Author's Note: Welcome back guys! I have nothing important to say so I will just go ahead and reply to the reviews. Swim Until You Can't See Land I agree. Loki would have been less than pleased if he caught his half-naked brother casually talking with/eyeing his Lady. I like the idea that there are two people to help build Loki up since it would be impossible for simply one of them to do so. It would appear that Sigyn is Frigga's comrade in arms as well. Snow White Queen I am really glad you asked about the names, it was fun to explain :) Yes, poor Loki. Being the younger/youngest son in that sort of society was a tough thing since you got pretty much nothing. At least if you were a daughter you inherited some through your dowry/Bride Price (even though the husband technically had control over it). I will admit, Odin can be just as tough to write as Loki. I feel bad that most portrayals make him an outright jerk, and I don't think that is fair to the complexity of his situation. I am glad that you approve of my portrayals of both of these difficult characters though. I have a feeling that being slapped by a woman would be a fantasy for Fandral, but I don't think it would really matter what woman it was. I am also pleased that the wedding scene seemed appropriately handled time wise. If it had been Sigyn's wedding I probably would have delved a little more into it, but I certainly didn't want to skim over it. The bath scene could most certainly have been Loki in the form of Thor. As you have mentioned though, there are several plot holes that would suggest it is not him. I feel that Loki would have put Sigyn through all that embarrassment and then shown himself just to see her reaction, and to show off a bit since she is not aware he can shape shift. I think Loki would have been furious if he had seen the two of them together regardless of Sigyn's discomfort with the entire situation. The One And Only A Nice Person well I am sure Sigyn is not the first woman he has seen like that, but yes, their interactions could prove of some interest. Will Loki find out? Sigyn is smart enough not to mention it, but Thor is not the most discerning of people sometimes...

Loki listened at the door quietly. He could hear Sigyn humming some sort of tune, and he didn't want to interrupt her by knocking. He quietly opened the door and peered through the crack. His beautiful companion was dancing in circles around the room. Her deep golden dress seemed to shimmer like the diamonds in her circlet as she twirled. He entered the room as quietly as possible, and was elated when Sigyn kept dancing. Her eyes were shut in concentration as she kept humming her little tune. Loki watched her for a beat, and then with careful timing stepped in to take the place of her invisible partner.

"I hope you don't mind me cutting in. As delightful as your former partner was, I think I might suit your purposes better." Loki teased when Sigyn opened her eyes.

"Perhaps, though my former partner didn't step on my toes." She pointed out.

Loki's smug smile faded as he realized that he was stepping on her toes. It was hardly his fault that her feet were so little that he didn't really register it. He continued to lead her around the room paying close attention to where he was stepping.

"You look radiant." He complimented.

Sigyn lit up at his admiration.

"Thank you Loki. You look extremely handsome as well." She returned.

Loki stopped their dancing and pulled Sigyn in for a kiss.

"You have no idea how much I have missed you." He breathed into her ear.

"Nor I, you." She returned.

"Are you two lovebirds ready?" Thor interrupted.

Loki hadn't expected Thor to join them, but his eyes never left Sigyn's face when he replied.

"I see no reason to rush."

"The Queen wishes us to be in the hall ready to welcome the guests when they arrive." Thor reminded his brother.

Loki let out a frustrated sigh. "Very well, I would hate to disappoint our mother."

He gave Sigyn his arm and the three of them walked to the banqueting hall.

"You know, I blame this one you." Loki whispered to Sigyn.

"And what is this 'this' you are blaming on me?" She whispered back.

"The fact that we have to greet guests. Mother never insisted that we do it till I informed her that I was escorting you."

"Then it sounds like you should blame yourself. It was you who asked me, not the other way around." She reminded him.

"Well it is your fault that I asked you." Loki argued.

"Oh, and how, may I ask, did you manage to work that out?"

"It is your fault for being so beautiful." He replied before planting a quick kiss on her cheek.

"Then it would seem that the fault lies with my parents." Sigyn teased.

"Fair enough." Loki conceded as they entered the great hall.

Odin was already seated on his throne, and he nodded at the trio when they entered. Frigga approached them while holding out her hands to Sigyn.

"Oh come here my child, let me get a good look at you!"

Loki released Sigyn to his mother with a smile. Sigyn took the Queen's outstretched hands and stood patiently as Frigga looked her over.

"Turn for me." Frigga requested happily.

Sigyn gave the Queen a couple of spins, and the already setting sun that was pouring into the hall set the gown shimmering as she turned.

"Simply stunning Sigyn. Loki is quite the lucky man, don't you ever let him forget it." Frigga advised while sending a smile his way.

"I shan't, My Queen." Sigyn replied.

Loki rolled his eyes, but smiled anyways.

"Good, now come along you three. Your job is simple enough. Stand there and smile."

Frigga placed Loki and Sigyn to the left of Odin, while she and Thor stood to his right. Frigga's instructions turned out to be true enough. After half an hour of standing and smiling, Loki was more than ready to be done. Any time he started to slouch or let his smile fade he would receive a pinch on the arm from Sigyn. He would have thought that the leather of his clothing would lessen the sting, but it turned out to be a poor defense against her nails. At the hour mark Loki was ready to protest this seemingly pointless duty, but was saved the trouble when the last of the guests arrived. The arrival of the last guests signaled the Royal family to take their seats at the dining table, and those guests that were not already sitting followed suit. Since the Winter solstice was considered one of the most important celebrations in Asgard, the set up of the dining room was formal. Odin sat at the center of the head table with Frigga to his right and Thor next to her. Loki sat to Odin's left and Sigyn sat next to him. Sigyn had never experienced sitting at the head table before, and Loki presumed that she found it to be a bit odd to sit in full view of the other guests. If she did however, she didn't show it. The meal progressed uneventfully. It was slightly difficult for Loki to carry on any meaningful conversation with Sigyn while sitting next to the AllFather, so he merely inquired into Frida's wedding. Odin rose from his seat just before dessert was brought out, silencing the room. Loki took a deep breath and readied himself for what was to come next.

"Tonight we celebrate the passing of the year's darkest day, and the increasing reign of the sun. This year however, we have yet another reason to celebrate. It has been long-expected that I should announce which one of my sons shall ascend to the throne of Asgard. Though each of them was born with the ability to be a great King, only one of them can take my place. Tonight I wish to announce to you that I have chosen Thor, my eldest son, to be my heir and your future King."

The room burst into clapping and cheers at the proclamation. Loki and Sigyn both joined in the clapping, and when the applause died down Loki rested one hand on the table while the other rested casually on his thigh. Odin continued speaking, but Loki merely tuned him out. It couldn't be anything he hadn't heard before. He feigned interest in the AllFather's words, but his mask of observance almost fell away when he felt a small hand wrap around his underneath the table. Loki looked at Sigyn out of the corner of his eye and smiled inwardly. Anyone looking at her from the other tables would have thought that she was deeply engrossed in Odin's words, but Loki could tell that she was acting just as much as he was. Her fingers entwined with his, and she gave a little squeeze. Such a small act that bespoke more than a thousand words of comfort could. Dessert was finally served after Odin finished speaking, and Loki reluctantly let go of Sigyn's hand. There was little to be said between them till the dancing began. Loki wasted no time escorting Sigyn to the floor and pulling her close to him.

"You know if anyone else had observed your behavior during my father's speech, they might have gotten the wrong impression of what you were doing with your hand." Loki murmured playfully.

Sigyn looked confused for a few moments. She knew that he was making some sort of jest, but she couldn't seem to understand it. Loki was just about to enlighten her when her eyes widened in realization.

"I never would have thought of that." She admitted.

"Obviously not." He remarked in an amused tone. "You are far too innocent My Lady."

"Am I?"

"Yes, far too innocent. You should be careful lest someone try to take advantage of you."

"This is starting to sound similar to a conversation that I had with Thor while dancing with him once." Sigyn pointed out.

"Is it? Is it safe to presume that particular conversation ended up with you slapping him?"

"It is."

"Well fortunately I have one advantage that my brother did not."

"Do tell."

"You like me."

Sigyn smiled. "I like you a fair bit more than I ought."

They let their conversation stop there, and just enjoyed each other's company as they danced. Loki loved the feeling of Sigyn's body moving with his own. As they glided effortlessly across the floor he couldn't help but marvel how far they had come since their first dance. They left the floor after a few dances and took some time to talk with Thor, Sif, and The Warriors Three before returning to dance once more. Loki could feel the eyes of other men in the room watching in anticipation for a moment to steal his partner away, but Loki had no intention of giving her up. What made it all the more wonderful was the fact that Sigyn had no idea how desirable she was to some of the other men in attendance. As the night progressed he was forced to give Sigyn over to Thor, Volstagg, and then Fandral for a dance, but he did so grudgingly. He gave all three of those dances to his mother, though his eyes hardly left Sigyn even then. When Loki finally had Sigyn on his arm again, he pulled her to one of the side doors. She looked at him questioningly, but didn't protest as he took her through the hallways to a familiar garden railing.

"My, my. This night has been full of flashbacks." Sigyn remarked as Loki leaned on the rail to look up into the night sky.

"I thought you might enjoy some fresh air. I imagine it is difficult for you to breathe in that gown." He remarked.

"On the contrary, the gown is rather easy to breathe in. It is my bodice that is the problem. I tied it a bit too tight I fear." She replied.

"I could fix that for you." Loki said with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

"That won't be necessary." Sigyn returned as she looked up into the evening sky.

Loki shifted from his position on the rail and went to stand behind Sigyn. He encircled her waist with one arm and pulled her firmly against him. He traced the segment of Sigyn's collarbone that was exposed from the neckline of her gown with his free hand. It was obviously a ticklish spot for her because she let out a little laugh.

"What do you think you are doing?" She scolded playfully.

"Punishing you." He replied while tracing his hand up from her collarbone to her neck

"Punishing me, for what?"

"Thievery."

"I thought we had decided that I had already served my sentence for stealing your dagger."

"Yes, but that is not the theft I am charging you with this time." Loki explained

"Enlighten me then, what am I guilty of stealing now?"

"My heart…" he replied.

"Oh please Loki, that is a bit much don't you think?"

"If the truth is a bit much for you to handle, then yes I suppose it would be."

"You are starting to sound like Fandral with one of his women." She admonished.

"On the contrary, Fandral is not nearly as eloquent as I am, and his women are hardly your quality."

Sigyn's eyes fluttered shut, but she still tried to resist his silken words. "Your words merely flatter… I know you well enough to know the dangers of your silver tongue."

"A fish knows the dangers of a hook, but that rarely stops it from getting caught." Loki pointed out while lowering his hand from her neck back to her collarbone.

"So you plan to catch me?" She asked almost breathlessly as his fingers lightly brushed over her sensitive skin.

"I already have." He noted.

Sigyn had apparently lost the ability to reply, so Loki let the hand around her waist slither down to her lower abdomen. One of Sigyn's hands trapped his there. It was her way of asking him not to go any lower, and Loki complied with the unspoken request. The reactions of Sigyn's body to his ministrations were starting to send shockwaves through his body as well. He would be surprised if Sigyn didn't note his growing arousal as his breathing began to quicken. By the Norns, he needed her, and he needed her badly. He released her long enough to grab her hand, but before he could pull her to his chambers, Sigyn stopped him.

"Loki, I can't please…" She pleaded quietly.

He cupped her face with his hands and tilted her head to look up at him.

"Sigyn, I want you. I need you. Don't you want me?"

"Of course I want you, but this… this really isn't a good time."

"Not a good time?" Loki asked unbelievingly while taking a step back.

He might have walked away at that absurd comment, but Sigyn grasped his hands willing him to stay.

"No, Loki! Please you have to understand… normally this would be a good time, a great time even, but right now it is a bad time…"

Loki was exceedingly perplexed by Sigyn's argument. What was she trying to say? Her cheeks were pink, and her eyes were begging him not to make her say any more. Whatever was causing this to be a bad time certainly caused Sigyn some amount of embarrassment since she wouldn't just come out and say it, and that is when it hit Loki. His eyes widened in understanding and a relieved look crossed Sigyn's features.

"I see, it is a bad time… you're… well you are, you know a woman and all…of course I don't have to tell you that…"

Loki had never stumbled over his words like this in all his life, but then again he never had been forced to discuss this particular aspect of being a woman before. He gave Sigyn's hand's a reassuring squeeze before pulling her in the same direction he had begun pulling her before. Worry came over Sigyn's features again, and Loki smiled.

"Don't fret, I'm not taking you where you think I am." He promised.

Sigyn relaxed slightly, but he could tell that she wasn't completely convinced. He did happen to be telling the truth though. He wasn't leading her to his bedroom; he was leading her to his reading nook. When they reached the window seat Loki jumped up first and assisted Sigyn up after. He leaned his back up against the side of the window and spread his legs so he could pull Sigyn in to lie against his chest. Once she was positioned comfortably he wrapped his arms around her and bent his legs to keep her from falling off either side of the windowsill. They stared out the window silently, and Sigyn soon fell asleep against him. He wished he could watch her face as she slept. He wondered if she dreamed, and if she did, of what. Did thoughts of him ever enter her sleeping mind? Thoughts of her practically took over his. He whispered sweet nothings into her ear as he sat stroking her arm. It excited him to think that the same hand that stroked her so gently could just as easily snap her neck. She was so small in his arms, and he wondered if it frightened her to know her own frailness. The longer he sat there the more he thought about how fortunate it was that Sigyn and he hadn't coupled. When they did finally do it, he wanted them to do it right, and there were still so many things about being physically intimate that he wasn't sure about. He supposed he could go read up on it in the library. Surely someone in the Nine Realms had written about it, but would that really help? Instructions and diagrams from a book would merely supply him with physical knowledge, and he needed more than that. What Loki needed was the understanding of the emotional aspects that such an act had to carry. No, the information he desired would have to come from someone with experience. Thor? No, he couldn't go to his brother. Thor still believed that he and Sigyn had already been together so to ask for his help now would force him to admit that he had lied. He certainly couldn't go to his mother or father, so if a family member couldn't help him then he would have to go elsewhere. Loki groaned inwardly as his only real option struck him. He was going to have to go to Fandral.

Loki eventually drifted off to sleep as well, but had either he or Sigyn remained awake they might have noticed a figure watching them from the shadows.