Sigyn stood by her mother, gazing forward purposefully, hoping Odin would have sense enough to send Loki instead of ….No, he sent Thor. Again. Sigyn tried not to let her disappointment show as the blond warrior stepped through the portal. That was the problem with the Aesir, they were all simple fighters. True some of them possessed enough intelligence to understand tactical warfare, but Loki was the only Aesir that Sigyn had met that was intelligent in every sense of the word. He was also the only Aesir that she deeply liked. There was something different about the dark haired prince. Something the young princess couldn't quite put her finger on.

"Greetings Lady Freyja, Lady Sigyn, my father sends his condolences that he cannot be here," Like Hel he does, Sigyn thought, at least Thor was learning the lingo. Although, his greeting highlighted another issue Sigyn had with the Aesir. While she was a Princess to her own people, she was a Lady to the Aesir, given that Asgard was 'above' Vanaheim and any title held there carried more weight than any held on Vanaheim. She was not Thor's equal, no, she was Sif's equal. Even then, the warrior was considered above her.

Sigyn looked passed Thor when she saw another figure in the portal. If she was not mistaken, it was Loki. Odin had sent both sons. Loki stepped through the portal, removing his golden helm, bowing to the two women, "Queen Freyja, Princess Sigyn," His gaze lingered on Sigyn for a moment and Sigyn felt her cheeks warm. She was blessed with a complexion that did not show her blush, despite being fair skinned. She could not be with Prince Loki anyway. He was of Odin's line. She could never marry a son of that man after what he had done to Vanaheim.

"Prince Thor, Prince Loki," Her mother greeted the Asgardians, "Welcome once again to Vanaheim," Sigyn looked up to her mother who looked positively radiant in the setting sun. Freyja's beauty was renowned across the nine realms. Her hair was like spun gold, cascading down her back in gentle waves, crystal blue eyes set in features so delicate you might fear she would break. Surely Loki's gaze should have been lingering on Freyja, Sigyn thought, everyone else's did. Or Nanna, the eldest of Freyja's daughters, whom all naturally assumed would be Freyja's heir. "I hope, once again, you enjoy your stay with us. Shall we?" Freyja continued as she swept her arm to the palace. While nowhere near as grand as the palace in Asgard, the Vanir palace had its own understated charm about it, as much a part of the landscape as it was independent of it.

"By all means, Lady Freyja, lead the way," Thor said, politely as he could, falling into step behind the Queen. Sigyn fell into step beside Loki, a few steps behind the blond Gods. She looked up to Loki, "I was not expecting you, Your Highness. I did not think that Odin would send both his sons," She was forever looking up at people. While not considerably short, by Vanir or Aesir standards, Sigyn was small, a dead giveaway that part of her heritage was dwarven.

Loki shrugged, "The All Father is anxious for a true alliance to be formed between the realms, especially with the rising threat from Jotunheim. But that is besides the point; someone had to be sure Thor would not offend you too gravely."

"So you intend to let him offend us?"

Loki raised an eyebrow at his small companion, "Where would be the fun in constantly exchanging pleasantries?"

Sigyn his Loki playfully in the arm, "So long as the Thunderer and Trickster can handle what they give out."

"I think I preferred it when you were a quiet child, Sigyn, you were much less troublesome," Loki said dryly.

Sigyn scoffed, "And not nearly as much fun. You said so yourself so don't even bother trying to deny it Son of Odin."

Loki smiled, "I wouldn't dream of it dear Sigyn."

Sigyn opened her mouth to talk, then closed it again, words failing her, "you, your Highness, are impossible."

Loki laughed, "I do my best. Remind me, how long have we known one another, princess?"

"Since we were children," Which was true, even though Loki was older than Sigyn by at least a century, perhaps more. Sigyn figured probably more since Loki was now considered an adult, while Sigyn was still considered a child, albeit on the cusp of adulthood.

"And how many times, Sigyn, must I ask you to simply call me 'Loki'?"

"Always at least once more, Your Highness," She smiled, feeling at ease with the younger Prince.

"Then please, Sigyn, call me 'Loki'."

The two brothers sat in the guest chamber Thor had been ascribed to. While nowhere near as grand as their chambers back home, the guest chambers of Vanaheim were not to be dismissed. The architecture of Vanaheim differed greatly from that of Asgard, but Loki could appreciate the simplicity that Thor could not. There was no grand domed ceilings, no golden plates in the wall, nothing so showy or expensive, that was not the Vanir way. Instead, a rich dark wood panelled the walls half way, the rest painted a pale colour with paintings by various artisans of the realm decorating the room. A small bookcase, sadly wasted on Thor, resided in the corner of the room. Both the princes' rooms were on the ground floor of the palace, as were Sigyn and Freyja's chambers although they were on the other side of the palace. The views from Thor and Loki's chambers were the best Vanaheim could offer.

Thor stood by the window, looking out over the quietly majestic views that still bore the scars of war, "Why do they not repair their lands, Loki?"

"They do, but the wars took a heavy toll on the land, the war was fought on all sides of Vanaheim, so repairing their lands takes time. They are gifted sorcerers, Thor, but even so, the wars almost destroyed Vanaheim. What you see now is a vast improvement of what was here not so long ago."

"Then why not ask for help from the All-Father? Surely he would be happy to assist them."

Loki raised an eyebrow, wondering how the heir of Asgard could be so clueless, "Thor, it was Odin who declared war on Vanaheim. Even though we live in relative peace with the Vanir now, the relationship we have is delicate and their pride would not allow them to turn to the man who almost destroyed their race and ask his assistance."

"Their pride could well be their downfall."

"Some would say the same of the Aesir."

"Why do you defend the Vanir?"

Loki frowned, "I do not defend them, I am me-"

"Yes you do," Thor interrupted, grinning as he remembered how at ease his little brother was with Lady Sigyn, " It's Sigyn, isn't it?"

"Thor, my dear, dear brother, over the years you have said many absurd things that do not make sense. I think, however, this may be your most absurd outburst to date and I am almost afraid to ask you to explain yourself."

Thor was silent for a moment, "You like her don't you?" His grin was almost maniacal by this point.

Loki's face was a mask of passivity, "Thor, calm down. I fail to see why you are so excited by this revelation. Sigyn is a well liked person throughout the realms."

Thor rocked onto the balls of his feet, "You know what I mean brother, you are more than fond of her."

Loki sighed, placing his book down, "Even if I were, as you put it, 'more than fond of her', nothing would happen between us. You expect that Sigyn would be courted by a son of Odin?"

Thor frowned, his grin quickly fading. Sigyn's feelings towards Odin were well known through the realms. Although she was certainly the quietest of Freyja's daughters, Sigyn left you with no question of her feelings on anything, "Surely she understands all that the All-Father does is with good reason."

"You won't easily convince Sigyn that the war was waged only with the best of intentions."

"She truly hates him doesn't she?"

Loki shrugged, "She is certainly less tolerant of him than other Vanir. Tread carefully, brother, do not ire her temper."

Thor was offended. Was he not the greatest warrior of the nine realms? And here his brother sat, warning him of a girl who barely reached his shoulders. "I do not fear her, brother."

"You should, she is a great sorcerer and quick to temper."

Thor grinned and held his hands up, "You are more than a great sorcerer Loki, yet here I stand."

"And I do not possess Princess Sigyn's temper. I warn you again brother, tread lightly, tread carefully."