A/N: Sorry I haven't updated in, like, forever. I just had a lot on my mind and stuff was going on. But I promise I will update sooner. Well, I'll try to, at least. Again, please do leave a review to tell me how I'm doing. :)
With shaky hands, Riven breaks the seal of his letter. What could the Ice Queen want to tell him this soon after she left? The snowflake insignia of Arendelle is stamped over it, and it peels away as the wax seal is broken. Holding in a breath, he unfolds the letter. His hands are still shaking and he can barely hold the letter still.
He changes his plan and puts the letter flat on his desk, holding it down with a couple of paperweights. He sits in his chair and leans his hands on the table.
Dear King Riven,
I apologize for sending this letter so soon after my sister Queen Elsa's departure.
I'm writing to inform you of the Queen's past and her state of mind.
We have both been traumatized after the death of our parents. While this was a couple of years ago, she still seems withdrawn when I or anyone around the castle bring it up. She claims to have gotten over their demise, however. I would kindly ask you to not mention anything about them in front of her on your stay. If you have any questions, I will be fine to answer them. Please do not hesitate to come and speak to me.
If she does seem a little... introverted, for lack of a better word, it is just because she is under a lot of mental stress. Please do not think it is because of you. While she has a cold demeanor, she really tries not to take it out on her people.
The purpose of this is to avoid any confusion and embarrassment on both your and the Queen's parts, respectively. She does not know I have sent you this letter.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Your's sincerely,
Princess Anna of Arendelle
As he finishes reading the letter, Riven raises an eyebrow. So it wasn't the Queen sending this letter to him. It was the Princess of Arendelle.
Does he really need to know this? Yes, his mind decides, I do not need to embarrass anyone. With a small smile, but a somewhat hammering heart, he rolls the letter back up and puts it in his drawer.
Someone knocks on the door. "Come in!" He calls. The door creaks open.
"Riven?" Musa asks as she enters the room and closes the door, "did you read the letter?" She walks over and stands next to him and puts her hand on his shoulder. He smirks, knowing why she is so persistent in asking.
"I might have done," he says slowly. He stands up and gently brushes her hand off his shoulder. She frowns and looks down at her hand. Riven smirks.
"What did it say? What did she say?" Musa asks him hurriedly, her voice getting rougher with every word. This causes Riven to smirk again.
"I don't think the she we're both referring to is the same she," Riven says. This time, Musa raises an eyebrow.
"Wait, what?" She says in disbelief, "Riven, what are you talking about?" With another smirk, Riven takes her left hand in his right and reaches for his drawer. Opening it, he pulls out the letter. He extracts his hand from hers from a second, just to open up the parchment.
He points to the bottom, where the princess's name is clearly written in black ink. He hands it to her and she reads with growing confusion. He watches as her eyes move from side to side as she reads the words on the page.
"Huh?" She says as she rolls it back up, "and why do you need to know this?" She puts it back in his drawer.
Riven shrugs, "to do what it says. Avoid embarrassment," he says as he holds her waist and pulls her closer.
With a smile, she leans in close to his ear and whispers, "I'm going to miss you, Riven," as she pulls herself away, he lifts her chin up with with his index finger.
"I'm going to miss you, too, sweetheart. It won't be the same without you," he replies.
They lean in, readying themselves for a kiss, when, knock, knock, knock. They spring apart, Riven letting out a low growl. Musa gives him a warning glare.
"Come in!" Riven calls. The door opens and in walks Ariadne, "what is it, Ariadne?" He asks harshly. Musa frowns and hits him on the arm.
"Riven!" She hisses. Ariadne smiles fondly at them and bows.
"My King," she says as she straightens, "you have a busy day tomorrow. Don't you think it would be best if you were to retire for the evening?" She asks.
Riven looks out of the window. The sky is purple, turning a deep midnight blue. Some stars are poking through, shining a sparkling silver. The full moon is out, enlightening the pathway for the passers by of Melody.
The beautiful sight makes the king turn his gaze to the clock ticking on the wall. Ten to eleven, the hands of the clock show. He must have spent at least a few hours with his queen. This fact makes Riven smile and he grips Musa's hand tighter.
"Yes, I think you are right, Ariadne," he says, nodding in the maid's direction, "is that all?" His voice is now softer as he thinks about all the time he has been spending with Musa.
"Yes, Your Highness. That is everything," Ariadne says with a bow, "My Queen," she turns to Musa, "is there anything you require?"
Musa thinks for a second, and nothing comes to mind. But then she remembers Cadence, who she had last seen with Helena, "Where is my Cadence?" She asks.
"I have put her to bed, Your Majesties," Ariadne addresses both Musa and Riven, "at eight o'clock,"
"Did she eat anything?" Musa asks.
"Yes, Helena made her a chicken salad,"
Musa smiles, "thank you, Ariadne," she says, "I think you are free to take your leave," Ariadne smiles, bows and leaves the room.
Musa turns back to Riven, "I guess you'll be going to bed, then," she asks him.
"I guess I'd better," he shrugs. Then, with a soft smile, he holds her waist, pressing her against his body, "but not before this," he says in a seductive tone. With that, he covers her mouth with his. Musa smiles against her king's lips and wraps her arms round his neck.
After breaking apart, he leans his forehead against hers. "I'm going to miss you like hell, Musa," he whispers.
"Me too, Riven," Musa replies. She moves her hands to rest on his chest, "I love you," Riven smiles and caresses her cheek with his hand.
"I love you, too, Musa," he whispers back. They go in for another kiss.
Everything disappears from both their worlds, apart from the other and the love they share. As they break apart, Riven moves his hands on top of Musa's.
"Goodnight, love," Riven smiles as he breaks the contact between them. He was sure he heard her whine at his actions, making him smirk in his head.
"Goodnight, Riven," she nods.
Riven walks back to their room and after readying himself, he slips into bed. His last thought for the night is, my queen is the best.
After thinking about his love, Riven is taken into a deep slumber.
As the king changes into his outfit for his trip, he has a lot on his mind. One of his thoughts is the Ice Queen.
Will she welcome him? Is she really as socially insecure as Princess Anna says she is? Will she take out her insecurity on him? How long will it be before he can return to his family?
The word 'family' moves his mind to Cadence and Musa. Will Cadence understand? Will she want to tag along? Will Musa miss him as much as he will miss her? No, he thinks with a smile, she will never miss me as much as I will miss her. She will be on my mind twenty four seven.
He fastens the cufflinks onto his shirt and straightens his collar. He reaches for his velvet robe. As he fastens it over his shoulders, he notices that it trails at least a metre on the floor behind him. He groans; sometimes marrying a princess has its downsides.
But he doesn't regret it one little bit. Musa is his life. He is incredibly grateful that the Specialists pushed him to ask her out on a date. He will give his life to save her - and Cadence, for that matter.
He sighs as he rests his crown atop his head. He misses his high school signature gelled up hair. It made him look tough. With his hair flat against his head, he comes across as soft and nurturing. Which he is. Only to the ones he holds dear to him, that is.
He holds his hand on top of the treble clef insignia of Melody which is embroidered into his robe. With a smile, he walks out of his room and outside to the harbour.
Musa is waiting for him with Cadence at the steps. "Daddy!" The princess calls as she leaves her mother and comes running up to him. As she runs closer to him, he scoops her up into his arms, earning him a squeal, "bye, Daddy," she says as he straightens up.
"Bye, Princess," he smiles.
Musa walks up to them. "Goodbye, Riven," she says softly. Her eyes are filled with love and a sense of longing.
He wants to show his love and take her into his arms and kiss her crazy. But with Cadence right in front of them, that isn't an option. So he waits until Gregor takes her to see Flyer.
"Princess Cadence," the blacksmith says, "come with me and feed Flyer, alright?" He asks. Cadence looks at Riven who ushers her on.
"OK!" She squeals, running up to Gregor. Riven smiles at him gratefully and Gregor bows with a smile as he leads Cadence away. Riven turns to Musa.
"Goodbye, my love," he whispers as he wraps her into his embrace,
"Goodbye, Riven," she says as she rests her head on his chest.
"I love you," he tells her. She smiles as she wraps her arms around his neck.
As she looks up at him, a tear slips down her cheek. He smiles softly and wipes it away with his thumb. "Hey. Don't cry," he whispers, "I promise I'll be back really, really soon,"
"I hope so," she says in a whisper as she wraps him in a hug.
"I know so, darling," they share one last kiss before Riven is made to board the ship.
As the shoreline reduces in size, Riven keeps his eyes on his queen. He feels terrible for leaving her. But it has to be done for Melody, he tells himself as she becomes nothing more than a dot.
