Chapter 12

Loki's skiff bounced across the water at top speed. Loki knew how to get to other realms his warriors didn't. Eventually he saw the cave he was looking for. He flew into the cave on his skiff, and followed a path, that ultimately ended at the exit. Loki was now in Svartalfheim. He, slowed the skiff down and flew it close to the ground. This was where it had started several weeks ago. He did not stop at the cave the informer had taken them. Instead he looked for recent footprints.

He didn't know if he would run into any of his warriors. He didn't care. This was better than sitting on a throne doing nothing.

After an hour passed, Loki saw something. He landed the skiff and got off. It looked like tracks that had been covered up. He followed them into a cave. Loki looked around him. There were stalactites above him and on the edges of the cave floor were stalagmites, making it easy to see the uncovered tracks. Loki followed the twisted path throughout the entire cave to the exit. Loki stepped out of the cave. He smiled when he realized where he was.

He quickly re-entered the cave and raced back to his skiff. The skiff traveled at high speed all the way back to the city. Loki docked it and ran to Heimdall's look out.

"Where are the Warrior's Three and Lady Sif?" he asked breathlessly.

Heimdall looked out into the heavens. "My King, they are on Alfheim."

"Bring them back, I know where she is," Loki ordered.

Heimdall stared at Loki. "You have found her?" He asked.

"Yes, or at least I have found where she was. I am in hopes she is still there," Loki answered.

Heimdall sent the rainbow effect.

"Apparently, we are wanted back home," Volstagg said and pointed towards the rainbow. The Warriors Three and Lady Sif stepped into the rainbow and were whisked back to Heimdall's look out.

At seeing Loki, Lady Sif asked, "My King, why have you brought us home?"

"I know where Sigyn is and we are going to go get her," Loki answered.

"That is fantastic! my King," Fandral exclaimed.

"Heimdall take us to the Other's realm," Loki ordered.

"Yes, my King," Heimdall said.

Lady Sif stuck her hand out. "Wait, what, no, we can't go there. If the Other see's us he will kill you," she said to Loki.

The Warriors Three spoke in unison, "She is right, my King."

"I appreciate your warnings, but that is where Sigyn and Bari are. I have no desire to face the Other, but I intend to get my family back. If I have to, I will go alone," Loki told them.

"No, no, no," each warrior said. "You will need us we will go with you," Fandral spoke for them.

"I still think it is too dangerous, but I too will go with you," Lady Sif said.

"Heimdall," was all Loki said.

The rainbow effect sent them to the Other's realm.

They stood for a minute and looked around. "Someone actually lives here?" Volstagg asked.

"Looks more like a waste land than someone's home," Lady Sif said.

"The perfect place to hide someone," Loki said. He indicated with his arm in which direction he wanted to go. "Follow me, my friends."

They walked for several miles. At the same time, they kept their eyes peeled for anything suspicious. "I don't like it, my King," Fandral said.

"I am not liking it either," Loki replied. "I know where I am going and it is where I was, while here. It is the perfect place to hide someone."

They arrived at some caves. "This is where I was dragged into," Loki said and shook his head. "I do not sense her. She must be cloaked."

Cautiously they entered one of the caves. Keeping their wits about them to anything that might happen they followed what appeared to be a path.

An hour later they came upon an open door. Volstagg took a step towards it. Before he could take another one Fandral stopped him by grabbing his arm. "Wait, it could be a trap," he warned.

Loki shook his head. "No, it is not a trap. There is no one inside," he said and walked into the room. The Warriors Three and Lady Sif followed him. "There was someone here. There are tracks and I can sense her essence," Loki said.

Hogun searched the room. "They left not long ago. Perhaps only a few hours," he said.

"But to where?" Loki asked. "Come on, let's go back to Asgard. We can't travel around aimlessly."

"My King, shouldn't we search this realm before leaving?" Volstagg asked.

"It would seem the logical thing to do, but no. I know this place and I can tell she is not here. They must have known we were coming and moved on. Otherwise why move at all," Loki said.

They exited the cave and called for the rainbow effect. Moments later they were back on Asgard and Heimdall's look out post. "Did you see her?" Loki asked him.

Heimdall slowly shook his head. "I am sorry my King I have not and cannot see her. She is hidden, even from my eyes."

Unsatisfied with the outcome, Loki headed back towards the palace at a furious pace.

"Heimdall, did you see anyone on the Other's realm. Any movement of life?" Hogun asked.

"Tell the King there were people there. They left just before you arrived. I could not tell who they were or if she was with them. I tried to call all of you back, but I could not find you," Heimdall answered. "I do not know where they went," he added.

"Thank you, Heimdall," Hogun said.

"We better catch up with the King," Fandral suggested.

The Warriors Three and Lady Sif hurried after Loki. "My King," called out Volstagg. "Heimdall did see someone."

Loki stopped and waited for them to catch up. "Who?" he asked.

Hogun told Loki what Heimdall had said.

Loki snorted. "We know they were there. Unfortunately, we are no further ahead than before." He looked upward. "Sigyn, if you can, tell me where you are."

They all began walking again. As they walked Loki felt as if someone had just whispered in his ear. "I love you and we are safe. I will find a way to reach you as soon as I can," the voice said. Loki smiled. He knew it had to be Sigyn trying to reach him telepathically. He concentrated and sent a message to her. "I heard you and we will find you." He hoped she received his telepathic message.

Hertha stared at Sigyn as they walked. Sigyn was smiling. "My Queen are you all right?" Hertha asked.

Sigyn realized she had openly smiled when she got Loki's message. "Yes, I am fine. I had a pleasant memory that made me smile," she explained.

Hertha nodded. "I understand. Hang onto that memory. It will get you through this."

"No talking," a guard shouted.

You can stop me from talking, but you cannot stop me from thinking. Loki will find me, Sigyn thought to herself.