Chapter Twenty-Four

"Some souls are connected by an ancient calling beyond worlds"

…

"I hate you,"

"I love you too Elsa," Silvanna has to resist the urge to pinch the fluffed cheeks of the Crown Princess of Arendelle, courtesy of the mouthful of chocolate that she is trying to swallow.

The two of them are currently once more in the privacy of their room merely an hour after Silvanna's arrival once more in Arendelle. News apparently travelled fast through courier pigeons. Arendelle had gotten word of the failed council of the Seven Seas Alliance two days before Silvanna arrived. Thus what awaited the Knightess were worried crowds of Arendellians praying for the safe return of their Knightess and pseudo-leader.

Elsa suffice it to say is apoplectic with worry and Silvanna thanked his lucky stars that she managed to pilfer Eugene's chocolate stash as bribe to her lover who thankfully chose to forgive her in return for the large amount of sweets. Now here the two of them are, enjoying whatever little time they have left before the Council of Arendelle once more gathers to discuss the coming war.

"Silvie, I'm afraid," Elsa finally says holding on to the more comfortable overlarge shirt that Silvanna chose to wear instead of her usual Knightess attire. The two of them are currently lying on their shared bed with Elsa still on her Crown Princess dress of violets and black nestled at her side.

Silvanna can't help but sigh as she pulls Elsa to herself taking in the sweet fragrance of the Crown Princess. Silvanna is no stranger to war. Her past self has seen some of the worst that humankind can do to one another. She is a soldier first and foremost; but even as she is, Silvanna is unable to stop the heightened feeling of senses at the coming war. Wars after all are a nasty business. It doesn't matter how skilled or how prepared you are. You will simply be brushing shoulders with death and no amount of training can stop a bullet, or in this case, an arrow or a sword running you through. It would be simply a fight for survival where luck is needed and only the carrion crows will win.

"So am I Elsa, so am I," Silvanna admits holding on to the young princess.

"I don't want you to go,"

"Elsa-," Silvanna begins to speak but is cut off as Elsa shakes her head rapidly cutting her off before putting her head at Silvanna's chest making the Knightess cover her lither frame with her arms.

"I know, I know. It is nothing but a thought," says Elsa sniffing making Silvanna's heart clench as she feels wet tears seeping through her shirt. "You are the Steward of Arendelle and basically its queen in all but name. And if I know you, you will not abandon this land. I-I j-just worry a-about you Silvanna. E-every time you disappear out o-of my sight, you t-tend to get attacked or worse. I-I don't want you to die Silvie, I don't want t-to be alone again. I w-won't survive it S-Silvie,"

"Elsa," Silvanna sighs hugging the now trembling Crown Princess. "I cannot promise that I would not die. What I can promise though is to do my utmost to remain alive so that I can return to you. So don't cry Elsa. I don't want you crying for me when I am here alive and whole,"

"R-right, I-I'm sorry S-Silvie. I-I just can't help it s-sometimes," Elsa weakly chukles pulling her head up a bit, wiping the tears off her eyes with her dress' long sleeves alongside some of the chocolate at the side of her mouth.

"On the other hand, you look cute when your entire face is puffy and red," Silvanna points out making Elsa pout cutely causing the Knightess to laugh as she leans forward and pinches the enlarged cheeks of the blonde.

"Oww, stop that Silvie, you're making my face wide; it is already roundish as it is," Elsa protests batting playfully her hands away.

Silvanna simply rolls her eyes as she instead simply places both of her palms at the sides of Elsa's face letting their heads face one another. Navy blue eyes meet baby blue ones and Silvanna smiles as she caresses the smooth skin of her friend and lover. For the life of her, until now she has no idea as to what deity above has chosen to reincarnate her to this world. She is however, very, very grateful. Elsa's beauty is otherworldly and she has made great strides in improvement. It is amazing to think that last year, she is that nervous wreck of a person who is afraid of almost her own shadow. Now she is surely starting to go out of her shell and being slowly the good monarch she is destined to be. Silvanna is grateful for her new life even though there are bumps along the way. With Elsa at her side, she would move mountains and oceans.

"You're beautiful Elsa, as you are," Silvanna simply says at the other blonde before leaning it to put a gentle kiss on her lips. She smiles through the kiss as Elsa reciprocates her actions. Both of them likes gentle soft kisses thus Silvanna does not rush it as her hands wander from Elsa's face, neck, back and finally settling in on the Crown Princess' proportionate hips.

Judging from the rather steamy moan of Elsa, that caught Silvanna by surprise (Elsa never moans that way); she knows that things are starting to get heated. She is surprised though as Elsa without warning pulls herself up on her shoulders before throwing herself above Silvanna that she is at top of her, every inch of their front pressed to one another.

"Elsa what-," Silvanna starts to ask at the rather daring move of Elsa but is once more cut off as Elsa kisses her feverishly, her warm tongue snaking on Silvanna's mouth while her soft breasts through her brassiere pushes with that of the Knightess firms ones.

"Oh gods, if she continues this I won't be able to stop myself," Silvanna mentally thinks as her mind slowly becomes feverish as Elsa's hands wander all over her face, neck and hair while at the same time their tongues duelled with one another inside the Knightess' mouth.

Silvanna is just deciding to let her hands wander to Elsa's shapely bum when the sound of the door knocking makes both women stop and disengaged from the heated lip-lock looking at one another with flushed faces, a thin trail of drool still connecting each other's lips.

Silvanna can't help it. A chuckle left her lips that turned to a laugh as she pulls Elsa to her once more hugging her simply; their warmth shared despite the layers of fabric of Elsa's dress and her shirt.

"I love you Elsa," Silvanna finally says as Elsa's hands snaked around her waist.

"Love you too Silvie, always,"

Silvanna can't help but smile giddily at her Elsa's reply. She's just deciding to lean in for a kiss once more when the knock on the door sounded making Silvanna groan loudly as Elsa just giggles. It looks liem its time for stately affairs once more. Getting up from the bed after nudging Elsa off of her, Silvanna starts to pick up her discarded attire only to shrug and toss it away before heading to the wardrobe to pick one of the formal dresses there. Elsa after all, preferred her wearing a dress instead of pants.

Silvanna will not disappoint; though as always, she will do it with style. She would not be the Knightess of Arendelle without it.

….

Anna waits nervously as she fidgets outside Elsa's and Silvanna's room. Of course like everyone else, she knows about the muster of Arendelle. Anna however does not feel afraid and panicky like the rest of the people of Arendelle, no. What Anna feels is deep seated anger. Anger at the barbarians coming to wreck the life she has and the lives that the people around her have. The emotion surprised even her. Anna wants to go out there with the army and put to steel these bastards that dare attack her home.

At least the fantastical part of her wants it. The realistic part of her however knows that it would never happen. She is after all the second Princess of Arendelle and it is not her place to go out and march to war. But damnit! She wants to go. It's not like she does not know how to fight. Her lessons with the rapier are going smoothly though she is still annoyed that she cannot touch Alucard with it. At least he is not simply avoiding her like before but is instead forced to block.

The sound of the door creaking open makes Anna perk up. Of course she is here after all as the Second Princess of Arendelle and officially to inform Silvanna about the Council's summons. Unoficially though, Anna wants to see her friend after the failed meeting of the Seven Seas Alliance. She just hopes that it would be Silvanna, not Elsa who would be opening the door. Anna does not believe that her heart can handle seeing her sister bolt away in fear at the sight of her the second time.

For a split second Anna thinks that her fear is realized as a beautiful blonde woman steps out wearing a dress. She breathes a sigh of relief though as she sees that it is Silvanna instead of Elsa. The Knightess she admits looks good in a pale silver dress; though it is revealing in a way that is scandalous in society. The trims of both sides are opened showing her elegant legs and the dress hugs her curves illegally. The upper part of the dress is also shoulder less giving off an impressive amount of skin that goes all the way to the small of her back. Her blonde hair is also down with a tiara at her brow gleaming. Her attire looks more than good in fact if the open jaws of the guards standing mesmerized are indications to be taken into account.

"Anna," the regal voice of Silvanna sounds surprised at the sight of her. "What are you doing here?" Her eyes though narrowed as she approached Anna and hugs her. "You know why you should not be here," the stern whisper of Silvanna at her ear makes Anna shiver.

"I know, I know. I just have to see you after I heard about the incident at the meeting," Anna reasons out softly as the two of them disentangles from the hug. "Are you alright Silvanna?"

"As I could be," the Knightess simply shrugs. "Maybe a bit sore and seasick from the travel but not banged up thankfully. Are you here to tell me about the Council?" she asks perking up.

"Yes, they sent me to tell you that the nobles have already gathered at the War Chamber. They also expect my sister to be there," points out Anna preparing to bolt in the event that Elsa appears behind Silvanna.

"Elsa will be behind me. She has to freshen up a bit," waves off Silvanna before chuckling. "She is not too happy about me leaving; and the circumstances of the manner of my return had made her distraught. We spent some time arguing,"

"I see," Anna blinks before a bell sound makes both women turn in attention. "I guess that's the Council calling for you Silvanna. Good luck out there,"

"Thanks Anna, and please do go now before your sister appears," nods Silvanna hugging her before heading off to the hallway towards the Council Chambers.

As Silvanna leaves though, Anna can't help but wonder about the red marks marring the soft side of the Knightess' neck. Last time she has seen Silvanna, those marks are not there. What in the world put those marks? Oh well, she better go now and ask Alucard about them. The young handsome man might have that giant stick up his ass, but Anna appreciates that he knows almost everything.

….

"Let this Council be in session," Jonathan Johnson states formally as the entirety of Arendelle's Council takes their seats on the side of the rectangular table with Silvanna and Elsa at head as their stations dictated. Everyone of course looks somber and Silvanna can't blame them. After all, they are facing an invasion soon.

"First and foremost, let me be the first to welcome back our beloved Steward and Knightess of Arendelle for her safe return after the unfortunate incident at the meeting of the Seven Seas Alliance," says the Prime Minister looking at Silvanna who nods at her cue as she stands up.

"Thank you Prime Minister for your words of welcome. Now for our first and only order of the day, we will discuss about the threat that Nogrod is posing on us. Make no mistake gentlemen, the threat is real and it will come either we like it or not. This is the situation that we are in; so in the name of this country that we serve, will stomp the bastards down or die trying. Now first things first, I have heard from our dearest princess here that news have come about the meeting in Scaoya. Do we have any information about the response of the leaders of the other nations other than Prince Eugene of Corona making his way back home right now?"

When everybody winced, Silvanna knows then and there that whatever news that follows would be simply bad.

"I'm afraid we do milady," sighs Lord Blackwall, the Minister of Foreign Affairs putting his clasped hands on the table. "We are wrong in the first assumption that you are the only visiting dignitary that got attacked at Scaoya Lady Silvanna. All of the members of the Alliance are victims and unfortunately only you and Prince Eugene are the only ones who got away. Lady Ingrid of Lescana died when a suicide bomber set off barrels of gunpower in her ship; The Kings of Eglyae, Ashein and Aprua are killed when they are visiting the infamous kilometre hanging bridge of Scaoya. Apparently someone murdered the bridge guards and hacked the ropes off of both sides dropping the kings a thousand feet of open air. The young king of Scaoya on the other hand are killed by a coup detat from one of his generals the same day that you are attacked. We believed that whoever architected the attack is an excellent masterpiece assassin. With majority of the leaders dead, the countries are currently stalled with indecision,"

"So basically we have no allies left?" asks Silvanna making Lord Blackwall nod wiping a sheen of sweat from his brow with a handkerchief.

"In a way other than Corona, yes,"

"I see," Silvanna sighs trying hard not to show the mind numbing fear that settles on her. The last thing that the Council needs to see now is their ruler panicking and trembling. Back in her previous life, she is a soldier. Good soldiers follow orders and simply deal with them at the same time concerning himself or herself with the lives of her squadmates. As a leader though of a nation, lives by the hundreds hang on every word she says. It is pretty daunting to say the least and positively mind numbing. "So the Seven Seas Alliance is dead then. But it doesn't matter. We will still our homeland. General Horst!"

"Milady," the general stands in attention at the mention of his name.

"I have given you three days to call on the royal army and the levies. Have your statisticians finished calculating our numbers?" asks Silvanna.

"Yes Milady. As per your orders, the royal army of Arendelle is armed and ready to be deployed in a moment's notice. Under its banner are thirteen thousand spears alongside three hundred of the Winged Hussars. The raised levies on the other hand by our nobles and the recruited militia number another five thousand with an assortment of two thousand mercenaries willing to fight for our cause. All in all with have at least twenty thousand men ready and waiting,"

"Twenty thousand men against a hundred thousand, that is more than enough," Silvanna simply says throwing a large map on the Council Table stopping any sort of panicked protest as it rolls over the long hardwood showing a concrete and evident map of Lescana.

"Now before any of you starts protesting that our position is perilous, I want you to put aside your panic and fear and listen to me without shouting your opinions. Now this is the map of Lescana, the island nation which the main army of Nogrod is trying to occupy. With the death of Lady Ingrid, its ruler; Lescana is sure to fall. Now I understand that some of you might be thinking as to why we are talking about Lescana when our concern is about Arendelle. Am I right?"

When silent nods from the observers of the table answers her Silvanna pushes on explaining the plan she has come up with on the way here.

"We have a choice here ladies and gentlemen. Either we fight the Nogrodians here on Arendelle where the collateral damage to our land and properties be large or we fight them at Lescana and stop them on their tracks before they could approach our shores. Personally I prefer that we fight them there for any battle in our island will be bloody due to our terrain,"

"We will have the home field advantage though," points out Horst. "However I ado agree with your assessment. If we fight them here, our civilians will be victims of the battle. The Nogrodions after all does not care if soldier or civilian fall on their axes. Bloody barbarians all of them,"

"Thanks for the comment General Horst," Silvanna simply says dryly. "Now where was I? Oh yes. As I have deduced, we cannot fight the Nogrodions in a pitched battle. What we can do though is hit them where it hurts. Supplies, food, water, weaponry, anything that would render their fighting spirit down; death by a thousand cuts. An army that large would be traveling with a very large supply train to keep it fed and watered. We cut that down; we cut their army's legs and put them in a position where we want them. Our Rangers have already sent messages to the Katari twenty-six, the nobles leading the remnants of Lescana's military. The land of Lescana is a dense forest jungle, ideal for the plan that we are about to do. The Lescanians will be aiding us hunting down this large army and push them off their homeland. Also Lord Jonathan,"

"Milady?" the Prime Minister blinks at the mention of his name.

"Send word to Corona for aid. The Seven Seas Alliance might be destroyed, but Corona and Arendelle shares an alliance by marriage through our dear Queen Idun and King Agdarr. It is time for them to answer the call to war. Make sure that they come Prime Minister. Corona has the largest fleet of the Seven Seas Alliance of fifteen Galleons with the latest gunpowder technology has to offer. We bring them to the fold then we can entrap that massive army inland where they would be prone to our hit and run attacks,"

"Yes milady,"

"Now that is the plan. Do we have any questions or opinions?" Silvanna looks at the gathered members of the Council.

"Twenty thousand against a hundred thousand, is victory even possible?" asks Lord Spinach in awe looking at the map of Lescana.

"Anything is possible when the heart and mind is set in order for a common purpose milord," Silvanna answers simply. "I have heard of a story once of an ancient land called Sparta. When a foreign king whose army numbered by the millions marched on them. Only three hundred men answered the call to war alongside their king. They held off an army that large for three days and dealt damage by the thousands that the Persian King at the end are forced to turn back even though every single one of the three hundred died. We can also do the same here. We fight for Arendelle. We fight for its people. We stay true to that and we will win,"

"Uhmm…I have a question though," the small voice of Elsa makes every member of the Council look at the Crown Princess who has raised her hand. Silvanna smiles softly as she sees through the façade of her friend. Elsa is uncomfortable with the eyes glued on her but pushes on nevertheless.

"Will you Silvanna be leading the army at the forefront?" asks Elsa looking at her with concealed worry on her eyes.

Silvanna just lets off a sigh letting her hand travel over her unbraided long locks. "Yes your highness, I will be. What kind of leader when I be if I sent my men off to war without me leading them on the vanguard? It would be unfair for them and be unfair for me. No, if we plan to have any victory here. I need to be what the soldiers and the people expect me to be, the Knightess of Arendelle, their leader and saviour,"

"But-,"

"I will be alright Elsa," Silvanna states sternly raising a hand to stop Elsa's protest giving her a soft smile. "I will be alright. I would be fighting with the Winged Hussars and woe betide those stupid enough that tries to go through them,"

"Alright, I have no more questions," Elsa acquiesces bowing her head.

"I thank you for the concern your highness, but I would be alright. Now, are there any more concerns?" When none came from the rest of the Council, Silvanna simply takes a deep breathe. Finally, it seems that things are coming to a head in this war.

"Good, then we stick to the plan. The entirety of Arendelle's force will leave in two days' time. Everyone make the preparations. Now Ashe as for the….,"

The rest of the meeting continues to go on as the discussion turns to the things that need to be addressed for the upcoming full mobilization of Arendelle's army. One thing is for sure though:

Arendelle is going to follow its Knightess into the flames of war.

…

Author's Note:

Hiii, sorry a late upload again. Been playing Greedfall so far in PS4 and being immersed on it. Stay safe people. Once more thank you for the favs and follows at least since my Reviews are lacking other than that guy named Moron. Thank you King in the North by the way for fighting my battles for me. You really know how to make a lady feel special.