By Name Only

2)

      A/n: Turned sixteen today. I am so excited! Okay, back to the story.

    "When the saints we see
    Are all made of gold..."

    (Loki's POV)

    I sit, relaxed, with my back resting against the headboard of my bed, my nose buried in a book. A piece of Midgardian literature. Written by someone called Shakespeare, I believe. The walls surrounding me are a soft white, which compliments the gold color scheme of the objects in the room. A small golden table with a matching chair sits towards the center of the little chamber. To my right sits a mahogany vanity laden with a bowl, a pitcher of water, and a comb for my hair. A shimmering golden barrier prevents my escape.
 
  I am wearing a soft, green long-sleeved tunic, the color of which reminds me of the forests outside of the city of Asgard. A black vest rests over the tunic, and black trousers cover my long legs. Black, knee high boots protect my feet from the hard marble floor. My shoulder length, raven hair is loose, framing my pale, angular face in layers. My legs are out-stretched, crossed at the ankles in the same position they've been in for the past few hours.
 
  The sound of footsteps draws my attention from the book. Only when they stop outside my cell, do I bother to look up.
   
    I immediately regret it.
   
    Standing outside the barrier is the Crown Prince himself. The heir to Asgard's throne and the only one of us to win Odin's affection. The reason I am imprisoned here in the first place. My supposedly older brother.
   
    Thor.
   
    Sighing quietly, I mark my page and close the book, placing it gently on the bed. I swing my legs over the side, and gracefully slide from the matress to approach the barrier. The floor of the cell is raised a few inches from the floor of the hallway, allowing me to look down at Thor. Which is satisfying, given that he is naturally a few inches taller than myself standing side by side. Thor looks up at me.
   
   "The Allfather has reached a decision as to your penalty."
   
    I raise an eyebrow, a silent signal for him to continue. He takes a breath.
   
    "You are to carry out your punishment on Midgard. I am to escort and monitor you to ensure that it is carried out properly. As a recompense for your slights against Midgard, you are to work with the Avengers until you have either redeemed yourself in their eyes or in the Allfather's. This is his final word on the matter."
   
    My other eyebrow rises.
   
    "That's the worst he can do? My, my, he's losing his touch," I sneer. But part of me is relieved. At least I don't have to waste away in this cell.
   
    Thor sighs through his nose. His face screams frustration, which I find immensely amusing. Pinching the bridge of his nose for a moment, he looks back up at me.
   
    "Are you at least going to come quietly?" he asks me cautiously. I snort in response.
    
    "You should know that answer better than anyone, brother."
   
    Thor rolls his sky blue eyes and motions politely to an Einherji to open the barrier. I take a few steps backwards and allow the guard to approach me with the shackles. The very idea what they think they can restrain me with mere chains is laughable. You cannot contain mischief. It's impossible.
   
    I do not voice this however, but simply hold out my wrists and let the Einherji attach the manacles. He steps behind me and takes hold of my lower bicep, guiding me through the open barrier and out of the dungeon. Thor follows behind us, looking as though he is trying to prevent me from escaping, when he is really just making a fool of himself. He is actually supposed to walk in front. The oaf.
   
    The Einherji and Thor escort me through the front door of the palace, and onto the main road. The townspeople send me sidelong glances and some full-on glares as I pass. My face is schooled into my court mask, the Asgardian equivalent of a  Midgardian poker-face. Just at a glance, one would say I look bored.
   
    And they wouldn't be wrong. This is incredibly dull. I am already accustomed to the hatred in the eyes of my peers here and I will only be met with the same on Midgard.
   
    Finally, we reach the Bï-fröst. Heimdall stands on the dais holding his sword and staring into space, his stance guarded and face vacant.
   
    The Einherji leads me to the portal and Thor nods to Heimdall. The Einherji steps back and Thor takes his place beside me. The Bi-frost begins to spin, and multi-colored light surrounds us, pulling us to Midgard.
   
    Let the punishment begin.