Chapter 28
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Frozen, nor Tangled.
Brandr scoffs at yet another food stand in Corona, of which happens to be barren of his favorite fruit. How is he supposed to be a decent thief (until his plan falls into place) if there isn't anything worth taking?
"Why are there no damn apples to swipe in this city?" He mumbles to himself, looking for any of that fruit.
"It's because the captain of the guards, happens to be a horse." A stranger replies. "And to be on his good side, you might wanna keep an apple or two handy."
Brandr turns around to face the man who had overheard his mumblings. His jaw drops as he stares in awe. "... You're Flynn Rider." He says, closing his mouth.
The man smiles arrogantly. "I most definitely am." He states, placing his fists on his waist. His arms fall back to his side. "Well, was. Nowadays, I tend to go by-"
"Eugene." Brandr cuts him off. "Sorry, I knew that."
"That's not creepy." Eugene says, raising an eyebrow.
But Brandr doesn't care. "You're Flynn Rider..." He repeats.
"We've covered that." The man says, waving his hand for Brandr to continue.
"Right. It's just, you've been my sister's and my idol, for as long as I can remember." Brandr explains. "So just... wow!" He exclaims, throwing his arms to his sides and back quickly.
"Your idol you say? Fantastic! I always knew I'd be a hero and role model to somebody someday!" Eugene boasts, swinging his arm happily. He pulls out his satchel and takes a few coins from it. "As my first official act of setting an example, you should know, thieving is no bueno." He says in an advisory tone, dropping the coins in Brandr's hand.
"Yeah, I know..." Brandr replies, taking the coins gratefully. "You're awesome."
"I am, aren't I?" Eugene says, almost posing for the black haired teenager. "Now, what is your name, my good lad?"
"Me?" Brandr asks, gesturing to himself with both hands, his surprise obvious. "I'm... Brandr." He decides the truth would be appropriate for the situation.
"Well Brandr," Eugene kneels down and puts his arm around the boy. "I'm going to teach you something that every successful guy should know."
"Yeah? What is it?" Brandr asks. A personal lesson from Flynn Rider?! He thinks excitedly. How cool is that?!
"It's top secret, so no one can know how it works." He warns, looking into the boy's eyes. "Can I trust you?"
"Probably not." Brandr shrugs honestly. He did promise truth.
"Ha! You remind me of myself." Eugene nods approvingly. "So I'm going to trust you anyways. Got it?"
Brandr smiles. "Got it." He replies.
Eugene closes his eyes and looks down. "Okay, here comes the smolder." Tilting his head up, so Brandr can witness, Eugene shows off his signature smolder.
"The smolder?" Brandr whispers in complete amazement.
"Yep." Eugene says. Reverting back to normal, he points his hand in the air. "First! Eyebrows." He raises one expressive eyebrow.
"Eyebrows." Brandr repeats. He copies the man's face.
"Squint."
"Squint."
"Lips." Eugene purses his lips in a specific way. "This part is most important. It has to be just right."
"Understood." Brandr says through his own pressed together lips.
"And there you have it!" Eugene falls out of his smolder, throwing a hand in the air. "A perfect smolder. Great for wowing the ladies." He adds, winking at the boy who was smoldering with perfection.
Brandr stops his smoldering as well. "Awesome." He says, looking at his idol, then to the handful of coins, then back to Eugene again. "Thanks, for that. And the money."
"Well, don't want you to starve." Eugene says, accepting the gratitude.
"Hi, Honey!" A brunette girl suddenly says excitedly, beginning to walk over with Elsa. "Eugene, who was your friend? And were you showing him how to 'smolder'?" She puts the last word in air quotes. The princess...
"Why the air quotes, Rapunzel? There is no need to do air quotes." Eugene says, clearly offended. He gestures to his left. "But this my lovely, is my biggest fan, and star pupil, Bran- where did he go?" He looks around at the empty spot where Brandr previously was standing.
"He ran away a little bit ago." The princess girl informs him.
"I think he went that way." Elsa supplies, pointing north.
Threw them off my trail. Brandr smiles, hiding in a little alleyway to the east of the trio. Not north.
"No matter. Probably didn't want to be seen by royalty." Eugene excuses. "By the way, you really need to increase imports of apples, dearest." They continue the conversation.
Damn right I didn't want to be seen by royalty. Especially the one I'm supposed to be watching, not the other way around. Brandr sighs. You're loosing your edge. It's gonna mess up your plan.
Brandr's "plan" involves waiting until the last second possible before claiming his pay from the Stabbington Brothers. For the next few days, Brandr is going to be keeping an eye on Elsa (obviously) and the brothers as well. On the last day he is supposed to be in Corona, just before the ship leaves, he's going to use to knowledge he learned about the duo to talk to them and get his pay. Even he knows it's not wise to be galavanting around with a hundred gold pieces. So he'll get the money, then escape to the ship. Once he gets back to Arendelle, he will finally confront Elsa and let her know about his plans to double cross Sideburns with her assistance. Once he actually comes up with those plans. Shouldn't be too hard though.
He makes his way to a small house on the outskirts of the city. It is clearly abandoned, but still one of the nicer places he's been at during his vagrant wanderings.
Hi Brandr. Laila greets him, ruffling her feathers. How was your outing?
"Pretty spectacular." Brandr nods elatedly. "You'll never guess who I met."
XXXX
Anna sighs. Time once again for the monthly guard inspection. The Council of Advisors ever so "politely" reminded her of this. And by polite, she means they were treating her like a stupid two year old... again. For some strange reason, they think her unable to do the same thing that Elsa does, even though she's been doing it for the last MONTH AND A HALF! It gets really annoying and tiresome, and she is sick of it.
"Nope! From now on, I will be most qualified replacement queen that ever existed!" The unappreciated, but not discouraged princess determines, pointing her hand in the air, a serious expression put on her face. She quickly walks to the guard barracks with the intent of being dignified.
The monthly guard inspection is where Anna, or someone she delegates, goes down and examines the less urgent guard reports, the rooming situations, and the guards themselves for any impostors, newbies, or men too old to continue. It's a simple process really.
She arrives at the front door to the guard quarters. Taking a moment to compose herself and look as dignified as possible, the princess knocks courteously on the door.
A man opens it. "Your highness." He bows.
Anna nods. Dignified people do not greet the common excitedly.
She steps slowly into the room. At least two dozen men, all in uniform, are standing in rows before her. The barracks are neat and the men still. All guys? I never realized how much of a gender biased place we are. She glances over the men. Maybe girls just don't want the job. She resists shrugging. Dignified people do not shrug carelessly.
"The men are ready for inspection." The captain of the guard, a stocky man with a small mustache, named Jon, informs her. He is named Jon. Not the mustache.
"Good." Anna nods. Do dignified people say "thank you"? "Thank you." She says anyways. She walks toward the men, stepping with poise, and eyes each one of them suspiciously. They do not make eye contact, remaining stiff, as if Anna is the most important person in Arendelle. Wait, she is, isn't she?
Anna pauses at the last man, er well, boy. Teen? Let's just say he is at that stage.
"Hello." Anna says in her gentle and kind voice. "I mean, good afternoon." She amends, straightening her posture. Dignified people do not show kindness.
"Goodafternoonyourhighness." The boy mumbles quickly, clearly scared of Anna.
Screw it. Anna only needs to be dignified in front of the Council of Grouchy Old Men. Not terrified teenaged boys.
"Hey, no need to be nervous." Anna assures him, using her nice voice again. "What's your name?" She asks.
"Odd." The boy replies.
"Odd, if you are going to serve Arendelle as a guard, you mustn't show fear. Not to me. To royals you show respect obviously, but you don't have to be scared of them." Anna tells him. "I need to know if you know your duty to Arendelle."
Odd gets a fierce look on his face and stands up taller. "'A guard is to always serve faithfully, honestly, fearlessly, and loyally. He must never defy. Nor must he surrender, unless told to by a ranking superior. He must never be corrupt and promise to protect, watch over, and serve Arendelle, her people, and her crown.'" He recites the guard's oath with all seriousness.
Anna beams. "You've got that right!" She claps him in the shoulder. You can be a little dignified, Anna. She reminds herself. "I mean, excellent work Captain Jon. These men seem fit for their jobs. And the quarters look spotlessNow, for the monthly reports?" She questions the mustached man.
He steps forward. "Yes. Nothing serious, but if you and I could step into the other room so my men could be dismissed?"
Anna nods. "Of course." She says, following Jon. Jon is a pretty nice guy. He has been captain since Anna was about thirteen, when the previous captain, another grouchy old man named Lars, had retired. But Jon was one of those who put up with Anna's outgoing personality when she was little. He was also the one who kept Anna in the castle when she was feeling particularly adventurous (a task neither one of them really enjoyed). On the other hand, Jon did teach Anna all she needed to know about fighting, just in case she needed to, say, punch a snobbish prince in the face. That right hook didn't just come from nowhere.
Jon half closes the door after Anna enters the room. "First off," he says, looking at the princess. "How are you?"
Anna smiles. "I have been quite well, thank you. I'm missing my sister, of course. I mean, who wouldn't? But Kristoff's back. And Olaf. And I've made friends with some nice people. But- yeah. I have been well. How are you doing, Jon?"
"I have been doing fine myself." Jon nods. He picks up a few pieces of paper from his desk and skims them. "The reports..."
"Yes! The reports. Those... Things." Anna exclaims, sounding totally professional and dignified. "How are they?" She asks, covering up her bumbling speech.
"No murders. No assaults. A few things have been reported missing. But overall, crime in Arendelle, has been quite low, actually." Jon tells her, an approving smile on his face.
"What do you believe caused this?" Anna asks, furrowing her eyebrows. If she knows the reason why there is less crime, then maybe she can use that information to make Arendelle even safer.
"Since the death of the previous king and queen, the Council of Advisors has been in charge of Arendelle. But now that we have an actual face and figure for the name of the throne, Queen Elsa, or in this case you, people have someone to look up to and trust. Rather than a group of unknown old men, people know that you will deal with crimes. And seeing that you and your sister are fair, but stern, they would chose to obey our laws, instead of risking their chances." The captain explains his reasons.
"I understand." Anna nods. "I see you have put quite a bit of thought into this matter."
"It is my job after all. To not only captain the guards, but to also assess the reporting of crime in Arendelle."
Anna pauses for a moment to think. Drumming her fingers along her chin, she speaks. "What if they don't report it though?" She asks.
Jon sighs and walks around his desk. He shuffles a few papers into a seemingly organized pile. He looks up at the princess. "We just have to encourage people to report these things. Although I can send men to examine suspicious activities, there must be cause to do so."
"I get it." Anna says, looking down. How many people chose to not tell the guards of any wrongdoings?
As if reading her mind, Jon begins to talk again. "However there haven't been any suspicious activities. In fact, Arendelle is thriving in friendly ways. So there aren't any reasons to worry."
"Oh!" Anna breathes a relieved sigh, placing a hand to her chest. "Good. You had me thinking there was some sort of secret mafia in Arendelle." She says with a laugh.
Jon laughs too. "No." He shakes his head. "None of that while I'm captain."
"Then I am sufficiently assured of our nation's safety." Anna folds her arms contently. "Your men are well trained and show great dedication. The barracks are not only suitable for living, but also immaculately clean; was that redundant? Never mind. And you have shown me that Arendelle is great on the crime scale. My only suggestion is to help discover any unreported crimes. Even so, I hereby declare the guard inspection for the month of October to be complete and approved."
Jon bows respectfully, a smile on his face. "Thank you, your highness." He says, escorting her from the office.
"You and your men deserve it, Captain Jon." Anna returns the smile.
"Oh and princess?"
"Yes, Jon?"
"Have you been practicing your right hook?"
"I doubt I need to, seeing it knocked a full grown man off of a boat." Anna smiles, pleased with her achievement.
"Your swordplay then?" Jon asks, crossing his arms. Anna looks away. "Why did I train you if you never practice? Tsk tsk." He gives her a mock disapproving look, shaking his head.
"I have been busy lately with queenly responsibilities." Anna defends herself, facing the man head on. "And I can hold my own with a sword if needed."
"I believe it." Jon says. His eyes gleam with amusement. He is proud of his princess protege. And yes, she can indeed hold her own.
"Bye, Jon! See ya, guards!" Anna waves enthusiastically. A few of the men, including Odd, wave back at the princess, a little confused of her bright nature. Dignified, Anna. "I mean, fare thee well my good soldiers." She bows her head and ungainly shuffles out of the room. She quickly walks away from the corridor.
"Yes." She roots, pumping her fist. Don't think even Elsa could have done it better. The strawberry blonde princess decides. And I was totally dignified in front of them. The Council of Grouchy Old Men can't degrade me anymore. Not when I am so phenomenal at this. There isn't anything they can complain about. Nope. Nothing. She beams at her accomplishment, and begins a combination of a strut/skip to Elsa's study, where there is most likely a stack of letters and papers that need to be looked over.
"But it's only for two and a half more weeks." She reminds herself with a grin as she takes a seat in the demon chair— the new one is reserved for Elsa's butt and only Elsa's butt. Anna doesn't want to use it until Elsa has.
She picks up the first letter from the large stack and slices it open with a silver letter opener. She skims it over. Another marriage proposal for Elsa. Not too long ago, Anna has made clear that she is taken, so there were considerably less proposals for herself. However that only increased the desire for people to marry Elsa. And Anna knows that her sister would not marry a man she hasn't met yet.
Tossing the letter in the usual corner (Anna's got a system now), Anna picks up the next letter. She looks at the seal for a confused second.
The Arendelle seal? But I didn't send this, and if it wasn't me, and only one other person has access to this seal, that can only mean... She quickly tears open the envelope, not bothering with the knife and reads it. She smiles brightly at her accuracy. A letter* from Elsa. She thinks.
"Sverre? His name is Sven, Elsa." Anna rolls her eyes amusedly at her sister's mistake. She raises an eyebrow at the letter. "Coming home to Arendelle? No, you do not leave Corona for another few days. I know that for a fact. The letter must be early." The princess decides. She leans back in the evil chair and tucks her feet under her legs, her eyes never leaving the page. "Personal guards, and literal stuffed animals. That's creepy." She says to herself, glad to be hearing from her sister. "Aw. I hope you made it through trade okay, that queen sounds fishy." She smiles at the last line, tears in her eyes.
"I miss you to the ends of the earth and back. I'll be home soon." It reads.
"I know you will, Elsa." Anna says with confidence. "And I'll be waiting."
(A/N) *Reference to letter in chapter 22. I haven't been as happy with a chapter as I am with this one in a while. At least the last half.
Thank you for reading, my friends. As well as reviewing. Fare thee well, my icy fireworks.
Until next time I guess...
