Sigyn returned to the ball on shaky legs, feeling significantly more sober than when she left and significantly more frustrated. Of course, she spotted Loki instantly. And of course, he was dancing with Lady Lorelei.

She was almost irritated at that until she remembered that he could no longer stand the company of Lady Lorelei and so he was probably already regretting not taking Sigyn to bed when he had the chance. The song was still going on, and now knowing what awaited her at the conclusion, Sigyn was anxious to know how much longer it could possibly continue. She glanced about looking for a friendly face who might know the answer, and spied Prince Thor and Lady Sif standing off to the side of the dance floor, with some other warriors, describing some battle or other. If her interpretation of their laughter and hand gestures was accurate.

Retrieving a glass of wine from one of the servers on the way, she went to Thor and Sif, grateful for the fact that Fandral was not with them.

"Ah! Lady Sigyn!" Thor greeted her with obvious delight, and actually addressed her face. "We thought you would not be joining us this evening."

"I had not intended to, your highness, but I was recalled to the city and decided to make the most of it," Sigyn smiled.

"I am unsure this celebration is the best use of your time." Sif did not smile. "I hope you are enjoying the celebration as much as you can." She nodded at Sigyn's wine.

"You are wearing green!" Thor grinned.

Sigyn blinked and blushed a little. "I am, your highness."

"It suits you!" Thor grinned even wider, which Sigyn didn't realize was possible, and looked at Sif with obvious delight. Sif smiled fondly at Thor, and Sigyn felt like she just missed something significant.

"This song we are being entertained with, it is so…" Sigyn struggled for a positive way to describe it.

"Interminable," Sif said flatly before draining her glass and tossing it over her shoulder.

"Yes, that is one way to describe it." Sigyn sipped her wine. "I was just wondering how much longer it would last."

Thor tilted his head and listened for a moment. "This is the verse about the Vanir so… Another hour and a half. Give or take."

Sif snorted. And then smiled tightly. "Here approacheth the guest of honor."

Balder approached the group, eying them all imperiously. "Balder!" Thor greeted him enthusiastically, not quite as enthusiastically as he had greeted Sigyn. "Are you enjoying your party, brother?"

"It is not as good as last year's." Balder frowned. "I do not think the minstrels are properly exuberant."

"Perhaps they grow tired," Sigyn suggested, with a boldness born of the fact that she was not even close to sober yet, just a little less staggeringly drunk.

Balder arched an eyebrow at her. "Who are you?"

"This is Lady Sigyn, your highness," Sif said in an even tone, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You have met her before. Several times."

Balder smiled at her, and Sigyn had to admit he had a very nice smile. "I am certain I would have remembered a lady so lovely as yourself," Balder addressed Sigyn's breasts before bowing and kissing her hand.

Sigyn drank deeply. "You are too kind, your highness. I do hope you are enjoying the party, despite the minstrels not being up to your exacting standards."

Balder sighed dramatically. "Yes, well. At least dinner was acceptable. Will you grace me with a dance, Lady Sigyn?"

Sigyn's eyes widened in surprise as Thor and Sif snickered behind her. "Of course, I would not dream of denying you." She smiled and took his hand. He led her to the middle of the dance floor and grabbed at her waist, pulling her into his rhythm.

She moved with him as best as she could. But truth be told, he was a wretched dancer. It was all she could do to keep herself out from under his feet. "So tell me about yourself," Balder said smoothly. "I want to know all about you."

"I am an advocate, your highness. And a widow. I have two young children." Sigyn glanced about until she found Loki. He was now dancing with Valkyrie, which Sigyn could not help but laugh at. Loki was never comfortable in Valkyrie's company. But he met her eye and was obviously enjoying Sigyn's predicament. Her irritation was doubled when her arousal burned hotter with the realization that he was watching her. Which is how she missed the fact that Balder was spinning her right into a collision with Volstagg.

"Oh!" She squeaked as she bounced off the chuckling warrior. "I am so sorry!"

"Quite all right, my dear." Volstagg's eyes twinkled. "You are not the first lady to join us, however briefly."

Sigyn laughed nervously as Volstagg and his wife roared with mirth. Balder shot them an irritated glare and quickly moved her away from them.

"And what are your hopes and dreams, my lady? What are your passions?" Balder pressed, holding her closer and stepping on her foot.

Sigyn waited for him to apologize. When he did not, she decided to answer the question. "I enjoy gardening."

"Ah." Balder inclined his head. "Horticulture is a fascinating art."

Sigyn smiled politely at Balder and then gave Loki a dirty look over his shoulder. Loki winked back, grinning. Balder noticed her glare and frowned. "Is my brother irritating you, my lady? I can order him to leave, if you wish."

A moment passed as she considered this. If Loki was kicked out, she could sneak out as well. And then they could go to bed. But then she remembered Loki's thoughtful look when she had jokingly suggested he kill Balder. "That is not necessary, your highness. The prince is not bothering me."

"Thor can be such a bother though, can he not?" Loki grinned as he approached them.

Balder frowned at him. "She was talking about you."

"Ah! Splendid. That means her denials are genuine. I never 'bother' Lady Sigyn." He took her hand from Balder and cut in smoothly.

Sigyn tried not to let her relief show but was only mostly successful. "Sometimes you do, your highness."

"Perhaps," he said, and lowered his voice, "but I always make it up to you."

She giggled and blushed and then realized she had not said goodbye to Balder. Looking up, she saw he was already heading toward the minstrels to berate them again. She shook her head and lay her cheek on Loki's shoulder. "Sif says this song has at least another hour."

"Lady Sif is very wise." Loki held her close, stroking her spine with his thumb as his hand drifted lower on her waist.

She shivered, her arousal pulsing hot between her legs again. She tilted her face to whisper in his ear. "Then we have to wait for another hour."

With uncharacteristic boldness, he kissed her. She gasped against his lips. They were never so open in public. "You are glorious, my Lady Sigyn," he said, soft and low. And then he slid both arms around her, his hold protective as he lifted his head. "Can I help you, brother?" His polite tone held just the hint of an edge.

Sigyn pressed herself tight to Loki as the crowd went silent, though the infernal music kept playing. "Unhand the lady," Balder ordered.

"What?" Sigyn turned to look as Loki angled her away from Balder. "Nobody is handing me."

"Do not trouble yourself, Lady Sigyn," Loki said, covering the back of her head with his hand, cradling her against him.

"Do not trouble yourself, Lady Sigyn," Balder said simultaneously, gesturing to his guards, who advanced on them.

"This is beyond ridiculous," declared Lady Sif, striding toward them, flinging her cape so that they could all clearly see she was armed. "If you actually were to pay attention to what the lady was saying, Balder, you would know she is in no distress."

"Lady Sif is right," Sigyn protested. "The only person bothering me is you." She glared at Balder over Loki's shoulder.

He glared back. "The lady clearly indicated to me earlier that she found my brother's advances repulsive. She is obviously speaking out of fear."

Sigyn's eyes flew wide as she went dizzy with rage. "What?!" She struggled to pull away from Loki and confront Balder directly, but he held tight to her and turned to shield her from the guards.

"Sigyn, please, I am certain we will be able to clear this up," Loki said, gently, stroking her hair in a soothing gesture that only served to infuriate her more.

"Yes," Thor raised his hands. "Brothers, please, surely we can discuss this rationally."

"He is lying!" She struggled against his hold.

"You are speaking out of your arse, Balder." Sif planted herself between them and the guards. "Furthermore, your song is infantile and greatly exaggerates even your smallest accomplishments." She narrowed her eyes and went for the kill. "And the boar was dry."

The band stopped playing. "No!" Balder whirled to yell at them. "Continue! I will not tolerate these disruptions or this impertinence!"

The guards attempted to stare down Sif, who stared right back. And then they drew blades, and somebody clapped Loki on the shoulder. His eyes widened in surprise. Sigyn struggled even harder against his hold. "No!" She cried.

"The only person causing a disruption is yourself, your highness," Valkyrie declared and then peeked over Loki's shoulder to address Sigyn. "My lady, I will escort you and the prince to safety."

"I will show you how a lady defends her honor!" Sif shouted as she attacked the guards.

"Which lady needs her honor defended?" Boomed Volstagg, brandishing a ham in lieu of a blade, as as he and the other warriors leapt into the fray.

"Lady Sigyn!" Shouted Thor, calling Mjolnir to him.

"No, I do not!" Retorted Sigyn.

One of the guards yanked Sigyn's arm and pulled her out of Loki's hold. Before he could move her further, she slipped out of his grasp and grabbed a cheese knife from a cocktail table and bolted for Balder, intending to bury it in his eye. Before she got there, Valkyrie grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her over her shoulder. "Come, my lady. There will be no regicide this day."

"He is lying!" Sigyn repeated, kicking furiously and scrabbling to get away. But Valkyrie's hold was too firm, and she carried the smaller woman with ease.

"We will take you to safety, my lady," Loki followed close behind, his eyes bright and his smile wide as the sounds of the full-pitched ball-turned-brawl echoed through the halls.