Frigga did everything to keep her son comfortable, no matter that he was seen as evil and a monster. She loved her youngest son, even if he was not her flesh and blood. He was her son and she loved him with all of her heart.
Food, books, furniture, anything to keep him happy and sane, and comfortable. Anything. However, Odin did not like her going down to the dungeons every day for long periods of time, so she took one of her own servants and asked her to serve Loki in his cell. Bring him food, keep him comfortable.
She was a young Asgardian woman, very beautiful, composed, at times Frigga often questioned if she wasn't royalty with the way she held herself.
"Leyla." Frigga called to the young woman as she looked at the entrance of the dungeons. She turned, her shoulders squared and her hair in a tight, golden braid along her back.
"Yes, your highness?" Leyla asked, the plate of food in her hands not even shifting.
Frigga looked at her for a moment. "Do not tempt the men in the other cells. They are among Asgard's most dangerous men." she held her hands at her side and Leyla gave a small smile.
"No need to worry about me, your highness." she nodded her head to the queen. "Thank you for your concern." she said as she turned and entered the dungeons.
Leyla took a deep breath as she walked. I cannot believe this. I was brought into the palace to serve Queen Frigga, not her criminal of a son. Leyla thinned her emerald eyes as she made her way to Loki's cell. He looked up at her for a moment and then down to his book before doing double-take. She heard some of the men calling out to her, but she let it roll off her back as she touched the wall of the cell, letting down the spells cast on it for a moment as Frigga had taught her before stepping into the cell.
"Good evening, Prince Loki." Leyla bowed to him as he stood from his position on his bed, watching her. "Your mother has sent me with your dinner." she said as she stood back up straight and offered him the plate. He glanced down at it before taking it cautiously.
"Why did she not deliver this to me herself?" he asked, looking the servant girl over.
"The King has requested she not enter the dungeons as often, your highness." He glared slightly. Not at Leyla, she knew, but at the thought of his father. "As it was explained to me it is not you the King does not wish her to see, but the other criminals." she said as she turned to exit the cell. "Have a good evening, Prince Loki." she said softly before exiting.
Loki watched the servant girl leave and he looked down at his plate for a moment. He growled loudly. His mother was the only person keeping him sane in this damn cell. He clenched his hand into a fist before letting out a breath, relaxing himself as he stared down at the plate the girl had brought to him.
"Oh!" Leyla laughed as she bumped chest-to-chest with Thor. This happened several times to the pair, she would be off to the orchard, he to Heimdall's observatory to check on his midgardian. They often walked together until their paths split. Leyla always walked with her head down, showing his position over her. "Hello Prince Thor." she said with a warm smile.
"Good evening, Leyla." he gave her a small smile as well. "I hear you are serving Loki now." he said and Leyla sighed, her head rolling to the side, her braid already undone, her blonde curls following her head.
"Please do not remind me, your highness." she huffed slightly, smiling as Thor laughed heartily.
He looked down at her. "I am sure he will not be so bad on you." Thor said and Leyla nodded.
"It has only been one day and we only said a few words to each other. He seemed more upset that your mother did not come see him." she said with a small shrug.
Thor nodded solemnly. "May we speak of another subject?" he asked, looking up towards the darkening sky.
"Of course, your highness." she said gently. "How is your midgardian?" she asked, giving a smile.
That was always a good subject with Thor. He was always happy to discuss her... What was her name? "Jane." Thor said, as though reading her mind. "She is good. Heimdall says she has been traveling around midgard with her friend, Darcy."
Leyla nodded. "It is good that she is well." she said kindly.
"Yes, however Father still does not approve of me wanting to see her." Thor said as he stopped at the split path.
"Of course not, your highness. Your father doe not wish to see you hurt. Midgardians do not live as long as we do. However, he is still your father. And if this woman makes you happy, and she is what your heart desires, I am sure he will understand your view." she said before realizing how out of turn that was. "Forgive me, your highness. I should learn when to finish speaking." she put her hand over her mouth.
Thor laughed warmly at her. "No, Leyla, it is perfectly alright. I enjoy our talks." he said and Leyla smiled warmly.
"Have a good evening, Prince Thor. I do hope Jane is doing well tonight." she said as she turned down her own path, Thor continuing to walk down the Bifrost.
Leyla winced as she tightened her braid. First, go serve Loki breakfast. Then, go eat her own breakfast. After that, see if Loki needs any new books, if he needs his cell cleaned. I am not his mother. Leyla sighed as she adjusted her dress.
She shook her head, adjusting her bangs that she allowed to grow and sweep to the side. "Okay. Day two." she whispered to herself before starting towards the kitchen to pick up Loki's breakfast. The chef smiled at her, sliding the plate towards her.
"Good luck, Ley." he said and Leyla huffed at him.
"Thank you, leave me to wallow in my sorrow." she teased with a giggle as she took the plate and glass of wine before starting towards the dungeons. Her eyes straight ahead, shoulders square. She walked into Loki's cell with ease. "Good morning Prince Lo-Oh..." she looked to see Loki facing the wall, a blanket falling over his shoulder. She smiled slightly as she set the plate on one of the tables before slowly walking over to him and gently pulled the blanket over his shoulder. "It is freezing down here. It would be horrid to catch cold." she mumbled as she took a step back, chuckling slightly. He was awake. His breathing changed when she touched him.
"I will return in an hour for your plate, highness. I doubt you'll be able to get back to sleep." she smiled over her shoulder before exiting the cell.
Leyla sighed as she browsed the library for books that Loki requested, a couple in her hands as she reached towards a shelf above her head. She sighed softly, cursing her size. In comparison to most Asgaridans, she was very short. She stood at only 5'1 and most of the time, she was on the tips of her toes to reach anything. "Madam?" Leyla dropped flat and turned to see Fandral the "dashing" and she smiled, nodding her head towards him.
"Please, sir, you have no reason to greet me so formally." she said gently. "I am merely a servant."
Fandral chuckled softly at her as he looked to where she was reaching. "Do you need some help?" he asked and Leyla blushed.
"Yes, sir. I'm reaching for the dark green novel towards the top, but I cannot seem to reach it." she said with a small sigh. He reached up and slipped it from the shelf, handing it down to her.
He looked her over as she took it, thanking him. "I have not seen you around the palace before." he inquired. Leyla nodded her head.
"I was Queen Frigga's servant for a long while and now that I am serving Prince Loki, I seem to be making my way around the palace more." she laughed softly, watching him cringe at the formality that she had given Loki.
"Well, if you ever need any assistance, please let me know miss..." he paused, waiting for her name.
"Leyla, sir. And thank you very much." she said softly. How kind. Even though she was just a servant, he still spoke to her with such formality. What a gentleman.
He nodded at her name. "A very beautiful name for a very beautiful woman." he smiled at her. Oh. Of course. She smiled though, thanking him before excusing herself.
She almost shoved the door of the dungeons open as she relaxed herself. She was not used to flirtations. She was a servant. She doubted she would ever get married, and so she saw no reason to even entertain the notion.
Leyla walked into Loki's cell, the books in her hands. "Here you are, your highness. I do hope these are the ones you asked for. I apologize that it took me so long, however many books were on very high shelves." she said as she sat the books down. Loki walked over and ran his fingers over them, nodding. Leyla let out a small sigh of relief.
Loki glanced to the servant girl. She seemed slightly disheveled when she entered. Which was odd for her. Every time she had come into his cell, she always seemed so sure of herself, and she held herself with such gace. How odd. "What is your name, girl?" he asked and she looked up at him curiously.
"E-excuse me?" she asked, her voice gentle.
The question had caught her off guard. That wasn't surprising. After all, they had only exchanged a handful of words. "I asked for your name." he said as he looked from the books to her.
"Leyla, your highness." it was strange how formally she addressed him, even though he was a criminal. She was serving him in a cell.
He nodded at her name. "I never saw you around the palace. Are you somewhat new?" He looked at the woman in front of him. She was obviously confused.
"No, your highness. I served your mother privately until now." she said softly as she looked at her feet.
He smirked. "Are you angry at her, for making you serve me?" he asked, looking to the books again, picking the first one up. She had a good memory. To remember all of the books he had asked for all the way to the library.
"Of course not." he looked at her curiously. "I have nothing against you, Prince Loki. As do I not fear you." she said simply.
Leyla took a deep breath as he glanced to her before he disappeared and a hand appeared around her throat. She bit into her tongue to keep her face calm. "Are you sure about that one, little girl?" he hissed into her ear.
She turned her head just slightly so she could see him out of the corner of her eye. "Do I appear phased, my Prince?" she hissed back. "You can do nothing to me that is any worse that what I have already suffered. If you would like to try, then I beg of you, God of Tricks, give me your worst." his hand tightened just slightly before letting go and he was in front of her again, looking her up and down curiously.
What did that mean? She shows no fear, her heart didn't even skip or race. She was a puzzle. "Are you finished attempting to intimidate me, your highness?"
Loki searched her face before silently picking up a book and going to a chair. "I will return with your dinner, Prince Loki." she said before turning and leaving the cell. What a pompous prince. Leyla shook her head as she climbed the stairs.
Loki watched Leyla as she left the dungeons. How interesting. At least he would have something to entertain him, since his mother wouldn't be frequenting his cell.
Hope you guys enjoyed the first chapter! Please review and let me know what you think!