“Why do I always have to be the frost giant? You’re taller than I am, you be it this time!”
The young, scrawny prince stamped his foot in frustration as his brother brandished his wooden sword at him. “Because, brother,” Thor said matter-of-factly, “someday, I will be king of Asgard, and the king’s job is to protect the kingdom from frost giants. Remember Father’s story, Loki?” Thor playfully jabbed at Loki’s ribs with his weapon, laughing gleefully at his brother’s vain attempts to swat it away. Loki caught his guffawing brother off guard when he grasped the end of the sword and gave it a good tug, intended to free the toy from Thor’s hand. He quickly realized this was a mistake when he caused his brother to lose his balance, sending the thickly-built prince careening into his dark-haired, twig of a brother.
“Oomph!” both brothers grunted as they made impact with the dirt floor. Loki struggled under the weight of his brother, trying to push him off. The younger prince complied, rolling off of Loki’s body, but only to jump to his feet and place his left foot on his brother’s chest.
“Ha hah!” Thor cried victoriously as if he had defeated a mighty foe, “I have defeated the frost giants once again!” he brought his fists to his hips and puffed out his chest as he peered down at his defeated frost giant, “You see, Loki? I am just like Father! That is why I will be king!”
“Well I could be just like Father, too, if you would just let me kill the frost giants for once!” Loki shouted, shoving Thor’s boot off of him and awkwardly shuffling to his feet. Thor crossed his arms over his chest and smirked at Loki, obviously still acting as if his brother were an enemy who no longer posed any threat to him. “Oh, don’t be stupid, Loki. I’m more like Father than you’ll ever be.” He picked up his wooden sword from the ground and shot his brother a challenging smile. “Now come on, race me to the gates!” With that, he took off toward the tall golden palace gates. Loki sprinted across the courtyard, trying his hardest to catch up to his brother, and feeling that familiar sensation of dwindling hope when he saw Thor’s fingers reach out to touch the gate…