Okay, so I've decided to upload twice a week on a Thursday and a Saturday until we catch up to what I'm writing at the time, then I'll change to just Saturdays so I can write the chapter before I upload if need be.

Anyway, I hope you like what I've done, and if you don't I hope you like where it takes the fic. You might notice a lot of things that have continuity issues in later chapters (I didn't iron the fic out before I started to upload) so if you notice anything down the track let me know so I can fix it :D

Without further ado, here's the next chapter.

Chapter 2

"Have you come to a decision?" Kai entered the study again, standing hesitantly by the door. Gerda told him Jackson was here.

"Not an easy one." I held the paper out for him to read. He watched me carefully, slowly taking hold of the letter.

Prince Nikolai of the Southern Isles,

I am writing in reply to your recent letter of proposal for a union of kingdoms by the way of marriage.

I wish to inform you that I accept your offer and bid that you come to Arendelle for a formal announcement prior to my visiting the Southern Isles.

I am to trust that you will resume trade at the earliest convenience.

I await your reply or arrival,

Queen Elsa of Arendelle.

"You're accepting? What of Mr. Overland?" Kai was happily shocked. Despite his wanting my upmost happiness, he knew I had to take this proposal to keep Arendelle alive. I shook my head.

"We're not going to have a discussion, Kai. Send the letter." He stopped me passing him.

"I thought you wanted to wait until the boats returned from Corona and Weselton." He doubted my decision was thought out. I shook my head again, with less energy.

"What's the point in accessing a new trade agreement when we're angering the Isles? They have eleven other unmarried princes to bring together the largest unified nation in the world and I am not going to feed my people now only to have them killed later. My hands are tied." I pushed past the servant's arm and left the room.

I found myself in my room, sitting on the window seat, when Anna found me.

"What are you doing to yourself?" She asked, sitting beside me and draping herself over my shoulder in a more comfortable imitation of a hug.

"I'm doing my job." She snuggled into my side and pulled a blanket over our legs.

"I told you I would take the proposal." I flicked my wrist and a little icy puppy spiraled around the air playfully.

"What kind of big sister would I be if I asked you to marry someone for a political agenda? Besides there's no guarantee they would accept that and resume the trade since you're not Queen." She giggled when the puppy's tail tickled her nose, leaving it frosted.

"I would have tried anyway, for you and Jackson." I played with the end of my braid between my fingers, looking out over the courtyard again.

"It doesn't matter anyway. I've asked the council to consider the engagement before and they always say no; he's of no royal blood nor is he an asset to Arendelle." I sighed, repeating the same line I've heard a thousand times. Anna squeezed my shoulder.

"He is an asset to Arendelle. He understands the politics, both the political and social, he knows how to work both of them together, he cares enough to fight for what he believes in and what he knows is right. He is a natural leader and he has the charisma to deal with diplomats and tradesmen, but he still knows how to have fun and make you happy. You can't tell me he isn't an asset to Arendelle." I smiled and climbed off the window seat.

"Try explaining that to the council some time." She gave a small sad smile and followed me out of the room.

"Maybe I will." I heard her mumble as we walked down the hall, nodding respectfully at the passing workers. I rolled my eyes at her attempt to salvage the unsalvageable. The door guards to the Dining Room moved to open the doors the second I was in their sights and opened them to let the smell of roast chicken waft into the hall.

"Guess we'll be carrying leftovers out to the villages again. The cooks just don't understand portions, do they?" Anna laughed and took her place to my right on the long table. As was custom, the servers rushed in with our plates and then hurried back into the kitchen to grab their own and took places along the rest of the table. Once all of them were seated, along with the other workers who were off shift I held up my glass.

"Thank you all for your services, enjoy your meals." They replied with a clear, resonating "Bess your Majesty" and lunch began.

There was hearty conversation and half way through, the workers left and relieved their co-workers so that they could join us. I gave them the same greeting and they dug in. I watched all of them talk to each other and smile together and I don't know why I could ever doubt I was a bad Queen when my people were happy, fed and safe. The cooks finished their meals and brought out the basket of leftover chicken and salad to take to the villages. I thanked them again and they returned to their posts.

"C'mon Elsa; we've got food to distribute." Anna jumped from her chair and grabbed the basket. I followed her from the dining hall and caught her when she slipped on the stairs.

"Will you be needing an escort your Majesty?" Kai called from the second floor overlook. I struck a hand in his direction and covered the railing in icy spikes that he narrowly avoided.

"I think we'll be fine." I smiled back at him, thawing the spikes before I closed the heavy oak door behind me.

"He's just trying to help." Anna reminded me softly, clutching the basket to her chest. I sighed, nodding at her young wisdom.

"I know, but he's still the one spearheading the council against mine and Jackson's engagement. I understand he is my advisor and he's just doing his job but something has to be my decision." There was no response. We continued on to the village in silence, nothing but the crunch of snow underfoot and the cawing of cold birds could be heard.

"Your majesty." A woman curtseyed when we entered the town square, alerting the other villagers of our presence. A series of bows and curtseys from the villagers of the square ensued before they hesitantly came up to us, shyly asking for a ration of the lunch leftovers. Anna diligently separated the meal into generous, but small, rations for distribution while I mingled about the square.

"Queen Elsa." I turned to the voice to find Jackson's mother and sister staring at me curiously.

"Ms Overland. Mary." I greeted courteously as I would another royal. Mary shuffled behind her mother slightly and smiled shyly from her hiding place. I returned the smile warmly before returning to her mother.

"Where is my son?" I could hear the undertones of worry threaded through the question the mother was hiding from her unknowing daughter.

"He didn't return home?" She shook her head, dropping it slightly.

"He returned earlier, but he left after one of his castle friends visited and hasn't come back." I tried to hide my worry from Mary's view. I knelt down to her eye line,

"How about you go see Anna and grab something to eat, if that's okay with your mother of course." With a quick glance at her mother, who nodded in approval, she let go of her hand and made her way over to the crowd by my sister. Returning to full height, I pulled Ms Overland a few steps further from the crowd, but still visible to Mary.

"Explain." She demanded.

A/N

Please R&R for me to let me know how you're feeling with what's going on. Thoughts, criticism, hate, love anything is accepted :D

Come back Thursday for the next chapter