Green light danced along his fingertips, adding its glow to the light of the brazier and the lamps that fought to keep back the darkening of the early winter evening. The wind rose and fell, gliding along the windows and tossing about the occasional dead leaf. Outside the window, the lights from the outbuildings of the castle began to go out as residents went to sleep. But in Loki's quarters, he was hard at work practicing his magic after a long day of therapy and studies.
"Very good, Loki! I knew you could do it. You used magic naturally as a child. We just had to release your constraints and remind you."
The glow faltered and went out. Loki snapped his head around to stare at his mother. "I did?"
"Yes. But you were such a scamp that your father had me put a lock on your abilities. You would wind up in my gardens or in the stables when you were supposed to be sleeping, and no one knew how you got there. You escaped from your crib constantly. And Thor had more pet snakes than he knew what to do with. The final straw was when we had to bring him to the healing room because you gave him a venomous snake. But now, you are old enough to use your magic wisely." Frigga said the last while staring intently at Loki, almost daring him to argue or prove otherwise.
He knew without her saying it that if he should use his magic poorly again, she would once more bind it. He smiled up at her beatifically. "Of course I'll be good, Mother."
She frowned and he knew she wasn't fooled for a moment. But so long as he behaved, she would teach him. And if he could use his magic to move about, it could prove useful. His legs were beginning to twitch and while the pain in them wasn't constant, it was there, and welcome after so long a time of feeling nothing. Maybe his magic could speed along his recovery, despite Mother's insistence that his physical recovery must be non-magical.
Loki turned his attention back to his fingers, concentrating on trying to will the green lights to return. After a few moments with no results, he let out an exasperated sigh. "Are you certain you unlocked all my magic?"
Frigga chuckled. "I did. But you are forgetting something, I think."
Loki's brows drew down. He thought about what Mother had taught him. Realization dawned and he snorted. "Of course. My first lesson. Magic comes from within."
Frigga nodded. "That's right. Now call up the lights again, but pull the ability from within yourself. Magic is an external response to our internal will."
Loki closed his eyes to better concentrate. He took a deep breath, letting it out, then another to steady his breathing. He felt the tingles within seconds and opened his eyes to see his hands enveloped in the green lights.
"Very good! Now, push them away from you. You can do it. You may have to close your eyes again, but soon, you will be able to do it with your eyes open."
Loki refused to close his eyes, instead his vision glossed over as he narrowed his concentration and brought his breathing under control once more. The lights moved, tiny tendrils reaching out from his fingertips toward the book on his nightstand. The lights enveloped it, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not move it. He let out a frustrated groan and the lights jumped to knock over his water glass. Only Frigga's quick response kept it from hitting the rug.
"With time, you can move heavier objects. But that was wonderful! You should rest now. Magic takes a toll on your body's energy."
"But I don't want to rest, Mother. I want to try more." The green lights of the magic had retreated to his fingertips, where it slid between his fingers like a green fog. It was both warm and cool, smooth like the finest silk.
"Sleep now, Loki. You push yourself too hard. Tomorrow is soon enough to practice more." She ran a hand along his legs, her own magic easing the pain that had begun throbbing in his legs. It had increased in intensity in response to the concentration he was putting toward the magic.
The lights in the room began to fade. Frigga rose and pulled the covers over him, bending to kiss his forehead. The magic spluttered along his fingers and faded away. His eyelids were impossible to hold open and despite his best efforts, darkness soon enveloped him.