During my hiatus, I've been influenced by a great number of things that may work its way into this story. Not only have I been trying to study the Marvel movies for characterization purities, I've been drawn to things like Skyrim's taking from Norse legends and even Game of Throne's plots for some politics and scandals and the like. If anything feels familiar, it will be, but only when things make sense.

Again, I own none of these things, not even Sigyn, really.

X

It was a night of informal dining when Loki entered the feasting hall. Those who were within helped themselves to dishes at various tables, conversing with each other and filling their platters and cups when they grew hungry or thirsty. He quietly passed a table where Sif and her merry buffoons were chuckling amongst themselves, already deep in their cups. The king was dining in his chambers tonight, and so conversation among the court was less constrained. Fandral half bowed, having met the prince over a stuffed lamb, his smile genuine. Loki was unused to it, and took it falsely, nodding with a bit of coldness.

"A good night for friends, food and drink!" the blond swordsman grinned, carving more meat off the bone. "A shame Lady Sigyn is not here to join us."

"Perhaps she takes respite in her chambers too," Loki groused. Continual wedding and coronation preparations, along with the sudden influx of requests for audience to Sigyn's favor in court had separated them time and again. Loki had taken the opportunity to quietly go to his own home beyond the city gates to prepare for his wife and their honeymoon. Knowing their residence would not be long there, he looked more toward comfort and convenience rather than decoration and renovation. He had hoped to steal her away that afternoon and show it to her, and ask what other needs and desires she would have of him, were it not for every other man, woman and child who seemingly wanted her attention.

"Keep hope," Sif spoke up. "The evening meal was served early tonight, and will be taken up later than usual. Perhaps our lady is still detained by court, and will be along shortly."

"You seem to be awfully familiar with her habits," Loki frowned, filling his plate more and turning to look at which lonely table he would take a seat at. Hogun stood, his goblet in hand.

"Such is the way of things when friends take each others company," he said, a cautious smile on his face. "Sit with us, my lord."

Loki blinked, looking at each of the three warriors and even Lady Sif in turn. They were looking on him with an eagerness that was somewhat swallowed by a tense fear of the moment. They had been his friends too once upon a time, not just Thor's. A long time ago, before he took Gungnir, before Thor was banished to Midgard...before the attack of the Dark Elves.

"Each of you promised to kill me once. Why offer me a place to break bread at your table, and have fellowship? Why would I sit with you?"

"Things change, don't they?" Sif answered quietly. "Releasing you from prison earned us each a right to be exiled, and yet here we are, feasting in the king's halls. If you are to be our next king, would it not be best if we put aside the past? A friend of a friend can still be a friend, can't they?"

Volstagg, Hogun and Fandral all fidgeted with their cups, nervous and yet still offering a place at their table. Loki felt the moment draw on unbearably long as he stood there with a full plate in his hand and indecision in his heart.

"Ah, I see you've readied your platter without me!" Sigyn called to him, having entered the feasting hall and going immediately to Loki's side, lacing her arm through his at the elbow and stealing a cherry tomato from his plate. Loki's eyelids blinked in confusion as his eyebrows raised incredulous.

Sigyn's gown was cut in a fashion that was never characteristically hers. Bare arms, low cuts and loose, sheer fabrics wrapped at her midriff with a high-waisted sash. Her chiffon frock flowed across her curves, her hair braided back from her face and left loose to cascade down the open back of her dress. Loki licked his lips. She'd been training while he was in Vanaheim. Her musculature was not comparable to any such as Lady Sif, but the tone and definition of her arms was not like any softer woman of court. The shimmering olive of the fabric against her skin was delightful when mixed with the dark soot silk of her sash as he realized she was starting to wear his colors.

Hello. Her voice greeted him in his mind as she popped the tomato in her mouth, showing off a little and knowing he appreciated how she looked very much.

"Hello," he replied verbally, taking longer to shake off his marvel than he'd like.

"Will you dine with me?" Sigyn asked, her lips curling into a smile as she caressed his arm softly.

"Of course," Loki smiled thinly, knowing her game and quickly losing at it. He didn't seem to mind however, as he admired the mouth he eagerly wanted to descend upon. "Where will you sit?"

"Among my friends. Here," she gestured to the table where Sif and the Three sat. Sigyn's other hand came to rest at his wrist, gently gripping him. You are apprehensive, as are they. But I've worked at changing their minds about you. They are beneficial, and will help us both.

Her smile never faltered in the silent pause that passed between them, and her persuasion worked quickly on him. Loki rolled his eyes and heaved a sigh, knowing if she kept this up he'd be wrapped around her little finger like a favorite ring...and maybe, just maybe that wouldn't be so bad.

"Fine," he drawled, over dramatic sarcasm frothing from his spirit. "I'll sit here."

"Excellent!" Fandral laughed, motioning for a servant. "More wine!"

"And mead!" Volstagg punctuated as Loki sat and Sif passed the serving fork to Sigyn.

"Are you not hungry?"

"I've eaten," Sif answered. "I'll drink slower and sneak at dessert in a little while, if I'm to drink Fandral under the table."

"You do cheat!" Fandral whined, pretending his vanity was shattered while the table laughed at him.

That night was full of carousing, and while Loki did not feel completely at home among them, the Liar King watched as his would-be wife befriended, and lead conversation, and took interest in his old friends, for his sake. They felt at ease with her even in his presence, and drew him into conversation when he let them. Sigyn also made sure to sit near him and physically touch him at whiles on the pretense of affection so their own private discourse could be held. He felt defended, with her. His moody vulnerability on his own would not have allowed him to last the night without retreating to his own chambers in seclusion to wrap himself in jaded bitterness.

Deeper in the night, Loki leaned against his balcony looking out over Asgard. The moon was full, and the stars glimmered overhead as sleepy revelers went home from the taverns of the city. The bustle and excitement of the realm was growing as visitors were beginning to trickle in for the impending festivities of coronation and the wedding. Yet tonight was peaceful quiet and Loki was content. It felt strange, as if something was amiss. Something had to be wrong, somewhere. Sigyn, laying on the settee behind him, felt his unease replacing the still of the moment and shook her head.

"Dearest, you invite trouble where there is none," she admonished, taking a drink of the wine she swirled in her goblet.

"That's just it," he replied with a sigh. "There is no trouble. All my life, there's always been something. It just makes me so..."

"You hesitate to be happy, because good things always go to someone else," she finished.

"Or disappear entirely," Loki sighed. "I thought they would have reviled me even more, after Ylva's trial. They aren't fools, Sigyn. They are your friends now, and should have taken your side. The wronged woman and the unfaithful lover. You have every right to publicly denounce me and deny my ascension."

He turned toward her sadly, going to her when she reached for him. Loki embraced Sigyn and reclined on the couch with her, pressing her close and wrapping his arms about her as if to prevent her from suddenly leaving. She turned in his arms, having set her goblet to the floor and pressing her lips against his neck in reassurance.

But now I've had a taste for the power I'll not give it up easily. You can't cast me aside, Loki. I'm not going anywhere. Her voice teased his mind, and her aroma enveloped his senses. Hungrily, Loki kissed her, caressing her with eager hands and cradling her tightly against his chest. Sigyn's tongue slipped past his lips and playfully warred against him for dominance before he rolled her on her back and forced her submission with a few well placed bites.

You vex me. His growl reverberated throughout her soul and it aroused Sigyn as if he had rent her gown apart in an effort to get at her. Why do you have to be so...agreeable?

Because you are so attractive to me. I don't suppose you remember, when we were young?

Loki thought back to the first time he'd met Sigyn as his mother's handmaiden. He and Thor had been roughhousing in the royal gardens as boys, their rowdy nonsense ticking up to a full out fight when she'd been sent to fetch them to Frigga. They'd knocked over an urn before they noticed she was in the garden. Thor had immediately brushed off the dirt and straightened in the presence of a lady.

"Cousin," he smiled, smoothing back his blond locks. Loki took a bit longer to acknowledge her, having regarded the destroyed urn and mourning the ruined flowers in it. He remembered picking up a blossom and feeling sad that it could no longer grow and flourish.

"Princes Thor, and Loki," Sigyn curtsied respectfully. She had gotten taller since the last time she had visited with Freyr, and her curves were just beginning to show. The boys were old enough to be interested in girls at that time, but too young to know what to do with the attraction besides show off which of them was better by punching the other brother.

Sigyn's eyes had lingered over Loki, who never spoke much to his mother's servant. Perhaps his silence was pleasant (truly, it was because he never quite knew what to say). He'd been upset that the flowers were to die, and they were Frigga's favorite kind. She'd be upset. He didn't like to upset Mother. Sigyn regarded the internal war Loki bore quietly within himself and took great interest in his force of feeling, and how lonely it seemed to be, even as his brother boasted and carried on as he spoke to her.

It was then he realized he had always been carefully contemplated by Sigyn, a favor he never returned. Loki felt her recede from him, pushing away physically as well as mentally, embarrassment welling to replace the deep tenderness that was there only a moment before. He sat up straighter, his hold on her tightening as he pinned her down further against the couch.

"How long?" he asked, his green eyes glittering with dangerous interest and a pressing need to know her answer. Sigyn did not meet his gaze and put her hand on his chest even as his fingers dug in at her hips.

"I..I don't know what you mean..."

"How long have I ignored you, Sigyn?" Loki asked again, a harder edge to his voice. She couldn't tell if he was angry with himself for overlooking her infatuation, or if he was irritated with her for not speaking up sooner.

"Does it really matter anymore? We grew up, you pursued other women and...I thought it was the position or power I was fascinated with, so I took a suitor in the mean time."

Loki blinked. They'd never really been close during the years, and yet it wasn't as if he never heard the networking of rumors in the palace. Sigyn was more discreet apparently, that no one ever spoke of her love affairs as if it were something to be regularly talked of and followed.

"What happened?" he asked idly, trying not to seem too eager. His fingers ran along her sash absently, his brow furrowed and seeming disinterested. She could feel the storm of his mood clearly and sighed, frowning.

"It just...we fell apart, really," Sigyn answered quietly. "Between my duties to the queen and my studies under Eir, and his training in the military, we never really saw each other. We drifted apart and I finally broke it off. I could tell he'd lost interest whenever he visited."

Sigyn's brows knit together as she looked at Loki, who was pursing his lips quietly, keeping his eyes from looking into hers. His thought process had shifted, and she could feel the swirl of the tide.

"He wasn't so tall as you," she said. "And he was fair, not dark. But he was kind, and treated me well. Why does this bother you, Loki?"

He blinked owlishly, suddenly looking her in the eye. The undercurrent of his thoughts shifted drastically and brought other things to the forefront. Fair, kind. Not as tall. Sigyn frowned further. "What's wrong?"

Sigyn hooked her ankle around his leg when he didn't answer and easily took him off guard, rolling over to sit astride him while he lay on his back. He moaned softly at length when she rolled her hips against him, demanding his attention.

"Loki answer me," she grumbled, her hands on his chest and her hair cascading to brush at his hands as he took hold of her waist.

"Sigyn, must you distract me so?" Loki smiled petulantly, reaching behind her to cup her backside and force the delightful friction between them. He adjusted how he laid on the couch just so and knew he'd made his point when she closed her eyes and pressed her lips together.

"What are you scheming, that you won't tell me?" she whispered, after a moment to compose herself.

Loki's thoughts flashed back to all of the childhood memories he had of his life, and of Frigga, and...of Thor. His mouth twisted as he fought anger and hurt and sorrow. Fair, kind. A warrior.

"I need to go to Midgard," he finally said. "It'll only be a few days I think."

Sigyn had paused, looking him full in the eye. "To what task do you set yourself in Midgard?" she asked cautiously.

"Well it would be awkward for one king's son to not be at the next king's wedding, wouldn't it?" Loki replied slyly.

"You know he won't trust your words," she frowned after some thought. "And he'll be angry."

"It doesn't matter. He's to come home for a while. He'll learn the truth eventually, might as well be now."

"And you'll leave me. Again."

"Oh yes," Loki sat up, his rotations further frustrating Sigyn and she fought the pleasurable grinding and the thrill of his purposeful titillation. "But not for so long, this time. Can't have you resenting me when I come back, can I?"

"You're allowed four days. If you haven't found and convinced him within that time, you are to return regardless." Sigyn threaded her fingers through his hair, firmly taking hold of his head and forcing him to continue looking her in the eye. There was no mistaking her meaning. She meant him to obey implicitly and return to her.

"I take it the preparations are nearly complete?" Loki smirked. He was just as eager as she to finally be joined together. He couldn't wait to show her exactly what she'd agreed to, and see just how wild and greedy he could get her to be.

"The coronation and my presentation to you will be very soon, I think," Sigyn replied, caressing him while keeping a firm hold. Her eyes drifted over his sharp features, along the chiseled line of his jaw, lingering over his mouth. Absentminded, she licked her lips, hungry.

"Wouldn't do to keep the queen-consort waiting then, would it?" He murmured, his own eyes wandering to her soft lips, her neck, across her shoulders and followed the low cut of her gown to her cleavage. Gently, he set his lips to her throat, licking and nibbling. One hand caught at the tendrils of her hair, curling it around two fingers and lightly tugging. Her soft sighs were a chorus to his soul until he paused his ministrations.

"Kiss me goodbye?" Loki asked quietly, his spirit pleading with her shyly.

"What, you leave now?" Sigyn asked indignantly, her spirit spiking into desperate enmity against him. "You would leave me now? Why not wait until the morning, when you are rested?"

"Because dearest, the longer I put it off," he kissed her, punctuating his words, "and the longer I stay with you, I will never want to leave."

"Loki," Sigyn whined, and she was rewarded only with another kiss as he laughed softly.

"Come with me to the Observatory. See me off."

And so it was that Heimdall met his future king, cloaked and approaching hand in hand with his intended. His far seeing eyes stared, unreadable.

"Greetings to you Loki, Prince of Asgard," the elder gatekeeper intoned, nodding more to the Vanir princess to whom he still bore allegiance. "And to you, Sigyn, Heiress to the House of Iwaldi."

"It is good to see you, Heimdall," she smiled, inclining her head slightly. Loki was rather more curt in his acknowledgment. There was an uncomfortable pause as the prince remembered how he froze the guardian in place with the Casket, accusing him as traitor.

"The stars are more easily enjoyed when at leisure in alluring company, my lord," Heimdall suggested, his face still indecipherable and his tone mirthless. He did not miss the quick falter of Loki's stance however, or the unmistakeable blush over Sigyn's nose, as if he'd caught two enamored adolescents sneaking out at night.

"Yes, well," Loki began, clearing his throat. "I've an errand on Midgard, Heimdall, if you would open the gate."

"An urgent errand, that it must be in the secrecy of night?"

Steady golden eyes bore into flashing green, and the crackle of the moment between the two was immense. Heimdall had not reconciled with the darker son of Odin, and was still wary of the one who hid himself from the sight of the Gatekeeper.

"The errand cannot wait," Sigyn said. "Forgive me, Heimdall, for I am impatient. I convinced my lord Loki to bring Thor home for the wedding, and would fain have him do so quickly."

Loki blinked and looked sidelong at her, their fingers still entwined. Shock resounded through his being, followed by some slight, wary alarm and she merely absorbed it, her smile never hesitating as she addressed Heimdall. Sigyn. You just lied...

Yes. I can do it too, you know. Her smile given to the Gatekeeper simply grew as she attempted to beguile and charm for him.

Oh, Nine Realms, beware the pretty face... Loki teased until she squeezed his hand into silence. Heimdall seemed to be fooled, for now, thrusting his sword into the pedestal. The windows of the Observatory twisted and shifted, to open the way to Earth. Sigyn put her hand on Loki's shoulder to bid him farewell.

"Return quickly, my lord," she admonished, her eyes not meeting his gaze as she adjusted his cloak about his shoulders, smoothing the fabric down, her hands lingering on his chest. Gently, he placed his hands on hers to still them from her fidgeting. She finally looked up at him sadly.

"You need not worry for me," Loki murmured, taking his cloak off and throwing it about her shoulders, embracing her tightly and kissing her lips in leave-taking. "Prepare, Sigyn. I will be back for you, ere you miss me."

Loki went to the gate, the way opened and the sword energized with the path he was to walk. "Near to him as you can reasonably get, Heimdall."

"Already done, my lord," the gatekeeper smiled. "May your journey be safe."

With a flashing of light and rapid energy, Loki vanished, the force and wind of the magic that sent him to Midgard swirling in place behind him. Sigyn tightened the cloak around herself against the chill of the air.

"Send word to me when he returns," she begged quietly, turning to make her way back to the palace. Heimdall nodded, the ever watchful sentry of the gate.

Jane lugged overfull grocery bags up the stairs to her little brick house as best she could while using her shoulder to keep talking on the phone. The university she worked for had forced her to take all the vacation time she'd been accumulating so she figured she'd catch up on some social time, do some chores, refill the pantry and empty cabinets. Darcy had moved in recently to save on rent and utilities but boy did she make up for it by eating a lot. Thor frequently visiting didn't help either.

"No mom, they didn't fire me, I'm just on vacation. Yes, I know it's called holi—uh...yeah, yeah, sure I can bring him over to visit. Yeah I'm off the next month. N..no I don't think he likes pudding. Well, no I don't know but...mom I'm sure whatever you make will be fine. Yes, he eats anything. Hey listen, I gotta go, I'll talk to him tonight and see when we'll make it over. Love you too. Bye!"

The struggle was real. Jane fumbled around for the keys, letting the phone drop from her shoulder safely into a bag filled to the brim with groceries – God it was heavy. Before she managed to drop the bag with the eggs in it, the door opened and Thor's happy smile greeted her.

"Hi!" she smiled as he kissed her forehead and took both bags from her and lead her down the hallway into the kitchen. "I wasn't expecting you until later tonight!"

"Darcy called-"

"Surprise!" Darcy suddenly thundered down the stairs and bounced into the room, throwing her hands up in the air as if in victory, a pleased-as-punch grin on her face. "Dishes are done, Thor helped with the living room and I even did laundry!"

"Darcy, I can't believe you!" Jane frowned, tossing her purse and keys on a side table and taking off her jacket. "Thor's got more important things to do than our housework."

"Jane it's fine," Thor laughed, pulling groceries out and sorting them on the counter. "Darcy told me you were getting some time off, so she asked for help. We wanted you to relax, and it's good for me to learn these things. She showed me how to work the music box...

"Stereo," Darcy interjected, already ripping into a bag of chips and shoving a handful into her mouth.

"Stereo," Thor repeated, not missing a beat. "And erm...that loud push...thing.."

He paused, making back and forth motions with his hands, struggling for the word Darcy used earlier when she pulled the contraption out of the closet. Jane snatched the chips away from Darcy with a frown and folded the bag over to put in the pantry.

"Vacuum," Darcy said, crunching past the food in her mouth, putting her hand up to keep the crumbs from falling as she turned to the living room to sort the mail that had just dropped through the mail slot.

"Yeah, that!" Thor's bright smile was that of a child who got to play with new toys. "That was interesting."

"You should be thanking me." Darcy's conversation volume rose as she called from down the hall. "He's super awesome and helpful, he'll be great when you guys finally figure out you should totally get married, and kick me out to live on the streets. He even picked out which candles I should light."

"Aww," Jane smiled, her nose wrinkling when she turned to Thor for a peck on the lips. He put his arm around her waist and embraced her tightly if only for a moment before going back to sorting the groceries.

"Speaking of marriage..."

"Darc, we're not ready for that yet, and nobody's kicking you out."

"No, you got an invitation, looks like. Who do you know who's getting married?" Darcy walked back into the kitchen and tossed the envelope between her two friends to land on the counter, her voice changing comically. "Lady Jane Fostah. Don't remember you getting honors for your sciencey stuff."

Thor saw the envelope and had to do a double take. The scrolled handwriting on the envelope was so very familiar and he hadn't seen it in such a very long time.

Lady Jane Foster

847 Chapel Hill

Brixton

London

SW9 1AA

Jane was already opening the letter and pulled out a card that smelled so much of the royal gardens it made Thor ache with homesickness. He watched her face as she read silently before she turned and looked at him, tears and confusion in her eyes.

"We saw him die," Jane said. "I thought he died!"

"What's up?" Darcy asked absently, not looking up from a magazine she'd been thumbing through at the kitchen table.

Thor grabbed the card out of Jane's hands and held her in an effort to comfort as he read the invitation.

The honor of your presence is requested at

the joining of

Loki,

first of his name

and

Sigyn,

Iwaldi- and Freyrsdottir

There was more to the invitation that Thor didn't read. Loki. Alive? Was this another trick? And why did they target Jane? Thor's doubt swirled about him and caution followed soon after along with worry for Jane and Darcy's safety. Whoever sent the letter would be sorry, were they foe.

Jane and Thor did not pay attention to the soft knocking at the door, so great was the remembering of their grief on Svartalfheim. Jane became a stammering mess, trying to reconcile facts and what she saw, while Thor tried to piece together and make explanation of what was happening. Darcy rolled her eyes and tossed the magazine away, going down the hall to answer the door. Probably the neighbors coming to be a pain in the ass and ask for milk, like they sometimes did.

When Darcy opened the door she came face to face with a very familiar entity that had been in New York once upon a time. His hair was shorter and curled just slightly past his ears and his face was lightly bearded. He was wearing a long black overcoat, his hands stuffed in the pockets, a green silk scarf around his neck, a protection against the chill of evening air. His smile was pleasant, but the sharpness of his green eyes was unnerving.

"Hello, I-"

"Fuck! Shit!" Darcy screamed, slamming the door in his face, her eyes having been widened in terror.

Loki was left to frown at the door, his hand still extended in greeting. He sighed, figuring he'd at least finish his sentence. "-don't believe we've met."

I'd like to apologize to any UK readers and followers I have. I realize the formatting of the fictitious address Jane and Darcy share may be off and I didn't think it would be wise to tempt anyone to send a letter to something that seemed a little too real, so I fudged it, hoping it would still retain some authenticity and immersion. If it has the opposite effect, I can only laugh and shrug.

I've referenced Sigyn's relationship to Theoric in this chapter. I'm still toying with the idea of expanding on it, but I'm unsure how it would fit in, or if it would be too much of a distraction. I keep adding in things that are wonderful details and delightful easter eggs but I'm wondering if I'm just babbling during the course of the story and not getting into the actual plot so much. What do you guys think?

I'm hoping to have enough written at a time that I can queue up chapters to post and have one standing by while I write another chapter. We'll see how long that lasts.