Part 1- Locks

Even if a wedding wasn't really in discussion, the relationship between Thor and Jane Foster was a strong one. And it was a dagger in the heart of Sif. Each time she saw Thor return to Midgard, she knew he was going for her...

It was a strange feeling. And she could not explain this pang of jealousy. He was her dearest friend, a noble warrior, a strong soul, and a boisterous leader.

She would have followed him until the end of the world. Without him having to even ask.

She was being unfair to him. He was going to Midgard to see Jane, it was true, but it was mainly to fight his mischievous brother. To bring him back so he could be judged in Asgard.

Another twist in her heart. Loki had been a friend... At least, she had thought so. Of course, he never really liked her, she knew it well enough by now. He was always thinking so highly of himself, and she was but a warrior. True, she was Shield Maiden of Asgard, but it meant nothing to him. They'd had a few good moments, when they were young. The gift of a flower, a cutting word to a boy who was upsetting her... She believed he was a friend. Not as dear as Thor, for he had this habit, of hiding and sneaking... Something she never really liked, it made her skin crawl. And a true warrior fights up front. But he had always been there to help them, with his words, his dagger or even his tricks...

What had gone wrong with him? She had never understood him, but, to be fair, she had never tried either. Not that he had ever showed anything of interest in her friendship. He was always so cold and distant; a contrast to Thor, his emotions easily seen on his open face... And Loki was dangerous, with his so called silvertongue.

'Sif? Are you alright, my dear?' Startled, Sif turned and found Frigg looking at her. She had been wandering in the garden.

'Yes... Yes, my Queen.' She smiled to her Queen, who had so much to worry about.

Frigg looked at her, serious, and, lowering her head, she asked, 'Sif, I would like to show you something. Would you come with me?'

Sif was surprised, for the Queen was very serious. She wondered what was happening when she realized Frigg was headed for Loki's room... Was it something that would help them find him again? Something she should bring to Thor? His room was vast, even by royal standards, and she wondered what he was doing in here to need such space... She noticed the books and she almost smiled, Loki and his books...

She stopped thinking when she saw her Queen kneeling beside Loki's bed and taking something out from underneath. She approached, curious and still not understanding. Frigg looked at her, sadness in her face and, with gravity, opened the box. Sif's breath caught in her throat. The box contained locks of her hair...

She was young and her hair was the color of dark gold. She didn't remember exactly what had happened. A game, a choice to make, she ended up going to the ball with Thor rather than Loki... And in the morning, her hair on her pillow, cut... It grew back, but darker and darker... She knew it would, her mother had told her it would darken with the years, but she didn't care... It had been the act, not the consequence. They all knew who had been responsible and even if Loki had been punished, not least by Thor, she would never forget what had happened... The worst part was that she had never understood why, the sense of betrayal so strong in her heart.

Her hand trembled, almost touching the locks. 'Why?' She looked at the Queen, not understanding, the question as much towards Frigg as Loki. Why did he keep her hair? Why was she showing her this?

Frigg sighed, closed carefully the wooden, exquisitely carved box. She kept it on her knees while she sat, caressing it absentmindedly. She motioned slightly for Sif to come and sit beside her. Sif didn't move, shocked. Frigg sighed again and said, 'He was in love with you.'

The words were simple... simple and yet she could not understand them. How was it possible? Loki couldn't be in love, with anyone and certainly not with her! She shook her head, in denial... 'No!' She began, but Frigg raised a hand to silence her.

She stared, hard, at Sif. 'Yes. My son, Loki, was in love with you. I know he never spoke about it to anyone. Even I had trouble finding out. He had always been discreet, almost shy, about his feelings...'

Sif snapped, not thinking, 'But he showed me only contempt and coldness!'

Frigg looked at her, calmly, 'Yes, it's true. He was so afraid that you would find out, that you would laugh at him.' Frigg looked up at Sif, 'After all, you were always with Thor, his brother's dearest friend as he liked to call you.' Frigg sighed again and left the bed, putting the box back under. 'I wanted to show you this, so that you know Loki was not without a heart... That at least someone, other than me, knows this part of him that he kept secret from all of us...'

Such sadness in her voice. Sif realized that the Queen thought her son was dead. And perhaps it wasn't such a misguided idea. If Thor or his earthling friends found Loki, after all he had done, he wouldn't survive the encounter.

'I am sorry, my Queen... I can't...' Sif voice faltered, she did not know what to say exactly.

'I was not expecting anything from you, Sif. I was merely sharing something of my son...' Frigg's voice lowered, 'In the hope that, if he ever comes back home, he won't be surrounded only by enemies...'