Chapter 10 – Weapons Report

"Our guardsman made contact with several individuals in Arendelle who have talked with Hamarians about hiring on as soldiers," Councilor Vilrun reported to Queen Elsa. "They're offering money, weapons and training."

"Are citizens of Arendelle accepting these offers?" Elsa asked.

"Some are," Vilrun admitted. "The ones we've spoken to obviously turned it down, but all our contacts have confirmed that some are willing to take pay from Gerhard. We can't find evidence that any of them have actually gotten a weapon or promised to fight, but some are agreeing to take his money."

Elsa kept her outward calm in place, but inside she was shrinking away from their condemnation. Her own people agreed with Gerhard. She should find Gerhard and turn herself over to save her people from the coming conflict. If she really was a good queen, that's what she would do, instead of hiding behind these people who were willing to defend her because they were too naïve to accept that Gerhard was right about her.

"We don't have an accurate count of how many citizens of Arendelle have joined Gerhard, but likely not many, and they won't be trained fighters. If Gerhard is hiring mercenaries, we project his forces to number only in the hundreds. He can hire soldiers, but not leaders. He can't handle a large force on his own," Vilrun said.

"Hundreds may be all he needs," Elsa pointed out. "We only have about four dozen castle guards. The village constables aren't soldiers."

"We are considering arming the populace," Vilrun replied.

Elsa blanched at the thought. But before she could object, there were raised voices in the corridor outside of the room, and then Kristoff came in, Almar protesting loudly.

"What's with him?" Kristoff asked Elsa, pointing at Almar. He hadn't stopped to change before coming to the castle and was still in his ice harvester outfit and gray wool hat.

"He's my bodyguard," Elsa told him. "Anna and I both have bodyguards until this crisis is resolved. Please respect what Lieutenant Almar is trying to do."

"Bodyguards?" Kristoff gave Almar a long, measured look. "All right, whatever. Vilrun, have you seen those weapons in the Albion Basin recently? Because I think I know where they are now."

Vilrun stiffened, and Elsa wasn't sure if it was because of Kristoff's disrespectful familiarity, or the news about the weapons.

"We chose to leave them in place so whoever took them would continue to think his actions had been undetected," Vilrun said.

"Well, send someone to see if they're still there. There's a cave of weapons up at Hidden Lake that were hauled in by wagon, and a whole bunch of Hamarians with swords and daggers hanging around up there," Kristoff said.

"How long have they been there?" Vilrun demanded.

"How would I know? The wagon tracks were just mud, so not too long. And those people can't stay up there more than a week. It's going to start snowing in the mountain passes any day now," Kristoff said.

"They were armed? How many were there?" Vilrun asked.

"We saw about eight of them. I have no idea how many others were hiding," Kristoff said.

"Why were you up there?" Vilrun asked.

"I'm an ice harvester. Maybe you noticed? It's my job to be up there," Kristoff snapped.

Vilrun's lips pressed together in anger.

Elsa broke in. "Kristoff, we're learning that my former councilor, Gerhard, is hiring mercenary soldiers and has plans to attack Arendelle at some point. It appears that most of the soldiers are Hamarians, though their government isn't involved as far as we know. We also believe we have a traitor among the guardsmen. All of this is just starting to come together, and we appreciate any information you can add."

"So those were mercenaries at the lakes?" Kristoff said.

"Possibly," Vilrun said. "I highly doubt anyone would attempt a wintertime attack over the mountains, but they may be caching weapons and supplies until spring."

Elsa looked at Vilrun with dismay. She was beginning to suspect they'd promoted Vilrun above his level of competence. He had done a fine job as Captain of the Castle Guard, but he seemed to be flailing in the face of this crisis and her confidence in him was eroding quickly.

"If they're already on the mountaintop, it would be just as easy to come down our side of the mountain as theirs. Why wouldn't they attack in the wintertime?" Kristoff countered.

"We need more information," Vilrun said. "Kristoff, would you consider joining the Castle Guard for the duration of this crisis?"

"What? What kind of weird idea is that? I'm an ice harvester. Look, if you want information, I can get you a network of spies in the mountains that no Hamarian will ever notice," Kristoff said.

"I would prefer it if you were to take an oath of service and loyalty before we entertained your ideas," Vilrun said.

"Vilrun, if his ideas have merit, they should be considered regardless," Elsa said. "I didn't know you wanted Kristoff to join the guardsmen."

"Yeah, not going to happen anyway," Kristoff said. "I'll help you out where I can, but I'm not the guard type."

"I would think your patriotism for your country and your personal feelings for Arendelle's royalty would call you to a higher cause than your own activities," Vilrun said.

Kristoff leaned over the table at him. "You don't use Anna to manipulate me, understand? If you need help, you can ask me for it, but I don't take orders from you."

"Tell us about how you would gather information, Kristoff," Elsa said, trying to defuse them.

"Of course he's talking about himself and the other ice harvesters," Vilrun said.

"No, I was talking about a bunch of rocks with big ears," Kristoff snapped.

Vilrun flushed red. "I will not tolerate this level of disrespect. Your Majesty, I am at your disposal to continue our discussion at your convenience." He gathered up his papers and stalked out of the room.

"I hope I didn't interrupt anything important," Kristoff said.

"Was that an apology? I couldn't tell," Elsa replied.

Kristoff exhaled a long sigh and dropped into a chair. "Sorry, Elsa. That guy rubs me the wrong way. He won't even admit he doesn't know what he needs to know. Do you really want me as a Castle Guard? I mean, really?"

"That took me by surprise too," Elsa said. "Although you'd be just what we need."

"So I should consider it?" Kristoff asked.

"You could," Elsa said.

"Mmm, okay, I'm done considering it. No deal. I'll help you out, you know that. But I'm not joining the guard," Kristoff said.

Elsa nodded. She had to admit she was a little disappointed. Kristoff's strength, skill and knowledge about the mountains would be invaluable. He had a tendency to disappear at inconvenient times though. If they could get him under oath and in uniform, maybe he would be more predictable.

"It's not what you're thinking, actually. I'll do whatever you need, anytime. I'm just not going to take an oath to swing a sword at someone on his orders," Kristoff said with a nod towards the door through which Vilrun had left. "I saw a couple of ice harvesters take ice saws to each other once. That's just not who I am. I'll defend myself if I have to, but I don't attack. I'm not a fighter."

"It's fine, Kristoff, really. I understand. One person isn't going to change the course of the battle anyway," Elsa said. "Vilrun is under a lot of pressure right now. Thank you for telling us what you found. It adds another piece to the puzzle."

"You're welcome. Do you need me to go back up the mountain? I told the other ice harvesters to clear out, but I can go keep an eye on things, or send a few rocks around to where they can pick up some information," Kristoff offered.

"Let me talk to the other Councilors before we decide what we need. Can you stay here for a few days?" Elsa asked.

"Okay."

"Thank you. Anna has something she's dying to show you, by the way. You can find her in the library."

"Thanks, Elsa."

Elsa leaned her head into her hands after he left. She'd wanted to ask Kristoff if they should let Gerhard win. Sometimes he listened to her and didn't shut her down as quickly as Anna did. But she'd lost her nerve.

Lieutenant Almar leaned in through the door. "Is everything all right, your Majesty?"

"Yes, Almar. I'll be a few more minutes," she answered. She still hadn't gotten used to having someone track her every move. Anna was even more upset about the situation, but they were doing what they had to do.

"Yes, your Majesty," Almar replied, and shut the door.