Soulbonds and Fairy Dust

Chapter 21

All of the horses were saddled by the time the rest of your companions joined you. Sig wasn't excited to see the moron boys, and tried to hang back shyly so they would leave her alone. Unfortunately, that idea was doomed, since she was interesting and newly returned to Asgard. So they were making a point of bothering her and being loud and obnoxious.

Sif rescued Sigyn to introduce her to the horse that had been chosen for her. Sig cooed over the sweet little mare, wanting to be the horse's friend before they headed out. Animals tended to like Sig, so the mare warmed up quickly. Especially when bribed with sugar lumps.

The group all mounted up and started out of the stable-yard so they could head to the first gate. Thor led the procession from the palace ground with Loki at his side. Of course, the princes would lead this expedition, that was just how things worked on Asgard. Sigyn trailed behind the group, not feeling a part of this group who all knew each other so well. She had known them at one time, had been part of the group centuries ago, but things had changed. Now she watched them all laughing, joking, and jesting sleepily with each other as they rode, feeling outcast and alone. They were used to these sorts of missions for the crown. She was the outsider here and she didn't know how to handle them anymore.

Loki turned back to her, his eyes looking for his soulmate and best friend when he realized that she wasn't with him. He gave her a smile and gestured for her to join him and Thor. Sig was the most important part of this mission, after all. Plus, she was Loki's soulmate. She hesitated a moment, not wanting to intrude, but she took up his invitation and urged her mare to catch up with the princes. "Are you alright, Sigyn? You seem to be lagging behind..." Loki asked softly, sounding concerned.

"I'm not lagging behind," she replied defensively. A touch too defensively. She was comfortable with him, when it was just the two of them. But she got shy around people easily. Especially the loud obnoxious males.

Loki nodded and said gently. "This is your mission, darling. You should be the one leading it,"

"You two are princes, that technically gives you the responsibility of leading it," she replied shyly, looking down at her saddle-horn. Thor and the warriors were so close, their group tight-knit and she felt distinctly like an outsider.

"Will you remain up here with us? I could use your company," Loki tried a different, and much more effective tactic. Ask the healer for help and she would always jump to do whatever she could to help.

"What am I, chopped liver?" Thor grumbled sourly. He looked over at Loki. "You do not get to spend the entire trip paying attention to no one but your girlfriend," he informed his brother, joking and teasing, and glad for an adventure with his brother and his friends.

Sig shied at his comment, turning red. "If it's going to be a problem..." she said softly, willing to give up her place to let the brothers ride together.

Loki glared at Thor. "There is no problem. My brother is just being an imbecile. As per usual," he reassured Sig quickly. He didn't want her to go away and be all alone again.

Thor hadn't quite understood yet how much Sig had changed from the child they knew. Sig nodded shyly and rode between the two princes. "Mother didn't give us many details except that we were to ride to the locations on the map she provided and guard your girlfriend," Thor told Loki as they rode together. Teasing Loki was a time-honored tradition and Loki now had a brand new, not yet official, girlfriend to be teased about.

"There are fae doorways located at those positions on the map. We are going to those locations to seal those doorways to prevent future kidnappings closer to the cities. Our job is to guard Sigyn while she completes her task," Loki explained simply. That was all the explanation he felt Thor needed.

"I'm the only one who can close them," Sig added softly. "Only powerful fae can open or close the doorways between the realms,"

"What possible dangers are we guarding you from, however?" Loki asked her gently, realizing they didn't exactly know what they might be getting themselves into. "You never explained that yesterday,"

"Whatever is on the other side of the doorways. They might not take kindly to having their doorways closed and very well could come through to stop me from closing them. It could be anything from trolls, ogres, giants, goblins, and of course fae and high fae,"

Loki nodded, accepting that answer. "Understandable. We will do everything in our power to keep you safe."

Sig nodded in return. "I appreciate it," she glanced at Thor, needed to explain further to him. "Under most circumstances, I'm perfectly capable of defending myself, but closing these doorways takes a lot of power and concentration," she didn't want him to think she was a helpless little noble lady who needed defending. She prided herself on her strength. It would do well for Loki not to forget that either. She doubted either of them really would, though. They'd both seen her fight. Thor nodded, accepting her addition.

They all chatted while they rode and Sig slowly opened up to the others. It was just after noon when they neared the first doorway. They all dismounted once they reached it and picketed the horses. "Whenever you're ready, Sigyn," Loki told her gently when they were in position.

Sig nodded and summoned her blade as she approached the doorway. Loki stayed close to her side as she did. The others stood guard nearby, but out of the way. Sig could tell they couldn't see the portal, but they could sense the disturbance in the realm. She dragged her blade across her palm and grabbed the edges of the doorway to pull them closed. It was harder than the last one and was taking a lot more power. Underhill did not want to be closed away, but eventually, the doorway snapped shut and even the morons could feel the difference.

It drained a ton of power to do it, especially so soon after already closing one just yesterday, but she managed.

This was definitely going to be a difficult quest.

Sig swayed, placing her non-bleeding hand on Loki next to her to steady herself while black spots invaded her vision and the world spun dangerously for a moment. Loki looked down at her concerned. "What's wrong, darling?" he asked her gently while he healed her bleeding hand and made sure she was steady.

"It didn't want to close. Underhill doesn't like being messed with," she explained softly while she focused on remaining upright and conscious. "I'm sure she's warning the fae what we're up to now..." she mumbled unhelpfully. She was drained beyond reason and her mind was wandering and unfocused.

"She? Who is she?" Loki asked, trying to make her focus on telling him what dangers they might be facing.

"Underhill-" she repeated as if that was helpful.

It was. They just didn't understand.