The preternatural quiet of the palace lay heavy on his ears. At the end of the hall before the great gilded doors stood Thor, his hands clasped before him, Jane to his left, looking up at him. He could see Thor had been crying even from a distance away and it unnerved him. Thor opened his arm and caught him in a hard embrace.

"Thank you for coming so swiftly, brother. Old Clotho has been at his side all night as has mother. There is naught to be done. Let us pay our respects while he may yet hear us."

Frigga looked up from her chair beside the bed when the door opened. She was sitting in a padded chair, a tome in her lap, holding Odin's hand and he was struck by how she seemed to have aged so over the past season. A smile brightened her face, melting away a few seasons.

"Boys," her voice was soft, "Come, he knows you are here."

All at once he felt panic stricken as he had when he was a boy, knowing he must face his father for whatever reason, be it good or bad. Thor knelt beside the bed, his hands clasped below his chin as Frigga rubbed his shoulder. He felt a hand at the small of his back and tilted his head toward Eidra thankful for the gesture.

At the end of the bed stood a line of goưar, lips moving in silent prayer as Odin struggled to draw each breath, his mouth agape, emaciated frame buried beneath a mound of coverlets. He had started his journey to Valhalla in the body of a warrior but he would end it trapped within a useless husk. Thor stood and gestured for Loki. Through sheer force of will, he moved to the bedside. Thor draped his arm around his shoulders and suddenly he felt light-headed. He had never wished to be somewhere else more than he did at this moment. He swallowed hard.

"He will be resurrected in Valhalla and rule on high." Thor squeezed his shoulder. He could only nod, his gaze slipping to Frigga who gave him a sad smile. All at once, he pulled from Thor's embrace and started for the chamber door, striding past Jane and Eidra who stood at the back of the room, through the doors into the corridor, his heart pounding. He'd broken into a cold sweat by the time he reached the doors of his old bedchamber, kept walking until he reached the arboretum, slipping inside to sit at one of the benches by the central fountain, head back, eyes closed.

At the sound of footsteps on the marble floor, he opened his eyes to see Frigga sitting down beside him. They said nothing for some time, watching the birds flit back and forth through the bushes, nibbling at the berries, perching on the edge of the fountain to watch them in return.

"Is it wrong, mother? Is it wrong that I will mourn the passing of the once great king, the man, not the father?"

Frigga covered his hands with hers, "It was never easy for him. Trying to govern a kingdom, at the same time trying to find time to raise sons who would one day ascend the throne.."

"One son only."

She brought his hand to her cheek, "You are as worthy of the title of king as your brother. Do not doubt yourself and do not condemn him for giving the throne to Thor."

"It matters little now. What is done cannot be undone in deed, in word, in thought. All I learned as a boy, I learned through you."

"Your courage, your nobility, you garnered such qualities from the Allfather," she stroked his hand, "You must know how he loved you both. Above all you must know how hard he tried to be a father," her voice cracked as she lay her head on his shoulder, "..he tried."

He enfolded Frigga in his arms, the tears he shed not for Odin but for her anguish, her grief. He felt a hand brush his forehead and opened his eyes to see Eidra standing before them.

"Clotho sent me to fetch you. Come quickly."

Colin reined in his horse, the others following suit as horns began to sound about the city. The guards standing on either side of the arched gateway drew off their helmets, turning to look up at the palace looming high overhead, the sun just peering over the horizon to light the spires with gold.

"Sounds like the party's over huh."

Colin twisted in the saddle and held a finger to his lips, "Aye, just don't sound so flippant. The whole realm is going to be in mourning. You might want to practice a wee bit of tact."

Tony seemed about to answer when Simon coughed into his hand a few times and Tony turned to him, "Thanks for the vote of no confidence, Foster."

Simon held up his hands, "I said nothing."

Colin spurred Agathon forward, "Let's get inside, there's no use putting it off."

Colin hung at the back of the throne room as Aesir, citizen, nobility continued to pour through the open double doors. His back ached along with his head and feet, he was hungry and tired. They'd been most of the day waiting for the King to make an appearance. He'd had to practically sit on Tony who was the least patient man he'd ever met in his life. He'd made at least a dozen circuits around the room, talking his way around each time. Colin had followed him the first couple of times then he'd stayed near one of the large columns talking quietly with Simon who himself seemed preoccupied as he continually scanned the room.

"Ya know, why don't we just head back to the longhouses?" Tony had returned and was now trying to stretch himself above the heads of the crowd. Colin chuckled at the futility of his efforts.

"We're here out of respect. You'd expect the same for yourself would you not?" Simon chided him.

Tony mimicked lighting a match, "Just stuff me in a box and throw me in an oven. I'll be dead anyway. I won't care."

"Well they do." A horn sounded, cavernous in the hall and they all looked toward the dais where Thor, Jane and Loki now stood.

A hush blanketed the crowd as Thor raised his hands in the air, "My people, citizens of Asgard, the Allfather has passed from this life to the next. He will rule Valhalla in glory for all eternity!"

A roar erupted from the throng.

"We will sing his praises while we honor his life with the sjaund!"

Another roar.

"What's that?" Tony whispered to Colin.

Colin leaned over, "It's the ritual drinking and feasting for the deceased. It happens seven days after they depart this life."

"Seven days? From today? We've got another group coming in then." Tony slapped his hands atop his head.

"Well we may have to postpone it," Simon sighed, "It'd be disrespectful not to...mourn...with..."

Colin looked at Simon, following his gaze to spy Lelia leading Trena through the throng of people and his stomach clenched.

"Okay let's put it this way. I have a schedule I'm supposed to keep to as closely as possible as mandated by...home base. They're going to ask a lot of questions if I tell them we have to hold off on the next batch."

"So tell them the truth," Colin muttered, exasperated, "Tell them the big man bought the farm and so as not to start an inter-dimensional war, we're going to do as they do. A week isn't going to make much difference, for fuck sake."

Tony whirled about, "Good, fine, then I guess you won't mind delivering the news."

"What?"

Tony rubbed his hands together, "I'll ask the big guy about putting off the next influx and if he agrees, you can go back to New York and inform Fury...yeah...okay done deal."

"I don't want to go back to...!"

Tony held up his hand, "Where's Simon gone off to?"

"Excuse me..," Simon elbowed his way through the people, "Pardon me." He didn't want to call out her name, rather he only wished to catch up with her. He didn't even know if he could bring himself to talk to her again. She'd been so agitated at the cottage and they'd left in such a hurry he'd not had a chance. Vargas had told him on the way to the encampment that Lelia was the new aide to the palace seer, her Aunt Trena, but said little else about it. He was almost even with them when the woman she was guiding through the crowd turned her head, "Lelia, turn and greet your friend. He is eager to see you."

Simon stopped, rooted to the spot as Lelia spun around.

"Simon?"

He could only nod.

"What are you doing here?"

One word, "Odin." his tongue felt thick.

"And much more," Trena joined in, "It is all coming clearer."

Simon glanced around him, looking for Tony and Colin, yelped as Trena's hand patted the top of his head.

"Melos was tall for his race. This you have inherited."

The sound in the room, all at once faded into the background. "Tall...I'm...you've mistaken..."

Lelia held a finger to her lips as Trena drew closer. He was feeling light-headed. If she didn't do what she intended to pretty soon, he could ensure she was going to be kneeling on the ground to do it. He stumbled backward, bumping into a couple of men.

"Excuse me." He mumbled as Trena's hands roamed his face.

"The four are returning. What has fate in store for the nine realms?"

Simon's eyes darted to Lelia.

"I haven't the slightest idea what you're talking about..."

"The keepers of the Runes Elemental. First the tall one, now you." Trena clapped her hands as if she'd been surprised with a much yearned for gift.

Simon backed away, felt two hands at his back and Tony's voice in his ear, "You shouldn't wander off like that all the time."

Simon put a hand to his mouth, parting the way with the other as he darted through the crowd the way he'd come.

Tony watched him go, turned and nodded to the two women, "Pardon me," and began to make his way behind Simon.

Loki shook his head, "Tell Stark you cannot go."

The stable boy handed Agathon's reins to Colin, "I've told him I don't want to but he says Fury will want to know why plans have been changed."

Loki pulled himself up into Lightning's saddle, "Damn Fury! Damn and to Hel with him! There is much to be done before the funeral, the house will be in turmoil with the comings and goings and now our friend must disappear," He steered Lightning beside Agathon, "What if they wish you to stay on Midgard."

"Who is staying on Midgard?"

Eidra had walked into the stables sending the stable boy racing to the stall to saddle Blackberry.

"The sun is nearly set. Where have you been?" Loki dismounted again.

"I was saying my goodbyes to the Queen. Who is staying on Midgard?"

Loki looked up at Colin, "No one is staying on Midgard. Colin must travel there to tell Fury of Odin's death."

Eidra looked at Colin as well, "How long shall you be away?"

Colin couldn't help smiling. Though he'd been staying in the household for three months now, he'd wondered at times whether he was more of a nuisance than anything else. It warmed his heart to hear them worry so about his absence.

"Milady, I will be as quick as possible."

"Were it that I could travel with you, I would." Loki held his hand out to Eidra as she pulled herself into her saddle.

"Milord, you've plenty to do however, yer concern is most appreciated. I'll leave tomorrow. Tony wants me to use the portal to return so I'll get a chance to try out the new ride."

"May the Gods protect you." Eidra murmured.

Colin saw Tony and Simon enter the stables at the far end. "I'll be fine. If you can't trust yer employer, who can you trust?"

The sounds and smells of the city confronted him almost immediately as he stepped onto the landing pad. Two young agents stood at the edge of the bullseye, hands behind their backs, waiting. As he reached them, he realized he actually recognized one of them. They'd met when he'd first joined up as an agent in Dublin. The man seemed timeless, the only evidence that time had not indeed left him behind were the deep crows feet around his eyes and a slight jowling of the cheeks. Otherwise he was still the same legend Colin remembered.

"Agent Coulson."

"Agent Denehy. Welcome home. The director is waiting in the ready room."

He was sitting at one end of a black topped oval table reading the New York Times, sleeves rolled up to reveal arms scarred from countless skirmishes but when he dropped the paper down and stared at Colin as if he'd walked into his apartment and sat down at his breakfast nook, Colin was immediately respectful.

"Director, fergive me for having to disturb you."

"Do I look disturbed?"

Colin bit the inside of his cheek, "Not at all, sir."

From the corner of his eye, he saw Coulson glance at the floor with a grin.

"And you'd be correct on any other day but your presence here tells me I'm about to be."

"I sincerely hope not, sir."

Fury waved to the table, "Sit down and disturb me then. I've got a full agenda this morning and I'd rather tackle the biggest problems first."

"Well," Colin settled into a chair a few seats away from him, "It's not exactly a problem. It could be if we're not careful."

Fury leaned forward, elbows on the table, "Are you trying to tell me how to do my job? And another thing...why is Lily not here instead of you. You're supposed to be keeping tabs on Loki."

Colin kept his face impassive, "I'm supposed to be a liaison."

"As an agent, your job is two-fold." Fury folded the newspaper.

"Three-fold as it seems. I was sent here by Stark to tell you that Odin has passed away."

Fury stood up, planting his hands on the table, "Thor's father is dead? If this is a practical fucking joke, someone's gonna lose their goddamn job!"

"It's no joke, sir. Yesterday morning around dawn. That's why I'm here. We're going to have to delay the next group."

Fury sat down heavy in the chair, "What the hell for?"

Colin stopped short of asking him if he'd ever had to bury a loved one, "They have a period of mourning, rituals to perform, a funeral and if you want a comparison...ask yerself what the country would do if the president died."
Fury chuckled, "Probably have an all night party with this one."

"Okay mayhap at home, but in public..."

Fury rubbed his bald head, "So out of respect.."

Colin saw Coulson nod.

"...we have to wait until the old man is buried?"

Colin put his hands in the air, "More like cremated and feted but yes."

"How long?" Coulson piped up.

"I'd say ten days all told."

"Why couldn't they be Jewish?" Fury groaned, "Now I got a group of people who've been here almost two weeks already and I have to tell them it's going to be about another two weeks until they can leave. You wanna trade jobs?"

"Not on yer life," Colin shook his head, "I've a few things to do before I return if it's alright."

Fury eyed him, "The facility is at your disposal. You want a change of clothes before you go traipsing around the building?"

Colin looked down at himself, realizing he'd gotten up that morning and dressed as he had been dressing for the past three months. He fingered his tunic, "No sir, begging yer pardon but this is a lot more comfortable than the suit."

Coulson grinned, "You just have to have the right tailor."

Colin stood up, "I'll keep that in mind when I come home. May I be excused sir?"

Fury waved a hand at him, "Yeah, you're dismissed. Tell Lily I want her report on my desk as soon as possible...and yours when you return."

"Yes, sir."

"Hello, Ma?...fer chrissakes, don't scream. Yer gonna give Da a heart attack."

Colin leaned back in the chair. Coulson had given him the use of his office and while he'd waited to be connected to Helen's Bay half a world away, he'd had a look around. The office was spartan, neat as a pin and for a moment he wondered if Coulson was related to Simon. There were a few pictures on the desk. One of a lovely young woman with a cello between her legs, another picture of a red car. Vintage though he couldn't tell the year or make, he had never been much of an enthusiast. Cars were to get from one place to another. The computer was the latest style, a clear screen one could adjust to be opaque or transparent with a crisp display.

"How's grandad?...good, give him hugs for me when you see him. Tell him I'm safe, tell him the states are...no, no don't let him think his grandson has gone mental, leave it be Ma..."

Colin stood up, walked to the window to peer down at the streets of Manhattan, "Have I what?...not in the slightest. It's as safe as yer backyard...yes...no wild beasts...," He bit his tongue, "No, no magic...you've got to stop reading them tabloids, Ma...," He detested lying but if she was to get any sleep at night, he would lie as much as possible to save her sanity, "Nine more months...it's not long...NO!...Ma it's against the rules...no fraternizing with the womenfolk...yeah, that'd be grand. You find someone and tell her I'm an agent then all she wants me fer is the suit...yes Ma...yes...yes...listen, I've got to return pretty soon, let me talk to Da for a tick...I love you, too...I will..."

Colin listened to the phone change hands, "Da, hey don't be letting her get hold of them mags...they're only out for the sensational. She's gonna end up in the ward in a straight jacket...I'm fine, missing all of you...it's...Da, it's like nothing you've ever seen...it's fecking incredible...It's like stepping back into the middle ages...I've been placed with a family...I can't tell you...I'm sorry. I'll tell you when I come home okay?...okay...I will. Trust me, I couldn't be safer...loye ya, Da. Keep Ma sane...bye."

Colin leaned back in the chair and draped his arm over his eyes, struck at once by how weary he was. Finally he sat forward and tapped the screen. He'd been thinking about this for the past couple days though the present situation had thrown him for a loop temporarily.

"Records."

The screen flashed a passkey box and Colin entered his agent I.D. The box flashed green and the screen changed to reveal the same red car in the photograph on Coulson's desk.

"He must love that car," Colin muttered, "Death records."

"Location?" the screen replied in a particularly throaty female voice.

"Helen's Bay, Ireland."

Colin watched the screen fill with a picture of the main street in his little village. Small folders beneath the picture read "Birth", "Death", "Census" and more though he only wanted one folder at this point.

"How far do current records go back?"

"Question not understood. Clarify."

Colin sighed, "What is the first date of entry?"

"Specify parameters."

"Ya daffy bitch." he mumbled as he closed his eyes, concentrating, "Um...the year...fifteen ninety. Do records exist for the year fifteen-ninety A.D.?"

"Yes."

"Yer fucking kidding me..."

"Please restate the request."

Colin laughed out loud, "Do records exist for the year...twelve twenty-five A.D.?

"Records are not concurrent. The data for this year is extremely limited."

Colin glanced at the office door then back at the screen, "First instance of the last name Denehy."

The computer was silent for a moment, "Denehy, variant spelling, D..E..N..E..H..A..Y..."

"No, narrow search to Denehy, D..E..N..E..H..Y, earliest instances."

"Denehy, Helen's Bay, Ireland. Earliest record fourteen eighty-eight. Denehy, Colm, deceased, December twelfth, fourteen eighty-eight. Source, parish records..."

"Birth record of Colm Denehy." He was starting a headache right behind his eyes.

"There is no recorded birth record for Denehy, Colm in Helen's Bay, Ireland."

Colin sat forward, "Is there a birth record for Colm Denehy anywhere in Ireland?"

"Yes."

"But it might not be the same person. There has to be thousands of Denehys in Ireland." He put his head down on the desk. He felt stupid. The woman was clearly crazy no matter what Lelia had said. He pushed away from the desk and was about to stand up but something stopped him. He looked at the screen.

"Helen's Bay, Ireland. Before fourteen eighty-eight A.D. Any instances of the surname Denari, D..E..N..A..R..I."

The computer was silent and Colin had to laugh to himself again. He stood up, reaching for the screen to log off.

"Yes"

Colin stared at the screen for long minutes before he was able to speak, his voice hoarse, "List instances."

"Denari, Colm. Date of birth, fourteen forty-one, Helen's Bay, Ireland." on the screen was an image of a page from a book, the script flowing, barely legible with age.

"Are Colm Denehy and Colm Denari the same person?" He had to let himself back down into the chair before his legs gave way.

"Specify."

"Did Colm Denari change his name to Denehy?"

The computer was silent again and Colin wanted to scream, would have if he didn't think the whole floor would come running.

"According to parish records, a name change was recorded in fourteen forty-five by the father listed in the birth record as Denari, Volundr...V..O.."

"Stop."

His stomach did a flip. If he didn't ask the next question, he would surely go mad.

"Lineage...ancestry. Is it possible to trace the line forward?"

"Maternal or paternal?"

"Both." He couldn't look at the screen.

"Specify date."

"Until current time."

The computer went silent and Colin put his hands to his mouth.

"Paternal line last known direct descendant, Jackson, Clancy, born Dublin, Ireland, nineteen fifty-five. Died Chicago, Illinois, two thousand eleven."

There was a short pause, "Maternal line last known direct descendant, Denehy, Colin, Born Belfast, Ireland two thousand five.."

Colin wrenched the door out of Coulson's grasp, nearly pulling him into the room.

"Mister Denehy are you okay? You're quite pale."

Colin nodded, felt like he couldn't stop, "Fine sir, I'm fine...parents."

"They're alright are they not?"

He was going to hyperventilate right here, in front of one of the agency's finest agents. He started to count in his head, "They...miss me...and...I'm ready to return to Asgard."

He'd never been so unsure of what to do in his life but he knew where he wanted to be at that moment and it was a world away from New York.

"We'll get you topside then and send you off."

Coulson turned around and headed down the corridor. With a last glance at the blank computer screen, Colin followed him down the corridor.