An - I do not own frozen or any of its characters belonging to Disney.
Chapter 5 – In the Bleak Mid-Litha
The water in the quay was quiet, still black waters lurking under loud wayward sailors and drunks that littered the walkways of Vibora Bay. The taverns were loud and sat in narrow streets beneath the yellow stone buildings, buildings that towered high enough to block out the sun on searing summer days.
In the more sinister alleys women of the night draped in red sold their time, and men disappeared with them into the dark hours for a day, a night, or forever if one was so unfortunate. Even in the nocturnal hours there was no escaping the unnatural heat of the city.
Across the other side of the harbour the life of the night dimmed, deeper into the capital sat the Escrasa, the Chain House. Laid in a cell with a stone bed and less than a rug for comfort was a tested man. His arms bruised and ached while irons weighed down on raw wrists and a heavy bronze collar hung around his neck. A short beard had begun to grow on his face, shading his cheeks with auburn stubble. With green angry eyes he looked through the bars of his prison.
Anna's first thought was not that it was June the twenty first.
Her first thoughts did not even belong to Elsa. Whom Anna found herself settled in the curve of her neck. She had woken up and found the world was a darker place. All she could see under her heavy eye lids were loose locks of blonde platinum hair framing Elsa's pale rose cheek. All her life that was all she had wanted to have this sight. But she had been besieged by walls, stuck between an iron wrought gate and a shut door.
She swallowed, the fragrance of Elsa filling her senses. Anna watched entranced, taking advantage of one of the few chances she would have to see her sister lay still.
No, Anna's first thoughts were of how she could best shield Elsa.
Anna leaned up and raised her head to get a better view. The Queen's platinum hair was spread beneath her, almost luminous in the small hours. Her fairness in sleep did her true self no justice, Anna thought. Not until she would open her large heavy lidded eyes, only when she smiled with her dusty red lips. She ran a finger through the elder sister's strands of silver.
Anna couldn't get that scent out of her mouth. Yet didn't settle on her tongue either, escaping her. Anna drew in close, biting her lip.
The princess' throat went dry as she kissed Elsa on the cheek, quickly withdrawing. She couldn't help but run her tongue over her lip. The ethereal taste was as fleet as it was indulgent. She brought her brow to meet Elsa's temple, laid, eyes closed for a moment.
I may have completely lost it. She wanted to laugh at herself, but it would only escape her dark and hollow.
As much as she wanted to curl back up to her sister Anna couldn't. Her eyes burned for the short time she spent asleep and she felt a heat inside her stomach caused by the bloodshed the previous night. Careful not to wake the sleeping monarch she slipped out of bed.
A hand gripped Anna and sent cold shiver up her spine.
"Oh-no you don't." A muffled playful voice came from Elsa. The hand pulled her straight back into bed. Anna was suddenly pinned down, a grinning Elsa sat before. "Did – you – think - I'd - forget?" She said as she delighted in attacking Anna's cheeks, her nose and forehead with sweet kisses. Anna went red at the thought of Elsa being awake perhaps a moment ago, or if she had awoken her with that impulsive display of affection.
"I don't know - what you are- ah- talking about." She said in a small voice squirming beneath Elsa trying to get her to stop as she began to prod Anna's ribs with her slender fingers.
"I – think – you – do. There!" Elsa paused smiling broadly and breathless. "Nineteen. Happy birthday Anna." The bright red princess couldn't even glare; instead she just returned to hiding her flushed face in Elsa's neck. She didn't particularly want to believe it; it didn't feel right celebrating her birthday today. Time had moved so fast. She smiled weakly peering over Elsa's shoulder trying to determine if the rain had come to a stop.
"So first, I thought we could lie in bed here for a while and rest, followed by breakfast in bed. So for now you don't need to think about moving."
"But what about-" She was about to protest, last night's incident fresh on her mind.
"Right now that isn't something you need to worry about, we'll take care of it later, but first things first, your birthday present." Elsa held Anna's hand a little tighter knowing the princess would find it difficult to accept when they had slaves in their jail cells, for what could very well end up being high treason.
Elsa brushed Anna's fringe to one side and planted another kiss on her cheek once more calming her down. Anna immediately relaxed with and let herself yawn and sat up with her head propped up by a pillow. Elsa chewed the inside of her cheek excitedly as she fluttered to her desk, pulling out a small lilac box she returned back to Anna.
"Turn around." Elsa said tentatively. Anna did as she was bid and turned her back to her older sister. With one hand Elsa swept her red hair over one shoulder leaving her neck exposed. Anna's heart was pounding with eagerness. She felt the cold kiss of metal encircle her neck momentarily causing her to lose her breath.
"There." Elsa whispered under her breath with a tiny clink.
Anna steadied herself and moved over to the mirror hovering slightly as her hand moved up towards her neck, lightly touching the beautiful piece that sat just beneath the hollow of her throat. It was unlike from anything she owned or seen before. The necklace sat rather modestly, the pale silverwork in asymmetrical rosemaling. The flowers depicted curved elegantly down and across. As she looked closer she could see the faintest imprints of snowflakes on the leaves and petals.
Without warning she rushed back to Elsa, so fast she nearly knocked her off the bed hugging her tightly.
"This.. is too much Elsa."
"It won't ever make up for the birthdays I missed but -"
"Shh, thank you."
"So, guess what we have prepared for your breakfast, I can't give you any clues other than it's your ultimate favourite." Elsa said turning to the edge of the bed.
"Krumkake." Anna whispered, her eyes widening a little at the thought. "Wait you aren't going to be bringing me breakfast are you, we have servants for that."
"Of course, but I want to do it. A big sister should dote on her little sister once in a while shouldn't she?"
"But you're the queen." Anna protested.
"I am glad you noticed Anna. Now I won't be gone long, believe me." The queen reassured her, standing up and hopping down from the bed.
She closed her eyes and smiled into the pillow swelling with happiness only to feel a slight after taste of guilt.
Elsa's smile faltered as she walked, barely able contain it. Her internal body clock had told her dawn was approaching and as she awoke she felt Anna shift beside her. When she felt the pair of lips on her cheek she could have erupted into a snow storm there and then.
She still felt extremely hot, it was strange and uncomfortable and intense all at the same time.
She suddenly slammed a fist into the wall. Shutting down the feeling before it could take root. There was little pain as her hand numbed on its own accord. She stared at the assailed knuckle, feeling lost and confused. Surely there should be more pain. There was no swelling, not even a bruise left its mark. Her hand went straight to her thigh, trying to feel for the place she cut herself yesterday, she gawked confused. She lifted her nightgown to double check. The jagged red cut had turned into a smooth red line.
She took several long breaths regaining composure. She compartmentalised that she would need to leave this for later. There was much to do today, it was Anna's birthday, and then there were the prisoners to deal with.
Gods why did they have to pick last night? It could have been any other night. It had been on her mind much of the previous evening, even when Anna came in with cake, her little ray of hope in the darkness. It couldn't have been coincidence she thought. She emptied herself of those thoughts, making it impossible for the stresses to get under her skin and made her way to the already busy kitchen.
Anna beamed once more as Elsa returned to her room with a wooden breakfast tray, there were two china cups filled with tea and a large plate piled with krumkake, with fillings of chocolate and cream, all dusted with icing sugar.
Anna could swear she had forgotten all her worries after just one bite. She didn't know how she had survived all those years without Elsa. When they finished they sat peacefully Anna propped herself up on Elsa's shoulder. With one hand the queen ran her fingers through Anna's hair tenderly.
Elsa wondered idly when Olaf would appear, which meant that Sigmund hadn't left the city yet. Sure enough not long after the sun had risen she could see a small bird flapping its wings as fast as it could to reach her. He nearly crashed into the bed post as he landed, spinning into the Queen's lap.
"What the-!" Anna nearly jumped back rather startled.
"Hey Anna!" Olaf waved his little wing.
"Wh- Olaf? Hey, wait. When did this happen to you?" She said looking from Olaf to Elsa, who she tried to smile innocently.
"Oh yeah - I'm a bird now, kind of new -kind of new. It's been thrilling, really, I would definitely recommend you try it sometime. Elsa, good morning you look a lot better today." Olaf said cheerfully.
"Thank you. Olaf." Elsa said, unsure by what he meant by that. Anna looked at Elsa rather dumbfounded. Elsa did her best not to laugh at her expression. "I may have done this last night – When I sent him on a little mission for us." The queen said passively.
Anna began to piece together all the things Elsa did last night, like asking Gerda to find Olaf and send him to her study.
"Which involved turning him into a snow-bird?"
"Well, yes." Elsa said unsure how to explain this to Anna. She had been blindsided by the 'distraction' the princess gave her last night she had forgotten Anna didn't know about her little plan.
"Okay first, kind of cool. Second, what mission exactly?" Anna asked.
"I sent Olaf to look ahead for the other company and brother Sigmund. Sorry it was late-"
Anna took a breath and nodded "No, no its fine I'm not mad, just confused that's all." It all made sense now. How Elsa didn't want to go straight after the second group of men that had been hired, she wanted to catch Sigmund.
"Olaf, tell me what you found out." Elsa said encouragingly.
"So the ugly guy in red and brown robes that you wanted, he didn't show. The other men that you were talking about though, they were. I managed to over hear them. Elsa, I'm telling you they did not seem like good guys."
"No they aren't, they are a part of a group that – don't want me around anymore." She wasn't sure how much Olaf would be able to grasp.
"Then you should know that they plan on returning to somewhere called Belgen and take a ship south back to nova-somewhere if your guy doesn't show up by tonight."
Elsa thought for a moment. "This is good, this can work well for us." She waved her hand casting small flakes of snow to swirl around Olaf.
The little snowy bird hovered for a second before turning back into the snowman he had been before.
"Elsa? Will you ever need me like that again? If that is something you could make happen." Olaf asked in a shy manner. "If you don't that's okay, I just thought I could be more useful to you." Elsa pondered it for a moment. Her thoughts fell to the desk draw she had placed out of mind for so long, the book her father left her sat forgotten.
"I will see what I can do; you do make a very good robin." She smiled. "For now if you could find Willem, you know our captain of the guard. He should be in his office or in his quarters in the barracks. You tell him everything you saw and heard last night. Tell him to expect to be called later this morning."
The two sisters watched as he happily hopped out of the bedroom.
"You know I'm not going to let you handle all that on your own right? I'm coming with you."
"Anna you sh-" Elsa began but Anna silenced her placing a hand over her mouth.
"Not going to happen Elsa, I know we have this whole ordeal hanging above our heads. We're going to have a small council meeting and we're going to figure this out, then we can celebrate my birthday. I'm nineteen now; I should take my responsibilities to the kingdom just as seriously as you do." Elsa still looked unsure much to Anna's dismay. "Let me help, let me be your right hand." Anna pressed on, recalling the promise they made when they were children.
"Fine okay, okay you win - Princess Anna, right hand of the Queen."
"I like that title. Has a very righteous ring to it." Anna grinned
"You know if you are going to do this, you're going to have to do it right. It'll be you're job to watch my back, so you'll need to learn how to defend yourself properly, after last night I have no doubt it'll get even rough in parts." Elsa said seriously. It had taken most of her sanity not to fall apart the previous night for her miscalculation, which nearly placed Anna in danger.
"I know how to fight." Anna protested.
"You can't just be proficient anymore Anna, I watched you when you used to practice, and I'm willing to bet you are a bit rusty. For now you can practice with Bjorn, but you'll need a real teacher, I'll spare no expense if it means having the best." Elsa weighed the options in her head, the likely hood of a spy or an assassin worming their way into the court felt like a very real possibility if they started hiring new staff, although that could just be an overbearing sense of paranoia, Anna's safety would always be her first priority.
She could always ask Eugene if there was anyone in his court, there was no way she could just advertise for one, unless she belied the purpose. Then again there would have to be a screening process and patents of recommendation to which there could be bypasses and forgeries, which would be too much work. Elsa in her head decided the best course of action to find Anna a suitable teacher would have to be done with a little subterfuge.
Gods, Eugene was right about me.
"Hello, earth to Elsa. Snap out of it or we might as well stay in bed all day." Anna waved a hand in front of the queen's face getting her attention.
"Can't we?" Elsa asked looking at the clock on her dressing table. She love nothing more than to lose herself beneath the bed sheets.
"Nope, the sooner we take care of matters the sooner we can get back to my birthday." Anna smiled widely
Elsa reluctantly agreed of course remaining in bed was extremely tempting, but there were still preparations in order.
Anna returned to her room and the two got dressed in their usual manner, Elsa first and effortlessly, who proceeded to unknot Anna's hair after she had fitted herself into her dress.
"Ready?" Anna asked as Elsa tied her hair behind her back with an emerald ribbon.
"Afterward the rest of the day is yours. I promise"
Duty to the crown.
Above all else those had been Willem's father Njoren's last words.
He had only just turned twenty and joined the ranks of the prestigious palace guard at the time, a rarity because of the secrecy surrounding princess Elsa. His grey haired grim father looked on with pride. The hedge knight who became the master at arms; he trained all the knights and lords even King Adgar himself, whose own father had given Njoren a home.
Duty to the crown.
That was five years ago, on the day his older brother Olsen fled the city.
He looked to the sword that sat beside his desk, the last remaining heirloom of his house. While they were not highborn his father was honoured accordingly to his position in court.
His eyes once more fell onto the notes he had made while listening to the peculiar little snowman. He didn't question what he was, a familiar of some sort. He knew very little of sorcery and witchcraft but the little fellow was good hearted and trustworthy, so Willem listened to the intelligence he provided diligently, incorporated and correlated it with his report.
Brother Sigmund as it happened was a low ranking brother of the church, though that did not mean he was acting on orders but that was not in any of their prisoner's knowledge. The men were all Novarian, the captain and another were overseers; the other eight men were slaves. The other half of company was the same, two overseers and eight slaves.
Purchased in Novasar by a benefactor they immediately took ship to Arendelle. They were briefed on their mission during their journey north which was where they met Sigmund and told that the queen was a witch and not to be engaged alone. If Sigmund was to disappear they were to wait for his return at the arranged inn and failing that travel to Belgen for a ship back to Novasar under the assumption he had been captured or killed.
It was enough to turn Willem's thoughts to crossing seas for the benefactor; it seemed the perpetrators grew more elusive the further down the thread.
The terms of their transaction were that as soon as their contract in removing the queen had been completed, they and their families would be freed from slavery with a severance, while the overseers would receive lands and a title. Which meant the benefactor had to have such powers.
Willem couldn't help shake the feeling that the poor souls had been conned, if you were going to kill a queen you hire professionals. He had it written in his report. These men though slaves were only gladium in training. They had not seen the inside of an arena much less a battle ground, better suited to be farm hands than would be assassins. If the queen wasn't bothered about taking them alive, ten men would be helpless against her, twenty would be useless, maybe by the hundreds. His father had taught him life was an all too frail a thing, often harder to preserve than to take.
They never stood a chance. It was almost a waste of their time; the guard captain knew Queen Elsa would know this. She was studious, humble and wise with just principles. Virtues he greatly admired and thought all rulers should have. He saw much of King Adgar in her, he was no love stricken puppy, but during her short rule he saw everything a queen should be in Queen Elsa and so he respected her as such.
When she dismissed the previous guard captain, his superior, and lined up the remaining guards with any rank; he expected to be discharged for his failings to the crown or executed, within her very first days of taking the throne. Willem distinctly remembered the way the man next to him shook nervously, because he had been up on the north mountain and had helped put her in chains. They all failed her, they deserved nothing less, and with her power they were right to be afraid.
But instead the strangest occurrence came to happen. She apologised to them. Standing tall and beautiful she asked that if they could forgive her putting the kingdom at such great peril and making them forsake their vows, then she could forgive those that had broken them. It was a second chance for a second chance. The Queen proceeded to ask whom she could count on for steadfast loyalty no matter the circumstance, that they would serve and protect her line without question or hesitation.
With his father's words in his ears Willem was the first to step forward and knelt without even a second thought, before even the great vice-captain Asbjorn Lodvig. Willem held onto the memory of her looking over him, recognising him as the son Njoren and asking him to be the captain of her guard.
He accepted, though albeit reluctantly.
Willem saw the door to his office swing open. "Prince Eugene." Willem said with a bow of his head.
"How are the quests?"
"Alive, sleeping for now, the physician visited earlier to check their wounds." Willem admitted adversely.
"Well you really know how to make them talk." The prince commented.
Eugene's voice held no censure, but it remained dry. Willem couldn't tell what was more condemning.
The interrogation
Prince Eugene appeared the previous night upon a request from the queen to act as translator during the questioning. Willem was happy for the assistance, even if it came from the unlikely Prince.
The guard captain was aware he had not come from noble blood either. They were of similar age yet Eugene had submitted himself to a life of crime and seemed to have come out more distrusting than Willem. The captain understood perfectly though, distrust is the only defence against betrayal.
"I don't recall you making any protests at the time your majesty."
The slaves opened up easily enough, the slavers were a little tougher to crack.
"Well, it was only a couple of missing fingernails and broken bones, they'll grow back." Eugene said lightly, he was sure the overseers had committed far worse atrocities to their charges. "The queen has calling a small council meeting. She asked you bring your report and anything think may prove useful."
"I see, very well." Willem gathered the documents and rolled them into a scroll.
Upon their arrival Prince Eugene took the seat next to Rapunzel left of the head of table. Anna stood behind her place on the right leaving the gap at the centre open for Willem. At the other side of the table sat Admiral Hartløv Redgar and Lord Chancellor Mikken Einride. Willem was familiar with Admiral Redgar, master of Arendel's armed and merchant navy. Known as a seasoned military commander he was one of the few men in Arendel who had experienced real battle.
Lord Mikken however remained an unknown. He was the man who sat as the head of the Hall of Lords. He gave the impression he was a quiet and careful man.
"Princess, many happy returns." Willem bowed to the princess. "Ser Bjorn and I have a gift prepared for you. Although at the present time it is not the place for such things but I hope it pleases your grace."
"That's too kind, thank you Willem, so will I be seeing Bjorn today? It doesn't really feel like my birthday until I have a dead arm and three cracked ribs. Not that I want broken ribs but you can't have a bone crushing hug from Bjorn without breaking something, which is all fine until-" She paused trying to build a dam in her mouth the stop the flood of excited words pour out of her. Rapunzel snickered lightly in response. Anna looked around the table at the amused face Eugene, the Admiral and Chancellor however confused didn't seem to mind.
"I am sure he will make an appearance, he wouldn't miss your birthday for the world." Willem gave one of his rare smiles with the briefest of flashed of teeth at the princess.
"So… can I guess what it is?" She asked with large not-so-innocent eyes.
The captain had little to smile for so this was an uncommon occurrence, but Anna's cheer was inescapable. Willem found it oddly refreshing.
Elsa was already annoyed she was late to her own council meeting. Fortunately it was only a small and intimate attendance but the principle remained. She knew the morning was going to be painful with all the planning, along with an emergency council in regards to her attack on top before being able to enjoy the afternoon. So she let Anna greet and escort the lords to the council chambers while she secretly made arrangements with her staff. Right then outside in the courtyard there were twenty tables, six large cakes and they were short on chairs.
"The Prince and the guard captain have just arrived. As for the wine for tonight we have thirty casks as requested which should be more than enough, so at least there will be some ready in waiting should the need arise. Helga informs me she will have decorations finished by three." Kai spoke quickly as he paced to keep up with the queen, careful not to step on tails of her teal dress.
"Allow the guests to enter as soon as the bells toll for eight o'clock."
"Yes your grace."
"Thank you Kai, that will be all for now." Her steward continued as she turned open the doors for the council room.
She found everyone already seated and ready. She entered brusquely. "Forgive my lateness my lords and ladies, shall we begin?" They all nodded as she sat down. "As some of you are now aware, last night there was attack on the crown last night in public. Needless to say perpetrators failed miserably. Willem would you pass Anna your report."
Willem did so, sliding the sheets of rolled up parchment to the princess.
"Anna if you would."
Anna read the documents trying not to stammer over her words, recounting the events of the attack. Elsa noticed how Admiral Redgar scowled and his fists clenched a little at the words Brother Sigmund had used to describe Elsa.
"To conclude, it is apparent that the slaves formerly belonged to a slave house that works as an interim between owners. The particular house was that of a governor Lovrenco's private school for scouting slaves to become bodyguards, gladiators and soldiers." Anna continued to read passed the events and relayed the additional information Willem had accumulated.
Elsa was more than please with the information they had acquired being more than she needed or expected.
"Fodder taken from a school for slaves, a cowardly move." the Chancellor said, his face remaining expressionless.
"These places tend to be rough; you can imagine the escapists and runaways that are sent there if the masters think they still have use. It is where they are 're-educated'." Eugene answered with the faint, repulsive taste of bile at the base of his tongue.
"We will be investigating this matter further, however the delicacy of this matter is the reason why the Hall of the Lords will only know half of this story and in return they will want all assailants hung. However I do not believe that to be the best course of action." Elsa was pleased that no one argued with her on this. "The slaves will be quietly rehoused and freed, we will find them suitable work and in time, we will work to recover their families; Even if we have to buy their freedom ourselves."
If the issue wasn't so grave Elsa may have enjoyed seeing the mouth of Lord Mikken twitch before he sighed.
"My queen, this isn't something you can just turn your cheek to. If proper punishments aren't carried out anyone will think they can make an attempt on your life and face only a small reprimand." The chancellor said, Elsa knew this was not out of cruelty but necessity, he simply knew most lords would never agree to such a thing.
Prince Hans had been a different matter, as a royal he had to be given to his father for judgement, or face the possibility of retaliation.
"It will prove I am not without mercy. However I understand your concerns Lord Einride. This is why when I next hold court I will be sentencing the overseers to be hung. It will not be a public execution, only the court will be in attendance. I'll also have the second company's overseers arrested. Who can join them for being conspirators." Elsa did not like the idea of sentencing to men to death; no matter how vile they were, if only to appease the court's idea of justice. She saw the importance of an outstretched offering hand, but sometimes the hand needed to form a fist. "This matters little to the purpose of this session, now we have more information we can begin to decide how to proceed in this investigation."
"We obviously start with this governor's slave house." Admiral Redgar said. "I can provide a ship for voyage and a crew that is familiar with Novasar, and then we can think of how the governor can provide us with the information on this benefactor."
"Getting any information out of the governor will be difficult, and lawfully impossible, they keep their trading's very private, as proven criminal dealings tend go hand in hand with slavery." Eugene said frankly. "I never had many dealings with Slavers if I could help it, but if it's a governor it could take a bribe or it could take a blackhand. "
"I'm still confused on that, what is a blackhand exactly?" Anna asked remembering Eugene refer to himself as a blackhand the previous night.
"It's a thief whose skills are infamous enough to be sought after by contractors after valuable possessions or information." Rapunzel answered giving Eugene a disapproving a look as if was about to announce he was back in business and headed for Novasar that second. "Like my dear husband here." She said wryly.
Lord Mikken's face turned very sour.
"That was until someone made an honest man out of me." Eugene muttered in protest causing Elsa and Anna to share a glance and stifle their laughter.
"Honest? You're work in progress and let's leave it at that, shall we?" the Princess jibed with a crooked smile.
"So how are we going to do this? We have a means of getting to Novasar, do we have spies? Governor Lovrenco should be watched, at least for now. " Anna began to speak.
Elsa gave a gentle smile "We have eyes and ears in places, but no one for this kind of work. Let me make this clear as I will only say this once, we will tread with precision and care. That means we will not be rushing into Novasar looking for answers immediately." Elsa said in a hard voice.
"Our first priority should be the capture brother Sigmund, to see what he knows first." Anna said quietly.
"Princess has a point; this could very well be a test or a trap. I would not be surprised if there were plans within plans at work here." Eugene stroked the stubble of his beard.
"I'm glad we're in agreement, Eugene you said you had contacts we could use, do you have anyone in mind?" Elsa continued.
"I do." He said thoughtfully.
"Very well, we will save that until we have a solid plan, for now. I trust with the nature of this work we will not have to reveal ourselves or motives."
"That won't be a problem." Lord Mikken answered softly.
"That is all we need. Good. This will be all for now, it should go without saying we do not speak a word of this to anyone outside this room."
Elsa looked around at the faces surrounding her.
She was not accustomed to the feeling of trust; it was such a fragile sentiment. She did not have years before her to build such relations. She believed in Anna with everything, whereas Eugene and Rapunzel were putting themselves and Corona at great risk.
Lord Chancellor Mikken, cool and sharp witted, and Admiral Redgar were the late Kings most steadfast friends. Having dedicated their lives to the crown and its legacy, just as Willem had sworn to do. The Queen hoped that would be enough.
Her father had told her to be wary about bearing too many secrets. In all his wisdom, he taught her that when you had few friends it was sometimes best to rely on instinct and intellect, and to trust in that. She hoped he was right about that at least.
For all her coldness she was a tower fire and she knew it.