"Loki." The woman grinned brightly, stepping forward. Loki looked back, the only emotion obvious on his expression shock.

A hammer is held in her path, a silent threat to move no further. Thor scowled down at her as she glanced up in surprise.

"Thor, it is okay." Loki assured him, shock wearing off as his hands moved to the blonde's shoulders, moving Mjornir away from the woman. He slipped by Thor, folding the woman into his arms.

"It is wonderful to see you again Loki!" the woman's voice is muffled in the fabric of Loki's tunic, but the joy in it is obvious. And Loki replies, with equal joy in his tone.

"And it is wonderful to see you once more as well Sigyn."

Nineteen year old Loki ran straight in to twenty two year old Thor the instant he saw him. Thor stumbled, but managed to keep them both standing.

"Loki! I was not expecting you! I didn't know that you had business with-"

"My Father arranged a marriage for me!" Loki blurted, "With a sorceress. From Vanaheim. Lady Sigyn. He wants to use the marriage to gain political ground in Vanaheim. I know Lady Sigyn. She and I are good friends, but I never expected to marry her!" he was shaking so slightly that Thor would not have noticed if Loki wasn't still pressed against him.

"Loki, Loki, calm down." Thor shushed him, gently taking him in his arms, "It is okay Friend, we will work something out. I promise you."

"Like what?" Loki's brow furrowed, "Thor, I mean no offence when I say this, but if I was unable to think of a way out of this, how could you?" he asked delicately. Thor took no offence, shaking his head.

"I don't know, but I promise. We will figure something out." Thor insisted, "Perhaps my Father can-"

"No." Loki denied, and Thor's frown deepened, but he persisted.

"Have you tried talking to your Father?" The dry look Loki sent him spoke more than any sentence. Thor sighed, "We will figure something out." He repeated.

They spent the rest of the day brainstorming ways for Loki to get out of the marriage with his platonic friend. By the time Loki left, they had a foolproof plan for Loki's freedom.

The next time Thor saw Loki, he was tense and withdrawn when he informed Thor that it was his duty as Crown Prince of Jotunheim to marry for power, not for love.

And nothing Thor could do, could convince him otherwise.

Thor blinks back to the present, eyes taking in this woman, Sigyn. She was beautiful, certainly, and obviously a talented magic wielder (yet, not talented enough to free Loki of his curse). Yet…

Thor could not see the appeal.

"You must be Prince Thor. I am Lady Sigyn of Vanaheim." She bowed slightly and Thor returned the favor, schooling his expression into a welcoming, friendly one.

"It is great to finally meet you! I have heard much about you!" Thor boomed as brightly as usual. He didn't notice the small frown on Loki's features.

"And how do you and Loki know each other?" Sif offered her hand, "I am Sif, and these are Fandral, Hogun, and Volstagg." Sigyn nodded, smiling to each of them as she shook Sif's proffered hand.

"Sigyn and I…" Loki hesitated and Thor's eyes narrowed. Loki was never at a loss for words.

"We are betrothed." Sigyn stated happily, stepping closer to him and intertwining their fingers.

"…Yes." Loki agreed.

"Yet it has been a long time since you have seen each other?" Volstagg questioned in confusion. Sigyn's tinkling laughter filled the air.

"Of course! Nearly two years! After Loki was cursed…" Sigyn shook her head, all traces of laughter gone. "But I have decided I can no longer hide in Vanaheim. I must be here." She turned to Loki, placing a gentle hand on his cheek, "For you, my love."

Thor's blood boiled.

"Well, let us set up a camp." Sif declared, sending her warriors off to collect firewood and hunt and other necessary chores. Sigyn and Loki wandered a little away talking quietly to one another.

Before he left, Hogun glanced at Thor, expression as unreadable as always.

"What?" Thor growled at him, eyes dark, but no glare on his face.

"You are turning green, son of Odin. You should be careful."

Thor's brow furrowed as Hogun turned his attention to collection firewood in the woods around them.

How odd…he did not feel sick in the slightest…

R & R.