Chapter 6: Pretty as a Rose

As the guard hurried off, Sif's gaze returned to Loki who regarded Balder the way he would regard an unsavory smell in the air. "Balder, I was under the impression that your visit would be brief. Yet, here you are." Loki drawled, with a raised brow.

"Yes, I grew concerned when I found Lady Sif had been bed ridden all of yesterday," Balder replied, taking Loki's rudeness in stride. "I thought it best that I see for myself she was well." Balder had always been different from Thor in the way of their temperament. He was not easily angered yet when the spark did ignite in his eyes, it was difficult to snuff the fire. Sif was sure that if anyone had power to anger Balder it would be Loki.

Loki's face drew into his signature mischievous smirk. "Ah, yes. Well I am sorry. For I must blame myself in keeping my lady to bed all of yesterday. I assure you however, she is quite well." Sif eyes widened in dismay. Loki looked to Sif and blinked back at her innocently. His expression said; I am only telling the truth. The statement was true but it must have sounded entirely wrong in Balder's ears. She didn't even want to know what Balder's mind was doing with that. Sif could only send Loki a lethal glare. Why did he have to be so nasty? It was uncalled for.

When Sif turned to Balder she could see his ears tinge red and his eyes ablaze. It had not been a full minute and Loki had already managed to ignite the fire.

Sif quickly pulled Balder to the side of the stairs. "Pay him no heed. His words are twisted," Sif whispered urgently as they stood waiting for Amora's entrance. Balder's eyes however remained steadfast on Loki, a certain animosity hardly hidden in his features.

The large doors opened then and the lovely Enchantress made her grand entrance, her several companions flanking her. Her long golden locks billowed behind her as she proceeded towards the throne, almost gliding. Sif would think her appearance angelic if it were not for the odd feeling of unease she received from the exotic woman. The air around the woman seemed almost charged with dark magic.

"My King," Amora greeted, crossing her hand over chest and kneeling. Her companions did the same, their armor clanking quietly.

"Amora," Loki replied leisurely. His eyes briefly flitted over Amora's company, then returned back to her. Sif assumed he did not see them as a threat. "It has been quite some time since our last…dealings." The way Loki trailed off made Sif wander what exactly was the nature of Amora and Loki's relationship.

"Yes it has," Amora replied eagerly. "And I have come to congratulate you on your status as King of Asgard. A title you have long since deserved," Amora declared and Sif's eyes narrowed.

"I can not disagree," Loki smiled. It was more self-satisfied then pleased. There may have been a touch of smugness as well. "But I find it odd you have come all this way to give me your congratulations." Sif agreed. Amora was the type of woman with a purpose. "What more have you come for?" Loki demanded. Sif's eye fell to his fingers that had begun to idly tap on the metal surface of the throne's armrest.

Amora only briefly hesitated before standing to her full height. "Karnilla, Queen of the Norns has exiled me." A deadly silence fell over the throne room. Sif was surprised to hear this. Amora had been Karnilla's most faithful and adored apprentice; her trophy. What reason would Karnilla have to banish Amora?

"The Norn Queen banished you, did she?" Loki asked, a small smile curling at his lips. Sif watched him stand from the throne and slowly descend as he spoke. "Now why would she banish her favorite apprentice?"

Sif watched on with apprehension as Loki reached Amora and grinned down out her. Amora spoke easily. "We reached a disagreement in our magical practices." Balder and Sif exchanged suspicious glances. "I believe she envied me."

"…Go on."

A confident smile crept on Amora's face and Sif was unnerved by her mannerisms that were so similar to Loki's. Now that she thought of it, the two sorcerers were very much alike. They could make a deadly pair. "I believe it was my advanced magical abilities she envied. You would have no reason to envy me, my King…."

Loki only raised his brows expectantly when Amora trailed off.

"I wish to seek refuge here, in the House of Odin. If you would have me," Amora stated clearly. Sif almost did not realize she had began to shake her head. Amora would only stir up trouble. Like Amora, Karnilla was dark and powerful. Yet she was also wise. If Karnilla had banished Amora, it had to be for a good reason. The Norn Queen was not known to be hasty.

"I could be your faithful assistant. Or whatever else you would have me to be." Sif's eyes slightly widened at Amora's suggestive tone and her eyes flew to Loki.

So this was Amora's ploy? To get close to Loki? So she could what, though? Manipulate him? Or perhaps Amora wanted to become Queen. Amora had to know of Sif's betrothal to Loki. A million more questions fluttered around Sif's mind.

He paused, and a grin crossed his face as his eyes trailed over Amora's leather clad figure appreciatively. "Who am I to refuse such a tempting offer?" Sif fists curl. Of course, just like any other man, Loki would fall prey to Amora's charms. She was surprised by her feeling of disappointment in Loki. It was not as if Sif held Loki in any sort of high regard, but for whatever reason, she had a strange sort of belief in Loki. A belief that he was different from the most men. He was supposed to be above batting eyelashes and scantly dressed women. Loki only had a few good traits that Sif knew of and his level-headedness was one of them. Where was that now?

Sif was sure she saw Amora's eyes gleam in triumph. But Loki was not finished.

"There is just one thing…" Loki began thoughtfully as though he had just remembered a petty detail that had been bothering him. "You see, I have no quarrel with Karnilla, and inviting you into Odin's house may very well change that. We have just barely avoided war with Jotunheim so why should I risk my kingdom's safety?"

Sif was instantly relieved and grateful that Loki had enough wits about him to see Amora for what she was; a threat. Had it been Thor on throne, Sif was not sure he would be impervious to Amora's advances.

"But my King! Karnilla envied me! She-" Amora began to protest.

"Karnilla does not envy you. She fearsyou." Loki interrupted with clipped tones. If Karnilla feared Amora, what exactly was Amora capable of, then? "In offering you refuge, I would only make an enemy of a friend." Loki said plainly as he drew away from Amora like he had lost interest in her all together.

"Loki, I have nowhere else to-" Amora started, her eyes wide and searching Loki's. He seemed very unimpressed. Sif sensed a former familiarity between the two sorcerers that made her feel worried. Amora seemed shocked he would decline her request. Whatever relationship the two had held in the past, it was clearly over now.

"I have spoken." Loki interrupted as he spun around and Amora stiffened. "You will find no sanction in these walls."

Amora stared at Loki for a long moment. His expression was serious and slightly bored. For some reason, Amora's gaze suddenly drew to Sif, and there was an unexplainable strain in the air. Something about the way Amora looked at Sif, made her worried. Sif felt that something was happening at that moment. Amora's eyes nearly seemed calculating as they pinned Sif in place. Loki followed Amora's gaze, then his eyes darted between the two women.

When Odinspear was slammed to the ground, Amora flinched, and her eyes snapped to Loki. "You have your answer, you may leave." Loki hissed. His hand was fisted around the spear in an iron grip. There was a dangerous glint to his eyes and Amora must have seen it.

She bowed her head, with a tight smile. "Very well, my King." Sif sensed anger and humility behind that smile, that was so rigid it looked painful.

As Amora spun around, her long cloak swirled about her, creating a blur of green cloth. She stalked past her companions towards the exit. Her hooded friends fell in line behind her, and soon they had left the way they had came, taking their dark aura with them. Balder and Sif once again exchanged curious and slightly worried glances. What had that been about?

"Sif, would you join me outside?" Loki asked distantly as he walked towards the terrace. An odd feeling settled into her stomach…something had changed between them. The words that had been spoken the night before were still fresh along with the feelings that came with them. Sif did not know what it was, but it worried her.

Balder shot her a look that said Loki's previous words were not forgotten. But Sif could only sigh and follow Loki out into the day light.

Odd emotions brooded in Sif's chest as she joined Loki, onto the terrace. She was feeling restless…almost nervous. She had no idea why. What did he want to see her for anyways? Was he still angry about Balder? That had been days ago…he could not still be upset. But this was Loki, and Sif hardly ever knew what was going on in that head of his. "Listen, I was just going to tell Balder to leave when Amora-" Sif's explanation was quickly cut off.

"He may stay," Loki said quickly has he placed his hand flatly on the stone rail, the other still holding the spear. The curled horns of his helm gleamed in the sunlight as he titled his face towards the sky.

Sif blinked in surprise. "I…what?" Why was he letting Balder stay? Sif could not help but become suspicious.

Loki sighed tiredly. "In tolerating his presence I am putting my trust in you. Should you break this trust…"

He did not need to finish; Sif knew Loki's warning were not to be taken lightly. Sif only nodded mutely while still feeling skeptical.

"But never mind Balder. He poses no real threat to me," Loki stated, and Sif felt it may have been meant as an insult on Balder's behalf. "However, be weary of Amora. She…" He glanced at Sif, his expression very serious. "Should she at anytime try to contact you, from now on you must tell me. Do you understand?"

"Why would she come into contact with me?" Sif asked. Not only was she confused by his words but also his grim tone.

Sif watched Loki sigh yet again and remove his helmet. He looked wearily down below the terrace as he dragged a hand through his inky hair. Sif followed his gaze. Amora and her companion were settling back onto their horses. From this distance, Sif could not be sure, but she wanted to say Amora looked flustered. "Amora is a woman scorned and now she has reason to be jealous." Sif was considering Loki's words as he turned fully to her. "This makes her a danger to you."

Before Sif thought Loki have had some sort of relationship with Amora but now she was sure. It must not have ended well...

Sif's eyes narrowed at Loki with irritation and she crossed her arms over her chest. "She is no danger to me," Sif stated, feeling mildly insulted that Loki thought Amora more lethal then herself. Amora may have been a powerful sorceress but she was wisp of a woman. Sif was sure Amora's delicate wrist would be snapped if she ever attempted to so much as lift a sword.

"But she is." There was something about Loki's tone that made her almost believe him.

Sif was caught off guard when his hand came towards her, and she thought he would touch her cheek. Sif did not shrink instantly away. It could either be because she was growing used to him touching her when he pleased or she was just giving into the will of the magic that begged her to touch him.

Loki's hand swept behind her ear and when he pulled back a small pink rose was held between his fingers.

Sif swallowed and blinked down at the pretty rose, feeling uncomfortable about Loki's display. He plucked the rose from the stem and placed it into her palm. The petals were softer then feathers. She wanted to ask how he did it, but then did not really want to admit she was curious.

"Amora is much like a rose…beautiful. However she is not as harmless as she appears." She glanced at Loki's hand to see a small ruby smear on the tip of his finger. He had pricked his finger on the rose's thorns. Sif stared back at Loki in puzzlement at his analogy. He was warning her…and she found it strange. What does Loki care if Amora harms me.

"That is a lovely magic trick," Sif stated feeling at any moment he would wilt the rose or somehow make it burst into flames.

"It is magic but not a trick," he replied a small smile playing at his lips. Sif could see now why he had chosen the path of a sorcerer instead a warrior. It was evident in his face that enjoyed magic. He enjoyed having the ability to do the unexplainable. She was slightly mystified to see him in his element. "Illusionist use tricks. They manipulate the mind and your reality to believe things that are not there. Your perception of colors for instance…"

Sif watched in awe as the rose fluctuated from pink to red. "You can change the color." Sif noted in surprise.

"I could change it to anything." She watched him close her palm with his own hand, covering the rose.

Sif was staring at him with an expression of perplexity when she was distracted by a strange tickling in her palm.

There, nestled in her palm was a ruby butterfly, the same rich shade of the rose she had been holding just moment ago. Sif could not contain the delighted smile that crossed her features. She witnessed the work of magic daily, yet it was never displayed like this. Sif realized this was the reason she had felt uncomfortable. She had never seen Loki use his sorcery to create anything pretty or delicate or harmless. And she had never shown any sign of recognition or appreciation of his talent.

Maybe he always did things like this. When people were not watching or he was alone in that scary laboratory of his. Sif found it hard to imagine Loki hiding in his lab with clusters of butterflies. No, this was something he had done just for her. Too show her…what? To show her he could make pretty things?

"Are you…is your skin an illusion?" Sif asked suddenly staring at him strangely. If he was able to create illusions then he could become an entirely different person. Or even morph into an animal.

Sif was surprised by Loki's reaction. He seemed almost to bristle and to her shock she almost thought she saw a streak of pink cross his cheeks. From his expression Sif had to assume he had flushed with anger. "No."

Sif shrugged, as if it were of no importance then leaned closer. "…I'm only asking because, well, if you could make your skin appear different then imagine what else you could do."

Loki stared at her a moment then his eyes dropped to his hand and he clenched then unclenched it. "This is just the way I am. Only the most advanced of Sorcerers can combine magic with illusions."

She admired the rich hue of the butterfly in her palm, while reflecting on his words.

The red butterfly in her hand twitched it's little wings and fluttered out of her hand and into the air before her. It only lingered momentarily before flitting off towards a new destination, out of sight. Sif found it amazing that only moments again, the butterfly had been a inanimate rose. When Sif looked back to Loki, she found he had been watching her. She didn't like that she could almost always feel his eyes on her. Her face hardened when memories of last night, in the court yard flashed through her mind.

"Why were you following me last night?" Her voice came out accusing shattering the strange yet calm atmosphere that had settled over them.

He seemed genuinely and squinted at her. "What?"

"Last night. You followed me out into the court yard…" Sif trailed off, his expression puzzling her. She gave him a disbelieving look. "I know you did Loki. I saw my lyre in your room when I remember leaving it behind in the gardens." Sif felt annoyed that he would pretend that he did not know what she was talking about. "And I do not find any humor in your actions."

Loki seemed amused by Sif and opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted.

"My king…" Their brief silence was interrupted by an guard who stood a few feet away. Sif had not heard him approach. "A number of citizens are awaiting your audience. They request that you hear their various grievances."

As Sif watched Loki place his helmet back onto his dark head, she was sure she saw his shoulders droop slightly. "Very well. Send them in. One at a time."

Loki was heading back into the throne room when he stopped and turned back as though he had forgotten something. "Among…many other things, the council discussed our betrothal." Sif's stomach dropped at the mention of their impending marriage. "They would have me set a date for our marriage ceremony, and your coronation as Queen."

What? Sif turned away, to face the balcony suddenly feeling a little dizzy. She wanted nothing to do with it; the preparation, the planning. Nothing at all. "It is none of my concern." Sif knew she sounded slightly petulant but she was beyond caring. While speaking her hands hand formed into a vice like grip on the railing.

"Soon then," Loki stated. He was quiet for a moment then spoke. "Also…my mother mentioned wanting to speak with you."

"Regarding what?" Sif asked, quizzically. She was met with silence and when she turned back, Loki had left.

Sif groaned. What was she to do? Any actions against Loki would only endanger her companions in Midgard…yet was she to allow herself to be wed willing to Loki?

xXx_

Sif took a deep breath as she approached the doors of Odin's chambers. She had seen very little of the Frigga since Odin had fallen into his sleep. Sif presumed that Loki had been telling the truth when claiming she refused to leave his father's bedside. It was common for Lady Frigga to watch over and almost protect Odin while he rested. But this time circumstances were different. Usually they were prepared for the Odinsleep. Her eldest son had been banished. Her youngest son had claimed the throne. Now Sif would be taking the place by his side. And Sif didn't know how Frigga felt about any of it.

With no further trepidation, Sif placed her palms to the heavy metal and softly pushed the large double doors open, soft enough not to disrupt the peaceful silence of Odin's large chambers.

Frigga, who was seated at Odin's bedside, lifted her head and upon seeing Sif, gave her a warm and slightly tired smile. Sif smiled gently back and immediately knew she had been foolish to be anxious about seeing her. This was still the same woman she known her entire life and treated her with a kind of warmth only a mother could provide.

The elegant woman quietly stood from her place at Odin's side, her eyes lingering momentarily on Odin before she made her way around the huge bed to Sif. Sif felt the older woman clasp her hand and lead her back outside of Odin's chambers.

When they were out in the corridor, Frigga did not immediately speak, instead let go of Sif's hand and approached the arch that was much like a window but without a glass pane. Sif followed Frigga quietly and took the seat before the arch. Sif watched Frigga's long curly locks stir softly in the wind coming in from the sea.

"Your brother is missing," Frigga finally spoke and Sif felt her heart twist. Frigga was one of the very few who knew of her link to Heimdall.

"Yes, I was told," Sif replied. "He is not my brother. Not anymore. His responsibilities as gatekeeper are far more important then the worldly bonds he…has left behind," Sif's voice was subdued although her heart ached at the very thought of Heimdall and his whereabouts.

"Yet you worry for him. I can see it in your eyes," the Queen said gently.

"I worry for all of Asgard," Sif replied honestly and somewhat evasively.

"As do I," Frigga responded heavily then turned to Sif. "The Valkyrior will be arriving in the morning. With my son exiled, my husband in the Odinsleep, and no one to guard this realm, we must to be prepared for anything. I trust you are capable of organizing a defense plan with them when the arrive?"

The Valkyrior were an elite group of female warriors who often visited Asgard. Sometimes to recruit and other times to keep Odin safe during times like these. Their skills and numbers would provide the extra protection Asgard needed. "Of course my Queen. In the event of an attack, we will be ready," Sif stated seriously. She glanced up at Frigga to find she had returned to gazing out at the sea with a slightly worried look in her eyes.

"How are you fairing, my Queen?" Sif spoke finally.

"I am concerned for my husband. And for my son." Frigga admitted faintly, in that soft tone of hers as she gazed out across Asgard.

"Thor…" Sif guessed.

"Yes. He suffers alone and…" Frigga sighed and smiled fondly. "He is still very much a child to me. Never did I foresee a day he would be exiled." She shook her head as though she was still in shock at the very idea. "Both my sons are reaching very critical times in their lives. The decisions they make now, will shape them into the men they are to become. Thor is alone…" Her gaze turned down to Sif. "…but Loki, well, he has you."

Sif opened her mouth to speak but did not know what to say. Loki may indeed have her but it was very much against her will.

"Is this the ring?" Frigga asked, lifting Sif's hand in her own and examining the wretched green band on her finger.

Sif only nodded with a tight smile. Frigga admired the glowing band while a genuine smile on her lips.

"I wish I had been there for the announcement of your engagement. I heard you gave quite a lovely performance afterwards." Sif could feel the knots in her stomach returning. Frigga smiled then, as though topic made her genuinely happy. "I had always assumed that you and Thor…well, you two had always been so close and so much alike. I thought that eventually you would be the one for him."

Frigga's words made Sif feel swore inside. She swallowed, and felt her eyes begin to prickle. So did I. Another thought came to her. If Odin had planned to announce her betrothal to Thor, how could Loki know but not Frigga?

"But Thor needs a woman he can take care of and protect." Frigga began and Sif had to look away, not at all liking what she was hearing. "Loki…he has always been so quiet and barbed. He has an intensity to him that I have never been able to fully understand. I worried he would never find a woman who could tolerate his harsh nature." Harsh nature. That did not even began to describe Loki. Although Sif's and Frigga's opinion of Loki were widely different, Sif could still understand Frigga's affection for her son. He was her son after all. "Loki pushes people away. I've always known that whoever loved him, would have to be strong. She would have to be able to stand up to him or else he would break her. I should have realized sooner that woman was you, Sif." But Loki had broken her.

Sif took notice of the way Frigga spoke of her sons. When speaking of Thor her voice took on a proud and fond tone. But Loki was obviously her baby. Sif knew nothing of motherhood and wondered if this was because Loki was youngest. She could see the way Frigga's eyes lit up with happiness and affection when speaking of Loki.

There was a brief silence before Sif blurted something she had been wondering for a while now. "Were you ever going to tell him?" Sif was not judging Frigga but asking out of honest curiosity.

Sif instantly regretted her boldness when she saw pain and guilt flash across Frigga's eyes. "He has told you then…"

Sif nodded, "He told me of how the Allfather found Laufey's son and took him as his own."

There was a moment of silence and Frigga seemed to be thinking over what she was about to say. "I…do not know that we would have ever told him." Frigga replied and Sif respected her honesty. Sif could not even begin to grasp what a difficult position Frigga had been placed in. "No matter what womb he was born from, he will always be my son but from the beginning I asked we not keep the truth from him. His father did not want to ever feel different, though. I worry what repercussions our decision may have had."

Sif worried as well.

"Sif," Frigga spoke with a tone that suddenly commanded her attention and her head snapped up to stare at the Queen. "Both of my sons were born to be Kings." Only one could be king, though. Frigga said the statement with such gravity, Sif though perhaps she was trying to say something else.

"Loki is a good man." Frigga stated firmly. Who was Sif to tell Frigga how terribly wrong she was? "He is good. A time may come when Loki has to make a decision. He needs someone who will believe in him when no one else will. He may not even believe in himself. When that time comes I need you to be there for him." Frigga's gaze was beseeching and Sif suddenly felt weight being placed upon her shoulder.

Sif had to chose her next words very carefully. "Nothing I could ever do or say would be enough have an influence on Loki's decisions."

"If you love him and he loves you, then it will be enough." Sif was not sure what to say to the older woman. She most definitely would not promise her anything yet still she wished there was something she could say to placate her. Frigga's eyelashes fluttered and for the first time, Sif took notice of the shadows beneath the Queen eyes.

"My Queen, perhaps you should rest," Sif advised, and stood up. "And eat something."

"No, he needs me…" Frigga began, glancing towards the door of Odin's chambers but Sif could see the Queen was drained.

"I could watch over him, while you rest," Sif urged. The Queen peered up at the taller woman and smiled gently.

"Just for a little while," Frigga relented, her exhaustion winning over her tenacity. Sif had to marvel at the woman's delicate manner. Even when exhausted, Frigga exuded an quality of elegance and grace. Frigga reached to gently squeeze her hands in her own. "Why don't we have supper together tomorrow night? You, Loki and I."

"That's a lovely idea," Sif said softly. She worried the Queen had not been eating as well as she should. But then again neither was Sif. They could all use a break. Sif watched the women go with mixed emotions before quietly slipping back into Odin's chambers. One of the two ravens that loomed at Odin's bedside squawked at her loudly causing her to jump. She did not mind admitting she had never taken a liking to those birds. They were fussy and absolutely unwelcoming to strangers.

Sif had been in Odin's chamber a few times before. She had taken a position much like Frigga's, guarding Odin as he slept. During the time of Odinsleep, Asgard was especially vulnerable to outside attacks. But before there had always been Thor to protect them. For this reason, Sif understood why Frigga refused to leave his bedside.

She cautiously approached the enormous of a bed. It was honestly the largest bed she had seen, Loki's perhaps being the second largest. But it looked comfortable and warm no matter it's size. Sif sat at the ledge of the bed and rested her arms upon the cool metal panels that lined the bed. For a while she did not speak. Instead, gazed through the glowing golden dust that hovered over the bed and down at Odin's face that looked so much like Thor. The room was silent save for a few random squawks and ruffling feathers from the two ravens.

"I do not know if it is true," Sif began quietly as she ran her hand across the plush furs, "…but Loki told me you were to announce my betrothal to Thor the day of his coronation. "Is it true?" Sif hated how weak her voice had become and she cast her gaze up to Odin's immobile face "….I have to say your timing is awful," Sif let out a quiet chuckle that eventually choked off, into a strangled breath. She lowered her eyes feeling them wanting to well up and told herself she needed to calm down and take a slow breath. Why was she suddenly so upset? Sif had not realized how much she felt for Thor until she didn't have him anymore. It's like they say; you don't appreciate what you have until it's gone. Maybe he would come back. Sif did not know anymore. Loki had done a fine job of breaking her spirit. Frigga had made an understatement; the woman who had the misfortune of falling for Loki would have to be more then strong; she had to be damn resilient.

"Allfather, we need your guidance," Sif murmured, suddenly feeling like she could tell him all the worries that sat heavily on her mind. "Loki, he is lost and I…I can not be the one to help him. He's descending down a path of darkness and I feel it may be too late for him to change. He has potential to do great things." Her voice faded to a whisper." Great but terrible things."

How did she get caught in this mess? She wasn't just caught, she was twisted and snarled within in, without any hoping of being set free.

Sif was silent after that and just watched him, hoping his eyes would blink open. Wishing those eyes would turn to hers. And imagining what wise and enlightening things he could say. He wouldn't smile but Sif could imagine his firm hand covering hers, providing some sort of comfort. But none of that happened, and many hours later when Frigga returned to reclaim her spot Sif's hand had covered his.

That evening when Sif returned to Loki's quarters she was happy to find herself alone in the large room. Sif felt oddly exhausted and quickly shrugged out of her armor and pulled on something soft to sleep in. Soon after that she was snuggled up beneath the warm furs of the bed and drifting out of consciousness.

xXx_

Sif had been sleeping quite well. Her good rest ended however when she began to shiver and her breath became foggy. Usually she slept with each limb of hers facing in a different direction. Sif liked to sprawl out. She was so used to the luxury of sleeping in spacious beds, she had never bothered training her body to sleep more restrictedly in the interest of a bedmate. It did not matter though. There was plenty of room for the two, plus another Thor-size body. Regardless of the freedom Loki's bed allowed, Sif often found herself inching her way towards Loki's ever immobile body. It was a subconscious thing. When she woke and found her back pressed against his side or her cheek less then inches from his arm, she would quickly amend herself by groggily scooting the furthest away from him the bed could possibly allow before slipping back into a deep slumber. Tonight however, Sif was not the problem. It was Loki.

The thick fur blankets, which usually were draped across her chest or ended up balled up near her feet, were tucked up to her chin. The limbs that she usually left sprawled out, were tight to her body, placing her in a compact, curled position. At first Sif's sleep addled mind made a simple conclusion. She was cold. But when she began to shake, she realized she was not just cold but freezing. The shifting in the bed beside her, told Sif she was not the only one having trouble sleeping.

She groggily turned to look at Loki and was startled by what she saw. So startled she suddenly sat up and rubbed her eyes a moment to make sure she was fully a wake and seeing Loki correctly. The thick fur blankets had been brushed away from his body at some point during the night, leaving him bare to the cool night air. At first she thought it may have been the moonlight casting oddly on his skin. But that didn't explain the etched patterns that rippled across his tense muscles. Loki was blue. Sif had not known Loki could take on the form of a Frost Giant without provocation.

She was also surprised to see he was not in his usual mason-like position. His arms were spread at his sides, so stiff that Sif could imagine an invisible force was pinning them where they were. His hands were digging into the furs like claws, clenching and unclenching as though he were in physical pain.

That was when Sif realized Loki was having a bad dream. Loki dreamed after all? The heavy grunts and tense muscles told her it was less of a dream and more of a nightmare.

Sif could see her own breath. She shivered and clutched the blanket tighter to her body as she watched him struggle with sleep. She wandered what exactly his nightmare was about.

Despite her better judgment she scooted closer to him, her knees dragging across the bed while she clutched the blanket in her fists. She sat back on her haunches as she peered over him with apprehension. Sif was aware she was openly staring at him but she could not help herself. Her eyes trailed over each raised line in fascination. Sif speculated if each Jotun had a unique pattern, or if their patterns resembled those of their parents. When she eyes fluttered across his bare chest, stomach, then stopping at the hem of his bottoms she became curious to know how far down the flawless pattern went.

"No," he snarled in his sleep causing Sif to jump. Never, had she heard Loki speak in his sleep. Was it possible Loki was sick? Had he ever been ill before? "No, no…NO!" He growled becoming louder.

"Loki-" Sif whispered uneasily.

That was when he woke up and her voice caught in her throat. His dark ruby eyes were like pools of lava. The emotion in his eyes was enough to make him unrecognizable.

He looked vicious.

Sif new warning bells should have gone off the moment his feral gaze snapped to her face, looming over him but she was too fixated by the red. Their was something missing in his eyes; awareness. All she could see was red.

She hardly had any time to react at all, before his hands seized her throat, shoving her head back against the board of the bed roughly.

Sif cried out in shock but also in pain. His large hands were like unbreakable ice cages incasing her neck. And it hurt. Really hurt. Immediately out of instinct she began to struggle out of his iron grip but she froze suddenly. She was growing dizzy much sooner then she should have. The sensation coming from her neck was not only agonizing but peculiar. She felt almost as though her throat was becoming distorted and would collapse at any moment. Her hands, that had been struggling to pull Loki away from her felt just the same as her burning neck; as if she was palming pure acid. Instantly she realized why and turned her trembling palm towards her for confirmation. The flesh over her hand had been seared.

His skin did this.

Her eyes begged with him but he showed no sign of recognition. Because the man strangling her was not Loki. Sif was not looking at Loki but the bloody gaze of a feral frost giant.

And if he did not let her go, he would most certainly kill her.

A/N: You all are just so sweet and sincere! A big thank you to everyone who is following and reviewing this story. You guys really motivate me!

Everyone had very interesting responses to last chapter's question. You (the readers) said Loki feared being ignored, silenced, and failing Odin. I thought everyone's answers were very insightful especially a reader named Just Watch Me who said Loki feared rejection. Thank you guys for taking the time to answer the chapter questions and remember there is no wrong answer!

Chapter Question: So if Loki could change into any animal, what would it be?

I'm definetly expecting some creative responses for that one ;) My favorite response will recieve a sneak peek of chapter 7. Thanks for reading you all and have a happy tide xD