Chapter Text
Thor grunted as the carriage unexpectedly rolled over another bump in the road. He glanced at his uncle, who seemed unconcerned but the jostling motion. As they slowly made their way up the mountains to the nearest town he grew more nervous. He felt restless and wanted to get out of the carriage to pace.
“If you run you will only prove your own doubts.“ Thor looked at him in surprise. They had been quite for most of the trip.
“I know I must, but I fear-I feel apprehensive. “ He said after a moment.
“That is only natural. You know the reason your father thought it best that you come here.”
“He fears I will hurt my brother.”
“Is he right?”
“No! At least I do not think so.”
“That doubt is the reason you must come even if you do not want to, even if it frightens you, and even if your judgment tells you not to come.”
“And then there is audit,” he sighed. He hated paperwork and tediousness.
“Yes, we are here for more than your journey of self-discovery. Remember, we must conduct ourselves with discretion while investigating.”
“Is that the reason for the disguise?” He tugged at the dark locks now on his head. His reflection still startled him.
“Yes. Unfortunately, in order to reach the truth we must be dishonest ourselves.”
“It is almost dark. We're we going to be staying?”
“It does not matter where, as long as it's secured or can be secured.”
“We should have brought guards.”
“That would have drawn attention to us and put us in danger. As it stands we are conducting an audit but it will appear that we do not care. It is only during this time that we are safe. This game will only last a little while but that will serve us long enough to ascertain what kind of falseness to look for.”
“So I am disguised as my errors. Loki would be in tears from laughter if he could see me now.” A silence descended upon them.
“Have you spoken to him?” Vil asked after a moment.
“Only at court, he has avoided me. I will not lie, I have not sought about either.”
“You will need to speak with him. He is your brother. It saddens me to see you drift apart after you grew so close.”
“I must wait uncle. If I cannot be at the brother he deserves that perhaps it is best.”
The driver of the carriage knocked on their compartment. They would soon be in the village and stopping for the night. When he exited the carriage outside of the inn, he quickly realized he would need to reign in his responses. All around him were Jotnar. By contrast his uncle seemed at ease, even happy.
Thor watch a little girl walk down the street, she was dressed as any other that he had seen the capital. To his left a group of boys played. He recognized the game. He had played it with his brother when they were boys.
His stomach twisted. What he would've done…what he had said...and yet he could still feel the revulsion. He went to sleep without eating dinner.
In the morning they set off again. Vil was occupied reading from several books, logs and records. Thor tried to preoccupy himself with the task but could not concentrate. Instead he looked out the window.
“That is a city.” He uttered with surprise as the carriage entered the city limits. He had not expected to encounter the towering spires that looked back at him and bustling streets. He had imagined poorly constructed villages and unrest.
“What did you expect?” Vil asked in amusement though his own expression was awed.
“I think it is best if I say nothing. If I'm wrong with one thing, I'll be wrong on more. It is best if I first learn and address any preconceptions that I have.” Vil looked pleased at his response.
“That is a good strategy. I hope that you learn much and that things become clear to you shortly. This is more than simply addressing your misconceptions. You and these people share a common heritage. You do yourself a disservice if you simply cast it aside.”
“Where will we be starting?” He craned his neck up as one of the towers appeared to go on for miles. Logically he knew the palace was taller and more impressive. It had been quite some time since he had felt small.
“We are headed to the municipal offices. There we will request a meeting with the city’s leader. Your father has provided several letters that will allow us to begin the audit. Do not think that you will only be going over paperwork for the foreseeable future.
“I need you to venture out into the city. There will be places they do not want us to see. They will put restrictions around us and you must work your way around. This is a twofold effort.”
“Do you expect for me to have any help? I saw the look on these people’s faces.”
“Don't worry about that. Odin can be ruthless but he also can be quick to gain friends. You are here is your father’s son or at least the man he disguised himself as. You will need to find certain people. It is not crucial to do this -“
“But it will make things easier.”
“Exactly.”
“Uncle Vil, why don’t you serve at court like Uncle Ve does?” Vil smiled.
“I had no grand ambitions. I am the youngest son. As I grew older I decided a life at court is not something that interested me. I still wish to serve Asgard but without the pomp and circumstance that my rank would merit if I had served at a high court. I have the luxury of choice and anonymity because of my age and name.
“By the time I grew up there was no need for me to prove myself. Odin and Ve had shown that they were more than capable of ruling. I did not have the entire court or country’s interest in my actions. I was freer to do as I wished. So I chose to serve at a lower court. Few people know I am noble, much less the son of the former king.”
“A worthy ambition.” He said and his hand drifted to his belt. Mjolnir did not reside there. Vil’s expression softened.
“You will gain it back.”
“Father did not trust me with her.” He said. “Mother did not protest it.”
“Perhaps it is for the best. Even if you do address these…views you are still prone to anger quickly, Thor.” Thor ducked his head. “We do not need you destroying the buildings here in a fit of pique with Mjolnir even if you did not mean it.”
“Are you not afraid I will murder someone?”
“I have a higher estimation for you than that Thor.”
“I do not.” Thor uttered miserably. He gave his uncle a rueful smile. “Do you know that I would have slaughtered all the Jotnar? I would have done it as my first act as king. I would have rid the Realms of their stain.” Vil hid his reaction, and for that Thor was grateful.
“I did not. That is why we are here. To address those kinds of thoughts and remarks.” He cleared his throat. “You may not find you have much in common with them but that can be said to be true with any people.” The carriage dipped in a pothole in the road.
“There is much wanting here.” Thor grumbled as the carriage steadied itself. “There would never be such holes in the capital.” He glanced at the passing scenery. The buildings were well cared for but not immaculate, he could see various attempts at repairs on buildings from average wear and tear. “The coffers are more than plump enough to address a hole in a road, to address the fact that the road is unpaved at all.”
“That is exactly what we are seeking to address. You must be ready to act on these concerns. You will be their king. The question is are you ready to serve them as they deserve?”
Thor looked at him fiercely. “I will.”
“In time.” Vil added. Thor slumped. It was true. If he uttered the phrase a thousand times over it would be meaningless without change.
Vil nodded at him. “We are not royalty here; we are barely more than well entrenched in the bureaucracy of Asgard. You are starting to work with me, as my nephew.”
“Nepotism.” He muttered with distaste.
“Yes.” He grinned. “There will always be nepotism in our Realm, Thor. You know this.”
“Our ranks are almost always blood based.”
“Yes, lineage will determine who is the governor of a province. It will be bound to one or two families.”
“However that is not excuse for incompetence and unworthiness. The majority of our positions are not inherited. There was a time where even the ruling families could be displaced if there was no suitable heir.”
“Grandfather?” Thor asked.
“Yes. Father was a harsh man; he did not play favorites often. He was soft in only one regard, Mother.”
“Loki said that he did not think he was a nice man or fair to you all from Grandmother’s journals.”
“He is correct.” Vil replied. “Father would have been happier without children. He would have provided them to Mother because she wanted them. I do not think he would have lived an unhappy life if we had not been born. Father only had children because it was required of him as King.”
Thor frowned. He did not like the idea. Father and Mother had wanted children, or so they said. In reality had he been conceived because Father required an heir?
“I know that look. You were wanted Thor-“
“Mother did not.”
“Your parents always wanted children. Their childlessness haunted them at every turn when they tried. You are wanted and loved. Your mother-“
“Mother has addressed it.” he said. “I am still hurt but I do not doubt her love for me.”
Vil nodded. “That is good. Never forget that.” His expression turned vacant. “You would know if you were unwanted or born as we were. Father loved us; do not think that he did not. He never showed much affection for us. It was clear he did not want us though he tried not to show it for all his harshness.
“If he had been the same way with Mother then I could have accepted it easier. When Father was with Mother, and only her, he was a different man.”
Thor nodded. He had never felt like that. His mood felt somewhat lighter. They arrived to the municipal offices; he exited. The guards, all of the Aesir, he realized, glanced at him with suspicion. Uncle Vil entered without preamble, Thor followed. The carriage went off. The driver, trusted and vetted by Uncle Vil, would stay with them for the majority of the journey.
The building looked like many others in the kingdom he had been to, save for the fact that its doors permitted entry to taller individuals. He remained silent as Vil gained them an audience with the city’s leader. It was a slow process, his uncle showed absolutely no annoyance at the wait.
It took over two hours to meet with the local lord, a minor nobleman. When he spoke Thor had the urge to punch him. He exuded arrogance. When he spoke to them, in a condescending and patronizing manner, Thor knew this would not be an easy task for them. He let his uncle speak, and tried to control his temper.
The preliminary audit proceeded slowly. Uncle Vil sent out a message to the capital with his initial findings. He had sent out a decoy meant for interception as well. When the security measures had shown it had been read an hour after it had been sent out.
Thor spent his first week drowned in paperwork. After they had decided how to approach and analyze the information, Thor began venturing into the city gathering information that his uncle deemed necessary. On the eighth day Vil worked a few hours in the morning, urging Thor enjoy the day of relaxation.
“I am done with paperwork!” Vil announced as he entered their suites. Thor looked up from where he had been reading.
“Done, uncle?” Vil sighed.
“At least for today and the better part of tomorrow.” He grumbled.
“This is quite tedious.” Thor agreed and stood. He stretched. “We have not even started.” He complained. “It will take ages.”
“Yes.” He yawned. “Come, let us enjoy the fine weather today. It feels like I have not seen sunlight for a century.” Thor nodded. “Are you ready for to eat?”
“Certainly. I am getting peckish.” They ventured into the streets. Thor saw the Jotnar and said nothing. They simply moved across the streets as any Aesir. He almost startled when he saw the mixed couples.
They found a crowded shop. Thor wanted to head elsewhere but Vil went in with an oblivious air about him as he talked about a ridiculous case he had encountered. Thor grumbled and entered after him. Thor felt uncomfortable. The Jotnar did not even glance at him.
Vil took care of acquiring them a seat. Thor allowed him to order for him. The content and casual environment around them eventually relaxed him. Thor laughed at Vil’s next tale. It seemed court was still a ridiculous affair regardless of where it was held.
When their food arrived Thor was surprised by its taste. Vil laughed at his expression. “You have been neglecting part of your heritage, nephew.” He grinned. “Enjoy the taste of our heritage.”
Thor swallowed. “This is very good.” he agreed. “Why have we not had it at home?”
“Unfortunately not all food is compatible with the Aesir palate.”
“The sweets.” Thor murmured.
“Yes. Your mother was not taken with them for a reason.” Thor nodded. Wondering what other differences he had never noticed. He wondered to how much he was blind to and thought normal for Aesir.
“Now, you must try my dish. It is exquisite.” Thor agreed; it was delicious. He looked at the Jotnar; no one paid them heed. He was the odd one out here.
He wondered if this is how Loki felt at times. Loki…