Part One - A New Beginning (Loki x Reader)

     Loki knocks on the door that leads to his mother's chambers and Sigrid opens the door. She smiles at him.

     "Prince Loki. She's just finished getting ready for dinner." She opens the door wider so he can get through.

     Loki walks into the solar room. "Thank you, Lady Sigrid."

     Sigrid bows her head and closes the door as Queen Frigga comes through the door that leads to her bedroom.

     "To what do I owe this visit from my son before dinner? How was your day?"

     Queen Frigga pats a space next to her on the couch as she sits and Loki goes to sit. Loki tells his mother he did his training before going out for a ride with his best friend. Queen Frigga watches his face closely as he talks about the ride, a serene smile on her face. Unbeknownst to Loki, a few of his mother's handmaids have been listening attentively to his story with smiles on their faces. They know how hard it is for him to make friends since most males around his age are like his brother. All they want to do is roughhouse and train to fight.

     "It sounds like you had a lovely time on your ride. Are you sitting with her during dinner then, my son?"

     Loki nods. "But that is not the only reason why I came, mother. I was wondering if you could teach me how to braid hair."

     "Braid...hair?"

     Loki explains that his friend doesn't know how to do it to her own hair yet and that she said she prefers to have it in a braid when they go on rides.

     "She says it is easier to do it to someone else's hair than your own."

     "She is right. I would be happy to show you how, Loki. That is very thoughtful of you. I assume you want to keep this secret so you can surprise her once you learn how to braid her hair for her."

     "Yes. To help her and be a good friend. A good best friend."

     Queen Frigga's eyes shine with happiness and she hugs her son.

     "I will gladly show you how, Loki. We can start right now before dinner if you would like. A simple braid is not hard to figure out how to do." Loki nods. "Dagny, could you bring a brush, please? And would you mind loaning us your hair so Loki can learn how to braid it?"

     "Not at all, your majesty. I'll be happy to have Prince Loki practice on my hair."

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     I jump out of bed before my mom and she yawns before she asks me why I'm up so early.

     "Loki and I are taking a ride again today, but we'll be gone for a long time today."

     "Make sure you're careful out there. I know you're safe with Prince Loki, but be careful. Don't ride too fast or make it hard for him to keep you safe."

     "Yes, mom. Oh! Could you please put my hair in a braid again?" I ask as I put on my shirt.

     My mom yawns again before saying, "Yes, sweetheart. Just let me use the bathroom first."

     I finish putting on the rest of my outfit before brushing out my hair. Then I sit on the bed as my mom puts my hair into a braid that goes from the top of my head to the end of my hair. I skip down the hallways saying good morning to everyone I see and make it to breakfast the earliest I have ever come down to eat. Erika smiles at me.

     "Good morning, miss."

     "Good morning, Erika."

     "Awfully early for you, isn't it?"