Following Our Own Script

Chapter Four

"Odin must pay," Frigg restated. "He's killed thousands. He's enslaved entire races. He knows of his fate and yet he is the one who throws his family in harm's way."

"You are harm!" Heimdall shouted. "Stop with this self-righteous behavior."

"Just ignore him," Freyr said. "He's mad because our plan could work."

"But he's right," Loki said softly. "Skjoldr, Thrud... they're good people."

"Good people don't serve a tyrant," Frigg said.

"They don't know any better. Odin saved the Midgardians. They're going to think they owe him. And Thrud... Thrud is good. She's my friend. We can't hurt her."Kratos had told Loki the horrors of war, but without examples, the boy's mind didn't form what they meant until now.

"So we just let things go on as they are? After all he's done?"
"No. But I- I don't know."

"Atreus," Kratos said, placing a hand on his son's shoulder.

"What, oh God of War," Heimdall said. "What amazing advice on avoiding casualties can you give? How many innocent did you slaughter before you fulfilled your revenge? Was it not worth it when your enemies fell?"

"Heimdall, this isn't the bear you want to be pokin," Mimir warned.

Heimdall laughed. "And why not? You should have killed me when you had the chance. Hell, you can still kill me. I dare you, tear my head from my body and show your boy what the brutalities of war look like." He glared at Kratos. Any fear he had for the God was replaced by hatred. "Show him what you will do to his beloved friends if they cross your path. Or do you plan to keep me locked here? Give me the cruelest fate of all by forcing me to listen to my people die while I sit here helplessly." The emotion in his voice was raw. No tears, never tears. A weaker God would have shed them.

The table was quiet. Eyes darted between Heimdall and Kratos. His arguments were sinking into those who were quick to anger. No one had answers. Even the smartest head alive was lost for words.

Kratos stepped forward to break the silence. Draupnir appeared in his hand. "You serve Asgard, do you not?"

"You know damn well my loyalties are with the All-Father."

"Odin is willing to sacrifice your home. He is the greatest threat to your oath. You said you would not let me decide your fate. Tell me, will you aid us in avoiding casualties, or should I kill you as you wish."

- - - - - - -

Berries picked, animals snared, access to fresh water found. They had gathered everything but shelter. The jungle had been plentiful.

"When you hunt, do you just decide that those animal's thoughts aren't worth listening to?"

"No. I listen to those the most. And I apologize."

"And then you kill them. Because even though you feel bad about it, it's murder."

"I only kill for survival."

Heimdall flicked another berry in his mouth. "You keep telling yourself that."

"Sometimes you don't have a choice -" they said in unison. Loki scoffed, distancing himself from Heimdall.

Heimdall dared to say he was giddy. They were getting too chummy with the whole 'almost dying' thing. He needed to reset their dynamic.

By now, Heimdall's ribs were mostly back in place. He didn't have magic to heal himself, but Gods, by nature, recovered quickly. His face still stung against the air. He could feel the tears in his skin. There was a sensitive lump on his forehead. When washing his face earlier, the dried blood was caked on so heavily that he needed to use his nails to get underneath sections. His lips were cracked. The bones in his cheeks threatened to poke through in the deeper scrapes. He wondered if his bone had been showing before he started to recover.