34 weeks

It was almost a month since the Allfather fell into the Odinsleep. Loki managed well the first weeks, but it was getting more difficult to maintain a constant full body illusion whilst also conjuring a double. He kept the meetings and petitioners to a minimum to preserve his strength and magic, delegating wherever he could, and either Loki or 'Odin' were more frequently absent from the hall during meal times. But no one asked questions so far.
The Allfather was, after all, a busy man, and it wasn't uncommon for him to dine alone in his study to keep up with his work. And after what had happened to Sigyn, everyone understood she couldn't exert herself and that Loki preferred to eat privately with her in the comfort of their chambers. Whether his motive was genuine concern and love was, regrettably, still discussed among many.

The Queen also showed signs of fatigue. She worked tirelessly to force Odin to wake up from his slumber, since it took longer than it ever had. Adding this to all the extra work usually done by the Allfather and helping Loki maintain the ruse that Odin was doing well, Frigga grew frustrated with everyone around her. She yelled at Odin's sleeping figure, scolded the servants for the tiniest things, and had little to no patience in dealing with Thor and Baldur. 
Much to everyone's surprise, the eldest and youngest Odinsons kept themselves away from daily court life. Sometimes, they didn't even show up at all. When they did, they failed their duties miserably. Thor had already fallen asleep twice when taking over the petitioners, and Baldur only bothered to put on his princely face when the task at hand involved magic, which he suddenly excelled at.

Whatever had happened in Jotünheim — and yes, people did knew since Volstagg had found it necessary to turn their failed folly into some epic quest where they found resistance from a hundred Frost Giants, even though he didn't recall a single thing of what actually occurred — it was clear to everyone the Princes had changed. Their eyes bore a dark glistening, their voices a deep echo, and their bodies somehow seemed different as well. The healers found nothing amiss with them, but both Frigga and Loki remained wary of them.
The Crown Prince and princeling had attempted several times to contact Sigyn after she awoke, demanding an audience. Loki had urged her not to talk to them alone and had even fought with his brothers when he found them skulking about the apartments one late night. It had become so troublesome he'd asked Fandrall and Rúna to stay with Sigyn when he was away and ensure no one entered their rooms without his permission.

Despite sensing the change within her brothers and worrying for them as well, Sigyn found Loki's overprotectiveness vexing. She understood, of course, but he didn't even allow her to take a simple walk outside in Frigga's garden. And he certainly didn't allow her to use her magic.
Sigyn offered a few times to help with the illusions or to let her double pose as Odin for a while so he could rest, but Loki would have none of that. He was so afraid something would happen that he restricted her every move. Sigyn had never imagined him to be this stifling and often sought her mirror-world to have just a few minutes with no one trying to coddle her, simply lingering in that dark void with all the portals to all those different places. 

In those moments of calming solitude, Sigyn took the time to mull over her vision. It clung to her like an annoying itch. Nearly every night, she saw the flames, the blood, her husband and brothers suspended in the air. And that haunting laughter...
The few times she'd jolted up from her nightmare, she'd convinced Loki their daughter was moving a lot. By some miracle, the baby always gave a fierce kick just when Loki placed his hand on Sigyn's belly. It still took another few minutes of Loki constantly asking her if she was all right while subtly checking for any bleeding before he would finally relent and go back to sleep. 

Perhaps Sigyn was wrong to keep the recurring vision from her husband. But if Loki knew she still had it, he would only grow more concerned about her. He would do everything to keep her safe and not heed her warning, and then... No. She had to do this on her own.
Thirty years ago, the visions had stopped after meeting the Ancient One. Sigyn had learned then what she was supposed to learn. That these visions continued now, one month after Thor and Baldur were saved, could mean only one thing — the Odinsons were still in danger.

***

"Are you certain this will work, Mother?"

"No, but it's the only thing we haven't tried yet. And if what you told me about Sigyn is true, we mustn't waste any time. We need your father."

Loki nodded, accepting the Queen's rule on this. He'd been patiently waiting for Odin to wake up for weeks now, being the most dutiful son — much to his own surprise — but he couldn't wait any longer. Not after last night.
Sigyn had once more woken up sweating, nearly in tears, and still she kept saying it was merely because of the baby. Frigga had warned them both about the discomfort of pregnancy in those last few weeks as Sigyn's body prepared for birth, but this wasn't that. Desperate for his wife, Loki had feigned sleep until he heard Sigyn's steady breathing, and had then slipped into her mind. He was shocked to find she still had that horrible vision. If this one was anything like the ones from thirty years ago, he and his brothers could yet be in grave danger. And knowing Sigyn, she was too. Because there would only be one reason his wife hadn't told him she yet had this vision — she was trying to save all three Odinsons herself. 

"Remember," said Frigga, "we must speak the incantation clearly and at the same pace. Any mistake, and we must stop immediately."

Loki stood across from Frigga at the table she'd prepared near Odin's bed. It was littered with herbs, concoctions, and things Loki had only ever seen in her private pantry. The spell they were about to perform was one of the most intricate Loki had ever laid eyes on. He was honoured Frigga trusted his skills enough to let him do this with her. Honoured and petrified.
They grabbed hold of each other's hands. The serpent pendant hidden underneath his tunic surged with magic as he called upon his powers to connect with his mother. A chilling sensation fell over Loki. He knew it well. He always felt this way when tapping into his magic, and the feeling had only intensified after drawing power from the Urdarbrunn. Yet all of his own power couldn't compare with the sheer force behind the bond between him and Sigyn.
Loki dug deep, calling out for Sigyn's fire. He searched fervently for it, frowning when he found a mere smouldering ember. For the briefest moment, he paused. He recalled well what Frigga told him about Sigyn's power being dormant for the baby's sake. Could he risk summoning it for himself now? He didn't intend to use the fire (he didn't even know how), only drawing from its energy. Surely Sigyn and their daughter would be safe? 

"Loki, we must begin now," urged Frigga. "We only have a brief window."

Protecting Sigyn and their baby took precedence over all else. But Loki couldn't protect them from whatever threat they faced on his own. Nor could Frigga. He needed Odin. He needed his father. 
Casting all trepidation away, Loki finally drew in his wife's magic. Sigyn's alarmed voice immediately rang through his mind. "Loki? What are you doing?"

"My mother and I are waking up Odin," replied Loki.

"What? Are you mad?"

"Possibly. But we have to do this, Sigyn. We need the Allfather if we're going to prevent your vision from coming through."

"My... Oh, no. Loki, please st—!"

Loki shut his mind to Sigyn's pleading. He couldn't have any distractions now. He pinched Frigga's hands, indicating he was ready, and they started the chant. At the very first word, Loki felt an incredible pull at his body. He nearly fell to his knees, but somehow stayed up. He locked eyes with his mother; she endured the same strain he was in. 
A strong wind circled them, increasing the power of the incantation. Loki kept a firm hold of Frigga, focussing on her voice. But it was getting harder to understand what she was saying over the howling of the micro-tempest they were standing in. Yet underneath his mother's echoing voice and the raging zephyr, Loki discerned another voice. 

He dared to glance around the room and nearly froze. Baldur stood in the open door with his hands stretched out toward him and Frigga. The magic wavered, breaking down at Baldur's interference, yet the wind only seemed to pick up. The Queen realised something was amiss and turned her head, shocked to find her youngest son stalking toward them like a predator at its prey. 
With every step, Loki noticed something more about Baldur. His brother's eyes were pitch black. His body somehow seemed taller, leaner, and skinnier. And his voice... low pitched and monotone. This wasn't Baldur Odinson. This was...

 A bright light illuminated the room, blasting Loki and Frigga apart. Loki smacked against the wall with a sickening sound, his body falling to the floor. His ears rang, and his vision blurred. He tried to raise himself to his knees, but something was already lifting him from the ground. He struggled against the unrelenting hand clawing at his throat. The hazy figure cleared up, and Loki's eyes widened when he recognised... no, not Thor. Thor didn't have talons. He didn't have such sharp cheekbones. And he certainly didn't have black eyes. 

"Did you honestly think you could escape the wrath of our Master, Trickster?" 

The dagger suddenly penetrating his chest made Loki gasp. He felt his powers leaving him. His life. His very soul. 

***

"We have to do this, Sigyn. We need the Allfather if we're going to prevent your vision from coming through."

"My... Oh no. Loki, please stop! Loki? Loki!"

Sigyn jumped up to her feet when she felt Loki blocking her. Her tea spilt all over the floor, making Rúna squeal at the sudden clattering of the cup against the tiles. She dug into her palm as her fingers clenched around her pendant. Loki was still pulling on her magic, drawing from her energy. What, in Odin's name, was he doing?

"Rúna, tell Fandrall to go to Odin's chambers right now! Find Sif and the others as well! Hurry!"

Upon hearing the urgency and panic in her Lady's voice, the girl ran out of the study, her dress rustling. Sigyn tried desperately to reach Loki again, but it was no use. Something was wrong. Something was horribly wrong. The magic was changing. It was becoming stronger. Darker. It almost felt like... her vision!
Sigyn moved as fast as she could, going straight for the mirror at her vanity. She reached for the smooth surface and let the mirror world suck her in. Frantically, she searched for the right gateway. She had never been inside Odin's private chamber before, so she could only hope Loki was standing close enough to a mirror to know through which one she had to go.
A terrible blow suddenly reverberated through Sigyn's pendant. It shook her to the core, and she nearly lost her balance. She struggled to breathe. What was this? What was happening?

Finally, she perceived the mirror to Odin's chamber ahead. She saw the Allfather in his slumber, seemingly unaware of the chaos surrounding him. Frigga lay unconscious on the floor, blood seeping from a nasty gash at her temple. Loki... Where was Loki?
Sigyn dashed forward. There! He was knocked down by something, but he appeared to be okay. And Thor was there too, thank the Norns! Thor would help, he would... Sigyn came to an abrupt stop when she witnessed how the Crown Prince of Asgard picked up his brother by the throat. The serpent pendant at Sigyn's bosom trembled on her skin. The magic pulsed and pulsed until suddenly... 
Thor dropped Loki to the floor. Sigyn's eyes moved from the gaping wound in her husband's chest to the bloodstained dagger in Thor's hand. 

"LOKI!"

Sigyn screamed in horror. Her mind and heart took hold of her body, and she burst through the mirror. Thor whirled around to face her, but Sigyn had already flicked her wrist, and her brother flew away from where Loki lay, landing flat on his back. 
The Princess sped toward her husband. She dropped to her knees and pulled Loki's body close. His weight pressed against her belly, but she didn't care. She placed her hand on the wound, trying to cover it as best she could, but the blood trickled through her fingers, staining her light blue dress, his lower body, and the floor around them.

"You're going to be okay," whispered Sigyn, sobbing. "You'll be fine. Loki, please, hold on. Open your eyes, my love. Hear my voice, please. Loki!"

But he could no longer hear her. He could no longer open his eyes. All colour had already drained from Loki's skin, leaving an eerie blueish glow on him. Sigyn pressed her hand flat onto his chest, praying to still find a heartbeat. 

"No... No, no, NO!"

A short snicker cut through her harrowing cry. She looked up with tear-stained eyes. Thor was back on his feet. He smirked down at her, twirling the dagger coated in Loki's blood between his hands. It shimmered as it spun and then disappeared.

"Did you think he was yours, Princess?" Thor spoke in an unholy voice. "He was always ours. All three of them are now. And with Odin gone, no one will stop our Master."

It was like something took control over Sigyn's being then. She only perceived her husband's body in her cradling arms. She only smelled his blood, strangely cold and sticking to her. She only heard Thor's cackling voice as he laughed. She only saw a perverse sense of amusement on his face. And deep within, she only felt one clear desire. 
Sigyn's magic broke free in her fury. The flame she hadn't felt for so long fought its way to the surface. But just before it burst out of her, it transformed. Hot-white flames burned away as sharp icicles shot out from the ground. Thor's eyes widened, and he tried to get away, but it was already too late. As the first icicles pierced him, Thor's body was completely taken over by frost and ice. And then, just like Sigyn's heart, he shattered into a million pieces. 

A blinding light engulfed the room, and Sigyn saw Heimdall standing before her, his sword in hand. She met his gaze, and for a single moment, she believed he came to kill her. Another wave of raw magic rippled through, ready to take the Guardian of the Bifrost out as well. But as he raised his sword, Sigyn realised she was not his intended target. 
Baldur screeched as Heimdall's blade pierced his shoulder, pinning him to the door at the exact moment Fandrall arrived. He recoiled in shock at the impaled princeling and then let his eyes wander over the chaos in the room. 

"My Lady!"

He ran to Sigyn but halted mid-way when he saw Loki in her arms and what remained of Thor not much further. Heimdall quickly came to his side. 

"See to the Queen," he ordered. "I will take care of Lady Sigyn."

Fandrall turned his head, only now noticing the Queen's unconscious figure lying against the wall. He was torn between aiding both women, but relented and ran to Frigga upon Heimdall's insistent gaze. The great Guardian walked steadily to Sigyn and knelt beside her. 

"My Lady," he met her frenzied glare, "please, calm yourself. You have killed the monster responsible for the damage done here. You must let go now. Let go... for him."

Sigyn's lip quivered. She shut her eyes. It took every ounce of her will to rein in her magic. Her shallow and ragged breaths slowed, and her body, trembling terribly, finally stilled. Her fury gave way to all-consuming grief, and a trail of white scars appeared on her face as her tears crystallised.
Agitated voices surged through the room. The others must have arrived, but Sigyn didn't have the strength to face them. Her mind, soul, and heart were numbing at her loss. She leaned against Loki's forehead as she hugged him tightly, weeping silently, and rocked back and forth, feeling the faintest fluttering in her belly. The man she loved, the father of the child she yet carried, was gone. 

Loki Odinson was dead. 

***

"What is it?"

"Something not of this world, but one far darker and wilder than any in existence."

"Then... what happened to the real Baldur? And Thor?"

"This, I cannot say for certain. I can only assure you that what you see in pieces there is not our Crown Prince."

"Um, about that... what exactly happened? I mean... I thought... right?"

Sigyn slowly raised her head at the sudden silence in the room. Heimdall, Sif and the Warriors Three all stared at her, their expressions a mixture of pity, sadness, and curiosity. Fandrall approached, careful not to slip on the glistening ice around Sigyn and Loki. He knelt and reached out, pausing just a moment as if asking for permission. Sigyn gazed down at Loki. Were it not for the blood staining his beautiful face and hair as Sigyn caressed him, he would appear to be sleeping. But this was a slumber from which he would never wake.
Sigyn kissed her husband's lips, one last tear falling onto them as she pulled away. She reluctantly loosened her grip, allowing Fandrall to take Loki. He gently placed him on the floor, folding his hands over the stab wound in his chest, and then held out his hands to Sigyn. He hissed as she took them, rime coating his fingers, but didn't pull away. She forced herself not to look back at Loki's body when Fandrall led her away from him. Instead, she focussed on what was before her. 

Volstagg and Heimdall both shouldered the thing that used to be Baldur. It was a horrid being, with purple skin and tiny horns protruding from its bald head. A muzzle was clasped over its mouth. Heimdall's sword still pierced through its shoulder, and another blade stuck through its leg. A quick glance was enough for Sigyn to see the second blade belonged to Sif, who stood with Hogun near Odin's bed. One person was missing, though. 

"Where is the Queen?" asked Sigyn, suppressing a sob. 

"Her chamber," answered Fandrall. "The healers are with her now."

Sigyn nodded slowly, remembering she'd seen Frigga wounded, and then directed her attention to the still sleeping figure of the Allfather. Loki hadn't told her much of the Odinsleep, but she knew he could still perceive things around him. His wife getting hurt and his son dying should have been enough for Odin to force himself out of his sleep. But it seemed he hadn't even moved. 
Sigyn glimpsed the broken pieces of Thor's body from the corner of her eyes. She turned her head again towards the door. Her eyes narrowed at the monster, noticing the same black eyes on him as Thor had. And what Heimdall said before... 

"Take that thing off," she ordered as she let go of Fandrall and stalked toward the creature. "Remove the blades as well."

Volstagg exchanged a brief glance with Heimdall and then moved to follow her command. The monster hissed and spat the moment he was loose. Suddenly, it froze — literally. Ice crept up as Sigyn waved her hand; it was all but frozen solid, just as she wanted it to be. Everyone, including Heimdall, took a step back, in awe at what they witnessed.

"Sigyn, how are you doing that?" asked Sif. 

"I don't know. And I don't care." Sigyn raised the creature's head, the only part that was still flesh and blood, with a single finger. "Now, you will tell me everything, or I assure you, this next part will hurt."

But the foul thing merely flashed its sharp teeth at her, snarling and growling like the wild beast it truly was. Sigyn conjured a dagger in her hand, the way Loki taught her, and smashed the hilt into the frozen left arm. The monster let out an earsplitting shriek. 

"Let's try this again," Sigyn spoke coldly. "Who do you serve, and what has happened to the Allfather and Odinsons?"

When the creature took a bit too long to answer, Sigyn raised her hand again, intending to destroy another body part. 

"Mephisto!" it yelled. "I serve Mephisto!" 

Heimdall stepped forward. "Mephisto was dealt with ages ago. Our Prince saw to that."

"Your Prince saw to nothing!" sneered the beast. "My Master cannot be defeated! My Master cannot be contained!"

"Heimdall, who or what is this Mephisto?" demanded Sigyn, never taking her eyes off the monstrosity before her. 

"A powerful demon from a nether realm who caused a lot of trouble in the past. Loki trapped Mephisto in his own realm on the Allfather's orders when the threat to the Nine Realms became too great."

"In other words, this was revenge." Sigyn's jaw clenched. She put her dagger at the devil's throat. "This started with Jotünheim, didn't it? Mephisto arranged for something to befall Thor and Baldur there and for you and your unfortunate friend to take their places."

"Oh, it started well before that, Princess." The creature grinned vilely. "It was astoundingly easy to fool the Odinsons. One should always be wary of who one meets in the woods."

Volstagg's hand slammed against the door, and Sigyn heard Fandrall curse behind her. Obviously, there was more to this than she was aware of, but she would have to get it out of the others later. 

"Quite an elaborate scheme, then. And the Allfather?"

"A power-draining curse. Simple, yet effective. And undetectable, even for Odin."

"And what of Surtur's weapon?" demanded Sigyn, recalling why Thor and Baldur had gone to Jotünheim in the first place. "Does Mephisto have that too?"

Mephisto's minion scoffed. "What would my Master want with that trinket? It's still with the Frost Giants, merely hidden from sight with a cloaking spell. We found it quite baffling that the princeling didn't spot it, since those beasts aren't exactly the best magic wielders around."

Volstagg shuffled uncomfortably. Sigyn knew he and Hogun had been in that cave with Baldur and Thor. But she could not blame them. They possessed no magic, and they had merely followed orders. Her brothers, on the other hand... 

"Where are the Princes?" Sigyn pressed her blade higher onto the monster's throat. 

"All three are bound to serve my Master now."

She drew the dagger back a little. All three? But Loki... Wait! The one who posed as Thor had made the weapon he used on Loki vanish. Maybe it hadn't gone away. Maybe... it returned from whence it came.

"You catch on quick, Princess." The beast chuckled at seeing Sigyn connect the dots. "The weapon used on the Trickster was a soul collector. My Master will keep that one close to him. He has been waiting centuries for a chance to get the Trickster, and now, he has him. What fun he shall have with him."

Sigyn's wrist flicked, and the creature howled in pain as a big gash opened its purple skin from the neck up to a pitch-black eye. She nodded to Volstagg, who quickly muzzled the prisoner again, and then turned to Heimdall to ask, "What are we to do? Is there any way you can bring the Princes back?"

"Forgive me, my Lady," said Heimdall, "but I cannot leave Asgard unprotected. I can only aid you in seeing your orders are followed and that the people are aware of what is to happen next."

"My orders?" Sigyn raised her brow. 

"Yes, Lady Sigyn. You are, by default, Queen of Asgard now."

The Guardian of the Bifrost bowed his head to her. Sif and the Warriors Three did the same. Sigyn wanted to object but found she couldn't. The Allfather was trapped in the Odinsleep. Frigga was wounded and would need time to recuperate, Thor and Baldur were missing, and Loki... There was no one else to take command.

For all intents and purposes, Sigyn was now the sole ruler of the Nine Realms. 

***

"Lady Sigyn, I beseech you, please reconsider this."

"Fandrall, I thank you for your concern and appreciate it, but I have to go."

"At least let me come with you. I cannot stay behind and abandon my vow to you."

Sigyn halted at Fandrall's pleading expression. She cupped his face with one hand. "Fandrall, listen to me. There is no one I trust more than you to look after Loki and Rúna. You keep your vow by protecting those dearest to my heart. Stay here for them. For me. Please."

The reluctance in Fandrall's eyes was evident. He wanted nothing more than to stop her or join her on her mission, but Sigyn needed him here. "Please, be careful," he begged. "You are our most beloved Lady. If we were to lose you or..."

His eyes wandered down to her belly. Sigyn pressed her lips to a thin line. She forced herself not to think about the baby growing inside of her. She knew she was taking a significant risk in going to Mephisto's nether realm in her condition. But the alternative was far worse. 

"We need them back, Fandrall," she said. "I must go. It is my duty, not only as Loki's wife but also as Princess of Asgard."

The respect she then saw reflected in the fair-haired warrior's eyes meant more to her than he could ever imagine. He bowed deeply and said, "I will guard Loki and Rúna with my life, Lady Sigyn. I swear it." 

"Thank you. Now, please excuse me."

Leaving Fandrall in the corridor, Sigyn continued on her way to Frigga's chambers. Her whole body trembled. Emotions raged inside of her like a wild sea. Fury, sorrow, disbelief, shock... The adrenaline rushing through her was the only thing that kept her from falling apart. And this was good. She would need that for what she was about to do. 
Sigyn entered the Queen's rooms without knocking. There was no time for decorum. Propriety be damned. She proceeded straight to Frigga's bedchamber... and froze. Sitting at Frigga's side was the Queen of Alfheim. 

"Aelsa? What are you doing here?" 

"I came to help Frigga. She is my sister in magic, and I felt her injuries. Karnilla is on her way as well." The silver-haired Elf Queen looked up, and her serious expression changed to sympathy when she saw Sigyn, her hands and dress still stained with Loki's blood. "Oh, my dear... I'm so sorry."

Sigyn caught the servants and healers eyeing her in fright and rue. She knew what they were all thinking; what would the fire mage do now she lost the one person she lived for?

"How is she?" Sigyn ignored the stares and approached the bed. 

"Steady. Frigga took the full brunt of the spell backfiring, not to mention a heavy blow against the wall. She will be out of it for quite some time yet."

"Warn Heimdall the moment she regains consciousness. I've done all I can for now. The Einherjar are being mobilised as we speak. Hogun will lead them in patrolling our borders and guiding our people to safety in case of an attack. Volstagg remains with the Allfather to guard him personally, and I have Fandrall keeping Loki and Rúna safe until I return with Sif."

Aelsa raised her brow and tilted her head. "Return? From where?"

"One of the beasts who did this is still alive," explained Sigyn. "He told us Thor and Baldur were captured weeks ago on Jotünheim, and Loki's soul was taken when they killed him. They're in Mephisto's hold, so I will travel there to bring the Princes back."

"What? Sigyn, no, you cannot —"

"I can, and I shall. I... I have to at least try to save them."

"At least wait until Karnilla arrives," urged Aelsa. "I am not much of a warrior, so I cannot help. But Karnilla's magic can be destructive, so she can —"

"No, you must both care for Frigga. We need her, and the three of you together may be able to wake Odin if... if I fail."

The very daunting thought that she might indeed fail suddenly hung over Sigyn. What she was about to do was madness. A woman heavy with child going to a realm she knew nothing of to confront a demon lord who had the power to take souls and even the Allfather's powers... It was ludicrous! But if not her, who? Yet before she could go, there was still one other issue to address.

"Aelsa, there's... Before, when I killed that thing, I... I couldn't... I mean, I didn't..." Sigyn closed her eyes to steady herself. She couldn't afford to falter in this. She had to know. "Something is wrong with my flame."

Aelsa looked intently at Sigyn and then gave a sigh. "You drank a powder Frigga prepared for you, did you not? To help you conceive?"

Sigyn nodded. What little remained of her heart twisted in fear. "Is it because of what Frigga gave me? Is that what took away my fire?"

"Your fire isn't gone, Sigyn," said Aelsa. "I'm the one who gave Frigga the means to make that powder to help you. You see, unless a fire mage's child is conceived with a flame of their own, very few survive the pregnancy, unless they ventured to Jotünheim, to live among the natural opposite of fire. My own mother was trying to find a way for fire mages to always carry ice magic within them so they would no longer need to expose themselves to the terrors of the Frost Giants' world. When I met you and realised all that was happening between you and Loki, I knew it was only a matter of time before you would conceive and discover this dreadful truth for yourself. So, I perfected my mother's work with Frigga. Your flame has been reduced to a mere ember. Whenever it tries to come out or when you lose control, the ice magic that is now a part of you will surge instead. Only after the baby is born will you regain your fire to its full potential."

Sigyn stood dazed at Aelsa's confession. Why had Frigga never told her of this? Had Loki known? She was aware he'd asked his mother if she knew why Sigyn felt so cold all the time, but he never told her what the Queen said. Had he kept this from her as well? 

"Thank you for telling me," she said, pushing down the spark of animosity. "Can I count on you and Karnilla to help Frigga?"

"Yes, of course. Is there really nothing I can do to convince you not to go?"

"There is too much at stake, Aelsa. I cannot fail my family. Or my people."

"Hm, spoken like a true Queen." Aelsa rose to her feet. She embraced Sigyn, who felt the strangest sensation at being touched by the other fire mage. The Elf Queen whispered, "I believe in you. If anyone can save those fools and Loki, it's you. Our fires are bonded now, Sigyn. Draw from my strength if you need it. And in Odin's name, come back alive... my sister."

They said goodbye, and Sigyn hastily left to get ready. She cast every protection charm Loki taught her on her black and gold tunic to minimise any risk to the baby. When she arrived at the Himinbjörg through her mirror-world, using the waters around Heimdall's home to hide her magic, she was surprised to find none other than her brother speaking to Sif.
As soon as Björn saw Sigyn, he ran to her and took her in his arms. "Fandrall sent word. I know you didn't want any unannounced visits, but I had to come."

"Thank you." Sigyn's voice broke as she held on to him. "Truly."

"Sif tells me you plan to go to Mephisto to save the Odinsons. I shall accompany you."

"No, Björn, it's too dangerous. You have a family."

"And are you not part of that family?" 

Sigyn drew back. The serious manner in which Björn gazed at her told her he wouldn't relent. 

"I will never forgive myself if something happened to you," he said. "You can say no all you like; I'm coming with you. Because you are my sister. And I love you."

Tears stung Sigyn's eyes. She hurriedly wiped them away and gave a silent nod. She then directed her attention to Sif, who had an iron grip on the muzzled creature, and asked, "Did it tell you where we are to go?" 

"The Black Forest on Midgard," replied Sif. "There's a portal in a clearing surrounded by dead trees. This thing will take us to it."

She yanked on the chains, and Mephisto's beast fell to the floor with a muffled grunt. 

"Heimdall, you'll be here?" Sigyn looked at the Guardian with a pang of uncertainty creeping up inside her. 

"Indeed, my Lady," said Heimdall. "I await your call to return you home."

"All right then. Sif?"

The shieldmaiden stepped up. 

"Björn?"

Her brother stepped up. 

"Heimdall... open the Bifrost."