Heeeeey, my little pretty ones! I missed you guys!

*hides under the table to dodge all the rocks thrown by angry readers*

I'm sorry it took me so long to post, but my life was crazy. I graduated from college, quit my job, got another one… And on top of that, inspiration left me without a goodbye kiss.

And by the Asgardian Gods, this chapter was hard to come out! Most of you said I wasn't actually going too fast, but I did slow things down a little, just in case. It's been hard to write since last chapter, because ever since I started the story, I knew how it would end, now I'm having trouble getting there and going through all the needed stages for it to work like I imagined. I thought it would come easy, since I had a blast of creativity on the first three chapters. Boy, I'm doomed! lol

Hope you like it!

Kisses!

Chapter Five

Sif stirred in her sleep as the sun shined through the curtains on her eyes. She stretched, smiling a little as a good feeling overwhelmed her body, yet she didn't know what it was.

"Good morning."

The masculine voice startled her and she sat up, wide awake now, to find Loki sitting on the armchair by the side of the bed. Instinctively, she pulled the cover from her waist to her neck swiftly and stared at him suspiciously.

"How do you feel?"

She narrowed her eyes at him, flashes from last night hitting her. She touched her temple when an annoying pang poked, and she didn't know if it was a headache from the wine or the realization that what she thought was a dream were actually memories from the past night.

When she didn't reply, he reached for the night table, taking a steaming mug and offering it to her.

"Here." She kept staring at him. Loki rolled his eyes. "Just take it. I'm not trying to poison you or anything."

Carefully not to drop her precious covers, she took the mug from his hand and sipped it slowly.

"Come on, spill it." Sif demanded after a good content of the mug was gone.

He looked confused. "Pardon me?"

"Cut the act. You're not here because you're concerned about me. You're here because you wouldn't miss the chance to point out last night."

His green eyes sustained her stare as he frowned.

"What do you think last night was, Sif?"

"Alcohol-induced, obviously. We weren't on our right minds."

A slow smile spread on his face and he nodded.

"Right, right. 'Cause you'd be damned if you slept with me at your own will, and even enjoy it. The horror, the shame."

"Why you have to be so low as to use sex as your greatest triumph against me?"

"Why you have to be so stubborn as to ignore I'm not doing that and, more important, I'm not talking about the sex?" He replied calmly.

Sif looked confused. "What are you trying to prove?"

"I'm not trying to prove anything." He sighed. "Sif, there's a war coming. The Jotun won't waste the chance to attack the realm while Allfather sleeps. It would be nice to count on your help regarding the realm's affairs."

"Really?" She raised an eyebrow. "You want my help?"

"What, do you want to be one of those queens who just sit pretty on the throne? That's not like you at all." He suppressed a smile at her grimace. "You're a warrior. Intelligent, strong. I could use your help."

"You wish to turn this marriage into an alliance, then."

"That's all it ever was, wasn't it?" His smile was humorless. "At least, it would be, if we were together for a purpose anyway. We could have a truce until Allfather awakes."

He didn't look like he was joking, but you could never be sure with Loki.

Sif shook her head. "I can't. I can't back you up on this. Not when I don't share your beliefs. If you could only bring Thor back…"

Loki inhaled sharply, as if "Thor" was an insult, not his brother's name.

"I see. You think Thor would deal with this more wisely. Like he did last time, when he caused his own banishment."

"I didn't say that. But… he's the one who should be here, ruling while your father sleeps. It's the right thing to do."

Sif was startled when he laughed.

"You see, I just can't understand this logic. Maybe it's because I'm not from here, who knows? Thor is arrogant, aggressive, stubborn and impetuous… but he should be here anyway because he's the rightful king and all. It's the 'right thing' to do. Even if he dooms us all because he's not suited for this task! Even if he causes the realm's destruction; the destruction of everything Odin fought to keep! The 'right thing' to do is not always the wise thing to do, Lady Sif. But what do I know about this, right? I'm not an Asgardian, I'm a fuckin' frost giant!" He got up and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

Sif was having breakfast alone when a young servant entered the dining room quietly.

"Your Majesty, I'm sorry to interrupt, but you have visitors."

"Visitors?" She frowned, puzzled.

The girl couldn't reply as the door was pushed open abruptly and three known figures entered the dining room.

"Is the royalty too busy to see us? What kind of nonsense is this?" Fandral pretended to be furious.

She couldn't believe her eyes.

"You're back!" She jumped off her chair and hurried towards them, but they started to kneel with their fists pressed to their chest. Sif rolled her eyes, annoyed. "Jerks! Get your asses up right now."

"We're just being respectful to our Queen." Fandral stood up, pulling her into a tight embrace.

"I'm not the real queen, because Loki is not the real king, so shut up." She tightened her arms even more around him, trying to make sure he wasn't one of the trickster's illusions.

"You look great for a fake queen, by the way."

"Yes, it does have its perks." She hugged Hogun, despite his resistance to make the hug longer than it should be in his opinion.

The air was knocked out of her when Volstagg squished her with his big arms. "Hey, big, guy… I missed you too… but what I miss now… is air."

They laughed and she looked at each one of them.

"I can't believe it. Sit, sit." She motioned to the table. "How come you're back? What happened?"

Fandral shrugged.

"Don't know. This morning, we were dragged back here; full-pardoned, we were told."

"That's it? No explanations whatsoever?"

Volstagg stuffed his mouth with an impressively large bread. "Nope. Only threats and oaths about our new King."

Would she ever understand the Silver Tongue?

"An act of kindness from Loki." Hogun commented. "Who could have guessed it?"

"I don't know, Hogun. It can still be a trick of some kind."

"At least, we're home." Fandral pointed out as he filled both their cups with milk. "How is the… 'marriage' going?"

She took a sip from her cup, thinking about what to say to them. Her 'relationship' – if she could call it that - with Loki wasn't at all like it was when they left, but she had yet to understand what was happening between them.

"Not as bad as I thought, I should say."

Fandral and Hogun exchanged a look.

"I'm sorry, what?" The blonde warrior's brows were furrowed.

"He is… not half as bad as I thought."

"How come you say that? Did he torture you?" Hogun asked.

"No!"

Fandral was skeptical. "Did he use magic on you?"

"Guys… No. He didn't do anything to me."

Fandral scoffed. "All right, so enlighten us how come you changed your mind about him so fast, please. We'd love to know."

"I didn't change my opinion. I just…" She sighed, running her fingers through her hair, trying to collect her thoughts. She couldn't hope they would understand when even she couldn't. "There are… things you don't know about him."

"Hm… Things. Right. Are you defending him now, Sif?" Fandral was scandalized.

"I didn't say that and stop yelling. I'm not defending him, Fandral. I still think he shouldn't be on that throne, and he should pay for his transgressions and I want Thor back here as soon as possible. I'm not justifying his actions; I'm just saying they're understandable, from a really distorted point of view."

"What could you possibly know that would make all of this understandable?" Hogun intervened.

She pursed her lips. "I… It's private. It regards the family and it's not my place to tell."

"He is your family, now?" She thought Fandral could explode any moment. "Sif, are you in love with him?"

"What?! Fandral, now you're just being ridiculous."

"Am I? Before we left, you were on the verge of crying for having to marry him and now… it's all understandable?"

"Stop. Fucking. Yelling." She ordered through gritted teeth. "And stop distorting my words! I can expect you to understand since you don't know the whole story, but just trust me on this, ok? He brought you back after I insisted. Maybe I can convince him to get Thor."

"Now you have influence over him?" He threw his arms in the air exasperatedly. "What the fuck happened while we were out?"

"What is wrong with you?!" She knew Fandral was only concern about her, but the way he was acting was inexcusable.

"Nothing." He got up and bowed his head. "Permission to leave, my Queen?" He asked, sarcastically.

"Permission to go fuck yourself granted!"

He stormed out and she turned to Hogun.

"What in hell has gotten into him?"

"You gotta admit it's a little weird hear you talking good things about Loki."

"I know… but trust me on this. I know what I'm doing. I have to try. Maybe we can do this easier, without any unnecessary fighting or drama.

"Are you sure ou want to do this?"

"I am. Please… just… Trust me on this one, will you? I think…" She ran her fingers through her hair trying to collect her thoughts. "I think maybe I can get to him. Maybe we can do this the easy way."

"I don't know. I mean, it's Loki."

"I know, but just do me this one favor. If you truly cherished our friendship, trust me on this one. After all we went through together, you owe me this much. I'm not asking you to do nothing. I'm just asking to wait a while. If my way doesn't work, I promise you, I'll march to get Thor myself, no matter what. Just go with this. Please."

Hogun sighed. "I really hope you know what you're doing. We'll talk Fandral through it." He looked at Volstagg, who was busy eating a piece of ham, and the robust warrior nodded his agreement effusively.

She smiled. "Thank you."

"Now, enough about this. What about our daily sword practice? Don't think for a second being a queen will spare you from an ass-kicking."

"Are you going to eat that?" Volstagg pointed at a plate with bread and fruits in front of her.

She smirked. She missed those assholes.

"No, Volstagg; help yourself, my friend." She patted him on the back. "And... Hogun? Being back from banishment isn't gonna spare you from an ass-kicking."

Again, hoping I'm not going too fast.

I'm almost done, maybe two chapters left. Don't wanna overextend the fic so it won't get boring :D

Thank you for reviewing and for the critics :D

Keep reviewing and telling me what you think. I like to know your guys opinion. It's inspiring to the story, even.