Elsa was not looking forward to welcoming guests for the wedding. Normally, this was a task she would delegate to Anna, who was always eager to meet new people. But with Anna occupied with wedding preparations, Elsa found she had little choice but to greet guests herself.
With the great hall being decorated for the wedding ball, Elsa had to greet visitors in the foyer, which really didn't matter to her, but it would make the formal royal introductions more difficult. There was already a visiting prince there waiting for her when she got there. Even Kai seemed surprised he was there.
"Queen Elsa of Arendelle," Kai announced abruptly as he practically pushed Elsa ahead of him.
"Ah, Queen Elsa," the prince said with a bow. "I am Prince Lloyd of Prydain. It is an honor and a delight to meet you."
Prince Lloyd was a small, wiry man. Elsa might have mistaken him for a teenage boy if she didn't know he had to be older. Though he was dressed in some sort of militaristic uniform, Elsa very much doubted the fair-haired young man had seen any kind of action and she assumed he merely held an honorary position.
"Welcome to Arendelle, Prince Lloyd," Elsa replied. "It is nice to meet you as well."
"I must say, Your Majesty," Prince Lloyd said, "you are even more beautiful than I had dared to imagine."
"Oh, um, thank you," Elsa replied, caught off guard by the prince's confidence. "Have you been enjoying your visit so far?"
"Indeed. Your kingdom is magnificent and your subjects are kind and cheerful; a tribute to your benevolent rule."
Elsa could see through the excessive compliments but she still found herself being taken in by the flattery. Prince Lloyd seemed charming enough in his way. Elsa was optimistic that if the other princes were like him, she would be able to tolerate their visits.
Suddenly the castle doors burst open, and a large man swaggered in. His curly orange hair was tied back, but he also had a full untrimmed beard. He was dressed in green tartan, including a kilt, leaving no doubt in Elsa's mind where he was from.
"Greetings!" he exclaimed loudly in a Scottish accent. "I am Prince Hamish of Dunbroch."
"Queen Elsa of Arendelle," Elsa introduced herself.
"Your Majesty," Prince Hamish said with a bow, "it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."
"Thank you," Elsa said. "Have you met Prince Lloyd of Prydain?"
"Aye, that I have, many times," Hamish replied. "Our kingdoms are actually quite near each other. Isn't that so, Laddie?"
"Yes, that's true," Lloyd said, his confidence having faded. "I've been to Dunbroch many times."
"Aye, the first time he came to Dunbroch," Hamish began, "I took him to see the Fire Falls, which is an incredible sight. You really should come and see it for yourself, Your Majesty. Anyway, on the way back to me castle, we come across a family o' bears blockin' the way."
"Bears?" Elsa said in surprise. "Oh my, whatever did you do?"
"Oh, bears are easy to handle if you know what you're doin'. Usually, they're more afraid o' you than you are o' them. But the cubs don't have any fear in 'em yet. One o' the wee ones scampered toward Lloyd 'ere, and he took off a'runnin. Almost climbed up a tree, he did."
"I certainly did not try to climb a tree," Lloyd protested, "but I think running was a perfectly reasonable reaction to being charged by a bear."
"Charged by a bear? T'was just a wee cub. Wouldn'a hurt a fly. Now the mother, she was somethin'. When she reared up on her hind legs she was so tall I couldn'a see the sun. She must've been twenty feet tall. Now, I had me bow and arrows, so I could have easily killed the beast, but it wouldn'a been right to leave those wee cubs without their mum. So, with just me staff and shield, I faced the monster and held it off long enough for the others to get away.
"Twenty feet tall, indeed," Prince Lloyd scoffed. "It was no more than half that. I swear that bear grows taller every time you tell that story."
"Aye, maybe so," Prince Hamish replied with a hearty laugh as he gave Prince Lloyd a slap on the back that nearly knocked the smaller man over. "But 'tis a grand story ne'ertheless."
"Now see here, Hamish," Lloyd said with annoyance. "There's no need to be so rough."
"Right you are, Laddie," Hamish replied. "'Tis no way to behave in front of a lady, much less a queen. My apologies, Your Majesty."
"Queen Elsa," interrupted Kai, who had regained control over the doors to the castle and was now able to properly introduce newcomers as they arrived, "May I present Prince Kiran of Maldonia."
"Welcome, Prince Kiran," Elsa said as the new visitor approached. "It is a pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine, to be in the presence of such radiant elegance," the dark-haired Prince Kiran replied in a vaguely French-sounding accent. "I have traveled a great distance for the joy of being in your company during this festive occasion."
"Why, thank you," Elsa replied.
"Yes, I can see it already. Fine food. Beautiful music." Kiran looked deep into Elsa's eyes as he continued. "Lovely company. It will be truly magical."
Elsa wasn't quite sure how to respond to Kiran, but fortunately Kai interrupted with the arrival of another visitor.
"Prince Amir of Agrabah," announced Kai.
"Queen Elsa, I have journeyed from afar to join you for this momentous celebration," Amir said.
"It is my pleasure to welcome you to Arendelle, Prince Amir," Elsa replied.
"This is an exquisite castle, Your Majesty," Amir said.
"Thank you," Elsa said.
"Of course, it's nothing compared to my palace in Agrabah," Amir continued. "You should come for a visit, Your Majesty. You would adore it. It is truly spectacular, furnished with the finest tapestries, the most incredible carpets..."
"Listen to yourself," Prince Hamish interrupted. "You're talkin' 'bout carpets and tapestries. That do'na impress anyone. We all 'ave castles full o' tapestries. If you're going to impress a queen, you 'ave to demonstrate strength. Like the time I..."
"Oh, not another one of your stories," Lloyd interrupted.
"What's wrong with me stories?" Hamish asked.
"There wouldn't be anything wrong them if you stuck to what actually happened instead of exaggerating everything." Lloyd replied.
"Personally, I think that actions speak louder than words," Kiran said. "Don't you agree, Your Majesty?"
Before Elsa could respond, the doors flew open with the sudden arrival of another visitor, catching everyone by surprise.
"Queen Elsa," the newcomer announced loudly. "It is I, Prince Edward of Andalasia. At long last I have arrived in your fair land, and I see I have arrived just in time. It seems your castle is besieged with foreign invaders."
Prince Edward's hand grasped the hilt of his sheathed sword, and Elsa wasn't sure if he was simply teasing the other princes or if he genuinely considered them a threat. Before she could say anything, Prince Hamish stepped forward to confront Edward.
"Who're you callin' an invader, Laddie?" Hamish asked Edward.
"Your Majesty, perhaps you should withdraw to a safe place while I deal with this barbarian," Edward said to Elsa as he began to draw his sword.
"No!" Elsa abruptly shouted, and a hush fell across the assembled princes, almost as if a sudden chill had settled in throughout the room. Elsa quickly regained her composure. She hadn't meant to react so loudly, but she was relieved that at least a war hadn't just broken out in her foyer. "I mean, that's not necessary, Prince Edward," she said. "These are simply other visitors, like yourself. This is Prince Hamish of Dunbroch, Prince Kiran of Maldonia, Prince Amir of Agrabah, and Prince Lloyd of Prydain."
"Other princes?" Edward said, seeming for a moment as if the very concept was alien to him. Then he simply shrugged and returned his sword to its sheath. "As you wish, Your Majesty, but rest assured, I would not hesitate to defend you against any menace that might threaten you, be it vile ogre or fearsome dragon."
"Ogres and dragons?" Lloyd scoffed. "What nonsense."
"There's no such thing as ogres, but dragons are real. I saw one with me own eyes." Hamish said.
"You have not seen a dragon," said Lloyd dismissively.
"I did indeed. It was on a deserted island guardin' a cave filled with treasure, a giant fire-breathin' beast. I barely escaped with me life."
"The way you tell stories, you probably just saw a lizard crawl out of a hole." Lloyd said.
"Or maybe a frog," Kiran added with a laugh. "Perhaps if you had kissed it, it would have turned into a princess!"
Lloyd and Amir joined Kiran in laughing at Hamish's claims of seeing a dragon, while Edward just seemed to be confused. Elsa, for her part, was already beginning to find the princes rather tiresome. She loudly cleared her throat to get their attention and they all promptly straightened up and fell silent.
"Our apologies, Queen Elsa," said Prince Lloyd. "Clearly our behavior has been most unbecoming, and on behalf of all of us, I ask for your forgiveness. I am certain we will all try our utmost to remain civil from this point forward."
"I've heard that Arendelle has a magnificent art collection," Prince Amir said, trying to move on.
"Yes, we do," Elsa said.
"It would be wonderful to have a chance to view it," Amir said.
"Well, I suppose that..." Elsa began, considering the idea.
"Yes! A tour! What a splendid idea!" Edward suddenly exclaimed, interrupting.
"I certainly appreciate viewing works of great beauty," Kiran said, locking eyes with Elsa.
Elsa rolled her eyes.
"Very well," Elsa said, motioning toward the door. "If you will all come with me, the art gallery is this way."
As she turned, Elsa shot Kai a look of weary resignation.
"Your Majesty, may I have a moment of your time before you go," Kai said.
"What is it, Kai?" Elsa asked.
"The delegation from Enchancia is due to arrive shortly," Kai said. "Perhaps I could escort our guests on their tour while you remain here to welcome them."
"Of course, Kai," Elsa said. "That is an excellent idea."
"Gentlemen," Kai began. "if your will follow me..."
"Thank you," Elsa whispered with sincere gratitude to Kai as he walked past her.
"Of course, Your Majesty," Kai whispered back, pausing next to her.
"They are all leaving after the wedding, right?" Elsa asked quietly.
"In the morning," Kai replied.
Elsa nodded and Kai continued on his way, leading the five princes on their tour. Elsa watched with relief as the princes disappeared through the door. She had a feeling it was going to be a long day.