Chapter 3: Action
Meanwhile in London, the streets dark, empty of life. Preparations are being made by the British for the campaign unlike any other.
Three men enter a vast hall; the walls covered in relics and artwork. As they approached the door on the far end of the hall, they stopped, the lead man turned to face the other two.
"Is everything set Admiral?" enquired the shadowed figure.
"Yes, your majesty." replied the men. "King Hans is on his way back to the Southern Isles; he does not suspect anything."
"Very good, Admiral." The shadowed figure turns around admiring an old Scandinavian art piece of a winter scene. "What of this Ice Queen?"
"Hans wouldn't tell us much about her, only that she used abilities which he describes as unnatural to overthrow him." The Admiral pauses for a brief moment. "I've sent the Devonshire to investigate the area, they should arrive at Arendelle long before any action can be taken from the forces of the Southern Isles."
"What of the gentlemen from weselton?"
"They left with Hans; we saw no further reason to contain them."
The unknown figure moved to another Scandinavian piece in the room, picking it up, admiring its artistic design.
"The destruction this woman caused to my Empire is devastating, yes. However, the destruction she caused to our enemy..." The figure pauses turns to the three men. "Inform your men I want her alive, no harm is to come to the Queen of Arendelle."
"Yes, your majesty." The admiral responded
Informed of their objective, the three men left the hall, what would become of the Queen of Arendelle. What If Hans got to her first? Quick decisive action needed to be taken.
"Lieutenant, send the word to the Captain's of the Lancaster, Endeavour, Interceptor, and Orias. They're to meet me on board the Victory in an hour, tell them we'll be setting sail for the North Sea towards Scandinavia." The Lieutenant nodded and rushed of out of sight.
"Do you think we'll get to this Arendelle in time?" enquired the third man.
"The Devonshire should be making port soon; they'll have to hold the fort until we arrive. Prepare your ship for sail Captain, we leave in six hours." With that, the Captain and Admiral left for the docks.
Would they reach Arendelle before the "King" of the Southern Isles? No one knew. Failure would not be tolerated, a chance to acquire a weapon they could quite literally freeze all opposition to the British Navy, It was an opportunity that would not come around again. The Admiral knew this, for the security of the empire, it would be most rewarding to have this Queen as an ally.
Back in the Kings chambers, the ruler of the British Empire gazes out the window, looking up at the stars.
"An Empire that never sets, the French, the Danish." Grinning the King looks at a portrait of himself. "There will be nothing to stop us; we'll be unstoppable."
Onboard the H.M.S. Victory, the British Admiral was briefing his officers of the situation had would arise the moment they'd arrive at Arendelle.
"You've always been mad Norrington, but this is just Insane." said one of the officers at the table. "Yes, this woman unintentionally helped us defeat the French when she froze the North Sea, but think, what she could do to us if she learnt of our deception. We won't stand a chance."
"Afraid of a woman?" said another officer, mocking his colleague.
"Gentlemen, regardless of our personal feelings, the fleet will set sail for Arendelle. We will meet up with the Devonshire, and we will secure an alliance with this queen that will secure our dominance throughout the globe." The Admiral stated.
Gaining the full attention of his subordinates, not one of them made an attempt to mock him, why would they? If their plan worked, the entire world would fall under British rule they would become wealthier than they could ever imagine.
"Any questions?" Asked the Admiral
An Officer raised his hand; Admiral Norrington turned to him and nodded.
"Sir, what are we to do, regarding that Hans fella the Endurance was transporting back to the Southern Isles?"
"We're going to secure an alliance with Arendelle whatever the costs. Before his departure Hans claimed he would return to his home, gathering any and all forces he could, likewise his associates from Weselton would do the same."
Another officer spoke up. "You think they're going to attack Arendelle?"
"Yes, that is exactly what I think they're going to do."
"What is the status of our forces? Do we have enough to fight two fleets and secure Arendelle?"
"Twenty-six vessels are ready to set sail, six more will be ready by morning and another eleven will set sail the day after tomorrow to our position. We will be ready to deal with whatever threat Weselton and King Hans can throw at us."
"But what if they get their first? The Devonshire will-" The Admiral raises a hand towards the officer, halting his speech.
"The Devonshire is flying with no flags; Captain Boon is simply there to investigate these... rumors."
Confused and angered the Captains all puzzled in thought. "Rumors?" the officers said in near perfect unison.
"We're risking a lot for a few rumors."
"What if it's all a lie?"
"It could be a Danish trap!"
"Gentlemen." Admiral Norrington said calmly.
"We know something froze the North Sea, it is still to be determined if it was indeed this Queen or not." The Admiral glanced out of the Victories windows. "We're the best out here gentlemen; we've beaten the French, the Spanish, the Welsh... If we are indeed being deceived, the Danish will become the next subject of British rule."
The officers in the room nodded in agreement. "Now, report to your ships, when sunlight arises, we'll leave London."
Over. The Captain's of the other vessels left, leaving the Admiral and his executive officer in the room. Approaching Admiral Norrington the officer enquiries over the status of loyalty of those the Admiral had chosen for this assignment.
"Do you think they'll keep the fact we could end up fighting some frozen witch under their belts? The last thing we need is for the men to be terrorized before battle."
Concerned his subordinate had raised one of his concerns; Admiral Norrington dismissed his worry.
"It makes little difference. However, should that become a reality, you have my authorization to do what must be done."
Meanwhile in the North sea, the H.M.S. Devonshire is close to the Scandinavian border, closing in, the senior officers onboard meet to discuss their assignment.
The Captain of the vessel, a middle-aged man, towering over, but one of his officers, sat patiently in his quarters as his officers made their way to his location.
Entering the room, the officer surround a large rectangular oak table. "Gentlemen, take a seat." the Captain ordered the men to take a seat, for they had much to discuss.
"We're near our destination now. Our mission, we are to observe the kingdom of Arendelle."
"Why?"
"There have been reports that the Scandinavian's have... something that could devastate our lands. We're to confirm or deny this claim. Under no circumstances are we to confront this threat directly until Admiral Norrington and the fleet arrives."
"Won't it look suspicious when we disembark? There are 146 souls onboard this ship. Far more than a vessel of this class carries at any one time." asks one of the younger officers.
"Odd, perhaps, but as far as the citizens of Arendelle are concerned, we're traders." responded the Captain.
"Traders? What will we trade? The Devonshire is a military ship." asked the officer, this time slightly nervous.
"The Devonshire was loaded up with Tea and other luxury goods before we left London, we'll part with that, you and Essex will deal with the trade issues once we arrive. I, Williams and James will explore the land of Arendelle."
The Officers acknowledge their orders.
"Dismissed."
Ending their briefing, the officers depart the Captain's cabin, heading back to their stations. The Captain, locking the door behind them, removes an envelope from his desk draw, his personal orders from the King were inside.
Lost in thought, staring at the envelope, the Captain broke the royal seal. Removing a piece of paper from the letter, reading the message, the Captain sighed, crunching the envelope in his right hand.
The Kings orders we're short, six words in fact.
"Win her over, whatever the cost."
Win her over? How? Captain Boon sat at his desk, still lost in thought. How would he win over the Queen of Arendelle?
Sitting in complete silence Boon could hear a man shouting on deck.
"Arendelle insights, sir!"
The Devonshire has arrived at Arendelle.