Disclaimer: I own nothing! I make no profit and only do this to entertain.
Time did tell and all was not well. Thor remained belligerent and became openly disrespectful and disobedient to Harry.
Harry took all of Thor's anger with a kind of tired acceptance. Whenever Thor tried to physically overpower him, Harry took him down with swift action and gentle words. Nothing seemed to work.
Loki took to wandering about at night, thinking. Harry's nightmares were still frequent after all these years but now… now they had gotten so bad that Harry would talk in his sleep and often wake screaming. Loki made sure to stay nearby to go to his Oathfather's side until Frigga could reach him with her soothing magics and potions. These nightmares have been revealing answers to a lot of questions Harry had avoided since he came to Asgard. About his past, his family, his childhood, the wars he had fought in, the people he loved, the people he hated, the ones he left behind who had been counting on him, everything. It broke Loki's heart. If only Thor understood where Harry was coming from. Why Harry said what he said. But nothing came to mind. Unless something happened, words would have no effect. Actions speak so much louder.
Odin remained silent on the matter of Thor as negotiations with various allies and enemies were occurring to prepare for the Odinsleep that was soon upon them, bringing winter to Asgard and with it immense danger of invasion. Much to Thor's displeasure, Harry was to rule Asgard by Frigga's side during the Odinsleep.
How Thor became so arrogant as to believe he was fit to rule even before he reached manhood was beyond Loki.
One beautiful morning found Loki watching Harry as usual. The man was haggard with dark circles under his eyes. Loki was well aware that his Oathfather was no longer sleeping at all, preferring to stay awake. He was staring into the water of a still fountain that was filled by a small spring beneath it. Warriors often used it to cool themselves from the heat of the sun. But Harry seemed unaware of anything but his reflection. He touched a hand to his face, running his fingers over his bare chin.
Loki was about to approach Harry, when Odin strode past him.
Slowly, the King lowered himself to sit on the bricks that edged the fountain. His good eye watching, studying Harry's face.
"Odin, how much time has passed since I have been here?" Harry asked quietly, voice tight, shoulders hunched, fingers digging into the brick wall before him so hard his knuckles turned white.
"Long enough that a mortal would be long deceased. Several centuries have passed," Odin answered calmly.
"I'm not aging," Harry said quietly, his voice revealing nothing. "I should be a bearded, elderly man by now. What's wrong with me?"
Odin remained silent.
"My loved ones may be long dead. The wars I fought are probably long over and I will never know how they ended. Did we win? Did my friends and family survive? Are my people safe? Can…? Am I…? Will I ever die? Or is this my lot now? To watch everything and everyone pass away over the lonely centuries?" Harry's voice broke. His next words came out, tinged in panic, "Odin, mortals are not made to be immortal. I will go mad. I feel that I may be already. I can't sleep. I can't eat. All I feel is the years slipping by…"
Loki felt a presence by him. He looked over his shoulder startled to find Thor watching quietly. Normally his brother stepped as loudly as a troll, boots echoing with each step. Thor looked thoughtful as he studied his Oath Father and father.
"I am grateful that you welcomed me into your home, your family but what am I to do when you pass? When your sons grow old? I will be alone again."
Odin sighed, placing a comforting hand on the younger man's shoulder, "I do not know my old friend. But you will always have a place in Asgard. You will always find purpose."
Harry looked the king in the eye, "How do you know this?"
Odin smiled, "It is who you are."
Harry remained silent but the sag in his shoulders seemed less as if some weight he had been carrying had been removed. Not all but some.
Author's note: Sorry for the short update. I'm sorry it took so long. A lot and I mean A LOT has happened in a short amount of time in RL. I will become a parent in April, I am working insane hours at my new job, and I've been extremely homesick after moving away with my spouse for better jobs. I apologize and I have a new goal concerning my writing that was challenged to me by another writer. I will do my best to accomplish that goal and finish this entire fan fiction by the end of next year. Thank you for sticking by me. Next chapter: We go to war!