Thank you for reading. I hope that you are enjoying the story and will continue to enjoy it as things begin to progress.

Dalonega Noquisi. I am very glad that you liked the name, thank you again for you input with it. I am trying to use the legend as part of the story, at least for these early parts, but as I'm sure you have noticed I have changed a few things around. Loki is not a Father to a number of unique children. However he is a sort of Father to Sleipnir and Fenrir. So there will be a few changes to Sleipnir's story. I agree those names did not work. I love "Band-Aid." That is a great nickname. It will be a while before I can use it, but I definitely will, thank you again.

Guest. So glad you like it, I hope you will continue to enjoy it. Thank you.

Neither Father nor Son said anything to each other at first, Odin waited for his youngest son to explain himself. Loki was waiting to be accused of something directly by this Father. That way he would know how best to try and defend himself, if he could. More likely it gave him a little more time to think of a lie. Not that he really needed extra time to do that, the majority of the time he came out with a believable lie as easily as breathing. This time however he was not sure that he could lie his way out of this. The truth, not that he was used to that, was that he didn't want to lie, not about this. He was proud of what he had done, what he had achieved. He just wanted to wait and see how angry his Father was, because it was not a question of, if he was angry it was a question of how angry. Knowing that would let Loki know how much pride he could show in his achievement.

Odin took in a deep breath, calming himself before he spoke again, as it was clear that Loki did not plan on talking till he was had to. While he did greatly appreciate a Son that knew when to speak and when it was best not to, the fact that the Son in question had a way with words meant that when he did speak he made the very most of it, made it a little less of a pleasant quality for the All-Father. For any Father really that had to try and get a straight answer from a Son like that. He was too smart for his own good. This was another fact that worried the All-Father. It could led to a great deal of pain for his youngest Son.

"Loki, would you happen to know how this unusual creature came in to being."

The King gestured with his right hand to Sleipnir, who at this precise moment was trying to get closer to Odin's out stretched hand. He probably thought that Odin had something in his hand for him, like Loki and Eir normally did. It was hard for the King to maintain his stern face when looking at the excited foal. He was after all the fourth new person that he had meant in just the last twenty-four hours, after only seeing Loki and Eir for almost a whole month. Something about Sleipnir's curiosity and energy reminded Odin of his Son that currently stood before him.

"Possibly." Loki answered with a steady voice and blank face.

Eir had been silent carefully watching the Father and Son. Not meanly words had been spoken, she would only just be unable to count them on her own fingers. It was what they said without words that she was watching for. While she was sure that Loki got his evasiveness and eerie calm under stressful situations form his Father, she did not know how much until now. The second Prince would think that he was more like his Mother, and Thor tool after their Father, but she say differently. What they did not want to see. That Thor had a large caring heart like the All-Mother and Loki was pragmatic and a statically thinker, like his Father. What she saw now, was they were both trying to hold back what they were feeling, Loki his pride and Odin his anger and doing a very good job of it.

"You have already been caught breaking your punishment. Now is not the time for clever remarks."

Loki let out a small laugh under his breath and a faint smile crossed his face. "Well, the thing is that I don't know for sure how Sleipnir came into being."

"Loki."

"It is the truth." Both young gods caught the hint of a smile crossing Odin's face. While in turn caused them to smile themselves. It was not often, it could even be considered rare, but Loki did on occasion tell the truth when asked a straight question.

"Then maybe could tell me what you do know, which I think is a great deal."

Loki kept the smile on his face that now grow bigger with pride. "I created a mare with my magic, to distract the dwarf's stallion from helping him build the wall."

The trickster now looked down at Sleipnir, who had become a little board of Odin as he realised that he was not going to get any food from him. He was now nuzzling his head against Eir's knee, she always had food with her, but she too was not giving him any now. He was close to giving up on her as well. She however started to pat him on the back of his head, keeping him for abandoning her in favour of Loki. Who was his last chance for some food.

"Sleipnir is I believe the result of that distraction."

As he listened to his Son's account of the situation at hand a number of emotions came over him. The most prominent and the first that he felt come over him was pride. While he did not encourage Loki's lessons in the arts of magic, he did, had too acknowledge that his son was greatly gifted in this area. The second very prominent feeling that came over him was fear. He was scared for his Son and of his Son and what was worse he did not know which one of these fears was the stronger. He was scared for Loki of what if he continued down this path, learning and growing more powerful at this rate he would become. He was scared of what that might be. He had created life with his magic. That was believed to be impossible. Illusions for a time where one thing, but this was a living breathing creature, created in part by Loki's magic. Power, Knowledge like that, there was no telling what that could led too.

"Loki, I don't know where I should beginning. First you use your magic to cheat in a matter that did not concern you. Then you continuously break your punishment. Most importantly…you have once again lied to me and your Mother….."

"It was not me, I had nothing to do with Thor's clothes being too big for him now."

"Loki….."

"It is possible for a person to shrink…"

"Enough!"

Eir had never heard the All-Father raise is voice before. It sent a chill down her spin and caused her heart to beat rapidly. Sleipnir butted her knee with his head as she involuntary grabbed too tightly on his short main when her body tensed up out of shock. Her other hand jilted towards Loki, who stood to her left, but he was too far away from her to reach. Looking over at Loki she was surprised to see that he did not look like he had been as shocked by the Kings outburst as she had been. His eyes were a little wider than they had been, but apart from that he didn't look like he had reacted at all. She supposed that he was used to it, this could not be the first time that he had been yelled out before.

"There is no series of cleaver words that you can weave this time my Son. That will excuse your actions."

There was a much lighter tone to Odin's voice now. Despite himself he could not help but remember the image of his oldest Son entering the small hall where the royal family eat their meals, at breakfast wearing clothes that looked to be too small for him. His face was a blank, as the locked eyes on his little Brother. He then all but yelled his name, and ran towards him. Odin had bene slow to step in-between them as he had been close to laughing when Thor appeared, then he had been a little impressed that he had remained so calm until he say his Brother. Loki was as quick as every had hand jumped to his feet the second he saw Thor moving towards him. He run around the table, till he came to hide behind his Mothers chair. Frigga herself did not move to intervene. She simply sighed and lowered her head to continue eating her breakfast, while he husband dealt with the boys. It was his turn after all.

Loki let out a small held breath, as his eyes returned to their normal size. "I understand that….but Mother has always told me that it is the intention, not the action it's self that is what you should be judged on."

The old king sighed, even when being told to speak simply Loki managed to find a way to do so in the most creative way. He was also using the only real weakness that Odin had, his wife. By using her logic in his defence Loki had all but won, ended the argument, at least as much as he could win in this kind of situation. He had in fact after all done all of the things that he was accused of, all he had in his defence was his reasoning for those actions.

"I cannot argue with such wisdom."

For a second Loki smiled and took a step forward. "My intention was never to disrespect you Father. I wanted to help you, to make you proud. Things just…went further than I expected them too."

He spoke with such sincerity, that he was capable of on rare occasions, that all put the smallest hint of his previous anger clouded Odin's judgement. Letting out a deep sigh he took a step towards his youngest Son. His face was unreadable to all but Frigga, Loki himself had an idea, but could not tell if his Father was still more anger then intrigued by his most recent actions. It seemed to be very close. Hoping to make it a like less even, he did his best downcast, remorseful eyes that he could.

Odin's hand came down rather sharply on Loki's shoulder. "It would seem that we have a great deal to discus, and I believe your Mother should he involved in that discussion." Loki nodded, believing that his Mother would be more lenient with him. "She will want to know of the newest addition to the household." Loki's eyes brightened as he looked up at this Father trying to hold back the grin that was threatening to cross his face.

"Father…"

"You still lied to us, I am not promising anything."

Seemingly annoyed now with Eir for pulling to tightly on his main and Loki for ignoring him, Sleipnir now made his way back over to Odin. Hoping that he may change his mind now and give him some attention, or more importantly some food. Now softened a little Odin looked down at the foal that looked up at him with wide pleading eyes. Once again he was reminded of his young Son. Though dark rather than green, the same pleading, watery look was all Loki. He had lost count of the number of times that he had been looked at with those eyes. That would be like trying to remember all of the times Loki's had got himself into mischief, it was impossible. Over the years, centuries he had developed a tolerance to this look. It became a necessity. Thought sometimes they could still work, if he was caught off guard by them. Right now he looked up from Sleipnir to Loki. Who was now giving him the same look. While Thor had a similar look that did not quit work as well as Loki's and they had used them together on him, he had never been ganged up on by the puppy dog look before. He made a choice not to look at Eir. Her dark eyes he was sure would be able muster some sympathy from him.

"Come, Bagnar will be wondering where is Daughter is."

Odin moved towards them and ushered them out of the stables. Eir was to worried now about facing her Father that she forgot the main reason that they had come here, to feed Sleipnir. Luckily Loki did not. Moving quickly past his father he went back into the stall before Odin had a chance to close the door. Reaching into this pocket he pulled out some of Eir's pellets and handed them out to Sleipnir. At first he did not move forward, clearly hurt by being ignored before. In the end his hunger got the better of him and he moved forward, to take the food and forgive Loki.

Once she had been brought home and Odin had informed Bagnar of what had been going on and he and Loki had left, she was led to the kitchen table. Sitting down across from her Father she waited form him to speak. After a few minutes of silence, she wished he would say something. His silence was worse than being yelled at. She could deal with his yelling, being bad, being disappointed or sad was something else interlay.

"Fath….."

Her attempt at speaking first was cut short. "Why did you lie to me."

"Technically I did not lie, I just didn't tell you what…"

This time she was cut short by a loud crashing sound. Bagnar stretched his hands out, the tension leaving them after slamming down on the table, letting out some of his anger. Eir had almost jumped out of her skin, she had never seen her Father become violent in any way around her. She almost wished that he had remained silent. It was hard for her to tell, but she was sure that for a second, a split second she had seen the tiny hint of one of her shields surrounding her. Some part of her had seen her Father as a threat.

"Do not try and excuse, lying and going behind by back….I thought we understood each other…."

"We do." She quickly jumped off her chair and moved around to her Father. She remembered well the conversation that she had with her Father just over a month ago. She understood that he worried for her, more than he should, because of her Mother. "I didn't mean to keep it from you."

"Yes you did." He said as he finally turned to look at her. It the faint candle light it was hard to see, but she was sure that he was smiling a little. Anger was never an emotion that stayed with him long.

"Yes I did…..but it was not my news to tell."

"Now you are going to use loyalty to the royal family to excuse your actions." He teased a little, but spoke in a stern voice.

"Don't you fight in battles and wars for the same reason, kill for that reason."

He sighed. He would never let himself truly admit it, but she did have a point. She was so like her Mother, when she was like this, too smart for own good. "That is a different matter." He patted her on her shoulder as he stood up. "When you are older, you will understand."

"I am sorry." She said in a low voice, with a lowered head.

"As am I…..I should not have lost control of my temper as I did."

"I should have told you, at least once my punishment was over."

Gently he pushed her out of the kitchen and towards her bedroom door. "Speaking of punishment." He could feel her tense up under his light touch on her shoulders. While a part of him wanted to her worry to make her understand what he put him through when she went behind his back and got herself mixed up in this that she should stay away from. He could not do that to her. "I won't stop your lessons with the All-Mother, but you will spend as much time training with you Cousin as you do in those lessons."

Eir was shocked, she stopped walking and turned to face her Father. "Honestly."

He nodded. Eir let out a sigh of relief. Quickly before he had a chance to change his mind, she hugged him, then went to her room closing the door behind her. A few minutes later, once she was in her bed trying to sleep did it hit her what she had just be forced into doing. Training with Sif was not something she would ever do willingly. Sif was so competitive, she seemed to think that she had to prove how capable she was all the time. In a way Eir could understand that, but at times she believed her Cousin took it too far. As she rolled over onto her side she let out a groan as she further realised that her Father had not given her a timeframe for this new punishment.

One month after the All-Father's discovery of the existence of the eight legged foal Sleipnir, and Eir was still being punished. Her Father of course did not refer to it as that, it was training or more iterating to her, spending time with her Family. Said family who was now currently trying it seemed to bash her over the head, or cut it off with her double bladed sword. Her own bladed staff was standing up well against Sif's almost constant attacks. Through she had not been given the change to unsheathe her hidden blade. She spent all most all of this spare on the defensive as Sif naturally took up the offensive. Sif continually unleashed a series of blows, all of which Eir blocked. As she did she twisted her arms around, changing her hold on her staff to the best hold for blocking the incoming attack. This built up tension in her arms that she unleashed in return when she found an opening to do so. While Sif was stronger, Eir was faster and she was able to just about hold her own by blocking and evading all of the many attacks that were directed towards her. Sif it seemed was not tiring any time soon, this could go on for a long time.

The opportunities for Eir to get a hit in did not present themselves very often, but every so often she would be given such an opening. Eir was given just such an opening as Sif took a small step backwards, so that she had the room she needed to bring down a powerful attack on top of Eir's head. Most likely she was hoping that this would be the blow that that would end the spar. While she held her own. Eir did not present much of a challenge for Sif. At least not in the way she was used to. Moving at a lightning speed when she figured out what Sif's next move was going to be, Eir dropped to her knees and made a wide swipe with her staff. She caught Sif just at her ankles. The Valkyrie in training lost her balance and almost went down hard, but she was just able to catch herself before she fell.

Just as she and Eir had pulled themselves back up to a standing position, a loud echo of a clap rang out to their right. He smiled as he stopped clapping. "That was most entertaining. Maybe one day one of you will be able to land an attack on the other."

"You sound like you are disappointed there was no blood." Sif bit back.

Loki shrugged and jumped down form the wall that bordered the training grounds. "That would have been more entraining."

Loki's punishment had ended around two weeks ago. Odin had not chosen not to punish his mischiefs Son any further. He had made a good point after all, his intention was not to lie or deceive, but to help a living creature. A creature that he himself had created. Loki strongly believed that this choice was in large part influenced by his Mother. Sleipnir had been moved the day after Odin found out about him to the larger stables. Frigga had been almost speechless when she first saw the foal. All it took however for her to care for it, want to protect such a unique creature was one look into his eyes. It was a feeling though not as strong or intense as the one that came over her the first time that she had held Loki in her arms and looked into his eyes. It was a feeling that had never left her from that first moment till now. She just knew that he would need her. As she knew this foal would need her and Loki too. Seeing Loki for the first time of course was not the first time she had felt this feeling either. Thor had been the first to bring out this feeling in her. She was used to it, trusted it.

Sleipnir had grown greatly in size over the last month. Being feed more frequently and having more room to move around was most likely the cause of this. Loki and Eir would visit him every day, bringing with them Eir's health pellets. Though they most likely were not needed anymore, she still made them and they still feed them to him, wanting to do anything however small it may be to help take care of Sleipnir. It would not be long till they were able to begin training him. Though Eir wondered if Loki would have the heart to be as strict as he would need to be to properly train Sleipnir if the way he allowed Fenrir to come and go as he pleased was any indication.

"You are aware that it would be Eir's blood that would be spilt." Sif replied.

A scoff from Eir who stood just behind her took Sif's attention from Loki. "Is that a fact."

Sif turned around to face her fellow Valkyrie in training. Normally she would not hesitate to boast of her skill, but Eir was family. "Well…I am….."

"Stronger." Sif nodded. "More brutish, narrow minded." Sif's face clenched into a frown.

"Come now Eir." Loki spoke up, hoping to end the argument. "We can't be too harsh on those that choose not to use what limited brains they have." As the prince spoke he used his magic to appear by Eir's side.

Eir did not seem remotely surprised by this, but Sif was a little shocked and jumped a little. Her hands clenched around her double bladed sword. Her mind raced to try and think of a clever or at least equally nasty comeback, but she could not think of anything. It pestered at her to let him have the finally word, to think that he had silenced her, so she said the first thing that came to her mind.

"If using your mind the way that you do means thinking of different ways to unsettle people or creating unnatural creatures, then I can live without it." She sneered.

Her voice was louder than he had ever heard it, without her shouting. It was clear that her pride had been dented. Loki was not mean to be here, he was meant to be training with his Father. This of course being his punishment for breaking the last one. Sif clearly did not expect him to be here, to see her and Eir training. While she had nothing against her Cousin, she did not like that she was unable to truly beat her in a simple spare. If she could not use her speed them she would have easily beaten her, she felt deflated that she could not. Loki seeing and knowing that she could not beat Eir, was practically the same thing as Thor seeing and knowing. Sometimes the only thing that she felt kept her going, fighting to be want she wanted to be, was her own determination, and Thor. He did not do a great deal to support her, he simply treated her as anyone else. That was more gave her hope. When he was King, then she might be able to achieve her goal.

Eir for a second felt a little bit of sympathy for Sif. It was not a pleasant place to be, on the receiving end of Loki's silver tongue. With her here as well, she must feel like she was being ganged up on a little. She also could see the slight look of panic in her eyes when Loki revealed his presence to them. Clearly she was worried that his older Brother was with him. Like most people she knew, Sif had a great deal of pride. Anything that dented that, no matter how small could greatly affect her. Loki knew this too, he was Thor's Brother after all, but when he got started sometimes he didn't know when to stop. He and Sif did not get on that was no secret, so he would be less likely to know when he had gone too far in goading her. Eir was worried he would push her a little too far, now that she was clearly on the offensive for once.

This second on sympathy did go away all most as soon as it came on, as something came to mind. The way that she spoke about Sleipnir with such distain, calling him an unnatural creature, answered a question that had been in the back of her and Loki's minds since Odin found out about the foal's existence. How had he found out about Sleipnir, who had told him. The answer was now literally staring them in the face.

"You." Eir snarled at Sif. "You told the All-Father about Sleipnir."

At first Sif did not reply to Eir's accusation. The slightly younger Valkyrie in training stared her down waiting for her to say something. Which was not something she planned on doing, not till she by accident met Loki's eyes. There were hard, cold, but underneath that there was a burning anger that he was clearly holding back. She had seen that look or at least a less harsh version of it at times when he was mocked by her friends for his use of the magical arts rather than true warrior's skills. For the first time she was genuinely scared of the Second prince.

"Did you." His voice was just as cold as his stare.

Taking in a deep breath she pulled herself up a little straighter. She tried to push back her feeling of fear and slight intimidation. Two words she never thought she would think of in the same context as Loki or Eir. There was no reason in her mind for either of them to react as strongly as they were. Yes she had been the one to inform the All-Father of the eight legged horse, but nothing negative had come from it. The foal was now able to be taken care of properly and Loki had not been truly punished further. Eir herself was not really being punished either, after all she need this training. Yes she had not needed to tell the King. She also did so due in part to her distrust of such magic and those that used it. Mainly though to wipe that smug look off Loki's face and to remind him to know the limits of the skill he choose to use. Still no harm had come from it. She had simply been loyal to her King and informed him of information he should know.

"What if I did."

Eir tightened her grip on her bladed staff and took a step forward. Seeing her intention, Loki stepped forward too and stretched his arm out in-front of her. She looked up at him and he met her eyes, giving her a reassuring look.

"Don't waist you energy….people so stuck in the past, fearfully of progress and any kind of forward momentum, they are to narrow minded to understand."

He knew that he was pushing het too far, he was deliberately attacking her in the area that she was most sensitive to. Her goal of being taken seriously as a warrior. Changing the way things were expected to be, the traditional view of both warriors and women's role in society. It was not a smart move, it was reckless in-fact, but he didn't care. He could not help himself. The vicious words flow effortlessly form his mouth, created by his silver tongue.

"We should not expect more form a Simple minded, weak women."

It was now Sif's turn to grip her weapon tighter and take a large step forward. Loki in response moved to stand in-front of Eir.

"I would not do that…you wouldn't want dear Thor to hear of how you betrayed his trust, then tried to attack his little Brother."

Sif narrowed her eyes and lowered her weapon. "You are a spiteful, arrogant child." Loki shrugged his head, he could not honestly argue against that. "You." She said turning to Eir. "Should find someone better to hide behind."

With that she left, clutching her weapon tightly in her hand. Loki watched her leave with a harsh glare. Once she left the training grounds he turned to face Eir. Who to his surprise was giving him a harsh look of her own.

"I do not need you to protect me."

She too with that left. With equal anger to that of the two girls, Loki used his magic to transport himself to the stables so he could see Sleipnir. All three of them left anger and frustrated, knowing that in their own way had gone too far and it was going to take some effort to put things right.

Thank you for reading, I hope that you liked it. I further hope that those of you that may see where the next few chapters are going are ok with it. I wanted to do this part of the mythology. But I didn't want to make it a black and white thing. I want to try and write it in such a way that no one is fully to blame and no one is fully innocent. That ultimately you understand both side and why they do what they do.

As always I would love to hear from you about any comments, ideas or input that you would like to share. I have bene given a really great nickname for Tony to use on Eir. However he can have more than on, so if you have other idea I can use as well than I would love to hear them. More importantly though I am still trying to think of a nickname for Loki to call Eir, and one for her to call him too. I can't think of anything that really works, so any ideas at all would be greatly appreciated.

I would also be very grateful for any ideas about how I can improve the story, get more people to read it. Thank you.