"No."

"Fandrall, in Odin's name, let me pass!"

"No!"

Thor huffed at his friend's stubbornness. He could easily knock him out of the way, but with Rúna and Sif present, he didn't dare use any unnecessary force. Words would have to do. If the bloody fool would just listen!

"I mean only to give them a message from someone who wants to help them," tried Thor.

"He speaks the truth, Fandrall," aided Sif. "Thor risked his life to seek help for Sigyn and Loki. You must let him pass."

Thor shot her a grateful look. She hadn't been too happy at waking in the forest alone and had rightly given him the beating of a lifetime upon finding him at the stone circle. Yet after he spoke of his encounter with Freya and Brisi, Sif was the one to retrieve his horse and lead the way back to Asgard. Her loyalty was beyond measure. But that meant nothing to Fandrall right now.

"I expected more from you, Sif. You stood witness to our Lady's distress, and yet here you stand with the man responsible for it, wishing to add to her grief!"

The attack stung Thor, but he wouldn't offer any comeback. He was responsible, after all.

"This is my last warning to both of you." Fandrall put a hand to the hilt of his sword, fastened at his hip. "Leave now."

Sif stepped forward, her face twisted in furore, but Thor hastily held her back. Though he desperately needed to speak with Sigyn and Loki, it wasn't worth causing discord among his friends. He wouldn't be the reason they, too, fell apart.
But then, the only person who yet had to speak came between them. Rúna faced Fandrall and placed her hand on top of his, keeping him from drawing the weapon. "Please stay your hand. If Lord Thor truly has a way to help Lady Sigyn and Lord Loki, is it not our duty to, at the very least, inform them of this? They can decide for themselves if they wish to see him or not."

Fandrall pressed his lips into a thin line, his resolve wavering. He looked at Thor and Sif before letting his eyes settle on Rúna again. Sighing, he stepped aside, and Thor fell back as Rúna disappeared through the door of Sigyn and Loki's rooms. He waited anxiously, praying fervently that either of them would see him. When Rúna returned, her grave expression dashed all hope.

"They don't wish to see anyone," she said sadly. "I believe it's best if you leave, My Lord."

Thor clenched his fist. It would be easy to force his way in, but he didn't wish to make matters worse. It was their decision, their right, even. He met Sif's eyes. She shook her head. Indeed. Best to walk away now.

"I will return tomorrow then."

"Thor, please... enough," said Fandrall. "Leave them be."

How Thor wished it were that simple.

"Tomorrow," he concluded.

He turned and walked away, with Sif following closely behind him after shooting a glare at Fandrall. The sorrow that held Thor's heart wrenched at him. This was even worse than what happened thirty years ago. Back then, Loki was the one to pull Sigyn from her darkness. But now, he, too, was lost in it. Thus, it fell to him. Thor had to speak with his brother and sister, one way or another.

***

Everything hurt. His body, his mind, his soul, but most of all, his heart. Never had Loki experienced such a terrible ache. The only thing that made it better was feeling the comfort of his wife's love. Her embrace. The way she stroked his hair. He knew she was hurting, too, but she was so very brave. She hadn't given up on him — she saved him in every way a person could be saved. But it was not enough.

"I can't stay here," spoke Loki quietly as she returned to their bed after dismissing Rúna.

"Nor I," said Sigyn, taking him back into her arms and pressing a soft kiss on top of his head. "But Odin and Frigga won't let us leave."

The raven perched on the balcony croaked, affirming Sigyn's words. Loki clutched his wife's waist, turning his back on the bird. He didn't have the strength to use his magic on the dreadful creature. Worse, he could barely muster the force to get up and shoo his father's spy away. 
Only yesterday, he had been at the Urdarbrunn, holding his baby girl — happy, at peace, and so proud of being a father to such a darling child. Then, the awful truth had come crashing down, sucking him into a heartrending reality. His daughter was dead. And the Urdarbrunn, where he usually found such comfort and his love for Sigyn was so strong that it maintained the very magic keeping their sanctuary alive, was the last place he wanted to set foot on. With both their homes so violated, where could they go? Where would they be safe? Nowhere.

Sigyn kissed him again, on his temple this time. She hummed a wordless lullaby. The gentle yet broken melody of her voice made Loki's heart shatter further. He dared to glance at the nursery and stiffened at seeing the door ajar.

"Loki?"

Sigyn noticed his tense figure in her arms. She followed his gaze and then pried his hands from around her body. He didn't want her to leave, for he sorely needed her warmth, but neither could he stand having that door open. She rose from the bed, steadying herself a moment before she walked over to the nursery.
Another wave of guilt rushed through Loki. His wife suffered as much as he, perhaps more considering the horrid way their daughter had been delivered, yet she so readily took his pain along with her own. He didn't deserve her.

When Sigyn got to the door, she paused. Instead of shutting the room, she entered it. What little remained of Loki's heart jumped. He couldn't allow her to face that on her own. Slowly, and with a strained grunt, he pushed himself up. He slid off the bed, careening and stumbling towards the room that would have been his daughter's.
But just like Sigyn, Loki halted at the door, unable to cross the threshold. A little over a week ago, he'd been in there to hang fresh flowers on the crib. Why had he even bothered?

The sound of faint sobs finally moved Loki to enter. Asgard bathed in the morning sunlight, but it seemed as if the golden rays had decided not to shine in this room, allowing it to succumb to the gloom and shadows. The colours on the walls seemed bleak. Dust had already gathered on the shelves and books. And the posies of baby's-breath were moments from withering.
Loki's eyes trailed from the flowers to Sigyn's shaking body. Her tears fell on her fingers as she grasped the crib's railing. The smell of burned wood invaded Loki's senses. He hurried over, but Sigyn's sudden guttural cry and the dangerous flames glistening in her hair made him freeze in his tracks. The posies on the crib caught fire, burned petals dwindling to ashes before they hit the floor. Not caring that she was unstable and might actually hurt him this time, Loki leapt toward Sigyn and pulled her away from the crib.

"Sigyn, stop it, please!" he begged.

He pressed her against his body. Her chest heaved as her breath hitched upon realising what was happening. She fell limp, surrendering to her grief. Unable to bear her dead weight, Loki sank to the floor with her. He glanced up. The flames died before they could consume the crib. Charred wood, black as coal, smouldered at the top half. Something might still be salvaged. But... what was even the point of trying?

"Forgive me," sobbed Sigyn. "Loki, please forgive me."

"There's nothing to forgive," he spoke. 

"It's my fault. All of it. If I hadn't... I should never have gone to see Mephisto. I should have sent the Warriors Three and Sif and Björn. They would have brought you and your brothers back, and then... o-our baby..."

"Stop it." Loki tightened his hold on Sigyn. "That is not on you. You were not to know the magic would choose our daughter. It is not your fault that we lost her."

Sigyn half-turned in his embrace. Loki raised her legs enough, so they lay over his thigh, and Sigyn sat on his lap. He gently rocked her back and forth, the swaying motion steadying him as well.

"I would have done the same," he whispered. "I wouldn't have hesitated to make the same deal if that's what was needed to revive you and bring you back to me."

"Don't lie to me, Loki. Not now, please." Sigyn's broken voice cut like a sharp-edged blade.

"I've never lied to you, nor shall I ever do so. Sigyn, my heart, please believe me when I say I do not blame you for any of this."

Dark emerald eyes peered up through wet lashes. Loki leaned in to capture Sigyn's lips. A brief surge of magic made the skin under his pendant tingle with warmth. Even now, when both were stricken by loss, their love bonded them evermore. But love alone would not suffice in casting the dark thoughts from Loki's mind. 

***

Day after day, the once-Crown Prince of Asgard made his way to his siblings' rooms. Day after day, Rúna returned disheartened, saying her Lord and Lady would see no one. The Allfather and Queen, having been informed by the raven what had occurred to the baby's crib, came too, but even they were politely asked to leave. They respected their children's wishes, albeit reluctantly, and commended Rúna and Fandrall for so diligently keeping the peace.
Thor came upon them once as they retired. When they asked his purpose, he only told them he had a message from Freya but would not betray the Goddess' trust and command by revealing it to any safe those whose ears it was meant for. Odin meant to make him leave, but Frigga, thankfully, stopped him and allowed Thor to continue in his endeavour. She saw the guilt and determination in her eldest son and knew very well if Freya was involved, it would be in everyone's interest to heed her words. Völva were not meant to be ignored. To do so was at one's own peril.

Yet for everyone's best intentions, Sigyn and Loki's door remained closed. None but their maidservant dared enter their rooms up to the private study to see if they required anything. None but the youngest member of the Warriors Three dared stand guard outside. And the whispers, momentarily silenced out of respect and understanding for the couple's hardships, grew louder once again.

***

Two weeks passed before Sigyn decided that enough was enough. Thor was relentless in his pursuit of speaking to them. It had to stop. More for Loki's sake than her own. Every time Thor knocked on their door, her husband's eyes glowed menacingly. The darker side within him, which broke through the surface more and more lately, threatened to take hold of him. Under no circumstances could she allow that to happen.
Late one evening, when Loki was already asleep, Sigyn conjured a double of herself to take her place in their bed so she could quietly slip into her mirror world. The raven at the balcony croaked in alarm, but she paid no attention to it. She knew it wouldn't leave its post as others constantly flew around Asgard at Odin's behest. One was bound to find her in Thor's chamber soon enough.

Yet once Sigyn stood amidst the hundreds of mirrors and pools, she realised she had never been to Thor's rooms. There had never been a reason for it. During their betrothal, he had always come to her. She didn't even know where his rooms were!
Groaning and stomping her foot in annoyance, Sigyn looked about her, hoping to see a room as lavish as her own. She recognised Frigga's room from when she'd helped Loki get inside years ago and saw Gungnir in another, so that had to be Odin's private chamber (she stayed far away from that one). Finally, she noticed another fit for a royal.

Deciding it was at least worth investigating, Sigyn stepped through it... and found herself in a room she had visited only once before. Once upon a dream.
The mirror wasn't positioned next to the bed anymore, but across from it in a corner. No longer was the desk orderly, but taken over by utter chaos. Papers, books, quills, and even ink jars were strewn around carelessly. The bed wasn't made-up; the sheets lay half on the floor even. Clothes were piled in a heap in the wardrobe. It was more than evident who the current occupant of this room was. And it absolutely enraged Sigyn.

"Damn it all!"

Her head jerked at hearing a young male's frustrated voice coming from outside. Cautiously, she edged toward the window, hiding behind the billowing curtain as a breeze swept through the room. In the middle of the balcony stood the runt of the family. Baldur was pacing and fuming like a mad bilgesnipe. That he should now have Loki's old room and sleep in the very bed where she and Loki almost...

Little flames danced around her fingers as she recalled he was the one who'd bullied Thor and the others to join him on a fool's quest. He was the one who'd endangered them all. He was the one... with her baby's blood on his hands.
If Baldur hadn't insisted on going to Jötunheim, they would never have fallen into a trap. The Allfather wouldn't have fallen into the Odinsleep, and Loki wouldn't have been killed. And she would never have travelled to Mephisto to barter for Loki's life, thus sealing her baby's fate. Why had she even brought this pest back? She should have just left him to rot! 
As her emerald eyes turned to a fiery red, Sigyn brought the flames circling at her hand together in her palm. The fire's light lit her face in the dark. She stepped forward.

"Why won't this work?" mewled Baldur. "This is one of the most basic levitation spells in the history of magic, and I am utterly failing at it!"

"You're too riled up, little brother."

Sigyn froze at hearing Thor's voice. She forced her fire to simmer.

"If there's one thing I have learned from Loki," he said, "it's that your core magic is tied to your emotions. Calm yourself first."

"I'm trying, Thor! I don't understand what's happening! I never struggled with this before, and now..."

Silence. Sigyn drew closer until she stood at the threshold of the balcony. The flame in her hand died as the princeling dropped to his knees. An apple fell from his hand and rolled over the balcony. Then she heard a strangled sob. It was the first time that she witnessed Baldur cry. He was usually so confident and cocky, yet now he looked so... pitiful. And small. Nothing but a frightened child. Thor was quick to put a comforting arm around his youngest brother's shoulders.

"I-If I... had o-only... been better," Baldur spoke in bits and pieces. "I-If my magic h-had been stronger... we w-would never have... A-And Loki and S-Sigyn..."

"No more, little brother," shushed Thor, pulling him closer. "You mustn't do this to yourself. We are both at fault. The important thing is that we learn our lesson from it and remember to not make the same mistakes."

"But... everyone hates us."

"They're disappointed. But they don't hate us."

"Loki and Sigyn do."

Sigyn pinched her lips. Did she hate them? Thor was right in that she was terribly disappointed in them, but to say she hated them? Maybe just the runt. A little.

"Perhaps." Thor sighed. "Which is why we must show them we stand with them even if they do not want us at their side."

"And you're certain that this Freya can help them?"

Freya? Who are they talking about?

"Not Freya herself, but another she knows and trusts."

"But how will you let Loki and Sigyn know?" Baldur sniffled loudly. "They keep dismissing you."

"I just... keep trying."

The two Odinsons fell silent. Sigyn carefully retreated into the darkness of the room.

"Can you tell me about the girl again?" asked the youngest of the brothers. "You said Freya named her Brisi?"

Every fibre of Sigyn's body froze at the mention of that name.

Brisi... That's what Loki named our baby in his dream!

"She was beautiful, Baldur. Every bit her mother, yet with the Odinson eyes."

And as the former Crown Prince of Asgard spoke of the girl with the name Brisi, the fire mage listened to his every word, remaining invisible to all but a little magpie sitting on the mirror. 

***

The moment Sigyn stepped through her mirror into her room, she knew she should never have left. The bed was empty, sheets tousled and pillows thrown off. She meant to call Loki's name, but he suddenly came out of the darkness like a predator pouncing on his prey and grabbed her arm. She winced as his nails dug into her flesh. 

"Where were you?" he yelled.

"Loki, let go!" Sigyn's doppelgänger appeared from behind and threw herself at him, but he roughly pushed her onto the ground, keeping his eyes on the original. 

"I wake at feeling your fire surging and find your double keeping me here! Do you have any idea what went through my mind? Answer me!"

"I went to find Thor! I wanted to make it clear he had to stay away from us and stop coming to our rooms!"

Loki's hold on her loosened. His eyes stood icy yet brimmed with a faint reddish glow in his anger. They narrowed at her. "Did you harm him?" he asked in a taut voice. "Did you use your powers on him? Sigyn, in Odin's name, what did you do?"

"Nothing!" she snapped back at him. "Now let go, you're hurting me!"

Finally, Loki seemed to realise what he was doing. He released her and stepped back. Sigyn's double pounded on his arm with her fist for pushing her, but he barely seemed to notice. The doppelgänger met Sigyn's gaze, unsure what to do next or if she should even do something at all.
With a sigh, Sigyn undid her magic, leaving her alone with her husband. She looked down at her arm. Loki's handprint was drawn out on her skin. And it felt cold. Freezing, even. Sigyn peered up at her husband. She should scold him for treating her as such. Instead, she exhaled deeply and let go of her own anger. Now wasn't the time to fight.

"Can we sit and talk calmly?" she asked. "Please?"

Loki offered no other reply but a mere nod and followed Sigyn to the bed. She took him by the hand as he sat beside her, tangling her fingers with his. He kept an almost rigid posture, facing forward, eyes on the floor.

"I wanted to tell Thor to leave us alone," began Sigyn. "I searched for his room but found your old one instead. It's Baldur's now."

She paused, waiting for another tantrum. Thankfully, nothing came.

"When I saw him, I grew... I'm not sure, actually. It was like what I felt all those years ago after... with my mother and Astrid. I wanted to kill him. To give in to the fire and just burn him alive. But then I heard Thor's voice and restrained myself."

Another pause. Still no reaction.

"Baldur was attempting to levitate an apple, but struggled. Thor comforted him, and... they spoke of us. I kept to the shadows of the room so I could listen. Loki... I think we should let Thor in tomorrow when he comes."

Loki, at last, turned to her. A shadow crossed his pale face. "You must be joking," he said in disbelief, yet with a venomous tone.

"I'm not," stated Sigyn.

With a scoff, Loki disentangled their fingers and rose to his feet. He distanced himself from her before turning back around, hands on his hips. "You would allow that man here? To... what, exactly? Listen to his whining? Offer him a chance to apologise? Allow him to beg for forgiveness?"

"No, that's not why."

"Good, because I will never forgive him. Not him, nor that other miscreant!"

"Nor shall I!" Sigyn raised her voice to match his. "And they will never forgive themselves! But Thor may yet offer us something. I overheard —"

"NO!" screamed Loki. "I won't allow it! How can you even ask this of me? After what they did to me, to us?"

"Loki, please listen to me!"

Sigyn stood and reached for him, but Loki roughly slapped her hand away. She gasped at his hostility. Not once in all their years of marriage had he ever grabbed or struck her. His erratic behaviour alarmed her greatly, but she stood her ground as he towered over her.

"You will not leave my side again," he hissed. "And you will, under no circumstance, speak with Thor, do you hear me? I forbid it."

"You can't —"

"I FORBID IT!"

She yelped. Not at his outburst, but at the sudden biting sting that nearly froze her skin underneath her pendant. Her breath was stripped from her. Cold spread through her veins, chilling her blood. Her legs gave way as they surrendered to sudden numbness.

"SIGYN!"

Loki caught her just before she fell to the floor. He held her close, but somehow, that was only making everything worse. She tried to push herself away from him, but could barely move an inch. Her heart skipped too many beats, and when it did pulse, the single thump gave a frightening echo, as if it lay in a hollow cavity.

"Sigyn, what is it? What's wrong?" Loki's panicked voice sounded so far away. "Sigyn, answer me, please!"

Digging deep within, Sigyn summoned her fire, forcing the cold out of her. Slowly but surely, the sensation in her extremities returned. She gasped for air. Her chest rose again, her heart rate steadied.

"Sigyn?" Loki cupped her face. 

Her eyes met his. All the rage she saw in them before, the dead emotion, the almost killer intent, was completely gone. There was nothing in his gaze but genuine concern. 

"I... I'm all right," Sigyn managed. 

Loki leaned his forehead against hers, eyes closed. His fear ebbed as Sigyn's warmth crossed over to him. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, I... I overstepped. I shouldn't have... You're all I have. I can't lose you too."

His frail voice finally showed the broken man he truly was. Sigyn reached up, trailing the tip of her fingers over his jawline until she arrived at his lips. "Loki, look at me."

He opened his eyes.

"You will never lose me," said Sigyn. "Not even the ancestors in Valhalla can keep us apart. I love you with all my heart. And it's for that love I ask you to trust me. We must speak with Thor."

His lips trembled, and he fervently shook his head. 

"My love, he knows about Brisi."

Loki stiffened and gawked at Sigyn. "Wha-What? But... how?"

"He mentioned someone named Freya?"

"Freya? Oh, by all the Norns, Thor, what have you done now?"

"What is it?"

"Trouble. As per usual with that idiot." He groaned and got up, lifting Sigyn up as well. His arms wrapped around her, and he pressed a kiss atop her hair. "Very well. I'll speak with him."

"Are you certain?" she asked. 

"I am certain of nothing anymore. I feel like I can't go on. I can't even start. I have nothing left. Just an empty heart."

"Your heart is not empty. It's beating steadily and strongly with our love. And you have me. You will always have me, Loki. Now, and far longer than forever."

***

Thor again made his way toward Loki and Sigyn's chambers. It had become such a routine these days he barely noted any of his surroundings. Incidentally, he paid no heed to the bustle of servants going back and forth until he arrived at his destination. Only then did he furrow a brow at all the commotion. 

"What's going on?" he inquired of Fandrall. 

"Sigyn and Loki are leaving for Midgard after midday," answered the blond warrior. "The Allfather came this morning with the Queen upon their request and gave his blessing, provided Rúna and I join them."

Thor's eyes widened, shocked at the news. This was an exact repeat of thirty years ago; Loki and Sigyn were running, seeking solace elsewhere. But in doing so, they would risk alienating themselves again. That, and so much more.

"Fandrall, I must —"

"See them. Yes, I know. They're expecting you."

"They are?" Thor looked at the door, gasping at seeing it slightly ajar.

"I was to wait here and tell you to go on in before going to pack myself. Norns, it has been ages since I set foot on Midgard. I have no idea what to take with me, nor what the customs are nowadays, nor..."

None of Fandrall's concerns reached Thor. He haltingly made his way to the door, not daring to blink out of fear this might all be a dream or illusion. Even as he touched the sturdy oak frame, he still couldn't fathom he had finally gained access after two weeks of fruitless attempts.
Taking a deep breath, Thor mustered his courage and stepped into the first of Loki and Sigyn's chambers. The audience parlour was in complete and utter disarray. Clothes, shoes, books, and several items Thor couldn't even name lay scattered about. It reminded him of the time he and his friends had accidentally set loose Odin's wolves, Geri and Frekki, in the tavern. The mess those two had made... Somehow, this was worse. How the servants were to find anything in this clutter was beyond him.

"Thor."

Sigyn waved at him from across the room. Hurriedly, yet with utmost care not to make even more of a mess, he made his way over to her. She let him slip past into their private study. As soon as she closed the door, Thor took Sigyn in a fond embrace, taking in her scent and warmth.

"You cannot imagine how much it gladdens my heart to see you at long last," he said. "How are you?"

"How do you think she is?"

Loki's sneering voice behind him made Thor jump. He instantly let go of Sigyn and recoiled, nearly bumping into his brother. Turning, he met Loki's hard scowl. "Loki... H-How are —?"

"If you value your life, you will not finish that sentence." 

"Loki, you promised," said Sigyn sternly.

"I promised to listen to what he has to say," he retorted. "I said nothing about being nice."

"Try. For me."

Loki's icy glare travelled to Sigyn. Thor waited with bated breath, sighing inaudibly as Loki nodded.

"I'll leave you two to talk, then," said Sigyn.

"You're not staying?" Thor's courage faltered.

"You will speak to me or not at all," bit Loki. "So sit down and say what you must or get out."

"Loki..." warned Sigyn.

"Please," he added.

The Princess rolled her eyes and tsk-ed, but did nothing else to correct or reprimand her husband and disappeared into her bedchamber. Thor had never felt so anxious before. Somehow, Loki's glacial demeanour frightened him more than any of Odin's admonitions ever had. Deciding the wisest course of action was to do as he was told, Thor sat down at the very edge of the ottoman. Loki created distance between them by going to his desk and leaning back against it.

"Well, get on with it then," he said.

"Right, I, um... I'll just..." Thor paused, not knowing where to begin exactly.

"Please, take your time."Loki huffed in annoyance and crossed his arms. "Not like I have better things to do."

"I saw Freya," blurted Thor out. "A-At Folkvang. Well, not there, exactly, but at the portal. The stone circle at the foot of the mountain."

"I know it. Get to the point."

"I asked Freya if there was anything I could do to... make things right. She said there is someone you and Sigyn must meet. Coincidentally, that person resides in one of the Inner Planes of Midgard. In Olympus."

"You want me to go to Olympus?" Loki scoffed and snickered haughtily. "Half the Gods of Olympus would rather see me dead or enchained than walking among them. The other half wouldn't hesitate at taking Sigyn from me if they learn what she can do. No, Thor. Olympus will not be part of our travel itinerary, but thank you so much for the suggestion. Now, if that'll be all..."

"Things are different," tried Thor, not caring to be dismissed so easily. "Zeus left for Omnipotence City. Hera and Aphrodite rule Olympus together now, with Athena and Artemis as their respective advisors. Freya let Hera know you and Sigyn were coming and assured me you would be welcomed."

"Oh, and I should just believe what that jezebel has to say?" Loki sneered back at him.

"In Odin's name, take care of how you speak of her!"

"Don't deny she doesn't bed everything that catches her attention! In fact, weren't you one of her conquests?"

Thor's cheeks reddened. Sigyn was undoubtedly listening from the other room, and he did not want her to know about this. "Th-That is not the matter at hand right now. Freya is völva, thus her words should be heeded."

"Why?" demanded Loki, pushing off from the desk and stalking towards him. "Why is Freya interested in us? She has always kept her distance from Asgard, so why is she doing this now? What did you do, Thor?"

"Nothing you need to concern yourself with, I promise."

Loki halted before him, eyes narrowed, scrutinising him intently. "You offered yourself, didn't you?"

"I... At first, yes, but —"

"Thor, you idiot! Why must you always be such a lumbering fool?! Of all the stupid —"

"She has your daughter!"

It was not how Thor had meant to let them know, but at least it helped to silence Loki. His brother stared at him, flabbergasted and shook. Sigyn reappeared in the study, equally dumbstruck. As Thor suspected, she'd been listening and heard everything. She came to stand with her husband and grabbed his arm for support. Both their eyes were on Thor.

"Freya claimed her spirit when she died and let her grow into a young girl she named Brisi," he explained. "I know this wasn't how you wanted to name her, but I couldn't persuade her to change it. And the girl seems to like it well enough."

"You truly saw her then?" asked Loki quietly.

Thor raised a brow. Why did Loki ask it like that?

"I went to find you last night," said Sigyn, answering the unspoken question upon seeing his confusion. "I overheard you and Baldur speaking, and I told Loki when I returned."

"So this is why you allowed me in today." Thor understood it all perfectly now. "Yes, I saw her. She's beautiful, Sigyn. Red hair like yours, but blue eyes like yours, Loki. Odinson eyes."

A strangled sob escaped from Loki's mouth. Sigyn gripped him tighter.

"I wanted to offer myself in her stead, but Freya wouldn't allow it," continued Thor.

"No, she can't," said Loki slowly. "A life for a life can't become a string of events. It's one of the fundaments of universal magic."

"Freya assured me she will keep your daughter's spirit safely at her side. From what I've seen, she dotes on her. You needn't worry about her. I promise."

The tears rolled down Sigyn's cheeks first. Loki's fell upon taking her into his arms. Thor quietly made his way out of their chambers. He had said what he needed to say, passing on Freya's message, thus fulfilling part of his obligation to her. Now, it was up to his siblings.
Loki and Sigyn could decide their own fate. They could return to Midgard to heal on their own conditions and in their own time as they had before... or they could travel to Olympus to seek counsel from the Greek Goddess.