Take The Throne

The room Cynthia left the room at her final words, the rest of us had no idea what to do so we followed. Selene and Artemis were talking quickly between themselves and followed behind.

Selene had instructed the rest of the room to stay put, keeping a close eye on both Salvi and Ivar. I doubt that she would have tried anything but if Cynthia was right about one thing it was that she was a liar, she was unpredictable.

We followed Cynthia and no one spoke a word to her room, she dismissed the woman who was caring for Frode and scooped him up into her arms. She kissed him and cuddled him close and I could see at that moment the fear in her eyes, she was so scared to lose him.

We all take seats in the room and Selene closes the door and leans against it, still, Cynthia has not said a word. We continue in this stagnant silence for a while longer until finally, Selene laughs. It is not loud nor obnoxious but it is contagious, pretty soon we are all laughing about nothing.

*” You know this is not how I imagined my life when I used to sneak out of the bedroom window after you told me I had to stay in “*

Cynthia looks directly at Artemis and smiles, probably for the first time today and I can’t help but watch in awe at their relationship.

“You know, you all do not realise how lucky you are to have had each other.”

They all look at me like I’m crazy but they don’t understand.

“Even though all of this stuff has happened to you. Though it all you faced it together, you do not realise how lonely these fights can be when you have no one to rely on but yourself”

**” You wouldn’t say the same if Artemis was you, big sister, we were not allowed to do anything”**

“But you had her”

I don’t know what point I’m trying to make. I suppose part of me understands where Salvi was coming from.

“You know Cynthia, I know you don’t want to listen to Salvi but I know what it’s like to be abused your whole life, I cannot even begin to imagine what that would be like coming from your own Father “

**” You know I have thought that I could never imagine dad doing the things that he did to her. She might be awful but there is no denying how horrible that would be “**

**”*I could not even begin to imagine it*”** It is the first time Artemis has spoken and she does not look away from Cynthia while she says it.

Part of me wonders if she can really be convinced, I have no idea if letting Salvi near the baby is the right thing to do but she knew the prophecy, she knew what they had been told. I also do not understand why she would harm him when she knew death was coming anyway it would only seek to make it worse.

It is then that I notice Cynthia placing Frode back in his crib and taking a seat in the rocking chair next to it. The harshness in her face has gone and she looks more tired than ever.

*” Do you trust her, any of you? Do you trust what she's saying? I keep asking myself how could she know and then I ask myself why would she want to ?”*

**” I do not trust her as far as I can throw her. However I think there is some truth in her words, how would she know the things she does otherwise”**

**”*You are right and I don't trust her but she seemed different there. She seemed broken, she seemed as though her world had ended. I may not trust her but I believe she wants to pass on her powers to Frode*”**

“I agree. I don't trust her but I see something similar in me, she was alone and lied to I was alone and tortured it is not an easy life”

*” I did not think her life was easy Sekreta but how am I to trust her with my son? She is a liar in its most honest form. “*

The three of us go to speak but she raises her hand for us to stop.

*” There is something about what she has said though. If Frode is the one destined to hold all of this power, if what she is saying is true then I cannot help but want to give him my own at the same time”*

**” Why? You are still alive and well, you can use your power for so much good right now. Frode is just a baby he cannot use it “**

*” I know, but if I were to give it to him then I could help him to manage it, to work out how to use it, how to maintain the balance with it”*

**”*Then perhaps I should give him mine too ?*”**

**” But he cannot use them yet. If he was who these powers were meant for then surely we must keep them until the day he is old enough to understand and to take on the power. If we give them to him now who will protect him if someone comes to attack us once more “**

“You mean you will give yours to him to Selene ?”

**” I would but only because if he really is who the moon goddess as deemed the rightful owner, who am I to question it “**

“You are right though Sel. I mean Cynthia he will not be able to use them yet surely we should wait until he understands to hand them all over “

*” I do not want him to just have one power if we pass them over I wish for him to have all of them”*

“Then what of Salvi, will you kill her before she can pass hers along ?”
A silence falls between us and I already regret asking.

**” I do not know. She deserves to die but no-one can teach Frode their power better than the one who had it before”**

*” You mean you will not kill her ?”*

**” I mean I do not know what I am supposed to do about her. She has done awful things, she is an evil person and yet deep down I feel sorry for her. I feel so much sadness for a woman who had no choice”**

**”* I don't understand, why were you so angry at her before then if you feel sorry for her?*”**

*” Because she is evil still, I can never forgive her for what she did to you Artemis, you almost died at her hand. I know she said it was her fathers doing that he had some control over her, but at any point, she could have decided not to hurt you so much, she could have chosen not to lead you to the brink of death and repeatedly pull you back only to do it over and over again”*

I can see the tears in her eyes, the panic in her voice, this all comes down to her being scared. We need to come to a solution that will keep her calm and also keep Salvi away from her until such time that we pass on the powers to him.

“I have a suggestion” I don't know what makes me come to this conclusion but I do. She may not be my sister but I feel some form of loyalty to her.

We talk through it, we go through every detail until we come to a choice that everyone is happy with. It may not, however, be to the liking of the men but it is the only option we have right now.

We make our way back down the hallway and towards the room where everyone is waiting, this time Cynthia is cradling a very sleepy Frode.

Once inside the room we take our seats everyone falls silent, all eyes on Cynthia and the baby as they take their seat next to Sigi, he wraps an arm around them both pulling them closer to him.

**” We have decided Salvi.”** Selene stands from her feet and faces Calder.

**” I ask that you respect what is said, you may not like it. Fuck I know you are not going to like it but please just wait until we are done “**

He nods as she takes his hand and takes a seat, then Selene looks towards Cynthia.

**” We have agreed that Salvi will die, But not on this day. Until Frode is old enough to understand and to receive the power we are to bestow upon him she will be taken into the care of Sekreta. “**

A low Growl erupts from beside her, Sigi not comfortable with the words she has just spoken. She simply rests a hand on his and looks at him brightening her eyes.

She then looks at Salvi, her eyes unforgiving and stern.

**” There are conditions to this. Salvi, you will release your hold on Ivar, You will follow Sekreta’s every direction while you are on our lands and allowed to live”**

Salvi nods but she does not speak.

**” You will also tell us all you know about the transferring of these powers, you will divulge every piece of knowledge you hold and finally you will draw a clear map the house of our ancestors so we can begin the restoration”**

This time she does speak still with the same softness from before.

**”*I agree to all your terms but if I may I should like to ask one thing?*”**

*” Your not really in a position to ask anything of us”*

**”*I know this but I should like to ask anyway if it is okay with you Luna Selene, Luna Artemis, Luna Cynthia*”**

It is the first time she has addressed them in such a way.

**” I am not Luna, there is no need to address me as such “**

**”*That is precisely why I would like to speak. You see when fathers' plans were also to restore the house, but he also sought to rule over the lands. When this is over which one of you will take the throne until Frode is ready, I thought it should naturally be you, Cynthia, you are is a mother, after all,*”**

The question shocks everyone in the room. None of us had thought that far ahead in this.

*” The Throne?. You talk as if this will be the restoration of the royal line. My son may be special but he will live a normal life”*

I cannot help but ponder over her words, she was right if we pass all this to Frode he will not be a normal child.

“She is right. That house belongs to the three of you, your mother was the oldest. The house the titles it all belongs to the three of you”

*” They are right Cynthia, I have a pack. Artemis has our old pack. It is only right that you take it after it has been rebuilt.”*

**”*People will hear about it, those who managed to flee, their children they will come. They will come to rejoin the pack*”**

*” This is ridiculous to you all hear yourselves. You are talking as if we have a King and Queen, we have not had that in years. I am not that I am not a Queen you all sound crazy”*

She walks towards Salvi and forces her to rise from her feet to face her.

*” This is why I did not want to trust you. You speak nonsense then you fill the heads of my family with crap and then you sit and watch it unfold. What is your real motive?”*

*” Enough. Cynthia, that is enough”*

Selene’s voice dominates overall and Cynthia backs away.

*” I say we take a vote. I think that you should take that seat, Cynthia, it is only natural we are born of that line, you will restore the house. Why not take it ?”*

She doesn't wait for Cynthia to speak instead she asks.

*” All those who think that Cynthia should take the throne of our ancestors say I “*


*A/N
Thank you so much for reading.
The next update will be avaialable on Tuesday :)