Chapter Forty-One

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

King Ferdinand of Spain

The five massive galleons of Spain skim through the open waters off the northern coast of Arendelle. On its deck lines upon lines of men wearing grey and black trench coats stand in attention. All of them look freshed and ready. It is not surprising seeing that they are all well seasoned sailors used to the rigours of the sea. More importantly they are personally chosen in this journey to protect their liege and represent Spain in the upcoming tourney. There are wrestlers, soldiers, poets, artists, riders, knights in the retinue; all of them here to win glory and gold.

At the prow of his ship stands King Ferdinand wearing a doublet like his men but with golden trimmings at the side. His grey eyes look over the icy shores of the northern part of Arendelle. He would be lying if he says that he is not excited. Being a king at the best of times after all is hard. It is a demanding job if you do it right for your country and your nation. Being king of Spain is ten times worse. Spain might have its might on the seas thanks to its massive Galleons; but Spain is a new country in the big leagues and the waters are contested by the might of England, Rome, Greece and the thrice blasted Viking raiders of Norway. The only reason Spain managed to retain its position on the great game is due to the simple fact that they maintain the trade route of Mexico bringing untold number of spices and gold that is necessary on the maintenance of its massive navy.

The gulls sweeps through the galleon showing soon the rugged outline of the northern coast of Arendelle and the dark outline of the harbour they are heading to. Already even in the distance King Ferdinand espies dozens of ships pushing to the same heading as they are. He does not fail to notice that all of them are foreign vessels, each bearing the flag of a nation or kingdom.

"They must be all here for the tourney and also Arendelle's Knightess," he thinks to himself as he watches a boat from the small kingdom of Longtan trying its best to fight against the strong currents with its less than appreciated design.

Indeed, other than the victory against Nogrod; word had spread after all about the two bachelorettes of the Kingdom of Arendelle. King Ferdinand would bet his right arm that everyone have brought their nephews and sons in the hopes of snagging at least one of the two famous women of Arendelle. He barks a chuckle at the thought; he himself is not innocent of that. With him is his nephew Prince, Frances, a bachelor and a lord in his own right. The prize after all to whoever manages to snag either of the two is the Kingdom of Arendella and all its riches.

King Ferdinand smirks as he leans at the prow of the ship quite excited in what is to come. This tourney is sure to be going interesting.

King George of England

"Mah, mah, Arendelle surely has gotten better the last time I'm here," the chubby lord of the Isle comments more to himself as he gazes back and forth at the harbour city covered with snow.

The homestead, Valheim, the home of the Nords of Arendelle, the original settlers of this island does not resemble anything that King George can remember the last time he visited Arendelle in his youth. Before he became fat, George is a free spirit being the second prince of England. Not bogged down with responsibilities and politics of the throne, he spent his days sailing for he had a love for the sea that his older brother did not have. He visited many places and the small kingdom of Arendelle was one of them.

Of course Arendelle is not so small at the present anymore and that interests King George of England.

He became king after his brother, Crown Prince Harris died during a horse ride breaking his neck. As a result the crown passed to him. Of course unlike his brother, who planned to keep their kingdoms as it is, he pushed the borders of England putting the entirety of his naval expertise to the test. Now colonies support the island nation even as their mighty ships explored and challenged the shipping lanes of other super powers in the world.

Speaking of which; last he was here, Valheim he remembers was a large homestead closer to a town than a real city. Now the home of the Nords looks…..improved. Ships of every kind seem to come back and forth non-stop. Massive things of engineering are present at the docks helping load and unload the cargoes being delivered. Of course that begs the question of what they are bringing in? Chatters of report from his spies tell that Arendelle had been ordering construction equipment and raw materials by the galleons. Recruitment and demand for every able bodied men willing to work for pay were also present giving the shipping lanes around Valheim a traffic jam issue as peasants from all over the world come searching for new fortune or for money in exchange of their services.

Still they are here now and that is what important. With a wave of his chubby hand, the carriers of his palanquin moved once more with his retinue of guards, athletes and servants behind him. He scowls though as he sees the massive ships taking port on the docks. Spain and England after all had a rivalry on the seas that was only rivalled by the annoyance between Greece and Rome.

With another wave of his chubby fingers, the red coats carrying his palanquin brought him deeper into the city looking for anyone in charge that could point him in the direction where the tourney might be held.

….

"By the gods above and below, you've got to be kidding me," Emperor Hadrian of Rome can't help but gasp as his eyes beheld the large structure that could be seen in the distance.

It takes a lot to impress Romans, but Hadrian can personally say that today he is awed and impressed as he looks down below the mountain road that he and his men are taking as they marched toward the site where the tourney is going to be held. He is not the only one impressed as nearly all of his men are muttering and pointing at the structure at the distance. In fact everyone who is making use of the mountain pathway is pausing as they beheld the massive structure at the distance; for good reason.

Down below the side of the mountain is a massive elliptical structure bearing the tell-designs of an amphitheatre. Rising like a large monument, it is massive in size, that even this far away; they can clearly see its designs. Actually it is the size of a small mountain itself with specks of black around it filled with lights showing the dimensions of the town that is around. It is so big that it looks like it is made by the hands of giants and not of men. Beside it is a massive tall statue almost in the same height as the amphitheatre beside it. Depicting a pony-tailed woman with a navy suit and pants holding a spear at her hand, it stands like an immovable sentry of the amphitheatre welcoming everyone who has come to enter it. There can be no doubt of course for anyone observing as to who the statue is depicting. There is after all only one woman in the world that is famed for the use of a spear.

"Now this trip surely has become interesting," Hadrian comments more to himself as he watches the view below them. "Arendelle sure holds many curiousities,"

"Curiosities uncle? This is not curiosities but promises?!" his young nephew, Justinius, his sister's son exclaims waving his arm dramatically beside him. "That building is as large as the Coliseum back home,"

"Larger in fact," corrects Hadrian rubbing his chin hair with his forefinger and thumb. "At least we now understand why all those cargo ships bearing raw materials running around the seas are heading to Arendelle. I've always wondered what their new leader is building. I've expected a large wall, not this,"

"This is concerning uncle. Arendelle's growth has been exponential ever since she took up its mantles. Worse, it shows no signs of stopping anytime soon. I'm worrying that it could become a threat to Rome, in time," points out his nephew.

"Yes, I understand your point," Hadrian replies simply. "The growth of this nation will not stop, I'm sure of it. The question remains though; is it in the best of interest of Rome to aid it, or destroy it? Decisions, decisions indeed," the Emperor chuckles as he gestures for his men to continue their trek downward the path.

"That is why nephew why we are here,"

Perikles of Athens

"BWAHAHAHA! I'm telling you Athenian that their statue is bigger than that big one you set up at the middle of the Parthenon. Someone finally got your match dinnit? BWAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"Please Archidamos, calm down and act your station," urges the second king of Sparta to the first one who is busy laughing his guts out without ado at the middle of the street.

For the hundredth time Perikles questions his wisdom on making the decision of inviting Sparta in this tourney. The Spartans have always been a rough when it comes to nicesities and high company. Their method of making a decision after all is fighting with the winner's opinion coming on top. Their first king, Archidamos especially represents the classic Spartan, headstrong, proud and tends to speak his mind without ado. Thankfully the second king, Pausanias is more mellow than the former. He is also headstrong but he can be reasoned with, in good measure which is a good thing. Perikles knows that even though the two Spartan Kings caused him grief on the way here (they tend to complain about the long journey and basically spent the entirety of the trip insulting the Athenians); bringing them is the right choice in a political standpoint.

Sparta in a way has a warrior culture and in times immemorial, it has always been a rival of Athens. Many a war had been waged in the past; it changed however when Perikles became the new Archon of the city. With powerful nations springing up all over the world, Perikles knew that Greece, divided as it is between the blocs of Athens and Sparta cannot survive. The invasion of Persia was testament to that with Greece barely hanging on thanks to the sacrifice of a few brave souls. The Romans especially are a major concern with the powerful empire swallowing everything in its path and put only in a stalemate by the strength of the other great nations at the seas. Greece needs to be united against a superpower that controls almost half the known world. Thus despite unpopular opinions, Perikles extended an olive branch with Sparta uniting the world of Greece into a council. It also conveniently pointed the Spartans to an enemy worth their prowess. So far the alliance worked with Roman influence barely reaching Corinth at the moment.

This tourney is basically a show of strength with so many nations attending. The Athenians of course brought their best in the terms of culture, but the Spartans would provide the muscle. Perikles himself is here to assess Arendelle, its riches and strength. So far it had been both worrying and outstanding. The former barely know nation is rising so high in riches that the moment it would strengthen its navy, it would be partaking on the Great Game of the world superpowers.

Perikles just hopes that they would be allies of Greece and not enemies in the far future. The last thing that Greece needs is another enemy aside from the unbeatable Legionnaires and cannon loving ships of the western nations.

…..

There are very few things that can ruffle the feathers of Silvanna. Personally she takes life in a stride that astonishes the stuck-up nobles. Insults and snide comments she brushes off with a laugh and a wave. Worries that would have made any noble betray his country without the slightest hesitation don't faze her one bit. Silvanna is a role leader that can inspire people without even trying. Her beauty and presence are more than enough.

However every single one of her subordinates that works under her know only one rule: "When Silvanna puts into plan something, follow it to the letter," No one after all does not want to imitate the fate of that idiot who questioned Silvanna's plan and insulted her by saying that she is a "nothing more than a girl that needs a man to breed her for that is all girls are good for," He certainly did a nice a cartwheel mid-air when Silvanna threw him off the wall of Arendelle castle to the moat down below.

In fact there are only two things that can force Silvanna to change her mind once she sets her eyes on something. Those are either logical reason that can force her to think and reconsider or Elsa batting her eyelashes on her; though no one knows the latter of course for safety reasons. In fact Elsa can get away with anything short of murder (and even that is debatable) when it comes to Silvanna.

Silvanna however currently cannot the stop the non-stop twitching of her right eyebrow as her emotion wanders somewhere between exasperation and disbelief; for good reason to. Her secret project, the one she had been preparing for the Grand Tourney as the world calls it is the building of a massive amphitheatre the size of the Colosseum itself. Hundreds of thousands of workers, and a continuous supply of ships bearing raw material have been coming and going even before the war against Nogrod. It is Silvanna's gift to the world, a man-made wonder that would be rivalling that even of the Romans. Very few other than the highest echelons of the government are made aware and the Council at the Winter bank. With the ending and victory of the war, it is almost finished and thus would suit Silvanna's purpose wonderfully for the upcoming tourney. The Colosseum of Arendelle, it would be its debut for the entire world to see. It is elliptical in plan and is 189 meters long, and 156 meters. The height of the outer wall is 48 meters. The perimeter is 545 meters almost the size of the original Colosseum.

What Silvanna is not prepared to see though is the massive bronze statue of her painted in gold standing at the side of the Colosseum overlooking the large town of Lucenia around it. For the life of her she doesn't remember ordering a massive statue of her. Of course the culprit is not hard to find seeing that it is giving her doe-like eyes in front of her as if her next words would mean the end of the world or not for her.

"So do you like it?" asks Elsa, her round eyes gleaming with excitement as she is almost bouncing on her heels awaiting her reply.

Silvanna tries to answer something but apparently the sounds that come out of her mouth are unintelligible as her brain is still at the middle of processing what it is seeing right now. The cost alone of the materials for a statue like this must be massive. That is not counting the transportation fees, the labour fees, the delivery fees and the negotiations involved to deliver this much bronze. Thinking about it is daunting. There's also the small fact that Silvanna has no idea how did Elsa manage to keep this hidden from her. The Knightess is meticulous enough when it comes to reviewing the details of her projects. Nothing much go past her, but this? She blinks as she looks at the face of the bronze statue looking terrifyingly accurate as hers.

"Silvie?" the soft voice of Elsa makes Silvanna blink for the second time as she turns at the young woman whose expression is now a bit worried. That decides it for the Knightess. She can never endure seeing Elsa with a face that is sad.

Gulping and forcing her throat to work, Silvie smiled softly at her putting aside her previous thoughts. "It's lovely Elsa, thank you,"

Like a light switch, the face of Elsa shines once more as she hugs Silvanna tightly making the Knightess sigh softly as she pats the back of her lover. She ignores the rather inquisitive gazes of the people around them. It is well-known after all that the Knightess and the Crown Princess are very close friends and inseparable. She wonders how they would react if they know that she and Elsa have been playing tonsil tennis every time they've got free time?

"My lady," the calm but professional voice of Jonathan Johnson unfortunately stops the cute cuddle moment the two of them are sharing.

Sighing, Silvanna smiles at Elsa before disentangling from their embrace. She makes a mental note to review the costs of Elsa's little deviation and take into account those whom the Crown Princess has in her corner to order something without Silvanna knowing.

"Are they all here?" asks Silvanna standing straight as two aides appear out of nowhere removing the wrinkles from her attire caused by Elsa's hug. In this grand opening of the tourney, Silvanna has opted to wear her original attire as Knightess of Arendelle instead of the dresses she favours these days. The visitors after all are expecting to see her and she would not disappoint.

"Yes my lady, we have arranged them all on their seats in the amphitheatre. The royals and delegations are at the booth box and the athletes have taken their positions inside," answers the Prime Minister.

"And the audience?" asks Silvanna as the aides finish their work.

"All situated around the amphitheatre. Aside from a few scuffles, so far there are no incidents,"

"Good, thank you for your good work Prime Minister," Silvanna says in acknowledgement with the man bowing in respect before wordlessly heading out leaving Silvanna and Elsa alone as the aides also finish the last of Elsa's own attire.

"You look beautiful Elsa," comments Silvanna as the Crown Princess of Arendelle steps in beside her. Like her, Elsa has opted to wear the same blue green and violet form hugging dress like the one she wore before when they first met. Her hair is in a tidy bun instead of being let down today and at her neck is Veollyx, the jewel of Arendelle shining brightly like the stars. Silvanna raises an eyebrow though at the sight of Elsa's hands.

"Gloves?" she asks looking at the Crown Princess who fidgets under her stare. As far as she can remember, Elsa had not worn gloves ever since their confession of love to one another. To see her wearing one right now gives Silvanna pause. The last thing she wants to happen is for Elsa to regress in her fear.

"Just something to ward the nervousness," answers the young princess with a nervous chuckle rubbing her arms. "I've looked outside and there are so many people Silvie,"

"Hey, I am with you okay?" Silvanna says holding Elsa on her upper arms. "Everything's going to be fine. Just stay at my side at all times,"

Gulping, Elsa nods as Silvanna takes her hands off. She is surprised though as Elsa grabs one of her hands, her soft delicate fingers intertwining to that of Silvanna's firm but slender ones. The Knightess blinks looking at their intertwined hands before turning her attention to the owner of said fingers grasping hers.

"Everyone will be watching Elsa," she gently chides at the Crown Princess who nods her head at her words.

"I know, but please, I am afraid Silvie," she replies timidly reminding Silvanna of the old attitude of Elsa in their first meetings.

"Very well; now come Elsa, our fans are waiting," says the Knightess earning her a small giggle from her lover before stepping forward towards the open large door. She doesn't forget to pick the golden spear at the stand near the opening. This is her moment after all.

She has to admire Elsa as the young princess takes a deep breath before exhaling strongly. Gone immediately is the look of nervousness and uncertainty that she sports before. In fact, Elsa looks strong, proud, poised and regal, the very epitome of a royal princess. Her eyes betray her though, like her Elsa is a master when it comes to hiding emotions and despite her look, that nervousness is still present. In a way Silvanna can sympathize with her. She would be lying if she said that she is not nervous. She is after all facing almost fifty thousand souls in one moment. There is also the small fact that quite a percentage of those souls are royals and delegates of other nations that could be easily offended by the slightest of the things. For a split moment she almost wished that she didn't bring Arendelle to its heights of glory if only to avoid the nonsense ruckus that it might cause. It is only for a moment though.

"Who am I kidding? If Arendelle does not gain power as one of the major powers, it would be conquered by some greedy nation wanting to expand its might. There is also the matter of Elsa, it would be two more years before her power is revealed. Many would be her enemies for that knowledge alone. Humans have proved since time immemorial of reacting badly to the unknown after all. Worse they'll be wanting to use her, and since Elsa is a pacifist at heart, the only way they would be able to force her is either blackmail or torture,"

Hand in hand the two of them walks to the open archway. Immediately the bright northern lights blind them for a second or two before their pupils finally adjusted thanks to the transparent drapes that are hung there for that very reason. The sound that meets them then is like a wall nearly making Silvanna pause in her tracks at the cheers of fifty thousand souls. She pauses as she beholds for the first time the Grand Coliseum of Arendelle around the raised dais she and Elsa is standing on. Even though this is her idea, Silvanna can't help but marvel at the Engineering of the structure. Gleaming white from the marble used to construct it, the Coliseum is beautiful, elegant, wide, very wide that you can fit two armies to battle in here and still have room. The seats and stands of the spectators below the dais are full as Arendellians and other visitors that come for the tourney are cheering at the sight of her and Elsa (mostly Silvanna since the locals do not even know who Elsa is due to her introvert tendencies). Sparing a glance at her friend and lover, Silvanna notices that Elsa's face also shares that look of wonder that hers has as she marvels at the great engineering of man-made true.

Knowing that now is as good time as any to finally start off the Great Tourney, Silvanna raises her and Elsa's entwined hands in the air earning more cheers from the onlookers. Elsa looks at her questioningly but Silvanna just shrugs as she keeps their arms raised till the crowd hollering finally dies down. Letting a little bit of her magic enter her throat in order for her to amplify her voice, Silvanna speaks out loudly.

"Thank you everyone for coming on this spectacular event. My name is Silvanna Highwind, Knightess and Steward of Arendelle. I am grateful that all of you have made the effort of making your way here on Arendelle's Great Coliseum. I do not want to waste your time, so I will head straight to the point. This Great Tourney is being held in honour of the Fallen Heroes of Arendelle during our War against Nogrod. May their souls rest on the afterlife and be honoured among heroes who died for their countries. We will mourn their deaths, but we will rejoice with their sacrifice. We remember the dead, but we fight for the living. Hail the victorious dead!"

"HAIL!" thousands of voices respond to her speech.

"Today, I welcome you all so enjoy the feasting afterwards this ceremony. For those who wish to enter the events of the tourney, sign up on the stands and waste no more time. The admins will assign the fight as to who goes to who. To the victor, go the spoils. Now that is all, and therefore I personally want to declare….LET THE GREAT TOURNEY BEGIN!"

Silvanna ends with a shout raising her spear to the air making the entire amphitheatre shake as the crowds cheer their approval to her speech. It is after all to their liking, brief, inspiration and direct to the point. It doesn't help that the person saying it is beautiful beyond compare; many for the first time see the Knightess of Arendelle and are enchanted on the spot. Knights, nobles and many more soon plan it in their heart to win the tourney if only to get an audience with her.

As for Silvanna though she nods at the drummers and singers prepared beforehand who have been waiting for her signal at the edges of the Coliseum. Like a roaring tide, the sound of drums soon fill the air making everyone murmur as they look at the source of the sound in confusion as the heavy beats roll like thunder.

God rest ye merry gentlemen!
Let nothing you dismay!
Remember, Christ our Saviour!
Was born on Christmas Day

The singers sing in a heavy bass tone repeatedly making every soul stand in attention. Christianity of course is present in this time of day and age in this world, but not all share the same faith. Everyone though stands up in respect as the song rolls in. As for Silvanna, she chose this song for only one reason. She likes it. Especially the heavy beat part. It is a trending on Tiktok in her previous world before her demise. She figures it would be a good starting song for the start of the tourney and would tickle the fancy of the Western nations with the big bad powerful navies.

As the song ends, Silvanna is just prepared to go back and do public relations by meeting the dignitaries when another song starts. To her surprise, it does not come from the singers but from the beautiful goddess standing at her side.

The knightess that flies to the stars crosses thousands of miles in the distance.

The knightess that travels the starts turns a single moment into eternity.

Flowing, flowing so beloved.

It foams through the cradle of life and death.

Ah, on the journey of a thousand years of reincarnation

The hand and hand that are connected to seek each other.

Exchanging hearts, blowing winds, is flying to a new world.

The knightess travels the world with her golden spear

The light of the beginning it sparkles…sparkles

The light of the end, Sil…va….nna.

The knightess will return with us,

To the hourglass in which time overflows, Sil…va..nna.

The flames of a thousand souls fall smoothly and turn stars.

Flowing, flying they are beautiful,

And once again in the cradle of life, they light softly.

The song ends with a silence as everyone stares awestruck at the singing angel who finishes with a soft smile. Her voice is like water flowing through rock, the melodies cutting and piercing through the heart and rooting on the soul that everyone is frozen to where they are. Silvanna herself is frozen as she looks at the source. Elsa is smiling as a small ray of light shines on her. None of that awkwardness or nervousness she has before is present. She is at peace as she turns to her direction giving her a beautiful smile. She has never looked so beautiful as she does now. When Elsa sung at that Disney animation, she touched many hearts. The real deal Elsa right now, is a thousand times more as Silvanna can feel her very being squirming comfortably at the melody.

A clap starts from the crowd….and another….then another…and another before the entire Coliseum erupts into cheers as everyone claps at the beautiful performance. As for Silvanna, she does not care about any of them as she looks at the beautiful face of Elsa resisting the urge to kiss her there and then. As it is she just smiles at her radiantly raising their entwined hands to the air.

The future is full of promise.

…..

Meanwhile Somewhere at Arendelle palace.

"Bleeaarrgghhh!" the sound of Anna vomiting makes Alucard sigh as he looks at his friend and charge regurgitates her breakfast at a bucket while Gerda pats her back consolingly. The girl is worsening in her sickened condition and finally Alucard has enough.

"Your highness we are going to the physician right now!" he sternly said ignoring the glare that Anna gave him.

"But Alu! I want to go to the tourney. It starts today and-Bleeaarrrghhhh," she cuts off her words as she vomits once again at the bucket.

"The only place you are going today is the physician's room and back to your bed. This is non-negotiable!" Alucard adds the last part with a snap cutting off whatever witty comeback that Anna is about to retort.

Gods above, this girl is giving him migraines.

…..

Author's Note:

Hey readers, sorry for the long update. Been busy playing Choice of Games that's why I haven't updated. Anyway please review your opinions, I do enjoy reading the comments.

For the songs above, the first one is God Rest all Ye Gentleman and the second one is the Dragon Song from Cross Ange anime. I just changed some of the lyrics. You can look it up if you want.

Review Replies:

Mdhunter11: No, I update when I have time so its not consistent, I do try to write when I have free time though.

Pup: Thank you for the support, currently you're my number one supporter here.

DodemGM: I try to portray Silvanna as a bit overpowered in the fighting area. Besides she's cheating since she got knowledge from the 21st century which is a lot and she is a master at tactics and battles compared to the jocks at her present age. I plan to write other versions of Be Careful What You Wish For after this so tuck your belt tight.

For the others, thank you. I enjoy your opinions. Write your questions and reviews and next chapter I plan to reply.