LokixSigyn One-shots

On the Hunt

Thor, the Warriors Three, Sif and Loki had decided to go on a hunting trip. Well, mostly Thor had decided, but the others were also very much in favour of the idea. Sigyn had never hunted before, but she had wanted to accompany them in order to see more of Asgard apart from the Royal Castle. They had ridden out fairly early in the morning, far too early for Sigyn's liking, and passed through the city that was still mostly asleep and oddly quiet. Finally, the golden architecture had given way to green country side dotted with little farms. The people there greeted them enthusiastically and waved at their golden prince and his entourage. By midday the friends were deep in the woods.

Surrounding them was a beautiful forest, with light green beech trees and sturdy oaks. Squirrels darted across the branches above them and a noisy flock of birds cheeped happily. The Asgardians and Sigyn rode in a loose formation, sometimes conversing in a low voice, sometimes silent. Occasionally Fandral would raise his voice to sing them a hero's ballad or one of the countless, slightly bawdy tavern songs he knew. They were still laughing over his spirited rendition of a funny song about an otter and a fish when they reached a clearing. On three sides it was surrounded by trees, the fourth side was made up of a steep stone wall. A small brook came tumbling down the stones. It had cut out a fair-sized pool at the bottom of the slope and meandered out of sight under the trees on the side opposite of them.

Thor had reined in his horse. "This place is very pleasant. We should stop and eat."

Everyone agreed readily. They had only eaten a quick breakfast in order to start early, but the servants had packed food and drink into their saddle bags so that they could have a cold lunch. After dismounting, they watered the horses and let them wander around the clearing to graze. Sigyn and Hogun pulled out the two big blankets from their baggage and spread them on the grass. The rest busied themselves with the food: bread, slices of cold meat, cheese, small pasties, honey cakes and a wide array of fruit. They had brought some mead and Fandral filled up their waterskins at the stream, which was not as ice cold as they expected. Loki suspected that it was partly fed by one of the warm springs in the area.

Soon they were all seated and busily diminished the ample food. The talk turned to the game they hoped to hunt today. Sif and Fandral thought they might find deer in this forest, Volstagg hoped for a wild boar. Thor was boasting about fighting a bilgesnipe with his bare hands.

"What about you, Sigyn? What will you do while we're hunting?" Hogun asked.

"I think I might go for a little walk in these beautiful woods. I've never been so deep in the heart of your realm. It's so different from what I was used to on Nornheim. I would like to explore a bit." Sigyn replied, carefully taking a bite out of a ripe peach.

Thor drew his eyebrows together.

"I do not feel comfortable with that, Sigyn. You could get lost."

"I am not a helpless maiden, Thor." Sigyn glared at him, but the effect was lost with juice dribbling down her chin. She wiped it away with the back of her hand.

"I know that you are not helpless. And still I do not like the thought of you alone in these woods. I know of even experienced hunters that have lost their way in here."

"Would your worries be put to ease if I accompanied Sigyn?" Loki drawled. He was lying propped up on one elbow, on the side of Thor opposite to Sigyn.

"That would certainly ease my mind. But didn't you want to join our hunt, brother?"

"I would be saddened by missing it, of course. But it's Sigyn's first time here. I can do without hunting for today."

Thor doubted how genuine Loki's sadness was given the saucy wink he threw Sigyn, but he chose not to care.