*A man sat on the floor staring out at the different realms. A slight movement was enough to tip the golden warrior to his presence. "You should not be here." The young man stood up and smiled. "No. I'll probably receive a whipping for shirking my duties later." "So why come?"
Nikolas walked to the Keeper of the Bifrost's side. "Aren't you the All-Knowing Heimdall?" Heimdall allowed a small smile to show on his face. "I see all, not know all. So again I ask, why come here if you risk punishment?"
The cocky smile turned sad and blue eyes held such pain that it nearly broke Heimdall's heart. "I thought you must be lonely being here alone all the time. I figured you might need a friend." Nik slowly made his way back to the palace.*
The memory came suddenly as Heimdall searched for the man in question. Since that day centuries ago, Nik had visited him time and time again. So much so, that Heimdall became almost like a father figure to him. The Gatekeeper wasn't sure what Loki planned to do if he actually found Nikolas.
It had been over two hundred years since Nik disappeared and Heimdall had given up hope on the red head's continued existence. Especially since he had been the one to open the Bifrost so many years ago to return Nik to the one place that had promised death if he were ever to step foot in that realm again. Heimdall even remembers arguing with Odin to not send Nik back there.
*The king of Asgard looked intimidating in his golden armor as he made his way to the Bifrost bridge. "Open the Bifrost to Vanaheimr! King Njord will be coming through to reclaim something. I shall be back shortly after I have obtained it."
Heimdall began turning the Bifrost to Vanaheimr when he paused. "My King. We have nothing of King Njord's to return." "Aye, but we do. And it's about time for the boy to go back where he belongs. I should never have allowed him here." Heimdall moved to stand in front of the All-Father. "Odin please. You cannot send Nik back there."
"I am king of Asgard and it is my duty to protect my people." "Nik is not a threat to anyone." Odin walked around Heimdall. "Enough! Open the Bifrost. Your loyalty is to Asgard and your King. Not some slave." With that said, the king made his way back to the palace.*
*Odin returned with six guards and Nik being held between two of them. Nik caught sight of Heimdall standing next to King Njord. He gave Heimdall a look filled with hurt and betrayal. Heimdall just shook his head, hoping the young man would understand. "I see this one still tries to rise above his station by going after a prince." Nikolas sent a deathly glare at the King of Vanaheimr.
Heimdall knew he needed to do something but what could he do that wouldn't be betraying his king and risking Nik's life? For everyone's sake, he had to let them take Nik. He could keep track of him in Vanaheimr and come up with a plan afterwards. Possibly with Loki's help. Loki was sure to know of secret ways to get in and out of any realm.
Odin turned and began walking to his palace. "I will handle Loki. Just take the slave and be gone." Njord grabbed Nik by the hair. "Come slave. We must get you retrained." Tears gathered in Nik's eyes.
Heimdall was afraid Odin had somehow heard his thoughts. Had the two Kings been speaking the whole time? It was with a heavy heart, Heimdall watched Njord drag Nik through the Bifrost.*
Heimdall searched relentlessly for Nik once Loki had left. He wouldn't fail him again. He had spent countless hours trying to find the young man after he had been taken back to Vanaheimr. Heimdall had been able to see the king bring Nik to the palace then they disappeared from his view, only for the King to reappear moments later.
Heimdall had intended to tell Loki that Nik had to be somewhere in the palace. Most likely underneath it in a dungeon, but Heimdall had watched as Loki went from almost catatonic to angry at Nikolas. As if blaming him for leaving. He feared what Loki's wraith would mean for Nik. He had turned his eyes to Vanaheimr many times over the last two centuries that Nik had been gone, but Heimdall had never seen him again.
He would find Nikolas this time and do what he could to help him. Protect him from Odin, Njord, and Loki. Heimdall knew Frigga would help, but she was busy caring for her husband in the Odinsleep. And what would Odin do when he awakens and learns of Nik's survival? He had to find Nikolas before anyone else.
If Loki wanted to find him now after so long, it could only mean that he had seen or heard from the other man and was no longer on Vanaheimr. He needed to search other realms but which one? Nik had always wanted to go to Alfheimr. Perhaps he should look there.
Heimdall was torn between needing to find Nikolas, trying to figure out what Loki was up to, and helping Thor and Asgard. Thankfully he could keep an eye on Thor while he searched for Nik. On the down side, he had no idea what Loki had planned as acting king while Odin slept. Or what was to come of Asgard on the brink of war with Jotunheim.