Hi everyone, I hope you enjoy this fic. I have had the idea since Thor came out. So after seeing Thor Ragnarok I needed to post it. Please give me feedback as to help me develop this story more :)
Loki was in a sour mood as he walked through the hallways. The ten-year-old had planned the day out perfectly, yet it was all thrown off. What was originally going to be a day of lessons, pranking his brother who was getting restless and annoying from being cooped up in the castle by the storms. Loki's mother was too busy today for Loki, which Frigga had apologized for and Thor was no where to be found, even when he promised that Loki would not cheat during a match of cards.
Choosing to distract himself, Loki headed towards the library. It was a comfortable place to hide when one was not feeling exactly social. It was large with high ceilings and a wall full of windows that had beautiful stained art through out. The bookshelves and tables were made of mahogany with gold trim. All the books were well taken care of with the bindings well maintained by the librarian, hand chosen by Odin to care for it.
Even though it was a beautiful place, it was off limits to most citizens of Asgard. Only the royal family and those who gained permission. Mainly Lords and Ladies enjoyed the honour of being allowed in there rather than reading what was offered. It was mostly books on the history, potions and the magic that was throughout the land. Loki even knew that there was a section that the library that was closed off. It was enchanted by Frigga and locked behind a key that the librarian closely guarded. That was the job of the librarian, alongside rebinding the books and translating the texts from the nine realms. Loki had heard that he was an old friend of King Odin but Loki dare not ask any time soon.
Loki did enjoy the librarian, Gregor. He was a kind man that rarely spoke to Loki. When he did it was straight to the point. To greet him, ask if he needed something specific, or quite rarely was to recommend a new book. Today was not a day that Loki wanted to go through the forced pleasantries though. He ducked down upon entering the open doors and with his crouched walk Loki snuck right beside the Gregor's desk. Loki thanked gods that he was still quite small or else that may have failed. Upon reaching the shelves, he walked through them to get to the shelves furthest from the entrance. There laid the books on magic that he had been reading. Frigga had gotten him to read a few, but the lessons were never enough to sate his curiosity so Loki came for more.
Being surrounded by the books were calming. The smell of the papers and the sensation of dancing his fingers over the spines as he walked down the hall. Loki loved the library. It was a place that was free of the unnecessary pleasantries and gossip of the Court, with people shoving their daughters towards Thor even at such a young age. Then to him when that failed.
Loki began to slow down, knowing that he would reach the maroon coloured book from its place. It was thicker than the rest of them. He had placed it back late last night when he snuck in to return it because he wanted to impress his mother with his progress by reading ahead to comprehend the material she taught. But it was no longer there. If he had known that his mother was unavailable for lessons today than he wouldn't have brought it back and just read it through the day.
He let out a few cusses under his breath, words that his mother would disapprove of. Loki decided to glance through the other shelves for something new to learn. He would ask Gregor later for help finding it. Loki turned down the next aisle, knowing it was on magic of the form. Mostly changing your hair colour or eyes. He could always learn some new tricks.
Glancing to the floor, Loki noticed a figure. She could not be older than himself, and was laying on her stomach with a book in front of her. Loki stopped as he took in her appearance. He had never seen her before. She was wearing her Auburn hair in a complicated looking bun that was looking loose and about to fall out. Her eyes were scanning the pages, complete focus on the book. Loki had to chuckle at how little the girl cared about her dress that some women would have fought for. Her face was scrunched up as her fingers traced under the same couple of lines, as if she was trying to figure out what it meant.
Loki realized she still had not noticed him and it gave him a good chance to think on his actions. If he was more like Thor, he would demand the book but Frigga would frown upon this. She told Loki that girls were different than boys. That softer words spoke louder than actions for girls. He shifted his foot slightly, before deciding coughing into his hand would be the best way. It wasn't rude and he could go from how her reaction was.
The young girl glanced up and made eye contact with his bright green eyes. Her own were what reminded him of the amber necklace that his mother occasionally wore. It was a beautifully coloured stone with gold encircling it to make the stone stand out even more. There was a moment of pause as he looked at her before Loki could find his voice.
"Are you having troubles with that page?" Loki's voice was soft as he instinctively cupped his hands behind his back, letting his chest puff out a bit. He was a sort of expert on the subject, in his mind anyways.
The girl sat up, not bothering to dust off her dress as she nodded. "Yes actually. Some of the terms are not some I have seen before." Her voice was barely audibly, as if she was too afraid to speak in his presence. She stood up to hand him the book, with her eyes avoiding his. "I was almost done with it though."
Loki could have just taken the book and been on his merry way to solitude. Something stopped him though. "I've been learning about illusion magic and this book specifically." He shrugged a bit as he let his hands relax to his sides. "I could discuss it with you?"
He counted in his head when he saw this new person's eyes snap up with a surprised looked on her face that turned into joy. "That sounds wonderful."
Loki put his hand up though. "You need to do something for me though. Tell me you name?" he gave her a small smile as she paused to process his words.
"Oh, I'm Ingemar." She took a step forward. "I really would like to know more about illusion magic. I've heard the concept of being able to create image of your double is spectacular." Brushing some hair back, she continued. "This book just seemed to pop out compared to the rest of them."
"It is a pleasure Ingemar. I am Loki." He spoke, waiting for Ingemar to gasp or realize he was the Prince. When no such thing happened, he was pleased. "Well then, you found a good friend to speak to about this." He held out a small pale hand for her. The girl looked at it before placing her own in it. Loki immediately noticed her skin was quite a bit tanner than his. He also noticed that her hand was much warmer than his. It radiated through his hand and up his arm. Loki began to speak about things as he discussed what he had known before starting to read the book.
They sat at a table closer to the window where they could hear the tapping noise of the rain hitting the glass ceiling above them. He opened the book, pointing to a diagram. "So, you see…"
By late afternoon, Loki had to leave the library when he realized the time. He was late for tea with his mother and had missed lunch entirely since he was so focused in teaching Ingemar. His little feet carried him across the castle before he finally arrived at the room. He slid to a halt a few feet from his mother as he took a moment to catch his breath. Frigga immediately noticed that Loki was practically pouring with excitement. A rare sight for the reserved boy. She was glad since Frigga had expected Loki to be quite bitter during tea since she had meetings with Odin on that day. Walking over from the window she was looking out, Frigga waved to the table.
Loki walked over as he smoothed out his shirt, when he was close to his mother, Frigga smoothed out his hair. Loki rarely let his hair become messy, only when he was in a rush. Loki may seem mysterious to most but Frigga could read her son quite well.
"Sorry I was late Mother." Loki pulled the chair out for his mother before he took the seat across from her. Frigga watched him trying to contain his smile as he looked to the tea cups and placed his hands in his lap.
"It's fine Loki." Frigga leaned in so she could grab the tea kettle. She requested a black tea today and poured it into each of the tea cups. The amber liquid a stark contrast to the white china cups. She spoke in a quiet, yet sincere tone. "I hope you are not too upset we postponed your lesson today."
Loki would never admit that he was upset though, since he understood the business of royals was tough even if it did displease him. "Of course not, Mother. You had things that required your time."
He scooted forward and began to put sugar cubes into his tea. He had quite the sweet tooth compared to his older brother. Frigga saw him stir the tea slowly, as if he was judging if he should share his news with his mother or not. He was barely containing himself, and Frigga was thinking of if she should wait for Loki to spill his beans or if Frigga should ask.
"What did you do during the time instead?" Frigga decided to ask.
Loki looked at her as if she answered his prayers. "I went into the library today to read because it was too rainy outside. I wanted to keep reading the maroon book on illusions." Loki began as his smile widened and eyes seemed to shine. "But someone else was reading it."
Frigga gave a small nod as she set down the pot of tea and picked up her own cup of tea that she left plain. Her other hand nudged the cookies towards her son. Loki shoved a cookie in his mouth, eating it quickly before he continued.
"I was polite and asked if she needed help, like you said to be mother. We went to a table and talked about the book. Ingemar asked me all these questions, but didn't question my answers!"
His eyes were wide as he set his tea cup down, his hands starting to wave along with the words. "Ingemar and I then compared the magic we had learned. She was speaking about this Svefnthorn which father had used before. It's this symbol that has multiple shapes. Those shapes all have different effects but seem to revolve around putting someone to sleep."
"The best part though Mother?" Loki started as he leaned forward. "She did not treat me like a prince, but rather like a fellow Asgardian. Not someone that she needed to charm and woo."
Frigga chuckled under her breath. "So, I take it that you've made a new friend. Did you happen to catch her last name so you could write to her later?"
Loki paused as if reality crashed in on him that Ingemar may not be here every day. He shook his head. "No, but Ingemar promised me she would be here for a few days at least since her father was here to talk with Father. She was told to stay in the libraries as to not forget her studies. I think she mentioned something about relations to Gregor, the librarian too."
Loki's demeanour changed to a bit more reserved as he thought more before grabbing his tea to take a large gulp.
"Well no worries then my son. You could ask her tomorrow." Frigga responded as she took her own cookie before Loki crammed another few into his mouth. "And if it is nice out, then perhaps you could show her around. Maybe play a game with her and Thor?"
Loki's face scrunched up as soon as Thor was mentioned. He was a rougher child than Loki. Usually playing games dueling or chasing after snakes to admire. Thor was also the one to usually charm the other children away from Loki so it was understandable he may be jealous.
Loki seemed to ponder his response for a moment. "I could see," he began, pausing to take a breath. "But Ingemar seemed quite soft spoken so far and Thor is quite loud, Mother. I don't want him chasing her away." Loki confessed as his bright eyes looked down, avoiding his mother's gaze. He was ashamed to admit it.
Frigga leaned over the table as he pushed his chin up. "Then tell Thor to play nice and if he doesn't is it not a Prince's duty to protect his subjects?"
Loki pondered it for a moment before nodding. "I suppose so but what if Ingemar thinks less of me then."
"Then perhaps she was not a friend in the first place." Frigga responded quickly. "A friend takes you for your strengths and weaknesses. They see the person you are, even in dark times."
They continued drinking tea as Frigga hummed lightly to herself as Loki went on to tell Frigga about his practice with illusion and that he was able to change his face to look like Thor's for a moment.
Frigga was quite sure she knew the family of Ingemar. Odin had met with a master of potions and medicines today that he used to fight alongside. Gangris. His brother was Gregor, the librarian with a limp who had been employed with them for a couple centuries. She mentally noted to talk with her husband about it later. Odin may be pleased to hear that Loki was making friends outside of his brother, especially if he was familiar with the family.
She knew that Loki was someone who craved attention and friendship and that having only Thor to truly be comfortable and open with was a torment to Loki's mind.