Sigyn of Midguard.

Chapter Seven - Nattmal (The Night Meal)

(Sigyn's pov)

My boots crunched the spring grass under my feet.

As awful as my betrothal to Theoric had been I couldn't just throw it away.

That's why it was imperative that I stopped thinking about Loki.

Yet, as I heard his steps behind me, keeping time with mine... Something drew me to him.

We neared the house and the door stood open. We were a few meters away when I heard the bustle inside. My step mother neared the door and immediately called out to me.

"Sigyn! What took you so long! Your father is calling a village wide meeting to discuss what the prince said!!!" She gasped.

"So...?"

"So get in here and help me cook you useless girl!" Shrieked Hilde. 

I rushed into the longhouse and was quickly put to work by my step mother, as Loki was pulled aside by my father and some of the men from the village. 

After frantic cooking, -aided by some of the other women in the village-, my father calls the village to the mead hall where a small feast has been laid out.

"My people." Iwaldi's booming voice quiets the hushed talking in the hall.

I snuck away from the watchful eyes of Hilde. Filling people's cups with a pitcher of mead, as I crept around to a pillar, where I could better see my father's face.  

"Thank you. Now let this town meeting commence." He continued, as people found their seats.

"We have been blessed by the gods. They have sent us one of their own to deliver a great message."

The crowd murmured as my father paused for effect. 

"What is the message?" Somebody asked.

"Well that would be better spoken by the man himself. Everyone meet Loki... Odin's son."

The room was so silent I could almost hear people's hearts beating.

My father gestured to Loki who stood up to join my father as the village's eyes turned to regard him.

"Hello everyone." Loki said with an awkward bow. People muttered distrustfully. "As Iwaldi has said, You are going to be attacked."  Loki's smile wavered as people became rowdy. He looked toward me, and I sent him a strengthening smile.  "Three days and your village will be overrun with Jotuns." He said pulling himself up to his full height. 

"What are Jotuns?" Somebody asked. 

"Monsters." Loki replied gravely. 

People started standing to their feet, their anger swelling.

"I wasn't sure if we could trust him either." My father admitted in an almost nonchalant manner. "So I went to our Völva. She confirmed he is who he says he is, and there is a fight coming."

I suppose dad met with Verdandi before we did.

"So with that being said. Theoric and I are going down to the waterfront. We will set up for war there. I need every able bodied man to come with us. Excepting Erland, as he will be in charge of the village. And our gracious messenger Loki. If all goes well we will be seeing prince Loki off in four days with a wedding festival. Thank you all for your time." My father said with a nod as he headed out the door. 

I sighed and slid round the pillar the jug of mead still in my hand.

Suddenly, my way was blocked... by Theoric's large bicep. 

"Uh hello." I greeted him startledly. 

"Hey Sigyn..." Theoric said with a greasy smile.  "You know I'm really going to miss you while I'm gone."

"Oh... that's nice." I replied, noting how quickly the large mead hall had emptied out. 

"Maybe.... That is before we leave... perhaps you would like to say a proper goodbye?" Theoric replied looking at my lips. 

"Whatever do you mean." I reply, ducking under his arm and heading toward the kitchen.

"Kiss me goodbye." Theoric demanded, grabbing my arm.

The pitcher slipped out of my hand and I could immediately feel Loki's eyes on me.

"Let go of me. I do not wish to make a scene... but I will." I warned.

Loki looked over the massive wooden table to glare at Theoric. He excused himself from the conversation he was in and made his way toward us silently.

"I do not wish to lead a war against your little village ... but I will." Theoric threatened. 

My knife was a comforting weight against my thigh, but I couldn't risk offending him. 

"I will kiss you, but only on the day we are married." I promised.

"Fine then. Enjoy your last days of freedom!" He snarled, spinning on his heel and walking aggressively toward the open door.

"I plan to." I sassed with a sigh... once I was sure he was out of hearing range.

"Real charmer, I can see why you want to spend the rest of your life with him." Loki said to me as he retrieved the dropped jug off the floor.

"I know right?" I smirked, as Theoric left my sight. 

"Do you want me to just put you out of your misery now?" Loki asked nodding to my knife as he handed me the jug.

"Please do!" I chirped as I headed off to the kitchen. 

Loki followed me as the other women ducked out of the kitchen. It seemed I had my head in the clouds and once again I was the last one to finish my tasks.

"Why are you still even marrying that oaf?" he asked leaning against the doorway of the kitchen. 

"You know why..." I sighed blowing a wisp of hair off of my face.

"No but really Sigyn. You are a smart woman. Surely you can think of another way..."

"There is no time!" I replied, throwing a rag into the jug and turning to him. "Do you honestly think that I haven't spent nights awake staring at the stars trying to figure out the answer?!-"

Loki was silent, his eyes as wide as saucers. 

"-Because I have tried for so long... but I've accepted my fate now. This is the way my life was ordained. It's who I have to be." I finished.

"Sigyn-"

Erland cleared his throat and Loki stood up straight allowing me to see him better. 

"Hey guys. I just wanted to introduce myself to you prince Loki. I'm Erland. Sigyn's brother... well sort of."

"He's adopted." I smiled. 

"So then I'll be staying with you all tonight. yep?" Erland asked me running a hand through his reddish brown hair. 

"You bet." I smiled. 

"Pleasure to meet you Erland." Loki said Shaking Erland's outstretched hand. 

Erland's green eyes twinkled as he looked between Loki and I.

Almost like he could see something we could not.