WAIT, WHAT?
"She actually listened to me?! That's a first!" Anna was dismayed when Elsa emerged from behind the dressing curtain wearing a splendid formal gown complete with Royal regalia such as her crown and cape. Very similar in design to her Coronation gown, this one was also green, black and royal purple, but the patterns were slightly different. The crocus symbol was also more prominent since it was Arendelle's National Symbol. Her hair was down this time though. She was going to hold court so her suitors could formally present themselves, so she wanted to present herself in her natural form. Her hairstyle was of course the large single braid she liked to wear. No doubt some of her suitors would be disappointed at not witnessing up close the slinky ice dress Elsa was becoming famous for!
Anna always wondered why Elsa always chose that hairstyle. She tried her own hair like that a few times but found the style to be bulky and heavy. She much preferred her two slender and lighter braids. She also recalled that when she once saw Elsa wearing two braids, her sister looked much younger, or perhaps less mature. With image and presentation being paramount for a monarch, it was perhaps why Elsa chose her hairstyle the way it was.
"You look gorgeous! Absolutely yummy!" Anna proclaimed, her hands clasped together by her face.
"What? Not beautiful-er?" Elsa feigned mock surprise, smiling at Anna.
"Even more elegant than the last gown!" Sigrid quietly said as she was making last minute touches in her charge's dress.
"There are over a dozen nobles in the morning session alone I have to pay attention to, so I'll thank you right now, Anna, for staying with me."
"It will be my pleasure, my Queen!" Anna formally curtsied. Her own dress was not quite as extravagant, but flattered her youthful look nonetheless. This time, Anna's dress was a deep blue colour, highlighted with cream and yellow. She wore matching slippers, though of a much more conservative heel. She also wore her tiara this time. She would have much preferred one that looked like Elsa's crown, but being made of magic ice, it would mean her head would freeze in a matter of minutes.
The visiting dignitaries were to formally present themselves as suitors one by one to her as she sat on her throne and thanked them for attending. This formality insured that the royals and nobles attending would keep their honour intact when Elsa finally did choose a suitor. Having been recognized to be worthy yet unchosen would satisfy their ego ensuring goodwill when they departed. At least, that was the normal protocol.
"Will John Samuels be present in the morning session?" Anna asked her sister.
Elsa raised an eyebrow at the mention of his name. "Yes, he will be. He was rather taken with you last night? I don't believe he said more than a few sentences to me, and in passing conversation, no less?"
"Yes, that does seem odd?" Anna answered perplexed.
"It's obvious that he's fallen for you. You are sooo cute after all. I hope he's professional enough to play the part of the determined suitor. We are paying his master a great deal for their services." Elsa sighed.
"Perhaps I shouldn't be present when he makes his application? So I won't be a distraction for him?" Anna went to her sister and pulled her by the waist for an embrace. "You are my heart, and I will remain yours and yours alone!" she whispered into Elsa's ear.
Elsa's heart warmed at her sister's sincere proclamation. Still, she debated her sister's presence, "That would be the wise choice, but... all our family, small as it is, will be present. Rapunzel and Flynn. It would look odd if you were not there. No, let's see if he can pull it off!" Elsa decreed. She cautiously looked at Sigrid first, then decided that if both she and Anna could trust Isolde, then they could trust Sigrid too. With that decision made, Elsa lightly brushed her lips to Anna's before regaining Her Queenly composure. That achieved, she walked hand in hand with Princess Anna to the throne room.
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"Just so I understand this, you're saying that Viktor wants more than what Queen Elsa is offering in her letter that we sent you?" Flynn asked incredulously. "If you didn't want this job, then why are you here?"
"It's not that we... he doesn't want the land or money, it's that he wants more! A lot more." the other man said.
"How much more?" the Prince of Corona asked.
"He wouldn't tell me, Flynn. I suspect he will when he gets back or during lunch. The Queen invited us to her private dining room for lunch last night. I believe it will be there and then that he will make his full intentions clear. What I don't understand is why he went to the pier so early this morning?" John Samuels disclosed.
"Are you still than going to stay the course and pursue Queen Elsa's hand? That is after all why we hired you?" Flynn demanded.
Slightly annoyed that his honour was being impugned, John Samuels pointed to the medals on his dress tunic. "I was an officer in the United States Navy, this medal is for honour and valour. You can trust I will do my job!" the inflection in his voice travelling farther south of the Mason-Dixon Line as his composure was tested.
Flynn's own hand was going to his tunic as he was about to show off his most prized medal, than thought better of it. "Okay, Lieutenant John Samuels Carlyle, you seem to be an honourable man. I trust you will do your part and successfully woo the hand of the Queen!"
"This from a man who legend say stole the Princess Crown from under the watch of the Royal Guards in Castle Corona? You were a thief and scoundrel, Flynn!" the young retired officer replied, his southern drawl even more pronounced now.
Rising to the the bait from John Samuels, Flynn said "I'll have you know how difficult...did you say LEGEND?" a huge goofy smile appearing on his face.
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Lord Baron Tiroff Oveson scratched his head at the message that was passed on to him by the Queen's handmaiden, Sigrid. He quickly opened the letter and noticed it indeed did come directly from the Queen.
Dear Tiroff, it would please me greatly if you were to convene the available ministers for a brief Council Meeting on the morning immediately after the Grand Ball. I would suggest ten o'clock.
Sincerly, Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elsa of Arendelle.
As the Minister of Agriculture, he was probably the least appropriate member of Arendelle's Royal Council to supervise this upcoming meeting regarding the Ruling Family. The Minister of State or perhaps the Minister of Foreign Affairs would best be suited.
However, Queen Elsa chose him instead. She must trust him somewhat, though why, he himself couldn't fathom? "I must have made an impression during the last meeting we had prior to the emergency session which prompted this festival." he mused. "Though I thought she looked rather bored as I read off the projections of our crop yields, after the great freeze?"
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"You cant be serious!" Elsa exclaimed in outrage. "We agreed to one island and all the trade rights attached in perpetuity. But ALL of New Guinea? Are you insane?"
She paced back and forth in her private study. The doors were locked and two guards were posted outside. They had just concluded the afternoon meal and adjourned to the Queens's study room to finalize the agreement with Viktor. All the members of her family and friends were in attendance. As were Viktor Carlyle and John Samuels.
"Arendelle doesn't even hold title to that island in the contract. It's only because Corona has overseas colonies in and around New Guinea that we can offer you that land. But not even the Hanseatic League claim the right to all of New Guinea." Elsa tried explaining.
"I assure you my Queen that we do not claim to want all of New Guinea, just most of it!" Viktor wanly smiled.
Had this man not been so valuable to her plan, she would have him escorted out of Arendelle all together. Regardless of hailing from a country that she absolutely needed to make her plan succeed. For where else could she find another American to take his place if this pill were too bitter to swallow?
John Samuels was distressed but showed no outward emotion when Viktor proposed his revised plan to the Queen as he had done earlier to Flynn in their quarters. Just as Flynn was preparing to leave, Viktor had returned from business in town and informed them both of his modifications. Even he could not believe the audacity that his boss perceived when he decided to modify the offer that Flynn proposed in his letter weeks ago.
"So I take it that my original offer was insufficient, Viktor? Queen Elsa by the grace of Princess Rapunzel has offered you Umboi Island in the Bismarck Sea off New Guinea. Corona has established colonies on the main island along with other allied Kingdoms and expect it to flourish. Great Britain and the Netherlands have also made colonies along the coast, so trade will be good. What more do you want? The legal trade there is more than triple what you would expect to earn by arms trade in the Americas!"
"I'm sorry my boy, but it's not enough! I would have to abandon my assets in the United States, which are considerable, if I'm to take up this venture in the South Pacific. I would also have to make new contacts and new partners. As you can see, I'm not getting younger! I need more than one island. I want more!" Viktor demanded.
His own application to the Queen earlier this morning was indeed worthy of praise. Not once during his formal introduction did he even glance at the lovely Princess Anna seated next to Queen Elsa. His eyes were solely on the Queen and his statement of intent rung with sincerity. Though of common birth, he was introduced with his full military rank and announced by the Royal Herald as a Comrade-in-Arms of Baron Eugene Fitzherbert, Prince of Corona. Some of the applicant-suitors who were initially dismissing his claim due to his humble origins were heard quietly gossiping amongst themselves once John Samuels military credentials were tied to the Prince of Corona. A few were even nodding their approval at his charismatic presence and the nation he represented. None of this was of course true, but none could be discredited either.
Elsa was neither charmed nor amused at this moment. Frost was forming along the track were she was pacing back and forth. To be held ransom by the greed of one man, especially since so much depended on his services, infuriated her.
"I cannot offer you what I do not possess Mister Carlyle, but surely there is something else that would interest you?" Elsa tried logic when her anger didn't succeed. "What can Arendelle offer you? What can I offer you?"
Victor thought hard for a few seconds before replying, "I've heard from reliable sources that you have created creatures of great size and strength. Creatures given life and the ability to act of their own will! In addition to the deeds of property in New Guinea, I would like to have you make for my own use... one thousand of such creatures." he said unexpectedly.
"What?! How have you heard of such things? What would you do with them?!" Elsa gasped.
There were always a few megalomaniacs in the world. Europe was barely recovering from Napoleon, and it would seem that America too had their own special brand.
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Almost all of the suitors lined up for the afternoon audiences were delayed. The Queen had pressing matters and she tapped Lord Ovesen to assist her again. Unlike earlier this morning, she decided to do it in person.
"My Lord, the Queen has asked me to escort you to her private study. She requires your immediate presence." Sigrid once again located the fat, Royal Minister.
"Very well, Sigrid. Lead the way." he responded.
He noticed that Royal Guards were flanking the double doors of the study-room. Upon entering, Lord Ovesen immediately recognized the foreigners as the American guests invited by Prince Eugene and not the Government emissary. Without so much as an introduction, Queen Elsa greeted him.
"Welcome Lord Ovesen. It would seem that pressing Royal matters have surfaced and require my immediate attention. So as not to unduly overburden the audiences slated for tomorrow, I would ask that you apologize for my absence and entertain the applications for this afternoon and accept acknowledgment of their proposals. Also add that I would be most happy if they were to honour me with a dance in the upcoming Grand Ball."
She briefly glanced at Anna when she made her last comment and saw her sister smirk. Anna concluded that a personal dance with each suitor that was postponed this afternoon would soothe their besmirched ego. And she was right!
"Of course, your Majesty!" her Minister replied. "Shall I also accept on your behalf any gifts or letters the suitors present you with? Or should I tell them to wait until they meet you in person?"
"If they have no objections, please accept their gifts, Tiroff." Elsa smiled at him. Anna and Rapunzel also grinned sweetly.
"As you wish, my Queen! By your leave." he bowed and exited. His face revealed his usually continence which most would have considered a scowl. But inside, Tiroff Ovesen was grinning ear-to-ear like a six year old schoolboy!
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Kristoff was busy preparing the two carriages that would be converted to sleds for the trip to the North Mountain. It was a hurried, emergency trip that Elsa conceived and he acquired help from wherever he could. Both Isolde and Sigrid as well as two stablehands aided him in his endeavour.
The sleds themselves were only lightly outfitted since it was still summer, but even the sun and heat were ineffective and most of the slope proper of the mountain was perpetually covered in snow.
"Here is the rope you asked for, Master Kristoff." Isolde handed him the rope as he prepared to tie the skis to the side of the carriage.
"Isolde, do you see any royalty around, or do I even smell like Prince Flynn?" he rolled his eyes with feigned dignity. "No, I work for a living, it seems I just hang out with the royals. And please, call me Kristoff, just Kristoff."
The young handmaiden giggled and responded, "Truthfully, I thought you looked fetching when you wore that suit yesterday. However it doesn't suit you. You look much more at ease with your clothes right now."
He blushed slightly at the comment but kept his mouth shut and kept working. Isolde was Anna's personal handmaiden, and he didn't want to seem uncouth or uncultured in front of her. Though he was wondering why that was important to him.
For her part, Isolde noticed the blush and smiled sadly thinking that this handsome and noble man deserved better than what in store for him. But she also knew that the love Anna had for Queen Elsa was pure and unbiased. It seemed unfair that he would bear the broken heart, but it was unavoidable.
She didn't realize that she was staring at him until Sigrid gently nudged her with her foot. Isolde looked up and saw Sigrid silently mouthing the words, "What are you doing? Keep working!"
Embarrassed now herself, she assisted Kristoff in tying the sleds as her cheeks also became red while Sigrid was silently watching her and smiling.
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AUTHOR NOTES:
1) The Hanseatic League (also known as the Hanse or Hansa; Low German:Hanse, Dudesche Hanse) was a commercial and defensive confederation of merchant guilds and their market towns that dominated trade along the coast of Northern Europe. It stretched from the Baltic to the North Sea and inland during the Late Middle Ages and early modern period. It was dissolved in 1862. Corona is a member of this League. And so is Weselton.
2) Umboi (also named Rooke or Siassi) is a volcanic island between the mainland of Papua New Guinea and the island of New Britain. It is separated from New Britain by Dampier Strait and Huon Peninsula, New Guinea Island by Vitiaz Strait.
3) Crocus- The official crest of Arendelle is the crocus, appearing on various items within the kingdom such as banners, capes, flags, uniforms, wallpaper, clothing and jewellery. The colors green and purple, and to a lesser extent yellow, are associated and prominent with the kingdom of Arendelle. Crest designs usually encompass the golden yellow stylized crocus, emblazoned on a background that is purple on the left half and green on the right half. On Elsa's profile banner, the purple left half of the background is darker, and the right half is a darker yellow..
4) The Mason–Dixon line (or Mason's and Dixon's line) was surveyed between 1763 and 1767 by Charles Mason and Jeremiah Dixon in the resolution of a border dispute between British colonies in Colonial America. It is still ademarcation line among four U.S. states, forming part of the borders of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and West Virginia (originally part of Virginia).
In popular usage, the Mason–Dixon line symbolizes a cultural boundary between the North and the South (Dixie).
5) Baron Tiroff Ovesen - Minister of Agriculture, first introduced in Chapter 3 - Royal Duties. The only noble in Arendelle's Royal Council to have been identified by name and title.
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Preview of Chapter 17
THE COLD, HARD TRUTH
Simply put, she was a PRIZE. If she could be manipulated and controlled, no place in the world would be safe from her powers. She is, or what could become the ultimate weapon. A scripture from the Hindu religion came to her mind, "I am become Death, the Destroyer of Worlds!"
Her life changed forever with that realization.
Her Grand Plan to evade being married to Prince Johan. To marry and live with Anna in peace and happiness. To have children and an heir, all seemed small and insignificant.
Not that she still didn't want that. Nor did she think that her plan would fail. It could succeed, but it was now a smaller piece in the grander scale of things. She could never have a normal, routine life that most Kings and Queens had.
She was different. She had powers. Powers unlike anything on this planet. Nobody even came close to what she could do!
She was the Snow Queen.