Self-Discovery

Loki was packing the last few items he would be taking with him to Alfheim. It still didn't seem real that he was leaving his home, off on a Grand Adventure that had nothing to do with the bloody-minded conquests that Thor fantasized about. He was glad Frigga had decided to put off telling Thor that Loki was getting his very own adventure.

"NO! He can't go!" Thor's voice echoed down the hall.

...and it seemed that she had just told him. Joy. Perhaps he could just... make himself invisible? Or maybe go down to the kitchens to say his farewells to his favorite cook and cadge a few cookies... that seemed like a much better plan.

Frigga looked at her son in disapproval. "You have no say in the matter, Thor. The All-Father has approved this, Loki agreed to it, and that is final."

"But he's MY brother! He belongs here with ME!" Thor didn't quite stamp his feet at his mother, but he was sorely tempted to. How could she do this to him?!?

"Loki is your brother, but the only part of that relationship that belongs to you is the care you give and the love between you. Loki himself does not belong to you in any way, and you have no right to act as though he is some favored toy being taken away from you." Frigga responded calmly but firmly. Really, she hadn't realized Thor viewed Loki as some sort of possession, and found herself all the happier that she'd talked Odin into a few decades' fostering for Loki. The separation could only do him good.

Thor glowered at the floor, unwilling to meet his mother's eyes as he sullenly growled "But he's my brother. It's my responsibility to protect him. I can't do that if he's not right here."

...maybe it wasn't quite as bad as she'd thought, then. Though with what little she'd observed, Thor was a terrible protector. "Loki will be safe, Thor, I promise. He will also be learning better ways to protect himself; you need not worry so."

"But he's terrible at arms! Loki always loses unless he cheats! He needs me!" ... Ok, it was every bit as bad as she'd thought, just in a slightly different way.

Fixing her eldest with a stern glare, Frigga stated the truth Thor (and Odin) didn't want to hear: "Using Seidr is NOT cheating, Thor, it is merely a different type of weapon and Loki has won several bouts even without using his Seidr. He is stronger and more capable than you think, and needs space and time away from your narrow view of him to grow. End of discussion. You have this afternoon to say your farewells, I suggest you use the time wisely instead of wasting it on this childish temper tantrum."

Still grumbling, Thor stomped his way to his brother's room. Loki was staring out the window, seemingly oblivious to his entrance. Having the illusion dissipate as soon as Thor tried to grab its arm and drag his brother off so he couldn't leave didn't put him in a better mood. (But being presented with fresh baked cookies an hour later when he finally found the real Loki in the kitchens helping fold delicate pastries with deft fingers did. ...as did a sampling of the pastries.)

Loki liked Alfheim. He had much more freedom here, staying with a minor noble family Frigga had known for centuries while studying the basics of Elfen magic. Their views on Seidr and how to harness it were different from the Vanir methods he'd been taught by his mother. Some things made a great deal more sense their way, and some things just ...didn't. He was also getting lessons on Alfheim's history (SO different from Asgard's version of the history of the Realms), and InterRealm diplomacy in addition to continuing weapons training and most of the lessons he'd had in Asgard. (Though there were some notable differences there, too.)

Unlike in Asgard, however, no one mocked or bullied him - neither for his preference in weapons, nor for asking questions and taking a bit more time to understand some new point. He was not looking forward to the yearly return to Asgard Odin had insisted on.

He was not at all homesick, though he missed his mother and occasionally wondered how Thor was liking having the tutors all to himself with no one (i.e. Loki) to embarrass him by being a better student. It was a change, not only to have several classmates, but to be the slower one in some of his studies. It wasn't too hard to adjust, though. His teachers were willing to make time after classes to explain in more depth if his need to know was slowing or derailing the lesson too far. It was nice. More than nice.

Even nicer, he had peers who seemed to like being around him. He thought maybe they even counted as friends. People laughed at his pranks, more than not, and the reprimands he got when he went too far were not nearly as punitive as Odin's punishments. They took time to explain why his actions were not acceptable, when needed, and gave him exercises to develop better control when things just got away from him.

Currently, he had been set the task of obscuring himself; there had been a few... issues... with illusions gaining a life of their own. (The incident with the monster in the swimming hole was particularly memorable. Once he'd recovered from the unexpectedly heavy drain on his Seidr, he'd been given a long lecture and series of books to read on why and how, exactly, he could have seriously - permanently - damaged himself.) The Healers had decided he needed to improve his total awareness of every bit of his Seidr - where it was being used, how it was moving, what was affecting and drawing on it. Everything. Practice in keeping all he feels and thinks and is contained within set boundaries would improve his control and awareness. The fact that it would also mask him from most forms of Scrying and Sight was a bonus that would be useful in battles and reconnaissance. His teacher hinted that once he was able to hold a mask for a solid month - day and night - without having to actually pay attention to it, there would be a reward: he would be given an important secret that would lead to a new kind of magic. That alone was more than enough incentive to throw his full efforts into mastering these exercises.

Odin was displeased. Not that that was unusual regarding Loki.

Heimdal had been keeping a close eye on his wayward son, giving regular, detailed reports. There had been assorted minor trouble from Loki, and the Elves had been ridiculously lenient in chastising him. Each trouble was a new one, however, so apparently they were still managing to get through to Loki somehow. It galled Odin that Frigga had been right about it, that the Elves could curb Loki's chaotic nature and teach him self-control.

But now? This was unacceptable - Loki had disappeared from Heimdal's sight. It was only for an hour or so, and appeared to be merely a side effect of some lesson he was being given. It was bad enough Loki could disappear, but it raised the question of how many of Alfheim's mages Heimdal never saw. They could be planning anything and Asgard would never know. Alfheim had long been an ally of Asgard - they had disagreements, but nothing warranting great distrust. On the other hand, you could only be betrayed by those you trusted. So now he had to make a decision: decree they should not teach Loki such things and let them know Heimdal was not as all-seeing as rumored (also showing them his own lack of trust), or say nothing and risk they already knew and were using it.

As days passed Loki more and more frequently slipped out of Heimdal's sight for increasingly longer periods of time. Odin grew increasingly upset, and decided he'd best take it up with Frigga. She would at least know whether the Elfen mages knew of the effect.

Frigga laughed when he brought his concerns to her. "It is nothing to be concerned with, husband mine. Loki accidentally put too much of himself into an illusion and fell unconscious from the drain. His teacher was able correct the issue and has set him a series of practices to become more aware of such things before they become problems. Once he reaches a level of proficiency at monitoring his Seidr, they will move on to other subjects. The effect of shielding someone from Sight is well known, but such shields require a certain level of concentration and cannot be held indefinitely, nor can most major workings be done while under one. They also hide little beyond the mage in question. You need not worry that allies are using them to hide while conspiring behind your back. I am receiving regular updates on Loki's progress, and if Heimdal cannot tell you of our son, I will."

"I am more concerned what he could be getting up to while out of Heimdal's Sight. He is a continual troublemaker, who knows what he could be plotting?"

"His teachers and foster family know what he gets up to, nor is it your responsibility to rein him in while he is there. They are dealing with whatever minor mischief he causes. Loki is not evil, nor do his plots extend beyond a bit of fun. He is yet a child, trust him in that much, at least. A little trust and a little praise will go a long way in keeping his loyalty, Odin-King. So long as you give him the support he needs, you need not fear he will use this ability against you. Indeed, the ability to avoid detection is a useful one for a King to have in his arsenal. Merely tell Loki you have heard he is doing well at his studies and expect he will continue to do so.
"And do not be too concerned if Loki continues to mask his presence from time to time. Loki has been able to sense when Heimdal's eyes are on him for over a century, now. Heimdal may not be hostile toward him, but the feeling is the same - like being watched by a predator waiting to pounce or an enemy preparing to take the shot; like you are about to get a knife in the back or an arrow in the head. Do not make an issue of him taking a break from that. You know from your warring days that being in hostile territory for a long campaign either makes you paranoid or numbs your senses - you come to either blindly attack at the least sound or react too slowly to a genuine threat when you have too long felt eyes on your back. Without Heimdal's eyes constantly upon him, he can know that when he feels someone watching him it truly does mean he should be on alert."