The Dark World | Book 3

Nine: Death of the Queen

The bells tolled that day for Queen Frigga. They tolled once. Then rang out. And then tolled again. They tolled like this for five minutes. Slowly and unforgiving of their meaning. They have not rang like this since the death of Baldur. All of Asgard was told the Queen is dead. And that day the realm wept for their beloved Queen.

Shock and initial anger caused the folk of Asgard to riot in the square. Demanding war and justice for their dead Queen. As was their right. Odin locked himself away in his chambers. The palace of Asgard was in shambles. The throne room destroyed with a Dark Elf ship laying among the ruins of the room. The Throne crumbled and destroyed. People wept for those killed in the crash and warriors scrambled to search for survivors.

King Iwaldi stood before the destroyed throne of Asgard. He just looked at what was left of it. Something he dreamt of centuries ago now a reality in front of him. His silken clothes speckled with the remains of Elven blood, he just stood before the throne.

Princess Sigyn was still on the floor where she collapsed in Queen Frigga's chambers. Thor now sat on the steps of the chamber. They watched as Odin lifted Frigga into his arms and walked away with her. Sigyn's crying stopped a while ago with the bells.

Jane Foster just sat next to Thor unsure of how to comfort the thunder god who just lost his mother. The realm of Asgard had just lost their Queen who died defending her. How was she ever to repay a debt like this?

Jane looked up as three maidens entered the chamber. Sigyn's maidens. They quietly entered and saw the blood where Frigga had died. They were crying to. She could see the sorrow and redness in their faces. They helped pick up their Princess, who was shaking and in denial muttering that the Queen was dead, and they carried her away.

Queen Frigga's maidens came into the chamber. And they left with Queen Frigga's best dress and accessories.

Jane looked at the god next to her. "Thor." she whispered, unsure.

"We must prepare." he told her, softly.

The night fell over Asgard more quickly than most realised. It was upon them like the evening dusk and all the stars and galaxies shown bright and clear that night. Asgard was silent. No partying or drinking or feasting. All markets and taverns remained closed in honour of the Queen. The nobles and common folk all gathered in the streets of Asgard. They mostly gathered at the shore line adorned in black attire and in each of their hands they held a glowing orb. Asgard was alight that night with tiny specks of white light cupped by each Asgardian woman, man and child.

The winds were still too as if the realm new what it had just lost. A great Queen and a kind loving soul.

Sigyn stood on the edge of the canal where Queen Frigga's vessel would be floated down. She looked into the dark still water that perfectly reflecting the galaxy above them and the glowing orbs the people held. In her hands, Sigyn held two for the Queen.

She was angry too. She pleaded for Loki to attend his mothers funeral and was denied. Odin had ordered the dungeons to be sealed and no one was to enter. Not even Sigyn was granted permission to enter. Had Loki been told of the terrible news? Was he suffering alone down there? She had no idea.

There was a boat. It gently travelled down the canal. It was adorned with flowers and a silk covering. In it lay Queen Frigga. She was still. Dressed in her finest golden gown and shoes. Her best jewellery decorated her body. And her crown that rested upon her head. Her long hair curled down either side of her body and on her chest lays her ceremonial sword clutched in her hands. The sword used when she married Odin.

Sigyn kept her composure, until the boat finally passed her and entered freely into the still open waters of Asgard's ocean. And she burst into tears again. The grief was heavy on her heart and it hurt her stomach to cry. The Princess also felt guilty for not being there to defend Frigga.