The Burden Of Her Arms (Loki/Sigyn)

Chapter 20

Part Three

Chapter 20

"Mama!" Sigyn wiped her forehead with the back of her hand. "Mama!" She looked over her shoulder as Vali waddled up to her. He gripped her dress in one hand and pointed into the sky with the other. "Look!"

She looked up to see a figure flying above them. It's began to fall quickly, something spinning in its hand. Sigyn stood and wiped her hands on her dress. She squinted in the sun as the figure dropped.

"Thor?"

"Sigyn." Thor gripped her shoulder tightly. He was out of breath and flushed. "Heimdall has found Loki."

Hope fluttered to life in her chest. "Are you sure?"

"Yes. He is on Midgard, attacking the people there. I must go and find him. I will bring you to him when I return!" He ran off, swinging Mjolnir and lifting himself into the air again. Vali and Narfi held onto her dress.

"Who's Loki, Mama?" Vali looked up at her with familiar blue eyes.

"An old friend." She murmured, lifting him onto her hip. "Come along, Narfi. It's time for your nap."

"No!" They whined together.

"Come on!"

"No!" Narfi tried to run away. Sigyn sighed and handed a struggling Vali to Una as she leaned out of the house. Running after the other, she grabbed him around the waist and hoisted him into the air.

"Gotcha!" She smiled. He whined and struggled but slumped once she kicked the door closed. "Nap time!"

"But I'm not tired." Narfi groaned. He yawned hugely and looked at her. "You didn't see that."

She laughed and laid him down in his bed. "I did and you're going to sleep."

"But-"

"Not buts! To sleep!" She kissed them both and tucked them in before leaving.

"Loki's on Midgard?" Una whispered.

"Apparently." Sigyn murmured, walking slowly to her room. She fingered the silver chain that still sat around her neck even after all these years. Una was speaking again but Sigyn held up a hand. "Please, Una. I... I need to think."

She closed her door and slumped into a chair. Loki was alive, that much they had known for a little over three years. But alive and well? On Midgard? Why there? Why hadn't he returned home or sent word or... Something?

She brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear and stood. She moved slowly, mechanically, preparing a bath for herself with barely any consciousness of the actions.

Her clothes were soiled from the garden's dirt and her thoughts too jumbled to pull apart. She sank into the warm water and let both wash away.

Thor would bring him back. And then they would understand.

**

The way to the Bifrost was blocked. After days of waiting, with no news of Thor, Sigyn finally got word of their return. She rushed to the Bifrost only to find it blocked by a detail of guards.

She pushed through the angry crowd and stretched to peer over the guards' shoulders. Her heart clenched at the sight of him. Dirty and bruised, chained and humiliated, he was marched to the palace. The crowd hissed and jeered, throwing curses his way.

Loki looked up and glared at them. His eyes met Sigyn's but he didn't react. He looked away.

"Loki." She murmured. She couldn't get it out loud enough to shout. He disappeared inside. Sigyn pushed through the crowd again and ran for the palace. The guard at the gate stopped her. "Let me through!" She shoved him by the shoulder.