Y/N POV

"We'll be back in three days, Yer'?" Mamma said, putting a hand on my shoulder. "Just like usual, Ay?"

I nod. It was hard work, as I had to take care of the farm all by myself, clean the house, and even cook. I hate cooking. But it was exciting to have the place to myself, and besides, I would never be able to cope with the sheer business of the town.

"Ay, I'll be al' goo'," I replied encouragingly. 

The three pairs of footsteps headed out, and the sound of the horse-and-carriage clopping away into the distance signalled that they were gone.

I went along doing my regular farm chores, as well as the extra ones. It took until about halfway through the day to finish the jobs and ate a lunch of apples and parpells, a sort of pear berry. I had told Palik that I wasn't doing sparring today, so I decided to go to my favourite place in the whole world. 

I headed down the well-worn path, on the way to the woods but with a sharp left. I jumped over the ditch, dodged the thorn bush, and heard the most amazing sound.

Running water, singing to me. 

I don't think anyone but myself knows of the existence of this river. I had once trecked both up and down it, and it just ran dry on both sides, which should be impossible, but somehow isn't. I call it the sǫngr elfr, the singing river. When the water hits the rocks, and the wind whistles through the trees, it sounds like a melody of nature.

I started to sing to the melody of the river. It was in old Norse, a forgotten language to most. My father was an incredible singer, and he taught me the words. 

My voice rang out, but it was only good because of the music. I sat by the river, my bare feet dangling into the water, and letting my voice push out into the forest, pushing into every crevice, flying past the trees. 

I finished my song and smiled slightly.

I heard a strange sound... clapping?

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Loki POV

"Loki? Where are you listening to me?" The voice of my brother rang out.

I sigh. "Yes, of course."

The blonde frowned. "Then what did I say?"

I glared at him, making him flinch slightly. I felt my eyes turning slightly blue but shook my head. I couldn't let him control me again. Thor didn't notice my sudden discomfort and gestured for me to speak.

"That there is going to be another meeting and I need to go this time, no exceptions," I growl.

"Good."

Finally, I get away from my obnoxious brother finally and head out to the rural parts of Asgard. I had been going to this area for years, but I still haven't explored the full extent of these woods. there are some parts where I get attacked by strange beasts, ensuring I don't go in that direction again. 

I found myself going to one of my favourite areas; the secluded river. The water is a blue-green, and the trees hide the area from prying eyes. I get closer and closer and hear something I didn't expect; beautiful singing. 

I come to the river, and see a beautiful maiden at the edge of the water, hanging her legs in with her back to me. Her long Y/H hair was out and hanging over one shoulder, and she had a red checkered jacket and jeans on. She looked like a typical Midgardian girl, but she held herself with confidence. 

Her voice was magical and beautiful and reminded me a bit like an elf. But it was full of love and emotion, more than I would have thought to be possible. I was slowly creeping forward, and when her song drew to a close, I clapped her softly. 

She turned abruptly, her face as beautiful as her voice. She had a slight point to her ears, which made me think she had some elven blood in her. Her face had no makeup or surgery but was clear and innocent. Her lips were a ruby red, but her eyes... they were entirely one pigment of blue, so startling that they just couldn't be real.

Her face was full of panic. "Ay, who's 'ere?" 

Her accent was thick, but I didn't recognise it. It wasn't elven, and it wasn't Asgardian. But then it came to me; it was rural Asgardian. I had only heard it once, with one of the guards at the palace who grew up in a small village on the far side of Asgard.

"I don't mean any harm, ma'am." I found myself say. I usually wasn't this nice with maidens, as most of them were fake. But this girl... she was just so... pure.

She frowned slightly but smiled at me. "Ar' ye' townsfolk?" 

I was slightly confused by her question. Townsfolk? but I guessed that's what the rural Asgardians called the regular Asgardians. I mean, from what she looks like, they were very different groups of people. 

"I guess, yes."

She nodded and stood up. "Ya, me 'ame is Y/N."

I moved closer to her quietly, but her eyes stayed in the place where I was before. Strange. "I'm... ah... Loki."

She frowned and looked disoriented. "Ah, where ar' ye'?"

I looked at her curiously. "Can't you see me?"

She grimaced. "Nei', I'm blind."

That was a surprise. She didn't act like it. "Oh." I managed. 

"I'm here." I tapped her on the shoulder. She flinched a tiny bit, but that was understandable.

"Ah. Ye nam'd afta' the prince?" She changed the subject, looking uncomfortable.

"Yes. My parents are big fans of the royal family." I lie smoothly.

She looked at me apologetically. "Sorry, Ya mus' ge' tha' a lo'."

"It's fine," I reply. 

"I bett'a be gettin' back, sorry Mr Loki." She says.

I say something totally out of character. "Would you like me to walk you home?"

She looked surprised. "Ah, ye' plea' Mr Loki."

She took my hand, and she led the way. She seemed very confident finding her way and knew exactly where to jump, where to duck, where to dodge. She had a skip in her step and was very joyful. 

Finally, we got out of the trees, and I saw a massive property, covered in trees and plants for farming. A white double stories farmhouse with a crisscross fenced balcony and windows on either side and one at the top on the second level. It was... cozy.

She knew she was almost back, and turned to me. "Ye ar' very kin' Mr Loki. Thanks, fer' walkin' me back."

I smiled and nodded at her, but realised that she didn't see it. "That's fine. Maybe I will see you again?"

She smiled widely. "I hope so."

And then she skipped back to her house, and I watched her go until she went through the door and disappeared from sight.

I was desperate to see her again. She was so beautiful, so pure, so different to other girls I had met. She was so real.