Work Text:
Thor took two small Viking ships from the wooden box and put them of the clear water.
Like most days in Asgard, it was sunny and the light breeze was warm. The two princes were playing by one of the ponds in the gardens, the biggest one in fact, while an appointed servant was watching them. Well, in reality it was more Thor alone playing, because Loki was barely paying attention. Or when he was, it was only to look at Thor's gestures with his middle fingers in his mouth.
With a smile, Thor took two other ships, and laid them aside the floating others.
They were very small, in the size of his little hands, but they didn't lack detail. And his father had promised Thor that soon they will get drakkars as big as models to play with, so he was really happy, even if he liked the tiny ones too.
"These ones are going to war against the midgardian peoples that are mean," He told his little brother, who shifted his gaze from the passing birds to him. "They have to be a lot of drakkars to carry their big army. Because Vikings love to travel by sea. Do you understand, Loki?"
Loki looked at him, his fingers still in his mouth. He couldn't speak yet, even if he made strange sounds sometimes. Or rather he could try to make words, but he seldom did. He mostly stayed silent, but their mother had said it was normal and that Loki was learning. But Thor didn't care much because the most important was that Loki was listening to him and that he could teach him things. Plus, he was the opposite of Thor who talked loudly and too much, and at least Loki listened to him when he rambled during hours, and if he learned words and speech by this then it was even better.
"This kind of war ships is called the snekkja. You have to memorize it. It's the biggest and best drakkar for wars! It's the same our grandfather used when he conquered Niflheim and its icy rivers. Father told it to me."
He rummaged through the box, taking out a bunch of tiny ships from it and putting them aside before doing it again. Loki observed him do so for a while, but then he looked down at the pond, where a frog jumping on water lilies caught his attention.
Thor glanced at his brother. He had been told not to let Loki too close to the pond, because even if it isn't deep that could not end well, but he didn't care. He was here to protect his little brother if something happened and he would take care of him. Plus, the servant that was watching them a few meters behind wasn't saying anything.
"Now that the army has sailed, let's let the merchandise ships leave from the port!" He took too ships and laid them on the water, then glanced at his brother and reiterated the action. "This is the byrðingr. It's a very fast ship for merchants. They use it on Vanaheim and Alfheim."
Loki laid his eyes on his big brother. He knew so many things.
He put his fingers out of his mouth.
"A'fa'm?"
"Yes, Alfheim! Where uncle Freyr is king. And look," he showed him another ship, "that's the knörr, it's also a ship for trades but it's bigger and it goes in the midgardian ocean. Will you remember it?"
He didn't wait for some response and put it on the water with others. Then he gently pushed some, which left place in front of them. "Let's say they have gone to explore the oceans of Midgard!"
"Miga." he tried to repeat.
"And they will discover a lot of fertile lands where to settle, and also hot, because it it cold in Norway. In winter it's just like Jötunheim, it is terrible. Can you imagine living in Jötunheim?"
He shook his head, a little fearful. His parents and nurses had told them scary stories about it.
"And the Jötunns are ugly and mean. But don't worry, I will always protect you little brother!" he said proudly and rubbed his back while pressing a kiss on his temple. "But anyway, hopefully the midgardians in Norway are more nice even if it's still cold. Maybe in summer it is very hot. Midgard is a strange realm, it has a lot of seasons and it isn't even the same at each place. Like can you imagine that it's the summer in the palace but when you go to the city it is winter?"
Loki didn't seem to pay attention anymore now. He was looking at the frog which was swimming in the pond and just flipped a warship. But Thor hadn't noticed.
"One day when we'll be older father will take us to Midgard," he continued. "he promised it to me. And of course you will come with us!"
Loki looked at the pile of ships, and grabbed one. Thor took it from him as if it was nothing and put it with the others.
"And maybe we could go on one of these drakkars! It would be so great."
Then he noticed Loki had grabbed another ship and he took it again from him. Loki let out a whine but Thor just did this gesture naturally.
"I hope you will remember the name of the ships, it is very important. Also there is this one, look," and he took a slightly bigger one from the box. "It is the karfi, it is also for war and trades but also for kings. Look how it's decorated, and how there is a little cabin! Father and mother has one like this, and one day we'll have one too!"
Loki wasn't paying attention anymore, and he yawned before coming to settle his head on Thor's lap.
"Loki! You can't sleep now. All of our drakkars haven't sailed yet!"
He clutched his tiny hand to his shirt, as his eyes blinked and shut closed.
"Loki..." Thor grumbled, frustrated. But then he observed him longer and ended up smiling and caressing his hair. "You are a good little brother, Loki. I swear I will always love and protect you, and I will be happy to go visit Midgard with you."