A Fork in the Road
It was evening by the time they reached the castle. As soon as they had turned their horses over to the castle steward, Elsa walked to the courtyard with Heinrick and Hermod following behind her. She raised her hands outward and upward, and the huge snowflake began to coalesce in the sky, oriented vertically. It glowed brighter and brighter, and as soon as Enceladus burst through, they could hear Anna screaming even over the noise of the shattering portal. Enceladus coasted in a wide arc and then winged his stalling backbeats as he settled onto the courtyard. Elsa braced herself this time.
"That happened," said Kristoff with eyes wide as saucers.
Anna looked as terrified as Elsa had ever seen her. After looking around for a few seconds, her eyes took in the familiarity of the place and finally settled on Elsa. "What's going on?" she squeaked breathlessly.
"I'm so sorry, you two, but we need Enceladus. We have to get to Crescent Bay as quickly as we possibly can."
"Crescent Bay…" Anna nodded like it made total sense.
"Come on then, Feisty-pants," said Kristoff. He helped her out of the saddle and ushered her shakily down Enceladus' wing.
"That was … that was … intense," said Anna. "We were going along and suddenly Enceladus dove for this glowing light. We didn't know if he was hurt and crashing, or what! And then that deafening noise…"
Thanks for the warning, Elsa thought. "We'll be gone overnight; hopefully not longer." Elsa looked at the large single saddle on Enceladus, and with a blush divided it back into a pair of saddles, one in front of the other. She began her ascent with Heinrick following.
"Hold up," said Kristoff. "You'll need these, I'm telling you." He held out the goggles and scarfs that he and Anna had been using.
"Not if I do this right," she said with a smile. Once she was seated, with Heinrick behind her, she formed the portal – flat on the courtyard, just in front of Enceladus. Anna and Kristoff stood wide-eyed and gaping as Enceladus hopped high in the air, folded his wings against his sides, and disappeared into the glowing white light with a reverberating smash. They hadn't gotten their hands to their ears in time…
About half a mile outside of Crescent Bay, a glowing white light had formed just above the treetops. Enceladus sprang upward from its top, and quickly unfurled his wings to settle them onto a clearing on the forest floor. There wasn't room for him to lower a wing for them to walk down, so he held up a pair of wing talons for them to climb onto. Elsa and Heinrick dismounted, and Elsa said, "go stay in the mountains, great one. I'll call you when we're ready to leave."
They walked purposefully into town, where they drew attention immediately. It wasn't long before a bewildered Baron Hoskins came to greet them. "Your … your majesty!? Are you traveling alone?"
"Yes and no," she replied. "I regret to inform you that Patrice is no longer with us, and I don't believe my promise to Fenris' family was ever fulfilled. I've come to attend to the matter personally."
"I see," he said. "Their farm isn't far out of town. I shall take you there."
"I know we've interrupted you. If it's not far, I'm sure we can find it ourselves," she replied.
He thought for a moment. "In the dark ... let me send Svenson's boy Aaric to guide you, just in case."
"Very well." A boy no older than twelve arrived with a lantern and they began their trek. "How far is it?" Elsa asked.
"Only about a mile," Aaric answered. They walked in silence as the stars multiplied in the sky. Once they arrived, Elsa thanked him and told him he could return to town. Then she knocked on the farmhouse door. A moment later a well-tanned woman opened it. It took a few seconds for recognition to set in, after which she put both her hands over her mouth, took a step back, and declared, "your majesty!?"
Elsa finally realized, having now been in Mittergaard and Falster for several weeks, that what she had been regarding as a tan was actually their natural skin color. She chided herself for her ignorance. "I'm very sorry for this surprise visit, ma'am, but there's an important matter we need to discuss with you and your husband," she said. The woman looked confused and concerned. At that moment an equally flustered man joined her at the door. "May we come in?" Elsa asked.
"Oh, ye – yes, of course!" she said. Elsa and Heinrick entered, and the man shut the door behind them. They took seats around the small kitchen table.
"This is prince Heinrick of Mittergaard," Elsa said. "May I ask your names?"
The man spoke. "My name is Quince, and my wife's name is Maria."
"And Fenris is your son?" Heinrick asked.
The couple exchanged a glance. "Ye – yes," Quince answered. "Is he in trouble?"
"No," said Elsa, with a reassuring smile. "I met him several weeks ago in Crescent Bay. Did he mention it?"
"He did," Quince answered.
"He also mentioned that he is adopted," she continued. "Would you tell me the story?" Quince's eyes flitted to a point behind where Elsa and Heinrick were seated. The two of them turned to look, and saw a wide-eyed Fenris standing on the stairs looking at them. "Fenris," Elsa said with a smile. "Please join us." He approached warily and drew up another chair.
Quince cleared his throat and glanced at Maria. "We've … not discussed this," he said. He drew a deep quiet breath and began. "Maria is from Falster. She and I met in Westhaven. Both of us have siblings who attended school there, and we went to attend their graduation. We ... hit it off right away, corresponded, and eventually married. In a couple years it became clear that we would not be able to have any children of our own. We went to Falster to visit her sister, and stopped by an orphanage on the way back. That's where we met Fenris."
"Was the orphanage in Bieves?" Heinrick asked.
"It was," Quince answered.
Elsa and Heinrick exchanged a long glance. Then he began. "We have some weighty news for you. We have found out who Fenris' birth parents are, and it has become a matter of importance." He paused. "The crown prince of Falster had a one-armed son named Fenris whom he gave up for adoption." He paused, giving them a moment to digest that news. "We've traced the path through the orphanage to you. We believe you are that son: Fenris Falster." Fenris put his hand on his forehead in shock.
"What – what does this mean?" Maria asked.
"It means you are in line to the throne," Elsa responded gently.
"Here's where the matter gains some urgency," Heinrick continued. "Queen Elsa and I have been working in Falster for the last several weeks, during which time it has become clear that the entire royal family was killed in a coup two months ago. The … throne of Falster is yours, if you desire it." Fenris began to laugh in disbelief, but his laughter gradually petered out as he saw the seriousness on their faces.
"A king?" he declared. "I'm a farmer. What do I know about being a king?"
"Enough to be a good one," Elsa said with a reassuring smile. "The best leaders understand the perspective of the common man. Courtly manners can be learned, but that kind of understanding cannot."
Fenris stood and began backing away from the table. "No. No!" he said firmly.
Elsa held up her hand. "Fenris. Please take time to think about it. When I met you, you said you wanted to study philosophy and become a teacher or a civil servant of some kind. This is an opportunity to do both – on the grandest scale imaginable. If you want to walk away from it, you can: the only ones who know about this are the people in this room. Prince Heinrick and I will keep the matter to ourselves, and you can continue on your present course. The matter will never come up again."
"There is some urgency, though," Heinrick added. "We must ask you to make your decision by morning. We will return then to hear what it is. Be assured – should you decide to do it, you will have others, including us, who will help you succeed."
Elsa looked at Quince and Maria. Quince was sweating and breathing raggedly. Maria had tears running down her cheeks. "I'm so sorry to drop this on you so suddenly, she said. I well remember the weight of having my parents' crown fall upon my head five years ago." They stood, and Elsa felt the freedom to give Maria a hug. She put her hand on Quince's shoulder in reassurance. Heinrick shook a dazed Fenris' hand, and they excused themselves and quietly let themselves out. The family had not said a word. They walked quietly back to town, where a flustered inn keeper found them a pair of rooms.
Since Anna had not been able to get home with news, Elsa wrote a quick letter to Bishop Norgaard to reassure him that they were safe and describe what had been accomplished in Falster. She also included instructions for the helper for Fenris' parents.
Elsa had requested that the inn keeper bring them food the next morning and include its cost on their account. They ate in Heinrick's room. "Do you think it's late enough?" Heinrick asked.
Elsa nodded. "Yes. Let's see how this ends." They left the inn and made their way through town. Word had spread that they were there, and many of the people had found reasons to be along their route to give greetings, including Baron Hoskins. Elsa returned the greetings with smiles and nods. To the Baron she handed the letter and said, "please get this to Arendelle city as quickly as possible." He nodded, then bowed.
The walk to the farm was easy enough in the daylight, but Elsa reflected that she had been glad for the lantern and the guide the night before. When they knocked at the door, it opened immediately. Maria looked like she had spent much of the night getting the house prepared for a royal visit. Quince looked equally worn out. Fenris was nowhere to be seen. "How was your night?" Elsa asked wryly.
"Short," Quince replied. Elsa caught Maria's disapproving glance regarding her husband's terseness.
"Fenris has been out in the fields all night," Maria added. "We haven't seen him yet." Elsa nodded uneasily. They all took a seat to wait, and a moment later Fenris let himself in the back door. He had an expression that was somewhere between resolve and panic. Elsa and Heinrick held their breath.
"I'll do it."
Maria covered her mouth with her hands. Quince smiled proudly. "Thank heavens," Elsa said, letting out her breath.
"Why do you say that?" Quince asked in surprise.
"Because Falster would fall into turmoil otherwise," Heinrick said. "They've never been without a king, and no one there knows what to do."
Fenris sat with them. His face was showing more resolve than panic now. "What happens next?"
"The first thing that has to happen is that Falster needs to know there is a living remnant of the royal family – an heir. To do that, you need to come to Falster with us."
He looked around. "Just – just like that?"
"Temporarily," Elsa explained. "Once that matter is settled, the timeline for what happens next is flexible."
He nodded, then looked at his adoptive parents, as if seeking their approval.
"Go on, son," Quince said with a proud smile. "We'll be fine."
"I'll get them that helper I promised," Elsa reminded him. "Although, long term, you might consider moving to the royal city…" she suggested to them.
They looked at one another. They looked a little overwhelmed. "One thing at a time, your majesty," said Quince.
"When do we leave?" Fenris asked.
"As soon as possible. Now, if you're ready," said Elsa.
"Uh … give me a few minutes…"
Elsa and Heinrick excused themselves to wait for him outside. He came out about fifteen minutes later, wearing what Elsa guessed were the nicest clothes he owned, and carrying a small suitcase in his left hand. His parents stood in the door proudly. They said their goodbyes, and once they were out of earshot of the farmhouse, Heinrick said, "our mode of travel is … nothing you've ever experienced before. Just remember that queen Elsa has a lot of talents that you've never seen, and trust us."
"Ok…" he said with a little concern.
"Is there a clearing in the trees nearby?" Elsa asked. Maybe about 100 feet across?"
He thought for a moment. "There is. It's a little way into the woods. Why?"
"We have to catch a flight."
"A flight?"
Elsa and Heinrick exchanged a smirk.
After picking their way through the woods with Fenris in the lead, the forest opened onto a clearing – only it wasn't very clear. It was full of white dragon. Fenris gasped and took a step backward. Elsa and Heinrick were there to steady him.
"It's ok," said Elsa. "He's friendly." She turned the pair of saddles into a trio of saddles. Enceladus held out his wing talons and the three of them carefully balanced on them as he lifted them up to his back. They positioned Fenris in the middle saddle with Heinrick in back.
"Hold on," said Elsa.
Heinrick leaned forward and added, "and when we plunge into the white light, cover your ears!"
Moments later they sprang out above the Falster castle courtyard with Fenris still wide-eyed and yelling. "How am I supposed to cover my ears and hold on with only one arm?" he shouted at Heinrick. Enceladus lowered his wing and the two of them helped a wobbly Fenris to the ground. Anna, Kristoff, and Hermod arrived at the castle door.
Hermod gasped when he saw Fenris. "You look just like your father!" he said in amazement. Elsa and Heinrick smiled.
Elsa sent a runner into the city to request that the mayors schedule a meeting that afternoon. "Tell them we have some surprising news for them," she said. They spent the rest of the morning preparing Fenris for his introduction. The castle staff were all as shocked and fascinated as Hermod had been.
None of the clothes in the castle were tailored for a one-armed man, of course. Elsa knew how she would choose in the same situation, but she decided to make the offer anyway. "Fenris, I could fashion you a place-holder for your arm, if you wish. Under a sleeve and a glove it wouldn't be noticeable."
He thought for a moment. "Do you think it would be necessary for them to accept me?" he asked.
"I can't say."
"Then no. Lack of authenticity would be a poor way to begin." Then more quietly he quoted, "'Hateful to me as the gates of Hades is that man who hides one thing in his heart and speaks another.' Homer said that."
Elsa smiled. He's going to be a great king. The castle staff quickly altered a suit appropriately for him. Soon after lunch they received word that the mayors were available and waiting for them. Elsa could see Fenris trembling. She put a hand on his arm. "You're going to do great. I doubt you'll even have to say anything." Elsa, Heinrick, and Hermod walked with him to the large meeting hall in the city, where the mayors were all assembled in anticipation. When Fenris entered, a wave of gasps rolled across the room, followed by chatter. Mayor Henry held up his hands to restore focus.
Elsa guided Fenris to the front of the room and then stood alongside him with her hands clasped at her waist. "Gentlemen," she began, "all of what I am about to tell you can be verified by the parties involved. Chief butler Hermod made us aware of the fact that crown prince Nielsson and princess Isabella's child, Fenris Falster, did not in fact perish a few days after birth twenty years ago. Their butler, Hermod, personally took the child to the orphanage in Bieves after prince Nielsson refused to accept him on account of his missing arm. From there he was adopted by a family now living in Arendelle. I happened to have met this family, so I was able to track him down." She looked over at Hermod. "Do you have anything to add?"
"No, your majesty, except to say that what you say is true, and I am available to answer whatever questions you may have in the matter."
There was another wave of chatter, which mayor Henry eventually quieted. One of the mayors stood and said, "does the young man have anything to say for himself?"
Elsa's breath caught. She looked at Fenris, who looked like a deer in the headlights. He looked at her for guidance. "Go on," she whispered. "Just speak from your heart."
He cleared his throat. Sniffed. Cleared his throat again. "This has – " he began in a tone that was only audible on the platform.
"Louder!" Elsa whispered.
He gave a slight nod. "This has ... this has been a huge shock to me as well. I was a farmer ... although I've always felt that I was meant to be something else." He paused, looking for words. "If you will have me, I beg for your patience. The philosopher Epictetus said, 'Happiness and freedom begin with one principle. Some things are within your control and some are not.' I desire to do the best that I can, but I will probably get more wrong than right." Another pause. "I have been a common man. I hope that the interests of the common man will always be championed in my court." Pause. "That is all."
There was a moment of silence, broken by a man standing and pronouncing, "Long live the king!" The single response multiplied into three, and then five, and then ten, and then throughout the entire meeting hall, until they were all standing. Fenris stood dazed. Elsa beamed.
Elsa, Heinrick, Hermod, and Fenris tarried after the meeting to answer the questions they were able. Hermod had brought the official genealogy book. A group of the mayors worked out a time to visit the orphanage together.
When they finally began their return to the castle, Elsa explained, "the next thing that will happen will be an official coronation. That will take some time to plan – probably a month or more. Invitations have to be sent throughout Falster and to neighboring countries. In the meantime, it would be a good idea for you to think about how you want to organize your government. Heinrick and I can give you some ideas about what has worked well for us."
"...this is unreal..." he said.
"I think that council of mayors would be a great group to retain," Heinrick added. "They're probably you're closest link to the people, and their positions are practical enough and distributed enough that people won't fight over them quite as cattily."
"You'll also need a 'privy council,'" said Elsa, "a small group of councilors you choose personally who will help you consider things carefully and make decisions."
Heinrick nodded. "Other than that, we'll have to see what the people come up with."
Fenris was stuck a little ways back. "I don't know anyone... for a privy council," he said. "Can – can you two be on it?"
"I'm afraid not," Elsa mused. "I'm sure Hermod can make some recommendations."
There were a number of stops Heinrick and Elsa needed to make: Crescent Bay to drop Fenris off for a while, and then Cliff's View. "How should I explain to people that I'm leaving for good?" Fenris asked.
"Don't tell them you're leaving to take the Falster throne," Heinrick recommended. "You'll have 'old friends' coming out of the woodwork. Just say that you've accepted a civil service position down south. The truth will come out eventually, but it needs to come from Falster, not from you."
Elsa changed Enceladus' gear into a quadruple saddle: her in front, then Fenris, then Heinrick, then the extra-long one for Anna and Kristoff… Thus they discreetly dropped Fenris off by his parents' house with an arrangement to pick him up again two weeks later, and finished their trip to Cliffs' View.
"Will you be taking that vest off now?" Elsa asked Heinrick with a teasing grin.
"No. The truth is out. Time to move forward," he smiled in return.
It seemed the people of Mittergaard had gotten over their wariness of Enceladus. When they saw him fly in, they swarmed the castle with flags and cheers. King Reginald stood beaming on the balcony, which was only just higher than the dragon's back. Before Enceladus had finished lowering the four to the ground, the people had broken into a round of the Mittergaard national anthem. It was a pretty tune: rolling and melodious; certainly not the kind of martial tune Elsa had heard from other countries. Enceladus hopped over the castle wall to clear space for all the people who swarmed around their heroes. King Reginald met them and gave them both hugs.
"Elsa, could you make me a pillar?" Heinrick asked. Elsa obliged and he ascended it without the difficulty he'd shown the last time the people had seen him. "People of Mittergaard!" he began. "It has been an unexpected road, but the destination has been reached: peace with Falster!" The crowd roared! "They have a new king now, king Fenris Falster – the grandson of king Horatio Falster. We trust we can build a long, mutually beneficial relationship with them." He smiled as the people cheered again.
King Reginald had ascended the pillar ushering Elsa with him. He held up his hands to regain the crowd's focus. "We owe queen Elsa of Arendelle an immeasurable debt of gratitude for the lives she has saved – at the peril of her own. Tonight there will be a celebration on the castle grounds in honor of her example and success!" Elsa felt herself blushing.
As the chatty crowd began to disperse, Elsa felt the need to be alone for a while. But there was one last item of business to take care of first. She walked with the crowd back to the city, accepting their bows and curtsys, their handshakes, and their exuberant praise, until she reached the edge of the iced-in bay. There she walked to the Queen Iduna. She found general Adamowich and said, "burn and scuttle those Weselton ships."
"Yes Ma'am," he saluted. "Oh – and – your majesty? May I give the men permission to loot them first?"
Elsa paused. If it was up to her it would ALL go to the bottom of the ocean, but that was a personal reaction, not a principle. "Yes," she said. Then added: "just don't let me see the stuff around Arendelle." There. Just personal enough. Now she was ready for some solitude.
Solitude required some deliberateness since the castle was bustling with preparations for the evening's festivities. She hadn't realized until she relaxed that she was exhausted. And with the solitude came reflection, and with the reflection came memories of Lotus. Sleep was a welcomed escape.
She could have slept through the evening and the whole night as well, had it not been for the knock knock knock-knock knock on her door. Anyone else's summons probably wouldn't even have penetrated her subconscious. Her eyes fluttered open. It was evening, and a crack of light was coming from the bedroom door, illuminating the partial silhouette of her sister. "Hey sis! The party won't be complete without you!" Elsa focused back on the ceiling. After everything that had been accomplished, she felt fulfilled, grateful, but not celebratory. Anna walked in and sat on the bed.
"Grand Pabbie said there's value in loss," Elsa shared. "That the things that are the most valuable and beautiful blossom from our losses."
"I thought you were sleeping up here, not meditating," Anna teased.
"The one led to the other, thankfully." She sat up. "I'm very satisfied with how things have turned out, but if I had to do it again – knowing what I'd have to go through –"
"That's probably why we're not allowed to see the future. Because we'd run screaming. Sometimes not knowing the future is enough to make me run screaming. I guess I just do a lot of running and screaming." She smiled. "No, I guess I'm saying taking things a day at a time is best." Anna gave her a hug. "And today is a day for celebration – of success, of safety, of a job well done." She took Elsa by the hand. "Come on!"
"Hold on," said Elsa. She stood in front of the mirror long enough to tidy her hair and render a snow-white off-the-shoulder dress with billowing skirts in the Spanish style, adorned about the shoulders, waist, and hem with barely visible silvery snowflakes.
Anna stared. "Woah! Getting married?" she asked.
Elsa just smiled wistfully. "Maybe just not wanting to be forgotten."
Anna brought them to a table for four, just on the edge of the dance floor. Kristoff and Heinrick were already seated there – staring. Everyone cheered when Elsa entered. She folded her hands in front of her and gave a mindful nod. King Reginald was seated at the next table with three other men. He gave Elsa a smile she could only describe as that of a proud father. It made her blush slightly. "You look divine," Heinrick said as she sat. Her blush deepened.
The evening was filled with fine food and dancing, and at intervals one of the dignitaries in the room would stop by their table to give his or her personal thanks to Elsa and Heinrick for defusing the war. Often this came with a reference to a family member who would have been caught up in it, had it continued. Eventually the chatter gave way to broader dancing.
Elsa regarded Heinrick. "Why aren't you dancing?" she asked.
"It's been five years," he said with a twinkle and a grin. "I'm holding out for a queen!"
"Heinrick," she blushed, then said in a hushed voice, "please, you - you know I don't know how to –" But he had already left his seat to walk behind her. She went stiff in her chair as her vision narrowed to two white dots. No! Please don't pull me out there! Her blush was turning to panic, but he didn't come around her other side. After several long seconds she discreetly turned her head to see where he had gone. The first face she saw was Anna's. Now Anna had a cheeky grin. She gestured with her head. Elsa followed her gesture. Heinrick was standing at the door at the back which led to the balcony. She turned to face forward again.
"Hurry up!" Anna hissed.
She closed her eyes. It took a long moment for her panic to subside. Then she took a deep breath, discreetly stood, and walked to the balcony. She walked past him and stood at the railing. She heard the music diminish as he quietly shut the door. "You nearly gave me a heart attack!" she declared.
"My apologies, your majesty," he said, but he didn't sound very repentant. When she turned to look at him he was standing with stiff decorum, one hand extended in invitation. "My lady?"
After a brief hesitation, she forced herself to approach. As many other fears as she had faced on this journey, it was time to face this one as well. "How – how does this work?" she asked awkwardly.
"Take my hand; your other hand goes here on my shoulder. Now. This is a waltz. They're the easiest. Do you hear the 'one, two, three' in the music?"
She listened for a second. "Yes…"
"Just step with whichever foot comes next: Left, right left; right, left right. And follow where I lead you."
Follow where you lead me, thought Elsa. I've been doing that almost since I met you.
For the first few minutes she had to concentrate on which foot went with which beat, but once her mind apprehended the rhythm, the process faded into the background. "I'm dancing…" she said quietly, almost in surprise. "Is it this easy?"
"There are a lot of embellishments, but basically, yes: when you aren't the one leading, it's this easy – it's about trusting your partner."
She smiled. You've earned my trust, was on her lips, but left unsaid. She shut her eyes and felt the music; felt the rhythm; felt the motion. It was mesmerizing. Relaxing. So relaxing…
"Elsa? What's wrong?"
Her eyes shot open in alarm and Heinrick had to stabilize her as she tripped over her feet. "What?!" It was snowing. "Oh… sorry about that," she said sheepishly as it dissipated.
"Kristoff said that only happens when you're very sad!" His face was still concerned.
"No – no, that's not quite it. It happens when I'm not mindful of it… If I didn't control it, it would be snowing around me all the time." She gave an embarrassed smile.
"I see."
She took a deep breath and looked up at him. "…Again?" she asked shyly.
He smiled. Poised for dancing, they began again. "Now that I understand," he said quietly, "I don't mind the snow."
If the balcony had not been so dim compared to the inside lights, Anna would have seen them dancing – Elsa with her head nestled in the crook of Heinrick's neck, her right hand upon his back, his left upon hers, and gently falling snow.