28 weeks

"Why not?"

"Baldur..."

"Nothing will happen, Father; I assure you. And even though I don't believe Thor and I require their aid, the Warriors Three shall accompany us. There is no need to fear for our safety."

Thor watched the argument ensuing between the Allfather and his youngest brother with wary eyes. Thus far, Baldur's newest strategy of appealing to their parents in the middle of the night when they should all be enjoying sleep was failing. The Queen, standing quietly at her husband's side, met his concerned look, her lips pressed into a thin line. She was thinking the same thing; if Baldur kept pushing the matter, this would not end well. 

"You cannot deny me my passage to manhood!" Baldur clenched his fists. "Every young warrior in Asgard has already gone on some grand adventure, returning in triumph. Why must you refuse me mine?"

"I do not refuse you your quest, Baldur," said Odin, anger contained. "I am sparing you from the same mistakes your brothers made in their youth."

His eye flashed to Thor, who cast his gaze down. Though the people of Asgard had long forgotten about the incident, the Allfather made sure both Thor and Loki yet remembered what their actions brought on. It had been their first taste of raw power and their first introduction to the genuine danger of the threat of war. Loki, in particular, had suffered in those days. If only that witch hadn't made it worse...

"But that is exactly why we must go!" insisted Baldur. "I must be given a chance to prove I shall not make these mistakes. And Thor must be given every chance to redeem himself, as he rightfully deserves."

Odin's look intensified, and Thor groaned silently. Why, oh why, had he told Baldur about what happened all those years ago? 

"The mistakes of the past have already been forgiven," Frigga spoke before Odin could. "We all vowed to leave it to rest. The Twilight Sword must never be retrieved. By anyone."

"I know I can't bring it back; I'm not an idiot. I would never bring it near Sigyn. She could undoubtedly kill us all with that Sword."

Thor's head shot up upon hearing those carelessly spoken words. Not in all his years had he ever seen his mother's expression as it stood now. Her eyes shot a threatening glare at her young, foolish son. It was fortunate indeed that Loki was not present. He would have attacked Baldur in a heartbeat for that wild accusation; consequences be damned.

"Never speak of your sister in such a way again. Sigyn has the love of the people and us, her family. And we have hers. Do well to remember that, Baldur." Frigga turned to her husband. "The matter is settled in my eyes. I do not condone, nor bless, this folly. I trust you share my sentiment, dear husband, and thus leave the final decision to you as the Allfather. Good night."

With one last condemning look at her sons, the Queen departed from the throne room through the back corridors, reserved for the private use of the royal family. Thor hoped this would be it. He hoped Baldur would finally realise it was futile to appeal further and relent. But, of course...

"I am a Prince of Asgard; why can I never do what I want?" Baldur clamoured indignantly as he dashed forward.

Damn, thought Thor miserably. Why did I allow him to become this... petulant child? Surely I was never as such?

He tried to make Baldur step back by putting a firm hand on his shoulder, but he stubbornly stayed in place, shrugging Thor off. The princeling only had eyes for his father, sitting high and mighty, fingers clenched around his grand sceptre.

"There is more to being a Prince than getting your way all the time." Odin scowled at Baldur. "Learn this lesson well, and learn it now."

"But —"

"You shall not go looking for the Twilight Sword! That is final!"

Baldur fell back at his father's hard bellow, puffing out of frustration. Odin rose from his throne, well aware his son's eyes followed him until he was well and gone. Then, the young fool rounded on Thor. "Why did you not speak? Why did you not say we have no meaning with the Sword?"

"It wouldn't have made any difference. They are right to forbid us to go."

"Then why did I even bother reasoning with them?" Baldur threw his arms in the air, his voice rising in his anger. "I know this is Loki's doing! He's thwarting me, using that slick silver tongue to make my life miserable!"

"Loki has nothing to do with this, Baldur," said Thor sharply. "You are mistaken if you believe the Allfather and Queen didn't come to this decision on their own. Our brother has power, but I assure you he isn't that powerful."

"Defend him all you like, Thor; I know the truth! I know what he is truly like! I know what he's plotting! But it won't work! Even if I have to walk to Jotünheim on my own, I will show him and everyone else that I am a true Prince of Asgard!"

"Jötunheim? No, Baldur, stop!" Thor hastened after the princeling as the latter stormed out of the throne room. He caught up with him halfway through the corridor leading to the courtyard where the Warriors Three awaited them and grabbed his brother's arm forcefully. "Baldur, stop! Father forbade us from going. Do not test him on this."

"Father forbade us from looking for the Twilight Sword," pointed Baldur out. "He said nothing about Jotünheim. If we happen to find the Sword on our stroll through those icy wastelands, well, that can hardly be our fault now, can it?"

He freed himself from Thor's hold, taking advantage of his shock. Thor lingered in the corridor, watching dismally as his young brother walked on and told the Warriors Three they were for Jotünheim. Volstagg grinned from ear to ear, clapping his hands together in excitement. Hogun remained composed, but the glistening in his dark eyes said enough.
Fair Fandrall, however, seemed less inclined to share his comrades' enthusiasm. The blond warrior found Thor standing in the darkness and approached, his expression grim and worried. "Thor, is it true? Did the Allfather and Queen give their blessing?"

"No, they did not."

"I thought so." Fandrall sighed as he looked back over his shoulder. "It made little sense for them to do so after so many weeks. Why is Baldur lying to us?"

"Baldur is more like Loki than he cares to admit. He uses the words spoken, or rather unspoken, to justify this journey."

"Will you not stop him?"

But as much as Thor wanted to do so, he was torn. Torn between being a dutiful son and a Prince his people could be proud of. Torn between the brother he had shared and endured his life with and the brother who doted on him and did everything to be like him. And torn between common sanity and the chance for redemption.

"To Jötunheim and back. No more." Fandrall meant to object, but Thor cut him off. "I cannot risk Baldur going alone. He's capable of doing it, Fandrall, and you know it. If w go with him, we can ensure nothing will happen. You stay. If we haven't returned by high noon, tell Sif and Loki."

Doubt and reluctance reflected in Fandrall's eyes. Thor would hate to give him an order, but he would do so if necessary. At last, Fandrall conceded and gave a curt nod.

"Thank you, my friend," said Thor, grateful. "We shall return soon."

"You better." Fandrall grimaced. "Else, I fear I am not long for this world."

They said their goodbyes, and Thor joined Baldur, Volstagg, and Hogun. Deep inside, his heart was pounding with excitement. But the hauntings of their past, the insistent warnings of both Loki and Odin, and Sigyn's face were all too clear in his mind's eye. If he failed again this time... 

May all the Norns watch over us.

***

Her skin was burning. The flames danced over her body, licking her with each step. This fire was not her own. It wasn't good or comforting, nor born from desire. This was a taste of the blazing inferno which never ceased to seek destruction, crawling up from the depths of the underworld. 
Why was she here? Had she done this? Was she the cause of all this chaos and devastation? Surely not? She had been so happy. Nothing had angered her. She was perfectly content awaiting the birth of her child with...

"Sigyn!"

Loki! She tried to call out for him, but found herself voiceless. Her hand went up to her throat. It burned so much. Why did she feel pain? The fire was not supposed to hurt her. It never had before. 

"Sigyn, please wake up!"

She turned at the panicked and urgent sound of his voice. Her breath caught, and her heart stopped when her eyes found him. His half-naked and broken body hung suspended in the air, held up by flaming red-hot iron shackles at his wrists, ankles and waist. And there beside him... his brothers. 
She uttered a silent scream. She leapt forward but fell, landing amidst the flames. A dark red liquid stuck to her hands and knees as she broke her fall. Eerie laughter resonated throughout. Eyes shimmered in the darkness above her husband's defeated figure. Bright yellow eyes. Demon eyes.

"They are mine now, little fire mage! All mine!"

"My Lord, what's happened?"

"Rúna, fetch the Queen! Tell her Sigyn is bleeding! Hurry!"

Bleeding... She stared down at her hands. Her vision grew hazy. It was too hot. And the pain... so much pain. 

"Hold on, Sigyn; you'll be all right. Just hold on. Sigyn? Sigyn!"

***

By the time the group made their way into Jötunheim, it had become clear to Thor how much preparation Baldur had undertaken for this quest. His little brother had kept weapons and gear ready to go, had studied maps of both Asgard and Jötunheim in case they couldn't travel by Bifrost, and had even convinced the servants to vouch they'd seen them take the horses for a ride in the woods (which was not exactly a lie). He had to hand it to Baldur; he had done well. 

"I will admit, I forgot what it felt like to be he-e-ACHOO!"

"Ssh! Volstagg, in Odin's name," hissed Baldur, "do you want the Frost Giants to find us?"

Volstagg sniffled loudly in response, wiping his nose against the sleeve of his fur coat. Baldur rolled his eyes at the brute, but Thor still detected a smirk on his lips. He was glad to see his brother was enjoying himself. Thor himself remained cautious. He and Loki had got into the Frost Giants' realm fairly easily the last time; it was getting out, which had proved most difficult. And fatal.

"Stay together," he warned. "We're nearing the cave."

Thor didn't believe the Twilight Sword would be where it had last been, but the Frost Giants weren't exactly known for their cleverness. They might as well just take a look. If it was there, they could return home. If it wasn't... he did not dare to think what then.
The Crown Prince led the princeling and warriors into the ice caverns. Inside, he hesitated, unsure of how to proceed. Last time, they had fallen through the ice, landing right in front of the Twilight Sword. 

"Baldur, can you use your magic?" he asked. "We need to get into a subterranean grotto."

"Oh, um... sure."

Thor decided to attribute the slight quake in Baldur's voice to the cold and not ask if he was all right. Unnerving the only mage among them didn't seem like the best idea. If they were to succeed, they had to keep their wits about them. 
Baldur made them huddle and drew a circle around them. He mumbled, and soon enough, the patch of ice they were standing on began to move, lowering them into the floor at a slow but even pace.
At first glance, everything looked just like Thor remembered it. Icy stalactites hung from the ceiling, threatening to impale them if they broke. The little light that entered illuminated the grotto in a harrowing blue. Little light... Thor jumped off the circle before it touched the ground. He cursed silently. It wasn't there. Surtur's Sword, the object of their mission, was not there. 

"Thor? Brother, is something amiss?" asked Baldur. 

"The Sword is gone, my Prince," answered Volstagg. "Guess that stranger in the woods spoke the truth, after all."

That, or...

"Baldur, do you sense something?" demanded Thor. "Any trace of magic?"

Baldur raised his brow inquisitively, but held his hand out, nonetheless. "Hm... No, nothing."

"Are you certain? The Sword could merely be hidden from sight. The Frost Giants may not possess magic themselves, but they could've got it for a fee to fool thieves."

"Are you doubting my skills, brother? I tell you; there's nothing."

Thor grunted in frustration. Nothing could ever go easy, could it? He turned to the others and said, "We're leaving." 

"What? Thor, surely not?" exclaimed Baldur. "We just got here! We should at least search for clues where the Sword may have been taken."

"No, brother. I agreed to come to Jötunheim to look for the Sword, and so we have. The Sword isn't here, so we leave before our presence is noticed."

"But —"

"Baldur, please hear me. Either the Frost Giants have hidden the Twilight Sword deeper within their realm, which would mean us venturing further than we planned. Or someone else already has the Sword, in which case, we must warn the Allfather. Do not worry about any punishment; I shall take responsibility for this journey. Now come along."

Thor took hold of the princeling's shoulder and spun him around to the platform they had descended upon. Volstagg gave a grumble, muttering something about his axe and not having seen battle in ages, and followed meekly. But the last member of their party lingered around several puddles of water. The black-haired warrior looked up, a pensive expression on his face. 

"Odd to find pools when all other water is frozen," he remarked aloud, drawing Thor's attention. 

The Crown Prince of Asgard went to stand by him. He knelt and touched the water with his fingertips, finding it surprisingly warm. He raised his head. They were standing right underneath where the Sword hung last time. Had the heat of it caused the ice to melt and remain unfrozen? Surely if the Sword were still in its sheath, such a thing wouldn't be possible? 

"What is it?" Baldur came to hover over him, voice brimming with excitement. "Did you find something?" 

"Perhaps," Thor mused aloud. "Do you know of any being or spell that can cause ice to melt and stay that way, despite being surrounded by frost?"

"No. Unless... No, never mind." 

"What? What do you think of?" 

"Well, it's just... I suppose a fire mage's flame could cause permafrost to not be permanent anymore?"

"Out of the question," Thor stated firmly, ignoring the hurried, nervous glances between Hogun and Volstagg. "Sigyn has never even been to Jötunheim."

"That we know of," countered Baldur. "But I was actually not speaking of our sister."

It took a moment before Thor understood Baldur's meaning. He scoffed and shook his head at the accusation.

"Thor, think about i," urged Baldur. "We know Loki and Sigyn's magic is bound. We know she obtained certain skills Loki possesses. Is it truly so hard to believe he would gain some of hers?"

"Sigyn's flame is her own. Loki can never claim that for himself."

"Not unless she gives it to him. And for all we know, she has."

"What motive would Loki have to take the Sword? He wants it to remain lost."

"He could have taken the Sword away from here to hide it so none can use it against Asgard and Sigyn, in which case I shall show him my gratitude. But what if he took it for other reasons? All of this, the stranger in the woods, his so-called concern and anger, the Sword now being missing... It could all be a ruse to keep us from looking further. If we believe it to be truly lost, Loki can use it any time he wants. Either for himself or... someone else."

Thor's first instinct to defend Loki was reeled in by the terrifying reality that Baldur could be right. It did all seem right in Loki's ally to manipulate them all. He was and would always be the Trickster, after all. But Thor had seen the fear in Loki's eyes. For himself and Sigyn. He would never do anything to endanger her. Of that, Thor was absolutely certain. 
Yet, the idea of a fire mage taking the Sword didn't sound so absurd. And there was only one other left. Thor spun on his heels and stalked toward the platform, his brother and friends following in haste, the memories of what the Elf Queen had done thirty years ago fuelling his rage and suspicion.

***

Loki paced restlessly at the closed doors of his bedchamber. It was far too quiet. Rúna's hesitant figure hovered near. He liked the girl well enough, but Norns help her if she so much as tried to offer a comforting word or touch. Luckily, she stayed at a distance. 

She'll be fine. Mother and the healers got here fast. They will... She'll be fine.

Yet the sight to which Loki had awoken earlier had left him shaken to the core. The sheets covering Sigyn's legs had been drenched in blood. He had summoned every ounce of magic he possessed to heal her, but something had prevented that. Her life force had slipped away, like sand between his fingers. Even now, Loki could barely sense Sigyn and...
The door opened. Loki's head jerked up, and he saw his mother appear on the threshold. He hurried toward her, his heart clenching in terror at her serious expression. "How is she?"

"Better than before, but not out of the woods yet," replied Frigga wearily. 

"The baby?" asked Loki fearfully.

"Surprisingly well. Whatever caused Sigyn to bleed didn't affect the baby."

Loki uttered a shuddered sob, pressing his lips together to keep himself from completely falling apart. His daughter was well. His wife would be too. 

"Can I see her?" he asked.

"Yes, but not too long."

Loki left the young handmaiden and Queen and darted into the bedchamber. The healers quickly bowed their heads, their expressions solemn and grave. When he saw the bloodied sheets and linen lying next to the baby's room, Loki closed the door with a wave of his hand.
He gasped at seeing Sigyn's silent figure on the bed. Her skin was ashen, and her lips were a soft pink with a light blue-ish hue. Her vibrant red hair, now nearly rusty and flat, just lay around her head. Her chest rose slowly, and Loki could hear her wheezing. What, in Odin's name, had caused this? 

"Sigyn?" He carefully sat at her side, taking her hand in his. "My heart, can you hear me?"

Her eyelids fluttered. A pair of dim emeralds peered at Loki. He was barely aware of the pinch Sigyn gave him. She was so frail.

"It's all right; I'm here," he whispered to her in a broken voice. "I'm here. You're safe."

Her hand crept up to her belly. He put his own on top of hers. Even like that, Loki could still feel their baby kicking. Relief washed over him. He whispered, "She's well. Do not worry yourself for her. Just rest. I will watch over both of you, I promise."

Loki lovingly caressed Sigyn's jawline. She was cold as ice. He conjured another blanket for her, hoping it would warm her. His lips then gently pressed onto her forehead. A tear escaped him and dropped onto Sigyn's cheek, making it look as if she were crying.

"Y-Yellow... eyes." Loki drew back, believing he had imagined her speaking. But when Sigyn's fingers wrapped around his wrist, he knew he had imagined nothing. "S-Someone... is coming... for you... y-your bro-thers..."

"What? Sigyn, what are you talking about?"

"I... I s-saw... y-yellow eyes. Loki, please... be ca-reful."

Her weak grip on Loki loosened and her hand fell on the bed. Her eyes closed. Loki quickly checked her pulse, exhaling when he found it steady. He stepped away to allow the healers to work on Sigyn again, but lingered a moment, thinking about what she told him. Yellow eyes... Did he dare? He didn't have a choice. 
Loki shut his eyes and took hold of his pendant, now visible for all to see, as he only wore a thin nightshirt. Carefully, he prodded Sigyn's mind to see what she had seen. He nearly staggered back when he found himself amidst dancing flames and crimson blood. His breath caught when he saw himself and his brothers hanging shackled and beaten. He heard the maniacal laughter and glimpsed the devilish yellow eyes. He knew those eyes. But from where? 

All three Odinsons... I have to warn my father. And Thor. Maybe Baldur. 

Loki tore himself away from the vision and reluctantly left the room. He expected to find Frigga waiting for him, but Rúna was alone. 

"Rúna, where is the Queen?" he asked.

"The presence chamber, my Lord," she replied. "With the Allfather."

"My father's here?" Loki quirked a brow. "Stay with Sigyn a moment. I'll be right back."

He crossed the room to the other chamber, halting at the door when he saw it wasn't only Odin and Frigga who were there. Heimdall, Sif, Fandrall, and... wait, where was Thor? His brother loved Sigyn, far more than Loki cared to see. It made no sense for everyone else to be here instead of Thor, so that could only mean...

"What's happened?" demanded Loki as he closed the door behind him so Sigyn and the healers wouldn't be disturbed.

Odin answered in a grave voice, "Thor and Baldur have gone to Jötunheim."

Loki's eyes widened. "You gave them permission to go?" 

"No, we did not. But apparently, your brothers are hiding behind the fact I merely forbade them to search for the Sword instead of forbidding them to travel to Jötunheim as well. They took Volstagg and Hogun with him but made Fandrall stay behind to tell you and Sif if they did not return by high noon. Thankfully, Fandrall decided to do the right thing."

The blond warrior bowed his head to accept Odin's praise, but Loki noticed by his clenched jaw and pinched brow his action weighed on him. Defying his Crown Prince and friend was not done lightly for a man such as Fandrall.

"I went to see Heimdall shortly," he said, "after they departed for the woods. He saw Baldur create a portal and followed them until they entered the cavern where we found the Sword the last time. That's when..."

Fandrall glanced over to the Guardian of the Bifrost, who continued, "Something, or someone, is preventing me from seeing inside the cavern. As it is, I am no longer confident they are still there. I believe I saw them emerge, but an inexplicable heat muddled my vision, and I was forced to look away. I attempted to find them again, searching all the Nine Realms even, but they are lost from my sight."

This couldn't have come at a worse time. And after what Sigyn said... 

"Someone is after us." 

"What makes you say that?" questioned Odin, while the others raised their brow at Loki's remark. 

"Sigyn said something when I was with her," said Loki. "She spoke of yellow eyes and how I was in danger. I looked into her mind and saw my brothers and me in chains, surrounded by fire. I believe this vision caused Sigyn such distress she began to bleed."

"The magic involved would have to be extraordinary for her to have been affected as such," said Frigga. "Did Sigyn have visions like these before?"

Loki thought it better to lie now rather than waste time explaining how Sigyn had visions on Midgard thirty years ago and shook his head. "I know I have seen the yellow eyes before, but I cannot recall where."

The Allfather narrowed his eye. Loki prayed he believed him. If need be, Frigga could show him the vision by tapping into him, but if Thor and Baldur were already missing, there wasn't a moment to waste. 

"Lady Sif, Fandrall, select a few members of the Einherjar and await me in the courtyard," spoke Odin then. "Heimdall, return to the Bifrost and keep searching for my sons." 

All left to follow Odin's command with a curt nod. Now that he was alone with his parent, Loki couldn't help but feel uneasy. Why did it feel like he was the one about to get scolded for Thor and Baldur being utter idiots?

"Loki, you stay here," said the Allfather.

"What?" Loki blinked in surprise. "No, I can help."

"I have no doubt you can. But clearly, whatever is in play is after the three of you, so you must stay for your own protection. And for your wife. If Sigyn awakes and you are not here, I fear her distress will only grow."

Loki bit his lip. His father was right. He couldn't risk leaving Asgard to search for Thor. If this creature already had two Odinsons, the third couldn't fall into its grasp as well. And he couldn't break his promise to Sigyn. He told her he'd be here. 
Odin exited the apartments to join the search and rescue, leaving Frigga with Loki. She came to stand at her son's side, who was gripped tightly by ever-growing despair. He wanted to believe all would be well. That Thor and Baldur would return, and that Sigyn would wake and be healthy again. Yet in the early, dark hours of the morning, Loki saw no hope for any of it. The vision, the blood, his brothers gone missing, Sigyn lying in bed as if kissed by Death... He fell into his mother's arms, tears hidden from sight.

***

29 weeks

The sunlight warming her face woke Sigyn up. She blinked against the brightness and tried to raise herself, but her body felt heavy. It took another moment to remember why exactly.
Her hands went to her belly. She exhaled in relief when she found the high curve and felt that familiar flutter inside. All was well. Her baby was safe, and... Loki! Her vision!
Sigyn's head turned, eyes frantically searching for her husband. She again attempted to get up, but she was so weak. The door to the bedchamber stood ajar, and Sigyn called out for him. Her crackled voice was barely audible. She cleared her throat and called his name again. Light footsteps hastily approached, and a dainty female figure appeared in the door opening.

"Lady Sigyn!" exclaimed Rúna. "Thank Odin, you're awake! We were so worried about you!"

The handmaiden ran to the bed, halting right beside her Princess before throwing herself around her neck. She helped Sigyn sit up, propping the pillows behind her for comfort.

"Rúna, where is my husband?" asked Sigyn.

"He had to step away for a moment to meet with the Allfather; he should be back shortly. Here, drink something."

"He's all right? Nothing happened to him?" 

"No, nothing." Rúna again offered her the cup of water. "Please, Lady Sigyn."

He is well. I thought I only imagined waking up then, but I actually did. I warned him in time.

She looked up at her handmaiden. Only now did she note the dark circles beneath Rúna's eyes and her unusual white complexion. She looked absolutely exhausted. "Rúna, how long have you been watching over me?" 

"I returned about an hour ago," said Rúna. "Lord Loki stayed up all night to allow me some sleep, but I was too worried, so I came back early, which was when he said he needed to meet with the King. We've been taking turns to make sure someone would always be here when you awoke."

"Taking turns since when, exactly?"

"A little over a week."

Sigyn gasped in dismay. Was she truly missing an entire week? She wanted to ask more, but they were interrupted by none other than Odin himself. The King froze at the door as their eyes met. Rúna dipped into a curtsey and kept her head down, while Sigyn greeted him, flustered, "Allfather... h-how kind of you to visit."

"What? Oh, yes! Of course, I come to visit. Everyone else does. And you are my... my daughter, after all. I care for you... Sigyn."

A soft glistening then appeared in Odin's gaze. Sigyn's eyes widened. She would recognise that magical shimmer anywhere. "Rúna," she turned to the girl at her side, "would you mind going to the kitchens and fetching something to eat? Nothing much; some broth will do. And take something for yourself as well."

The handmaiden dipped down again and scuttled away. Odin made sure she was truly gone before he closed the door to the bedchamber to a slight sliver and hastened around the bed. As he sat down beside Sigyn, his appearance changed. He grew younger, his face sharper, and his grey hair a shorter raven-black. Two blue eyes instead of one, and a strong slender body clad in green and gold detailed black leather. When his firm lips pressed themselves against Sigyn's, he was no longer the Allfather but the man she'd married.
Sigyn kissed Loki fervently, taking his face in her hands. He deepened the kiss between them, tracing her lips with his tongue before slipping past them. A flicker of passion surged through Sigyn's entire being, but when she felt something wet touching her fingers, she broke off the kiss to stroke his tears away. 

"I'm all right, my love," she said.

"I thought I lost you," whispered Loki, holding back a sob. "I thought I would never hear your sweet voice again. You lost so much blood; we all feared the worst. They were already preparing to deliver the baby, but I begged them to wait until we had no other choice."

"So this wasn't...?" Sigyn didn't dare to finish her sentence. 

"No, it had nothing to do with your pregnancy. We think your vision may have caused such strain on your mind that your body reacted to it, but in truth, we can only guess."

"It felt so real, Loki. The fire, the blood... I can still feel it on my skin. I can still see those horrid eyes before me. And you and your brothers, beaten and shackled." Sigyn felt Loki stiffen at her words. He gently pulled away from her, averting his gaze as he sat up. "Loki? What happened?"

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with."

"No, tell me." But Loki just pressed his lips together. Sigyn cupped his face to make him look at her and asked, "Loki, why were you pretending to be Odin?"

"I... Forgive me; I forgot I was still in his form when I came back here. These last few days have been chaotic. My father, he... he fell into the Odin-sleep. It's a deep slumber he is forced into every few decades to recuperate his strength and magic. We didn't expect it to happen again so soon. Going after my brothers took a heavy toll on him."

Sigyn tsk-ed and rolled her eyes in annoyance. "What did they do?"

"They... went missing when they were off-world with Volstagg and Hogun. Odin went out to look for them with Fandrall and Sif and a small company of the Einherjar. They all returned the following day. No one knows what happened, but my brothers were still in the same place where Heimdall lost them, unconscious and contained within a barrier of sorts. They were all taken to the healers while Odin hurried to my Frigga. He barely made it to her chambers and collapsed, completely drained of his magic. Only Frigga, his personal servants, and I know his true state. To everyone else, Odin appeared well after resting a few hours."

Sigyn pushed herself up, wincing at the pull from her body as she leaned on her elbows. "You've been posing as him this entire time? Loki, you told me this is one of the most exhausting powers you possess, which is why you didn't teach me when we lived on Midgard."

"I can manage," he said. "My strength has grown considerably thanks to our connection to the Urdarbrunn, and Odin only has to appear in public a few times a day. I had to get creative during mealtimes and conjure a double to have both Loki and Odin present, but it's all taken care of."

"You are still taking a significant risk, my love."

"As I said, Frigga and Odin's servants are helping to keep any contact to a minimum. I just have to hold on long enough for my father to recuperate."

"And what of your brothers?"

"My mother is dealing with them. I don't have the time or the patience. And I'm most likely to throttle Thor for breaking his promise to me."

Sigyn wanted to ask what promise he was talking about, but heard someone approaching outside. Loki gave her another quick kiss and transformed back into Odin. He rose just as Rúna pushed the door open, a tray with small portions of food in her hands.

"Eat something now, Sigyn," said 'Odin'. "Rúna, I entrust you with your mistress' care until Loki returns. Get some sleep when he does, understood? You have done admirably these past days, and your dedication has not gone unnoticed."

The handmaiden's cheeks reddened at the praise. Sigyn smiled at her and her husband, too, loving them both for what they had done for her. "I thank you for your visit, Allfather. Please tell Loki I am eager to see him."

A tiny smirk appeared on his face. "I shall."

He bowed to her and left, throwing Sigyn one last glance over his shoulder. Her contentment for being awake and her relief to find her husband well were short-lived. As she ate what Rúna brought her, Sigyn couldn't help but think Loki kept something from her. Something involving his brothers. 

"Rúna, have Thor and Baldur come to visit?" she casually asked the girl.

"No, Lady Sigyn," answered Rúna.

"Truly? Not even Thor?"

The handmaiden shook her head. "Their Highnesses been keeping to themselves recently. They may feel some shame in failing their quest."

"You wouldn't know what their goal was, would you? A treasure, perhaps? Something the Frost Giants took from Asgard in the last War?"

"I heard Fandrall mention a sword." Rúna scrunched her nose as she tried to remember. "Sumtu, Suttu, Sursur..."

"Surtur?"

"Yes, that was it!"

Sigyn slowly reclined on her pillows. Loki had told her about Surtur when she came across the name while reading Bor's tome. The Lord of Muspelheim and the fire mages hadn't been that different in powers, but they'd also detested each other and had constantly been at odds over something called the Eternal Flame. Both Surtur and the fire mages (except for Sigyn and Aelsa, of course) were long gone now, and the Allfather had claimed the Eternal Flame. Yet, the one treasure that could still prove a problem was Surtur's Twilight Sword. 
Loki had been most reluctant to tell her anything about it. So much so he'd made Sigyn swear never to mention it again. The fear she'd seen in his eyes then was the only thing had instantly made Sigyn consent to his request. A flicker of that same fear had been reflected in his eyes when before. That must be it, then.
Whatever had possessed Thor and Baldur to go after Surtur's weapon, she had to ensure that thing never came near Loki or any Odinson for that matter. She had to keep her vision from coming true. At any cost.