"Oh, thank goodness!" Grand Pabbie sighed as he finished a quiet chant, a shiver in the air the only indication of the enchantment that he'd cast. "I feared that we would be unable to see to your safe return, your majesty."
"I thank you for the concern." Elsa bowed politely, having been informed of the huntress's meeting with the troll earlier. "I must ask about your ward-"
"Yes, of course." The troll waved the party to follow as he slowly returned to the grove his family called home. "The ward is the most powerful we have ever performed, but without the power of the earthen heart, I cannot seal the darkness forever."
"What do you mean?" Anna asked, concerned as she joined her sister. The huntresses and Christoff kept back, simply observing the conversation and the information being shared.
"These creatures are not from this world, Anna. I cannot see from where or when their power comes, but it is no small trifle. The darkness is already draining the power of the ward at an alarming rate-"
"How long until it falls?" Ruby asked grimly. The tone was something Weiss still wasn't used to, but if they were to believe they weren't on Remnant anymore, then the possibility to stop grimm from manifesting was vital. And Weiss knew that of them all, Ruby knew that best.
"I fear no longer than until the new moon." The troll replied with an exhausted sigh. "We will try to keep it active as long as possible, but it will not be enough."
Silence fell on the group as they all delved into their own thoughts. Weiss was the first to come back to reality, noticing the worried frowns on everyone's faces.
"Alright then… Queen Elsa?" The call made the queen's head snap to attention as Ruby turned her head to listen to her partner. "My partner and I must resupply if we're to be of any use."
"Of course." Elsa nodded in understanding. Weiss could tell there was still hesitation in trust, but with their experience, the queen had nobody else to turn to if it turned into a fight with the grimm. "What is it you require?"
"Dust, and a weapons forge." Ruby replied quickly.
"Dust…?" Christoff asked, surprised at the strange request.
"You know… fire, water, lightning…" Ruby replied, as a memory of a very angry heiress jumped back to mind. She exchanged a glance with Weiss who likewise had remembered the event.
"We do not have what you seek in this world." Grand Pabbie replied for the Queen. "But it may be possible to channel the power contained in these crystals into a form you may find usable. Bulda, go with them, and take these."
The old troll said as the first troll Ruby and Weiss had spoken to joined them. "But these are your century gems!"
"I would rather sacrifice these to ensure others may be made than hold on to them in vain." Grand Pabbie spoke gravely. "Now go! All of you! Your kingdom faces a great peril Elsa, and only the four of you stand any chance of driving the darkness back to it's origin. Christoff, gather your brothers and sisters with haste, we must try to create a new seal before the darkness destroys the one I've set."
The man nodded, leaving off into the forest to find his reindeer. The old troll sat unsteadily on a log as he waited for the task to be complete.
"Good luck." The two words he spoke seemed more imperative than hopeful as the group headed quickly to the path that would lead back to Arendelle.
"Your majesty! Your highness! Are you alright? May I be of assistance?" The guard knelt low as Elsa led the group to the outskirts of the city. The guards in charge of the gates had all rushed out when they had seen the group approaching considering the state of their Queen's and Princess's dresses.
"Thank you, I need a transport to the castle as soon as possible." Elsa instructed as she continued walking, motioning for the guards to follow. "As well, notify Captain Grimaldi of the City Guard, and General Magnar of the Arendelle Military for an emergency meeting at the palace."
"As you command. Jorgen, find the Captain. Willow, the General." The guard ordered while pointing out to the specific soldiers who were dressed in lighter leather armour than the others. "Take horses!"
"Yes Lieutenant!" They both echoed with a clapped fist over their hearts before they broke rank and sprinted for the gate that was steadily approaching.
"Your majesty, if it is speed you wish I can offer the spare arms caravan but-"
"That will suffice. I must take up a matter of great importance with my advisers." Elsa spoke simply with a slight glance back to her sister, the troll, and the two huntresses following her. "Will it fit all five of us?"
"With a seat or two to spare." The lieutenant nodded as he passed the gate and signalled two of his men to man the gates as he led the queen to the obviously disused cart that sat next to four horses of which two were currently being mounted. "Please, take your seats and I'll get the horses ready."
"Thank you." Elsa bowed slightly as the lieutenant bowed deeper in response before heading off to fetch a pair of horses to pull the waggon.
Elsa nodded to the waggon and watched as the huntresses and Bulda all piled into the back before turning to Anna who waited beside her.
"So… whatcha thinking?" Anna asked after a moment of silence between them.
"So many things." Elsa sighed. "I want you next to me at this meeting."
"Oh! Sure, I'll come. I don't really know what I'm doing though…" Anna trailed off as her head sunk. Elsa felt a blush come to her cheeks as she reached out and gently caressed the cheek of her sister, coaxing her eyes back to her own.
"Anna, this is something that concerns all of us… especially us." Elsa said as she took her sister's hand and gave it a squeeze. "You understand what Grand Pabbie said yesterday, right?"
Anna closed her eyes and dropped her head again and nodded. "I know. But…"
When she didn't continue, Elsa sighed and wrapped her sister in a hug. "Tell me what you're thinking my sweet."
"W-well…" Anna stuttered and lifted her head to look around. The blush on her face at Elsa's endearment wasn't lost on the queen who's smile stretched. "It sounds stupid, but I want to protect you."
"Protect me?" Elsa asked in confusion. "Whatever do you mean?"
"You created these weapons for me, and I intend to use them to keep you safe." Anna spoke plainly but quietly as the guards led the second horse past them to the front of the wagon. "And I know that these… things… are dangerous, but…"
"Say no more Anna." Elsa sighed, rubbing her temple. "I am not fond of this idea but we'll discuss it at length tonight. Understand?"
"Okay." Anna nodded as she pulled Elsa into a hug. In her ear, Elsa could barely make out Anna's whisper. "I'll make sure to bring my pyjamas."
This time it was Elsa's turn to blush as Anna spun away with a slightly reduced energy compared to normal but the grin on her face told Elsa it was exactly what she'd been intending.
"Your majesty? The horses are ready." A guard that had manned the gate informed her as she watched Anna climb into the back of the waggon. "Lieutenant Figg has ordered me to be your driver if it pleases your majesty."
"Thank you very much." Elsa nodded as she walked to the rear of the waggon and used a wave of conjured ice to avoid climbing the ladder to the rear of the waggon before she gracefully took the last seat next to her sister, directly across from the huntress who'd called herself Weiss.
Weiss watched her carefully as the waggon started into motion, ignoring the surrounding buildings as they slid past, never once breaking eye contact as if attempting to read the monarch's thoughts. Elsa became unnerved and took Anna's hand for a moment before Weiss's expression changed to a smile for a split second and she turned her attention to the road ahead of the carriage.
Elsa's feeling of unease didn't dissipate until the waggon came to a halt and the huntresses disembarked, ignoring the fact that it should have been the Queen to exit the waggon first. Elsa noted as the two moved to the castle side of the vehicle that the two seemed to either downright ignore her status as royalty or simply had no knowledge of how to act around her. She had thought that everyone knew how to act around a king or queen, but she had to admit it was a good act if they were simply ignoring the standard niceties.
"Queen Elsa of Arendelle!" A crier announced as Elsa's feet touched the ground and her wave of ice that had carried her from the waggon dissipated. Elsa quickly exchanged a glance with Anna before heading over to the huntresses.
"Listen to me." She spoke quietly as the castle guards approached. "Say nothing, follow Anna to my personal study, and I will join you once I take care of this."
"Um… what?" Ruby asked, drawing a glare from Elsa who quickly turned to the approaching guard.
"Ah, Captain. Who is it that calls?" Elsa asked as she started walking away. The captain looked at Weiss and Ruby with curiosity for a moment before falling into step next to the queen and bowing as he caught up.
"Prince Brandon of the Southern Isles has requested an audience with your majesty at the earliest opportunity." He said, causing Elsa to pause in the castle doorway.
"The Southern Isles?" Elsa asked hesitantly, hoping she'd heard wrong.
"He wishes to apologize for his brother's transgression and-"
"Enough. Take him to the guest wing and keep him under constant surveilance. I want you on him tighter than a corset. And if he steps one toe out of line, arrest him. Otherwise, I will meet with him during court tomorrow." Elsa dismissed the man with a wave as another man in a light leather armour sprinted up from the stables.
"Your majesty!" He gasped as he bowed to one knee. "I bring news from the eastern pass!"
"Is it urgent?" Elsa asked as she led the man into a room just off the main foyer as she watched Anna lead their guests up the stairs to her study.
"Yes, my Queen." He spoke quickly. "There has been news of the Karelian Missionaries moving on the provinces north of Arendelle. Captain Agnar fears that they may target Arendelle next."
"And the Northern Provinces? How have they responded?" Elsa asked as she took a seat in the chair that rested next to a table. She gestured at the couch, offering a seat to the scout.
"As you'd expect, your grace, they've sent their militias to counter the main force of crusaders moving from their northern borders, but we fear that the Church has already been established in the capitals." The scout reported grimly. "There has been reports of fighting in the streets in both the capitals as of two days ago."
"And the pace?" Elsa asked as she recalled the previous provinces had only lasted eight days before falling silently under the unofficial rule of the Church of Karelia.
"The time schedule seems to be unchanged from their capture of Allenfjord and Karejundr, so approximately eight days." The scout estimated carefully. "We expect them to continue moving to the west, but we fear they may send a detachment to Arendelle as we are the only small kingdom left in this region with value to the church due to our current culture and exports."
"I see. Thank you for this information. Rest in the castle tonight and I will have a response for the Captain by morning. I have yet to meet with General Magnar tonight. I will see if he can spare troops to aid on the border, but you will not be able to stop their spies." Elsa said while resting her hand on the man's shoulder as he bowed. "Sleep well."
"You as well, your majesty." He responded as he stood and bowed while Elsa exited the room.
Once the door closed she sighed and turned to a nearby servant.
"Please have two light meals sent up to my chambers in one hour's time." She asked, receiving a nod and a bow in response as she continued on her way, meeting her father's old adviser Kai at the bottom of the steps.
"Queen Elsa, are you alright?" He asked as she approached. "The princess's dress was in tatters!"
"That remains to be seen, Kai. There is a great many things going wrong at the moment, and others poised to go wrong in due time." Elsa sighed. "Has General Magnar and Captain Grimaldi arrived yet?"
"Just moments ago." He replied as he took the lead climbing the stairs. "They are waiting with Arendelle's Ice Master and her royal highness in your study. I believe your guests are there as well."
"Thank you Kai. I'll need you as well for this." Elsa sighed as she followed Kai around a corner and into her study. She walked straight to the couch and sat, ignoring the bows from the two men in officer uniforms.
Kai shut the door as Elsa motioned for everyone to take a seat if they so chose. Anna was at her side in a moment, sitting far too close for propriety but Elsa forgave her when she noticed the light blush on her sister's face. She noticed that Ruby and Weiss were both able to sit next to Anna as Christoff leaned up against the wall and General Magnar and Kai took the two remaining seats while Captain Grimaldi stood at ease in front of the fire.
"Alright, so there has been another development that I wish to address before moving forward into the main purpose for this meeting." Elsa announced turning to General Magnar. "The Karelians are targeting the provinces on Arendelle's northern border. I want you to send a small detachment to the eastern pass in the morning to reinforce the border. You must also start checking for propaganda that may be imported in waggons and packs."
"Yes, your majesty. I will send the fourth battalion-"
"No, send only a single battle group." Elsa instructed firmly. "Ensure it is made up of mostly veteran soldiers."
"My Queen?" He asked in confusion.
"We will need the majority of Arendelle's army here. Higher numbers, not necessarily more experienced." Elsa instructed to a nod of compliance. "Captain Grimaldi, advise your troops to be on the lookout for any insurrectionists. Do not directly combat them, but keep track of them. If you can arrest them, do so and have all releases routed through Kai. Ensure you add notes on who you suspect."
"Yes, your majesty." Grimaldi bowed slightly in response.
"Okay with that settled, onto the next order of business. Anna, would you like to take this one?" Elsa asked, getting her sister's attention as she jumped into alertness. Elsa watched both the military men glance to the wall where she noticed Anna had left her ice weapon and shield before turning back to the princess.
"A-alright, Els… well, we were returning from the north mountain after taking a break at the Ice Palace and we were attacked by a bear." Anna said drawing skeptical looks from the two men. She huffed so she continued. "It's fur was black as night and it stood twice as tall as our carriage. It destroyed the ice horse Elsa had made and ripped the front of the carriage off before we escaped and ran into the trees. When it gave chase, Elsa killed it with her ice and it dissolved into smoke."
"Your highness, what you describe sounds incredible, but is simply impossible." General Magnar said skeptically. "Are you sure you are well?"
"She is completely sane, I assure you." Elsa replied for Anna. "Later we were ambushed again by a group of wolves larger than men that stood on their hind legs, and bears like the first one, as well as birds that were black as a starless night and intent on killing us. Without the two huntresses sitting beside us, I do not believe I'd be able to bring this information to you."
"But your majesty, your highness, what you describe has never been heard of in the nine worlds!" Grimaldi objected. "The creatures you describe are frightening, yes. But how are we supposed to know if they even exist? Or even how to combat them?"
"How about you go get gutted by one? That sound like a good plan?" Ruby asked quietly from her corner seat, drawing all the eyes in the room except her partner's.
"What's your name, girl? And what do you know of these supposed beasts?" Magnar asked, his voice proving just how doubting he was of Ruby's knowledge of the matter.
"Ruby Rose, and these things you call beasts are creatures of Grimm." Ruby responded hotly, as she yawned behind her hand. "And what we know, is how to kill them."
The room fell into silence for a moment as Ruby stared down the general. For a moment all was silent until Magnar stood from his chair.
"Forgive me, your majesty, but I wish to test the prowess of this… so-called huntress." Magnar bowed to Elsa who looked over at the empty floor in her study, estimating there was enough room for a small sparring match to take place. This was a regular occurrence when testing the mettle of new guards, or warriors claiming to be proficient in combat. It had only been a week, but Elsa had already grown used to this type of test.
"Very well, Ruby if you could oblige our general with a short sparring match, I'd be much obliged." Elsa spoke tiredly as she looked over to the huntresses. A glance of understanding was shared between the women as Ruby left her spot and gave her partner her weapon.
"Alright, old guy. Bring it on." Ruby said as she simply stood there in the center of the empty floor.
Weiss watched as the man took a basic hand-to-hand combat stance and moved in. Yang would have been laughing at the horrible leverage he was giving himself as he punched the air where Ruby easily dodged his attacks before countering with a jab in the stomach.
Magnar seemed to get angrier as Ruby toyed with him and Weiss grew tired of observing the moment. She could tell Ruby wasn't even punching him, instead simply touching him to show where she'd have scored a hit.
"Ruby, just end it already." Weiss sighed as she watched her girlfriend dodge one last punch with a roll and kick the man in the back of his knee, sending him to the ground and perform a spinning axe kick to his forehead, sending him the rest of the way down and onto his back.
Ruby stood next to his head with a bored grin before stepping over his head and resuming her seat as the man slowly got up as he caught his breath from being both dazed and winded by the sudden meeting with the floor.
"General, these huntresses fight the creatures that threaten Arendelle. I have seen the ease of which these creatures destroy all in their path and advise you to prepare all available bodies not heading to the eastern pass for an extended stay on the north mountain." Elsa spoke commandingly. "The trolls have created a barrier of magic but I have been told that the barrier will fall come the new moon."
"If these creatures are as deadly as you describe, you'll be sending hundreds to their deaths!" Grimaldi countered quickly as Magnar resumed his seat.
"That is why the military is the last resort." Elsa spoke carefully. "Right now, I need more information. Information these huntresses may be able to provide. With my magic, I will be able to create an army of frost trolls to combat these creatures but if they fail, they must not reach our walls. If they do, then all is lost."
Silence ruled for a moment longer before the General bowed and sighed. "Yes, your majesty. Your will be done."
"Thank you." Elsa nodded. "You are dismissed General, Captain. Kai, take Ruby and Weiss to the royal guest quarters in our wing. My sister and I have some things to discuss before turning in."
"As you wish your majesty." Kai nodded and rose to leave.
Weiss however, pulled a rising Ruby back down beside her. "Listen, we need information, and we need it now."
"You will not address her majesty in that tone!" Kai objected turning on Weiss who's glare froze him in his tracks. Her glare turned toward Elsa and the sense of uneasiness from the waggon returned.
"What is it you wish to know?" Elsa asked.
"The trolls spoke of us being from another world. That means things are different here. I need to find a way back to our own world, and it needs to be quickly." Weiss replied with a glance at Ruby. "The rest of our team will be worried about us. And we have problems in our world that require our immediate attention."
"I… must consider your request. The information you seek is not known to me, but I will explore avenues that may solve your issue." Elsa replied diplomatically. "I will call upon you both in the morning after we break our fasts."
"Fine, but I expect something more concrete than the diplomatic answers you've been giving us since we met." Weiss replied rising and heading to the door, passing a shocked Kai before stopping and turning back. "And we'll need that talking rock and a forge at the earliest opportunity."
Ruby did some sort of half bow, half curtsy as she rushed to Weiss's side and pushed her out the door. Kai followed, snapping out of his shock with an apologetic bow to the royal sisters as he left. Elsa sighed and relaxed back into her seat as Anna looked at her with worry.
"So…" Anna dragged out as she took her sister's hands in her own, getting the tired Queen's attention. "What are you thinking?"
"Right now?" Elsa asked as she recalled the food which would by now be cooling in her chambers. "Would you join me for dinner?"
"Isn't it a bit late?" Anna asked, looking out the window at the inky black sky beyond.
"When has that ever stopped you?" Elsa laughed in response as she pulled herself and then Anna to her feet.
Anna opened her mouth to respond, but closed it just as quickly. "Good point. Let's go."