Their courting continued for another few weeks, and each time they met, their relationship solidified. Doubts once had were lessened over time, and Sigyn started to understand her suitor as she had requested- well, perhaps not understand; but she had gotten to know him far better.

When the days were wet or rainy, they spent their time in the library, reading in that quiet corner of Loki's. And when it was sunny, they would walk or sit in the palace gardens. On one of those such sunny days, Loki took Sigyn out walking in the forest that she was familiar with. The forest where her secret reading place was. But that wasn't where Loki led her.

Instead, he took her further into the forest, further in than she would have gone alone for fear of getting lost. Of course, that fear of getting lost when alone came slightly into play when Loki thought it would amusing to disappear. Sigyn blinked. He had just been beside her, and then he was gone. However long she'd been around Loki, she wasn't sure that she'd ever get used to that.

"This isn't funny, Loki," she said, looking around and trying to find him.

She'd learnt that he'd be impossible to find now though. She never had been able to see him when he didn't want to be seen. That didn't stop her trying though. Her eyes searched the trees around her as she continued to walk.

Sigyn was well aware that he was going to jump out at her, or surprise her in some way, but in times like these, she knew it would be better for her if she just got on with it and played along.

But even when she knew that it was coming, she couldn't stop herself from jumping as Loki appeared from behind a tree and grabbed her waist from behind. She was even more surprised when she felt him lifting her up to swing her around in a circle. She grinned without even realising it until after her feet touched the ground again.

"Yes, it is. Admit it, you secretly enjoy this," he whispered in her ear.

The mock shocked expression that Sigyn put on only made him smile. She twisted in his arms- arms that remained resting around her waist.

When she was looking at him, she asked, "How is it that you still manage to make me jump when I know that you're going to do it?"

"Practice..." he smirked. "Although you could just say that I'm naturally gifted at such things."

She rolled her eyes.

"Well aren't we the modest one?" she replied dryly.

Loki grinned, letting one arm slip from her waist while the other stayed in place. And he used that leverage to pull her around and lead her in a specific direction.

"Are you going to tell me where we're going?"

"No."

"Thought not."

Sigyn soon found out though, as the two of them ended up in the meadow he'd magicked them into weeks ago. It was as beautiful as it was before and only slightly changed in their absence. The golden colouring of the flowers had turned to a shimmering bronze in the light, but that was the only difference that Sigyn could spot.

She sighed, "This place is so beautiful."

"And now you know how to get here."

"But surely other people can find it too, then?"

Loki shook his head at that and replied, "Only you and I have ever set foot here. And I've made sure that it will remain as such."

Sigyn tilted her head to the side as she looked at him. I can't really fault him for that, she thought. He'd given them a special place; a place that only they knew about. And she couldn't help but smile at his actions. It's really quite sweet... she thought.

But before he could see it coming, Sigyn pulled Loki to the ground, where she quickly sat with crossed legs. She grinned at him, the expression on his face revealing that, for once, she had taken him off guard and caught him by surprise. Sigyn thought that it was a nice feeling. I can see why he does it so often.

"I guess we're sitting, then," Loki said dryly.

"Yes; we are," she smiled.

They said nothing for a long while, and just sat together enjoying the sunlight and silence. Sigyn didn't realise that Loki was watching her whilst they sat there. She hadn't kept her expressions as closely monitored as she would have done otherwise whilst thinking.

"There's something troubling you," he said.

It was more of a statement than a question.

"Maybe," she replied.

"So that's a yes."

She shrugged, trying to brush off his concerned curiosity.

"Well?"

Sigyn sighed. She was going to have to tell him at some point. Since he'd noticed that something was wrong, she was relatively certain that he'd get the information out of her anyway. Better sooner than later, I guess, she thought.

"You know... I... No, I can't," she started, but quickly, nervously, cut herself off.

"Sigyn," Loki said seriously.

She sighed again before answering, "Alright, alright... I've just been thinking about things."

"What things?"

"You, this, us..." she shrugged, carefully slipping her hand into his.

"You know, I doubted your affection for quite some time... Then I spoke to your mother, and... she made me understand why I've been doubting you without even realising that I'm doing it."

"And why is that?" he asked, keeping his voice a level mask.

"It's because... because I actually like you, and I enjoy spending time with you- even when you're playing tricks on me... And I..."

She took a breath before finishing.

"I don't want any of this to be a lie."

Loki tilted his head to the side, levelling her with an odd glance. That was what had been troubling her so much? That was what was making her frown so much? She thought he was lying about all this?

"Say something," she said, her voice quiet.

"Marry me."

She blinked, staring at him. Did he just...? Technically, he did. He just asked me to marry him. Marry him... Marry Loki. To do so would mean a lifetime of tricks; and a lifetime of jumping. Undoubtedly, a lifetime of frustration too. But for some reason that only excited her- because saying yes, also meant a lifetime of him. That smirk. The way that she felt comfortable just being with him and saying nothing- something she felt with no other. The way that he managed to make her feel things that no other could bring out in her.

Smiling slightly and biting her lip, Sigyn nodded. A grin took hold of his expression at her silent reply and only grew when her silence became an unexpected giggle that she could not stop. The fact that she'd agreed to marry Loki, actually agreed, made her happy. Oddly happy. And that was far more than she had ever expected when the God of Mischief had first introduced himself by making her jump in the library all that time ago.

"I think a kiss might be in order right about now," Loki said, a glint of happiness easing into his tone.

Sigyn needed no encouragement. Straight away, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. This time she was a lot more forward than she had been before. He suspected that it was because she felt free to do so now that they were officially to be married.

He had no idea that it was because she really did want to kiss him; and her sudden, if a little unforeseen, happiness was only making her want to all the more. Eventually, Sigyn ended the kiss, surprised that, for once, it was her that finished it.

"That's four," she whispered. "You only have one left and the terms of our bargain will be complete."

"Then I'd better save it for a special occasion," he grinned.

Author's Note: Hi guys, hope you're enjoying the fic! Only one chapter left now. :)

Kit xx