Turned Into A Monster

Chapter 2 – A Coronation to Remember

At the head of the great hall stood the royalty and those of the highest status in the realm of Asgard such as the Warriors Three, Sif and those of high lineage. This was why Schona stood between her mother and father in the front row, acting as the mediator between the two.

To her right stood the god of the Sea, Njord, a short man in comparison to nearly everyone he came in contact with. He was thick in the shoulders and low to the ground like the Dwarves in Nidavellir, even his with curling red hair and long bird represented the race. Schona had once been a likeness to her father when she'd been a small babe but her mother wouldn't have it.

Her mother stood to her right, the Goddes of Winter, born from the frosty storms of Jotunheim and come to Asgard to take her place among the gods. Skadi was the exact opposite to Njord, an incredibly tall and thin being with long white hair that was braided into a rope that brushed against the floor when she bowed her head. Her eyes, the strangest among the Asgardians, held no pupil, but where only white as she looked up at the Allfather.

Schona's own pale eyes remained to the front as well, but hers turned to another figure who watched her in kind as they waited.

He was a very tall and lanky male in comparison to the average god, with the inky black hair and clever green eyes he'd had since he was a child. He was also dressed in his formal attire, dressed in his typical dark green robes and golden armor, complete with his ceremonial helmet. She'd always found him handsome in his green and golden robes but today was a day for everyone to look their best and Loki did not disappoint.

Loki thought the same of Schona. Most would say that the goddess was easily one of the most ethereal women in Asgard. Her face was soft and slender, with her icy silver eyes shining out from it that could cut through iron if forced but were presently soft as she looked upon Loki. Her long white hair was intricately twisted though the longest pieces still reached the backs of her knees, the color even more pure than when she was a small child. Today she wore her best robes endowed with various white gems and soft blindingly white silks, a white fur shawl sent from her mother placed delicately around her shoulders. Schona only ever wore white to match her hair and eyes and Loki found the color beautiful on her.

Schona smiled at him despite the dark look that her mother gave her when she noticed the attention between them. Skadi had never approved of the relationship between the two which was one of the few things that she and her husband could agree on. Skadi nor Njord thought well of the mischievous prince that had once shaved the Lady Sif's head for mere sport. They both feared for what the prince would do to their own daughter if he thought it would suit him to turn his practical jokes on their Schona. However, despite many attempts to put a stop to it, they had only found that it took them father from their daughter.

A great roar brought everyone from their thoughts as they turned to look down the long aisle to find Thor approaching. The God of Thunder riled up the crowd as he went until he finally came to the foot of Odin's throne, removing his helmet as he knelt down. Odin looked on his son fondly before he stood slowly, slamming his scepter into the ground to silence the crowd.

"Thor Odinson, my heir, my firstborn,"

Schona discretely glanced up at Loki as he shifted uncomfortably.

"So long entrusted with the mighty hammer Mjolnir, forged in the heart of a dying star, its power has no equal, as a weapon to destroy or as a tool to build. 'Tis a fit companion for a kind.

"I have defended Asgard and the lives of the innocent across the Nine Realms from the time of the great beginning. Though the day has come that another must take my place, and protect it and maintain the peace. Thor, Odinson, I call upon you to answer the call. Do you swear to guard the Nine Realms?"

"I swear," Thor answered.

"And do you swear to…"

Schona frowned as her attention moved elsewhere in the palace as the normal silence was suddenly interrupted. Her attention turned to a place that was far beneath her feet to a place she'd been only once before in her life. Loki had taken her to the Vault when they'd still been children searching for adventure among the bland life of the palace. He'd shown her everything within the Vault, told her stories of each artifact and had told her how he would one day be king.

Now, only intruders moved within the Vault.

Schona closed her eyes and she tilted her head just so, listening to the final breaths of the guards that had once guarded the Vault. She listened to the heavy footsteps of the intruders and the victorious roar that nearly knocked her off her feet.

"The Frost Giants!"

The resounding clap of the Scepter hitting the ground made Schona's eyes open, meeting Loki's green ones. She stared at him as Odin and Thor flew by her and the ground began to whisper in fear and curiosity. She only broke eye contact when he moved to follow his father and brother, her own parents guiding her away from the great hall.

It wasn't a surprise to Schona when the coronation was canceled. She said farewell to each of her parents separately, bidding them to visit her when they next had the time. She didn't believe they would but she never stopped offering. She then returned to the palace, watching as other were on their way out of the palace. She entered the upper halls of the palace as she watched the servants begin to clean up the forgotten decorations and clean up the unused dishes and uneaten food.

It was only when a great crash sounded through the halls of the palace that Schona felt the need to move along. She could hear Thor's rage across the palace even without the aid of her heightened hearing and gift over Silence.

However, Loki got to his brother first, finding the massive tables full of food and flowers overturned in Thor's rage. Loki waited until Thor finally stopped his seething and came to sit on the steps, his head in his hands before he glanced up as Loki came to sit beside him. Better not to poke a wild boar while it is still kicking.

"It is unwise to be in my company right now, brother,"

"Who said I was wise?"

Thor frowned, turning away from his brother, frustration building in his chest again. "This was to be my day of triumph,"

"It will come," Loki promised him, becoming more serious. "In time,"

"Redecorating, are we?"

The two men looked up as Sif, the Warriors Three and Schona entered the room. Sif and Fandral seemed amused by the sight of the over turned table while Hogun and Schona stood with worried looks. Volstagg on the other hand, loking positively heartbroken at the sight of the food lying untouched upon the floor before him.

"All this food, so innocent, cast to the ground… It breaks the heart,"

Schona chuckled at Volstagg as Fandral came up beside her, smiling along with her as if he were her friend. The closeness between them didn't seem to bother Schona all that much, listening as he jested with her over Volstagg.

Jealousy welled up in Loki's heart at the kind looks they shared and made him want nothing more than to use his magic on the smiling idiot so as to keep his hands away from Schona. Schona was far more superior to Fandral and Loki hoped that she knew that she could do better. She was intelligent and gifted along with her immense beauty, making her alike to the most beautiful work of art within Valhalla, whereas Fandral was more like a handsome piece painted upon a used napkin.

As Loki watched the two, Schona look over at him. At seeing the annoyance on his face, she frowned at him, silently asking him what the matter was.

Schona ignoring the handsome man to worry about Loki made him give her a smirk that she didn't understand. The knowledge that Fandral fell second gave him the power to turn away from the two and back to his seething brother.

"If it is any consolation," Loki began, speaking softly so no one else could hear, especially the all-hearing Schona. "I think you are right; about the Frost Giants, about Laufey, about everything. If a few of them could penetrate the defenses of Asgard once who's to say they will not try again, next time with an army?"

"Exactly,"

"But there is nothing we can do without defying Father,"

Thor suddenly stopped, realization coming to his eyes as he stood. "Yes. There is,"

"No. No, no, no… stop there! I know that look!"

"It is the only way to ensure the safety of our borders,"

"Thor, it is madness,"

"Madness?" Volstagg asked, looking up from his mountain of food saved from the ground and was piling onto a large plate. "What sort of madness?"

"It's nothing," Loki told him with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Thor was merely making a jest,"

"The safety of our realm is no jest," Thor argued down to his brother before turning to the rest of the people in the room. "We're going to Jotunheim,"

"What?!" everyone exclaimed at the golden haired god.

"Thor, of all the laws of Asgard, this is one you must not break,"

"This is not like a journey to Earth, where you summon a little lightning and thunder and the mortals worship you as a god. This is Jotunheim,"

"And if the Frost Giants do not kill you, your father will!"

"My father fought his way into Jotunheim, defeated their armies and took their Casket! We would just be looking for answers,"

"It is forbidden," Schona breathed, surprising most of the people in the room.

Thor laughed at them, sizing each of them up as he realized that it would be a bit harder than usual to convince them to join him. "My friends, have you forgotten all that we have done together?" He looked to Fandral pointing at him with a generous smile as he approached. "Who brought you into the sweet embrace of the most exotic maidens in all of Yggdrasil?"

Fandral grinned devilishly without a second thought. "Well… you helped a little,"

"And who led you into the most glorious of battles?"

"… You did," Hogun sighed with what his friends had deemed a smile for him.

Thor then turned to Volstagg who was still stuffing his face full of food. "And to delicacies so succulent you thought you'd died and gone to Valhalla?"

Volstagg couldn't help but grin brightly. "You did,"

Thor finally turned to Sif, who stood smirking at him, waiting her turn. "And who proved wrong all who scoffed at the idea that a young maiden could be one of the fiercest warriors this Realm has ever known?"

"I did,"

Thor frowned at her before he found his smile again. "… True. But I supported you, Sif,"

She just laughed at the man as Thor turned his eyes on little Schona who was eyeing his warily.

"And let us not forget dear little Schona. Tell me, who has protected you all these years, watched over you and been a friend to you?"

She smiled and pointed a delicate finger at Loki who sat grinning at his brother.

"Yes, well… I helped protect you as well," Thor argued before deciding to try another strategy on the silent goddess. "Then tell me, Schona. Who adores you more than anything in the realms?"

Everyone stared at Thor in shock while Loki was ready to murder his brother.

"My brother," Thor finished for her with a smile, walking over to slap Loki on the back. "And I know that he will use his silver tongue to persuade you to join us,"

Schona glared at Thor, hating him silently for scaring her so. Loki on the other hand was glaring at him for being so blatant with his own feelings.

"My friends, trust me now; we must do this. Who will join us?"

The five looked up at the two princes, standing united to travel to a place few dared without an invitation, and even then Schaon's own mother rarely traveled to Jotunheim anymore. However, as they exchanged concerned glances, they all began to realize that their own loyalty held too much sway over their common sense.

"I will,"

"And I,"

"And I. The Warriors Three fight together,"

Schona placed a fist against her chest and bowed her in agreement. If Loki would go, she would follow him loyally.

Sif rolled her eyes at each of them, frowning. "I fear we will live to regret this,"

"If we are lucky," Volstagg murmured with a grin.

Author's Note: Who is your favorite of the Warrior's Three? Who is your favorite love interest for Thor?