A/N: Was on a groove, here's hoping it continues and I can get out a new chapter soon. This one is on the longer side. I hope you like it, reviews and comments are always welcome. As always I do not own Frozen or Tangled or any of their characters.
Ch. 7
It was two days after Kristoff and Eugene had taken Prince Pieter on a hunt, they'd both reported that he seemed like a decent man. Kristoff had admitted that the prince had mentioned his lack of inheritance but had said he did not believe the man had the same aspirations as Hans did due to his place in the family. When Elsa had asked how he could be so sure, he'd simply said it was a feeling and that he believed that if Elsa wanted to get to know the young prince more that it would be safe to do so. That had led Elsa to where she was now, on her royal vessel the Aurora, trying to figure out how to steal a moment alone with the prince. The voyage was the next planned event, to show the suitors the Arendellian coast in all it's glory before the fjords and harbors began to freeze and ice chunks made the seas more treacherous to navigate.
Elsa had last been on her ship for her royal tour back in her first year of reign, where she had coincidentally visited Vakretta along with Zaria and Chathos. King Christian and his wife Queen Valarie had been very welcoming and Elsa had enjoyed her tour of the capital by Crown Prince Charles and Princess Elizabeth. She did not remember seeing Prince Pieter among the court during the ball; however, she had met many other nobles and dignitaries. She vaguely remembers speaking with Prince Pieter's sister, the Countess of Middleburg, Sofie. She'd been Elsa's height with light brown wavy hair pulled up into an elegant bun. Her husband, Abram, Earl of Middleburg was from Zaria, was about her height with dark olive skin and a thick accent. They had made a striking couple.
"Your Majesty?" a voice came from beside her, it was the Viscount. Elsa was shocked to see him initiating any interaction with her. Every other suitor had approached her at least once or twice per event, but not the British noble.
"Lord William, may I help you?"
The young man bowed deeply before raising and responding, "May I prevail upon a moment to speak?"
"Yes of course," the British always so proper Elsa thought as the man came to stand beside her, both turning to look out over the coast.
"The cliffs hear make the White Cliffs of Dover look like mear mounds." he commented.
"They are rather impressive, however, the fjords and cliffs on the western coast of both Arendelle and Norway dwarf these as well."
"Astonishing, perhaps one day I will be able to visit them. Do you get to your western territories much?" He asked inquisitively.
"I try to visit each region of Arendelle at least once a week, we do have a summer residence on an island at the mouth of Flekkenfjord near Odinhavn. Though I haven't been able to spend much time there."
"I imagine it has been difficult bringing Arendelle out of its period of isolation." Elsa thought a moment, Lord William's line of conversation was rather perplexing to her, it seemed harmless though probing a the same time.
"Not as much as one would think, my father did well by Arendelle. I just felt it was important for my people to see me after 13 years apart." She admitted.
He nodded and then turned to her, "It is admirable how open you've been with your people and the world, as a person who prefers a quiet life myself, I can imagine how difficult the sudden attention has been for you." Again Elsa was surprised by this man, this time by his insight. Elsa's struggle with public engagement was well know to those closest to her but not by many others.
"Thank you. What of you my Lord, you say you are private man, how did you come to join my court this fall."
He was quiet for a moment, for the first time Elsa could see more than disinterest in his eyes, several emotions flickered across them, his face pensive. "The Queen is my second cousin once removed. She requested that present myself as a suitor, though I believe my father may have asked her to do so after I told him I was not interested."
That had been bold, Elsa raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at him. "No disrespect, your Majesty. I've been watching you these past two weeks, and I feel that I can be honest with you."
"I would prefer it." Elsa stood a little taller, her hands before her folded gently.
"I was preparing to propose to a young Lady I was courting when I was directed to come here."
Well that explained his disinterest. "You love her?"
"Yes your Majesty, we were childhood friends and we've only grown in love for one another. My father was happy with the match until word of your openness to suitors arrived." Elsa didn't know what to say to that, was this man blaming her for his father's actions. "I don't blame you, Your Majesty, in fact since arriving here, I've come to see that you are an extraordinary woman, your people and staff have nothing but good will towards you, and if I did not already love my Matilda so, I would pursue you as fervently as the others."
Elsa pushed a stray hair that had fallen from her bun back away from her face, "Why tell me all of this?"
He seemed to get nervous for a moment before gaining his courage, "I miss my Matilda so, Your Majesty, and I ask that perhaps, with your blessing, that I return home to her, and if you would perhaps write to my father informing him that a courtship between ourselves would not be possible. I see that your interest lies elsewhere, so I would not be withdrawing myself for your consideration against your wishes."
"My interest?" Elsa inquired.
"It went over Prince Garreth's head, but it was clear to me when his Lordship stayed with Prince Pieter while His Highness took myself and Prince Garreth away during the hunt, that you are at least curious enough about the Prince to have you brother-in-law get to know him for you."
Elsa held her desire to sigh, how could Kristoff and Eugene do something so obvious, at least to someone who was observant. "Prince Pieter is a nice man, and a good choice should your Majesty decide to court him." Lord William offered. Elsa tilted her head at him requesting for him to continue. "The Prince has spent several years in London, and we've attended several engagements together, he has always been the epitome of a gentleman. His mother and my father are cousins, though we didn't spend time together as children."
Elsa nodded; "I thank you for your candor, Lord William. If you could perhaps wait another week, I will allow you to leave then with a letter to your father and Her Majesty. I will be dismissing several suitors at that time so it will not appear in poor taste for me to dismiss you at the same time."
"Your Majesty is most kind. Thank you." With that the man bowed and walked away leaving Elsa alone. She had to a degree greatly misjudged the young Lord. He had been disinterested in her, but he was a good man.
Elsa looked over the deck of the ship, there were twenty suitors walking and speaking on the main deck. Nearly all had come to speak with her. They all appeared to be gentlemen to some degree or another, but most did make an impression on her. She'd decided that she'd dismiss at least half next week. She'd already decided to allow Prince Pieter to remain for obvious reasons, as well as Prince Garreth and Prince Oskar for political reasons, she had planned on allowing the Viscount to stay not as a true option but because he was quiet and reserved and hadn't been interested in her, but she couldn't selfishly keep him from the woman he loved. She'd have to figure out which other seven or so suitors to remain in the coming week.
"Your Majesty appears to be deep in thought," the now familiar voice interrupted her thoughts causing a spurt of ice to emit from her hands, luckily she hadn't been holding anything.
"Prince Pieter you startled me." She chastised gently. He bowed deeply, "My apologizes Ma'am."
"You're forgiven...this time." she added jokingly at the end. He smirked at her and bravely reached for her hand, he paused and looked at her for permission, she nodded, and he took her hand in his and brought it to his lips. They were soft and warm against the back of her hand, she felt a surge roll through her and a blush come to her cheeks.
"I will strive to do better, Ma'am." There was such sincerity in his voice. His eyes told her that he knew she'd been teasing him, but his words conveyed that he was serious in his response.
"I expect nothing less of such a gentleman. You've managed to impress not only my snowman, but my brother-in-law, Prince Pieter. Tell me what is it that has won them over?"
He drew himself up straighter and smiled down at her, "If Your Majesty would do me the honor of joining me for a picnic at your earliest convenience I shall be able to enlighten you."
Elsa was intrigued by the sudden confidence this man was excluding. He'd been polite but slightly withdrawn in their other interactions. She wasn't sure what to make of it, but decided she wanted to find out. "I would be delighted, I shall send you a time and day when I've had a chance to review my schedule."
He bowed and then smiled at her, "Until then." Elsa watched him walk away, there was one thing she was sure she knew was true, the next few weeks would be interesting.
XXXXX
"So Your Majesty is interested in courting Prince Pieter of Vakretta?" Prime Minister Akenfjord stated. Elsa had entered their weekly council meeting and informed the council that she would be ending the meeting early today in order to attend a picnic with the prince. There had been a moment of pause, shock on nearly every council member's face save Minister Karldotter and Mister Christianson.
"The Prince requested that I attend a picnic with him and I have decided to attend, I have made no decision on whether we will enter an official courtship at this point in time. The prince has proven to be a gentleman and has shown a genuine interest in Arendelle, I found no reason to decline the invitation." Elsa responded. She didn't know where things would go with the prince, nor was she sure she wanted things to go beyond the picnic. The last thing she needed was for the council to get into a tizzy over something that may never happen. "I have; however, decided that these gentlemen have no reason to remain at court this season." Elsa slid a list of 12 names across the table to Minister Englefjord.
The Minister of Foriegn Affairs took a quick look at the list, his face scrunching up, "The Viscount, your Majesty I don't know if that is such a good idea at this moment in time. The United Kingdom could be a very reliable and powerful ally."
Elsa had been expecting such a reaction, she was well aware that the British lord had been high up on the elder members of the councils list. "The Viscount specifically requested a dismissal and I gave my blessing."
"I don't understand, why would he do such a thing?" the Minister of Finance, Baron of Brikeberg shouted. Though he recovered quickly from his outburst and looked slightly ashamed of his loss of control.
"The Viscount's reasons were confided in me personally, there is no reason for any of you to know. All you have to know is that he is leaving on good terms and a friend of Arendelle. I have written personally to his father the Duke of Birmingham and Her Majesty Queen Victoria, explaining that our courtship was not a possibility; however, if they wish to send another suitor he shall be welcomed."
Marius cleared his throat as he adjusted in his chair down the table from Elsa. "Very prudent, your Majesty. I assume along with Prince Pieter, Princes Oskar and Garreth are remaining at court."
"Yes, I also found it prudent to keep them close at hand throughout the rest of this process."
"Are they too being considered by your Majesty?" asked Minister Johanson. The Minister of Trade and Fisheries would be very interested in how an early rebuke of the Scandinavian princes would affect trade.
"Honestly, not at this time, but I would not say never. As I said before I found no reason to decline Prince Pieter's request, this does not mean I have chosen him as my sole suitor. The remainder of the planned events may continue at this time. Should any other suitor approach me with an invitation for a private outing I will consider it on a case by case basis." She paused and looked each Minister in the eye, "Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes Ma'am" they all chorused.
"Good, now I would like to discuss the final edits to the revision to the Marriage Law, should we all find the language adequate I will sign it into law today and an announcement can be sent out throughout the kingdom tomorrow." With that they returned to their normal business and Elsa signed into law her fist of many planned social changes.
XXXX
The sun was high in the sky when Pieter saw her approaching from the castle. He'd intended to meet her in the castle foyer; however, he had been informed by the castle steward, Kia, he believed; that Elsa had been held up and would meet him in the gardens. It was clear upon first sight that Arendelle Castle had been built as a fortress, a strong hold, first and foremost. Though over the decades the sharpness and bland pallet had been transformed by the generations, the gardens while small and crammed into the space between the castle and the wall was stunning. Whoever designed it was clearly a genius, the mixture of trees, hearty perennials, and bright colorful annuals, and irregularly spaced sculptures hidden amongst the foliage, had the desired effect of a whimsical forest on the castle grounds.
As the queen approached Pieter felt his breath taken from him; she was undoubtedly the most beautiful woman he'd ever laid eyes on, he'd guess one would be hard pressed to find another woman in the world as beautiful as she. She approached him with a grace rarely accomplished even by royals. Her movements were so smooth that she seemed to glide across the ground. Her dress today was not the elaborate gowns he had been used to seeing her in at balls and dinners, nor the fancy day dresses she wore to the orchard or on the ship, today's dress was clearly part of her daily attire when she was working behind closed doors with those in the highest levels of the government. It was a rich indigo color, open in front with a deep V from the shoulders down to the waistline, a white frilled shirt lay beneath. A simple dress for a monarch like she but it was stunning on her all the same. Her hair was in her usual loose french braid, a rare hairstyle for young maidens let alone a reigning queen. Her porcelain skin glowed in the afternoon sun, her arctic blue eyes calm yet intense. Her appearance was nearly too perfect, yet it was the light dusting of freckles on her cheeks and nose and the slight sharpness of her nose that made her perfectly real.
Though as beautiful as she was on the outside, Pieter was coming to learn that it was her heart that made her stunning. He'd spent most of the first week or so observing her, how she acted with the other suitors, her staff, her people, and even her family, and what he found was that she treated everyone regardless of station the same, with respect and compassion. He never saw her yell or snap nor look down upon or degrade another. When word had come of his dear cousin Margi's passing she' been beyond empathetic and compassionate for the situation that his cousin Prince Harkon found himself in. It seems like the simple and decent thing to find a ship for the crown prince to sail on, yet Pieter was sure few monarchs would have done as she had.
When he had been given a tour of Arendelle by Olaf other than discovering Olaf was truly the unofficial mayor of town he learned that the young queen, despite the summer blizzard, was loved by her people. The people only had the best of things to say about Elsa. They mentioned the vast changes she was implementing and that they felt as though the hermit princess had turned into a "people's Queen" that in all she did she took their best interest to heart. Pieter wasn't sure he'd ever come across such overwhelming public support for a ruler.
The Queen was now upon him and Pieter rose and bowed to her. He had surprised himself when he'd so boldly taken her hand and kissed it three days ago, now he wasn't sure if he should do the same, so instead he took it, waiting briefly for her approval and then led her to sit on the blanket he'd laid out. "I want to thank you for joining me this afternoon, your Majesty."
"It was considerate of you to invite me." she responded quietly. He wasn't sure if she was as nervous as he or if her quietness was part of her nature. He'd been advised by the ambassador that the Queen was known to be standoffish at royal engagements and that it may be wise to not overwhelm the former recluse. He'd heard similar things from staff and townspeople, that the Queen was far more reserved compared to her sister and at times could be overwhelmed in public. He believed it spoke volumes for how the people of Arendelle felt about their queen that they did not make such remakes to him with disdain but rather with an air of protectiveness.
"I hope you like tea sandwiches, I became partial to them during my time in London. I've brought an assortment of fruits and for dessert some chocolate, Olaf informed me you were quite the chocolate connoisseur." She smiled sweetly and he noticed her begin to fidget with her hands. "I can not deny that title, Anna and I have very strong sweet teeth. My father was the same, it's an Arenfjord family trait."
"I've never been partial, to admit, I prefer pastries." Pieter responded and took out a long pastry with fruit jam on top called a Danish. "I specifically love strawberry danish, would you like a piece?"
"That would be lovely." He cut a piece for her passing it over on a plate. It was then that he noticed a lady-in-waiting and a guard sitting some 50 ft from them, clearly in view but out of ear shot. Queen Elsa turned to see what he was looking at. "Ahh yes, my former nanny and current housekeeper insisted that I be accompanied by one of my ladies for propriety and my Prime Minister insisted I be accompanied by a guard for safety."
He shrugged, "I see your housekeepers point, but isn't it redundant for you to retain a personal guard with your powers?"
Queen Elsa glanced at the guard and then back at Pieter, "I tried to argue the same point, but I was out voted by, well nearly everyone, the Prime Minister, my chamberlain, Kia; the captain of the guard, and even the bishop."
Pieter smiled widely, "your queen, you can't be out voted." It was funny to think that this powerful woman could lose a debate to others.
"Apparently I can." she gave a small laugh before her face drew dark and serious. "I can't really blame them, the last prince to spend any private time with me, knocked me out, locked me in my own dungeon, and tried to behead me."
Pieter swallowed deeply, his mind trying to expel the gruesome image the Queen's word painted in his mind. Of course he'd heard the tales coming out of Arendelle since the Queen's coronation two years ago. He had just assumed that they were exaggerate. "So it's true, what Prince Hans did?"
She looked away but nodded; "Technically he saved me when he directed the Weselton guards arrow to the chandelier, but I am not convinced he really tried to save me. I believe that he meant to make it look like he was trying to divert the arrow but had hoped the chandelier would crush me. But yes, he did lock me away, and if Anna hadn't sacrificed herself I would not be here today. I and Arendelle will forever be in her debt."
It was clear to him by the tremor in her voice, the way she clenched her hands together, and the far off look in her eyes that these events were still very raw for her. He couldn't blame her, he'd likely have been as traumatized.
"Then I must thank her." he stated pulling the Queen's attention back to him, " For without her I would never have gotten the chance to meet such an amazing woman." he gave her a lopsided smile, he was very out of practice when it came to courtship and flirting.
"Do you really mean that?" She could be blunt, he had to give her that. Her eyes stared into his as if she were searching his very soul for something. He hoped he wouldn't be found wanting. He was finding that he was growing to like the Queen very much.
"I do," he reached towards her hands, "may I?" She seemed to hesitate for a moment before allowing him to take her hand. They were cool to his touch, long and slender, yet they fit perfectly in his. He couldn't help but think that maybe the were meant to be there. He looked up at her, he could see a slight blush coming to her cheeks yet her face remained neutral revealing nothing to him.
"I meant every word. I didn't know what to expect when I came here, and I will not do you a disservice by lying to you, I hadn't wanted to come. My father requested it of me and I complied."
"That's not the first time I have heard that." she interrupted her voice clip.
"William, I suspect. My cousin is very much in love with another." Pieter had felt for his distant cousin when he saw the young man had also been at court.
"And are; you too in love with another?" Again she was straight to the point. It was clear to him that she would have no tolerance for any games or lies. Yet his heart clenched in pain, a face flashing before his mind's eye.
"I was…" she started to pull away from him but he stopped her. "She passed away some years ago. She was my wife." There it was out in the open, he hadn't wanted to speak of the matter so early, but he had a feeling that the Queen would see any reservation in him and he wanted her to understand.
Her hand flew to her mouth in shock, "I'm so sorry." He could see her empathy for him. She'd lost her parents so young and was well acquainted with the feelings of loss and grief as much as he.
"We met when I was nineteen and at university, we were married a year later and I lost her eighteen months later." It hurt to speak about. "I wasn't even twenty-two and a widower, I shut down and locked the world away, instead focusing on my career; and then I came here." He ducked his head to bring her eyes back up to him and took her hand again, it felt colder than before, he squeezed it. "I won't say I love you, because I don't, and I don't know if I could ever love another like I had Harrietta, but you make me want to find out if I can. You are so amazing, your Majesty, and I don't believe you even realize it. You care for others in a way that is not only rare in a ruler but in people as a whole. You've sparked something inside of me, brought me out of my self-imposed isolation, and if you'd let me, I'd like to see where we could end up."
There was a long moment of silence and his heart began to drop, she hadn't turned to look at him, instead she was looking out across the garden, up a triangular window on the third floor. He was about to drop her hand when suddenly he felt it begin to warm up and her arctic blue eyes found his again. "I believe the best place to start would be to continue this picnic."
It was the closest to a 'yes' he would get so he smiled at her, gave her hand another squeeze and began passing out lunch, hope filling his soul.
XXXXXX
Elsa lay back on the cushions on her bed, her lithe fingers running through Anna's hair, her sister lay in her lap eyes closed. Elsa glanced at her sister's own hands which were caressing her swollen belly with such love. Elsa then glanced at the end of the bed where Rapunzel lay on a pillow, her own hands cupping her recently visible bump. It was astonishing to Elsa that soon the next generation of their family would be here. Elsa hopped that with their own newly established friendships that Anna's and Rapunzel's children would grow up close.
"You know I think I've been patient enough." Anna stated suddenly. Elsa looked down to see her sister peering up at her with one eye open. "Come on Elsa, how was the picnic?"
The picnic, how was it, Elsa wasn't sure herself. They'd started out flirting a bit, and then things became very heavy before ending sweetly. After Prince Pieter's revelation about his deceased wife they'd avoided all talk about each other and instead spoke of their homelands and their siblings. Elsa was sure of one thing by the end of the picnic, that Prince Pieter's mother should be sainted for all the trouble he and his sisters got into, especially when their Norwegian cousins were visiting.
"I don't know." she finally admitted.
Anna attempted to shoot up from her reclined position but really it was a slow motion roll off Elsa and then up. "Wait what? How can you not know."
Rapunzel reached out and laid a hand on Anna's shoulder, "Just relax and let her explain." Elsa was sure there wasn't someone who could read others emotions as well as Rapunzel could at times.
"I mean I don't know. He was a perfect gentleman and surprisingly easy to speak with."
"Then what's the problem" Elsa glared at her sister, Anna rightfully looked away sheepishly, while Rapunzel giggled at the two. "Sorry go on."
"He admitted to me that he was married and his wife died years ago. He hasn't seemed to have moved on from her." Elsa looked down at her hands, she felt so horrible for Prince Pieter, to lose your love so young must have been devastating, but Elsa wasn't sure if she wanted to be second fiddle to a dead woman her whole life. Sure she'd told Anna she would be fine with marrying someone she could at least be friends with, and she believed she could with Prince Pieter, but she also wanted the possibility that that friendship could grow to more, like with her parents.
"Oh Elsa." Anna pulled her into a hug. Elsa wasn't sure why but a few tears began to fall from her eyes.
" He said he wasn't sure if he could love another like her but that I made him want to find out." She pulled away from Anna and wiped her eyes dry with her sleeve.
"And you don't want to be his experiment." Rapunzel concluded as she moved to Elsa's other side and wrapped an arm around her waist. Elsa lent into her.
"That's what I'm not sure about. I want a chance to fall in love, I don't want to always wonder if he loves me the same or as much, but there is something about him that makes me want to try anyway. He's the first person, other than Kristoff, that wasn't family that I felt maybe I could be at least friends with. That maybe saw me as me and not Queen Elsa or the Snow Queen."
Anna reached out and cupped Elsa's left cheek in her hand, Elsa nestled into it, "No one says you have to decide now. Just see where things go, there is no rush."
Elsa smiled at her sister and her cousin but in her heart she knew she was running out of time, there were arms at their borders and it was only a matter of time before their kings became tired of waiting for her to make her decision. The fate of Arendelle would be determined by who she decided to marry and the alliance that would make.
