Forever At Your Side ch. 12
The week of training went by faster than I thought that it would've but now the tournament is here along with other swordsmens from other kingdom to compete for the asking rights to the Queen's hand in marriage. Arendelle is decorated for the occasion with food stalls and games for the citizens to enjoy as those who are competing in the tournament and how much these people went out for this amazing. Kristoff is going through the stalls, trying everything that he can get his hands on while I'm at the docks, scoping out my competition to see what I'm really up against and to be honest; I'm not impressed. All the competitors that I have seen are stuffy princes with trainers that trained them since birth but there are a few that I have my eyes that could give me a challenge although who knows as I slipped into the alleyway, making my way to find the shape-shifter. It wasn't too hard find to him since he was sitting at table around with various food, eating a huge turkey drumstick with Sven engorging himself on a pile of bones and I shake my head at the two before grabbing one of the turkey legs.
"I leave you two alone for a few minutes and this is what you do?" I asked biting into the turkey legs.
"Don't judge us, we're just taking advantage of the festivities" Kristoff said through a mouthful. "How did the spying go?"
"I think it might be interesting cause I think a few of them will put up a decent fight, at least that's what I'm hoping anyways and it's not spy, it's recon" I said shrugging my shoulder.
"Just don't get cocky, Anna. It never ends well" Kristoff warns.
"Right, got it" I said with a nod.
I walked around a little until I come across a stall with different stuff animals as prizes with in particular catching my eye and it's a stuffed brown puppy with a white underbelly, making me think of the kid. Hmm why not. I have time to kill. The game seemed easy enough to get three rings around the neck of a beer ring as I slapped a gold coin on the counter as the owner gives me three rings and I managed to get two of three rings on. I slapped another gold coin onto the counter before getting another three rings and making it on the neck of the bottle, smirking to myself as the owner hands me the stuffed puppy.
"A gift for your girl, hmm?" The owner asked smirking.
"No, for a kid that I know" I said shrugging.
"I'm sure that they're gonna love it"
"Thanks" I said heading to the castle.
The servant are scrambling getting everything prepared for the onslaught of people that are going to be staying in the castle for the tournament as I stay out of their as I look for Olaf but I didn't have to look that hard with the kid, making his way towards me.
"Hi Anna" Olaf said hugging my legs.
"Sup. Here you go" I said handing him the stuffed puppy.
"Cool, thank you Anna" Olaf said grinning.
"No problem" I said ruffling his hair. "So where's your Mom at?"
"She's getting ready for the opening ceremony of the competition. It should start soon"
"Ready to watch me kick some serious butt?" I asked smirking.
"You're gonna win but um can you promise me something first" Olaf said shifting from one foot to the other.
"Uh sure, what is it?" I asked raising an eyebrow.
"Promise that you won't get hurt" Olaf said looking up at worriedly.
"I can promise that I will try my best, okay" I said bending down in front of him.
Olaf wraps his arms around my neck and hugs me tightly for awhile before letting go then runs off in the opposite as I shake at the little guy's antics before deciding to head out to my room to take a quick tub. I change into a long sleeve white blouse tugged into the black pants, and my boots that have cleaned of all the dirt that it collected over the years as I look at myself the mirror to see that I look presentable. I looked at the star bracelet that Olaf gave me before my last mission and I couldn't help but feel like it's giving me strength to go with those ordeal because I know that I promise that I do this for him and his mother and I never been one to break a promise. I'm not about to start now as I take my hair out of my usual braids then brush my hair fall around my shoulders follow by braiding a crown around the top before walking out of my room towards the dining room where the opening ceremony of tournament is being held. The place was a little crowd with princes and dukes to fight each other over Elsa and I stood in listening to some of them. Some of things that they were saying about the Queen were disgusting and half of them I wanted to punch their fuckin lights out but I knew that I couldn't unless I wanted to be disqualified.
"I heard that her skin is as perfect as the ice itself"
"I heard that she's so beautiful that she makes other woman pale in comparison" Another prince said smirking.
"If I could have a woman as beautiful as Queen Elsa, I would make submit to me and bare all my children" Another prince said perversely.
Why is she going through all of this? Would the Queen go through all of this if she knew about all of the things that these guys are saying about her? I hate that I can't do anything to defend her honor. I want to punch something… anything. Calm down Anna, I'm gonna get enough payback in the tournament and none are gonna get near her. The crows suddenly gets quietly and I look in the direction that everyone was looking in and my breath gets caught in my throat as I looks at her… at the Queen standing at the top of the grand staircase in her signature ice dress but her long blonde hair isn't in her normal braid but is cascading down her back in waves. She walks… no glides down the stairs with a regal air around her but a confident and radiant smile tugging at the edges of her lips. She looks beautiful. Not that's he doesn't look beautiful all time but right she looks even more beautiful if possible.
"Gentlemen, it is a pleasure to see you all and I hope that I will be able to meet and talk with all of you tonight. I know that all of you are here for the tournament and may the odds ever be in your favor but for now eat, drink and be merry" Elsa said smiling.
I watched from a distance as all these fuckin prince and dukes crowded around the Queen, trying to get her attention as she laughs at something that they say but it seems rather restrain to me. I wanted to go over there and tell them to back off but all of them have a right to talk much to my dismay and annoyance as I take a glass of champagne off of a nearby tray and downing it in one gulp.
"Drinking already?"
I looked to see that it's Marshall is his Captain of the Guard uniform and smiling on his face as I roll my eyes at him before putting the glass down with standing close to me, leaning against the wall.
"It's the only way that I'm gonna be able to deal with stuck up princes and dukes" I said crossing my arms.
"I hear ya Brother, I hear ya" Marshall said shaking his head in agreement.
"I wanna go over there and punch all them but I know that I can't. Why is she putting up with all them?" I asked frowning.
"It's a formality. She's not doing it because she wants to" Marshall replies.
"It's stupid if you ask me"
"I think it's stupid too but we'll have to deal with it until tomorrow then it's on with the matches where the action begins" Marshall said smirking.
"Oh yeah, I say that it's gonna be me and you against each other for her hand" I said smirking.
"I would hate to disappoint the both of you but I'm sure that I'm going to the finals"
Me and Marshall turns to see a guy around the age of twenty eight with auburn hair, the most ridiculous sideburns that I have ever seen in my life, hazel green eyes, a sparkling white smile that it's almost blinding. There's something sinister behind that charming smile of his that rubs me the wrong way and my gut is telling me that I need to watch for him over the next few days. Next to him is a slightly shorter guy with shaggy light brown hair that looks that the wind swept it to the side, fair skin like he hasn't gotten enough sun in a good while, brown eyes, a stoic expression on his face and a more stockiness build than his companion.
"And you are?" I asked raising an eyebrow.
"How rude of us? I am Hans of the Southern Isles and my chum here is Sasuke from Weselton" Hans said bowing slightly. "And you two are?"
"Marshall of Arendelle, Captain of the Guards" Marshall said bowing.
"Anna. Just Anna" I said nodding in my greeting.
"They let a woman in the competition?" Sasuke asked raising an eyebrow.
"Got a problem with it cause there's nothing in the rules saying that I can't compete" I said frowning.
"Of course not. We're surprised is all, right Sasuke" Hans said stepping in-between and Sasuke.
"Hn" Sasuke replies. "I would be surprised if she makes past the first round"
"Wanna piece of me, buddy?" I asked getting annoyed.
"Anna, calm down. This isn't the place or the time" Marshall said putting a hand on my shoulder.
"Sasuke, stop picking fights with others. This is supposed to be fun" Hans reprimands.
"Whatever" Sasuke said walking away.
"Sorry about him. He doesn't have very good social skills or people skillz for that matter" Hans said chuckling sheepishly.
"Obviously" I grunted out.
"It was nice meeting the two of you and I look forward to seeing you in the competition" Hans said walking away.
"Well that was something" Marshall said shaking his head.
I grunted a little because that stupid bastard got under my skin and making want to have another drink as Marshall has to go check on something but making sure that I promise not to start fight with anyone. I swore that I wouldn't before he would leave me alone, leaving me to wallow in my thoughts that I didn't notice the blonde goddess walking towards me or calling my name until I felt something cool being pressed against my cheek. I looked into a pair of piercing blue eyes before leaning a little into her cool hand as she looks at me with confused yet concerned look on her face.
"Don't seem to be enjoying yourself. Did someone say something to upset you?" Elsa asked concerned.
"Your concern is much appreciate, Your Majesty but it's unwarranted. I'm fine" I said taking her hand in my own to place a chaste kiss on it. "I'm enjoying myself now that you're here"
"T-Then it is a g-good thing I arrived when I did" Elsa said as a small blush makes its way into her cheeks.
"What about you, My Queen? The princes seem to be enjoying your company" I said motioning to the princes.
"I cannot say that I am enjoying myself with all of them hovering over me like vultures" Elsa said sighs slightly annoyed.
"I'm not sure what that is like but you could always tell them to back off"
"I wish that I could but I cannot. Least not without offending someone. Things are more complicated than that" Elsa said shaking her head.
"Well I will be always be by your side and I'll try to make things less complicated however I can" I said smiling.
"Do you really mean that, Anna?" Elsa asked surprised.
"As long as you'll have me then I shall stay. You're my Queen and I will do whatever it takes to make sure that you're safe plus I don't like all these guys flocking to you this" I said crossing my arms.
"Thank you, Anna and I think it's rather refreshing seeing you all jealous like" Elsa said giggling slightly.
"Me? Jealous? Yeah right" I scoffed.
"If you say so Anna, if you say so. I better meet more of my guests before thinking that I'm showing favoritism towards you"
"Would that be a bad thing?" I asked taking her hand in mine.
"I would not think but others will. I shall you soon" Elsa said taking her leave.
I sigh to myself as I run my hand through my bangs. What am I getting myself into?
~Nicole The Dragon Rider signing off
End of ch. 12
