A/N: I had a comment about Rapunzel and Eugene being in the story and that it wasn't realistic to 1800's Europe. I would like to remind my readers that this story takes place in a world that is a mixture of Frozen Universe canon and real world 19th century Europe. Rapunzel and Eugene are seen at the coronation in Frozen, that makes them cannon. They aren't in this story just because, they do serve a purpose, a small one but a purpose. Also it's just a little fun to see them interact. As always I don't own Frozen or Tangled, they and the characters are prosperity of Disney.
Chapter 4
Elsa sat back enjoying the cool breeze coming through the trees. The Baron of Englefjord had made the suggestion that the next event for the suitors should be an afternoon picnic in Arendelle's famed apple orchard. Elsa had chosen a spot up on the hill looking down across town and out to the harbor. Olaf sat beside her holding a parasol for the two of them, Anna was relaxing next to her while Kristoff showed Rapunzel and Eugene around. The other suitors and their entourages were spread out around the orchard, a game of croquet had begun as well as a friendly game of cricket in the field just before the orchard. Several suitors had come to sit and speak with Elsa as the afternoon progressed, though none stayed longer than a few minutes. Elsa wasn't sure if that was due to their entourages prepping them to give the formally reclusive queen space or their general disinterest in her as a whole.
A long shadow cast over her, causing Elsa to look up; there before her stood an extremely tall man, Elsa would guess from her reclined position that he was even taller than Kristoff, perhaps 6'3 or 6'4. He had broad shoulders but he wasn't broad in the chest, his frame was rather trim. He had sandy blonde hair with reddish highlights, his face was clean shaven, his eyes a greyish blue like a misty morning on the fjord. He had a strong square jaw and his nose was a little long, and would look off putting on most men but suited him perfectly. He was in a word an extremely handsome man.
"Your Majesty;" he stated, his accent rather thick, he bowed just to the correct depth of a prince to a queen. "May I introduce myself."
Elsa nodded but remained seated, Olaf beside her looking back and forth between the two. "Prince Pieter of Vakretta". Elsa gave him a polite smile and gestured to the spot across from her on the blanket. "Please take a seat."
Prince Pieter did as he was told, sitting gracefully, he sat slightly turned so he could still see Elsa but also the town and fjord below. Anna for her part tried to discreetly scoot closer to Elsa.
"The fjords of Arendelle and Norway are simply extraordinary, I've always loved them." he said after just a moment.
"Have you visited Norway often?" Elsa asked curiously.
"In my youth my family would visit our cousins every summer. The summer palace is quite nice in July." he remarked, his mind seeming to recall the times fondly.
"I must give my condolences, it was a shock to hear of your cousin Margi's death. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you."
Elsa could see grief cross his face as he closed his eyes tightly for a moment before addressing her again. "There are 9 years between Margi and I, she was just a toddler when I had to stop visiting so often due to school, but I remember her fondly as a little girl of 3 and 4 running around the palace with her dolls."
A cheer from the cricket game broke the silence that had fallen after Prince Pieter's remarks. Elsa glanced down at the game, "Do you play?"
He nodded; "A bit, my mother is British and loves the game. I believe she single handedly made it popular in Vakretta." He laughed slightly at himself.
"I found it an interesting game, though it is rather new to Arendelle. We've had some recent immigrants who brought it to our shores as well as football."
"Ahh football, now that is a game that is well loved by myself and most of Vakretta. I played a bit in my youth."
Silence fell between them again. Elsa wasn't really sure what to say or how to even start a conversation with this man. She tried to remember what she learned about the Vakretta family; although, was that an appropriate topic of conversation for a first meeting. Elsa much preferred dancing, amazingly enough, with the suitors to this. Dancing didn't require talking, and if her partner did talk she could be short in her responses without being seen as rude.
"What are popular sports in Arendelle?" he suddenly asked, giving Elsa a reprieve from having to come up with a topic of discussion.
"We are very partial, as you can imagine, to winter sports, skiing and ice skating are very popular."
"And does her Majesty partake in any such activities?" he smiled as he asked with his eyes glinting with humor.
"Ice skating," Anna interrupted, "she's a fantastic ice skater." Elsa turned to Anna and glared before addressing the prince.
"Yes, I am very partial to ice skating. I find it beautiful and graceful as well as requiring great balance, strength and artistic skill."
"I would enjoy seeing her Majesty ice skate should the chance present itself." Elsa was about to respond when Olaf finally pipped up. "Elsa could make an ice rink now."
Prince Pieter appeared surprised to hear Olaf's voice. "Oh, hello there."
"Hello, I'm Olaf and I like warm hugs. I would have introduced myself earlier but Elsa told me that I need to wait to be talked to or invited to talk when around suitors since they, well I guess that means you too, aren't used to talking snowmen."
Elsa observed the interaction, she was very interested in how this man, as well as the rest of the suitors would respond to Olaf. She knew she had to give them some latitude and an adjustment period to get used to Olaf, a talking snowman was not usual or natural, but Olaf was family and an extension of Elsa herself, if they feared him or were mean to him at all, Elsa knew she could not call them her partner.
"We certainly aren't; but I must say I am quite delighted to have the chance to meet you. Would you perhaps do me the honor of showing me around the orchard, I am a bit of an amature gardener and this orchard is splendid."
Olaf popped up quickly thrusting the parasol towards Elsa. "I mean; if that is alright with her Majesty?" Prince Pieter amended.
Elsa was so taken aback by the man's request to willingly spend time with Olaf so quickly that she could only nod her head in assent. As the two left Anna leaned to whisper into her ear. "Either he's really smooth and cunning or extremely genuine and sweet." Elsa observed as Olaf led Prince Pieter to the far east of the orchard where the cliffs met it, yes Anna was right either this man was very intelligent knowing his behavior towards Olaf was important or he was actually just interested in Olaf and gardening. The problem was Elsa had no way to tell which was the truth.
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Olaf had nothing but glowing reviews of Prince Pieter. "We spent all afternoon together, he really likes gardening, he gave me the names of all different flowers as we walked through town. Did you know he has two older sisters? And Vakertta is like Arendelle, so his big sister inherits the titles and land, not him. He said he doesn't mind, something about liking that he can choose his life, his career if he wants."
Elsa was in her office going over some plans for a new public school she wanted to start. Her Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, Thomas Gundersen, was helping her draft the proposal as well as her old tutor, Mr. Patrick Archer. Arendelle had a handful of school but not nearly enough, as Elsa was going to be signing into law a requirement that all children must go to school from the age of 6 to 18. The schools were also not free, Elsa planned to start a free school funded by the government. It was a giant undertaking but she believed that all children had the right to an education, to learn to read, and become whatever they dreamed. The law was proving difficult to draft, with many opinions about how the education system should work. She was considering adding a Minister of Education to her council.
"Did he mention what he would like to be?" Elsa inquired, the more information she had about her suitors the better.
"Hmm," Olaf said as he taped his stick fingers on his chin, "let see I believe we'd pasted the candy shop while he was talking, and I did get distracted by the large lollipop in the window. I didn't really hear a lot of what he said, but he did say he'd been in school for it a long time."
That was something to think about, nobel's son's didn't often attend any formal education outside of the basics, however; if he wasn't in line to inherit anything he would either have to marry well or have a career.
There was a light knock on her door, "Come in." It was Gerda with a tray of tea and biscuits.
"I saw the light under the door and thought your Majesty might like an evening snack."
Elsa smiled, Gerda had been one of only a few people who had known about her powers, she'd always treated Elsa with kindness and compassion while also being professional. After her parents' deaths, Gerda was the only person Elsa would allow in her presence for a month or two while she tried to reign in her raging emotions and powers.
"Thank you Gerda, has my sister and cousin retired for the evening?" Gerda nodded as she exited the room, "Yes, just a few minutes ago Ma'am . Her highness asked me to remind you to not stay up to long." Elsa felt her heart warm at Anna's reminder. Anna had been very concerned about Elsa not taking care of herself when she discovered Elsa asleep at her desk for a week straight back at the beginning of her reign. They'd had many discussions over it, finally settling on, if Anna was worried Elsa was pushing too hard that she was well within her right to provide Elsa with a gentle reminder to go to bed at a reasonable hour.
"Thank you Gerda, you may retire as well, I'll prepare myself for the night."
"As your Majesty wishes." Gerda bowed her way out leaving Elsa and Olaf alone again.
"So any word on the other suitors?" she winked at him.
"Well Prince Oskar…." Olaf began as he hopped up onto the chair across from Elsa desk and began telling her everything he'd learned that day.
