Chapter 10.

It was close to noon and Elsa was getting hungry and tired. After seeing two shops in town, they were now at the first of two farms they would tour before returning to the castle for a late lunch. Rolling green hills on either side of the procession were dotted with sheep, owned by the homestead they were visiting now. Not far down the road leading to the owner's home, the group drew to a sudden halt.

One of the guards shouted. "Someone's in the tree there!" The sound of hooves clattered as the soldiers surrounded the carriage more defensively.

"You there, state your name and business!" Elsa heard no response. A moment later, the man shouted again. "You there! Announce yourself, or we will take action."

After several more moments of silence, a small thin voice reached the group. "P-Peter. I'm the son of the farmer who lives here."

"Come down, so we can see you."

There was more noise as the horsemen changed their positions again. Elsa blew out her breath; she was sitting on the wrong side to see what was happening, though she sensed it wasn't going well. Her escorts were doing their job by treating the boy as a potential threat, but she doubted they were making it any easier to get the child to come down and was afraid someone might escalate the situation.

"Quite a to-do over a peasant in a tree." Mr. Salome sniffed. "No reason to delay us."

Elsa narrowed her eyes but held her tongue. Not until everyone else agreed with him — with the exception of Mr. Johansen, who championed the less fortunate at every opportunity — did she feel compelled to speak. "A child in danger is certainly important, even if he isn't the son of some Lord or Baron."

Herr Karlsbaad grunted. "Then leave a man here. We will be off our schedule if we continue to loiter. With respect, Your Majesty." He spoke the last with the barest hint of courtesy, as usual.

"Indeed; there is no need to sit around doing nothing while—" The cracking of wood was clear to everyone, cutting Lord Aife off in mid-complaint.

Elsa, unable to contain her worry any longer, flew out of the carriage. If he's fallen… She darted around the back and found three of her men underneath a leafy tree. Two had their swords out. The boy hadn't fallen, but from her vantage point, he seemed to be in a precarious situation.

The branch he had obviously used to climb up now hung half-broken below him, and there were no other limbs nearby to use instead. After a few nerve-racking seconds, he found his footing and relative safety on the branch he'd originally been on.

"Don't move!" Elsa yelled at him, ignoring her guards' attempts to stop her as she hurried to the tree, trying to maintain some sense of decorum amid her growing concern. "You'll be fine as long as you stay there." The third soldier started to draw his weapon. "Stop it!" She kept her voice low and firm. "You'll scare him. All of you; put your weapons away."

"But, Your Majesty, it might be…"

Elsa narrowed her eyes. "Do you really think I'm the one you need to worry about in this situation? I'm perfectly capable of defending myself." The men hesitated, and Elsa balled her fists. There wasn't time to deal with overly devoted bodyguards.

It only took a second before they realized how cold they were getting, and they all quickly sheathed their swords, gave a quick bow, and strode back to the group assembled in the road.

"I can't get down." It was hard to locate the boy through the foliage, but Elsa realized quickly he was not very old — certainly not old enough to be thirty feet in a tree. He was also scared.

"Say, how did you get into such a position in the first place?" She tried to distract him as she circled beneath him, gauging how best to get him down safely.

There was a sob. "I wanted to see the Queen. Father said I was too little and sent me out to the field, but I really wanted to see her."

Biting her lip, Elsa touched the tree, testing its sturdiness. "And why do you want to see the Queen so badly?" The trunk was solid enough, but she doubted the branches would support much more weight than a young boy's. She glanced back; her companions had gotten out of the carriage and now studied the situation in varying degrees of disinterest. "She's no different from anyone else, you know."

"Kelden said she was beautiful, like a fairy. He said her dresses sparkled, too. Father stopped him before he told me any more about it, and I was curious. How am I going to get down?" He sounded slightly less terrified.

"I'm going to help you." Elsa smiled, slightly amused that he didn't recognize her. "So don't worry, alright?"

The boy made a noise. "Can't one of them do it? Everyone will make fun of me if I have to be helped by a girl."

"Here now! You're speaking to—" The Lieutenant in charge of the detail bristled angrily, but stilled after a dirty look from the Queen.

"Is it really so bad? Nobody can climb up, and you can't jump down."

Silence followed for several seconds. "But boys are supposed to help girls, not the other way around."

Elsa rolled her eyes. I'd love to change Arendelle's opinion on that antiquated notion. "Well, how about we strike a deal? I'll help you down and you promise to help others when you can."

"Couldn't you get one of my brothers? The house is just down the road. They'll still laugh but…"

"Young man … Peter, is it? Are you a citizen of Arendelle?" Sounding confused Peter replied he was. "So am I. It's the duty of every citizen to help another if they are in need. You don't want me to have to go back to town saying I had the chance to help someone, and I didn't, do you? Any of your brothers light enough to climb that high won't be old enough for an adult to allow him to risk it."

Another, longer silence followed. "How are you going to help? You look little but you must weigh more than Jorge or Durin. As a boy, I'm supposed to … I don't want you getting hurt … you're a girl, you know."

Elsa couldn't help laughing at his attempted bravado. "Yes, Peter, I'm a girl. Shall I tell you a secret? When we were little, my sister used to climb trees all the time, and she had to be rescued more than she'll admit now. I was usually the one who did it, too. I have a special way of getting you down."

"Don't tell me magic, 'cause everyone knows only the Queen can do magic, and there'd be a lot more soldiers if you were the Queen. Though you're a Lady and I shouldn't be talking to you that way. I'm sorry."

"I forgive you. I doubt many people stuck in a tree would remember their manners." Elsa cleared her throat, debating whether to tell him what she was about to do or let it surprise him. He was still upset enough not to wonder why a mere Lady would be heading to his house on the day the Queen was coming to visit. It might be best to surprise him so he doesn't get overly excited and careless. "I'll let you in on another secret. My sister and I were members of a special group as children. It's called the Royal Guard Junior Regiment, and you had to be under ten to belong. How old are you?"

Peter sounded slightly confused. "I'm seven. Are you being serious about that Royal … thing … or just trying to calm down? I mean … girls can't join the Guard, so…"

Elsa realized this was not the first time young Peter found himself higher off the ground than he cared for. "I'm serious. It's not a well-known group, because you have to be very brave to join, and you have to be invited. Boys and girls can join because they can both be brave. Since I'm a member, I can invite you, if you show me how brave you are."

"How do I do that?"

"Bravery isn't always doing the most valiant thing, Peter. Sometimes, it takes more courage to do the right thing. Don't you think the right thing is to let me help you? It would mean you were very brave — since I'm a girl." Elsa chuckled. She recalled hearing words to the same effect — sans the gender reference — from a guard trying to talk Anna down from wherever she'd gotten stuck. It worked then, so she hoped it would work now.

A light shower of leaves and twigs suggested Peter was shifting position. "Does that Royal thing have a badge?"

"Yes, it has a badge. Do we have a deal?"

"Yes." There was a hint of defeat in Peter's voice, but he obviously didn't want to be where he was much longer.

Elsa stepped away, far enough to see what she was doing as a whole but close enough to avoid accidentally cutting into the trunk, and possibly unseating the boy over her head, while she did it. "Hold on tight, and don't let go no matter what, alright, Peter?"

"Okay."

Drawing in a deep breath, Elsa visualized the ice snaking around the trunk, parting branches and clearing obstacles as it moved higher. She heard the murmurs from the two envoys behind her, and pushed them out of her mind and focused. Fifteen seconds later, she exhaled and looked at her handiwork. The slide tilted slightly more than she liked as it spiraled down the tree, but it would be safe enough.

"Alright, Peter, can you reach it?" Dead silence. "Peter?"

"You're the Queen after all, aren't you?"

Chuckles broke out among the men, and the Lieutenant yelled, "That she is! Now, get down here before that thing melts!"

More silence was followed by the rustling of leaves, and finally, a whoop of pleasure that said Peter was enjoying his rescue. Seconds later, a small blond boy jumped off the end of the slide with the biggest grin Elsa had ever seen.

"Don't ask me to do it again, now." Elsa spoke sternly though with a smile.

"I'm sorrrrryyyyy!" The grin vanished and Peter threw himself at her feet, half sobbing. "I'm sorry I said all those things about you being a girl and all, Your Majesty. Please don't be angry with my parents 'cause I made so much trouble for you!"

Elsa blinked several times. "Why would I be? Other than for keeping such a handsome young man as yourself from meeting me. I can't wear my sparkly dresses when I'm on official business, by the way. And I don't really look like a fairy. No wings. I hope you aren't disappointed."

To her surprise, the Grottnian envoy burst into laughter, which he quickly stifled. A glance over her shoulder revealed strange smiles on everyone's face — Lord Aife included.

"Oh, no, Ma'am! I got to see you do magic, and that's even better than wings!" Peter got to his knees. "And you're as pretty as a fairy, anyway." He blushed lightly.

Elsa smiled. "Thank you. You got to see magic, but you were lucky I was here. No more climbing so high, alright? Remember, being brave is doing the right thing."

"Yes, Ma'am! I promise!" Peter rubbed at his knees. "Um … It's not really my place to ask, but … were you really telling the truth about that Royal thing?"

"Every word, Peter. It hasn't been active in a while, so you will be the first new member and that makes it even more special." Elsa's smile grew. She resisted the temptation to kneel and hug the boy. It was odd since she avoided contact unless absolutely necessary, but she still had a strong urge to scoop young Peter up and hold him.

"And you and Princess Anna are members?"

Elsa nodded. "Yes, we are. That means you'll get to meet her as well. Don't take that as a reward for such a dangerous thing as you did, though. Climbing trees is fun; falling out of them isn't."

Peter cocked his head and looked confused for a second before smiling again. "Yes, Ma'am, do the right thing."

"Come on, boy." The Lieutenant knelt by him. "If we deliver you any dirtier, your parents will wonder what we've done to you. Not even the Queen wants to face angry parents, do you, Your Majesty?"

"Certainly not. Now, would you like to ride with the driver? He might even let you hold the reins if you ask nicely." Elsa dusted her dress off, dissolved the slide, and turned back to the rest of her party. "Shall we continue? Peter's father produces the finest wool in Arendelle, and I'm eager for you to see samples of it."

She wouldn't let her own fears show. She was terrified when it was happening that something would go wrong, that the boy would fly off the slide and she wouldn't be able to conjure a snowdrift in time to soften the fall, or that she'd misjudged the clearance and he'd take a branch to the face. Her failure at protecting her sister gnawed at her the entire time and she wasn't going to leave Peter alone, even to get more normal help. Perhaps it's why she couldn't leave him. He was safe now, though, and that's all that mattered.

Elsa kept her pace slow and her shoulders back as she returned to the others. Peter was already up on the driver's bench, giggling with excitement. She smiled at the guards and her companions before calmly getting back into the carriage as if she'd done nothing magical at all. The group reassembled itself and continued on to the farmhouse.

After a minute or so, Herr Karlsbaad cleared his throat. "Quite an … impressive … display, Your Majesty."

"Indeed. I've never seen anything like it." Monsieur Salome looked as if the words pained him. "Your … device … was beautiful as well as functional."

"The Queen's magic is always beautiful," Mr. Johansen replied. "And used for the good of the people."

The Grottnian envoy narrowed his eyes. "It seemed rather different when she —"

"A slight bump," Lord Aife interjected. "No lasting harm resulted. The matter should be considered answered and closed, Gentlemen. With respect, Your Majesty. I had no right to interfere." His smile suggested he expected something for his declaration of support.

Elsa sighed and rubbed her temples. "I understand that Grottony and Farson are concerned with the scope of my powers, but I agree with Lord Aife. So, please, let us focus on the present. You'll find the quality of wool this farm produces to be outstanding and representative of the wool Arendelle exports. "

"Hmph." Herr Karlsbaad snorted, though not violently. He completely ignored her comment, though. "I was almost more surprised by your handling of the boy. The situation might have ended very badly, yet you kept him calm and did your work efficiently."

Monsieur Salome nodded in agreement. "I didn't know you were so good with children, Your Majesty. It gives one pause, considering the reputation you have outside of Arendelle." He coughed. "A reputation that it seems have been wrongly gained."

Elsa merely smiled at him, and the procession reached the farmyard shortly thereafter. Peter's parents already stood in the doorway of their small home; Elsa heard a noise of surprise from his father when he apparently saw his son on the driver's bench. His mother rushed toward them.

Mr. Erdahl came over less worriedly. "What's happened? Peter, what have you done?" He sounded angry, and Elsa didn't want him to think she was unhappy about the child.

Not waiting for the footman she stepped down from the carriage. The Erdahls, now including a girl and three more boys, all froze, with a look of panic on the faces of the older members of the family, clearly not knowing what to attend to first.

"Quite the athlete you have, Mr. Erdahl." Elsa spoke calmly and regally. "I'm thankful for his help or we might have been further delayed." She didn't want to sound as if the rescue were a bother or annoyance. "I will keep you to your word, Peter. You'll have to come with your family to the castle for me to give you your badge. I do believe my sister will be very charmed to meet you."

The tension broke, and Elsa assumed her regal role. She greeted the family and praised their efforts. When she got to Kelden, she couldn't help a slight smirk; she'd seen him staring at her from across the yard. She suspected his mother knew why because she swatted him on the back of the head and spoke strongly to him before he looked away. He was perhaps seventeen, and he blushed deeply before he bowed. I can just imagine what he planned to say before his father cut him off.

She'd had more than one young man react as he did; at first, it irritated her, but now she accepted that it would happen — ice dress or no. It was still slightly awkward. Elsa didn't think of herself as particularly beautiful, but it seemed she was the only one who held that sentiment.

Even Anna seemed to stop and stare at her from time to time, as she had the night before in the parlor. It was one of the things Elsa struggled with; her magic set her apart, and her crown further removed her from the rest of the world. She remembered Peter saying the young man in front of her called her a fairy.

She was different, not quite human, something mystical to stare at from a distance. She feared being seen as a monster, but being seen as someone ethereal was more real and frustrating. The boy in front of her most certainly held that view.

"I hear I'm a fairy, Kelden. Thank you for the compliment, but as you can see, I'm far from one." Elsa smiled, and the boy turned even redder and started to sputter. "Don't apologize for your opinion. It was sweet of you to say it."

"I think you look like a fairy!" The girl next to him blurted and turned red as well. "You could be hiding your wings."

Elsa stifled the laugh. She didn't like being seen as mythical, but coming from a young girl she couldn't take offense. "I could, but don't you think it would be uncomfortable to fold them up so tightly?"

The girl was perhaps eleven, and she looked at Elsa shyly now, curtsying deeply. "You're still as pretty as one." After a pause, she fidgeted and blushed. "Um, Your Majesty…"

"Did you have another question, Haldis?" Elsa was surprised at how easily she smiled. "I promise, I'm not a fairy, though."

Haldis shifted. "Um … me and Durin" — she pointed to the boy next to her, likely her twin — "missed the skating party 'cause we were sick. Would you maybe make a patch of ice for us to slide on for a bit, please?"

"Haldis!" Mrs. Erdahl seemed horrified. "You can't go asking Her Majesty for things like—"

The smile came easily, now, and Elsa nodded. "I showed Peter my magic, so it wouldn't be fair to not show you, too. Would it?"

The older woman now covering her daughter's mouth with both hands looked even more horrified. "No … Your Majesty … we've caused enough trouble for you today."

"It's incredible, Mother! She's all sparkly and whoosh and—" Peter jumped in before Elsa could answer, and suddenly three children were begging their mother for permission to skate.

Finally, the woman threw her hands up in the air. "Fine! If Her Majesty isn't put out, you can slide around for a while."

Elsa chuckled. "It's no trouble." She directed the children to watch and conjured up a circle of ice about the size of a small pond at the end of the yard, complete with benches.

There was dead silence for several seconds as the entire family — except for Peter, who scampered toward it immediately — stood with their mouths open. Finally, Haldis and her twin shook themselves and ran giggling after him.

"Don't forget skates!" Elsa called at them, moving her fingers again to create three pairs, which adjusted automatically to the size of the foot they were placed on. She then turned to the remaining boys and their mother. "Did you not wish to skate? If you're playing hooky, you might as well play."

"I didn't want to take off." Jorge, the second oldest and about 15, spoke in a strong tone. "I don't want to be stuck here forever, but I have to finish school before I can get any other job and I don't want to miss any of it."

Mrs. Erdahl appeared as if she might faint. "Jorge…"

"Has your learning included how to address your Queen?" Elsa responded instinctively, drawing herself up.

The boy's expression wavered before a hint of fear crept in. "Yes, Ma'am. I'm sorry. I'm really honored you're here. It's just … there has to be more than this rotten farm!"

Elsa considered him for a moment. "Why do you think it's rotten?"

"All we do all day is stare at sheep. Feed sheep. Shear sheep. Over and over." Jorge shifted and glanced at his mother. "What's the point?"

"Then why have I've chosen to bring these men to your farm today, Jorge? I certainly don't think it's a rotten farm — not at all." Elsa caught the discomfort evident in Mrs. Erdahl's eyes and sighed. "Did you know that wool from this farm made both my and Princess Anna's baby blankets? It made my father's, too."

Jorge looked surprised. "It did? Is that true, Mother?"

The older woman nodded. "Aye. And it'll be used to make blankets for Her Majesty's children." She whitened. "When the time comes, of course, Ma'am … I didn't mean to suggest…"

Just suggesting I'll have children is frightening? Elsa managed to smile. Not that I expect it to happen. "I understood what you meant. When the time comes … I would hate to find this farm no longer raising sheep for your family." She paused. "Everyone has a purpose, Jorge, and sometimes they don't find it until they are older. I think you are still searching for yours. Wanting to learn new things is a wonderful passion. If there are ways I can provide those opportunities, I will. Don't discount where you are, though; carrying on a family tradition isn't as horrible as it may sound. After all, I'm doing it."

Jorge broke into laughter, followed by his older brother. "You're not as stiff as everyone says, Your Majesty." Jorge got the words out between laughs. "Or as scary." He went still again and his mother went white.

Elsa smiled. She felt remarkably at ease speaking with the children, even with their blunders. "I'm happy you think so. I don't believe I'm either, and I hope my citizens can feel the same."

There was a space of silence before Jorge, who had been eying the rink the whole time, excused himself and darted toward it. Elsa provided another set of skates and turned to the eldest of the Erdahl boys. "And you? Would you also like to skate?"

"Um … no, Ma'am." Kelden turned red again and studied the ground. "Um … do you … what do you have to do to join the Guard?"

"The Guard?" Elsa blinked. "Won't you take over for your father someday?"

The young man coughed. "Father is in excellent health. You can sign for a limited tour, and I was hoping…" He glanced up, his face still red. "Or-or maybe the army?"

Elsa looked at him with a suspicion at to his motives. "I can't say what the requirements are, Kelden. I will ask Lieutenant Thorsen to speak with you about it if it's something you're really set on doing." She glanced at his mother, who seemed confused and a little nervous. "I would expect your father to be involved in the decision, and your mother as well. You have duties here equally important."

"Still, I want to serve you —" He straightened up and spoke with remarkable resolve. "I want to be of use to you. Your Majesty. Ma'am."

"I appreciate that. If you will excuse me, I must join the others. I will send the Lieutenant directly, Kelden. Mrs. Erdahl, you have fine children. I'm happy to see such spirit."

The older woman curtsied lightly and Kelden bowed. With a final smile, Elsa went to find the man who could answer his questions. Lieutenant Thorsen met her halfway across the yard and bowed shortly.

"Your Majesty, is everything well? You spoke with them for quite some time."

Elsa smiled at him. "It was very educational, Lieutenant. The eldest boy has expressed an interest in the Royal Guard. Would you please go speak with him?" From the corner of her eye, she saw Mrs. Erdahl swat Kelden again, and from his expression he'd been staring again. She shook her head. If he did that at the castle he'd walk off the bridge the first day.

"Of course, Ma'am." Thorsen paused and then sighed. "You are aware there's no such thing as a Royal Junior Brigade, Ma'am?"

"Oh, yes there is." Elsa chuckled. "It has a badge, too. My sister and I are the only members, but everything I said was true. I think perhaps we should investigate establishing it as a more open program; I see no harm in encouraging our youth to live well, do you?"

"It is an inspired idea, Ma'am. When I was a boy, all I dreamed of was becoming a Guard at the castle. To have been able to join such a group at a young age…"

Elsa nodded. "Well then, I'll have it looked at. Please, speak to the young man and then make sure the horses are watered. I don't wish our intrusion to be too disruptive." The man bowed and moved away, leaving Elsa alone in the yard.

She slowly took in the buildings, the fences, the equipment in the field beyond the house. It was all in good repair; still, she felt she could do more to ensure sure all people in Arendelle prospered by her reign. A priority for her now was to provide boys like Peter and Jorge — and girls such as Haldis as well — with more opportunities to learn and grow as they wished. She needed to do that, and she wanted to do it soon. Such opportunities came with a cost, which she knew, but it still felt important to her. There was much to change about Arendelle to make it as great as she hoped for.

She wouldn't do it by hiding in her rooms and letting her advisers bully her, however. She couldn't worry more about her sister than ensuring a good life for her subjects. Arendelle comes first. Anna second. The words made her ache; even if they became more than sisters, she'd be risking her crown with every kiss. They'd be risking Anna's right to succeed her, too.

She'd contend with the struggle between love and crown for the rest of her life unless by some magic she forgot her feelings for — No. We tried that once and look what happened. Anna must come second. People like Peter and his family come first. They must come first.

She might not be able to erase her feelings for her sister, but she couldn't — she wouldn't — let Arendelle fall apart because she lost herself trying to. She couldn't let her country — the country she was expected to rule — be run by others because she was too afraid to stand up for herself.

Elsa looked around the yard once more. Changing things the nobility wouldn't like, improving life for those not born into comfort; those were challenges she'd face, but ones she was now even more determined to overcome.

Arendelle comes first. It must come first. It will come first.

Author Notes: Once again, thank you IceWraith for the help with those pesky errors. Chapter 11 is started, but I can't guarantee a release date.