The Old Gods | Book 2

Fifteen: Heir to The Throne

Sigyn scoffed. "Don't ever say his name."

"We will never forgive him either, Sig." says Gersemi. "But it is you. You who is entitled to the crown. No one else deserves this better than you."

Hnoss nodded happily. "She is right, sister. Everybody is waiting for you in the hall."

"I am afraid that one day we won't have mother or father and I will sit on that throne. I am afraid that I will be alone and that I will make a terrible ruler."

The twins gasped in shock the same. "Lies!"

"Do not tell yourself these things."

"We have all seen how much the people of BOTH realms love you. They would not have chosen you otherwise."

"There has never been a more loved princess than you."

Sigyn sniffled and gently patted away her tears. "You are both so kind. But all I want is to have Loki at my side again. For him to be here with me." the twins sadly looked at each other. "All I wanted was him. He was all I ever needed in this life."

Hnoss put a hand on Sigyn's shoulder. They dressed her up in a tailored dress for this moment. A deep blue dress that touched the floor. Cascading with silver jewels. Soft shoulder pads that pointed up. Long sleeves and complements of armour. The collar reached her neck and a heavy necklace sat around her shoulders.

The most important part of the attire is the cape draping over her shoulders. It sat shrouding most of her body. Thick blue fabric with white fur to line. The cape which is hand-sown with over a thousand jewels and stitched patterns all to represent the realm of Vanaheim. The same cape meant to coronate Prince Sigvard.

"Come, sister."

"It is time."

So, with her royal escort, the princess is taken down to the hall of Vanaheim where the entire kingdom has gathered to see her inauguration. The crowd even spilled out into the streets of the city in celebration.

The King and Queen of Vanaheim stand atop of the throne. The twins standing to the side, and her son Vali and Thor are there too. Sigyn entered the hall from the end and stood and faced down the long aisle. The hall turned into an uproar of celebration and cheer. They tossed flowers and petals to the wind and coloured scarves.

A body appears beside Sigyn. (Loki) She looked at the person and found Thor in his place. She sighed in disappointment. "I know you are nervous." he says to her. "It's normal. I was nervous on my coronation despite wanting and begging for it. I waited my whole life for it."

"And Loki ruined it." she mumbled, past her lips.

"It was the best thing he could have done."

Sigyn looked at Thor, shocked.

"I would not have been cast out. I would not have found the person I am today, I would not have found Jane Foster. I would not have turned down the crown."

"You are Odin's only heir."

Thor shrugged. "I think I am meant to find a deeper meaning to my life than being my father's heir. Perhaps this is your meaning. Your purpose?"

"That is what I have been told all my life. A prophecy at my birth set all of that in motion. My father is convinced I will rule the nine realms one day. He thinks this is the beginning of that and that is what I fear."

Thor chuckled at that statement. "Who knows what the Norns have in store for us."

"Who knows," she repeated, softly.

The warriors lining the walk all drew their swords and held them point to point to create an archway. She began her walk. And with each set of swords she passed, they lowered behind her. Sigyn looked into the crowd around her. Most people smiled and cheered for her, then there were many a few faces who did not smile. they opposed her, and scowled at her.

"It is our great privilege to be here to witness the events of today!" the voice of her father boomed. "This is a great day for our realm. To coronate my daughter as your crown princess and heir to the throne!"

The crowd cheered louder for her. She cannot help the smile on her face looking around at her people who still loved her. They shouted for her attention, calling her name, cheering, reaching out for a chance to touch her.

"It is in within my great power as your king to announce this anointment on this day!" Iwaldi paused, waiting as Sigyn finally reached the steps of the throne and stopped. It is here she ascends and no further. The cheer of the crowd stopped.

"I, Iwaldi, King of Vanaheim, first of my name, stand here before you! Who is it that stands before the throne?"

"I am Sigyn. First of my name, Princess of Vanaheim, Princess of Asgard. Goddess of Fidelity, and widow of Loki." she choked but spoke loudly for all to hear.

"Kneel." the king demanded.

Sigyn gracefully dropped to her knees.

"I have made many sacrifices to achieve peace. You, my daughter, were that sacred sacrifice. On that fateful many moons ago when you wed into Asgard." He spoke with sadness. "With you, you united two realms and ended a great war! You have earned the love and trust of both Asgard and Vanaheim and therefore there is no greater person best suited to this position in which I entrust unto you." The King descended the stairs and drew his sword, towering above the princess like a pillar, he raised his skinny sword. "Do you, Sigyn, swear to uphold and keep your sacred duties to this realm?"

"I swear it."

"Do you swear to uphold peace?"

"I swear it."

"Do you swear to cast aside all selfish ambition and pledge yourself to this realm?"
She hesitated. "I swear it."

The King sighed very softly. He raised his thin sword and tapped Sigyn's right shoulder. "I, Iwaldi, King of Vanaheim, call upon the blessings of the Nornir." he moved to her left shoulder. "I hereby anoint you in your name and your birthright as the Crown Princess of Vanaheim. My heir."

Iwaldi turned to his officiant and exchanged his sword for a silver crown of leaves. He hovered just above her head. It felt so far away.

"Within placing this crown, you are pledging yourself to the promises you have sworn." he lowered the crown to her head. "I present to you, Sigyn, the first of her name, Princess of Vanaheim, Princess of Asgard, Goddess of Fidelity, widow of Loki, and crown heir to the throne of Vanaheim. Arise in your new name!"

The crowd burst into cheer. Sigyn rose to her feet and turned to her new people.

"Glory to the princess!" the people of Vanaheim cheered.

Sigyn looked into the crowd again. They smiled and cheered and shouted and threw petals at her. Her eyes stopped on a man who scowled among the majority. A heavy sneer on his lips and a curl to his nose. She knows what he is thinking, damn her to the hells, a woman. Exactly what the lords feared. The divide among the people.

"Glory to the princess!"