Hey, all. Hope you're enjoying the story! Nothing quite like a little bit of world building. These next few chapters may be a little slow, but they're going to be crucial to the rest of the story. Remember to review if you like it, or don't like it, or you just want to tell me how much you love pie, I enjoy hearing everyones opinion and ideas!
Don sat in the opulent room they had provided him, feeling better once they'd pulled the splinters from his arm, and he'd been allowed to bathe. Spending several weeks on a ship didn't leave a large amount of time to bathe, although for a Valdistonian he enjoyed washing quite a bit more.
That's probably from my mother's side of the family!
He wore a borrowed set of clothes, until he could get to his trunk on the Sturmfisch, which though simply patterned, was luxurious in how fine it was woven.
If only I could just not follow my father's orders… But he cringed at the thought, remembering the last time he'd openly disobeyed. The scar that ran along his jaw was testament to that. But… one must dream, though you cannot change your destiny.
A knock at the door roused him from his contemplations, and he soon found himself being led down a wide, well lit hallway. A servant opened the door, and he stepped through into the immaculate chamber beyond.
"Now presenting, Prince Donner of Valdiston!" The servant announced, before stepping back through and pulling the door closed.
He stood there, a little awkwardly for a moment, as the four people and…
"Is that a snowman?" He blurted out before he could stop himself, as the thing shifted towards him, a tiny little flurry floating just above his head, periodically throwing out a snowflake.
The Ice Queen's powers can bring things to life? He thought with amazement, seeing something so unexpected. Is she truly so powerful?
"Hi, I'm Olaf, and I like warm hugs!"
Laughter drifted lightly from the table, and he saw the Queen stand to greet him.
"Please, Prince Don, come and join us." She said, before gesturing towards the seat closest to her right. "I apologize for not introducing everyone earlier."
Don waved a hand, inclining his head slightly as he approached the table.
"My younger sister Anna," She gestured to the slender reddish blonde girl sitting to his left, "Her boyfriend, Kristoff," Don reached across to shake the other man's hands, noting a workman's fingers and callouses. "And this is Olaf, something I created at the start of the Great Freezing."
"Your magic brought him to life?" He said, his voice filled with wonder as he looked from face to face. "That kind of power…"
"Yes, but I do my best not to use it," The Queen said politely, "In all honestly, I haven't used it since just after the Great Thaw. So, tell us a little about yourself."
"Yeah, like why you have that big scar on your face!" The little snowman called from the table.
"Olaf!" Anna and Elsa said at the same time.
"No, no, it is a fair question," He said, though it hurt to talk about it. "I'm guessing you know of my father, at least by reputation. Ivan the Brutal."
The Queen looked taken aback a she understood what he was trying to tactfully say.
"You mean your own father did that to you?" She said, taken aback.
Don nodded, slowly, running a finger along the gruesome scar.
"It isn't as bad as you think, Your Majesty," He said, a wry smile crossing his lips, "But, my father always emphasized discipline and training. I got this," He tapped the scar again, "During sword training with my father. We were out on the Eastern Sea, and I lost my footing. I was always rather clumsy as a child."
"That's horrible!" Anna said, looking at him with wide eyes. "How could your father be like that? What about your mother?"
"She's from Mosseburg, north of Valdiston," Don laughed. Time with his mother had usually been pretty enjoyable. "She didn't ever come along on any of our sea trips. But being the seventh child of the King of Mosseburg meant nothing really important hung on her shoulders. Nothing except her music."
"Your mother sings?"
Thank goodness we've changed the subject!
"Yes," He replied, doing his best not to sigh in relief, "She always led the choir in Mosseburg, and did the same when she married my father. I unfortunately didn't receive all of her talent in that area!"
Elsa smiled.
"Our mother used to sing to us when we were girls," She said, only a hint of sadness in her voice. "Before their ship sank three years ago."
Don bowed his head.
"I am so sorry for your loss, Princess Anna, Queen Elsa," He said quietly, feeling a slight pain at the back of his head. "And would like to officially apologize for there not being an official representative or myself at either your parent's funeral, or your coronation. But due to how most of the nations view my own…"
"It wouldn't have been politically expedient," Elsa finished for him, "And there is no reason to apologize. If the information you brought is truth, then Arendelle will stand strong with Valdiston."
As she finished speaking, the doors opened, and the first part of their meal arrived. They didn't speak, other than some polite conversation, during which Don was able to pick up little snippets of additional information. Like that Kristoff was the "Official Arendelle Ice Master and Deliverer".
When they were done, Elsa had invited Don to join them in the great hall, where the whole of Arendelle was beginning to light the candles and lanterns that made the city so dazzling at night. Out in the bay, the Sturmfisch had been moved along the pier, and he could see the crew working to remove the snapped masts, while they did their best to save the sails.
The Queen came up beside him as he stood looking out the window. He turned slightly, looking down at her. He noticed for the first time that her hair had strands of ice woven through it, and that her dress was made entirely of her magic.
Without thinking, he reached out to touch her, placing his hand on her shoulder. She recoiled as if he had struck her, but recovered just out of his reach.
"You're entire outfit is made of your magic," He said under his breath. She looked at him, her blue eyes cool. "That is simply amazing…"
She is able to use her power for such trifling things… And so carefully. She is amazing!
Why did he touch me? Elsa thought, instantly trying to get out of his reach.
"I have sent orders to the members of my navy to assist you men in repairing your ship," Elsa said to Prince Don, "They say it is a tidy little vessel, probably quite fast."
"Majesty," Don said, his eyes shining in a way she hadn't seen yet, "The Sturmfisch is likely the fastest ship to sale the seas and oceans!"
He does have a certain amount of boyish charm. She thought. And he doesn't seem disingenuous. And we the castle has been quite boring these last few months, especially when Kristoff and Anna were gone on their vacation. Two weeks alone… Maybe…
"When it is repaired, I think I would like to see if that is true."
She said it lightly, but Don's was interrupted as Kristoff began to fiddle with his mandolin. Elsa cringed at the thought of their guest being treated to another rendition of "Reindeer are better than people", and moved quickly.
Snatching the instrument out of his hands, she turned and handed it to Don.
"You said you sing a little bit, right?"
Please be able to play the mandolin, please be able to play the mandolin. She prayed.
The Prince looked down at the instrument, running his hand along the dented and worn surface. But Elsa's prayer was answered as he took the instrument, and began to strum it, before tuning it despite Kristoff's protests.
"I'm warning you," He said as he finished tuning the mandolin. "I'm not half the singer my lady mother is!"
The heart is beating,
No retreating
Forever moving onward
From when first the sails were unfurled,
On the day of the birth of the world
We moved forward
Our swords a-flashing,
Enemies' a-dashing
…
The song seemed to go on forever, in a good way, but it was only a few minutes long. At the end, they all clapped, he bowed and handed the mandolin back to a jealous Kristoff.
"What song was that?"
"'Framåt, Valdiston'" The prince said, "It is our national anthem. Though… It's a little awkward to sing in the Common Tongue, since it was originally done in Vald, our native tongue." He laughed, "But I guess it gets the point across."
"Well," Anna said, "It was still a nice song!"
Elsa nodded agreement, as did Olaf, who tried to sing the entire song by memory. Suffice it to say, it sounded terrible. She did her best to hide a smile at the look on Prince Don's face, but failed, and chuckled slightly.
"Sorry about that," She said as he came to sit with them, "He has a tendency to try to put his own touches on it." Then as Olaf started to come back towards them, she said in a very motherly fashion, "No, Olaf. Go put the hat and cane back where you found it."
As the little snowman pouted away, they sat in an awkward silence for a few moments, before Prince Don broke it.
"I apologize for attempting to speak about… politics…" He said it like it was a dirty word, "But, when you can confirm the information I brought you, what will you do?"
"If they bear the truth," She said, "Then I will be forced to gather what few allies we have left."
The Prince nodded in understanding.
"Well, my father gave me no commands about what I was to do once I delivered this information to you," He said, "So, if you would have me, I will offer you my service."
And I was just going to say that he could stay here… She said.
"I believe that would be agreeable."
She heard Anna snicker quietly, and did her best not to glare at her.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," He said, seeming to sag slightly, "Now, I must confess to being a little under the weather. And must beg your leave."
"Thank you for your company, and for the song," She motioned to Kai, "Please make sure he is comfortable."
As he left, she turned to find Anna, Kristoff and Olaf eyeing her.
"What?" She snapped.
Anna was the first to speak, smiling slightly.
"You've got a crush." She said simply.
"No, I don't!" Elsa immediately protested. "He's too young for me, anyways! And at least, I barely know him!"
Anna put on a faux offended expression.
"Oh, that's a cheap shot!" She elbowed Kristoff when he laughed at her. "But, you just invited him to stay with us. Why?"
Elsa sighed.
"Because, things have been… Well," She gestured around to the empty hall, "Boring. I thought that maybe having someone new around could help alleviate that. Especially with the Winter Festival coming up."
They nodded in understanding. The Winter Festival ran from Christmas to New Years, and was generally pretty fun, especially the New Year's Gala that marked the end of the Festival. It was the biggest party of the year.
And it's looking to be even bigger this year. The first time since I was really little that the castle will be open for it. She thought. And it will be open!
She definitely didn't look forward to some of the guests though, especially a few of the barons, baronets and noble gentlemen from Arendelle's client states. Most of them were pompous, and as greedy as the Duke of Weselton.
And I really wish I could strangle that mad, mad little rat!
"Well," Kristoff finally chimed in. "I don't like him that much. Gives off a weird vibe. Like he's hiding something."
Anna looked at him sharply.
"What are you talking about, I didn't get that feeling!"
"Anna," Olaf chimed in, "You didn't even know Kristoff loved you until I told you!"
Kristoff nodded.
"Exactly!"
Elsa rubbed her hands together, looking back on how eventful the day had been, as her family continued to argue.
Hopefully Prince Donner will alleviate all of this boredom.
"Morning, My Prince. How went your trip to the castle?"
Don walked up the gangplank, stepping onto the Sturmfisch's deck looking noticeably less haggard than he had the night before. Joe met him at the top, inclining his head in deference.
"Very well," He said, looking around in wonder at all that had been done with his ship. "The Queen and Princess are both beautiful, and excellent conversation. And my father's message to them seemed to be well received, though they were still wary of any tricks."
"Smart women." Joe said. "Now, would you like my report on the Sturmfisch?"
Nodding, Don looked around. The old wrecked masts had been removed already, their sails laid neatly on the dock, with a pair of men working to patch them.
"We've already gotten all of the structural and hull damage repaired," He nodded towards the Arendellian shipfitter who were laboring side by side with his crew, "And we've been promised two fully seasoned masts from the royal stockpile. Good wood from what they've told me. We should be able to wring a couple more knots out of our girl."
Don nodded, totally pleased with the speed that his men worked.
"Excellent, job my friend," He said, slapping Joe on the back. "Now, the Queen has made an offer. I know our original plan was to head onwards to visit Paix-on-the-Sea, but I honestly don't want to deal with those snobby mainlanders. So, I've decided that we're going to stay here, as the Queen of Arendelle's guests."
Joe looked shocked at his Prince's decision.
"Are you sure about this, My Prince." He said, looking slightly alarmed and fidgety. "I know the Mainlanders can be a little snotty, but… Come now, remaining here may just be really boring for you!"
Don was a little put off but how unenthused Joe was, especially for someone who was supposed to be his closest friend.
"Joe, I like this place." He looked a little uncomfortable as he said it. Never in all his life would anyone have described him as a 'lay-down some roots' kind of man. "The people are friendly-"
"And it has a beautiful Queen." Joe completed. "I know you too well, you've probably already fallen for her, haven't you? Did she bat her eyes at you? Like this?"
Joe laughed, his reddish beard twitching, and he kept on laughing until he was falling over the side of the boat. Several of the crew smiled, while the shipfitters just looked stunned.
"Hey! I was only kidding!" Joe called up from where he was floating. Don went to the ships rail and smiled down at him.
"Well kid on your own time!" He called down, motioning for a crewmen to bring him a rope. As the man ran to grab one, he whispered under his breath. "I've got a Queen to impress…"
And impress her I shall!
