Just saw the Thor movie, and this just sort of inspired me. I don't know why Sigyn wasn't in the movie, probably because she didn't do much in the comics, but I think she should have been. As his wife she would certainly have added another layer to his character. But since she wasn't I found myself thinking perhaps they just weren't together yet, and then wondered if they had happened to get together after the events of the movie. Even during the movie I found myself thinking, "Hey, if Thor can be forgiven for being a reckless blockhead trying to prove himself, why can't Loki?" and the idea of Sigyn helping him along the way really helped. So basically this is a story of his not so much redemption, because I don't think he ever turned evil, but how he gained forgiveness... oh, and a nice little goddess who loves him unconditionally along the way.

As I am no means an expert on the comic books, I'll be drawing more from the legends while trying to stay in tune with the movie. Basically, I'm mixing all three, so if you read something that doesn't quite mesh, like for example me rewriting Sigyn history from the comics, you know why. It will have a rather slow start I suppose, but that's just sort of how I operate.

Oh, and I don't own Thor in anyway. Don't own, don't claim to own, don't wanna be sued.

Chapter 1: Unexpected Revival

Sif had never considered herself a vain woman. Proud, yes. She was a fearsome warrior, proving through hard work and determination that she could be just as strong as any man. She was goddess of the harvest, providing fruitful times to the humans and giving them food that they needed to survive. And she knew she was beautiful, able to take off her armor for a dress at times and the look suited her just as well as her sword did.

But she was not vain. She knew that there were stronger than she. She knew she would same day meet her match and die honorably in combat. She knew there were others who were just as beautiful, even more so than she. Let it never be said that Sif, as proud as she was, did not know her limitations.

And yet, to see she had lost Thor to a human woman, it was a strike to her.

Sif had never loved Thor, not in that way. But she did care for him, saw him as a good man despite his attitude at times. He loved his friends and would never intentionally hurt anyone important to him. It was understood they would wed one day, that Sif would support him not only as a fellow warrior, but as a wife. She had not loved him romantically, but enough that she did not mind the idea. Standing by him, however she did it, was an honor.

Jane Foster however, was the one for him apparently. She was the one Thor wanted. A mortal, a human.

She could say the choice over her didn't sting, but it did. She did not understand how a woman he had known for so little time would suddenly matter so much, matter more than she did. She kept her opinions to herself though. She didn't think that way out of love, but an odd sort of jealousy. It was foolish to think she was not still important to Thor, but only as she had always been, a warrior before a woman. The courts whispered about it, but she did her best to ignore it, instead going with Thor everyday to rebuild the bridge to the other realms, wanting to help him in his goal. Out of everything he had gone through these past few days, she would not burden him with her own confusing thoughts.

How often had she seen Thor use his hammer in battle? So many enemies had fallen because of it, but it had been a rare occasion to see it for its other purpose, to build. Yet everyday now, one could see and hear Thor, slamming Mjolnir against metal, helping to construct the new gate from dawn until dusk.

"He's changed so much," the other gods would say. "So hardworking and humble now. Surely, he'll make a wonderful king."

"And perhaps he'll bring that human woman. What an odd Queen she'll be."

Sif sighed, sitting down on a part of the Bifrost gate only halfway finished and watched Thor work. They were the only two left this late in the day, except of course for Heimdall, ever watchful, even as his broken bridge. She wondered if perhaps that was Thor's plan, to bring Jane here, let her live as an Aesir, immortal forever as his bride. Or perhaps he thought of going back to Earth. It would have to be one or the other. Sif could not see them trying to live apart and trying to keep a relationship going.

She was happy for him, that he had found love, someone to change for. He never would have changed for her, and while it hurt to have another woman be more important, she imagined it would be selfish to ask for it any other way. What right did she to his hand in marriage when she had never wanted it, had just never had a reason to object it? What good would it do to make Thor honor a vow made for him when they'd been children when she was just as content to be his companion in arms as his lover? It would give her no joy make him break his promise to Jane for her.

She'd... just gotten used to the idea was all. Maybe... a small part of her had been pleased she was the intended of Thor even if it had not been for love, she'd certainly liked him more than most men

"You seem tired," a deep voice spoke suddenly, causing her to look up and see Heimdall standing over her. "The dinner feast will be started soon and you've been working hard. You should eat."

"I'm not sure I should," Sif said as she looked back over at Thor but the gate guardian just shook his head.

"I will look over him for a while," he assured the goddess. "Do not worry about him, he's just very driven right now."

It was a very light way to phrase it, Sif felt, but she didn't argue. Instead she pushed herself up to stand and with one last look at Thor's back, made her way away from the construction of the new gate and across the bridge.

Things felt so somber now to her, and she had to wonder if she was the only one who felt that way. Everyone spoke so happily of the god of thunder's accomplishments, how he had triumphed and prevented war and beaten all odds. She and the Warriors Three were constantly being honored for going back to get their hero and she was sure she had heard a song or two already being composed for all of them.

No one mourned though.

Except for Thor and his parents, no one seemed to mind Loki gone. No one spoke ill of him, but everyone knew what "against all odds" had meant. The news of the fact he was actually a Frost Giant had spread fast, the younger gods having no idea, and the ones who had been around during the war all nodding their heads as the story of the adoption was spread around the halls.

Sif had never been terribly fond of Loki. He had his tricks, and she had always seen his jealousy towards Thor, ever since they were children, even when others scoffed at it as simple sibling rivalry. But she knew he was a good man as well. He fought by their side. He was sensible and strong, maybe not in the way Thor was, but still strong. Sif respected strength. She also loathed disrespect.

And disrespect was all that Loki was receiving right now.

She hated how they passes judgment on him, instead of trying to understand. Thor had confessed to her Loki had shouted that they were not brothers as they had fought. He had thought it had just been out of anger, had not meant anything real. When he'd learned of Loki's true heritage though, it had torn him apart.

"He was trying to tell me something, and I was too thick to listen or understand. I still haven't been able to change."

Sif had told him he was being too hard on himself, but she'd understood how he felt. None of them had known until it was too late. How horribly alone had Loki must have felt at that time? She tried to wonder why he did not come to them, did not inform them and seek companionship. She remembered however when she had been in his throne room, how she had glared at him in anger, based only on the suspicion he had let Frost Giants into their realm.

No wonder he had not divulged to them. If she had been in the same situation, she didn't think she would have wanted to either.

Reaching the end of the Rainbow Bridge, she sighed and shook her head. She was not in the mood for feasts or crowds. The warrior did not want to hear one more compliment or see one more person who did not miss Loki or one hear one more whisper about how she had lost Thor to a mortal woman.

Sif was not vain, nor a fool. She knew she had limits. These were one of them. She wouldn't be able to bear these feelings one more second if she had to endure that, and she was afraid of what she would do or say if she had to. Instead she turned sharply on her heel and made her way along the shore.

Her hand trailed along the wall of the city as she walked, fresh grass and shrubs meeting sand and water maybe thirty feet or so from the wall. She remembered fondly that Loki had been the reason this wall had been built, one of the many things he had contributed to this realm, though he'd often had a weird way of doing it. She remembered scoffing when he turned himself into a mare to ensure they did not have to give up Freyja and... distracting the builder's horse. She remembered sadly no one had ever thanked him for that, instead feeling he'd only gotten them out of a mess he'd started. It wasn't until this moment she realized just how unfair that really was.

She was so wrapped up in her thoughts, she did not notice the dark figure until she had almost passed it. Her eyes widened as she saw someone lying on the ground, the lower half of his body in the water, and sprawled out on the shore.

Immediately she ran up to him, her boots splashing in the water as she raced towards the body, dropping to her knees by his side and grabbing his shoulder to turn him over and see who it was.

His weight was barely anything to her, and when she had him turned on to his back, she pulled her hand back as if she'd been burned. The unconscious face of none other than Loki met her vision, pale and drenched with sweat. Cautiously she looked around, wondering perhaps if this was some cruel trick, but she saw no one around.

"Loki?" she asked softly, brushing the disarrayed hair out of his face. His skin was burning hot despite the cold sweat and water clinging to him.

He gave a soft groan, but no other answer met her ears. Realizing he really was unconscious, she didn't hesitate to pick him up, hurling his thin body over her shoulders and standing. She thought about going to Thor at first, but decided against it. No, Loki needed healing first. She'd go to the feasting hall, sure Odin would be there. Yes, the Allfather would know what to do. He always did.

It did not take her long to get to the hall, even with the extra weight. It was odd too. She had known that Loki never weighed much, not muscular at all really, but she never would have thought him so light. It was... wrong somehow, as if he weighed too little. He barely was the same as children she'd picked up.

Frowning, she hurried her pace.

"Allfather!" she cried out as she burst into the hall where several of the gods and goddesses were feasting. There had been general chatter and merriment, but it seemed to die the second she entered, the noise stopping all at once at the sight of her, somehow the silence even more defending.

"Allfather," she repeated as she strode up to the man at the table, knowing everyone could see the man on her shoulders was in fact Loki. "It's your son. I found him outside the city. Please, he's hurt."

Odin sat there for a moment before standing, peering at the pair of them oddly before holding out his arms.

"Give him to me," he ordered gently. "Give me my son."

Sif did her best to hand the man over without causing him any discomfort. She watched Odin cradle his son as if he were a mere babe as Frigga rushed over in worry.

"My love..." she breathed.

"He'll be taken to the healing room," Odin said softly before stalking off, his wife following behind him quickly.

Sif watched, wondering if she should follow or go tell Thor, before a voice broke out.

"Why did you bring him back?"

Slowly, she turned and glared at a man standing at the table, looking back at her just as angrily.

"What did you say?" she hissed as she walked over to him.

"I wanted to know why you brought him back here!" the man yelled, being as loud as she was quiet, but people were backing away from Sif's anger much faster than from his.

"He is Odin's son," she replied evenly. "He is one of us."

"You know as well as I do that is not true," he snapped back. "He's nothing more than a Frost Giant bastard, a monster!"

People were already clear when Sif gave a scream and leaped over the table at the god, tackling him to the ground and slamming her fist into his face. All combat training was forgotten, all dignity or grace of her fighting skill was tossed aside as she just continued to hit him as hard and as fast as she could. Hands grabbed her and tried to yank her off, but she refused to be moved. Eventually both Volstagg and Hogun who had to pull her off of the god as she still clawed at them to try to get to the bruised deity as he shakily stood up.

"You crazy fool!" he screamed at her. "How dare you?"

"Loki is our friend!" she screamed. "Say anything against him again and I'll have your head!"

Fandral rushed in front of her, grabbing her fists and tried to still her actions.

"Sif, Sif, calm down," he whispered urgently. "This won't solve anything."

"How dare I?" she yelled instead, not seeming to even hear her friend's words. "How dare you? How dare any of you! You look down on him, hate him! So easy for you who's never known pain of not belonging to pass judgment! Did it ever occur to you your attitudes are what pushed him to what he did? You're more monsters than he'll ever be!"

Volstagg wrapped his large hand around her mouth, cutting off anything more she tried to scream, but her words had still had affect. Everyone was staring at the group as they drug her off, trying to save her from any embarrassment, their faces shocked and appalled. Right now she hated them all more than anything in all of the nine realms.

But most of all, she hated herself, because she had hardly ever given Loki a kind word either, and she was just as much to blame as everyone else.

#-#

Sigyn did not, and had never, thought of herself as being very exciting. Even amongst goddesses, she was hardly what she would consider to be very... well, interesting. She had been raised as any woman of Asgard would, learning how to walk and talk in society in an acceptable manner, how to prepare food and drink for her own family someday, how to give dress and wear make-up in a way that would attract a husband. The very same thing all little girls growing up would learn, nothing different, nothing special. She was nothing special.

Oh sure, she looked pretty, but what goddess didn't? She wasn't even that well known of a deity. The goddess of loyalty and bonds, she never considered herself to have many worshipers, even when the mortals had believed in the Norse gods. There had never been much for her to do or bother with in Asgard, aside from feasting, partying and gossiping with the other females about whatever passed their interest. Who looked good in their new garb at dinner, who was marrying next, what important human was bedding another human. And while those things were nice in their own regards (goddess of loyalty or not, she'd always found the whispering talk of naughty passion exciting), she had felt she needed more in her daily schedule to keep life from getting stale.

Her parents had suggested healing. It was an honest enough occupation in this realm, and important. She had to admit, she had only taken the suggestion seriously out of lack of any other good ideas, but in the years she'd been doing it, she had certainly begun to enjoy it. It was a rather peaceful time, so most of the time the only healing she'd had to do was to mend up a warrior who had been a little too careless in sparring matches, nothing that needed a serious amount of attention. She'd been allowed to learn the skills of the trade to her own leisure then, not forced to make a crash course in it with hundred of gods fresh from the battles of war, all of them wounded and in pain.

Often the room was empty as well, leaving whoever was watching over it in peace to do as they liked. Sigyn had volunteered for the duty more and more over the years, finding the quiet peaceful and calming. She'd taken to reading in the hours of her shifts, discovering the fun of fantasy, the wonders of old legends and history, and learning of theories of science and math and other such things. Sigyn had found, once she'd separated herself from the frivolities of things expected of her by most women, she enjoyed learning, and here, in her own corner of the world, she could emerge herself in any book she liked.

Her nose was practically glued to the text she held in her hands today. This one she had snuck out of her father's library. He wasn't much for the written word, but even he had some good ones stashed away. And as her eyes wandered over the... interesting words of a blushing woman and a swan, both out in a lake, she had to admit, her cousins of the Greek gods were certainly an interesting bunch. She found herself wondering what kind of parties they threw before the door crashed open and she threw the book over her shoulder in the wide-eyed panic of someone getting caught doing what they shouldn't be.

She had been expecting the head healer to be standing there, ready to scold her for her actions but instead saw none other than the Allfather, Odin with his queen at his side and a very pale looking man in his arms. A man she immediately recognized as Loki, the younger prince of Asgard. Looking between the younger god and Odin, she wondered if she should ask or keep her mouth shut.

It was the fact she was the only one in the healing room at the moment that she got up and moved towards them.

"My son is sick or hurt," Odin said quickly, with no time for proper etiquette here. "Can you help him?"

"P-put him on the bed," she said quickly, pointing to a nearby one.

Odin wasted no time in doing so and she quickly moved over to him, placing a hand on his forehead and feeling he was in fact burning up. He didn't look comfortable either, moaning a little in his sleep. She quickly unfastened his wet clothing, pulling what she could off without moving him too much. Left in but a tunic and his trousers, she didn't see any blood seeping through his clothes, so figured he was not hurt, or at least too badly. She couldn't find any other signs either. No broken bones or bruises.

"He's obviously sick," she said as she worked to make him comfortable. "I don't think he's in any danger though. We have medicine here, and rest should help. I won't know for sure until he's awake and I can examine him more closely though."

She looked at the parents as they sighed in relief, wondering what she should do. She'd heard the tales lately just like everyone else about what he had done recently, how he had almost destroyed an entire realm and tried to kill Thor. In fact, had he not been killed, falling into the abyss? Yet here he was, as clear as day, in her care it seemed. Curiosity was beating inside of her head to ask, but self-preservation kept her tongue still. She had high doubts they would care to explain anything to her.

"I can leave you two, if you need it of me," she said softly, hating the thought she might be intruding on them.

Neither Odin nor Frigga said anything, but she had a feeling she was being sent away anyway. Standing and bowing low to them, she departed the room, nearly jumping from the path outside as a very large and fast Thor ran past her into the room. She'd been mere inches from getting knocked over.

She was curious beyond all measures, but she didn't dare poke her nose back in. This was not her affair and she didn't want to be caught snooping. Instead she waited outside as she wondered what exactly was going on.

She heard talking, but it was all rather quiet and muffled. Doing her best not to listen in, she kept her eyes trained on the road that lead to the house of healing. She squinted her eyes as she saw a figure in the distance. It was hard to make out at first, but before long she saw an older woman coming along in a hurried pace. Her long auburn hair flowed past her, only half of it tied as the rest hung freely. She had her dress hiked up in her hands as she made her way to the healing room. A still fairly young looking face, her actual age only showed in the wrinkles at her wrists and mouth and the few gray wisps of hair amongst the rest of the darkish red.

"Is he in there?" she demanded when she reached Sigyn.

The goddess looked at her mentor, Eir, the goddess of medicine and healing, also the woman who was in charge here and her mentor. She quickly nodded and received a glare from the older goddess.

"And why are you not in there with him then?" she demanded roughly before grabbing the young goddess' arm and yanked her inside with her.

Odin and his family turned to see the two healers, the smaller one feeling more than a little embarrassed at the whole situation. She'd been trying to give them privacy, but in this room, Eir always felt she was the one in charge, no matter who else was in her company. She was every bit a Norse woman as she should have been, tough and firm, refusing to bow to anyone in her own home.

"Your son, he has received diagnosis?" she asked.

"I did that much at least," Sigyn said timidly before she received another glare. Seemed it was best to stay quiet.

"It seems he's only sick," Odin said. "But she didn't know for sure."

Eir brushed past the gods to look over Loki himself, clucking her tongue in disapproval to see he was still dressed in wet clothing. Stripping him the rest of the way, she examined him closely, running her hands over him and wiping at his face with a clothe to dry his face before checking his temperature. Sigyn felt it was nothing more than what she had tried to do, but kept kept silence dutifully. Eventually the older woman stood and looked over at Sigyn.

"You say he's sick," she said, her tone sharp. "You don't find this odd?"

"Should I?" she asked.

"Tell me, a god is at the Rainbow Bridge, falls off the edge, is thought dead and miraculously comes back a fortnight later in such a condition he would not even be able to move by himself and you leave him alone?"

Eir was not happy and the goddess shrunk a little as she was scolded. Was now really a time for an object lesson? Luckily, Eir had turned to Odin and Sigyn was safe from anymore yelling.

"Your son, physically speaking, does not seem hurt," she assured them. "His life does not seem to be in any immediate danger, but I am worried. His soul... it feels wrong, torn somehow. I think it might have to do with what has happened to him. To have left Asgard without the aid of the Bifrost... It might have done anything to him. I do not know if there is a way to mend him, as his case, to my knowledge is incredibly unique."

"Will he awaken?" Frigga asked.

Eir paused and glanced at Loki.

"I can not say, my Queen," she said truthfully. "Even for him to have returned seems miraculous, so I would not say there is no hope, but I can give you no reassurance one way or the other at this time."

"He'll awaken," Thor said suddenly. "I'm sure of it."

Eir smiled softly at the prince. How wonderful it would be if things worked so well through sheer force of will. If they did, perhaps her brand of medicine would never have been needed.

"We will supervise him," she assured the royal family. "Watch him, keep him comfortable, and inform you if there is any change."

"No," Odin said. "He's my son, I would have him kept somewhere safe. He should stay in my home."

"I understand your concern, but he is more than your son," Eir stated calmly. "He is also my charge. I would not have him moved from this place. If his condition worsens, here is where he needs to be, with those who can keep him alive."

"And how would you defend him if someone comes here, looking for revenge?"

Eir paused. She was no warrior, none of the healers were. Fighting was left to men, and while the women did know the basics of combat in order to teach their children, females like the Lady Sif who were more than just competent beyond the level of passing on the skills were few and far between.

"A healer will need to be by his side," she informed Odin gently. "There is just as much risk at your hall for his life if he is not watched. I ask you to trust my judgment on this."

"Perhaps we should discuss this outside and let him rest for now?" Frigga asked as she laid an arm on her husband's shoulder. He glanced at her a moment before nodding and letting himself be led out along with Eir. Only Thor stayed, continuing to look down at his younger brother. Sigyn cough a little before pulling the sheet up over Loki's body to keep him from becoming chilled.

"I'm sure he will revive," she said, trying to be soothing to the god of thunder.

He looked at her, a bit of a frown on his face.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I don't think I know you. I've never seen you in the halls before."

"We have not met, no," she informed him. "My name is Sigyn, a healer. I don't often leave here these days."

That and of course Thor was constantly surrounded by people. She would have been surprised if he ever had noticed her. She had of course seen him in around Asgard many times, but thought it tactless to say so, especially right now.

"He will awaken," he said, as if to assure her.

She smiled and patted his shoulder in a comforting manner. It was rare for her to see someone in this much danger, even in all of her years here, but her heart still would break every time it did happen. For immortal beings, she supposed the thought of seeing loved ones die and not know how long before being reunited with them would be terrifying.

"Everything I have ever heard of your brother has described him as tenacious," she informed him. "I do not doubt he will come back from this as well."

No more words passed between the two, and Sigyn could sense Thor was just as happy with the quiet. She pulled a chair over for him before sitting down herself, both of them watching his brother in the bed as the older gods outside discussed his fate.

End of Chapter 1

I was wondering on the first half of this chapter, concerning Sif's point of view. I think considering everything, she did not seem to love Thor in the movie, so I figured I would go with that. However, in the Norse legends they were married, and in the comic book they were relatively off and on again. Going straight down the middle and saying they were engaged seemed safest, as engagements can be broken off without too much shit going down.

I would like to think also, Sif did not hate Loki. She favored Thor, sure, but who didn't? Still, he was a comrade in arms, and she sees him as such. She also morns his pain now that she knows the full story and is woman enough to admit she had some hand in it, albeit a small one. She's not the type either to seem to deal well with the gossip of the gods, so I can imagine her to just tear into someone after all the stress that's been building on her. After all, no one is going to say, "Well, Loki was being a sneaky little douche but that's just fine and dandy," and welcome him back with open arms and it's bound to cause some butting of heads.

Notes on characters and Mythology:

Eir: Eir is described in a few legends as being a physician amongst the gods, sometimes called a goddess herself. There are a few who even call her a goddess of healing, something relatively interesting considering how often it was seen as an honor to die in battle. Seems to die afterwords wasn't such a good thing, so she probably did a lot of patching up after battles so the gods could go out and do damage to the enemies all over again. Nothing more seems to be known about her and she does not appear in the Marvel universe. She seemed a very good and logical choice for the woman who runs things at the Asgardian's version of a hospital. Considering she's been looking after the health of very rambunctious people, I'd say she'd bound to be pretty strict by now. After all, how else would she get anyone to listen to her?

Sigyn: Sigyn, unfortunately does not have much background in her legends. The only thing known about her is she is the wife of Loki, one of her children was turned into a wolf, the other got killed, and then she spent the rest of eternity watching over her husband and trying to keep venom from dripping onto him. Kind of a downer really.

I think that's why when she's written, she seems to be rather a meek character, both in Marvel and in other people's stories. Honestly, I think that is bull. Attracting the attention of Loki, she was bound to have something be interesting about her, so if you find her to be a bit spunky, yeah, I am doing it intentionally. No whining, crying, yet for some reason stupidly devoted woman here. She's got her own way of thinking, while still being a relatively normal girl (for a goddess' stand point anyway).

The Wall of Asgard: Concerned over the security of Asgard, the gods put forth word that they desired a grand and strong wall around their home. In answer a man (some myths say a dwarf) answered their call and said that he would build the wall for them in a year and a half for the price of the sun, moon, and the goddess of love, Freyja. Freyja urged the gods to refuse, but Loki took matters into his own hand and promised what the builder asked for, but only if he could do so in six months instead of eighteen. The builder agreed, furthering the conditions he could use his stallion. Once it was agreed upon, the gods confident even with the extra help it could not be accomplished and they would have a mostly completed wall, the builder set to work, never resting and his horse helping him, able to carrying stones that would crush any normal steed.

The gods, angry at Loki, demanded he stop the builder upon seeing it was almost to the six month mark and the wall would be finished easily. Assuring the gods the situation was under control, he assumed the shape of a mare and led the builder's stallion away. Angered, the builder ripped away his disguise, revealing he was actually a giant and tried to steal Freyja away. Thor instead killed the creature and Loki returned later with a eight legged horse that he presented to Odin, informing him it's name was Sleipnir, a horse that could run over land and air, a worthy steed for the god.

Leda and the Swan: Zeus was entranced by a mortal Queen of Sparta and flew to her one night as a swan apparently fleeing from an attacking eagle before consummating with her. According to mythology, this is how Helen of Troy, amongst a few of her brothers were concieved.