One-shots/Short Stories

Loki Laufeyson - Part I

The Secret Village - Part I
He ran down the hallways of the palace, always being sure to keep his footsteps light and quiet so no one would hear him. He was escaping his home to go into a small village he found in the forest of Asgard, where the people in the village treated him as equal instead of royalty. He loved going there, the people treated him as if he was their own child, the kids played with him - especially this one girl. She was the one that got the other kids to play with him in the village. At first he was alone since the kids were shy to talk to him, but when she approached him, that's when they all became friends.

***

He remembered sitting alone at the pond in the small village, watching the other kids play with each other. Around that time was when the girl had came to him.
He was just sitting with his feet in the water when a girl sat beside him. He turned to her to see her already looking at him. Startled, he jumped in his spot. "Hello!" she beamed. "I'm Aurora!"
Loki stared at her for a while. She was the first child in the village to talk to him. And for some reason he had never seen her around before. Why was that?
"I haven't been here for a while since I was with my father at the markets selling our goods." she explained as if she heard his thoughts. "If I knew you were here sooner I would have came as quick as possible." She held her hand out. "Aurora Anderdottir, at your service!"
"I'm. . .I'm Loki." Loki slowly took her hand in his. He went to kiss her knuckles like he was taught to, only for her to shake it like they were men. Loki furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. He was taught to kiss the girl's knuckles. Not shake them. "You're the first kid to talk to me."
"Really?" she frowned, her eyes trailing to the kids that were playing together. "Hm. They're usually like that. Cautious of strangers." She snapped out of her thoughtful daze, giving him a smile. "Come on! Let's go swim!"

That was the start of a new, blossoming friendship.

***

"Loki!" She ran out of her small home to envelope her best friend into a hug. "Oh, it's been a while!"
"Sure, if you call being a while twenty four hours." Loki smirked, twirling her around quickly before placing her down on the ground gently. Aurora gently whacked him in the chest, walking away into the small market. Loki trailed after her.
"How is life at the palace?" she asked him while they looked around at the foods being sold. "Is it still grand as always? Gold? Shiny?"
"Still as it is." Loki assured her. "I really need to take you there one day."
"Hopefully." she said absently, her attention solely focused on a fruit she was thinking of buying. Loki took his time to observe her, taking in her small habits. The way she'd furrow her eyebrows in thought, biting her lip while she was at it. How she'd smile brightly when around little children, always eager to help them. Her eyes lighting up in mystery and joy when telling a story. How selfless she was and kind she was and brave. She was an inspiring woman.
He was torn out of his observation when she turned back to him, her brown hair brushing his chest lightly. "So do you?"
"S-Sorry, what was that?" Loki blinked. She rolled her eyes at him playfully, taking a bite out of her newly bought apple.
"I said the village is having a giant feast to celebrate my mother's birthday." she explained. "I asked if you wanted to join the feast tonight."
"Tonight?" Sure, he could miss a dinner with his family and friends. He'll just say that he wanted to study more in his magic. "I don't see why not."
"Great!" she beamed. "Because you're going to be my date tonight."
"W-What!"

***

"Brother!" Thor boomed. "Where are you going? The feast is the other way!"
"Um. . ." Loki halted mid-step, looking like a deer caught in headlight. "I decided that I'm not quite hungry so I'm just going to go study more on my magic in the Library."
"Nonsense!" Thor exclaimed, steering him away from his destination. "You must hear my battle stories!"
"But I've been there in person! I know what happened and what you 'heroically' done!"
"Why, I need you to help me on some details." Thor said in an attempt to persuade him.
"Sorry, Thor. . ." Loki got out of his grasp. "I'm just not feeling it tonight." Thor watched as his brother walked away from him, away from the stories he was going to tell about how he saved the day. Thor might not be the sharpest tool when it comes to thinking, but he did know that the hall Loki was walking down wasn't where the Library was. And he was going to find out where he was actually going.

***

Loki made sure he wore his finest armoury to the village, their feast being an important one since it was dedicated to Aurora's mother. Her family was loved by everyone, her family being the most kindest and selfless people in the realm - in Loki's opinion. He remembered when he was still a little child and was clumsy, he had tripped and grazed his knee. And like a second-mother to him, Aurora's mother tended his wound and made sure he was okay. If he was being honest, he felt more loved at the village than back at his actual home - save Frigga.
Loki arrived at the village and realised they started the feast already. He mentally cursed his brother for keeping him late. "Loki!"
"Aurora!" Loki grinned, taking her in his arms. "I am sorry for arriving late. My brother -"
"It's okay, I understand." she smiled at him in understanding. "Come on," she pulled away from him only to grab his hand and lead him deeper into the village, "the party only just started."