Lost in thought, you walked down the winding alleys.

Your eyes were glued to the magical paper you had taken with you while your fingers played with the soft hairs of the quill. You thought of writing some more.

You wanted to show Heimdall that you had not forgotten him even after that night. But it also seemed desperate to disturb him so early in the morning. Even a god had to have time for himself.

Perhaps it would be better to give him a moment of rest before you reminded him again that he was no longer alone.

With a deep sigh, you let everything disappear into your bag.

For the first time you raised your gaze.

This part of Asgard did not look familiar to you. Although you had spent your whole life in this place, these houses were unknown and new. It was as if a new part had appeared that had previously only been available to the gods.

Almost like the Great lodge, but as an entire village.

With your eyebrows drawn together, you looked around in search of a friendly face or even a living person.

But there was no one there. It was all as if abandoned. As if no one wanted to be seen.

It took quite a while until you found a way out of the loneliness and finally the lively laughter and talk of the other inhabitants of Asgard sounded again.

Immediately you had to smile.

When the stables appeared in front of you, you filled up like a new person.

Joy made you smile and your chest was so much lighter than the night before.

You almost forgot to worry about Heimdall. But only almost. He was like a ghost, haunting the back of your mind, refusing to let go. As if he were just a part of you.

But as soon as you took the first step into the courtyard, a cold shiver ran down your spine.

Goosebumps chased over your arms.

You hurriedly glanced over your shoulder.

But there was nothing that could have worried you. And yet. It didn't feel right to be in this place.

For what reason?

"Erik?", you asked as your eyes wandered through the stable.

Not a single one of the magical creatures was to be seen. No sounds filled the air. Not even Sleipnir snorted to greet you.

"Erik?", you called a little louder and looked up at the beams of the ceiling.

For some reason you expected a raven of the Allfather to sit in front of the window and watch you.

And sure enough. There was a bird. But it was not a raven.

Relief filled your chest.

A sigh left your lips.

"You are late.", a grim voice sounded.

Startled, you flinched, jerked your head around and tried to swallow a terrified cry.

With a displeased expression on his face and his hands on his hips, Erik stood there, stained with dirt and rubbish, looking you up and down.

Closing your eyes, you took a deep breath to calm your nerves.

"You scared me.", you said, putting down your bag.

His eyes tracked the movement. For a moment he stared at the small gap between the feather and the magic paper.

"Sorry.", he said drily and shrugged. "Are you going to work today? Or are you too good for that now?"

Confused, you frowned.

"What?", you asked, thinking you hadn't heard right.

He just stared at you.

Something about the expression in his eyes had changed. There wasn't as much compassion anymore. He looked bothered yet pleased that you had come to him.

Almost as if he knew something was about to happen.

Somehow, the way he looked at you made a small voice in the back of your mind scream.

"Where are the creatures?", you asked to ease your conscience.

He shrugged his shoulders.

"It doesn't matter.", he replied, and turned to go back to where he had come from.

With a hand on his shoulder you stopped him.

"Erik.", you put more emphasis in your voice. "What is the matter? Why are you like this?"

His eyes wandered over his shoulder to look at you again. For far too long. It was like he was staring.

It felt uncomfortable. Like a threat. It was a clear sign of warning.

"The Allfather has ordered most of them to be taken to his study.", he said, shaking off your hand. "For research."

"And Sleipnir?"

"The Allfather wanted to go out."

You frowned.

"He never rides."

"You're a pretty stubborn thing, aren't you?", another voice suddenly asked.

Startled, you stopped moving. The blood froze in your veins. A shiver crawled down your spine while it felt like lightning was licking across your skin.

You knew that voice. You had heard it speak before. And you had also felt this feeling of anxiety, of a threatening aura, in your own body.

It was not so long ago. In the chambers of Heimdall.

Small droplets of sweat made their way down your arms.

With bated breath, you threw a glance over your shoulder.

"Odin.", the name of the Allfather crossed your lips as if it were the most cursed of all words in existence.

All at once your body began to shiver on its own.

Fingers started to tremble. Legs became weak and knees almost gave in.

You didn't know why he visited. But you also didn't have to know.

Surely, he didn't have a pleasant reason.

With a smile that was obviously supposed to appear friendly, Odin approached.

Why the long face?, he asked and smiled.

But it made you back away.

Your back hit something hard. Hands wrapped around your shoulders and gave them a gentle yet very insisting squeeze.

"I told you there is no way (Y/N) would stay away from your creatures, Allfather.", Erik said with so much satisfaction in his voice.

Swallowing hard, you managed to bring up enough courage to make your tongue speak.

"It's my job, Allfather.", you almost shivered as he met you eye to eye. "I take care of the creatures."