Ella could not suppress the groan which moved through her throat as her mother woke her on the morning of the coronation and told her that she had much to do. Ella would not have minded but the sun had barely risen and the coronation was not for several hours. She did not know what her mother honestly believed had to be done.
It was only as Ella sat at her dressing table and had multiple maids fuss around her hair did she realise that this was why she was up so early. Her mother had declared that her hair was to look even more presentable for that day in comparison to normal and Ella had felt herself slightly infuriated. The maids wove small white flowers into her curls, trying to make them look natural but Ella could not help but feel daft.
"Ella!" Frigga called out as she entered her daughter's room, startling the main who held another white flower. She dropped it to the floor and Ella looked at her mother from her mirror, her brow arching as she patiently sat with her hands in her lap, waiting for her torture to be over with. "You would never guess who is in the palace for the coronation?"
"Thor?" Ella asked; her voice sarcastic and her eyes wide as her mother frowned, her lips thinning along with her gaze towards her only daughter.
"Halmer," Frigga declared. "He is part of the guard today. Your father has spoken with him already and he believes him to be an appropriate young man."
"Young would hardly be the correct word to use," Ella informed her mother as another pin moved through her hair, holding it on top of her head and she winced as it caught her skin. Her mother shook her head; her hand resting on the maid's shoulder as she silently dismissed her from the chore she was performing for Frigga knew her daughter's hair was a chore.
"It is your brother's day, Ella," Frigga said, her hands gentle as she tugged at Ella's curls. Ella pulled her robe tighter around her body which was only covered in her silken nightgown. She looked to the simple silver crown which sat on her table, constantly reminding her of her duties which she had to perform. "You need to stand by his side willingly and remain content at doing just that. Halmer and you may speak after the coronation and I trust you will extend him curtsey."
"You know I am nothing if not polite," Ella said ironically and Frigga shook her head. "Mother, I am happy for Thor, you know that. I am just not pleased with the fact Halmer shall be present."
"You are running out of suitors, Ella. Before you know it, no good looking young man shall be intrigued by you. Youth is the key to helping us marry. Believe me; I know that for a fact."
"Does it matter if I do not find someone?" Ella wondered from her mother and Frigga shook her head, her eyes closing for a brief moment as a sigh escaped her lips at hearing her daughter. "I wish to marry for love and not just because I find someone acceptable to spend my time with."
"Sometimes that is how love is formed," Frigga spoke. "Your father and I shall not force you to marry. You know that."
"I cannot help but feel as though that is what you are pressuring me to do," Ella replied as Frigga finished with her hair and rested her hands onto her daughter's shoulder, shaking her head as she bent down, pressing her lips softly onto Ella's cheek as she looked to her.
"I want the best for you and I want you to be happy," Frigga told her genuinely. "Now come along, Ella. We should ready you before we delay the entire coronation."
Frigga helped Ella to change into the light purple gown she had. It clung to her slim frame and was made of the finest of silks, the material draping over her and loose fitting on her stomach and legs, flowing out behind her with a slight train at the back. Depositing the silver crown onto her daughter's head she smiled and took hold of her arm, leading her from the room and down to the corridor behind the Grand Hall which stood back from the normal corridor used by everyone else who were already stood in the Hall.
Odin moved to his wife's side, kissing her on each cheek as the two of them silently nodded at each other, the pair of them not needing to speak to convey their feelings. Loki stood in the shadows, his back pressed up against the wall and the helmet sat on top of his head as he caught Ella's eye and her lips tugged upwards, her chin pointing towards his helmet. His eyes moved upwards as she held back a laugh and felt Odin turn his gaze to her.
"Daughter, you are looking radiant."
"Thank you, father," Ella said.
"Go and stand with your brother. We shall enter momentarily."
Ella nodded and took her place next to Loki who looked at the flowers in her hair.
"Did you steal the entire palace garden?" he wondered, his fingers moving to brush the white petals which were entwined in her blonde curls. She moved her hand to hit his arm and he chuckled as she looked at the horns on top of his helmet.
"And how old was the unfortunate cow which was murdered to make that helmet?" Ella replied and Loki rested his hands behind his back, rocking back and forth on his heels as his eyes widened and he nodded.
"Five, I believe," he said, responding to her question and Ella snorted in an unladylike fashion whilst Loki chuckled. "They are going to be a nightmare to take out later," he said, his eyes moving back to her hair and Ella instantly moved her hand to feel one of the petals.
"Is this the part where I plead with you to use your magic for the greater good?"
"You can try. I doubt it will do you any good."
"Well, you are the God of Mischief," Ella muttered before Odin clapped once, demanding attention and he took hold of Frigga's hand, leading her into the Hall. Loki offered his sister his arm and she took hold of him as he looked behind him for a moment, feeling his body tingle with joy at what was happening beneath the kingdom. He remained quiet and led her into the Hall, standing by her side as they walked down the parted crowd to the steps which led up to Odin's throne.
"Odd, is it not?" Ella said, leaning up to whisper into her brother's ear as he titled his head to the side. "These people know not of Thor yet they come to celebrate his coronation and proclaim it to be one of the happiest days of their lives."
"Alas, this is true," Loki agreed with her and spotted a familiar looking soldier stood to the side before whispering back to her. "And your dear Halmer is here too."
"I am aware," Lizzie muttered as Loki stopped on a step and released her arm from his. Loki moved to stand on the step above her, his eyes focusing as the Lady Sif watched him for a moment and then moved to look at Ella. There was something about her which she could not understand. She was fine, as were so many Asgardian women, yet she looked as if she didn't want to be in the presence of royalty. There was also the fact she spent so much time with Loki which Sif could not understand. If she had her way then she would be nowhere near the God of Mischief.
A loud cheer erupted suddenly as Thor entered the room and people commenced their clapping, hands moving into the air as Thor lapped up the attention, looking at everyone as they stood before him, enjoying the fact he was so happy. He could not explain how it made him feel. Excitement washed through his body as he held his hammer in his hand, throwing it about his body as he finally neared the large steps where his friends and family stood.
He winked at his mother who frowned but couldn't help but smile at the sight of her son. He then glanced to his younger siblings, smirking as Ella forced herself to smile back but Loki did nothing. He remained stood where he was, his face showing amusement but not at his brother. No, what was happening underneath the kingdom made him smile instead.
Ella allowed her mind to wonder as her father asked Thor a series of questions and Thor's voice boomed loudly through the kingdom as he declared that he would protect Asgard and put it first. It was just as the last sentence was about to be spoken did Ella allow herself to listen intently.
"I now pronounce you..." Odin trailed off and Ella arched a brow as Loki finally began to pay attention to his father. "Frost Giant."
Hysteria declared itself on the people of Asgard as shrieks rang around the room and Ella felt Loki take a firm grip of her arm, the panic on his face seeming genuine whilst Ella shook her head at him.
"Did that just happen?" she wondered and Loki remained mute for a second but nodded at her as Frigga instantly stood by her children's side.
"Loki!" Thor yelled out. "Come!"
"What?" Ella snapped. "I will come-"
"-Please, do not be silly," Loki urged her, his voice taut and full of annoyance with her sudden declaration. "Stay with mother."
Ella didn't gain the chance to say anything further as Loki took off after Thor and Odin and Frigga held onto her daughter's hand as guards led them through the palace and back to Odin's quarters. The pair of them said nothing until Odin burst back into the room, his eyes full of anger and Ella stood up.
"Your brother's are in their quarters," he declared before she had the chance to ask where Thor and Loki were. She stood up, rushing through the palace until she came to their private rooms and she heard someone behind her. She turned around, Loki a few paces behind her as she felt her heartbeat quicken and she wrapped her arms around her brother, holding him tightly before nudging his chest.
"What in the name of the Allfather was that about?" she snapped at Loki as they heard a smashing noise come from the dining hall which the brother's shared along with the Warriors Three and Lady Sif when they dined by themselves.
"Frost Giants," Loki spoke. "They went after the casket but got nowhere near it. The Destroyer took care of them."
"No one was hurt?"
"A guard," Loki spoke as if his life meant nothing in a cold voice but Ella knew it was simply the tone which her brother used often. "Do not worry. It was nothing."
"You cannot believe that?"
"I do not," Loki admitted. "But father has told us not to do anything regarding this matter. He does not want us rushing off Jotunheim to declare war on the Frost Giants."
"Is that what you proposed?" Ella wondered and Loki watched her for a fleeting moment before looking into the room where Thor sat on the steps, his hands clenched into fists. Ella followed his gaze, seeing their brother and she shook her head, instantly knowing what Thor thought should be done regarding the matter.
"Ella," Loki warned her as she entered the room and ignored him.
"Sister," Thor spoke. "It is not the wisest decision to be in my company when my mood is as bad as this."
"Shush, Thor," Ella snapped back. "You cannot honestly be thinking of charging into Jotunheim, can you?"
"The Frost Giants know father is weak. They will exploit Asgard for it," Thor said and Ella shook her head. "How do you know of my thoughts?"
"Believe me, your thoughts are not difficult to know," Ella promised, sitting beside him on the step and looking to the table which he had tossed over, destroying everything which sat on it.
"Ella has a point," Loki spoke, coming to sit beside his sister, leaning over to look at Thor, his eyes wide and pleading. "Father would kill you himself if you even attempted to go into Jotunheim."
"It is something which needs to be done," Thor said, his hand slicing the air as a cough entered the room. The three siblings looked up and towards the door where a soldier stood in usual Asgardian uniform, his helmet underneath his arm as Ella moaned silently and Thor arched a brow.
"And who are you?"
"I apologise for interrupting," he spoke to the three of them. "The Queen sent me to accompany Princess Ella. I am Halmer, warrior of Asgard."
"I suppose I should go," Ella said, standing up and turning to look at her two brothers. Loki continued to smirk at her misfortune whilst Thor remained focused on other issues. "You two had best not do anything rash. I am warning you."