The first of the Cannonvale soldiers crossed the border of Corona at 12:01 am, according to the scouts that had ridden back to spread the news. King Philip assured Elsa that it would take several weeks for them to reach the capital. Each day Elsa dropped the temperature slightly, hoping that by the time she needed to create harsh conditions most of the wildlife and flora would have adjusted to the artificial winter.
By the time the soldiers were near the capital word had arrived from the various scouts that were staged along the enemies path that something was wrong.
"All reports indicate that the amount of soldiers marching towards us is much smaller than it should be." Captain Pike explained.
"Why? What does that mean?" Anna asked.
"It means they're just a distraction. While we've been focused on being the target of Cannonvales attack, they've sent the bulk of their army elsewhere." Elsa said.
"There has been no indication that they have entered our country from another location?" King Philip asked.
"No. We would have noticed. They'll be at the ice wall by tomorrow. What do you want us to do? We can easily defeat them in battle, even without Princess Elsa's help." Pike said. "There's no more than fifty soldiers."
"Let's just wait and see what they do. Surely they weren't planning on actually attacking us with such small numbers, it would be suicide. Man the wall, but don't engage them unless necessary." Philip ordered.
After Pike took his leave Elsa expressed her fears. "Why bother with this charade? The Cannonvale army is massive. Even with my help we would still have had difficulty fighting them."
"Yes, it would have been a drawn out, costly, battle, for both sides. And they would have known that. I'm afraid that while we've been distracted they have decided to go after an easier target." Philip said.
"Arendelle."
He nodded. "That would be my best guess. Which means they want revenge more than they want you and Anna."
Late the next afternoon Captain Pike arrived back at the palace, accompanied by several of his soldiers, and a lone man in the colors of Cannonvale. King Philip met with them on his throne, with the rest of his family in attendance.
The strange man bowed before the king. "Your majesty, I am Lt. Dawson. I have a message for you and your nieces, from King Armen."
"Very well. Speak freely." Philip said.
"Arendelle is under attack. As we speak, the whole of the Cannonvale army is landing upon the shores of Arendelle, aided by the Southern Isles most infamous navy."
"I see. Does your king not understand that I will go to the aid of my brother in law? Arendelle does not have an impressive army but it is well fortified and Corona has a much larger military."
"Of course. However, we both know that you will lose thousands of men in doing so. All of this can be prevented by returning the princesses to Arendelle, to await their fate. Doing so would spare the citizens of Corona from an ugly war. Your people are innocent in all of this."
"And what fate would that be?"
"King Armen simply wishes for the princess to marry Prince Deron, now heir to the throne."
"And Elsa?" Anna asked.
"They want her head. A life for a life. And, afterall, you and Prince Deron could have children to rule not only Cannonvale, but Arendelle as well when the time comes."
"I must reject your offer, Lt. Dawson." King Philip spoke.
"I expected no less, your majesty." Lt. Dawson bowed.
"And what are we supposed to do with you, and your men? Let you stroll out of Corona the way you came in?" Elsa asked.
"Your highness, my men, as you call them, are not soldiers. We gave them soldiers clothing, but they are just common farmers. Boys of thirteen, old men, even many women. The king didn't want to risk any of our actual soldiers on this farce."
"So he condemned his people to possible death? He forced innocent men and women to leave their homes and march across a strange land, possibly dying in the process?" Queen Emily was outraged.
"Yes your majesty. Such is the nature of our king. I myself was given the task of leading them here due to sheer luck on my part. We drew straws. I am the only true soldier among them, and while I expect no mercy for myself, I ask that you not harm the ones who were forced to come with me."
"Pike, have this information verified at once." King Philip ordered. "Lt. Dawson, what would you have done if I had agreed to hand them over? How were you going to get them back to Cannonvale without an actually army?"
"I never considered that you would do such a thing. I have a daughter and I would no more give her to Prince Deron than I would go into battle without a sword."
"Guards, please take Lt. Dawson to the dungeon. See that he is fed and comfortable, but he will remain under lock for now. I'm not in the habit of killing the messenger Dawson, but I can't just let you go."
"I understand. Thank you for you audience, and your mercy, your majesty."
Once they were alone, the family began to discuss the news.
"I must go to Arendelle. At once. I'm the only hope they have for survival." Elsa said.
"Elsa, no. They'll kill you. I know you're powerful, but you can't defeat all of Cannonvale and the Southern Isles." Anna said. "I will not let you go."
"Anna, that's our country. It's my job to protect it. I am still the crown princess of Arendelle and I have a duty to our people."
"Yeah, to survive." Anna yelled back. "Father created this mess, let him sort it out."
"He can't. You know that. And who's going to suffer? Our people."
"Girls. Enough. You are both right." Philip said. "Anna, Elsa is correct. Arendelle needs her, and you both have a duty to your people. If Elsa does nothing Arendelle will fall and you won't have a country any longer."
"But father, Anna's right. They will kill Elsa." Rapunzel was on her younger cousins side.
"She won't be alone. Corona is the sworn ally of Arendelle, and even if we weren't I could not sit by and let my nieces throne be taken from her. Elsa, you have the army and navy of Corona at your disposal."
"Thank you Uncle. What I need to figure out is how to get into the country. By the time we arrive they will have the harbor, and most of the city under their control. We can't just march in. If there was some way to get to the northern mountain we could establish a base there."
"I was thinking the same thing. The southern border will be manned, I'm sure. However, if we could approach from the other side of the mountain we could remain unnoticed."
"But how? The other side of the north mountain belongs to Highland, and they aren't allied with us."
"No, but neither are they allied with Cannonvale. Queen Violet remains neutral as a general rule, but I think there is a good chance she could be persuaded to give us passage." Philip said.
"I agree. We must go to see her at once." Queen Emily said. "I think we should both go, and Elsa and Anna will need to go as well."
"Yes. Rapunzel, you will be acting in my stead while we are away. Eugene will help you, as will Captain Pike. We should leave tomorrow." Philip decided.
"Just one thing." Eugene spoke up. "What if all of this is merely to lure our army away? We have no proof that they actually attacked Arendelle. If we send all of our troops away they could easily move in on us."
"A good point. However, by the time we have been to see Queen Violet I feel we will have proof one way or the other."
"Anna and I will be ready in the morning. We should go let Kristoff know what's happening." Elsa stood up.
They found the blonde ice master in the yard with several of the Corona archers.
"What are you doing?" Anna asked.
"If there is going to be a battle, I wanted to be useful. Tormund is teaching me to shoot."
"He's quite good, actually." Tormund said.
"Well, you aren't going into battle without proper armour." Anna said.
"We will take care of that, your highness." Tormund smiled.
"Kristoff, Anna and I are leaving tomorrow to see Queen Violet of the Highlands. My uncle thinks we can persuade her to let us climb her side of the north mountain."
"So it's true that Arendelle is under attack?"
"It would seem that way. While we are gone, please help Rapunzel and Eugene with anything they might need. I'm letting the temperature return to normal, but there are about fifty citizens of Cannonvale at the wall they have to deal with."
"I will. And I'll keep practicing too."
"Kristoff, you've done so much for us already. You're the greatest friend we could ever have. But you're not a soldier. We don't expect you to fight." Elsa said.
"Arendelle is my home. My family is there, and all of my friends. There is no way I'm not going to do everything I can to defend that. If my Queen is going into battle, I will be by her side." He bowed to Elsa.
"Oh, Kristoff." Anna was crying as she flung her arms around him.
"Tormund, you find him the best armour available, and the best bow as well. Money is not a concern, I will pay for everything. And Sven too." Elsa said in a low voice. "I don't want anything happening to him."
"Yes, your majesty." He bowed. "I will make sure he is ready, and I will fight by his side whenever the time comes. My sister will kill me if I don't, anyway." He winked at Elsa.
As the sister's walked away Elsa asked a question. "Why is everyone acting like I'm already the Queen of Arendelle?"
"Word travels. They know most of what happened, and what you did. As far as most people are concerned, you are the queen they want to follow. The one they are willing to fight for. When this is all over I'm going to ask father to step down for you." Anna replied.
"Anna! He made a mistake but he is still the king of Arendelle."
"Elsa. He's my father and part of me still loves him. But I cannot follow him. You are my queen, and the only one I will ever have. His mistake cost his country greatly, and he doesn't deserve to wear the crown. I hope you're ready to be queen because I'm not the only one who feels that way."
