Chapter Text
“Sif! Sif!” You called out, gasping as you ran. “Sif!”
“Woah there,” a large hand appeared, cutting you off. “Where are you off to so fast, wee one?” A great bearded man stood in front of you, blocking your path.
“I have to catch up to Sif, we promised to meet at the crossroads so we could go to the palace together!” You yelled urgently, dancing in place as you tried in vain to move past the older man.
“Little Sif?” He asked.
“My cousin!” You nodded eagerly, “We were going to meet at the crossroads and then go to the palace, today is the choosing day!”
“Oh right!” The man beamed down at you. “The princes are starting schooling now, they will be needing classmates, right?”
“Sif and I have been practicing really hard, we’re gonna go and join them together. We’ll be the best shield maidens, right there beside Prince Loki and Prince Thor.”
The man’s smile slowly faded before vanishing entirely. “Yes, little one, they already left though.” He started slowly.
You shook your head, “No, Sif told me to be there in five minutes. As soon as I left from lessons at the apothecary… she said…” you trailed off slowly as the man shook his head.
He looked like he was going to speak again but you shoved past him, refusing to hear his lies.
However, as you approached the crossroads, true to his word, Sif was nowhere in sight.
Your throat tightened and you could feel tears welling at the corners of your eyes. Slowly you shook your head, refusing to cry. You and Sif knew that crying was weakness, and true warriors must not be weak.
The agreed meeting time came and went. After accepting that Sif wasn’t arriving, you set off alone to the palace.
-
It was a long trip there, and your young legs grew tired, but you pushed on, determined to be a warrior.
Just as the palace gates came into view, far in the distance, you could make out a group of children your age gathered in front. There were three boys standing beside Sif, facing the doors. Before Sif stood a man you vaguely recognized as the king. He was flanked by several guards standing watch at the gate. On either side of him, facing Sif, were two young boys who you immediately knew to be the princes.
Odin turned towards the gate and motioned for Sif and the boys to follow him.
“Wait!” You screamed, voice shrill. The blonde haired prince was leading the three boys in already, but the younger one paused. The dark haired boy mirrored Sif’s actions, both turning back to look at you; Odin, however, paid no mind. “Sif! Sif!” You gasped, fighting for breath as you finally neared the door. “You said we would go together!” You panted, fighting back tears once more.
“Sorry (Y/n),” Sif whispered, not looking at you. “There was a limited number…” She gazed down at her boots. “And you have the apothecary, and your books, I don’t.” Finally she looked back up and gazed at you imploringly.
The dark haired prince stared between the two of you silently watching, his vivid green eyes noticing every detail.
“But we were going to do it together.” You whispered out.
“I’m sorry (y/n).” Sif turned and hurried inside, forcing herself not to look back.
The raven-haired prince looked at the retreating king. “Father-” he called, as though asking something.
“Hurry up Loki, we don’t have all day.” Odin’s thunderous bark echoed from within, though his attention was clearly focused on the blonde prince and the other young ones surrounding him.
“Sorry.” Loki whispered before taking off after them.
The gates slammed shut and you were left standing in silence.
-
And so you returned home, continuing your apprenticeship as an apothecary and began archery and daggers training in your free time. Sif stayed at the palace, joining the two princes and eventually the Warriors Three, training until they became famed throughout the land. You never forgot the sad look the younger prince gave you when he attempted to get Odin’s attention. That reassuring smile he had tried to offer you. You pondered it over many nights afterwards, imagining what might have been, but of course they were idle fantasies.
Lady Sif and the Warriors Three became the companions of Asgard’s princes, and you would settle for life as an apothecary.