The Lady of Darkness (Loki x OC)

Chapter 7

Loki and I walked to the orphanage together. He was nervous about going, but I already told him that the orphanage was already expecting us. Sif and the Warriors Three joined us in the walk, giving away food and clothes to whoever they passed by.

The orphanage was a large home, but it was in poor condition when I first came to it. I made it my goal to make sure the house was suitable for children to live in. I had the home completely remodeled and refurnished. Any time a new orphan was to be brought here, I made sure that a bed was given to the child, along with fresh clothes. It was a hard adjustment for them, but I always made it a goal to try to make things easier for them.

I walked in first to greet the caretaker of the orphanage, Alva. She was a sweet frail woman with a heart of gold. I gestured her over to Loki, introducing him as King. She bowed before him but stopped her. He smiled warmly at her and insisted that she didn't need to bow to him for fear that she would fall over.

"I would like you to take the air and leave the children to Ravenna and me. We will watch them. I want you to get some rest and relax," Loki said warmly. I bit my lip to hold back my smile as I turned away.

"But surely, Your Grace, you must need my help," Alva insisted.

"Leave it to us," Loki replied. "You should have nothing to worry about."

"Alright, if you insist. Thank you for your kindness. If you need anything, I shall be upstairs. Don't be afraid to call for me should you need anything, Your Majesty."

I approached him, "That was very sweet of you."

"Well, it does seem like she needs it. Besides, how hard could it be to take care of children for a day? How many are there? Three? Five?"

I walked towards the door of the main courtyard of the orphanage. "Thirty."

Loki snickered, giving me his grin. "Hilarious, Ravenna, as always."

Holding back my smile, I opened the door to the courtyard to reveal that I wasn't joking around with Loki. There were indeed thirty orphans. Most of the orphans were children. Only a few were considered a teenager. I watched Loki's grin turn from amusement to dread in a blink of an eye causing me to laugh as he watched the children running around the courtyard playing. Their screams and laughter of excitement filled the room. I fought to keep my composure as Loki turned around to glare at me for laughing.

"Don't worry, you've faced much worse than this."

"Ravenna, this is a lot of children."

"You'll be fine," I promised. I clapped my hands. "Children! Children, you have a few visitors!" I called out to them.

Some turned their heads toward me and immediately ran over to hug me. I laughed as their hands wrapped around my legs. I picked up one of the smaller ones as I held hands with another. They talked over each other, trying to tell me about their day or to get my attention. More children began to crowd me as they realized that I was there.

"Lady Ravenna, is it true you fought Frost Giants?" A child asked.

"Where's Prince Thor?"

"When are you getting married?"

I shook my head, giggling at their questions. "Children, settle down, please. I have some news for you." The children hushed and paid attention to me. "I would like you to meet, Loki, the King of Asgard. While the Allfather rests and the Prince of Asgard is away, the young brave Prince Loki has taken his father's place as King. He is here to protect you."

"Has he fought alongside you?" A small boy asked.

"He has," I nodded, looking back at Loki. "He's saved me many times. Along with him being an amazing warrior, he is also a master of magic. Would the King like to show a demonstration?"