Chapter One:
The day was drawing out much too long for the queen of Arendelle. Elsa was still poised in her throne as the foreign dignitaries shared their agendas and plans for the upcoming summer months along with reviewing and revising treaties between the kingdoms. As much as she didn't like these visits she would at least listen and appear to be involved and attentive. Only this meeting was one she specifically loathed and it showed in her eyes. Noblemen from the Southern Isles had arrived and spent the entire day negotiating and trying to get on Queen Elsa's good side. Anna, who was sitting to her sister's right, also had her fill of the despised kingdom and its nobles.
"Your majesty I must insist. An alliance with the Isles would help restore relations between Arendelle and our kingdom. It would also help put the whole Hans incident far behind us."
"And I again say to you and your fellow nobles that a proposal will not be accepted." Elsa calmly stated emphasizing not. The man gave a short nervous laugh.
"Queen Elsa please reconsider, for the sake of the people."
"The queen refused your proposal sir. I suggest you listen and you take your leave." Anna boldly stated sitting rigid. The man glared at her and looked back to the queen expecting her to lash at the younger woman. Normally Elsa would speak up, but at the moment she agreed with her red head sister.
"As my sister has stated, I have spoken. Your proposal is refused. You may leave." Elsa said with authority. The man took one step forward, but was halted when guards stepped forward with hands on their swords. He scoffed and spun towards the group of Isles nobles as they made their way back to their seats. Elsa sighed slouching into the throne. Anna placed a hand on her arm smiling.
"I know it's tough but it will get better Elsa." Elsa smiled.
"I wish Anna, I really do. We still have one more issue to address with the court."
"What issue?"
"A kingdom far to the north of us, called Skyrim, has recently split into civil war. The factions have requested permission to negotiate on neutral ground."
"And we agreed to it?"
"Couriers from both sides have delivered several letters to many kingdoms. No one else wanted to host a negotiation in fear of being drawn into the war."
"Aren't you worried that would happen with us?"
Elsa did not have any time to answer. The doors to the great hall swung wide letting the next visitors in. The two factions walked with a wide birth in between the two of them. Elsa guessed the faction on the left was the Imperial Legion. Organized soldiers who were well trained and disciplined. Their steel armor detailed with red cloth made them seem that much more unified and disciplined as they marched forward. The other group had to be the Stormcloaks the letters mentioned. Wild, aggressive, they were the rebels fighting to make the kingdom called Skyrim a free land. Their armor looked much lighter; fur boots and gauntlets with chainmail detailed with a long blue cloth and helmets that covered their faces. From what she could gather Elsa knew both groups were fierce and powerful. Reports Arendelle received stated neither group was budging on the battlefield so this negotiation was very important. Offering Arendelle as neutral ground was a risky move, but Elsa was confident it would go well. The only thing that worried her was the fact that representatives from all around were present for the negotiations.
"Are you sure today is a good day for this?" Kristoff whispered from Elsa's left.
"It will benefit our relations with Skyrim. We have not had any real contact with them before and if this will help,"
"It may also draw us into their war." Kristoff interrupted. She gave him a soft glare. Before she could speak the group reached her throne. Kai stepped forward.
"Your majesty, presenting the faction leaders of Skyrim." Two men, one from each side, stepped forward. The man to Elsa's left was a dark skinned man who was bald and wore golden armor along with a golden decorated sword. The man to the right was a little taller and had fair skin with wind-blown blond hair and beard. His clothing looked more of nobility or royalty stature than military. Even so, his sword strapped to his waist and the rugged battle hardened look on his face showed he knew how to fight.
'This ought to be interesting.' Elsa thought as the two leaders came up. Kai looked to her.
"Presenting General Tullius, general of the Imperial Legion of Skyrim and representative of the Jarls of the Imperial Empire." The dark skinned man bowed.
"It is an honor Queen Elsa." The man said with a suave voice. He obviously was familiar with politics. Elsa gave a nod before turning to the other man.
"Your highness, I am Ulfric Stormcloak. Jarl of Windhelm and leader of the Stormcloaks, the true sons and daughters of Skyrim." Ulfric bowed with refinement. Elsa nodded to him.
"It is a pleasure to meet you two gentlemen. Welcome to Arendelle." General Tullius was first to speak.
"While I believe all this formality may be necessary, I do wish to move on to the task at hand." Elsa raised a brow.
"Is this your opinion as well Jarl Ulfric?" The man merely nodded. Elsa stood.
"Then let us move to the private council room then." Servants ushered the men and spectating nobles to the room with Anna, Elsa, and Kristoff following behind.
"I don't trust these men Elsa. There is something about each of them that I don't like." Anna whispered. Elsa made sure no one was in ear shot of them before speaking.
"Anna these men are all soldiers and obviously experienced in politics. They are bound to have a rough exterior."
"No, I mean I feel like they don't mean what they say about being here just to negotiate." Elsa gave her a look as they entered the private council room. The Imperials were seated on the left side of the table while the Stormcloaks to the right. The tension in the room could be cut with a butter knife. Elsa and Anna sat at the front of the table with Kristoff standing behind them. Elsa looked at each of the parties.
"Gentlemen we're brought her for the chance to create peace in Skyrim and a strong bond between your homeland and Arendelle. Who would like to open negotiations?" General Tullius cleared his throat.
"We will start. Ulfric your rebellion is costing hundreds of lives on both sides. The people of Skyrim don't deserve this war. I suggest we end this here so no more blood will be spilled."
"Sounds like the Imperials are running scared." A general spoke up from the Stormcloaks. The men and Ulfric laughed earning glares from the Imperials. Ulfric calmed himself before speaking.
"While I agree Galmar, if it means we can end the deaths of innocent and the breaking up of families I will try to negotiate in good faith." Ulfric turned to Tullius.
"I do agree this war is costly and it does need to end. However we stand against your empire controlled by the damned elves. You lost all honor when you surrendered to those filth!"
"You and your damned grudges. Skyrim has been part of the Empire for the longest time and will remain that way."
"Skyrim will be free!" Galmar yelled causing an uproar in the Stormcloaks. Elsa stood.
"Enough!" The room went quiet. "Gentlemen we are here to negotiate a lasting peace. How can we do that if all we do is argue?" The crowd burst into a heated argument. The council room was never filled with this much hostility before. Elsa sat back down rubbing her temples.
'This is harder than I thought.' Anna leaned over to her.
"I've never seen men argue like this." The queen nodded. Two men stepped forward and the room grew silent as they stared at them. Elsa sat up looking at them.
"Queen Elsa I am Ralof. I fight for the Stormcloaks."
"I am Hadvar your majesty. I fight for the Imperials." She breathed deeply.
"What can I do for you gentlemen?" Hadvar spoke first.
"While we are enemies and fight each other, there are those of us who wish to see peace even if it means working together." Their leaders watched them carefully. Elsa leaned forward, finally some men with common sense.
"And how gentlemen would help?" It was Ralof's turn to speak.
"While materials are not difficult we both lack food and funds and most importantly medical supplies."
"So you would ask my kingdom to supply both sides with said items?"
"At least the medical supplies." Hadvar said. Ulfric scoffed and pushed Ralof aside.
"The empire can get their own supplies themselves. The Stormcloaks need the aid more." Elsa looked to General Tullius. As she expected he had his opinion.
"While I agree both sides need medical supplies the rest is out of the question. Sending any aid to the Stormcloaks would be seen as an act of war against the Empire." Ulfric bit back his curse. Elsa leaned back giving them each a hard glare.
"Gentlemen the situation we are in is quite serious. Arendelle stands ready to help, but almost every way leads to war. If we help the Stormcloaks we'll be at war with the empire. If we help the Imperials we'll be an enemy of the Stormcloaks. I do wish to help both sides when it comes to medical supplies but I must also examine the option to do nothing for the safety of my people." Ulfric slammed his fists on the table glaring at her.
"Even the notion of helping them is an insult and a declaration of war against me and my army. You are a coward and a fool Ice Bitch. Mark me, your kingdom will burn to the ground and you will eithers serve me or die." The Stormcloaks turned and quickly left the castle. Elsa leaned back shaken and disturbed. Her sister was right. General Tullius cleared his throat.
"I am sorry Queen Elsa that you have been drawn into this war."
"General the kingdom of Arendelle will gladly supply the Imperial forces and can act as a training and resting place for the injured." The general nodded.
"Thank you your majesty. Your offer is most generous. The empire won't forget this. I will send a few legions here just in case the Stormcloaks decide to try and attack. Thank you for trying to help make the negotiations a success. We will meet again." General Tullius stood and led the Imperials back to their ships. The room fell into an eerie silence. Anna looked to her sister.
"Elsa are you ok?"
"I fear I just doomed everyone. I just made a dangerous enemy."
"You can't blame yourself. That Ulfric guy seemed extreme in every sense." Kristoff said calmly.
"Be that as it may, we haven't seen the last of him." She motioned for the council to be dismissed. The nobles all filed out of the room as Kai and four strange men came close.
"My queen, these men have asked for a quick audience with you." Elsa sighed turning to them.
"Gentlemen please make it quick." The men wore matching grey decorated robes and each had a beard. The one closest to her with the tied beard stepped forward and bowed.
"Queen Elsa I am Master Arngier of the Way of the Voice. Our leader has asked us to deliver a message."
"Way of the Voice?" Kristoff asked. Arngier nodded.
"A training lifestyle that guides us to wisdom and helps commune with the gods."
"I have heard of your order, but little about that. However I'm sure you're not here for a history lesson." Arngier nodded.
"What is this message?" The men all got in line.
"This message is a warning to the queen of Arendelle." The men began chanting in a foreign language. The palace began to shake as they spoke as if the world trembled at their voice.
"Krosiir do kein do fall Zeymah do krah
Arendelle fen mah, kruziik vokul fen alok,
ulfah do vulom fen yoriik midrak daar do krein,
ahrk faal Lein Naakin fen meyz.
Yah tir gein do dova sos uv lein fen komah kotin
vulom ahrk pah nahlii do kun fen kos nid zuk."
I hope you guys liked my first chapter of my first cross! I know I do have some polishing to work on, but I am working hard on it. I know this first chapter jumps into it pretty quickly, but I suck at making intros to stories. Anyways I should have the next chapter up soon!