The First Thousand Years

Chapter 1: Loki's first trick

"Why am I different?" He asked through tear stained eyes. Looking at him like this was heartbreaking. His blue eyes had always seemed to shine in an almost luminescent way against his pale skin and the tears made them seem to sparkle. Anyone could see he looked nothing like his brother. He was much smaller than his brother and almost all the boys his age but Loki hadn't realized it yet and she wanted to preserve his innocence as long as she could.'No not just that she thought...' Looking down at the tiny child at her side she realized, she wanted Loki to be hers. She wanted to lie to herself as well. He was different yes. Just as she had been. Just as her mother had been. A proficiency for magic had always run in her blood and although they weren't blood related, he shared her talent and in turn her isolation. She loved her son Thor with all her heart but he was much more like his father than her. He was rowdy, energetic and outgoing (all the things that had charmed her about Odin in there youth), while Loki was more contemplative and shy. Frigga sighed and with one motion of her arm she swept him into her lap and cuddled him to her. She decided the truth was best.

"You are different and sometimes that's hard but it can also be a gift. You'll think differently too so you'll see things others don't. You'll understand and experience things they cannot. It might be hard for you now but one day you'll be glad of it." She paused a moment then gently ran her hand along his jaw slightly lifting his head so she could look in his eyes. "in the meantime you'll always have me and I'll always love you just the way you are." Loki smiled and cuddled closer to her. "so tell me what brought this on?"

Loki was quiet for a moment."She called me a freak."He whispered. She instantly knew who he spoke of and made note to talk to her later. He didn't meet his mothers eyes. "Thor is so good at all there games...I just wanted to win just once." He looked up at her earnestly. "I'm sorry. I know I'm not supposed to use my magic on my friends..." Frigga felt a tinge of worry remembering a few pranks that had gone wrong in her own youth.

"what did you..." she began but just then there was a banging as a small yellow and brown creature burst through the door. Followed by another slightly taller one.

"I demand retribution!" The smaller creature cried. The larger one just laughed. The small creature glared at the larger one."It's not funny Thor! He cheated!" She cred angrily.

"What's this all about?"Frigga asked slightly amused now.

"We were racing..." Loki began. " I used a quick water spell to make a big mud puddle and another to make it sticky...it was supposed to be for Thor...not Sif"

"and now I'm covered in mud that won't come off and took forever to get out of!" Thor began to laugh again.

"You should have seen her she kept falling down and getting her face stuck!" Sif clenched her tiny fists and she shot Thor a seething look. Then turned it on Loki who slid off his mothers lap. He approached Sif with his head bowed sheepishly. He took off his cloak and whispered "þvó vatn*" to it.

He reached out a hand to wipe Sif's face but she backed away.

"I'm sorry... I can fix it." He handed her the cloak. "this will wash it off." She snatched his cloak and wiped herself down. Magical water seemed to continually flow to it for no matter how many times she wrung it out or wiped mud on it it stayed clean and moist. She handed it to Thor. She turned her back to them both and began to walk away. Thor didn't notice but Loki heard her whisper "I'll win next time. Tricks or not." Loki hung his head and winced as the golden door slammed shut.

Thor looked at the door then at Loki. Then he smiled mischievously. He hugged Loki slathering him in the sticky mud. Loki couldn't help but smile and playfully pushed Thor to the ground. Then disappeared. Thor laughed then glanced around. "Loki?" Just then Loki appeared behind him and slammed a large clump of mud in Thor's face.

"Gotcha!" He yelled triumphantly and was quite pleased with himself until a swift kick to the back of his knees made him crumple. Thor pounced on top of him holding him down.

"Thor is victorious!" Loki sneered and disappeared again. Appearing in front of Thor this time. Thor clapped. "that was a great trick Loki!"

"you like it?" Loki asked delighted.

"do it again!" Thor said excitedly. Loki complied and the two of them spent the rest of the night playing and forgetting the trouble of the day.