Chapter Three


"You can't run around in just a loin cloth." Odin's voice was fairly stern, but he wasn't intimidating to the young runt, and so instead of answering Loki grinned up at him.

"Why?" He asked, mostly curious but also wondering what Odin would allow him to ask about. There wasn't that much that Borka would allow him to ask, and it always seemed like the man refused to explain the things as much as Loki wanted him to.

"Because its indecent to allow so much skin to be seen. Clothing also protects your skin from the elements and will also keep things like all of these scratches from happening." Odin explained, and Loki looked down at himself, at the scratches and bruises where rocks and thorns had caught his legs and arms while he was exploring. It was such a common thing that he always ignored them, and though they were a little painful, they weren't life threatening as far as the child could tell, so he always just left them be.

"Oh.. okay." Loki didn't have any objection to that, though he was curious as to why the Jotnar didn't wear such things if they worked so well. He didn't struggle as Odin showed him how to put on the pants and tunic, nor did he object as Odin took a wide strip of leather and used it to hold the pants in place after they fell down the moment he let go of them.

"You're much smaller than Baldur…" Odin said with a grunt as he stood up from where he had been dressing the child. "Much smaller than any other child of your age…" The elder seemed very sad as he said this, and Loki looked up at him curiously before speaking up.

"Do you have other children too?" He asked, curious and wondering if he could distract the older man as he could sometimes distract Borka, but while he could distract Borka with questions about magic, he didn't know Odin well enough to know if he could ask him those questions.

"Only Thor, Baldur… and yourself." Odin stated, looking confused at Loki's question, and the half jotun tilted his head and thought about it.

"Why? Are there not enough resources for your mate to bear more?" That was why Laufey had only two sons and a runt, and there weren't a lot of other children in Utgard because there wasn't enough food for warriors and growing younglings. According to Borka there weren't a lot of resources any further away from the Jotun capital either.

"No… My wife has chosen not to have more children. It is not her wyrd." Odin explained, a puzzled look on his face even as Loki looked away, towards the fire pit in the middle of the camp that Odin and the boys were currently staying in.

"Wife.. is that another word for mate?" Loki's attention was only half focused on Odin as he looked around, wondering where Odin's mate was. "Is she here to? What is a wyrd?"

Odin seemed confused for a moment before he chuckled, looking at Loki curiously when the youth looked back up at him. "Yes. Among the Aesir, a man in a pairing is called husband, and a woman in the pairing is called wife. Frigg is my wife, and she did not come with the boys and I since I am teaching them how to camp and what to do should they ever become separated from us." The man paused, before looking up and towards where Thor and Baldur had disappeared through the trees, and Loki wondered for a moment if he was done speaking before he spoke again. "As for wyrd… it is what is destined to happen to one."

"Fate." Loki piped up, frowning at the word and closing his eyes. Mimameidr hadn't been loud since he met Odin, but he could still hear her whispers in the back of his mind. "The path one must walk… the points where ones feet must touch the ground… but what happens between foot steps is more interesting…" He grinned, laughing as the concept unfolded in his mind, before looking to Odin again.

He bit his lip as he saw the look on the old mans face, looking away as he felt his skin flush in a way it didn't when he was in Jotunheim. "I'm sorry…" He wasn't sure what he had done wrong, but that was the same look Borka or Helbindi would get before they hit him or chased him away.

"No… no, You've done nothing wrong. I simply wonder how you understand so quickly. It takes Thor much longer to learn, and Baldur rarely asks so many questions." Odin explained, and Loki looked up at him again, biting his lip. "Why are you so curious?"

Loki bit his lip some more, before his eyes began to wander while he wondered at what the answer was to Odin's question. Spotting something on the ground, Loki moved forward, picking up a smooth, golden brown stone and rolling it between his hands. "The more… I find out… the more there is." He laughed, cupping his hands around the little stone before putting it back in the dirt, watching a green tendril and leaves sprout up from the stone as his fingers unfolded and he lifted them away. "Oh… that's why there was life in it." He giggled one fingertip reaching out to stroke along the bright green leaves, before he looked up at Odin again when the older man made a half strangled noise. "I'm sorry.." He said, ducking down again, before watching from under his eyebrows as Odin turned an interesting shade of red.

"You… how did… Seidr? No… is that why you had smudged runes on your arms when… of course…" Loki wondered if Odin had swallowed something bitter.

"They were so I wouldn't get lost." Loki explained, looking up again, before tracing the runes in the dirt beneath him, the same runes he had drawn on his skin before he left Jotunheim. "Protection.. light, or day… its waking up… The sky… a tree… a beacon… and insight…" Loki frowned at the last rune he had sktected into the ground, before looking up at Odin and looking back down at what he had drawn out. That was Odin's rune, which was odd, because he hadn't known that the runes could be about people.

"I… I see. Who taught you these runes?" Odin sounded like he was choking even as he asked the question and Loki tilted his head as he looked down at them again before smudging them out the way Mimameidr had said was proper.

"I find them. I know I don't know all of them yet.. or probably even very many of them." Loki shrugged and was distracted as he saw a crow flutter onto one of the branches high above, and Odin looked up at it as well before motioning to the bird, which began to caw and speak to the Aesir.

"Loki… we'll continue to talk later." Odin said, and the jotun runt was relieved to see a smile on the mans face instead of anger. "For now, why don't you go play with Thor and Baldur… a bit of exploring is bound to be good for you." The old man spoke kindly, and Loki nodded dubiously before looking one last time at the large crow before moving in the direction he had seen the aesir children go in.

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Thor and Baldur were trying to catch lizards by the streams bed when Loki found them, and the runt watched them for several moments before moving forward nervously. They had seemed cheerful when Odin said he was their brother, but what if they had changed their mind between then and now?

"Loki! Come join us!" Thor called, the golden haired boy looking up brightly at the darker child. "We're trying to see who can catch the largest lizard." He looked very happy, and Loki smiled tentatively as he moved forward, looking around. There seemed to be a lot of the little creatures scurrying around, and Loki enthusiastically joined in, soon comparing the little creatures he caught with the ones that Baldur and Thor caught. It was startling how well he got along with the aesir boys, and he laughed as much as they did as they scrambled after the little creatures.

It seemed like they hadn't been playing all that long though when Loki looked up, scrambling behind a rock as someone strode out of the trees, though he relaxed as he realized it was Odin. "Gather your things boys, its time to go home." The old man said, smiling at his sons, though both the aesir children made groaning sounds of disappointment.

"But Father, we only arrived a short time ago." Thor protested, and Baldur nodded as well, making Loki wonder exactly how long they had planned on staying here in this place of light.

"We wanted to stay long enough to find the eagles nest." Baldur said, and Loki looked to him before shivering as he remembered the enormous eagle he had seen when he arrived not so long ago to this place. The comment seemed to amuse Odin though, because he laughed heartily at his sons words.

"The Eagle doesn't nest on Aflheim, he roosts in Yggdrasill's branches, not on any of the worlds it bears." Odin stated, and Loki shuddered again, wondering if that was part of why Mimameidr had warned him to learn protective runes before he left Jotunheim. He would be certain to be far more wary when he traveled that way again if that was what he might encounter between the branches. "Now… all of you come help me pack up the camp." Odin said, and the aesir boys grumbled good naturedly as they headed back. Odin paused at the edge of the woods, turning back to where Loki still perched on the rock, one of the mans eyebrows lifting inquisitively. "Come along Loki… you're coming home as well."

Loki bit his lip, suddenly uncertain at what kind of reception he would receive by the aesir, and whether or not Odin really wanted him to come. The man seemed to see right to his uncertaintys though, and smiled kindly as one of his large, warm hands extended towards the dark haired half breed. Loki hesitated only a moment more, mostly because the joy flooding through him at the old mans acceptance was more than he could handle, and he jumped forward, laughter burbling up inside of him as he took Odin's hand, happily following the old man back to where the other boys were already rolling up their bedrolls and pulling at the tent pegs.

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Loki made a startled sound, clinging to Odin as the bright light surrounded them, and suddenly they were somewhere else. The great horse that the one eyed Aesir was riding pranced happily into the large room that they arrived in, all four hooves clicking and clacking as it moved through the chamber, even as the smaller, supposedly younger, horses that Thor and Baldur were riding plodded in at a more sedate pace. Instead of riding a pony by himself since he had no idea how, or even if horses would eat him given the chance, Odin had pulled Loki onto his great charger with him, holding the pale young boy close as they made their journey.

Loki was thankful for Odin's stabilizing presence, but he felt so awkward on the horse, like he would fall down at any moment and he was such a long way up. Sure, he had fallen further through harder conditions, and certainly bouncing off of cliff walls was more dangerous than falling off this great creature, but he was afraid that if he fell the huge steed would not see him in time and would trample him while going about his way.

"Hemidal." Odin stated, nodding to the strange eyed man in the center of the chamber they had come in, and Loki forgot his apprehension about the horse as he took in this strange new being. Instead of having golden warm skin like Odin and his sons, this man had deep brown skin, like the bark of a tree, and he wore solid, golden looking armor. Most interesting though were his eyes, which looked almost like fire and Loki drew in his breath as he heard a whisper that this man saw all that he turned his attention to. "Thank you old friend for answering my call so swiftly."

"It is my duty, my liege." Hemidal said congenially, though a brief expression of curiosity crossed his face as he looked to the child in Odin's lap. "Who is this?"

"Loki. He is my son." Odin stated simply, and Hemidal kept his expression for a moment, before nodding, accepting the Aesir kings words. "We must make haste to the Hall." He stated, and the dark man nodded, stepping away from the huge opening on the other side of the strange room they were in, and Loki looked around in fascination even as Odin bought his horse to a swift trot. The ponies of the aesir children followed as well, and Loki looked back one last time as they left the room, looking to Hemidal before turning his attention forward.

The sight before him was nothing like he had seen anywhere else, great mountains rose up out of a sea in the midst of stars, and they were on a bridge leading to a large looking city. There were no walls around the city, like the ruined walls of Jotunheim, but there was an ethereal majesty about the beautiful place. Loki's eyes were everywhere as he tried to look at everything around him.

People wandered the streets, golden and wearing clothing much like what Odin, Thor, and Baldur wore, and they called out greetings to the one eyed king as he rode through the city, many of them pointing to Loki and speaking among themselves even as the pale boy looked at them. Loki strained his ears to catch what they were saying, but he could hear only a few words here and there, and they were mostly a repetition of the same questions. "Who is that boy?" and "I don't know." Were pieced together most often from his hearing.

Finally they rode up to a structure far larger than the other buildings, with towers and spires piercing the sky. It was still under construction, and Loki's eyes bulged as he saw more of the bright golden people building things, with their own hands. No warrior of Jotunheim would ever stoop so low as to build something, but these men seemed to think nothing of it, and a quick glance at Odin's face showed a curious lack of hostility towards the men working.

"Your Highness. Queen Frigg awaits you in the map room." One of the men said, striding forward to take the reigns of Odin's horse as the king dismounted.

"Very well. See to it that my sons learn where their travel gear is to be put away." Odin stated, and the man, who had been working moments before helping carry stones, nodded and looked to the boys, before pausing as he saw Loki.

"And who is this, Highness?" He asked, looking obviously confused.

"My son Loki. He has no gear at the moment, but see to it that he knows where things are as well. Thor, Baldur, when everything is put away, show Loki around then bring him to the map room to meet your mother." Odin instructed, his sons grinning brightly at his words and nodding eagerly, and Loki smiled as well at his instructions, looking forward to seeing and learning more about this place.

"Very well… come along your highnesses, and we'll stop by the quarter master first to put away the supplies, tents and bedrolls, before we go to the stables and put the horses away." The man stated, turning a smile to all three boys, though as he began to lead the great charger away, Loki clung to it for dear life.

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Thor and Baldur were quite a lot of fun to follow around, both boys seeming to be as exited as the half aesir was to be wandering around almost freely. The boys showed Loki to places called the Hall, the Kitchen, their play room, and the stables, seemingly in no order that the young sorcerer could discern. Finally though, they led him to a great room called the library, with scrolls and books on shelves lining every wall and in bins and shelves that stood along the floor. Off of this large, bright room, were a few smaller rooms, including one that was deemed the Map room.

When the children arrived, it was to see Odin and a beautiful long haired woman speaking quietly over one of the tables. When they looked to the boys, Loki drew his breath in at the sharpness in her eyes, and was immediately reminded of his teacher.

"Mother! We've missed you." Baldur said, Thor concurring as they ran to this beautiful woman, wrapping their arms around her waist. "This is our brother Loki." Baldur said brightly after a moment of hugging her, tugging away and darting out to pull the nervous, dark haired boy closer.

"Loki… yes. My husband informed me of where he found you, and why he claimed you." The woman, Queen Frigg said, her blue eyes almost cool but not hateful as far as the child could tell. "A wild child on Aflheim, with no name and no father." Her voice was cool as well, and Thor and Baldur drew back from her, suddenly as nervous as the new boy they had been showing around.

"Come along boys. I think its best if we let your mother and Loki get aquainted…" Odin said, clearing his throat and ushering the boys out of the small map room though Loki looked to him with pleading eyes, scared to be left alone with Odin's mate.

"You needn't look so frightened child." Frigg said cooly, looking at the waif where he stood, her eyes taking in his thin form drapped in Baldur's too large clothes. Loki couldn't read her face though, couldn't see whether she was going to hit him, or tell him to leave and never bother her and hers again. She had that right, as the King's mate, at least as far as Loki understood it. "Who was your mother, wild child?" She asked suddenly, and Loki drew in a breath as he felt magic gathering in the air, before he grinned, suddenly much more at ease.

It was calming to feel that in the air, though it was far different than the things that Mimameidr was teaching him. Tilting his head to the side he considered the question, knowing he had to answer true, that was what the magic in the air wanted of him. "A drift of snow… one caught aflame." He chirped finally, giggling as he listened to Mimameidr's whisper in the back of his mind, telling him not to be afraid, but not to answer bluntly either.

However, Frigg frowned more deeply, moving to circle around the child and looking at him from different angles before she asked her next question. "And who was your father, Child of Ice." She demanded, her voice still calm and cool as she came in front of Loki again, and he grinned up at her unrepentantly before he answered.

"The light that dances between the great tree's leaves." The boy finally said, feeling the magic in the air coiling again, so much like the power that flowed through Mimameidr, and so different as well. It was far more tame than the forces that his teacher coached him through manipulating, a difference that Loki didn't understand, but also wasn't going to ask about yet.

Frigg paced another circle around him as she considered his answer, watching the dark haired boy carefully, and Loki closed his eyes, breathing deeply as he listened to the calming voice in his mind. "Where were you born, bright one?" She finally asked, and Loki giggled again, his eyes growing glassy as he looked back into dim memory of before Borka had taken him in and started him on the path he now walked.

"In between the living stone, and the dancing darkness." He said, his voice calmer than it had been as he remembered the pillars and darkness, the hunger and need.

"I see… Very well… Thank you for answering my questions child. Come, let us pay a visit to the clothier, and we shall see about getting you clothing more suited to your new status." The queen said, and Loki looked up into her blue eyes, a wide smile on his delicate young features.

"Thank you." He said, feeling the magics dissipating again, and he tilted his head, listening to the dimming murmur of Mimamiedr before speaking again. "Lady Frigg? Will you please teach me the magics that you used?"

The queen paused, startled at the boy's question, but Loki was earnest in his request, and his desire for more knowledge. "I will see… My husband tells me that you already demonstrated a bit of talent for Seidr. Did.. did you sense the flow of strength in the room as I examined you?" There was amusement in her voice now and he nodded, grinning brightly. "I see… Yes, I most likely will teach you some about the crafts of magic in the coming years. For now… come along, before Odin thinks… well, never mind what he might think. Come along." She stated again, reaching forward to take Loki's cool hand in her warm one, and the half Aesir boy smiled brightly, happily trailing after her as she led him out of the Map room.


Notes: I enjoy writing this, its so much fun to wonder what a young neglected Loki would react favorably to. This is the last chapter of 'introducing Loki' for now, next chapter will take place a handful of years in the future as Thor meets his best friends, The warrors three and Baldur finds his own calling.

If you like this story, or hate this story, or think there's something wrong with any of it, please be kind and let me know about it in a review?