Chapter 2

It was the morning before Loki fell from the Bifrost. I woke at the same time as usual: later than I should. Today was the day that I would go see him. He was certain that he was the new King, because Odin King was not well and Thor was still on Midgard. I was going to try to convince him that he wasn't right for this. Loki was not meant to rule, he should leave that to Thor and be the advisor. The Lady Sif had also mentioned that Loki had kept Thor from coming back. I couldn't accept that. Loki may have cowed her and the Warriors Three, but I wasn't afraid of him. He had power now, yes, but he wouldn't hurt me. We had been dear friends since childhood, if there was anyone left on Asgard whom he'd listen to, it would be me. He thought he was doing the right thing, he thought that this was necessary. He thought that his parents would be proud.

I went through my usual morning routine, wash my face and hair, put on a gold satin gown, and called a servant in to arrange my hair and bring my breakfast. I put an ornate comb that Loki had given me for my birthday in my hair and went on my way. I walked into our Morning room to greet my mother, Freya, and kiss her on the cheek. I told her I was going to visit Loki and she gave me leave with her blessing. I smiled and left to find the groom and have him put tack on Firefoot.

My ride to the castle was uneventful and slow, even as I urged Firefoot to a gallop, I didn't care if it mussed my hair. As I rode through the market I ignored the awkward looks and glances from my fellow Aesir. I was always treated differently, Loki and I were the strange ones. They treated him worse, though. At least they tried to make pleasant conversation with me. I even had friends; he just had me and Thor. I arrived and handed Firefoot off to a groom, making sure he was treated well. The Palace was nearly empty, Loki's presence must have driven normal beings out. The rustling of my gold gown and click of my riding boots were the only sounds in the Hall as I walked to the Throne Room. The nervous tension welled in my stomach as I drew nearer and nearer. I hoped this wouldn't change things for us, it was no reflection on my feelings for him. I entered the magnificent, ostentatious room as quietly as I could and turned to face the personation of my thoughts.

"I did not expect you here" His voice resonated from the large gold throne meant for Odin.

"I could not stay away, My Prince." I smiled and curtsied at the door.

"Is something the matter, Sigyn?" He stood and came forward, to the edge of the steps. I walked until I was at the base of the small stairwell.

"There is, My Prince. I have heard vicious rumours about your dealings with Thor. Are they to be believed?" I gave him a chance, a possibility to do the right thing and repent.

"It depends on what the rumours have said." He smiled down at me, "And I am your King now, Sigyn, not your Prince." He said it gently, but the haughty tone was still there, an undercurrent to it all.

"Loki, this isn't right. You were not chosen to be King. Thor was, so let him come back. Let him rule as he's been trained to do and leave this be! This is not your place." I tried to reason with him.

"This is not my place? Sigyn, if I don't rule here in the All-Fathers place, who will? I cannot bring Thor back, it would be spitting on the decrees of my Father. You needn't worry for me. I will rule justly." He seemed sincere.

"Thor is who should legally be here, Loki. Your Father would want him here in his stead."

"Why not me?" He cried, "Why is it to always be Thor? Can I not do as well as him, even to you? You, who always seemed to be on my side! I have no one, Sigyn. Not even you."

"Loki, that's not fair. I believe you'd make a good King, but Thor was chosen. You must respect that. I think Thor would be a better King." I hadn't raised my voice once, I knew that my lack of feeling would help Loki. He would realize that these dramatics weren't necessary.

"I wanted you to be my Queen." He said softly and descended the stairs slowly. My heart leaped, my head ached, and tears sprang to my eyes, all in less than a minute.

"Don't say that." Was all I could whisper as he came ever closer.

"Why shouldn't I? Sigyn, don't listen to all of them. Lady Sif doesn't know or understand anything that's happened between my brother and I. I thought you understood." His voice was so easy to listen to and believe. But I couldn't do that. I couldn't fall under this spell he was weaving. He took my hand gently and kissed it.

"This isn't right. You can't do this to Thor or Asgard. Loki, please just stop this!" I was pleading now, practically begging him to give this all up and return to normalcy. He straightened and looked at me squarely.

"I can't stop it now." Was all he told me. I nodded in finality and wrenched my hand from his.

"You ignorant, pompous, arrogant, cold, louse! How can you be so cruel! You have hurt not only the nine realms, but your very friends and brother. This will not be forgotten, Loki. This isn't a game! How could you?" I cried and stepped away from him. He gazed at me with that pitiful look that I could never ignore. But I had to.

"Sigyn - " He began.

"No, stop! I will not be your queen, Loki. Not like this." I was shaking from it all now. I raised my chin and swept out of the Throne Room in the most dignified manner I could.

That was the last time I saw him. I felt so empty when I heard that he was gone. I didn't realize until much later, as I was mulling over our last conversation for the seventy-second time, that when Loki said he couldn't stop this, he meant it. He always meant exactly what he said, and this time was no different. He didn't tell me he wouldn't stop, he told me he couldn't. I hoped that he didn't mean that there was a puppet master somewhere pulling his strings. I never imagined him to be a puppet, but perhaps he was forced. This year has given me much to think about and conspire over. There is something worse than death, dear reader, and that is the absence of it. When you don't know whether someone is truly gone from you forever, or whether there is a chance - however slight - that you will see them again. They may be living their days out somewhere in happiness while you stay behind and mourn. Believe me when I say I mourned, my love had gone away from me. I never knew whether he loved me back, maybe he just was in need of a Queen and I was convenient. That was uncharitable, I know, but I couldn't help but wonder. I only knew one thing for those long years we were apart; wherever Loki was, alive or dead, my heart had gone with him.

A/N: So there's the second chapter! I'm doing my best to set it up so far and explain a bit of their history. :) Please follow and review!