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**So they say the best way to get started writing is to simply just write – write whether what you come up with is fantastic or terrible. It has been years since I’ve done any creative writing, but reading through all the fantastic work on here has sparked my love of writing back to life. See some notes at the end!**
“Loki!” she called out. Her laughter followed, carried by the summer breeze.
“You’ll never catch me!” Loki called back over his shoulder, taunting through his grin. It had been the best of summers so far, each day better than the previous. Loki and (Y/N) had managed to escape their respective obligations for an afternoon and the opportunity to run free without disapproving parents, tutors, or nannies could not be ignored. Looking back over his shoulder, Loki watched as (Y/N) ran, a smile plastered across her face and eyes bright. His eyes sparkled with happiness found only in a free afternoon.
(Y/N) slowly started to fall behind, her short legs unable to keep up with Loki’s swift pace. With a smirk and the blink of an eye, Loki disappeared and (Y/N) came to a halt, looking around bewildered, with wild hair as she gasped trying to catch her breath. At the same time (Y/N) heard a twig snap the world suddenly went dark as Loki appeared behind her, hands covering her eyes.
“You should learn to listen!” Loki teased as (Y/N) squeaked, grabbing his wrists. She laughed as the two walked through the forest like this, Loki covering her eyes, telling her to listen, testing her as they came across a stream, then a bird, then a deer. “Mother says being able to hear is just as important as what you see. You can’t always trust your eyes.” He instructed, mimicking their tutors’ tone. The two children laughed and finally sat down by the lake on rocks warmed by the afternoon sun.
They had been exploring the woods for hours. Up until this year, the two friends had not been allowed out alone, parents and guardians citing that it was too dangerous for children to go off alone. Upon discovering their newfound freedom at the start of the summer, Loki and (Y/N) made it their personal goal to explore every inch of the forest together, their forest as the two frequently referred to it. The lake with its giant boulders was their favorite discovery yet.
“Loki?” (Y/N) asked after the two had caught their breath and were sitting comfortably. “How did you do that back there?” She tilted her head to the side and pulled her long hair off her neck.
Loki shrugged and then added with a smirk “Its magic.” He leaned forward to pick up a rock and threw it as far as he could into the lake. He watched as the ripples expanded outward and finally lapped quietly at the stones they sat on. “Mother taught me,” he finally added.
(Y/N) considered this as they sat in silence once again. “Will you teach me?” she finally asked. Loki let out a laugh and (Y/N) crossed her arms, a frown on her face. “ What, do you think I cannot do it because I’m a girl, or because it’s me?” Her frown reached her eyebrows and Loki suddenly turned, matching her frown.
“You can’t do it because you’re not me!” he reached down and flicked water up to splash his friend before taking off running again. (Y/N) shouted and then took off after him, the two quickly laughing together once again. Before long hunger got the best of the two who finally turned their paths toward home. “If you want,” Loki finally said with a shy shrug, “I could try to teach you… though goodness knows it’ll end up boring me to death!” He emphasized with a dramatic roll of his eyes.
“I bet I’ll be able to disappear better and faster than you can by the end of the summer!” (Y/N) stopped and put her hands on her hips forcing Loki to stop and turn to her.
Eyes glinting, he leaned forward “A bet? Is it one you can afford to lose?” He tested, hands spread in front of him.
(Y/N) considered this, her head tilted to the side. “What are the stakes?” She finally asked.
Loki was quick to answer, “Winner gets to decide what we do for an entire year!”
(Y/N) rolled her eyes. “And the loser must,” she stopped and looked back at the forest. “Make a throne in our secret place for the winner!” she smiled in triumph knowing if she won this would suitable annoy Loki.
“Deal,” Loki said after considering the terms. He put out his hand for (Y/N) to shake and she accepted. Loki was fairly confident he would win; he was the one to do the teaching after all.
“Right,” (Y/N) looked sidelong at Loki before breaking away in a sprint. “Last one home has to explain to Miss Taryn why our clothes are covered in mud!” she called out behind her. Loki followed after quickly, grumbling about the head start (Y/N) now had. He’d have to find some way to get the two of them out of trouble later.
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Years Later…
(Y/N) stepped into the banquet hall she hadn’t seen since she was a young child. A smile crossed her face as she took a deep breath. The smells, the sounds, the atmosphere was just as she remembered. She slowly made her way across the crowded floor to a table with numerous empty seats. Once upon a time she might have made her way to the front of the room to sit with an old friend but now was not the time to reminisce on golden times of the past. She doubted if that time could ever happen, it had been too long, too much had changed.
A glance to the head table confirmed her thoughts and she could not help the sadness that crept into her smile and up to her eyes. That must be him, she thought to herself as she watched the tall man with dark hair who sat quietly near the king and queen. King Odin and Queen Frigga looked the same as they had when she was but a child in the palace. The thought comforted her. Perhaps things have not changed as much as she thought they would have. But a second glance at Loki sitting tall, quiet, and stiff made her doubt. (Y/N) watched Loki for another moment until she saw him turn his head in her direction slightly. She immediately busied herself with the food in front of her, keeping her head down. She would not trouble the Prince, what would he remember of an old playmate from ages passed. Her memories were fond ones and could not be taken from her, and she took solace in that thought.
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Loki POV
Another dinner, another night of loud raucous people. Loki arrived and sat with his family as expected, ate and drank as expected. He had thought of a new game for himself over the last few weeks which included seeing how few words he had to speak throughout the entirety of dinner. His personal best thus far was 103 words and that was several days ago. Perhaps tonight I can best it, nothing drastic has happened in the palace or kingdom this day. He mocked to himself.
Halfway through the meal, his skin began to tingle. Someone was watching him. This was not something extremely out of the ordinary as he was a member of the royal house and he was sitting at the head table. This feeling, however, was different. Turning his head slightly he began to look systematically throughout the room. When he was unable to find anything out of the ordinary and the feeling passed, he sighed and returned to his food. Unfortunately it was at this point that his father decided to ask about preparations being made for the upcoming trip. There goes my chance at besting my record, Loki closed his eyes and began to answer the barrage of questions that began. It did not take him very long to subtly get Thor to begin answering questions. Loki smirked when he finally succeeded in making Thor take the responsibility of answering to father under the impression it was his own decision.
“Now that you are in Thor’s capable hands,” Loki stood with a grand gesture towards his brother, “I will take my leave for the evening.” Queen Frigga gave Loki a knowing look with a raised eyebrow which he could only respond with a charming smile. The king and Thor continued their discussion as if nothing were amiss.
Loki gracefully made his way down the few steps of the platform holding the head table. He picked up a goblet of wine on his way out of the banquet hall but as he turned to make his way to the exit, he bumped into a woman, spilling wine down her dress.
She gasped and paled, reaching quickly for a napkin to wipe her dress and busied herself with the task. “I’m so sorry milord, forgive me I wasn’t looking,” she said quietly, keeping her head down, wiping absently at her dress knowing a napkin could not make much progress with a wine stain.
Loki closed his eyes and let his head drop back. Will this night never end? He thought to himself but instead spoke polite words. “No, milady, it is my fault. I turned quickly, may I help you?” His voice was flat and insincere. However, the woman’s refusal to look up at him intrigued him. Many feared him and many held him in awe as befit a prince. Which was this woman’s reason, he wondered. Each time he bent forward to help the woman she turned and backed away until finally, in frustration, he grabbed her chin. “Woman! Will you not let me help you?” he said through gritted teeth and forced her face up so he could see her. He froze. It was not often he was at a loss for words. Loki watched the woman’s eyes carefully for a long moment.
“(Y/N?)” he finally whispered in disbelief.