Sigyn: A Loki Love Story

Chapter Five

It was a mad dash from the moment she entered her makeshift dressing room until the choir of Valkyrie began to sing the Asgardian Wedding March. She stood just outside of the gate to the garden, unseen by the hundreds of guests. Nobility from all of the nine realms were there, even those who were on the brink of war with Asgard sent a representative out of respect. Syn, Sif, and Lofn lined up before her, all taking a moment to look back at her and smile encouragingly. Rona had reluctantly taken her seat with the other guests, not at all pleased about giving up her last few moments of control. Sigyn's nerves made her bounce up and down a little on her feet, and wring the bouquet in her hands so vigorously the petals of her flowers fell off. She whispered to them and they sprung back into place, only to fall again as she absentmindedly continued to wrench them nervously in her hands. The gates of the garden were opened by two handsome ushers, as the guests of the wedding stood to their feet and turned towards the aisle. She had to breathe deeply, and concentrated on that, as well as on not turning and running as fast as she could in the other direction. As Sif began to walk down the long aisle, towards the silver dais that sparkled bright under the rays of the suns, Sigyn tried desperately to remember why she was doing this. Why was it so important to keep this particular promise? She felt sick, dizzy, and faint. She was more than nervous. She dreaded walking down that aisle.

Sif stood at her position on the far side of the platform where Theoric, his groomsmen, and Odin stood as well. It was time for Lofn to begin her descent down the long aisle, lined with the petals of white oleander, the flower that represented their mother in her absence. The guests were trying to peek out of the gate to catch a first glimpse of Sigyn, who was too busy trying to repair her bouquet to notice them. She couldn't bear the thought of seeing Theoric at the end of that aisle until she absolutely had to look at him. She wanted to run, but knew that was a foolish instinct. She was too hard on him, on the prospect of marriage in general. People were betrothed every day, Odin and Frigga had been betrothed and they were fine. She was being spoiled, if Loki had been there he would have told her so, she was acting like a child.

And so she stood up a bit taller when Syn finally took her first steps down the aisle. She cleared her throat and put on the most genuine and decorous smile she could muster, happily remembering that her father was waiting just inside the gate to take her arm and escort her down the aisle. Syn finished her walk, and as Sigyn stepped up to the gate and came into full view of all her guests, they were unable to hide their surprise at her beauty. They clapped, some gasped, some women wept, some younger women scowled, for her gown would never be outdone, and all other gowns would be compared to it. It was floor length and formfitting, putting all her womanly curves on full display. It had no straps, though her seamstress had managed to cover her ample bosom so as not to show too much skin. The entire dress was covered in white beading that made it glitter like diamonds in the daylight. She looked like a walking galaxy off stars, and her jet black hair was loosely pinned into a high and elegant bun atop her head, while a bang hung in her face and a few fly away strands hung here and there. The only jewelry she wore was her gift from Loki, the hybrid stone necklace she had received the night before. She opted not to wear her crown of sapphires or any sort of regal attire; she wanted to marry Theoric as a woman, not a Goddess of the Realms.

She kept her smile plastered on her face and placed her hand delicately into her father's. They began their walk to the end of the aisle, her eyes focused on Theoric who was dressed in a new uniform, complete with his battle armor freshly forged and gleaming in the sunlight. The silver of it made the necklace she wore stand out all the more, as it was the only golden thing in the wedding. Odin looked at the stone as she approached, and smiled for he recognized it immediately. His son had enlisted his aid in finding it, and had watched over its development into a necklace with the eyes of a hawk. His eye wandered, along with Sigyn's, over to where Thor, Loki, and Frigga sat in the front row. Loki looked positively un-phased by the pomp and circumstance; his eyes were looking at nothing in particular, he might as well have not even been there for as much attention as he was paying. Iwaldi helped Sigyn onto the dais and then stepped down; placing her hand into Theoric's. Sigyn's eyes fell curiously on their hands as Theoric intertwined their fingers and squeezed her hand, reassuringly.