Author's notes:

Wow, thank you for all the reviews, you are awesome! Keep spoiling me with your supportive commentary! So don't stop, go on ^3^

Chapter six

Conversation. Part II

The envy-green God had visited the Goddess from time to time. Loki had to deny himself a more frequent appearance as to not seem too interested in this 'business deal' he had struck. Although he could tell that the young woman did not mind his presence and even enjoyed their various conversations. The Prince had noted that her acting was worth every praise, for the earlier estimated wedding date did not change, the three months still stood.

In counted days Sigyn was discharged, when her mental state was considered to be stable enough. The female Vanir had up-kept her façade though, making her family believe that her quieter and exaggeratedly spacy demeanor indicated that she was still not over her ordeal.

The Lie God had attended the court called by the Allfather that was meant to inform the high public of the issue concerning the found bride. The attendance of the royal line was always required for these sort of things. But the youngest Heir was prone to being absent from them (not that Thor was a valiant attendant of such gatherings) as much as was possible without enacting rage from his father – the King. While he could have dismissed this meeting, he hadn't – for it had held too much of important tellings. It would have been a pain to then discreetly gather about it in indirect ways, when all the young man had to do was be present.

The Odinfather had given his subjects an explanation that was full of truth much more than was usual, for in other instances – there were intricate details that were falsified in order to glorify something. Not for the reason of rising himself on a pedestal – his son knew that, but because the nation had to believe in their Ruler. Sweetness of glory was needed in order to keep the Aesir in line.

At the new revelation of the found Vanir goddess new talk in the court arose. Whispered words of 'that poor thing', 'oh that must have been dreadful' were attested to the retrieved lord Njord's granddaughter. Said man had also been present, still with the permanent frown since Freya's daughter's disappearance. It had only solidified the theory the God of Mischief had formed. The old Nobleman wasn't delighted or pleased for the delayed marriage. It was not important to the observing male what gain was there to the ex-Ruler.

When the Lady-intrigue was returned to Noatun, she was under constant observation of her sisters. That was not a freewill decision on their part though. The grandfather was wary to leave the girl alone, for the combined reasons of her mental health and the distrust he felt towards her. But just a few days' time was needed for Sigyn to convince or in some less questionable way make her caretakers go away.

She usually spent her time in the house she lived (the Godling did not call it a 'home', for he reckoned that to be inaccurate), sometimes with her youngest sister – Syn, or in solitude. Even as a Master of Magic, he did not risk visiting her there. His enchantment was strong – no doubt about that, but venturing to someone's grounds, over which they kept a keen eye – was difficult and dangerous. The boy-prince would not be recognized, but traces of magic – altered to not have any ties with him, would still be left behind.

Loki managed to catch the girl in person when she and her sisters had visited the grounds of the Golden Asgard Palace. It was strange – the absence of their grandfather with them, even the youngest of their kin was not there.

The Lady stood behind the corner of a wall in the gardens, looking over with a narrowed gaze her siblings and their friends giggling and gossiping. She was wary, he could tell.

The mischievous one silently appeared behind the concentrating woman.

"Fancy seeing you here, Sigyn" the male whispered into her ear, leaning over her.

There was a flinch that wracked her form and she exclaimed in low volume. He was glad that she was not startled into screaming, still the possibility did not stop him from indulging in his trickster-nature.

"Loki!"

He grinned as she turned to face him wide-eyed.

"What are you doing here?" she blurted quickly.

"What am I doing here? Oh, I think that is my line" the smirk stayed stubbornly on the God of Deceit.

"Oh never mind" the Goddess said in irritation.

"Care to take a walk?" the man suggested, not fazed by the cold reply.

She glanced back to her oblivious sisters and then returned her stormy eyes back to him.

"I can't let them..."

The Godling interrupted.

"You have a spell over them, correct?" he did not wait for her to affirm it "They are uncaring to your presence lacking from their group. I shall watch over them and when your sisters will head back – I will tell you. You will be able to join them without rising suspicion"

The female nodded reluctantly, while her mind was somewhere distant and out of his reach.

They made their way quickly. Once the two Gods were treading the borderline of the palace grounds, the second-born Prince suggested that the Lady would shorten the distance to their designated place. She shook her head saying that she most possibly couldn't lead him there, more so when she wasn't sure of where they intended to go. The male persisted, his companion did not realize that she did possess the ability to deny boundaries not only for herself but for others as well (she did so with Syn and him). He did not mention this though.

It would not hurt to try, so the young woman agreed. They did not have the time to travel there on foot, so it was a reasonable idea. At least it would do good to find out her limitations and whether this could be of use in future meetings. After a short description the Vanir started walking, the Heir followed.

In record time both stood where he had intended. Her prideful smile was infectious, he couldn't help but return the gesture. The God of Lies had strong faith when it came to the Goddess. He also felt pride at her success.

Sigyn looked about the place with awe, the mischief-embodied knew that she would like it. That was a constant about her. The sun chose to submerge the green valley (which were lacking in the industrial-looking Golden Realm of Asgard) in darker tones. The clouds filtered and the end-summertime sadness encased closest (sun)star decolorized the vibrant palette of the scenery. A hill with tall and wide oaks, older than both of the Godlings, overlooked a shimmering lake below.

The girl, still dazed, took refugee beneath one of the ancient trees, so broad it could serve as a spot for reclining for a good ten of tightly sitting Sigyns. The male was pleased for his accurate calculations concerning her reaction to the area he had picked. He joined the female, close but not touching – she did not seem to mind his proximity at all. From the side it stood as an uncharacteristic sight of them so relaxed when both were prone to chronic paranoia.

"It's beautiful" she uttered not drawing her glance away from what was in front of her.

A reply to it did not come. Perhaps he was too used to this or perhaps he did not share her enthusiasm (that should not have even been questioned, it was obvious that did not), but he didn't feel himself the genuine wonder.

"You have not answered my question yet. How is it that you have gone to the palace today?" Loki said as he simultaneously raided the pocket of his long, green leather coat with magic. He removed a bottle of fine wine from it and asked.

"Wine?"

Suspicion did not mar her features.

"Yes, thank you"

The cork popped out with a spell and he handed her a crystal glass. The Lie God filled hers first, then tended to the twin in his hand. He registered that she took a gulp only after he had, although there were no indicators that it was deliberate. Still, he thought that it was (not that he believed it foolish) and the Lady deserved all the compliments he inwardly attested to her. She was a magnificent actress for he did not see any deceit in her actions.

There was a nod of satisfaction from her because of the taste of the beverage. The wine was bittersweet.

"My sisters: Lofn and Nanna had gotten tired of being locked up in Noatun. They had missed their friends. On my grandfather's bidding they had to watch over me, so staying in the house and its premises was not their choice. Somehow they had managed to convince him to let them visit the palace. One of the reasons being that the 'fresh air' would do me 'good'. Naturally, because they were going and me being their burden – I had to come along"

"It seems that your family cares about you" probably not on such a scale it was common to comprehend, but he did not voice it.

"Not really, they- I can't believe that this topic could possibly interest you. The pleasantry has been shared, there's no need to trouble yourself with petty things as such" the Goddess said with a crinkle of her nose. She sipped from her glass.

He was interested, although this sort of conversations never did hit his fancy. Sigyn was the singularity in this and many other cases. The boy-prince opted to say a twisted truth.

"I am interested, else I would not have asked. There is no obligation for me to do so. However trivial a topic may seem the small details of it will help me understand you. Because we will do business together, getting to know things about you shall make it easier to maneuver our deal in a fashion that would suit us both. Being on good terms is never ill, the best it befits us – the better" the word-warping silver tongue of his said it with a serious note in voice.

Her expression showed agreement with his logic, however she was still slightly reluctant and perhaps it wasn't his preceding reputation's fault.

"Well then... Ummm... It's not quite correct to say that my blood-kin care for me. My siblings did not bring me here for the reason they gave to our grandfather, it was just an excuse to meet up with their annoying circle" the female sighed "Of course it's not like they do not care for me to the point where they wouldn't mind me dead. They do care but just in their own way, in which my interests are overlooked or ignored"

The young man drank the burgundy liquid in large gulps. His eyes darker than usual, he did share that sentiment partially.

"And that is how Lord Njord arranged the marriage" the Prince did not question, he stated.

What escaped from the throne Heir's mouth robbed the young woman of a big portion of her good mood.

"Yes. It... It's not like grandfather wishes ill for me. But for him my happiness is to be attained in the ways he believes to be right, no matter if it's the other way around... You know, I didn't just decide to run away permanently when he had announced it to me. I did try to make him reconsider, to make him see things from my perspective. But to him it was just pure foolishness, pre-marital maiden jitters or some shite like that"

He swirled the wine in his glass, a corner of his lips uplifting at the curse.

"Grandfather doesn't need to use us as game pawns in politics, he is content with his position. Although at times I have no idea how can he be so. Well, but because of that, arranging suitable marriages is not his goal. Lofn is older than me and she has not been wedded off yet. She is allowed to pick a suitor herself. So she waits for the 'perfect' one, doesn't matter that all her previous lovers are quite decent and good in everything she desires from a husband. But they all lack one thing – a high position, just the highest layers of the Asgardian society will do, only royalty"

The male considered it for a moment.

"Given your birth, although not officially but your blood-line is considered the highest royalty of Vanaheim. Making you and your sisters Princesses. Even if your titles are not that powerful here, still they are known by all and pretty potent. So I fail to see the need to rise higher"

"Some just do not need reasons"

"I do not find that too surprising actually"

"Indeed." the young woman continued "And why am I in this position? Well, mother was plenty of a low-blow to her father and I am only salt to that wound. Propriety, Aesir traditions and his stance in court is what is most important to grandfather. And I... I was always too different for my own good. They did not hate me for it but I was and still am a nuisance. Always the black sheep of the herd or the white crow of the flock... Pushing me into marrying his chosen groom – that way he believes that he shall give me to be molded into a proper creature, a Lady of the court, and a dutiful wife. I wish for none of that, neither of those criteria interest me"

"Why have you not chosen to live with your mother? If you don't mind me asking"

Melancholy written testament reflected in Sigyn's eyes.

"...I couldn't... Don't misunderstand me, it's not like I didn't want to. Travelling with her would have been perfect for me. My ability to walk from realm to realm – I have most possibly inherited it from her. It's not the same but it's fundamentally similar. She can get lost in the wind and be carried through worlds like a Valkyrie, while I can simply walk from one to the other... Well, even they were never taken together with mother..."

"They?" the male repeated in question, he had an idea of whom she might be talking about but it was better if she confirmed it.

"The treasured ones – Hnossa and Gersemi, my half-sisters. The daughters of Ódr. I haven't ever seen them but I somehow know that I would recognize them... I do not know where they are either, only that they are..."

There was a miniscule tint of loathing in her words.

"When we were little, before Syn was born, mom was the world and we were hers. She was nothing if not the epitome of what a mother should be. I felt as if we were the most valuable of beings in her existence. I remember the way she would look at me and not even a shadow of doubt had crossed my mind about her position in my life. And then suddenly things changed, I had barely learned to read when it happened. I didn't know why but mother suddenly left, she abandoned us all seemingly out of the blue. The three of us were left with her father, Nanna was barely an infant then. I had pestered grandfather, our caretaker, until he had finally given me an explanation. According to him mother was broken, he had said that she was damaged in the head. Perhaps we're both insane, for neither I nor she think even remotely as others do... As a child I could hear the cold anger in his voice as he told me that. And I can't say that I disagree with him, with time I came to the same conclusion. Mom did come back but it was never quite the same, and that's probably just the feeling of betrayal that lingers in my subconscious speaking. She would return and then disappear again. When I was still a babe, a bit older than Syn is now, I had pleaded mother to take me with her, alas it would always end in the same way. She wouldn't answer to my pleas, it was as if she never heard them, she would just note on how lovely a day it was or how a pretty bird was chirping so pleasantly. I soon quit the begging for it was of no use"

Loki refilled the female's glass and his own as well, which was long since emptied. The Lady continued her tale.

"I had caught wind (and it was not easy) of why she would leave so unexpectedly. So I had prodded grandfather to tell me about Ódr. He wasn't clear on it, giving only a vague answer to me. His words were that both he and she are insane. Later on I learned the story, not from our caretaker of course. When mother leaves she searches for the love of her life, blindly and without a different thought in her mind. He had disappeared once just like she – without a word or explanation. He roams the realms desperately searching for something that is lost and no longer there. And in my opinion whatever it is, it was never there to begin with. How he travels is unknown but he appears like a shade here and there, sightings of him told in various corners of Yggdrasill. They both run after something unattainable. It is as if he is under a spell, completely and utterly oblivious of everything. And to everyone Ódr is considered dead. I myself don't really know what to think of it, for he is just like a ghost. He's never seen eating or sleeping just wandering aimlessly. But then again in the times she follows, she's the same. So perhaps in a sense he doesn't exist the same way you and I do, and mother doesn't exist in the conventional sense either in the eclipses of her psyche. How melodramatic and ironic though, the Goddess of Love – Freya – cannot have the love she bestows to others..."

And the Goddess had said that her blood-stories would not interest him. Just because it was her – made it interesting, but what she told him now, this tale was intriguing and mysterious.

"She had married him, the father of my two half-sisters, but due to his state it is considered to be void" the young Vanir took a sip of her wine "After her first strange disappearance she had met my father and married him. He did not care that she could never love him as much as she did Ódr. And up to this day, even after everything she's done, my parents are still officially married to each other. Father knows that her reasoning behind the union was his riches, for second to the missing man she has an undying liking for gold. While she is wife of King Iwaldi, she is not considered the Queen of his kingdom. My father is not stupid, so he had never gifted her his ruled lands or his treasury. With someone as unpredictable as her – that would end in a catastrophe. He is wise therefore despite his utter devotion and adoration, he is a great King and his people stand above his selfish needs. He had never gone after her when she chose to leave, for even temporarily abandoning his kingdom would be more than unwise"

There was a pause before the girl continued.

"None of us were born in Svartalfheim. I am the only one to whom mother gave birth in Vanaheim. Lofn, Nanna and Syn – all in Asgard. Except for the youngest, we had all visited our father's homeland. I was little but I remember well how much he loved and loves us. He is not a greedy man though, therefore he never counted us into his treasury, we were not considered his crown jewels - the kind to be locked away in his castle. Given what he feels for us, you could ask why am I not with him. Well, we were left with our grandfather and when I started travelling I could have gone straight to father, he wouldn't have minded not then and not now. But I know, were the one we were entrusted to find it out, he would find a way to convince my father to return me back to him. Therefore Iwaldi's fortress cannot be my refugee for long"

Loki was reluctant to ask, lest he were to insult the young woman. The question was gnawing at his brain though.

"Is... Is the story about Freya and the four Dwarf blacksmiths true?" the God of Mischief wisely referred to the Love Goddess not by the title that represented her ties with Sigyn. He quickly raised his hands palms up in a gesture of defense "I do not mean anything by it, I am merely curious"

"I am not my mother, therefore I don't see how the question could be insulting to me. Believing that I am like her would be stupid and I don't think that you are an idiot" the girl-woman's tone was biting and serious. The sorcerer agreed with her, he was not insinuating anything of the sort. "And yes, it is true. She did sleep with them for a fucking necklace. Her love for jewelry is unmeasured and nothing could ever stop her from attaining that which she desires. As you probably know, she saw them making Brisingamen and found it beautiful without compare and the smiths found her to be the same in that sentiment. Since Svartalfheim does not lack gold or silver and any valuables of the sort, the Dwarves refused to sell it. The named price was her body. So she laid with all four of them, at the same time" the girl's face turned into a grimace of disgust, the male did not show it but he felt the same emotion. Unfortunately he had a wild imagination.

"It is an infamous tale but always represented as gossip. Therefore I had wondered whether it was just the court women vilifying. Lord Njord was probably enraged once he learned of it"

"Oh he was, I have no doubt about that. I am always wary of grandfather when he is in one of those moods, news of her more often than not pushes him into such stormy reactions" the Lie God noticed that the lady had ceased referring to her mother with any adoring names, her voice was not judgmental but it was laced with icy indifference "But all that for a necklace, no matter how pretty a thing is, I can't understand how much self-respect must you lack to go with such a 'payment'. I've seen the Dverger accessory myself, it isn't anything all that special really. Just a locket with a huge diamond from the mines of Svartalfheim, with four braided bands of gold leading to it from the thick braid of the necklace. Then again Freya does have a strange liking to things out of the norm, I think I've gotten the fancy for unique things from her (although mine is in reverse). Pitiful thing being she quickly grew tired of it and while she didn't cast it or gave it away, she doesn't wear it that often anymore"

For a moment the female ceased talking and she hugged her legs to herself, gazing into the distance.

"To me this story connects with a sad reality" the Vanir released a mournful breath from the clasp of her lungs.

The male's ears perked. He had summarized that she did not care for the business of her parent with a preceding foul-reputation. Right now the Lady didn't sound so apathetic though.

"The 'event' had taken place after her union with my father. Unfortunately it was not the last time the Love Goddess was unfaithful. And father is not deaf nor a fool, therefore he had heard of this scandalous behavior of his wife, still while angered he never held any grudges against her. The four men of his kin were not sought out or punished in any way. As much as I understand, those Dwarves are not King Iwaldi's subjects, not part of his kingdom. Since he is widely respected in his lands and Freya known as his, none would dare insult their King in such a way... Anyway, my father always forgives his beloved. Syn's conception is proof of that. He's so kind and he loves her unconditionally... When I was little I've frequently shed tears for him. I'd cried for him on the kitchen floor, sometimes even now... The woman is not deserving of him!" Sigyn's throat was clogged with tears she refused to shed. Her voice became steely once again swiftly as she said "I could never pardon such a betrayal. Love is irrelevant because I love myself more"

"Neither could I" the Godling admitted. He was possessive, fervently so and if someone would deliberately double-cross him, he would discard them without a thought. The boy-prince could agree, love was a weakness if it trampled your very beliefs and essence. Forgiveness was foolishness and it seemed that Iwaldi was a fool when it came to his loose wife.

Cheery aura returned and she questioned.

"So... What about your family? Forgive me my rudeness but you don't seem to be very close with them"

Loki refused the urge to snort, truth in many instances could be insulting or hurtful, but this was not the case. The Goddess shared information about her family without reserve (and uncovered many a fact about herself in the process, much to his appreciation), his relation with his own family was no secret. The Lie God could disclose such without fear, he had told her things that were much more hazardous to his position. And it wouldn't be the last he did so.

"That is correct" the boy-prince said as he looked away "There are a few reasons for thus. One being my stark difference that alienated me from them. In my father's eyes I could never compare to Thor. And the Aesir consider me to be an unworthy Heir. I never excelled in the qualities considered necessary for one of my status. In the understanding of my people I am viewed as the coward Prince, a magic user cannot be a great warrior"

"That's not so"

"While that may be true, our opinions are irrelevant when it comes to hard-wired tradition"

"I think that the Asgardians fear you"

"Oh?" her words piqued the young man's interest.

"I mean you are the untitled God of Magic. Your power is potent and they can't comprehend it. It is what makes you dangerous and unpredictable to them"

The girl stroked his vanity. A Master Magician he was, but to be called a God of it was... empowering, and he liked it.

"Another reason for my strained relationship with my kin being my upbringing. We are the royalty of Asgard, both me and my brother were raised to be able to deal with our troubles on our own. Dependence is weakness, therefore our parents were never really close to us. Odin not a father to us but always the Allfather. He was strict in his teaching, unmerciful in his punishments and prideful in the achievements of his children – all in order to raise the perfect successor of his Throne. I may sound ungrateful, however it is not so. I am very grateful to father for everything. Even if when I was a childe I wished for him to be more a good father to me then the greatest Ruler. Younglings are greedy although they can be aware of why things are the way they are, still it does not change what they desire... Mother was a different matter growing up. She never separated me and Thor, to her we both stood on equal ground and were loved the same. I do not doubt her love, but her position as Queen of the Odinfather always came first. While I could understand his distance from the both of us, I longed for mother to be closer. For everyone Queen Frigga represents the binding of the high family, alas she firstly is the pillar of strength to her husband, not a tourniquet for her children. When I was little I desperately wanted her open affection but she was always compassionate in her own reserved way, so proper. Truly, I was a brat and I would throw tantrums and refuse to function without her beside me. That would of course enact father's anger and I quickly learned to repress the emotions I showed... In all honesty your traditions concerning that are enviable... Although the dysfunction of your family, your relation with each other (at least it was at some point) a thing to be jealous of. Even as royalty, the Vanir understood 'family' much differently than the Aesir. Despite the possibility of thus being used against a Ruler, it is a double-edged blade, for if family is held above all else – rage born from tampering with it would be grand. However that is a very self-destructing ideology, for war is not something that can bring prosperity. And for Asgard, where the people are the fundament of the realm, it is not befitting. Yet for me, the lack of something personally dear (because my people are not that) would lead to disinterest and thus would leave probable destruction in its wake"

"I can understand it and I agree with your thinking. A person void of anything does not have a reason to exist. And it is falsely commonly believed that a man that has lost everything, one that does not have anything to fear for, is the most dangerous. How can it be true? If you fear nothing, then you obviously won't fear failure of your revenge, therefore you'll allow mistakes to happen and every plan will burst like a bubble"

The Godling nodded.

"Indeed"

The Vanir Goddess was quick to jump back to the previous topic.

"And what of your brother?"

"Thor... Thor never cared for what others thought of me. Actually, he does not even hear the remarks of others, literally. It can be said directly to him but. he. just. does. not. hear. It is not that my brother ignores, oh no. Anything that fails to be exactly what he wishes for it to be just fails to fixate itself into his brain. Despite anyone's opinion of me, Thor always held me to be his little brother" The God of Deceit sneered. "The one to be protected from harm and doubted for his abilities, the one to be ridiculed if his friends so wished"

With a silent exhale the male returned to his apathy towards the told.

"And so while to Thor everything is perfectly fine – to me it is the very reason that it is not. He refuses to comprehend anything that is beyond what he believes it to be, therefore he can never understand me. And I have no wish to try and make him see me for what I am. I have long since abandoned such hopes in finding a confidant in him. He is far too straight-laced to be close to me. He thinks that he is, but it is a lie and I god-over them, so I do not do anything that would object his iron conviction"

Both Godlings were lost in thought and after the bottle was emptied Sigyn spoke again.

"We are both lonesome. Solitary when it comes to the ones that should be closest to us. It is so melancholic... I guess being the oddball in your family is not something beneficial, no?"

"Truly, it is not" the male replied.

The interaction continued. Talks about this and that, of nothing and something. It was pleasant to both of the young Gods.

A trinket the mischievous one had left following the Vanir's sisters told him that they were slowly returning home. He begrudgingly informed the Lady of it. He accompanied her back to the palace and after a short, formality lacking farewell, they parted.

Loki noted that the woman had not gotten tipsy from the drinks they shared. And that was not his intention when he had brought the wine with himself. Perhaps it had loosened her tongue but drunken she was not. The boy-prince liked the fact and thought that it would not be the last they enjoyed fine beverages together.

The Goddess undid her spell of oblivion from her siblings and followed them. The God of Deceit watched her until her sapphire gown draped back disappeared from his sight.

A/N

Freya does not have children with Iwaldi, that part is Marvel based (as I've mentioned before about Sigyn's family tree).

In the Norse myths Freya is married to Ódr. He either travels constantly or disappears, it can be interpreted both ways since his wife is brokenhearted every time it happens. Furthermore, there are various meanings to his name (as well as actual connections to Odin) like: divine madness, frantic, frenzied and etc.

Freya and Ódr have two daughters: Hnossa and Gersemi. I have referred to them as the "treasured ones" because both of their names in old Norse mean "treasure".

The story concerning Freya and the four Dwarf blacksmiths is an actual myth. For a golden necklace (possibly the Brisingamen – the love goddess's famous piece of jewelry), which could not be sold due to the plenty of valuables that the Dwarves possessed, she spent a night with each of them (that was changed in my fic for the impact). However no further connection to the legend is made because it cannot coexist in the universe of my fic. In the original tale Odin comes to know of this (Freya is supposedly a mistress of the Aesir king) and so orders Loki to steal the piece of jewelry from Freya.