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And so the years began to pass. Harry became a formidable warrior. Though remaining thin and on the shorter side, he had a wiry strength and with his speed and cunning he was able to best most in combat. Those he could not outright defeat with his physical skills, he was able to take down with his equally formidable magic.
In turn, Harry helped with the training and tutoring of both Princes of Asgard. Under his guidance both became skilled young warriors and, Loki in particular, flourished at magic.
Not that there wasn't growing pains. Thor was especially troublesome after meeting the Warriors Three. Sif wished to become a Valkyrie and Harry saw the potential but Thor wished to prove himself her better.
In turn, Sif ignored Thor except to best him in the practice ring. Her attention was on Harry and for a while it was the attention of a girl with her first awkward crush. Harry struck an impressive figure to the young girl. Handsome, kind, a skilled warrior and sorcerer, and lacking the brutish mentality of her male peers.
This did not sit well with Thor. Loki watched the proceedings with the same amusement as Harry, although Harry's amusement was tinged with a bit of exasperation.
Thor blustered with teenage arrogance and ended up challenging Harry to combat in front of Sif in an attempt to win her affections. Instead, Harry offered to tutor the whole group in combat and magics. Unable to turn down his Oath Father, Thor reluctantly welcomed the Warriors Three into Harry's training sessions with him and Loki.
Still his attitude remained arrogant, his head bloated with ego.
Finally, Harry's patience ran out.
"Thor, I wish to speak with you," Harry called sternly as Thor was once again trying to tear down Sif.
Thor gloated for a moment about having Harry's attention but it turned to confusion upon seeing Harry's expression.
When Thor caught up with him, Harry turned on his heel with a firm, "Follow."
Slowly, they made their way out of the palace and city towards the countryside.
Once far into the open hills of green grass and sunlight, Harry turned to face Thor who was now taller than him and still filling out his broad frame.
Harry studied the growing boy. Studied him with cold, emerald eyes that caused Thor to shift on his feet uncomfortably as they seemed to stare into his very being. For the first time in a long time, Thor actually feared his Oathfather. The youth had never seen this side of Harry. Gone was the gentle, over forgiving, mischievous man Thor grew up knowing. In front of him was a warrior, a chieftain, measuring him and apparently finding him wanting.
Harry remained silent as he turned away from Thor and looked out over the realm of Asgard. A sigh passed his lips. Suddenly, Thor felt guilty. Over what, he should feel guilty about, he was not sure. But somehow, Harry was...disappointed in him.
"Oathfather?" Thor asked hesitantly, not wanting to find out what was wrong but at the same time the part of him that was still a child wanted Harry's approval. To get that approval, he needed to know how he had stumbled in Harry's eyes.
Harry didn't turn to him, instead he quietly asked, "Why must you continue to try and lord yourself over Sif?"
The exasperated tone in Harry's voice bothered Thor. Immensely so. Thor felt his blood begin to boil.
"I am her lord and prince. I am stronger and better than her. She needs to face it now before I am her king. A subject of Asgard submits completely to their king without question. That is the way it is."
Harry turned to glare at Thor. "What about me then? I am a subject of Asgard now. Must I submit as well? I have stood up to Odin. I have spoken my mind. Am I no longer allowed because you will it?"
Thor reeled back at the pointed, harsh words. There was no gentle kindness in these words. This was anger, pure and filled with heat. Harry's emerald glare burned.
Thor found himself searching for a response.
"I will say this only once, Thor. No one will dictate my life. If they try, I will destroy them. Be fair warned. Anger your subjects and you will face rebellion and ruin. A king is only as strong as his people. He knows who is better than him and places them in their proper roles. Sif will be a Valkyrie long before you are king. It is time you recognize this. She is a strong warrior and could be your most loyal ally. A leader without followers is just a man commanding clouds. A fool…" Harry states clearly and calmly. As if only explaining that fire was hot and snow was cold to a child. Harry turned away and watched the horizon, the unnamed scepter in hand and Mjolnir on his belt.
Fury at his Oathfather's words boiled over, "I am no fool! I will be king and my subjects will respect me and my position over them, including you!" Thor growled.
Harry spun to face him, "Respect is earned not inherited! Do not think for one moment that your have earned respect, boy. You are nothing but a whiny bully and a spoiled rotten prince who plays at leadership. A leader would die for his people and their happiness. You would take their happiness if it suited you. You are no king and until you learn to be a better man, you never will be. I will not bow to you. I have faced men and women much more frightening than you who thought they could rule over the people. They were disposed of by the very people they thought to rule. As you are now, you will never be my king. The moment you try and force my hand, you will earn me as an enemy. Odin earned my trust and loyalty. I helped raise you as if you were my own." Harry sighed and Thor saw the man's face slip from anger to a sadness Thor had never seen before. His Oathfather looked...devastated. It was similar to an old memory of Thor watching Harry from the doorway as a child after he had told him and Loki a story about his friends. Harry didn't know he was being observed by the young boy. Thor saw a man he thought of as a warrior and a hero, weep at the loss of everything and everyone he held dear from being transported to Asgard. His expression was the same now as he uttered the words, "I had expected greater things from you. Not feats of strength or bravery. Those mean nothing unless you have someone to protect other than yourself. Until you are able to think of others before your own desires, you will never be king. Not a true king."
At that, Harry turned away and walked back towards the city with shoulders hunched as if carrying the weight of the nine realms upon them.
Thor's anger slowly started to melt from him as he watched the man he had respected for so long walk away from him in disappointment and anguish.
"You can come out of hiding, brother," Thor said.
Loki appeared from behind a lonely tree, book in hand as usual. His face solemn as he too watched as Harry slowly made his way.
The two brothers stood silent together for a long while.
"Harry is right, you know," Loki said gently, turning his book over and over in his hands as if memorizing the feel of it. "You can't force people to respect and defer to you. Even Father listens to his advisors and heeds the words of our people. Fear is not love. Power is not respect earned. As your brother, I ask you to listen to our Oathfather. I fear if you don't Asgard could face ruin, very possibly by your own hands."
Thor glared at his brother prepared to deny the possibility only to find Loki's concerned expression to halt the words in his throat. He spun away and marched back to Asgard, leaving Loki behind to watch him.
Loki glanced up at the raven sitting in the tree. Surely, Odin was worried over his eldest as well. Time will tell.
Author's note: I hope posting two chapters back to back is making up for the fact I haven't updated since August. I apologize.
Thanks for sticking by me!
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