A/N(( This story takes place long before the events of Thor, I own nothing. Marvel owns everything. Hope everyone enjoys this new Loki fic more chapters to come! R & R The song in the story is an old Celtic song called Gypsy Rover.))

The grand hall is radiant with its heavily decorated walls and feasting tables overflowing with succulent delicacies. The people of Asgard roaring with thunderous applause as the great All-Father and Mother take their seats at the throne the celebration is being held in honor of the hopeful prayers of a bountiful spring the lands having been free of war for some time now. Loki sat at the table with his brother the ever booming Thunder god telling another tale of his fantastic battles his eyes gleaming with amusement and joy at the way his friends listened intently even though they had heard this tale before. In fact Loki was fairly certain all of them had been present to his dismay this didn't stop Thor and the god continued on until everyone but the Trickster was holding their sides with laughter.

Loki rolled his eyes mouthing the next sentence perfectly in time to his brother as he stared down into his glass of wine the red liquid reflecting his image back to him. The wine sloshed messily in the goblet as he was jostled forward with a few hard slaps to the back by his brothers large hand , apparently Thor had been talking to him for some time. He bit back the annoyed response he would have loved to bit back at Thor with instead keeping his voice trained he said. "What is it brother?" Thor smiled his arm around his younger brother's shoulders. "I said would you care to go riding with us Brother these festivities are boring and the weather is too wondrous to simply stay inside surely you would rather come have an adventure with us then sneak off to your library."

As much as it irritated Loki for his brother and his friends to mock his love of books he had to agree the festivities were boring and it was becoming rarer for his brother to include him so he was reluctant to turn him down. Thor's grin grew as his brother consented to his idea and they all rose as one heading out of the hall and towards the stables, the afternoon had already begun cooling down already the hottest part of the day thankfully over. The six of them rode along the hillside the rolling green hills rising and falling into a wide valley that led down to a small river its bank covered in find sand dotted with smooth stones and hanging willows. They had been riding for almost an hour before they reached it and the moment they stopped Volstagg, Fandral and Hogun quickly spotting a deer and took off after it always eager to hunt wild game Sif wasn't long to follow the two.

Thor paused only for a second watching the way Loki stood next to his mount eyes searching along the river banks. "Are you coming brother?" Loki shook his head. "No I will wait here I have no desire to chase after some wild beast…" He was beginning to regret coming after all this spot they had chosen was one from their childhood. He and Thor had come here often as boys eager to get away from chores and the hot summer days, the deep swimming hole a hundred feet or so up the river a common stomping ground for them. This place had once provided many happy afternoons for Loki, but the days of having his brothers undivided attention and love were over his need to be accepted by his brother had long since twisted into some sort of jealousy. He'd done his best to ignore it but the more attention Thor received and the less appreciation Loki felt he deserved was ignored he became hard pressed to simply let it fall to wayside.

Watching his brother walk away Loki took his own path down the side of the river it's water flowed lazy and slow the sun setting behind the tall trees cast a soft yellow glow on the leaves. As he approached the swimming hole he thought he heard soft singing and Loki stopped short his ears straining to listen. At first there was nothing and then there it was again, soft singing like bells in the air it was an old song in Asgardian the melody speaking of brave warriors going off into battle. His interest peeked he took a few cautious steps forward hands reaching out ready to conjure a protection spell if need be but he doubted whatever it was could hurt him.

Turning the corner of the bank he kept himself hidden behind a tall weeping willow it's branches hanging low over the river giving it a sense of privacy from the banks. It had turned into a rather secluded place having been many years since he'd been here. His eyes adjusting to its dimmer light he found himself looking upon the owner of such a heavenly voice. Standing waist deep in the water was a young woman her back to him he could see the full expanse of her bare skin that was sun kissed, almost the color of honey. She was slender and petite from what he could see, barely over five feet tall by his estimation long shimmering hair so dark it appeared black hung over one shoulder the long tresses wet from the water were already curling in the cooling air.

When she turned to the side the long curling tresses came over her breast blocking it from his view and Loki found himself consumed as her eyes looked up at him through thick lashes. Being a royal prince had its perks and over the years he had been rather spoiled, allowed to be pampered and attended to by some of Asgards most beautiful women, many of whom hoped to win his affections but to no avail. His brother may have been everyone's favorite but Loki was no second best when it came to the attentions of the opposite sex. But he had never seen anyone like this woman her full lips and high cheek bones alluring but it was her eyes that caught his attention the most, they were a mixture of azure blue and a bright shimmering jade green. Those eyes stared at him holding his gaze for a heart beat before she bolted for the sandy banks quickly grasping for the cloak on the rocks. Loki panicked and without thinking moved closer to her. "Wait!" Luckily for him she stumbled on the rocks and unfortunately for her she twisted her ankle for her troubles.

She stumbled to the ground with a soft whimper holding onto her ankle gently with one hand the other clutching at the cloak around her body. Staring up at him she quickly noticed his royal clothing and her eyes grew wide with fear. "I'm so sorry your highness..." Loki who approached slowly couldn't help but feel a sense of power at the way she spoke to him. This attention normally reserved for his brother and father. Kneeling down he kept his face serious. "You're trespassing on royal land do you know that? I could have you arrested." He said testing this limits, truth be told he knew it wasn't such a crime to be on royal lands but she clearly didn't know this the way her shoulders trembled at the thought. He reached out now and went to take her delicate foot in his hands only to chastise her when she flinched at his touch his hand giving the top of her palm a sharp slap. Turning her foot in his bare hands slowly he stopped quickly when she winced a soft hiss of pain escaping her lips. "What is your name, and do not lie I will know if you do."

Taking a shaking breath the girl did her best to hold still the pain in her ankle radiating. "Sorcha…I apologize profusely Your Grace I didn't know I had wandered so far." Loki held up his hand silencing her and he held her foot in both hands now and she watched with great astonishment as a heat radiated from his palms growing warm until it was hot to the touch a soft glow emanating from between his fingers. The pain and discomfort began to fade away and Sorcha felt amazement at this he had to be a powerful sorcerer to have the ability to heal someone with a mere touch. She took this moment to study him he was older then herself by a few years his skin paler but unblemished by any scars or markings. He was quite handsome in his royal clothing black hair slicked back away from his face giving her a good view of his cheek bones and jaw which was set in a serious tone, emerald green eyes staring down at her foot still. She wasn't sure but she could only assume he was Thor's brothers though she had never set eyes on either prince aside from hearing descriptions in the markets. Suddenly she realized he was staring back at her and she felt his hand move up her leg ever so slightly and Sorcha blushed hotly pulling her leg free of his loose grasp. Loki did his best to hide his amusement at this and he rested his hands on his knees. "Well then Sorcha I have done something for you, and since you are on my lands though trespassing here is not a terrible offence I dare say you owe me a debt."

Loki watched eagerly as she bit her lower lip in anticipation of what this could possibly entail and he laughed mockingly at her causing the girl to jump a little. "Do not look so fearful my dear I merely would like to hear a song from you…With my permission to allow you on the royal lands would you meet me here tomorrow just after the sun's reached the middle of the horizon after morning?" Sorcha regarded the Prince with hesitation at his request, it seemed simple enough and he was the prince after all she doubted she could refuse him. "That is a reasonable request Your Grace, I will be here I promise." Loki smiled now pleased she was so compliant. Standing up he offered her his hand and Sorcha took it thankfully her cheeks feeling warm being so close to him she held the cloak closed around herself tightly. "Good, I shall see you then." Loki said taking a step back the sound of his brother's loud voice echoing against the hills around them. Shielded from sight he knew they could not be seen from where Thor and his friends were but he felt a sense of jealousy at the idea his brother may see his new discovery.

Sorcha was kneeling down again gathering up her dress that was on the rocks still and when she rose up again Loki was still beside her his voice quiet. "We shall keep this simple agreement between the two of us yes? Wait until I have gone and you can no longer hear their voices before you take your leave Sorcha…and remember do not be late I detest tardiness." She nodded wordlessly watching the Trickster take his leave and she did as she was told the moment he was out of sight she quickly dropped her cloak and pulled on her simple dress of woven sheep's wool it was humble but pretty in her opinion dyed in a soft blue color wrapping her cloak back around her shoulders she strained to hear any voices at all and when she could hear nothing but the frogs croaking softly along the water's edge did she dare climb up through the river bank and into the field.

All evening Loki thought of her the way her strange eyes studied him, the curve of her waist reflecting on the water's surface and the more he thought of her the more consumed he felt the more eager he became for it to be dawn. He couldn't put his finger on it what was so special about her she was a mere peasant he knew that much by her hand woven cloak and simple dressing. He'd been in the company of very rich and adventurous woman, some of which he'd considered to be his mistress a time or two but had quickly grown bored. So what made her so special… he just couldn't place it yet. Perhaps it was her innocent nature he'd witnessed and a more wicked side of him wished to see how entertaining this could become.

The next morning Sorcha hurried through the fields the bottom of her cloak balled up in her arms as she ran her lungs burning with the effort trying to hurry to the weeping willows on the rivers banks. All night she had fretted about what to wear, what to sing, how to act in front of royal prince she'd finally decided the waking hours on her best dress which wasn't much different from her one worn the previous day but this one was dyed a pale green the sleeves longer to her elbow. Her once smooth and well kept hair was now wild curls that bounced around her face as she hurried along having forgone any slippers knowing she could get there so much faster without the cumbersome things.

When she came down the bank and into the secluded spot she found she was indeed on time the Prince had not arrived yet. Kneeling down she took her hands and scooped up a handful of the clear cool liquid taking a drink relieving the burn in her throat. Washing her hands and face quickly she got a good look at her reflection in the water and huffed annoyed her hair was a mane of wild curls now and she tried desperately to tame them with her fingers her attention so engrossed in her task she did not notice Loki standing a few feet away a look of amusement on his features. He found himself very pleased that she had shown, and even more so at how she primped and fussed over her appearance clearly wishing to impress him. He cleared his throat now and the girl stood up halting her task and she took a deep breath giving him a low bow and when she raised her head again she found Loki standing closer a small satchel in his hands. She stared curiously at the satchel and not wishing to appear rude greeted Loki. "Good day to you Your grace, I've come here as you bid…a song prepared for you."

Loki who kept his facial expression cool and unassuming said "Have you now? Well then before you begin I come bearing a gift, you must be famished it's a long walk from the nearest village." Sitting down on a large flat boulder Loki sat the satchel down beside him and patted the space beside it bidding Sorcha to sit down next to him. Removing her cloak she set it down beneath her and sat down her eyes trying hard not to appear too excited at what he had brought. She'd been so quick to leave she hadn't eaten a single bite not that there was much food in her meager home so when Loki opened the bag and pulled forth a small bundle her stomach felt the need to remind her just how empty it was.

Peeling back the thin layers of cheese cloth Loki revealed to her his gift, four small honey oat cakes along with a few slices of cheese and sweet figs. The prince's voice was smooth as velvet as he held it out to her. "Go on Sorcha, help yourself this must be a divine treat for you…I wouldn't think someone of your status would have the means to acquire such treats." Sorchas out reaching hand faltered now at his sudden dig on her status surely he would have noticed she scolded herself and she did her best to hide this shame. "No Your Grace this is indeed a special treat thank you, you are most gracious." Loki watched her as she carefully chose one thing from the bundle her choice quickly landing on one of the honey cakes which was no surprise to him It being the hardest thing to come by for someone like herself. Sorcha took small lady like bites of the cake the taste of the honey melting on her tongue and she wished she could save it for later but it was soon gone in a few bites. Loki smirked eating one of the cakes himself as he watched her nothing about the girl going unnoticed by him. "What song have you chosen for me?" He asked politely and the girls head rose at the sound of his question. Sitting up straighter Sorcha smiled shyly. " It is called The Gypsy Rover….it is a simple song but I hope you find it pleasing. " Clearing her throat a little she took a deep breath indicating to Loki she was going to begin singing he found himself delighted in her nervousness the moment she began he felt himself grow still.

A gypsy rover came over the hill
Down through the valley so shady.
He whistled and he sang 'til the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady.

Ah-dee-doo-ah-dee-doo-dah-day
Ah-dee-doo-ah-dee-day-dee
He whistled and he sang 'til the green woods rang
And he won the heart of a lady.

She left her father's castle gate.
She left her own fine lover.
She left her servants and her state
To follow her gypsy rover.

She left behind her velvet gown
And shoes of leather
They whistled and they sang 'till the green woods rang
As they rode off together

Last night, she slept on a goose feather bed
With silken sheets for cover
Tonight she'll sleep on the cold, cold ground
Beside her gyspy lover

Her father saddled up his fastest stead
And roamed the valley all over.
Sought his daughter at great speed
And the whistlin' gypsy rover.

He came at last to a mansion fine
Down by the river Claydee.
And there was music and there was wine
For the gypsy and his lady.

"Have you forsaken your house and home?
Have you forsaken your baby?
Have you forsaken your husband dear
For a whistling gypsy rover?"

"He is no gypsy, my Father," she cried
"but Lord of these lands all over.
And I shall stay 'til my dying day
with my whistlin' gypsy rover."

When she finished singing Sorcha realized in her nervousness she'd shut her eyes, hands resting on her thighs she opened her eyes slowly to look upon Loki who was watching her with a strange expression that she couldn't read. Loki who had listened with feigned interested at first had found himself engrossed in her song it's tale intriguing and bold to him. What a strange choice for her to make and quite the wonderful job she had done singing it her voice clear and wonderful. Realizing she was finished he blinked a few times before he broke the silence that had begun to grow between them. "Very beautiful…this is a personal tune you have chosen yes? I don't think I have ever heard it." That shy blush returned to her cheeks. "It is a song my mother taught me as a child…it was her favorite she would sing it late at night for my father and I." Loki took a moment to ponder her words. "Are your parents still living…" This brought a saddened look on the girls face and Loki found himself regretful to cause such an emotion. "No…my mother passed a few years ago and my father not long after. It's only been myself for some time now."

Loki felt a pang of curiosity now his mind finding this fact very interesting and very much to his advantage. "They have left you in debt no doubt what with the high land taxes." Sorcha looked down at her hands now wishing the Prince was not so observant, she found herself confused now as to why he would waste his time with someone such as herself. "Yes, they did I have a job working for a seamstress she makes gowns for the royal women…it does not pay much but I manage." Loki offered her another honey cake and he was pleased to see her not refuse it. "Your expected back there soon I assume? The head seamstress would be cross if you were to be late…fire you perhaps." Sorcha nodded slowly as she took a bite of the sweet cake and Loki stood now taking the rest of the bundle and rewrapping it carefully into the satchel and she was shocked when he handed the whole thing over to her. "Hurry on then, I wouldn't want to get you in trouble…do you know where the valley ends near the head of the river, tomorrow I would like you to meet me there the same time as today."

Standing carefully Sorcha held the bag against her chest thoroughly confused by his strange request having thought once she fulfilled her end of the bargain he would grow bored with her and be on his way. This was apparently not the case and had it not been for the fact she was going to be late to work she would have tried to ask him questions. By the end of her long work day Sorcha's fingers ached and her back was sore from crouching down and picking up pins all day. A royal festival was approaching and they had been swamped with orders from neighboring Lords and ladies of the royal house her mind constantly thinking of the Prince. As she cleaned up her work space the head seamstress a normally aggravated and riled woman who delighted in any small mistake Sorcha made came rushing into the room ringing her hands anxiously her voice shrill and unusually sweet. "Sorcha, Sorcha my girl I must speak with you." She stood up now setting down stray pins on the wooden table caught off guard by the madams forced sincerity she seemed frightened. Shoving a handful of coins in her hands she said. "Here my girl your services are no longer required here, your debts have been paid and you are to not return again here are your wages."

Sorcha stared at the woman flabbergasted the ten gold coins more than enough as payment for her work it was actually grossly over compensated. "Madam this is a mistake how can my debt have been paid…this has to be a mistake." The head seamstress seemed to become even more flustered at her words. "Do not question me Sorcha, now go home you are free to leave." She was all but shoved through the doorway jumping at the sound of the door slamming behind her Sorcha looked down again at the golden coins, her mind searching for an answer. The only one coming to mind was Loki, he had been overly inquisitive about her job and suddenly it made sense his request to meet with her.

She felt her stomach flip at the thought of his generosity he didn't even know her and yet he had paid a life time's debt in full and for what she thought? What could she possibly offer a man such as himself the answer to that eluded her and the whole walk home she kept a tight hold on the satchel he had given her the gold coins inside the small pocket on the front making a soft jingling noise. The only thing left to do was to wait until the next day when she was to meet the Prince at his requested location her mind racing at the meaning of his actions.

The following morning Sorcha walked along the path having used one of the gold coins to buy herself better shoes the soft leather feeling wonderful on her feet a new dress of woven dark purple which flowed out at her hips swaying as she walked. When Sorcha rounded the corner she found Loki already waiting for her his horse tied to a tree nearby a book in his hands he lowered it when she approached and he openly stared at her new appearance her homespun clothing had been updated into something he found more appealing and fitting. Rising from his seat on the grass he closed his book and nodded in greeting to her the girl bowing to him in return. "Your Grace, That was not necessary for you to pay my family's debt I am eternally grateful but it is to grand a gesture…" Loki smiled now his hands behind his back. "My dear Sorcha I do not know what you speak of…Your family's debt is very much active just not with your Madam and the land owner where your house once sat…The deed was merely turned over to me I find myself very taken with you not much interests me anymore in a simpler explanation…. I bought you."