Chapter 3
Unbeta'ed
A/N: Short Chapter as work even in this current coVid-19 pandemic is a hassle.
As always, let me know your thoughts
The new day dawns on Fort Skydda.
'Today is the day.'
This single thought pervaded the waking thoughts of the Queen of Arendelle.
Long discussions with trusted advisors, meetings upon meetings with representatives across their domain, strategic planning with military leaders, all of these culminate in today's meeting.
A knock sounds from the door.
"Your majesty, may we come in?"
It was Krisitina, her head lady-in-waiting.
"Enter."
In shuffles three of her ladies-in-waiting bringing with them a selection of dresses and other accoutrements to prepare her for her meeting today.
She scrutinizes each dress. 'The first impression is always important. As queen, you have to be what your subjects need you to be.' Another one of her father's little nuggets of royal wisdom echo in her head.
Elsa makes her selection.
Hiccup takes a deep breath. Sebastian, his valet stands behind him. The well-kept manservant brushes off some dust from his liege's shoulder. He is devoted to his job and treats it as a privilege to serve this man he calls his emperor.
"How do I look Sebastian?" Hiccup fidgets with his jacket. Designed to exude strength and gravitas, his military jacket and the wolf pelt draped over his shoulders oozes intimidation.
Sebastian eyes his charge. "May I speak candidly, your Excellency?"
"Always."
"Why are you so nervous? I've seen you face down hordes upon hordes of would-be invaders and you didn't even break a sweat."
"I- it's just that a lot rides on these negotiations. The entire future of Lofoten relies on the success of these talks."
"Again Hiccup, this is not the first time."
"I don't know. There's something about this meeting… It's not entirely a bad feeling. I'm just anxious." The emperor uncharacteristically fidgets with the tassel at his chest.
"You will do your best. And that is more than enough. As usual." His manservant steps back and his uncommonly handsome asianic features revert to their usual stoic expression. "By your leave, your Excellency."
Sebastian steps out.
The emperor of Lofoten steps out to the balcony of his room, savoring the chilly scandinavian air and the stark mountains of the region.
A knock sounds at his door.
"Your Excellency, they are ready for you."
He gives one last look at the mountain range and steps out.
The meeting will be held at the red room. A central chamber within Fort Skydda, it was so named the red room due to the elaborate dark crimson tapestries that hung from the ceiling. It had an eastern-facing window which afforded a view of the rising sun as it made its course through the sky, framed by two peaks. A room designed to impress, this is where dignitaries or heads-of-state are usually entertained. It had entryways that connect to the two opposite wings of the fort.
In the middle of the room was an ornate oaken round table. Above it was a simple metal chandelier, unlit due to the early hour. Facing each other, across the table were set two gilded chairs. One covered with a white duvet and cushions, the other similarly covered except for its black color.
Two taps sounded from the both entrances. The doors opened.
Elsa's eyes were wide. She was struggling to keep her face passive. A sudden flush blossomed on her cheeks.
Hiccup was taken aback. An involuntary gurk snuck up on his throat. A tentative foot stepping back. A comparable blush on his freckled cheeks emerged.
"Her Majesty, Queen Elsa of House Bernadotte."
"His Excellency. Emperor Henry I of Lofoten."
No one made a move.
Ehem. Astrid gave Hiccup a glare so hard he could feel it at the side of his head.
"Elsa, are you alright?" Anna spoke softly, leaning forward and putting a hand on her shoulder in concern.
Jolted out of their ill-timed paralysis, both leaders stepped forward and sat at the table. Evergreen could not look away from ice blue.
A moment passed and neither still spoke.
Eyes shifting from her sister to Emperor Henry, Anna began.
"We both know why we are here, so let us begin. According to our intelligence, the Hegemony is moving towards the Czardom's border as we speak. Albeit armed with more advanced weaponry, we face their vast armies with the support appropriated resources from their conquered lands."
Astrid nodded in concurrence and added, "Then can we both sides agree that this alliance is necessary?"
Her eyes travel from the Arendellian Spymaster to the famed Sorceress of Frost. She notes the blush on the cheeks of the queen, but attributes it to the cold weather.
"Yes."
"Agreed."
The royals spoke simultaneously.
Hiccup regains his composure and goes into his emperor persona.
"Then let us move this forward." His tone was no-nonsense, clipped. Far different to the kind cadence of Hadrian, Elsa noted.
"We need your intelligence infrastructure and you need our military, however, I think this allegiance can go beyond our mutual defense."
Elsa nods slightly. She squares her shoulders and begins.
"We believe that an exchange of technology would also benefit both of our peoples. I've heard reports of the great advancements in production and industry that Lofoten has made. In the same vein, Arendelle will share our knowledge on agriculture to help sustain our nations."
Emperor Henry furrows his brow and brings a hand to his mouth in thought. He desperately tries to rationalize his attraction for Ilsa last night and the realization that he was in fact crushin on the Queen of Arendelle.
"Very well, to facilitate these exchanges, we'll establish committees consisting of representatives from both sides. We'll have to integrate our economies and governing institutions."
Queen Elsa dreaded the prospect of combining the bureaucracies. A daunting challenge if there ever was one.
"We'll have to decide on the leadership for each department, as well as a pool of advisors."
The discussions went back and forth. Details from military movements and fortification to economic systems were discussed. The two leaders, along with their confidants, ironed out what would be the foundations of a new nation.
The meetings went through lunch until deep in the night. Still, there was much to be discussed.
Anna speaks up, "I believe we have agreed upon the overarching points of this alliance. However, there is one last point that needs to be discussed."
All eyes are on her.
"It seems to me that an agreement of this magnitude, a marriage of nations essentially, requires commitment of equal scale."
"Anna…" Elsa whispers.
Her devious sister is undeterred. "Emperor Henry, I believe that you and my sister should get married."