If the woman Thor wished to wed was betrothed to another, Thor would challenge him to a duel and kill him with his bare hands. Perhaps that was why Haldor hadn't asked Sif's hand in marriage yet. No one was brave enough to say this out loud, but they all knew Thor fancied Sif. But Loki wasn't Thor, and no one feared what he might do if someone tried to steal Sigyn from him. Too bad. They should have.
"I'm no fool," he told Theoric, as he tested the shackles. "I know I don't stand a chance against you in a duel. Weapons aren't allowed in such duels, but then, neither is magic."
Theoric growled against the muzzle over his mouth. He was a strong, bulky Vanir warrior. He was also quite handsome, with those long, dark brown locks and that strong, well-defined jawline, but Loki knew it wasn't the reason Sigyn had chosen him. She had chosen him because she didn't have to give him any children. Still, Loki struggled to understand what madness had seized her to marry a man she barely knew, just to spite Loki. Had his love offended her? Why? He didn't know. All he knew was that he had to put an end to this madness.
His plan had required many spells. First, he had had to lure Theoric into this cave. It had been his least favorite part, having to disguise himself as Sigyn and taking a stroll in the forest with Theoric. Then he had to enchant the shackles and the muzzle to make sure Theoric would stay put until the wedding feast was over. And of course, he had had to hide himself from Heimdall's gaze while doing all these. He truly had become a master of magic. His mother was going to be proud when she found out. Horrified, but proud.
"Do not fret. Once I marry Sigyn, I'll let you go home with your sons." He had no intentions of starting a conflict with Vanaheim by murdering a Vanir nobleman. That was something Thor would do. Theoric growled again. His dark eyes were burning with rage. He looked like a wild beast. Loki could put him into a deep sleep, of course, but why would he do such a thing? That would be mercy. He wanted Theoric to suffer. Sigyn, a creature of grace and intelligence, certainly deserved better than him. Perhaps she would hate Loki at first for what he did, but in time, she would be grateful.
…
Growing up with her, Loki thought he had grown used to Sigyn's beauty. But when he saw her in that wedding dress, he realized how wrong he had been. It was as if the universe itself had stopped. Indeed, today everyone was looking at her with admiration. Even the narrow-minded who considered her mortal heritage a disgrace to Asgard. And soon, she would be his. He just had to stay in this disguise for a few more minutes.
Pretending to be Theoric had been easy. No one had suspected a thing. Not even his sons. Not even Odin, it appeared, for he didn't even hesitate as he pronounced them husband and wife.
My poor Sigyn, he thought when their eyes met. She looked like she had just been sold into slavery as she waited for him to seal his vows with a kiss. Loki decided to end her torment, and revealed himself. He heard the crowd gasp in shock, but his eyes were fixated on his gorgeous bride. He couldn't read her expression. She blinked several times as she took in the realization. She didn't seem pleased, but she wasn't angry either.
"Loki!" his father bellowed. "What have you done?"
Loki turned to him and grinned. "I've saved the woman I love from making a grave mistake."
"What is the meaning of this?" Theoric's sons asked. "Where is our father?"
"Your father is safe, don't worry." He then looked at his mother and winked. She simply shook her head angrily. Thor, Haldor, Volstagg and Fandral seemed amused. Hogun's face was inscrutable. As for Sif and General Tyr, they looked like they wanted to kill Loki. Yes, the scene was exactly as Loki had imagined. Most Asgardians were predictable, if nothing else.
Odin rose from his throne and slammed Gungnir on the floor. The murmuring crowd went silent immediately. He then approached the newlywed couple, and gently put a hand on Sigyn's shoulder.
"Sigyn, child, I apologize to you on my son's behalf. The marriage, of course, shall be annulled at once."
"No, Allfather…"
"No?"
"Loki is my husband now. I've sworn to be loyal to him. I cannot break my oath."
"You didn't know you were swearing yourself to him, though. That oath doesn't bind you anymore, not under such… shameful circumstances."
"I'm his wife now. If I am not a worthy bride for your son, banish me, imprison me, execute me… But please do not ask me to forsake my husband."
Loki didn't think he had ever felt such a strong pride before. To be honest, he hadn't expected such fidelity from her. At least not in the foreseeable future.
His father thought for a moment and then said, "Very well. Swear to me that you will not bear him any children, and I will not annul this marriage."
Loki clenched his fists angrily. Of course. Of course his father had to ruin the happiest day of his life by humiliating her before the entire realm. It was Loki's fault, really. He should have seen this coming.
"I swear, Allfather, that I will never bear any children." Sigyn hadn't even hesitated. She was holding her head high with dignity, trying to look proud, but Loki could see how her lips were trembling. Forcing a lady to swear that she would bear no children at her own wedding, before the whole realm? Even a peasant woman wouldn't deserve to be treated like that.
The ceremony proceeded with a small feast. It was understandable, for the cooks weren't expecting it to be the wedding feast of an Odinson. Sigyn barely spoke with anyone, or ate, although she was still maintaining a poised demeanor. Everyone, even her family, was looking at her with pity now. Loki couldn't wait for this feast to be over so that he could apologize to her properly in private. But Theoric's sons insisted they see their father at once and take him home. Loki took his father, brother, and the sons of Theoric to the cave in the forest.
"You'll answer for this, liesmith!" Theoric roared the moment Loki set him free.
Loki only flashed him a triumphant grin in response. He knew Theoric's threats were idle.
This time, the Vanir turned to Odin. "Allfather?"
"Lady Sigyn made her choice. She accepted Loki as her husband. I cannot annul the marriage."
"I've been made a fool of by a trickster and a half-breed! I will not forget this!"
Thor raised Mjolnir and prepared to attack Theoric, but when Odin put a hand on his chest to stop him, he only growled and said, "Have care how you speak of my brother and his wife!"
Although Loki hated having to live in his shadow, deep down, he still enjoyed seeing how far Thor was willing to go to defend his younger brother. If only Thor saw him as an equal, if only he respected Loki's talents in the arts of both magic and diplomacy… Things could be much more different then. Thor could have the throne, or Mjolnir, Loki didn't care. All he wanted was some recognition.
"Thor is right," their father said. "Loki is a prince of Asgard, and Lady Sigyn is now my daughter by law. I cannot defend Loki's actions, but I will not let you insult them either, Lord Theoric. Take your sons and return to Vanaheim, while you still can."
Loki was almost tempted to forgive his father for what he had done to Sigyn.
"Come on, Father, let's go," one of his sons spat bitterly.
Theoric and his sons set off to Heimdall's Observatory, while Loki, Thor and Odin returned to the palace. Loki was expecting a lecture, and even a punishment from his father, but he simply told him to go see his wife, for it was her forgiveness Loki needed to earn.
"Enjoy your wedding night, brother," Thor whispered in his ear. But Loki didn't expect a proper wedding night anytime soon.
…
He found Sigyn sitting on the bed, weeping, when he entered his bedchambers. No, it was their bedchambers now. His dream had come true. Sigyn was his bride now. Then why did he have this uneasy feeling in his stomach?
She was still wearing her beautiful wedding dress, but her braids had been loosened, her eyes were red and swollen. It was such a heart-breaking sight. Slowly, he shut the door, and approached her. When he tried to caress her cheek, she raised a hand to stop him.
"Don't touch me!"
"As you wish," he said respectfully, and pulled a chair to sit across her instead. "I'm truly sorry, Sigyn. What my father did was—"
She looked at him, her blue eyes were almost on icy fire. "And what about what you did?" she snarled.
"I saved you."
"From what, exactly?"
"From yourself! You were going to marry a man you barely knew. You were going to ruin your life."
"Yes, Loki, my life! I get to decide what to do with it, not you! I made a choice. You should've respected it! Even if it was a mistake!"
"Then why didn't you let Odin annul the marriage? You could've continued making your mistake."
"I couldn't have humiliated the man I loved."
Loki smiled. "So, you love me."
"Have I ever denied it?" she asked bitterly.
"Why did you choose Theoric, then?"
"To punish you."
"For what? What did I do to you?" He didn't understand. He truly loved Sigyn. He had always treated her with respect. Yes, he had courted other women, but surely someone as clever as Sigyn would know that it was only to make her jealous.
"You took me for granted! You thought I had no other choice but to marry you because I'm half-mortal!"
"What?" he asked, now genuinely baffled.
"You said you could wait. That you were a patient man…"
"I only said that because I knew you were still mourning your mother. Sigyn, you've become delusional." He knew she felt inferior because of her mortal heritage, but he hadn't realized how serious it had become until now.
For a moment, neither of them spoke. Sigyn narrowed her eyes and studied him, like she was trying to understand if he was being honest.
"I swear I'm telling you the truth," Loki said. He might be the God of Lies, but not to his beloved Sigyn. And especially not now.
"That wasn't the only reason," she confessed all of a sudden.
"Was there more?"
"I know what your heart's desire is."
"Of course you do." He grinned. After all, she was the one thing he desired more than anything else. And not just her maidenhead, not. He wanted her heart, her soul, every part of her.
"I'm talking about the throne of Asgard," she said firmly. "A king needs a queen that can bear him strong heirs."
Loki was abashed to hear that. "Now you disappoint me, my love."
"You don't want the throne?"
"No. I only want to be Thor's equal."
"I don't understand, Loki. What's the difference?"
"The difference is, as long as you're the only reason Odin will choose Thor over me, I don't care."
She seemed to have understood. "But I'm not the only reason."
"That's what I'm trying to change. One day I'll find a way to prove my worth."
Sigyn reached out and took his hand. "And as your wife, it's my duty to help you."
"You're such a dutiful wife…"
"Right. Which reminds me…" she said nervously, stood up, and started unfastening her dress.
Loki stood up as well. "What are you doing?"
"Don't you want to consummate the marriage? I might have sworn an oath that I will not bear any children, but it's still my duty to make you happy."
He chuckled. "Sigyn, stop… You've been through a lot today, and I can see that this is the last thing you want to do right now. So, stop."
"Are you certain?"
"I'm a patient man," he said, and then quickly added, "Oh, and before you start having delusional ideas again, it has nothing to do with you being half-mortal."
She laughed. Now this was the Sigyn he wanted to see. "Get some rest. I'll sleep in one of the guest chambers."
"Stay, Loki. I don't want one of the servants to see you and start spreading rumors… And I don't want to be alone."
"Very well." He kissed Sigyn's lips, and this time, she actually kissed him back.
…
Shortly after their wedding, life in Asgard returned to normal. The couple trained with Thor, Sif, Haldor, and the Warriors Three in the courtyard every morning, and then they spent the afternoons practicing sorcery with Frigga. Loki knew people thought he would soon grow bored of his new bride, as if he were nothing but a spoiled child, but that wasn't true. Perhaps for the first time in his life, he was happy. He was even honored when his father asked for his help in creating a Berserker army. Loki enchanted their staffs to give them an extraordinary strength that would come from their inner rage and hatred. It was dark magic, yes, but the volunteers knew what they were agreeing to. Loki could see his mother didn't approve of this, but Odin was persistent. Indeed, the Berserker Army won many battles, until Odin decided to disperse them.
Poor Sigyn was so desperate to be a great warrior that she had wanted a Berserker staff for herself, but thankfully, Loki and Frigga had been able to talk her out of it. The effects of the enchantment lasted a few decades at best. While that meant barely a heartbeat for an average Asgardian, no one knew what it meant for Sigyn. The uncertainty of her lifespan was another reason why Loki had been in such a rush to wed her.
They had been happily married for four hundred years when Lorelei, an Asgardian seductress, took control of Nornheim. She could enslave men's minds with her voice. On those who were strong enough to resist her voice, she used her touch as well. According to Heimdall, she had taken control of Nornheim, and was planning to use her army to conquer the rest of the Nine Realms.
Loki knew her well enough. He was one of the women he used to court to make Sigyn jealous. Her powers worked only on men. Well, most men, at least. She had once tried to enthrall Loki, but he had been able to resist her. Of course, as usual, no one acknowledged how much willpower it took to resist Lorelei's sorcery. He caught Volstagg, Fandral and Haldor exchanging mocking glances, and he knew what they meant. They thought Loki was able to resist because he wasn't "man" enough.
But everyone else at the war council was only frowning.
"How can we stop her, then?" Thor asked.
"Sigyn and I made this," their mother said, showing them an enchanted collar. "This will silence her voice, and free the enthralled."
"So, all we have to do is to put this on her?"
Hogun, who looked even grimmer than usual, shook his head. "It will not be easy. The Castle of Nornheim is impenetrable. And now it is hers."
"And I suppose she won't be leaving it while her men do the dirty work?" Sif asked.
"She has no reason to."
"We could sneak in," Loki suggested. "Sif, Sigyn, and I. We don't have to fear her voice."
"You'll be walking into a trap," General Tyr said. "Lorelei will be expecting you."
"Of course she'll be expecting a trick, unless she sees the Asgardian army marching on Nornheim."
"Do you want to use our army as a distraction, brother?" Thor asked in disbelief.
"Well, yes. Let her think our plan is to lay siege to the castle and force her to come out."
Odin was rubbing his beard thoughtfully. "That is a good plan," he said, much to everyone's surprise.
…
As the dutiful wife she was, Sigyn helped Loki don his armor. And as a dutiful husband, Loki helped Sigyn don hers.
"Nervous?" he said cheerfully, trying to hide the concern in his voice. He felt the same concern every time they prepared for a fight, but Sigyn didn't seem to care. She was still obsessed with the idea of being a great warrior. He feared the obsession would get her killed one of these days.
"Not at all. This is not my first battle." She picked up her shield and double-bladed sword. They were a gift from her father. Sif had been given the same set as well.
"Sigyn…"
"Yes?"
"Please be careful around Lorelei."
"I know, Loki."
"No, not just because you're a half-mortal. As you know, Lorelei was one of the women I used to make you jealous, and… I don't think she'll be happy to see us."
"Loki, I know how to defend myself. I'm not a child, or a cripple."
Loki concluded that arguing her would only make her more desperate to prove herself in battle, so he made no reply. As usual, he, Thor, Haldor, Sif and the Warriors Three would be leading the troops. Loki and Sigyn met their friends at the stables, and they rode to Heimdall's Observatory together. The soldiers were already waiting for them in formation by the time they arrived in Nornheim. To make this siege more convincing, Thor decided to send the archers first. It was still early in the morning, and Loki wanted to wait until nightfall to sneak into the castle. Until then, there wasn't much to do, other than to wait in the camp.
Lorelei had once told Loki that she had been born with these powers, but such powers usually ran in the family. It was most likely that one of her female ancestors had acquired these powers through dark magic, and Lorelei had inherited them. Sigyn and Loki were discussing where her powers might have come from when they heard Thor roar in rage, and smash a boulder nearby with Mjolnir. The Warriors Three seemed deeply troubled, but Sif… Loki had never seen her so distraught before.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Lorelei sent a messenger," Fandral replied. "She has Haldor."
Haldor was the commander of the archers. So, he had been captured…
Sigyn went to hug her sister, while Thor roared again and smashed another boulder. "That witch will pay for that! Turning my own friends against me…"
Loki decided to calm him down. "Of course she will pay. Patience, brother. It will end tonight."
"See, this is why I despise sorcery!"
Loki sighed, and decided not to have this discussion with him right now. Warriors like Thor believed magic was something that would just cease to exist if you hated it hard enough, which, of course, wasn't true. Magic was a part of their reality, and the only way to control it was to understand it. Perhaps it was to teach him this simple lesson Loki constantly practiced most spells he learned on his brother.
Thor might be a fool sometimes, but even he understood why he shouldn't go anywhere near Lorelei. If she turned Thor against them, the only one who stood a chance against him in the Nine Realms was their father. Just to be safe, Loki decided to make sure Thor still remembered that. "Brother," he started carefully. "If you see Lorelei, run. Don't even look back. There's no shame in—"
"I know, I know," he muttered angrily.
"Loki," Sigyn said. "Haldor knows of our plan. We can't afford to wait until nightfall."
Sif nodded. "My sister is right. It's now or never."
"Fine," Loki relented. They were right. Loki and Sigyn cast a cloaking spell, and entered the castle through the sewers. This wasn't going to make a glorious story to tell, true, but at least the enemy would be defeated and Sif would get her lover back.
Once they were inside, Sigyn gave him the collar. "You should have this. Sif is too concerned about Haldor right now, and as we all know, I'm the weakest warrior in Asgard. You stand a better chance of putting this on Lorelei's neck."
Loki didn't argue, and took the collar from her. Then they set off to find the throne room. That was where Lorelei would probably be. And indeed, they found her sitting on the throne, with the King of Nornheim and Haldor standing on either side of her. There were also at least three dozens of soldiers in the room. They had walked right into a trap, but only because that fool, Haldor, had managed to get captured.
"Hello, Loki," she said. "I've been expecting you. What? Did you think I'd forget you chose that half-breed over me? You'll both pay for that insult!"
"Come on, Lorelei… Did you really hope to marry an Odinson?" he asked to taunt her. In the meantime, he was trying to conjure a doppelganger that he would soon use to deceive the soldiers, but for some reason, he couldn't.
Lorelei laughed. "Oh, Loki, you're so predictable. Sorry, but I'm the only one who can use magic in this room."
"Good thing I don't need magic to kill you," Sif said, and lunged forward to kill the nearest soldier. This marked the start of the fight.
Loki wished he could run to Sigyn's side, but that was impossible, because he had been surrounded by eight men. He drew his daggers, and waited to see which one would attack first. In the meantime, she could see Sif and Sigyn fighting. For a half-mortal, Sigyn fought well, he had to admit. But he decided to win the battle first and be proud of his wife later.
One soldier swung an ax at him. He dodged the blow easily, and the ax hit another man instead, killing him instantly. A third one was able to grab him from behind, and by Odin's beard, he was strong. Loki might not be able to use magic, but at least his daggers had been coated in a very special poison. Even a small cut was enough to incapacitate his enemies. So, with the dagger in his right hand, he opened a cut on the arm that was snaked around his neck, and broke free from the grasp, while he stabbed another soldier in the eye with the other dagger.
He kept whirling around, slashing and stabbing, until Sif yelled, "Loki, stop!"
Damn. Something was wrong. He knew something was wrong even before he turned around to see what it was. When he did, he saw Lorelei, standing behind Sigyn. She had forced his wife down on her knees, and pulled her hair to expose Sigyn's throat. The double-bladed sword was in Lorelei's hand.
"This is a fine blade. The half-breed doesn't deserve it."
"Lorelei," Sif hissed. "Let my sister go, or—"
"Or what? You're in no position to make demands, Sif. I can slit her throat before you can even say another word… With her own sword." She pressed the blade against Sigyn's throat harder.
He tried not to think about what he would he do if Sigyn died. He needed to remain calm if he wanted to save her. He was going to save her.
"Lorelei," he started warily. "Perhaps we could come to an arrangement."
"Alright."
That was too easy, he thought. "What do you want?"
"I want Sif to make a choice. Between her sister and lover… Haldor?"
Without hesitation, Haldor drew his sword and pressed it against his own throat. The silence that followed could be the most unbearable thing Loki had ever heard.
"Lorelei, this is madness," Sif said at last. She was trying to sound intimidating, but even a blind man could see how terrified she was.
Sigyn was weeping quietly. Loki knew it wasn't fear. It was shame. She had been given an opportunity to prove her worth as a warrior, but Lorelei had turned her into a hostage that was being used to torment her sister. And like Loki, Sigyn had always been too damn proud.
"How can I know that you won't kill them both?" Sif asked.
"You can't be sure, of course… But then, why would I do such a thing and free you from the guilt that will haunt you for the rest of your life? I will remain true to my word. But you have to choose."
"Sister," Sigyn said, her voice barely audible. "I'm going to die anyway. I should've never been born in the first place. Please, just let me die."
Sif looked at her first, then Haldor. She, too, was crying now.
"It's hard to make a choice, I understand. He is a fine lover, isn't he?" Lorelei taunted Sif.
Come on, Sif. Don't be a fool. She is your sister. To be honest, Loki didn't care what happened to Haldor. Deep down, Loki thought he even deserved this for mocking him earlier. They had never liked one another. All he wanted was to get his wife back. He readied a throwing knife, but he couldn't throw anything at Lorelei while she was watching him so carefully. She knew every trick he had up his sleeve.
"I can't," Sif whimpered. "I can't let you die, Sigyn. We're sisters."
Loki had to try very hard not to release a deep breath of relief.
Lorelei grin widened. She was enjoying this. "Say it, Sif. Tell me to release her, and this will be over quickly."
Sif turned to Haldor, and tried to smile. "My love? Do you recognize me?"
"I'm not your love, Sif," he replied coldly. "My heart belongs only to Lorelei."
"She wants to kill you."
"Then I'll gladly die for her."
"Haldor, I know you're still in there somewhere. I know whatever this sorceress might have done to you, you're strong enough to fight it. But if not…" She paused, and gulped before continuing. "If not, I hope you can forgive me."
Haldor's expression remained indifferent. Lorelei cleared her throat impatiently.
Sif gulped again, and then sucked in a sharp breath, as if the words she was about to speak were going to hurt her physically. "Release my sister."
"As you wish," Lorelei said, forced Sigyn on her feet, and pushed her toward Sif. But for a brief moment, she forgot to keep her eyes on Loki. He used this opportunity to throw the knife at her. She screamed in pain when she got stabbed in the shoulder.
"Haldor, no!" Loki heard Sif cry as he rushed toward Lorelei, but he didn't have time to look. He quickly put the collar on Lorelei. She opened her mouth to say something, but her voice was muted. The collar worked. Of course it did. His mother had made this collar.
"You're going to suffer for what you did to my wife," he hissed into her ear.
…
On their way back to Asgard, Sigyn couldn't even look her sister in the eye. She blamed herself for what happened. Once they learned what had happened from Loki, Thor and the Warriors Three chose to remain quiet, too. Normally, Thor would throw a feast to celebrate their victory, but this time, even Volstagg didn't suggest the idea.
"I thought my mother's funeral would be the only one I'd ever have to see," Sigyn said once they were alone in their bedchambers.
"Sigyn… Please don't do this to yourself. What happened wasn't your fault."
She quickly changed out of her armor into a silk dress. "My last battle," she chuckled bitterly, looking at the armor. She then took her armor, sword and shield, and put them into an empty chest.
"What are you doing?" Loki asked, confused.
"I cannot be a warrior, not without putting the lives of my family and friends in danger. I was selfish. I wanted to become a warrior so that I could be reunited with my mother in Valhalla. I should've known someone was going to die because of me. I should've accepted my place as the half-breed."
Loki was glad that Odin had decided not to execute Lorelei. No, death would have been too merciful for that whore, indeed. She was going to spend the rest of her days in a cold, dark cell, shackled and muzzled like an animal. That was the punishment she deserved for what she had done to Sigyn.