Summary - Loki is awaiting trial for his crimes but receives help from an unlikely ally. But at what cost? Loki/Sigyn
Disclaimer - I do not own anything in this story, all characters are either the property of Marvel or are from Norse and Germanic mythology...or both.
A/N - This is my first Thor fic (exciting) Not my usual area but the idea wouldn't leave me alone. Please note that I have relied more on Norse mythology than the Marvel universe so Sigyn is a little OC in this story (since there's not many surviving texts that mention her.) It's all a bit of a mish mash really. Still I hope you enjoy the story.
A Liar's Bargain
Prologue
For centuries the realms of Asgard and Vanaheim lived in a state of perpetual war. The invasion of the Frost Giants resulted in a temporary truce with the Vanir as their warriors joined forces to battle a common enemy. Hostages were exchanged by both sides and a tense peace treaty was reached. The Gods Hoenir and Mimir of Asgard were sent to live among the Vanir people while Asgard received the sea god Njord and his children, Kvasir the wise and Gullweig's only child the lady Sigyn. Such a treaty could only end in disaster and further bloodshed.
"You're late." The tall figure did not even turn around to see the hooded figure that approached. He didn't have to; he had been watching her as she journeyed to what was left of the Bifrost, where he still kept watch even though there was not much left to guard. "It's been a long time since we last met." He had not seen the girl since she was small, one of the many troubles of being a hostage of the Allfather was that she was forbidden to leave the realm and all visits to his home at Himingborg were actively discouraged. She was a young woman now but still child in his eyes.
"Dear Heimdall, you told me you would signal me if I was needed. I came as soon as I could, but I cannot stay long, the queen will notice my absence." Sigyn replied, her voice hushed by worry. Heimdall towered over her, his eyes like red gold. His face was empty of the calm patience he had shown when he had taught her the names of all the stars as they sat at the edge of the bridge when she was a child and instead held an aguish that she had never seen before.
"My Lady, the Vanir are in the midst of a revolution. They demand independence from Asgard but Hoenir and his supporters have taken it upon themselves to crush these uprisings with excessive force. Both sides must have learned that the Bifrost has been destroyed and have seized the opportunity to act without fear of intervention."
The girl's eyes filled with tears as the world brightener finished his story "Even if Odin could intervene he would not side with my people. But what can I do if I am stuck here? Who knows how much blood will be shed if we wait until the Bifrost is rebuilt."
"You must find a way to our once proud land and end this madness, by claiming the throne as its rightful heir. You alone, Sigyn Gullweigsdottir, hostage princess of Vanaheim and Lady of Victory can stop this. I cannot help you I am sworn to keep my watch, but there is one who can. One who knows paths to the other realms that even the Allfather is unaware of."
The girl's eyes widened "Who could know such a thing? Is he one of us?"
"He lies incarcerated beneath the palace, awaiting trial for war crimes against Midgard and Jotunheim."
"Loki? If you suggest that I would bargain with that…that degenerate then you are as mad as he is!" Sigyn gasped. "He would betray us all; you of all people have no reason to put your faith in him."
"Your highness, I would not suggest such a thing if there were any other options." Heimdall sighed heavily "Use your magic to your advantage, and do not believe any of his promises." He handed her something that looked like a bundle of pure shadows. "This will help you on your journey."
Sigyn eyed the strange object which upon closer observation resembled a warriors helmet but felt so light and brittle she was afraid she might break it. It was like the queen's finest crystal but was so dark it was hard to tell where the helm began and the void of the night sky ended.
"The Tarnhelm." She breathed "Fafnir's terror, I had thought it was lost. Heimdall, how did you get this?"
"That is not for you to know. The Tarnhelm holds the power to turn whoever wears it invisible, use it wisely and make haste."
"You have risked much to help me good Heimdall. I am in your debt." The lady of Victory replied and with a bow she was gone, the burden of her quest on her young shoulders. For a brief moment Heimdall wished that he was blind, he could not bear to watch powerlessly as her fate unfolded.
"My lady, where have you been at this time of night?"
Sigyn had almost reached her room when she heard a familiar voice from the hallway. Something in her chest tightened with fear at the realisation that she'd been caught. There was no point in hiding the fact that she was in her riding clothes, but the Tarnhelm was safely concealed beneath her cloak. She wished now that she had worn it to sneak back into the palace but the magic of the dark elves often carried unexpected side effects and was notoriously difficult to use. She turned to face the voice's owner, a sweet smile in place as she tried her hardest not to look nervous.
"Lady Sif, how have you been?"
"Idle." The taller woman answered, with a frustrated sigh. "We have only had our training to keep us occupied and I am growing bored of it."
"I'm sure there will be plenty for you to do when the Bifrost is rebuilt." Sigyn replied, she had known Sif since they were children and knew that she didn't cope well with being cooped up. "I have just come from there actually, there was a meteor shower tonight and Heimdall invited me to watch it with him." She went on, hoping the lie was convincing enough and hoping the fact that dishonesty was so unlike her that she would be believed.
"I see. I did not know you were still interested in such things." Said Sif and for a horrible moment Sigyn thought that the other woman could see right through her. "But I suppose it's good that you're going out for a change. It can't be very interesting being the queen's companion."
"It's pleasant enough, but you're right it is rather uneventful." Sigyn laughed.
"Perhaps you could join us for our next hunt? I'm sure Thor would not mind."
"I would have to ask Frigga's permission, but I would like that very much." Sigyn smiled, if all went well she would be halfway to Vanaheim by then. "But it is late, I'm sure our plans can wait until morning."
After bidding Sif goodnight, Sigyn rushed into her chambers and sank to the floor, trembling a little. Her journey had very nearly been over as soon as it had begun. She could barely handle a confrontation with Lady Sif one of her oldest friends, how on earth would she fare with the god of lies?
No, this was no time for self-doubt. Vanaheim needed her. With any luck she would be able to negotiate with Hoenir and the rebel leaders before things escalated any further. And if luck was against her, what then? Would she, an inexperienced girl barely of age be able to lead the Vanir into battle? She would have to cross that bridge when she came to it, for there more pressing things to think about, like how she was going to break into Loki's prison.
Night had passed into the early hours and most of Asgard lay sleeping. Loki was among those wakeful few, as were the two prison guards who kept watch over his cell. After being brought back to Asgard he had been fitted with a pair of shackles that disarmed him of his magic and sealed within Odin's prison with seven wards upon the door so that no living thing could get in or out. There were no windows; he was too far beneath the ground to have any visible concept of time. Only his daily meal and the sounds of the changing of the guard gave any indication of how long he's been there and he had given up counting them a long time ago. All he knew was that his trial was looming and he would soon be sentenced to whatever Odin saw fit to punish him with in front of all of Asgard. He was almost looking forward to it, anything would be better than this isolation.
The sound of the door opening nearly made him jump out of his skin. Was it time already? Was he about to be brought up before the Allfather? He could barely conceal his surprise when the figure that entered was not the guard as he had first thought but a young woman with golden hair and pale grey eyes. The same eyes brought up a lot of painful memories from his previous life that like his former family refused to be forgotten.
The Tarnhelm had been suspiciously easy to use. Sigyn only had to pull it over her eyes and watch as the reflection in her mirror disappeared completely. She had taken a bottle of the sleeping draught Frigga asked her to prepare every night to keep the queen's nightmares at bay as well as some supplies for the journey and a small dagger although it had been many years since she had been taught to use it.
Using the Tarnhelm and the sleeping potion to get past the guards she was faced with the enchanted locks that had been put in place to contain Asgard's former prince. This is what Heimdall had meant when he told her to use her magic to her advantage.
As she made fast work of breaking through the final barrier and opened the door she saw him sitting on the straw mattress on the cell floor with his back against the wall. She very nearly lost her nerve right then. He had changed so much since she had last seen him she barely recognised him. He looked gaunt and unwashed seeming much smaller without his usual armour and his hair had grown long and hung limply over his shoulders. For some reason she noted that even after so many years he still couldn't grow a beard, it made him seem less horrifying somehow. Loki looked up as she entered; visibly surprised to see her and Sigyn prayed that he had forgotten their last encounter.
"Well, if it isn't the little hostage princess." He said leering at her obviously trying to cover his shock and save face. He was supposed to be Asgard's most notorious criminal after all. "What are you doing here? Has mother made you her messenger as well as her companion, or have you changed your mind and this is purely a conjugal visit?"
She bristled at the comment, he clearly hadn't forgotten anything and before she had time to consider her actions she had grabbed the tin cup that had contained his drinking water and flung it at his head. He flinched away but the vessel managed to bounce off his temple with a satisfying clang.
"Too soon? You still have a good throwing arm I see." He said wincing a little from the pain, she couldn't help smiling a little. "But I must ask again, what brings you to my new abode, in those clothes. Not that I'm complaining, I've always found riding clothes quite fetching on a woman."
"So I've heard." Sigyn replied, raising a blonde eyebrow. They may have only been rumours but in her experience there was no smoke without fire. "I don't have much time. I need to find a route a Vanaheim as soon as possible and I believe you know a way to get there." The statement surprised him and he paused for a moment.
"What makes you think I would know how to get to Vanaheim? You're on dangerous ground Sigyn, you never know when we're being watched."
"Of course we're being watched, who do you think sent me?"
"Heimdall? Heimdall despises me, he always has. Why would he send you my way?"
Sigyn quickly explained about the uprising in Vanaheim. "Heimdall may have sworn an oath to protect Asgard, but people often forget that he is a Vanir. In all matters concerning his kinsmen he is loyal to me." She finished "He said you told him you knew of pathways between that even he couldn't see. Was that true?"
"It depends." He said and grinned cockily in the way he used to as a youth only the smile was tarnished with a hint of demented cruelty. "Why should I help you when you have treated me so unkindly?"
"Do not think I am above torturing you." Sigyn snapped brandishing the nearest thing to hand as a weapon which didn't work as all she could find was a spoon.
"Oh I'm sure you're quite brutal when you get going." He laughed, rising from his position on the floor and took the offending item from her fingers. "You'll never find it on your own. I cannot simply give you directions."
"Very well, I'm sorry to have troubled you." She replied, her face falling.
"Wait... You were able to break in here without being detected. How?"
"I'm good at breaking things. You know, bindings, enchantments…"
"…My jaw." Loki cut her off, she couldn't help smirking a little but she doubted she had hit him that hard.
"If I were to break you out, would you take me to Vanaheim?" Sigyn asked, getting the hint.
"Only to be thrown in chains again when we are caught and you with me?" Loki replied "I'm going to need more than that. You came here without being seen. What are you hiding from me? There is dark magic on you."
"I drugged the guards."
"Don't lie to me!" he snapped at her anger flaring in his eyes and twisting his face into something monstrous. If they had not been in danger of being caught she imagined that he would have shouted.
Sigyn sighed. She knew she would not be able to hide such a powerful artefact from him long. She took the enchanted helmet from her bag. He moved to take it but she quickly stepped backward and held it out of his reach.
"The Tarnhelm, this is my last offer. If you escort me to Vanaheim, unharmed, and help me bring about a resolution with Hoenir and the rebels, if and when everything is resolved, it will be yours. Then you will be free to go about your mischievous business. Is that acceptable?" he stared hungrily at the sinister object, there was no need for her to explain the Tarnhelm's properties; he clearly knew exactly what it was and what it could do. She could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he plotted.
"You drive a hard bargain, Sigyn."
"Well if you don't think you're up for it you can always stay here and hope you get time off for good behaviour..."
"That's a good point, let's go."
"Do you swear it? Sigyn pressed and held out her hand.
"I swear I will get you to your collection of rocky islands unharmed and stop your filthy inbred peasants from fighting each other." He replied rolling his eyes and somehow managed to grab her hand and kiss it before she could snatch it away. "So, Princess. Will you lead the way?"
To be continued...
I hope you enjoyed reading, reviews are very much appreciated and I leave you this:
If Heimdall has sworn to protect Asgard but is loyal to Sigyn in issues concerning the safety of Vanaheim. What would happen if one realm invaded the other?