A/N: I wasn't originally going to include the mystery subplot, but then I thought, why not write a novel-length Helsa fanfic? Good times. Again, a huge thank you all of you who are following, reviewing, etc. I've really been blown away by the support! Sorry this chapter took a bit: I was vacationing for a friend's wedding (Wisconsin: you are freaking beautiful!) and then got distracted by making Helsa fanart which you can find a link for in my profile. ONWARDS!
The Bachelorette
Chapter Three: The Wreckage
if i could laugh i'd love you
if i could smile at anything you said
we could be laughing lovers
i think you'd prefer to be miserable instead
if i could love i'd love you
if i could love like anybody else
i know what i am
and i'm your villain
although i don't give a damn if
i'm your villain
because serious
you're so serious
franz ferdinand - 'i'm your villain'
HRH Martis Westerguard the Third of the Southern Isles -
I am writing to inform you of ADM Prince Hans Westerguard's continued exploits in Arendelle. Having opened the gates to suitors, I was most unpleasantly surprised to count your younger brother among them. He insists on being considered for suit of my royal hand and has informed me it was your "punishment" that inspired his actions. While I sincerely doubt your intentions were for him to travel back to Arendelle and presume to pursue its monarchy, alas, he is here doing exactly that.
I am not offended by any punishments deemed fit to serve the prince justice, but I am curious as to the exact nature of his latest penitence, as I find myself directly, if not unwittingly, involved. Also, I should like to ascertain the truthfulness of your brother's claims, as this would not be the first time he has set his sites and schemes toward Arendelle.
I hope this missive finds you in good weather and good humor so that you might quickly alleviate some of my concerns in this matter.
- HRM Queen Elsa the Snow Queen of Arendelle
Elsa read the letter again wanting to be sure it fully communicated her message without sounding overly abrasive. Her first drafts were quite a bit more spiteful, but this final edit seemed appropriate to her sensibilities. 'If he doesn't like it, too bad,' she thought bitterly to herself, 'this whole mess is his fault anyway.' She knew she was being unkind, as she doubted very much Prince Martis had told Hans to pursue her specifically, but she couldn't help but feel some resentment for the stranger that sent the Southern Prince on his mission of conquest. 'Unfortunately for him, I am not so easily conquered.' Sweet words and pretty flowers did little to pique her interest. She wondered why he even bothered. What did he get out of it other than her ire?
Elsa was suddenly startled to still be thinking about the Southern Prince when she should be getting ready for the afternoon Anna had planned. She rang for a page and folded the letter carefully before sealing it with wax and her stamp. While waiting, she took a perfunctory glance in the mirror to see how Gerda's work had held up throughout the morning and scowled at the flowers still perched so innocently among the pale strands. As soon as the page had come and gone, Elsa quickly changed out of her velvet dress and slipped into a gown of her own creation. Cloaked in her magic, she felt strong and secure, though she wryly noted the collar was quite a bit higher than she was accustomed. She smirked at her observations and set out for the harbor.
She found Anna was already down by the docks accompanied by several of the suitors. Notably absent were the Desert King and the Southern Prince, though upon doing a head-count she figured at least two others were missing. Edric and Edwin immediately had her attention, dressed in strange double-breasted shirts dyed bright orange and red, a style they had doubtless adopted on their travels. She idly wondered if they always matched and giggled mentally at the thought. "Your majesty," the orange twin greeted her with a wide smile, "You are looking well. An outfit change we see? Us too, of course."
Elsa nodded cordially, "Of course. I didn't want to ruin all of that fine velvet on the water this afternoon."
The brother in red nodded sagely, as though these were wisest of words. "But how can you be so sure this lovely ensemble won't befall the same fate?"
After yesterday's brief and unintentional display of power in the welcoming room, mostly due to Hans' unexpected arrival, Elsa had become aware of the fact that some the suitors might not be all-together comfortable with her unique talents. She decided she might test them, just a little. "It's magic," she teased and flexed her fingers, letting snowflakes drift about on a gentle breeze of her own making. As she suspected more than one jumped back startled and perhaps a little afraid. The arrogant young prince, Pertyer, stared on in disdain, clearly bored with the whole proceedings. 'No points for apathy.'
The twins merely grinned and clapped politely at the spectacle. When Farhajii's commanding voice boomed from a ways behind her it was Elsa's turn to be surprised, though she was quick to compose herself.
"Ah, my queen," he sounded delighted and when she turned to face him he was smiling bright as the sun, "such a wonderful display of power and, yet, I was not here to enjoy the show. I am offended, to say the least."
It was still surreal after so long hiding her powers to not only feel confident in her abilities, but also to have people admire it so. "I am sorry were not here to see it. Perhaps a group demonstration could be arranged at a later date, if that would appease your majesty?" She knew his offense was only in jest, but maybe it would be a good idea to show these men exactly what she was capable of. It might help weed out a few of the more skittish suitors of their own volition.
"Elsa," Anna was waving to get her elder sister's attention, "I think everything is ready to go!"
The queen made her way to her sister's side, unwilling to shout over the din of the harbor and the crashing of the waves against rocks. "Good, I think we're still waiting on the very young duke - Garreth, I think it was - and lord-something-or-other."
Anna giggled. "Lord-something-or-other? You couldn't even be bothered to learn his name? I guess that's another one to check off the list."
Elsa rolled her eyes very uncharacteristically. "I told you: there are too many."
"And what about Hans?" Anna stood on her tip-toes to peruse the crowd, but with his fiery locks the Southern Prince would be hard to miss, "I haven't seen his stupid face anywhere, yet."
"What about him?" Elsa was shooting for indifferent, but her tone sounded more resentful than anything, "If he can't be bothered to be here on time, I certainly can't be bothered to wait on him."
"But Elsssa, what about my plan?" Anna whined.
"I'm still thinking about it," Elsa lied. She hadn't really given the matter much thought after it kept her awake half the night. She had been far too busy dealing with today's disasters in romance.
As if on cue, Anna noticed the Delphinium blossoms. "Well, well, well," she was absolutely giddy, her eyes bright with curiosity, "someone has obviously been thinking about you! Are those a token from an admirer?"
"Something like that," Elsa mumbled and was saved from the awkward conversation by the arrival of the last two suitors. She quickly moved to greet them, if only to avoid anymore of Anna's questions. "Well met, gentlemen," the youngest duke looked positively frightened at being so singled out, "we can now be on our way."
By the time the entire party had boarded Elsa had made herself comfortable at the stern, silently rejoicing in the feel of the sunshine on her pale skin and the thought of a Hans-free afternoon. Leaving him unattended was a calculated risk, but she doubted there was little mischief he could get up to in a few hours time and imagining the furious look on his face when they all returned to the docks at the end of the day made her heart flutter in wicked delight. She smiled happily as the ship moved in the current and began to pick up speed. Her joy, however, was to be short-lived.
"Hey! Wait! Stop!" There was no mistaking the angry cry, even from a distance. There he was, barreling down the harbor, dodging crewmen and cargo alike at a break-neck speed while waving his arms for attention. Elsa shook her head slowly, half in sheer disbelief and half in horror.
At the captain's questioning look she finally regained her senses and waved a dismissive hand, "Continue on, Captain Woodrow, full speed ahead."
Even as the boat moved toward deeper waters Hans ran down the dock relentlessly until Elsa was sure he intended to drown. 'He wouldn't - ' and then he did. In one graceful motion he dove for the breakwaters, surfacing only a moment later and swimming in sure measured strokes. A few of the men and especially Anna were laughing outright at the entire display, but Elsa could only stare on in numb shock. 'Is there nothing he will stop at?' She was beginning to suspect the answer to that question was not one she would like.
To everyone but the Snow Queen's surprise, he actually managed to catch up to the vessel with enough air left to run his incessant mouth. "Someone throw me a rope, will you?"
When no one moved to aid the still swimming prince Elsa ran to the railing. "What do you think you are doing? Are you insane?!" She could not ever remember hearing her own voice sound so shrill.
"I thought we had established that already?" He had to pause to spit out a mouthful of water, "Now, are you going to help me up or do I have to swim all the way back to the docks?"
Beyond exasperated, Elsa briefly considered it, but ultimately decided she did not want to have to write Prince Martis of his brother's demise due to sheer stupidity. She quickly conjured a ladder of ice and snow that reached the waters, half-hoping he would slip on his accent and oddly relieved when he finally cleared the rail and righted himself on deck.
"I told you I am an accomplished swimmer," he smirked and ran a hand through his sodden locks.
"Perhaps you could have picked a better opportunity to display your skills?" She vanished the ladder away with an angry wave of her hand, "I just can't believe you!"
"And I can't believe you were going to leave me behind!" When she turned back to face him he was half out of his coat, obviously intent on drying it out, and Elsa blushed furiously at his impropriety. She quickly averted her eyes and so did not detect his careful approach. "It's almost as if you don't want me around," his voice was quieter and more intimate. Elsa shivered at the sound of it, though whether it was in disgust or something else entirely she did not know and did not care to dwell on.
"That's because I don't want you around."
"So cruel, your grace," he mocked and moved away from her, his voice rising so that everyone on board was sure to hear, "I see you're enjoying my flowers?"
If Elsa had ever thought she knew true mortification before that moment she was wrong. Every part of her body seemed to come alive with an intense fever that stained her crimson from head to toe. She almost didn't hear Anna's shocked gasp through the sound of blood roaring through her ears. When she dared chance a look at the curious assembly she was unsurprised by the jealousy written across most of the other men's faces and suddenly she understood Hans' intentions, opaque as they often were. 'So that's his game,' she was quick to see through the ploy, 'Make sure all eyes are on him and make sure they all know he gave me a token. A token that I accepted.' Two could play at this farce as well as one.
"They are nice enough, I suppose, for such a common variety," Elsa feigned apathy, which wasn't hard after years of concealing her emotions, "I am hoping to collect a crown by the end of the day." She eyed the gathered assembly with a raised brow, obviously issuing a challenge. "What say you, gentlemen? Whomever can bring me the most beautiful blossom by this evening will get to have a private dinner with me tomorrow."
The men looked excited at the opportunity, their jealousy forgotten in the face of a chance at getting closer the recalcitrant queen. Hans glowered magnificently, "Oh, well played, your majesty." His voice was lower and more dangerous than before.
"I certainly would like to think so." It was her turn to smirk, though the expression felt foreign on her face. She enjoyed the small victory, even if did mean she would have to go on - Lord forbid - a date. The sacrifice was well worth the bitter look of defeat that contorted the prince's handsome features, brief as the moment lasted.
His cocky grin quickly returned in full force. "Cruel, indeed. I wonder: do any of these other men know how vicious her majesty can be?"
"None but you inspire such viciousness in me," she answered honestly, surprising them both.
Hans was the first to recover and with a single step he was close enough to speak privately. Well within her personal space, he smelled strongly of the sea and something darker and muskier she was unable to identify. "I wonder what other emotions I might be able to inspire in you?"
Elsa blushed prettily at that, unused to the sort of games played between men and women. "Don't be lewd." She was very glad no one appeared to be listening.
"And here I thought I was being charming." He could put a rogue to shame with that smile.
"Decidedly not," given a moment to recover from the innuendo, Elsa regarded him coolly, the definition of dispassionate, "And I very much doubt you could inspire anything other than contempt in me, Prince Hans."
"Is that a challenge?"
"It is a fact." Sick of trading barbs with him and finding herself treading dangerous and unfamiliar waters, Elsa took this last remark as her leave. Surefooted, the Snow Queen made her way across the swaying deck toward her sister and the inevitable avalanche that was Anna's flair for dramatics.
Anna did not fail to deliver. "What. Was. That?!" She was practically hyperventilating and Elsa found the shade of purple the princess' face was turning fascinating, but most certainly unhealthy.
Elsa patted her younger sister's shoulder comfortingly. "Calm down, Anna. You look like you're going to have a fit," the princess took a deep breath that seemed to go a ways towards settling her nerves before Elsa continued, "That was Hans being Hans, I suppose. I think he did it mostly to annoy the others." She tilted her head to indicate the suitors milling about the vessel.
Anna nodded, "I expected him to try and turn on the charm, but that was like something out of a romance novel!"
"It was something stupid and dangerous, is what it was," Elsa still couldn't believe he had swam the two-hundred yards between the docks and the ship only to risk being sucked under the wake of the vessel. He could have easily drowned, and then what would he have proved? 'That he's an arrogant man with no sense,' Elsa mused wryly, 'Like most.'
Anna didn't seem dissuaded by her comment, "And he's the one who gave you the flowers? Good work on the contest, by the way."
Elsa nodded reluctantly, "This morning, after breakfast, he caught me in the hallway while I was on my way to my meeting."
Anna finally smiled, though it was far from friendly. "Everything is going exactly according to plan."
'But whose plan, I wonder?' Elsa lacked the courage to voice the words aloud. Were things progressing in accordance with Anna's plan to ruin Hans' life (while also finding Elsa the very best man) or Hans' scheme to avoid proper punishment while also securing the crown and, according to him, queen he always wanted? As for herself, Elsa had no plans other than trying to discern if she could actually stand any of the suitors long enough to spend the rest of her life with one and trying to avoid the machinations of the first two conspirators. The longer she thought on the matter the more her head hurt.
By the time the far side of the fjord come into plain view the sun was well overhead. The gathered assembly had ooh'ed and ahh'ed at all the appropriate sights, but by now most were distracted by the empty ache of hunger. Just beyond the docks lay a lovely inn Elsa and Anna had often frequented as children with their parents in which they planned to sup with the suitors and crew. Anna was excitedly describing the various dishes she planned on ordering - all the way from appetizers to after-dinner espresso - while a few suitors listened politely. No one doubted a good relationship with the younger sister would increase their chances with the elder.
As for herself, Elsa had made pleasant enough conversation with King Farhajii and Duke Einarys for most of the journey, stealing away for a moment with Stefan between sightseeing. Elsa felt surprisingly giddy, not only at all of the attention, which was flattering in its own right, but also by the sheer beauty of the day's journey as well as her companions' liveliness. After so many years in practical isolation, spending a day under the summer's sun on the open waters with so many new and exciting personalities was refreshing. She had somehow managed to avoid the Southern Prince all afternoon and her mood was markedly improved since setting sail.
So wrapped up in an exciting story of life among the Desert Nations as described by its king, Elsa didn't immediately sense anything was wrong, but when she caught sight of the shores ahead her stomach began to sink. "Excuse me," she felt a little bad for interrupting, rude as it was, but the fear in her eyes must have explained her suddenness as Farhajii looked more concerned than offended. The ship was already beginning to slow as the men laid their oars to water and the first of the wreckage that used to be the docks floated into range.
The suitors seemed to move as one toward to stern to survey the damage while the crew flitted about trying to reduce their speed as quickly as possible. They would have to lay anchor in the harbor and take skiffs to the beach, but Elsa felt a cold nervousness sweep over her at the thought of waiting so long. These were her people. Obviously, some poor fate, natural or otherwise, had befallen their shores and it was her duty as Queen to help them. Perhaps a demonstration of her power was sooner forthcoming than she had expected.
"Gentlemen," she addressed the crew and suitors alike as soon as the anchor was laid, "I am going ahead to find out what I can. Guards, follow in skiffs. Any else who wish to follow may, but be warned, Arendelle cannot accept responsibility for any harm that befalls you." With a curt nod to her guards, who looked nervous, but battle-ready, she let loose the storm that was raging through her veins, already stirred to a frenzy. The wood of the railing cracked loudly in the sudden silence as frost consumed the side of the ship in only a matter of moments. The entire vessel groaned in protest as a spiraling staircase of hard-packed snow unwound itself from the deck to connect to the waters below. The structure immediately hardened into glistening ice at her touch and when she reached the bottom the path magically continued to grow before her every frenzied step as she went forth to protect her people without once looking back.
Debris bounced off her ice as she ran, but she hardly noticed as her eyes were facing forward, looking for any signs of life on the far banks. It didn't take her long to spot figures along the beach and when she finally stumbled onto the sandy shores quite the crowd was gathered, for which she was relieved. Many looked worse for wear and were clearly frightened, but they all seemed unhurt. "Your majesty!" they cried, "Queen Elsa!" It was almost overwhelming being among so many and all of them calling out for her attention. She suddenly felt foolish for charging in so head-strong, not knowing what she could possibly do to help or even what the situation was.
Finally, the sea of bodies parted to allow a wizened old woman Elsa immediately recognized as the town's governess, Madam Isla. She was also the proprietress of the inn they had set their hopes on, though the afternoon's delights now seemed far off. "Your majesty," the woman bowed solemnly, "we are glad you came so quickly."
"I'm sorry," Elsa was confused, "I have no idea what's going on! Please, is everyone alright?"
The woman looked surprised as well, but quickly reassured the queen, "Yes, your highness. No one was hurt, thank the heavens. The damage was only to property. It happened just this morning. We have sent a rider, my own son Frederick, to alert the castle."
"It is strange fortune, then, that brought us to you so soon," Elsa didn't believe in coincidences despite, or perhaps in spite of, the strangeness that was her life, but she certainly didn't have time to dwell too much on it now, "My sister and I have heard no word of this as we have been hosting on entourage on the water all afternoon. We made plans to stop at your inn for dinner when I saw the damage from our ship. What exactly happened?"
"It was the damnedest thing, pardon your majesty's grace," Elsa smiled reassuringly and the woman continued, "bright beautiful morning, normal as can be, when in rolls this cloud just after breakfast. Nothing too usual about clouds, mind you, but this one was the most horrid shades of orange and red you can imagine. And before anyone can tell what's what, there came a sound like the sky itself was being ripped apart." The old woman was definitely a good story-teller, but Elsa could tell she wasn't exaggerating from the fear in her eyes and the young queen's heart raced with dread. "Out spirals a twister, strange and scary enough weather for this time of year, but this one was on fire." Elsa felt like retching, trying to imagine such a gruesome sight and coming up short. "Touched down on the docks first," the old woman made a sweeping motion with her arms, indicating the ruined harbor, burnt and torn apart as it was, "before leaping into the center of town. Literally jumped over buildings, mind you, to tear up the city square." Isla shuddered with revulsion, "Sorcery, your grace, no doubt about it. I'll never forget it as long as I live."
"Take me to the town square," Elsa had to see the damage for herself, much as it might hurt her heart and soul, "Rest assured, we will compensate you for your losses and begin investigation to this matter immediately."
"Thank you, your majesty," the woman looked relieved and it made her seem much younger, "follow me, if you please."
A few of the more adventurous of the men who had come after her followed like lost puppies, but Elsa paid them no mind. Sorcery, weather-magic, an attack on Arendelle soil by an unknown assailant; Elsa suddenly felt the suitors were the least of her concerns.
The governess had no been over-stating when she claimed the worst of the damage was at the heart of the small province. Several businesses, including the old woman's inn Elsa noted sadly, had been ripped to shreds while still more buildings had caught fire after the fact. Here and there people swarmed over still smoldering thatched roofs and piles of debris, trying and succeeding at controlling the remnants of the blaze. When they reached the site where the inn had stood, now a barely recognizable heap of ashes and chunks of charred remains, Isla stopped and sighed sadly. "Two-hundred years or more my family has managed this inn," her voice was remorseful, "We'll rebuild, of course, but it's still hard to watch it all go up so quickly."
Elsa felt a deep sympathy for the woman and it brought forth memories of her own fond times spent there with her family. Before she froze Anna's head and before they lost their parent's, gone in an instant to the fickleness of fate. The remains of the large hearth still stood, ruined as it was, and she could easily recall her father seated before the flames, his face flush with wine and his voice warm and excited, telling a story while her mother sat beside him, all happy smiles and soft hands.
Suddenly, and quite unexpectedly, the ice trapped inside her seemed fierce and wild, an animal biting at the reins. This was too much at once: the suitors, the attack, Anna's plan, the Southern Prince, the twice-damned Delphinium flowers, she didn't know where her troubles began and ended anymore. Frost began to cover the already cracked cobblestones at her feet and a winter wind came up out of no where to fan the embers still glowing in the wreckage around her. "Your majesty," Isla begged nervously, but Elsa could barely hear her over the sound of the storm raging inside of her.
Then, just as unexpected as the fit of madness, a hand, warm and steady against her own. Fingers squeezed reassuringly as she held on like a lifeline, taking deep breaths to calm herself and focusing solely on the feeling of the heat trapped between her still restlessly clenching digits and the comforting grip of whoever dared risk her wintery wrath. Her heart skipped a beat and yet she found herself oddly unsurprised when her saviour finally spoke, "Don't be the monster they once feared you were."
When she glared flatly at Hans, the snow still swirling about them, but more sedately now, he laughed and grinned easily. His smile was one she had never seen before on his face. It looked real. "There now, that's the Snow Queen we know and love."
She blushed and looked down at their clasped hands to hide her embarrassment at being caught so out of control and, in turn, comforted by her worst enemy. He followed her gaze and boldly brushed his thumb over the back of her knuckles. The rough-spun fabric of his gloves grated against the sensitive skin and she snatched her hand back as though she had been burned. "You don't love me. You don't even know me. And I really don't think you're capable of loving anyone but yourself."
"That's twice today you've challenged me, your majesty," he sighed dramatically and gave her a long lingering look that shook her to the core, "You should know I will always rise to the occasion. Be careful what you dare me to do, I might just do it."
Elsa squirmed under his scrutiny, but refused to look away. "I dare you to go jump off a bridge."
"Queen Elsa! Queen Elsa!" They were equally distracted by the very young duke shouting and running toward them, his face alight with excitement. Elsa imagined being married to him would be like taking in a more timid male version of Anna. "Look at what I found!" He was waving his arms so enthusiastically Elsa couldn't make out what he was holding. 'Ah, to raise a husband.' she thought, but not unkindly.
He was out of breath by the time he ran up to them and pathetically rested one hand on his knee to brace himself while offering her the prize in triumph. It was a Narcissus Lily, a stunning variation of bright yellows and oranges. Elsa blinked slowly, wanting to laugh at the absurdity of it all, as Duke Garreth grinned up at her hopefully. "Do you like it?"
Only the Snow Queen could see the murderous look the Southern Prince was giving the boy and the expression made something within her leap with joy to see him so defeated. 'And by such an unsuspecting enemy, no less.' "It's lovely," she accepted the blossom and wove it into her locks where it clashed beautifully with the Lark's Heel, "What do you think, Prince Hans?"
He had already stormed off in a flurry of fluttering coattails and righteous indignation. Elsa finally let loose, laughing long and loud, in spite of everything, and it felt like victory.
end chapter three.
