Elsa marched into the castle, freezing the entire nation as she went. Technically, she was doing so because the fox hunt was staged during the winter. And she had been summoned here by some awkwardly formulated bi-partisan group who was looking to change the seasons so the hunt could be started, so the killing would be stopped.
Momentarily.
In theory.
In truth, she was frustrated. Sophia was gone, Hans was "dead", (Please note the extremely sarcastic quotation marks) again, and James was supposed to meet her at the docks.
"Queen Elsa," Came a groveling servant, "I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but... it's believed that your husband, Hans Westerguard-"
"Is dead," She grit out, "Now where's James?"
The servant seemed shocked that she was so unmoved by the death of someone she had been so close to, but quickly amended his attitude.
"I'm sorry to say that no one has seen him enter his old room. To be perfectly honest, we're not sure if he's alive or not!"
Elsa pushed past the servant and opened the door to his room. There stood James. Elsa huffed out a laugh. He was like a little Hans- all sneaky, with dead eyes, a smug, superior attitude and-
"Charmed," He spoke, standing and bowing to the queen, "Jeeves, leave us. I must have my meeting with her Majesty."
Jeeves bowed and left as Queen Elsa regarded mini-Hans. It was scary to think her husband had trained someone in his manipulative and violent ways. Especially a child. But, as with many things in the life of her child's father, he really didn't have a better choice in the matter.
She extended her hand to be kissed, but James brushed it off. Okay, so he wasn't as smart as his uncle. He would learn, though.
"What did Hans tell you?" She asked, cutting the pleasantries.
"...I'm afraid my beloved uncle has perished in battle."
"Do you have a body?"
"No."
"Do you have a witness?"
"...no. But we have sufficient evidence that indicates that he did."
Elsa snickered, "So he's alive then. What did he tell you?"
James did not like this woman. She was snobby and arrogant. This was his military leader they were talking about!
"...black queen to bishop."
Elsa looked down, as if he had placed a very large burden on her shoulders.
"...very well. Call Josepp and Joran. Tell them that... the hunt is on," Elsa took a breath, "And that... I will be grieving for my husband."
It almost sounded like she really thought he was dead. But... Hans was alive, right?