Disclaimer! I do not own Frozen/Disney.
Hi! Life got in the way so this is a late update. I am so happy to read your reviews! Yeah this is roughly based on medieval politics, relatives fighting for the throne, nobles scheming left and right and trusted men became untrustworthy because of their own respective motivations.
I know I am filling up my fic with a lot of characters and it would be hard to track them down. I'll do my best to make character backgrounds more coherent and relevant to the story.
Anyway, THANK YOU FOR THE REVIEWS AND FOLLOWS!
I HOPE YOU ALL LIKE THIS CHAPTER! DO NOT FORGET TO REVIEW~
An old woman smiled at the child she raised from the window of her house as the said child had grown into adulthood. She had matured into a kind, compassionate and strong young woman. The young woman trained profusely to be a sword master, her blonde locks tied in a high ponytail, her clothes were caked with dust and dirt. The woman watched the young woman's brilliant blue eyes sparkled the moment a dark haired woman, who was in the same age as the blonde, joined in. Both of them were conversing amicably and the blonde loved to show off her new moves to her dark haired friend.
The old woman's smile turned from happy to a wistful one, memories of her life in her previous home brought sadness, thinking what could've been if her family had lived back in her own country. Perhaps she would never know.
The young blonde's laughter died down, earning the old woman's attention. Both the blonde and the dark haired woman shared a look before the latter revealed an unsealed letter. The old woman's brows furrowed at both of them, as if silently asking what was the matter.
"Màthair." the blonde called and took the unsealed letter from her friend.
"What is it child?" the old woman came to them.
The blonde didn't answer but instead she gave the letter to her mother.
After giving the young women a puzzled look, she took the letter and read it's contents. Her grip on the parchment tightened, her body shook as her tears rolled down her cheeks.
"No, this can't be. . ." muttered the old woman. "How-"
"MÁTHAIR!" the blonde caught her before she landed on the ground and fainted. "Máthair!"
"We should get her inside the house!" said the dark haired woman.
Both women tended to the unconscious woman inside the house until she recovered.
Somewhere in the Eastern territory
A woman in horseback dressed in a black cloak surveyed the surroundings before dismounting and carefully observed the manor house in her line of sight.
Double checking if the reports of her men were true, she did this not because she didn't trust her men's words but because she had to make sure that every words she would utter to the Queen were true and backed by evidence. Also she wanted to get away from a certain princess for the time being.
As the reports say, the manor house became the center of social gatherings of rich lords, ladies and gentlemen. There were also reports of the debauchery occurring in such place, involving the new lord of the manor house, Lord Hunter. The new Lord acquired the estate by means of gambling from once prominent lady, Lady Marina of House Rey. The former owner was forcibly evicted from her home after her only daughter ran away. Her sources claimed that the young lady was sold to Lord Hunter as payment for the debt incurred after series of loses in gambling.
This was the crucial parts of her investigation, she wanted to know if her Queen's ward's words were true. She stayed in her spot for a long time until she noticed a young man from the manor had gone out from the back entrance.
Cassandra pulled her hood up and walked behind the lad to one of the less seedy taverns in the village. The young man sat on the barstool and ordered a drink from the young barmaid. Cassandra sat next to him.
"You're here again?" said the barmaid.
"If you return to the manor then I won't have to." said the young man winking at the barmaid, earning a disgusted sound from the barmaid.
"A tankard of ale please." Cassandra ordered.
"Come now. You'll love it there, Lord Hunter doesn't care what you do as long as you provide him drinks and women. Much better than the old hag and that pompous daughter of hers."
The barmaid placed the tankard of ale in front of Cassandra. "Here you go." she smiled at her before glaring at the young man. "Don't you dare say that to Lady Ariel! She's kind and she cared for us! My poor lady, her own mother hits her as if she was some scullery wench when she only told the truth about her mother's excessive gambling."
"And because she was so righteous as if she was some saint." the young man groused. "Hey, where's my drink?!"
The barmaid rudely shoved the tankard of ale on his chest, sloshing the contents, soaking his clothes.
"Hey! That's just rude! If I didn't like you I might hit you."
"I might hit you with this if you don't drink fast and leave!" the barmaid flourished a metal tankard in front of him.
Both the barmaid and the young man continued to bicker and Cassandra listened to all of it until she decided to stand up and leave. She took a few pieces of silver coins from her pouch and was about to place them on the wooden table when curious words came of the barmaid's mouth.
"Why would a mother do that to her child? A child of a royalty." woman said.
Why indeed. Cassandra thought.
"You know the nobles. They can do unspeakable things for their own advantage." the young man chugged at his drink. "Half the time we thought that she wasn't even her child, the way that old hag treated her."
"Impossible." the barmaid dismissed his musings. "She's the dead king's daughter. A child of such man can never have unclear origin."
"That's true."
"Also why would a king lavish her with wealth and a property if they weren't related?" asked the barmaid.
"You have a point." the man agreed. "Now that you mentioned it, my mother told me when she was still working at the manor, the former king had one of his personal aides escort that old hag who arrived from the south with a newborn child to settle in."
"South? I thought Lady Ariel was born at the manor?" asked the barmaid intrigued.
"Nah, that old hag sailed to Arendelle from a southern country with the couple of weeks old Lady Ariel."
"I didn't know that."
"Well the old staffs of the deceased Viscount Mond were all replaced just a month after that horrid woman settled in, they were the ones who knew that. The gall of that mistress of evil, my mother and other staffs were loyal to House Mond even after the property was sold by his ungrateful relatives to late King Olav. They hoped the Young Master would once again appear and take back his birthright so they could serve House Mond once again."
The barmaid listened with interest. "I heard about House Mond, but I didn't know they still have a direct descendant."
Cassandra decided to finished her tankard of ale and pay for it. She got more information than she expected by listening to a random servant in a tavern. This lose lipped man gave her necessary clues for her task but she wanted more. She carefully planned her next move as she got up from the stool but she abruptly halted at what she heard next.
"Yes, I believe his name was Fitzherbert." the man said.
"Fitzherbert? What an odd name." the barmaid uttered.
Cassandra proceeded to go out of the tavern and went where she left her horse, however her horse was nowhere to be found. She quickly drew her sword, as she did so an arrow flew past her and hit the trunk of a tree behind her.
She looked at the arrow and it has a note tied to it and it read.
You better move fast.
The letter was signed by a letter 'E' written in blood.
Cassandra then knew who sent it.
Eldr Duchy
Few days after the feast organized by the Duchess of Eldr, the Queen was informed regarding the preparation for the Royal Progress. She had informed her Duchess about it and asked to assemble the three vassal Lords who would be responsible for its security as tradition of the Eldr Duchy, unlike in the north where there's only one person , the steward, in-charge at the absence of the Ducal lord. The Duchess acquiesced to this request and the noble vassal lords were summoned.
The Lord Labouff , Lord Bjorgman and Lord Nolan arrived at the castle and were directed to one of the drawing rooms, the Queen and the Duchess had welcomed them.
"Congratulations on your victory Your Majesty, Your Grace." Lord Bjorgman bowed to Elsa and her Duchess. They were congratulated by the two other lords as well.
"Thank you M'lord." Elsa nodded and gestured them to sit on the long plush chair across them. "I believe you were informed why we require your presence here?"
"Of course, Your Majesty. The Royal Progress is continuing as planned." Lord Labouff stated.
"Yes and. . ." Elsa trailed off then gave her Duchess a look.
"We're going to officially appoint you three as the protectors of the Duchy while I am away." Anna said with a smile.
"Your Grace, you give us so much honor! How can we repay you?" Lord Bjorgman said.
"Protect my people with honor, integrity and trust in my absence. I am well aware how the previous men managed my family estate. They managed to bankrupt every household in my territory and enriched themselves. All of their lands and assets were confiscated, titles stripped and their families were exiled in a far away country. Never to set foot in Arendelle ever again." Anna smiled.
Lord Bjorgman seemed unnerved by that smile, making Elsa subtly curled her lips in pride.
"What about the people responsible?" Lord Nolan asked.
"Let's just say that they never existed in the first place." Anna smiled once again, so bright that it frightened the three grown men in the room.
"I s-see. That's good Your Grace." Lord Labouff said. "We don't need such people in our kingdom."
"Indeed. Oh before I forget let me introduce you to our new butler and steward of the castle." Anna rang a small bell on the coffee table beside her.
The door opened revealing a well groomed man dressed in a red tailcoat trimmed with gold with pristine white shirt and a white cravat around his neck. Paired with black trousers and black leather shoes.
"May I introduce you to Randall, our new butler."
The man with short midnight blue hair and pale green eyes bowed and introduced himself.
"I'm Randall, the new butler of Eldr Castle, at your service." he smiled at the nobles in front of him.
"Lord Randall." Lord Bjorgman.
"Just Randall, M'lord." his pale green eyes smiled as he lips curved into a smile.
"I mean no disrespect Your Grace, but this is the first time I saw his face."
"Ah right. Randall served here in the castle since he was a boy, he was thrown into prison by the last steward since he discovered that disgraceful man and his minions' corruption."
"That explains his unfamiliarity." Lord Bjorgman said then pondered.
"Also Lady Narissa is under my protection, any enmity or harm towards her I'll consider it an direct offense against me. It is not just Lady Narissa but also those who work here. I hope you all understand."
"Clearly, Your Grace, and we will also make sure that all the people who work for you are all safe."
" that I said what's needed to be said. Thank you for time M'lords. Randall please see to our noble Lords." Anna ordered.
"Thank you for trusting us Your Majesty, Your Grace." Lord Nolan bowed, so did the others and Randall escorted them out.
Both Elsa and Anna waited couple of minutes before Anna burst into giggles, while Elsa gave her an amuse smile.
"They were so frightened of you the moment you mentioned what happened to those criminals in the dungeon." Elsa laughed.
"Am I that good at copying your spine chilling smile?" Anna asked.
Elsa stopped laughing at that statement. "Oh so you were copying me?" she drew Anna dangerously close to her.
"I did. Was it effective?" Anna asked as she stood up and strode towards the massive window.
"They didn't burst into tears so I guess not?" Elsa chuckled. "You are such a mean Duchess." she smirked.
"I was taught by the best teacher." Anna giggled. Elsa followed Anna and stood next to her. "I did that to make them feel I am someone to be feared if they dared to trifle with me."
"I understand." Elsa smiled a bit.
"I shouldn't make them feel too comfortable with me since they might think I am too trusting and eager to win their favor when it should be the other way around." Anna's tone was serious and Elsa was proud of what she just heard.
"You did the right thing." Elsa kissed the side of Anna's head.
"Oh isn't that the person from my investiture?" Anna took note of the man who walked side by side with Lord Bjorgman.
Elsa's cold glacial blue eyes glared at the form of the man Anna mentioned.
"Is he someone close to Lord Bjorgm-hey! What are you doing?" Anna asked after Elsa drew the curtains closed.
"I've done nothing." Elsa pulled Anna's waist from behind and kissed the side of her neck.
"Oh you." Anna quickly forgot the men outside and focused her attention towards her.
"We're going to leave tomorrow, is everything in order here other than the appointments of those men?"
"Hmm." Anna hummed. "I asked Randall to take good care of Lady Narissa since Lady Giselle will be coming with us."
"Did Lady Narissa agree?" Elsa nuzzled on Anna's locks.
"Reluctantly. Do you think it's wise for Lady Giselle to be under Captain Hofferson's supervision?"
"Of course. It's not like the men would mind, not after the execution."
"Right." Anna nodded.
Emerald Isles
The port of the Principality of Emerald Isles was bustling with different kinds of people such as fishmongers, merchants, sailors and many more. The Principality immediately recovered from the civil war waged by the previous ruler, the deposed Prince Alexander of House Thorul, against his half-sister, Princess Elena.
Princess Elena had long and dark silky hair, pale white skin and emerald colored eyes, she was intelligent, brave and compassionate woman. These traits endeared her to the people, it was them who gave her the final nudge to finally accept her royal bloodline and raised an army to free them from her tyrannical half-brother. The love and support she got from her people and their willingness to re-build and with the external help of the only two kingdoms who responded to their hour of need, the Kingdom of Encanto and Kingdom of Arendelle.
The current sovereign princess had written to their neighbors for trade in gold and silver in exchange of food supplies, none responded except for Arendelle and luckily the delegation of Encanto was trying to negotiate in one neighboring kingdoms near the Emerald Isles but weren't successful. The moment the failed negotiation reached the ears of Princess Elena, she quickly dispatched a messenger to get in contact with the delegation, and a few days later large ships were seen on the horizon and eventually docked at their port. She personally greeted the royal aboard the ship at the docks, Princess Isabela of House Madrigal.
The two of them got along well and Princess Elena was delighted at the prospect of forging a trade alliance with Encanto and they did. Also two of the ships brought by Princess Isabela were filled with different kinds of food supplies that were supposed to be traded with the other kingdom. Princess Elena bought all of it, she spared no expense if that would mean her people won't starve when winter comes. However that wasn't enough, she needed more and that's where Arendelle came in.
She had exchanged correspondence with the Princess of Corona, the cousin and representative of the Queen of Arendelle because the Queen was currently away from the capital. At first the princess was hesitant to write to the Queen since Arendelle itself suffered from the horrors of war recently, she might be rejected but one of her closest staff had convinced her to do so, and it paid off.
Large quantities of wheat and other goods were offered at a reasonable price, surprising Princess Elena since the price was much lower than the price she offered to buy the supplies they needed. She also received an offer of alliance not only in trade but also in military, she couldn't be more eager to forge a bond to a neighboring kingdom after being isolated for a long time.
Currently she was in her study and stared at the opened letter sitting on her desk. It bore the official seal of the Queen of Arendelle, formally inviting her to the latter's wedding so they could meet in person and she also apologized for not being able to personally write to her sooner. The princess couldn't help but to think about the rumors of about her like how cold and calculating she was.
"Are you thinking of some blonde blue eyed person?" an elderly woman asked.
"No. I was thinking of the Queen of Arendelle." Princess Elena passed the letter to the elderly woman to read.
"I am right then. What's this?" asked the elderly woman.
"Her cousin sent it along with the letter about the trade, and what do you mean you're right?" asked Princess Elena.
"I heard the Queen has blonde hair and blue eyes." the elderly woman replied offhandedly as she read the letter. ". . . the Duchess of Eldr and I would be delighted to meet you." she read almost in a whisper.
"I guess it wasn't unusual for two women get married in Arendelle, right Bébhinn?" Princess Elena asked but she received no answer. "Bébhinn?" she called again, a bit louder.
Bébhinn looked at her and asked. "Did you say something? Goodness me my hearing is failing lately, must've been because of your lover's constant complaints about the vegetables I serve her during meals." she laughed.
"Yeah. Kara can be a child when it comes to her food. I'm surprised that you didn't have to sell your property just to feed her insatiable appetite when she was young." Princess Elena chuckled.
"Yes, raising that child is like raising fifteen children all at once." Bébhinn shook her head. "But I couldn't be more prouder than I am today for raising such kind and brave child, albeit dense when it comes to romance." both of her and the princess chuckled.
"You're right, she's indeed dense. Kissing her was not enough to convey my feelings, I had to explain to her why I did that so she won't think I did it because she's my best friend." Princess Elena had this dreamy expression on her face as she thought of her blonde and blue eyed lover.
"You two are perfect for each other. I couldn't be more happier than having a child like her." Bébhinn smiled until she remembered something. "By the way, Princess Isabela asked if you would be departing for Arendelle together aboard her ship or you'll be departing alone?"
"When is she planning to go?"
"She said a few weeks before the first snow falls." Bébhinn said.
Princess Elena raised an eyebrow at that. "That's oddly specific."
"Indeed. However it might be for a good reason since Arendelle winter is harsh." explained Bébhinn.
"You're right." Princess Elena glanced at the three high stacks of papers on her desk. "I'll see if I can finish these on in a week then if don't, she might go on her own."
"Will be you alone?" Bébhinn asked.
"Kara wouldn't let that happend. She will definitely insist on going with me. And of course I'll have you with me too" Princess Elena smiled.
"I'll be delighted." Bébhinn smiled as well.
Arendelle
Royal guards were patrolling the area to ensure the safety of the people residing in it, day by day the general atmosphere of the surrounding was getting tense. The townspeople barely manage their growing resentment towards their new monarch and her foreign relatives who dine in luxury and sleep in their warm beds when the people were barely managed to make ends meet. The people thought of the promise of tax exemption was just a ploy by the royals to keep them from protesting.
The tax laws of Arendelle was different from other kingdoms, instead of yearly tax collection, it was collected monthly in small amounts. A practice that was long forgotten only to be re-used again by the murderer Duke of Eldr after he took the throne to fund his lavish lifestyle. The new council insisted on keeping the practice to fill the royal coffers, however the Queen then insisted on exempting the people in the capital to prevent any resentment from starving citizens. It was the only thing the Queen could do at the moment since majority of the council kept such awful practice when she wanted to reinstate the yearly tax collection. She needed more support and stability to overturn every decision the council would make. The compromise was made, however the citizens of Arendelle's growing resentment was unknown to the Queen.
Many royal guards received hateful and nasty words from the citizens and they avoided them, not knowing what made such kind and warm people act like that.
A group of men had once again gathered in one of the taverns and had placed a massive chest filled with money. Few of them were dressed in Arendelle green, previous King Olav's official uniforms for royal guards.
"We could bankroll a mercenary with this. Did your patron said anything?" asked one of the men.
"Yes, he would provide us the necessary things to start the first stage of gaining our honor and freedom." the man in uniform stated.
"Good. The justice we seek is within our grasp."
North-Eastern Arendelle.
Few days since they departed from Eldr Duchy, the Arendelle knights as well as the Queen's elite knights were marching from Eldr castle to visit the villages up north. Marshall, the General of the Queen's elite knights, couldn't be more eager leave the hellish place they were in. However he was displeased at the notion of making an Eldr bastard being added to their ranks and was placed under the command of the Arendelle knight's captain, Captain Hofferson. The only consolation he had was the woman wasn't placed under the command of Eric, the Captain of the Queen's elite knights, or else he would directly speak out his displeasure.
"Having an Eldr in the council is one thing, and having another in the ranks is too much." he gritted his teeth. "They are so shameless." he bitterly added while he was mounted on his horse and looked at the direction where the Queen and the Duchess on horseback next to each other, however he couldn't helped but scowl openly at the sight of that woman clinging on his cousin's at every chance she got.
His cousin deserved so much more than a woman from a disgraced and horrid house, regardless of her royal blood. There was someone who deserved to be by his cousin's side and she would arrive soon. Marshall hoped the arrival of this certain lady could change his cousin's mind in terms of a her choice for a bride while she could still dissolve the marriage since it was not yet consummate. He knew this because he made sure to be well informed by the chambermaids if there's any evidence of such act had occurred. He could still drive a wedge between them.
"I do hope you don't have silly ideas in your head."
Marshall didn't bother to turn since could recognize his older brother's voice clearly.
"I have no idea what you're talking about, brother." he responded. "It would be nice to finally see Princesa again, don't you think?"
"Yes, perhaps she could help me convince you to stop whatever you are planning." Olaf said with a knowing tone. "She's always been a steadfast person."
"Perhaps, however when it comes to Elsa she always gives in despite the protest she receives on all sides. She fought for her freedom but she was willing to be tied down with Elsa." Marshall remarked.
"She was willing to give up her right as the future Queen."
"And Elsa should know that crucial information, they could've been happy together. Elsa could've been happy with her but unfortunately she just went and marry someone she barely know. A person who came from a family of murderers, there's no greater dishonor than this." Marshall glared at the nobles who were mounted on their horses. "These men forced Elsa to get married, they didn't even respect her wishes."
"That's the price she had to pay for keeping this kingdom from ruin." Olaf replied somberly. "However she seemed happy lately."
Marshall scoffed. "As if you didn't know Elsa, she is just indulging that woman. It's impossible for her to like someone like that woman much less love-."
"Enough!" Olaf hissed at him. "Do not presume you know how Her Majesty feels. If anything happens to them, I'll strike you myself."
Marshall glared at his brother. "So you're on that woman's side? Have you forgotten Baron Andrew's involvement to what happened twenty five years ago?!"
"I have not, but you better straighten up or I'll do it for you." Olaf's usual cheery demeanor changed into something unrecognizable. "This is your last warning." he then kicked the side of his horse and got ahead of him.
Marshall could only tightened his grip on the reigns and of his horse and gritted his teeth as he seethed.
Arendelle
Rapunzel was currently watching both Anna's soon to be ladies-in-waiting. They were pouring tea after teaching them special lessons, Lady Aurora was reserved, composed and was excellent with her etiquette despite being away from the capital for years, while Lady Charlotte wasn't as refined as the former but she was eloquent and confident. Lady Charlotte's engaging attitude was an asset that they could exploit when the time comes.
Having competent ladies around Anna was requested by her cousin. Elsa wanted to have loyal servants that would both serve her and Anna in different capacities. Gaining the daughters of a Viscount and a Lord, who had been loyal to the Eldr faction, was a shrewd move. From the outside it would be seen as Anna surrounded herself with allies of her own so the others would want to do the same, they would do anything to be in the inner circle to gain Anna's favor as the future Queen Consort. The vermin would crawl out from their filth to cling on royal power.
At first Rapunzel was skeptical and even refused but it all made sense when her cousin explained what she was planning to do. It was a risky move to have an Eldr in the position of power while surrounded by loyal retainers, however her cousin would be able to watch their every move and keep them in check and eliminate those who stepped out of line.
Rapunzel could only agree on her cousin's mad plan.
"Your Highness?" a knock on the door caught the three ladies' attention.
"Come in." Rapunzel ordered.
"A letter arrived." Kai, the head butler, gave the letter to Rapunzel.
"Thank you Kai." Rapunzel took her paper knife and opened the letter. She read the content and went to the nearby writing desk and composed a letter of her own before sealing it with her signature purple wax with her crest on it. "Send this to my cousin as fast as you can." whispered into Kai's ear, there was hint of urgency in her tone. "Call for General Maximus on your way out." she hushly continued.
"The lessons ends here ladies." Rapunzel regarded the two ladies in the room. "Continue the lesson tomorrow but I won't be able to teach you, instead I'll have others take over. Good day." Rapunzel left the two gracefully as she could but when she was out of the room she sped walk towards her father's quarters only to stop when the door suddenly opened by a man.
"Your Highness." the man bowed.
"Eins." Rapunzel almost recoiled at the sight of him, a sudden dread crept within her. "Why are you here?"
"I arrived here since the King, your father, arrived here Your Highness." Eins grinned.
"Then who-"
"My trusted men are safe guarding it. No need to worry." Eins confidently stated and he bowed to dismiss himself but before doing that, he said something in her ear. "Good luck, you're gonna need it." he maliciously grinned and went away.
Rapunzel glared at his retreating figure then knocked on her father's door.
"Father? It's me."
"Come in." her father said.
Rapunzel got in and closed the door behind her, she raised the letter in her hand.
"The people aren't happy and demanding to see the Queen and had threaten to storm the castle if we failed to meet their demands." she explained.
King Frederic clicked his tongue at the common people's arrogance. "Assemble the army and show them who's in charge."
"No Father, I don't think we can do that."
"I do hope your cousin will discipline these arrogant commoners soon, how dare they demand such thing when they didn't even question the legitimacy of that fool Runeard."
Rapunzel could feel her father's anger seeping from him.
"They were afraid Father. Their lives were at stake at that time." Rapunzel explained.
"Ah so now they aren't afraid of your cousin? Those damned fools should know better." King Frederic pounded his fist on the glass window at his side, breaking it. "I had always hated Arendelle, I never wish to set foot in this cursed kingdom but I had to because I needed to see for myself how that wretched man meets his end in this wretched land."
Rapunzel didn't respond, because she knew one wrong word could make her father go berserk.
"I was informed how she set those rebels free. She shouldn't have done that. Traitors must be put to death regardless of their age. Your cousin had gone soft."
Rapunzel clenched her hands into fist. "She's compassionate."
"Compassionate? What did they even do for her to deserve such compassion?! Your cousin needs a re-education." King Frederic muttered darkly.
Horrible scenes flashed in Rapunzel's mind. The things she wanted to forget and she was sure her cousin would too. "Stop it Father! Have you even considered her well being on your so-called education?!"
"It is essential to snuff out traitors!" King Frederic shouted.
"All you see is black and white. You don't even consider if those people were given any choice! Your cruelty has no limit!"
"Because of my cruelty our family survived this long, because of my cruelty I managed to shape your cousin into her perfect form! And because of my cruelty those damn nobles agreed to your status as the next ruler of Corona!"
The door burst open, revealing Queen Arianna.
"What is going on here?!" Queen Arianna asked.
"You better educate our daughter more instead of spending time with that pet of yours." King Frederic growled at his wife. "You've neglected your responsibility as a mother." He walked past his wife and Rapunzel only to stop to say the following words. "You better get rid of that woman or I'll do it for you."
Rapunzel stared at her father's back as he got out.
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!