It was nothing short of clear that the incident that night had inflicted serious damage upon the reputation of the Arendelle royal guard. The next day Queen Rosemary had dismissed almost half their guards, believing that the castle needed more protection than ever before. The attempted murder of Princess Rapunzel of Arendelle had greatly shocked the kingdom, who as well as the Queen decidedly blamed the break-in on 'faulty security.' It had been made clear that the guards had failed their mission: to protect the lives of the kingdom and the royal family.
The new replacements were more keen-eyed and had sharper hearing, appointed by a desperate Rosemary. However, they had their own flaws: the slightest of noises got them all worked up. Once the sound of tiny scampering caused the guards to point their spears at what turned out to be a little grey mouse trying to find its way home.
"At least they're more alert than those oafs we had," said Rosemary.
-o0o-
Late June, 1917
"It's a shame there's still a war going on," Anna sighed despondently, her face slipping gradually from her hand, which was meant to keep it aloft. "My sixteenth birthday was dreadful. There was no dancing, no ball parties, not even a gown for me to wear. At least I get to wear my hair up," and she reached to touch her hair, now wrapped around the top of her head with a variety of green ribbons. "What did your dress look like, Punz?"
"Complaining won't get you anywhere, Anna," Rapunzel said, somewhat coldly. "If it did, you would get a scolding." Anna ignored her and slumped against the seat. A foul mood began to wash over her body. Elsa and Rapunzel exchanged glances. Anna had been acting funny since they'd boarded a ship from Arendelle to Maydon and took a private train from there.
Outside, the whistle wailed, and a long grey cloud of smoke trailed from the front of the train they were in. The carriages were coated in blue and gold paint, while inside each compartment two sets of cushioned seats were stationed, facing each other with a few pillows - emblazoned with the Arendelle crest - stuffed in the corner. A few carriages ahead, there was a grand dining room that was just as nicely furnished as the one back at the palace. The carriage behind was a particular favourite of the girls', because it was where the film projector resided.
They called the compartment their 'little cinema.' Since they'd never gone to a real-life cinema even once in their lives (their mother preferred going to the opera), Agdar had agreed to install a particularly expensive projecter, where it played some of America's finest silent films on an empty square on the wall. There were even two red velvet curtains either side, so the girls could draw them closed and pretend they were going to the cinema.
Anna trudged off grumpily to the cinema compartment and inserted a film reel into the projector. A bright light pooled over the 'screen,' the room now dimly lit, and revealed several black and white images of people moving, making exaggerated expressions and gestures (Anna thought it made them look rather silly) and several title cards explained what was going on as the film went on.
"Can I come in?" A timid voice whispered halfway through. It was Gerda.
Anna thought for a solid minute before saying, "Fine."
"I like this one," said Gerda as she settled herself into one of the cushion seats on the floor. "It's the one with the funny French mime and his rogue poodle."
"It's not that funny," Anna muttered, but she couldn't help but stifle a giggle when the mime on the screen slipped on a banana peel while trying to chase after his dog.
Gerda cocked her head while studying Anna's expressionless face, which was set in stone. "You seem troubled a lot lately. Is there anything wrong?"
Anna didn't know what to say. Would it be worse if she said yes or no?
"Come on, you can tell me. I'm your sister." Gerda's hurt expression was what forced the words out of Anna's throat.
"I'm worried about Hans."
"For God's sake, you can't have had to mention Hans again," Gerda groaned. "How many times already have you said something about him on the four hours we've been on this train?"
"I care about him, thank you very much," Anna replied, glaring at her sister with a stare that could potentially trigger death. "He's my-"
"Boyfriend?"
"Excuse me, but when have I ever told you specifically that he was my boyfriend?"
Gerda froze. She'd never told anyone, not even Rapunzel, that she had read Anna's diary. It was a terrible giveaway, and she instantly regretted it the moment the word fell out of her mouth. Anna peered at her, suspicion dawning on her face.
It was Gerda's greatest fortune that Elsa had come walking in that moment, announcing supper. She swooped under the crown princess's arm leaning against the doorway and managed to escape an unwanted quarrel before it came.
-o0o-
"Girls, we're nearly there," Rosemary pointed out after she had gone to consult the train driver. Elsa and Rapunzel glanced up from their afternoon tea, which consisted of simple plain biscuits pasted over with white icing, and a cup of English tea.
"The soldiers' headquarters?" Rapunzel asked, taking a steady sip from her cup.
The Queen nodded with a smile.
"We'll be able to see Father again," Elsa said breathlessly, clasping her hands together in excitement. "Will he be there when we arrive?"
"Depends on whether he's in the middle of a battle or not," her sister answered. "He could be trying to take over Weselton for all we know."
"You mean Weaseltown?" Gerda snorted, poking her head through the compartment entrance. She and Anna spent the next few minutes squawking and flapping their arms, pretending to perform one of the Duke of Weselton's infamous dance moves. This earned them an eyeroll from all three of their audience members.
"Suppose he's not there," Elsa said slowly after a moment of laughter, "and neither are his troops. Then...?"
"Don't be a goofball. There's bound to be at least one or two troops taking a rest from the action."
"When it comes to wars, there is no resting," said Rapunzel, staring at the tines of her fork. "They'll most likely be planning on their next move. Or watching guard while their king is away."
"Smoking cigars, more like," Gerda disputed. "You know Father's men, they're only obedient and respectful if Father is present."
"Gerda!" Rosemary scolded. "Our men are very much respectable people. Do not question their loyalty to our family."
"I never said they weren't loyal-," Gerda began, but Elsa interrupted. "It doesn't matter. I'm certain that when we reach headquarters, we'll be coming across a pleasant lot."
-o0o-
Elsa could have been wrong. Or she could have been right. Either way they would never know, because the moment the Queen and her daughters stepped out of the carriage, in a matter of time they realised no one was there. When they tried the front doors, the women were dismayed to find they'd been locked.
"Bloody soldiers," Rosemary muttered under her breath as she paced around the grass surrounding a well-hidden building that was meant to be headquarters. "They can't sit still for one single minute!"
"I told you they'd be out smoking cigars," Gerda whispered to her sisters with a triumphant look on her face. "Guess we put on these fashionable fur coats for nothing."
By the time she'd said that, Rosemary returned looking cross. "The next time I see your father, I will absolutely kill him..."