A/N: I don't usually do this, but I am letting all of you know that I have taken a lot of creative liberty in this chapter in the formation of Sigyn. This isn't close to the comics or Norse mythology, so fair warning. Enjoy!

Freya's Curse

Loki entered the infirmary, Gyn in tow. Gyn attempted to rush to Freya's bedside, but Loki stopped her with a grab of her waist. He turned to his mother, who eyed Freya's paleness with a bite of her lip.

"Is it contagious?" he demanded.

Frigga looked at him. "No. I fear this is a malady that can ail only Freya."

Loki released Gyn, who collapsed by her mother's side. Gyn took Freya's hands in her own. Soft blue light glowed from Gyn's palms. Loki frowned as he watched his wife nearly exhaust herself in trying to heal her mother. He reached for Gyn, but Frigga stopped him. Loki faced his mother. "Is there nothing that can be done?"

Frigga sighed. "I know not what troubles Freya. For now, we must wait for further symptoms."

Loki's brow pinched. He glanced at Gyn, who bowed her head. His throat constricted, forcing him to swallow and lick his lips. He looked at Frigga. "Rest, Mother. We will watch over her."

Frigga nodded. She left the infirmary. Loki stood behind Gyn awkwardly. He removed his horned helmet. Gyn glanced at him. "You can leave. You needn't be bothered with me."

A pang thrummed Loki's heartstrings. He pressed his lips together before kneeling beside Gyn. Before he could offer consolation, Freya stirred. "Sigyn?"

"Mother," Gyn inched closer to Freya.

"Brisingamen…" Freya coughed. "My necklace… It was taken… from me… The witch… Hecate… A curse…"

The corners of Loki's mouth downturned. He knew of that name. Odin had forbidden his ever going near the witch. Gyn gripped her mother's hands. "What must I do?"

"Retrieve… Brisingamen…" Freya wheezed. "Lift… the curse…" Freya coughed again.

A healing maiden stopped by the bedside. "You should let her rest."

Gyn stood. Loki followed suit. He reached for her hand when it seemed Gyn was not going to leave. Suddenly, Gyn turned on her heel, pushed past him and walked down the corridor. Loki followed her to their bedroom. By the time he reached it, Gyn was already in her dressing room.

"What in the Nine Realms are you doing?" Loki demanded as Gyn emerged from her dressing room, wearing a tunic, breastplate and pants. She pulled on a pair of boots and arm braces.

"You heard my mother. I am going to find Hecate and get Brisingamen back." She strapped her sword around her waist and braided her hair. Loki blinked.

"Are you mad? You can't just waltz to Hecate's doorstep. Even I am forbidden to approach her. She's dangerous."

"So am I." Gyn replied.

Loki snorted. "Oh yes, you are positively terrifying. Do you even know where Hecate lives?"

"No," said Gyn. She lowered her gaze. "I'm sure Heimdall does."

Loki barked a laugh. "You think Heimdall will allow you to travel to Hecate?" She looked very small, like a child receiving a berate. Loki felt himself soften. He shifted and clenched his jaw, eyes flicking toward the ceiling and back to Gyn. "I could convince him, possibly."

Gyn looked at him sharply. "You shouldn't get involved."

Loki rolled his eyes. "You're not ready to go on any sort of expedition on your own. What sort of husband would I be if I let you go alone?"

Gyn's lips twisted and her eyes slanted to the side. "Not a very good one, I suppose."

Loki dipped his head. "Let's go."

They trekked to the stables and saddled their horses. Loki mounted his steed gracefully and watched Gyn struggle to climb onto her horse. Her legs were not as long as Loki's. He considered helping her, but she pulled herself up before he could dismount. Loki clicked to his steed and steered it down the path. They trotted through town until they reached the Rainbow Bridge, where Loki kicked his horse's sides to coax it into a canter. The hooves of both horses clopped in tandem along the Bridge as they sped toward the Bifrost. When they reached it, Heimdall lifted an eyebrow at them. Loki dismounted. He waited for Gyn to drop to the ground beside him before approaching the golden-eyed guardian.

"I saw you coming." Heimdall greeted them.

"Of course you did," said Loki, "you see everything."

Heimdall smirked at Loki's tone, which merely prompted Loki to bristle even more. "How can I help the two of you?"

"We need to travel to Lyngvi." Loki said.

Heimdall raised his eyebrows. "That," he muttered, "is a dangerous place. I believe the Allfather has prohibited you from going there, my prince."

Loki lifted his chin. "He did not explicitly say I was forbidden to go, and he has never spoken a word of this Lady Sigyn."

Heimdall huffed. "I expect foolhardiness from your brother, Loki. Not from you. You know of the dangers."

"Please," Gyn said, "my mother is ill. We have to retrieve Brisingamen to save her."

Heimdall regarded her with unreadable eyes. Then, he sighed. "I have always been fond of Lady Freya. Your quest is noble, and the Allfather has not told me not to allow you to travel there." He picked up his massive sword opened the Bifrost. "I will remind you, Prince Loki, that I will not return you to Asgard if dangers persist around you."

Loki dipped his head. He felt a tug on his body and then the Bifrost sucked him away from Asgard. Stars sped past in a silver blur. Loki's heart choked his throat. Before his lungs constricted, his feet landed on a rocky shore. He glanced at Gyn, who looked paler than usual. Loki followed her gaze, up the rocky cliff face to the palace perched on top. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Gyn looked at him and pressed her lips into a thin line. She merely pushed past him and trekked toward the cliff. Loki followed her. They crouched beside a rock. "There must be a path leading to the palace."

Loki nodded. He glanced around. The air seemed to crackle. His skin tingled. Loki recognized this sensation –the place was heavy with magic. "Do you feel it?"

Gyn rubbed her arms. "Yes."

"Then remember what we learned. See through the illusion."

Gyn closed her eyes and puffed out a soft breath. Loki narrowed his eyes, looking for a shimmer or weakness in Hecate's illusion. It required much focus, as Hecate was a powerful sorceress. The sun hid behind pearlescent clouds, casting grey light. Loki caught the shimmer before Gyn did. He touched her elbow and pointed toward the shimmer. Gyn nodded. Loki led the way, crouching low in case Hecate watched from above. Loki offered his hand to Gyn. She accepted, and Loki concentrated on cloaking them from Hecate's eyes and magic. It required a substantial amount of energy to shield them from Hecate, so by the time they had hiked up the cliff, Loki already felt drained. He panted and sat down on a rock for a brief moment while Gyn craned her neck to look up the castle wall.

Gyn looked at him. "Are you all right?"

"I am fine," Loki replied shortly. He stood, his limbs feeling heavy. His head rushed with the sudden movement. He blinked to clear it. "Any suggestions on how to get in?"

Gyn bit her lip. "I was hoping you would."

Loki shook his head. "We'll have to find a window."

Gyn nodded and they began their search for a low window. They finally found one, though Loki still had to hoist Gyn up so that she could clamber through. She caught his hands when he jumped, and puled while he climbed. Loki dropped inside the room and looked around.

They stood in a library. Loki's fingers itched to touch the books and take one or two. How much could he learn from the books in Hecate's library? But Gyn seemed uninterested in the books and swept out of the room and into the corridor. Loki rolled his eyes and puffed out a breath and followed her. Gyn paused, tilting her head. She listened for a moment. Loki held his breath and listened but heard nothing. His brow puckered as Gyn trotted down the hall. Loki followed. Gyn stopped again, listening with her head tilted.

"What are you doing?" Loki hissed after nearly walking into her.

Gyn looked at him. "You don't hear it?"

Loki frowned. "No."

Gyn's brow pinched. "Perhaps because I am connected to it by blood?"

Loki nodded. "That seems logical."

Gyn closed her eyes. "I feel as if it's moving away…"

Loki tensed. He could feel the electricity of strong magic in the air. The hair on the back of his neck and arms stood on end. Something in him felt cold. He turned toward Gyn and narrowed his eyes. His heart fluttered in his throat like a frantic bird's wings when he realized he could not control his own movements.

Then, a voice whispered in his head: Kill her.

Gyn felt Brisingamen's murmur behind her, even though she had felt it before her moments ago. She frowned. "I'm not sure what this means. Perhaps it was a mistake to come here. I don't even know what the damn thing looks like. Loki?" Gyn turned toward him. His eyes glowed an eerie whitish blue. Gyn stiffened. "Loki?"

Loki's brow twitched. Then, he reached out and grabbed Gyn by the hair. Gyn cried out as Loki flung her to the floor. She crawled back, widening her eyes. Loki staggered toward her. "Look… out…" Loki gritted out.

Gyn frowned. Loki flung a dagger at her. Gyn rolled out of the way, but the blade nicked her shoulder. She touched the cut and looked at her fingertips, now stained with blood. "What are you doing?"

"I can't…" Loki grabbed Gyn by the lapels of her vest and lifted her up. "I can't control it!" He smacked her.

Gyn whimpered slightly, her face stinging. Loki gripped her by the throat and lifted her off the floor. Gyn gripped his wrist as the pressure around her neck increased. "Loki… please…"

The eerie gleam in Loki's eyes faltered. His brow puckered, and his lips parted in horror. Gyn squeezed his wrist. Black spots skipped in her vision. She summoned the last bit of energy she possessed and blasted Loki away from her with an energy shield. His fingernails scraped her neck, but Gyn landed on the floor, free of Loki's choking grasp. She coughed and shuddered as she drank in droughts of air. Loki was on all fours, his head hanging as he panted. He lifted his head. The glow had disappeared form his eyes completely. The corners of his mouth pulled downward as he stared at Gyn, who touched her neck. Loki reached toward her, but Gyn flinched away. He dropped his hand.

"I don't remember inviting guests." A woman stood at the end of the corridor. An elaborate necklace decorated her collar. She was frighteningly beautiful, with silver hair and dark, almond-shaped eyes. She was tall and thin. Her lips slanted into a smirk as she approached Gyn and Loki, her cloak dragging on the floor.

"You're Hecate." said Loki, standing.

The woman smiled and brushed her fingers under Loki's chin. "Clever boy."

"That doesn't belong to you." Gyn growled, eyeing Brisingamen around Hecate's neck.

Hecate glanced down at Gyn. "It doesn't belong to you, either. I suppose I should get rid of you thieves." The jewel on Brisingamen glowed whitish blue. Loki's eyes mirrored the glow. He withdrew his daggers.

"Gyn… run!" he shouted, charging for Gyn, who scrambled to her feet and dodged Loki at the last second.

Loki slashed and Gyn ducked. She unsheathed her sword and blocked Loki's attacks as best she could. She realized that Loki's training with her had been his showing mercy. He had been easy on her during training. Now, they were not just practicing. Gyn's first real battle was with her husband, a master of magic and dagger proficiency. Gyn did her best to keep Loki at bay. She failed to take the openings she saw, as she did not want to hurt him. She merely blocked and parried, but her arms ached. Loki was fast with his attacks, faster than Gyn could ever hope to be with her heavy, unbalanced sword. Loki twirled his dagger around Gyn's blade and disarmed her. He swept his leg under her ankles. She collapsed to the floor, Loki towering over her, daggers raised.

Tears filled Gyn's eyes. "Loki… please… stop!"

The gleam in Loki's eyes dimmed. For a moment, he was himself. He met Gyn's gaze, his teeth gritted. His face contorted into a grimace and he trembled as he tried to fight Brisingamen's power. "Get the necklace!"

He stabbed downward as Gyn rolled out of the way. She kicked Loki's knee. He cried out and dropped to the floor. Gyn jumped to her feet and charged for Hecate. Hecate widened her eyes. Brisingamen glowed and Hecate screamed, "Stop!" But Brisingamen had no effect on Gyn.

Gyn reached for the necklace, but strong hands grabbed her from behind and ripped her away from Hecate. Loki slammed Gyn into the wall. He grabbed her hair and threw her to the floor. Multiple illusions of Loki appeared, each one throwing an attack at Gyn. She dodged as best she could, but Loki managed to cut into Gyn's side. She yelped and gripped her side, dropping to her knees. "STOP!"

Loki froze, and his illusions vanished. He blinked and shook his head. He swayed for a moment and pinched his nose. He looked around, his eyes their normal shade of green. He looked down at her, his lips parted. His chest rose and fell with his pants. Gyn breathed heavily and followed Loki's gaze to Hecate, who stood motionless.

"Only the blood of Freya has the power to do that." Hecate whispered, clutching her chest.

Gyn gritted her teeth. Her wound flared angrily as she stood. "You've stolen my mother's necklace."

Hecate blinked. "You… You're Sigyn?"

Gyn nodded. "I am."

Hecate lowered her gaze. Then, she reached up and took off Brisingamen. She held it out to Gyn, who stared at it. Hecate met Gyn's gaze. "I may hate your mother, but I do not hate you, cousin. I will not fight you for this."

Ice trickled into Gyn's chest. Her breath hitched as she took Brisingamen. "Cousin?"

Hecate pursed her lips. "Of course that one-eyed fool has not told you the truth. You belong with the Olympians, not the Aesir or even the Vanir. You would be more welcome among us."

"Oh yes," Loki snapped, "I'm sure everyone on Olympus would be ecstatic to see her. Not even her father wants her."

"Her father wanted her a hundred years ago, but Odin saw fit to banish her instead!"

"That was for her safety. Has your mistress calmed in the last century?"

"She is not my mistress."

"She rules over your domain."

"For half the year," Hecate spat. "Her anger does not burn as brightly as it once did."

Loki scoffed. "If she were to Gyn, her anger would burn anew."

Hecate frowned. "Perhaps. But her father would not allow any harm to come to her."

"Her father wouldn't know what to do with Gyn." Loki tugged on Gyn's arm. "Let's go."

Gyn failed to move. Hecate looked at Loki. "There's a reason our people do not get along. You have kept the truth from her."

"That was not my decision." Loki replied coolly.

Hecate's lip curled. "Just as it was not your decision to marry her."

Gyn felt Loki tense behind her. "How do you know of that?"

"I know many things, son of Odin." Hecate glanced at Gyn. "Remember that you have friends on Olympus, cousin."

Gyn allowed Loki to pull her away. Once they were outside, she heard Loki call for Heimdall to take them back to Asgard. She felt the pull in her gut and hardly saw the rushing lights of the Bifrost. She stood in the observatory, sounds reaching her ears as if through a tunnel. She was half Vanir, half Olympian. Who was her father? Why had she been banished? Why had it been dangerous for her to meet her father?

"Gyn, we must get the necklace to your mother." Loki murmured in her ear.

Gyn's stomach lurched. Loki had known. He had known all along, and he had never uttered a word. He knew who her father was, and he was still concealing it from her. She looked at Loki, who drew back slightly, his brow pinching. Gyn strode past him and mounted her horse. She kicked the mare's sides and took off across the Rainbow Bridge, not bothering to check if Loki was behind her or not. She dismounted as soon as she reached the stable and rushed inside the palace. She trekked down the corridor and up a staircase and down another corridor until she reached the infirmary. She burst inside, panting slightly from her quick pace.

"I have Brisingamen."

Frigga, who sat at Freya's bedside, looked up with widened eyes. She stood and took the necklace. The necklace glowed whitish blue until it faded to royal blue. "Hecate's curse is lifted." Frigga placed the necklace into Freya's hands. Freya's grey pallor immediately colored. Frigga looked at Gyn, her eyes soft. "Your mother will recover quickly."

"Thank you." Gyn managed.

Frigga's eyebrows pinched together at Gyn's tone. "You are angry."

Gyn clenched her teeth for a moment before nodding. "All of you have lied to me."

Frigga lowered her head. "I see. Hecate told you, then." She looked past Gyn at Loki. "Your father is most displeased."

"I imagine so."

Frigga sighed. "He wants to speak with the both of you."

Gyn dipped her head and pushed past Loki. She strode to the throne room. Loki didn't follow her. Gyn wondered if perhaps she had gone mad, storming into the throne room to confront the Allfather. She pushed the thought from her mind. She stood before the throne, where Odin sat waiting for her and Loki. He lifted his chin as he regarded Gyn.

"Lady Sigyn." he said coldly.

Gyn stopped at the steps. "You lied to me. All of you have lied to me!"

"No one has lied to you," Odin replied simply, "we merely kept the truth from you."

"That is dishonesty," Gyn snapped.

"Have care for how you speak to me, Lady Sigyn." Odin said.

Loki's footsteps echoed throughout the hall as he entered the throne room. Gyn refused to look at him, though she felt his eyes on her. "Father," Loki stepped forward, palms raised, "Gyn was merely trying to save her mother."

"Silence, Loki!" Odin hissed. Loki's hands dropped to his sides and he bowed his head. Gyn frowned but turned her gaze back to Odin, who stood. "You knew that Hecate's palace was forbidden, yet you went. Hecate will leave that palace now, and we will no longer be able to watch her. I forbade this quest for a reason, and both of you ignored it. I expect this recklessness from Thor, but not from you, Loki."

Loki seemed to shrink further. Gyn pressed her lips together. She narrowed her eyes at Odin. "How could you expect me to not help my mother?"

"Her life is not worth both of yours." Odin replied.

"You mean Loki's," Gyn gritted out.

"Sigyn," Loki muttered.

"No," Gyn snapped at him. "I have maintained my silence, but no longer. I have been treated as an outsider, a bastard. I was exiled to Midgard for a crime I have no memory of. Hecate let us go because she sensed my heritage. Why is that an enemy treats me with an honesty?"

"Did you consider it was for your own good that we kept the truth from you? Or perhaps the witch lied to you?" Odin countered.

"She did not lie," Loki murmured.

Gyn glanced at Loki, who lowered his head even further, avoiding Odin's one-eyed glare. Gyn curled her hands into fists and stepped in front of Loki, facing the Allfather. She wondered if she should fear Odin the way Loki did, but found she could not bring herself to do so. "She let us go. She was not lying. My father is an Olympian and you have kept it from me."

"We have kept the truth from you for your own good." barked Odin. "I will not justify my reasons to you."

"Why?" Gyn breathed.

The doors at the end of the hall burst open. Gyn turned to see her mother. Freya approached the throne. "Allfather, please. I asked her to go, to save my life." Freya's voice wavered, whether from her illness or fear of Odin, Gyn had no idea.

"A selfish act that could have gotten your daughter and my son killed."

"Hecate would never harm my daughter."

"She is not your friend."

Freya lowered her head. "Not anymore. But she is Ha—"

"Silence!" Odin roared.

"Sigyn has a right to know who her father is!" Freya yelled.

Odin's eye slid to Gyn, who stood still. He looked back to Freya. "Hecate is no friend of yours, and for good reason. Conflicts such as this are why Lady Sigyn was sent to Midgard in the first place."

"Don't," Freya gasped, "don't exile her again. This was my crime, not hers."

"This time it is her crime."

Ice trickled into Gyn's chest. Loki glanced at her out of the corner of her eye. He stepped forward. "Father, she only did what she thought was best."

"You should have stopped her."

Loki's shoulders tensed. "She would have gone anyway."

"And that excuses your actions?"

Gyn scowled as Loki flinched. She looked up at the Allfather and trembled. "I wanted to save my mother. Loki went to protect me. He wouldn't have stopped me, and he knew it. Hecate did not kill us. She let us go. I deserve the truth of why I was exiled. You're only angry because we disobeyed you. Are you truly so arrogant that independent minds intimidate you?"

"Sigyn," Freya hissed. But Gyn ignored her, staring down the Allfather.

Odin narrowed his eye. "I am angry because yours and your mother's actions have once again endangered Asgard. Such choices are as good as treason."

Gyn snorted. "Then exile me. At least I was happy back on Midgard!"

Loki looked at Gyn, his brow puckering. Gyn ignored him. Odin inhaled deeply. "Loki, return Lady Sigyn to your quarters while I ruminate upon this. I wish to speak with Lady Freya alone."

Gyn shared a glance with her mother before walking with Loki to their quarters. Once inside, Gyn ignored Loki and sat beside the window. She clenched and unclenched her teeth. She sensed Loki's eyes on her.

"Why would you speak to my father like that?" he asked at last.

Gyn curled her hands into fists, her nails digging into her palms. "I don't know. I suppose I don't have much to lose."

Loki sat across from her on the cushioned window sill. He pulled his knees to his chest, mimicking Gyn's position. "You truly were exiled for your safety. Your father and mother's relationship nearly caused a war. There were both Olympians and Asgardians wanted you dead. You were the child of an affair that never should have happened. Odin sent you to Midgard, on neutral territory, to hide you from those who wanted you dead. He sent you away from your mother to punish her, I suppose. You are the only person she has ever loved."

Gyn's eyes burned. "I never gave her a chance. Not truly. I've pushed her away over and over because… I didn't want to be here. I was happy on Midgard. Then she brought me here and it changed everything." She sniffled and buried her head, trying to disguise her tears.

She felt Loki's eyes on her, but his gaze felt softer. Gyn's cheeks reddened. "Do you truly wish to return to Midgard?"

"I don't know," Gyn muttered, tears sliding down her cheeks. "There are times where I… I am almost happy here. I was always missing something on Midgard, and now I know what it was. My memories, my friends, my mother… I had a family and on Midgard I was alone. Yet, somehow, I feel alone here as well."

"For what it's worth," Loki remarked slowly, "I regret adding to your misery here. In truth, I have developed a sort of fondness for you. I will do my best to keep you from exile, Sigyn."

Gyn looked at him and her lips twitched. Loki returned the gesture. Gyn lifted a brow. "So you do smile?"

Loki's lips stretched further. "You've seen me smile before."

"It's so rare an occurrence that it feels worth mentioning."

"All the more reason to treasure it, then." Loki smirked, his eyes soft. Gyn returned it, her tears subsiding. They gazed at each other for a long moment. Gyn's chest tugged. Loki looked away first. Gyn stared at him for a few more seconds. She knew Loki felt her eyes on him, but he continued to stare out the window at the gardens below. Gyn followed his gaze after a moment. They sat in silence, the toes of their boots touching, as they waited for Odin to make his decision.

After an hour or so, a knock sounded on their chamber door. Loki swept from his position fluidly. He answered the door. An Einherjar stood it the threshold. Gyn stood from her seat and wrapped her arms around herself. Her heart trembled. Should Odin choose to exile her again, would she really be happy on Midgard? She glanced at Loki. She would regret failing to befriend him most of all.

"The Allfather wishes to speak with you both," the Einherjar announced. Loki and Gyn followed the Einherjar down the corridor and to the Allfather's throne room once more. Freya was no longer in the room. Gyn's heart jolted into her throat.

Odin stood and descended the steps so that he was level with Gyn and Loki. "You both disobeyed me, even if for a good cause."

"I'm sorry, Father," Loki murmured, bowing his head. "I could not let Gyn go alone."

"I am aware," said Odin. Gyn's brow pinched. Odin did not seem angry anymore. Odin looked Gyn over. "You are as fiery as your mother."

Gyn's cheeks reddened. "I…"

Odin sighed. "Both Frigga and Freya have worked to convince me that the two of you had noble causes. Freya believes you were never in any real danger. She wanted you to go because she hoped that Hecate would recognize you. Your mother believes you should know the truth of your parentage, but she kept her oath not to tell you herself."

Gyn's heart slammed against her ribs. "So… I am not going to be exiled?"

Odin chuckled. "No, Lady Sigyn. I will not exile you for this. The both of you are in trouble, mind you, but I will not exile you. I am not so harsh as to separate the two of you or take you from your mother a second time. I did not exile you to Midgard for any crime of yours, but for your mother's. She seduced an Olympian, which resulted in a war nearly breaking out between our people. Your mother hid your birth from the Olympians, but just before your exile, an Olympian staying at Asgardian court realized who you were. They reported back, and the Olympian Persephone wanted you dead. She had supporters, some of them rather formidable, such as Hera and Artemis. Ares supported her because of his desire for war. Very few know that your father and I both conspired to keep you safe. We decided that banishment to Midgard would be the best choice. In some ways, it punished your mother for her deeds. I believe the person who suffered most was you. I see you have much anger and hurt for this lie but know that it was for your safety and your mother's punishment. It was not for any misdeed you committed."

Gyn failed to breathe for several seconds. She choked and placed a hand over her heart. "Who is my father?" She looked up, tears in her eyes. "Who is he?"

Odin sighed. "Hades, god of the Underworld."

Gyn sucked in a sharp breath. She blinked, and fat tears splashed down her cheeks. Hades. Hades was her father. She staggered back, her breath short. Loki reached toward her and placed a hand on her elbow. Gyn glanced at him, unable to breathe properly. Loki's gaze held hers until she found a rhythm in her breath. Loki looked to Odin. "And our punishment, Father?"

Odin pressed his lips together for a moment. "You both are confined to Asgard for one moon. No adventures outside. Heimdall knows of this. Do not think you will be able to convince him to let you out sooner than this."

Loki bowed. "That is fair, Father. Thank you."

Gyn met the Allfather's gaze. "Thank you, Allfather. For…" Gyn trailed off.

Odin dipped his head. "Get some rest, child. You need it."

Gyn nodded. She and Loki left the Allfather's throne room and returned to their quarters. Gyn sank onto the edge of their bed, her mouth slightly ajar. Loki stood before her. "Are you all right?"

Gyn looked up at him. "May I get back to you on that?"

Loki snorted softly and crouched before her. "At least you weren't exiled."

Gyn swallowed. "Thank the Norns for that."

"You still have eternity to pester me," Loki jested.

Gyn managed a smile. "I pester you?"

Loki's lips twitched. "I'd wager you're even worse than Thor."

"Is that a challenge, dear Loki?" The corners of Gyn's lips upturned coyly.

Loki's humor froze. He stared at Gyn for several seconds. Gyn's smile faded. Had she said the wrong thing? What had she said that bothered him? Loki lowered his gaze. He looked back up, his lips sliding into their usual smirk. "Only if you're up to it."

I know it's been forever, guys. I'm really sorry. I haven't forgotten this story, but I was taking time to finish school (which I did –I graduate from college next weekend!) and to flesh out Sigyn's character more. I've taken a lot of creative liberty with her, especially with the crossing over of the Greek and Norse gods. I believe in some of the comics that the Olympians show up… I don't really read the comics, and this is part of the MCU anyway. I do what I want. Infinity War crushed me. Like, I have a physical ache in my chest whenever I think about it. Depending on how IW and Avengers 4 pans out, I will "fix" some of the things that happened. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. There's finally something brewing between Loki and Sigyn. Please review, guys!