Chapter Four: Love Is A Battlefield
The talk of the ball was the Archduke's departure.
Elsa knew she had to keep her composure, and she did, but it would have been nice to be able to get away from the conversation. The worst part of having balls thrown in your honor is that, in one way or another, everything said reflects on you.
". . . I heard he was offended by the food. I don't blame him."
"It's not that he was offended personally, but he's already reaching so far down the ladder. . ."
". . . practically marrying into poverty. It wouldn't be fitting of his status. . ."
"I mean I understand times are hard, but that doesn't mean we should suffer!"
". . . but like I said, magic's not all that when it comes to money."
"Oakir," Elsa said with more force than she intended. She coughed lightly before continuing, "I'm tiring of dancing. Could we step out to the grounds for some air?"
"Of course, Your Highness."
"Oh, please, call me Elsa."
The Throne Room was open to the night air and the courtyard, and once outside the oppressive noise died down. The Snow Queen smelled the tang of sea on the air and realized she could finally breath freely again. She'd felt daring and dressed in her ice dress this time, instead of another ball gown. And a good thing too, the atmosphere was more than constricting enough, adding a corset would have killed her. Literally.
"Elsa, I'm sorry."
"What? Why, Oakir?"
He scratched his head. "I couldn't help but overhear what everyone's been saying, and I'm sorry that it happened to you. The whole situation. First with the events after your Coronation, and the hardship is has brought on Arendelle since, and now this thing with Archduke Yolout. . . I guess the best word for it is 'scandal', although 'gossip' is more appropriate."
She felt a twinge and lied, "It's nothing, Oakir. The Archduke can do as he pleases. He probably shouldn't have come to Arendelle in the first place, and now that he's made his move I know that he and I are clearly too different to have worked as. . ." Elsa trailed off so that she didn't have to say it. Truthfully, she had put quite a bit of consideration into who she was going to marry in the bast few days, because it was her duty as Queen to do so. And when the ball opened she made sure that her first dance was with the Archduke, to take another shot with the man who would be best for Arendelle.
It had gone fine. The dancing was a bit awkward because he wasn't great and she wasn't even good, but that part was all pretense anyway. They chatted a bit about diplomacy and themselves, with the Archduke particularly interested in her magic. They had separated at the end of the first song as propriety dictated. She went on to dance with her other suitors, and he went to eat. There was the bare minimum of food to be had, as per Elsa's instructions. From what she could piece together afterward, he had a brief argument with a servant and left.
Gone. Just like that he gave up on his pursuit of her hand in marriage. Captain Kahv had quietly come up to her an hour later to confirm that the Archduke was boarding the ship he had arrived on and heading home.
This Elsa could handle. Just because she forced herself to consider him for the good of Arendelle, that didn't mean she was emotionally invested in him in particular. But the talk, the constant chatter as to why, that started to get to her.
"Elsa, remember when we talked about monks?"
It came out of nowhere because the Queen was lost in her thoughts and the blank canvas of the night sky, but the Prince's words broke Elsa out of her reverie. "Yes, why?"
"Well. . . I don't know, never mind. It's silly."
"No, it's okay. Tell me Oakir." She nudged him lightly, only to fear too late that she might have made him flinch away from her magic hands. If he was perturbed he didn't show it.
"Well, sometimes I wonder how they do it. How do they stay so. . . peaceful all the time? Like, they are people, and I'm a person, so if I could just do things the way they do them I could settle my mind to the point where nothing could aggravate or provoke me. It's like always being at peace. Do you know what I'm talking about?"
"Yes," Elsa said truthfully. "Yes I do."
"Do you have any ideas how to do that?"
She smiled ruefully and shook her head. "No, I don't. That's something I've been trying to figure out for a while now." Her magic was on her mind, but she was getting the feeling they weren't on quite the same page and she moved her hands palm-up in explanation.
"Oh," Oakir said. "I asked a priest once. He said it was all about giving yourself to God. He said if I followed the Commandments, confessed the things I had done that went against them, and paid for each of those things I would be at peace with myself and be fit to enter Heaven if I died. But. . . it's not like that. That doesn't stop people from acting rashly or doing bad things, because if it did then people would only need to go through that once. Then they would be in a perfect state of mind and they wouldn't ever do anything bad again, and therefore would never need to confess again before they died."
"Yeah. . . I never really got the whole religion thing," Elsa said. "I spent so much time in books that when the Royal Minister started teaching me about God I thought it was another story. I never really got it ironed out that I was supposed to think of Him as real and all around us until it was too late and I. . . I guess I just didn't."
"You. . . don't believe in God?"
Elsa realized she had said way too much. Could she backtrack? If she smiled, laughed, and said she was kidding could she slip it past this man?
And more importantly, did she want to? Her answer to that came pretty quickly. No, she didn't want to. It might not have been a good idea to venture into this territory, but now that she was here she was going to plant her flag and see if she could make the best of the situation.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you," she said sincerely. "But I do know what you mean when you think about, like, steadfast people. People who are centered, who know themselves and trust that they will take the right action in any given situation. If only I could be like them, I could control my powers. It takes a mental effort for me to be strong like that. . . but it gets easier every time, I've noticed. Now that I'm talking with Anna again, it gets easier."
"Yes! And another thing I remember thinking at the time, I was talking to this priest and I was wondering how he could ever understand. There are certain situations that he had lived that I never would, be at the same time there were similarly situations that I faced that he would never be confronted with. Like, being a priest is an easier route when it comes to being socially strong; it's almost a self-fulfilling prophecy. They can say how it's so easy, and all you need to do is follow God, they don't have family breathing down their neck to mar-"
Prince Oakir stopped dead and a furious blush broke out over his face. Elsa couldn't help but let out a tinkling laugh, but she stopped short so she would not do his ego any lasting damage.
"Okay," he said after a moment. "I'm going to run through that one more time, and try to clear up what I just said. Being a steadfast person, who is. . . I don't know surefooted? We're not literally talking about standing up, but metaphorically surefooted. To be a person like that also has a lot to do with selecting the kinds of situations one allows themselves to get into." He looked Elsa in the eyes. "Specifically, nuns and priests have one less factor in their minds when they go about their day. They don't have to worry about being awkward around members of the opposite sex because they have sworn to never marry. They can only be so steadfast because they have a different life than, say, a Prince or a Queen. . ." he seemed like he was going to trail off, but tacked on a bit more just as Elsa opened her mouth. "They can't possibly empathize with a Prince or a Queen, people who are so often maneuvered into situations where they are expected to be surefooted, but never given any idea of how to be surefooted."
"Oakir. . . that was rather surefooted. Now, as much as I hate to say this, I have to get back to the ball. I have other suitors. As you said, we've been maneuvered into this situation, and the same forces that put us together are going to tear us apart in a moment. But. . . I enjoy our conversations, Oakir. We should talk again sometime. Perhaps tomorrow, for lunch?"
"Y- yes, of course. As, uh, as you wish, Your Highness." He stood, took her hand, and took a bow that elegantly put his lips upon the back of her hand.
They walked back to the party, where Elsa braced herself to endure overhearing the many conversations that were all subtly about her.
"So, what did you say to Captain Herald?"
Another Council meeting was coming to a close, it mostly having been High Chancellor Lady Urdea reporting on the logistics of getting the Castle's food stores to those who needed it. Elsa's suitors had been mentioned but she hadn't felt her lunch with Oakir was worth mentioning, and there was similarly no developments with the potential war brewing with the Southern Isles and Weselton. But Elsa paused from rising out of her seat as Urdea innocuously asked about the City Guard Captain that had been mentioned in the previous council.
"I. . ." Elsa wasn't sure what to say. She was unprepared for the sudden question, and with people like her councilors everything had a reason behind it. What could she be playing at? The rest of the councilors were filing out of the room, and Elsa caught Ser Teon glancing back at them. "Why do you ask, Lady Urdea?" With that she brought up the defense of titles and formality without killing the line of inquiry out of hand.
The High Chancellor smiled. "Your Majesty. I was simply curious as to how you handled him. I thought the treatment of the ranting man was important, and you seemed to share that."
Elsa eyed her, then sat down and gave her what she wanted. "The Captain met with me later that day, after the council meeting. I invited Governor Bisho to be there as well."
"Naturally," Urdea said, sitting as well.
"I asked the Captain about the 'ranting man' down by the docks. He said his guards had shooed him away from the docks, but he'd turned up in the town square, still being a nuisance. Because he didn't back down he was arrested there for speaking treason, and when they detained him he took a swing at the guard. They hit him a few times, but didn't beat him mercilessly. His trial is in a few days. I explained to Captain Herald that if we give the people reason to resent us we will have a revolution on our hands in short order. He. . . rudely asked me what else he was supposed to have done, and I told him that trumped-up, fear-laced charges such as treason will not be accepted in the future. If such situations arise again, he had better handle it with a lighter hand or I will find a new City Guard Captain who knows the value of tact."
"How did Bisho react to that?"
"How do you think? He would jump in the sea if I told him to. I just wanted him there in case the Captain got unruly and claimed that I didn't technically have power over him. Proper channels, and all that."
"Well played."
"Thank you. Now, why do you ask, Lady Urdea?"
The woman sniffed, but she obliged. "Alright, yes yes. There are a few council members who have certain ideas on how this country should be run, and I think they are in line with yours."
Elsa nodded, slight scowl gracing her face. "This is, of course, as opposed to how Ser Teon, General Seth Ra, and Captain Kahv think Arendelle should be run?"
"Now, I wouldn't lump the General in with the rest of them, she gave very good council to your father. She evaded the last war with Kiel. That would have set our country back decades. We might disagree, but I wouldn't count her an enemy."
"But you would have me see Ser Teon and the Captain of my Queensguard as enemies?"
"Yes," Lady Urdea said simply. "I'm not saying difficult decisions will never come to you, but have you noticed they put you into situations where it is either their way or a bad way, instead of counseling all of the potential options as they should? Why are we not instructing the food merchants to give out their stores? Because Ser Teon argues that it would make them angry. This famine could be sowing the seeds of revolution, and Ser Teon councils for the merchants over the serfs that are starving in the streets. He would have us call upon our allies for something we could easily take care of ourselves. And what if Weselton and the Southern Isles declare war? Will Kvenland and Hamburg and the rest heed the call for swords when it comes from a nation that just a month before asked for food?
"Your Majesty, I know that you mislike the idea of your council being divided against itself. I've seen the frustration it brings you. But did I not lead this country for three years in your stead? I know it's not perfect, but these divisions are not personal, as much as they seem to be. They are differences in how we think Arendelle should be ruled. If one group or the other is in power, it affects the entire country's decision making processes."
"I see. So you're saying that even though it would be nice to think of Arendelle as one unified nation, to do so is to ignore the fact that we are many people comprising one idea?"
"Yes. Exactly, Your Majesty."
"And I should embrace one side or the other in this subtle, internal war for dominance?" The High Chancellor winced at that, so she amended, "Specifically, your side."
More cautiously she responded, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Queen Elsa rose. She was going to be late for lunch with Oakir if she didn't hurry. "High Chancellor, I thank you for counseling me. These are the kinds of unwritten rules that I can only learn from experience, and I don't have time to build up that experience myself through trial and error. But I can't make a decision right now. I hope you understand."
"I do indeed, Your Majesty. Good day."
"Good day."
Five minutes later, Elsa was in the dinning hall. She had decided to forgo her ice dress, despite it being the most comfortable and beautiful attire she had. Today she had worn a more traditional dress of the green and purple of Arendelle.
Prince Oakir was already there, sitting along the side of the long table near where Elsa and Anna usually took their meals. It was the dinning room for the royal family and all of the guests being hosted, so there were others there as well. A man from Kvenland and another from Fredrikstad were talking over their simple meal. The delegation from Hamburg was there as well, their suitor Viscount Eric von Hamburg cheerfully playing with his young cousin Otto Leopold.
Everyone rose when she entered, and the bows were interspersed with murmurs of "Your Majesty."
Elsa gave the all a smile and a wave. Then she sat at the head of the table near Oakir.
"You look lovely today, Queen Elsa."
"Thank you Prince Oakir. You look dashing yourself."
Just then one of the servants brought Elsa her meal; a simple but hearty stew, cheese, bread, and wine. And it brought to mind the nature of the meeting. "So, my Prince, how does one handle a famine?"
"Uh, I. . ."
After a few failed attempts at finding his tongue, Elsa decided to be merciful. "It's alright, Oakir. I don't expect you to be able to solve this problem for me in a discussion over lunch. I ask for your thoughts, that's all. Consider it a hypothetical. If you were in Kvenland and there was a harsh winter followed by a drought in summer, what would you do about it?"
"I would immediately ask someone how much food there is and how long it could feed my people for." He gestured to his own plate. "A tactic you've already put into action in your situation."
"Hmmm, not quite. I've distributed food from the castle's larder, yes, but I still may be forced to seize the nation's food stores and ration them out. I have been counseled against that. The situation doesn't seem as dire as that yet." Elsa spoke softly, taking another bite of food when she was done. She was willing to broach these topics with the Prince because she wanted to learn how he handled them, but it would be best not to let her rival countries' dignitaries know of Arendelle's dealings.
"Well yes, it is an extreme measure, and I suppose it therefore should be reserved for only extreme situations. I know there are some who would consider angering the food merchants and the lords as an option to consider before inconveniencing themselves. It is a mindset that I must admit I was beholden to myself at one point, but no longer." He finished off his bread and downed the rest of his wine. "I've got a new respect for the feeling of hunger, and those that are truly its victims. I don't think leaving a plate unfinished will ever sit right with me again."
"What of war? If two or more of Kvenland's rivals were known to be in communication, possibly planning an attack, what would you do?"
Oakir did not fail to notice her hushed tone, and asked, "Elsa, why are we talking about this? It's. . . not as pleasant a conversation as other topics we could be on."
"You are courting me, are you not?"
He blushed. "Yes, Your Majesty. I am."
"Well, you have managed to gain my attention. But I'm not going to consider anyone who would make a bad King. Looking ahead into a hypothetical future, would you be a good king for Arendelle? If I die at the hands of a mob two winters from now, would this country be in good hands?
"Now, Oakir, I'm willing to share with you some of the things that are on my mind because I can see a future where they would be your concerns as well. I want to know how well you can handle these concerns before I've put the lives and wellbeing of my people at risk. There is much more to this courtship business than just getting me to like you, I need to know the kind of man you are."
"I see." The young Prince looked a bit shaken, and for the first time she stopped to consider his age. He was, what? Seventeen? Eighteen?
"Oakir, have you ever been in love before?"
"I. . . I don't know, Elsa."
She smiled at that. "Someday you'll have to explain that. I don't know either, the nervousness I feel around you isn't something I would call love, but rather the sort of girlhood crush I never thought I was capable of. But I've seen it, love. And I've seen people who think they are in it. It's very difficult to tell them apart. Do you know the events of my Coronation?"
"Not in detail, but yes."
"Prince Hans said all the right things to my sister, and before the night was through he had her ready to marry him. He courted her very effectively. What she thought she felt was love. And it was, in a way. On her part it was. But love is not a feeling, it's an understanding between two people." Queen Elsa looked into the Princes eyes as she said it. "Anna and Hans did not have an understanding. He acted exactly as he was supposed to, right up until he tried to kill us and take the Crown for himself."
Oakir felt compelled to fill the silence after that, and said, "My Queen, I assure you that I have no intentions of beguiling you. I- I'm often far to nervous around you to even speak, let alone come up with lies."
"I know. That's why you've taken my interest. You're honest, and you've got ideas on some things that are pleasantly aligned with my own. Being surefooted, for example. It's not possible to always be surefooted, even for a priest or a Queen or a parent or the kind of person who is supposed to always be surefooted. . . we've established all this. But what happens the first time I come to you after a Council meeting, a bit shaken by the strain of my position, a bit unsure of myself? What happens if I let my guard down around you and show you that I'm not steady on my feet?"
"I try to help as best I can," prince Oakir said honestly.
Elsa smiled. "Thank you. Because that's what's happening right now. I just had a council meeting before this lunch, and I realized that my High Chancellor and my Master of Coin have splintered my council along uncertain lines. Lady Urdea mentioned that my views fall closer to hers than Ser Teon's, and I don't know what to do. I am. . . not on stable footing here."
After a moment he said, "Elsa, I think what you need is a rest. You are very good at what you do. That's a problem. A person can't function at such a level forever. You need to take a step back and just relax. Ah," he caught her with a look. "I know you're queen. These are all problems that need to be addressed, that you need to address. I know that's what your situation demands. But Arendelle isn't going to fall apart right this minute. You won't be surefooted until you've taken the time to collect yourself and get your mind off of all this pressure for a moment."
"I- can see some wisdom in this."
"So with that said, you look like you're almost finished with your lunch. Would you like to play a game of chess afterwords?"
"Yes, I would. But I can't, I have a meeting with Lord Teon that he doesn't know about. I'm going to see if he might be a threat to me in the future, and what qualities I should look for in a Master of Coin if the position opens up. It's not something that can be delayed. But I should be free around seven tonight, will that work?"
His look of exasperation turned to an appeased smile. "Certainly."
"Good. And one last thing before we part, Prince Oakir."
"Yes, Queen Elsa?"
"You have earned my trust. Few people know about this trust I have in you, if any. But they will. I was approached today by the High Chancellor, the woman who I thought ran this country before my Coronation, and asked me to ally with her in a ploy against a member of my own Council. This is the world of titles and land and money and power, Oakir. I know you don't intend me harm right now. But there will be times when you could betray me, even accidentally with just a slip of the tongue. Don't. You need to recognize when people are trying to get you alone, when they are needling you for information, and how to not give them what they want. Can you do that for me?"
He looked resolute. "Yes, Elsa. Yes I can."
AN: I've done a lot of research for this story, although to be honest it's just been to satisfy tangents of thought that this story sends me down in the first place. But I bring it up because I slipped in a reference to a very important person in this chapter. Like, real fucking real-life important person. Like, the-world-is-the-way-it-is-today-because-of-this-real-life-very-important-person.
But I won't have it said that I don't value a knowledge of history, nor that I don't reward those who wield it. Guess who and I'll give you a lemon early. ',:j
EDIT: I'm never going to tell who it was publicly. Feel free to keep guessing, and I'll try to stick to my promise of lemons. I may or may not write more lemons anyway, but giving away the answer would be too much of a spoilsport. :P Also holy shit guys did you know the winter that Elsa causes might be a reference to an actual weather event? Look up Year Without A Summer. I reference it in chapter 6 because how could I not? Throws off the timeline a bit though (I thought the canon was 1820's and not 1816, which is important for the hint about the historical reference in this chapter) so I'm going to assert that the events of Frozen take place after the historical Year Without A Summer.
EDIT 2: I accidentally uploaded chapter 3 here instead of this. I am sorry. I'm an idiot.