My Sweet Flame

Chapter 64. The (Fun)eral

A/N: Double slash marks means an interruption of speech. (Fun thing I learned while reading plays.)

Loki P.o.V.

"You have to put the fun in funeral."

That's what she would say if she was here.

I looked down at the beautifully ornate open casket in front of me where Y/N lay. She had been dressed in a plum-colored evening gown and her favorite sandals. She wore no makeup, but her hair was strewn gently around her, perfect down to the last curl. Her hands were clasped over her stomach. Twined between her fingers was the necklace that Thor and I had given her for the first birthday she had had on Asgard. It had a small golden dragonfly flittering on the chain. Dragonflies always reminded me of her, or more specifically the way she danced. Sometimes quick and jerky, but always graceful and the movements flowing together. My gaze returned to her face, so pale and peaceful. Even in the cold clutches of death, she was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen. A white rose with gold and purple tips appeared in the hand behind my back, and I slid it between her stomach and hands.

It had only been two days. Two. A mere two days since Y/N had passed. It felt like an eternity, so much had happened. In just that two days, Malekith had been destroyed, the Aether safely hidden with the Collector, and Thor had given up his birthright. Thor would be here, the witless oaf. He'd come back for the funeral, but would be leaving Asgard again soon.

"It'll do," The gruff voice of Odin came. I gave a soft nod and waved my hand, motioning to the guards to take her away. I hated the way his voice sounded coming from my own lips. It was strange, foreign. I waved off the casket holding my illusion's "body" as well.

I had what I wanted. I was king of Asgard, and Thor was out of the picture. I had what I wanted, so why did it feel so horrible?

I slowly made my way down the docks where Y/N's, and my own, funeral would take place. Guards bowed as I passed, maids curtseyed, and the peasants and townspeople gathered.

"People of Asgard," I began, "Today we come together to mourn the loss of two beloved souls. Loki Odinson, a prince of Asgard, the God of Mischief," I paused, "My son." I wasn't really, not now, anyway. Perhaps I was once, but those times had long passed. "And Y/N Y/L/N, the Goddess of Music, almost a daughter of mine." Pause for effect. "They died warrior's deaths. They sacrificed themselves, giving their lives so that we could live ours. With the efforts of Thor, they did not die in vain. They died heroes of this short-lived outrage." I paused, "Their sacrifice shall not be forgotten. Let is not mourn for our loss, but celebrate their lives."

With that, the boats were released into the water, slowly making their way through the people and towards the edge of the falls. I glanced over at Thor, who had decided that he wanted to shoot the first arrow. I'd never seen him shoot an arrow in my entire life. As he prepared to shoot, I prayed he wouldn't miss. He let it go.

The flaming arrow soared through the night sky, before landing on Y/N's boat. Within moments, it was in flames. He shot the next arrow and it sailed its proper path. As the boats drew nearer to the falls, I felt a tear roll down my cheek.

Not here, not now. There is time for this later.

I regained my composure just in time to send the spirits on their way. I brought the staff down, and the boats continued on in the air. I used magic to make it appear as though my double's body was fading up to the stars as I watched Y/N. I watched in awe and agony as she turned to golden sparks and made way for the heavens. As I had expected, most of them disappeared. Only some made their way up. The rest, I supposed, were lost to the Force. She had told me about it once, how the bodies of Jedi disappeared into thin air to become one with the Force. They'd live on forever, to teach and to guide.