Loki's Redemption

Chapter 45

Loki is once again standing in the council room with Shelia and Thor. He listens as the council and his brother goes over their reasoning for him to be king yet again. It doesn’t take long before he gets tired of listening to them. “Enough!” He shouts. “You said there may be another option?”

The eldest councilman responds, “According to the texts if a successor cannot be chosen a regent can be appointed for the interim.”

“Great, then we can be done with this nonsense,” Loki smiles.

For the first time, the youngest looking councilman speaks, “it is the councils decision that Loki Laufeyson be appointed regent, overseeing the rule of the realm of Jotunheim until the rightful successor to the throne of Laufey takes his place.”

Thor grins as Loki scowls, “you cannot be serious!”

“The decision of the council is final.”

“And if I refuse?”

“You cannot refuse. If you do not accept this post the Jotunheim will fall farther into ruin.”

Loki knows he has little choice and so he reluctantly accepts the appointment. “I want this settled immediately. Find a successor,” he demands.

“The successorship has been settled. All that must be settled is when he will take the throne,” the elder council member states ever patiently.

Loki glares and fights to keep his voice calm, “I know what you are doing. You think you can wear me down, make me feel a sense of responsibility for this realm so that I will agree to be King.”

The council members stare back at him blankly as Thor chuckles, “let’s go Loki. There is much to do tomorrow. We should enjoy tonight before you begin your new duties.”

Loki huffs out a response and grabs Shelia’s hand pulling her from the room. She flashes a smile to Thor and back at the council as she follows her lover out.

It is morning and Loki is sitting in a large office looking over a stack of documents. “You. What is your name?” He asks of the young Jotun standing near his desk.

“Jaril, sir.”

“And what is your job here Jaril?”

“I am here to assist you in any manner you deem necessary.”

“I see.” Loki picks several pages from the bottom of the stacks, “some of these date back for years. How is it that none of this has been dealt with?”

“Farbaute was not interested in such things.  There is a large backlog of documents, disputes and other legal matters to review.”

“And there is no other who can do this?”

“It has always fallen to the King or Queen.”

Loki continues to shuffle through the piles of documents feeling dismayed by the sheer amount of work that must be done. He sighs and rubs his hand across his face, “I will need a team of assistants. Scholars,” he amends. “I want these documents reviewed thoroughly.  I am sure there are many that are outdated and have either been resolved or become irrelevant. Many others will need updating.  Of those that remain, I want them updated, sorted and organized by topic and need. Next week we will begin addressing these issues.”

“Yes sir.”

The next day Loki is once again in the office. There is a new stack of papers on his desk. “What are these?” He asks Jaril.

“These documents have been marked for special handling. They are all dealing with art and education.” 

“I see the need for these documents to be addressed with priority, however I feel there are more pressing needs, based on what I have seen so far.” What he doesn’t say is that he is surprised that the Jotun even had provisions for such matters.

“Of course sir. However, these documents have been set aside for your consort.”

Loki doesn’t try to hide his surprise, “for Shelia?”

“Yes sir. Education and the arts typically fall to the consort of the ruling King or Queen.”

The god smirks, “please have Shelia brought here, I would have her begin her duties immediately.” If she is so set on Loki being King, let her learn first hand what will be required of her, of them both.