~Chapter 3~
Elsa
My sister left me to my devices, and I think I needed some quiet time to myself this morning. There were many emotions locked into this week. Today was a big deal because of all the history between Arendelle and the Southern Isles. Lord Alastor was rumored to be a cruel man across the sea who had thirteen sons. First being introduced to Hans, who has since redeemed himself to Anna and me. Niklas, of course, turned out different as well. So strange that circumstances hardly ever turn out how we imagine that they will.
A faint knock vibrated off my bedroom door as I gave permission to enter. Niklas poked his head in as I smiled wide walking toward him with outstretched arms. We embraced quickly and as we pulled apart, I took his hands in mine.
"Good morning, you ready for seeing your father?" I asked.
"Probably more than you are," Niklas smirked.
My face fell as I started putting two and two together.
"What did Anna tell you?"
Niklas kissed my forehead before answering.
"Only that I know your sister knows you quite well." He whispered.
I walked over toward my bedroom window as Niklas followed behind me keeping his arm around the small of my back.
"If we were just two ordinary people, I'd do something simple. Skip all the ceremony. There is so much unnecessary pressure."
"We're still us regardless of title." He nodded, pulling my chin to meet his gaze taking my focus away from the outside world.
"We are a team now, you never have to handle anything alone, Elsa. This includes meeting my father of course."
I breathed a sigh of relief leaning against his shoulder thankful for his company.
"So there's something I just found out and I need you to stay calm when I tell you,"
My body quickly tensed as I looked up at him curiously.
"We're meeting my father at lunch, but my brothers for dinner."
I blinked a few times as the words sunk into my brain for comprehension.
"Your brothers? You mean, all twelve of them?"
"Well, you already know Hans, so that just makes meeting eleven of them," He reasoned as if that was going to make me feel better.
"Your timing could have been a bit better," I said, putting my hand against my beating chest.
"I swear, I didn't know until earlier this morning when I received a message detailing the information about my brothers."
"It's not fair, I only have one sibling to spring on you."
Niklas smirked holding back a laugh.
"It's not funny," I smiled trying to remain serious trying my best to hold back laughter at the incredulous situation I was now in. The brothers of the Southern Isles definitely didn't make me feel the same level of nerves.
"Hans and I have kept up in our correspondence with them. They're excited to meet you, truly."
"Well, I'd hate to know if they were dreading it," I rolled my eyes.
Niklas laughed as he walked me toward the door of my bedroom. We had time to kill before meeting Lord Alastor, so we walked around the grounds for a bit. It helped to calm down my nerves. Niklas didn't let go of my hand as we walked, having him here was a comfort. As the hour grew closer to noon, Niklas and I made our way across the bridge from the palace to the village square. As the clock tower rang noon, I saw a tall man with greying hair dawning the colors of the Southern Isles approach. It wasn't hard to guess who this was considering Hans walked beside him. Niklas made the first step forward bowing respectfully to his father. As he stood back up, Niklas presented me.
"Father, may I present my fiancee Queen Elsa of Arendelle."
I stepped toward him as Lord Alastor bowed grabbing my hand kissing the top politely.
"It's nice to finally meet the woman who has bewitched two of my sons at one time. Though one has disgraced our family name tremendously." Alastor said, glancing at Hans who lowered his head.
"Please, my lord, there's no need for that. We have long mended fences and are beyond what happened in the past. Hans now actually is an advisor-"
"He must apologize." Alastor interrupted, "Our name has been drug through the mud and he must atone."
"Father, please don't do this today." Niklas pleaded.
Hans held a hand up to stop Niklas from pleading on his behalf. I think Hans knew what I did and that this needed to be done again in front of Lord Alastor in order for him to move on. Hans stepped in front of me falling to his knees bowing his head.
"Queen Elsa, I have wronged you and Arendelle. Please accept my sincerest apologies for my sins of the past. I wish to bring honor back to the Southern Isles and receive your gracious mercy."
"Rise Prince Hans," I said, "All is forgiven."
Hans returned to his feet glancing back at Lord Alastor who seemed pleased with the display.
"Now that everyone has met, shall we go for lunch?" Niklas offered.
Alastor nodded as Niklas offered me his arm.
"Kai is waiting at the pavilion at the top of the hill to serve us food," I said.
"I'll go round up our brothers," Hans said, patting Niklas's shoulder, "Excuse me."
Hans left as the rest of us climbed up the hill. The weather was perfect for being a cooler autumn season. The sun was out and shining brightly warming us well from the top of the hill. There were few trees for shade up here and Alastor complained about that as Kai pulled out a chair at the table for him. Niklas pulled out my chair as I sat down and he pulled out his seat beside me on my right.
"Strange place to have a family lunch. I thought you might show me around the Arendelle palace and we'd eat in a hall fit for a queen and future king that my son will soon be." Alastor said, hardly mincing his words.
"I thought it would be nice to show you the views of Arendelle first, my lord."
"Dinner will be served back at the palace with everyone," Niklas added.
"I see," Lord Alastor nodded.
Kai served the food circling around the table as the three of us ate contently. I had one hand firmly gripped around my fork, but Niklas held my other hand in his below the table. He grabbed it when we first sat down as I was nervously freezing the legs of our chairs. Lord Alastor talked through most of the meal while Niklas and I patiently listened mostly to his complaints and opinions. Most of which were frivolous, but the man barely let up to let Niklas or myself speak. I was suddenly thankful Niklas was nothing like his father especially when it came to manners.
"So Elsa, is it true you froze the entire fjord and your kingdom the day of your coronation?"
I dropped my fork upon hearing the blunt question. Niklas squeezed my hand as he glared at his father's abrupt question. I wiped my mouth with a napkin before looking up at him.
"It's true, my lord. It wasn't intentional, but I eventually figured out how to unfreeze it all, so it turned out okay." I replied, picking my fork back up.
"Good to hear it because I'd hate for something similar to occur on the day of my son's coronation."
The cutting remark caught me off guard as Niklas pounded the table with his fist.
"Enough father, you will show my fiancee and a queen more respect."
Alastor glared at his son surprised by his comment. I wonder how often Alastor's sons spoke against him if ever. The longer I got to know the man I wonder if he had ever not gotten his way in any matter. Alastor glanced at me as his face softened.
"My apologies, Elsa. I meant nothing by it."
Yes, he did, but I ignored it. This man was to be my father-in-law. I desperately wanted to get along and not deal with any discord. He lifted his goblet of water to his lips.
"You're a concerned father, my lord." I reached out and touched the bottom of his goblet as it immediately turned frosty, "But you should know, I'm not the same woman I was then and have a greater understanding of my power now."
Alastor put down his ice-encased glass staring at me.
"You've made your point, my dear." He said seemingly nervous at seeing my power on display in such a subtle way. "So when do you plan on giving me grandchildren?"
Once again an abrupt question that caught me off guard. Niklas squeezed my hand again.
"I believe that's for us to decide." Niklas answered, "Besides, what about Aria? You speak as if you aren't already a grandparent."
"A king must have heirs, Niklas, and-"
"And we will decide when that will happen." Niklas interrupted.
I was speechless. This lunch was going about as well as I thought it would. We ate our fill and I was ready to leave, but Alastor was still eating. He had been talking so much, that he ate much slower. Once he was finished and Kai started clearing the table, Alastor cleared his throat standing up from the table.
"My dear, Elsa. I wish to offer you my sincerest condolences on the passing of your parents. Your father was a wise and gracious king."
I think this was the kindest and most surprising thing Lord Alastor had said all afternoon.
"Thank you, father and mother are dearly missed." I nodded. "My sister and I make a point to visit their graveside at least once a week."
"I can't imagine such a young woman thrust into her role as queen at such a young age."
"I've managed," I said with a slight nod.
"Well, I wanted to ask you something for the wedding day if I may,"
"Go on," I urged.
"It would honor me greatly if you would let me walk you down the aisle to give you away to my son."
Again catching me off guard with his comments.
"And perhaps, you can call me father as we are about to be family." He continued.
I slowly stood up from the table, my mind racing with thoughts. His offer stung more than I thought it would. He was sincere, but I couldn't accept.
"My sister is giving me away, my lord," I paused, taking a breath, "And I'm sorry, I can't. I let go of Niklas's hand as I stepped away from the table.
"I'll see you at dinner tonight, my lord, please excuse me."
I practically ran from the table as Niklas called out after me. I ran back to the main square being greeted by random citizens as I made my way back to the palace. Niklas caught up with me as I crossed over the bridge.
"Elsa, wait up." He called to me.
I stopped upon hearing his pleas right before entering the gates of the palace. Niklas grabbed my shoulders and pulled me close.
"That man was out of line, I'm sorry."
I pulled away staring up at him.
"It's not like what he said wasn't true." I shrugged.
"Gave him no right to stomp over your father's memory as he did. I'm sorry."
"He meant no ill intent about it, Niklas. I'm being overly sensitive. I just wish father and mother both could be here."
"I know," He nodded.
"Well, I refuse to dwell in this headspace. How do you suggest we kill time until dinner?"
"I have some ideas," Niklas muttered, pulling me toward the palace.
We walked through the hallways of the palace and Niklas inquired about my family history. At least those that he didn't already know.
"Even though they aren't with us anymore, we can honor them in all that we do as Arendelle enters a new era," Niklas told me as I showed him painting after painting.
He didn't ever seem to grow bored and I appreciated his desire in letting me share while he listened. As the afternoon wore on, we moved onto lighter activities like scaring the kitchen staff with my baking skills. It was way too easy to burn things. Niklas fixed my burn streak with baking a dozen double fudge cookies that apparently was Aria's recipe.
"When did your niece learn to bake so well?"
"I wish I knew," He laughed.
We started a game of checkers followed by chess before dinner, but we didn't get to finish before Kai summoned us for dinner. Now it was time to meet the rest of the princes of the Southern Isles. Surely the rest of the sons would prove far kinder than their father.