The Prisoner's Fate
As Sif made her way along the marble hallway, she was so distracted that she did not become aware of the throng of people gathering outside the great hall until their noise pierced through her thoughts.
Confused, she moved towards them and asked the nearest person what was happening.
"We are awaiting the Allfather's verdict.."
They replied excitedly,
"...and the disgraced prince is yet to leave the court. We hope to witness his banishment!"
The realisation hit Sif hard. Had she slept long enough to miss an entire day? And more importantly, she had not been present at Loki's trial! Her stomach turned.
Just at that moment the doors swung open and chaos ensued. Guard's had to hold back the crowd in order for the entourage who had been present throughout the trial to leave.
Nobles and elder's alike filed out, including Fandral, Volstagg and Hogun.
Frantically Sif called to them.
Upon hearing her cries, Fandral made his way through the crowd to her.
"Where is Thor and Odin?"
She asked without even greeting him,
"Has Odin reached a verdict? What of Loki? Has his fate been determined?"
Fandral wore a grim expression that would even rival that of Hogun.
"Sif, Thor remains inside with Odin, Frigga and Balder. They are to discuss Loki's punishment."
Just then members of the crowd began to shout;
"He is coming, here he comes!"
Sif had to force her way through so she was able to get a better view. Three figures left the room, two of which were heavily armed guards, walking on either side of Loki.
Sif gasped openly. His hands were bound in chains, a further one of which was attached to a neck collar and a metal contraption was clamped across his mouth like a muzzle.
His bruises and scars were more visible now in the light, and though he walked with his head held high in defiance his eyes betrayed him again; they were fixed firmly on the ground in shame.
"This is not right!"
Sif said to Fandral as he at last made it to her side.
"He should not be paraded around in chains like an animal whilst these people shout abuse. He is still a prince of Asgard, not a slave!"
Fandral frowned and she could tell that he did not share her opinion,
"Sif, he has fallen from grace in a spectacular manner. He deserves no sympathy, especially from us...how can you dismiss his crimes against us so easily? We were his friends! Never mind the crimes he's committed against our realm and Midgard!"
Sif shook her head,
"I do not dismiss his crimes Fandral, but what about our crimes against him?"
She turned to face him, hand on hip,
"We were never really his 'friends' were we? We were Thor's friends, and Loki was merely tolerated by us at best but never truly accepted."
Fandral looked perplexed,
"That is not entirely true Sif.....he would join in our conversations and banter occasionally."
"Regardless of that and regardless of what he has done, he is still a prince and he's being treated like a-"
"Sif!"
Fandral raised his voice in anger,
"Why the sudden change of heart? Only the other day you yourself spoke of the contempt you felt for him, so what is this?"
The level of the noise from the jeering crowd escalated as Loki was led by.
Sif had seen enough..
"Stop it!"
She shouted angrily, and began forcing her way through them once more,
"Why can't you just leave him be?!"
Amazingly, they began to fall silent at the sight of Asgard's Lady warrior pushing people aside, and the indignant tone in her voice was unmistakable.
She was strong and easily removed those who were now blocking her path. A red mist of rage had descended upon her and it wasn't until she found herself face to face with Loki himself that she stopped. Stunned as she hadn't even realised she'd been making her way towards him, she'd merely tried to disperse the crowd.
For a brief moment their eyes met and Sif did not like the strange new sensation that seemed to stir within the pit of her stomach.
His emerald eyes no longer sparkled though. Instead they looked dull and empty.
Sif turned towards the crowd,
"Can you not show some respect? This is our prince not a spectacle to be stared at and tormented like some caged animal!"
A few onlookers began to mock her and criticise her for defending him.
Without thinking, Sif walked around the back of Loki and with one swift movement she unclasped the mouth- guard which was fastened in place at the back of his head.
"He should at least be permitted to speak for himself, then I have no need to defend him!"
She proclaimed, as it clattered to the floor.
At that one of the guard's lunged towards her, attempting to restrain her for what she had just done. She pushed him away but then suddenly Loki spoke;
"Take your hands off her!"
He snarled menacingly.
Sif barely blinked but in that instant the guard was sent sailing through the air, having fallen victim to one of Loki's lethal kicks.
The crowd parted, gasping and screaming as he landed across the hallway in a damaged heap on the floor. The other guards surrounded Loki, swords drawn but they left Sif alone, not wanting to provoke any further outbursts from their prisoner.
Then Odin's voice rang out from inside the great hall, reverberating along the walls,
"Take the prisoner back to his cell and disperse that crowd at once!"
Guard's rushed by, ushering the spectators along and Loki was swiftly frog-marched away.
Then Odin's voice called out once more,
"Lady Sif....come here!"
He boomed.
Entering the hall, somewhat apprehensively, she knelt before her King Odin and Frigga. The pair sat regally upon their matching thrones, and for a moment Sif felt as if she were on trial. Over to the left, Thor and Balder stood looking on.
"My King I apologise for the disruption, it was not intended."
She spoke out honestly.
Odin's only eye peered down on her disapprovingly. The all-seeing eye. Like Heimdall, Sif knew Odin possessed that same power and could have seen everything that had just taken place outside of his halls here if he so wished.
"Lady Sif this is a grave day for me. You are aware I am having to decide the fate of my youngest son.....this, you understand lies most heavily upon my hear. I need absolute clarity in order for me to deliberate and deliver my verdict. Such outbursts are not acceptable.."
Shamefaced, Sif nodded meekly.
".....however being as such behaviour is so out of character for you, it shall be overlooked on this occaision. But I still demand an explanation for your reckless actions."
Feeling very self conscious and painfully aware of Thor's presence, she reluctantly proceeded to tell Odin that she was disappointed at having missed the trial, and admitted to how much the crowd's jibes had riled her.
She explained she had taken pity on Loki in his vulnerable state, and had lost her temper.
Odin always appeared to be bearing many burdens and worries, it showed in his face. His mood more often than not was subdued to the point of seeming sombre, as though he carried the weight of the nine realms upon his wise, old shoulders.
He sat solemnly, his eye fixed on the middle distance, contemplating her words before he finally spoke again,
"Your sudden interest in the matter puzzles me Lady Sif. I am well aware of the wrongs you have endured at the hand of Loki, along with your noble companions..."
He peered at her now, studying her face closely,
"..I am also aware that you are of a passionate nature, your skills as a warrior are enhanced by your righteous virtues. But why you should feel compelled to defend the one who has caused you such grievances I do not understand."
Sif opened her mouth as though to speak, but she did not know what to say. She could barely make sense of it herself.
Just then Frigga spoke up,
"My Lord, the Lady Sif is of a compassionate nature also...perhaps it is not for us to question her actions. To do so would mean questioning her beliefs."
Odin was not convinced, he continued to search her face; registering her expression, noting the way her cheeks coloured slightly and her unwillingness to make eye contact.
Eventually she cracked under his interrogative stare.
"My King, I.....merely believe that although Loki has committed many crimes against myself and others of this realm, as well as those on Midgard, I feel the reasons that have driven him to such destruction must be taken into account."
She could hear Thor muttering to Balder but she avoided looking across in their direction. She knew they would not approve of her speaking out so honestly.
Odin was frowning at her also,
"And what reasons are these? What do you claim has driven my son to instigate such violent acts? Actions that have resulted in him being branded a war criminal and a traitor?"
Sif swallowed hard. She was only too aware of the ever-growing list of terrible deeds that Loki had done. She had witnessed his wrath first hand on Midgard, when he'd sent the Destroyer after them. Yet still that seemed to pale in comparison to what had gone on after he had disappeared from Asgard.
Even though she disliked Loki and did not trust him, she had recoiled in horror at the atrocities Thor had described upon his return after the battle to save the Earth realm.
How had he been capable of such things? She did not know. It scared her and intrigued her in equal measures. She longed to know.
She couldn't fully understand what was driving her to want to get inside of Loki's head. But she guessed that she now partly felt responsible for his self destructive ways and had the urge to put things right.
She wanted to try and fix Loki. And that is exactly what she began to explain to Odin.
She spoke of how he had been wronged whilst growing up, always shunned and mocked for being different. She boldly proclaimed that she felt Loki was unwell in the mind and that this all stemmed from his persecution during his younger years.
Thor and Balder were aghast. They argued that no harm had ever been intended and that if Loki was of such a sensitive nature then it was not their fault but his own.
Odin and Frigga sat silently listening to the debate that raged on before them.
"And what is this new found love for Loki all of a sudden?"
Thor demanded, rendering Sif temporarily speechless.
"I do not..."
She faltered,
".....It is not about me, this is about him Thor!"
Thor rolled his eyes impatiently,
"It is always about him and his mischief. Ever since I can remember Loki has courted chaos!"
"That is because nothing was ever about him, don't you see? He was always overlooked, ignored and that has caused him to lose his way."
Balder folded his arms, showing his impatience also,
"So he is no more than a spoiled child seeking attention!"
Sif sighed heavily,
"He was just a child at the time Balder!"
She turned back to Thor,
"And as for him 'courting' chaos, have you ever wondered why that is all he has ever courted?"
"What do you mean by that?"
Balder asked, looking blank.
In her passion Sif forgot herself and did not engage her mind before her mouth,
"He has never courted a woman to my knowledge, that is because he cannot open his heart. He does not know how to. I believe he has difficulty placing trust in anyone because he has never known such love. If he did I believe he would be a better person for it...;"
She paused only for breath before adding,
"....if he is punished by banishment it will instil more resentment into him as well as loneliness. So he will wreak further havoc elsewhere and probably end up getting himself killed."
The room fell silent, suddenly making her painfully aware of her ranting.
After an agonizing silence Odin finally spoke,
"You appear to strongly believe in your theory mistress Sif. Tell me, what do you propose is the solution?"
Sif fidgeted nervously, she knew she had forgotten her place. What was happening to her? If she attempted to save Loki her whole world could cave in around her. She would be shunned by fellow warriors and the nobles alike.
All of those who were baying for Loki's blood, like the mob that had gathered outside earlier, would condemn her along with him for defending such a traitor.
He was an enemy now of Asgard.....would her trying to plea for mercy on his behalf make her one too in their eyes?
"I..it is not my place to determine Loki's fate, my King.."
She spoke quietly now,
"...but I fear that keeping him imprisoned will merely cause his bitterness to fester, isolating him will only cause more harm."
Odin rose to his feet,
"So, what do you suggest be done with him?"
For the first time Sif felt brave enough to look him dead in the eye,
"I would allow him to remain here my King."
"In Asgard?"
"In the palace itself."
At that both Balder and Thor voiced their protests, but Odin silenced them with a gesture of his hand and an angry growl.
Sif took a deep breath and continued,
"If he were permitted to remain in residence here amongst familiar faces, although he may feel awkward for a while I believe it may help to regain his trust and in time hopefully this will cause the animosity within him to fade. He will be expecting a severe punishment....exile if not even death. So such a generous gesture would catch him off guard. Only when he feels safe and respected will his character be reformed. It will take effort on some parts.."
She glanced pointedly at Thor and Balder,
"..but I believe it is possible, and of course he will be reassured by the presence of his family. He has to adapt to allow himself to be loved, so that he can love in return."
Frigga was smiling gently at her now, and nodding in agreement.
Odin turned to his Queen and a knowing look passed between them.
"Well, I value your opinion on the matter Lady Sif, now you are excused so that we can reflect on what has been discussed. "
He turned his back on her. She bowed her head anyway, then hurriedly took her leave.
Her heart and head was pounding as she set off down the long hallway, not even sure of where she was going. She wasn't able to face seeing Fandral after the commotion she had caused earlier. And no doubt Volstagg and Hogun would have heard what went on by now also. So seeking company was not an option.
On the other hand she could not face going back to her chambers either, she had no desire to be alone, pondering over her thoughts.
It was then she realised she hadn't eaten anything in almost 48 hours. Maybe that was why her head ached and stomach felt as if it was tied in knots. As a result she doubted she'd be able to eat, her insides were churning, making her feel nauseas.
She glanced up at the tall windows; the early evening sunlight streaming through them caressed the decorative walls, making the palace look even more beautiful.
Fresh air. That is what she needed. Though beautiful, it felt stuffy inside. She headed for the doorway, a long walk would be just what was needed to clear her head.