AN:
Hello readers! I'm new to this site, but I have a few years of creative writing experience and RPing, and I always love reading the fanfictions that come through here. I cannot take credit for this story's premise, it's from Vikkikate89 on tumblr! I hope you enjoy the story, it takes place at the events of Thor the Dark World. I am very active and I'll try to post at least once every 2 days! I hope you enjoy it, I'd love to hear what you think!

Loki's emerald eyes scanned the book in his hands. Guards walked to and from his cell, having to keep constant vigilance in regard to this particular prisoner, as ordered by king Odin. Though he would not admit to it, the solitude of his cell left him longing for even a little interaction. He'd entertain himself by speaking to the guards stationed by his cell, prodding them, mocking them to the point where he was sure one of them even resigned, seeing as he had not come back to work. Though, eventually they were instructed to just ignore him, leaving him bored once again. The only thing he had now were the books that his mother Frigga left. She knew of his fondness of reading, of course, she was the one that encouraged this passion for books since he was a child. Right now, it served as his escape from these enchanted prison walls. He licked his thumb, using it to turn the page. He sat by the transparent cell wall, his ankles crossed, leaned up against the white frames. He'd glance up on occasion to see who was passing by, and ignored the rabble of the prisoners across from him. People would come by every day, mostly guards. Few people visited the dungeon, where the most dangerous prisoners were held. There were a few new faces that went by, family visiting family, sometimes even children, though Loki didn't understand who would allow children to visit in the Asgardian dungeon. There was only one person who he counted on to visit every day, a noble lady he recognized from court, Lady Sigyn.
She was escorted by 2 guards constantly during her visit. Who she was visiting, he did not know, nor could he muster the energy to care. In one occasion, they made eye contact. She would nodd in acknowledgement, but he simply looked away, continuing with his thoughts of escape. Today, he saw her continue by, in a white gown with gold trimmings, he was sure they were her family's colors. He could hear her speaking to the guards by his cell.
"Why is he refusing to see me?" She asked, her voice gentle with an underlying tone of confusion.
"I'm sorry my lady." The guard replied.
"Please, tell him it's Sigyn, and that I insist…"
Loki looked back down at his book and exhaled, not looking up as he saw her shadow lingering by his cell. He assumed that she was now considering what to do now, seeing as the person she had come to visit was refusing to see her, waiting on the guard to relay hermessage. This was until he heard her voice again, now directed at him.
"Is that the Tales of Joran the Great?" She asked.
He looked up at her, at first surprised. It's been a while since someone has addressed him, other than the occasional guard.
"Lady Sigyn, I advice against speaking to this particular prisoner." One of Loki's guards said.
She nodded to him, acknowledging what he said. "I know of who he is, and I am fully aware of what he is capable of." She smiled, a smile that Loki recognized. He'd seen Ladies at court using such beguiling tactics on men to seduce them. In this case, she's using it comfort the wary guard, and it seemed to work. He was surprised though, she knew who he was and why he was there. Yet there she was now, commenting on his readings. "I trust in the dungeon's enchantments to keep me safe, as well as your more than capable abilities to protect me if need be."
The guard was flattered, not realizing that she was saying this to manipulate him. He straightened back up and looked ahead, as Sigyn looked down to Loki's book.
"As I was saying…It's one of my favorite stories…" She said.
Loki looked back down at the book. In any other situation, he would ignore her. Why waste his time on such trivial musings. But he admired how she had worked over the guard so she would be able to speak with him, also it has been a while since he's had any sort of civilized interaction with anyone, other than his mother chastising him for what he's done. And Thor can't be counted on coming to visit. He closed the book and scrutinized the cover. "I plan on putting this one aside for now, start a new one. It's frightfully dull." He said.
Sigyn tilted her head to the side slightly, perhaps he had offended her. "How so?" She asked, moving closer.
"Well, to be plain, the characters themselves fall in typical archetypes." He said, looking up at her, observing her light brown eyes for a second before opening the book once again. "For example, Joran himself. He is not particularly dynamic, nor charming, or intricate. He is righteous, and is always seeking for truth and justice. Those are his only characteristics."

Sigyn smiled, moving close to see the book through the golden, yet transparent enchanted wall that separated them. "I believe that the author meant him to be representative of an idea more than a character. He encompasses justice, truth, righteousness, and absolute good." She said. "I enjoy reading his adventures, how he interacts with other characters, and how these different trials test these key morals." She spoke adamantly in the defense of this character. Loki raised an eyebrow, considering this. He didn't seem to catch onto this, perhaps his encounters with heroes like the Avengers left a bad taste in his mouth regarding heroes.
"It's really quite good…" She assured him.
"Hmmm… I'm still not convinced that this is worth my time." Loki said, closing the book on his lap.
"All you have is time." She said. Upon hearing this, Loki laughed. He looked up at her for the first time. What a lovely little thing she was. She must have been no taller than 5'3, with long, black hair with a brown hue. Unlike his raven black hair, which glimmered in a dark blue even in the sunlight. She had soft pink lips set on her tan skin, a contrast to the women in court that boasted their fair complexion.
"You're quite right..." Still sitting on the ground, he lifted a leg up, resting his elbow on his knee in a leisurely position. "Even still, there are thousands of other stories I can have brought to my room. I will spend the rest of my days here, more than enough time to read every book but THAT one."
Sigyn frowned, "You mustn't think that…. I've read hundreds of books, I enjoy this one the most."
"I can see that. I see your passion for literature as well, which is why I'm shocked you're favorite story is this one."
"At least allow me to defend it." She said. Loki paused, examining her face. She looked earnest; with the same expression he would see in a young Thor trying to convince him of something.
He sighed, giving the a wave of his hand for her to plead her case. Soon, she found herself practically retelling the tales of the hero from start to finish. Describing in vivid detail the villains and monsters he faced, his interaction with other characters, even quoting some of his dialog. Loki found himself getting lost in her words. She spoke with a passion, defending her tale and spinning it in such a way that Loki found himself enjoying her retelling than reading the book itself. He didn't know whether this bias was from the fact that she was so passionate about it, or that the story was coming from a lovely young woman, or perhaps because he really did yearn for interaction with someone. Surely it was a combination of all 3. The guard noticed the duration of her stay, and found her a chair to sit on as she continued to speak to him. Loki noticed that throughout her story telling, he had gone from sitting up against the wall, to a comfortable sitting position directly facing her. At times, he would ask questions, or comment on her tales, finding a reason or two to mock it or scoff. But she was patient, very eloquently defending the main character or the events in the story.
The guard she spoke to returned, bowing to her. "I'm sorry my lady, he insists that he mustn't see you."
Loki looked at the guard with indignation, for his incompetence as well as his interruption. He looked back at her to see the expression of pain in her eyes, but it was short lived as she smiled, nodding. The guard bowed again before leaving.
"Perhaps this is goodbye then." Loki said, straightening up.
Sigyn got up and nodded. "Yes, I'm sorry to have bothered you."
"Not at all… I find your retelling of the story more interesting than if I were to read it myself." He said.
Sigyn smiled. "I'm glad…" She turned to leave, and bowed one more time to him. "Goodbye Prince Loki." She said.
Loki was surprised that she addressed him by his old title. He nodded, not looking away from her as she left, until she was out of sight. He exhaled, marking the page where he had left off before closing the book.

.