So after thoroughly studying Norse Mythology, I have fallen in love with Loki/Sigyn. Both Marvel and Norse tell their story wonderfully, and I wanted to write my own version of them. So here it is. Loki has returned to Asgard many many many years after he'd fallen off the edge of the bifrost. As punishment, Odin will sew his lips shut from sun up to sun down and make him wander around the court that is his prison cell for that time. Sigyn, the Goddess of bonds, is to bind his lips together and look after him to make sure he doesn't remove the thread.

And what become of it?

Multi-chapter fic, rated M for many reasons, and you'll see why in this first chapter.

Typos=Mine

Chasing Shadows

The moment his feet touched the rainbow bifrost, he felt the change. The wind did not bite him like the wind at Jotunheim, where the frost clung to his hair. The sun did not scorch him like Muspelheim where the fire demons live. Instantly, he felt back at home, as if he'd been gone on a long battle and he was weary to return and anxious to fall asleep in his bed. But he knew the battle had not been one, there was nothing to fight for, and his return to Asgard would certainly be a strange one. He doubted very much if Hemidall hadn't seen him and the guards were not already out to retrieve him and present him back to his father.

For Loki it'd been a cold, cruel while away from Asgard. Ever since his fall from Asgard, a self-imposed exile, he'd found himself roaming from realm to realm, each one a new and different land, each one as unwelcoming as the last. The destruction that his brother had caused the realms of Asgard was great, and Loki, however small he was, had done his best to mend it and gain allies. From the dwarves to the Fire demons, Loki's "friends" were in many places, just itching when given the chance, to jump the Asgardian's brother Thor and turn him into ash. And while Loki didn't want this for his brother anymore, it still is a useful card to play, should anything...arise.

And after all the time he'd spent wandering the many realms, Asgard called him home. Really, actually, his heart called him home. Frozen over by so much betrayal (All father, Hemidall, Thor and his "friends") his heart began to thaw with the time he'd spent abroad. Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad to return to atone for his wrong doings. He was sure that they missed him just as much as he (secretly) missed them as well. Punishment only lasted for so long, and he would be welcomed back after that with wide arms. Because that was just how true, red blooded Asgardians did, which now (since everything makes sense) seems odd to him. His blood runs blue rather than red.

The sound of thundering hooves echoed in his ears as he awaited the arrival of the oncoming guards. He thought for a brief second that if he were to flee, now would be the time. But just as he was about to run for it, he saw the long red cape of Thor, boasting out in the breeze behind him and Loki was rooted to the spot, as if Thor's hammer had dropped onto his feet. The horses got closer quicker, and in a flash Thor was nearly in his brother's arms, squeezing Loki as tightly as he could-almost cracking his ribs. Loki did not hug back at first, only let him hold him still in his arms. Tentatively Loki reached out and wrapped his arm around his brother's neck.

"You are freezing brother," Thor said, "Come, quickly, Father must see you."

Thor tugged at his brother's arm and Loki stepped forward timidly. A guard came to greet him as well, stepping up to Loki as well. He tried with great strain to be the same height as Loki, but failed, as he was much shorter than the God of Mischief. Loki looked down his nose to the guard and nodded. He was here, they all had seen him. And really, if he were to be honest with himself (which would never happen, ever) he missed home. So he followed behind the guard without so much as a troubled word spilling from his lips. Unlike him to be quiet, Thor noticed and turned to his brother, eye alight.

"You must tell me of your travels," Thor said in a hushed tone, "After father has spoken to you."

Loki simply nodded. He wondered very much, just how long it would be before he speaks with Thor again. Odin was a smart man, but not that smart. Loki was unsure just how much Odin knew of his son's mischief and betrayal. It was unfair, for him to harshly dish out a punishment when Odin was just as much to blame as Loki. He'd already been exiled by his own hand. Could Odin turn away his "son" again, without looking like such a hypocrite? Loki did not know.

The guards and his footsteps echoed off the walls of the golden palace as they headed for the throne room. Loki trailed behind the brilliant red cape of Thor. The few Loki encountered on his escorted march into the hall whispered in disbelief that he'd returned, that the son who'd fallen off the bifrost (and lived) had returned. It'd been many, many, years since they'd seen his face. Thor pushed the grand doors of the throne room and strode in, Loki on his heels. Thor stopped short and bowed to his father as the guards bowed deeply behind him.

From his place in front of the throne, he could see his mother's face, eyes twinkling and threatening to spill over with tears. Her fingers were white with their grip on the chair, and when Loki looked directly at her, she abandoned her place to rush him with a hug. He wrapped an arm around her gently, holding her to him. Home, he thought, thisishome. He held her close and inhaled the scent of the woman that raised him. She began to pull back gently, and Loki looked up to see Odin stand near.

The room was silent for a long while Odin looked at his youngest son standing in front of him. He looked exactly as he did when he left all those many years ago, except his eyes looked tired. He looked oh so tired. Odin studied the stance of his youngest, all unsure and uneasy, as if at any moment he is to disappear into thin air as a puff of smoke. But Loki was very much there, and very much there to stay.

"Loki," Odin started, "My son...have you returned to us?"

"I have father," Loki said without hesitation, "I am ready to atone for my sins."

Suddenly, his mother's grip on his arm got very tight as Odin nodded. The wise old king studied Loki for a few moments, his eyes dark and knowledgable. He seemed to be lost in his mind for a while, studying the knowledge he gained after Loki's disappearance. Loki brought his hand over his mother's, he knew how cruel the Allfather could be, but he hoped he would be kinder to him.

'Since it was your words that affected the kingdom," Odin declared loudly, "It shall be your words I will take away from you. Your lips shall be sewn together from sun up till sun down until the new moon comes!"

Odin lifted his staff from the ground and smashed it back down, the sound sealing his decree. Loki hung his head. Never had he been without his words before. He felt a tug on his arm and looked back in shock as guards began to pull him towards the exit. His eyes hot up to Odin, who nodded at them.

"Take him to the court," Odin said, "He will start now."

"But father, the new moon is nearly 3 weeks away!"

"So you will be without your voice for 3 weeks," Odin said, "Perhaps then you can learn the power of words."

Loki was dragged out of the hall, all the while staring at his Father standing near his throne. Thor looked shocked, watching his brother be dragged away from him. Just as Odin went to turn to sit, he looked back at Loki.

"It is good to have you home, son."

Loki watched as the doors shut on him and he was dragged down the hall. He went without a struggle towards the court. He'd seen it from his window, hidden by rich gardens, but never been in it. It was a place for punishment, and while he'd tried to wander down there when he was young, he hadn't made it to the court, he'd heard the cries of pain from men that had been there. He shivered at the thought. But he would take his punishment with grace, for the Allfather was feeling abnormally...merciful.

The reached the gardens and began to follow the path through them towards the large black door. A guard stopped up front and pounded on the metal with his fist.

"Lady Sigyn!" he called out, "We have a request from Odin Allfather!"

The door opened slowly of it's own accord, subconsciously making Loki lean to get a better look inside. The inside was just as dark as the door, and the guard behind him shoved him forward into it. He walked in, letting his eyes adjust. There was no answer to the previous call, so the guard called again.

"Lady Sigyn!"

From the left side of the darkness appeared a blonde haired beauty. She was curvy, so beautifully curvy that was (in Loki's mind) too concealed to really see. Her long blonde hair was tied back in a ponytail much like Sif's, only it was held together in places by leather, as if to get the curls to straighten and flatten instead of bush out. Her bright blue eyes pierced through the darkness as if they were the source of light themselves. She walked with the grace of a Goddess and stopped near the traveling bunch.

"And what has All-Father brought me today?" she asked with a smile on her lips.

"Loki Odinson my lady," the guard said, bowing. Bowing? Loki thought, surely she could not be a Goddess if she were to work here. "He has returned-"

"So I see," she said lightly, no condescending tone, no hatred or sarcasm.

"All-Father has required his punishment to be lips sewn shut from sun up to sun down until the new moon rises."

Sigyn nodded her head, before turning her back to them and walking back into her corner. Humming, she waved her hand to light the torch in the corner of her room, illuminating it for Loki to see. Loki was amazed at her ability of magic. She did it effortlessly, as if she'd been practicing it for years. But then again, perhaps she had, just not with any instructor he knew.

"I see," she said, opening a drawer to pull out a string. It was wrapped around a wooden spool, thick black rope-like string wound tight like a tale of a dragon. "Must it start today."

"Instantly," the guard answered. Sigyn sighed.

"Very well, bring him here."

For the first time, Sigyn looked at Loki. Her face was familiar, he knew her from somewhere. He studied her for a second before it hit him, they used to be childhood friends. He taught her the magic she knew. The shock must've spread over his features because Sigyn smiled softly.

"I see you remember," she said, "Come here, let me have a look at you."

Loki stepped forward as Sigyn got out a needle. A guard, still cautious of Loki, obviously, stepped forward as well. Loki frowned at the man. He's already here, not going anywhere, so let him be.

"I said I've come to atone for my wrong doings," Loki said with a grim expression, "I am not going to run off now."

The guard buckled under the weight of Loki's gaze and back away for a step.

"Of course, Prince Loki," the guard said, bowing just a little to him. Loki nodded with a smug look of satisfaction on his lips before turning back to Sigyn, who had pulled up a stool for the God to sit on.

"Come now, let's get this started," she said, pulling the string through the eyelet of the needle. Loki paled.

"Surely this can be done with magic," he suggested, taking his seat on the stool so that he was level with Sigyn. Her garb at this height gave him view down her chest, but he didn't look. His eyes were focused on the needle.

"There is always a way to be done with magic," Sigyn said, "But I suspect, that if All-Father wanted it done that way, he would not have sent you to me. Hush now," she said, taking his pointed chine in her hand, "This will hurt less if you keep quiet and let me finish quickly."

Sigyn leaned close to his face and he watched her as she held his chin in one small hand. Her fingers were long and secure, ensuring that he could not get away. His eyes glanced down at the floating table next to her and thought fondly of it. He'd taught her that spell when they were children. And just as he was to look at her again, he felt a sharp pain pierce above his top lip.

"Ouch!" he said, angry. He pulled away from her hand, but she held him firm, concentrating for all of Asgard on her sewing.

"Shh," she scolded, "It get's better. It'll start to numb."

He felt the needle dive into his lower lip and break through the skin, causing him to feel another way of pain. It was like the needle was searing hot! Again it struck his upper lip and Sigyn pulled with a sharp tug, pulling his lips together. He winced, his eyes blinking hard to dull the pain. Sigyn gave him a sympathetic smile.

"It'll be over soon," she murmured, before diving into the bottom lip again and pulling. His fingers gripped at his thighs, digging into them to numb the pain. Sigyn stopped for a moment and reached for a cloth, dabbing it to his lips lightly before pulling it away. Loki glanced down to see his own red blood pull from the stitching. It was at that moment he wanted to weep.

The needle dove into his skin again, but he hardly felt it this time. Sigyn worked quietly and diligently, tugging when she needed and dabbing when the blood threatened to run over her fingers. When she had finished, she tied off the string on the opposite corner of his mouth and released his chin. The hand that had grasped it was tainted red, like paint had spilled over it. She quietly wiped her hand and reached for another cloth. She went to press it to his face, but he pulled back.

"Please forgive me," Sigyn said, dabbing the moist cloth across the stitches. They tightened tighter, completely sealing them so only a little air could pass through. He tugged at them but they would not move. He understood now as he looked into Sigyn's eyes. The rag she pulled away was red, and she tossed it into a bucket near her desk. "I just hope," she added, "That you will still be my friend after this."

All Loki could do was nod. His words were no longer his, they had been taken from him. It was the worst he could ever ask for.

And what to become of Loki? And Sigyn? What will this time in his head bring Loki? Will he even care about Sigyn being there? Who knows? Oh I do, but I'd like to hear what you think!