Chapter 11

Talking to Anna in the early morning was comforting for Elsa, but she could not help but feel that there was something still nagging her.

She could not understand why Prince Theobald had come to visit Arendelle. She couldn't help feel that there was more to their encounter than he had let on.

And yet at the same time, she could not help feeling empathy towards him. She could not help wanting to trust him. The conflict within her was excruciating, and she could only hope that it would eventually subside. In any case, it was very unlikely that she would ever see Prince Theobald again – he was only twelfth in line for his throne after all.

"Ma'am," echoed a voice from across the throne room, breaking Elsa away from her ruminating thoughts. She recognized the voice at once and turned away from the crystal glass window to face her advisor, who was standing down by the double doors.

"Yes?"

The advisor was looking rather disgruntled, which made Elsa frown. He was a man that was not so easily ruffled, largely keeping his face void of any emotion.

"What is it?" pressed Elsa, proceeding to walk slowly down the steps, past her throne.

"Prince Theobald is requesting an audience with you Ma'am," replied the advisor, with obvious discomfort. "I can of course request that he come at a more appropriate time, it is of course still morning, and after the ball last night I'm sure your Majesty would prefer-"

"Send him in please."

The advisor froze, staring at his Queen with shock written all over his face.

"Now Ma'am?" he stuttered.

"Yes, now," replied Elsa with ease, a wry smile playing on her lips.

"Of course, Ma'am, I shall send him in right away," replied the advisor, hardly believing what had just transpired before bowing deeply and retreating from the room.

Elsa breathed out deeply but turning away from the closing doors to look up at her vacant seat on her throne. She could feel tightness in her throat. It wasn't from being nervous.

It was rage.

How dare he pretend to be formal and proper now. He was going to take this opportunity to belittle her cockily one more time, to make her feel stupid, just as he did last night before departing.

He was deliberately trying to make this as painful as possible.

Elsa felt her hands grow cold.

"Ma'am," came the advisor's voice again and Elsa whipped around to face the doors just as they opened and Prince Theobald stepped into the room.

He looked just as scruffy as usual, but he was not wearing formal attire as he had been the night before. He looked almost humble in his riding clothes, all primarily in brown and dark red. He had obviously been riding because he was breathing deeply with exertion and his hair was windswept.

Elsa narrowed her eyes. She wasn't going to be fooled by that again. She couldn't tell what his true character was, and she was starting to become suspicious.

Theobald was finding it difficult to lift his gaze to look at Elsa directly in the eye, mainly because he was still feeling rather embarrassed about having seen her in the morning. When he eventually did, he was met by a completely different image, that of the powerful, distant but elegant Queen, with her hair neatly reined in on the top of her head. He suddenly felt the urge to undo it.

"Er," choked Theobald, before clearing his throat. He desperately tried to rid his mind of the carefree young maiden he'd seen running around the rose garden just hours before. "Your Majesty, I have come because I would like to apologize for my behavior last night."

He saw her eyes widen for a fraction of a second before she covered it once more with her usual somber expression.

"What exactly do you mean, by your behavior?"

Her voice was brittle.

Theobald gritted his teeth. He had suspected he had hurt her, but he could see it now clear in her eyes. He knew that it was necessary at the time, but nevertheless, it still pained him to see the results.

"I was rude," he spoke softly, "and inappropriate. I left you, first of all, unchaperoned in the maze, and second, did not treat you with the respect you deserved. I was not honest with you, and for that, I am sorry."

Elsa stared at Theobald, unable to answer. She had not expected him to apologize. He had left her in the maze, all alone, and she had felt rejected. It had felt awful. But this…

He had taken the time to come and apologize, when he could have just run?

"I accept your apology," replied Elsa, her voice quiet. "What exactly have you not been honest about?"

As Theobald stared at Elsa, he noticed that she was almost pleading, like somewhere at the back of her mind, she knew that he was not being honest, that he was holding back. He felt tightness in his throat. If only… If only he could be honest with her…

But he was too deep, too many lives were at risk, and if she were to know why he was here, what's to say that his father wouldn't harm her?

It was too much risk. Too much was at stake.

He had to keep going, he had to keep his real intentions a secret, in order to protect her….

So instead….

"Things in my country have been difficult," he sighed. "Being so far down the line of succession meant that I had less responsibility than my other brothers. But it also meant I was largely invisible. Some of my brothers I'm afraid were not so kind, in fact, at times they could be quite brutal."

Theobald looked wearily at Elsa to see that she was listening intently. As their eyes met, Theobald looked hastily away from her. He could not tell her the whole truth, but he could let her know some of it.

"My father was always a cold man," continued Theobald, pacing slowly toward the stain glass windows. "Distant. He never spent any real time with me nor with any of my younger brothers. Hans, my younger brother, was always seen as a disappointment. I cared for him though, as much as I regret it now."

Elsa stared at Theobald, who looked so sad, almost suddenly older, as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Elsa wondered whether this was actually the real Theobald. It reminded her of someone.

Herself.

"I know how you feel," replied Elsa, which caused Theobald to look up at her with alarm. She had not said anything for so long, he was surprised to hear her voice sound so sympathetic. So warm.

He did not deserve it.

"It doesn't excuse the fact that I haven't been exactly fair to you. I was sent here by my family because they believed that they could create an alliance between our countries."

Elsa blinked.

"An alliance?" she said, hesitantly.

"Yes," breathed Theobald, staring directly at her. He could not mess this up, but he was through with not being straight with her. If he had to stay, then he would try and protect her best he could. Either way, there was nothing that could stop his father from making sure his plan was seen through.

"Do you mean… marriage?"

"Yes," replied Theobald.

Silence filled the room as Elsa processed the information in her head. That had been his real reason in coming here. Then why…

"Then why did you tell me you were leaving yesterday?" she asked.

"Because I thought it was unfair on you. Because I didn't want to seduce you as my family wishes me to. Because I believed that the right thing to do was to leave and make sure my family never meddled with your kingdom ever again."

"What changed your mind?" asked Elsa carefully after a moment, her expression nebulous.

Theobald felt her words hanging in the area; each one felt like a pit in his stomach.

He realized in that moment that he had to lie.

"I'm a selfish human being," he spoke begrudgingly, hating the sound of his own voice. "I must confess that I like you. Very much. I want- I would like, that is, your permission to able to get to know you better."

Looking up he saw that Elsa was staring at him as if he had just grown two horns on the top of his head.

"I would like to stay in Arendelle for a little while longer," he continued, keeping his gaze steady. "You know of my intentions now, as well as that of my family. If you wish it, you can send me away. It is entirely up to you."

Theobald felt his hands becoming clammy. If she said yes he could protect her at least at a close distance. If she said no... Well, then perhaps it was time for Epirus to set his plans in motion. The fate of both their countries now hinged on her decision. One would lead to temporary peace, the other would lead to civil war in his country.

But he couldn't lie to her anymore.

Elsa couldn't believe her ears. Gone was the pathetic prince she had seen when she'd first saw him. Now he spoke with such boldness, such firmness, it startled her.

She wanted to believe that he was being honest. But she could also sense that he was still keeping things hidden from her. He had secrets, just as she had had hers.

Perhaps if she spent more time with him she could uncover them. Perhaps Anna was right; maybe she ought to be more trusting.

But she also couldn't stop the shadow of dread seeping into her heart. What if he was only acting in his countries interests?

But he could have left. He spoke of wanting to, in order to sever all ties to Arendelle.

She knew in her gut that that part was true. It had to be.

Otherwise…

Otherwise she wouldn't be feeling such goodness emanating from him.

Theobald frowned as he saw Elsa's conflicting thoughts running through her mind. Perhaps she did not want him here after all, and was just figuring out the best way to get rid of him. She had only known him for three weeks, what did he expect. He was twelfth in line, there would be no advantage for her. What had his brothers been thinking in sending him-

"If you want me to leave," he began gruffly but Elsa interrupted him.

"No!"

Theobald stared as Elsa held up her hand towards him, her face contorted with anguish.

After a moment, she regained her composure, and flicked her eyes down at the ground in embarrassment. She had revealed too much just then.

"I don't want you to leave," she whispered, her voice wavering.

Theobald looked at her with a pained expression on his face. So she had chosen.

He felt a flurry of triumph surge within him, and he hated himself for it.

As he stared at Elsa, who looked so vulnerable with her head cast down, refusing to look at him, he felt something cold touch his face. Looking up, he was met with the sight of thousands of snowflakes dancing in the air, slowly falling to the ground. He soon saw his own breath in the cold, icy air as well, and the throne room suddenly looked like the inside of an ice palace, the snowflakes casting a sapphire-like hue across the whole room.

It was enchanting. It was magical. It was….

"So it is true, what they say about you," he spoke, his voice warm. "You do create the most beautiful snowflakes of all the kingdoms."

Elsa looked up to see Theobald casting his gaze around the room with innocent-like wonder. He had a slight smirk on his face, which made Elsa breathe a little faster. He seemed so unassuming, but at times, she was sure that he was the very definition of charming. She couldn't understand how he kept it so well hidden.

She soon noticed that she was blushing. Luckily the man standing in front of her did not seem to notice.

"Can you take me to your castle?"

"What?" breathed Elsa. She almost felt like she had misheard him, for he spoke so softly. He was still looking at the enchanted snowflakes.

"Take me to your castle," he repeated, this time looking down at her. There was humor ridden in his eyes.

"But you're in my castle," replied Elsa incredulously, feeling rather stupid.

"No, I mean your castle. The one you made all by yourself."

Elsa immediately knew what he was referring to.

"I- I don't know if," she started to stammer but unable to look away. "It's rather personal."

"I understand," replied Theobald, bowing his head in resignation. "Perhaps another time-"

"No, wait!" exclaimed Elsa. "I was inconsiderate just then. Of course you can see it. I'll take you."

Theobald looked up and smiled at her, lighting up his entire face, almost as if the clouds had parted. It was the first time Elsa felt like she had seen him genuinely smile. It was rather blinding. And distracting.

"Today," she spoke, her voice a little rigid. She was about to lose her composure if he kept smiling like that.

"Today?" he spluttered, his smile vanishing.

"Yes," replied Elsa, glad that he was no longer smiling. "Right now."