Chapter 2.
The sun rose from the east as the american fleet made its way to land.
"Land ho!" A sailor called as mountains became visible in the distance. Everyone on the ships prepared for port while General Grant groomed himself for his audience with the Queen. He dressed in his military attire and washed his hair. He neatly trimmed and groomed his facial hair and placed a mint leaf in his mouth to rid his breath of tobacco. He was craving for another cigar but he knew he could not meet a queen while smoking.
"Is the shore party ready?" Grant asked the second mate.
"Yes sir, they are on the Bunker Hill and awaiting your orders." The second mate responded as the ships entered Arendelle's port. Grant was impressed with the city. The way the castle was practically on the water and the way the surrounding city was built into the mountains was very beautiful. On the Bunker Hill, Grant's shore party prepared to go on land.
"Alright boys, lets try not to start another war." Elijah said buttoning up his uniform.
"Do we still gotta bow? We are a free country." A soldier yelled.
"Who the hell knows, just do what the general does." Elijah said walking over to Marcus.
"You ready Marc?" Elijah asked as Marcus tied his boots.
"Yeah, I just hope we get this over with soon." Marcus said. On the shore, Arendelle dock workers directed the ships to the docks. One by one the american ships docked. General Grant stepped off of the ironclad and onto the dock where he was met by General Johanssen, the general of Arendelle's army.
"General Grant, welcome to Arendelle." Johanssen said holding out his hand.
"Pleasure is all mine." Grant said taking the mans hand and shaking it. "President Johnson sends his regards."
"President Johnson? I am confused." The general said.
"President Lincoln was assassinated a few days ago." General Grant said. "Damned crazed man killed him."
"We are sorry to hear that, President Lincoln was a great man." Johanssen said.
"He belongs to the ages now." Grant said. "May I speak with the queen now?"
"Of course! Right his way." Johanssen said as Grant's shore party disembarked the ships. It consisted of five mean. Captain Peggy, Elijah, Marcus, and two Marines named Jonah Smith and Obidiah Jones. The five men were escorted by a squad of Arendelle soldiers towards the castle. The americans heard people whispering about them. It was mostly positive things but some were rather negative.
"Damned little rats." Elijah thought as he heard a citizen bad mouth Lincoln. The five came up to the castle entrance where many guards stood with swords and muskets.
"Your weapons please." A guard said. Grant raised an eyebrow but didn't want to cause any trouble.
"Hand em over boys." Grant said pulling out his pistol and sword.
"Damn." Eli said as he placed his sword and dagger on the table. Everyone was ready to go with the exception of Peggy who was still pulling out weapons from seemingly nowhere.
"Good Lord Captain." Grant said as Peggy pulled out dual pistols from his overcoat and placed it with the two swords and several daggers he had already put out.
"Never hurts to be prepared sir." Peggy said as he slammed his last dagger down on the table. The Arendelle guards stood shocked at how armed this man was. They began to walk forward but were stopped once again.
"Pardon me but-" A guard said pointing at Peggy's hook hand.
"Not me damned hook!" Peggy said insulted.
"Just do it Captain." Grant said.
"There will be hell to pay if this gets damaged." Peggy threatened unscrewing his claw hand and placing it on the table. Once all weapons were placed on the table the five were allowed to continue on. The five americans looked throughout the castle and admired its interior decorating.
"Not bad." Obidiah said.
"Eh White House is still better." Jonas said looking at the painting. They were escorted to a large elegant door which Grant assumed to be the court.
"Just a minute while we get the royal sisters." Johanssen said as he entered the doors. Grant turned around to face his men.
"Alright boys, this is a queen and princess we are going to be talking to. You are to be on your best behavior. No cussing, spitting, belching, or yelling am I clear?" Grant said.
"Yes sir." The four men said.
"Good, lets get this over with." Grant said.
Elsa and Anna had been grooming themselves for the past hour in order to meet with General Grant. Anna finished braiding her hair when Elsa walked in wearing her black coronation dress.
"No ice dress?" Anna asked.
"The americans do not know of my powers, I would prefer to keep it that way." Elsa said. "You look beautiful."
"You look beautifuller." Anna said laughing.
"I mean it though, no mention of my powers." Elsa said.
"But I thought you were past this, past being afraid." Anna whined.
"I am not afraid of my powers, I just do not want the americans to be frightened." Elsa said.
"I wonder if they are cute." Anna said.
"Anna!" Elsa said. "You already have a man."
"What? I can still look, beside you might find yourself a guy." Anna said with a coy smile.
"Thats the last thing I need right now." Elsa said. "Come on, it is time." Elsa and Anna walked out their room and towards the royal court. Elsa and Anna took their respective seats in the middle of the room. Although Elsa was queen and had the final say in any decision, Anna was able to voice what she thought on the manner being the princess.
"General Ulysses S Grant, General of the Union Army." A servant said as the doors opened and in walked Grant and his men.
"Welcome General Grant." Elsa said in a regal tone.
"Your highnesses." Grant said debating whether or not he should bow. It would be disrespectful not to but if he did it would go against everything he believed in. He instead shot up a salute as a gesture of respect. The other four followed suit.
"Please have a seat." Elsa said pointing to an open chair.
"Wait outside while I discuss things boys." Grant said as the other four left the room. Grant than turned his attention to Elsa. "As you know my country has been engaged in a civil war for the last five years. The war is over but the entire southern United States has been destroyed and nearly a whole generation of young men killed or crippled. We are eager to start rebuilding but we are short on supplies due to the war. We are willing to open up a trade."
"What is it you need and what do you offer?" Elsa asked.
"We require lumber and iron we can offer you in exchange cotton and tobacco." Grant said. Elsa thought about it. Cotton plants could not grow in Arendelle's cold climate and their was many trees that could be harvested. Elsa herself was not a tobacco user but cigars and pipes were popular across the kingdom.
"Anna what do you think?" Elsa asked.
"Having cotton would be nice, I'm sure many of the elder men would enjoy the tobacco." Anna said.
"If we are to do this would we also be allies as well?" Elsa asked.
"I'm afraid I'd need confirmation from President Johnson for that your highness." Grant said. "I would hope so, it would be nice having a European ally."
"President Johnson?" Anna asked.
"President Lincoln was killed three days ago, President Johnson has assumed office." Grant said.
"Tis a terrible loss, I would have liked to meet him." Elsa said. "I will consult with my advisers and get back to you on the trade set up."
"Thank you Your majesty." Grant said.
Outside the courtroom, the four americans bickered amongst themselves trying not to offend the Arendelli.
"Told ya she was a beauty." Eli said.
"Shut it ye little rat!" Peggy said whacking Eli with his hand. Eli let out a cry of pain as he rubbed the back of his head earning a chuckle from everyone else.
"I'm starvin!" Jonas said.
"Yeah, what do norweigans eat anyway?" Obidiah asked earning a hit from Peggy.
"The cod is a popular hit sir." General Johanssen suggested.
"Well anythings better than the stuff they served in the army." Marcus said referring to the nasty hard bread he ate for the past year.
"Might I ask about the iron ship you have in the port?" Johanssen asked.
"The Monitor II?" Peggy said. "She's the future of naval warfare, iron plating makes it much harder to sink and steam propulsion makes it much more efficient than relying on the winds which can be unpredictable at most times."
"Amazing." Johanssen said. "I have been pressing the court for years now to fund and construct ironclads but they claim it is a waste of money and resources."
"Fools be the lot of em." Peggy said. Back in the court room, Grant tapped his foot while he waited for Elsa and Anna to return. He heard the door open and snapped his attention towards the incoming queen.
"General Grant, we have decided to trade with the United States. We shall send our first shipment tomorrow night." Elsa said.
"Excellent, I shall send word back to Washington." Grant said.
"General, this is the first time we have had americans visit, we have decided to have a ball to welcome you and honor our new agreement." Elsa said smiling.
"A ball huh?" Grant said. "What about all my boys waiting on the ships?"
"You are all invited." Anna said giggling.
"Oh boy." Grant said. "Allow me to apologize in advance then."
"What do you mean?" Elsa asked.
"Ships full of sailors and rum for a two week voyage." Grant said.
"I see." Elsa said holding back a laugh. "Don't worry about it."
"Very well then, what time is this ball?" Grant asked.
"Half past five." Elsa said.
"I shall see you then." Grant said as he turned and left.
"He seemed very polite." Anna said.
"Yes, he is a nice man." Elsa agreed. Once Grant walked out he was jumped by his men asking questions.
"Did she agree sir?"
"How did it go?"
"Was this trip for nothing sir?"
"Where is your damned military bearing?" Grant snarled as the soldiers snapped to attention. "She agreed and we have been invited to a ball tonight."
"A ball sir?" Peggy asked.
"Yes, it starts in five hours. Get back to ship and inform them men." Grant ordered as he turned away.
"Where will ye be sir if ye don't mind me askin?" Peggy asked.
"I" Grant said pulling out a cigar. "Am going to have a smoke."
Elsa and Anna returned to their room where a small snowman came to great them.
"Elsa! Anna!" He yelled as he ran to hug them. "It seems like only two hours ago I was with you."
"Oh Olaf." Anna said giggling. The snowman never failed to put a smile on her face. Elsa walked over to her mirror and took off her crown and took out her braid unleashing her blonde hair.
"Alright Anna don't come up to me with General Grant tonight asking if you can marry him." Elsa teased.
"Hey!" Anna pouted. "That was like a year ago! Give me a break."
"Just teasin." Elsa giggled.
"Tell you what, I won't do that if you don't freeze Arendelle." Anna responded.
"Touche." Elsa said admitting defeat in their argument.
"Get up ye lazy dogs!" Peggy yelled at the hungover sailors aboard the ships. They all groaned upon hearing the loud noise of his peg legs stomping the floor. "We have a Ball tonight!'
"Ugh just what I need! More rum!" A sailor complained as he grabbed his throbbing head. Eli and Marcus went to their hold and got out of their uniforms to something more casual.
"So what did you think?" Eli asked.
"Of what?" Marcus asked.
"The queen, damn beautiful!" Eli proclaimed. "Just don't scare her off!"
"Go to hell." Marcus said. "She is absolutely gorgeous though, I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful woman."
"Awww you're in love." Eli said batting his eyes earning a laugh from everybody else in the hold.
"I hate you." Marcus said throwing his pillow at Eli.
"This is gonna be a good night!" Eli said chuckling as he took his pillow and smacked Marcus upside the head with it.