A/N: Hat tip to The Pearl Maiden for the idea for this one. She set the plot bunnies after me.

The setting is pre-Thor. They are the equivalent of mid-teenage years. It is also part of the series that Gabrielle Day and I have written. If you have not read it, you may be confused with some of the characters. You may find the order that it is meant to be read on my profile. Thanks!

Place Called Home

Part One

He had a favourite perch that he preferred to sit on that gave him a full view of the practice arena, but it still kept him mostly out of sight lest his brother call him down to join. It was a well hidden spot on a branch overhanging the wall. The second prince of Asgard had been making his way to the same spot every day for the past two months with a notepad in hand, scribbling various notes while watching his elder brother train. He'd mentioned the idea in passing to Thor and the elder prince had done his usual round of mocking laughter until Loki was able to produce his first notes of observations. As it turned out, though Loki was ill fit to swing a sword or any other traditional weapon in close combat, he had an in-depth knowledge of what should or shouldn't be done as a third party spectator.

"Well this makes more sense."

Loki frowned as he made note of his brother's loosened grip when his opponent swung to his lower left side. He glanced back to see Sif standing on the wall just below him, hands against her hips and glaring daggers as if she expected him to sabotage something at any given moment.

"I'm not cheating for him or against him," the dark haired prince countered before she could speak again. "I'm making notes on his missteps. He's the one correcting them."

Dark eyes blinked in surprise, as if she had expected a different answer all together. The scowl then returned. "If there's one thing you're good for it's a false story to cover up your own misdeeds. Don't bring your brother into them."

Loki sighed, leaning down so that he could hand her the small pad of notes. He watched her expression change as she read and he flashed her one if his most charming smiles. "See, Lady Sif? No harm in what I've done."

"These are... These are good notes. You never attend training practices though."

"I prefer to use my wits over steel," Loki answered with a shrug, reaching to take his notes back and resettling himself on his branch. He cringed as Thor looked to try to correct his footing and was taken off balance entirely.

"And Thor's taken the instruction?" Sif asked, her curiosity getting the best of her as she watched.

"It took some convincing, but once he saw it worked he didn't complain. Thor is a skilled fighter, no one in all the Nine would question that, but even those with great natural skill will have a shortcoming or two."

"Such as?"

Loki smirked from his place. "Ask me that after you've fought him today. I won't give away his secrets for a pretty smile."

"Such a loyal brother," she drawled.

"I am, thank you," the second prince said with a grin, fully ignoring the sarcasm. It was no great secret that the sons of Odin were as different as day and night and that it often caused tension in the house. They could be found bickering over the smallest of matters at all points during the day, but at the end of it, they were still brothers and that devotion ran deep.

Sif continued to watch Thor, noting a different stance that he did not usually take. She waited, thinking his opponent was sure to catch him in a regular mistake that he made, but he pulled out of the way and dodged last second, downing the other warrior. He raised his sword and a grin spread across his face as Tyr, the Asgardian warrior honoured with the position of teacher to the princes of the kingdom, praised his progress.

"Damn," she muttered and saw the triumphant look on the younger prince's face.

"I should have started this years ago," Loki said, almost to himself.

"Because his ego needed a boost," the goddes of war grumbled and took a seat on the wall below him. "Quite a view from up here."

"It's usually a very quiet spot."

She had the grace to shoot him a somewhat repentive look. "Am I throwing your concentration?"

"Not too badly, but I'd much prefer if you don't make a habit of joining me here. If you'd like a decent view there are several spots I can recommend."

Sif glared, but brushed the statement off after a moment. Loki had never been as outgoing as his elder brother. While Thor thrived on attention and people surrounding him, Loki could often be found in the furthest corners, watching. Though he could smooth over most situations with silky words spun from his silver tongue, when distracted or irritable he could be found to be short and sharp with those around him.

"I haven't seen him before," Loki murmured from his perch. He leaned forward and his eyes narrowed.

"It's probably just Broder with new armor. He was bragging on it last week."

"No. His build is is similar, and that man is certainly older."

They watched the tall warrior move to stand before Thor, the first born prince of Asgard meeting him with no hesitation. The acknowledged the formalities before clashing roughly, Thor being pushed back so that his boots kicked up dust all around him.

"Whoever he is, he's strong," Sif acknowledged.

"Father is very specific over who is allowed to battle Thor in the practice arena," Loki answered, eyes watching the battle below. Their swords clanged loudly and his brother's laugh could be heard up to where they sat. The blond was having a good time with this unknown opponent who hid his identity behind a helmet, and seemed very proud of himself as he dodged a blow that would have downed him every time before he'd taken notice through Loki's observations.

"I hope you're taking notes. This one is good."

They watched as the blond prince battled the other warrior, the sound of steel on steel echoing all around. Loki couldn't banish the uneasy feeling that blossomed in his chest as his boots hit the stone of the wall that surrounded the small arena, too nervous to remain seated and watch. Sif looked highly entertained from her place and was also watching closely.

Thor pushed and blocked again and again. Neither had landed a blow against the other yet.

"Sit down," Sif huffed. "The swords are blunted. Even if he's not meant to be put against Thor, he won't do any permanent damage." A smile flittered across her lips. "With the exception on his pride, of course. Look at that."

Thor was being beaten back with a burst of speed and strength. Even from their distant view Loki could read the surprise in his brother's movements. He ducked, barely missing a blow that would have caught him in the head and several guards could be seen tensing at their posts.

"Something's not right in this," Loki murmured. "I'm going down there."

He was on his way to descending the sloped hill that surrounded the arena when Sif called his name sharply. He was at her side in an instant, eyes wide at the sight below. The unknown warrior had shoved the prince back and Thor was falling. His opponent moved swiftly, taking a stab at him in the dirt.

"That second sword is not dulled," Loki managed through his shock as his brother dodged another near blow.

The guards were yelling a warning now, but they were being ignored as the battle continued. They rushed the man, but he fought them back as well, spinning to meet Thor's attack from behind. He knocked the prince's sword from his hands and drove his own, burying it deeply into the prince's side and taking him fully to the ground.

Loki thought that he heard a shocked sound escape Sif's lips, but he couldn't be sure as he bolted down the hill. He reached the gates that led into the arena and found them locked down tight.

"My prince, it is best if you do not-"

The dark haired prince did not wait for the servant to finish as a mumbled spell caused the gates to burst open and he was running again. Thor lay in the dirt further in, his attacker being pulled away from the scene.

Loki paid no heed to those that called to him, nor to the hand that tried to take hold of him, but only stopped when he fell to his knees by his brother. The blond prince's eyes were closed tight and his expression strained as Tyr put pressure on the wound, blood leaking around thick fingers of his one hand.

"Has anyone called for Master Rowen?" Loki asked desperately, long fingers brushing array blond hair from his brother's face. He'd gone pale in the short time it had taken the younger prince to sprint to the bottom of the hill and into the arena.

"He has been called for," Tyr assured him. His eyes flickered to the dark haired prince's face, but none of his usual criticisms came.

"How could this have been allowed to happen? Did you lot sit around and watch? It wasn't-"

"Loki?"

His attention was suddenly focused in fully on his brother.

The smile that touched the thuderer's lips reached his blue eyes. "Don't look so worried, little brother. It's not so bad."

Green eyes flashed and Loki resisted the urge to physically lash out at his brother. "You idiot!" he snapped. "I was at the top of the wall and I could tell something was wrong when he stepped into the arena! How could you be so careless?"

One hand reached clumsily up, stiff and heavy in its movements. After a couple of tries Thor managed to grasp hold of the back Loki's neck in an affectionate gesture and the trickster felt his anger dissolve. "Can't always see it as clearly as you do," the elder prince slurred, eyelids drooping. "That's why you've been watching for me, yes?"

Loki heard the sound of hurried feet behind him. "Yes," he whispered. "You'll let Master Rowen look after you, won't you?"

"Mm," the blond murmured softly, even as Loki was pulled away from him.

"I'll take care of your brother," Rowen promised kindly. "It's nothing that healing stones won't patch up."

Loki stood and watched as they carried his brother out of the arena, leaving him in the aftermath with flecks of Thor's blood on his face where clumsy hands had accidently left it. He knew Tyr had stood and heard Sif's footsteps from behind, but he could not bring himself to look away from the gate they had taken the elder prince through.

"Is he hurt badly?" Sif asked, hand touching Loki's shoulder lightly.

"Rowen will take care of him," Tyr answered as he motioned to those still lingering to clear out. His voice held the tone of one who had seen many injuries in battles long past. He glanced down, none of the worry that the two youths held shining in his eyes. "So you've been watching, have you?"

Loki startled when he realized that the question was directed at him. He knew that Tyr held no real fondness for him. He was slightly built and clumsy with the heavy steel that the other trainees preferred. The old warrior had yelled at him for nearly an hour the first time that the second prince had used magic to win a battle in his practice arena.

"I asked you a question, lad. Have you been watching?"

Loki bristled, unaccustomed to the disrespectful tone. He didn't bother to answer as he stalked off, his mind focused on the fact that his brother had just been attacked in their own home.

TBC

A/N: Here we go again! I enjoy young Thor and Loki. There's so much untapped potential there. I wish Marvel would do more with them in that era...