The Vanir guards laughed and mocked Loki for having been ambushed by them so easily.

He had slipped on his usual mask of arrogance for their benefit, but his eyes betrayed the frustration and anger that seethed within him for not having detected their presence.

At sword point, he climbed from the pool wearing nothing but a forced smile, appearing indifferent to their stares and mocking words.

"Now gentlemen please..."
He remarked casually,
"..do not let your envy of my manhood cause another war between our realms."

Sif bit her lip, although she didn't find his antagonistic attitude and sarcasm funny under such circumstances, she could not help admiring his ability to feign arrogant indifference.

Having now covered his modesty with his breeches, he proceeded to dress as slowly as possible, just to irritate the soldiers further.
Their Captain barked at him to hurry, to which he responded with,
"Now you know you don't mean that, you're enjoying every moment really!"

Having lastly pulled on his boots, though he'd abandoned his one-piece shoulder pauldron due to its weight and the heat, he leapt across to the opposite side of the river bank to retrieve her gown.
He then handed it to her, stepped a little further away from the edge and turned away to face the Guard's again.
"You must allow the Lady privacy..."
He insisted, snatching off his cape, despite only having just put it on, and held each end of it widthways; stretching his arms out to their maximum length,
".....the first man to cast his gaze in this direction, I'll have your eyeball's cut out and fed to the Allfather's Ravens!"

The guards jeered him but seemed to make a point of averting their eyes, thus allowing Sif to swiftly exit the pool, and hidden behind the Mischievous one and his cape, she slipped her now tattered looking gown back on.

They were both then marched from the falls to where the guards had left their horses grazing in a nearby grove.
A soldier who was not the Captain spoke gruffly to Loki in a language Sif did not understand; obviously Vanir.
Turning to her, Loki translated that they were to mount a horse...together.

Before she had time to react, he was up in the saddle of the grey mare that was obviously intended for them.
She took the hand he offered and climbed up behind him; not bothering to ride side-saddle, she hitched her gown up and coyly held onto his waist...which seemed ridiculous considering she'd exposed her naked rear to him not a half hour ago.

The Vanir-speaking guard approached them, speaking hurriedly and attempting to grab hold of Loki's wrist.
He snatched his hand away roughly and responded in the same tongue with what sounded like a torrent of abuse.
The guard seemed to argue for a moment, causing Loki to gesture wildly with his hands; indicating the reins he held.
At last the guard walked away grumbling,

"Do you believe that arseworm wanted to fetter my hands..."
Loki explained indignantly,
"..as if I'd allow that, the foolish quim! How the Hela am I meant to hold the reins with my wrists bound together?"

"I know you have ridden using only your seat and legs before Loki."
She whispered into his ear.

He whipped his head around to look at her, his dark brows beetling together in confusion,
"Well luckily they don't know I can...but how do you know of that?"

The memory of him on horseback cantering across the cobbled courtyard came flooding back to her. She recalled the way he'd dropped the reins and proceeded to ride back and forth, steering the horse with only his legs whilst she marvelled at the sight through the long gallery window.

Obviously she was reluctant to admit this to him, so instead she responded vaguely,
"I now know many of your secrets...sky traveller!"
She turned away to hide her smile from seeing the look of surprise on his face.

The party headed off presumably in the direction of the city. Two knights on horseback led the way, the others fell into formation behind the horse that she and Loki rode on.
She contemplated the idea of attempting to escape; but when she whispered her thoughts into his ear he shook his head dismissively.

After some time the procession arrived at the city gates.
A sentry hastily rushed to allow them access; causing a loud metallic clang as the gates swung open hitting the walls.
Taking in the tremendously high white stone city walls and the buildings of the same colour, Sif stared in wonder at this foreign realm.
They entered what seemed to be a market square, with brightly coloured tents for stalls, more guards up ahead were now holding back a crowd of curious onlookers.

Up close she noticed that all the locals appeared to be slender and slight in build; none of them were particularly tall and their hair was either blonde or reddish-brown...all of these features were similar to those of Sigyn's, if in fact Sigyn actually looked how she was known to her. It was possible Amora had created the appearance from her own imagination but even if having done so she'd certainly succeeded in modelling her disguise well, based on the people of the realm.

**************************

Following a cobbled road which led out of the town, they at last reached their destination.
Njord's castle was tall and narrow in structure; built from the same white stone as the rest of the kingdom, but ivy covered the high walls and flowers of all different colours were interspersed with the leaves.

The guards dismounted, conversing between themselves in their own tongue.

Loki followed suit, then instead of offering his hand to her in the regular, formal manner he reached up gripping her gently by the waist and lowered her to the ground.
Even the slightest contact from him had an almost electrifying affect on her.
Being in such close proximity on the horse had been sweet torture, she'd revelled in the closeness but her arms ached for his embrace.
The effect she felt from his touch had previously alarmed her...but now she longed for it.

Her thoughts were suddenly shattered by four burly guards approaching, voices raised they moved in on Loki and to her dismay they began securing his wrists, though he did not put up any resistance this time.

At sword-point they were then led into the castle itself where they were brought before King Njord, who sat on a large throne made of stone.
He himself bore a startling stony-faced expression; with wiry dark grey hair and a complexion which almost matched in colour.

However it was the figure that stood beside him that caught Sif's attention and their presence caused her mouth to drop open with surprise.
She even heard Loki take a sharp intake of breath as he registered that it was none other than Amora.

Sneering openly at him Amora spoke first,
"You are slipping Lopt, who would have guessed that one as intelligent as you could be so easily distracted..."
She paused momentarily and shot a contemptuous look at Sif before adding,
".....you disappoint me by being so weak and feeble, allowing yourself to be rendered helpless by the mere enticement of feminine charms."

Loki bristled but remained silent. Amora was clearly seeking a reaction and when her words did not have the desired effect she turned to address Sif instead,
"Your title of 'Lady' Sif is most ironic, given your behaviour.."

Sif's cheeks coloured and she practically had to bite her lip in order to keep from retaliating.

But Amora was relentless,
"..it appears that you have the son of Laufey spellbound...though pitifully its merely by the power that lies between your legs!"

Furiously Sif lurched forward but two guards restrained her, she began to struggle but the sound of Loki erupting caused her to freeze.

"Enough of this witch!"
He roared ferociously, his beautiful eyes now filled with pure rage,
"I came here to address the King not you, so be silent you poisonous bitch!"

At that Njord stood,
"This is not the conduct expected of a royal, Prince Loki...I have heard rumours of your black deeds but previously believed you to be of a more courteous nature. I shall give you but one opportunity to explain yourself, so choose your words wisely!"
He warned menacingly.

Scowling at Amora Loki composed himself, took a deep breath and bowed benevolently to Njord,
"My apologies your highness, I have come to Vanaheim in order to inform you that I am regrettably unable to accept your fair daughter's hand in marriage."

Sif swallowed hard, beads of sweat now forming on her forehead. She looked on anxiously as Njord registered Loki's shocking declaration.

"Your father, gave me his word-"
The old King was now saying, but incredulously Loki interrupted him, his velvet voice unfaltering,

"That may be so My Lord, but I did not give you mine..."

The look of disgust on Njord's face was clear for all present to see, and to make matters worse Loki had not yet finished.
Just as Njord attempted to speak once more, he added coldly and calmly,
"..and with all due respect Sir, Odin is not my father."

Stifled gasps omitted around the room from all present. Looks of sheer astonishment passed between the guards, causing Sif to fear the worst.

"Never before have I heard such impudence!"
Njord was exclaiming, his gruff voice rising along with his temper,
"And you offer no explanation as to why you spurn my daughter so cruelly!"

At that Amora cried out accusingly,
"It is because of the warrior wench your highness...the sly one forced me into impersonating Princess Sigyn in order to make her jealous, and fool Odin into believing he was willing to comply with his wish to marry your daughter."

For a moment Sif thought her legs might actually buckle beneath her.
She stared wild-eyed at Loki, awaiting his response with bated breath. She did not trust Amora, surely this revelation was false?

His blank expression was completely unreadable and his unresponsiveness was agonising.
After a lengthy pause he finally spoke, even daring to smile crookedly as he did so,
"Your highness...I cannot marry your daughter, as I am not worthy."

That was the final straw for Njord. Amora whispered into his ear and he nodded vigorously before turning to Loki once more,
"Your arrogance shall not be tolerated, you stand before the king of this realm accused and yet show no remorse nor do you accept any omission of your guilt!"

Sif's eyes were suddenly drawn to Amora's hands which now appeared to be clutching something she could not make out from such a distance.
She felt panic rising in her chest.

Njord was still speaking and she scarecely managed to focus on his words,
"I warned you did I not Prince Loki?...Your deceit shall be punished and your silver tongue will be silenced!"

At that he summoned a guard forward who took the small objects from Amora in his fingers and hurried towards Loki, whilst two other guards descended upon him and wrestled him to the floor.

Aghast, Sif attempted to break free from the guards who were still holding her, but one of them grasped her around the neck whilst the other held the tip of his sword to her face.

"Sif don't!"
Loki yelled, his voice straining as numerous guards pinned him down on the stone floor,
"I can endure whatever tortures they can concoct!"
He challenged boldly.

She looked on in horror through tear-filled eyes as the other guard advanced upon him, brandishing what Sif could now see was a large, thick darning needle and a length of leather thong.

She closed her eyes tightly, overwhelmed with the feeling of helplessness and desperately clasped her trembling hands to her ears as the sound of Loki's anguished voiced dissolved into yells of increasingly muffled pain as his lips were barbarically sewn together.

Then another sound filled the room; drowning out the terrible noise. A heart breaking scream that penetrated the air and no doubt was heard for miles around.
Amidst the trauma, Sif barely realised that it had come from herself.