Author's note: I woke up thinking about the story, so there's apparently more to come. We're entering into flashback territory - I'd say a majority of the story will be set in the past, with bits of the present coming into play from time to time. Hope you like it!

Once more, I don't own these characters. Marvel (and Norse mythology) does. I'm drawing only from the movie and the myths, not the comics.

. . . . .

Know Your Place, part two: Three's a Crowd

His mind flickered from time to time as his body was swept on the currents of one of Yggdrasil's hidden paths, trying to find its way back to consciousness. But the battering he had taken was more than even an Asgardian could withstand - at least an Asgardian like Loki, who had never been the strongest of warriors, who had never possessed the vaunted endurance so treasured by his people. His skill, his talents, equal to or better than others (like the peacock Fandral or the oaf Volstagg), were always held inadequate. And how could they be otherwise, when he'd spent his life in Thor's shadow?

At the cusp of consciousness he failed and fell back into the whirl of his mind, even as he swept ever-closer to Midgard.

. . . . .

"Brother, wait!" Loki called as he scrambled after his big brother, who was humming happily as he strode down the hall. They had been with their father all morning for lessons, lessons that they always shared no matter that Thor was older by a few years. It was no challenge for Loki to keep up, and secretely it thrilled him when he could answer more questions than Thor. But days like this were the best, when their tutors were sent away and Odin himself would share his wisdom with his sons.

Today's lessons were on Svartalfheim because a delegation from the realm was arriving that afternoon. Odin told them of the clever but mischievous Duergar, small creatures who crafted great works but could not be trusted to be forthright and true. Thor had scoffed at the descriptions, but Loki had soaked in his father's words like a sponge as the Allfather imparted how to deal with them. Force could be used, of course, and that was when Thor stopped listening. But their father continued, and Loki learned that flattery, cajolery, and even bribery were the true ways to win favors from the Duergar.

But now lessons were over, and he ran to catch up with his taller brother, panting more out of excitement than exertion as he reached Thor's side. "What do you want to do now? I'd like to see them when they arrive. We could go to the Bifrost to watch, or maybe sneak into the throne room, or..."

Thor shrugged without looking at him, his long strides carrying him toward his room. "I don't care about some short metalsmiths. Run on if you like; I've got better things to do."

Green eyes blinked. "What better things? Where are we going?"

The blonde smirked and stopped. Facing Loki, he put a hand on his shoulder and bent down a fraction so they were eye-to-eye.

"It's none of your business," he said good-naturedly. "I can't have you following me around all the time, Loki. I am older than you, you know."

Loki frowned. "But we're always together. Why can't I come? What are you doing? Is it dangerous?" That was the only explanation that made sense to him; Thor was always trying to protect him, even when he didn't need it.

Thor shook his head and grinned. "No. But it's not your concern. Run along now. Find someone else to play with." And with that he turned away and disappeared into his room, closing the door firmly behind him.

Loki stood there for a moment, frowning. Something was wrong. Thor had never told him to go away before, so why did he now? He was up to something, and his younger brother wanted to know what it was. Frowning, he turned and slipped into his own room across the hall, but he left the door cracked open. Hidden in the darkness, one green eye to that narrow slit, it wasn't long before Loki saw his brother exit his room, garbed now in his practice gear.

He frowned. Thor was going to a weapons lesson without him? Why? He knew he wasn't as good as his brother, but they still always practiced together. And we don't have a lesson scheduled today anyway, he thought as he slipped out of his room silently to follow his brother at a distance. How was he supposed to become as good as Thor was if his brother was getting lessons without him?

Frowning and puzzled, Loki followed his brother out of the castle and into the gardens, through the cultivated areas and into the wilder section (though there was nothing truly wild about it, of course; Loki now knew it was just an area left to grow on its own, though when he was very young Thor had tricked him into thinking it was the woods where the dark elves dwelled, and that they would kidnap him because he had dark hair like they did). He followed on stealthy feet, and when he saw Thor enter the small clearing at the center of the woods he stopped, for certainly this must be where his brother was going?

He heard Thor hail someone cheerfully, and heard a muffled response, but he couldn't see who it was that his brother was meeting so secretly. He was worried about getting closer; he didn't want to be seen, but he did want to see. Looking around, he spotted an old tree with many thick branches, some that stretched to the edge of the clearing. Perfect, he thought, and began to climb. It was easy enough, and soon he was shimmying out onto a strong old branch, his presence mostly concealed by big green leaves as he looked down at the scene below.

Thor was sitting on a rock, his practice axe resting on his knees as he waited. The other person wore a cloak, and his back was turned to Thor as he put down a pack and a sheathed sword. The person was shorter than Thor, and slimmer. Almost the same as me, Loki realized with a start. Why does he need to practice with him when he's got me? It's not fair.

And then the person drew off the cloak and dropped it to the ground, and Loki nearly choked. It was a girl, a pretty girl with long blond hair and dark blue eyes. But instead of wearing a dress she wore what looked like some of Loki's own weapons-lessons clothes! She smiled at Thor as she drew her golden hair back into a ponytail, then bent to pick up the sword. "Ready?" she asked, her eyes bright with excitement as she unsheathed the practice blade.

"You're going to fight a girl?" The words flew out of an incredulous Loki before he could stop them, and two pairs of blue eyes flew to his half-concealed hiding place. He faltered for a moment, but the situation was simply too ludicrous. "She's why you left? And why is she wearing my clothes?"

The girl was scowling and Thor was frowning up at him. "Why did you follow me? I told you to go away."

Loki scowled right back. "I can do what I want. I'm a prince of Asgard."

"That doesn't mean you get to nose around other people's business," the girl said, then, ignoring Loki's wordless protest, she turned to his brother. "He'll run and tell on us. What do we do?"

Thor sighed. "Come down, brother. You might as well meet her. Come down, and I'll tell you what we're doing."

"No!" the girl protested, but it was too late. Grinning, Loki leapt from the tree branch to land lightly in the clearing. He knew his brother would always take his side in the end.

"You weren't supposed to know, so I need you to keep this a secret. Will you do that for me, brother?" Thor asked him, his blue eyes quite serious. "It's important."

Loki looked at him, then at the girl, who was scowling at him again. He lifted his chin imperiously, then returned his gaze to his brother. "Of course I'll keep your secret."

"Good." Thor nodded even as the girl groaned and looked away. "Loki, this is the Lady Sif. She wants to be a warrior, and she's good, too, but her family won't let her train. So I'm training her."

"She's a girl," Loki said disbelievingly.

"And you're a little boy who should still be in the nursery," Sif spat back, her eyes glowing dangerously.

"I'm twelve!" Loki shot back angrily. "And you're wearing my clothes, so what does that make you? A thief, that's what!"

She lunged for him, hands outstretched, and he dodged quickly, but before he could do anything else Thor stood between them, hands outstretched to keep them apart, laughing. "Loki, I gave her your clothes so she'd have something other than skirts to fight in. You've got enough; I bet you didn't even notice they were missing. And Sif, he may be younger than us, but he's my brother. Treat him well. Let there be a truce between you."

Loki stiffened at his brother's admission, but then stood a little taller. He could prove he was better he accepted before she did. "Truce," he agreed, his chin high again, his green eyes fastened on her face. Even though she was angry she was pretty, and suddenly he wondered if that was why Thor was helping her.

Sif was frowning fiercely, but finally she nodded her head and Thor grinned. "Perfect. Loki, we do need to practice, but if you want to watch you can. Just stay out of the way."

The younger brother opened his mouth to protest, but then noted Sif's mocking eyes and simply nodded. He would show her, of course. She could not be any better than he was. Loki sat on the rock at the edge of the clearing where his brother had been sitting. He drew his legs up and wrapped his arms around them, then rested his chin on his knees and watched as Thor began her training. After a while he had to admit, unhappily and to himself, that she was good. Very good. Maybe even better than he was. And she was beautiful, a golden-haired goddess of lethal grace. Loki had to wonder ... what if his brother didn't need him anymore?

. . . . .

Green eyes flew open with a start as Loki began to fall. He drew in a panicked breath and reached out for the rock to steady himself, but he was not in the gardens of Asgard. He was still on the mysterious path that had taken him away from Jotunheim, but now he was falling toward something, someplace, that was looming fast and giant under him.

Closing his eyes to the chaos around him, he first took control of his body, straightening it and crossing his arms over his bruised chest until he was falling straight and true instead of in a flailing ball of limbs. He could control his descent and he would, for he was not stripped powerless and flung out of Asgard. No. He, Loki, had chosen this path, had chosen to control his own life, and it would start now.

(end part two)