Disclaimer: I do not own Thor. This will mostly be based off the movie, as I am not considerably knowledgeable in the comics, though some of the comic world will be involved in this story. I do not own anything except for my few OC's.
For future reference, I will put all author's notes at the end of the chapter. That is, if you feel inclined to suffer through my rambling thoughts.
Enjoy!
Loki observed the scene quietly and curiously.
A woman, still a young maiden by outward appearance, was being pulled along into the prison. Her hands and feet were shackled in magic thwarting manacles, preventing any attempt to attack or escape, whether it be physical or supernatural. The chains seemed to be more for show than for necessity, as the girl refrained from struggling at all. She did not even resist the harsh tugging of the soldiers as they led her past the cells of prisoners. Her head was bent downward solemnly, her face hidden by long tendrils of golden brown hair, a scarlet tint to the locks. Though the crimson shine in her hair was a trademark of Vanaheim, her locks were much more brunette than the average Vanir. Her dress, light blue threading with accentuating embellishments, was obviously a constructed Vanaheim garment, with stitching matching the realm's specific seamstresses.
She appeared to be an innocent, respectable lady of Vanaheim, but appearances were unreliably deceiving. This young woman had earned the honor of residing in Asgard's prisons, reserved for the most malicious and dangerous individuals of the Nine Worlds, by committing some hideous, evil act. Despite her meek stature, she must be capable of unimaginably, awful things to end up in this inescapable penitentiary. She clearly originated in Vanaheim. She should have been sent back to her home realm to be punished and incarcerated, yet she was stored in Asgard with the most atrocious criminals the galaxy had to offer.
She passed by his small jail, and as if sensing his probing eyes, raised her head slowly with furrowed brows. Her eyes briefly scanned her surroundings, before flicking to Loki. The hazel orbs studied him intently.
He was struck by the innocence there. No matter how deceptively guiltless and docile a criminal seemed, their spiteful, cruel eyes gave away to their inner objectives of wicked intent. Some of the lesser offenders at least possessed a fearful glint in their eyes that portrayed the regret of their actions that had brought them here. Her eyes were neither frightened nor hateful; the kindness in her orbs was violated by no other emotion than resignation. For the first time since a felon was brought into this cursed place to decay, he believed the Asgardian justice system had failed greatly. This pure creature was innocent. The person, who had charged her with such a great act that had her confined in Asgard's prison, had been gravely mistaken.
The eye contact was broken as her eyes cast down. She swallowed thickly and attempted to hold her shoulders high despite the defeated, ragged way her body slouched inward.
He watched intently, eyebrows scrunched together, as the maiden was pushed roughly into the cell next to his. She stumbled, barely managing to stay upright, as she entered the imprisonment. The hem of her skirt had just barely fluttered inside when the barrier went up. A golden shroud now acted as the walls. No being could escape the cell, not by brute force or by magic abilities.
The soldiers collectively sent her condemning, vindictive expressions of dislike.
She met their eyes with her own submissive, guiltless gaze, taking their treatment with grace and silence.
Loki stared, transfixed, as the guards, one by one, lowered their scowls to the ground. Maybe, deep down, they realized too that this girl was innocent. None of the men voiced this opinion, they simply grunted dumbly to one another, shifting uncomfortably in the presence of someone so obviously blameless. It wouldn't matter if they had protested anyway, they were not important enough to have the power to reverse the outcome of her Asgardian trial.
The highest ranking officer broke the unnerving spell first. The guards would normally harass the prisoners before they let them be, but this time, they didn't seem to want to follow the "tradition". The officer yelled for the soldiers to head out and get back to their daily duties.
He waited until all the guards had shuffled out before turning his attention back to the young woman.
She seemed to be waiting for him to acknowledge her. Her head tilted toward him in greeting. As she met his eyes with her own gold-streaked hazel, he felt a faint inkling of remembrance. Loki had seen her at some point, thought it must have been long ago.
He made his way over to her with silent footsteps, before stopping a half of a foot away, regarding her without commentary.
She had the charming facial features of a young lady. Her cheek bones were high and gave her face an attractive regal quality. Her eyes were round and naïve, though somehow aged in wisdom and experience. Her lips were full and pink, with a small, slightly sad smile playing at them. The exposed skin of her body was smooth, but tired and pale, as though she hadn't slept in some time.
"Prince Loki," she offered warmly, curtsying in respect. It was a greeting he hadn't received in some time. The formality felt somewhat refreshing. Nearly everyone within the Nine Realms knew of him, as he was a member of Asgard's royal family. And if an individual was unfamiliar with the members of Asgard's nobility, then they had surely heard of his past crimes and indiscretions.
He smirked. "My lady," he replied with apparent humor. She smiled lightly. "What brings a beautiful creature such as yourself into my presence?" Her pleased expression faltered, but didn't fall.
"I fear I may have committed a wrongdoing of the highest offense," she responded honestly, no hesitation in her words.
He quirked an eyebrow, and gestured for her to elaborate. "And what would that be, my dear?"
She swallowed and the smile on her pleasant face turned bitter. Her expression remained utterly serious and truthful as she answered him, her chin kept high.
"I conspired to kill the King of Asgard."
A/N: Loki has recently, in light of the second Thor movie, captured my attention. I wanted to make him his own love interest. I've been trying for some time and nothing has seemed quite right for the dark prince. I would write little beginnings and then be unable to see where I would take them, forcing me to abandon the story completely. This one, however, struck me as the right beginning to the right type of story that I want to write. I've been stuck inside my house because of the ice and now. This idea popped into my head, and the story inspired me so much that I haven't left my keyboard because I've been too determined and enthused to leave. So to speak, I am writing for the burn.
Hope you all enjoyed the start, though it was short. I wanted to put more meat in it, but I felt that ending it right there was the appropriate move for this chapter. I'll try to update soon!