Author's Note: Hi there to all the followers new and old! I own my interpretation of Sigyn, her family, and Markus. The One and Only A Nice Person our inability to pin Loki down is not only why he is so fun to write, but why people have really taken to his character. Most characters in the Marvel series are exceedingly easy to predict, but we tend to like them for their certain amount of predictability (Tony Stark is the best example) Loki seems to be the only one that we love for his unpredictability, and that really sets him apart from many of the other characters (and definitely sets him apart from the other villains). Aw yea, pillow fights are great, though I imagine demigod pillow fights can be a little destructive… I bet everyone is probably going to enjoy riling Loki up over Sigyn. It will be their revenge for every time he has done so to them (which is probably a lot). Well The Warrior's Three and Sif were certainly not being thoughtful of the fact Loki was standing right there, but they weren't saying anything that wasn't true (except for Sif's almost misstep) or that Loki didn't know. They just got a little carried away in their excitement for Thor. Sif was probably the only one gunning to upset Loki, and probably was the only one who failed to do so. Well I was going to write Chapter 22, but my original idea for Sigyn talking to Loki about her sister's engagement looked far different from what I actually wrote. I had been meaning to write a scene with the two of them sneaking about the town just to give them a change of scenery, and right before I wrote Chapter 22 the idea came to me to put those two scenes together. The result is what you read. I think my fear with posting that chapter was that their attachment/physical intimacy was advancing too quickly. That is why I specified that some time has passed since the hoof to the head incident. I don't want them to get too mushy too fast!


Snow was lightly falling on the two families that had come to watch Markus and Frida be wed. The burgundy and gold of Markus's family colors stood out like a wine stain against the white powder, while the deep midnight blue and silver of Frida's family seemed to compliment the snowflakes. The bride and groom looked extremely handsome standing across from each other. Markus had chosen to keep his family's burgundy for he and Frida's primary family color while Frida decided on bronze for their accent. They both wore their new colors symbolizing their separation from their father's houses, and their union as man and wife. Sigyn smiled a sad smile as Markus and Frida exchanged their rings. Two weeks of preparing had come down to this, and Sigyn could no longer deny that she was losing her sister. She would have given anything to have Loki standing beside her assuring her that just because Frida was getting married didn't mean that she was losing her for good. Oh Loki. Getting to see him again was one of the few things that had led Sigyn to wish the days to the wedding to pass quickly. Once the vows had been said, the newlywed couple and their families feasted and danced the night away. Towards the end of the evening Markus went off to what would be he and Frida's house, while the rest of the wedding party lit torches in preparation to lead the bride there. Frida tracked Sigyn down before the final rite, and embraced her.

"I am so happy for you." Sigyn said as she held on to her sister.

"Thank you Sigyn…" Frida replied while pulling back. "Someday you will be just as happy as I am." She assured.

"I can only hope that I will be that blessed."

"Sigyn… I know this isn't easy for you, and I promise it will not be easy for me either. I just want you to know that you are always welcome in my household. Markus and I would hate for you to feel unwelcome with us."

"I know that Frida." Sigyn assured

"Good…Now that I am gone it will be up to you to look out for mother and father. Promise me you will!"

"I promise... Frida…" Sigyn found herself at a loss for words.

Her throat felt dry, and she could feel hot tears beginning to sting her eyes. Unable to speak, Sigyn threw herself into her sister's embrace again. She didn't know who began to cry first, but neither of the sister's was able to quell their bittersweet tears.

"You know… if the Prince were to see you like this… he…he would probably die of shock." Frida teased between her tears.

Sigyn began to laugh a little and Frida joined her. The pair finally pulled away from each other and Sigyn's face shone with pride and admiration.

"You are surely the most beautiful bride Asgard has ever seen."

"Hardly, especially now that my makeup is all smeared from crying." Frida protested.

"That is an easy enough fix!" Sigyn assured before beginning to wipe the smudges off of Frida's face. "See, all done…"

Signy approached her daughters hurriedly.

"There you are Frida! I've been looking all over for you…it's time."

Frida nodded in understanding and gave Sigyn's hand a little squeeze. Sigyn smiled and followed after her mother and sister. She was a little mad that no one would let her carry a torch in the procession, and she guessed that was just one of the many disadvantages to being the youngest. Frida sent Sigyn one last happy glance before she entered the threshold of her new home, and into her new life.

Days trickled by after the wedding, and though Sigyn wanted nothing more than to see Loki, she was unable to do so. Her mother wanted to spend time preparing for the Winter Solstice Celebration. She had been overjoyed when Sigyn had mentioned that Loki had asked to be her escort to the celebration, but she hadn't had time to fuss over what Sigyn would wear and whatnot due to the wedding. Now that Signy had the wedding behind her, she could fuss over her youngest daughter. There would have been a point in her life when her mother's overbearing attentions would have bothered Sigyn, but she was so overjoyed that her mother was as close to her old self as she was ever likely to be that she didn't care. She spent hours looking at fabrics for her gown, trying different hairdos, and practicing her etiquette with her mother.

The day of the big celebration arrived, and the Queen sent word that she wished Sigyn to prepare herself at the palace. Sigyn was trying to figure out how she would get all her garments, hairpieces, and accessories into Roan's saddlebag when a carriage from the palace arrived. She felt that sending a carriage to come fetch her was a bit much, but she was glad that the Queen had done so anyways because she was fairly certain that there was no possible way to get all of her things into a single saddlebag. Sigyn bid her parents a quick goodbye and clambered into the carriage with all her things. The inside was spacious to say the least, and she felt quite small sitting in it all by herself. Though she wanted to look out the window as they rode towards the palace, she didn't particularly want people to look in and see her. Her need for privacy was greater than her need to watch scenery pass by that she had seen hundreds of times before, so she lowered the shades to the windows. It felt like an eternity before the carriage finally came to a stop and the door opened. A pair of servants took Sigyn's things from her and Frigga was waiting to greet her upon exiting the carriage. Sigyn gave a curtsy to the Queen and thanked her for sending the carriage.

"I thought it would be best. I had a feeling you might try to ride over on horseback." Frigga noted. "Now come, I brought you here a bit early so that we may chat a little."

Sigyn complied with the Queen's request, and tried to imitate her grace as they walked down the halls aimlessly.

"I have hardly gotten to see you these past months seeing as Loki has taken all my time with you away." The Queen stated with a smile.

"Surely you mean that I am taking his time with you away." Sigyn maintained.

"Oh no my dear, I have seen plenty of Loki." Frigga assured. "Especially these past two weeks. Tell me, how was your sister's wedding?"

"Very beautiful, My Queen. I doubt the Realm has ever seen a happier bride."

"And have your parents adjusted well to the loss of their daughter?"

"They have, My Queen. I have not seen them this happy in a long time. I feel as though they see it as they have gained a son in Markus as opposed to having lost a daughter in Frida."

"A very wise way to look upon it." Frigga approved. "And how have you taken the change?"

"I would be lying if I said it has been easy. I am the only child left in my father's household, and I suppose that will take some time to get adjusted to."

"Yes, I am sure it will."

The two women fell into silence, and while that normally wouldn't bother Sigyn, she felt as though there was a purpose behind the Queen wishing to speak with her in private.

"My Queen I hope you won't think me presumptuous, but is there some reason you wished to speak with me?"

Frigga looked down at Sigyn warmly.

"I should have known you would perceive that I have reasons for wishing to speak with you. If you weren't so clever Loki wouldn't have taken to you as he has."

"It is about Loki that you wish to speak, isn't it?"

Frigga nodded.

"What do you think of him?"

Sigyn was a little surprised by the question, but answered it anyways.

"Well he is my closest friend aside from Frida, so I obviously think highly of him."

"You don't have to paint a gilded picture of my son for my sake Sigyn. I know Loki's faults better than most. Disregard that he is a Prince and give me your honest estimation of him, both the good and the bad."

Sigyn contemplated her words for a moment before taking a deep breath and giving the Queen her answer.

"Loki is a good and intelligent person. He certainly likes to push the boundaries in his fun, but never would he let his tricks put someone in danger. He tends to be a bit possessive and prone to jealousy, but that's just the childishness in him. While he is observant and would rather study the interactions of others than take part, I tend to think that every so often he would give anything to be the center of attention like his brother. In all honesty My Queen, I think Loki struggles with the fact that he is not more like Thor. Sometimes I catch him watching Thor with a look of admiration and wistfulness, and I don't think he even realizes he is doing it. He tries so hard to win the approval of Asgard, but he must think it an impossible situation. When he attempts to do it by being like Thor they laugh because he cannot be like his brother, and when he attempts to win approval by being himself they laugh because he is not more like Thor. In truth, it makes me sad."

Frigga nodded to Sigyn.

"You seem to know him well, which is no less than I expected… Odin is to officially announce Thor as his heir tonight at the banquet. Loki and Thor already know this, but I am sure that it will still sting Loki's pride. I know I don't have to ask you to support him in this because you would have done so of your own volition, but as a mother it puts my mind at ease to ask it of you. Be Loki's solace once the announcement is made. Normally I would do so myself, but while comfort from a mother has its place, comfort from a beautiful girl carries more weight with a boy of Loki's age."

"I will My Queen, though the comfort will carry weight not because I am a beautiful girl, but because I am a friend."

"Well said child. The fact that you are a beautiful girl will only add to your advantage over me then."

A servant came around the corner and curtsied to the two women.

"Lady Sigyn's bath is run, My Queen."

"Very good." Frigga replied before looking at Sigyn. "I thought you might like to rinse off before getting ready so I had the servants draw a bath for you in Thor and Loki's bath chambers."

Sigyn knew that her face mirrored her disbelief, and the Queen gave a little chuckle.

"Never fear my dear, the boys are out and not scheduled to return for a while yet. You will have plenty of time to bathe before they even begin to think about preparing for the banquet." Frigga assured.

Sigyn nodded, though she didn't feel the situation was any less peculiar. The servant led the way to their bath chambers, informed Sigyn that she would be back to fetch her in an hour, and then left Sigyn to her business. Sigyn was a tad paranoid that Thor might barge into the room at any second so she made sure that the door was tightly latched, and she was even more paranoid that Loki was hiding somewhere in the shadows so she gave the entire chamber a close inspection. Only when she was completely satisfied that the Princes where nowhere to be found did she slip out of her clothes and sink into the giant bath. Sigyn's family was extremely well off, but even her mother and father's bath chambers paled in comparison to the size and luxuriousness of Loki and Thor's. She could only imagine what the King and Queen's chambers looked like. The perfumed water was still rather warm when Sigyn slid into it, but she didn't mind. She submerged herself entirely before rubbing the soaps and oils into her skin and scalp. After letting those sit in her hair for a while she dunked under the surface again. Her hygiene now taken care of, Sigyn was free to relax until the maid came to retrieve her. She closed her eyes and let the warm water lull her into a semi-state of consciousness, which she remained in till she heard someone try to open the door. Sigyn quickly jumped out of the water and threw a towel around herself. She had forgotten that she had barred the maid out when she latched the door to ensure neither of the Royal Princes stumbled in upon her bathing. The maid knocked and Sigyn answered by swiftly throwing up the latch and opening the door.

"Prince Thor!" She gasped as the knocker was revealed.

"Lady Sigyn?" He asked more in amusement than shock.

Sigyn tried to curtsy, but it was no easy task while holding up a towel to cover herself as best she could.

"Forgive me, your mother had the servants draw a bath for me. She assured me that you and Loki were previously engaged and would not return for quite some time!" She defended while trying to keep eye contact with the Prince.

In all honesty, it was difficult for her to look at him at all. He wore nothing but a bath towel around his waist so she tried to keep her eyes locked with his.

"We were away, but our business didn't take as long as we had planned." Thor noted.

While Sigyn desired nothing more than to run out of the bathroom, it was not an option with Thor's large frame blocking her only exit. She could feel his eyes scan her scantily covered body as she tried to look past him to ensure no one else was coming.

"Loki isn't anywhere around here is he?" She asked as calmly as possible.

"I am not sure, I thought you were him." Thor explained.

Sigyn let out a little 'ah' as she readjusted her towel. Thor's eyes held a look that bespoke a conflicting conscience. She could see flashes of carnal desire war with propriety and respect. She believed that his sense of propriety stemmed from her standing as a Lady of the court, and that the look of respect was for Loki's regard for her. The propriety and respect in him seemed to be winning out, but Sigyn couldn't help but think that if she had been a servant or any other Lady he would already have acted on his physical desires. A squeak came from behind Thor in the antechamber and Sigyn glanced around to see the serving girl from earlier.

"My Prince, I am so sorry! The Queen said you were not to arrive back for another two hours…"

"It is fine. Prince Loki and I arrived back early." He replied while keeping his gaze on Sigyn.

"My Lady, I have brought you a robe." The servant offered feebly.

"Thank you very much." Sigyn replied gratefully. "My Lord?"

Thor understood Sigyn's unspoken request and gave a slight nod of his head before turning his body to the side so she could go past him. Even so, Sigyn couldn't get out the door without brushing Thor on her way out. She had a feeling that had been his intent in merely turning aside. The servant handed Sigyn the robe and her undergarments before turning her back so Sigyn could put them on. Sigyn looked to Thor and he averted his head to give her some privacy. She slipped the garments on while still managing to keep the towel wrapped around her, and then slipped the robe on over. She didn't allow the towel to fall to the floor till she had securely fastened the robe around her waist. After tossing the soiled towel in a basket she addressed the Crown Prince.

"I shall see you tonight, My Prince."

"I look forward to it, Lady Sigyn."

After a quick curtsy, Sigyn turned and left the antechamber. The maid retrieved Sigyn's soiled clothes from the bath then quickly followed her out. Once inside the room that had been set-aside for her to prepare herself in, Sigyn was allowed to brush the tangles out of her damp hair. The maid then instructed her to sit in front of the vanity and she braided small sections of Sigyn's hair before pulling it halfway back. She finally took the rest of it and used cloth strips to tie it up. She instructed Sigyn to do her makeup and promised she would return in time to finish her hair. Sigyn did as she was bid, and the maid returned not long after she finished. Sigyn's hair, now completely dry, was released from its cloth bindings and fell in ringlets down her back. The maid smiled in satisfaction and left the room so Sigyn could finish getting ready. It didn't take long for Sigyn to slip on her gown and put her jewelry on, leaving her nothing to do till Loki arrived to fetch her. She wasn't sure how much longer she would have to wait for him, but since she did have to wait she took some time to practice her dancing. As the consort of a Prince, there would be critical eyes watching her every move this evening. Sigyn curtsied to her invisible partner before closing her eyes and beginning to go through the motions. She could do this; she had been doing it since she was a child. One. Two. Three. One. Two. Three…