(A/N: Thanks everyone for your support as I write these stories for you. I love the Frozen world and TRULY hope they make a third movie soon. If I had to choose ANY fictional universe to live in, I would love to live in Arendelle. Can you imagine being friends with Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff? I was hoping to wrap the Eastern Isles arch last chapter, but most of my writings don't work like that. First, I have the general guideline for the chapter. However, as I write, I most often end up stretching moments not by choice and that ends up causing me to have to write a second chapter. Oh, well. Dracus's past will be explored more in a future chapter since I couldn't include it in time on this chapter.)
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE: A ROYAL DECISION
Dracus returned inside behind Elsa as they returned to Anna and Kristoff. Elsa noticed some disgusted looks people were giving her. "Don't mind them," Dracus whispered in her ear, "They're just jealous of your dress."
"It was something Anna suggested I recreate for tonight. I lost track of time and couldn't wear one of my appropriate dresses. What was I thinking? I'll go change into something different," Elsa tried to excuse herself, but Dracus grabbed her wrist and she looked at him.
"No. Stay," Dracus said. He wasn't smiling and his tone was regal. He looked at the Council members who looked at her disapprovingly. "Enjoy the party and get your rest. We'll discuss kingdom affairs tomorrow." Before Elsa could say anything, Dracus left her side to rejoin the Council Members.
Elsa rejoined with Anna and Kristoff who were having an eating contest, earning looks from nearby people. Anna wasn't a very formal royal individual. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind or have fun. Elsa disliked seeing others look down on those she loved just because of who they were and spoke to Anna and Kristoff, "Let's go. We're heading back to our room."
"What? We just got here," Anna complained with a mouth full of food.
"At least wait until I beat her at our little contest," Kristoff suggested.
"That wasn't a request. Now," Elsa spoke up more firmly. Anna and Kristoff seemed surprise by the tone Elsa took with them. She never did that before. Elsa headed out with Anna and Kristoff silently following a few feet behind her.
Hermes noticed her leaving and asked Elsa, "Where are you going, Queen Elsa?"
"We're heading back to our room," Elsa answered before looking over her shoulder at Anna and Kristoff who were looking anywhere else except her. They were obviously very confused why she was having them leave. She looked back at Hermes, "Anna and Kristoff have taken a liking to the appetizers your cooks have prepared. Could you have some sent to our room for them?"
Hermes bowed his head formally, "Of course, Your Majesty. Right away." Hermes looked sad as the three left. Dracus assigned him to them to make sure they enjoyed their time here. He glanced back at the crowd of visitors and noticed those of the Eastern Isles glancing at Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff as they left. My lord isn't going to like this.
After the three returned to their room, Kristoff asked, "Is it okay if I take this off? It's rather uncomfortable."
Elsa replied with a gentle smile, "Of course, you may, Kristoff." Kristoff walked over to the couch where his cleaned clothes were waiting for him, thanks to Kya. Elsa looked back at Anna who looked down. "Anna, what is it?"
"Did we embarrass you, Elsa? Is that why we had to leave the party early? I know you said we should behave ourselves. I'm sorry for not-" Anna apologized.
Elsa hugged her, "I'm the one who should be apologizing. I was so obsessed with our image since this kingdom was so important to our parents. You always told me to be myself around others, and you were so open and true to who you are. What did I do? I told you to not be yourself. I saw people of the Eastern Isles giving us looks and I didn't like it. You didn't do anything wrong." Elsa pulled away and smiled, "They'll have their party and we can have ours."
Anna looked confused before a knock came to their door. Elsa answered it. It was Hermes with a few servants carrying large serving platters of food. Anna's eyes got wide as they entered and put the clothes on the table in front of the couch.
"I wasn't sure what you three would like or how much," Hermes said to Elsa, "I hope this is-"
"My sister will eat just about anything and both have bottomless pits for stomachs. Thank you, Hermes," Elsa replied with a warm smile of gratitude.
"Dracus said as much. His detailed orders on how to serve you three were very specific," Hermes replied with a relieved smile before formally bowing to her and leaving with the servants.
Elsa remembered Dracus's revelation to her in the Royal Garden about having spies in her kingdom reporting to Dracus. Although Dracus jokingly confessed his intentions weren't hostile, Elsa couldn't help but feel vulnerable and guarded knowing another kingdom was secretly watching her every move. I need to address that to him when I meet with him tomorrow.
"Get ready to lose, Bjorgman," Anna challenged Kristoff, determined to finish their eating contest.
"Bring it on, Feisty Pants," Kristoff smiled as she approached the food, "Hey, Elsa. Why don't you join us? Whoever finishes their platter first wins."
Elsa giggled and waved her hands in front of her, "I'll skip this time. You two, enjoy. I think I'm going to take a bath before I turn in. It's been a busy day." Anna and Kristoff began pigging out as Elsa headed up the stairs to the bed to change.
Dracus entered the Council chambers with the council members who looked at him with such obvious disapproval. Dracus didn't take kindly to their disrespectful attitudes towards him or Elsa. Especially, Elsa. "Out with it, you old fossils!" he commanded firmly.
"When the former Dragon of the Eastern Isles ruled, he abided by the traditions and ways of our people, until the King and Queen of Arendelle arrived. It was because of their relations with him that he began to grow SOFT. Then you came along, HALFBLOOD," a councilor spoke angrily. That insult struck Dracus deep, but he remained regal in his demeanor to avoid showing them any signs of weakness. "Since the death of your SUPPOSED father, you have done everything humanly possible to defy us and the old ways."
Dracus stepped closer to the one speaking, "Not whenever, only when it didn't benefit me. And SUPPOSED? You have something you'd like to share, elder? I AM my father's son and I will follow HIS ways, not YOURS."
"You shouldn't have invited HER here!" another said, "The fall of our kingdom began the day King Agnarr and Queen Iduna walked on our land and poisoned the late Dragon's ear."
Dracus turned and looked at him, "That's why you didn't want me to invite her." He smiled. Her mere presence is a threat to them holding power and authority over me and the people. "I didn't realize such powerful men, such as yourselves, could feel so threatened by a woman. Why are you so afraid of her? Is it her magic, that she possesses REAL power that you can only dream of? No. I believe it's because she threatens your hold on this kingdom and its people. You are afraid that she will change everything and, in the end, leave you powerless and remind you that you are not as special and unique as you boast, but merely just a normal individual JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE."
"That's enough, HALFBLOOD!" the council members yelled fiercely, completely red with rage, but was smacked across the face by Dracus.
"Careful. You DON'T want to rile the Dragon of the Eastern Isles," Dracus warned gently.
"You are NO Dragon-" the council man retorted but received a back handed slap. In this kingdom, you strike a man with a fist but smack a woman. Dracus smacking this man was a great insult and made the others freeze with shock when they witnessed this.
A knock came on the door. "Enter," Dracus commanded and Hermes entered and whispered in his ear. Dracus looked confused and concerned at Hermes, "Elsa what? Why did she leave the party?" Hermes whispered more and Dracus angrily scowled at the Council members. "You did well, Hermes. Go enjoy the party." He did not look at Hermes when he said those words firmly, but at the Council members before him. Hermes immediately understood and quickly left, feeling suffocated by Dracus's malicious bloodlust fill the room's atmosphere.
Dracus removed his robe to reveal the long scar on his chest where a former Council Member harmed him after raising a rebellion against him. Dracus made an example of him without mercy and executed him before them. "Who else wants to meet the Great Dragon of Old?" His challenge intimidated them and they looked at each other. "No? Then KNEEL before the Dragon of the Eastern Isles! KNEEL before your KING!" They all kneeled before him and he recognized one of the Council Members wasn't there. "Where's Ti?"
After entering the room next door and stripping for her bath, Elsa exhaled with relief, feeling the warm spring water tend to her stressed body. She allowed it to swallow her as she drifted to the bottom with closed eyes, relaxing and allowing every negative thought and ounce of stress dissolve in the bath's medicinal waters. Finally, she swam to the surface, flinging her blonde hair back. She became guarded when she felt someone watching her.
She covered herself with her hands when she saw a green robed man standing behind her. It was one of the Council members. "You and all those other monarchs are not welcomed in this kingdom. That young fool willingly disrespects the traditions and ways of our people. He dishonors this kingdom by allowing foreigners to walk on our land. If you have any respect for this nation's traditions, you will be gone by morning."
"Dracus invited me, just like everyone else. I have every right to be here. Leave now," Elsa commanded, not liking his tone.
"You have no authority, woman, not here. A woman has no place on the throne," the Council man retorted with such twisted arrogance.
Elsa felt a rise in her and she replied reading him like a book, "You're scared of my presence here, aren't you? Dracus invited me here, but you and the others were against it. Only weak men would speak ill of a woman's place in a kingdom. It's because of strong women that kingdoms have strong men as kings."
Elsa's last few words struck him and made him very angry as she boldly looked into his eyes with a regal scowl. Anna entered and was shocked by his presence, "Hey! Who are you?! You should leave! Now!"
The Council man grabbed her wrist before she could grab him to forcefully escort him out. "Mind your tongue, peasant, and know your place!" He pulled away from her when a gust of ice magic struck his hand.
"Never touch my sister again. I am Queen and she is a Princess. Remember YOUR place," Elsa warned regally, standing on the tub's edge with a newly created ice dress that concealed her nakedness and a fierce scowl.
Kristoff entered, hearing the commotion, "What's going on- Who the heck are you?!"
"Kristoff, this man is not welcome in our room. Please, escort him out and be as rough as you want," Elsa commanded. Kristoff became angry when he saw Anna near the other man holding her wrist as though she was hurt. "Gladly." Anna went to Elsa as Kristoff man handled the smaller man and carried him out by force.
"Elsa, are you okay?" Anna asked urgently.
Elsa's scowl disappeared as soon as she laid eyes on Anna. "Never mind me. Does your wrist hurt?" Elsa examined Anna's wrist where it still felt tender and applied some ice to sooth the ache.
"That feels nice. Elsa, I don't know how he got in here," Anna rambled.
"He must have been waiting for me. He wants us to leave now. I will not stand for this. Dracus will hear of this immediately," Elsa replied. She never felt this upset before. The two jumped when they heard a commotion and ran into the next room to find Dracus beating the man to a bloody pulp. Kristoff was standing away.
"DRACUS!" Elsa yelled and Dracus froze, his expression softened as soon as his eyes met her concerned blue eyes. He released the man and let him fall to the carpet and leaving without another word or another look at Elsa. Guards carried the injured man away.
"Dracus entered urgently looking for him. Why I told him what happened, he lost it," Kristoff explained. This made Elsa try to go after Dracus, but Kristoff caught her. "You should just give him space for now."
Elsa nodded and walked up the stairs to the large bed to get ready for bed. Anna went after her. Elsa was silent the rest of the night. She lied in bed next to Anna, staring at the ceiling with so many thoughts of recent events racing through her head. Anna opened her eyes to see Elsa still in the same position. She cuddled closer to Elsa and gave her a smile, making Elsa smile and finally able to go to sleep, cuddled with her little sister.
The next morning arrived and the majority of the day was filled with Hermes teaching her the routine of the dinner she was to have with Dracus, what time and other details. Hermes was obviously a man of perfection and detail, but she doubted her evening with Dracus would follow Hermes's guideline. There was so much she wanted to discuss with Dracus since she was reunited with him when he paid her a strange visit.
Hermes guided Elsa to the balcony that overlooked the Royal Gardens where Dracus waited by a table. Her heart fluttered when his face lit up warmly when he saw her. Hermes left and Dracus approached Elsa slowly, taking the time to admire her beauty. He gave her hand a peck and gently guided her to her seat before pushing her seat closer to the table and walking over to his chair. Three servants each brought a platter. One was various fruit. The other two meals specifically made for them. Elsa saw her meal was what the cook asked her for earlier when Hermes was helping her prepare. Salmon and salad. Dracus's meal was steak and various vegetables.
She took a bite of her salmon and moaned slightly. Dracus smiled, "Enjoying your salmon?"
She nodded and swallowed, "I've have salmon often, but not like this? What did the cook put in it?"
"Sorry, Elsa. That's an important secret of the Eastern Isles. My cook, Vila, brilliant as she is as a chef, is quiet…paranoid of keeping her recipes a secret and would slit my throat in my sleep if I gave her recipe to another kingdom," Dracus laughed. How much he was joking, Elsa had no idea and just laughed along nervously.
She then noticed his smile faded and he began poking his food with his fork. "Dracus, I think we need to talk about what transpired earlier. I see it's still bothering you."
Dracus sighed and reached across the table to hold her hand. "Elsa, I'm sorry for the way I behaved and for the treatment you had to endure since you arrived. Having you here threatens the Council because you are father's daughter. Your parents' arrival years ago started the first change. They hate you because of your parents' influence on my father."
Elsa suddenly felt like she did something wrong, "I'm sorry. I-"
"Never apologize, Elsa. You and your parents? You changed things in this kingdom for the better. My kingdom may be great in size, resources and wealth, but pales in comparison to Arendelle. I intend to change this kingdom for the better like yours. It's one of many reasons why I planted spies in your kingdom. I wanted to learn more about the people, your ways, your accomplishments," Dracus quickly explained, "I wanted to know more about you and your family."
Elsa remembered Hermes explaining the "proposal" Dracus meant a partnership and had nothing to do with courting and marriage. However, Elsa could see the care and love in his eyes and voice as he spoke to her. It made her question Hermes considerably. Dracus definitely felt something for her, but was holding back. She was going to mention his spies and request he withdraw them immediately, but his explanation made her hold her tongue out of pity. She knew well how traditional this kingdom was to their old ways and Dracus, being a knew ruler was struggling to change things. If anything, she wanted to help instead of hindering his progress.
Elsa felt something warm inside her heart stir, "Dracus, why did you invite me?"
Dracus smirked, "I just told you. To change my kingdom."
She looked down to see his hand still holding her's. "Is that the only reason?" she asked softly, looking into his eyes. He understood and blushed slightly before pulling away, nervously clearing his throat.
"I think we should focus on discussing the alliance between our kingdoms, like what our parents had. I have made similar partnerships with other likeminded Kingdoms," Dracus replied, avoiding her eyes as they continued observing his face.
"You want Arendelle to join your alliance?" Elsa asked.
"No, I don't want you join MINE. I want to join YOURS. My spy in your palace reported what you discussed with your guests at your ball. It appears we shared the same vision for the future and before we even knew it," Dracus smiled. "Shall we get started discussing negotiations?"
"My answer is already yes. Arendelle would be happy to be partnered with the Eastern Isles once again," Elsa immediately replied and rose from her chair and approached him.
"Hold it. We have numerous details to discuss. You may want to reconsider," Dracus advised, surprised by her compliance.
"There's nothing to discuss, my lord," Elsa replied formally in a regal posture but held a slight smile on her face. "I trust you are a good man who only wants what's best for his people and those beyond his kingdom. Will you walk with me through the gardens?"
Dracus smiled, moved by how trusting she was towards him. "It would be my greatest honor, Your Majesty." He rose from his chair and walked alongside Elsa down the steps into the vast garden that was lit up beautifully just for that night.
Elsa was amazed by how beautiful everything looked. There were flowers there from all over the world. Elsa stopped and Dracus walked ahead a few steps before he noticed she stopped and turned. "Elsa? Have something on your mind?"
"You know quite a bit about me, but I don't know much about you," she replied. Dracus smiled, walked over to her and held her hand, "Allow me to rectify that." He guided her to the nearby decorative water fountain and she sat on the edge. He sat beside her and encouraged, "Ask me anything."
Elsa thought about everything she ever wanted to ask him. She remembered the scar on his chest and how he said he got it. "Why does your Council question your claim to the throne? You ARE the rightful heir to the throne being the son of the former king."
Dracus's whole demeanor became serious and guarded, like how she got when Anna confronted why she was being so cold with her at the Coronation ball. He turned away, wrestling with whether or not she should tell her. He took a deep breath before looking at Elsa for confirmation he could trust her. He got closer and whispered the secret he had been hiding for years, the secret the Council was slowly discovering. He was not a pureblood worthy of the throne or even related to the late king. He was a half-blood taken in and secretly raised as the king's blood son. His heritage was kept secret from everyone in the kingdom. Only true descendants of the founders of the kingdom were named purebloods while everyone else was deemed a half-blood.
Elsa didn't seem phased at all and took his hand, promising with sincerity, "I'll keep your secret. I promise."
He sighed with relief as if a huge mountain was being lifted from his shoulders. He smiled so warmly at her she smiled back. "My turn to ask you something uncomfortable. What's this I hear about you not visiting with suitors?"
Elsa was hesitant to answer but managed what she could, "I- I don't know. It never seemed important to me. My sister and my duties as Queen always held a greater priority. After all this time being distant with others when it came to…romantic love, I'm not sure how to start. I'm not sure if I even should. I see how happy Anna is with Kristoff. After almost destroying my home and almost killing my own sister, do I even deserve that happiness? To be loved?"
Elsa could only look down at her anxious fidgety hands.
Her heart began to beat loudly when his hand caressed her cheek and turned her head to look in her eyes. "You deserve that and far more." Elsa began to lean forward towards his face, but he just stood and stepped a few feet away.
"Dracus?" Elsa called, standing up.
"I'm not going to lie about how I feel for you, Elsa. I have often wondered, since I first met you what it would be like to have you near me, but then Hermes told me about your reaction to my letter," Dracus explained with his back to Elsa. The mention of that incident where she panicked made her tense up. "You still fear that kind of love and commitment, but now?" He turned to face her and stepped back closer to her. "Now…you are beginning to wonder, but your guard is still up. Despite how I may feel about you, I can't act on it. Not like this. You are in a very emotionally vulnerable position right now entering this area of your life and I don't want to take advantage of your emotions like that." He held her chin gently and finished saying, "Return home. Open your heart to those around you. Allow yourself to be loved, to feel that kind of love for another person. Okay?"
Elsa understood completely. She couldn't rush into something this important so casually and he was making sure she knew that. She nodded, "I understand." He kissed her softly on the cheek goodnight and watched as she parted from him and returned to her room. The ache in his heart was almost unbearable but it had to be done for her sake. She was still trying to find herself.
The next morning, Hermes escorted the three back home on Dracus's ship. Elsa took one last glance at the Eastern Isles, fixated on what he told her the night before. Anna hugged her from behind. "How did your dinner go with Dracus last night?"
Elsa turned to her with a smile, "It was enlightening." Anna wasn't sure what Elsa meant by that, but didn't press.
(A/N: ATTENTION, READER! PLEASE READ! IMPORTANT STORY UPDATE! I've been speaking with a reader who requested I give Elsa a boyfriend. Although, I would love to, I am hesitant because since this story is meant to follow canon as much as possible besides what I fill in with imagination since not a lot is revealed about certain things. In Frozen 2, Elsa is single and doubtfully ever had any relationship besides with Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven. If I write her into a relationship, I would have to write them parting ways before the end of the story since this story is meant to end before Frozen 2. I shared with the reader that I was tempted to deviate from canon moving forward and not pursue the path Disney places Elsa on in Frozen 2. This would completely contradict my original intention of this story exploring the three years between Frozen 1 and 2. I got into a deep conversation with another person about how Frozen 2 isn't historically accurate since slavery got swept under the rug by Disney in this franchise. That conversation is what got me to thinking about altering certain parts of the story in future chapters and deviating away from canon. However, since this is TOO big and popular a story, I can't make this choice by myself and need your vote to decide. What do you think I should do? PLEASE VOTE "Yes, change from canon" or "No, remain faithful to canon." NO "do whatever you want" answers. Those are not allowed XD. Until I receive enough answers from you, the readers, I will temporarily halt Frozen Tales. The answer with the most votes will win and that will be the route I will take moving forward. Leave your answer short and simple and in a message or your review. Either way, I will be exploring this "boyfriend" idea for Elsa. Thank you.)