Chapter Three: Oh Captain, My Captain
The engagement of Captain Marius Thorn and Lady Iulia Fenrir had gotten off to a rocky start, what with the whole arranged marriage deal and all. Add that with the general feelings of dislike said captain held for the prospective bride-to-be, her refusal to take a hint, and things got ugly fast. But since formulating a plan that if, executed properly, would ensure his freedom, he'd become the personification of an obedient son and a well-mannered gentleman. And after three and a half weeks of such commendable behavior, he'd finally convinced the General to postpone the wedding for two more months.
He was quite certain this would not have succeeded had the General not been pursuing his own motives at the time and was not thoroughly convinced that his son would resort to almost anything to gain his approval.
Nine years ago, and he would have been right. But implied assumptions went a long way in convincing the world of a lie.
So, for the time being, he was still engaged to biggest witch in all of Scandinavia.
Lucky him.
All things considered it was actually an anomaly of nature he hadn't just high-tailed and run already.
Not, of course, that he hadn't considered it.
Nine-hundred-and-ninety-seven times and counting if you really wanted to keep track, which Marius thought was pretty generous considering he'd had over a month to contemplate and implement his escape plan.
Could have been nine-hundred-and-ninety-eight.
Of course there was the added complication that should he decide to high-tail and run, and eventually he was going to have to, he'd be leaving behind the woman he was actually in love with and would be placing her safety in the hands of his rival, which kind of defeated the whole purpose of high-tailing.
Then there was the frustrating reality that kidnapping her, though he could totally pull it off no problem whatsoever, would be considered treason of the highest order.
And the fact that he was also that woman's bodyguard.
To whom he had sworn upon life-death-sickness-health-better-or-worse-for-as-long-as-they-both-shall-live to protect.
Granted, maybe Marius had added that last part. Technically he'd only sworn his life and sacred honor, but he'd been thinking the rest when King Adgar gave him the position so he figured it counted.
Whistling a tune as he strode through the crowded corridors towards the West Wing, weaving between the droves of new servants with a feline grace, Marius slipped a hand into the pocket of his uniform's overcoat. His mouth quirked upward when his tapered fingers brushed the long, rectangular box wrapped in fragile tissue.
Yeah, he thought, that last part definitely counts.
Marius rounded the corner, taking an immediate right up a hidden, rickety staircase without hesitation, in pitch blackness for a span before he stepped, blinking into the sunlit main corridor of the third floor. Partly from playing hide-and-go-seek with Anna and Kristoff when they were children, and partly from his duty as the queen-to-be's bodyguard, he knew the palace and all surrounding grounds like the back of his hand. That included all the secret passageways.
Shame none of them ever led to Elsa's room.
Once upon a time, she had played with them too, he remembered. Ironically, she'd been the best at hiding. Fitting, considering how she'd hidden away in her room for thirteen years, expertly avoiding their plans to bust her out of solitary confinement.
Quite a long time of playing hard-to-get in Marius's humble opinion.
They would have succeeded too; his plans were top notch.
If only Little Miss Stick-in-the-Mud hadn't been so stubborn.
With a low chuckle that startled some maids, who tittered behind their hands, one fluttering her lashes in his direction, that of which he made a point to ignore, he couldn't help the smirk curling his lips into an expression that was decidedly rather wicked. The maids, silly girls, thought it was aimed at them. Ah well, he'd been lectured by the General so many times that the words just kind of ran together nowadays.
Elsa had been kind of cute when she was being stubborn. Her big, pale blue eyes would spark with streaks of silver, and her faint dusting of freckles would become more prominent as her cheeks paled. To be honest, she'd looked about as threatening as a field mouse.
He wondered if she was still incapable of blushing, like she'd been when they were children. No matter how hard he tried, he'd never been able never get that satisfying color to paint her cheeks.
Marius's smirk widened as he ruffled his fingers through his hair, successfully disheveling the style the General required, strands curling up from the gel. Messier still with the stubborn swatch of white –correction, swatch of platinum blonde – growing back from his left temple.
Not that he cared.
The General would just have to deal with his newest infraction.
At the very least, he'd get that stern glower he'd never admit to once fearing. If his father was in a good mood he'd only make an off-handed comment that First Lt. Tobias Werner was better suited to be Princess Elsa's bodyguard. Which was a load of hogwash, if he'd ever heard it. He had outranked Tobias in every single test they took for graduation. He was the strongest, fastest, most skilled guard Arendelle had ever seen. If anyone deserved to be Elsa's personal guard, he did.
Even if it meant keeping her at arm's length for the rest of their lives.
When all he'd ever wanted was to hold her.
Marius's stalked down a smaller side passage, a drab, unadorned hallway that led to the main hall of the castle like a capillary leads to the larger artery. He ground his teeth together so hard that a throbbing began to spread throughout his jaw.
Breaking off this engagement would be the hardest thing he'd ever done. Lord Fenrir would be livid.
Marius winced.
Iulia would be livid. Probably try to scratch his eyes out, the witch.
But the General…
Honestly Marius expected he'd be disowned if he dared go against the General's wishes one more time. That and shipped off to some distant outpost in Northern Norway for "retraining". Wilhelm Thorn had threatened to do so before. Better to rid the illustrious family tree of the son who time and time again failed to live up to the "noble name of Thorn," he often said.
Giving his teeth a final grounding, Marius let his fingers uncurl from their tight, clenched fists. His taut muscles slowly relaxed, leaving a dull ache as he forced himself to release some of the bottled up tension in his arms. Fingers strung through his overlong, tawny-brown hair – now completely destroying the professional, slicked-back look– Marius closed his eyes for a brief few seconds.
He still had a queen to attend to, and he wasn't going to fail in that duty no matter what.
Elsa was depending on him.
With another grin that could only be classified as naughty, Marius threw open the doors to the main hall, striding across the gleaming floors.
Immerging from the ball room, his deep teal eyes met the drooping ones of one of his subordinates, 2nd Lt. Jonathan Frode, slumped against the window pane where the steps let out from behind a heavy curtain. Marius cleared his throat, any softness in his countenance from fantasizing about the eldest princess turning to stone. Upon hearing his approaching footsteps, the man's eyes and posture snapped to attention, guilty as charged. Seeing Marius, he relaxed slightly, massaging his temples. Brown hair sticking up in places, jaw unshaven, uniform wrinkled and un-tucked, it was a miracle the General hadn't caught him yet.
"Jon," Marius sighed, crossing his arms over his broad chest. "What are you doing?" Jon glanced at his boots, clearly ashamed.
"Sorry Captain. I… I overslept. It won't happen again sir."
Marius's junior by eleven by only eleven months, the General always claimed that Jon was perhaps the laziest guard under Arendellise employ. Back awhile Marius had considered him a friend. Two boys forced together in the barracks by necessity. He was the far-too-skilled general's son who did everything right. Who graduated at the top of his class and broke the record as youngest Captain of the Guard. Ever. Jon had been the half-Swede who did everything wrong. He'd graduated at the very bottom of his class. Though perhaps there he'd been lucky. Had he failed like so many who went through the brutal training program, he'd have been shipped off to one of Arendelle's northern outposts. There was a reason that place had been nicknamed "Land of the Living Dead."
Courtesy of the General, no doubt.
And while they could no longer be called friends, Marius had no desire to see Jon spend the rest of able-bodied year slaving away in a work camp. Probation was the first step in that direction.
"Look, I understand there are underlying issues you need to work out, but it's getting harder to cover for you when the General asks and I have my own duties to worry about." Marius said, shaking his head. Why couldn't Jon put in the effort required to save his sorry hide?! He'd wasted so much time keeping him below the General's radar. He had more important things to deal with! "Need I remind you, you're on probation?"
"No, sir. I'm sorry –"
"Stop apologizing and give me results Lieutenant. Starting by staying awake at your post. It's my job to make sure Elsa's –"
He grimaced, knowing Jon caught his mistake with one look at his arched brows. Clearing his throat only made matters all the more worse.
"As I was saying, it's my job to make sure Her Highness's coronation runs smoothly and if anyone screws it up they'll answer directly to me. Do I make myself absolutely clear Lt. Frode?"
"Y – yes sir."
"Good. See that what needs to happen happens."
"Yes sir."
Boots spinning over the runner as he turned on his heel, Marius paused at a set of double doors before throwing one last order over his shoulder.
"And for the bleeding saints clean yourself up Jon. For your own sake if nothing else."
The following corridor plunged him back into a swell of people. He didn't mind though. The extra guards and servants made things easier on everybody, Gerda, Kai, Kristoff's parents and heads of staff especially.
Marius straightened at the chimes a high, tinkling laugh. His brows rose, mouth climbing once again in its signature one-sided grin. The proof was in the wide open window and the warm summer breeze teasing across the collar of his uniform. Seriously, what idiot decided that the royal guard should wear woolen suits in the middle of July? He stuck his head out, catching sight of the young princess suspended above him.
"Hey love? Want to come down from there before you break that pretty little neck of yours?"
"Marius!" When she beamed down at him, her thin cheeks seeming fuller with the strawberry-blonde braids pinned to halo her face, it became difficult to remember his mess of troubles. There had only been a handful of times over the years when Anna had seemed so filled to bursting with joy. This girl, the little sister he'd never had, deserved it more than anybody.
"You're here! Oh my gosh you're here– Can you believe it?! I can't believe it. This is just so… so incredible!" She waved wildly at the maypole and streamers townsfolk were setting up in the village green, teetering precariously from the swing before hooking an ankle around the rope. "Whew. Okay. I'm okay."
Perusing the square, Marius felt his gaze inexplicably drawn to the darker, older stone of the West Wing, which only served to give the castle a two-toned affect.
Almost anybody, Marius amended, the vision of a young girl, loose braid and smooth skin as pale as freshly fallen snow taunting his memories. What did she look like now? Beautiful, he guessed. She'd always been beautiful. Dainty but not fragile. Strong and yet still so delicate.
Get over it Marius. He needed to put an end to these thoughts. You're engaged and the only way out of it is leaving Arendelle and Elsa for good.
Though that reminder had never been particularly helpful in quelling his overactive imagination.
Grasping the sill, leaning out farther than any lesser man would have dared, and twisting so that he was looking up at Anna, Marius cupped a hand around his mouth, calling up,
"Not that I'm upset that you're so excited to see me darlin', but you and I both know what happened last time you tried climbing up to the roof and I'm pretty sure Gerda and Disa will have my head if anything happens to you today. And personally I think my head is one of my better assets so…" He chuckled as Anna rolled her eyes, tugging on the pulley to descend to the window ledge.
"Hey!" Narrowly avoiding colliding with her as Anna zipped downward, Marius threw himself back, laughing as she got the swing under control. She blushed, grinning sheepishly, still a couple feet above him.
"Sorry! I'm so sorry! Did I hurt you? Oh good, you look fine. You're fine, right? The pulley-level-wheel-thingy was kinda stuck so I tried to get it unstuck and I guess I got it too unstuck." Jiggling the ropes, frowning, and jiggling them again, she huffed. "And now it's stuck again."
"Smooth. I'll make sure to tell the furious five that Princess Anna broke their swing." By the furious five, he meant the Himmler children of course.
"I didn't break it!" Anna protested, fiddling with the mechanism. "It's been temperamental for years and you know it."
"True, but you were on it when it was being temperamental so…"
"Don't you dare tell Marius Thorn. Kristoff will never let me hear the end of it. Catch!"
Arms already outstretched, expecting it, Marius caught the princess, settling her on the window ledge in one fluid motion.
"Another crazy trust exercise Princess?" He quipped.
"Nope." Smoothing her skirt, she rocked back and forth kicking her feet. "To prove that you take it way better than Kristoff does. Though I think he was upset because I got hay all over him… And practice for you. You are my sister's bodyguard after all. Have to make sure you're capable."
"Oh?" He bowed, circling his hand at his sternum and sweeping it behind his back in a sign of outmost respect. "And what's your verdict Your Highness?"
"I think I'll keep you around for now."
"Really? Do tell why." He drawled, leaning up against the side of the window, crossing his legs. For once he couldn't really read the odd expression in her aquamarine eyes. It reminded him of a fox's; sly and thoughtful.
"I have a plan." She announced with superiority, for once not elaborating.
"Which you're not going to tell me about?" This was new. He was used to Anna telling him everything. And that really meant everything. They'd had…awkward conversations over the years.
"I can't. Well, not yet. It depends. I'm not sure I should yet. It's kinda, well –"
"It's about me isn't it?" He offered his gloved hand to her. Anna's mouth clamped shut and her attention was suddenly captured by something out the window, immediately giving herself away.
"Knew it."Marius smirked. Anna stuck her tongue out at him.
"So why is your head your best asset?" She took Marius's outstretched hand and he helped her back into the corridor. "No, wait! Wait. Let me guess." Hands on her hips, Anna studied him before she punched the air in triumph and announced. "It's your face."
"Whoa whoa, hold up. You're not playing the change-the-topic game to try and make me forget about this. It ain't happening sweetheart. But," he relented, holding up his hands in surrender, "as it appears we have a issue here…" Shaking his head in mock disappointment, Marius heaved a dramatic sigh. "Seriously? Anna. We've been best friends for eighteen years. I thought you'd know by now. My good looks are just my cover. I'm more than just another pretty face round here. So do me a favor and try not to put a tear in your bloomers."
"You're not supposed to know about those!" Scandalized, Anna gasped, staring at him with wide eyes and readjusting her skirts to cover the never-to-be-mentioned undergarment. "How –" He could practically see the cogs turning behind her fair, freckled forehead. "Wait. No. Did you –? No, you didn't – I don't want to know. Don't tell me. I do not want to – and why are you laughing?"
"Oh…saints!" He wheezed.
Marius was having trouble walking he was laughing so hard. People were starting to stare, but that never bothered him. Their conversation had been low enough not to be overheard by those rushing around the corridor. But she actually thought – he'd never even kissed a girl, something unknown by many – Elsa was always the one he – Marius decided not to finish that thought– really, he was as pure as snow – saints above she actually thought –?!
Mirthful tears streamed down his cheeks.
"Nothing to see here. We're fine. Well, I'm fine. He has issues. But not the kind that you should care about. Really. Um…bye!" Anna was calling to their audience, wavering her hands and dragging him through yet another set of doors, through the main hall and to a little very much deserted alcove under the staircase. As he was still doubled over, she knotted her arms across her chest, shooting him daggers. When he sobered, slightly, the interrogation commenced.
"Okay. That's it. Talk mister. Right. Now. My plan depends on this. This is a matter of Elsa's – I mean this is a matter of super important royal duties that has nothing to do with my sister. At all. So – oh would you stop laughing Marius?! It's not funny!"
His sides ached and he was breathless. Three times he tried to talk until he gave way to chuckling. Finally, pushing up from the floor, he flashed Anna a toothy grin.
"Love, if you thought I'd ever do what you're implying, you don't know me at all. I'm bad, trust me I know, but I'm not that bad." Relief, then the foxy slyness, were the first two emotions evident on the girl's face. Abashment came with a splotchy red along her cheekbones.
"Oh, thank goodness! We're saved. I mean…" Anna cleared her throat. "My plan is saved."
"The one that had nothing to do with me and Elsa, but actually had everything to do with me and Elsa? That one?"
Nose turned into the air, Anna harrumphed and shook her head, ducking out from under the grand staircase.
"Don't even think about it. I'll never tell."
"Oooh, a guessing game. I love guessing games." He twiddled his thumbs together, gazing out into the distance.
"What makes you think you'll be able to figure it out?" Splaying his hand at his temples, he replied,
"Brains, love."
With a snort, Anna took his arm, tugging him towards the kitchens.
"Brains…" she mused. "I'm not buying it."
"Ow-w." The half-hearted protest did nothing to deter her. "You're really cutting me to pieces there."
"No I'm not." Her singsong snagged the attention of a gaggle of serving girls, clumped together in the small, low-beamed atrium outside the kitchens. One looked up, gasped, and nudged the others. Eight sets of eyes found his. Or him in general. Not to brag, but he did look pretty amazing in the new uniform, murderous as it was, what with it's crisp black cut, bronze epaulets, and all twenty-six shining metals. It wasn't bragging if you could back it up with skill.
And saints knew he had the skill.
"Ey, love." Marius dazzled her with a flirtatious wink. The girl blushed beet red and immediately looked away, her friends forming a huddle of whispers and giggles.
"Oh come on Marius. For once in your life, stop flirting with anything that moves." Anna grumbled, yanking him along.
"Too late."Chuckling, he gave a two-fingered salute the girls and sent them into the sort of twittering that reminded him of the chickadees and frost sparrows that found his window in the winter mornings.
"Oh for all the love of the saints."
A memory; Elsa at a window, watching the birds with her soft, gentle smile. Turning, she looks at him, her smile brightening, and his heart gives a funny, flip-flopping jolt.
Get a grip Marius. It's not happening.
He shook his head, earning him a pointed glance from Anna which he ignored, and pulled the doors open.
They were hit by a heat wave that had clearly overrun the packed palace kitchens. He grimaced, forcing himself to walk on despite the beads of perspiration that immediately ran into his uniform. Anna groaned, rapidly fanning her face, cheeks blotching once more.
"Can I help you Highness? Captain?" asked a slight man wearing a chocolate smeared apron and flopping chef's hat. His mustache twitched like whiskers, putting to mind the image of a hare.
"Oh hi! Hello, I mean. Good morning." What probably was meant to be a wave looked more like Anna was trying to fan the man. He looked like he needed it. "Sorry to bother you sir."
"Not at all Princess Anna." He bowed low. "Can I offer you raspberry scone or apple strudel or –"
"I'll take a piece of –" Marius started.
"We're looking for Gerda." Anna interrupted, jabbing her elbow into his side.
"Ow –"
"Gerda Bjorgoman. She works here. Actually cooks here. Have you seen her?"
"Marius, Anna? That you dears?" A stout, ample woman with flyaway grey hair and rosy cheeks bustled out from the pantry closet, lugging a stack of flour over her shoulder. Her clothes, cheeks, and hair were dusted with the stuff. "It's alright Tomas. I'll take care of these two here troublemakers. You get to work on those truffles."
"Gerda!" Skipping forward, Anna threw her bare, skinny arms around their adoptive mother figure. "I'm so so so so happy!" Laughing her throaty, raspy laugh, Gerda rocked her, squeezing the little princess tight against her breast.
"Oh Lady, I know. Gerda knows. Never seen you look so beautiful. Let me look at you." She frowned. "Dear me, I'm getting flour all over you." Gerda patted her head, pushing her away, swiping at Anna's flecked skirts. "Lady, I'm so sorry."
"No, no!" Anna said, shrugging good naturedly. "It's totally fine. I'll probably spill punch on it by the end of the day…" She became thoughtful. "Maybe that's why they made the top mostly black."
"Morning Gerda. Looking lovely today, as always." Marius grinned, stooping down and giving the elderly woman a quick peck on the cheek, before relieving her of her load, handing it off to a bemused dough boy, who staggered beneath it.
"Hold this for me would you? There's a fine laddie."
Scullery girls, chopping carrots and turnips and potatoes and onions, tittered amongst themselves. Gerda Bjorgoman grunted in mild amusement, rolling her eyes, but patted his cheek in a motherly way and waddled over to the ovens, retorting.
"Humph. Don't you go using your sweet words on me. Cheap flirt is what you are."
"That's awfully harsh. You wound me madam." He replied, mock-hurt in his tone.
"Save it for someone who cares."
"He always like this Gerda?" Tomas called from a table making all sorts of chocolate candies.
"Hey, Anna," Marius whispered, nodding his head towards them. Her eyes followed his and with a barely supressed squeal, she darted over to the table, striking up a lively conversation with a young man dipping truffles in a vat of chocolate fondue.
"Oh, this is nothing. He's usually much worse."
Still smiling, Marius scooped the flour sack from the dough boy and settled it on the only bit of counter space that wasn't covered with trays upon trays of miniature cakes, tarts, and pastries.
"Thanks. Carry on with your work."
Spying Gerda's famous apple strudel, drizzled with a glossy mixture of honey and silvered almonds, Marius felt his mouth water.
"Hey Gerda," he called, glancing back her way. "Any of this stuff for me? Looks pretty good." She suddenly popped up again by the stove, shaking a wooden spoon at him before stirring a pot of thick, caramel-colored something that looked like custard. Or crème brûlée. He loved crème brûlée. Gerda's light gray eyes were flinty. The cooks paused to watch the battle.
"You keep those greedy paws of yours off my strudel Marius Thorn! That's for the ball tonight and I won't have you spoiling Princess Elsa's coronation because of your great big stomach." Chuckling, Marius held up his hands in surrender, taking a careful step back.
"Okay, okay. Stepping away from the strudel. But actually…" He flashed Gerda one of his most charming smiles.
The one with dimples.
Gerda blinked a couple times, as though stunned by its sheer charisma. Marius dimmed the affect ever so slightly. No use blinding the poor woman. Nor the innocent servants surrounding her like chicks swarming a mother hen.
"Say I bring Princess Elsa a piece for breakfast?" He waited a moment. Any second now…
An eyebrow cocked. While Gerda looked impressively unimpressed, Marius knew he'd won. The woman had a soft spot when it came to Elsa.
But then again, don't we all?
He continued.
"Then maybe could I trouble you for two –" Finally, she heaved a sigh, brandishing a rolling pin at him, and after glaring pointedly for a full six seconds, went to work readying a soufflé dish.
Crème brûlée it was.
"Fine." Gerda muttered. A knock out."But only because its coronation day and only if you promise you watch her eat the whole thing. Sends half her meals back untouched. Doesn't eat nearly enough. One of these days she'll just topple over with the next gust of wind and then where will we be?"
Marius looked up to find Anna staring at him, chocolate forgotten. Her brow puckered with worry that reflected his own.
"You have my word fair lady." Grabbing a spare length of cloth from off the counter, Marius helped himself to three of the sticky pastries, wrapping them up and sliding them into his pocket. "Want one Anna?"
"Wha –Oh, yeah. Please. Thanks." She forced a smile to replace her frown. He held her gaze for a second.
"Don't even think about fair-ladying me. I want none of it, you hear? Not a single word." Gerda's tone was mildly threatening, though when Marius shifted his gaze over in her direction, he glimpsed a poorly concealed smile.
"Will do. But really Gerda. Thanks. You're the best, you know that?" She gave no appearance of hearing him, simply cut out pieces of crust with long, precise strokes of her knife, though Marius could have sworn he'd heard her say the word "spoiled" under her breath. He bit back a laugh. Tugging at the starched collar of his uniform and undoing two of the buttons in a half-hearted effort against the heat, Marius glanced around before asking.
"So, any idea where Kristoff is?"
"Yeah, where's Kristoff?" Anna echoed.
"He's –" The kitchen floor flew open, cutting her off. A scrawny child rushed inside.
"Marius! Marius!" Arms flung around his back, Stefan Himmler tackled him from behind. Or at least that's what he was hoping to do.
"Garrh! Stefan! I'm gonna get you!" Marius grabbed him under arms and swung him over his shoulder and tickling his exposed stomach, a tactical error on Stefan's part, eliciting gleesome shrieks from the boy.
"Stop, stop!" He squirmed in Marius's arms. "I have –" he dissolved into giggles – "I have something –" a hiccup, another giggle – "something to tell you."
"Do you now laddie?" Stefan grinned at the Scottish inflection Marius had picked up when touring the Kingdom of DunBroch. Flipping him back to his feet, he continued, "And what would that be?"
"Not here!" Hand at his brow, he peered around suspiciously, studying a plate towered high with braided pastries as if though spies were hidden within the folds. "It's a secret."
"Looks like we're heading out then." Anna said. "Goodbye culinary people! See you later Gerda." To the candy makers she whispered, "I'll be back." Hands clasped, she and Stefan ran out of the kitchens. Nabbing a pastry for Stefan, Marius followed close behind, calling back.
"Nice seeing you Gerda. But then, it always is."
Gerda had ducked behind the ovens so he figured she hadn't heard.
That or she was pretending not to. It was rather hard to tell.
In the atrium again, minus the servants, Anna and Stefan waited for him impatiently. Convinced they were alone and the oh so important news protected, the boy beckoned them close.
"Okay." Ribs sticking out as he puffed out his chest, Stefan proudly announced. "I saw Princess Elsa at six o'clock this morning."
"YOU WHAT?!" The boy snickered when the both yelled at the same time.
"Jinx." They muttered together. "Double jinx! Triple jinx!"
"Quadruple jinx." Marius muttered when Anna hesitated. She scrunched her nose at him, then knelt and grabbed Stefan by the shoulders, staring him down.
"You saw El – Princess Elsa?" She first whispered, almost to herself. Then, volume rising with each question, she very near shouted. "Where? How? Why? What does she look like? What was she wearing? What did she say? Details, Stefan!"
"Let him breath darling."
"Oh! Right. Sorry. Sorry. It's just – you actually saw my sister! I haven't even seen her yet!"
Pockets bulging with strudel and the rectangular box, Marius squatted beside them, passing the pilfered Danish to the boy. "Care to fill us in lad? We're all ears."
A boy after Marius's own heart, Stefan cut to the most important after cramming the better part of the flakey, fruity treat into his mouth.
"Sheddamopdbeaufulwomamibdauld."
"What?"
"Swallow first lad." Adam's apple bobbing as the pastry hastened to his stomach, Stefan repeated.
"She's the most beautiful woman in the world, that's what."
So he was right. Good to know. Marius brows hiked and he shared a look with Anna. The way he said it, starry-eyed and no longer sounding so childlike despite the crumbs clinging to his upper lip. It seemed like only yesterday Stefan was a chubby, toddling youngster. Now he was what? Almost thirteen. Almost a man. Saints.
"Well that's awfully descriptive," Marius rolled up on his heels, pulling Anna up with him, "but I'm gonna have to bother you for –"
"Ah, Princess Anna. I thought I might find you here." They all turned at the deep, overconfident voice, though only Marius did so begrudgingly, fixing the speaker with a dangerous smile.
"Lieutenant Werner, I thought I told you to guard the entrance to the West Wing. Were my orders too difficult for you?" He asked lightly, to all else appearing as a jest.
Since graduation, he and Tobias had maintained a mutual, unspoken agreement to treat each other with the upmost manners of gentlemanly politeness. Fascinating, the barbed insults one could slip in when doing so. Green eyes piercing and cold as his returning grin, Tobias inclined his head ever so slightly and Marius couldn't help but notice his neatly combed, dirty blonde hair. Seems he even got it trimmed.
Prat.
"My apologies sir, but Elsa – I mean Princess Elsa asked me to deliver a message to her lovely sister."
I'm going to kill him. The slip of the tongue was intentional. Familiarity. Just the right weapon to get under his skin. Internally, he swore, quite colorfully too.
Saints, he knows.
This was bad. So very very bad.
"Princess Elsa has a message? For me? Oh my goodness, what is it?!" Emotion welling up, Anna couldn't managed much more than a squeak that tempered the homicidal thoughts raging through Marius's head. Stefan slipped his fingers through hers. With a final condescending sneer in Marius's direction, Tobias spun to her, bowing crisply.
"Her Highness requests your presence in your father's study Princess."
Anna's jaw dropped. Marius smiled. Victory had never felt so sweet.
Finally.
"She – I – what? Really?" Even Tobias's rumbling laugh couldn't dampen his rocketing spirit.
"Whoa! Anna, can I go with you? Please?" Stefan begged, hopping up and down.
After all these years…
"I understand how you feel Princess Anna." Tobias said. He didn't actually, but Marius wasn't in the mood to point that out. "If you need me to escort you, I'd be honored –"
"I believe that's my job Lieutenant."Marius interrupted. Don't push it Werner. You're already on very thin ice. "You, I think, should return your post." Before I wring your neck. He finished silently. Holding his icy glare for a moment longer, Tobias nodded jerkily.
"Of course Captain." He replied, clipping his words and marching off. Marius watched him retreat, fully aware at the daggers he kept stored in either boot. Too bad Tobias was second-best, after him. Completely loyal as well. If only he didn't despise the ground he walked on.
"Marius?" Her hands gripped his, squeezing tight as her face shined with inner light, Anna gushed. "What are you waiting for? El – Princess Elsa's has specifically requested to see us! We have to go – we need to go! Come on!"
Grasping the crook of his arm, Stefan twiggy arms strained as he pulled.
Elsa. What was wrong with him? Suddenly cold, clammy, hot, sweltering. He'd been thinking, dreaming about their reunion for years. So why…?
Get it together man.
"Right you are love." Shouldering Stefan, returning Anna's grip, they started off, at first walking, jogging, running.
Elsa.
Better prepare yourself love. Cuz one heck of a hurricane is coming your way.
[A/N: Well that went a whole lot faster than I thought it would take. Longer too. But I pulled it off in record time. *Jumps up and down, cheering*Oh Marius, you beautiful human being. *Fans face* I think I'm overheating. I really hope you guys enjoyed him. He makes me laugh. Anywho, I need to cover some stuff I totally forgot to mention in my last author's note. 1)Oleanna, the song Anna was singing in Ch.2 is actually a real Norwegian folksong. Don't YouTube it unless you want it stuck in your head forever. 2)The passage Elsa was quoting in Ch.1 is from "Snow White and Rose Red," one of my favorite from Grimm's and because it fits in so well… can't say much, but you may or may not want to be on the look out for other Grimm references (pun intended). Just saying. Now, what else. Oh yes. DunBroch. Crossover? Perhaps. We shall see my friends. We shall see. Oh the plans I have.
Last but not least, thank you so much WinterKnight2104 and My Lord Doctor6735 for your comments. You guys are so nice! I'm glad you enjoyed my version of Anna. And specifically to WinterKnight2104: You have bird? That's so cool! What's the name in Vietnamese? Azalea is actually short for the Baroness Azalea Noël (cuz we got her round Christmas time). Why the long name? Not sure. All my pets ended up with long titled names. That's my family for you. Anyways, a Happy New Year to you too!
And for the rest of you, thanks for viewing, please review (though critics would be helpful) and hope you had a lovely New Year. Roger that. Over and out]