A/N Guess who is super excited about having gotten comments! Me! :-D Yes. Words cannot describe how excited I was/am. It was really neat, and also incredibly terrifying. But yeah. Enough of that let's just get on with chapter 2.
Sigyn stood with Tyvek in an aisle of the library, each holding a stack of books in their arms, attempting to put them away in alphabetical order. It was quiet apart from the occasional bit of rambling from Tyvek, who found it uncomfortable to be in silence for too long.
"Look over there!" Tyvek said, gesturing with her finger as best she could with the stack of books in her hand.
"Where?" Sigyn said, looking around, stopping suddenly when Tyvek's hand made contact with her shoulder.
"Don't be so obvious about it, stupid!" she scolded, "The prince! He's over there."
"Tyv, how many times do I have to tell you to let it go before you'll actually leave it alone?"
"I'll leave it alone when you stop blushing anytime someone mentions his name."
"I do not blush whenever – ugh. Look, it's not important. Just leave it alone. It's been a week since the feast and I tire of your teasing!"
"Exactly, Sig! It's been a week! And don't pretend you haven't been anxiously awaiting your next encounter with him. Look at you! What a lovesick fool you've been lately, always daydreaming and smiling to yourself! Tell me this, Sig, where do you go when you're daydreaming? I bet it's right into his arms."
"That's not true!" Sigyn replied, feeling her cheeks redden, "I do not daydream about him!" the words sounded untrue even to her own ears, "And even if I did… what difference does it make? It's just pretend…"
"Oh whatever Sigyn. Just let me know when the wedding is. Anyway, I have to head over to the next aisle to put these back." She gestured to the books in her arms, "Oh, and by the way, he's coming."
"He's what?"
"Good luck." And then Tyvek was gone and Sigyn turned to find that the young prince was indeed making his way over to her. Sigyn felt herself consumed in one agonizing moment of panic before he reached her, cursing Tyvek for leaving her alone in such a situation.
"Hello." He said softly.
"Hello, My Prince. How can I be of assistance?"
"Please, call me Loki."
Sigyn nodded, unsure of what to say. Quietly she placed a book back on the shelf.
"What's your name?" Loki said, smiling slightly, as though he was amused that he had to prompt the conversation along.
"Sigyn." She said, placing another book back on the shelf.
"And what is it you're doing, Sigyn?"
"I'm replacing the books that have been taken out. Cezary – the woman who keeps track of everything in here – she's getting older, so whenever I get the chance, I come help her. She appreciates it."
"Ah," Loki began, "and have you read many of the books in the library?"
"I read what I can get my hands on, which isn't much, I'm afraid."
"What do you like to read?"
"Anything, sir. Although I've always been quite partial to historical works."
"History? Now tell me, do you prefer Asgard's history? Or do all the Nine Realms interest you?"
"All of the Nine Realms interest me… Particularly Alfheim."
"The land of the Elves?"
"Yes. It's where my father was from."
Loki paused for a moment, looking at her.
"Yes," He said, finally, "I can see it now. The Elven blood in you… it's why you're so –"
"Short?" Sigyn supplied, eliciting a laugh from Loki.
"I was going to say fair." He smiled again and Sigyn felt the blood rush to her cheeks.
"Do you read any other kinds of books?" he asked suddenly.
"Did you have any specific kind in mind sir?"
"Books on Magic?" he elaborated, his eyes sparkling in excitement.
"I'm only a servant, sir. We can't… we're not allowed to read such books."
"Why?" he asked, an elegant eyebrow rising in alarm.
"Magic… it is a powerful and dangerous thing. The Allfather felt it wise to keep the servants in the dark on such… weaponry."
"Weaponry?" he scoffed, "He's just trying to ensure none of the servants have the means to rally against him…" Loki's brow furrowed, "he always had a knack for choosing his enemies in foolish places."
"I cannot speak ill of the Allfather." Sigyn stated.
"Ah, but you do agree with me, don't you Sigyn?"
Sigyn stayed quiet, placing another book back on the shelf. It would be foolish of her to speak ill of the Allfather especially to his own flesh and blood. Truth did resonate in Loki's words, however, she thought that it must be the same for any king. Threats could come from anywhere in this day and age. Even from what one considers their own side. Loki chose that moment to change the subject,
"How are you, Sigyn?"
Sigyn glanced at the young prince, surprised by his question. It wasn't every day that a prince was inquiring after a servant's well-being, after all.
"I'm well, sir. And yourself?"
"I am well. I would be better if you called me Loki instead of 'sir', however."
"45 years of calling a man 'Prince Loki' or 'My Prince' has a tendency to leave its impression, I suppose." Sigyn replied, smiling at the young man.
"Well, we'll have to work on that…"
"Of course, Loki." He smiled as his name rolled off her tongue, and she couldn't help but smile back. It was such an unnatural thing, saying his name, standing here with him, making conversation with a prince... and saying his name almost felt like an act of treason in itself… 'But' Sigyn thought, 'I might be apt to commit treason if it meant I got to see Loki smile.'
Suddenly, a crash resonated through the library, sounding like it had come from another wing of the castle entirely. Loki sighed tiredly.
"I'll bet you anything that was Thor…" he said, "The old brute never did know how to behave."
"I can't speak ill of Thor either."
"Such a shame. You're missing out on thousands of hours of entertainment."
"All I know of Thor are the messes he leaves in his wake. Hardly a good way to judge someone's character."
"I'd say," Loki replied slowly, "That it is the best way to judge someone's character." They both stood quietly for a moment, unsure of what to say.
"My Prince," said a guard rounding the corner of the aisle abruptly, "I thought I'd find you here. The Allfather wishes to see you immediately." As quickly as the guard had appeared, he was gone, leaving the two alone again.
"Well…" Loki began, "I'm off I suppose."
"Yes… it was a pleasure talking to you, Loki."
"Indeed. We shall have to do it again soon." Sigyn nodded. Loki hesitated for a moment more before giving Sigyn a small bow and walking away.
No sooner had he rounded the corner than Tyvek was back again.
"Ooh! That was such a wonderful little conversation! Look at him, all interested in you! How many questions did he ask? It was like an interrogation! An interrogation given by a beautiful eloquent prince!"
"Did you eavesdrop on the entire conversation, Tyv?"
"Of course, what kind of friend would I be if I hadn't? And oh what an earful I got! He wants you to call him Loki. You are on a first name basis with the prince!"
"It is certainly something isn't it?"
"When do you think you'll see him again?"
"I'm not sure… but, I hope that it'll be soon." Sigyn confessed.
"And so the truth comes out! You are fond of him, aren't you?"
"Who wouldn't be?"
"Any sane girl this side of the Bifrost, darling." Tyvek replied, "Now, finish putting these books away. Based on the sound of that crash they're going to need all the help they can cleaning Thor's newest mess up."
A/N I don't know, I feel like Thor would've been really messy in his youth… but that's not super important, I guess. Another chapter over! Hope you enjoyed it.