The Suitors Arrive

(A/N: Apologies for missing posting a chapter yesterday. It was a hectic day. I don't plan on missing another day, though. Honestly, I'm not too happy with this chapter. Or the last chapter. Hoping to improve the following ones as I keep going, though, so bear with me. Sorry if this chapter and the previous seemed a little lackluster. Lot of life things happening right now, depression among them. Good news, though. I'm starting on writing the next story in the series. It's a better laid out story as a whole, but it will probably be rated M because there's a good bit of mature subject matter in it. It will be called 'The Mirror' or 'The Broken Shards' or some other such title. Anyway, enjoy.)

Dear Justic:

I write you with most wonderful news, to share with your siblings. Your brothers have been found! My men and I came across them, drifting in the sea on a raft of debris. They were both hypothermic, Hans even near delirious, but we were able to get him back. Iscawin is proving more of a challenge, but he will live, though for the longest time we weren't certain he would. He was hardly alive when we pulled them from the sea. By what miracle he still breathes is beyond me, but it seems you princes are quite resilient. Or is stubborn more the correct term, my dear friend? Kelin-Sel hasn't left their sides since we pulled them out of the brine.

This war on the ocean is getting to be deadly. We cannot afford to keep on like this at the rate we are going. This skirmish with Norway needs to end as soon as possible. I fear for the way this battle is headed.

With fond regards,

Prince Eric.

…

Queen Elsa:

Justic has received word from Prince Eric. Our brothers have been found! Hans and Iscawin were pulled from the ocean, hypothermic and delirious but alive. They will be returned to our shores as soon as they are well enough to be moved again.

Norway has become a more vicious threat than anything we have faced on the seas since Meilic. We all know how Jürgen's little campaign ended, but we will get no such respite from the Norwegians. It hurts me deeply to see so many lives cut short. It wasn't driven home to me just how bad it had gotten until word came of Hans's fall. Perhaps to admit as much is selfish of me—that it took until the near deaths of my brothers to realize the tragedy of it, is shaming—but it is so nonetheless.

I fear deeply that the next time we face them on sea, we will fall to their advance. I pray Jürgen holds his own. The moment Hans is recovered he will be sent back out. It is the last thing I want to do, but it must be done. If it is not, we collapse to Norway's onslaught. Then all we will be able to do is hope for the best from our ground troops. We sorely underestimated the Norwegian people. Now it is costing us.

Sincerely,

King Moren

Frozen

Elsa read the letter over and over again as she sat on her throne, taking in the words and considering the implications of it all. It pained her to know how many lives were being lost. Something had to be done about it. If Hans went back out on that ocean before he was fully recovered and rested, it may very well be the last time he ever did. To say nothing of the hardships Eric and his people were facing. She could only imagine how horribly Prince Jürgen would suffer on sea, now that his main backup was out of commission. She drew a breath, looking up. There was still something she could do… She hated to do it, but she knew it was the best bet to end this war between Norway, the Southern Isles, and Eric's land. She rose and headed to the library. The moment she was inside, she shut the door and got out the quill, ink, and paper.

My Dear Duke,

In wake of recent news regarding the war at sea, I have come to the conclusion I can no longer sit idly by. Of course, I will not thrust my people into a war we are not ready for, I will remain neutral as I always have, but I must act.

I have decided to agree to meeting suitors. I will not make any promises that I will choose anyone, but I will be open to seeing them in the hopes that in the wake of the announcement, the King of Norway will call a ceasefire between him and Moren. Suitors from Scotland, Britain, Norway, Denmark, Weselton, Corona, and Eric's kingdom will be most sought after, Norway and the Southern Isles above the rest. I trust you to arrange it well enough.

With love,

Queen Elsa.

Two Weeks Later

The Duke was due to pass through Arendelle any day now. He would stop by, then. Elsa both anticipated and dreaded it. She sat back in her throne, looking up at the roof of her castle. The moment the Duke had made the announcement, Norway had determined to call a ceasefire between them and the Southern Isles, as she had hoped they would. She wasn't sure what the Duke had told the Norwegian king, nor was she sure she'd want to know, but whatever it had been, it was harsh and firm enough, yet also cordial enough, to convince him to call off his mariners. Suitors were preparing to come to her land from every kingdom she'd mentioned to the Duke in her letter. The old man had been a busy bee, it seemed. The responses she had received from potential suitors, or from kings willing to send their sons over, was overwhelming.

"Announcing the Duke of Weselton!" Kai said. Elsa looked quickly back down from the roof. The Duke entered the throne room and bowed to her.

"What age range am I looking at?" she fearfully asked him.

"Now, now, my dear, I certainly didn't call out for anyone too much older than you. Given your ties to the Southern Isles - I assume I am correct in guessing you are impartial to its princes, given you know them - I based the age range on the brothers. There are seventeen or eighteen years between you and Moren, and so that it what I settled on."

"So anything from a man younger than me to a man Moren's age," Elsa said, visibly relaxing with a sigh. It was still quite a gap, but it wasn't anything too great or too disconcerting. At least not to her. She was actually almost glad for the difference. It meant both Moren and Mael fell into the category, and she couldn't deny she was tempted by the idea of that arrangement. If only slightly. Not so much Moren as Mael.

"Yes. You will see suitors from age eighteen to age thirty-eight," the Duke said. Well, Moren was going on thirty-nine, but that was beside the point! As to the matter of the younger suitors, he had arranged it so that there would not be candidates too much younger than her coming in. She might feel uneasy about such things. He had been reluctant to even go as low as eighteen, but it opened up more potentials with Norway and so he had sucked it up after running it passed Elsa. Elsa hadn't been thrilled with the idea, but she knew the situation was desperate. Besides, odds were it would end up being just for show anyway. He knew very well Elsa's sights were set on the Southern Isles. Or believed they were, at least, though he could be wrong. Again, she actually knew those boys. "It will all be fine, Elsa. As you said, you are under no obligation to choose immediately. I have arranged for all the potentials to come here to Arendelle. I shall help you arrange a fitting ball and feast and whatnot."

"How many men are we talking about?" Elsa asked uneasily.

"Around fifty," the Duke answered.

Elsa grimaced, looking uncertain. "I… I don't know what to do. How to act, how to present myself to them, anything."

"Fortunately, you have me," the Duke said. "I arranged such a thing for my own daughter, in fact. Of course it, well, backfired and she fell in love with, err, Erik, but nevertheless!"

Elsa smirked affectionately at the man. "Thank you, Dear Duke," she said.

"It's no trouble at all," the Duke assured. "I reserved you the pleasure of writing to the Southern Isles to announce your intentions. I thought you might like to do that for yourself."

Elsa nodded gratefully. "I'll do it now, and have your chambers made up for you too," she said.

"Have a wing set up for the suitors as well," the Duke said.

"They'll stay here?!" she exclaimed, a note of panic in her voice.

"Under heavy, heavy guard. In fact, unless by your invitation, they will not even be allowed to leave that wing come nightfall. No maid servants will be sent there either, for their own protection," the Duke said. "God only knows what some of those men are like. You and Anna will be especially heavily guarded as well."

"Anna can be. I hardly need the extra protection," Elsa said, smiling and showing off her powers a little.

The Duke smirked. "Perhaps, but better safe than sorry," he stated. She sighed. She supposed he had a point. She nodded and headed off to deal with the arrangements for the Duke and for the suitors.

…

King Moren,

I have determined to do what I can to help you in this battle. I have arranged to see suitors, as you and Franz and the Duke all suggested. I am not overly thrilled by it, but if it will give you some respite, then the price is a reasonable one. It is hard to rule a kingdom alone, after all. Besides, I need not select one any time soon. Just have potentials. It may be enough of a promise to hold the Norwegian king at bay and give you breathing room to deal with matters surrounding Scotland and Britain.

The Southern Isles are amongst the lands I will seek a suitor from. I suppose, and perhaps hope, that means all of your single brothers will be selected to sail for Arendelle and join in the matter. Maybe you as well? For this occasion I will lift the ban on Hans. Perhaps it will remain lifted regardless. I feel that maybe he has proven himself well enough that I need not keep him banished from my shores any longer.

Sincerely,

Queen Elsa

Frozen

Moren read over the letter yet again. This marked about the seventh time he had. He heard the throne room doors open and looked up as all of his siblings entered. "You summoned us, my lord?" Jürgen questioned, kneeling before his brother along with the rest of them.

"Queen Elsa is seeking a suitor," Moren bluntly stated.

"She's what?!" Hans exclaimed, looking sharply up with eyes wide in shocked disbelief.

"She is?!" Iscawin hopefully echoed at the same time. The two exchanged looks then turned back to Moren.

Moren nodded at them all. "I would see all of you that are single sail for Arendelle on the morrow," the king stated. Coth was holding his breath. Moren looked over at him. "Coth?" he questioned, noting his brother's stunned silence.

Coth shifted slightly. "What of the Scottish maiden I spoke to you about?" he questioned after a time.

"You will go with the other singles. If you have come to sincerely start to care for this maiden, however, your presence there will become more an 'insurance policy', so to speak. A way to throw a snare into the inner workings. A way to guarantee you and the rest of your brothers make it to the final rounds. A political marriage with Arendelle is must. Either for us or for Norway. The war on the ocean has to end at any cost. One of you will marry Elsa, or you will ensure a Norseman does. There are no other options. Am I clear?" Moren replied.

They were silent. "Yes, your majesty," Calcas finally answered.

Moren looked to Mael. "You will go as well, Lars." Lars tensed, closing his eyes tightly as memory of Helga struck him painfully and made him grind his teeth together to keep from feeling the urge to cry. "I will not hold you to becoming one of the suitors… But if you choose not to court her, go to be the keeper of our brothers, and their advisor. Another 'insurance policy'."

"What of you, Moren?" Justic asked.

Moren was silent. "Were she to marry me, she would no longer be the acting regent of Arendelle. She would be the one to move here and become my queen while Anna took her place. I will write as much to her and let her know that unless that is what she wishes, I will not be throwing my hand into the ring," he stated. He trailed off a moment. "Besides... there is a chance, however small, that my Queen is still alive..." They were quiet, remembering their vanished sister-in-law. Whether she was alive or dead, no one knew. Not even Moren, who had sent her away with their children during a time of turmoil after the death of the queen. Moren looked to Franz. "Will you go to act as a suitor for Elsa?"

Franz was quiet. "Have you forgotten the Arabian girl?" Justic asked Moren. "In case it slipped your mind, your Majesty, Franz never truly divorced her."

"Nor is it likely he'll ever see her again," Rhun pointed out. "Recall that it was part of their arrangement."

"Since when has Franz let arrangements bind him? For that matter since when does a gypsy?" Duach asked with a scoff.

Franz sharply and warningly glared at his brothers. Soon, though, he turned back to Moren. "I won't go," he finally said. "I am still her husband. Caleb, don't request this of me. Please." Part of him still hoped anyway...

"Very well," Moren relented. He looked over his siblings. "Then it is settled. Jürgen, Mael, Calcas, Connyn, Coth, Kelin-Sel, Iscawin, and Hans will sail for Arendelle first thing tomorrow. You are dismissed. I have a letter to write," Moren stated, rising. They rose as well, bowing again, then left.

Frozen

Queen Elsa,

My brothers sail for Arendelle on the morrow. Calcas, Connyn, Coth, Kelin-Sel, Iscawin, and Hans all. Mael too, though I cannot promise you he will throw his hand into the ring of suitors. He still mourns Helga. Deeply. I do not know if he will ever marry again; or if he does, it will take an extraordinary feat indeed. Jürgen Meilic also would have been sent to you, he has never married and always refused to take a bride, but he vanished shortly after my announcement to them, and sailed for his land. It is apparent he intends to remain single the rest of his days, and unfortunately there is little I can do to get the pirate back to send to you. He will be punished on his return here. Severely. Do not plead for him, my queen. This is a matter of our pride. It is of no fault of yours, and nothing you say will spare him retribution.

As to the matter of being considered one of your suitors, nothing would honor me more; but I cannot. To start, I cannot say with certainty my wife is dead. Even if I could, your marrying me would only strip you of your position as Queen of Arendelle, and you would become the Queen of the Southern Isles instead, with Anna taking the throne. It would not be me who was required to give up his place as acting regent, it would be you. I doubt highly such a thing would sit well with you. You are too proud for that. I fear that if you gave up your throne for my sake, it would only bring you unhappiness. For that reason, unless you otherwise want it, I do not offer myself as a suitor.

I wish you luck, Elsa. I hope you find a man suitable for you. One you will not mind spending a lifetime with. I know marriage is not what you want right now, but thank you. Thank you so very much. You have spared us more lives than you may ever know.

With deepest respect and honor,

King Moren.

Frozen

"Suitors?! Of all the ways to stop a war, suitors? Really?" Hans demanded of his brothers as they leaned on the rail of the ship. They were all looking at him, a cross between mystified and amused. He'd been ranting for the last five minutes about this. "Does she really believe the only way to stop this skirmish is to sell herself to some prince of a foreign land that she doesn't even know?! It isn't even her war to fight!"

"Is it our turn to speak now?" Kelin-Sel asked.

"Please!" Hans shot.

"Okay. One: This isn't an arranged marriage and she won't be marrying anyone until she gets to know them, so she isn't technically 'selling' herself to some man. She may not even choose a suitor, but what she has done has been enough to pacify Norway into a ceasefire. Two: Why do you even care? You cruelly suggested to her, not even long ago, that she allow you to set her up with some abusive monster of a man you happened to know," Kelin-Sel replied.

"One: The last thing she needs is a man, she's perfectly capable of doing things on her own. Two: I don't care! I'm just saying. And that setting her up remark was said to get on her nerves, for your information!" Hans defended. "The point is she's doing this for our sakes and she shouldn't have to. Not after everything I did."

"Key word, you. Not the Southern Isles," Iscawin pointed out. "Besides, for all you know maybe she has been pondering love and marriage. Or has at least considered it, even if only in passing."

"Try not to give yourself an aneurism dissecting this, Hans. All will be settled in time. I get the feeling most of this is just for show anyway. We all know her bias is towards the Southern Isles," Mael said as the shores of Arendelle came into sight, the harbor and docks already filled with ships from all the nations involved in this.

"Right. At the moment there are more pressing things to figure out. We need to make ourselves stand out. Not only to her, but to the other rivals as well. How are we supposed to do that when god only knows the sorts of fanfares they'll showcase when introducing themselves to her?" Calcas questioned.

"Leave it to me," Mael said. "We want a fanfare that is not too showy so as to intimidate and off-put Elsa, but also not so meek that it isn't remembered. It must intimidate the rivals, but not make her uneasy. It has to appeal and standout to the Queen, but not to the point of being overdone. We're looking at a middle ground."

"So no trumpets and elephants and dancers and musicians in one go," Connyn said, smirking.

"We approach in the same arrow pattern as always. I will head. Calcas and Connyn, you will be behind me. Coth, Kelin-Sel, behind them. Iscawin and Hans will take up the tail end. We approach, we kneel low before her throne, we lay our swords out in front of her. Either I or someone else presents you, at that point."

"It's too minimalistic," Coth said.

"Has it slipped your mind I'm a sorcerer?" Lars replied. "I'll deal with the nuances."

"Are we approaching in our dress clothes?" Kelin-Sel questioned.

"Style is your game, little brother. What are you thinking?" Mael asked.

"Decorative light breastplate. It will be blended into royal attire so that while the cuirass won't stand out as making us look strange, it will still stand out and make us seen," Kelin-Sel answered. "It's armor and so it'll symbolize, in a way, the fact we are a nation threatened by war. It may also give the subliminal message to the suitors that were are powerful and not to be crossed." Mael took the suggestion in then nodded. Waving his hand, his brothers and himself were immediately wearing the dark plates and royal attire. They looked down on said armor and started. It was moving! Lars had conjured up masses of dark and headless serpents to act as the breastplates.

"Wow. Nice touch. This actually looks natural," Calcas remarked, looking himself and his brothers over. Felt weird, but looked good. "Honestly didn't think it would work on us." So much for not appearing strange, though, given the masses of writhing and slithering snakes enveloping their chests.

"This looks natural? The hell is your interpretation of unnatural? It's so horrendously creepy! And not okay! People don't wear snakes, bro," Coth disgustedly said. "Ew, they're slithering. Just no. Ew. Lars, come on, this isn't alright!" Calcas and Connyn smirked, rolling their eyes at their sibling and exchanging knowing looks.

Mael pretended he hadn't heard Coth's complaint. Honestly, he was morbidly amused with his sibling's horror. "Prepare yourselves. We go to the castle and into the throne room as soon as we dock," the sorcerer prince stated. It was good they'd gotten a late start. Arriving last of all would work in their favor this time. Make it seem like they had been more harried than they really were in getting here. The ship docked and the gangplank was lowered...

Frozen

Elsa paced nervously. "How do I present myself?" she worriedly asked.

"As you are. A strong and independent and powerful queen," Gerda said.

"A queen who is allowing this suitor nonsense simply as a formality and not because she needs to bother with them," Kai added.

"Show them you are in charge. Show them you are the monarch and that you will not be any man's subservient wife, or give over your power to them," the Duke stated. "Let them know from the start that they are subservient to you, whether they like it or not. You are doing them a favor, they are not doing you a favor. Be. In. Control."

"I don't want to seem cruel or cold," Elsa worried.

"It is their job to mine for your heart, not your job to mine for theirs," Gerda said.

"As you grow to know these men, you can start to soften," Kai added. "But at the start, as the Duke has said, you must be in charge and in control. Let your appearance reflect as much."

Elsa looked at herself in a full-length mirror. "Turn the throne room into a show of your power, decorated with your ice. In fact, sit in a throne of ice," the Duke said.

"Give your dress a high collar, but not too high. Five ice peaks that stretch over your head, but not a fan. Have your dress long and flowing. Let it perhaps even pool around you," Gerda said.

"And the hair?" Elsa asked.

"Up," Kai said.

"Down," the Duke said at the same time.

"Not the braid," Gerda said, frowning at the two men. "That side of you can be shown later. For now, classy yet also free will do, so I must agree with the Duke. Apologies, my dear Kai."

Kai harrumphed but smiled ruefully and nodded in agreement. "Red lips, dark eye makeup, no other color," he said. "Make yourself fearful yet at the same time benevolent and merciful. Remember, this is all for show. It doesn't have to reflect the person you are exactly."

"It is simply safer for all parties involved to be shown their place from the get go," the Duke added.

Elsa continued looking at herself. After a moment she closed her eyes and an ice dress began to form around her. She opened her eyes again and started at her appearance. "Elsa…" Gerda breathed in awe.

"It's perfect," the Duke said. Elsa smiled at herself in the mirror, pleased with the transformation. She had never looked quite so beautiful and formidable at the same time, she noted to herself. She liked this look. At least for situations like these.

"You have all of this under control," Kai said to her reassuringly. "Now, go to your throne and await the suitors." Elsa drew a deep breath, then left to do so.

Frozen

The throne room glistened with ice formations all around that cast a striking image, bathing the hall in lights that danced and twinkled. The throne was now overlaid with ice as well. Said overlay made it larger and more elaborate than before. Every man that had come in, thus far, had been stunned and dazzled by it all so much that very few had even been able to form coherent words in the queen's presence. She was pleased with this, because one party had come with a massive fanfare that had honestly freaked her out and intimidated her. That was what the men had wanted, she knew now. The Duke, on noticing she was starting to show signs of unease, had madly signalled for her to remain composed. It was the best advice she'd gotten all night. The fanfare was cowed by her cold and unimpressed look, and the princes that had come with it were probably shamed as well, though they'd never admit it. If she hadn't kept her composure, that group of suitors likely would have assumed she could be walked all over.

She had offered each man who entered an impersonal, though friendly enough, smile, before they were ushered to the side for another suitor or group of suitors to come in. Elsa vaguely wondered how many more were left. She also wondered where the princes of the Southern Isles were. Moren had said they would be here, but they had yet to show up. She glanced over at Kai. He subtly signalled a number to her. Two more parties to introduce, she noted, then turned back to the throne room door. The next group of suitors were three brothers, cordial and polite. They bowed as they were introduced. She nodded back at them and they were shown to the side.

"Announcing the Princes of the Southern Isles!" Kai declared.

Frozen

Elsa's eyes sharply turned to the door. She hated the way her heart sped up slightly at the mention of their names. The doors were opened wide and in strode the princes in arrow—never triangle, but arrow—formation, as per usual. Following them was a host of humanoid figures that looked to be in the form of soldiers brandishing their spears high, but were more like shadows. Dark conjurations of Mael's, Elsa immediately recognized, and it was apparent the other suitors, or most of them, were very unsettled by the ghostly scene of seven warrior princes wearing serpent breastplates, followed by the ghostly apparitions of soldiers as their only bodyguards. In unison the princes knelt, bowing their heads low to Elsa and laying their swords in front of them. None of the brothers took their hands from the hilts of the blades, which gave the subtle signal they were ready to attack should anything come at them.

"Your royal Majesty," Mael greeted stoically. "I offer you my brothers as suitors to your name."

"Not you, your Grace?" Elsa asked. She hated the hint of disappointment that had come into her tone, though on hearing said disappointment, Hans gave her a cold and unimpressed look before looking down again.

Mael was silent. "Not me," he confirmed.

"Why?" she asked, a little hurt.

"I would be no fitting husband for her Majesty, even if I wished to be. I could give you nothing you desired or needed, and nothing near what you deserve in a husband. Such things will be talked about later, however. This is not the place," Mael answered. Especially not when she'd shown no other set of suitors as much attention as she'd shown them. It was careless of her. A mistake he hoped didn't cost them. The looks they were getting, now, didn't sit well with Lars. He had hoped his brothers wouldn't be considered threats until later on. Perhaps, though, they wouldn't be. It was to him she was speaking, after all, not his siblings. They'd see him as the threat, but given he was not a suitor they'd let it go. At least she hadn't paid as much attention to the other princes. It might buy them time before the rest realized that the six younger ones were a threat.

Elsa, on hearing his statement, recovered herself and realized she'd been losing hold of the mask. "Very well. To the side with you all," she commanded. They rose and obeyed. She cast her eyes over all the suitors. They were silent. "Do none of you have anything intelligent to say to me?" she questioned them.

The men shifted uneasily, exchanging looks. Some looked like they wanted to speak, then backed down. Others remained quiet. Hans's jaw twitched and he looked up at her. "My lady Queen," he said, loud enough for her to hear. She started and looked quickly over to him. "Why do you ask us such a question? After all, what right do cattle and swine have to speak to Your Majesty? It has become apparent, in your demeanor alone, that livestock is all we are to you. Decorations to wear upon your arm. Badges of honor. Trophies."

Elsa's eyes narrowed. "You speak out of turn, young man," she warned.

"Ah. And so my point is proven," Hans answered. "Thank you, Snow Queen of Arendelle," he added, bowing. Some muttering began amongst the suitors, a stirring of restlessness, unease, and disapproval.

Elsa glared coldly at Hans. She had half a mind to order him locked up for this little stunt, but to be fair she had challenged them to speak up. Had any man taken up that challenge, it would be Hans. Besides, it had perhaps helped to drive home to the other suitors that she was doing them an honor, they weren't doing her one. She sighed, letting it go. "A wing of the palace has been set up for you all to stay in. Make yourselves at home in my palace. Within reason. Tomorrow the official process will begin," she declared. She gave the Southern Isles brothers a look that said she wanted to see them alone, when opportunity presented. They subtly bowed in return and went off with the other suitors to get accustomed to their chambers.

Frozen

Elsa was pacing in the throne room alone, wringing her hands nervously as she waited for the Westergaards to come. Oh what she was going to do was so improper. No eyes would see, though, and in her defense she had only recently learned they were alive after thinking the two youngest brothers dead. Her relief and happiness, and the impropriety that stemmed from it, could be excused. The doors opened and she caught her breath, looking over. The seven siblings entered and approached her.

"Queen Elsa, we…" Iscawin began. He 'oomphed' as suddenly she was across the room, throwing her arms about his neck and a shocked Hans's neck as well, drawing them both near. "Elsa!" Iscawin exclaimed in surprise, holding her back.

"Thank the gods you're alive," she murmured to the two of them, turning her attention to Iscawin first and embracing him. "I was afraid you two were dead."

"So was everyone else," Iscawin replied with a gentle grin, hugging her back. He was more than a little pleased at this turn of events.

Hans was still reeling from the fact Elsa had actually seen fit to put her arm around his neck without reserve. He was sent reeling again when suddenly she was in his arms. His mouth dropped in shock as he looked down at the woman wrapped around him, rapidly blinking and trying to figure out why she was bothering. You know what, he wasn't even going to question it. Tentatively he wrapped his arms around her in turn, holding her close. His hand found itself entwined in her hair. He had never really known such a sensation or feel before. It was odd to him, in a pleasant way. He felt his body relaxing as they held one another, and gently he rocked her.

An awkward throat clear from Kelin-Sel snapped him back to reality. Hans started, as did Elsa, and quickly they pulled apart, blushing. How long had they been holding each other, they wondered worriedly? It was enough, apparently, for the others to be staring in disbelief, and enough for Iscawin to appear hurt. Hans hated to see his brother look hurt. At least, nowadays he did. Only about a year ago, or almost a year, and he would have laughed, he realized. Bitterly, he mentally shook his head at himself.

"You may return to your quarters," Elsa said to them all, clearing her own throat. "Forgive the suddenness of this action, it's just… I'm so glad you're alive…"

"As are we, Elsa," Iscawin replied, smiling gently at her.

"Your majesty, if I may ask a question?" Kelin-Sel said.

"What is it?" Elsa asked.

"It may sound presumptuous of me, and if it does I'm sorry, but it seems obvious that you're impartial towards the princes of the Southern Isles. If that's so, if you've already determined that we're definitely going to be among your final choices if not your endgame, why are you bothering with other suitors?" Kelin-Sel questioned.

Elsa blushed faintly. "Is it that obvious?" she asked, looking down.

"To us, at least. Because we know you," Kelin-Sel answered.

Elsa was quiet. Soon she sighed. "I have to keep up appearances," she stated. "And you might not be endgame. I mean, maybe I'll find a really amazing man and fall in love with him over the duration of this process. Hans's jaw twitched, and he suddenly seemed much more interested in the décor around the throne room.

"Then we hope he's from Norway, if it is not one of us," Connyn said.

"Sorry Elsa. Moren's orders. We do whatever it takes to ensure you end up tied in marriage to either one of us, or to a man from Norway. Kind of isn't optional," Coth added.

"It can't afford to be," Calcas dryly stated.

Elsa smiled. "For what it's worth, it will take more than a few months for me to fall in love with a man I don't know," she said.

"Don't be so sure. Your sister did it in a night," Hans slightly bitterly bit. Elsa frowned icily over at him. "Two days for Kristoff," Hans added, smirking.

"You know what, Hans…?" Elsa began angrily.

"Besides, when a man bears his whole heart to you and holds nothing back, what can be said after that?" Hans teased.

"Forgive my brother's tenacity, Elsa," Mael cut off, before she could reply. "He is unimpressed with this whole situation. He feels you should not have felt obliged to go through with it, and is of the opinion it isn't what you want."

"It isn't," Elsa admitted with a sigh, looking at the ground. "But it must be done."

"Yes, well, Hans is of the belief it is akin to selling yourself to some man, against your wishes, for a people you have no obligation to do any such thing for. You have determined to do this in order to save the lives of the princes of a kingdom that isn't even yours to save, and whose youngest royal betrayed you. My queen, we do not ask you to do anything for us of this magnitude if it isn't in your heart to do it," Mael said.

"If it wasn't in my heart in some manner, small as that manner may be, I wouldn't have," Elsa answered. "But part of me is curious. Very much so."

"And curiosity somehow justifies this leap you're taking?" Hans asked.

"Return to your chambers, prince, before I get my guards to escort you," she replied in an exaggerated and slightly playful haughty tone, purposely avoiding the question.

"Now my lady, that's a little extreme, wouldn't you agree? Such an disciplinary action is hardly worth the crime," Hans said, smirking amusedly at her. He didn't bother restating his inquiry. If she didn't have a mind to answer, he wouldn't press her.

"Your audacity is worth whatever punishment I determine it is worth," Elsa said, bantering right back. "I am queen, and you are all my cattle. Your words, Prince Hans, not mine."

"Must I then beg at the feet of my lady queen to gain your mercy?" Hans asked. The way his eyes danced and sparkled was a dead giveaway of the laughter he was holding back.

"It would serve you well to keep it in mind for future transgressions, at least," Elsa answered with an exaggerated huff.

"As her Majesty commands," Hans stated, bowing to her.

Elsa grinned at him. "Now go back to your rooms, all of you. Tomorrow the events begin," she said to them. Bowing to her, the princes turned and left.