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From the moment she had laid eyes on him, Sigyn had known she loved and would always love Prince Loki. She belonged to him, heart, body and soul. Even when the truth about his birth had been revealed, even when he came back in infamy, after trying to take over Midgard, and killing all those innocent people, she still loved him.
She could not help it or stop herself.
She wished she had been brave enough to go to him, talk to him, let herself be known. However, as she looked at herself in the mirror, she knew very clearly it would have been in vain. Never such a handsome man would have been interested in such a plain, homely girl. A Prince of Asgard – an Odinson- needed and deserved nothing more than perfection by his side. A treasure, shiny and golden, to be admired by all of Asgard.
Dwarves were known to make such treasures, but though her father used to be their king, before his cousin Eitri took over, she was not so precious – to no one, ever.
A few times, she had seen him alone in his mother’s gardens or in the library. She had been so tempted to interrupt his solitude and talk to him, about magic, or the book he was currently reading. She knew she could not have his love – his friendship could have been enough. But she never dared. She always lectured herself and remembered that a true lady would never bother a man- even less a prince- during his free time. She sometimes pictured herself going to him, smiling at him shyly and starting a conversation. However, all of her fantasies ended up the same way: her beloved laughing at her, humiliating her, for daring to believe he could take an interest in someone like her.
So she stayed in the shadows, trying to look elsewhere, to focus on her work as a healer, to make new friends that would not judge her on her looks. Unfortunately, her treacherous eyes would eventually always look for a pair of horns in the street, and her heart longed for his mischievous laugh more than anything else.
When she heard about his brief affair with Lady Sif, she was heartbroken – but survived the pain, as she reminded herself the lady was good and brave, and worthy of his interest, even though Sif would never love him as much as she did.
When Loki took over the throne of Asgard, Sigyn smiled, and readied herself for his coronation. He would not notice her – of course he would not- but she would be part of the happy crowd, cheering and applauding for him, wishing him the best for his very long reign.
When Loki died- the first time- she died too, a little. For months, she was a wreck, not able to sleep, or eat, or talk. She stayed in her bedroom, her eyes sore and puffy from crying.
But then, he came back. And she was happy again – happy but worried, as she saw him in chains, his beautiful face soiled with dirt and torment. How she wished she could run to him, protect him from the plebeian mob and their insults, take him in her arms and nurse him back to health.
It was killing her, not being able to do what she yearned to, stopping herself from what seemed the most natural response to such a heart-breaking scene. However, her uncle Feyr was there too, holding her back firmly, as if he knew her intent and her feelings.
She wished to visit, but could not, as it was forbidden. And even if it had not been, even if she had been allowed to visit him, what would have she done? What could have she told him? It was not as if they had been friends (or had the Norns allowed lovers) before the tragic events. Sigyn pictured herself with a basket full of apples from her sister Idunn’s orchards and laughed. Yes. Completely ridiculous. He would have shooed her away – politely or viciously, depending on his mood of the moment.
When his mother died, she had once again to stop herself from going to him, desperate to comfort him, and kiss his tears away.
Even if she had, she would have been too late. Soon, rumours of the Prince’s escape and of Thor’s reckless plan came to her ear. Sigyn closed her eyes tight, praying the Norns would protect and spare her Prince. She begged, and cried, and promised she would never think of him in any romantic fashion, that she would sacrifice her feelings for him, if they let him live.
As a proof of her good will, she accepted the proposal her mother had arranged for her to some Crimson Hawk called Theoric. She felt nauseous at the idea, but if the Norns could accept her sacrifice and let Loki thrive and come back to Asgard victorious with his brother, then, it would have been worth it.
But the Norns refused, and Loki died, again.
Sigyn was getting angrier and angrier at the All-Father. It was his lies that had pushed her beloved into madness. It was him again that had rejected him afterwards. Had there been soldiers, einherjars, crimson hawks with the princes, Loki would not have had to sacrifice himself. Such a waste…
She was now stuck with her fiancé. She never saw him, as he was always working at the palace, but she preferred it that way. She had only accepted because she thought the Norns would take pity on her.
Eventually, they did listen. One evening, Theoric’s mother came to her door and, in tears, announced that her beloved son had tragically died during a mission against some trolls. Sigyn, in shock, took the wailing woman into her arms, trying to give her some comfort, while cursing at herself. She had wished so much Theoric to be gone from her life… had the Norns listened to her, this time? Why listen to her about her fiancé, and not about Loki? She felt terribly guilty, and promised she would never love again or marry, as punishment for her own wicked thoughts.
However, when Prince Loki, once again, rose from the Dead, and appeared on the Bifrost, as dashing and charming as ever, announcing himself as their saviour, during Ragnarok, Sigyn could not stop her foolish heart from beating again. There was no stopping it, wasn’t it? Whatever happened, she would always love him, and he would never see her. She was invisible to him and would remain so. Better not being visible than being officially rejected, as she was so sure she would eventually be.
Sometimes, she had the loveliest of dreams. She was in the Great Hall, and the All-Father pronounced her Loki’s wife and goddess of fidelity – how strange, when she was already goddess of loyalty? And everything was perfect. Until something in Loki changed, and the dream turned into a nightmare. Her husband became distant, and insulted her, fleeing her presence and company as if she had the plague. He told her the most abominable things, wishing she’d kill herself, so he’d be free of her. The more he despised her, the more her stupid heart yearned for him, until it just stopped. The torture was too much, and so, in her dream – in her nightmare- she chose to die.
She wondered if being married to Loki would really be that way. If so, it was a blessing she had stayed away, drowning in her fantasies where he was the perfect prince, charming, clever, and so handsome, and she was his beloved princess.
When she arrived on New Asgard with the rest of the refugees, she tried moving on. Maybe she could find a home and settle in this realm, while listening to her Prince’s new adventures, and preparing herself for the day he would find his true love and princess.
Alas, the only news of Loki she got was, once again, of his death.
Sigyn, at this point, did not want to believe it.
Some Mad Titan breaking his neck?
Nonsense!
Obviously, her Prince was immortal, defying Death herself twice before. He would come back one day, and she would laugh and jump excitedly at the announcement.
She needed to know where he was. Not to stalk him, of course, he had the right to his privacy, but she could not stop herself from worrying. Even if she had no hope he would ever love her back, even if some day, he would marry some glamourous blonde like Amora or one of her sisters and make perfect-looking babies with them, caring about him was still allowed, wasn’t it?
So, before sleep came to take her that night, she brewed a special tea that would increase her cunning. Sometimes, her dreams allowed her to see part of the future – but she could not control it. Here, with the tea, she would get a terrible headache in the morning, but she would be allowed to focus more, and see what she wanted to see: Prince Loki, wherever he was. Was he in good health? Was he in good company? Did he plan to ever come back? She needed to know. She was sure that Prince Thor would appreciate the information too, but she promised herself to keep silence, and respect her beloved’s secrets.
And so, that night, she dreamt.
First, she felt the cold. Her skin felt suddenly humid, and her bones started to freeze. She was in a cave. A dark, terrifying cave.
Then, she heard the screams, piercing her ears, tearing up her heart.
It was him. Her love, her prince. He was bound to a rock, suffering Hel itself, as a terrifying snake was dropping its venom directly into his beautiful eyes.
Sigyn wanted to intervene, free him from his torment, but alas, this was but a vision.
Where was that cave?
Hel. It is Hel, something inside of her said.
She would have to go to Hel, then? But how?
She could die, of course. It was the quickest way, but not the most certain. Nothing insured her she would end up in the cave, and not elsewhere. She never cared much for Valhalla, but Niflheim was quite a vast realm, much bigger than Midgard. By the time she found Loki, he would have endured so much pain, her heart bled at the thought.
She needed to find Niflheim’s ruler and ask them for mercy. She would find a way, and free her Prince.
She performed a spell – dark, blood magic that drained her life energy and her soul- but allowed her to travel to the Realm of the Dead. Sigyn looked at the tip of her fingers: they were now black. She could nearly hear her friend Agatha laugh and welcome her to the “witch” club. Oh well, if it was the price to pay, then she gladly accepted the title and the curse.
A shiver ran through her spine, as she suddenly felt the nose of a giant beast sniffing her back. She jumped and tried running as she heard it growl but was captured after a few steps.
Her mother might have been a Valkyrie, but she obviously was not. She cursed at herself for not taking those self-defence classes more seriously. She always thought her magic would be enough. Well, look at her now, on the ground, ready to be devoured by the same giant wolf that had nearly killed her during Ragnarok.
Fenrir, wasn’t it?
And if he was there, then, its mistress was surely not far either…
Hela Odindottir stood not far from her, observing her, with a smirk on her face. Thor might have vanquished her, but looking at her now, there was no doubt who was Niflheim’s new ruler.
“Well, well, well. Who have we there? Lost, little one?”
Her tone was full of mockery, and Sigyn had no doubt she was about to feed her to Fenrir. Sigyn realized she had two options: she could lie, tell Hela she had a deal to propose to her, but she knew she was not such a great liar to fool the Queen of Hel. The truth, then? The truth and curtesy. Her greatest weapons right now.
Sigyn stood up, brushed some dirt from her dress, before offering Hela her deepest and most elegant curtsey.
“I pay my respects to you, Odindottir, new Queen of Hel, and I hope your reign will be long and prosperous.”
Hela seemed surprised at this show of respect, but nodded and with a wave from her hand, allowed Sigyn to stand.
“You are still alive”, she observed, “Why are you here?”
“Love”, Sigyn declared proudly, “I am in love with Prince Loki. I saw him in a vision. I know his punishment.”
The Queen of Hel laughed suddenly. Sigyn could see the wheels of her insane mind working and feared for her life. But she stayed strong and held her head high. Her mother was a Valkyrie and a Queen. Her whole life, she had played the meek little mouse, hiding in the shadows, even from the man she so desperately loved. Now was the time to show her true colours and make Vanaheim proud. She had to. Even if only for Loki.
“And so what?”, Hela asked, “You want to save him? You should know better, Freyadottir. Once the punishment is set, nothing or no one can stop it.”
Hela petted Fenrir, playing with his fur, her eyes still fixed on Sigyn. “Not even the power of true love”, she added with scorn.
Sigyn nodded and sighed. Of course, she knew that. She was not stupid. She was no hero, but she could not let Loki suffer all alone.
“Yes, your majesty, quite so. And I am no Valkyrie. I’m not like my mother, or like Thor. But I love Loki, and I want to be with him.”
The Queen scoffed and shrugged.
“So you just want to be with him… and what? Hold his hand while he’s enjoying the poison?”
Of course not! Sigyn wanted to scream and shout. No, she wanted more, so much more. If only she was a hero, a Valkyrie. Goddess of Victory, instead of loyalty… Her mother had been right all along. She was a waste of space and a complete failure. Loki would not want her there. He would scream at her for not helping him, insult her, and kick her out of the cave for being such a silly little girl.
She heard Hela move towards her, and felt her long fingers under her chin, bringing her face closer to hers.
“Fine. You can go and join Loki, if you so wish it”, she declared solemnly, “I must admit, after the events of Ragnarok, I hate my brothers as much as I hate our father. Odin escapes me, that rotten bastard, but Loki is in my grasp. He pays for the others.”
Sigyn nodded. She could understand Hela’s point, but that did not mean she would let her hurt Loki in such an awful way for the rest of time.
“Loki did nothing to anger you. He is not the one who defeated you. He is not the one who betrayed you. He just helped the citizens flee as Ragnarok had started. Please. Have some mercy.”
Hela breathed loudly. Her decision was taken, that much was clear. Suddenly, a golden bowl appeared in her hands.
“I shall not release Loki. However, if you want to give your lover some relief, I can give you this. Go now, and do not bother me ever again”
Sigyn took the bowl and curtsied quickly, before being magically transported to the cave. She had nearly corrected Hela about being Loki’s lover. She was not. However, there was no point. Her request would have seemed even stranger to the Queen, had she known she was actually a stranger to her brother.
Calmly, she approached the rock where Loki was still bounded. His screams were tearing up her soul. She placed her bowl just above his head, allowing his eyes some rest from the poison.
Only then did Loki take notice of her presence.
“Who are you?”, he asked, his voice so small now when it used to be so deep and captivating.
“I am a friend, your highness. My name is Sigyn”, she answered, trying to smile, before remembering he was still blinded by the poison in his eyes.
“Sigyn. Friend of victory? Or are you rather a friend of Hela, here to add to my torment”, he sneered viciously.
Ah, the insults and the humiliation. That was to be expected, wasn’t it?
“I am a friend of yours, actually”, she replied, “Well, not a friend, no… I never dared to approach you or talk to you. You were always so busy, going from an adventure to another with your brother and his friends. I was afraid my presence would not be welcomed.”
Loki then started laughing, to Sigyn’s dismay. He laughed, and laughed, tears coming to his eyes, washing away the remaining poison.
“You’re a funny one. Are you shy, my lady?”, he asked after finding back some composure.
Sigyn blushed and looked away. Did that need saying?
“Or are you there because you want a favour? You want me to give a good word to Thor. Tell him how you bravely stood by my side, how you showed yourself worthy of him? Worthier than Jane Foster herself? Well, there might be a problem, as we are both dead, and Thor is very much alive…”
The Vanir felt fury rise within her chest. Was he really this blind to think she would do that for his brother? Thor was not the one bound to that rock, was he? Thor was not the one she chose to join in Hel.
“Thor? I don’t care about Thor! And I am not dead. I begged Hela to let me stay with you because I love you!”
There was a moment of silence. Had Sigyn’s hands been free, she would have slapped her mouth and run away, very, very far. But she could not, as she had to shield Loki from the venom.
Well, now, he knew.
Sweet Norns. That was so embarrassing. She would die if she could. Or turn herself into a little mouse.
There was no escaping this.
“You love me?”, Loki asked, doubtful.
“Yes, your highness”, Sigyn replied, trying to hide her face with her bowl.
“So, am I to believe that I am the reason why you did this perilous journey to Niflheim and begged Hela to join me in my misery?”, he continued.
“Yes, your highness. I…”, Sigyn stuttered, “I have been in love with you for centuries now. But …” she sniffed, unable to blow her nose or dry her tears, as her hands were busy, “I knew I was unworthy of you. I’m not pretty, not special, not a great warrior like Lady Sif or a great beauty like Amora. I’m just me. So, of course, I knew you would never notice me, or you would just reject me if I ever found the courage to tell you how I felt.”
Loki was still silent, staring at her as if he was studying some strange new species of bird he had never seen before.
“When you died, I cried so much, I wanted to join you in the grave. When you came back, I was so worried, I only wanted to take care of you, comfort you, show you you were still loved, even after everything that happened…”
“I am a Jotun, doesn’t that disgust you?”, Loki asked, intrigued.
Sigyn blinked and scoffed “Jotuns used to be a great civilization before, you know? I mean, mother would have hated it, the fact that I am in love with a Jotun, but I don’t care. Jotun, Aesir, Dwarf, Fire Giant, Elf, Human… whatever your nature, I would have still loved you. Well, were you human, it would be sad, because you would have died before me… but then, that’s what you did, again and again. So, there we are…”
Loki was now completely and more earnestly smiling, which reassured Sigyn. He had the most beautiful smile, that warmed her soul and her body. Oh, if only she could kiss him now, but at her mere motion towards her Prince, the snake hissed dangerously, ready to pounce at her and eat her in a mouthful.
He seemed to relax for the first time since her arrival, his eyes now less painful, and looked thoughtful for a moment.
“For centuries, I was so lonely. People kept telling me no one would ever love me, or that I could never love anyone… but myself. Some even imagined that I would have to create a female version of me if I ever wanted to find true love…”
Sigyn laughed trying to picture the lady in question. Oh my, she would be quite charming indeed.
“If you ever do that, please, introduce her to me. I’m sure she would be beautiful”, she said, feeling suddenly bolder than she had ever been.
“Hum. Not sure if it would be a good idea. She might see you, fall madly in love with you, and steal you from me when my back is turned…”
Loki was now looking at her with a raw hunger in his eyes. Sigyn blinked as its intensity made her head turn and her blood burn within her veins. Oh, there was no doubt that if he was not bound to that rock, he would already be all over her, kissing her, ravishing her, making her his, as she had dreamt so often he would do.
And she would let him… ? Oh Sweet Norns. Her uncle Feyr would have been outraged at the thought. Her mother had the right to behave as she wanted, as she was a Queen and a former Valkyrie, but as a princess, she was expected to stay virtuous and chaste, never to bed a man who was not her husband.
Well, it was not as if he could deflower her now, could he? The danger was not there, but in the huge snake above their heads whose poison was quickly filling her bowl.
Although maybe there might be some other danger after all…
Sigyn felt suddenly the grasp of a hand on her waist and the shadow of a kiss of her neck. She looked at Loki, a little scared that there would be someone else in the cave with them, making such advances at her when she only ever wanted to be his, and his only.
But her lover winked at her, as she now could feel a hand on her breast, while the other was busy playing with the hem of her dress, before caressing the naked skin of her legs under her skirts.
“Loki…”, Sigyn whimpered, as pleasure grew inside of her, “I need to focus on the bowl… I might spill the poison…”
Loki let out a little joyful, mischievous laugh, her reactions to his ghostly ministrations were a great distraction from his punishment. He would have to thank Hela for the beautiful gift she had sent him.
Of course, if he could find a way to enjoy her fully, it would be Valhalla…
While they were both lost in each other eyes, oblivious to the rest of the world, emerged in their own fantasies and lust, Loki and Sigyn were surprised by the thundering noise of an explosion behind them.
“Brother!”, Thor’s voice boomed gleefully.
Loki sighed, obviously annoyed that his plans for the evening had been once again ruined by his brother.
“I have come to rescue you!... Oh, hello?”
Only then Thor noticed the young lady holding a bowl above his brother’s head.
“Oh! a snake! I love snakes!”, Thor observed, but backed off as the reptile hissed threateningly at him.
“The snake’s called Skadi. She’s a bitch, watch out. On the other hand, here is Sigyn. She’s very nice and madly in love with me. Sigyn, this is Thor, my brother, god of the oafs”
“Hey!”, Thor protested, before offering the girl his most charming smile, “My lady, such an honour to meet you”
Sigyn bowed gently, while keeping the bowl still. It was getting full now, and the poison was making its recipient hot. She was trying to keep a good face, while in truth, her hands were burning.
“Do you want me to hold the bowl a moment for you, dear Sigyn?”, Thor offered gallantly.
The Vanir smiled but shook her head. She could do this, however, to empty her bowl was becoming a necessity…
“Sigyn, my sweet, you can give the bowl to Thor if you so wish it…”, Loki reassured her.
“I only need a moment to empty it… but you won’t be protected then, and…”, Sigyn muttered, apologizing in advance.
“I could help with that”, Thor declared, waving his hammer, and making it spin above the rock where Loki was still bound, creating a shield from Skadi’s venom.
But the snake was having none of it, attacking Thor mercilessly, as if it knew the Thunderer was definitely not the one who was supposed to do that job.
Sigyn quickly took back her place and put once again her bowl above her beloved’s head. She smiled at both brothers, mouthing ‘sorry’.
“So are you dead too, Lady Sigyn?”, Thor asked bluntly.
“Thor, you don’t ask that kind of question to a lady. It’s rude”, Loki pointed out, “and no, Sigyn is not dead. She joined me here because she loves me and she’s mine now, so back off!”
Sigyn blushed a little at her Prince’s claim, but felt her love for him growing even more, as she now knew he accepted her and her feelings for him.
“Sorry!”, Thor, holding his hands high, “My congratulations to you both! I wish you a happy and very fruitful union. I’ve always longed to be an uncle, you know? And I’m sure you will make superb children and repopulate Asgard very quickly!”
Sigyn gaped at Thor, not able to speak for a moment. She was now redder than his cape, and she could see Loki, from the corner of her eye, looking at her gleefully, obviously enjoying her embarrassment.
“Oh, fear not, dear brother! I do intend to give you nephew and nieces numerous enough to drown you under. A true little army”
Wait. Was that a threat or a promise? Sigyn was not sure, but Thor laughed and seemed rather happy at the idea, so she said nothing, and focused on the bowl.
“Do you have a plan?”, Loki asked his brother, while staring at the ceiling of the cave, his face now completely solemn and grave.
“Err… no”, Thor admitted earnestly.
“What?!”, Loki tried sitting down, but his bonds were too strong, and Skadi once again hissed in warning.
“Well, to tell you the truth, I am dead too”, Thor confessed, sitting down on the floor, his thoughts lost to both Loki and Sigyn.
“If you are dead, why aren’t you in Valhalla?”, Loki asked suspiciously.
A few hours earlier
The battle was raging between the gods and their so-called Butcher. Gorr had already killed a few of his friends, but Thor, after so much preparation, knew he could win. Gathering all his strength increased by the power of the lightening, Asgard’s golden son readied himself to strike his enemy. However, in the moment when he thought he had him, he felt a pain in his chest. At first, it was not much, but then, it worsened and became intolerable, stealing his breath away. Gorr had stabbed him with his sword.
In a matter of seconds, the God of Thunder fell from the sky. When he reached the ground, he was lying on his back, blood streaming from his mouth. He heard Jane screaming his name, running to him. He felt her hand caressing his face. He tried to smile at her, one last time, but it was too much.
Everything went to black.
But then, he opened his eyes, and everything was light. He was back in Asgard, in the palace.
Had it been all a dream? His head felt suddenly light, and there was no sign of battle or new injuries on his body.
Well, that was a relief.
He could hear the laughs and cheers coming from his Father’s great hall.
Was that Fandral singing?
Sweet Norns! Somebody, make him stop!
Thor jumped out of bed and laughed at himself, putting on some new clothes for the party that was obviously going on. He could not wait to tell his dream to everyone. He wondered which part was true, and at what point he had started dreaming. Hopefully, his brother’s fall had been a nightmare too. He would find Loki in the library, reading some book or practicing his magic with their mother. Their mother. She would be alive too!
So would their father.
He was welcomed in the Hall by the Warrior three. Valhalla! Had he missed his friends. To his surprise, Sif was nowhere to be seen. Neither was Loki.
Strange.
He truly needed to see his brother again.
His mother and his father were there, at the high table, feasting with people he had never seen. Maybe some guests from other realms?
“My son”, Odin started, “I am happy to see you again, though I wished it had been later”
Thor felt his heart stop. He looked around him, and started recognizing some of the faces from his childhood : his grandfather Bor, the former King of Vanaheim and friend of his father, Njord, … all were there.
All were dead…
And so was he.
He was not in Asgard. He was in Valhalla. He was dead.
Thor took a moment to accept his death, remembering now his fatal fight against Gorr and his fall.
That had not been a dream…
“Father. Mother. It is good to see you again. But where is Loki?”, Thor asked, worried about his brother’s fate.
“Alas, Thor, I am afraid your brother is in Hel, enduring your sister’s revenge and endless torments”, his mother, taking him in her arms, explained.
“We can’t let him there! We have to rescue him!”, Thor exclaimed.
“If it makes anything better, my granddaughter is with him, soothing his torments”, Njord approached, a wise smile on his face.
“Yes”, the All-Mother responded, “a good child, so in love with our Loki. How I wished they met before all of this!”
“True”, the All-Father conceded, “but though we are gods, we cannot undo fate.”
“We need to rescue them both. Loki and his beloved. Oh, how nice to have a nice sister! I will go to Hel and bring them back here!”, Thor declared proudly.
“You cannot”, Odin stated, “if you go down to Hel, you will be stuck there forever”
Thor’s breath stopped and he thought a moment, considering his options. But no. He could not leave Loki in Hel. Neither could he leave that sweet maiden that loved his brother there. He had to save them both.
“We might never see each other again”, his father reminded him.
“I’ll be back”, Thor reassured him, “but later”
Frigga nodded, proud of her boy, and kissed him on the forehead. Her handsome hero, ready to go to Hel to save his younger brother and his bride, worthy of the legends, indeed.
“So, you see, it seems that I’m stuck here too in the end”, Thor concluded, shrugging, and offering his most apologetic smile to both Loki and Sigyn.
“What an idiot”, Loki declared in a sigh, but it was obvious to Sigyn, who could see his face, that he was secretly happy his brother had decided to come rescue him, even though he knew the risks.
Everyone thought and said the Odisons were rivals, and the rumours stated how Loki hated his brother, but that was not the truth. Loki loved his brother, as much as his brother loved him. He just had a peculiar way of showing it.
“So much for the sun shining on us again, right?”, Thor joked, trying to cheer up his two unfortunate companions.
Sigyn did not understand the reference, but it seems to make Loki smile, so she was grateful for Thor’s presence and meaningful words. How great it would have been to see them grow up – not from afar, but as a part of their group. Holding Loki’s hand, insuring he knew he was loved, and that one of the people who loved him most was of course his brother. Her too, that went without saying, but Sigyn saw now how important Loki’s relationship with his brother was. To see them reunited, conversing together happily, was a joy she felt ready to protect at all costs.
It felt like family.
Something Loki needed, as much as she did.
She suddenly pictured a little house by the sea, with Loki sitting on a chair, and her, sitting on his lap, her head resting peacefully on his chest, listening lovingly to the beating of his heart, while Thor is lying on the couch, opposite to them, his baby nephew playing mercilessly with the hairs of his beard, while he laughs.
What a lovely dream indeed. Worthy of protection… but never to be, as they were doomed to remain in that dreadful cave, prisoners of Skadi, for the rest of eternity.
Suddenly, a flash of light invaded their prison, and a vision worthy of Valhalla appeared in front of their mesmerized eyes.
A beautiful lady materialized, as Thor stood up suddenly, with the look of a golden retriever seeing his mistress after an absence of a few hours on his face.
“Val!”
Sigyn recognized the amour of the Valkyries and felt her heart squeeze. A friend of her mother?
But then, Skadi leaped, her sharp teeth ready to attack, making a piercing sound while assaulting the woman, whose sword was now on the ground.
Letting go of her bowl, as it was not needed anymore, Sigyn jumped on the weapon and stroke the snake with it, cutting it in half.
Well. Maybe she was a Valkyrie after all. She did have the blood of one in her veins.
“Well struck, lady!”, said the woman Thor had called Val.
Sigyn gave back the sword after freeing Loki from his bounds and curtsied.
“Sigyn Freyadottir, Lady Val. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
The Valkyrie blinked for a moment, her face losing all its colours.
“Wait. You’re Freya’s kid?”
“Yes”, Sigyn smiled, “My mother is Queen of Vanaheim now, but she talked a lot of her adventures when she was part of your battalion.”
Val nodded, thoughtfully, “So she’s still alive?”
“Oh yes”, Sigyn reassured her, “And she thrives”
“Ha!”, the Valkyrie laughed, “of course she would! Well, glad to meet you too, Lady Sigyn. Boys, I’ve come to rescue you. That’s gonna be a surprise, but we kinda need you in the world of the living?”
“Wait”, Loki asked, puzzled, “the invitation is for me too?”
“Why?”, Val sneered, “You wanna stay here, pretty boy?”
Sigyn was now looking at him with pleading eyes – don’t ruin this, please. But Loki winked at her, and she knew he was jesting.
“Not at all. I have the joys of matrimony waiting for me upstairs, so, if you don’t mind, I will go with you”
Loki presented to Sigyn his arm gallantly and she took it, looking at him with all the love in the nine realms.
“Joys of matrimony? Does her mother know?”, Val inquired to Thor in a whisper.
“Don’t think so. Oh dear!”, Thor gasped, suddenly remembering, “Your friend Freya, she hates Jotuns, right?”
“She did when I was with her, yeah, why?”, Val said, then remembered the same thing as Thor had.
“Oh F***! Freya’s gonna be pissed”
But Sigyn seemed so perfectly happy, the side of her head resting on her lover’s forearm, that it seemed cruel to part them, mostly after all they had been through.
They would have to face Freya’s fury later on, and Val thought that maybe a few kisses from a former lover might appease the Vanir Queen…
But that would be a battle for another day.
The End.