Chapter Eleven
Gudrun
At a gesture from Elsa, Kai rolled up the list and tucked it under his arm. "Come in," she said. The door opened to reveal Rudolph's youngest daughter.
"Yes?" Elsa said.
Gudrun seemed as though she wanted to speak, but could not force the words out.
"You may come in," Elsa added.
Gudrun did so, but remained silent.
"Did you wish to speak with me?" Elsa strove to make her tone as relaxed as she could, hoping it would draw out whatever the young woman wanted to say. In this, she was not entirely disappointed. Gudrun finally spoke.
"I do," she said. Then, waxing bolder, she added:
"May we speak alone?"
Elsa stiffened. "Why?"
"I'm not going to harm you," Gudrun replied quickly. "Have no fear of that."
Elsa darted a quick glance at Kai, who gave a curt nod.
"So be it," she said. "Kai, you may step into the adjoining chamber and remain there until I call you."
Kai passed through a side door that led into a small room adjoining the bedchamber, leaving Elsa alone with Gudrun.
"Would you like to sit down?" Elsa said, pointing to a chair.
"Thank you, yes," said Gudrun, taking the proffered seat. Elsa placed herself in the chair opposite it.
"I understand you don't like my father."
It was a firmly given statement, made all the more audacious by the fact that it came from one Elsa had read as so timid. She had to pause to collect herself before replying, so surprising was its occurrence.
"You are bold to say so," Elsa said at last.
"I say so because I know so," Gudrun answered. "A blind man could see it."
Elsa stiffened. "Now you make very free with me."
Gudrun caught her breath, as though surprised at how far she had gone. "Forgive me if I seem rude," she said. "I only say what I see."
Elsa scrutinized Gudrun's expression. It betrayed more than a few hints of inner tension.
I'm guessing it took most of her courage to even come in here. But why?
Elsa tried to offer a smile, though from the look on Gudrun's face, she knew it wasn't a very reassuring effort on her part. "It's true," she said. "But it wouldn't be right for me to talk of it with you."
"On the contrary," said Gudrun. "Let us-" She took a deep breath before continuing. "Let us talk about it."
Elsa frowned. "Why are you pushing me?"
"Does your view of him affect your view of…of my family?"
Elsa winced at the comment. This girl is too observant.
"I…I…don't want it to," she said aloud.
"But it does?"
"I try not to let it."
"Do you succeed?"
"Stop it!" Elsa blurted. "No more of this, I beg you."
Gudrun fell silent.
Elsa closed her eyes. Why did she come? Why is she asking me these things?
"Why?"
The word escaped from her mind through her mouth before she could stop it. Elsa's eyes snapped open. Gudrun was looking her full in the face, a look of curiosity on her features.
"Why what?"
Too late. Or is it-?
"You mean why I came here?"
It is too late. I have to dig the hole a little deeper.
"Yes."
"I…I can't…put it…into words."
"Did your father send you?"
"No! I came because I wanted to."
Elsa winced again. Gudrun's reaction was understandable; her own comment had sounded needlessly harsh.
"I'm sorry," she said. "But surely you can understand my apprehension."
"No. I can't."
The blunt statement caught Elsa off guard.
I've read this girl terribly. Who gave one I thought timid the willpower to expose my soul before my eyes?
Is there a reason?
"I know what happened between you and my father."
"Did you get the story from him?"
"You mean did he make something up? No, I know the truth. Even if he wanted to twist the truth, I could still read between the lines."
"And yet you blame me?"
"I blame you only for not forgiving."
"You're biased. You're his daughter."
"You're biased, also. You're the one he wronged."
How-? What-?
"Get out!" Elsa snapped.
Gudrun sighed and stood up. "I've never spoken so much, your majesty. Perhaps I spoke too plainly."
"You did. Now get out."
Gudrun turned towards the door. "As always, when I say anything, I say too much."
"Hold!"
At Elsa's command, Gudrun turned back. "I thought your majesty wished me to leave?"
"I've a few more questions. Sit down again."
Gudrun did so.
"You love your family."
"Of course I do, your majesty."
"And your last remark-?"
"-was self-demonstrating."
"I think it was calculated."
Elsa watched as Gudrun's struggled to maintain an impassive expression.
That one hit the mark. Now I can read you.
And I think…that you want me to? Why is that?
"I have a sister, you know," Elsa said. "I know a little bit about loving one's family."
"And as I told you, so do I," Gudrun replied. "Speaking of which, I should go. Birger agreed to play chess with me at two, and that's ten minutes from now."
"Does he play with you often?"
"There was time when he would play with me often…but that was a long time ago, when he didn't have so many…so many cares."
"Cares?"
Whoops, that was tactless. Too late.
"Nothing my sister hasn't told you. Or if there is, he hasn't told me."
Hold it- she sounds uncertain. I might be able to get some information here.
"Your brother shuts you out?"
"No, he just…has things to worry about that must not be my business."
"He did seem on edge this morning."
"He might also have not gotten enough sleep. He's always been rather nocturnal."
"Really?"
Gudrun smiled. "I remember him staying up all night and playing games with me, when I was five years old. We were so tired when morning came." Her smile faded. "Nowadays, he just seems to brood past midnight. At least during the few times I've stayed up to see him, he was brooding."
The clock struck two. Gudrun jumped from her seat. "Oh dear, I'm late," she said. "At least my brother's room is just a short distance down the hall."
"I'm sorry for keeping you so long," said Elsa. "I don't want to keep your brother waiting." She smiled. "I'm sure he loves you very much."
At these last words, Gudrun paused. Her eyes met Elsa's. She said nothing, but her look was kindlier than it had been before. Abruptly, she turned and passed into the hallway, closing the door behind her.
When Gudrun had gone, Elsa summoned Kai. "If you need any rest, you'd better get it now," she told her attaché. "We'll be staying up late tonight."
"How long?"
Elsa took a deep breath. "I don't know."
