Chapter 5

The procession stopped the citizens of Asgard as they went about their morning chores. They turned to bow to the towering presence on a large black horse.  It was Loki dressed in his armor with his horse in parade dress. He was surrounded by palace guards who horses were also dressed as if they were in a parade.  Loki mostly ignored the citizens, except for the occasional citizen in which he would nod their way in acknowledgement. One of Glitnir's servants, who was in the market, noticed that Loki was headed towards the stately home. They ran through the back streets to get back to inform Forseti and Llmr.

"Sir, Madam" the servant said as bowed, “Prince Loki approaches Glitnir and it looks like official business."

Forseti and Llmr stopped eating their breakfast and scrambled to their feet and made their way to the main entrance.

As they made their way to the front door they could see a procession and Loki on his horse coming through Glitnir's gate.  Loki approached the main guard at Glitnir.  "I request an audience with Forseti and his wife Llmr.  It concerns their daughter, the Sorceress Sigyn." Loki told the guard in a regal tone. The guard nodded to the Prince, turned and walked towards Forseti and Llmr.

The guard approached Forseti and Llmr. "Prince Loki requests an audience."

Forseti nodded his head in agreement.  Loki and his guards dis-mounted their horses and Loki approached the couple while the guards stayed behind.

"What do we owe this great honor my Prince?" Forseti said as he bowed

"May we go inside?" Loki asked

"Of course, it would be an honor, right this way." said Llmr.

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The air was full of tension as both parties didn't care for one another and all the niceties were just for show.

"I came to Glitnir today to inquire about your daughter Sigyn."

"Has she done something to offend the Royal family?" Forseti asked.

Loki put up his hand, "No, I was inquiring if she is available, she has no suitors, is that correct?" Loki said with a smirk.

There was a small commotion in the corner as young hand maids and servant girls giggled and blushed at what was going on.  Llmr quietly shushed the girls.

"Well, she just arrived in Asgard, there hasn't been-" Forseti started.

"Oh good, so no one else has expressed interest" Loki's smirk became a wide grin, ” Then, I would officially like to ask for the privilege of courting your daughter Sigyn, and hopefully with your blessing and her love ask for her hand in marriage." Loki stood there grinning.  He was an intimidating figure with his towering height and all this armor.

Just then Sigyn came running out from a side hall carrying Loki's green cape. "Loki! I didn't know you would be here this early to get your cape." Sigyn said.  "Here let me," Sigyn unfurled the cape and threw it around Loki's shoulders.  He bent down slightly so Sigyn could put both her arms around his neck while she straightened that cape and clasped it onto his armor. Loki looked up at Sigyn's parents with a mischievous grin.

The young maidens began to giggle again and when Sigyn was done putting on the cape she stepped back at looked at Loki. “There, now your uniform is complete." She stood there for a second and then realized she had stepped in the middle of something. "Wait, what's going on? Loki why are you completely dressed in armor, am I needed at the Palace?" Sigyn started to panic.

"No, Sigyn," Forseti interrupted, "Loki came to Glitnir this morning to ask if he could court you, with the intention of marriage."

A look of shock came over Sigyn, "What? Loki is that true."

"Yes, Sigyn it is."

Sigyn wanted to wrap her arms around Loki's neck and give him a kiss but she knew that was inappropriate.  She took a few steps back and stood with her parents.

"Well?" Sigyn asked as she looked at her parents in desperation wanting them to say yes.

"Well, yes I suppose. It would be an honor Prince Loki for you to court Sigyn."

"Excellent!" Loki said with a smile and a polite bow to her parents in thanks. “There will be announcements sent out today and a banquet tomorrow evening. Now I must get back to the palace to tell them the news. Sigyn, would you like to walk me out?" Loki said with a smile while extending his arm. Sigyn grinned and put her arm in his and walked him out to his horse. "I will see you later this evening," said Loki as he took Sigyn's hand to kiss it. Sigyn gave Loki a hug and a kiss on the cheek before he mounted his horse and headed back to the palace.

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Inside Glitnir . . . .

"WHAT WERE YOU THINKING SAYING YES!?" shouted Llmr to Forseti who was pinching the bridge of his nose between a thumb and index finger. “I was thinking that I wanted to keep the peace, at least for a little while.  Loki can be very dangerous and unstoppable when he wants something. Besides he's not marrying her in a week.  This is an official royal courting; it will be a year at least. Loki will do something to upset Sigyn and the courtship will be called off."  Llmr just glared at him and stormed off.

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Loki returned to the palace with a huge smile.  He dismounted his horse and made is way to the throne room.  Odin and Frigga were sitting on their thrones.  Odin was talking to Thor and some other warriors; Frigga was listening to their stories.

"Mother, Father, I have great news." Loki announced as he burst through the throne room. "Its official, I am in a courtship with Sigyn, her parents gave me their blessing this morning."

"Congratulations, my son. May you prove yourself worthy of her love and devotion." Odin said.  Frigga got up from her throne to embrace her son.  "I am so happy for you Loki. I know you will be a good husband for Sigyn."

"Thank you mother, I will do my best." said Loki as he returned his mother’s love.

"Brother, congratulations!" Thor shouted as he slapped Loki on the back. "This calls for a celebration!"

Frigga chimed in, "Yes! Oh, announcements and a banquet! Announcements need to go out today! Call the staffers, call the cooks and chefs. There are preparations that must be made." With that Frigga and her maids were off to oversee all the preparations needed for the next couple of days.

Loki needing a break from the brief burst of excitement left the throne room and returned to his palace apartment until dinner.

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Back at Glitnir, Sigyn swirled food around on her plate. She was full of different emotions and questions.  She was excited, nervous, puzzled and many more emotions she couldn't find a name for. "Sigyn, eat something!" Her hand maid told her. "I'm not really hungry" Sigyn said as she pushed her plate to the side. "Come now, you have to eat.  The prince doesn't want a sickly bride. If you don't keep your strength up you'll have a hard time giving him a son."

"A SON! Babies!" Sigyn shouted, shocked at the thought. In fact she didn't think about that part, now she was more nervous than ever.

Sigyn sat out on her balcony that overlooked Glitnir's main courtyard, waiting for Loki to arrive. He promised that he would come back later to visit. Finally after what seemed and eternity to Sigyn, Loki returned to Glitnir.  Sigyn ran down to the front entrance to greet him. Loki showed restraint, since this was their first outing, as Sigyn ran towards him he took both her hands in his, and kissed them.  "My dear Sigyn, you look lovely." Loki said. Sigyn blushed at a little, and then asked, "So what are we doing?"

"Well . . ." Loki stared, “I thought this evening we would go and do a little reminiscing."

Sigyn looked a little puzzled, she had no idea what that could mean.  Most courtships were usually spent in the company of ones parents while the couple gets to know each other.  But this was Prince Loki, he's not one for rules and tradition and with his stubborn ways there was no arguing with him about it.

Loki stood by his horse, "Shall we?" And he extended a hand to Sigyn.  She reached for his hand and he helped her up onto the horse.  He got on behind her and off they went. 

"Where are we going Loki?" Sigyn question a slight worry in her voice.

"Don't worry love, you'll see soon enough." Loki said with a smile.

The path they took started to look familiar.  He was taking her to their hiding place.  It was where they spent many hours when they were children.  It was where he taught her magic.  It was a hidden part of land that was only accessible through a cave.  It was a barren place when they found it.  With the use of magic they turned it into their own personal paradise.  Loki had Sigyn practice her magic by creating the waterfalls, trees, flowering plants, and streams.

She did notice something different about the area a new path jutting off from the path they are currently on, it was freshly patted out. "I don't remember that path?" Sigyn said as she pointed to it as they rode past it. "Oh yes, that just started today. Our private home will be just down that path. I knew where I wanted to be built and didn't hesitate to let my father know today.  So he went ahead and started construction this afternoon."

A few moments later and they approached the mouth of the cave and went through.  Sigyn was a little excited, but scared to see the sad state their secret place was probably now in because of neglect.  If the magic isn't maintained then it all fades away.  But since her new home would be near the cave she thought the both of them could work together to bring it back.

They made it to the end of the cave and to Sigyn’s surprise and amazement their secret garden looked just as it did when they were children.  Loki got off the horse and help Sigyn down whose mouth was hanging open and eyes wide.  The waterfall, flowers birds and butterflies she created were all still here.  The fluffy grass, color changing fish, light orbs, all the same.  Loki stood back enjoying her happiness.  Sigyn kicked her shoes off and went running through the grass like she did when she was younger.

"It still so beautiful just like it was when I left but how? You told me that the magic and all of this would fade if it wasn't maintained?"

"Sigyn, I have been coming here every day since you left. I knew how much you loved creating it and being here and it reminded me so much of you, I just couldn't let it fade away. I couldn't let you fade away from my life. It was all I had left of you."

Sigyn's eyes welled up with tears of happiness and tears of realization.

"How long, Loki?"

"How long what?" Loki said with slight worry.

"How long have you been in love with me?" Sigyn asked as she started to turn back around and walk towards him.  Loki meandered towards her with his hands behind his back with intent thought on his face. "Well, um, I guess I always have in some form or another." He said as a matter of fact, "How about you?"

"Me?" Sigyn started to blush a little.

"Yes you, when did you fall in love with me?" Loki said as he was now standing in front of her piercing her soul with his blue eyes.  "I never really thought about you in that manner until I was on my way back to Asgard.  You were the only person I couldn't wait to see over anyone else in Asgard.  It wasn't until then that I realized that what I have always felt for you was love."

Loki smiled at her, embraced Sigyn in is arms and he kissed her. Sigyn blushed and buried her head in Loki's chest.

Loki and Sigyn spent a few hours exploring their old hideaway. Sometimes just holding hands, or arm in arm.  Every once in a while Sigyn would wander off which gave Loki would sneak up behind her and startle her by put his hands around her waist.

“I am afraid dear that our little exploration has come to an end.  It's time I get you back to your parents." Loki whispered in her ear before giving it a slight peck.

"What? Loki following rules!?" Sigyn teased.

“Well, normally I would disregard the rules, but your parents have reluctantly let me court you and I was advised by my Mother that I should stick to the rules as much as I can."

With that Loki helped Sigyn onto the horse, Loki climbed up next and off they went.