Chapter 8: Dividing Brother from Brother

"News of the Odinsleep is spreading quickly," the Valkyrior leader, Brunnhilde, sighed, rubbing her chin. Her voice had always been deep and rich, but Sif sensed an aged quality to it, that had not always been there.

Brunnhilde had been one of Sif's few female companions as a child. Their relationship was that of a friendly rivalry. Brunnhilde had always put her warrior training before all else and the same could be said for Sif. Because their minds were so alike, interacting with Brunnhilde came easily to Sif.

They stood before a large map of Asgard, laid across a round table. Several of the higher ranking Valkyrior members were also there, providing a silent presence in the quiet room. They stood back, listening intently as Sif and Brunnhilde began strategize over the layout.

The Valkyrior had made something of a spectacle upon their arrival. Their means of transportation was uncommon and grabbed the attention of many Asgardians. In the case of quite a few Asgardian men, that was not all that caught the eye.

When the Valkyrior had came into sight, they had looked like dots on the sun, growing larger and clearer as they drew closer. To someone unfamiliar with the Valkyrior, it would have looked to be a flock of birds crossing overhead. But they were to large to be birds, and shaped liked something else; like horses. Because they were horses but with large feathery wings extending from their meaty shoulders; pegasuses.

The winged steeds were uncommon to see yet very prominent in Asgardian legends. It was said that a pegasus could take it's rider anywhere. Not just because of it's massive wings but it's fierce intelligence and magical origin.

A single pegasus was a sight to behold, let alone an entire fleet of them. They had flown through the air, approaching quickly and in large numbers. Their broad wings had stretched across the sky, casting wide shadows over the gleaming Asgardian structures below. As they had drawn closer, their riders took on feminine shapes and although they wore helms, it was clear they were women.

When the troop of warrior maidens had landed, one woman at the head of the group dismounted from her winged horse. It was clear by her stance and intricate armor, she was the leader of the Valkyrior; Brunnhilde. She was the strongest of the warrior maidens, her strength only matched by Sif herself; a cause of much competition between the two at a young age.

"On our flight here, I caught sight of a throng of trolls approaching from the west. They are only the beginning." Brunnhilde continued. "Once the dark elves get wind of Thor's banishment we are going to have a full scale assault."

Every Odinsleep, dark forces would rise against Asgard but they never posed any severe threat. This time they would have to take those threats seriously though. Without Thor and Heimdall…well, things could easily get out of hand. Sif could feel worry creeping up on her but pushed it back and forced herself to concentrate.

Sif chewed her lip as she studied the map of the palace grounds before them. "Odin's sentries are enough to cover these areas." She swept a hand over the markers dispersed evenly over the palace, representing the Valkyrior. "And forget these tunnels," she moved the markers away from the hidden entrances into Asgard. "We do not have the luxury of defending something that has never been discovered. My main concern is the Bifrost. Have several of your women patrolling the bridge and have this," she pointed the place where the rainbow bridge met with Asgardian land. "-blocked off entirely. That will have to do until…" Until what? When would things get better? What hope could Sif offer. "Until Heimdall returns," she said it without a great deal confidence.

"And Odinson? Will he return?" Brunnhilde asked, softly. Sif glanced at her friend and saw concern in her sparkling blue eyes. Her face was serious yet pleasant. Mature yet still young, very much like Sif's own face.

She looked away from Brunnhilde and down at the map, knitting her eyebrows together. Sif tried her best to keep Thor from her thoughts to save her from the worry and anxiety that followed. Not only did she worry about Thor's well being, but she couldn't keep the idea Loki had implanted in her mind from resurfacing. Sif wanted to scoff at the notion of Thor smitten with another woman, a Midgardian woman none the less. What could Thor see in a tiny mortal that he did not see in Sif? And who was to say it was even true; Loki could have fabricated the entire idea, after all. But she was still plagued with doubts.

Sif hesitated and rubbed the back of her neck. "We can only hope." She shook her head, distracted by her straying thoughts and turned her attention back to the map. "Instead of spreading your women thinly, have them thick in the areas that matter. Like the weapons vault."

"We had trouble with this gate, last Odinsleep," Brunnhilde commented pointing to the main entrance into Asgard.

"I remember." Sif nodded. "Have all the gates guarded but have that main gate the most protected. Should any forces breech the main gate then I will reposition to here." Sif moved a red marker to an outlined circle in the center of the layout. "Odin's chambers. If-"

"No." Loki's interrupted Sif. She turned her head in surprise. How long had he been there? His eyes were flickering over the map as he approached the table.

"Odin's chambers have never been breeched before, it's more of a precaution." Sif said, confused as to why he would have any objections.

"Then you should be somewhere more useful, yes?" Loki replied and to her annoyance he stepped forward and moved her marker back to the main gate.

With a deep frown, Sif's gaze glanced between the main gate and Odin's chambers. She could see Loki's reasoning but did not like him interfering with her plans. "Very well," Sif relented, then added dryly, "Any other suggestions?"

Loki raised his dark eyebrows at her tone, and Sif's eyes dared him to say something. Brunnhidle began to assign posts to the other Valkyrior members, as it seemed she no longer found Sif and Loki's interaction stimulating.

He studied the map briefly then glanced up at her, "You are leaving the tunnels unprotected." He commented with an manner of mild curiosity.

Sif's eyes narrowed and she placed her hands on her hips, prepared to defend her judgment. "Yes, I am."

Loki looked back down at the map, then slowly smiled strangely, worrying Sif.

"My lord," A guard interrupted, standing at the entrance. "There are a…a number of citizens requesting your audience and they have been waiting since dawn. What would you have me tell them?"

Loki threw the guard an irritated look, although he was not to blame. "Tell them nothing," Loki replied, then grumbled underneath his breath. "For that is exactly what I owe those incessant hounds. Nothing."

"What was that my lord?" The guard dared ask Loki to repeat himself.

Loki only rolled his eyes, "Never mind, I am coming." Sif gave him a deep look of disapproval which he returned with a twitch of lips, telling her he found her discontent amusing. Loki gave the map one last glance before he turned on his heel and left the room, with the young guard trailing after him.

Sif turned back to Brunnhilde, to find she was tucking her helm underneath her arm.

"If we are done here, how about we give those trolls a warm Valkyrior welcome," Brunnhilde declared and Sif could not contain her smile.

xXx

Sif and the Valkyrior reached the border just in time to intercept the trolls. Asgardian archers were already there waiting for the attack, stationed at the top of the towers with their bows drawn tight. When the trolls came charging, Asgard was more then ready for a good fight. But it had been too easy.

Although Sif enjoyed herself, the dull creatures were hardly a challenge; they never were. The only advantage the trolls could claim was their numbers but even that posed no threat. With the help of Sif, the Valkyrior worked together in bringing down the large, grotesque creatures, easily dodging their sluggish blows and slashing at their bodies until they fell to the ground with a thud. The large beasts relied too much on brute force, too little on tactic. But the Valkyrior were tactical experts and the trolls did not stand a chance.

While driving her own sword into the thigh of one of the ugly trolls, Sif caught sight of Brunnhidle, in all of her violent glory. The leader was like an unstoppable force, her rich blue cape swirling about her as she lunged forwards and sideways, swinging her sword relentlessly. The tip of her white-blond braid had a stain of red in it, and her cheeks were tinted pink from exertion. Even when surrounded by gore and carnage, Sif could see a beautiful delight in her eyes; she was completely absorbed in the combat. She had seen the same look on Thor's face many times before.

Once the trolls tumbled to the ground, they were swiftly dispatched. Sif wondered why the trolls had bothered at all. Perhaps they had assumed their numbers would be enough or had not anticipated the Valkyrior's involvement. The trolls usually weren't alone in their attacks. The Frost Giants often accompanied legions of trolls, hanging back as the trolls spent themselves, then attacking when the moment was right. However, there had been no disturbances from Jotunheim yet. Hadn't Loki claimed to have negotiated a peace though? It seemed he had been honest.

The battle would have ended sooner had there not been so many trolls but it did finally end and after she caught breath Sif found herself oddly unsatisfied. There was no real victory to be had.

Sif found herself bored and began wiping the blood from her sword. Scouts came back to report no sign of pending attacks and Sif suggested the Valkyrior return to the palace for a good meal, to replenish their energy and empty stomachs. The next assault would not be as easily suppressed but they would be ready and waiting.

When Sif returned to her chambers that afternoon, she was exhausted. She had not realized how thoroughly she had exerted herself, and that added onto a bad night's sleep made for aching muscles. As she unlatched her metal chest piece in preparation for a long hot bath, she considered just collapsing right there on the floor and sleeping. But a hot bath would be so much more satisfying.

As she let her chest piece fall to the ground she noticed a sword laid flat across her bed. She squinted at the unfamiliar what weapon. It wasn't hers. Tucked under the sword was a slip of parchment. She quickly kicked off her boots before crawling onto the bed to retrieve it. She studied the note first, her eyes skimmed over the brief message in elegant writing.

I thought you may need this more than it's owner. If you would like to hear more about your gatekeeper, leave your door open tonight.

-E.

E…? The Enchantress! Amora had been in her chambers again. And she had given her a sword? For what? Well, for killing obviously…what other use did a sword have? Was Amora once again persisting Sif dispatch of Loki? But Sif already had many swords and Amora knew that. There was something special about this one. Special enough that Amora had obviously stolen it.

Her eyes fell to the sword with curiosity. What was Amora trying to tell her? She lifted the long sword from the bed and examined it. It was a strange sword. Although it was physically simple and a little worn, there was something lively about it. Sif began to imagine it could be enchanted. It had a magical quality to it.

It was too heavy for her liking, and the handle was too wide. Like it was made for a man's grip. But Sif knew she could do major damage with it. The sword was strong. She frowned thoughtfully at the sword and sat it against the bed. Who was the owner of this sword, Sif wondered? She felt weary over having a stolen object in her chambers but she was still very curious.

And she would be leaving her door open tonight.

Sif gave the sword one last look before going to her wardrobe in search of something else to wear. When she swung the handles open she was met with a mostly barren cavity. A pair of old boots sat at the bottom and a few of her metal leg and armor pieces rested on a shelf. All of her garments were still in Loki's chambers. She would need something decent to wear to supper with Loki's mother. Sif abandoned hope of finding decent garments and grabbed her robe from where it hung over her changing screen.

After taking a long and well deserved bath, Sif climbed from the steaming water, and pulled on the robe. Her aching muscles were already feeling better, however, she could still do for some long hours of sleep. After she tucked her feet into a pair of sandals, she left her chambers. She really just wanted to curl up into her bed but if she went now, and grabbed a gown from his chambers, she was likely to avoid Loki. After all, his attention seemed to be highly sought after today. Sif was sure he would be to busy to be skulking around in his rooms.

Maybe she should just grab all of her things while she was there. Last night had changed things. Could he expect her to continue to stay there after he had literally attacked her? She wasn't afraid of sleeping next him. She just saw this as her only opportunity to go back to staying in her own rooms. It seemed like a valid excuse.

Her trip to Loki's quarters seemed was full of sighs and neck rubbing. Sif was tired. When she approached the door to Loki's chambers, she slowed and for some reason her eyes flickered across the corridor to another set of doors and stayed there.

Thor's chambers.

Without noticing it, her feet veered away from Loki's rooms and continued down the corridor. How much time had passed since she had been in there? Why was she even considering this?

When she reached the set of double doors she stopped. Going in there would only open a floodgate of memories and regret. Not to mention it was intrusive. But she wanted to feel close to him again. Sif wanted to surround herself with his possessions and pretend he had never left. Before she could convince herself not to, her hand pushed the door open.

Nostalgia was not the correct word for what Sif felt when she stepped inside, and gazed around at Thor's warm chambers. She imagined she felt something more akin to longing as her eyes trailed over the unkempt bed and of mythical creatures carved into the walls. Like Loki's chambers, the room was very large and open, not too much furniture to speak of. His rooms were actually very similar to Loki's but a great deal messier and somehow more inviting. Yet still lacking. It was lacked Thor.

Thor did not spend a lot of time in here; he was not one to be kept in doors for any extended amount of time. But still, the room held his mark. The furs on his bed were ruby-red and the wooden posts of his bed still held scuff marks. Sif remembered when those scars had been made; they would bash at the bed posts with their broads words, playing like each post was an enemy and they were the fearless heroes. And Sif remembered when they would turn their swords on each other, sometimes grappling even without weapons. Once Thor had even broken her nose! The next day he had boasted of his skill and Sif had tried to her best to keep her blue nose covered out of embarrassment. Of course it had been before he had learned boys should never hit girls. Up to that point Sif and Thor had always played like a pair of young brothers. Frigga had scolded then punished Thor but not before Sif gave him a mark of her own.

There had been times Balder had joined in on their nightly activities, and all three of them would sit at the balcony sharing elaborate stories. Sif and Balder would sometimes just sit and listen to Thor and all the great things he swore he would accomplish when he became King. His words were occasionally conceited but that had been okay though because it had been fun! Then there were other times when they even dared venture outside of the walls of Odin, but never too far before they were caught.

A time came when Thor told her she could not visit anymore, and Sif's young mind had been confused. She was still just a girl but Thor was becoming a young man and he began to understand why her nightly visits were growing more then a little inappropriate. At the time she had been deeply offended and refused to speak to both him and Balder for an entire week because she knew he still let Balder play with him. When Thor explained that it wasn't because he favored Balder but because she was girl, Sif had only become more offended.

But eventually as she grew older she began understand. When Sif grew some more, she started to realize she really admired the man Thor was forming into.

Sif's eyes caught her reflection in a long mirror by Thor's metal dresser. Just as Thor had became a man, Sif had became a woman. Sif did not like to indulge in vanity but she had never thought herself unattractive. Confidence had never been an issue for Sif but with so many beautiful women in Asgard, Sif could understand why she did not catch Thor's eye. What was outstanding about her? She would blend-in perfectly with all the other fair women if it weren't for her stark raven locks, an uncommon hair color for Asgardians.

A strange yet curious thought struck Sif. Did Loki see beauty when he looked at her? If he was attracted to her then he must find her physically appealing. Could she even classify his feelings as attraction? She was sure he felt something much darker and less innocent towards her. Something very complex that Sif did not care to understand.

Why did it have to be Loki and not Thor who's attention she'd attracted? It seemed incredibly unfair to Sif; like a cruel twist of fait. Sif was quite sure she and Loki had been cut from entirely opposite cloths. It seemed almost dangerous to be in a relationship with Loki, they would be so unpredictable together. They were so ill-fit, it was inconceivable to her. Sif and Loki, they were volatile. But she and Thor; they could be flawless. The fact that Thor would fall for a mortal he didn't even know wasn't just a blow towards her ego. It was insulting.

Didn't it count for anything that Sif and Thor had history? As far as she could remember being Sif she remembered there being Thor. They held parts of each other's past. They were cut from the same cloth, forged of the same anvil! She knew his flaws just as he knew hers. He could be arrogant but then so could she! Wasn't it obvious that the two would end up together? Why could Sif see these things but Thor did not?

Odin must have seen it.

The All-father, in all of his wisdom, did everything for a reason. He'd planned to unite the two; he saw a potential just like Sif did. The fact that Odin knew Sif and Thor could have been something more, made it sting even worse. Because it meant this thing between them was real; Sif wasn't just imagining it. But they did not even have a chance to try each other out. What hurt the most was that even now, if Thor were to return, his heart had already been taken.

Sif would always know of what could have been but was never to be.

When Sif began to notice the room still carried Thor's scent, she realized she had made a mistake. Standing in Thor's chambers, surrounded by his things did not make her feel his presence, just the absence of it. This room, so empty and hallow, was making her feel dizzy and sick. It didn't matter how much Sif wanted Thor for her own, or how little he knew of her feelings, she would give anything to bring him back. But he wasn't coming back.

Sif left Thor's chambers and promised herself she would never go back. When she stepped back out into the corridors she was alerted by the overwhelming feeling of Loki's presence.

"Did you find what you were looking for?" He asked, quizzically and she cast him a weary look. She was too exhausted to handle Loki at the moment. His back was leaned against the wall as though he had been waiting. His face seemed uninterested but Sif wondered with that was actually how he felt. As Sif walked past him, towards his chambers Loki walked close behind her.

"I was not looking for anything, so therefore found nothing." Her voice was scratchier then usual. She got like this when she was tired, all emotional and sensitive. She hated when she got like this. She wished Loki would just go away because she was particularly vulnerable at the moment.

Sif tugged a single door open and stepped inside with Loki following her. She shivered slightly as she went to the wardrobe that held her things. His chambers seemed so much colder then the rest of the palace.

"Then for what reason were you in there?" He pressed as she pulled the wardrobe open and began to rifle through her evening gowns, in search of something decent. "Something brought you in there, what was it?" Sif paused in her shuffling and looked back at him. Why was he pressing this? His back was turned to her as he went to a stand to pour himself a horn of mead. She could not see his expression.

For a moment, Sif did not answer him, just let her eyes fall to the ground. Why had she gone in there?

The next words slipped from her mouth on their own accord. "I just want everything to go back to the way it was." Her voice was barely over a whisper. It was the simple truth. Basic and straightforward, yet described everything she felt. She wasn't even sure why she had said it aloud. It wasn't as if her cared anything for how she was feeling

"Go back to what exactly Sif?" Loki asked quietly. She glanced back at him to find a numb expression on his face, and he lifted the horn to take a sip. She didn't get a chance to answer him before he swallowed and continued. "Go back to when you openly worshiped Thor? Back to when I was the victim of ridicule and mockery?"

Sif turned around an laughed, in genuine amusement. "Are you insinuating that we bullied you?" Of course Loki would refer to himself as a victim, and in his own distorted mind maybe he was. But Sif had never mocked Loki. Not as a child. Not as a woman.

"No, not you Sif. Them," he replied simply and her eyes narrowed. "From you, I received nothing. Not a single glance, word, nothing." He enunciated as he drew closer to her, his emerald eyes becoming more prominent. "Never did I even receive your recognition of my very existence." He was so close now, Sif could see the slight trembling of his chin. She could also see he had just admitted something of significance to him. Something that he had held in for a while now.

Had she really treated Loki so with such indifference? Sif could not recall ever treating Loki as anything, and that in itself confirmed Loki's testimony. She remembered only Thor. But there had always been Loki, lurking just beyond her awareness. Even at a young age, Sif had always considered Loki, although older then herself, immature. It had not been that she disliked Loki. No, it was just his tricks were uninteresting and childish; hardly worth her notice. Now that Sif was realizing she really had shown a complete disregard to his presence, guilt followed.

Had she known her friends mocked Loki…well she would have done something. Said something. But had they? Had they truly been mean to Loki or was he just a sensitive soul. It could be a bit of both.

Sif realized her childhood had been mostly void of Loki's involvement. It would seem Sif and Loki would have been the ones to become companions because they were closer in age, but Sif had never even entertained the thought of approaching him. Not once. She was a fighter and he was a magician. What could they have in common? He had always just been Thor's younger brother, sometimes annoying yet easily ignored.

What had Loki's childhood been like?

"No, you did not shun me but you did not acknowledge me either. Was it because I was inferior to you? The beautiful Lady Sif?" His free hand lifted to touch a soft lock of her raven tresses. She was beginning to feel trapped with her back against the wardrobe and him towering over her. "With your golden hair."

Sif frowned as she slipped around him, the lock of hair falling from his fingers. "Golden no more. I have you to thank for that."

The trembling of his lips was gone and now they drew up into a sinful smile. "Do you remember that night Sif? The night I cut your hair. Do you?"

Sif's eyes prickled because she did remember. Not until the Loki had severed the very last lock had Sif's eyes opened. She'd woke to find Loki hovering over her, his dark hair like a black curtain. For a moment she had just stared at him, having never been that close to him. Never having been close enough to notice he had green eyes, no lit with sick delight. He had been in the process of withdrawing from her, slowly edging himself away from her bed, a sharp dagger still in his fist. Sif remembered thinking she had never noticed just how tall he was.

And then she had screamed.

"I do not know what you could have hoped to accomplish. In cutting my hair you, only earned my resentment," Sif whispered as he continued to pursue her.

"Oh, but it got your attention didn't it?" Loki cut in harshly.

Sif gawked at him because it had gotten her attention. After that night, her perception of Loki had changed. Sif had taken notice of him. No longer did she regard him with indifference but with uncertainty. Oh, he had rightfully earned her dislike, but he was still a puzzle. How could he be still be mean, but somehow also cool and polite?

And after everything he had done to her, he claimed it was because she did not give him enough attention? Is that why he really did it? She had wanted to know for a while now. She couldn't believe his need for her attention had been his only motivation. Sif was realizing Loki was much more complicated then that.

"As though your complete disregard wasn't demeaning enough, you even stole Thor's affections from me and mine from him, dividing brother from brother." There it was, the real reason he had done it.

Out of jealousy.

Loki was so wrapped up in jealousy, it was becoming a theme. He was wrong, though. She had never had Thor's affections, only his friendship.

"If I have learned anything from Thor, it is that if you want something you take it, before he can. I refuse to be condemned to a life of longing with no real satisfaction." And what did Loki want? Power? Respect? Could he…could he want her? The thought that Sif could have been Loki's motivation, even if partially, was overwhelming. "Is that the life you want?"

Sif was slowly backing her way towards the bed as he spoke. "Do you want to spend your life wanting someone who will never want you back?"

She flinched, and simultaneously dropped down to the plush furs.

No.

No. It wasn't the life she wanted.

His words were like stones being set on top of her heart, one by one. She felt Loki come sit next to her. "What do you think would have happened if Thor had known my father had planned for you two to be together." When she felt his arm wind around her shoulder, she was too tired to fight him off.

"Sif, you were saved from inevitable rejection."

That hit her harder then Sif could have imagined. Rejection. She both hated and feared the word. She turned her head away from Loki, wanting to hide the pain on her face. He had to realize his words were only making her more miserable. He knew what he was doing.

Because he was voicing her darkest and deepest insecurities. She was emotionally spent and he was taking full advantage of that.

He continued relentlessly, his voice close to her ear. "Thor wants a woman not a warrior. And he has found one," the words were spoken softly, like they were supposed to be comforting.

Sif squeezed her eyes shut and forced back tears. Crying would do nothing. It didn't matter how good it would feel, what would it accomplish? So Sif forced back the tears. She refused to be weak. Her eyes actually stung from exertion. Loki must have heard her sniffle because he began to rub his hand up and down her arm.

"It's all in the past now though is it not?" His voice was laced with sympathy, and Sif knew it fake. She could see right through him, he was trying to manipulate her. She was a pliant substance right now and he was trying to mold her.

Still, she did not move away from him. It felt good leaning on his shoulder, Sif realized. He felt solid.

"Is he happy with her?" The question seemed more important than anything else. When Sif lifted her face to look at Loki, she saw surprise clearly written across his face. He wasn't just surprised by her question but also by her face. He had expected to see tears in her eye. No he had wanted to see tears. Because he knew what his words were doing to her, he had been counting on it. She was stronger then that though. Tougher.

Sif realized there was resentment in his eyes too. He tried to hide it, but it was there, plain as day. He had yet to forgive her. He'd said all these things because he wanted to share his misery with her, make her feel the bitterness he must feel. It was about punishing her, wasn't it. Or something else? How could one man be so complex?

"Very much, so," Loki replied.

Sif refused to let her face crumple. That should be all she wanted, right? Thor's happiness. Caring about someone meant putting their feelings before hers. That did not make it hurt any less though.

She lowered her head back to Loki's shoulder, letting her forehead rest against his cool neck.

The sensation of her skin touching his washed over Sif, and that part of her that was latched to Loki came to life. Sif was now sure that this was the reason she could not sleep last night. The absence of his body next to hers as she slept had made her restless, and agitated. Now, with him so close, she wasn't sure how she could not fall asleep.

As Sif felt Loki rest his cheek on the top of her head, she wondered if he found their proximity as strange as she did. She couldn't remember ever just tolerating his touch, accepting it without tension, anxiety or even aggression present. But now she was just too exhausted to care; both emotionally and physically. It didn't matter that it was Loki she was curled against. Not when he felt so sturdy. It was all to easy too tolerate him when the magical bond only encouraged it.

Maybe he didn't find it strange. Maybe he enjoyed it. Sif found it hard to consider that a possibility after what he had told her. After so many years of utter disregard…she had earned his dislike just as he had earned hers. Yet here he was, his arms wrapped around her like they actually had some semblance of a functional relationship.

Sif suddenly became aware of something very peculiar.

Loki's heart beat.

She could feel it, through the cloth of his shirt, hammering away; irregularly. Her brow furrowed but she did not lift her head to see his expression. The way his heartbeat, all rapidly and off pace, it was telling her something that his lips never would. No matter how much he resented her, and no matter how much he wanted to make her suffer, his hammering heart was sending her a message.

One she was too exhausted to decipher.

So, Sif closed her eyes, imagining it was Thor she rested against, and it was Thor's heart that beat unsteadily when she was close. She fell asleep to it's heavy thump, all the time avoiding what it could really mean.

A/N: Oh, man…I've got enough songs to fill an entire ipod. I had to write down each song and scratch them out as I listened to them just to keep track. Thank you so much for the motivational songs! I love how diverse you guys are! So many different genres. Here is a top five list of the songs you guys recommended. These are the song that I found myself going back to, so I could listen to them again and again. You guys have great taste.

Top Five Songs:

1. Imasuperhero2 suggested Skinny Love by Birdy

2. Tuum Est suggested Flawed Design" by Stabilo

3. Necowaffer suggested Hearts A Mess by Gotye

4. ViciouslyWitty suggested Rise by the Frames

5. Supanovart123 suggested The Garden by Mirah

I am absolutely in love with those songs. Even though I have a new chapter question, feel free to continue suggesting music :)

Chapter question: What is Loki's biggest secret?

Thank you for reading and reviewing! Have a happy tide :)