Introduction
Chapter One: Introduction
Sigyn skipped down the street of Broxton with her kitten slash shieldmaiden Lagertha on her heels, her fluffy tail high in the air. They are a sight to see with Sigyn dressed in a beautiful green and silver silk dress that is flowing in the light breeze, her shoulders bare with the exception of several strands of rainbow gems holding her dress together. Red woven cloth hangs loosely around her waist, low enough to trip her as she walks barefooted to the hotel near the edge of town.
A friendly cop waves at her from his car as she stops at the only street to have a stoplight, which she returns timidly but with a wide smile, brushing her unruly blonde curls away from her face. She huffs, blowing a strand out of her face before stopping to pick up Lagertha meowing at her feet. She cuddles the gray kitten to her face, humming happily as the light turns red and the walk signal switches to allow her to cross the street.
There are several people at Bill’s Diner, like always because it happens to be the only diner in town, who watch as Sigyn skips and hops across the street. It is always a sight to see anyone come down from Asgard because of how large the men are and the medieval weapons they carry. The women are beautiful, even the ones who claim to be just mere housewives, though they have agreed amongst themselves that Kelda, Little Bill’s girlfriend, is the most beautiful they have seen so far. The folks of Asgard tend to keep to themselves as they come to walk around the small town they call their neighbors and the citizens of Broxton are just as curious, welcoming the Asgardians to their town and businesses.
It makes for some good stories that they share with others at the diner, making special trips daily to share their experiences. Up in Asgard, it is not much different as they share what they have done down in Broxton while feasting. Thor sees this as a good sign that his people are coming to terms about settling on Midgard after their rebirth.
So he left Asgard with Balder leading in his stead while Loki, his brother reborn as his sister, stayed as she had no interest in Midgard at this moment.
Which is why Sigyn made the trip down to Broxton, walking to the front office of the motel she had been traveling to. She sees the bell sitting the counter and presses it.
Ding!
Ding!
Ding!
“I’m coming, I’m coming!” A short older woman with peppered grey and red hair and thick glasses comes racing from the back room, her flower dress covered with water. She stops and smiles to see the young girl gently scolding her kitten as it struggled to bat its paws at the bell.
“Oh! It’s all right dearie.” she said with cheer, coming to the front desk, cooing at the kitten as Sigyn finally releases her. She immediately races back to the bell and bats at it.
Ding, Ding Ding!!!
“My apologies Miss Sooner.” Sigyn said with a sigh. “Lagertha has become quite energetic now that we have come. I was hoping to have tired her out on the walk. Alas, I should have known better. My mother’s cats are indeed strong and full of life. Lagertha was born from the litter of the head lead cat of my mother’s chariot team.”
“My! I didn’t know cats could pull chariots.” Beth Sooner said with a smile.
“Yes. My mother’s cats are quite big.” Sigyn nodded, swooping up Lagertha once again. “I have to see Donald Blake. Is he here?”
“Yes, I believe I saw him come in an hour ago. I’ll ring him right now.” Beth said, reaching for the motel phone she used to call her guests. It rang twice before he answered. “Hello Donald! You have a lovely young guest here to see you.”
Sigyn cuddled Lagertha, tuning out the conversation only to be pulled back in when Beth stumbled over her name. “Sigyn---um, Thor’s daughter?”
“Just of Asgard, Miss Sooner.” Sigyn spoke up. “I have no relation to Thor Odinson. Other than having being married to his brother and now his ward since I was reborn as a child instead of a full woman. My mother’s name was stricken from mine when she gave me up. Lady Loki thought it fit as she was very angry with her.”
“What about your father?”
Sigyn shrugs. “I do not know. I have not heard from him this time around.”
“Oh, yes, well---hmm?” Beth turned her attention back to the phone where Donald said that he was coming right over. She passed the message to Sigyn.
Not even a minute later, Donald limped into the office, a smile on his face as he saw Sigyn waiting for him.
“Hello Princess Sigyn.” he said, reaching for her hand, kissing the back of it which made Sigyn break out into giggles.
“I am no princess, Donald Blake.” Sigyn said, turning her hand around so that they were holding hands.
“I beg your pardon, my lady.” Donald said, opening the door for Sigyn. “Thor thinks of you as a Princess of Asgard. He had decreed it so and no one on Asgard has objected.” He waves at Beth Sooner. “Thank you Beth. I owe you breakfast at Bill’s Diner.”
“Farewell Miss Sooner.” Sigyn said her goodbyes as she walks with Donald to his room.
It was a curious thing to see the new doctor in town with Sigyn at his side, talking with him as if he were an old friend, the folks at Bill’s Diner thought as they watched them disappear into his room. They turned away from the window and chatted with each other as they made plans to be at the diner in the morning for when Beth Sooner came for breakfast. She was no gossip, bless her soul, but she was fond of the doctor. She would speak in his defense as they asked their questions.
“Sorry, my room is sort of a mess right now.” Donald said as they entered the room he was renting at the motel, the sound of the television filling the room. He shut the door before he picked up a coat he had thrown over a chair and hung it up while Sigyn went to the small couch and sat with Lagertha purring in her arms. “I have just got back---from somewhere.”
Not surprising a visage of Thor stood in front of his, his thick arms crossed before he spoke, his voice heavy against Donald’s brain. After all, it wasn’t easy being the host body meant to hold back a Thunder God.
In New York City battling Mole Man and his army of blood lusting beasts with the Fantastic Four.
She doesn’t need to know that. She’s still learning to heal from her time there. Bor’s death was very traumatic for her. He hurt her.
I was assured that she is healing in leaps and bound. Telling her about New York City should not trouble her dreams any longer.
And who told you that?
Loki.
You put a lot of faith in Loki.
I trust Loki would not put Sigyn in harm’s way. He did not before and he would not now that Sigyn is a child. He had made an oath to me.
Loki is still Loki.
I know this. But as I have argued new change for all of Asgard, I must accept that Loki has have changed for the better. Until he wronged me, I will protect him as I would the rest of my people.
Believe me, I want---
Why is it so quiet?
What?
Donald looked over at Sigyn sitting on the couch, Lagertha sleeping on her lap as Sigyn absentmindedly ran her fingers over her fur. Her eyes were glued on the television, watching the images with rapt attention. Donald frowned slightly, looking at the screen before nodding in understanding.
When he got back to the motel, he quickly switched the television on and changed the channel over to the movie marathon that was playing all day. Sigyn just happened to catch the current film at the best scenes.
Is she bewitched?
No. Well yes, but it’s nothing ill willed!
Thor grumbled in discontent at Donald’s nonsense explanation.
“Who is she?”
Donald rubbed the back of his neck as he walked over to the couch and sat down as the commericals started playing. Sigyn turned wide eyes to Donald and he had to bite back a wide smile at the adoration in her eyes. Even Thor was taken back.
“That is Princess Leia.” he said.
“She’s a princess?!”
“Yep. She’s fighting against the Empire ruling the galaxy.”
“She’s fighting an entire kingdom? Alone?”
“An evil kingdom. And not alone. She had friends.”
“Like that short kid, that rugged man and the Chewie?”
“Yeah. Well not right now but...soon.”
“How soon?”
“Like right now.” Donald directed her attention back to the movie as it started up again.
Loki didn’t see Sigyn until later that night, past the time when Sigyn was usually in bed. She had missed the feast and the storytelling, her favorite past time even though being around people still made her uneasy. It was Thor who brought her back, carrying a sleepy Sigyn in his arms and Lagertha in his pouch. He handed the pouch to Loki, who opened it up. Lagertha jumped out and quickly ran out of the room.
“Sorry. She doesn’t like flying or being cooped up.” Sigyn said softly, her tired voice barely reaching Loki’s ears. Loki sighed, directing Thor to follow her out of the great hall to the more quiet and dark halls of Asgard.
“Where were you? You missed the feast and Fandral had quite a story involving dancing girls with pom poms from a city called Dallas. He ended up tied to a pole with vulgar words painted across his forehead with permanent marker.” Loki said as they walk.
“I met a princess today.”
That made Loki pause. “Really? I did not realize Thor was reaching out to Midgard’s royal families without notifying the rest of us...” Loki said, shooting Thor a poisoned look which he quickly denied.
“She’s not from here.”
“Oh?”
“She’s from a galaxy, far, far away…”
“So she’s an alien princess?”
Sigyn fell into a doze, completely missing Loki’s question. Loki bit her lip in frustration, glaring at Thor who grinned with knowledge but refused to share. This, was something that Sigyn would share not him. They walked quietly until they reached Sigyn’s room. Thor reluctantly woke Sigyn up so they could get her ready for bed. After she was dressed and tucked in, Loki tried once more to get more answers from Sigyn about this princess she met.
“So, what was this princess’ name?”
Sigyn snuggled under the covers. “Kick ass…”
Thor led a fuming Loki out of the room as Sigyn fell into a dream filled with space princesses taking on the galaxy with a fierce demeanor, hope and friends.