A romance. An escape. A rollercoaster ride of emotions, or should I say, feels :)
I hope this story was something like that. I tried!

This one goes for my family. Without you this would not have been possible. Honestly. Not even close. Thank you, J, for Your support. You are my Beta Reader.

And my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you my readers for this journey! I can't believe we made it! Hugs! But now...the final chapter and a brief epilogue.

Background music suggestion: Ilan Eshkeri: Coronation, Stardust soundtrack
It's P.E.R.F.E.C.T. and so worthy of looping.

Just freeze the frame at the end of the chapter (before epilogue) in your head...Just freeze it. Or even better, turn it into an illustrated page in a storybook :)

Once more, my deepest thank you for reading! *waves* Here's a very virtual illustrated version of Lord of the Rings _with_ a magical map created by Loki as a memoir. It's quite heavy...There you go.

Chapter 37 - It's Gonna Be Alright This Time

And all along I believed
I would find you
Time has brought your heart to me,
I have loved you
For a thousand years
I'll love you
For a thousand more

- Christina Perri: Thousand years

...

Diana was stretching her limbs and taking breaths as if she was to run the 100-meter hurdles. It looked comical in the ivory colored dress she was wearing. It had a long train behind it. She had lots of jewelry, a tiara, an amazing hairdo. Loki was wearing what Diana called his "fantastic gear". Yes, he was finally wearing the helmet.

They were in a room adjoining the throne room.
"Please, my love, calm down. You are lucky that I am the prodigal prince...Only two hundred people of the court are attending."
Diana looked at Loki annoyed.
"Besides, Odin will do most of the talking."
She still looked annoyed.
"You're not actually helping."
He tilted his head.
"I'm just trying to take the edge off this."
She chuckled.
"Take the edge off...Midgard really rubbed on you."
He shrugged and smiled.
"Shall we?"
He offered his arm.
She took it.
Very large doors were opened.
Before starting their journey to the throne room, he bent to whisper in her ear.
"Remember. I am with you."
She took a firmer hold of his hand.
And couldn't help giving him a smile.

And a quick kiss.

...

Odin presented Diana with the Apple of Idunn. She thought it actually tasted more like a pear than an apple. Now the ceremony was drawing to an end. Odin's voice had gravity.

"Will you Diana Alansdottir take Loki of Asgard to be your companion, to stand by his side in all the hardships and battles you shall face, and to love him till the end of your days?"
"I will," she said and looked at Loki.

"Will you, Loki of Asgard, take Diana Alansdottir to be your companion, to stand by her side in all the hardships and battles you shall face, and to love her till end of your days?"
"I will," he said and looked at Diana.

"Then, I, Odin Borson, the All-Father, Ruler of Asgard and Protector of the nine realms, proclaim you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

He raised his eyebrows.
She gave a nod.
They shared a mischievous smile.

And then he leaned her into the most spectacular kiss.

...

Epilogue

...

Loki and Diana were walking down one of the corridors, back to their chambers.
"We should have a Midgardian style feast," she said.
"I'd like to show your people how we celebrate."
Loki noticed she had a funny look on her face.
"You know...Some punch, Midgardian delicacies..."

Ah, like pizza.
Or gingerbreads.
But where was she going with this?

"...and a DJ," she said deadpan while taking a turn.
"You know, I've really missed the Loki dance. Not to mention the snake hips."
She was clearly suppressing a laughter.
"You're never going to let me forget that, are you?" he said feigning annoyance.
They arrived at the other end of their wing.
"No, probably not," she said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Oh, I'll show you snake hips," Loki said with a wicked grin.
She burst into full laughter and began running towards their door, him running after her.

...

Rah rah ah-ah-ah!
Ro mah ro-mah-mah
Gaga ooh-la-la!
Want your bad romance

...

And you know,
in the end he had been right.
There always was a way out.
He just hadn't anticipated what it would be.

Love.

...

FIN