Miriam clenched her jaw, but she refused to run. Maybe when she'd first woken up from her imprisonment, she might've. Not out of cowardice, but out of logically being aware of the fact that she was far too weak to go up against Ar'iaal. But right now, she had more than half of her power back, Thanos probably didn't have the remaining stones on him because if he did he could've just killed her himself, and she had the god of thunder on her side. All in all, Miriam felt pretty good about the fact that she could win this fight.

Though… a quick glance at Thor was all she could afford, since it was always a bad idea to take one's eyes off of one's enemies for more than a blink, but it was enough to remind Miriam of everything that the Avengers stood for. She could not, in good conscience, kill off these minions who were quite possibly being forced to do Ar'iaal's bidding the way that Loki had been.

Quicker than most people would be capable of watching with just their bare eyes, Miriam teleported in and out of the room, grabbing Ar'iaal's minions and depositing them on some nearby moon that had a harsh environment, but not a fatal one. Then she appeared back in the throne room a final time to face off against Ar'iaal, fairly sure that she would not be able to teleport him away without his consent. It would be nice to remove the Asgardians as well so that there was no chance of them being used as hostages, but she was sure that they'd be smart enough to leave on their own once they realized that Ar'iaal was on his own, and distracted by Miriam's presence.

She put her hands on her hips, and glowered at him through narrowed eyes. She didn't care about airing all her grievances out in the open, since it was only Asgardians behind her, and no one particularly important. "What the hell is your problem? You're the one who abandoned me, and now you're going to try and have me killed?" She didn't shout, but her sharp tone seemed to echo throughout the entire room. "Not to mention the fact that you had the audacity to steal my name as if you had any right. Who the hell do you think you are?"

Ar'iaal blinked a few times, and his eyes slowly widened. "Miriam?" His voice was a faint whisper, probably inaudible to anyone standing further away from him than Miriam was. "Is that truly you?"

"Yeah it's me, dumbass. Is it really that hard to recognize me? We were only best friends and basically family for hundreds of thousands of years. Does none of that time mean anything to you? Why am I even bothering to ask? The answer is clear; you don't care about me at all. You stole my name, you stole some of my power, you just called me an imposter, and you've turned as reckless and wild as I was in my youth." She could practically taste the Asgardians' confusion over hearing such a thing from one who appeared to be little more than a child to them. But Miriam didn't care about what the Asgardians were thinking. The only one in the room whose opinion she really cared about was the man standing right in front of her.

Much to everyone's surprise, Ar'iaal sank down to his knees, and reached up as though he were going to take Miriam's hands, but he paused just a hair's width away. "Please, forgive me," he pleaded softly. "I thought you were dead. I visited Lady Death herself, and she confirmed such a thing. I was- am- willing to exchange a billion worthless lives just to have you back. I'll do whatever you ask of me to make things right. I'll renounce that stolen name, and I'll spread apologies across the universe if that's what you wish of me. Or I'll kill a billion more if that's what you wish."

Miriam crossed her arms over her chest, bringing them out of Ar'iaal's reach while he knelt on the floor. "Why the hell should I even give you a chance?" She closed her eyes for a moment as she took a deep breath in, and slowly let it out. "The Asgardians ripped my power from me, and locked me in a realm of nightmares and horrors for ten thousand years. But you have hurt me far worse than they have. You abandoned me out of your own selfish guilt, and left me to rot when I needed you most. And it hurt because you were always the one person I trusted and believed in above all others. But you proved to me that it is foolish to ever trust anyone, because they will eventually turn against you." Ar'iaal flinched at the accusation, and tilted his head to look down at the floor while Miriam continuined. Everyone else in the throne room watched the proceedings with wide eyes, unsure of what they should do next. "Those stones that you have three of belong to me. They each have bits of my power stored in them. I demand that you return them."

Ar'iaal was quick to nod his head up and down. "Of course, anything you ask of me is yours."

That was a lot of power he was putting into her hands. She'd say that this was all too easy, and yet, she could feel the honesty in Ar'iaal's words. Everything he'd done as Thanos had been out of some twisted idea that he could bring someone back to life if he caused enough destruction to everyone else. "You'd do anything?" she asked in a dangerously soft voice. She wondered if Ar'iaal would be able to hear the truth in her words, or if he had gone so long barging into peoples' minds that he had forgotten about the subtleties of their abilities. When he nodded eagerly, she offered a cold smile. "Would you even fall upon your own sword for me?"

He was quick to nod again. "Anything," he repeated in a quiet, but firm, voice. "If that's what you ask of me, then that's what will be done."

While he was still staring at the floor, Miriam slowly sank down, and reached out to grab his chin and tilt it so that their eyes could meet. "I would never ask that of you. Unlike you, I have never felt the urge to betray the people I cared for."

Ar'iaal flinched again at the past tense of 'cared', but that didn't stop him from speaking. "You don't understand. After what I did, I couldn't bear to face you. I didn't deserve to be around you any longer. I was ashamed, and guilty, and I didn't want to hurt you again. I had done something unforgivable, and-"

Miriam cut him off, not caring if it made her seem rude. Ar'iaal hadn't done anything lately to earn politeness. "We are Eternals. Named so because we are all-powerful, and will survive forever. Like Midgardian cockroaches, we cannot be killed in a single swat. I didn't even feel a sting of pain from your action, Ar'iaal. Not the physical kind, anyways. And believe me, I have felt real pain since then. Be grateful that you'll never have to experience such a thing for yourself. But no, what hurt was that you immediately left me. You didn't even attempt to talk things over or apologize and be forgiven, you just left, as though I would want it to be that way. But you never asked what I wanted!" She could feel herself getting more upset as she thought about the past, and she almost envied all the Asgardians and Midgardians who would never be able to have as long and complicated pasts as she did.

"What did you want?" Ar'iaal asked hesitantly, as though he were unsure he had permission to do so.

Miriam sighed, and bowed her head down. Not out of submission, but out of exhaustion. She'd barely been awake from her prison for any time at all, but the truth of it was that she'd been running herself ragged since the moment Ar'iaal had left her behind. "I just wanted to not be alone," she said quietly. "I just wanted to not be alone, with you by my side. We could've figured things out. We are the two most powerful beings in existence. We could do anything we put our minds to. And yet you chose to run away like a coward. How could I ever forgive you for such a thing?"

Even as he spoke, it was clear from the look on his face that Ar'iaal thought he'd be digging his own grave deeper, but he spoke anyways. "And what of everything else I've done? I've caused more death and destruction than you could imagine."

Miriam fell back so that she was resting on the backs of her heels, and she let out a loud, startled laugh. Everyone else in the room seemed startled as well, but Miriam only had eyes for Ar'iaal in that moment. "I think you have it in reverse. I've had far more time to wreak havoc than you have. You've been Thanos for what? A few thousand years now? Ten at most? I was far worse than you for far longer. Why do you think the Asgardians were so eager to get rid of me? They knew that I was a threat to all life across the universe, and they knew that I didn't care one bit about anyone or anything at that time. Did you ever try to go back to Titan during your reign as Thanos? If you noticed it was conspicuously absent, then that's because I ate it. The entire thing. Along with all its inhabitants. Because I was a little angry that day. And that's one of the kinder things I did during that time in my life. It would be entirely hypocritical of me to hate you for any of the horrid things you've done as Thanos when I know that I've done far worse. But when you hurt me by leaving, that was before you were Thanos. Before you were intent on destroying everyone everywhere. There's no excuse for what you did. How could I possibly ever forgive you for that?"
Everyone seemed to be watching with bated breath as Ar'iaal slowly reached out to take one of Miriam's hands from where they were curled up on her lap. She wondered for a moment if they were still seeing the illusion Ar'iaal had cast around himself ages ago, but then decided that she didn't care one way or another.

She let Ar'iaal take her hand, and the gentle contact between them after going so long without it felt like the most heavenly thing Miriam could possibly imagine. But she couldn't just give in, could she? The Avengers would expect her to take Ar'iaal down, but she already knew that if she told him to never harm another person unprovoked again, he never would, so that wasn't a major concern. But if she were to just forgive him now, after all this time, then that would mean that her huge temper tantrum that killed billions of life forms was all for nothing at all. That would make her an even worse monster than Ar'iaal. She didn't exactly feel guilt for her past, but she no longer bragged about it as though it were some great cause of pride.

She heaved out a big sigh, but before she could say anything else, or tug her hand back, Ar'iaal leaned forward to pull her into a hug. She froze in place, unused to this feeling after so long, but then relaxed into it. Being in Ar'iaal's arms felt like coming home. Considering the fact that she'd destroyed every place that her and Ar'iaal had ever lived in together, he was really the only semblance of home she even had left.

Miriam could feel her eyes itching with unshed tears, but she didn't want to look even more weak in that moment than she already did. And yet… this felt so indescribably right. Her voice caught on a small sob, and then she threw her free hand around Ar'iaal's shoulder so that they were both hugging each other with one arm, while holding their other hands together between them. "I missed you so much," she choked out.

"And I you," Ar'iaal responded, sounded just as wrecked.

It was hard to say for sure how long they sat there on the floor together like that, but Miriam couldn't even imagine separating from Ar'iaal again. For so long, it had been just them against the universe, and they had been a family for each other. Ar'iaal was like her brother, and the love they shared for each other ran so deep that there were probably only a handful of other beings in the world who could really understand it.

But finally, Miriam could fear a light touch against her shoulder, and she reluctantly pulled herself free from where she was tangled with Ar'iaal so that she could turn around to see where Thor was standing behind her. He had an awkward look on his face, a mixture between happiness and wariness, and Miriam was glad, because that was exactly how she felt at the moment too. She cleared her throat once so that she'd be able to actually speak without embarrassing herself. "Thor." She stood up so that she wouldn't have to strain her neck back to look at him.

The prince frowned. "I am pleased that you and your Ar'iaal have been reunited. From what little you and Wanda have mentioned of him, it is clear that you share a unique relationship. But I have to ask- does he still pose a threat to my people, or to the Midgardians, or anyone else?"

Miriam glanced down at where Ar'iaal was still kneeling. "No," she told Thor while staring at her best friend. Then she spoke to Ar'iaal. "If you are still hiding yourself, cease doing so right now." Ar'iaal didn't say anything, but a few seconds later, there were gasps from all throughout the room, and when she looked back at Thor, even he seemed taken aback by the truth of Ar'iaal's appearance. In the end, he was also what they would think of as a child, even if he was older than any of their brains could truly comprehend, just as Miriam was. "He is no threat."

Thor nodded once, apparently trusting Miriam to know exactly what she was talking about. That kind of faith in her felt misplaced, but Miriam was honored by it all the same. "In that case, we must return to Midgard to search for our shield-brothers and sisters. You said that they were missing, and I am worried about them."

Ar'iaal finally stood up, and his voice was the same as always, but she assumed that everyone else was used to some sharp, booming tone, because they seemed surprised by his soft smooth words as well. "You go and help your friends. I will retrieve your stones and bring them to you on Midgard."

Miriam hesitated for a moment. "I don't think that that's such a good idea. The majority of people on Midgard would have no idea of who you are or what you've done, but the friends I'm going to help out do know your reputation, and it has not endeared you to them."

Thor furrowed his eyebrows. "But the Avengers have all accepted you despite your past, so why should he not be offered the same opportunity? As long as he leaves behind his glamour, he is not in danger of frightening any innocent Midgardians, so there should be no issues with him going there. You said yourself that he will bring no harm any longer, which means that he should not require an escort to retrieve the stones or go to Midgard, correct?"

Miriam sighed, and suddenly reached out to pinch Ar'iaal in the arm. When he only yanked his arm back, but didn't even attempt to complain, she sighed again. "See, he's perfectly well trained. I wasn't lying when I said that he won't be an issue anymore. But I just don't want him going there. I will meet him elsewhere to retrieve my stones from him, and that is final."

There was a clearly hurt look on Ar'iaal's face. "But you said that you missed me. And all I have wanted for the past nine thousand years is to see you again and make things right. Please, there must be something I can do to make you trust me."

"It isn't about trust," Miriam said in a tired voice. She paused for a moment to try and think about how to properly explain her feelings. "I don't want you on Midgard because Midgard is mine. It is the only place that has ever been mine without me forcing my way in. I have friends there, and am invested in Midgard's continued success." Ar'iaal didn't say anything, but it was obvious that he didn't really understand. She suddenly knew that this wasn't a conversation she wanted to be having right in front of Thor. He would probably take Ar'iaal's side in the matter. Too bad Loki wasn't around. He would understand. She grabbed Ar'iaal's arm, but he didn't flinch away, just let himself be teleported to the other side of the palace. "Look, it's not about trust," she insisted again. "It's about the fact that everywhere we've ever gone, everyone liked you better. Growing up, your parents clearly favored you, which is perfectly understandable since I was only there to be a political tool anyways. But then my own parents clearly favored you as well. They fled to escape me, but were still willing to take you with them. I know you can't help it, but I guess you're just easier for people to like, and Midgard is mine."

After a short pause, Ar'iaal nodded once. "You're afraid that if I go to Midgard I will steal your friends away from you? Miriam, that's ridiculous. You made all those friends on your own because they knew you and liked who they knew. And I would never take anything from you. If you really don't want me to go to Midgard, then I won't. I swore that I would do anything you asked of me, and I meant it. But I do think that you're wrong about people liking me more. Especially since your friends will know the things I've done."

Miriam didn't want to act jealous and angry. Having Ar'iaal back was supposed to be a good thing. A thing that she'd gone so many thousands of years thinking she would never actually get. But the entire time she'd been wishing for him back, she'd also adapted and learned to go about life on her own. She was very used to not having Ar'iaal. It would feel strange to have him back around all the time. And it would be worse if he inadvertently stole her friends and planet away from her. She knew he wouldn't do it on purpose, but she also knew that it would happen regardless of Ar'iaal's intentions.

In the past, it hadn't really bothered Miriam as much when Ar'iaal had been the more popular of the two of them, because she knew that at the end of the day, it was still going to be just the two of them against the universe. But it wasn't like that anymore. Times had changed, and they had both changed, and everything was so different than it used to be. But if Miriam didn't let Ar'iaal come to Midgard, then she would look like the villain for not giving him a chance to reform and move on.

She leaned back against the wall that was behind her, and crossed her arms over her chest. "Do whatever you want, Ar'iaal. I mean don't go around killing innocent people and destroying planets, obviously. But beyond that, your life is yours to choose. You can't live an entire life doing only what I say and second-guessing every thought and action because you aren't sure if that's what would make me happiest. I don't want to be a slave master, and I don't want to control you. Just do what you want to do, Ar'iaal."

"I don't want to hurt you again," he said softly.

"Then don't." She shrugged, and then tipped her head back and closed her eyes. "I didn't lie before, when I said that I've missed you. From the day you left, all the way up until today, I never forgot about you or stopped wanting to have you back. But it's been a very long time. You have to realize that things are not the same as they used to be. It's going to take time and patience for us to get to know each other all over again, and for me to truly believe that you're sorry for hurting me in the first place."

Ar'iaal was quick to bob his head up and down. "Of course, I completely understand. Time, space, whatever you need."

Miriam lifted one corner of her mouth into a small smile. "I need my power back. That's a good place to start. I'll meet you on Asgard's second moon in three days to get them back from you. And while you're away, you might want to think about telling your minions that the universal destruction plan has been binned."

"I'll do it, I promise." He hesitated for a moment. "I know I have no right to ask anything of you, but could I just have one more hug? It's been so long. Far too long."

Miriam opened her eyes, and nodded once. "Fine. But just one and then you have to get going."

Ar'iaal grinned, and it was probably the happiest Miriam had seen him in almost longer than she could even remember.

A/N- Sorry if you think Ar'iaal's plans and turnaround were too abrupt, but he was really only killing all those people for the sake of getting Miriam back, and now he has her back so there's no need for him to continue down that path haha