Sigyn was woken up by someone banging at the door, and by banging she really meant it. Someone was trying to get in very keenly, almost as if their life depended upon walking in. Sigyn rubbed her eyes, sliding out of bed. Loki wasn't here, and the bed sheet was already cold. It must have been noon already. She wanted to just go back to bed, ignoring the person knocking, hoping that whoever it was will soon tire out and go away.
- Sigyn! By the Nine Realms, open the door! – completely surprised to hear Fandral's voice. Pulling herself together she tried to find anything resembling a bathrobe. She found her lingerie and Loki's shirt, long enough to use as one, considering a significant nine inches difference in height.
- I know you're in there! – Fandral wanted to see her really badly. Not really smart, since last time he tried to steal a kiss from her, it took him months to clear his name off a few really nasty rumours circulation among the ladies. Sigyn put on the underwear and buttoned the shirt before opening the door.
- What's wrong? – she said through the door. Maybe he was looking for Loki after all, because what in the Nine Realms would he want from her?
- Open the door, please. I want to talk to you! – he said. Sigyn sighted.
- Then talk, I'm listening – she replied, trying to gain some time and smooth her bed-head.
- But it's about Loki – tried the warrior. Sigyn held her breath, and slowly opened the door, holding the shirt close to her neck. Fandral pushed in, ignoring all his good manners. Sigyn leapde back, intuitively reaching for the dagger – which lay somewhere under the armchair, cursing under her breath.
- I was looking for you – panted Fandral. He was disturbed and slightly pale, also he didn't make any comments on the way she was dressed. Sigyn darted towards him, grabbing his shirt and jolted him.
- What? What's wrong? Did something happen to Loki?
- He is king! – he replied, at which Sigyn let him go and almost laughed. So that what it was about! Lady Sif and the warrior three could not believe that anyone would pass Loki the rule over Asgard.
- Odin is asleep, and Thor is banished. Who else is to take the throne until Odin wakes? – asked Sigyn. Fandral opened his mouth and closed it, and then opened it again – Sigyn thought he looked like a really confused goldfish.
- Well, that is true, but… - he muttered at last.
- But?
- You have to persuade Loki, he listens to you…!
- Slow down – Sigyn tried to compose Fandral and waved her hands, as if she was hushing a child. It worked, and Fandral allowed her to speak.
- Persuade him to do what? I assume you've already tried to talk him into something, and he refused. What did you want from him?
- To bring Thor back from exile. He declined, blubbering something about undoing the Allfahter's last order with his first – he said forcibly. Sigyn froze, not believing what she heard. Loki refused to bring Thor back was at least out of the ordinary.
- That's only reasonable, it would be disrespect towards the Allfahter's wishes - she said, but she felt as if it were someone else's words. She had to say something sensible, even if she didn't really believe it.
- Now he is king, and war with Jotunheim is coming! He could bring Asgard's bravest warrior back. And a brother he claims to love so much – retorted Fandral. Sigyn collected her thoughts, took a deep breath.
- Would you have another war, civil one this time? Thor comes back and tries to claim the throne it might end just like that, because of how Thor is. He'd take is personally.
- If Loki brings him back then he should give up the throne - said Fandral.
- And why should he? – Sigyn asked folding arms.
- He is the younger son, he wasn't proclaimed as heir!
- Neither was Thor, as I recall. Also he already proved he is unfit to be a king by taking you all to Jotunheim against the law. That's why Odin banished Thor, didn't he? Because Thor has already started one war – reminded Sigyn, angered by Fandral's words. Give up the throne when Loki seems the only of two brothers to be fit to rule? Nonsense!
- I should have seen you won't lift your finger to bring Thor back – said Fandral, shaking his head slowly.
- As shouldn't you – he replied sharply, looking him in the face – So don't.
- Don't what?
- You'll try to bring Thor back, won't you? Even despite the Allfather's orders, just because you prefer Thor – she added, backing away from the warrior.
- You say so, because it's convenient – he jeered.
- Why would that be convenient for me?
- Loki already made known to the court that they should address you as their queen – he said, smiling malevolently. Sigyn opened her mouth, but forgot what she wanted to say.
- Queen? Me?
- Yes, Sif also remarked that it's at least unseemly. You are not even… - "married to him" was the intended rebuke, and he wanted to emphasize it by looking disapprovingly at her hand where a ring was supposed to be… And there was a ring. It wasn't there the night before.
- I didn't foresee that - he mumbled, shown up by this unexpected turn of the conversation. Sigyn smiled bitterly.
- I can see you didn't. You all thought I would be a one-season encounter – she didn't triumph, she just stated a fact. Fandral turned red and mumbled some quiet apology.
- Huh. Silver tongue turned to lead? – she snickered. It was quite an ironic turn of events and she couldn't but see some kind of karma in this situation. After a moment of awkward silence she brushed hair off her face and started to look for her clothes, which were scattered everywhere on the distance between the door and the bed.
- So, if we have that one settled, could you please get off my shirt… Thank you – she moved Fandral aside, critically examining the shoe mark on the collar - Also do me a favour and sit tight for a few days without attempting to do anything stupid, like sneaking behind Loki's back to fetch Thor. This will only make things worse.
- Can it get any worse? – sneered Fandral and Sigyn couldn't believe how one-track minded can he be. She remembered an old court joke: why do the warriors three never separate? One reads, one writes and the third one watches the clever ones. She always thought Volstagg was the third one, now she had second thoughts.
- Thor got what he asked for, Loki is rightfully on the throne. Bringing Thor back would be your whim, not the kingdom's interest, which is keeping it together in case the frost giants decide to strike first. And I dare say, it would look as if you are biased for no good reason – she said. Fandral bit his lip.
- Now please leave, unless you want to stay and stare at me while I dress – she said. She intended to go to Loki and talk to him, though she would never tell Fandral. Openly agreeing to try and change his decision, a king's judgment at that, would be sapping his authority, something of dire consequence which she was actively trying to avoid. She quickly put on some clothes and ran to find Loki. She may have promised to always be on his side, but that doesn't mean being a mute sheep.
Fandral came back to the hall, where Sif and his two companions were waiting. In hi s opinion all Sigyn did was justifying Loki's rule because he made her the queen – quite a leap from a low-ranked valkirie. He could not and would not see any grounds in what she said, as well as he did not intend to take her advice. Three pairs of eyes gazed at him in expectation, but his belligerent expression told them more than words. The valkirie declined to help.
- He also married her – said Fandral, as if Loki slit someone's throat. Sif waved he hand though.
- That's not our problem now – shushed him Sif – Did she say why she won't talk to him?
- She said something about king's authority, following whims and fighting for the throne – he shrugged. None of the arguments got to him, though, so he didn't bother to repeat them accurately.
- What now then? – asked Hogun. Sif rubbed her neck, trying to think of something.
- Well… We could - she started, and then they heard chomping. Fandral turned red and dashed a plated from Volstagg's hands, send a pheasant leg into the air.
Our dearest friend banished, Loki on the throne, Asgard on the brink of war!Yet you've managed to consume, four wild boar, six pheasant, a side of beef, and two casks of ale! Shame on you! Don't you care! – shouted the warrior, leaping towards his companion.
- Do not mistake my appetite for apathy! – shouted back Volstagg, Sif and Hogun rushing to separate them. The atmosphere was getting dense, and everyone blamed Loki.
- Stop it! Both of you! Stop – said Sif - We all know what we have to do – she added.
- We must go – agreed Hogun. Even when Heimdall called them, even though they feared they would be punished by the king – what they did was treason after all. They still went, with Heimdall's blessing, to the last thinking it was the right thing to do.
Loki was standing on the broad terrace of the palace, a place he rarely used to visit when he was still a prince. He jest came back from Jotunheim, his plan seemed perfect – he will prove himself worthy to father. He cherished the idea of coming here every day, watching his kingdom at his father's side, as enough everyone will see that Thor wasn't the right aspirant for an heir. He looked at his hand, studying every line visible on the skin, every crease. There was nothing to betray his secret, known to so few. There was only one small scratch on his strategy…
- Loki! – he turned at the sound of Sigyn's voice. There was an uneasy note in it, something he heard too often recently, and this was the one small scratch that he feared could shatter all her has planner, because whenever he may look into her eyes he knew she would never be of the same opinion about any this. He didn't want to think about it now though, when he was so close to achieving his goals. He took her in his arms.
- Good morning, wife – he said, kissing her softly. Calling the valkirie his wife came so naturally, like he was doing it for the past decades, not just a few hours. She kissed back, but pulled away after a short moment. Loki looked confused.
- What's wrong?
- I hoped to be woken up by my husband, but instead it was Fandral hammering on the door – she said. Loki smirked.
- You want him beheaded, my queen? – he jested and bowed his head.
- Loki – Sigyn nudged him, trying to keep a serious face.
- You know I wouldn't say no to anything – he said.
- No, thank you. I'll show understanding this time. Don't you want to know what drew him to bang on your door looking for me?
- I'm dying to know - he said, encircling her back with his arm and leading her towards the terrace. She was here one or two times only, and every time the view it show entranced her. One could see all of Asgard from here, enlightened with a soft light – full of green gardens and sparkling waterfalls, the realm where the sky was always blue. She almost forgot what she came for.
- Fandral came with a request. He told me you declined to bring Thor back – she said. Loki's brow furrowed.
- And what did you say?
- I tried to sway every him with every reasonable argument I had and asked him to stay put.
- Sensible – it was all that Loki said, and his smile faded. Sigyn started to doubt it was sensible to tell him. But the damage was done, and she could only try to smooth things out.
- What I really came for was to ask why didn't you agree to bring him back. I mean… Really.
- Why do you think there would be another reason than respecting my father's will? – again, it would be so much simpler if she saw less. But before he could answer her, they saw the Bifrost activated. A cold feeling crawled down Sigyn's guts. She should have knocked the Fandral, the moron, unconscious! But it was too late. Loki clenched his teeth and started to walk towards the exit, but Sigyn held his hand.
- Don't go - she asked, a chilly feeling freezing her heart with fear. Loki freed his hand from her grip though.
- You are my wife. You used to trust me – he said.
- Yes – it may seemed a bit naive to trust Loki, the god of mischief, but she always had faith in him.
- Then trust me now – he asked, turning his back on her and walking out towards the armoury. Sigyn stayed on the terrace for a minute, but she soon decided to try once more and talk to him. He always listened to reason, why wouldn't he now?
Sigyn ran after Loki to the armoury, hoping to catch him just before he does anything he just might regret afterwards. Sig and the warriors three were always closer to Thor, but they fought together more times than she could remember. Her steps were light and quick, they almost didn't echo in the empty corridors of the vault. She rehearsed every argument she will state. And when she stood in the vault's open door, before she had a chance to utter one word she heard Loki's voice.
- Ensure my brother does not return! – she clearly heard him and she saw his silhouette standing out in relief of light shed by the niche where the destroyer stood guard. It was now out and receiving the order from its king. For a second Sigyn hope she was wrong, that it could not be Loki – how can he send out the destroyer against his own brother? And then he turned, and now there was no doubt it was Loki. She saw the light of the Casket reflected in Loki's green eyes, giving them an eerie and cold glow .. Loki left the destroyer to do his work, and approached Sigyn. She didn't make a move, staring at him in horror. She feelt a lump in her throat that made it impossible to speak, she just stood on the stairs.
- You'll see it in another light soon, my dear – he said soothingly, and left to oversee his minion's work. Sigyn stayed behind, feeling her knees trembling, so she just sat on the stairs and his her face on palms. She didn't cry.
Just a couple of chapters till "The Avengers" part of the story! :)
Also a song I found perfect for Loki & Sigyn: "Acoustic song" by Bruce Dickinson