Rise of the Snow Queen Chapter 3
The drapery in front of her was drawn back leaving Galatea to be able to get a clear look at the massive throne room as the light blasted into her eyes. For Galatea the sight she was met with was almost overwhelming. The entire hall was failed entirely all the way to capacity. Nearly the entire kingdom had arrived to honor the royal family during the ceremony.
On the far side of the room was the dais where the throne stood was Father in all of his glory. Below on the steps above on the top close to him was Mother. The Warriors Three and the Lady Sif stood on one side of the stairs while the space next to Frigga was meant for her and Loki.
As they were walking along down the aisle Galatea's heart was beating so rapidly in her chest she feared the whole crowd could hear it. Outwardly she was everything a well brought up Princess of the royal family should be calm and composed movements fluid with grace, but inside…she was literally screaming. If one was near enough they would notice her eyes nervously flicking in all directions around the room. All eyes were on her and not only that, but she could hear some whispers of her name as the people began to recognize who she was. All of this sudden attention was causing it to be difficult for her to keep the curse in check.
Upon first glance the majority of the people present looked at her with confusion not recognizing her, but it wasn't long before recognition soon took its place. Astonished whispers continued to increase along with the curious faces now surging through both sides of the immense crowd. It wasn't much of a challenge to figure out why. It had been many years since the Princess had surfaced from her seclusion last and the rare times she did so it was for small private family occasions. So to actually catch a glimpse of her at such an important public ceremony was a rarity indeed. Hearing their whispers didn't do anything in reassuring her, but thankfully something else did.
Hearing the whispers himself sensing it was making her than somewhat uncomfortable Loki gave his sisters hand a reassuring squeeze. When she looked at his face after feeling the action she saw him subtly wink while keeping a straight poker face revealing nothing. Without saying a single syllable Loki was telling her everything was going to be all right. Fortunately this did exactly what it was supposed to. She slowed her heart the nerves kept at a barrier at least for the time being.
To be perfectly honest she was surprised she hadn't frozen anyone yet. With the physical contact she now presently had with Loki the second this occurred he should've instantly been covered with ice, but remained the same unharmed. This alone provided her ounces of much needed confidence to give her strength to endure.
In an attempt to remain calm Galatea ceased her roaming eyes instead bringing them to rest on her waiting parents. What she expected to find compared to what she actually found was complete opposite. She thought to receive small smiles of encouragement with subtle proud expressions on their faces showing their pride, but in reality were far from it. They, especially Odin, concealed it well behind their masks, but it was easy for her to tell the fear on their faces. At first the cause of why eluded her, but then it hit her. They'd noticed she wasn't wearing her gloves the very gloves keeping the curse in check. In her Mother's eyes a clear obvious question was there demanding to know why today of all days she wasn't wearing them knowing the risks. Although she couldn't speak the answer was easy enough to provide.
Moving her lips as little as possible hoping it would go unnoticed, Galatea mouthed "Thor."
Thankfully it was all that was required to get the message across to both of them. As soon as they understood they clearly were unsatisfied about it, but they had not choice to let the matter slide until later where it could be dealt with after the coronation. Right now their hands were tied there was nothing they could do.
At last the twins had finally reached the dais. Loki too his rightful place as the first below Frigga while she stood a single step after him. After receiving a nod from Queen Frigga showing acknowledgement she was doing well despite the circumstances Galatea looked to where she and Loki first entered as did everyone else. It was time now for the true guest of honor to make his entrance.
The horn blown in a long drawn out call, the announcer said "Presenting the Crown Prince Thor."
Thor appeared at the very top of the steps. As soon as he did delighted cheers, shouts, and clapping rang throughout the air especially when he held Mjolnir as if in victory. Slowly he made his way down the aisle all the while doing all orts of trick to show off for the crowd. A couple of times he even spun in place as he waked drinking in the approval of the crowd.
"Oh please," said Lady Sif, rolling her eyes. She'd seen all of this sort of behavior from Thor before.
Galatea looked to Odin to observe how he would be reacting to all of Thor's pointless theatrics. His face was bare emotionless revealing no signs of any approval or disapproval except for one small trace in his remaining eye. Truly he did feel some disapproval, but refused to show it. While she and Loki had been formal as they came into the hall Thor was playing around displaying no amount of decorum. He was definitely not taking any of this seriously only paying attention to the common knowledge this was all in his honor about to become the new reigning King.
After it seemed like he was never going to get there Thor reached his place at the bottom od the dais. Lowering himself to one knee Thor took of his helmet in respect cradling it in the unoccupied arm by Mjolnir. Looking up at the Queen he grinned taking it all in his stride winking at her. Eyes widened at the action Queen Frigga discreetly shook her head in disapproval although her heart wasn't really into it. The pride on her face remained quite unmistakable.
Rising from the throne moving forward away from it a few steps Odin banged the bottom of Gungnir for silence. Silence immediately, reigned as he made his command clear with all attention now being drawn over to him. There was a pause as Odin seemed to consider carefully on what to say next. Everyone patiently waited on baited excited breath after the strike of the powerful staff.
Odin began to speak his voice breaking, brimmed with emotion barely held at bay as he did so, saying "Thor Odinson, my heir…my firstborn. So long entrusted with this mighty hammer, Mjolnir. Forged in the heart of a dying star, whose power has no equal, as a weapon to destroy or as a tool to build. It is a fit companion for a King," he with soft pride and approval that could clearly be seen in his single eye and the slightly upturned corners of his lips, "I have defended Asgard and the lives of the innocents across the Nine Realms…"
Below deep underneath the great majestic city of two Asgardian Guards patrolled through the relics Vault. Unaware to them beyond their notice layers of frost has started to coat the surface of a pillar creeping ever closer to the Casket secured in the rear of the Vault. Something or someone was in the Vault that wasn't supposed to be there.
Up above the coronation continued on the people of Asgard completely oblivious o the danger. The jubilation radiating from the people overwhelmed their senses. Similar to the citizens Galatea was immensely pleased for Thor happy Asgard was at last receiving a new King, but while listening intently to Odin speak she couldn't resist. She kept silently urging Odin on pleading for him to speak faster. The faster this was all over the sooner she'd be returned to the safe haven of her tower which was better in the long run for the safety of everyone present. The only sign of her anxiety was the discreet grip she had on the fabric of the skirt of her gown. To those who were paying the most minuscule of attention to her would think she was holding the hem away from the shoes in order to avoid dragging it on the floor.
Finally it was nearly t the end of the ceremony causing her heartbeat to slow from a hummingbirds back to normality. Sensing eyes on her she brought her gaze to Loki finding him watching her concerned apparently her fidgeting hadn't gone as unnoticed as she'd first calculated. Reassuring him all was well she softened her eyes smiling in happiness. When he responded in kind she fortunately knew she'd managed to successfully fool him or so she thought as she crossed her arms in front of her chest.
Loki wasn't in fact nearly fooled by he mas she'd used as a shield over herself. Despite how over the passing years they didn't spend much time interacting with each other Loki could still easily read her as openly as if she was one of his favorite magical texts in the palace library. After all they were twins even though their physical features weren't exactly identical. He felt himself frowning again as he recognized the expression showing her to be ill at ease with something for the time being was beyond his own knowledgeable abilities to decipher. He'd discover t sooner or later, but there was more pressing matter to attend to. Somehow he'd pull the truth out of her. He continued to carefully monitor her judging her actions.
"Thor Odinson," said Odin, beginning the recitation every King of Asgard must bend the knee to, "Do you swear to guard the Nine Realms?"
"I swear," answered Thor.
"And do you swear to preserve the peace," asked Odin.
"I swear," repeated Thor more forcefully than previously with greater enthusiasm emphasizing his conviction his greatest moment of victory drawing so near he could practically touch it.
Inside the confines of the Weapons Vault the ever growing spread of frost no longer went unnoticed. As they were returning to their posts at the entrance of the Vault distancing themselves from the Casket one of the two guards spotted the ice crawling along the ground and up the pure glass marble walls. While the guard was watching it a face not his own appeared beside his own not the other guards…a Frost Giant.
Before the Guard could react to even have a chance of defending himself the Frost Gant grabbed him by the neck snapping it instantly killing him. The other was, also, quickly dealt with stabbed through the heart before he was able to retaliate or pronounce a single syllable in alarm. Eyes lifeless the Guardsman was dead before his body even hit the hard marble floor. At the end of the Weapons Vault the Casket suddenly came to life. The mystical energy within moved excitedly pushing against the outer part of the Casket battling to break free from its eternal prison. It could sense the presence of the Frost Giants the people of its home realm. Similar magic extended its reach affecting those inside of its range increasing the powers of the race the Casket birthed eons ago in a swirling blue light.
Galatea felt something was different and it didn't take long for her to discover the cause. Without any sort of sign signaling a warning Galatea's power activated causing her stomach to nearly plummet from its place inside of her abdomen. Out of nowhere frost along with ice crystals crawled over the floor and walls. The temperature plummeted by the minute. All of this went unknown, but at the rate it was dropping it wasn't going to stay that way for much longer.
"Do you swear to cast aside all selfish ambition and to pledge yourself only to the good of the realm," recited Odin.
"I swear," cheered Thor, lifting Mjolnir high, triumphant.
"Then on this day," boomed Odin, smiling proud, "I, Odin Allfather, proclaim you-." Suddenly Odin cut off midsentence just as he was about to abdicate the throne proclaiming Thor as King. His power alerted him to the danger.
Puzzled Thor looked at his Father in confusion wondering why he'd stopped impatient wanting him to continue. He was so close to his goal only one more word to be spoken leaving Asgard his alone to rule at last, but then the puzzlement dissipated as Odin's reason was made apparent. Not only were they aware, but now everyone else was too.
Muttering could be heard throughout the crowd as people finally started to notice the freezing temperature from the visible clouds of their own breath in front of their faces along with the infinite layers of ice spreading across the hall. The throne room carried a lot of natural light from the sun, but there were lit torches on the walls. The flames of the torches were extinguished by the absolute unyielding freezing temperatures.
Alarmed eyes wide Frigga snapped her head towards Galatea she saw how frantic the young woman was. Galatea's composure was shattered as she felt herself losing control of her powers. Her breathing was becoming erratic causing her to rapidly hyperventilate as her body was shaking uncontrollably. Her head was flinching in all directions as if desperately searching for a way out the fear at its peak. Almost at the same time Frigga and she looked in the exact same direction their eyes locking together in an icy grip with her squirming to hide.
Desperation all but firing out of her eyes, Galatea mouthed "Help me!"
Sympathetic to Galatea's plight Frigga nearly left her post to go to her daughter in order to provide comfort to ease her great suffering, but it was not to be. Before Queen Frigga could take that first step she quickly restrained her actions. She realized if she did anything now then it could reveal unnecessarily to those present Galatea was the cause of what was happening here. After all the effort that had been put into keeping it well a well guarded secret it simply was not worth it. It was far from being the right time which was proven to be even more of a reality with what occurred next.
Shrieks of terror erupted from the crowd as massive shards of ice burst out from the floor and walls. They skewered any who ere unlucky enough to be within range killing them instantly. The screams of the ones annihilated were cut short replaced gurgles as some of their mouths filled with blood dripping from their lips. The Guards who hadn't been killed held their weapons at the ready frantically searching for the cause of the attack creating so much panic. None were aware the source of this disaster was in this very room standing on the dais of the throne. Thor, Lady Sif, and the Warriors Three reacted the same as the Guards after drawing their weapons. For the coronation they didn't feel the need to bring all of their weapons with them so they were only carrying those they could wear to a formal ceremony, but it wasn't going to stop them from doing their duty.
Frigga and Loki were doing nothing of the sort their hands full occupied with something else, but nothing less important. The moment the ice shards made their appearance Galatea snapped at last. No longer holding back Galatea screamed curling into as tight a ball as possible hands gripping at her head hair held in tight fists pulling some out from the neatly arranged bun which at this point could now be called the formerly known neat bun. Upon discovering her distressed the two immediately rushed to her side. Loki covered her body with his own supposedly shielding her from harm while Frigga hopelessly attempted to calm her down though they were far beyond this point. The more panicked Galatea became the faster the temperature dropped, ice spread, and the ice shards shot out from all corners.
Rapidly whispering to Galatea, Frigga advised "Galatea, please, you must be calm if you don't we will all die. My, Daughter, reign it in absorb it back into your essence."
Unfortunately, Frigga's pleas fell upon deaf ears. Galatea refused to listen shutting off from what was happening around her closing herself off. She was frozen! She forgot everything she ever learned about self control the curse having free reign although contained by the magic of Odin.
Speaking of Odin out of all the occupants present he was the only one who wasn't in a terrified state screaming their terror. He observed it all with cool eyes. At first he was astonished Galatea had not once lost control in thousands of years like this. Then realization hit him there was one other time before she was given the gloves a key factor to why her powers were running wild. It was the one time in the Vault when she'd been near the Casket. It'd sensed her lineage prompting an rapid increase in her magic ten-fold, but there was a problem. Considering she was initially nowhere near the Casket it didn't make any sense of why it's affects were only reaching her now. This left one other likely explanation. It all made perfect sense the enemy was in the Relics Vault.
"Frost Giants," breathed Odin.
The three Frost Giants that invaded the Vault hurried down the length of the Vault to where the Casket laid after the Guards had been done away with. The Casket seemed eager for them to take it as if longing to return the the hands of the children belonging tot he realm of its birth the energy inside moving excitedly. The Frost Giant in the center of the formatted trio the one leading this raid reached out grabbing the Casket from where it'd been preserved in Asgard for centuries.
Straightening Odin thumped the bottom edge of hi staff onto the floor signaling the Destroyer. The ultimate guardian of the previous relics hidden deep inside of the Vault.
At the Vault the lattice decorating the wall behind where the Casket regularly stood. From the blinding light originating from its depths a creature to be correctly described as a walking suit of medieval armor marched out. On the appearance of the Destroyer the Frost Giants felt a great need to make a tactical retreat. As the two of the trio took the wisest choice to make a quick exit the one holding the Casket turned to confront the supposed invincible adversary. Directing the Casket at the Destroyer he was about to activate it, but never got the chance to finish the job. Apparently he wasn't fast enough since the Destroyer incinerated him in a matter of seconds blasting him and his comrades one by one into shattered tiny pieces of ice from the hidden hole it formed int he center of what appeared to be its face resembling a knights silver helmet. None of the Frost Giants survived the onslaught.
When the Casket was out of the hands of the Frost Giants the range of its magic was restored to normal levels. This made Galatea no longer influenced by it. The effects were immediate allowing her to breath easier. As she became more comfortable the magic receded on itself. The temperature in the throne room returned to the way it was meant to, ice and frost melted, and only the ice shards remained. The cries of the unsettledness of the crowd however remained expressed in the horrified howl's of grief from people near those who ere killed or agony originating from others who ere injured.
Sensing Galatea was calmer at last Frigga felt this was the opportunity she required to assist her child in any way possible. Bringing her mouth close to Galatea's ear, Frigga encouraged "You can do this, my Daughter. Remember what we've taught you. Conceal, don't feel, don't let it show. Repeat after me. Conceal, don't feel, don't let it show…"
As her Mother suggested Galatea repeated the phrase over and over again rapidly in order tog et ti to sink in. In less than a minute it looked to have worked. As her heart began to slow the last of the ice chards disintegrated into small tiny particles of snow the only sign they ever existed there in the first place being the holes in the floor and walls along with the lifeless bodies littered the ground. The once beautiful place was now stained with blood. Panic inside the hall was supreme as noise no one could put together what just happened.
Unaware his sister was really the instigator of the assault Loki took her into his arms providing much needed support, murmuring into her hair "It's all right, Sister. The danger has passed."
Brandishing Mjolnir, outraged, Thor snarled "Who dares desecrate the ceremony?! Who dares to attack Asgard!"
"Frost Giants," answered Odin, somber, voice low, but the pure force behind it created circumstances so all present heard him.
Numerous wide eyes stared at him believing the King to be mistaken, but the serious expression on his face with the actions witnessed here said proved otherwise to the contrary.
"Impossible,' scoffed Thor, "those cowards never would dare invade."
"Three have somehow invaded they've come for the Casket. This ceremony is concluded the Vault is underside. Thor, Loki, Galatea with me now," commanded Odin, summoning his children to his side. He banged the bottom of his staff in finality leaving no room for any debatable discussion.
Fuming Thor followed after Odin furious sharing a glance with Loki. Loki was feeling cautious knowing that expression all too well. An enraged Thor was not a good thing it never was.
Taking Galatea's hand, gently, Loki said "Come, Sister."
"But-," protested Galatea, firmly planting her feet as she gestured to the invalids spread across the length of the room reluctant to leave the injured and dying wanting to be of some assistance.
Guessing her dilemma Frigga used her magic to fix the loose strands in Galatea's bun, saying "Your Father has commanded you to follow. Go i will handle things here. So take care hurry now."
At the wave of their Mother's hand the twins hurried following after their Father and elder brother to catch up to them not being left behind.
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