I Will Follow You Into The Dark~ On Hold

Chapter 3

The evening was one of elegance and extravagance; the music flowed through the hall and the sound of laughter and cheering wafted through the walls along with the scent of an exquisite feast which was worthy of such an event. It was a pity that the night was the cause of such misery, and anguish for individual souls. There was no reason for partying for those who eyes stayed downwards for the evening. Sigyn and Eirik stayed around the table ready to be at the beck and call of the family, watching as the kitchen Tjener serve plates upon plates of all kinds of food all in the hopes of showing Asgard's worth to an arguably undeserving woman.

Looking around the room Sigyn watched as people danced, as they drank and ate, filled themselves to the brink of illness, without a care in the world. It was as if they had somehow managed to capture the magical sky that Asgard was gifted with whenever the sun went down, the lights shining in different colours, painting everyone in a mirage of rainbow. Everyone who attended this festive evening were in their best clothes even the Tjener, something that surprised Sigyn, it wasn't often the Tjener were ordered to dress as if they were noblemen and women. Her eyes kept slinking back to where Loki sat, his back stiffened like steel in-between Thor and Astrid. His green eyes had been dull all evening, whenever she caught his glaze before adverting her gaze elsewhere. His eyes bore into hers; the look of regret and undiluted longing were evident. Twisting her body so she could no longer see him, Sigyn gulped with unshod tears as Odin rose from his chair, his throat clearing, a signal for everyone to shut up and listen. He stared at every corner of the room with his one eye until his sight landed on her. If she didn't know any better, she would have sworn a look of sorrow, regret and guilt shone in it; but before she could further think about it, the Allfather called out to all to hear.

"Tonight, is a night for celebration and revels. My son," he gestured to Loki who would normally look proud at being the centre of his father's attention, looked sullen as he nodded briefly and Odin grimaced himself being continuing, "has been given his Själsfrände by the bridge."

Everyone turned and stared at the couple. If he could have Loki appeared to have wished to disappear, slinking down in his chair while Astrid sat up taller, preening due to being in the spotlight. Odin stared at her as well, the creases around his eyes deepening with suspicion. "Astrid Árnidöttr and Loki Odinson will be wed on the Morrow in three days' time."

Sigyn couldn't hear anymore. With a subtle look at Eirik who nodded, she slipped from the room. She had one destination in mind, her chambers to pack up her measly belongings before leaving Asgard as soon as possible, preferably before anyone else noticed her disappearance. She knew Heimdall would never let her leave using the Bifröst, but she was among the few that knew of other ways to leave the realm. Sniffing she packed her rucksack and left, leaving a letter addressed to Loki and another to Eirik, who she was so proud of for not running away like she was. She knew she would be executed if she was caught or ever returned; not that was a possibility, so she was quick and was able to hide from all of the Einherjar that had stayed stationed around the palace.

Before she left, Sigyn wanted to say goodbye to her usual haunts and the first was the Tjener sanctuary. The trees howled in the wind as they shared her fear and pain, as her hands caressed the leaves and nearby flowers. She had given up holding back the tears, she didn't care what people thought of her now, not when she was so close to being gone. The next and last place was the rainbow bridge. She laughed when someone had said it was art of the Bifröst, technically it was, but at the same time it was too majestic not to be given its own name. Sitting down she watched as the rainbow colours flickered as they swam along the current that made the bridge. Tears ran down her cheeks as she said goodbye to the myth maker, the giver of Själsfrändes.

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