Chapter 3

The Bifrost gates were closed to add to the level of anticipation of the realms new Sorceress. Heimdall patiently waited to hear a request from Vanaheim to open the Bifrost. The request came and Heimdall opened the Bifrost and Sigyn emerged arms extended running towards Him.

"Heimdall! It has been too long, how have you been!?" Sigyn said as she wrapped her arms around Heimdall

“I am well. Let me be the first to congratulate you on your appointment." said Heimdall showing a rare display of affection hugging Sigyn back.  "Now, you must go meet your public. They are waiting for you on the other side of this gate. The Royal family is even waiting to greet you."

Sigyn's eyes lit up. Could Loki be waiting for her on the other side? "Well, I guess I should get started."

Sigyn took a place directly behind Heimdall as he started to open the gate.  The sounds went silent as the large golden gate opened; everyone holding their breath waiting for the announcement of Sigyn’s arrival and start of a celebration.

"Presenting the most powerful Sorceress in all of the Nine Realms, The Lady Sigyn." Heimdall moved to the side to reveal Sigyn. She was quickly approached by Odin. “Your Highness." Sigyn said as she bowed reverently towards the All Father. "Don't be so formal, this is a celebration." Odin gave Sigyn a big hug.  Next Thor, picked Sigyn up in a bear hug making it difficult to breath. "Little Sigyn, glad to have you back."

"Thank you Thor, it nice to see time has treated you well."

"Thor careful, put her down, she is such a delicate thing." Frigga said putting her hand on Thor's bicep.  Thor set Sigyn back down on her feet. Immediately Sigyn began looking around waiting for Loki to appear, surely he would be standing near his mother. Frigga stepped forward, "These are for you they are from Loki. He sends his apologies as he is unable to attend your welcoming this evening, but promises to see you tomorrow." Sigyn took the flowers from Frigga and with a shaken voice of disappointment said "Thank you, please tell Loki that I am grateful for his gift and look forward to our meeting."

Sigyn passed Frigga and into the arms of her mother, step-father and father all of whom were beaming with pride.   Together they all climbed into a beautifully decorated parade carriage to the cheers of greeters on platforms floating on either side of the Bifrost. "Those are beautiful flowers Sigyn. Who gave them to you, Thor?" Her mother inquired. "No, Loki." replied Sigyn with a smile while waving at the crowds. "Loki! He wasn't allow-, I mean he wasn't going to be able to attend this evening, I didn't even see him." Her mother quipped.  Sigyn looked at her mother sharply "Did you say allow? Loki wasn't allowed to come!? Who kept him from coming?"

"Sigyn, I misspoke he wasn't able, the Queen didn't say why.  She told me of his absence when we were finalizing the guest list for the banquet this evening." Her mother said, not making eye contact, hoping Sigyn would drop the issue.  Before Sigyn could respond, her Father Freyr interrupted her. "My Sigyn! Look at everyone so happy to see you, what influence you will have in Asgard!" Her father, being a King, was very concerned with influence and power. He saw Sigyn's appointment as benefit to him and an extension of his power.

Her father’s comment switched Sigyn's focus to the events at hand.  As they made their way through the main gate into Asgard, the streets were lined with Asgardians waving and cheering for her as the parade carriages made their way to her parents’ home Glitnir.  It was such a festive scene; she wished that Loki was with her to witness it.

The carriages made their way through the gates of Glitnir and up to the main door.  The staff and servants were dressed in their finest waiting to greet Sigyn and the Royal family as they approached the house. Sigyn hugged each servant, since most of them had been in the service of her parents since she was a child and others were the children of servants who had since passed and were Sigyn's playmates.  Dagmar was the last to greet her and Sigyn handed over the flowers and instructed her to place them in water and put them in her room.

The feast was wonderful, there was more food than what could be eaten; the whole affair was very lavish.  The air was filled with laughter from stories being told and jokes being made.  The evening was concluded by Sigyn creating fireworks in the sky for the guests of Glitnir as well as the citizens of Asgard to enjoy.

Before leaving Frigga approached Sigyn. " Sigyn, before I leave. I would like to present you with your attire for tomorrow; I had it specifically made for you by the Royal Tailors."

"Oh, thank you so much my Queen, that was very generous, I will wear with honor tomorrow." Sigyn said as she bowed and kissed the queens hand.

The queen made a motion with her hand to signal the tailors to bring the gown out for display. Sigyns mouth hung open in amazement. The dress was beautiful.  It was  made of the finest lace in all of the Nine Realms. The lace was Purple and gold. The neckline was a v and it had a high collar. It had a Gold belt that hung low on the waist. "It's perfect.” Sigyn said to the queen. "Oh, but it's not complete." Frigga said as two more people appeared, one was another Taylor and the other a jeweler. The tailor and jeweler stood in front of Sigyn, smiling and presented to her a cape and a crown. "Oh, my, but, but, capes and crowns are only reserved for Royalty." Sigyn said, excited but puzzled by the additions to her gown. “Well, I can't have the newest Royal of the Nine Realms without proper attire." Said the Queen with a smile, "Really!?" Sigyn said barely able to control her tears or excitement.  The Queen nodded to her and Sigyn hugged the queen “Oh, thank you, thank you!"

"Well, you're welcome dear but it wasn't just me, Odin had something to do with it as well." Sigyn ran outside where Odin was standing, waiting for the queen, Sigyn threw her arms around Odin. "Oh thank you All Father! The Queen told me you are going to make me Royal!"

"Well, you're welcome, but you have earned it yourself." Odin said smiling.

The Royal family departed and Sigyn made her way to her room for the evening. 

"Sigyn, those flowers, they had a bee in them, I opened a window to let it out, but it won't leave" said Dagmar

"I suppose he can do no harm, he can stay. Thank you; you are dismissed for the evening."  The maid left the room and Sigyn began to get ready for bed.

There was a knock on her door. "Come in” said Sigyn

“Girl you are going to catch a cold with the window open" said Llmr

"Oh hi mother."

"Sigyn, I want to talk to you about Loki."

"What about him?" Sigyn inquired

"I think it is really important that you forget him and move on.  Since you've left he’s gotten a rather nasty reputation as being a troublemaker. He's no good, Sigyn."

"No, not the Loki I know, he's not like that at all. Even before his reputation, you have always been against him. He has never done anything wrong to me - he's my friend." Sigyn said and turned away from her mother.

"Sigyn, getting involved with Loki is, is -" her mother struggled to find the words

“What, he's not worthy of me? You’re just afraid he will use me and I will end up like you!" Sigyn said as her voiced raised and her eyes welled up with tears. "Loki, he, he wouldn't do that to me."

"Sigyn! You can- oh, OH!!" Llmr could not finish her statement because the bee began attacking her.  Llmr ran out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Sigyn riffled through one of her trunks to find her nightgown and robe.  She went behind a screen to change.  She emerged from behind the screen. Dress in hand she made her way to the closet to hang it up.

"So you're just going to leave me hear standing in the corner, some friend."

Sigyn's eyes lit up. That voice, she recognized that voice. She stood silent, the dress and hanger fell to the floor, and for a brief moment she closed her eyes, hoping that she wasn’t hearing things.

"Well?" said the voice, “I guess I will just leave if you have no interest in me."

Sigyn spun around, "LOKI!!"

It was Loki. She ran towards him throwing her hands around his neck burying her head into his neck and shoulder, feet inches off the ground.

"The bee! You were the bee!"  Sigyn said as she put her feet back on the ground and wiped tears from her eyes. “I knew you'd come to see me before tomorrow. I just knew it. Were you in that bouquet the whole time?" Sigyn said in wonder.

Loki just stood there and smiled at Sigyn's happiness. It warmed him to see her so happy and to know that it was his presence that made her that happy. “My dear Sigyn, how I have missed you," Loki said as he went in for another hug, “you know there was no way I was going to miss such an important day, no matter what - even if I did have to sit in a flower bouquet."

Sigyn giggled "I'm glad you’re here Loki."

"Me too."

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The two spent time sitting on Sigyn’s bed talking, catching up on the last 4 years of their lives. When in a good mood, like now, Loki was a delight.  He was an excellent story teller, jokester and game player; he could keep anyone entertained for hours. As Loki was telling her a story, Sigyn could help but see what a handsome Prince Loki had become.  He had grown taller since she last saw him, he was well groomed.  He was well dressed and his chosen color of green looked good on him.  He had let his hair grow a longer than in the past and now kept it slicked back.  When he stood his towering height and broad shoulders made him an imposing figure.  He had a strong but youthful face and a slim body that balanced him out nicely. His smile and blue eyes lit up the room.

Loki too studied the magical beauty in front of him.  She looked more like a woman now, not the small timid girl of his youth. She was very feminine but still held a spark of playfulness in her eyes that always attracted Loki to her. Her auburn hair was as soft as silk and smelled of flowers, her lips full and hypnotizing as well as her golden eyes. He always thought they were beautiful but now they were enchanting.

Their time was cut abruptly short by noises outside Sigyn's door.

"I really should be leaving.” Loki said regretfully “I will be at the ceremony and celebration tomorrow."

Sigyn and Loki stood up from the bed and walked towards her balcony.

“Be careful Loki, I want to see you tomorrow."

Loki just smiled and brushed the back of his hand on her cheek.

"Sweet dreams, Sigyn." Loki whispered

Sigyn wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss on his cheek. “Goodnight, Loki, I'm so glad you came to see me. This was the best part of coming back to Asgard."

Sigyn walked away back into her room. When she turned around to close the door Loki had vanished.