Chapter IV: Gatherings
It took about a week for all of the invited monarchs to come to the Southern Isles. Many of them were reluctant to come at first, but they decided for it when they were pleaded to come. It's been quite a while since the last war counsel. The kingdoms try to be as peaceful with each other as possible, and the Southern Isles would be the first to change that in a long time.
Monarchs or representatives from across the sea came to the war counsel. The newly appointed Duke of Weseltown arrived, King Lyre of Teranhall arrived, as did the King and Queen of Corona. This meeting had to be kept secret from Arendelle. Queen Elsa couldn't find out what the Southern Isles were plotting. Of course, Elsa didn't know that, and the representatives didn't know Arendelle wasn't invited.
The ships from the kingdoms were docked in the Southern Isles' docks. One by one, the representatives for each kingdom entered the Southern Isles' castle. They were greeted by Hans' brothers. This time, Ander and Christian were not allowed to accompany their father. They were not allowed to advise or persuade him. Only Hans was allowed to the meeting since he was the one who requested the war counsel.
The representative, Hans, and his father all sat around a large table. Small snacks and fruits were placed on plates and spread around the table. Two guards stood at the doorway, making sure no one interrupts the meeting. The representatives did not yet know what the counsel was for. All the knew was that the request was urgent.
The representatives quietly chatted with one another before the meeting even began. Some were talking about what they think the point of the war counsel was for. They wondered who this war counsel will be targeting. Some talked about gossip among kingdoms. It's hard to believe that kingdoms gossip. They were whispering about what was going on in the Southern Isles. Many wondered why Hans wasn't jailed, since many of them were there in Arendelle during it's eternal winter. They witnessed the things Hans did.
Servants were pouring wine into glasses for the guests. No one questioned the contents of the wine. A long time ago, kingdom's would poison another's monarchs during meetings like this, but, soon, a rule was made that if anything happens to the visiting representatives while they were in another kingdom, that kingdom would be considered as good as dead. So, the guests just enjoyed their wine without worry, because if they were poisoned, that would be the Southern Isles' lost.
Hans sat next to his father at one end of the table, and King Lyre sat alone at the opposite end. Everyone was ready for the meeting to begin. The King of the Southern Isles stood up, and tapped his glass of wine with a spoon. The talking between the others died, and they focused their attention on the King.
"The Southern Isles thanks you for the time you have spared to be here tonight." said Han's father.
"What is the meaning for this meeting?" asked a monarch.
Hans' father looked down at his son, and nodded. That told Hans that Hans would be the one to explain to everyone why they were here. Hans stood up as his father sat down. His father didn't want to be here. He didn't like the reason for this meeting. But, he had to do it for his son. This is him giving back to his son. He knew he wasn't always there for Hans, and this was his way of repaying him. But, he kept wondering in his mind, how far will he go for Hans? What will he do for Hans, even after everything Hans has done.
"Why is he here?" asked the French monarch. "Did he not commit crimes in Arendelle?"
"Speaking of Arendelle..." the Spanish monarch spoke. "Where is Queen Elsa?"
The crowd started talking again. Their whispers did not allow Hans to talk. They gossiped some more, and Hans was having enough. Hans clenched his fist, and banged his hand on the table. The whole table shook, and everyone went silent. Some of the snacks jumped off of the plates, and the fruits rolled off the table.
"My father has given me a second chance." Hans told the people. "I regret my actions during Queen Elsa's coronation, and though it is not my fault, I apologize for the eternal winter as well."
No one commented Hans.
"The meeting was called because of Queen Elsa." Hans continued. Hans looked over at King Lyre. "Teranhall has, previously, been put in a brief eternal winter, and Queen Elsa is to blame."
Lyre stood up. "Yes, Teranhall was in eternal winter, but it's not Elsa's fault."
"Oh really?" Hans asked. "Who else has the power to do that? Do you have any magical abilities, Lyre?"
"No, but-"
"Then I suggest you sit back down. If you have any information regarding the cause of the winter, then please tell us."
Lyre wouldn't tell. He couldn't tell. It was his fault there was an eternal winter. He used the Conduit against his own kingdom by absorbing Elsa's powers. He reformed from his evil ways, and Elsa promised not to tell anybody. If Lyre told the truth now, he would be ruined. His own kingdom would abolish his rule, like they did so many years ago. Lyre sat back down, and kept his mouth shut.
"Smart man." Hans continued. "It was Queen Elsa's fault. Now, two kingdoms have been put into eternal winter because of her. People were suffering in that time. How long will it be until the next eternal winter is put upong your own kingdoms? It will be sooner rather than later. Queen Elsa is a monster, and is a menace to each and every one of your kingdoms."
"What are you suggesting?" asked a representative.
Hans picked up a table knife, and stabbed it on the table. "We declare war on Arendelle, on Queen Elsa. If they fall, your kingdoms will be safe." Hans said.
The crowd lost control. People started to stand up, and yell at Hans. But then, others started to stand up as well, and defend Hans. They argued whether they should declare war or not. Hans smiled. He loved the disaster. He loved the drama. All of this entertained him, and he wanted to continue watching. But, Hans' father called for his attention, and he told Hans to take control of the crowd. Hans rolled his eyes and obeyed his father's command.
"Silence!" Hans yelled.
Silence followed. The guests sat back down, and once again, put their focus back on Hans.
"I won't declare war on Arendelle." said the French monarch. "They have done nothing to me, and I believe they will never do anything." Others spoke out in agreement.
"Who does support me?" Hans spoke. About half of the guests raised their hands. "Okay..." Hans said. Hans looked over at his father, and saw that he wasn't raising his hand. The King of the Southern Isles would only follow the majority of the kingdoms. It was about even right now.
"For those of you not raising your hands right now, let me tell you this. Fine. Don't help with this war effort. But, when you wake up, and see snow storms raging outside during summer, you'll know Elsa has struck. You'll know you've been wrong. None of us will be there to help you. Children will starve on your streets, and corpses will be piled up, as big as a castle. But, if we strike Arendelle now, you can prevent that. You can live the rest of your lives knowing the witch, Elsa, won't come after you. Now, who's with me?"
All but two people raised their hands. King Lyre and Hans' father kept theirs down. Hans' father looked around, and decided that that was a majority. He raised his hand up as well. Everyone focused on King Lyre. Lyre gave an angry look, and stood up. Instead of saying anything, he walked out of the room. Lyre could not betray Elsa like that. Not after what he had done to them.
"We will help you with the war." said the French monarch. "But, we shall not declare war under the names of our countries. I believe I speak for all of us when I say this." Everyone in the room nodded. The French King continued to speak. "We shall supply the Southern Isles with men, food, weapons, and a few ships from our navy, but besides that, you fight this war alone."
Hans nodded. "I'm good with that. From now on, Arendelle will no longer be viewed as a friendly country." Everyone nodded.
Hans' father stood up. "Thank you for coming. Dismissed!"
Hans and his father spoke privately as the monarchs left the room to go back to their homes.
"Hans, I don't want to waste supplies because of an assumption that a Queen is evil." The King said.
"You won't, trust me." Hans said. "I know what I'm doing. You don't even have to be involved, father. Just give the reins to me and Ander."
The King nodded and closed his eyes.
"Send a courier to Arendelle. They have to know what's coming towards them." The King said.
Music played from the grand ballroom. Guests were lined up to go inside of Arendelle Castle. Tables filled with food and sweets were placed all around the room, but the center of the room was empty for dancing. Guests mingled in the ballroom and the courtyard. They raised their glasses of wine in the air, and cheered. They were all having a swell time. It was Elsa's birthday party, celebrating her twenty-third birthday. This party was more grand than Elsa's party last year.
Guests danced together in the dance floor, and the way they danced depended on the music playing. Spectators clapped their hands together as they watched. Olaf and Sven were outside, greeting the coming guests though most of them were not to happy being hugged by a snowman, and licked by a reindeer. Anna and Kristoff were dancing hand in hand together, and they smiled at each other as they danced.
Anna laughed as Kristoff twirled her around, and he was surprised when she dipped him. They posed when the music stopped playing. They never had time to dance together like this. It's been quite awhile since Elsa agreed to throw a party. She hasn't been the same ever since the incident with Kai.
Kristoff looked over to where Elsa's grand chair was, and he found that it was empty.
"Did she not show up?" Kristoff asked Anna.
Anna looked over at Elsa's chair. Her smile faded, and she looked down at her feet, and then back to Kristoff.
"She hasn't shown her face to the public for the past few months. I don't think she wants to now." Anna said.
"She's been through a lot." Kristoff said.
"Yeah..."
Anna looked back at the chair. Anna was sick of Elsa isolating herself again. She wanted her sister back. She wanted she and Elsa to bond together like they used to. To become the greatest of friends again. Anna was angry at Kai. She was angry with the fact that Kai's fate forced her sister into isolation. Anna wanted her sister to come down, and enjoy her life.
"I'm going to get her." Anna said.
"Are you sure you can get her to come down?" Kristoff asked.
"She'll do anything for me." Anna said. "Besides, I'm very persuasive."
"So I've heard."
Anna kissed her husband on the cheek, and walked away. She walked to the door that led to the castle' main hall. Anna greeted some of the guests as she walked. She wondered what she was going to say to Elsa. Anna wasn't sure if she was correct when she said that Elsa would do anything for her. Throughout Anna's entire life, she hasn't been able to convince Elsa of something on many occassions.
Anna nodded at the guard standing in front of the door, and he stepped aside, and opened the door for Anna. She walked into the empty main hall, and looked over at the stairs that led up. She walked up the stairs, and then walked into a long corridor that had railings that overlooked the floor below. Anna saw Elsa's room, and opened the door.
She looked inside, and found that Elsa was not there. Anna saw that Elsa's bed was a mess, the floor was covered with Elsa's clothes, and a bottle of wine lay on her nightstand, next to a picture. Anna didn't realize how much Kai's death had changed Elsa and her living style. Elsa was always neat and tidy, but that obviously changed. Anna walked and grabbed the bottle of wine. It was empty.
Has she been drinking, Anna thought.
Anna looked at the picture next to the bottle. It was a small painting. It showed Elsa and Kai sitting next to eachother holding hands while smiling. Those were happier days.
Anna knew the only place Elsa could be was in her study. Anna walked out, and walked to the stairs at the end of the corridor. She walked up, and it led to another long corridor with windows on the walls. A pair of doors were at the other end of the hallway. Anna walked to the door, and put her hand on the door knob. It was freezing cold.
Anna pulled her hand away from the door knob, and took a deep breath. It was obvious that Elsa didn't want anyone opening that door. Anna was determind to talk to her sister. Anna knocked the door.
"Who is it?" Elsa's voice asked from the other side.
"It's me Anna." Anna answered.
The door opened in front of Anna, and Elsa stood there facing her sister.
"What do you want?" Elsa asked.
"I want you to go down there and join the party." Anna answered.
"No thank you." Elsa said.
Elsa pushed the door forward so that it would close, but Anna stopped it. Elsa walked back into her study, and Anna followed. Anna looked around and found papers on the floor, and open books everywhere.
"You've been busy." Anna said.
"I have a lot of free time in my hands." Elsa said.
"Of course you do." Anna said. "Elsa, I know its been hard for you, really, I do. But do you know how long its been since the people have seen your face?"
"Why does it matter, Anna?" Elsa asked, slightly annoyed.
"Because your their Queen! You're supposed to be a good leader, and a sociable one."
Elsa looked away from her sister, and at a picture of Kai on her desk.
"Kai was a good leader..." Elsa said.
Anna looked at Elsa with a sad face. Elsa couldn't get Kai out of her mind.
"Elsa," Anna said, "you love him, I know that. But you love me too. I love you back. Becuase I love you, it pains me to see you like this. Please, Elsa, just have one night devoted to your enjoyment and the rest of your family. Please go down, and enjoy the party."
Anna did have a point, and Elsa knew it. Elsa looked at her sister, and smiled.
"Well," Elsa said, "I can't miss my own birthday party."
Anna smiled, and hugged her sister. This time, Elsa felt warm, and that made Anna happy. They held hands as they walked downstairs to the ballroom.
The guests clapped as they saw Elsa enter the room. Elsa smiled and waved at the guests, and walked gracefully to her chair. Anna rejoined with Kristoff, who put his arm over Anna's shoulder.
"You actually did it." Kristoff said.
"What'd you expect? Another eternal winter?" Anna asked.
"I was hoping that wouldn't happen."
Anna left Kristoff to talk to Elsa, and Kristoff started to socialize with the other guests. Elsa was in the middle of talking to other people when Anna walked up. The guests saw Anna, and knew that Anna wanted a private conversation. They bowed to Elsa, and walked off.
"Hope that wasn't important." Anna said.
Elsa smiled. "It was nothing." Elsa took a deep breath, and looked around. It felt good to be down here with the company of others. It gave her something else to think about besides Kai. "It's been quite a while." Elsa said.
Anna nodded. "For you. Can you smell it?"
"Smell what?"
"Your favorite sweet."
Elsa sniffed the air. She smelt the most pleasant aroma. "Chocolate." Elsa said.
Anna moved her hands from behind her back, and showed Elsa what was in her hand. Two small balls of decorated chocolates lay in Anna's hand. Elsa picked one up, and smelt it. It was ome of the only things that made Elsa happy in times like these. The sisters took a bite of their chocolates at the same time, and smiled at each other. They laughed when they saw the brown marks on each other's teeth.
"This is nice." Elsa said.
"We could'be had more days like this." Anna said.
Elsa's smile faded. Elsa doesn't like thinking about things that could've been. It always brings her painful memories. She would think about what could've been if their parents have not passed, what could've been if she didn't hurt Anna, and what could've been if she didn't isolate herself. Most importantly, she thought about what could've been if she didn't send Kai away.
Anna knew she was treading on thin ice.
"I'm sorry." Anna said. "It's just that it's best for you to be happy. Kai would'be wanted-"
"Do not mention Kai!" Elsa yelled. The entire room went silent, and they all looked at Elsa. Elsa ignored them. "You shouldn't be speaking for Kai, Anna! You didn't even know him as well as I did! You didn't seemed hurt when we found out he died! So, don't talk about what Kai would've wanted! You wouldn't know!"
Elsa looked around at the guests. Some had their hands covering they're open mouths. Others were just standing there silently, not knowing what to think about that. Kristoff stood there, with his eyes wide. Elsa looked at the floor below her, and found ice covering it. She didn't mind.
"He would've wanted us to be together..." Elsa whispered.
"Elsa..." Anna said quitely.
Elsa ignored her sister, and looked at the guard guarding the ballroom door.
"The party is over." Elsa told the guard. "Send the guests home, and close the gates for the rest of the night."
"Right away your majesty." the guard said.
Elsa started to walk to her room, but Anna grabbed Elsa's hand.
"Elsa, please..."
Elsa glared at Anna, and yanked her hand away. Elsa continued to walk off, and Anna didn't try to stop her. Anna stood there paralyzed, and Kristoff walked next to Anna to comfort her. Anna watched as the guests left, unsatisfied.
"We should say bye to leaving guests." Kristoff suggested.
Anna nodded, and they walked outside together.
When Elsa got to her bedroom, she changed into her sleepwear. She looked over at the door, and was sure Anna would come to see her later. She shot ice at the door, and it spread over the door. She sat on the bed, and grabbed Kai's picture. She looked at the way he smiled, and she smiled too. Then, Elsa reminded herself that she would never see him smile to her ever again. She put the picture back, and lay on her bed.
A tear ran down the side of her head before she closed her eyes to go to sleep.
A ship docked in Arendelle as the guests were leaving the party. The crew was unloading things off the boat as a black haired man walked off. The captain of the boat followed him.
"Thank you for letting me accompany you on your voyage." The black hair man said.
"No problem." said the captain. "You looked desperate to go. Why do you want to be here in Arendelle anyways, lad?"
The black haired man looked at Arendelle with his red eyes. He smiled. "I can't leave my job. I am Queen Elsa's Captain of the Guard after all."