Loki was starting to get bored, and a trip to Midgard was starting to look more favorable as each day passed. The nobles of Asgard gossiped about him when his parents (mother) weren't present, and he was tired of it all. Sighing, the youngest prince (last to inherit the throne, a little voice mocked him) went to his rooms, and murmured, "How would I get to Midgard, though? I am under constant watch, ever since my fits started getting worse."

Then, he remembered his mother telling him about a way to get to the other Realms without alerting Heimdall, and he smiled. Soon, he promised himself, I will use the Secret Paths, and go to Midgard.

Several months passed, and finally, Loki was ready. He had asked the seamstresses for a simple tunic, and even though they thought it an odd request, they presented it to him a few days ago. He had thanked them by name, and needless to say, they were shocked; with the exception of Frigga, none of the Royals thanked them; and certainly not by name! Donning the tunic, the young Trickster smiled; he was going to be on his way to Midgard. However, as he prepared to open the Pathway to Midgard, he felt his wards start to part. NO! He thought, eyes widening. Breathing in, Loki jumped through, unaware of his mother's whisper of, "Be safe, my son, and return home."

The boy was young, Merlin noticed.

"Arthur," he called out, drawing the King's attention.

"Yes, Merlin?" the blond asked, and Merlin called, "There's a boy here. He's unconscious; we should take him to Gaius."

"Couldn't you heal him with your magic?" Arthur asked the Court Sorcerer, who flushed, and then lightly placed his hand over the boy's chest, murmuring spells under his breath, his eyes flashing gold as he did so.

"Odd," he muttered when he pulled his hands away, "he's not injured."

"What?"

"He's not injured, but he's definitely got magic. Nearly depleted all of it, too." Merlin reported, and Arthur whirled around, barking orders to the knights who had come with them.

"We're heading back to Camelot," Arthur stated as Percival picked the boy up in her arms. Arthur had been furious when he had found out the truth, but had, eventually with Merlin persuading him, allowed the woman to stay as a knight. But, Merlin shoved back the memories, focusing on the boy. He had literally fallen from the sky, wearing a simple tunic, but Merlin had clearly heard the Old Religion whisper, This one is important. Help him.

The boy stirred when they made camp for the night, emerald green eyes simmering with confusion as he looked around. Percival and Lancelot were nearby the boy, and the man asked, "Who are you?"

"I… I don't know." The boy stammered, his eyes widening.

"Hmm…" the only female knight murmured, "You need a name, young one."

The boy was silent for a minute, and then he muttered, "I know my name starts with an L, if that helps."

"What do you think about Liam?" Lancelot asked, and the boy frowned for a minute, before nodding, "Liam. Until I learn my real name, it will do."

Merlin came over, and sat down near the boy. Percival and Lancelot politely moving away to give the two space.

"Liam, were you aware that you have magic?" Merlin questioned, and the boy glanced at him, eyes wide with fear.

"Isn't magic banned?" he whispered, and Merlin shook his head, saying, "Not anymore. Arthur undid his father's decree. I'm Merlin, Camelot's Court Sorcerer, and Arthur's manservant."

As time went on, Liam began to remember, and one day, he came into Merlin's chambers, a slight frown on his face.

"What's wrong, Liam?" Merlin asked, having gotten used to the young man's way of expressing his moods.

"I… I remember my real name," the now twelve-year old muttered, and Merlin raised an eyebrow.

"Isn't that a good thing?" he questioned, and Liam shook his head, sinking into a chair. "Liam? What is your real name?"

"Loki," came the muttered response, "Loki, fourth in line for the throne of Asgard. But, I'm never going to rule, so I decided to travel the Realms. "

"Are you going to return?"

Liam –Loki- looked up, and shook his head. "Not yet. You've told me about the Great Dragon…. Is it possible that I could meet him before I return?"

Merlin's eyes sparkled with mirth as he replied, "Of course. Come, it is a several days' ride from here."

Merlin could only laugh as his apprentice acted like a week-old hatchling in front of the two dragons in front of them. They had arrived earlier that day, and were greeted by Freya, who led them over to the two dragons. To Merlin's great confusion, his apprentice bowed to the Great Dragon and the white dragon, who asked, "You… are not repulsed by my appearance?"

That was when Loki started acting like a hatchling. Merlin's lips twitched in amusement, but before the warlock could say anything, the Great Dragon rumbled, "Hatchling, enough."

"HATCHLING?!" the young sorcerer cried, and Kilgharrah rumbled, "You are Tanlos, hatchling. Now, stop acting like you are a week old."

"Tanlos?" Merlin heard the boy murmur, "the name fits somehow."

Loki stayed, despite the fact that he claimed that he wanted to return to Asgard, and Merlin woke up to see a small black dragon sitting at the foot of his bed on Loki's thirteenth birthday.

"Loki?" he asked, crouching down so he could get a good look at his apprentice. The dragon nodded, and Merlin stood with a sigh of, "I've got to explain this to Arthur somehow."

"What do you have to explain to the princess?" the familiar voice of Gwaine questioned, and Merlin called, "Oh, come in, why don't you?"

Loki vanished three months after his thirteenth birthday. The only clue as to where he went was a letter that was sitting on Merlin's table. He hadn't noticed it until he came back from searching for his apprentice that night, and when he did, his heart sank. The letter was brief, but Merlin still felt tears run down his cheeks as he read.

Myrddin,

I am sorry to say that by the time you will read this, I will be back in Asgard. I have enjoyed my time with you, but I received a vision last night that troubled me. As you know, I am the fourth in line for the throne of Asgard, preceded by my brothers, Thor, Hodur, and Baldur; Baldur being the first in line. Anyways, last night, I saw Hodur and Baldur dying, and have returned to Asgard.

I wish you the best. Thank you for teaching me,

Loki

Merlin would meet Loki again, that much he knew. But when and how; he didn't know. He could only watch as time passed on; watch and pray that his apprentice was safe. Then, he felt the Old Religion stirring, drawing him into the Second World War, and into the lives of two people he had Seen in the crystal cave shortly after Loki returned to Asgard…