Chapter 6: All hail
There was no doubt. Elsa kept turning the crown between her fingers, and it was indeed her sister's. Why was Anna's crown lost in the middle of nowhere?
A flash of her younger's coronation came to her eyes, smiling as she held the orb and scepter. It got layered with a vision of Anna suffering, and Elsa winced. She lost her balance, almost falling in the mud.
Her blood turned cold, and it wasn't just a metaphor. The magic glow in her hand turned in a higher shade of blue, and the big ice snowflake she was making float above her palm was getting brighter and brighter, but also colder and colder. The air around it started to turn to smoke. The rain passing near her skin turned to snow before touching the ground.
The blonde's breathing hitched, and she was staring at the crown in her hand like she was facing a ghost.
"Anna..." She moaned, her eyebrows twisted in a devastated expression.
Rask suddenly neighed, warning her of the sudden cold on the path and taking her out of her reverie.
The Snow Queen startled, and shook her head.
"No. No, this can't be true. You can't be..."
Even by whispering, she couldn't say the word. She gulped, and stood up. With a trembling pace, she walked back to her horse, and was about to climb on his back.
However, when she touched the back of Rask's neck to get up, the stallion neighed in fear, the touch being extremely cold.
Elsa gasped when she understood and apologized right away. She took a step back and tried to calm down her breathing. However, her twisted mind kept imagining a hundred sad ways Anna could have lost her crown here. She squeezed her eyes shut with a groan.
"Stop it. Stop it!"
Her fists clenched in anger at herself, and in the process, she crushed the glowing snowflake. It turned to ice dust that fell to the ground, plunging the path in darkness again. In her other hand, however, she felt the hard steel of Anna's crown, and the tips ornated with crocuses pricking her skin as she clamped it. Elsa stopped at the pain – both physical and psychological – that it procured her, and looked down at the object, her gaze lost in the rain.
She remembered that, on the first day she had seen the crown, she had admired how the color of its green enlightened Anna's eyes. She remembered that, when Anna had lifted her head after she crowned her, her gaze had descended from the crocuses of steel to the teal blue eyes just as powerful and solid of her little sister, staring right back at her. In that moment, Anna simply was the most beautiful Elsa had never seen, and she actually didn't watch her long because she then saw blur due to the tears filling her eyes. Hopefully, she had blinked them away and continued the ceremony, supported by Anna's touched smile, and later the claps of all the people present in the chapel.
Another thing had hit Elsa that day at Anna's coronation; she knew instantly, by staring at those unique eyes, that her little sister would be the most amazing person she had ever seen. She would fight for what's good, she would always be open-minded, she would always turn danger away, but also, she would never ever surrender.
Elsa's gaze lifted up. Her eyes were determined now. Anna had to be safe. Somewhere.
She approached Rask, gently stroking them in excuse and care, and once the horse snorted, she climbed on his back.
Slamming her ankles against his flanks to send the stallion into gallop, she prayed for Anna to be safe in Hitiheimr, holding her crown close.
Elsa quite literally barged into the kingdom. She had come to Hitiheimr in the past when she was Queen, so she knew where to head to the castle's gates. Hopefully in that sad downpour time, nobody was in the streets, and as the castle had no ramparts, she got to the entrance really quickly. She hesitated between jumping off Rask and running to the doors, or gently putting the horse in the stables. When she saw the armored guards walking to her with voulges, their helmets and plastrons shining in the light of dawn, she preferred to go for the second option.
Elsa hoped down the horse, and was about to run to the stable boys. The stallion neighed to get her attention. She twirled around, because he sounded like he warned her that she forgot something. She followed Rask's nod and saw that she was covered with mud from her feet to her tibias, not being very white anymore.
With a gasp, she cleaned herself in a burst of scrubbing snowflakes, and the heavy rain did the rest.
"Thanks, Rask."
The Arendellian horse neighed.
It attracted the servants' attention, and they came to her as she entered the stables. She explained the situation, and soon the guards came to her because they thought she was a thief – and very indiscreet one, remarked one of them, for she was entirely dressed in white with a clear blue ice armor. Elsa presented herself and summarized the urgency, then took leave and went to the castle's heavy portcullis.
Hitiheimr's castle was more medieval and had rounder shapes than Arendelle's. Its stones were brown and black, and it had several towers, which gave it a haunted aura in the grey early light of day, though Elsa truly didn't care. She explained her venue to the guards on the other side of the grid. They opened it up for her in a concert of metal chains and grunts, and the portcullis was barely one meter high off the stone that Elsa slid underneath and ran past them. Confused, they looked at her make her way through the courtyard, and into the castle.
The interior was way less lit than Arendelle's corridors, due to the lack of windows and the use of fire torches on the walls as mere light. Elsa knew that this was an advantage and meant that the castle's walls were thick and more apt to block invaders, but in that time, she was begging to see better. Her panicked steps led her into every corridor, her eyes scanning every face searching for Anna. There were a lot of people between the royals, their politicians, and the Hitiheimr staff. Elsa couldn't help but frown at the crowd. Weren't they supposed to be in a meeting? Did it end already? No, she could tell they were all waiting, and that nothing had started yet.
At a corner, Elsa's gaze was attracted by a cascade of fiery orange on her right, and thought it was the flame of a torch. However, she then turned her head again and realized that this flame was at her height, and it was talking with a black man who looked exactly like... Mattias.
"ANNA!"
She had yelled her name with all the force in her lungs, and it echoed against the stones of the walls. Many persons turned around, but once again Elsa didn't care at all.
As she ran at full speed to her sister, the redhead followed Mattias' shocked stare and turned around, just in time to have a bright white thing grabbing her arms with full force.
"ARE YOU ALRIGHT?"
A very noisy bright white thing.
"What the—"
Elsa was checking every inch of her body, palpating her arms, legs, face, and so on.
"ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!"
"Sweet goodness, Elsa, yes, I am. What are you doing hhhh—?"
Elsa only needed for her sister to say the word before hugging her tight and burying her face in her neck. The air got ripped from Anna's lungs at the force of the embrace. It wasn't the most powerful she had ever given her, but it definitely entered the top five.
"El...sa..."
She tapped her elder's back like she was stuck in a wrestling match. The blonde parted the hug, and she gasped as she could finally breathe.
Anna held to her sister's shoulder, the other hand on her chest, panting as she retrieved oxygen.
"What in Odin's name..."
"Hello, Mattias." Smiled Elsa.
The man blinked at her sudden happiness, probably due to know that Anna was safe, and he awkwardly bowed.
"G... Good morning, Your Highness."
Elsa returned to inspecting Anna's state, her fingers checking her neck. "Are you sure you're not hurt somewhere?"
The redhead swatted her hand. "I'm fine! Will you please tell me what the heck you're doing here?"
The Snow Queen let out a long exhale, the effort and panic that held to her during the ride finally slipping out.
"I had to make sure you were okay."
Anna blinked in bewilderment. "Well, I am, but now I'm starting to think that you aren't. Are you feverish again?"
"No! I'm perfectly healthy!"
Everything in her behavior stated the opposite. Elsa had messy hair, and she had just soaked Anna with her hug because of how much rain she still had on her.
"When did you arrive?" Asked Mattias, surprised nobody warned of her arrival the day before.
"I just did. I'm coming from the stables."
Two pairs of eyes widened in front of her.
"You traveled by night?" Exclaimed the general.
Anna frowned.
"Then where's your..."
She then realized that of course, Elsa wasn't accompanied by any guard.
"You came alone?!"
The Snow Queen genuinely couldn't see where the problem was, and got intrigued by their expressions. "Why, yes."
Anna massaged the top of her nose.
"Okay, now... How to phrase that politely... ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR GODDAMN MIND?"
Elsa startled at the shout, and Mattias urged to quiet her. Some leaders turned around at the sound, and exchanged some commentaries.
Anna pushed the soldier's arm.
"Are you— Stop it, let me talk to her. Are you aware of how stupidly dangerous it is to have come to me and done such a travel?"
Elsa was about to reassure her softly, however she actually frowned and grumbled.
"Oh, so when you go, it's the safest path in the world, but when I go, it's perilous?"
Anna replied with as much force, and the two sisters fought out loud with sharp arguments.
"Please, don't quarrel again..." Insisted Mattias, his jaw clenching.
He addressed a sorry gesture to the people watching them. The sisters were fully sending each other's aggressive remarks now.
"Your Highnesses, you're making a scene. Please stop."
Elsa finally was the one who paid attention to the general and his worry, so she forced the redhead to quiet down.
"Anna. If I risked my life like that, it was to make sure you were okay. But now that I know you are, I'm infinitely relieved and happy."
The Queen pouted. Elsa kept going.
"I couldn't sleep at night thinking you were out there, maybe trapped in this storm, and we didn't receive any missive..."
"The messengers are all busy traveling the country to get information from the Southern Isles." Stated Anna, thinking out loud.
Mattias nodded.
"That explains it." Understood Elsa.
Then she frowned. "Wait, the Southern Isles?"
Anna waved her hand to dismiss the discussion. "We'll come back to it later."
Elsa sighed, actually retrieving her normal breathing only now.
She looked at her sister with a smile, and hugged her tight. This time, the hug was slow and tender. Mattias smiled at the scene, and Anna closed her eyes as she embraced her elder warmly.
The blonde inhaled Anna's scent to calm herself down, and when she passed a hand in her long hair, she realized something.
"Oh, wait."
She parted from the hug and Anna lifted a curious eyebrow. Elsa noticed that she had been crying a bit, but looked down to the clear blue satchel made of ice fabric that she had crafted at her waist.
She took out Anna's crown, and it shone at the light of the torches suspended on the walls.
"I think this belongs to you." She announced, half gently and half sarcastic.
She handed it to her sister. Anna's eyes went big as she gasped in surprise, the bright crown reflecting in her pupils.
"Oh my gods, there it is! I've been looking for it everywhere!"
Even Mattias seemed impressed and relieved at the vision of it.
"She had searched for it all day yesterday, we had started to lose hope."
Elsa stared at them. "Wait, so nothing happened? No accident? No aggression? Nothing? You just... Dropped it in the mud?"
"I had the very bad idea to put it in the back pocket of my orange bag. You know, the one with the hole at the bottom that I keep forgetting to sew? The question was: when did the crown fall?"
Elsa blinked disconcertedly. "Are you serious?! Why do you still have this bag?"
Anna pouted. "Because it's pretty!"
Elsa buried her face in her hand.
The redhead then frowned, looking at the item in her fingers. "Wait, you found it in the mud? Then why is it so clean?"
She inspected it. It was shining brightly, like the day she received it from the blacksmith and tried it for the first time. She turned it between her fingers, and blabbered in amazement.
"Wha— How? It looks brand new!"
Elsa followed her gaze. "I had to keep my hand busy on the way to not freeze the reins of my horse, and not hurt him. So I focused on twirling it in my hand again and again. I was a bit fidgety...
"But I had it for more than ten years. Like, I know there was a rust spot here. It's not just cleaned, it's..."
"Oh, yes. With the Northuldra, I've come to learn how to maintain metal, especially metal blades after hunt on old rusty knives. Almost all of the Sami people carry a knife. I just used my magic to polish it. With the right amount of vibrations by condensing billions of snowflakes... What?"
She noticed that Anna had been smiling deeply at her words.
"What did I say?"
"Nothing. Nothing more nerdy than usual." Grinned the redhead.
"So you really came here on a horse?" Intervened Mattias.
Anna turned to him comically. "That's the part that surprises you?"
The sisters chuckled, and after admiring it some seconds again, the Queen lifted the crown and put it back in her hair.
Elsa smiled tenderly. At last, everything was back to normal.
"Thank you so much for bringing it back to me. It could have been lost forever."
"You're welcome. I wasn't going to keep it for me anyway..." She joked to chase her emotion.
Her younger stared at her, and she could tell that Elsa was still affected by the haunting thought that Anna possibly didn't make it to the kingdom.
A memory of her voice echoed in her mind. 'If I lost you, I think I'd lose myself.'
She bit her lip and held Elsa's hand in hers firmly.
"Are you hungry? We can ask to get you something."
"Yeah, actually, I didn't bring anything for the travel, and the emotion starved me, so..."
The Queen shook her head. "Why doesn't that surprise me. I'll ask for Hitiheimr servants to get you the same things we got for breakfast."
"If that doesn't make you late for the meeting... But it is my understanding that you won't start until the King of the Southern Isles has arrived, isn't it?"
"Yes, exactly."
A silence passed.
"You're very tempted to make an allusion to Hans, uh?" Guessed Anna, grinning.
"Very. But it's his brother, so I'm not going to."
The redhead nodded.
"It's the occasion for you to take a break. For me as well, I have to admit. You gave me such a fright when you appeared..."
"You definitely both need it." Advised Mattias, smiling.
His gaze then went to Elsa. "And if I may, I think you're in great need of a towel as well."
"I'm fine."
Anna winced, looking at her from head to toe. "I'm not. It's the second time in two weeks that I see you running to me completely alarmed and drenched. Please do your floaty water thing before I have a cardiac arrest."
"Got it."
Under Mattias' wide eyes and dropped jaw, Elsa closed her eyes and focused, taking the raindrops out of her ice and snow clothes and hair. They flew and vanished in the air, then she passed a hand in her short spiky bangs to add an aesthetic layer of ice.
"Heavens, that is amazing." Muttered the general.
The few royals who had witnessed the scene in the corridor almost fainted at the sight.
"Let's get you something to eat." Smiled Anna. "Mattias, you can close your jaw."
The soldier smiled as the two sisters walked away, and he followed. So Elsa had made it all the way here only to check that her little sister was alright... They both had traveled the distance from Arendelle to Hitiheimr for two very different reasons and goals. Yet they shared the same motivation.
He discreetly chuckled. They truly were one leader and one protector, and forming a complete Bridge.
"Wait, what?" Exclaimed Elsa, not believing her ears.
"You're coming with me. You came all the way here, no? Then make yourself useful." Teased Anna.
"But..."
"The King of the Southern Isles has just arrived. It's now or never to ask to have another person present at the meeting. Be by my side during the meeting. If you will, of course."
The blonde missed a heartbeat, her mouth trembling a bit as she had to take that suggestion in. She then closed it, and bowed with a smile.
"It would be an honor, Your Majesty."
The royals all assembled in the meeting room, and the King of the Southern Isles appeared next to Anna, Elsa and Mattias as they were the last persons to pass the door. He talked to the King of Hitiheimr who was standing by the entrance.
"Please forgive me for my late arrival. The sea is raging, and our ship got delayed."
"It's alright, Your Majesty." Assured their host. "After you."
Mattias stared at him with disdain. He found it very rude to be late. If the monarch knew the sea was stormy, then why not leaving early? He lived on an island after all, surely they could plan these things.
Elsa stared at him with guilt. The man surely had risked his life coming here, but also the life of the advisor coming along with him – as the King of Hitiheimr suggested each monarch could be accompanied with one – and each and every life of the sailors on the ship. Nevertheless, she couldn't help but think that it wasn't that bad if he died, for he had numerous brothers who could inherit of the kingdom, and that the death of twelve siblings would never be enough to pay for the crimes Hans had committed towards Anna and her.
Anna stared at him with an undeniable hint of arousal. The King was muscular, tall, had an apologetic smile that could stop an arrow in mid-air, and piercing green eyes which seemed to get into her very soul and give the promise to grant her every wish. Her throat got dry when she noticed that he would sit in front of her. If only his family didn't carry the bastard who had tried to kill her...
The three of them hurried to shake those bad thoughts out of their heads, and mentally apologized for being this judgmental.
They all took place around the large table. It was more rustic than the one in Arendelle castle's meeting room. It had more curves and thicker wood, noticed Elsa, so despite the different style, it actually was just as beautiful.
Anna explained the presence of Elsa to everyone, asking for the acceptance of her sister among them. Anna then took her seat between the King of Efstfold and the King of Bjargland.
There were eight monarchs. Mattias winced internally when he saw that, in all the room, only one other woman was wearing a crown. All other royals were men. He turned to Elsa. The blonde must have known this sad fact already, for she didn't react. After all, she had been Queen of Arendelle herself for 3 years, so she surely had had meetings with people around this table. Mattias then realized that it meant that nothing had changed in 11 more years. Only two women in power were seating in the council, against six men.
All sat, and their advisors stood up next to them, behind the chairs, to leave the lead to their superiors. Mattias was standing on Anna's right side, and Elsa on her left.
After presenting everyone, and the topic of this exceptional venue, the session started.
The King of Hitiheimr started to remind everyone why they were assembled here on this day, then turned to Anna.
"Queen Anna, I suppose that you wish to start."
"Exactly. Thank you, King Isak. Your Majesties, I had the chance and yet the misfortune to see the progress of the storm that affects us all today."
She explained how it led them to all gather in urgency, and they agreed.
"It is a storm that is not to be taken lightly." Advised Anna.
"It fuels itself with the force of Nature, and therefore, won't be stopped by human means." Completed Elsa, bringing her knowledge, and her addition surprised everyone. "To alleviate it, we are required to think strategica—"
A King coughed in a way he wanted discreet, but it actually wasn't at all, being in fact very rude. When everyone turned to him, he smiled.
"Pardon my interruption, but I don't think that Lady Elsa should interfere. We were allowed to bring only one advisor with us, and it's properly unfair that Queen Anna gets to be this surrounded."
Several murmurs appeared around the table. Elsa gulped and took this as a cue to exit the room, and she left without a word. Anna however held her wrist right away. Before the blonde could even look down at the freckled hand grasping her, the younger tugged Elsa back to where she had been standing.
"My sister won't go anywhere."
This brought a cold silence in the room, and the King of Blómvegr encouraged the presence of Elsa by asking her a question.
"Surely you can bring us more information as you're here, Lady Elsa?"
The blonde gulped as all gazes fell on her. "Yes. I can. I think that this storm may be magical, and created by two Spirits."
"May be?" Repeated the King of Efstfold, frowning. "What do you mean, 'may be'?!"
He was outraged, and another ruler joined in the anger.
"Aren't you the Fifth Spirit?"
"Y-yes, I am..."
As she struggled with her words, she couldn't help but notice that they hadn't been surprised at the mythical part of her sentence. What annoyed them was her incompetence. It hurt her right into her heart.
"And aren't you supposed to know it, as the Fifth Spirit?" Intervened now the King of Mosiland.
Elsa clenched her jaw, her emotion rising, and she thought of Honeymaren to not break into tears.
"They're right!" Pitched the King of Efstfold, exclaiming again. "Why don't you do anything to stop it? It's your duty!"
Elsa felt stupid. "I... I tried, but..."
"You tried." Sighed the King of Bjargland. "And failed, apparently. And now we're all impacted by this storm."
Elsa lowered her eyes, ashamed. Anna was as red as a beet, however, and furious of their behavior.
"Why are you even here, Lady Elsa?" Grumbled the same monarch, his tone severe. "This is a high board meeting. Not a—"
"That's right." Cut Anna, and everyone turned to her because of her clear voice. "She wasn't invited to this meeting and King Isak had to kindly accept her presence among us. She's not even allowed to intervene in this discussion."
Elsa turned to Anna, about to say something, but the redhead's eyes were on fire and she kept going.
"Which is why, if you've got anything to say to my sister, you go through me."
All got impressed by her regal voice.
"And I'll speak in her name for the rest of the conference. On that note, before you have any question regarding means of resolution by magic, know that I can attest that Snow Queen Elsa, as the Fifth Spirit of Nature and guardian of Ahtohallan, did all she could to stop this storm before even coming to Arendelle."
A respectful silence followed. Mattias looked at Elsa with smiling eyes. The blonde was stunned, her big azure blue eyes sparkling at the light of the chandelier. Anna cleared her throat and kept going.
"This storm has magical origins, and it's growing more and more every passing day."
Some trusted her words, but others stared at her with spite.
"And I suppose that this magical manifestation stops right at the Northuldra territory borders?" Insinuated the King of Bjargland.
Anna had to bite her lip to not grunt at his annoying tone.
"No. It may be a magical storm, it is nationwide. Which is why we have to act all together to protect all of our people. Including Sami tribes."
Half of the royals at the table nodded in agreement. But several groans fused. The other half still had trouble understanding the need to generously help the tribes which offered nothing in return, for they weren't interested in joining the country's market trades.
This was a one-year old debate, and the Kings kept being close-minded on this point.
"And I suppose that you merged with their land without telling us?" Accused a leader.
Elsa found that intervention rude, but kept her reverential mask of silence.
Anna stared at him.
"In fact, we never intended and will never intend to merge Arendellian and Northuldra territories, despite our relationship based on peace and respect for the past 11 years."
She purposely weighed those positive terms to tell them in subtext that they better not critic her position towards the Sami people.
"It's a deliberate choice." She continued. "That way, we can ensure that nobody would build a house or a facility on a border of Arendelle thinking it's a virgin land, when in fact it's Northuldra territory."
The same groaning Kings than before groaned again.
"Even if the Northuldra don't have houses there?"
"Yes. It's still their land." Insisted Anna. "And I forbid any acquisition or colonization of it."
The monarch who asked the question grumbled, and he took note of something on his papers. Elsa understood that her sister had just cancelled a plan of his.
"Now I think that we stepped out of the topic." Coughed slightly the King of Hitiheimr.
"Yes. As I told you, the magic storm knows no limits and no borders in every meaning of the term." Summarized Anna, and she side-looked at Elsa who approved with a discreet nod. "Now or never is the time to unite, and take care of everyone in this perilous period."
Anna's teal blue eyes inspected all the council members before dropping her tactical decision.
"I think that we should all ask our armies to stop what they are doing and order the soldiers of each of our kingdoms to help the citizens, and help build infrastructures which could have suffered so far."
The Kings of Efstfold and Mosiland scoffed as they lost their breath.
"Mobilizing our armies?"
"Are you insane?"
Mattias frowned at the direct insult. If it was in a less diplomatic context, he would have attacked the monarch back in Anna's defense.
"I am very sane, Sir. This is a deeply thought assessment." Assured the redhead, firm in her response, and she didn't need Mattias' support.
"But... Your Majesty, with all due respect..." Started the King of Blómvegr. "What proves us that this is a safe solution?"
An advisor bent to talk to the ear of the Queen of Ellriheimr, thought he did it high enough for the whole room to hear. "My Queen, I don't think this is a good suggestion to follow. It could be a trap."
The leader frowned as she thought. She made eye contact with Anna, who obviously had been listening to that guidance to argue against.
"Queen Anna, can you attest that you won't use this opportunity for an assault?"
"Yes, what proves us that this is not all a ruse, and that Arendelle won't attack us as soon as we withdraw our armies?" Frowned the monarch of Efstfold.
Anna was shocked by the accusation. "Never would I do that!"
Her surprise was genuine and could be read on the honest woman's face. Those who had trusted her so far understood that she meant no harm, but for the other remaining, she had just implied war.
"Do you intend to take advantage of that magic storm to extend the territory of Arendelle? And reinforce your position as the leading kingdom?" Frowned the King of Bjargland.
Anna's jaw dropped. Not only this was a strong allegation, but it also was stupid, for Arendelle was by far the largest land of the country, and had no purpose nor desire in extending more, especially after inheriting from Runeard's plans.
However, their mistrust was legitimate, and Anna had to pledge the dubious faces turned to her that she wasn't scamming anyone.
"King Markus, you know deep down that such a thought would never come to me."
Mattias and Elsa exhaled discreetly, happy to see Anna had the correct answer.
"Queen Britt, King Kjetil, our geopolitical relationship goes back many years. My sister herewith has already proven to you of Arendelle's peaceful intentions when she was on the throne."
The two leaders lowered their gazes, exchanging even another between them and admitting they judged her too quickly. And just like that, the Queen of Ellriheimr and the King of Efstfold joined Anna's decision and listened carefully to what she had to say for the rest of the conference.
Two Kings still had not much trust in her. It was mainly due to the anger to listen to the decisions of the youngest monarch around the table who also happened to be a woman, but never would they admit it out loud.
"King Tom..." Started Anna, addressing to the head of Mosiland, and Elsa was impressed at how well she slid their names with a regal way, to be familiar with them without being disrespectful. "...Our two lands already had been in a similar situation a few years ago when a cliff had collapsed down South and fell on a road that both our kingdoms use."
He bit his lip. "And Arendelle helped us without compensation."
They all looked down, regretting a bit to have raised their voices.
His counterpart of Hitiheimr smiled, and took advantage of a silence to add: "Arendelle and Hitiheimr have been partners for several generations now, and we didn't have a single problem in our history."
He turned to his right, where the King of the Southern Isles was seating. "I suppose that you don't see any harm coming from Arendelle as well, King Ruben?"
The man who had been silent and observing until now finally smiled. "None at all. Besides, we have a long debt of forgiveness towards Arendelle that I'm afraid will never be fully returned. So I stand by Queen Anna's choice."
Elsa and Anna noticed that he had been staring at them as he talked, and they were glad it had been addressed. They both nodded quietly.
The redhead eyed all of the monarchs. "To prove to you all that I don't intend to attack you, I'll leave here in Hitiheimr the general of my army, Destin Mattias, for as long as this storm lasts."
She gestured to the soldier on her right, and they all widened their eyes in surprise. Did she just point to her advisor?
Elsa missed a heartbeat, but Mattias remained stoic.
"He's someone you can trust with your life, and I sincerely believe you can all place your future in his hands without blinking an eye. He's an acutely skilled soldier, and an excellent general. His competences in strategy are close to perfection. As you can see, he's also my advisor today, because he happens to be my counselor. In other words... His presence here and away from the kingdom of Arendelle is a proof that I stand no chance if I attack you. Without general Mattias, I am in disadvantage to operate such an action."
Every monarch dropped their jaw. Elsa smiled at Anna's wisdom, and if she wasn't keeping her serious attitude for the conference, she would have cried.
Anna then pushed everything further with another promise.
"I also engage myself to give all the resources of Arendelle you might need right away."
A round of gasps and mutters went across the table. Whispers came from advisors to rulers and back.
Elsa hurried to Anna's ear, taking advantage of the jumble it had created to speak.
"Anna, you can't be serious. Your people need those resources." Panicked the blonde with wide eyes. "You can't do that."
The redhead placed a hand on hers as she was holding to the arm of her chair to bend to her.
"Don't worry. I did the math the night before last." Murmured back Anna. "It's a solid plan. Trust me."
Elsa stared at her for a moment, then smiled. "Okay."
Anna smiled back, and her expression turned back to serious as she looked at the leaders again.
"What do you think?" Inquired the Queen to the council.
"This is a colossal statement, Your Majesty." Puffed a King.
"It is indeed." Smiled Anna, slightly sarcastic. "I let you think about it."
As the leaders all mumbled about it again, she gave a quick look at Mattias, who approved her speech with a smile and a nod. Elsa looked down at her younger, whose eyes were sparkling with intelligence and determination. She had prepared everything. Elsa's heart filled with pride to call her her sister.
She bent to her sister once again.
"Wait... If Mattias isn't at your side as you travel back to Arendelle..."
Anna turned with a smile.
"I'll come back with you, remember? I don't risk anything."
Elsa smiled widely.
The King of Blómvegr cleared his throat for everyone to quiet, and spoke to everyone. "I think Queen Anna convinced us all. It is a one of a kind time, and it calls for special measures. I agree with you, Your Majesty."
Anna gave him a thankful nod.
"I also agree to mobilize the army of my kingdom and share its resources." Announced the King of Bjargland.
"King Isak and I also follow that movement." Stated the King of the Southern Isles, after a quick look at his ally.
The Queen of Ellriheimr held her chin as she thought.
"You are certainly right. As long as we cannot predict the progress of this storm, our kingdoms should help each other out."
The King of Mosiland slammed his hand on the table, a bit too heavily, and everyone startled. "Alright, I join my kingdom to do the same process as well."
The remaining monarch, of Efstfold, seemed convinced now that his seatmate had picked a side. "I join the movement."
Elsa and Anna got flabbergasted by how fast the reticent monarchs had changed their decision. Mattias, however, wasn't surprised. Anna's persuasion power was always impressive. Once, she managed to pressure him enough to wear a hat as he was about to have a walk with Halima. Despite him finding the hat ridiculous, she used the right arguments, and less than ten minutes later, he was at the store buying it. Halima hadn't detached her eyes from him for the whole stroll, and it had been a milestone in their relationship. He couldn't have thanked her enough. On another thought, Mattias noted that without Anna's tenacity and assurance, Elsa's life journey would certainly have been different.
Little by little, all leaders had accepted to join the treaty, and when the King of Hitiheimr asked for voters to manifest themselves, all rose their hands in favor. The host took in the fact they all agreed with his role of witness. He stood up happily.
"Then the decision has been taken unanimously! All Kingdoms will help wherever the need arises."
As everyone clapped with diplomatic smiles, Anna couldn't believe her eyes. She was the ghost of herself as she forced her face into a royal one and applauded along, doing all she could to not cry right then. She felt Elsa's hand on her shoulder, squeezing there. Her sister was as emotional as she was.
They had made it! They had made a peaceful and assisting treaty based on mutual aid! The redhead gulped. How many times has she dreamed about this moment happening since she became Queen more than ten years ago? She felt like she should have done a bucket list to have the joy of crossing that line out with all her might.
"Alright. The meeting is over. Thank you all, Your Majesties, ladies and gentlemen, for your vivid participation." Smiled the King of Hitiheimr.
He turned to the redhead. "Thank you especially, Queen Anna. Your dedication and honesty truly make this country stand."
Anna blushed slightly, and Mattias and Elsa had a proud nod of agreement. The Queen masked her blush with a smile and a bow.
"Thank you, King Isak. But you're the one keeping it together."
A silence passed as they all nodded.
"That's right." Said the Queen of Ellriheimr. Thank you for your hospitality and your time."
They all left in good terms, slowly exiting the room and shaking hands or bowing. Elsa felt intense warmth in her soul at the sight, and the magic coldness calmed a bit in her veins.
A hand slid in Anna's as she walked in the corridor. She was used to this specific touch, and turned with a smile before even seeing her sister's face.
"Thank you for defending me during the meeting." Smiled Elsa tenderly. "Recently, I started doubting of myself and my capacities as the Fifth Spirit."
Anna held her sister's hand tightly.
"I'll always defend you from anyone who aims to demean you, Elsa. And by the way, that means you too if you continue to depreciate yourself, young lady."
Her expression had switched from loving to scolding, and they had suddenly stopped in the hall. Elsa bit her lips in a faulty manner.
"Because, seriously? Do you hear what you say?" Exclaimed Anna. "How can you doubt of your skills, when earlier, you literally have made water levitate from your body?"
A smile stretched the blonde's lips.
"You're right."
"Damn right I am."
They chuckled.
"You shouldn't swear here." Giggled Elsa, looking around them like the Hitiheimr castle was a sacred place.
The sisters kept laughing, and Mattias walked to them. Anna's behavior changed when he was near, and the elder noticed that her face was covered with worry.
"Sorry for being this dramatic during the meeting. I didn't intend to throw you into the fire like that."
The man chuckled. "It was fine. You did well. It was exactly like we planned."
Elsa's jaw dropped, and she smiled. "You two planned that? Oh, of course you did." She then comically slapped her forehead. "You two will never stop amazing me."
Anna looked at her general.
"Mattias, is it okay if we leave now?"
"It's perfectly fine, Your Majesty. I will handle things here. I'll be of great help in the management during the crisis."
The sisters smiled at his anticipation. The soldier grinned.
"Also, may I add, it was an excellent meeting. You lead admirably. And you have a remarkable sense of improvisation as well."
Anna smirked and shove him gently on the arm.
"When will you stop complimenting me for little things, Mattias?"
He smiled. "I'm afraid I'm unable to stop since I saw you destroy the dam that day."
Elsa put a hand on her little sister's shoulder. "That was impressive, Anna. I agree with him. You were incredible, and everyone got speechless!"
"Well, one or two Kings couldn't stop criticizing me, but... I'm not gonna cite their names." Giggled the Queen.
An hour later, the servants prepared their horses, and Elsa made sure that Rask agreed to ride over this soon. To the stables staff astonishment, the stallion had a lot of energy and was even very enthusiastic to have an epic ride with Elsa again. She giggled, and the redhead tied her heavy fur coat, she looked at Elsa's equipment, which had been reduced to the bare necessities.
"You really did fast, uh? Just a bridle. Thankfully, your horse doesn't seem to mind. Hey, did you at least warn Kristoff that you were leaving Arendelle in a hurry?"
Elsa bit her lip. "No."
Anna's face stretched in shock, and the blonde hurried to correct herself.
"But I sent him an ice statue message just earlier! I told him we're both alright and that we're making our way back home."
Anna sighed. "Okay."
Elsa's azure blue eyes seemed to still be marked with the panic that had rose in her when she saw Anna's crown lost in the night.
"How do you feel?" Asked the younger, her voice melting to a soft level.
The Snow Queen turned to her. That tone could make her burst to tears instantly because of how warm and caring it was, and with her tiredness, she was close.
"I... I thought I had lost you. And... I feel like if something happens to you in that storm, it would be my fault."
"Elsa, don't say that. It's not your fault at all."
"You're right. Not directly. It indirectly is my fault. Because of me, people are in danger every d—"
A finger had sealed her lips to be shut, and she startled at the gesture. Anna sighed, her arm stretched.
"I suppose that if I tell you one more time that you're not responsible, you won't believe me. So, hear me out, sis."
She took her finger off Elsa's lips, and the blonde was attentive.
"Even if you were the culprit, and I were injured, I would not be resentful. If you can't counter it, why would I be angry at you?"
Elsa let out a noise that was a mix of a wet gasp and a relieved whimper. It was like all stress had lifted her soul, all weight had been taken off her shoulders, and she let them fall in a sigh.
A smile appeared at the corner of her lips.
"You're so comprehensive. Sometimes I wonder what kind of miracle allowed me to have you as my sister."
Anna smirked. "You should ask Ahtohallan. That's what the Bridge is all about, I suppose."
After they exchanged a smile, the redhead bent her head.
"Hey, are you sure you don't want to take a break before we go back to Arendelle?"
"No, I told you, I'm fine."
"And I told you to stop lying to make me happy. I know you haven't slept last night as you were hurrying to check on me."
"You know me two well, it's unfair." Muttered Elsa.
Anna pretended to not have heard that. Her elder gave up.
"Okay, we'll stop to make a camp on the day. The night will fall on our journey back anyway. Do we have a deal?"
"Definitely." Grinned Anna, who won everything in this situation; Elsa's health, and a night of ice hut camping under the stars with a transparent roof to stare at them like Elsa always made them.
The horses were brought, and they mounted them before going in the strong wind. They made their way out of the castle after thanking everyone.
At one of the windows of the towers, Mattias looked at them riding away. The King of Hitiheimr approached with a smile.
"They are unstoppable, aren't they?" Admired the monarch.
The general grinned with a nod.
"Yes, sir. They truly are."
Author's Note:
Phew! what a chap.
It had been a lot of work. It's not my longest chapter ("only" 7500 words) but it definitely is the one I had the biggest headache on.
Tell me if you liked it! Don't forget to leave a review :D
sidenote: searching for names for Norse kings and queens is a nightmare. my brain still hurts ashdsfg though here are the definitions of their names:
King Isak of Hitiheimr (flame + land)
King Kjetil of Efstfold (highest + world)
King Markus of Bjargland (cliff + land)
Queen Britt of Ellriheimr (elder + land)
King Tom of Mosiland (moss + land)
King Morten of Blómvegr (flower + dimension)
and of course, King Ruben of the Southern Isles. Totally picked a random name for him lol
Arendelle should be written Árnadalr (now you know why the other sound so weird) because it's how it is in norwegian, but I prefered to keep it in the english version they put in the movie.
The national meeting between the kingdom leaders is entirely inspired by the Kage council in Naruto Shippuden and I'm not even sorry lol I just love how epic it is!
Like my style? Check out "Untangling the Frozen Knots novel" on Google! :D