"So how was the palace?"
Anna and Elsa sat in the grand hall at one of the tables that took up most of the floor space. Elsa sipped at a cup of coffee while Anna drank water. Her pregnancy was nearing its end, and on a petite frame like her sisters, or her own for that matter…
She's definitely been very moody lately.
"It was just as I had left it, though I decided to add a little to it, just to make sure I still had it…" Her voice trailed off as she saw Anna's skeptical look. "What?"
"Nothing." She said, taking a sip of water, "Kristoff just got back from the Valley, it seems that all that has happened has really shaken their community. They're thinking of moving further inland."
"But that would put them closer to Don's… I mean, King Donner's holdings," She said tentatively, letting the coffee warm her fingers, "Why don't they move closer to Arendelle?"
Shaking her head, Anna gestured to all of the men who were inhabiting the grand hall with them.
"Do you think all of them would be as understanding as we have been of magical creatures?"
Elsa saw her point.
"Well, what's wrong with the Valley?" She asked. "Why do they have to move?"
"They say that there's a curse upon it now, since all of those men died there. And it's beside the point, since they've already begun the move."
Elsa sighed, hearing the edge in her sister's voice.
I wish Don could be here… She thought. And I wish I could tell Anna of our engagement… But I cannot, not until the time is right.
"I hope they find someplace that suits them, then…" She said, as the doors opened, and Lord Captain Oberon, who she'd promoted to head of the army as well as her Captain of Guards, strode in. Following him were three men, dressed immaculately in dark red coats, with blue and white highlights throughout. The one leading was handsome, while the two behind had the hulking look of bodyguards.
Without any direction from Captain Oberon, the leading man turned and headed directly for Elsa and Anna. She saw that he was thin, though likely having a solid core of muscle underneath his garish costume. His face mirrored his body, having thin sunken cheekbones and a cleft chin. But it was his warm brown eyes that really made him handsome. They were sharp, with a slight almond shape to them, and intelligence seemed to leer out from behind them.
"My Queen," He said, with an accent that she immediately recognized as hailing from Paix, "It is a pleasure to finally meet you."
Elsa stood, knowing every eye in the great hall was upon her.
"Welcome to Arendelle…" She cocked an eyebrow as Captain Oberon saluted next to her.
"My Queen, this is Crown Prince Jacques Murat of the Empire of Paix…"
The Prince smiled, cutting the Lord Captain off.
"…Warden of the East, Commander of the Army, and Dauphin," He grinned even wider, "And hopefully the future King of Arendelle."
No, I don't think you will be… She thought, growing annoyed with how forward this suitor was proving himself to be. At least the others were polite.
"Well, welcome to Arendelle," She repeated, hands clasped in front of her, "I am sure that Captain Oberon can get you settled, I have much business to attend to. Good day, Sir."
As she turned to exit the great hall, her half-filled cup abandoned on the table, she felt a hand wrap around her upper arm. A gasp went up from around the room, and as she whirled, she saw several of the other suitors stand and begin to make their way over.
Prince Jacques, against all protocol, had reached out and grabbed her. Kissing a woman on the hand, when she offered it, was one thing, but to publically grab a Queen was unheard of.
"Please unhand me, Prince Jacques." She said, wresting her arm from his implacable grip.
"But I was not finished speaking with you," The prince said forcefully, "I have much to discuss with you about…"
A drawn dagger pricked his throat, as Captain Oberon stepped in between them.
"Touching the Queen without her leave is a crime here, Prince Jacques," He said coldly, "Please remove yourself from the palace. You shall not find a place to sleep here."
"Elsa, let's go." Anna said, as the two men with the Prince stepped forward, pulling him backwards.
Ten more days, and I shall see my love again. She thought, as the doors to her wing of the palace shut behind her.
"Elsa, I grow tired of these men insulting you with their heavy handedness. Especially this Dauphin…"
Donner felt Elsa make a polite noise as she snuggled closer to him. He'd awaited this day with barely concealed glee, and had nearly ridden poor Maximus raw during the journey. His time in Arskall had been stressful, trying to elude his courtiers. Though Catherine had apparently left the day after their… meeting, to return home.
I can only wish her luck in finding a proper husband. He thought fondly. For I have finally found a wife.
"You must stay tired, Don," She said, stroking his chest, "We must do this properly. Wait a month, until my suitors have grown tired of waiting… Then you shall arrive, court me, and then we can be married."
Don nodded, kissing her forehead lightly.
"I will do my best. But I am such an impatient man…" Elsa jumped as his gentle, caressing hands pinched.
"Stop that will you!" She said, rolling away from him to look out at the just rising sun. "We don't have time… Christine and Eleanor are probably already growing impatient.
She stood, padding to her pile of clothes. Don watched her go, watch her ivory skin move. She shot an annoyed glance at him as she turned and began to pull her dress on.
"You're so beautiful, My love. Every part of you." She rolled her eyes, as he rolled from the bed and himself began to dress. "So, when will we next meet? How long must I wait?"
Elsa finished pulling her simple traveling dress on, going to the rail of her balcony.
"I don't know… There is still so much to do. When do you leave for Mossburg?"
Don cinched his belt tight, then came to stand next to her, looking out over the beautiful valley below. He had been in negotiations with his uncle for the last few weeks to bring Mossberg into his little empire.
"Two days from now, I'll be there for a few days to a week," He grabbed her hand, grasping it in his own, "It all depends on whether or not I can convince my uncle to bend the knee and join with me… I don't have any want to invade…"
Elsa's eyes widened.
"Don… Why must you have all of this? Already… Already you are the most powerful King in Sweden. Why must you have more?"
"Because, no one will ever harm us every again. And because I need all of these men to stand with me against this darkness… It could come at any time." Don squeezed her hand gently. "I've been thinking of sending an envoy to Corona, to see if they would seek an alliance. I know that Prince Eugene is no longer very fond of me…"
Don sighed, remembering the look of horror on Eugene's face as he made his final report. The older Prince had turned his back on him, tell him to go.
'You've become something to fear, Don.' Don remembered him saying. 'But fear is something that can turn on you.'
"Well… don't try to force an alliance." Elsa said seriously. "You can't conquer the whole world, Don. Men have tried, and those men have died…"
Don nodded, before the memory of a song crossed his mind.
No more talk of darkness
Forget these wide-eyed fears
I'm here, nothing can harm you
My words will warm and calm you
Let me be your freedom
Let daylight dry your tears
I'm here, with you, beside you
To guard you and to guide you
Elsa's eyes widened as his voice cut through the silence, a clarion call. Then she sang the next verse, much to Don's delight.
Say you'll love me every waking moment
Turn my head with talk of summer time
Say you need me with you now and always
Promise me that all you say is true
That's all I ask of you
Don reached out and put his arms around him, swinging her about in a slow waltz as they sang.
Let me be your shelter
Let me be your light
You're safe, no one will find you
Your fears are far behind you
All I want is freedom
A world with no more night
And you, always beside me
To hold me and to hide me
Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Let me lead you from your solitude
Say you need me with you here, beside you
Anywhere you go, let me go too
Christine, that's all I ask of you
Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime
Say the word and I will follow you
Share each day with me, each night, each morning
Say you love me
You know I do,
Love me, that's all I ask of you.
"My Prince, I spied the Queen locked in an embrace with a man at her ice castle, the one that we have had reports of."
Jacques Murat felt himself shaking with rage.
She is to be my queen! He thought, remembering his father Louis's promise.
"Who was this man?" He asked his retainer Joseph, whose great size belied his sharp mind and wit. "What did he look like?"
"I saw only glimpses of him, as I had to stay out of sight and use my spyglass," Joseph began, "But he was of great size. A little under six and a half feet tall by my guess, and well-muscled. Dark blonde or brown hair… He rode to the northeast when he left."
The Prince's mind began to race, but he didn't know very much about the people around this area. He rubbed a hand across his face as he stepped to the outer railing of the ship that had carried him to Arendelle. Joseph cleared his throat.
"What?"
"I have… done some asking around, My Prince," He said quietly, stepping to the rail so that he could whisper, "And found that one man matches this description, who has had previous contact with Queen Elsa…"
"Who? Tell me!" He put his hand on his childhood friend's shoulder, shaking him slightly. "Hurry and tell me so I may challenge him! He cannot stand against my burning desire!"
"My Prince… It is King Donner of Arskall and Valdiston." The Prince's eyes flew wide. He'd heard tales of the man's great prowess in battle, and his… special talents. "The one known as 'The Storm Lord'. In my digging, it appears that he and the Queen became quite close when he carried some message from his father, who he slayed during the battle to free Arendelle. But there are also stories of his cruelty and savagery. You never studied Valdiston did you, Jacques?"
The Prince snorted, slightly lost in his own thoughts.
"Of course not. You were there, you bookworm." He said, annoyed. "Now what is it you mean?"
"I mean, their Kings have had a long history of brutality. Hell, Ivan the Third, Donner's father, was Ivan the Brutal. And his grandfather Ivan the Second was the Terrible. His great-"
"Why are you telling me this, Joseph?"
"Because, Jacques, this King is Donner the Relentless." His friend said. "He fought a war to free the Queen, brought together disparate allies, and then led them against his own father. Not to mention that he can control storms… It may be best if we abandon this entire pursuit and return home…"
His Prince snorted and turned a petulant eye upon him.
"Absolutely not. I came here to find myself a Queen, and I won't leave until I do!"
He had only forty men with him, including the six members of his Guard. He had no hope of any kind of attack, nor did he wish too. But… if he could find out the time of Queen Elsa and her lovers next meeting…
I can bring a sharp end to it. He thought. I must secure her, for the darkness quickly approaches, just as Lord Vritra told me…
Anna sighed, wiping her head with a cool cloth, as Kristoff brought her a glass of water. She felt like a balloon getting ready to pop, and her legs hurt incredibly. Which was why she'd been kept in bed, by her sister's orders, for the last four days.
And she's apparently been taking more and more trips to the ice castle… I'd love to see what she's doing out there…
But she couldn't, unfortunately. Kristoff never let her out of his sight, and just the thought of having to waddle out to the stable made her blush in embarrassment.
"Are you okay, Anna?" She heard him ask from across the room. He came and sat next to her on the bed, handing her the glass of water. She drank deeply before answering.
"I'm just worried about Elsa." She finally said. "She's been acting strange as of late. Always going off on these trips to her castle…"
Kristoff sighed, running a hand along her distended belly.
"You worry too much, Anna," He said, "She's just been dealing with a lot. It's good that she's getting out."
But she heard the edge in his voice.
"Couldn't you… you know, follow her this next time?" Anna asked innocently. "Please? I just want to make sure she isn't doing anything foolish…"
Kristoff nodded slightly, though with a bit of apprehension.
"Alright, but just once." He said. "I'll prove to you that there isn't anything to worry about, okay?"
Nearly a month had passed since their last meeting, but Don felt his heart beating faster as he made the final climb towards the ice palace. His trip to Mossberg had been… tense, but fruitful. He was now Lord of Mossberg, something that his uncle had been rather… unhappy about when he passed him his crown. But the offer of increased trade, the title of Prince, and the continuation of his rule in Mossberg had swayed him.
Not to mention the thinly veiled threats I made…
But he was slowly beginning to see what kind of system he wanted to rule his… his empire.
Two representatives from each of the nations I control, to set in council with me and advise me. A lower council as well to take care of the trifling matters, and a system of judges to dole out my justice…
His thoughts cut off as he caught sight of Elsa waiting for him at the end of the bridge, her handmaids waiting a few steps behind. The gift he had had made for her weighed heavily in his pocket.
It should weigh heavily… It cost me nearly as much as a suit of armor!
Slipping from the saddle, he approached Elsa, who met him with a light kiss.
"Hello, Don." She said, as her two ladies in waiting averted their eyes.
"Hello, my darling." He said. "I bring good tidings, and a gift for you."
A surprised smile flashed across her face, as Don held out the simple packaging of his gift. Elsa took it in gentle hands, before tearing it open.
Her eyes shot wide as she saw the necklace that now lay in her hand.
"Oh, Don, you shouldn't have!" She nearly squealed in delight, and Don heard the two ladies behind gasp.
It was an intricate necklace of fine chain, with pieces of carefully carved quartz arranged in a pattern that mirrored a snowflake. It would cover Elsa from neck to her upper chest, but the shining beauty of it paled in comparison to her own beauty.
"It is nothing, sweetling," He said, "I had to hire a jeweler out of Mossberg to have it made, though. Luckily, he was only too happy to do business with his new Lord…"
Elsa shot him a strange look, one mingling surprise and apprehension.
"You are the Lord of Mossberg now, as well? That's… good news, I guess."
Don knew that Elsa disagreed with his… ambitions. But she had to see that he had no choice, the darkness would come. And it would be terrible.
"Let us have some tea, shall we?" He said, and followed Elsa and her ladies into the castle.
He didn't know that two sets of eyes were upon him.
Kristoff couldn't believe what he was seeing.
She's been having an affair… With Donner? He thought incredulously. Anna was right to be worried.
He turned, remounting Sven, before dashing off into the night.
"Jacques, I think it would be best if we did not confront the Storm Lord."
Jacques rounded on Joseph, as the North Mountain's snow crunched beneath his feet.
"Then what would you have me do? Let them keep screwing until she bears him a child? Then what would become of my reason for being here?"
Joseph held up his hands.
"I think… My Prince, it would be best if we… confronted the Queen directly. In private." He said. "We could force her hand. Either marry you, or reveal her affair."
Jacques grunted, as he watched King Donner ride away from the castle. Standing, he turned and walked towards their horses.
"Fine… We shall see what she has to say."