Sigyn staggered outside the cave. The pain from her hand had blurred her vision and made her mind unable to think of anything but the pain. Bumping into the cold rock walls, she pushed off from them and finally made it outside the cave. Sunlight hit her senses like a million knives stabbing into her skin. God, how long have I been in there? Sigyn wondered. The sun was brilliant and almost surreal. She felt, as if, the sun would melt the flesh off her bones. As a result, Sigyn couldn't see where she was going. Staggering and stumbling about she kept walking to god knows where when suddenly—
"S-Sigyn!"
—Sigyn had wobbled into something large and muscular but soft. It held her reassuringly on her shoulders.
"Are you alright?"
Sigyn leaned submissively into this soft, strong figure. She was so near to blacking out, just a few more minutes and she would have been gone. But Sigyn looked up and saw that the man was, who else, Thor, God of Thunder. She really felt like fainting now.
"Thor!" Sigyn swiftly straightened herself up but lost her balance as quickly as she gained it and started falling the other way.
"Whoa!" Thor caught her by her side. He kept one hand on her back and one hand on her right arm, doing his best to stabilize her.
Sigyn touched her forehead. It was heavily damp from the amount sweat that had perspired from it. "Your majesty, I'm… I'm so sorry."
"No need for formalities, my dear Sigyn," Thor said over her. "I have always thought of you as my sister even before you were chosen to be Loki's wife."
Sigyn offered a small smile to him. He returned it as well. His eyes had guilt in them. She knew the look well.
"Sigyn… It is I who should be apologizing to you. I have been such a horrible…" as he spoke his eyes wandered down to Sigyn's opened hand down by her side. It was still a brilliant red and white, oozing with blood. Thor's eyes grew wide, his jaw clenched, and his hold around Sigyn became coarse. He looked up at her hoping for some kind of sensible explanation. There wasn't one offered in her face for him. He let out a big breath, closing his eyes. He straightened his spine and placed his hands on both of her arms. It was as if he was setting himself up for something big. Sigyn braced herself for the worst.
"…Would you like to have tea with me?"
It was very formal and Thor looked ridiculous holding a tiny tea cup in one hand while a delicate set of lace tablecloths, extravagant china, and tiny finger sandwiches were laid out in front of him. If Sigyn wasn't numbed by such extreme pain, she would not have been able to keep herself from laughing. Sigyn sipped her Earl Grey quietly with her good hand, trying to keep her bad hand hidden under the folds of her dress. It was uncomfortable. Sigyn did not know what Thor was trying to do or say but wished he would get it over with. His jaw was clenched and he looked extremely irritated with the amount of milk the servant poured into his cup.
"I know what you did."
Sigyn's heart stopped. All she could do was stare at him, like a deer in a headlight. Thor raised his eyes to meet her.
"I know you're helping him, Sigyn."
"Thor…" Sigyn carefully approached the subject. "I can explain…"
"Don't." He commanded, holding up a hand. "Thank you."
Sigyn couldn't help but raise her eyebrow in confusion. Thank you? He didn't seem mad, he seemed somewhat… relieved.
"You did what I was not able to. Thank you…"
Sigyn let out a sigh and relaxed her spine from her previous strict posture. "So… you are not angry?"
"Angry? Why… Why would I be angry with you?"
"Because I'm breaking the law. It's treason to interfere with a convicted prisoner's punishment. If your father found out…"
"He won't find out," Thor cut in. "I'll make sure of it."
Sigyn leaned back in her enormous chair, "So I take it you do not agree with your father's decision, as far as your brother goes?"
Thor looked at Sigyn. His expression was hard to read. His eyes drifted to the floor. Leaning back in his own chair, Thor rested his hand on his lips in thought.
"Loki has betrayed me, I do not trust him. He has destroyed me and many others. How could I ever forgive him?"
Sigyn thought about this for a moment, for it was also in her mind. "But… he's your broth—."
"It doesn't matter. He still betrayed us all…" Thor didn't meet Sigyn's eyes. He looked broken. Lost.
"But, I do not forsake him as my father does. I may not trust him, and may never again see him the same way I once did, but you are right, he is my brother and my family. But, my father betrayed us first. He betrayed my family and caused all this hell. I'm not ready to forgive Loki, but I will always stand by his side."
Sigyn remained quiet. He was echoing the thoughts that have been haunting her since Loki's returned. A lump formed in her throat. Her voice was lost and her throat was closing in. Her eyes stung. She couldn't blink, she could barely breathe. What was going on with her?
"Sigyn?" Thor asked worriedly, noticing her current state.
Her shaking eyes slowly raised to meet his. They were wild looking and full of the intense emotions she had been denying.
"I…" her voice cracked, it sounded like it was full of tears. "I don't know how to…to feel anym-more. I'm drowning, Thor. His presence here is killing me but I…" she took a sharp breath in, she was about to admit something that would send her over the edge of her emotions. "It would kill me just as much if he weren't here."
Thor was frozen with shock. His eyes were sympathetic, he had no idea she was suffering as much as he was. "Sigyn…" He drifted towards her, gathered her in his arms and let her cry until all the water was drained from her body.
