Chapter Two
Gerda arrived at that moment. Elsa gestured to Anna's room. The very capable Housekeeper, long used to the sisters' different mannerisms, merely nodded and knocked on the Princess's door. After receiving a cheery invite, she ducked inside. Elsa took the opportunity to retreat to her own room. Once inside, she leaned against her dresser to stare at into the mirror. Brilliant blue eyes stared back, whites easily visible. Snow glittered among her hairs and even frosted her eyebrows. The sharp scent of winter filled the room.
"Conceal, don't feel," she muttered, then winced at the long-time habit. It was her mantra prior to any dealings with people for so many years prior to her coronation. Over the past year and a half she had struggled with being more open as a person, yet retaining the self-control expected of a Queen. She had already learned just what a danger repression is, yet strong emotions could still easily trigger her winter powers as well as upset a political negotiation. It seemed such an impossible balance.
Anna's unintentional reminder of just how limited a life she could expect didn't help. The more she learned she could be open about her powers, about herself… the more she learned just how much of herself being a Queen demanded. She closed her eyes against a sudden burst of vicious envy. How often had she caught Anna and Kristoff in their sweetly clumsy courtship? Ever since Kristoff's declaration of love at Anna's birthday, Elsa had been awaiting the eventual marriage proposal. She was grateful they were taking it slow, especially after that disaster with Hans… but at the same time she felt impatient, wanting to see Anna happy and surrounded by love.
A crooked smile touched her face even while her eyes were still closed. How would it be, she wondered, to see her little sister be a mother? And to children that would be free to build lives independent of the throne, especially once her own heir was born. She opened her eyes to gaze at a painting of their parents that hung above the mirror. She often wondered about the people they must have been, independent of their roles as parents and ruling royalty. Surely they must have…
A hesitant tap at her door interrupted her thoughts. "Hey!" Anna chirruped from the other side. Her voice was excessively cheerful. "You coming out?"
Elsa winced, knowing all too well how hard it was for Anna to knock on her door, even now. "Coming!" she hastily responded. She reached for the crown that rested on her dresser, pausing only a moment to stare at the frost patterns that now adorned the wooden surface. More upset than she realized, and about far more than a messenger full of urgency. She forced an exhalation, settled the crown in her hair, and opened the door. "I'm here," she reassured a worried Anna.
Anna's concern forcefully twisted itself into a smile. "Oh, I know! Just wanted to make sure you were ready!" she lied without conviction. She stuck out an elbow. "C'mon, let's go find out what's going on!"
"Yes, let's," Elsa agreed, settling her arm within her sister's. She gave the dress Anna wore a quick critical once-over. "Gerda chose that, didn't she?"
"Yep! Said the dress I wanted to wear wouldn't have been proper. Too much ankle showing." Anna wrinkled her nose.
Elsa couldn't help but chuckle. "Well, it wouldn't be good to scandalize the court advisers. Or the Royal Guard. Anymore than we already do, I mean."
"You gotta admit, their faces when we rode Sven into the courtyard….!"
The tell-tale glitter faded from Elsa's hair faded as she laughed with her sister.
They chatted easily as they walked along the stone hallways, but all traces of laughter faded when they saw Kai standing by the throne room entrance. The castle Steward's face was a study in carefully bland disapproval. Elsa frowned, but it was Anna who spoke first. "Oh! Did we take too long? Captain Beorne said it was urgent, or at least the court advisers said it was urgent, but we didn't think it was that urgent since they didn't come themselves..."
A gentle tug on her elbow caught the rush of words and stuffed them back into Anna's mouth. Elsa covered her sister's embarrassed cough by asking, "Is there trouble, Kai? Should we be apologizing for our delay?"
Kai studied his once-wards before answering. "A short apology may soothe some ruffled feathers," he allowed, "but perhaps a reminder of who is ruling here may be more in order." He tilted his head towards the massive doors. "The Royal Guard has had to keep the court advisers from… badgering the messenger. The poor man is… well… you shall see for yourselves, your Highnesses, but I would say… he is… concerned."
The way he said "concerned" made it sound more akin to "terrified".
Anna nearly burst with another round of questions, but Elsa's preemptive shoulder bump knocked them loose. "Thank you, Kai," the Queen said graciously. "Your service is greatly appreciated, more than you can realize."
Kai tilted his head forward. "I loved the King and Queen well," he said, "and am honored to serve another generation of their household." Daring to meet each of their gazes directly, he added, "And I would daresay they would be as proud of you as I am." With a smile that was very nearly fatherly, he pushed the doors open.
Queen and Princess entered arm-in-arm. The queen's narrowed blue gaze swept the room, while the princess's warmer teal gaze immediately leaped to the messenger. The harried man, dressed in ragged leathers and sporting an equally ragged beard, had been nervously eyeing the court advisers and soldiers alike. At the Highnesses' entrance, however, he dropped to a kneel. Captain Beorne stood by the man's side and saluted. Soldiers in solemn grey cloaks snapped to attention, eyes shifting only to glare at the court advisers. The court advisers hastily straightened shoulders beneath heavily brocaded robes even as they bowed, some ostensibly lower than others. Kai drifted behind the sisters, quietly closing the doors and becoming their shadow.
"Greetings, gentleman," Queen Elsa said, lifting her chin slightly. Princess Anna unconsciously echoed the action, but her eyes flashed as she eyed the frightened messenger.
"Greetings, your Highness," greeted several of the men. A few frowned and said nothing.
Elsa's gaze narrowed to slits. She knew there was discontent in the court and in much of the nobility. While many openly cheered her abilities, there were just as many that still feared them. Rather than approach her openly with their concerns, however, they plotted among themselves. Perhaps it was not even fear that motivated them, but the hope of opportunity. Her father had warned her about such political maneuvers, but it was still a gut-sinking sensation to see it in person.
This time it was Anna's turn to tug on her sister's elbow. The temperature of the room had already dropped a few degrees.
Self-control, she reminded herself, was not the same as complete suppression. Express, don't repress. Aloud, she said, "At ease, gentlemen. Kai, if you would, please find a seat for our guest? And something for him to drink? He looks exhausted." She made her way up the dais to the pair of thrones installed there, Anna only a half-skipped step behind. Assuming their seats, Queen Elsa turned her attention to the unhappy messenger.
"I do apologize for my delayed arrival, good man… may I know your name?" she said in her quiet, firm voice as the man clambered to his booted feet.
"J-jorgenson, Your Majesty. Highness. Ah!" the poor man gasped, twisting his woolen cap between calloused hands.
"Jorgenson. I trust my staff has treated you well?"
An uneasy glance directed at the court advisers indicated otherwise. One of the men stepped forward, tipping a polite bow to the sisters. "We were just trying to determine the validity of his… story… your Majesty. It seems rather… outlandish."
Queen Elsa raised one thick eyebrow. "As outlandish as a Queen that has control over snow and ice?" she asked. Beside her, Princess Anna's mouth twitched in a suppressed smile.
"Ah, well..."
"And yet you sent Captain Beorne to fetch me with urgency, over an 'outlandish' story?" She tilted her head slightly to one side. "Or perhaps you just wanted some privacy with the messenger, so you could question him according to your means… rather than mine?"
This time the drop in temperature was deliberate.
Several of the court advisers pulled back a few steps, unconsciously backing towards each other. A couple merely looked uneasy. A handful of others appeared almost as justified as the soldiers. Queen Elsa made note of which was which before turning her attention back to the messenger. By this time a house servant, summoned by Kai, had produced a heavily cushioned chair and water-filled mug for the messenger.
Jorgenson appeared to only be marginally comforted by the temperature rising to normal levels. "Th-thank you, Your Majesty. Majesties." He acknowledged Princess Anna with a nod, eyes growing wide. As an afterthought, he took a noisy slurp from the mug. He blinked, glanced at the water, then to the servant that had given it to him.
The servant glanced to Kai for permission, then answered the unasked question. "Mint, for flavor and…," he paused, glancing about the court, then dared to add, "...and to help with an unsettled stomach."
Queen Elsa's smile warmed. "Your thoughtfulness is appreciated," she said before turning her gaze to the messenger. "When you are more settled, Jorgenson, I would hear your message."
He fidgeted in his chair, taking another gulp of mint water. Absently sucking stray droplets from his mustache, he studied his mug a moment. With a cough he composed himself, straightening his shoulders and turning his full attention to the sisters upon their thrones. "The… the eastern villages, Your Majesties… they're reporting strange storms and… and mysterious beasts." He paused to take another gulp of water, then continued, "They're saying the winter witch Her Majesty defeated is… is back."
Both sisters blinked several times. The rattle of a saber in its sheathe could be heard as the Captain of the Guard gripped its hilt.
"Mysterious beasts?" Captain Beorne demanded.
At the same time, Queen Elsa repeated, "Strange storms?"
Overriding them both, Princess Anna exclaimed, "Winter witch?!" Without waiting for clarification, she launched into an excited flood of words. "What winter witch? There was never a winter witch! Well not really, not exactly. Definitely not a witch! There was just..."
"Anna," Queen Elsa interrupted. Assured of her sister's temporary silence, she once again addressed the messenger. "Please, elaborate." When he hesitated, she smiled gently. "Be at ease, my good man," she reassured him, "no one here will bear you ill will for this news." A warning glance at particular members of the court stressed that promise. "Truly. I need to know the goings-on of my kingdom, and that includes the outlying villages. I trust brave souls such as yourself to bring me such news honestly so I may deal with it fairly and promptly."
Jorgenson's chest puffed with her praise. He gave her a brisk nod and took a quieter sip instead of his earlier, noisy slurps. So relaxed was he that he missed the Princess staring at the Queen in awe while the Captain of the Guard merely smiled. After a moment of basking, he declared, "I'll answer any questions as I can, Your Majesty."
"Very well," Queen Elsa nodded, "Let's describe things one at a time, then. You mentioned strange storms?"
"Y-yes, Your Majesty. It's winter, as you know..."
Someone coughed on a laugh. The cough quickly turned into a choking sound as both Queen and Princess glanced about the room.
Emboldened by the support, the messenger continued, "Winter, so we're used t'storms and the like, of course, but these… great howling winds that blow every which way and leaves drifts high enough to bury homes. Folks sayin' they see strange lights, or hear strange noises. And those winds? Might stop dead and still as a corpse, then just as suddenly kick up again."
Captain Beorne dared to interrupt the man's narrative. "Aren't blizzards common among the mountain villages?" he inquired.
The man nodded, then shook his head. "Yessir, but not like these. It… it's hard to describe, but I was holed up in an inn when one struck. I've been in many a blizzard sir… got a proper fearful respect for'em, I do… but these storms? I swear I caught meself remembering every fanciful story my Gram ever told, and hearin' that wind and seein' some of those odd lights – like lanterns, but often in pairs, and moving so odd… well, I caught myself wonderin' if they were just stories, after all." He coughed, embarrassed, setting the mug down so he could twist his woolen cap again. "And it's even more'n that… it's the timing of them."
"Timing?" the Captain prompted.
Jorgenson nodded. "Yeh. They usually strike when a trader's due through. Some of the villages are on trade routes. Not many merchants brave the winter passes, but there's a few hardy ones that come through most every year. Not this year." For the first time, he met the Queen's gaze. "One made it through, Your Majesty. One, out of four that usually make it through by this time."
Both Queen and Captain looked grim, understanding the implications on trade routes if either storms or even stories of storms kept traders out. Princess Anna appeared to be torn between the horror of implied lost lives and fascination with the improbability of the tale. All three traded glances before returning their attention to Jorgenson.
"And the mysterious beasts?" Captain Beorne prompted.
The messenger ran fingers through ragged hair. "They seem to only appear in the storms. Most people only catch glimpses, and their stories vary, so… most describe wolves, great white wolves with blue eyes..."
Princess Anna flinched, remembering a pack of wolves and the resulting leap across a chasm. Did they have blue eyes? She couldn't remember. All she could remember were snapping, slavering jaws framed in fur turned orange in firelight and Kristoff yelling, "My name is KRISTOFF!"
"...but then others describe great big beasts, like great white bears. At first, we were all laughing about the stories. You know how you can see things in snowstorms. But then that merchant I told you about, the only one that made it through…?" Multiple nods assured him that they were still attending to his tale. He took a deep breath and continued, "Well this man traveled with a horse and a small pack of hunting dogs. All raised by himself, they were. Like family. Been through a lot of nasty storms together, never lost a one of'em. He came through with one dog. One. And with a set of claw marks on his back." Jorgenson held up one hand, fingers spread in rough approximation of claws. Smaller than a bear's width, but certainly larger than a wolf's. "Man's not been the same since. Just holds that one dog to him and cries. Hides whenever the wind starts to blow. Rattles off about snow bears and blue lights. Near as I can tell, he and the one dog fell when a snow cliff gave way under'em. That's probably what saved'em."
Captain Beorne's mustache and muttonchops pulled down with the strength of his frown. "I assume you spoke directly to this merchant?"
"As much as one could. Man was terrified out of his wits, not makin' much sense, and that was surprisin' 'cause he wasn't much given to imagination to begin with. Saw the wounds on his back, that's how I know how far apart the clawmarks are. Villages had been startin' to ask that I come here to ask the Majesties' aide… after seein' him, I knew I had to."
Captain and Queen both nodded. Queen Elsa opened her mouth to thank him, but Princess Anna impulsively asked, "But what about the winter witch?"
The messenger blinked, then shrugged his broad shoulders in embarrassment. "Just folks tryin' to explain the storms, I think, through a… a misunderstanding. Those of us what spend some time near the castle know the true story." In response to blank stares, he expounded, "You know, how an assassin from the Southern Isles tried to kill our Queen on her coronation night. How she, ah, you Your Majesty, had to flee and call up a winter storm during summer in our defense, and how Princess Anna risked sacrificing herself so our Queen had enough time to defeat him and restore summer."
Both sisters glanced at each other and barely managed to keep from snorting in laughter over this version of events.
Jorgensen eyed them before continuing, "But the story in some of the farther villages has it that a winter witch attacked Arendelle, that Queen Elsa fought and defeated her while Princess Anna, with the aide of the Reindeer King, defeated her henchman."
This time the sisters merely gaped at the messenger. Slowly they turned to each other, and just as slowly closed their jaws.
"Reindeer King?" Anna choked.
"But you're the one that…," Elsa started, then to the messenger. "Neither of those are how it happened! It was all Anna's..."
"Elsa," Anna interrupted, placing a hand on her sister's arm.
Confused, Jorgenson asked, "So it was Princess Anna who defeated… or did she cause the storm…? I thought it was the Queen..." He tapered off, perplexed by conflicting story elements.
"Perhaps," Captain Beorne interjected, "I could brief Jorgenson on a more accurate version of events." At multiple puzzled glances, he stated, "Remember, I was among the search party with… Hans." His nose wrinkled briefly with distaste. "I was also on the castle balcony during… when the storm ended." To Jorgenson, he requested, "If I give you a truer version of events, would you be willing to spread the tale? I warn you, it is both less and more heroic than either version you've told here."
For the first time, Jorgonsen grinned. "Gladly, sir, although I can't promise others will believe me."
The Captain answered with his own grin. "A fine sense of honesty you have! Fair enough, my good man!" Turning to the sisters, he sketched a brief bow. "Your Majesties, with your leave I'll take this man to the kitchens. Give him some food and warmth and a tale to carry home."
Queen Elsa tilted her head forward. "Yes, by all means. Jorgenson, if you recall any other details of the storms or beasts, please tell them to Captain Beorne. Gentleman," she said to the court advisers and soldiers, "you may take leave for now. My sister and I need to discuss what we have just learned."
One of the advisers stepped forward. "With all due respect, Your Majesty..."
Two pairs of blue eyes, one true and one with a greenish cast, narrowed to peer at the adviser. Identifying him as one of the ones that likely had taken part in attempting to omit Captain Beorne from the proceedings, Queen Elsa said coldly, "You are dismissed." A chilling chime accompanied her words.
It didn't take long for the throne room to clear of all but the sisters. Even Kai eased out of the room, mainly to keep an eye on the members of the court Queen Elsa had singled out. Once the door was securely shut, Elsa and Anna turned to each other. Their words clashed in a frantic tangle.
"Kristoff as a Reindeer King?!"
"If anything, I was the Winter Witch!"
"You were the one that fought off soldiers!"
"You were the one that fought off Hans!"
"The storm was just an accident!"
"I won't have them discounting your role in..."
"I won't have them thinking your magic's a bad thing!"
"Forget the magic, you died for me!" Elsa's voice cracked, giving Anna pause. Her gaze flicked to the surrounding air, where snowflakes glittered faintly. One hand reached out to gently cover her sister's trembling hand.
"And you," Anna said, her voice warm and gentle, "sacrificed thirteen years of living to protect me. To protect our parents. To protect everyone."
Elsa closed her mouth, then her eyes. A few careful breaths, and the whispered crystalline chimes faded from the air. Opening her eyes again, she gave Anna a grateful if bittersweet smile. "Didn't exactly succeed, did I?"
"Hmph. If we're trying, then we're not sure of succeeding, otherwise it wouldn't be trying, right? Right!"
Sometimes her sister's logic was a little difficult for Elsa to follow, but it gentled her smile just the same. Just as quickly the smile faded. "Still it's a problem. I didn't realize the stories were distorting like that… combine that with the problem of the storms, and things could get very bad very quickly. Kingdoms have fallen apart over less than that. We also need to find out more about those storms, and any threats from beasts… if the inland trade routes start faltering..."
Anna bounced in her seat, not the most comfortable thing to do on a throne. "Oh! Remember what we were talking about earlier, about how we wanted to take a tour of the villages? We could do that now! Give them a chance to get to know you, and maybe we can find out more in person about what's going on. Kristoff could come along, he's an excellent tracker! Maybe he could find sign of those animals! And maybe the storms – did I ever tell you, he knew your storm was magic and coming from North Mountain even before he knew about you? He's very skilled!"
"I'm sure," Elsa drawled. Her mouth twisted in a wry, fond smirk.
Anna coughed and rubbed the back of her neck. "Well, he is. And I think it would do us a lot of good, you know, to go out and meet the people like that."
"Anna, it is a good idea… or would be, if it wasn't so dangerous. You heard Jorgenson. Men have disappeared. And let's admit it, you were never very skilled at horsemanship. Or defense."
"And you are? I seem to remember an incident with the armory…."
"Yes, well… I can at least keep my seat on a horse. And the snow wouldn't bother me, so that would be one less threat," Elsa added, growing thoughtful. A slender finger rubbed her chin. "Hm. This might actually solve several issues at once."
"Hah, yes! I told you it was a good idea!" crowed Anna.
"Well, yes, but not exactly as you said… Remember, you said you would work on your diplomatic skills if I worked on my socialization skills?"
"Yes! Wait. What… what are you suggesting?" Anna leaned on the arm of her throne, nearly perching on it.
"That I go with a company of guards to tour the outlying villages, while you stay here and assume royal duties. Kai can assist you with that, since he did run the kingdom until I was able to assume the crown."
"Wait, but… I thought that we could…."
Elsa sighed. "Oh Anna… I would love nothing more than to go on a trip with you… but the kingdom won't, can't wait on us. We've got those dignitaries due in any week now to renegotiate trade agreements – including the embargoes we have with Weselton and the Southern Isles."
Anna's disgusted expression said much of her thoughts on that.
Elsa chuckled fondly. "Yes, well, that's pretty much my feelings on it too… I'd rather not leave you with that, but… I must admit, I'm worried."
"Worried?" echoed Anna, tilting her head.
"I didn't realize I had frozen Arendelle… that time… didn't know my abilities could stretch that far. How can I be sure those storms in the outlying villages aren't… caused by me? And if men are disappearing..." Elsa abruptly broke off, wrapping arms about herself.
Anna nearly fell off her throne, so great was her haste to envelope Elsa in a heartfelt hug. "No! I don't believe those storms are because of you! You're doing so much better!"
"But… sometimes… I'm still afraid, Ana..."
Red hair nearly shook loose from their tight braids. "No. I won't believe it," she declared. Looking at her sister, however, Anna relented, "...but I think you won't believe it, either, until you go out there, am I right?"
Elsa's steady gaze confirmed her answer. When Anna huffed in annoyance, Elsa managed to dredge a small smile. "Just remember, you suggested the trips first," she weakly teased.
The next huff was deliberately exaggerated. "FINE!" Anna groaned. She shook a finger in Elsa's startled face. "But Kristoff goes with you! I mean it when I say he knows more about the wilderness than anyone else."
"But I don't want to leave you here… alone," protested Elsa.
"I won't be alone! Like you said, Kai will be here to help with the castle stuff, and I'll still have Olaf for company!"
"I'm not sure Olaf is a wise…," Elsa paused, then shook her head. "What am I saying? Sometimes I think he's wiser than all of us, for all his silliness. Heh, very well. I guess I'll take your consort and leave you my jester."
"Hah, jester! Yeh, that works… wait, what… consort?!"
Elsa couldn't resist poking her finger at her sister's nose. "And your first duty as Regent Queen shall be to explain to our court advisers, and any dignitaries that may be present by that time, why you will be the one managing the trade agreement meetings."
"What…. But… how… and why consort?!"
Laughter still felt strange enough to be a glorious thing to the Snow Queen.