Chapter 75 The King and Queen of Asgard

We reach the throne room and go inside, going up the aisle towards the thrones. Both sides of the aisle are packed with people who bow and curtsy as we go past. As we get closer, I see our friends and family in the front row all smiling at us but we turn our attention to the thrones. Odin, Frigga, and Thor are standing there. Thor with his hammer and beaming with some servants holding all the crowns and Odin's sceptre which will soon be Loki's. I notice Loki squeeze my hand tighter and I squeeze it back, smiling at him reassuringly. He smiles back and we look at Odin and Frigga as we reach the stairs to the thrones.

Me and Loki kneel before them, Loki taking off his helmet which he puts to his side as Hela and Hope kneel beside me. The room falls silent and it's actually time.

Odin then begins, "7 years ago, my son Prince Loki and his wife Princess Katrina, were cruelly separated from each other. Ripped apart before they could become the new King and Queen of Asgard, their family broken. My son vowed he would only take the throne as long as he had his Queen at his side so has spent years searching for her. And last night as we all saw, he saved her and his daughter, Princess Hope." He smiles at us, "There love has stretched between realms and even with the toughest of times, has stayed strong and true. Protecting, saving, and loving each other. And now on this day, finally, they shall both take the sacred throne from me. Become rulers of Asgard and protectors of the nice realms."

He comes down the stairs before us and he looks at Loki first. Staring at his son in pure admiration and great pride. It makes me smile as I look at Loki who is lost in this moment, surprised his wildest dreams are actually coming true.

"Loki Odinson, my second born, my adoptive son. I have not always been the father you needed and in your darkest hour, I was not there. I kept secrets from you about your true heritage and hurt you in ways I could only imagine. I let you down and I let that darkness, my secret swallow you whole. And then you fell and I wondered if the damage I had caused could be undone. But here you are now, you kneeling before me, a changed man with love in his heart and I couldn't be prouder of what you have achieved. You have become a noble prince, a saviour to some, and a friend to others. A hero and then I heard earlier today, you had become worthy of Mjolnir. And I am so proud to call you my son and Asgard's worthy king." He says, making Loki smile, "Do you, Loki Odinson, swear to guard the nine realms? Protect Asgard and its people?"

Loki nods, "I swear."

"Do you swear to preserve the peace?"

"I swear." Loki says again, with more power in his voice.

Odin smiles, "Do you swear to cast aside all selfish ambition and pledge yourself only to the good of all. Much like you have pledged yourself to your wife and your daughters?"

Loki smiles and nods, "I swear."

They both smile at each other before Odin gestures to a servant who brings over the King's crown of Asgard, Loki's crown. The same crown we wore for a bit on our wedding day and here it is again, big horns and all. He takes it out and puts it on Loki's head.

"My son, when you rise with your family, you will be the new King of Asgard.

Loki nods, "Thank you, father."

This makes Odin smile before he moves over to me and I'm next. He stands in front of me, so happy and I can't help but smile.

He begins again, "Katrina Odinson, Princess of Marlowe and Asgard and a sister of the Starks of Earth. Upon marrying my son over 9 years ago, you accepted the responsibilities which you would inherit when you joined our family and in the future, take the throne. And since then, you have suffered great pain at the hands of another and yet you fought with such courage and bravery. Raising your daughter in captivity and even in the darkest time, looking out for Asgard. I always knew, when you first arrived here all those years ago, that you had a big heart for you saved my son. But you have opened up your heart to us, our family, our people, and have protected Asgard and our family with great valour, and with your life. It's an honour to have you here and an honour, for you to become Queen and rule by my son's side." He says, making me smile brightly, "Do you, Katrina Odinson, swear to guard the nine realms? Protect Asgard and its peoples?"

I take a breath and nod, "I swear."

"Do you swear to preserve the peace?"

"I swear." I say again, my voice stronger.

Odin goes on, "Do you swear to cast aside all selfish ambition and pledge yourself only to the good of all. As you have done for your husband and your daughters?"

This makes me smile as I say, "I swear."

Odin smiles at me and I see Loki smiling at me, holding my hand tightly as the servant comes over with the Queen's crown. Again it's the same one I wore at the wedding with the horns on it, smaller than Loki's but it's still beautiful. He takes it out of the case and puts on my head. I can feel the extra weight but I like having it on my head.

"Katrina, when you rise with your family, you will be the new Queen of Asgard."

I smile, "Thank you, Odin."

He then turns our attention to our daughters with Hela next to me and Hope on the other side of her. Both holding hands and I notice Hope looks a bit nervous. But Hela keeps her calm and confident as Odin moves to stand before them both.

"Hela and Hope Odinson, when you were born, you became the rightful princesses of Asgard due to your parent's status. And yet neither of you have been coronated, for two different reasons." He looks at Hela, "Hela, you died before you could accept your crown because of an incurable disease. And have only been able to visit the realms of the living on rare occasions, to see your father and our family. And then, 9 years ago, you were brought back by your new mother Katrina who gave you a heartbeat. A home, a life, and a chance to live again. So it's only fair, you have your birth right rightfully restored today and you become a princess of Asgard." He looks at Hope, "Hope, you were born in captivity, away from your home and family. Your mother protecting you so one day, you could be reunited with your father, sister, and the rest of our family. So now you are home too, you shall be made with your sister, official princess of Asgard."

They both smile and the servant comes over with two small crowns, with the little horns on them and Odin puts them on their heads. They are both smiling, looking at us both before looking at Odin.

"Hela, Hope, when you rise with your family, you will become the official princess of Asgard."

They both smile and say at the same time, "Thank you, Odin."

Odin then comes back past them and me until he is standing in front of Loki again. He gestures to the servant who brings over his new sceptre and we all know what he is about to become. Loki shall rise and become King.

"King Loki of Asgard." Odin says with such a smile, it's awing, "You shall be a worthy King and with this sceptre, you will hold the power of Asgard in your hands. All secrets bestowed to you along with the responsibility it will bear." He holds it out for him to take, "Take your sceptre and rise, new King of Asgard."

Loki lets go of my hand and takes a breath as he takes the sceptre from Odin before he rises to his feet. They smile at each other before Odin gestures for him to take his seat on the throne, his throne. He looks dazed but so happy as he goes past his father, brother, and mother and goes up the stairs to the throne. With such grace and courage, of a worthy king. He turns to face us before sitting down and bangs the bottom of the sceptre on the floor. It vibrates and I know in that second, the power of the throne is his. Loki is the king of Asgard.

Odin looks at me, "Queen Katrina of Asgard. You shall rise and take your husband's side, the new Queen of Asgard."

Taking a breath, I rise to my feet and my legs feel a bit wobbly. The shock of everything has hit me and I can't believe this is happening. And yet I'm smiling, full of confidence and grace as I go past my friends and family and go up the stairs to join Loki. He smiles at me as I reach the throne beside him and do what he did. Turn to face the people of Asgard before taking my seat and feeling the power we have both just received. I am Queen of Asgard, Loki is my king and we are rulers.

I am in blissful shock and yet my attention turns back to Odin as he looks at our daughters, still on their knees. Both smiling at us and clearly a bit nervous.

"Hela and Hope, princesses of Asgard. Rise and join your parent's sides as rightful princesses of Asgard."

They both get to their feet, holding hands, and come up the stairs towards us. Hela looking after Hope who is really nervous and yet so happy. But when they reach us, Hela goes to stand on Loki's side while Hope comes to stand beside mine, still shaking a little. I hold out my hand for her and she takes it, seeming a little more comfortable with me here.

Odin then moves to the middle, "May I present, King Loki and Queen Katrina of Asgard, long live the king and Queen and their young princess."

Immediately the people including our friends and family begin cheering our names mixed with long live the king and Queen. As well as long live the young princess. But I just look at Loki and our family, all standing tall and proud. All together and I can't help but smile. This is our happy ever after.