Chapter IX "Heimdall"
The first night in Asgard was lovely for Irime. She had gone through the library and some flowery places in the palace gardens next to Loki and after that she had been very grateful for the walk, they had been fired in the Hallways of the palace and she had been led to a room specially set for her .
She had slept soundly looking at the night landscape she could see from her bed behind the huge windows of the room. She was exhausted and had not bothered when when placing her head on her bed a sweet voice had told her in a lovely whisper -Good night milady- Contrary to getting angry with herself for having forgotten to close that way of communication, she sighed in a gesture of amused resignation and had responded with a "Good evening my lord," she had almost seen Loki's mischievous smile and had smiled before falling asleep thinking about him.
In the morning she had decided to take a walk around the city. That world was really beautiful and although she preferred its pearly white beaches and its frothy and perfumed coasts, Asgard had its own beauty.
Its stone constructions were harmonious and the Sun shone on its golden domes. The streets were huge and carved columns rose at each step forming roundabouts crowned with flowers that floods the morning air. The temperature was ideal, an ideal warmth that encouraged to live outdoors. That's why when she feels that cold again, she sees her body shudder.
-They told me that you would be in the city…
When she turned around she saw Loki approaching and then, for the first time something disturbed her.
She had associated that sudden coldness to her thoughts about the Jotnar but she had not thought about them at that moment and yet the cold had come. She realized that Loki was also there every time she felt it, so she felt confused but did not say anything about it.
She bowed in a gentle bow and he smiled at her act.
.-It is not very sure that a lady will walk alone in an unknown place.
Írime looked at him in silence, it amused her a little that he thought that she needed someone to protect her, he was far from understanding her true nature. The Istaris were protective spirits, they protected and were not used to someone protecting them. At the same time she felt a deep sorrow because she remembered that once there had been someone who had wanted to protect her and things had not ended well for him. Axe, the Jotun, had taken her away from him the night she had come to Jotunheim and she had always believed that if she had not left him alone he would still be alive.
That time in the world of the Frost Giants she had lost twice.
Even so she did not show her grief and smiled with a sarcastic smile.
-So you think?
She told him and she continued walking while giving him to understand that she accepted his company with a gentle gesture.
He smiled again and they both started walking through the huge, flowery streets.
For a few minutes neither of them said anything, she hurried to block her thoughts and he just smiled at noticing that. Suddenly he said:
-Oh by the way, I borrowed a book that the king keeps under lock and that tells a story that could be of your liking.
And moving his hands in a delicate gesture he made visible a small golden book
-These are stories that Odin writes about the worlds he has visited, legends and things so he arranges at his convenience and tells the mortals of Midgard … there is one that talks about the doorman…
Irime raised her eyebrows at his words.
-You told me you wanted to know more about Heimdall, well, he is here and even though it does not bear his name, I know he is him …
She doubt a few moments
- Is it okay for me to read it? If it is locked, it must be very private.
Loki shrugged.
-Maybe but it will be the closest thing to the truth that you hear about him before Odin decides to modify it, I know he has not done it yet and that's why he remains under key
She nodded. She was not sure if that was correct but her curiosity was bigger than her sense of right so she accepted it. Besides, she found the gesture charming that he remembered her request.
So she took the small golden book that he offered but before opening it she frowned and said:
-Why does Odin change the stories he tells the mortals?
Loki shrugged again.
-Protect his image, I guess…
She looked at him with a gesture of disapproval.
- Lie …
She replied.
He just smiled again, it was very bold that someone dared to call the king a liar and that far from bothering him, he loved it. She was definitely very brave, he thought.
She sighed and opened the book while her eyes scanned the written words, almost all crossed out and stained with drops of ink.
She stopped suddenly with her frown as she read:
"He arrived at the moment when the Bifrost had been finished, I understood that his arrival was not accidental and I asked him his name and where he came from- Vindhler is my name and I come from a distant place, I am the one that protects against the wind, the son of the nine mothers- His words were confusing but I understood that his presence meant much more than it seemed, so I asked him: - As king of Asgard I demand, Vindhler, that you tell me that he brings you to my kingdom- And He responded with an amazing immutability: -You are the king of Asgard but I respond to my Lord, he is the Creator of all things and he has ordered me to accept you as my king, my mission is linked to your fears, Odin Allfather , and I will be the one to fight on your side when the time comes. Although I wait for the arrival of who can avoid it-
Irime stopped in her reading and tried to mentally review those words, Loki watched her in silence
she went on:
"I could not understand the totality of his words but I knew he was talking about something that nobody else knew but myself, so I accepted his words with reverence and entrusted him with the care of Bifrost, we both knew what we were talking about when he spoke of my fears, I only fear one thing and he knew it, I had to respect that, maybe I had been waiting for it. The story I will tell will be different because the true nature of this being should not be revealed, it will be Heimdall who illuminates the world, the guardian of Bifrost. "
Loki smiled at seeing the young woman so devoted to her reading.
-Has it been useful?
He asked her and she looked at him for a few seconds in silence.
-Odin is afraid …
Said almost thinking loudly, Loki returned to draw that smile that brushed the malice and said:
-Only one thing …
Írimë sat on one of the huge steps they had reached, behind them a gigantic construction stood majestically, Loki sat next to her. When she looked at him he quickly said:
-And I do not know what it is …
She sighed in disbelief.
-I'd tell you … if I knew it I would tell you …
He clarified, this time guessing her thoughts without getting into her head.
Írimë smiled
-But I do not understand what it means, Heimdal, the doorman …
She said remarking the last word and making Loki smile again.
-He seems to be someone very important, first of all, where does he come from? He talks about a Creator and I can only think about … but that is not possible, he talks about taking Odin's side, as if he were referring to a battle and … who is he waiting for?
- There are many questions … we should go in parts, do not you think?
Irime frowned when she heard him say that.
-You mean you would help me find out?
Loki shrugged again.
-Well, I brought you the book, did not I? I also do not want you to get into trouble. …
She looked at him raising her eyebrows and with an expression that made him understand that she did not believe absolutely in his words.
-Well, Odin would prohibit research on this issue and I hate obeying orders from Odin, besides things are very boring here in these days …
She smiled nodding, this seemed to convince her more, she was already realizing that Loki liked to cause some problems because he considered it fun.
Then she looked at him silently and said.
-Odin, the king … you mean him very solemnly to be your father …
Loki looked at her in silence and with a seriousness that caused her to immediately repent of her words.
-I'm sorry … I did not want to be indiscreet.
And she gave her eyes to the book, and was about to return to its pages when she heard him say almost sadly
-Maybe because he is not my father …
He told her and she looked at him again with that perplexed look that seemed to be looking for something that was beyond his gaze.