Chapter #1: An Unexpected Visitor

Two months have passed since Loki was sentenced by Odin to spend the rest of his life in Asgard's prison. He wasn't only deprived of his freedom but he also couldn't receive any visitors. Not the Loki would like or expect to see his friends. He didn't have any. But he wasn't allowed to see his mother, Frigga, and for him that was the hardest part. Of course he wouldn't demonstrate his feelings. He acted as he didn't care, as if this didn't affect him at all. But he was broken inside.

To rotten in a prison was nothing compared to the fact that he would never see or touch the only person that mattered to him. The only person who ever loved him (according to himself). When he asked Frigga to "define worse", he knew what his destiny would be like. He was deeply aware of Odin's rage and the plans the All-Father had for him. But he only understood the dimension of Odin's anger when Frigga said she was prohibited to visit him. At least in person.

Frigga could visit Loki's cell by using her magic only. She wasn't there in person, she couldn't touch her beloved son. Yet, that was better than not seeing him at all. She could feel Loki's sadness even though he would never discuss his feelings with her. He used most of time to attack Odin and Thor with words and complain about his misfortune. Frigga couldn't be there with Loki all the time. Odin didn't know she was secretly seeing Loki. She didn't fear what Odin could do to her if he ever discovered what she's been up to but she feared what he could do to Loki. She also didn't want her son to spend most of his days by himself, locked in a room next to other prisoners. So she had an idea.

Loki was lying in his bed with his eyes closed. That's how he usually spent most of his time when he wasn't reading his books or talking to the image of his mother. He didn't talk to other prisoners or to the guards. He didn't want to. The only people who were allowed to go to his cell were the guards, whom were in charge to bring him food, clothes and books provided by Frigga. Loki was almost falling asleep when he sensed something. Someone.

He opened his eyes slowly. Without looking through the glass wall he started to talk:

"You're not a guard."

Silence

Still lying in bed, he turned his head to the glass. Standing outside was a young woman. Loki stood up and slowly walked towards her.

"Why are you here, woman? Who sent you?" Now he was closer to her so he could check her face better.

The young woman had a pale skin and her cheeks were slightly red. She had big brown eyes and a long brown hair, tied in a ponytail. Her bangs were covering her left eye. She was wearing a light green dress with no ornaments on it.

"I'm sorry, Milord. I didn't want to startle you".

"You didn't"

"Queen Frigga sent me here. She put me in charge to bring your meals, clothes and books from now on, Milord."

Loki noticed she was holding a tray with his dinner.

"I see." He asked himself why his mother would suddenly choose someone to bring him food instead of letting the guards do it, as usual. Was Odin aware of this? Did it count as a visit after all? Was that a sign that his mother wouldn't visit him anymore (if he could call that a visit) and now she was trying to replace her company by someone's else? Thinking of that made him sick.

"I'll call the guards so I can handle you your tray, Milord". It took a couple of minutes until the guard could pass the tray through a small door to Loki. Needless to say the whole cell was protected by magic to avoid any attempt of escape or attack and Loki was in constant surveillance.

Loki grabbed the train and put in on his small table. He was ready to eat when noticed the young woman was still standing outside, looking at him.

"How long do you intend to stay there? You may go now" He said with no enthusiasm in his voice.

"I'm sorry, milord." She lowered her eyes to the floor "But I received orders to stay here until you finish your meal".

"Did my mother really ask you that? Why?"

"Queen Frigga wants to be sure you're feeding yourself well, milord".

He let it out a laughter. A sad laughter. He thought it was funny and also tragic that his mother was concerned if he was being well-fed. What was the purpose of it, anyway? He was supposed to die in that prison.

It took Loki ten minutes to finish his meal. He wasn't hungry and he couldn't stop thinking of his mother, if he would ever see her again. When he finished, he put his tray back to floor, near the small door. He looked at the woman again. Before she could call the guards, Loki started to talk.

"Wait! Do not call them yet."

She looked at him surprised but nodded her head.

"How did my mother come to you?"

"I—I'm one of her servants, milord." She answered shyly.

"A servant? I see." Since he was bored, he decided to play a little with her. "So, servant, are you enjoying your new task? Tell me how it feels like to be down here, among prisoners, away from all the luxury and beauty of the palace, facing the evil glances coming from other cells. Certainly this is not a place for someone like you to be." Loki had his eyes fixed on her. He was expecting that woman to show any sign of discomfort but she kept looking at the floor.

"You. Come closer. Closer. Yes. Now look at me!" he demanded. He was decided to terrify her. If he couldn't have Frigga's company, he didn't want to see anybody else. The woman looked at him. Loki seemed utterly imposing, intimidating. She found difficult to keep staring at him but she kept doing it. Loki came closer to the glass wall.

"Are you afraid?" he asked with a smirk on his face. "Do you fear me, woman?"

"No, milord" – she answered sincerely. Loki was taken aback. He didn't expect a "no" as an answer. He was disappointed that her words sound too straightforward.

"No?" – He asked bitterly. – "Why not? Because I'm stuck in this glass chamber so you know I can do you no harm? Huh? Why don't you fear me?"

"No, milord. I don't fear you. I respect you".

"Respect… me?" – Loki repeated her words still surprised by the answer.

"Yes, milord." The woman then lowered her eyes again. "Excuse me, sir, but I shall leave now. Queen Frigga is waiting for me." She called the guards to help her with the tray while Loki turned his back on her and went sit in his bed.

"Excuse-me, milord. I almost forgot. Before I go, would you like me to take a message to the queen?"

"Yes. Tell her I want to talk to her. Immediately".

"As you wish, milord. Goodnight".