Chapter Twelve
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It was a beautiful day and Queen Elsa stood on her balcony overlooking her kingdom in quiet mourning. It has been over a month since the Battle of Osle Valley. The harbor was filled with ships of trade, and travel. It hadn't been that busy since her coronation and she hoped the two years of recession that incident brought was finally over for her kingdoms economy. She wished she could find joy in such news, but how could she, when so many of her people felt the same way she did, suffering from the loss of a loved one in a terrible senseless war.
"My Queen," A voice whispered softly from her room. Turning, Elsa smiled of her handmaiden as she said, "It is time."
With grace and elegance, Elsa left her room with her handmaiden behind her. She silently made her way down the hall and through a large door. She paused as her handmaiden disappeared into one of the many hidden service doors. After the sound of trumpets, Elsa closed her eyes when she heard called out. "All bow, for Queen Elsa, of Arendelle!"
The doors opened, and Elsa stepped through with her long translucent cape flowing behind her. She looked out to her throne room to see it was crammed with hundreds of people. All were bowing as she entered, and did not rise until she took her seat upon her throne. She looked to her right to see her sister Anna wearing a formal purple and yellow dress with her hair done up its white streak clearly visible. She was standing off to the distance on her right hand side. Next to Anna stood the lovable snowman Olaf waving cheerfully to his Queen.
Anna still had the look of grief and guilt on her face, since the end of the war. Since the wars end, Elsa has made it her mission to find a way to remove whatever Maleficent did to her. To that end she has been give far more questions than answers. Yet to see her sister, who's mind was still effected by an unseen curse that was destroying her memory, stand in fear saddened the Queen. Standing, Elsa held out her hand as she looked to her sister. "Anna."
At first she did not move, but slowly and hesitantly she walked out and took her side beside her sister. That simply wouldn't do for Elsa as she forced Anna into a hug. After a moment, Anna put her arms around her sister and whispered, "Elsa, are your sure, I mean my curse, my broken memories. I want to keep you safe."
Hold Anna in her arms, Elsa's smile only grew. Since they defeated Maleficent, Anna has never shown violence, or darkness, but the curse was still eating away at her mind, taking memories, and the very essence of who she was. Every day Elsa would not stop trusting Anna, and she would prove that to Anna as many times as she needed. "I only feel safe when you are around me, so no more curse nonsense. Besides, I like the streak."
Blushing Anna nodded her head, then took her place beside her sister. Elsa turned to the crowed smiled at all the familiar faces. "Thank you all." Taking her seat once more she looked up to her sister and winked.
Stepping forward, the Heralded called out, "Today the Queen gathers all of the land to recognize these acolytes. The skill and honor in service to the Kingdom of Arendelle, and in the defense of the noble ideals of chivalry, peace, and honor, embodied in their Queen.
They have earned their place in the hearts of all as persons of outstanding martial achievement and the attainment of those qualities and abilities which are a mark of a knight. They are not just mighty warriors, but they are also companionate and selfless, and have dedicated themselves to the benefit of the light. As such, they have been recognized as Peers of the Realm. Her majesty the Queen now calls those of honor."
Standing, Elsa looked to the four people who stood dressed in the pure white robes of the accolades. A servant, placed four soft pillows at the base of the elevated step to her throne. She smiled and said, "The Crown now calls Kristoff of the Valley of the Living Rock, Geir son of Nils of the Valley of the Living Rock, Airi Sister of Allister, and Karina Daughter of Oaken Tennfjord, to come before the throne."
The four stood, and came before the Queen and after they bowed, they kneeled onto the pillows in front of them. Kristoff gave a wink and a wave to Anna, who blew him a kiss. Elsa glanced to her sister as she opened a scroll and read out from it. "All of you have been deemed fit for this high estate by your peers, and have indicated your willingness to accept this honor from my hand. Do you now swear by all that you hold sacred, true, and holy that you will honor and defend the Crown and Kingdom of Arendelle?"
All four spoke as one. "I will."
Lowering the scroll slightly so she could look down upon the four, Elsa continued. "That you will honor, defend, and protect all those weaker than yourself?"
"I will."
Elsa, then said, "That you will conduct yourself in all matters as befits a Peer, drawing your sword only for just cause? That you will enshrine in your heart the noble ideals of Chivalry to the benefit of all that is good and the greater glory of Arendelle, under God and heaven?"
"I will."
Closing the scroll, Elsa held out her hand as a servant took the scroll, and placed a sword in her hand. "Then having sworn these solemn oaths, know now that I, Elsa by right of arms, Queen of Arendelle, do dub you with my sword, and by all that you hold sacred, true, and holy." Elsa first went to Karina, and places the flat side of the sword's blade onto her right shoulder. She then raised the sword gently just up over Karina's head and places it on his left shoulder.
As Elsa finished, Karina looked to see her fathers were in their seats crying with pride and joy. Elsa than declared, "I present to all, Dane Karina Daughter of Oaken Tennfjord." Karina stood, and Elsa held out a ring with the seal of Arendelle. "With her title, as a Peer of the Realm, I decree her as Master Karina leader of the Arendelle Scouts."
Karina's family all cheered with excitement, even though that broke decorum. Elsa didn't mind as she encouraged it with clapping of her own. She than stood before Airi, and after tapping her with her sword and allowing her to stand, she handed the ring with the seal and said, "I present to you all, Dane Airi Sister of Allister, and with her title, I assign her to the honor of the Arendelle Scouts."
As the crowd cheered, Airi blushed when she heard the cheers and whistling from one audience member. She looked back to see, Prince Eugene of the Holy Kingdom of Corona next to his wife waving at her. Elsa pointed to Eugene and smirked, "I will get to you in a moment."
Everyone laughed and Rapunzel elbowed Eugene and silently giggled. Elsa returned to her duties, and after giving accolades to Geir, he stood gave him a seal and said, "I present, Sir Geir son of Nils. With his title, it would do be great honor that he would be the first to join me as a member of my newly formed court."
Bowing, Geir smiled and said, "It would be my honor."
The great hall erupted into cheers and whistles from nearly two dozen rock trolls in attendance. Elsa giggled and looked back to her sister and said, "I like how we do accolade ceremonies."
Olaf clapping as loud as he could, and called out, "I hope we will start a trend!"
Elsa turned back as she now faced the final accolade, Kristoff held his head down and peered up with his eyes and whispered, "My Queen."
Holding up her sword, she slowly tapped Kristoff on his shoulders, and when he stood, she personal placed the ring seal on to his finger and clasped his hands on hers. "I present to you, Sir Kristoff, Knight of Arendelle. With his title of peers, it would bring me great honor, and happiness if he would join me on my court not as Sir Kristoff, but as Prince Kristoff, with all the rights and honors bestowed upon the title of Prince."
Stuttering from shock, and honor of such a request, Kristoff replied, "Yeah, I mean I do… I mean, it would be my honor."
Anna stared in shock as Elsa stepped back from Kristoff and with a flick of her hands his pure white clothes glowed and transformed into a garment befitting of a prince about to be married. Elsa turned to her sister with her hands out stretched and said, "That dress will not due."
Anna floated in hair as her dress glimmered with magical light, she landed next to Kristoff and when the magic faded, she stood vailed in a brilliant and beautiful white wedding dress.
"This is happening now!" Anna shouted with uncontrolled excitement.
Stepping to the side as the Bishop of the church came up to Anna and Kristoff, Elsa nodded and with great pleasure said, "Yup right now."
Running forward, Olaf slid to a stop and after recovering from almost falling over, held up a pillow with two rings on it. "I have the rings!"
Raising her hand, she gestured to Princess Rapunzel, and Eugene. "It would bring our kingdom great honor, if Prince Eugene, you will stand by my sister's side, as her Man of Honor, and Princess Rapunzel, that you would stand by Sir Kristoff, as his Best Matron."
Eugene used his fingers to point to him himself and the others named, confused on how backwards it was with him acting as a Maid of Honor. Covering Eugene's fingers, and smiling brightly at Kristoff Rapunzel replied, "It would be my honor to stand with Kristoff for one more adventure."
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All of Arendelle celebrated into the night at the announcement of the marriage of Princess Anna and Prince Kristoff. As fireworks lit up the night sky, Elsa stood out on the balcony of the grand ballroom watching the bursts of yellows, blues, reds, and greens. Her mind still wondered to thoughts of Dragna, and it brought her a great feeling of loss. She didn't not look back when she heard someone come outside with her, however she could sense who it was.
Leaning against the railing next to Elsa, Rapunzel, with her long magical hair braided with purple heather, gave a long sigh. "She is still out there, somewhere. Plotting her next move, her vengeance."
"We still do not know the extent of the damage caused that day. The seas have been blocked by glaciers of ice beyond Jutland. We don't know much of this Everwinter. As for Anna, I am putting my hopes in something impossible to end this curse placed upon her." Elsa replied as she continued to look up to the fireworks.
Wanting to look on the bright, side, Rapunzel said, "We have learned a lot though, we know that if we ended this so called Everwinter, we will end Anna's curse." Elsa wasn't lifted by the comments and simply sighed. As a cluster of fireworks detonated, Rapunzel looked up to them. "You are right; I fear our journey has just begun. I feel the rest of the world has just endured a great calamity under this great catastrophe called the Everwinter."
"I feel it too." Elsa replied as she bowed her head.
Staring at the stars, Rapunzel frowned somewhat. "Not even the stars are as they should, it seems not only has earth been effected, but heaven as well."
Looking to the golden haired princess, Elsa could see the burden upon her shoulders was more than just hair, but the whole of light upon the earth. "No matter what Rapunzel, I will always be by your side. This bond of magic we share can never be broken."
With a slight stumble, a tipsy Princess Anna in her wedding dress, came outside and saw her sister and Rapunzel. She walked over to the railing beside Rapunzel and leaned on it sipping from her champagne. "The chocolate waterfall is awesome!"
Elsa and Rapunzel giggled at the statement. Anna smiled and looked down doing her best to maintain her smile. "Everything is different now, nothing will ever be the same."
After some thought, Rapunzel didn't think Anna was looking at her own words in the proper light. "Things have changed. We've gained new friends." Rapunzel took Anna and Elsa's hands into her own. "A bond that will never be broken. We have all grown." Pausing Rapunzel corrected. "Well technically my magic gave you back two years of your life, so what I meant to say was that we mentally we have grown. Some of it was good, some of it was bad, some of it was downright sad, but all of it has given us wisdom and hope."
Looking to her sister, Elsa wished she could relieve her of her guilt, but the trauma and tragedy of what happened to Anna during the War was beyond reason or understanding. Yet, Elsa too bared a painful yet unseen scar in the death of Dragna. "Anna, one thing that I know, is my love for my sister." When Anna looked back to Elsa sheepishly, Elsa laughed and added, "Fine and my brother-in-law."
After a long breath, breath, Anna sat up and finished off her drink with a smile and said, "No matter what I say or how broken I get Sis. Never let me forget that you are my sister, and that we have."
Smiling, Rapunzel replied, "With a sister like Elsa, you will always have a loving heart to turn to."
"Anyone want more to drink?" Anna asked as she turned over her empty champagne flute.
"Sure." Elsa replied.
Rapunzel placed her hand on her abdomen and shock her head, "I have enough excitement in me, no need to add any more."
Just as Anna turned, a figured in a tattered dark green cloak with gold rune embroiled trim slammed onto the ground. She surprised Anna and forced her to jump back dropping her empty glass flute where it shattered onto the ground. Both Elsa and Rapunzel turned, as the figure rose tall and flung back it's hood. With the hood back to reveal a girl with a round anger striken face and long fiery curling red hair that sprung out from the hood in all directions. She drew an arrow from a quiver on her belt, and knocked it on her bow. She stared at the three women with piercing blue eyes.
"I am Merida! The daughter of King Fergus of clan DunBroch, I have come to seek vengeance upon the one who murdered my father, and of the man that I love! The blue skinned harpy of the north, The Snow Queen!"
"Umm." Anna swallowed and she rose her hands in surrender, she looked to see Rapunzel and Elsa do the same.
Elsa tried to give a nonthreatening laugh and said, "Would you like some champagne?"
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End of Book II