Author's Note: The new chapter is actually now chapter 8. It's an Olaf-devoted chapter. Sorry for the confusion. :)

For My Kingdom

A Frozen Fan Fiction

Chapter Nine:

Fear Will Be Your Enemy

The throne room, in which Elsa usually met with her advisers and citizens of Arendelle, now contained three times as many chairs and sitting on each one was, hopefully, a friend of the kingdom. It was mid to late afternoon and the room was rather warm. Without anyone else knowing, before she entered the room she sent in a small current of cool air. Perhaps if they were more comfortable they would be more likely to help her.

She nodded to a small man by the door who then announced, "Queen Elsa of Arendelle." Everyone in the room stood.

Elsa's heart was pounding fast in her chest as if it were trying to escape as she walked across the platform and stood before the throne and before her allies. For a moment she only observed them as they watched her silently, trying to gauge what they were feeling. "Thank you," she began after a deep breath, "for meeting with me on such short notice." She glanced morosely to her left where Anna should have stood. She had wanted to attend as well, but Elsa felt bad for postponing her and Kristoff's honeymoon, so instead she insisted that Anna spend time with her husband. "I'd like to apologize for this delay in your journeys home, but as you are aware, complications have arisen in regards to my safety as well as the safety of Arendelle. I cannot allow these to continue. I'm sure you would all agree."

At first she was once again greeted with silent stares, but after a moment, the duke of Wales on the second row raised a hand. Elsa nodded towards him and he stood. The gazes of the audience fell from Elsa to him in a heartbeat.

"Queen Elsa, has it been discovered who was behind the attempt on your life?" All eyes were on the queen again.

"The man who served the poison is currently being held in the castle dungeons, having admitted guilt of his crimes. However, we have reason to believe..." She swallowed a lump forming in her throat. "That he was acting under the authority of someone else, and that this is only a first."

An unintelligible murmur rippled through the audience, sending pangs of distress into Elsa's heart. Second in line to his throne, the young prince of Denmark stood in the back of the room, quieting the restless dignitaries. "Your majesty, with all due respect, if you were killed, what is the plan of action then? Princess Anna would inherit the throne, yes, but though she is a lovely girl, is she ready to take on the throne?"

The question stabbed at Elsa, almost physically hurting her. "I believe my sister, though somewhat unorthodox, would make a great queen."

This time it was one of her older advisers, Sir Thomas Rehm, who stood. "Your majesty, you know I have known you and your sister for most of your lives and that I have grown to care deeply for each of you, but I must agree with Prince Alexander. Should your reign come to an unfortunate end, your sister is not ready to take your place." The criticism of her sister was hard for Elsa to absorb. It took an inordinate amount of self-discipline to refrain from rubbing her temples in frustration. "And since," he continued, "despite the urging of your counsel, you have thus far refused to consider even courtship with a man to possibly rule at your side..."

Sir Rehm trailed off and sat and another man just behind him stood. "Queen Elsa, if you do not marry how do you intend to provide Arendelle with an heir?"

"Is it not your duty to marry?"

"You must provide your kingdom with an heir!"

Suddenly half the room was standing and shouting things at her. "Please, settle down..." A river of anxiety began to pulse through her veins like an icy slush. She could feel the ring on her right hand turning cold, looking down at the silver band she saw that it was now frosted with ice.

Biting down hard on her lip, she hid her hands behind her, grasping them tightly, and said as loudly and commandingly as she could without shouting, "I will marry!"

The chaos petered out and died as everyone looked surprisingly at her.

"I will marry," she repeated gazing tiredly at the people before her. "And if any of you have any ideas as to with whom I should entrust my kingdom, please come forward as soon as possible." She heaved a sigh and glanced longingly toward the door. "Until then, you may return to your rooms."

Without another word, she walked back across the platform and through the door. Tears flooded her cheeks like a dam had broke as she forcefully removed the frozen ring from her finger and clutched it in her hand. It burned her skin almost as if she were holding a flame, but the pain cleared her head just enough to consider her plan of action. The flow of salt water increased dramatically when she realized just how pitiful it was.