Chapter Thirty-Seven
"Some souls are connected by an ancient calling beyond worlds"
…
"Citizens of Arendelle!" the clear voice of Silvanna echoes on the podium resulting to the crowd cheering upon seeing her.
Elsa watches with a small smile on her lips as her friend and lover addresses the gathered crowd below. It had been less than three days since Silvanna woke up and lo and behold, the Knightess got up from her bed wanting to resume her station as Steward of Arendelle. Elsa of course had been chagrined wanting Silvanna to rest and recover for at least a week before (in Elsa's expert opinion) starting to do some light paperwork. But noooo, Silvanna once more proved her own strength of will by pulling herself together and getting to work.
The blonde beauty of course is both pleased and exasperated at her lover's attitude. Pleased with the small fact that Silvanna did not sink into miry depression. Elsa in fact had been worried that she might withdraw within herself like most victims of kidnappings and torture. God only knows that Elsa only had experienced it barely three minutes and she was scarred for life. Silvanna had endured it for a week though she almost broke. By all rights she would have every reason to sink into depression. But Silvanna proved her wrong by pushing herself up as if everything was normal and nothing happened.
That's also the reason why Elsa is exasperated. Silvanna might pretend that she is okay but she is everything but that. She has known the Knightess enough during their dancing around each other part of their relationship. She knows her quirks. She can see that during the Welcome Council Meeting, Silvanna would lose the light in her eyes when the Councilors drone on with notes. She can see her flinch when guys would come near her and she does not fail to notice that other than her, Silvanna did not let anyone touch her keeping a distance always when dealing with people. The smile on her face is also like plastic and really fake. Sure Silvanna is very beautiful that people are more concerned and elated with the fact that they are able to meet the icon face to face that they do not notice the forced smiles. Elsa however does and she is worried. Silvanna might look okay but she's broken inside. It's as if someone had taken the spirit of the Knightess, broke it, and left the pieces hanging the same position but obviously destroyed. Her gracefulness was also sluggish, as if all life had been drained out of her and she's paler than normal. She has also shifted from wearing her usual Knightess' attire to more comfortable graceful dresses. Being Silvanna though, her dresses are not in any way modest always opting to bare her collarbone, shoulders, arms and at least one of her legs. Elsa personally likes it.
That is why Elsa as much as possible tends never to leave her side for long these past three days (both of worrying and the rather happy view of skin showing). There is a silence between the two of them. Normally Elsa loves these kinds of silences. Right now however she wants to scowl, wanting to break the monotone. Of course they still talk and they would share a chaste kiss here and then (Elsa is afraid she might drive Silvanna away in her current state if she does something more risqué). She can also see that Silvanna is more relaxed when she is around. Her smiles would become genuine and the colour in her face is fuller. The Knightess also seems to enjoy holding her hand in public much to Elsa's chagrin fearing that someone might guess their relationship. Thankfully the people just eat it up as the Crown Princess and the Knightess being close friends…..at the moment. Still, Elsa is worried about Silvanna's mental state. She's got a nagging feeling that one of the main reasons that Silvanna chose to take back her mantle so early was because she's seeing that she, Elsa was being overworked. It is something that is nagging Elsa a lot these days.
"I have a simple announcement to make," continues Silvanna standing at the raised podium. "WE HAVE WON!" her declaration is echoed by cheers of positivity from the people around. She lets it go on for a few minutes before raising a hand creating a silence once more. "Let us not forget though that our victory has come with such a high cost. Let us remember the warriors of Arendelle that paid the ultimate price to defend this land. They are someone that we all know; fathers, brothers, sons, friends, family they died on that battlefield in order for a future to be secured for us. Let us take a moment of silence in remembrance for their sacrifice," finishes Silvanna with a bow making the people bow with her. Elsa does not fail to notice that some have tears in their eyes at her words.
"However let us not dishonour their sacrifice in mourning," she goes on after a couple of minutes. "Their deaths are not a defeat, but a beautiful victory. That is why I have made the decision to host the first ever tourney of Arendelle in a week's time. We will honour our warriors, dead and alive for their victory. We will celebrate! Because we win and we have a tomorrow! I bid you go to your homes and spread the word once more. Everyone is welcome on the first ever tourney of Arendelle. Those who want to can participate on the games that will be hosted. If you have the mettle, the strength, the wisdom and the courage; you are welcome to participate. Thank you people, that is all," Silvanna finishes with that charming beautiful smile of hers making more than one spectator swoon at her.
"You really should stop smiling like that," Elsa can't help say as the two of them once more steps inside the carriage that brought them here. "You have enough admirers as it is,"
"My my, aren't you the jealous princess, Elsa?" chuckles Silvanna teasingly crossing her legs in front of her through her dress making Elsa's eyes wander to the side cut exposing one graceful leg.
Elsa frowns at her though she blushes hard at the tone of Silvanna. Her eyes automatically wander to the exposed limb being presented without ado to her. She simply raises an eyebrow at the Knightess who returns her look with an innocent expression on her face, too innocent in fact.
"You're inviting me for some cuddling aren't you?" Elsa simply deadpans making the innocent grin of Silvanna transform to a mischievous expression.
"Well, it's a long way to Rosa Village, our next destiation and there is a good reason why I made sure that the royal carriage is covered with thick drapes from within," she simply answers moving a bit patting the empty space at her side. "And I also believe we can do more than cuddle and rest that pretty little jealous head of yours Elsa,"
"You're unbelievable," Elsa simply rolls her eyes though she acquiesces on leaving her chair and instead drapes herself over the Knightess that they are lying unto each other with Elsa on top. Biting her lip for a second, Elsa looks at the beautiful face of Silvanna below her before leaning in to a chaste kiss on those lips not coloured by lipstick (Silvanna is beautiful enough without the ornament). It soon turns more heated as hands begin to wander. Elsa moans through the kiss as Silvanna's hands grip her generous hips before going to her rear squeezing the soft flesh there through her violet dress. As far as she is concerned, Silvanna can touch her hips and ass all she wants. As for her, well no one can exactly blame Elsa for taking advantage of her hand going to the exposed leg and touch the skin there. Silvanna isn't actually complaining when her gloved hands wander to the warmth of her outer thighs. And isn't her lips just lovely when it comes to kissing?
…..
The sound of clashing steel continues on the more private parts of the training field of Arendelle's army. Before, this place was reserved for the Winged Hussars who want to train their hand to hand combat skills. With the aftermath with the War against Nogrod though, the Winged Hussars have all moved out due to their increased numbers and have now their own Chapter Houses for their Order. Since then, this place serves as a place of silence if you want to train on your own. Currently it has two occupants training privately.
Anna blocks another downward stroke from Alucard's broadsword letting the blade of her rapier slide through its edges making the other warrior unbalanced before capitalizing by kicking his ribs. Alucard simply blocks the kick with his elbow before swiping his sword in a way that would have taken Anna's head off if not for her bending backwards to the hip that the sword goes through her temple in a hairsbreadth.
Back and forth the two do their usual sparring with Anna proving a challenge more or so the less against her teacher. She has gone a long way from the hot-head that shouts and waves her sword around like a demented baboon. She has seen war, manages to see death face to face and not be broken with it. Now she is a warrior truly. Sure she might be impulsive still, but it is more controlled, more making a sense of things than just rushing into it, a rather nice check from her former impatient nature.
Still it is painfully aware for any observer though that the two warriors are not putting much of it in their current bout. The fight in fact is half-hearted as if the ones fighting want nothing more than to be out of their current situation.
"For good reason to," Anna mentally thinks as she evades the rather clumsy attacks (in her opinion) of Alucard's broadsword.
Anna herself has won the admiration of the local soldiers and townsfolk who manage to hear the news of the Second Princess of Arendelle participating in the war in disguise. The back-draws however for her decision is now starting to haunt her. Many are not happy with her stunt of smuggling herself in the army. First off are the Winged Hussars. Suffice it to say that the elite cavalry of Arendelle does not find the fact of her posing as one of them humorous whatsoever. It takes dedication and commitment to join the ranks of the Winged Hussars and dozens of recruits fail on the trial stage alone. To act like one of them simply doesn't sit right for the Knights. Secondly the nobles, the generals and the learned people of Arendelle also disapprove greatly for her action. Theirs is a more common reason. Anna is the spare in the event that something bad happens to her older sister. Under in no circumstance are the leaders of Arendelle looking to lose a possible monarch again, not after what happened to her mother and father. Thus here she is alongside a demoted Seregeant Lieutenant Alucard who bore the brunt of everyone's disapproval due to him allowing her to tag along with the army. Thankfully his position as her instructor and guard still remains due to the orders being given by Silvanna and not the others. No one would dare disapprove the verdicts of the Knightess of Arendelle.
Things however are different between the two of them. Anna simply can't look at Alucard without thinking about that night when they copulated with one another. Don't get her wrong, the experience was good; more than good in fact if Anna is going to be honest with herself. Personally she likes it; Alucard is a great lover at bed. However she is a royal and that station means something. Plus the fact that she's only seventeen and the young man is like five years older than her.
"We really need to talk about this," Anna sighs as she throws her rapier to the ground in annoyance after parrying another half-hearted attack of her trainer.
"Yeah," Alucard agrees with a resigned grunt as he also drops his sword before sitting at a side bench beside her.
Awkward silence immediately plagues the both of them and Anna turns cherry red as she nervously fidgets at her seat. She has no idea how to start. This subject is so personal and so sensitive that the Second Princess of Arendelle simply wants nothing more than to go back at her room and hug her plushie, convincing her head that everything is a dream.
"We really need to talk," Alucard finally says, breaching the silence making Anna grunt in response.
"What happened between us-,"
"Will never come to the light of day, understood?" Anna has never been one to flaunt her position. Never once in her life did she use a straight command to any Arendellian. When Anna makes an order to the servants of the castle, it had always been made as a request and not a command. Her sounding like this is more of an accident born of nervousness and fear.
"As you wish Princess," Alucard inclines his head obviously noticing her rather change of demeanour. "Does this mean that I must also resign my position as your trainer?"
Anna's head snaps to her friend in a flash, her green eyes narrowing at him. "What is that supposed to mean?"
She watches as Alucard makes a flapping motion with his hands that resembles a goose instead of the fearless warrior he is. "Well I kinda thought you would want me out of your life after well….what happened. Plus you sound kinda angry just right now so I thought….," he waves his hand in a go-go motion.
"You're my friend Alu, the first one I have after a very long time. You are my teacher too, the one who taught me all these things, the one who taught me all that I am now. Do you think after all of that happened between us, I would want you out of my life just because of an accident that both of us did by accident?"
"So what happens now?" Alucard simply asks. "We gotta stop dancing around with one another. The tension is obvious enough that I fear what Silvanna might do to me if she ever gets wind of our "little accident". It is bad enough that I am demoted to Sergeant as it is,"
"We continue as before I guess," shrugs Anna, her face morphing to a wince as she remembers the punishment being entitles to Alucard right now due to her actions. "For what it's worth, I am sorry that you got demoted Alu. It is my decision to go with the army and you're the one bearing the brunt of the punishment,"
"Nah, it's nothing. My pride is mostly the one who's taking the blow. Nothing really changed actually other than my rank princess. I still live in the castle, eat fine food and servants to clean my room. What is a soldier going to ask for more? Besides, if not for you Anna we would never had managed to recue Silvanna from her captor,"
"I guess you've got a point," Anna considers making the young man chuckle.
"I've got everything I need right here. As I've said before, what's there to ask more for?"
"Maybe a friend?"
He simply smiles bumping his shoulder with her. "I've got you and that's more than enough,"
Anna simply hmmed as they watch the sun slowly descending on the horizon in front of them.
"For what's it worth though Anna from the few that I remember, you really are good in bed,"
"ALUCARD YOU ASS!"
…
"Rosa, it's been a very long while ever since I came back here," Silvanna thinks to herself as she steps out of the carriage, closing the door gently beside her.
Elsa had managed to fall asleep a few hours before during the travel and Silvanna did not blame her. The poor Crown Princess had been overworked ever since she had been out of commission and plus the rather large amount of "fun time" on the way here, seems to finally finish the last of Elsa's energy. Of course the two of them did not do anything yet, mostly petting and kissing. Elsa despite her rather reserved demeanour tends to be very touchy and aggressive once she gets going. The trip to Rosa is two days ride and Silvanna can't blame Elsa for being weary on it. Thankfully the trip had been pleasant between the two of them (and she meant that with them trying to eat each other's tonsils out).
Taking one last look at her sleeping lover, Silvanna fully closes the carriage door signalling their assigned guards to keep watch while she alongside two of the Royal Guards heads to the now bustling town. Silvanna smiles as she looks at the now bustling fishing port. Last she is here; this place is nothing more than a decrepit village with few residents. The only thing that stands out then was General Horst's office situated here where Silvanna begun her first steps on being the Knightess of Arendelle.
Gone are the ramshackle buildings made from wood and being cracked by the salty air that comes from the open ocean. Now instead of wood, now stand firm stout houses made of stone designed to specifically the occasional squalls and storms that come from the sea. The muddy road before are now gone and also replaced by gravel with pebbles littering its sides. Stalls and many wares from different merchants are at the sides shouting their wares to the passerbys. Shifts of guards could be seen patrolling dissuading drunken brawls and troublemakers. All in all it is a picture of a bustling port town. Massive ships bearing their different flags moor at the edges of the harbour and even in the distance Silvanna can hear the shouts of captains and cargo haulers to their workers as they load and unload the items they brought.
"It's Lady Silvanna! It's Lady Silvanna look!" the shouts of children soon can be heard as Silvanna barely reaches the main entrance of the town.
A small smile breaks out of Silvanna's face as they reach her. As usual her guards do not stop them as they crowd her babbling their praises and questions. Silvanna rather likes children though she's abyssal when it comes to babies. Unlike full grown people, children are honest saying what they want and wearing their hearts in a sleeve. You don't need to worry for any dishonesty or ill intent when it comes to children.
They cluster around her eyes bright with expectation as Silvanna takes the small sack brought by her guards. This is not the first time after all that Silvanna visited the growing village and the kids like before are excited to receive her gifts. It is not every day that an Arendellian gets the honor of the Knightess visiting their village after all. Taking the miniature spear toys inside designed by the toymaker of Arendelle to be in imitation of the Knightess' unique weapon, Silvanna hands them over to the small eager hands waiting. Squeals and exclamations of joy come from the kids and once more Silvanna gets her plethora of hugs and kisses on the cheeks by the happy younglings before dashing off to their parents to show to them her gifts.
The parents fortunately are more controlled than their offsprings. They have enough experience with nobles by providing a pathway for her bowing at the waist at her coming. Silvanna just smiles at them making sure to greet familiar faces she had worked with before her ascension and making a joke here and there. For the people of Rosa, Silvanna is their pride and joy. After all the Knightess' first home is their humble village and she brought great honour into Arendelle. There's also the small fact that even though Silvanna is the Steward of the country, she is still their baroness and the noble in charge of their town and the lands around it. With their current prosperity, only a fool would not love Silvanna. There's also the fact that she's not arrogant with her person and obviously cares for them, something that in this time and age is rare to find when it comes to nobles.
"So is the small memorial that I have requested finished Tom?" Silvanna asks Tom, the pseudo-mayor of Rosa and her representative, commonly called as Old Tom due to his age by the townsfolk. Don't get them wrong, it is more of an endearment than an insult for the people of Rosa.
"Yes, my lady. We have placed it near the statue of you in honour of your victory," the old man replies with a toothy grin.
"I see," Silvanna can't help but mentally sweatdrop at the news. Suffice it to say that for reasons she cannot fathom, the people of Rosa had elected to erect a large statue of her made by the finest marble at the middle of the town. Silvanna who had been an avid watcher of documentaries back in her previous life can't help but compare her situation to that of the Ancient Greeks who loved making statues of their gods and heroes. She's just glad that they didn't fully imitate Greek Culture else her statue would be stark nude.
Following him, Silvanna smiles at the observing people as they trail behind her. It does not take long for them to reach the large statue which is almost as big as a small house standing tall and proud at the middle of the town. Beside it though is a stone plaque where the stonemasons of Rosa have etched the names of the villagers who followed Silvanna to war and didn't make it back home.
Kneeling in front of the plaque, Silvanna puts a hand on the cool stone giving a moment of silence for the fallen heroes. "They are warriors, soldiers, all of them. Only in death does duty end. Now their duty is ended,"
"Now their duty is ended," repeats the people around bowing their heads to the plaque in respect.
Standing up from her kneeling position, Silvanna nods at Tom to lead her finally to the personal office of Lance Trading, the seat of her business in this area. It is a comfy house designed to host a small family and kept warm by a fire in the middle. The place is Silvanna's base of operations in this area and one where she can rest in privacy as she handles her business. Smiling and greeting the cards of the house, Silvanna enters inside after bidding farewell to Tom with a promise of information about the Tourney of Arendelle to be given later.
Gently Silvanna closes the door behind her making sure to lock it behind. She has a few hours of her own before she goes and wakes up Elsa so she can show her the town and this house of hers. Until then though she has her privacy; something that is extremely rare for her these days due to her station as Steward of Arendelle.
Removing her dress and going stark naked; Silvanna crashes to the floor filled with soft rugs her entire body shivering and trembling. Curling like a newbory babe, she hugs her arms to her chest as she tries and fails to repress the emotions churning inside her. For the sake of everyone she puts up the façade of the great leader, the one they could trust. Inside though Silvanna is broken. Every night she can still feel the cruel hands of the monster that broke her. When she closes her eyes, her skin remembers his touches, cruel claws that mar and tear, her very bones broken many times can still feel the cold agony of being broken and reset by her magic. Her entire body remembers him and Silvanna would wake up sweaty and afraid that he might be lurking in any corner. The things he did to her, the things she endured, the things he took from her it always comes back.
Silvanna wants nothing more than to curl up and hide in a dark room where no one can see her, but she can't. She had seen the burden of the crown weighing down on the one she loved. If Silvanna remains stagnant, Elsa would be overworked and the princess is too proud and caring to simply wave off the majority of the work to someone else. In a way it gives the signs of Elsa being a good monarch. Anyway Silvanna knows that she must get over herself. Her entire body is still feeling the aftereffects of her ordeal but she cannot let it rule her. For Elsa's sake she must be strong.
That bastard Dyrroth may be right. He might have taken her body and her mind but her heart belongs to Elsa forever. Until then though, Silvanna will take this small measure of peace and silence brought only by solitude. Even heroines are allowed to cry after all.
….
At the back of Castle Arendelle is the start of the woods that leads to the wild part of the country. In these woods known only to few can be found the Headquarters of the Ranger Corps. It is here that Rangers gather when they have information to share or simply to socialize with their fellow woodsmen when they're not off investigating or keeping an eye on the country. However in the Commander's Tent only four people are allowed and given the utmost privacy. It is here that the deepest matters of the state are discussed and decided. Assignments for the Corps are also decided here and who to send.
Currently four Rangers are gathered around the small table inside the Commander's Tent all wearing grim expressions.
"So this rumour from the people about the label of Princess Elsa as a witch; how serious do you think it is?" asks Price, his piercing eyes boring into Will, the Ranger in charge of Elsa and keeping an eye on everything around her.
"As serious as any hearsay but it is spreading though," answers the young Ranger. "The people who lost loved ones during the plague are mostly the one propagating it. They're pointing their anger at Princess Elsa who is immune to the sickness. The nobles of course don't care much about it but the common folk are another matter. You know how they are Price,"
"I see, until then keep an eye on things Will. Take Horace with you, and do some counter propaganda on your own to quell this. The last thing that we need is for the people to rise up in uprising in religious fervor due to a rumour only,"
"Yes commander," the two younger Rangers bow in acknowledgement at the orders.
"As for you Mark? Have you found leads about the secret meetings of the nobles without the consent of the crown?" asks Price boring his eyes to the last man, a middle-aged cropped hair woodsman.
"Nothing concrete yet, they are very good on scheduling their places, schedules and members. All I've gleaned so far is that the purpose of their meetings are for the future of the country and for its betterment," says the man.
"Hmm, keep an eye nevertheless Mark and make sure that you are not seen. The last thing that we need after just finishing a war is evens more infighting between our ranks. That is all, dismissed,"
"Sir!" the three salutes before heading out of the tent.
Price just remains silent as he looks at the map of Arendelle painted at the canvas at the side of her tent. He can't help but wonder how the people would react once the secret of Princess Elsa would finally be revealed. He just hopes that everything will turn out fine. The measures of Silvanna are in place for such a tragedy but the question remains.
Will it be enough?
…
"You have silent servants my friend,"
"Having aides that are deaf and mute ensures that I live a little longer," snorts Horst from where he is sitting looking at the cloaked forms of Jonathan Johnson, Spinach and Lord Viktor sitting at the armchairs of his study.
"It is not easy getting here especially with the Ranger Corps back in full strength here in Arendelle," complains the Lord of the Mines. "I have to sneak in an apple cart for two hours to make sure that one is not stalking me in the dark,"
"They have their uses, for the good of Arendelle of course," shrugs the Prime Minister. "Now let's get to the matter at hand before we reach midnight,"
"Very well," sighs Horst wincing at the wound covered thickly by bandages, courtesy of Silvanna's kidnapper.
"So what do all of you think of our beloved Crown Princess taking over the throne? Is she up for it or should we proceed as planned and unseat her?" asks the general.
"Personally I think that Princess Elsa is a good monarch," starts Lord Spinach. "If I might say, she is more or less like her father, only more forgiving,"
"Very well, Lord Viktor?" everyone looks at the Lord of the Mines who simply grunts. "She's okay, a possible queen despite lacking experience and confidence,"
"And Lord Johnson?"
"Elsa is a friend of mine, and as a person I can say that she is trying her best to be a good ruler one day. However let me be the first to say that she is not ready to be the ruler that Arendelle needs,"
"I agree with him," answers the Lord representing the Merchant district of Arendelle. "She is good but she cannot handle the kingdom as it is. Maybe if Arendelle is the same as before during King Agdar's reign then Elsa would be able to keep the country together. As it is today though growing in wealth and power, it takes an ingenious and open mind to keep the growth of the country balanced and in check. So no, I don't think she would be the ideal monarch of our country,"
"And the people don't respect her, especially the army," points out Lord Viktor. "Elsa might have gotten their approval when she solved the mystery of the plague, but there is a rumour circulating among the general populace that it is the Nords who mostly bore the brunt of the heavy work and she is nothing more than a spectator,"
"So our plan remains to put Silvanna to the throne?" asks Horst to the nobles who grimly nodded at his words. None of them likes this idea of betrayal of the line of Arens that long ruled Arendelle but this needs to be done. As a rising superpower in this part of the world, Arendelle needs to be stabilized and a good leader to sit on its throne. For the gathered nobles, there is only one option.
"Although might I add that there is a little hiccup on our plan that I just learned from my half-sister who was the squire of Silvanna during the duration of the war," says Viktor making the other nobles look at him in silent questioning gazes.
Face pained, Lord Viktor lets off a grimace as he speaks the next words. "I fear that our dear Knightess might prefer the fairer sex,"
….
Author's Note:
DundundunduN! Oops Silvanna's secret preferences might soon be caught in the open. How will the country react?
