the theory
She was rarely so hesitant around the Queen.
Long had Frigga been a soothing presence to Sif. Another mother, although she certainly had plenty of her own. Frigga may have been the mother to her best friends instead but that only meant Sif often falling close as they all went on adventures or got caught in young mischief. Frigga always seemed to have a smile to give, a hand to put on shoulder and Sif cherished the closeness.
Right until moments like these where she dreaded that familiarity. Dreaded how well she knew her and how poor Sif was at hiding her emotions.
"What troubles you dear? Is it my son again?"
Sif glanced down and blinked away the thought, "No, he is still off on his wanderings and I know he shall be back in his time." Not that the waiting did not carry its own hurts, but Sif was perhaps too used to them. "No...I have much less glad news. Or more a question perhaps..." To broach the topic should be done with care. Done with gentleness.
Sif was no queen of words.
"I have reason to believe Loki may be alive."
Only after did she look up. The near soft-spoken words felt a blasphemy. Never before had she voiced them. Now they laid spoken and if she was wrong Sif would be responsible for so much more pain in her Queen.
"And what might this knowledge be?" Sif could near feel the hesitancy in her voice. But Frigga's calmness, her fortitude, her wisdom, were full as ever.
Sif admired it.
"I've found.." she swallowed. "There's a woman. She's not - not quite mortal. It's...I swear I can almost feel his magic. I know what this must sound like," a plea rose in her voice, "But I've been searching the prophecies, I've been reading the tales...he's not meant to die. He told me so himself before this passed." It was ill formed argument, but she had her sincerity and her truth and she could hope they be seen.
Frigga laid a hand over hers.
"You will start at the beginning, and we shall decide together."
Sif drew a full breath in. "Of course. My suspicions began..."