Lost in thought, you swept the floor in front of the boxes.

Sleipnir blew a heavy breath into your neck. The touch was so warm that you dropped your broom in shock.

"What's wrong?", you asked, holding out a hand.

But the horse pulled in its head.

Hooves beat restlessly on the ground while it pranced around in its stall as if it wanted to run away at any moment.

Uncertainly you looked at your hand. But there was nothing. Probably it could still sense the scent of Heimdall on you.

Judging by its behaviour, Sleipnir was afraid of the god. And if it wasn't fear, it was at least aversion.

A sigh left your lips.

"Has he left already?", suddenly asked a voice full of disappointment.

Erik stumbled into the stables, his hand still pressed to his lower stomach to numb the stinging pain of Heimdall's blow.

Concern appeared on your face.

"How are you?", you asked as Erik settled down on a bale of hay.

With a pained groan he rubbed the pit of his stomach. But he didn't seem to have any serious injuries.

"It's nothing.", he shrugged.

"It was rude of him to hit you."

Erik frowned.

"He is a god.", he replied defiantly, as if he wanted to defend Heimdall's deeds. "He can do how he pleases. That's his birthright."

You curled your lips.

It seemed strange to you that he defended Heimdall.

Usually, Erik had a heated temper and a big mouth. Whenever something displeased him he was the first to complain.

So why did he protect the actions of the god?

His obsessions with the men of Asgard weren't long nor extreme. Most of the time they were gone by noon.

But maybe he really had a crush.

"Even gods should have manners.", with these words you picked up the broom and returned to your work.

But it was not long before another cold shiver ran down your spine.

Confused, you looked up.

Erik had made himself comfortable on the hay bale and had fallen asleep.

It was not surprising that he was not working. His chores always had to wait until the last minute before he started working. Maybe he needed the pressure.

"I agree, everyone should have manners.", Heimdall's voice cut through the cold wind. "And you don't seem to have any talking about a god like this."

You did not dare to turn around.

Instead, you tried to distract yourself by cleaning the floor. Heavy footsteps made the dust tremble.

They were not hoofbeats. Instead, it felt like the steps of a bear. But it growled like a cat.

And it smelled of wet metal. Like iron. Or gold.

Whatever it was, it had to be heavy as a mountain.

A huge shadow fell over you. It was so big that even Erik's face was obscured.

But he noticed nothing of it. He was too deeply asleep for that.

A soft sigh escaped you. You glanced over your shoulder.

What you saw was as strange as it was frightening.

There was a lion right in front of your face, barely a stone's throw away. Pointed teeth poked out at you, while two horns encircled you like prey.

Your breath flinched. You didn't dare to breathe.

Bright blue eyes pierced yours.

The creature let out a low growl.

It eyed you from top to bottom. Then it took a sniff of your scent.

Heimdall observed his mount's behaviour with mild curiosity.

"Huh.", he muttered and pressed a hoe into the animal's ribs. "You are not usually so friendly. Show your moods!"

Protesting, it threw its head up and jumped back a step. It jerked its head to the side.

A dull thud made your skull pulsate as if you had suddenly fallen out of the clouds.

The steed had hit you with its gigantic horns.

For a moment the world blurred before your eyes and you could not keep on your feet.

With a gasp you fell to the ground, your hands trying to find a foothold in the dust. For a moment it felt like you were leaving your body.

It was all so light. Your head was filled with air.

"Stupid animal!", growled Heimdall.

Your eyes wandered up.

"It wasn't his fault.", you managed to say.

With a raised hand you drew the attention of the enraged creature to yourself.

Perplexed, it paused and began to sniff your hand.

Growling sounds announced a warning. Irritation could be seen in the blue eyes

Suddenly a deep breath was expelled.

Warm air made your fingers twitch.

With your eyes squeezed shut, you turned your head to avoid eye contact with the animal as it approached.

A low growl made the air vibrate.

For the breath of a second you feared it would bite your head off.

But it didn't.

Instead, the rough surface of the nose rubbed against your cheek. It scratched your skin and left irritated spots. But then it gently bumped its head against yours.

The force caused you to fall over backwards and land on your back in the dirt.

A rough tongue licked your face.

You couldn't help but giggle with relief.

"Good boy!", you murmured and began to scratch the furry chin.

An irritated snort came from on high.

"His name is Gulltoppr.", snarled Heimdall, almost disappointed, and jumped off his mount's back to look at it with a suspicious eye. "Normally he hates strangers."

The violet eyes wandered to you.

You met his gaze while still scratching the animals ears.

Purrs vibrated in the palms of your hands.

"I'm quite good with animals.", you said and glanced at Gulltoppr. "He's calm."

"If I need him to be.", with his eyebrows drawn together and his hands on his hips, Heimdall leaned forward. "You are... why aren't you upset?"

"Why would I be?"

"You've been threatened."

"It wasn't the animals fault."

"But mine?"

You shrugged.

"I'm sure you act the way you do for a reason, lord Heimdall.", you said and pushed his mount away to get on your feet. "But that's your business. How may I assist you?"