AN: Thanks everyone for the kind reviews! They make me so happy, really! Here is the next chapter ( and keep a look out for a quick update, since the next is almost done ). Sorry again for the delay, Organic Chemistry owns my life.

So read, review, and enjoy!


Chapter 8: Glorious Purpose

Eir's breath caught in her chest as she turned around and met eyes with Frigga. She could feel her heart racing as the woman walked closer to her, knowing she had been caught. A million scenarios raced in her mind of how she would be punished for her untamable curiosity, but the Queen simply placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Eir, I fear I am going to ask too much of you again."


Heimdall walked out of the gala with a smile on his face and a stomach filled with the best food Asgard had to offer. Relieved of his duties for the night by the Allfather, he was pleased that he was finally able to catch up with old friends and enjoy himself for once. The party had long since died down, and he was anxious to finally make his way to his observatory and sleep—after consulting with Odin. Towards the end of the party, he had been alerted that the king required his presence-and he was painfully curious as to why.

As he walked closer to the throne room, he began to hear the faint sounds of laughter echoing down the hall. Lightening his step, he kept an open ear as he continued his trek forwards. Moving his golden eyes to the side, he caught the brilliant red of a cape—Thor's cape—followed by some particularly feminine laughter.

"Thor not here!"

Clearing his throat loudly, Heimdall watched as Thor's head flew out from behind a statue and gave him a rather embarrassed smile. Following Thor, the mortal Jane walked out from the corner and smoothed out her elegant party dress. A fiery blush was creeping its way across her fair features, and she took Thor's hand as he walked towards Heimdall.

"Good Heimdall, I fear I have not yet introduced you to Lady Jane." Thor smirked, pushing Jane forward, "Jane, this is Heimdall. He is Asgard's loyal gatekeeper."

Heimdall raised Jane's hand to his lips and gave her a greeting kiss. He gave her a curious smile as she returned the greeting with a haphazard curtsy, with a humorous smile planted across her face. Returning his gaze to Thor, he noticed that the prince's face harbored a curious look.

"Why are you not at the gate, Heimdall?" he finally asked, "What brings you to these parts of the palace?"

"Your father," Heimdall explained, "I know not why he has hailed me."

"Excellent!" Thor bellowed, grabbing Jane's hand, "I require his presence as well. We will accompany you, Heimdall."

The dark man gave Thor a strange look before returning a smile and walking towards the large door. As they continued their trek, Heimdall couldn't hold back rolling his brilliant eyes as he heard the giggles and sweet whispers of the lovers behind him. He was suddenly happy that he was far too busy with his royal duties to fall in love. It seemed sickeningly sweet.

Opening the door, his eyes widened as they were met with their twin. In the hall, along with Odin and Frigga sat Eir—looking not particularly pleased. Bowing to the royals, Heimdall was shocked when the Warrior's three and Sif followed not far behind. Moving his eyes around the room, he could feel a wave of confusion emanating from everyone in the room. It was all too apparent that he was not the only one who was unsure of Odin's summons.

Standing up, he walked next to Eir as Thor occupied his parents through a conversation. Looking down at her, he noticed her eyes matched his hesitation and fear. The two were good friends, bonded by their extraordinary eyes and gifts that accompanied them, and Heimdall could tell when she was nervous. Looking back up to the royals, he noticed Thor was still engaging his parents.

"What's going on, Eir?" Heimdall whispered.

Before she could answer, Odin stood before the group and banged his scepter on the gilded floor. Silence befell the room, and all eyes were locked on the king that stood before them. Heimdall could notice the nervous breathing of the warrior's three as Odin walked down the stairway from his throne, and stood before them as equals. Heimdall knew Odin well, and he could tell that his king was rattled.

"I know what is on your minds," the king began, "And I apologize for the secrecy. I want not for all of Asgard to know what transpires here tonight."

Heimdall watched as Frigga walked down and placed a reassuring hand on her husband's shoulder, urging him to continue.

"Tough I have managed to keep the rest of Asgard blind, the threat of War has officially been realized. Any day now we will be host to a power we cannot hope to defend against. Loki's affairs on Midgard have drawn them here in search of something greater…"

Odin's eyes traveled to the ground for a moment, avoiding the curious eyes of those Asgardians that now stood before him. He could feel his heart racing, the shame crawling back as he prepared to admit his defeats to them.

"In my youth, I was given a relic—one which would assure myself unimaginable power—had I acquired the necessary stones. My father thought it necessary for Asgard to possess such a relic. He believed that, if the gauntlet was possessed by Asgard, the nine realms would bow to us."

Gold eyes looked at Odin cautiously as he continued.

"But my father was wrong. I was wrong." The king admitted, "Instead, treachery will befall Asgard as beings unmatchable assault us—all to obtain it."

Heimdall watched as Thor stepped forward. The gatekeeper could tell that the threat of war had awakened the deep longing for blood that Thor harbored in his warrior heart. Thor was a protector, and he could see the prince's longing to protect his home in his blue eyes.

"Father, no foe is unmatchable for us!" he exclaimed boldly, "We will fig—"

"No." Odin interrupted, "I fear war is inevitable. Great loss is inevitable. While I cannot hope to protect Asgard from what follows, I can protect the other realms."

The gatekeeper sent a curious look towards Eir as the pair watched Frigga walk towards Odin with a small box. The pair looked on cautiously as he opened the box and pulled out a brilliant stone—emitting a power that all the room could feel. Holding up the stone again, Odin continued his speech.

"The gauntlet—the relic—is powered by a number of stones that bestow upon the user incredible abilities. In my youth, I attempted to control each stone—to little success. Together, they give the user omnipotence. I knew not the dangers of harboring such a weapon until late. Throughout my journeys, I have collected all but one stone. I fear the being that craves the Tesseract and the gauntlet has the one which alluded me for so long." Odin explained.

"You have been summoned here for a purpose," Odin went on, " The group of you represent some of Asgard's most trusted. Your survival, in wake of this war, is essential. Most important, the lot of you possess qualities that-I believe-make you suitable hosts for the stones."

Odin handed the box to Frigga once again and pulled out a curious red gem. The group watched as he walked up to Thor and placed the stone in his son's hands, cupping his over the Thunder God's.

"My son," Odin smiled sadly, "You possess power as strong as mine, and a heart much stronger. To you, I give you the Power Gem. It will make you seemingly invincible. Such power requires a wise ruler, and I know you to be the right choice."

Odin walked over to Sif, and pulled out a yellow stone—one that radiated beautifully over her silver evening gown. He placed the stone in her hands, and a curious smile found its way to the warrior's face.

"I scoffed at the idea that you, a woman, could be a warrior." He admitted, "But you, Lady Sif, defied at the conventions of reality and proved me wrong. To you, I give the Reality Gem—a powerful stone that grants its users wishes, no matter how illogical. Such a stone requires its user to be innovative and level headed. I know not a better soul on Asgard."

Next, Odin pulled out an Orange stone and walked over to Fandral, Volstagg, and Hogun. He passed the stone between the three, and gave them a smile.

"Time is a curious thing that even the best of us cannot escape." Odin began, "This stone allows its user to travel freely, unbounded by time. In my youth, I found this stone the hardest to control—for it requires masters of past, present, and future. Its holders must understand teamwork, for no aspect of time is more precious than the other. You, Warriors Three, are the epitome of teamwork, and will be a fitting match for this difficult stone."

Walking over to Heimdall, Odin placed a purple gem in his hand—watching as it glistened beautifully as its light reflected off of his golden armor.

"Heimdall, your ability to see beyond realms unknown is why I have chosen you for the Space Gem. Its powers allow the user limitless movement throughout the realms. A worthy user must have an unparalleled knowledge of the universe—for which no Asgardian has a better. You are the fitting match I could never be."

Finally, Heimdall watched as the King pulled out a green stone and placed it into the hands of the woman next to him. He watched as her golden eyes reflected the green light, casting an eerie glow over her features.

"Asgard will never know a better healer, Eir." Odin began, holding her hand, "Your abilities to see beyond life and death, to call back the souls of the dead, make you the perfect companion to the Soul Gem. Your abilities will be enhanced with this stone, for it will allow you to control souls of the living and dead. The stone hungers for souls, and you are the ideal harness to its powers."

Eir looked down at the stone and could feel a sentience. Looking up to Heimdall next to her, she sent an alarmed look as Odin walked back and took a stand next to Frigga. The others seemed to be examining their stones curiously, wondering the extent of the power they possessed. Breaking them out of their curiosity, however, Volstagg spoke:

"My Lord," he began, "Are we to fight with these?"

The group watched as Frigga came forward, her blue eyes saddened.

"You are to leave Asgard." She explained, "Scatter yourselves across the realms, but protect the stones with your lives. For the good of Asgard, for the other realms, the stones must not be collected under one hand."

Putting her hand on Thor's, she gave his hand a squeeze before addressing the group again.

"Leave tonight." She said, her voice breaking, "Take only what is most precious."

With that final word, Odin gave them the cue to leave. Eir walked behind Heimdall, feeling sick that they were going to leave while the rest of Asgard was left to burn. She could not imagine the pain the others were to feel having to leave their loved ones—and for once she was happy she was alone. As she walked out of the room, Thor's voice caught her attention.

"And what of Loki, father?"

Eir could feel the hesitation in the air before Frigga answered for Odin.

"He will be safe, Thor." She lied, "I swear to you."

Eir's heart dropped.

Thor would never know any better.


Thank you for reading!

Next chapter: Frigga's advice is taken.