The next few days felt like years to Loki, and yet, looking back, they were little more than a blur. Though he and Bryn were often found in one another's company, neither of them spoke a word, opting instead to stroll silently through the gardens and around Eyra's chambers, each consumed with his own memories and feelings of grief. Anyone with little enough sense to approach them was quickly sent running by Loki's icy glare.

Eventually, it came time for the funeral. To the dismay of both afore mentioned men, Inghard had appointed himself and Thor to be the speakers at the event. Upon hearing this piece of news, Loki had gritted his teeth and had to force himself to breathe deeply so as not to cause a scene. It should have been himself and Bryn, and yet, he told himself, he knew that such a thing would not look good to the rest of the guests, and that was what Inghard and Odin cared most about. And so, he and Bryn stood side-by-side as they listened to Thor say all the right things, even if the emotion was not quite all there.

Then, it was Inghard's turn. Loki's blood boiled as he listened to the man who had caused Eyra and himself so much strife speak of her as though he knew her. As though he had ever taken the time to really love her as anything more than a puzzle piece in his own game of power. Suddenly, a few of his words sliced through Loki's heart and mind like a knife.

"...that she should have been taken from us in the same way as her brother, Asmund, mere weeks ago..."

Loki's mouth went dry. Of course. She and Asmund had died of the same 'illness.' And, if they had thought Asmund's death to be suspicious, then Eyra's was even more so. He had been so caught up in his own feelings of pain and regret that he had failed to even consider the idea that there was more to her sudden passing than met the eye. It was with this revelation that he resolved with a greater determination than he had ever felt to get to the bottom of these recent events.

'I may not be able to bring you back, Darling, but by the Vanir,' he vowed solemnly. 'I will avenge you.'

Later that evening, Loki sat with Thor in front of a blazing fire. Although he had been jealous of his brother's engagement to the girl he loved, he had always adored the thunder god. Thor and his mother were the only two people (aside from Eyra, of course) who seemed to truly love him and at least try to understand him. Because of this, he found the smallest amount of solace in his brother's company at this time.

"It is shocking," Thor was saying with a shake of his head. "I don't think any of us could have foreseen this. Not even Mother." Loki 'hmm'ed' absently in response, and Thor continued. "I mean, I may not have been in love with her, but that does not mean that I did not care for her deeply. Astrid was an incredible woman."

"Eyra," Loki corrected without thinking.

Thor stared at him in bewilderment. "What?"

Loki looked back at him with wide eyes, realizing what he had done. "Uh, nothing. Just...musing to myself."

"No," Thor frowned. "You said 'Eyra.' What do you mean by that?"

Loki swallowed and decided after a moment that there was no getting out of it this time and that it would, frankly, be silly to try to do so. "Her name was Eyra," he sighed. "Not Astrid."

Thor continued to gape at him with a furrowed brow. "But, Eyra is the name of..." Realization suddenly dawned on his face. "It was her. You...You loved her," he breathed in shock.

Loki nodded, refusing to meet his brother's gaze. "No one has ever been so precious to me." He swallowed hard, cursing the tears that threatened to spill down his cheeks. "You never got the chance to really get to know her, but...she was absolutely amazing. I met her once, years ago, in the woods. I didn't see her again until she arrived here, and imagine my shock when it was she who stepped out of that carriage." He laughed in spite of himself. "Oh, how she hated that lifestyle. Inghard sort of forced her to become a proper lady, but when you got to see the real her...she was fun and spontaneous and passionate. And the way her eyes would widen and her nose would wrinkle when she laughed...I would give anything to see that again..."

"Did she love you?" Thor questioned hesitantly.

"Yes." Loki twiddled his thumbs to distract himself from the pain of talking about his grief. "Much to my shock, of course. After all, who would choose me over you? But, she did. We...we were hours away from fleeing to Midgard together when..." He found himself unable to continue.

Thor suddenly pulled his Loki into a tight embrace, allowing his younger brother to shed the tears he had been holding back with all his might for the past several days. Loki shuddered and gasped as he cried, making Thor's heart ache for him.

"Oh, Brother," he mumbled regretfully. "How I wish I could bring her back for you. I'm so sorry."

And so the two princes sat together and cried for hours, Loki over the loss of his darling Eyra, and Thor for the pain he felt on his brother's behalf.

A/N: So, this is obviously a really short chapter and the next one is going to be even shorter! It's the last chapter, and I want it to sort of be like one of those scenes Marvel always does after their credits. But! Worry not, for there shall be a sequel! If you want an idea of what said sequel is going to be about, I strongly recommend reading the last chapter, which I promise will be up tomorrow. :)

TigerInTheMoonlight: I know! I'm terrible, and I'm so sorry about it! Just know, that it is absolutely necessary. And I guess you will just have to keep reading to find out what Frigga knows. :)

LilweenGalatrass: Well, like I said, there may very well be a happy ending yet in store for poor Loki here. :) And what does Frigga know? A lot of things which you will just have to keep reading to find out!

snowflake2410: Well...yes and no? I don't know! Keep reading and see! :)

Deductions-of-Sherlolly: ...sorry... :/

Okumura Ichigo: Do not despair! This is not a tragedy fic! Like I said, there is going to be a happy ending for Loki eventually! I promise! :)

Aslan Sheeran: I absolutely understand what you mean, and definitely recommend reading at least the next chapter. :) I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE IT! Hopefully I will get to either tonight or tomorrow. Fingers crossed!

chyanne200: Just remember that this isn't a tragedy! That's all I'm saying! ;)

GirlOfGallifrey: Hahaha you want her back but don't? I'm afraid you will have to explain. ;) And you are right, there is happiness in store for Loki eventually!

sayrahsunshine: I'm sorry please don't hate me! Don't worry, it was necessary to the overall plot! Promise!

anon: Not a nightmare, no. Sorry. :/ But don't worry! This story is far from over! Promise!

dukechick79: Well, I'm sure glad that I was able to surprise you! And, again, there is definitely some happiness a little ways down the road. :)

soundwxves: Wow, thank you so much for such a positive review! It makes me really happy to be able to bring some sort of entertainment for my readers! Hopefully I will be able to continue to keep you interested!

Abby: Thank you so much! We are far from nearing the end of this story, so hopefully you will be satisfied with its future events! :)