Chapter 29 – Summer Festival
The sound of people laughing and the smell of all the food being cooked in the air made Anna feel a bit better. It was hard to be dour when everyone around you was laughing and having fun. The called out to her with big grins or waved from their carts. She couldn't help but smile and wave back, or nod her head.
She glanced out at the fjord, a large ship bearing the Castillion flag was sailing up to the docks. Alistair and Amelia had arrived. She could see a contingent of guards, more than was probably necessary. Elsa was probably down their greeting them and all that political stuff.
She wondered if Alistair really planned to enter the tourney, or any of the other competitions going on. They had several drinking contests going on already. Anna scratched her chin thoughtfully. Now that was an idea. She wandered the town, looking at various wares into the afternoon when she heard someone calling her name.
"Hey, Anna!" She glanced back and sure enough Kristoff was jogging up to her dressed in dark silver plate armor, tower helmet clutched under his arm, jingling and clanking. He stopped in front of her and blew a tuft of blonde hair out of his eyes, grinning.
"I guess you did sign up then?" He nodded.
"I did. Mother was less than pleased but..." He shrugged. "She and Emma are going to come watch, they'll probably end up watching you and just see me lose my first match."
"Probably." She smirked, he grunted in reply. "Want a pint?" He eyed her warily.
"Are you buying?" She rolled her eyes and turned making her way to the nearest stand selling the frothy alcoholic beverage. Kristoff followed without a word.
She handed over a couple gold pieces and handed Kristoff his mug.
"Thanks. Oh hey, how did...it go last night?" He asked, mindful of all the ears around them. Anna sighed, mug halfway to her lips.
"She…needs time to think about it…She said she loved me but she has to think of the consequences…" She guzzled the liquid. The pleasant burn trailed all the way down her throat, pooling in her get.
"Oh, well it's not so bad." He went to take a sip but jumped when Anna slammed her mug down against the wooden bar top.
"What exactly isn't 'not so bad' about it?" She turned glaring teal eyes on him and her swallowed, setting the mug gently on the bar.
"Well, she didn't say no out right…and so what if she says no? She loves you, you love her. That wouldn't change would it?" She shook her head.
"Than what difference would it make if you get married or not? You'd no doubt still aggravate her, sleep with her, protect her…the only difference would be a little band of metal and she'd be your wife in terms." He leaned in close and whispered in her ear.
"She'd still be Elsa and you'd still be Anna…Besides, do you really want to be Princess-Consort?" He leaned back, chuckling and took a drink from his mug. Her face screwed up in thought. He…had a point. What would really change? Nothing. She wanted Elsa to be hers and hers alone. She wanted to belong to the blonde beauty but weren't they already? She didn't want to be Princess anything either.
She blinked, turning to Kristoff. He blinked back at her.
"You're right…ugh. I think last night I was…" She laid her head on the counter.
"A bastard?" He supplied for her, she shot him a look but gave a nod.
"Very. I ran out and slept in another room and left her alone…than didn't go to breakfast to avoid her." She sighed, dropping her face into her hand.
"You were a bastard." Kristoff confirmed. "But hey, I'm sure she understood you were upset." Anna vehemently shook her head.
"No, Kristoff, she's never been anything but good to me…I need to get on my knees and beg for her forgiveness." She stood up and left another coin on the bar. "Thanks, here, have another on me, lil brother." She turned and walked off. He just shrugged and ordered another.
The royals were easy to find. There was a large stone stand at the edge of field, as the competition was held in the same spot every year, seats for 3 of the 4 attending royals set atop it near the large squared of section of dirt that would serve as the arena.
'Alistair must really have signed up.' That would be something to see. Elsa and Amelia were deep in conversation with a fancily dressed man Anna didn't recognize; they all looked the same to her though.
They were on the other side of the stand facing away from her. She had to tiptoe to look over the edge of the stand. It hadn't looked that tall from across the field.
Olaf was sitting in his high backed chair, fiddling with the crown placed on his neatly combed and parted mop of hair.
"Psst…Hey, Olaf." He looked down and saw the redhead bouncing up to be seen over the edge. He grinned and jumped out of the chair coming to the edge.
"Hi, Anna." He smiled. Anna grinned back.
"Would you be so kind as to carry out an important task for me my prince?" His eyes twinkled at the proposition from his idol. He nodded vigorously, shaking the crown from his head. Anna caught it and set it back atop his head with a chuckle.
"Good. Listen carefully Olaf.…"
When the Duke finally left them it took all of Elsa's will power not to sigh loudly in relief. She was tired from not sleeping well. It was strange, sleeping alone, no Anna to snuggle into. She'd longed for the other woman's touch. She'd only managed to sleep at all by snuggling with the pillow she usually used. It smelled strongly of Anna, but lacked the warmth.
She sat in her chair Amelia on her other side.
"Elsa?"
A tugging on her sleeve had her glancing to her right, smiling down at Olaf tiredly.
"What is it Olaf?" He held a flower up to her face. A winter's breath. She blinked taking it from him curiously.
"It's from Anna." Her breath hitched " Oh she also said to tell you…'I'm sorry for being a bast- idiot last night... and this morning. I love you… and I'm not going anywhere… no matter what you decide'." He paused every few words trying to remember everything. Evidently verbatim if the slipped curse was any indication.
Elsa clutched the flower between her hands, eyes searching the crowd gathered around the designated arena.
Near the front she spotted the familiar copper headed knight next to the tall brawny man that was her brother.
She was watching her and when the queen's eyes locked with hers she gave a small nervous wave, looking unsure. A smile broke across Elsa's face and wiggled her fingers back which caused the knight to grin goofily. Kristoff glanced between them, elbowing Anna in the side with a smirk. She scowled shoving him but he just laughed.
"Did you and Anna fight last night?" She looked back down at the young prince.
"In a manner of speaking…but...we've made up now." She smiled, causing the prince to smile as well.
"That's good." She nodded. Yes, it was. The pressure had lessened significantly but she still needed to make a decision. She'd had a long discussion with her advisors this morning. The fact that Olaf was already the designated heir made things much simpler.
Her advisors had been very…indecisive. They loved Anna, and they had been well aware of her status as the Queen's consort, but marriage was something else entirely. It certainly helped sway them that Anna had been revealed to be of noble blood, the head of one of Arendelle's top 3 most wealthy and influential houses at that.
They had had argued the good and bad points. It was possible that this would influence other countries views of Arendelle; on the other hand it wasn't unheard of for monarch who had already procured heirs to enter into relationships with people of the same gender. Rare, but not unheard of.
The biggest concern would be the people. Their reactions were everything. They were also the most unknown. They couldn't decide one way or the other how they would react to the announcement of marriage between the Queen and another woman, a noble lady or not.
Would there be celebrating or rioting? No one could be sure.
In the end they decided only Elsa could decide whether to accept or reject Anna's proposal. They'd left her alone to think, but it had been an exercise in futility. She was trapped, felt trapped.
On the one hand she didn't want to lose Anna, she loved Anna more than words could ever express, but she also had her duties and responsibilities. Most of which Olaf met. She had her heir, no one could argue Olaf's claim to the throne as the son of the late King and Queen and the brother of the current one.
It was a different matter entirely now that Anna had basically said that nothing would change between them if she rejected her proposal. She had weighed all the options, now she looked down at all the people milling about and the beautiful knight she loved, and Elsa's decision was made.
The sword fighting tourney was the first to kick off the evenings events. The captain of the guard stepped out into the center of the arena
"Welcome one and all to the Arendelle Summer festival. May you all fight bravely and honorably!"
The first two competitors were people Anna didn't know and it was over quick enough with a few missed steps and lost balance. A tap to the chest plate and the first match was concluded. The royals on the stand and the nobles nearby by such as her mother and sister clapped.
Anna watched a couple more matches, eying participants, taking in their skills and styles.
"Some are quite talented, wouldn't you say?" She glanced to the left and standing beside her dressed in armor and a short cape like hers in his kingdoms colors was Alistair. He smiled at her.
"Your highn.." He cut her off with a click of his tongue.
"Just Alistair today, Lady Anna. You and I are equals this day." She gave a nod.
"They are decent. Though I'm interested more in seeing your skills." His smile widened.
"You flatter me, I hope I'll not disappoint you then. I look forward to a show of your skills as well. Her majesty never has anything but good things to say about them." Anna stood up a little straighter, which didn't go unnoticed by the armored Prince.
"Thank you, Alistair" He grinned good naturedly, clapping a gauntlet covered hand on her shoulder.
"Let's put on a grand show for our beloved ladies, hmm?" He nodded to the stand where the three royals sat watching the tourney. Anna smirked.
"Let's"
Anna didn't have to wait long, she was the next called to the arena. She stepped over the wood logs that served as a barrier and headed to the center. The captain of the guard sent her a discreet smile and nod.
"Sir Issac of Rustica and Lady Anna of Arendelle" They shook hands and donned their helmets and drawing swords. Teal eyes stared out of the snarling maw of metal.
"Begin"
He jumped forward. Aiming a vertical slash at her shoulder. She parried it with the flat o her blade, shoving him back and toppling him to the ground. A quick tap to his leg and it was over.
Anna huffed. Vastly disappointed by the quickness of the match. They cheered but she hadn't done much. She stepped out of the arena with a frown hidden under her helmet.
"Well that was much quicker than I expected.." Amelia turned to the queen whom nodded in agreement. Anna was good but she suspected the other knight was just subpar.
The next match was one that had the redhead grinning.
"Kristoff of Arendelle and Prince Alistair of Castillion." Anna standing between both men gave her brother a nudge.
"Be easy on my brother, Alistair. He's never done this before." Kristoff gulped, stepping over the barrier and walking with the Prince to the center of the arena.
Alistair took his hand in a firm shake before stepping back and slipping his helmet on. Kristoff let out a sigh, pulling his own on. And drawing his sword, his palms were sweating inside the gauntlets, well more than usual.
"Begin!"
Kristoff jumped forward with a deep bellow, swinging his blade downward. Alistair jumped away, slashing out at the blonde in turn. Kristoff struggled to pull the blade up, blocking in time but only just.
It would be some time before he developed the reflexes and muscle memory needed. He jumped back, trying to put some distance between himself and the charging prince to no avail. Alistair slashed with short quick strokes, leaving only a small window for Kristoff to dodge or counter before being forced to block. He was far from ready for an opponent of Alistair's level and Anna knew it wouldn't be long before Kristoff couldn't keep up.
He manage a minute more before a clumsy block had his wrist twisted, weakening his grip and the blade was knocked from his hand and sent flying into the dirt. Kristoff held his hands up in surrender. Alistair stepped forward and gently tapped the tip of his blade against the blondes chest, signaling the matches end. Kristoff sighed, pulling off the metal sweat box.
Alistair pulled the helmet off with a smile.
"You fought quite well for someone new to the art of the blade." The blonde man couldn't help a small smile at the other mans praise.
"Thank you, your highness." Alistair waved him off.
"Just Alistair today, please." Kristoff nodded and shook the brunettes hand again.
'Well…" Kristoff sighed turning to his sister. "I think I'll go sit with Emma and mother for the rest of the tourney. Good luck Anna, Alistair." He inclined his head to the Prince before turning and walking off through the crowed.
"What did you really think of his performance?" She asked casting a sidelong glance at the prince. Alistair smirked.
"I stand by what I said. For someone with no experience he did well." Ann hummed.
They stood in silence watching more matches until Anna was called back to the arena, her opponent a large dark haired looking brute. He was all strength and no agility. She had to be wary of his hard slashes but once she was close enough to weave around him he was easily downed.
She fought two more securing her place in the final match. Her opponent had yet to be decided but as Alistair danced circles around the dark haired Piscollian it was becoming obvious that it was going to be the prince and her.
Anna grinned with anticipation.
The Captain bid Alistair to stay as his defeated opponent dragged himself out of the arena. He was allowed a few minutes to rest before they began.
"Ladies and gentlemen we have arrived at our final match. Prince Alistair of Castillion facing Lady Anna of Arendelle." Anna met the prince in the center of the arena. They grinned at each other and shared a firm shake.
"Good luck, Anna." He inclined his head than pulled his helmet on. She nodded.
"Same to you' Alistair." She pulled her helm down over her face. The snarling face of a dragon stared back at the prince red gem eyes bright and intimidating. Their blades slid from their homes.
"Begin!"
Anna stepped, thrusting her blade, testing the Princes reactions. She'd watched his matches. He seemed to have a harder time dodging or blocking a stab. He spun on his heel out of blades path, countering with a vertical slash that Anna barely had time to twist her body under her blade, blocking the strike, she twisted her arm sliding her blade underneath his, slashing at his arm.
He jumped back, back peddling as fast as he could without tripping himself up. Ann followed, trying to worm her way into his guard. He twisted away, swinging at her; Anna caught his blade between the gaps in the snowflake guard. They squared off, pressing against each other, trying to gain ground. Their blades chirped against each other, metal on the hard ice.
They stared back at each other through narrowed eyes, teeth gritting. Screams began to pierce the air and they jolted, pulling apart.
They both jerked their helmets off to look, people were running and screaming as the group of men on horseback galloped through the festival, torches in hand, setting fire to the stalls, buildings and anything that would burn.
"Death to the witch!" A horseman bellowed, throwing his torch onto the thatch roof of a nearby building, it quickly set ablaze.
People began to scream and run, a stampede of panic as thick black smoke began to fill the air. Anna whipped to the stand. The 20 guards protecting the stand were already trying to usher the three royals away and Kristoff was with her mother and Emma so that was one thing off her mind.
Yells of 'Death to the witch queen' and 'kill the sorceress' filled her with dread.
She ran to the edge of the arena when her arm was grabbed by Alistair.
"Where are you going?" He yelled to be heard over the din around them.
"To stop this!" He nodded.
"I'm coming with you." He Anna paused only a second before nodding and running out into the chaos, Alistair followed.
The nearest horsemen tried to run them over as they ran at him but they jumped out of the way, Alistair slashed at the mounts passing back leg, it made a pained sound and fell over. Anna grabbed the man by his tunic ripping him from the saddle.
"What is going on?!" She gave him a fierce shake. He spat on her face. She snarled backhanding him with her metal covered hand, dropping him to the ground and pressing the tip of her sword none to gently to his exposed throat.
"The Queen is a witch!" He spat. "He saw her unholy magic for himself!" Anna pressed hard drawing more than a trickle.
'Who saw magic?!" She demanded. Alistair stood watching uncertainly.
"Sir Markus, he saw it, the queen attacked him." Anna's grip on her hilt tightened. Without another word she jerked, shoving her blade through his throat and yanked it free. Blood gushed from the wound, hands wrapping around it did nothing to stem the flow and in a moment the man was dead.
Alistair turned to her wide eyed, color drained from his face. Unused to seeing death so up close.
"We don't have the means to apprehend them, we need to stop them before they burn the town to the ground." He nodded though somewhat reluctantly.
Anna made her way to the stand with Alistair. She was taking command, she didn't know where the Captain was. She climbed onto the stand shouting orders over the chaos.
"You five, here." She pointed out 5 guards. "The rest of you get down there and stop them, kill them if you must just stop them!" All but the 5 scattered, leaping off the stand and running out into the panicking mass of people.
Flames were quickly devouring the stands that had been torched. It would spread to nearby stalls and buildings if not put out soon.
Amelia rushed into Alistair's arms.
"We need to get back to the castle." She muttered to him.
"No, we'd have to go straight through this. It's safer up her, the stand won't catch fire." Anna shot down her plea.
Olaf was pressed into Elsa's legs, shaking. She held him against her, rubbing his head. The smoke and heat from the fires made the air hazy and thick.
"What about the town? It's going to burn to the ground." The older prince pointed out. He was right, if they didn't contain it so the entire town would be ablaze. She scowled
"We can't stop it. Everyone's panicking there's no time to organize people to fight it."
"I can stop it." Elsa stepped out of Olaf's grip, having to pry him away.
Anna clutched her helmet. "But your magic…"
"Is the reason the city is burning in the first place. I have to stop it Anna. I need you to come with me while I do." She argued. Letting Elsa out into the thick of things was the last thing Anna wanted to do, but she was right. If they did nothing the capital of Arendelle would burn to cinders.
"Fine, but you cannot leave my sight, Elsa." She nodded and they climbed down from the stand leaving the Royal couple and Olaf in the care of the 5 guards. She caught glimpses of the other guards taking down the attackers on their horses.
She kept the queen close to her side, using her armored body to bull her way through the crowds toward the burning buildings. She unclipped her bracelet and gave it to Anna.
She took a deep breath. Fear was already welling up in her. She was about to reveal what she had kept hidden her entire life to everyone. Panic was starting in on her nerves, causing Frost to creep slowly our from under her feet. A metal clad hand wrapped around one of her trembling ones. She glanced over at Anna who gave a nod. The frost under her ceased its crawl.
She squeezed Anna's hand before reluctantly dropping it. She took a breath and flung her arms out, a blizzard formed instantaneously in her hands, shooting into the blaze and for a moment it looked as though it had no effect but then the flames began to dim and the melting snow began to pile up, smothering the fire.
Elsa's power never ceased to amaze her, ice and snow materialized from nothing in wild flurries, the previously hazy stifling air and smoke was gone in a blast of magic.
The people close by stopped to watch in silent amazement as their monarch unleashed winter from her palms, killing the flames that had been growing.
Finally she lowered her arms and looked around. The fires were out now. Melting snow and water dripped from the stalls and buildings she had drenched. She let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding.
Anna squeezed her elbow and she looked over at the knight with a small smile. It was then she saw them. Her citizens gathered around had stopped their panicked fleeing to stare at the magical display. Elsa clutched her hands together and Anna gave a light tug, pulling her closer.
It was nearly silent for a long tense moment before somewhere in the crowed a voice rose up.
"Hail the Queen!" and another joined it. Soon the assembled people were screaming again but now in elation rather than fear.
"Long live the Queen!" They cheered and praised their sovereign. Elsa didn't know what to do. Despite all her regal bearing she'd never been the center of such a large group of people. The best she could do under all the eyes was a timid smile and wave. Anna tugged on her elbow.
"Come, we need to get back to the stand and to the castle." She waved again and allowed Anna to guide her through the streets. They cut between a pair of stalls to a mostly empty road.
The sound of a furiously galloping horse filtered into her ears and she turned toward the sound in time to see him.
Markus
He was speeding toward them on horseback sword drawn back. Anna turned back and jumped, tackling the queen out of the road. They fell in a heap, dropping just as the horse flew by, blade cutting the air as he swung for the queens' neck.
Anna held the blonde firmly to her, using her armored body to shield her from anything else that may come at them, he glared over his shoulder but kept riding as guards ran into the street, blocking the way he'd come.
If one could be killed by a glare alone Markus would have fallen dead from his horse as Anna glared at the retreating man with intense hatred as he rode out of sight, guards giving chase.
A grunt from beneath her reminded her of the petite woman under her bulky armored body. She pushed herself up onto her knees.
'Are you alright?" She pulled Elsa up into a sitting position, checking her for injuries. She rubbed her arm tenderly.
"I'm fine, sore, but fine." She assured her worried guardian. Anna didn't look convinced. Elsa rubbed the knights' cheek and smiled.
"Really, I'm okay Anna. We have to get back now." She nodded and stood, helping the queen to her feet.
When they made it back to the stand Olaf was wrapped in the crouching Amelia's arms, when he saw the pair he broke free running up to Elsa and reattached himself to her legs.
"Elsa, Anna." He clutched her and sobbed into her dress. She crouched down and hugged the boy to her chest. Anna ran her fingers through his hair.
"That was…amazing, your majesty." They both looked up at Alistair and Amelia's astonished faces.
"Thank you." She fidgeted. The Captain ran up to them.
"It is now safe to escort you back to the castle your highnesses" Elsa nodded and picked her brother up, following the captain.
"I'll meet you there; I need to go find my family." Elsa hesitated but nodded.
"Be careful." She added before the guards led them away.
Anna didn't have to search long before she saw her brother towering over a portion of the crowds.
"Kristoff!" He looked and saw her. He waved her over and when she got closer she was relieved to find her mother and Emma with him.
"Hey, glad to see you made it, Anna." Kristoff grinned but there was a slight hitch in his words.
Madeline handed Emma over to Kristoff and grabbed her eldest child in a tight hug.
"I'm so glad you're okay, Anna." The younger redhead chuckled.
"I should be saying that to you three." Madeline nodded.
"We're fine. We saw you with the queen when she…ugh..." Kristoff wasn't sure what to call the display he had witnessed.
"Used her magic." The knight supplied for him.
"So you knew about…that?" She nodded.
"You don't think it's….i don't know, kind of strange?" Anna shrugged.
"Elsa's magic is amazing. The things she can make with it are incredible. It's not something to be feared." Kristoff stared at her like she was crazy before sighing with a shrug.
"I'll take your word for it than." She nodded stepping back.
"I need to get back to the castle. I'll come see you soon." She turned and jogged off toward the castle.
Anna stood quietly at the Queen's side, still dressed in her armor helmet hanging from the hilt of her sword. The advisors all sat at the long table, they'd been talking about what had happened for an hour. News would continually come in about the situation in town.
"They're celebrating your magic in the streets, your majesty." Gerard cried. "This is the best outcome we could have ever hoped for."
"My powers are the reason this happened…" The queen sighed.
"No, it was caused by Markus spreading vicious lies that you are a witch." Anna snarled. The assembled advisors nodded their agreement.
"He is a damned traitor!" Gerard slammed his fist on the table. Everyone loudly agreed to the sentiment. "As such he should be put to death!" The sound of agreement filled the room.
"Someone will have to track him down immediately. He nearly took her majesty head off her shoulders." Meriana added her thoughts before Gerard could shout again.
"The guards captured most of his fellows, some couldn't be taken and had to be killed, Who do we send to collect the traitor?" He looked at the fellow advisors and Queen.
"Let me go." All eyes turned to Anna. "I have a vague idea of a few places he could be, or heading to." Elsa clenched her hands in her lap below the table.
"I'm not sure that is the best plan of action, Anna." The queen worried her bottom lip between her teeth.
"Please, Elsa." All formality was dropped, the advisors well aware of their relationship already. "Please let me go, I will find him." She pleaded.
"We should take a short break ladies and gentlemen." Her advisors took the hint and stood exiting the room leaving the two women alone.
'I have no doubt you would, that's not what I'm worried about. Sir Markus has committed treason, he has to be brought back to face public execution….I know how you feel about him, and I'm afraid if you go, he won't make it back here alive."
"You think I'll kill him first." It wasn't a question but she nodded anyway.
"I know you, Anna. I know the kind of person you are, brave, loyal, loving and fierce, but I also know how much you hate him." She paused. "You talk in your sleep you know…" Anna grunted. She was vaguely aware.
"Mos of the time it's nothing, random mumbling about my hair or blue lizards or your big dumb brother…but sometimes it's about other things…Markus, Lucien, blood. Sometime you just whimper. Like you're in pain, It always wakes me up when you do…" Anna frowned, feeling guilty. Elsa took one of her hands.
"You won't be able to stop yourself when he's finally in front of you." The knights jaw clenched.
"I will. You just have to trust me. Please Elsa. Let me go." She begged starring down at the queen. Elsa stared up into the pleading teal eyes and sighed, nodding.
"Go, find him, but Anna." She stopped already walking toward the door. "Promise. Promise me you will not kill him. Please."
Anna paused.
"I promise."
Kristoff jogged down the hall toward the sitting room ahead of the servant that had come to fetch him. He burst through the door to find Anna sitting with their mother . They both looked up at him.
"Put your armor back on. I need your help Kristoff."
Yay, chapter 29. I know yall were wanting to know Elsa's answer but you'll just have to wait a little longer. Enjoy ~Malthazar LOS
