The Queens Apprentice

In Asgard's Palace, the Queen, Frigga, has brought a fragile young woman inside her chambers. She taught her basic Asgardian Sorcery, including building Illusions around them to hide from the King, Odin, from removing her from the Palace walls. Her long black hair never bothered her during training, and Frigga always did her hair on special occasions such as parties. Once she had finally finished her basic training, Frigga sat her down on her couch, handing her a cup of green tea.

"Sakura, are you aware of my two son's Loki and Thor?"

"Yes. I heard The King would choose one. Only a few years away."

"Yes. As a mother of them both, I should never pick favorites, but my husband always favored Thor. So that Loki could compare himself with his brother as an equal, I taught him everything I knew. I realized how much alike the two of you are. Would you like to meet him?" Frigga smiled.

"I don't think I'm ready for that. I'm not worthy enough to meet the Prince of Asgard. I've never seen him in my life, and yet I live in the same building."

"You don't need to be nervous." Frigga laughed.

"Mother, you wanted to speak with me?" Loki asked as he walked through the door.

Both women stood up from their seats, watching him. Sakura, in complete shock, quivered from fear at the sight of this mighty, handsome God who stood before her. Frigga hugged her son and brought him over to see the maiden warrior. It was love at first sight. She couldn't take her eyes off him, not even for a second.

"Loki, this is my apprentice, Sakura. I've raised and trained both of you, so I thought maybe it was time you two meet in person so you know who you can stand beside in war."

"It's nice to meet you, my Prince. I wasn't prepared to meet you today, so I must look awful; my apologies." Sakura said, panicking and bowing to him.

"No, you look marvelous, Lady Sakura. I've heard so much about you. You can call me Loki if you'd like." Loki smiled, bowing to her respectfully.

"Thank you. I don't know what to say. I am sorry again. I was not prepared."

"You make my Mother happy. You are all she talks about around me. It's nice to put a name to the face. So what made you decide to become an Asgardian Einherjar warrior?"

"I was too weak to fight for an Asgardian, so your Mother taught me Sorcery and the arts of Healing. I wanted to heal and protect the soldiers who protected me. When someone gives to you, you give back. I'm more of a follower than a leader, but that's because I'm timid. And not to be creepy, but I've always favored you over Thor. I'm not the biggest fan of his personality, but the illusions you've played on people I've heard so much about made me laugh. I should stop talking..." Sakura said, looking to the floor, embarrassed.

"I'm glad someone understands my ways other than my mother." Loki laughs.

"How was the war in Nidavellir? Have you fully recovered since you returned? If not, Sakura could help you repair any damages." Frigga said, checking him.

"I have a deep wound I'm still working on, but Mother, I couldn't ask her."

"Nonsense. Sakura is more than willing to help." Frigga smiled.

"If I may?" Sakura said in a shy tone of voice, reaching her arm out to him.

He reached out and gently held her hand to touch his wound close to his hip near his belly. He had been hiding it under his clean cloaks to prevent anyone from noticing. Sakura's hand began to glow bright orange while she touched the deep wound that had partially healed. He clenched his teeth in pain, suddenly holding on to her shoulder to support himself.

"You should probably sit down. Let me help you." Sakura said as she lowered him down on a leather chair.

"Those Dwarves were so small they could only reach the lower half of my body. I tried healing the wound simultaneously but did not handle the pain well. And I still can't tell you how embarrassing to show my weakness in front of you like this."

"Not at all." Sakura smiled, "This should be enough to heal on its own, but if there are any problems, let me know."

He nodded as he looked down at his well-healed wound. Impressed with Sakura's work, Frigga proudly patted her on the shoulder for an excellent job. Loki had returned to standing as he towered over Sakura smiling as usual. He thanked her as he noticed the bloodstains over his outfit and sighed.

"You'll have to change before the party tonight," Frigga said, looking down at the blood.

"Mother, we've talked about this. I don't attend parties. I'm not well appreciated."

"The three of us will go together if that makes you feel better. Now change. We will see you tonight." Frigga said.

He sighed and slowly walked towards the door. Before he left, he stopped and turned back around, lifting his index finger to them.

"Does she live here with you?" Loki asked.

"I like spending time with her. If I'm not with her, I'm alone in my room, so I spend most of my days here." Sakura responded.

"Does nobody know who you are here?"

"Only the great warriors of Asgard, The Healers, and the two of us know of her existence."

"Are you not Asgardian?"

"I am. Abandoned at birth, so your Mother took me in."

"I'm sorry to hear. I'll see you at the party then." He said, nodding as he left the room.

Now that he had finally left the room, Sakura felt at ease, and her heart stopped racing. She took a deep breath and sat on the leather chair he had sat on before. She sniffed up the last scent he had left behind and lay there thinking of what could have gone differently in that situation.

"You like him, don't you?" Frigga laughed as she brushed her hair back.

"No, he's the Prince, destined to marry someone much prettier than me." Sakura stuttered, "Like what about Lady Sif?"

"She's more Thor's type. Besides, she doesn't even like Loki. Not many women here like him because of his personality. By that I mean only you do. I see the way you looked at him."

Frigga giggle, "He's a lone wolf..."

"Exactly."

"Why? He seems so nice and friendly."

"Growing up, he always has been jealous of Thor, so he became mischievous."

"Poor thing. I admit that Prince is adorable and handsomely gorgeous. I can't stop thinking about him now."

"You will see him tonight." Frigga laughed.