Authors note: I want to thank you all for reviewing and reading the last chapter. Hearing your opinions means a lot and they also help if I need to edit or make something better.
Adept: I apologize for that, I do try my best. I do promise that the story will be beta later on. But hopefully you will continue to enjoy the rest of the story.
Cannon: I know.
Guest: Depends...
guest: Yes! And I promise the reveal will blow you away. I would tell you but that would be a huge spoiler.
Jacob Flores: Thank you so much. Glad you have enjoyed the story, hopefully you will enjoy the rest of the chapters which will be posted.
Dreamsandimaginations: Yes! What will Elsa think or how will she react to it?...I would tell you but it would be a huge spoiler. lol
Yubima-chan: And it is very important as thanks to that Elsa will start to stand her ground more, think for herself, make her own decisions rather than being persuaded by others and do what makes her happy.
Any way I hope you all enjoy this chapter and please leave a review when done, opinions are most welcomed.
Night had come, everybody was in bed except of course some guards who were doing rounds through the palace to keep the inhabitants safe. Though it was supposed to be like that this night the guards were not the only ones wide awake.
In one of the many designated meetings rooms inside the palace council and the Duke of Weselton had decided to have an emergency meeting, the topic of to be discussed was about the Firebird and they were not happy.
"How could this have happened?!" growled the lead councilman as he paced back and forth on one spot,
"That bird has finished 2 of the 3 trials" said one of the lesser councilmen in a panicked tone,
"And to make matters worse the church is now supporting the union and the public adores that bird!" growled another in disgust, when the Church did not supported it meant that they would not be married, but now with the Church giving permission it meant they had lost another leverage to use against the bird and queen. With the public they tried to damage the Firebirds reputation by spreading false rumors, but that did not work as well as the people had seen him attached to the Queens hip almost every waking moment, plus seeing the queen so happy and all the positive changes made it impossible for them to believe that the Firebird was doing anything the false rumors said, the rumors further backfired when the bird somehow succeeded bringing back the remains of King Agnaar and Queen Iduna, this further validated the birds good nature causing them to ignore whatever rumor was heard at best and at worst they would fight back resulting in brawls with the lackeys that were hired to spread the false rumors.
"This is disgusting! It cannot happen! We cannot let Queen Elsa stoop so low as to marry a bird!" yelled another as he stood up and slammed his fist on the table in anger.
"But what can we do? He has won almost all the trials and to make matters worse it seems that the queen herself has fallen for the thing" said youngest councilman meekly, he remembered seeing Elsa spending more leisurely time with the Firebird, he even caught her hugging the bird, innocent gesture but regardless it showed the growing feelings between the two.
"Calm yourselves! There is still time! There is one more test" said the Duke trying to keep the control over the council.
"What if the birds passes it?! There will be nothing stopping the union!" said one of the lords outraged.
The Duke Weselton glared and said "It means nothing...just leave it to me...I will come up with another trial! This one he will not pass!".
"It better work" growled another one,
"It will!" snarled The Duke before turning to face a window, his eyes looking outside, but his mind calculating.
Despite the reassurance the group looked among them unsure, a lot of them wanted to get out of this mess before it got worse as they have noticed that the Firebird was obviously not an ordinary bird, but something of great power. What's worse of it is that Elsa now taking more and more control away from them, no longer was she the weak minded girl and it was all because of that bird thing!
Because of it they were loosing their power and influence over her!
"Just what we needed...it was bad enough that Princess Anna wants to marry an ice harvester and now the queen has a bird...when will this nightmare end?" Muttered a councilman as they decided to call it a night.
Days passed and it the more it did, the more changes there were. Elsa now could surely say that she was a Queen as she walked the halls in confidence, when she spoke nobody dared to interrupt or disobey her, she was finally listened to, respected and her decisions were not second guessed. So in all she had to admit that the Firebird finding her arrow was definitely a godsend. For surely if anybody else would have found her arrow she would not have gotten as far as she was able to.
Yet even with all the changes and advancements she made as a person there was one thing she was not able to do. Her magic... while the Firebird was always wanting to see what she can do and her limit she herself could never find herself comfortable to do it.
Seeing that he was not getting his way the Firebird began to insist upon it and it was getting to become very annoying, even more at night.
"Pssss! Elsa! Wake up!" A hushed voice said. For a moment Elsa found herself lost in time for she though that it had been her sister trying to wake her up just because the "sky was awake"
Opening her eyes she saw it was not her sister, but the Firebird,
"Firebird?" asked Elsa confused as she yawned.
"Come on Elsa, it's the perfect time" said Firebird as he latched unto her arm gently and began to try and pull her out of bed.
"For what?" yawned Elsa as she rubbed her eyes.
"For your magic" said Firebird "If we hurry we can make it to the North mountain and back before dawn",
"Why?" asked Elsa,
"Have you never wondered the full potential of your magic?" said Firebird "Are you not the least bit of curious to see what you can do?",
"No and I do not think I want to find out" said Elsa annoyed of having to say this over and over again as she turned to go back to sleep.
Firebird frowned as he saw that, he really wanted Elsa to do this so she will get comfortable with her magic. It was quite sad to see her always holding back, never using her abilities, fearing and hating them and herself in turn.
Then a smile spread cross his face as he turned and said "Your right, guess your magic is not all that impressive, I mean... making ice? That is boring, What can you do with ice? It's just water basically".
Hearing this made Elsas eyes open wide as she turned and flared at the firebird "Excuse me?",
"It's true, if you do not want to use them than it means that their not so important, oh well... guess I will be going by myself to admire my own magic which I believe is much more impressive than ice" said Firebird as he mentally smirked, hoping off the bed he counted in his mind 3...2...1
"Wait just a minute! My magic is better than yours!" said Elsa as she got up "Can you build castles with a flick of your wrist?",
"Can you?" said Firebird acting as if he did not believe her,
"Yes" said Elsa,
"Prove it" said Firebird crossing his wings.
"Fine, I will" said Elsa as she got up from bed and dressed.
"Worked like a charm" though Firebird with a smirk.
Wearing pants Elsa hang unto the Firebird talons as he flew them over forests and valleys till they reached the North mountain.
Landing there Elsa let go and ran her hand through her hair "I do not know how you managed to convince me to this",
"Because I am charming? Smooth talker? Handsome?" he said joking, smirking Elsa turned and said "I think it was that wine I drank before going to bed",
"Oh come on! Where is your sense of adventure?" said Firebird "Now let's see some magic" as he back away a bit to give Elsa the necessary space to work.
"Okay fine" said Elsa as she looked around to make sure they were alone before she moved her hand and made a snowman form out of her snow magic. Moving over the Firebird looked over it in a critical eye before saying pretending to be disappointed "Is that it? And you call yourself the snow queen?",
Hearing those words lit something inside of Elsa, her fighting spirit in a sense. She glared and smirked, oh she was so going to make him eat those words.
"Is that so? Watch this" said Elsa as she looked around and waved her hands making some stairs appear.
Walking over she touched it and smiled as they turned solid ice before she ran up the stairs elongating them as she ran up the stairs.
"Come on! You can do better!" said Firebird as he flew after her,
Elsa just smirked as she turned and stomped her foot making a floor appear with a snowflake pattern.
"Nice looking but not impressive" said Firebird landing next to her,
"Who said that I was done?" Said Elsa as she moved her hands, the floor rose as walls and floors appeared followed by patterns on the walls, fancy columns even a massive chandelier .
"There! Your doing it!" cheered the Firebird, that in turned made Elsa do more, she wanted to make sure he ate his words as she added detail to the walls and even changed the colors of the floor and walls.
The end result was a breathtaking castle made enterly out of ice. To say that the Firebird was speechless was something as he looked around with his beak open, the castle was elegant, had charm, it almost did not look like a castle for it was too beautiful and for a moment he wondered if he was in some kind of beautiful dream.
"Speechless?" said Elsa giggling as she found the Firebirds facial expression to be rather comical.
Shaking his head he just smirked and said "Okay, you won, you are indeed the snow queen",
"Don't your forget it" said Elsa whose smile went wider, hearing those words were like music to her ears.
"Trust me, I will not" said Firebird as he followed Elsa who gave him the grand tour of the ice castle.
As they walked he smiled very content listening then after a while he said "You need to do this more often".
Elsa tensed before looking and asking "Do what?",
"Your magic, it is amazing, whatever you touch you bring the beauty out of it" said Firebird as he gestured all around.
Looking down Elsa said "I doubt it...",
"Why?" asked Firebird sadly,
"My magic it... hurts...destroys...I...I just can't" said Elsa shaking her head.
"Elsa" said the Firebird softly as he walked over and placed his head on her hand "Whoever told you that is wrong, your magic does not hurt or destroy, you are an artist, magic is your paint, you bring out the beauty of things, your ice has brought nothing but joy and fun and you should not be ashamed of it",
"But my magic-",
"Ignore what was said about your magic, listen to me and Anna, to us you and your magic will never be evil, destroyers or anything" said Firebird "For the first time since we met...this moment...this is you... the real you, not the frigid strict queen, but Elsa... the sister, the noble heart, the artist, the kind, the selfless...that and your magic... is what makes you beautiful and you should not be hiding it".
Elsa stared shocked and said "But the people",
"If they do not love you then their the most blind people in the face of the earth, for who could not love a person like you" said Firebird then added softly "You need to love yourself Elsa, for your not a one in a million... your a one in a lifetime".
There was silence as the Firebirds words relayed in Elsa's mind over and over. The passion, the way he spoke it, it hit her in such a way that made her heart start beating a mile a minute. As she stared at the firebird, she did not see a bird at all, but somebody who like her sister has shown her the greatest love.
For a second it was as if the blinders had been taken off and for the first time in forever she could see clearly, clearer than she had ever seen in her life.
"Firebird" she whispered softly.
"Elsa...I need you to close your eyes" said Firebird.
"Why?" asked Elsa curious,
"Trust me" Firebird assures.
Normally Elsa would have not, but since he has kept his promises he has earned her trust so she did as she was told.
She closed her eyes,
"No peeking" instructed the Firebird as he shifted to his human form. Walking over to Elsa he hesitated, he felt his face turned red and his heart racing as he leaned over, wanting to kiss her very badly.
But just before his lips could even touch hers he stopped... it did not feel right to kiss her then and there...Yes he poured his soul out to her yet...
Pulling away he frowned, he could not do it...not yet... it was just not right to kiss her when he has not told her the whole truth... and this was not the right place for it, this was her time to shine, he did not want to ruin it by showing her the truth and telling her about his past.
"Some other time" he though, so changing back to his Firebird form he walked over and hugged Elsa.
Opening her eyes she simply smiled and hugged him.
"Thank you" she said and she meant it as he had given her the greatest gift she had ever recieved.
They held one another before turning to leave as they had to be back at the palace before sunrise.
The sun had risen and there was peace, quiet, it was just how Elsa wanted to be.
Sitting down next to a window she had spent a pleasurable hour conversing with the Firebird about books, philosophy and other manner of things.
It was quite nice really as she had never been able to speak to anybody else about much deeper topics, she had tried with Anna but her little sister had no interest in such topics as the carefree princess preferred to spend her days playing in the sun.
Now they were reading, while she read the latest must read poem book he was busy with an anthology of fairytales by Hans Christian Andersen.
Quite strange as he did not seem to fancy fairytales as he claimed that the stories of the brothers grimm were quite a bore to him.
Looking down at her own book and read
"I will always work to be worthy of your love, and I accept that neither of us is perfect.
I promise to stand by your side, wherever our lives will take us, for together, we will build a life far better than we could ever imagine on our own".
"How is the book?" she heard the Firebird ask prompting her to lower it and say "It's good...and yours?",
"It's fine, though I read it because it's a way of seeing what my friend is up to" said Firebird,
"Friend?" asked Elsa curious,
"Yes, he and I go way back...look he even wrote this little one dedicated to me" said The Firebird as he opened the book and showed the poem to Elsa.
Beneath the tree of knowledge in the garden of paradise stood a rosebush. And here, in the first rose, a bird was born. His plumage was beautiful, his song glorious, and his flight was like the flashing of light. But when Eve plucked the fruit of the tree of knowledge, and she and Adam were driven from paradise, a spark fell from the flaming sword of the angel into the nest of the bird and set it afire. The bird perished in the flames, but from the red egg in the nest there flew a new bird, the only one of its kind, the one solitary phoenix bird. The legend tells us how he lives in Arabia and how every century he burns himself to death in his nest, but each time a new phoenix, the only one in the world, flies out from the red egg.
The bird darts about as swift as light, beautiful in color, glorious in song. When a mother sits beside her infant's cradle, he settles on the pillow and forms a glory with his wings about the head of the child. He flies through the room of contentment and brings sunshine into it, and he makes the violets on the humble cupboard smell sweet.
But the phoenix is not a bird of Arabia alone. In the glimmer of the northern lights he flies over the plains of Lapland and hops amid the yellow flowers in the short Greenland summer. Deep beneath the copper mountains of Falun, and in England's coal mines, he flies in the form of a powdered moth over the hymnbook resting in the hands of the pious miner. He floats down the sacred waters of the Ganges on a lotus leaf, and the eye of the Hindu maid brightens when she beholds him.
Phoenix bird! Don't you know him? The bird of paradise, the holy swan of song? He sat on the car of Thespis, like a chattering raven, flapping his black gutter-stained wings; the swan's red, sounding beak swept over the singing harp of Iceland; he sat on Shakespeare's shoulder, disguised as Odin's raven, and whispered, "Immortality!" into his ear; and at the minstrels' feast he fluttered through the halls of the Wartburg.
Phoenix bird! Don't you know him? He sang the Marseillaise to you, and you kissed the feather that fell from his wing; he came in the glory of paradise, and perhaps you turned away from him toward the sparrow that sat with gold tinsel on its wings.
The bird of paradise-renewed each century-born in flame, dying in flame! Your portrait in a frame of gold hangs in the halls of the rich, but you yourself often fly around lonely and misunderstood-a myth only: "The phoenix bird of Arabia."
When you were born in the garden of paradise, in its first rose, beneath the tree of knowledge, our Lord kissed you and gave you your true name-poetry!
After reading it Elsa frowned and asked "Firebird...Anna says how you know all these people and know royals...is it true or just tall tales?",
"It's true, why do asked?" asked Firebird cocking his head to the side,
"It just seems so...",
"Unbelievable? Yes, I do agree with you on that, but no it's not a lie, I have met them and I am friends with them" said Firebird as he went to put the book back.
As he did Elsa looked down and could feel her heart race a bit.
For the past couple of days she has been feeling that.
It was so strange as at first she wanted nothing to do with the bird and now...she actually looked foreword to spend time with him...even her life... as somehow the more time passed with the Firebird the less she could imagine spending her life without him.
"Your starring at me" said the Firebird as he seemed to notice so he turned to face her as he asked"Something wrong?".
Looking away Elsa said "No no, sorry my mind was elsewhere" the Firebird did not look convinced as he was going to say something but before he did Kai opened the doors and said "Queen Elsa, Duke Weselton and the Council of Arendelle requests a meeting with you".
Elsa frowned as she wondered what did they wanted before looking back to the Firebird and saying "Sorry that I have to leave",
"It's okay, see you at lunch?" asked Firebird, Elsa nodded yes.
What happened next, she was not sure what prompt her to do such a thing but she did regardless.
She walked over and kissed the Firebird, on the head but regardless she kissed the bird and much to her surprise she was not disgusted or anything like that, it felt nice, it made her happy.
Seems like it made him happy as well as he gave her an avian equivalent of a goofy grin as waved at her goodbye when she left.
Walking over to the study Elsa sighted before opening the door when she saw the council of Arendelle and the Duke of Weselton already gathered in the room and sat in their respective seats.
Behind Elsa was Anna and Kristoff as they decided to accompany Elsa after having run into her when she was making her way over to the meeting.
"What is going on?" asked/Demanded Elsa in an icy tone when she noticed the looks on their faces, she did not like the smug look on their faces and the desire to wipe it from their faces was very great, but she controlled herself reminding herself who was in charge.
"Ahh Queen Elsa, just in time" said the Duke with a smile "We were just discussing about your animals final trial".
Elsa glared something was up but decided not to let it show as she said "I do not tolerate you disrespecting him, he is my fiancé and I expect you to treat him with the same respect as me, for once we are married he shall be my consort".
Hearing that made Anna happy as it further proved her sisters feelings, she even felt silly for even doubting her sister for a second.
"Oh I would not know that, but forgive our presumption" said the Duke as the council smirked further proving to Elsa that they were indeed planning something.
She nodded and said "Continue",
"For this last task...your beloved Firebird has to get approval" said the Duke "Of your family, your uncle King Frederik and Queen Arianna of Corona",
As soon as he did Elsa felt a stab in her chest, what a dirty trick! It was not a fair trial, it was not even a trial at all! It was a trap for she knew they would never approve! Arianna might approve, but Frederik would never give his approval!
"That is not fair!" yelled Anna letting her voice be heard,
"It is the trial! Take it or leave it!" said the Duke crossing his arms looking even more smug than before "There will be a ball to celebrate your coronation, all of the royals including your aunt and uncle, if he somehow can get them to approve then the trial is won".
Elsa gripped her gloves, but said nothing more. She was fearful, this might as well be throwing in the towel as there was not even a remote possibility that uncle Frederik would approve.
Slowly walking back to the room Elsa felt each step was heavier than the last as she made her way inside and closed the door behind her.
"What happened Elsa?" asked the firebird worried as he noticed the look on her face as she walked over and sat on the bed, not saying a word.
"Why are you so sad?" ask Firebird gently as he got closed, placing his head under her hand in an effort to comfort her.
"Its...the council delivered the final trial, they want you to get my uncle and aunts approval at my coronation ball" said Elsa as she was upset, but not with the Firebird, but with trial as she was sure that this was the one which he would fail.
The firebird looked confused as he was not sure why she was upset about it at first then his eyes widen with realization.
"Your ashamed of me" he said sadly as he bend his head as he turned to leave but stopped when Elsa walked over and hugged him and said "Please its nothing like that my Firebird, you have been supportive, helpful and good and yet... my uncle is very strict and over protective, I am afraid that he may not approve and we will loose the trial because of it".
"I understand" he said softly even a bit relieved to know that she was not ashamed of him, for a moment there was a silence before he said "Go to the ball alone",
Elsa opened her mouth to protest but the firebird said "I will follow shortly after...trust me" with that he left, flying out the window as he usually did.
Leaving Elsa unsure of what would happen. All she could do now was pray and trust.
To be continue...
Authors note: I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Now! The upcoming chapter! Will it be the grand reveal!? Will Firebird/Hans chicken out?! Will the council and the Duke will win?! Well you will have to wait and see...so please leave a review to tell me what you think and stay tuned for the next one.