Seriously, what is Odin up to?!
Differences mentioned in this chapter: All of it.
They had been on Asgard for a week, allowing Ariana time to adjust to being Asgardian. She still had trouble with her new strength when she hugged people at times, but no one minded that. She was amazed at how fast she was able to control most things.
Loki, of course, had no doubt in her. He encouraged her to practice until everything was back to normal for her. Her powers, surprisingly, were the easiest to control. As the Soon-To-Be-Goddess of the Eternal Spark, her electric powers seemed to be easier to maintain now that she was Asgardian. It had him wondering about her parentage. However, she had asked him not to look it up, happy with the family she had.
This morning, he asked again on their way to lunch, but Ariana said, "Loki, I don't want to know. So what if I had Asgardian blood in me? It wouldn't change who I am or the family that raised me."
He usually left it at that, but it was too close to his own history for him to ignore today, so he replied, "If you found the truth just thrust upon you, it could change how you see yourself and your entire life, Ariana. Trust me, it was a shock to find out I am a Jotun and not Asgardian."
She turned back to him. "But it didn't change who you were at your core, Loki. In fact, it didn't change how anyone saw you. You changed the view you had of yourself. That's what happened. I know who I am."
"Just listen…"
"You changed how others saw you because you didn't like the new, unfiltered version of yourself. You had no more blinders. Well, I want to keep mine."
He sighed. "So, you'd rather live in a watered-down version of who you are meant to be?"
"I'd rather not let what someone from my bloodline did in their past affect my present or future!" He was surprised by her yelling. "So what if they're Asgardian? Who cares? I don't! I will not let a dead person decide what happens to me just because I share their blood! I'm not them and I sure as hell don't care why they were banished!"
He did a double-take, but he kept his voice calm. "You already looked it up, didn't you?"
She clenched her fists. "Ten generations back, an Asgardian woman was banished because she attempted to poison Frigga. The blood was so diluted, I wasn't put on the record until the Trials of Temptation was completed and the family tree created in the Hall of Records. Before she had everything Asgardian stripped from her except her blood, she stole some power, not realizing that it wouldn't take hold of her. It passed along my family to lay dormant in me until my accident at Stark International. My powers were stolen long ago, and now… just as I'm getting used to them being part of me…" She looked down. "I'm scared they'll be taken from me because of…"
He pulled her into his arms. "You should have told me."
"I'm still coming to terms with it. You grew up with Odin as a father. I learned about him through you. I didn't trust him to take them from me, to take back everything because of something I had no control over."
"Tonight's the ceremony. Someone is bound to have told Odin already. He'd want to…"
"There you are, Lady Ariana," came Odin's voice. "I must speak with you."
Loki and Ariana stiffened. The last thing she wanted before being made a Goddess was for this to get out, but it seemed it was too late for that. They turned towards Odin.
"Loki, go join the others while I speak to your betrothed," Odin said.
Seeing the look in his eye, Loki knew he had no choice. He gave Ariana a quick kiss before leaving. She watched him go before looking back at Odin, her face an emotionless mask.
"About your heritage," Odin said, getting to the point, "I believe we must talk about it." She gave a nod. "In the year you were here to heal, you proved a friend of the realm. I believe the traitor's blood is long gone from your family line. It is why I was hesitant around you at first. Your powers told me that I should trust you, but I feared for my wife. You risked your own life to protect her. The power chose well and I should have listened to it. I must speak with your father, but it will be an honor to count you among those chosen to carry the title of Goddess."
She couldn't believe how smoothly the conversation went. She hadn't needed to plead her case or anything. "Um… what?" was all she could muster.
"Yes, learning who you were as soon as you entered Asgard was a shock, but no one would use Loki to gain favor after he tried to take over Asgard. Nothing you did made sense until you saved Frigga and I looked at a different view."
"It's too bad you didn't do that with Loki," she said before she could stop herself.
"Perhaps," he said, "but I had my reasons."
"Blood doesn't dictate who a person is, though! Loki is Loki based on his experiences, not his blood! And the same goes for me, you, Thor, everyone! Why do bloodlines matter to you at all?"
"They tell us who to keep an eye on! Families will hold grudges against others, even after they have forgotten why the anger exists! I had to protect my family in case you were the same!"
"I don't even remember my birth parents! Let alone any grudges that may have been! God, it's no wonder Loki got so hurt and angry! You are impossible!"
Odin stalked towards her and said, "Enough! I can resend everything, take back the stolen powers, and have your betrothal broken for speaking in such a way!"
Neither had noticed the others had gathered. Loki, Thor, and Frigga were closest to her. Loki wanted to go to her, but Thor held him back.
"And how would that make you any different from those you condemned in the past?" Ariana asked, her voice an eerie calm. "Would you let pride, fear, and anger destroy Loki further? Because that's where that thinking is headed. You kept the truth from him, thinking you knew everything. You are not infallible. No one is. Yet, you just threatened to repeat a mistake from your past, hoping for a different outcome. What truth are you trying to hide, Odin, because I will not let it tear me and Loki apart."
His eye looked into hers. She was immovable and saw much. He sighed. "The woman was my sister, Freya. I do not wish the realm torn apart by such news."
Ariana thought it over. "She was the eldest, but you became king. There are some still loyal to her."
"Yes."
"Well… technically, the blood in me is diluted enough, I am of no relation to her. So, no ties. I'm also not the only one descended from her. A wild goose chase can put rumors to rest." She shrugged. "Besides, as I said, I don't know of or have any grudges because of who my birth family was, nor do I hold onto the past. If it's found out she's my ancestor, I'll figure out how to defuse it. I'm not going to let a bunch of people who believe a dead woman will change their fortunes tarnish the good that protects Asgard, here and now. We can only move forward."
Frigga went to Ariana then, putting her arm around the younger woman. This snapped Ariana from the bubble around her the conversation had created. She turned to see everyone. Tony, Pepper, Wanda, Nat, and Bucky all had pride lighting up their faces. The others were in awe of her. Only Loki combined both emotions with the love he felt for her.
Before she could say more, Odin announced, "We will have the ceremony in three hours. Finish your noon meal and ready yourselves."
There was a bustle of activity as everyone scrambled to eat. Ariana suddenly had no appetite but tried to eat something anyway. Though, she was soon summoned to a room she hadn't been to in a long time… her private chambers. She had only spent a few nights in the chambers, as she didn't want to be without Loki. Their relationship seemed to have picked up where it left off as soon as they got to Asgard.
Several women helped her get ready for the ceremony, taking her hair stick from her to give to Odin. She noticed they put her in a dress fit for a princess and made her feel like one. She enjoyed it but a nervous feeling grew in the pit of her stomach.
She understood that this was to be the day she became a Goddess, but what they put her in seemed a bit extreme. Frigga came to check on her only to find Ariana removing her jewelry with force and her breathing coming fast.
"My dear, what's the matter?" Frigga asked.
"I want simple a-a-a-and normal clothes," Ariana replied, her stammering voice showing her panic. "I don't… This is all… I can't breathe!"
"Okay, take deep breaths." Frigga massaged Ariana on her back to help her calm down. "Should I fetch Loki?"
"No! He can't see me like this!" Ariana's panic began to rise again at the thought.
"Alright. Tell me what caused you to feel this way."
"All the fuss a-a-a-and the jewels a-a-a-and the dress…"
"It overwhelmed you. It's okay. Take a breath. You were a Stark first, yes? How did you handle the pressures of the fame of that?"
"I avoided the cameras… and reporters…"
"But when you couldn't?"
"I… I would… do math in my head… or go over Norse mythology…" Her breathing became faster. "But… I… not that…"
"Start small on the math. Work your way up to the harder things to calm down."
Ariana nodded. Frigga helped her finish getting ready, keeping things simpler to help Ariana stay calm. Her breathing became more normal. She continued performing equations in her head as she got ready to make her entrance. Loki and Thor were waiting with her. Despite how nervous she was, she had to admit that Loki looked extremely handsome in his Asgardian finery.
"Little Storm, you don't look excited," Thor commented after a moment.
"She's overwhelmed," Loki said, recognizing the look on her face. "She's calming herself. Remember when we became Gods? You were so excited, you nearly threw up."
"You were so nervous, you did throw up." Thor laughed at the memory.
Loki ignored him and took Ariana's hands. "Love, all it is him giving you a title. What did he do to give you the temporary powers?"
Ariana thought back and replied, "He banged his staff and it just happened. Then, Elding came flying through the castle to hover in front of me."
Loki smiled. "All it is him speaking about your deed and giving you the powers permanently. Then, Elding will return to you, the rightful owner of the Lightning Staff."
She nodded. "But… the dress… jewels… people…"
"Focus on me at the base of the dais. There is no one else. You could wear a sack and you would still be the most beautiful woman in Asgard."
"I don't know if I can do this. It's a big responsibility."
"You are simply the embodiment of the Eternal Spark."
"You are also a protector of the Nine Realms, you answer to Odin, and you fight wars in order to protect Asgard," Thor said.
With a moan, Ariana's legs could no longer hold her. Loki caught her before she could hit the ground. He glared at his brother.
"You did that for fun while I was healing you," Loki reminded. "It is just like that. You have nothing to worry about."
She nodded. He could tell that she was working on something in her mind to regain her composure. He wanted to walk with her, but his father had said he and Thor would walk in together. He hated that he could not help her through this.
They soon heard Odin's staff boom through the ceremonial hall and a guard announcing Thor and Loki. Loki gave Ariana a quick kiss before entering the room. Ariana concentrated on math problems and breathing. When she heard the staff again, the same guard announced Ariana.
She took a breath and entered the ceremonial hall. She did as Loki said and focused on him. The heated look in his eyes calmed her as well as propelled her forward. She was so lost in everything about Loki, he had to signal to her when to stop walking and pay attention to Odin.
"Ariana Elena Stark-Tonysdottir," Odin said, "today, you become a Goddess of Asgard and protector of the Nine realms. For saving Prince Loki from the clutches of the Mad Titan, battling at the side of Prince Thor to protect Asgard and those under her protection, and aiding the Avengers to defeat their enemies, I I have the honor of granting you the title of Goddess of the Eternal Spark and wielder of Elding, the Lightning Staff. Do you swear to protect the people of Asgard?"
"I swear," Ariana said, her mouth dry.
"Do you swear to give aid wherever it is needed?"
"I swear."
"Do you swear to continue guarding the Nine Realms against those that would seek to harm them?"
"I swear."
"Then, from this day forth, you are Ariana of Asgard, Goddess of the Eternal Spark."
Elding flew from its place behind the throne, stopping in front of her so that it hovered in front of her. She took hold of it, feeling the connection to it once more. Her armor appeared on her, sparking for a moment before everything settled. There was cheering all around her. She went to stand, but Odin slammed his staff on the ground for silence and to tell her to stay as she was.
Odin went on to say, "There is a gift, as a king and husband, that I would like to give our new Goddess. I have spoken at length with her father and had a rather interesting conversation with Lady Ariana that has helped me make this decision. Prince Thor has also given his opinion in favor of this gift she is about to receive."
She glanced at a confused Loki, a knot forming in her stomach. She didn't like where this was going. She looked back at Odin. Though his face saw no change in expression, his eye had a twinkle in his eye. It only served to make her even more suspicious about what was to come.
"I now proclaim her the Crowned Princess of Asgard," Odin said. "This is not dependent upon her relationship with her betrothed, Prince Loki, but granted with no strings for protecting Queen Frigga. Prince Thor has agreed to this, as have her father and I. When the time is right, Princess Ariana will take the throne as Queen of Asgard. Princess Ariana of Agard, Goddess of the Eternal Spark, welcome home."
Ariana was shocked, so much so, she couldn't move. Loki was just as surprised, looking at his father as if he had grown a second head. The crowd around them cheered as well. In the year that she had stayed, they had grown to love Ariana. Because of her, they even saw Loki differently than before. Still, this was not what she was expecting after her talk with Odin days ago.
Loki came up to her when she still hadn't moved, quietly asking her, "What did you say to Odin that he would give you the throne?"
She whispered back, "But it was a philosophical question! I never thought…"
"That must have been a Hel of a question, love."
"I don't understand why he did this."
Frigga and Thor came up to her and gave her a hug, with Thor saying, "Congratulations, Little Storm! You are to be Queen of Asgard, with Loki as your King!"
"You will be a fine leader, Ariana. I know it," said Frigga.
Ariana didn't know what to say. Tony and Pepper came up to her. Pepper pulled her in for a hug, whispering, "Calm down, Ari. This is a good thing. Odin trusts you with his people and his son. He knows you will be the one to keep everyone safe."
"This isn't the same as looking after a pet, mom," she said. "This is bigger than running a team with SHIELD. I don't know if I can do something like this."
"You will have Loki to help you when things get too hard. You are not alone, Ari."
Odin sent everyone out to the celebratory feast. Ariana now sat next to Loki, both trying not to get attention from others. However, there seemed an endless parade of people coming to congratulate their future queen. Ariana plastered on a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. Loki could tell that she wasn't enjoying any of this, but she took it with dignity. Loki had to admire her for it, even if he knew she didn't want the honor.
Just after the moon had risen, Ariana left the celebration to sit alone in the garden. She managed to keep the sparking to a minimum with Loki's help. However, everything was too much for her to keep inside any longer. She let the sparks out, getting all her worries, fear, and anxiety out. It looked like a fireworks display over the castle. At this point, she didn't care.
"I don't want this!" she yelled over the booming.
I know, love, Loki said, wrapping his arms around her after following her.
She sighed. Why put this on me? Why not ask if it's something I even want? I don't want to take over Stark International, and that's a hell of a lot smaller than an entire realm!
Odin has a plan, Ariana, and I don't think either of us will like it.
Lo, you wanted to be King. You still get that. I'm not made to be Queen.
Frigga joined them and, when the explosions stopped, said, "Odin has asked you to meet him after breakfast tomorrow. He will explain everything. For now, to bed and rest." She gave them both a look that made them blush. "And I do mean rest."
Loki and Ariana nodded, heading to Loki's chambers. Even though they wanted to ease the tension running through Ariana's body, as soon as they laid down, exhaustion took her over and she fell asleep in his arms, Loki following close behind.