I just found out there is a deleted scene in Thor, where Loki is made legitimate heir to the throne of Asgard. Just google or youtube search for "Thor deleted scene - Loki becomes king". In case it is taken down, because it seems to be a problem with many clips posted from movies, I'll give you a little rundown:

~Loki and Frigga are talking while Odin is in that giant gold bed in his Odin-Sleep.(The first part is just like in the movie). Frigga talks about why Odin kept the truth from Loki, because he didn't want him to feel different, they are his family, he is their son, yadda yadda. (Then it changes. Apparently they cut it short to make Loki seem way more power hungry and throne-grabby) Frigga talks about Odin always having a plan, and that Thor may find a way back. Loki gets a little hurt by that(I think hurt, it is hard to tell because you really can't see his face), and he gets up to walk away.

The doors open suddenly and a bunch of guards show up, and an unnamed guy holds out the royal scepter of Asgard to Loki. Who instead of just grabbing it, is confused and looks back at Frigga. Frigga says "Thor is banished, the line of succession falls to you. Until Odin awakens, Asgard is yours." Loki very slowly and hesitantly takes the scepter, while Frigga tells him to make his father proud. Then calls him her king.~

It kind of changes the whole tone of the movie! Just reinforces that Loki is not the crazed villain the movies try to make him out to be, and has actual reasons to be ticked off.

Also, I want to mention that there is casual statement of facts about the Holocaust/Hitler, and a few other wars, in case you are sensitive to the topic. The views expressed by characters in this work of fiction do not reflect the views or opinions of the author(me). I am not a Holocaust expert, and have gleaned the facts from the internet. Please don't flame me over this.

######### Absence diminishes mediocre passions and increases great ones, as the wind extinguishes candles and fans fires. #############

Sigyn and Thor had spent a few hours deep in conversation, while the other Avengers could only watch in fascinated silence. Clint had left briefly, presumably to update Natasha, and Steve had changed before returning quickly. Then they sat or stood in a confused semi circle facing the two Asgardians located on the center of the curving couch, watching the interplay between them.

She had revealed a number of things that left the group reeling. Loki was alive and had seized the throne in Asgard. That the ambitious, psychotic, murderous demi-god was still alive was shock enough, that he was now a king was an extremely bitter pill for them to swallow, and the fact that he had been married to this woman the entire time was simply unbelievable.

And suspicious to all except Thor. So the Avengers had assigned a casual rotating watch on her. Bruce found himself to have the dubious honor of first watch as the others had previous engagements that they couldn't postpone, while he had been planning to work in Tony's R&D floor for a while. So now he was showing the Asgardian woman around the floors where most of their living quarters were located.

They were in the main recreation area, equipped with a few televisions, several bookshelves, a large piano, and a pool table among other items that the team used in their down time. Sigyn was flitting over the book shelves, removing one here of there and flipping through it, seemingly oblivious to Bruce's watchful gaze.

He had trouble reconciling this woman with his image of Loki. This woman seemed... delicate in contrast to what he knew. His research indicated that Asgard valued battle skills, of which this woman had no signs of possessing. What he had heard of Sif, Thor's mother Frigga, and other female demi-gods, they were tall and as warrior-like as their men.

The woman before him projected a kind and gentle aura, a feeling of contentedness around her, and a cultivated soft spoken voice that gave no indication of opinions. Loki on the other hand had been rough and violent, a constant dissatisfied but entitled ambition, and a man who was not happy to keep his many strong opinions to himself. There was nothing to explain how such a marriage could possibly work, and Bruce had never been a fan of the theory that opposites attract.

"Dr. Banner, was there something you wished to speak with me about?"

Her voice brought his focus back around to realize that she wasn't as oblivious to his questioning gaze as he had thought. "Ah... Sorry, I just... You are not... I mean, Loki is-"

Turning sharp silver eyes on him, with an expression that was far too knowing, she smiled. "You want to know how it is that Loki and I came to be married." Bruce shifted uncomfortably. The way she looked at him was vaguely reminiscent of a small but dangerous bird of prey; intelligent, cutting, and direct.

"Yes." Bruce crossing his arms over his chest to keep from fiddling with side seam of his pants. "He is..." His hesitation to label the man was clear. "Unstable."

Then she did something he didn't expect. Sigyn agreed with him. "Yes. I believe that accurately sums up his interactions with your realm." She sighed, placing the hardcover back on the shelf in front of her, and moved with sure steps to the seating, motioning him to do the same. The hand movement was as imperious as any the Bruce had seen, graceful and commanding like the royalty she was. He obeyed.

"Ask your questions. I am sure Thor's explanation has been sufficient but lacking in details."

Thor's understanding of the situation had been sorely lacking but enough that asking for more details from the blunt man had been awkward and full of misunderstandings. Bruce nodded.

"Only that you were all essentially raised together, and married Loki a dozen or so years ago."

Sigyn nodded. "Thor is somewhat succinct. You may ask me anything you like."

Bruce's surprise was evident and she chuckled. "You may ask. I may choose not to answer."

He chuckled. "That is fair." They were silent for a moment, Bruce formulating his thoughts and Sigyn waiting. Finally, "He... Loki was not always insane, was he?"

A sharp laugh cut across the space between them, and Bruce almost felt bad for asking. But he did not retract the question. "No. He is not insane now, nor has he ever been." Bruce started to interrupt but was stopped by a wave of her hand. "His actions paint him thus, but that is because you do not know all the details. Imagine a man faced with a river, no bridge or boat available, and he does not know how to swim. It is insane for him to attempt to swim across the river. Yet he does."

"You think that he could have walked up or down river, turned around, found another way. After all, there is no rush. It is insanity for him to risk his life." She paused, looking to Bruce pointedly, and he tilted his head in agreement. "But you have only the details I have given you. What you do not know? At his back is a fire, consuming the forest around him, all other escapes blocked. His choice now becomes the only reasonable one. He may drown in the water, but he will surely die in the fire."

Sigyn took in Bruce's doubtful expression and continued. "A man faced with inescapable circumstances makes untenable choices. Loki's actions, though unforgivable, were the choices he made while under stresses no one could understand..."

"He killed 80 people in 3 days, destroyed most of New York and caused countless casualties..." Bruce's tone was exasperated, and unforgiving of the man's actions.

The look she gave him was rueful "Your Adolf Hitler killed an estimated 11 million in 10 years. That is not including those lost in combat..." There was a pause while she thought, then, "That is 3000 a day." Bruce could only blink at her. "The Three Kingdom's war killed a minimum of 36 million in less than a hundred years, and the Taiping Rebellion killed close to 100 million in 14 years. You humans are quite adept at killing each other." Sigyn sounded both oddly proud and disgusted.

"My most recent understanding of Midgard is that more than 80 people die of starvation every day, despite more than enough food on your planet... Mosquitos kill 1794 people a day. Is that not true?"

Bruce was somewhat astounded by the facts that not many people would be able to quote at the drop of a hat. "How do you know all that?"

She shrugged. "I have been to your Earth before, when I was young and my father was on survey of the Realms. I had much time to read while imprisoned and I have been planning to come here for some time. I anticipated having to defend my husband."

"And how did that happen? He does not seem like the kind of man who would marry anyone, let alone someone..." Bruce hesitated, then flushed realizing he had just insulted her.

She only nodded. "Someone like me. We were much more alike when we married. The quandary of youth is growth and change. He has changed much in the intervening years."

They sat in silence, Bruce thinking of Betty Ross and how things had changed. "Did you love each other or was it some sort of arranged thing?" At her arched eyebrow of surprise, Bruce backpedaled. "I'm sorry... was that inappropriate to ask?"

"No. I did not think you knew much of Asgard." Sigyn sighed, for the first time looking as if he had stumped her. Looking down at her lap she picked a few pieces of invisible lint from her skirt, flicking it away before answering. "We were childhood friends. After a long absence from Asgard, I was arranged to marry another. When I returned, Loki took notice of me. When my betrothed died, Loki was quick to express his interest."

"I do not know how much time your... team?... spent with him but he is and always has been persuasive. Charming." Sigyn's mouth was tilted into an expression that Bruce was unfamiliar with, part sadness, part introspective, and part joy. "I loved him deeply, but now I wonder at his own devotion... Was I simply a challenge..."

#################################################################

Loki peered around the shelves in the Great Library, staring intently while pretending to read a book. The object of his study, Sigyn. She stood in contrast to the current fashion: dressed modestly, her hair hanging loose down her back, a leather bound tome in her hands, shifting her weight slightly as she read in front of the shelf.

She had moved into the palace a short time ago, and into Loki's view at Thor's birthday celebration. Despite her engagement, and his own lack of interest in marriage, Frigga could sense his interest in Sigyn and took every opportunity to play match-maker. Loki found himself all too often listening to his mother when she mentioned her and her activities, and then found himself acting on that information. The silver eyed girl had been one of his few friends growing up, had changed dramatically since leaving Asgard, then seemed to change again when confronted with Frigga's acceptance and welcoming. She was a curiosity, nothing more, he told himself.

She was not only different from herself, but also different from the simpering idiot daughters that populated the court events he attended. They were all hoping to obtain a royal marriage, including those already engaged, even if it was to the second son. But Sigyn did not seem to care. She offered him the courtesy of his rank, a prince of their realm. She did not play upon their childhood friendship to assume familiarity with him as others would.

If anything, she ignored him unless speaking to him directly or interacting with him was necessary. It was not the calculated ignoring that some ladies of court attempted to use on him. It was genuine ignorance of his presence. And she seemed to be no more pleased when speaking to him than when speaking with an elderly courtman. The idea that his company was not more interesting or pleasing than that of his father's advisers and generals, sat ill in Loki.

Setting the book in his hands carelessly on the shelf next to him, he strode purposefully into the aisle where she stood. After perusing the books for a few moments, during which she didn't make any note of his presence, Loki cleared his throat while glancing at her.

She lifted her head, turning toward the sound, but her eyes continued to trace the page. It wasn't until she finished whatever sentence she was reading that her eyes finally took notice of him. "My Prince! I'm sorry, I must be in your path." She curtsied quickly then stepped back as if to allow him to pass in front of her.

"I was looking for a book." Loki watched as she nodded.

"Of course, My Lord. Please, do not let me disturb you." She continued to stand back, allowing him access to the books, before lifting her own tome and beginning to read again. Loki continued to stare at her. Soon, she became uncomfortable. "Was there something you needed, My Lord?"

"No." His answer was brief, and he didn't stop watching her.

After another few awkward moments, she sighed. "Prince Loki... Is there a reason you are staring at me?"

Loki shrugged, studying the way her emotions played across her face.

Finally, she was uncomfortable enough that she made her excuses and slipped by him, muttering her apologies, and heading for the door. Loki watched her the whole time, unable to find a reason she had caught his interest in her face or form.

##################################################

Let me repeat this incase you missed it at the top: The views expressed by characters in this work of fiction do not reflect the views or opinions of the author(me). I am not a Holocaust expert, and have gleaned the facts/numbers from the internet. Please don't flame me over this.