The sun set over the distant mountains, bathing the countryside in hues of pink.

The tantalizing smell of smoked meat and stew, wafted out into the open air from the pot bubbling over the open fire.

Sigyn stood over said pot and brushed a stray hair back off her face. Her blue eyes flickered up as she heard familiar voices approaching.

"Auntie Sigyn! We got to see your new house!!!" Brenna announced running to her.

"Brenna! Careful of the fire!" Her mother Astrid reprimanded.

"Sorry mum!" Brenna called back. 

 Astrid sighed heavily and shifted sleeping Colby to her other hip.

Sigyn's lips curved into a small smile. "Brenna why don't you set the table while your mum and I talk."

"Awe..."

"And maybe when you finish you can have a small piece of bread... That is if it's okay with your mum?" She continued looking up at Astrid. 

She nodded and Brenna trotted off to the table that had been set up outside.
Sigyn sighed and smiled at Astrid. 

Astrid sighed, and sat down beside Sigyn, laying Colby in one of the beds. 
"Your mum wanted me to tell you that she is working on your Longhouse so she will be staying there tonight." Astrid remarked. 

"Oh good." Sigyn sighed. "Did I say that out loud?!"

Astrid and Sigyn burst out laughing, their voices merry and light.
"I've been meaning to talk to you..." Astrid said quietly as their laughter died down. 
"About..?" Sigyn turned to look at her. 
Loki's voice was heard out in the yard.
"That's no way to set the table~" his voice was full of mischief.
"What do you mean?" Brenna asked.
"It takes forever that way." Loki taunted. 

"But there's no other way to do it!" Brenna whined. 
"There's no other way you could do it." Loki replied slyly. 
"What do you mean?" Brenna asked, her brown eyes wide. 
"If I show you you have to promise not to tell your auntie Sigyn." Loki stage whispered. 
"I promise!" 
Astrid and Sigyn exchanged a look and crept to the door.
Loki had used his magic to float the plates above the table.

Sigyn laughed earning a smile from Loki. 

"He likes you." Astrid spoke quietly. 

"I know." Sigyn replied, watching as Loki made the plates dance to the right spot.

"You like him back." Astrid stated, keeping a close watch of Sigyn's movements. 

The look on Sigyn's face told Astrid all she needed to know.

"I can't." Sigyn replied simply.

Astrid looked at Sigyn's watery eyes.

"If I did it would mean death to all I hold dear." Sigyn replied gravely. 

"So what will happen when Theoric returns?"

"I will marry him... To save my people."

"And what of Loki?" 

"He will go back to Asgard and be comforted by the many women there I'm sure." Sigyn replied, struggling to keep the jealous edge out of her voice. 

Astrid grabbed Sigyn's hand as she continued.

"And I will be comforted by my many children and my new Longhouse in a new Village. And I will work very, very hard to forget him." Sigyn finished in a strangled voice.

"I bet he'll have a harder time forgetting you." Astrid smiled, softly wiping the tears from Sigyn's cheeks. 

Sigyn scoffed, and turned away from the doorway as Loki looked up at her. 

Loki smiled as he approached the ladies. 

"Is supper ready?" He asked.

"Yes." Sigyn replied quietly. 

"Let me help you get it on the table." He smiled, walking over to the blazing fire. 

Astrid took the hint and went to wake up Colby. 

"You used your magic. I win." Sigyn taunted, picking up the hot pot with a thick cloth.

"Ah but I didn't use it on the tasks you asked me to do. So I'm still technically in the clear." Loki smiled, taking the pot from her and sauntering over to the table.

"I'm in way over my head." Sigyn muttered to herself.