I must return to Asgard to care for it in my father's absence. I will still communicate through this site as often as possible, though my responses may be slow as there is much that must be done.  

Jane, Darcy, Erik Selvig, I am grateful to you for what you've done for me, for taking me in when few others would have, for enduring me at my best and my worst, and for being the family I needed. I owe you my life, and you deserve far more than I can ever hope to offer. Jane, I will return, I swear it. You will have your promised date.

Tony Stark, Steve Rogers, you have been loyal, selfless and courageous in the face of unthinkable odds. I am glad to call you my brothers, for you have earned yourselves the respect of Asgard.

To the members of S.H.I.E.L.D. that I met, if I harmed you, I am sorry. Consider our past put behind us and know that I consider myself your ally for the sake of protecting Midgard from any who would seek its destruction.

I also borrowed a number of items from your camp during my brief stay. I've left them in Erik's living room, and if you keep your promise of returning the stolen research, you will be able to retrieve them. Erik, I am certain I managed to arrange them in one neat pile, but just in case, keep watch for a stray arrow or two that may lie beneath the couch cushions. 

Loki, having spelled Jane into a deep sleep turns his attentions on a sleeping Darcy. 

He sends Thor a message.  Worry and panic ensue.

Steve refuses to let him go alone and after some arguing Thor agrees.

Steve sends Tony a text, requesting Iron Man's back up.

Loki is ready and waiting for them in the desert on the outskirts of town.  Darcy is with him, dazed and unaware of her surroundings while encased in a glowing green shield of magical energy.

Thor leaps out to meet his brother, Steve not far behind him.  But the talk turns violent in a flash and Loki raises his spear, Gungnir, to strike.

Tony, ever a fan of dramatic entrances, flies in and strikes Loki off balance, saving Thor.  But the victory is short lived, Loki wields Odin's power and he strikes without mercy. 

Steve rises to Loki's challenge, telling a reluctant Thor to stay back. Tony joins the fray again, shooting the magic shield encasing Darcy. 

Loki has had quite enough so he lifts his spear and calls down the Destroyer, wicked metal guardian of Asgard.  Steve attempts to keep the Destroyer busy.  

A final shot from Tony dissolves Darcy's prison.

Loki puts Iron Man down with one final shot then turns to his brother and gets to the heart of the matter... 

Nearby Captain America falls beneath the flame and blows of the Destroyer. Grabbing Darcy, Loki shoves her close to a freshly open portal to Jotunheim threatening to finish her as well.  Thor begs his brother to stop.

Thor offers himself up in Darcy's place, wanting no one else to suffer because of him.

Loki, furious, takes his offer.

Thor is pushed to the ground and he dies staring into the night sky.  Victorious, Loki laughs even through his tears.

If you would like to download a PDF of this you can visit this post here where it's been made into a lovely typeset booklet by the talented Skiesovergideon.

Steve is in the hospital, Tony is too, Thor isn't, Darcy is back...

I've been wringing my hands raw with worry, and everything seems in place again. Things seem...

Better.

Sorry I haven't been around, didn't mean to worry you.  Had some trouble the other night.  Everyone is okay.  Miss Lewis is safe and sound.  

I'll be holed up in the hospital for a few days but it's nothing serious.

A little bird told me there was a party recently.  For your birthday, Mr. Rogers.  I'm wondering how it went.