The Burden Of Her Arms (Loki/Sigyn)

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

There was no funeral, no recognition of the lost prince. The people wished him good riddance. The prince that could have led them in war was raised up, crowned, and the prince that gave them the war they sought was torn down, hated and soon forgotten.

Sigyn had her support with Thor and Frigga but they would soon want to move on as well. She was only bringing up painful memories for them, so one day, at a loss for what else to do, she went to visit Okoro.

He opened the door, blinking at her as he took a sip of his drink. "Pele o." He murmured. She shifted, unsure what to say. He smiled understandingly and pulled her inside. "Tendaji, help me prepare a room for SeeSee."

Tendaji, now a young man almost as tall as his brother, grinned. "SeeSee!" He leapt up and hugged her tightly, picking her up. She couldn't help but laugh until he put her down. He ran to prepare her room.

Okoro sat her down. "Food? Drink?" She shook her head.

"I just wanted to see you all."

Reifr, sitting across from her, slid his plate across. "Eat." He ordered.

She smiled and moved to take the last piece of bread but Okoro snatched the plate.

"Ah-ah-ah! Finish this! You will not get out of this so easily." Reifr groaned and picked up the bread. Okoro glared at him. "He has had no appetite for days. I worry but he will not see a healer."

Sigyn sighed. "When does he ever take care of himself?"

"I did before you!" Reifr protested.

"You did it poorly." She quipped. Okoro brought her a plate and sat next to her. "I never said I was staying." She pointed out.

He grinned. "Your eyes say so. Stay! Eat, sleep, relax! It is good to be away from the palace. They are a sad people. I did not like it there."

"I don't blame you." She sighed.

They ate and talked long into the night but when they retired to bed, Sigyn couldn't relax. She couldn't sleep no matter what she did. Finally, a few hours before dawn, she gave up and went to the kitchen. She put the kettle on the fire and sat at the table. It was there that Okoro found her.

He rubbed her shoulders gently. "What troubles you?"

"Everything." She sighed, her head in her hands. "I can't sleep, my stomach is upset, I feel hot."

"And?"

She groaned. "I miss him. I miss him so much."

Okoro poured her tea and sat on edge of the table. "You should come to live here. It will do you good and perhaps you will heal better."

She sat up. "I won't put you all in that position."

"What position? We would be glad to have you!"

She sniffed her tea but her stomach turned at the thought of swallowing anything. She pushed it away. Her throat closed and she choked, feeling bile rising. Slapping a hand over her mouth, she went to the washroom and leaned over the toilet.

She emptied what was left in her stomach and miserably groaned. Okoro held her hair back and rubbed her back.

"I think I know why your stomach hurts." He murmured.

She groaned again. "Wonderful."

He helped her up and she washed her mouth out. He brought her the tea again as she sat back in the kitchen. "Drink. You will remain sick otherwise."