Chapter 26: A new era
The Southern Isles appeared no less bleak than the day he had left them, citizens still salvaged the remains of their devastated city. In contrast they were immensely more fortunate then Arendelle, far less death and destruction was wrought here. Alex oversaw as the Westerguard family was shepherded onto the great wooden vessel. Guards helped move their meager belongings and escort them to the ship. The surviving brothers all looked to him with loathing and disgust. Many of them had never even been in the Southern Isles during the attack, some were off on dignitary or militaristic duties, others were simply scholars and artists who had no part in Fredrick's crimes. Nevertheless any man, woman, or child linked to his lineage had to be exiled, the royal family could not be allowed back into power. It was a terrible thing to do; taking them away from their homes, friends, families, and livelihoods. But then again the alternative was for worse, yet he sensed that some of the royals would have rather faced execution.
The former queen and her children were the last to embark. He saw that Fredrick had five children; three sons with the signature Westerguard ginger/auburn hair, and two daughters resembling the queen. The queen looked so much like his sister it hurt, with her raven hair and slim features, seeing her was like seeing a ghost. It infuriated him that Fredrick had the audacity to choose a bride that resembled the one he had murdered.
His anger turned to dread as the queen approached him. Her face was pale and grave, and bore dark circles underneath her eyes from exhaustion. He expected her to attack him, to berate him, to face her full wrath. Instead she locked him dead in the eye with a paralyzing glare.
"I did not know what kind of monster my husband was… the council told me what you said was true…" Tears began to well in her eyes, nevertheless the queen remained composed and regal. "I cannot forgive you, but I can understand why you did it… and I thank you for sparing my children."
Alexander's mouth stood agape, he could not believe what he was hearing. However one thing still pondered his mind as she turned to leave for the ship.
"Wait." He called. "What is your name?"
"Why do you want to know?" She relied coldly facing him with a stony glare.
To be honest he wasn't entirely sure, it was merely a gut feeling that he had to know.
"Because you remind me of her."
Her face remained pensive and expressionless, he searched her eyes for answers but they contained none. Yet he sensed that despite everything he had done, the queen understood his motives.
"Evelyn…" She replied solemnly. "I am sorry about your sister and niece."
His words caught in his throat as the former queen embarked on the massive wooden vessel. There was little solace to be found watching that ship set sail, no satisfaction seeing a family taken away from their only home. His only comfort was knowing his own family waiting for him.
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"Are you sure it's not too tight?"
"Elsa trust me you look amazing." Anna reassured whilst lacing her corset. "C'mon you have to see yourself."
Stepping in front of the mirror Elsa was astounded by the beauty of her gown. Unlike Anna's ballroom style dress hers was a slim fit with elongated sleeves. The seamstress had outdone herself with the crystal white silk and the sweetheart neckline, the dress was molded to her body perfectly and had an intricate snowflake design stitched throughout the magnificent fabric. The Queen was awestruck by her own reflection, hardly believing that the person she saw was her.
"Oh Elsa…" Whispered Anna practically in tears.
The wedding dress was hung carefully hidden away in the back of the bridal store, Elsa did not want to risk Alex seeing it before the wedding. The rest of the day was spent selecting bridesmaid dresses for Anna and Rapunzel. It saddened Anna that her sister had so small of a wedding party, even more so that her parents would not get to see the dress. She was flooded with mixed feeling that she herself felt before her wedding. Regardless they all remained positive, Elsa in particular was bursting with excitement, Anna had never seen her sister so ecstatic in all her life. They finally decided on matching light blue dresses, they were a simple lace with a sleeveless design. Anna didn't want something that would accentuate her enlarged belly, it already greatly embarrassed her that her dress had to be tailored to fit properly.
On the other side of the store the three men were purchasing their suits. Alex had easily slipped into a sharp black tuxedo, coming from royalty he knew how to wear formal attire. Kristoff and Eugene however struggled with their bow ties and cufflinks, both men had difficulty piecing together a suit despite their previous weddings. They couldn't help but laugh as Kristoff got caught in a coat that was much too small for him, leaving his arms stuck above his head trapped helplessly in the sleeves. After a great deal of difficulty they finally managed to wrestle him out of the jacket ripping the left sleeve in the process. The assistant clearly was not impressed, Kristoff reassured that they'd pay for the ruined garment as well.
After two hours of trial and error Alex was fitted in a full black tuxedo with a white shirt and a light blue pocket handkerchief to match the bridesmaid dresses. Kristoff and Eugene settled for more simplistic black three-piece suits with matching light blue neckties.
"Well this is a first, the women finished shopping before the men." Anna japed.
The three men were surprised to see their wives standing in the dressing room, Anna and Rapunzel were carrying their dresses and they had all changed back into regular attire.
"Hey it took us at least fifteen minutes to wrestle Kristoff out of that monkey suit." Eugene protested.
The mountain man promptly punched his cousin-in-law in the shoulder, giving him an eat-shit glare much to Eugene's amusement.
"Besides you girls had several pre-fittings." Kristoff added.
Elsa gave them a smug look as she approached her soon to be husband. "May the groom and I have some privacy?"
The others reluctantly departed to allow the couple a moment of solitude. In the few days since he had returned since he returned from the Southern Isles he had seldom spoken, mostly due to the wedding preparations. However she sensed something was troubling him.
"You never did tell me how it went down there."
He exhaled heavily, not wishing to speak about it. "The royal family went peacefully, I don't think we'll have any further problems with them."
Elsa was unconvinced, his face was pensive but his eyes told the truth. "There's something bothering you isn't there?"
"It didn't feel right… sending them away like that…" Alex replied solemnly. "They shouldn't have had to pay for Fredrick's crimes, I didn't want this to happen."
"A lot happened we never wanted." Elsa replied, embracing him reassuringly. Looking down at her even now he still couldn't believe how beautiful she was.
"I'm envious that I didn't get to see the dress." He beamed, trying to change the subject.
"Three more days." She replied gleefully, hugging him closer. "I love you."
"I love you too Elsa."
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The entire palace was in an uproar. Servants were bustling about carrying dishes, decorations, and food to the ballroom. Anna had taken over the operation and was barking orders like a drill sergeant. Elsa had spent the past several hours having her hair braided and her makeup applied, her stylist had woven her hair into an intricate bun and had selected a pale blue eye shadow and ruby red lipstick. Anna came barging in exasperated as they finalized putting her outfit together.
"Oh Elsa you look beautiful."
"Thank you." The Queen replied blushing.
"It's almost time, are you ready?"
The bride nodded feverishly as her sister escorted her to the chapel. The organ began to play as the two women walked down the aisle. The room was packed full with royalties, dignitaries, and wealthy merchants alike. Alex stood proudly at the alter, gallant and handsome in his sharp tuxedo. His eyes went wide when he saw Elsa for the first time, she looked absolutely magnificent in her dress, never had he seen her so beautiful. His heart hammered madly in his chest, everything was happening in a daze. He thought about how he had gone to the King and Queen's memorial the prior day. Whilst paying his respects thanked her parents sincerely for giving him a wife, a sister, and a home. He wished he could have met them, he wish his own parents could have been here as well.
"Good luck mate." Kristoff whispered, snapping him back into reality and relieving him of his nostalgia.
The chorus ended and Elsa stood beaming from underneath her silk veil, she too was equally nervous. The bishop cleared his throat and began the ceremony.
"Who gives this bide away today?"
"I do." Piped Anna, giving her sister a great hug before leaving her side.
"Today we are gathered here to witness the union between Queen Elsa of Arendelle, and Prince Alexander of Illios. Now as I understand the bride and groom have written their own vows?"
Alex shakily removed the folded parchment from his suit jacket. He had recited these words countless times yet he was terrified and excited simultaneously.
"Elsa… never in my life have I thought I could love someone as much as I love you… you are my world, my everything… you have given me a home, a life, a future… I promise to always protect you, always be loyal, for it feels like I have waited for you for a thousand years… and I'll love you for a thousand more."
The Queen smiled and tears of joy crept down her cheeks as she nervously recited her own vows.
"My dearest Alex… I never thought I would meet someone who understands me the way you do… who accepts and loves me as unconditionally as you have… when I lost you my world ended… when you came back to life so did I… No magic is greater than the bond we share… and I promise to love you from this day, and every day to come."
There was not a dry eye in the chapel, everyone young and old had been deeply moved by their vows.
"Prince Alexander, do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife? In sickness and in health? Till death do you part?"
"I do."
"Queen Elsa, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? In sickness and in health? Till death do you part?"
"I do."
"Then by the power vested in me I pronounce you both husband and wife, and King and Queen of Arendelle."
As practiced they knelt before the bishop who gently placed a golden grown on Alexander's head, and a small diadem, similar to her old one, on Elsa's. The chapel erupted into a wave of cheers and praise as they arose and Alex folded back her veil and the couple locked lips passionately. Anna squealed madly with joy as her brother-in-law escorted her sister to the carriage awaiting them outside.
The reception was held in the castle ballroom, the festivities mirrored the jubilee only on a much grander scale. The walls and tables were decorated with massive bouquets of flowers consisting of every color imaginable, decorative banners were hung in honor of the King and Queen. Musicians and acrobats performed for the guests while servers distributed horsd'oeuvres and alcohol. Buffet tables were lined with a vast array of dishes and sweets, and in the center a massive six tiered wedding cake with a topper modeled after the bride and groom.
Anna watched happily as Alex and Elsa sat in the head of the table utterly fixated on each other. The newlyweds spent the entire evening laughing, talking, and feeding each other. When the time came to cut the cake Elsa playfully smeared a glob of frosting on his nose, much to everyone's humor. The remainder of the night was spent drinking and dancing. The newlyweds were the first to share a dance, then Anna with Elsa, and Alex with Anna and so on. Kristoff and Eugene had become roaring drunk and had broken out into an absurd dance routine in the middle of the ballroom involving many unorthodox gestures such as spinning and kicking their legs madly. Eugene called it hip-hop, seemed to suit the odd dance. Anna and Rapunzel embarrassedly escorted their highly inebriated husbands away for the night, leaving the bride and groom to themselves.
After an hour of greeting dignitaries and accepting words of congratulations the couple announced they would be retiring for the evening. The groom carried the Queen bridal style to the honeymoon suit, there they found a large heart shaped bed strewn with rose petals, and a multitude of fragrant candles set up for them. Alex gently unlaced Elsa's wedding dress allowing the silk gown to fall to the floor. Elsa then helped unbutton his shirt as quickly removed his trousers in excitement. Both removed their undergarments leaving the newlyweds stark naked. They both embraced lovingly and began making out heavily, both driven wild by desire.
Within moments they had collapsed onto the heart shaped bed in their passion. Elsa momentarily stroked his manhood with her long graceful fingers before sliding him inside her. Both gasped from the warmth and pleasure, despite their icy nature they still heated up during sex. He began thrusting slowly, as his pace quickened so did their adrenaline and sexual desire. Within minutes both came crying out from pleasure as their reached orgasmic bliss. Elsa nestled on top of Alex as he collapsed from exhaustion, clutching him lovingly as they drifted into unconsciousness.
"Alex?"
The sound of the woman's voice startled him from sleep, or at least he thought. Upon examining his surroundings he realized he was no longer with Elsa and was now fully clothed. He had a strong sense of Déjà vu, a feeling of dreaded nostalgia slowly creeping underneath his skin. He realized in horror that this room was Maria's nursery, upon turning around he expected to see the figures of his dying family members. What he found couldn't have been more different.
Maria stood before him, as bright and healthy as she had ever been in life. A gleaming smile donned her face and her arms were outstretched to embrace him. As he embraced his dead sister he was overcome by grief, devastated by the memories of his failure.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry I failed you…"
"You never failed us." Maria reassured. "You have done wonderfully."
"I didn't want anyone to die for my vengeance… I fear I have done more harm than good…"
"You did not start this war, you were merely defending what was yours."
Alex nodded solemnly in agreement. "Why are you here?" He inquired looking steadfast into her eyes.
"To congratulate you." She replied coolly. "It seems you have a wonderful wife and family."
"I wish you could have met them." He choked.
"I know." His sister replied wiping away his tears. "I'm not sure if I'm a fan of this hair color." She japed, indicating to his snow white hair.
He chuckled despite himself. "Well you have Elsa to thank for that."
Maria gave him a sad smile as she receded away from him, her figure gradually becoming transparent like a ghost.
"No wait! Please!" He called vainly.
He awoke to find Elsa sleeping peacefully next to him with her arms still wrapped around his torso, outside a new dawn had come.