This is set before the first Thor movie.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot. All Characters go to their respective owners, the chapter and fic title to Nightwish.

Story title: From Astral Romance - Nightwish

Chapter Title: From Swanheart - Nightwish

Chapter Four: In my world love is for poets

Thor turned around, "What do you say, my friends?"

Fandral shrugged, "You look impressive as ever. Been learning things from Loki, have you?"

Thor turned back to the mirror. Just as Loki the night before, Thor was not clad in his armour. He wore light clothing. "I do not fight her, so why would I need armour? Especially for the jump over the boulder, my clothes should not hinder my movements." He moved his arms and legs, satisfied with the way he felt not impaired by his clothes. "My friends, tonight, we will go back home, and I will have my future wife by my side." He looked around. "Where is my brother?"

Sif who sat on the floor looked up, "I have not seen him since the banquet. Was he not with you, Thor?"

As Thor shook his head, Volstagg joked, "He probably hides from us after his defeat yesterday…"

"It is easy to joke about others when you yourself did not have the heart to face the greatest of the Valkyries." Loki murmured as he entered the room. "And for your information, while you were admiring my brother's physique, I was outside and watched the preparations. If you are interested, the spears are huge. Four women carried them. And the boulder is big. Thor, you will have to really fight for this one."

Thor laughed, "Oh, dear Loki, always so worried for me. Rest your head, brother, for I will not lose." He patted Loki on the shoulder, "Let us go, my friends. I have a vow to make."

Brynhild was ready when Thor and his friends entered the hall. She lowered her head slightly, "My guests. Did you rest well this night?" She as well had chosen light clothing; her hair was braided back.

Thor went down on his knee, "I did, my queen. I hope you did as well?"

She nodded, "I spent my night in silence. Now, I am sure you are eager to prove your worth, Son of Odin. The rules of this are easy." She held out an arm. "You and I will touch; your hand around my elbow, my hand around yours. Then you will say the words, 'I hereby ask you, Brynhild, to be my wife'. As you say those words, we conclude a magical contract that cannot be broken; either you lose and forfeit your life, or you win, and I become your wife. There is no turning back." She moved her arm to point towards the spear and the boulder. "Your spear must fly further than mine. You must throw your boulder further than I throw mine. And then jump over the boulder." She turned back to Thor, "Consider your choices, Son of Odin."

Loki watched intently. He knew what he would do. Not utter the words. Not because he was afraid. But because how different from last night Brynhild was. Last night, she had smiled. Now, her face was serious, with a hint of sadness in her eyes. Did she know she would lose? Was that what made her unhappy?

Thor did not notice anything, of course not, the mindless oaf, "I have made my choice, my Queen." He reached out his arm, his hand locking around her lower arm.

She locked her fingers around his in return, "Say the words, Thor Odinson…" At the last word, her eyes flickered over to Loki. Loki caught her look and returned it before looking down on the floor. He was only second to Thor. Odin would never forgive him if he suddenly claimed something his brother considered his. But it was more than obvios which son of the Allfather the Valkyrie favoured. For the second time ever, a woman had not been blinded by Thor's attractiveness, strength, and carefree nature. Sure she respected the Thunderer, but nothing more. No swooning, no ogling. Sif was the only woman Loki knew that did not faint because of Thor's smile. Now Brynhild joined her. It was a shame. For every woman Thor could have, he chose one who did not want him but would be forced to be with him. And now, Thor would conclude the contract and bring this woman home with him.

But Thor said nothing. The silence was deafening. The Thunderer turned to Loki and saw his brother's downcast eyes. Then, he let go. "My Queen… I cannot do this. Forgive me."

Brynhild was surprised, but it did not compare to the looks on the faces of Thor's companions. Fandral looked at him, mouth gaping. Hogun and Volstagg looked at each other. Only Sif smiled.

It took a while until Brynhild said something, "May I ask what changed your mind, Thor?"

He nodded, "I saw you looking at my brother, my Queen. I might not be as bright as he is, but I understand this look you gave him, and his reaction to it. You prefer him. So let him say the words. Loki, come here."

Loki stepped forward, completely overwhelmed by what had just happened. Thor had just… he had read somebody else's feelings. And even more, respected them. Brynhild had shown that she did not want this, not even in the most obvious way, and yet, Thor had picked it up. Her look had told him that she preferred Loki. And Thor was now stepping back to give his place to his younger brother.

Loki walked up to Thor, "Brother…"

"Do not deny it, Loki. Here…" He put Loki's arm over Brynhild's. "Say the words, Loki. Maybe you can win."

Loki looked up at Brynhild, "My Queen… Forgive me, but I will not say the words. You know why."

She squeezed his arm and smiled, "I know. Thank you, Loki…" Then she let go and turned back to Thor, "I must admit I was wrong about you, Thor Odinson. I thank you for this sacrifice you made. If ever me and my Valkyries can help you, do not hesitate to bring up your wishes before me."

Thor lowered his head, "I offer you the same, my Queen. If I may bring up one wish immediately, could we stay here for one more night? Your company is most alluring and this island is beautiful. Tomorrow, we will leave for Asgard again."

She nodded, "Be my guests for as long as you desire. You and your companions will always be welcome in my kingdom." She motioned for her servants to carry away the spears and boulders. "I invite you to stroll around the island with a handful of my guards. It is a beautiful place. Tonight we will feast yet again, and we will all be merry, for you have shown me a respect worthy of both of us, Thor Odinson. Friend."

Thor nodded with a smile and turned, waving the Warriors Three and Sif to come with him.

Loki remained behind. Only when the servants closed the door behind his brother and his companions, he murmured, "Who would have thought that after so many ages Thor can still surprise me…"

Brynhild watched the door as well, "I must be still asleep." Then she took Loki's hand in hers, "You stood by your word, Loki. Not that I doubted it. I thank you with all my heart."

Loki intertwined his fingers with hers, "As I have said, I don't believe in trophies and relicts. I will talk to the Allfather and hope he will change his mind and your fate. If not…" If not it means we will never be together, for I do not want to beat you, and you beating me will mean my death.

She nodded, "I know." She looked at their hands, "I would show you the island tonight, but you have seen all that is beautiful. But be my companion at the feast tonight. It might be the only opportunity I have to sit with a man I like." She added.

Loki smiled, "I would love nothing more, Brynhild."

The feast lasted the whole night, but Loki excused himself after only a few hours. He was not in the mood for celebrating the alliance. So he strolled through the palace, accompanied by one of the guards. She showed him around, and prided herself especially when she showed him the weapon's vault. Attached to the wall was an impressive number of spears. Spears of the men that had lost against Brynhild. Loki was fascinated.

"Do you like what you see?" Brynhild suddenly asked from behind him, waving the guard away.

Loki did not turn around but said, "It is better than to display the skulls of the fallen I suppose."

She laughed, "Indeed. Although that might scare off those that are not good fighters. Sometimes it pains me to kill those that are of a kind heart."

Loki understood, "Killing is never fun. My brother and his friends enjoy it. Too much maybe." He looked at her out of the corner of his eye, "Is it true that you are still waiting for Sigurd?"

She pointed at a spear that stood apart from the others, "It would appear so. But the love I felt for him… As time passes by I wonder if it is not more gratitude than love I feel. He awakened me from not just a sleep, but from a nightmare. Here…" she pointed at the ring on her finger. "He gave me this. He said I should keep this as a token until he returned. A prove of his love."

Loki looked at the ring, "Andvaranaut."

"How do you know?"

Loki had to smile, "I was the one to steal it from Andvari. He cursed it to bring death to the one who posesses it. I gave it away quickly, to a man whose son I accidentally killed. I heard the brother of the deceased slayed his father, claimed the ring and turned into a dragon to guard it."

Brynhild looked at her finger, "Fafnir. Sigurd slayed him and bathed in his blood and thus became invulnerable. He took the ring from him. When he stepped here through the ring of fire, he was not even harmed. He put Andvaranaut on my finger and awakened me." She smiled at him, "You stole it from Andvari?"

Loki nodded, "I have always been one for mischief."

She smiled, "I would like to hear the stories you can tell."

Loki shook his head, "I am sure yours are much more interesting."

"The skalds can tell you my stories. I hear they are not even lying. We could sit on the roof of the castle. From there you have the most beautiful view over the island." She took his hand, "Please, Loki. I do not want to say farewell to you tomorrow and not know all of those stories."

Loki's heart beat painfully at the thought of having to leave so soon, but everything else was out of the question. He would follow Thor everywhere. So he smiled, "I cannot deny such a request, my Queen. Please do lead the way."

She smiled and walked before him, "I hope you return earlier than Sigurd."

Neither Loki not Brynhild slept that night. They sat on the roof for hours, then moved into Brynhild's bedroom where they lay on the bed, with Loki wrapping his arms around Brynhild as he told her of Sif's shaved hair, of the dwarves that had sewed his lips shut, of Sleipnir and how his sacrifice had saved Freya from being married to a giant, and, his favourite story, when he had made Thor dress up as Freya to retrieve Mjölnir which had been stolen. Brynhild laughed at most of those stories. Only when he told her about his mouth sewn shut, he felt her eyes resting on his lips before she kissed them gently.

He kissed her back, but stopped soon. "The skalds say that if you lose your virtue, you lose your strength…"

She lowered her head, "Yes. Another part of this curse."

Loki sighed, "As much as I would like to share this bed with you in the most intimate ways, I cannot. To think you will at some point lose to a man you do not want as a husband… I do not want this to me the result of just one night."

She looked up at him before kissing him again, "I will fight every man until you come back, Loki. Until we can be one." Then she rested her head on his shoulder.

Loki smiled a sad smile.

The next morning they parted ways, and Loki had never felt so alone in his entire lifetime. He knew he did not have the power to convince Odin to change Brynhild's fate. All he could hope was for Thor to do it once he became king.

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