Children of Winter
By K. Petra
Story Background: The culture, political situations, as well as any resemblances in history that form the structure for this story will be based on ancient China. However, please note that this universe is entirely fictional. Don't be too surprised if certain details are not entirely accurate if you do try to compare it to real life Chinese history and customs. In addition, there will not be much distinction between the sexes in this universe. By that I mean that in this story, females are able to hold the same positions as males and same gender marriages are common and not distinguished from heterosexual unions. I will provide more details about the setting for this story in each subsequent chapter.
Miscellaneous Information: There will about thirty or more characters with varying roles and degrees of importance. I have no doubt that you will recognize many which I have borrowed from Disney. As for those personalities taken from various Animes, do not worry if you have no idea who they are, because this will not affect how the story will be read. I am aware that this story could and maybe should be placed in the crossover section. Yet with so many potential crossovers, I haven't the slightest idea which it should be sorted into, hence why it is simply placed under Frozen. This story will be Elsanna, with equal central focus on both Elsa and Anna.
While we are at it, I will say this once and only in this first chapter. Disclaimer: While the plot is mine, the characters are all borrowed from Disney, My Hime, Kannazuki no Miko, Negima! and so forth.
Chapter One: Close to Me
On section ten of page thirty two, the royal ancestors of old had ordained within the codex of palace restrictions that illicit love affairs would be subjected to the worst punishment available. A servant, once sold into the palace, belonged solely to the master that ruled over them. Absolute loyalty is a must, and thus there would be no allowance for romantic love or anything that might waiver a slave's allegiance.
These principles had been instilled in Gerda's mind from a very young age. Throughout the years of servitude from one imperial consort to the next, she had been nothing but an exemplary servant. Gerda learned quickly and kept secretes well. Never had there been an occasion when one of the masters found any reason to complain on the work that she had done.
Still, after twenty three years within the palace, Gerda wanted nothing more to be free from this lifestyle. She longed to see the world beyond the Forbidden City's walls; for a world where she would be her own person to answer to no one but herself. She dreamt of how the sky would look at night, how the stars would shine of promises unobstructed by the many buildings that always surrounded them.
Gerda knew that as a slave, salvation would come only in the form of love.
No, she was not enough of a fool to hope for a prince to one day whisk her away and into his arms. As a servant, what she could trust in was that there would be many interactions with the palace guards or even the younger soldiers. There would be chances to catch the eyes of a free man or woman.
They did not need to be someone with high ranking. Just as long as they were someone capable enough to earn a small reward for their work by the middle of their career. And instead of receiving a few hundred gold coins as most were wont to do, they would ask for her freedom from the queen.
Affairs were not allowed. But requests from free men or women to gain a slave's ownership was not unheard of. Neither was marrying that servant afterwards.
For years, Gerda pinned all her hopes on finding a free man who would notice her. An extra glance in her direction, a smile purposefully directed, and secret exchanges of paper notes before all fell according to plan. Five years her senior, he was a tall and clumsy cadet who guarded the palace gates…
She did not love him. But she understood in the gentleness of his wide hands whenever they touched that he would not hurt her. With him, life would be good. As his wife she would be free to leave the castle. Free to not serve anyone other than her husband. Free from the calculations and evil schemes that came with life within the palace.
If he married her, life would be easy, for he treated her as someone equal, someone who he would one day wish to carry his children.
And carry she did.
His eyes were alight with excitement when she told him. When they embraced that night he whispered promises into her ears that a battle would be coming soon. A small one, easy enough to be completed before she showed any signs of pregnancy. He would enlist to join, and when he came back victorious with a chance to gain rank he would ask for her hand instead.
Against the might of the Arendelle army, the tiny gang of bandits near the borders stood no chance. Within a month, word had come back that they had won. Gerda, of course, was overjoyed when she heard of this.
She thought loved him then. Her wishes, her dreams, her very life would be woven with his as he would be the one to give her what she sought most.
Yet when the triumphant army marched back, he was not to be found. He was a failure. A broken dream. He had died along with all of her hope of freedom.
She despaired. But Gerda did not cry. Gerda did not love him.
It was only eight months after did she realize what love really was. From the baby's first cry to the way its tiny red arms reached for warmth with large, innocent eyes searching…Gerda loved. Here was finally something, someone that was hers. There was no loyalty to any mistress. No benefit to be gained. Nothing to describe the feelings rushing through her as her heart swelled for this newborn like she never had before to anyone else.
It was hers. And to a servant, her entire life having been owned by another, having something that belonged only to Gerda was something special.
It was also illegal. If an illicit affair was punishable by death, then a child borne from such an event would be doomed from the beginning. If the baby was not killed, then at the very least she would be thrown into a life of slavery.
Gerda looked at the beautiful infant, round eyes brimming with intelligence and curiosity.
Hers. Her miracle and her future. It simply was not fair that such a child would end up living a life as Gerda had.
Certainly, the baby was meant to be blessed, as that winter had come early that year and departed very late. Right before her abdomen had started to show, everyone in Arendelle had begun to wear thick layers of clothing to fight the frigid weather. It was through such luck that she managed to hide her pregnancy from anyone else.
A baby would be much more difficult. Already the newborn was starting to cry. Whispering small reassurances and rocking the child faintly in her arms, Gerda snuck between the buildings that night frantically in search for a way to hide and save her child.
It was only when she crossed the Empress's eastern palace did inspiration strike the rebellious servant, and for the first time in her life Gerda thought of betrayal to the ones who ruled over her.
A few days earlier, the queen had given birth to a princess. It was said that because the young master had been born premature, the only person to have seen the child was one of the royal physicians who had aided the queen and a few servants to take care of the princess. By the king's orders, no one else was allowed to see the princess in fear of transmitting illness to the baby's already weak constitution.
But the physician had since departed from the forbidden city to cure an ailing duke. The servants, Gerda knew, would not be so caring towards the princess. The less people having seen the princess, the better it was for Gerda's traitorous plans.
It would not be easy to switch the child with her own. But all newborns did look similar, and it was the life she felt her baby deserved; the princess of her heart to one day be raised as the princess of the entire nation.
That night Gerda waited for the chaos of the exchanging shifts of the royal guards to take place before she slipped through the Eastern palace's back entrance. She quietly made way through familiar corridors until she reached the newborn princess's room.
Then, taking the infant royal's silken clothing and draping them around her baby, she noted with a satisfied smile how remarkably alike the two looked. With one last glance, she left her baby in the cradle and carried the princess away, headed for the servant's quarters.
Her eyes gleamed with determination even as her heart ached with love for the child she had left, and with guilt for the sins she had committed. Yet it was worth it all, she thought, as she tapped onto the doors to awaken the palace rule enforcers. She stood with her back straight and tall, explaining her affair with the soldier and claiming the baby in her arms as her own.
Perhaps she would die that night.
But her future would continue through a daughter who would live as a princess.
-*-*-*-*-*-* 9 Years Later-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Don't talk to her, she's just a bastard child. Her whore of a mother had an illegal affair and was drowned in the river as punishment for her crimes. It's only through the mercy of our kind enforcement officers that her life was spared."
The other children sneered, and Anna whimpered as they threw paper upon her head. Beside her, Drisella had started to poke Anna's stomach with an ink brush. It did not hurt. But Anna understood that even as the hands pushing her from the back were not too rough just yet, the treatment would only grow worse like it always does.
Anastasia's voice cackled mockingly above the rest. "Watch it, girls. Madame Merryweather seems to favor her for some reason."
The other children laughed. Anna bit onto her lips to keep from making any sounds to provoke the bullies further.
"Ha! Her? She won't be made a personal servant. She'll probably end up in the palace kitchens, or as part of the laundry committee."
Finally, the raucous caught the notice of one of the teaching maids, and Madame Flora walked over.
"What's the cause of all this?"
Immediately the children quieted, all fingers pointing to Anna.
"It's her, Madame Flora! She started all this!"
With a sigh, the old maid pulled the strawberry blonde away from the rest, slamming the doors behind them as they exited the building.
While Anna had managed to keep any sounds to a minimum when the other girls had tormented her, she found herself even more frightened by the thought of what Madame Flora might do to punish her. Tears came to her eyes unbidden, and by the time the woman had dragged her into the servants' sleeping quarters Anna was sobbing openly.
"I…I didn't."
Her entire small frame shook, thin arms raised halfway to cover her tears as well as in attempt to block any upcoming whip.
"I didn't do it."
"I didn't."
"I didn't do it."
"Didn't start it."
Flora stood and watched the young girl cry, shaking her head in sympathy.
"I know, dear."
When the kind voice reached her ears, Anna stopped babbling. Timidly, she raised her head to look at the authoritative figure in front of her.
"Oh, Anna."
The instructor shook her head, draping an arm around the poor child's shoulders and pulling her in for a hug.
"I know it's hard. But how will you survive in this wretched place if you don't learn how to blend in with the rest? It's the nasty part of human nature that tends to step on those who are less than us. Especially when we, as subjects to the palace, are already part of the lowest social class. Seeing someone in a worse position gives a sick sort of pleasure to those feeling uneasy for their own plight. Don't let yourself be put down."
The nine year old did not understand much of what Flora was saying. Yet part of her knew how important it must be. And so she listened attentively, eyes wide as Flora continued.
"Merryweather is very fond of you, Anna. After observing you for the past year, Fauna and I have agreed that you do show potential. You're observant and strong. You keep secrets well. You'd be a great personal maid to a princess or prince some day. But first, you have to pass the test. Tomorrow, whether you are chosen or not, depends on how well you portray yourself as well as how lucky you are."
The little girl stared at the older woman in silent shock, heart racing at the implications. Since they were very young, Anna as well as the other children sold into the castle had been taught all they needed to know by Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. The teachers were maids and slaves once themselves, though throughout the years their exemplary work lead them to this position, where they now did not serve under anyone directly.
Rather, they spent their days teaching new and young slaves the arts of being a proper servant. Sewing. Reading. Writing. Cooking. Cleaning. How to respond to a master's call. How to walk as proper in the palace. How to bow. How to speak properly.
As a slave, it was of utmost importance to know all and do everything as well as they could. Those who did well were chosen to become personal servants. The higher the master's position, the more authority the servant had within the palace. In fact, the personal servants to the Emperor and Empress had underlings of their own to order around.
Slaves who did not do well, however, ended up doing manual labor for the rest of their lives. Chopping wood in the kitchens, cleaning the bathroom stalls, and washing clothes were never jobs to be desired.
Anna had grown up believing she would never be chosen. If her bullies would have their say, Anna would probably be washing dishes for the rest of her life.
But here it was, the teachers had seen her hard work all these years, and they had selected her to be part of the group of children to be sent out as personal handmaidens. Now it all depended on whether a princess or consort of some sort looked at her and deemed her worthy of serving them.
-*-*-*-*-*-*The Next Day-*-*-*-*-*-*
Always be on your knees whenever a royal first arrives.
Never question the word of your master. Do not challenge them with direct eye contact unless they order you to look up.
Steps should be taken swiftly but lightly; it is impolite to make any sounds.
The glazed tiles of the roof gleamed in the early light, intricate curves reflecting the sun's golden rays. As was most things within the palace, it was all in the revered color of the emperor. Phoenix and dragon statuettes atop each building left proud shadows on the ground below, ready to set flight towards the heavens…
It was during sunrise that the Forbidden City stood most majestically. Each detailed carving and symbolic layout was carefully designed to promote life and fortune for the emperor and all he ruled under. But as Anna rushed to the site of the examination, the palace's splendor was lost to her.
She prayed for good fortune, while her mind raced with what she had been taught over the years as she lined up amongst the other servant children, most of which were chatting anxiously in hopes of gathering as much advantageous information as they could. Anna strained her ears to listen into their conversations, making sure to keep quiet so as to not draw attention to herself.
In front of her was a beautiful bonde haired girl nervously discussing the potential masters with her friend.
"Belle, who are you hoping to serve under? I'd overheard someone say that they're choosing personal attendants for the royal prince and princesses today. Honestly, I don't care who I'll end up with as long as it's not some picky consort."
After hearing her friend's comment, the brunette looked around, eyes wide in trepidation.
"Shhh. Aurora! Watch your mouth. You know they can chop your head off if they hear you saying something so out of line?"
Not so far away from them, a redhaired girl turned to join in on the conversation.
"Careful is good, but she's right you know. Becoming a servant for the royal children is a lot more promising than having a consort as your master. Who knows when our emperor might bore of her and let the power shift to someone else."
Aurora beamed at the newcomer, who quickly introduced herself as Arielle. Encouraged, the girl continued.
"That being said, Noble Consort Fujino has been under our holy emperor's favors for a long time now. Aside from that, her brother is a high ranking general in the Arendelle army, so even our Queen the Empress has to think twice when speaking to her. And everyone knows that Noble Consort Fujino's child, Princess Shizuru, has always been our emperor's favorite. They're all saying that being chosen to serve under her would be the best!"
"No," Belle said, frowning. "Even if his majesty likes her best, traditionally the throne is given to the eldest. In this case it would have to be Prince Adam. He's turning thirteen this year!"
"Actually," Aurora paused as the line moved, quickly rejoining the conversation as the trio closed the gap between them and the children in front. "Everyone knows that our emperor does not plan to follow that rule. He was born as fourth prince himself, and they all say he favors girls over boys. Anyway, if we truly want to be traditional, history has always designated that the eldest child borne by the Empress would be given the throne. It just so happens that since the empress is his first wife, normally the eldest child is always hers. But in that case it wouldn't be Prince Adam. It would have to be Princess Elsa."
As an adult motioned for their turn to enter, Arielle quickly whispered to her new friends before heading up the white stone steps.
"Princess Elsa is a bit of a recluse though. No one knows much about her and she doesn't really leave her room. The maids who were assigned to her before were all sent away within a few days; none of them were allowed to stay for long. Next in line to the throne or not, I'd say she'd be the worst master to serve under. Who knows what weird interests she might partake in with all that time alone in her room?"
With this the conversation ended while the children entered the exam room.
Even though Anna had grown up in the palace, she had spent most of her young life without any true company. She had learned the names and the basic hierarchy of the numerous royals and concubines within the palace as every servant was made to do. And yet she did not indulge in common hearsay like the rest of her peers. Her attempts to avoid attention left her woefully isolated. As a result, the snippets of chatter regarding various royals and their personalities were not enough to paint a full picture of the tangible chain of command within the Forbidden City that went beyond the given roles.
It was the first time she had truly been exposed to such information. So while she followed everyone else, Anna's mind struggled to grasp onto the details regarding her potential master. Eventually, however, the sheer amount of information overwhelmed her, leaving only one thought: she hoped to not serve under Princess Elsa.
-*-*-*-*-*-*...-*-*-*-*-*-*
"Face delicate and round. Features symmetrical , indicating wealth and fortune. Pass!"
They were sorted through the hall as cattle would; those who did not meet the criteria of each stage were directed elsewhere while the rest continued on.
"Fingers long and delicate. Handhold on brush agile. Letters written evenly; embroidery skills neat with colors well-chosen. Pass!"
Anna proceeded through each stage with trepidation, glad that the years she had painstakingly spent to cultivate the skills necessary to serve her future master had paid off. It helped that she was easy on the eyes, a must as beauty had always been considered auspicious.
She stepped up to the next station, bracing herself as the woman before her used a particularly long quill to tickle the tip of her nose. Almost immediately Anna recoiled, trying to contain the urge to sneeze. The onslaught continued, however, and just before the young girl could let out a sound, a dish full of tiny down feathers were thrust in front of her.
-Chh!
The examiners stood silent, listening to the tiny sneeze. They noted how most of the feathers did not seem to move even as the girl had sneezed onto the plate. With a smile, they nodded.
"Grace requires quiet and gentleness. Even in situations that cannot be controlled, a proper lady will not lose her refinement. Pass!"
Just as Anna was about to sigh in relief, a bucket of water was splashed onto her feet. She froze, biting her lips to keep herself from screaming.
The girl beside her, however, was not as lucky. As she jumped and let out a short cry of surprise, the examiners were quick to pull her out of the room.
"To be unfazed when thrust with surprise is the most valuable gift of all. How will you react in the face of danger to aid your master?"
-*-*-*-*-*-*...-*-*-*-*-*-*
By the end of the day there were only about a dozen children left. They were each given a new change of clothes and lead into a different chamber where they lined up quietly to be assigned their new positions.
As was part of the usual procedure, the head of the selection committee called out each of their names and assigned them their posts. One by one the ones chosen received their metal passes and departed for their new homes and masters. Before the selection was even half way through, however, the sudden sound of the far wooden door opening startled everyone within the chamber. Anna snuck a glance to find a maid rushing across with intent in her steps. She offered a quick bow, before whispering in the committee leader's right ear.
The selection officer immediately stood up once the newcomer had finished relaying her message and departed.
"There is a direct request from the Empress that Princess Elsa will personally choose the person who would be following her. Since all of you here are not yet assigned, you will be following me to the Eastern Palace of Eternal Harmony, where the queen and princess reside."
They followed her in silence, not one daring to show the slightest sign of curiosity or confusion. It was in that same manner did they stand outside the princess's chambers, waiting to be ushered in.
From the moment they first stopped through the doors, Anna had felt an odd sort of apprehension echo within each beat of her heart. The room was grand, much larger than any she had ever been in. Yet despite the array of lively paintings and colorful vases in each corner of the chamber, she could not fight off the feeling of coldness that seemed to seep into the very air they breathed in.
She shivered. Along with the rest, she struggled to contain the quiver in her voice as they all knelt.
"We are all honored to be in presence of the royal princess. May there be a million years of blessing for the Princess Elsa of Arendelle."
The child princess remained hidden behind a thin curtain of white silk that divided the room in half, but a shadowed hand motioned for them to stand back up after their customary greeting. A pair of emotionless azure eyes peaked from behind the sheets of white before disappearing. Her soft voice trickled from behind the veil, gentle yet commanding.
"The girl with strawberry blonde hair…." The princess drifted off, and the leader of the selection maids was quick to step up, to answer the silent question, head bowed in respect.
"Her name is Anna, your highness."
The princess's shadow nodded, and for some reason Anna could feel her heart dropping down to her stomach.
"She can stay. The rest are dismissed, effective immediately."
A/N: I am aware of how complicated an endeavor this story will be. The idea came to me a long time ago but I have been reluctant to commit to it due to fears that my current writing aptitude cannot handle such intricate plotlines I have dreamt up. However, I must start somewhere, and there's no day like today I guess. I expect many rewrites, if not the entirety of this story to be reconstructed before I am finally settled with the end. As to anyone wondering about update speed, I am aiming for one at least every few weeks, but that does depend on a series of variables that have to do with my work, school, and level of inspiration. I do have other stories to work on as well even if my updates for those have been very slow or not at all. Then again, this story is so exhausting to write and I'm not even sure if I've managed to describe everything clearly. I am very anxious about it, and I have half a mind to delete this altogether and wait for a better time when my writing skills improve.
Finally, Thank You for reading. I admit I'm only testing the waters with this chapter. I'm not sure if this will work out, or if I should commit to it right now, or even if it would fit with Elsanna as the main lead. I sincerely hope that the large cast does not deter anyone, and that you would give this Disney x Anime crossover a chance. I can only pray that such a massive crossover would not discourage you. Give me input, I promise I won't let you down.