Disclaimer: I do not own Thor.

A/ N: Written for a prompt over on norsekink, like, two years ago. Oops.

Prompt: Usually Asgardians think that Loki is a weakling that hides behind his tricks.

I know it's probably silly of me, but I'd like to read a story where people of Asgard (men and women, from noblemen to guards and servants) care about him, maybe even too much sometimes, because he's smaller than most of them (he's an adult man, NOT a child, though), and unlike them he's not a tough, muscled warrior, so it wakes their instinct to protect (ugh... something like that). They are afraid that he gets hurt, etc.

One day someone kidnaps him (probably even some other realm, someone strong and scary). Asgardians are not amused, and the kidnappers will have to deal with the huge crowd of enraged Aesir who will tear everyone and everything apart for hurting their little prince.

Thor/Loki, or no pairings at all, please.

Chapter 1- Vidar

The second prince was strange; everyone knew that. The black hair, short stature and slim face with pretty green eyes stood out starkly against the traits of his sibling and parents. His habits were even more mind boggling to the people of Asgard. What sort of man would willing - enthusiastically even - learn magic? What sort of warrior would prefer slick words over a sharp blade? Loki's preferences were met with many different reactions: confusion, disgust, and anger to name a few but never happiness; never that.

The guards of Asgard are the same as every other Asgardian in the fact that they love to fight, party, and start more fights. But when they're on duty, they are as stiff and solemn as Heimdall; taking in everything with their eyes and never moving unless they needed to. For every shift a guard takes, he becomes a silent specter of Asgard's trivial history; the everyday things that are gone from the minds of others in less than a day.

As it stands, the guards of the South Wall that overlooks the training area have a special soft spot for Loki.

They watched as over the years, the two little princes would sneak out to the training grounds and watch in awe as mighty men sparred for hours on end. Thor's mouth would open a little wider in shocked glee each time a powerful attack hit its target. By the way he wiggled so eagerly, he clearly wanted to go up and demand to be taught, but Loki would tug on his sleeve when Thor made a move to get up, shake his head sadly and inform Thor he was still too small.

Thor would pout before smiling and attacking his brother with tickling fingers, causing the delighted shrieks of a child to reach out into the wind.

Often, the two would have out their own play swords and have mock battles with Thor winning most of the time.

Then, Thor became old enough to start training. Loki would come and watch his brother practice, his shoulders showing his dejected spirit at losing his brother's company but he still clapped and hollered happily whenever Thor did exceptionally well.

The guards mouths stayed firmly shut but their eyes glittered with pride at how quickly Thor became a noble warrior, and their approval was echoed in the cheers of the other warriors on the training grounds.

Loki was not so lucky when his time came.

Vidar had just been assigned a permanent position as Head Guard of the South Wall when the Prince Loki began his warrior training.

When the Weapons Master handed the youngster a sword twice as thick as Loki's thin arms, Vidar felt despair creep into his heart and had to force his eyes from closing as the boy toppled over, struggling just to hold the weapon. The whole session was spent with the Weapons Master screaming himself hoarse at the trembling young prince. Finally, the man gave up, shaking his head and uttering words that almost had Vidar going to the King to report treason.

"It seems there is only one prince worthy of Asgard."

The man had turned on his heel so he did not see the shattered look in those bright green eyes, he did not hear the shuddering intake of breath or see the bowed head as Loki wiped away any tears before they could fall. He quickly left the grounds and did not leave his room for the rest of the evening, ignoring even Thor's desperate calls.

Vidar's grip on his spear was so tight, his bones moaned in protest. A quick glance at his men told a similar story.

He personally thought the Weapons Master was an idiot. What sort of master gives a beginner a sword without even going over the basics? It was almost as if he had expected Loki to already know to handle the weapon.

Understanding hit Vidar and he fought back a groan.

The same Weapons Master had begun Thor's training two years ago and for some reason thought Loki would be on the same level as Thor was now. Perhaps he had too much mead to drink for lunch that day because it was obvious to any seasoned warrior that Loki had never held a real sword in his life. Children were forbidden to touch the weapons as a means of safety. Not only that, but Loki's body type was not built for heavy weapons like swords and axes.

For one week, Vidar and his men watched the Weapons Master belittle their prince.

For one week, they watched as Loki would sneak back at night and practice in secret till the sun peaked out; his skin paler than usual as he stumbled back to his room, exhausted, sweaty and bruised.

For one week, they forced themselves to watch the despair on Loki's face grow deeper and deeper at each failed practice.

On the first day of the new week, the guards rotated onto their vacation week and had enough free time to correct a few things.

The first was getting rid of a very confused Weapons Master - who became terrified when a sword was pressed firmly against his quivering neck. The whispered threat to stay away from the prince was hissed so violently, the man had packed up and left for Vanaheim the next day.

The second night, a set of daggers along with a training book about staffs and spears was left in Loki's room for him to find.

From then on, Vidar and his men watched as Loki became a flying shadow. Sharp edged blades flung from his pale hands with the precision of a seasoned archer. They watched as he moved gracefully with a spear expertly held in his hands; taking the weapon on a deadly dance that left many opponents gasping for air from their sprawled positions in the dirt.

He was still ridiculed for not wielding a sword like every other warrior. The prince shrugged off all the remarks and criticism and each night the guards would watch him continue to try and master the sword as well as his brother had before he was gifted with his hammer.

His success was little but he never gave up. Slowly, he learned to handle a sword decently over the years but never bothered to show anyone. The prince probably thought he would be laughed at for taking so long to master such a simple thing.

But the guards had watched and silently commended him. The years past and they never spoke of their love for the second prince.

Still, perhaps it was his delicate features and short stature, maybe it was the way he moved with more grace than a normal Asgardian or it might have even been Loki's preference for detailed tunics of fine silk with elegant designs seamlessly weaved about them.

Whatever the reason, the guards of the South Wall began to think of themselves as Loki's personal guards. They knew he was capable of taking care of himself but that did not stop any of them from stepping in when some went too far and hurt or insulted the prince.

The most memorable- besides the Weapons Master- had been a warrior who had bested Loki in a sparring match. This normally would not have been a problem, but the warrior was arrogant. He sneered down at Loki's fallen form, called him weak and wondered out loud if he would look as delicious in his bed panting underneath him as he did on the training grounds.

Loki had been too stunned to speak. Vulgar words had been directed his way before but never like that. It was clear the other warriors were in the same shock, yet none had stood up for Loki and Thor was currently out hunting.

There was little Loki could do but reject the man's 'offer' and leave the grounds with his head held high, ignoring the mocking laughter behind him.

If the prince had planned a clever revenge for the warrior, it never came to pass because the guards got to the man first.

The nice thing about arrogant warriors is that they are easy to goad and even easier to break if you know how to do it right. Many of Asgards older warriors had suffered through the Jotunheim War so they were very good at breaking people when they put their minds to it.

The best part, Vidar thinks fondly, is when Thor returned and found out what happened. If that warrior thought he had suffered at the guards hands, Thor showed him how wrong he was and the arrogant fighter quickly became a mad man under Thor's tender care.

Loki soon returned to the grounds and the incident was quietly forgotten about by most. Even better than Loki's obvious relief at never seeing the other man was the joy he had in sparring with his brother, both mock fighting in the way that they had done has children. Vidar and his men continued to watch contently has Loki grew over the years and their loyalty never wavered no matter the rumors and slander flung Loki's way because, unlike others, they saw Loki.

Vidar and his didn't care when Loki took an interest in magic.

Vidar and his didn't care when Loki began to scheme.

Vidar and his didn't care when Loki's words became polished silver with hidden iron underneath.

Vidar and his didn't care because they knew Loki was as true of a Prince of Asgard as his brother.

So when they heard the Queen's terrified sobs, the All Father's grave anger and Thor's thunderous rage echo down the mighty halls of the palace the night after a visiting party from Nidavellir departed, they rushed to the distressed family. Vidar felt numb as he came upon Prince Loki's room. The inside torn to shreds with blood splattered on the floor, mirrors shattered and his book, his precious, precious books ripped and tattered beyond prepare.

A rage so hot, it could have burned Jotunheim to the ground ran through him and it reflected in the eyes of his warriors.

Someone had taken their prince.

And when they discovered who had dared to do so, Vidar would personally make sure that the culprit would wish for something as lovely as death.