"…and here… we… go!"
-The Joker, The Dark Knight
July 30th, 1840
Royal Palace, Arendal
Both Elsa and Anna sat in the throne room, both still in their mourning clothes as they never had a chance to change, neither after the memorial services, nor after their visit with Grandpabbie. And with the news presented them, there hardly was a more appropriate attire.
What remained of Arendal's military high command was assembled in the room, the senior of which was the sole Colonel amongst them, Colonel Marcks. This evening, he was the bearer of bad news, news that the old man delivered coolly and professionally. He had seen worse, after all. Unfortunately, he was about the only officer in the room not panicking.
"I regret to inform you that our force sent north was ambushed and defeated on the Royal Highway, your Majesty."
Elsa, for once thankful of the thirteen years of learning to conceal her emotions, kept a stoic face even as her heart raced with fear. "And what of the Army itself? And Colonel Spalter?"
"The army itself was broken and destroyed, your Majesty. And we have not heard of or from Spalter since he sent his report as soon as he was ambushed."
"Your Majesty!" It was Widstrom, recently emboldened by the declaration of Martial law. "Perhaps it's possible that Spalter is a traitor who lead his men into an ambush. Perhaps I should bring in his family for questioning- "
In an instant, the normally cool Marcks threw his gloves down in in anger, before unleashing his fury. "I will not have you- a bureaucrat, challenge the honor and loyalty of a friend, soldier and fellow officer! How dare you, you opportunistic rat!"
"I would tread carefully, Colonel. For I could easily charge you with obstruction of justice, as well as treason itself. After all, you do seem oddly defensive about a possible suspect."
Elsa, frightened by Widstrom's quick turn dark, moved to correct him at once. "Widstrom, this is hardly the manner of investigation that I asked for when I granted you emergency powers this morning. I will not have my officers looking over their backs in fear because of a groundless witch-hunt!"
Widstrom looked taken aback, surprised that the normally passive Queen would react so fiercely to his aggressive tactics. Stunned but bitter, he retired from the forefront. Elsa, content for the moment, turned back to Marcks. "Proceed Colonel."
Reeling back his previous anger, the still bothered Colonel continued his report, respectively. "Yes, your Majesty. Unfortunately, only a handful of men have straggled in from the defeated army, totaling a little over one hundred men."
Elsa's poker face cracked, showing a good bit of fear. "So what forces do we have to defend Arendal?"
Colonel Marcks shifted his weight about his feet, recalling all of the regular army forces under his direct command before reporting to the Queen. "Your Majesty, of the regular army we have one battalion of Royal Grenadiers, with one company of Fjelljeger riflemen. In addition, I may have enough cadre of Grenadier and Fjelljeger troops to create a battalion from scratch. If we use every uniformed serviceman in the city, I am certain. My other colleagues will refer to their forces."
The ranking Landwehr officer, a Major by the name of Bjornsen, stepped forward. Unexpectedly, he turned to the worried but silent Anna. "Your Highness, the Landwehr possesses two understrength Battalions of Infantry. With your orders, we can- "
Elsa raised her hand, cutting the Major off. "Excuse me Major, but I bear the burden of Arendal's defense, not the Crown Princess."
"Forgive me, your Majesty. But I was given orders that the Crown Princess would be carrying out her constitutional duties, of which includes being the commander of the Landwehr as well as any other reserve forces of Arendal's army."
Elsa was taken aback, as she remembered giving out that order having forgotten the heir to the throne's military role. Slightly embarrassed, she moved to rectify her mistake. "I do apologize, Major Bjornsen. But- "
Anna surprised Elsa by quickly interjecting her, causing quite a murmur amongst the gathered officers. "But the Queen merely wishes to remain in the loop regarding the Landwehr in the future, when it comes to written reports. Please do continue." Finished, Anna gave Elsa a look, one that said Trust me, I'll explain later. Still little annoyed that Anna stepped on her toes, she nonetheless played along.
"Yes, indeed. Please continue your report to Princess Anna."
"As you wish, your Majesty. As I was saying, we currently possess two understrength battalions of infantry. With your permission, I'd to begin conscripting any military aged males within the city to reinforce our existing two battalions, as well as Colonel Marcks' forces. And if recruits remain, perhaps form a new battalion from scratch."
As regally as possible, Anna nodded and replied. "I see, thank you Major. I'll consider my options and get back to you."
"Thank you your Highness."
The last man, a naval officer stepped forward with the final report. "Your Majesty, with the Navy out on maneuvers, we only possess a battery of Coastal Artillery as well as a single company of Naval Infantry assigned to garrison the docks. In addition, I have about one hundred and fifty men of various non-essential postings that I am willing to give to my Army comrades to fill holes in battalions, if need be."
"So what does that leave us with to defend the city, Colonel?"
"If we kind find the personnel to create a battalion from scratch, and bring our others up to strength, that gives us four battalions of infantry, a company of sharpshooters, and a battery of coastal artillery. In short, around twelve hundred soldiers, with eight heavy cannon."
Elsa took a moment to take a mental note, before asking a question she knew she wasn't going to like the answer to. "And what does the enemy have?"
"Your Majesty, I do not know their exact numbers. Enemy deserters point the number of being around three thousand, with more arriving every day. Most of this is poorly trained volunteers, but they have a sizeable number of Dragoons, sharpshooters, and Landwehr bolstering their ranks. In addition, the bulk of the rebels from the southwest have shifted their forces here, in what appears to be an alliance. As for artillery, we only know that they possess it. Our cannon crews do assure us that they spiked their own guns before retreating, so the enemy will not be able to turn our own guns against us."
Elsa forced herself to stay calm, even as it felt like her heart was being grasped by icy fingers. Arendal was by no means a fortress city, and they were hopelessly outnumbered by a fanatical enemy that would not show mercy to her, nor Anna.
And worst of all, was how her officers looked at her. They too knew the hopelessness of the situation, and looked at Elsa to deliver them. And not solely because of her powers, either. She had seen this look before, except then it was aimed at a different person.
Her father.
The great hero of the Napoleonic wars that he was, every time Arendal faced a crisis they looked to him. And now that he was gone, they looked to her, as if the fact she bore his blood would give her the power to fix this. The proposition of this may have made these men laugh mere days before, but now these men needed a savior.
But Elsa was not her father. She wasn't even sure she wanted to be her father now. She had not let recent events cause her to forget her father's actions. Agnarr might have been a great commander and fighter, but his hands were as stained with blood as the worst of them. And if that was the price Elsa needed to pay, well, she'd rather die a hero.
"Gentlemen, prepare your forces as best as you can. I and the Crown Princess will discuss our strategy now, and get back to you tomorrow morning. Farewell."
The gathered men nodded, bowed and left the room in relative silence, with only a few murmuring with their peers about how best to carry out their task. Soon, Elsa and Anna were alone, with an awkward silence between them. Anna was the first to move after close to a minute.
"Now Elsa, I know what you are thinking-"
"Anna, what are you thinking!? This is not your burden. This is mine, and mine alone!"
"Elsa, we've discussed this already. You don't have to do everything alone; I can help you!"
"No Anna, not with this. The strategies I choose, the orders I give… soldiers will die because of them. Real people, with lives and families. I don't want their blood on your hands."
"No Elsa, their blood won't be on my hands, nor on yours. They will be on the fanatics who came to kill us. We didn't ask for this fight, Elsa. They want to kill you just because of who you are, and they are willing to burn Arendal to the ground just to get to you and me."
Elsa began to gently cry, causing Anna to leap from her throne and move to Elsa and embrace her, immediately switching to a light, jesting tone to bring some levity to the situation.
"Besides, technically I don't have any real power anyways. Any policy I make can be overruled by you… Commander in Chief."
Elsa chuckled briefly at Anna's attempt to lighten the mood, before looking up. "Anna… do you really think we can win?"
Anna smiled with her best brave face. "Of course we can. If we're half the people that mama and papa were, the rebels stand no chance."
Elsa cringed, drawing Anna's attention.
"Elsa, what's wrong?"
"Anna, what father did…"
"Yes, he wasn't perfect, and he certainly wasn't an angel. But he loved us, and I'm certain everything he did, he did for a reason. And I like to think that whoever Papa was in Germany, that man died before we were born."
Elsa nodded, before glancing at the clock. "Anna, it's late. We need to get some rest."
As the two sisters embrace one last time for the night, Anna's last words chilled Elsa.
…he did for a reason.
Elsa looked over at Anna, as it occurred to her that while she had no problem dying a hero, she could not fathom what she would do to save Anna.
Perhaps that is why father did what he did.
…
Queen's Own Guard Dayroom
Royal Palace, Arendal
Dieter quietly sat in the dayroom, winding himself down after having pulled guard during the tumultuous events of the previous twelve hours before going to bed. As he was nursing his beer, a nurse entered the room, looking out of breath.
"Is this the Queen's Personal Guard?"
Dieter looked around, finding himself the only man in the room at the moment. "Yes?"
"I come with news from the hospital, sir. General Wilhelmsen is awake, and has requested Elsa's presence at once."
Before Dieter could respond, Sergeant Hvitstrom emerged from his office, his curiosity piqued. "Did you say General Wilhelmsen?"
"Yes sir. I know it's late, but there is no guarantee of recovery. Therefore, it's best if Her Majesty speaks to the General sooner, rather than later."
"I see. Thank you, you are dismissed."
The Nurse bowed her head and left. Dieter, buttoned his tunic, expecting action. "Are we going to wake the Queen, Sergeant?"
The middle aged man stood for a moment, his face blank, before deciding on a course of action. With a tired, world weary tone he replied to Dieter, almost sorrowfully. "Yes, son. Let's go wake the Queen."
…
July 31st, 1840
Royal Bedchambers, Royal Palace
Anna had wasted no time in falling asleep, having stripped out of her black mourning clothes and passed out almost as soon as she wormed her way beneath the covers. Having fallen into a deep lull of sleep, the hours passed as a mere blink of an eye from Anna's perspective until a somewhat familiar voice woke her up.
"Anna, wake up!"
Anna shot up, hardly awake. It was a well-known fact that it took Anna at least an hour of padding between her awakening and the first event of the day, and that's assuming it wasn't a casual event. "Yes?"
The ancient Norse Queen stood in the room, unsure whether to be annoyed or impressed that the Princess reacted to a supernatural haunting with such indifference. "Anna… hello?"
Anna slowly turned her gaze towards the specter, before flinching in surprise. "Gah! You're back? I thought that was a one-time thing?"
"I'm afraid not, Anna. I have always stood watch over my dynasty, especially when the line's survival itself stood in peril."
"Your dynasty… holy crap, your Queen Frida!"
The spirit's spectral face recoiled, clearly shaken to her core. Confused, Anna asked in a low voice "Are you Okay?"
The Queen of Old looked up from her trembling hands, gazing upon Anna. "That name… my name… I have not heard in a long time. I had all but forgotten it."
"How can you forget your own name? That's pretty crazy, if you ask me."
"Child I have been on a mission for almost a millennium. You'd be surprised what you lose and forget. Sometimes, you can lose the most important parts of you." She chuckled, her face warm with concern. "Especially with you coming into the picture."
"What's so special about me?"
"Everything Anna. For a thousand years, my spirit waited for its chance at rebirth. I waited, until a little over eighteen years ago. And when you were born, much of me went into you. You've always had the spirit of a hero, Anna. And when you are ready, the last of me will finally enter Folkvangr and find peace. For Arendal will have a new guardian to protect it."
Anna shook her head. "But why me? Elsa's so much more powerful than me."
Frida's face turned into a scowl. "No. The Snow Queen may be powerful, but the strength of a hero triumph's all. Even magic, even a Draugr."
"A Draugr? But how hell am I going to fight a Draugr?"
The spirit smiled slyly. "Use a hero's strength, Anna."
The spirit began to fade, before it developed a slightly panicked look on her face, as if it was suddenly startled. "I sense great danger to you Anna. You must leave, and you must leave now!"
And with that, the spirit was gone. Anna was always unnerved when she met the spirit, considering her likeness to the long dead Queen. It was, after all like watching her own self controlled by someone else. But the spirit's last message, left her chilled to the bone.
What should I do?
…
As for Elsa, she had her own troubles with sleep. The quandary of what terrors she would do to protect Anna terrified her, and it wasn't until well after midnight until she finally fell asleep. Even then, nightmares plagued her.
Elsa found herself in Germany once again, just like the other night. Again, there was her father on horseback, overseeing an ambush long since over. All around, French soldiers lay dead, and the wagon train they were protecting ransacked and ruined. Before long, some Freikorps soldiers dragged a number of civilians before Agnarr, throwing them down before her.
"We found these hiding in the carriages, sir. I believe they're collaborators. What do you want done with them?"
Agnarr smiled, before turning to another Freikorps soldier. "That's another thing to know, kammerad. Never let anyone survive an ambush, lest they lead the enemy to you."
"Papa?" A young Anna ran right in front of Elsa. Wearing little but rags but a few steps in front of her, positioned almost perfectly between Agnarr and where Elsa sat.
Agnarr paused in horror, unsure of what to do in front of the young innocent child. As he internally debated what to do, his second in command turned to him. "Sir, what should we do with them?"
A few veterans, knowing what was to be done normally, cocked their muskets and stepped into firing positions. Agnarr sat silently before raising his hand as if preparing to fire.
Elsa stood, shouting as loud as she could. "No, don't do it! Don't kill them papa! Not in front of her!"
Agnarr turned his head, almost as if he heard Elsa. Keeping his arm raised, the young guerrilla leader closed his eyes and sighed, before turning his hand into a fist and gently letting it down, signaling to his men to stand down. At once his Lieutenant turned about in confusion. "Sir?"
"Let them go. The war is all but over anyways, with what happened in Russia. And we must not teach the little ones our brutality, can we?"
"Yes sir, as you wish." The Freikorps officer turned to the civilians, sternly shouting at them to disperse. Elsa sighed, collapsing onto her back before closing her eyes.
She paused but a moment, before she felt rain upon her. Opening her eyes, a wave of sensation slammed into her. She was suddenly in her father's uniform, soaked with rain and suffering a gunshot wound to her chest. As the pain pulsed in her chest from the wound, she looked about also taking in her new surroundings. It was the middle of a stormy night, the rain clouds blocking out the moon and stars as she lay on a wooden cart, helpless as she couldn't move. In front of her was a building engulfed in flames, and all about French soldiers were butchering the Freikorps.
The carnage was overwhelming, but before long a single scream pierced through it all. Elsa turned to look, where in a window was Anna, still a child. Debris had blocked it off, leaving a hole just big enough for Anna to stick her head through.
"Elsa, help! I can't get out!"
"Anna!" Elsa screamed, thrashing about in an attempt to get up. But it did no good. Before long a handful of Freikorps soldiers arrived, pulling the small cart away from the lost battle and to safety.
"No, forget about me, save Anna! Save her!"
"I'm sorry, sir, but we can't! There's no getting into the building, and we have to save you!"
Elsa lay helplessly as the cart pulled away, and Anna tried desperately to escape. Pulling her head back inside, the little girl stuck her arm out in an attempt to worm her way out, before a great crashing was heard as the building simply collapsed. Elsa could only watch and listen in horror as Anna gave a brief cry of terror before her scream abruptly stopped, and her little arm went limp.
…
Elsa's eyes flew open in horror, only to find that her nightmare was just beginning. For she awoke on a stone slab in the dungeon, with her hands encased in iron mitt shackles. She was oddly fully dressed in a dress similar to her coronation gown, indicating someone went through the trouble of dressing her for some reason.
Terrified of finding herself in the dungeons she was captive in merely weeks before, she desperately shook her chains in frustration.
That had some effect, as a rattling of keys was heard, before the cell door opened. Two men stepped inside, encased in darkness.
"Who are you, and what is the meaning of this!"
A lantern was lit, revealing the two men: Minister Widstrom and Sergeant Hvitstrom.
A sly demented grin on his face, Widstrom spoke first. "Good morning, your Majesty."
…
Bit of Notes-
And now the hammer has fallen, as I've been promising. It's all Climax from here on out, at long last. Now that Hans' Fate is on hiatus, I'm should hopefully be able to produce each chapter at a much quicker rate, especially since these sort of scenes has always been easier for me to write anyways.
Anyhow, a few things to address this chapter- Firstly, it has been made aware to me recently that in a canonical Frozen story, Elsa and Anna's father has officially been given as Agnarr, completely rustling the jimmies of my stories, as I've been going with an earlier translation of Agdar. And while I do a lot of questionable things over here, I do try to respect canon whenever possible while going along with my grim-dark version of Frozen. And while I will eventually re-upload better proofread and corrected versions of all my previous work, I'm more focused on producing new content. So for now, just roll with the retcon.
Secondly, in that same vein, I have also retconned the name of Arendal's ski troops to Fjelljeger from Gebirgsjager. Means pretty much the same thing except it's actually Norwegian. Landwehr is likely to remain in place for now as I like the sound of it, plus it's essentially was one of Agnarr's personal creations from his time in the Prussian military, so if it does change, it'll be a "in universe" change as opposed to a Retcon.
So, see y'all in a bit,
O7
Dragunov