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Queen Frigga walks along the hallways with her youngest son beside her, staying close to her side. It’s early in the morning and Loki notices how anxious his mother looks. Apparently, one of the servants' houses had caught on fire.
“Loki, today we will be having a guest join us in our magic lessons,” she informs with a smile.
“Does this person have anything to do with the fire last night?”
Frigga sighed. Of course he had heard. It was hard to keep this kind of thing underwraps, especially from little Loki of all people. He was perspective.
“Yes, but it is not her fault,” the Queen stated, “She is the same age as you and hasn’t received the proper training on how to control her powers like you have.”
Loki frowned, feeling sorry for whoever this person was.
One of the royal guards started to walk up towards them, bowing at a stop. “Your majesty, Halvor and Helga are awaiting you and the king in the diplomatic chambers.”
“And the girl?”
“She is waiting in the garden. They believe it is the best place for her right now.”
Frigga nodded, biding the guard off. “Thank you,” she glanced down to Loki, knowing this would be a big task to ask of him. “Loki dear, can you do something for me?” He nods. “Can you head to the gardens and keep our guest company. I’ll return once I’m done speaking with her parents and your father.”
“Yes, mother.” Loki nodded, beginning to make his way in that direction.
The garden was full of vibrant flowers with a waterfall in the middle of it. The walls surrounding it were covered in ivy, making it a fortress protected from the horrors of the outside world. It was a paradise of its own. A place where you could truly relax and be yourself.
Making his way into the sanctuary, Loki was surprised to see a young girl with long blonde hair and a golden cloak. Her back was facing him, having not noticed his presence yet. She was lost in her own world. But he wasn’t mistaken, she was trying to sob quietly.
“My mother apologizes for the delay. She will join us once she can,” Loki said, showing his princely manners to the guest before him. “For now, she has asked me to keep you company. I am Prince Loki.”
The sobbing ceased, but the young girl didn’t turn around to face him. She was frightened, her tensed up shoulders saying it all without a word. She didn’t speak for a while, a tense quietness between them that Loki wasn’t sure how to cure before she finally spoke.
“I’m a monster. You shouldn’t be here either,” she whispered faintly with heartbreak. “It’s safer if you just leave me alone.”
Loki bit his lip. “Is this because of the fire?”
The sobs began again and the prince knew he didn’t choose the right words carefully.
“I didn’t mean to have it happen. I don’t want to hurt anyone,” she wiped furiously at her face, “I think Mommy and Daddy don’t love me anymore because I burned the house down,” she fell to the ground, crying her heart out now.
Loki knew she meant no harm. That was obvious from the start, but because she didn’t know how to control her powers, it didn’t make her a monster. The prince walked over to her, taking the first step for them both, putting an arm around the young girl and finally seeing her face. She had brown eyes that were red from crying so much. She looked up at him with surprise from the action.
“What’s your name?” he asked.
“S-Sigyn,” she replied shyly. “I’m the daughter to the diplomats of the royal family.”
“Sigyn,” Loki began, looking into her eyes firmly, “You’re not a monster. You’re just a girl with magical talents who hasn’t learned how to control her abilities yet. I’m sure your parents won’t stop loving you because of that, or because of what happened.”
She sniffled. “Really? Are you sure?”
He nodded with a smile. “Besides, my mother and I will help you.”
Sigyn gasped with a smile, clutching his hand suddenly. “Does that mean we will be friends?”
Obviously the fact he was the prince of the royal family didn’t seem to stop her. No one would be able to act in such an emotional way like that when in front of the court, but Loki also couldn’t deny he enjoyed her boldness and attention.
“Why not?” he chuckled.
Sigyn giggled, taking him into a hug. Loki was shocked speechless, not sure exactly what to do or how to respond. The only presence he was used to dealing with was his older brother and parents. And there was no way Thor ever treated him this way, as if he was a delight to be around.
Realizing what she had done, Sigyn pulled back, biting her lip nervously. “I’m sorry. I just…I’ve always struggled with making friends. Probably even more so after this ordeal. The other kids will only think me more of a freak.”
Loki knew what it was like to feel alone and like an outcast. He felt it everytime just being around his father, Thor, and his brother's friends. But now it seemed the both of them had found someone they could relate to. Someone who would understand them.
“Then you’re lucky being friends with a prince. I won’t allow them to treat you in such a way,” he declared proudly.
Sigyn nodded, giving a small curtsy, finally remembering her manners. “Thank you, your highness.”
At that moment, Frigga had finally returned, making her way into the gardens and towards her students having just witnessed the scene. “It seems you’ve made a new friend, Loki,” she said with a smile.
“Yes, mother.”
“Good, then this will make our task easier than I thought,” the Queen said with a knowing look. “The Norns have a funny way of working things out.”