Days earlier.
The great hall was filled end to end with people and pageantry. It was to be Thor's coronation day, and no expense had be spared to lavish the momentous event. The onlookers and guardsmen were beginning to take their places as the couple stole a few moments away from the crowds, hidden away in a corridor behind the King's throne.
"You seem... pleased with yourself, love," she smiled, looking up at Loki, dressed in his finest for the occasion. Reaching up to brush a stray hair back into place, she trailed her fingertips down his face to the edge of the thick fabric of his green cloak.
"Don't be silly. I am merely proud of my older brother, as we all are," with a wink, he looked into Sigyn's dark eyes, took her face in his hands and kissed her forehead. "This is Thor's big day. I am only here to celebrate."
The fact that she knew he was lying to her did not help in knowing what exactly it was about. It usually wasn't anything to be concerned about, so she tried not to think much of it. Sigyn knew the bond of her empathic abilities was an unfair advantage in any relationship, and even more so with Loki.
"Well, I'll be looking forward to celebrations then," she quipped with a grin before sneaking a kiss onto his thin lips. "Find me after."
"Of course, my lady," he replied with an exaggerated bow and mischievous grin, before turning to walk away.
She watched him glide down the hall, cloak trailing behind before looking back to her direction. "You look beautiful today!" he called, not stopping to break his stride.
Smiling to herself, she looked down and brushed her hands across the long green gown she was wearing and pushed a long dark curl back over her shoulder. He never lacked in charm, this was for certain. It was his strength and her weakness for him.
A guard came toward her in the hallway as she began to rush out into the great hall to find her place.
"Lady Sigyn?" the guard looked back to her and asked.
"Yes?"
"Come with me, my lady. Queen Frigga has asked that I escort you to your seat."
"Oh yes, of course. Thank you," she replied nervously as she followed the guard.
Odin and Frigga had always been good to Sigyn, as they knew of her great love for their son. But she was intimidated by their stature among the Asgardians. Royalty was not something Sigyn desired or thought herself well suited to accompany. Loki had kept his status a secret from her when they'd first met many years ago. Being the king's less favored son was a burden that he'd many times told her that he would rather forget.
Cheers filled the hall as Thor triumphantly walked toward the Allfather to accept his crown. Sigyn stood near the front of the crowd, less than impressed with his over the top display. As he knelt to take his vows to the realm, she turned her eyes toward Loki, standing to the side of the stage. He had a stern look about him as he hardly cracked a smile. He too, seemed less than impressed with Thor. She knew that he loved his brother, but the two were very different men. She closed her eyes and quietly wished to rush the stage, grab Loki and run away right in the middle of the ceremony. Quite a sight that would be, she thought to herself, smiling, the sound in the background muddling together.
Until... "Frost Giants," Odin said abruptly, breaking his train of speech. A look of cold seriousness crossed his face, stirring the crowd.
Confused, Sigyn looked around the room as the onlookers began to softly panic. Odin and Thor rushed out of the great hall with a handful of guards and Loki trailing behind. She tried to push her way through the crowd as it began to disperse, but could not catch up to him in time. The fear and panic of the all of the people in the room was starting to overwhelm her, crushing in on her chest. Desperate to get away, she fled to the feasting hall, alone. The silence was welcome, but the worry was not.
A while later Loki had returned and found her, explaining that but a few frost giants had made their way into Asgard in an attempt to regain the Casket of Ancient Winters, an ancient relic of their kind. They sat quietly on the steps as he attempted to comfort her from the stress of taking on the empathic thoughts of so many people at once. She felt muddied inside and tired from the strain. Their quiet moment, however, was interrupted as Thor came crashing into the room, overturning the table in frustration. Sigyn glared at him, thinking that he was acting like an overgrown child.
"I'll take my leave now, love," she whispered to Loki, before kissing his cheek and turning to leave. She thought it better that he attempt to calm his brother without her interference. He was itching for war, she could feel it. "Don't let him do anything rash."