Loki's chambers were swiftly turned into a war room, where seamstresses took over the living area while his library was covered with maps. He quickly drew up tasks for everyone, all without revealing his grand scheme just yet.

Even after the delegation had left, mother remained under heavy guard in her chambers. Odin made a big show of preparing the "bride" to leave, while the realm went into a state of mourning.

Thor's little trio had been given small tasks. Loki had them running all over Asgard for seemingly unimportant tasks and items that didn't make sense. They grumbled, but had to do what Loki told them to do. He often found the trio looking at the items, trying to figure out Loki's plan just from the odd assortment of items they had gathered. Some of the items were important, but most were just for Loki to enjoy watching his usual tormentors run around. This was too much fun!

Thor was a different challenge. Sif was teaching him how to act like a lady, much to the pair's confusion. Thor was terrible at it, much to Loki's amusement. Thor begged and pleaded with Loki while he was being measured to be allowed to know what the plan was. Loki only responded with a smile. The look of confusion on his brother's face was priceless, along with making Thor jump through endless hoops to achieve their goal. Loki doubted that he was going to get this chance again.

By the third day, everyone was dying to know what the plan was. But Loki wasn't telling.

Loki was studying a map in his library, trying to ignore Sigyn who was watching him like a hunter stalking its prey across the room from him. She hadn't been given a task yet, so she had been trying to keep herself occupied by trying to figure out his plan. She had been the only one not to harass him about it, though he knew that she was going to figure it out eventually. He could always count on her to figure out his plans.

Her face switched to annoyed, as she leaned back to study him.

"Loki," Sigyn broke the silence, her head falling sideways into her hand. "Mysterious packages, studying maps and dresses, the fact that Thor is being made to do things he normally would never dream of… you're planning something big and I almost have it figured out." Loki fully looked up from the map and into her knowing eyes.

"Tell me," he raised an eyebrow. Sigyn got up to cross the room. She curled up cat-like on the other end of the couch where he was sitting. A suggestive smile unfurled on her face.

"Not yet," she said in a low voice. Loki chuckled, before sliding over to her end. His side only weakly murmured in pain, all thanks to a rigorous amount of healing in the past couple of days. He brushed her hand with a kiss as her eyes shone.

She suddenly lunged for the map on the other side of him, but he caught her wrist. With a yelp of surprise, she managed to turn enough so she ended up in his lap. She had wrapped her arms around his neck to catch herself, and he planted a kiss on her forehead before she could fully recover.

"I need you to teach me how to walk, talk, and act like one of mother's handmaidens," he grinned at her. She didn't release her grip on his neck, but gave him a questioning look.

"This will be interesting," she raised an eyebrow.

Moments later, Loki found himself with Sigyn in the large feast hall. Thor and Sif were on the other end of the room, with Thor failing miserably at gracefully walking down the stairs.

"No!" Sif shouted, looking at the end of the patience. "Ugh, this isn't going to work."

"It better," Loki growled.

"You better be here with an explanation behind this madness!" Thor howled, stomping his foot in irritation.

"All in good time, dear brother," Loki replied gently. Thor's eyes flashed dangerously.

"How come you're not learning any of this?" Thor growled.

"I'm about to right now," Loki replied simply, suddenly glad that he was on the other end of the room. Thor looked ready to pound him into the floor.

"Why are we doing this?" Thor bellowed.

"It's all part of the plan," Loki cautiously replied.

"I've grown weary of your silence," Thor threatened. Loki frowned at him.

"And I asked you to trust me," Loki reminded him. They watched each other silently, before Thor stormed back up the steps to try again.

"When are you going to tell us the plan?" Sigyn asked quietly, watching Loki pull himself back together. He was used to Thor's temper by now, but it still made him wary and a little bit frightened every time.

"Tomorrow," Loki replied, changing his frown to a grin. "Now, show me how to walk like a lady." Sigyn folded her arms over her chest, a smug look on her face.

"You're supposed to be helping me," Loki narrowed his eyes at her. Sigyn started to laugh.

"I want to see if you can figure it out first," she replied. "Go on, you're a clever boy." Loki glared at her while she continued to laugh. He responded by lifting his chin so he was looking down at her, before gliding around her.

"Showoff," Sigyn playfully growled. "Go try the stairs." Loki inclined his head to her, before heading to the stairs that Thor was currently descending. The brothers sized the other up as they passed. Thor paused at the base of the stairs, a smug smile crossing his face.

"It's not as easy as…" Thor started to say. Loki shut his brother up by descending the stairs. They both stared at each other, Thor trying very hard to maintain his temper.

"As what?" Loki mocked quietly. He enjoyed watching his brother squirm, and he gave a soft laugh before approaching Sif. "I don't think he's trying hard enough, do you?" Sif responded by slapping him across the face. Fiery pain spread across his face as the hand connected with it. His head snapped to the side, and he glared at the furious Sif as he massaged his jaw.

A slight growl forming in the back of his throat, Loki spun away from them and brushed past Sigyn. He felt her fall in step alongside him, but his pride was stinging too much for him to enjoy her company.

"I have your plan figured out," Sigyn announced, breaking the silence.

"Oh really?"

"Yes," she smiled.

"You going to tell me what it is?"

Sigyn gave him a wink.

"Maybe later," she flirted. "If you get your work done." She slipped her hand into his and she pulled him into the shadows of an alcove. Surprised by her move, he waited to see what she was going to do. He felt her draw magic to her fingertips, and she gently brushed them across his stinging cheek. He hissed at the cool touch, then relaxed as the burning sensation faded away. Sigyn's eyes practically glowed in the dim light, and she got on her toes to gently kiss him.

She dropped back down to her flat feet, her smile even more dazzling.

"Come, my prince," she whispered. "You have work to do."

The following afternoon found Loki and Thor in Loki's bedroom. Thor had apologized for his behavior earlier in the day, though Sif was quite prepared to slap Loki again. A pair of dresses was spread across the top of the bed. Loki admired the seamstresses' work, while Thor's face fell.

"This, is your plan?" Thor questioned. Loki grinned.

"My finest one!" Loki said proudly.

"I'm not wearing it."

"Yes you are. I'm wearing one too."

"No I'm not!"

"Do you want that damn hammer back or don't you?" Loki snarled. Thor shut his mouth, not looking particularly happy.

"I'll look like a fool," he muttered.

"These are to the girl's specifications. And I designed them," Loki said proudly. Thor gave Loki a strange look.

"I think some of those female tendencies are left over from when you…"

"Shut up Thor," Loki hissed. Thor smiled slightly, looking pleased with himself. Then looked back at the object of his frustration.

"I hope you know how it works," Thor muttered.

"That's what I'm here for."

Both princes turned to see Sigyn slip into the room. After she had told Loki her ideas on what his plan was the night before, which was almost spot on, he had recruited her on helping the boys show off their new garb before they put the plan into action.

Thor started to turn red, realizing that he was going to have to get dressed in front of her. Sigyn smiled gently at him.

"I wont look, I promise," Sigyn teased, moving over to Thor's gown. "Now, strip." Loki choked on laughter as Thor, turning more and more red in the face, waited until Sigyn had turned around before hastily stripping down to his undergarments.

"He's ready," Loki drawled, leaning against the wall and very much enjoying his brother's discomfort.

"Slip the dress on," Sigyn instructed. "let me know when you are done so I can do you up in the back." Thor looked mortified that he actually had to put it on now. Red as his cape, Thor picked up the gown, clearly confused by what to do next.

"It goes on over your head," Loki offered help. "No you moron, the buttons go in the back." Thor gave Loki a questioning look as he roughly fought with the dress.

"How do you know so much about women's wear?" Thor grumbled. Loki didn't respond to that. Thor raised an eyebrow before looking between Loki and Sigyn. Sigyn was also silent. Thor looked as if he was going to say more, but decided against it. Thor continued to wrestle with the gown instead. Loki was afraid that Thor was going to tear the gown, but it eventually slipped on quite easily and nestled about him.

"Um," Thor muttered. Sigyn turned around, smiling as she took her first look at Thor.

"Loki," she said, looking Thor over. "If you weren't a prince, I think that you should have become a gown designer. Thor, make one more joke at Loki's expense and I'll turn you into a woman. See how you feel." Thor had opened his mouth to make fun of Loki, but quickly shut it at the threat. Loki looked at Sigyn adoringly, who smiled back at him warmly.

She moved around to the back to start buttoning and lacing Thor up. A look of surprised came over his face as Sigyn finished, before he started to cautiously move about.

Loki admired his handiwork. Thor's gown covered him from neck to ankle, with the right placement of darting to give the illusion of a feminine figure. The gown was a starry blue, with hints of silver strategically placed to draw the eye.

It was also designed to fight in. Both gowns were based off of Sigyn and Sif's own gowns, with strategic weapon placement and giving the wearer the freedom to move without fear of tripping over a hem or feeling constricted.

"Go on! Show off!" Sigyn pushed Thor towards the door. Still looking mystified, Thor left the room. Chuckling, Sigyn turned to look at Loki.

"Now, it's time for your transformation," Sigyn smiled, picking up a small box that he hadn't seen he bring in. "Sit." Loki obeyed, eyeing her suspiciously.

"What are you up to?" he asked as she slowly opened the box.

"Thor's face will be covered with a veil," she explained. "But I didn't see one for you."

"One of us has to be able to see everything," Loki snorted. "That, and Thor doesn't exactly look like mother."

"But they have seen you before," Sigyn pointed out. "Seriously, you are the smartest Asgardian in the whole nine realms, but sometimes you can be really thick."

"Just transform my face," Loki shrugged, silently kicking himself for not thinking of that.

"No," Sigyn shook her head. "Maldor might be there and will instantly see right through any magic being used. This, is something that has been used since the dawn of time to conceal identities and trick the mind." She started pulling out several jars of what looked like paint, and then realized that she was going to put cosmetics on his face.

"Close your eyes, and relax," she whispered. He shut his eyes, allowing her to work. She tenderly applied the cosmetics to his face, until he felt her pull away.

"All done," she smiled as he opened his eyes. "Don't touch your face and go put your gown on. I'll help you with the back." Loki got to his feet as Sigyn turned her back to him. He quickly changed, slightly surprised by how durable yet light the material was.

"I'm ready," he said quietly. Sigyn turned around, a grin quickly forming on her face.

"I think you'll have the desired effect," she giggled slightly. She swiftly laced him up before looking at him fully. "Oh yes, this will work." Loki was dying to see what he looked like. But that had to wait. First, it was showtime!

Sigyn headed out the door first, leaving for the living area where Loki could hear the others still exclaiming and laughing over Thor. He moved into the hallway, noticing the slippers waiting for him. The voices stopped as Sigyn spoke, then remained silent.

"We're ready!" she called out to him. Dropping his chin to look more like the obedient handmaiden, he walked into the room.

Thor's warriors, Odin, and Sigyn were all gathered, with the regal looking Thor standing in the center of the room. Sigyn was the only one not gaping at Loki as he made his entrance. He paused just inside the room, not sure if the looks were of horror or bewilderment.

"Wow," Sif's eyes grew wide.

"We still have a few adjustments," Sigyn nodded her head, looking him over with a critical eye. "But, yes, wow." Loki managed to find a large reflective surface, and a gasp caught in his throat.

He could hardly recognize himself as the woman gazed back at him. The gown was more form-fitting than he remembered designing. However, he could move freely in it and the simple design with mountain colors made it better for him to blend in.

"I don't like this," Odin muttered, looking uncomfortable with his sons in dresses. Loki sighed in frustration. He had a feeling that father wasn't going to be too happy with this plan.

"Father," Loki slowly approached him. "You have to trust me. As long as Thor keeps his mouth shut, everything will turn out fine."

"What if Maldor is there?" Odin countered. "He might recognize you."

"That will be a risk that I'll have to take," Loki replied, knowing it was true. "If we get into trouble, Sigyn and I have been coming up with several new spells to get us out of there." Odin had risen to his feet and gently put an arm around Loki's shoulders. A bit startled by this sudden showing of emotion, Loki allowed him to lead Loki to a place off to the side.

"What about, this?" Odin gestured to Loki's costume.

"What about it?"

Odin looked uncomfortable.

"Handmaidens usually, well, aren't treated the same as others," Odin said cryptically. Loki suddenly realized what he was saying, and his face flushed.

"That wont happen," Loki growled.

"I am concerned, that is all," Odin quickly defended. "The last time you were similarly in disguise…"

"It. Wont. Happen." Loki said through clenched teeth. "I will be with Thor the entire time, and I am stronger and wiser than I was before." Odin gave him a concerned look, before nodding his head.

"Please be careful, that is all I ask."

Loki was surprised by Odin's sudden show of concern. Maybe he did care about the spare to the heir.

"I will," Loki tried to not show his surprise. Odin smiled before gently patting him on the shoulder and giving Loki another look over.

"You did, a fine job," Odin changed the subject awkwardly. Loki allowed a smile.

"I designed both of them," Loki played with the sleeves. Odin gave him an uncomfortable smile.

"Oh, that's, nice," Odin managed to get out. By the fates, what was his father's deal? This whole situation must have him more shook up than Loki thought. Odin left to go rejoin the rest of the room as Loki looked himself over in the mirror.

He suddenly felt anxious, though he didn't know why. He was confident that his plan was going to work. Except that Odin's concerns still rang in his ears. He wasn't alone on this mission this time, though it could quickly turn in a different direction. A direction that Loki most likely didn't want it to go in.

Sigyn approached him from the side, her eyes concerned by his sober mood. One of her hands slipped into his as she gazed up into his face.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly. Loki nodded, quickly putting up a front.

"Thank you for all your help," he whispered, drawing her in close. She laughed softly as she pulled away from him.

"Careful," she warned. "That dress has a lot to go through tomorrow." Loki planted a kiss on her forehead, confidence coming back to him.

"Come on, brother," Loki called out to Thor. "We need to finish preparing for tomorrow." Hand-in-hand with Sigyn, Loki led them to the waiting seamstresses in the final preparations for the following day.