Trapped Butterflies

Part I

Sigyn was a fair young maiden, with long, dark brown locks of hair, and the warmest eyes Loki had ever seen. He could tell she had a perfectly shapped body, by how her thin dresses showed her feminine silhouette. And even though they have never spoken, he knew her voice sounded as soft as a coin sinking in calm waters.

Since one of his brother's friends had been wedded, and seemed to be so happy and loved, Loki wished to be wedded too; secretly hoping that he would feel happy and loved as well. Then he noticed her, young Sigyn, so fair and sweet, why not her?

He often saw her alone at the library, where she read many books, mostly about the other realms, and he took interest in her, after all, he wanted clever children, like himself, and Sigyn seemed smart, he valued that a lot. The only problem was that Loki had little to none experience in talking to maidens, unlike his brother, Thor; who spent most of his time trying to impress beautiful, young maidens.

So Loki came up with a plan, where he waited and watched her for another couple of weeks, paying extra attention to all the books she read. He also perfected a spell to replicate anything he wished, he still needed practice, for some parts of the spell did not look proper, but he was sure he would be able to do just enough to impress Sigyn.

Sigyn seemed to take some speacial interesse in animals from other realms, specially this tiny one, with wings, Loki had never seen it before. He thought it was from Midgard, but wasn't sure. It seemed harmless, but because he couldn't really read the words in most of the books she read, he wasn't sure. All he knew was that she read many books with that little animal, so that was the one he was going to replicate for her.

One day, after much training and reading, he decied it was time to make his move. Loki found her sitting under a tree outside the library; the wind blew her hair on her face, and she looked annoyed, but also gracious and focused on her reading; her eyes ran through the letters like wild fire through the woods.

Loki walked outside, but Sigyn was so focused, she didn't even noticed when he hid behind the tree she was leaning against. She was nearly finishing another of page from her book, when the blue, transparent, winged animal, from her Midgard books flew by and sat on the page.

She stared at the creature in amazement, for she had never seen it outside of books. It was different than she had imagined though, and she wondered where it came from. She smiled at herself, and tried to touch it, but before she could reach the animal, she heard the noises of branches breaking, coming straight from the woods.

"Who is there?" She asked, automatically standing up and closing her book, forgetting all about the animal. She was told many tales of old times, about maidens wandering off in the woods never to be seen again. Sigyn's eyes scanned the woods as she looked for any movement, but saw none. When she was about to leave, she heard more noises of branches breaking "Do not hide now that you have already been caught! I know you are there! Show yourself!"

Loki walked slowly from behind the tree, and stood next to it quietly. He wished to explain himself, but his heart was racing so fast. His previous experiences with maidens during his adolescence years surfaced his mind, and this awful feeling at the pit of his stomach started. He tried his best to mutter an apology, but Sigyn still stared at him; Loki could feel she was uneasy and scared of him. So in an attempt to please her, he decided to her his trick, closing his fist and reaching towards her, and when he opened his hand, the transparent animal appeared and flew towards her.

She stared at him in amazement, as a smile appeared on her face. And she laughed at him, when he made the wingded animal fly around her head and sit on top of her nose for a moment, waving it away, she looked at him tenderly.

"So it was you?" She asked, smilling at him, and he thought about how sweet her voice sounded when she smiled.

"Hun... Yes..." He answered nervously, giving her a awkward smile; Loki had had plan, but he couldn't remember it anymore. In fact, he could not find the proper words to say to her, and slowly he started to panic.

"Do you like butterflies too?" Sigyn asked, holding her book agains her chest, turning her head coyly.

"Excuse me?" Loki asked, awaken from his own desperate thoughts.

"This." She said, pointing at the tiny winged animal on her hair "This is a midgarding butterfly."

He wasn't sure how to answer it, for he never really thought about it very much, he just wanted to impress her. And not being able to remember the appropriate words, the ones he had rehearsed was annoying him, to say the least.

"Do you wish to talk to me?" She asked stepping foward, Sigyn could tell he was nervous, and she wanted to help him; there was something about him that she liked very much.

"Yes. I have a important, hm... matter, to speak with you." He declared, unsure that was the proper way to ask what he wanted. But now he had Sigyn's attention, and he had to say something; he did not wish for her to think he had bad new or something as such "I've been looking for a maiden to wed, and give me many sons. One that has fair looks and kind features. And I wish it would be you."

Sigyn didn't answer him, she only stared at him, in complete shock. Having her attention for so long, made Loki feel uncomfortable, and he believed he had said the wrong words. He closed his eyes and looked down at his feet, letting out a frustrated sigh. Remembering his father's words "Why couldn't you be more like your brother Thor?"

"I apologize, lady Sigyn, if I have made you uncomfortable." He declared, daring not to look at her, focusing his attention in the sunset behind her; it was not nearly as beautiful as she was "I have seen you, at the library. The only maiden that comes around here to read; the others knit next to their husband, or bring them ale and bread. Not you, you come here to learn, and to read. Many times you have read books I had read it myself, some about magic. And recently, I've been reading books you read it, for they are fascinating. And you are also, so very beautiful... Like this sunset, lady Sigyn-"

"I have been betrothed to the warrior Theoric." Was all she managed to say, but her heart ached, for she could see how disappointed and sad he looked; Sigyn did not wish to hurt his feelings, this stranger standing in front of her, he had been so very kind to her, and she didn't even know his name. But before Sigyn could ask him any further questions, Loki turned and started to walk away angrily "Wait! Wait! Do not leave! Come back please, and let me know your name..."

"What does it matter now? If I am not called Theoric, it should not be of great importance to you." He answered as he still walked away from. He was made at her, for being betrothed to somebody else, but mostly at himself, for letting his hopes so high. What made him think that such a fair maiden wouldn't already have a betrothal contract? He felt silly, and embarassed, and all he wanted was to leave.

"Please, just let me know your name." She asked, holding him by the arm.

He looked at her furiously, thinking that would be enough for her to let go of him. But she waited, until he had soften his look upon her, to let go of his arm. He couldn't stare in her eyes angrly, not as he usually did, for Sigyn looked so innocent and sweet, and suddenly, Loki was afraid to hurt her feelings, just by looking at her in such an agressive way. He wondered if he made her believe he was mad at her, for he knew now he could not be mad at her.

"It's Loki." He replied, before walking away from her, this time not as angrily.

"Loki..." Sigyn whispered, as she watched Loki walking back into the library, saddly, wishing she could have given him her "yes".