With eyebrows drawn together tensely, Heimdall approached the edge of the wall and took a look into the depths.

Clouds obscured his view.

Birds had nested in the niches in the wall. They did not seem disturbed by the arrival of an uninvited guest. Quietly they nestled together, feathers to feathers, and let quiet chirping be heard.

But Heimdall knew that he must not let himself be disturbed by this silence.

Once again he settled at the edge of the wall, far enough not to be immediately recognised, and bit out a large piece from the rest of his apple.

The sweet juice mixed with the knowledge that it was a gift from you calmed his nerves.

Soon he would meet him.

And he had to make a decision.

With the arrival of this guest, Ragnarok would come a little closer. But at the same time it would mean that the Allfather would lose his power over Heimdall.

Perhaps this would be his chance.

A deep sigh made his chest quiver.

With his eyes closed, he let his head fall back and waited.

It was only a matter of time before it would happen. It was always just a matter of time.

He knew exactly when things happened, how history was written and what fate demanded. But he never knew exactly when something would happen. He would recognise the moment it happened before his eyes.

Silence fell for a moment.

All that bothered his mind were his own thoughts.

This moment was good. He was calm.

And yet.

He was lonely. Just the way he was used to.

Again he found himself thinking about being in your presence. He didn't long to hear words or be amused. He just wanted to enjoy the silence with someone by his side.

As if you had read his thoughts, a warm breeze suddenly brushed his face.

His eyes opened in surprise.

Golden dust floated above him, melting into the dirty blue of the sky.

The storm he had seen coming earlier was receding.

The stranger would arrive with good weather. What luck for him.

Torn from his thoughts, Heimdall followed the golden dust as it seemed to dance before him, forming lines. These lines became runes and the runes eventually formed words that his mind could easily read.

"I miss you.", the gold spelled. "Please don't push me away. Whoever is coming, I want you to know that there is a way out. Before tragedy strikes."

With a low grumble he pressed his lips together into a thin line.

Maybe he was right and the stranger would find a way out of the tragedy Heimdall had been born into. But there was a much greater chance that he would only cause him more trouble.

The God of Foresight had already chosen a human, one who could cause him problems. He didn't want to put his trust in someone else who was ultimately even more of a threat.

Bringer of Ragnarok.

The thought sent shivers down his spine. Hastily he had to shake himself.

No, for the time being it was not an option to forge an alliance that had not yet been tested in any way.

What was even more problematic was the fact that Heimdall had no real desire to betray Asgard. It was his job to protect this land and its inhabitants.

He was supposed to read minds for the Allfather to ensure safety. If he went against Odin, then all of this land would be exposed to his fury.

He had to swallow hard.

The thought of betraying his father alone made him feel like a traitor, an evil creature. This was not how the All-Father had raised him. He had not been born for this.

And yet.

Never before had he done anything for himself but for the greater good. To serve the will of the All-Father.

After all these centuries of subservience, there had to be an end.

And Heimdall knew as well as anyone that he could not simply turn his back on Asgard.

No, there would have to be a fight for his freedom. There would be losses, sacrifices.

All this the God of Foresight knew as well as anyone.

For him it was only a question of what he had to give to gain the ignorant freedom Baldur had taken for granted as if it had been his birthright.

Now the time had come when Heimdall also wanted to do what his heart desired without being punished for it.

Why was he not allowed to be selfish?

After all he had done for his father, after years of bearing the disfavour of other gods, he believed it was time to be rewarded. And he wanted to choose his own reward.

For once, he did not wish to leave everything to the Allfather.

When he realised how stubborn yet little selfish his thoughts were, Heimdall let out a discontented growl.

The changes in him were unmistakable. He had to acknowledge your power over him. And yet, though he would never kneel to anyone, he did not find it terrible to change under your influence.

It felt like gentle guidance. Like a hand that helped him walk down the path of people.

It was not as if he found it necessary to change, after all he was Heimdall, the Radiant One, the protector of the Aesir.

But it would certainly also make his own life easier if he managed to charm the ordinary people like the Allfather could. And your gentle nature would help him.

Again he had to let out a heavy breath.

Since when did he bother about such minor things?

Usually, he wouldn't have waste a second thought on anything that didn't directly affect him.

And yet he felt the wish to become more likeable. Perhaps not for all but at least for the ones he cared about.

Or rather just the one.

Suddenly he froze.

There was that sound again, heavy breathing, hands and nails scraping over stones to find a foothold.

He was close. So threateningly close.