I took Erland on one arm and Loki on the other as I made my way out of the mead hall and into the quiet night.

Loki's eyes drifted up toward the stars with a contemplative look on his face.

"Well, I need to go talk to my wife. I'll meet you two at the outskirts of town for the final goodbyes yeah?" Erland asked as he slipped away from us. 

"Sounds good." I smiled.

Erland winked at me before plodding off into the darkness.

I looked back at Loki. His eyes were a bright green, almost like they shone with tears.

"Beautiful isn't it?" I asked him.

"Sorry?"

"The stars, you know ever since I was little... whenever I get upset I like to look at the stars.-" I admitted.

"-I just find them so comforting, almost like it's the universe's way of telling us that everything will be alright."

Loki nodded his eyes still on the bright night sky. 

"-That's where you come from isn't it? The sky?" I blurted. 

Loki smiled. "The world is much bigger than you think it is Sigyn."

"It is?" I asked. 

"I hail from Asgard. There is also Midguard... here, where you are. There is also Alfheim, Vanaheim, Jotenheim, Niflheim, Helheim, Nidavellir, and Muspellheim-"

"Loki I'm familiar with the concept of Yggdrasil." I replied rolling  my eyes.

"I see, then maybe you aren't ready for the whole truth yet." He replied with mischief glittering in his eyes. 

I could see torch light through the trees and I knew we must be nearing the send off.

"We can talk about this later." I replied. 

"Fine." he smiled. 

We made it past the last few trees and came upon my father and Theoric on their mounts. 

"Sigyn." My father called out to me with a curt nod.

"Father." I replied tears welling up in my eyes. I made my way over to him and patted the snout of his dapple grey. 

"Sigyn, I need you to do something for me." My father asked as he stooped down to my level. 

"Anything." I replied. 

"I need you to keep a close watch on the prince." My father said seriously. 

"To protect him from us... or us from him?" I smirked.

"Both." My father chuckled. He got down off his mount and pulled me into a hug. "Fare well my dear daughter. No matter what happens remember that you made this old man very proud."

"Oh Father." I replied blinking rapidly to rid my eyes of tears.

"Fare well." I replied pulling myself out of his arms. He smiled at me then directed his gaze over my shoulder. I walked over to Theoric as my father addressed Loki.

"Well, it looks like this is good bye." I said awkwardly as Theoric looked down at me. 

He nodded coolly and extended his arm toward me. I raised an eyebrow at him but foolishly took his hand anyways. He grasped my hand and pulled me up onto the horse. 

"Goodbye Sigyn." He replied, his coal black eyes boring a hole in my face. 

"Fare well Theoric." I replied trying not to notice his closeness.

Then he kissed me.

And let me down off the horse. 

And smirked at me before trotting off into the forest. 

Everyone had gone deathly quiet. 

Before anyone could catch me, I raised a hand and covered my mouth, spinning on my heel and charging into the forest away from everyone. 

"Sigyn!" Loki called after me. Still, I only ran faster into the woods.

The ground was firm beneath my boots and I ran my feet pounding on the uneven forest floor.

"Sigyn!" Loki shouted again appearing in-front of me.

I couldn't stop myself fast enough and so I ran straight at him, my head thumping on his chest.

"Sigyn."

"Leave me alone!" I exclaimed, the tears falling freely now. 

"No." Loki ground out.

"No?" I gasped. 

"No. I wont leave you." He stated firmly. 

I shoved him away from me, leaning against a nearby tree. 

He stared at me, and I felt ashamed of his unflinching gaze.

"You were right."

"I was?"

"I'd rather die than marry him." I admitted, the tears falling faster. 

"You already admitted as much." Loki stated calmly. 

"If I had any other choice..." I started, hanging my head.

"Yes..?" Loki asked, interested. 

"Never-mind. there is no other choice." I replied shaking my head and wiping away my tears.

"You're wrong."

I looked up at him, startled. 

"What?" I asked, noticing how close he was to me. 

"You do have another choice." He replied simply.

His eyes flickered down to my lips.

And then I lost control of myself, I leaned into his embrace. 

And our lips touched.

 And two hearts collided, the aftermath of which would change all time and eternity.