Today you get a two-fer!
"Do you really think he'll like him?" Loki asked nervously.
"Of course! He's gorgeous!" Sigyn replied.
Odin Allfather's third millennial was in only a few days time, and Loki was trying to determine if his gift would be good enough. Sigyn circled the steed several times.
"Yes, this is a fine horse. He appears to be of good stock. He has excellent conformation. If none that pleases Allfather, then he'll certainly appreciate those legs!"
Sigyn gestured down the horse's eight legs, all of which pawed at the ground.
"You think him a good gift for my father though?"
"Oh, definitely. Allfather's horse is getting old and gray around the muzzle. He needs a new horse, and I think this little stallion will be more than fine. Does he have a name?"
"Sleipnir."
She rested her hand on the muscled, grey neck, murmuring, "Sleipnir… yes, you're a handsome boy, aren't you?" followed by the question, "Wherever did you find such a magnificent creature, Loki?"
"Well, I sort of… put him together," he replied, "Magic is a very useful skill."
"Really? You made him? Oh, that's incredible!"
"You think so?"
"Your father will absolutely love him. I'm sure of it," Sigyn stated happily.
Together, they led him to a sequestered stall in Sigyn's family stables until the celebration, when Loki would present Odin's gift. He briefly wondered what Thor was giving him.
The celebration was simply magnificent. The palace's Great Hall was completely draped with purple banners and gilded decorations. Every member of the court was present, all dressed in their most expensive finery, to celebrate Odin Allfather's third millennial and especially to see the gifts of his two sons.
Thor presented their father with a treasure from another realm, a dagger commissioned from the dwarves, covered in gold and glittering jewels. It was rare, expensive, and very nice. Loki swallowed nervously, praying Sigyn was in place behind the huge oaken doors.
"Father, I hope my gift to you will be of much use in your long years to come," he stated loudly, "I admit that I have crafted it from my own two hands with a bit of magic, but I hope you find it satisfactory, nonetheless. Please, open the main doors!"
Everyone gasped as Sigyn entered the hall, dressed in a pure white gown with a vest of gleaming mail, holding the reins of Sleipnir. The guests all murmured as the elegant, dapple-gray stallion walked in calmly, dark tail swishing lazily. His eight hooves beat out a strange cadence on the marble floor. Sigyn paraded Sleipnir once around the Great Hall and then walked him up to Odin. She even got the horse to kneel with her.
"Hmmm, eight legs? Does it make him any faster?" Allfather asked.
"Oh, yes, Father. I guarantee he can outpace any horse in the Nine Realms."
"Why a new horse, Loki?"
"It's something you need. Yours is getting too old."
Odin rose and circled the stallion, carefully eyeing him up, then looked to Sigyn.
"Lady Sigyn, you are a horsewoman. What is your opinion?"
"Sleipnir is the finest horse I have ever laid eyes on and the fastest. I have tested him myself. He is a very suitable mount, especially for a great king such as you, your Majesty."
"Sleipnir?"
"Yes, Father," Loki answered, "For his swiftness."
The Allfather stepped up to Loki. Then, he reached out and embraced him before announcing, "He is one of the finest gifts I have ever received! I shall care for Sleipnir well, and I shall proudly take him into battle. With even more pride, I shall say he came from my son's own hand."
Loki beamed up at his father, and he could see Sigyn grinning too, still holding Sleipnir's reins.
"Lady Sigyn," Odin stated, "please take Sleipnir to my stables and see he is well looked after, then I pray you return with all haste."
"Yes, your Majesty."
She was gone for a short while, but Loki found her as soon as she returned. Sigyn had changed into an elegant royal blue gown, trimmed with silver. A silver circlet sat among her golden curls, gleaming brightly. They pushed their way to each other, brushing off compliments and well-wishers until they met in the middle. There, Loki threaded Sigyn's arm through his, leading her out to an empty balcony. The sun was setting over Asgard, the winter just setting in. The fresh layer of snow reflected the myriad colors from the sky, orange light gleaming from the icicles on the trees.
"Loki, you were wonderful," Sigyn said excitedly, "I knew your father would love him. I told you."
"I couldn't believe it. For once, I managed to outshine Thor. I fear it will never happen again."
"Well, you will always be my favorite prince, if that is any consolation."
"Always."
He sought out her hand and gripped it in his own, whispering, "Thank you for believing in me."
"I always will."
"Trusting the trickster. Most would think you mad."
"Maybe I am… but that trickster has never been false to me. Not once. In fact, his silver tongue seems to stop working properly around me."
"I have no need of it with you, Sigyn."
She smiled up at him, and he grinned down at her. After a beat, Sigyn pressed herself into his arms, her face nestled against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders, resting his cheek on top of her head. Loki took several deep breaths. Her scent filled his nose, overwhelmed his senses. She smelled largely of flowers and faintly of hay, with a hint of rain and grass. How she did that in winter, he will never know. He let his fingers stroke through her curls.
"I love you," he whispered, "I love you so much."
"And I love you, Loki," she replied with a smile, looking up at him once more.
He put his hand on Sigyn's cheek, his thumb stroking the soft skin. Then, Loki did something that he had wanted to do for so long. He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. Something sparked up and down his spine, told him yes this is perfect, that he would never feel this way with anyone else for as long as he lived… and from a simple touch of lips. When he pulled away after a few seconds (which felt much longer), they looked at each other, and Sigyn murmured, "Kiss me again."
"As you wish."