Once the Chitauri went into retreat, the ingress bar was broken and Strange came to fetch me. Nidavellir was a dark, massive ring – A sort of mystical construction site for the most powerful weapons in the universe. The dwarves of the Nidavellir were around heroes of Earth were all here, Tony, Rhodey, the Fireflies, Captain America, Daisy, Selvig, Banner, Thor, Loki, the Guardians, the remains of Asgard's military, and the Master of the Mystic Arts. They were congregated around the body of Thanos, all tired looking and exhausted. The Dwarves were huddled along a long wall.

Gamora was angry with me. That was understandable. "You son of a bitch," she said, flanked by the Guardians. I was flanked by the fireflies, so I didn't bother to feel threatened or to fake offense. I glanced over at the crowd of heroes and resisted the urge to sigh. Not a ton of superhero support for my actions, but not much anger, either. They seemed to consider the beef to be between me and the Daughter of Thanos.

"He gave you the opportunity to ask," I said, rubbing my palm. "I was never going to risk trillion of lives for your sister."

"She could be lost forever, because of you," Gamora said, her hand tight on a sword, the other Guardians behind her.

"Ma'am," I said, trying to sag my shoulders just right, "I understand that. I've made… We've all made too many sacrifices. I wish I hadn't had to make that one."

"This isn't over," Gamora said, gripping her sword tight.

"It had better be," I said, letting an edge slip into my voice. "We appreciate your aid, Gamora. Whatever help we can offer to find your sister, we're happy to give. But we don't answer to you."

Gamora glanced at the Fireflies and turned and stalked off, the other Guardians following after her.

I walked over to Thanos' body and lifted the cloth covering they'd put over him. He looked… authentically terrible. His face was melted through and his arms and legs had horrific burn gashes. He deserved a worse death.

I turned toward the other heroes, the Terran faction, which composed everyone who survived. "Thank you all for your service." They nodded their heads, exhausted from the battle. We'd have standard military forces here for mop up. "There will be time for rewards and speeches later, but know that the Earth is forever in your debts."

Technically, I shouldn't have been the one to give the speech. I glanced my eyes towards Eitri, who looked like a massive Peter Dinklage, was standing over the injured one of his number. It was possible we would be perceived as vassals of the Asgardians after this – Which didn't bother me much at all. Earth as a military vassal of Asgard was probably safer than Earth which has to prove itself to the Kree or Skrull or any other such empire. But also I had no idea what that meant for Earth politically.

I walked over to Eitri and bowed low, "Eitri, king of dwarves," I said.

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He looked down at me and framed me with his hands for a moment, as if taking my sizes before nodding his head back to me. "You are the Romulus I smithed the serpent crown for," he said after a moment.

I felt my ears heat up and did my best not to look too embarrassed, "Yes, that's me. My true name is Michael Trent, I'd appreciate it if you'd use it."

Eitri nodded his head, "Yes, the pre-monarchial days of the dwarves were like that as well."

"Walk with me if you will?" I said, gesturing away from the crowd. He nodded and began to step forward. He clearly had to constrain his steps not to outpace me and it wore upon my nerves to know it.

Once we were well away from it, "Eitri, you've been a vassal of Asgard for some time, I assume?"

Eitri nodded his large head, "Yes, since before Odin banished his daughter. Thor tells me that they destroyed Asgard. A pity. I have never seen such a well of mystical power." He shook his head after a moment. "You are wondering, now that your people have come into their power, how your kind will be treated by Asgard."

I nodded, "It's a relevant concern."

"The Odinson is a noble man, Romulus Michael Trent. A better one than his father and Odin was no heavy burden upon the Ring of Nidavellir."

How to say, 'that's what I'm worried about' without saying that was what I was worried about. Odin had won his power by conquest and he had, so far as I could tell, no trouble with those who did the same. By contrast, Thor would inherit his throne and while he didn't appear to have any trouble with the idea of me taking over the world, it seemed likely he might have some trouble with the acts that could bring about that ambition.

"What degree do they let their vassals determine their form of rule?"

"Have they interfered in Midgard's rules before?"

I laughed at that. No, they hadn't. "I guess not."

"I would not expect them to do so, unless it inconveniences them directly."

I suppose I would just leave Norway alone and hope for the best. "Eitri, what does the crown you made me do?"

"The Mind Stone is a peerless instrument of insight, that's its most prominent characteristic. The crown would make it safe for a mortal like you to contact and contain, if perhaps not fully control. It depends on the exact nature of the mind beneath the crown, the – I hesitate to say the Stone is conscious, but it might be said to have preferences. Those preferences would effect the crown. But likely, it would provide knowledge and insight appropriate to the wearer's pre-existing abilities and knowledge. A witch would become much stronger. It depends on your gifts."

And my mind's powers could be amplified. I was going to have to get that crown from Loki – Especially because without an attack on Earth, Thanos' death was not going to cut it for our rise to power.