Scene 6- Later that night.

Donovan

Donovan sat at the small table. Well, small was relative, compared to the massive table that regularly occupied the space of the Great Hall. Iy'ate and Harid were seated on both sides of him, occupying half of the six places set. They had left their weapons behind, or so the Guardsmen thought. They were well-disciplined, but were they would do good fighting pirates or protecting the royal family, they would be ineffective on a battlefield.

Elsa was late, fashionably so. Donovan raised a hand and examined his reflection in the polished metal of his gauntlet. It was distorted. Rightfully. He was distorted. This monster that he saw was closer to the truth than a looking glass. While he had rejoiced at the victory won today, he now pondered his next move. Elsa had accepted out of a need for allies, and he would give her one. Iy'ate's mission to bring him info about the situation in Arendelle had proved immensely valuable, and he intended to use every bit of knowledge he had learned. When he had first walked into that massive throne room… No, focus. A door opened and his eyes shot up. Queen Elsa walked in, looking positively royal in a different white dress with dark blue highlights. Donovan noted that unlike some of the Arradian female aristocracy who dressed in very distracting clothing, Elsa was dressed conservatively, a welcome change. The three of them stood up as the princess, dressed similarly, and her assistant walked in after her. Three on three. Perfect. Elsa sat and gestured to the rest of them. They sat, Harid obviously uncomfortable with the soft seat he had been given. He was used to more spartan surroundings. Donovan took the initiative and spoke first.

"Queen Elsa, thank you for inviting us to dine with you." She nodded gracefully, her ice-blue eyes analyzing everything. She smiled and replied, "It is my pleasure to welcome such distinguished guests. Unfortunately, I do not know everyone at this table." Donovan caught her meaning. "Excuse me for my breach of manners. May I introduce to Your Majesty my personal bodyguard and aide, Iy'ate Ter'isiad of the Eastern Wastes." The Queen nodded cordially, and Iy'ate returned it.

Donovan gestured to the hulking man next to him, armored fingers curving sinuously. "May I also introduce Harid Hardstone, Grand General of the Armies of Arradia." He stood and bowed. He rumbled in his low voice, "At your service, Your Majesty." The Queen nodded to him. "Thank you Master… Hardstone." He sat and Queen Elsa looked to the small, weasel like little man next to her. "This is my… master scribe Franz Schneider." A small lie. He was her political consultant, obvious because of his nationality. Weseltonians were a clever lot.

"This must be the infamous Princess Anna." Donovan stated abruptly. She started in surprise at being addressed. Donovan smiled at her. "Pleasure to meet you, Princess."

"And you, Lord Donovan." She said, regaining her composure. Her eyes flicked between Donovan and the Queen in a curious fashion.

"I met a tradesman at the docks on my way here, and when I asked him about the royalty around here, he mentioned knowing you. What was his title again, Iy'ate?"

She spoke softly, looking almost bored, "Icemaster." The princess's eyes widened.

"You met Kristoff?"

"Ah yes, that was his name. Master Kristoff! A nice fellow. He seemed to have quite the attachment to you, Princess." She blushed. Donovan noted that it was obviously more than just friendship. The princess put up a finger and leaned forward, as if wanting to ask a question, but seeming to be undecided.

"Yes, Princess?" She swallowed nervously.

"Is Ironhand actually your name, or is it a title?" Donovan smiled at the question. "Both, in fact. Arradians receive their last names at the age of eighteen, made up from achievements, career options, or whatever happens to be lying around. I had made these gauntlets by my fifteenth birthday and had worn them for three years, and so I chose my name based on them."

The princess genuinely looked interested. "Wow, so if you were a… barrel maker, your name might be Barrelrider or something like that?"

Harid laughed and Donovan grimaced. "If you were senseless, or intoxicated at the time, then yes, you might pick that."

"I am surprised," The Queen interrupted. "as to why you are here, Lord Donovan." Donovan feigned confusion.

"Here, your Majesty? Why, you invited me."

Her eyes hardened. "Lord Donovan, please cut the act. I know you are at least as smart as I am, so please act like an intelligent person, not a bootlicking earl. Why did you come to Arendelle? There are many more countries that you could've gone to with greater political power than ours, like Corona or the Southern Isles."

Finally, the question. Donovan nodded and leaned forward, elbows on the table, iron fingers interlocking. "Majesty, it's about time we got down to the real subject of this meeting." He was interrupted by a door opening and servants coming with covered platters of food. They served briskly and efficiently, and were soon out of sight.

Anna

Anna inhaled the delicious fragrances of fried fish, fresh bread, and other delectable items, but while her eyes were on the food, her ears were on the conversation. After discovering the note in her room, she had told Elsa immediately, and they both agreed this had something to do with Donovan's arrival.

He ate as he explained, proving remarkably skilled at talking and eating at the same time. "The true reason we came here, your Majesty, is you." Elsa froze. Not literally, of course, but close enough. Her eyes pierced him like sharpened icicles. "You see, after I reopened trade to the nations in general, Arradia received an influx of information about the outside world along with several boatloads of rumors. And one of the largest of these was of the Ice Queen." Elsa's knuckles were white on her utensils. Donovan looked at her over the rim of his cup as he took a long drink of water. He had refused ice. He continued. "You are aware? Rumors of a kingdom in the north frozen in eternal winter, living under a cruel Queen who oppresses her people. You." Elsa looked down at her plate, a strange expression on her face. It seemed a mix of anger, shame, and embarrassment. He continued, face hard. "The real reason we came here, Highness, was, if we found that the rumors were true, we would stop you through any means possible." Elsa looked back up at him, expression unreadable. Anna held her breath and prayed silently. "But!" His face split into a wide smile and he raised a single armored finger. "We came here ready for anything, and we find a prosperous city, a happy people, and an extremely competent, and may I say, beautiful, Queen." He raised his glass to Elsa, and she hesitated, blushing slightly before nodding gratefully. He sighed, leaned back in his chair, and took another large bite of fish. "Delicious. I am in need of another cook, mind if I steal one of yours?"

Anna laughed, the sudden release of tension getting to her, and Harid joined in, his deep rumble shaking the table. Franz just looked flummoxed at the entire turning of events, and Iy'ate was eating as silently as ever. Elsa smiled, the strain leaving her eyes for the minute. Donovan spread his arm, chains clinking. "Come, let us eat before we discuss politics! It is such a boring dinner topic."

During the course of the night, Arendelle hammers out a trade deal with Arradia, who will supply them with iron, coal, and grain, and Donovan and co. were invited to stay for an Autumn holiday celebration and dance. They graciously accept, Donovan thinking on a time to reveal his secret.