Chapter 20:
Sisters
Arendelle Chapel
Coronation of King Agnarr
Iduna and Nora followed Amma into the strange building. It was early morning and everyone was waiting in line or standing outside in hopes to get a glimpse.
Iduna stared up at the strange building that Nora and her mother called a "Chapel." A supposed sacred building where they came to worship a God.
She saw statues and paintings of all kind. Each dictating what an angel or a spirit was. At least that's what Nora told her. Which was strange to hear because spirits weren't invisible or have wings on their back. She should know, she grew up with them at the forest.
They walked past the many benches and Iduna silently gasped when she turned to see a giant cross in front of her. It almost looked terrifying if she was being honest.
"This way, Iduna." Said Nora as she guided her to the empty bench row where her and her mother were.
"Why are we here again?" Asked Iduna innocently.
"We're here because the archbishop will crown prince Agnarr as king, Iduna." Explained Amma.
"Archbishop?" Asked Iduna. Not at all knowing what the word meant at all.
"You'll see him when he arrives. He has large white clothes and a funny chefs hat." Smiled Nora as Amma shook her head and gently bumped her daughters shoulder.
Many people made their way into the chapel and soon enough it was full. Everyone was talking with one another. Even Iduna and Nora were talking with one another as Nora would show her the hymn book where they would sing and explained questions Nora had.
Iduna would study the strange symbols and words and it was as if she was seeing a different code text or something. Her people didn't write words. They drew.
Suddenly the talking seized all at once as a older man stepped out of the doors. His walk was very graceful but his clothes were large and white. He held a large staff in his hand and as Nora explained before, he also had a funny looking hat.
"Oh, is that the chefs hat-"
"Shhhh!" Hissed Nora but it was too late. Everyone turned around to look at the two girls for the comment Iduna made.
They both swallowed nervously at the pair of eyes staring at them. Even the bishop glared at them as if he couldn't believe he heard that from the two young girls.
Amma nervously chuckled. "Please forgive my daughters, holy father. They are... children after all."
"Hmmph. Well then." Said the archbishop as he adjusted the hat one his head and turned around. "I suppose I should welcome and thank you all for coming in this great day God has blessed us with."
There was that strange word again. God. Who was he and when was he showing up? Thought Iduna to herself as the funny looking archbishop raised his hands as if he was proud to praise this invisible creature.
"Now everyone rise to your feet and let us welcome our future king, prince Agnarr." Said the archbishop.
Everyone stood to their feet. Iduna watched with confusion why everyone suddenly stood up but Nora quickly grabbed her arm and yanked her up with her.
The large doors opened from behind and everyone immediately turned to look. Even Iduna turned. There were large guards near the doors and everyone started to bow their heads one by one while the choir above them started to sing.
Iduna was confused by the act but her thoughts went away when she saw the prince, the same boy she had rescued from the forest.
His long cape dragged on the ground as he walked forward. His face seemed nervous yet concentrated at the same time.
Her nervous heart started to beat very rapidly and she wanted to hide her face or run away. All her worst fears came to life and she was scared he would catch a glimpse of her and recognize her.
Iduna quickly followed everyones example and bowed very exaggerated while hiding her face. She had rehearsed to do so this morning anyways.
Nora furrowed her brows and quickly tapped Nora's spine. "Arch your back a little. You look like a broken stick." Whispered Nora.
Iduna quickly did as she was told and still hide her face. She even threw her hair in the front so to not be seen.
Her held in breath finally left her lips when he passed her and he went up to meet the bishop in the stage. Finally everyone sat down and Iduna couldn't be happier to be the first to do so.
Then the ceremony began and time went on as the archbishop spoke for many long minutes. Even Nora would've fallen asleep if it weren't for her mother constantly shaking her.
The cleansing and ordination of sealing took place as Iduna watched the strange archbishop dip his finger tips in water and then run them through the princes head before then blowing air on it.
Iduna furrowed her brows and titled her head at the strange act.
"Yeah weird huh? But my father would tell me that it's all symbolic." Whispered Nora.
"Symbolic? What does that mean." Whispered Iduna back.
"It means that there is a meaning to what they are doing. It shows an example of something important. Like what the archbishop just did right now means he was cleaning the prince of his impure or doubtful thoughts and sins so he can be worthy to wear the crown." Explained Nora.
"Hmm.." said Iduna as she listened. Still very confused by the strange things going on before her.
Occasionally though, Iduna would find herself getting lost and passing the time by just staring at the prince.
His outfit was full of green and golden colors. It all seemed new and just made. His shoes were the shiniest in the room and his coat the most detailed of all the men. Even his hair was combed neatly and patted to the side.
She watched carefully as the prince would occasionally breathe heavily and even tap his fingers and his foot throughout the ceremony. She studied his face, his expressions and all his body language.
As the choir sang from the upper floor of the chapel, the archbishop scooped the crown in his hands. He walked over to the young Agnarr, who bowed his head as the crown was gently placed on it. Then the Archbishop took the cushion that held the royal sceptre and orb, which Agnarr slowly and gently took into his hands and then he turned around to face the crowd of people who had gathered to witness his coronation.
The archbishop began to recite a verse from the Bible in Roman and added other words to it. Agnarr breathed in slowly as he watched everyone who was staring at him.
Even landing his eyes on a strange and adorable face that looked very familiar yet new.
For some reason at that moment all his nerves went away. Perhaps it was because the way she sat with her arms almost hugging the bench in front of her and her head titled as she stared deep into his soul.
She wasn't at all seating regally like the rest of the crowd. Her hear was nearly done and was brunette compared to the auburn haired girl next to her.
Or perhaps it was her sparkling blue eyes that were bluer than any of the people in the room today. Regardless of what it was he was grateful because his nerves seemed to go away in that moment.
And soon he looked out to the people again he realized what was about to happen. That he was going to be responsible for these people. His people. Just like his father taught him.
To always put the people of Arendelle first. It's what he was taught since he was was born. But now being here he realized more than anything that now he needed to do just that.
"Arendelle comes first, Agnarr. Never forget that."
Agnarr closed his eyes at hearing his father words again before he opened them. Finally accepting his fate and his calling. Just as he was always destined to be.
"All Hail, King Agnarr of Arendelle!" Proclaimed the Archbishop.
"All Hail King Agnarr!" Repeated the crowd as they rose and applauded their new king.
Everyone in the room clapped as they made their respects to the new king. Iduna quickly caught on and she too began to clap slowly to make sure she blended in.
Agnarr smiled at his people as his eyes would often focus back on the cute girl who was clapping with all of his people.
Arendelle Castle Grounds
Iduna had never been in this part of the city before. Her big blue eyes would dart everywhere and she watched the people walk by in multitudes and even the large skyscrapers next to her.
Amma lead the way through the city as Nora and Iduna followed from behind. She and many others walking towards the direction of the castle were dressed in high standard clothing.
The woman wearing a variety of different colored dresses and the men all wearing fine coated suits as if they were ready to dance at a ball.
Which they weren't too wrong to do so. There was word that there would be Norway's highest quality of musicians would be at the coronation. More so the orchestra and opera.
But Amma did not care to dance. In fact she already came with the mindset that she would be denying every single invitation for her hand on the ballrooms dance floor.
She knew of her beauty and knew many men would take advantage of the poor widow of the once known farmer and lieutenant.
But she didn't come to dance nor to cope with her husbands death. She could scoop up a man home and bring him back to her quarters in the farm to spend the night with her. Hell she could scoop several of them if she wanted.
But that's not who she was and that's not why she came tonight. She came to ensure her husbands legacy is secured and continued. She came to ensure that everyone is convinced that Iduna and Nora are sisters.
That is all that mattered to her. And it seemed to be working so far with how the coronation of the new king went.
And as for Iduna, she too thought in a much similar way. Despite all her fears, despite everything she's gone through, she was here to convince all of Arendelle who she was.
The daughter of Christian and Amma. The sister of Nora.
She repeated those words in her mind over and over again to remind herself why she was here today in front of what seemed hundreds of people.
Nora and her walked shoulder to shoulder. They had spent the last four hours in the morning getting ready for the ceremony that just took place and for the big night.
Nora was solely responsible for doing Iduna's makeup and hair for tonight while her mother was the one that picked out Iduna's dress for her from Nora's closet.
It took a while to convince Iduna to stay still and not giggle or sneeze while the product touched her face. But at the end they were all successful.
What followed next however would be the hardest thing Iduna had ever done. She thought walking with a dress was bad enough. But to walk with a dress and heels on was torture for her.
She had to be coached and shown how to walk in the heels by both Amma and Nora. Even how to do it elegantly and bowing with them.
She tripped several times frontwards, backwards or even sideways. It took a lot of falls and trips to finally get herself to walk with the heels.
But several bruises to the knees later and Iduna seemed to get the walk down. And all in the mater of a few hours before today's big event.
The heels made her feel like she was taller than what she normally was which was fun if she was being honest.
Her legs muscles felt more defined, her walk more elegant, her bum firmer and rounder while giving her some weird sense of confidence at the same time.
Both Amma and Nora confirmed to Iduna that wearing heels usually brought this out of woman. And now she understood why because she seemed so focused to arrive to the castle. Almost impatient.
"Take it back a notch. Don't look to focused." Whispered Nora as the passed through multitude people who were making their way to the bridge entrance of the castle.
"What do you mean?" Whispered Iduna back.
"You look like you're about to go to war, Iduna." She replied.
"Oh." Said Iduna.
"Just keep your face relaxed and act natural as if you're going reindeer party or something." Said Nora as Iduna took a small breath in and out.
"But... reindeers don't have parties..." said Iduna innocently. "They prefer to run and jump. They even play with one another and move in circles."
"Sounds like a party to me." Smirked Nora.
They kept walking forwards until they finally set foot on the stone bridge that led towards the castles front gates where many were entering.
They walked over the small hill prompted up where the castle was finally in full display. Iduna's mouth dropped to the floor when she saw it.
She'd never seen a building so large and full of architectural design. She thought the chapel was big and impressive as it is but this was something else.
Her eyes focused on every single detail of the castle, even focusing on the grand doors they were approaching with several guards in the front of it taking attendance.
"It's something isn't it?" Asked Nora.
"This is a... castle?" Asked Iduna.
"Yup. This is a castle." Said Nora.
"But... why is it so... BIG?" Said Iduna as she continued to stare with big wandering eyes.
"You think this is big you should check out the ones other countries have. My dad told me the one in Paris covers almost half the city." Said Nora.
"What's Paris?" Asked Iduna.
"Some smelly, large kingdom in France." She replied as Amma chuckled to herself while she overheard their innocent conversation.
They arrived to the front of the doors to check in with one of the guards so they can be permitted entrance.
"Name please?" Asked the impatient guard who was obviously trying to get through the long list of names of the coronation.
"Amma. Amma Christiansen." She replied firmly.
The name sent shiver down the guards spines as they each stopped what they were doing and turned to look at her with big eyes.
Iduna grew nervous with all the eyes looking at her direction that suddenly all the confidence she seemed to have been summoning suddenly went away.
Even Nora swallowed nervously.
The guard swallowed. "You are lieutenant Hansen's widowed wife..."
Amma nodded and pressed her lips in a faint smile. "I am."
Iduna watched closely. The amount of respect they had for Christian was incredible. He defied the evil kings words from the forest. That everyone would forget who he was and that if they did remember him he would be seen as a traitor forever.
That is what King Ruenard said to Christian. But Arendelle still remembered him.
"Of course, my lady. Come right in." Said the guard as he stepped aside and respectfully gave them access to enter.
Many of the townsfolk whispered upon themselves as they wondered who the woman was to be treated as if she was a queen herself.
"And these two, are they yours?" Asked the guard as he gestured towards a very nervous Iduna and Nora.
Amma smiled as she looked upon their anxious faces. "Yes. They're my daughters. Christians daughters."
The guard quickly nodded and stepped aside again, giving them access to enter with no problem whatsoever.
"Enjoy the rest of your evening ladies." He said as everyone began to talk with themselves once more.
Nora quickly grabbed Iduna's hand and led her right in as they watched the guards return to the loud commotion of people demanding they be led in.
Once they were in the clear, Iduna and Nora sighed heavily together in aspiration.
"Phew... that was a close one." Said Nora.
Arendelle Castle
Iduna followed close behind Nora with her mother leading the way as they passed the great multitude of people who were all in conversation.
Many of them were laughing with one another. Others were whispering and some were even discussing negotiations and making deals that would make them even richer.
The ballroom was enormous and Iduna would get distracted by the large painting and walls that were of obvious fine material. It was almost terrifying yet awe inspiring all at the same time.
"Iduna! Keep up, don't get lost!" Hissed Nora as she quickly walked back and grabbed Iduna's hand.
"There's a lot of people here..." Iduna said to Nora nervously as she looked around.
"Well the prince was just crowned king of Arendelle so it's a pretty big deal." Said Nora turning back to Iduna as she explained.
"I just hope he doesn't recognize me..." said Iduna nervously as she almost bumped into a large man before Nora pulled her out of the way.
"He won't. But if you keep drawing attention by running into large men then yes." Said Nora as she fixed Iduna's dress. "Now come on we have to follow my- or our mother... I suppose."
Iduna followed with furrowed brows as Nora led the way through the ever increasing crowd until they reached the center of the large ballroom where Amma was already waiting for them with a firm drink in her hand.
"There you girls are. I was starting to worry you two had-"
"Amma? Amma Christiansen?" Came the sudden surprised voice.
Amma turned around with furrowed brows to meet the woman who called her by name.
"Oh, Olivia." Said Amma with a forced and surprises smile as she was caught off guard by a embrace. "It's... nice to see you-"
"Me?! It's nice to see you! I haven't seen you since last years ballroom dance. Aksel! Aksel look!" Said the woman turning to her husband.
"Amma? By the gods we haven't seen you in ages!" Said the man as he joined his wife next to him.
"It has been a while." Chuckled Amma nervously.
"Amma... I am so terribly sorry for your loss..." Said Olivia.
"Thank you, Olivia. That means a lot." Said Amma pressing her lips.
"Christian was the best of us... we miss his presence." Said Aksel as suddenly many others started to recognize Amma.
Soon many started recognizing and even was dropping in the friendly conversation. Many knew the Christiansens because they purchased from their farm all the time.
They began to surround her and pay their respects to her and even try to start small talk with her.
"Girls, go run off along but stay close, I'm going to engage in friendly conversation with these fine people." Smiled Amma to Nora and Iduna who were watching until she turned her attention back to the crowd of people.
"Come on, let's go. She'll be all right, trust me she can handle herself." Whispered Nora as she guided Iduna out of the crowd.
"Girls? Are they your daughters Amma?" Asked the woman as they watched the two young girls slip from the crowd.
Amma smiled. "As a matter of fact they are. Both of them."
"I... was not aware Christian had two daughters." Said the man.
"Well you know how we private farm folk are." Smiled Amma as she took a sip of her drink as the small crowd laughed and agreed with her.
"They're actually buying our story." Said Nora as they continued to walk towards the line of food that was presented beside the walls.
"What does it mean to buy our story?" Asked Iduna innocently.
"It means they're believing us being sisters. Which is a good thing! That's exactly what we want them to believe. So whatever you are doing keep it up." Winked Nora at Iduna before turning to get a sandwich from the tray.
"Ow!" She exclaimed as a gloved hand smacked hers before she could touch anything.
Iduna and Nora followed the gloves hand to a young servant standing in front of them with her eyes very focused on them.
"What was that for?" Asked Nora bitterly as she massaged her hand.
"No one is to eat until the newly crowned king arrives." Said the young servant as confidently as she could.
"But people are already drinking..." retaliated Nora.
"Yes, drinking not eating." Said the young servant more confidently.
"Gerda. Said a young man coming behind the young servant. "You're needed back in the kitchen. Mary messed up the ingredients on the cake again."
"I'll be right there, Kai." She said before turning to look at the two young girls who were still beside the large table. "I'm watching you two."
Iduna and Nora stared at her with astonishment has she backed away and gave them a signal with her two fingers pointed at her eyes and then back at them.
Nora huffed and furrowed her brows as they watched her leave. "Hmph. What a jerk."
Suddenly the young man who had just pulled away the servant to the kitchen came running back and even jolted straight through Iduna and Nora with a very anxious expression on his face.
Iduna panicked as she was about to fall into the table full of food before Nora caught her and pulled her back.
"What is wrong with these servants? One slaps my hand and the other almost knocks us over!?" Exclaimed Nora.
The young man finally made it to the front of the crowd where everyone was still socializing with one another. He quickly looked towards the guard near the door and asked something with a thumbs up.
The guard nodded back to the young man before he quickly cleared his throat and began to address all the people.
"Ladies and gentlemen, proud citizens of Arendelle." He began as everyone turned to look at him. Nora was already rolling her eyes with annoyance. "It is my great honor to introduce to you our new king. King Agnarr of Arendelle!"
Iduna squeaked with worry as she quickly sprinted past Nora and into to hiding as she dove under the table of food.
Immediately the whole room filled with a thunderous applause as the doors opened. Agnarr quickly took a breath and stepped out as the applause and cheering grew even louder. Many praised him as king and thanked their God for appointing a new ruler for them.
Agnarr stood in front of them with the young man named Kai just to the side as he nodded his head in approval and with pride.
Iduna wanted to make sure she wasn't ever noticed by the king again. It was bad enough she had been staring at him like some kind of reindeer back at the chapel.
All she had to do was survive this night without being noticed and she would be safe. Even if it meant hiding under this table.
"What are you doing?" Asked Nora as she crawled under the table with Iduna as everyone continued to clap and praise the new king.
"I'm trying to avoid attention. Especially from the king." Said Iduna nervously.
"So you think diving under the table isn't causing attention? Come on Iduna. Look the king is too busy to pay attention to twelve year olds like us." Said Nora as she opened the flap and gestured back to the front of the crowd.
There Agnarr was greeting and thanking every dignitary and citizen who were showing their respect to the new king. There was already a long line that reached all the way to the back.
"See? There's nothing to worry about! Now come on let's go eat I'm starving!" Said Nora.
"I... cant. I need to stay here. I can't be seen again.." Argued Iduna nervously.
Nora sighed frustratedly before she looked around again making sure they weren't seen. "Fine. We'll stay here until we're done eating. But after that we need to leave. We can't be here all night."
"Okay." Nodded Iduna as a slight sigh of releief escaped her lips.
"Now stay here. I'm gonna get us food." Said Nora as she crawled back out of the table and ran towards the beginning of the line where she began to serve both plates full of food.
She finished just before everyone started to form a line on the table and then she quickly slid both trays next to the foot under the table.
Iduna quickly grabbed both trays and pulled them in. Then with one last look Nora quickly crawled back under the table where the two girls began to eat as everyone passed by them, not at all knowing that beneath the table and covered under the flaps were two young girls feasting together.
They ate their meal together and no one noticed the two were y de the table the whole time. Even Nora would snatch a biscuit or two from under the table and no one catches a glimpse.
They snuck back out and checked with Amma who was conversing with someone else. It seemed everyone was intrigued by Christians widowed wife.
The newly appointed king was walking through the crowd with many dignitaries still following him along as they spake business to him all while praising with him hoping he would hear them out.
Iduna watched his pass by and jumped behind Nora as she waited till the King was gone. She breathed out a sigh of relief when she is successful once again of avoiding the newly crowned kings eyes. She had been hiding from him all evening.
"Just relax, Iduna. King Agnarr is the most popular and important man in this room and he's not gonna stop to just recognize you. We're peasants. Besides, look at the amount of people showing their respect to him. He can't even catch a break for a second."
"Yeah I guess your right." Sighed Iduna as her tense shoulders fell. "I guess I shouldn't worry so much."
"You shouldn't. Now go get some of their desert, they're apple pie is DELICIOUS." Said Nora stuffing the bread in her mouth again.
"Apple pie?" Asked Iduna with raised brows.
"Believe me. You don't want to question what this is. Just try it and you won't regret it." Protested Nora as she took another spoonful of apple pie into her mouths
Iduna smirked. "Okay. I'll be back then." She started making her way across the crowd of people. Feeling confident of herself of being able to avoid the king and not be the shy anymore
But suddenly a large man's belly popped to the side and collided with Iduna's body which sent her tumbling backwards even stepping on her own dress
"WHOA-AHHH *uff*
Suddenly someone's arms wrapped around her body and saved her from colliding to the floor.
There was slight clapping from a crowd of people as if they were praising the brave act
She noticed the strange arms still holding her slim body and she followed them up to see the person who had saved her
"Whoa, you okay? Glad I caught you."
It was the king. King Agnarr.
Iduna's heart sank and her eyes widened as big as a reindeer.
Nora who had watched the whole scene immediately began to choke on the Apple pie that had its way into her mouth.
"That would've been a nasty fall there." He said as he helped her stand on her two feet.
Iduna was lost for words. Her anxiety level reached a new peak and she couldn't even speak. Not even in her own Northudlran tongue. It was gone.
Nora quickly coughed the last of her apple pie piece and swallowed it down her throat. She quickly composed herself and ran to Iduna's rescue.
"I… uhhh… uhm…." Is all Iduna could say.
Agnarr furrowed his brows and drew his ear closer to hear her. "Pardon?"
"Uhhhh… uhmmmmm… Uhh—"
Agnarr raised his brow up until suddenly Nora popped from beside.
"Apologies my king!" She said trying to catch her breath as she pulled the dumbfounded Iduna back. "My sister did not see where she was going. We are so very terribly sorry…"
"It's all right. Truly." Smiled Agnarr as he raised a apologetic hand up to them before putting his hands behind his back again. "I was just making sure your sister was okay."
Nora turned to Iduna who was still without words. "Uhhh… uhmmm— *uff*"
Nora quickly jabbed her side.
"*Ahem*… I am well… thank you… your majesty." Said Iduna finally as she hid her trembling hands and quickly bowed.
"I'm glad." Smiled Agnarr at her sweetly.
"Please excuse us, your majesty." Said Nora quickly as she too bowed and pulled a dumbfounded away. She didn't stop once until they were clear of the large crowd and entered the halls.
"Are you insane!?" Exclaimed Nora the second she realized they were alone.
"He saw me! He-he saw me because I.. fell. I didn't think I.. I..." Iduna was lost for words that she suddenly started to forget Norwegian and began to studder in Northuldra.
"Okay.. okay.. now I know what you meant by trying to hide all night." Sighed Nora as she rubbed her forehead with frustration building.
She quickly took a glance at the old grandfather clock and then she turned back to look at Iduna. "Okay. So the ball is over in like thirty minutes. Which is good! But until then we need to keep you hidden so you aren't seen again."
She quickly started to open every single door. Iduna watched as the energetic auburn head girl moved fast like the wind, trying to find a resolution.
She opened a large window door where she found a patio just outside. It had a beautiful garden that wrapped around the space and there was a great view of the whole kingdom in front of them.
"This should work." Said Nora as she led the way. Iduna followed along and she too had to admit that this specific area of the castle looked very beautiful.
She came from the forest herself but she had to admit that they did a great job taking care of the plants and flowers
It was peaceful and quiet. The weather was soothing and the full moon was out with the stars. And best of all there was no sign of any person, especially the king.
"This looks.. very..." Said Iduna as she turned to look at Nora as if she was looking for help or some hint in regards to the word she wanted to use to describe this place.
"Beautiful." Smiled Nora as she inhaled a deep breath of the clean night sky.
"Yes. Beautiful." Repeated Iduna as she continued to observe the flowers and landscape.
"Well I think we'll be safe out here don't you think? The view is great. The weather is great and there's no way anyone will know where we are-" suddenly Nora's stomach started to growl very loudly.
It even caught Iduna by surprise as she turned to loon at Nora and then at her stomach with widened eyes.
"Oh no..." grunted Nora as she started to hug her stomach tightly as the noise continued.
"What is it?" Asked Iduna as she stepped forward. "Are you still hungry?"
"Nope." Answered Nora quickly as the pain and discomfort continued.
"Do you feel unwell?" Asked Iduna.
"You could say that." Nodded Nora as she started to tap her foot anxiously.
"Are you needing some help-"
"OHHH MY GOD. Okay I'm sorry Iduna but I have to run to the bathroom or else I'm going to explode and ruin this whole garden." Shouted Nora as she started to quickly walk away with her hands in her stomach.
Iduna began to follow her until Nora refused and stood her arm out at her. "No. Trust me you don't want to follow..." she could barley say before she held her stomach again. "Just... stay here I'll be right back."
Iduna watched as Nora began to run away down the hall as she tried to find the nearest guest bathroom available.
A sudden burst of laughter overcame Iduna as she quickly covered her mouth. Seeing the young auburn hair woman speed through the hall was too funny for her.
She couldn't remember when it was the last time she laughed that hard. Or smiled if she was being completely honest with herself.
She turned back around to the patio where walked forward where the great landscape could be seen as she continued to laugh with herself.
She inhaled deeply trying to get herself under control as she set her hands on wooden balcony.
It was truly something seeing the kingdom in front of her and lit up with lights during the night sky. This whole time there had been a large kingdom just outside the forest she grew up in. All she had known were reindeers, the spirits and her people. She never would have imagined this.
And then sadness overcame her again as she stared out past the kingdom and out to the fjords and forest. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes as a slight breeze blew on her cheeks. She still missed her home. She was still Northuldran.
Her thoughts overcame her and she began to hum to herself the familiar tune she grew up hearing. The same one she sang to Iduna just the night before.
Her humming turned into soft words and towards the end she found herself singing as the wind blew softy and her pony tailed brunette hair danced in the night sky.
There's a mother full of memory
Come, my darling, homeward bound
When all is lost, then all is found...
"You have a beautiful voice." Came the sudden remark.
Iduna gasped as her heart nearly stopped working. She turned around and was about to panic and scream when she who it was who said that.
There he was. The king himself with his hands behind his back. The crown still on top of his head and his royal cape moving gloriously with the wind.
Iduna couldn't move. Her eyes were wide and her mind had gone totally blank. The boy she had been trying to avoid all night just found her in the balcony of the castle and worse... alone.
"Sorry I didn't mean to scare you." Said the young king as he started to walk towards the balcony himself.
Iduna quickly backed away with with fear as if she was trying to find any way out but her legs had become jello and her heart was pounding a million beats per minute.
"No it's okay! Stay, please." Said the boy king as he reached his hand out for Iduna who was backing away to stay. "I could use the company."
Iduna swallowed nervously as she looked back to the doors hoping Nora was going to run to the rescue again. But when she realized that wasn't the case she only grew more nervous She even contemplated jumping off the balcony.
The last thing she wanted was to be with the son of the man who was solely responsible for killing her most of her people. Killing her father.
Killing Nora's father...
Suddenly the flashbacks returned and the memory of her father dying in her arms returned. Her mother and many women being dragged away to be raped and tortured.
She remembered Christian and how he saved her from that same fate she would've suffered like her mother.
Tears were staring to swell up and she was trying to hold them back as she looked away to avoid making contact with the king. But suddenly he spoke once more, and this time it was different than before.
"I promise I won't hurt you." he said as Iduna quickly darted her eyes back to him. Surprised by what he said to her, even replaying his sentence, making sure she wasn't confusing her Norwegian.
"I'm not that scary." Added the young king with a chuckle as he faced the night sky again.
And how could he be? Because when she looked at his eyes they were not like his fathers. They were soft and kind. Shy and cautious. Tender and innocent. How then could she assume that he was like his father?
She saved him. And she saved him because she saw good in him. Because he was not the one responsible for the chaos that happened in the forest. He too lost his people and his father.
So why should she judge him?
"Are they not expecting you back.. my king?" She said suddenly as she cleared her throat and reminded herself to always address him with a respectful title as she had been trained to do so.
"If for some reason you do come across the king make sure to always refer to him as his proper title or as his majesty."
She remembered Amma's words.
He smirked and nodded. "Oh yes. Trust me the servants are probably going crazy right now just cause I'm not there. But it's better to be out here than in there."
"Why? Don't you want to be king?" She said suddenly. She didn't realize how improper that sounded until she translated her sentence in her head.
"I have no choice." He replied calmly much to her surprise. "I am king for Arendelle not for myself.."
His tone sounded so exhausted which is not normal for a boy his age. Iduna should know, they seemed to be the same age by the looks of it.
And now he was king not by choice but by duty. That is what Nora and Amma explained to her. That this young Agnarr whom she saved in the forest is the youngest king Arendelle has ever crowned.
She couldn't imagine what could be going through his mind and through his heart.
He sighed deeply again and looked out to the kingdom and just near the center of the streets where some townsfolk were dancing, eating and playing music with one another.
Iduna watched him as a small smile crept in the corner of his lips as if he was hoping to join them. Suddenly he turned to look back at Iduna who quickly looked away as to not make it so obvious.
"I'm sorry." He said suddenly as Iduna looked back again. "I never caught your name. What is it?"
She had to force herself to find her voice as she stared into his eyes. "Iduna." She said finally remembering. "Iduna Christiansdotter. But we go by Christiansen due to our family farm."
She had to remind herself how names worked here in this new world and how Nora and Amma explained it to her.
Each person in Scandinavia takes the name of their father on legal documentation. In this case Amma was the daughter of Anders and Christian was the son of Hans, Nora's grandfather.
In this case since she was Christians daughter she would be known as Iduna Christiansdotter by Arendelle natural birth citizenship which Amma was able to somehow obtain by convincing the Arendellian County Court.
"Iduna." He repeated nodding. "And your sister? She is your sister right?"
"Yes. Nora.. she's my sister." She said quickly as she played with her fingers. "She's.. trying to find a restroom.."
She wanted to slap her face so hard. Her Norwegian failed her and she couldn't believe she just said that.
But her brows furrowed when she saw him chuckling at her improper statement. "We'll let's hope she found it. There's a lot of doors here I can tell you that."
It was an odd feeling because as she watched him chuckle a small smile started to appear in the corner of her own lips.
Suddenly a small chuckle started to overcome her as she quickly cleared her throat trying to hide her laughter from getting any louder.
Soon the both of them were chuckling with one another. Each of them glancing at each other from time to time.
"So, Iduna." He began. "What family do you belong to?"
Iduna began to get nervous. How could she tell him without giving anything away? But then she remembered Amma's words. That tonight she had to convince all of Arendelle she was Christian's daughter.
And who better to convince all of Arendelle than the king himself?
"Amma Andersdotter is my mother." She said as she quickly tried to regain her posture. "And Christian Hansen is my father."
"Hansen?" He said suddenly Said as his eyes started to wander, trying to connect the dots before he looked at her again. "You mean lieutenant Christian Hansen? He was your father?"
She swallowed and nodded. "Yes."
A long silence hung in the air as The kings eyes never left hers.
Iduna felt a huge feeling of anxiety going through her, afraid the king would realize who she was. But that was not the case for the young king, for all he felt at that very moment was remorse.
"You're father saved my life." He said as his soft eyes stared deep into Iduna's. "I wouldn't be here if it weren't for him.."
Iduna quickly grabbed a hold of her nervous hands and quickly glanced towards the doors where Nora had just ran past through not to long ago.
Tears swelled up in her eyes once again as the painful memory of Nora's father saving her and dying in front of her. If only she knew how much of a hero her father truly was.
"Me neither." She finally replied with guilt and pain overcoming her heart as she looked back at the king.
The young king frowned at seeing Iduna so sorrowful. She could tell how much he meant to her and how much she missed her father.
Lieutenant Hansen and Lieutenant Mattias were two families he would never forget. He had to make amends with them somehow. It was only the right thing to do.
They were silent as Agnarr put that thought in the back of his head as a reminder.
"You have a great mother to still come out and support my coronation." He said as he looked back down to the townsfolk who continued to celebrate joyfully. "My mother hasn't even come out of her room since..."
A long painful silence filled the air again. It wasn't hard for Iduna to this time connect the dots. No one was supporting the new king. At least none of his close relatives. In this case not even his own mother who seems to refuse to even see her own son since the war in Northudlra.
She couldn't imagine what he was going through. He lost his father. His mother is grieving so much she refuses to come out of her room and now the weight of a whole kingdom lies on his shoulders.
"King Agnarr!?" Came the sudden exclamation.
Iduna and Agnarr turned to look at the hallway where shouts were being echoed through the castle. "King Agnarr? Are you here!? Your Majesty the people wish to see you!"
Agnarr sighed heavily as he slowly turned to the townsfolk again. A longing expression filling his face.
"I wish I could be down there. With them.." he said as he inhaled deeply again. "I would trade lives with any of them. Even just for one day but-"
"But you can't." Said Iduna cutting him off suddenly. "Because... you are king. Not because it's your choice but because it's your duty..."
She recited the words Amma said to her.
"That's right." Said Agnarr smirking at her as he turned to look back out to the kingdom. "Arendelle first. Even before me."
Iduna watched as his eyes slowly started to make its way to the skies where she noticed his eyes began to sparkle much to her surprise.
"Look." Said the king with a smile on his face as he pointed towards the sky. "The lights are out."
In indeed they were. Iduna looked up where she could clearly see the northern lights hanging below them. They danced in the sky just like the townsfolk did.
"Well. I suppose I should probably head back before they alert the whole kingdom I'm missing." Said Agnarr as he turned to face Iduna.
"I should probably go find my sister and make sure she's not lost.." Smirked Iduna.
"Restroom is just across the hall on your first left hand door." Smiled Agnarr as he bowed just slightly before Iduna.
"Your Majesty." Said Iduna as she curtsied the best she could, trying to remember what she was taught by Amma and Nora.
"Fardwell Iduna. Hopefully we'll see each other again." He said as he started to walk away with his hands behind his back as his royal cape flung majestically.
Iduna watched him leave as her shoulders relaxed. She didn't realize she had been so tense. She grabbed the wooden rails with her hands and rested her back.
After everything settled back to reality she couldn't believe what had just happened. The same boy she saved from the forest didn't recognize her at all.
She rubbed her forehead as she let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She felt so exhausted finally from the whole conversation she just had with the king.
"Iduna?" Came the sudden familiar voice as she stood up again. There came from the hallway and entered the patio. "Oh thank goodness you're still here. Can you believe the amount of doors they have? It took me fifteen minutes just to find the restroom!"
Iduna continued to stare out to the hallway where the king has just vansished from and replayed her whole conversation she had with him in her head. Not once even looking at Nora.
"I thought I was about to explode.." said Nora as she stood next to Iduna in the wooden rails and sighed. "So did something happen while I was gone?"
Iduna slowly nodded, not once taking her eyes off the empty hallway. "A lot."
Christiansen Farm
It was late at night when Amma and her girls were returning to the farm. The whole trail back Iduna had revealed to Amma and Nora what happened with her and the king.
She used all the Norwegian words she knew but it was still enough for the two of them to understand what Iduna was saying. And how excited and smitten she'd seen from the whole encounter.
"WOW! You had a conversation with King Agnarr and he didn't even recognize you from the forest?" Nora asked in awe.
Iduna amiles and nodded. "He did not recognize me at all."
"And you're sure you gave them the correct name and everything?" Asked Nora again.
"Yes. I told him my mothers name is Amma Anderson and my father was Christian Hansen. I even told him you were my sister Nora." Said Iduna reciting word for word.
"That's wonderful, Iduna. That's exactly what we wanted tonight, to continue to convince everyone that you're one of us. Now we just have to make sure we keep this up." Said Amma as they made their way over the hill.
"Which shouldn't be a problem if Iduna just concluded the king of all people!" Exclaimed Nora joyfully as she turned to look at Nora."
"Haha, yeah..." Chuckled Iduna as she smiled like she was captivated by something or someone.
"Wait, are you blushing?" Asked Nora with furrowed brows.
"Blushing?" Iduna asked with furrowed eyes
"Your cheeks are pretty red." Said Nora as she tilted her head and looked closer.
Iduna realized what Nora meant and her eyes widened as she shielded her hands with her face. "No they're not!"
"Uh, yeah, they are." Nora retaliated as she placed her hands on Iduna's cheeks. They were growing hotter by the second.
"Alright, you two, that's enough girl talk for one night. We're home now." Amma said as she gently made the horses pulling their carriage stop. The three then got out of the carriage.
"You two go and get ready for bed while I put the horses and the carriage away." Amma said.
"Nonsense, Mother!" Nora replied. "You're more tired that me and Iduna, so how about you go to bed and Iduna and I will put everything back."
"Are you sure, Nora?" Amma asked.
"Of course!"
Amma smiled at her daughter and bent down to their eye level as she placed one hand on each of their shoulder. "I'm so very proud of the both of you tonight. You both did wonderful."
The two of the girls stared at the beautiful woman who was looking back at them lovingly and with pride in her heart.
She placed a kiss her on Nora's forehead. "Good night, Nora."
"Good night, Mother." Nora replied as she smiled at her.
Amma then turned to Iduna and much to her surprise, kissed her forehead as well. "Good night, Iduna. I'm proud to call you my daughter."
Iduna didn't know what to say because those words touched Iduna so deeply that she could dry right then and there. The sweet kiss lingered on her forehead as it made its way to her heart, forever implanting a memory forever.
Tears wanted to fill Iduna's blue eyes again but instead they did not. Because in this moment she felt a mothers love. Something she missed so dearly and which was left back in the forest.
Amma smiled sweetly at Iduna before she stood back up and headed inside the house as she started to turn on the candles for light.
"Come on." Said Nora as she gently bumped Iduna. "Let's go out the horses away.
Nora grabbed one of the reigns of the horses and then guided Iduna to do the same. Iduna grabbed the other reign of the horse and soon enough the two girls were walking towards the stable.
Nora opened the large doors and then turned her attention back to the horses where she began to untie the reigns on each of the horses faces and then gently took them off their face.
Then one by one she began to gently slap their bums and making a clicking sounds with her tongue as she shooed them off back to the end of the stables where they're quarters were waiting.
Iduna watched and was amazed by how obedient these animals were. More so than reindeers if she was being honest. In order to even tame a reindeer you have to basically wrestle with them to the ground.
"There." Said Iduna as dusted herself and made her way back outside the stable where Iduna was waiting. "They should have enough hay for tomorrow morning."
Iduna helped Nora make sure the carriage was also left inside and then closed the doors of the stables.
Nora sighed tiredly and moved her neck in circles. "I'm exhausted.. and my feet are killing me."
She raised her heels up and unstrapped them one by one until she was completely barefoot. She moved her toes around in circles, making sure the blood was circulating normal again.
"I can already feel blisters building up." She added.
Iduna looked down to her feet and followed likewise as she too began to unstrap the heels. She raised her foot up so she can get a good look and then turned to Nora to show her. "Is this a blister?" She asked innocently.
Nora bent down and gently grabbed Iduna's soft foot as she looked at the bump that had already built up on her big toe before she gently rubbed her finger over it.
"Yup that's a blister all right. You can thank the heels for that." Said Nora as she rose to her feet as Iduna grabbed her foot again and removed the heels completely. She even breathed out a sigh of relief as her feet were finally able to breath again. "Mother always says beauty hurts."
Iduna's bare feet touched the ground and she enjoyed the feeling of the grass and dirt as her feet made contact with the earth.
"I've never had bruises back in the forest.." said Iduna as she began to wiggle her toes around.
"That's because they don't exist back in Northudlra do they." Said Nora as the two of them started to walk back to the house with heels in their hands. "The boots you wear are probably the only footwear you had right?"
Iduna nodded. "Or we run around barefoot as children. Which we believe is healthy to do. We never had issues or damage to our feet at all."
"And yet here in Arendelle woman believe the only way to protect your feet is going to the spa at least once a week." Chuckled Nora.
"Spa?" Asked Nora with a confused look at the strange new word.
"It's better to experience it than to describe it. I'll take you one day I promise. Mother and I usually go once a week." Said Nora as she she stopped walking right in front of the large landscape of the fjord in front of them. "Hey Iduna..."
"Yes?" Asked Iduna. as she turned to look At Nora.
The moon was out as was millions of stars in the sky. The air was cooler now but it was perfect for even sleeping outside.
"I know how hard this has all been for you.. to go along with everything we say and to love your life here? And I can't imagine how hard it must be for you to miss your home. You're family.. you're mom and dad.."
Iduna pressed her lips together as the painful memories returned. If it weren't for how dark it was Nora would be able to notice Iduna building up tears.
"But I just want you to know that you will always have a home with us. No matter what. I will never leave your side and I'll always be with you even through the worst times like you were with me that night I was crying.." Said Nora as she stared at Iduna lovingly.
Iduna smiled bitterly at Nora. "Thank you, Nora. You're an amazing friend.."
"Pfft! I'm not your friend." Said Nora with furrowed brows as Iduna gasped at hearing that. But soon thereafter Nora reached for Iduna's hands and gently held them in Hera. "I'm your sister."
Nora pulled in Iduna for a warm loving embrace. An embrace that Iduna never knew she needed. It didn't take long enough for Iduna to quickly wrap her arms around Nora.
And this time she couldn't hold her tears back. They fell down her cheeks like waterfalls. Her heart that had been heavy for months now was finally starting to see some light of joy.
Finally Nora pulled out of the hug as she looked at Iduna trying to wipe her tears away.
"Come on." Said Nora as she gently wiped the tears away from Iduna's cheeks. "Let's go home and dip these sore feet in hot water."
Iduna chuckled as the two of them walked arm by arm, embracing each other while they're free arm held their heels and as they left barefoot prints in the ground that led all the way back to home and ready to embrace the future.
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