Sobs wracked through her entire system, her face sore from crying as she marched down the hallway toward's Loki's chambers. No one dared stop her; In fact, after first glance, guards were jumping out of her way and avoiding eye contact at all.

Sif liked to pride herself on keeping unnecessary emotions to herself, to make sure she held a professional demeanor in front of her comrades. But now? All bets were off.

Pausing in her steps, she held out an arm to wall for support while bending over at the waist. She had worked herself into such a frenzy she was becoming nauseous - something that did not happen naturally to Asgardians.

Except pregnant ones.

Eir, the healer, had just given her the news, but before she could comment more, Sif had ran out in a hurried frenzy. Poor dear hadn't even had time to process it - but many of Sif's most important decisions were made on the fly, given her occupation. But Eir hadn't even had the chance to tell her the most important bit yet; just that Sif was bearing a son. The words repeated over and over in her head, like a death sentence - which to her? It was.

Finally, she stumbled upon Loki's door. Slamming her fist on it relentlessly, tears still flowed freely from Sif's hazel eyes. "Loki! I know you are in there," she took a hitched breath, "and if you do not let me in right this instant," she practically growled through gritted teeth, "This door will torn from it's hinges, and your body will be next." At that, Loki opened the door. He wore a cool demeanor, not showing the fear that had struck him with Sif's death threat. She didn't tend to make empty threats. He wore a simple dark green pants and tan tunic, clearly something he had just thrown on.

As soon as the door was open, Sif took the opportunity to barge in and slam the door behind her. Lunging at Loki, she slammed his body against the wall, hands gripped around his neck. "You...got...me...pregnant," she seethed at the Prince between ragged breaths. "Do you have any idea what this means? Any? Everything I have wo-"

A hand clamped over Sif's mouth, and she paused in surprise, giving Loki the chance to push her off him. Eyes wide, he gazed at Sif while rubbing his sore neck, which he was sure would be bruised tomorrow.

Sif found a seat, and buried her face in hands and sobbed, but Loki paid no mind to that. Hands clasped behind his back, he paced, his dark eyebrows furrowed and thin lips pressed together. His green eyes held a dark spark.

Whirling around, he tilted his head inquisitively, "Do you know the gender?" Sif brought her head up and curled a lip. "You - Nay, I am having a son."

Excitedly, Loki gave a hearty laugh, and Sif nearly pounced on him before a flash of green light from the Prince's outstretched hand threw her back into the large chair. Anger brewed in Sif's stomach as she surveyed the father of her unborn child. The sight left an unpleasant taste in her mouth.

"This is wonderful," Loki whispered, half to himself. Turning gaily to Sif, a wide grin on his face, he asked, "Do you wish to know why?" Sif narrowed her eyes in response, then came upon the realization he was mocking her.

In defiance, Sif finally gained control over her body and emotions, and stared coolly back at Loki. "No, Odinson," she clearly enunciated every syllable, "I do not know why. Please enlighten me, as I have a feeling you're about to."

Lips pressed together in a thin smile, and he sat on the edge of his bed, opposite Sif. Meeting her stony gaze, he leaned forward. "Sif, you are no witch, correct?"

"No." Sif stated dryly.

"Frost giant?"

"No."

"Elf?"

"For Ymir's sake Loki, out with it!" Sif nearly shouted much to Loki's satisfaction. Raising his eyebrows, he pointed at Sif. "You, Sif, are Aesir. And extremely healthy at that - you will have no problem carrying and delivering my child. No doubt the child will be healthy, half-Aesir...suitable for the throne."

Realization hit Sif and she gasped. "No. My child is not just a pawn for your never-ending fight for the throne! Thor...ye gods, Thor." Sif moaned into her hand. What would he say? Tears welled in her eyes as she imagined the prospect of never even having a chance with the man she loved again. Loki knew what was running through Sif's mind, and he grinned with satisfaction. Thor's woman was his now.

Hatred spread across her tan features, and she whipped her head up, raven hair flinging wildly around her. "You did this on purpose! Seduced me, bedded me, you ever gave a shit about me. You just wanted a suitable carrier so that you may bear no more monsters!" Loki's face became dark as Sif stood up and walked towards him, fists clenched. "You know what? You will never know your son, Loki. If I am to go through with this, you can be assured it will not all be in vain for your mad fight for power."

At that, Loki stood up, face almost level with hers, if not slightly above. "Sif - you would not dare keep me from my son. After Odin finds out I have a suitable heir, he will have no choice but to crown me, as Thor has no children yet." Sif nearly snarled, but Loki took a step forward, clasping his hands behind him. "You and I would wed. You would be Queen." Sif spat, "I do not want-"

"- to be my Queen," Loki finished with a single finger raised. "I suspect as much. What makes you think that I would desire such a brash, butch excuse of a woman as my bride? I don't. But alas, you are with child, and it would be the," he paused slightly, tongue running over his pale lips, "honorable thing to do, given what will happen to you if you don't accept my offer." He nonchalantly sauntered over to his dresser and poured himself a small amount of liquor, waiting for Sif's reply.

Glaring at him, she set her jaw and bid herself not to cry. She was better than this, she would not succumb to Loki's manipulations. "And what if I don't accept?" Sif began. "What if I choose to leave, and never return to Asgard? I could seek haven in Vanaheim, and have my son there."

"And leave your Realm behind? Step down from your position as warrior?" He took a sip before turning again to face the warrior, "Leave Thor?" At Sif's silence, he chuckled darkly.

"That's what I thought. With me, you could be Queen, something you could never hope to accomplish with my brother."

A sullen face turned to stare at the ground.

"You think you had a chance with him before this?" Loki asked incredulously. Again, silence was his reply. "He never saw you as more than a warrior. If he ever did, it was as another whore willing to op-"

Sif landed a square punch to Loki's jaw, "I am not another whore," she began lowly, "I have honour and rank. I am a warrior, one of Asgard's best-"

"-for maybe another two months before your ailment forbids you to. And if you are so honourable," he shrugged, with a light smile, and nodded to Sif's womb, "then how did this happen?"

Angrily, Sif stepped closer. "What happened? You took advantage of my drunken state. You know my bad habit, and you just waited for the opportunity to impregnate me and took it."

Loki laughed mockingly, "Impregnate you? You really believe this was all a one-sided ordeal?" He leaned forward, his face so close to hers he could feel her hot breath, "From the way you mewled and writhed underneath me, I daresay you were just as eager as I, if not more-so."

Sif felt her cheeks grow hot, and knew she was telling him exactly what he wanted to hear. A wide mischievous grin spread on his face, the sparkle reaching his eyes. Leaning forward, their bodies nearly touching, he whispered in her ear, "Stay with me, wed me, and you could have that every night." Desire spread through Sif's body and she trembled. Gritting her teeth together, she bid herself to think rationally about the situation, but was quickly losing focus as Loki placed a long white hand on Sif's waist. She was not wearing her armour this day, instead opting for a maroon tunic and leggings, which displayed her athletic figure quite well. Pursing his lips, Loki softly pressed kisses to Sif's neck over and over, placing a hand on her lower back and pulling her body forward against his. Only able to stand it for a few moments, Sif gripped Loki's face and mashed her lips again his with a fervent passion, much to Loki's satisfaction.

He knew he drove Sif crazy, and used that to his full advantage.

Whipping her around, he dragged her to his bed and threw her down on her back. Unsmiling, Sif pulled him down to her between her legs, practically begging for the satisfaction that she knew was about to come. Loki more than happily obliged with equal anticipation.

The two laid beneath Loki's covers, in a thin layer of sweat. Sif lay on Loki's chest, with his long arm stretched around her waist and palm over her womb. She knew with this action, she had accepted his offer. Tears swelled in her eyes, but she bid them back. This child was to be heir to the throne - she knew that this was best. Loki would never let harm come to him, his only offspring that didn't bring shame to his name.

Sif didn't love Loki, and probably never would. But she did love her son, enough to give up the life she had worked so hard for in order to protect him. He would be raised properly, in the palace, with a real education and the chance to rule Asgard, and he would have a much better life than any he could on Vanaheim. She knew Loki was doing all this to convince her to stay, so he may rule, and eventually her son. She didn't care. Loki would make a good father.

Sif covered Loki's hand on her stomach with her own, sighing as she did so.

((This was inspired by the Eddas, in which Loki brags of having seduced Sif, and Sif has a son, Ullr, whose father is never named. I'm new to writing, so I would greatly appreciate any comments and criticism!))