A/N:Sorry this one is so short; I wanted to split the chapter in half because I didn't know if it would work or not. I apologise for any spelling mistakes or inaccuracies, i am Australian, so we spell some words differently.
Coronation Part 2
I hated this room—it was basically just a giant representation of everything I wouldneverhave. As I opened the doors, most of the heads turned to me in the room. There was a small narrow aisle going down the middle of the room Einherjar guards lined up on either side of it, and what looked like the entirety of Asgard behind them. Everyone watched me in dead silence as I walked down it to get to my place next to me mother. I kept a straight face as I walked, but I could feel their stares, their judgement, their disappointment that it was just me instead of unfortunately, this was about the only real attention I ever got, so I just smirked slightly and joined my mother, Frigga, on the stairs below the pedestal that was Odin's throne.
The room was adorned with gold and silver, stained glass windows filtering the light of the early morning through into multi-coloured patches on the floor. I glanced at my mother and smiled, albeit a little forcibly. She was beautiful, far more beautiful than my father deserved. She had long blonde hair, which was always tied up into some intricate fashion, and a beautiful long green dress with a silver breast plate. Mother smiled back at me—an amazing smile, might I add. I liked to think she had more love for me than Father and Thor, but maybe it was just an act—I secretly hoped it wasn't.
Speaking of my father, there he sat, regal, on his throne above me and my mother. He wore a large gold-and silver-plated breast plate, with armour that ran all along his arms down to his wrists, also coloured gold and silver. On his head was a large helmet with horns of either side that twisted up and outwards off his head. The back of the helmet had two long horn-ish shaped things that rose to match the height of the front horns. To top it all off, he had his classic shiny golden eyepatch that covered right eye, and his famous spear Gungnir. I couldn't lie, it was a formidable weapon that I quite envied at times. Thor had his hammer, Odin had Gungnir, even the Warriors Three had their own weapons, but what didIget?Nothing.
As if on cue, my brother burst through the doors, his hands and Mjølnir thrown into the air. The crowd immediately started cheering and yelling and tossing things at him, while he dramatically walked down the aisle, slowly spinning as he did, making sure everyone in the room could see him. I resisted rolling my eyes and pushed down another spark of jealousy. Who was I kidding?Of courseI would be jealous of that! All thepraisea-and thelove… everything Ihadn'tgotten would be mine if father hadn't chosen thatoafto be King next. I tried to ignore thosefeelingsand focused on discreetly using my magic to cover for three unknown beings that were currently making their way into Asgard. I hoped Mother wouldn't notice—she, being a witch of sorts herself, had a sense for those sorts of things.
Thor eyed Lady Sif, who stood below me on the stairs and pointed his hammer at her, and she just scoffed and rolled her eyes, as did Frigga, whose attention seemed to be fully on him.
Once he reached the reached the foot of the stairs, Thor bowed down on his knees to our father. He looked up, smiled and winked at Mother, who just gave him a stern look. He then smiled at the Warriors Three, his friends, who all smiled back. But did he look atme? Did he glance in my direction? Did he evenacknowledgemy presence in this room? No, he did not. I didn't care anyway.
Odin stomped his spear on the ground for silence, the sound echoing throughout the whole room. Quiet fell across the crowd and anticipation was heavy in the air. The King began his speech.
"Thor Odinson…" he said slowly, "my heir…" I bit the inside of my lip and looked down at the ground. Was I not told I could be King once too? Did I notexistto him?
"My first born..." His voice cracked. I hid a frown. What was that? I looked up at Frigga. She was looking at Thor… but she looked guilty? Uncomfortable? Like she was hiding something? I couldn't really place it, so I kept listening, more intently than I was before.
"For so long has been entrusted with the mighty hammer Mjølnir… a formidable weapon," spoke Odin, his voice loud across the colossal expanse of the room. "Its power has no equal… whether to destroy or to build. 'Tis a fitted companion for a King."
I began to grow impatient. My plan… my "allies" who I brought here today… they were sure cutting it real short. As Odin continued to speak, I brought my attention down to the Weapons Vault.
Two armed Einherjar walked down the stairs—irrelevant. Wait no, they approached the Casket of Ancient Winters… that might be an issue. Ice covered the walls where a frozen hand touched. They were there. They were waiting. What was taking them so long?I brought my attention back to the scene at hand. Thor, still kneeling, Father still speaking. Good, it wasn't over yet.
"Do you swear to protect the Nine Realms?" Odin was asking.Dammit, they're nearing the end. They need to hurry up.
"I swear," Thor replied solemnly.
"Do you swear to preserve the peace?
"I swear," my brother said, raising his voice.
"Do youswear… to cast aside all selfish ambition," I looked away, feeling like that was directed at me, "and pledge yourself only to the good of Asgard, of the Realms?" Thor was smiling now, raising his hammer high in the air.
"I swear!"
"Then on this day, I, Odin, the Allfather, proclaim you..." He trailed off.Yes, yes, finally!Thor's face fell slightly as he looked at our father, both of them knowing that something was wrong. Odin paused for a long moment, looking in the direction of some unseen thing. I feigned a look of confusion, looking from Father to Thor, and then up at Mother. She met my eyes with a worried expression. I knew what was happening.
Ice spread across the floor. The guard crouched down in confusion, reaching out to touch the sudden cold, when the reflection of a large being flashed across the ice in front of him, and before the guard could react, the figure grabbed him by the throat, swiftly throwing him against a nearby wall.
Odin's words broke me out of my magical trance. "Frost Giants."