When Ice Thaws
Chapter Two
Elsa's P.O.V
So consumed by my thoughts, considering the pros and cons of marrying a man I have never met and could very likely only be out for his own personal gain, I didn't hear the door open and someone slip into the room. Almost jumping out of my skin when a small, warm hand touches my forearm, I turn to find Anna. Her red hair is pulled up into a messy bun, lids sleepily half-shut. Carrying a grumpy Niko in her arms, she stares at me in tired confusion.
"Elsa? What are you still doing up?"
Oh, crap. Think of something, Elsa! She can't know about this; after two years and she's still nowhere near being able to forgive Hans for what he did. I can't imagine what she'd say about his brother proposing to me by secret mail. Well, actually, I can. Don't be stupid, Elsa. He's just using you like Hans used me. Yeah, something like that. Attempting to subtly hide the letter behind my back, I flash Anna a massive and hopefully innocent smile.
"Nothing! Just looking over some strategies."
Her crystalline blue eyes narrow in suspicion. Oh, crap.
"Well, what are you doing up?" I deflect, hoping that she'll forget about it all once I got that mouth of hers going. The woman could chatter off the hooves of a reindeer.
"Niko wouldn't sleep," she replies, her eyes still in speculating slits. "Walking with him makes him sleepy. I think Kristoff let him sleep to long while we were in the meeting this afternoon."
Hiding my worry about her discovering that I'm trying to keep something out of her sight with laughter, I retort.
"Blaming any problems on the father, a solid way to absolve any guilt."
"What?" Anna's face burns in anger, almost as red as her hair. I must've said something wrong. I just have no clue as to what that will be. By the way her mouth is starting to gape open like a fish, I suspect that she's about to tell me. Very firmly and self-righteously.
"You think this is my fault? That I'm just trying to disguise my worry that Niko is sick by blaming Kristoff? Well, you're wrong! Niko is fine, and if he isn't, it's Kristoff's fault!"
"Oh, Anna." Smiling sympathetically, I reach out the hand not holding the letter out to offer her some comfort. She doesn't take it, leaving my hand stretched out awkwardly between us. She must really be upset. "I'm sure Niko is fine, sister."
Niko, silent through this whole debacle, coughs. Finally, I think to actually look at him. The poor baby's nose is red, his eyelids wearily half-shut and has tears slowly falling down his cheeks. I am such a selfish creature. So consumed was I in my own secrets and intrigues that I didn't take any notice of my suffering nephew. Anna, the protective mother that she is, has bundled him all up in blankets in winter clothing, even though it is currently midsummer. Anything to help, I guess.
"He isn't fine," Anna says quietly, defeat heavy in her voice. "And I don't know what to do."
"Anna?" The sleepy voice comes from the doorway. "I woke up and you weren't there⦠what's going on?"
"Kristoff!" Faster than Sven, Anna sprints into Kristoff's arms. Moments ago, he was her scapegoat for Niko's sickness, but as soon as she saw him, he became her support and she needed him. Taking wife and son into his arms, he drowsily kisses the top of Anna's head.
"What's the matter, sweetheart?"
"Oh, Kristoff! It's Niko; he's sick." Suddenly wide awake, he lifts a hand and places it on Niko's forehead. Face settling into slight panic, he takes Niko from Anna and strides out of the room, taking her hand and tugging her along.
"We have to take him to my family; they'll know what to do."
"But, Kristoff-"
"Nothing! We need to go now."
"But, you're not dressed!"
Kristoff screeches to a halt. From where I'm standing, shocked at the events that have so quickly taken place, I can see him look down at himself in embarrassment. Shirtless, bootless and only wearing loose trousers, he's not dressed appropriately for travelling. I'm pretty sure that he personally doesn't care very much, but Anna does. Even though they are in a rush and Kristoff is a big, strong man, with Niko sick, she's probably getting paranoid that Kristoff will get sick too. It may be summer, but in the Snow Queen's kingdom, it never gets tropical. At night, it is still cold. I'm sure Anna really couldn't handle both of the men in her life falling sick.
Passing Niko back to Anna, he runs down the hall to the room he and my sister shares. Barely thirty seconds pass before he's back, and they leave in a rush of heavy coats and comforting noises to each other and their son.
And I'm left just standing there, wondering what the Olaf just happened. All that, and not even ten minutes had gone by. It's insane, how those two are just a storm of energy, there on second and gone the next.
But in a sick, self-absorbed way, I'm glad they are gone. In all the hurry and confusion, Anna had completely forgot about her suspicions as to why I'm awake so late. She had no idea of what I was hiding behind my back. Being as relived as I am, but still worried about Niko, I continue to pace, exactly like I was I before I had even read the letter.
Worry for Niko and my people is still on my mind, but now, I am predominately thinking about how I'm going to reply to this letter. Do I want to marry this guy? Well, no, truthfully, not really. Do I really have a choice? Again, not really. I want this war over! I want it finished, done. And perhaps the best way to do that is to marry a Prince of the Southern Isles. Well, as long as it isn't Hans. But, is this Oliver person any better? Sure, his eloquence in his letter speaks of a true desire to help his people. However, it is easy to lie in a letter.
Then that's my answer. I really can't agree to marry this guy until after I've met him, so I can justly judge him and his intentions.
Relief at making my decision was a load off my back.
Moving quickly now, I sit at my spacious writing desk, eagerly dipping my quill into ink and stretching out a roll of thick, creamy white parchment. As I put my quill to paper, I realise I have another problem.
What do I say?
How can I phrase my words to give the least offense?
Shrugging my shoulders, I discover I really don't care if I offend him, I write.
Dear Prince Oliver of the Southern Isles,
Yes, I am of good health, thank you for your query. Also hoping to find the receiver of this letter in such a state, I write to address the issue of our marriage.
Put simply, I am currently in a situation where I cannot make the best decision possible. I do not know you, and all I have to base you on is your brother and his actions, both of which do not bode well for you. But, I am willing to consider such a proposal. I have a condition, however, and that is that you must travel here so I can meet you and deem if you are fit to become my husband.
I feel sympathy for your situation, but must be honest in that I feel nothing for your father. Even at his peak, the man was a tyrant and I cannot say that I will miss him when he departs from this world.
If I decide that I will marry you, you will be crowned king in name only. I will rule my kingdom and you will have no power in it except for that I choose to give you. I am aware that this puts you at a disadvantage, but I find that after your brother, I cannot trust in the schemes of the sons of King Henry. Therefore, if you are to have any chance at peace, you will agree to my terms with little negotiation on this part. Other points to be brought up will be discussed upon our meeting.
If it suits you, I look forward to your arrival. If you decide that this is not what you want, please reply as soon as you possibly can.
Sincerely,
Queen Elsa of Arendelle.
There! That sounds properly haughty and dispassionate. Blowing sand gently over the ink, I impatiently wait for it to dry, before placing it in an envelope. I lock it in my bottom most drawer, as well as Oliver's letter, ready to be sent in the morning.
Now, finally, I can sleep.
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Katy's note: Hey, all! Wow, I'm pretty excited about how many alerts/favourites this fanfiction got, considering it's only had a hundred views, so thank you for that!
Anna and Kristoff made an appearance, arriving suddenly and disappearing quickly, as only they can do. Don't worry about Niko, Bulda and Grand Pabbie will fix him right up!
Thank you to Hurricane Jackson for reviewing, and here is your update!
Okay, people, have a fantastic day!
KatyLynne.
