Loki stood tall and proud, but felt wearier than he has ever felt. He watched as a young Afir was brought before his father, Odin AllFather. The afir was a young female with cropped curly red hair and aqua eyes. She stood tall, but continued to stare at her bare feet. She wore nothing but a white shift dress and a golden headband, that symbolized her position. Loki looked at the AllFather out of the corner of his eyes, he wondered what would be done with her. This Afir was given to the Asgardian king as tribute from the Afir king. She had already said her name, Dotta. Loki wondered what her fate was, he looked back at her to see she had glanced up, as AllFather was talking.

"...Loki does that sound agreeable to you?"

He looked at Odin, knowing he missed everything his father said. Not to worry. He gave a slight wave of his pinky; in a golden sheen his magic revealed, the words that were spoken. These words were only visible to him, so he had no fear of showing he didn't listen. Only eight words stood out, "'The girl shall be Lord Loki's personal servant.'" That explained why the elf had looked up at him. Loki sighed. A new servant meant training, and training meant spending valuable time with a servant. But, Loki felt sympathy for the child, she was just left here for tribute, she does not belong anywhere now, and he'd rather take her than have his brutish brother take her. He nodded after a pause.

"Then she will belong to Loki Laufeyson's household, protect and guide her well son," Odin AllFather announced to the entire hall.

No one cheered or congratulated him, he would not wish it either. This circumstance was nothing to be happy about. The child had lost her family and homeland in one hour, then was give to Laufeyson's household, rumored to be the strictest and cruelest Asgardian household in all the nine realms. However, Loki noticed, the Afir showed no fear, she had not even flinched at the sentencing.

In fact Dotta was nervous, she had heard the rumors, but she was not one to judge before experience. Yet the man that was named as Loki, did intimidate her. He was dressed in a forest green oprichnina that stopped mid thigh, and the shoulders held golden plates the came up into points same at his lapels that made a high collar. His skin was nearly white, and he sported shoulder length black hair, that tidily fell around his neck. Loki was thin, yet tall, she could tell there was hidden strength and muscles under his long shirt. His face long, cheeks almost hollow, slightly pointed chin, and deep eye sockets that held striking green eyes. This man, her new master, was the picture of princely elegance. And for a reason unbeknownst to her, she wanted to try her best as his new servant. After all if she did not learn quickly, he might live up to the rumors.

The council was adjourned in the massive hall. Dotta stayed where she was waiting for her orders. Loki came to join her. She refused to look up, in the meager lesson she had on servant manners told her that looking at her master was disrespectful. And Dotta did not want to insight his anger.

"Follow me, keep close, we do not want to lose you."

His voice was stunning, it was a mixture of deep rich tone and a thick undertone of alto. This made her want to look at him, almost to see if the other rumors were true. The ones about him being a silver tongue. Just then he started walking, she paid attention to his long stride, it was about all she could do to keep up. Loki looked at his new servant, she was nearly trotting to keep up with him. The slight jaunty steps made her curls bounce. This made him chuckle silently, he quickly forgets that most people cannot keep up with his strides, and the girl was tiny, he slowed up a bit for her. Which nearly made her stop in her tracks to slow down with him. Loki could tell that this was going to be an interesting experience.

"You should look up, take in the sights, navigate the halls," he suggested.

Dotta looked up, but not at him, to see arching ceilings taller than the Jotun giants. They passed by dozens of gold pillars, until they reached black ones. She stopped to look at this section. At the same place that the pillars changed colors, the floor did as well, from a white to a green, the same color as Loki's shirt. She had to ask her question.

"My lord Loki, may I speak?"

"Granted."

She looked around as if to point out the black pillars and green floors, "Why did the hall change colors?"

"The castle is sectioned off into houses, and with the different sections come different colors, and the different colors symbolizes which house you have entered."

She looked between the two different houses. If what Loki said was true, she should not be able to get lost, as long as she was not color blind. Loki started walking again, she followed noticing the differences. Loki's house was darker than the AllFather's house. The only bright color were the gold trimmings on the few doors they passed by. Suddenly they came to two massive double doors, she wondered how she'd be able to open them. But, before should could figure it out, Loki opened the doors and showed her in. His room was rather different. It was warm, nearly welcoming, if it wasn't for the daunting giant four poster bed. The wood it was made from was black, the covers forest green, and his pillows were a shiny golden linen. There was a portico that over looked Bifrost and mountains. The walls, floor, ceiling and giant fireplace where made of cherry oak. In the fireplace was a roaring fire. This was strange to her, it was a glorious summer, peak weather. So, why did he have a fire going in the middle of the morn? In front of the hearth was a day bed, and three chairs. She noticed a wall dedicated to shelves that housed hundreds of books. Her mouth spread into a giant smile and she nearly ran to the books, forgetting where she was, and who was in the room. But, that did not matter, the books were bound in many different colors, all sizes. She could smell the paper and ink. She could tell which ones were made in Asgard and Midgard. Asgardian books always had a hint of magic to the smell of the ink. She was so engulfed into admiring the books, that she did not notice when Loki stepped up behind her.

"You like to read?"

Loki nearly burst out laughing, when she whirled on her feet like a scared rabbit and started sputtering apologies. He considered her interest in books a wellness, she is educated. There came a knock on his door, he turned towards it, motioning her to take a seat.

"Enter," he called.

Thor burst in the room with a loud roaring laughter. A boy behind him. Thor opened his arms wide sweeping Loki up into a nearly limb crushing embrace. Loki gasped for air, "Put me down you fool!" Thor set his brother down with a pat on his back.

"Oh do not act so dismal brother, Balder and I just came to remind you about training."

Loki sighed. How could he ever forget about training? He near dreaded the beating he got from his brother on a daily basis. However, the warriors three and Sif could never beat him. Balder trained with the other warriors his age, but took special lessons with Thor and Loki. He looked at Balder noticing he was hanging back.

"Balder, does something in my quarters alarm you?"

Balder would not answer him, instead he just kept staring behind him. Loki turned to see what his younger brother was staring at. Dotta stood looking at her feet, which rubbed against each other in agitation. She knew she was being stared at and it as bothering her. Thor roared with laughter again.

"Brother," Thor addressed the boy "come here and greeted Loki's new personal servant."

Dotta watched as the younger one, Balder, hesitated. He looked like he was taking a few seconds to think about it, but joined his brothers slowly. The boy waved, she bowed to him in return. Loki realized then that he had many things to show Dotta before he left.

"I might be late for training," Loki placed a hand on Dotta's shoulder "I must get her clothed and settled before I join you. Go ahead of me and I will catch up later."

Thor and Balder nodded leaving, Balder gave another look over his shoulder at the new serving girl. He could not place the feeling that sprang from him when he saw her, but he did know he wanted to see more of her. Just before the double doors closed behind him, she looked up, he smiled at gave slight wave. But, the doors closed before she possibly saw it. Loki turned to his new servant, to see the golden headband.

"Remove your head ornament," he ordered. She did look up at him then.

"My Lord?" She touched her crown and lifted it gently from her curls.

"You are of lower rank now, you must show it," he advised.

She yet again looked up at him, "May I at least keep it with my effects? It belonged to my mother, it is all I have of hers."

Loki nodded before striding to a small door. He opened it and motioned for her to join him. She quickly scurried to his side, gold band in hand. The small door revealed a small cot with a trunk, and a wash bowl.

"These will be your quarters, the candles are in the trunk along with a tender box."

She nodded, he then handed her a key to the lock.

"Now come we must go to launders, to have you fitted and clothed, after that I must leave you. The cook will take care of you until I get back and then I can run you through your schedule."

After he informed her of this he turned on his heel. She bolted to the bed placed the crown on the pillow, then caught up. Quickly getting used to his fast pace. They took a huge staircase downward. Loki's boots echoed on the black marble. They entered a large room filled with giant tubs of steaming water and colored concoctions. A curvy woman with lustrous blond hair walked forward bowing to Loki.

"My Lord, how may we be of service today?"

Loki motioned to the girl, "This is my new personal servant, Dotta, she needs clothes. She will also need slippers. Fit and cloth her, then take her to Busla and instruct her to watch after her until I come get her tonight after the feast. Understood, Tifin?"

The blond bowed again, "Yes, milord."

Loki nodded at Tifin, then to Dotta, and left without a sound. Tifin smiled at her.

"Come we must get you measured." Tifin motioned towards a room off to the side of the laundry room. They stepped under drying garments. The other launders looked up at the new servant to the household. Dotta wondered about what it was like to do laundry. It looked tedious, but fun. She had never actually got to do much work back at Alfheim, she always wanted too though. She used to bring it up to her father about working, but he would rant about how it was un-light- elf of her. She knew how to weave, sew, clean, and use magic. That was the dark elf have of her. Dotta's mother was from Svartalfheim, still elf, but dark- elf. The two had grudges against each other, but her father and mother were told to make a bound between the realms. So, her parents decided to spawn her and leave it at that. However, it was only her father's idea to give her up for tribute to Odin, to keep them from warring with the Jotun's.

They stepped into a medium sized room of shelves which were filled with mountains of clothing. An elderly man sat quietly on one of the mountains that were on the floor. His skin looked worn, but his smile told her that he still had some youth in him.

"What can I do for you young ladies?"

Tifin shoved her forward, "This brat needs clothes and shoes. Measure her then call me when you are done. I am to busy to be babysitting."

Dotta stared after her wide eyed. She was nice to her in front of her master, but now she was being as foul as a serpent. Tifin stormed out slamming the door shut. She cringed at the thought that she had already made an enemy. The man behind her clucked his tongue.

"Tifin, now there is one with a forked tongue."

Dotta looked at him with questioning eyes. The old man smiled.

"You are the new servant to Lord Loki, yes?"

"Yes," she croaked "but how did you know that?"

The man cackled loudly as he hobbled forward.

"This is the Lord's personal launders, every house has their own, as well as their own kitchen."

Her mouth dropped open, she tried to calculate the servants required for all of that labor, the thought only made her head hurt. "What do they do about feasts? And guests?"

"The AllFather's staff does that, he has the best of the best here."

Dotta nodded. "Why does Tifin dislike me?"

"She used to be Loki's wench, she disliked being slighted when he dismissed her. She has it out for any new girl. Loki's last personal servant quite because of her harassment."

"Oh," she hesitated. That is just great! Not even there a full day and she already has a threat breathing down her neck. She looked at her bare feet.

"Well," Adjorn clapped his hands together to get her attention, "lets get you measured and clothed properly for an Asgardian servant."

Adjorn fitted her with 4 pants, 8 dresses, 3 winter cloaks, 3 normal cloaks, 2 night slips, 4 pair of stockings, and one bodice: all in the colors of Laufeyson's house, one sapphire blue dress. He then gave her a pair of riding boots, forest thigh high boots, and castle slippers. She put the black slippers one for the moment. After she was done getting dressed into her new uniform Adjorn called for Tifin. Who looked at her disgustedly when she walked in. Tifin ordered her to follow. Dotta did all the while looking at her shoes as they walked. They came to a set of white doors, the color was in such contrast to the dark hall, that it was an eyesore. Just then a huge man with red hair in a ponytail burst out of the doors. Tifin jumped a good foot in the air.

"I knew a smelled a rat!" He roared as he swung at Tifin. Dotta stood stock still with her mouth wide open. Tifin started running down the hall away from the burly red man. He then turned to her, "Who are you? And why are you at my kitchen?" His voice was much softer with her than it was with Tifin, which was not much, since his voice was deeper than the first mountain.

She was shaking, her eyes stung with unshed tears. "I am Dotta," she stuttered with sniffles "L-l-lo-lord Loki's new servant...a-an-an-and he told me to come to the kitchen after I was clothed and wait for him to pick me u-u-uuu-p." She barely got the last word out before bursting into tears. The man picked her up like a baby and patted her back.

"I did not mean to scare you," he whispered and took her into the kitchen. He ordered his staff to bring scones and cakes for the girl, as he set her down on the counter, she stopped crying slowly as he petted her hair.

"There you are," he smiled at her as he whipped her tears away, "You must have been holding those in all day. I heard about your day, and I was there at the council meeting. You have been such a brave girl for holding onto your tears this long."

Dotta looked up at him, he did seem like a kind man. "What is your name?" She sniffled once more.

"I am the cook, Busla."

She tried not to laugh, but the face he made after introducing himself broke her control. She burst into a giggle fit. Just then a kitchen boy brought a tray of sweets, he set the tray down beside Busla. Who handed her a small cake, Dotta had never had cake before. In Alfheim, they were all focused on what the plant and animal life gave them, so sweets were not anywhere to be found, nor allowed. She took a tiny bite of the sticky thing, sweet burst into her mouth like a fire. Her cheeks hurt with the flavor, that she only had with fruit and was surprised at how delicious it was, she shoved the tiny cake in her mouth and chewed greedily.

"You look like a kid eating the cake like that," Busla chuckled.

Dotta looked at him shocked, "I am not a child," she said confused "I am nearly seventy three th moons old."

This time Busla was the one stunned. The small girl sitting in front of him was not nearly 20 Midgardian years old. Yet, she said so herself. That is when it hit him, she was of Alfheim birth. They always look like young children, and here he thought she was just a tall for her age child. He pushed back the curls that covered her ears to make sure, by Odin her ears were tall and pointed towards Yggdrasil's branches. But, she did not look ordinary light elf. Light elves had blond or brown hair, with blue or green eyes. Not a blue green with red hair. They also usually wore their hair long, especially the girls. She had cut hair. All he could deduce was she is half Svartalfheim. They had the red hair. It must have been the reason she was offered up as tribute from the Elf King. Busla shook off his shock.

"So, why did Lord Loki send you here?" He took a cake himself and ate it while passing her a new one. She shrugged as she nibbled this one, testing the taste first. The instinctual reaction made him think she would be a great apprentice. "It must be because he knew we wouldn't be busy tonight. With the feat going on and decided we would be best for babysitters." That made Dotta frown. Busla nearly hit himself, he just could not shake the thought that she looked like a kid. "Hey, would you like to learn how to make deserts?"

Dotta's head shot up as she looked at the cook, he was serious! She nodded without hesitation. She hopped down from the counter and followed the bigger than Thor man towards the kitchen supplies. The first thing he taught her was of the ingredient sugar.

Loki watched as the festivities carried on without him. He did not like the rowdiness of the other Asgardians. What he longed for was a long bath, his roaring fire and a book propped in his lap. The people of Asgard never liked him anyways, he did not hold it against them. He was after all the God of Mischief, he had pulled a lot of pranks, some that were hurtful. Not that he ever felt bad about them, in fact he liked the looks on their faces when the prank was realized. He stood back against the pillar as he watched the crowed, he saw a girl with red hair, which made him think of an excuse to leave the feast early. As a prince it was his duty to stay until people either passed out or went back to their golden houses. However, that night he had to go fetch a certain new servant from his cook. He left without notice. His formal cape trailed behind him as he glided down the hall of his father's household. Loki smiled, he was happy that he never got intoxicated. The part of him that was giant made that possible. After minutes of walking he came to the double white doors that affronted the eyes. He opened to behold a sight. He looked at the usually clean kitchen now covered in flower and random ingredients. His new servant girl standing in the middle of it coated in the flower, looking guilty. Busla was standing beside her, quiet. Loki burst into hearty laughter at the two. The looks on their faces were hilarious.

"What happened here?" He finally got out after gasping for breath. Loki was not used to laughing that much.

"My lord," Dotta bowed deeply "forgive me, Busla was just trying to teach me how to cook."

"I see that," Loki chuckled "but how did the explosion happen."

This time Busla spoke, "It seems like Miss Dotta here, knows some magic, which she tried to stir the bowl with and...well, you can guess from there."

Loki looked at Dotta stunned. Only dark elves knew physical magic, light elves dabbled in herb magic. Unless there was something he missed, she had come from Alfheim. There was some questions that needed to be asked, and he would get the answers. With a wave of his hand the mess was gone from both the kitchen and his two servants.

"Come Dotta, I wish for a bath and then bed." He held the door open for her.

"Yes, my lord," she turned to Busla "thank you for your time Mr. Busla."

She joined Loki's side, they left quietly. Busla looked after the elf with one thought, be safe dear Dotta.

They walked in silence. The hall was open to the outside and she could see the night sky; stars sparkled like chandeliers. Loki looked down at the girl, she was keeping up nicely while being distracted by the clear night sky. He wondered if she was thinking about her family, he dare not ask though. He shock his head.

"Child do you know how to draw a bath?"

"Yes, my lord," she answered promptly.

"Good when we are back, I will show you my washing basin, you will fill it for me."

"Yes, my lord," she answered again.

He opened his chamber doors and lead her to his bathroom. Dotta gasped at the huge water basin. She had seen smaller ones with the knobs, but nothing this big.

"Fill it," Loki ordered. She nodded and moved the sprockets. She was quiet while doing it. That pleased him, he did not want a talkative servant,questioning him all the time. She walked to him and nodded to him that the bath was ready. The rest of the night went quietly. Loki planned on showing her, her duties in the morning. He gave her permission to go to her cot, she bowed and took her self to her room. She closed the door, giving out a sigh. Her first day had been exhausting, she looked to her cot to see her new clothes and belongings. She grabbed the violet slip dressed, put the new clothes in the trunk slipped beneath her covers. And fell asleep.

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