Yes Mama
Sigyn was four when her mother began teaching her magic. The Queen taught her mother and her mother taught Sigyn. They started with shields and protections, not physically, but mentally as that was where their magic was strongest. Mental magic. Sigyn was told to imagine walls of the strongest steel around her mind, impenetrable to any outside force. Then she was told to hold them as her mother tried to find a way in. She was taught how to compartmentalize and hide thoughts, emotions, and memories. She never wondered what her mother may have wanted this skill for.
After defenses, they began reaching out to touch the minds of others. Sigyn learned to see the colors that made up a person’s inner self. Her mother purposefully lowered her defenses to let Sigyn learn. She could see the dusky blue of her mother's consciousness, faded and almost sad. White lines like scars laced the darkest corners of shadow. The folds of blue hid deep purples and reds like open wounds. In other areas yellows and pinks peeked through like spring wildflowers. When she could see clearly, she was taught to direct her own mind. When she brushed someone's mind she felt what they felt and saw their thoughts. Her mother's mind did not make sense to her, but she recognized unhappiness. She would hug her mother afterwards, because that's how you comforted those who were hurting, right?
When Sigyn got her magic right she was praised, when she got it wrong she was encouraged, and no matter what she was warned.
"You can't let anyone know you have this power," her mother said, "Or they will take you away from me. You cannot talk about it and you cannot use it outside of our home."
"Yes mama." Sigyn nodded solemnly and she obeyed.
Her mother was one of the Queen's ladies in waiting. Sometimes Sigyn was brought to the Queen's chambers too. She listened and watched the comings and goings, though she barely understood any of the chatter. She watched especially carefully when her mother was learning magic. She sat quietly in the corner with blocks and dolls and pretended she wasn't blatantly listening to every bit of instruction. Again, not that she understood it.
There were two princes, Thor and Loki. Inseparable she heard them described as. She didn't know what that meant either. They were never with their mother. Or at least, not very often. She had seen them both once. While her mother had tended to her lady, she had played with the boys. She remembered because she didn't get to play very often. Not with other people. The toys in front of her weren't nearly as fun without them.
Thor had broken one of the dolls by accident. It happened to be her favorite one. She had shouted at him. She remembered her mother apologizing to the royals again and again as she dragged her from the room. Sigyn remembered the way her mother had hit her once they were home.
"You do not shout or scream or speak to those boys in any way that could make them angry! They are princes, you are nothing!"
She had cried and begged, "I'm sorry mama!"
"Good!" her mother said and released her. "I don't want you to get in trouble, Sigyn. I don't want them to hurt you. Don't give them an excuse."
"Yes mama." She sniffled.
So maybe it was good that she hadn't seen them since. She was still lonely though.