Pitchfork in the Road

                                    

                                          
There was very little that could pull Loki away from Sif's side. He  didn't dare step away for trivial matters, risking her waking up with  him gone. His heart wouldn't allow it. Staying vigilantly with her was  the least he could do after getting her into this mess, he owed her at  least that much. However, when the raven he had stationed at the  observatory delivered the news of Odin's return without of the company  of his sons, he felt compelled to address the matter personally and  immediately.
                          
"Why didn't you accompany them?" he said, arms held out questioningly, approaching the All-Father halfway up the Bifrost. 
                          
"You needn't worry," Odin said with only a brief glance. His steps  were slow and labored. "The pair is more than capable of completing the  task."
                          
Loki watched the withered king pass, curious. "That isn't my  concern." He then fell in step with him. "What if they draw attention to  themselves? SHIELD would be on them in a heartbeat."
                          
Odin kept his gaze forward. "I put a cloaking spell on them, masking even the heat their bodies radiate. They will be fine."
                          
Loki wanted to believe that but it was difficult to trust Odin's  waning judgment. The children were capable, yes, but they were restless  and excitable (possibly mad in a Fenrir's case) and Loki knew from  firsthand experience how easily a pair of wily youngsters could break  the rules and get into trouble. They were a recipe for chaos. The  All-Father should know this more than anyone.
                          
"Heimdall is keeping a close watch," Odin added.
                          
"Right," Loki forced a laugh. "Because that always kept Thor and I out of trouble."
                          
Odin turned slightly, raising a brow. "A valid point." He faced  forward again. "But my mind is still at ease. Ollerus does not strike me  as one who will fail a mission, especially not when his mother's health  is at stake."
                          
"It is not Ollerus I worry about," Loki said. "Fenrir is unstable." Again, something Odin should be more than aware of.
                          
"He was initially," Odin explained. "However he took to his brother  almost instantly, and that helped to tame him, just as I hoped it  would."
                          
An unexpected warmth blossomed in Loki's chest, forcing his concerns  to back down. He had hoped his sons would form a bond, he just hadn't  dare expect it for fear of disappointment. "Did Fenrir threaten you?" he  asked in a calmer voice.
                          
"As expected."
                          
"What other means did you use to tame him? You said Ollerus only helped."
                          
"I said he could hunt me," Odin stated. "And I meant it."
                          
Loki blinked, uncertain what to make of this. "Has your deteriorating condition made you suicidal?"
                          
"Ha." Odin blurted, amused. "You would like that, wouldn't you." Loki  opened his mouth to respond but Odin continued. "I said he could hunt  me. That does not promise him a kill."
                          
Studying the ancient being's distant gaze, Loki narrowed his eyes. It  seemed he couldn't predict any of Odin's actions of late. "Why would  you do that? You know what the prophecies say."
                          
"The prophecies..." Odin shook his head. There was still laughter in  his voice. "Fenrir will not be my demise. The prophecies are extinct.  Wiped out by the human's lack of belief. With their advances in science  came an infectious skepticism, one that is spreading into Asgard. Your  own brother has even lost faith."
                          
Well then, this too was unexpected. He knew Thor had developed doubts  since mingling with humans, but since when did Odin question the very  texts he contributed so much to? "I suppose Thor has his reasons," Loki  said, playing down his surprise. "Dissolving away in Jormungand's belly  is hardly a fate to aspire to."