This one happens within the same basic time-frame as yesterday's chapter (kind of as a flip side. Yesterday an examination of Thor's insecurities, today, Loki's), so Loki's maybe 12-ish.

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Odin came upon his younger son spare moments after the trial. Both youths had been tested by the weapon masters that their progress might be reported to him. He did not expect that account for several hours yet. By the looks of it, he would need it not when it came. Thor, he had not worried after. Thor, he knew, exceeded his trainers' expectations. He had extended the examination to both his sons that neither might think too much of it.

"I take it your test did not go well?"

Slumped against the wall, Loki only shrugged one shoulder.

Odin did not understand his younger son.

Thor, he did. Thor would rail and storm against a ruling he found unfavorable. He would demand the trial again and shout that his examiners judged unfairly until finally they would have to call Odin to look to his son for fear towards the integrity of the courtyard.

Loki took to failure equally poorly. He took it too much to heart. He crumbled under the expectations of his elders and lacked the strength to get back up once he had found himself fallen below them.

"You are young," Odin told him, "You have much time, yet, in which to learn."

Loki would not look at him.

Odin closed the little distance between them and tipped Loki's chin to face him.

Tears trembled on the edges of his eyes, but they did not fall. As soon as Odin moved his hand Loki turned his head away.

"A prince mustn't slouch," Odin said.

Loki straightened a little.

Finding him thus resistant, Odin left him. This weakness in his son was a troubling one. To rely so heavily on the words of another could only breed heartache, and he would have so much more for his boy. Whether the boy felt it or no, Odin would have his son exhibit strength. A bared weakness was an invitation to those who would prey upon it.

But, as he had said, Loki was, as yet, very young. He had time yet to understand what his father hadn't the words to explain to him. The boy had time to grow.

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This one was also a challenge from a friend. A younger friend of mine challenged me to write a scene where a parent was saying something the parent saw as encouragement and the child saw as criticism. Which was A LOT easier than I think she thought it would be. But there it is.

If you've been reading all these updates along with those of 'A Little More', then chapters 17-21 of 'In the End' are chronologically next. I think.