All of Asgard sat in celebration in the great dining hall. Another victory for Thor over a legion of enemies, or what he deemed his enemies. Starting war was his specialty, but for now, the situation laid dormant while all the folk cheered him on. He was seen sitting at the long table, a bright smile on his face and a chalice in his hand. He raised it up high to a toast. While everyone sat and mingled amongst each other, the other prince was standing aside, a look of disappointment on his face. His sad eyes gleamed dimly under the hint of sunlight peering through the cracks of the high glass ceiling. The rest of his young presence was encased in breaking blankets of shadow.
As Thor was wooing the ladies, Loki was sulking in more or less, jealousy, at his brother's victory; as well as the harkening of his stupidity and the consequences of his overzealous actions in battle. Thor didn't even notice Loki all the way in the back. But then, something caught Loki's eyes. While the blonde prince was wooing others, a golden haired commoner stood out among the rest. She looked utterly bored while the others swooned. She was looking around. Her bright blue eyes spotted the black haired prince and she smiled a bit. She then looked up at Thor with a look of disgust; she had no interest in him at all.
Her blue eyes shone like starlight and her golden hair fell to the small of her back. Her dress was that of a commoner and was blue like her eyes. She looked away...clearly uninterested in Thor's stories. A slight smile tugged at Loki's mouth. He started to get the butterflies a bit when the beautiful maiden of a woman looked his way, keeping her sights on him. Any lady who had even paid that much attention to him was granted great joy in his heart. He contemplated walking over to her, but second-guessed himself. Thor was the heart of every woman's desires. Loki wasn't even second best in anyone's opinion.
He finally got the courage to introduce himself to her. A slow-paced walk carried him across the small space separating them. "M'lady," he said, a smile on his face, tilting his head down in a bowing manner to address her respect.
She smiled and curtsied slightly, "Your majesty, why have you come to me? Have I done something to catch your attention?" Her voice was smooth and friendly, a small giggle in her words as well. She turned her back completely to Thor now, giving him no attention at all.
Loki was blushing a bit. "Well, um...I-I was just...mesmerized by your presence is all..." He was honest, but not so great with words in these situations. "Oh, sorry. That sounded quite idiotic..." Loki started to get flustered and embarrassed.
The woman smiled and shook her head, "Not at all your Highness...your brother sounds quite idiotic, but not you. My name is Sigyn, and I am very pleased to meet you." She talked to him just as if he were a commoner like herself, but kept the respect for his royalty.
Sigyn blushed but kept his eye contact, "Thank you, your majesty." She smiled and tilted her head slightly. "If I may ask...are you alright? You seemed so upset over there by yourself."
"No...everything is alright now." Loki assured her. "May I escort you to the balcony for a breath of fresh air? The view is absolutely spectacular." He held out his arm at his side for her to take.
She smiled and gently took his arm, "That would be lovely, yes." she looked his brother over with disgust again before looking up at Loki. "But I am a commoner; will we not get in trouble?"
"Of course not. After all, it is the commoners that keep us in touch with ruling this kingdom." Loki looked down and chuckled. "So, what uh, prodded you to hold a bit of sight my way? I'm not usually the ladies' man. Never quite have been. That was Thor's expertise." He started to have an awkward feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Sigyn looked back at him with a smile, "You seem more interesting than your brother, smarter if I may." She then looked away, "He doesn't deserve the rights he has."
"I cannot protest that, but he is my brother, no matter how he is." Loki walked her whilst chatting over to the railing of the golden façade that overlooked the vast expanse of housings and waterfalls. The sun shone on them both, skin and hair vibrantly warmed by the rays of light.
"Beautiful...isn't it?" Loki smiled at her; his green eyes much more gentle looking.
Sigyn smiled and looked out over the kingdom, her eyes almost glowing in the light. "It really is." She then turned her gaze back to him, her cheeks flushing lightly when she sees he is looking at her. She then continued "I have never seen the kingdom like this before. I bet you see it every night."
"It gets old after you've seen it so much...although, you're more than welcome to see it like this anytime you wish," Loki put his hand on her dainty shoulder. "You have my permission to visit whenever you like."
She blushed and smiled, "What is it that makes you want to give me such a great honor? Have I impressed you in some way?" she asked, her blue eyes shining as she tilted her head a bit.
Loki laughed. "You flatter yourself, my lady." He paused - "but maybe it's just something my heart's telling me." Loki winked at her and blushed a bit more than before, cheeks singed with red. She smiled and looked back out over the kingdom, "Be careful your highness, the heart can cause much mischief." The last word was emphasized as she turned her gaze back to him. It was clear that this woman was not like the others that Thor was trying to impress.
"You have much of a soft tongue, but your words might almost be as silver as mine," he leaned closer, jesting the thought of his words.
"Your majesty, No one's words are as silver as yours..." She looked up into his green eyes, a gentle smile gracing her lips.
"I try," he smirked.
She blushed a bit, "You do not have to try your majesty. You were just born with that talent." She smiled.
He placed his hand on the railing, moving it closer to hers. "I'm glad we could share this moment with one another. It's a privilege for me to have company like yours."
She smiled a bit more "Is that so? It is a privilege for me as well. Though will it not be strange for you to be talking to a commoner? Are you not supposed to be talking to princesses and royalty?"
"No one but you has expressed any interest in me. Besides, I've befriended someone worth royalty. And no one can say anything, really. We have a small sleuth of commoners walk the palace floors quite often. It would be no different than one more showing her pretty face around." His pearly white teeth showed themselves slightly under a small smile.
"Have none of the other young women expressed any interest? Are they blind to you?" She then smiled and put her hand gently on his. "I find you quite charming your highness."
"Like most, yes. They're all overly infatuated with my brother's charm and persuasion. None looks to the quiet sibling for…ravishing victories and such. Even though I grant it upon Thor to take credit for both our fights, it always seems like he prevails as the hero. I'm just the sidekick tagging along." He fiddled with thumbs, scrunching his eyebrows together.
"I do not think it's right. He is like a little lost puppy running into battle while you do your fair share for fighting and get nothing. People only see the tricks you play and they see them as something bad." She looked up at him. "I rather like the mischief you cause and find it amusing and fun, though Thor..." She then looked away, "All he sees in anything he does is glory."
"I really do my best in the name of what is truly the right thing," Loki's voice lowered, a pitiful look about him. "He is his father's son, of course. I never knew why I wasn't that way. We were raised under the same parenting and palace roof from birth. I just suppose I'm…I'm different." He pursed his lips, shutting his eyes half-way. His attention turned to a voice calling his name in the distance.
"Brother!" it couldn't be mistaken. That loud and booming voice was recognizable from any distance.
"Thor, what a pleasant surprise," Loki bit his bottom lip secretly. "Of course he would have to ruin this one thing for me..." Loki thought to himself.
"How are you enjoying your evening?" Thor asked him, two typically unsavory ladies at his side and both his arms around their waists. "Oh, and who is this lovely maiden?" Thor took her hand and kissed it. Loki scowled at Thor's touch on someone worth more than the women of Thor's unlikeable standards.
Sigyn looked Thor over, not bowing or anything in respect, "My name is Sigyn, and I was having a nice evening with your brother. I got rather bored of your tales."
Thor's smile turned to a bit of a frown. "Quite a sharp one, she is." Loki snickered under his breath when she said what was on her mind. "Play nice, now."
Loki smiled in satisfaction. No one had bested his brother in words or battle until Sigyn came along.
"Playing nice? What good ever came from that? You never seem to play nice and you are the hero are you not?" She said raising her eyebrow, with a smile.
"Hmm. You're right. But anyways. Brother, haven't you some 'business' to take care of with these lovely girls here?" Loki stressed his speech, hoping Thor would take a hint to leave.
"Oh, oh, of course. It looks like you have some to take care of as well." Thor nudged Loki on the shoulder, walking back with the women at his side to his bed chamber.
"I'm sorry. He's like that much of the time," he nervously said.
She looked up at him, "It's alright." She then tilted her head and smiled. "But what did he mean when he said you had business to take care of with me?"
Loki rolled his eyes, looking away. "He assumes that all women are good for is pleasuring them, physically."
Sigyn looked away. It was getting darker now. "That is what most men think; it is a shame what we are reduced to. Though I refuse to be that way." She then looked at him once more, "I do not think you are that way though. You seem more sophisticated."
"You are most gracious with your compliments," Loki grabbed her hand and held it warmly in his.
She blushed lightly and looked up at him, "I am only telling the truth your majesty."
"I've been waiting a long time to hear the truth," He proclaimed softly. "Well, I believe it's getting ready for my slumber. I'm a bit worn out." Loki grabbed at the back of his neck and rubbed it.
She nodded and smiled, "When will I be able to see you again your highness?"
"Anytime you please. I'm here at home - on most days. If I'm not battling the Frost Giants of Jotunheim, that is."
"My father had fought with them around the time I had been born. He didn't instigate, but the Frost Giants had waged war on the mortal world. If it weren't for him, then none of the 9 worlds would be safe like it is now." Loki's eyes started to lose their glimmer.
"Like I said before, Thor is my father's son, and things will remain in chaos if my brother doesn't learn to have a closed mouth along with his closed mind."
"There is hardly a thing to," he said. "May, may I ask something of you?"
"Anything, your majesty." She replied with a small smile.
"Would you do me the honor of being my reason to smile?" Loki took both her hands in his, almost nose to nose with her.
She blushed and smiled, "Your majesty...It would be my pleasure." Her bright blue eyes were locked with his green ones.
He brought her hand up to his lips, leaving a lingering kiss on her pale skin. "Thank you, my lady."
She blushed a bit more and giggled slightly, "There is no need to thank me your Majesty, I feel honored that you chose me."
"And I the same," he kissed her on the cheek. "It looks like I must be off to bed. Shall I walk you home?"
"I would not ask that of you, your Highness. You have too much on your mind. When will I be allowed to come back and see you?" she asked blushing lightly.
"It would be my pleasure to make sure you make it home safely. And how about tomorrow, for luncheon? It's at midday, if you would like to join me."
Sigyn smiled "I would enjoy that your highness." She blushed a bit more and looked away slightly.
"Then I shall see you tomorrow," Loki offered once again to take her home. He held his hand out for her to walk her there.
She smiled and gently took his hand, looking up at him. "Would it be too much to say that I am glad I caught your eye your majesty?"
Loki smiled the same as Sigyn. "It's made my night and certainly each and every one from now on."
Sigyn blushed once again, "You seem to want to be with me often."
"How could I not? You're the loveliest person I've ever met."
Her cheeks remained pink, "Your highness, you hardly know me. How can you say that?" She tilted her head?
"Because I don't come across anyone like you, nor have I ever, like you at any point in my life. I can't let go of something so precious." His voice was solemn and truthful.
She looked into his pretty eyes, "You have seen so much that you shouldn't have had to..."
His vision was directed at the floor. He shuffled his feet and looked up, staring at her eyes in the same manner. "Yes," Loki replied, "but I can't linger like that. It's all in the past now."
She smiled at him, "You said you would go to war soon, Promise me you will be careful?"
"I promise. I always make it back home, darling," Loki assured her, holding her hands tighter than before.
She blushed lightly, "I would be rather upset if you did not return."
"I swear on it. I have something awaiting me on my return, that which is worth more than my own life."
Sigyn tilted her head, "May I ask what that is your highness?"
He kissed Sigyn on her forehead. "What else but you?" Loki blushed and grinned.
She blushed and smiled, "Me your majesty?"
"Those kisses not give you some sort of suggestion as to whom?" He laughed playfully, his hand on her shoulders.
She giggled and tilted her head, "Is a prince not always supposed to charm every young woman he meets?"
Loki's smile grew wider. "Seeing is how you're the only woman I've ever charmed, then...well..."
"Am I? I have heard much about your silver tongue."
"It's only worked on anything but women. I'm not such a charmer, nor lady's preferred choice of men. You've given me the one chance I've been waiting for in a long time. That's why it worked so well on you, I guess," he said, still smiling.
"There's just something about you I can't quite put my finger on..."
She tilted her head, "Something about me? What would that be your majesty?"
"You're...different than the rest of them. I-in a good way. Just, something about you feels...comforting. I don't know what to say. Words escape me." Loki fiddled with his thumbs and looked downward like always when he got nervous.
Sigyn took his face in one of her small hands and tilted it to look at her gently, "Why do you look away from me your majesty?" She then pulled her hand back slowly, "I enjoy it when you look at me."
"It's just something I do when I become nervous...that's all, yes…" His voice trailed away, still not looking at Sigyn.
She still looked up at him, "Your majesty...why are you nervous?" She took another step closer to him, their bodies almost touching now.
Loki wanted to step back from her, but his body wouldn't budge. He was still left speechless, yet his mouth remained agape. He looked back up, his mouth twitching as if he was trying to form words.
"Only because um…" he tried so hard to say how he felt, but he couldn't.
She tilted her head, "Do I distress you that much your majesty?, Perhaps I should leave?."
"No, please!" He clenched her forearm. "It's just that I'm not used to such flattery and anyone speaking to me, for that matter. I don't have much experience."
Sigyn smiled and blushed, "You do not have to try to impress me your majesty. Please just be yourself."
"If you say so then. So um, you're probably exhausted from my stuttering speech by now. How about I take you home to rest up for tomorrow?"
She smiled, "I am not exhausted from your speech, but bored to sleep by your brother's." She giggled. "I am already looking forward to tomorrow."
"I feel the same exact way. That's how Thor lulls his maidens to sleep." Loki whispered in her ear, his breath brushing against the back of her neck.
She blushed and turned her head slightly toward him, her cheek now touching his. "It works, your majesty."
"Maybe if allowed, I should try it for you sometime. I have a few boring stories regaling similar matter."
She left her cheek touching his, "I do not think you can put me to sleep that way, your majesty"
Loki grinned. "Then maybe I need to work on my skills."
She blushed against him, "You could test what skill you have on me, your Majesty." She nuzzled him gently.
"Another time, love, another time..." His lack of words now became the true opposite. His lips barely touched the side of her face as he spoke, seductive.
She blushed again and giggled, "Don't keep me waiting too long. I want to hear of your mischief."
"Would you care to stay the night then? I could go on for ages," Loki pulled his face away from hers, looking back at her for the answer he wanted to hear.
She looked up at him with a smile, "I live alone. No one would miss me. And I would love to hear your stories."
"You have no idea how happy I am to hear you oblige. I haven't told hardly a soul about my stories."
She tilted her head, "Then tell me about them. I would love to hear them, your highness."
"Alright. How about we go into my study? It's quiet and no one ever bothers me there." He took her hand and led her to his one place of peace. He held the door open for Sigyn. "Ladies first."
She blushed and walked in, turning and waiting for him. "You are so polite."
Loki smiled, following after her. "So, what do you think?" The study was full of shelves on top of shelves of old books and scrolls. Light poured in from the ceiling, rays of light revealing the small amounts of dust lingering in the air.
"I think this is my favorite place. I can be alone here and actually not be bothered by it."
"May I ask why you enjoy being alone? Would you not like someone to talk to?" She asked tilting her head and looking out the window.
"To be honest, my books keep my company in here. So really, I'm not always alone. Sometimes, the characters in here speak to me."
"Oh, all kinds of things. Great battles they've fought with magic and sorcery, and tales of heroes and damsels, the man sometimes being the one in distress, of course," he laughed, picking up one of the books lying on the table.
"I can relate to them a lot of the time. I feel that we share much in common with one another. But that's silly coming from me," Loki set the book back down, seating himself in the leather chair behind the desk.
"I am the one fighting the battles; just without the glory and love attained from them. I receive blood and parental retribution instead."
Loki smirked and laughed, trying to hide the feelings he didn't wish her to see.
"Sometimes, I do, too, but I can't change that. I was born with the destiny I have set on my shoulders and I'll walk as strong as I can with that to bear."
Your Majesty...That cannot be healthy."
He shook his head, replying, "I am powerless to control anything or sway anyone's mind. I'm not who they picture slaying their demons and giants and being the hero like my brother. I love Thor, and I wish too much to be like him. It's just that he gets everything he wants and I'm left to merely drag myself on his coat-tail."
I am glad you are different, if you were like Thor then I would find you boring and obnoxious." she replied, wanting to put her hand on his shoulder but fearing it to forward.
Before Loki could say anything, several guards came barging in. "Your highness, your presence is requested by the Allfather."
"What is this urgency?" Loki's voice taking an angry tone.
"He did not say. Only that you and your brother's presence was required."
Loki turned to Sigyn. "I must be on my way. I'll have the guards escort you home."
He smiled. "Of course not. Thank you for your company," Loki kissed her hand. "Now I must be on my way. I hope to see you soon."
Loki wished her goodbye for now. In such a short time, he'd grown to loving the accompaniment of this woman. She'd seemed to be winning his heart quickly. He followed the guards to the throne room, where his father was seated. Thor was looking quite fierce and frustrated.
"Father, is there something the matter?" Loki asked him.
"My sons, a threat is among us. It seems that one of the Ice Giants has broken into the vaults. It was handled quickly, but I fear they may make another attempt at taking back something that once belonged to them."
"And what does this mean" Loki said.
"It means that we mustn't let this slip under our watch. We must fight them and teach them a lesson so it can't happen," Thor angrily proclaimed, hand clenched tightly around his weapon,
"Thor, please listen. It would be foolish to upset this matter with warmongering," Odin tried talking sense into him.
"I won't stand for this! Come, brother. We have Ice Giants to annihilate."
Loki stood still, his face quietly protesting the idea of senseless fighting.
"Fine. If you're going to be a coward, than I guess I have to be the hero." Thor marched off, Loki soon following behind him with a scowl across his face.
"Have you gone mad, Thor?" Loki grabbed Thor's arm and yanked him to the side of the room. "You do this and this will create an even more imminent threat. Have you forsaken all good judgment?"
Thor didn't offer a rebuttal. He walked away, Loki again by his side. They walked to gather the band of warriors to take with them. Loki sighed, hand at his forehead.
"You knew I couldn't let you do this alone..."
"Yes, I know." Thor replied, smug with his choice of words.
The warriors went to Heimdall, and took the Bifrost to Jotunheim. A bloody and horrid fight it was, yet, it had shadowed itself under Odin's great and wise eyes. The warriors fought and fought until yet again, Thor 'saved the day.' But with that comes with some sort of sacrifice; a member of their group arriving home wounded.