A/N: Hope you all enjoyed the last chapter, things are starting to pick up speed. I moved the rating up to "M" for the last chapter though I still think it probably is a "T" story, what do you all think, should I change the rating back or keep it at "M". As always I don't know Frozen, it is the property of Disney. Reviews are always welcome. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my story.
Chapter 2: Letter
July 1843
"I believe this to be the most beneficial agreement with the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. They have vast fertile lands and are well known for their wines. They are willing to export their wine and olive oils to Arendelle as well as a reduced import tax on Arendellian goods such as our wool in exchange for similarly reduced tax rates for their goods. They would also like to enter an understanding of mutual insurance, should either of us enter in a war, an officially declared war, then the other would come to their aid." Baron Englefjord reported on the status of negotiations with the Grand Duchy of Tuscany that had been underway since shortly after Elsa's wedding. Elsa had been impressed with the swiftness in which the talks had taken place, it was just July and the agreement was nearly completed. Arendelle had never had a trade agreement let alone an alliance with any sovereign state in the Mediterranean. Wines and olive oils from Italy were very expensive in Arendelle and were only obtainable by the richest of citizens, such an agreement would make these goods more accessible to the everyday citizen. The added military alliance was crucial as well. Arendelle did not have many of these types of agreements with other nations. There hadn't seemed the need before, but that had all changed with Sweden's and Finland's failed invasion a few years ago. Corona and now Vakretta were the only countries Arendelle had such an alliance with.
"The agreement sounds promising Minister Englefjord, you and Minister Johansen have done well. I do ask that the wording be adjusted for the military alliance, I would like it to say that should either nation enter an official war due to self-defense the other will come to their aid. I do not wish to be a part of any war in which our allies were the aggressor. Should they agree to adjustment then submit your final draft for my review and approval."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Baron Henrik bowed and returned to his seat.
"Now is there anything we should address before we conclude today's council meeting?" Elsa asked. They had discussed everything on the docket that she was aware of but it was not uncommon for one of her ministers to bring up a new topic at the last minute.
Elsa could see most of the men staring at Minister Karldotter who was barely shaking her head, then the men's eyes shifted to the Prime Minister who did not look as if wanted to speak. Elsa internally sighed, "What is it that you are so clearly nervous to broach?" She was not in the mood for games today. She has a picnic planned with just Anna today, the first in weeks, and she didn't want to be late.
Minister Gurdsen, the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs cleared his throat. He was an average-sized man in all sense of the word. In his early forties, his chestnut colored hair had not yet started to grey nor reseed. He had pale blue eyes and a sharp nose. "There is one small matter some members of the council believe we should begin to discuss." It was clear by Karoline's and Marius's faces that they were not among the council members who wished to speak on whatever topic Thomas was about to introduce.
"What matter would that be, Minister?"
"The line of succession." Elsa blinked but other than that kept her face neutral and expressionless, this was not a matter she had thought would be brought up.
"Minister, I am not sure I know what you are referring to. Arendelle's laws of succession are rather clear, should something happen to me, the crown would pass to the Crown Princess and then through her children."
Thomas visibly swallowed and Elsa saw him clasp his hands behind his back, "Your Majesty is correct in that matter, what Arendelle's laws are not clear upon are regency."
If she had not been well trained Elsa was sure her jaw would have hit the ground. "Minister, I do not see any reason to discuss regency at this time. I do hope this is not the council's way of trying to discover if my marriage has been consummated."
"No, ma'am, that is not our intention at all, it is just…" he paused, clearly losing his nerve under Elsa glare. Karoline cleared her throat, "Your Majesty, I believe what Minister Gunderson is trying to convey is that due to the deaths of Princess Charlotte and Princess Margi as well as Princess Anna's difficulties, there are concerns about Your Majesty and childbirth." It was clear that Karoline's words were causing the other Ministers to become uncomfortable, she had been blunt in the only way a woman who had given birth could be.
"I appreciate your candor, Minister Karldotter, however, this conversation is premature. While I know that the council and even the people of Arendelle are anxious to hear of my pregnancy, though I doubt I have to remind the council but it took my mother over a year to fall pregnant with myself, these matters are not instantaneous. Therefore until the day I announce I am with child I want no talk of succession or regency, do I make myself clear." Elsa said firmly. She struggled to keep her embarrassment from talking of such matters from being visible.
"Yes, Your Majesty." The council filed out of the meeting room, with only Karoline remaining. She hesitantly approached Elsa, who simply gestured to the seat beside her.
"My apologies, Your Majesty, the Prime Minister and I informed the council that it was not the time to speak of such matters, we were outvoted."
Elsa nodded, "Karoline, it's Elsa for the moment please, this conversation is too personal for us to remain so formal." Karoline leaned forward and patted Elsa's hand.
"Elsa, I am sorry. I know with Anna expecting again that this conversation may bring up unease for yourself."
Elsa closed her eyes for a moment and then looked at Karoline, "It does, but I should have expected the matter to come up at some point in time, I just didn't expect it before…"
"You were actually expecting." Karoline supplied.
"Exactly."
Karoline squeezed Elsa's hand pulling her attention from the window, "They aren't entirely wrong to be concerned, with Princess Charlotte and Princess Margi there are two high profile royal deaths due to childbirth, each directly affecting the line of succession in their nations, especially Princess Charlotte. There is also the fact that Arendelle has lost the past two monarch's rather young. There are rumors of a curse on the family, not many citizens put any credence in it, but it is there."
Elsa wasn't surprised about the talk that the Crocus Throne was cursed. Elsa's grandfather had passed at forty-two when Elsa's father was nineteen. Then of course Elsa's own father had passed at forty-one when Elsa was eighteen. "The council was the regent until both my father and I were of age, why wouldn't it be again?"
Karoline leaned forward and clasped her hands on top of the table, she was quiet for a moment; Elsa waited patiently while the woman collected her thoughts. "There is no specific rule for who is to be the regent in our bylaws Elsa; the only law is that an heir can not be crowned King or Queen until their twenty-first year. The first regent in Arendelle's history, as you know, was Queen Adelaide back in 1530 when her husband King Aksel died leaving his son Prince Jorgen the throne at thirteen-years-old. Queen Adelaide was a strong and confident woman, there was no question that she would be regent. There wasn't a need for a regent again until your grandfather died. With your grandmother having preceded him in death and your father being 19 it was decided that there was no need for a single person to act as regent, that the council would fill in as regent, but your father would actively lead the council; however, all decisions would have to be approved by the council first. It was similar when your father passed, with your mother having passed as well and your age, it was again decided that the council would be regent with you as it's head. Should you pass in childbirth…." Karoline trailed off her eyes meeting Elsa's urging her to understand the issue.
"The throne would pass to an infant who would be unable to lead the council and there would be two viable options for regent, Pieter and Anna."
Karoline nodded, "I'm sure you know whom the council has a preference for."
"Anna I suspect, no one wants a foreign-born Prince Consort ruling the land when there is an of age heir apparent of the bloodline in the wings."
Karoline didn't answer, just tapped her finger on her nose. After a pregnant pause, Karoline stood, "I know you're of the opinion that it is premature to think of such matters, and you are correct, but it wouldn't hurt to at least consider it.."
As Karoline took her leave; Elsa sighed leaning back in her chair, why couldn't everything be simple at least for a short time.
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Elsa found her sister where she had expected, at the pound with the ducks. She was sitting on a blanket, her ever-growing stomach clearly visible these days. Anna had been sorely disappointed when her condition had come visible a full month earlier than it had with Christopher.
When Anna had told Elsa the good news she'd put on the best act of her life. In all actuality, Elsa was petrified if Anna's pregnancy, she couldn't bear the thought of losing Anna. That night Pieter had witnessed a full-blown panic attack. She'd frozen their bed-chamber solid and it had taken Pieter and Kristoff an hour to work their way in. Kristoff had respectfully stayed at the entrance but Pieter had slid right to Elsa's side, his gentle soothing words and warm presence slowly calmed the raging storm of emotions and Elsa fell asleep in his lap. Glancing again at her sister Elsa shook the memory from her mind.
"Enjoying the summer sun, dear sister," Elsa called out as she neared, Anna turned her head up to her and shielded her eyes from the sun. "As much as I can, you know they'll force me into confinement in a couple of months time, need to get as much fresh as I can."
Elsa laughed and shook her head, "There is a very nice balcony connect to your suites, there is nothing that says you can't use it." Elsa sad beside Anna leaning back to rest on her forearms, her face too leaning towards the sun, the strong rays quickly warming her.
"Alas it is not the same, dear sister, I'll miss the feeling of the grass between my toes." As if to emphasize her point Anna spread her bare toes and rubbed them into the grass beside the blanket.
"I understand that, I would miss the snow beneath my feet rather than the grass though."
Anna turned to her and raised a brow, "you can make your own snow, I can not make my own grass." It was clear Anna didn't think Elsa truly understood her woes.
"It's not the same, don't get me wrong I do love the feel of my snow, but there is just something about fresh natural snow that makes me happy in a way my snow never could." Anna shifted her body and bumped Elsa's shoulder with hers.
"I learn something new about you every day." Elsa smirk, "I enjoy being an enigma, can't give up all my secrets too soon."
"Twenty-five years isn't too soon," Anna quipped. Elsa just smiled, they continued to lay there in peaceful silence, both enjoying the tranquility of the summer afternoon, just the birds and insects audible as they went about there day playing their natural songs. Elsa had never believed that there would be a time in her life where Anna could be quiet for an extended period of time, and then Christopher was born. As a new mother Anna quickly learn to treasure the calm moments, she actively sought them out these days.
Their peaceful companionship was shattered by the sound of boots rushing towards them, Elsa sat up, her hand blocking the sun from her eyes, just coming down the path towards them was Kristoff.
"Kris, what is it?" Anna called out, clearly registering the look on her husband's face a moment before Elsa herself.
"A letter's come from Norway, it was addressed to Pieter, you need to come." Elsa felt her stomach drop at his words, before she knew it she had left her sister and brother-in-law behind, she had to get to her husband.
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Pieter paced his study his mind moving a mile a minute. How could this have happened, it didn't make sense. What would the consequences be? He was so lost in thought he didn't hear the door to his suites slam open, he didn't witness the frazzled look of his wife as she rushed to him, he didn't see her at all until she had ducked her face into his line of sight, bringing him back to reality with her. She placed her hands on either side of his face and rubbed his cheeks gently.
"Pieter, what is it?" she implored. Pieter just gestured to the letter on the desk, she moved swiftly and picked it up. He heard her gasp, he turned to her. She was staring contemplatively then turned to him. "Pieter I'm so sorry."
With her condolences, Pieter let himself slid into the chair, his hands going to his face, as his elbows rested on his knees, he felt numb. His father's cousin, his second cousin, King Ivar of Norway was dead. After a moment he turned with his head still resting in his hand to look at his wife who was looking back down at the letter, "Does it say how, I didn't get much further in reading it," he admitted. He'd been too shocked by the news. Pieter didn't spend much time with his older cousin the King, no the King often only came down to the summer palace, where he and his Norwegian cousins would play, for one or two long weeks over the course of the two months. Pieter's fleeting memories of the man were of a strong and imposing man with a shorter stocky build, chocolate brown hair, and a busy beard. He remembers however when the King let his guard down; which generally only happened around Pieter's father, he a booming jolly laugh that was rather infectious.
"Hunting accident, though no one was there when it happened. Apparently, he tried to make the jump over a ravine and must have miss judged it, they found him the bottom with the horse." Elsa told him somberly. Pieter nodded, he didn't echo his thoughts to her though, for Pieter knew that the King was an accomplished jumper and that he had jumped many of the ravines in the forest surrounding the capital hundred of times. He also knew that King Ivar had taken the death of his daughter, Margi, extremely hard. Margi was his pride and joy, the child that lit up the king's world no matter how dark it got. The Queen had died five years prior, and Margi had seamlessly stepped into her mother's shoes, becoming the King's constant companion during that time.
Pieter turned to look out the window in his office, a robin flew by and settled on a tree just below. It had a worm in it's mouth and Pieter watched as it fed it's young dutifully before flying off again to find more food. "Anything else?'
Elsa moved forward she leaned against his back her head resting at his shoulders, her arms wrapping around him; holding him tightly to her. "Just that Harkon has been announced King but the coronation won't take place until after the morning period, most likely in mid-fall."
Pieter took a deep breath and turned in her arms, he reached out and brushed a stray hair from her face, normally with the ten-inch height difference, he felt so larger in her arms, but right at this moment, he couldn't feel any smaller. "I'll be expected to go, with Ivar's death, my father has become second-in-line and I third." Elsa bit her lip and then laid her head against his chest. While she was actually rather tall for a woman at 5'7" her frame was slim and petite. He was sure she barely weighed 120 pounds. He loved how he could just envelop her in his arms, protect her from the world, however; at this moment every inch of her was shielding him from his thoughts his worries. He knew she knew what the bump in the Norwegian line of succession could mean for them, but neither voiced it at this moment, Harkon was young and would likely have children which would push Pieter and his father back down the line of succession. It was even possible Harkon's Uncle, the late king's brother could have a child. The court would certainly be pushing both men to marry soon and have heirs.
After a long while, Elsa pulled away from him sighing as she did so, "I must inform the council. I'll be back as soon as I can. Would you like me to send up Anna and Kristoff?"
Pieter shook his head, "no thank you, I think I will write to my father." With that, she left but not before giving him a kiss on the cheek. Pieter plopped down into his chair, he pulled out some paper, his quill and ink jar, and began writing
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