Chapter 2 – Weselton's Revenge

Queen Elsa decided that the fun thing about watching Lord Councilor Bern talk about economics was how excited he got. Economics genuinely interested him, which was a good thing since he was her Councilor over Economic Affairs. Economics had its place, but right now she was much more interested in watching his hands. Bern was a musician too, and his hands had a mind of their own as they pounded down the keyboard of the piano or danced on the neck of a violin. Last night, she'd heard him at the piano in the ballroom and had slipped in to listen for a few minutes before leaving without him noticing. He played more often since Christmas. She was almost embarrassed to admit how much she liked watching him play the piano.

She was doing her best to not like him as much as she knew she liked him, because that would bring up the whole issue about how she didn't want people to touch her, not even Bern. And the fact that she liked his hands didn't mean she wanted to do anything besides watch them from a distance. She knew that if a man knew you liked him, he wanted to at least hold your hand. Then things progressed and he wanted to marry you, and then he would start acting like Kristoff did with Anna. That was a little much. Anna wasn't even at this council meeting today because Kristoff had gotten back from a trip to the mountains last night and she wanted to spend the day with him. Elsa excused her from the meeting, then sent Olaf to chaperone them. They hated that.

Anna's absence meant she could watch Bern's hands as much as she wanted without anyone noticing and teasing her about it later. Anna was at that obnoxious stage in her own engagement where she thought everyone around her should also be in a relationship. If Elsa so much as commented on the weather to Bern, Anna was right there to tease her about it or make it into something it certainly wasn't. No, she didn't need Anna here to notice that she got fluttery at council meetings sometimes.

Bern talked with his hands too. He was either counting something off on his fingers, or waving his hands around, or he had his fists clenched like he did now because he was upset about something.

"The most likely explanation for the problem is smuggling," Bern said.

That word caught her attention. Elsa woke up from her contemplation of how long his fingers were and started paying attention to his words. She wondered how to ask him to repeat everything he'd just said leading up to that declaration without admitting that she'd been lost in daydreams.

"We're losing the export fees too," Bern went on. "Goods are leaving the country illegally, which circumvents our trade agreements that involve price controls. That sort of economic leakage is bad enough, but the real damage is coming from the currency being used to pay for the smuggled goods. The coins are debased. Some of the coins we've found are only at twenty percent face value. Arendelle's coins contain a measured fraction of fifty percent gold or silver. These coins are at half that or less, and yet they're being circulated at face value. At some point, the government needs to honor those coins and replace them. That bleeds value out of our treasury. But if we don't honor the coins at face value, we risk inflation as people lose faith in the value of the currency." He turned those earnest gray eyes towards her and waited for her reaction.

"Bern, do you know which country is involved in the smuggling or are the goods being sold abroad on an open market?" Elsa asked.

"Like I already said, Weselton is the most likely market, your Majesty," Bern said politely. "Weselton's coinage has always been at twenty percent value. When we had official trade relations with them, we were able to control the exchange rate to compensate for the lesser value of their coins. But if they're paying for goods under the table, they're circumventing those controls."

"It isn't too much of a surprise that some of our citizens would continue to do business with Weselton in spite of the official embargo, your Majesty," Rodmund said. "Despite our best efforts to find other markets, it is going to take more than a year to replace them. Weselton was a huge consumer of our wool and textiles."

Harold, Elsa's Councilor over tax and revenue, added, "The loss of the export fees causes problems not only because of the lost revenue to the government, but because we also lose the ability to regulate the flow of goods. Weselton is paying more illegally for our tradable textiles than honest producers can make because of those export fees."

"We're having difficulty meeting our quota of wool that we export to Lingarth under the current trade agreement," Marda added. "Some of that may be ranchers preferring to sell illegally to Weselton where profits are higher."

"Does that affect the amount of metals we import from Lingarth?" Rodmund questioned. "Is this issue going to cause us metal shortages?"

"We were already going to be shortchanged this year," Gustav said. "This morning's mail brought news from Lingarth that they're under attack again by the Southern Isles. Lord Nolan assumes they'll be blockaded at some point by their navy, which disrupts shipping."

"Lingarth is dealing with a war, and Lord Nolan writes to tell you how that will affect our trade agreement?" Elsa questioned.

"Nolan and I correspond regularly in any event, your Majesty. He's a personal friend as well as a professional contact. And Lingarth is attacked by the Southern Isles so frequently that it's ceased to be unusual for them. He mentions it as a matter of course," Gustav replied.

Bern tried to regain control of the discussion. "Do you see what Weselton is doing? If it was just ordinary smuggling, we could deal with it. But the amount of debased coinage in circulation points to a systematic attempt to undermine our economy. This is Weselton's revenge on us for the embargo, your Majesty. The Duke is a pompous fellow; he wouldn't risk a direct attack that could trigger any sort of retaliation. This underhanded scheme is exactly what I would expect from someone like the Duke of Weselton. Arendelle has never been a rich country, and this flood of debased coins trading at face value could destabilize our economy and cause us a financial crisis."

"Bern, that's a very serious accusation and prediction," Elsa said.

"Yes, your Majesty. And I wouldn't make it if I didn't have the evidence and facts to back it up. I've been tracking this issue for months now. I've brought it up before and given regular updates, but this is the first time I've been confident enough to state that our entire economy is at risk. This isn't just smuggling. Weselton is trying to bring down our financial system," Bern repeated.

"They couldn't do that without willing cooperation from important merchants in Arendelle," Elsa said. "Random smuggling by the occasional disgruntled exporter couldn't produce that much risk."

Bern was nodding. "I've been working through my contacts to find out who is organizing the smuggling on this scale. It does point to someone with a fairly extensive trade network already in place, both within Arendelle and with foreign purchasers."

"Bern, is the smuggling going both directions? Are these merchants smuggling goods back into Arendelle, or only taking cash payments of debased coinage?" Rodmund asked.

"That was the other item I put on the agenda," Bern said. "We're actually experiencing a shortage of several categories of goods that we normally import. I need help from Gustav and Harold to track down what's going on, but we're importing less than we need right now. If we experience a shortage of goods at the same time that debased coinage triggers inflation, you can imagine things could get bad very quickly. This is the sort of thing that has set off rioting in France, and attacks on the monarchy. The government is in charge of the value of the currency, and the amount we import, and we're failing on both fronts right now."

"Bern, the amount of debased coinage in circulation isn't explainable only through smuggling," Harold said in his elderly, quavering voice. "There's too much. If it was only payments for some textiles, it wouldn't be as noticeable."

"That was another item on the agenda. I believe the coins aren't entering the economy solely through smuggling," Bern said. "This is speculation at this point, but the evidence on these other points is so compelling that I feel like I need to throw out the worst-case scenario. Someone in Arendelle is deliberately working with Weselton to undermine our economy. I can't even imagine what their motive might be, but this isn't just an outside attack. We've got an economic traitor somewhere in Arendelle."

"There can't be a long list of people who are rich enough and well-connected enough to do something like that," Elsa said.

"It is a short list, true, but it's full of smart people. This isn't going to be easy to unravel, especially if I'm trying to work on the currency crisis at the same time. If we could find a motive, that would narrow things down considerably, but I don't know anyone who will personally profit by destroying our economy. I've said it before – armies and battles get the most attention, but a country lives and dies on economics," Bern said.

"Bern, tell us what you need to address this crisis on all fronts simultaneously. You've gotten our attention. Let's get you the resources you need," Rodmund said.

"Thank you, sir," Bern answered.

His further statements were interrupted when Chief Steward Kai unceremoniously opened the door. Elsa's rebuke died on her lips at the look on his face. Kai was not one who became alarmed easily.

"Your Majesty," Kai said with a deep bow, "I most humbly beg your pardon at . . ."

"Warships," boomed a large, roughly dressed man who pushed in past him. "There are warships on the horizon. We have only a few hours before Arendelle is under attack."

Elsa rose to her feet, along with her councilors. "Who are you?" she asked him.

"Your Majesty," the man said with an unskilled bow. "I am Captain Dav, a deep sea fisherman. We sighted the ships yesterday and got back here as fast as we could. They're only hours behind us. I've seen warships before. They've rams on the bowsprits, and the crows nests are built up to protect their archers. I didn't see catapults, but that doesn't mean they aren't there. Too many men on deck for an ordinary crew, too. It's an invasion force, mark my words," Dav said.

"Who can corroborate your conclusion?" Elsa asked.

"Four of my crew have served on warships. They're on their way."

Footsteps in the corridor interrupted his last words and a crowd pushed into the council chambers. Of them, Elsa recognized only Stollen, the harbormaster on the castle island.

"They're warships, your Majesty," one of the fishermen blurted. The rest looked around, gawking at the palace.

"Stollen, your thoughts," Elsa said.

Stollen took time to bow deeply. "Your Majesty. There are ships on the horizon, at least four I could count through the glass. They aren't fishing boats or merchants. I couldn't see their configuration well enough at that distance to corroborate all of Dav's observations, but I can vouch for Dav's integrity and good judgment."

"Whose flag are they flying?" Gustav asked.

"Weselton," Stollen replied.

Several heads turned towards Bern.

"It seems Weselton is willing to attack us directly, in addition to the underhanded attack on our economy," Rodmund said.

Bern just shook his head.

"Gustav, an invasion triggers our defense alliance treaty with Easthaven. Take word immediately," Elsa ordered.

"I leave within the hour," Gustav promised.

"By the time they get here, Weselton will already have won," Councilor Alan said.

"Not if the harbor is frozen and they can't reach the castle island or mainland," Bern countered.

All eyes turned towards Elsa, who gathered her confidence and deliberately did not clench her hands into fists.

Dav pushed his way to the table and leaned in. "If she freezes the harbor again, the fisheries will never recover. The unseasonal freeze at her coronation froze and killed fish that hadn't spawned. The fish population is only half of what it was. If that happens again, she wipes out every fisherman in Arendelle that managed to hang on after her coronation and ends Arendelle's fishing industry for good. Your Majesty, I beg your pardon for speaking so plainly."

Elsa looked to Harbormaster Stollen, who nodded.

"If she doesn't freeze the harbor, every fisherman in Arendelle could be murdered or enslaved by an invader before a message even reaches our allies," Alan protested.

"Why the harbor? Why not the ships themselves?" Vilrun said. "Your Majesty, can you freeze the warships into an iceberg without freezing the entire fjord?"

Or every ocean in the world, Elsa added in her mind. There was that question that would never go away. Could she control it? She had bits of control now. On a small scale, with plenty of time to draw on love and think about what she wanted to do, she could control her powers. But countering an invasion was an entirely different level and she could already feel the power crackling in her hands as fear rose in her heart.

"I need Anna." She said the words before she even knew how true they were. Elsa had the power, but Anna was the one who loved her enough to curb its destructive force.

"Find the princess," Bern told Kai.

"Meet us at the harbor," Elsa added.

Queen Elsa and her councilors swept through Arendelle's castle island on the way to the harbor, following Dav and his crew. It was no longer a quiet, ordinary day. Dav's crew must have spread word about the coming invasion, because panic was sweeping through the population. People came running towards them, fear in their eyes and shouts on their lips. Crowds were gathering on the dock and at the sea walls, straining to see the threat on the horizon.

As Elsa saw the fear gathering around her, the calmer she became. Fear grew out of helplessness, and Elsa didn't feel helpless right now. She had a way to counter this threat. These were her people, and she would protect them. Her confidence had grown since the Battle of Arendelle last fall and she didn't need to cower in the castle and hope someone else could protect her kingdom. As the clamoring crowd grew, Elsa flicked her fingers at the green linen skirt she was wearing. Ice shimmered and grew into her pale blue ice gown, and the train of gossamer snowflakes fell from her shoulders. She waved at her people, and a shimmer of ice and snowflakes danced from her fingertips and swirled through the air.

"The Ice Queen!" someone shouted, and then she heard cheers.

With her chin up and her eyes flashing with confidence, Elsa strode through the short street to the harbor with her councilors flanking her. The shouts of fear turned into shouts of acclaim, and what could have been a riot turned into a triumphant procession.

On the dock, Elsa didn't need the glass to see the ships anymore. Four specks on the horizon were clearly visible.

"Excuse me, Princess coming through. Move it! Queen's orders!"

Elsa smiled when she heard Kristoff's voice. She couldn't help it. She watched him shoulder a couple more dignified men out of the way and deposit Anna right next to her. Olaf had hold of her hand.

"The Ice Queen returns," Kristoff pronounced, his eyes sweeping over her dress.

"Warships?" Anna asked.

"We're under attack, Anna. I'm going to sail out there and freeze the warships before they can come closer, but I can't risk freezing the harbor again. I need you to come with me and help me control the ice," Elsa said, as quietly as she could. She didn't want anyone else to hear that she still wasn't sure of her control in a situation this tense.

"Of course!" Anna said.

"I'm coming too!" Olaf announced.

"What?" Kristoff cut in.

"Your Majesty, your Highness, I can't allow it." That last statement was in Rodmund's graveled voice. "We can't risk both of you at the same time. If something should go wrong, we must have at least one of you safe in Arendelle to ensure the succession."

Elsa saw the wisdom of what he was saying, but it left her with a terrible problem. "Rodmund, I don't know if I can control the ice on this scale without help," she told him. "Anna's love helps me control it. I can't risk freezing the entire fjord again."

"Can her love help from here? Perhaps she can keep the harbor clear even if she isn't standing right next to you," Rodmund suggested.

Elsa's eyes darted from Rodmund to Anna. "I don't know; we've never tried that."

"I love Elsa! I can help!" Olaf insisted.

"Sir, could I have a minute?" Kristoff asked Rodmund.

"There is some time pressure, Kristoff," Rodmund replied.

"Just a minute," Kristoff promised. He pulled Anna around so the three of them were facing the water and asked Elsa, "Is it love in general that helps you control the ice? Or is it only Anna's love?"

"How would I know that?" Elsa asked.

Kristoff stepped over and yanked on somebody who had been standing right behind Rodmund. "Get over here. We need you." Then he turned back to Elsa. "What about him?"

Bern shook Kristoff's hand off his arm. "What are you talking about?"

"Love helps Elsa control her magic. Rodmund says Anna can't sail with Elsa to the warships because Arendelle can't put both royals in danger at the same time, and he's right. You're the next best option, Bern – unless you're going to deny how much you love Elsa," Kristoff said bluntly.

Bern clenched his jaw and gave Kristoff an outraged look.

"You're a lousy matchmaker, Kristoff," Anna told him and shouldered him out of the way.

"Look, Bern, Elsa has trouble controlling her magic because she hasn't fully accepted it. That's what I do for her – I accept it and love her the way she is, and that keeps the magic under control. Can you do that for her?" Anna asked him.

"Do I get any say in this?" Elsa interrupted.

"No," Kristoff said.

"I love and accept her the way she is, magic and all," Bern said, nervously running his hand through his short black hair and staring down at the dock, which was starting to frost over.

"Me too!" Olaf shouted. "How come everyone is ignoring me?"

"Rodmund!" Anna called. "We've solved the dilemma! Bern will be going with Elsa. I'll stay here with Kristoff and keep the harbor clear of ice."

"Very good, your Highness, thank you," Rodmund said to Anna. He took Bern by the elbow and pulled him towards a gangplank. "Captain Dav volunteered to sail you back out there."

Elsa looked around the harbor, her heart fluttering and unsure whether she should laugh or cry. To distract herself, she focused on the crisis at hand. There was a good-sized merchant ship at anchor, a few sailboats, and several fishing boats that were smaller than Dav's. This was their best option, she supposed, especially since the number of sea captains willing to sail towards warships was small.

She picked her way down the gangplank to the deck of the triple-masted schooner, Bern right behind her. The sailors were preparing to cast off again, and she tried to stay out of their way. She didn't dare look at Bern. He'd never actually told her that he loved her before; it was obvious from how he acted but she'd never let him say the words. She had no idea how to respond to the declaration that Anna had wrung from him, especially in these circumstances, so she avoided looking at him.

Above them, the square-rigged sails hung slack in the calm air.

"Captain, do you have enough men to man the oars?" Bern asked, and Elsa remembered that Bern had years of experience on sailing ships as a merchant and even owned his own sailboat.

"They disembarked. Stollen's finding some replacements," Dav said. It was obvious he was angry at the oarsmen, and just as obvious that there wasn't enough wind to get them out of the harbor without rowing.

"Would it be faster if I made the wind blow?" Elsa asked.

Dav stared at her. "You can do that?"

"It's a cold wind. I can't keep it up for long without freezing your sails, I imagine, but it may get us out of the harbor more quickly than waiting for a new crew," Elsa replied. "Show me which angle you want the wind to come from."

Dav shouted more orders at the sailors, who hurried to adjust the sails. He pointed to a spot on the deck and suggested Elsa stand there. Elsa walked over and looked up at the sails over her head. A couple of sailors were still standing in the footropes, carrying out orders that made no sense without any wind. She was aware that half of Arendelle Village was crowded at the dock and sea wall, watching her. She raised her hand and thought about how much she loved these people in her kingdom. This was her way of helping them, and they needed to get out of the harbor quickly. A gust puffed from her hand and died.

Elsa heard the disappointment gush out of the crowd. The sailors above her head walked nimbly down the yard to the mast and stayed aloft in the rigging with the birds, wondering what was going to happen. She looked at her hands and tried to gather the love into her heart again. Another gust bellied out the sail and then died. It wasn't working and she knew why. The general idea of love was not nearly as powerful as specific love. This time she thought of Bern and repeated the words he'd said just now on the dock about loving and accepting her. The wind poured briefly out of her palm, then died again.

Ice spread under her feet as Elsa lost confidence in herself. She had to do this. Everyone in Arendelle was depending on her. The idea of living up to everyone's expectations made the fear worse and the ice started to spread across the deck.

"Elsa?" Bern said. He'd stepped up to stand behind her, carefully staying several inches away. At Christmas, Elsa had asked Bern not to touch her, and he'd respected that request ever since, even avoiding normal polite gestures such as offering her his arm.

She knew why she couldn't draw on Bern's love to help her control her powers. She was blocking his love by refusing to accept it. She'd done the same thing to Anna for years. Love must be accepted and returned to give her control. She couldn't cut someone off and then expect them to help her at the same time. She swallowed hard and admitted something to herself that she'd been stifling for months.

"Bern, would you take my hand? I believe that would help," Elsa said.

She didn't meet his eyes, but she held out her hand. Still standing behind her, Bern took it. Elsa raised her other hand and thought about how much she loved Bern and how grateful she was that he was here with her right now. Cold, blue wind poured from her palm and filled the sails. With a snap of sailcloth, Dav's ship surged away from the dock. The movement was so sudden that Elsa lost her footing and staggered until Bern's other hand on her waist steadied her as she kept up the cold wind that was moving them out of the harbor.

She'd always liked Bern's hands.

Author note: According to Disney, Frozen takes place in 1840. By that time, gunpowder weapons like cannons and rifles were commonplace. But there aren't any such weapons in the movie, only crossbows and swords. Magic is an alternate universe sort of thing already, so I guess they decided to make up their own rules about weapons. Anyway, I'm sticking with the movie's version of weaponry. There are no gunpowder weapons in this story. Mostly, I didn't want to deal with the plot wrinkles it would present if a rifleman could take a shot at Elsa from 100 yards away.