"So, you made it here. You continue to impress me. Welcome my friends, welcome to the land of wonder, land of the gods, to Asgard."
The voice startled the entire group, despite their heavy legs, and exhausted minds, they became instantly alert. Applejack turned towards the source of the voice, and saw a tall white coated Pegasus. Muscular, but not overly so. There was an elegance to him.
His long blonde mane seemed to almost float, like Celestia's or Luna's back in Equestria. He wore a well trimmed beard, and his eyes were dark blue, and it seemed they were almost sparkling, as if starlight was hidden behind them.
He wore a light blue tunic, and had some light leather armor protecting vital areas, but other than that he was very lightly armored. A short sword hung at his right side, while on his back there was strapped a golden horn. It seemed well polished, shining almost.
He was very handsome, so much so neither Applejack nor Rainbow Dash could stop themselves from blushing a little. His smile was charming and gentle, and his eyes mysterious and kind. Applejack stepped forward, feeling responsible for the others.
"Uhm, howdy there. If you don't mind me asking, but did you say we were in Asgard?" She wasn't sure if she was addressing a god or not, so she did her best in being respectful. She knew it wasn't the same kind of respect she showed to Celestia, but she was tired, and it felt like she had been traveling for many many miles.
The Pegasus didn't seem to mind though. "Yes, I welcome you to Asgard, lady Applejack, as well as your companions. Macintosh, Rainbow Dash, and of course, Apple Bloom."
Applejack and looked at her companions, then back at the Pegasus. "How do you know our names?"
The stallion chuckled. "I've known of you ever since you sent Thor back to us, and watched you ever since. I am Heimdall, sentinel of the gods, I guard the Bifrost bridge."
His observant eyes moved over them, and he nodded. "It is a taxing thing to cross the Bifrost, even gods sometimes need rest when they cross it. Come inside, here you shall have a place to rest your hooves, your minds, and satisfy your appetites."
Applejack looked at the massive tower behind him, then out onto the landscape. She could not see far, but she knew Asgard was right there, waiting for her. Seeing her gaze, Heimdall let out another chuckle. "Tomorrow you will go to Valhalla, tonight you will rest. What you seek is not there, not yet."
She looked at him sharply, her mouth hanging open, she wanted to protest. However, a look to her companions told her as clear as day what the right choice was. Without arguing, she nodded. "Thank you kindly for your hospitality..."
Heimdall inclined his head, stepped aside, and as if on cue, the large gate opened up. He let them through a courtyard, and into his hall. Servants were trotting about, taking care of whatever tasks their lord had entrusted to them. Stepping into the hall, which was spacious, with several tables, and a long fire pit in the middle, they were met with a delicious smell of food.
The servants had prepared one of the tables for them, and the handsome god gestured for them to sit, which they happily did. As soon as they did, it felt like they would never be able to stand again, it felt like their hooves had been filled with lead, and their legs like they had been harvesting for an entire day.
Apple Bloom sat beside Applejack, while Mac and Dash sat opposite them. Heimdall however took the seat at the head of the table, his pleasant and gentle smile never wavering. As if on cue, the servants started to bring them their food, plates with all kinds of dishes.
Warm stew, fresh fruit, freshly baked bread, cool apple juice, and so much more. Seeing their hungry expressions, Heimdall let out a light chuckle, and gestured to the food. "Please do not hold back, eat and drink as much as you like."
Not needing him to tell him twice, they all started to fill their plates, while the servants filled their drinking horns, somehow knowing what each of them wanted. Rainbow downed her drink in one go, looking like she was about to melt with sheer satisfaction as she licked her lips.
"This must be the best cider I've EVER tasted!" She almost squealed, holding out the horn for one of the servants to refill it, which it promptly was.
For a while, nobody spoke, instead just enjoying the delicious meal, filling their bellies, and drowning their thirsts. It was only when the last traces of the food vanished from the plates that Macintosh looked to Heimdall and asked him.
"You have been watching us ever since we came to Midgard?"
Heimdall nodded. "Oh yes. I was amazed you made it here. Not that I ever doubted your will, but it isn't an easy feat to cross the great sea to get to Midgard, then to travel through the afterlife, only to then cross the Bifrost."
"Wait," Rainbow Dash cut in. "So if you knew we were here, couldn't you just have sent this rainbow bridge to where we started?"
Heimdall chuckled once again. "Even if I wanted to, the Allfather would not have allowed me to let you skip your trials."
"Does Thor know we're here?" Applejack asked, her voice lower than the others. Heimdall and the others looked at her. She looked tired, but hopeful. Heimdall's smile faded just a little, his eyes becoming more understanding than amused.
"No..."
"Why the hay not?!" Rainbow Dash asked, managing to summon a little bit of energy to be outraged.
"It isn't my place to say," Heimdall said. "My best guess would be if he knew, he would have gone to you, despite the Allfather's commands."
"So we're being tested," Mac stated, leaning forward a bit as he looked Heimdall straight in the eyes.
Heimdall favored him with a small nod. "I would say yes. No mortal has ever set their hooves in Asgard without proving their worth to Odin first. He has probably watched you this entire time too, probably more closely than me."
Dash let out a snort, crossing her forelegs as she did so. "Some test..." She mumbled.
Applejack let out a sigh. She wanted to ask more, but her mind was too tired, the food and the hot fire only making it worse. "Uhm, excuse me, mister." Apple Bloom suddenly said, drawing the attention of the handsome god.
"Yes, child?"
"I was just wondering, how come no one back home talks about you and the other gods?"
Heimdall chuckled again, his smile gentle and patient, but Applejack thought she could see a hint of sadness beneath it all. "It is a simple question, but the answer is long and complicated, but I would say it is the great passage of time that has made you all forget us. The distance between our worlds does not make it any easier either."
Applejack thought back on her dream, remembering the voices arguing about exactly this question. For a moment, she considered asking, but thought better of it, and decided to wait for now.
"It is late," Heimdall then said, bringing Applejack out of her thoughts. "You have traveled far, and you are all tired."
He gestured to the fire pit, which was only a pile of embers now, glowing so invitingly. Near it had been placed several soft looking blankets and pillows, looking so inviting to them all.
"You shall rest here tonight, and tomorrow you shall journey to Valhalla." All of them rose, and made their way to the blankets and pillows. Dash and Mac quickly snuggled up, while Apple Bloom and Applejack laid on the other side of the fire pit. "I shall tell you a story, to ease you into your sleep."
Heimdall's voice was so soothing. As they all got comfortable, and watched the embers of the fire, small flames started to dance around. The flames did not grow big, but enough that they could feel small waves of heat lick their faces. The light from the flames made the world around them almost vanish into darkness. As their eyes fixed on the dancing flames, that was now taking shape as Heimdall told his story.
"Mimir's well resides in Jotunheim, the land of the giants. The water of the well bubbles up from deep below the ground, and feeds Yggdrasill, the world tree. The wise Mimir knows many secrets, and is very wise. His well holds this same wisdom, and when the world was young he would drink from the well by using the Gjallarhorn. The same horn that I am now carrying."
"In a time when the worlds were in their infancy, Odin disguised himself as an old wanderer and traveled through the lands of the giants to get to Mimir, and seek the wisdom of his well."
The flames took shape, and it was like they could see everything he described in his story. Mimir, his well, and Odin coming to him wearing a cloak and an old hat.
"One drink from your well is all I ask, uncle Mimir. Said Odin, but Mimir only shook his head, as nobody drank from his well but he. My mother was your sister, tried Odin."
"This time Mimir spoke. That is not enough, nephew."
"Then name your price, Mimir. One drink from your well, it is all I ask. One drink, and I will be wise."
"Your eye is my price. Said Mimir, and Odin did not bother to ask if his uncle was joking. Your eye in the pool."
"Odin, having survived a long journey through the land of the giants, was willing to give more, and only said, give me a knife. And so it was, Odin cut his own eye out, and dropped it in the well. The eye stared back at him as it floated in those ancient waters."
They could see it. Odin bargaining with Mimir, cutting out his eyes, and dropping it in the water. For a moment, it was almost like they could hear the echoes from that fateful meeting.
"Filling the Gjallarhorn with the water from the well, Odin drank. The water was cold, but he did not stop until he was sure he had drunk every single drop."
"Odin could feel the wisdom flood into him. He could see better, farther, and clearer with his now one eye, and from then one, Odin the wisdom to rule Asgard, and look over the worlds. From then on, Odin was given new names. The blind god, the one eyed, and the flaming eyed one."
"Odin's eye remains in Mimir's well, even to this day. Still as fresh as the day he cut it out. It sees nothing, and yet sees everything..."
Applejack opened her eyes.
Her night had been peaceful, her sleep so deep no dreams could reach her. Now that she woke, she saw her companions, all still sleeping peacefully.
The sight made Applejack let out a long relaxed sigh, feeling as though her mind was clearer than it had ever been these past few days. Her mind was no longer heavy from the worries that had plagued her mind. They were no longer in a hurry, they had made it safely to Asgard, the hardest part was over.
Or was it..?
She hadn't seen Thor yet, and she could feel her heart flutter with both excitement and worry. What would react when he saw her? How would she?
Apple Bloom's stirring made her shake her head free from any such thoughts for now. Her younger sister stretched on the soft blankets, letting out a satisfied groan as she felt her limbs stretch. Slowly she opened her eyes, and as she sat up and yawned, she managed a weak, "good morning, sis."
Applejack smiled warmly at her sister. "Morning, Apple Bloom. Did you sleep well?"
"Mhm," she nodded, yawning once more before she gave a half tired smile. "Don't think I ever slept that deeply before."
Now that Applejack thought about it, she felt she had just woken up just after the apple bucking season, allowing her to sleep in. Looking over at their brother, who was holding Rainbow Dash close, she could tell it was the same for him, and for Dash.
"Looks like we ain't the only ones enjoying a good sleep." Applejack chuckled and got up.
The large hall was much brighter now. Far above them sunlight came through several shudders that had been opened. At the other end of the large hall, there was a group of servant mares sweeping the floor, talking excitedly.
At one of the long tables, the end nearest them, had been placed a large breakfast. Applejack could smell the freshly baked bread, and see the fresh butter, cheese, jam, and apples. Just seeing it made her stomach rumble, apparently loud enough to make Rainbow snow awake.
"Uwh.. Wha..? Time for breakfast...?" She mumbled, sitting up, her mane a mess, drool hanging from her lips as her mind slowly came around.
Mac grunted, then sat up as well. He was still tired Applejack saw, but he was better at quickly gaining his wits. He looked at both his sisters and nodded. "Morning," he said in greeting.
"Morning, Big Mac." Applejack greeted back, and stretched. "And morning to you too, Dash."
"Mmmr-meh..." Rainbow mumbled, yawning as she trotted towards the table with the food.
"I see you are awake." The warm and almost elegant voice of Heimdall said. All of them looked towards Heimdall, who was coming in through the main door to the hall. He smiled at them, "I trust you're all well rested?"
"Yes, thank you." Mac answered, standing up and bowed his head to you. "It's mighty kind of you to help us."
Heimdall shook his head. "It is only right. You passed your trials, and crossed the Bifrost, which is no easy feat for mortals." He took a few steps closer, and gestured to the end of the long table where the food was. "Please help yourself. You have a long day ahead I'm sure."
Applejack perked up, and couldn't help but smile. "So we can continue to Valhalla?" she couldn't help feeling eager. Everything they had done had led up to this.
Heimdall nodded. "Of course. For now, eat your breakfast. I've brought someone who will take you to Odin, and to see Thor."
They all suddenly noticed a teenage colt around Apple Bloom's age, step out from behind the tall Heimdall. He sent them all a friendly smile. "Well met, everypony. I am Baldr, son of Odin, brother to Thor. Heimdall thought you could use a guide." His smile became a friendly and excited grin.
Beside her, Applejack felt Apple Bloom stir. Glancing down at her sister, she thought she noticed the teenage filly blush.