Loki's Apprentice: A Tale Retold

Chapter 12: Illusions

But in spite of her anxiety, she admired all the wonderful things she saw.

The water had dried from Evelyn's body and she wrung her partially wet hair with a soft towel. She tried to make her movements slow, dreading the time when she would have to go down for dinner.

She grabbed the beautiful gown from the hook Frea had placed it upon and she slipped it on. It draped beautifully on her body and she spun around just to feel the heavy fabric pool out as she spun. She hadn't had the privilege to wear a dress such as that since she was very young.

A soft knock woke her out of her thoughts and she opened the door to see Frea. Frea's eyes widened and she smiled brightly at Evelyn.

"Oh, the dress fits you splendidly!"

Evelyn blushed at her words and thanked her. Frea guided her over to a chair in front of a round mirror and she began to brush through her long hair.

Evelyn closed her eyes, a memory of her mother brushing her hair washing over her. She could almost hear her mother softly singing under her breath and her sweet smell of lavender rose up to her nose.

Caught up in the memory, she felt a tear fall down her cheek. She quickly brushed it away, hoping Frea didn't see, but it was in vain.

"What is troubling you?"

"Nothing." Evelyn sighed and tried to move the memory to the back of her mind.

" Hes's really not all that frightening as he seemed." Frea begins and Evelyn is happy for her quick assumption towards her sudden sadness. " he can actually be quite, nice.... occasionally."

"Nice?" Evelyn scoffed, " that's the last thing I would expect from him. He's been nothing but cruel."

Frea stopped brushing her hair and looked her in the eyes from the mirror, " Now is that true?"

She was about to answer quickly with 'yes!' But her gaze fell upon her dress. She looked back at Frea, she had her brow raised like a mother questioning her child, and Evelyn immediately felt bad for her harsh words.

"Maybe cruel is a bit harsh," she admitted, "But he's certainly and difficult and indifferent, pigheaded and- !"

Frea began to laugh lightly and Evelyn asked, "What?"

"You got all of that from one meeting?" Frea asked before she came around face to face with her.

"You must know that he wasn't always... So difficult. He was actually tolerable once."

Evelyn giggled and Frea smiled before continuing, "There's always a reason for why a person is how he is. Please promise me that you will not be fooled by appearances, because most of the times, they're only illusions."

With a thoughtful silence falling upon the room Frea curtsied and excused herself.

Evelyn knew she was right, and she knew she was judging to quickly. But how could she not when their first meeting was so unsettling.

As a soft chiming of a bell rang throughout her room, she promised herself she would do as Frea said, and try to see past his appearances, no matter how frightening they may be.

Just a short filler update for you all :)

Sorry for the wait! I can't wait to write the next chapter!

What do you think/wish will happen next?

God bless,

-Em