Thanks to everyone who has reviewed :) As requested, here is part 3 :)


Heimdall remained silent as the woman in his arms wept, purging her grief and guilt for the first time. There was no other who could raise from him more than a few cryptic words or an occasional half smile, yet she could bring a laugh from him or a tear. Anger and confusion warred within him as his precious sister cried for the trickster Prince, gone forever into the Endless Dark. He wasn't sure how he knew that she spoke the truth about Loki, but he knew that many things about the Frost Giant were hidden from him. He had stood here, at the edge of the swirling maelstrom of the universe, every day for the past three weeks, since the Bifrost was destroyed and their gate to the universe was closed. Each day, Thor came to visit him and asked him the fate of Jane Foster, the mortal woman whom the prince had fallen for during his exile.

"Sister," he murmured softly, stroking Sif's hair gently in a gesture of comfort. "You need to tell our King of what you know. I am sure it will ease his suffering greatly to know that his younger son still lives."

"But how can I tell him what I know, when I do not even know how I know it?" she questioned, fear colouring her voice as panic began knowing away at her heart.

"You have never let fear stand in your way before, and I doubt this will be the time that you allow it to dictate your actions," the Gatekeeper admonished kindly, wiping the tears from her cheeks.

"It's been three weeks since he left us and yet, even now, I can feel his pain, his fear," she confessed, taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly. "You are right brother, I must speak to Odin and tell him of my knowledge. It is for him to decide how to proceed."

"Indeed it is," Heimdall agreed, hiding the pain he felt at the look of desolation in his sister's eyes. "He is a kindly King, he will not treat you ill for your news." He watched as Sif nodded slowly, her posture telling him she was far from believing him. He knew Thor was approaching and did not want the older Prince to bombard the warrior woman with questions she could, or would, not answer. With a smile, he turned her back towards the city and gave her a gentle push to send her on her way, hoping the walk back would be good for her.

###

Thor rode slowly towards the end of the bridge, where he knew Heimdall would be watching, guarding the entrance into the realm. His visit to the Gatekeeper had become something of an obsession, for he craved news of the mortal who had shown him how to be a better person. He knew that she was getting closer to discovering a way to make her own version of the Bifrost, spurred on by the knowledge he had shared with her on the rooftop, under the stars. He nodded to Sif as he passed her on the bridge, noting the redness around her eyes and wondering if she had been crying. He drew in a deep breath, intent on stopping her and asking her woes, but the almost imperceptible shake of her head told him to reign in his curiosity and compassion for the time being. With a slight nod, he continued on his way to Heimdall, knowing Sif would seek him out when she felt she could speak of what worried her.

###

Sif saw Thor nod his agreement and released the breath she had unconsciously been holding. She did not yet want to speak to her dear friend of his brother's fate, for she knew he would ask questions she was not yet ready to answer. It worried her enough that she would have to speak to Odin of her knowledge, and she hoped that he would not press her about her relationship with his wayward son. Perhaps she should speak first to Frigga, for she alone would understand Sif's actions and perhaps be able to offer another course of action. She hoped that perhaps the Queen would speak to Odin on her behalf, thereby saving her from an audience with her king. With renewed purpose, Sif increased her speed and made her way towards the Queen's private quarters.

###

Frigga, wife of Odin and Queen of Asgard, sat serenely in an ornate chair within her apartments, occupying herself for the moment with an intricate needlecraft pattern. She loved to do such things herself, as it allowed her to cast her mind over other things whilst she worked. It also allowed her to distract herself from the loss of her younger son, and the obvious pain her elder son was in by being separated from his mortal woman. She smiled to herself as she felt Sif approaching her rooms, crossing silently to open the door just as the young warrior approached it.

"Come in my dear," she welcomed the younger woman, knowing that something greatly troubled her. "Sit, please, and tell me what is bothering you."

"I-I..." Sif began, unable to fathom where to begin in her tale. "My Queen, your younger son still lives," she blurted out, drawing in a sharp breath as Frigga turned towards her, her face an expressionless mask.

"Sif, why would you say such things?" the Queen admonished, unsure if the warrior was telling the truth or merely unable to accept the loss of Loki.

"He is alive, my Queen," Sif stated again, surer of herself this time. She saw the glimmer of tears in Frigga's eyes and knew that she too was aware that Loki had not perished into the Endless Dark.

"I believe you Sif, but how is it that you know this?" The words were spoken kindly but Sif missed the deeper question hidden within them.

"Loki and I... we were..." she struggled to find the right word to explain without sharing her secret too openly.

"You were lovers? But not for long?" the Queen asked, shrewdly assessing the situation.

"We had but one night together," Sif confessed, tears threatening her once more. "It was nothing serious, at least not for him."

"You would be surprised my dear," Frigga murmured, smiling at the young warrior. "Besides, I'm sure that if he returns to us in the future, he will be very happy with the news you will have for him..." She raised a slender eyebrow as she looked knowingly at Sif, hiding her surprise at the shock on the younger woman's face. "Perhaps she didn't know..." she thought, as Sif's hands rose from her sides and came to rest over her belly...