How was he going to be able get out of Asgard successfully? He could not afford to have anyone's eyes accidentally catch clues. Father or Heimdall, if they see what I'm doing, may conclude I am leaving and I know not how they would react. I need to be "normal" so that I will continue to be ignored. I have a lot to do and I cannot be observed. Some of these things on their own would be suspicious and/or get me into trouble. I need to:

Increase my ability to travel between all the realms. If I get found I refuse to make it easy for whoever is sent, most likely my brother, to catch me.

Figure out a way to evade Heimdall. This could get me in trouble. Why does the trickster want to be unseen? He must be plotting! As if anyone ever asked me why I plotted!

Pick a realm and lay the groundwork for my living there. When I leave Asgard I need to fit seamlessly into where I will live. Otherwise, I will stick out and that will give my pursuers, if any, clues.

Figure out how to encourage no one to search for me. Father doesn't trust or listen to me. He would just have me dragged back to Asgard and punished. I need to do something which won't necessitate being dragged back here for punishment but will encourage them to leave me alone in case Heimdall figures a way past my spells.

Being "normal" was easy. The insults and ignorance people directed towards him justified his decision. If I was a warrior whose skills were not respected I would be lauded for finding a place where they would be! It was simplicity itself to deal with the idiots three and Sif's disrespect whenever he was forced to travel with them due to Thor's "intervention": it was further proof he should leave. Thankfully his brother never even asked what he was interrupting Loki at. Loki would be contemplating how to evade Heimdall. Maybe a special class of invisibility spells. Something worded-

Thud! Stomp! Slam!

"There you are brother! Truly, you need more sunlight for you are looking paler than usual! Let us go on a quest with our friends," Thor yelled.

If I didn't make at least a token protest it would be unusual. Unusual in Asgard, especially when regards to me, equals bad.

"Thor, these are my chambers. I decide when I enter and when I leave. I care not for your idiotic quests. Leave me to my vital work," Loki snapped.

"Whatever it is will keep brother. Come," Thor called stubbornly.

Of course and here he comes again as he always does.

"Thor, put me down this instant! Did you not just hear me?"

Of course you didn't. You never do.

"Loki, nothing is more important than friendship and heroism. Your trickery will wait and you will be refreshed! Why must you always be so stubborn brother? If you would only show your face more it would not come to this."

Of course it's my fault. You've never considered coming to me to do something I might like to do together.

"Put me down and I'll pack," Loki grumbled with annoyance.

Thor put him down but held him close with one arm around Loki's shoulders and his hand at the back of Loki's neck. His blue eyes gazed deeply into Loki's own.

"No tricks? I still remember the time you attempted to send an illusion in your place. I want you with me brother."

Loki's heart softened, which was annoying, despite his magic being called trickery again. He accepts my word when no one else does. He wants my presence even though he ignores my advice and abilities. It's still more than anyone else does for me. How can I help but remember when we were children before those idiots came and encouraged him away from me? Before they came he did not treat me with casual disrespect. How is it possible to love and dislike him so much at the same time?

"You have my word. Now leave and I'll meet you and the others at the stables. What is it this time," Loki inquired.

Thor's eyes gleamed as he let Loki go.

"There is a dragon with a truly magnificent hoard in Nidavellir! We will gain much glory and treasure for Asgard!"

Loki gave Thor a horrified look.

"You want to take on a dragon just to get unnamed treasure? Are you insane," Loki snapped.

Thor shook his head.

"For honor brother! That is important," Thor replied vehemently.

Why do I even bother?

"Fine. I'll make sure to bring extra burn ointment and bandages," Loki retorted.

Thor laughed and smacked him on the shoulder.

"As you will brother. It will be marvelous. Don't keep us waiting too long for we hunger for glory," Thor ordered happily.

You hunger for an early death. If you realized that truth you would not bring me with you for I cannot allow it. Even as you are.

On that thought, Loki swore and packed.

This was how he found himself with Thor, the Warriors Three and Sif in the valley over a dragon's cave. It was pointless, of course, but he had to try to be the voice of reason.

"Dragon flame can even kill an Aesir. If we are going to do this we must do so carefully. I'll send out one of my illusions to lure it out and we can observe its actions. Then we can attack," Loki suggested quickly.

Sif gave him a scornful look.

"That is cowardice Loki. What is the worth of being here if we do not behave as warriors?"

"Sif is right brother. For Asgard!"

With that Thor and the others charged thoughtlessly for the cave. Loki swore and threw shields around them. This proved vital as the dragon, enraged at being disturbed, charged out and starting blowing flames. The warriors managed to avoid most of the flames, amazingly, but not all. If not for Loki, at some point each of them would have been seriously burned.

You're the heir to the throne Thor! Why? Why does father allow this madness?!

With the shields in place around them Loki wrapped one around himself and then joined the battle. The battle ended as it always did: the warriors got in blows and Thor killed the beast with Mjolnir. They were blinded by blood lust to see that they would not have survived the battle without Loki.

"Mighty as always Thor! Where's Loki? Oh at the back! You'll never gain glory that way," Frandal taunted.

"Instead of charging heedlessly, Frandal, I took a few moments to set up shields which saved everyone's lives."

"Loki you think too much. All you need is a mighty sword, or even an axe," Volstagg suggested.

"I will have to disagree with you Volstagg," Loki managed to respond civilly.

Where are you in this brother? Surely you have to see the truth somehow!

"Friends Loki was only doing what he felt best. Leave him be."

That's it? No realization that what I did was right? No defense besides this halfhearted commentary? There is nothing for me here.

The rest of the trip, and home, was no better. While Thor, the Warriors and Sif had gone on a hunt that became a saga on its own Loki expended considerable thought and power breaking curses placed on the treasure by past holders and the dragon. Dragons were not too intelligent but they were powerful. For more than a few of the curses Loki just had to rip off, rather than lightly untangle, because he knew he had to remove the curses before the others got back. They would not keep away from the treasure once they came back from the hunt. If they touched something cursed he would be blamed. The result was that everyone else was glowing with glory while Loki was muted by exhaustion. He was powerful, but he had to expend a lot of power smashing curses instead of untangling them.

Asgard, of course, did not ask why he was tired. All they did was celebrate Thor's victory, Thor's hunt and Thor's treasure. Loki left the feast almost indecently early with bile and bitterness filling his heart.

That's it. I have to leave before I do something I regret.