Authors Note: I own nothing except for the character OC Galatea.
Rise of the Snow Queen Galatea Chapter 1
The nickname Odin had given her long ago repeated softly into her ears as Galatea slowly opened her eyes the dream coming to an end. Siting up straight in her fore poster bed she allowed her eyes to adjust to the darkened bedroom, eyes wide with the idea of sleep now totally forgotten. Her mind was filled entirely with images of the dream she'd just experienced during the entire course of the night. For Galatea it had certainly been so real as if she'd gone back in time thousands of years before to those dreadful days that had begun so happy and yet ended so horribly. With her thoughts constantly returning to those times it definitely wasn't the first time she'd ever dreamed of it.
Putting a great effort into putting such negative thoughts and memories aside Galatea tried her best to focus on far more important matters such as her Brother Thor's coronation which was this very day.
Pushing away the covers off the top of her body Galatea rose from her bed reaching for the forest green velvet gloves lying on the nightstand. She'd long outgrown the pair she'd worn when she was a small child and had been wearing these since that time. Along with the spell Frigga had put on the gloves to keep the ice at bay the size of them would grow as she grew and were now no longer in danger of tearing requiring the fitting of new ones. It was a great benefit and less of an inconvenience. After fitting the gloves onto her hands which reached to about halfway to her elbows in length while careful to not touch anything with her bare hands all the while she continued to get ready for the coronation ceremony.
The dress Galatea would be wearing for such an important occasion was similar to the ones she did regularly wear with the only difference being it was far more elaborate and detailed in some parts of the design. The ensemble was a dark teal dress with long black sleeves, pink and blue embroidery sewed on the hem, chest, below the neckline, and a pure gold belt around the waist of the figure. A dark purple cape clasped at the neck with a blue sapphire broach completed the outfit the entire look of it sophisticated and royal.
After she was dressed Galatea brushed out her hair careful to make sure not a single tangle or the smallest knot remained. She then arranged it on her head in an intricate yet simple bun. The simplicity of it allowed the focus to be put on the persons face instead of the details of the bun.
Slowly walking to the window Galatea gazed out across the landscape of the kingdom. She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. This was to keep her nerves under control since the power behind the winter was ruled by her emotions.
Don't let them in, don't let them see…
Be the good girl you always have to be.
Returning to her dressing table Galatea pulled off her gloves placing them on the smooth polished wood. She picked up the small silver hand mirror lying there holding it so she could gaze into the reflection.
Conceal…
Don't feel…
Put on a show…
Make one wrong move and everyone will know.
The second she picked up the mirror at her touch with the bare skin of her hands frost covered the entire surface in a simple matter of seconds. She then hastily put the mirror onto the dressing table heart beating rapidly in her chest. Quickly she calmed it to normal speed as she looked at her hands as she curled the fingers worried of what was to come, but at the same time trying to reassure her creating confidence. A determined expression on her face she flipped her gloves back on.
But it's only for today.
It's agony to wait.
Step by step she made her way over to the balcony connected to her rooms beside the large window. Standing in a posture regal and proud as a Princess should do.
Don't let them in, don't let them see.
Be the good girl you always have to be.
Pulling aside the twin balcony doors Galatea was bathed instantly in the warmth of the sunlight. Waling tot eh edge of the balcony looking off of the railing at he crowds of people gathering below making their way inside for the coronation everyone had been waiting ages for. Isolated within the palace walls most of her life this would be the first time in forever she'd been in the presence of a crowd this huge. If anything were to go wrong this would be disastrous.
Conceal…
Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know.
A breeze came by from above gentle and warm. It swept in through the gardens below collecting the leaves and petals of flowers as it did so. After the wind made its way through the gardens it flew all the way up to where Galatea was on the balcony. Like a whirlwind only focused on her the force of wind circled her form surrounding her in leaves and soft silky flower petals blowing her cape into the breeze.
As Galatea stood there overlooking the kingdom a knock could be heard from the doors leading into her bedroom requesting for permission of entrance. "Enter," said Galatea without bothering to turn around.
The bedroom door was opened just enough for Frigga to come inside. Like Galatea she was dressed in her absolute best for the event. Unlike her daughter Frigga was wearing a gown of light blue cut in the Greek and Roman styles that sparkled in the sunlight. Wrapped about the shoulders and collar was a cape of gold thread trailing down her back with diamonds embroidered in the neck. Diamond earrings to match hung from her ears. Her hair was piled in ringlets and rings of carefully styled curls to perfection at the top of her head. Her crown wasn't on her head, but Frigga didn't require one to look the very image of a Queen.
Upon spotting Galatea standing at the balcony Frigga smiled softly tears forming in her eyes. "Oh, Galatea," she gasped, approaching her, "darling, you look absolutely lovely."
At the sound of Frigga's voice alerting her to who had come in Galatea smiled turning to face her. Grinning at her Mothers choice of dress, Galatea said "Thanks, but I'm not nearly as lovely as you, Mother."
The words of Galatea's statement were completely true, but the relative calmness in her voice was not. Tried as hard as she might Galatea couldn't keep the slight nervous tremor out of her voice. If others had been around it might've gone unnoticed, but not with Frigga. For she felt there was no need for words to be said to know exactly what was going on in her mind.
Looking at Galatea with sad eyes Frigga held out her hand all the way out to her daughter curling her fingers gesturing the curl for her to come near, saying "Galatea, come here let me see you."
"No," said Galatea, shaking her head in refusal looking in every direction, but at her Mother.
"Galatea," said Frigga, firmly, curling her fingers again. The tone of her voice left no room for argument should she didn't want any nonsense.
With great reluctance Galatea went over to her Mother stopping when she got within arm's reach of the woman. Frigga looked her over beginning to smooth out spots she thought required some fixing. Galatea shifted moving from foot to foot, but Frigga was quick to put an end to that.
"Still," she ordered.
Galatea immediately stopped moving standing as still as a statue patiently waiting for the inspection to be over. During her inspection of her daughter Frigga noticed a few stray pieces of hair falling together on her forehead. Frigga moved it to where it could be neatly arranged to where it wouldn't be noticed only for Galatea to stubbornly pull the piece of hair back over her face. Frigga went to move it again only for Galatea to push her hand aside in refusal. Frigga let out a frustrated breath of air, but let it go nto trying to movie it again smiling good naturedly.
"All right," sighed Frigga. "have it your way then."
Galatea was glad to have her way only still wouldn't meet her Mother's eyes. Eyes soft, her voice comforting, Frigga said "There is no need to be anxious. You'll be fine."
"I know, Mother," said Galatea, "but I just can't help only to worry. I haven't been around a crowd filled with people as big as this in years. What if I lose control?"
"You won't," assured Frigga, soothingly.
"But what if….," said Galatea.
"Galatea," intervened Frigga, "there is no 'what if's'. I know without a doubt you'll keep your powers in check. Do you know the reason why this is so?"
Galatea shook her head "no" not speaking.
Cupping Galatea's chin to lift up her face, Frigga said "When I look at you I see a strong and capable young woman one who can accomplish anything when she sets her mind to it behind the shy exterior you wish to show everyone around you. All you need is the confidence to let that shell go and be yourself."
Seeing Galatea remained unconvinced skeptically Frigga looked around for something that would help her daughter know all would be all right. She found it in seconds. Frigga moved to where Galatea's royal headdress was cushioned on a violet pillow at the dressing table.
The entire thing was beautiful silver, snowflake headdress embedded with sapphires and amethysts with a large upside down crescent moon perched in its center. It wasn't as large or elaborate in the design as the other head ornaments were for the royal family, but the entire simplicity of it seemed to suit her perfectly fine.
Picking it up Frigga looked thoughtfully at it while she held the headdress in her hands. Smiling over at her daughter she went over until she was standing directly in front of her. Gently she laid the headdress at the top of the girls head. "You are a proud Princess of Asgard," said Frigga, softly, "stand tall in the face of the people and you'll never go wrong. All you need to do is embrace yourself in a wave of pure confidence. Don't let go of it."
"I'll do my best, Mother," sighed Galatea.
"Remember, darling," reminded Frigga, "conceal it, don't feel it, don't let it show."
Leaning forward to kiss Frigga's cheek, Galatea said "And I'll never forget it, Mother."
Then a large horn could be heard through the air. It must be the signal the coronation was about to start in a few more minutes. "The coronation is about to begin," said Frigga. "I must be in the throne room and you need to join your brothers in the anteroom."
Nodding, Galatea said "Yes, Mother." Both of them then left the tower and upon reaching a certain point in the palace they went their separate ways not knowing the events of today would alter her life forever.
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