Hi Everyone. I've never written a Marvel story so let's see what happens.
I don't own 'em. I just love 'em.
So this story format is a bit different in that the sections are not directly connected. Think of them as one-shots in chronological order.
I'm trying to set up this relationship, but I need background first.
Also, I tend to take canon and and squish it into a funny shaped ball and then throw that ball against the wall so if you're a real stickler for keeping to story canon, this may not be the thing for you.
Finally, I have no idea how Asgardians age so the first section Loki and Annika are around ten (if they were humans) and the next two section in this chapter they're in their early teens (again, if they were humans).
Okay I think that's about all I have to say about that. I hope you enjoy this. Thanks very much. :)
"Anni…Anni, come on. We're going to be late." After adjusting her belt and shoving her dagger into its sheath, Annika grumpily hooked her green cape around her small shoulders and grabbed a thick sac that contained all her worldly possessions. She hooked the bag over her shoulder and trudged out the door to meet her mother outside.
Annika watched as her mother busied herself outside preparing the last of the supplies for their departure. Annika's father had found great amusement at how dissimilar mother and daughter were and at this moment, not even Annika could ignore the contrast. Freya's long golden hair was tied back into a long braid in preparation for the journey while Annika's chestnut hair was already unkempt and wild, looking more like the family horse than her mother. Freya was just tying off the last of the satchels to the horse when Annika dropped her bag at her feet in a huff.
"I don't want to go." Freya sighed in frustration and knelt low to meet her daughter's ice blue gaze with her warm emerald one.
"Darling we've been over this. It's time to leave and make a new a home for ourselves." Freya stood up and tied Annika's bag to the horse.
"Besides, you'll love the city. You'll have so many children to play with and you'll study under the wisest tutors. Best of all, you will get to see the palace. You've always wanted to go to the palace haven't you Anni?"
Annika scuffed her feet on the ground stubbornly.
"I don't want any of that." Actually if Annika was going to be honest with herself, a part of her was intrigued. Her father used to tell her tales of the golden palace and heroes that dwelt within. Annika's dreams were filled with images of the greatest warriors and sorcerers, protecting the realm and fighting monsters.
"When I grow up, I'm going to become a great warrior just like you, Father."
Einar laughed. "Of course Anni. You are already stronger than any ten men I know." Annika giggled and gave her best warrior growl to which her father feigned terror.
Freya gently lifted Annika onto their horse, Ori, positioning her in front. Annika continued to scowl as her mother's arms surrounded her and with a quick kick, Ori lazily broke into a walk and the three began their journey to the city, leaving their home behind. Annika angrily wiped a tear from her cheek, but refused to look behind her. It was time for her to be the warrior her father knew she could be.
The Golden City was more glorious than Annika ever thought possible. This was truly the home of the Gods. The roads were paved with perfectly lain brick and massive gardens and fountains peppered the landscape. Even the sky seemed a richer shade of blue. Annika half expected everyone to break into song.
As Ori trundled along the path, Annika suddenly became very aware of the holes in the knees of her brown leggings and the frayed edges of her green tunic. Freya wrapped a protective arm around her daughter's waist.
"Stop fussing Anni darling. We're almost there." Freya was right. Only a short time later, the small family came to a halt outside a large, white gate. Annika marveled at how even the gate appeared to be iridescent and reflect different colours in the light. A guard dressed in armour and holding a spear the same shade as the palace he protected approached Freya as she dismounted.
"Freya Erikson, we've been expecting your arrival."
Freya greeted the guard warmly as she took his free hand in hers.
"Jens how are you?" Jens smiled his response.
"The king and queen are holding court in the main hall. I will take you there." Jens turned to escort Freya as another guard appeared to take his place. A second guard approached Ori, but Annika quickly dismounted and cut off the man before he could take the reins.
"I'll look after him." The guard looked to Jens who simply nodded, allowing the guard to return to his position.
"The stables are down that path and around the corner young Annika," Jens stated gently. Annika nodded and led Ori down the instructed path.
When the dusty pair arrived at the stables, Annika was slightly taken aback by the full house. Every stall held a magnificent stallion, pawing at the ground, waiting to be released. Each animal was clearly in its prime and well looked after. Annika looked back at Ori and his dusty coat and knotted mane.
"Don't worry Ori. You're more beautiful than any of these pretty boys." Ori nuzzled her shoulder in understanding. Annika tied Ori to a post outside, pulled a brush out of her bag and began to free Ori of all the road dust he had earned along the way. Annika quietly hummed a tune to herself as she moved to detangle Ori's tail. There was a great satisfaction to be had in freeing all the knots and allowing her comb to run free through his hair. Suddenly Annika's peace was disturbed by the sounds of children. As their voices drew closer, Annika ducked behind Ori and gripped her dagger, ready for whatever battle may befall her. The sound of wood hitting wood made Annika peak around her horse barrier as she saw three children a bit older than herself playing with wooden swords, racing through the stables.
"I am the Mighty Odin!" cried a blond boy as he raised his sword to the sky.
"For Asgard!" cried a raven haired girl as she too raised her sword above her head. The blond boy aimed his sword at a second boy who had jet black hair, even darker than the girl's.
"And YOU are a filthy Frost Giant and I shall slay thee where you stand!"
"I don't want to be the Frost Giant. Thor, why do I always have to be the Frost Giant?" the black haired boy complained.
Thor hit the boy across the back with his sword, causing the boy to fall into the mud.
"Kneel you barbaric oaf and tremble before the Mighty Odin!" The girl giggled in delight, but the boy's eyes burned with fury. Annika gaped as the sword held by the girl began to lose its shape and go limp, causing the girl to scream and drop it.
"Loki! You ruined my sword! I'm telling!" The girl ran towards the palace entrance. Thor ran after her. "Wait Sif! Wait…"
Loki rolled his eyes and stood up trying to shake the mud from his tunic. Annika watched the boy and slid her dagger back into its sheath. The sound of the metal sliding into the leather caught the keen ears of Loki, who jumped and looked towards Ori.
"Who's there?"
Annika meekly made her presence known. Loki looked her up and down with a slight sneer and look of disgust.
"How'd you get through the palace gates? Did you sneak in here to rob us?"
Annika frowned. "I was let in with my mother if you must know."
Loki scoffed and dusted off his boots with a nearby brush. Annika stood in silence, pondering this new boy with the black hair.
"Why did you turn that girl's sword into a noodle?"
Loki sneered, but seeing Annika's curious expression considered the idea that she genuinely didn't know who he was.
"It was supposed to be a snake, but I can't seem to get the magic right."
Annika's eyes widened. "You know magic?"
"Of course I do," replied Loki, like it was the most obvious notion in the world. Annika nodded and returned to brushing out Ori. Loki leaned against the stable door, watching her.
"So who are you anyway?"
"I'm Annika Einarson. My mother was offered employment here at the palace as a favour because of my father." Loki raised an eyebrow.
"And who was your father that garnered such favour?"
Annika's grip tightened around the brush at the boy's harsh tone, but with a deep breath she replied, "He was the most decorated soldier in the AllFather's army. He fell in a battle with the Dark Elves. Without him, Mother and I could not manage on our own so the AllFather and AllMother agreed to employ my mother in the kitchens." Loki nodded without much reaction and reached for another brush. Annika watched as this new boy began helping her with Ori's coat. Ori shivered at the new touch, but didn't shy away which surprised Annika.
"He doesn't like new people. You must be special."
Loki scoffed. "I'm better with animals than I am with people." Annika giggled.
"Me too." Loki's mouth turned into a sideways grin as the two continued to look after the horse in silence.
Once Ori was shining like a prize war horse and munching from a bucket of oats that Loki brought, Annika sat on a bench by a large tree and watched as Loki produced small bursts of different colours with his hands. Annika couldn't contain her laughter and clapped enthusiastically at each new coloured cloud.
"What's your name?" inquired Annika as she plucked a white blossom from the shady tree. She grinned broadly as Loki changed the white blossom to a purple one.
"I'm Loki."
Annika's smile turned into a frown. "As in Prince Loki Odinson?" Loki nodded, but looked puzzled at Annika's serious expression.
"I don't think I'm allowed to talk to you."
Loki scoffed. "Why not? I'm a prince of the realm. I can speak to whomever I please." Loki stuck his chin out trying to look as haughty as possible, making Annika grin once again.
"Besides," Loki continued, playing with the flower, "you're the only one who will talk to me anyway."
"What about those other two? Sif and I'm assuming your brother Thor?"
Loki picked at the petals of the now blue flower and watched each piece float to the ground.
"They're not my friends. They're boring."
Annika giggled, but paused, afraid to ask her next question.
"Can we be friends? ...maybe?"
Loki exploded the last of the flower into a burst of green and smiled.
"Sure. You like my magic."
Annika laughed. "Who doesn't like magic?"
Loki stood up and dusted his hands. "Everyone. They only things people around here like are drinking and fighting."
Annika scowled. "Then they're idiots." Loki laughed out loud. Annika joined in the joke and soon the two were leaning against the tree so they wouldn't fall over in the hilarity.
"Loki!" Annika turned her head to see a lady in a long, blue gown come striding across the courtyard towards them. She turned to Loki looking for an answer.
"Mother," he murmured. Annika nodded in understanding, then panic swept her face as she dropped to her knee. Loki rolled his eyes.
"Loki dear, you're keeping your brother waiting. Master Ullr will be in the fighting yard soon."
Loki sighed. "Yes Mother." As Loki strode away, Annika remained bowed but her eyes caught something next to her. The flower that Loki had been playing with had reassembled itself and was a brilliant shade of purple. Annika gently reached over and held the small flower in her palm, marveling at its iridescence. When Annika looked up, she caught the gaze of Frigga and immediately dropped her head again.
"Annika Einarson, please get up." Annika stood up quickly, but her head remained bowed. Frigga smiled.
"Annika, you are now a resident of the palace. You need not bow to me as if I were some sacred alter."
"Yes AllMother." Annika slowly looked up to find Frigga standing closely in front of her. Frigga carefully took Annika's hand in hers and lifted it up to study the flower Annika tried to hide. The kindest smile Annika had ever seen graced Frigga's features as she closed Annika's hand over the flower. Without another word said, the AllMother took her leave.
Annika stood up and dusted the dirt from her tunic. While Freya worked in the kitchen with the others preparing meals, Annika worked out in the vegetable gardens with the other young members of the palace staff. She jumped at every opportunity to help out and learn from those willing to teach. Lately she had been tending to the vegetables and had just finished weeding her section. The sun was hot, but a cool breeze was blowing.
"It won't be long now before we can harvest these carrots," said one of the elders. Annika brushed her hair out of her face and smiled with pride at her section of leafy shoots. The elder smiled. "Go on Anni. Go get cleaned up for dinner." Annika nodded and ran off in the direction of the servant quarters. Distant voices slowed Annika to a walk before she changed course to investigate. She smiled as she found the source. Thor and Loki were battling in the fighting yard while their friends watched on. Annika climbed a nearby tree to get a better view.
"Get him Thor! Attack high!" yelled Sif. Thor swung his practice sword clumsily at Loki's neck. Loki easily ducked out of the way and struck Thor in the knee. Thor grunted and fell to the ground. Annika noticed three other boys sitting on the fence surrounding the pen. They looked to be about Thor's age, perhaps a bit older. The blond one jumped down and raised his fist high.
"For Asgard!" he cried and the boy with his two companions and Sif ran straight for Loki and began to swing wildly at the younger Odinson. Loki attempted to block their shots, but was quickly overwhelmed.
"This isn't fair," Loki choked out as he backed himself into a corner. Annika was about to jump down to help her friend when a voice stopped her.
"In battle my son, one cannot pick the number of enemies one may face." Everyone stopped as Odin stood at the entrance to the ring. The three boys and Sif instantly dropped their weapons and bowed towards their king. With all distracted, Loki shot a blast into the ground, creating a cloud of dust and debris. Loki ran towards the tree, not knowing Annika hid within the branches. Annika was about to make a run for it, when Thor tackled Loki to the ground. Thor was raising his sword in mock victory when an apple collided with his head. Loki looked up and heard the tree giggle. Thor's friends had by now recovered and ran to his aid, only to meet a similar fate of apple grenades. Sif held her shield up to block the blows while one boy with shockingly red hair simply picked one off the ground and bit into it. The other boys were pulling Sif back as her anger propelled her forward. Even Thor backed down as the apple bombardment refused to let up. When the group had finally vacated the ring, Loki laughed and looked to his father for approval. Loki's face dropped as he saw Odin remain expressionless and simply turn to return to the palace.
Annika swung down from branch to branch until her feet touched the ground. Loki sat up and chuckled.
"I figured it was you in the tree although I am a little sad. For a moment I thought I could control nature."
Annika sat beside him and picked bits of bark from her leggings.
"Well you can control dirt and colours so I'd say you're on your way."
Loki laughed and picked at the ground beside him.
"Your blade skills have really improved since we first met," Annika offered.
Loki looked at her confused. "How would you know?"
"Oh come on Loki. It's not the first time I've watched you fight your brother from the trees."
Loki laughed softly and threw a handful of dirt at Annika. "Creep."
Annika giggled and threw a clump of dirt back in return. Loki swatted the clump to the ground with a grin. Annika grabbed another clump and threw it straight in the air. Loki blasted it out of the sky, turning it into a tiny green firework. Annika giggled and threw another clump. This time Loki made it explode in blue. They continued this until bits of rainbow dirt surrounded them.
"Heimdall will think we're creating a second Rainbow Bridge," Loki mused. Annika smiled as they both stood up.
"Anni, you're filthy. What have you been doing all day?" Loki asked, laughing at the state of his friend.
"Oh Hel!" Annika smacked her forehead. "Mother is going to hit the roof if she sees me in this state." Annika took off running, waving her goodbyes behind her. Loki chuckled to himself and he sheathed his practice blade. Loki took one last look at where Annika once stood, shook his head with a smile and made his way to the other palace entrance.
Loki padded down the hall quietly towards the servants' wing. He moved as quickly as he could without making a sound, but it was difficult to contain his excitement and not thump down the halls as he searched for his best friend. Loki had finally mastered invisibility and couldn't wait to show Annika. This sort of feeling was odd for the young prince. At first Loki had simply taken delight in the attention that Annika paid him, marveling at his magic and being in awe of his knowledge of history and science. What had surprised Loki was after a time; he began to seek her out rather than the other way around. He not only came to enjoy her attention, but found comfort in her presence and enchantment in their conversations.
Loki paused for a moment to listen. There were no guards in this area of the palace and the halls were hauntingly silent. Loki knew Annika wouldn't be asleep yet. She was always up late, claiming it was the only time she truly had to herself anymore. Annika had recently been selected to become a part of the palace's entertainment entourage as a dancer. Not only did she spend hours everyday practicing increasingly complicated routines, Annika had taken it upon herself to read up on as much cultural history as possible. She told Loki that she wanted to know everything about the dignitaries for whom she danced. He appreciated her dedication and loved watching her perform at special feasts.
As Loki slunk down the halls, a faint sound caught his attention and pulled him out of his memories. It sounded like a female crying. Feeling a rising sense of alarm, Loki picked up his feet and moved quickly towards the sound. It came from behind one of the chamber doors. Loki heard a second voice and pressed his ear to the warm wood of the door. Much to Loki's relief, the crying was not Annika.
"Mother it will be all right. Please stop crying."
Loki's heart shattered upon hearing Annika's strained voice comforting her mother. He pressed his ear harder into the door as he heard the sound of someone climbing into a bed and quilts being pulled across. Loki held his breath as he heard a song seep through the door. Annika was singing her mother to sleep. Loki felt hot tears stinging his eyes as he heard the sadness of his friend disguised in the notes of a gentle lullaby.
Eventually the singing stopped and Loki felt a sudden panic as he heard footsteps approaching. He jumped back just as the door opened and Annika walked through, wearing her nightgown and a thin robe. Loki followed and watched as Annika walked down the halls and go outside into the courtyard. She didn't stop until she had reached the tree where Loki had first sat with her. Annika sat gracefully on the bench and broke down in tears. Loki dropped his invisibility.
"Anni?"
Annika's head shot up and looked around for the source of the voice. She calmed when she saw Loki appear from the shadows.
"Loki, how did you know I was out here?"
Loki came over and sat on the bench next to Annika. "I went looking for you to show you that I had finally figured out how to hide my features, but when I got to your chambers I heard you soothing your mother. When you left your room, I followed you out here."
Annika stared at her upturned palms, which sat in her lap. Loki leaned forward to try and catch her eye.
"Are you angry with me?"
Annika's eyes shot up to meet Loki's and she smiled. "No Loki, I'm not angry. I'm sorry you had to hear that."
"Why does she cry?"
Annika looked back down at her hands. "She has ever since Father died. After all this time, without him, she is lost."
Loki looked indignant. "She should be soothing your tears. Not the other way round."
Annika shrugged as a single tear ran down her cheek. "It doesn't always work out that way Loki. It is my duty as a daughter to love and look after my mother."
"But who will dry your tears?" Annika said nothing, but lifted her head and stared at the stars. Loki looked to the ground.
"I will dry them," Loki whispered more to himself than anyone. Annika turned her head to meet Loki's eyes. Loki gently drew a thumb across Annika's cheek and wiped away the stray tear. It turned to ice on his thumb, then disappeared in a small burst of blue smoke. Annika chuckled quietly and leaned her head on her friend's shoulder.
Loki wrapped his arm around Annika's shoulder and rubbed gently to generate warmth. He turned his head and laid a soft kiss in Annika's hair. She lifted her head.
"What was that for?"
Loki's brow furrowed. "I don't know. I always see Father do that when Mother needs comforting. Was it wrong?"
"No…I liked it." Annika returned her head to Loki's shoulder. Her eyes locked onto the stars, which prevented her from seeing the wide grin that had spread across the face of her best friend.