Anna inhaled slowly. The air was still, enhancing the sound of birds chirping in the distance. The heat of the sun beat down on her flesh forming beads of sweat on the nape of her neck. She wielded a bow in hand; string drawn, she narrowed her aim. Painted straw target, she exhaled and released propelling the arrow forward. It sliced through the air with precision making a loud thunk when hitting the center, dozens of feet away. Many arrows cluttered around the center making Anna smile as she began to jump and shout with victory. "Did you see that?!" She exclaimed pointing to the target. "I win again Almus!"
She turned to her adopted brother who wore a familiar scowl. He grumbled to himself as he fumbled to retrieve an arrow from his quiver that laid beside his feet. He mimicked Anna's strategy by inhaling as he drew the string and exhaling on his release. The arrow shot forward without skill, landing amongst arrows that littered the grass before the target. Almus absorbed the silence of his failure seconds before Anna howled with laughter. He tensed his shoulders as embarrassment grew in his features. Almus threw his bow to his feet at the peak of his frustration. "Draw a sword and we will see who wins!" Unknowing that his anger was only nourishment for her taunts and mockery.
When competing with Almus, Anna did not amount to much. She could not wield a sword like Almus could. Nor could she ride a horse without falling painfully to the ground. Although, when it came to archery, not even the knights of the castle could compare "It is because you are so tense Almus. Relax and you will excel." She laughed; silenced as a young man no older than Almus approached the two. "Ludvik?" Anna questioned.
Ludvik was tall and slender, his hair a red matched only by Anna, was pulled back away from his features, his eyes a pale green. "Father has summoned us to the throne room." He said looking only at Anna.
"Summoned? From what reason?" She asked, her full attention now riddled with confusion.
"That I do not know... Although father has requested that Almus attends." He said as if his name left a bitter taste on his tongue.
Any anger that lined Almus's thoughts deserted him as he looked to Ludvik. "Me, are you sure?" Ludvik remained silent as he continued his attention solely on Anna.
Anna had seen Almus endure the mistreatment that was inflicted over the yeas because he was not a true son of the king. Out of the twelve remaining brother, not one accepted him as Anna and her father had. It was as if the longer he stayed, the more of a nuisance he became.
Ludvik left the two in silence as he took step to where his father resided. Anna smiled looking to Almus as he wore a face of confusion and shock. "Let us hurry Almus." She said taking his wrist. "Father calls us." She pulled him with strength that was unknown, tugging him even past Ludvik.
...
Almus was not allowed in the throne room unless certain occasions spoke otherwise. He had lived in the castle for nearly a decade, even so, the room took his breath away regardless. The room was massive; other sections of the castle could never compare to its size nor beauty. Carved stone tiles covered the entirety of the ground he walked upon. Pillars of similar stone lined either side of the room; white banners with the symbol of a black barren tree hung between each of them. He did not fully understand what it was these banners symbolized only that it was shared between the Isles and Arendelle.
Ludvik did not arrive until minutes after Anna and Almus; the remaining eleven brothers littered the throne room. The throne stood with grace with a king to mount it; his deep black beard laced with white as age withered his features. He sat straight, his eyes brushing across the room at his many sons. Arthur, the eldest and heir to his fathers throne, stood without motion as he faced his father. His face stern as he laced his fingers behind his back. His honey blonde hair neatly combed with an unshaven upper lip; his eyes hazel with specs of walnut brown. All the others seemed to do as they pleased.
Jakob and Jon stood to the side as they seemingly argued about unimportant matters. If not informed of their status, none would know that they were twins. Jakob had dark hair similar to the king, while Jon had hair of gold; their features of opposite origin.
Martin swept a loose strand of ash blonde hair back as he engulfed himself in a usual book. His gray eyes gliding across the pages at a evened pace while Alfred sat beside him sharpening his blade with a wet stone. His features solemn with every stroke of his stone.
Arvid spoke to Peder with words of excitement as he spoke of his recent travels across the sea. Harold and Paul exchanged words inaudibly as Julius looked as if he would rather be anywhere else but where he stood, silently. Ludvik stood quietly next to Julius as he waited for further instructions. Anna stood next to Hans who stood just as motionless as Arthur, and Almus awkwardly next to her. Hans looked to Almus with what was more than likely a forced smile.
The king raised his hand silencing the twins's bickering and drawing the attention of his many sons. He eyed all who stood before him, yet did not look at anyone in particular. "As you all know," the king began. "Your mother, queen Melena, has been bed ridden for some time now." Alfred stopped mid stroke at the kings words. Anna could feel the air intensify at the mention of their mother. The mere thought of her made Anna's heart sink, as she knew that there was nothing that she could do. The sound of few shuffling their feet uncomfortably filled the silence.
"The heir of Arendelle, Elsa, has come of age and is to hold a coronation in three weeks time." The king continued.
Martin clapped his book closed and scoffed. "So they have chosen the bastard of Arendelle. Not only is she a woman, but a disgrace to the royal name." Few nodded in agreement to his words.
"Silence, Martin!" The kings voice echoed as he clenched his fist. "My younger brother, Edvard, runs his blood through hers. Do not question his authority of whom he saw fit to rule his kingdom after his death."
Martin bit his tongue as he reopened his book.
"I have called on the lot of you because two will attend the coronation in my stead. We are to show support; to uphold our alliance. Arendelle and The Southern Isles have been ruled by one family for centuries, do not take these matters lightly."
The room was silent as all did not want to take such a task. Arthur spoke, shattering the overwhelming silence. "Father, I will go in your stead as I am your-" The king waved his hand silencing him.
"You will not." The king stated. " You are to stay here at my side. As I grow old, your duties will only grow." Arthur nodded silently taking a step back.
Anna looked around her many brothers as they diverted their eyes away from the king. She could feel the beating of her heart pound in her ears. Out of all her brothers, Anna was not just the only girl that stood before a room of men, she was the youngest amongst them. "Anna." The king's voice bellowed. "You will present yourself before Arendelle."
Anna could feel her stomach tighten as it leaped into her throat. All eyes were on the young red head; her tongue suddenly feeling uncomfortable in her mouth as it dried from within. "M-me?" She croaked, feeling the air escape her lungs. "I do not think that would-"
"Nonsense." The king cut her short. "The first born daughter of The Southern Isles is more than suited to attend Arendelle's coronation."
Anna looked around at her many brothers as she swallowed. Anxiety filling her thoughts to the brim. "Alone, father?" Anna had never traveled without a brother to accompany her. To set sail across the sea alone did not settle well.
The king leaned forward slightly. "Almus." Almus looked up to the king in surprise; eyes wide. "You will assist Anna in her travel." This made his stomach churn; not once had the king asked Almus of such a task before.
Julius stepped forward; his long sheen black hair swaying at his every movement. "Father, I do not think it is wise to send Almus, as he is not of our blood." He stated looking toward Almus.
The king sighed. "It was I who brought Almus into our family. It was I who bestowed his name upon him, and it is I who decides who is to go." His voice stern with every word. "Nearly a decade has passed, it is time you accept him." Julius crossed his arms, turning away sheepishly. "You are all dismissed." Anna turned to leave. "All but Anna and Almus."
The two stood in unpleasant silence as the room emptied. "Father, is there not another more suitable than I?" Anna questioned, her stomach tightening with every word that escaped her lips.
Although the king's methods were harsh and demanded obedience, he left room for a sliver of tenderness for Anna. "Do not fear responsibility Anna. With Almus by your side, you will do fine." Almus remained silent, his eyes on the tiled floor. The king stood from his throne stepping down to where Almus stood until he was at arms length. Almus refused to look at the king; his blood slowly freezing over in his presence. "Look at me boy." The king's voice was rigid. Almus looked up with a thousand questions perched beneath his chin. He could not help but to fall prisoner to the king's walnut brown eyes. His features creased with age as he spoke. "You will watch over Anna with those eyes." The king placed a hand on his shoulder, looking into his eyes as strands of raven black hair nearly concealing their identity. One eye a stunning silver with a tint of crystal blue, while the other, a deep almond red. The king had not looked into his eyes since the day he was adopted into their family. "You are my son, remember that." Almus could feel the warmth of the king's words seeping into his skin.
The scene soothed Anna as she watched; a small smile playing on her lips. The king released Almus tuning to Anna. "You will leave in a week's time, it will take no more than ten days to cross the sea if the tide is in your favor...I suggest you pay your mother a visit before your departure."
...
Anna slowly opened the wooden door laced with silver. Her mother sat upright in her bed, furs covering her lower half as she read a book worn and tattered. "Father wishes me to attend Arendelle's coronation." She simply stated as the woman continued reading.
"Yes, I know." The queen lowered her book. "Your father informed me this morning." She smiled as she motioned for Anna to sit beside her. The queen's fiery red hair tumbled down her waist; hints of silver lacing between strands of red. Age nipped at her features creasing the edges of her eyes and mouth. Her pale green eyes fallowed Anna as she sat beside her mother, crossing her legs beneath a green dress. Anna fiddled with her dress between soft fingers. She could feel heat rising in her chest as she could feel herself become nervous. The queen placed a gentle arm around Anna's small figure. "What plagues you, my love?"
Anna exhaled slowly, sinking into her mother's embrace. "I don't think I am ready for this. Father said that I am best suited to represent the Isles in his stead."
The queen chuckled softly. "I'm sure that your father has his reasons. Arendelle is a beautiful country, I have a feeling you will enjoy it."
Anna did not feel comfort in her mothers words. "What of the one soon to be crowned, Uncle Edvard's daughter, Elsa? I have heard many times that she is the bastard of Arendelle."
The queen's features faded as she began to stroke Anna's shoulder with a lone finger. "To keep your distance from Elsa would be wise." Her voice more solemn than before. Anna tilted her head surprised as she met her mothers eyes. "That woman wields a terrifying magic matched by no man."
Anna broke away from her mother's stare as a lump formed in her throat. She did not know much about Elsa nor Arendelle; she had only seen a glimpse of Elsa when attending a royal funeral years prior. A unclear image of a small girl with platinum blonde hair was all she could remember of Elsa.
"Who is to go with you?" The queen asked, pulling Anna back into reality, freezing her thoughts. Her mother was not fond of Almus, she did not approve when he was welcomed into their family so easily. "Your father wouldn't dare to set you off to sea without the aid of another. Who has he decided will accompany you?"
Anna hesitated. "Father did not mention." She said more smoothly than she felt. "I leave in a weeks time, I am sure I will not set sail alone." The queen eyed Anna in silence. Anna released herself from her mothers grasp as she escaped her mothers side. "I will need to pack for the trip ahead." Anna was anything but a deceiver, to lie was impossible for the girl and her mother knew it. She took step toward the open door at a quick pace in order to flee from further questions.
"Do not leave so quickly." Anna froze where she stood; had her lie been seen? She pivoted slowly to see an envelope in her mothers outstretched hand. "Take this...It is not to be opened until your arrival in Arendelle." Anna took it turning it over in her hands. A red wax seal of a barren tree was imprinted to contain what was inside.
...
Seven days passed by more quickly than Anna had anticipated. She did not sleep well during these nights and was sure that neither did Almus. She had time to accept the task ahead of her, yet her nervousness did not subside.
The ship they were to take was rather large for Anna's taste. The sails white with the familiar Black barren tree to symbolize their kingdom. Anna stood at the docs as Almus and a few others loaded the remaining cargo onto the ship. Anna was sent away as Almus forbade her from helping in their task as she had accidentally dropped a large amount of goods into the water below.
Hans approached from behind as he patted the girl lightly on the back. "Do not look so upset Anna. It is only natural that you would not be allowed to help." He teased as she crossed her arms in annoyance. Hans smiled. "I have come to see you off before your travel; the least you could do is thank me."
"Thank you." She said mockingly.
Hans chuckled. "Worry not, I'm sure that Arendelle will be quite the adventure once you arrive. It is after all the place where mother and father were wed."
Anna was shocked. "They wed in Arendelle?"
Hans watched as Almus carried a crate across the dock to the ship. "There is much you do not know of our family history." Anna didn't understand what he meant by those words.
"Why has uncle Edvard chosen Elsa to rule Arendelle and not his first born, Elliot?"
Hans's expression became solemn, his tone serious. "Arendelle's first born, Elliot, is not to be trusted."
"Elliot?" Anna said in surprise? Elliot was always kind to Anna. He would come to The Southern Isle often to do business and would always bring Anna chocolates. "Do we not have peace with Arendelle? I thought we had an alliance with them, after all they are family, are they not?"
Hans gave a stern look. "You never know who you can trust."
This gave Anna second thoughts about crossing the sea. She supposed it was better to keep silent what mother told her about Elsa for fear that she would be talked out of her duty.
...
Blue was all that could be seen for miles in every direction. How it was that they knew the way to Arendelle was beyond Anna's comprehension. She did not remember the trip to be such a distance nor did she realize how dull it would be. She was only a girl when she crossed the sea to visit her uncle's kingdom.
Almus drooped over the side of the ship as he heaved. It was his first time crossing the sea and he seemed to be liking it even less than Anna. Even the consumption of ginger could not relieve his seasickness.
Each night was was just as the last; Anna dreaming of nothing each time she slept. It had taken the full thirteen days before their arrival. Hues of purple escaped the suns rays as it began to sink in the west. The land was breath taking as they approached Arendelle. Snow covered ever inch of the land reflecting the light. It was rare for snow to fall in The Southern Isles, making the scene all the more beautiful. Ice had been broken before their arrival as different ships from other countries and kingdoms docked. Banners and family crests could be seen from afar as they hung from the different ships.
Dozens of people littered the docks as their ship came to a halt. Unfamiliarity surrounded her from every direction. Indistinguishable chatter filled the air as she stepped into the strange land. Her features numbed as the winter air pricked her skin making her shiver. She tightened her light tan cloak with a hood fur. Such heavy clothing was something she would have to get used to during her stay.