(Sigyn's pov)

I awoke to birdsong. Loki's bed... Or rather the bed next to mine was empty.

The new day had dawned bright and sunny, but The campfire had nearly burned out so I immediately rekindled it.

Brenna and Colby lay asleep in their beds and Astrid greeted me from her spot under her children.

"Morning Sigyn."

"Good morning to you." I replied with a smile. "How did the kids sleep?"

"Colby slept fretfully. I think he missed his father." Astrid replied. 

"And Brenna?"

"She slept well thank you." Astrid replied running her fingers through Colby's thick jet black hair. 

I sighed and sat down on my bed to plait my hair.

"Where's your friend?" Astrid smirked. 

"Whom?" I hummed.

Astrid smirked at me, wiggling her eyebrows.

 I blushed, fighting to keep my voice steady. "Oh Loki? I don't know where he's gone."

"I'm right here." A familiar voice called from the doorway.

I jumped and turned to him, my braid swinging.

He stood silhouetted in the doorway by the rising sun. And I couldn't help but notice he had changed his clothes from his usual wear.

He was wearing a green homespun shirt and dark pants and looked quite like he could fit in in the village.

"My Loki you look handsome today~" Loki said in a clear imitation of my voice.

"Thank you my dear anything to please you." He replied in his voice, smirking at my red face.

Astrid made an unladylike noise that turned into smothered laughter.

Loki turned red, his eyes widening. "Good morning Astrid, I didn't see you there."

" Well, You weren't exactly looking were you?" Astrid smirked.

Loki gaped like a fish out of water, and looked very thankful when a small voice yawned,

"Mommy, wheres daddy?"

Colby's bright blue eyes stared up at his mother. 

"He's out with the men on the far side of the village. But your sister and I are going with you to see him."

"When?!" He beamed. 

"Right after breakfast I suppose." Astrid smiled fondly. 

"Yay!" Colby bounced. 

Suddenly he turned his massive blue eyes to the doorway in evident shock.

He stared at Loki for a beat, 

"I like your new clothes mister Loki!"

"Why, Thank you Colby." Loki smiled. 

He looked quickly back to his mother, a question visibly forming on his face.

"Mama can Mister Loki come with us to see daddy?" 

Astrid bit her lip trying not to laugh. 

"I'm afraid not my love, Mister Loki is going to help Auntie Sigyn with her chores today."

"Awe..." Colby pouted.

"And before you ask no Auntie Sigyn is not coming with either. She has to get ready for her wedding. The chores she is doing today are important."

I bit my lip and looked at the ground. Bile rising in my throat.

Colby nodded slowly, he looked at his mother and blurted out, "Mama what's for breakfast?"

"Stew." I piped up standing and grabbing some bowls.

"Yum!" Colby grinned. 

We ate our meal quickly and soon Astrid and the kids were going out the door.

"Have fun and don't do anything I wouldn't do." Astrid smirked, knocking me with her hip as she strode off.

"Astrid!" I hissed.

She chuckled and winked at me over her shoulder, before carting her kids off over the road.

"So~" Loki purred, advancing towards me. 

"So we'd better get to those chores." I replied walking backwards.

Loki took in my evident discomfort, and changed his tone to one far more playful. 

"It'll take far less time with magic I promise! I'll go clean out the barn I'll be back soon." he paused at the door, tossing over his shoulder, "Try not to miss me too much~"

"I think I'll live." I chuckled, rolling my eyes.

He left and I walked over to the storage area and pulled out the heavy trunk.

The trunk that contained my dowry.

I opened the lid and stared at the fancy blanket. A gift from my mother before she passed away. I stroked it with fondness then pulled it out and wrapped it around me. If I closed my eyes it was almost like she was here, holding me.

"Oh mother. I could really use your guidance now." I whispered.

I sat down on the ground, tears pricking my eyes. I watched the flames dance and crackle at the center of the cabin.

"Sigyn?" Loki's voice asked softly. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah." I lied, turning my head away to wipe my tears, "I'm fine."

I heard his soft leather padded footsteps.

"You know, as the god of lies, I see through them quite easily."

I poked my head out of the blanket and looked at him.

He stood in front of me, his green eyes filled with concern.

"I'm fine."

"No you're not."

I sniffled.

"So are you going to tell me what's wrong, or am I going to have to guess?"

I could see that he wasn't giving this up soon.

I sighed heartily. "My mother... she should be here helping me...giving me guidance..."

"Loki I only have one day ... one day... before I marry that... that... FIFL!"

"Fifl?" Loki snorted.

"Idiot!" I translated. 

"Right..." Loki trailed off. 

"Did you feed the sheep?" I blurt out. 

"What?... Oh well I tried with magic but they freaked out."

"Imagine that~" I replied in a jesting tone. 

"How was I supposed to know." Loki replied holding his hands up defensively. 

"I get the feeling you aren't great with animals." I smirked. 

"Well -" Loki's eyes widened. He looked away from me. 

"Come on then! We'll feed them together." I smiled, standing and folding the blanket before replacing it in my dowry chest.

Loki looked at the trunk understanding dawning.

"Those are your things... to go with you when you marry him." He spat the last word like it was something vile. 

"Lets go~" I replied dragging him out of the longhouse and into the open air.

The Sheep paddock was not far from our house. I watched them grazing and sighed in contentedness. 

Suddenly all the sheep simultaneously looked up, glaring at Loki. The baby sheep ran into the far corner of the paddock and the Rams started looking murderous. Loki froze behind me.

"Oh dear what have you done..." I replied laughing.

"I tried to distribute the feed with my magic... they didn't like it." 

"I can tell!" I giggled, "Come on..." I smiled, dragging him over to the Paddock and handing him some feed.

I stepped over the gate gracefully, making coaxing noises to the sheep.

They all still stood staring fixedly at Loki, distrust in their eyes.

"Come on Loki!"

Loki's eyes widened.

"Come in sit down and relax. they can sense your fear."

"I'm not afraid... I'm being sensible. I don't feel like being bludgeoned to death today."

"Loki..." I smiled, "Don't worry I'll protect you from the big scary sheep."

"I don't need your protection." Loki replied obstinately, hopping over the fence. 

"That's more like it." I chuckled as he settled down beside me.

"Here." I smiled, putting some feed into his hands.

I tried to ignore the rush of heat that swept up my arm as our fingers brushed.

"Thank you." Loki smiled

"You're welcome." I blushed, looking away from him as I stroked a particularly interested sheep on the nose.