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 Dead Boy's Poem - Nightwish

Chapter Nine: So much to live for, so much to die for

"No… no!" Brynhild yelled, trying to wrestle her hand out of Loki's tight grip. But Loki did not let go. "Loki, stop this."

"It is too late…" Loki murmured as the light faded around both their hands. It was a strange feeling, as if someone had crushed his arm to the point of breaking his bones and was now slowly letting go again, leaving his arm numb.

Brynhild looked at their arms and then shoved him away, "How could you, Loki?" she screamed desperately. "I cannot kill you! How can you do this to me?"

Loki lowered his head but said nothing. What could he say? He would die tomorrow. She would have to kill him if she beat him, and, really, after having seen a demonstration of her superior strength, he had no doubt she would. But it did not matter. At least she would not be forced to spend her life with Thor. She would not have to spend the rest of her young life sleeping behind a wall of fire again.

And he would not be tortured every day by the sight of the only woman he ever loved having to be with his brother.

So he just turned away from her and left, ignoring her pleas to Odin to just forget what he had seen. Ignoring Thor calling after him. Ignoring how Odin's heart was not softened by the cries of Brynhild, Frigga, Sif, even Thor. They could do nothing.

It was already late night when the door to his chambers opened. He looked up to see Brynhild. She had cried, he could tell. He reached out a hand for her. She took it and sat down on the bed with him, but said nothing.

Only after a while, it was Loki himself who broke the silence, "I take it the Allfather has not wavered?"

"He is preparing everything for tomorrow." She murmured, cuddling against Loki's chest. "Your mother is furious. Even Thor is angry. He has excused himself from the feast before it even started."

Loki was touched by his brother's concern, "He can be so perceptive sometimes… Will you forgive me for what I have done?"

"Never." She answered. "You should have let me fight your brother. There would have been no bloodshed, no killing."

"You would have become his wife." Loki said.

"And now I become a widow."

"We are not married."

She looked up at him, "My heart is yours. I could not be more married to you, Loki. You will leave me alone. I will kill what is most dear to me. If only I could run away."

"Can you not?" Why had he not thought of this?

"No. The contract is binding. Were I to break it, both of us would die." She murmured. "I asked your father. Told him I would just go back to Iceland and never see you again. He said this would be the end for both of us. Unless you can think of something, Sly One, there is no way out."

He rested her head on hers, twirling her long hair between his fingers, "I cannot defy him again."

"I know. Thor even volunteered to take your place tomorrow. He would not change the rules." Silent tears were now running over her face. "Loki…"

"Hush. Do not cry. I do not want this night to be sad." He leaned in and kissed her. "You should go to your chambers. The longer we lay here, the more painful it will be. For both of us." He broke the embrace.

She sat up and looked at him, "Why did you do this?"

He raised a hand to wipe the tears off her face, "Because it was the only thing I could think of so you will not be forced to spend eternity as my brother's wife. Odin's punishment was cruel; to make you stay with Thor when you want me."

"And now you will die."

"True. But you will be free. Do not cry, Brynhild. It is a good reason to die." He sat up and kissed her. "Now leave. Fight me with all you have tomorrow. Make me proud of the warrior who loves me. Make the last thing I see your smile."

And indeed, she smiled, "I will make you proud. Good night, Loki."

"Good night, my Queen."

When Loki entered the hall next morning, everyone was there. When he walked past them, every one knelt. For him. Loki was a prince, but they had only ever gone on their knees for Odin, sometimes for Thor. Never for him. He knew why they did it. It was a show of respect, respect for his decision. For his sacrifice. Especially Sif, when he walked past her, lowered her head. She knew why he had done it. Why he had refused to say the words on Iceland, and why he had done it now. All to save his queen from being with a man she did not love. If anything, it had gained Sif's respect. It had gained him the respect of everyone in this hall, something Loki had never had before.

Well, there were worse ways to leave this realm.

Brynhild was ready. As Loki had wished, she was not crying. She was smiling at him, love shining from her eyes. He knelt before her and said, "My Queen, never have you looked more beautiful to me than today." It was true. The way she looked, sadness in her eyes but devoted to not make him feel bad for her, the way she was dressed in her armour, the living image of a fighter with spirit… it was what he loved about her. Devotion and spirit. So much more than every woman he had ever been with had had.

She looked back at him, sighing as she lowered her head, "Never have I seen a greater man than you, Loki. I will make sure your entrance into Valhalla will be nothing but celebrations as you become King of the Einherjar…"

Loki smiled, but then Odin interrupted. "Come here, Loki. We must bind your magic." Loki stepped up to his father who took his hand. It was a strange feeling, like invisible chains binding his hands for a moment. When it was over, Loki suddenly felt empty. As if part of his being, his identity, had been sucked out of him by the Allfather. The man placed a hand on his shoulder, "Good luck, Loki." Loki only nodded.

But then Frigga pulled him away from his father and into her arms, hugging him tightly, "Loki, please forgive me…"

"It is not your fault, mother." Loki responded. "I am convinced you did what you could." He walked down to Brynhild again. "Shall we begin, my queen?"

She nodded and picked up the spear and threw it, not even trying hard. Loki knew the moment he saw it that he could be happy if his own spear even made it half as far. He picked it up and launched it. It landed right next to the Valkyrie's. There was a roar in the hall, but nobody was more surprised than Loki himself.

Brynhild picked up the boulder. With a concerned look towards Loki, she threw it. It was far, but not out of reach. Loki picked his boulder up as well. He could see Thor whose hands were clenched into fists. His brother believed in him. His brother rooted for him. Could the support of the Thunderer make this happen? His boulder, as his spear, landed right next to Brynhild's, and he could see her shaking from exhaustion and the nerve wrecking torture she was experiencing now.

But it was nothing compared to what Loki felt. Surprise. The Valkyrie was so much stronger than him, how could this have happened? How was he even able to compete, let alone match her? It was not his magic, for a single test flick of his finger showed it was gone. It was most definitely not Thor, because apart from Mjölnir, he had nothing.

Brynhild nudged him, "Ready?"

He nodded, "Ready."

She shook the exhaustion from her legs, made a few steps and then stopped. "I cannot do this."

Loki froze, "What?"

"Loki, I cannot. I cannot jump. What if I beat you?" She was trembling heavily. As if for the first time she realized what could happen. No. For the first time she realized Loki actually stood a chance, and that her jump now could still end all this in death and tears when it had looked so good. "Loki…"

He moved to her and put his hands on her shoulder, "Love, you have to do it. I made it this far, now, this is something I can do. Do not stop now. We are so close."

"Loki…"

"Please. Brynhild. Just jump." He leaned in closer, "I have no idea what is happening here. This was not me; I could never throw the spear and the boulder that far. Somebody in here is helping me. Have trust they will help me again. Do not ruin this now. Go ahead." He pecked her lips. "Give your all."

She looked up into his eyes and he could see the doubt leaving her eyes as she nodded. She trusted him… Determind, she walked back to where she had stood before, making room for herself before she jumped and landed far behind the boulder.

The silence in the hall was deafening as Loki leaped.

And landed an inch before Brynhild.

He could not believe it. He had won. He did not have time to dwell into the sudden realisation that he had just won Brynhild for she threw herself into his arms, sobbing and shaking now that all the tension had left her. He held her close, not paying attention to the hall that cheered. Not even paying attention as his whole body started to burn as it was welcoming his magic abilities back.

"I cannot believe this… Oh, Loki, I…"

He smiled as he kissed her again, "See. And you thought I was insane to do this. Now, stop crying or I will take it as an insult." But he understood her. If he were in her position he would cry as well. Not only had she feared to be forced to kill him. Now she was going to be married. The spell was broken. She would never have to fight a man again. Never fear to be beaten again by a man she despised.

And he had brought her this relief. Loki had never been prouder of himself.

He turned to Odin, his hand holding Brynhild's. "Father…" And then he saw it. Frigga, standing behind Odin. The smirk on her face. She had made this possible. Behind her husband's back, she had helped. Loki did not show what he had seen, but he was incredible grateful. "Mother…"

Odin only nodded, "You have beaten the Valkyrie. You may wed her. Of course, only after your brother has gotten married."

Loki nodded, "I am well aware of this. Thank you, father…" He lowered his head. He could live with that. He would marry Brynhild someday. He could be with her. That was all he wanted, all he cared about. He excused himself and pulled Brynhild out of the hall under the eyes of the others and some cheers as well.

Outside, when he was sure nobody could hear him, he said, "It was Frigga. She helped." He looked into the Valkyrie's eyes, "Brynhild… I know that I am not better now than all the others. I beat you. Law states you are mine now to do with as I see fit. I find this abhorrent. So know that, if you do not want this, now, or any time later, you are free to leave. I will never bind you. Never force you to be with me. I want you to be my princess, not my servant. To be my equal, not my slave. To be my partner. To be the woman I can look up to. And if ever you do not feel for me anymore, tell me, and I shall let you go."

She touched his face, "Never have I wanted to be with a man more, Loki. I will be your queen because I chose to, not just because fate cast me at your side. You will become King of Iceland once we get married. I will rejoice in the thought of being at your side. You have done nothing but respected me. How could I not want to be with you forever? I do not see this as a burden, but as a blessing." She kissed him, "Oh, Loki…"

He looked at her and then went down on his knee, holding her hand, "Would you do me the honour of becoming my wife, then?"

She smiled and nodded, "Yes, Loki, I will." She pulled him back into a standing position and kissed him passionately. "I want to. The honour is all mine, dear Loki."

And Loki had never felt happier.

Aw, happy ending.

Epilogue to follow.