Stubborn Pride in Triplicate (73)
ᚳᚻᚫᛈᛏᛖᚱ ᛚᛁᛋᛏ, ᛋᚢᛗᛗᚫᚱᚣ, & ᚹᚫᚱᚾᛁᚾᚷᛋ
The next morning, Finna sat at the end of the banquet table and ate breakfast while speaking to her sisters and brothers.
“My Queen,” the Keeper of the Records knelt at her side. “May we begin itemizing your coronation gifts?”
She nodded before wiping her fingers onto a napkin. “Please.”
Thor and Jane arrived and took their seats as he looked toward her. “I cannot believe you are awake and functioning after last night’s festivities.”
“She hasn’t slept yet,” Fandral informed him. “I’m expecting her to fall asleep on Hliðskjálf as soon as her bum touches it!”
“That’s my Finna!” Ragnar raised his glass to her.
“Some things are more important than sleep,” she nodded as everyone shared a laugh.
“From Eitri of Nidavellir, the Tarnhelm,” the Keeper presented her.
“I thought it a fable,” her eyes widened as she took it from him.
“Well? Try it!” Elin goaded her.
She slowly placed the helmet onto her head before she disappeared entirely.
“Are they sure it’s wise to give her such toys?” Hogun smirked.
“Ooh! Fun!” her laughter echoed throughout the hall.
Sif walked into the hall and looked around. “Where’s… Ah!” she jumped as she felt a swat to her backside.
Everyone laughed at her expense as Finna appeared behind her. “I like this one!” she handed the helmet back to the Keeper. He nodded while making notes on a golden tablet.
She hugged and kissed Sif on the cheek as they walked to the table.
“Glad I could entertain The Queen this morning,” she rolled her eyes.
“From Freyja, the Brisingmen,” the Keeper presented her with a necklace.
“The Fire Necklace?” Thor cocked his eyebrow.
“It’s beautiful,” Finna ran her fingers across it. “Please invite her for tea at her earliest convenience.”
“The Keeper nodded.
“My Queen,” an attendant bowed in front of her. “Freyr of Alfheim is here to present his gift to you.”
She nodded her head before turning to Thor and widening her eyes. He only smiled in return.
“My Queen,” the ruler of the Light Elves, twin brother to Freyja, and fellow Van, bowed to her.
“My Lord,” she nodded to him.
“A gift for your coronation, may I present Fragarach,” he placed a sword across her lap.
She gasped as she took the weapon from him. “The Sword of Air,” she whispered. “I am honored.”
Volstagg raised his eyebrows and turned to Leif.
“Vanirian. No armor can stop it.”
“It grants its wielder command over the powers of wind,” Freyr smiled.
Finna met his eyes as he nodded. She lifted the sword and grinned as the winds picked up, nearly blowing the banquet food right off the table.
“She is having too much fun!” Sif laughed.
“Thank you,” Finna handed the sword to The Keeper.
Freyr bowed before taking his leave.
“From Ullr of Ydalir, Ichaival,” the Keeper buzzed around, not stopping a moment.
“That, I’ve seen in action!” Thor pointed to the bow. “For every one arrow you shoot, it releases ten!”
“Why do you get all the good stuff?” Fandral pouted.
“I can share,” she smirked.
“Right,” everyone sang.
“My Queen, Surtur of Muspelheim is here to present a gift.”
Her eyes immediately shot to Thor. “Is it normal for the Fire Demons to request an audience?”
“No,” he answered plainly as everyone rose to their feet.
“My Queen,” he bowed at her feet. “Congratulations on your coronation. As a token of my great joy in your rule, may I present you with Melrakki,” he held his hand out, moving her gaze to the outdoors.
Finna watched him for a moment before walking out to the balcony to see a magnificent white dragon sitting in the courtyard of Valaskjálf. Her eyes widened as the scaly creature bowed to her. “I can hear her thoughts,” she mumbled.
“When word reached us of your ascension to the throne, Melrakki offered herself as a gift. She believes she can serve you well,” Surtur offered.
“I am honored,” she nodded down at the dragon. “Thank you.”
He bowed to her before taking his leave, everyone in the room allowing an audible sigh to leave their chest.
“Wow,” Thor spoke slowly as he looked down at the amazing creature.
“She’s quite intelligent,” Finna smiled. “And funny.”
“Are you sure Asgard is ready for a Royal Dragon?” Balder asked from beside her.
“She’s here whether Asgard is ready or not,” she turned on her heel. “Please show Melrakki to Fensalir and let her choose one of the banquet halls to call home.”
“My Queen,” one of the attendants bowed as The Keeper kept diligent notes.
“My Queen,” another attendant bowed. “Gullveig of Vanaheim…”
She broke into a huge grin as she ran up and threw her arms around her. “Gullveig! How are you?”
“So proud to see you on the throne of Asgard!” she laughed.
“Thank you, my friend!”
“I come bearing a gift,” she presented her with an item of clothing. “It is the Falcon Cloak. It transforms whomever wields it into a falcon and bestows the gift of flight.”
“That is amazing! Thank you!”
“Vanaheim believes in our queen. Do not hesitate to use me in any way you need.”
She nodded silently. “I’m humbled and honored.”
She kissed her forehead before taking her leave.
Odin appeared as if from nowhere and looked around. “Good morning, everyone! I trust you all slept well?” he chuckled.
Finna glanced over at Thor, who suddenly stiffened up and stood at his full height.
“Some of us have yet to slumber,” Volstagg raised his glass.
Finna flicked her fingers out, freezing everyone in the hall except Thor and Odin. Loki smirked arrogantly as he turned into his normal form and glared down at her. “You just couldn’t help yourself, could you?”
Thor stood there, staring as his mind tried desperately to take in this new information. “You’re still not dead?”
“Wow,” he laughed. “It’s great to see you too, brother.”
He turned his gaze to Finna. “And you knew?” he shook his head. “You had to have known.”
“I had my suspicions,” she explained. “I knew he was an imposter…”
“We’ve lost our connection,” Loki sighed painfully. “Nothing between us has been the same since our annulment.”
“That was completely your doing, you know,” Thor snipped.
“I do know,” he locked eyes with him. “I’d like to make amends.”
“Excuse me?” he laughed incredulously. “No.”
“And just why not?”
“She thought you dead!” he angered. “The first time was bad enough, but this time… she put herself through hell, Loki,” he slowly locked eyes with her.
“That’s why I need to be here, to help her heal.”
“She is mine now; I will attend to her emotional needs.”
“I deserve to see my wife and son!”
“My son!” his voice echoed throughout the hall.
Loki turned away and set his jaw as Finna watched quietly.
“She will never love you again,” he nodded before spinning on his heel and walking off.
“Well…” Finna cleared her throat. “There you have it.”
“He speaks for you now?”
“No, but it was quite entertaining. He speaks from a place of pride, though. I belong to no man.”
His eyes misted over. “And where does that leave me?”
“I’m not sure… Svartalfheim maybe?” she knew what she said had cut him right through to the core, but she had to do it. He had to realize just how deeply he had hurt her.
She waved her hand, forcing him back into Odin’s form before once again flicking her fingers and unfreezing everyone.
“Where’s Thor?” Jane looked around.
“Oh… he’s checking on the children,” she smiled.
