I'm a new author so bare with me. I dont own these characters or places but I hope you enjoy them anyways.
Sometimes the cold takes her. She lets its icy fingers trail down her bare arms and seep into her soul. The Ice Queen, although now free from her fear, finds these times hard in their own way. Her mood sinks with the room's temperature. It was the way her life had always been, closed off to the world. Coldness and quietness.
Small delicate snowflakes hover in place around her, suspended by her need of stillness. Far off in the gardens of Arendelle, Elsa hears her sisters laugh, followed by the low rumble of Kristoff's chuckle. Her sister is happy. The young girl had found love, lived through the death of a frozen heart and had rescued Elsa from herself. But even with this, Elsa wants nothing more than to keep time still, to not move forward to the empty hopelessness of what she must do. The intricate flakes begin to vibrate with her emotion. The cold knows her. The only companion she's ever had.
In life one has choices. While her fate had never been her own to chose, she was damned if she was going to let her new-found freedom slip away.
Sighing, she moves away from the balcony, closing the beautifully carved wood doors inlaid with colorful glass. The clear panels covered in a thin frost, despite the warm autumn evening.
She's going to ask something of her dearest sister. Something she never thought she could do. Elsa had to control her emotions once again, as she squared her shoulders and braced her heart. It's for the best. For everyone.
*4 weeks previous*
"Are you sure that is the wisest course?" Elsa hedges. Her advisors fall over themselves to reassure her that she would come to no harm. They still worry about Hans. She's sees the glances they shoot one another. They misinterpret her unease as fear.
Damned men. A sigh escapes her lips. She can feel the headache beginning to gather, right behind her striking blue eyes.
"Gentlemen, please. I have no fear of Hans. I am not without defenses." The last part was bit out with more venom than she meant. But the men seemed to ignore it, instead nodding in agreement. They all enjoyed having a Queen with powers such as hers. Elsa reminded herself that they had only known about her true self for no more than two months. She knew that with summer ending and the fall merchant season upon them, the kingdom of Arendelle had to prepare as the busiest trading port this side of Europe. Which is why this meeting was called by her father's right hand man, Geoff. Now her own personal advisor. He seemed to barely meet her eyes these days. She knew he was hurt by the secret never told to him. But her parents were strict in that regard. In most ways.
Dragging herself away from such thoughts, she interrupted the babble of men planning with a single, well placed cough. All eyes focused on her. Placing two graceful hands on the wooden table she pushed herself up. Standing in front of this group, those who were chosen to help the Queen rule her kingdom, had come to this meeting to find her a husband. It wasn't said outright, but the plans for balls and travels, right before the busiest season, was clear enough. The idea was laughable is they weren't right.
"It seems as though we have more to discuss. Setting the ports to rights, seeing to the contracts with our new partners, among other things..." She managed to catch the eyes of them all. She hoped she looked powerful and in command. Rather opposite of what she truly felt. An icy knot of turmoil twisting her gut. "I will see you in two days from now. We will go over what needs to be done. Geoff," Her eyes flit to his aging face. Ashen skin covers a strong jaw and what was once a handsome face. He averts his eyes with the pretense of organizing his papers. Elsa continues, hoping she hides the exacerbation from her voice. "Geoff, will you please make a list detailing all the necessary topics for our next meeting. From there we will split to subtopics."
He glances her way with a look of surprise. "Of course, Your Highness." He mumbles. His face is downturned again, busy writing in his ancient ledger.
As they filter out of the room conversing with themselves, Elsa had a moment to reflect on their "secret" mission. She needed an heir. She needed a husband. But no man in his right mind would accept her for a wife.
*Not far to the south*
He must be out of his mind. He's gone mad for sure. At least it beats being hanged. Or worse. Put into service of the church. The handsome man shudders at the thought. No. He doesn't have a plan; not yet, but with his newly gained freedom, he's going to take care of some left off business first. He will find his Ice Queen.
With that determination guiding him, he lifts his ginger-brown head to the moon and starts north.
So this chapter is very short but I needed it to be. I have big plans and I hope you take time to read through the rest of what I have posted. I'm super excited to write this. Please, let me know what you think.