Loki glanced back at Mya, almost reluctant. He knew the trouble he could get into with Thor, especially without his magic. He cleared his throat. He spoke in elvish, partially because he wanted Mya to know exactly what he wanted her to do, and partially because he wanted to throw off Thor, who barely knew how to say hello in such a foreign tongue.

"It is time for bed, Mya. I have to go with the Oaf. Why don't you go get ready for sleep and I'll let you read some of my books."

Mya clapped her hands in excitement, wincing as she remembered how torn up they were. "Thank you!" She ran to Loki, hugging him around the waist before bouncing off in the direction of his study.

"Get ready for bed first!" Loki shouted.

Thor was watching this in confusion. "What did you tell her?"

Loki shook his head. "Nothing of importance. What is it that you need?"

Thor gripped Mjolnir tighter, and it was only then that Loki noticed the sweat on his brow, as if he had been running. "I will explain on the way."

Loki rolled his eyes. "Why do I have to do anything for you?"

Thor growled at Loki. "This isn't the time for games, Loki! This is a matter of utmost importance!"

"Let me guess… You broke another treaty and need me there to fix it?"

Thor swung Mjolnir up, parallel to Loki's throat. "If you don't stop talking and come along this instant I'll put you in chains and pull you along like the Lady Sif suggested!"

Loki watched as a tiny spark of electricity sizzled across the hammer's surface. He finally consented, grabbing his boots and pulling on a black cloak, making sure he slid a dagger or two in his boots before he turned around to go with Thor.

They walked in a hurried silence for a long while, and Loki swore he could see the gears in Thor's mind turning, contemplating something. Loki tried to ask a few more times, only to be met with an impatient, thunderous look, before the God of Mischief gave up and remained quiet.

Just before they got to the throne room, Thor stopped Loki with a hand on his chest, sighing. "Brother… it is Sigyn."

Loki's spine went rigid, his heart beating so hard with fury he could barely hear Thor's words. "What is she doing here?" Loki snapped.

Thor ran his hand through his hair, handling Mjolnir nervously in the other hand. "She has been sent by her father from Alfheim. The King is upset with our treatment of the Fire Elves."

"So, what? He's going to do something two years after the fact? And why would he send his daughter? Why not his first born son, or someone who will actually listen to what I have to say?"

Thor sighed. "I know your relations with Sigyn have always been strained-"

"Strained?! Sigyn used to be my wife! Goddess of Fidelity indeed! She was only ever faithful to Theoric!" Loki remembered everything. He remembered their wedding, a forced marriage to unite two realms, one of the Allfather's ways of showing Loki that he meant nothing more than a political bargaining chip. Loki had found out very soon after his marriage with Sigyn that she was more in love with an Asgardian guard she had known in her childhood than with the Prince of Asgard. And, of course, she being bitter about the marriage made sure to show the younger prince just how much she didn't love him.

Thor's tan face suddenly hardened. "You will go in there and talk with her! This could prevent our kingdoms from harsh relations, and much worse, war! Put aside your pride, brother, and talk to her, not as your former wife, but as an ambassador from the elves!"

Loki turned away sharply. "No. I will not stoop to such lowliness…"

Thor growled, lightning crackling sharply outside, lighting the hall suddenly through the window, striking the ground outside and leaving a black, burning crater. "That will be you if you do not stop pouting like a little child and get back here!"

Loki kept his heart from exploding, clearing his thoughts and cementing the idea that Sigyn was no more than an ambassador. She probably didn't even remember him, it was so long ago that they were married. They had been married at least a century before Thor's coronation, before his fall from the bifrost, before Midgard and Jotunheim and prison. They had probably both changed so much that they wouldn't recognize each other.

Not that they would want to. Loki was certain her feelings towards him were the same as his towards her. Mutual spite.

Put on a mask, one that not even Mya could break through. He did what he had always done best and buried himself deep inside his icy chest, putting on an unfeeling, unforgiving, emotionless expresssoin. He stood tall, his black cloak swirling around his shoulders. He felt… older. He didn't know why, as he was technically still in the prime of his youth being an Asgardian. It was as if his soul had grown up without his body.

He shook these feelings from his head, a worn expression settling on his face as he groaned inside, his hands clenching into fists. If only he had his magic, he could whisk himself away from this place and never come back. Much better, he could make Thor mute. But, because he didn't have any magic, he forced himself to turn around, knowing better than to ignore one of the Thunder God's raged threats.

Loki didn't say a word as he walked calmly past Thor, past the guards and into the massive throne room. Odin did not sit atop his golden perch, but was probably sleeping in his own chambers, too old and worn out, like a rag, threadbare and patched up.

The Captain of the Guard was standing there, his back to Loki, talking with someone. When he heard Loki enter, he turned around, nodding respectfully at both princes who had now entered the room.

Loki's eyes shifted past the Captain and to the tall, elvish woman that stood there. She was still as radiant as ever, with that gleam in her green eyes that told of stubbornness. She looked regal, her blonde hair flowing around her face, all the way down to her hips. She wore a dress woven of pure gold, golden sandals on her feet. She wore a necklace of rubies, the very same jewels in her ears, and accented around her waist and on her shoes.

Loki's mind crawled with unease as he saw that she was surveying him too, her eyes full of… wonder.

She suddenly curtsied, and Loki remembered that Thor was standing next to him, and they both bowed in response.

"Princess Sigyn, it is good to see you." Thor said, something strange in his voice. Discomfort. Loki glanced over at Thor, seeing that he was standing off to the side uncomfortably, glancing back and forth from Loki to Sigyn. "Alas, I am not of use in meetings such as these. I will leave it up to Prince Loki to speak with you."

Sigyn nodded, curtsying again as Thor bowed and left the room with the Captain of the Guard.

They were alone. Loki clasped his wrists behind his back, Sigyn folding her arms, almost hugging herself.

There was a long silence.

Sigyn finally cleared her throat. "My prince," She said. "I… I haven't seen you in so long." Those blue, blue eyes were watching him.

Loki nodded thoughtfully. "I suppose it was for the best."

Sigyn agreed quickly. "You look so… different."

Loki smiled weakly. "You look the same as the day you left me."

Sigyn sighed, twirling her hair around her finger. "And you… you look as if you've been to Helheim and back."

Oh, the irony. Loki raised an eyebrow. "And why do you say that?"

Sigyn shook her head. "I'm sorry, that was uncalled for. You just have a look in your eye that wasn't there when I knew you so long ago."

There was another silence.

"Well, shall we go into another room and discuss your reasons for being sent here?" Loki asked.

Sigyn nodded quickly. "Of course!"

Before they entered the meeting room, Loki stopped just outside the elegantly carved door. "Once we step into this room, it is only business. So, I must ask one thing."

Sigyn's eyes widened a little. "Yes?"

"Are you happy? With Theoric?"

Sigyn's eyes lit up a little. "Yes. I am very happy. I have two sons and a daughter. We have been married for at least four centuries now."

Loki smiled thinly, his heart aching just a little bit. "I am glad you found someone you love."

Sigyn nodded again. "And you? Have you found anyone?"

Loki scoffed. "Me? After all that I have done? I have given up in that aspect of life. I am content to live alone." But those words felt wrong. He wasn't completely alone. He had Mya. He hadn't realized how much time and attention she took, how much he cared until he said those words. She was supposed to be his slave. But she was more of a daughter to him than anything. No, he wasn't alone.

He saw guilt in Sigyn's eyes, suddenly. Her eyes flitted to the floor. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to-"

"No. No. It's alright. Now, shall we get to our business?"

They both entered the room, Loki sitting at one end of the rectangular table, and Sigyn at the other. A servant brought in a tray with a bottle of delicate mead and two golden cups, setting it on the table, bowing, and then leaving. The door shut behind the servant, and the doors clicked with a lock. The room was magically soundproofed, as to prevent anyone on the outside listening in.

"I have come here to inquire about Princess Myandira." There was distaste in her voice suddenly, a little anger at Asgardian Culture. Loki knew the elves frowned upon Asgard's more barbaric traditions. But, they were a kingdom of war and warriors. Barbaric was their way of life. Just, not his.

"Do you mean Mya?" Loki asked.

Sigyn's countenance had changed from one of an elegant elf, to that of a truly angry ambassador. "Yes, Princess Myandira. The daughter of the King and Queen of the Fire Elves. I know Asgardian traditions. I know what she was brought here for."

Loki huffed. "Are you insulting my country, Princess Sigyn?"

Sigyn glared at Loki. "No. I am asking where she is."

Loki grinned. "I like this side of you, darling. It's so nice to see a little fire, coming from an ordinary elf."

Sigyn thumped her hand on the table. "Stop playing games, Loki! I am serious. Where is she. I demand to see her!"

Loki clucked his tongue, swinging his legs up onto the table, crossing one on top of the other, and leaning back in his big chair. "Ah. So that is why you are here. Your father didn't send you. You requested to be sent after hearing two years after the siege on the Fire Elves what had happened to the youngest Princess."

Sigyn's glare sharpened. "Princess Myandira is an elf. She may be a fire elf, but fire elves aren't far from my people. A little girl should not be punished for the mistakes of her people!"

Loki's grin widened. He was playing with her now. "And here I thought your people didn't care about such things. Aren't you too busy playing the lute and dancing to the thought of wine? Picking grapes and making bread and dancing some more?"

Sigyn's glare sharpened into a dagger. "Where is she?"

Loki lifted his legs off the table, sitting up straight. "She is in my chambers."

Sigyn's eyes widened, her mouth dropping open. "HOW COULD YOU?!" She screeched. "I thought you a better man than that! I thought you were different from the other Asgardians, that you despised their traditions! You would keep her as your bed slave and-"

Loki cut her off immediately, standing up with such a fury that Sigyn fell silent. "Yes, Mya is in my chambers! She is reading books on poetry in her room right now, because I told her to get ready for bed after we had just started eating supper, when Thor came banging on my door! Mya was gifted to me two years ago when Thor didn't want her! I have thought of Mya as nothing but my student!"

There was a long silence.

Loki sighed, pacing about the room. "How could I do anything of the sort to a child? That is sickening to even think about. When I first met Mya, the poor girl was huddling in the corner of my room, chained to my bed so harshly you could barely tell her skin under the metal was skin, naked and shivering. I gave her my cape and one of my shirts and let her sleep in front of the fire, then took her to the healers the next day and had her patched up. I have made sure to fulfill every one of her needs, and I don't need you standing here accusing me of something so wretched!"

Sigyn opened her mouth to speak, then closed it, sitting back down in her chair slowly. "I thought… I thought that… Oh nevermind. May I please see her?" Her cheeks were heated with embarrassment.

Loki walked stiffly to the doors. "Follow me."

Loki walked at a furious pace, Sigyn running a little to keep up. When they finally got to Loki's chambers, he threw open his golden doors, walking through another door that lead to his personal chambers, as one lead to his meeting room. Sigyn followed him through the door, her eyes scanning over his intricately decorated front room and into a small hallway that had rows of doors on either side. Loki stopped before one of the doors, knocking on it.

He waited as the door unlocked and Mya opened it, her almost white hair pulled back into a loose ponytail. There were books spread out over her bed, ones that Loki knew he hadn't given her permission to read. She smiled sheepishly as she saw Loki's furious gaze. "I know. I should not be reading those. But I could not help myself…" Her excuse died off as her green eyes shifted to the woman standing just behind Loki.

"Who is that?" She asked in elvish.

"This, is the Princess Sigyn, of Alfheim. She has come to enquire about your well being, child."

The woman pushed past Loki, searching every inch of the small elf girl, from her pointy ears to her delicate hands, to her badly scarred feet. Mya took a step back, a little fear in her eyes.

"Could I speak to Princess Myandira alone?" Sigyn asked Loki.

Loki glared harshly at the woman before nodding, giving Mya one last look and then stepping out into the hall and shutting the door.

"Princess, I am Sigyn. I come from Alfheim. You know what that is, right?"

"Yes." Mya snapped.

Sigyn's eyes narrowed. "Do you know why you were brought to Asgard?"

"I am here because I was a sacrifice. Because I was Father's least favorite."

Sigyn nodded curtly. "I am going to offer you a deal-"

"No!" Mya shouted.

Sigyn felt so shocked she almost lost her train of thought. "What? You don't even know what the deal is, Princess."

"I'm not a princess! I don't want to be! And I don't want you or any Asgardian trying to control me! I don't want your stupid deal! I don't care what it is! I hate you! And I hate everyone else too! I don't want to go back home or to Alfheim with you! I want to stay here! Go away! Go away!" Mya's eyes grew wild, and Sigyn took several steps back as Mya started sobbing, throwing herself on her bed and rocking back and forth, clutching a green cape to her face.

Loki opened the door. "Come, Sigyn."

Sigyn left, astonishment clouding her thoughts as Loki lead her to the halls outside his chambers. "What… I didn't do anything… I just…"

Loki shook his head. "You have only upset her. It is best if you leave."

"Why? I didn't do anything! I was just about to offer her a deal!"

"You don't understand. It is too hard to explain what she feels. The best thing for her is to stay with me, Sigyn."

Sigyn shook her head. "No. She needs to be with her people. She cannot spend her whole life in Asgard! She needs to be surrounded with people like her-"

"I am the only one like her." Loki growled.

"What do you mean by that?" Sigyn snapped.

"People like you wouldn't understand what true rejection feels like. What it is to be a monster among saints. To be cast off by your family, your people. Blamed for something you can't help but be. You have had everything given to you on a golden platter, my dear, and you fail to recognize one thing: people like Mya, people like me, we are easily forsaken. And once we are forsaken, we can never go back."

Sigyn finally shrunk back, realizing she was getting nowhere with either Mya or Loki.

"I'm not done. If I hear that one thing has happened to her, I am coming after you. I'm sorry we couldn't meet under less strenuous circumstances, but I am afraid I must go now." Sigyn simply turned on her heal, her dress swirling after her as she stormed away.

"Don't let the doors hit you on the way out." Loki muttered.

The sight was too familiar. He had seen her leave like this before. The day she left, she had said nearly those same words. "I'm sorry we couldn't meet under less strenuous circumstances, but I'm afraid this just won't work out. I must go now."

Loki shook his head. "I'm glad your happy, Highness. Otherwise, all Helheim would break lose if the Princess didn't get her way."

Loki turned on his heel, walking back into his chambers, stopping at Mya's door and hearing the quiet, angry sobs. She needed time alone. He knew what it felt like to have someone intrude, but sometimes, that's what needed to be done. He walked into the room without knocking, sat on her bed by her huddled, shaking form under his cape, and said the only thing he could think of to say.

"I'm sorry, Mya. I'm so sorry."

Thank you so much for reading! I know I haven't updated in such a long time, but thanks for sticking with my story. I'm trying to write more often. I've had a lot going on in my life, especially with my depression and anxiety being such big buggers that I haven't written. Anyways, thank you for reading! I'm trying to write more to help with my problems, and your guys' input always makes my day!

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