Andreas Mulenik sat in an easy chair on the beach reading a book. It was a cheap novel distracting him from his business. He enjoyed every second of it. He was supposed to have a security detail with him but he enjoyed being alone. He kept his eyes fixated on the book as he sighed.

"Hello cousin," Mulenik said, "it's good to see you again."

Hugo had approached him from behind carefully and silently, and now had a pistol trained at the back of Mulenik's head. Mulenik was perfectly aware of this, but kept reading.

"I'm going to kill you."

Mulenik kept staring at his book. He nodded.

"Well, if it is my time."

"How could you do it?" said Hugo, hesitating.

"Awww, I see, not quite sure of your resolve are you? Come now, don't make small talk, if you're going to do it, just do it. I can't give you an answer that'll satisfy you anyways."

Mulenik heard a click as Hugo uncocked his pistol and lowered it. Mulenik smiled, "Killing me won't make things better, I wish there was some way to, I really do, but we can only make the best decisions we can and then do the best we can to live with ourselves."

"HUGO!" Came a shout from the other side of the beach.

"And that would be your Fiance."

Sofia came running up to Hugo.

"What are you doing!?"

Mulenik simply kept reading, "Hello Princess, not to worry, just family squabbles."

"You son-of-a-bitch," said Hugo, "You just sit there and make jokes after everything you've done."

"You don't have a clue what I've done or not done."

"He's not worth it, Hugo," Sofia Whispered.

"That's probably true," said Mulenik.

"Will you shut up!" shouted Sofia.

Mulenik shrugged.

"Come on Hugo," said Sofia, taking Hugo by the shoulders, tears streaming down his face. Hugo resigned himself and the two started back toward the castle.

"Congratulations on your engagement by the way, I pray you'll both be very happy," said Mulenik, still staring down at his book, though his voice did seem quite sincere.

"We have to talk to my Father," Sofia said. "The Kingdom may be in danger. And you're coming too," she directed the last part at Ambassador Mulenik, who closed his book and stood up.

"At your service," he said.

"I doubt that very much," said Sofia. "Let's go."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

At Princess Sofia's request, the throne room saw a gathering of King Roland, dressed in his usual black, sitting on the throne, along with the Knights, led by Sir Bartleby and Sir Finnegan, with James and Hugo at their side. Cedric stood beside them. Admiral Vasques of the Royal Enchancian Navy and his staff stood across the room from the knights along with Constable Myles, and Ruby Henshaw in an Enchancian Army Captain's Uniform, and Jade in an Enchancian Navy Lieutenant's Uniform. Mulenik, Colonel Polyinin, and the Russivian Embassy Staff stood directly across the thrones.

Sofia stood in front of her throne to King Roland's Right and addressed the Assembly.

"I have been made aware of a great threat to this kingdom. I believe invasion is imminent, if our enemies are not already on their way."

At these words, the collective anxiety of the room increased.

"Ambassador," Sofia Invited.

Mulenik walked to the center of the room.

"Long ago, the ancients developed massive weapons capable of destroying entire cities. These weapons destroyed their society, and the knowledge of them has largely faded into legend, but their power has always been sought by… well, by anyone in the know, seeking power for their own ends. The safeguard is that the ancients used some kind of code which was only known by select few, without which, these weapons could not be used. Archibald, the Royal Sorcerer of the Southern Isles, somehow developed a Wicked Tenth Object capable of bypassing that safeguard. Both this object and the last of these weapons are here in Enchancia, and we have every reason to believe that The Order of the Wand is well aware of that."

"Why should we believe you!?" called out Sir Finnegan. "We listen to him and we're liable to find out that it's his Rebels who are trying to overthrow us."

"Believe me, Sir Finnegan," said Mulenik calmly, "if the Republic wanted to overthrow the Kingdom of Enchancia, we would not be recommending that you start fortifying yourselves."

"Cedric and I have verified much of what the Ambassador is saying," said Sofia.

"Where is this object?" asked King Roland.

"It's safe."

"I need to know," the King Pressed.

Sofia gave a significant look at Cedric before approaching his father's ear and whispering. Roland gave a nod. He turned to Ruby Henshaw.

"Captain Henshaw, call up the Militia, we'll need everyone in the Kingdom capable of bearing arms."

"Yes Sire," Said Ruby.

"Admiral Vasquez, how many ships do we have ready.?"

"Not enough to repel an amphibious invasion, Sire, we haven't had to mobilize like this in two centuries."

"That brings up another question," Constable Myles broke in, "Mobilize against whom? The Order of the Wand is down to two wizards, do they have an army?"

"They will," said Mulenik, "You can count on it; and a Navy."

"What army?" asked Sofia.

There was a Pause. For the first time, Sofia noticed that Mulenik seemed slightly nervous.

"They've gained control of part of our movement. The Republicans in Corinthia, Freezenberg, and Wei Ling support them."

Admiral Vasquez sighed, "The Corinthian Rebels seized control of that kingdom's entire Navy, that's more than fifty ships."

"Including four ships of the line," piked in Mulenik. "Make short work of your coastal cities."

Vasquez gave Mulenik a disgusted look.

"And maybe a hundred thousand rebel troops between those three countries," said Constable Myles. "We're outnumbered."

"Gee, if only one of your trading partners had an Army of their own already mobilized," Mulenik remarked sarcastically.

"Absolutely not!" said Roland.

"So that's your plan is it," Said sir Finnegan. "Bring your army in 'to help us,' and then take over."

"We believe in Popular Sovereignty, Sir," Colonel Polyinin addressed Finnegan. "We overthrew our monarchy because our people wanted it, if the Enchancian people want a monarchy, then our army pledges itself to defend the will of your people, to the death."

"Here here!" Shouted many in the Russivian Delegation.

"What do you think, Sofia," Asked Roland. "Do you trust them?"

"No I do not," said Sofia without missing a beat.

"Well then, that's seventy-five or so thousand troops you'll be doing without," said Mulenik, "Got a backup plan?"

Sofia looked at her Father.

"Avalor, Queen Elena has the largest standing Navy in the World, sixty-five ships, and no Rebels to contend with."

"And they're five days away if the winds are favorable," said Mulenik. "And of course there's the five days of getting your message to them, maybe three or four days of them deliberating on whether they decide to help you and IF they decided to help you, you may already be occupied by the time they get here. Our army can be here in three days"

"I'd rather bank on the Avaloran Navy then handing ourselves over to a Russivian Occupation Army," Said Admiral Vasquez.

"I agree, Avalor's our best option," said Sofia.

There was a pause. Roland turned to Vasquez.

"Vasquez get your fastest ship to Avalor, I want it underway now."

"Yes Sire," Said Vasquez, leaving the room.

"The rest of you get to work on fortifying this Kingdom," said Roland, "I want every single citizen at arms or capable of bearing them ready."

King Roland spoke with a resolve that no one in the room had seen him speak with for two years. Sofia and James smiled. He was back.

"What are you waiting for, let's get to it."

Everyone in the room scattered, James, Hugo, Sofia, and Mulenik approached Roland.

"For what it's worth, your majesty," said Mulenik "My guards are at your service, and if you'd trust them with weapons, any member of my staff can fight."

"You just tell them that I'll have them shot at the first sign of treachery."

"Fair enough, your majesty."

"Dad, I have to go," Sofia said.

"I need you here," said Roland

"Lucinda is out there looking for the Wicked Tenth, I have to find her, let her know that we have it, and find out what she knows."

"I know where she is," said Mulenik. "We have an archeological site that we've recovered, there's more to this than just the glove."

"Where is she?" asked Sofia.

"The Republic of Arendelle."

"The Republic of Arendelle?" Said James in dismay. "You mean she's with the Rebels."

"Call it what you will, you won't be able to get there by just asking Queen Elsa," said Mulenik. "You'd have to cross their lines, and while I have no doubt you can do it, we don't exactly have that kind of time."

"What are you proposing," asked Roland.

"Give me a ship, I can get her behind Republican lines."

"We don't exactly have an abundance of ships to give you, we're going to need what we have to defend ourselves against your other rebel friends," said James.

"We'll take the Royal Schooner," said Sofia resigned.

James, Roland, and Hugo looked at her with surprise.

"It's a pleasure cruiser, it would be worse than useless in a battle anyways."

"I can't send any guards or sailors with you Sofia, and I don't trust you with him," Said Roland.

"I know how to sail, and I can look after myself."

"I know that," said Roland. "I already lost your mother, and your sister, I don't want to lose you."

"I'll go," said Hugo.

Roland looked at Hugo, there was a significant pause between them. Roland nodded.

"I can go too," said James.

"No, you're the future King, your place is here," said Roland. "Get to your knights you've got work to do."

James nodded and turned to leave.

"James," said Roland.

James turned back. Roland paused for a second, hesitating, as if he couldn't get the words out.

"I'm proud of you, and I'm sorry about…"

"I know, Dad, it's alright," James turned and left.

Roland turned to Sofia. "I'm proud of you too, and I'm sorry."

Sofia smiled, "there's one more thing that I need, Dad."

"Anything."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Ten minutes later, the only people in the throne room were Roland, Sofia, Hugo, James, Baileywick, a tall Russivian Man in a clerical outfit, Ruby, and Jade. Roland stood at the foot of the throne. Sofia stood facing Hugo in front of Roland. The rest formed a semi-circle around Hugo and Sofia.

"Sofia, do you take Hugo to be your wedded Husband, to love and care for him in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, until death separates you?" Said Roland

"I do."

"Hugo, do you take Sofia to be your wedded wife, to love and care for her in sickness and in health, for better or for worse, until death separates you?"

"I do."

"Then as King and Sovereign of the Nation of Enchancia, I declare that you are Husband and Wife, and may you live happily ever after"

Sofia and Hugo kissed. Those in the throne room applauded.

"I'm sorry it wasn't a big, white wedding Sofia," said hugo, their faces pressed together.

"It was perfect, Hugo," Sofia replied.

The man in a Russivian Clerical outfit produced a Tiara and came to face Sofia, Sofia turned to face him.

"And now in the name of the Royal Family of the Kingdom of Russivia," the man placed the Tiara on Sofia's head, "I crown you, Sofia the First, High Queen of the people of Rusivia, and may you always rule with wisdom, grace, justice, and mercy."

"Congratulations, your majesty," Said James as he hugged his sister.

"We're so excited for you, Sof," said Jade, Ruby flanking her with a smile.

"Thank you, thank you all," Sofia began. "I'm not religious, but I do believe that love is stronger than power; and I have faith that in this and every emergency to come, all of us will be led to exactly where we need to be. Let's get going, Hugo."