Odin had to be the worst monarch in the history of Asgard. Of course, he had been the only one, but the title of worst still stood. At least, so it did in Sayrah's mind. Another peace council had been called to organize yet another treaty between the Jotuns and the Asgardians after Odin invaded their realm. "With this treaty comes a new era of prosperity and good fellowship between Jotunheim and Asgard. We will become longstanding allies once and for all." Odin announced before the select crowd of Aesir and Jotun.

"Yeah, until you get drunk off your royal ass again and decide to destroy a realm." She thought bitterly from her hiding place above them. Only Thor, Loki, Balder, and an elite few of the Crimson Hawk force had been invited to participate in the negotiation. But Sayrah, being the curious girl she was, crawled up onto a support pillar in the Great Hall and watched the proceedings with interest. She had never seen a Frost Giant before. They were tall, taller than Heimdall and Odin, and their skin was a vivid shade of blue. Decorative ornaments hung everywhere that could be reached on them. To Sayrah, they were both grotesque and amazing. She wondered how they could even stand in the Hall without hitting their heads. But she respected their self control. If she was a Frost Giant and Odin did what he did, she would have squashed him the moment she set foot in Asgard. "To think Thor will be king after him. He'd loose control in a day with his temper. Good thing Loki will help him."

"And in an agreement like this one, only the strongest tie can bind it. A marriage is in order."

A marriage? Sayrah grinned, picturing Thor and Balder wedding a Frost Giant's daughter.

"We offer up Angrboda, a daughter of a high ranking Jotun official." one of the representatives said gravely.

"I offer one of my sons, as payment for the sins the Asgardians have committed against your kind."

Sayrah snorted to herself. "You mean the sins you've committed."

Odin motioned behind him and his sons stepped up. "Each one of them would be proud to gives their lives for the peace of Asgard, but only one will revel in today's victory."

She leaned forward, eager to start making fun of whoever was chosen.

"Loki."

A look of panic passed over the prince's face, but he quickly regained his composure.

"We accept. We'll leave tomorrow."

"WHAT!?" Sayrah burst, momentarily forgetting that she was supposed to be hiding. Everyone below her looked up, startled at her outburst. She laughed nervously and waved, losing her grip on the pillar she clung to and falling. Loki thrust his hand toward her, slowing her descent enough for him to catch her safely.

"Hi." she blushed.

"Hey." he gave her a half smile, disrupting his serious manner for a second.

Odin rubbed his fingers over his forehead, frustrated. "Sayrah, have you been here the whole time."

"Yes, sire."

"And you heard everything we discussed?"

"Yes sire."

"Then good. You shall go and tell all of Asgard of Loki and Angrboda's union."

"Ye-yes sire." she inclined her head and left, heart sinking with every step.

"You can't go through with this."

Loki ignored her, picking up another book to stuff into his bag.

"You just can't. Odin can't make you marry a Frost Giant." Sayrah insisted.

"I have to. For Asgard. The needs of my realm is more important than my own." he said quietly.

"Since when?"

"Since I had to. With Thor in line for the throne, Balder and I must act at our best, we are his advisors."

"You don't really believe that, do you?"

"No."

"Well then don't go through with it."

"It's not that easy, Sayrah!" he slammed his fists on the table. "I can't just go up to my father and say 'Hey, on second thought, I don't wanna' and leave."

"Well then we'll disguise Balder as you, and trick him into leaving with the Frost Giants, and then-"

"Sayrah, I appreciate your concern, and your creativity, but there's nothing you or I can do at this point."

"But what about Sigyn?" is what she asked, but she really meant "What about us?"

"My heart will belong to Sigyn until I can find a way to get out of this arrangement, which I'm sure will be as soon as Odin forgets about the treaty and attacks again."

Sayrah sat on his bed and drew her knees to her chest. "I'll miss you."

"And I you." He smiled gently at her. "You know you are my closest friend."

"Yes."

They both were silent for a moment when a thought occurred to her.

"What if- what if she wants to… you know, uh, consummate your union?"

He paused and grimaced. "I don't want to think about it."

"Alright. But have fun sleeping with a giant. I bet Fandral you love to trade places with you."

He laughed, making her grin. "Will you get on alright without me?"

"Yeah. I've got Skadi if I get really bored."

"And you'll take care of Sleipnir?"

"Yeah. Hey, what if your children turn out blue horses?"

Loki scowled. "Shut up."

It was Sayrah's turn to laugh at his sour look. "I'm only jesting."

He closed his bag. "Well, I think that's it. I guess it's time."

She got up and hugged him tightly. "Be safe." "I love you."

"I can hold my own. See you in a few months."

"Hopefully in a few days!"

He winked at her and walked out, leaving her alone. She took a deep breath , but the thought of him being in another woman's arms, even a Frost Giant's, made her cry. And yet, the pain she felt now would not compare to what was to come.