Chapter 3

Elsa stood by the railing of the balcony off of her office. She could see Arendelle proper and the harbor from there. She could see the ship that Prince Harkon would be leaving on. The prince was currently embracing another man, he appeared even taller than the prince but Elsa couldn't make out much more of his appearance. "Kia, who is that with Prince Harkon?"

Kia looked out over the balcony "it is hard to tell Ma'am but I believe it is Prince Pieter of Vakretta, second cousin to the Prince Harkon"

"I don't remember him from last night, did we dance?" Elsa asked. After the letter arrived informing her of the princesses death, much of the remainder of the night had been a blur.

"No ma'am Prince Pieter went to his cousin's side as soon as he heard the news."

"That was nice of him, they must be close."

"I do not know Ma'am. The council meeting is set to start." he reminded, pulling Elsa from the scene down by the docks.

Elsa entered the council room to find the Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Minister of Defence standing and waiting for her. "Ministers please enlighten me on what developments have occurred that caused the calling of this emergency meeting." She sat at her chair, each man following suit.

Admiral Magnus turned to Elsa; "A scout boat of ours returned yesterday with news that the Swedes are performing mock naval maneuvers in the Skagerrak sea just outside our territorial waters."

Henrik stood up next, "Additionally we've heard from some of our sources in Norway that nearly half of their army is marching south to being practice drills near our northern boards"

Elsa sighed, "Anything else?"

"The British and Vakretta are participating in Naval games in the North Sea, though this may or may not be coincidental, they've been engaging in these games since the Duke of Hague married Princess Catherine of Great Britain some 30 years ago."

Elsa kept her steel emotionless face in place as she processed the information her three ministers had given her. "Essentially you are telling me we are surrounded on all sides by foreign militaries "practicing".

"Yes Ma'am." the three men responded together.

"And other than the British and Vakrettes, we are positive the Norwegians and Swedish are flexing their military might as a not so subtle reminder that the success of this court season and my impending betrothal will determine whether or not we are at war come spring?"

"Yes Ma'am" they chorused again.

Elsa stood and walked across the room, her mind working a mile a minute. She paused and looked up, the coronation portrait of her father looking down at her, what would he have done in this situation. An idea struck her and she turned back to the silent ministers.

"My cousin Rapunzel and her husband are due to arrive today. What if we ask them to send back a letter to my Uncle proposing our Navies participate in one of these naval games and perhaps have a small squadron of our army practice up near our northern border as well. Not enough to be aggressive but enough to remind both Norway and Sweden that we are not a country that can be intimidated."

The admiral nodded slightly, "That could work, the Coronian's suggested joint naval maneuvers a few years back, before during the council's regency but we decided it wasn't the time to commit to such a thing."

Marius took a moment to think, his eyes serious as he too thought over a multitude of solutions to their current problem. Finally he spoke," Moving an army towards our borders while having several foreign nobles at court would be problematic and could be seen in very bad taste; however, like you've suggested, sending a squadron or two shouldn't cause too much of an alarm. We could also rotate which squadrons are up there on a two week rotation which would make it look more like a normal practice exercise while maintaining a presence near the border.``

Elsa sat back down at her seat., "Good, Admiral draft a letter to the Coronian admiral with the details of what you would like to do, maybe a week long practice? I will speak with the Crown Princess when she arrives."

"What of the British and Vakrettes" asked Henrik?

"We'll leave it for now, they'll know of our naval practice just as the Swedish, so if they are trying to send a message, they will see our response too." Elsa stated. She glanced up at the grandfather clock in the center of the room, it was nearing 9:00. "If that is all gentlemen, I should prepare for my cousin's arrival."

The three ministers stood, bowed respectfully and left to attend to their duties. Elsa took a deep breath before moving through the halls towards her sister's and Kristoff's suites, their parent's former rooms. Anna had declined Elsa's offer to take over the rooms at first, but Elsa had been logically about it; the rooms had been empty for too long, neither sister having moved into them after their parent's deaths, and Elsa, currently unattached, had no need for such a larger set of rooms. She had also pointed out that the rooms had a view of the gardens on the Northeastern side of the castle, which Anna loved; while Elsa loved the view of the fjord and the mountains in the distance on the Northwestern side. Should Elsa ever need a larger suite, she planned to renovate the Northwestern side of the residential quarters of the castle.

Anna had eventually agreed, and had dove head first into her own renovations of the rooms, Elsa was secretly grateful that the rooms now barely resembled how they looked when their parents occupied them. Elsa noticed Kristoff quietly exiting the rooms as she approached. "Is she still sleeping?" Elsa questioned as he turned and saw her.

"Yes, the news last night really affected her; she had a couple of nightmares of losing the baby or of dying herself and watching our grief." His eyes were heavy and baggy, indicating that he hadn't slept any better, whether it was due to Anna nightmares or his own, Elsa was unsure, but probably both.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping too then?" she asked as they fell in step with one another. He shook his head. " I have a meeting with Epsen at 10." He said, referring to the Minister of Trade and Fisheries, Epsen Johanson. "We're going over the numbers from the ice trade this year so we can plan for next session over the winter."

Elsa was a bit ashamed of herself for how surprised she was when Kristoff came to her after being named Ice Master and Deliverer, asking what the job entailed; when Elsa said nothing new, he'd demanded that she help him make the post a position that contributed to Arendelle and not just an honorary title because he'd been lucky enough to be the one to run into Anna and help her. Over the past two years, Kristoff had turned her sper of the moment thank you into an integral position, he'd single handedly helped organize and increase Arendelle ice trade in the summer months by double. One of his best ideas was convincing Elsa, once she'd figured out how to make permafrost for Olaf, to create cold boxes in several ships and carriages so that they could trade their ice to other countries. It wasn't a large trade but it still brought in a nice chunk of additional revenue to Arendelle which Elsa was able to allocate to her pet projects, such as improvements in education and public health.

"Seems a bit early for that meeting? Don't you usually do it in November?" she asked as they headed down the steps towards the kitchen.

"Yes, normally, but with the baby coming and the suitors being here, we thought it best to get it out of the way and off our list."

Elsa nodded and stopped at the kitchen door, while she'd often raided the kitchen in her youth, and even at night during her isolation, she tried to stay out of it during working hours, she understood that the kitchen was a safe place for the servants, a place they could rest before returning to duty, she felt it disrespectful to pop in there at will. As Crown Princess it was Anna's job to run the castle therefore her and Kristoff's presence in the kitchen was common and not surprising for the servants, whereas the Queen popping in would send the kitchen into a tizzy.

"Smart, getting some breakfast or a snack for Anna?" she quipped as he placed his hand on the thick door.

"Both. Eugene and Rapunzel are due this morning correct?"

"Yes, that was why I was coming to you. I need to speak with Anna and you about a proposal I will be making to them, thought you two could help me sell it, though I hope they'll be willing to help without much diplomacy needed."

Kristoff laughed, "Diplomacy from those two, you have met your cousins right?'

Elsa rolled her eyes and smiled; for as much as Elsa and Rapunzel were opposites sides of the same coin, Anna and Rapunzel were the same side of the same coin. They were both full of life, bright, happy (infectiously so), intelligent, and at times unorthodox. When Anna had seen that Rapunzel went barefoot everywhere but official events she'd begged Elsa to let her too, Elsa had vehemently said no, reminding Anna she was infinitely more clumsy than Rapunzel and would be more likely to break something or tare her feet up.

"Well you never know, Rapunzel, like Anna, takes her duty to her country very seriously."

"True, we'll do whatever you need."

"Thank you. I'll stop by later today to fill you in."

They parted their ways and Elsa headed up to her office, hoping to get a little work done before her cousin's arrival.

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The Coronians arrived just after 11 that morning. Elsa was excited to see her cousin again. The first time the couple had come to Arendelle had been for Elsa's coronation, needless to say they weren't able to meet up with each other at that time. Rapunzel was three years Elsa's senior so by the time her lost cousin had found her way home Elsa and the rest of Arendelle were in isolation. Their mother had been the only one to travel to the festival that followed Rapunzel's return home. The royal cousins did not meet until Elsa and Anna traveled to Corona for Rapunzel's wedding, the following spring . Anna and Rapunzel took to one another instantly, their similar jubilant attitude a bridge between 19 years of separation. Elsa was more hesitant around her cousin, as she was with most people beyond Anna, Kristoff, Kia, and Gerda. Though after one evening when Anna had passed out early the two had bonded over there similar childhoods in solitude due to magic. They bonded even more a few months later as Elsa watched Anna depart on her honeymoon. Rapunzel had understood Elsa fear, longing, and anxiety without Elsa having to say a word.

Elsa stood on the docks watching as the gang plank was lowered, Kristoff by her side bouncing on his toes in excitement. Elsa shook her head slightly, Eugene and Kristoff had developed their own odd friendship, though Anna had pointed out it was improvement because at least Eugene was a human.

Rapunzel was the first off the boat, she wore a light purple gown with pink accents, her feet for once adorned with a pair of shoes, the Admiral of the Coronian Navy having ordered she wear shoes on board any vessel due to the dangers of slipping on the deck. "Elsa!" She yelled before quickly skidding to a stop at a respectful distance, curtsy, then launching herself at Elsa for a hug. Elsa laughed gently as she rolled her eyes; how was she the younger one in this duo. "Rapunzel, it's so nice to have you here." Elsa said as the two parted. Elsa peeked over to see Eugene and Kristoff embracing in a very manly looking hug.

"How could we let you go through this circus all alone." Rapunzel commented as she moved towards Kristoff to greet him.

"Your Majesty," Eugene greeted with a bow. Elsa inclined her head but provided a genuine small as she said, "Prince Eugene." While Elsa was nearly as comfortable with Rapunzel as she was with her family, she and Eugene maintain a degree of formality, though she did consider him a friend, perhaps the visit would help ease whatever tension existed between them.

"Has your father sent a suitor with you?" Kristoff asked as he looked backed to the boat trying to see if anyone else was coming their way.

Rapunzel shook her head, "No."

"I believe his exact words were, 'There isn't a single sole in this kingdom worth my niece'". Eugene impersonated the King. Elsa's heart warmed at the thought of her Uncle, whom she'd met only once in recent memory and twice in her entire life, being so protective of her. "I'm under strict orders to sniff out the unsuitable for you." Eugene continued as the four turned and moved their way towards the waiting carriage that would take them to the castle.

"So that was the reason for the sudden request to visit." Elsa probed. She had been surprised when she'd received a letter, a month ago, asking if her cousins could visit. Elsa had responded affirmatively immediately, relieved at having two more allies on her side during this process.

"That among other things," Rapunzel stated, Elsa raised an eyebrow in inquiry. "We'll talk later when Anna is with us." Rapunzel said as she snuggled up to Eugene. Elsa left the issue alone.

XXXXXXXXXXX

The giant hearth in the kitchen was raging and sending a comforting warmth to the current occupants; one of which was Elsa. She of course broke her own rule about going in the kitchen when Anna expressed late in the evening that not only did she have a craving for hot chocolate but to make her own cup. Rapunzel who had been in the family's personal living room with them had seconded the idea, so now Elsa found herself resting in a wooden chair as far from the fire as possible while the princesses and princes huddled closer.

"Does the heat make you uncomfortable?" Eugene inquired when they'd all taken up there places. Elsa shook her head, "No more than other people I believe, my father didn't like being too close to the fire either."

The conversation had bounced around from various topics from Anna's cravings to how Sven felt about becoming a "big brother" and Olaf a "cousin." Now they'd segued into the important matters. "So you'd like our navy to participate in mock war games to send a message to some prostrating countries that you are prepared to fight if need be?" Rapunzel summed up. Elsa held her head high, even though Rapunzel was family, in this moment they were both dignitaries trying to do what was best for their own countries. "Yes."

There was a pregnant pause while Rapunzel seemed to think, she then smiled gently and nodded, "I think I can write a letter on your behalf explaining things to my father and expressing my opinion that we should participate in these naval maneuvers. I think it would be beneficial for our navy and if it helps you out in the process that is even better."

Elsa let a barley perceptual sigh. She'd been prepared to bring out her big guns, Anna, to help but like she'd hoped it hadn't been needed.

"I'll write it in the morning and send it out with the evening mail ship. I have to write home that we made it anyway, father was rather reluctant to let me go considering…" She suddenly paused and looked at Eugene who was clearly refraining from rolling his eyes.

"Considering what?" Anna jumped on.

Rapunzel glanced at Eugene who shrugged his shoulders and nodded before taking her hand. "Well," she started, "We were going to tell you closer to the end of our visit, but the main reason we wanted to come was because in several months we probably wouldn't be able to visit for a while."

"Wait,why?" Anna again interjected. Elsa had a feeling she knew where this was going.

Rapunzel let a small giggle, her eyes shining, "Because we are expecting."

Anna instantly gave a yelp in excitement and rushed her cousin while Kristoff congratulated Eugene. Elsa smiled happily, there family was ever growing. When Anna had finally let Rapunzel go she stood and made her way to the expectant mother and for the first time ever pulled the older woman into a hug, "congratulations, you will make a fantastic mother." Rapunzel had tears pulling in her eyes, "You think?"

Elsa gave her a reassuring smile and squeezed her shoulders gently, "I know so." She then pulled back, retrieved her cup of hot chocolate and raised it high, "To the new prince or princess of Corona." They all cheered and continued their late night snack with jubilant atmosphere.