Preview of Chapter 19 at the end
THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM
The Guards riding point in front of the two Royal Carriages were doing their best to clear the crowd for the Queen's entourage, but the middle of the afternoon proved challenging not only because of the time of day, but the extra crowds and festivities taking place all over town.
It took longer than expected and Kristoff was getting impatient. Anna placed a small hand on his forearm and he relaxed somewhat. The presence of her hand on any part of his body still sent shivers down his spine. However now he felt as if she was doing it as a friend instead of a lover.
"A lover? What are you talking about you meat-lug? You wish you went that far!" he chided himself. Still, it was nice to have her nearby and he returned her warm smile. "Now only if that obnoxious American would disappear?"
They cleared the town proper and Elsa signalled the group to stop with her raised hand and called the Captain of the Guard over. "We're going to go much faster on an ice track I will be making. It will be channeled in the centre to provide stability for the sleds, but it would be very dangerous for untethered horses. Go back to the Castle, Captain, we will return soon."
"But your Majesty...what about...?" he stopped when Elsa's look showed she was in no mood to discuss the matter any further. "Very Well, My Queen." he bowed and the rest of his men followed him back.
Elsa created a ramp of ice and a channeled track a little wider than the sled. Kristoff, Flynn and John Samuels meanuovered the sleds over the ice and attached the skis that would allow the carriages to glide over the ice.
The sight of the Queen creating ice out of nothing awed Viktor! He was silent as he watched her movements, but his eyes never left Elsa's performance as she waved her arms and hands. The constructions she created glimmered and sparkled with the magic she wielded. Wisps and tendrils of frost and ice moved and danced from her fingers. Interestingly, even though it was also his first glimpse of Elsa's magic, John Samuels was mostly looking at Anna. Though when he spared a moment from transforming the sleds, he smiled when saw the delight Elsa's constructs had on Anna and the rest of the group.
Sven seemed to understand that he was to stay on the track of ice, but the other horses pulling the other sled were skittish, until Maximus snorted and intimidated them into compliance!
"Okay Kristoff, I'll create the path, just follow it as we ride over the trees of the forest and over the chasms ahead." Elsa said as she stood beside him. Anna waved to Rapunzel in the other sled, keeping company with John Samuels with Flynn guiding it.
As she did on the night she created the staircase bridge to her Ice Castle, Elsa spun ice and snow with such precision that the sleds were travelling at full gallop over the tops of the trees. The entourage of humans enjoyed a magical ride unknown to man as they made full speed to the cloud enshrouded majesty of the North Mountain in the distance.
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A soft knock announced a messenger at his door. Senator Tallmadge accepted the message from the young female servant that delivered it and inquired her as to its origin.
"The message was delivered by two soldiers from your ship, Master Tallmadge." Sigrid answered. "They said it was urgent."
"Thank you, young lady." he responded, automatically offering her coinage from his pocket.
The handmaiden quickly raised her hand, "That's not necessary, sir! My name is Sigrid, and I am the personal handmaiden to her Majesty. Only your thanks is appreciated." she smiled back.
"To her Majesty? PLEASE, can you tell me if the Queen will be attending the evening meal tonight?" Nathaneil Tallmadge reached out and held her forearm.
Momentarily shaken, Sigrid answered shakily, "I believe so Senator Tallmadge, and I was directed by the Queen to say that she is most certainly disappointed at not having the time to greet you, and if you would honour us with your presence at the head table?"
"Of, of cou, of course!" he stammered, releasing her arm. Sigrid curtsied and left him holding the door. A look a amazement on his face.
Still not believing that the Queen actually remembered his unique position as a non-suitor befuddled him. To be asked to sit at her table was something he felt honoured. But what he really wanted was to just talk to her. To hear what she sounded like in a conversational voice and perhaps to re-live and remember his daughter through her. Was it too much to ask? Too much to hope, that this Queen might somehow give him such a simple pleasure of hearing "Molly" again?
He almost forgot the message the Queen's handmaiden brought him. "What could this be about?". He broke the seal securing the parchment letter:
To: Senator Nathaniel Tallmadge, United States Congress
From: Captain Daniel Turner, Commanding Officer - USS Constitution
Marine Detachment sent to USS Eagle to investigate unannounced leave of absence during 2100 hours previous night to 1200 hours today. Captain Viktor Carlyle not present, believed taking leave within the Castle. First Officer also not present and believed in similar situation. Ordered no further excursions until either men are located and acknowledge standard Navy Protocol.
End Message.
"Their ship left without their Captain or First Mate? In the middle of the night as well? And where have I heard that name before?" he pondered. Going back to his briefcase and pulling out several large binders, he proceeded to go over the last years bill and warrants issued by the Government regarding Naval Acquisitions.
The sun slowly crossed the sky as he was absorbed in his quest.
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He surveyed the bay beyond the waterfront docks. It was getting crowded down there! The visiting ships from several nations that were not normally accustomed to making port here were causing the harbour master no end trouble. But he didn't care! What was important was that the visiting dignitaries were here to discuss the possible situation festering in Arendelle. It was a pity that neither England nor the United States bothered to return the courtesy of his petition. Their lack of concern for their own safety would be their own undoing! If matters played out as he envisioned it, England would no longer set the standard of Global Power much longer.
It was only a short message that was written on the scroll parchment that was handed to him from the Captain of the warship that just arrived. The ship itself was moored with many of her sister ships as well as those from the Mainland back in Denmark. The frigates and sloops and cutters that crowded the harbour represented a vested interest from his Majesty.
Not all the heads of the the Danish Empire have necessarily agreed that Arendelle and Queen Elsa represented an unacceptable factor in Europe. Some of the other Kings and Monarchs actually believed that a form of 'peace' could be achieved!
The letter from Viktor Carlyle presented a truly wonderful opportunity to secure peace not only for Denmark and her allies, but also provide a counter-balance to England and possibly the United States.
He smiled at the thought, knowing full well that the Southern Isles was the strongest member and greatest ally to Denmark.
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The tallest spire reached up to almost five hundred feet in the centre. It's silver-white pinnacle rivalled the peak of the North Mountain itself. Even in summer, it radiated a cold chill that required the assembled fragile humans to don furred coats and parkas. All save one...and she immediately stepped out of the front carriage first.
While everyone's eyes were still gazing in awe at the newest wonder of the modern world, Elsa came up to Sven and Maximus and rubbed their muzzles. "Well done, you two! I'm sure that was a new experience for the both of you as well as us." she smiled at the two intelligent animals. Both beasts seemed to smile and nuzzled her hand as she stroked their fur. Turning her attention to the assembled group, Elsa smiled again, this truly was her realm!
"Oh Elsa, I keep forgetting how beautiful this place is!" Anna was the first to appreciate her sister's handiwork. Unlike last time with Prince Johan, Anna was not completely distracted as before.
"By the nine hells! You created this by yourself?" Viktor Carlyle stuttered out. The detail and precision carved in the ice was exquisite.
"Yes Mister Carlyle, as you can see, when I choose to use my powers, I use it to make beautiful and useful constructs that would aid my people and myself. However, my powers are only permanent in my domain. And my domain is cold, Mister Carlyle, very cold!" Elsa punctuated the last sentence with a wave of magic directed directly at him, and Viktor shivered uncontrollably when the brief magic spell dropped the temperature around him to almost absolute zero for the tiniest fraction of a second. Still, it was enough to freeze the hairs of his moustache solid!
"Good God! That's ...unholy!" Viktor cried out. The ice cracked as he wiped his face with his hand. All the others including John Samuels were frowning at him.
"Shall we enter then? You can see my "children" for what they are." Elsa led the procession up the narrow stairs.
"Children?" Rapunzel held onto Anna's arm and whispered into her ear. "Does she mean...?"
Anna put her gloved hand to her mouth indicating silence. "You'll see what she means." she whispered back.
As the front doors opened, a small familiar figure emerged. "Hi! My name is Olaf! And I like warm hugs!"
"Hello my sweet Olaf! How are you today?" Elsa smiled and asked her first creation.
He came up to Elsa and hugged her as she bent down. His little stick arms barely reaching around her slim figure. "I'm fine Queen Elsa. I've missed you!"
"Hi Anna! Hi Kristoff! Hi beautiful lady with long blonde hair! Hi handsome man with the goatee! Hi handsome man who I've never seen before! Hi short, old man with the frozen moustache and mean frown!". Olaf greeted everyone in his creator's group.
Gesturing to Viktor, Elsa introduced him to the little snowman. "Olaf, this man comes from far away. Overseas from a country called, America."
Before Olaf could reply, Viktor exclaimed, "What kind of witchcraft is this?! This little creature is nothing like the description my sources tell me!"
"I'm assuming you mean the monarchy of the Southern Isles or Weselton?" Elsa interjected. "For no one outside my family or my subjects has ever witnessed any other snow creature save them! Which of them, or both have you fraternized?"
Controlling her anger, and composing herself Elsa continued, "It doesn't matter! King Marshmallow, may we have an audience with you?"
The sound of heavy muted footfalls emanate from behind the far wall. A loud but friendly voice, low in timber, resonate within the castle. "Of Course, My Queen! I am but your humble servant!" The dark shadow visible through the translucent walls makes his pressence known as he emerges and walks to the central foyer. All save Viktor stand their ground and bow at his entrance.
"My God, he's enormous!" Viktor muttered under his breath as he takes one, then two steps back.
"I never realized how much a coward Viktor was until now?" John Samuels regarded his mentor.
Walking up to the giant, Elsa reached up and touches the Snow King. A huge smile crosses the leviathan's face. His soft rounded features contrasting vividly to the tiny gold crown on his head.
"This is my second child, Marshmallow, King of the North Mountain." Elsa proclaims still holding the large arm draped around her shoulders. "I'm sure you've heard tell of his great strength and power, but if he were ever to leave his realm, or venture anywhere remotely warm, he would die!"
Anna quickly bent down and hugged Olaf, while surreptitiously covering his mouth when she saw him reacting to Elsa's last comment. Out of the corner of his eye, Kristoff was also going to act but sighed his relief at Anna's quick response.
"Your words are not what I wanted to hear, but it changes nothing! I will have what I want, or this charade will be exposed for what it is! A sham! And God help you when the rest of Europe's monarchies find out!" Viktor spitted out with conviction.
The last thing Elsa wanted to expose about Marshmallow happened. Angered by the actions of the small coward in his presence and the hostility to his Queen, the Snow King roared a tempest of ice and snow at Viktor. Plates of clear hardened ice formed on his previously round body, and spikes protruded from his back and joints. He was most impressive in his angered form!
"Marshmallow, NO! I will deal with this human!" Elsa interposed herself between the imposing bulk and the cowering ex-pirate. Her eyes, cold blue and her hands outstretched as if ready pierce his soft bloated flesh with daggers of ice! Her peripheral vision catches the sight of her beloved, about to scream; her mitten covered hands at her mouth.
"Peace!" Viktor yelled out, both arms upraised. "Perhaps I overstepped my bounds, oh Queen! I can be reasonable. Perhaps one thousand such creatures would be too much, even with your mighty powers!" he gasped. "I have seen enough... for now. Let's retire back to Arendelle, where we can discuss the matters in a more civil setting. And your courtship with my son can continue as planned?" His voice still shaking from fear.
The high lofts her anger took her made her feel ashamed. Especially after witnessing the look that Anna expressed. She was certain that her beloved was not angry at her, only the possible horror that could have unfolded. Still, she felt terrible that her sister had seen this dark side. Elsa needn't have worried about Anna's loyalty. She felt her sister's love as soon as Anna bounded into her and wrapped her arms around her distressed form. Only the presence of everyone else save Rapunzel, stopped Anna from smothering her sister with kisses.
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AUTHOR NOTES:
1) Captain Daniel Turner (Commanding Officer - USS Constitution: 1 Mar 1839 - 8 November 1841) Received a Congressional silver medal for his participation in Battle of Lake Erie (1813). After war, spent several years in West Indies Squadron chasing pirates. Known as rigid disciplinarian. When Commodore Alexander Claxton died on board, Turner became acting commander of the Pacific Squadron. Later commanded the Brazil Squadron and commanded the Portsmouth Navy Yard. Has had 3 destroyers named for him.
2) Absolute zero is the lower limit of the thermodynamic temperature scale, a state at which the enthalpy and entropy of a cooled ideal gas reaches its minimum value, taken as 0. The theoretical temperature is determined by extrapolating the ideal gas law; by international agreement, absolute zero is taken as −273.15° on the Celsius scale (International System of Units),[1][2] which equates to −459.67° on the Fahrenheit scale (English/United States customary units).[3] The corresponding Kelvin and Rankine temperature scales set their zero points at absolute zero by definition.
3) Marshmallow crowning himself king - After the credits, it is revealed that Marshmallow had survived the ordeal, and is seen limping back into the castle with a new made leg where all he finds is Elsa's crown. The monster looks around for a moment and smiles. The monster, pleasing his inner prince, happily crowns himself ruler of the castle, causing his ice spikes to disappear as he gives a happy sigh, happily continuing his life in the North Mountains as its ruler. (Source: Disney Wiki)
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Preview of Chapter 19
BEFORE THE GRAND BALL
Much like her companions at the dock, HMAS Snow Queen was designed similarly to the British and French first-rate ships of the line. She had over one-hundred and four canon on three decks and was easily a match for any of the ships that shared her company here at her home port. She was the flagship and pride of Arendelle's Navy and Elsa made sure that all the cutters that rowed ashore from their mothership anchored in the harbour had to pass her to gain access to the pier.
Like all the ships docked and not merely anchored, her shorelines were secured and tethered. Large wooden disks were fastened on the ropes to prevent rats and other vermin from climbing them to board the ship. Similarly, the crew kept several tom-cats aboard to hunt for rats that could spread disease and contagion.
Though the men that manned the flagship needed only a skeleton crew, the daily maintenance still needed to be addressed.
"Check to shorelines, seaman. The lines attaching the forecastle and aftcastle seem to be detached!" the deck officer announced.
"Aye sir!" the subordinate responded. A quick inspection turned up unusual news. "Sir, both lines appear to have either been snapped or cut?" he yelled from down on the pier. The heavy ropes hung loosely from the ship and pier. "Only the midship lines are still tethered!"
"What the devil?! Check the other side and make sure the anchor lines are secure!", he commanded.
Another quick inspection proved that they too were cut. "Assemble a repair crew and repair the lines, seaman! I'll report it to the Captain, he's attending the Queen's festival."
"Aye sir!" the seaman scratched his head. "There's no way this could have been an accident!" he thought to himself.