Chapter Twenty-Two
"Some souls are connected by an ancient calling beyond worlds"
…
Lightning cracks over the skies bringing with it the sound of thunder. For the country of Arendelle, experiencing a thunderstorm is a rare occurrence. Most of the times it is just snows and blizzards with the occasional rain. This far North however lightning and thunderstorms seldom pass.
Another crack of lightning lights the skies making some of the unlucky inhabitants Arendelle caught in the open run for cover as the heavy torrents of rain start to fall. Even the guards that usually man the large gates of the closed castle take cover on their small guard posts at the walls in order to avoid being buffeted by the wind and falling water. However unlike the unlucky sods unprotected by the perils of the weather, one inhabitant of the castle wakes up, but not because of the heavy weather.
"Shhh, shh, sleep now for I am here," Elsa hums a small lullaby as she holds in her arms the form of little Kaldita who is crying quite loudly due to the sound of thunder and lightning.
"You know little one, you have nothing to fear. You know why? Because you are loved," mumbles Elsa to the small baby whose cries seem to get louder. Sighing she immediately lets off a small lullaby that her mother once did for Anna with Elsa listening.
"Sleep, my dear baby. Be still and don't cry. I have a prayer just for you. Please take her somewhere where she will be free….," the rest Elsa does not know the lyrics but she simply hums the tone. A part of her feels elated as the small child seems to react to her voice nuzzling her through her nightgown before going to sleep in a few seconds.
With Kaldita now asleep, Elsa gingerly puts her back on her provided crib making sure to arrange the pillows to make her more comfortable. Satisfied with her work, she leans down to put a kiss on the brow of the sleeping child before slowly backing away looking at the small angelic being resting in slumber. Elsa lets off a small squeak though as a pair of arms encircles her waist making her jump a bit at the unbidden contact. Of course seeing that there are only three souls in the room, Elsa included, it is pretty obvious who it is that is being handsy with her.
"Don't do that Silvie," she hisses at the culprit but with no real venom on her voice. "You know I can barely hear you when you're not wearing those large heels of yours,"
"Sorry, can't resist," the Knightess simply chuckles placing a soft kiss on Elsa's cheek before setting her chin on the Crown Princess' shoulder staring at the small tyke in front of them. Elsa does not miss the fact that she hasn't removed her arms around her shapely hips either. "You are a natural at this Elsa,"
Elsa simply snorts at her words. "I'm not. I just got a little experience watching my mother tuck Anna when she is smaller," a small smile grazed her lips as she recalls the past memories. "It is of happier times before my power really starts to manifest. I used to sing lullabies back then,"
"I agree to disagree," Silvanna simply replies. "You know how to handle our little baby here; even more than me. Trust me when I say that you have the makings of a good mother Elsa,"
"Our little baby?" Elsa simply quirks an eyebrow at her friend and lover though she blushes softly at the compliment that she will make a good mother.
"Yes, unless of course you plan to take care of her alone and not include me on the baby duties then be my guest," Silvanna teases pinching Elsa's hip through her night gown making the Crown Princess "eep" at the touch.
"Don't do that Silvie lest you wake the baby," Elsa swipes the infuriating hand away from her hips. Silvanna however simply transfers it to Elsa's developing derriere causing the Crown princess to color crimson before turning her head to glare at the playful face of Silvanna.
"You are a tease,"
"I know," Silvanna simply chuckles pushing her head forward to nuzzle Elsa's cute nose with her own.
"I guess I can let you handle some of the baby duties Silvie," Elsa replies acting out a thinking pose. "Somebody after all needs to change her diapers and clean her crib,"
"Ouch! Alright I'll do it. But I need proper compensation for that," Silvanna answers with her own act putting a hand on her chest.
"And what compensation are we talking about here Silvie?" Elsa purrs, eyes looking suggestively at the bed.
"How about…..you?" Silvanna grins mischievously, her smile promising countless hidden things that make Elsa lick her lips in anticipation as familiar flurries appear in her stomach.
"I guess I can get on board with that. Shall we start now? You need to change little Kaldita's nappies bright and early tomorrow after all,"
Silvanna simply replies with a silent laugh, her face full of mirth pulling Elsa to their shared bed before crashing on it with the Crown Princess atop the Knightess. Elsa wastes no time pressing down her body to mesh with Silvanna's her lips mashing to that of her friend. As usual, their kissing is sweet but emotional as hands wandered to "allowed designated places" as both women try to touch as much of the other as possible.
It has been two days, two days ever since the entrance of little Kaldita on their lives. In a way Elsa is both apprehensive and relieved at the same time. Relieved due to the fact that it is not some kind of monster abomination that appeared out of the egg and apprehensive because of the simple fact that the baby reborn immortal needs to be taken care of her and Silvanna.
That unfortunately is simply non-negotiable with the reasoning that Kaldita is like her having powers of her own. Unlike Elsa's though, hers is more vivid can be physically seen. When the baby immortal first hatched from her egg, suffice it to say Elsa almost fainted at the sight. Kaldita's upper body from the waist up is human. Her lower half though is fish with the fins, scales and all. The reborn immortal is a mermaid. Once Elsa got over her shock, she has to admit that Kaldita is cute though. Her fins are sky blue with bits of gold on it. Ignoring the part where she is not fully human, she is adorable in every way clinging to Elsa like her mother. In a way she should have expected that outcome though. Ahtohallan is a merman, it is simply reasonable to expect that the reborn being should also be the same.
With a little experimentation of both the Horadrim and Silvanna, they soon found out that the fins of the baby are not permanent, no. Her lower half when not dipped in sea water transforms to regular legs. Only when it is in contact with sea water does it transform back its original fins. That knowledge can help Kaldita blend in thankfully.
Of course with that secret plus the original secret of her being a powerful being came the issue of what to do with the child. The idea of imprisoning her was immediately thrown out of the window the moment the adorable tyke made a goo2x sound. Everyone agreed of taking care of her, but the question remained of who. The Horadrim volunteered, saying that she will be a benefit of their ranks, the Rangers also did with the idea of taking her in the Corps and raising her in secrecy as one of them, some suggested that she be raised in secrecy on the caves with a rotation of caretakers. Elsa however surprised herself by stepping forward declaring that she would be the one to take care of the child and be raising her as a princess of the realm of Arendelle. Her reasoning was that both of had powers and who better to raise her than someone who had spent her entire life learning how to hide her own magic? Thankfully Silvanna acquiesced to her opinion which made the Rangers and the Horadrim agree though a bit reluctantly.
Of course they had to re-evaluate Elsa's plans a bit for two reasons. One was the simple fact that being royalty, Elsa cannot simply grab a random baby and adopt him or her. Their stations made it impossible and an issue later of the succession. Secondly was the friendly reminder that despite being a little more mature compared to her other age group in Arendelle, Elsa was only nineteen years old and was simply not mentally or emotionally prepared to take care of a baby, (something that Elsa admits had a basis of truth).
Thus the story alibi goes the way that Kaldita was Silvanna's illegitimate child. Being a former Bounty Hunter as her backstory, it was not uncommon for someone in said profession to be sleeping around. Bounty Hunting after all was hard and dangerous work. Those who participate on the trade know the risk that every time they stepped out of their doors, they might never come back alive again. Thus they tend to live life to the fullest in their spare times. Sure Silvanna's reputation might take a hit at the revealing of Kaldita and lessens her chance of being wooed (something that Elsa was very okay about), but she would survive. She was after all Arendelle's Knightess and heroine. Only the most traditional and spiteful of the people would find it in themselves to find reason on hating her.
As expected of course the nobles and the Council didn't like it but they didn't fight it too much either. It was plain obvious that they hated the idea of bastards, but seeing that the baby was born before Silvanna entered Arendellian politics, they could not fault or be angry with her too much. There was also the incentive of course that:
Silvanna is the Steward of Arendelle and could make life very difficult for them.
Silvanna could ruin them financially seeing that their businesses are entwined with hers and the moment she pulls out, their interests would come crashing down faster like a deck of cards in the storm.
Silvanna holds their sons on the Winged Hussar Corps which was loyal to her alongside the Rangers.
Silvanna was the hero of Arendelle and it would not be a good public image of a noble dumb enough to challenge said authority and title. The people would string them up with their intestines the moment they squawk the word: "whore"
Thus after a lot of showy debating, all of them are in full agreement that little Kaldita be now adopted as the third princess royal of Arendelle, under the supervision of the state. The title unfortunately is simply a show. Every one of the nobles agreed that it would not be a good precedence for an illegitimate daughter of the Steward to be an heir to the throne. Elsa had to take a break in the special room beside the throne room to let go a bit of her anger turning the entire room to a small blizzard. They had literally called Kaldita a bastard after all and held her in contempt. It was only Silvanna following after her and calming her down did Elsa finally very reluctantly agreed to the motion agreement. Kaldita would be well provided for after all and safe with Elsa and Silvanna looking out after her. Elsa made a mental note though to revise the decision of the nobles the moment she becomes the queen.
Still, she and Silvanna got what they wanted and Princess Kaldita of Arendelle, third in line became recognized by the state and the people. Elsa had to admit it was a bit ironic though since Kaldita preferred her instead of Silvanna despite being the princess' "mother". Her friend theorized that maybe because Kaldita's former powers resonate closely with Elsa that it felt her more than Silvanna could ever be. That's why Elsa was the unofficial "mummy" of Kaldita behind closed doors. The baby is just restless when it comes to the Knightess but calms down though at the touch of Elsa.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The sound of someone banging the double doors of their bedchambers makes the two women jump away from each other with Silvanna rolling towards the stand of her spear taking it into hand immediately.
"Who is there?!" Elsa calls out hurriedly pulling in a more modest gown before rushing and pulling a crying Kaldita to her arms who is awakened by the banging.
"I'm sorry princess, but there is an urgent message that requires your attention. The Council is being awakened at this time and are gathering at the Council Chambers," the muffled familiar voice of one of their personal guards outside makes both women release a sigh of relief before looking at one another.
"I'll deal with this one Elsa. Why don't you go and rest with our little Kaldita. I'll wake you up if it needs also your attention," Silvanna gestures at her.
"Are you sure?" Elsa asks with a little bit of worry.
"Yes," Silvanna simply nods putting on a more modest night gown before leaning in to kiss Elsa on the forehead. "Now go and rest,"
"Okay," Elsa simply acquiesces watching Silvanna head out to the door and opening it showing the grave faces of their guards. She nods at them before closing the door behind her leaving Elsa on the light of the night holding Kaldita on her arms.
….
"So what is this urgent message that you have to wake me up at the middle of the night?" asks Silvanna testily looking at the guard who squirms under her sharp gaze.
"National emergency my lady. The Prime Minister urges that it is important and needs to be discussed at all haste," answers the guard. "He said that it is a matter of national urgency,"
"Fine, I'll meet him at the Council Chambers," Silvanna waves off in agreement before looking at the five guards sternly. "Nobody, and I mean nobody enters this door until I do, or morning comes, understood?"
If not for the fact that she is annoyed, Silvanna would have found their chorused answers of "Yes my lady," and "over our dead corpses," to be extremely funny. As it is she just marches over the dim hallways of Castle Arendelle at night with the occasional group of servants doing maintenance to the castle bowing at her presence. Personally staying late has never been an issue with Silvanna. However faces and reactions are a part of politics and she has to look the part of an angry Steward pulled from her nice doze.
She is surprised though as she makes the last curve towards the Council Chambers, she sees the form of Anna in her own night gown holding a small lamp at the middle of the hallway.
"Silvanna? You're also awake?" blinks the young princess in confusion.
"I am summoned to the council chambers. This is the dead of night Anna, why aren't you at your room?" Silvanna can't help but ask the fidgeting girl.
"I can't sleep. Besides I heard shouts and angry voices near my room coming from here. I thought I could see what is going on and politely ask them to simmer down,"
"Shouts from the Council Chambers?" Silvanna can't help but raise a delicate eyebrow. Now that catches her curiosity. Last Silvanna checked, the nobles involved as Council Members are the pictures of calm and self-control. Something must be riling them up if they are making enough ruckus to reach the room of Anna.
"Yes,"
"I am heading there right now," says Silvanna simply. "Why don't you go back to your room and sleep Anna. I'll ask them to quiet down so that you can rest,"
"Thank you Silvanna, good night," the young princess bows before heading back the hallways to her room.
"And Anna," Silvanna calls out making the young girl pause on her tracks and look back at her.
"Yes?"
Silvanna stares at her seriously though. "Next time you hear shouting, you stay in your room and you do not go out. If you have to, make sure to bring a guard or two with you or better, wake Alucard up. Speaking of Alucard; where is that young man anyway? As I recall his room is beside yours,"
"He's still asleep Silvanna. We trained the entire day and he must be exhausted teaching me," answers Anna honestly.
"I see," Silvanna makes a mental note to brain the schmuck later on. It is his duty to watch over Anna "all times".
"I'll be going now," Anna gives off a faint smile. "Say hi to Elsa and little Kaldita for me," she adds before disappearing into the gloom.
Silvanna is unable to stop the tired sigh that left her lips as the form of Anna disappears. The relationship between the two of them is simply not perfect right now. Anna of course like everyone in Arendelle heard the news of the new princess adopted to the royal family. She was overjoyed at first and wanted nothing more than to see little Kaldita. Unfortunately, Elsa still refused to budge on her decision not to see Anna in any way or form that would initiate any sort of contact between the two of them. Silvanna had already tried her best to make Elsa break that fear of hers but the Crown Princess remained stubborn and did not budge. Plus she also made Silvanna promise that she do not make any ploy to let the two of them meet. Silvanna reluctantly agreed.
As a result, Anna fall into a small depression when Silvanna told her about Elsa's refusal. The girl despite understanding why Elsa acts the way she does, was still finding it hard to accept that her sister did not want to see her. It also put a strain on Anna's and Silvanna's relationship with Silvanna refusing when Anna suggested that she discreetly let her enter and talk to Elsa. Ever since then, their friendship had turned frosty.
Shaking her head to clear off the malignant thoughts, Silvanna approaches the Council Chambers and wastes no time opening the doors.
"-I TELL YOU THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT ARENDELLE NEEDS RIGHT NOW!" the booming voice of Jonathan Johnson followed by a more louder shout from General Horst makes Silvanna pause. Anna is not joking when she said that the Council is making a ruckus.
Still, she can't have that. Tempers are not the way when dealing with emergencies and national worries.
"ENOUGH!" Silvanna's voice cracked like a whip making the entirety of the Council Chamber silent as all members dressed in an assortment of night gowns and sleeping robes stare at her, just noticing her arrival.
Silvanna simply walks at the front of the table amid their silent gazes before standing in front of her familiar chair looking at them all in a displeased manner.
"You are all nobles of Arendelle and members of its High Council. You WILL act out in an appropriate manner befitting your station with calm and common sense. I understand that this is some kind of national urgency but that is no way to discuss things. We all have one purpose here in this Council, the betterment of Arendelle, so you will STOP shouting and start DISCUSSING. Am I understood?"
"Yes Steward," the murmurs of the different Council Members replied in a chastised manner as they take their seats.
"Good," Silvanna sits on her chair before looking at Jonathan Johnson, the Prime Minister. "Now, what is this emergency that you have to wake all of us in the dead of night?"
"This my lady," he places a simple banner with a white flag with seven stars engraved around a circle making Silvanna's eyebrows rise in surprise. "A messenger arrived late at Lord Blackwall's residence bearing this," he indicates to the foreign minister. "We are being summoned as a member of the Seven Seas Alliance. The desert raiders of Nogrod once more are moving again. They have already decimated the fortress of Turambar which belongs to the nation of Lescana. Their queen, lady Inussan have called the old allies back to deal with this threat,"
"I see," Silvanna simply says feeling the ominous feeling brought by a simple flag.
Of course she knows how important and crucial this is. The Seven Seas Alliance is first created when the raiders of Nogrod with their army of thousands upon thousands first breached the known world. The first country that challenged them, the island nation of Nihonja with their fabled Arashis, sword masters are put to waste. The Nogrodions, berserkers of the deserts may not have castle steel or muskets but what they have are numbers. It is said that the Arashis filled hills of dead from them but they kept on coming burying the sword masters with bodies. In lieu of the threat, the seven small nations of Corona, Arendelle, Lescana, Scaoya, Eglyae, Ashein and Aprua gathered together to face this threat. Each of the nations are small, but together with their assembled riches and arms they managed to gather a large fighting force and push back the Nogrodions with heavy cost back to their deserts. It has been a generation and a half since the great war with Elsa's grandfather fighting on it. Now it seems, fate has once more put its toe out. In the movie, this war or threat never happened. Something is wrong here. Still, this is a problem and Silvanna knows that it is her mess to care now.
"Did the letter of warning bring any information as to the Nogrodions?" asks Silvanna.
"Only two I'm afraid," answers Blackrock with his silky voice. "First is they are assembling the borders of Lescana burning and raping, committing the oldest sins in the newest ways. Secondly, their numbers are at least a hundred thousand if the letter is to be believed,"
"A hundred thousand that is impossible! The last time-,"
"ENOUGH!" Silvanna shouts cutting off the spluttering protest of Lord Spinach. "Panicking will not help us. General Horst!" she barks out making the general stand.
"My lady," he salutes crisply.
"I will go to the Council of the Seven Seas Alliance at Scaoya. I want you to marshal the royal army of Arendelle. You have three days at best. I want them ready, and I want them armed to the teeth. I leave that to you and Lord Spinach to coordinate,"
"Yes my lady," bows the General and the Tradesman.
"Lord Viktor, Lord Blackwall," Silvanna turns to the two older men. "Send word to the nobles under your banners. Raise the levies and train them as best as you can. Also hire mercenaries that want to fight. This task I entrust to both of you, the treasury is overflowing so spare no expense,"
"Yes my lady,"
"Captain Price, Commander Rex, and Ship Mistress Miya. The task of logistics I entrust to you three. Arendelle is at war footing and the people will be restless. Captain, your Ranger Corps is needed now more than ever. Keep the peace in this country, make sure that we don't have riots on our streets. Commander Rex, ready the Winged Hussars. They are expected to do great things. This is great enough to warrant their attention. Mistress Miya, prepare the Navy to ferry the army. Coordinate with both General Horst and the rest. Am I understood?"
"Yes my lady,"
Silvanna stands up making the rest of the Council Members look at her with something akin to pride. Even dressed in a night gown and fluffy slippers, Silvanna still bears a regality that demands respect as she stood tall.
"The Seven Seas Alliance is called and we will answer. Tomorrow I sail to Scaoya for the Council. When I go back, it will be to sail to war. Until then, the safety of Arendelle I entrust to all of your hands, especially you Prime Minister Jonathan. Crown Princess Elsa will have the final word in everything, but make decisions before you go to her. I don't want to return and see my friend panicked and terrified with all of you heaping issue upon issue to her. Am I understood?"
"Yes, my lady!" the voices of the Council respond in unison.
….
Somewhere on the outskirts of Arendelle, a being smirked looking down at the castle being encased in the downpour of rain. His eyes shine violet with the one at the left looking positively monster-like glowing like coals. His entire left arm is also encased with violet carapace gleaming a pulsing dark purple. A snake like tongue leaves his mouth and licking his lips as he looks at anticipation on the figure stepping out of the balcony, dirty blonde ponytail being seen even in this distance.
"Soon sister, soon; you will be mine,"
…
Author's Note:
Sorry for the long update readers. I've been engrossed playing Mass Effect Andromeda. That's why I haven't updated. Anyway please review and thanks for the support as ever.