Chapter 1:
The plans had been finalized; tomorrow the journey would commence.
Anna was understandably uneasy about the journey.
"Is this journey really necessary, Elsa?" she asked apprehensively.
Elsa came over to her younger sister and gave her a warm hug.
"Don't be concerned, Anna! Everything will be fine! We will have three ships on the journey: the North Mountain, the Icy Fjord, and my ship, the Pride of Arendelle II. Sea Captain Bjorkland has made all of the necessary preparations with regards to provisions, and we have all made sure we have the gifts for our allies as well!"
"But Elsa," Ana said with trepidation, "remember what happened to Mom and Dad!" A few tears started to well up in Anna's eyes. "I couldn't bear losing you, like we lost them"
Elsa again gave her sister a loving hug. "That was an unfortunate accident, Anna. We can't live in fear of that for the rest of our lives. This journey to visit all of our trade partners and allies is long overdue. I can't delay it any longer.
"It will only be for a month, plus we will be leaving two months earlier than Mom and Dad did, which should significantly lower the probability of us encountering any weather as violent as they did."
Anna also felt uneasy about filling the role of 'Acting Queen' in Elsa's absence. She had attended court all the while that Elsa has been Queen, but she wasn't sure if she could govern like Elsa could.
Elsa sensed her sister's uneasiness.
"And you'll do fine as Queen while I'm gone, Anna! I have already talked to Captain Smith, and he will help you any way he can!"
Elsa then put a re-assuring hand on Anna's shoulder, "I know you can do it, Anna! You'll be a wonderful Queen in my absence!"
And with that, Anna smiled at Elsa and gave her a warm hug. She'd do her best, plus with Captain Smith there to help, she should avoid any major problems, until Elsa returned.
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As a re-assured Anna left, Elsa searched out her fiancé, Captain James Smith. She wanted to re-assure him as well.
She found James in the courtyard. He always stayed in that area whenever he was not helping Elsa while she was Holding Court, or with her privately.
"Elsa!" exclaimed James as he greeted his future wife with a warm hug and kiss. "I still don't see why I should not accompany you on the journey!"
Elsa gave him a warm smile. "James, you will do more good here helping Anna. She is uneasy about the role of Queen. She needs someone like you who knows and understands all of the inner workings of being a Queen. Kai will help you both, of course, but you would help me more by helping Anna."
James was uneasy. He had agreed to stay behind and help Anna. But the thought of what happened to Elsa's parents on their journey was haunting him. If Elsa was in trouble on the journey, he wanted to be there to help.
Elsa sensed James misgivings, "James, you know Captain Bjorkland well. He is a fine seaman, and excellent sea captain. I'll be in good hands," she added, as she kissed James on the cheek, "I want to make sure Arendelle is in good hands too. That's why I want you to help Anna. She will do well. All she will need is your expert guidance."
James let out a small sigh. He saw he couldn't change Elsa's mind, so he'd make the best of it.
Elsa smiled and said, as she changed the subject, "Shall we take our nightly stroll in the garden?"
James smiled and agreed, as he took Elsa's hand. He wanted to savor this stroll because it would be a month before he would see his beloved again.
Elsa also wanted to savor this stroll as well. Her heart ached at not being able to see James for a month, and she would miss Anna and Kristoff as well. But she had her royal duty to do, and this journey was part of it.
It was considered proper for the reigning monarchs in an alliance to visit, and provide gifts, to the other countries and leaders of the various trade pacts and treaties. This helped make the alliance a friendlier pact, as opposed to a strictly business alliance. Once a decade the monarchs were supposed to reaffirm their friendship, and allegiance to one another. That's why Elsa and Anna's parents were going on their ill-fated journey those years ago.
Alliance members understood that Arendelle would be in a state of flux for some time after the death of the King and Queen, but now that Elsa had a firm hold on the monarchy, she was obliged to fulfill this important duty. And Elsa was ready.