Thor brought his steed to a stop once he reached the Bifrost. He led it by its reins inside and tied them to a spot on the wall intended for such a thing when one came not to make use of the Bifrost, but to speak with Heimdall, who stood waiting patiently for Thor to address him.
"Grand morning, Heimdall." Thor said, trying to make his voice sound less tired than he felt.
"Indeed, my Prince and future king, but not for you. I know what brings you to me." Heimdall replied, voice expressing no discernible emotion.
"I expected nothing less as you see and hear all. What am I to do, Heimdall? I've already broken a taboo last night by laying with Loki. We may not share blood, but the citizenry would not care if they found out. The mere fact Loki and I grew together as brothers makes what we did morally repugnant in their eyes."
"Indeed, but it is not up to the citizenry to decide what is right or wrong. All both of you did was follow the natural affections in your hearts to their inevitable end."
"Are you saying you are in agreement with what we did? Does it not sicken you?"
"I am not allowed to have an opinion on such matters, my Prince, but if I were, that would be it."
Thor scrubbed his face with his hands, a little relieved that he wasn't insane for not feeling any guilt for making love to Loki. However, there was a far more pressing matter at hand.
"I am certain you know what Loki asked of me last night." Thor said finally.
"Yes, my Prince."
"The fact I even considered it, even for the most fleeting moment, I should by rights be put to death." Thor spoke while pacing, thoughts racing.
"As I said, my Prince, I am not allowed to make moral judgments. I am only allowed to follow the laws of Asgard and defend the realm and its people when necessary. I am also sworn to complete secrecy when it comes to matters of the King. Whether I approve of what he does or not do, unless he makes to bring harm to the people of Asgard, I cannot interfere with his actions or discuss anything I might witness. To speak of these things is to court death."
"But I am not yet king, Heimdall. Is this your way of telling me you have to tell the All-Father what you've seen, what Loki asked of me?"
"I am not speaking of you at all. You came to me wanting my aid in making your decision: whether or not to grant Loki that which he asked for. I intend to help make this decision quite easy for you, but I cannot speak in absolutes, only hypotheticals."
Thor nodded, mostly understanding what Heimdall meant, but completely unprepared for what Heimdall was about to reveal "hypothetically".
"Loki's rage is founded on the lie of his parentage, of his entire existence...I am certain you know that the All-Father's intent was to forge an alliance with Jotunheim through Loki."
"Yes, I am aware."
"This was, hypothetically, not the first time the All-Father had arranged such a thing."
Thor's face was a mask of confusion as Heimdall continued.
"Let us imagine together a time before you were born. At this time, Midgard had gods of their own, a goddess in particular named Gaea. If an Asgardian king wanted to forge an alliance with Midgard, perhaps even rule over Midgard outright, it would be ideal to produce an heir with whomever rules over it, if such a thing were possible."
"But my father was wed to my mother. Are you saying I have another brother, a bastard?" Thor asked, growing distressed.
"I am speaking only hypothetically, remember, and I am not finished."
YOU ARE READING
Salome
FanficA great feast is held in Asgard to celebrate the day of Thor's birth and Loki's gift to him sets dark plans in motion that will shake the Realm Eternal to its very foundations.
