It wasn't long before Loki returned. And Sigyn was still waiting for him, slowly pacing the room. He expected it; well, the waiting part, at least. It had become almost a routine to find her waiting for him since Thor's coronation had been interrupted by his surprise guests. She stopped pacing and looked up at him cautiously. Sigyn seemed to be so concerned about him; so concerned that it didn't surprise him to see her looking vaguely anxious either.

Loki took his helmet off and placed it on the table as she stepped closer to him. Sigyn frowned to herself. He was wearing that helmet too much recently. She preferred him without it; he was more of the God she knew without it. She missed the man he was when he was with her, without that helmet; when he was relaxed. She missed the Loki that wasn't so troubled. He simply sighed at her expression.

"Hello, love," was all that he said as she absentmindedly touched one of the horns on his helmet, idly fingering it.

"Did you see the Allfather today?" she asked.

He couldn't help but notice that she hadn't said 'your father'; but he said nothing about it. She was probably just trying to be careful with what she said. As distracted as he was, he hadn't failed to notice that she had been tiptoeing around him as well as she could.

"Only for a moment," Loki replied. "Mother says that he remains the same, so I spent the day focussing on my new role since I cannot change anything with him."

Sigyn chewed on her bottom lip. Here goes nothing, she thought. Or everything...

"About that; Sif said that she and the Warriors Three spoke to you today-"

Loki scowled. He had thought that Sif might say something to his wife. He knew that she had been angry at finding him as acting king, but it was his duty and he commanded respect. He had just wondered if she would dare to speak to Sigyn about their meeting earlier. Apparently, she had dared.

"Did she now?" Loki replied slowly.

Sigyn knew that she was on dangerous ground in what she was about to ask, but she'd thought about it, and this was the only way she could go about speaking to Loki. Even if it made him angry.

"Why wouldn't you bring Thor back?"

That set him off, just like she knew that it would. His eyes flashed at her, anger and pain brimming through them. He despised when his wife asked about Thor. She was supposed to be on his side. Hadn't he told her not to speak of him in his presence? Hadn't he told her that just he couldn't have it? Not her.

"Why do you think I didn't bring him back?" he snapped. "If I allowed Thor to return then father's punishment would have been for nothing. If I simply allowed him back he will learn nothing, and I will have to play second best to the golden God of Thunder once more."

Sigyn didn't falter, even at his outburst. She was getting used to those at the moment; and she had been preparing herself for it as soon as she had decided to bring up Thor.

"I only meant because the Allfather is in the Odinsleep, it might have been prudent to-"

"Sigyn, enough. I've told you before what I think of you discussing Thor. As to this silly request; I will not do it," he shouted finally.

She took a deep breath and nodded. And then she watched his anger crumble away, and he became her Loki again. And she could see the pain become predominant in his features. She approached him again and put her hand on his face.

"I understand."

He met her eyes again, and she saw his anguish.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

She tried for a smile.

"It's alright."

"Is it?" he whispered questioningly.

"I should not have raised my voice to you, Sigyn. Not you," he frowned. "Never you."

"It will be fine," she replied, trying to reassure him.

But Loki said nothing to that.

"I'm sorry that I brought it up. I only wanted to make things easier for you, but I see now that that is not the way."

She took his hand and tried leading him outside. But he wouldn't go. He wouldn't move at all.

"Loki, please come with me."

"Where?" was all that he asked.

"You need a break from everything," she answered. "Let's go to our meadow. You need time to relax."

His eyes closed, a frown still pinching his brows together. She was right; but he knew that he couldn't go with her- not even for her.

"I cannot."

Sigyn looked back at him. She knew that he needed this. Being here was driving him to act so differently right now. He need to get away from the people, the place that was driving out of his own mind and to a place that she didn't understand. She needed to bring him back to her.

"Why not?"

"I have matters to take care of."

He opened his eyes and looked over his wife. The disappointment and worry in her expression was obvious; she wasn't even trying to hide it from him. Not even a little bit. And he couldn't even bare to explain his plan to her; she would never understand.

"Stay here, Sigyn. That's an order."

She frowned.

"What do you mean, 'that's an order'?"

Loki paused. He couldn't reveal to her that he was about to let Laufey and a number of Frost Giants into Asgard, but he knew that she wouldn't be satisfied until he gave her something.

"These particular matters may be dangerous; and I need to know that you are safe while I take care of them."

That was the truth; he needed to ensure his wife's safety at all times. If that meant commanding her to stay in their rooms, then that is what he would do. But, for her part, Sigyn was only confused.

"What are you talking about?"

He looked her straight in the eyes and said, "Just trust me."

Sigyn sighed. She hated when he said that. She always felt like it blocked her from questioning him further by calling into question the trust that she had for him.

"Loki-"

But there was something in his eyes that was pleading with her to listen to him. So she sighed and gave in.

"Come back to me soon," she said. "You know I'm not good at being patient."

He gave her a half smirk.

"I know, little Sigyn, I know."

He took her hand and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles, before donning his helmet once again and swiftly leaving, green cloak billowing after him. Sigyn watched him go and had no idea that that sentiment would be the only one of goodbye that he would leave her with.

Author's Note: Sorry about this chapter being a little late, I was kind of loath to post it because it makes me feel sad... I also just bought a Bamboo Create and have been trying to figure out how to use it. Not going so well so far...

Also, you guys should listen to Peter Gabriel's version of the song 'My Body is a Cage'; for some reason it always reminds me of Loki.

Anyway, I hope you'll let me know what you thought! :)

Kit xx