I'll Keep Your Memory Vague
Chapter 1
Strong hands embraced Sif's face, slowly his soft lips descended upon hers. The kiss was gentle and firm, so unlike the drunken sloppy kisses that men had forced upon her in the past. No this kiss was nothing like anything she had ever experienced in her entire life. It was everything the hidden romantic in her was craving.
His hands moved from her face into her long dark hair, gently pulling it back, exposing her long neck. His lips moved from hers, trailing gentle kisses down her neck, and then finding the sensitive spot just above her shoulder. "Yes," she whispered.
"Yes what?" he asked.
"Love me."
"As you wish my lady," she then looked at her would be lover, his bright pale green eyes twinkling with mischief.
Sif awoke suddenly, her breath ragged, sweat dripping down between her breasts, and an unfamiliar tightening in her lower belly. She sat up and swung her legs off the side of her bed. "Oh no," she whispered to herself, "Loki."
She could not understand why her mind would ever decide that she would be attracted to the dark prince, the prince magic and mischief. Why not Fandral, the ladies man, or one of the many attractive Einheriar. Dear Odin why Loki? He was not unattractive, with his dark hair and pale green eyes and physically he was pleasing to the eye as well, tall and lean, not muscular like Thor, but powerful all the same. No, it was Loki, it was absurd to be even remotely attractive to him, even if he had amazing skills with weapons.
Sif wanted to rid herself of any lingering images of Loki. It would not do her any good to have any thoughts of the prince that were not purely platonic in nature. She got up and made her way to her water chamber. She splashed water on her face and patted it dry. She looked up into the mirror, as she gazed at her reflection she ran a finger across her lips slowly, the thought of his lips upon hers returning. "Stop it," she yelled at her reflection, and turned to storm back into her bed
"Sif," Thor's voice boomed across the warriors dining hall. A few heads turned to look her way, newer soldiers mostly, ones still unfamiliar with a woman being present.
She sat down with her four comrades. Volstagg was busy filling his plate with food, and it did not look to be his first helping, as Fandral and Hogun were just finishing their morning repast. Sif reached for a goblet of sweet cider and a small biscuit.
"What is wrong this morning Sif, you do not look your usual self?" Thor asked with genuine interest. The first born prince of Asgard was her closest and dearest friend. The majority of her childhood memories included him. There had been many rumors over the years that had connected them together romantically, but it was just gossip. In truth Thor was like an older brother to her. Yes he was very attractive in Asgardian warrior way, he was tall and muscular, long blonde locks and light blue eyes, and dimples on both cheeks when he smiled, which he did often. He was quick to laugh, kind and generous to his friends. There was also another side to him; he could be conceited and reckless. Sif cared for him no matter what his flaws. He had stood by her when she had turned her back becoming a Lady of the Asgard court, and wanted to be a Warrior of the Realm.
"Bad dream," she grumbled, and reached for her cider. Just at that moment Loki sat down next his brother. His sudden appearance startled Sif causing her to spill her drink. "Damn."
Fandral passed her a cloth. She nodded in appreciation, and began to wipe up the cider that was pooled upon the stone table.
"My my Lady Sif you do not appear to have your usual grace," Loki observed, reaching for a piece of fruit from his brothers plate.
"She had a bad dream," Thor answered for her, and scowling at his younger brother for the theft of part of his breakfast.
"I hope it was not anything too terrifying?" Loki did not seem to take notice of his brother's annoyance or at least acted like he did not.
"You need not concern yourself Prince Loki, as it was more curious than scary."
"Good to hear," He bit into the apple, a small amount of juice ran down his chin, which he wiped away with his finger. Sif felt that curious tension in her stomach return, and had the briefest thought of hurling herself across the table at him and begging him to kiss her. She stood up suddenly, placed the wet cloth upon her plate with the uneaten biscuit.
"I'm going to see my mother, and then head down to training."
Sif knew she was being a coward by retreating to the safety of her mother's quarters within the Queens tower. She was hoping spending some time listening to her mother talk of court gossip and other nonsense topics would help take her mind off of Loki.
The Queens tower was where Frigga's Ladies In Waiting lived, as well as other highborn Ladies of the court. Sif's mother, Katla, was a Lady In Waiting, and had been since her husband had died in battle. Sif had seen 4 name days when they had moved into the palace, she could barely remember the small estate they had lived on. Sif had moved out of the tower when she had become a warrior and joined Thor's comrades in arms. She still spent time in the tower, visiting with her mother mostly. She did not have friends among the ladies of the court. The older ones thought her strange, the younger ones disliked her being so close to Thor. The latter were the ones that spread rumors that she and Thor were intimate, or worse that she only became a warrior to get closer to the Crown Prince.
Her mother's chambers were above the Queen's personal receiving room, as was the other 3 Ladies in waiting's, Fulla, Lin and Gná. Sif had grown into woman hood within the walls of the tower, but never had felt at home in them. Her mother's chambers were spacious and bright, with large windows and balconies that over looked the Queens garden. As usual her mother was breaking her fast upon her terrace.
Katla stood when she saw her daughter walk out onto the terrace. Sif bore some resemblance to her mother, their facial features were similar and both their eyes were a dark golden hazel color. Mother and daughter were of the same height, but Katla was more willowy in her build then Sif, who was lean and muscular. Katla's hair was a dark golden color; Sif's was dark like her father.
"I did not think to see you today daughter," she said lightly as she embraced her only child, they both took a seat at the small marble table.
"I did not feel like listening to the men this morning, so I decided to come and visit you," Sif told her as she plucked grapes off of a platter that sat in the middle of the table.
"Has the notion of being a warrior started to wear thin after all these years?"
Sif chuckled softly, "Not even remotely, sometimes I do like the comfort of being with my mother over listening to flatulence of the men."
That even made her mother laugh, "You should try and spend more time with the other Ladies."
Sif sighed, "You know why I do not."
"Mayhap there is a little truth to what they say, do you have feelings for the prince."
For a briefest of moments Sif's heart stopped as she thought of Loki and her dream, but then realized her mother was talking of Thor, again.
"Of course I have feelings for Thor, he is my closest friend, but they will never be of a romantic nature, so you can stop any thoughts of me becoming Queen of Asgard."
"Is it so wrong to want more for my only child?"
"I have no desire to wed any man, let alone Thor."
Katla shook her head, a frown appearing upon her beautiful face, "You are an unnatural woman my daughter."
"What about the Shield Maidens of old? From the tales I have read I am not much different from them."
"But they are just that, tales. We don't know if they ever really existed or just died off in some remote area of Vanaheim. "
"I am starting to think flatulence would have been better then to having this conversation for the hundredth time," Sif mumbled as she rolled her eyes
"Do not give me those look Sif, you know I love you, and that is why I gave in and let you follow your heart."
"I believe it was the Queen who helped with your change of mind."
"Yes Frigga, pointed out some advantages. I still worry, you are all I have and even when we are at peace being a warrior is dangerous, I have seen the bruises and cuts after some missions in the other realms," her mother reached out and placed her soft hand on top of Sif's rough calloused one.
"They are nothing, and if we want to keep them that way I must do some training today, I will take my leave," she stood up and leaned down and kiss her mother's cheek, "and also a biscuit."