Ever since she was a little girl, Sigyn had always imagined what her wedding dress would look like. She pictured simplicity at its finest, but the lack of detail would make it timeless. It would be fitted around the waist with capped sleeves, a modest neckline, and a skirt that did not poof, but rather trailed down to the floor thickly. Although it was customary to wear a veil, Sigyn had never wanted one, and instead planned to request some elaborate hairstyle that would complement the plainness of her dress. If she needed to, she would happily wear an ancient bridal crown, but that seemed to be dispensed with in more recent years.

Oh, and the dress wasn't to be white; she thought that since she was not a virginal bride, it seemed unnecessary to follow that tradition. It wouldn't be some outlandish colour like green or pink, but she had often considered a vanilla hue or beige to be more suited to her pale skin than white.

However, all of those plans were shot to Hel when Theoric's mother insisted on taking Sigyn dress shopping the month before her wedding. Now, she had nothing against Birna. The woman had done a lot for Sigyn over the years, especially when she was forced to face the death of her father alone. She was progressive enough to encourage living together before marriage, possibly as a way for Sigyn and Theoric to see that they were meant for one another, and the older woman had a propensity for buying Sigyn things that were far too rich for her blood. She was a kind woman, though quite stubborn and out-spoken; she usually had her way with almost everything.

Large, square-shouldered, and legs that were constantly compared to ancient trees, Birna was what one might expect in a woman who had lived an age and raised a whole hoard of warriors under her roof. Sigyn suspected the daughter-in-laws were always treated so well because Birna secretly desired daughters of her own, and was eager to snatch them up when one of her boys showed the slightest interest elsewhere. Her intentions were always good, but most of the time Sigyn simply felt overwhelmed in her presence, and after her most recent fight with Theoric, she simply dreaded the idea of spending an entire day with his mother.

Unfortunately, it hardly seemed like she had a choice in the matter. It was much easier for her sanity and her life at home to simply give in to whatever Theoric demanded; after all, wasn't that to be her fate as a wife anyway? A good wife did as her husband said, and although she had a dwindling hope for her previous plan with Loki to make Theoric see the error in his behaviour, she had mostly accepted the inevitable. So, when Theoric told her she was to put on a smile and spend the day with his mother, she merely nodded and continued making his breakfast – she had done the same when he asked her to re-polish his helmet and join him in bed twice in one night.

After she had brought him his armor at the training grounds, Sigyn met his mother back at their home. The pair shared a pot of tea in the front garden, as her back garden was still in disrepair from Theoric, and after nearly two hours of listening to everything she shouldn't do for the wedding, they departed for the dress shop. It was in the heart of the downtown core, and although it pained Sigyn to stroll casually through the same streets that Theoric had dragged her along one week earlier, she held her tongue.

No word from Loki yet.

She braced herself when Birna cooed over a rather large dress in the shop window. It had a ridiculous hooped skirt and a beaded bodice; Sigyn was sure it would look flattering on some sort of woman, but not her. However, when the older woman looked at her curiously, Sigyn merely licked her lips and nodded, agreeing to at least entertain the idea of trying something on that was outside her comfort zone.

"Now, you haven't the slightest idea what will look good," Birna expressed as she pushed open the shop door, almost knocking the attendant over in the process. Sigyn hopped inside quickly as she held the door open for her, and then fiddled with her coin purse uncomfortably as she surveyed the small interior. "You must try all kinds of styles."

"But Theoric doesn't like all kinds of styles," Sigyn told her weakly. She felt awkward as two shop assistants swept toward her. "He's a little more traditional and simple when it comes to fashion."

"My son is anything but simple," Birna said sharply as she marched toward a rack bursting with white material.

"Welcome to Freya's Bridal," a brunette attendant greeted smoothly as she sidled up next to Sigyn. She produced a sparkling glass of clear liquid seemingly out of nowhere, and Sigyn accepted it so that she wouldn't be rude. However, she merely held it between her fingers, not drinking, and instead let her eyes wander the store.

"We're in a bit of a rush," Birna interrupted before the slim woman at her side could press for more. "Sigyn is marrying my son in a month, and we'll need something that requires very little tailoring."

"Oh, naturally," the second assistant crooned as she joined the group. "With her size, we won't need to do much."

Sigyn finally took a sip of her beverage, and it stung her throat on the way down.

"Now, did we have a style in mind?"

"We'd like to be fair and try a little of everything," Birna remarked before Sigyn could get her answer out. The brunette in black arched an eyebrow at her, and although Sigyn knew that meant they could be in the shop for hours, she simply smiled a small smile and nodded.

"Yes," she offered. "I'd like to see a variety, please."

She knew she would need to pick something today, considering the wedding loomed ever closer, but it would need to be tactfully done in order to please Birna. After all, Sigyn couldn't simply accept Birna's first choice; otherwise the older woman would be aware that she was simply doing it to please her. Therefore, she would have to pick something that was somewhere between what Birna liked and what Sigyn wanted. Even if that meant that, in the end, Sigyn wasn't completely happy; at least it would look like she had made a real effort to incorporate Birna into the wedding plans. Theoric's mother as already displeased that King Odin was hosting the ceremony. Any other mother would have been thrilled that the All-father agreed to marry them, but Birna had given much of her life to the royal family already, and Sigyn thought that the older woman felt as though Odin had somehow moved in on her territory.

"Let's put her in this one first!"

Birna's voice snapped her out of her musings, and she quickly finished the rest of her bubbly drink as an attendant beckoned her over to a curtained area. Much to her disbelief, Birna had chosen a dress with a skirt so wide that it needed both attendants to carry over to the changing area. When they were inside, they almost had no space to move as they helped Sigyn out of her standard pale purple dress and into the white monstrosity her soon-to-be mother-in-law had picked. Just as they had predicted, Sigyn fit perfectly into the corset bodice, but that didn't mean she actually liked the thing. No one commented on her arms either, on which her bruises were noticeable under the harsh light of the dressing room.

Once she was laced in, the attendants pulled back the curtain, and she heard Birna clap happily before she turned around. She took a deep breath, and then wobbled over to a pedestal in front of a mirror. It took both attendants to actually get her up, and she gave her body a once over before shooting a haphazard glance back at Birna. The woman appeared contemplative, and it seemed as though this might not – thankfully – be her favourite dress.

"What do you think?" the brunette attendant inquired as she took her spot next to Sigyn. She watched the woman readjust some of the skirt, and she smoothed her hands over the jeweled bodice.

"Well-"

"It seems to swallow you up, doesn't it?" Birna commented as she made a loop around her. "I thought the shape might give you some more curves up top…" Sigyn frowned as she glanced down at her chest. "But never mind. Let's put her in something fitted so we can see the contrast."

She knew she certainly did not want a fitted gown. Not only would it be uncomfortable, but she had a feeling Theoric would disapprove of her wearing a dress that showed off her body to all the other men in the room. However, she was here to please Birna more than anyone, and with an attendant guiding her at each arm, she was back in the fitting room to try on the next dress. It was the complete opposite of the first, and clung to her body so tightly that she found it difficult to breathe. Shockingly enough, it was actually more flattering than she had anticipated, and although it was a challenge to get herself back on the pedestal, she felt more comfortable showing it off.

Birna appraised her silently from her seat on a white couch behind her, and Sigyn watched the attendants absently smooth down the lace overlay. The back was almost completely open, and although she would have never pictured herself in something like this, it had its appeal. The skirt flared out a little from the calves, which was the only way she was actually able to walk anywhere in it, but at least she liked the fairly modest lace neckline.

"I like it," she said quickly, hoping to get her opinion out there before anyone else could. The attendant at her left smiled.

"It's very modern."

"Perhaps something more for the bedroom," Birna commented stiffly, and the attendant's smile faltered. "I don't think it's quite appropriate for a bride."

She exchanged a fallen look with the brunette at her side, and in a moment the woman had her back in the fitting room. They tried on an immeasurable number of dresses as the afternoon wore on, and each time Birna had something to say about them. She seemed the prefer something that was not quite as large as the first dress, but certainly had some flare to it. The attendant kept trying to put Sigyn into more fitted styles, perhaps after seeing her reaction to the second dress, but it soon became obvious that they were there that day to appease Birna. After all, they hadn't even come close to putting her into any of the dresses she liked from across the room, and it seemed that wouldn't happen during the appointment.

"Now, you can't wear something like that if you're to be married in the House of Odin," Birna chastised after Sigyn pointed out a row of fairly simple dresses near the front of the store. "You're the bride, and you don't want the hall to overshadow you!"

"Naturally," one of the attendants cooed, "you'll want to be the centre of attention. After all, all eyes are on you."

Sigyn sighed; that wasn't what she wanted in the slightest. She was so grateful for the All-father for offering to marry her to Theoric, but she certainly did not want to be the centerpiece at some ridiculous spectacle. But then again, it was only for a day, and if it would make everyone happy, then she figured it wasn't worth the time it would take to complain.

"How are you feeling?" Birna inquired, and Sigyn flinched when the woman placed a large hand on her shoulder.

"Overwhelmed," she answered truthfully, and then turned back to face her. "I can't decide."

"Go with what your heart desires," Birna instructed, offering her a kind smile. "After all, that's how you and Theoric found one another."

She bit her lower lip, resisting the urge to point out that, really, it was her father that had found his father, and they were the ones who had planned the marriage from the beginning. It wasn't love or some ridiculous notion of a soul mate that brought her and Theoric together, but rather the calculations and good timing of their births. However, she nodded all the same, smiling up at the woman as she gestured down to the newest dress.

"What do you think?"

It was somewhere between the two extremes: a neckline that dipped flatteringly over her breasts, a skirt that was wide and stiff (but easy enough to walk in), and a back that buttoned up with pearls. She didn't particularly like it, but it wasn't as awful as some of the other dresses had been.

"Well, I think it will go nicely with my veil," Birna informed her as she rubbed the fabric between her fingers, "and I think Theoric will really like it."

"That's all that really matters to be," she admitted with a shrug. "I could get married in anything."

Birna pursed her lips down at her, the crinkles around her eyes noticeable when she grinned, and she then gave Sigyn's arm a squeeze, "What a lovely sentiment."

"Thank you."

"After all, that is what much of being a wife involves," the woman continued. Sigyn stiffened when she detected a change in the woman's tone, but she tried to keep her expression friendly. "You give everything of yourself to your husband."

"I know."

"Where he goes, you go," she carried on. "Your loyalty is always to him. The greatest crime is to wander."

She hadn't thought Theoric would share her mistake with anyone, but the look in the woman's eye indicated otherwise. However, because she hadn't said anything directly to her, she decided not to try and defend herself. Theoric was perfect in his mother's eye, and she couldn't imagine shattering that picture. So, she merely offered up what felt like her thousandth nod of the day.

"I think I like this one," Sigyn said finally after a moment or so of tense silence. "As you said, it will go with your veil and Theoric will like it, and it isn't too expensive."

"Now, now," Birna chided as she waved the concern away. "Money isn't an issue… This is the least I can do, seeing as I'm not a part of the actual wedding party."

Sigyn cleared her throat uncomfortably, and then suggested they look at shoes while they were here. That seemed to distract Birna from her irritation with the wedding proceedings, and after another hour in the small shop, they were finally able to pay for everything and leave. She insisted that she needed to be home soon to start on dinner, which noticeably pleased Theoric's mother. It wasn't until they were actually in her home and settled that the woman finally left, and once she was alone, Sigyn nearly collapsed into a chair.

The day had been exhausting, and it wasn't even partially over yet. She still needed to concoct something other than roast, because apparently she had been serving it too often as of late. So, because she knew Theoric would need some sort of meat with his meal, she opted for fish. It wasn't his favourite, but he had nixed many of her other choices recently, and if he couldn't make up his mind, Sigyn would do it for him. Besides, fish was different, and she thought she cooked it well. Even if it wasn't his favourite meat, at least she could season it properly.

After taking some time to collect herself, Sigyn headed off toward the kitchen, wrapping an apron around her as she went. As she left the fish out to thaw, she took to chopping some vegetables in front of the window, brushing the unusable bits into the sink. She paused when she heard a sound, something that seemed out of place, but then carried on without looking up, shaking her head. However, this time the noise was unmistakable: the sound of someone tapping on the window.

Sigyn almost dropped her knife when she spied Loki gazing back at her from the other side of the kitchen window, and she took a step back, a hand on her chest to calm her breathing. He was dressed differently than she had ever seen him, and he wore his hair back in a tie. Despite what appeared to be a peasant's garb, his eyes were unmistakable. He crooked a finger at her and then disappeared, and for a moment Sigyn contemplated ignoring him. However, against her better judgement, she soon found herself hurrying out her backdoor.

"I'm sorry I haven't been in touch sooner-"

"What are you doing here?" she hissed, shooting a nervous glance in each direction as she approached him. They hid beneath the shade of her tree, but her paranoia that someone may have spotted him already was almost too much.

"I came for you," he reasoned softly, and she brought her arms around her frame when he reached for her hand. "What has happened is only a minor setback, Sigyn."

"No, this is how it will always be," she all but wailed, shaking her head when he took a step toward her. "Maybe this is how it ought to be… What I'm meant for."

"You are not meant for this life, I can promise you that," he remarked gruffly. "I have a plan-"

"I chose my wedding dress today."

That certainly put a stopper in his plan. He stared down at her for a moment, and then turned away, his hands clasped behind his back.

"Do you like it?" he asked as he studied her garden. It was in a state of regrowth, as she had managed to save some of the wreckage that Theoric had left behind, but she still needed to go buy new seeds to replace what was completely destroyed. She blinked up at Loki when he glanced back over his shoulder at her, and then licked her lips.

"No."

"I wish I had come to you sooner that day," he told her. "Perhaps if I had, you would still be there, and not here."

She shook her head, "He would have found a way to bring me home. Maybe I would have been gone another week, but in the end I'll always be here."

"No."

"You shouldn't be here," she reiterated as she knotted the material of her dress between her hands. "Please, I'll be in so much trouble if someone saw you."

"I took the necessary precautions," he assured her as he returned to her side. This time, she let him take hold of her hand; it felt nice to have a comforting touch, even if she knew it couldn't last. "No one saw me."

"How do you know?" Sigyn demanded as he linked their fingers together. "You stand out a little from everything, even dressed… like this!"

"I'm going to take you away from here," he said. She closed her eyes as he reached up and played with the loose strands of her hair. "I need some time, however, so ensure that your intended does not go running to Odin about my meddling."

She looked up at him sharply, "What will happen if he does?"

"Banishment from the city, I suspect," he answered, his tone much calmer than the situation necessitated. "He will want to teach me a lesson… I won't be removed from Asgard as a whole, but perhaps to the outer provinces until I will behave."

"You say that as though he plans to send you to your room," Sigyn marveled. "Banishment to the outer provinces seems a little more serious."

"Perhaps I would enjoy a chance to no longer be a prisoner in my own home," he admitted, and she stiffened when he leaned down to place a soft kiss to her temple. "Perhaps you feel the same?"

Her breath hitched in her throat when he nuzzled his way down to her neck, planting open-mouthed kisses along her flushed flesh.

"Yes," she murmured finally, and when he turned her by the chin, she accepted his kiss. It was almost desperate, needy, and she moaned against his lips when he wrapped an arm around her, still holding her hand tightly in his. Her eyes fluttered closed and lips parted for him, her back aching as he bore down on her. His thumb stroked her cheek as he broke away, and only when she could feel his eyes on her did she find the courage to gaze up at him again.

"I'll not leave you here," he whispered, his breath warm against her lips. "I may wish to be free, but I'll not take my freedom while you stay here to suffer."

"Why?"

"You know that answer already," he told her, his hand pressed now to her lower back when she pulled hers away. "I care for you."

"You have no cause to do so."

"Few people in Asgard willingly engage in my company," Loki admitted. Her eyebrows shot up at the confession, and before she could stop herself, she stood on the tips of her toes and kissed him quickly again. He seemed momentarily taken aback by the gesture, and a small smile tugged at her lips when she saw him swallow. "I had thought I might want to keep those that do enjoy me close."

She nodded, but her smile faltered when she caught the sight of her kitchen window behind him, "But Theoric will-"

"Leave it to me," Loki urged. He then kissed her cheek before stepping away, leaving her cold, "I'll see to everything. I won't keep you from… servitude much longer. I merely wanted to remind you that I haven't left you to face this alone."

"Thank you." She couldn't think of anything else to say.

He was gone in a matter of moments, and after quickly examining all the borders of her backyard, Sigyn disappeared back inside. Although she made it to the kitchen, she couldn't get beyond the table. Instead, she settled into one of the chairs, her hands resting on the surface. They stayed even when the tears began to roll down her cheeks. His promises were heartfelt, and her lips tingled long after he had departed. Unfortunately, Sigyn knew it was nothing more than a dreadful tease. He would try and try, but when the month was up, she would marry Theoric all the same.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

So I had planned to have this chapter published on Christmas as part of my holiday chapter gift package, where I'd update all my current stories. I managed to get through three while updating other things, so that didn't quite work. Ah well. It's here now.

I've decided to condense two chapters into one, so that means only one chapter to go until the actual wedding! I'm excited to get their relationship officially started, but I suspect Loki's actions will take him down a notch in your books. We'll see.

I also find it interesting that Loki admits to wanting to keep those who care for him close, but can't see that Thor cares for him the most out of anyone.

Much love for all the support that the story has been given! I love reading your feedback!