Working Title : Loki & Annie

79 - The Watcher at the End of the Bridge

Heimdall turned his gaze from Midgard and stretched his Sight far off until he was Seeing beyond the Nine Realms. He knew many were not aware or did not believe he could See for such a distance and if no one asked he made no effort to correct the error. Sometimes it was good to be underestimated. 

He moved past vast empty stretches of space, through the dust of comets, forming worlds and flames of burning stars. He knew where to direct his gaze, he had Watched this space before. Searching the distance he found what he was looking for because there had been no movement of the ship since the last time he had Watched it. For those who had not the Gift of Sight that Heimdall had, the size of the ship would have been nearly incomprehensible, so large of a space it occupied. Despite the size, with eyes that glowed a brilliant gold, he effortlessly moved forward breaching the hull of the ship that provided no barrier to his Sight. Inside he roamed the corridors, past obscene creatures committing even worse atrocities. He had Watched these creatures before, both on Midgard and here on this very ship. Each time he Saw them he was no less disgusted by the misery that these beings inflicted. 

 Now his Sight slipped onwards until he found the One he was searching for. Standing before a massive glass wall that gave a view of the vastness of space Heimdall's Sight settled on the monstrous-sized body.

Turning only slightly Thanos lifted a corner of his lips, a sneer on his face. "You visit again Asgardian. Should I be flattered that the AllFather's Eye seeks another audience with me?" 

Heimdall Watched.

The eyes narrowed, "Still ever silent?" Thanos chuckled a deep sound that echoed in the cavernous space. "Strange. The AllFather's pet didn't have trouble making noise." Now the mouth turned cruel with a jeering grin, "His screams filled the very air with its music. Such a lovely sound. He never stopped. Begging." The Titan's mouth opened wide with a cruel twist, "Not for his life but the mercy of meeting My Lady." Now the face leered at the invisible Watcher. "Which he wasn't worthy of the honor. So he screamed. Until that bewitching mouth was put to better use. Then his sounds were much more-" Thanos pretended to consider his next word, "Enjoyable."

Heimdall's View didn't waver. The Titan's words were not a surprise, the Watcher's eyes had seen the tribulations of the Prince as they occurred and he had not looked away then either. With the AllFather unwilling and unable to attempt to interfere with events Watching had been the only option available. He felt it was his duty to his Prince even if he was the only one to See and to Know.

With a snarl of boiling contempt, the Titan sliced his arm through the air, "Begone spy! Go back to your powerless master and report that no matter where he hides the traitor I will find him." Once more that mocking smile appeared. "Then the AllFather," Thanos's voice spit the word out contemptuously, "will know what he allowed before will be nothing compared to what I will do next to my little pet." There was a mocking tone in his voice, "Perhaps he will enjoy watching as he did before."

Heimdall allowed his vision to fade back, back through universes until once more in the familiar Nine Realms then into the very Observatory. As the Sight faded from his eyes he turned to the silent figure standing next to him. "He does not know where the Prince is."

"You're certain?" Odin's voice was challenging, this was important.

"Yes, my King. He believes you are hiding Loki." The Watcher added, "He promised the Prince with worse than what was done before." Truth yet not all of the truth.

If there was just the smallest insinuation of displeasure in the Guardian's tone it was ignored by the AllFather. Heimdall could no more be displeased by what happened than Odin. If only he had sent rescue to Loki perhaps they would not now be twisting the Norn's threads into knots. Odin's dismissed the thought, he had not sent rescue nor had he even made the attempt, and feeling regret was wasteful because it changed nothing. "As long as the Titan doesn't know his location then Loki is safe."

Heimdall said nothing. There was nothing to say. The AllFather's concept of safe was not always the most obvious one. Or actually safe.

"Sif and Fandral? How goes their search for Thor?"

The Watcher thought of what he had seen on Midgard, choosing his words truthfully yet carefully as well. "They grow impatient as they continue their search for Prince Thor as well as displeased with the Midgardian's customs." The truth, yet not all of the truth. "The mortal's are displeased with them as well." More truth, yet not all of the truth.

Odin scoffed slightingly, "I care not of their mood nor of their feelings. Just that they are successful in their undertaking. Nor am I interested in the mortal's thoughts or actions."

Heimdall accepted his King's wishes with an inclination of his head. Odin had a long-standing habit of ignoring truths he did not approve of. He also cared little for mortals unless they were a useful tool that could serve his purpose.

"Have they come close to finding Thor?" The AllFather was impatient and displeased with his eldest son. When the boy returned Thor would find that cleverness served him even less than it did Loki.

"Not being able to See either of the Prince's means I am not certain of how close to success they are." Thin truth yet still truth. He would not lie, could not lie to the AllFather yet he had not been asked to tell every truth either. If anyone was aware not all desired to hear the harshest truth it was Heimdall. 

Before making to return to the palace the AllFather gave final commands, "Continue your own Watch for Thor and Loki. Return either the instant you spy one or the other then notify me. I will have guards dispatched. As for the Titan," Here Odin paused in thought then admitted there was nothing he could do at this time, "Remain aware but do not approach again."

"Yes, my King." Heimdall turned back to Watching the Nine Realms as the steps of his King faded. He followed the AllFather's command and only Watched for the two Princes while turning a Blind Eye to any other on Midgard. After all, he had been ordered to Watch only for the Princes and not to Watch what the mortals did.