Rise of the Snow Queen Epilogue
To celebrate the relinquished threat of the Frost Giants and the return of their beloved Crown Prince there was a grand feast where all of Asgard was in attendance. The people proceeded to drink and be merry.
Most of them were except for one.
Galatea wasn't including herself with participating in the festivities. The girl kept hidden in the shadows. With control of her magic now in place she no longer was required to be kept away hidden in her tower.
A very small conciliation after everything she's lost.
In the past Galatea had always wanted to attend these grand and beautiful party's, but was never allowed to. Finally here she found no joy or satisfaction in it. Instead she felt only anger, contempt, and resentment. How dare they feast when Loki was dead. All of Asgard acted as if they'd never loved him at all. It's all too much for bear and tolerate.
Galatea realized she couldn't stay on Asgard. She didn't belong there anymore. But where would she go? She quickly concluded there was only one place she could belong.
Jotunheim.
Besides the Frost Giant needed a new leader. Who better than one that shared in their own royal bloodline even if most of them were unaware of her link to their civilization.
It was soon decided. Galatea snuck out of the party knowing she wouldn't be missed. She first needed to figure out a way off of Asgard. With the Bifrost now nonexistent she required an alternative route off. Then it hit her in a recollection the method Loki must've used to get the Frost Giants here during the failed coronation. So she traveled to Loki's chambers. They were untouched from the last time he was in there.
Galatea quickly located what she was looking for. There's an area in the mountains where a second portal stood. By all appearances it's quite difficult to use for someone that hasn't done it before. The instructions were meticulous, but not impossible.
Galatea's last stop was the Vault. Already foreseeing some problems of the Frost Giants accepting her she planned to bring proof. Galatea no longer feared the Casket and the power within. Like Loki had she lifted the Casket from its place in the Vault. What happened next was unexpected. Compared to what occurred last time this is a surprise. The very moment she picked it up the Casket glowed. It transformed into a stream of power and energy that was absorbed into her body. One second it was there and the next it vanished inside her. Subtly Galatea could feel the sheer power growing inside her as he magic was increased tenfold.
Galatea was ready to go.
So she stole a flying barge from one of the hanger bays. No one was there so it was easy. Speeding through the city she went to the outskirts of the land deep into the mountains. She then found the narrow crevice where the portal is. She didn't slow down. The instructions told to speed through the tiny space to create enough friction in order to activate the power of the gemstones inside. These stones shared the same exact power as the Bifrost, but only when enough friction is involved.
Galatea remained undaunted refusing to divert from her course.
Fortunately for her it worked without a hitch. She very well could've died from a full on collision like that.
But with one hurtle passed another one quickly arose. Not long after she began moving through the snow covered land heading for where she previously thought this realms capital would be Galatea encountered Frost Giants. As she moved deeper into their territory more and more appeared glowering at her with hate and contempt in their eyes. The aura's encircling the Frost Giants only held malignant intentions towards her. Galatea exhibited no fear aware that if she did it would cost her life. She was confident they wouldn't attack especially after what she had to show them.
As she walked Galatea noted the destruction created from the Bifrost. The landscape was ripped asunder along with any buildings that once stood now lying in ruins. The capital was no better barely anything left.
Finally Galatea's path was blocked as the largest of the frost Giants stepped in her path. She recognized him as one of Laufey's lieutenants.
"You have a lot of nerve coming here Asgardian," he snarled.
"I have every right to be here," argued Galatea, softly, calm.
This angered the Frost Giants greatly.
"You have no right. What's to stop us from killing you where you stand," he said.
In response multiple Frost Giants created ice daggers and swords prepared to kill her.
"This," she said, raising her head poised and confident. "I am Galatea, daughter of Laufey! I have come to claim my place as Queen of Jotunheim!"
"Impossible! Laufey had no children," spate a Frost Giant, spitefully.
"You have already seen my magic and what it can do. Laufey knew the second he saw it, but if it is proof that you require then bear witness to this and decide for yourselves. If you still believe me unworthy then strike me down where I stand," invited Galatea.
Time to put the Caskets magic to good use.
The self-assurance she showed had the Frost Giants step away curious of what Galatea was going to do.
Galatea surveyed the damage as she moved a sad and regretful look in her eyes.
.
The snow glows white on the mountain tonight
Not a footprint to be seen
A kingdom of isolation
And it looks like I'm the Queen
The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside
Couldn't keep it in, heaven knows I've tried
.
Galatea hugged her arms reminiscing of memory's past. She quickly recovered continuing forward.
.
Don't let them in, don't let them see
Be the good girl you always have to be
Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know
Well now they know
.
With a deep sense of resolved and determination Galatea took off her gloves tossing them into the air. The gloves got caught up in the wind currents floating away from her for good. She no longer needed them.
Galatea sought to repair the damage Loki had caused. Visualizing what she wanted with her minds eye Galatea formed buildings of ice and snow recreating the grand city the Frost Giants had before the great war and this.
.
Let it go, let it go
Can't hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door
I don't care what they're going to say
Let the storm rage on
The cold never bothered me anyway
.
Galatea grinned unhitching the cloak she wore allowing it to flutter away on the breeze. She felt as if was great burden was lifted from her should with each step she took. It's so completely exhilarating. She started to climb a hill at the capital turning to gaze at the view of Jotunheim from there walking backwards.
.
It's funny how some distance makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me can't get to me at all
.
Galatea ran the rest of the way up practically giddy.
.
It's time to see what I can do
To test the limits and break through
.
Galatea made the start of a rising staircase. She ran over placing a foot on it. In an instant the snow and frost disappearing unveiling the glistening staircase beneath.
.
No right, no wrong, no rules for me
I'm free
.
Galatea traced her fingers over the ice enchanted by it drinking in the freedom she now felt inhaling a big gulp of air.
.
Up here in the cold thin air I finally can breathe
I know I left a life behind but I'm too relieved to grieve
Standing frozen in the life I've chosen
You won't find me, the past is all behind me
Buried in the snow
Galatea ran up with her hands on the rails as they were formed along with more stairs.
.
Let it go, let it go
I am one with the wind and sky
Let it go, let it go
You'll never see me cry
.
Galatea got to where Laufey's palace had stood. Raising her skirt Galatea stomped her foot on the snowy earth and immediately platform was created.
.
Here I stand and here I stay
Let the storm rage on
.
With this as a base point Galatea transformed it all into a palace from the ground up returning the place to its former glory added with a bit of her own touch and flare.
.
My power flurries through the air into the ground
My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around
And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast
.
Galatea made her own chair in the middle of what she created as the throne room. Galatea then removed the crown from her head staring at it with a determined look in both hands.
.
I'm never going back, the past is in the past
.
Galatea tossed the Asgardian away foreswearing it and the society it was made from forever. Accepting her new purpose and destiny as Queen of Jotunheim. She then made her hair into a thick braid that hung over her shoulder and a sparkling blue dress that is a combination of ice crystals and diamonds that shimmered in the light.
.
Let it go, let it go
And I'll rise like the break of dawn
Let it go, let it go
That perfect girl is gone
.
Galatea sauntered out of a pair of doors onto a terrace that overlooked the land. The palace and all of the other buildings were complete. Her work is well polished and magnificent. The Frost Giants that had followed her in cleared a path each thumping their chests with a first and bowing their heads in submission and respect. The power and skill she displayed is unmistakable. There's no denying her lineage now. She may not be a full Frost Giant, but she is one of them and Laufey's descendant. They have no accepted her as their new Queen.
There on the terrace she watched the sun rise on Jotunheim for the very first time in thousands of years. A symbolic start to the beginning of a new golden age for the Frost Giants with a Queen to lead them into the light for now and forever. These were here people now and she would not let them down.
The timid Asgardian Princess is no more. In her place is now Queen Galatea of Jotunheim.
.
Here I stand in the light of day
Let the storm rage on
.
Galatea lowered her hands smiling.
.
The cold never bothered me anyway…
.
Galatea turned to explore her newly formed palace. With a sweep of her arm the elaborate terrace doors shut with a click behind her.
Back on Asgard the Odin, Frigga, Thor, the Warriors Three, Heimdall, and Lady Sif had witnessed it all. Slowly each and every one of the inhabitants of the room turned to look expectantly at the Allfather.
The moment they'd learned Galatea was missing Odin and Frigga used their combined magic to locate their daughter. Only to find to everyone's horror that she had willingly left Asgard for Jotunheim. Too late to stop her all of them were left to watch as the events on Jotunheim unfolded. Laufey was gone and in his place something wonderful possibly could've been created so much more wicked and undesirable.
Raising a hand shadowing his eyes, Odin whispered "What have I done?"
Authors Note:
The song you see here is a mixture of the Demi Lovato and Idina Menzel versions.
Yes, there is a sequel.