Anna was grasping at another arrow, several already buried inches deep into her target in the distance, each closer to the center than the last. For nearly three years she'd been hard at work, training her body, her skills, the only thing on her mind regaining her kingdom, avenging her family.
Just behind her stood her cousin, in name only, the royal family of this place having found her among the refugees and took her in personally. Anna had been curious when she noticed how skilled a warrior Merida was, skilled with a bow especially, though she wasn't terrible with other hand-held weapons as well. Seeing her interest Merida offered to include her in the training and practice.
Merida looked on with a proud smile, the younger girl had flourished, no longer naive, but herself a controlled soldier. Despite Anna's intense focus the Scot had made sure to keep her grounded, human, humble, taking her out among the village, the refugee camps that were turning into their own extensions of the village with careful delegation so there were no food shortages. Many people were intermarrying, starting families int he few short years since they were forced from their home.
Anna ran out of arrows and grasped at empty air at her back, causing Merida to grin at her sudden confusion. "I think we're done for the day, Anna. C'mon! Remember, Father said there was a war meeting today." Anna smiled and nodded, slipping the bow over her head and chest before following the red-head towards her own steed beside Merida's stallion. They mounted quickly and galloped back towards the castle.
Anna could see the horses from the reconaisance party, a large group of soldiers who'd volunteered to return to that battle and ice scarred plain to gather information to perhaps plan a recovery. Anna had high hopes for a future for that, soldiers and other citizens of the now mixed villages below this castle were already volunteering to assisst, they simply waited for word to proceed.
Anna forgot to leave behind her bow and empty quiver behind as she and Merida hurried inside, stealing a few pies from the kitchens, giggling conspiratorialy as they made their way towards Fergus' war room. His sons were still too young to be soldiers, so were left in the dining hall with Queen Elinor, not oblivious, but knowing even they could not break into the room to eavesdrop as per their usual tactics.
Fergus and the other soldiers, as well as the heads, or representatives, of the other clans surrounded the heavy table. Weapons surounded the edge of the room, Anna and Merida making their way in, depositing their bows and quivers in a bare spot beside Fergus' own blade. The big man looked up and grinned broadly at the sight of his daughter and their charge.
"Ah hah! There ye are! We were beginnin' to think ye'd be late to your own war meetin'!" Anna smiled, but then gasped as a big hand slapped at her upper back, near knocking the wind from her. She gave him a shaky grin despite it, and nodded.
"We were still training, but we're here now! What have we missed?"
She looked up at the surrounding men, noticing a lack of females at the table. While Anna had been incredibly impressed with Merida's warrior talents, she'd realized she was an exception to the rule when it came to who was allowed to wield a weapon in this place. But her influence and recent events caused a need for capable soldiers, guards, male or female. The higher ranks were still mostly commanded by men, with Anna and Merida an exception of course.
Anna listened intently as reports were given, the snow was still present, even after three years, unmoving, never melting, the only snow melting was that which naturally occured over the years. The blizzards had long since died down, but creatures of ice wandered the wasteland, the forests of dead trees. There were reports of some people managng to live in such a place, though not many, and some instances of magical creatures as well. There were often people around such places, but just as those odd hermits, these were rare instances.
Anna's eyes widened as she learned of the near misses the scouts had gone through, being seen or even captured by the ice creatures, but then being released. They were patroling, it seemed, and not ordered to attack or kill, even when attacked. They'd learned that after their first scout was captured and he'd fought back, but not much happened after, and not much was able to take it down. It simply regenerated with the surrounding snow. The last heir cursed internally, wondering how they could defeat something that could regenerate in such a way.
The reports continued, telling of their base camps along the way back towards Corona, stopping just at the crest of the mountain pass that led towards the fallen kingdom. Their own royal family was assumed dead, completely, no one was spared, though no one was sure, either. With news of people managing to survive, if barely, in the wasteland of snow, it was likely there were many others that could help or could use their help.
The meeting concluded, giving Anna so much to think about. They would reconvene the next evening to perhaps think up an attack plan, perhaps a caravan to set up further camps, larger, trade routes, perhaps. Something to move forward, anything at all to give the people hope once more.
Merida followed Anna, watching the contemplative young woman. She remembered Anna when they were children, though they called each other cousins, they were simply good friends. Merida remembered playing with her and Elsa as children, and then when Elsa disappeared, Anna was different, but had retained her happiness, her carefree attitude, like nothing could hurt her. But ever since her kingdom was taken, Anna was not herself. She was becoming harder, more calculating, focused on revenge.
"Hey, now. Come on, let's go up on the tower tonight..." Merida offered, but Anna didn't hear, continuing to walk and think at once. The bushy haired girl frowned and grasped Anna's shoulder, startling the younger woman. Blue eyes met between them a moment and Anna sighed, shoulders slumping as she allowed Merida to gather her close.
"I'm sorry, Merida..." Merida shook her head, fingers stroking twin braids, an arm circling the princess' wasist.
"S'alright, love...come on, our things are still there from the other night." Anna nodded, allowing Merida to lead her up the winding stairs to the tower. It was the highest point in the castle, and their spot to relax on days like today. The first few war meetings Anna had attended had stirred her into a stressed, worried frenzy, and only merida forcing her onto the tower to relax did anything to help. They spent a lot of time there now, if only to get more time together, alone.
Merida knelt beside a trunk, setting pillows out from it, settling them down with two thick blankets. She plopped down on the seat she'd made, arms opening and grinning at Anna who smiled slightly and settled between Merida's legs, resting against the older girl, head on her shoulder, forehead against the crook of her neck.
"Now...what do you think?" Anna shrugged at the question, feeling Merida tug the second blanket around them.
"I think...it seems too easy...It's like they're...they've not stopped, because we've seen the snow moving closer...further...it took a year for our scouts to go around the entire expanse of their invasion..." Merida loosened Anna's braids, letting her hair flow across her shoulders in waves.
"True, I see that as well, we cannae risk a large movement. Anything more than maybe another scountin' party would draw attention." Anna nodded, sighing softly as she felt Merida's hands stroke up and down her back soothingly, feeling the stress of the day melt at the simple actions.
"So...I guess we go with the simpler option...another scouting party." Merida nodded, lips brushing Anna's forehead, the younger girl looking up at her with a small smile.
"Then that's what we'll suggest."
Their lips pressed together softly, relaxing in each others arms before settling in for a relaxing evening beneath the stars.
A/N: Okay! Hope Everyone enjoyed this, sorry for the long delay, had some money trouble, then got a new job that I had to get used to, blah blah blah.
Anyway, this is when the action starts up, chapters will probably get longer from here on in. I'm also going to work on some new fics, at least two in the works, so look out for those if you're at all interested. Also, this is my tumblr!
To that reviewer asking about the spelling of Anna's name, I make typos, I have an RP going on with a friend with a character named Ana, so I may slip sometimes.
Keep reviews coming! I love knowing what people think of my work, just don't be a dick if you have constructive criticism, and I take everything!
