As Loki started to slowly grow, he remained a very weak and sickly child. It only became more obvious as it was the stark contrast to Thor, whom weren't hold back by anything.
Thor could run around, yell, tumble down stairs, fall head down into icy cold rivers and climb out again, but in brawls with other children, climb trees and all sorts of other things and he would be just fine.
He was incredible strong and filled with energy.
Loki on the other hand would always lack behind, he would be unable to keep up with his big brother, if he were the one to fall into water the chances of him becoming sick were much greater, he clearly only had little energy to spare.
But he was intelligent and seemed to realize that by himself at an early age, even before he could talk, and spend what-ever little energy he had on what was most important, such as eating and getting himself to safety away from the wild tornado that was Thor and his friends.
Because Loki would often be so sick, and even when he was well he was weak, did Frigga spend much time with him, taking care of him.
Thor though, surprisingly was not the least bit jealous, instead he was very worried. Sometimes he would ask if Loki could come out to play, to climb in the trees or something, and Frigga patiently had to inform Thor that Loki simply wasn't as strong as he was, that he didn't have the strength to do those kinds of things.
It was more often than not that Thor would be inside, and Loki would be inside in his bed, looking out with empty eyes.
It was one of those days, Loki was ones again confined to bed, his cheeks flushing red with a fever, third time this year. And he was still just a tiny little child, only first now having started to read his first sentences.
To be fair though, when it came to reading and speaking, he had been a much faster learner than Thor, when Thor had been this age, he had not been able to read a single word.
Here Loki was though, his eyes in deep concentration as he was looking at the book in front of him, trying to decipher the strange symbols that were letters.
"How are you feeling my son?" Frigga asked as she approached Loki, then placed a hand on his forehead, only to be rewarded with that similar burning sensation.
"I am doing well mother." Loki replied, not looking away from the book, seemingly not to bothered with being sick, which quite frankly, was something he was far to used to. Then though he coughed, his thin body crumbling together and he hissed in annoyance, clearly not happy about the limitations of his body.
Frigga sighed as she reached for the cough medicine on Lokis bed table, this bottle was never far away, even when he was well there seemed little point in putting it away, as it was only a matter of time before they would need it again.
The look on Lokis face was one of pure dismay as Frigga poured the medicine up on a spoon and then offered it to him, how-ever he did take it, knowing trying to avoid the bitter medicine wouldn't help him.
Then Frigga put down the spoon. "Don't worry my son, it will pass, like it always does."
"I know." Loki assured, still though, clearly not happy.
Frigga smiled lightly. "You are a fighter Loki." she informed him. "You might not believe this, but when you were even smaller, just a baby. It was much worse, you could barely even move." her eyes grew misty. "how-ever… As you are growing, it is becoming better. One day, you wont have to worry about it at all. You just need to concentrate on that, on becoming strong."
"Thor is strong already." Loki pointed out, it really had to be annoying for him, Thor was never sick.
"Yes, he was fortunate." Frigga smiled. "His body was very strong from the moment he was born."
"Unlike mine." Loki commented bitterly.
Worried Frigga looked at him then she shook her head. "Your body… is weak." she admitted. "how-ever, you will." she put a hand on his forehead. "That's how you are here Loki, your will is something else." she smiled. "Your will will carry you through, and you will accomplish great things."
Just then a shout came as a small boy came running. "Loki! Loki see what I found!"
Both Loki and Frigga turned to see a small blond boy come running, covered from head to toe in dirt and mud, unlike how Loki would ever look, mostly because it would be a sure way to make him sick again, in Thors hands, wrapped around part of his left arm was a snake with yellow scales. "Oh, hallo mother." Thor greeted Frigga.
"Hallo Thor." Frigga smiled amused. "What have you there?"
"It's a snake!" Thor grinned. "A golden whisperer, it's cute isn't it?" he asked.
Loki tilted his head, looking at the snake as its black eyes seemed to be looking back at him. Thor clearly weren't the least bit afraid of the things, quite the contrary, he loved them for some reason.
"Thor." Frigga shook her head. "What did I tell you about bringing animals into the palace?" she asked.
"Do not." Thor pouted. "But… Loki can't go outside. He would not be able to see it."
"Well I suppose for now, I shall let this pass, just put it back outside." Frigga instructed. "Look at that Loki, isn't that a nice snake."
Loki frowned slightly. But finally nodded.
"You want to see?" Thor asked stepping closer.
"Thor, no." Frigga instructed him. "Loki is sick, if you want to spend time with him. No snake, and wash first." she asked.
"Oh I'm sorry!" Thor gaped. "Don't worry, I shall protect my brother!" he stated proudly.
Loki frowned, he wasn't in a happy mood already, clearly though he had never been a fan of this hole protection arrangement. As it happened though, he had very little choice. His body simply didn't allow him to handle himself.
Thor on the other hand loved it, loved to be his little brothers big protector. It was a grand responsibility he liked to take very seriously. "I shall go deliver Lokira the third back to the forest!" he referred to the snake… yet another snake named after Loki in his honor.
As Thor left Loki sighed, then he looked up. "Mother… may I show you something?" he asked.
"Of course." Frigga smiled warmly.
Then… Just then, Frigga hadn't seen it before, suddenly it was like it was just there, a golden Snake just like the one Thor had just been holding, seemingly on Lokis bed covers.
"BY ODIN!" Frigga shouted in surprise and fright as she sprung up and grabbed for the snake, only for her fingers to slip right through it, and as they did, the snake faded away in a shimmer of green.
Loki frowned annoyed. "I can't make them any bigger than that." he admitted. "And only for seconds… If anyone touches them they vanish."
Friggas eyes widened then she looked up. "Loki..." she gasped. "Was that… Did you just make?" she asked.
Confused Loki looked at Frigga. "It's like what you do mother." he pointed out.
"An illusion." Frigga gasped. "You… Just from watching me?" she asked.
Slowly Loki nodded.
And Frigga let go of a breath, then she smiled. "How clever you are." she smiled warmly. "And talented."
"You… Liked it?" Loki asked sheepishly.
"I am so proud of you." Frigga sniffed. "Loki." she took his hand. "Listen, no you will never be as strong as Thor, how-ever… There are other things you can do. You will indeed be his equal, but your way of fighting will be different. I will teach you." she smiled.
At ones Lokis eyes widened, they were filled with yearning, a clear lust for this knowledge. "please mother." he asked, nearly begging. "Please, teach me."
"Of course my darling son." Frigga smiled warmly. "I will teach you, the secrets of my own family line, secrets not even Odin knows of." she stated. "They will be yours though, as my son. It will be hard, and take a very long time. But I am confident, you shall be able to master all these secrets of illusion."
Clearly Lokis eyes were filled with excitement, his mouth twitching slightly, the yearning in his fever ridden face clear.
"Now though, you had enough excitement. Rest." Frigga asked.
Loki frowned annoyed. "Mother, I do not wish.."
"We shall start tomorrow." Frigga assured. "Sleep, my son."
Loki was struggling against it, but there clearly was now winning over this as his eye lids grew heavy and soon sleep took him, though even as he slept, there was a look of triumph across his face.