07. We´re in Asgard… We don´t need a reason

to celebrate a feast!

"Here, you often celebrate or am I wrong?"
"No, no, you see it all right... we need no reason to celebrate here." Loki smiled gently while he led Sigyn on his arm through the gardens. It seemed the sun shone in all its splendor, the sky radiant in a blue as if it would compete the seas. The gardens shone in all its glory, the green was full and bright, the flowers were colorful as ever, and the birds were chirping as they wanted to give a concert. It was not too warm, hence one could easily spend his time in the gardens of the palace, and as Lady Sigyn has fallen to this, this also offered enough variety to the library or the magic.
"If my brother wants to celebrate, we´re celebrating. If my father wants to celebrate, we´re celebrating, and if you need a reason, one can be quickly found. There is always some war or battle to get drunk..." He smiled, laughed a little.
"You should probably congratulate your brother that he is as hard-drinking, otherwise the fun for him would be over quickly."
"Yes, that would not last long then. But perhaps it would have the advantage that some young ladies were left undisturbed and similarly the mead last."
"I like both doubtful."
"Hope dies last."
"But it´s dying."

Both had to laugh. Oh, he had not really thought that she would make such a wonderful company at her arrival. As much could be deceiving at first glance. She had seemed so quiet and still, hold back and so... well educated, that it was more than good... But he did not think that he was able to laugh with her, that she was joking, that she was ever such a nice person. He himself was also surprised when he realized that he had been laughing with no other woman so much like with her. Sif was left out, with her he was first grown up, and secondly, she was just as much woman like a Valkyrie, except that one incident she would never forgive him anyway. Sigyn was still interested in magic. About this fact he would probably never get over. It was almost a shame, shame that she would leave and never come back again. He could hardly believe that his brother had chosen a woman and if then certainly not for Lady Sigyn. Why should he choose just the one that he could not impress while others would kiss the ground to his feet? He knew his brother so well, that he wanted one who kissed the ground on which he walked. Sigyn would rather throw stones on the road to bring him to stumble. He turned his gaze to her. In the light of the sun her braided tresses shone bright like silk, her healthy complexion brightened a little. She wore lovely smile on her lips while her eyes wandered around and absorb every detail.

"At least there is a relaxed atmosphere and you can dance again."
"It makes me sick when I think of dancing with your brother... two turns and I get dizzy."
Loki laughed softly. "He's in everything he does sometimes... too enthusiastic."
"While it is quite romantic the idea of someone dancing to one dizzy... but your brother does this too literally."
"Well... I could again play the noble prince, and ask you to promise me the first dance."
"You could?" Chuckling she looked up at him.
"Yes, I could."
"And what keeps you from?"
"What do I get as thanks?"
"Another dance?"

"That sounds quite acceptable. I would accept it as well thanks." He smiled.
"Well who do we have here?"
Both turned their eyes to the front as a familiar voice rang out and they saw how Fandral crossed their path, approached to them. "Have you finally got out of your dark chambers, Loki?" Smiled the blonde one. "Watch out that you do not get a sunburn in the beautiful weather."
Loki forced a smile on his lips. "To my health you need not to worry…"
"I must say you a compliment, Lady Sigyn. You managed to lure our wizard into the light." Laughed Fandral, beat Loki gently on the shoulder. "But no one could resist such a beauty." He winked.
"Well, maybe it's because I'm a much more a pleasant company for a walk as it would be with you, Fandral? I keep my eyes on the magnificence of nature, not to the ones of a lady..."

The blonde laughed softly. "With you at the side I could not avert my gaze from you anyway."
"Tell me again in the face when a Valkyrie crosses the road."
Fandral laughed again. "I would like you to prove the contrary, my dear. I would you like to bestow the honour to accompany me on a walk." A confident smile spread on his face. As he was so sure she couldn't say no.
"Well... I think it is for any young lady a much greater honour on the arm of a prince, a son of Odin, to be accompanied on a stroll, or not?"
For a brief moment, the blonde slipped the facial features. Loki had to bite his tongue not to laugh. Oh, this young woman was a pure bliss! Why they did she not come here much earlier?
"Well... yes, I cannot keep up with a prince, of course not." It was the warrior to see that he made an effort to remain careless and a forced a smile on his lips.

"And besides, I do not want to alienate his royal majesty, Prince Thor would not approve it if he would know me in your company, Fandral. Where you fight so much for the favor of the Valkyries... I wish you a pleasant day, Fandral. I'm assuming we see on the feast tonight?" Sigyn smiled and nodded to the warrior before she continued her walk with Loki.
"Sigyn, Sigyn..." Loki shook his head gently as they moved on and were out of earshot of Fandral. "How can you dare to let one of the greatest warriors of Asgard standing there like a drowned rat?"
"You may have seem to like it." She smiled. "And tell me, weren´t you not amused at his face?"
"I was amused, Lady Sigyn!"
"Mission accomplished successfully." She smiled.


"This is Lady Agnes, another lady-in-waiting of my mother. She seems always very strict but is anything but virtuous. She once had an affair with the two brothers of my mother at the same time. Since the incident she has fallen deeply in the favour of my mother. She maybe lucky to ever hold the state of a lady-in-waiting. And that´s Lord Vilgot Sigvardson. His father belongs to the consultant staff of my father. He had even dared to be indignant over Sif because she refused his advances, a woman's place is eventually not on the battlefield, she should put the sword aside and prefer embroidery... that you can do with embroidery needles more other things than embroidery, he could then feel."
"Aha... So that's why he has an odd gait?"
"Exactly so." Grinned Loki, led Sigyn through a rotation.
"And the lady there?"

"Lady Liva. A niece of Lady Agnes. She made her aunt all honour. At the same time, she had an affair with my brother as well as Fandral. I think you can imagine that no one was really thrilled when it came out."
"For me it seems like blasphemy, Loki?" Smiled Sigyn, let him take her by the music clock.
"I do not blaspheme... I just watch." Grinned the prince and led her again trough a twist. "At the court everyone has a tongue tip, intrigues are here everyday, everyone is trying to show themselves in the best light and to rise in the favour of the king or the queen. Most also happy with the favour of my brother or me. Will you survive the court, you have to watch everything and everyone. Even you will be observed. Hundreds of eyes will rest upon you every day and every false step you do is to be used against you. So it's only useful to have something in your hands against everyone. Little secrets which no one else can know who desecrate a reputation or may destroy them."
"That sounds almost like a war."

"We are here at the royal court. This is war." He smiled gently.
"A war with other weapons seems to me."
"You have such a wise and sharp tongue, Lady Sigyn... you could still need to practice on Fandral." Grinned the prince.
"You would like to see of course, just to be amused."
"This is more amusing than any court jester could be."

The music ended and Loki bowed during Sigyn did a curtsy.
"May I take the next dance in the same claim or do you want a drink?"
"I think I should first sit down. The young lady over there seems not to be pleased that I have your attention." Sigyn smiled and nodded over to the table where a young lady, almost more girl, sat who threw dirty looks at Sigyn. "You've probably turned someone's head." She giggled.
Loki followed her gaze to the table with a sigh, rolled his eyes.
"You look very unhappy indeed, Loki?"
"The young lady is the daughter of a lady in waiting, Henja... I can be happy that she no longer haunts me... I really do not know what I've done wrong to got her attention.."
"The eternal suffering of a crown prince... you have my full sympathy."
"Do you make fun about me?"

"Of course not, royal majesty." Sigyn grinned and brought him to smile. "What has she done?"
"Except for pursue me?"
She laid a hand on his arm when he offered her this and they headed over to their seats. He filled her cup with wine before he gave her this, then took by himself a big gulp. "I thought she would come over it..."
"Apparently not, what does she wrong in order to draw your resentment about?"
"As I said, she eventually began to follow me... That some one casts her eyes on me, is not surprising. I'm not like my brother, but still a prince."
"And that alone is well known enough for most."

"Exactly. I've never given her a reason to hope. She was completely uninteresting to me. Your do not know how scary it can be if you come out of the bathroom and suddenly someone is lying on your bed..."
"How lucky I am that my father has been banished every one who got too close to me." She laughed softly. "But I know how you can get rid of her." She whispered in a conspiratorial tone.
"I'm listening."


"And you think that works?"
"Of course, trust me. Two with a cup of wine, giggling retire to the balcony where one can be alone... She looks even more like a girl. It will break her heart, perhaps, but you will have your rest before her. Trust me."
"I make you responsible for it if it should not."
"Can I compensate you with a dance for it then?" She grinned up at him.
"Fortunately, we are really alone, I would not know otherwise how to explain it."
"Your silver tongue could remember certain something." She smiled.

On the balcony they were standing close together, both holding a cup of wine in their hands and giggled softly as they would do something extremely amusing entertaining. He went even one step closer to her, was now so close that he could feel the warmth of her body. It was the first time that he inhaled the scent of her hair. He could not say exactly what it was... fine nuances of cinnamon and hazelnuts, he could filter out. He liked the scent, it was so natural, not overshadowed by heavy perfumes or fragrances. He set his cup onto the railing, leaning his hands on them left and right of her arms. Her body was entirely of his own shielded now.
"It's really a fascinating view from here..."

"You get used to it eventually." He shrugged his shoulders. When he heard footsteps behind him, he had to resist the urge to turn around. Instead, he heard Sigyn laughing and noticed how she put a hand on his. Her skin was warm and gentle, fingers slender and elegant. He could hardly imagine that this finger should embroider or cook. These hands were more like a sorceress. He heard how the steps quickly ran away and he turned his head.
"I think it has worked."
"I have told you." She smiled, and before he knew it she had already left her position. Short germinated the feeling of disappointment in him, but as soon as it came, it was gone again.
"I must really thank you, Lady Sigyn."
"That you can do with another dance." She winked.
"Ah, there you are, Sigyn Lady!"

Both looked as Thor stood in the door to the balcony. A broad grin on his face. "I've been looking for you! One dance must be, then you may get bored with the sleights of my brother again. "
"You are the one who rather bored her with your stories."
Thor had to laugh, it was to hear that he had not quite sober.
"Eventually, my brother... one day we will clarify this once and for all!" He laughed. "But now I want to dance at once!"
Before she could react Thor had taken her hand and pulled her after him. She just managed to snatch the hem of her dress so as not to trip over it. Loki took his cup slowly and followed into the interior.