A knock interrupted Elsa's train of thought as she toiled on paperwork to other kingdoms, with it being fall, late in the season to boot, Arendelle was preparing for harvests and thus trading goods would be booming. She blinked and looked to the door.
"Come in." Kai, the head servant to the castle, entered, making a quick bow.
"Your majesty, the prince of Hjallanes is here," Kai announced to Elsa. She smiled and stood up.
"Thank you, Kai, inform him I'll be meeting him in the council room."
"Yes, your majesty." Kai bowed again and left, closing the double doors behind him. Elsa sighed. It was a meeting to establish and discuss trades with a new kingdom. The kingdom of Hjallanes, in the land of Denmark, to the south of Arendelle. She knew a little bit about the royal family there; king and queen with four children, three boys and one girl, and she was about to meet their heir, their eldest son. She was understandably nervous to meet him, but she had hopes that the meeting would go well. She was always informed about royals visiting from other kingdoms so she wouldn't appear to be ignorant. A simple precaution, one of her advisors had said.
She quickly fixed her dress and hair, making sure she looked decent before making her way down with Gerda by her side. Her mother's handmaid was smiling broadly.
"What're you smiling so widely for?" Elsa asked, beginning to smile herself. Gerda chuckled.
"Some of the female servants are giggling about how attractive the prince is." Elsa raised an amused eyebrow.
"Is that right?" Gerda nodded.
"Quite. I've never seen them so giddy before." Gerda led her to the council room where she opened the door for Elsa. She thanked Gerda and bid her off.
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting-" Elsa began as she entered. She turned and saw a strikingly handsome young man suddenly stand up from his seat at the long table and straighten himself up. He had fair skin, pleasant blue-green eyes, and dark brown hair. His smile was warm and friendly, and his eyes had a certain twinkle to them. He wore comfortable dark gray pants and a dark blue button-down tunic with embroidery on the edges, with gold buttons and epaulets. He wore a deep red crossbody sash fasted with a gold pin, and his black boots were finely polished.
He stood up and bowed when she came in and gave her a pleasant smile.
"Your majesty." He said, and Elsa was taken aback by his smooth, deep voice. Behind him, a man slightly older also bowed, dirty blonde hair, intense blue eyes, and a sharp nose. Perhaps the prince' advisor?
"Oh, thank you." He straightened up again, "and what's your name?" She asked.
"Conrad. Prince Conrad." He replied. She smiled.
"A pleasure to officially meet you, Conrad." After the formalities, the pair sat down along with Elsa's and Conrad's advisors and several council members to discuss the trades between their kingdoms.
As they spoke, Elsa couldn't help but be a little caught up with how handsome Conrad was. She normally never paid attention to the looks of other princes that came to visit Arendelle. She didn't know why he was different, perhaps it was the aura he gave off? He sat across from her, one leg crossed upon the other and intertwined hands resting on his abdomen, he was trying to be comfortable, pulling at his collar a little bit. She bit back a smile as she answered a few questions and asked her own.
In the middle of their conversation, the door opened, revealing Anna.
"Hey, Elsa- Oh! Sorry! I didn't realize you were in a meeting!" Elsa stood.
"What is it Anna?" The princess scoffed and waved her hand in a dismissive manner.
"Oh it can wait, you're busy, let me know when you're done okay?" As suddenly as she appeared, Anna was gone. Bewildered, Elsa sat back down, laughing to herself. Conrad appeared to be just as amused.
"Sisters huh?" Elsa glanced over across the table at him, knowing that he had a sister, too.
"Mmm?"
"I have a younger sister too, she can be quite strange sometimes." Elsa chuckled.
"My sister has always been energetic, even when we were little." She felt more relaxed now, "I understand you have brothers as well?" Conrad nodded.
"Yes I do, two younger brothers." Elsa chuckled.
"I can't imagine what it must be like for your sister to have three older brothers." She remarked, hoping to not offend him, and based on his face, he had a sense of humor. He smiled at her comment.
"One thing is for sure, she can definitely win a sword fight." Elsa's advisor cleared his throat.
"If you don't mind, we have business matters to attend to?" Elsa and Conrad recomposed themselves as they went back to royal matters.
A couple of hours later, with everything settled, the group stood and left the council room. As Elsa stepped out to go look for Anna to see what she needed, Conrad caught up to her.
"You don't mind if I come with?" Elsa looked up.
"Not at all. Just going to go look for my sister go see what she needs."
"Right. So... tell me about yourself, since we're no longer discussing trade." Elsa chuckled.
"I'm sure you've heard about my powers?" She asked. Conrad nodded, biting at his lip as he looked around the castle, observing the decor with a smile.
"Most of the kingdoms to the south have certainly heard of you. We've heard a few stories. They've been nothing short of fascinating to listen to. Were you born with these powers?" Elsa nodded.
"Yes, I was. Most of my childhood through my teenage years were very much of a struggle, I had to hide my abilities for years and it caused a lot of tension within my family." Elsa frowned, she didn't like talking about her growing up and having to suppress her powers for so long. But she was grateful she no longer had to. She felt freer than she ever felt before. Not that she blamed her parents though, she recognized the struggle they faced of their heir born with incredible powers no one else in their family had. She knew they did their best and they meant well.
"I can't imagine."
"How did you hear about my powers, if I may ask?" Conrad awkwardly rubbed his neck.
"We heard about it from the Southern Isles, to which I'm aware you no longer have connections with." Elsa nodded, curious to hear more. Did Hjallanes have diplomacy to the Southern Isles?
"In one of our last communications with the king there, we were informed about Hans and his attempt to take Arendelle for himself. My mother and father expressed concern about my sister, so we cut off ties with the Southern Isles. I have no idea if it'll be permanent." Elsa widened her eyes, resting a surprised hand over her chest.
"Well then, that's very noble of your parents."
"After what we heard, we weren't taking chances." Conrad chuckled nervously, "So that's how we heard about you." Elsa nodded and stopped to ask one of the servants where Anna was, being directed to the front hall. The pair made their way there, where Anna was talking to Kristoff and a few villagers.
"Anna?" Elsa called to her sister. Anna turned around and grinned.
"Elsa! There you are!"
"What is it?"
"Well I was taking with some of the villagers about preparing for the fall festivities-" Anna stopped short again when she saw the young prince at her sister's side, "Elsa? Care to introduce him?" Elsa rolled her eyes.
"This is prince Conrad of Hjallanes, he's here to set up trade ties and diplomatic relations with Arendelle. He will be staying for a few days." Conrad grinned.
"Fall festivities?" Anna nodded.
"Yep! Here in Arendelle, we make a big deal about seasonal celebrations, it's a lot of fun! How does your kingdom celebrate the fall?"
"Anna-"
"No, no, it's quite alright! Back home we actually are very open to the pagan community and allow their celebrations to blend in with ours. It's how we stay in touch with our Viking roots. Lots of dancing, music, and food, it's quite fun!"
"Oh! Perhaps you can help us plan! Wouldn't that be nice, Elsa?" Elsa considered it.
"It would be, but it's up to him if he'd like to stay." Conrad smiled.
"I wouldn't mind staying a little longer. Sounds like fun! Too bad my siblings couldn't be here, my sisters favorite season is autumn." Elsa smiled and glanced up at him.
"What are your sibling's names? If I may ask?"
"Oliver, Tobias, and Signe." With that, Elsa took him around the village, showing him different places and introducing him to friends she'd made in the village. Conrad couldn't help but notice how well Elsa carried herself. She was truly elegant and graceful, he didn't know much about her yet, but he could already tell she was a wonderful queen who deserved the admiration she had.
He was soon settled into the guest wing of the castle, his closest advisor Edvard was also given a room. Edvard was slightly older but the pair had been close friends since childhood and Conrad trusted him with his life. When Conrad wouldn't be busy with diplomatic needs, Edvard would stay in and near the castle.
The two made themselves comfortable, and Conrad was eager to learn all about Arendelle, especially its lovely queen.