Well… this was just great.

Loki had gone mad, the one thing to protect Asgard was gone… And they still had no real way to fight Gorr.

Darkly Sif looked at the fireplace in front of her, the ice and snow tearing in her clothes and hair as a wizard dressed in blue wearing a cape was floating in the air with crossed legs and a Prince of Asgard had gone to sleep, obviously not being the least bit touched by the cold.

They had been forced to play hide and seek like this, jump through a portal, wait for Gorr to come a bit to close, jump through another one… And each time to a cold place so Lokis inability to control himself wouldn't affect the local nature.

Sif closed her eyes… There had always been a strange sort of madness looming inside of Loki, it had always disturbed her.

Most other people couldn't even see it, Thor least of all, Loki had been so good at behaving so refined, and speak in such a soft articulate way.

All of that though… It had seemed oddly fake, like a carefully placed mask to hide that looming madness hiding just beneath the surface.

The glee, when Loki managed to manipulate others to suite his own need… He had been able to turn friends into foes, simply by whispering the right words in a voice sweet as honey.

His jalousie of Thors popularity and strength had been obvious to all but Thor himself, and the way Loki would punish Thor for it.

And yet… Thors love and dedication to his brother had been ever lasting, willing to forgive any transgression, look the other way even when what Loki had done was obviously cruel.

When Loki had fallen from the bridge rim frost… It had nearly destroyed Thor, and Sif's heart had gone out to him. Dearly wishing she could comfort him.

Then New York, Loki had made his feelings clear… Finally Thors eyes had been opened to what his beloved brother was, and ones again he had gone through such pain. Then Loki had seemingly died yet again… And even more pain for Thor.

Pain… pain… and more pain… Sif had never seen Loki bring Thor any happiness. So why? If what they said was true… That Thor had willingly left Loki here.

"Your feelings towards the trickster seems deep rooted." Strange noted from his floating spot, not even opening his eyes.

Sif looked up. "I had to watch him hurt the people I loved… Over and over, for a thousand years. And I was never allowed to speak up nor do anything about it. Wouldn't you feel resentment as well?" she asked.

Strange eyes opened. "Thor?" he asked.

"Not only him." Sif shook her head. "I had other friends as well…. We were all part of the same circle, a circle where Thor was the leader. No one was allowed to even criticize Loki, not even I."

"What happened if you did?" Strange asked.

"Thor would get mad." Sif plainly stated. "And question our loyalty… It was almost a relief when he finally realized what Loki was. Though as it happened, I wished that it didn't… It hurt him."

"Could you… describe Loki, from before he turned against you?" Strange asked.

Sif nodded shortly. "I think the word to describe him the most was… Jealous." she admitted. "Thor was beloved, everyone adored him. They loved his bravery and strength. Loki was always confined to his shadow… And that seemed to eat away at him. He would always try to get back at Thor, small ways at first, but the resentment only ever grew. It doesn't even seem surprising he would sabotage Thors coronation. I can't say myself I was surprised."

Strange nodded. "What about his Jotunn heritage?"

Sif shrugged. "To be honest, I care not much about it, even if Loki was still of Odins blood, he would still be the same. The hurt he brought the same." she looked down. "I think Thor was correct, Lokis potential was always great, greater than any of ours. His jalousie though poisoned his soul from a very young age…."

"He scares you." Strange realized.

Sif nodded slowly. "Facing an ogre I can understand… Loki is not of such breed. He is not to be defeated so easily. The wars he wages are not wars fought with swords nor honor, they are wars fought with words and deception. Instead of using his own sword to stab his enemy, he will speak to the best friend this enemy, turn them against each other and just watch from afar as they kill each other, never even knowing he was the true mastermind."

"That is terrifying." Strange had to admit.

Sif closed her eyes. "For so long…. For hundreds of years. I alone saw… No one else would listen, so I had to keep quiet." she informed. "You can't speak against the son of the all father, or the brother of the one everyone adores… I." she breathed. "The thought of what he could do it… It truly terrified me. And now… Asgard is no more, my friends… Are no more. People I faced battle with, and we lived through these battles. Together! I wasn't even there to face their final battle with them." she closed her eyes.

"Because Loki banished you." Strange commented and Sif nodded

For a moment there was quiet, Sif wiped away her tears and took in a breath, trying to compose her strength.

Stranges blue eyes rested on her face.

"I know what I need to do." Sif informed. "Asgard… Asgard has to be our first concern. I hate it, but it cannot be denied, what we need is Loki. I shall ensure that no harm comes to him until he is well enough to defeat this foe." she hammered a fist towards his chest. "In the name of the all father and the Prince of Thunder. I shall protect this god of Mischief, even if it is from himself!"

Strange nodded seriously. "That is very noble of you."

"I am a warrior of Asgard!" Sif stated. "If I can't act noble, I have no right to call myself as such! My personal feelings towards this man matters not. My priority is towards Asgard itself! What-ever little remains of it!"

Strange nodded again.

"And what is your role sorcerer?" Sif asked.

"I have nothing to do with this conflict, I am just an observer." Strange informed. "I am here, to make sure that what-ever happens, it shall not harm people on earth. My first priority is to keep earth and my sanctuary in New York safe. That is all."

Sif nodded. "Acceptable." she stated. "You did though… aid in saving my life. You have my thanks." she bowed for him. "And… I shall thank Loki as well when he wakes." she mumbled.

Strange smiled a little amused.

Then Sif closed her eyes. "Thor.." she whispered. "You said… Loki could outshine us all, you truly believed in him, believed he could bring such great things to Asgard. I still don't believe it… But in your honor… allow me to keep him safe, and give him a chance to proof me wrong." she finished opening her eyes then looked at the sleeping frost giant next to her, blue skin and all. She could still feel the pure resentment inside, but she pushed it aside. Personal things didn't matter, not now, not here. Only Asgard did.