Thor sat on the cliff overlooking New Asgard. Today was the day of Loki’s funeral. A single tear fell down Thor’s cheek. He felt such regret. He did not understand why Loki decided to sacrifice himself. Why his brother, his little brother, who was the farthest thing from selfless, would commit such a selfless act.
The fact that their last conversation was a fight, would haunt him until his last breath. He did not mean these words, he almost immediately took them back, but the pain in Loki’s eyes…that would never be erased from his mind. He said Loki was dead to him.
He said his brother was dead to him and then he died. For him. Thor closed his eyes, trying to calm himself down. All he wanted to do was scream at the sky, beg the gods to bring back his brother. Bring him back, so he could apologise, for all the fights, all the ill spoken words he’s ever thrown at Loki.
‘Bring him back…’ Thor whispered, hiding his face in his hands. He couldn’t stop the tears from falling anymore. He was shaking as he relived the life with Loki. How, when they were kids, he would always forgive Loki for his mischief nature, for the jokes. How, when Odin banished him to Earth, he was grateful it was him that was run out and not Loki. How, when Asgard was destroyed, he would comfort Thor, promising they’d build it back together. He knew how much Asgard meant to him. It was never that important to Loki, so for him to offer his help…he would have done it. Selflessly. For Thor.
Suddenly, he felt someone’s hand on his arm. He quickly wiped his tears away and turned around to see Valkyrie in a black suit, similar to his.
‘It’s time.’ she said with deep sadness in her voice. She was never a fan of Loki’s, but he was Thor’s brother, so that meant he was dear to her too.
‘Why did he do it?’ Thor asked with tears in his eyes. ‘Why? Why would this…damn idiot do that?!’ He screamed and threw a rock into the sea. Valkyrie looked at him with pain in her eyes.
‘I don't know, Thor. I really wish I knew. I wish I could have taken his place…’ Valkyrie took a deep breath. ‘He loved you. He loved Asgard. He told me so, after your fight. It might not have been his birthplace, but it was still his home.’
Thor was fighting the tears again. He had nothing. He was considered a hero, he could do whatever he wanted, he could have whatever he wanted, but that still meant nothing. He didn’t have his brother to share it all with.
Valkyrie gently rubbed his arm. ‘I know it hurts now. But you can honor his memory by living your life to the fullest. He would have wanted you to. There.’ Valkyrie took an envelope out of the pocket of her suit and handed it to Thor.
Thor wiped his tears and opened what appeared to be a letter. With the letter there was a bracelet there as well, but he wanted to read the letter first.
First part of the letter looked as it was scribbled after the main part of it was written.
‘Dearest Brother. I have trusted Valkyrie with passing this message to you and I instructed her to give it to you only under certain circumstances, so do not blame her for not passing it sooner.”
The next part read:
‘Today we had a horrible encounter and I’ve said things I wish to take back, but I know you do not want to see me. So let this letter express how sorry I am. I have never meant to be a burden to you, to Odin, or to mother. I understand that my actions have resulted in an attack on Midgard, a place you hold so dearly in your heart. I was blinded with rage at Odin and I hurt you in the process. I am sorry that you were the byproduct of my hatred. However much I caused you pain, I do not believe the words you said to me today.
I do not believe you resent me. I do not believe you wish you were not my brother and you wish I was dead. I refuse to believe it and I have forgiven you for it the moment you said it.
If I could I would take back all the damage I’ve done. All I ever wanted was to be treated as an equal son to you. But it was not your fault father has seen it differently. My rage should have not been aimed at you. I hope my sacrifice may repay the debt I have owed and I hope it can bring you peace. I hope you can live freely, knowing I can never betray you again. I hope you can create a new Asgard for yourself and our friends. Please, accept my necklace as a reminder of my love and our brotherhood. I’ve always looked up to you, brother. I will watch over you and our people. Please, forgive me for what I’m about to do. It is the only way. I love you dearly, Thor.
Forever your brother and friend - Loki’
“No…no…” Thor turned the letter around but that was it. That was what was left of his brother. That and a bracelet. Thor with shaking hands took it out of the envelope and he instantly recognised it. It used to be a gold necklace with a small emerald diamond from Asgard. Loki would wear it everyday, as it was a birthday present from mother, given to him for his 6th birthday. Once Loki has grown it was no longer a necklace, it became a bracelet. Thor put the bracelet on and he vowed he’d never take it off.
‘I’m sorry, Thor. I promised him.’ said Valkyrie quietly.
‘I do not blame you, I appreciate you respecting his wish. He…he mentioned new Asgard…is that…is that why you named it this way?” Valkyrie only nodded her head. “Thank you…for honouring him this way.’ Thor sniffed and stood up. “It’s time.”
-
Thor wanted a closed casket funeral. He couldn’t bear to look at his brother’s face. Him, Fandral, Volstagg and Sif carried the coffin to the designated spot and placed it on the ground. Thor was holding Loki’s letter in his hand, as if to find some comfort in it. Thor saw a glimpse of sun, reflecting in the diamond on the bracelet. He covered it with his hand, as if to catch it and keep it. It was Loki, it must have been. He stepped forward to say a few words. To bid farewell.
‘Dearest brother. Loki. Please, forgive me for the words that were said and for the times where I wasn’t there for you. For the times I haven’t stood by your side. I hope I can keep your memory alive by living my life in your name. I wish you peace, at last. Farewell, brother.’ Thor ended his speech and placed his hand on the coffin. He shook his head and whispered ‘I can never forgive you for leaving me like that.” Thor was shaking. He looked up at the sky and yelled. “Damn you, Loki! It should have been me!’ The sun has yet again reflected in the diamond. ‘You promised, brother. You promised the sun would shine on us again. So where are you?! Where are you, Loki?! You promised!’ Thor fell on his knees, crying, trying to wrap his arms around the coffin. Fandral came over to Thor and tried to comfort him, but Thor pushed him away. “I can’t even bury him at his home!” he sobbed. “It’s gone!” He was shaking.
“Thor. Let him rest…” Valkyrie said approaching Thor. “Let him rest.” She slowly pulled Thor up and hugged him.
“I let him down…I let my little brother down…” He cried in her arm. She couldn’t find the words that would comfort him now, because his heart broke. There were no words that would ever mend this wound. Fandral and Volstagg lowered the coffin down in the ground and started burying it. “Wait…wait, please.” With shaking hands, Thor took his Mjolnir necklace from his neck and tossed it on the coffin. “I died with you, brother.” He whispered so only he could hear it.
The diamond shined again.