Life is never easy. And the longer you live through it, the more complicated it becomes, filled to the brim with hardships and disappointments. Lies and secrets drip their way down walls, seeping through the floor before causing the entire room to collapse beneath anyone unlucky enough to be in it. Realizations and revelations spill over like too much ale being dumped into a chalice. In a universe drowning in misfortune, all anyone can hope for is a helping-hand to repair the damages and clean up the puddles before they can turn into oceans.

"Unhand her, you putrid beast!" The young boy shouted from across the courtyard, wooden sword in one hand and an old pan for a shield strapped to his opposite arm. Although he didn't seem like much of a threat from the perspective of a passerby, little Thor had more fight in him than the most seasoned soldiers in his father's armies. 

The courtyard had initially belonged to the boy's mother, Frigga. With it's gardens full of wildflowers and mystical willow trees that lined the edges of the plot of land, it had once been her personal sanctuary from her everyday-troubles as queen of the realm. But once Thor and his brother, Loki, came into her life, the woman of grace was more than willing to share her space with her children.

At the farthest end of the courtyard was a small hill, and sitting atop it was a ring of tall stones. Each one ancient and covered in old glyphs and runes, as high as three men stacked atop of one another and caked with moss and mushrooms from centuries of standing guard over the sacred gardens. It was in the center of this magical formation that lay the maiden of Thor's heart's desire.

One glance at the young blonde wouldn't have told you much; she was pale, not quite tall enough for her age, some would've assumed she was malnourished had they not known how well palace servants were fed. Had a person not known her, it would've been more than easy for the child to blend into a crowd. But the minute she smiled, it was as if the whole universe wanted to smile back. With each 'hello' as she strolled down the halls, each happy wave to a guard or compliment to a stranger, it became nearly impossible for anyone to forget about little Astrid.

"Do you even know what 'putrid' means?" was Astrid's yell back as she sat on the ground with her legs folded, weaving long strands of willow vines together and decorating each one with an array of wildflowers before tying the ends together, creating rings of flora about the size of a dinner plate. Her supposed captor, the younger brother of her rescuer, let out a laugh.

"He doesn't," Loki muttered over his shoulder. "I'm fairly certain he intended it to be a compliment when it said it earlier to his sword-instructor." She couldn't stifle the string of giggles that escaped her mouth when Thor shouted back in defense.

"I know what it means!" He waved his sword in the air, making audible swishing sounds before striking the ground dramatically. "And as king of Asgard, I order you to unhand that fair maiden!"

As much as the sibling would've loved to just give up and go off to read his stories, Loki was aware of his brother's ego and thirst for adventure. The look exchanged between him and his "captive" said that they were on the same page, but the duo had learned that if they didn't play out Thor's monster-slaying fantasies, they'd never hear the end of it. And no amount of concentration could block out the sound of a pouting Thor when attempting to dive deep into a tale. Loki picked up his weapon, an old tree branch as long as his arm, and sighed.

"You may order all you like, but this maiden is my prisoner and I intend to keep it that way."

"Then I shall slay you where you stand!" The oldest prince let out a mighty battle-cry and was about to sprint for his pretend-enemy when a firm grip latched onto his wrist, keeping the boy in place. "Unhand me-"

"Woah, woah, hold on there, fierce leader," It took a moment for the boy to realize who was keeping him from his destiny, but the warrior-wannabe immediately halted his words upon the sight of his father standing before him. Though Odin was a bit unpredictable when it came to his moods, today must have been a bright one for the mighty king was sporting a smile instead of a scowl. "I admire your bravery, but aren't you supposed to be in lessons right about now? And you as well, Loki?" 

It didn't take long for the remaining two children to make their way over to the all-father and his son; when close enough, Astrid was sure to bow respectfully to the king of the gods.

"Sorry, father, we must've lost track of time," Odin nodded in acknowledgement of his youngest son's words, dusting a few stray leaves and clumps of pollen from the boy's shoulders, but then turned to the little girl beside him. 

"Aren't you supposed to be in the kitchens, my dear?" Odin questioned her. Astrid opened her mouth to reply, but was cut off before she could speak. "I'll let it go this one time, but don't let me find you dawdling again. I fear your caretaker might not be as merciful." His tone wasn't as threatening as his words, but they still caused her cheeks to flush and a tight pit to grow in her stomach at the thought of Lady Grissoll catching wind of her adventures with the princes. 

"I thank you for your kindness, your majesty. I'll head there right away." And with another quick bow, Astrid spun on her heel and hastily stepped in the opposite direction of her friends and king. Despite her unknown ability to charm all those who meet her, Odin was one of the rare cases where he found the orphan girl's kindness and well-intended actions to be more on the annoying side than on the endearing.

"It wasn't her fault, father," the little dark-haired prince was the first to defend his friend once she'd disappeared back into the palace. "I asked her to join us when we passed her in the hall on our way here."

"He's right," Thor agreed. "I needed someone to rescue from Loki." Odin just chuckled; he gestured for them to join him at his sides as the king began to step towards the entrance to the palace. Though he wasn't as young as he used to be, keeping up with their father was still a challenge thanks to his longer strides. Every three of Odin's steps was equal to five of Thor and Loki's. Regardless, they remained to his left and right.

"Couldn't you rescue a dog? Or cat? Perhaps your mother and I should get you one of those. Then you'd let the help do their work." It wasn't uncommon to hear Odin speak this way. He was thankful and appreciative of the people who served him in the palace, but that's what they were- his servants. And as personable as Astrid was to the people around her, that's simply what she was as well- a servant.

"Because chasing cats and dogs around for a kiss isn't as fun for Thor," Loki joked; the guards opened the doors for the trio and the three royals made their way down the hall towards the throne room. Thor sent the boy a glare, for Loki wasn't wrong. The more reckless of the two brothers had a knack for asking for a reward from the "princess" each time she was rescued. And each time without fail, Astrid would make vomit-sounds before sprinting in the other direction. The chase never lasted long though; Loki was skilled at finding hiding spots he and Astrid could vanish to for solitude.

"Ah, I remember those days from my own childhood," Odin smiled. "Do not worry, my sons, someday you will find a lovely girl from one of the noble families to take as a bride. You won't be chasing after them, they'll be chasing after you. And when you find the right one, that will be your companion for life."

Despite his father's supposedly assuring words, there was something about them that resonated with Loki in a way that made him uneasy, unsure. From the countless banquets and feasts he'd attended, none of the girls from the visiting families seemed to be that interesting. Would they really only be able to choose from that selection? Each one obsessed with their looks and manners, politics and small-talk? What kind of companion would that be to Loki when what he truly loved was stories and stargazing? Imagining a world away from Asgard, away from what his parents expected him to be and the troubles that came with it? All anyone noble wanted was to elevate their social status; if that's what a companion was meant to be, he wanted nothing to do with the subject.

As the father and his sons went their separate ways, Odin to his throne and the boys towards the library where their tutors would be waiting, Loki continued to mull over the words of his father in his head. When Thor raced ahead, letting out a quick "Last one to the library is a smell frost-giant!", Loki was about to speed up as well but stopped when his hand brushed against his side and felt something odd. Sticking out of his tunic-pocket was a leaf; when he tried to pull it off, an entire wreath of greenery followed suit. Braided willow-vines intertwined with long blades of grass, decorated with various wildflowers of green and pink fell into his hands and he recognized it immediately. How Astrid managed to sneak one of her flower crowns into his pocket was a mystery, but it was something that put a smile on the boys face.

With a new skip in his step, Loki carefully put the wreath back in his pocket before following his brother to their lessons.

***

Later that night after the evening meal had been served and the boys were sent to bed, Loki had gotten into his pajamas and barely finished placing the flower crown in his dresser drawer when the familiar, light tap-tap-tip-tap of tiny knuckles on his door pierced the air.

"You don't have to knock," He whispered and pulled the large wooden door open. The slab of ancient tree groaned slightly, but he wasn't too concerned with anyone hearing it; everyone was either asleep or wishing they were. Standing in the hallway was the girl from hours before, dressed in her nightgown, long hair pulled back into a tight braid with a small basket of sweets and berries in her dainty-looking arms.

"I didn't want to walk in on you naked or something like that," She whispered back and stepped inside. Loki gave her a puzzled expression and shut the door behind her. "You didn't read ahead again, did you?" Astrid questioned as she set the basket of goodies on Loki's bedside table before crawling onto the bed, sliding her feet beneath the covers and pulling the blanket over her shoulders. "You promised you wouldn't this time."

He couldn't recall just who had thought up this idea, where he would provide the story and reading spot after dinner while she provided the snacks. But he hadn't been against the concept of sharing his passion for reading with another person. Especially if she was willing to steal from the kitchens in order to keep her end of the bargain. Plus he knew just how cold the servants' quarters could get at night. 

"No, I didn't read ahead," He sighed and grabbed their latest story from the top of his dresser. "And for the record, the only reason I read ahead is because I want to warn you if anything sad happens." Loki stated, then slid onto the comfortable mattress beside her. "I know how upset you get when someone doesn't get their 'happily ever after'."

"I know," She grumbled and pulled the blankets up to his chest so he could still hold the book with his arms out. "But it's only because they deserve to get their happy ending." Astrid snuggled up close to him, resting her head on his shoulder so she could see the pages and occasional pictures whenever they were lucky enough to get one. "Where did we leave off last time?" Loki flipped to the spot he'd left the ribbon bookmark last and scanned the paragraphs.

"The girl's father was cast out and now she's the beast's prisoner."

"I hope a prince doesn't try and rescue her. The one that keeps trying to rescue me is a little farther on the air-head side than most. Pass me a cookie."

The boy just smiled and did as she asked before finding their spot and beginning to read the story aloud by the light of the fireplace across the room. With each sentence Loki spoke, the duo dove deeper and deeper into the magical tale, farther and farther away from their everyday struggles and closer to that familiar peace of disappearing into a world that isn't your own. Shadows danced along the walls while the fire flickered and sputtered. 

Life is never easy. And the longer you live through it, the more complicated it becomes, filled to the brim with hardships and disappointments. But in those rare moments, those endangered flickers of time where everything stands still and you breathe out a breath of relief, nothing feels better than to know that someone else is feeling the exact same thing as you. That the person you've learned to be your safe place and you their's is soaking in the peace you share. When the universe sends a flood and tries to drown you, all anyone can hope for is a helping-hand to keep you afloat.

And Loki had never been happier to know that the servant-girl laying next to him, absolutely enamored with the story he told, was just as happy to pull him out of the oceans as he was to take her from the deep abyss as well.