Till Death Do Us Part

Chapter 22

"Hel? Surely you are joking." Thor said

"Do I look like I'm joking?" Y/n snapped, glaring at Thor.

No one had ever seen Y/n like this. She was... somewhat frightening to look at in her current state. Her eyes were so red from crying they looked similar to a full blooded frost giants eyes, she had deep, dark circles under her eyes, her hair was a mess, and instead of the gentle smile she usually wore, her expression was hard and she looked like she was ready to kill.

"No, I can see that you're serious. Y/n you must know that it's dangerous to go there, what am I to do if you don't return? What am I supposed to say to Astrid if she grows up asking where her mother is?" Thor was worried and showed in his tone and his face.

"I'll return, and I'll bring her father back too."

"I'm sorry does someone want to explain to us normal people what's happening?" Tony asked.

"Y/n is planning on going to Hel to try to convince the goddess of death, Hela to return Loki to the living." Thor explained.

"How do you know he's in hell?" Peter asked.

Everyone just looked at him.

"...right, dumb question." Peter said embarrassed.

"It's a long shot but what other choice do I have?"

"I know how much you loved him but he would not want you to risk your life to save his. You fulfilled your vow, you loved and cherished him until death did you part." Thor tried to comfort his sister but his words fell on deaf ears.

"Death is selfish, tearing couples and families apart like this. I'll not let death win so easily. Take care of Astrid until I return."

Thor could see he would not win this argument and nodded his head in defeat. Y/n went to the roof so that the bifrost could more easily transport her. "Heimdall, it's time."

The bifrost opened and sent Y/n to her chosen destination. As the bifrost closed she heard a voice behind her say, "You don't belong here."

She turned and saw Hela sitting on her throne. Y/n bowed respectfully. "I'm sure you can guess why I'm here."

"And I'm sure you can guess that my answer is no."

"Hela I've come here prepared to do whatever I must to bring my husband back."

"Why? His life wasn't very useful. In fact didn't he actually take many lives? Your husband was a murderer, I can't in good conscience return such a soul to the living." Hela said with a smirk.

"You mock me. Loki may have taken lives in the past but he changed so much after he married me, the people of Asgard were finally starting to forgive him. He is a good man and a loving father." Y/n said.

"Was he truly being forgiven? I find that hard to believe. But perhaps you can prove it to me." Hela waved her hand and cloud of black mist appeared and left Loki standing next to Hela.

"Y/n what are you doing here?" Loki asked.

"Silence." Said Hela. "If you can get every citizen of Asgard that can speak to say 'Loki, I forgive you and wish for your return.' Then I shall allow him to return with you."

"I accept your offer." Y/n said. "Heimdall open the bifrost."

Y/n was taken back to Asgard. "Heimdall, you heard her. Will you be the first to say what she's asked?"

Heimdall obliged. "Loki, I forgive you and wish for your return."

"Thank you." Y/n said. And she hurried back to the palace, telling her story to everyone on the way and asking them to speak Hela's sentence. All of them did.

Y/n ran into the throne room where Odin and Frigga were. "Y/n where have you been?" Frigga asked.

"Hel."

"What?! Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?" Odin shouted.

"Hela has agreed to allow Loki to return to the living on one condition." Y/n calmly continued.

"Well what is it?" Asked Frigga, excited her son may be returning.

Y/n explained what had happened in Hel and of course the king and queen spoke the words Hela required. It took almost a month for Y/n to go round the entirety of Asgard convincing people to help her by saying what Hela asked. She barely slept or ate. Y/n was very thorough and made sure that she even asked the children who could speak, as the goddess of death did not like losing the souls she collected there was likely a loophole of some kind that she'd need to look out for.

Finally, after a quick trip to Midgard to have Thor and Astrid speak the sentence, she was certain she'd asked every citizen of Asgard and she returned to Hel to claim her prize.

"Y/n, welcome back." Hela said.

"I've done as you asked Hela. Return my husband to me."

"Yes I heard as one by one the Asgardians did as they were asked." Hela said, clearly annoyed that she'd lost her bet. "But they only did it for you, you know. They'll never truly forgive him."

"Just return my husband."

"Very well. If you can get to him, you can leave with him." Hela waved her hand and a black aura shone around it. She motioned for Y/n to turn around.

When she turned Y/n saw an entire army of the dead and on the other side of the battlefield was her husband in chains. "You've got to be kidding me."

Y/n hadn't taken care of herself at all, she'd become very thin from not eating, she was constantly dizzy from not sleeping, she was unlikely to win a battle like this, and Hela knew it.

A teleportation spell was too risky in her current state as it required a level of focus Y/n did not currently have. She needed a plan. She needed her husband back by her side.

Hope you're enjoying the story! I can't believe it's come this far, honestly I never planned on making it this long and I never expected it to get this much attention. Thank you so much for reading! ❤️❤️❤️