Author's Note:
Yay an update! It's a small one, but at least it exists, right? Hope you enjoy this chapter. If you do (or if you don't) let me know by dropping a review. If you like it well enough, you can even follow it, add it to your favorites, and various other things! As always, read, enjoy, and review!
heart you
Kjellsson watched line after line of his invading force march into the first village in Arendelle, his brow crinkling in frustration. Everything reported back to him was, so far, disappointing. There were no people in the town, which, Kjellsson hated to admit, was a testament to the Queen's efficiency in evacuating her subjects. But, not only where there no citizens, there were no animals, there were no provisions, and there were no soldiers waiting for them. Other than the straw hatches and wooden stores, the village was empty.
He gritted his teeth and spurred his horse along the main road leading into the settlement. He heard a loud snap followed by a bloodcurdling scream. The town was empty except for the deadly traps the citizens had set up. Those had definitely kept this initial invasion interesting.
One of his captains pulled his horse up next to Kjellsson.
"Sir, there is absolutely nothing here."
"Are you positive of that captain?" the Ambassador asked while they continued to trot towards the village.
"Yes sir. What is your next—"
A crack louder than anything that had been triggered previously echoed through the air, causing both men to pause.
"Captain, what was…?"
Fire burst from the dwellings on the main street, the heat and flames tearing towards the men. The rushing flames spooked his warhorse, the beast rearing back and throwing Kjellsson from his saddle. He raised his arm to protect his face from the blaze.
The fire stopped just short of him, the heat still scorched his skin.
Kjellsson scrambled up, examining the destruction in front of him in disbelief, the entire village succumbing to the fire.
The captain raced towards him,
"Ambassador? Are you injured?"
"What the hell happened?" Kjellsson snarled, "What was that?"
"It must have been a trap; a soldier must have set off a spark…"
"You're telling me that this queen, this girl, set a trap that razed her own town so that we wouldn't be able to plunder it?" he yelled.
The captain shook his head, "Maybe it wasn't supposed to be such a large explosion..."
Kjellsson stared back towards the fire, watching the buildings crumble to the ground, "The Witch Queen doesn't do anything unintentionally, everything she does is calculated," he growled, turning back to face his captain, "How many soldiers were in the town, how many did we lose in that blast?"
"There will be no way to know until roll call," the captain replied.
"Organize that. Now."
Kjellsson focused on the flames again, his heart as furious as the flames. If the Witch Queen wanted to play hardball, then he was more than willing to comply. If she wanted her country to burn, then he would ensure that she burned right along with it.
Anna knocked furiously on Kristoff's door.
"C'mon Kristoff, we're going to be late to the formal dinner. We can't be late to a banquet in our honor!"
"In your honor, actually" he corrected through the closed door, "I didn't even make the guest list, remember?"
Anna rolled her eyes, "It was just a mistake. No reason to sulk."
She heard him huff on the other side of the door, "Do you think it's a mistake that my trunk hasn't been delivered to my room yet? I can't leave because I'm not even dressed."
She placed her hands on her hips and glanced around, spotting a valet in the shadows.
"Excuse me," she motioned to him, "Why haven't Master Bjorman's bags been sent up yet?"
"I am sure they will arrive momentarily madam, if you want to make your way to the dining room…"
"Nope," Anna cut him off, "I think I'll wait right here to make sure his stuff gets delivered in a more timely matter."
The valet bowed his head and faded back into the shadows. Ten minutes later Kristoff's travel trunk was delivered. In another ten minutes, the couple followed a different valet towards the banquet hall. The rumble of the crowd could be heard well before they saw the entranceway. Kristoff tugged nervously on the collar of his formal suit, this one a navy blue suit with cream accents.
"Everything will be great," Anna patted his arm, "It's going to be fun."
Kristoff gave her a sideways glance, "For those who were invited, yes. I am starting to get the distinct feeling that I am not welcomed here."
Anna laughed, "That is ridiculous." Her gaze softened and she said, "It just isn't home. You finally just got comfortable in our palace. Remember when you thought no one wanted you there, either? You've just got to relax, Kristoff."
He leaned down and planted a kiss on temple, "For you, my love, anything."
She slid her arm through his elbow and faced the doors to the banquet hall. The valet pulled them open and the low rumble turned into a loud commotion. The hall was full of long tables with benches on either side, stretching from the back to the front. Torches lined the wall and flickered an eerie light through the whole hall, and candle lit chandeliers swung from the ceiling. The ground was covered in straw and discarded food. Anna's face twisted in disgust, and Kristoff chuckled, silently agree with Anna's appalled face.
"My dear Princess!" Harold boomed. He was positioned in the front of the room, at a table raised above the main floor. Pendants displaying his kingdom's crest flanked his throne. Anna noticed a smaller throne to his right, Arendelle's crest on either side.
"You look stunning, your Highness, if I may be so bold," he continued, hobbling from his seat to greet her.
Anna curtsied as she approached the table, "Thank you, your Majesty."
"Come, come darling, you are my guest of honor! Sit here by me," Harold took one of her hands to lead her to the table.
"Your Majesty, there is only one seat," Anna pointed out politely.
"Ah, yes," Harold said, turning back around to face Kristoff, "There is a seat for your… fiancée… right on the end of the middle table, closest to us." His green eyes never left Kristoff as he continued, "It is a spot of high honor, for a non-royal."
Anna gave Kristoff an apologetic pout.
"Sorry," she mouthed as Harold led her up to the high table. Kristoff returned her pout with an annoyed scowl, but moved to his place of high honor without protest.
After getting Anna settled in, King Harold opened his arms, silencing the hall.
"Dear friends and wonderful guests, it is my pleasure to introduce to you our esteem guest of honor, Crown Princess Anna of Arendelle!"
The hall erupted into applause as Anna waved sheepishly from her seat.
"We feast in her honor tonight, in honor of her cherished sister Queen Elsa, and in memory of her parents, the late King and Queen of Arendelle." Harold glanced down at Anna, still speaking loudly for the room to hear, "Your father was a respected colleague of mine. His death, so unexpected, it made my heart ache."
The room quieted in respect as Anna nodded tearfully, grief still pulling in her chest.
"But, enough of that," Harold turned back to face the hall, "We are here to eat, drink, and be merry!" he raised his goblet, "To Princess Anna!"
Everyone raised their glasses, toasting Anna. Even Kristoff stood and tipped his mug her direction, adding a wink for extra measure.
The guests sat down again and the commotion picked back up. Food was brought out and placed on the tables. Whole pigs, decorated lambs, sides of ox, and birds still in their feathers were set on the table, along with a variety of cooked vegetables and fruits, pastries and beer.
Hundreds of guests ripped into the chickens and roasts, tossing discarded bones and fat onto the straw covered floor. Kristoff frowned. Kenton's court was far from the polished and proper court Elsa commanded in Arendelle. He noticed then that Anna was one of the only women in the room—there were no server girls and very few female guests. Apparently, refinement required a woman's touch.
Kristoff turned his attention back towards Anna. She was leaned close to Harold, nodding her head as he spoke to her. Kristoff couldn't hear anything, but from the way Anna's face scrunched into seriousness, he imagined the conversation had turned towards the real reason they were all here—the treaty.