Warnings: None.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Note: Thank you for all the reviews and follows!

Many thanks to princesspomegranate who did the BETA work on this for me. Her stories are awesome and should be read as well.


Thor's eyes burned, cheeks wet and body exhausted.

He had been unable to find her.

All the realms had been searched and there was not one woman that he felt fit Loki. The Warriors Three and Sif had eventually joined him in the quest. They were still, understandably, angry with Loki but since Thor had made it his mission, they had accepted it as well. But even the additional forces had not helped and their time was up.

Thor begged and pleaded with Odin for just a little more time but, with tears in his eye and Frigga sobbing by his side, he had rejected Thor's request.

"He is only going to harm himself or worse. Loki needs to be given peace."

Those words from his father rang in his head as he walked down the same cold, dark hall that he had been down so many months ago. This time though, a sword was at his waist and one in his hand, both heavier than he could ever remember a weapon being.

He was the one, the only one he had decided, that would take his brother's life. No one else was worthy to give Loki the death he deserved. That was why he had two swords. He was going to give Loki a chance to have a noble death. A chance to be able to see him again one day in Valhalla was worth any harm he could come to at the hand of his brother. Besides, with his magic bound, entering the room and killing him without giving him a chance to defend himself was not honorable.

Another tear escaped and ran down his cheek into his beard.

His friends had offered, no insisted, on joining him in this after they had learned that he was going to allow Loki to fight. He had eventually agreed after much arguing and hounding.

He lied.

He was going in the middle of the night, before they were supposed to go with him tomorrow. This was something that he had to do alone.

Thunder shook the walls of the palace, echoing down the long corridor. Silently he cursed his emotional tie to the weather. Too quickly, he arrived at the frozen wooden door that looked as it did months ago.

The last time he had seen him.

When he found out about Jane.

Tears blurred his vision of the door.

He hadn't told his parents what Loki had done to Jane for fear that Odin would have stopped his quest before it even began. Thunder rolled down the hall again. His fingers tightened on the hilt of the sword. Thor turned the knob of the door and swiftly stepped inside, immediately shutting it behind him. The roaring downpour of rain outside the windows masked any sound in the room. His hair stood on its ends. An eerie, crawling sensation came over his skin.

He was being watched.

Lightning streaked across the sky, lighting up the room.

Loki stood across the room, near the left wall, hands behind his back, red eyes carefully watching him.

Thor swallowed hard. He looked so much the part of a Frost Giant in the black loincloth that now sat low on his hips.

"Loki-"

"Leave," he ordered, red eyes narrowing, "Now."

"I cannot brother," Thor replied, feeling his voice thicken, "Were you able to read my note? Do you understand what I have to do? Why I have to do it?"

"Yes," Loki answered, "I do not hear the drumming any longer. Now leave."

"Brother I am so very sorry. I was unable to find your mate," choked Thor, "I said that I would always watch out for you but I have been unable to do so. I… I wish to fight you so that you may die nobly in battle and then we shall see each other again in the halls of Valhalla."

"I warn you. Leave me now," growled Loki, voice deepening.

"I am so sorry brother, I cannot," said Thor, stepping towards Loki holding out the sword, "Please, take this."

Loki's body stiffened, his stance spreading. Thor caught the slight flicker of Loki's eyes darting towards the wall.

"Do not come any closer," he snarled, "Leave now. I will not cause any harm."

Thor hesitated. Hope bubbled up in his chest. Could Loki have fought through it? He was, next to Odin, the most intelligent person he knew. If anyone could get past the ailment then it would be his brother.

"Loki–"

He took another step forward.

Magic flared.

The dagger flew past his face and lodged in the wall behind him with a ringing twang.

"Do not make me repeat myself."

Thor stared at Loki, his eyes widening and mouth half-open in shock. His magic was supposed to be gone, sealed away by the All-Father, but he could feel its presence once again.

Thor's heart clenched painfully. Loki had not worked past the illness. He had broken the bindings on his magic and became worse. Flipping the sword around with a flick of his wrist, Thor hardened his heart to what had to be done. Loki's eyes widened slightly but rapidly narrowed, not giving any ground.

"Thor, I can only tell you I am no longer a threat and that you must leave now," Loki said calmly, sounding almost like his old self.

"No Loki, you are not well," replied Thor, sinking his feet into a wide stance, "Again, I am very sorry. Please forgive me."

He lunged at his brother, the blade passing through a double. Another body slammed into his left side, pushing him off balance and back towards the door. Thor thrust his elbow down on Loki's head only to pass straight through it once again.

"Fight me," growled Thor, his eyes darting around looking for movement.

"Leave."

The blade darted out and hit something solid. A grunt of pain escaped from the empty place. Loki momentarily phased into view, blood running down his left arm. He was gone again in the next blink, before Thor could even move his sword. His legs buckled as something hit the back of his knees. A shoulder jammed itself into his stomach, once again trying to push him back to the door. Thor's fingers caught the long but unseen hair and threw him across the room.

A low, pained groan caught his attention to the left side of the room. Red eyes, low to the floor, were tucked back in a dark side room.

"I will not be fooled again," growled Thor whipping the sword out and throwing it like a dagger.

A cry. A womanly cry.

"No!" screamed Loki suddenly appearing on the opposite side of the room.

Loki scrambled across the room, nearly tripping over the bed, stumbling into the small connecting room. Confusion muddled Thor's mind. If he hadn't hit Loki then what had he hit? He shook his head to clear his thoughts and raced after him, hand tight on the second sword. Loki was known for trickery and deception. He was not going to be taken by surprise ever again.


Loki's heart threatened to come out of his chest as he stepped into the room. The thick coppery smell of blood was already rich in the air. His hand twisted, throwing a white glowing orb up into the room.

"No."

Dark blood was pooling under her unmoving body. Her eyes closed.

"No, please, no," he whimpered, falling to her side.

His hands reached out, jerking back slightly before touching her. The sword was buried to the hilt in the center of her chest.

"What – "

Thor was standing in the doorway. His mouth open and eyes wide.

"I told you to leave," Loki said quietly, his tone swiftly turning sharp, "I told you to leave and you killed her."

His glaring, tear-filled eyes shot to Thor's, still so surprised and confused. Loki's hand reached out. Ice crackled as it worked its way down his arm, hardening and sharpening into a sword.

"You killed my mate and now you will have your battle," snarled Loki, springing from his place at Jane's side.

The room plunged into darkness.

Thor fumbled for his sword.

The burning icy blade bit into his flesh.

"Come, brother," growled Loki in his ear, "Let us go to war."


Please review.