Hello hello! This is my first attempt at a Loki/OC story, and I'm super excited about it! I'm super aware that Eir is an actual Norse goddess and I'm going to try to tie that into the story.

Also worth mentioning, is the city in this chapter and for the next few actually, is an actual place on Asgard. The 'facts' I'm tying into it though, is for adventure purposes only. So, anything I write about Vanir is probably incorrect.

Other than that, please read and review! Constructive criticism is always welcome!

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Eir rushed to the library from the courtyard. She had a few hours before nightfall, so surely she could gather some information about this unexplored town. Well, at least what little information was available. Getting stranded in the middle of nowhere again wasn't on her to do list for the day

Once you enter, there is no return.

A thrill shot through her body while she thought back to the previous conversation she'd just had with Sif. Nothing about that sounded good, but she couldn't help but be very intrigued. The idea of an abandoned city, unexplored in thousands of years, with little to no information; an adventure waiting to happen.

While she rounded the entrance, she was quickly knocked back, and nearly to the ground had a hand not steadied her.

"Honestly dear, you shouldn't be in such a rush. The library will always be here." A velvety voice and green eyes greeted her with slight amusement. Eir regained her balance and took a step back.

This was the exact person I wasn't supposed to run into. Norns, why do you hate me so?

"Pardon me your highness," she mocked the prince and dipped for a curtesy "Please, if you'll graciously excuse me, Im almost positive I saw the library running away in a dream." Sarcasm and sass dripped from the blondes voice. She peaked up to see the young man with crossed arms and a smirk on his face.

"Luckily it was just a dream then my dear." She rose from her position and looked him up and down.

It's fine Eir, he's probably with his mother, you only have to avoid him for a few hours anyways. Not that hard.

She remembered Sif teasing her, as if avoiding him was such an easy task. Judging by his swollen lips, he most definitely was not with his mother, and Eir didn't think she cared to know who he had been with.

"You're in a rush though, what for?" He asked.

"Research."

Lying wasn't something she was very good at. It was actually something she avoided having to do, considering Loki typically had her back.

"You're in quite a hurry for just research, what exactly are you looking for?" The prince turned back towards the entrance and placed a hand in the small of her back, nudging her to start walking.

—

Why must you be so nosey

"The usual; forests, abandoned towns, supposedly haunted rivers." Eir moved to scan the map of the library. "Sif and the crew are wanting to go on an adventure soon, I'm sure you've been made aware."

Not technically lying or telling the truth. She thought.

"Oh, I've heard." Loki slipped her hand in his and started towards the back rows. "Any idea when this adventure is going to take place?" He asked, putting an emphasis on adventure and turning down an aisle.

She shook her head, hoping to not have to openly lie to him. It never ended in her favor. Thankfully, he didn't say anything in response, and continued browsing the shelves. It was safe to say Loki had brought her right where she needed to be though. Saving time was crucial, considering the adventure of death was hours upon her. Maybe she could even get some information out of him if she was careful.

Before long, she had found a handful of books and photo albums that would hopefully prove useful. Eir looked over to see Loki with a lot more than a handful. She couldn't help but shake her head and laugh, while making her way to a table. The sound of him scoffing behind her made her laughter more prominent; He was always going to be so dramatic.

"I'm sorry, does ones amount of research material seem amusing to you?" Loki set the books down in three separate stacks and pulled out a chair. Eir laid down her own stack and looked between the two, then back at Loki before sitting down.

"You always grab way too many, and you only ever open a couple. It's a bit excessive sweetness." He huffed in response, but sat across from her anyways.

"I'm being helpful."

"I know, and I appreciate it."

"Then don't comment on my choices." he grabbed one of the rather larger books and placed it between them. "What kind of mess should we be looking for this time?"

"Considering we've gotten ourselves banned from countless places for a quite some time, we only have so many options." She thought out loud and shuffled through her stack before pulling out a photo album. "But, we could start by looking at the different forests and what lies within."

The mischievous smile on Loki's face as they flipped through the detailed map of Asgard and marking down points of interest, led Eir to believe he absolutely suspected nothing.

"Hold on," she quickly stopped him from flipping a page and ran her hands over the pictures. "Where exactly is this? I don't think I've paid much attention to it before."

There were two pictures, without much to show in them at all. One was an outline of where it was located on the map of Asgard. Surrounded by woods and swampland, isolated and barely there. The second was faded, but it showed what looked like a fountain in front of stone bridge. The fountain though, didn't look like there was any water flowing from it, and the rocks were cracked along the bridge.

"That's The Lost City of Vanir." Loki commented sharply. She tore her eyes from the page and studied his face. "It's one of the few places here, that everyone is forbid from." Ocean green eyes danced upon the page for a few seconds longer and then looked up. "That's beyond anyone's control, so as much as I'd love to explore, we should be moving on."

"Why is it forbidden?" She shot back, trying to get more information before the subject was done for good. Loki wasn't one to avoid touchy topics, or shy away from causing trouble, it wasn't in his nature. If there was something he wasn't keen on talking about, it should probably be avoided.

Which is probably why Sif didn't want him involved! A voice shouted at her in her head.

"I only know so much dear," His face softened and he placed his hand over hers. "Even I have my limitations." She gave him a challenging look and his face dropped. "What?"

"Is that truly all you know?" Eir countered, trying to get him to reveal more. Lying may be his strong point, but he definitely knew more. She could feel it.

"Eir, I assure you, there's nothing more I know."

"Is that so?"

"Why would I keep it from you if I knew? It's forbidden, from everyone." He argued back.

"I'm aware of that now." She continued to push, due to his tone, her confidence wavered. Maybe he really didn't know anything else.

"Why are you so interested in it anyways dear?" He let go of her hand and leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes. "There are loads of guards surrounding it, waiting for someone to try to enter. You'll just be asking for my father to punish you, and the others for that matter." Loki released a sigh while licking his lips and waited for a response. A response that never actually came.

His eyebrows drew together in confusion and he peaked his eyes open to glance at her. Eir had her chin cradled in her hand, and a taunting smirk plastered on her face. The God straightened himself up, but his face never lost the confused look.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I thought you didn't know anything else, just that it was forbidden."

"What are you speaking of?" He licked his lips again and forward. "I do not kno-"

"Liar." Eir called him out and finally leaned back in her seat, relaxing a bit. The awe struck look on Loki's face made her internally applaud herself.

"That is a very bold assumption." He stated dryly, not looking directly at her.

"Very, but I'm not wrong am I?" She finally caught his gaze and gave him a small, but sincere smile. She absolutely wasn't wrong after all.

"Why do you want to know so much Eir? It's dangerous, and not somewhere that needs to be dwelled upon." She bit her lip, trying to think of a quick, but semi-honest response. There was no way she'd hear the end of it if Sif knew he had found out.

"I only want to know so much now, because you put up such a big fight." She bit her lip again trying to hold onto as much truth as she could. He sighed and shook his head.

"I pressed the subject with my mother once and she made me swear not to even attempt telling anyone of what I knew, much less think of journeying there." She watched as his eyes scanned the room behind her, before he stood up.

"Come." He ordered, walking around the table and grabbing her hand. "You're entirely too curious for your own good." Pulling her to her feet and out of the library, she knew exactly where they were going.

Maybe this dark forest and abandoned town wasn't the best idea, she began thinking. If Loki, God of Mischief, wouldn't even divulge in speaking about it in public, it really may be as bad as it sounds. She tried interrupting him from the journey to his quarters, but he only shushed her and kept going. What in Valhalla was she getting herself into?