They arrived in Arendelle. Much to Rapunzel's surprise the only one who had any real problem was Cassandra, who had suffered some sea sickness. She had somewhat adjusted but was still a little green. William tried not to chuckle as he helped her down the gangplank.
Rapunzel marveled. "This place is amazing. Beautiful summer weather, not too hot."
"Yes, but the winters can get pretty cold." William pointed out.
"Then I'm glad we're not going to be here for the winter."
"HA! The girls told me how much you hate cold weather."
Eugene smiled slightly. "About as much as Cass seems to hate sea travel."
"Cousin, are you sure these two have buried the hatchet?"
She laughed. "Yes, they just tease each other. You know, like a brother and sister."
"Well, I'll give you credit," William told the dark haired woman leaning on Rapunzel for support. "You did adjust at least a little over the trip."
"And I'll be better for the return trip. Although it is nice to have solid ground under my feet."
"Well, how about a tour of Arendelle then?"
"Sounds great cousin."
William took them through the docks, bustling with arriving guests and through the marketplace and toward the palace.
The gates had just been open as they walked toward them. A very enthusiastic red haired young woman almost danced past them. William leaned in toward his cousin. "That's Princess Anna. She certainly seems to be in a good mood."
"Happy for her sister, I guess," Rapunzel responded. "Hope we get to meet them soon."
They watched as Elsa was crowned Queen of Arendelle, then they attended the coronation ball. The Queen and Princess were introduced. William had been right, the exuberant woman they'd seen on the way in was Anna.
Eugene and Rapunzel stepped out for the first dance. William turned to Cassandra. "Shall we?"
"We shall," she said taking his hand and walking out with him.
The dance went on, in spite of the spectacle the Duke of Wesselton was making of himself. William heard Anna exclaim "Ouch!" a couple of times. He leaned over to his dance partner. "I think the Princess is going to have sore feet this evening."
The dance ended and the four representatives from Corona gathered again to talk. A few minutes later the music started again.
"Cousin, may I have this dance?" He turned to Eugene, "If that's okay with you of course."
He smiled. "Only if dragon lady will grant me this dance."
Cassandra chuckled. "Sure"
As they danced Rapunzel asked. "Did Anna seemed kind of upset to you?"
"She kind of did. Although I wasn't close enough to hear what might have upset her. She seems happy enough now."
Rapunzel looked over to see her other cousin dancing with a dashing young man. "I guess she does."
"You notice all of the men sitting the dance out trying to gain some notice from Queen Elsa?" He added, "Not that I blame them."
"OH, like what you see do you?"
He answered, "I would dare say they're both as pretty as you."
"You silver tongued snake you." Then with a grin she added. "You know she's my cousin...but not yours."
"Stop trying to play match maker."
She laughed. "I don't know. It's kind of fun." Then she said, "We should introduce ourselves though."
After the dance, the musicians took a short break. Rapunzel and the others walked up to the newly crowned Queen.
"Queen Elsa, I'm your cousin Rapunzel, from Corona."
She smiled. "I'm very pleased to meet you. So, one of these gentlemen must be your husband Eugene."
Eugene stepped forward. "That would be me, your Majesty."
"Well, I hope you've been good to my cousin."
Before he could answer Cassandra spoke up. "I was worried about that myself when I met him. But I guess I have to admit she made a great choice."
"That's good to hear. May I ask your name."
"Cassandra, Princess Rapunzel's friend and bodyguard."
"Happy to meet you," the Queen said. Rapunzel then gestured toward the last member of the group. "And this is William; My cousin on my mothers side."
He took her hand and bowed slightly. "A pleasure to meet you your Majesty."
"Well, I want to get to know you all better, and hear about my uncle King Frederic."
"We'd be happy to tell you all about him. And I want to get to know you and Anna better." Rapunzel said happily.
Elsa looked somewhat doubtful for a moment, answering, "We'll see what we can do about that."
They continued to talk as several dignitaries stopped to introduce themselves and congratulate the new Queen. Once again, many young men seemed to be testing the water to see if Elsa would entertain suitors; They found the water to be rather chilly. She was always polite, but not interested in suitors.
As they continued to speak, Elsa asked Rapunzel, "So, tell me more about these three."
"Well, I met Eugene when he tried to hide in my tower. The guards were after him for steeling my crown."
"Oh really?"
"Yes, well there's a little more to the story," Eugene interjected.
"I can't wait to hear it."
She then looked over at William. "This gentleman, as I mentioned, is the son of my mother's sister; No relation to your family. He's quite an adventurer."
"Yes," William said. "But I think I've had enough of adventure and excitement."
Seemingly ignoring him Rapunzel added, "He's quite a warrior to. Fought Cassandra to a draw."
He smiled. "Neither of us could get in the winning blow. We just kept on until we were so tired that we agreed to call it even."
"Yep, they looked like they were going to kill each other but walked away smiling and laughing together." The hyperactive Princess switched tracks. "OH Elsa, did you know he served in your guard in Arendelle for a while?"
"Really? Tell me mo..." The Queen was interrupted by the sound of her sister's voice. They all turned to see the younger princess making her way through the crowd.
"Elsa! I mean Queen. Me again. Um, may I present Prince Hans of the Southern Isles."
A man about the same height as William, with red hair and dressed in a white uniform bowed slightly addressing the Queen. It was the same man the Princess had been dancing with. "Your Majesty, we would like..." Both he and Anna seemed nervous. "...Your blessing..." The two finished together. "...of our marriage."
"Marriage? Okay I'm confused."
Rapunzel seemed excited at this, although Pascal seemed instantly suspicious. The others just seemed a little taken aback by the announcement, much as the Queen herself was.
The princess continued. "Well, we haven't worked out all the details ourselves. We'll need a few days to plan the ceremony. Of course, we'll have soup, roast and ice cream. And then...Wait, would we live here?"
Hans quickly responded with an enthusiastic, "Absolutely!"
Something about that caught Eugene's attention.
"Oh, and we can invite all twelve of your brothers to stay with us."
William saw things were going to get out of hand quickly. But he wasn't sure it was his place to get involved.
"Wait, slow down." The Queen commanded. "No one's brothers are staying here, no one is getting married."
"Wait, what?"
"May I talk to you please?" the queen glanced at everyone around her, "Alone?"
They all saw the confident Queen become suddenly nervous.
William interjected. "I think that would be a good idea."
"No!" The Princess insisted. "Whatever you have to say you can say to both of us."
"Fine," the Queen said. "You can't marry someone you just met."
From there the sisters began to argue and things spiraled out of control. The Queen even suggested that her sister leave Arendelle. Finally, the Queen shouted "I said ENOUGH!" as ice shards created a barrier between the Queen and the others.
Most of the visitors gasped in shock. All except for the ones from Corona, who just looked at each other.
William could see the panic on the Queens face as she fled the palace into the crowd. Again, people gasped as Elsa accidentally froze a fountain leaving a grotesque shape. In another accidental use of her powers, she sent a blast of ice toward the Duke. She ran toward...and across the fjord.
Anna, her would be fiancé along with the visitors from Corona all stood at the bank of the fjord.
Choosing not to follow any further they all made their way back to the palace. The Duke was ranting on about Elsa's attempt on his life.
"You slipped on ice," Hans chided.
"Her ice!"
"It was an accident," Anna said, "She didn't mean it. She didn't mean any of this. Tonight was my fault, so… I'm the one that needs to go after her." She called for her horse.
Hans objected. "It's too dangerous."
William interjected, "I'm guessing that Anna is the only one that Elsa will listen to. But I agree that she shouldn't go alone."
"Yes, exactly." Hans said. "I'm coming with you."
"No, I need you here. To take care of Arendelle."
Eugene, who had been watching silently, then spoke. "Rapunzel led Corona through something a lot like this. A way out of season blizzard. Let her watch over Arendelle."
Anna thought for a moment. "That makes sense."
"Yes, good idea. Then I'm coming with you." Hans said again.
Eugene then suggested. "I don't think Elsa would respond very well to you right now Prince. Stay and help us take care of Arendelle. William can go with Princess Anna. He's seen just about everything. He'll be ready for any danger they face, and his presence won't agitate Elsa."
Again, Anna took a moment to think. She nodded, "Hans, I think that's the best plan."
Hans bowed. "On my honor, I will care for your people."
As the Princess ordered men to bring a horse for her traveling companion Eugene whispered to Cassandra. "It takes a con to know a con. We've got one here. Warn William."
She nodded going over to whisper the warning into his ear. He nodded.
Just before William mounted the saddle, Rapunzel gave him a peck on the cheek. "For good luck."
He smiled then rose into the saddle. In a moment, the two were off.
"Princess Rapunzel," Hans said not taking his eyes off the two riding away. "I hope you trust that man."
"I'd trust him with my life," She said definitively.
"Come on Fitzherbert," she said to her friend, who she knew didn't do well with the cold. "Let's get you somewhere warm." As they walked away, he said to her. "Maybe I'm just being over cautious but stick close to Rapunzel. I'll keep my eyes on Prince charming over there."
She nodded as they walked into the palace.