Her hands were shaky. Every part of her was trembling
Like her own mother, Kjerstin had major "stage fright". Having been raised in the north away from the kingdom most of her childhood, she could never quite get used to standing before crowds of people. But she had to pull herself together. It was her coronation day. And even though she had control over her powers and the chance of a mishap was incredibly slim, it didn't mean she still feared the thought of it.
She looked at herself in the mirror in her coronation gown. A lovely mix of traditional and elemental, courtesy of her mother. Floor-length ballgown style, in a color similar to the dress her grandmother, Iduna wore. Soft lavender bodice made of ice that cascaded down her dress. And overall-type straps, heavily embroidered, held down by a belt. Silver leaf-shaped clasps with intricate detailing on them. And ruffled cap sleeves over long sleeves made of rich velvet.
The door clicked open, and Elsa stepped inside, followed by Anna and Honeymaren. The three women looked at the new soon-to-be-queen, all with pride in their eyes. Elsa looked over at her sister and friend and silently gestured for them to give her and her daughter a moment alone.
Once the door closed, Elsa invited Kjerstin to sit down with her.
"Darling, is everything alright? You look tense?" Elsa looked down at her daughter's hands, which rested in hers. She could feel them shaking. She didn't need her daughter to say anything, she already knew what was going through her mind. Having already gone through the same thing over 20 years ago, Elsa was very familiar with these feelings.
"It's okay to be nervous sweetheart. Lord knows I was beyond nervous for mine." Kjerstin looked up at the Snow Queen, blue eyes wide and anxious. But she trusted her mother.
"Your father, myself, your aunt… your whole family knows you've always been meant to become a great queen. Greater than myself. You've been taught all you need to know, especially with your powers." Kjerstin cracked a small smile.
"And putting familial tension aside, Robert will make a wonderful king consort for you. Your aunt Anna has told me all the wonderful things he's done to help you and the kingdom. Your father and I trust him, just as we trust you." Her pounding heart began to calm down, she breathed steadily and once again faced the mirror.
"I can do this." She whispered to herself. Elsa stood behind her daughter, placing a delicate hand on her should, giving her firstborn a kiss on the forehead.
"Yes you can."
Elsa left her daughter for her final preparations and let Anna and Honeymaren in to help her.
"Where are you going?" Anna asked.
"Going to find Conrad, make sure he's emotionally ready." With a chuckle, Elsa headed down the castle corridors to the library, where sure enough, she found her husband staring out the window, a perfect view of the fjord, where they could watch ships coming and going.
She hugged him from behind, breaking him from his stare.
Conrad's heart felt heavy. Giving away their daughter, as the queen of Arendelle.
Emotions ran strong in the kingdom, he could feel it. His sister, Signe, and brother, Oliver, who'd been crowned king of their home kingdom, Hjallanes, were visiting for the coronation, both equally excited to see their niece all grown up.
Their brother, Tobias, had chosen to renounce his royal title as a prince of Hjallanes years ago. Understandably, their family was shocked at such a decision. But Tobias felt a calling elsewhere. He had an adventurous spirit and wanted to chase the unknown. He left for England and took a ship west. To the United States. They periodically got letters from him, updates about his life out there and whatnot.
Additionally, the four siblings' parents had passed. The beloved Magda and Gerhard both died peacefully in their sleep of old age. The best way to go. The funeral was bittersweet. Kjerstin and Jonis were still children, Kjerstin just about to reach preteenhood.
The former king and queen spied a ship in the distance, bearing the flag of a familiar kingdom.
"He's here…" Conrad breathed out. Elsa sighed, wringing out her hands.
"We've accepted him as part of the family when we accepted Robert for Kjerstin," Elsa said, reminding him to be civil. Though it felt more like she was reminding herself. Conrad nodded and pinched the bridge of his nose, breathing in deeply. He expected nothing less than perfect for his only daughter, and for her future father in law to have been formally convicted of treason, he hoped she could take it.
"Don't worry, Conrad. We all can take him down if absolutely necessary." Elsa comforted him, even though she knew very well that Conrad was always worried about the wellbeing of his children, even knowing that both had their mother's powers.
He shook his head and turned to her.
"I know, my love. I'll be alright. It's just accepting that… our daughter has grown up and will be leading this kingdom. After all these years, it's a lot to take in." He sat down on the edge of the bed, wrapping his arms around Elsa's waist, pulling him close between his legs. The sound of the icy fabric of her dress against the soft wool of his pants was satisfying and comforting to hear, for both of them.
She ran her hand through his graying dark brown hair as he rested his head on her chest. 24 years of marriage. 24 years together. Not an attempted murder or the very elements of nature could tear them apart. They had a different kind of bond. One of understanding, acceptance, and pure, raw, love.
Despite every mishap or element related incident, Conrad loved the hell out of his wife and their children. All three of them were blessings, and he couldn't imagine his life without them. He sighed from deep within his chest, the comforting feeling of Elsa's thin fingers running through his hair. She tilted his head up, her pale blue eyes meeting his blue-green. She smiled and kissed him gently on the lips.
With a grin, he pulled her onto his lap, holding her close against him. She placed one hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat, and wrapping the other around his neck.
Still one hell of a kisser. They both thought. With a chuckled, Conrad ran his hand down Elsa's hip down to her thigh, bringing the fabric up and rubbing her smooth skin. Elsa sighed, pushing her lips closer against his.
After what felt like forever, they pulled apart, once again to stare into each other's eyes.
"Never change, Conrad." Elsa smiled, placing her hand on his cheek and grazing her thumb across his cheekbone. He smiled and kissed her nose.
"Anything for you." Soon, the sun began to dip behind the mountains. It was time. Elsa quickly made some modifications to her dress, and Conrad changed into his formal kingdom attire. After changing, the pair admired how amazing the other looked.
"You look… absolutely… ethereal." He sighed, wrapping his arms around her waist once more. She grinned devilishly at him.
"After the party, we can have some alone time together before we head back to the forest with Jonis, Honeymaren, and Ryder." Conrad grinned back.
"That sounds like a perfect plan." After getting some final details together, the two made their way downstairs, joining Anna, Kristoff, Honeymaren and Ryder, who were given formal attire for the coronation, Mattias, and Jonis. Jonis joined his mother and father's side, hugging them both.
"Is it weird I'm nervous and excited for Kjerstin?" He asked. Anna smiled and shook her head.
"Not at all, Jonis. I felt the same way when your mother was coronated." Elsa chuckled at her sister.
"Thanks, sis." Anna stuck her tongue out playfully at her sister.
"So, who're we waiting for?" Ryder asked. Anna was about to respond when the front doors of the castle opened. Revealing Hans, flanked by one guard on either side. This time, there was no flinched or immediate instinct to kill him. Elsa wore a small smile on her face as she and Anna approached him.
Hans looked surprised to see both sisters approach him. Neither had any fire of anger in their eyes. Not even a little bit. In fact, they were almost… welcoming.
"Good afternoon, your majesties." He said, bowing to them both, "you both look well." Anna and Elsa shared a glance and nodded.
"Thank you, Hans. As do you. Please, come and join us. We'll be heading to the chapel shortly." Anna said, gesturing for him to follow. Hans looked up, seeing the family ahead. Kristoff and Conrad still were hesitant but trusted their wives. The youngest of the group wasn't sure of what was going on, he looked to be Elsa's son. Hans forgot Elsa had two children, honestly.
The other had the ranking of General on his shoulder. He didn't know him but he could tell the General didn't seem thrilled, but kept himself composed. And the other man and woman, he did not care for.
After the formalities were done, the group headed to the chapel and took their seats. Elsa sighed, taking in every detail that had changed since she was coronated. It was a new time now, and change came with her daughter.
The chapel door open, and everyone stood to watch the young couple walk up the aisle to the Bishop.
She was ready.