Ok chapter 2 is here. I hope this story is coming along better. Anyway enjoy.

It was noon and Rien had just gotten a beating from Salme. She had bruises on her hands, arms and legs. Some scratches on her face and her hair a tangled mess. Her mother yelled at her to go to the markets to fetch some ingredients for the soup she will make for dinner. Rien fixed her hair as best she could and walked out of the house hanging her head in shame as she heard Jaridis snickering along with Salme.

As she made her way through the crowds of people at the market place, she finally came to the stall that had all the vegetables. She looked in her pockets for the little money her mother had given her and noticed she only had enough to buy half the things she needed. She let out a soft sigh contemplating for a minute or so on what to do. She decided she would buy what she could and steal the rest. She was well aware stealing was wrong but she was honestly more afraid of her mother then the shop owner.

She smiled sweetly at the tall, thin man. He looked at her with a face of disgust. Since she looked painfully obvious as a very poor girl he had no interest in helping her. However, if she was a paying customer who was he to say no to her money? She told him what she wanted to buy and promptly paid him. As he turned his back to her so he could place her purchase in a bag, Rien got the perfect opportunity to steal her missing items. She quickly grabbed a few things and stuffed them under her shirt. The man handed her the bag and she quickly took it smiling sweetly once again and made her way through the crowds as fast as she could. She was unaware that Loki had spotted her and was now right behind her. When she came to a small bench, she took the opportunity to sort out the items she bought and stole. She set down the bag and started to remove the items from under her shirt.

"Stealing are we?" Loki said as he casually made his way towards her. She jumped and quickly turned around. When she saw him she was in shock. She was sure to be flogged now that the prince saw her stealing. "My prince! My deepest apologies but I…um I…" She didn't know what to say. She had no way of justifying why she stole from that man.

"To be honest I don't really care." Loki said as he took a seat on the bench and placed Rien's items for her in the bag. She stood there just staring at him afraid and confused. He patted the bench motioning her to sit down. She sat next to him as she held the bag in her small hands. He took one of her hands and held it in his. "Where did you get these bruises and scratches?" He asked examining the small hand gently.

"My prince…please forgive me for stealing…I…I really needed those things…" she said in almost a whisper. "I figured as much…" he said as he let go of her. He continued, "But that's not what I asked you." He looked at her waiting for an answer and she lowered her head. "I do not wish to speak of it…"They sat there in silence for a few minutes that seemed like hours for Rien. Finally Loki decided to ask the question that was eating away at him. "Will you tell me why you wanted my father to…what was it you said?... 'Rid you of this horrid life?'"

"Do I have to?" She asked quietly. "I suppose not." Loki looked up at the sky and started to watch the clouds go by. "I should properly introduce myself." He looked back at her and took her hand once again kissing it gently. "My name is Loki prince of Asgard." He smiled at her blushing and confused face. "Oh yes well um…My name is Rien…but please call me Rai."

"Rai it shall be then. Now miss Rai though the curiosity is eating away at me as to why you want to die…I will not ask you if you truly wish to forget it." His soft facial features made Rai blush more. "I am sorry my prince I just…it's the type of thing that should only be told to a friend…a close friend. I'm sure you understand yes?" She looked away from him fearing he had seen her blush. Loki stood up and pulled a small leather pouch from his pocket and handed it to her. She looked at it confused but did not take it.

"For you." Was all Loki said. She hesitated at first but took it and proceeded to peer inside. There were several gold coins and she gasped quickly handing the pouch back to Loki. He let out a small chuckle. "I knew that would be your reaction. You're quite predictable you know." He grinned. Rai came to realize how much she loved his smile.

"Thank you my prince but I cannot accept that. I'm sorry." She started to get up and walk away when Loki took hold of her arm. She turned to him slightly shaking in fear. "Rai…" Loki said as he held her in a firm grip. He looked at her with a serious face. "Whatever or whoever is hurting you, I wish for it to stop. You do not have to tell me, though I really wish to know. Please accept my gift. I do not want you to be flogged for stealing and I'm sure you need it. And also…." He released her arm and stared at the floor. Rai was quiet she could not believe someone was being so kind to her. Especially a prince! She was unaware of Loki's blushing face as he said this, "I want us to be friends…if that's alright with you of course…"

Rai gave him her signature sweet smile causing Loki to blush madly when he looked up at her. "Ok." Was all she said with a whisper. He smiled and handed her the pouch once more. She shook her head no and he frowned. "Are we not friends?" He asked her and she nodded yes. "Then please take it. A gift from one friend to another." She gave him a small glare which surprised him.

"I cannot accept my prince. It's your money how could I take that? Besides it looks like a lot. I just can't I'm sorry." He sighed. "You apologize too much. And call me Loki not 'my prince' or anything formal. We're friends now so Loki will do just fine." He grinned at her and she nodded. "I would like to invite you to my home. I want to show you the gardens and if you'd like some of my magic." She gasped again and Loki chuckled as to how easy it was to impress her. "You do magic?!" He nodded and she had a huge smile on her face. "Wow that sounds awesome!" He started to laugh and she just continued to smile. "You have a nice smile Loki." Was all it took to have the little prince blushing like a mad man. She started to make her way home but before she did she said, "Ok so I'll wait for you in front of the palace walls tomorrow morning?" He nodded and waved goodbye as did she. Little did Rai know, Loki had placed the pouch filled with gold coins in her bag without her noticing. And little did the prince know, that would cause a huge problem for little Rai.

What kind of problem will present itself for little Rien this time? Poor Loki he tried to do her a favor but it won't go as the planned.