Early April, 1851

Buckingham Palace,

Great Britain

The grandeur of such a palace outshone even that of Linnea and Eskil. Sprawling stone of white, with numerous windows and elaborate stonemasonry, it towered over the people from behind high wrought-iron gates. The royal family were to be put up in private quarters just off the Queen's rooms, and once they had settled in, the adults had changed from their travelling clothes. Victoria had requested to meet the children later, at a private dinner between the two royal houses.

Whispers rang through the court at Buckingham Palace as the Queen of Arendelle entered and made her way towards the woman equal to her in every way but one. Her sister followed a step behind, as was custom, and she kept her hands folded before her; the soft blue of her gown shimmering in the candlelight. No one but her family knew the dress she wore had been crafted of her ice; though she wore the diamond teardrop crown, as was custom.

As she reached the steps of the dais, she saw Victoria sit up a little straighter, and quickly gathered her skirts, dipping into a curtsy, which Anna followed. Only three years older than Elsa, Victoria had sat upon the throne slightly longer; having been crowned in eighteen-thirty-eight, the young queen had gained a bit more experience, but that did not mean she was not interested in meeting her contemporaries- and Elsa, as the ruling Queen of Scandinavia essentially, was her contemporary in every way.

As she straightened, the whispered continued; it was evident, the young Arendellian queen had certainly made an impression.


The soft clinking of silverware were the only sounds in the private dining hall. Elsa glanced at Hans, who smiled softly at her from across the table, both unaware that they were the object of Victoria's fascination. The queen had never seen a woman quite like Elsa and so deemed her someone she must get to know.

"Camilla, sit up. You are not a ragdoll waiting to be played with on the floor of the nursery." The child instantly straightened, glancing at her father, who merely raised an eyebrow, before ducking her head. Soft laughter reached the girl's ears, and she turned to see Victoria's two older sons- Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, and Prince Alfred- snickering at her from behind their hands.

"That is enough, both of you." The boys instantly quieted at their father's soft warning. Silence fell once more, before finally, the young Arendellian princess broke it, turning to the British queen.

"You and Mama are the same height," Everyone froze at the young girl's declaration, turning to stare at the child. "Your Majesty." She whispered; her mother quickly shut her eyes and released a deep breath.

"Camilla Helene, that's very rude."

The child turned to her. "But Mama, it's true. You and Her Majesty are the same height! And Papa is even the same height as His Majesty!"

"Camilla, you do not just say things such as that. Especially in front of our hosts." Hans sighed, glancing at both Albert and Victoria with a soft nod of apology.

"I'm sorry about my daughter; she's at that age when curiosity gets the better of her."

"Daughter?" Victoria perked up instantly, the little girl's announcement- which she honestly found not just funny but very sweet because it was true- forgotten. "Your Majesty, I was not aware you had any children."

The soft scolding Camilla was receiving from her mother ended, and Elsa quickly turned her deep blue gaze to Hans. "You didn't." Ice quickly dashed about the table at the queen's soft accusation; everyone backed up, surprised; the boys shared excited glances, as Albert leaned closer to study it. Elsa let out a squeak as she clapped her hands over her mouth, turning to Victoria once she'd managed to calm down enough to speak.

She moved to stand, everyone else following- even Victoria, who for once forgot royal etiquette; she simply wished to comfort the younger woman who clearly seemed distressed over something. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty... I must go check on my youngest, if you'll excuse me." Victoria nodded, and once permission was granted, Elsa fled. A moment passed, before Hans nodded softly to the queen.

"Of course, Your Majesty, please, make sure she's all right." They watched Hans hurry after her, silence once more falling about the dining table.

"I'm sorry." Everyone turned at the soft voice. Camilla stood with tears in her blue eyes, trying hard not to cry in front of the Queen of Britain. "I didn't mean to make Mama upset." Anna quickly hurried to her, kneeling beside her niece.

"Oh, Camilla, you didn't upset Mama. Mama has been worried about this for weeks and she wanted it to go well. Don't worry, darling, Papa's with her. He will calm her down." The child sniffled, tears dripping onto her cheeks.

"But Papa said it's important; I didn't mean to ruin the visit." Anna pulled the little girl into her arms, rubbing her back gently. The others watched; Victoria glanced at Albert, the parents in them aching to comfort the child. After a moment, she made her way towards the princess and her niece.

"Camilla, is it?" The pair pulled apart, and the girl moved to curtsy when Victoria stopped her. She gently took the girl's hand. "You did not ruin anything, my dear. If anything, I have found your Mama fascinating from the moment she stepped out of the carriage. I know very little of the Queen of Arendelle, except that she is my contemporary, and I wish to get to know her better, but her and the King of the Isles."

"Papa." Milla whispered, and Victoria cocked her head.

"Papa?" The girl nodded.


"Eliza- Eliza, stop!"

He sighed, resting his forehead against the door of the nursery; he could honestly admit that doors were the bane of his existence. Every argument they had involved a door being slammed or locked or shut, but never in his face. After a moment, he reached for the handle, only to wince at the cold. "Eliza, open the door! Please?"

He knew she was listening, for he could hear her pacing, the whisper of her skirts his only response. "Eliza, it wasn't your fault. It wasn't Milla's fault. It wasn't even my fault, but I will take the blame. Things happen. They were bound to find out sooner or later; one look at our children, how could the conclusion not be made. And as for your ice... darling, I know you wish to keep it secret, to keep it only known to Arendelle and the Isles, but we both understand that it wasn't going to be possible. You are not referred to as the Snow Queen of Arendelle for naught." He tried the door again, with no success. "Darling, please, let me in."

"Perhaps I would have better luck?"

The king turned, to find Victoria before him, worry written over her features. "Your Majesty-" She held up a hand.

"I know what it's like to be prone to fits and worries and tempers. And to have to keep what I would rather show hidden. Your wife is not the only woman who wears a crown and must hide her true self because of it, Your Majesty. Please, may I?"

But before he could step aside, the door unfroze and opened; both turned, to see Elsa peeking out from the doorway, Sofia in her arms. It was evident she'd been crying, for the tears frozen upon her cheeks. Hans relaxed, though he didn't move towards her, having learned over the years to give her space. "I'm sorry, Your Majesty-"

"Please, Victoria, Your Majesty."

"Elsa."

"I'm sorry?"

The younger woman glanced at her husband, before kissing her daughter's head and glancing at the queen. "Call me Elsa."


A grand ball was held in honor of the Scandinavian Royals' visit- as Victoria referred to them.

"Can't we come, Mama?"

Elsa glanced over her shoulder at her husband, before gathering her skirts and perching on the edge of the bed. "I'm afraid not, my Milli-met. This ball is only for adults, to welcome Papa and I on our visit."

"But-"

"Hush, now, that's enough, Camilla." Hans warned gently. After she'd opened the door, it was as though Elsa had found a kindred spirit in Victoria. The two young women had talked for two hours after the disaster that was dinner, sharing their concerns and worries about holding the thrones of their respective countries, bonding over the babes they had both given birth to a year earlier- for Sofia was a couple months older than Arthur- and the challenges they faced with their respective marriages. It was evident as they talked that Victoria was enamored with Elsa, and wished dearly to build not just an alliance, but a friendship with her.

"Now get some sleep, my darling. Papa and I will see you and your siblings in the morning for breakfast."

As they left to join the rest of the court, Hans pulled her aside, nodding briefly to Anna, who waited not far from the entrance to the ballroom for them. He took that moment to kiss her, pouring all he felt for her in one kiss. "What was that for?"

"To remind you of how deeply I love you." He whispered, nudging his nose against hers as he took her hand and tugged her gently back to where Anna stood.