Chapter Twenty-Eight: Step Forward
It's been a few days since Christian was born and that ended the peaceful nights. Mathias didn't know what to think as he was reawoken by the sounds of the crying infant. To him that was the third time the baby cried since they all departed to their respective rooms and all he wanted to do was sleep. He cursed under his breath as he got out of the bed knowing he won't be able to sleep again and walked out to the balcony outside his room. He knew it wasn't truly the child's fault he couldn't sleep. He thought back to the mountain and wondered why wasn't the man knocked out and more importantly what happened to his strength and it confused him that he didn't get a surge of power. He looked down at his hands and slowly clenched them into fists as anger enveloped him.
"Why? Why is this happening to me?" He asked himself and felt something wet slide down the side of his face. He slowly reached up and was surprised to see water and then remembered the time Elsa and Alice cried. He finally realized that he was crying and it upseted him even more as he collapsed to his knees. The sound of the baby could still be heard and he got up and looked around the walls to see a way to the room without disturbing the couple. He wondered why Anna wasn't trying to quiet him down but brushed it off as he saw how far the next balcony was and knew he could jump it. He took a few steps back and speed forward and used the railing as a boost as he jumped to the next balcony. He landed with a grunt and looked to the next few he had to jump. Many jumps he completed except the last as he was hanging by the railing trying to pull himself quietly without alerting the two people in the room.
"Come on just a bit more." He said through gritted teeth as he finally pulled himself up and over with a thud. He froze for a few moments and relaxed when he didn't hear any movement. He got up and cautiously walked in the room looking for the baby. He spotted the crib and but what really surprised him was that both Anna and Kristoff weren't in the room.
"Out of all things they do, they leave him unattended. Anything can happen to him and they wouldn't even know it." He thought as he looked over the crib and was greeted by a pair of greenish blue eyes. He gently picked up Christian and walked to the doorway of the balcony and sat down with the child in his arms. Christian's crying slowly went to a stop and was replaced with gurgles of curiosity as he tried to reach Mathias' face. He chuckled a bit and leaned down to nuzzle the top of Christian's head. He squealed in excitement surprising the older man as he moved back and stared down in amusement.
"Well, well, well it seems you got the energy from your mother." He said as he lifted the child up so they were face to face. Christian was laughing enjoying the interaction between him and Mathias. Unbeknownst to them, Elsa was watching from the slightly open doorway with a smile on her face as she watched the bonding between Mathias and her little nephew. She was about to try and quiet him down but before she could enter Mathias beat her to it. Quietly she walked away from the door not wanting to disturb them and left to her room for much needed sleep. Mathias remained in the room till Christian finally fell to sleep, much to his disappointment. He put the child back in his crib and took the door to leave when he heard a pair of footsteps approaching the room. The next day Mathias was standing on the balcony over looking the view of the fjord as ships sailed both in and out enjoying the scene as a cool breeze swept by. Finally decided to eat he slowly walked back into his room and put a white shirt over him and proceeded out into the hall. The strong aroma of food filled his nose causing his mouth to water in anticipation as he quicken his pace he caught a glimpse of blond hair entering the dining room. His assumption was correct when he opened the door and saw Elsa just beginning to sit down in her chair. She looked different despite the redness of her cheeks and that smile she has that he loves so much. She turned to look at him and her smile widened as he walked over to her. She wore a purple dress exposing more of her shoulders and the skirt flowed down to her ankles as she had her legs crossed over each other. He tried his best to maintain his composure as he stood next to her seat.
"You look absolutely stunning today." He complimented as he kissed the top of her forehead and sat down next to her. Her cheeks darkened as she looked away from him. She slept only for a few hours but she wanted some time off and immediately told the council to cancel the schedule for the day because she had other plans that she finally made her mind up on and she knew it was long enough. She gently played with her braid as she turned to look at him as he sat back with his arms crossed and eyes focused on her. She was surprised to see him with a down look and it worried her as she reached over and rested her hand on his.
"Mathias what's wrong?" She asked concerned and Mathias' expression quickly changed into a small smile. She looked at him suspiciously but held back the questions that were at the tip of her tongue. The doors opened and some of the castle staff brought in their breakfast for the day. She heard Mathias growl a little in hunger as they set the food out on the table. She watched in amusement as Mathias started to put as much food on his plate as he could before she started to make her own plate. The doors opened again before they got a chance to eat anything as Anna and Kristoff walked in with Anna holding little Christian. She noticed Mathias giving them a glare and decided to see what happens as Anna sat down on the other side of her. They began to eat in silence with the occasion of the baby gurgling every now and then till Anna decided to fed him. Mathias stopped eating and glared at the two and they froze in place.
"Tell me, where were you last night?" He asked in an icy tone causing the couple to tense. Kristoff was the first to speak which surprised both Elsa and Mathias.
"What gives you the right to know about our whereabouts?" Kristoff retorted as he shared the same look as Mathias. The taller man growled scaring the mountain man a bit as he stood up, his face red in anger.
"You left your newborn son unattended! That gives me the right to know!" He yelled as he slammed his fists on the table causing everyone to jump and the baby to cry a bit at his reaction. Kristoff was speechless to say the least and had nothing to say as Anna looked down in shame while she calmed her son down. Mathias flared his nostrils before he sat down and awaited an explanation. The table was once again silent as the tension filled the room. Mathias growled in annoyance as his patience was wearing thin by the minute as his gaze was fixed on the young woman across from him.
"Well, i'm waiting." He said impatiently as he crossed his arms and leaned back into his chair. Mathias knew he couldn't harm them for the child's sake and Elsa's and held back most his temper as Anna began to talk.
"We tried to get him to sleep but nothing worked so we went to the kitchen to get something to help him." She explained and Mathias shook his head and continued to glare at her.
"And that gave you the excuse to leave him by himself. You know there are a few things that could've happened to him, anyone could just walk right in there and either killed or taken him away." He said angrily and she looked shocked by the revelation of her error. Mathias sighed and his expression softened as he continued.
"Look i understand you're new to the responsibility but remember what you did and learn from it. Just remember you have others who are willing to help you out just not taking care of him for you." He said with a light chuckle as the doors opened again and he smiled as Gerda helped Alice sit in her seat.
"Good morning." She said in a cheerful voice which surprised Mathias. The situation about the baby was put on hold as his curiosity took over.
"Now what's gotten you in a good mood?" Mathias asked teasingly and Alice tensed before she frowned.
"What i'm not allowed to be happy now? I don't need to be like you most of the time you grumpy old man." She retorted and Mathias grinned as he leaned over to her.
"Who are you calling a grumpy old man?" He challenged playfully but before he grabbed her stuck her hand up in a stopping matter.
Before you do such a thing, can i atleast eat first?" She asked as Mathias straightened up. He looked at her for a few brief moments and thought whether or not to help her eat or not. A part of himself screamed at him to not do it. With a sigh he reached for her plate and grabbed things he remembered her eating most of the time. Everyone who was watching gasped as Mathias made the girls plate. Elsa watched with great interest as he got some food on a fork brought it near Alice's mouth.
"Open up kid." He ordered and Alice's calm face turned into confusion.
"B-But Gerda normally does that!" She exclaimed and Mathias chuckled a bit but the food still remained near her.
"Now." He demanded in a stern tone but held a smirk as she did as she was told and he placed the fork in her mouth as she gently clamped down to hold the content as he pulled away.
"See that wasn't so bad." He said and he could tell Alice was completely embarrassed and was clearly noticeable as her cheeks were flushed red.
"Mathias!" She whined but Mathias wouldn't have any of it.
"Alice, no complaining. Now eat up." He said as he fed her another mouthful. The others watched with both amusement and awe as Mathias feed Alice her food. Alice finally finished her breakfast but still held a scowl on her face still upset by Mathias' actions. Elsa started to snicker which caught the taller man's attention as he quirked an eyebrow.
"What's so funny?" He asked quizzically as Alice groaned and set her head on the table with a soft thud turning Elsa's snicker into soft laughter.
"Why i never knew you were so great with kids." She said as she calmed down a bit but Anna and Kristoff were just beginning to laugh. Realizing what they were talking about he growled in frustration and slumped into his chair fueling the laughter in the other three at the table. Elsa stopped her laughter when she saw Mathias glare at Anna and Kristoff and leaned over so that only he could hear.
"You know they shouldn't be laughing. Atleast you're putting a better example for them." She said causing Mathias to smirk as he straightened himself in his seat.
"Hey, why are you two laughing? Last time i checked you have a baby to take care of…. oh and please don't leave him alone again." Mathias retorted as they quickly stopped as Alice gasped and Elsa started to snicker again behind her hand watching the stunned expressions form on her sister's and Kristoff's faces. Mathias grumbled softly in satisfaction knowing they had nothing to say and slowly got up as he looked around the table.
"It's been….very interesting at the table but i'll have to cut it short. I'll see you all later this evening." He said as he began to walk out of the dining room. Elsa watched with a small smile tugging at her lips as she too excused herself before pursuing Mathias out of the room. Once she got out of the room she saw him move around a corner into another hall.
"Mathias!" She called out as she turned the corner but found the hall empty. Slowly she proceeded down the hall. She gasped in surprised when a pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist and whipped her around to see Mathias' amber eyes staring at her. Time seemed to slow down as they became lost in their own world as they stared into eachother's eyes. Elsa moved her hand up and gently touched the left side of Mathias' face and he leaned into her touch enjoying the cool sensation of her touch. He grumbled softly before gently pulling away with a small smile on his lips.
"Now what business does the queen have with me?" He asked playfully as he began to circle around her. Elsa chuckled slightly as she kept her gaze upon him as he moved.
"Nothing, just wanting to spend time with the man who won my heart." She said causing Mathias to stop at her right side giving her cocky smirk as he rubbed his hand up her back sending shivers up her spine. She looked into his eyes and noticed that they seemed more lively than before and this intrigued her as she leaned up on her toes and brushed her lips upon his before finally kissing him. It only lasted a few moments before they broke apart with Mathias gazing at her with curiosity.
"Does this have anything to do with the way you're dressed today?" He asked suspiciously as he quirked an eyebrow but held his small smile. She poked her finger into his chest and gave him a mischievous smile. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction and decided to tease him.
"Guess you'll just have to find out then." She said teasingly as she felt his muscles tense under her finger. Her smile widened when he didn't say anything but grumble in response and she seemed satisfied with the results.
"lets get the morning tension out of the way. We have the whole day to ourselves and i want to enjoy it with you before i continue with the preparations with the upcoming ball." She said as she gestured with a wiggle of a finger for him to follow and he did so with heavy feet. He was surprised when they stopped at his room and he looked at her confused but she still had on her mischievous smile.
"Get dressed, i'll wait for you out here." She said as she stepped aside for him to enter. He grumbled softly as he looked at her for a few seconds before entering his room. He wondered what Elsa had planned and it nerved him to no end as curiosity urged him. He opened his closet and looked at his new assessment of cloths he got since he first arrived here. He smirked remembering the first time he met her even though it was a bad situation for her when he smashed through the wall. The looks on their faces were priceless when they saw him, especially Elsa when she looked on in both fear and wonder from what he could tell. He snapped out of his thoughts and grabbed the white long sleeve shirt and the grey pants and laid them on the bed. He took of his shirt and tossed it aside as he put on the other one and done the same with the pants.
"Mathias are you ready?" Elsa called behind the door surprising Mathias as he finished rolling up his sleeves. He approached the door and opened it to see Elsa with her armed crossed and was staring at him intently.
"You know it's not polite to keep a woman waiting." She said playfully smacking him in the arm. Mathias chuckled softly as he walked out in the hall and stood next to Elsa and leaned over to her ear.
"You know it's dangerous keeping someone like me in the dark." He said only loud enough for her to hear. She lightly bit her lower lip in anticipation as she wanted to feel his lips upon hers but fought the urge knowing her plan was being put in motion. Without second thought she grabbed him by the hand and led him out of the castle. They've wandered around town and the market for a few hours till Elsa decided to lead him to a building.
"May i ask what we are doing here?" Mathias asked as he stared at the oddly shaped building that seemed to tilt to one side. He noticed through the window that there many people sitting at tables. Elsa cocked her head to the side as she looked at him incredulously.
"We're going eat here." She answered and he turned his attention to the building as a string aroma of food filled the air as the doors opened making his mouth water. He took some deep breaths through his nose savouring the scent as he showed his toothy grin.
"Alright lets go in." He said as he took lead and opened the door for the young queen who looked at him in gratitude before stepping in. The waiter froze in shock much to Mathias' amusement as his expression was priceless but Elsa ended his fun when she snapped her fingers in front of the waiter bringing him back to reality.
"Y-Your majesty! How can i be of service?" He asked bewildered. Mathias snickered but Elsa held her calm demeanor trying to be the mature one of the two.
"Table for two please." She said and the waiter quickly nodded and lead them further in the building to a table at the far back where they can have some privacy. Some people stared at them in wonder and confusion mostly at Elsa as he guessed that this was strange seeing their queen in a place like this, especially with someone like him. After settling down in their seats the waiter left for a few moments giving them time. Mathias was feeling anxious and wanted to take action to stop the other people from staring. He could tell Elsa was nervous and decided to make talk to help ease things down.
"So…. first time here right?" He asked and it seemed to relax the young woman a bit.
"Yes, though Anna said this was a good place since Kristoff took her here. I thought it would be a good idea since i rarely leave the castle for things like this." She said surprising the taller man as he leaned on the table with interest.
"You got this idea from your sister, oh she'll be so proud of you." He teased before he jumped at the sudden chill on his left led. He looked down and saw some ice covering his panted and gave her an annoyed look.
"Serves you right." She simply said before the waiter came in and set two cups of water on the table.
"What may get for you this evening?" He calmly asked and Mathias was confused till Elsa spoke first.
"Two salmon and some red wine please." She answered and he quickly left fulfilling the order. He looked at her closely and leaned back in his chair eyes still gazed on her.
"What's a salmon?" He asked and she looked at him quizzically.
"Why do you ask such a thing?" She asked him and realized he never socialized or seen such things before. He gave her an agitated look and she silently gulped at her actions.
"It's fish, something that most of us like to eat." She said and his eyes widen and she knew she had his interest.
"They would come from the ocean by any chance do they?" Mathias asked because during his time at sea he would occasionally see somethings moving about but he never thought about it till now. She looked at him bewildered when he asked the question and regained her composure.
"Most of the fish we catch came from the sea but i'm not sure about the salmon." She answered honestly much to Mathias' disappointment. They chatted for a while till the food came in and Elsa didn't waste time as she took a piece out and ate it savouring the flavor while Mathias looked at it curiously. A few moments later he took a piece out of it and clamped down on it. His eyes widened as he looked down at his food before devouring it as Elsa watched him in amusement for a few moments before she too started to eat. They finished and continued to talk for a while, Mathias did not even bothering to drink the wine after he vowed to not drink any of it to his disgust but Elsa only had a few glasses during their conversations. Mathias looked out and knew it was late and helped the young queen out of her chair and left to get back to the castle. The walk back was quiet as the streets seemed empty and Mathias held Elsa close to him as the castle came to view.
"You seemed to enjoy yourself today." He commented as he admired the slight glow off her skin from the moonlight. She nodded her head in agreement as she walked closer beside him. Mathias noticed a few guards patrolling at the gate and some more at the castle walls scanning the area for any intruders. Mathias smiled recognizing one of the guards as Jonathan as they spotted them coming toward the gate.
"Ah, your majesty. I was informed by princess Anna that you would return late this evening." Jonathan said once they were at the gate. The young woman smiled at her sister's actions and nodded at the guard before heading in with Mathias walking next to her. He noticed the smile on her rosy lips and this made him confused till they stopped at the end of the hall. Elsa was about to say something but was silenced when Mathias crashed his lips to hers in a fiery passion and she returned it fully. They broke apart both a shade of crimson as they nervously moved around.
"W-Well goodnight Elsa." He said quickly as he walked away but her smile only widened as she waited there for a few more moments.
"WHERE'S MY STUFF!?" She heard him shout as she seen his figure marching toward her. She tried her best to contain her laughter as Mathias towered over her his eyes burning in anger. She looked at him with her blue eyes and his anger vanished but only replace with confusion.
"Elsa, where's my stuff?" He asked but she didn't answer as she gestured him to follow her. He was surprised when they stopped in front of her door and she decided now to explain.
"Well since we been together for a while and i wanted us to take the next step and while we were out i had some of the staff move your things into my room." She said and Mathias' eyes widened as he finally realized what she was saying.
"Mathias i want you to move in here with me." She said as she leaned up on her toes and kissed him before he could say anything. They pulled apart and Elsa opened the door leading them both in the room and she said the only thing that set him off as she sat down on the bed.
"I need you Mathias." She pleaded and Mathias froze for a few seconds and this worried Elsa before he moved forward and grabbed her hips as he kissed her. She felt her back hit the headboard of the bed as she roamed her hands around her back earning a low growl from Mathias as he broke apart and began leaving pepper kisses along her neck causing her to moan. He began to move his way back up her neck nibbling every bit of the way as she dug her nails into her back in anticipation. His hands began to rub around her thighs feeling the smoothness of her cool skin making Elsa gasp at the sudden touch. Realizing what he was doing he pulled away causing Elsa to moan out in disappointment as she looked at him worriedly.
"What's wrong why did you stopped?" She asked once she recovered from her moment of bliss. Mathias looked down in disappointment before he looked at her in the eyes.
"I can't do it, i can't ruin you like this." He explained surprising Elsa as she scooted closer to him.
"Wha-What do you mean?" She asked him as she rested her hands on his.
"You have a reputation to uphold being Arendelle's queen. Think about it and look at Anna and Kristoff and what they did, right before they were even married yet. Elsa i love you but now's not the time for such a commitment." He said as he rested his forehead against hers as she chuckled to herself for a few moments.
Alright, at least i won't have an Anna moment." She said causing Mathias to chuckle in amusement as Elsa got up and went behind her dressing room. Mathias grumbled softly as he took off his shirt and shoes and got on the bed in time as Elsa emerged wearing her nightgown as she layed down next to him with a small smile on her face.
"Oh and Mathias,You'll be a great father one day." She said as she kissed his nose earning a surprised look from him.
"So you seen what i was doing last night?" He asked as wrapped his arms around her bringing her closer to him. Her smile widened as she rested her head on his chest.
"It was a heartwarming moment seeing you with my little nephew." She said as Mathias kissed the top of her head and they both eventually fell asleep into the night.
Elsewhere in the mountains Hans stood in his tent, his back towards the entryway deep in thought till Adam walked in disturbing his thoughts.
"You summoned me?" Adam asked as Hans turned around and nodded.
"I believe it's been long enough, you know what needs to be done." He said calmly as Adam's smile broadened as he quickly left the tent. Hans stood there knowing this will tear that couple apart and he smiled thinking all the ways to make Elsa suffer but for now his attention was on Mathias, because he has something that he desperately wants…. is power and only then will he conquer Arendelle and any other nation that will oppose him.