Here is the next chapter. Enjoy
Old and New Faces
Two years later
Hans stood at the bow of his ship, arms folded while he glared out to the towering wall of ice. There was little swell in the ocean on that sunny day and the Prince was growing rather impatient as he and his men were forced to wait until something happened. For months since the dreading news came from his brother, ships were sent one after the other to destroy or in some way get through the towering structure of un-melting ice.
It was dark magic, he knew it was. That blasted Queen put the thing there to keep everyone out of "Her" kingdom. The auburn haired man scowled at the thought. 'How dare she assume this will stay hers after the treachery she has committed' his first thoughts when reports came back that there was no way through the wall. No cannon could penetrate it nor shear through any layers. The wall simply stayed strong and undefeatable. For two years Arendelle became but a ghost land to the neighbouring countries; no ships left its waters and the high mountain passes were too dangerous to attempt on foot with the snow and wolf activity growing higher.
"I hope brother you will not scowl at it forever. The winds change so commonly here" the Princess Irena came to a stop at his side, her own patience wearing thin at the inactivity.
"We have been stranded here for far too long. I say it is all a trick. A tempt on us and our dignity" Hans replied without breaking his gaze from the monster.
"Then we wouldn't be the only ones humiliated by this 'trick'. Others have arrived" she was right. Not far off their starboard side two ships anchored themselves to calmly wait for whatever reason they were summoned there.
"Weselton. I am not surprised to see them here. That daft headed man always looks for some gain to himself. When will he learn he will never stand higher than his post" the Royal family had met the Duke of Weselton a few times through the years. A short man with thinning hair and a rough attitude; seemed to think he was worth more than his place; the twins distained him for it.
"Maybe the same day he realises no one believes that hair on his head is actually real" Irena had to laugh at her own joke. The amount of times that toupee has nearly fallen off during important events was becoming ridiculous to track. "But his appearance does give some assurance brother. He would not present himself if the letter wasn't real" Hans had to admit it was true.
More than six days before the voyage, King Vikas had received a personal letter from an unknown source but it retained a rather interesting seal. The contents were simply an address from the new council of Arendelle stating they would welcome trading ships from a select few kingdoms into their port for one week in hopes to 'coax' a more peaceful settlement. Hans assumed they just didn't want their walls to be continuously attacked by ships. Was it possible they could've done some damage if they thought to make such a deal? Glancing back to the intimidating blockade, he reconsidered his initial thought.
"It said one ship's worth of trade. It didn't say anything about not welcoming 'Ambassadors' now did it dear sweet sister?" Hans smirked as they locked their identical green eyes.
Irena had to silently compliment her brother's quick thinking mind. She had to admit the letter said nothing about any noble's banned from joining their ships in the trade but Irena did have to wonder what the result from such a brave action would be. The Princess knew deep in her soul that Hans had really just wanted any opportunity to seek about answers concerning their darling little Anna. She had fared better than her twin in accepting that they may never know what happened, as the girl should've arrived at the port when the take-over was underway. Maybe there was a chance she lived but Irena prepared herself for when the news would come either way.
"Something's happening! Look"
Snapping out of her thoughts to look where Hans was pointing, she gasped. The wall has begun to shake tremendously and a crack was forming in the middle of the wall. It grew slowly to cover the entire heigth before everything stilled. The royal siblings were suddenly launched backwards as the ship gave a sudden jerk, swaying awkwardly with the rushing water. The crew had to hold tightly to anything stabilised in hopes of not going overboard. Irena grasped the railed firmly to regain her footing, not expecting to see the wall come alive by itself. Where the small crack had originated, a chasm was slowly expanding to part the ice. The barricade was opening like a gate and the waters were rushing into the gap faster than an overflow bathtub.
What felt like hours until the vessel finally returned to its stillness as the ocean calmed. Hans got to his feet a little uneasily before checking over the railing to the crew. Only a few seemed to have sustained injury but the mass was alright. Helping his sister to her feet again the two saw the other ships raise anchor, preparing to enter the now open fjord.
"Captain!" the prince called over his shoulder.
"Ae sir" a reply came from an elderly man who barked orders for them to hoist their own anchor and be underway.
"Hans, I'm starting to think this journey is more dangerous than effective. We don't know what to expect in there" Irena looked up to try and get her uncertainty across but his eyes remained on the opening.
"I expect to find out what that retched woman did to Anna…"
"And how do you imagine accomplishing that task? You think the woman will know everything that happened during her uprising? How exactly do you imply you get into the castle in the first place?" Irena was starting to remember her brother was a stubborn one. A trait they shared like much else.
"I will find a way in. I always find a way Irena. Why question me now? After all this wa…" Hans lost his voice to the passing wind. Their ship had passed on through the entrance last and the first view of Arendelle in over two years was that of white.
"It's…it's…"
"Snow…In summer?"
Arendelle was in a state of winter Hans had never witnessed before. Snow was piled up on every surface available, ice hung from metal railings and roof edges and every citizen was bundled up in fur coats as they went about their day. However something did not sit right with Hans, everything was too perfect. An even amount of snow sat upon the sloping tiles without moving an inch. Every icicle was the same shape and size no matter where he looked. He could hardly feel the cold temperature under his own coat and the material wasn't thick at all.
Discreetly, the Prince made his way through the building crowds as the ships made port. He took the first chance in leading his sister away from the traders and into the city market. No citizen paid the nobles any mind as they continued on their routinely day to day tasks. Irena was finding herself captivated by how the city had made use of the present cold and ice. The crystal like substance was almost an added decoration to the buildings and other structures including the central fountain which surprisingly continued its water flow using the ice forms as a system rather than a hindrance. She did notice her brother had something much heavier on his mind as he seemed to see the castle in the distance. She had to clutch his arm tightly to bring his eyes back to the moment.
And at the moment it was needed.
Without the royals noticing their actions had caught the eye of certain folk, just not the people they wanted to meet. Irena caught one man edging his way round citizens without breaking eye contact on their location. Soon as she saw her looking at him he moved swiftly. Within moments they were surrounded by tall, heavy built men all wearing the same dark furred cloth. Their faces were half covered and they carried pickaxes at their waists.
"It seems there is some sort of trouble gentlemen. I promise you we were simply…" Irena spoke softly before being interrupted.
"Silence" was their only reply by one of the rather ungentlemanly like figures. Their next action made the royal siblings believe they were raised in a barn and going by appearance alone that could be possible. Roughly handled by the strangers they were briefly searched then forced into a brisk walk, Hans was beginning to see why no one would ever want to visit such a place. From their attire alone, the ruffians should've figured that they were not your average trader or guest. In fact the knowledge they were in the presence of such royalty only made them act more aggressive. Taking the wise option of remaining silent to the treatment, Hans inclined his sister to do so as they were told while being lead to the castle.
The power piece of the kingdom, once a symbol to the people was now a looming stone, casting a giant shadow. Hans took in every inch of the castle as they walked onwards. The stone was worn on the outside, signifying its age. There was little to no damage anywhere, telling him it had not seen battle, so then how did its previous master be over powered when it was a near perfect shield. The twins weren't surprised to see the building ice along the wall arches as they drew closer, however they were stuck with a powerful heart stopping shiver when they passed through the gates. Hans felt his breath coming faster, his heartbeat pounding in his ears and his hands shaking uncontrollably. He felt like the castle was stealing all heat including that within him. Looking to his sister he could tell she was fairing no better. At another push onwards the group passed through the silent courtyard and into the belly of the beast.
The first thing Irena noticed about this castle was it held no decorations, no high portraits, no colours of kings past or ruling parties. Instead a faint glow seemed to hover off the walls and floor, she could see perfectly well but it only made the place gloomy and uninviting. It was the first time she noticed her breath was coming out in a fog and her fingertips were aching; Irena was starting to think that winter itself had made this place its home. Releasing a shivered sigh she felt her esteemed escort finally stop in the middle of what she assumed was the throne room. Before them was darkness, there was no candles or natural light streaming through high glass. The twins felt they had found an abyss.
"Well…I do hope my eyes deceive me. I hope it is not 'Royalty' that stands before my throne" a soft flowing voice whispered from the walls. Hans fought the urge to look over his shoulder in case the speaker was behind but that would be improper. Instead his clutched his fists to relieve his hidden anxiety.
"Ma'am. They were found wandering the market area. I say they came with one of the ships. Unwelcome lot too" a tall man spoke from the Prince's left side, the assumed leader of the bunch.
"I am glad you caught them before anymore mayhem would've followed in their wake. You may go. I'm sure you have more important things to do…" Hans waited for some sort of reply but he didn't hear anything. Turning sharply he found the men had just disappeared into thin air.
"Oh don't look so alarmed, I will not harm you. Oh but where are my manners? I must first introduce myself" a swirl of glowing snow moved through the air at its own will and in its wake illumination came upon the darkness in the form of hovering illuminated crystals. The royal twins got the first glance of the new throne keeper.
Sitting leisurely upon a tall jagged throne of black ice on a raised dais was a stunningly beautiful woman. Glorious curves accented perfectly by an icy slimming dress, revealing a generous amount of skin of her chest, shoulders and with a long tear of the side, her toned legs. Ice crafted heals adorned her feet as did a uniquely crafted headdress that crossed her brow and almost wove itself through her sleeked pale blonde hair. Irena couldn't decide if it was more of a warped crown or an odd tiara, neither of which seemed to matter as the woman smoothed her braided hair over a shoulder and settled once more setting her sapphire eyes on them. She smiled.
"Royals. Oh? Same family no less. Hmm you must be twins. Ah I know! You are from that Southern Kingdom are you not?" the seated woman gently traced her fingers on the arm of her throne. Small scrapings of ice broke off to float about her hand on an unseen wind.
"Please you must forgive us your Highness" Hans took the opening to speak politely for them both "You seem to know of us and yet we know little of you. Would you not indulge us?"
"Hmm now why should I do that? After the effort I put into my gates to keep the ones like you out of my kingdom. I think I should just hand you over to my men, they would love to take care of all this for me" Hans saw the malice behind those glowing eyes. He didn't know if he could talk his way out of this one.
"Your Majesty, please. All I ask is that you give us mercy. We know nothing of your laws nor rule. If our stay here would be of inconvenience towards you or your people we would be more than happy to leave" Irena appealed to everyone's better nature. It didn't seem to work.
"Mercy? Intrude on my Kingdom and you want mercy? Such bold statements. I do wonder what I shall do with you…"
"Let me have them your Majesty" a man spoke from the shadows. The seated monarch smirked.
"Oh I should know you are always lurking in the dark Kristoff. Join us so we may see your face yes?" a gruff snort was the reply but indeed a man walked forward. He was tall, broad and well-muscled. His clothing was of thick fur like the previous men however his was stained black and had more to its accent stitching. He also had two pickaxes at his waist instead of the one. He didn't bother turning his gaze from the Queen.
"I'll make use of them. The Reindeer need more practise. I'm sure she'll be about to ask for more any minute…"
"Speak of a snowflake and she shall appear. Isn't that correct?" Hans was confused at who she was referring to. No one else had entered the room, especially from the main door. He would've heard any sound of someone else approaching. This enchanted castle would cause him endless unease. A soft giggle did snap the twin's attention to the right of the throne as the sound didn't come from the blonde woman but they knew who from.
"I know you use your magic to do that Elsa. You cheat every time. Don't deny it" the familiar sight of strawberry hair nearly sent Irena into tears.
"Anna…?" the mentioned girl turned her head and the realisation of there being guests. Her eyes widened.
"Hans…Irena? What are you doing here? How did you?" her voice was more that of confused than happiness, it made the Princess uneasy.
"They came with their ship Anna. I did send word as I promised" the blonde turned Anna's attention back to her with a soft touch under the chin. "You know them it seems. Well perhaps I will let them stay longer…If it pleases you?" she spoke only to the girl as she closed the distance between them slowly.
"Yes. Very much so. Thank you Elsa"
"I expect your gratitude in full later" Elsa smiled before placing a kiss to her check then released the girl. Standing, she levelled her gaze onto the twins before speaking. Her voice echoing through the ice around them.
"You wish to know who I am. I am Elsa, Queen of Arendelle, the new ruler of this frozen land. Do well to remember it as I do not give second chances and I especially do not like Royal blood"
Hope you liked it. Let me know what you think of the story so far. I do have the plot set out and the weekly updates are a given. Promise that. Plus other stories are nearly done too. Reviews are welcome. Thanks.