Believe in Magic [a Loki fanfic]

Full of Struggle

As they walked through the open light-filled hallways of the Palace, Loki could not help but notice the girl's eyes widening in awe, evidently overwhelmed by the magnificence of the place. She stayed close to him, except for a couple of times when she broke away to peek out between the columns of an arcade and marvel at the beauty of one of the many gardens that were nestled in between the buildings. Whenever they encountered anyone the girl would quietly slip behind him, casting her eyes downwards and never daring to look at people directly. She reminded him of a shy child ... or a frightened child, he thought bitterly.

 "Loki!" Fandral's voice made her jump and she instinctively grabbed hold of Loki's arm. The master of Magic turned around to see Fandral and Thor walking towards them. Excellent, Loki thought sarcastically, glancing down at the girl clinging to his arm, I will hear about this to the end of my days. The damsel in distress clinging to her valiant hero. He mentally slapped himself for not taking a different route that might have avoided an encounter with Thor or any of his companions. His foster brother gave him a broad smile which Loki loathed him for, while Fandral's eyes shifted curiously to the girl on the God's arm and the dark prince was all of a sudden much too aware of the charming smile that spread on Fandral's face as the warrior beheld the girl. Fandral bowed and purred, "Would you be the mysterious lady who Loki rescued from Niflheim?" Loki rolled his eyes. Then his attention shifted to the girl, because her fingers were digging into the leather of his coat. "Loki was kind enough to save my life and not leave me to the jaws of the hounds", she said softly. Loki stiffened in bewilderment. How did she know that he had considered leaving her there? She had been unconscious .... And why would he care that she did? Irritated with himself he hissed, "If you have no urgent matters to discuss, we shall be on our way." His gaze piercing Fandral, who tore his eyes away from the girl to look at Loki. "In a bad mood, are we?" Loki scowled and Thor stepped up between them to calm the heat between Loki and Fandral. Aware of the maiden's discomfort and he turned towards her offering a warm smile. "Accept our apologies, my lady, we neither meant to startle you nor was it our intention to intrude. I do hope, you are being well looked after and have everything you need, Lady --" he hesitated, not knowing her name. "Ella" she introduced herself. "Lady Ella", Thor repeated and gave a respectful nod. Loki felt like an idiot. He had not even bothered asking her name. "My name is Thor, and this is Fandral." Ella smiled shyly, her eyes resting on Thor, avoiding Fandral's. "Thank you for your concern, Thor. Everyone has treated me with much kindness and I am indeed very grateful for everything. I have much more than I could ask for." Feeling Fandral's eyes lingering on her made Ella uncomfortable and her other hand wandered up to Loki's arm in search for protection, her fingers tightening. The smug smiles on Thor and Fandral's faces grew. Loki's eyes narrowed. "We shall be on our way then, brother." Thor said and gave Loki a friendly pat on the shoulder. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Lady Ella." Watching them heading off in the direction whence they had come from, the girl relaxed a little. When they were out of sight she finally let go of Loki's arm and they proceeded towards the library. 

"Thor is your brother?" "I was adopted," Loki muttered. "You are nothing like him." Her words stung him and Loki's thoughts darkened. Of course, here was another one who was taken in by Thor's charm and all-so-godly appearance. As if she had read his thoughts and much to the dark prince's surprise, the girl added, "I am glad you are not like him." Loki glanced at her sideways. "You are?" Her eyes swerved off into the distance. "He is so - full of light, it is intimidating." "And I am full of --  what?" Loki growled softly. "Struggle," she said, "That is why you make me feel safe." Loki stared at her for a moment before he pushed the doors to the library open.

For the rest of the afternoon, the girl was absorbed in books – both magical and Midgardian. Loki caught himself watching her from time to time, wondering if she would be able to actually use her magic once she learned to control it.