Obstacles
Rowan didn't bother to tell Bjarni her idea of finding her parents and her brother, then brining them back. That was just as complicated, if not more, as finding a way to defeat Metatron. What her Draugar had said was true; the souls could wait, she wasn't going to drain herself in building Helheim. She was going to work on one level at a time.
It was easy to fall back under stress, but Rowan had to keep focused and calm. If she let everything overwhelm her, she wasn't useful to anyone.
Bjarni gave her a list that Gadreel had made; it was the criteria list for souls that could enter Glory. When Rowan looked up at her, there was something she wasn't saying.
"Where is Gadreel?" she asked and Bjarni gave a small smile.
"I accidently let it slip about Metatron." she replied, her smile twisted with worry.
"Where is he?" Rowan asked with an edge of concern.
"He said you shouldn't be the one to deal with Metatron. He said he was going to talk to the Winchesters and Castiel." Bjarni said and Rowan glanced away, looking down at the list. She had shown him kindness and he wasn't going to let her carry this on her own. He was going to help her and take care of Metatron with her. She smiled softly as looked up to see Bjarni tilting her head with confusion.
"I guess you're not mad." She said and Rowan's smile grew.
"Of course I'm not mad." She confirmed, patting Bjarni's hand, which brightened her up. "I was going to ask for his help, it's just a part of me wants to do everything at once. I feel this anxiety to get everything done. It's self-imposed, of course." Rowan added as Bjarni listened with a slight smile.
"I figured that much." She replied and took the cup of tea, handing it to Rowan. "Just relax, do what you can without freaking out and if that doesn't work, go see Crowley." she added which made Rowan laugh. "I'm sure he can work that stress right out." she added, smiling as Rowan seemed relaxed and stress-free, at least at the moment.
"Thanks, Bjarni." Rowan said and smiled at her. "I was dreaming of when I met you five." She said after a slight pause, which made Bjarni smile nostalgically. "I haven't thought of Bjorn in all these years." she added, watching as her friend nodded her head.
"Lucifer killed him because he refused to say where you had gone." Bjarni said which shocked Rowan.
"What?" she asked, watching as her friend gave a sad nod.
"We never told you because we knew you were just beginning to remember. We didn't want to add more stress on your shoulders." Bjarni said, looking a little guilty. "Lucifer first wanted to know where the Ruler of Helheim had gone, but we all refused to talk. As hurt as we were that you were gone, we refused to let him hurt you. So, he then demonized us and it seemed he no longer had an interest in you, or so we had hoped for the longest time." Bjarni added and then her eyes were filled with a dark nostalgic glimmer. "We were afraid that Magni and Sigrid would tell him, but the traitorous bastards still maintained some loyalty to you." She concluded, making Rowan feel a little uneasy with this information. All those years, Lucifer may have wanted to find her. And do what?
That sent a shiver down her spine.
"I personally think Sigrid and Magni didn't tell Lucifer where you were because they knew you have forgotten your true identity. No point in hurting someone who doesn't remember anything." Bjarni said, apparently not noticing Rowan's expression, thinking about why Lucifer wanted her.
"What are you guys doing at the moment?" Rowan asked, eager to change the subject.
"I ordered Raganhar to get computers and stuff." Bjarni replied with a dark grin which made Rowan smile. "You can come over to the office if you're feeling up to it." she added. Rowan nodded and walked out with her, holding Gadreel's list of criteria for her to review and her cup of tea. They left Gadreel's penthouse and turned the corner, walking into the office. Rowan was surprised to see a much better light in the ceiling, something a little more glamorous. They also positioned the desks and chairs against the four corners with their own table just off to the side so they could have whatever in their own space. The bookshelves were positioned in between each work space, creating three sections of shelf units.
The best part was seeing brand new computers, wireless keyboards and wireless mouse.
Mice?
Then, next to the computers were printers, laptops and iPads. There was even a photocopier complete with a scanner.
Agmundr and Raganhar had set up everything and sat in their desks off to the left wall with proud smiles.
"Wow, thanks guys." Rowan said, looking at the spaces that even had nameplates on the desks. Apparently Bjarni and she had the desks to the right wall, Rowan's being right next to the door, her nameplate reading Ruler of Helheim. "Is that your way of saying I, the closest to the door, gets all the complaints and questions?" she asked, pointing to her space. They grinned in response.
"We're just completing the installing stages." Agmundr said and Raganhar looked at his computer, clicking every so often.
"You're playing Solitary, aren't you?" Bjarni asked and he simply grinned at her.
"That's fine. I'll be at my desk, reviewing Gadreel's criteria list." Rowan said, sitting down in her chair which was pretty comfortable. She set her cup of tea on her desk, looking at her Apple Mac computer screen that revealed thirty per cent of files have been downloaded. Wow, she never had a Mac computer.
Rowan tore her eyes off her awesome computer and looked at the list and began to read.
To be eligible to enter Glory, the souls must…
Have been charitable towards others, either give when possible or give of themselves as often as possible.
Have never considered themselves more important than others.
Have lived as best as they could by the philosophy "Live and let live", respecting and accepting the choices of others, not forcing their own beliefs on others.
Have done their best to forgive others, not allowing themselves to hold onto anger and hurt, allowing as best as possible a second chance to those who have done wrong.
Have sacrificed themselves in keeping others safe.
As Rowan read through the list, she found herself agreeing with the criteria. Whether the souls have met most or simply one of these, they would be admissible. As she reviewed the list, she smiled as she thought of Gadreel. He was indeed the best angel for the job, as he too met the criteria of the list, and she wasn't just saying that because he wrote it.
And Rowan could think of others that also met the criteria.
Then, with perfect timing, Gadreel walked into the office, looking around and smiling slightly at Rowan as he found her just to his right.
"So, what news do you have?" she asked, standing up, moving in between her desk and her table. Gadreel's expression seemed to have hinted that it wasn't the greatest news he could deliver. Not only that, but he seemed upset with the whole situation. "Gadreel, what's wrong?" she asked him, pulling her chair out and gesturing for him to sit. He shook his head, appreciating the offer, but he'd rather stand.
"I spoke to Castiel. Kevin Tran, the prophet, had both the Angel and the Demon tablets. Castiel gave the Angel tablet to Metatron, closing Heaven, and Kevin, having stolen the Demon tablet from Crowley, is also in Metatron's possession." Gadreel said and rubbed his face. "Metatron has both tablets." He added, only then sitting down in the chair, looking like a wounded anti hero, legs apart, arm supporting his down casted head. Rowan tried not to stare at him. She was in a relationship with Crowley.
But… Gadreel is great eye candy.
Oh, why was she surrounded by good looking guys? She could easy have a love triangle, but in her case, it would be a love square; a very sensitive hunter who cared a lot for her, a very caring angel and a highly seductive demon. She had the best of three worlds.
However, Crowley probably wouldn't like the idea of her sleeping around with other men, especially a Winchester and an angel. He would be a total jealous boyfriend and not in a flattering way.
Rowan placed a hand on Gadreel's tensed shoulder, giving him a reassuring rub.
"What can Metatron do with the tablets?" she asked him and he exhaled, lifting up his head, looking worried and defeated, as if the answer was really disappointing for them.
"He's the Scribe of God. He wrote the tablets for God. He's the most powerful being with the tablets and having both means he can control Heaven and Hell." He said, slowly looking up at Rowan with remorse in his eyes. "Perhaps even Helheim." He concluded.
Rowan wrapped her arms around him in a comforting hug, only he probably didn't feel like it was helping because his head was pretty much up against her breasts. Oops, a happy accident. She pulled away, thinking of Crowley, and refocused.
"The only good news is that there may be a secret way into Heaven." Gadreel said and Rowan gave his shoulder a light squeeze.
"That's great news." She said, trying to encourage him to think positive, only it didn't seem to work.
"Castiel and I will find this passage and somehow disable him." Gadreel said, not sounding very confident about getting the tablets out of Metatron's hands. Rowan knelt down to meet his eye level and gave a warm smile.
"We're doing this together, remember?" she asked him, placing her hand on his.
"I haven't forgotten." Gadreel said, trying for a smile. "But you do not understand. With the Angel tablet, Metatron has God-like abilities. He's very strong." He added, concern filling his sea-green eyes.
"I'm a Goddess whose father was an Archangel. We'll handle him together." Rowan said, making him smile a bit more. She then reached over her desk, changing the subject. When he saw his list of criteria in her hand, his eyes glimmered with a bit of hope and what seemed like a bit of doubt. "I had a chance to look over your list." She said and smiled at him. "Spot on, Gadreel. It's wonderful and it even helps me with the second level, which I named Heart, by the way." She concluded, which made him smile even more, chasing away the doubt in his eyes. "Thank you. And thank you for letting me rest in your room." She added with a warm smile. He smiled softly at her, as if to say he'd do anything for her.
His smile faded slightly after a brief moment, as if he was still worried about beating Metatron. She tapped his shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile. They were going to take down Metatron together. They were going to figure out a way.
"Keep trying to find the passage and we'll handle Metatron." Rowan said and he nodded with a slight smile. He decided to take that as his cue to leave, although that's not what she meant. After Gadreel left, Rowan decided to go see Crowley. She needed to refocus her attention on him and let him know who has the demon tablet. Of course, the Winchesters wouldn't want him to have it, but Metatron sure didn't have the rights to possess it.
Not only that, but Hell needed to stay open, so maybe the tablet did belong in Hell. Details for later.