Asgard, 1945

"Help! Heeeeelp!" cried the shrill voice of a young girl who was running with all her might from a scary monster - really, it was just Sleipnir, Odin's many-legged foal. The little girl's emerald green gown billowed around her as she ran.

Loki was reclined in a tree, reading a book and eating an apple, when he heard the little girl cry for help. His book and apple disappeared as he jumped down from the tree and rushed to her aid. He scooped her up and held his hand up to Sleipnir. "That's enough!" he scolded the horse, who stopped and trotted at the ground with a neigh. "Are you all right?" he asked the little girl in his arms.

She was quivering, but managed a nod. "Y-Yes. Y-You saved me!"

Loki smiled. "There's nothing to fear from Sleipnir. He is hardly harmless, even when you threaten to take away his sugar cubes," he said. Still holding the little girl, he brought Sleipnir to the stables. Seeing that the horse was housed properly, he returned his attention to the little girl, placing her down outside of the stables. "Forgive me for neglecting you. What is your name, little one?" he asked with a kind smile.

"My name is Serena Howlett, Your Majesty," she said, knowing that he was one of Odin's two sons.

Loki smiled and took her hand and kissed it. "It is a pleasure you meet you, my Lady. I am Loki." He looked down at her. She looked to be about nine years old, which would make her about ten years younger than he was. Her attire was like what Asgardian children would wear: a floor length gown in emerald green silk, the sleeves cut and tied off just at the slope of the shoulders in red ribbon, allowing the rest of the material to flow down to her wrists freely. The only accessories that showed she was not an Asgardian were around her neck and in her hair. Turquoise gems and feathers were braided into bouncy black curls; around her neck was a coyote claw pendant.

There were many guests in Asgard at that time, but Loki had an inkling that this child was here with the Native American God of Mischief, Coyote. Still, he had to ask... "Who is your guardian here, Miss Serena?"

"My grandfather Coyote," Serena said.

Loki smiled; he had been right. "And are you enjoying your stay here in Asgard?" he asked.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"There is no need with formal titles, little one. You may call me Loki. Say, have you a secret place to play?" Loki asked.

"If it was a secret, why would I tell you?" Serena asked, her forest green eyes blinking up at him.

Another smile found its way onto Loki's lips. "That is very true, but judging by the tone of your voice, you have not found one. Luckily for you, I have and I am willing to show you it. You mustn't tell anymore though," he said with mock seriousness, watching with delight as her face lit up at the thought of a place she had yet to explore. Loki figured she had explored as much as Asgard as was possible.

"Yes! I promise not to!" she said, the brightest of smiles on her face. She could outshine Baldur, the God of the Sun.

Loki smiled and took her hand, leading her towards the gardens. Serena chattered away the entire time, so full of energy. As they walked through the gardens, she questioned him about the different flora she did not recognize and he gladly told her what was what. They walked out of the garden with Loki holding a bunch of flowers for her, including some lilac and lavender. Loki led her towards the forests and ultimately to an old tree that stood proud, with high branches that bowed and hanged down to the ground, creating a wide leafy curtain around its trunk. Loki led his little princess, a term he found fit for her, past the green curtain. The leaves shaded them, casting pale green light flecked with gold - fitting for two mischief makers. The tree gently reclines, its base covered in soft-looking mosses, as inviting as any bed or sofa. Neither Loki nor Serena could see outside, so no one could see them inside.

"What do you think?" Loki asked Serena as he sat down on the mossy sofa, placing the flowers down in front of him. He watched with pride as his little princess looked around their new hide out with amazement and excitement. For the next four or five hours she engaged him in games of make-belief and a touch of his magic.

The pale light that had streamed in darkened as the sun set. Loki was reclined back, his little princess fast asleep in his lap. His long fingers gently carded through her hair, being careful to not upset the flowers he had braided into her soft curls. Of course, his hair had been attacked by sprigs of lavender and lilac petals. He couldn't say no to such a cute, innocent face.

It was getting dark and Loki knew he must bring her back to the castle, or else her grandfather would worry. Coyote was not a being Loki wanted angry with him. Being careful not to disturb his little princess as she slept, Loki gently lifted Serena up into his arms and carried her out of their hideout, bringing her to the castle. She was slumbering still, her head on his shoulder, when he returned and brought her to her bedchambers, where Coyote was waiting. Loki gingerly handed her over to the Ancient Spirit of Mischief and left, knowing that tomorrow and the next day there would be more adventures for him and his little princess...

Two months had passed and the two were once again in their hideout, but Serena was not in the best of spirits as the sun begun to set. Loki noticed it and asked her what troubled her.

"Grandfather told me I will have to return to Earth in two days... my mother misses me and has gotten well," she said softly. Serena's mother, Coyote's daughter, had been unwell these past few months and had asked her father to watch over her daughter. "I don't want to go back..."

Loki sighed. "And why not? Surely you miss your mother."

"I do...but I'll miss you too," Serena pouted, looking up at him with sad eyes.

Loki smiled. "And I will miss you, my little princess. But it is not the end. I will visit you when I can and we can play on Earth. I will always be your friend," he said, leaning down and kissing her hair.

Two days passed and neither Loki nor Serena were happy that she had to depart. They had grown closer, finding his or her best friend in one another. And despite their age difference, they had strong feelings for each other. She crushed after her Asgardian Prince and he would do whatever to ensure the happiness of his little princess. Loki hugged Serena goodbye, pressing a kiss to her cheek as he slipped a book of poems into her hands. He stood beside his father and brother, watching her leave this realm with her grandfather...