Nine Days Of Loki

How Sif managed to avoid being clamped in irons and hauled off to the prisons herself, was anyone's guess.
She knew her loss of composure and disruptive behaviour would usually warrant detainment, but the Allfather made an exception in this case, taking the 'extenuating circumstances' into consideration.

Sif wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry at the utter hypocrisy of it.
She was being shown leniency, yet Odin would not extend the same level of understanding toward his son.
Of course Loki needed to face the consequences for his questionable actions regarding his unlawful behaviour. She did not dispute that. But being handed over to Thanos was beyond cruel. This was a barbaric and callous act of punishment. It seemed inevitable that her poor, wretched lover was destined to suffer a painful death and it was beyond the limits of Sif's endurance.

As Loki had been marched away, struggling to maintain as much dignity as possible, she had thrown what remained of her own dignity aside. She wept unashamedly and begged and pleaded with the King to change his mind, but her heartfelt efforts proved to be fruitless. Falling on deaf ears, Odin the stubborn old fool was unmoved by her desperation and declarations of love for the trickster.
In the end she had been forcibly removed. Escorted to her chambers and advised to remain there until she'd regained her 'sense and reason'

"Sense and reason." She muttered under her breath to herself.
There was no sense or reason in Odin's decision to sentence Loki to death by Titan.

Pacing back and forth in her room she wept uncontrollably, her hands tugging on her hair in utter frustration.
Something had to be done. She couldn't just accept that this was to be their destiny, it went against every instinct she had. As a shield maiden she had had it instilled in her to fight for what was right, and this was not right. On the contrary this was blatantly unjust.
But what could be done?
She could see no way out and the sense of helplessness consumed her.
To go against the commands of the Allfather would be the highest act of treason, but more to the point, Loki would be so heavily guarded there was no chance whatsoever of saving him now.

Just then there came a knock at the oak-panelled door, startling her and temporarily shaking her from her self-pitying reverie.
She roughly brushed the tears aside, before opening the door ever so slightly, and she was momentarily taken aback when she was greeted by the concerned face of Thor, peering worriedly through the gap.

"T-Thor!"
She exclaimed, unable to disguise her surprise.
"I did not realise you were back, Fandral told me you were away assisting in the capture of marauders on Alfheim-"

"The situation is currently under control. I came immediately when I learned of your return."
The thunderer interrupted her. It seemed apparent that he was in no mood to engage in idle chit-chat.

Hastily Sif stepped aside and held the door ajar for him to enter. And once he was inside he wasted no time in launching into the conversation she wasn't quite ready to have yet.
Not with Thor anyway. To say it was awkward was putting it mildly.

"So, it is true."

Deliberately stalling, Sif opted to act innocent. But she was not as well practised in the art of deceiving as Loki, and he saw straight through her feigned ignorance.
"Is what true?"

"You know damn well what I'm referring to, Sif....It is true that you have been fraternising with...with Loki."

Folding her arms across her chest defensively, Sif turned away from her lifelong friend, unable to face his judgemental expression. It was more than she could stand, seeing him look sideways at her as though she'd lost her wits.

"I cannot bring myself to believe it."
He stated, his tone laden with blatant disbelief.
"After a mere nine days of Loki, you've fallen victim to his charms. I thought you would be immune to his seductive charisma. You ought to know better, Sif."

"I am still a woman, Thor. And I realise it must be difficult for you to understand but he did not simply seduce me. This isn't a fleeting infatuation."

"What is it then, love?"
He scoffed mockingly.
"Sif, need I remind you that Loki's reputation as a womaniser precedes him. How can you of all people, after all this time, suddenly fall for his silver-tongued flattery? You have never shown the least interest in him before-"

"Thor, please....I beg you, no more."
Whirling around to face him Sif felt herself losing her grasp on her composure.
"The last thing I need at present is a lecture from you. I cannot help my feelings, all I know is that what I feel for Loki is real. I never planned to fall in love with him. Falling in love with him was much like falling down a flight of stairs. I didn't see it coming, it wasn't expected. All I know is I was powerless to stop it. But even now that I am flat on my back, and the fall was quick and painful.....it is still exactly where I want to be."

"What....in love with him?"

"Yes!"

Thor's heavy brow furrowed as he eyed her cynically.
"That is not quite how Loki describes it, yet his proclamation isn't entirely dissimilar to yours. He claims not to have 'fallen' in love with you but rather 'walked' into it with his eyes wide open. Despite knowing the consequences would be dire, he chose to take each step willingly....and even now it has led him here, on the path to his impending doom, he insists he does not regret his decision."

Sif felt her heart jackknife in her chest, and her bottom lip threatened to tremble.
"You've seen Loki? He....he said that?"

Thor nodded almost imperceptibly.
"That is why I am here. I went to confront him regarding his actions, and he beseeched me to send you his...."
He fidgeted awkwardly. Clearly monumentally uncomfortable with having to pass on such a message.
"...love."

Sif forced her eyes tightly shut in order to try and prevent further tears from springing forth. But they pushed their way out through her already soggy eyelashes, and fell silent onto her damp cheeks.

Unsure of what to do, never having been in the presence of a weeping shield maiden before, Thor moved toward her stiffly and wrapped a tense arm around her shoulders in an attempt to comfort her.
"There now, Sif......do not cry."

"How can I not? I have never known pain such as this."
She sobbed, allowing her usual steely persona to take a backseat for once.
As much as she disliked showing vulnerability, especially in front of Thor, Sif no longer had the energy or will to hold it all together. She was emotional wrung-out. Exhausted by emotions and stricken with grief knowing she was to lose her beloved trickster to a terrible fate.

She felt Thor's sturdy embrace on her arm tighten, his tension increasing. He didn't know what to do, he was completely out of his depth and comfort zone, and she could sense his awkwardness. As her companion and fellow-warrior, he wanted to comfort her, to reassure her that all would be well.
But he couldn't, because all wasn't well. Nor was it ever likely to be again.

Just then Sif was struck with inspiration. Driven by desperation she pulled back slightly, extricating herself from his grip and affixed her baleful gaze on him.
"Thor, can you not appeal to the Allfather on my behalf?"

"Sif, Odin has already passed judgment on Loki. There is no swaying him-"

"But Loki is your brother!"
She cried accusingly, her voice straining with raw emotion.
"Surely you cannot condone the sentence that awaits him? Thanos will kill him brutally, how can you possibly stand by and-"

"Sif, I have done all I can!"
He interrupted firmly, his face anguished.
"I wish I could help, I truly do. But my father is beyond reason and Loki has brought this on himself."

Sif opened her mouth, prepared to argue further and unleash her anger on the Thunder God. She was struggling to come to terms with how he could be so complacent. So willing to accept Odin's verdict.
But something inside made her stop.

Her time with Loki had paid off in more ways than one. Whilst she had always undoubtedly had a tactical mind, she now found herself trying to think how her lover would think.
How would he proceed? Would he continue to argue with his brother when it was obvious nothing could be done?
No.
He would already be putting a plan B into action whilst he cunningly worked on plan C, and no doubt having a plan D and E in the pipeline as well.
He was usually always two steps ahead of everyone else, and he knew from experience that you couldn't keep beating your fists against a wall....hoping it would become a door.

"Well.....if you cannot change the Allfather's mind, can you at least grant me the small mercy of seeing Loki myself before he is sent to his death?"
She asked, her large brown eyes filled with a hopeful sadness that seemingly had the desired effect on Thor.

"It is forbidden."

"I know, but I love him Thor. Please. I beg you.....let us say our farewells. If he dies without me never having said goodbye, my heart will cease to beat and I shall die with him."

He looked for a moment like he was going to object further, but then he nodded and Sif's heavy heart felt some slight alleviation from the sorrow that threatened to crush it.

"Very well. I shall see what can be done. Odin will not permit you to visit Loki in his cell, but under cover of darkness you should be able to slip into the prisons unnoticed. I shall accompany you. In the event you face any resistance from the guards, I will vouch for your presence. They will not question my authority."

Throwing her arms around her friend, Sif hugged him tightly as fresh tears flowed freely once again.
"Thank you, Thor. I am eternally grateful to you."

*****************

Huffing under his breath, Loki turned onto his other side in a vain attempt to find some comfort on the small, narrow bed.
Not that he'd be able to sleep anyway. How could he when time slipped through the hourglass, each minute and hour counting down to his imminent death?
It didn't bear thinking about.
He was at risk of finally going mad if he dwelled on the disturbing thoughts for too long.
It had already turned midnight, and with the dawning of this new day brought his untimely end.
He dare not think of what horrors this day held in store for him. For he would come face to face with the mad Titan once more....he who had manipulated and controlled him in the past, using him as a puppet. And Loki had failed to conquer Midgard. Failed in the quest he'd been allocated. Failed Thanos.
With that failure came doom.
He had always known it, yet he'd naively believed himself to be safe. Hiding amongst the mortals, Loki had reasoned that the realm where he had caused so much destruction would be the very last place Thanos would think to look for him.
And he had been safe.
Now everything was dramatically different, having changed within the space of twelve days. In particular the nine days spent with Sif had altered everything and set him on a course he'd never dreamed, nor dared, tread.

However he could not afford to keep analysing and accessing matters in his head. There was absolutely nothing he could do about his grim circumstances now.
The outcome was bleak, and no amount of pacing back and forth and reevaluating the situation would help him now.
So, he'd succumbed to his weariness and laid down. Resting his tired legs and aching head.

Ce sera sera.
C'est la vie.

He had no chance of getting any sleep but still he lay down anyway, and was suddenly overwhelmed with the sheer, terrifying enormity of what was in store for him and he found himself curling up into the fetal position, drawing his knees up close to his chest.
What he wouldn't give now to hear some words of comfort from his mother. To look upon her kindly face. To feel her tenderly enfolding him in her arms, holding him close. Making him feel safe.
He had thought his tears had run dry by now but it soon became clear his mournful eyes were still capable of producing them, as he wept silently onto his white linen pillow.

His despair must've hindered his senses, as he didn't immediately notice he was being watched. By the time he realised he wasn't alone, but rather being quietly observed, he couldn't be sure how long the presence had been invading his privacy, intruding on his grief.

"Did I not make myself perfectly clear the first time?"
He called out as nonchalantly as possible with a strained voice, presuming it to be one of the guards returning to harangue him into eating his last meal.
"I have no appetite. Leave me be, I'm not hungry!"

"That's hardly surprising, all things considered."

Loki's head whipped around upon hearing the voice of Sif, and seeing her standing outside of his cell was so unexpected he faltered for a moment, shocked.

"S-Sif!"
He stammered, hurriedly wiping his eyes with the back of his hand, he leaped up from the bed with newfound vigour.

She smiled softly at the sight of her poor love, her fallen prince, looking so vulnerable and broken. His watery smile widened, brightening his face as he approached the periphery of the force field which kept himself and his power contained.
The damned electromagnetic barrier prevented her from being able to reach out and touch him one last time, and she wanted to scream in frustration at the complete unfairness of it all.

"I...I know I asked you to...to marry me, which must have seemed like a bizarre proposal given that my neck is on the line..."
He gabbled nervously, all at once feeling the need to explain himself.
"....not that I presumed you'd want to accept, but I need you to know that I wholeheartedly meant what I said. My offer was genuine."

"I know. I believe you, Loki."

"You....you do?"

Her heart ached. He was visibly stunned and his earnestness was endearing.
"I do....and I will."

Loki frowned and she could see his eyes swimming with confusion. Drowning in bewilderment.
"You will? You mean....what? You'll marry me?"

She nodded, and had to refrain from laughing as a result of his befuddled state. He looked pleasantly pleased but anxiously hopeful.
"But I'm to be....I mean I'm-"

Just then a large figure stepped out from the shadows, pulling Loki's focus away from his beloved shield maiden.
His expression visibly darkened, like a cloud -- more specifically, a thundercloud -- passing in front of the sun.

"Thor."
Loki exclaimed.
"What an unexpected delight. Two visits in one day....how thoughtful."

He'd already exchanged words with his estranged brother upon his arrival at the prisons.
Predictably, Thor had sought him out in a berserker rage. He'd reproached Loki for leading Sif astray and accused him of seducing her for the fun of it.

"Have you no shame? Not even a shred of decency left?"
He had ranted on, considerably vexed by what he had learned.
"Sif is like family to me, to us. She is not another one of your conquests. A mere notch on your gilded bedpost. How could you have corrupted her like this, Loki? There is a line you simply do not cross."

Incensed, Loki sneered openly in response.
"Oh I corrupted her did I? Hm. I don't think so, brother. Sif wanted me. And she needed very little encouragement."

Thor bristled, his anger escalating as Loki jibed him further...

"Ooh. Does it burn you? Her choosing the likes of me over you? She broke her sacred vows of chastity with the son of a frost giant, not the mighty Odinson. That must be a bitter pill to swallow. The rightful king of Jotunheim made the most chaste, desirable goddess in Asgard squeal-"

"Shut up, Loki! If you do not silence that filthy mouth of yours, I shall gladly do it for you!"

Loki smirked brazenly. Pleased that his efforts to rile the thunderer had worked. Although admittedly he was relieved to have the safety of the force field protecting him from suffering Thor's wrath.
But then he remembered the promise that he had made to his mother. The oath he had sworn on her eternal soul. And he was struck with guilt.
Instead of provoking Thor with salacious taunts, perhaps he should try being completely honest about his feelings for Sif. No matter how much he disliked opening up to his adoptive brother.

So, whilst the brief interaction had initially been heated between the pair, Loki had eventually crumbled and confessed his true feelings, and asked the thunderer to do him the final kindness of passing on his love to the Lady Sif.
As it happened, he hadn't expected him to do so, yet here she was now standing before him in the flesh.
It seemed the blundering oaf  had taken pity on him, and orchestrated a visit in order for the star-crossed lovers to say their goodbyes to one another.
Okaaaay then. He thought.
Perhaps he wasn't all that bad after all.

Deliberately ignoring Loki's remarks, Thor turned to Sif and spoke quietly.
"Are you absolutely sure about this? Do you still honestly believe you can keep him in check?"

Sif nodded, not needing to give the matter a second thought. She was taking a risk by playing the wild card. Gambling all she had on her dark prince.
Previously she would've proceeded with caution, but now was not the time for deliberation. She trusted Loki's love for her now implicitly.

Glancing around the dimly lit dungeons, Thor quickly scanned the room for guards. Security was decidedly lax at night. The complex system which kept the prisoners contained in their cells was so impenetrable, there was very little chance of even the most powerful or strongest inhabitant of escaping.
As a result the number of guards on duty was kept to a minimum and those that were, continuously patrolled the entire complex. At present, this section of the dungeons was currently unguarded due to Thor being on-hand. But there was only a matter of minutes before they returned.

Loki looked-on intrigued, as his brother hastily punched in an access code on the alarm pad which was situated on the wall outside of his cell.
Was he doing what he thought he was doing?
Surely not.

The glowing light of the barrier flickered haphazardly as Thor disabled the force field, leaving it clear and perfectly safe for Loki to step free from his containment.

"Hurry, Loki. We must go quickly. There's very little time."
Sif urged, as he joined her cautiously on the outside in a daze. He barely even seemed coherent enough to return her brief embrace.

"Perhaps now might be the time to put some of your tricks to good use."
Thor suggested, finally shaking Loki from his shocked stupor.

"Yes...for once brother, I'm inclined to agree with you."
And with a wave of his hand Loki used his magic to create a duplicate projection of himself inside the cell. Then, using his abilities he channeled his energy in order to cast an illusion over himself and Sif, transforming them into Einherjar guards.

Hastily Thor activated the barrier surrounding the cell once more, then turned to clasp Sif by the shoulders.
"Make haste. Loki's clone will fade the further he gets from the palace. That much I know due to past experience. Heimdall will not prevent you from leaving as long as he does not see through the illusions. But you must leave Asgard before the alarm is raised."

"Thank you, Thor. Words alone cannot express my gratitude."
She placed a gentle kiss on his bristly cheek, before turning to Loki. Even in the form of a guard his expression was still one of utter shock.

"Yes, brother. I too must thank you for this most unexpected act of treachery. I never would've expected you to break the rules to such an extent."
His eyes found Thor's and in that moment all the playful, mocking banter was set aside. This situation called for Loki to be serious. Which he was capable of, when it was absolutely necessary.
"In all seriousness.....how can I ever repay you for this?"

Thor beamed, patting Loki so vigorously on the back it made his eyes bulge.
"Don't mention it, brother. You can repay me by treating Sif with the love and respect she so rightfully deserves. But mark my words if you betray her.....I will kill you."

Loki returned the fond gesture by administering a series of swift pats to Thor's solid, muscular shoulder.
"Have no fear. I will give you no reason to smash my face in with Mjolnir."

With that, Loki and Sif hastened towards the stairs which led back up to the main palace.
They walked quickly rather than ran so as not to raise suspicion as they made their way through the winding labyrinth of golden hallways, until at last they made it outside.

Loki's breathing quickened, his heart thumping rapidly in his chest. Adrenaline coursed through his veins, making his limbs quiver with excitement.
He was free.

Sif strode along by his side, sweat beading on her brow. Her frayed nerves were tingling but her heart soared.
They were together again, despite all the odds.

Neither of them spoke until they reached the bifrost, when at last Loki turned to her, mischief twinkling in his eyes. The sparkle had returned, and it filled her trembling heart with renewed joy.

"So, what now?"

"Now, we return to Midgard."
She replied matter-of-factly.

Loki halted in his tracks, rendered immobile by her proclamation.
"Midgard?"
He echoed, his eyes rounding.

"Yes, Midgard. You built a life for yourself there with Lorelei....well, now she has been returned to Asgard and sentenced to six hundred years improsonment for heresy....you can rebuild a new life there with me."

"But I don't think I'd be-"

"Sssh."

"Don't shush me, Sif. I cannot return to Midgard, the agents of S.H.E.I.L.D made that perfectly clear."

"You can if you're fighting on the right side this time, Loki."
She informed him cryptically.
"Now come, we must hurry."
Grabbing Loki's hand she tried to pull him along the shimmering rainbow bridge but he stubbornly refused to budge. Sif yanked on him but still he did not shift, and his 6ft 2" frame was not easy to move.
"Loki! We do not have time for this. You must trust me."
She implored him, growing desperate.
"Can you do that? For me? I love you. And I promise all will be well if you take a chance on me, like I have for you."

Instantly his resolve softened, and as she urged him along this time he relented and moved, though reluctantly.
"Very well, my love. I can trust you. I suppose it wouldn't be a very harmonious start to our engagement if I refused now, would it?"

Unable to suppress a small giggle, Sif came to a stop so she could forcibly pull the trickster God into her arms and kiss him like the fate of the Nine realms depended on it.
He melted into her embrace, returning the kiss with passionate enthusiasm.
If anyone had observed the romantic exchange, the sight of two burly guards openly locked in a tender clinch may have raised eyebrows, but in that moment neither Loki nor Sif cared one iota.

Then, hand in hand they fled the rest of the way to Heimdall's observatory, where the gatekeeper granted them safe passage down to Midgard without question...

Meanwhile back at the palace the alarm had been raised, Loki's replacement having dispersed and his empty cell discovered.
The house of Odin fell into a state of panic. Armed guards were duly dispatched to search the citadel and surrounding kingdom for the escaped convict.

For appearances sake, Thor trudged into the throne room declaring loudly for all to hear,
"Father, the search for Loki is underway. Rest assured he will be recaptured."

The doors were then closed behind him, leaving the God of thunder alone with the Allfather and away from prying ears.

"Did Heimdall allow them to pass as instructed?"
Odin asked.
Thor responded with a slight nod of the head, and Odin smiled a wry smile at his son.
"Good. Hopefully Loki will have learned his lesson, and now perhaps finally he may be able to find some happiness, and with that the peace, which has thus far eluded him.

Thor smiled back at his father as he joined him up on the dais.
"Mother would be proud.....and Loki, well if he knew of this scheme....he would no doubt be impressed."