Part 1
The Snow Queen: Frost
The soft pitter patter of bare feet on smooth, cold floor lightly echoed in the dark hallway as a young boy tried to discreetly creep along the wide passage. As a guard, tall and strong with a gleaming sword swinging at his hip, came around the corner, the little shadow darted behind a statue, holding his breath and standing very still (fidgeting a little because the brave soul was only five and terribly excited by his midnight adventure). The guard passed, his bored eyes barely sweeping his surroundings as he disappeared around the corner.
The little boy released his breath, his little hands falling away from where they covered his face, elated by this close encounter. With a giddy grin, he continued on his way, scurrying down the ice cold hall. He peeked around the corner, black hair falling before bright green eyes. One obstacle left: a single guard standing firmly before the door behind which his quarry lay. But the courageous child planned for this. With a mischievous air, he zipped back down the hallway from which he came. He halted when he came before a great suit of armor. The empty warrior silently protected the hall, his metal hands tightly grasping a wicked sword. The boy admired his silent vigil, wistfully staring at the dark sword, before placing both of his small hands on the armor and giving a great push.
Like he hoped, the armor tilted and then collapsed in a cacophony of shrieking metal. The boy, grinning like a fool, took cover behind the statue that faithfully protected him the first time. The guard came skidding into the room just as he squeezed behind the statue. As soon as the guard passed his hiding place, the boy made a dash for his abandoned post. His bare feet skidded on the cold floor as he reached to grab the handle. He had to stand on tiptoe to turn it, but he managed and slipped inside the dark room. He paused, blinking owlishly as his eyes adjusted to the complete lack of light. When he regain his orientation, he leaped forward and bounded onto the large bed at the end of the room. A small bundle slumbered peacefully before this rude arrival. The bundle jumped, a small pale face gaping up at her grinning companion.
"Percy," the girl cried.
"Shhh," Percy giggled, quickly hushing the girl by placing his hands over her mouth. He anxiously looked over his shoulder, as if he expected the guard to barge through the door and catch them. When he did not, Percy turned back to his friend. She could see his eyes sparkling, even in the dim light. He leaned forward, letting his hands fall from her mouth.
"Hey Persephone," he asked, "do you wanna build a snowman?"
Little Persephone's eyes widened as she sat up, struggling out of her warm blankets as she regarded her friend in childish delight, "It's snowing?"
"The first snow of the year," Percy excitedly whispered back. Persephone giggled and together the pair slipped off the bed. The young girl pulled on her slippers while the boy yanked a coat out of her closet and helped her shrug it on. Then, still giggling, he took her by the hand and put a finger against his lips.
"Shh," he whispered. Persephone pressed her own finger to her lips and repeated the sound. Grinning, Percy peeked his head out the door.
The guard remained by the crumbled suit of armor. He was arguing hotly with another guard, presumably the one patrolling the halls. Percy was delighted; this gave them the perfect chance at a clean getaway. He squeezed Persephone's hand and pulled her into the hall. Eyes twinkling with mirth, the children raced down the hall and away from the arguing adults.
They stopped quickly to grab Percy's discarded shoes and coat, which he tucked behind the marble statue of an old queen with her arms spread wide, as if she were constantly looking for a hug. Percy felt bad for her and gave the poor queen a quick hug before taking Persephone by the hand once more and making a dash down the hall. They slipped out the backdoor in the kitchen, narrowly avoiding detection from the late night servants who readied the kitchen for the following morning. Persephone's hand in his, Percy led the way into the courtyard, giggling and watching the sky in wonder. Snow descended upon the land, large fat flurries lazily drifting in the midnight breeze. A thin layer covered the ground, cold tendrils tickling their ankles as they shuffled out into the night.
"Isn't it pretty?" Persephone asked.
Percy looked over his shoulder. Persephone had extended her free hand into the air, a look of complete and utter wonder on her pale face. Silky black hair curled around her shoulders as if protecting the small child from the encroaching cold, and her eyes were enchanted. People always told Percy that the young princess' eyes were brown but they didn't look brown to him; they looked gold. She turned those enchanted pools of gold on him and Percy smiled back.
"The prettiest," he agreed. Then he tugged her forward, "Come on, let's play."
The pair dissolved into giggles as they played in the snow. It was too light and fluffy to properly shape into snowballs but the children delighted in simply throwing great handfuls of fluff at each other. In a manner of minutes, Persephone's dark hair was spotted with great white flurries and Percy's face was red from the cold. They loved it. They chased each other around, laughing and playing under the bright, full moon as it climbed higher in the sky, its luminous beams catching the pure flakes of snow in stark contrast; blessings signed and approved by that great orb in the sky.
"There you two are."
The children started at the loud voice, their bright eyes widening as they peered guiltily up the speaker. Queen Demeter stared down at them, her hands on her hips in what might have been a stern manner where it not for the fond smile on her face. Guards, with real stern faces, flanked her side as Persephone drew closer to Percy.
"Do you know what a fright you gave us? I was woken up in the dead of the night because my precious little princess was missing!"
Persephone looked at her mother in horror, her eyes wide and regretful. She reached for Percy, who reassuringly grabbed her little hand and gave her frigid fingers a squeeze. She looked so sad and worried; Percy's stomach twisted at the sight.
"It was my fault," he automatically told the queen. "I wanted to go out and play so I forced 'Sephone to come."
Queen Demeter rose an eyebrow as she looked fondly at the solemn boy protecting her child. Persephone's hair was windblown and snow covered; her cheeks rosy and eyes bright as she looked at her friend in alarm.
"No Mama – " she tried to interrupt, even as her friend shot her a hushing look.
Demeter smiled warmly at the pair, "I daresay you didn't have to force anybody, brave child. But come inside, so we may speak where it is warm."
She held her hand out expectantly to her daughter and the little princess reluctantly released Percy's hand to take her mother's. She looked anxiously at her friend, her delicate fingers longing to reach out and take his hand in hers once more.
"Mama, don't punish Percy," she tried again only to be hushed.
Queen Demeter scooped her precious child into her arms and nudged Percy with her knee. Percy looked up at his friend, who clung to her mother's neck as she led them back into the castle. She brought the pair into a parlor, dismissing all but one guard who silently stood by the fireside, his broad shoulders squared and face hard as he dutifully stared over their heads.
The queen sat elegantly on the edge of a richly embroidered chair. Percy peered up at her from behind half frozen eyelashes. For the first time, he realized the queen did not wear one of her regal royal gowns, but something that almost looked like Persephone's nightgown. It was a warm brown, like newly tilled soil, fertile and ready to foster the next season's crop. A green robe, shimmering so it almost seemed to change colors before his wide eyes, protected her pale shoulders.
The queen picked up a plush towel and set to drying her heir's hair, gently massaging the little princess' curls and meticulously scrubbing any remanent snow from existence.
"You gave me a scare," the queen began and Percy bowed his head, squirming nervously. He only wanted Persephone to see the snow. It didn't often snow in Arendelle, and what little snow they did get never stayed for long. Persephone had said how she always wanted to build a snowman. Percy just wanted to make his friend smile.
"Tell you what," the queen pursed her lips as Percy peaked up at her. "Next time you want to go play in the snow, ask a guard to take you two out."
"But they don't – " Percy tried not to whine.
"I'll tell them to allow you out from time to time," Queen Demeter promised, looking more amused than upset at his interruption. "Come here child."
Percy hesitatingly approached the queen. She held her hand out and Percy gently took it. Her hand was so much bigger than his, and lighter. He felt dirty, his small tan hand in her soft pristine palm. A beggar child before the queen; unworthy.
"Persephone is very important to me and this kingdom. She is our future, and we must protect her at all costs. And sometimes that means she can't do all the things other kids do. But we can't forget she is a child, a person, either. You can help me here can't you? That's why I brought you to my castle; so you can be Persephone's friend and make sure we remember to let her have fun.
"But it is also your job to keep your princess safe. You are the princess' companion, you guard her heart as well as her health. I need you to keep my Persephone safe for me. Can you do that Percy? Can you keep our princess safe?"
Percy looked from the queen to the charge in her arms. Persephone curled against her mother, dark hair vivid against her pale skin and eyes, like an ethereal being; a divine creature destined to rule and protect her people growing into her otherworldly inheritance. Percy nodded, turning back to his queen.
"I will keep her safe," he promised. "Always."
Queen Demeter smiled, releasing his hand to cradling Persephone to her chest. "I know you will."
"Persephone, how much longer are you going to be?"
Percy did not whine. He was not whining. He was merely complaining in a higher octave than usual, leaning exasperatedly against Persephone's door, the side of his face squished against the wooden frame.
"'Sephone."
"I'm almost finished Percy, be patient." Persephone laughed at her best friend's antics, her melodious voice muffled by the wood pressed against Percy's ear.
Percy let out a huff, letting the door take his entire weight. The hinges creaked the slightest bit but stayed firm; Percy personally made sure Persephone's room was impenetrable. He could ram the door with his full strength and it still would not give way. Still, he felt a little better, as if Persephone would hear that little creak and understand his impatience and put him out of his misery.
"'Seph – "
"I'm coming out Percy, stop leaning on the door or you're going to fall on me."
Percy contemplated the merit of such an action for half a second; falling on Persephone sounded like a pretty good idea. It would teach her to keep him waiting and 'Sephone gave the best hugs. He moved away a second before the door opened, like they both knew he would. Persephone smiled at him, a soft small smile that some people might scoff at but warmed Percy's heart because he knew it was a true smile. A real Persephone smile. A 'I'm terribly fond of you although I'm not entirely sure why' smile. It was a smile for Percy and Percy alone. He coveted every one of Persephone's smiles but this one most of all.
"You looked beautiful," he said honestly as she linked her arm through his.
She always did. Persephone was the most beautiful woman in the entire world and it didn't really matter what she wore.
The royal family took Percy in when he was only six years old. His parents were long dead; he scrounged a living stealing off the streets and sleeping in unattended wagons. Or on the ground, if a wagon could not be found. That was how the queen found him. Her entourage rolled through the little town he took shelter in and found him on the roadside. Persephone had cried and Queen Demeter ordered the carriage to halt and check on the child. They brought him back to the palace where he stayed, a permanent resident in the alien and elegant world of royalty. A beggar child, kept as a companion for the little princess. Percy did not mind; he would not trade his place for the world. When Persephone was small, Percy was her playmate. He made sure the queen and her court remembered the princess needed to play and take breaks (sometimes by rudely interrupting important court processions much to the court's never ending displeasure). As she grew older and her lessons grew longer, Percy forced himself into the guards' ranks.
They taught him how to use a sword and perform all the duties of a guard so he could become the official guard of his princess, a position he held to this day. He was both friend and protector. And secret admirer.
That was an accident. But Percy dared anybody to spend time with Persephone and not fall in love with her; it was impossible. Persephone was kind and generous. She loved her people fiercely and would make a most benevolent ruler one day. She always knew when to listen, and laughed at all of his jokes, even if they weren't funny. She wanted to build snowmen and willingly aided him with some of his pranks. But she also enjoyed serving on court and tending to her people's needs. She loved flowers and spring was her favorite season.
She was his best friend, his princess; he was hopelessly in love with her and nothing could ever come of it. For a hundred different reasons; Princess Hera, Queen Demeter's younger sister by near fifteen years, made sure he knew each and every one. It gave her great pleasure to remind him that he was only a lowly peasant, so generously allowed to live in the palace, and a guard of the princess, one who could be nothing else. Percy got it. Really. Besides, he wouldn't do anything to jeopardize the wonderfully deep friendship the princess and him forged. He would gladly pine for all eternally if it meant being Persephone's friend, he didn't even care. He just needed Persephone to be happy and by his side. Nothing else really mattered.
Persephone's eighteen birthday was in three days; the young princess and sole heir to the Queen would be coming of age. Queen Demeter arranged for a grand birthday ball and important people from all over the seven seas gathered to attend. Arendelle was one of the greatest kingdoms in all the lands after all. Some came to gaze upon the beautiful daughter of the grand queen, others to milk the kingdom's high spirits for their own financial gain… and more still came to try and win Persephone's fair hand.
Persephone, Percy knew, needed no suitor. The thought itself was laughable. Persephone would one day be queen, supreme ruler of the land regardless of her marital status. Her spouse would be the queen's consort, not King or any other title of power. There would be no power involved at all for that suitor. Still, the spouse of the future queen of Arendelle was a desirable position of wealth and esteem. Just the thought made Percy's blood boil.
"Has the Weselton ship docked yet?" Persephone asked, drawing him out of his depressing thoughts.
"Ah, yeah," Percy said, smiling as she tucked her arm through his and purposefully strode forward, pulling Percy along with her. "King Kronos and Princes Poseidon and Zeus docked at dawn, but they didn't disembark until a little while ago. The queen wants us to greet them and bring them through town to reach the palace. Something about showing the prosperity of the nation and to keep Kronos' greedy hands away from the palace for as long as possible."
Persephone laughed, a soft tinkling sound like a bubbling brook. "She did not."
"Okay, maybe not in those exact words, but I got the point," Percy grinned. "I can read between the lines."
Persephone's shoulders shook with gentle laughter, "You can't read Percy."
"That's because Hera's got a vendetta against me. She made up her mind when I first showed up that I wouldn't be able to learn and was hell-bent on proving her point. Hardly my fault."
"Tell you what, after this ball, I'll teach you how to read myself," Persephone declared.
"Really?" Percy asked, blinking at his princess in surprise. "I mean, you've got your duties, and Hera wasn't exactly wrong. I really did suck at reading, it would take a long time to teach me and I get bored real easy, I'm such a pain – "
"Percy," Persephone cut off his babbling with a kind and warm smile. "I will teach you. What kind of princess would be if I didn't make time for my most faithful and benevolent companion?"
Percy swallowed against the lump of inappropriate emotion that clogged his throat at her words. Luckily, years of pining had shaped Percy's attitude so any declaration of un-guard-like affection was viciously suppressed and a sarcastic retort found its way to his tilted lips instead, a heartbeat after Persephone's words to avoid suspicion, "Oh, so you're going to teach Achilles how to read, I see how it is."
Persephone laughed, shaking her head and squeezing his arm tight, "You always know how to make me laugh. No, my ridiculous, witty knight, my mother's champion is great in his own way but you, dear Perseus, are my most faithful and loyal companion who could never be replaced. Now come, King Kronos and his princelings await."
The Winter Solstice was naught but a moon away and already Arendalle was blanketed in a thick layer of snow. Percy sat behind the reigns of Persephone's carriage, one hand on the cold bite of his silver sword as the frigid wind stung his eyes. Beside him, the carriage driver grumbled with his shoulders hunched against the elements. Percy glanced back at the covered carriage where Persephone and the entourage were safely and warmly tucked away.
"I thought Weselton had a king?" The carriage driver called, squinting ahead. Percy turned to narrow his eyes at the richly dressed individual waiting for their arrival.
"They do," Percy snorted. "That's Hera. She must think we took too long."
The driver's eyes widened as he scolded, "Princess Hera."
"Yeah, whatever," Percy dismissed. "Slow down would you? She's likely to behead you if you get dirty snow on her dress."
With fearful eyes, the driver pulled the carriage to a halt on the opposite side of the road from Hera. She scowled at Percy as if it were entirely his fault the roads were treacherous and weather unfavorable. He fought the urge to make a face at her as he hopped out of the carriage. His frozen legs protested the sudden movement and he let out a few muffled curses as he stumbled, grabbing onto one of the horses for support. The driver gasped at his language – which, honestly, sometimes people were so innocent, Percy heard Hera herself utter stronger curses – as he tried to rub feeling back into his iced limbs.
"Thanks, girl," Percy said, patting the mare that held him up before trudging over to the carriage door. "My princess," he called, disgruntledly blowing on his stiff fingers. "Your aunt awaits your arrival but – hey watch it, it's freezing out here!" Percy scolded as the door flung open.
Percy narrowed his eyes at the asshole who didn't let him finish and took pleasure in the curses he let out when the frigid air invaded the once warm carriage.
"Serves you right," Percy was unsympathetic. "Hey 'Sephone, Hera's waiting."
"Princess Persephone and Princess Hera," one of the guards hissed at him. Percy waved him off as Persephone climbed out of the carriage, giving him an exasperated but fond look.
"What? Don't give me that look – I tried to be all proper and whatever but I'm cold and none of these idiots were listening to me anyway."
"Perseus," Hera hissed, appearing at his side. Her talon-like fingers dug into his shoulder as she stole Persephone from his side.
"King Kronos and his entourage wait inside for us do they not?" Persephone interrupted smoothly, diplomatically changing the subject. Percy trailed behind the princesses, shoving his frozen fingers into his coat as he suspiciously eyed the foreign guards stationed outside the mead-hall the Queen designated for the visiting dignitaries.
"Yes, and they have waited an inappropriately long time," Hera said sharply. "The princes grow restless and unruly. Thank God we have only princesses and no headstrong male heirs."
Percy almost though Hera glared at him when she said this. He made a face at the back of her head just in case. Persephone hummed to acknowledge her aunt, but Percy knew her attention was focused on the scene before her. The Weselton royalty waited at the end of the hall. King Kronos sat tall in his seat, perfectly still as he watched their approach. He was a large man, he probably stood half a head above Percy when he wasn't sitting. There wasn't a trace of fat on his person, nor the strong muscles that graced Achilles' frame, but rather his very aura gave the impression of largess, of grandness. His shoulders were wide and broad, his forehead long, his jaw almost square. One titan sized hand rested at his side and the other wrapped around a wicked scepter. In the flickering flame light, his eyes appeared almost gold as they swept over the hall. Not the warm, liquid gold that pooled in Persephone's eyes, but a cold, heartless color, as untouchable and unfeeling as the metal from which it got its name. The mere sight of the king set Percy on edge; he immediately tightened his grip on his sword and vowed to carefully watch Kronos.
One either side of him sat the two princes. Well, sat was a relative term. The eldest, sixteen-year-old Poseidon (ha, take that Hera, Percy did pay attention in his limited political lessons) lounged casually, looking totally disinterested in the entire ordeal. His eyes briefly flickered over to the entering princesses, his appreciative once over of Persephone wasn't lost on Percy, but oddly enough the prince moved on to fix a longing gaze at the back door. Percy sympathized. The second prince, fifteen-year-old Zeus, slouched in a very sullen manner on Kronos' other side.
He looked terribly young to Percy, despite inheriting his father's rugged and powerful features. He had yet to grow into them and they contrasted starkly with the lingering childhood roundness of his face. His clothes, finer than even the silks that Persephone wore, were rumbled by his slumped posture and added to his childlike appearance. He wore a scowl and electric blue eyes flickered contemptuously to the approaching princesses before he froze. His eyes widened as they roamed over Persephone and then, oddly enough, Hera, lingering on her not unsubstantial chest. Which, ew.
There were no other member of Weselton's royal court, at least, not anymore. The queen died some years ago, Percy sort of recalled hearing that she passed in childbirth but he couldn't remember. More recently, however, Percy knew, was the tragic loss of Kronos' eldest son, who's name Percy never bothered to remember. Nobody exactly knew what happened to the eldest prince, only that one day he wasn't there and Weselton was in mourning. But that was years ago, the living members of Weselton's royal court were who concerned Percy.
After making his careful observations, Percy stepped up to Persephone's side, making sure his hand still rested casually on the butt of his sword. Kronos' eyes flickered to it before meeting the princess' eyes.
"King Kronos," Persephone greeted with a respectful bow of her head.
Kronos inclined his head in returned. "Princess Persephone," he greeted, "you are more beautiful than they say."
"Thank you," Persephone neutrally replied with another incline of her head.
"Let me introduce my sons, Prince Poseidon," he gestured to the eldest boy, "and Crown Prince Zeus."
Percy couldn't help but raise a surprised eyebrow at that. The youngest son was the crowned prince? His eyes shifted over to Poseidon, who was scowling fiercely as he glared at the door. Trouble in paradise then. Persephone inclined her head at both princes.
"We are honored to receive you," she naturally replied.
Kronos smiled, an emotionless tilt of his lips that seemed almost predatory. "And us to be received, dear Princess."
The niceties continued on in this manner, and Percy only kind of listened. Hera took over the conversation, informing the king and his princes of the queen's plan. They would entertain the king here for the night, set out across Arendalle in the morning, stall them as long as possible (Hera didn't exactly put it that way but Percy knew what she meant) and reach the palace sometime in the next few days. Kronos made all the right noises, nodding his head and generally looking like an uncaring monarch.
"If it should please you," Hera concluded neutrally with her most polite smile, "dinner shall be served shortly."
"That sounds most pleasant indeed, if only we are able to keep such delightful company before it is served," Zeus piped up.
Hera's eyes widened a fraction, the only indicator of her surprise, as they flickered over to the youngest prince. Zeus smiled, all white teeth and juvenile charm. To Percy's immense surprise, a smile twitched in reply on Hera's lips; her eyes narrowed shrewdly, Percy could practically hear the plotting that started with that glance. He surveyed the prince himself, unimpressed.
"We would be delighted," Hera responded in the same tone, but she offered the prince another smile. Zeus beamed in return. Percy kind of wanted to puke.
Persephone elbowed him lightly. Percy carefully schooled his face back into something neutral, letting his princess' fingers curl elegantly around his bent elbow as she curtsied to the Weselton court. The formal meeting dispersed, dignitaries and guards intermingling as the political game expanded to all members of the hall. God, Percy hated these meetings. Persephone tapped her finger against his elbow, once, twice, in gentle support.
King Kronos stepped off his temporary throne, smiling blandly as he was swept away in the excitement. Prince Zeus jumped out of his seat, suddenly more energetic, and came to a stop before Hera, still smiling broadly. Only Poseidon didn't seem in a hurry. He sighed as he gathered himself up. Persephone offered him a small, polite smile.
"Princess," Poseidon greeted, inclining his head. Once more, his eyes flickered to the back door as if he were entertaining the idea of slipping away.
His call was echoed elsewhere in the room and Persephone turned her head slightly before inclining it back at Poseidon.
"Pardon me but I am being summoned. Here, my dearest Perseus can keep you company until I return."
Percy tried to widen his eyes, he did not want to stay and entertain the spoiled prince this was not his job, but Persephone gently squeezed his arm, her face earnest. Percy sighed, knowing full well he couldn't deny her anything.
"Yes m'lady," he said, proud that his voice held none of the reluctance he felt. Persephone beamed at him, pressing a kiss to his cheek before disappearing. Percy fought the urge to reach up and touch his cheek where it still burned from the touch of her lips as he turned back to the prince.
Poseidon looked about as enthusiastic to have him there as Percy himself felt.
"So, not crown prince huh?" Percy said without thinking, wincing as soon as the words left his mouth. Dammit, that was a highly inappropriate thing to say. This was why Hera hated bringing him to these things; one of the few things they agreed on.
To his surprise, the prince didn't recoil, or gasp, or threaten to have Percy's head (not that Persephone would allow that) or anything else dramatic. Instead, as Percy watched in alarm, he snorted. It was extremely unattractive, his face scrunched up and the noise itself was unsophisticated in a way that Percy usually only heard in the guards' barrack.
"No, I am not," Poseidon agreed, with half a grin. "And that wasn't the wisest thing to say."
"Being wise is not my strong suit," Percy said offhandedly, fully aware that he should apologize or do some kind of damage control yet unable to make his mouth comply. "And I don't need to be lectured on it by a sixteen-year-old."
Poseidon grinned fully now as Percy once again winced at his own words.
"I mean – " he said, his brain to mouth filter finally turning on, although it offered no advice on what to say next.
"It's because of my marriage," Poseidon interrupted, which was rude. He could have let Percy finish putting his foot in his mouth. Also: marriage? The kid was, well, a kid. Something must have shown on his face because Poseidon grin turned slightly bitter.
"My marriage to a foreign princess annuls the right to the throne. Among other things," Poseidon's eyes flickered back to the door, and Percy felt a small pang of pity for the young prince even as he viciously tried to repress it.
"You probably shouldn't be telling me this," Percy reminded him, because this was the most surreal conversation he ever had.
Poseidon turned back to him, his grin twisting into a smirk. "Who are you going to tell?"
"I dunno, the princess that was just at my elbow?" Percy snorted, jerking his thumb over his shoulder, which got another laugh out of the prince.
"I like you," Poseidon decided, grinning broadly.
"And you're a little shit," Percy decided in turn. Poseidon laughed again and Percy found himself smiling ever so slightly. Okay, so maybe this prince wasn't that bad.
"Perseus," a cool hand wrapped around his arm once more, Persephone appearing at his side in one smooth movement that did not make Percy's heart jump, thank you very much. "I hope we're behaving."
"Why is me making somebody laugh a cause for concern?" Percy huffed, leaning slightly against his princess.
"Because she knows your humor probably," Poseidon guessed, the little shit, his eyes laughing at him. At Persephone's polite smile, he laughed for real. "Worry not, Princess, I rather like him."
"Oh," Persephone inquired, her eyebrows raising.
"Rude," Percy complained, "people like me, I'll have you know, I am very likable."
"Of course you are," Persephone soothed, patting his arm, which made Percy scowl and Poseidon laughed harder.
"I believe my brother enjoys the company as well," Poseidon added slyly, his eyes somewhere over Persephone's shoulder. Percy turned, wrinkling his nose ever so slightly as he realized that Zeus was talking with Hera. The young prince was standing far closer to the elder princess than was socially acceptable, and Hera, to Percy's horror, was actually smiling bemusedly and somewhat fondly at him.
"So it would seem," Persephone responded, ever the diplomat.
"She's like twelve years older than him," Percy said in mild alarm. Persephone tightened her fingers on his arm, a warning, but Poseidon laughed.
"And a foreign princess," Percy pointed out.
"Not in line for the throne, different lineage." Poseidon countered. "Doesn't count."
"That's horrifying."
"Percy," Persephone admonished, biting her lip to prevent a smile.
"What? It is, don't give me that look." Percy said, gently nudging her with his hip. That startled a light laugh from Persephone, Percy noted with pride.
"I hope we're behaving." Hera's voice rang out skeptically as she walked over, arm in arm with a still grinning Zeus.
Why does everybody keep saying that? Percy wondered, but he knew better than to run his tongue where Hera could hear.
"I must attend to dinner arrangements," Hera said, giving him a suspicious look. She held herself as tall and proud as ever, but her voice was unnaturally pinched as she ushered the young prince into their group. "Keep the princes entertained and enlightened in my absence."
Zeus pouted – he honestly pouted, lower lip jutting out and crossing his arms like a child whose favorite toy was being stolen.
"My dearest aunt," Persephone gently voiced, obviously as unwilling to entertain the young prince as Percy, and by the look of it Poseidon, were.
"I shalt be long, tell him the story of the Snow King or something," Hera dismissed, striding away, flashing Zeus a flirtatious smile over her shoulder which frankly made Percy very uncomfortable. He met Persephone's eyes and the almost invisible lift of her eyebrow told him that her aunt's unusual behavior had not gone unnoticed and that she probably had an idea what the hell Hera was up to.
"The Snow King?" Poseidon asked curiously as Hera strode away.
"A fable," Persephone sighed, watching as Hera's colorful dress disappeared in the crowd. "One that old wives like to tell to try and explain the cold weather."
"I don't see what they need to explain, it gets cold in the winter. There doesn't seem much more to it," Zeus grumbled, craning his head as he stared longingly at the spot where Hera vanished.
"It gets colder because of the changing winds," Poseidon corrected haughtily, smirking as Zeus turned to glare at him in the infuriating way only siblings can. "The winds change directions and blow the cold from over the ocean."
"That's now how it works – " Zeus objected hotly.
"Arendalle does not usually suffer such harsh winters," Persephone neatly interjected, effectively cutting off the argument before it could start. "Our winters, since before even the most esteemed and beloved Queen, my darling mother, was born have been mild. But as of late, the winters have turned bitter and frigid. Snow enough to bury entire villages descends with the change of the season. It is most unusual. But not a cause of alarm, they clear up as spring comes and our warm weather returns. Old wives like to gossip, however, and frighten their children into submission... thus the Snow King was born."
"A fairy tale," Poseidon said, amused.
"A little wives' fable," Persephone corrected.
"So what, some man made of snow comes and turns the winter extra cold?" Zeus grumbled, snorting.
"Something like that."
"If you're going to tell the story, at least do it right," Percy teased and Persephone laughed.
"Alright. Well then, the story goes that one dark winter night, eight years ago, a simple spinster was busy at work spinning winter garments for hapless orphans in the upcoming winter when she heard a noise. She went to the door and looked out to investigate. In the late fall evening, amidst the swirling leaves and frost-kissed grass, she is said to have spied a young man. But, according to the story, it was no ordinary young man. He was tall, with ebony hair darker than the midnight sky, and eyes that burned like coal. Skin, whiter than the snow that swirled around the figure like bees around their queen; angry, protective, dangerous. Ice sprang up from the ground at his every step, leaving in his wake heaps of snow and great crystals of ice. Behind him, a desolate and frigid winter lingered and as he strode forward, he brought a seemingly eternal storm with him.
He passed the spinster's home, and the dear woman caught a glimpse through the storm into the vintage of the frozen stranger. His face was twisted in agony, though no wound marred his form. The very wind seemed to howl with his pain. Then he was gone, passing her house like a parting storm, but in his wake Arendalle was plunged into the first of a series of harsh and frigid winters."
The light in the room seemed to dim as Persephone told her little story, the wind outside the hall roaring fiercely and battering against the walls. Persephone blinked at the sound, turning her head slightly before smiling at the princes and giving a little laugh.
"Oh, would you look at that. I think the Snow King liked my story."
"You're a very good story teller," Poseidon flattered with a bow. "I'm sure the Snow King would be greatly flattered, if he existed."
"Why thank you," Persephone laughed, curtseying in reply.
"Tell me about Princess Hera," Zeus demanded and Poseidon groaned. He rolled his eyes at Percy as Persephone patiently and kindly spun a very (very) generous account of the queen's sister.
Hera herself appeared not long after and the discussion dissipated as dinner was served. Percy was never allowed to eat with the princess, but Poseidon loudly invited him to sit beside him and entertain the foreign prince. Kronos was clearly displeased but forced a smile and spun some tale of international cooperation as Percy took a seat next to the pleased prince.
Dinner turned out to be a rather pleasant affair. Poseidon was witty and sly, much to Percy's delight, and they traded whispered barbs and observations throughout the night. Persephone would glance across the table at him when she was overwhelmed or exasperate. Her eyes would meet his and he would smile. The corner of her mouth would soften, her eyes sparkling in reply. It felt like they were the only two people in the room in these moments, before Persephone turned her attention back to whoever was talking.
The evening came to a close and Percy watched Persephone out of the corner of his eye as she bid the king goodnight from his seat at Poseidon's side.
"It's been a genuine pleasure, my dear," Kronos crooned, grinning that crooked, emotionless smile as he took Persephone hand and placed a kiss to the back of it. Percy wrinkled his nose but kept his mouth shut.
"It has been a lovely evening," Persephone replied as Percy slipped to her side. She smiled politely as she reclaimed her hand, holding her arm out to Percy who gladly laced his through it. Kronos watched the movement, his smile frozen on his face.
"We will be back in the morning to take you to the palace," Persephone continued.
"It would be most beneficial if you were to leave a guard behind who was familiar with the town and its sounds," Poseidon put forth. "And to answer any lingering question we may have in your stay."
Kronos' lips turned down but Zeus met his brother's eye and some silent communicate passed between the pair. Zeus' eyes gleamed as he turned back to face Persephone, grinning.
"Yes, very beneficial. We wouldn't want one of our guards to mistake one of your villagers for a thief or something. Besides, I've got a lot of questions I'd like to ask." After a pause, he innocently added, "About Arendalle of course."
Of course, Percy snorted, turning to share a look with Persephone. The princess frowned at the scheming princes, who smiled deceivingly sweet in return.
"If that is your wish," Hera mildly agreed with a bow of her head, motioning for one of the guards in the back to come forth. Kronos started to object, frowning suspiciously at the guard who stepped forward but his son beat him to it.
Poseidon scoffed, his face twisted ever so slightly like the stuck up prince Percy thought him above. "You would lend us one of your lowest guards? Is that how Arendalle treats its visitors?"
Hera visible stiffened, her jaw working.
"I can assure you that all of our guards are fully capable of any task you would find befitting one of their occupation – "
"Perhaps," Poseidon allowed, looking bored and unconvinced. "But, as a gesture of goodwill, should you not leave one of your personal guards? Like Princess Persephone's loyal Perseus over here."
Persephone's grip on his arm tightened as Percy rose an unimpressed eyebrow at the young prince. So that's what he wanted. Poseidon had the cheek to grin at him before turning back to Hera.
"Perseus is – " Hera gritted her teeth as she tried to object. Percy watched her curiously; it wasn't every day the princess was forced to speak of his redeemable qualities and worth. He was kind of excited to hear her try. Hera was saved the honor when Persephone spoke up:
"Perseus is a very dear member of my guard, and my personal one. It would be very dangerous for me to lend him to you, even for the night. He is entrusted with my safety and all that entails it; it would be treacherous to be without him so far from the palace."
There was no 'and I'd miss him' in there; Percy wondered if it was wishful thinking that made him believe he heard it lingering on the end of her speech anyway.
"But you are in your own kingdom," Poseidon objected, raising an eyebrow. "And you have plenty of other guards. After all, surely your biggest threat tonight is our party itself, oh please don't try to deny it," he added dryly when Persephone opened her mouth to gently object.
"We all know it's true and it's nothing we need to tiptoe around. Foreigners, especially foreigners with soldiers, are a threat and there is no need to pretend otherwise for our delicate hearts. Let your guard stay here and entertain us, and he can keep you safe by keeping an eye on us."
Percy had to admit, Poseidon knew how to make a good speech. Percy almost wanted to leave himself behind. But that would mean being away from Persephone for an entire night, trusting Hera's head guard to keep her safe and yeah Percy wasn't on board with this.
"That's – " Hera sighed, "that's all very true. I suppose, if you so desire it, you can have our Perseus at your stay for the night."
What? No, Hera wasn't supposed to cave. Percy glanced at Persephone, whose face was as pristine and pleasant as before. But Percy knew his best friend like the back of his hand, and the tight lines around her mouth and slight crinkle in the corner of her eyes told him she wasn't happy with the arrangement either.
"It is," Poseidon agreed amiably.
"Give us a few moments to make preparations and we shall leave you for the night," Persephone said, smiling pleasantly at the smug princes. Percy narrowed his eyes at them when they gave the princess their leave, Poseidon winking and Zeus grinning.
"Little brats," Percy grumbled as Persephone pulled him away.
"Be nice," Persephone lightly admonished as they walked out to the waiting carriage, Hera trailing behind.
"They don't need me here," Percy tried to argue, although he knew it was futile; Hera agreed to leave him here (the traitor).
"No, they don't," Persephone agreed with a sigh. She pulled her cloak more firmly around her, all the while keeping one arm tucked into Percy's elbow. "And I shall sorely miss your company tonight."
Percy felt his heart swell at her words and a ridiculous smile found its way onto his face. She turned to face him, her face slightly pinched as she fussed with the collar of his coat (it refused to turn down no matter how hard Percy tried).
"Just, remember they're not us okay Perce?" Persephone quietly fretted, her anxiety betrayed in the use of the old nickname. "I know you got along with Poseidon, but he is still a foreign prince. Try not to upset them, or do anything that would cause offense. Kronos is not a kind king and oh, I do not wish to leave you with him."
Percy felt his lips twitched slightly. "You do realize I'm supposed to be the one who looks after you right? Come one 'Seph, if I can take Hera on a bad day, I can take anything the Weselton Royalty can throw at me. Besides, I can protect myself. I kinda spent a few years training in combat you know."
Persephone's lips curved upward in response. "I do not doubt your ability to bravely face any adversary you can swing a sword at, my dearest Perseus. But you cannot swing a sword at the king."
"I mean, I could try, mind you I don't think it'll turn out very well for me – "
"Perseus," she admonished, "I am trying to be serious."
"You'll write my eulogy right? Make it heroic. Only allow blue flowers on my grave."
"Percy – " and there a gentle laugh broke free from the princess. Percy smiled warmly at her, patting her reassuringly on the arm that still gripped his coat tight.
"I'll be fine 'Sephone. Don't worry about it, you'll see me first thing tomorrow morning," Percy assured her, detaching her fingers from his collar and giving them a gentle squeeze.
"Before the sun even rises," Persephone agreed, squeezing his hand in return. "Do try not to angry anybody."
"I'll try," Percy basely promised, helping her climb into the carriage. She seemed reluctant to release his fingers once she was inside, her face twisting ever so slightly as she gave them one last squeeze. He gave her a smile and she shook her head but smiled in return.
Percy shoved his fingers inside his coat as the carriage door shut, the princesses safely inside. The driver gave him a pitying look, clicking his tongue as he calling the horses into action. Percy extracted one of his hands from their warm home to wave goodbye to the departing carriage. He thought he saw a delicate hand peek out of the carriage to wave in reply.
"Sweet dreams," Percy muttered into the air.
The princes ambushed him the moment he returned.
"No fair, back off Poseidon, I get him first. Tell me all about Princess Hera," Zeus demanded, his fingers digging into Percy's arm to an almost painful degree. "Is she promised to anyone? Why hasn't she married? Does she have a dowdy? What can I do to make her smile?"
The last question was the one that threw Percy and he frowned at the youngest prince as Poseidon neatly shoved him aside.
"What?" was all he managed as the brothers broke into a squabble.
"You can ask your ridiculous and frankly disturbing questions later," Poseidon dismissed, jabbing his elbow into Zeus' ribs. "Run along and let the grownups talk."
"Oh please, all you want to do is talk about fishing," Zeus scoffed, ramming his knees into his brother's stomach. Percy idly wondered if he should be doing something about the escalating violence, but none of the other guards looked surprised or concerned so maybe it was normal.
"It is hardly my fault if you do not realize the redeeming and calming qualities of fishing," Poseidon sniffled, knocking Zeus' legs out from under him. Zeus grabbed his brother to try and steady himself, but instead both princes went crashing to the floor, where there was hair pulling and biting and other dirty tricks that were really unbecoming two regal princes; seriously wasn't anybody concerned? Maybe Hera had a point and they were better off without any princes.
"Alright, alright, knock it off," Percy interjected, lightly reaching out to kick the mass of irate princes at his feet. Nothing. Percy sighed.
"I said, knock it off," Percy repeated forcefully, stepping into the fray. He reached down and bodily hauled Zeus off of Poseidon. "Honestly, was the biting seriously necessary? Poseidon, give Zeus his crown back, no you may not beat him with it give me that."
By the time Percy got the pair straightened out, the princes' once pristine clothes were torn and dirty, Zeus' crown sitting lopsided on his head from the dent that now graced its side. Percy rubbed his forehead, feeling like an exasperate mother with two unruly children.
"Nope, I don't even want to hear it," Percy said when Zeus opened his mouth. "Seriously, did I get taken away from my princess to babysit you two?"
"No," Zeus huffed, crossing his arms like the child he apparently was. "I just wanted to hear more about Princess Hera."
"It was nice," Poseidon said, sounding ridiculously regal and composed for someone who had, only a few moments before, been brawling with his little brother, "to be able to talk to someone who does not treat us like princes. You speak freely and boldly, and our royalty seems not to faze you. It was a very pleasant change."
"Yeah, yeah," Percy grumbled, hip checking Zeus to the side so he could sit next to the irritating princes. He felt kind of bad for the poor kids, because honestly that's what they were at only fifteen and sixteen years old. They were still little shits, but Percy felt an odd urge to protect them. It was probably Persephone's angelic nature rubbing off on him.
"So…fishing?" Percy said. Zeus groaned but Poseidon beamed bright enough to light up the room.
Percy settled against the worn bench, smiling slightly as he chatted amiably with Poseidon; occasionally Zeus would interrupt and Percy would give him little tidbits of information about Hera. It didn't matter how despicably he painted her, Zeus seemed enamored. Which was still totally gross, but kind of amusing all the same.
"Don't you guys have a bedtime or something?" Percy asked some time later when the oil lamp burned low, its dying light valiantly fighting against the cold of the night; when the conversation consisted mostly of the sound of the snow falling on the rooftop, the scruff of boots against the floor, and gentle breathing.
"We're not babies," Zeus said scornfully, which would have been a lot more effective if he weren't pouting or fighting back a yawn. "I'm Crown Prince. I could have you beheaded for insulting me thusly."
"You know he's tired when he gets cranky like this," Poseidon murmured sagely, his eyes closed from where he leaned against the wall.
Zeus seemed to have a scathing response, his face scrunched up all angry like, but it faded as he slumped against the bench. Outside the wind blew fiercely against the hall. Zeus' eyes were distant, fixed on something Percy couldn't see.
"Do you think the Snow King is real?" He asked.
Percy frowned at the youngest prince. Squinting through the darkness, the childlike qualities seemed to fade from Zeus' vintage; his eyes were weary, his face taut.
"I think," Percy said slowly, "that every myth has a grain of truth to it. Old wives' tales are told for a reason, and none of them should be ignored."
"Are you filling my sons' heads with fairy tales, guard?"
Percy had seen Kronos stand, watched the king out of the corner of his eye as he ambled towards them, but he didn't honestly think he would intrude on their conversation like he had. Percy fought the urge to frown at him. The princes reacted immediately at the sound of their father's voice; they both sat up, their backs straightening, wide awake in a heartbeat.
"It's more a myth actually," Percy said, because his brain to mouth filter was nonexistent at best.
Kronos gave him a thin smile, but his eyes were dark and warning. Percy suddenly remembered Persephone's warning and, for the first time, thought his princess might have been right about him. There was something dangerous about Kronos, something beyond the usual power and might of a monarch. Queen Demeter projected power with her very person, but that felt radically different from the cold chill that rolled of Kronos.
"Come boys," Kronos said, "we don't need our heads filled with the nonsensical ramblings of a half-witted guard. It is time to retire."
Poseidon gave him an apologetic look, putting a hand on Zeus' shoulder – who actually looked like he was going to challenge his father on his insult. The sentiment was nice, Zeus apparently liked him more than Percy thought, but unnecessary. The Crown Prince didn't need to upset his father just to protect the half-correct assessment of an Arendalle peasant. Percy gave the boys a small smile and shook his head. He inclined his head politely at the king, who ushered his princes away without giving Percy any further consideration.
Outside, the storm raged.
Percy watched the princes disappear into their chambers for the night, sighing. He wondered what Persephone was doing now. Sleeping, probably, curled up in her rich pajamas as a guard who wasn't Percy kept silent watch outside her door.
"No, please, you have to let me through! I must speak to the Arendalle guard within these halls!"
Percy turned his head at the frantic call, realizing one of the Weselton guards was arguing with someone at the door, blocking them from entering.
"Please, please, I must speak with Perseus Jackson, it is of utmost importance, please."
Alarm bells immediately starting ringing in Percy's head; he was at the door before the last frantic plead left the visitor's lips. Percy all but shoved the irritated Weselton guard out of his way, his eyes quickly cataloging the pleader. It was the carriage driver. He was trembling like a leaf, paler than the unfeeling snow that clung to his eyelashes.
"What's wrong?" Percy demanded, searching the driver for injury. There was a scrap across his forehead, but it didn't look serious.
"He took her," the driver gasped, his eyes wide and gaping, his fingers grabbing Percy's collar and clinging on like a dying man. "He took her."
"Who took who?" Percy demanded, alarmed and fearful of the answer.
"The princess," the words were half sobbed, half hysterical. "The Snow King took Princess Persephone!"
A/n Okay first off, I am so so sorry for the delay. That was much longer than intended. My computer crashed and I lost the first 17k to this story and rewriting something you've already written is the worst. But I managed. This turned out to be my second longest chapter so I hope it makes up for the long wait? Maybe a little? I've got the next chapter written, but only part of the third because it's been slow going, sorry guys. But I'll try to keep them in quick succession. I'll try my best. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday season and thank you for your patience.
I had to mess with genealogy a lot to make this work so, in case it's not clear: Demeter, Hera and Hestia are sisters, but not daughters of Kronos. The sons of Kronos are not related to the girls. Poseidon is not Percy's father; there is no relation there.
Nerd time: This was originally supposed to be based totally on Hans Christian Anderson's The Snow Queen, which Disney's Frozen is extremely loosely based on but it turned out to be somewhere between the two instead. If you haven't read The Snow Queen you should immediately, it's my second favorite fairy tale ever. Seriously. And Percy is totally Gerda, trust me. Him and Gerda are so one it hurts. Also, bet you can't guess who the Snow King is (you totally know who the Snow King is, I wasn't exactly being subtle).
Thank you so much for all your support! Please tell me what you think and I hope you enjoyed ~ *