Title: Rune Mage: Declarations and Messengers
Author: Yami no Kaiba
Fandom: Thor
Rating: PG
Pairing: Thor/Loki
Length: 2, 046 words

Summary: It's all well and good Loki won the battle, but now there's the issue of an impending war. Luckily, Loki's not called the Trickster of Jotunheim for nothing.
Disclaimers: Marvel Comics and any of its subsidiaries/partners owns the personality-characters and the conceptual universe they exist in. (Mythology of course owns the characters themselves.) I'm borrowing them for light fun and fan purposes that have nothing to do with earning anything.

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Previous: Meeting

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Loki did not know how long he crouched there, frowning at the still body relaxed and sleeping in the snow, and the hand that had blushed briefly Aesir pink at the contact with the man's skin. But it must have been some time, for all was quite but for the howling winds as the snow crunched under the massive weight of his second brother, Helblindi. The full-blooded Jotun stopped a good distance away - a habit all Jotun had fallen into that had regular interaction with the Aesir-sized Prince.

"Hail, Brother."

"Hail to you as well, Brother," he replied in greeting, standing from his crouch and brushing the gathered snow off of his armor. "How goes the battle?"

"The Aesir have fled back to Asgard along the Bifrost, like snow bears licking their wounds. But... What is this? You've slain one of them?"

"No, and it is a good thing I have not - we may still be able to stop this war Brother Byleistr with his flapping tongue has unwittingly instigated."

"You know as well as I he only wishes to prove his mettle as a man to Mother," his brother replied, attempting to soothe Loki's ire.

An attempt that worked, as Loki's tensed shoulders drooped. "Aye, I know. As well you know I don't suffer foolish actions gladly."

A large blue finger rocked him on his feet. "Oh, Brother, everyone in the Nine Realms that has heard your name knows that," he nearly sang in a teasing tone, and Loki couldn't help the smile that briefly twisted his lips.

But the smile was quickly chased away again by the troubled frown, as he retrieved his cloak and laid it out over the prone body. "Can you take us to Honored Mother?"

"It would be my pleasure," Helblindi crouched and carefully scooped them and a layer of the snow underneath to cradle to his chest. "Comfortable?"

Swaying with the motion, Loki nodded. "Yes. Thank you, Brother."

Helblindi nodded the smallest bit as he turned and walked to the gathering of survivors at the foot of the ruined Temple.

The ensuing argument there was easy enough to hear as they rounded one of the fallen pillars to exit onto one of the few cleared pathways in the Temple City.

"But Mother, I truly did forget -"

"That you think *I* of all people would believe that you *simply forgot* that the Aesir are gender conscious is preposterous, Byleistr! I was there to hear the intonation of your words! You meant it as an insult, and the young Odinson took it as one! Now, explain yourself!"

They rounded the downed wall of an auxiliary temple building in time to see the contrite look turn mulish on their brother's face. "I wished to honorably duel the Prince of Asgard to first blood. For who is more worthy for my Coming of Age ceremonial combat than a Prince of another Realm?"

A heavy sigh came from the Matriarch, casting ice crystals into the air. "Son," Laufey whispered, leaning forward from her seat on the steps to hold Byleistr's shoulder and squeeze. "The Aesir know not our ways, and even if they did, they would not abide by them. For in their eyes, Jotunheim and the rest of the eight worlds under Asgard are beneath them - and as far as the path of Yggdrasil is concerned, they are correct."

"But we are ALL children of the Great Ash! Have they forgotten this? Why should they be allowed to disregard the laws of the other Realms as they please?!"

"I have no time to discuss the niceties of social conduct with you, Byleistr. We must find Odin's child before the All-Father comes with armies either to collect the boy or lay waste to our people in retribution. Without the power of the Casket of Ancient Winters, we have not recovered from the Great War as fast or as completely as they have, as this sacred ground itself can attest."

"Fear not, Honored Mother," Loki raised his voice, catching the attention of Laufey, Byleistr, and the surviving Priestly Guardians of the Temple City. "With Brother Helblindi's help, we have brought the Prince of Asgard here to you," Loki bowed his head to Laufey, and turned his eyes on Byleistr. "However... If I am not being untoward, Great Mother, my Brother Byleistr has a legitimate concern, one I have seen with my own eyes and troubles now my heart and mind."

Laufey's hands clenched in frustration, but with another heavy sigh released the pent up emotion. "Then we have the time. I would hear your worries, Loki."

Helblindi set his handful down before their Mother, and Loki took a step forward to state his case. "The Aesir hold the Realm of Asgard, but with that holding they have responsibilities to all the Realms cradled in the arms of Yggdrasil. Responsibilities only the All-Father seems to remember and abide by. The Aesir travel and make adventure in the other Realms, but as Byleistr has noted, *they disregard the laws* of those Realms. This degradation cannot continue, or there will be war greater than any before - even the Dvarves of Nidavellir, the Aesir's smiths for arms, shout over their drinks of the arrogant Aesir.

"While Brother instigated the fight, it was the Son of Asgard that struck the first blow - and here is the problem, for in doing so the Peace Accord we've reached with Asgard is broken by Aesir Royalty. The House of Odin started a war with us, over an *insult*. The arrogance of their youth will be the downfall of the Realms if it is not checked!"

Byleistr looked pleased at this call, stroking the shaft of his prized axe while the Guardians murmured agreement and negation both.

"Jotunheim cannot afford another war this soon, Loki," Laufey intoned calmly, red eyes dead steady on his.

"I agree wholeheartedly," Loki emphasized with a wave of his hand. "We are, as ever, ready to fight if we must, but as you said to Byleister and myself, we cannot afford to war with Asgard at this time. However, there are laws even the Aesir still recognize, and I propose we use this to the Nine Realms', and by conjunction Jotunheim's, end."

Laufey set her elbows on her knees, steepling her hands and leaning forward. "I see you have a course of action in mind already. I should not be surprised that you live up to your title as the Trickster of Jotunheim, and yet still the emotion moves."

Loki felt himself smile brightly. "I do try, Mother."

"Yes, you do. Now tell me these plans of yours, so that your Brothers and I know our part to play in your grand scheme."

"It begins, of course, with a messenger - I do believe Brother Helblindi will do well in this role..."

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Helblindi, feeling silly but trusting in his Brother's plan, stood where he'd seen the Bifrost rend the sky and ground to sweep the fleeing Aesir away to Asgard. Taking a deep breath to chase the embarrassment away, he straightened his shoulders, and threw his head back to roar to the empty sky. "Heimdall! Guardian of the Bifrost! He who sees and hears best of all the Aesir! I am Helblindi Laufeyjarson, Second Prince of Jotunheim, Axesmasher, Gravemaker! I have been sent by King Laufey Naljarson, Ruler of Jotunheim, Matriarch of the Jotun to deliver a message to and await reply from King Odin Borson, Ruler of Asgard, All-Father of the Aesir!"

Helblindi waited, trying to swallow his impatience. Loki had cautioned him he might have to wait hours, as the Aesir would no doubt bicker the wisdom of accepting a messenger from a race they were on the eve of war with.

But Loki had seemed so sure that they *would* accept him, so he stood there in the driving snow, and mentally recited the message he was to deliver.

Finally unearthly thunder cracked the sky, and white light swept him away to another Realm. When it was over, he blinked white lights out of his vision to be greeted by the sight of the Aesir that had fled Jotunheim, two small men that were taller than Loki, one with golden teeth and dusky skin, the other white-haired and golden armored.

The white-haired man leveled a spear in his direction, and it was only then Helblindi noticed the patch covering one eye. "Speak your message and then begone, messenger."

Helblindi shook his head in the negative. "I have been instructed to return your reply, King Odin. Once that is with in my possession, I will leave."

"You dare make demands here, foul one?" the blonde Aesir infiltrator scoffed.

"I do the bidding of my liege and Honorable Mother," he replied, keeping his eyes on the King. "Would you do less?"

The rebuke quieted the man, and Odin narrowed his eye in contemplation. "I would hear your message then, so I can make rejoinder."

"Very Good." He cleared his throat, shifting his stance just so to better intone the words with regal weight, "King Odin Borson, Ruler of Asgard, All-Father of the Aesir. I, King Laufey Naljarson, Ruler of Jotunheim, Matriarch of the Jotun, send you greetings and salutations on this stormy day between our people. The Peace Accords of the Great War between us have been broken by your son, Thor Odinson, Prince of Asgard, God of Thunder. While it is true he struck the first blow, with my own eyes and ears I witnessed the altercation, and find blame in both your son and my own. For while your son struck the blow that broke the Accord, it was at the provocation of my own son, Byliestr Laufeyjarson, Third Prince of Jotunheim, Teethrattler.

"In my elder years, I have not forgotten the heat of youth, and the passion that drives a young stripling to prove oneself a Warrior of the Realm. As such, I would not be adverse to overlooking this altercation as the blindness and passion of youth, should both parties be punished for the crime of shaming their Houses in public.

"However, there is another concern we must have words about in person, in regards to our first born sons and the Laws of the Great Ash.

"If you and an Honor Guard would cross the Bifrost, I, my sons and your own, will be waiting.

So speaks King Laufey Naljarson, Ruler of Jotunheim, Matriarch of the Jotun."

There was a weighted silence as the King considered the words.

"I see. Then take this message back to your mother, Helblindi Laufeyjarson," the old Aesir replied. "Well met, King Laufey Naljarson, Ruler of Jotunheim, Matriarch of the Jotun. I, King Odin Borson, Ruler of Asgard, All-Father of the Aesir, have heard your judgment of the situation, and having heard the testament of my routed subjects from your Realm, agree to the terms. The Peace Accords from the Great War between our people will stand, on condition of punishment to those responsible for threatening their standing. As to the other matter, I will be across the Bifrost within an hour's time with said Honor Guard to hear and discuss this unknown matter involving our first born sons and the invoking of the Laws of Yggdrasil.

"So says I, King Odin Borson, Ruler of Asgard, All-Father of the Aesir."

Helblindi nodded acknowledgement of the words as he took them to memory, fighting down the relief of war averted. "I have your reply, King of Asgard. If your Bridge Guardian would now send me back, my Family will prepare for your arrival."

At a nod from Odin, the Aesir of the dusky skin stepped forward to place his sword in the pedestal at the center of the room. Snow glare flared with an accompanying thunder, and Helblindi was once more whisked away from one Realm to another.

Deposited back on Jotunheim's snow covered lands, Helblindi came face to face with his Mother and Brothers both, and the still sleeping Aesir Prince. Mother raised a haughty brow. At the entreaty for information, Helblindi repeated King Odin's message.

Loki smiled like an arctic fox, and clapped his hands together. "Excellent. Then onto the next part of this little drama, shall we?"

--TBC

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Next: Walking Beside Giants