Chapter 51 – Asgardian Rulers
The throne room to Asgard had changed dramatically since Percy had last been here. It can't have been long for them though, because as Artemis had told him, what she went through in the last two months, could only have been a similar amount of time for his father and step mother. His past two years would have been gone within the blink of the eye on Asgard. Yet it had still changed so much. There was an air of uncertainty that floated through the halls, almost like there was no superiority looking over the kingdom. Then it hit him, it felt like that because there wasn't. His father had officially stepped down on Olympus, and since then he and Artemis hadn't yet settled themselves into their rule over the lands. They needed to reach their thrones and seal the act of passing down. But before they did that, Percy wanted to savour the moments of quiet that he was experiencing standing by Artemis' side.
"How does it feel to be a Queen?" He asked her quietly. He took her hand in his and slowly started walking to the perch of the throne room. The top of the spire that overlooked Asgard. The only place that was higher in the kingdom was the private quarters of the King and Queen. Even the maidens and servants had to have permission to perform their daily duties in those chambers.
"Not as good as it feels to be your soon to be wife." She responded quickly, her grip tightening around his hand as they came into view of the thrones. Percy did not see his throne immediately, instead his eyes were fixed on his fiance's which managed to emulate her beauty almost perfectly. The throne was right at home in the halls of Asgard and it sent Percy into warm embrace of the knowledge that this was real and that it was happening. He'd had the past two years to think about these moments and now that he was free, he was living them, and they were far better than anything he had expected them to be.
Percy finally set his sights on his own throne. It was a dark blackish gold that just spoke volumes about the raw power that it's owner possessed. The dark tint of gold seemed to flash around and produce small stark lightning bolts that seemed encapsulated within the black throne.
"They're beautiful." Percy breathed out, suddenly realizing that he was holding it in for quite some time. He felt the presence of two powerful beings come close. Suddenly standing next to the thrones were Odin and Frigg. Frigg no longer wore her crown but a tiara signaling royalty. Odin was stoic and calm and held a magnificent crown in his hands, truly worthy of a king.
"Father." Percy said almost speechless as the couple finally got to the thrones.
"Sit, my son." Odin's voice was uncharacteristically soft and caring. Frigg motioned for Artemis to come over and sit in her throne also. A silver crown appearing in her own hands moments later.
"My son." He went quiet before Percy realized that this was an official naming, "I Odin the Allfather, name you Perseus Jackson champion of Chaos and Queen Hylla. The eternal Knight of Nyx. Lord of Time and Ages. Bane of Ares. Savior of Olympus. Slayer of Gaea, Hydros and Tartarus. Dominator of Hell. Husband of Lady Artemis. Rise now as the King of Asgard. The ruler of Valhalla and the beacon of hope for demi-gods everywhere." Odin told him. With all of his titles that almost seemed comical, Odin seemed to be savoring each and every one of them. It seemed that everyone was thankful that he'd left out the part about Apollo. Artemis expected that the fates were extremely happy that they didn't have to attend this one. The crown was placed on his head and immediately he stood and embraced his father with tears coming down both of their cheeks. Neither one had been so proud in their lives. A moment of silence came between them before Percy sat back down, he reached out for Artemis' hand as Odin reappeared in her view, this time standing in front of her with an equally proud smile.
"Lady Artemis." Frigg started, catching her full attention, "I Frigg, wife of Odin, name you Lady Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt, the moon, archery and chastity. The wife of Perseus. Queen of Asgard and the ever watchful eyes of Valhalla." With that she placed the delicate yet amazing silver crown on Artemis' head and she felt an explosion of power course through her. She was powerful before, even as an Olympian, but this was something completely new. She knew how Percy had felt when he was made Chaos' champion. But since then he'd gained even more power. She was lucky that she could even comprehend the power he had.
"Thank you, both of you." Artemis told them warmly as she held on tightly to Percy's hand.
"So what happens now?" Frigg asked. She wasn't asking Artemis or Odin, but more the new King of Asgard.
"We both still have things to see to I'm afraid. But before we do. I would love to invite you both to walk with me as I show my Queen around Asgard." Percy told them both. Artemis knew straightaway what type of King he was going to be. When he wasn't out fighting he was going to be a kind and compassionate leader. One that would be found talking and socializing with his subjects instead of ruling them with a vice like grip. He would be stern but only when the situation needed.
"We would be honored my King." Frigg told him straightaway as she took hold of Odin's arm.
"What's this? Now that I am not King, I do not get a say in what we do?" Odin asked with mock hurt and a large grin.
"Afraid not father. You had the authority before, but now it's evident that your wife is the driving force behind you. The real brains of the operation." Percy grinned and they both laughed. Artemis' couldn't help but notice just how similar they truly were.
"Perseus, let us not forget that it is I that will be the one steering you in the right direction." Artemis almost purred as she stood and did the exact same thing as Frigg, taking Percy's arm in her own and let herself be led away from the throne room.
"I'd truly not have it any other way." Percy replied as he leant down ever so slightly to kiss her soft lips. The scent of cinnamon played gently across his own. They all smiled blissfully as they made their way around Asgard. Percy had yet more surprises in store for Artemis, but he couldn't get to work until he had appeased all of the parties that mattered to the both of them. Olympus for Artemis. Admittedly, Percy had become close to a number of the Olympians, mainly his brother in crime, Apollo and Hermes. Artemis' hunters, for they mattered to them both greatly. The kingdom which they both now ruled over. Finally, Percy had to visit the Chaos' realm, for his patrons Chaos and Nyx. Possibly he would take a trip to the Amazons to visit Hylla as well.
Once all of that was said and done, Percy knew that his focus was to be on restoring the Titans and getting them to swear the death oath on Chaos' name to aid Olympus and forever be their allies, never doing anything which might cause friction between the two races. In doing that Percy hoped to bring back Artemis and Apollo's mother from imprisonment. It was something he needed to do, so as soon as he was free to see to Kronos' progress with Othrys, Leto was the first he would see to freeing.
But there was something else on his mind, something that he didn't want to tell anyone about. Yggdrasil and Baninir, they had both seemingly lost their sense of power. Perhaps it would return in time.
A/N: Hey guys, I'm remastering this so if you're new to this story and don't see an author's note like this, then you've gone past the point where I've remastered the chapters. Enjoy.
If you feel like supporting my other hobby, you can come and watch me play a load of games, often swearing like a sailor in the process. Check it out. RedThunder /channel/UCuR41yuScY68Z7r84rp0nZg
