Disclaimer:
I know nothing about historical accuracy surrounding medieval laws. Please bear this in mind if there are discrepancies. But feel free to drop me a PM with links to references if you know better.
The ice griffin swooped down, extending its large claws and digging them in the ground as it landed with a heavy thud. Scooping Anna's body to her chest with an arm supporting the redhead's back and the other behind her knees, Elsa dispelled the griffin. The creature shattered into a million fragments of ice crystals and Elsa landed nimbly on her feet before lowering Anna to the ground.
They had landed in a small opening before the same tent that Elsa had prepared for her earlier duel in. Their surroundings were eerily quiet with only the gentle fluttering of tent flaps caused by their abrupt descent from the skies. Muffled shouts and cries carried through the air from the direction of the duelling field and Elsa immediately made her way towards the commotion with Anna on her heels.
As they rounded the corner of the northern stand, the scene before them caused both women to stop short in shock. The southern stand was nothing but a heaping pile of rubble that served as fuel for a growing fire on the furthest end. Knights and guards were trying desperately to put out the flames by tossing dirt at its base to no avail while four soldiers were trying to lift a broad beam that had trapped a family with three children in the fire's path
Elsa sprinted across the field, her hands outstretched as she wielded her powers through her fingers. A burst of ice erupted from her fingertips, hitting a charring wooden beam at the base of the fire. Frost quickly spread across the beam only to melt from the heat into trickles of water that evaporated with a sizzle. Her face contorted in concentration, Elsa tried again; blasting the six foot high flames with a heavy snowfall. The packed snow succeeded in confining the blaze and even dampening it slightly. With the flames temporarily under control, the men redoubled their efforts, straining beneath the weight of the heavy beam and creating a crawl space for a knight to reach in and haul the children out first.
Loud cracking filled the air, accompanied by cries of pain as a higher section of the rubble shifted in an avalanche of jagged wooden boards that rained onto the men. A broken board struck one of the soldiers supporting the beam on his head and he collapsed onto the ground, unconscious. With one less able body, the beam was far too heavy for the remaining three soldiers to lift and they quickly succumbed to the weight; dropping onto one knee with their backs braced against the beam.
"Grand Marshal!" One soldier called out, the tendons in his neck visible from the strain of keeping the beam from crushing them.
Elsa turned her attention to the call, quickly assessing the situation. The fire was barely contained and would not stay that way without her intervention. Yet there were six innocent lives at stake if she did not do something and quickly too. With sheer willpower, she forced the snowfall to increase into a barrage of falling packed ice crystals that blanketed out majority of the flames. With her right hand still maintaining the flurry, she stretched her left hand towards the beam; conjuring up a thick block of ice that grew increasing higher to lift the beam at an angle. With the weight off their backs, the three soldiers quickly got to work, one ushering the trapped parents out from beneath the rubble while the remaining two dragged their comrade to safety.
As soon as they were a safe distance away, Elsa released her magic and returned her attention to fully extinguishing the fire with a contained whiteout that blotted out the remaining flames, leaving a smouldering pile. Her assistance here no longer needed, Elsa sprinted back to the opposite stands where Anna was already climbing the steps to the grandstand; her skirts held up to allow her feet greater mobility.
The winding staircase would take far too much time to climb. As Elsa approached the base of the first flight of stairs, she raised her arm, waving at a point right before Anna's foot. The snowflake that formed on the wooden platform grew quickly, stretching out in icy tendrils to form a large snow leopard.
Anna smiled down gratefully and pulled herself onto the creature's back. The beast tossed its head once then bounded up the bleachers effortlessly, Anna clenching onto a roll of loose skin around its neck.
"Elsa!" Kristoff urgent cry forced Elsa to turn away from watching Anna's ascent.
The large blond was waving wildly on the topmost platform of the stands, gesturing for her to join him. Easily vaulting over the barrier around the perimeter of the stands, Elsa leapt from bench to bench, steadily making her way upwards and ignoring the burning of her thighs and calves.
Kristoff was knelt over a man when she approached; one large hand pressed against the man's bleeding left shoulder.
"Who is this?" Elsa asked as she knelt to look down at the man's face. The man with sandy hair and dark eyes smirked back at her despite the gaping wound in his left shoulder and the trickle of blood running down the side of his mouth.
"Assassin." Kristoff stated quietly.
"Assassin?" Elsa echoed, studying the man's features intently. There was something familiar about him. A faint flicker of recognition in her deepest memories.
"The King and Queen are dead, Elsa." Kristoff choked out in a hoarse whisper.
"No." Elsa shook her head in denial, her eyes frantic as she realised Anna was on her way to the grandstand as they spoke. Twisting her torso around, her eyes roved over the empty stands, seeking for the snow leopard and its rider.
A cry of anguish erupted from the grandstand, confirming Kristoff's words. Elsa balled her fists by her sides in grief, hanging her head. But now was not the time to wallow in sorrow. She was still bound by duty and she could still seek revenge for the deaths of the only parents she ever knew. Uncurling her fingers, she grasped the dying man by his collar, yanking him off the ground till he was at eye level.
"Who sent you?" Elsa asked; her voice low and devoid of emotion.
The man laughed in her face, gurgling chortles that sent a spray of bloody spittle onto Elsa.
"I said, who sent you?" The man only grinned, a burble of blood staining his lips as they flowed down his chin. "You could tell me now or I'll make your death more painful than it already is." A trail of frost began spreading across his skin, burning him with the cold of frostbite.
"Long live Queen Elsa." He sputtered out through raspy breaths, grinning deviously, his eyes glinting with mirth. With a final gasp, his eyes bulged and warm crimson blood spilled from his mouth.
"What?" Elsa's grip slackened and the still warm, lifeless body of the man slid back to the ground with a thud.
"Long live Queen Elsa?" Hans incredulous voice sounded from the platform below.
He was propped against his sword, using it as a walking aid. His armour was caked in dirt, some of which smeared across his face and in his tousled auburn hair. His jaw had swelled, a large lump of red that caused his usually symmetrical sideburns to appear lopsided. His nose was crooked, hastily pushed back by inexperienced hands. Yet somehow despite the chaos that had occurred, he did not look any worse for wear than when he had conceded at sword point.
"Queen Elsa?" Hans repeated before pointing an accusatory finger at the blonde in question. "You staged this didn't you?" He jabbed his finger in her direction. "The King and Queen of Arendelle are dead because of you!" Spittle flew from his mouth.
"How did you know the King and Queen are dead?" Elsa asked hollowly, rising to her feet to stare down at the prince.
"I heard him say it." Hans pointed at Kristoff. "What did you hope to achieve?" He taunted. "Were you intending to kill me in a duel then claim the throne after disposing of Anna, Queen Elsa?" He mocked. "If only Anna knew just the kind of monster you truly are. Plotting against your own King. Worming your way into the royal family."
Elsa tensed her shoulders, staring coldly at Hans. "There will be no more deaths today. I suggest you watch your words, Prince Hans of the Southern Isles while you are here as our guest despite the unforeseen circumstances that had occurred the past hour. The King may be dead but my duty and obligations still remain."
Turning on her heel, Elsa hurried towards the grandstand. She had wasted far too much time.
Anna needed her.
xxx
Anna stared blankly at the prone figures of her parents. The solid wood platform sent sharp pinpricks of pain in her knees and up her thighs. She hadn't an inkling how long she had been in that position, neither was she aware of her aching knees from the hard wood floor. Everything was numb. Or perhaps she was in so much emotional pain that it sufficiently blotted out everything else. She was frozen in grief and denial; unable to accept the scene before her.
Who could? Children had always been meant to outlive their parents but the sense of loss had never been an easy process.
Her parents, who had seemed so much larger than life, were lying motionless before her. Her father had an arm draped across her mother's shoulder, clutching her tightly to his chest. Anna could only imagine what must have gone through their minds during the final moments of their lives.
Did it hurt?
Did they suffer?
Anna could only hope death took them swiftly, sparing them from any pain as life seeped from their bodies. At least they had each other.
There was movement to her left and Elsa joined her on the floor; the blonde's armour creaking noisily as she lowered herself onto her knees. They knelt in silence, seeking solace in each other's presence, neither able to find the words to say. It was a long moment before Anna could finally move and she slipped her hand into Elsa's, lacing their fingers. The warmth from Elsa's hand brought some measure of comfort, soothing her being and Anna clung dearly to Elsa, her shoulders quaking. Before long, the tears that she had fought to hold back in order to maintain a strong front spilled down her cheeks.
Wracked with grief and unable to put on a false pretence any longer, Anna buried her tear stained face into the crook of Elsa's neck and shoulder, uncaring about the cold, hard surface of the plate armour cutting into her cheeks.
"What are we going to do, Elsa…" Anna murmured through ragged gasps. "You are all I have now…"
Elsa wrapped her free arm around Anna's shoulders, holding the grief stricken woman close. "Shhh…" She shushed. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere, Anna. I'm right here." She brushed her lips against Anna's hair, gently stroking the redhead's back.
"We'll be fine. You are not alone. We'll be fine." Elsa repeated, more for herself than for Anna's sake.
xxx
The funeral held the following day was a quiet affair; the actual attendance included the chaplain overseeing the ceremony, a handful of officials on the council, Anna with Elsa as her guard and as representative of the army. Yet the foggy field where the royalty were buried was hardly empty. At least half of the castle guards were present; forming a perimeter around the field, their wary eyes on the lookout for any suspicious activity. The King and Queen were assassinated; the party responsible for planning the attempt still undetermined. No expenses were spared to ensure the safety of the last Arendelle, Princess Anna. Although Elsa took it upon herself to take on the role of Anna's personal guard, she still felt it necessary to have some of the soldiers present.
Thankfully the ceremony concluded without a hitch, not that that was something worth being optimistic about considering the circumstances. Nonetheless, it was still emotionally draining and it took every ounce of Anna's strength to drag herself back to the castle and retreat into her father's study.
Anna curled up on the day seat by the high windows, her back against Elsa's chest with the blonde's arms wrapped tightly around her waist. It was a dreary day, the gloomy skies threatening rain; fitting for a morbid affair like a funeral. Anna idly wondered if the dark clouds were Elsa's doing; like a subconscious reflection of her current mood.
"Do you think it's going to rain?" Anna asked, tilting her head back to rest upon Elsa's shoulder.
Elsa simply hummed in response.
"Can you control the clouds?" Anna tilted her head this time to regard Elsa with curiosity.
Elsa looked thoughtful for a moment before answering carefully. "I'm not sure… I can't say I've tried. But I guess it is quite possible?"
Anna nodded, accepting the explanation for the time being. She was desperate for conversation, even idle ones about the weather; anything to take her mind off the harsh truth that she had just buried her parents. Another thought came to mind and she voiced it out immediately.
"Are you…sad?"
Elsa stiffened slightly behind her before relaxing again. "Yes." She whispered quietly, as if afraid that admitting her feelings would cause her to shatter.
They sat in silence again. Beyond the windows, storm clouds had begun to swirl, growing darker by the second.
"They were my family too." Elsa murmured, eyes glazing over as she watched the clouds overhead. "And I failed them. It was my duty to protect them and I failed." She continued bitterly.
"No, Elsa. It was your duty to protect me and you did just that."
"I shouldn't have left them. This wouldn't have happened otherwise. It's all my fault." Elsa pulled away from Anna then, dropping her head into her hands.
The room temperature dropped; an icy chill heavy in the air despite the closed windows.
"It's not your fault, Elsa. If anyone is to be blamed, it will be those responsible for Pappa and Mamma's…" Anna couldn't complete her sentence. It was still far too painful to admit that they were well and truly gone; never to return no matter how much she prayed for it.
"They will pay." Elsa clenched her fists, her body trembling in rage and self-loathing.
"Yes. We'll make sure of that. Together." Anna tentatively took hold of Elsa's fists, slowly uncurling the blonde's fingers.
"I'm so sorry, Anna. You are grieving and yet here I am being selfish and wallowing over my failures." Elsa laced their fingers, caressing the back of Anna's hands with her thumbs.
"It's fine. You are projecting your pain. We just have different ways of dealing. But all that matters is, we are here for each other, right?" Anna held Elsa's gaze, losing herself into the depthless cerulean.
"Always." Elsa agreed, pulling Anna into a tight embrace.
Outside, fat droplets of rain began to fall, pelting against the glass in an endless torrent.
xxx
"Princess Anna of Arendelle." Kai announced, bowing deeply in respect as Anna entered the throne room's adjoining antechamber.
Anna strode in swiftly dressed in her officer's uniform, gloved hands clenched into fists as she made for the high backed chair at the head of the long table, her face an unreadable mask. Everything about the room from the rich, burgundy curtains to the polished oak table reminded her of her father. This was his element and now it had fallen upon her to take his place with his passing. Who was she kidding? She wasn't ready for such responsibilities.
Anna had taken her parents for granted, assuming that they will be immortal, always around to shelter her from the world. This… turn of events had been a slap across the face, a harsh reality check. She wasn't a child anymore and no amount of preparation past or present could ever prepare her for the responsibility of thousands of lives. She wasn't Elsa. Elsa would have been a natural. But not her; not wilful Anna with her head in the clouds dreaming of her perfect fairy tale ending.
Elsa followed closely a few paces behind, her left hand resting against the scabbard dangling from her waist, ready to draw her sword at the hint of danger. Her icy eyes flitted around the room, taking in the wary expressions on the faces of a dozen advisors representing the royal council before narrowing in suspicion as she watched Hans approached from a dark corner of the room.
His jaw was bruising rather nicely and Elsa noted with a little disappointment that his nose had been realigned. In her opinion a crooked nose would have suited him far better and match his personality even. From their first meeting, he had left a rather poor impression, much like the aftertaste of curdled milk. Putting aside her jealousy of the man who had vied for Anna's attention, Elsa was certain her gut instincts had been spot on, even more so after his accusations barely a day ago.
"Anna!" Hans called out, concern on his features as he crossed the room in long strides.
Anna paused, taking in his presence with curiosity. "Prince Hans." She greeted politely, her mind clearly elsewhere.
"My condolences for your loss, my dearest Princess. I just wanted you to know that I am here for you." Hans took Anna's hands in his, squeezing them reassuringly.
Elsa stepped forward, her right hand gripping the hilt of her sword and her body tensing. To others, it would seem she was doing her duty to ensure Anna's safety, but in reality, Elsa was just annoyed with Hans touching Anna. "Please take your hands off Princess Anna, Prince Hans." She spoke coolly, wanting nothing more than to slice off Hans hands at the wrists.
Anna looked over her shoulder at Elsa, pleading with her eyes for the blonde to let her handle it. Nodding curtly, Elsa took a single step back; her eyes never wavering from Hans neither did she relax her grip on her sword.
"Thank you, Prince Hans. I appreciate your concern. Although I am uncertain as to your presence in this close meeting." Anna pulled away from Hans touch, grateful for her gloves.
"I felt it was necessary that I was present in support of you, my betrothed." Hans responded, wincing as he tried to smile. "Though I must apologise for my appearance. Your Grand Marshal is certainly impressive with a sword. I see why you've chosen to keep her close." Hans glanced at Elsa, taking some pleasure as the blonde bristled.
"I see." Anna replied stiffly and stepped away from Hans. "Well, thank you gentlemen for your patience. Kai, if you please." Anna took her place on the rigid chair, drawing some comfort from Elsa's silent presence just over her right shoulder.
Kai, at the other end of the table, pulled out a thick roll of parchment from an ornate wooden chest, holding out the tightly rolled scroll so the seated audience could see the unbroken wax seal with the royal seal. Breaking off the wax, he unfurled the scroll vertically, one hand holding on to the top by the heavy brass pole while the other supported the matching pole on the bottom.
"The last decree of the King of Arendelle; dated the first day of the last month of autumn." Kai paused, waiting till he was certain all attention was on him before he began quoting from the scroll. "By order of the King: in the event of my passing, my throne will be succeeded by my only child and crown heir, Princess Anna when she comes of age. Until then, I hereby elect Elsa Frost, Grand Marshal of Arendelle Army with the kingdom and she will rule as Queen Regnant Elsa Frost until my rightful heir, Princess Anna is of age."
The advisors looked to each other, whispering urgently at the news. Elsa glanced down at Anna in surprise, seeing her emotions reflected in the redhead's azure eyes. Several seats down the table Hans snorted then threw his head back as he laughed manically, stunning the room into silence.
"Queen Elsa?" He snorted again, whirling around to face the blonde. "Looks like your plans worked out even better than I thought. What did you do? Alter the decree?" He rose from his seat, the chair squeaking across the polished wooden floor.
"I believe Kai has shown us the intact seal on the decree. It is untempered, is it not?" Elsa replied coolly, undaunted by Hans's accusations.
"I wouldn't put it past you to coerce the deceased King into it. Or forging the decree yourself." Hans's voice rose in challenge. Turning his attention to the attentive advisors, he continued. "I heard with my own ears the assassin addressing your Grand Marshal as 'Queen Elsa' with his dying breath. Is that not suspicious?" That had been a bit of ingenuity on his part, Hans was proud to admit. He had specifically instructed Weaselton's men to speak those words should they be caught. It was a bit of a long shot, designed to cast suspicion on Elsa, sowing doubt in the minds of those that she served. And it had worked.
The advisors glanced at Elsa with uncertainty.
Sensing their mistrust, Hans leaned against the table, making eye contact with each advisor in turn as he spoke. "As Grand Marshal, she is tasked with the protection of Arendelle. How then is it that not one but two assassins made it past the battlements and got close enough to succeed in the assassination of both the King and Queen?"
Hans grinned in triumph, the seeds of doubt had been sowed as the advisors began whispering again, eying Elsa suspiciously. All he needed was one more push and these gullible councilmen would be under his influence.
"What surprises me most is even after failing in her duties to protect and serve her King, she still has her position and better yet, appointed herself as Princess Anna's personal guard. Is the death of two royals not enough and as advisors to the throne, you'd risk the life of the last living Arendelle? Better yet, gentlemen, how could you stand to let someone as dangerous as Elsa Frost rule the kingdom?" Hans stopped pacing the room, relishing in the attention on him. They would all be out for Elsa's blood now. It was too easy.
Anna cleared her throat loudly, breaking the tension in the room. "It is to my knowledge that the assassins were dressed in the Southern Isles colours. Furthermore, I personally nominated Grand Marshal Frost as my guard. Now, may I suggest we cease unfounded speculations and focus on the matter at hand? This meeting has been called for the reading of my father's final decree and I'd very much like to continue." She looked pointedly at Kai who could barely conceal a small smile at Hans's affronted expression.
"Of course, Princess Anna." Kai paused, unfurling the scroll a little more. "In accordance with the aforementioned and as my last and final wish as a father, I hereby call for Grand Marshal Elsa Frost and my daughter, Princess Anna to be join in holy matrimony preceding Grand Marshal Elsa Frost's coronation as Queen Regnant Elsa Frost with Princess Consort Anna of Arendelle. This order will stand until Princess Anna comes of age, upon which she will take her rightful place or Queen Regnant Elsa Frost abdicates; whichever occurs first. Any and all previous engagements of either parties are now void." Kai lowered the scroll, methodically rolling it back and placing it gently on the table before him to stunned silence.
"That's preposterous!" Hans roared, looking to Anna for support. "We are engaged. Surely you'd not stand for this… this ridiculous proposal!" This was not happening. Months of planning thwarted by a dead king. This must be a nightmare.
"Were." Anna corrected coldly.
Hans recoiled as if he had been slapped across the face. His ears must be deceiving him. "You can't be serious about actually going through with this. Women do not marry each other." He laughed, dismissing the notion.
"What you are suggesting is treason, Prince Hans. Were you a subject of Arendelle, you'd be hanged. Fortunately or unfortunately, depending on how you see it; you are a visiting royal and our laws do not apply to you. But, you have overstayed your welcome. I suggest you make haste in your return to the Southern Isles." Anna stood; her voice even as she stared down the table at the appalled Hans.
Hans visibly trembled in rage. No one, royal or not spoke to him in that manner. The highly amused expression on Elsa's face only fuelled his anger, his cheeks taking on a rosy tint from contained fury. "I'll be seeing you soon, Princess Anna." He spat out, kicking his chair out of the way as he stormed through the doors, letting them slam shut behind him.
There was a moment of silence as the advisors struggled to comprehend what had just happened. The authority in their princess's voice had been unexpected and something they had only associated with the previous King and on the unfortunate occasions, the grand marshal. It was a refreshing change. If they had doubts about Anna being capable of ruling a kingdom, they had hope now. The carefree princess had grown with loss.
"Thank you for your attendance, gentlemen. I appreciate your taking the time to attend on such short notice. I will see to it that my father's last wish, in its entirety will be honoured. Now if you'll excuse us, I need to speak with my newly betrothed." Anna held her head high as she strode to the doors, her hand clasping Elsa's firmly as thirteen pairs of eyes followed them from the room.
A/N:
Did I redeem myself?!
Major fluff alert for the next chapter.