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[Loki can feel himself being stared at from across the room. He stands abruptly, Gugnir in hand, and turns. Upon seeing who it is, his grip relaxes slightly.]

What troubles you, Mother?

[She steps forward, but not all too close to him.] Something does not feel right, my son.

[His eyes search her face, for all the world like a son concerned for his mother.]

What is it that does not feel right?

[He takes a step forward, one arm out to beckon her into a protective embrace.]

Within Asgard. It is as if... something is off balance. [She welcomes his embrace.] Loki, I do not like this.

[He gently takes his mother into his arms. For once, he is his mother's protector; the only thing that stands in between the queen, his family - all of Asgard - and oblivion. He feels a swell of pride in his chest.]

We must put it to rights then, Mother. We must steer this kingdom as its captains in the safest direction we can find.

[She pulls back slightly, to stare up at him.] You are the king of Asgard, my son; I am nothing but your humble servant.

[And now he feels the flap of butterflies in his stomach. He'd thought about being a king before, of course, of ruling over all of Asgard, caring for everyone and everything... even his own family. But it sounds strange for his daydreams to be true quite like this. He realizes that he could never have pictured his own mother calling herself his "servant" before now. He shakes his head.]

You will never be a servant to me. You are still my mother, and I know your wisdom like few others. No suggestion or order of yours could ever be ignored.

[She dips her head slightly.] Thank you, Loki.

[He tilts her chin upwards gently, trying not to look nervous.]

Please do not bow, Mother. You are no less of a queen now than you ever were.

[He has no plans to appear weak before his mother; this is his time to prove himself, and he would die before allowing her to doubt him again. But it's also important to show as much caring for his worried mother as possible. He will not be shown to be inconsiderate and cruel like Thor.]

Our soldiers are being called forth as we speak. Things will feel less off-balance when we are ready to defend ourselves against Jotunheim.

[Not that they'll have much of a chance to attack. Loki will see to that.]

[Her gaze darkens slightly, and gazes questioningly at her youngest son.] And how do you feel about... defending Asgard from Jotunheim, now that you know your true heritage?

[His expression changes very slightly, his eyes taking on a harder look and his jaw setting.]

They are not my people. They never were. I would that Asgard believed that as I do.

[Not that he's at all sure if he believes it himself. He's not sure what to believe yet; all he can do is make sure that no one else sees him waver. He cannot afford to look weak, not while he has this chance to make things right.]

[She touches his face gently.] Asgard could not ask for a better king in this moment of need. [She makes it so that her words do not come out chocked. Loki truly was doing everything for his people, and not simply rushing headfirst into battle, as Thor might have.] Your father would be so proud.

[He feels something squeezing at his heart. He feels a knot in his throat and quickly swallows it.]

Do you think so? I do not know if he would approve of me on the throne of Asgard anyway...

[Loki can feel himself being stared at from across the room. He stands abruptly, Gugnir in hand, and turns. Upon seeing who it is, his grip relaxes slightly.]

What troubles you, Mother?

[She steps forward, but not all too close to him.] Something does not feel right, my son.

[His eyes search her face, for all the world like a son concerned for his mother.]

What is it that does not feel right?

[He takes a step forward, one arm out to beckon her into a protective embrace.]

Within Asgard. It is as if... something is off balance. [She welcomes his embrace.] Loki, I do not like this.

[He gently takes his mother into his arms. For once, he is his mother's protector; the only thing that stands in between the queen, his family - all of Asgard - and oblivion. He feels a swell of pride in his chest.]

We must put it to rights then, Mother. We must steer this kingdom as its captains in the safest direction we can find.

[She pulls back slightly, to stare up at him.] You are the king of Asgard, my son; I am nothing but your humble servant.

[And now he feels the flap of butterflies in his stomach. He'd thought about being a king before, of course, of ruling over all of Asgard, caring for everyone and everything... even his own family. But it sounds strange for his daydreams to be true quite like this. He realizes that he could never have pictured his own mother calling herself his "servant" before now. He shakes his head.]

You will never be a servant to me. You are still my mother, and I know your wisdom like few others. No suggestion or order of yours could ever be ignored.

[She dips her head slightly.] Thank you, Loki.

[He tilts her chin upwards gently, trying not to look nervous.]

Please do not bow, Mother. You are no less of a queen now than you ever were.

[He has no plans to appear weak before his mother; this is his time to prove himself, and he would die before allowing her to doubt him again. But it's also important to show as much caring for his worried mother as possible. He will not be shown to be inconsiderate and cruel like Thor.]

Our soldiers are being called forth as we speak. Things will feel less off-balance when we are ready to defend ourselves against Jotunheim.

[Not that they'll have much of a chance to attack. Loki will see to that.]

[Her gaze darkens slightly, and gazes questioningly at her youngest son.] And how do you feel about... defending Asgard from Jotunheim, now that you know your true heritage?

[His expression changes very slightly, his eyes taking on a harder look and his jaw setting.]

They are not my people. They never were. I would that Asgard believed that as I do.

[Not that he's at all sure if he believes it himself. He's not sure what to believe yet; all he can do is make sure that no one else sees him waver. He cannot afford to look weak, not while he has this chance to make things right.]

[She touches his face gently.] Asgard could not ask for a better king in this moment of need. [She makes it so that her words do not come out chocked. Loki truly was doing everything for his people, and not simply rushing headfirst into battle, as Thor might have.] Your father would be so proud.

[He feels something squeezing at his heart. He feels a knot in his throat and quickly swallows it.]

Do you think so? I do not know if he would approve of me on the throne of Asgard anyway...