Loki x Reader: Into the MCU

Chapter 39: When in Rome

"So you believe him when he says his current plan is not to harm you?"

"I do. Zemo hasn't lied yet. If anything, I think he takes pride in being honest and still being one step ahead. What kills me the most is, why did he come to see me anyway? Ok, showing off that he knows where I am at all times is a total flex I could see Zemo doing. But he's funny like that while also being clever. No, there was a reason he was there."

"Well, the important thing is that you're safe. You're here, and he's not. Your friends sound very capable of handling the situation. I'm sure they'll put an end to his plotting."

"Let's hope they take a few weeks to do it. I don't want to hide, but now that I'm here, I'm realizing even more that this isn't such a bad gig."

"Goodness, we've spoken longer than we should," she noted, standing swiftly.

"Why? Is there somewhere we're supposed to be? 

"The Prince told me to have you at breakfast in an hour's time."

"Which prince?"

"Prince Loki."

"Oh we're good, he can wait. Not that I wouldn't say the same for Thor, but def Loki."

"I'm afraid you misunderstand. Prince Loki was the one who sent for you, but it was at the Allfather's behest."

"Shit! We haven't been talking for an hour, have we??"

" I don't believe so, but we're most certainly approaching the instructed time."

"I didn't dress for a breakfast with Odin, but this is gonna have to do," you stood up, hurrying out the door with her.

"There's one more thing I was going to ask," she said as the two of you walked down the halls, "Where did you get that?"

She pointed to your necklace.

"Oh, it was a gift from Loki. You see, we have this holiday on earth, a big celebration where you get friends and family gifts and whatnot."

"And the Prince got that for you?" she sounded shocked.

"Yeah, we're...we're friends now."

"I assumed as much by the way you spoke to and about him in the past, but that is a grand gift indeed. A gem from the cave isn't your ordinary present. Do you know what it takes to remove a crystal from the cave?"

"Uh, a bit of a walk and some pliers?"

"There are many resources Asgardians are allowed to harvest and profit from the sales that follow, but the Burning Caves have been deemed an ancient treasure, a protected site. Casual sale of it's crystals can buy you a lengthy prison sentence as much as it can fortunes. There's a system, a strict process. At this point in it's life, it is rarely permitted for the cave to be removed of any crystal. Only with royal permission could an individual legally take one back with them."

"Well, Loki's royalty."

And not exactly the most law-abiding person.

"Only a direct order from the crown, Wren, would work. In order to limit the chances for greedy noblemen or members of the royal family to plunder the cave of its wealth, the rules clearly state that only the Allfather can condone the possession of a crystal. This way, any harmful mining can be traced directly to the king himself, and he's bound by honor and law to be held accountable by the people. These are extreme cases, but were written in the law out of high regard for the natural beauty of our world."

"So...Loki had to ask his dad for permission to get me this gift?"

"Precisely. Furthermore, the Allfather sanctioned the act, which is a rare case in itself. Given the status of the cave, even nobility never think of removing one, for it would have to be an important need to be allowed."