The throne room was always empty when Odin was on one of his many peacekeeping escapades. Loki could find a quiet place next to one of the many columns in which to read a book his mother had gifted him with.
No one would come looking for him, for Heimdall always had a watchful eye out for the young prince.
His knees were pulled up to his chest as he leaned his back against the one of the mammoth pillars. The heavy bound book rested on his knees, his nose buried already halfway through it.
This certain book told of his ancestor's many victories against the Frost Giants of Jötunheim. The barren ice land was vividly displayed in his minds eye as his gaze flickered interestedly across each word. Nothing was glanced over as he soaked up all of the knowledge the words could grant him.
Letters seemed to scramble and congregate on the page as he became enthralled in one specific story. The words laced themselves into the silhouettes of warriors marching towards a meager foe.
The book in front of him became the battlefield as one page morphed into the frost giant army and the other the gallant Asgardian army.
Loki's eyes sparkled as he watched both sides charge each other and then clash as they both reached the binding of the book.
His grin was luminescent as the words fell scattered on the page before they slowly found their way back to their spots.
Despite himself Loki applauded the book's antics and laughed out loud, oblivious to the children his joyous uproar had made congregate in the great hall.
It wasnt until Fandrall clapped him on the shoulder that he was jerked back into reality, the magical book falling to the floor.
The smile fell from his face as he scrambled to his feet in a panic. The other children laughed as he stumbled over his own feet, trying to pick up the book in the process.
"Scaredy cat!"
Some pointed and laughed, while others seemed content in their wicked smiles. Loki could do nothing but hold the book to his chest, as if it would stop any of their oncoming remarks from hurting him.
But they didn't come.
"Who gave you all permission to be in this part of the palace?"
Loki's eyes raised to see the figure of his mother approaching the horde of children.
"You all know better than this. You are forbidden from the throne room at times other than celebrations. "
Loki held back from running to her. They had to leave before he would.
"Go. Or I'll be forced to tell all of your mothers"
Mothers. The word struck fear in each child as they pleaded with the queen.
"Leave now and let this be your last warning"
As quickly as they had come, the children filtered back out into the main hallways. Loki stayed rooted to the spot as he looked up at his mother.
She watched until the last child had left and turning to her son her gaze softened.
"Loki"
One word and he was running to her. She crouched down, opening her arms to him. Book held tightly to his chest he collided with her, but she was solid as a rock. Unwavering she wrapped her arms around her slightly son, softly stroking his inky locks.
"My son. Are you alright?"
He hid his face in her shoulder, finally releasing the book but it held fast between their bodies. His hands fisted in the bodice of her gown. Nodding fast, he did not lie to her. He was alright now that she was here.
"My brave boy. Were you studying like I asked?"
As he nodded he looked up towards her face, wanting to see the proud expression on her face when he told her. "Frost giants, mother. "
"Yes. Tell me all that you know, my smart boy"
This was Loki's favorite part of her teachings. She always wanted him to tell her what he had learned and he was all too eager to comply.
He wasnt sure how long they stayed there as she held him and he blathered on about the horrid monsters known as Frost Giants, but at some point they had moved to sit near one of the large windows.
Loki could have talked for days about what he had learned, but at one point he could tell that his mother's mind was someplace else. "Mother?"
For a moment, their eyes met and his mother's warm eyes were full of pain. Tears threatened to spill over onto her cheeks as she looked at him.
Loki had never seen her anything but cheerful and it scared him.
But as soon as it was there, in a wave of her hand it was gone.
"Is that all for today, Loki?"
Not completely sure as to what he had just witnessed, Loki could only nod. His mother gave him a reassuring smile and a pat on the back as she moved him from her lap and stood.
"To bed with you, then. We have a busy day tomorrow"
On impulse, or what he would later find was his mother's magic, he turned from her company and walked back down the hallway towards his bed chambers.
Crawling into his bed that night he could only think of one thing...
A reoccurring thought that over took his mind as he lay down on among his pillows.
Frost Giants made Mother cry.
And for the first time, as he closed his eyes and succumbed to slumber, Loki had a nightmare.
Frost Giants made Mother cry.
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