Chapter 26: Negotiations

With the unexpected arrival of the royal guest, Elsa thought it best to return to the castle with King Alexander. She wasn't exactly sure what his intentions were, and to be safe, best he not remain in the town square too long. The King has been on Arendelle soil for no longer than twenty minutes and he's already off to a bad start.

The queen motioned for the both to enter her study, then had a servant fetch some warm refreshment. When the footman scampered off, she closed the door and motioned for Alexander to sit down.

"What brings you to Arendelle?" Elsa asked. She removed her cloak and hung it on the back of her chair. "You didn't send word of your arrival."

"No, this was...a last minute decision." Alexander said. He paused when the servant returned bringing in a drink tray, then waited for the young man to scamper off. "This is a mission of peace, I assure you."

Elsa sighed and took a position by the window. She gazed out towards the fjords. "You'll forgive me if I'm a little skeptical. You are the monarch of kingdom not my ally who has not taken much action in correcting a wrong committed by your own blood against my kingdom and my sister. And not only that, you have come here unwelcome and without my sister, who has been trapped in your kingdom for more than a month now." She turned her head sharply to face him. "Tell me, your Majesty...how is my sister?"

"Princess Anna is doing just fine, and has adjusted well to her new surroundings." Alexander began. "I assure you, Queen Elsa, she is in good hands."

"What I want to know is why you didn't her back? Surely you knew she would want to return-" she paused. "You...you want her to stay in the Southern Isles, don't you." When Alexander didn't reply right away, she moved forward and took a seat across from him. "Oh no...she didn't marry anyone did she?!" Elsa thought back to her coronation and how impulsive Anna was about true love and marriage.

Alexander chuckled and raised his hands to calm her. "Oh no. Your sister is still unmarried...at least, she was when I departed the Isles." He chuckled, much to Elsa's dismay. "I can assure you, my sons are well behaved." Most of them...

"And yet it was your son who started this whole mess." Elsa said, taking a cup of beverage.

"I heard the tale differently." Alexander said, taking his own cup. "But then, Hans was the one telling the tale."

Elsa narrowed her eyes slightly. "What were you told?"

"Does it matter?" Alexander asked. "I didn't come all the way here to discuss Hans."

"Didn't you?" Elsa said.

"No. On the contrary, I would like to discuss...us."

"...Us?" Elsa asked.

"Yes, and the relations between our kingdoms." Alexander said. "I think it's about time we talked about alliances."

Elsa blinked. "I made my position on that clear several letters back. I believe a safe neutrality is best right now, staying out of each other's affairs."

Alexander sighed. "Yes, well...this neutrality has crippled my kingdom over the last two months. We didn't realize until this winter began how much we rely on your trade."

"You make it sound as if this season is so much different than any other."

Alexander cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. "I don't believe you've been to my kingdom, have you?" Elsa shook her head. "Well, the Isles are a bit unaccustomed to, how shall I say... blizzard-like weather conditions. Mind you, we get our share of snow showers here and there..."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying our weather has been compared to your brief blizzard last summer."

"I didn't freeze your kingdom, King Alexander."

"No no...I know that. Mother nature has just decided to give us a little extra frost this year. But my people have been used to the milder winters from years past and were completely unprepared. Our crops have withered and we only have so much livestock and wool to go around. With the loss of your supplies, well... I'm sure you could imagine how my people are faring right now."

Elsa sighed and rose from her seat again and moved back to the window. "I feel for your people, but there isn't much I can do."

"Oh there is." Alexander said, rising as well. "Let us regain the alliance our kingdoms once shared for so long. Let us be gone with this neutrality and form trade once again."

The queen shook her head slightly and turned halfway to glance at him. "You know why I'm reluctant. After everything your son did to my sister-"

"Princess Anna has reconciled with my son." Alexander interrupted. "If she can, surely you can do the same.

Elsa stood silent for a moment. His words took her by surprise. Anna had spoken to her many times after the incident about Hans and how foolish she had been about the whole ordeal. The last thing Elsa expected was for her sister to form a truce with the man she loathed so much. "I'm not Anna. Furthermore, I won't have you using my sister as a bargaining chip to play at my emotions. I appreciate how hospitable you are and have been towards her welfare, but she is your guest and only that. On the first day of spring I expect her on a ship back for Arendelle. And as far as I'm concerned regarding an alliance, the Southern Isles hasn't yet proved itself better than the sum of its prince. For the last several months all I received from you were letters. Mere words. Well I don't know if your words hold any truth to them."

Alexander swallowed. "Then give me the chance to prove myself to you now, while I'm here in your kingdom. If you'll permit me to stay, of course. I meant what I said before, I am on a mission of peace."

"And I believe you." Elsa replied. "But you have a long way to go to regaining my trust." Elsa moved toward the wall and rang for a servant. After a few moments, Kai appeared at her door. "Kai, prepare a suitable quarters for King Alexander. He will be staying with us for a short while."

"Yes your Majesty." Kai bowed and hurried off.

Elsa turned back to Alexander. "We will continue this conversation later. I have a lot to think about."

"I understand."

"In the meantime, my staff will get you settled in. The castle and grounds are open for you to stretch your legs, but please, don't go in the village without either myself or Kai."

Alexander nodded, and when Kai returned, he followed the servant to his living quarters.

Once he had gone, Elsa sank into her chair behind her desk. She had a sense of familiarity around the king. He and her father had been good friends, and she had met Alexander many years ago, before her accident with Anna in the throne room. He had visited Arendelle with one of his sons, though she couldn't remember which son it was. Too many of them to recall. As far as she could tell, the king didn't seem one to hold agendas or double-cross, but then again, Hans didn't really either, and then he turned on her and Anna. And why didn't the King bring Anna home if his intentions were so well? That surely would have been a sign of good faith between them. Elsa couldn't shake the fact that he didn't want Anna going home just yet...but why? What purpose could she possibly serve in his kingdom? Something about that didn't seem right... But if her father held so much trust in this king, shouldn't she as well? Elsa leaned forward and put her head in her hands. A small layer of frost formed where her elbows rested on the desk, but she ignored it.

I'm so lost...Oh father, I wish you were here...I need your guidance. What should I do?