Chapter VIII: What Could Go Wrong?

The ship rocked slightly as it sailed across the sea. It was eerily silent, and no one spoke a word both on or below deck. The only noise that could be heard was the sound the water splashing against the side of the ship. No one was off duty. All of the crew were doing their assigned jobs and were told to not screw it up. This trip was important, and it was probably the most important journey in the crew's entire life so far. Important people were on the ship. Royalty.

The King of Corona stood at the tip of the ship, looking ahead of them. The foggy air made it hard to see anything, and the winds blew hard. Frosts came out of his breath, and he rubbed his hands together. He had never experienced this much cold during winter, and he couldn't even perceive how cold it must have been in Arendelle. He wondered if this was Elsa's doing. He had never firsthand experienced her powers. He's only heard stories, and apparently, stories were all that was needed to start a war.

He was on his way to Arendelle to attend the peace council. They were almost there, and it would start in a few hours.

"Dad..." said a voice behind the King. The King turned to see his daughter, Rapunzel, standing behind him. Her hair was longer than it was a few years prior when he was reunited with her. She now had shoulder length brown hair. She wore a pink dress, similar to the one she usually wore, but not quite the same.

"Rapunzel." The King acknowledged her presence.

"I want to know something." Rapunzel said.

"Hmm?"

"Why did you bring me along to this trip?" Rapunzel asked.

"Because," the King said, "I want you to learn the politics involved. Plus, you know the Queen and Princess more than anyone else in Corona. It would be better for them if they saw a friendly face during the council."

It was true. Rapunzel was well acquainted with both Anna and Elsa. Though they weren't necessarily friends, Rapunzel has socialized with them before. She was glad that she had a personal experience with the Snow Queen of Arendelle. Rapunzel was fascinated with Elsa's powers. Some nights she wished she had a cool set of powers herself, but the magical abilities she once had were gone now.

Rapunzel found something odd with her father's reason. There was nothing more about politics she didn't know. She was familiar with the politics involved in running a kingdom. There was nothing more she can be taught. Her father's reason was faulty.

"Father," Rapunzel said, "you know I don't need to know the politics involved. Also, I bet there will be plenty of friendly faces in this council, and you know that. Why am I going?"

The King looked away from her and sighed. Rapunzel still didn't know the truth. He sheltered her from the truth for so long, but he knew she eventually had to know. The King hoped that that day would never come, and Rapunzel would keep her innocence. He didn't know how'd she react to it, but, he knew that she had to know. The King took a deep breath and looked back at his daughter.

"Do you remember your wedding?" the King asked.

"How could I forget? Why is that important?" Rapunzel asked.

"Do you know about the unfortunate deaths of the King and Queen of Arendelle?"

Rapunzel nodded.

"They died on the way to Corona, for your wedding." The King told her.

Rapunzel was shocked. How could she not know about this? She was kept in the dark all this time, and now she finds out. She greeted Elsa and Anna as friends, and now she learns that their parents died because of Rapunzel. The died during something for Rapunzel. Rapunzel was thinking about something to say to Elsa and Anna. Hi guys, your parents died on the way to my wedding, have a nice day. Rapunzel felt responsible for this. She would never want something so tragic to happen during something as small as a wedding.

Rapunzel took a step back from her father. She couldn't believe her father was hiding this from her all of this time. The look on his face made him look guilty of lying which he was. Though Rapunzel was shocked with her father's revelation, she understood why her father hid it from her. He wanted to protect his little girl. He wanted to keep her pure. But, Rapunzel felt that she needed to know the truth a long time ago. She had to say something to Anna and Elsa now. After visiting Arendelle twice, only now she found out.

Rapunzel turned around to walk away and tell Eugene, but she found her mother standing behind her. The Queen of Corona was standing there long enough to hear the story. She was looking down at her feet with a sad expression. The Queen took and held Rapunzel's hands in hers.

"We had to keep this a secret from you. You didn't have to know why they died." The Queen said. "We didn't want you to feel responsible."

Rapunzel looked into her mother's eyes and smiled. She had the power to forgive them. They were just looking out for Rapunzel. Rapunzel was always cheerful and bright, and they were right to fear that this information would change that. Now though, Rapunzel had guilt on her shoulders. There was not enough time to let it go during the meeting.

"Why am I going to this meeting?" Rapunzel asked her mother.

"Your father and I feel that we owe Queen Elsa and Princess Anna something. We all owe them that much. It's just that... we... we didn't have the courage to confront them about it until now." The Queen said.

Rapunzel understood their viewpoint. She knew how it felt to be afraid of something. Rapunzel wondered what her husband's reaction will be. Eugene was a man with little morals. She feared that he wouldn't give a heart towards this subject. But, she hoped that she was able to teach something to him about doing what was right. Sometimes, he did act like his old self, but he would always be his best around Rapunzel.

Rapunzel turned back towards her father. "We don't want war, do we?" Rapunzel asked him.

The King nodded. "During the Southern Isles' war council, I agreed under peer pressure. We can't harm Arendelle anymore, not after what they've lost. We owe them, and we'll support them during this council." The King looked over at his wife who nodded in agreement.

Arendelle had Corona on their side, and that would help them during the council. Corona was considered one of the most successful kingdoms in the known world, and that meant it had a lot of economic and political power. Corona was also one of Arendelle's closest trade partners. Corona would look out for Arendelle, no matter how this meeting will turn out.

"We'll do our best to keep Arendelle safe." The Queen added.

"And what if that means threatening the safety of Corona?" Rapunzel asked.

Rapunzel was a good person, but she looked out for the safety of her home above all else. If war is officially coming after this meeting, and if the King intends to do all he had said, then Corona will be considered an enemy by the other kingdoms. War will also be declared on Corona as well, and that means threatening lives. Rapunzel was not happy with that probability.

"I'll do what is right." The King said. "Even if that's not looking out for our own interests."

Rapunzel looked at the ground. She now feared for her kingdom. She didn't fear much. She couldn't bear it if this council brought the end of Corona along with Arendelle. She couldn't let that happen no matter what. She was on a different side than her father. She was on Corona's side. She would do what she could to keep both Corona and Arendelle safe. To her, that meant that she shouldn't interfere with the meeting.

"Father," Rapunzel said, "I'm going to sit this one out. In there, I may have to argue against you if that means that I can ensures Corona's safety. I can't deal with that pressure."

Rapunzel walked off to go below deck. The King and Queen didn't say anything. They understood that their daughter was free to do what she wanted and they didn't want to take that freedom away. Too many years has Rapunzel wasted her freedom. They just stared as their daughter walked away.

Rapunzel found Eugene and Maximus in their own little area below deck. They were flexing and comparing their biceps for some reason. Rapunzel couldn't believe that Eugene was doing this with a horse. Eugene noticed Rapunzel approach and immediately stopped playing around. She walked into his arms with a sad expression, and he held her. Eugene kissed Rapunzel on her forehead, and noticed she wasn't being herself. She's always giggle whenever he kissed her, but there was no reaction that time.

"What's wrong?" Eugene asked.

Rapunzel looked up at him, and took a deep breath.

"I just found out that the old King and Queen of Arendelle died on their way to our wedding." Rapunzel said.

Eugene's happiness faded, and Maximus neighed sadly. He felt bad for the monarchs, but he not at all felt responsible. It wasn't his fault they died. He didn't directly harm them and that made him feel better. But, knowing Rapunzel, he knew that she felt responsible. She was too good of a person not to. He felt bad, not for the deaths of the King and Queen, but for his wife.

"Is that the reason we're going to Arendelle?" Eugene asked.

Rapunzel nodded. "We owe them something."

"But-"

"We owe them!" Rapunzel screamed.

Very rarely did Rapunzel raise her voice. Very rarely did she ever get mad. She was passionate about this, and her husband was not. She wished that he would feel a bit of remorse, but as it seems, that's just not the case. No one could blame Eugene. That's just the way he was. He was too strong willed to feel remorse, and no one could change that, not even Rapunzel.

Maximus tapped Rapunzel on the shoulder with his head. She put her hand over his head, and rubbed it. She was glad that the horse was there for her.

"We're not going to the meeting." Rapunzel said. "I'm too conflicted with both Corona and Arendelle."

Eugene nodded in, understanding her position. He would be there to support her for all of the decisions she made. She was all he had left. He's already lost a friend. Pascal passed a few months earlier. Rapunzel was devastated. Eugene felt for the little guy, and he was there to help Rapunzel through it. They were going to miss that chameleon.

"All ashore!" They heard outside.

Rapunzel, Eugene, and Maximus looked up. They were almost at Arendelle. The three ran up the stairs to the upper dock, but MAximus shortly got stuck. He eventually squirmed his way out of it, and joined his friends. Rapunzel and Eugene joined the King and Queen at the bow of the ship. Ahead of them, they saw a white sky over the snowy city. many other ships were already docked. A grand castle stood across a plaza, separated by a stone bridge.

"Arendelle..." Rapunzel said. She admired the glorious city as the ship docked.

Elsa stood on the balcony of her study. It overlooked the castle courtyard and farther. She could see the stone bridge, the plaza, and the docks. She saw as the people exited their boats and walked to the castle. Elsa took a deep breath. She had to deal with those people later. She hoped that they were on her side for this council. The fate on Arendelle depended on it.

Elsa turned around to find Anna sitting on her chair, her feet on Elsa's large desk. A large portrait of their father hung behind Anna. It was depicting his coronation.

"Get you feet down, seriously, were you raised in a barn?" Elsa asked Anna.

Anna laughed. It wasn't the first time she was told that. Anna took her feet off the table and back on the floor where it belonged. Anna was wondering if Kristoff told Elsa that joke. Then, Anna's smile began to fade. That question hit home harder than she thought it would. Elsa wouldn't know how Anna was raised. Elsa wasn't there for Anna for most of her childhood.

Elsa saw the expression on Anna's face and knew that raising was a sore subject. It was time to move on from that. They had no time thinking about the past, right now. They had to focus on the present and the future.

Elsa walked past Anna and in front of the portrait of their father. Elsa put her hand on the portrait, remembering her father. She wondered what her father would think of her right now. He always told her to be a good girl and control her powers, now, her powers were the thing that caused this war. Elsa thought her father would be disappointed in her, and she thought he'd be right to.

What would he think of Elsa? Arendelle's fall may be on Elsa's hand. But, then and there, Elsa promised him silently that Arendelle will not fall. He worked so hard to improve the kingdom and give it a good name. Elsa refused to be the one who would violate his work.

Anna knew that her father was important to Elsa. As Elsa grew up, everything Elsa did was for her father. Anna was surprised that Elsa didn't resent him. He was the one who had her isolated from everyone. He was the one who made Elsa have a cold childhood. Yet, Elsa still looked up to him. Anna didn't get it. Anna didn't know about the respect Elsa had for the old King.

Anna got out of Elsa's chair and walked next to her sister. Anna put her hand on Elsa's shoulder. Elsa managed a quick smile, but it faded just as quick as it came. A large table with storage compartments stood below the hung painting. Elsa opened one of the drawers and pulled out a pair of gloves. They were white gloves, similar to the blue gloves she had during her coronation.

"What are those for?" Anna asked.

Elsa slid the gloves on her hands. "Just in case..." Elsa said.

Elsa couldn't risk an accident during the meeting. Though she still had full control of her powers, whenever her emotions spiked, her powers will act up. She had to take precautions. She couldn't look like the monster they were accusing her of being during the council. Elsa took a deep breath. She told herself mentally that everything's going to be alright and nothing will go wrong. What can go wrong?

Anna was no longer used to seeing Elsa with the gloves. To Anna, the gloves were a symbol of Elsa's fear. She took them off when she thought she no longer feared them. Anna realized Elsa was putting them back on because of another form of fear. Elsa feared for Arendelle. Anna did too.

Elsa walked back out to her balcony followed by Anna. They saw one particularly large ship. They looked closer and found 12 elegantly clothed men walk off of the ship. They recognized a brown haired side burned man.

"Hans..." Elsa said, anger in her voice. "I knew he had something to do with this."

"Was there ever any doubt?" Anna asked.

Ever since Elsa got that letter, she had her suspicions. She associated the Southern Isles with Hans. She didn't know how Hans convinced people of higher power to declare war, but Elsa knew that he did it. She had a feeling of it in her gut. Hans was bad news, even after they thought he was dealt with. He was obviously their enemy during the council, and that wasn't good. Hans was charismatic and deceiving. He would make a worthy opponent.

"I want to pay him a visit." Anna said angrily.

Anna started to walk off, but Elsa grabbed her arm with her hand. Anna tried to break away but Elsa's hold was too strong. Elsa really didn't want her sister to talk to that guy. She wanted to prevent the drama before the council.

"You're not going to talk to him. I'll talk to him during the council. You sit tight." Elsa said.

"But," Anna said, "I didn't give our friend down there a proper good bye the last time we saw him." She was obviously implying pain.

"You punched him in the face!" Elsa pointed out.

"Yeah, but-"

"Then he fell into the ocean, and drowned. He was barely saved!"

Anna grinned, guilty as charged. She guessed that she had already inflicted enough pain to him, but she wanted more. Anna knew that it was devious. The things she wanted to torture Hans with are illegal throughout the kingdoms.

"I'll go greet the guests." Anna said.

Elsa still didn't let go.

"I won't harm a soul." Anna said.

Elsa still didn't trust Anna, but she couldn't keep her here forever. Elsa let go of Anna and Anna walked off. She smiled over at Elsa one more time before she opened the door out of her study. When Anna opened the door, she saw Kai walking toward the study through the empty corridor.

Anna walked through the corridor, greeting Kai. Kai nodded, acknowledging her. They passed each other, and Kai entered Elsa's study. Elsa saw Kai walk in and he took a seat on Elsa's chair. She still stood on her balcony, looking over the city.

"It's almost time." Kai said.

Elsa nodded. She looked down at the courtyard. Monarchs and representatives were all socializing outside in the snow. Some were begging to get inside, where it was warm. Others were hoping they wouldn't go inside since they didn't want to attend the council. It didn't matter what they wanted though. The time for the council was coming near

"How am I going to do this?" Elsa asked.

"Easy." Kai said. "You sit them down and tell them 'Let's not have a war!' I heard that works well."

Elsa giggled. "Even at times like these, you still make jokes."

"I try."

Kai wanted Elsa to know that she wasn't alone. She never has to be alone ever again. Elsa had many people to look to when things got bad. Kai wanted Elsa to remember that.

"You'll do fine." Kai said. "I'll be sitting right next to you. I'll help you with this."

Elsa smiled and walked to Kai. She sat on Kai's lap while he sat on her chair. Elsa turned her head to meet Kai's eyes.

"This is our only hope." Elsa said.

"And if this goes wrong?" Kai asked.

"It can't." Elsa said.

Kai was hoping this plan wouldn't go wrong, but he knew that there was a probability that it would. He would fight a war if that meant he would be protecting the ones he cared about.

"Elsa," Kai said. "we have to be prepared for the alternative. Your powers can create things that may aid us in a war. We won't be completely defenseless."

"No!" Elsa said, standing up. "Kai, I won't use my powers for a war. I refuse to use them for a war. I won't create soldiers if that's what your asking."

Kai didn't understand. Elsa cared for her kingdom so much, yet she wouldn't use her powers to protect them. It showed how anti-war Elsa was. The idea of it sickened her, and she didn't want to support one, even if she's involved. Kai had to be prepared for a war. Elsa didn't want to. Kai didn't question Elsa's authority. He didn't want to force her to change her mentality. He respected her too much for that.

"Whatever you say..." Kai said.

Elsa looked down at Kai and smiled. She was glad that he wouldn't resist. She knew that it wasn't in his nature to believe in what she did about war, but she was glad that he would follow her on this.

Elsa knelt down next to her chair and kissed Kai on his lips. Kai put his hands on her cheek and closed his eyes. Then, bells were heard from the outside. Kai broke their kiss and walked to the balcony. He looked down at the courtyard and saw the monarchs and representatives walking into the castle. He turned back at Elsa.

"It's time." Kai said.

Author's Note: I know a lot of you guys out there are like "OMG! RAPUNZEL!" right now. Yes, Rapunzel will be featured in this story. No, it doesn't count as a crossover. I don't consider it a crossover because it only has story elements from Frozen with sprinkles of the characters of Tangled. Also, I wanted Rapunzel's appearance to be a surprise. This was more of another character introduction chapter. Ciao.