It was a crisp, clear day. The clouds lazily drifted through the sky above Asgard, almost lingering above the house of Jöfur. The slight breeze made the summer heat almost fade away. A young girl lounged under an old oak tree in the hills belonging to her father, about two miles away from the household. Her cream colored hair fanned out in the grass underneath her, the same way her dress did. Her eyes were closed, her breath was steady. Even in the quiet of the fields she could almost hear her seven brothers fighting over nothing, her father laughing at them in a jolly fashion, and her mother, with her disapproving tone, telling her father not encourage them. And in the same fell swoop, she would tell her daughter to be more ladylike and proper, when all she yearned for was to feel a sword in her hands and blood on her clothes.
Her peace was only once a day. She left the house to nap under the old tree with no interruptions. There were rarely any of her relatives that would come and retrieve her if she was needed. She was rarely needed. She was needed in the morning for her sewing and weaving lessons and then again in the afternoon for her warrior training. The one thing she loved about her father was that he believed that no woman should not know how to fight, especially not one who would someday go to court and be pestered by a line of suitors. The rest of the day was up to her, although her mother would rather her be studying ladylike duties and embroidery. But instead, she studied magic and the history of other Realms. She could name all of the Kings and who had fought the other and could tell all the dates of every battle. She was learning archery and dagger throwing from her eldest brother when he wasn’t on guard duty. And she was anything but ladylike.
She heard boyish sounds at the bottom of the large hill she was on. Shouting it sounded like. It could easily be one of her brothers and she didn’t want to be found and pulled into one of their foolish games. The shouting continued and she pressed her eyes more tightly closed in an attempt to block them out somehow. But the one boy kept getting louder and she knew that even though he had the volume of any of her relatives, it was not one of her own. She swooped her body upwards and stormed down the hill. As she approached she saw two boys. One was fair haired although a much darker blond than she. The other boy was dark and scrawny. He looked like a wounded puppy as the other boy yelled at him. His eyes were sunken as though he’d been crying his whole life.
“How dare you disturb my peace?” She wanted to know who was foolish enough to step on her father’s lands without permission. The blond haired boy raised his chin to her. His nose was so far in the air that if it rained he would be the first to drown.
“You dare speak to sons of Odin that way!”
“I dare because you sons of Odin are on my land making a ruckus. And I was trying to get some nice shut eye with that tree over there you inconsiderate son of Odin.” The blond boy started to walk towards her but the other boy put his arm in front of him.
“We are sorry miss. We did not see anyone when we approached. We can move if you would like.”
“We shall not!”
“What are you two playing anyways?” She was intrigued. The other boy was nothing like any boy she had ever known. He didn’t rush straight into a conflict. He stopped, evaluated.
“War of course! But Loki can’t accept that he can’t be King!”
“And why can’t he be King?” The girl raised her brow.
“Because I’m going to be King. There can’t be two Kings!”
“You must be Prince Thor then. Well if it’s all pretend, why not let him be King just once?” He looked at her as though she had suggested Loki murder him.
“Because he has to be my advisor!”
“Then as payment for you using my land without my father’s permission, I shall be playing as well. Except I wish to be a warrior of Asgard!”
“Women cannot be warriors,” Thor retorted.
“Oh really?” She walked up to him and jabbed him in the throat. He fell to the ground, clutching his throat.
“How did you do that?” Loki looked completely shocked.
“When my father and brothers taught me battle tactics they taught me as though I would be fighting men and potentially Frost Giants. Both are actually very top heavy. So in hand to hand combat, you just have to know where to strike and they will come tumbling down.” Thor slowly got up off the ground, coughing a bit in an attempt to clear his throat.
“You have bestest me. I bow before you. Pray tell me your name fair warrior.”
“Sigyn Jöfur.” Thor bowed and started back towards his palace in the capital. He was going to continue his training, not being able to believe he had been bested by a woman. A girl no less. Sigyn looked away from him, not interested in him. She had known men like him all her life. She knew who he was and who he would be: a killing machine that rarely thought at all. He was just like her father and brothers. She looked at Loki who stared at her with nothing but admiration. As though he had been waiting all his life to see someone put Thor in his place.
“Would you like to lay with me under that tree Prince Loki? It is very beautiful up there I promise.” Loki nodded without hesitation and followed me up the hill. They sat on the grass, lying back to look at the sky.
“You are remarkably talented. Do you think you’ll be a warrior someday?”
“Well I hope so. I don’t want to just become a wife and mother or a healer. I want my life to mean something. I want epics to be written in my honor, my name famed throughout all of Asgard and the rest of the Nine Realms!” He smiled shyly, as though he envied and admired her.
“Surely you must have some talent Prince Loki?”
“I’m learning magic. But no one in my household thinks that’s a talent.” He looked down sadly. She suddenly became excited. She had never met anyone who could do magic. She had read of magic in books and had been trying to use it since she learned of it. But she wasn’t talented enough yet for it.
“Please do some for me Prince Loki! Please please please!” His face suddenly lit up. He performed several magic tricks for her. She asked if he would come back everyday and he said he would like that.
Seasons came and went, years passed. They spent their days together whenever possible, even when they entered their awkward teen phase. They looked at each other in an awkward matter, blushing like school girls and stuttering. Sometimes Loki thought it was madness, that they should cease their friendship. But no matter how often he thought of it, he did not mind the maddening friendship and it’s spirals.
Finally after years they were fully grown. They had grown as all children do and Sigyn often wondered where the time had gone. He had grown taller than her, nearly a foot over her. She was only three inches over five feet, short even for women of Asgard. He had grown handsome, with sleek black hair and a dashing smile. Her blond, almost white hair had grown much longer, so long that if she wanted to get anything done she had to braid it and secure it in a bun. She was too pale for any color other that her armor to look normal. She looked like an albino and her gray eyes did not shimmer like other girls did. They were more reserved, quiet.
Over the years she had perfected her warrior skills and he had perfected his magic. He had even managed to teach her a decent amount although it was much more difficult for her to master a spell than it was for him. They would still try to meet every day, unless Sigyn was called to war. She was considered “The Allfather’s last hope.” She was the one he called when all others had failed, and she was called much more frequently than she would have liked. By her opponents she was known as the angel of mercy, the one who would stop if only asked.
When they met they were often interrupted by Thor and his friends. Thor had often caught them laughing and smiling like fools, sitting too closely together. It even made him jealous that his brother had such a beauty constantly at his side, and the only time he had her at his side was in the thick of battle when she yelled commands at him as though she owned him and his life. Sigyn tried to tolerate Thor for Loki’s sake but it was obvious to all onlookers that she hated him with a passion. She loathed his arrogant ways, how he did not think on the consequences of his actions.
Sigyn had left once again after a brief goodbye with Loki and her mother. Her father had passed in a battle against the elves with her but here she was once again fighting them. It had gotten particularly violent, children being harmed. It took months, and when they finally stormed the palace the royals had killed themselves. All but two. A nine year old girl and her five year old brother hid in the corner, the last of the royalty. Sigyn pulled them out and helped them, protecting them from all those who said they should be put to death. Under Odin’s rule they were given regents until they came of age.
She had fought alongside Thor against their armies and their guards. As much as she hated him, she could not deny what a warrior he had become. He had trained well and would have even been a match for her. He had enjoyed all of the unnecessary bloodshed. Sigyn saw him for the boy that he still was, a boy wanting to prove himself as a man. And as much as she would love to voice her opinions of him, she kept silent for Loki.
She walked through the hall in her home to a parade of brothers asking her questions. Her mother prattled on about her hair and how it looked like she had bathed in nothing but dirt for the past few months. She rolled her eyes and tried to answer them all as she always did, but it wasn’t enough. They all had a slew of questions. “Did you kill any of them with your bare hands?” “How many men died?” “How many elves died?” “Did you meet a suitable husband?”
“I think that Lady Sigyn needs her rest.” All fell silent as they saw Loki standing in the back of the hall. Sigyn smiled gratefully and walked over slowly.
“We did not hear you come in your Highness. You snuck in as you always do. I would have prepared something special be brought for dinner.”
“There is no need my lady. I will eat whatever you see fit.”
“Thank you for coming again Loki. I have missed you.” Sigyn smiled up at him and he smiled back, a soft, weak smile. She realized what she must look like and looked away. She was covered in dirt and grime.
“Sigyn how many times must I tell you, it is not proper to call him by name!”
“We have been friends since we were nine years old mother. He has insisted that I call him by his name, as a friend would. Now I long for a bath. If you need either of us, you will find us in my chambers.” Her family was used to her platonic, royal friend lingering about, especially after war. Her father had commanded that Loki could go anywhere in the house he wanted with her without supervision. He knew that they were never inappropriate with any of their actions. And they never would be in his opinion.
They entered her chambers and she stripped out of her armor to only her under armor. He sat on the bed and looked away as she slowly stripped down and hopped into the bathtub. He finally met her gaze after she was submerged, taking her hair out of the braid it was confined in, splaying across the edge of the tub. Even covered in dirt he couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she was. Even if she lived in the dirt every man would be lined up to kiss her hand and whisper sweet words of praise into her ear.
“How was battle?” Loki asked, wondering if she had gotten injured underneath all that dirt. She soaped her front and her face and after splashing it off she smiled softly at him.
“It could have been worse. I feel sorrow for the two children that I saved after all of their relatives had killed themselves. But hopefully they will make good royals someday and learn from the mistakes of their forefathers.” He could see the sadness written on her face.
“You saved them. Most would have murdered them on the spot.”
“Most of the others wanted to. They didn’t respect my authority. I was lucky for once that Thor was there. I wish most of the men would realize that just because I’m a woman doesn’t mean that I’m soft for allowing children to live.”
“Your day will come. The day when everyone will respect you and kneel before you. You just have to be patient.”
“And yet your brother merely breaths and he is worshipped. How ironic.”
“Most think more highly of you than my brother. Although you are often too hard on him.”
“I am only as hard on him as needed. Without me you both would run amuck in this kingdom. He would be breaking everything in sight and you would be causing more mischief than ever. You’re both lucky I’m around.” She slowly attempted to wash her back, but she couldn’t reach.
“Will you come wash my back please? I can’t reach.” Loki approached slowly. He had never been allowed to see her in the bath before. He knew she was truly exhausted to let him see her in such rare form. He walked behind her. He admired the paleness of her back. She never tanned, not even when she was out in battle for months. He could see her white knuckles, clutching the rim of the tub. He slowly pushed her hair out of the way and she handed him some soap, not turning around to look at him. He nervously soaped her back, admiring all of the muscle that had been built up. Her shoulder blades, strong and frail. She was still very thin and almost scrawny, especially compared to Sif. She was still the essence of femininity. He poured water down her back and then placed her hair back where it was. She plunged under the water and soaked her hair, resurfacing. He slowly backed away, trying to control what few boundaries there were with her. He sat back down on her bed as she ran her fingers through her hair, getting what was left of the dirt out.
She got out of the tub and he tried to avert his gaze but he could not help but steal a glance. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever beheld. Sometimes he even forgot that she had once been the little girl he ran around the palace with. He caught glimpses of her subtle curves, her radiant white flesh. She shuffled behind her dressing screen and pulled a dress over her head. He tried to control his thoughts but it was growing difficult. She came out from behind the screen and combed her hair in the mirror. She looked at him staring at her from the mirror and smiled. She turned and approached the bed. She pushed all of the armor off without a care and laid down next to him.
“You are too weary. Why do you go?”
“I swore an oath to protect Asgard. I will always answer that call.” She smiled up tiredly at him. He slowly reached for her shoulders. He always hesitated when using magic on her. He hesitated when touching her at all. He feared he would never stop. He felt her body relaxing under his hands. Her body was healing and all the exhaustion was easing out of her. She smiled, finally feeling at ease once more. His fingers lingered on her shoulders longer than he should have and he yanked himself away. She slowly got up and started across the room again.
“I forgot to ask. What do you think of this dress?”
“It....” It would look better on the floor. “It looks beautiful on you.”
“Really? I made it myself.” She twirled around like she always did, loving the way he stared at her. A small smile played across his lips. He loved the way he could make her happy with only one sentence. All of his small gestures reminded her how much she loved him. She didn’t know if he felt the same way about her. Most of the time it mattered very little if he did or not. She could twirl around like the girl she was and he still respected her as a warrior. He would listen to her for hours and she would listen to him in turn. He was her Prince, even if only for the time being. And she had no intentions of letting him go.
“My father wishes to see you tomorrow morning.” His voice was very soft.
“Is it a formal affair or shall I arrive naked?” He laughed. Until he thought about her naked in front of the whole court. He wouldn’t mind her naked but he would rather have a private show.
“While I’m sure many would enjoy you naked I think it best that you wear clothes.” His smile grew wider. It was more sincere than his nervous or fake smile. But the one that drove her wild was his wicked smile.
“What a pity. I suppose a dress will have to do.” She internally noted that she would choose the green dress, Loki’s favorite color. He never said if he liked one dress better than another. He always said it was beautiful. But she looked at his face carefully every time he said it and knew which dresses he preferred. He always seemed shy no matter which one she wore but it was his eyes that always gave him away.
“Do you know why I’m being summoned by your father? It’s rather late notice, even for him.” She had always been summoned relatively quickly, but she normally had at least two nights before she was summoned after war to speak with the Allfather. And the Allfather was generally all about routine and constancy.
“I cannot imagine why he would need to summon you so early. He always congratulates you on your war efforts but this seems....”
“Different. Like there’s something in the air. I can feel it all around me. It is a bad omen.”
“Perhaps not. Perhaps father only wants to give you a higher honor of some kind.”
“Your father has given me enough. I want for nothing else that he can give.”
“Surely you must want something. All ladies do. Jewelry, finery. Dresses. A newer, finer title that shall lift you above all the other women in the kingdom, giving you more out of life.” You. She would never say it out loud, but that was the only prize she could think of.
“I have enough dresses. And my family is still very wealthy despite my father’s death. I need nothing. I would rather your father honor me by giving to the poor or homeless. The sick and the dying. I have no need for more things.” She could see that Loki looked disappointed in the mirror.
“You would not even take something from your best friend?”
“You brought something for me you little sneak! Why didn’t you say so?” She lunged for him, but he reappeared on the other side of the bed.
“You fall for that trick every time. How many times must I do it before you learn?”
“Don’t toy with me Silvertongue! Why must you torture me so?”
“I thought you had no need for anything?”
“That doesn’t mean that I don’t want something that is dangled in front of my face by my closest friend! Now give it!” He chuckled and continued to dodge her. She tried my hardest, yet fell on the bed exhausted after nearly an hour of his taunting.
“You make it too easy Sigyn,” he laughed.
“I don’t know why they don’t send YOU to the battlefield. You might not kill them but you would sure exhaust them so that the rest of us could finish them off.”
“I’m sure my father would love to hear that battle plan.”
“The thing about you that annoys me the most is that you probably don’t even have anything to give me and that you’re just teasing like when we were kids. And you just want to see me all worked up over nothing.” He grinned his mischievous grin that drove her mad and pulled something out of his pocket. He held out a beautiful pendant made out of iron. She had never seen something so beautiful or well crafted in her life.
“Where did you get this?”
“I wrestled with a dragon for it.” His smile caught her off guard. He rarely ever tried to lie to her. But she knew if he wanted to be a convincing liar with her he could easily do so.
“Where are your burns then, oh mighty Loki?” She scoffed.
“In places that you can’t see of course Lady Sigyn.”
“The real answer if you please my Prince.”
“I loath when you call me that,” he scowled.
“I find that humorous considering you usually bask in the glory of everyone else calling you that and worshipping the ground you walk on.”
“I think you have me confused with Thor.”
“Do I? You were both raised together. You are bound to have some of the same traits.”
“I’m not like him.” His face was pressed together in anger. She knew he didn’t like like being compared to Thor. But there were some traits even he didn’t escape.
“Thank Odin you are not. I would never be able to stand you for more than four minutes,” Loki smiled from ear to ear, knowing how low her tolerance for his brother was, “Anyways, the TRUTH, Loki Odinson. Or I shall have to pester you for the rest of your days until you wish you were tied up somewhere.”
“My mother received it as a gift. She hated it for some reason and was going to merely throw it out. So I snatched it for you. I know how much you like jewelry like that.”
“You are too considerate my Prince.” He cringed again. She lifted his hand and kissed it gently. She looked up into his eyes and he looked into mine. She felt the world stop around them. All she could hear was his heartbeat. All she could feel was his hand in hers, the feel of it still lingering on her lips. And all she could see was his emerald eyes upon hers. She slowly let go and ran her hands through her hair, looking away. It wasn’t like her to be shy. He could not help but wonder if she wanted him just as much as he had since his teen years. All he had done was dream of her touch, her embrace. He wondered if she wanted the same. He stepped up slowly and started towards the door. Turning around he bowed a little.
“I will see you on the morrow, Lady Sigyn.”
“And I shall see you, on the morrow Prince Loki.” He smiled, and slowly left. She lay back upon the bed. She knew that thinking too much always made her nervous. But she couldn’t help but wonder about what he meant by “a newer, finer title”. She wondered if he meant what she had often hoped. That she would marry him. She didn’t care about the title or the wealth. If he had been a pauper she would have still married him all the same. She knew it in her heart.
Loki couldn’t help but wonder what kind of reward he could give Sigyn. She had every title a warrior could receive. She had plenty of riches, jewelry, dresses, horses. The only thing left that she didn’t have was a husband. And the only higher title she could get was Princess. He hoped his father hadn’t ignored his attentions to her. He had been madly in love with her since the first time she knocked Thor to the ground, although he had never said as much.
Being in a closed space with her and not being able to touch her was maddening. He knew better than try to tarnish her honor. But he could no longer deny his need to wed her. To bed her. He damned himself for his intentions being so dishonorable. He had loved her since childhood. And she was no common trollop. Perhaps that was why he wanted her more than he had ever wanted anyone. He thought about trying to talk to the Allfather but decided against it. He didn’t want to ruin whatever chances he might have already.
Awwww, lovely!
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