The Old Gods | Book 2

Thirty One: Clemency

The golden halls of Asgard are as majestic as the days they left them. Golden columns and high arched ceilings with murals of the histories of the realm all come into existence around them. Or they came back into existence. Thor, the son of Odin. Loki, god of mischief and his loyal wife, Princess Sigyn. The hall of Odin erected around them and the warmth of the realm seemed to welcome back its lost children. The echoing silence is familiar and the golden hue of the sky is a sigh of relief.

Sigyn let go of the tube and turned.

There stands Heimdall, clad in all his golden armour and horned helmet. Sword resting in his hand firmly. It was only fit the watcher of Asgard see to that the royal prince's and princess return home safely. He cannot lie when he smiled, welcoming the warm presence of Princess Sigyn. She herself a light on the realm and it was as if the air had lifted the spirits of the hall and all sorrow gone with it. The princess was gone for too long.

"Welcome back to Asgard." he greeted them, a deep voice so soothing.

Behind Heimdall, ascended on the steps to the throne is the All-Father himself, waiting. Helmet adorning his grey head and mighty spear in hand. His crow cawed at the arrival of Thor.

"My sons. Welcome back." the All-Father spat, having learnt of their adventures in Midgard. His one eye glaring down on Loki. Gagged and in chains. His misdemeanor having nearly cost the integrity of Asgard. and nearly forcing Odin's hand to calling to war against the Chitauri in defense of Midgard.

"All-Father." pleaded Sigyn. "I beg you to be kind in your judgment if you allow me to explain."

"No." said the All-Father. "I have seen Loki's actions for his own and for his own will he endure the punishment."

"Not without a fair trial! You first must know all the facts! There is more."

"You have been gone some years, Sigyn. Upon the death of Loki, you threw yourself away and denounced us."

"I have been your family for more than half a dozen centuries," she argued.

"I will hear none of it." Odin spits. "Guards!" he summoned his Einherjar. They stormed the hall by the dozens and seized Loki taking him into their custody. Thor could do nothing to stop them.

"You have not seen Loki thinking him to be dead and this is how you first treat him?" Sigyn should not be surprised.

"When I came to learn that my son was alive, I learned he attempted to wage war against one of my realms under my protection and rule by using an alien force with an ancient power he attempted to harness - and failed! Announcing himself a would-be-king!" he shooed his hand. "Take him to the dungeons below." he commanded his warriors. "I wish not to see him."

She couldn't do anything. Pleading with Thor did nothing. He was not crowned heir, he has no right to overrule his father. So they watched as they took Loki and marched away with him. Again. She had to watch as they left with him in chains.

"Out of love for you, Sigyn, I will not bestow the same punishment unto you. I will not let you suffer the same fate as Loki." said Odin. "As you have done no crime here except love him."

Thor came forward to ask, "What will you do with him, father?"
"As Princess Sigyn says, he is entitled to a fair trial and I will judge what his punishment should be." Odin rose to his feet. "I will hear no more it until I see all the facts. Sigyn," he turned to her. "I will hear what you have to say in full. If what you say to be true to the eyes of Heimdall, I will consider a just punishment."

She bowed her head watching as Odin descended from his throne and marched on with a flank of warriors behind him. He paid his son no mind, nor the princess. He marched on past them. His first decree was that he lock up Loki the moment they returned. Thor and Sigyn are left standing in the hall of Odin alone.

They cast the same gloomy look.

"I am sorry." said Thor. "For what Loki has made you suffer." and he turned and swiftly left the hall after his father.

Sigyn is left standing in the hall of Odin all by her lonesome. The blossoming warm afternoon touching the gold armour around her bodice. The throne of Odin sitting empty before her. The gold shimmering in the golden afternoon like a sunset on fire. Touched by flames.

Hugin and Munin, comfortably perched either side of the chair, gleam at the Princess with beady black eyes. Just watching her. Feathers ruffled and fluffy. They watch the Princess. They turned their heads in peaked curiosity when she started approaching the throne of Odin.

Sigyn stepped up the stairs one by one in a gentle slowness until she reached the top. The mighty throne that she has dreamed of. Always forced to watch from a certain perspective, never getting closer, and always so far away. Here she was right in front of it. The thing of her foretelling. The thing her father believed to be her destiny. Her fate.

"Princess Sigyn." an Einherjar called. "The All-Father wishes to see you." The Princess acknowledged the summons and left the throne behind her. She never thought she would be heard my Odin this soon. She summed it up to the decision by the All-Father that he does not want to delay his decisions any longer than necessary.

But it also scared her.

He is in his prime of anger and grief and that will heavily influence his punishment for Loki. And she has seen the prime of Odin's anger for herself. She was a victim of that once. Her son's were victims of that anger.

Sigyn stands before the All-father, Odin, in the grand halls of Asgard, her heart heavy with the weight of her decision. It is up to her, to bring, Loki, her husband, some sort of relief as he awaits judgment for his actions on Midgard.

"Odin All-father," Sigyn begins, her voice steady despite the turmoil within her. "I come to plead for mercy for Loki, my beloved husband."

Odin's gaze pierces through her, ancient and wise, yet unforgiving. "Sigyn, daughter of Asgard, you ask for clemency for one who has wrought chaos and destruction upon the realms?"

"I do," Sigyn affirms, her eyes unwavering. "Loki may have faltered, but he is my husband, and I stand by him."

The hall falls silent as Odin considers her words, his expression inscrutable. After a moment that feels like an eternity, he speaks. "Sigyn, your loyalty is commendable, but Loki's crimes cannot go unpunished. He must face the consequences of his actions."

Sigyn's heart sinks, but she does not relent. "Then let his punishment be fitting, but do not cast him into eternal darkness. He is still your son, Odin."

The All-father's gaze softens, touched by the earnest plea of his daughter-in-law. "Very well, Sigyn. For your sake, Loki shall be spared the harshest of punishments. But know this: he will be closely watched, and any further transgressions will not be tolerated."

With a heavy heart, Sigyn accepts Odin's decree, grateful for the mercy shown to her husband. She vows to stand by him, offering her unwavering support and love, no matter the trials that lie ahead. And in the halls of Asgard, the bond between Sigyn and Loki remains unbroken, a testament to the enduring power of love and loyalty.