The whole evening had gone all wrong. Not only had he not saved Lilith, but he'd also lost his brother. Thor couldn't be more upset about this situation- or with his father. So as soon as the hall was silent again, he turned to Odin with his arms crossed. He was going to get an explanation. That at least he was owed.

"Why did you do it," he demanded angrily. "It didn't have to end this way. So I want to know why you chose this outcome over any other that might have spared us- not to mention Lilith- so much agony."

"I do not have to explain my reasons."

His mother stepped forward, laying a hand on Thor's shoulder when he would have lunged at his father. She was calm, yet determined as she approached the Allfather.

"Yes, Odin, you do. Lilith may not be kin by blood and her talent may have made her dangerous to Asgard, but she was no criminal. She did not deserve to be tortured this way. And since she'll never get an explanation for it, you at least owe one to us."

To his eye, his father looked…uncomfortable. Something about the way he held his shoulders stiffly and the strained look at the corner his eye. To most, Odin would appear stoic and uncaring. Thor knew better, as did his mother.

"Father, please. Just give us some reason to make sense of all this."

The Allfather sighed heavily, rubbing a hand across his forehead.

"It was never supposed to go this far," he said at last. "Had I known that this would have been necessary, I would have chosen differently all those years ago."

"Chosen how?"

"I would have ordered her death then and ended it before it began."

Thor didn't feel much better about that solution, even if it would have been a quicker end for Lilith. He still didn't understand why she had to die. Loki was the problem- and was far less deserving of a second chance than she was. Despite his recent apparent change of heart, he should have never been released from his prison cell.

"So you still would have picked Loki over her- despite everything he's done. You would have killed her to spare him. If you recall, he's no more kin by blood than Lilith is. So why is his life worth so much more than hers to you?"

"Loki was my primary concern, yes. But even on her own, the girl has the potential to be dangerous. Suppose I had let her continue on with a talent like that. How long before she discovered a realm hostile to ours- even by accident? Could she control it to keep them out of Asgard? It is a risk we cannot afford, my son."

"Then you're right. You should have killed her back then. What could have been the purpose in taking everything she was away from her just to keep her alive?"

"I had expected the mage's spells to work. Lilith could still live a productive life in Asgard."

"She never lived at all. Not once that mage got done with her."

"So you think she'd rather be dead than to lose something she wouldn't remember losing?"

"Well, I'd ask Lilith her opinion, but Danethar has likely beaten her to death by now," Thor answered sarcastically.

"There's no need for that tone."

"You bet there is. If you wanted Lilith dead, I could think of easier ways for her to die. I would have done it myself months ago to spare her what he's done. I would have hated myself for it, but at least I'd have a clearer conscience."

"An unfortunate necessity. While a formal execution may have been more expedient, it would have raised too many questions."

"For you, you mean. Asgardians would have wanted to know why," said Thor as he truly began to understand what had been the purpose of the audience. "Loki was right- you used the hearing to order Lilith's death without actually saying the words. They'll all blame Danethar and when you execute him, you'll be seen as the grieving patriarch rendering justice in the name of Asgard."

"Consider it the price for keeping peace and order in the Realm."

"It's wrong."

"It's already done."

The words echoed in the hall with a sense of finality- a trap sprung shut around him. Around all of them. And Thor had never seen it. Desperately, he tried appealing to Frigga for help. If anyone could sway Odin, she could.

"Mother…"

"Thor, I'm afraid your father is right. It's done and there's nothing either of us can do about it."

He thought he caught a slight emphasis on 'us', and Frigga looked as though she was trying to convey something to him. Thor despaired of deciphering it. He was best suited to plain speaking and straightforward orders; secret messages were more his brother's expertise. A thought that caught his attention with a jolt.

Loki.

Of course. Thor and Frigga could never hope to stop Danethar, but if his brother were to be freed from the dungeons…he could easily teleport to the house. The question was- would he cooperate? Frigga obviously thought he would, so Thor could at least try. So how was he supposed to get down there without the Allfather realizing what he planned to do? Releasing Loki from the dungeon was tantamount to treason; Odin would imprison him for it no question. And who knew for how long.

I sure hope you have a plan, Mother.

"Why don't you take some time to yourself," she suggested, as if reading his thoughts. "Maybe a view from my balcony will remind you how much more is at stake than a single life."

Thor wondered why she might want him to go to her suite. He doubted Frigga really intended for him to use her balcony, but she wanted him there. What else could be of help to him in that part of the palace? Her apartment was at the far end of the hallway; Thor never understood why she wanted to be so close to the staircase at that end of the corridor. It was far less used than the one at his end, since it led to…the dungeons. That staircase was an alternate route to the bowels of the palace, and one that was less likely to be guarded. He might reach Loki's cell before anyone noticed him. Thor tried not to look too eager to take up Frigga's suggestion.

"I don't see how it'll help, but if you think so…" he replied with a shrug. "Unless my father decides we're to stay here, I guess."

"Odin- surely at this point any chance of interfering with Danethar's task is long gone."

His father hesitated, debating the merit of Frigga's request. "I believe the danger has passed," Odin relented. "But I expect you to remain here in the palace. I will know if you try to leave."

"Yes, I understand."

"Then you are dismissed."

He bowed slightly to the Allfather and left the audience hall. Keeping his steps measured and unhurried was difficult, but Thor managed it until he was far enough away to break into a run. Every second counted, and he refused to accept just yet that it was too late to rescue Lilith. He knew Danethar- more than he ever wanted to- and knew that whatever the warrior planned for her, it wouldn't be quick. They still had time. He had to believe that.

The staircase was deserted, spiraling endlessly deeper to the bottom of the world. Or at least it felt that way as Thor's boots rang on the carved stone. Stair after stair. And the deeper he descended, the dimmer the curved stone walls became. Fewer torches lit his way, and footing became treacherous. Every so often, he arrived at landings where a corridor would stretch out into the darkness, lined with cells. Loki wouldn't be in any of those, so Thor kept on. Down and down until the last stair. Only one cell on this level. He strode across the uneven stone to approach the bars keeping his brother caged.

It was the perfect prison. No sign of door or exit of any kind once the prisoner stepped inside. And inside the bars, a magical barrier that fed off any attempt to escape. So the harder someone struggled to defeat it, the stronger it became. And by contrast, the weaker the condemned prisoner would become. As he said- perfect. Minus one flaw. Anyone could open it from the outside. Odin had never anticipated that anyone would intentionally free Loki- or disobey his decree. Thor usually wouldn't, but his instincts told him this was the right thing to do.

"Loki," he called out into the darkness when he didn't see him right away. "Brother, where are you?"

He was hearing things. A new voice this time to taunt him- this one sounding like Thor. Loki didn't raise his head from the stone floor, and curled tighter to himself. When the mages had left him, he'd raged into the darkness. Against Danethar. Against the Allfather. Even himself. It hadn't mattered that no one was around to hear him; Loki just needed to get the words out. But once the rage was spent and he began to think about how much time had gone by…despair was all he had left.

No way out. He'd spent years trying without success last time. If Lilith had any chance yet- and he knew that was slim- Loki didn't have nearly enough to work out an answer to escaping this prison. She was going to die, and nothing could stop it. Might as well accept his punishment, a lifetime of guilt and pain of knowing it was his fault. So he'd sunk to the floor and wondered how long he could endure it before losing what was left of his mind.

"Brother- you'd better answer me quickly. We don't have time for your games."

"Then go away," he replied hoarsely. "I've had more than my share of talking to imaginary voices lately to last me."

"I am not imaginary," Thor's voice called back in irritation. "So don't make me come in there and fetch you out."

Doubt crept in. Was that really his brother? It sounded like him. But his mind was devious enough to mimic him as perfectly as any other voice. Why couldn't it leave him alone? Wasn't admitting the truth torture enough? Loki felt some of his anger return, and got to his feet. He knew it was pointless to argue with a phantom of his imagination, but charged at the cell bars, anyway.

"You've won- I should have listened from the beginning and because I didn't, Lilith's dead. So you were right. The game wasn't worth it. Now leave me alone!"

The apparition of his brother fell backwards a step, confusion plain.

"What are you talking about, Brother? You're not making sense."

Loki paced on his side of the prison in agitation, tunneling both hands through his hair. If he tried hard enough, he could make it all go away. But he couldn't focus. Couldn't seem to find where it was hiding in his mind.

"She's dead and it's all my fault. I didn't even know…I never thought to pay attention when it mattered. When she might have still had a chance. All my stupid games- what'd they get me in the end? Nothing. And they got her killed. Worse than that, even. What those mages did…what they took from her. A lifetime of believing she was never good enough for anything. Because of me. How many times will I have to confess it before you leave me alone?"

For several minutes, Loki heard nothing. Just the sounds of his harsh breathing in his dark prison.

Please, just leave me alone, he begged inwardly.

"You truly do care, don't you?"

"I already told you I did."

"Loki, who are you talking to?"

"Myself- who else? I'm the only one here."

"Listen, you really need to get a grip on yourself. Mother is upstairs distracting Odin, but he's going to figure out what I'm up to shortly. So if we're going to get you out, you're going to have to believe me when I tell you I'm really me."

Something in the tone finally penetrated into Loki's mental fog. He stopped pacing and turned to the room on the other side of the steel bars. In the dim light, he studied the figure opposite him. Certainly looked real. But Thor would never help him on purpose.

"Why would you want me out of here?"

"Because despite what you say, I haven't given up on saving Lilith. And if it's true and you really do give a damn about her, then you're the only one to get to her now."

"I get it- you're here to tempt me with false hope. Look, I've got enough going on up here-" he raised a hand to his head "-to keep me suitably tortured for the rest of my life. I don't need any help."

"You are so damned stubborn sometimes. Fine- you won't believe me? I'll prove that I'm telling you the truth."

Thor yanked open the door, grabbed Loki by the shirt collar and dragged him out of the cell. When he let go, Loki couldn't keep from stumbling until he was able to get his feet under him. His eyes swiveled immediately behind him to the prison he'd expected to spend the rest of eternity. Now an empty room.

"You're real." It was the only thing he could say.

"No shit. So can we focus on Lilith now?"

"Most definitely." He eyed Thor, considering what to do next.

"What?" his brother asked warily.

"I'm going to need you for this, I think. So get ready- we're going for a ride."

"You don't approve, my Queen. Go ahead and say it. I know you're thinking it."

Frigga could barely contain herself. She'd held silent through most of the evening because she couldn't be sure what she might say. Even now, after Loki and Thor had gone and it was just the two of them. But she had to say something. She couldn't call herself his wife- much less his Queen- if she held back what she thought about what she'd heard today.

"You're right," she agreed in clipped tones. "I don't approve. Not of what was done to Lilith when she was a child. Not of what we did to her these past few months. And definitely not of what you ordered to happen to her tonight."

"I had no choice, my Queen."

"There is always a choice. Certainly more honorable ones than what you've done. How can you sit there and pretend that you've done the right thing?"

"Asgard is mine to protect- and I protected it as best as I could."

"No, husband, you didn't. The way I see it, you protected yourself. You let fear stand in the way of wisdom, and it's cost Lilith everything- including her life. And that's what I can't understand," she continued. "What were you so afraid of that you would submit to it?"

"It may be hard to accept, but I acted out of love, Frigga. Not fear."

"Love? How could you call any of this love?"

"Please, if you will listen, I will tell you what I could not say earlier."

"Why couldn't you?"

Odin wearily took his seat on the throne, setting aside his scepter and regal armor. Without them, he seemed less commanding- less certain- but Frigga refused to be swayed by appearances. The Allfather had much to explain before her opinion would be softened.

"Because I had to be certain about Loki before I let him go."

"Let…him go? But you sent him to the dungeons."

"Which is where you sent Thor just now, is it not?"

Meaning he'd known all along that's what she planned to do. Frigga was embarrassed to have been caught trying to deceive him, but Odin didn't seem all that upset. From his tone of voice, maybe she'd done what he'd wanted.

"He may have taken a detour by way of the back stairs," she admitted.

"Stairs that will not be guarded. Nor will Loki's cell. So by now, they've likely escaped and are on their way to Danethar's house to rescue Lilith."

"Will you call the guards to stop them?"

"No."

Well, now Frigga was thoroughly confused. Why would Odin pretend to put obstacles in the way, if only to make it so easy to evade them? It made no sense.

"But…"

"I told you- I had to be sure he was serious. That he was ready to change the way you and I have always hoped he would."

"But what does that have to do with Lilith?"

"She was the key, and always has been. Not us. Not Thor. Lilith. I saw it long ago when her father first came to the palace. Loki does not remember it, but he has met her before. Even as a child, Lilith had a hold over him that was much stronger than anyone else. Where we would fail, she would not."

"And you felt it necessary to kill her family to bring her here?"

"Lilith's parents died on a buying trip in Midgard; I lied earlier to test Loki's reaction."

"But- he believed it. Wouldn't he have known you were lying?"

"Yes, Frigga, he should have been able to tell. So why didn't he?"

She couldn't say for sure, but that was the least of her questions right now.

"What of the rest of it- the story about the mage? Was that a lie, too?"

"No. The mage was truth."

"But why? Why was it necessary to use the spells to lock her away from her talent and destroy her self-esteem in that way? If Lilith could influence him, why not just bring her to the palace let her do it? Loki could have been reformed years ago, sparing countless lives."

"I wish it were that simple, Frigga, I really do. But the gateways- they got in the way. He would have seen them and thought of nothing else. In those early days, Lilith would have had no defense against what Loki might have done to use them. Not only would we have lost him, but Asgard and Midgard would have fallen."

"So you hired the mage."

"Yes. It was not lightly done. I knew exactly what I was doing to the girl, and what permanent harm may come of it. But I had no other option."

"So why didn't she change him? Loki didn't even notice Lilith for most of her life when she stayed in the palace."

"He was not yet ready, as much as I'd hoped he would be. Loki has always been a stubborn one since the day I brought him home. Things always have to happen on his terms."

Frigga could hardly credit Odin's account, but he was gravely serious. Part of her relented, and she went to his side to offer some comfort. She closed a hand atop his, and he placed his left over hers. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Frigga was able to ask about the part of all this that bothered her the most.

"What about Danethar? How do you explain that?"

"The moment was right," Odin answered quietly. "If Loki was ever going to be capable of change, this was the time. So I allowed him to be freed from the dungeons. Unfortunately, as you pointed out- he saw no reason to take an interest in Lilith as I'd hoped. So I had to give him one."

"So you intentionally married her to that monster? Have you any idea what he's done to her?"

"Yes, I do. Lady Berda has been my spy in Danethar's home since the day the couple arrived. She has kept me informed of the goings on. And yes, there have been times when I very nearly gave up. But I didn't, because sooner or later, I knew Loki would find his way there."

"Then you already know…"

"That he disguised himself as the servant woman 'Ilsa' these past few weeks? Yes, my dear wife, I knew. What I didn't know until today was whether Loki wanted the gates, or Lilith."

"That's why you asked to talk with Heimdall."

Here Odin smiled briefly.

"The Watchman thought he was keeping a secret from me, and I've let him think he got away with it. When I summoned him here this afternoon, he told me about Danethar, and the gates. But Heimdall mentioned nothing of Loki, despite knowing 'Ilsa's' true identity and that in that disguise, he's witnessed Lilith's ability. He wouldn't have kept silent if he suspected Loki would use the gates to threaten Asgard."

"Then why the audience? Why make her suffer any more than she already has?"

Odin's shoulders slumped in defeat.

"I had to make an awful decision, Frigga. Quite possibly the worst I've ever had to make, and one I hope was right. But I knew unless Lilith was truly threatened, Loki was never going to admit that she'd affected him. He would have always been just slightly less than he could be."

Frigga said nothing for several minutes, just thinking about everything Odin had told her. It had been a risky and terrible gamble on both Lilith and Loki's lives. At any point, one or both of them may not have come through it as the Allfather had foreseen. Any number of factors may have affected the outcome, leaving them with only the knowledge of the terrible things that had been done in hopes of Loki's transformation.

"What if she dies?"

A haunted expression filled his eye and his hands trembled.

"I pray that Loki and Thor arrive in time."

That really didn't answer her question.

"And if they don't?"

"Then I may have doomed us all."

Teleporting the both of them was not easy, but Loki knew he would need help. Even if it was Thor's. His brother could make himself useful, warrior that he was, by subduing Danethar while he did whatever he could for Lilith. And subdue better be the only thing his brother did. When this was over and he was sure Lilith was safe, Loki had very definite plans for Danethar. He would not tolerate Thor spoiling them, and he said as much when they appeared on the lawn just outside the house.

"When we find them- you take down Danethar while I see to Lilith. Just restrain him, Brother. I want him alive- for now."

Thor was still a little woozy from the trip, but he threw Loki a quizzical look.

"Why alive?"

"Because killing him quickly is better than he deserves. Now come on."

They burst into the kitchen. A great pool of dark blood spread across the floor, filling Loki with panic. But when he stepped around the table to get a better look, he saw Berda lying still on the stone tiles. Her eyes stared blankly at the ceiling overhead as one hand lie outstretched towards the stairs. A knife was still lodged in the center of her chest. She was obviously dead, and Loki felt a twinge of regret for her fate. Berda had been kind to 'Ilsa' in her own, gruff way.

There's nothing to be done for her- get to Lilith.

Unmindful of the blood, he strode across the room and up the stairs to the main level. Silence greeted him at the top, only adding to his sense of dread. Lamps were burning low, giving off only dim light in the darkness of the night. If Danethar were here and if Lilith were still alive, they should hear something of the struggle. Had they arrived too late? Loki refused to let that thought sink in, or he might give up right here. He forced himself to check the rooms for any sign of either Lilith or the warrior, beginning with the dining room. Nothing. The same for the conservatory. When the checked the garden, he heard Thor's shocked gasp.

"Gods of the Allfather- what has he done?"

"Nothing more than what he did last night," Loki replied after a quick glance around. "Come on, she's not out here."

"Last night?"

"Why do you think 'Ilsa' was so quick to find you this morning, Brother? I arrived to find he'd torn apart her garden- and…" he paused to keep his voice steady. "He'd hurt Lilith again. I had to end it."

Thor was about to reply when they pushed open the parlor door. Signs of a struggle screamed at him- from the broken furniture to the fireplace poker lying in the middle of the room…to the bloody handprints on the pale marble floor. Danethar must have found her in here when he arrived back from the audience.

Why didn't you run, he cried inwardly. You had to have heard what he did to Berda in the kitchen. Why didn't you run?

But for all that he did see, blatantly missing were signs of Lilith or Danethar. The battle began in here, but must have ended somewhere else. Loki had a sinking feeling he knew where to look now. After all this time, he was going to see the inside of Danethar's room. He pushed past Thor, whose eyes were riveted on the bloodstains.

"How can you be so calm when you see…"

"I am not calm. But I've seen worse, Thor. And the worst will be at the other end of this hallway."

As they hurried to the doors at the far end, Loki saw the trail of blood dying the runner in irregular splotches. The trail ended just where he expected- at Danethar's door. He took a deep breath and pushed it open.

"NO!" he screamed, knees buckling at the sight before them. "No," he repeated in a broken whimper. "Please, Lilith, no."

Lilith lie motionless on the bed, wrists lashed to the headboard with leather thongs. Blood trickled down her arms to the elbows as they cut into her skin. Loki's eyes moved unwillingly over the rest of her…over what Danethar had done. He saw the welts, cuts, broken bones. So many bruises. And finally, to the blood soaking into the mattress beneath her hips, confirming that Danethar had torn her apart on the inside, too. Looking at her, she could be nothing other than dead. No one could survive what she'd been through.

I should have stayed in my prison cell. Better to have had no hope at all than to have it ripped away like this. He grasped the doorframe to keep from falling to the floor. If he did, he might never get up again. Why should he- Lilith was gone. Tears blurred his vision, and Loki's shoulders trembled with the effort not to fall apart.

"Brother, she breathes," he heard Thor say. Loki raised his head, hardly daring to believe it.

"What?"

"Lilith- she still breathes. You could still do this, Loki, but you'd better damn well hurry."

Thor's sharp order spurred him to action. Loki rushed to the bed and undid the straps to relieve the stress on her shoulders and arms. For a few seconds, he cradled her in his arms sorrowfully. Lilith didn't make a sound or open her eyes. But his brother was right; she was breathing. Barely. He still had a chance.

"Lilith, hang on," he whispered in her ear. "Just this last time, I promise. I'll fix what he's done to you and I'll pay him back for it. For all of it. Please stay with me just a little while longer, okay?"

He doubted she heard him, and Loki hadn't expected her to. No time to wonder about that- he had a promise to keep. Ignoring the tight ball of fear that he would fail, he laid his hands on her skin and began to channel his power. Instantly, he knew that the damage was far worse than when he'd done this before. Not just Danethar's intention to kill her, but he'd also undone Maddie's healing from this morning. Those wounds had reopened, and Loki tried not to remember what he'd overheard her say to Lilith.

My power is ten times what hers is. I'll succeed where she would have failed, he told himself.

Even so, this healing would take everything he had to give. As he worked furiously to stop the bleeding and put Lilith back together, he felt his reserves dropping at a dangerous rate. Loki didn't care and kept channeling. Mend that bone; knit the muscles back together. He burned away at his power in his race against time. Once or twice, he felt a wave of dizziness overtake him, and Loki fought the need to rest.

"Brother, you do too much!" Thor warned him. "You must stop."

Loki shook his head and made no reply. If he stopped, he knew Lilith would slip away from him. If he could do just one thing right in his life, it'd be this. But the last of his power was draining away, and he worried that the little he had left wouldn't be enough. It has to be enough. His vision around the edges grew fuzzy and dark. In minutes, he would likely pass out. Still, he kept going. Kept passing more through the connection. Loki sent everything he could, hoping that it would heal just one more thing.

Just…one…more… He collapsed beside Lilith before finishing the thought.

"LOKI!" Thor cried out in alarm when his brother toppled over.

When he didn't answer, Thor immediately went to his side and tried to waken him. Loki didn't respond. What should he do? He could run to the palace for a healer, but then he'd be caught by Odin's guards. Even if he could explain himself, by the time they got back here, it might be too late to help Loki- not to mention Lilith.

He glanced at her, doing his best to banish the ugly image of what he'd seen in this room in that first moment. And in the moments following. While Loki had been healing her, Thor had been afforded the unpleasant opportunity to explore the room itself. He'd blanched at the instruments and tools tossed haphazardly on a low table- some still spattered with blood. New and old. Everything about this room was foul. A warning of all that was diseased and wrong with Danethar. Thor agreed at once with his brother; a quick death would be too kind for the likes of a monster like him.

Those thoughts still lie at the back of his mind. Right now, he studied Lilith to assess her condition. From the look of it, she was breathing a little easier- though not as steadily as he would have hoped- but the worst of the injuries had disappeared. Would she live? Thor wasn't certain, nor had he come up with a plan yet.

"Mercy of the gods," he heard his mother exclaim from the door.

Thor snapped his head around in time to see her- and Odin- enter the room. He stood up and took a defensive position in front of Lilith and his brother.

"Stay back," he warned them. "Stay back or I swear I will do my best to call the lightning down on you, Allfather."

Both of them stopped immediately. He knew that threatening Odin was next to useless, given that Thor's powers couldn't match his, much less best them. He meant it, though. Futile or not, he would do his damnedest anyway.

"Thor, please listen," his mother began.

"If you're here to defend him, Mother, I won't hear it."

"We're here to help," she insisted.

"We don't need your help."

Behind him, Lilith and Loki were both breathing unsteadily, belying his words. He might not want any help from them, but he couldn't deny that he was in need of help from someone. A low moan from Loki diverted his attention for a second. He did not look at all well. Frigga and Odin were immediately alarmed.

"Where's your brother," she asked frantically. "What's happened?"

"My son," Odin added in an equally worried tone. "I know you helped Loki to escape. I always intended you would. Please tell me- were you in time?"

He was confused. So very confused. But since he saw the palace healers and Maddie hovering in the doorway behind them, he decided to ask for explanations later. Just now, he'd risk that they'd come here to help as his mother had claimed.

"I don't know," he admitted as he stepped aside to allow them to see Loki and Lilith.

"Loki- my son!" Frigga exclaimed. "What have you done?"

"He gave everything to save her, Mother. I tried to tell him to stop, but he wouldn't. And I don't even know if he actually managed to do it."

With a quick motion from Odin, the healers rushed into the room and surrounded the bed. Maddie and Julia saw to Lilith while Berath looked over his brother. Everyone waited in tense silence as they did whatever healers do in a situation like this. Maddie looked up first, a dour expression on her face. Thor prepared himself for the worst news.

"She'll survive this, your Majesties. It was close- still is in some ways- but the Prince was able to fix the worst before her injuries killed her."

"And what of my son," Odin asked- this time to Berath.

"Overextended himself," the healer muttered in disapproval. "Very dangerous. If he hadn't passed out when he did to break the channeling link, he could have died. I'd say he's very lucky. Very stupid, but very lucky."

"If we get them back to the palace infirmary, they should both recover. Carefully, mind you. Both of them are clinging to this world by a thread. The slightest misstep and we'll lose them."

"Rest assured, Maddie- they will be cared for."

Through the doorway hustled several warriors, carrying stretchers. Thor caught sight of Timar and even Sif among them. That eased his worry somewhat about his father's intentions, though not entirely. Maddie and Julia gently wrapped Lilith in light robes and helped get her onto one of them. Thor helped Berath with Loki, though he was still quite confused.

"Mother, I don't understand."

"Tomorrow, my son," Odin promised him. "You will have your answers tomorrow."

"But…you meant what you said, right?" He needed to know that at least. "Lilith and Loki- about the infirmary. It's not a trick?"

"They will be fine, though I understand your reluctance to believe me. I give you my word, Thor Odinson. I do not intend to see your brother or Lilith die."

He weighed his father's words carefully, and responded in a tone just as grave.

"I shall hold you to your promise, Allfather."

"I understand. Now come. Let us leave this place and go home. All of us."

Still wary, Thor nodded. He kept a close eye on the two stretchers and their bearers, never letting them out of his sight. Not even once they arrived in the infirmary. He would remain here tonight to ensure the Allfather's promise was kept. And as he glanced down on Loki's unconscious and terribly pale face, Thor admitted he stayed to show support for his brother. For the first time in a long time, he felt they'd truly been on the same side. Even if Loki couldn't know it, he'd be here for him.

The words echoed in my ear. Lilith, hang on. Please stay with me. They called me back when I'd been on the edge of letting go. I didn't recognize the voice, but I felt I knew its owner somehow. Lilith, hang on. Please stay with me. Again and again. I wanted to ignore them. Death beckoned and I longed for it to take me at last- to be free of Danethar and the pain that never truly went away. But the words wrapped around me like a golden silken ribbon, preventing my escape.

At the edge of awareness, I felt power flow into my damaged body. It surged through me like water, yet burned like flame. Funny, I would have thought that feeling should be excruciating, but it wasn't. It hurt, of course. But healing pain never quite felt as terrible as the wound itself.

Healing? I thought absently. But who? Why? It wouldn't work. Danethar had gone too far this time. No healer had enough power to fix what he'd broken. Futile to try. So who was wasting time trying?

Lilith, hold on. Please stay with me. The words echoed around me again. Who did the voice belong to?

Time passed. Passed in that strange way it does for those straddling the line of life and death. Both fast and slow, or not at all. I wavered in and out as the fires of that healing power burned on. Then as suddenly as it began, all that frenzied energy ceased. In the empty void left behind, I heard only the words.

Lilith, hold on, the voice begged desperately. Please stay with me.

Before I faded from my quasi-conscious state, I smiled ruefully.

All right.