Thank you so much for reading. I really hope that you will like it. I have written fanfic's before but not for this fandom or with an oc. So I really hope it turns out ok. I feel I should explain that in the Norse mythology Eir is the goddess of healing and is also named as one of the Valkyrie. In this story she will be the same age as Loki and Thor, a little younger than Loki. In this chapter they are around 12. Think Kid Loki or a little younger.
Small pale hands finished twisting long dark hair into a thick braid. Then tied it in place before letting it follow over her right shoulder, almost matching the darkness of the navy blue dress she wore. With a small smile and smaller nod, now satisfied with the effect after three previous tries Eir sat up and moved away from the small vanity table in her bedroom. Today was the young Aesir's first day of court lessons. She would be taught history and other important things that she should know about Asgard and the nine realms. While she had already met most of the small group of children that would be in the class with her. Five and herself her father had told her. Children of other high ranting court members, military men, like her father and one council member's daughter. Over the years as she grew up. She didn't really care about seeing more of them. It was the thought of all that she was about to be taught that excited her.
With a spring in her step she quickly ran from her room and along the corridor, down the stairs. She was just about to reach out to open the main door, when she heard her name being called. With a small affectionate sigh she lowered her hand and turned round.
"Father."
Her tone was not one of impatience or irritation. Instead it was one like a parent scolding their child. The tall rather large figure of her father walked towards her out of the shadows of the dim light. If she was unfamiliar with him this would be a very threatening sight. The proud warrior walked over to his daughter and knelt down in-front of her. Even for her young age she was rather small. His large rough hand rested on her shoulder. His fingers stroking her braided hair. A few strands of hair had already come lose. Her mother would have been able to fix it.
"I will be fine."
"I do not doubt it. It is myself that I am worried for." She smiled warmly at him. Her dark eyes meeting his. "I don't know what I will do without you around to keep the house in order."
"I will be gone a few hours a few days a week."
He nodded, knowing she was right. He also knew what her mother had told him. This was the first step that she would take away from him to a life of her own making. While every parent wished this for their child, to find their own place in the world it did not stop them doing so from hurting so much.
"You are special….."
"To you."
"I admit I am biased. It does not change the fact that you are beautiful and smart. Just like your mother."
She knew he was tying raise her confidence about being around the other children. Sigyn the beautiful blond, blue eyes daughter of a court member and Lorelei the exotic red haired, younger sister of Amora would both be in her class. Being of mixed nationality and having eyes as dark as her hair, he knew she worried about how she fitted into the world they lived in.
"Go and make us proud." He kissed her on her forehead, then stood up allowing her to finally leave.
She was not the strongest and she knew that she never would be, but she did have speed. She ran through the upper ring of Asgard from her home near the military barracks and training grounds to the palace with great speed and quick reactions to avoid running in to anyone. When she reached the palace she had to stop to have a guard tell her were to go. Walking through the palace she almost walked into the back of at least two other guards as she walked with her head tilted upwards at the high ceilings. They had the most spectacular designs. She had been in the palace a number of times, due to her father being a captain in the army, but she had never been able to really take in the detail of the palace before.
The third time she was pulled from her day dreaming she was knocked into from behind by a sudden force. Once she had regained her balance and looked around to see what been the case of her sudden attack. She saw nothing, then a sound that could only be described as a laugh drew her attention to her right. Where she saw the back of a small dark figure running around the corner of the corridor. Her instinct was to follow and she who or what the figure was. Before she could act on this instinct a hand came sharply down on her shoulder.
"It is to the left my lady." She smiled a forced smile to the guard. "It is very easy to get lost. You will get used to it." He offered in a softer tone. Her smile broadened a little as she followed her advice and carried on the way she was meant to go.
The class room was actually a set of three rows of tables and chairs facing out towards a small court yard at the heart of the palace. It was not actually a room at all. At least not in the warm weather. It did have a roof that was held up by four pillars, but no walls on three sides. In the colder weather mechanical walls emerged from the ground to make it a more traditional room. Eir was the last to enter the so called room. All seats in the front row were gone. On one of the far sides she saw the back of a shining blond head and red on the other. Moving forward she took a seat in the back row. There was still space in the middle row, but she didn't feel like sitting there.
For a reason she didn't fully understand she felt the strong need to distance herself from the other children in the room. She had just sat down when she heard the sound of someone rushing towards the door. She turned round to see who it could be. She was sure their teacher would not be rushing. The person stopped running just as they reached the door. As she was the closest she realised that she had been the only person to hear them running. As only now that they appeared in the doorway did the rest of the class turn to look at them. As they did a collective gasp and intake of breath was heard.
As she saw him first Eir was the only one that did not make an audible sound at the entrance of the second Prince of Asgard. Her eyes instead narrowed as she watched him enter the room, realising that he had been the one that had knocked into her earlier. Feeling a little brave she wanted to glare at him, but he did not meet her eyes. Instead he calmly walked over to the nearest seat and table. Which happened to be two seats down from her.
The second he sat down the rest of the class all got up from theirs and moved to circle around him. At first he did not seem overly comfortable with the sudden and intense attention. After a quick beat he seemed to be in control and composed again. Eir tried to not listen to what he was saying but couldn't help herself being drawn in. It was the slight note of annoyance when he answered a question about his brother the Prince Thor that drew her in.
Daring to have a quick glance towards him, she allowed herself to really look at him for the first time. He was definitely not as handsome or sticking as his brother, but there was something about him. His eyes were so bright it looked like he could see through anything. His pale skin and jet black hair made them stand out all the more. It made her feel very exposed when he turned them on her. The corners of his mouth tilted into a smile for a second till he mee her dark eyes, then he turned away.
The teacher then entered the room and everyone once again took up their seats. From the next few hour the teacher an older women with lightening hair talked and talked. Without herself noticing Eir started to move forward a little till she was perched on the each of her chair. Much of what she was being told she had already heard of or read before, but every now and then she would be told something that she didn't know and that made it seem worthwhile.
So engrossed was she in the works of the current philosophers such as Plato that she almost didn't feel a small gust of wind blowing against her arm. Quickly glancing to her right she saw Loki holding his right hand out just under the table. His palm was facing upwards were a tiny tornado dance. She had never seem magic like that being used in such a way. The tornado had a green tinge to it, he was not controlling the air around them, he was creating it himself with his own magic. Her breath caught in her throat as he watched the magic air continue to dance around the pale palm of the Prince. Suddenly feeling eyes on her, sharp eyes she lifted her gaze up. He smiled at her, a real smile this time. He was clearly proud of his skill, as he should be she believed.
Turning quickly away from him, she lost her balance and slipped from her chair. Her eyes clenched shut waiting the pain of the impact she knew was coming. Then the worse pain of all eyes turning to her to see her laying of the floor in such an undignified way. None of that pain came however. She felt like a strong pair of arms had come up behind her and grabbed hold of her to stop her from falling. Knowing that was impossible she dared to open her eyes. Looking down she saw that she appeared to be sitting on thin air an inch below her seat. Quickly she pulled herself back into her seat.
A little reluctantly she looked to her right. It could only have been him. While she was very grateful she was not looking forward to him smiling smugly at her. When she looked his way he was looking in-front of him. Seemingly very interested in Plato. For a minute she thought that she may have mistaken it, that it was not him. His magic seemed to be distinguished by a green tint. She had not seen that. Still she was sure that it was him.
She had never thought much of either of the Prince's. She had had no reason too. As their teacher had said at the start of the lessen Loki had chosen to be here. She didn't understand that. From what she knew Prince Thor had had a private tutor. So had Loki for a year at least what made him want to be here. Maybe he wanted to be around other people his age. His brother was older and from what she knew spent most of his time training. That did not seem to be an interest he shared with his younger brother. In fact she knew little of the dark hair Prince. Her father had told her that her he had a natural talent for long ranged weapons, which he believed he was skilled in due to his sharp eyes. He had also said he was rather recklessness in close range combat that could get him killed if he did not grow in strength to pull it off. Looking at the skinny boy she doubted that would happen.
The lesson soon ended and everyone filed out. Two of other girls, whose names she could not bring to mind stopped her just as she was about to leave the room. One was a distant cousin she found out. Feeling her unease and slight nerves from the start of the lessen leave her she walked out of the palace with them. They were nice girls, but she quickly found that they were not all that interested in what they had just be taught. They it seemed where far more interested in the late addiction to their class. They firmly believed that he was there most likely at the urging of the All-Mother, so that he would better know the women that would most likely be his future wife. It was not hard to guess who they thought this would be. Sigyn had been the first to approach him when he entered the room. Never leaving his side. She even practical linked her arm through his as the left for the day. They also thought that Lorelie with her family talent for magic could give her a challenge. That was if she found any interest in it.
Once out of the palace they turned right and she left. Her father would have returned from the training grounds by now. He would be waiting for her. Most likely with a long list of questions for her. She wondered if he knew that Loki was going to be there. It was likely that he did. He trained the Princess's or at least he would until they came of age. If he had known he most likely hadn't told her as he knew it might make her feel more nervous. He knew her better than she knew herself it seemed, at least on this occasion. He had most likely known she would let her nerves get the better of her. Even when she had not felt the slightest bit nervous before she arrived there.
Not wanting to return home just let she took a right and doubled back a little to walk through the public park in-front of the palace. Once around the park should give her enough time to think of the best answers for the question she would surly ask her. For some reason felt that she should keep some of what had happened in her first lesson to herself.
The park was one of her favourite walks. On a day like today if you were lucky you to find a quiet place to sit you could be left alone in the warm sun for hours to just sit and read. The flowers had come into full bloom offering a number of strong floral fragrance to accompany her on her walk. Her mind started to drift back to Loki. She couldn't put her finger on it, but under his playfulness she was sure she could see pain, buried deep. What he had to be sorry for she did not know.
"Aren't you going to thank me."
At first she didn't know if she was hearing the voice in her head, or if there was really someone talking to her. Looking around she saw no one.
"Wrong direction."
Darting around and feeling a little annoyed she still saw nothing. With a sigh of going frustration the voice laughed a little before choosing the reveal themselves before Eir grew more annoyed. Something told him that he did not want to see her truly annoyed. Jumping down from the tree branch that he had been hiding on he landed just behind the young girl. Spinning round Eir came face to face with Loki.
"So."
"Am I really meant to thank you for nearly casing me to fall out of my chair."
"No." He smiled, a little too smugly she thought. "For catching you."
"I would not have needed catching of it was not for you."
He still smiled and now laughed a little. She was clearly smart and quick minded too. Two traits that he did not normally find in people. She also didn't seem to treat him like a Prince like the others in their class. His brother may like to be treated that way, fawned over all the time he did not. At least not for any little thing. He liked it to be for something that he had achieved. If he thought to much more about the reasons for this he knew it he would not like the answer that he found. Something to do with the need for validation form his father most likely. The whole reason he had been in the tree in the first place was to finally get away from Sigyn.
Pulling himself from his thoughts he met her eyes. The darkest eyes he thought he had ever seen. They seemed to be peering right through him. Like they could see the part of him that he had just pushed aside. He felt that way when he caught her eye in class. He had never had that feeling before. He knew for a fact that he could even keep secrets form his Mother. Like yes he had in-fact been the one that caused Thor to be unable to let go of his weapon during training last week. It was a talent that he was proud off, though he thought he never got the right respect for. For some reason however her seemingly able to see thought that did not bother him. It made him feel he had to be more honest, well a little, something he was not used to. It also made him feel he had to up his game.
"How did you do that."
Her face fell into a frown at his sudden change of subject. "Do what."
"When I saved you from embarrassment I felt magic other than my own." The confusion on her face forced him to explain a little more. "I have a theory, a very good one. That I am very sure is right. I just wanted to know if you knew."
"Knew what." She voice came out louder than she had intended it too. Her hands had also clenched together. While she was not completely sure she had a very unpleasant knowledge that she had also stomped her foot.
Laughing a little under his breath, the Prince grabbed her arm and dragged her over to the trunk of the tree he had jumped down from. With more force than was necessary and she thought he would have he pushed her to stand against the trunk. He then let her arm go and took a few steps backwards. She too took a step forward but he quickly told her to stay in place. He also promised she would not get hurt if he was right. She had asked what if he was wrong. He looked a little puzzled by this. It seemed he always thought himself to be right.
"First time for everything I suppose."
For some reason this gave her some comfort. That was till he suddenly in the blink of an eye pulled out a throwing knife from out of nowhere it seemed and sent it hurtling towards her. She didn't have time to let out a sound, the knife was traveling like a bolt of lightning. All she could do was lift her arms up to protect her face. Like in the classroom she waited for the feeling of pain, but it never came. Instead she heard a soft excited laugh from Loki and she opened her eyes and lowered her arms. Looking at the ground she saw the knife laying by her feet.
She looked up at Loki, her mouth about to open to ask want had happed. Before a word could leave her lips, he was by her side picking up his knife. "I knew I was right." He finally met her eyes and saw she still didn't know what had happened. "You don't know what you just did do you." She shook her head. "You put up a shield to protect yourself. You didn't feel yourself using magic." She did not look like she understood any better. "You know you can use magic." She nodded with a slight look of annoyance. "You just only know the basics. Controlling what already exists." She nodded. "You create a shield subconsciously to protect yourself. It is a rare gift I have only read about it, never seen it."
A silence fell over them for a second as she took in what she had been told. Then her thoughts were painfully interrupted by a sharp pain in her right shoulder. It was so painful and strong, plus she had not been expected it, so she was knocked off her feet and landed harshly on the grass. Before she had a chance to take in what happened she felt Loki move to kneel next to her taking her right arm in his.
"It seems that you can only bring about a shield if you can see the danger coming."
She sharply pulled her arm away from him. "You punched me."
"I would have thought you would have been more angry about me throwing a knife at you."
"That didn't hurt me."
"I think it's more the shook. It could not have hurt that much."
"I can assure you it did."
He did his best to hide it, but she caught the hint of a self-satisfied smile cross his face. At least he had the decency to hide it. Wanting to change the subject in case he received a punch in return. "Did your Mother teach you."
Her eyes widen a little as she looked more closely at him. "No." she quickly answered.
"I apologise…."
"No its fine. I get it from her though."
"From what I know, she must have been a fascinating person. I would have liked to meet her."
"So would I."
The hint of smile was on her face. It was not painful for her to think of her Mother. It was for her Father as he had known and loved her. She had never had the chance. How could you love what you have never had. She could not tell her Father this, she had never told anyone that she felt this way. Out of fear they would think her cold-hearted. Though she felt Loki would understand. She was about to speak when his name was called by a loud voice. She saw Loki sigh a little as she practically jumped to his feet.
"It seems dear big brother wishes my presence. Most likely so he can show off some new fighting move or gloat about a victory." He held out his right hand to help her up. "Why don't you come with me."
She wanted to. She really did, but she couldn't. "I should return home. My Father will worry." He looked as disappointed as she sounded. "Maybe other time."
She reached out with her unhurt left arm to take him hand. He quickly pulled it away and took her hand in his left. "That is a promise." He said while he pulled her to her feet.
He did this was such force, force she now truly believed that he did not know he had. That she hit against his chest and they were almost knocked over. With the speed that she had also come to quickly notice that he possessed he balance himself and stopped them from falling. Hearing Thor call his name again, a little louder this time he let her hand go and ran off.
A few minutes later she return home to a large hug from her father and an equally large meal. She told him all of the events of the day. Thought she left out much of what had happened in the park. Not knowing how he would react to her talk of magic, as it linked so much to her Mother. She in turn was told that Thor and bested Fandral in a sparring match that afternoon. She now knew that is was Thor's need to gloat and boast of victory to his younger brother that forced Loki to leave the park. She now felt a little less upset that she had not taken the Prince up of his offer
I really hope that you liked the first chapter. I have written fanfic's before, but none with an oc as the main character. I really don't want Eir to turn into a Mary sue. So I would be very grateful if she ever becomes one you would let me know, so I can fix it. She will have her own skills as in the mythology she is the goddess of healing, but she won't be as powerful as Loki or Thor. Nor will she be as important to the plot.
I have planned to write about 15 chapter of all the characters growing up, then about the same on the events of the movies, adding Eir. Then I will move onto my own plot. That being said I would very much like to hear from you about any stories from the mythology that you would like to see in the story. I have thought of how to work some of the main ones into this story, but I would love to hear what you would like to read I am using the comic's journey into mystery, the kid Loki part, as a basis for this story too. I am not overly familiar with the comics or the films, so if I get anything wrong then please let me now.
I did plan to add an outline about Eir in this chapter, background and skills. So that you had an idea about her before the story really starts, but I thought that I could do that in the story. However I worry that I may not be able to find a way to work it all in so that it doesn't feel like exposition. I added as much as I could with just saying it in this chapter, but I don't think I am very good at setting things up without it coming out as exposition, so I don't know if it made any sense. So I would like to know if you would like that in this next chapter. If there is anything that doesn't make sense.
I know that I have asked a lot of you. I am just really unsure of this story. So any comments or idea as well as constructive criticism are very welcome. Thank you.