Ehehe, last chapter, everyone! Thank you all so, so much for sticking to this story and seeing it to the end! Each and every one of you make me absolutely happy. Please review; I read all of them and appreciate them so much!

Thor could feel Loki's life slipping away in his arms, and he panicked to think quickly. He hugged Loki to his chest as if to stem the flow of blood. He couldn't take his eyes off of the buttons in the statue's hand.

"How can you ask this of me?" said Thor. He turned his betrayed gaze to Vör. "You are the master of this maze, are you not? Why must you demand a price from me?"

Vör said nothing, but her eyes looked as if they would threaten tears if they were alive. Thor choked back a sob and pressed his forehead against Loki's. It was unnaturally cool against his skin. Was this why the guards deemed Loki the pawn, so he could be as a tool to test Thor? Furious indignation bubbled in Thor, but he realized he had no time for fury. His brother's life was slipping away like sand trickling between fingers.

"What happened to them?" Thor said. "The soldiers."

"They tried to brave this land," said Vör, "but fell to adversity they could not conquer."

His heart ached terribly. How he wished it was his own life on the line instead of others. He couldn't lose his brother. He couldn't bring himself to give his brother's life away. But how many of those buttons in her hand were someone's brother back in Asgard? Someone's love, someone's son or father? How many families would be overjoyed with his choice and be at peace after two thousand years? How many families would be heartbroken if he were to choose the other? He knew too well that no matter his choice, someone would lose a brother and a son, and the intensity of that truth tore him.

A king should know when it is and is not worth it, he could hear Loki say.

Loki giving him riddles throughout the maze just to help him. Loki's face lighting up from the flames of his own magic. Loki tricking Heimdall so Thor could go to the place he wanted. Loki watching Thor spar from over the top of the book he read. Loki's swift smile when he made Thor laugh. Loki growing, Loki laughing, Loki tricking, Loki living—

"Oh, Loki," Thor sobbed. He bent his head low over his brother. "Oh, brother, I'm so sorry."

Time was running out and each lost second was a drop of blood running down into the grass.

"I am no king of Asgard. Now now," Thor whispered. "I cannot be."

He lifted his wet eyes to Vör. "I care not if I have failed this test. I choose to save my brother. Please save him."

Vör lowered her head in consent and beckoned him to lay Loki into the pool. Thor tenderly laid Loki down into the shallow waters as Vör's hands supported him from beneath. A blossom of blood bloomed as Loki's chest sank into the water, billowing delicately like red gauze. Loki's face was still and sleeping, his black hair drifting as it skimmed the water. Thor held Loki's hand, urging himself to breathe freely. The process was slow, and he could not tell if Loki was healing, or if he would live. He was so weary, and he wished this all a dream.

Then, without warning, a miracle happened. The wound upon Loki's chest stitched up until no blood escaped it, and his breathing began to ease. Thor let out a long breath of relief and he tightened his grip on Loki's hand. Vör continued to cradle Loki in the water until his complexion grew healthier, albeit still unusually pale. Thor closed his eyes and brought Loki's hands to his lips, waiting, waiting.

Finally, Loki breathed—a soft inhale Thor almost missed, and the most relieving sound he ever heard. Vör signaled Thor to lift him from the water. Thor did so immediately, bending low to scoop Loki delicately out of the water. He was completely dry, to Thor's surprise, and the blood washed from his chest. Vör rose to her marble feet, her face pensive and ageless.

"He shall live, Thor Odinson," she said. "He is still weak, and in need of healing, but he shall live."

"Thank you," he whispered. He put his hand on Loki's forehead and sighed. "I have failed my people, but I know in my heart I love my brother more than Asgard. I know he does not believe so." His hand traced Loki's hollow cheek and rested on his shoulder. "But I cannot bear to lose him to anything."

"Your love knows no bound, Odinson," said Vör. She bent low and gently lifted his chin up to face her. "You were not born so you could only be a king. You are a brother, a friend, and were meant for so much love. Do not forget." She gave a deep nod to Loki. "For so long he did not believe what you have so nobly proven. Perhaps now he will understand the love you have for him, and be at peace."

Thor lifted Loki from the ground and stood up, holding him protectively. Loki was still unconscious, but alive—fully, beautifully, blessedly alive.

"Shall I help take you to your home on Asgard?" said Vör.

"Let me take the adornments back to my people," said Thor, "so I can return them to their families. It is the least I can do for them since…" He couldn't bring himself to say more. It pained him to understand how far he was from ready for the crown, but he could not find a shred of regret in him. His brother was alive; his other half was saved.

She shook her head. "There is no need."

Thor looked to where he thought she had placed them, only to find them gone—vanished into thin legend. He turned to her quizzically. She bowed to him.

"Do not be afraid to act on love," she said. "You are strong, and you are worthy, Thor Odinson."

She outstretched her open hands toward Thor. Bright light began to surround him and he brought Loki closer to himself as if to make sure nothing could try to take him away. The courtyard, the trees, and Vör faded as the light outshone them, shimmering until his own skin felt like they trembled on his bones. He closed his eyes, yearning for home, for rest.

When he opened his eyes again, he found himself in the halls of his home back in Asgard. He looked down and took a breath of sweet relief to see Loki still with him, eyes closed and resting-so relieved he was that he felt he could stop and cry this very moment. Loki did not need to save his magic to take them home after all, and Thor hoped he would use it to heal soon. He moved toward Loki's bedchambers, making a mental note to find a healer soon after.

"Thor?"

Thor stopped in his tracks. Frigga had turned the corner to see her eldest son, battered and tired, and her youngest in his arms, unconscious. Her face drew immediately with worry and she hurried toward them.

"What has happened? Are you all right?" she said, her voice strained. Her mothering hands caressed Loki's face, checking for any wounds or ailments. "Oh, my child, my son," she whispered.

Thor gave her a soft smile. "Do not fret, Mother…he is all right. We are both all right now. Better." He shifted Loki gently in his arms; Loki stirred a little and Thor's heart relaxed. "You and Father…you shall hear of it. But Loki needs rest to heal." Thor closed his eyes. "He has saved the both of us greatly today."

Frigga nodded in silent understanding and quietly led her sons to Loki's chambers. There was much healing to do.

All our work undone.

The Norns drifted around Vör, neither solid nor ghost as they danced in the wind. Vör paid little heed to them, instead watching with hungry eyes as the eldest son laid his brother to rest.

The princes have learned and accepted what Asgard had ignored for so long.

Isn't that ironic?

Now they've gone and bound up the rift that had yet to break.

Many, many changes in everyone's fate indeed.

She felt her heart lighten as the mother and father and son gathered around the bed, speaking softly about the trials and tribulations, and the understanding that dawned upon them. The Norns weaved as they spoke, as they danced, twining the new future.

How daring it was of you, Vör.

To create an entire world for the sake of these brothers.

To feed untruthful memories in the scholarly books and gatekeeper's mind to tempt them.

Many lives will have to be spared now that this has happened.

Mortals, Jotunn, and Asgardians.

Do you think it was worth it?

Vör did not answer. The mother and father—king and queen—kissed each of their sons before leaving them to peace and quiet, their hearts softened and their eyes still glistening. The Norn weaved and weaved, the future softer and brighter than it was before.

My dear Vör,

Are you crying?

"Forgive me, my Norn," said the goddess of wisdom, pressing a hand to her wet cheek. "It's just that I've wanted them to be saved for a long, long time."

When Loki finally woke up, he found Thor at his bedside, a chess set placed on the bedside table.

"Shall we?" said Thor.

Loki smiled. And the new thread of fate began.