Odin was different these days. Most said that it was age and loss that had softened him. They said that Loki's betrayal and Frigga's murder and Thor saying no to his birth right had made the king tired. Sigyn didn't say anything when she heard people say this. Her spine tingled when she passed the throne room and Odin's eyes seemed to turn green when their eyes locked.
"Lady Sigyn, Ag's daughter, the king has requested your immediate presence at the palace." The guard had come to her in the midafternoon, and Sigyn smiled. Her wait was over.
She left her meadow and returned to her little house after sending the soldier on his way. Her match had kept her waiting, he could wait for her. She rinsed the dirt off her hands and feet, and picked out the limp flowers that she had twined into her hair that morning. Sigyn changed into a delicate light pink dress, and ran to the flower crown that she had placed in a stasis slot to keep fresh. She had planned this crown out for weeks and it was made of the flowers Loki had given her and the pristine white flowers from the tree they had sat under as children. She placed it on her head and didn't put on shoes. He knew she was capable and strong. She wouldn't change who she was to show him that she was capable of ruling with him.
She was welcomed in the palace and the guards bowed their heads in respect as though they hadn't led her to a jail cell two months ago. A servant girl led her to the throne room where Odin sat on his large throne, only two soldiers next to him. The girl curtseyed and hurried out of the room. "Leave us." The king ordered his guards, who obeyed. "Lady Sigyn. You were imprisoned here for treason, not five weeks ago. Yet you still wander the halls as though you own it." Odin stated. "While it is true that I was recently imprisoned, it is also true that not two weeks ago I averted a famine in knowwhere that was caused by my imprisonment. Yet I have heard no thanks, nor even an apology. I would settle for a simple acknowledgement that the starvation of children was caused by the thoughtlessness of a government as old and supposedly advanced as ours." Sigyn declared coldly.
"Yes, the situation on knowwhere was regrettable. But what is done is done. Would you again choose to assist Prince Thor in freeing the traitor Loki? Knowing the consequences?" Odin asked. Sigyn raised her chin and met his eye. "Your Highness, I would of course. I would do it again in this very second if I knew it would bring my match back." She said, smiling at him when his eye filled with green. He smirked at her as his features shifted to that of the dead murderous traitor Loki. Sigyn's heart pattered with joy and her spine was tingling so much that she was nearly shivering. He stood up from the golden throne and stepped down the stairs. When he reached Sigyn, he took her slim hands in his own.
"I have felt your nearness these many months. I know that you are faithful. Sigyn, I do not believe I could have asked for a better mate."
"I knew that you would call to me when the time was right."
"You have always kept faith. You were the first person to crown me, you know. Will you stand by me, and be my queen?" His hand held the curve of her jaw. "I have always known that you would be great. I have been waiting my whole life for you to be ready. I would stand by you if you were some smuggler from Vera, of course I will be your queen." Sigyn declared. "I am gladdened to hear this. The only question is, whose queen? If you desire to be known only as King Loki's Queen, than I will come forward, and fight for my throne, and for you." Loki told her.
"I do desire to be known as Loki's Queen, but I most desire to be your queen. If I must forever be followed by the scandal of marrying my dead, mad, soulmates father and see your face only in private, then so be it. I have waited a very long time for this. For you."
"I do not wish for you to want for anything. But I regret my actions on Midgard, and I do not wish for there to be any more deaths." Loki said.
"Then I will be Odin's second Queen, and we will have peace. Perhaps, in a few hundred years, if you so desire, perhaps than you could come forward, and take your rightful place." Sigyn suggested, heart soaring with joy and relief. "Yes. Perhaps." He smiled slightly. He kissed her then, gently, like someone who broke something in their haste and so is scared that they will shatter something else.
He offered her the crook of his arm and she took it, feeling his arm shift as he transformed back into Odin. He led her toward the door and opened it for the both of them, and barely cast a glance at the guards. "The lady Sigyn and I will be retiring now. We do not wish to be disturbed." He called over his shoulder, leading the barefooted young woman to the king's bedchamber.
His arm shifted to thin when he closed the bedchamber doors behind them. Her hair had petals and his fingers tangled in it, suddenly, and her arms were thrown around his neck. Her kisses were eager. Her wait was over.
