A/N: I only own Hylda and Eir.

He Won't Go - Adele

Some say I'll be better without you

But they don't know you like I do

Or at least the sides I thought I knew

Thor landed on the Rainbow Bridge and walk into the BiFrost. He stopped at the opening and stared in amazement at the ice. It looked like a giant tree of ice had filled the room, branches and roots reaching all around. It truly was beautiful, and it stunned him momentarily.

His gaze moved from the icy branches to the couple standing against the large frozen trunk. He looked at Hylda, locking eyes with her for the first time since he returned home. He searched her eyes for any sign of distress, any sign that she was being held against her will, but he found none. Her light eyes stared back at him, filled with worry and... guilt. She pleaded to him with her eyes. The message was so clear it was almost if she had said it out loud. She felt guilty for the part she played, Thor could see it. She felt bad about what happened between her and the others, she felt bad she didn't do more to help him. She felt bad, yet here she was, pressed up against the man responsible.

Thor's gaze moved to her body, and noticed how she leaned into Loki's. She was worried for him and wanted to protect him. She held him close as if she could shield him. Her body was completely relaxed, pinned between the ice and his brother. Her hands gripped the clothing at Loki's waist, not out of fear of her situation but fear of losing him. Hylda really did care for Loki, and as bad as she felt about what happened to him and the others she knew Loki needed her more. They had each other while Loki had no one. Perhaps that is what drove him this far, he thought sadly. If it had been under any other situation Thor would have been happy for Loki. His younger brother deserved to be happy and Hylda truly was a wonderful person. It was a shame that things had to unfold as they had.

What shocked Thor more than Hylda's body language was Loki's. His brother had an arm wrapped securely around Hylda's waist while the other held onto her head, pulling her as close as possible to him. While Hylda was looking at Thor, Loki had his eyes closed. His pale forehead rested against the top of Hylda head, and he seemed to be trying to hold on to the moment as long as possible. Thor had never seen Loki look so vulnerable. Loki knew that this could be the last time he held Hylda and when he opened his green eyes to look at her, Thor saw it.

Complete and utter fear.

Loki was absolutely terrified; Thor could see it in his eyes as he looked at the women in his arms. Loki was terrified to lose Hylda just as much as she was scared to lose him. It was then that Thor realized how much Loki cared for Hylda. He cherished her immensely, and Thor thought that he could possibly even love her. He wasn't sure what he missed while he had been on Midgard, but something had sparked between these two.

Thor watched as Loki brushed his lips against Hylda's temples and then leaned down to whisper something to her. She closed her eyes and nodded as Loki reluctantly letting go of the goddess. He then turned to face his brother with cold and hateful eyes.

Hylda's POV

Wake me up, wake me up when all is done

I won't rise until this battle's won

My dignity's become undone

"I'm glad you chose me"

Those were Loki's last words before he untangled himself from her. Hylda knew it was his way of saying she meant something to him, that he cared about her. He was asking her to choose him again, without coming off as weak enough to ask. She opened her eyes and mentally prepared herself for the battle that would happen. It would be painful to watch Loki and Thor fight, not just because she cared for them both but because they were brothers. No brothers should ever fight like they were about to. A fight to the end...

Loki took a step forward, shielding Hylda from view.

"You can't stop it" he began when he saw Thor eyeing the ice, "the BiFrost will build until it rips Jötunheim apart!"

His voice was cold and harsh; nothing like it had been when he whispered to her. Hylda watched as Thor lunched at an icy root that crawled along the floor. Part of her wished he would break it, shatter the tree completely and save Jötunheim. Part of her knew that Loki had to do this. Loki had to rid himself of what made him a monster. If he annihilated the Frost Giants then he would be better than them. He would be saving Asgard from the monsters that he was categorized with. In all honestly, Loki's sanity out weighted any sympathy Hylda had for the Jöttuns.

She couldn't help but yelp in surprise when Loki fired a burst of energy at Thor, knocking him onto his back. She held on to the trunk of the icy tree and she walked around to the other side. Loki barely noticed her move as she peered around to look at her fallen friend. Thor met her gaze and she looked at him apologetically. What hurt her the most was that he looked back at her with the same eyes. Thor was apologizing for what he had to do, for what the situation had come down to. Hylda fought the tears that threatened to swell in her eyes. Thor truly had matured. He didn't want this fight; he didn't want to cause problems. He was only doing what he had to do to protect what was his… just like Hylda was doing.

"Why have you done this?" Thor's voice boomed as he stood. Hylda could hear the pain and sadness in his strong voice. She doubted he would understand Loki's reasons. She barely understood them sometimes.

"To prove to father that I am a worthy son" Loki hissed. "When he wakes I will have saved his life, I will have destroyed that race of monsters and I will be true heir to the throne!"

Hylda couldn't help but admire the passion in his voice. Despite all that Loki did, there was a cause behind it, a cause that was important to him. His passion also scared her. She could see him slowly being consumed by his anger, by all his pent up rage. Hylda slowly began to move down the slipper steps and closer to flat ground. She was prepared to intervene if Loki's, or Thor's, judgment became too clouded.

"You can't kill and entire race" Thor pleaded, stepping towards Loki.

Loki scoffed. "Why not?"

The God of Mischief slowly began to make his way down the steps. Hylda mimicked him movement, never taking her eyes off him. She could feel Thor's eyes flicker between her and Loki. She bit her lips, and turned to gaze to Thor. They could both feel Loki's anger rising, and that that was a very bad sign.

Loki smirked at his brother as he got closer. "What is this new found love for the Frost Giants? You, who would kill them all with your bare hands?"

"I've changed" Thor muttered. Hylda couldn't tell if it was out of shame for how he had been before, or embarrassment for who he had become. She knew in Loki's eyes he would see Thor as soft, but she herself thought Thor had merely matured.

Hylda noticed Loki's hand twitch. Her breath hitched in her throat as she realized Loki was about to strike Thor. The blonde looked so defended and sad; he was completely oblivious to his brother's viciousness. He also would never willingly strike Loki first. As much as Hylda cared for Loki, she knew he wasn't entirely thinking straight. If she could show Asgard the smallest shred of dignity she had left, it would be by helping Thor. She'd deal with Loki's anger at her later.

But I won't go

I can't do it on my own

If this ain't love, then what is?

I'm willing to take the risk

She saw the younger god's arm reel backwards and she bolted forwards. She barely heard Loki speak.

"So have I"

"NO" she shouted as she flung herself in front of Thor. She felt the sharp metal scrap her cheek, warm liquid beginning to seep from the wound. Both men froze momentarily.

"No Loki" she whispered, "not like this."

Hylda knew he want to best Thor, so be released of the blondes shadow, but this was not the way to do it. Thor wouldn't fight back, and even if he did his heart would break with every swing. They were brothers after all, by blood or not. Loki's eyes changed from shock to anger in an instead.

"Step aside Hylda" he growled.

Hylda felt a warm hand on her shoulder as she was pulled back to lean against a hard surface.

"This will not get you the throne Loki. Father will not see this as an act of a King" Thor said sadly from behind her. "Learn from my mistakes!"

Hylda saw Loki take a deep breath, but his eyes only filled with more anger. He stared at the hand on her shoulder and snarled before he raised his staff again. "You're mine!" Loki shouted as he swung at them. Thor tried to shield Hylda but the blow sent them both flying. The pair flew across the floor to the opposite wall.

"I never wanted the throne!" Loki yelled at the stormed over to them. Thor and Hylda stood up and drew their weapons. Hylda had to be ready to protect either one of them; she wouldn't let them hurt each other. "I only wanted to be your equal!" Loki continued to shout. "You had everything, while I was left behind in your shadow. Well not anymore."

Loki reached out and grabbed Hylda's wrist and pulled her close, at the same time he swung at Thor again. The blonde didn't block and got flung back against the wall.

"Loki stop!" Hylda pleaded. She pulled his face towards hers and placed her forehead on his. "Don't do this, you won't gain anything."

He let out a dark chuckle as he turned to strike Thor again as he started to stand. Hylda lunged in front of him and blocked the attack with her sword.

"Why are you defending him!" Loki shouted.

"He's your brother Loki" Hylda began, but Thor cut her off.

"I will not fight you Loki."

"I'm not your brother" the dark haired god replied coldly. "I never was."

Hylda took a step back when it looked like Loki would strike again. Loki's face darkened and Hylda realized her mistake. While she was only preparing to block his next blow, Hylda realized that it looked like she was taking a step towards Thor. Hylda felt herself shutter as the memory of the last time he looked at her like that floored her mind.

His hand was around her neck in an instant pinning her to the bookcase. "You think this is all the wickedness I am capable of, my dear?" he snarled at her, squeezing harder. Hylda coughed slightly, she could feel her skin bruising.

He leaned forward to her ear, "You have no idea what I am capable of Hylda. If I were you I would learn my place in this new order." He released her, tossing her to the side slightly. She stumbled, grabbing the book shelve to not fall.

Hylda now knew what he was capable of. Loki would do whatever it took to get what he wanted. He would fight till the end to prove his worth, and he would not accept Hylda not being by his side.

I heard his voice today

I didn't know a single word he said

Not one resemblance to the man I met

Just a vacant broken boy instead

Thor took a step towards Hylda and grabbed her shoulder, edging her behind him. He had no idea he was making the situation worse. He barely noticed Loki's being to water and his body start to shake.

"Loki this is madness!" he cried, the hurt evident in his voice.

"Is it madness?" Loki hissed. "Is it?" He started to walk around Thor, trying to get closer to Hylda. Thor thought he was trying to attack her so he pulled the goddess closer to himself. "You always had to have everything brother. Never could be satisfied. I thought you only had eyes for mortals now."

Thor looked at Loki; he was confused what he meant by that statement but he didn't like that he knew about Jane. "Leave her out of this!" He growled.

"Ahh, you cannot have everything this time Thor." Loki was shaking violently now, his eyes full of nothing but pure rage. "I will take what's mine, and when we're done here I'll pay your woman a little visit myself!"

The two gods lunged at each other. Loki skillfully dodged Thor's attack and landed beside Hylda. He wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. "You will be mine till the end Hylda. Willingly or not."

"I chose you once already didn't I?"

Loki smirked before plant a light kiss on her lips. Before Hylda could say or do anything he was gone from beside her. The woman turned to see the brothers once again locking their weapons.

He won't go

He can't do it on his own

If this ain't love, then what is?

He's willing to take the risk

So… Things are obviously coming to a close soon. There are 3 or 4 more chapters left.

*Cue loud AWEEEEEEEEEE*

BUT FEAR NOT, I am planning on writing an Avengers squeal (if you guys want.)

Let me know through reviews, pm, or whatever :)

Review please :3