The End

Vaguely, Alyse knew she should fight for the surface…but she couldn't. Where was the surface? Everything was black, equally black. It all looked the same…

Then a tiny glint would catch her attention and she'd reach for it, only for the turn of the next wave to snatch it from her grasp, leaving her just as desolate as before. With every passing second, more water fought its way into her lungs. Her head swam even more disarmingly. Her limbs grew tired of flailing aimlessly.

Gods, if only she could swim…Thor knew how to swim. Her mind drifted back to when they'd bathed together and when she'd slipped under the water, how Thor had rescued her; the way he'd leapt forward and scooped her free from the water's clutches. That hadn't been deep and he'd still saved her. He would be able to pick her up from this too. He would save her from anything.

…right?

So where was he?

Blood swam in front of her eyes as it leaked from the cut on her head, but it was spun away from her vision every time a new wave swelled over her head, disorientating her more.

The water below pulled her back. The water near her head pulled her forward. Back and forth, pull and push, and she couldn't even breathe. But she wasn't panicking – quite the opposite, she was strangely calm. She didn't try to draw breathe, letting the water flow past her numb lips passively, letting it fill her lungs and the air be choked from her in bubbles that rose before her eyes…

Hold on, she gasped in her mind: rose… air rose. To the surface. Her eyes lifted up and though she could see nothing, she trusted it had to be there somewhere.

In that miraculous second, something firm touched the sole of her foot and she pushed with all she had, too numb to know if what she kicked with was her injured ankle or not. She just launched herself up from the sea bed, deeper into the darkness above. Her hand reached up, glistening eyes following her fingertips pleadingly.

Then a sharp chill touched her fingertips and her heart soared: air! The surface! The rest of her body cut through the water with her momentum and more of the chill touched her wrist, her arm, her shoulder… and then finally her face broke the water with a smack and she spluttered out the water, gasping in air. Her lungs worked hard, rapidly pulling in gasp after gasp. Then when she finally had air to spare, she let out the piercing scream she'd battled down since she'd first gone under.

She screamed and screamed until her lungs were dry again and she stopped to breathe, lapping in the oxygen – just before another rough wave swelled over her head and forced her under again.

XXX

Thor landed on the beach and the first thing he saw were stumpy marks in the sand, leading towards the water. Alyse had been here. Alyse had staggered those steps. His eyes looked out to sea; but where was she?

All he could see were the ever changing shapes of the waves, no constant figure stood in the shallows. There was nobody there. Nothing…

His eyes fell back to the sand in a heartbeat, searching for footsteps leading away from the water. There had to be some, he reasoned, eyes darting across the dark beach frantically as his heartbeat picked up an anxious notch. She had to have walked away. Please say she walked away, he pleaded in his head, still searching for a trace of her.

When he found none though, his eyes fell back to the water.

He swore in his head – she couldn't swim.

He knew that. He was half sure she would have drowned in his bath if she had been left to her own panic, let alone the ocean! Gods, if she was really out there…

And she was. Thor could feel it; the absolute dread that settled in his wildly thumping heart was an instinct he had learned never to ignore. It had saved his life countless times in battle. Hopefully, that same instinct would save another life right now. He prayed it would.

A quick twist of his hammer had him soaring through the air, over the dark moving waters – and plunging into them as his fingers let go. Pulling his arms in front of him the god dived smoothly into the sea as his hammer flew on the gods knew where, leaving him behind. Thor was sleek and calm as he crashed through the water, unafraid of the swirling wet darkness that engulfed him. Unlike Alyse, he reminded himself coldly, she would be terrified.

Where could she be? Staring around, all Thor could see was black. What was Alyse wearing? For some reason, after seeing her room, he envisioned her in perfect white too, like her captivity. If that were true, white should be easy to spot.

His eyes stung but he didn't dare let that deter him. He knew how it could take mere minutes for water to kill, and he was not prepared to lose Alyse like that – not now, not ever. He still had so much to do with her; to hold her, to bury himself inside her body while his lips caressed her neck and her fingernails drew patterns on his back. One last time, he prayed to whatever gods were listening. Let me be with her one last time.

One more chance would be all he needed – he would never let her be taken from his side again. He would not make that mistake another time. If she was given back to him, he would keep her forever.

But he couldn't find her….

Soon his lungs called for air and he effortlessly kicked himself up to the surface, gasping in air. For a moment he stayed their, fighting to stay afloat amongst the raging waves, trying to see any glimpse of Alyse struggling somewhere on the surface. All he saw though were choppy waters.

He cursed his own misery as a mighty wave swelled and he dipped under the water, caught off guard. He quickly kicked himself up again though. It was his misery that had caused the storms, that had caused the winds, and now in turn this obscene flooding. He had caused these waters to become treacherous. He had put Alyse in such danger. He had done this.

It was so dark everywhere that the god could only see moving shadows. He couldn't any trace of her. All he could hear was the roaring of the waves around him, crashing on the beach, rearing from the sea.

"Alyse!"

He yelled as loud as he could, battling with the sea, the wind, the rolling thunder…he sounded feeble. Thor could barely hear himself.

Nothing answered him. "Alyse!"

His eyes scanned around him frantically, trying to catch any sign of her. There had to be a sign. She had to be somewhere. He dreaded to think she was any deeper into the ocean, or simply dea-

"Agghhh!"

The scream cut through the evening with a heart-wrenching pierce, and the god's froze, stilling in the water to listen. Was that real? His eyes stared out wide across the waves, trying to work out if he'd imagined it or not. Real or not though – it was Alyse. He could feel it. And if he was hearing her scream, then she must be here; she must be alive.

His heart soared with hope and suddenly he didn't care if he was crazy or not. It was real, it had to be – she had to be here somewhere. He span around madly trying to find some trace of her; a hand, blonde hair, her face…she was here somewhere.

He could feel it. That scream hadn't sounded far away, even if the whirling winds were deafening him. She was here, and she was close: Thor just had to find her.

He span and splashed clumsily in the water, turning in every direction to search for his woman, lost somewhere in the waves. His ears pricked for her, whether it be a splutter, a scream, a call – anything! Make some noise, he willed her in his head. Show me where you are.

Every second that ticked by was one that made his heartbeat race a little more. He didn't know how long she'd been out here, how tired she was, how injured she was…frankly, he was fortunate she was still conscious and fighting in such fierce conditions, but her strength had to be waning. Thor had to find her fast. She couldn't swim – it was a miracle she was still alive!

Another scream cut through the night and Thor turned towards it, hearing it clearer than before. Closer. His heart was thumping in his chest as he scoured the water in front of him, hearing the scream as if Alyse was just feet from him.

Then peering over the choppy waves, he saw it: a dainty hand, trembling with outstretched fingers, reaching upwards out from the water to the stormy skies above…Alyse.

For a moment, he just blinked, hardly daring to believe she was real, gaping with thanks as his lips curved gratefully.

Then more of her came; he watched with joy as her lips broke the surface, water running back down her face as her cheeks met the air, her eyes, her forehead, her ears…her blonde hair was slicked back on her head, looking dark and filthy from the ocean water. Grime clung to her, darkening her, but to Thor she still shone like the brightest most beautiful star.

He watched her gulp down air, her eyes blinking open as she struggled to stay afloat, arms splashing around her wildly. Stop, he found himself willing in his head. That splashing would do her nothing. It wasn't the calm, controlled treading water that Thor was doing, with steady kicks and gentle circles of his arms to keep him above the surface. She would wear herself out, and all for nothing at this rate…

She hadn't even seen him; her eyes darted this way and that, wide and frightened, but Thor could tell she wasn't seeing anything. Just darkness. Just feeling the cold. Feeling the rain on her face, making the water seem inescapable.

Thor's heart wrenched for her. Fear was written all over her face. Fear and pain, and Thor wanted to take it away from her. His poor Alyse… he'd failed her. He should never have let her go in the first place, should have found a way to rescue her sooner rather than forcing her to try and find her own way back to him. If he'd been any sort of man, he'd have fought harder for her than force her to take this dangerous route.

Then water crashed over her head and pushed her down again, stealing her from the god's sight.

His heart plummeted.

"No!"

The shout left his lips unconsciously as he threw himself forward, arms cutting through the water with experienced skill. All he could think of was finding Alyse. The waves swelled and water spat, but water was all Thor could see as he pulled himself closer to where Alyse had been. But there was no sign of her anymore.

Without a second thought, he gritted his teeth and dove under the water's edge. Darkness engulfed him, consuming his stinging vision in an instant, but he let his arms guide him, his instinct… he knew she was here. He could feel it. He may not be able to see her – eyes blurring as salt cursed his vision – but his heart could feel her near, feel she was close. It was enough for him.

He kicked himself forward, onward in the water. His arms reached out and around, trying to touch her, to find her…then his own body started to struggle.

He could feel it; he was tiring. Fighting the water was no easy feat. It had saturated the material beneath his armour, weighing him down alongside the metal itself. His lungs were tightening, calling for air, and his limbs felt as heavy as lead, every movement a colossal effort.

Forcing the feeling down though, he froze in the water, bringing Alyse back to the forefront of his mind. Blinking his eyes furiously, he scanned around him while the water was relatively still. He could still see nothing. Alyse's hair had been dull in the night and he hadn't seen what she'd worn. She was just a shadow somewhere in the water, so obscure…

Then for a fleeting second, something soft and flowing like silk brushed his fingertips and the god's heart skipped a beat: Alyse's dress. It had to be.

He didn't pause for a second – as soon as that soft material slipped through his fingers, he lunged forward in the water, diving his arms forward. In his mind, all he could imagine was gathering up Alyse, wrapping his arms around her in one go as he followed the fabric. That would lead him to her; it had to.

And it did.

His arms folded back into his chest… and a slim figure was drawn in with them. He felt the firmness of her body pressing against his arms and against his chest and he clung to her with everything he had.

As soon as he had Alyse's slim, unmistakable figure held firmly against his chest he kicked them upwards towards the surface, barely stopping to think. What was there to think about? His chest swelled as his lungs searched for oxygen that wasn't there, burning for air. Alyse must be feeling worse; she had her mouth open when she'd gone under and she'd been under longer than him. She must need to breathe.

His eyes turned skywards, but there was no light to direct him. He knew where the surface was though – the pressure of the water lightened the closer they got to the air. He could feel it. The weight of Alyse sagged in his arms but he refused to let her go, fighting against the dragging force trying to tear her away from him as they cut through the water. They were so close, Thor could almost taste the air. It was all he could think about; gulping in that next breath of oxygen. The thought swamped his mind, driving him on so committed there was nothing else that he could think about.

He just clung to Alyse and kicked on, grateful that at least she wasn't struggling against him or dragging him down. She was just hanging in his arms, letting him guide her.

Vaguely, something bad rang in the back of the god's mind, but he ignored it, focussing instead on just getting them out of the water.

A chill washed over the god's face, and finally, he felt the water slide away from his face. It felt like ice was rolling over his cheeks as he broke through the water, gasping for air as soon as his lips touched dry atmosphere. He shook the water from his eyes, filling his burning lungs with oxygen as his neck and shoulders crashed through the surface, dragging Alyse up with him.

Her head lolled back onto his shoulder and Thor let it, let Alyse open up her throat to the oxygen as he got his own fill. His legs kicked beneath them, keeping them both afloat and above the surface. He was determined to stay above the water; he wasn't sure he had the energy to save them both again if they went under a second time. The water had sapped his strength dangerously, and just treading water was harder than before. The god was exhausted, feeling the water tug invitingly at his heels, reminding him what would happen if he let up his frantic kicking even for a moment.

They needed to get out of the sea – instantly. As the god rasped for air he stared around him, trying to get his bearings. Everything still looked dark, black clouds swirling over head though the heavy rain had lessened to an ice mist. Looking far either side of him, it looked the same. Everything was dark.

Gritting his teeth, Thor wrapped his arm tighter around Alyse, clinging her so close it had to hurt. Her head rested neatly against the side of his neck, mercifully staying still. He didn't have the energy to fight her.

He pulled her up even more as she started to slip in his arms, and secured her in place in a one-armed iron grip.

His other stretched up towards the sky, fingers outreaching.

Lightning crashed amongst the clouds, illuminating the world for a split second. Thor's eyes scoured around. They were deep out to sea, the coast only just visible on his right hand side as the god peered through the misty rain. Nevertheless, he could make out the distant shapes of buildings that surely had to be preceded by beach. That was where he had to guide them.

There was no way he could swim there though before his energy exhausted – he kept his hand in the sky, calling his weapon to him.

The god gritted his teeth as the water fought to pull him down, tugging at both him and Alyse. Thor half wished she would cling onto him instead of him having to worry about her falling away. He could use that arm to keep them afloat, but it was busy keeping Alyse glued to his chest. If only she could wrap her arms around his neck…

But she didn't move, and Thor knew she wasn't about to. He just knew. She had to just be exhausted, Thor told himself. That was it.

The water was still rough around them, swaying them around and around in the sea, but Thor managed to keep them upright, only just keeping them above the surface. His breaths were haggard though as the effort of keeping them both alive started to sink in.

"Don't worry, Alyse." He breathed huskily to the numb girl in his arms, her response-less cheek to his. "I'll get us out of this."

His eyes scoured around for his hammer, knowing it had to be close. He needed them out of this chilled water. His mind started to travel to what he might do after they were safe – he had to take her back to the palace. Surely, as much as the Alfather disapproved of Alyse, he wouldn't rebuke her in such a great time of need. Without the palace healers, she would die. She was too badly hurt, too cold, too much water splashed in her lungs…if she was left on the street, she wouldn't last until the end of the month.

A surprising swell of water welled up higher than Thor expected and he was helpless as his gasp of breath was replaced with a mouthful of water. He kicked his way above the water in a heartbeat, determined not to be beaten down; his next breath had him coughing and spluttering though.

He brushed the hair out of his eyes roughly, still coughing to clear the water in his lungs. Any second, he told himself, eyes lifting to the black skies. Any second…

Finally, he managed to gulp in more air than water and he shot his hand in the air, desperately willing they would be out of the sea soon – he didn't even count to three before his fingers moulded around the soaring hammer's handle, and they were torn away from the waves.

Thor gasped in shock at the startlingly cold air that consumed him as the flying hammer peeled him and Alyse swiftly out of the water. It was all he could to keep her in his arms as the air whooshed past them. All that was running through Thor's mind was 'beach, beach, beach' and within seconds – and a pained groan from the god – his stiff fingers unclenched from around the hammer and they fell. He rolled his stiff shoulders and shouted as his body protested; he didn't have a choice though as he and Alyse fell through the air. Clenching his arms around Alyse, he braced himself – pain tore through his back and shoulders as he met ground, skidding incredibly fast over the sand.

He clung to Alyse with all he had, trying to focus his mind on her instead of the pain burning at the back of his shoulders. A cry tore from his lips as his body finally drew to a grinding halt on the dark wet beach.

For a moment, he just lay there; staring up at the dark, swirling clouds, feeling the light weight of Alyse resting still on his chest, trying to catch his breath. They came in fast unforgiving bursts. His whole body felt heavy and he felt like it would be so easy to just close his eyes and let himself slip away. It was tempting.

His arms rested around Alyse, his hand lying on her back. He didn't dare move, for fear of missing one of hers. She was still. Thor didn't want to sit up. He didn't even want to look down at the figure on his chest. He wanted to just lie there, feel the cold porcelain woman on his chest and pretend for a little while longer. As soon as he looked, he wouldn't be able to take it back.

In his heart, he already knew the truth. She should be moving – up and down, with gentle breaths, even if she was exhausted, even if she was sleeping. But there was nothing there. All that remained was a stillness that while serene, threatened to bring the whole world crashing down around him because of what it meant. He didn't want to look down. He didn't want to know. He'd rather lie there in his ignorance and hold onto her if just for just a few moments longer.

Suddenly the pain in his body – in his back and shoulders – was drowned out by the agonising ache in his heart. Gritting his teeth together, all his strength was useless as the rain started to patter again, falling drop after drop on his cheeks.

It well disguised the other water that crept out of the corner of the god's eye.

Though he knew he couldn't stay there forever, he wished he could. His hand roamed up from Alyse's back until it cupped the back of her head, fingers matted in her sodden blonde hair. It didn't seem to matter much though as no protest hit his ears. With the care and grace of handling a tiny child, Thor rolled onto his side, moving Alyse onto hers beside him.

Her pale, white face greeted him, water trickling slightly out of the corner of her slightly parted lips. Her eyelids were fluttered shut, not an ounce of tension in her perfect face.

The god gasped away a sob, trying to hold onto himself. With a shaky hand, he cupped her icy cheek.

What could he do? What could he say? She looked so perfect as she was. So pale she looked like a porcelain doll, only emphasised more by her stark blonde hair and the white dress she wore. She looked beautiful, like a bride. Thor wished more than anything she could have seen that day.

But she would never see another day again, a dark voice in the back of Thor's mind reminded him cruelly.

She was gone.

The god ignored the pain and shuffled closed, until Alyse's face was resting against his chest, holding her tenderly close. His mind searched for when he'd lost her. He'd heard her scream in the water, seen her struggle… when he'd lost her, he'd searched. He was just too late. In those few minutes, she must have slipped away.

What had she felt? Had she known he was coming for her? Would she have held on for just that little bit longer if Thor had shouted, shown he was fighting for her? It didn't matter now though. Nothing could change it.

Another tear slipped over the god's face as he remembered the fear on her face. She didn't think he was coming, he realised numbly. She thought she'd been abandoned. He could only imagine the crushing pain that must have given her, knowing that she was all alone amongst her greatest fear and the only one she trusted was going to leave her there unaided. How cruel, how hopeless she must have felt…he'd done that to her.

His hand travelled down her body until he found her still, cold, lifeless fingers, gathering them up firmly. Hand cupping the back of her head, he eased her hand between them, never once looking away from her beautiful face. He hoped that when he eventually died, this would be the Valkyrie that came for him, that his last moments would have him see Alyse's beauty one last time. Until then though, this time was all he had with her. Once the morning light came, she would be gone.

He pressed his trembling lips to Alyse's knuckles, adoring her while he still could. He'd failed her. She had been a lost little girl who had found purpose and hope in him, and when she needed him most, he had come – but too late.

They could have had such a future. She could have been happy again. Thor would have made sure of that – he needed to see her smile again. Needed to see her laugh. He had been so determined to be the one to make her happy, whatever the cost. She'd deserved it, and when she smiled it was like the rest of the world didn't matter anymore.

She would be stunning if he'd gotten there just an hour before. He would have taken her away if he'd found her at the house. He would have taken her hand, forced the skies calm and taken her as his. Perhaps he would have taken her to the nearest elder and have them married that very night, dressed as beautifully in white as she was. She would have made a stunning bride, on his arm. There was nothing his father would be able to tell them then. They would have gotten married, ran away if they were not welcome in the palace. Maybe Midgard. They would have gone to Midgard. Oh, how perfect everything would be if that had happened.

He would keep her safe for the rest of their lives. He would love her, protect her, bless her with children…he would have done anything to keep her happy. She deserved that much.

"I'm so sorry." He breathed shakily against her cold skin, screwing his eyes shut. "My lost little bride."

He couldn't bear to ask her to forgive him, knowing no answer would come. And that would break his heart all over again. He couldn't bear to know that once again he'd damaged her beyond redemption and that he might have blown it. He couldn't let her go – not until the morning sun gave him no choice.

His arms tightened around her, and he buried his face in her sodden hair, wishing the darkness could last forever. Without her, Thor was forced to live. He had no choice but to go home, live on, find another woman some day… perhaps Alyse had only been a fantasy but it had been one he wanted, a perfect one.

But now that hope was just as dead as the woman in his arms. He had no choice but to carry on, with Alyse's spirit watching him every step of the way.

Instinctively, his hand reached upwards to the sky and minutes went by until that familiar metallic zing rang in his ears. He clung Alyse close as once again, he caught his hammer and let it carry them away.

This time, he knew exactly where he was going, even if he wasn't looking. He could feel it. His heart was calling to where he wanted to be – to where Alyse had wanted to be. He would grant her last wish, even if it was too late for her to appreciate it herself. He would let her rest where her heart lay.

At least she wasn't in pain anymore, he reasoned as the city whizzed beneath them. At least where she was now, she was safe. Hopefully, she would be happy, until she came to find Thor on his final day and the god would ensure she would be.

He clung her close as they flew over the rain sodden palace ground, and landed squarely through his open balcony, doors blowing in the wind. The hammer fell to the floor as his arms supported Alyse instead, lifting her gracefully off the ground. No one would disturb them anymore – not for tonight. Tonight was theirs.

He carried her with solemn steps towards the ruffled bed, the bed that looked so empty without the familiar body of Alyse gracing its sheets. She was just asleep, the god told himself as he knelt beside the bed, easing her down. She was sleeping. He knelt there admiring her softly, hand cupping her cheek as a slight smile fluttered over his lips, though there was no joy in the expression.

In the morning, he would find his mother, but for now his thumb stroked Alyse's cheek gently. The god leaned forward and pressed his lips against Alyse's icy ones: "I love you, my darling." He sighed, softly. "Dream of me."

A/N

Sorry, but… I had to.

And sorry, but the title is correct - last chapter. This the end.