Chapter 11 the act of peace, the act of war

Soundtrack is ,,pilgrimage'' by evereve

Býleistr stood in front of the throne of odin, once again – he came for final answer – the answer that was going to decide fate of jotunheim, war, loki, himself – everything. Odin was not here. He was waiting for more then an hour already – this was an act of disrespectful behavior and it meant no good – his council was not to be welcomed back here, in asgard.

He heard heavy footsteps approaching. Býleistr's ears were sharp enough to guess – that was not the all-father, neither spourse of his, nor the guards. These steps could belong to one person only – the one he feared the most, even more careful watcher and trickster then god of lies himself. He turned around and his guess became reality.

Heimdall was watching him with great interest and once again the jotun prince felt himself uncomfortable, as if loki himself was standing here. These two were not alike a bit – green emerald eyes and pale white skin of god of mischief had nothing in common with the watcher's sunny yellow eyes and chocolate brown skin, but shining in their eyes – that look, making Býleistr feel almost like a punished child. It was so good, perfect choice for them to be each- other's nemesis at ragnarok. Býleistr wondered if loki knew that?

- No he doesn't – answered heimdall to the question that was never uttered. Býleistr's jaw drooped ,,so he reads my mind? By hel, what am I going to do if they know all out plans? I will be executed for both helblindi's and my crimes.'' He felt unimaginable horror.

- I don't read your mind, – heimdall smiled with a smile of the man who knows, he owns the situation. Býleistr saw loki's smile by his mind's eye – he had the same smile, when he took Býleistr's place beside helblindi's throne, oh how he hated that smile – but made himself stop thinking about it – about loki's fate further and their plans and listened to what that watcher had to say – loki is able hide himself from me and I am not able to read your mind as long as his plans and fate are considered. But I could guess what you were thinking about me – matching us with loki – yes, we are to kill each –other, but he has no idea of it.

- And what does it feel like to watch your nemesis grow in front of you? Watch his every move, every step he takes? What does it feel like to know – you let your own death grow? – Býleistr asked roughly, his voice was insulting – why did not you kill him while he was a child?

- That is what differs you, jotun from us, aesir – heimdall smiled – you don't get that, you never will, neither will loki, that is why tales of ragnarok were always kept from him – why not to kill a child if it's helpless, why let it live to kill you? Loki asked the same question once, he never got his answer. Neither will you. But there is another answer for you, answer you were awaiting for.

- I was awaiting for all father.

- He won't be coming to meet you, I am afraid. I have your answer instead - the all father made- up his mind – he agreed to give his throne to loki and make him a heir to asgard, if jotunheim does the same. We accept your offer of marrige as well, but at one condition only – loki has to return to his home to ascend to the throne - and we will settle the matter of marrige after that. Prince will be handed the cascet as soon as you claim loyalty to him as well and odin will stand aside to kneel to a new king as well. You have two weeks to decide – whether or not you agree to this terms. If you do, loki has to return to asgard and all-father will grant him his royal status. If he refuses to return, then there will be no throne for him and no home – he will be banished from asgard till the ragnarok comes and jotunheim will be declare as enemy. Come, consiliour – I am to escort you ro the rainbow bridge. If loki doesn't return withing a fortnight, that will be the act of war. The all father wishes peace with your people and warns you – do not support loki if he dares to reject kindest offer of our king.

Býleistr was no longer able to think and speak. He only hoped, while walking beside the watcher that helblindi had any idea how to settle the situation at all. Would he let loki rule over two kingdoms? What was odin up to, did he really decide to stand aside and kneel adopted jotun of his? – those thoughts were still torturing him while he stepped on the rainbow bridge.

- Farewell, now, consilior! – said heimdall and his golden eyes were the last thing Býleistr saw, before he disappeared in the cocktail of colors.

Golden eyes, all-watching, all-knowing.

So much alike emerald ones.

coming next - Chapter 12 ice and fire

so, what do you think about this chapter? were you amazed by odin's decision? do you think he will give up throne to loki?