There was a party going on in the ballroom. It was some mix of afternoon tea and a ball, something for the young people to mingle with supervision. Matteus wasn't there, it was being held ostensibly in his honour but he had slipped away, cross and concerned and pensive.
It was to match up potential suitors but he couldn't figure out who. He was of an age where the royalty would start negotiating a future for their sons and daughters, heirs and spares. As such there was a roomful of boys and girls all speculatively eyeing each other up. Judging on looks, checking up their importance and potential inheritance, the power and prestige such a match could bring. Nothing at all about the person.
Matteus wanted none of it. Love was too important in his family to ignore. He already loved someone; he already knew in his heart of hearts who he wanted to spent the entirety of his life with.
So he had avoided the coquettish princesses and duchesses and ladies as they discreetly fought for his attention. But she too was being circled by eager young men and he'd had enough and left.
Now Matteus sat on a stable roof with a snowman and a stack of paper darts.
"Do you want to go back to the party yet?" Olaf selected a paper dart with his twiggy hand, squinted and threw it in the direction of the other dozen or so littering the courtyard.
"I'm not sure." Matteus sighed. His voice was deepening into a tone similar to his father's and he was shaping up to be just as robust. "I don't think I can stand it. All those eyes looking at her, assessing her like some animal in market!" He threw a dart with some anger and the little paper construction nose-dived into the gutter.
"Why don't you go and stop them then?" Olaf said.
Matteus was about to object to the innocent suggestion. There wasn't any way to really stop it, but then again, maybe he could? If he took her company instead then the other boys would think twice about more than glancing. "Okay. That actually sounds like a good idea Olaf." Matteus smiled and stood. It was a short walk along the stable roof to the point he could drop into the courtyard and enter the palace again.
They were nearing the entrance when Matteus heard the voices. It was one of the visiting princes, talking to some of the other young lords and dukes. A nasal and petty voice. "This is an utterly pointless exercise." He sneered. "The princess is too young and we only have to make nice to Arendelle so the witch won't freeze us. I don't even know why you chaps bothered to come. No one wants the younger sons. They'll marry her off to an heir to a throne."
"Shut up Roddy. What about the older one?" A voice obviously well used to the petulant prince asked.
"Her? She's nothing. A nobody. Some commoner that the Queen adopted. Father said she's too frigid to whelp for herself."
Matteus saw red. "You will not speak of them like that. Prince or no." He jumped from the roof and landed ahead of the group. The group that was larger than he anticipated. Olaf had landed beside him, but it would have been more useful to have Marshmallow at his left.
"Oh look, its little prince substitute. Of course you'd talk like that. You were sired by a commoner!" The snide and rather ratty looking prince said. Matteus growled and launched himself at the cad. His friends moved in to fight.
The first kick sent Olaf's head skittering along and Matteus roared at the attackers and sent a punch at the culprit's shoulder. Unfortunately he and his cronies outnumbered one prince and a headless snowman looking for its head. The other princes and lordlings circled around and Matteus raised his fists in the manner Freya and his father had taught him.
Despite their limp wrists and soft upbringing, the other boys were still too many and Matteus wondered if this was the best idea when a shout reached him. "I say, that isn't exactly fair. How about you all face me too?" and someone was landing beside him in fine boots and rolled shirtsleeves.
Not waiting, the other boys rushed at them and Matteus was too busy ducking, diving and punching to pay much attention to his cohort. They fought in sync though, like the guards who had been drilled for it, or the time he had seen his mother and Freya prove to a whole squad of guards that they could hold their own in a fight. He threw punches with proper form and covered Matteus's blind spot with ease.
Soon only the original offender remained, his friends had run or were curled up on the ground pleading surrender. Matteus looked to his new friend and grinned. "Do you yield?" he asked the ratty prince.
"I-I... I yield." He whimpered and ran away. His remaining allies looked on in horror and they too fled.
"Thank you." Matteus said to his assistant. The boy was possibly a little younger than he and had chestnut hair, he was putting on a burgundy jacket that had been hanging from a wall torch.
"My pleasure friend." The boy stuck out a hand and Matteus shook. "Prince Edward of Andalasia and when pop moves along it'll be Edward III."
"Well met Edward." Matteus said with a grin. "I'm grateful for the help." He was about to say more when an interruption arrived.
"What'd I miss?" Olaf said, running along now he had found his head.
"Meeting our new friend Olaf. Prince Edward of Andalasia." Matteus said to the snowman.
"How do you do Sir Olaf." Edward saluted. "Though I must ask you both, what was that in aid of?" He took a seat on one of the benches and gestured for the two to join him.
"That nasty prince Roderick was being horrid about Kat and Elsa!" Olaf said, shaking a twiggy fist.
"The Queen!? And the friendly blonde young lady with the snowflake necklace?" Edwards tone set Mattues grimacing.
"Yes! They were saying nasty things all about her because she's adopted by Elsa and they were all being mean about Elsa too..." Matteus put a hand over Olaf's mouth.
"They insulted their honour within my earshot and I will not have such things said about Katja or my Aunt." Mattues still felt angry about it and his voice wasn't unaffected, also his ears were turning red.
Edward grinned, guessing the source of the prince's ire. "Well that's just Roddy's way. He's the heir of a man with a rather suspect claim to the throne. hHis father is a weasel with a tenuous link to royalty anyway." The offhanded way he said it made it certain that all the important people around thought it. "Lady Katja seems utterly charming. Nancy's quite taken with her and I've not seen a hair of her since she met her and Princess Lisbet."
"Nancy?" Matteus knew the name, but the gaggle of girls that followed him hadn't included her much of the time.
"My older sister. I think father sent us and granny along for you two to meet but she's already rather taken with that prince in Corona. He said something about me meeting some of my peers too. I think the heir apparent of Arendelle as a friend would satisfy him!" He winked. "Though if we were scallywags in the street I think I'd still wish to count you as friend. Amazing form in that fight, nothing like those limp little ninnies."
"Oh, uh, Lady Freya and father are rougher around the edges than most of the combat coaches and wouldn't have me 'slapping around like a kitty-cat'." Mattues suppressed a wince at the admission a woman had taught him. Not that he really cared but his 'peers' so far had been rather teasing about it.
"Ha! Granny isn't the only one who is forthright then!" At Matteus's puzzled look he explained. "She's a little odd really. Pop says that some sort of magic was involved in her meeting granddad and she's from somewhere and somewhen far off. Very much of the opinion that women are as capable as men."
"Magic? So you're okay with, this?" Matteus gestured to Olaf who was chasing a butterfly and to all the magical ice decorating the castle.
"I think talking snowmen and ice in the summer are excellent. Much easier to explain than a gran who talks about 'cell phones' and 'teevee'." Edward shrugged at the strange terms and Matteus let it go over his head, the boy obviously was used to it and he wasn't going to pass comment.
"Uh, do you want to come and see my boat? I sail it around the fjord sometimes. Most of the other princes aren't interested in 'Navy Matters'." Matteus pointed towards the water.
"Would I! We're landlocked, I must say that you have enviable geography." Edward jumped up and raced Matteus to the harbour.
"Tell Mother that I'm out on the boat!" Matteus shouted to Olaf as they ran.
"No problem!" Olaf yelled back, toddling off on his new mission.
Olaf found Anna with Elsa and one of the visiting ladies. The older one who had been enchanted with the talking snowman when they were introduced. "Anna! Elsa! Matty has gone sailing with Edward but I'm sure he'll be back by tea time."
"Thank you Olaf. Maybe you want to spend some time with Kat and Lissy? They were heading for the portrait gallery." Elsa smiled fondly to her creation and waved as he left the room. The snowman got bored of more grown up activities and she was having a lovely time talking with the matriarch of the Andalasian royal family.
"You know, even with all these years and how I got to meet my Edward and be here, a talking snowman takes the cake." The Dowager Duchess smiled.
"He's always a ray of sunshine." Anna added and poured more tea. They were getting on well with the Duchess and she had noticed Lisbet looking more than little at Prince Edward. Andalasia was only a week's ride away inland and a lovely little kingdom too...
Olaf indeed found the girls in the portrait gallery. Lisbet was in full presentation mode to their guest and Katja was stifling giggles at the younger girl's grander claims. "This is an original um... Master." She said, waving vaguely at a painting older than Anna.
"These are all very wonderful artworks." Nancy said, politely glossing over the less than accurate presentations. "Your mother must be a great appreciator of art to have such a collection."
"Yup. She used to talk to them all the time and make up stories for them all! She told the best stories." Lisbet was desperately trying to impress the older girl.
"Hi guys!" Olaf let his presence be known. "Matty went sailing with his new friend Edward so I came to see what you were doing!" He toddled in to get his hugs from Lisbet and Katja.
"His new friend?" Katja asked, there was a tightness in her voice Olaf noticed but that would be something for later.
"Yep! Edward. He wanted to see the boat and the fjord and Matty is my friend all the time so he needs to make friends with Edward first and then we can all be friends." He waved his stick arms around explaining his thought process. "And you've made a new friend too! Hi! My name is Olaf and I like warm hugs!" He turned to Nancy, missing the look of relief that flitted across Katja's face on the news he was sailing with a boy.
"Hello Olaf. I am Princess Nancy and I like warm hugs too!" She knelt down to hug the snowman. The little being had intrigued her from the moment they arrived but there had been little chance to meet him formally and the other girls merely twittered about "oddities" they would have to put up with for the prince. As if the poor boy was some prize or other! "Edward is my little brother. I'm glad he is making friends with the prince. The other nobles around our kingdom aren't exactly the right ages or there that snot Roderick."
"Oooh, he's a nasty boy." Olaf said at the mention of the ratty prince. "Not like Edward! He's nice."
Nancy smiled at the compliment to her brother. "I am glad you like him."
"I'm glad Matty found a friend and could get away from all those girls." Katja muttered. A little louder than she intended.
"Yeah. I don't like them, none of them want to talk to me about anything but Matty and most of the boys are icky." Lisbet grimaced. It was entertaining that she hadn't picked up on Katja's blush at being heard or the reason for it, she was a lot like her mother in many respects. Nancy had it figured out.
"Oh yes, those silly little things can't see far beyond their noses and the next potential princely match or else they'd have given up on him." She nudged Katja and winked. "I'd be happy to be friends Lisbet. You have been a wonderful host so far." Lisbet beamed.
"Oh! If I am host then we should have tea and dainties, I'll go and fetch some. Come and help me Olaf." Lisbet pelted from the room, still young enough to not care for princessly behaviour. She also really wanted some snacks. Chocolate if there was any.
When the younger girl was out of the room Katja span to face Nancy. "What do you mean. The others should give up on Matty?"
"Really?" She chuckled. "He has eyes only for you! I was simply making pleasant conversation with him after introductions and his gaze simply followed you around the room." She shrugged, "When those airheads bored me I sought out the only two girls in the building not stuck on snaring a prince for some sensible conversation."
"He... He likes me? Like that?" Katja's eyes widened and she couldn't help her smile.
"When one of those little Dukal heirs spoke to you I thought we'd have a duel on our hands."
"You're not, you don't want..." She implored of the dark haired princess.
"I'm already spoken for thank you. My friend and I are simply waiting for my father to notice. Granny convinced me to come along to meet some girls my own age and will tell pop of my intentions when we get home."
Katja giggled nervously. "Am I that obvious too?"
"You are lucky that Lisbet is young enough not to really understand or notice. She's probably still dreaming of a prince on a white stallion coming charging in to sweep her of her feet." Nancy smiled. And Katja did too.
"Oh, but don't we all Princess Nancy?"
Olaf and Lisbet returned with a maid and a tea service and the four took civilized tea in the portrait room, chatting and making friends.
The evening drew near and the formal dinner and dance were fast approaching. Matteus and Edward had been called back in from an enthusiastic sailing lesson and herded into the dining hall with something at least approaching decorum. Anna had brought Lisbet, Katja and Nancy from the Library where they had settled after their tea. Elsa, with Freya in attendance, was walking in as the girls arrived. "Good evening your majesty." Nancy curtsied.
"Good evening Princess Nancy. Girls." Elsa replied. She nudged Freya who noticed some important staff was missing and went off in search of them.
"Hi Aunt Elsa." Lisbet was holding Anna's hand and Olaf's she had been trying to convince both parties that Olaf just had to attend the dance.
"Good evening Mama," Katja greeted, "how was your afternoon?" They were now waiting for the aide who would introduce the Queen to the proceedings to arrive. Elsa was running a little early.
"Rather nice actually, Anna and I spent time with the Duchess from Andalasia. It was refreshing to speak with someone who is interested in my magic from a, well, from magic perspective. Not as a weapon or trade advantage." She smiled to Katja. "Olaf told me that both you girls and Matty were making friends with Andalasia too."
"Nancy is nice, it is good to make a friend nearer my own age who isn't an air head, too busy trying to be polite to royalty or plain mean." Katja watched as Freya returned with the aide.
"Hmm, that was something Anna and I had to work out a lot later. That is very good of you both." She pecked a kiss to Katja's forehead. "Now, formal dinner and dancing."
"Yes mama... Is it "let's get this over with"?" Elsa smiled but ushered the others in, Anna led them into the room to find their seats.
"Queen Elsa of Arendelle." The aide announced before she walked in and sat.
Dinner passed in the polite not quite conversation of any state dinner or celebratory meal with company. The guests and their escorts had been ushered into the ballroom for the dance and the band were tuning up.
It wasn't exactly noticeable, for Matteus was to the casual regard simply talking with Prince Edward, but he was keeping rather near to Katja. For her part, she was talking with Nancy and being introduced to the other Princess's Grandmother and certainly not looking over to check no other girls were getting near Matty. Lisbet and Olaf were practicing their dancing, the young princess had won the argument and the snowman could attend.
The band struck up, suddenly the milling young people were stood to attention and searching around. They were a little late though.
"May I have the honour of first dance?" Matteus asked Katja, quickly beside her as the first notes faded. He mentally celebrated not flubbing his question. Out of the corner of his eye he saw his mother with hands to her face hiding a distinct smile, at her elbow his father was giving a thumbs up.
"Um yesofcourse." Katja replied in a rush. He rose from his semi bow and took her hand. It felt so different to take it like this in a formal manner, not just grabbing her to run in a game. He hoped that he wasn't blushing. Katja was slowly turning a delicate pink. He averted his gaze to avoid embarrassing her. Directly behind her, his Aunt was regarding him with a quirked eyebrow and a slight smile. Winking, he drew Katja into the dancing crowd.
"Well, if this carries on then the whole kingdom will be gushing about the adorable romance of it all." Elsa commented to her sister.
"Hush up!" Anna whispered. "I'm watching them now!" She pointed to Lisbet sat on a chair at the edge. Prince Edward was approaching nervously. Kristoff was being held in place by his wife's grip.
Edward was doing his best to make his approach as if he was to talk with his sister. He didn't want to make the princess of Arendelle nervous, she looked upset that no one was taking her to dance and pretty girls should never be upset in his book, if they were then someone needed seeing too! Now beside the chair he cleared his throat and Lisbet looked up. Her eyes were nearly teal and her hair was the like gold and copper. He swallowed. "Wouldyouliketodancewithme!"
His words came out in a burst but Lisbet understood and was beaming. "Yes!" She jumped up and grabbed his hand, not quite dragging him to the dance floor.
"Edwards always need a no-nonesense woman." The Duchess commented to her granddaughter.
"Mother did say so and you would be the expert." Nancy agreed with a grin. Then she noticed the cheerful little snowman still looking around, his smile fading to a doleful look. "If you would excuse me grandmother." She approached Olaf with a smile. "You know, Sir Olaf, my prince Flynn isn't here today so I am quite adrift without a partner for the dance."
The snowman looked up and smiled wide. "That won't do! Hey, you could dance with me!" He did a little spin on one foot. "I dance like a master." He sounded conspiratorial.
"That would be wonderful Sir Olaf. I have never danced with a snowman before." Nancy commented as they entered the dance.
The evening passed without incident. While many noted just how poor a dancer Prince Roderick seemed, all the stumbling about he did, they were mostly impressed with proceedings. Prince Matteus had danced with Lady Katja for most of the evening but had dutifully danced with his mother, his aunt, his sister and the visiting princess of Andalasia. Most of the other visiting princesses and ladies had given up at that point, politely dancing with the other heirs and spares who had attended. Princess Lisbet had danced with Prince Edward and with Olaf and her father. The young prince was charming and he had offhandedly mentioned that his horse at home was white.
Katja was mostly too stunned of the night. She wouldn't outright state it, but Matteus had been the only boy she had ever thought of at all and that evening of dancing had proven he had a similar opinion of her.
Even after wishing her mothers goodnight and getting to bed she felt a little giddy.
I hope y'see what I did dar yes? Enchanted and Tangled were why I decided that Disney Princess films were great. (I had been a bit more of a Hercules/Atlantis/Treasure Planet vein of film fan before)
So a long awaited installment! I have been in the valley of writers block, where nothing you drabble is good enough to publish and every idea fizzles out. Hopefully this is a return that will at least wrap up the works-in-progress. I don't enjoy hanging stories as much as the next person.