Sif was on her way to Astrid's home since she requested time with her today. Took her long enough to want to see her Sif thought, but she knew Astrid was closer to Loki and Thor. It had been Thor to introduce them and in some ways, Sif was thankful to have a female friend that wasn't completely soft or helpless. When Sif had questioned Thor if he'd been to see her, the answer kind of took her aback. They had but it wasn't like times before, almost if Astrid was bothered by Thor now. The times were short and brief and it concerned Sif that Astrid was being distant with him. Sif will be sure to ask Astrid about it since it kind of bothered her to have Thor being treated by Astrid in this way. Sif knew Thor had feelings for Astrid and she was even more thankful Astrid was back so Thor could stop talking as much about her.

Sif waited for a short while outside her home and was welcomed by Astrid herself. She cracked a smile as Astrid gave her a hug.

"It's good to see you again Sif."

"Yes it is good to see you too. As I promised, Thor and Loki are alive so you had nothing to worry about."

Astrid laughed softly and responded,

"Of course I didn't, Lady Sif always gets her jobs done; including requests to watch after our friends for me. Come inside."

Astrid had let Sif inside and led her to a small table in the back of their house. Sif chuckled a bit dismissively since Astrid wanted her for tea, berries, cheese, nuts, and fruit. Maybe afterwards they would spar but Sif wouldn't push that on Astrid just yet. Sif sat down and stirred her tea in a somewhat bored way and Astrid sighed lightly.

"I know this isn't exactly what you thought we would be doing, but I did want us to catch up without interruptions. Sometimes when you spar you're not one for small talk."

Sif chuckled and added,

"Well I won't be speaking to my enemies on the battlefield but ending their lives if they challenge me or Asgard."

Astrid smiled lightly and she munched on some berries. Sif looked over to Astrid and asked,

"So...are things okay with you and Thor?"

Astrid nodded but raised an eyebrow at Sif.

"Yes, why is something wrong with Thor?"

Sif shook her head.

"Well...it seems like you're bailing a lot on him. We could have spent time with Thor today as well but you just wanted us and you seemed annoyed when he saw you yesterday."

Astrid sighed. Thor clearly left things out to make her look worse than she was. Astrid cared for Thor, but sometimes he was just so dense that he couldn't read signs clearly.

"Did Thor happen to mention that Loki and I were having a picnic and he interrupted us? Also I wanted to spend time with you since we also haven't seen each other in five years and I want to have some private time with all my friends."

Okay Thor did leave that out and Sif would admit that to herself. However, this was different from Astrid and Loki training in magic and reading together. It appeared Loki wanted to spend time with Astrid, alone, in a way men would treat a woman they loved. Sure Sif would tease Astrid when they were kids that Astrid had a crush on Loki, but it did concern her that Loki was catching her friend's eye. She had seen Loki's jealousy growing when Astrid was away and Sif was growing more distrustful of Loki. After all, he had cut off her hair as a cruel prank once and he has developed a bit of a cold streak towards people. It was clear Loki had ulterior motives and was playing his role of God of Mischief well. She wondered what Astrid saw in Loki since Astrid was a kind and fair soul.

"A picnic you say? Let me guess, it had your favorite treats and foods and it was just you two? Sounds romantic."

Astrid smiled recounting that and nodded. She hoped Loki and her would have more moments like that since it was rather sweet, calming, and it was rather romantic of him.

"Well yes Sif and it was very sweet until Thor interrupted. He got all annoyed that he wasn't invited yet he didn't decide to make plans with me ahead of time. Time will be harder to have once we settle into our roles and when time is free, I want to know who it will be with so I can still maintain a balance."

That annoyed Sif since Astrid was picking favorites, something she thought Astrid would never do. It was clear to Sif that her friend was doing this to play with Thor's heart and was being awful to him. She wondered what happened to Astrid in five years to be so selective with her time and seemingly neglect Thor in such a way. Or rather, what made her want to spend time with Loki.

"I mean you used to just go with Thor without much care for plans. Now he needs to plan ahead while you'd just drop everything for Loki at his beck and call?" Sif asked a bit coldly.

Astrid shook her head. Of course Sif would see it like that, she like others liked Thor more. Astrid did care for Thor, but she also cared for Loki since both princes were her close friends.

"Loki and I made plans so it wasn't at a moment's notice. I don't see why you're being crossed since we made plans today and this wasn't just sudden." Astrid defended.

There was no way her friend could be this innocent and naïve. Sif wasn't one to humor men's advances but it was kind of clear that Astrid would be like most women and want a family. Yes, Astrid wants to be a powerful sorceress and do good for the Nine Realms, but Sif knows Astrid wanted children to love and care for someday. The thought of Astrid possibly wanting that with Loki baffled Sif since Thor clearly was the true heir to the throne and possessed all the traits a strong man had.

"Well this is different since we're two ladies and not you making plans with men. Like it or not, Loki and Thor aren't exactly the same boys you grew up with, but men. Like most men, they want a woman's company. Just hope you start to see that Astrid since despite your wants, both of them would start wanting more from you. You will be picking between them and I hope you don't make a bad decision." Sif warned.

Astrid rolled her eyes at Sif and then glared at her. Loki would not be a bad decision for anyone so how dare she judge him. Thor would make anyone happy but she was happy being his friends and Thor wasn't suffering for choices.

"Thor just wants me because he doesn't have me...well in a way men would want women romantically or in ways of lust. He has me as a friend which most men can't say they have. Isn't that good enough for him?"

"And Loki? Are you satisfied with just a friendship with him?" Sif questioned.

Astrid said nothing and this was telling to Sif. She sighed since she couldn't believe what she was hearing or perhaps not hearing as an admission of love.

"Astrid." she commented disapprovingly.

"What?"

"You can't be serious are you? You're falling for Loki of all men. I would rather you be with Fandral if not Thor and he's more of a womanizer than Thor can be. Loki is untrustworthy and he's a very conniving snake. I just want to be sure you don't have your heartbroken by a man like that. " Sif expressed.

Astrid took a deep breath to not snap at Sif. She was acquainted with Loki so she must know how much Loki is often in Thor's shadow. It bothered Astrid terribly that people are blind to who Loki is and what he can do.

"People look down on Loki all the time. He's a prince like Thor and he has his own strengths and appeal. I honestly don't know what I want since I just got home recently Sif and I've been away from both of them for five years. Please understand that my mind isn't thinking about this yet."

Astrid knew this was a lie but looking at Sif's face she could see it was calming down. Truth be told, she had been thinking a bit differently about Loki. Thor interrupted a moment...a moment where she thought Loki was attempting to kiss her she thought and she hoped to have that chance again. It would change them forever and Astrid knew it as such, but they would gain something better. Egil would never approve though and hence why she still needed to think about what mattered more.

"I'm sorry Astrid. I shouldn't be springing this upon you. I know you're a very smart woman and truly skilled in your own ways...Just want you to be happy. Thor does care about you and he was actually in such a state with you gone. I mean the first couple of weeks he was training non-stop just to get his mind off you."

"And Loki?"

Sif chuckled a bit.

"Training his magic and holed up in the library or his chambers with books for the same stretch of time. You really make their lives that much different Astrid."

Astrid nodded and she knew that Vanaheim needed to happen despite her time away from them. It made her stronger, more insightful, and perhaps understood more about herself than she ever did. Egil would not force her into something that went against her heart.

"Well I am back and even though things have changed, me being there for them won't."

Sif nodded as she enjoyed the grapes and nuts. They went on to discuss what they learned and experienced in their five years and Sif wasn't entirely shocked that Astrid had learned so much new spells and magic. She was however worried if she had become so reliant on it that she neglected her bow.

"So you didn't use your bow at all while you were there?"

Astrid shook her head and she explained,

"Well sometimes I would hunt instead of my aunt for food. I've gotten too good at kill shots then I would like to admit but it's not like I was killing them for fun. I hate to say it, but hunting in dense forests was kind of like my bow training and many animals lost their lives to me for a good meal."

Sif seemed a bit shocked at that. Astrid hardly went hunting with them in Asgard, but her aunt, her magical aunt, made her hunt animals with a bow.

"We are talking real bows right, not one of your magically conjured with mystic energy right?"

Astrid nodded.

"Sometimes with magic I would hunt, but mostly physical bows. My aunt would take the leftovers we had from my hunts and help to feed other families or to sell….Oh right I have something for you."

Astrid quickly went to retrieve a wrapped box from her room and gave it to Sif. She raised her eyebrow but she opened the gift. Her eyes widened a bit as she saw that they were steel arm guards. Sif lifted one up and it was durable but also very lightweight.

"I thought since maybe you would be fighting a lot in battles, you could use these. The smith I bought them from infused magic in them to protect from extreme heat and cold. Plus it's a very strong yet comfortable steel too." Astrid explained.

Sif smiled as she put them on her arms. She struck a knife on it and it didn't dent in the slightest, making her grin.

"These arm guards will serve me well. Thank you so much Astrid."

Astrid smiled and hugged her friend.

"You are welcome."

Sif loved the gifts but she was just happy to see her friend and that she seemed in good spirits after five years. Sif did wonder how Astrid had come with her magic since that was why she was sent away.

"Alright I know you want to show off some of your magic so go on and show me." Sif encouraged.

Astrid chuckled lightly and asked,

"You sure? I know it's something that doesn't interest you."

"Yes but it matters to you and I do want to see at least something you learned in Vanaheim. Besides, it might even help on the battlefield someday."

Astrid nodded but she hoped that she would only need to use her most potent and even deadlier spells in matters of life of death. Her Aunt Thyra had shown her a lot of magic and trained her so well, but Astrid knew to keep some of her talents to herself for an upper hand. She finished her tea and berries before getting up and took a deep breath.

Astrid first started by splitting the tea cup on the table in half solely with her hand motions in the air. She motioned the pieces to come to her by moving her index finger and both pieces lifted in the air to go to her. Astrid did a circle motion to turn the broken pieces into daggers and motioned the daggers to the tree in her yard. Sif seemed a bit impressed but it was simple tricks she thought. Astrid could see Sif wasn't too moved and decided to be a bit fun. She focused on Sif's chair and made it rise with simple hand motions. Sif's eyes widened and she yelled,

"Put me down Astrid, gently I may add!"

Astrid nodded and carefully lowered the chair back to the ground with her magic.

"You'd be happy to learn it took me a while to levitate people. I can also push people back with my magic as well without energy blasts as well."

Sif chuckled since she kind of liked it when Astrid boasted about her skills.

"Good to know since that tells me you will have people's back in combat."

Astrid nodded and added,

"Hopefully not amongst each other. Sparring is one thing but if I had to actually had to fight you….it would be difficult."

"Hypothetically who would win, you or me?" Sif asked with a grin.

This made Astrid chuckle and mused,

"Well you might be physically stronger, but don't underestimate me. My magic will continue to grow in my life and I know where to strike with my bows if need be. But I would never want to hurt my friends."

Sif chuckled and she motioned Astrid to dine on more food since Loki wouldn't let her hear the end of it if Astrid passed out on her. Still Astrid looked to be fine and perhaps her magic stamina was growing. Her friend was becoming a strong ally and a magical marvel that would help protect Asgard. Sif also was glad Astrid maintained her bow training from what she had heard. So long as they were friends, Sif would look after her if Thor and Loki weren't around; especially when it came to what went on in Astrid's head. She wondered...was Loki's silver tongue influencing her friend and if Astrid was truly happier with Loki over Thor. Sif couldn't see it since Thor was the rightful future king whose heart does pine for Astrid. She wanted both Thor and Astrid happy, and Sif knew that someday the two of them being together would be the best for everyone.

Loki was bored as he wrapped up magic lessons with his mother. He had mastered how to make energy spikes that can cut through rocks and ice with ease yet that didn't make him happy. Frigga had noticed her son was almost restless and noticed a connection between this behavior and Astrid's return.

"What's troubling you Loki?" Frigga asked calmly.

Loki forced a smile to assure her he was fine answered,

"Nothing is wrong mother." Loki lied.

Frigga shook her head and went to her son. She carefully looked over his eyes and could clearly see they were deep in thought or perhaps conflicted.

"You know you can't lie to me, Loki. Now do tell your mother what is wrong, although I think I may know who is involved."

Loki sighed and averted his mother's gaze, though he could still feel her concern on him.

"You might be right in your assumptions, mother. I've been thinking and mulling something for quite some time now. Hardly anyone takes my magic studies seriously and they think I'm inferior to Thor."

Frigga smiled gently and reassured,

"Have I told you to not compare yourself to your brother. You both have your own strengths and both make you worthy of the throne. Your progress with magic is truly something to be proud of and nothing to be ashamed of or to devalue."

Loki cracked a small smile but also sigh.

"I know all this mother but that's not what weighs so heavily on my mind…"

"You're referring to Astrid aren't you?"

Loki shouldn't have been surprised that his mother knew but yet he was still taken aback by her words. He had missed Astrid every day she had been away and it felt like she had taken half his heart with her. There wouldn't be a day that Astrid wasn't on his mind and he was happy she was back in Asgard. However even before she'd left, he was feeling different around her. It was less like a friend wanting to hang out with another friend, and more like a man wanting the companionship of a woman. Frigga saw a faint blush form on her son's face and she managed to smile as Loki just nodded.

"Oh Loki, your feelings for her are blossoming into romance."

Loki sighed.

"She might pick Thor, everyone else picks Thor. Am I not worth anything to anyone?"

"Do you really believe that or want to believe that son?" Frigga asked.

Loki of course shook his head. Thor couldn't understand her passion for magic, let alone hold conversations that can span hours like he and Astrid could. He was so close yesterday to kissing her but Thor ruined it and he felt discouraged.

"Of course I don't but Thor always gets everything. He might try his way with Astrid again and…"

Loki felt himself getting angry and his mother just gave him a hug. Frigga still saw Loki as her little boy who just wanted love and attention. She truly felt his pain that people looked down on him and put him in Thor's shadow. There was one exception aside from her and of course, it was Astrid.

"Loki, you are a fine young man; gifted in magic and have a very sensitive heart. Tove and I see how you two were when you were children and it's clear there is a very strong and deep connection. Don't anyone discourage you from seeing if Astrid likes you that way."

Loki sighed,

"What about Thor and Egil…"

"Do not let them stop you. If you love her, you should not let anything stand in your way." Frigga interrupted.

This surprised Loki as he pulled away. Frigga was stern but yet her eyes were soft. She was supporting him and she truly did want him happy. When he was with Astrid, nothing else mattered. She made him feel like an equal, she made him feel that he mattered, most of all, she made him feel loved.

"You have my support for trying to court Astrid. Tove expressed to me she hopes you will try to court her as well. While yes, Egil will not approve but a 'no' hasn't stopped you before has it now son?" Frigga mentioned with a slight grin to her smile.

Loki chuckled confidently at that since he has done many things that were not right or bad, but that hadn't stopped him. He really needed to tread carefully so as to not scare Astrid away and to not ruin their friendship in pursuit of a romantic interest. He didn't want to lose Astrid but Loki knows his feelings were growing stronger for her. The fact his mother and Astrid's mother would approve made him that just more confident.

"You're right mother...Astrid isn't just some woman, but my dearest friend. Her love of magic, her kindness, her playful nature when we're alone, her spark for life...I don't see a woman in all of Asgard that can compare to her. I promise you I will at least try to see if she's interested in pursuing more with me."

Frigga smiled and kissed her son on her forehead.

"Everyone deserves a chance to love Loki, even you. Do thread carefully since you are right on one thing...not everyone is going to accept you with Astrid. Don't let that stop you from your chance at happiness though." Frigga advised.

When Loki left in high spirits, Frigga recalled the arrangement Odin and Egil had made for Astrid and she shook her head at that thought. If they could have seen how all three of their lives developed, it was clear who Astrid would love. Thor was a great friend for Astrid but it was clear that was all they were meant to be despite Egil's meddling. Frigga would protest Odin if he followed through with that cruel sentence of forcing Astrid with Thor. She wanted both her sons to be happy; but Loki deserved to be loved.