My mother stood behind while she brushed my blonde hair. I was sitting in front of the mirror and I crossed eyes with her. She smiled proudly at me.

"Are you ready for today?" she asked me and I nodded. Her proud smile grew even bigger. In fact I couldn't be more ready. I was nervous, yes, but also ready to take the next step.

Today was my very first magic lesson with Prince Loki. I've had magic lessons from Queen Frigga since I was just a little girl, but a week ago she had told me I was ready to do more advanced spells. Apparently I'm now at the same level as Prince Loki and Queen Frigga had decided I should train with him at the same time. I was really nervous to meet the Prince. I had seen him before - and had one awkwardly meeting - but I never had had the courage to talk to him again.

"There, all done." My mother's voice dragged me back to reality. She had braided my hair in a fishtail-braid and leaned with her hands on my shoulders.

"Thank you," I said. In this way my hair wouldn't get in the way during my lesson. She squeezed in my shoulder and walked out of my room.

"I'll see you in a minute," she said before she closed the door.

I stared at my reflection. I can do this, I told myself. After all, it was nothing to be scared of. Queen Frigga had always told me I had a talent for magic. It was just going to be a regular magic lesson, as always.

Only now the Prince would be there too...

I took a deep breath and stood up from the small stool I had been sitting on. I straightened my sky blue dress and collected the spell books I would be needing today. I tossed them inside the leather purse and swung it over my shoulder. Time to go, I couldn't be late. Not that I ever was, I loved the magic lessons and that the Queen taught it, that was even a greater motivation to be at time.

I runned downstairs and my mother was already waiting by the front door, ready to wish me goodbye.

"Good luck, dear," she said and I gave her a quick hug before I stepped outside. The golden palace in the distance was shimmering in the afternoon sun and I made my way through the crowded streets of the city.

When I was at the front gate of the palace, the guards recognized me and opened it. I set course to the gardens, I always had my lesson there. In that way you would be more connected to the energy of nature, where my magic originated from. I also had the ability to control water but other elements were more difficult. I was able to bend fire, earth and air but they had a greater energy cost than water had. I could bend water without any trouble or any lost of energy, which had surprised the Queen when she first had found out. She had said controlling the elements was not something that should be done lightly, but I had been able to before I could even walk.

The Queen was already sitting in her big comfortable chair by the fountain and she smiled when she saw me coming.

"Iris, right on time. As always."

I made a reverence and took place on the stone edge of the fountain. The Queen had in the beginning brought a chair for me too but when she found out I rather sat on the wall by the fountain, she had stopped letting the servants dragging two heavily chairs to the gardens. But this time, there were two chairs. I eyed the still empty chair at the Queen's side. Loki wasn't here yet.

"He'll be here soon," Frigga said when she noticed my glances. "But you're here very early."

I blushed. "I know, I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize for that, my dear."

I smiled a bit, I always apologized for everything. I took off the purse I was carrying and grabbed my books. I placed them on glass table in front of me, I wouldn't want to get them wet of course.

"Ah, Loki. There you are."

Startled I looked up and followed the Queen's smile. Loki came walking towards us and he was as handsome as always with a grin spread across his face. I raised up from where I was sitting and made a reverence for the Prince.

He ignored me and sat down in the chair next to his mother.

"Loki," the Queen said in a warning tone.

He rolled his eyes. "Nice to see you again, Iris."

I nodded my head at him. "Likewise, Prince Loki." And I sat down again. I wondered if he still remembered my name or that the Queen had told him my name. I guessed the latter.

"Let's begin then, shall we?" Queen Frigga broke the silence and I smiled. I couldn't wait to try out some more advanced spells.

The Queen started to explain the energy that was all around us and how we could use that to create enchantments. I found out I only knew the basics. She deepened the information even more. Here I was, thinking I knew already so much about magic.

Suddenly I heard a sigh coming from Loki and I averted my gaze from the Queen towards him.

"I already know this," he complained but Frigga shushed him.

"I know but Iris doesn't."

"Perhaps I should come back next week then," Loki suggested and this time Frigga sighed but she let him go when he raised up from the chair and walked away again.

I stared at his back and bit my lip. I really wanted to get him know better but he never gave me the chance to it. Perhaps he only thought I was a burden for him and his mother? What if... I never had thoughts about it like this, but what if the Queen only acted she wanted me to teach in the art of magic?

"I'm sorry," I muttered, with all my doubt sounding through it. Queen Frigga took my hand between hers. She looked me deep in my eyes, almost as if she knew what I was thinking.

"No need to apogolize for everything, my dear," she reassured me and with a last small pat on the back of my hand, she let go again and continued her lesson.

Perhaps I should get lessons in that too? Learning how not to apologize for everything? I shook my head and focussed my attention back at the Queen. Even though Loki knew this all already, I didn't and I was more than eager to learn everything there was about magic. And the Queen was a excellent tutor and I could only hope, I wouldn't be much of a burden to her any longer. I was determined to become an enchantress as fast as possible.

~

A/N: Yay! Background story number quatre! Next one will be Kathy's!

I hope you liked it!

And, IrisvanBommel has started a new story called 'How it Began' which is built around her OC Iris Laufeyson, so check it out if you want to read more about Loki and Iris :)

#CynarOut!

*throws smoke ball and disappears*