Loki and The Princess of Vanaheim

by Loki Is Not Low Key (RichardGraysonPercyJackson)

Summary:

Loki stumbles, gravely wounded, onto Vanaheim where he is saved by Princess Sigyn.

For the first time in his life, Loki finds himself driven to honesty. For the first time in his life, someone believes him

*working summary

Notes:

Notes for this series

- Fridge didn't die in Thor: Dark World

- Odin sent Thor and Loki to Svartlfheim

- I'm sure there's another note I meant to make, but I'm in class so can't remember

Chapter 1: The Man With The Emerald Green Eyes

Summary:

The day begins with Sigyn riding across the fields with her handmaidens.

It ends with her befriending a Prince of Asgard.

Princess Sigyn; Eldest child of King Eiran Oddmundson and heir to the throne of Vanaheim, is traveling the countryside of her realm with a few of her handmaidens when she spots something out on the horizon.

Or rather, some one .

It’s a man, though that’s all she can see from this distance. He is stumbling and appears injured and Sigyn knows that she cannot stand by and watch him suffer without hurrying to his aid.

She rides her horse over, stopping a few feet from him to give him space, in case he’s confused or afraid, before dismounting with a few of the palace guards following behind.

She can see the man closer now and she knows she’s never seen him before. His long black hair is wild, tangled, and his skin is ashen gray. He is dressed in blacks and greens and gold and clutching his chest.

He looks like he’s standing at the gates of Valhalla.

“Sir?” Sigyn calls out as he stumbles closer, lifting his head to squint towards her. “Are you alright?”

“I-” Is all the man is able to say before he coughs, stumbles, and begins to fall. Her guards are fast and don’t need her command to know what she wants to do and they’re there to catch the man before he falls into the field, one of them already hurrying off to his horse to return to the palace and retrieve healers.

Sigyn, against the advice of both the guards and her handmaidens, crept closer to the man who seems to be just barely clinging to life, gasping and moaning in agony, eyes fluttering.

They’re green, like his clothing, Sigyn notes as she kneels next to his hand and strokes his hair off his too cold face.

“You’re going to be just fine,” she soothes him when his eyes latch on her. “I am Princess Sigyn. We’re going to get you healed. You’ll be well, just stay with us.”

“Your highness, you should step back,” one of the guards advises. But Sigyn ignores him and instead replied,

“Does he look capable of anything?” Sigyn gestured to the injured man. “He can hardly breathe, let alone strike me.”

The guards clearly don’t like this, but Sigyn instead ignores them and turns as the galloping of horse hooves, followed close by the rattle of the healers’ carriage, sounds near.

“He is gravely injured,” she tells them, only then standing and stepping back, smoothing out her skirt on instinct as the healers swarm the man who no longer seems to be aware of his surroundings.

“We will stabilize him here, Princess,” the main healer tells her. “And then we will hurry him to the palace.”

Sigyn nods in agreement. She hopes the man will live. Not just because she is a kind soul and no one deserves to die afraid and in pain, but because there is just...something about the man.

As though he’s a puzzle or a mystery, waiting to be solved.

And Sigyn has every intention of doing so.

 

……………………………….

 

Sigyn is seated by the man’s side, tenderly wiping his brow with a cold, wet cloth. His temperature has spiked, from the seidr the healers’ used to cure him, and he has begun shifting and mumbling under his breath, lost in the throws of fever that Sigyn hopes to rid him of come nightfall.

It is sunset now. She is beginning to lose hope.

She has turned her gaze to a book, leaving the cloth on the man’s head, when the doors to the healing wing open and her father, King Einar, enters.

“I had heard you found an injured man in the fields today,” he remarked as he approached, keeping his voice down as he looked the man over. “Who is he?”

“I am not sure,” Sigyn replied, marking her page before setting her book aside and following her father’s gaze, adjusting the cloth on the pale - no longer gray, thank goodness - forehead for something to do with her hand. “He was in no shape to speak, when we found him.”

Her father hummed. “I would like to place two guards in here, if you insist on remaining at his side,” he finally said. “For your safety. We know not who he is, where he hails from, or how he was injured.” He turns his gaze to her at last. “I think only of your safety.”

“If he is our people-” But her father is already shaking his head.

“I do not know who this man is,” King Einar began. “But I know he is not Vanir.”

 

………………………………

 

The man comes to consciousness silently and swiftly and Sigyn is so buried in her book that she does not even realize he has woken until a soft voice speaks from her side, startling here,

“I thank you.”

She jumped, gasping, as she whirled around to find the man watching her, though he seems to have at least half a brain in that he hasn’t tried to sit up with a drastic wound in his abdomen.

“You’re awake,” she remarks, then berates herself for her stupidity. “I will have my guards fetch you water.”

She gestures to one of the guards her father placed at the door and though neither seem keen to disobey the King’s orders, one finally slips away to do as the Princess has requested.

“You informed me of your name earlier,” the man murmured. “I’m afraid I cannot recall it now.”

Sigyn smiled. “That’s alright,” she replied. “I am Princess Sigyn.”

“Princess,” the man replied. “Thank you, your highness. I do believe you saved my life.”

“If I had not been riding by when I was, you would not have made it,” Sigyn remarked. “The Norns had you deep in their clutches when I found you.”

The man hummed. “I thank you, Princess Sigyn,” he repeated.

“And you?”

The man blinked, frowning up at her. “I beg your pardon?”

Sigyn smiled. “Your name,” she repeated patiently. “May I have it?”

“Of course,” the man replied. “I am…” he seems to hesitate then, but only for a moment, before easily replying. “Loki.”

“Loki,” Sigyn repeated with a smile. “It is an honor to meet you.”

Loki nodded. “Might I ask,” he began lightly. “Upon which realm have I stumbled?”

“Vanaheim.”

“Vanaheim,” Loki repeated. “I see. Thank you, your highness.”

“And from which realm do you hail from?”

Loki seems to hesitate, something that has the guard on the other side of the room stiffening, his hand moving steadily towards the sword strapped upon his hip.

“I will not deny, the temptation to lie is…” Loki laughs softly. “But you deserve better than that. You saved my life, after all.”

“I did.”

Loki takes a breath and seems to steel himself for...something, before he finally replied,

“I come from Asgard.”

Sigyn blinked. Logically, she knows she should be terrified of this man. Logically she knows she should call the guards to either send him back or throw him in the dungeons. And yet he came here injured and Aesir or not, she cannot imagine throwing him to the wolves in his condition.

“Did you receive this wound upon Asgard?” she asked gently, after a few moments, holding up a hand to indicate for the guard to stand down, though she doubts he will.

“I did not,” Loki replied. “I was...on a royal mission, sent by the Allfather himself.”

“And you were injured on this?” Loki hummed in reply. “Are you a diplomat? A council member?”

“I was a prisoner,” Loki replied. “I...committed crimes on Midgard, though not of my own volition. I had been in the dungeons of Asgard for some time, before I was approached with an offer.”

“Which was?”

“Accompany Thor and his Midgardian Lady Jane to Svartalfheim in order to prevent the Dark Elves from retrieving the Aether which Lady Jane was in possession of at the time.”

Sigyn shifted. “And you were injured?”

“Protecting Thor.”

That had Sigyn frowning now. “You refer to King Odin as the Allfather,” she began. “But you speak of the Crown Prince with a tongue of familiarity. Why?”

“It matters not.”

“It does,” Sigyn objected. “If you are to stay within my palace until you heal, I think I have a right to know why you speak so fondly of royalty.”

Loki was silent for a moment. “You are...you are right, your highness,” he finally agreed. “Forgive me.”

“If you explain, I shall.”

Loki nods with some difficulty, and then he seems to have lost whatever half-brain he woke up with because he then pushes himself into a seated position, wincing all the while.

“You are hardly healed, you should not-”

“I am fine.” Loki brushes her off, slumping against the headboard of the bed and breathing heavily. When he has regained himself, he turns to her - though avoids her gaze by watching the floor, she notes - and begins speaking. “I am...Prince Loki of Asgard. Youngest son of...King Odin and Queen Frigga.” He seems to wince at those words but moves on before Sigyn can be certain. “Thor is my brother. This is why I speak with the...the fondness that I do.”

Sigyn frowned now, even harder. “But you said you were a prisoner.”

“I was.”

“And yet you are a prince.”

Loki scoffed before immediately sobering and offering Sigyn an apologetic look. “I apologize, your highness. That was...disrespectful.”

“You laughed when I remarked that you were a prince,” Sigyn pointed out. “Why?”

“I lost that title the moment I dared to invade Midgard.”

“And why did you do that?” Sigyn looked him over. “Forgive me, but you don’t look capable of taking over an entire realm on your own.”

Loki winced. “I...had help.”

Sigyn was silent for a moment. “Why did you do it?” Loki opened his mouth to reply but something in him seemed to surrender because he slouched before quietly replying,

“I had fallen into the void where I was tortured for eons. My mind was shattered and reshaped into something else, so that I could be used as nothing more than a puppet for a monster who intends to rule the nine realms and beyond with the Infinity Gauntlet.”

“So you were not in control of your own actions.”

“No.”

“So why were you punished?” Loki looked at her, confused. “It was not your own control, nor your fault, why were you punished?”

“Because I led the army,” Loki replied softly. “It matters not to the Allfather whether or not I was...in control of my own mind. All that matters was that I was too weak and allowed myself to be broken.”

Alright, so Sigyn had already hated King Odin since she was a little girl, ever since the Aesir-Vanir wars, but she was definitely hating him more, hearing how he treated his own son.

“He does not sound like he was a good father.”

Loki laughed and this time, he did not apologize. “He was, to Thor,” he replied. “To me…” he sighed. “I was nothing more than...a mistake.” He shook his head miserably. “I was no son to him.”

There’s so much there, so much to unload, but Sigyn lets it go. She will not force Loki to share something that he so clearly does not wish to and so instead, she reaches over and places her hand on his, ignoring the way the guard at the door readies for an attack and instead keeping her gaze on Loki; on his wide, surprised eyes as he turns his head to meet her gaze.

“You are more than welcome to stay here as long as you like,” she promised him. As an afterthought, she softly replied, “Prince Loki.”

Sigyn thinks she likes Loki’s smile very much.

 

…………………………

 

Sigyn waits until later that night, when she has bid Loki goodbyes on the insistence from the healers that he needs to rest - the two of them had spent the day talking and had discovered that they have much in common - to find her father in the throne room.

“I hear that our guest is from Asgard,” King Einar remarked, skeptical and on guard for good reason.

“He does not strike me as the other Aesir, father,” Sigyn told him as she took a seat in what had once been her mother’s throne at her father’s side and will, one day, be her own. “He is different. How so, I cannot place.”

“You have invited him to remain in the palace.”

“If you heard what he told me, of how his own father treated him,” Sigyn murmured, knowing better than to tell him that Loki is King Odin’s unknown second son. “You would not be so swift to return him to the Realm Eternal.”

King Einar settles a calm look at her. “You have always had a soft heart,” he tells her, as though she isn’t already aware of this. “I only hope that it is not blinding you to this boy’s truth.”

“Then speak with him yourself,” Sigyn pleaded. “He is not like the other Aesir, father.”

King Einar still seems skeptical but he sighs instead and reaches over to brush a lock of her long, red hair behind her ear.

“You have your mother’s heart,” he finally remarked. “She too always thought the best of everyone.” he lowered his gaze. “Right up until the very end.”

“Father,” Sigyn began, taking his hand between her own. “Loki speaks poorly of King Odin. Something I do not believe any Aesir would dare to do, if they were to return to their king and realm, after manipulating us.”

“If desperate enough.” Einar lets the sentence hang in the air.

“Give me a week with him,” Sigyn pleads. “Talk to him as often as you like. Believe me, father, I tell the truth.”

“I know you do,” Einar assured. “But does he?”

 

………………………………

 

Loki is on his feet, having changed out of his trousers and boots he arrived in the day before, though now he is wearing a long, silken green top with a v-neck and loose bell sleeves, a long tail behind it that it tucked into the back of his trousers though some still falls gracefully along his sides.

His hair is combed and washed and he looks so much like the Prince he claims to be.

“You are being released?” Sigyn questioned from the doorway. She’s dressed in a gold and blue gown with heels, her long red hair braided back, arms and neck adorned with golden jewels and yet in comparison to Loki, she feels sloppy.

She cannot place why. 

“I am a mage and an expert with Seidr,” Loki explained, adjusting the golden cuffs of his sleeves. “Once my magic was fully restored, thanks to a bit of rest, I was able to heal myself fully.”

“That is…” Sigyn looks him over as she seeks out the word. “Impressive,” she finally settles on.

Loki shifted. “Thank you.” He doesn’t look used to compliments. From what he had told her about King Odin, the night before, she cannot imagine he could be.

“Come with me,” Sigyn said suddenly. “I said you were welcome to remain and it would be cruel of you to not stay for at least a week.”

Loki seems unsure. “I...suppose,” he finally agreed. “But...only a week. Then I must...it is only right that I return.”

There’s something about that that Sigyn doesn’t like. “Do you think you will be punished on your return?”

“Perhaps if I had returned with Thor, as intended, they would not,” Loki replied. “But now…” He didn’t finish the sentence, shaking his head. “It matters not. We’re on this path and there is no going back.”

Sigyn can’t decide if she likes that or not. Instead she asks, “Would you like to take a stroll through the gardens with me? It’s a lovely day and I wouldn’t mind your company.”

Loki doesn’t hesitate in the slightest as he smiles and approaches her, giving a low bow before offering her his elbow and replying,

“I would be delighted, Princess.”

Sigyn forces herself to ignore the flutter in her chest and instead laces her elbow with his - he’s taller than her, she notes, as her head only comes to his shoulder - before leading him out of the healing wing and into the palace gardens.

 

………………………..

 

“Have you any gardens like this back home?” Sigyn asks to fill the silence as they roam through the beautiful green. “On Asgard, I mean?” she gives him an apologetic look. “Forgive my thoughtless words. I...suppose it would be hard to imagine Asgard as home, after what was done to you.”

Loki doesn’t say anything to that, doesn’t even react - she’s not sure how to feel about that - and instead replies,

“Mother’s gardens.” He gives a small, wistful smile at the memory. “They react to Seidr and shine so brightly in the night that it’s as though they glow stronger than even the palace itself.”

“They sound beautiful.”

“They are,” Loki replied. “When I was a child and couldn’t sleep, I would often slip out there to watch the trees light up in my presence.”

“Because of Seidr.”

“Yes.” He gives a quiet laugh. “Mother always seemed to know when I had ventured out and I always knew she was coming, for the garden seemed to sing when she arrived.”

Sigyn nodded. She did not know much about the Allmother, about Queen Frigga, but she does recall her mother telling her that you could always tell when she was on the throne rather than her husband, because it was as though there was peace across the realms that had not been there before.

“Do you miss her?” She asked Loki softly. 

He closed his eyes. “Yes,” he softly replied. “She visited me once, in my cell upon Asgard.” He avoided Sigyn’s gaze as he added, “I was...not kind to her.”

Sigyn gave his hand a gentle squeeze. “In what way, if I may ask?”

Loki sighed. “I told her she was not my mother.”

“Did you mean it?”

“In that moment, yes.”

“But not anymore.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“I think it does.” When Loki didn’t reply, Sigyn went on. “I think you want so badly for her to forgive you because you did not truly mean it, not even in that moment, but you fear that you have come too far and that even now, even if you were to return and apologize, she would never forgive you.”

Loki stared at her. “I would like to return to the palace now.”

Sigyn nodded. “Very well.” As they made their way back through the gardens to the grand Vanir palace, Sigyn felt the need to murmur, “I’m sorry for pushing.”

“Do not be,” Loki told her. “You merely...put words to thoughts I had refused to shed light upon.”

“Still-”

Loki cut her off then with an ease and grace that Sigyn could not help but envy, even despite the disrespect.

“Tell me, do you have a library?”

Chapter 2: Of Royal Intellect

Summary:

Sigyn and Loki grow close quickly. Sigyn suffers through a suitor and finds herself wishing he was Loki.

Loki meets Sigyn's brothers.

Loki was, as Sigyn came to learn in the following days of his stay, was quite intelligent.

Not only that, but he was a scholar. 

He confined to her, deep in the hollows of the palace library, that the library within Asgard’s palace was where he often spent much of his childhood, when Thor wasn’t dragging him along on his ridiculous escapades.

“I felt at home, within the texts,” Loki told her quietly, the two seated shoulder to shoulder on a balcony of the library, gazing out at the sunset. “Some days it seemed as though, other than mother, the scrolls were the only ones who could see me.”

“I know what you mean,” Sigyn murmured. “When I lost my mother, this was my solace. Just as my father hid away in his chambers, I hid away in here. I gave each book a name and treated them as my friends. When my step-mother passed, when my brothers were toddlers, I let them come here with me to mourn and grieve her in private.”

“I cannot help but note that I have not been introduced to your brothers.”

“That is because they are little heathens who, upon discovering that I have a male friend, will begin pestering you about every little thing that comes to their mind.”

“I grew up with a brother who preferred the sword over the quill,” Loki told her fondly. “I am certain that nothing they will ask will surprise me.”

“Oh, I’m sure they’ll think of something,” Sigyn teased. They sat through the sunset before straightening and tidying their books, returning to the library to put things away before heading out and down the hall to Loki’s chambers. “But would you really want to? Meet my brothers, I mean?”

“If you’d like me to,” Loki replied. “Or if you'd like to continue to hide me away like a forbidden suitor-”

“Stop that,” Sigyn hissed, playfully slapping his arm. “If my father hears you saying those words, he will fear you have taken my innocence between the library shelves and then where shall we be?”

“Entertained, for starters,” Loki replied. He beamed. Sigyn rolled her eyes.

“I would like you to meet my brothers,” she finally said, returning to the previous topic. “But only if you wish to.”

“I would love to.” He shifted. “Not many know this, not even mother, but I have always adored children.” Loki hesitated before murmuring, “But they do not always adore me.”

“My brothers will,” Sigyn insisted. “As foolish and childish as they are, they will know how much you mean to me.”

They came to a stop in front of Loki’s chambers and Loki turned to her. “Words cannot express how much it means to me, being allowed to stay here,” he murmured softly. “And so I will do my best to find a way to show you with actions.”

Sigyn smiled. “I look forward to it.” And then, in a moment of impulse, she pulled him down by his elbow to press a kiss to his cheek. “Goodnight, Loki.”

Loki recovered with that beautiful grace and ease that Sigyn swore no other could possess, stepping back and hardly reacting to the kiss as he swept down in a low bow.

“Goodnight, Princess Sigyn,” he told her, lifting his head to smile gently. Sigyn had to look away, lest he see the flush on her face as she turned and hurried down the corridor to her chambers.

If she lay awake in bed for some hours, fingers pressed to her lips, then that was a secret between herself and the walls.

 

……………………..

 

Sigyn was woken far too early in the morning to her drapes being tugged away from the balcony window, sunlight streaming into the room and bldingin her sleep sensitive eyes.

“Good morning, Princess Sigyn,” her lady-in-waiting, Idonea, greeted with a smile as she moved to pick up the breakfast tray from the end of Sigyn’s bed, carrying it to the princess who sat up with a sleepy yawn. “Your breakfast, highness.”

“Breakfast in bed?” Sigyn asked as she looked over the meal. “Father only allows this when I am to spend the day with a suitor.” She paused, shoulders dropping as she groaned and looked up at Idonea. “Really?”

“He hails from Northern Alfheim,” Idonea reported. “Prince Arvid Runeson.”

“I don’t care where he hails from,” Sigyn muttered as she began eating. “I don’t care to meet him.”

“I am sorry, Princess.”

Sigyn sighed. “It’s fine. I know it cannot be helped. I am father’s heir and therefore, I must continue our line.” She shook her head as she added, “Doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

A few moments passed in silence, Idonea moving about the room in preparation for the day, preparing Sigyn’s blue and lavender accented gown and crown for once she was out of bed.

Sigyn gasped when a sudden thought came to mind. “Idonea, would you do me a great favor?” she begged.

“Of course, Princess,” Idonea promised.

“Will you please let Loki know that I am occupied today and as such, will not be able to see him until late this evening?”

“Certainly, Princess,” Idonea replied, fighting a smile as she added, “Although I am certain that he will not even notice your absence.”

Sigyn frowned. “What do you mean?” Idonea continued to smile. “Idonea, what happened ?”

“It seems your brothers have met your secret friend.”

Sigyn groaned, flopping backwards into her pillows and causing Idonea to hurry forward to make sure she did not spill her breakfast tray.

“They didn’t,” Sigyn mumbled, throwing an arm over her eyes.

“I’m afraid so,” Idonea replied with faux sympathy. “Although Loki does not seem to mind. He has been entertaining them for hours already.”

Sigyn lifted her arm off of her eyes. “Hours?” she pushed herself upright. “Ideonea, how long have I been asleep!?”

 

………………………….

 

Sigyn ran down the halls of the palace, dressed with crown entangled perfectly in her long, red hair. She stumbled to a stop in front of the palace doors, taking a moment to smooth her hair and dress and calm her breathing before gesturing for the guad to open the doors as she made her grand entrance.

“At last, my daughter deigns to join us,” her father teased. “Prince Arvid, please meet Princess Sigyn.”

Prince Arvid gave a low bow, capturing Sigyn’s hand in his own and pressing a kiss to her knuckles. He lifted his head, flashing her a smile that made her fight down a disgusted expression in how clearly forced and cheesy it was.

Nothing like Loki’s soft and soothing smile; the one that teased and promised mischief and games.

Sigyn forcefully pushed him out of her mind as Prince Arvid straightened up. “An honor to meet you at last, Princess Sigyn.” His voice was too sweet, too honeyed, nothing like Loki’s smooth and sultry tone that was currently occupied in entertaining her little brothers. “Your portraits do little to capture your exquisite beauty.”

“Thank you,” Sigyn managed, barely resisting the urge to wipe her hand on her dress when he finally released her, though he quickly took her elbow in his as though he had any right to touch her without permission.

“Shall we stroll?” Prince Arvid suggested, giving a low bow to King Eiran before he turned and sped in a very unrefined manner from the throne room, practically dragging Sigyn behind him and acting as though he already owned the palace.

No, Sigyn did not like him at all.

 

……………………………..

 

Loki had risen early that morning, finding his way to the kitchen to obtain himself some breakfast. It was there amongst the servants that he learned of the suitor coming to meet Sigyn and spend the day courting her.

Prince Arvid of Alfheim. 

Loki had met him once, long ago, and the man had been a terror. He had prefered Thor so clearly and cared little for the fact that Loki had been a prince too, teasing him and pushing him down; treating him as little more than dirt beneath his shoe.

Odin had simply turned his back, telling Loki to let it go and get over it. To be the bigger man and act as though he was not being abused by this boy much bigger and older than he was.

So Loki decided to make himself scarce, if Arvid was to be in the palace of Vanaheim. It would not do for him to identify Loki as a Prince of Asgard, especially since King Einar still did not know.

If Loki remembered Prince Arvid well enough, the man would act as though he was the heir to Vanaheim and not Sigyn and as a result, he would lead them both around the palace and decide which rooms he did and did not have permission to enter, regardless of whether or not that was true.

The man was also dumb as rocks, similarly to Thor at times, honestly, and so Loki hid himself in the furthest corner of the library, secure in the knowledge that this was the very last place in the realms that Arvid would ever dare to step inside. 

Loki was not alone for long before he heard quiet whispers and the soft padding of feet. Having once been a child himself who enjoyed sneaking around with his brother and peering at strangers they had never seen before, he mused that these must be Sigyn’s brothers and informed them as such.

The boys emerged, dressed in red tunics with golden belts and cuffs, gray trousers, and black boots. The tallest on the right was blonde with brown eyes and the one on the left had wild brown hair and intelligent green eyes.

“How did you know?” the taller one asked.

“I was a child myself, with a brother,” Loki replied. “We were also quite curious.”

“Are you Sigyn’s friend?” the smaller one asked.

“I am,” Loki answered. “My name is Loki. And may I ask yours?”

“I’m Prince Somerled,” the taller one replied, jamming his thumb into his chest with the confidence Loki would have envied as a child. “This is my little brother, Prince Hjalmar.”

Loki nodded and set his book down, standing and giving the two a low, sweeping bow.

“It is an honor to meet you, majesties.” The boys giggled and Loki allowed himself a smile as he straightened up and clasped his hands together. “What might I do for such distinguished young princes?”

The boys looked at each other before turning to grin at Loki.

 

…………………………

 

Prince Arvid sure did like hearing the sound of his own voice, didn’t he? In the two hours since he had practically dragged Sigyn from her father’s throne room, the princess doesn’t think he’s stopped for anything more than a breath even once.

She has tried to politely make conversation, but all the man cares about is talking about his own aggressive, violent aspects of his life.

“You should feel honored to even be in my presence,” he drawled, drawing her attention from where she had been thinking about how she would make up her absence to Loki later.

“Oh?” she asked sweetly, even though his presence was the last thing she wanted to be near. “And why is that?”

“I have direct familial ties to the throne of Asgard.” He beamed and Sigyn couldn’t help but frown.

“I thought you were the heir to Alfheim.”

“Oh, yes, I am,” Arvid replied. “But Queen Frigga is the younger sister of my mother. Therefore, when her moronic son Thor proves to his family that he is useless , they will have no other choice to turn to me, the closest male relative they have.”

She should have kept her mouth shut. 

She shouldn’t have said anything , just kept her mouth shut and nodded along.

But in the weeks that she’d known Loki, Sigyn had grown fond and protective of him, even more so after learning that he was often the invisible Prince of Asgard, unseen by his people and even, at times, his own family.

Norns, she should have just kept her mouth shut.

“I thought the royal family had another son. Prince Loki?”

The pure hatred that shot through Arvid’s eyes made Sigyn feel sick and she fought down the urge to punch Arvid in the face when he began speaking.

“That little runt wouldn’t last a week on Asgard’s throne,” he snarled. “He’s weak, pathetic, spineless -”

“That’s enough.” Sigyn cut him off firmly and forcefully, ripping herself from his side and pleased that her outburst was finally enough to get him to shut his mouth.

Arvid stared at her, shocked and surprised, before laughing. “You defend him?” he asked, stunned. “Have you not met him?”

“Perhaps not,” Sigyn replied, because Vanaheim’s displeasure with Asgard was still known and if word got out that she met Prince Loki when King Odin would know she had not ...well…

“Then why do you defend him?”

“Whether you like him or not, he is still a Prince of Asgard.”

“Not as soon as I am King. I intend to have him banished to the coldest corner of Jotunheim as soon as dear King Odin is dead.” He shrugged. “Perhaps I will send Thor with him. See how long the two can last together. See which one the Frost Giants rip apart first.”

Sigyn crossed her arms over her chest. “Tell me, Prince Arvid, have you heard of the Aesir-Vanir wars?”

Arvid frowned at her. “I am of Alfheim,” he replied, as though Sigyn wasn’t overly, intimately aware of this. “The trivial matters of Asgard and Vanaheim matter not to me.”

“Ah, well, let me enlighten you then,” Sigyn said. “These wars lasted centuries, between Asgard and Vanaheim. I lost my mother to them.”

“I don’t understand why that’s my problem.”

“Why would my father ever want to wed his daughter to the King of Asgard?”

“But I am not the King of Asgard. I’m a Prince of Alfheim, which I will rule once my father gets his ass out of my throne.”

“You are a truly horrid, revolting man, Arvid.” Sigyn decided to be blunt. Why not? It was true, after all, and someone had to tell the little asshole. “And I have no intentions of wedding you.”

Arvid laughed. “What other choice do you have? What other suitor do you have?”

“One fart better than you .”

“Oooh.” Arvid’s tone was mocking. “I bet he’s educated , isn’t he? He reads and writes and practices seidr. No doubt he’s just as effeminate as you are.”

Sigyn hadn’t thought about it before, but yeah all of that did sort of define Loki, didn’t he?

Hm...wasn’t that a thought? Why couldn't Loki be her suitor? After all, the two were already such close friends and cared very deeply for one another. Out of all the true suitors her father had found for her, how many had Sigyn actually liked ?

Certainly not many.

“Yes,” Sigyn replied. “He is.” She smiled as she clasped her hands in front of herself. “Now, would you like me to escort you out of the palace or shall I have the guards?”

“You’re throwing me out?”

“Not at all,” Sigyn replied innocently. “I am escorting you. Of course, if you would prefer to be thrown-”

“My father will hear about this!”

“I am a Princess, Prince Arvid,” Sigyn said sweetly. “And I must find a suitable mate. Unfortunately, you are not him.”

“I will tell my father of your insults.”

“And who would believe you?” she asked. She smiled, batting her eyes. “After all, I am simply an innocent and weak woman, as you have spent the last several hours insisting. Who would believe that such a pathetic creature like me could spit such vile words at you?”

Arvid was practically steaming at the ears, the sight giving Sigyn a little thrill of glee. Still, she kept up an outward appearance of calm though she couldn't fight the smile as he turned and stormed off.

Turning to a nearby guard - who was clearly trying not to smile or laugh, if the way he was hiding his face from her was any indicator - Sigyn ordered,

“Please ensure Prince Arvid makes it out of the realm without causing anymore distress or chaos?”

The guard’s smile and laugh were evident in his tone as he bowed and replied, “Yes, highness,” before quickly hurrying after Arvid.

As soon as he was out of sight, Sigyn hurried off in search of Loki.

 

………………………….

 

She found him in the library, entertaining her brothers. After ushering them out as quickly as she could - not quickly enough, as it seems they had grown fond of her gentleman friend - Sigyn turned to Loki who placed his book aside and stood.

“Highness,” he greeted politely, giving her a low bow.

“I have a request for you,” Sigyn declared, keeping her head high and her back straight. “From Princess Sigyn.”

“Oh?” Loki lifted his head, taking in Sigyn’s posture and (no doubt unconsciously) rising to copy her. “And what might that be?”

“Court me.”

Loki blinked at her. “I beg pardon?” he asked.

“Court me,” Sigyn repeated. “Be my suitor.”

“I take it that it did not go well with Prince Arvid?”

“He is a monster.”

“That is an understatement.”

Sigyn smiled just slightly before snapping back into focus. “Out of all of the suitors my father has found for me, none of them yet...fit.”

“And I do?”

“More than.”

Loki started to smile before it fell, suddenly. “You’re serious.”

“I am.”

“I…” Loki snapped his mouth shut, thought, then opened his mouth again. “What of your father?”

“What of him?”

“I do not imagine he would take kindly to you courting a...an Aesir. Certainly not...a Prince of Asgard, however unimportant.”

“Then he does not have to know.” After a beat, Sigyn added, “And do not ever call yourself unimportant in my pressene again.”

That seemed to ease some of the tension because Loki allowed himself a small smile. “Of course, your highness,” he murmured.

Sigyn nodded. After a moment of silence, she asked, “Well?”

“Well?” Loki repeated.

“Will you court me?”

She thought he would say no. For a long, horrifying moment, she thought he was going to say no. So you can imagine her surprise when she was granted a low, sweeping bow; when he took her hand in his and pressed a tender kiss to the back of her knuckles with his chilled lips.

“It would be my honor, Princess Sigyn.”

Notes:

Let me know your thoughts!

Chapter 3: If You Go, Please Promise You'll Return

Summary:

Loki turns himself over to Asgard.

Queen Frigga makes an appearance

Five weeks. 

Five weeks Sigyn and Loki courted with no problem. After all, Loki lived in the palace and Sigyn had...begun to fall for him. She had yet to say those words to Loki yet, not fully sure if she was just infatuated or truly felt them and absolutely unsure if Loki felt the same.

The second week, her father had merely rolled his eyes when she announced that their guest - for she had yet to share his name with her father, knowing that the king would recognize the second prince of Asgard instantly - would now be courting her and any new suitors her father found would instantly be turned away. He had only laughed and given his blessing.

For five weeks, they had bliss.

And then Loki entered the library with a solemn look in his eyes and Sigyn knew that no matter how he would try to soften the blow, it was still going to hurt. 

He was going to leave her.

“Your father received a letter today,” he murmured, taking a seat in front of her and refusing to lift his gaze from his hands, twisting nervously around one another in his lap. “From Asgard.”

Sigyn swore the Norns had taken her heart and twisted, when she heard those words, and she had to swallow thickly before asking,

“What did they want?”

“They demanded my return,” Loki replied. “It seems that at last, Heimdall has discovered me.”

“How?” Sigyn frowned. “How could he have possibly found you now, you have lived here for months .” And then Loki lifted those brilliant green eyes to Sigyn’s own brown ones and she knew the answer. “You called to him.”

“I…” Loki took a deep breath. “I speak only honestly to you, Princess Sigyn.” He reached forward and grasped her hands between his own. “I love you.” Sigyn gasped, softly, unable to look away as he continued. “I love you more deeply than I have ever loved another. Being with you, both as friend and suitor….I fall more deeply into romance for you every day.” He squeezed her hands. “And it has taught me that I cannot hide. Not forever, no matter how much I wish to.”

“Loki-”

“I have so many secrets, Sigyn. My life is built on more lies than you could ever hope to imagine. As easy as it is to stay, to keep running, I do not wish to have one more. I could not bear the thought of what may happen if the Allfather were to discover me here, hiding.”

“You thought he would hurt me.”

“I thought he might kill you,” Loki corrected. “To serve as a lesson. To teach me that I cannot run. Not from him. Not from Asgard.”

“You’re going back.”

“I have no choice.”

“You do,” Sigyn whispered. “You have always had a choice.”

Loki smiled sweetly. “I’m afraid Asgard disagrees.” He sucked in a slow breath before bringing her knuckles to his lips to kiss them sweetly. “Thank you, Princess Sigyn, for everything.”

“Come back.”

Loki lowered her hands. “What?”

“Come back to me,” Sigyn requested. “Please. If you are to return to Asgard, you have to promise that you’ll come back to me.”

“I cannot.”

“ Promise! ” Sigyn pleaded. “You don’t know for certain that you will be punished or chained up, or locked away, or put to death.” She sucked in a heart breath, recognizing that she was spiraling. “Promise me that you will come back, if you can.”

“I…” Loki sighed. “I will do what I can.”

“That’s not a promise.”

“It is all that I can offer.”

And Sigyn knew that. She knew that was true but that doesn’t mean she had to or wanted to accept that.

So she threw her arms around his neck and squeezed him tightly. “Please come back to me, Prince Loki,” she whispered.

Loki’s only reply was to wrap his arms around her back and squeeze just as tight.

 

…………………………………

 

The Einherjar were waiting with muzzle and chain, when Loki arrived on Asgard. He closed his eyes, took a breath, and surrendered. He dared not look at Heimdall as he was bound and silenced and forced down the bifrost towards the tall, glittering towers that had once been his home.

He did not lift his gaze as they entered the palace, the throne room, when he heard a too familiar voice.

“Loki?”

He didn’t react, didn’t move, as he was dragged to the base of the throne. Only then did he lift his head and face the Allfather.

“At last, the traitor has been returned,” Odin drawled and Loki fought the urge to sneer or respond when his muzzle was removed. “You were hidden well, if it has taken even Heimdall himself this long to find you.”

“I-”

“I am very interested to hear what excuse you bare this time,” Odin drawled. “How exactly you faked your death this time.”

Loki swallowed thickly. “I did not die.”

“Evidently.”

“But I thought I would.” Loki shifted, forcing himself to keep his eyes on Odin even though he could feel Thor’s electric gaze boring into the back of his neck. “I was badly injured on Svartalfheim. I lost consciousness.”

“And when you woke?” Odin pressed. “Why did you not return here?”

“I was not strong enough to call for Heimdall,” Loki replied. “I could barely make it to Vanaheim as it was.”

“And how did you live?”

“I was saved by the crown Princess’s kindness.”

“And then you lied to save your own skin.”

“Not once,” Loki whispered. “I never lied to her. Not once.”

“No?” Odin raised an eyebrow. “So you told her of your true heritage, your true face, and she accepted you?” Loki lowered his gaze. He felt more than saw Odin’s sneer as the king declared, “Take him to the dungeons.”

“No!” Thor cried as the Einherjar began tugging Loki away. “Father, please ! Surely he has paid his due! He nearly died upon Svartalfheim for me-”

“Silence!” Gungnir slammed against the throne and Loki tried not to wince, the sound reverberating in the air. “You will not speak against me.”

A long time ago, Loki might have called Thor a spineless fool, for not standing up against their father. Now though, he could only hope Thor’s foolishness would not get him killed or banished.

“I wish to accompany them down to the dungeons.”

“I forbid it.”

“Father-”

“Dismissed.”

“But-”

“ Dismissed!”

And then the doors slammed shut behind Loki and he heard nothing more of the conversation.

 

…………………………

FIVE DAYS LATER

 

“Forgive my tardiness. I am afraid the King has been in desperate need of me for some days.” A beat of silence. “You look well.”

Loki closed his eyes, took a breath, then lifted his head to gaze up at his mother. Without a second of hesitation, he stood and said,

“I am sorry.”

She frowned. “Whatever for, my son?”

“For what I said,” Loki replied. “When last we spoke. Before Thor and I left for Svartlfheim. When you last came to visit me in my cell. I...told you-”

“I remember what you said.” Loki winced. “And your apology is not needed. You were hurting and frightened. Sensitive and so you lashed out.” She smiled tenderly. “There is nothing to apologize for, my son.”

Loki was quiet for a moment. “I didn’t do it.” He didn’t need her to believe him. Didn’t even need her to care. He just...needed her to listen . “I was not in control upon Midgard, I was not myself.”

“I always knew it wasn’t you,” she said softly. “My sweet Loki could never have-”

“I killed Laufey,” Loki reminded her. “I overtook Asgard, prevented Thor from returning, lied to him, I-” he cut himself off. “I am a monster.”

“You are not,” Frigga whispered. “Nor is the race you come from.”

Loki shook his head. “No-”

“I am not finished.” he pressed his lips together. “Your father built stories of Jotunheim, through your childhood, to frighten you. To prevent you from ever daring to set foot on that frozen realm.”

“It didn’t work.”

“For the better, I think,” Frigga remarked. She smoothed down her skirt. “King Odin will see reason. I will ensure it. You do not belong here in these cells. You have more than paid your due, as your brother said.”

“I do not believe the Allfather will-”

“He will do as I tell him,” Frigga declared, a small smile on her face as she remarked, “I hold more power over him than you believe.” She reached out, surprising Loki when her hand touched his cheek rather than going through it, as he had expected.

“You’re here,” he whispered. He hadn’t...he hadn’t thought the Queen of Asgard herself would deign to visit him again, after everything he had said and done.

“Of course I am,” Frigga promised. “Am I not your mother?”

Loki was no fool. He knew that this was a test; an opportunity to redeem himself, to choose what path they would go down next. To choose what would happen next. And so he leaned into her hand as he nodded and murmured,

“You are.”

And Frigga smiled.

 

…………………………………

 

Three months. It had been three months since Loki had turned himself over to Asgard and Sigyn had not yet heard a single word. She was certain her anxieties were beginning to bother her father but he had yet to say anything to her.

At the end of the first week of the fourth month, whilst sitting down for dinner, Sigyn’s father shooed her brothers away and she frowned.

“Am I in trouble?” she asked, though she could think of nothing she had done wrong.

“Not at all,” King Einar replied. “On the contrary, I have news.”

Sigyn frowned before groaning. “It’s not another suitor, is it?”

“Of sorts.”

“Oh father, please no!” she begged. “I cannot take another suitor-”

“Will you at least hear his name?”

Sigyn sighed. “Father-”

Einar’s eyes twinkled with delight as he asked, “So you don’t want to court Prince Loki of Asgard?”

Sigyn froze. “What?” she whispered, sitting up. “Loki’s coming back?”

“He will return at the end of the week.”

Sigyn’s eyes went wide. “Truly!?” she asked. “He’s alright!?”

“I received the letter from Queen Frigga this morning.”

Sigyn beamed, though her smile was quick to fall into a frown of confusion. “It’s been three months,” she murmured. “Why so long?”

“From the sound of Queen Frigga’s letter, it took quite some time to convince the Allfather of Prince Loki’s innocence.”

“But he believed her?”

“Of that, I am not sure,” Einar replied. “But I do know that it is only with the Allfather’s word that Prince Loki is permitted to return.”

“When?” Sigyn asked. “You said the end of the week?”

“I did.”

Sigyn smiled so brightly but again, her smile soon fell to a serious expression. “Are you mad?”

“Mad?”

“That I...didn’t tell you the truth,” Sigyn murmured. “That I only said Loki was an Aesir but did not tell you that he was Odin’s son.”

“No, I’m not mad.”

“Why?”

Einar smiled gently. “Because I already knew.”

Sigyn’s eyes went wide. “Really?”

“That boy may be called The God of Lies, but it took courage for him to come and tell me the truth.”

“He told you?”

“On his second week here.”

Sigyn couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “And you didn’t send him away?” she asked, shocked.

“I admit that it was tempting,” Einar replied. “And you must understand, I thought only of protecting you.”

“What changed your mind?”

“He did. He cared so deeply for you, enough that he told me everything .” Einar’s eyes glinted as he murmured, more to himself than Sigyn. “Almost everything.”

“What do you mean, ‘almost everything’?”

“I believe that is not my right to speculate on,” Einar replied. “When he is ready, he will share.” He shifted. “I do not know what secrets he keeps, only that he keeps them deeply. When he is ready, he will tell you.”

Sigyn wants to press, wants to ask, but instead simply requests, “I want to know the minute he steps into the realm.”

 

………………

 

She’s there when Loki arrives by bifrost and he hardly gets a second to orient himself before she’s throwing herself at him, pulling him down for a kiss.

“Your father is watching,” Loki remarked quietly when she allowed him a breath.

“Who cares?” Sigyn replied. “So are The Norns.”

Loki’s lip ticked up in a smile. “Of course,” he replied. “How could I have forgotten?”

Sigyn beams before intertwining their arms and dragging him over to her father, whom Loki starts to greet with a bow before King Einar holds up a hand.

“No need for bows, Loki,” Einar told him. “You are all but family now.” He smiled. “And you have my blessing, to take my daughter’s hand in marriage.”

Loki is speechless but somehow manages a soft, “Thank you, King Einar.”

King Einar nods before turning and leaving the two of them in peace.

Notes:

let me know your thoughts!

Chapter 4: The Truth Will Out

Summary:

"You should hate me."

"I think you hate yourself enough for the both of us."

Loki had to tell her. He loved Sigyn with all her heart, truly wanted to marry her, but he couldn't do that until he told her the truth. He could not ask her hand until she and her father knew who he was, what he was.

The trouble was, the thought made Loki sick. The thought of his own skin, of his truth, of Sigyn finding out and rejecting him for it makes him want to vomit. But he loves her too much to lie, knows how damaging that lie can be in a long time.

So he has to tell her. Even if it means losing her for good.

 

…………..

 

Something is on Loki’s mind. Something is bothering him. They’ve been riding horseback through the fields of Vanaheim for about thirty minutes and he’s tense. Their banter is the same and he’s smiling, but there's something in his eyes that tells Sigyn he’s bothered.

So she tugs her horse to a stop and watches him do the same. “Is something wrong?” he asks, because he always asks because he cares so deeply and oh but Sigyn cannot wait to marry him.

“Not with me,” Sigyn replied. “What about you?”

She sees his shoulders stiffen. It's minute; an action she’d never have noticed if she weren’t watching for it. If she weren’t so in tune with him. But she does see it and it worries her.

She expects him to lie - god of lies, after all - but he shifts and replies, “There is something I have been meaning to tell you.”

“Alright.” She grips the reins. “What’s wrong?”

He’s nervous and scared and for a second, Sigyn fears the worst. For a second, she wonders if he’ll say he’s betrothed, or already married, or has just been using her for her place in the royal line.

She’s had suitors do that before, after all.

But he doesn’t say any of that. In fact, nothing that bothers him has anything to do with her at all. Instead he takes a deep breath, tightens his grip on the reins, before declaring firmly.

“I’m a Frost Giant.” Silence settles between them as Sigyn processes. But she takes too long to process, clearly, because Loki begins to explain. He tells her the whole story. Tells her of being left in the temple, of being stolen, of being raised in a lie, of losing himself to jealousy, of being possessed on Midgard, of being nearly killed on Svartalfheim-

She cuts him off. “Thank you for telling me.” She can see him waiting. Can see him expecting her to scream for help, to sentence him to death. She wonders if he wants her to do any of that. Instead she corrects, “The proper term is Jotnar, though.” She gives him a gentle smile. “Just so you’re aware.”

He very obviously was not expecting that at all and it takes him long moments of gaping before he finally asks,

“What?”

“Frost Giant is a slur,” Sigyn replied. “They’re called Jotnar.”

He looks like he’s in pain, trying to comprehend that, and he quietly asks, “Why don’t you hate me?”

“For your race?” she asked. “Why would I? You’re still Loki, aren’t you? You’re still you . I didn’t fall for you because you look Aesir, I fell for you for you .” She waits a moment. “Loki, you do understand that, don’t you?”

He doesn’t. He so clearly doesn’t and Sigyn’s heart aches for him. He’s opening and closing his mouth, so Sigyn dismounts her horse and orders him to do the same, which he does.

Once they’re standing together, she takes his hands and kisses him deeply. When she finishes, she draws back and looks him in the eye.

“I love you for you Loki,” she declares. “Whether you are Jotnar ,” she stresses the word. “Or Aesir, I don’t care. I am in love with Loki, no matter what realm he hails from.”

Loki swallowed thickly. “I…” he doesn’t know what to say. “I can’t…” he draws his hands away. “You have to see . You don’t understand, so you have to see .”

She wants to tell him no. Wants to tell him he doesn’t have to when the thought of what he is is clearly causing him so much pain. But she doesn’t because she fears he’ll think she hates him. Fears he’ll think she’s disgusted by his true appearance and that’s why she doesn’t want him to show her his true skin.

She watches him step away from her, away from the horses, and then his skin begins to change. He’s not looking at his hands, only at her, and she watches as his skin turns a beautiful blue, intricate markings appearing across his skin. A sign of King Laufey’s bloodline. His eyes are a bright, crimson red. So different from the other, from the green, but Sigyn finds she loves them just as much.

“I love you.” He goes horribly still when she says it, so she says it again. “I love you, Loki. No matter what you look like.”

Loki stares at her, skin fading back to the lighter Aesir tone. “You should hate me,” he tells her.

She gives him a sympathetic look. “I think you hate yourself enough for the both of us,” she murmurs softly.

Loki says nothing. After several long moments, Signy asks if he would like to return to the palace.

They ride back in silence.

 

………………..

 

Loki disappears soon after they return to the palace. Sigyn looks for him, but she can’t find him anywhere. She’s worried because there was so much hatred in his eyes, directed at himself, and she’s afraid he’s going to get himself hurt.

Afraid he’s going to do something to make them think he’s the monster he clearly believes he is. She doesn’t have to think, she knows where she needs to go.

She runs to her father, knows he’s in the throne room. She’s lucky, there’s no meeting, and he sits up when she hurries to him.

“Sigyn, darling,” he murmurs as she rushes to his throne. “What’s going on? What’s wrong?”

“It’s Loki!” Sigyn tells him, a moment before she spills everything in a panic. Tells him what Loki told her, what he is. She’s in tears, telling her father that Loki took off as soon as they reentered the palace.

Her father summons guards and Sigyn feels a moment of fear before he tells them to find Loki and protect him from himself, if need be. To find him and report back to Princess Sigyn as soon as possible.

Sigyn spends the rest of the day tense and terrified until a knock comes at her door and Loki stands at the other side.

She doesn’t let him say a word before she tugs him close and holds him tightly. He’s still and stiff in her arms for a few moments before he slowly brings his own up and wraps them around her.

“I love you,” Sigyn whispers into his chest. “I love you, Loki, please don’t leave me.”

Loki is quiet for some time. “You don’t hate me?”

“Never,” she swears. “I swear on my blood to the Norns, I will never, ever hate you.”

Loki swallows before tightening his grip. “Thank you,” he murmurs. “I love you, Sigyn.”

“Promise me you won’t leave me?”

“I promise.”

“Swear it.”

“I swear on the Norns.”

...……………..

 

“So.” 

Sigyn blinked at her father. “So?” she asked.

“Loki is Jotnar.”

“Yes.” Silence for a few moments. “Does that change anything?”

“Does it?”

“Of course not!” She stares at him. “Why would that change anything ?”

“It wouldn’t,” her father replied. “But he clearly thinks it will.”

“It changes nothing ,” Sigyn swore. “I love Loki for Loki . Neither his race nor his birth realm will ever change that.”

Her father smiles. “Good.”

Notes:

let me know your thoughts!!

Chapter 5: May I Take Your Hand

Summary:

“With your permission, Princess Sigyn, I would like to take your hand in union. I wish to spend the rest of my years with you at my side as my queen.”

Things have changed between them, since Sigyn has learned of Loki’s truth. He’s still tense and refuses any attempt she makes to bring the subject up, but there’s more love in their relationship, she thinks.

He showed herself an aspect of himself that he hates; that he has been raised to view as monstrous, yet when he showed her, all he got was pure love and acceptance.

She knows it will take a very long time for him to truly accept himself, but she thinks he’s taken a step in the right direction just by showing her.

That being said, he’s been acting odd . Not in a noticeable way, at least not in a way that anyone else would notice if they didn’t spend every second of every day with him, but Sigyn does and as such, she’s noticed.

It’s not a bad odd. At least, she doesn’t think so. He seems thoughtful, more doting. She’s certainly not complaining if he kisses her and holds her close more often. In fact, she all but encourages it! Her brothers think it’s disgusting, of course, but Loki takes their remarks in stride and it makes Sigyn smile because he’s so good with Somerled and Hjalmar that it’s hard to believe that he’s the younger brother in his own family.

In both his families, actually. She hasn’t told him this yet, but after learning of his heritage, Sigyn spent hours in the library one night, reading up on everything of the Jotnar in order to be ready, should he ever express an interest in facing his birth family or properly accepting his true heritage.

She doubts he will, or if he does it won’t be for a very long time, but the point of the matter is that she has done the research and is ready with the information, if he ever wants it.

What she learned was that he had two older Jotnar brothers, but because they were born from a father other than King Laufey, they are considered illegitimate, which places Loki as current heir to the throne of Jotunheim.

That, at least, is information she knows he has, even if he might not know the technical reasons behind it.

They’re seated in the library, after lunch, when Sigyn finally speaks up. “Is everything alright?”

Loki looks up from his book, frowning. “Of course.”

“Are you sure?” Sigyn asked, worried. “You’ve been…different, lately.”

“A bad different?”

“No, not bad,” Sigyn replied. “Just… different .” She set her book down. “Is something bothering you?”

“Of course not,” Loki assured her, setting his own book to the side to take her hands in his, giving her his full attention. “I’m fine.”

Sigyn pressed her lips together before leaning forward to embrace him tightly. “You promise you’ll tell me?” she asked. “If something changes?”

“Of course I will,” Loki assured. “I swear to the Norns.”

Sigyn still felt unsure, but she nodded nonetheless. “Okay,” she agreed, leaning back with a gentle smile. “I love you, Loki.”

“And I you, Princess.”

 

…………

 

It had been two weeks since her talk with loki. Not only was he still acting weird, but everyone was acting weird. Her brothers would giggle whenever they saw her and take off running when they realized she’d heard them, her father would check on her more often than he ever used to and even the servants had begun gossiping amongst themselves.

“Is everything alright?” Loki asked as the two of them rode horseback across the fields, finally taking a break from everyone in the palace since Sigyn had quickly grown irritated with their attitude towards her over the last few days.

“Fine,” Sigyn replied hotly before immediately sighing, shoulders slumping. “I’m not fine.”

Loki pulled his steed to a stop, Sigyn doing the same before dismounting. Loki followed suit before walking over to her and taking her hand.

“What’s wrong?”

“Everyone’s been acting weird ,” Sigyn replied. “First it was you, but you said you were fine. But lately, my dad, my brothers, and even the servants have been acting odd.” She looked up at Loki. “Have I missed a joke?”

Loki sighed before giving her a small smile. “Not a joke,” he replied. “But…they do know something you don’t.”

Sigyn scowled at him, pulling away and crossing her arms over her chest. “And what might that be?”

Loki hesitated a moment and just as Sigyn was ready to turn and storm off, he reached out and took her hands once more.

“Princess Sigyn Eiransdottir,” Loki began. “I have loved you from near the moment I met you. You took me in when any other would have thrown me back to asgard without a second thought. Even after learning of what realm I hail from…” he sighed and added, “ Both realms that I hail from, you have never turned your back on me.” He adjusted his hold on her hands, took a breath, and said, “With your permission, Princess Sigyn, I would like to take your hand in union.” Sigyn’s eyes went wide as Loki lowered himself to a knee and offered her a ring. “I wish to spend the rest of my years with you at my side as my queen.”

Signy covered her mouth with her hands, eyes wide. When she finally found her voice, she softly asked, 

“What about my father?”

Loki smiled. “There’s a reason he’s been acting so oddly.”

She gave a breathless laugh. “He knew .”

“I asked him first.”

“And my brothers?”

“Eavesdropped and needed to be bribed for weeks to ensure their silence.”

Sigyn laughed, throwing herself at Loki and uncaring as they both tumbled to the ground.

“Ues,” she told him as they sat up and she settled into his lap. “Yes, Loki, I will be your queen.”

He smiled, pulling her in for a kiss as he slipped the ring upon her finger.

Notes:

Let me know your thoughts!!!

This is the last chapter, but tomorrow I'll be posted part two of the series, so be sure to check in!

Notes:

let me know your thoughts!!

Series this work belongs to:

• Part 1 of The Loki and Sigyn Series