A/N: Hi there. For whomever is reading and enjoying this fic so far, I must say that this was one of my favorites chaps to write. I really like how Eydís' childhood has taken shape in words. I hope you like it too. There is a little glimpse about it in this chap as well.
The Princess tossed and turned in her bed. Even if she felt a little better, she was very nervous. Ultimately, the Princess opted for getting up and dressed once again. She wore a similar outfit from the one she had used to train that morning. Eydís left her room as silent as a mouse and walked quickly through the corridors. Most of them were empty for she knew perfectly well the guards' routine.
Still, if she bumped into one or two guards, she would simply wave and smile. The soldiers knew her and didn't bother her at all. They just bowed their heads slightly and allowed their Princess be. Without any incident, Eydís arrived at the stables. She walked straight to the fourth cubicle to her left.
– Hello girl, – she called out once she was before her friend. – Would you mind a midnight ride?
Månen stuck her head over the stable's door and made a little approbation whine. Eydís smiled as she let her friend out. They both walked side by side to the stable's entrance, waking some of the other horses briefly as they did so. When they were out, Eydís mounted, took Månen's mane and directed her to the palace's main gate. They rode with breath-taking speed through the almost deserted city until they reached the Princess' destination.
– Late is the hour that you choose for a visit my Princess.
Heimdall's voice filled the whole chamber while his back was to the girl.
– Have I disturbed you Heimdall? – she asked a little concerned.
– For you and your family I am always at your service, – he responded while half turning to look at her. – You wish to know something.
It wasn't a question.
– What can you tell me about the men leading this expedition Heimdall? – she asked as she stood by his side and gazed at the stars as well.
– The man with the book is old to midgardian's eyes. He is queer in a way even I lack words to describe, – a small smile settled on his lips. – Yet, I can see his good intentions and feel no threat from him. He is planning on delivering the book tomorrow night if things go as he schemes.
Heimdall made a pause.
– The young man is very skinny, wears spectacles. For what I hear, he is not looking for glory or immortality but rather just knowledge and understanding. He thinks he owes that much to his grandfather.
– His grandfather?
– He is an orphan, raised by the man who found the book.
– Uninterested and loyal, – Eydís said after a moment of consideration. – He sounds trustworthy.
– Both men are my Princess, – the guardian nodded reassuringly.
Silence.
– Heimdall, is it true you are unable to see where we would be going?
There was no reproach in her tone, just curiosity and a hint of melancholy.
– I am afraid so. There is something that veils it even to my sight.
– You knew all along that this day was bound to come, did you not? – she said after a moment.
– I did.
– And still, you call me Princess.
He turned in time to see Eydís' eyes become a little sad.
– You are part of the royal family and therefore, my Princess. Even if Asgard fell in disgrace and tried to strip you from your title, I would stand by your side as my oath commands me to, for you are worthy of it.
– Thank you so much Heimdall. Your words warm my heart, – she smiled.
Heimdall bowed his head as response and retook his impavid stance glaring through the lookout. He was so tall. As tall as her brother Thor. Eydís remembered their first meeting (at least the first one she could remember).
She was very young. Barely able to walk and learning how to talk properly. Her father needed to make an enquiry with Asgard's guardian so he prepared his horse. Loki was sent off for his magic lessons and their other brother napped.
– Father, can I come with you? – Thor had pleaded.
– Whatever for my boy?
– I… I wish to make an enquiry myself, – he said a bit reluctantly.
Young Eydís laughed and bounced in her mother's arms.
– Roar lost toy, – she said still smiling.
Thor sent a betrayed look to his sister.
– Toy? – Frigg asked, – What are you talking about?
– Nothing mother. She is just confused.
– Is she now? – Frigg raised an eyebrow. – Eydís? Are you confused?
– No. Roar lost Deki toy. Deki sad, – she answered with a small pout.
– Traitor, – Thor muttered.
– What was that young man?
– Nothing mother.
– So, is it true you lost one of Loki's toys?
– No! I just… – Thor surrendered, – I did take it… for safe… keeping but… now…
– You are unable to remember where you placed it for safe keeping, are you not? – mother finished.
Thor blushed wildly but nodded.
– I you may come my son. It shall be fine.
– Thank you father.
Eydís began squirming in their mother's arms uneasily, trying to get down.
– Roar! Roar! – she called while stretching her tiny arms towards her brother, – Tae m'yu! Tae m'yu!
– You wish to go with them little star? – Frigg said as she placed the child on the floor.
– No! – Thor exclaimed. – This is no journey for babies.
Eydís walked towards her brother with unsteady pace until she practically dropped in his arms.
– Tae m'yu peas, – she pleaded now, making irresistible puppy eyes.
– I suppose you can take your sister with you, – Frigg said at last.
– Thans motha, – the Princess turned to the Queen with a huge smile.
– But, mother… , – Thor began.
– No excuses young man. You will take responsibility for your acts and will learn to take care of precious things. Guard your sister with your life and come back soon. Do you understand?
– Father! – Thor tried in vain.
– Your mother is right. Until you value the worth of other people's emotions, you shall look after your sister.
Thor's punishment had just gotten worse. Meanwhile, Eydís clapped in merriment.
– 'Den giat, 'den giat! – she said.
– 'Den giat? – her mother repeated wondering about what her daughter meant. – Thor, do you have any idea of what that means?
– I must say no mother. I do not, – he said equally puzzled.
They looked at her in confusion for a moment and then Odin climbed on his horse. Thor did the same. Frigg placing the little one in front of her eldest.
– Be careful.
– Yes mother, – the blonde prince responded and guided his horse towards his father's.
It took little more than an hour to get to the Bifrost's chamber. This wasn't due to the distance but rather the pace to which the moved. Thor took very seriously his mother's words and did everything in his power to prevent even a discomforting noise from his sister's lips. He didn't want to be reprimanded again, thus, he moved carefully. His father looked at him fondly as Eydís just seemed to enjoy the ride.
– Wait here, – Odin instructed as he got down of his horse a couple of feet from the entrance.
Thor sighed but stayed on his.
– Pity, – Eydís said in awe of the Asburu bridge.
She was leaning from the horse to try to touch it.
– Eydís! Stop it! – Thor tried, – Do not… Eydís!
Thor wrapped an arm around his sister and pulled her to his chest firmly. A little too firmly some would think because, instantly, her eyes became watery and she began to sob. The prince panicked. He tried to excuse himself telling it had been her own fault but the tears on the toddler's eyes wouldn't stop dripping. Things could only be worse if she began to scream, which, fortunately didn't happen.
As best as he could, Thor, turned his sister so he could look into her eyes, those baby blue eyes.
– Sister, – he said in a much softer tone, – I am truly sorry but I do not wish for you to get hurt. If you fell from the horse, it would be very painful. Do you wish to be in pain?
Eydís looked at him, sill with teary eyes but a little calmer. She shook her head in a negative manner.
– I jump? – she offered.
– No Eydís. That way it would hurt more, – he answered still softly but with a warm smile on his face.
– You jump?
– Only if you promise me two things.
She nodded.
– You will hold to the horse with all your strength and then you will jump to my arms when I tell you so. Not before. Deal?
She nodded again.
Thor proceeded to replace her correctly. At least halfway. He made sure her two legs dangled to the left side of the horse and her hands gripped tightly the reins. Only then did he slipped from the side, landing with a loud thud on the bridge. He then opened his arms to receive Eydís. She took her cue and jumped into Thor's embrace. The added force of the jump made the prince lose his balance and they fell. Thor landing on his back and Eydís on top.
– Roar hurt? – she asked worried.
– Nah. You have the toughest brother, – he said with a smile though he would have loved to just rub his aching shoulder.
Eydís smiled.
– Come on. Perhaps father is done, – Thor said as they stood up.
Eydís took her brother's hand but looked intently at the rainbow bridge while she walked. She marveled on the bridge's reaction to her footsteps. Even the sound was funny. So focused was the little one that she missed how her father had walked to the entrance with Heimdall by his side. Thor stopped. That caught her attention. She looked up at her brother and then turned to the two people standing not three strides away from them.
Odin's heart melted at the sight of the girl's reaction. Her eyes widened to their full size, her jaw dropped and the All-Father could but see the surge of emotion running through the toddler's body. Thor looked at her too.
– Do not fear little star, I am here, – he tried misinterpreting her body language.
As if a spell had been broken, she began pointing with her free, left hand and screamed with joy.
– 'DEN GIAT! 'DEN GIAT!
Over and over she screamed that with her high-pitched voice. The overflow of emotion was too much for her to stay still and soon she began stomping her feet.
– Oh! So this is what you meant. Golden Giant, – Thor said a little amazed by his sister's reaction. – But who told you about Heimdall?
– I believe that would be Prince Loki's doing, – Heimdall spoke for the first time.
That stilled the Princess.
– Yu know? – she asked a bit disbelievingly.
He nodded, the corner of his lips just slightly pursed up.
– As for that which you seek, Prince Thor, I believe it is wrapped in a red silk cloth, at the left corner, in the third drawer of your dresser.
Thor looked startled but thanked the guardian. At that moment, Eydís let go of his hand and walked straight to Heimdall's legs almost unblinkingly, staring straight to the giant's face. The tips of her feet touched his and her neck was pulled all the way back. Heimdall looked at her, waiting, one hand over the other in front of him.
– Yu pity eyes, – she stated with a serious face.
That facade lasted very little as a smile spread on her face and she stretched her arms to reach his face. To Thor's surprise, the massive man complied and lifted the toddler effortlessly. One of his arms supported her while, with the other, he took off his helmet.
– Vey pity eyes, – she repeated.
– Thank you my Lady, – he said bowing his head slightly.
She giggled a little.
– I no lady, – she tried.
– You are most certainly right. You are my Princess, – the guardian said solemnly.
She giggled and blushed. Then she hugged him tightly around his neck.
– Than yu, – even Heimdall looked surprised now.
Odin just saw the scene approvingly.
– Well little star, I believe it is time to part now, – the King declared, offering his hands to receive his daughter.
– Yes, pather, – Eydís said letting go of Heimdall.
The guardian deposited the girl with her father. Before being placed on the horse with Thor, she looked back waving her hand.
– So lon' 'Den giat.
– So long, my Princess.
Eydís came back to the present moment. Her smile widened at the memory.
– You seem happy now, my Princess.
– I truly am Heimdall. I was just remembering my first encounter with you. In retrospective, it seems a little embarrassing, – she blushed.
– Out of the ordinary it was but it should not be embarrassing, – he responded. – There was no malice behind the act neither was it wrong in any possible way.
She sighed and waved the watcher goodbye.
– Thank you Heimdall. So long.
– So long, my Princess, – he bowed once again.
The young woman got out of the Bifrost's chamber and rode back to the palace. After taking care of her mare, up she went to her room to try to get some sleep. This time, she succeeded. She would sort things out in the morning.