Frigga came sweeping into her personal conservatory. She had just gotten done having a walk through the gardens with Loki. She was beaming as she attended to some of her plants.
Frigga stopped for a moment and smiled. She then headed back to tending. "What advice may I offer for this occasion, my child?"
Sigyn was kneeling. "Lady Frigga, Queen of the Valkyries, All-Mother."
Frigga sighed. "Sigyn, you are allowed to call me Frigga. We have been over this too many times." She started to turn around. "Or shall I presume to call you Valkyrior Sigy-n." She gasped at the sight of her. Sigyn rose to see her. "You are Eternal." She walked over to her in a daze. A smile spread across her lips. Sigyn stood confident but her eyes flashed worry. "Look at you." She wanted to hug her. "You are a lineage of the flame, but here, you are the flame."
Sigyn was dressed in pale cream gold. The dress hugged in all the right places and trumpeted out around her legs. Light gold feathers embroidered from the inside of her shoulders down along the V shape and to her stomach. The design was a burst with stones shimmering about. Fabric of the same color came out from her shoulders and the embroidery followed around the back. The cape left a small trail behind her. Her luscious red hair was hanging in down in voluminous curls. Small, pale gold bands were clipped into her hair, scattered throughout. A thin, pale gold circlet went across her forehead and hid under her hair.
"You have been reward immensely for your actions," Frigga smiled. It was easy to tell how proud she was of her. Frigga was always proud of her Valkyries and those that she knew, but she was more than proud of Sigyn. She wanted her to be the best that she could be and to be happy. Frigga knew that she was slowly getting there.
"These actions should not have been rewarded," Sigyn bowed her head in shaking. She looked up in reprise. "It was done none the less. I am not here to discuss that, however, I am here to offer myself as your personal guard."
Frigga blinked. Her smile faltered. "Sigyn, you are offering up the start of your freedom to be chained to me. No. I will not allow that. I can take care of myself." Frigga winked.
Sigyn showed a small smile. "Yes. I never doubted your strength but I do feel that our queen must have a Valkyrior by her side."
Frigga searched her eyes and flicked an eyebrow up in question. "This isn't an excuse to come to Asgard?"
Sigyn was taken aback. "What?"
Frigga stepped closer, her voice softened a tone. "He hides his emotions well but there is always a fleeting glimpse from his eyes that you can tell his longing for something." She walked away and went back to tending her plants.
Sigyn walked around. She gave a small laugh. Her eyes became distant. "I believe he still looks for a golden throne to sit upon and a world to cast his eyes upon."
"Oh give him some credit," Frigga warned with a light hearted tone.
"Do we give him too much?" Sigyn laughed.
Frigga sighed. "You and I both know the answer to that." The respect that he wanted was the ones who would not ever give him like Odin, Thor, and the rest of Asgard. "Hopefully in time he learns that he will not need nor want their affirmations."
"I believe we are seeing the repercussions already," Sigyn walked over to her. "Hmm. Speaking of affirmations, I wonder how well Odin likes surprises." A small curve of the lip formed upon her lips.
Frigga kept calm while trying to hold the worry from her voice. "Sigyn." She turned around to see that she was gone. Frigga sighed. "I hope she understands what she's doing."
Sigyn did not visit Loki until the next morning. She stood in front of the balcony. Her back to the open air. She knew that he had just finished his morning routine. He walked out of his washing chamber in his leather pants and boots, his green tunic and his leather vest.
"You're too late, I have already bathed," he smirked as he walked past her not evening noticing her. "Going for a dramatic entrance? Presuming to be the dawn?"
"I took it right out of the pages of one your books," Sigyn waited for him to turn to look at her.
"Visited your Crimson Hawk," Loki crossed his arms.
"No, some prayers are left unanswered," Sigyn merely explained. "We can't always get what we want."
This brought a sincere smile to his face. He turned around as he laughed in silence. Once he caught a glimpse of her, he froze enough to make her smile. She started to glide over to him but he walked over to her. He stopped a few feet away just to keep taking her in.
"This is one of my greatest achievements, catching you by surprise and to actually see it," she kept her smile.
"Such small achievements to revel in," Loki mused.
"They may seem slight but they are just a stepping stones to an even grander achievement," Sigyn winked. "But that's just one goal, I have several others."
Loki closed the gap between them. His hand touched the space around her. He let out a breath. "This is what it's like to view upon an Eternal." He wanted to grasp the ringlet that was laying upon her shoulder.
Sigyn went to cup his face, until she saw Frigga headed through chamber doors. Loki caught the flicker in her eyes and was about to send her away.
"Ah-ah-ah," Frigga warned. "I have already seen too much." Her smile was bright as the sun shining through. Loki turned around to face her and half hide Sigyn. "I was wondering when I would catch the two of you in the act." She looked past Loki to Sigyn. "I thought you would visit him sooner." Loki stepped away from Sigyn to view her better. He looked between the two, his eyes narrowing as he began to deduce the truth between them. "You're not the only one that she visits."
"I thought you didn't answer any prayers," Loki made a snide comment.
"No," Sigyn stayed calm. "She answered mine."
Loki sighed. He was about to speak when he saw Sigyn turned around in fright. He scrunched his eyebrows in confusion. "Sigyn?" Loki and Frigga looked to one another before looking back to her.
Sigyn could hear her name being called through the secret doors. Her name was called again but this time, they were in her room. They didn't know her room was connected to Glut's. She could hear the woman leave. Sigyn then turned around. "I must go." She stuck her hand out for him to grasp it. Loki and Frigga both waved her hand at the same time. "I will come back." Her voice faded away as her image did.
Sigyn open her mind to see if the person was still in her room. No one was there. She put out the fire and headed to the other side. Sigyn walked out of her room to find who was wanting her. She passed through the halls to head into a small common room.
"Ahh here she is," Brunhilde smiled brighter. She was surrounded by Valkyries who have reached their maturity to those who are ready to pass through the gates of Valhalla.
"Wh-what is this?" Sigyn could have figured out with her powers but she knew better.
"You have been given a gift and yet you hide in the shadows, stuck in your room," Brunhilde scolded with an ease of air. "Come let us feast and make merriment of your triumph." The group formed around her, each giving her hugs, and congratulating her on a job well done.
Early the next morning, Sigyn was up before daybreak. She headed to Brunhilde's room. She went in without even knocking. Brunhilde was adorning her attire for that day. She looked once over to Sigyn. She stopped and looked over to her. "Sigyn? You're leaving us." She became happy but tears started to form in her eyes.
Sigyn reached out and hugged her. "Yes."
"Go swiftly and safely, my friend," Brunhilde patted the clasp hands.
Sigyn then hugged her once more and left swiftly. She headed to the stables. Her two horses came right up to her. She kissed her dark horse on the forehead and hauled herself upon the palomino.
She used her Valkyrior abilities to hide herself once she had taken flight. She passed through the realms and touched down in a wooded area in Vanaheim. There was a small village partly hidden in the woods. Sigyn stepped off her horse and kissed it on her forehead before sending her away. She made herself visible again.
This time she was not in her Eternal attire, she was in shades of reds. Black red boots, dark red leather pants, and a silk long sleeve shirt with an organza red jacket that buttoned to the waist and flowed around her. Her hair was still hanging down but she had removed all of the jewelry.
She walked to a lodge that had red trimming and a small shed that was for smithing. She let out a sigh as she reached the front door. She knocked once upon the door. It only took a few seconds for someone to respond. It was her mother.
"Sigyn!" Freya hugged her in delight. She released her to fully look at her. "You have grown into such a beautiful young maiden. Come in, come in. Iwaldi! Our prayers have been answered! She has come home!"
Iwaldi came bustling in. He was in his workman's clothes for smithing. "My little spark has grown into such a flame." He brought her into a hug and swung her around. The two laughed in delight.
Freya reached into her pocket and pulled out a gold hair clip and pin. She had to act fast before Sigyn could catch on. Freya stuck the golden clip into Sigyn's hair once Iwaldi set her down. Freya put the stick in to hold in place. Sigyn dropped down to the floor in an unconscious state.
Freya looked up to Iwaldi, a smile was slowly forming upon her face. Iwaldi grew angered.
"I thought we were going to discuss this with her?" He looked to his wife pointedly. He squatted down to pick up his daughter in his arms.
Freya watched him stood up with their daughter. "This is for the best. We can't have her falling for Loki. I will not let her be destroyed or taken over by someone who is ruthless as him. I do not trust her in Odin's hands either nor the Jotuns who tried to kill her at first."
"She has been doing great on her own," Iwaldi looked down at the closed lids of her eyes. The two walked to an empty room that has been prepared for her arrival. "If she ever takes the jewelry off, she will know and she will never forgive us."
"You have it made so she wouldn't," Freya smoothed the red and gold bed. "Set her here." Iwaldi set her down with gentle ease. He put her head to the side. Iwaldi brushed the locks out of her face. "I will set her hair and the rest of the pieces. It will be as if she never had left us, as if she never had her gifts, just our Sigyn."
Iwaldi blew out the breath he was holding. "I still don't like this. I won't ever get use to this idea. She will still remember being a Valkyior. It is a big part of her life and I could only alter it." He shook his head as he left the room. He sighed again as he was out of the room. "Come and get me once she has awoken."
Freya started to brush the long tendrils. She hummed while she started to braid and pin golden hair accessories. Once Freya was done finishing with the hair she changed her daughter into royal blue gown with capped sleeves and empire waist. At her waist were two layers. The dress was trimmed in gold with golden speckles around. Her bosom was also gold. Freya tucked her into the bed and kissed her forehead.
It was midday before Sigyn finally woke up. Her head was pounding as if she slept too long. She looked out the window and saw that it was midday. Sigyn took off the blankets in a tussle.
"My goodness, I slept most of the day away," she fixed her bed and headed over to the mirror. She looked to see if she was presentable to go out. Her hair was half up in messy burns on the backsides of her head. Several braids ranging from tiny to medium size were hooked and laced through. She turned view the sides of what she could. Gold metal hair clips were placed in to keep her hair intact. She could see little gold clasps scattered throughout her hair. Sigyn smiled to see everything was okay.
She strolled out of the room to see her mother sitting in a chair doing needlework. Freya looked up to see her daughter walking towards her. She gave her a knowing smile. "You slept the day away."
"I apologize," Sigyn sat down on a chair next to her. "I do not know what became of me."
"You had a visitor," Freya gave a coy smile. "He will stop by later this evening."
"Oh?" Sigyn was surprised.
Freya patted Sigyn's clasped hands. "Don't worry dearie. Oh which reminds me, your father wanted to see if you were awake. He's out smithing. I'll go get him."
"Oh, no," Sigyn got up. "I will go see him myself." She walked out of the house towards the shed. She could hear the banging of metal, feel the heat of the fires raging from inside. "Father!" She called as she peeked in.
"Sigyn!" Iwaldi stopped pounding his hammer upon a red hot sword. She could see that he had been working for hours. He used a cloth to wipe the sweat away from his hands and face.
"I have slept most of the day away," Sigyn shook her head. "I must have tired myself out yesterday."
"You did travel from the Valkyries yesterday," Iwaldi explained to her.
"Oh you're quite right," Sigyn touched her forehead. "I guess I don't really remember. Hm. I must have been exhausted. I should take a walk and clear my mind." She started to turn around.
"Go," Iwaldi beckoned. "I will see you tonight."
Sigyn walked away and decided to travel through the village. She chatted with some of the villagers and headed off to a part of the forest. It was evening until she finally headed back. She was walking up a path to her home when a young brunette man with hazel brown eyes walked up the path with her.
He looked over to her. Sigyn blushed and looked ahead. He stopped and called to her. "Are-are you Lady Sigyn?" His voice was soft with anticipation.
Sigyn stopped with a smile as she looked back to him. "Yes, I am she."
The young man kneeled before and kissed her hand. "Lady Sigyn." His head was bowed in honor of her. "Valkyrior Sigyn. I have been praying for this day."
Sigyn's eyes grew wide as she recognized him. She patted his hand. "Rise Theoric, Crimson Hawk." He rose and looked up to see her smiling.
"I am honored to be in your presence," he stood taller than her.
She blushed and smiled even brighter.
He kissed her hand again. "You are lovelier than I have ever believed. You are here to answer my prayers."
Sigyn blinked. "I do not know if I could do that." She started to turn away. "I can offer you guidance, protection, and my blessings." She looked back to him. "I cannot make another love you. We are Shield Maidens not matchmakers."
Theoric laughed. Sigyn became confused. "Lady Sigyn I don't want another. I want you." Sigyn took a step away. "I prayed for you, for your love, your kindness."
"I don't know what to say," Sigyn put her hand to her head. "I have only just met you. I do not know if that is within my right."
"I believe you are well within your rights," Theoric hooked his arm into hers. The two began to walk to her home at a steady pace. "I just hope that you would choose me. I mean I would understand." He started to get nervous. "It's just the stories the bards would sing of you, do you an injustice, since now that I am in your presence, but the tales of your kindness and admirable quests I was captivated and have prayed for you ever since."
Each step they took, Sigyn started to believe she could grow to love this man. He was indeed handsome, strong, and was a warrior. An elite guardsman for Odin's defense for Asgard. She asked him what he was doing in Vanaheim. Theoric was on a mission to check the peace of Vanaheim and then report back to Allfather. He told Sigyn he would visit her every day when he had time from his mission. Always at the same time. He departed from her with a kiss upon her hand once they reached her home.
Freya had watched them walk up. She approved of Theoric already. The next few days that he had visited Freya would ask Sigyn what she thought about him. Sigyn would smile and explain all she could. Freya could tell that he was affecting her.
Theoric asked for Sigyn to be his again. She said yes to him within the second. They planned to get married in Asgard. It has been so long since Sigyn and her family have been to Asgard. In two weeks, they would arrive with Theoric after he was done with his mission.
A week had passed and Loki was growing impatient, worried even. He knew that Sigyn would speak to him in due time but the terror upon her face was etched into his mind. He tried to find her through the fires. He even went through the secret passageways to see if she was still with the Valkyries. He had nothing so far. Frigga walked in on him knocking over a stand with several books upon it. She gasped in shock.
"Loki!" Frigga's hand was upon her chest. She watched him pace back and forth his hands behind his back. She stood a few distance away. He had always kept his anger in check. Thor was the one that blew up from time to time but Loki kept calm. When he did get worked up, it was best to stay out of his way or feel the wrath of his rage. She could see his nostrils flaring and his jaw was securely clenched. "Have patience. She will return." Loki glanced his eyes upon her that scared Frigga a bit. It was ominous. Frigga lips tugged at the side into a smile. "Sigyn can handle herself."
Loki stopped to view upon the horizon. Frigga felt it was safe enough to stand next to him. "Have you tried to find her?"
Frigga sighed. "She hasn't visited. We could ask Heimdall but we know the outcome of that." Her lips twitched.
Loki closed his eyes and let out a sigh. "I could be her undoing. The Valkyries could have found out and stripped away most of her powers banished her to some place."
"Valkyries are warriors, maidens who carry the chosen to Valhalla, they would not banish her because of a love interest," Frigga explained.
"I am not a love interest," Loki spoke in irritation.
Frigga laughed and patted his arm. She turned and around to walk away. "Something quite more than that." Frigga proceeded out of his chamber to leave him to his own thoughts again.
Theoric escorted Sigyn with her parents behind her to the BiFrost patteren upon the ground. He yelled for Heimdall and the portal opened for them. Theoric had dawned his golden armor of the Kings guard and kept Sigyn, who was in swathed in light red that draped around her body, close to him by hooking his arm with hers.
"Have the others arrived back?" Theoric asked Heimdall.
"Yes," Heimdall closed the bridge. "There are still a few out there." He looked to Sigyn. "It has been a long time Lady Sigyn."
"It has been a long time, Heimdall," Sigyn nodded once. "A very long time. I hope Asgard has not changed much since I have left."
Theoric patted her arm for comfort. "Asgard will change now that you are back. Your childhood friends will be in such a surprise now that you are here again."
"Hmm," Sigyn smiled at him. "They will be won't they?"
"We must be on our way," Theoric kissed her hand. "Thank you Heimdall." The group headed down the BiFrost.
Once in the palace, Theoric parted with them to speak to the Captain of the Kings guard and the Crimson Hawks. Freya and Iwaldi went to ask for a meeting with the Allfather and the Allmother.
Sigyn was left alone in a corridor that was opened to a part of the botanical gardens and lawns. She could hear laughter coming from one end. Sigyn turned towards the sound of three footsteps.
"And then I bumped him with by stomach and hit into the guy next to him," Volstagg was telling his side of their recent battle. "That's when Hogun took care of him."
"And here I thought it was another battle all taken over by Hogun," Fandral slapped his leg in merriment with laughter. Hogun stayed silent but the corners of his lips turned up. Fandral looked straight ahead and froze. He hit the other two in surprise. "Is that- that's her." Fandral ran his fingers through his hair and tugged at his jacket. He put on his alluring smile and headed to her leaving his friends in the dust. "I would never forget her." That was the fleeting line he left his friends with.
"Her who?" Volstagg looked to Hogun. "Ohh! Her."
"Lady Sigyn," Fandral bowed to her and kissed her hand. "My notion of what you have become does you an injustice."
"Fandral," Sigyn smiled. "You have become quite the dashing romantic."
"Only for you," he kissed her hand again. "I may have wooed many women but you were and still are the first one to take my heart." Volstagg and Hogun finally reached the two of them. He introduced his friends to her.
"The Warriors Three," Sigyn mused. "I have heard many stories about your adventures. We, Valkyries, have kept an eye on you."
"Ahh so you have been watching over me," Fandral teased.
"I have not," Sigyn apologized. "I teach. It would be Glut and the others who would have watched you, maybe even the Elders."
"Glut! How is she?" Fandral asked. "We did not get to see her when she came back from Midgard."
"It took a toll on her," Sigyn sighed. "Few of us got to see her when she came back. She is resting. Glut likes to rest alone but other than from what I hear she is doing well."
"Sounds like a certain someone we know," Volstagg looked to Fandral and Hogun who agreed with him.
Their chatter drew the interest of Sif who was walking by a side corridor. She saw the red hair and immediately tensed up. Sif marched on over to them before realizing that it was not Lorelei but Sigyn. She slowed her walk down and sighed in relief.
"Sigyn, this is our friend Sif," Fandral introduced them. "Sif, this is Sigyn."
"And here I almost mistook you for Lorelei," Sif hugged Sigyn. "Escaped out of her cell and charming men to do her bidding. It's been a long time my friend."
"Pahh," Fandral waved his hand. "She wouldn't even have to charm us to do her bidding. The sisters cannot compare to her enchantments."
Sif rolled her eyes as did Hogun. Sigyn laughed. "Oh Fandral, you are quite the charmer, not me. I wouldn't even know where to begin on such enchantments."
"Ahh, but that what makes you incomparable to them, you have no need to study," Fandral wooed. "You are a natural at it."
"Fandral, I believe you are over exaggerating," Sigyn shook her head.
"Yes, he is," Sif nodded. The rest of them started to laugh. Fandral joined in with them.
"What brings this merriment?" Thor came bustling in. He caught sight of Sigyn. "Sigyn!" He swung her into a hug. Sigyn laughed as she hugged him back. He let her down. "How long have you been back?"
"I just arrived today, not too long ago," Sigyn explained.
"I hope your travel was safe, there are rumors of certain uprising in some of the realms," Thor asked.
"Travelling was safe as can be," Sigyn smiled back. "No need for such worry, but I thank you for asking."
Thor was about to speak again when he spotted Loki walking down the other side of the corridor. He spied them with curiosity. His scanned and raised intrigue when he spotted Sigyn.
"Ahh look who is sulking around as usual," Volstagg murmured to the rest.
Sigyn gave a soft smile as Loki made his way through the group. "My dear friend." He took her hand and kissed it.
"It has been a while," Loki only looked to her. I wondered when you would arrive again. He thought to her but she never heard him. He searched her eyes to see if she was listening. Sigyn?
Her eyes lit up, but it was the view she saw behind him.
"Ahhh!" A voice came from where Loki had come from. "I knew you would meet up with your friends again."
The group turned to see who it was. Sigyn moved past them and headed to the Theoric. He sped up just enough to reach her when she was a few steps away from her friends.
Theoric was still in his golden armor but without the helmet. He reached for Sigyn's hand and kissed it. Her eyes fluttered down and blush rose from her cheeks. Loki watched the two but kept his suspicions hidden.
"Friends, this is my betrothed," Sigyn introduced her fiancée. "Theoric, a Crimson Hawk and Kings guardsman."
"Ahhh I should have known you were already spoken for," Fandral took hold so there would be no silence. "A beautiful maiden as you would not be alone for so long. Has the date already been set?"
"Yes," Theoric kept Sigyn close. "This coming Frigga's day." He spoke towards Sigyn. "Everything has been arranged and your parents are waiting." He looked to the rest. "You are all invited to come. It was nice to meet you all, but my bride-to-be and I have some matters to attend to." He nodded to them and Sigyn smiled. The two turned around arms linked with one another.
Once the two were out of sight, Fandral patted Loki's back for comfort. Loki turned to him in slight annoyance. "We were too late," Fandral sighed. "I would say maybe next time, but no man would ever lose his hold on someone like her."
"Theoric is a good man," Volstagg spoke up. "I have heard many brave stories of him. Paired with Sigyn, they make a nice couple."
Loki started to walk away.
"Running away?" Volstagg spoke in innocence.
Loki kept walking and kept his face soft in some features. "No," as he explained back. "Just getting back to my daily stroll."
"Going to sulk some more I suppose," Volstagg murmured under his breath.
"Well, we'll know the reason this time," Sif scoffed as they watched Loki walk with his hands behind his back.
"Let him be," Thor warned.
Frigga sauntered up to Loki once she found him in one of the corridors looking over some of the gardens. "She's here." Frigga smiled bright. Her excitement could be seen through every gesture.
"She's betrothed," Loki countered.
This stopped Frigga in midwalk. "What?" She put a hand to her chest and took a step closer. "How can this be?"
He looked over to her. "She lied."
Frigga did not believe him. "She would never lie as to something like that."
"And her marriage date is on your coming day," Loki looked back to the gardens.
Frigga looked around. "I just spoke with Iwaldi and Freya and they said nothing of this."
"Not surprising," Loki closed his eyes. "No, she wouldn't lie as to something like this, but she will not tell me. I don't believe she can hear me either." He then looked to her with such mischief and thought out contemplation.
"Loki, do not anything rash," Frigga warned. "You just got back from serving your time. Do not give your father another excuse to send you away again."
Loki lips turned up in a curl. "You can trust me, mother."
Frigga looked pointed to him. "Not with that look I can't." She gave him a faint smile. "Do be careful. I wonder how your father is taking this." She then turned around and headed away.
Loki kept his smile. Sigyn, little dear Sigyn. We will see how much of hold Theoric really has over you. He chuckled to himself.