Chapter 4: Marchin On
AN: Still don't own Frozen
To Ellie: As of last chapter Fyrste was only 8. Both Fyrste and Anna still have the biology they were born with, which means that Fyrste does not have "boy parts" though Anna does. (I wish it could work like that. The story does have magic, but . . . it's not a fix-all.) This is going to come up again. He and Anna can't interact partially as a plot point and partially because the King doesn't want Anna hurt. Anna comes first for the King and Queen, which is a major plot point later. The reason he can't be a prince is because the King wants Anna crowned. I'm writing as if the kingdom is patriarchal and the oldest male inherits the throne. When the King thought Anna was Andrew it would have worked out as Fyrste was Elsa and female. With Fyrste being male he would therefore be the oldest male and in order for Anna to claim the throne he would have to be disposed. That's what the King does essentially. This is the real beginning of the main plot-arch. Everything can't be peachy all of the time, sadly.
Oh, if you were wondering, Fyrste is pronounced [fi-UR-ste] and Vinterlige is pronounced [win-TER-lee]. (Or that should be close. It's Danish. I am not a speaker, I used google.)
Gosh dang it this chapter was hard to write. Sorry it's a little late too. I tried to work on it at work and it was like 100 degrees and I just couldn't. (Anything about 70 pretty much makes me sick.)
On to the story. Reminder that this is rated M. (Literally because of one word right now, but)
"Vinterlige! The Captain wants to see you. Get yer lazy ass outta bed," Agvald yelled into the barracks.
By this point Fyrste had learned to respond to his last name. It was a little bit of a shock at first. After two years though, it was no longer new. He was already up, and about to head to the practice arena to spar with Lemik. He quickly unstrapped his armor and left it and his practice sword neatly in his space before heading to the Captains chambers.
He knocked with four rapid taps. "Come in," Captain Balke called. Fyrste entered greeting his superior with a hand over his heart and short bow. The gesture was returned, "I have heard something and wanted to check with you. You understand that Arendelle allows women into its service, even allows them high rank. I am proof of this," she was gazing intently at him and he nodded, "Why then, are you disguising yourself as a boy?"
He flinched, he had hoped he had hidden it well enough. He had learned to use ice to use the restroom like the other men, even to look like the other men in the showers since they were done by squad. His skin was so pale he thought it was fine. He took a steadying breath, "I hope I am not being impertinent Captain, but I am not in disguise." He held her gaze with his head high.
"I have heard differently. From the King himself I got a warning that you might need to be educated in some things. More than I know you are getting from the tutors. Girls and boys change around your age, to become women and men. There's blood and other things you must be prepared for," she was looking at him sympathetically.
He knew some of this, he had just started a small course in human anatomy under one of the royal doctors. He had hoped he would have figured out a way to stop it first, for both himself and Anna, "I know, Captain."
She gave him a shrewd look, "Are you prepared? Bad things can happen to a girl among men."
He clenched his teeth, "I would hope that such a guard as we have would protect girls. I know that I will be such a man which would, especially as I am sworn specifically to Princess Anna. After I am fully grown and trained, of course. I am prepared, thank you Captain." His body was fully stiff now and he was fighting the urge to act insubordinately.
She glanced at his clenched fists, then back to his face, "I am here if you have questions then, Vinterlige. Dismissed."
They repeated the bow and Fyrste took the opportunity to touch a crystal and release some of the magic which had risen to his fingers. He left quickly after that.
# # # #
He thrust his blade up, blocking Lemik's overhead swing. Fyrste stepped inside his reach and swept his feet out from under him before putting the point of his sword above his throat.
"Yield, I yield," Lemik dropped his blade and went limp, putting his hand over his forehead.
"Get up you big baby," Fyrste chuckled, "Best 7 out of 12?"
"How are you still ready to go, man? My muscles are jelly," Lemik heaved himself to his feet and leaned on the practice sword, "It's time for lunch anyway. I think we might actually be late again." He strode purposefully toward the weapons rack and cleaned the blunted blade before putting it up.
"Your legs seem fine when you remember food, but alright. I have lessons after lunch anyway," Fyrste put his weapon up as well and jogged to catch up to the lanky boy.
"Lessons, you're so fancy. Think yourself a prince. Maybe win the Princess' heart, huh?" Lemik nudged him and made outrageous faces. Fyrste just laughed. Ever since Lemik found out about the lessons and saw him looking at Anna wistfully one time he poked fun about it.
# # # #
The lessons were long and varied. The only constant was that they were boring. Well, aside from Anatomy and Military Strategies. He'd had all the same lessons he would have in training to be crown prince, with a few extras and more detail in the military aspects. Anatomy was mostly in the hopes of finding some way to help Anna. He thought he could possibly do something with his powers. He knew that theoretically extra things could be cut off, but that was very dangerous and he didn't want Anna going through that. So he studied. It's how he knew how to make himself man enough to shower with the guys, but that would only work so much longer. He wanted to get back to ask Grand Pabbie but, as promised, he hadn't been able to find the valley again. That was a year ago and after that he threw himself into lessons. He practiced as much as he was able, waking before dawn to run and practice with ice since he couldn't normally. So far he could make a passable ice sword and a shield, though he wasn't so good with a shield yet. He even practiced his aim with snowballs. He wanted to practice making ice that wouldn't melt but he needed to wait for winter.
He snapped out of his thoughts, "Fyrste, what do you think?" the retired General asked.
He quickly looked at the mock-map of troop positions, "The Southern Isles left their east flank less heavily guarded because of this rocky outcrop here," he pointed at the spot, "but our archers could easily occupy that position and trim the ranks for our cavalry to come in from the south," he moved two archery figures and one horseman to the positions, "then infantry can come in from the north and west to push them back into the archers while the cavalry continues to route the southern troops northward." As he explained he moved the figures to mimic the strategy.
General Keith looked at him strangely, "You do know the rocky outcrop, as I believe you called it, is a cliff, yes?"
Fyrste scratched his head. Must've missed that part while I was lost in thought. "Of course, yes. It is high ground . . ." he trailed off when the General chuckled.
"You need to keep focused, boy," he said gently, "I'll forgive you this time but I want an essay on that pincer move you wanted to try and the circumstances where it is a good idea as well as those where it isn't. I want examples too; I know you know how to use the library. Look up the history, or else be doomed to repeat it." He smiled and swept the pieces into a cloth bag with a large hand before cleaning the chalk off of the grid that served as a map with a washcloth. "Run along to your anatomy lesson, wouldn't do to keep Doctor Zacharias waiting," he made a shooing motion.
Fyrste ran to the Doctor's Rooms by the kitchens, being careful to not run into any of the servants carrying tea-things. Please Anna be busy, don't be in the hall . . . He hadn't run into her the entire year he'd been taking lessons actually inside the castle but every time he worried. He still didn't feel safe to be around, though he was getting better. He didn't know what she'd been told happened to him but she hadn't really looked for him. That was probably for the best. He reached Doctor Zacharias' door without trouble and was let in immediately after knocking.
"Sit child. I have a new diagram and discovery from Corona. I reached out to an old friend, he owed me for helping him with something a few years ago anyway. Flowers can do wonders for the ill . . . Anyway, I think I might know of a way to help you," the wizened old man smiled and motioned to a desk where a detailed picture lay alongside notes.
"Are you . . . really? Even Anna?" Fyrste had asked the doctor many times before starting lessons under him, in fact the lessons were because of the incessant questions.
"Especially Anna, though you might benefit. It's a tonic. I do not know how or if it would be affected by your powers but I hope not," he motioned to a specific collection of notes, "These are the ingredients. It's intended to bring the true soul to the surface, and requires some work on the part of the recipient. Would you like to test it first? The diagram is supposed to show the lines of the soul in the body, and these are where the most effects occur." The doctor pointed to the head, the hands, the chest, the groin, and the feet. "It has, of course, been used before to success or I would not recommend it. I have all of the ingredients, and if you wish to try it I just need a prick of blood. I could try Anna first, if you would rather. Since it has been your quest I just assumed you would wish to know."
Fyrste looked at the notes. The patient could experience great pain if they try to deny any part of their soul's expression. Unexpected changes could occur, if parts of the soul are unknown to the patient. Meditation and soul-searching are recommended. The patient should be closely monitored for adverse reactions. The previous testing supports evidence of a soul, as it was used to help victims of head trauma. The potion is intended to correct a disparity between the soul and the body. Fyrste finally allowed himself to hope, "I do not want Anna to be disappointed if it does not work as expected. I will try it," he tried to keep any uncertainties from his face, "and if it works, then we can tell Anna. Or . . . I guess you would tell her." He shuffled his feet.
"That is probably the best idea. Let me get the tonic ready. If you could come back tomorrow? I would like to monitor you all day. Tonight I advise meditating, as I'm sure you read it helps," he pushed his glasses up his nose and smiled. Then he got a quill, ink, and parchment and wrote out a note, "I know you probably will not like it, but I would like you to give this note to your commanding officer."
"Yes sir. And I will come back tomorrow right after breakfast, unless I should not eat?" Fyrste took the note when it was proffered.
"You should be fine to eat, now go on," Doctor Zacharias looked out the window at the setting sun and then back to Fyrste.
"Thank you Doctor, I'll be here bright and early," Fyrste couldn't keep the smile off of his face.
+#+#+#+#+ (This means flashback)
Fyrste decided he wanted to go into town for once. He'd been in training since the day he'd returned. It took him a few seconds to decide on his last name, it was kind of a joke and a reminder. After that he just took the letter to the Captain of the Guard and joined in with two other boys about his age. Lemik and Orri who both seemed to be fast friends. They were both older, of course, though at least one of their parents was in the guard at some point and they had been training since they could walk. They liked to say it that way anyway. He was only just getting fit enough to hold a practice sword. Hence the trip into town, he was craving chocolate and half-hoping to find Kristoff. There was no real reason to expect it, but he could still hope.
He wandered amidst the colorful stalls. Many were selling pastries or breads. The rest were pretty much selling fish. Fyrste tried to remember where there might be chocolate to be found. He kept looking. To his astonishment he saw a tiny stall with a boulder nearby. Getting closer he recognized a shock of unruly blond hair before the person, no it was Kristoff, turned around holding a block of ice.
"Excuse me! Watch where you're going young man," an older lady scolded after Fyrste bumped her in his haste to get to Kristoff.
"I'm sorry ma'am. Honestly, it won't happen again," he said and then side-stepped to stand in front of the stall, "Kristoff!"
"Fyrste!" Kristoff returned the excited cry. A bounding shaggy beast made an excited noise as he approached.
"Sven!" Fyrste was excited to have actually found his brothers he didn't mind when he got his face licked, "Aren't you a little young to be running a stall?"
"Well, not if no one says anything. Besides, I have adult supervision," he glanced at the boulder and smiled lopsidedly, "I think Sven's all grown up now too. If anyone asks, he's in charge." They both chuckled at that and Sven actually looked stern for a moment before he smiled, which only made them laugh.
"I was hoping I might find you here, but I didn't actually expect to. The valley seemed pretty far away?" Fyrste didn't mean to make the last statement a question but it happened anyway.
"The valley isn't that far if you know the way. I'm also here on a mission, top secret," he wiggled his eyebrows, "I'm supposed to give this," he flourished a tub of some brown substance, "to a certain distinctively pale blond. You don't happen to see him around, do you? If I can't find him I'm supposed to 'go to the castle and use Sven as a distraction to break into the royal dungeons' . . ." Kristoff was obviously smirking by the end and waving the tub at Fyrste.
"I think I know someone by that description. I saw him just this morning in fact, getting ready in the barracks . . . What does it do? I might be able to get it to him," Fyrste stuck his tongue out.
"It's just a paste you put in your hair," Kristoff handed it over, "It's supposed to change the color. Grand Pabbie helped me make it. I thought that you might find it useful, you know. Your hair is really obvious. It should last a long time too. The tree of disguise says it lasts a year. It's made from its acorns."
"That's . . . actually really helpful. I've had a lot happen, but long story short it would be really great to not have my signature near-white hair," Fyrste ran a hand through his hair absentmindedly, "I'm going to be a knight too, personal guard for Princess Anna. Eventually, of course. I'm nowhere near ready now."
"I'm glad it's useful then? I should have known that if Grand Pabbie would help then it was important. He's the reason I'm here today too, something about the crystals and rocks and moss that meant I needed to sell some ice. I'm glad though. I missed you and so did Sven," they both looked at him. Kristoff motioned Fyrste behind the stall, "I really didn't bring that much ice. There's plenty of room back here."
He went on around and set the tub down on the boulder before grabbing Kristoff in a big hug. Sven nudged up against them both, "I really missed you guys. It's not the same," Fyrste mumbled.
"How long are you free?" Kristoff pulled back a little and slung an arm around Sven.
"I only get a few hours, just the afternoon," his face fell, "I already spent most of my time looking for somewhere that sells chocolate. I probably don't have much longer."
Kristoff and Sven looked crestfallen before they regained a small smile, "At least we got a little bit together, huh? I don't know how often I'll be here but the business isn't actually that bad. When I get older I'll probably be able to visit more? I don't know when you get breaks and all, but that's okay."
They hugged one more time before Fyrste grabbed the tub and thanked Bulda, for that's who the boulder was of course, and said his goodbyes.
# # # # (Back to normal)
The paste had indeed worked on his hair. It lasted an entire year before he needed more. He tried to find Kristoff every time he got to go out and they met up a few more times. He got to find out when Kristoff and Sven finally figured out their disguise teacher was actually an old troll named Rocco. They had been flabbergasted. Apparently the tree had an open space between its roots and trolls can still talk in their rocky forms, albeit slightly awkwardly. Fyrste had laughed for a minute or two after they'd told him that.
He was reminded every time he put more of the paste in his hair, which he did at night after cleaning up. It gave him a woodsy smell but he liked it, and was very glad it didn't seem to stain anything besides his hair after he let it sit for a while. It made him feel better about staying in the castle though, since he doubted he was very recognizable to Elsa or even the early Fyrste. Now he had some muscle and his hair was cut slightly more cleanly and shorter as well as being a dull brown. He had grown a little, but not much. Still, even though he worried about running into Anna he doubted she would recognize him. He felt bad about that but hopefully it would work out. From what he'd seen of her she was blossoming too, her hair was long and rather thick and she looked pretty happy.
His commanding officer allowed him permission to go to the Doctor the next morning and he was excused from his lessons so he had eaten dinner quickly and nearly rushed to get into bed. He wanted to make sure he meditated, even though he did it relatively often to stay centered. He clasped his heart-stone.
I'm sorry guys. It's shorter than I wanted and I am not happy with it, but I wanted this up. I'll be looking over it and possibly reposting later. Yes, I managed a cliff-hanger, ooh. What do you think? On a happy side-note, the essay that made this so hard to write got a perfect score. (I had to write it instead and kind of wrote myself out.) I'm hoping the scene cuts and flashback weren't too confusing.
