literature

His Companion Chapter 1 Loki x Reader

Deviation Actions

Published: Jun 7, 2014

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Literature Text

You had drawn the short straw. Yours was not a sigh of relief but a groan of resignation. You left the antechamber to see Queen Frigga and learn of your duties regarding Loki. She had insisted that he not be forced into solitary confinement any longer, and would be allowed the company of another while serving his penalty. He was no longer in the common cells, but in another section of the dungeon floor which was meant to house nobility during unsettled times. Without the ability to come and go as he pleased, however, for Loki, it was still prison.

"My Queen," you said as you entered her chamber and curtsied.

"Do come in." She smiled and motioned to a chair close to hers. When you were seated, her handmaid left some refreshments for the two of you and exited the room.

"How I wish I could simply thank someone for taking on this task, but I must be realistic! My son is not always a joy to be near. However I cannot believe he would not benefit from conversation in addition to submersing himself in his books. A book cannot respond to one's comments, can it?" She smiled, her question asked in a non-threatening tone.

"No, my Queen, it cannot." You looked at her expectantly, wondering what lies ahead once your instructions were delivered.

"Please remember that if you feel you cannot do all that this requires of you, for whatever reason, you will not be expected to continue. The drawing of the shortest straw is the only way to select one in the first place without prejudice."

"Yes, my Queen."

"What is your name?"

"It is ____."

"Lovely. It suits you." She shifted in her chair to face you more comfortably. You copied her movements as it appeared this would be a lengthy conversation. And you were correct. An hour later, the two of you rose from your chairs, and the Queen walked you to the door. You were to meet her at Loki's chambers once you collected a few things to occupy yourself as time permitted.

The expected course of your day would be to rise earlier than you had until now, and take yourself to Loki's "cell" until the night guard came to escort you back to your chamber. You were to be a companion but, as the Queen herself said, to "not participate in antics that Loki would have you believe to part of your duties". How you blushed at her words; they held any number of meanings. You tried to turn your head respectfully when you felt your colour rising, yet you were certain she still noticed. Meals would be taken with him, perhaps prepared for him, and should he request anything from elsewhere, you would arrange with the day guard to obtain it, within reason.

But that schedule would begin tomorrow. Your day was now taking an abrupt change in direction as you met Queen Frigga outside his door. Loki had only recently been relocated here and did not know of his mother's arrangement for him, nor how she persuaded the Allfather to do this for her sake, if not Loki's. She gave you one last encouraging smile and knocked on the door. A muffled "Enter" would be the word that changed your life forever.

Queen Frigga opened the door and you followed her inside. Loki jumped up to greet his mother. He did not see you until he had embraced her. Your eyes met his. The look on his face turned from joy to curiosity. He released his mother and she turned to introduce you.

"What have we here, Mother?" He stepped towards you and began circling slowly. Although your eyes were now looking at the floor, you could feel him taking you in from head to toe.

"Loki, this is ___. She is your, ah, companion." Frigga watched her son carefully as he continued his scrutiny, waiting to see what his reaction would be.

"You brought me a playmate! How very kind, Mother. Thank you!" He grinned, but you did not see it. "Look up, child!" he demanded. You jumped and raised your head quickly, looking at his mother. He was too close. You took a step back and Loki laughed softly.

"Loki! Do not speak to ___ that way ever again! You have no idea what it took to allow another person to spend a moment in here with you, let alone any number of hours in a day." Frigga was unimpressed. Loki also took a step back, giving you one more head-to-toe examination before turning to the Queen.

"I am sorry, Mother. Please forgive me. Perhaps I have been alone so long that I forget my manners." His tone was tinged with sarcasm.

"You had best recall your manners immediately unless you wish to be returned to the dungeons. I will not be able to persuade Odin to change his mind a second time." The Queen took your hand and led you to the door. Before she left, she said, "Remember, ___, you are not his maid. I should pray you do not come to feel like his nanny!" You both smiled. "If there is any cause to quit this arrangement, please speak with me directly. You will always have my gratitude."

"Thank you, my Queen. I hope I do not let you down." You curtsied.

"It is Loki who would let me down....." She left and the door locked behind her.

*************

Loki had returned to his armchair, feet upon the stool. His book rested in his lap, but he watched you instead. You moved around the quarters. There was a bathroom and a large bedroom down a short hall, and a small food preparation/eating area in the opposite direction around the corner. It was not a proper kitchen by any means, which suit you just fine since your culinary skills were limited. Down a longer hallway was a second smaller bedroom with its own bathroom, and a large sparring room, more like a small gym, minus the serious weaponry there should have been for practice. Likely removed given its current resident. Still, there were various things for challenging physical activity since anyone having to spend time here would be unable to go outdoors. Except for the sparring room, all of the remaining areas had paintings of beautiful outdoor scenes to make up for the lack of windows and added a bright cheeriness to the feel of the space. It was most definitely not criminal's primitive cell.

After your short tour, you took your bag of items and sat upon one of the two divans, opposite Loki. In the centre of the sitting area, there was a large, square table. You rummaged through your bag and pulled out your knitting. Making yourself comfortable, you started, glancing up now and then to find Loki still watching you.

"This cannot be as amusing as your face would have me believe," you stated. Loki seemed surprised that you would address him so casually.

"I did not give you permission to speak." He sat a bit straighter in his chair.

"I do not need it. I have your Mother's permission. I daresay that is enough." A tiny smirk formed on his lips.

"I will say if it is enough, child." He turned his gaze to his fingernails. After a few moments, he declared that the Queen's permission would suffice. He got up, his book in hand. The door to the bedroom closed firmly behind him.

You spent the rest of that first day separated. At one point, you dozed off, not having to be on your guard and clearly not supplying any stimulating conversation to the pouting prince. When the evening meal arrived, Loki came from his room long enough to take the tray from the maid. He ate in his room and you ate at the small dining table. Perhaps not such a bad arrangement on this first day. Tomorrow would bring it's own delights.

At nightfall, a guard came to escort you back to your own chambers. You thought of simply going, but found yourself knocking on his bedroom door. Not waiting for a response you stated that you were leaving. You wished him a good night and left with the guard.

Loki waited to hear the door close before he left his bedroom. He listened with his ear pressed to the door. With no sound of footsteps registering, he rested his head against the door and sighed.

"What am I going to do with you?" he wondered to an empty room.