A/N: Lovig Regel is Norwegian for 'Loving Rule', and I use it as the name of Elsa's castle in the city(the one we see in the movie), Fredag is the Norwegian word for 'Friday'.
The summons was nailed to the door, and a few eager passers-by crowded around the door as it closed.
Her Majesty, Queen Elsa of Arendelle
Summons the Youth of our Ideal City,
To be her Confidante.
Eligibility requires that a Young Woman be,
Of strong will, clear heart, calm conviction, forthright knowledge,
And of clean habits.
Answers to this Summons will report to the Main Gate of Lovig Regel,
At Midday of Fredag,
At the blessing of the Queen of Our Land.
All Hail the Queen Regnant,
All Hail Queen Elsa!
As families vetted their daughters, rivalries over privilege began to surface. The stress would be palpable, but the mood of the city was anxious. Fredag would bring their next fate, as the old ones said.
On the morning of Fredag, mothers all across Arendelle frenzied and muttered at their daughters. Gowns, plaiting, and saved heirlooms, were all brought out, in hopes of attracting the Queen's favour.
Soon, a procession of young women formed at the gate, hoping to perhaps be the earliest to catch the eye of the Queen's attendants, and chattering amongst themselves, trying to gain a sense of their fellow summonees.
The great Gate opened, and a pair of guards, a man and a woman, appeared beside the elderly seneschal before the doors.
"Greetings, Summoned Ones," the man intoned clearly, "I am Kai, servant to Her Majesty. Please follow me, and we will make the will of Queen Elsa a reality."
As he turned towards the main halls of the ruling edifice, the guards watched the attendees carefully. Satisfied that all were compliant, they turned and led the horde of cautious women to the gates. Once inside, the procession was led down a pair of twisting hallways, and into an open area, beside the entrance to the royal gardens.
As the guards positioned themselves at the entrance, the door to the Wing Resident opened, and the Queen stepped into view, accompanied by her animated younger sister, who gave her Queen a pace to enter gracefully.
Resplendent in her gown and accouterments of pure ice, with a coiled braid in a bun, the Ice Queen drew all eyes, her heeled shoes announcing her presence. Several of the girls in attendance paled slightly, at the sight of a fearsome All-Power. Queen Elsa strode to a point in the centre of the room, clasping her hands before her, in a gesture of relaxed control and safety.
"Have any of you been informed of why you're here?" she asked, hoping her wishes had been communicated on the notice.
A few girls shook their plaited heads, while some just looked at the wall behind the Queen.
"Kai, thank you. You are dismissed," Elsa murmured.
With a bow, the man left the room, with only appraising glances to follow his suited form, as he retreated into the hallway. If only everything else were this easy, Elsa thought to herself.
Gathering her thoughts, the Queen brought her eyes up to their own once again.
"While I would like to get to know each and every one of you," she began, "it's plain that our fair place in this world has given us an abundance of youthful hope to share."
Soft titters of laughter echoed in the room, even the guards softly smiling briefly. This Queen was definitely one to be pleased with.
"Now," she continued, "I do, regrettably, have to be a little more selective among you. Please, do not take this as a measure of your worthiness, but of my own personal preference."
The laughter stopped, and the girls of the city eyed each other warily, then looked back to the Queen, flanked by her guards (which she certainly didn't need) and her influential sister. This was no longer a game, if it had ever been. The Princess' features softened, and almost looked apologetic. Almost.
"Alright," Elsa raised her voice a little, not wanting to frighten nervous souls in the room.
"If any of you are high-born, or come from families of nobility, please take your leave. This applies to current nobility only."
A low buzz arose around the girls that excused themselves from the room. Only 5 of the 40 some that had answered left. The Queen allowed herself a moment of silence, to respect those that obviously had been a little disappointed. She cleared her throat.
"Of those that remain," Elsa began, and sighed, "I would like you to leave if you fear me."
Again, a few left, this time about 8.
"Those of you from families of considerable size, please be excused," she continued.
This time, 21 left, with only 6 left.
"Now, I can get to know you by name," she intoned, and came closer to the few that remained, being careful to give none her full attention.
First, was Ingrid. The daughter of a farmer, raised in the city by friends, after her family had died in the Great Freeze Elsa had brought. Her story touched Anna, and she resolved to talk to her later.
Second, was Anise. Daughter of a merchant of exotic wares, she had come because she wanted to get to know the Queen, who no one knew. She was possessed of a fiery mane, like Anna, but spoke of needs as if they were something she disliked, and spoke of the history of England, which she had learned to loathe, through her father's business.
Third, was Annetta. She was an orphan, but had found favour with the proprietor of a local tailor, who took her under her wing. Plain and forthcoming, she was soft spoken,and loved seeing things grow.
Fourth, was Katarin. Niece of a Russian trader, she preferred ballet to ball dance, and seemed guarded about her other likes. A rebel, she was.
Fifth, was Katja. Sister of a fisherman, she loved venison and cherries. With a lithe body, she spoke highly of a friend that had taught dance for the late King, and curtsied politely, while gazing menacingly at the other contestants for the Queen's attention.
Sixth, a timid girl who spoke so quietly, Elsa leaned over to even hear her. Afraid she was not, though. Nichole was a beggar who had been dropped too often, it seemed. Adoration mixed with joy, and she beamed at her peers and her Queen, happy to see the gift of life. Her finery was only a common cloak, and a smile of the Sun itself.
Princess Anna broke her silence, and sang out her approval of all of them, as they introduced themselves.
They all have worthy reasons to be here, thought Elsa, None of them really deserve to go empty handed.
With a troubled gaze at the floor, she lidded her eyes. She'd have to disappoint someone. Again...
With a drawn out lip, and a wet look to her eyes, the young Queen looked again upon them.
"Ingrid, thank you for coming," the Queen paused, biting back a tear, "You have sacrificed much, and I am honoured by your presence. Please, ask the guards in the hall to take you to Gerda, and tell her of your situation. She'll know what to do. Th- thank you," stuttered a slightly shaking Queen.
"Nichole," the girl cocked her head and waited, "Please wait by the throne room, on your way out. I need to talk to you more."
With her head slightly hung, the emaciated beggar picked up her feet, then lifted her head and smiled again at the Queen. Please don't make this harder than it is already...
"Katja," with a nod, the woman picked up her skirts and began to move to walk out.
"Thank you, Katja," the Queen lilted out.
"As Your Majesty commands," Katja replied, and bowed as she opened the door and disappeared through it.
Elsa raised her head, and looked at the three remaining summons. Doubt prickled her mind, but was erased from thought a second later, by her second thought, I'm going to be friends with someone here, she thought happily, and smiled again at the gathering of happiness and hope before her.
"Katarin," she intoned nobly. The rebellious one shirked her nature, and stood a little straighter, looking Elsa in the eye.
"Thank you, but your happiness is with another, and I wish you well."
"Well, spoken, Your Majesty. May you be well," she replied through a neutral accent.
Sighing the Queen watched her number of contestants quickly dwindle to two. Decision time.
Annetta watched her hands, and blinked slowly, before sizing up the obviously inviting Princess, and returned her eyes to the Queen, who narrowed her eyes. That was too easy. Her body suddenly felt need, but with no idea of what she wanted, and a protective arm rested on her belly as an increasingly familiar feeling returned, but only for a moment, before it was gone.
"Annetta," she fought to keep her voice open and pleased-sounding, "you are a good person. Perhaps, too good for this life." Yeah, right.
As the tailor's apprentice bowed and strode out, Elsa made a mental note to order a few less gowns for her sister. Where'd that come... ? Why?
Looking back towards a confident-looking redhead, Elsa noticed that all was not completely naive in the last girl standing before her.
"Anise," Elsa spoke happily, "you have passed all my tests, and are not found wanting."
"Thank you, Your-"
"Ah! Ah!" Elsa waggled her finger, "Call me Elsa from now on, unless we're with official guests."
"Ye... yes. Elsa," Anise sounded out slowly, before giggling at herself, and thrusting her hand out to Anna. "Down low!" What? Elsa and Anna thought at the same time, and shot looks of mystification at their new acquaintance.