Quick introductory note:

This love story will span from pre-Thor to post-Thor: The Dark World, but will not interfere with/change the canon.

I will not be depicting the traditional Amora (villainous, seductive, etc.), however, I am basing her background and abilities on the comics. I'm also making her a brunette. Don't hate me. :)

I appreciate feedback and am open to requests/suggestions.
I hope you enjoy!!! :)

L O K I

Tumultuous. That was the best word that young Loki could use to describe the small, busy marketplace. Well, other words would also suffice: boisterous, rambunctious. It was just loud. Vendors shouting and advertising. Villagers shopping and bustling. Children crying and cheering.

He loathed these new, regular visits that his mother Frigga forced her sons to participate in. "This will help you come to know your people," she had said. "A wise king must know his subjects and their needs." Only days ago had their father Odin recounted the legendary story of the Battle of Jotunheim, reminding the young princes of their impending responsibilities.

Knowing that the boys' boredom would have negative results, the queen had allowed them to explore a public square while she acquainted herself with more villagers, but Loki could see the few guards assigned to watch over them on the edges of the open space.

Loki watched as Thor raced around the square, exploring every corner, every booth, and every store. The raven-haired brother had enjoyed exploring as well...half an hour ago. Now the game had long grown weary and old.

But Loki found his saving grace: a booth almost overflowing with books amongst a seemingly endless line of booths. The old, haggard vendor working it observed the young boy silently as he approached, knowing that his fine clothing guaranteed an abundance of money.  Loki perused the worn and tattered books and lost himself in one until something beside him drew his attention.

A girl of similar age had quietly opened a large book, gently turning the pages to where a corner had been folded to mark her spot.

Her dress was ragged and torn from repeated use and washing, and her brown hair was pulled up in a messy bun. The lowly ensemble greatly contrasted with the bright and intelligent gleam in her eyes as she continued to read.

"Oi!"

The vendor's abrupt outburst startled both children as he glared at the girl.

"Book down, stray! They're only for paying customers!"

The girl's face reddened as her panicked eyes flitted from the vendor to Loki and back.

"Get out of here! Don't make me call the guards! Or better yet, the mistress over the orphanage!"

At that, the girl's eyes grew even larger and, with a sad glance at the book, she raced away.

Once she disappeared from view, Loki looked to see that the book that had her so enchanted was an Asgardian history book.

Why would she be interested in something that she's probably already heard over a hundred times? He wondered.

* * *

Shortly thereafter, both princes sat on a small bench under the shade of a tree, excitedly discussing the day's adventures when a pretty red-headed girl walked past. The small bag she was carrying tore and its contents fell out. The boys quickly came to the girl's aid, scooping up the few pieces of fruit and bread.

"Thank you," she said, ducking her head, before quickly turning and making her way across the square.

Thor gasped, his focus now on a passing cart carrying sweets. "Brother, look! Do you still have any coins?"

Loki rolled his eyes and reached for his coin bag. Of course Thor would immediately spend his entire bag of coins from mother for their outing.

"Of cour--"

His fingers passed through the image of the bag, touching nothing. The aspiring sorcerer stared in both awe and alarm as the illusion shimmered green and disappeared.

"Someone took your gold!" Thor cried out.

Loki, too preoccupied to roll his eyes again at his brother's acknowledgement of the obvious, scanned the square. His eyes quickly found the young girl that they had helped earlier. Just before she started down a small road she turned and locked eyes with him; hers growing wide with fear and alarm.

"There!" Loki cried out.

"Thief!" Thor shouted as both boys gave pursuit.

"I'll follow her," Loki huffed, "See if you can cut her off."

Thor nodded and went down a different road as Loki continued to give chase.

He followed her as the redhead took countless turns trying to lose him in the alleys, but the prince began to quickly draw closer. He was a mere foot behind her when he stretched out his hand to grab her.

"Amora!" the girl cried out in a panicked shriek.

Suddenly, Loki was knocked to the ground, a heavy weight falling on top of him. Groaning, he looked up and came face-to-face with the girl from the booth; both children wide-eyed and out of breath. She quickly scrambled off of him and dashed down the street.

"Run, Lorelei!" she shouted.

Recovering from his shock, Loki jumped to his feet and continued his chase, this time pursuing the brunette. Rounding the corner, he was pleased to see her not too far off and running at a much slower pace than her companion.

Now I've got you!

Catching up to her was no difficulty. He lunged forward, intending to repay her for the hard tackle that he had received earlier.

But he merely passed through her, crashing to the ground. Once again, his target shimmered and faded away.

Magic! How could they use magic?

Even under his mother's tutelage, Loki had only recently mastered making a bird while concentrated. How could these girls have surpassed him?

Loki's thoughts were interrupted by approaching footsteps. He looked up to see his brother running toward him followed by two guards.

"Brother!" Loki looked up to see his brother running toward him, followed by two guards. "I almost caught her," Thor panted, "but she disappeared before my eyes!"

Another illusion?

"They are over here, my lady!" a distant guard called.

"Thor! Loki!" The queen hurried toward them with another guard close behind and pulled her sons close. "Are you two alright?"

"Yes, mother," they replied.

"What happened?"

"We were robbed by two girls!" Thor cried.

"And they had magic," Loki added, his voice tinged with awe.

Frigga's face turn grave and worried before being masked by a relieved smile. "Well you both can tell me everything on the way back to the palace."

As they made their way back to their carriage, Loki looked back, as if to catch a glimpse of those girls. Upon seeing nothing, he silently vowed to find them, not just for the gold but for the magic as well.

* * *

I hope you enjoyed this first chapter. Please let me know what you think so far!

This part of the story takes place in 977 A.D. when Loki and Thor are around 12 years old.

And of course, nothing is mine. Everything is Marvel's handiwork. Even Amora. I'm just putting my own spin on her.

Please give feedback!
Chapter 2 (with Amora's back story) coming soon!

Thanks! :)