Asgard – 608 years ago
Age: 392 (8)
Loki had been spending his summers abroad with relatives in Vanaheim and Alfheim for nearly a century when he first met Lord Hreidmar at uncle Freys palace.
The famed dwarven smith had come to present the king with a specially enchanted ceremonial blade that had been commissioned for an upcoming Alfar festival. King Frey was pleased with the work and Hreidmar promptly returned to Nidavellir, but young Loki was fascinated by the beauty and magic of the blade. It was nothing at all like the dwarven made weapons and armour that Asgard imports. Where Aesir ceremonial weapons were gaudy, gold and heavy, this knife was a thing of pure elegance, sleek blackened uru with delicate inlays and embellishments of platinum and subtle glittering sapphires and black diamond. But whilst looks may have drawn his eye it was as usual magic that held his attention. Loki spent many hours studying that blade over the next few weeks (under his uncles careful supervision) and looking at the many other enchanted weapons throughout the palace.
Whilst Loki had never held any love for fighting and weapons, it was the idea of finding an ‘acceptable’ (by aesir standards) use of his seidr that held appeal. For surely they would not mock his use of magic if he was using it to create such impressive weapons? Loki returned home that year filled with enthusiasm and determination for his new venture.
Studying dvergr magic turned out to be much harder than expected. Loki was skilled in several of the most commonly known schools of seidr, but this was a different beast entirely and the specialist terms didn’t translate well with the all-tongue because there simply were no adequate equivalents in asgardian. Added to the language problem, using the magic relied heavily on extensive assumed knowledge of weapon forging from the mineral components through to the honing of a finished blade.
So what began as a hopeful endeavour into a new branch of magic in Loki’s spare time quickly became a cross-disciplinary expedition through seidr, chemistry, metallurgy, blacksmithing and the language of Nidavellir. Not that this bothered the young prince in the slightest. He was already a scholar at heart and was just as pleased to follow this line of research as any other. Besides, it was not as if he had much to do outside of his regular lessons and combat training.
Queen Frigga took her son’s latest hobby in stride just like all the others, at least this one will not shed hair on her rugs like the wolf cub he had trained and kept as a companion a few decades past (or break his heart when it dies of old age).
By the time a delegation of dvergr next came to Asgard just eight short years later to negotiate the latest military contracts, Loki was absolutely bursting with questions. If Queen Frigga just happened to seat Master Hreidmar next to one of her son’s at the feast that night, well surely it was just a happy coincidence?
Hreidmar himself was a father of five, the youngest two of which were scarcely older than Loki. He thought the precocious youngster was utterly adorable. He was more than happy to talk about his craft, and answer the endless stream of questions with the unflappable patience of one who has endured many centuries of parenthood. He also silently wondered why his own children couldn’t show such enthusiasm for the things he tried to teach them.
Once the meal concluded and the mingling began they were joined by the Nidavellir ambassador and two of the other craftsmen who were delighted at the thought of an Aesir (and a prince at that!) learning about their people and most culturally revered profession.
Ambassador Andvari, who was never one to miss an opportunity to further diplomatic ties, was quick to see a golden opportunity;
“It seems prince Loki, that your studies would benefit from a trip to Nidavellir one day. You would understand much better if you were to see the processes first hand”
“Aye” agreed Hreidmar, quickly catching on “books will only take you so far, I’ll be introducing my youngest, Lyngheid, to the forge after her next nameday, it would be a perfect time for you to learn. My wife and I would be more than happy to host you if your parents would let you join us”
Loki was practically vibrating with excitement (and sugar from his second serve of chocolate cake) and ran off to fetch his mother whilst Andvari mentally patted himself on the back.
The queen was surprised by this turn of events, but not displeased. She had met Hreidmar and his wife many times over the centuries at similar events, and was confident in their good character. Plus, she had an all-seeing gatekeeper to keep an eye on her children wherever they roamed.
It was soon decided that instead of Loki’s trip to Vanaheim this year he would join Hreidmars family for six weeks when Lyngheid began her lessons, followed by two weeks in King Davalin’s palace under Andvaris supervision to learn more about their realm.
The Queen was so very proud of her child’s budding networking skills, and bravery to pursue his studies abroad at such a young age. It was clear that he would be a truly marvellous prince and diplomat when he is grown.
Frigga didn’t once consult Odin whilst making these plans. She wasn’t sure what his opinion would be, but he wouldn’t risk upsetting the dvergr by cancelling the trip. Easier to ask forgiveness than permission as they say.
……………………………………………………………………..
After that first trip to Nidavellir, others across the realms were quick to catch on that they too could endear themselves to the young Prince of Asgard, who would no doubt hold sway over the future King Thor.
Over the centuries that followed Loki was never short of places to spend his summer trips, he received all manner of invitation for opportunities of study or vacation. From the battle mages of Aflheim, to the nomadic tribes of Vanaheim’s plains, Skiing with King Davalin’s grandchildren, and studying more sects of magic than he ever imagined.
There was even a few trips to Svartalfheim and Muspelheim in his adolescence, and relations with those realms were strained at best.
The trip to Nornheim was certainly one to remember. Visitors aren’t often welcome and the Nonir so rarely feel the need to participate in diplomatic relations with other realms, so it came as quite the surprise when an invitation arrived out of the blue.
The letter from Queen Karnilla simply stated that some of her prophets had foreseen a visit from Prince Loki two years hence, and arrangements will be made for him to stay with the priestess’ of the eastern temple.
Invitation perhaps wasn’t the right word, it was more of a ‘So that you know, this will be happening’.
Loki was curious and eager as ever, and Odin wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to get information on the peculiar, insular realm.
Odin wasn’t using his child as a spy. No really, he was just... indulging his son’s innate curiosity and then asking him lots of questions about what he’d learned. That’s what parents are supposed to do isn’t it?
The Nonir that Loki met in the temples certainly lived up to the stereotype of being strange and eccentric. Some of them seemed unusually vague and spaced out, and he wondered if perhaps they smoked those mind-altering herbs he was warned to avoid in Alfheim. Nonetheless he learned a lot and was certainly never bored, he didn’t have any natural ability as a seer but he did have some talent for dreamwalking, which is a rare skill indeed.
A couple of the strange Nonir kept calling him Loptr but he didn’t take their mistake personally, they seemed like they would hardly remember their own names at times. By the time Loki was back in Asgard he had forgotten it completely.