Chapter Five: The Wedding.
I apologize for taking so long with this chapter. It hasn't gotten any easier for me to budget my time, and I don't think anyone is reading this anyway.
This is the last chapter I will submit before the end of the year, but there's more where this came from. At this point in the story, not only do we cover Anna's wedding to Kristoff, but we also meet Elsa's love interest, a certain red-haired gentleman from the Republic of Aquila.
I'd also like to remind the readers that this fanfic contains a great deal of headcanon (Read the prologue again if you need to). There will be no real-world countries from planet Earth in this story, only countries invented by Disney and by yours truly, respectively.
To that end, I should explain something important about the Republic of Aquila. While the culture of Aquila is based on that of America, the story of how Aquila was founded is very, very different from the story of how America was colonized. Aquila's origins are mostly based on how a country's story begins in one of the Civilization games by Sid Meier. It just kind of cropped up out of nowhere.
America's history is seeded with disturbing truths, but that's no excuse not to acknowledge it.
Among these harsh truths are:
The displacement and extermination of the Natives
The African slave labor that formed the backbone of the southern economy
The paranoia of the 1940s that inspired the Japanese Internment camps
To sum up, Aquila's history may seem overly idealistic for a country that's based on American culture. This is the reason I was worried about negative criticism regarding this story. But once again, I will remind my readers that none of the countries in this fanfiction are real, nor is this fanfiction set in the real world.
As promised, here is the next chapter of Blazed, featuring Lin-Manuel Miranda as the voice of Prometheus Merryweather.
January 17th, 1840.
After three months of waiting in anticipation, the wedding day of Princess Anna Stark and Ice Master Kristoff Bjorgman had finally arrived. The entire kingdom was celebrating their wedding day in one form or another. While the wedding party held their ceremony in the church, the people threw a mighty festival of their own. There was music in the air, dancing in the streets, cheap souvenir merchandise being hocked on every corner, and even a little drunken property damage. For your average Arendellian, this was the only way to celebrate. The kingdom's jovial spirit would not be deterred.
As the people of Arendelle drank and danced into the night, the wedding party continued to celebrate in the royal palace. Among the guests were Arendelle's upper crust, Kristoff's foster family from the valley, and visiting diplomats from the neighboring kingdoms and beyond. They had come from Albion, Galais, Corona, DunBroch, Agrabah… Dignitaries had even come from across the Great Sea, including a representative from the Republic of Aquila. The palace ballroom was full to bursting with these guests. They were currently watching the two newlyweds sharing their first dance as husband and wife, to a performance by Olaf and the Arendellian Philharmonic.
"This next number goes out personally to the happy couple. Enjoy. ahem…
"Two different worlds,
We live in two different worlds,
For we've been told that a love like ours could never be.
So far apart,
They say we're so far apart,
And that we haven't the right to change our destiny.
When will they learn
That a heart doesn't draw a line?
Nothing matters if I'm yours
And you are mine.
Two different worlds,
We live in two different worlds,
But we will show them as we walk together in the sun
That our two different worlds… are one.
When will they learn
That a heart doesn't draw a line?
Nothing matters if I'm yours
And you are mine.
Two different worlds,
We live in two different worlds,
But we will show them as we walk together in the sun
That our two different worlds… are… one!"
The audience cheered for Olaf, the Philharmonic, and the newly married couple. As the guests moved onto the dance floor for the next number, Anna met up with Elsa at the buffet table.
"So this is what a wedding looks like, huh?" said Elsa.
Anna chuckled at that. "Somehow, I feel like we've been here before. All we're missing is the—."
"Chocolate?" Elsa held out a small plate of brownies.
"Don't mind if I do." Anna took a bite out of one of the brownies. "Delicious. sigh. Today could not have gone better."
"Well, I know you like chocolate as much as I do…"
"No, Elsa, I… I meant because you were here today. You and everyone else I care about. But especially you. I know this is my special day, and it's about me and Kristoff and all… but after all those years we spent separated from one another… it means a lot that you were in the wedding party."
Elsa gave a warm smile. "Thank you, Anna."
"… I just wish mom and dad could've lived to see it."
"They would be so proud of you."
"Well, they'd be proud of you, too, Elsa. Don't think they wouldn't." Anna finished her brownie and looked out at the dance floor. "You know, one of these days, you'll have a wedding here…" She paused to swallow. "… and we're gonna throw you a party that'll put your coronation to shame."
Elsa chuckled at that idea. "Uh, no, thank you, Anna. I don't think that's very likely."
"But, Elsa, don't you want to have someone special in your life?"
"I already have that, Anna. I have you."
"Aw, thanks. That's sweet and all, but… I was thinking more along the lines of what I have with Kristoff: A special someone you can have all to yourself. Don't you want that?"
"I can't really afford to look at it in those terms. It's hard enough being a monarch. Whomever I marry will factor into Arendelle's political future. And besides… most eligible bachelors would probably feel intimidated by my magic."
"Well, then, we just need to find someone right for you who's not afraid of your magic and who doesn't have designs on the throne."
Elsa chuckled in amusement. "And you really think I'll find a man like that somewhere?"
"For all I know, the right man for you could be at this party. Look around… see anyone you like?"
"Well…"
"Excuse me, Queen Elsa?"
Elsa turned to her left to find the source of the voice… and that was when her life changed forever. Standing there was a tall, handsome man in a maroon tailcoat. He wore his red hair in a ponytail, and he looked back at Elsa with a pair of soft, deep brown eyes and a warm, inviting smile.
Elsa found herself momentarily disarmed by this man's presence. "Umm… ahem, yes? May I help you?"
"Please, allow me to introduce myself, Your Majesty. I am Ambassador Prometheus Merryweather from Aquila, and I just had to take this chance to meet the Queen of Arendelle in person."
"Oh. Why, thank you. And of course, thank you for coming. I would shake your hand, but you might lose a finger."
Prometheus held out his hand. "That's a risk I'm willing to take."
Elsa shook his hand tentatively, and was surprised by the warmth of his touch.
"Wow… Um, have you met the bride?"
"Ah, Princess Anna. Congratulations. And thank you for inviting me."
"Of course. Thank you for coming." Anna's eyes darted between Elsa and Prometheus. "Say… would you care to dance with my sister?"
"Anna…"
"I would love to. Your Majesty, would you honor me with a dance?"
Elsa blushed as a smile creeped across her face. "Um… very well."
He took his hand in hers and led her onto the dance floor. Elsa looked back to see her sister giving her two thumbs up.
As they danced across the floor, Elsa was rather surprised by the young ambassador's unconventional behavior. This man was not only handsome, charming, and very polite… but also carried himself with a healthy confidence that belied his common heritage. Other well-bred leaders of her caliber might consider the ambassador's attitude to be disrespectful, but she found it quite refreshing. Perhaps it was just part of his Aquillian cultural identity.
She had, of course, heard stories growing up about the history of his country, the Republic of Aquila. The Republic was founded centuries ago by a group of like-minded philosophers who championed the ideals of democracy and equality over the divine right of kings. But the values of such a liberated nation would soon earn the ire of more traditional countries across the Great Sea. In 1778, the Kingdom of Albion sent a fleet to occupy the Republic. Albion's stranglehold on Aquila would last for fifty years before the revolution began. Another seven years of war would follow before the colony was a free nation once again.
Elsa recalled hearing of a certain "Fabian Merryweather" who lived in Aquila's capital, Eagle City. In the last twelve years, he had gone from beer merchant to patriot spy to General to President incumbent.
"So… Are you, by any chance, related to President Fabian Merryweather."
"He's my father. And while we have no monarchy to speak of, my family name carries a lot of weight. I wanted to serve my home country in some way, and make my father proud, so he appointed me the Aquillian Ambassador to Arendelle."
"What's it like in Aquila?"
"It's not so bad. Although we are running out of… bauxite…" Prometheus' gaze trailed off and his eyes went wide in apprehension. "Uh-oh."
"What's the matter?"
"Did you, by any chance, invite anyone from Albion to your sister's wedding?"
"Um, yes, I believe I did."
"It's just that one of your guests looks suspiciously like a certain Fleet Admiral from the Albinite Navy—Is he coming over here?"
Elsa looked behind her, following Prometheus' line of sight. Sure enough, one of the guests was walking toward them in long, purposeful strides. He wore his white hair in a flowing mane with a beard to match, along with a blood-red cloak in the fashion of royal officers in service to the King of Albion.
"Yes, that is Fleet Admiral Victor Collingridge."
"I knew it. And yes, he is coming over here. I should've known this would happen…"
"Your Majesty," said the Fleet Admiral as he bowed with a flourish. "On behalf of King James of Albion, I thank you for the invitation to your sister's wedding."
"Oh, I'm so pleased you could come, Admiral."
Victor turned to Prometheus with a condescending smile. "And young Mister Merryweather. This is indeed a surprise."
"Ah, you two know each other, then?"
"Something like that," said Prometheus.
"It is a shame your father isn't here tonight," said Victor. "He would've enjoyed the lutefisk."
"… Yes, and I'm sorry your son couldn't make it either."
It was only for a moment, but Elsa could tell from the twitch of Victor's eye that Prometheus had touched a nerve. "… Please excuse me."
As the Admiral walked away, Prometheus sighed in relief. "God, that was so awkward."
"Thank you for not dragging me into… whatever that was."
"I'm… sorry. After the war ended, his son Henry disappeared, so he came back to Eagle City and… basically interrogated my father to find out where his son was."
"Did your father even know?"
"None of us knew! We still don't. In fact, out of the Albinite vessels that departed from our shores, there were seven of those ships that didn't make it back to Albion. We have no idea where any of them went. To this day, Victor blames my family, and every time I see him…"
"Prometheus."
"Yeah?"
"Why don't we get some fresh air?"
As the party continued inside the castle, Elsa and Prometheus took their ease on the aft balcony, looking out at the Great Sea while the light of the moon bounced off the open waters.
Prometheus took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Thank you for suggesting this, Your Majesty. A little fresh air was exactly what I needed."
"My pleasure," said Elsa as they looked out at the sea. "When I was a child, I spent a lot of time in my room for everyone else's safety. I would stare out my window at night for hours, looking out at the Great Sea. I would wonder what strange, exciting new countries lay beyond the waves. How I longed for the freedom to see those lands for myself, but… the dangerous potential of my magic left me all but crippled with fear."
"It sounds like you had a very lonely youth, Your Majesty."
"In a way, my life is still very isolated. The wedding guests have been polite and respectful towards me, but… they still fear me and what I can do. They still see me as a monster. I still see it in myself sometimes. I have learned to control my powers again, but… but I still worry about hurting my people, my loved ones… my sister."
"Your Majesty…"
"Please… call me Elsa."
"Elsa… I realize we only just met, and I don't know you that well… but from what I've learned about you tonight, there is one thing I'm certain about."
"And what would that be, Prometheus?"
"You, Elsa Stark, Snow Queen of Arendelle, are not a monster. No… You are a miracle."
A miracle. That was how the ambassador saw her. And hearing the gentle warmth in his voice as he said it, seeing the sincerity in his eyes as they glinted in the moonlight… It was clear that he meant what he said.
Elsa smiled as a deep red blush came to her cheeks. "… Thank you. After greeting these nobles at my sister's wedding, seeing the fear and uncertainty in their eyes… It feels good to know I have a sympathizer."
"I know what it's like to feel out of place on the world stage. We Aquillians have a reputation for shaking things up too much, disrupting the established norms."
"We may have more in common than I realized."
"Well, I hope we get the chance to learn more about each other after tonight."
"As do I, Prometheus. Um, you'll have to excuse me now. My sister may be wondering where I went."
"Of course. I think I'll just take in the view for a little longer, if that's all right."
"Absolutely. Take all the time you need." She shook his hand for the second time that night. "It was truly a pleasure to meet you."
Prometheus accepted the handshake with another warm smile. "Likewise, Your Majesty." He kissed the back of Elsa's hand gently, sending a warm tingle up her spine. "I meant what I said earlier. And I truly believe that as long as you are in control of your magic, you have nothing to worry about."
I fear this man and his charms will prove to be my undoing. "You are very kind, Ambassador."
Elsa found herself hesitant to leave Prometheus as she made her way back to the ballroom. She tried her absolute hardest to maintain her composure, to remain calm and collected… but she could not deny how much she longed to see this man again someday soon.
And on the other side of the ballroom, sitting amidst hundreds of guests enjoying the wedding cake, Anna could see the look of longing in her sister's eyes.
Perhaps love was in the Snow Queen's future after all.
Author's note: In case you're wondering, "Two Different Worlds" is a song by Jeremy Vale. I wanted Kristoff and Anna's wedding song to be something cohesive with the nature of their relationship. You would not believe how hard it was to find a song like that.
Okay, so tune in next time, everybody! Same Frozen time, same Frozen channel!