Part Three – Miscalculation
"Have you seen her today?" Thor asked, for the third time. They were training, and this was an exercise which Sif would find particularly enjoyable. Besides, it would be easier to practice with another person. Thor had volunteered to find her.
He had assumed that it would be easy. She was usually in the stables this time of day.
No, she wasn't in the stables. They hadn't seen her at all today, and the pens she cared for were untouched since the night before.
Alright, mayhap the kitchens then.
No, not the kitchens.
He knew that upon occasion she would aid the Lady Freya in whatever it was that Freya did besides teach Loki more mischief.
No, Freya had not seen her this day.
Thor was beginning to grow alarmed. He knew it was silly, kidnappings were almost nonexistent, and illness rare. If she wasn't here, it was from her free will. He'd never known her to neglect her duties…but there they were, neglected. Could she have run away? He knew she had family outside of the city, he had seen her brother the day he brought her in, but he didn't know where or to what capacity. Come to think of it, he didn't even know why she was here. But that was ridiculous. She would have told someone. Unless she was running away from the palace, or someone within it.
Had he driven her away? She hadn't spoken to him much since he'd kissed her, but he'd just thought her more busy. She'd had an excuse – what with the ambassadors from Vanaheim – the kitchen people had been driven to distraction. But could he have driven her away? No. He shook himself. It was preposterous. Sif wouldn't run away – not from him or anybody.
It was part of what made her so perfect.
So, it was settled then. She wouldn't neglect her duties, and she wouldn't run away. Since her duties were neglected and she was missing, he had to assume that she was held by some force outside of her will. Thor couldn't see any other possible solution. Maybe Loki would be able to think of some third answer, but Thor didn't have time to ask him. He was already before her door.
He reached for the knob, then, flushing, knocked. Usually, he was opening doors to try and find Loki, or his mother. Most everybody else stayed where they belonged. He was unused to locating young women.
"Go away."
It was Sif and – was she crying?
"Sif," his alarm completely toppled any idea of propriety he'd shied at moments before and he came through the door – only to be met by a flying projectile and a shattering, crashing noise not far from his head. He straightened. It was a bowl. She'd thrown a bowl at him and it had broken across the doorpost.
"I said to go–away Thor,"
She sat on her bed, face a teary mess. It was hard to tell if she was more upset by whatever had occurred, or angry with him. She buried her face in her hands.
"Sif, what happened?" then, "What have you done to your hair?" All her mane of beautiful, golden hair had been shorn off until it hung unevenly about her ears.
"What have I done?" she gave a hollow sort of laugh as she looked up, "I played with fire, that's what–I did."
Loki had cut off her hair. He'd known that Loki had some design toward her. First the geese, then the books, now this.
Thor slammed the door behind him and went to find his brother.
~.~
"Loki."
He turned, but he didn't think to move fast enough. Thor took him by the shoulders and slammed him against the wall, "Why did you do it?"
Loki coughed, trying to squirm out of Thor's hands, "Do what?"
"You know damn well what, you little sneak." Thor gave him a jerk, smacking the back of his head against the wall, and this time, Loki stopped struggling. He raised a hand gingerly to the back of his head.
"Well?"
Loki went to say something, but the lazy look on his face made Thor think he'd regret saying it. He shook him again.
"Will you –"
The words were cut off by the heavy forearm Thor planted across his neck.
Loki pushed at him, sarcasm good and gone, and Thor allowed his arm to be moved back to Loki's collarbone.
"Well?"
His voice was weak, he coughed, "It was a joke,"
"A joke?" Thor wanted to strangle him, "Well let's see how funny the lady thinks your joke."
Thor took him by the back of his neck and half-dragged him back to Sif's room where he opened without knocking and shoved him in.
Sif had her back to them as they came in, but she was otherwise much as Thor had left her, "Thor, I–I said–" she turned, and saw Loki, "You! How could you?"
Loki was just looking at her, transfixed and almost horrified, "Sif,"
"No. Do-don't speak to me," she hid her face, voice coming muffled but perfectly clear, "I don't ever want you to speak to me again. Do you understand? You horrible, wretched boy," she raised her face, "I trusted you. Do-does that even mean anything to you?"
Loki still appeared to be in shock, but he managed, "I'll fix this, Sif, you have my word."
"Your word," she scoffed. A shoe came hurtling through the air and smacked the wall between them, "Get out."
Thor did not wait to be told twice. He dragged Loki out and shoved him against the wall, this time nearly lifting him off of his feet.
"Still think it's funny?" he growled.
"I'll fix it Thor," he struggled against Thor's weight, "I'll fix it,"
Thor dropped him, "See that you do."