As Thor's coronation drew ever closer, preparations for the ceremony began to take priority in every aspect of their lives. Sigyn found herself inundated with tasks from the Queen - everything from making sure announcements and invitations were sent out in a timely manner to helping plan the meal for the post-coronation banquet.
It was to be a realm-wide celebration, and as such, no expense was spared. It was exhausting work, with the details and minutiae nearly unbearable in their abundance, for both her and Loki. They saw very little of each other most days, and as a result, Sigyn had at last given in to his pestering, staying at the palace nearly every night.
She was thankful for what little time they could spend together, even though Loki's moods had remained somewhat changeable since the Vanaheim delegation had visited. He was never again quite as rude to her as he had been that evening, but he so steadfastly refused any discussion of his behavior that Sigyn had quickly given up any attempts at bringing it up again. There was no use in making the time they did have together unpleasant.
At times, he would be gone entirely for a day or two, telling Sigyn he was visiting with dignitaries from other realms or finalizing plans for the celebration. When he was home, he would be in the library for hours, or would stay at his desk long into the night, studying spells he insisted were essential to the coronation. More and more often, Sigyn found herself falling asleep in his bed alone, even when he was in the same room.
And yet, occasionally he would join her, waking her with soft touches and sweet words…and she would welcome him to her eagerly and without fail. She treasured these times, for it was in those moments that she was reminded of why she loved him so desperately, the man to whom she had pledged her life and her heart - at least in her mind, if not yet ceremonially.
Dagmar continued to hound Sigyn at every opportunity for news on potential nuptials, a subject Sigyn had long since grown weary of discussing with her. For whatever reason - whether he was unwilling or unable - Loki had not made his ultimate intentions for their relationship more clear, but she was not about to pressure him for a proposal.
She tried her best not to dwell on it at all. She knew the upcoming coronation weighed heavily on his mind. But as he continued to get more distant, and their lovemaking became less frequent, Sigyn couldn't help but wonder if he was tiring of her after all.
With Loki gone yet again, Sigyn had decided to spend the night at her apartment. He had insisted that she could stay at the palace even when he wasn't there, and she usually did, but sometimes she preferred company to solitude.
She also thought it would be nice to spend some time with Edmund. Their circumstances had changed so much in recent days, she had barely seen him. To her astonishment, she realized she had actually missed him.
She let herself in, and went directly to the kitchen, not terribly surprised to find her mother at the table with Edmund. She certainly had a skill for showing up unexpectedly, especially if Sigyn had plans.
"Sigyn!" Edmund rose from the table, his face split into a wide grin. "I'm so glad you're here. I thought I may have to hunt you down at the palace tomorrow to tell you the good news!"
"Well aren't you happy," she replied. "It must be amazing news indeed." She looked to her mother's beaming face, and immediately deduced what had happened. "You're getting married," she said, snapping her head back to him.
"I'm getting marr- wait, how did you know?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
"Look at her," she said, nodding towards Dagmar. "Honestly, I've never seen Mother look quite so smug and satisfied."
"Well, can't a mother be happy that at least one of her children is settling down?" asked Dagmar, her words dripping in equal parts sarcasm and triumph.
Edmund turned back to Sigyn with a sigh. "I'm sorry, I told her not to be that way," he said, almost whispering. "I didn't want to upset you."
"Don't worry about it - I'm thrilled, really." She pulled him in for a hug. "You know, I've always wanted a sister, but I didn't think there was a woman on Asgard who could rein you in," she said, playfully slapping his arm as she pulled away from him. "What made you finally decide to ask her?"
"Well, I've received a promotion in the ranks of the Royal Guard. It's more responsibility, but more pay. I'll be able to provide for Ingrid properly now."
"Oh, Edmund, that is wonderful news! Congratulations."
"Thank you, Sigyn," he said, puffing out his chest. "As of next week, you're looking at the newest sentinel of the palace weapons vault."
Though he would never be able to tell her, it was Sigyn that gave Loki the idea he needed to disrupt Thor's coronation.
He had been ruminating on it for weeks, conjuring various ideas only to dismiss them just as quickly as he could think them up - too impractical, too time consuming, too destructive. Whatever he decided to do would only serve to delay the inevitable, but he knew Thor wasn't yet truly ready for the throne, even if their father thought he was.
And - if he was being entirely honest with himself - Loki also knew he would get no small amount of satisfaction from tarnishing his brother's celebration.
Time was running short, and he was nearly to the point of giving up completely, when a discussion with Sigyn one night had him rethinking his strategy.
"Loki, how many of the other realms have you visited?"
It had been yet another late night of him studying at his desk, and her voice in the quiet room startled him. She almost never interrupted his studies, and he had almost forgotten she was there.
He looked up to find her at one of his numerous bookshelves, a large book in her hands, watching him expectantly.
"Oh, at least four or five," he said, leaning back in his chair, his back cracking after sitting still for so long. "Why do you ask?"
"My father used to share stories of the other realms with me when I was small, but I've never had the occasion to travel to any of them myself." She flipped through the pages of the book, too quickly to actually be reading it. She looked nervous, almost sorrowful.
"Would you like that?"
"I would," she said, nodding to herself as she placed the book back on the shelf. She remained standing there, staring at the books but not seeing them, lost in thought.
"Where would you like to go?" With me, he almost added. I hope you mean with me.
She turned to him, smiling, all sadness gone and replaced with enthusiasm. It occurred to him that he hadn't seen her smile like that in some time, and it made his heart ache to think he'd been blind to her unhappiness.
"Well, I hear Vanaheim is very beautiful. Although, I would love to see snow," she said wistfully. "Perhaps Midgard, given that a trip to Jotunheim would be impossible."
"What, you don't want to risk certain death at the hands of a Frost Giant?" he asked with a laugh.
She shuddered, shaking her head with a grimace. "Now that is a horrible thought," she said, approaching him. "There are much more enjoyable ways to spend some time, you know," she said, taking his book from his hand and setting it on his desk. "You've been so distracted lately - maybe you could use a reminder."
She looked down at him, worry creeping back into her features. She appeared for all the world like she was expecting him to dismiss her and return to his book.
Instead, he pulled her into his lap, all of his studies and worries momentarily forgotten as he did everything he could to put a smile back on her face.
Much later, after he was certain Sigyn was asleep, he had risen from the bed and returned to his books. The germ of an idea had taken root in his mind. He had been approaching the problem all wrong; why do the hard work himself when he could get others to do it for him?
The most difficult part had been finding a way into Jotunheim that did not involve the Bifröst and Heimdall's prying eyes. Loki was no stranger to the hidden pathways among the realms, but finding one to the home of the Frost Giants - a realm largely ignored by most Aesir - had been tricky. It would not do to have his plans thwarted before they even had a chance of being carried out.
Taking up the disguise of a dark elf of Svartalfheim, Loki had met with a few Jotuns with ties to their king Laufey, convincing them that he shared their hatred of Asgard and wanted their destruction just as badly as they did.
Having been raised to see the Jotuns as a warmongering, foolish race of monsters, it had taken every ounce of his strength to disguise his revulsion of them. Yet he had managed to school his features into a form of friendliness - if the Frost Giants were even capable of such a thing.
Loki had never been averse to using treachery and lies when he needed to, especially if it helped him achieve his goals. And yet, he loathed being untruthful to Sigyn about his whereabouts and activities.
He knew how much she valued honesty in their relationship, but he saw no way of avoiding it. She couldn't know about his plans; if he was discovered, he did not want anyone to be able to charge her with having knowledge of the conspiracy.
Being a prince, Loki knew he could count on some amount of leniency for his misdeeds. He wasn't certain, however, that Sigyn would be shown the same amount of mercy were she to stand accused.
Loki knew if any harm were to come to her, from anyone at all, his vengeance would be unmatched, unending...and unmerciful.
Sigyn awoke alone, Loki's bed large and cold when she was the only one in it. He had left yet again the day prior, assuring her that he wouldn't be leaving again before the coronation once he returned.
She missed him terribly, but she much preferred being lonely when he was gone to feeling alone when he was right there in the same room. It was a feeling she was experiencing more and more often as of late, one she was desperate to be rid of.
She could only hope everything would improve after Thor was finally crowned, but even that was beginning to seem doubtful. Thor would likely need Loki's time and talents even more as he settled into the throne, and she would be pushed farther and farther into the background.
Sigyn knew she could either sit idly by, waiting for Loki to decide what to do with her - or she could decide her future for herself once and for all. Being in control of her own destiny certainly seemed more appealing than pining away for something she might possibly never have.
Later that morning, the Queen gave her hope that her chances for a brighter future were greater than she had thought.
"Sigyn, we haven't spoken of it for a while, but I wanted to know if you've still given thought to furthering your skills in diplomacy."
"Actually, yes, Your Majesty," said Sigyn, hoping it was the right answer. "But I know we have been so busy; I didn't want to bring it up again until things have settled down. I do hope that I've continued to fulfill my duties to you in a satisfactory manner."
"Oh yes, of course, my dear," said the Queen. "I have no complaints."
"I'm very glad to hear that," said Sigyn, sighing in relief. "Out of curiosity, why do you ask?"
"Well, I know you remember Svana from Vanaheim. I received word that she would like for you to visit her soon, perhaps after Thor's coronation."
Sigyn was momentarily speechless, unsure of how to respond. "I think I would enjoy that very much, Your Majesty," she replied when she finally found her voice. "I would be most grateful for the opportunity."
The final stages of Loki's plan had taken hardly any time at all. The Jotuns were smarter than he had given them credit for, yet they never questioned him about his motives apart from what he had told them.
Their eagerness to retrieve the Casket from Asgard overrode any sense of self-preservation they may have had otherwise. It was a trait that would prove useful in their ultimate failure. Loki knew they would never make it out of the weapons vault alive.
It had been his last trip to Jotunheim, and he had returned to Asgard a full day sooner than he had anticipated. Upon his arrival, he went directly to his mother's chambers to surprise Sigyn. He was still keenly aware that he had been neglectful of her lately, and wanted to make it up to her if he could.
He reached the door to his mother's chambers unseen, silently opening it just enough to slip through the crack. He hoped to catch Sigyn alone, using his magic to hide himself from view so he could be on her before she knew he was there. Perhaps he could even convince her to defile his mother's chambers if the Queen was gone.
But as he sneaked further into the room, he could hear Sigyn and his mother talking, ruining his planned reunion. They made no indication that they had heard him enter, however, and rather than waste the opportunity, he decided to listen in on their conversation.
"I would rather not say anything to Loki until after the coronation, Your Majesty. He has enough on his mind without me adding to his burden."
"That's probably for the best."
His curiosity piqued at the mention of his name, Loki came closer, yet remained hidden. The two women came into his view, just as the Queen was reaching for Sigyn's hands.
"If I am to be entirely honest, dear, I will miss you terribly when you go. But I know you are making the right decision for yourself."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," said Sigyn, and he watched as she reached up to brush a tear away from her eyes. "I just hope Loki will be as understanding as you."
At that, Loki retreated, wanting to leave the room before he was found. It was suddenly all too clear to him. For whatever reason - his lack of attention to her, her boredom of him, or, Odin forbid, another man - he was certain Sigyn was planning on leaving him after Thor was crowned.
He slid back out the door, as silently as possible, doing his very best not to break out into a run down the corridor. Something had to be done, and quickly, but it would not do to panic. He had to convince Sigyn somehow, someway, that he couldn't survive if she left.
For Loki, there was no life without her in it.