Chapter 12

It was chaos in the courtroom. Kings, Queens, Ambassadors and Dukes alike were all screaming their disapproval at the bombshell Elsa had just dropped. Arendelle was the central hub for the regions trade industry. Without it, trade in the region would collapse completely. Elsa and Anna could only stand silently before what was looking more like an angry mob than a group of dignitaries. But they held their composure, showing no weakness or intent to back down. Then one overpowering voice rose above.

"AND YOU CALL US UNCIVILIZED!"

The mob suddenly fell silent, with everyone, including Elsa and Anna, looking toward the riders. Hiccup held his hands up. "Whoa! That wasn't me!"

"No, that was me!" Snotlout said, stepping forward. He now had everyone's full attention.

"We vikings may not live in the fancy homes that you do. Or wear the finest materials like you do. Or even eat the best foods like you. But we clearly know a lot that you don't. Like how important friendship and trust are. These 2 things can make the difference between a clan thriving or dying off. A true viking would never EVER turn his back when a friend is in real trouble."

In utter amazement, Astrid asked him, "Whoa! Who are you?"

He stepped over beside Elsa, faced the crowd and replied.

"I am Snotlout Jorgenson of Berk! And I stand beside, NOT behind, Arendelle"

The Riders saw where Snotlout was going with this, and gladly followed his lead.

"I am Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III of Berk, and I stand beside Arendelle!"

"I am Astrid Hofferson of Berk, and I stand beside Arendelle!

"My name is Fishlegs Ingerman of Berk, and I stand beside the Queen and Princess of Arendelle!"

"We're Tuffnut and Ruffnut Thorston of Berk." Tuffnut stated.

Ruffnut added, "And where Queen Elsa and Princess Anna go, we go!"

Elsa and Anna could not contain the smiles that overpowered their faces at that point. A moment ago they felt alone. But the support of their friends had given them renewed confidence, and it showed.

Someone from the crowd spoke. "Forgive me your majesty, but one question comes to my mind now. If this Dagur person was content to keep his tyranny out in the North Sea, why would he be coming to Arendelle now?"

"I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that question." Elsa replied.

Hiccup added. "But I think I do." Elsa nodded for him to continue.

"Dagur is a fierce warrior and a brutal leader. But in many ways he is also a child. If he likes something, he wants it for himself. And Dagur LOVES power. If anyone has something more powerful than he does, he wants it. And he'll do whatever he has to, or kill whoever he has to, to get it."

The crowd gasped.

"During our search mission we were attacked by Dagur, and only made our escape thanks to Elsa and Annas powers. Dagur probably heard the stories of The Sisters of Arendelle and, having seen their powers firsthand, decided that he wants them for himself."

Elsa and Anna looked at Hiccup with fear.

"You mean he's coming here for US!?" Anna exclaimed

"I believe so." Hiccup said. "He will probably try to force you to join him. And with the size of his armada, he'll destroy Arendelle and slaughter every living thing here to do it."

The fear in the courtroom was evident.

A voice rose from the back of the room. "So why don't the Sisters of Arendelle just kill off Dagur and his armada and rid us all of his tyranny for good?"

Fishlegs commented aloud. "Snotlout was right. We are more civilized than them."

Anna answered the question.

"When my sister and I realized just how powerful we are, we remembered something our father had once said."

Elsa added, "With great power comes great responsibility."

"That's right, "Anna continued."We could easily use our powers to take whatever we wanted, or kill anyone who crosses us. And there's almost nothing anyone could do to stop us. But that would make us no better than Dagur. And where would that leave the allied kingdoms?"

The delegates seemed uncomfortable with that thought.

"That's why my sister and I took a vow to NEVER use our powers to take a life, no matter what. We will do whatever we have to, but no-one will ever die by our gifts."

"Well said, Anna." Elsa commented. Then she addressed the crowd.

"The position of the allied kingdoms has been made clear. With regards to the alliance, Arendelle will stand alone. With Berks assistance, we will defeat Dagur and free the north sea of his tyranny. After that, I will begin the process of removing Arendelle from the alliance. This meeting is adjourned."

But as Elsa turned, a female delegate stood.

"Hold please, your majesty."

Elsa stopped and turned towards the woman.

"Ambassador Karen Ingstram of Weselton, your majesty. Allow me first to apologize for my part in the barbaric display that we have just seen here."

"Please continue." Elsa said kindly.

"I will be honest. I myself questioned why Arendelle needed assistance in this matter. But I see now that there was much more to this situation that we were aware of. Sad to say, but of all the kingdoms represented here, Arendelle is the only one who truly followed the alliance code. A code that, I believe, your father helped forge."

"That is true." Anna stated.

"Your father would be proud of both of you." The Ambassador stated. "Weselton has 21 warships and 4 armed cargo ships in Arendelle port right now, a total of 25 combat capable vessels. I hereby commit them to your command for this mission, on one condition."

Elsa asked, "And what is your condition?"

"That Princess Anna," the ambassador smiled, "promise not to destroy these ones, the way she did the last Weselton waships that were here."

Laughter rose throughout the crowd. They all knew how Anna had sunk 199 Weselton warships all on her own. Anna tried to shy away, but Elsa put a hand on her shoulder and smiled.

"You have my word Ambassador, that if your ships take damage in battle, it will not be from my sister or myself."

"The kingdom of Aldera can commit 15 ships to the defeat of Dagur the Deranged!" another delegate yelled.

One by one, each delegate stood and declared their contributions. Kristoff and Olaf kept a count of the offerings, taking down who was putting how many ships to the cause. When the last delegate made his declaration, Kristoff asked Olaf,

"I have 256 ships. What do you have?"

"Yep. 256 ships." He replied.

Kristoff stood in front of the podium, facing the queen.

"Your majesty, the allied kingdoms have answered Arendelles call with 256 combat vessels. Add to that 5 skilled dragons and their riders from Berk, and I'd say our chances of victory are pretty good."

"Um, Director Kristoff," Anna said, "You left out two other resources."

Kristoff thought for a moment, then added another item to his list.

"Of course your highness. Two women with elemental magic powers from Arendelle. Our chance of victory just went from good," he faced the crowd, "to almost guaranteed!"

Cheers erupted from all around the room. Elsa smiled, holding her hands up, and the crowd silenced.

"Arendelle is grateful for all of your generous assistance. Since there has clearly been no infraction of the alliance charter, I retract my decision to leave the alliance."

More cheers from the room.

"But time is not on our side now." Elsa stated. "We must make sail as soon as possible if we are to keep Dagur and his fleet, and this battle, at sea. If there are no other issues, then I call this meeting adjourned."

Everyone abandoned protocol and ran to get their ships ready. Hiccup took the Riders to the stables to ready their dragons. And Elsa and Anna left to prepare Arendelles fleet of ships.

And themselves.