Chapter 3
It was predawn when Loki woke up.
He was still in Thor's arms. Thor was snoring. He smiled and listened to it for a while.
He slipped out of Thor's embrace, stretched out and yawned, then turned over on to the other side of the bed and curled up and went back to sleep.
The next time he opened his eyes it was daylight. It was another sunny day. He lay quietly listening to the sounds of the palace waking up.
Then he remembered he was going to see the library today and sat bolt upright.
That was it, he was out of bed and started getting ready for the day.
Thor was already up and getting organised too.
They both moved about not getting in each others way.
Breakfast arrived and they ate together.
"So" Thor said "The library today."
By now, Loki couldn't wait.
"Yes" he said, quite excited.
"Come on then" Thor said and led them both out the door.
The library was in the heart of the palace.
Two large oak doors at the entrance.
If Loki thought the gardens were amazing then the library took him by surprise.
It was amazing too.
The library back home was nothing compared to this.
This library was filled floor to ceiling with books.
Thor showed him the collections that had been amassed by Asgard.
He then showed him how they were all arranged, so you knew what you were looking for.
There was two large stained glass windows.
One at one end of the long room and one at the other end.
These show all the battles that Asgard have had and the victories and also how Asgard was started and grew over the centuries.
Thor then said "I have a meeting with the council and my father, so I will leave you here on your own."
"Will you be okay?"
"Yes" Loki replied.
"Asta will soon be finished with her chores and she will join you" Thor said.
"Yes, thank you" Loki said.
Loki had no idea where to start, so he just wandered from shelf to shelf looking at and daring to touch the books.
He could smell the leather bound volumes. Smell the dust and the mustiness from all the old books. Some would have turned their nose up at it, but to him it was blissful.
There was one big table in the middle of the room, with chairs around it, but there was also a few plush dark red, velvet covered armchairs, which he ran his hand over. They had round gold silk cushions, with small gold buttons studding them. The armchairs had gold buttons too. They were against one wall in between bookshelves and had smaller round tables next to them with ornate gold lamps on them. There was also a gold velvet chaise lounge which Loki had never seen anything like it before, but was certainly intrigued by it.
Another rather impressive feature was a carving in oak of Yggdrasil on the other side of the room opposite the velvet chairs. A floor to ceiling carving and Loki couldn't resist touching it and feeling the intricate details.
After wandering for what seemed like forever, he picked out a book about the history of Asgard and sat down on one of the armchairs and started looking through it.
He was grateful he was a prince in Johtuheim as it was a privilege and a requirement to be taught to read.
He lost himself in the book.
He was enjoying the peace and quiet too.
He was so engrossed in the book, he had completely forgotten about the time.
Asta arrived.
"Hello Loki" she said
"Hello" Loki replied.
"What do you think then?" she asked.
"I think it is magnificent" he said.
Asta picked a few books from one of the shelves and sat at the big table. Loki moved to sit opposite her.
"What are you looking for?" he asked.
"My mother needs a particular recipe and she can't remember what book it was in."
He got up and looked at some more books and found one about the gardens of Asgard and another one about Asgard's history.
He sat back down to have a look through them.
They sat together reading quietly and chatting together for a couple of hours.
Thor then arrived.
"Hello you two" he said.
"Hello" they both replied back.
"Are you ready to go and eat?" He asked.
"Yes." They both said.
Loki said "I'll just put these books back."
Thor told him he could take them. Then he laughs as Loki collects an armful of books.
"Come on then." And ushered them both out.
They all went back to Thor's chambers.
Asta's mother had made them a lovely meal which they all enjoyed because Thor invited Asta and her mother to stay.
So, the end of another day. Loki was starting to feel good about being here.