Author's Note: This is a shorter chapter, but the next one will be a tad longer. You already know the drill with the whole disclaimer thing so I am just going to skip it! A Nice Person, I am so sorry I didn't reply in the last chapter! I actually didn't get the review till after I posted it…my bad. As for your first review I am so excited that you think the chapters get better and better, I hope I can keep that up! As for your second review, I am so honored that you like this story so much! Reteka Hyuuga it is perfectly acceptable to feel bad and laugh at Loki's lapse of judgment, I certainly do! Snow White Queen there really are so many ways that you can interpret the two Princes in their younger years, and I suppose that it was makes them so fun to write. They are constantly learning about themselves and taking steps that will develop them into the characters we already know and love. I feel that if there was one character in the entire Marvel Universe that wanted to be sassy to my face and I wouldn't care, it would be Frigga. She would just be so classy about it that I probably wouldn't even realize I had been insulted till after the fact. Yes, Loki is far too old for eating contests, but I think it is a good example of something that will plague him throughout the series. Because he is so inherently mischievous he will always have a slightly childlike disposition, but because he is so logical he will always have a certain amount of maturity. When he is in his right frame of mind he has no problem balancing the too, but when something disrupts his mindset the two opposing personality traits will clash. That gives the basis for his turbulent shifts between control and lack of control. That is just one way to look at it though. I am sure that Sigyn's effect on Loki is very frustrating to him since he is used to being the one that gets to people with a mere word. I think it will be interesting to see how Loki's mischievousness will rub off on Sigyn. She is playful in her ways now, but the question is will he bring out a less playful side in her personality? Even I don't know the answer to that yet...
Sigyn sat contentedly reading her latest book. Her parent's and Frida had gone to yet another banquet without her, but Sigyn didn't mind. Her absence played well into her plan for innocent revenge against Loki. With Sigyn out of the picture, Loki would have to find some other girl to try his wiles on. Of course the success of Sigyn's entire plan hinged on said girl succumbing to his charms, but she didn't foresee that being a problem. While Prince Loki might be arrogant and proud, he did have a way with words. Sigyn actually found him quite charming and engaging, but at the moment her need to one-up him was more important than his attractiveness.
It was early in the morning when her family returned, and Sigyn put her book away in anticipation of Frida's traditional after banquet visit. Her older sister was quite punctual, and came into the room glowing.
"He has his sights set on Amora all right." Frida informed.
When Sigyn had asked Frida to keep an eye on Loki's movements at the banquets for her, Frida had been a bit skeptical at first. When Sigyn had explained that it was because she needed information so she could play a little prank on the Prince however, Frida jumped right on board. Apparently she thought that the trickster Prince deserved a taste of his own medicine.
"Are you certain?" Sigyn prodded.
"He spent the entirety of the last banquet talking and dancing with her, and tonight they disappeared off to who knows where." Frida assured while taking a seat on Sigyn's bed.
"What about the girl from the first banquet I missed? Has he shown any further interest in her?"
"No, not after that first evening."
"Good… and Amora… does she seem genuinely interested in him?"
Frida smirked.
"I don't know for certain, but my guess is that she is trying to go through him to get to Thor. Why? Are you jealous?"
Sigyn shrugged. "Maybe a little, but tell me, what of Markus?"
Frida lit up at the mention of the Captain's name.
"Sigyn he is wonderful…"
Sigyn spent the next hour happily listening to Frida talk on and on about the young man. He had mentioned wanting to court her, and Sigyn had a feeling that it wouldn't be long before he approached their parents on the subject. Sigyn certainly hoped he would. Frida deserved to be happy with a man who loved and respected her.
Frida left sometime right before dawn, promising to convince their parents to allow Sigyn to attend banquets once more. Sigyn curled into bed and took a look at the belt that was sitting on her nightstand as she snuffed out her candle. She doubted Loki noticed her taking it when she grabbed her shawl all those weeks ago in the Queen's sitting room. Even if he had, she was fairly certain that he wouldn't have any clue as to why she took it. Her plan was clever, maybe not as publicly embarrassing as his had been, but it wasn't as if she was looking to scar him for life or anything. Sigyn let the excitement of her scheme sink in as she drifted off to sleep.
It took a couple of days, but Frida had finally been able to convince their mother and father to let Sigyn attend the next big celebration. Sigyn didn't have long to wait since the summer solstice was quickly approaching. This had always been her favorite celebration of the year since she had been allowed to take part in the outdoor festival that took place after the banquet when she was a child. The days trickled by and Sigyn began making preparations. A majority of the festival was held outside by large bonfires, so she decided to wear one of her less cumbersome gowns and forgo sparkling gems for flowers she would gather once the feast had ended. When the big night finally arrived, Sigyn hid Loki's belt inside her family's carriage with the intention of retrieving it after the banquet. The meal itself was not particularly interesting seeing as Frida spent the entire time flirting with Markus leaving Sigyn to act as the third wheel. After desert was finished, Odin instructed everyone to go outside to witness the lighting of the bonfires.
Sigyn always enjoyed watching the bonfires light up around Asgard. The flames danced in the evening sky, and music began to ring out through the city. Sigyn sat out the first few dances with several other girls so that they could gather flowers to place in their hair. Frida, along with a few other lucky ladies, had flowers given to them by their romantic interests. Markus had tucked a Lilac behind Frida's ear, and was now dancing with her. Sigyn smiled at the couple. Frida was in love, and Sigyn was extremely happy for her. While some of the girls were content was just sticking flowers randomly into their hair, that wasn't enough for Sigyn. She carefully picked an armful of Lily of the Valleys and Ivy with the intention of making herself a crown of flowers. She had just begun making it when some of the little girls, who were obviously excited that they were getting to stay up past their bedtime, came over to her. Apparently they wanted to make crowns too, so Sigyn, and a few of the other older girls that were still working with their flowers, began helping the children. Sigyn started to tell stories as she worked, and soon it wasn't just the little girls that were gathered around her. Some of the younger boys also joined to listen intently as Sigyn recounted stories from Asgard's legends and history. Sigyn loved to watch their faces as she told tales of glorious battles and romantic lovers. She was enjoying herself so much that she lost track of time.
The stars where high in the sky by the time Sigyn remembered that she had a prank to pull. She reluctantly left the children and snuck off to the stables. After retrieving Loki's belt she hid it amongst the folds of her dress. She was making her way to Frida to see if she had kept an eye on Loki when Frigga stopped her.
"Good evening Sigyn, you look lovely tonight."
Sigyn quickly curtsied.
"Thank you My Queen, though I do not look half as radiant as you."
Frigga laughed.
"There is no need for flattery my dear, I am well aware that I am an old woman."
Sigyn looked taken aback.
"Surely, My Queen, I do not flatter you. Age does not determine a woman's beauty."
"Then what does?" The Queen asked curiously.
"Her heart." Sigyn replied firmly. "I have never met a woman with a beautiful heart that I have found to be ugly, and I have never met a woman with an ugly heart that I have found to be beautiful."
"That is a very noble sentiment, if only everyone were as sensible as you. Now where are you off too in such a rush?"
"To find my sister."
It wasn't a lie, and it wasn't like she could just say "Oh I am off to go embarrass your son!" Sigyn just hoped that she didn't look too guilty.
"Well then I shan't keep you. Might I convince you to come to the palace tomorrow though? It has been so long since one of our little chats, and I would like to know what you thought of the books you borrowed."
Sigyn quickly agreed to visit the Queen and then went in search of Frida once again. It didn't take her long to spot her and Markus talking with a few other couples. Sigyn signaled over to her sister and Frida nodded her head in acknowledgement. She whispered something to Markus and came over to Sigyn.
"If you plan on doing something you best hurry." Frida said in a hushed voice upon reaching Sigyn. "He left with Amora a couple of dances ago."
"Do you know what direction they went?" Sigyn quickly asked.
"Probably down towards the spring. It is a popular spot since it is fairly secluded."
Sigyn thanked Frida and headed for the spring. She had a feeling that she was going to have to interrupt a few happy couples in her search for the second Prince of Asgard, but it would be a small price to pay to see the look on Loki's face when she did find him.
