Disclaimer: I do not own any of the original characters. (However, if I have created someone, please do not use them.)
A/N: This is a fanfic that I'm planning on being quite long. It's about Loki, and what might have happened if someone (you) had been there for him to shield him from his own darkness. It starts off when Loki was brought back by Odin to Asgard, so please enjoy! As always, review and tell me what you think. Thanks!
What Might Have Been
Books are Better
Asgard, 965 AD
Odin has returned from the war with the Frostgiants, victorious, and the city is in ecstatic jubilation. There is loud, cheerful music erupting from every street corner, with the people of Asgard gathered in the streets, singing, dancing and just generally celebrating. The buildings glisten while the fires shine bright and long into the night.
As the newborn child of Frigga's most beloved friend, you were brought with your family to celebrate with Frigga, Odin and Thor. You remember very little of this, but you were introduced to the new prince, Loki, who had also been born on the same day as you. You're frequently told of how you reached out and held the little Prince's hand when he began to cry, and you have been close ever since.
As children, you and Loki grew up closely:
You clutch your books and scrolls close to your chest as you hurry through the great halls of the Agardian palace. Your foot catches on the hem your light, crimson dress and you trip over and fall flat on your face against the marble. Your nose and cheeks burn, but you pick yourself up again and continue on your hurried way. You rush past some familiar pillars, stop, and rush back to them.
"Loki!" you shout in a worried voice. Before you is Loki, sitting relaxed against the pillar, atop of the baloncy wall, engrossed in a leather-bound book about spells. He looks up from the pages and stares at you with wide, turquoise eyes.
"Yes, Sabella?" he asks. "Why do you look so flushed? Is anything the matter?"
You sigh.
"I just tripped. Loki, we're going to be late for our studies!" you yell in distress. "Your brother, Thor, and Sif, and all the others will be in the Great Library already!" you fluster. Loki closes his book rapidly and jumps up from the balcony wall.
"What?! That was today?" he exclaims.
"Quickly, Loki! We'll have to run!" you squeal. Loki, acting quickly, grabs your hand and pulls you along as you rush along the hallway. Your heart warms and a smile blesses your face. Loki looks over his shoulder at you and smiles preciously at you.
The years pass and, to your dismay, Loki has changed from his cheerful, optimistic self.
Clutching your arm, you slowly approach the very same pillar you had all those years ago. You had traded your delicate, crimson dress for fiercem silver and cardinal classic Asgardian armour. You are quite worried about Loki. He hasn't turned up for sword practise for days, and Thor has had trouble finding him.
The hallway is silent and deserted. Your light steps make a slight echo as you walk. You stand still and look at Loki, sitting the same way he had when you were children. He, too, had traded his childish clothes for leather armour. A flashback hits you, and you think about how much he has changed. He looks quite peaceful, sitting against the pillar. But you know that he is troubled.
"Loki." you say softly. Loki looks up from his book at the sound of your voice.
"Sabella?" he asks, surprised to see you. "Why are you here? You look troubled. Is something the matter?" Loki partially closes his book.
"No. No, I'm fine." you say, taking a step closer. "It's you I'm worried about."
"Me?" he laughs faintly. "Why should you be worried about me?" You sigh.
"You haven't been showing up for practise recently. Thor has been looking all over for you, the Allfather is furious and your mother is very worried. We all are." you say, looking Loki in the eyes. "I came here to take you to practise." Seeing as are not physically hurt, Loki returns to his book and turns the pages idly.
"As if I care, Sabella." he sighs. "If I really wanted to go, I would have made the effort already."
"But your father-" you start.
"My father, is no more an influence on me, Sabella." Loki said in a raised voice. He softened his tone. "You of all people should know that." You search his face, and find him just as sad as you. You fold your arms and a curl of ebony hair falls across your reddened face.
"Loki Odinson, you are attending sword practise, or my name is not Sabella Westergaard!" you pout. Loki slams his book shut and looks at you. His eyes are deep and full of emotion. No matter how hard you try, you cannot stay mad at him. You let out a sigh and sit opposite him on the balcony wall.
"Loki what has become of you?" you say, disheartened. "We used to have such fun as children. All of us together." You pause for a long while, and then smile. "Remember when we assissted Thor in successfully stealing Mjölnir from the Allfather's vault?" you laugh slightly. Loki smiles. "There's that smile." you say.
"Yes. I remember." He looks from you to out from the balcony and across the great expanse of Asgard. "And Thor accidentally broke that vase." he sniggered. You laugh along too.
"And you used your magic to make the guards slip on the floor." you luaghed. "What was it you used again..." you trail off in thought.
"Ice." added Loki, smiling. "I used ice." There was another long pause. "My mother taught me that trick." Loki sounded low again. After a short silence, Loki lifted his head and grinned.
"Come on. I have something to show you." He got up from the balcony wall and began to walk quickly down the hall. You get up hesitantly.
"But where are we going?" you call after him. Loki spins round.
"You'll see." he smirks, and turns round again. You roll your eyes and break out in a smile as you run to catch up with him.
Down on ground level, you take a few turns and find yourself in some dark inclosed tunnels. It felt strange. You can't recall ever coming here, but it feels nostalgic. Loki snaps his fingers and a flame-like ball appears just above them, lighting up the tunnel. You both smile. With the light, you can see that the walls of the tunnel are lined with some kind of creeping plant. At the end of the tunnel is a warm glow of light. You follow the tunnel to the end and walk out into the dim lighting. You open your eyes and you're inside a glistening golden-lit dome. In the middle is an impressive silver tree, its branches weaving the roof. Golden light streams in through the gaps in the branches, illuminating half of your face. It looks like the sun shining through the clouds. The grass on the floor of the dome is short and soft. You gasp and almost stagger as you take in its beauty.
"Breathtaking, isn't it?" smiles Loki. You simply nod.
"I remember coming here." you say slowly, desperately trying to remember.
"Yes." nods Loki. "You were crying because your father had gone away to fight and you thought you were never going to see him again." Loki looks up at you, his eyes full of tenderness.
"...And you brought me here." you breathe. Loki looks down and the corners of his mouth curve ever so slightly.
"I have something else to show you." he says, taking a large step closer to you. Loki opens his hands around you and closes his eyes. The light through the branches is slowly cut off and you are left in the dark. You hold your breath. Then, ever so slowly, as if warming up, the tree begins to glow a glorious blue light. You gasp. The light slowly gets stronger until it is almost enough to see with. The sides of your faces are dimly lit, and you can see that you're only inches apart from each other. You look closer at the tree and you notice where the bark has cracked, reveals the blue light that fills the dome.
"...Loki..." you breathe. "It's so beautiful."
"Yes. It is." says Loki, his voice softer and more tender than you have ever heard it. You turn back to Loki, with his eyes on you. You feel a blush heating in your face, and you swallow. Hard.
A/N: Thanks very much for reading! This story is going to go on for a while, I hope! Please tell me what you think and review! I should be able to write a new chapter for Lucky You! soon, so please keep a lookout. Cheers! ;)