Chapter 12: Final Goodbye
It was the 26th of December when the entourage from Olympus arrived in Jötunheim for Aaron's funeral. Of those who had arrived were the surviving Quest members of Percy, Bianca, Zoe, Thalia and Grover. Along with Annabeth and Chiron from Camp Half Blood.
Of the Gods and Goddess also invited, the Duo of Poseidon and Hades had came to offer their support for their children. Athena, Apollo and Artemis along with her Hunters had also joined as well. They had been brought to the realm of the Giants by Odin and his entourage from Asgard.
With Mimir by his waist, his wife Frigg by his side, he was also accompanied by the four captains of the Valkyrie, Ortlinde, Hildr, Thrúd and Gunilla.
As Odin lead them through down a road that had split a forest in half, every giant they had come across silently bowed to them in respect and morning. Despite Aaron being considered an Aesir by most of the Giants, he was also of Jötunn blood as the son of their Goddess Skaði.
As they continued down the road before them, they began to softly talk to one another. "I'm surprised to find that you had time to attend Brother." Poseidon stated to his older Brother who chuckled lightly.
"He kept the promise of keeping my daughter safe... This is the least I could do. As thanks for looking after my Bianca." Hades evenly replied as he walked on, falling back back once more into silence.
Meanwhile with Apollo, Athena and Artemis the latter was in awe of the Nature around her. "She seems lost in her own world." Athena stated with a smile.
"I'm guessing it's due to the lack of interference that mankind has with Nature here." Apollo replied back with a smirk. "I'm not a God of Nature but even I can feel it overwhelming presence around us."
"But there's also a part of me that is also worried for her." Apollo stated with a small amount of grimace in his voice.
"I know... I also worry for Zoe as well." Athena answered with her own frown. "They haven't spoken to one another since they returned to Olympus. And that Weapon hasn't left Zoe's side as well."
"She hasn't kicked Zoe from her Hunt even though she has broken her vow of never falling in love." Apollo added as the two continued walking.
It a few short minutes they had arrived at a lake where two people were waiting for them. The first was Skaði was was preparing a fire, while the other was Thor who was placing a shield in front of Aaron's body.
Moving as if she was possessed, Zoe had moved her way over to Thor. When her eyes had caught a glimpse of Aaron's peaceful form she froze. But when a reassuring hand was placed on her shoulder by Artemis, she gathered her courage.
"Aaron said this was his heart when he had given it to me." Zoe stated as she handed his weapon over to Thor. "I don't want him to leave this world feeling empty."
When Thor looked at the weapon for the first time, it was a bittersweet moment. For the first time his Grandson had called out to him would turn out to be the last time. And he could see the effect it had on his weapon.
"The dwarves had created such a wonderful weapon for my Grandson. I thank you for taking care of it." Thor replied as he fought back his tears. "But I think you should be the one to place it before him."
Zoe looked like she was about to protest but a soft smile from Thor stopped her. "If he had given you his heart, it's only right it should be returned to him by you."
Unable to place any trust in her voice, Zoe nodded before placing Aaron's weapon over his shield. She couldn't hold back her tears and she wrapped his fingers over it's handle.
She remained silent as she held onto his hands. It wasn't until Thor had placed a hand on her shoulder that she was snapped out of her thoughts. "S-sorry."
Thor softly smiled as he replied. "It's okay young one. But it's now time."
As they moved off the ship, they lined up in a semi circle. Only Thor remained by the boat before he began pushing.
"We shall sing your names in the halls of Valhalla, even though you will not walk among us." Odin shouted out as Aaron's ship was pushed into the lake by Thor.
"We weep for a Great man has fallen, a Warrior, a Friend, a Son." Skaði continued before she fired the first shot off. Her aim was trued as it struck the ship's mast.
"We shall see you off now. For your final journey. Your Story's end." Gunilla fired the second thought as her arrow landed by Aaron's feet.
"All Hail Aaron Skadison! The Norseman who held up the Sky!" Taking his place beside his Daughter, Thor's arrow hit beside his daughters own.
Odin nodded his head as the remaining three Valkyries fired their wave of lit arrows. Each landing on a different part of the ship, it's flames becoming larger.
Odin then nodded to the remaining Quest members who all but one seemed to be ready to fire. Taking a deep breath, Percy nervous as he knotted his arrow.
He was never able to hit a standing target while training in Camp. And now he was a fire a flaming arrow at a moving ship.
Skaði noticed this a placed her hand over his head. As she done this Percy could feel that his senses were all dialled up to eleven.
"A temporary blessing to help you." Skaði softly smiled before she retook her position.
"Thank you." Percy quietly replied back but his voice carried through to her.
With everyone ready, Odin raised his spear and they fired their first volley. All of their aims were true and the struck different pars of Aaron's ship. Small flames began to appear in the distance as Odin signalled for everyone's second volley.
This time Artemis along with the rest of her Hunters and Apollo joined in on the second wave. Soon the flames began to become higher until it engulfed the ship entirely.
Moments later two things occurred which shocked many in attendance. The first was the change of the flames colours to a dark Green. This confused all of the Greeks in attendance until Odin spoke out. "And now his soul shall forever rest in Helheim, as Hela has now claimed his soul as hers."
Soon the Green flames engulfed the ship, so quickly it fell from view. Sinking into the lake below. But moments later a second incident occurred which shocked everyone.
From the lake they witnessed something shoot out from the it's depth and fly towards them. They remained still until it had landed in front of Zoe. As the object was still engulfed in Green flames so they couldn't tell what it was.
But when the flames suddenly stopped, it revealed Aaron's weapon. It's head buried in the sand while it's handle pointed towards Zoe. They remained silent and still as they tried to understand what had just happened.
Odin was the first to recover and picked up the weapon to inspect it. He hummed as his lone eye inspected the weapon, and when his eye had caught a certain pattern of runes he widely smiled before presenting the handle to Zoe. "Take it... It is now yours... As a final gift from it's Master."
"Thank... Thank you Lord Allfather." Zoe nervously replied as she took the weapon into her hands and held it tightly to her chest.
"It has a name child." Odin stated with a bright and warm smile. "It is called Oathkeeper. And it shall always protect you."
(That Evening)
Soon evening fell upon them as Skaði invited everyone who had attended back for a Feast in her home, to celebrate Aaron's life. She wanted to know more about the young Greek Demi-gods about his last Journey so had spent most of that afternoon and evening learning from them.
Athena and Apollo had joined her in her listening, with the Sun God himself adding his own encounter after the group was fully formed in Washington DC. But was the evening drew on, she began to notice the rift between both Artemis and Zoe.
Confused by the silence between them she had asked Athena on what had happened. Once more Apollo added his own concerns before Skaði became silent.
When she suddenly stood up, she thanked the two Olympians with a kind smile before leading both Artemis and Zoe to talk privately.
"Firstly, I would like to thank you both for coming here today." Skaði warmly smiled as she looked over at Artemis and Zoe.
"It was an honour to be invited to your home." Artemis replied as Zoe silently nodded in agreement.
"However though, I am slightly concerned." Skaði frowned slightly as she looked at the pair.
"What has you concerned?" Artemis asked in confusion as she glanced briefly at Zoe.
"Well, from the stories I have been told of your Huntresses, once they fall in love they are banished." Skaði replied as she brought up Zoe's broken vow.
"This isn't an easy subject to simply talk about." Artemis glared back showing clear signs of anger.
"I know..." Skaði's reply didn't help Artemis' anger as Zoe looked on nervously. "So I have a solution to your problem."
The eyes of Artemis and Zoe both widened as the looked briefly at one another. "The reason for this is because I feel that Zoe is now a part of my family. And I can't condone her for falling in love with my son."
"But I equally can't bare the sight of a deep and long friendship ending in such a way either." Skaði continue'd. "Therefore I'm propose an exchange program of sorts. From one Goddess of the Hunt to another."
"An Exchange?" Artemis asked in confusion while Zoe seemed to understand what Skaði was offering.
"Yes. From what I also understand you now have two new Lieutenants Young Thalia and Bianca from what I've been told?" Skaði asked as Artemis nodded in agreement.
"That is correct. I felt for this upcoming war, a proper Military structure would be needed within the Hunt." Artemis answered as she briefly looked over at her two new Lieutenants.
"Then in order to help train them to work within their roles, I offer my own Lieutenant to help you train them." Skaði offered with a smile to which Artemis was stunned silent to. "See it as an opening act of Friendship between both ourselves as Goddesses of the Hunt and between our Pantheons in this upcoming war."
Artemis was about to refuse but she was cut off by Skaði turning her attention over to Zoe who had remained silent through out the entire exchange. "That is of course if my Lieutenant agrees to it as well."
"Of course." Zoe instantly replied which brought a smile to Skaði's face while Artemis looked like she was about to cry. Noticing the look on Artemis' face, Zoe lowered her excitement as she continue'd. "That is if Lady Artemis accepts of course."
Silently and swiftly, Artemis pulled Zoe in a tight hug. Skaði couldn't help but clap with her own excitement. "Then it's settled then."
"However, there will be some weeks where Young Zoe here will not be available. As she will be training herself." Skaði stated with a knowing look as she looked at Zoe.
"Who will be training me Lady Skaði?" Zoe asked in slight confusion.
"My dear child... Who do you think taught Aaron everything he knew about Combat?" Skaði asked with a smirk. "I shall turn you into a warrior so fierce, the Allfather will be jealous that he cannot make you a shieldmaiden, A Valkyrie."
"And none of this Lady Skaði either young Lady... I wish for you to call me Mother."