He watched her carefully, seeing as her whole world came to a standstill. He was proud, watching her amazement, a slew of different emotions washing over her face. He couldn't help the smile form on his face, watching as her blue eyes sparkled. They were a different color blue, from the other girls he had seen in Asgard, her's were especially different to Loki.
"Loki, this is amazing! How did you find this place?" She stepped forward slowly, unlacing her fingers from his hands.
"It was of no consequence, I have a small view of it from my room," he told her, she turned around and smiled at him. Then her face fell as she looked out at the scenery.
"Why would you show this to me?" Her voice was small, just above a whisper, her bravery seemed to be at lost with the prince, and she only wanted to slink away behind the shrubbery and large flowers that bloomed all around her.
"Well, because you said you liked nature and art. Maybe you could use this as inspiration if you wanted," Loki almost seemed nervous, and it only made her laugh, giggling at his reaction.
"It's beautiful! So much color! Where are we exactly? From the palace?" She asked, staring up at the sky, she could only see the shroud of fog floating above their heads.
"The palace is just above these trees over the hedge. You can't really see it from here, but I would like to bring you farther back, there's something else I want to show you," he smiled, reaching his hand out for her to take. She stared at it, her mind deciding once again whether or not to take it, but she did, smiling at him the entire time. He ran off, pulling her alongside her, reaching the far depths of the mysterious over the hedge haven. All around them the forest seemed to take on a more mystical natural form, the trees wrapping around in such grace, vines growing from their roots and up into the tall trees, the grass below them was untouched, glistening and glowing in the different shades and hues of the light reflected above.
The flowers that covered the ground around them, making a distinct path, were in a vast array of colors. Some looped around others, some large some small, some multi-color, some petals that sagged, some were small, some moved and grew smaller as you got closer and bigger as you walked away. Her eyes widened in shock, trying to memorize all that was here, there was just so much to see that it looked so surreal.
Loki peered over his shoulder to watch her gazing at his fortress, his hiding place, his haven of peace away from the futuristic Asgard. The paths weaved in and out, the flowers beside them guiding them further and further into the forest until the shrubbery became too dense for them to clearly walkthrough, but Loki knew the way, he pushed them through, with easy grace, holding tightly to her hand, a smile that would not leave his face as he showed her his place.
Soon he had to use his magic to push shrubs away, clearing their path, and then finally they made it to a large opening. This seemed to be on the other side of Asgard, far away from the palace and civilization. The sounds of people far in the distance were indistinguishable from the sound of a waterfall that cascaded off of a mountain, the mountain reaching high into the heavens. The steam that rose from the bottom of the waterfall into a small lake, the water clear and sparkling in the light that streamed from high above, the steam reflecting its waters allowing the whole area to sparkle.
"At night, it lights up, the plants and trees, they all glow an array of colors! The bottom of the lake, that to glows, even brighter when you stand on it!" Loki was beside himself, and it only made her laugh again, but her mouth as agape, making it sound off. Her eyes wandered and searched all around, trying to etch in her mind what she saw, it was, perhaps the most beautiful sight she had ever seen of Asgard. "Come, we must head back now. It will be getting late soon; the walk back will be a bit longer."
She almost scowled at him, she wanted to stay longer, and she wanted to stay until the night to endure the glowing aura of nature, to etch that into her mind as well. For now, she could only dream of it, and she would go home and paint up all that she could imagine, all that she had already seen. She nodded her head at him finally, allowing him to lead her through the forest, leaving behind the haven that had captured her heart.
They walked in relative silence once again, night now descending upon them, the sun slowly falling in the distance, they decided they would run to get back to the entrance so their absence would not be noticed. Finally, they made it back to the entrance of the library, standing in front of the large building and the people rushing out silently. The two looked at each other slowly until she finally smiled and squeezed his hand.
"Thank you. For everything," she told him, smiling brightly again, noticing the small blush that formed on his face.
"I'll meet you here tomorrow when you are finished with school," he finally was able to choke out.
"Of course, I wouldn't miss it for the world!" She giggled again, his smile forming on his face again. "Goodbye Loki." She squeezed his hand lightly and then let go, walking away from him and began her skip back to her home. Loki stood dumbfounded, for the first time in a long time; he had enjoyed his day, a smile on his face, and a complete loss for words.
"Why are you getting home so late?" Her mother scorned the second she had walked into the house. Her momentary bit of happiness washed away as soon as she had walked through the door. What could she say, how could she tell her mother that she had been in a part of the forest, which is forbidden for the most part
"I was preoccupied at the library," in all honesty, that's where she was for a good part of her afternoon, she only spent the few fleeting moments in Loki's haven, but she wasn't about to tell her mother about that.
"Honestly, stop it with your lying! Your father will not appreciate it!" Her mother barked, but she didn't even flinch. To be precise, she was pissed, angered that her mother would bring up her father, more importantly, his rank. It didn't matter who her father was, to her. Politics, however, was a completely different story, and to the rest of Asgard, rank meant everything.
"I'm not lying mother, I promise I'm telling the truth," she pleaded with her mother; she wasn't in the mood to deal with her.
"And what is this interest in books? You haven't cared to pick one up since we had that tutor! You despise reading at school, so why is the library an exception?" Her mother was becoming infuriating.
"I found an interest in a certain subject, the school wasn't providing it for me in their own library," she explained further, she had to think quickly on the subject. She hated everything at school, so anything at this point was going to surprise her mother.
"And what subject might that be?" She was exasperated, irritated just about as much as Sarah was.
"Language," Sarah spat out quickly. Her mother was silent; her breathing was audible from behind her.
"Language? What sparked this?" She was curious, so she had to think quicker.
"I had skipped to the library and found the section on the realms, I wished to know about the other realms," Sarah continued, she sounded convincing enough.
"And just like that, you're interested?" She didn't sound displeased, which was a good sign, but this could still go anyway.
"Of course mother, school is but a waste of time, frivolous activities that occupy my mind for only hours a day before I'm engrossed in something more worthwhile of my time," Sarah spoke calmly, affirming her lie.
"You and your words, you speak as if you are a book!" Her mother laughed, for the first time in a long time. "Very well, you may continue your readings. As long as you are home at a decent time." Her mother was laughing again, at her, she wasn't sure. At least she was free to leave the library for her afternoons.
Later that night, after another silent dinner with her mother, she had escaped into her bedroom. She looked all around, at all her artwork. It seemed like a mess, but it was her mess of art. The artwork was inspired by all the turmoil she felt towards other students at her school, and how she imagined her haven. Color and abstract contrast flittered through her mind whenever she felt distracted.
Now, however, she felt an odd connection towards the haven that he had seen this afternoon. The way the trees and bushes connected through a root system, how the waterfall blended in between the harsh lines, it was a masterpiece worth ogling. Something that should and would be cherished and she would capture it as she saw fit.
She quickly scanned her bedroom for an empty canvas, resorting to searching in her clustered closet for something clean. When she found what she was searching for, she pulled it out, set her isle up, her paints, which scattered all across her desk, was finally able to begin painting.
She drew an outline, one that would remind her of all she saw so she could work the finer details. She then drew out the perspectives, starting from the entrance that she and Loki had come from, and shadowed certain areas.
All the while of painting, all thought of troubles escaped her mind but would come back to her somewhat clouding her concentration. She couldn't get out of her head of what she was to endure the next day at school. Sure enough, Amund would make her life even more miserable, just silently asking her to do something to him about it.
Of course, she would not. She would never dare, she knew what her mother would do to her if she had. Her father, though stubborn and not to her liking, was still important. If she disgraced her family, they would intrude in her life in ways she didn't want them to. Her art was everything to her.
Her strokes became anguished, screaming of issues that needed to be taken care of. She wouldn't be able to do anything, though, not until the morrow. All she could do now was concentrate on her painting, worriedly sleep the night away and confront the problem head-on by the time school started.
She walked to school with feet of lead. She couldn't even begin to fathom all the horrible things that Amund was going to do to her. She would be teased, she knew that much, and she would almost want to regret having Loki fight her battle. She wouldn't. Loki saved her life, and for that, she would be forever grateful.
The walk from her house to the school wasn't a terribly long one, but she happened to be the farthest one away from the school. She liked it that way anyway, most kids didn't make it to the end of the block, her father was more important than most others.
She made it to the end of the brick and stone road and turned left out onto the crowding streets of the East Market. This early in the morning, most were only gathering their merchandise and slowly making their way out to make sales. She enjoyed this time alone, passing by sellers, buying small ounces of bread to fill her until her lunch.
The stone walkway soon turned into a soft mud, squishing below her feet. She pulled her dress up a little and picked up her pace. At this rate, she was going to be late for school. Taking a right then another left she saw her school in the distance. She ran but slowed her pace as she entered the school.
The school was for nobles. Not just the typical immortal, fancy prancy ones, but the real prominent ones. Such as Sarah herself, this school was specifically for the higher class nobles. Most of the kids that walked around her, dressed nicely and clean, had parents that talked and walked among even the royals. These children, especially the girls, had the opportunity to marry the crowned prince, Thor.
Though Thor was a manly sigh indeed, even at his young of an age, he was arrogant, as most boys were her age, but he had an air about him that didn't seem to pique her interest whatsoever. Thor was rash, and when he visited the school for a particular mentor, she could see his brash judgments while he fought, dueled, and even spoke to many of her students. She was never given the opportunity to speak to him. No, she would rather watch from a distance, taking in his form, from all aspects. If she was to live as a noble, she might as well take some interest in her future king.
She didn't truly benefit from these observations, only joining in the gossip that spread around the school. Girls slowly turning into their mothers. Sarah scoffed at this, she would never turn into her mother, she loved her but not as an idol.
Finally, she made it to an open area of the property. She walked to the left side, keeping track of her pace and distance from other students, and walked through the archway to her classroom. She took the seat on the far right in the middle of the rows of benches.
"I see you made it home safely," the all too familiar voice sounded behind her. Amund walked around and sat down on the bench next to her, sitting far too close to her liking.
"Yes, I did," she responded curtly.
"No need to be mean. I am concerned for your wellbeing after all," Amund feigned hurt.
"I was merely giving you affirmation," she spat, trying to keep herself together to save them a scene. He scowled at her and seemed as if he was going to do something, but the teacher walked in calling for the class to start.
This was a new year. Anything could happen, and much could change, if she was willing. She was, and she was excited to get back into her studies, as long as she could keep herself occupied from Amund. She didn't necessarily dislike school so much, as it was the students and some teachers in the past. She would refuse to do work when she felt she should when the teachers were being unfair, or if the students were being exceptionally irritating.
She kept to herself, not taking the risk of talking to many students. Her new air that surrounded her gave her hope that maybe she could move on. She wouldn't persist that Amund follower her around, despite that their families were tied together, but she wouldn't be too outright rude to him. What happened yesterday in the library wasn't her fault, and she knew he was just waiting for the right moment to strike, to get his revenge.
In class, she learned the basics of their language, then as the hours progressed, got into more detail. When the middle hour finally approached, most students scrambled for the door, making their way to the arena where they would watch the princes' practice or watch fellow students make their mark on Asgard.
Sarah idled her way out of class, missing the large amounts of students still rushing out and making it into the clearing. The field was full of boys and girls milling about, talking to one another, observing each other. Luckily for her, no eyes were on her, which was a good sign. Amund must not have said anything to anyone about what happened yesterday.
She pulled herself together and walked to the other side of the grassy plain to have my usual seclusion away from everyone. She made it over to the tree, happy that it was still unoccupied, sitting down on the soft grass below. She leaned against the trunk of the tree, watching those around her for quite some time before she could hear the signs of someone approaching. Looking down at the shadow, it looked like Amund's.
"I wish to not be bothered," she spoke calmly.
"Well, that's too bad. Amund tells us you caused him some trouble yesterday," Amund's friend, Heathrow snapped.
"If Amund thought of it enough of an issue, he would've come himself," Sarah still didn't look up at him.
"He's busy," Heathrow stood down and picked her up in one swift movement, and then pushing her off to stumble a little ahead of him.
"Please, I didn't do anything! It wasn't me, he's lying to you!" Sarah pleaded, but Heathrow was stubborn and very protective of his friends.
"Where's your friend now? He's not here to protect you, I'm sure that he won't even be there when you meet him at the library again," Heathrow squared himself and prepared to charge when he stopped right in front of her. This time, she couldn't see Loki approaching, and for sure she thought that she was indeed the one that was doing this. Loki was standing behind the tree, his face bruised where Amund had gotten a clear shot of him when he wasn't paying attention. Heathrow squirmed and shook as Amund had before. He was at least glad that Sarah hadn't get attacked again.
"What are you doing? Freak!" Heathrow was pissed, more than Amund had been yesterday and it terrified her, but she couldn't move. She stared wide-eyed and tried backing away, trying to make it seem as if she was in fact not doing any of this, but she had failed, and she was frozen to the spot.
"Stop! Stop! I'm not doing this!" Sarah shrieked, gathering attention from students nearby. It wasn't long before the whole area had frozen and watched the scene fold before them. "Loki! Stop!"
Loki stopped that instant and watched Heathrow fall to the ground in a heap. He was still trembling in pain, curling up into a small little ball. Loki smirked at this but cringed when his face hurt from the action.
Sarah whirled around, trying to find Loki. She rushed over to Heathrow, but he pushed her away as best he could, enabling to get her to fall on the ground.
"I'm sorry! It wasn't me, I swear!" She couldn't help but choke back the sobs that threatened to be released. "Loki! Loki did it!"
"Freak!" Heathrow bellowed, getting up on his knees. "Get away from me!" He was stumbling away, clutching his abdomen.
"I'm sorry," she choked out. This day couldn't have gotten any worse.
Loki stepped out from behind the tree enough for her to see. She looked over and glared at him, and started to walk away when she felt her legs become a lead. She whipped around and stopped to where Loki was standing.
"Don't you dare do that again! Don't you dare try to use magic on me without my permission! Don't you DARE come to me at school!" She just about screamed in his face, but she was smart to keep her voice low enough so no one would hear their conversation.
"He was going to beat you!" Loki defended. "I wasn't about to let him do that."
"Loki, its fine. If he was, then at least it would be done and over with. Now I have him and Amund to deal with!" Sarah hissed.
"I won't let him do that!" Loki raised his voice. If she wasn't so mad at him, she would've appreciated that he was talking freely to her.
"So what? After knowing me for a few days it gives you the right to do that? Loki, you don't need to do that, I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself!" Sarah seethed, wanting to walk away but she saw a shadow under his eye. Her brows furrowed, but Loki continued.
"You are my only friend. If anyone touched you-" Loki couldn't continue. How come after only fifty years is this happening now? They were too young to talk about defending each other, but here they were, discussing the impossible.
"Loki, don't be so rash. Amund would never hurt me any more than I could. It's only natural for men like him to do that, it's not right, but it must be done," Sarah was cooling down, but anger still flared inside of her.
"It's not right, and it won't happen to you again," Loki persisted.
"Please, Loki. I'm fine, really," Loki seemed unimpressed. "You can't be my guardian all the time! We don't even see each other enough throughout the day," she fought back.
"I'll have you transferred over to my classes if I must. Call my name when you need help, please," Loki pleaded further, his eyes trying to convince her.
"Fine, if it makes you happy," she crossed her arms and looked away. She thought he would leave right then, but he continued to stand there, just watching her as she tried to calm herself down.
"I'm really sorry that I used magic against you. I needed to know that you were okay," Loki continued, his voice much softer now, back to the melodic voice that she remembered from yesterday.
"Just don't do it again, do at least that much for me," she looked back up, and then noticed the shadow under his eye again. "He hit you didn't he?" Loki tensed but didn't say anything. Sure enough, she would find out about this mark, but it would disappear soon enough, at least well enough for him to conceal it from her that afternoon after school.
"Will I see you tonight?" Loki asked.
"We can't meet at the library; they know I go there to meet you. Maybe you could meet me at the trail by the palace walls. By the large tree on the North side," she added.
"I'll find you there," Loki smiled for once and walked away.
