"Not hard to guess what they want," Elsa said as they rode behind the palace guard that had been sent for them.
"Yes, but the question is what message are they here to deliver? 'Let's talk about this'...Or is it an ultimatum."
"Good question. What do you know about the King or Weselton?" Elsa asked. "I've read about him but I've never met him."
"And you never will," Nicholas answered. "He passed away recently. His wife, Queen Caroline, rules now. She has a son who would be around Gwendolyn's age, though I don't know his name."
"I don't suppose you know anything about Queen Caroline."
Nicholas shook his head, although Elsa couldn't see that sitting in front of him. "I've never met her. Now that you know her name, you know as much as I do." He added. "Don't worry. You can handle this. And you don't even need your gloves." He smiled, "Or shoes for that matter."
"HaHa!" Elsa couldn't restrain a laugh at the mental image. The Queen of Arendelle, holding court in proper royal dress...and bare feet. "You do know how to lighten a mood don't you."
"I get a lot of practice. Making my little sister laugh is one of my favorite hobbies."
Elsa turned to look back as far as she could. "No wonder she's always smiling."
They rode some way in silence. All of the possibilities going through her head...Worse case, scenario they had allies in Corona, Glowerheaven and Denmark. Not sure about the Southern Islands. The rest of Hans' family were good men, at least so Kai and Gerda had told her.
But she was getting ahead of herself.
"Nicholas," She said to her companion. "I'd like you and your sister to give your perspectives on the matter after I talk to the emissaries."
He answered. "No Elsa. We'll be in the royal court when they come, but if we are involved in the decision it could give the appearance that I had too large of a part; especially after Hans attempted takeover. You don't want to risk being seen as a puppet ruler.
Check your judgment with Anna and Kristoff. Your ice harvester knows a great deal about trade. More than a lot of royals, I'd guess."
He was only telling her what she already knew, of course. Still her confidence seemed to wax and wane at times. She chided herself. Just as you can't fall in love in an instant, thirteen years of fear and self-doubt can't vanish in an instant either.
She had to admit, it did help that someone whose judgment she was coming to respect was of like mind with her.
"You're right, of course."
"Of course," he answered in mock arrogance.
She chuckled. "I'd slap you for that if I could reach you."
"I'd be careful about threats right now! I've got a good shot at those sensitive ribs," He retorted.
In faux panic, she shouted "Okay, okay. I take it back. Don't do anything crazy." They both laughed.
Although he wasn't trying to listen in, the guard riding ahead couldn't help hearing some of the banter between the two royals behind him. 'Well, the Queen certainly seems to be getting along well with her guest.' he thought
Soon they arrived in Arendelle. They left the Kjekk in the care of one of the stable boys and entered the palace. There they were greeted by Anna, Kristoff and Olaf.
"Anna," the Queen asked. "Who's here?"
They sent the prince, Benjamin is his name. He's here with the commodore in command of the ship that brought him...and the Duke is with them."
Elsa turned her attention to Kristoff. "What does their mood seem to be? What am I walking into?"
He answered with a much more proper demeanor than Elsa thought possible for him. "The Duke seems to be in a very humble mood. No doubt, he's not happy about being here. My guess as far as the prince, the Commodore seems to be standing behind them like a guardian almost; just going to stay out of it unless the Prince gets in over his head."
Nicholas watched with a smile on his face. He had seen the timid, insecure Elsa. It was good to see the confident Elsa take charge in her court. She was in her Kingdom and in her element. He added what he could about the new visitors.
"I haven't met Benjamin, but I've heard of him. He's young, around Gwendolyn's age." Gwendolyn interrupted her big brother to add. "Yeah, and he's kind of cute to."
"Gwendolyn," Nicholas chided, "Now's not the time."
He then turned his attention back to Elsa. "I know his mother is British and it's said that she's often disagreed with her husband but never said anything openly that might undermine him. As to her son's attitude, I can't tell you much."
Elsa nodded and called for Kai to see the Prince and Princess to the royal court.
As their new friends, and allies were escorted out Anna said to her sister. "Um, Elsa, you might want to change to something a little more reserved. The ice dress shows a little too much leg. I'm sure Nicholas didn't mind but..."
Elsa interrupted. "Anna, now's not the time." As she said it she chuckled realizing that she'd just issued the same admonishment that Nicholas had to his sister. She added. "But you're right, this isn't the impression we want to give." A sly grin came to Elsa's face, not proper royal decorum but she just couldn't resist. She said, "After all this might be too distracting for a young man...Don't you think Kristoff?"
Kristoff's eyes went wide. He didn't know how to answer that. "I, I um, well...I guess you..."
Anna looked over at her sister and said. "Really Elsa, now's not the time."
She laughed softly. Anna and Nicholas were having quite an effect on her. She liked it.
Soon Nicholas and Gwendolyn sat side by side in seats along the walls of the royal court. A royal fanfare played and Elsa led her sister and soon to be brother in law; who most of Arendelle had already embraced as a part of the royal family; as they entered. The Queen took her throne and the Princess took a symbolically lesser seat next to her. Kristoff stood between and slightly behind the two thrones.
"Call our guests in," Elsa commanded.
Kai opened the door and motioned them forward. They waited a moment as Kai called out. "Prince Benjamin of Weselton and Duke Wilhelm of Weselton."
The two stepped forward, stopping a few steps in front of the royal dais. They both bowed and stood awaiting the Queens leave to speak.
"I must admit to my surprise at your visit." Elsa said. "What is your purpose in my Kingdom?"
The young Prince answered. "First your Majesty, my mother, Queen Caroline, wishes me to convey here congratulations on your ascension to the throne. She wishes me to tell you that she was made aware of the events surrounding your coronation. She deeply regrets that her representative was involved in the plot against the royal family of Arendelle. Please know that it was not with her approval or knowledge."
Elsa listened. The Prince presented a bearing befitting a much older gentleman; Controlled and confident. Regal but not haughty, conveying contrition without humbling his Queen or Kingdom. Elsa was suitably impressed. She doubted that she would have been able to do the same at that age...Even without certain 'insecurity' that plagued her at the time.
He continued. "I have come to offer Weselton's apologies and, I hope, to mend both our alliance and trade relationship."
He gestured toward his diminutive companion. "The Duke will offer his personal apologies for his actions against your Majesties."
She liked this young fellow. She would give him a chance to reestablish good relations between their Kingdoms. One thing she wanted to know first though.
"And what corrective actions has Queen Caroline imposed on her Duke?"
"That, your Majesty, will depend on your good graces; if you are willing to accept his apology."
She liked that. She very deliberately lowered her gaze to the "little dipper" "Duke, you may speak."
He stepped forward. He would now be made to prostrate himself before this ice witch. How was he to say this? He saw an opportunity and took it. He dare not openly admit that to Queen Elsa. He kept it simple, hoping it would satisfy her.
"Your Majesty, I realize my actions are indefensible. I aided in a plot that could have resulted in the deaths of your highness and your sister. It was never my intention to jeopardize your lives."
She actually believed that part. She doubted that his greed went so far as to kill anyone. He may have just been playing along with Hans, who WAS more than willing to do whatever it took to gain a throne of his own.
"I will accept your apology Duke. However, if we are to reestablish relations, you will not be accepted as emissary from Weselton. In fact you will not be welcomed in Arendelle at all. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, yes your highness. Thank you."
The Prince added. "I thank you for your forbearance in this matter your highness."
"You are most welcome Prince. You will be given guest quarters in the palace but I expect the Duke to remain there for the duration. You and I will discuss the resumption of trade and diplomatic relations later." She concluded. "Kai, see them to guest quarters. And post a guard at the Dukes door... Only the Dukes, not the Prince."
The royals from Weselton left with their escort. When the doors closed Elsa rose and signaled for everyone else to do so. She then turned to look at Nicholas saying, with a Queenly air, "Attend me. I would have your though on these matters."
Unspoken was the fact that matters of state or not she just wanted an excuse to spend some time with him. She was getting very attached to his company.
