July 15th, 1840
2nd Night of the Great Freeze
The column of men trudged through the snow, the once ordered formation having been reduced to a shamble. It was not lack of discipline, but soldiers forced to face the reality of a freak mid-summer storm without preparation.
They were the Queen's Own Grenadiers Regiment, Arendelle's premier Line Infantry Regiment. They had less training in mountain and ski warfare than the Gebirgsjager, but more discipline and supporting elements, which included a Battalion of Artillery and a Squadron of Cavalry. Tough, loyal and brave, they were the Army's go-to expeditionary force.
The Regiment had just returned from a campaign against warlords in the mountain when this freak storm struck, grinding their march to a near halt. It took them two days to cover a day's march, and that was when they were fresh. They had rearranged the column, with the Cavalry upfront, Artillery middle and Infantry to the rear to march through the now cleared path. While this helped, men could hardly keep being exposed to the weather.
They had marched off to campaign with summer provisions. As such winter clothing was rare, and the men had begun to march wrapped in blankets. They marched village to village, taking shelter in the homes of Arendelle's country folk. This also led to the Quartermasters trading food and supplies for clothing, alleviating the problem of the cold.
Among the soldiers was Private 1st Class Mikael Eriksen. The 16 year old struggled as his light frame was crushed by the heavy pack he carried on top of the makeshift shawl he had made his wool issued blanket into. He had gotten a scarf and sweater at the last village, but no gloves. His face was obscured with the scarf wrapped around it and his wool Krätzchen cap snuggly pressed down. He had wrapped his hands with his spare set of foot wraps, as he trudged along with his Dreyse Needle gun slung.
It was hardly the homecoming Mikael had in mind. He had enlisted with the army under his oldest brother Johann, who was an Officer in the Grenadiers. His middle older brother Dieter was a Royal Guardsman and did not accompany them to the campaign. This campaign, they had traded their old rifled muskets and ornate uniforms for the newest in technology. Dreyse Needle Guns, the same rifles the Prussians were set to adopt, as well as practical light-weight wool tunics and the new Pickelhaube helmet. And yet they would march home wrapped up like old women.
Mikael kept trudging, sure to avoid the horse shit in the trampled snow when he began to make out the dim lights of a village, making him sigh with relief. As late as it was, they were sure to stop and quarter in the village for the night.
…
Marshal Paulus Hindsfjell was warming himself by the fire when the door opened, bringing an officer into the room, as planned. He stiffened up as he felt the momentary draft of wind, before turning to face his expected company. The was the other senior officer arriving for a late-night meeting as the enlisted men and junior officers bedded down in the houses and barns of the village.
The man paused to click their heels and nodding, sure to give him the respect he was owed, as comical as he thought that was. He was a tall, overweight man with a poorly groomed moustache, and he knew it. He was never one for extreme discipline or tirelessly drilling his men more than necessary. He owed his position to luck, bravery, and an unflinching command style in combat.
The first man was his opposite in many respects, but was his right hand man. General Erik Wilhelmsen was his Chief of Staff, the man who handled the details of running an army. Energetic, intelligent, and attentive to detail, the man constantly worked to make Arendelle's army a well-oiled machine. However in crisis Erik had a tendency to lose his head or suffer a panic attack. He was hardly a coward, and was always one to charge right back into things as soon as he calmed down.
The two together were a force to be reckoned with as Paulus never cracked, and Erik was tireless in getting the men ready. When King Agdar was alive, the two served as Chief of Staff and Quartermaster General. Although the then Princess Elsa bravely took on much responsibility even when faced with the tragedy of her parent's death, the girl wisely passed Military manners to him as she continued education in such matters. In the meanwhile, Paulus was forced to take on the role as Commander in Chief, a role he was glad to turn over to the rightful Queen, at least until this damned storm hit.
"How are the boys doing, Erik?"
"They all have proper shelter, Paul. Most of the citizens where happy to accommodate us, but a few had to be… persuaded."
"This isn't France, Erik. These are own people, and we can't mistreat them."
"With all due respect, I don't care. I will not see my boys get frostbite because some snobbish civilians don't want to share their homes."
The fat marshal laughed, shaking his head. "Erik, this is why you'll never get my job. You're an ass!"
"You mean I don't kiss ass." The Thin man retorted, grinning at his superior officer and long friend.
"Still. Even if they weren't willing, ensure they all get some compensation. We don't want to piss off our new queen, do we?"
"Only if we ever reach her, Kamerat. Only if we ever reach her."
…
Mikael woke up, sweating profusely. The young man was confused, as he shivered and tossed and turned for a good hour last night trying to sleep due to the cold, and that was with a fire going in the fireplace. To his left and right, his comrades slept in the large pile of men and wool blankets, who had huddled together for warmth on the floor.
He rose, baffled and mystified by the abundant sunlight and lack of cold. He slipped on his Jackboots, before heading out doors. He stopped, breathless.
It was summer again.
It made no sense, no matter how he thought about it. Last night there was feet of snow, but now it had suddenly vanished. Not all of it, as he figure an inch or two remained, but was quickly melted by the sunlight save for the patches still in the shade, and even those wouldn't last long. It couldn't have possibly have melted though. A native of Arendelle, he knew all about the spring floods. That much snow melt instantly could very well have caused a disaster. But other than mud from the inch or two that still existed, there was no indication of vast quantities of melted snow. No raging rivers, no large puddles, nothing.
Of all of the Eriksen boys, Mikael was the only one to seriously follow his father's Asatru faith, rather than his mother's Christianity. As such, he was convinced that there was only one explanation: Sorcery. It dawned on him that the earlier Blizzard got worse as they neared the capital, meaning whatever was going on, Arendelle was the epicenter of the madness.
Gods above, protect Queen Elsa and my family from this vile sorcery…
…
Night of July 17th, 1840
Evening of the Great Thaw
Queen Elsa escaped from her own victory party, her hands clutching the marble railing while she began to hyperventilate. It had started from a harmless ceremony. A latecomer to the coronation was a young officer who was to be knighted for meritorious service. He had cleared everything with the Royal Guard, going as far as being voluntarily escorted for the event. Even though Elsa was informed, her mind went blank with fear when she saw a man approach with a naked blade.
She stared in horror as her bare hands froze the stone, coating it in a layer of ice. The very fear of causing another winter made it worse, with the balcony quickly freezing over. A Guardsman investigating the Queen's sudden disappearance took one glance, and followed his orders. He slammed the door, shielding the Queen from prying eyes, before immediately setting off for the miracle cure. He quickly found Princess Anna, clearly the center of the party.
"Princess Anna? Queen Elsa urgently requests your presence…"
Princess Anna, despite being a fairly care-free girl loving her second party after 13 years of isolation, never fooled around when it came to her sister, especially now that they finally reunited. "Where is she?!"
The Guardsman quickly led Anna to the nearly frosted over door, opening it and quickly letting her slip in before closing. Smooth and disciplined, he quickly took up guard. It was as if nothing had happened.
On the other side Anna embraced Elsa, the power of love quickly causing ice to disappear and the balcony returning to normal. Elsa's clutched the back of her sister's dress, reveling in her sister's love. The fear was gone.
Anna though was not content with the mere fading of ice.
"Elsa, what's wrong? I thought you had control over your ice powers?"
"I do, Anna. But also I don't." She sat down on a stone bench, sighing as she struggled to explain. "With you present, I have full control now. But fear and anxiety still cause me to lose control, at least I think."
"What were you afraid of?
Elsa sighed, casting her eyes down as she recollected the terrifying event. "I saw a sword, and I was suddenly back on the ice."
Anna face light up in realization, her own bad memories coming to bear. "Hans?"
"Hans." Elsa nodded.
"Well, Hans is on a ship surrounded by Guardsmen who aren't exactly… happy with him." Anna chirped with a certain degree of satisfaction. She was certain that hers was hardly the only fist to connect with Hans today.
"True."
"Speaking of that, why are we sending Hans back home? Isn't that setting him free?"
"King Frederick wants to punish his son. After cutting ties, I sent him back his bastard son. I'm sure his father's wrath is enough punishment."
"Woah, talk about cold blooded!" Elsa shot her sister a cold look. "Okay, I swear that was unintentional! Honest!"
Elsa smiled as Anna minced words, recovering from her annoyance at the cold pun. Imitating Anna she brought up an old point of sibling conflict. "I don't need a tutor to teach me how to talk!"
Anna shot a glare back, before shaking her head, laughing. Anna was notorious for poor grades and playing hooky during the 13 years of isolation, compared to Elsa, the model student. The two stopped sharing most classes, but both were aware of the other's scholarly activities.
"Well, at least I passed my Home Economics class. Seriously, how did you fail that class, it was-"Anna stopped as she saw Elsa turn beet red in embarrassment.
Pausing in the middle of a laugh, Anna asked "What?"
"Anna, how did you think I failed Home-Ec?"
"Well duh, for once graceful Elsa herself was the klutz and nearly burned the kitchen down. Not surprising given your prior attempts at cooking." Anna said a matter of factly.
"Anna, that's… not what happened."
"What did happen?"
"Well, while watching her make the sample I… became a woman, which caused me to panic and freeze the room, causing the fire." Elsa quickly and quietly rattled off, deeply embarrassed.
"Became a woman?"
Elsa furtively glanced down at her nether regions, before looking back up.
"You had your first period?" Anna asked incredulously, beginning to chuckle.
"Don't laugh! I was locked in my room and even I heard the commotion of your first menstruation!"
"Yeah but I'm a walking train wreck. My period causing a calamity was expected. You freaking out is what I find funny!"
They were interrupted by the arrival of Kai, their steward. A friend of the family since both himself and their father were children, he had proved loyal through thick and thin. A large man, he quickly presented himself, bowing. His face clearly betrayed his worry.
"Your Majesty, I came as soon as I was informed. Are you all right?"
Elsa straightened her posture, assuming a manner of grace and authority of a Queen. At this point it was second nature. "Yes, Kai. Anna calmed me down."
"I see. Your Majesty, if you desire I can send the guests back home- It's been a long 4 days."
Elsa turned to her sister for approval. Elsa was not afraid of who she was now, even if she was a little afraid of hurting people, hence her hasty exit. But Elsa was exhausted, barely sleeping during the Great Freeze. But she hardly wanted to ruin her socially active sister's fun either.
"Inform the guests that I will be retiring for the evening. However, they are free to stay as long as Anna wishes it."
Anna put her hand up, interjecting on the young Queen's orders. "No Kai. Send them home. I have a surprise for Elsa."
…
Anna led her sister up to the bedroom, pausing at the indomitable barrier that had been impenetrable for 13 long, lonely years. Pausing to knock, she instead went and opened the doors, opening the door. Inside the Queen's room was Anna's bed, with a few pieces of added furniture.
"Anna, it's just like…"
"Yes, just like when we were kids! We can have pillow fights, sleepovers, and make up all of those years!"
"Anna, how did-"
"I had the servants move them in while you were busy. Do you like it!?" Anna proclaimed proudly, bouncing up and down as she rattled off the explanation.
"It's… wonderful!" Elsa said with mixed feelings. More than anything Elsa craved a total reconnection with her sister… but Elsa wasn't eight any more. She liked her private space. For now though, she was genuinely open to the idea. She'd give it a night or two before easing Anna back to her old room.
In the meanwhile, the two entered the room as another aftershock was noticed. Two armed Guardsmen took position, standing guard. Elsa didn't think all the guards were necessary, but it made Captain Edvard feel better so Elsa didn't raise the issue yet. They closed the door behind Elsa, leaving the two sisters to their privacy.
It wasn't truly "old times", as Elsa moved out of Anna's room, but it was close enough. Anna took part in her own tradition of leaping onto her bed, as Elsa walked over to the bed, sitting down gently. As they tore off their shoes and undid their hair, Anna addressed something that bothered her for days.
"So… what's up with the dress?"
"Oh. When I made my Ice Castle, I also created this." Elsa began while presenting her creation with a hand wave. "Not sure how. I guess my feelings and self-image materialized into this dress."
"How does that work? How does ice form into a cloth?"
"I believe they link like scales… or something."
"What happened to the old one?"
I don't know. This one materialized over it. Hold on." With a wave of magic she undid the magic. Her old dress was still there, but not really. The transformation dissipated the ice scales that defined her dress, leaving only the backing which the old dress had become. The dress still retained the plunging neck line and side slits, and Elsa noted that the stockings that she had worn for her coronation had disappeared with her shoes.
Anna stood in shock. "Elsa that was a very expensive dress. Heck, you were the one who told me to be careful with that dress!"
Elsa chuckled nervously, as she considered how much of the taxpayers' money was just ruined with the dress. "Well, it could be worse, I could be naked…" A moment of silence passed before both laugh at that thought.
The next hour had Elsa and Anna talk as they changed, mostly about their separate adventures. A habit from their youth remerged, as the two sisters continued to talk even after the lights went out, trading jokes and stories. Unlike their youth however, it wasn't long before Anna passed out, leaving a somewhat anxious Elsa to prepare to fall asleep. However, it didn't take much before she passed out. She had expected nightmares, but her sleep was without trouble. Her brain didn't even bother to dream as the body recovered from several bouts of adrenaline boosts with a deep, deep sleep.
It was Anna who had trouble sleeping. Not from ghosts, but from her sister. She had forgotten that Elsa had a tendency to cool the room while she slept, as her mind subconsciously altered the environment to make her "comfy." Anna only had summer bedding, forcing her to make a cocoon, even then waking up every so often, clearly seeing her breath.
By morning Anna had decided that she would sleep in her own room from then on.
…
Mikael and his comrades marched along, a different army from last night. Before they had trudged through the snow, their snow-logged packs dragging them down as only discipline kept them going. Now wearing their light wool summer uniforms and Pickelhaube again, they marched swiftly and proudly. Even the dark did not dampen their spirits, if anything they marched faster because of it. The drums played some Prussian beat that kept the soldiers in step- even now there was an audible rhythmof hobnails stomping against stone as they climbed the hill.
Mikael's brother Nikolas stepped out, addressing the Company. An Officer as well as the oldest Eriksen boy, Nikolas was a noble, intelligent, and hardworking young man. However, the 22 year old thought very highly of himself, causing the young siblings to give him trouble whenever possible. To Mikael's dismay the young officer had received the Order of the Grabacr, for service. He was quiet now, but Mikael was sure that Nikolas would not shut up once they had returned home.
"Come-on boys! Arendelle is just over the ridge!" Nikolas' barrel chested body shook as he shouted, before removing his Pickelhaube to wipe his forehead and rough his dark brown hair. "We're almost home!"
A shout of joy rose from the ranks, as they pushed themselves over the hill. They all figured something had happened to their fair capital, and were mentally prepared to fight for it. After the disappointing campaign against cowardly warlords and pirates in the hinterland, they itched for a true, good fight.
So it surprised them all when they finally got a glimpse of Arendelle at how quiet and peaceful the city was. A halt was given, followed by a fallout, leaving the men to meander and stare at the glowing city. As he shed his pack and Pickelhaube, cavalrymen rode to meet the Regiment's Colonel, Colonel Erik Marcks. The cavalry had scouted ahead, finding Arendelle to be secure. As such, the night's orders were given.
For Mikael's company, the order was given by Lieutenant Nikolas, as the Company Commander was busy.
"Rest easy tonight boys. Tomorrow we go on Parade."
…
Dieter groaned at the mental exhaustion of a very busy day. In the span of a very long Scandinavian summer day, he had partook in and then foiled a coup, witnessed the Great Thaw, apprehended a traitor, received several commendations, took his sister Ice Skating, and was about to finish the last thing before he could go to sleep- transfer to the Queen's Own Personal Guard. It wasn't a huge administrative move, but it was a pain to do it at 11 at night.
"There you go, Corporal." The Seamstress handed his altered uniform, including his new decorations. The paperwork had mostly been finished, but he needed the uniform to officially report to his new Commander. He thanked and paid the woman, before changing and gathering his kit, saying farewell to his comrades before going to the other Barracks.
He entered the new Guardroom, surprised at what he saw. He always imagined the Queen's Own by their professional image, of perfect discipline and steely resolve. Instead he found a room full of men lazing about, drinking, cursing and horse playing. One took notice of him long enough to direct him.
"Ah, new guy's here. Go talk to the Sergeant, he's expecting you."
Dieter shied away from the group, entering the Sergeant's office. He found a middle aged man sitting at his desk, tunic unbuttoned and not a care to who sees it. He looked up, seeing his new addition.
"Close the door."
"Yes Sergeant." Dieter closed the door behind him. The man stood, still not buttoning his tunic. Even still, the Sergeant had an impressive amount of awards.
"Right. Down to business. I'm not going to fucking lie, I don't know about you. Most Guardsmen are still breaking in their boots after four days, not being selected for this position. That being said, half my men don't have that either." He began, jabbing at Dieter's Silver Crocus, 1st class. "So I'm willing to entertain the thought of keeping you on. Name's Sergeant Hvitstrom." Oddly, he stuck his hand out, shaking Dieter's hand.
"I run things differently here. We're all at least Lance-Corporals here, as such I treat you all like men. No bullshit, but you take full accountability for your actions. Keep your gear in shape, and keep that" pointing to the Guardsmen in the other room, "In here. Out there I expect nothing but the highest professionalism. Dismissed."
Dieter exited the room, going back out into the day room, where his new comrades awaited him. A man wearing a Sergeant's uniform rose, reaching out to shake his hand.
"Welcome to the Queen's Own! Name's Hans."
On cue, a Lance Corporal rose, bowing. "Your Majesty."
Hans turned, a scowl on his face. "Beat your face, Bjorn."
Without hesitation, the Lance Corporal began doing floor-dips, a smile still on his face.
"Bjorn's a good soldier, but he's also a fucking smartass. He and a few other jokers have been making that joke non-stop since the Great Freeze. They have paid dearly for it." He turned, where Bjorn was beginning to slow in his cadence. "Keep it up, asshole."
He turned back to Dieter, pointing to an open door. "That's your room."
Dieter paused, puzzled. "MY room?"
"What, you think we live in a barracks? We're prepared to lay our lives down in a heartbeat for the Queen, you damned right you get you own room! Now get settled in, prepare you kit, and prepare for tomorrow. You start duty at 8 AM."
Dieter nodded, before turning to settle in his own room, closing the door, he prepared his uniform for the next day, which didn't take too long since he just had it cleaned and altered. After that minor detail he undressed, and set up his personal effects. Exhausted, he turned off the lamp, going to sleep for what seemed like the first time in forever.
Bit of Notes-
Merry Christmas y'all!
It took me a good minute to finish this chapter, as I struggled to lay down the foundation for another story. I am a bit iffy though, on going forward. Faith and Duty was easy thanks to the fact that the script was already written- all I did was write down the reactions of the soldiers. Now I'm in uncharted territory.
My biggest thing is I'm fairly self-conscious on how I write the sisterly banter. I have a brother and two sisters, but most of my interaction was with my oldest brother, and as such, I do feel that my Anna and Elsa treat each other more like brothers than sisters. IE me giving my brother endless crap. I try to not do that, but that's my sibling connection, and why I love Frozen.
This chapter was fairly slow, I know, but next chapter has Elsa's first council meeting, as well as the Grenadiers returning home, so fun times for all.
Glossary-
Pickelhaube- Famous Prussian spiked leather helmet war up to and through the First World War. While not effective at protecting the wearer, the helmet was a sizeable upgrade from the fall and cumbersome Shako.