The Warrior and the Trickster

Another day had passed since Thor's absence from Asgard and another battle won. With Thor's absence leadership of Asgard's armies and the protection of the realms fell under Sif's command. She celebrated with her friends-the Warriors Three. They had ale and laughter. Vostagg sat with his wife, Hogun discussed tactics with some others, and Fandral laughed rowdy with a woman on each arm.

Sif felt alone, but among many of her fellow warriors. She nursed the last dregs of her ale- the taste had gone sour. She missed the big, blond lug. Life was so much more dull without the god of thunder and her bed sheets much colder since his infatuation with that human.

She drained the last dregs. Just thinking about that woman made her stomach churn. She couldn't help but blame the human's presence for Frigga's fate and Odin's resulting loss of compassion. She set her mug on the table and pushed away from her chair only to have Vostagg grab her elbow and hold her in place.

"Have another ale, Sif. You earned it. Your leadership on the field today saved many lives," Vostagg said. He released his grip and gestured with his hands towards his wife. "You should have seen her, dear! Out there with the wind blowing in her hair and her sword gleaming in the light burnished red with the blood of our enemies. She was every bit a goddess!"

"Thank you for your kind words, however, I feel my spirits need solitude to recover from today's exploits and not more drink," Sif said as she left the drinking hall. She'd had enough of the jovial attitudes of her compatriots.

She didn't have a destination in mind, but found herself on the path toward her brother Heimdall. He was always so serious, but he would make fine company for one who wanted the quiet. He was standing guard, as always, the stars' lights reflecting on his golden helm.

"I know why you are here," Heimdall said without turning away from his constant gazing across the galaxies.

"That's a comfort, because I don't," Sif said sitting at his feet. She began to pick at her nails absently-a bit of dried up blood had caught under her thumbnail.

Heimdall's heavy hand rested gently on the crown of Sif's head. "No need for the tough act with me, little sister. Thor is on earth."

"With that human who he favors more than us," she murmured.

"I do not know that he favors her more than his friends, Sif. He values you a great deal. You must know that."

"Values me so much that he sets me aside to fetch his new infatuation. Ignores whatever promises he made to me in the past," Sif said reaching up and knocking away her brother's hand. "Don't touch me."

"As Thor has chosen to reject being king of Asgard his betrothal to you is null and void. I am sorry," Heimdall said.

"It's fine. He can play with his little human girlfriend. I am curious how he intends to crawl back in neigh a century when her brief life is snuffed out." She flicked out the last piece of dried up blood from under her nail and crossed her arms over her chest. She followed her gaze and stared out across space.

"He is not with Jane Foster. He is working with those Avengers."

"I see. So he has no need for any of us. He has replaced us and the Warriors Three with humans."

"Do not be so angry, little sister. Thor must learn compassion if he is to ever be king. His affection towards earth will make him a better leader when it is time for him to take his place," Heimdall said. He gazed through the stars. "Even now, he protects all the realms by defeating threats on Midgard."

"There are other realms than Midgard," Sif said rising to her feet. "Sorry I disturbed your work, brother."

"It is never a bother, Sif. I am here for you should you need me."

She watched him a moment longer, envious that his emotions were so reigned in check. He was her half brother and must have gotten that from his mother. Her mother had died in labor, but was no doubt cursing until her last moment. Their father was as short tempered and fierce as she-up until the day he died in battle.

She returned to the castle and leaned upon the railings of the grand balcony. She stared out into the distance not really seeing anything and mostly feeling sorry for herself. Sadly, there were no more enemies for her to slay to release her frustrations.

OoO

It had been ridiculously easy impersonating his grief stricken father. Loki wasn't a fan of the eye patch, it made it so much harder to judge distance and he had the sore shin to prove it. He had always wanted to rule-to serve as king. Odin needed a vacation from the pressures of royal decree so Loki helped him achieve it. A brief coma for the next five decades should help his adopted father cope with things.

However, it was hard to wander about the castle under his father's guise, so he enjoyed using the disguise of the random golden helmed soldier. No one much minded his spear or his presence. As a castle guard he was allowed virtual freedom of the entire premises which suited his purposes.

He missed a step when he saw her in the moonlight with dark hair waving behind her in the crisp night breeze. If he looked close there would be no tears in her dark eyes, but fierce battle-hardened determination. It was a shame that such a tall and athletic beauty would waste away her talent on the likes of Thor.

Loki could admit that he'd been jealous of the golden boy his whole life. First born son was set to inherit the throne and the loyalty of the people. However, even when Thor was performing treachery he could depend on his friends. The same friends that he cast aside time and again. Sif was used by Thor as his second in command in battle and his first choice bedwarmer. She probably didn't appreciate his abandonment of Asgard for earth.

"Lady Sif, how fairs thee?" he asked genially, still in the guise of a castle guard.

Sif didn't even glance his way. "I am alive for now, but one day Valhalla awaits."

"That's a rather grim outlook," Loki said coming to stand beside her.

She shrugged. "It is the outlook of a warrior. One day my toils here will be rewarded."

"Since your hard work is so under appreciated here," Loki said.

Sif turned toward him and looked at him closely with narrowed eyes. "I know not your face, but your words remind me of another. What is your name?" She whipped out her sword and held the tip under his chin with hardly any effort.

Loki appreciated her skill with the sword. She was beautiful and deadly. He reached up and gently pushed aside the blade. "Is that any way to speak to one of your oldest friends?"

Sif snorted and tucked her sword away. "I should have known you would survive. You kept your promise to Thor, so your life will be spared. He raved about what a heroic death you had," she said with a raised brow. "Am I seeing the resurrection?"

"Never dead. You know me. Too much left on the agenda to die prematurely," Loki said with a grin.

"Life would be less mischievous without you, but no doubt less interesting too," Sif admitted. "I never have trusted you."

"And you have always trusted Thor and look what that has gotten you. Left behind for a mortal," Loki retorted.

"True enough," Sif said shrugging. "I would miss you if you were dead. I have always appreciated your wit. I lack the creativity you possess."

"You're creative enough. You must be or else you would not be undefeated in battle," Loki argued.

"My battles are won through brawn and stubbornness." She leaned back on the rails. "What is it that you want of me?"

"Your betrothal was to the future king of Asgard, correct?"

"To Thor, yes."

"To Thor specifically?"

"I suppose not specifically. I wish to serve Asgard as best I can. For now I serve as the general. One day I might serve as Asgard's queen, but I lack the drive to force the issue upon whomever the role of king might fall upon. The betrothal is null and void."

"If I touch your arm, will you promise not to cut off my hand?" Loki asked.

"I will not harm you today, god of mischief," Sif promised.

Loki reached for her wrist and held it tightly in his hand. He could feel the dull throb of her pulse as her blood rushed-even in his presence when most would cower in fear Sif was calm and composed. What wasn't to adore about the woman? "If say, I, was to become King of Asgard would you consent to ruling beside me? I do wish to be a just and noble king. I could use someone of your impeccable moral character to guide me."

"Surely you jest?" Sif said pulling her arm out of his grasp. She looked him directly in the eyes-something no one but Thor would have dared. "You speak true. You are a strange man. Some days you seek the destruction of Asgard and the next her salvation."

"I just want to claim the birthright that Thor has so flippantly tossed aside. Father offered him the kingdom before he left, but Thor rejected the role and the ties that would come with it."

"I see," Sif said thoughtfully her hand having found her sword hilt and rested on it absently. She seemed to realize what she was doing and released her hold and brought her hand back to her side casually. "Why would you want me? There are more appropriate women to choose from. Women who are more calm, more obedient, less deadly."

"I wouldn't want them. I want the fiercest, most beautiful, more loyal, most passionate Asgardian." Loki reached out and placed his hand upon her shoulder. "There is only one Lady Sif and I appreciate her."

"I will consider your offer, Loki," Sif said.

Loki dropped the illusion momentarily and stood before her in his emerald splendor. "Consider one part more," he said before he took her face into his hands and kissed her. The kiss only lasted a few moments, but as soon as his lips touched hers she began to kiss him back with the passion he expected of the goddess of earth.

And then she drew back and slapped him.

He held his hand to his burning cheek and watched as Sif turned her back on him and stalked off, but not before he caught the faint smile on her lips.

A/N: I wasn't satisfied by the Thor movie. I thought the relationship in the movie of Thor and Jane felt forced, especially since it is Donald Blake that has feelings for Jane and not Thor. So, I thought why not let Loki make a move on Sif? He seems to appreciate the things that Thor takes for granted. As of now, this is a one-shot, but I may decide to elaborate later so I'm leaving it incomplete. Hope you enjoyed the teaser!