After what had happened in the forest, Sigyn knew that she wasn't going to get her book back anytime soon. And she refused to give Loki the satisfaction of having her go to him, begging for its return. No, she would rather try any other option than that. The problem was that her only other option was to go to the Archive Keeper and hope that he'd understand her dilemma. And he just wasn't a very understanding person.

Sigyn went there knowing that the Archive Keeper was notorious for venting anger at anyone who mistreated, lost or returned books later than the allotted time he'd given them. But she also knew that she really didn't have a choice. She would not go to Loki and ask for it back. This was a matter of pride now. He could try to have all the fun he liked, but if she could stop him, then she was determined to. She wouldn't play his games unless she absolutely had to.

She walked back to the library with a frown still on her face and annoyance still colouring her cheeks. Loki certainly seemed to know how to push her buttons even after only meeting her twice- and he seemed to be enjoying doing it too. Sigyn couldn't help but feel glad that they had only had the pleasure of meeting twice- any more than that and she might have been in danger of strangling the man, prince or no prince.

Sigyn didn't understand why he had chosen to play his tricks on her, but she did understand what she'd heard others say about him now. The Trickster God. He shouldn't be trusted. Anyone near him is in danger of his games. Sigyn had encountered all three of those things in one day- she couldn't imagine what a lifetime with him would be like. His poor family, she thought, pushing open the grand doors to the library she was so familiar with.

She stepped into the library and quickly located the Archive Keeper. She frowned. She had to brace herself to even attempt to talk to the man normally, and this was not a normal circumstance. She'd thought she found better company in books than in people, but the Archive Keeper took affection for the written word to a whole new level. He certainly was not a people person.

And now, Sigyn was biting her bottom lip just at the prospect of revealing what had happened with Loki. She was already guessing at how unsympathetic the Archive Keeper was going to be to her plight. She could predict that this was not going to be a conversation she enjoyed, and that there was most likely going to be yelling involved. On second thought, she knew there was going to be yelling involved.

The Archive Keeper looked up from his work as she approached. There was no smile on his face- Sigyn was pretty sure that the man had never in his life directed a smile towards another Asgardian- but there was no animosity there either. Yet, she thought.

"Enjoying the book?" he asked.

She gulped down the lump sticking in her throat and answered, "About that... I was enjoying it..."

"Why do I get the feeling that 'I was' means something bad..." the Archive Keeper started, a frown already creasing his wrinkled forehead.

"Just hear me out before you say anything-"

"Knew it! How did I know this was going to end badly?"

"Well that's not really hearing me out-" Sigyn tried to reason.

"Did you damage the book?"

"No, I-"

"Did you lose it?"

"No- no, I didn't lose it... It- it kind of... got stolen..."

The Archive Keeper blinked, pausing in his building rage for a moment.

"Stolen?

She nodded quickly, seeing the slight lapse in the anger filling his expression.

"By who?"

"Loki," she replied, hoping that he believed her.

The man raised his too-thick and greying eyebrows at her, in almost disbelief. Great, Sigyn thought. I had a feeling he wouldn't believe me. She just stared at him seriously while he mulled her explanation over.

"Prince Loki?" he said doubtfully, the disbelief evident in his squinting eyes.

"Yes. Really, he did."

"Well, why didn't you try to stop him then?"

"I did try-"

"Didn't do a very good job."

"There's not really that much I could have done; he literally picked it up and vanished," Sigyn tried to defend herself.

"A likely story," the Archive Keeper said, rolling his eyes at her.

"It's the truth!"

"Well then you'll have absolutely no problems going to the prince and getting it back now, will you?"

"But, I-" Sigyn tried to object.

"No buts, you either bring back the book- and soon- or you don't come back into my library. And I mean that!"

"How am I supposed to do that- he's the prince!" she protested.

"You'll figure something out if you ever want to take one step in my library again."

Sigyn was scowling now. She didn't even have time to voice another objection before the Archive Keeper had shooed her out of the library. Absolutely typical, she thought, watching as he disappeared, slamming the door behind him just to make a point. Great; if I ever want to go back in there then I have to get that book back. Stupid Loki, she thought, grimacing.

But, with a sigh, Sigyn hung her head. She knew exactly where she had to go next, and to force herself to go there, she would have to bid goodbye to the pride she had been so determined to hold onto. This is probably what he wanted all along, she realised as she walked towards the palace, sulking. Well played, Loki. Well played.