A/N: I hope you enjoy the chapter and don't forget to tip your Will-o'-the-wisp on the way out!
With graceful looping letters, Elsa signed her name to the letter. She set her pen aside on the desktop and leaned back in her chair, taking a moment to look over the response she'd written. Now alone in her study, she chewed on her lower lip, an anxious tic allowed by indecision and uncertainty to slip out past the regal mask she'd upheld during the meeting that had just taken place. In the room had been three of her advisors: Admiral Mikael Naismith, her treasurer Halstein Dal, and Gregar Alfson, advisor for international affairs.
They'd given their advice, the logistics for and against, but ultimately, the decision was hers alone to make. She sighed deeply, then closed the letter and dripped warm wax onto the fold before pressing her seal onto it. The action felt heavy, and final, like she was signing a death warrant for people who had committed no crime. But she was Queen, and above all else she had to do what was best for her people.
Resigned that she was doing so, Elsa stood with the letter in hand. It was nearing lunch time, and probably best she hand off the letter to Kai and find Anna as soon as she could. She knew she needed to apologize for the way she left things with her sister in the kitchen the night before. She had promised Anna that she would be more open with her, but it was easier in theory than in practice. The need to conceal, don't feel was forever at the forefront of Elsa's mind. It was her default mode when things hit an emotional high, even with her sister.
Elsa pulled open the door to her study, only to startle as her sister appeared from around the corner, freezing the floor beneath her feet. "Anna!" She pressed a hand to her chest, taking a few deep breaths before dismissing the frost covering the polished wood.
Anna ducked her head, clearly attempting to look remorseful, but the mischievous smile on her face was hard to miss. "Sorry."
"You're not." Elsa tried to give her a stern look but likewise failed horribly. She chuckled, shaking her head.
Anna opened her mouth, but before she had a chance to debate the accusation, Kai approached them both. "Your Majesty," he greeted Elsa first, bowing his head slightly. "Your Highness. Lunch is ready to be served."
"Thank you, Kai." Elsa looked down at the letter clutched in her hand. She still had time to change her mind, but as much as she wanted to, she knew her hands were tied in the matter. She held out the letter to Kai. "Please give this to our guest." As an afterthought, she added, "if he needs any provisions for his trip back, please see to them."
"Yes, ma'am." Kai dipped his head and accepted the letter.
Elsa watched him leave, folding her hands in front of her in an effort to keep from wringing them anxiously. After a moment, she turned to Anna. "Lunch?"
Her sister had also been watching Kai's retreat with obvious curiosity. She turned toward Elsa. "What was that about?"
In lieu of an immediate response, Elsa turned and walked toward the dining room. She was unsure how much to tell her sister about the morning's meeting. She didn't want Anna to worry about something outside of her control. Or worse, Elsa thought, try to do something that could end very badly, for her or for Arendelle. Her sister had a big, full heart; there was no need to weigh it down more than it already was.
"It's a long story," Elsa finally said as they continued down the hallway. "One that has, thankfully, reached its conclusion."
Anna tilted her head. "Well, I have all day."
Elsa smiled. "That would make one of us, then. I have far too much work to get done today."
They entered the private dining room, one smaller than the main dining hall that was used when there were guests to host. The private dining room was a more intimate space meant only for the royal family. Elsa slid into her seat at the head of the table and Anna settled in the seat to her right.
Anna wrinkled her nose. "You're working too much. Especially if you don't even have the time to tell me a story."
"A long story," Elsa offered.
"An important one," Anna persisted.
Elsa cocked her head, unable to argue that point. They both fell quiet as the servants brought out a lunch of Smørrebrød, stacked with smoked salmon, radishes, and other herbs. Once the sisters were once more alone, she picked up her knife and fork and began to cut into the opened-face sandwich. "I actually wanted to talk to you about something else."
Anna shoved a large piece of her meal into her mouth, peering at her sister over a forkful.
Elsa chewed thoughtfully for a moment, organizing her thoughts and figuring out exactly what she wanted to say. "I'm taking a trip up to Valle tomorrow. I should be back in five days."
Anna perked up, her attention drawn away from her lunch. "Valle? Why Valle?"
Her chest tightened, and a light frost collected on handles of her silverware. Elsa set the offending cutlery down, flexing her fingers into fists on the tabletop. "The storm—my storm – destroyed most of the crops in Arendelle. The farmers were able to plant a few vegetables for a late harvest but for most of them it was too late in the season. Nothing will be ready for harvest before the first frost."
"Elsa, that was not your fault—"
She held up a hand. "Regardless, Arendelle doesn't have enough food to make it through the winter. Fortunately, the storm didn't spread much further than the surrounding farms and as luck would have it, Valle had a bountiful harvest this year. Instead of selling off the excess to neighboring kingdoms as they normally do, it will be coming here, to Arendelle."
Anna frowned. "Why are you going there, though?"
Elsa sighed patiently. "Valle normally makes a decent profit from the harvest. With it coming here instead, they lose this season's profit. I'm going up there to work out a fair deal with the Baron. One that will hopefully satisfy all parties."
"I understand that, but why are you going?" Anna leaned in, brows drawn together in confusion, and concern. "Don't you have people who can . . . do all of that—" her sister waved a hand between them - "for you? I mean, no offense, Elsa, but you've kind of been running yourself ragged these last few months. You have to take a break at some point."
"Anna." Elsa pulled her shoulders back, sitting taller in her seat. "Regardless of intent or the events leading up to it, I made this mess. I alone destroyed Arendelle's crops, and I will personally see to it that our people make it through this."
"You don't have to do this alone, Elsa."
"This, I do."
Gerda walked at a brisk pace through the castle hallways, carrying a silver tray with coffee and a light breakfast. For the most part, she ignored the bleary-eyed staff, but snapped orders at a few as she passed. The day began a few hours earlier than normal, due to the queen's imminent departure for Valle. She would awaken an hour before dawn today, and Gerda would not stand for the castle not to be prepared, or half the staff to still be sleeping while the queen was up. The staff was meant to be up before the queen and were permitted to move to their own quarters only after she retired for the night. That was how it had always been and would always be.
Gerda had taken care of the household for many years, starting as a maid. When Princess Elsa was old enough to need one, she became the princess's personal maid. Though things became increasingly difficult after the 'incident' that resulted in the gates being shut, Gerda had been one of only a few who remained on staff, and one of even fewer number to know of Elsa's magic. It had broken her heart to see the sisters separated, and was even more painful to watch the bold, mischievous child she knew Elsa to be withdraw and isolate herself.
As much trouble as the Queen's Winter had caused, perhaps, in the end, it happened for the better. The gates were open, and there was no more hiding. Elsa was slowly starting to come out of that self-imposed isolation and was becoming the young woman, and Queen, Gerda always knew she could be. She just wished the sisters could have been spared the painful journey it took to get where they were now. Given the option, Gerda would protect those girls from everything. While that wasn't possible, she would still do all she could to help them through whatever came.
Gerda pulled herself from her musings and stopped a footman as he passed by. "Has the queen's carriage been packed?" she asked. She couldn't recall the young man's name; he was one of the more recent additions to the staff.
"Yes, ma'am," he replied with a nod.
"Good. Find Kai, let him know."
"Yes, ma'am." With that, he was gone.
Gerda stopped at the queen's door, balancing the service tray in one hand as she quietly opened the door. She set the tray on the nightstand then moved to the curtains and drew them open. The morning was still dark, but the northern lights cast a soft glow into the large room. Even with the small amount of light entering the window, the queen frowned in her sleep and attempted to burrow further into the blankets.
Gerda smiled. "Your Majesty?" She wasn't surprised to see the queen still sleeping. Most people assumed she was a morning person, but it wasn't nearly as true as many, including her own sister, thought.
"Mmm," Elsa replied sleepily, rolling onto her back and digging her knuckles into her eyes.
There was no doubt about it, the queen was generally a night owl and an early riser, but more from necessity than choice. When Elsa was younger, she had confided in Gerda that she did enjoy sleeping in when given the opportunity but couldn't stand to oversleep. Even as a princess, there was too much to do, and the day felt wasted if she overslept. In that regard, she was the polar opposite of her sister, who could, and regularly did, sleep well pass noon only to wake in a whirlwind of energy and attack the day with an impressive vigor.
Elsa pushed herself upright in bed, turning with an unfocused gaze to the large triangle window. The look she gave at the still pitch-black sky was nearly a glare. "Morning, Gerda." Her words were heavily slurred with sleep.
"Good morning, Your Majesty." Gerda struggled not to smile as she walked to the queen's wardrobe and started pulling out her traveling clothes. She felt privileged to be permitted to see this side of the queen, one no one else – with the rare occasion of her sister – got to see. It reminded her that this young woman, who was raised to rule a kingdom with all the grace, authority, and command of a monarch, was still human. As much as she pretended otherwise.
This would be her first trip outside of Arendelle since she was seven years old, and the longest she'd ever embarked on. It would be two days to Valle, and two days back. Quite a journey for the first ride in more than thirteen years.
"I brought up a light breakfast for you, ma'am," she said. "I wasn't sure if you'd what something heavier before your trip. Your father usually preferred a light meal before traveling." She pulled traveling clothes from the wardrobe - linen shirt, leggings, and a knee-length white coat with light blue stitching - and hung them on the outside.
"Did he?" Elsa asked, perking up at bit. She reached to the nightstand and picked up the cup of coffee, drinking deeply.
Gerda nodded. "Yes, ma'am. He didn't like to admit it, but he'd get sick if he ate heavy before traveling. Your mother, on the other hand, always enjoyed a large meal before going out. She was more like your sister in that regard, a whirlwind of endless energy. It wasn't until after you were born that she became calmer, more refined. Though she maintained that limitless energy."
"I didn't know that," Elsa said softly. She smiled at the matron and swung her legs over the side of the bed. "Thank you, Gerda, this will be fine."
"I've laid out your clothes, and the carriage is packed and will be ready to go by the time you finished. Is there anything I can do for you, ma'am?"
"No, Gerda, thank you." Elsa stood up and set her cup down. "You may go."
Gerda bowed then left the room, closing the door softly behind her. She walked down the hallway, in the direction of the servant's area of the castle. She'd just entered one of the narrow hallways when she encountered Kai, the castle's steward.
Where Gerda managed the household staff and acted as lady's maid to the queen, Kai managed the daily operations of the castle and the queen's schedule. The duties they shared were normally handled by more than just two people but increasing the castle's staff had been slow-going, as both she and Kai worried about overwhelming the girls with too many new faces at one time. The queen in particular had more than enough on her plate as it was. And neither of them were keen on delegating the duties they had performed for the last two decades, even if it meant an increased workload as the castle gates opened.
"Is her majesty up?" Kai asked.
"She should be ready in about thirty minutes, I think."
Kai nodded. "Good, the only thing left is to load some papers and books into the carriage. She requested them to work on during the trip."
Gerda frowned disapprovingly. "She's planning on working during the trip up?"
"Would you expect anything less?"
She tiled her head. "Expecting, no. But hoping . . ." She shrugged. "She's going to work herself sick if she keeps at this pace."
"That seems to be the collective worry, yes, but it is not our place to say. However, I have a feeling she may not be getting as much work done on the ride as she hopes."
"Oh?"
Kai tipped his head, grinning mischievously. "Someone may have suggested to the princess that her majesty may do well with some company on the trip."
"And?"
"Anna was up and packed an hour ago. I have no doubt she's already in the courtyard waiting for her sister."
"Good."
As servants, it was not their place to interfere with how the royal family conducted themselves, but he had witnessed their births and watched them grow, had been there for the good and the bad. There was a special place in his heart for the girls. Anna and Elsa were as close to daughters as he would ever have and he would do whatever he could, whenever he could, to watch over and protect them. Even if that sometimes meant protecting them from themselves.
Kai moved down the hallway to the queen's study to collect the box he'd put together the night before to be loaded into the carriage. With both sisters going to Valle, the staff would essentially have the next four days off, and he was sure they'd appreciate that. He could take the extra time to work with Gerda and perhaps hire more staff, to make sure duties were delegated more evenly among the servants.
He grabbed the box, loaded with a few books and a stack of papers and missives, and handed it off to one of the footmen to take down to the carriage. He then proceeded to the queen's quarters and knocked lightly on the door. "Your Majesty?"
"One moment" floated through the thick door. After a moment it open and the queen stepped out, her hair pulled into its usual braid and dressed casually for the day of travel. "Good morning, Kai," she greeted him with a smile.
"Good morning, Your Majesty," he replied, bowing.
"How are you this morning?"
"Very well, ma'am, and you?" He waited for the queen to start walking before following a step behind.
"Good. Well . . ." She pressed a hand against her stomach. "A bit excited, I think, and nervous."
"I'm sure everything will be fine, Your Majesty."
As they descended the spiral staircase, Elsa smiled gratefully. "I'm sure you're looking forward to the next few days, with no schedules to manage or guests to see to. Unless Anna is planning a party while I'm gone." She chuckled, then turned toward Kai. "Keep an eye on her while I'm away. I know it's a lot to ask but try to steer her away from trouble."
Kai took his time responding, deciding that feigning ignorance was the best course of action. "Is the princess not going to Valle with you?"
Elsa laughed. "No, she'd have to get up before noon for that." Her smile faded and she narrowed her gaze at Kai. Despite her years of isolation, the queen had an uncanny knack for reading people, a talent that left some as unnerved as her magic. She quirked an eyebrow. "She's already in the courtyard, isn't she?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"Bags packed and loaded?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Elsa sighed. "Then I suppose we shouldn't keep her highness waiting."
Kai couldn't help but grin as they continued to the courtyard. A chill was in the air; a natural one, as the first rays of sunlight peeked over the mountains.
"Elsa!" Anna jumped up from where she'd been leaning against the carriage. She was clearly dressed for a long day of travel, looking comfortable in a knee-length woolen dress of red and gray, with matching red leggings peeking from the top of her boots. She cocked her head and appraised her sister. "I didn't know you owned pants."
"Anna, what are you doing?"
"I'm going with you. Obviously." Anna held up her hand, before Elsa could argue. "I know, I know, you want to do this alone. But you're not alone. Not anymore." She shrugged. "And you're just gonna have to deal with that."
"Anna—"
"And!" Anna cut her sister off once more, an act only she could get away with. "With both of us gone, the whole staff gets, like, five days off. If nothing else, I think they deserve that."
Four days, Kai corrected silently, as they would spend the day before the sisters' return ensuring the castle was in order. He wasn't about to contradict her out loud.
"Anna . . ." Elsa pressed her lips into a thin line. "It's not going to be a very exciting trip you know."
Anna shrugged. "That's okay. You'll be there."
Even from a distance, Kai could see the tension melt out of the Elsa's shoulders, her face light up with a soft smile.
"You sure you wanna come?"
Anna nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! Besides, Kristoff is going to be up in the mountains all week finishing up the last ice harvest of the season. And Olaf went with him."
"Oh, I see. I'm what, third choice?" Elsa teased.
"Technically fourth. If you count Sven."
Gerda stepped up next to Kai as the girls bantered. The two shared a knowing smile, their hearts filled to the brim at seeing the sisters reunited and genuinely happy after such a long separation.