Loki's funeral pyre. All of the court and the nobles were there out of ceremony. No one anticipated the mass amount of common citizens of Asgard turn out. Some thought they were there to make sure he was dead, but that wasn't the case. It was asked if someone would speak a few words. Of course no one in the court stood, and the magic users stayed silent out of fear of the warriors. I myself started only to see many of the citizens were volunteering to speak. It turned out Loki wasn't loved by the court or in the political arena, but the citizens, the true people of Asgard held him in high esteem. It also let me know how little I knew of Loki.

The heartfelt words and tales they told of Loki had mother in tears. One of the tales that stood out most is where Loki would make sure the families of slain soldiers were taken care of. He assigned guards to the family to make sure work was getting done and that the family didn't go hungry from a lack of income. He used his magic to heal some and tutor those who showed promise in magic. The most inspiring account was that of a young boy. The young boy had spoken to Loki about his desire to be a hero, and to die in battle with honor. Apparently Loki told him he didn't need to die in battle to have honor. I could tell this didn't sit well with the some of the higher ranked warriors, but they dared not to anger the All-father who seemed to have the tiniest smile on his face and nodding in agreement with the words the boy spoke. Loki told the boy 'a hero can be anyone, even someone doing the simplest things.'

Listening to this hurt, because I didn't know this person they spoke of. I felt jealous that these people, who were stranger to me may have known Loki better than I. They saw the best in Loki and hardly knew their crown prince other than from the tales passersby. It seemed the roles had been reversed. I was held and high esteem of the royal court and nobles. Yet it was Loki who had the heart of Asgard's citizens. I guess Loki gave what the nobles gave to him; a false face of mischief, for their contentment. Thinking back centuries past Loki had no one he was close with. Palace life must seem like prison to him.

"I only ever wanted to be your equal!" echoed through my mind. I closed my eyes as tears of loss stung them. In that moment I realized the depth of my failure as a brother.

When word came from Heimdall that Loki lived, I felt happiness and heartbreak all over again at the crimes he had so far committed on Midgard. Of course the court was all for taking his head. The All-Father asked me to retrieve him. Sif immediately demanded to accompany me, which I forbade. It was seconded by mother, who had begun to understand Sif hated Loki.

Upon my arrival, I admit I might have let my temper take over, with talk of imagined slights, and a would be king. I knew this was a wrong move, but this was the brother I knew and not the one the citizens spoke of. In the end I did what I had to once again and brought him back to another prison; this time with bars. Also my fellow Avengers had been called to witness and testify for Loki's trial, which had been going on for a week. Natasha had been chosen to speak for Midgard. Her testimony damned Loki far more than Heimdall's. She made Loki seemed like evil incarnate. The royal court and nobles listened with glee and ate up all the disdain she had for Loki. She found me afterwards and apologized. I found her words sincere, but they still left me empty.

Today, my father's lifelong friends on the council will pass judgement on Loki, in a way that I will know to be fair. Before that they'll ask if anyone has anything to say in giving lenience to Loki. I myself am forbidden, as is mother. I know no one will say anything in his defense, which left Loki to defend himself. The only problem is that Loki hasn't spoken a word since I returned him to Asgard. Without a testimony Loki would be executed, exiled, or given some other foul punishment that would leave Loki forever damaged. I closed my eyes and sighed.

"Brother," I said to an empty room.

Court convened at noon. Thor took a place on the steps behind his mother. Frigga looked ready to flee at a moment's notice. Odin looked as if he had aged another century this week. His remaining eye which was always piercing looked weary. He tapped Gungnir on the golden tiled floor, and everyone was silent.

"Bring in the accused."

Four of Odin's most trusted guards brought a chained Loki without his gag. His form strong and impressive as he moved with feline-like grace, with his head held high. Loki was placed behind a golden bannister.

"As it is written by our laws, we will now hear anyone who has anything to say on behalf of the accused."

All was quiet until a swishing of a gown was heard. There was a collective gasp and protest heard. The beautiful princess of Vanir Sigyn stood. Sigyn was desired by most men in the court of Asgard and Vanir. Her beauty rivaled that of The Enchantress Amora and an quiet anger that matched the All-Mother. Everyone thought she or either Sif would be their next Queen of Asgard. She bowed to Odin and turned to face Loki back to Odin.

"Lady Sigyn, the council will hear you now," Odin replying, eager to hear what the woman had to say.

"I speak on behalf of the man whom I love," she spoke softly, inciting outrage, which was heard from the gallery.

"He enchanted her!"

"He tricked her!"

"He's up to his tricks again."

Gungnir was heard once again bringing silence to the court. Odin looked toward the Sorceress Supreme, who like Heimdall was loyal only to the king.

"There is no spell or enchantment," the elderly sorceress declared indifferently. "If she loves the prince it is of her own freewill."

Odin nodded for Sigyn to continue, surprised at this new revelation. He had hoped one day for Sigyn to take interest in Thor, as Thor had once with her, until he met the mortal Jane Foster. Yet he felt himself glad she loved Loki enough to be ostracized for standing up for him. Clearly she saw something beyond face value that others did not. For many years he and Frigga thought a nice young lady would do well in reining Loki in. Unfortunately the ladies favored Thor, as did everyone else in the court. Odin might have lost one of his eyes but it didn't mean he was blind to the prejudice against Loki, for not being what they thought he should be. Yet he knew he couldn't fight Loki's battles for him like Thor did on so many occasions, which made them outcast Loki even further.

Eventually Thor and Loki grew apart, but even then Loki would follow Thor even if it meant death. Thor lusted for battle and desired glory and he was practically worshiped for his good looks and prowess as a warrior. Loki has good looks that had been commented on as being beautiful by many men and women. Also Loki is a very skilled fighter; although it was a different style that is made up more out of magic, speed, agility, grace, and foresight, rather than just brute strength. Unfortunately, his people can't see past magic.

Yet it was Loki's talent with his tongue that made him stand out. He took on a more diplomatic role, which is not favored among Æsir. Diplomats liked dealing with Loki as opposed to Thor for obvious reasons, but they would always praise Thor, because Loki would out think them at every turn, giving favor to the Æsir and distribute power to whoever he saw fit. Loki would have made a wise and fair king, but he knew the people of the court would never follow him, and also because it was Thor's birthright that gave him the title of crown prince. He knew Loki would be hurt by being passed over and for the truth of his true parentage; he discovered so harshly. He just never thought it would come to this. His eye found Sigyn's as he listened to her testimony to spare Loki's life.

"Loki and I have been lovers for over a century," Sigyn said ignoring the gasp of indignation and surprise.

"Loki chose to keep our relationship secret, because he feared the backlash against me. He cared not for the attacks against himself that would undoubtedly come," she accused.

"I know the crimes for which Loki is accused of. Yes they are terrible and I don't condone his conduct of the subjugation of Midgard, but this is the first true time Loki has acted out. While Loki is prone to mischief, he never did anything malicious other than make those who think they above him feel foolish, or a prank with no lasting damages other than to your pride," she let those words sink in before continuing.

"Can you say that for others who have time and time again started battles and fights for the sake of personal glory?"

More gasps were heard. Everyone knew Sigyn spoke of Thor, and his short temper that had led them into many unnecessary battles, and loss of life. Thor knew it as well, but he didn't mind because it was true, he was arrogant. Others however didn't share her notions, by coming up with the only defense they had.

"He let the Frost Giants in that ruined the coronation of our new king, and got him banished!"

"He tried to steal the throne and kill Thor," Sif spat venomously, but Sigyn turned to Sif and quickly retorted.

"If Loki wanted to get rid of Thor don't you think he would have come up with a far more elaborate plan? You've known him for centuries, when has he ever come up with an ill-considered plan?"

"But-" Sif started.

"Loki never does anything without a purpose. And as far as Thor's banishment goes; nobody told him to ride off to Jotunheim, and ignite a millennium old blood war."

"If Loki hadn't ruined the coronation, we wouldn't have needed to go to Jotunheim," Sif argued with many agreeing with her.

"A coronation was a petty excuse for any crown prince to go to another realm and start making threats," she yelled passionately.

"A king must be above such pettiness, something Prince Thor was clearly not. Where would Asgard be if for every time someone insulted him he ignites a riot?"

Sif had no answer for the woman, because it was true she had seen it herself. Thor started a fight over being called a 'princess.' She had overlooked it many times before but to be confronted and called on it she had no argument that could excuse Thor's actions.

Thor stood there smiling at Sigyn's insight on his past behavior; if the woman put Sif in her place he could only imagine how Loki handled her barbs.

"I don't know what happened to Loki before taking up the throne. However, what I do know is some of you actually thought he was doing something right, by destroying Jotunheim, and you couldn't care less about Midgard. As I said before, I don't condone what he's done, but I think you all are forgetting one key piece of evidence that no one asked or didn't care too," she told the court coolly.

"What happened after he fell into the void? Loki was missing a whole year and none of you asked him. What did he see? Who did he encounter? What happened over that span of one year?" she said passionately fighting for her love.

"What made a man who is profoundly intelligent turn to madness? Who or what drove him to go this far?"

Thor like many others took in the council's reaction to Sigyn, and he could tell they were considering what she said.

Sigyn nodded to Odin and immediately pivoted to see some angry stares and some curious ones as well. She only hoped she got through to the council to forestall their final verdict. Upon returning to her seat she saw one of Midgardian's heroes standing. He was too quick for his fellow warriors to catch him. He was known as the Man of Iron who she got to know over the last few days. He reminded her of Loki. She only hoped he could speak like him as well.

Tony Stark, also known as Iron Man, took center stage in the Golden Hall. He turned back to look at the angry faces of Fury, Clint and Natasha, which promised him pain. The confused face of Steve's and the resolved look on Bruce's. Bruce understood Tony's reasoning. He also took in the faces of the Asgardian crowd. They looked pissed, but Tony was no stranger to pissing people off. He looked to Thor, who looked like he wanted to lift him into a bone crushing hug. He mentally made a note to avoid Thor after this.

"If I may your majesty?" he asked.