A/N: This was originally written a few months ago on my Tumblr blog following a drabble prompt request. I do quite like it though, so I'm posting it here.


Frigga's maternal instinct was second to none. While others could not tell when Loki was happily hiding himself away and when he was upset and hiding, Frigga could. It was this sense that sent the Allmother dashing through the halls of Asgard, searching the nooks and crannies, under the tables, in the library.

"Loki? Loki, where are you?" She called as she dashed through the halls, her blue dress flowing out behind her and, coupled with her eternal grace, giving the goddess a fluidity that a human in the same state of panic could only hope to slightly achieve.

Eventually, Frigga's sharp ears caught a tiny sound…a muffled sobbing of her son, trying his hardest not to cry and failing. She sighed, relieved to know Loki was okay but her heart sinking at his small sobs. She followed the sound to the window, pulling the curtain back. There was Loki, hunched up behind the curtain, sitting upon the window sill, crying. He quickly rubbed his eyes on the back of his sleeve, muttering a small "I wasn't crying!" in defense, before looking up to see his mother.

"Oh…" He said, looking down again.

Frigga smiled to him, coming to sit down next to him on the window sill.

"Oh indeed. What has caused these tears, hm?" She asked, pulling an arm around Loki and bringing him close. The young god seemed to look up to check no one was looking, before relaxing and snuggling into his mother.

"…I…I can't fight. I keep losing! Thor fights well with a hammer, Volstagg with an axe, Fandral is quick with a rapier and Hogun can destroy all the dummies on the training ground with his mace. And Sif…she is so good with a sword, she tries so hard and it pays, but when I try, no matter how hard…" Loki worked himself up again and started crying, clinging to Frigga's dress and burying his face in its folds. Frigga pulled him in closer, rubbing a hand on his back.

"Well, little one, you just need to find your weapon. Not all weapons are of blades and metal." The Allmother said.

Loki looked up, a frown creasing his pale and now red-blotched face.

"That's what people who can't fight say…" He said glumly, "You're just saying that to cheer me up."

"Loki Odinson, are you calling your mother a liar?"

"N-No!"

"Well then…if you don't believe me, I shan't show you a special way to fight…not even Thor could master this." Frigga said, smiling as she saw Loki's distrust melt away to eagerness.

"Not even Thor?! But-But…but everyone says Thor is the best fighter, a natural! He can do everything well!"

"Not this. He got frustrated and gave up. Your father ended up taking him to learn to fight with physical weapons. But I have a feeling you will take to this as well as Thor took to hammers."

Loki's face fell again, looking glum.

"…I'm no good at anything though…I'm all clumsy and weak. I mean…" He shoved his arms out in front of him, looking at them accusingly. "Look at my arms. Look at them. They are weedy and small."

Frigga couldn't help but laugh at the little one's serious tone.

"You're only small yet! Do not be so eager to grow up! In the meantime…" Frigga stood up, turning to offer a hand to Loki. He took it, sliding off the windowsill to stand next to his mother. "You are good at many things, Loki. And I have a feeling you will be quite a natural at this." With her free hand, Frigga cast a small fire spell, which weaved its way into the shape of a dagger in her hand. Loki's eyes grew wide with awe.

"Magic?! You're going to teach me magic?! But hardly anyone in Asgard can master magic! The last master sorcerer was hundreds and hundreds of years ago!"

Frigga dismissed the spell, looking down at Loki and squeezing his hand.

"Well then…I believe we are due another!"