**My apologies for that. First time that has happened for me! Thank you for bringing it to my attention! Enjoy!***
As each day went by, Loki increased his compassion and care for his wife and child. He would caress her stomach, plant kisses, tell stories about his adventures, he would massage her torso as well as her feet. Sigyn admired him for his dedication to them, but did let him know he did not have to do any of this. Loki dismissed her humble rejection with a kiss on the forehead. He did not waver or sound sarcastic when he told her that it is the husband's duty to keep his wife relaxed and comforted as she was the one who is giving their child life and energy. A husband or a man could who could not do that much for his partner was not a man at all. Sigyn felt as if she was the luckiest woman in the whole universe.
Loki would tease that his new guard for the Bifrost had been going a bit overboard on his detail and that if she ever needed Midgardian food when she craved it, there would be no hesitation. Sigyn watched his eyebrow raise in delight as she chuckled that she may have to use it when the time comes.
When Sigyn was alone at home, she would keep creating daggers of different shapes and sizes. She kept working on a special set of daggers. Her Jotun hair changed the color of metal she was working with to a blue hue comparable to their Jotun forms. The dagger itself was a silver that could be used to attack while defend. It had a slit wide enough for most swords to pass through. That was going to be a gift once they were finished. Sigyn glanced at the others, those were also a gift. She smiled about how in her down time, she made gifts for her husband. During breaks, she would take care of her mares, checking on their progress. The horses enjoyed eating treats from her hands. The additional room was also another task during break. She didn't want to do too much, as she wanted Loki there to contribute. He did bring home a golden bassinet with etchings of ruins and protective charms along with other baby items. The royal chamber had duplicates of what he brought home.
Sigyn did start to have food aversions whenever he cooked. She could not stand the stench of cooked lamb. Just the sight of the sizzling meat made her run out of the room. She could hear his pleading laughter as he removed the dish. She did desire poblano mole sauce on everything she ate. Loki was about to head out to retrieve numerous amounts of that product when her potency of her cravings was sent through just a touch as she clasped her hand onto his shoulder. Loki jolted as he now knew the recipe by heart. He turned back to see her guilt and pleading for him to stay. Loki chuckled at her demeanor. He guided her to sit back down before preparing the next meal. He chided her every time she used her power to help him.
The weeks started to gradually build upon one another as pregnancy started to show on Sigyn. She kept her travel to a minimum, as she would sometimes stay with Loki in Asgard but her feet started to swell if she used them too much, as well as her fingers as she kept making daggers. Sigyn took more frequent breaks. The time she was in Asgard, she would get full body massages from midwives and healers when she was disguised as a maid. It was soothing and made her feel more relaxed. The bump was growing, however how her body was built, the bump wasn't as large. She could wear certain gowns that made it seem like she was not pregnant at all.
One night, the two of them were in bed. Loki had both hands on her stomach. "It was glorious," his tone was soft as he spoke to the bump. "Now, another story about your Uncle and I." He began another story of him and Thor. These stories were familiar to Sigyn as she had read them in his diaries but listening to his voice and watching his gestures was a desire she never knew she needed to be fulfilled. She couldn't wait for the child to be born, these stories would be told repeatedly until the child could finish the sentences he spoke.
Asgard was prospering, Loki was enjoying being King as well as becoming a new dad, and Midgard was the only place so far that was having troubles. He stared at the flickering lights from the balcony. It was night time, Sigyn was reading books on motherhood in their bed, and Loki was remembering how his child had kicked against his hand. He didn't want this tranquility to end. He knew that there would be a time when Thor would come back or the Warrior's three or Sif would catch on.
Loki came back to bed as Sigyn was asleep. He caressed her stomach and kissed the side of her head before falling asleep next to her. Sigyn had not dreamt of the fire that was consuming Asgard again until now. This time she dreamt that she had given birth to a child of flames. It played with Asgard, catching everything on fire. She chased after the child as it laughed and ran through the streets. Sigyn woke up reaching for the child in the middle of the night. She gasped out. Sigyn's fear was now seeing if Loki knew she had nightmares. Sigyn rolled over as silent as she could. She found that he was not there. Sigyn sat up to see his silhouette. He was sitting with his hands covering his face and leaning on his elbows.
"Loki?" She reached out to him but withdrew her hand. She crawled over to him. "Is everything alright?" Her nightmare could wait, this was new to her. He was silent. "Tell me what is wrong."
He glanced at her moving herself to his side. He pulled his hands away to rest them on his knees. "Will my child actually love me back? Me?" He let out a sarcastic laugh. "A monster who killed his own father just to appease his adopted father to rule over Asgard. I killed eighty Midgardians, the place where it needed to most protection. I am the God of Mischief, according to others, and that's putting it lightly. Jealous of Thor's possessions and qualities. Would our child really want me as a father?" He glanced down.
Sigyn wondered if this was the first time or if Loki had been feeling this since the announcement of her pregnancy. "We all wonder if we are good enough especially before the arrival of children."
"But I am different," Loki pushed his hair back that was hanging in front of his face. His voice somber and full of guilt.
"WE are different," Sigyn corrected as her hand clasped upon his forearm. "Our child will be different."
"I am afraid of the world our child will grow up in," Loki voiced another concern while staring out towards the balcony.
"Asgard is thriving," Sigyn gave him a light squeeze. "You are a great King."
"Under the disguise of Odin," Loki interjected with disgust.
"Stop undermining everything I have to say," she threw her pillow at him. He caught it before it hit him. "Our child will grow up loved and in return will love us. We will only have to worry about when they are older when others try to dissuade them."
"They will be told that the father is a murderer," Loki explained his doubt. "A cunning Frost Giant who usurped the throne from the shining bright Thor."
"Was Thor not one as well? Odin? The Warrior's three? The Avengers?" Sigyn pointed out. "Justification of a death still does not atone for the act of killing. That was still a being. It had a soul, possessions, love in their own way, and so on. Everyone is a murderer. Plants and animals, we harvest. We are all murderers in our own way. I am not justifying being a murderer. Those on the side of justice are also just as bloodied as those who they deem criminal yet they have families. Being a Frost Giant and intelligent is not a fault."
"I have always been in the wrong in their eyes," Loki started to lay by her. His head nestled by her arm that she was leaning on. His hands reached for her stomach. "I have been the monster they wanted. I have killed, been banished, yet there will be a child who will look up at me and believe I have done nothing wrong. I will be a hero in their eyes. A savior. Their protector. I am not ready."
"The same as most parents," she moved her fingers through his hair. "Will we ever be ready?"
"Perhaps not," Loki gave her a gentle smile. "Did you have a nightmare earlier?" Sigyn glanced away. "There is no reason to be afraid, I am here." He clasped her hand with his. "I will protect you." Sigyn placed a sweet kiss upon his lips.
The time had come as Sigyn made her way to the healers to find out the gender of their child. Her bump had grown for it to be a clear indication that she was pregnant. She laid on her back as the healer performed the energy field. It was a healthy child. Sigyn only cared about that. The gender was not much of importance. They were going to love them no matter what.
"A healthy baby boy!" The healer smiled at the red energy. "Have you picked out a name yet?"
"N-no!" Sigyn choked back her tears of joy. It was beautiful to see the infant sleeping in her abdomen. "Not yet."
The healer got rid of the energy field before helping Sigyn to sit up. She had more prescriptions and information to give to her. Her heart was still pounding from the news as she made her way to the library Loki was reading in. He was sitting on a desk ledge with books pilled around him. He was disguised as Odin still.
"Reading for this long has turned you into an old man," Sigyn spoke, still disguised as a maid.
"Maids that are with child should not be wandering about," he didn't look up from his book. "Your feet will swell and your poor husband will have to rub them."
"I think he enjoys it," Sigyn chuckled while the purple hue enveloped the top of her hair transforming herself into her original form.
Loki shut the book with a thud! He transformed back into himself as he hopped off the desk to caress her. His nose nuzzling hers. "What of the news?"
"A healthy baby boy," Sigyn closed her eyes a while a sweet smile formed on her lips. Loki pressed his lips onto hers while his arms clutched her closer to him. He kept kissing her, only let her have short breaths. "Did. You. Even. Hear. Me?" She whispered in-between each kiss.
"I did," Loki's hands were now caressing her stomach. He gave her one last kiss before crouching to her protruding abdomen. "Our little prince." He smiled, eyes starting to form tears. "May I name our son?"
"Yes," Sigyn's eyes also started to form tears. They were thinking of names but never discussed about who got to name the child or which name they agreed upon, yet she could not say no to his glowing happiness. This feeling he was showing was rare and did not want to disturb him enough lose that feeling.
"Vali, our son, Vali," he pressed his lips onto the fabric. Sigyn wiped away the tears forming. It was a beautiful sight to behold. He was gentle and proud caressing the bump. "It is more of a reason to keep you here." He started to rise to standing position.
"Hm?" Sigyn watched as her husband was back to towering over her. "Keep me here?" She brushed his mind. "Our alliance is known throughout. One of Allfather's highest achievements."
"You are in no condition to travel to Jotunheim," Loki refused her counter. "They can wait." Sigyn's eyebrow twitched up. "Whatever you are thinking, stop it." He tried to cover his smirk with anger.
"If I go after the birth of our son, he would want to come with me," Sigyn thought out loud. "As I am his mother, he would be well liked by the Jotuns and that would be a threat to me."
"Lies," Loki raised his eyebrows. "We both know that you are too powerful and I would never let that happen. A threat? Your jests are getting dry, maybe need to add some seasoning."
"And yet who prefers to do all the cooking?" Sigyn bopped his chest with her index finger. "Grand feasts every night!"
"My family must have the best," he kissed the top of her head. "You will use the Bifrost, a couple hours and that's it."
"Oh?" Sigyn was amused. "I get to have your permission." He flinched his eyes, narrowing them a bit. Her eyebrowed flicked up, taunting him. "You'll at least escort me there, right?"
"Of course," he offered her his arm. "Besides, you haven't seen my new statue yet." She hooked hers with his as the two started to walk away. He led her to the play that was just commencing. They had not got to watch it together.
"The play was wonderful," Sigyn commented. "It is obvious at times who was the creator behind it, but it did represent all of the characters well."
"It did," Loki and Sigyn changed into a guard and maid as they passed a pillar into the open. "It has become a hit amongst the Asgardians. Tears fall as they find out the truth about being a Jotun but raised as an Asgardian Prince. Sympathy and understanding. The guards have been finding offerings left at my statue. Nice, isn't it?"
"Indeed," Sigyn nodded as they stood in front of the golden version of her husband.
"Not that, it's more grandiose," Loki mused. "Almost lifelike."
"I prefer the real thing," she clutched tighter to him.
"As do I," he placed a kissed upon her lips.
The two headed to the Bifrost. They transformed again while passing through the observatory. Skurge was placing a few items in his corner of hoarded items. He spotted the two figures. His knee jerked down to the ground, head bowed, and fist hitting his chest hard enough to make him cough.
"Ugh-Allfather, how may I be of service?" he coughed while trying to not glance at the other figure who was hid behind a hood.
"Our liaison between Jotunheim and Asgard is required in my stead at the Jotun's palace," he explained while heading to other side of the observatory.
Skurge jumped up to podium, staring at the center. Forgetting the sword by his items. Odin and the hooded figure glanced at the other before staring at the podium.
"The sword," Allfather rolled his eye.
"Yes! My apologies!" Skurge bowed before hopping off to get the sword and running to place it into the center. "Jotunheim, was it?" He turned the sword with his strength creating the portal. The figure gave a slight nod before heading into the wormhole. Once gone, Skurge turned the sword back. He had sweat dripping from his bald head.
"Keep an eye on them," Allfather warned. "It will be a short visit. I will be waiting for their arrival." Skurge bowed again as Allfather made his exit.
"That was a close one," Skurge hung himself over the sword. "I might as well leave this here until I hear from them again." He stared out into the stars, waiting for their call.
Wind gusted the falling snow across the black rock piercing through the ice and snow. The trek to the palace was going to be rough. She sent her thoughts to the monsters she hid with. In the distance, the sounds of crashes and snarls of the beasts started to become louder. The ground vibrated as they stomped their feet into the ground while dragging their tails.
She transformed into her Jotun form while waiting for the beasts. Sigyn did not move as they slid to a stop in front of her. Their hot breath encased her in a white cloud. Her robes drew close to their nostrils as it sniffed her. It made a gruff sound before she patted it on the nose. It moved around her to make it easier for her to get on. It was tougher as she grasped at the thick spikes. She felt the push of another as it helped her get on top. When she became secured, the beast started to move to the palace with the others following behind them. Sigyn kept her cloak closed around her as the wind whipped back and forth.
Sigyn was met with palace guards at the cave where the beasts slept. She moved the hood away just enough for them to acknowledge her. They helped her off the beast before escorting her to the new King.
Deep cuts into the floor, pillars, even the ceiling from the revolt that happened not too long ago among the frost giants. Clear ice was formed over the cuts to keep the structure but left clear as a reminder of their hard-won battles. She stopped a few feet in front of the throne where Suttungr was sitting. His scars upon his body mirrored the ones in the room.
Sigyn moved her hood off her head with both her hands. The throne room echoed with murmurs. "King Suttungr."
He let out a sigh of relief. "One of our treasures, Sigyn, I am relieved that you are unscathed. Jotunheim is peaceful once again. You must be here to make sure the alliance is the same as well." Sigyn nodded. "Where is the Jotun who fled with you? I must praise him for keeping you safe."
"He is busy, but I shall let him know," Sigyn gave a soft smile.
"Our alliance is the same," Suttungr waved his hand to her. "Asgard does not have to worry." At that moment, Vali kicked his mother. Her hand pressed upon her stomach in reflex. "Sigyn! Are you alright?" Her face shown the small cringe.
"Yes," Sigyn rubbed her stomach. "I have some news on my end." She moved her cloak back to show her protruding bump as she smoothed the fabric over it. Gasps and murmurs filled the room once again. She caressed her bump. "I will be giving birth to him soon."
"Soon? The bump is so little-ugh congratulations!" Suttungr softened. "This is great news! A Jotun?" Sigyn nodded. He let out a laugh. "Odin must be furious! You can let him know Sigyn. Come back when you have birthed the child, we would all like to see him." Everyone in the throne room nodded.
"Thank you," Sigyn nodded. "I will take my leave." She turned around. The guards let her back to the beasts. She traveled back to the place she was dropped off at. Sigyn had her hood back on and cloak clutching her. "Open the BiFrost," she spoke while sending a thought to Skurge.
He turned the sword. "I could hear that one too well." Skurge saw the cloaked figure walking into the observatory. He closed the bridge. The wind blew Sigyn's hood off. She had transformed back earlier, to not cause any harm. "What a beauty!" Skurge's jaw dropped. "How was a lady like you not afraid while visiting Frost giants?" Skurge heard another call to open the BiFrost. "Hold that thought." He moved the sword, letting the bridge open to let the Warrior's Three to enter.
"Thank you, Skurge," Fandral nodded to him as Skurge moved the sword to close it once again. Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg came to an abrupt stop as they spotted Sigyn.
"The Warrior's Three," she turned with a smile. Skurge's jaw dropped again.
Fandral glided over to her. His hands already on her. "Sigyn." He was elated. "Where have you been all this time? We were worried about you."
"He worried the most," Volstagg mentioned. Hogun nodded. "Sif knew you were fine. We thought that as well. Especially since you were a-a fine, you were fine." Volstagg didn't want to say about her being a statue. He heard the circumstance.
"Have you been released recently?" Fandral grabbed her hand to kiss the back of it. Volstagg and Hogun stared in horror. Skurge was trying to figure out what was going on. He had heard of Sigyn.
"I have," Sigyn gave a sincere answer. Her hand still in his clutches.
"Then you know?" Fandral squeezed her palm. Sigyn nodded. "Oh, my Sigyn!" He pulled her into a hug. The rest were shocked. "I will not let you be lonely anymore." He felt her baby bump. He pushed her away and stared down at her torso while keeping both hands on her shoulders. "Sigyn? Loki is dead and our brave soldier, Theoric as well." The others stared at Sigyn, keeping the shock still on their faces. "Wait! Is there another lover you have not told me about?" Sigyn only let out a chuckle as she moved her cloak away. Fandral saw how small the bump and did a quick calculation. He scrutinized her. "This is recent. Who is the father? How is that possible? You were just released. Was the child growing inside while you were a statue?"
"She did just come back from Jotunheim," Skurge interjected.
The group glanced at him then back to Sigyn. "A Frost Giant?" Volstagg blinked. "That quick? No wonder why we thought they were monsters."
"Say it isn't so!" Fandral raised his voice. He stepped in closer. "Were you burned down there?" He muttered. Volstagg and Hogun were embarrassed while Skurge did want to know the answer as well.
"You do know my abilities," Sigyn teased as she kept her answers vague. "I was sent to Jotunheim to keep our alliance." She placed a hand over her stomach. "I will be giving birth any day now."
"Any-any DAY!" Fandral shouted. "Sigyn, that's preposterous. Who-is-the-father?!"
"Loki," she said without skipping a beat. His name was surrounded with warmth when she spoke it.
"Lo-Loki," Fandral stammered. "That's not possible."
"It is when you have been a statue for a while," Sigyn lied.
"Con-congratulations," Fandral was in disbelief.
She nodded to them. Sigyn started to walk away. She needed to get back before Loki arrived.
"I adore you, Sigyn," Fandral called after her. Sigyn paused. "But Loki's death and his portrayal in the recent plays still does not justify all his negatives. You are too important to Asgard to be wasted like that. Loki, he was alright, except for his jealousy and mischief. We got along okay. Tolerated him, mostly. I don't know why, but I do not like the thought of you carrying his burden, trying to continue his legacy. Sigyn, he has warped your mind. He has you dissuaded, even if he is dead. Sigyn, release your loyalty from him. He will not be coming back."
Volstagg clamped his large hand over Fandral's mouth. He spoke in a hushed tone. "You have not known what you have just done." Volstagg and Fandral glanced over to Sigyn.
"Ouch!" Skurge jumped back from the sword he was leaning on. It was bright red.
Hogun breathed out from his mouth to view his own breath. The others felt the cold but in return the metal armor upon them felt hot. Sigyn lifted her chin and turned her head just enough.
"Sigyn," Volstagg spoke first between them. "You must know how we feel. I am not going to apologize that we do not like Loki but it was Fandral's fault for not knowing how a mother would react about her child." Volstagg had children of his own and knew how to handle a pregnant woman, mostly his wife but he would try to soothe Sigyn before she destroyed them all with a flick of her wrist. He spoke with his hand still over Fandral's mouth. "That unborn child, is his legacy and yours. It will be well loved and cared for, especially by us, as it's many uncles and aunt if she was here too." Her lips twitched. "Do you know what you are having yet?"
"A baby boy," Sigyn turned her head back. "Vali." She had a faint smile.
"Vali," Volstagg smiled. The metal on their clothes started to cool down while the temperature started to get warmer. "I hope you can show us him once he is born."
"I may, excuse me," Sigyn gave a short nod before leaving them alone.
Volstagg let his hand drop from Fandral's mouth. He let out a sigh of relief. "So much for you being a charmer amongst women."
Fandral wiped his mouth off with his arm sleeve. "She should know the truth. Loki's children will only bring chaos, no matter how much love given, they will all try be like their father in return."
"There is no certainty to that," Volstagg muttered. "Sigyn, is known far and wide for her loyalty along with teaching the young swans as a Valkyrior. She will be a great mother. As a mother, you cannot speak to them in that unsightly way. Some women even get depression after giving birth. This is her first child, as well. Sigyn is going through several emotions. The father of her child is not here, she is bearing this by herself. She is in solidarity for her marriage to him, her powers, as one of the last Valkyries, and a royal. Do not make this harder than it is for her. Allfather must have her bound closely to him." Hogun nodded.
"This stays between us," Fandral eyed Skurge. Skurge nodded while the three headed out.
