Magic and Mischief

The Unwanted

Asgard 2011 A.D.

"I thought I might find you here."

The sound of Liv's gentle voice pulled Loki out of the waters of his thoughts that were drowning him. He had been sitting on the stone bench in Frigga's garden since after his confrontation with Odin.

"You shouldn't be here," he whispered, his voice barely carrying over the sound of leaves rustling around Liv's feet as she stepped through the entrance.

"And why is that?" she questioned, sitting next to him as she reached for his hand.

Loki pulled away at the brush of Liv's fingers, raking his own through his hair in frustration. "Because who would want to be in the presence of a monster?" he muttered through gritted teeth.

Liv let out a soft laugh. "Mischievous, yes. A monster? Hardly at all." The look Loki gave her in response washed over her like a wave of despair. "Loki, what's wrong?"

"Do you remember the day we met?"

Liv nodded quietly as she waited for him to continue.

Loki looked towards the already setting sun, its bright colors around the horizon blending into the dim sky surrounding it. "You were wearing a little green dress and you curtsied the moment I walked into the room." A small smile crept across Loki's face at the memory. "I told you you needn't do so, but you argued that I was the prince of Asgard." he turned to face Liv, his eyes dark with anger and pain. "Well, you were wrong."

"But, Loki. You are."

"No," Loki shook his head, shooting up from his place on the bench and walking away, putting space between them. Who could stand knowingly being in the presence of who he truly was? "A frost giant can be no prince of Asgard."

Confusion flooded Liv's mind as she stared at Loki, silently begging for an explanation. By the time he had finished recounting the events on Jotunheim after Thor's ceremony and the revelation he came to while in Odin's vault, the stars had peeked through the blanket of the night sky.

Silence hung between them as the night air embraced them with its chill. After several moments Liv took a step towards Loki who tried to vanish, but she held him in a golden aura preventing his escape.

"You cannot run from your fears, and if you think that this changes who you are then you are sorely mistaken, Loki Odinson."

"I AM NO ODINSON! I am unwanted," Loki screamed at her, his emerald eyes burning with fury. "Just as you are!"

Liv's hands fell to her sides at Loki's words. The barrier flickered away, releasing Loki as he fell to the ground. He looked up in time to see the light dance across Liv's face briefly before fading into the night. In that moment he could see her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"I'm sorry. I didn't m–"

"No, your highness," Liv said bitterly, her voice shaking "That is where you're wrong." She held her hand out in front of her as she slowly backed away from Loki. "You were chosen and given an opportunity while I–," Liv paused, drawing a calming breath before she continued. "I was left behind to die," she choked out, her last words no louder than a faint whisper as she vanished into the darkness.

"Liv, wait!" Loki shouted after her, but it was too late.

She was gone.

~~~

Asgard 1000 A.D.

Flashback

After the dust of the battle settled, Odin hopped off of his horse to take in the destruction that fell upon the village. Countless bodies lay strewn across the field, both enemies and innocent people of Asgard just trying to flee. He had failed them. His head hung in remorse as he walked through the homes of his people, empty and devoid of life. Or so he thought. The sound of muffled cries drew Odin's attention to a room at the back of the home. Fearing he might be imagining things, he removed his helm and listened again as he made his way towards the sound. He came to a room emptied of its belongings. It seemed as though the people who lived here may have made a safe escape, taking with them all that they owned. All except the bundled baby left laying on the floor in the middle of the room. Odin gently picked up the crying infant and smiled down at her. "Hlíf," he said quietly as he soothed her, "protected against all odds."