"Are you sure you know what you saw?" Odin asked them slowly, carefully.
"Yes, my king," Sif said, kneeling. "It was the monster Loki knew. We are sure of it."
"Except... brainless," Volstagg contributed. "Like a domesticated dog."
Odin traced a finger carefully along his lips, deep in thought.
"What are your orders, sire?" asked Sif.
Odin looked up, broken from his reverie. He was driven more easily to distraction these days it seemed, spending much more time holed up in his private chambers or the palace library, but who could blame him? The entire realm knew that Frigga's death had affected the old king more than he let on. He was no longer young, and everyone knew that oftentimes, when an elder's spouse died, the remaining one would join them in short order. Considering the loss of Frigga was so closely followed by the death of Loki and Thor's abdication of the throne, it was surprising Odin was even still functioning. All of Asgard worried for their king, but they worried more for the realm – with Thor dedicating his life to protecting Midgard, and Loki having died more than a week prior in a surprisingly valiant act, they would be left leaderless. Even Odin had refused to discuss the line of succession. He only asked his people to trust his judgment, which they did – after all, he had never steered them wrong before.
"We should help her," he said slowly. "If only to honor what might have been Loki's dying wish."
"Sire?" asked Volstagg, "For all we know – since they hadn't seen each other in over a year – Loki could have all but forgotten her completely. I highly doubt she would have been a part of his dying moments."
"And how would you know?" snapped Odin.
Volstagg balked, a little hurt, concern etching his features. Sif laid a chiding hand on his shoulder, her look saying all – Indulge our king. Perhaps he is still grieving. He backed off and merely waited patiently for Odin's orders. Eventually, the king seemed to reach a conclusion.
"I shall go meet with the Collector myself," he stated.
"What?" Volstagg exclaimed, Sif grasping his arm in panic.
"If anyone were able to convince him to release her, it would be me," he said with a smile.
Has he lost it ? Sif wondered.
"I will leave Heimdall, my most trusted subject, in charge of the realm. Have him summoned, I shall leave at once."
The pair gave him incredulous looks, but what could they do? They bowed respectfully and followed his command. Within minutes, Odin was at the Bifrost with Heimdall, giving him orders before his departure. The golden-eyed, all-seeing guardian nodded in solemn understanding before using his sword to send Odin off through the Bifrost to Knowhere. Sif and Volstagg approached him with questioning glances, but he watched as stoically as ever. Finally, as the pair was about to leave, he spoke.
"Perhaps he simply wants a reminder of his son," Heimdall offered, his deep, calm voice rumbling within the circular chamber. "Or to honor that which he treasured, as a final gift for his bravery."
"Do you really believe that?" Sif asked.
"I am not sure," he admitted, turning back to them with a small smile. "I can see much, but not everything... unbelievable as that may seem," he chuckled.
His reassuring laugh made the two feel more at ease – Heimdall was the best man to leave in power, and rumors were flying about that he would be left as the next king of Asgard. There were no finer men to take the burden than he.
"Although," he suddenly added, pausing for a moment. "Perhaps he just needs a new project – to keep his mind occupied."
Sif and Volstagg understood – it made sense. Once one had nothing left to do in their life, they were quick to deteriorate and perish. Trying to rehabilitate Lyanne would be likely to bring Odin out of his grief and back to ruling the realm more attentively. And after all, if Loki had been capable of redemption in his final moments, sacrificing himself to save his brother and rival, who was to say his closest companion couldn't do the same thing – except, perhaps, maybe not having to die for her salvation.