Disclaimer: I do not own Spice and Wolf nor Frozen.

Chapter 14

Kai stormed through the halls in an absolute panic. "What do you mean no one's seen the Queen since last night!?"

One of the servants shrugged, "She stopped by the kitchen and picked up some food that she'd requested made earlier in the day and then apparently got her horse and rode off towards the north. Some guards reported they thought Prince Naeil was with her but they weren't sure."

Kai rubbed his temples furiously, "She is supposed to be giving a speech in two hours! We have to find her. Someone find Ragnar, maybe the Sergeant knows where they went."

As if speaking his name had summoned him, the Wulfen Guard Sergeant strode into the room. "Has anyone seen the Captain roaming about?"

Kai sighed, "Oh no...the Queen and the Crown Prince are both missing?"

Ragnar paused and then grinned, "Are we sure they're missing? Has anybody bothered to check the Queen's bedchamber?"

Kai harrumphed. "Queen Elsa would never do such a thing. And for your information, yes, we did check her bedchamber, they aren't there. She was seen riding off to the north last night with someone who, apparently was your prince."

Ragnar nodded, "Right...so we need to check every inn and barn between here and Yoitsu."

Kai's face was closed to bursting, "Sir, how dare you besmirch the Queen's..."

Ragnar snarled, "CAN IT, Kai. You've got eyes. You know damn well the Queen and the Prince have been circling each other almost since they met. She's a young woman and he's a young man. Things happen. For all we know...they ran off to get married."

Alexis walked in, "You can all relax, they're on their way back. I spied them from the wall, and my guess is they'll be here in just a few minutes."

Kai breathed a sigh of relief, just as Anna raced in, "Kristoff proposed!"

Ragnar and Alexis both shouted their congratulations to the princess as Kai's face dropped in distress once more. "Oh why can't anyone tell me these things before I spend hours writing a speech..."

As the "missing" royals walked into the main hall, Anna raced over to her sister. "Kristoff proposed last night! He told me you gave him one of mother's rings for him to use! Oh I'm so happy!"

Elsa hugged her sister, "I'm so happy for you too, Anna. Once we get this whole affair with Weselton sorted, we can start planning the wedding."

Kai approached the Queen, "Please Majesty, you must hurry and change if you are..."

Elsa flared her powers and was wearing a blue and white version of her Coronation Gown...complete with an ice crown. "There, changed in a hurry." she quipped. "Kai, will you calm down...you're going to collapse at this rate."

Ragnar moved beside his Captain, "Well, Captain, anything interesting to report."

Naeil nodded, "Yeah, did you know that snowmen make good stablemen? I didn't realize that."

Ragnar stepped away from his Captain and turned to Alexis. "When this is done, he goes to bed for at least six hours of sleep. Clearly the exhaustion has gotten to him."

Alexis nodded and then giggled, "But one must wonder at the reason for him not sleeping last night."

Kai sighed deeply, "Okay, very well your Majesty. Here is the speech I prepared last night."

Elsa took it and read it over. Kai saw the look on her face and inwardly cringed, "I didn't realize your sister was going to be proposed to last night though, so I figured you could quickly mention it in passing." I have a bad feeling that's not what she doesn't like about this speech though.

"Kai," Elsa said softly, before turning to him, her face filled with genuine apology. "I know you worked very hard on this, and at the time, it was the correct speech to write."

Here it comes. "But this morning your Majesty, has it no longer become the correct speech?"

Naeil's face went wide with surprise, as he started to comprehend was Elsa was implying.

Elsa looked at him with her eyes full of love and adoration. "Last night Prince Naeil bonded himself to me in a way no other man ever could. In doing so, he offered his life to me and to me alone, and I gratefully, and most humbly accept that offer, and offer mine in exchange."

Naeil's face was locked in shock as he watched Elsa pull his token chain out place it in plain view for everyone to see.

Anna's eyes were wide, "You mean...you are..."

Elsa smiled, "I guess we're both engaged..."

Ragnar slapped Naeil on the shoulder, "That would be considered 'interesting'! Not some pipe dream about walking, talking snowm..."

"Hi everybody! What's happening? Anna! I heard you're marrying Kristoff! Congratulations!

Naeil turned to Ragnar and Alexis, who were standing with their jaws hanging open, staring at Olaf and then looked at Elsa with a grin on his face. "See, it's not just me."

Anna laughed, and then got a serious expression, "Wait, what about what you told me about not becoming engaged to someone you just met?!"

Elsa raised an eyebrow slyly, "Being the Queen has it's privileges my dearest sister. Besides, Naeil and I have known each other for years, so that's not even an issue."

Anna and Kai's eyes widened, "WHAT?!" they both shouted.

Kai stepped out to the balcony, sighing. "When this is over, I'm requesting a leave of absence. I need a vacation."

"People of Arendelle, I present to you, your rightful ruler and defender of her domain, Queen Elsa."

She walked out onto the balcony to cheers and waved to the throng below, smiling. She waited a few minutes before holder her hands up, signaling the crowd her desire to speak.

"Good citizens of Arendelle, I come before you in a time of crisis. As I am sure many of you are already aware of by now, the nation of Weselton has declared war upon us, in retaliation for my termination of our trade accords with them. They seek to forcibly remove myself from the throne and bend you to their will. Fortunately, we are not alone in these dark days, for we have been blessed to receive aid from our distant northern neighbors, the Kingdom of Yoitsu. They have sent us their own sons and daughters to help defend our fair kingdom, as well as weapons, and we are deeply grateful for their assistance in the coming days ahead." Pausing, she motioned to Naeil, who stepped forward and bowed. The crowd cheered, although his heightened hearing caught several gasps and cries of surprise at the sight of his ears and tail. He started to back away, but she held out her hand, signaling he needed to be at her side. He took it and the crowds cheers died to mumbling. Elsa smiled and continued.

"Prince Naeil, Captain of the Wulfen Guard and Heir to the Throne of Yoitsu, on behalf of my people, I thank you."

He bowed again as the crowd cheered, and then Elsa turned motioning for silence once more.

"While the shadow of war looms over us, it can not block out the rays of joy that life offers us. Last night, our noble Royal Ice Master, Kristoff of the Mountain Lands, asked for Princess Anna's hand in marriage. I am pleased and have given them my full consent in this union."

The crowd cheered once more as Anna and Kristoff stepped forward and waved to the crowd. Naeil suppressed a chuckle. "Royal Ice Master, it still sounds completely made up." he thought.

Elsa beamed at her sister and then motioned once more for silence. "Cupid has indeed blessed my sister and has shown compassion for us as well. Last night, Prince Naeil, in the manner of his people, asked to remain by my side for the rest of my days. After careful consideration, and much soul searching, I have most happily accepted."

Naeil and Elsa smiled at each other as the crowd erupted into cheers again. Naeil caught a few mutters of "cost of protection" and knew that he and Elsa would have to deal with that belief, but for now, he was just happy to be here, by the woman he loved.

Leaving the balcony, the two couples contentedly sighed at their brief moment of quiet. Elsa smiled, "That went pretty well. Kai, are you going to be alright?"

The aide nodded, "As long as I get no more unexpected surprises today."

They all laughed, when suddenly both Naeil and Elsa yawned. "Well, shall we get some sleep?" asked Naeil.

Elsa nodded, "Yes. Kai, I am to remained undisturbed until noon."

He was fidgeting, "But your Majesty, even though you are engaged, it would be scandalous to share..."

"Relax, we're going to our own rooms." She smiled sweetly at Naeil, who nodded.

"Yes, when I say I want sleep, I mean sleep. Ragnar, come get me at one."

The sergeant nodded, "Right, in your own room, although I'll know where to check if you're not there."

Elsa and Naeil both blushed, and then glared at the sergeant, and then looked at each other. Elsa muttered, "You know, sometimes I think we're the most mature ones here."