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Hello again. Thank you for stopping by to read again and thank you to those who have been patient while awaiting the second installment. I hope you continue to enjoy if you are one of those who have already encountered, favorited, and/or followed my story, and for those who are new, I hope you have fun!
Rated M for possibility of adult themes, including violence, suggestive themes, etc. I will warn for anything, but as of now, pretty tame.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from Frozen, which is trademarked by Disney. I do not claim ownership of Frozen or any of its characters. The story I tell here is of my own invention and is not purported or believed to depart of Disney's story canon. This story if for entertainment only and is not part of the official story line. I do however, own characters of my own design.
A cool breeze caressed Elsa's face. She felt serene while strolling around the harbor with her sister who had affectionately wound her arm in the crook of her elbow. They meandered together on the cobblestones near the market, which had all but closed in the late hours of the afternoon. After years pent up in a castle, Anna had become a regular in one of the most bustling areas of the town. It had once been and still was a favorite date location for Kristoff and Anna, as he knew many of the merchants from seasons upon seasons of selling ice and she was just as comfortable chatting with strangers as with her familiars. On the long days when Kristoff spent in the mountains collecting ice or on days, like this one, that he spent time tending to and training the offspring of Sven, Anna often cajoled Elsa into coming with her, though it never took much convincing.
Weeks had passed since Elsa had personally signed and sealed a number letters announcing her reception to courting. So far no communications had been returned and she had, like always, mixed feelings regarding the lack of reply. She was relieved, giddy even to not have to be coerced into marrying a political ally. In a very un-leader fashion, she was happy and hoping for an excuse not to fulfill that royal duty. On the other hand, Elsa was beginning to be concerned about what a lack of response said about the relationship her kingdom had with neighboring and trading kingdoms. She was not aware of any refusal of tradable goods. Just weeks before her announcement they had sent some of their finest breeding stock to Corona as they welcomed a second child of King Eugene and Queen Rapunzel. Had she more free time and Anna not with child, she would have been very happy to have visited for the child's christening, but perhaps they would be able to visit for the first birthday.
Elsa soon felt Anna's arm slip out from hers.
"Do you mind if we take a second? I'm feeling a little tired today," Anna asked, finding a bench to sit on that overlooked the ocean. Elsa nodded.
"Of course. Not sleeping well, huh?" she asked, getting the nagging feeling of concern that Anna's discomfort gave her. Sitting, Anna stretched her back, arching her stomach and chest outward, grimacing in the pain-pleasure that relieving tired, tight muscles gave. She smiled widely and gave an unladylike scoff.
"Pft," large eyes rolled and her whole body relaxed. She leaned on one hand and leveled the other palm down, cutting the air in front of her steadily. "This is only the beginning. I was so lucky with Anders, smoothest pregnancy in the world. I felt like I was glowing." Elsa laughed.
"You were glowing, and you still are." She took Anna's hand and squeezed reassuringly.
"No, I don't mean it like that, but I was the picture of what everyone wishes their pregnancy to be. I even slept fairly decent. But Eva and this one, I go to bed exhausted only to toss and turn completely and utterly awake all night, to the point where I want to just throw off my covers and clean the whole castle, like I have an itch that can't be scratched." Anna held up her hands in a claw-like gesture to emphasize her words, causing Elsa to let out a bark of a laugh.
"Well, it wouldn't surprise me if you were subconsciously anxious, even though you have had children before. With how excited you get about things, I'm surprised you allow them to stay in there a whole nine months," she joked, gently poking the side of her sister's belly. Anna flinched away, giggling as the touch tickled, and crossed her arms in front of her.
"Hey!" the auburn-haired princess protested through her bubbling laughter. "Lay off the tickling, would ya? You'll make me pee." That comment alone sent the pair into peels of laughter, enough to make Anna protest more about peeing and Elsa beg for mercy as her sides ached painfully. Elsa, still chuckling and wiping away a tear with a finger looked to Anna who had abruptly stopped laughing, and was looking into the distance. Elsa, trying to control her diaphragm, had the ability to croak out, "What is it?" Anna titled her head towards her platinum-haired sister, but kept her eyes trained on what she saw. She nodded in the direction and waited for Elsa to follow her line of sight.
Elsa looked forward and saw the ocean and the horizon, two different shades of blue on this sunny midafternoon with the sun high and the sky cloudless. She stood and walked to the edge of the cobblestones, where the small fishing and rowboats bobbed while moored to the iron cleats.
Her back straight and tense, Elsa's mind caught up to what her cool eyes were seeing. A speck of white on the horizon: a ship. Not uncommon for a town that trades goods by sea, but soon the white speck was joined by another….and another.
"Oh," Elsa breathed in a small voice. She was not so naïve to believe these to be coincidentally just trade vessels. These vessels potentially held a future for her kingdom, a future husband for her, someone to rule beside her, lay beside her as they slept, to have an heir, children with. Oh gosh there it was, the anxiety. Her palms felt tingly.
'At least they don't feel sweaty,' she thought privately. Anna stood and touched Elsa's arm.
"We can wait for them together?" Anna offered, aqua eyes soft. Elsa nodded stiffly, blinked, and then nodded more fully.
"Yes, yes, good idea. I know if we went back to the castle now and waited…" she trailed off, knowing it would be a few hours for until the ships arrived since the wind was so calm this day. Anna chuckled behind her.
"You would end up wearing a hole in the rugs of the solar," she finished for her elder sister, much to Elsa's chagrin.
"Hey, you act like I'm a nervous wreck. I think I have been handling this all very well," Elsa pouted petulantly to her sister. Anna laughed at her sister's child-like glower, and patted Elsa's cool shoulder.
"You're right, you're right," she conceded and Elsa relaxed. "I know I for one would be anxious if I was put in your position."
Moments passed in silence as they sat back, sighed and watch the little white dots take shape. Anna, ever energetic, tapped her feet rhythmically on the ground and breathed out in intervals through her teeth.
"So…" she began, shrugging her shoulders upward as she regarded Elsa, "D'you want to find a way to pass the time?" Elsa looked sideways towards her sister, feeling as a sly thought had entered her pretty, strawberry head.
"What did you have in mind?" She asked slowly, one fine platinum eyebrow cocked upwards. Anna bit her lip over her smile.
"Wanna bet who's aboard those ships?" Her response: an exaggerated groan from her sister.
When the ships finally came close enough for shouts and orders to be audible, the sun had begun to set. A lookout had informed members of the queen's council of the approach of three large galleons. Kristoff had also been told of his wife's whereabouts after a day in the stables. He had brought the children to the dock to see Anna, who affectionately embraced her children against either side of her as they stood waiting the docking of the vessels.
Kristoff stood with the two sisters, taking his place behind Anna, easily looking over her head. He leaned his head between theirs.
"I haven't had any dinner yet. Do you ladies want to grab a bite? I know of a place—"Anna's face visibly brightened at the mention of food and she made a decision for them.
"Oh yes, let's do that. I'm famished. Once we show our guests their quarters we will definitely tuck the kids in and go get some FOOD!" she exclaimed gutturally, earning embarrassed chuckles from Kai and Gerda. Over her shoulder, Elsa leveled them with a look.
"Oh, look! They're getting off the ship!" Anders exclaimed, excited at the prospect of meeting new people. A Spanish style, dark galleon was the first to throw down its gangplank.
The family watched as a narrow man with a large beak of a nose made his way across the plank of wood, only to turn around with an outstretched hand. He motioned to a relic of an old woman, who made her way towards him in tiny, little steps. As she reached the end of the plank, she stretched out her hand and swatted the proffered help away. A man behind her broke into a smile though he also had his hands hovering near the old woman in case of a misstep. When the trio had all feet on the dock, they began a slow shuffling trip from the end of the dock, which took so long due to the woman's advanced age that Elsa was able to look over each member the party.
The woman had to at least be eighty years of age. Her skin was weathered and wrinkled, and her lips sucked inward from lack of teeth, but she had fire still burning in her dark eyes and it also sounded in the way she spoke. Though she clearly spoke in another language, her hoarse voice travelled across the dock with great clout. She had a long, dark fringed shawl wrapped around her person and a flowered scarf around head and neck, hiding most of her dark grey hair. She walked in the middle of the two gentlemen, with her hand in the crook of the arm of one and making gestures to the other.
The latter was the thin man, his hooked nose prominent in the middle of his angular face. He had dark brown hair worn just above the ear and parted in the middle, combed back stylishly. He and the younger man both wore linen shirts, dark trousers, and dark mid-waisted coats. However, it was seen that the man who seemed to be the favorite of the old woman had much different details to his clothes. The cuffs of his coat, instead of being tapered towards the end, were large and embroidered with designs in golden thread. As his arm swung, it could also be seen that the inner lining was a red silk and he wore a frilled, silk undershirt beneath the linen, just visible as the ruffled sleeves just peaked out from beneath his coat cuffs.
Finally they were before the Arandelle royal family as another gang plank made a dull thud as it connected with the thick, moist wood of the dock. But though Elsa was eager to see who was coming ashore, she had the self-restraint rise to her tiptoes and crane her long neck to look over the trio. Instead, she fixed them with a warm smile, unclasping her hands to make a gesture of welcome.
"Welcome, honored guests, to Arandelle. I hope you faired well in your journey." She intoned sincerely, gazing upon each person before her. The crane-like man nodded brusquely.
"Indeed. I would like to present the Prince-"
"Oh come now, Luis!" the old woman butted in, "Where are your manners, you may present your prince after you present yourself. Really, it seems as though you hadn't lived your life as a noble." Anna smiled uneasily as she felt the excitement in her husband grow through his grip. He loved a good bicker, though she never understood why.
'We never bicker.' She mused. As if reading her mind, Kristoff leaned into her ear and muttered.
"Yes we do. That's how I made you fall for me." Anna stifled a giggle with her hand as the old woman made eye contact with the queen.
"Don't mind him, your majesty," she said, sweeping a wrinkled hand toward the Luis, who made a great show of control with a mask of indifference in place though Elsa was sure he was fuming, "I am Maria Constance, and this is my grandson, Ramon Francisco Velasquez, Prince of the Spanish Canary Islands."
The man fixed Elsa with emerald eyes and took Elsa's hand in his as he bowed to kiss it.
"Your majesty, I am honored to make your acquaintance," Ramon said smoothly with a hint of an exotic accent. Elsa's mind was frozen momentarily by the warmth of the Prince's lips on her knuckles. It wasn't often that someone touched her, even now after a decade since the Frozen Summer, much less a strange man. But this very well may be someone she would choose over others to spend her life with. But first, smile, response. 'Come on, brain. Let's talk.'
"And I yours, Prince Ramon." She said, thankfully without stuttering. The man was quite handsome, olive skin, a bright smile, and an admirable structure, strong, good posture, an air of confidence all wrapped up with very apparent charm.
Elsa motioned a graceful hand to Kai. "Kai will lead to you the castle, where I hope you find your accommodations most comfortable." Kai stepped forward, indicating the guests follow him.
"Until tomorrow, your majesty. I look forward to spending time with you," Ramon said lowly, obviously for Elsa's ears with a small, genuine smile.
As they moved from in front of her, Elsa had no chance to engage in any conversation with her sister as their next guest came towards them, though unaccompanied by any crewmembers from the ship. He walked forward also with an air of confidence, but not as controlled and regal as Ramon. In fact, he had a very animated, cheery cadence when he walked, very youthful in attitude. As he approached, before he was even within arm's distance from the group, he called out in greeting. It was then Elsa realized she recognized him.
"Hello friends! It has been a long while! Too long!" He stopped in front of Elsa and bowed deeply, taking her hand in both of his, touching his forehead to her knuckles.
"Again, as wonderful as ever to see you, your majesty." Then his eyes quickly found the only adult male in the party.
"Kristoff." He said fondly, holding out his hand. Kristoff smiled back, giving the man a firm grip to the wrist, which was whole-heartedly returned.
"Luka! Great to see you! What brings you here?" Kristoff asked as Luka turned to Anna, laying a hand on her upper arm and ruffling Anders' hair. Luka's dark eyebrows rose in surprise.
"Isn't it obvious?" he asked, glancing back to the ship, where the colors at the stern bore the purple and golden yellow of Kingdom of Corona. Anna clapped her hands together as realization struck her.
"Oh!" she exclaimed. "Are you a potential suitor for Elsa's hand?!" Lukas dimples showed deeply as he smiled bashfully and looked down at the ground, scratching the back of his head nervously.
"Indeed I am, as long as her majesty finds it suitable." His slate eyes found Elsa's imploringly and she found herself smiling back.
"Of course. We are happy to have you as our guest. I wish I could show you personally to your quarters"—here Kristoff's eyebrows rose to his hairline, turning to his wife and mouthing 'Oh really?'—"but it seems we have one more guest arriving." Luka turned his inky head to look behind him, and turned back.
Nodding in understanding, he didn't hide a sigh of wistful disappointment as Gerda came forward to collect him. "Until tomorrow, then, your majesty." Elsa reached out her hand, touching his shoulder to stop him momentarily.
"Remember," she chastised him softly, "It's Elsa." He smiled luminously.
"Okay…Elsa." As he was lead away, Anna proceeded to bounce on the balls of her feet to face Elsa and Kristoff leaned in enthusiastically.
"Alright, search over," he proclaimed. Anna squee'd grabbing Elsa's hands in hers and jumping in delight.
"Oh my gosh, yes. There's no way anyone can compare. We already know him, and with him being the godfather of Rapunzel's kids and Duke of Corona, there is nothing that can be wrong with this match!"
Elsa felt her heart beating fast. She never would have imagined a match like this, then again, she hadn't really been truly considering matches either or truly put herself out there as available.
"Okay, okay, let's not get too excited. We still have one more guest arriving," she admonished, more to herself than her sister and her brother-in-law. The third and last ship decided to moor in the harbor and was turned with the tide, so that the stern faced away, making it impossible to see their colors. A dingy had been set down into the harbor and was slowly making its way to the docks, leaving ripples in the smooth water where the oars set down and lifted.
"Interesting that they didn't dock with the other boats." Kristoff mused.
"Maybe they thought there wouldn't be enough room." Anna speculated, only half paying attention as she watched Eva weave her way around the cobblestones adjacent to the docks and Anders kindly giving chase, even though it was well past time to be back at the castle winding down.
They continued to wait as attendants on the dock accepted a line thrown to them by the occupants of the dingy. As they clambered onto the dock, Elsa spotted auburn hair and a darker, rust-colored head, she realized who their final guests were. Her back immediately became rigid. Though the Southern Isles had continued to be a trade partner given that Prince Hans never again set foot back in the Kingdom of Arandelle, negotiations were always a little stiff. Elsa hadn't actually expected to receive a reply from the royal family, let alone two visitors standing in front of her.
They approached slowly, if not cautiously, waiting for a greeting from the queen before calling out.
"Welcome, honored guests," she greeted when they came to stand in front of her. She was almost unsurprised by the presence of the Prince Hans next to an older man. She knew it was only a matter of time that his presence would either be necessary or insisted upon if trading and good relations were to remain intact between their two kingdoms. However, she doubted the necessity of his presence at this time in particular. This older man had darker hair, but obviously was related, as they looked quite similar, save for a few differences.
"Thank you, your majesty. I am Prince Dietrich of the Southern Isles. You have already made the acquaintance of my younger brother, Prince Hans of the Southern Isles." Prince Hans, standing slightly behind his elder brother, still with feet on the wood of the dock as opposed to the cobblestone street to which it connected, put a hand to his chest and bowed at the waist.
"Your majesty," he intoned. Then addressing Anna, he added, "You are looking well." Elsa did not miss the glance at her belly and beside her, Elsa felt Anna tense. As her strawberry blonde sister placed a hand over her stomach and drew in her eyebrows with an open mouth, Elsa took this moment to intervene.
"Prince Dietrich, though it is uncomfortable, I must point out that though an invitation was sent to the Southern Isles for consideration, it remains that Prince Hans was not included in this invitation. Our kingdoms have yet to come to an agreement in regard to his visitation, and I do not appreciate your blatant failure to communicate the Southern Isle's intent to have the Prince present," she reproached, but Dietrich did not seem perturbed by her statement.
"Of course, your majesty, I understand perfectly. However, it has been my duty to see that he sees out proper reparation with the Kingdom of Arandelle. It is your choice whether he stays or leaves, but Prince Hans is here only to offer his apologies and promise that he has been successfully rehabilitated." Elsa raised a silver brow and looked at the younger brother, who shrunk under her gaze. She wasn't buying that act for a second.
"In any case," Dietrich continued, feeling the tension rising in the interaction with each passing beat of silence, "He understands that without your consent, he is not to come onto the soil of your land, and we have moored in your harbor. I will not take advantage of Arandell's kindness and hospitality when I have chose to take the action of requiring his accompaniment. We will seek accommodation on our ship during the night." Elsa gave a quick nod of approval.
"Very well, then. I will take this evening to consider Prince Hans' situation and will give you my decision tomorrow. Prince Dietrich, you are very welcome to stay in our guest quarters during your stay."
Dietrich nodded in understanding. "It is as you wish, your majesty. If it is all the same, I will stay with my brother and my crew this evening." Elsa—not showing how relieved she was to not have to take the trek back to the castle and try to hold stiff conversation—inclined her head solemnly.
"Until tomorrow, then." Dietrich bowed again, and Hans followed suit. Then they strolled purposefully back from whence they came, down the docks into their dingy to make a slow row back to their ship.
After a measurable silence, Kristoff broke the silence. "Well," he drawled, "That, one: took forever, and two: was one of the most awkward things I have ever been apart of. Let's get back home." He stooped and picked up Eva, who was ready to fall over out of boredom.
"I actually think that made me lose my appetite," Anna said wrinkling her nose—which Kristoff thought was adorable—as they began to walk home. Elsa's eyes rounded in surprise and her eyebrows rose prettily.
"Really?" she asked dumbfounded. Anna squinted as she continued looking forward.
"Well, no not really. I'm starving, but I feel like I have a bad taste in my mouth." Anders walking hand in hand with his mother looked up to her and squeezed her hand.
"Mor, we had some summer stew for supper. It was really good, and I made sure they set aside extra slices of bread especially for you." Anna stopped walking and knelt in front of her son. In a way that he hated, but still loved, she took his cheeks between her hands and kissed his nose.
"Thank you very much, my thoughtful little man," she cooed.
As they entered the castle, Elsa shooed Anna into the kitchen so that she could eat and took Anders into his room to put him to sleep. As he got into sleeping clothes, she turned down his covers and drew heavy drapes in front of the large window.
"Tante, is one of the visiting men going to be king someday?" Anders asked as he clambered into the bed that was so plush and luxe that even a tall boy his age had trouble getting into.
Elsa pulled up the covers to his chin once he had lain down on his back. "We shall see, but most likely, yes."
"Do you think more will come?" He continued, bringing his arms out from under the covers and putting them over the top.
"I'm not sure," she answered honestly, sitting on his bed next to him. "For now I think I will focus on these three. I think more would get a little crazy, don't you?" Anders pursed his lips in thought and wringed his hands together.
"Well, maybe if you had help it wouldn't be hard." He suggested, brown eyes wide. Elsa smiled softly.
"Then maybe you could help me," she offered. Anders shot up in bed and nodded emphatically, bring his hands up in a pleading gesture.
"Oh, yes please. I want to help. I can help you. I can make sure I watch everyone for you and help you choose!" Elsa smiled warmly at his enthusiasm.
"Alright then, little prince. You may help me. It is an important job. I have total confidence in you. But for now, don't worry and get some rest," she said quietly, placing gentle pressure on his shoulders with her hands to get him to calmly lay back down. She put a kiss on his forehead and he let out a large yawn.
"Okay, Tante Elsa." Elsa stood and headed towards the sliver of light he doorway to the halls allowed into the room, hoping not to trip over any of her nephew's toys she was sure she had seen lying around.
A few moments later, Elsa exited the dark room, slowly and quietly closing the door behind her. She blinked her eyes to adjust them, as the hallway was considerably brighter than his room as the summer sun still hadn't sunk below the peaks of the mountains. She strode towards the kitchen with intent to maybe have a bite or two, though she wasn't sure she had much of an appetite even without eating supper.
Upon entering the kitchen, Elsa found her sister sitting at tall countertop—a casual dining area, usually used by staff—eating her fill of summer stew, dipping piece of bread into the broth. Kristoff was in the process of taking a seat next to her, as it seemed that he was able to put Eva to bed quickly—probably because she was sound asleep against his strong shoulder before they made it through the castle gates.
Just as he sat down, Kristoff noticed Elsa entering and stood right back up.
"Did you want me to get you some stew as well?" he asked. Elsa waved at him.
"No thank you. You sit, I'm fine. I am surprisingly not that hungry, even though I have not eaten since this morning." Anna looked up from her bowl of soup, chewing a large mouthful of bread.
"Well," she articulated around her food, then swallowed with a loud, gulping sound. "I'm not all that surprised." Elsa, having sat down on a stool leaned towards Anna.
"What do you mean you're not all that surprised?" she asked. Anna held her spoon between her two fingers after she took a mouthful of stew.
"You did just get introduced to three handsome men," Anna smirked and added "One of which may you may very fall madly in love with, marry, and will become part of the future of this kingdom." Elsa paled as the afternoon's events caught up with her mind. Anna continued without regard to her sister's countenance.
"And if that doesn't make your stomach turn to butterflies and make you lose your appetite, I don't know what will," she finished matter-o-factly. Kristoff grimaced at his wife's stew-induced lack of tact and put a hand on Elsa's shoulder.
"Oh it's not so serious as it sounds. You may very well enjoy this process." Elsa looked up at Kristoff and nodded mechanically. "And hey, if you don't, you are the queen. There is no reason the council should boss you around." Elsa sighed. 'If only it were that simple.' Instead, she didn't voice her inner thoughts and smiled gratefully, knowing that Kristoff truly believed that and wasn't saying it just to make her feel better.
"Thank you, Kristoff. I just hope I will be able to sleep tonight." When she got nervous or went to bed anxious, she mostly got restless sleep, consisting of dreams—well, nightmares—of her concerns and fears. Kristoff tapped his chin and then his eyes widened.
"Then we just have to tire you out!" he exclaimed and then pointed to his wife. "Feisty pants! You ready?" Anna put her spoon down and looked puzzled at her blonde prince.
"Ready for what?" she asked.
"Ready to go!" he answered punching the air.
"Go where?"
"You know, the place." He hinted, waggling his fair eyebrows at his wife. She snapped from quizzical to ecstatic, seeming to understand his hidden meaning. She quickly knocked back her bowl and slurped down the rest of its contents, jumping up nimbly—for a pregnant woman—from her stool. She looked Elsa up and down.
"You're in comfy enough clothes," Anna commented offhandedly. Elsa looked down at herself, noting that she wore a simple blouse and midnight blue pinafore dress with her own little, wintery touches embroidered among the stitching, something worthy of the mild, summer weather. Again, more exasperated, she cried out as her sister tugged her toward the door.
"For what?!"
Some moments later, as the sun had finally dipped behind the horizon, giving a lavender-pink glow to the sky, the trio stood in front of a tavern, the open windows and door of which held the glow warm, orange light. Elsa could here the muffled voices of a crowd of seemingly very happy people inside as well as the occasional sharp clinking of glasses.
"You brought me to get drunk?" Elsa asked raising a brow, none too pleased.
Kristoff scoffed.
"No." he reassured, grasping her shoulders and shaking her lightly, trying to jiggle a smile out of her. "We brought you here to have fun."
Elsa eyed the tavern, heard a whoop go through the crowd inside. The door flung open and a very inebriated gentleman stumbled outside, nose red and giggling to himself. He somehow fixed his gaze on the trio and attempted his best bow, not without some stumbling, but 'actually made it look semi-decent' Kristoff would later be quoted saying.
"Yermehjehstys," He slurred and continued his winding walk down the street. Elsa continued to look distastefully at the tavern, door left ajar from the drunkard's exit. Even though outwardly there seemed to be nothing wrong with the establishment, the idea of getting drunk made Elsa uneasy. She liked to be able to reign herself in, to not be as boisterous as Anna, though she knew very many people found Anna's enthusiasm endearing.
"I don't know…" she trailed off, still somewhat miffed. Anna leaned her head back and groaned loudly.
"Look, Elsa. You don't have to get drunk; you don't even have to drink. I'm not going to. But there are a lot of people in there, people who love you as their queen, and I think with everything going on, you could use more than just the support of your family. Besides there is a bar game in there you're going to have to try. Trust us." Elsa looked to her sisters pleading eyes and cracked.
"Oh, alright," she conceded. "But if I don't like it, I will be leaving shortly."
"Yeah, fine, sure, whatever," Kristoff brushed off, not thinking for an instant that Elsa would dislike the place. Kristoff entered first through the heavy wooden door to a raucous, full bar shout of: "Kristoff!" Elsa lingered in the darkness outside of the doorway behind Kristoff, linked arm-in-arm with Anna.
"Does he know these people?" Elsa whispered to her sister while peaking into the crowded bar. Anna could not help but giggle at her elder sister.
"Well, most of them. A lot are ice harvestmen, shopkeepers, and the like, all friends of the tavern keeper. And…" she bit her lip, trying to hold in a smile as she shoved her sister through the threshold, "…you're about to be one too."
The tavern cacophony halted to silence, enough to hear a pin drop as Elsa gave an uneasy smile. Then a deafening shout reached her ears, enough to make her cringe at the decibels reached.
"Elsa!"
Anna came up behind her, not without her own tavern-wide welcome, and put hands on her shoulders to lead her to the thick, wooden bar.
"Is it always like this?!" Elsa found herself half-shouting to her sister to be over the continued roar of gay laughter and yammering she was sure was at her expense. Anna feigned innocence.
"Whatever do you mean?" she shouted back, taking Elsa's hand and leading her through a sea of bodies, all close, all hot, all loud.
"Absolute insanity," Elsa clarified pointedly, knowing full well her sister knew her meaning. Anna smiled at her sister's nervousness, but kept their slow pace towards the thick, wooden bar, not at all bothered by a strangers back pressing against her cheek.
"No, it actually seems pretty crowded tonight, but if you're talking about the name yelling…" she trailed off, coming through the worst of the crowd to the bar, where it was a little quieter and they could talk at a somewhat normal volume. They both took seats at the bar, Elsa casting a nervous eye around the bar, flashing her smooth throat as she attempted to gain a better vantage.
"Yes, the name yelling," she murmured, now distracted. "By the way, Anna, it looks like we have lost track of Kristoff"
"The name yelling is something that got started last season," a deep voice rumbled from behind the bar. Two heavy mugs were pushed towards Anna, one overflowing with frothy foam trickling down the sides and the other with contents Elsa was not able to see. Elsa looked up to see the broad figure of Bjarne behind the bar, bracing himself against the top with both hands.
"Thank you very much, Bjarne," Anna warbled, taking a sip from the latter mug. She hummed and did a little wiggle in her seat, the impulse to dance inherently caused by the taste. She offered pale-haired sister the mug. "Want a sip?" Elsa eyed it carefully, peaking over the rim of the mug.
"What is it?" she asked curiously, taking the mug in her hands. Anna rolled her eyes emphatically.
"Oh just try it." Elsa looked down at the amber liquid, brought the mug to her lips and took a sip. The cold drink hit her tongue with a tangy crispness while the bubbles tickled the roof of her mouth and her tongue until she swallowed. Elsa smiled widely, handing the mug back to her sister.
"Saftevand," she breathed with nostalgia, looking to Bjarne who nodded while holding a goblet out to her instead. Expecting more of the same carbonated cordial drink she used to enjoy as a child, 'flavored with apples?' she wondered, Elsa took a more substantial drink and was shocked when she tasted the same rich flavors of the chocolate strawberry wine she had sampled weeks ago at dinner. Bjarne laughed lowly at the perceptible widening of her ice blue eyes.
"Not what I was expecting," Elsa admitted, laughing at her own reaction.
"Forgive me, Elsa. I should have warned you," he apologized. Elsa's eyebrow raised and her mouth fell open slightly as she tried to find a gentle way to rebuff him from using her first name so familiarly—she should right? Before she could, however, he caught himself and she could have sworn she saw the rising embarrassment on his cheeks beneath his trimmed beard. Bjarne made a small bow to Elsa.
"I apologize, my queen. I obviously know better than to—" she reached forward and placed a cool hand over his. His mouth snapped shut with an audible click of his teeth, obediently silent for his monarch.
"Actually, that's something I wanted to inquire about," she began while releasing his hand and watching his shoulders relax.
'That's better,' she thought to herself. If he could relax, so could she. She took a healthy draught from her goblet.
"You never did get around to fully explaining the shouting." Elsa watched as Bjarne fell back into easy, comfortable self as he placed his forearms and elbows down onto the table, leaning forward to talk with her.
"I have always wanted for my place, everyone can be friends, with no real stake in title or professions. So from military to ship captains or ice harvesters, people could have the chance to be on the same level, to partake in life together. It makes the atmosphere more comfortable," he observed, pouring a drink for a customer as they approached with hand raised. As he slid the drink toward the hefty man, he adopted an expression of ponder. "Come to think of it, your sister really made it easy. I've never known her to introduce herself as other than Anna, even though it's well known who she is."
The fact that what Bjarne said was true quickly registered with Elsa. Even on her first day out of the castle, she knew Anna had introduced herself to Kristoff and Olaf as 'Anna', and surprisingly enough, neither of them treated her any differently. It would make sense for her subjects to act the same. In face, she was sure this is part of why Anna wanted her to come out so badly: to feel the warmth and love of those around her. That would do well to remind her that she had the support of each and every one of her subjects, no matter her decision. Elsa was touched and her eyes burned faintly as emotions from throughout the day overwhelmed her. She blinked to drive them away, knowing that Anna wanted this new adventure in her life to be positive for her, to be a happy time. Mind on her effervescent sister, Elsa realized that the princess had been quiet through the whole exchange. Elsa turned her to find her companion had vacated her seat.
"Oh no! I've lost her!" she wailed in dismay. Bjane tapped her shoulder and having had a continued eye on the patrons of his bar easily pointed Anna out to the queen. Elsa breathed a sigh of relief when she spotted her sister throwing back her head to laugh loudly with Kristoff across the room near a large hearth in which a fire happily danced. But with a quick movement of a hand to Anna's rear by Kristoff and Elsa was wrinkling her nose in distaste and quickly whirling in her seat. She loved them together, but that was too much for her. Elsa immediately felt embarrassed, not by the actions of her sister and brother-in-law, but by her own reaction. Hopefully once she, if she ever, became intimate with someone she loved, displays of affection that her family pay one another won't seem so alien. Tired of feeling sullen, Elsa mustered up as much positive attitude as she was able and allowed a soft smile to grace her lips.
Looking into Bjarne's hazel eyes full of concern after he watched emotions play over her face, she raised a goblet, watching him gradually mirror her own smile in relief.
"Elsa it is then."
As the evening went on and as it grew darker outside, she had finished two goblets of wine, the nearly empty goblet still in the grasp of her cool, nimble fingers. Elsa found her jaw loose and her voice growing raw as floodgates of the current proceedings of her life and her anxieties opened, washing over the poor man who stood in front of her. Even though his eyes left her to make quick sweeps of the tavern, to pour a drink, or plate some food, his eyes always dutifully found her again. Elsa felt as if she had lost control of her words, knowing how inappropriate it was to trouble an acquaintance, a man she barely knew with all of the problems in her life. But as Bjarne listened and nodded, occasionally providing small words of comfort, she dismissed her notions of propriety and let her needs take over. Her need for companionship, for someone she wouldn't have to see and interact with every day know what was going on inside of her brain. As much as she loved her sister, Anna was almost too optimistic at times, writing her problems off as "just a worry" or "an over reaction." Not to say that Anna didn't sincerely care, but sometimes, in her rose-tinted world, there was no room for negativity. Now in front of her was a man who took her issues and was actually talking to her about them.
"Forget finding a husband and marrying him," Elsa started, moving her nearly empty goblet from in front of her to just to the side, the metal scraping across the dark wood as she treated the cup as a tangible stand-in for the important task of matchmaking. "But a child? That is the solution my council comes up with? They say the kingdom craves normality and stability. What in their minds think that a child will do that?"
"Maybe they think that starting a family will achieve that for you and the positivity will cascade into your kingdom," Bjarne suggested, his tone low and soothing. Elsa immediately recoiled at the suggestion.
"For me?" she trilled, voice high in frustration. "I'm happy the way I am. Isn't that enough?" Bjarne looked hopeless.
"It should be," he conceded, watching her deflate and rest her chin on her arm.
"I feel like they never stop to think, never consider consequences." Her face full of worry, Elsa fixed wide, frightened eyes on Bjarne and whispered.
"What if my children inherit my abilities?" Bjarne was taken aback by the question, not having contemplated it previously, but before he could provide an answer, Anna came over in a whirlwind to Elsa, tugging at her elbow.
"Come on, Elsa! Come play a game with us!" Elsa did not protest, sending a fretful look Bjarne's way as she indulged her sister. Elsa was nearly dragged over to a large group of people, mostly large, burly men all in the lower layers of the warm clothing worn my Kristoff on his treks up the mountains. 'Ice harvesters,' she presumed. They stood in front of a wooden vertical beam situated next in the corner created by the fireplace and an adjoining, perpendicular wall. On the beam running across the ceiling hung a long piece of twine, to which a basic brass ring was tied. Intrigued, Elsa forgot about her anxieties for the moment and took the brass ring between her fingers.
"Come to play a game with us, eh Yer Majesty?" one of the men shouted, the volume control on his voice lost to the alcohol that had once been in his mug.
"Yep!" Anna chirruped, bouncing excitedly on her tiptoes. She introduced Elsa to the group of men and Elsa's head swam as she tried to keep all the names and faces straight as Anna flew through the introductions.
What she could remember were that the auburn haired twins were Agust and Mortinus—"Call me Mort, please, Elsa."—They both young and new to the ice trade. Niklas, older than herself, was married to the sister of the twins, Vilma. Niklas also was fair-haired like Kristoff, but had a full, thick beard that fell down passed his chin and squared off before reaching his Adam's apple. The mustache above his beard was tinged with red hair and curled with wax.
"Does your wife not enjoy accompanying you to the tavern?" Elsa asked, much to the humor of the twins who cackled behind her. Niklas shook his head and chuckled in a much more congenial manner.
"She will sometimes come along," he began, but got close and cupped his hand in front of his mouth as he whispered to her, "but she enjoys the quiet that is so often not accompanied by her younger siblings." Elsa glanced to the two men—more like boys—who were striking their mugs together loudly, their voices carrying even in the crowded bar. Elsa nodded sagely in understanding.
"I see." She said solemnly, her mouth quirked up to one side in amusement. With his arm around Anna's waist, Kristoff leaned in towards Elsa, some of his buttery hair falling onto his forehead.
"Are you ready to learn the game?" Elsa nodded, again finding the little brass ring.
"Is that what this is for?" she inquired, turning the brass ring over in her hand curiously, inspecting it. It was rough and an imperfect circle, which she was sure made the game she was about to learn more difficult.
"Yes," Kristoff said, and then pointed to the vertical beam. "You see that there in the wood?" Elsa followed his finger to where it pointed, seeing the glint of a piece of metal in the low light.
"A hook?" she asked, drawing closer. Indeed it was a small, silver hook anchored into the wood of the beam. Agust came and poked the point of the hook with a calloused finger.
"The aim of the game is to get the ring on the hook," he informed. Elsa looked to the ring to the hook.
"That doesn't seem too difficult," she mused, bringing a thumb and forefinger to clasp her chin between. Mortinus had come up behind the snow queen and his brother.
"Oh sure! It seems easy enough, but you see this ring-" he bellowed in their ears, only to receive a quick elbow in the ribs from his brother.
"Oi, Mort! I was tellin' her! Back off, you crazy oaf!" he barked with a laugh, shoving his brother towards a tall table situated nearby where the mugs of the whole party had been abandoned, as they were mostly empty. Mort glowered at his brother, but then looked to Elsa who had cupped fingers on both hands covering her mouth, yet still managed to look graceful and elegant as she attempted to stifle laughter.
"Elsa, what are you drinking? I am going for another round." Elsa smiled gratefully at the kind gesture.
"The wine Bjarne makes, please. He'll know which one I mean."
As Elsa finished her sentence, Agust all but demanded her attention and began telling her the rules and history of the game.
"Why not use a bull's nose ring if that's where the game came from?" Anna asked, as she had never heard the history, only had played it. "Not that I'm complaining, I don't want to touch a snotty nose ring."
Kristoff took the opportunity to explain that the brass bring had been scrap from the metal grommets the local sailmaker had been using when he was attempting to make his own. The sailmaker realized he wasn't the best at making them and left the metalwork to the smithery.
"Wouldn't it be better to use a better ring, one that was an actual circle and not so rough?" Anna asked, closing one eye to regard the ring in a more focused light, turning it to and fro between her fingers and regarding the imperfection in the metal and the moderately warped shape.
"Yes," Niklas said, "but turns out, after playing with it for so long, no one here wanted a shiny, new ring. We had gotten used to and really started to appreciate the imperfections in this little ring. I know it may sound silly, but we saw it as our ring and we liked the game the way it was. We didn't need or want to change."
Mort, having come back cut in with a quip. "Yeah, especially since it took most of us forever to get skill enough to score a successful throw with the thing!" Laughter went up around the group and the game began. After deciding the order, Elsa in the middle waited for her turn as Anna took first shot. With a sharp ping, the ring bounced off the hook and swung back towards them and Anna cursed. Elsa gasped in shock with a wide smile plastered on her face as she regarded her sister. Anna smiled sheepishly at Elsa, only to have her face smooshed between Kristoff's hands and a sloppy kissed smacked onto her lips.
"You are so damned cute," Kristoff said between clenched teeth. "God, I love you." Anna blushed sweetly and giggled at her husband. Mort stepped forward next and became quit distracted while throwing as his brother spat out his ale at him following something Kristoff said under his breath. Elsa didn't quite catch it, but apparently it was hilarious as Agust continued to laugh through the apologies he attempted to give his brother.
"I didn't do that on purpose, I swear." He chortled. "I'm sorry, Mort-Hey! Watch it!" August yelled indignantly as the other twin attempted to knock his mug out of his grasp and spill the contents within. Mort continued to grumble under his breath crossly as the spit-take had caused his throw, which was "destined to be a ringer!" he insisted emphatically, to go wide, way wide.
Niklas was next up. He had done this a long time, but still didn't make first ring as, but they did watch as the ring grazed the rounded upward curve of the hook, barely missing snagging. Loud oh's could be heard coming from the group. Elsa had been waiting her turn and had looked over her shoulder to the bar where Bjarne still resided at his post, helping the crowd of people swarming for food and drink. He looked up and his eyes met hers. Bjarne gave her an encouraging smile as Elsa heard her name called. It was her turn.
The brass ring was cool in her grasp as she analyzed the weight and the distance to the hook. Elsa gambled with a quick throw, trying not to overthink her strategy, but she realized that the fire, sparkling with embers and twisting flames, was casting gleeful dancing changes in light and shadows next to and around the hook. She watched the firelight glint off the brass grommet and heard metal and wood thunk together as she hit the high and to the side. This was going to be harder than she thought.
Kristoff placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Not a bad throw, sis. Try not to focus so hard. I know it sounds crazy, but you got to let all of those thoughts in your brain loose." She smiled and nodded, thanking his advice. They watched as Agust approached for his turn. He took his time to aim carefully, holding the ring between his fingers and the twine taught. He lined himself and his throw up, giving two small test mock released. As Agust went to throw for real, his back knee, which he had kept straight and locked in a very serious stance for such a silly game, was forcefully made to bend, causing him to loose his balance and throw wildly, narrowly missing the head of Niklas who was standing well to the side. Upon regaining his balance, Agust spun with a firey vengeance alive in his eyes as he laid them on the perpetrator: his brother, Mort.
"Oh you are so dead, brother!" he shouted, tackling his brother to the group.
"You started it!" Mort retorted, trying to force his brother off of him. Elsa didn't even try to hold back her laughter at their antics, feeling quite happy in the company of new friends.
Kristoff was last in the group to take a shot and with a shink, made a successful throw his first try. Elsa raised her eyebrows impressed with the ease with which Kristoff used while playing the simple by difficult game.
"Is the game over now?" she asked, a little disappointed that she only had one try.
"Nah," Kristoff answered. "We usually play first to five points." Elsa's face immediately brightened and she felt a surprising competitive urge build in her chest. She very quickly became very determined to get a ringer. However, after two more throws, she realized that she may have not been the only one to underestimate the potency of the drink crafted by Bjarne. So far, Anna was the only one not the least bit inebriated and she was in a tie with Elsa for last. The strawberry blonde princess had a pretty pout on her face as her husband made another ringer, now one point away from winning. The twins had one and two respectively, and Niklas somehow had disappeared.
Mort saddled up and took a throw but was quite distracted by the movement of a woman stoking the fire in the fireplace and accidentally let go before he meant to. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair and stalked to stand behind Anna, who had previously complained "Hey! You're taking my turn, you buttmunch." Anna made a hasty throw, of which didn't come close to the ring, but swung passed the large beam and came back to her. She did not seem the least bit miffed, sauntering over to her husband instead for apparently much needed affectionate attention.
Elsa waited her turn patiently and watched the other twin aim. Drinks had been sloshed on the floor and the leather boots he wore had little to no tread on the bottom, making for a slippery floor—at least that was his excuse when he missed again. The Ice Queen was hoping that she would make one ring and that Kristoff would miss, ultimately prolonging the game. Honestly, she would be happy not to have to go home yet. All there was at home was her room, the night, and her thoughts to keep her awake under the moonlight. Somehow the prospect of finding a husband had fallen into the back of her mind since she had her revelation at the bar. What would happen if her children had her powers? While she now saw her powers as a gift, she could not ignore that she didn't always view them in such a manner.
"Elsa, it's your turn," Anna singsonged from her husband's embrace, giving her sister a cheeky smile. As Elsa held the small ring between her fingers and put the hook in soft focus, the warm orange of the flickering fire swimming in her vision, her mind kept steaming along, thinking about what her future husband really thought of her powers and how he would feel if their children were to inherit it as well. Elsa shook her silver head, smiling wryly at herself. She knew she couldn't control everything that happened. Trying to keep such a tight hold on herself and everything happening around her had only ever made her powers worse and made her fear the possible repercussions of pursuing natural relationships with her own family and countrymen. Elsa was tired of holding onto fear. She closed her eyes and took a cleansing breath, ready to move forward and make the throw.
'You need to learn to let go, Elsa,' she thought to herself. "Just let it go," she whispered as she closed her eyes and gave a gentle toss to the ring, feeling the rough metal grate lightly against the pad of her finger as she guided it. Elsa felt as if a bad sort of energy left her body with the throw, leaving the tips of her fingers to travel where they may. She heard uproar from her companions, sounds of incredulity, not quite what she expected to hear from a ringer. Elsa cautiously opened eye, keeping the other tightly shut, and focused on the ring and the hook. The ring wasn't moving, so she assumed she had accomplished her goal. However, upon further inspection she saw it: a bulbous mass of smooth, clear ice encasing the ring and the hook, effectively sticking them together.
Elsa sighed in frustration and disappointment though she felt a number of congratulatory, heavy claps on her back made by thick, masculine hands while gazing upon the smooth ridges, valleys, and swirls sculpted into the ice by the tumultuous thoughts swirling rampant through her mind at the time of her release. She meant to not have her powers act without her express mental say-so, but in all these years, she concluded she might have in fact learned next to nothing.
Across the village center and on a mooring boat in deep waters of the inlet harbor, Hans was thinking something very similar. He rested his chin in his palm as he leaned on the rail, looking over to the water to the twinkling lights slowly being snuffed as the night grew late.
"Arandelle is no place to find a wife," he said lowly to himself, flicking at an invisible piece of dirt on the rail. Heavy boots sounded behind him and he didn't need to turn his head to know it was his brother.
"Maybe not for you." Hans tilted his head back to regard Dietrich with a scornful look. Dietrich shrugging, added, "Just because you made a mistake doesn't mean this cannot be prosperous for me and for the Southern Isles."
"Have you learned nothing from the last ten years?" Hans asked incredulously. "We are not welcome here."
"Then why extend an invitation?" his elder brother asked siding up next to Hans on the rail. Hans plopped his hand back into his palm, not bothering to hide his bad mood.
"Because it would look bad if they hadn't," Hans groused. Dietrich waggled a bare finger at his brother, smiling confidently.
"No, see, that's where you're wrong, little brother. It sure seems that way doesn't it: that we have all been working hard at better relations and what better way to show how good they are by extending us an invitation. But you know what I think? I think they're desperate. I think Elsa has not married not because she doesn't want to, but because no one has been game for it!" Hans lifted a dubious eyebrow at his brother.
"And you are?" Dietrich smiled in a way Hans found irksome.
"There is nothing to be timid about," the elder of the two commented. "You'll see. Tomorrow begins the business side of this intermarriage. There will be the presentation of what each suitor, each country, has to offer…negotiations. And what do these other two men have to offer. True, the Spaniard indeed has the Canary Islands; think about Elsa and her connection to her family here. How do you think she would feel about trying to rule and raise a family all the way on those islands or try to maintain the relationship here while he is there? And the nobleman from Corona—what could he offer a monarch?"
"Probably the same thing you can," Hans retorted, knowing his brother had little land he oversaw, probably as much as the Duke.
"I am of noble blood and good breeding. That man is an adopted street urchin and now in the King's good favor. I am the king's brother and have a better chance of ruling our kingdom than the lad has of ruling that one." Hans rolled his eyes, tired of this game and tired of being in this kingdom already.
"D'you really think she's going to listen to a word you say now that you've brought me along?" he mumbled, knowing both women were cross with his presence in the kingdom, though probably not as mad as he was uncomfortable. He had spent years performing anything and everything as penance for his desperate actions ten years prior and had really turned his mind in a more positive direction. He was much more content being relaxed and not having an entire kingdom to worry about. Looking at it now, he really didn't have it better. He had been a boy of eighteen for Heaven's sake and being invisible for years in his own household had made him hungry to be recognized and that drove him to near madness. Hans knew that in no way was an excuse, but he didn't want to be noticed now. He had been noticed a lot in the last decade, and it mostly wasn't in a positive light. If he wasn't doing good in the eyes of his kingdom and his family, he didn't want anything to do with it. And now here he was, being dragged into whatever his brother's scheme was.
"Oh, I'm quite sure she will. She may have no respect for you, but she has respect for our family and our kingdom. And if she is too distracted by you, I assume her council members will have their ears open." He gave Hans a light tap with the back of his hand. "Sitting next to you, the man who tried and failed to murder her, I look too good to be true." Hans' eyebrows snapped downwards and he stood straight, eye-to-eye with his brother.
"That's it. I don't want any part of this scheme. I will not be attending any negotiations, any gala—since I'm sure they'll have one, no nothing. I will keep my feet firmly planted on the wood of this vessel!"
"Scheme?" Dietrich exclaimed looking more than a little insulted and very displeased. "There is no scheme brother. I am merely trying to win her over. And I will use anything at my disposal to do so." His voice lowered to stress what he was saying. "This isn't just about me becoming King here. Do you know what that will do for our citizens, for our family? You would do well to assist. Because of you,"—he pointed his finger in Hans' face—"our tiny country developed such a bad reputation, trade almost entirely ceased, our people less prosperous, and our country on the precipice of a war with Arandelle and its allies. Our family and country is running out of money, we are going bankrupt. This is for us, not for me." Hans' clear green eyes found the floor, feeling all of the shame flood back into his heart, making his chest feel heavy.
"You can't just get by being invisible again, Hans. You have to grow up, quit lounging about the castle doing as you please and be more involved."
"I have been more involved," Hans argued defensively.
"Oh really?" Dietrich asked skeptically. "Then why is all this news to you? How could you not know how poorly our country has been doing? Or do you choose just not to see it?" Hans narrowed his eyes.
"In case you have forgotten, brother, I wasn't living in the castle or allowed in meetings to discuss our fine kingdom for quite some time, years in fact."
"That's no excuse!" his elder brother immediately retorted slamming his fist onto the rail, and Hans flinched, knowing this to be true. Dietrich sighed, letting his shoulders sag and Hans thought that he looked ragged and sincere, as if he truly believed that the future of their kingdom road on the success of this match. So when pleading green eyes, so much like his implored to him, he placed a hand on his brother's shoulder.
"Okay, Dietrich, okay. I will do what I can."
As always, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I would like to extend a thank you to those who have followed, reviewed, and favorited this story. You guys, the readers, are what keeps it all going.
