Victim of Circumstance

Loki of Jotunheim

The next morning, I was roughly awakened by another Jotun from the uncomfortable mesh hammock in which I had to spend the night. I was considerably unrested and knew that I had dark circles under my eyes. 

I had spent the night planning my next encounter; turning to the Jotun, I told him I must first use the bathroom and then I would see Loki. I could tell the Jotun was embarrassed and hastily let me into the bathroom. From there I stepped into the cupboard, casting a glamour on myself to duplicate my body, one being the unreal version of myself. I had to concentrate to be solid, which made me furrow my brow, and the Jotun frowned at my odd expression as he pushed me into the throne room. He took me right up to the base of the empty throne and told me to kneel and wait for Loki's entrance.

I knelt, knees pressing into the hard floor, the Jotun holding my head down so it looked like I was bowing it. Eventually, the black curtains behind the throne were moved aside and Loki entered. 

Today he was wearing a yellow cloak, green on the outside, which hung from his shoulders. His body was in a simple black leather tunic with his swords strapped to the belt. His eyes were green and his skin pale. He sat on the throne and looked down at me, motioning for the Jotun to leave us alone once more.

"I trust you slept well." the tone was sarcastic. He probably knew how uncomfortable those hammocks were. 

I raised my head and, seeing that he was waiting for me to speak, got to my feet a little stiffly. 

"Of course," I said, "Yet it was more comfortable than the couches of Odin's palace knowing I had met my husband."

He sneered. "You think I am bound by Asgard's rules?"

"No," I said patiently, "But I am, and you must know that."

"So you are bound to me, and I am bound to nobody," he said, shrugging his slim shoulders. "It doesn't seem quite fair to you. To be tethered to a monster."

"You are tethered unto me if you have your own interests at heart, Loki." 

He rose, came forward and motioned for me to kneel back down, his eyes angry. 

"I said, come back with more respect, Sigyn." he hissed. "Kneel down or you shall be thrown into the dungeon."

I saw that it would be wise to humour him at this point, and knelt, bowing my head as well. He moved forward and once again circled me, his staff tapping the ground lightly.

"But what is this? The untamed maiden is bowing her head? What has the lowly Loki done to deserve her respect?"

"Nothing, Loki, now that you have spoken!" I snapped, my head rising and looking into his eyes. "Talk like a civil man!"

He knelt down so that our eyes were almost on a level.

"But," he whispered, his lips touching my ear, "I am not a man." 

He withdrew, leaving me rather disorientated. 

"So far I have only seen physical aspects of a Jotun," I said. "Your rage is not yet come, and I do not fear it."

"Then you are a fool." he snapped, a hand going to his belt. I sought to aggravate him still further.

"Then prove it! So far you have shown yourself to be arrogant and nothing else! I must know what you seek by your boasts, your feeble excuses for being evil!" I cried, taking a step toward him. A low growl came out of Loki's throat and his hands grabbed the hilt of his swords. "Master yourself! You cannot control your fury with a woman, is this why you have stabbed Thor so often? Because you are so arrogant the simplest trick winds you up!"

He grabbed the swords and out they came, held out at his sides. He advanced on me.

"Oh, you will pay for that, Goddess," he said with an insane expression on his face. "Dearly."

And he plunged his sword into my gut.

I only smiled as the sword went right through me. His eyes widened, realising he'd been tricked. 

"Looks like I just got the better of the god of mischief," said I, moving toward him. I put a hand on his cheek and he flinched as if he had actually felt it.

"Loki, I am your consort and try as you might, killing me will only injure you in the future."

He pulled back, muttered the counter-charm and the glamour burst away from me, showing him the true me, with dark circles under my eyes and slightly messy hair. He tapped his staff on the floor and the door burst open, letting the Jotun guard enter, who raced up and grabbed hold of me. I was pulled roughly from the room. 

As the door closed behind me, I caught a glimpse of Loki collapsed on his throne, his head in his hands. I hadn't seen him look so defeated.