Two days later, the castle of Arendelle, one of the chambers full of dresses and screens, for a certain person this day was special, it was the day of the last preparations for the most important ceremony of the life of an extraordinary lady, after the past year and a successful engagement, Anna finally lived to see this great day which was to take place in six days and that day was also special, it was the wildling from behind the screen, under the watchful eye of two maidservants, that Queen Arendelle came out in her white wedding dress with green insignia, a big smile on her slightly flushed face and happiness in her blue eyes, Anna spinning in a new dress, happy with the fulfillment of a great dream, she looked at herself in the mirror, looking at her face. For a new hairstyle curled brown eyes and a necklace of blue stones around her neck and her joy was never supposed to be greater than that day, maybe except for the day of the upcoming wedding, because it was her greatest dream that she was now fulfilling in front of her eyes.
- the dress is beautiful, this day will be beautiful, I wish it had already begun. Anna said looking at her reflection at two maidservants in black and white aprons.
- my lady, isn't it better just to wait, I always preferred to wait when my mother was baking a cake, I always preferred to wait, because tasting, eating, it was all too fast. Said the first of the servants with blonde long hair.
- what are you talking about Balbiona, after all, the climax is always the best, I perfectly remember my wedding, this moment, these emotions, waiting sucks, I prefer to consume. Said the second maid with brown shorter hair.
- what was your wedding like, tell me. Anna asked, sitting down on a small chair and listening to the maid sitting on the other side overlooking the front door.
- on the one hand, my wedding was modest but so beautiful, this moment, joy, mine, my parents, my husband, these moments are unforgettable, how my dad led me to the altar, Em this. Said the maidservant when she suddenly realized that she had said something inappropriate, something she shouldn't have said, and the sight of the queen suddenly frozen in thought and momentary sadness made the maidservant look at the ground for a moment, feeling deep sadness.
- I'm sorry, I shouldn't have.
- nothing happened, I, well never mind, I regret that my =parents will never see this, but I can promise everyone that I will not do this to my children, you have my word, no matter what the future holds, now well you can fear the future, just hope, remember, and thank you for everything. Anna said, feeling different emotions, but everything finally focused on what is today, here and now.
Anna carelessly got up from the chair and started looking at herself in the mirror again, dreaming about the coming day that would take place in six days, it seemed that nothing disturbed her peace and joy anymore, but it was supposed to be different, and it started with the wardrobe door suddenly creaking and Kristoff stuck his head inside.
Anna, seeing her beloved, trembling brown eyes and combed golden hair, a man in a green dress uniform, immediately jumped behind the screen, fearing bad luck and everything that superstitions carried.
- Kristoff, don't look, don't look, you don't know that a bride can't be seen in a dress before the wedding. Anna said hiding behind the screen.
- but I have important news. He tried to say Kristoff but was quickly interrupted by two maidservants in black and white maid outfits.
- gosh, gosh, say it through a closed door. Said the first maid pushing Kristoff out the door and closing it loudly.
- but it's really important. Kristoff said through the closed door.
- not so much to disturb your future wife, if you love it, you'll wait. Said the second maid.
- Kristoff honey, give us a few minutes, I don't think it's that urgent. Anna said from behind the screen.
- unfortunately, this matter requires immediate intervention, Destin Mattias has returned from the expedition. Kristoff said seriously with a hint of fear.
Only silence answered for a moment, and Kristoff standing in front of the dressing room looked at a white snowman with a carrot instead of a nose standing in the corridor.
- Em, and just out of curiosity, what is this matter, so important. Olaf asked, shaking his wooden hands.
- I think we're going to war. Kristoff said as his eyebrows twitched at the thought of a needless war and its consequences for everyone.
- WHAT!. Anna shouted in good health.
- What is war?. Olaf asked, his eyes widening.
- something terrible. Kristoff said, wiping a few drops of sweat from his forehead, because the vision of war was probably the worst thing for him, but no more than Anna suddenly falling out of the wardrobe.
Anna fell out of the wardrobe in a black-blue dress and a royal diadem on her head and her blue eyes betrayed all the worst, fear, anxiety, disbelief, because she had already heard about war once when her outfit, fearing Northuldran, built a dam, limited the ice of the north and treacherously uttered war to them, and now her ears heard again something so bad, terrible, because war always meant all the worst, the suffering of families, mothers, fathers, children, everything that was connected with war, everything that was connected with war.
- how is the war, Kristoff tell me what's going on, Destin, are you saying that Destin is back or is he. Anna asked grabbing Kristoff by the green vest.
- you'll have to hear it for yourself, come on, Destin is waiting for us in the throne room, quick. Kristoff said solemnly, holding Anne's hands, giving her a little reassurance in the times ahead.
Anna fell silent, only nodded her head, adjusted the diadem by pinning it more into brown hair and followed Kristoff and Olaf to the main throne room where, as it turned out, an older soldier, a general, in a green uniform with insignias was already waiting for them.
Destin Mattias, seeing his queen, bowed, his brown eyes betraying only seriousness and certainty of what he was about to say and deliver, Destin had something else at hand, evidence from the south sea, wrapped in a brown sack, when Destin looked up and met fear, fear, fear of his queen, because war was the worst thing anyone could have to deal with.
- Destin, tell me everything, in order, what happened, Kristoff told me something about the war. Anna asked and her seriousness and fear were so strong that she squeezed Kristoff's right hand tightly, even Olaf stared at the queen's seriousness, probably for the first time in his life, feeling something more than fear in his heart.
- our merchant ships were sunk, and here's proof who did it. Destin said as he placed the Kingdom of the Southern Isles banner on the ground. Gray shields and a large oak against the background of the sun, proof of guilt.
- it is impossible. said Anna, taking up the banner from the south, remembering first Hans, a malicious and cunning prince, to the present day and the usually successful commercial dealings with the kingdom of the south.
- Hans!, is that you!. said Anna angrily and confidently this time, because she expected only one thing, but on the other hand, Hans did not have such causative power there, he was rather at the very end in terms of influence and after what he did he was rather ignored by his brothers and yet here in front of her on the face lay the banner of the Kingdom of the Southern Isles.
- it, it's impossible, why, why, do they really want to fight us. Anna said, looking at the black face of the general and at the confused face of her beloved.
- what should I do, what!. Anna asked, looking for answers, help, advice.
- I can advise, let's be calm today, this matter needs to be clarified, my lady, let me straighten this matter myself, I will sail south with a couple of ships, let them explain themselves. Destin Mattias said, coming to attention.
- and if it's a trap. Kristoff asked quickly which of course quickly broke the commander's foreground.
- maybe we should wait, we need to secure our merchant fleet, if the attack is repeated, we also need to send scouts, it is not known what else they are planning. Kristoff suggested.
- it's a good idea, but Ithak will not do without confrontation with words, our enemies can't be so savage, if we send diplomats and they won't let us go, it's a sign of one thing, my lady, let me take care of it. Destin Mattias said, probably waiting for his queen's order.
Anna didn't want to say anything for a long moment, in her mind she tossed between possibilities, duty to the nation and responsibility, fighting her own fears, but war, that cursed word with which everything worst was associated, everyone's suffering, fear, and destruction, it was something she wanted to avoid and her own fear seemed to overcome everything today, but suddenly a spark of hope shone in her eyes, if anyone could help her, advise her, support her, it was only one person.
- I know who will help us, my older sister Elsa, we need to inform her, we'll decide tomorrow. Anna said, but her idea was, in a way, a way to avoid the worst, to avoid the decision she had just run away from.
- surely, my lady, do you want to wait that long, every day counts here, the enemy may have already started preparing for battle, perhaps their fleet. Said Destin Mattias wanting to urge the queen but on the other hand he saw fear in her blue eyes.
- Maybe someone can tell me what's going on. Olaf asked what Kristoff pulled the carrot from the snowman's head and hid it behind his back.
- that's the thing, what is war, it's something terrible, you remember Anna's grandfather, and what happened in Northuldran, what's coming now could be a hundred times worse. Kristoff said they shove the carrot back into the scared snowman's head.
- oh no, not that!, I don't want to see it again, even think about it. Olaf said hiding behind Anna.
- so what are we doing, we can't wait. Kristoff said this time he was urging the queen to act, everything was suddenly interrupted by a soldier running into the chamber.
- the ship is coming! Shouted a soldier who already knew about everything and was on guard.
-what, what a ship, they!. Kristoff shouted.
- exactly, it's them. Said the soldier in the green uniform.
- how many oh is there, are the soldiers prepared. Destin asked.
- Yes, everyone is ready, but there is only one ship, and it has white flags, they must be diplomats. Said the soldier which, of course, caused rather surprise on everyone's faces because it was not what they expected.
- maybe it was a mistake, it must have been a mistake. Anna said, regaining for a moment joy, confidence and hope that what had happened in the south sea was an accident or a mistake.
- Anna, I'd be more careful, maybe they're sailing here. He tried to tell Kristoff but Anna quickly grabbed him by the nose.
- Quieter, don't take away my hope, okay. Anna said and Kristoff looked at his beloved, at her blue eyes, the emerging smile of hope, all that he did not want to take away from his beloved.
- Okay, then I'll go meet the diplomats from the south. Kristoff said.
- oh no, I'm going with you, I'm the queen here and I'm going to talk to them. said Anna, adjusting her black-and-green robes and placing a Northuldran scarf around her neck.
- I honestly advise against it, it is not known if it is not a trap, maybe they have an assassin there, I will take care of it. Destin said, again speaking with his head held high, standing at attention ready for anything.
- I'm glad you care about me so much, Destin, but I have to face it myself, but I won't be alone, we're all going, Olaf, if you want, stay here, this conversation will be hard and dangerous. Anna said.
- but I, about this, I mean. Olaf tried to say as his wooden hands drooped in resignation, because the idea of talking about war wasn't his favorite.
- maybe you're right, I'll see what Sven does. Olaf said.
- It's agreed, so let's go. Said Kristoff taking the proof, the banner of the Kingdom of the Southern Isles, into a brown bag.
- know, let's go, let them explain this, everything. Kristoff said, giving Anna his warm hand.
- Follow me, I'll take care of security. Said Destin and leading the soldiers, Anna and krustoff behind him, he passed through the throne room, the central castle square, heading through the city to the harbor where a one-level ship was already visible from the south.
Meanwhile, on the deck of the southern ship, under the central mast and the symbols of oak visible on the sails against the sun, there was a very confident man, his green eyes happily scanned the well-known city he visited one day, the confident man with a smile brushed his brown hair and adjusted white waist trousers and a blue jacket, it was Hans Westergaard who had now found a way to settle old scores for everything and now had everything in his hands, chances and opportunities.
- how beautiful that I'm here again, going back to the old garbage, ha ha. Hans laughed out loud, which of course was not shared by the soldiers in gray uniforms marching on the deck.
- and what are you laughing at, my brother. asked Aldrich emerging from below decks, Hans quickly looked back at his eldest brother, a black-haired man in a brown uniform and his confident brown eyes, the way his brother Aldrich spoke and looked at his brother always made the normally confident Hans cringe internally which meant that his brother had been the stronger since childhood, and exerting influence and pressure on everyone, but Hans raised his head this time because when Aldrich gave up the privileges of power in favor of his own family, son, and his brothers, something changed.
- I'm not afraid of you, brother. Hans said, tapping the finger of his right hand against his taller brother's muscular chest.
- I see, and you shouldn't, what I was doing wasn't right for you, but you have to understand, I know your relationship and the queen, I don't know why your parents let you meet the queen of Arendelle with me today, it's a bad idea. Aldrich said, stepping away from his younger brother and looking at the harbor and the picture of the city at the foot of the great fjord.
- they sent me for them, I asked them because I know them, especially the queen, you can be sure she's an exceptionally sharp woman, she has a strong temper and when she gets mad she won't leave a dry thread on you, you'll see. Hans said, standing next to his brother with a view of the famous city and the palace visible above.
- I'm not surprised, you wanted to hurt her and take over the power by trick, it wasn't appropriate, but I forgive you anyway, but the most important thing is that today you can provoke her, really Hans, please, you should stay on the ship, preferably in the captain's cabin, I will take care of this. Said Aldrich.
- oh no, no way, this is my moment to prove myself, if there's a chance to stop the conflict and I'll help you, chubby I want to look Annie in the eyes, see how she's changed, what made her decide to attack us, I don't want to understand. Hans said, looking only at the harbor and the gathering soldiers in green uniforms.
A few minutes later a single-decker three-masted ship moored in the harbour, the gray sails were furled and the wooden landing lowered, first Aldrich, followed by Hans and ten soldiers in gray uniforms, disembarked from the ship, there was already quite a commotion in the harbor, ordinary people working in the harbor watched a sudden meeting soldiers on either side, and Destin, leading his queen, formed up looking warily at the approaching two men, accompanied by his ten soldiers, so the meeting in the harbor began, and from the very beginning with harsh words.
- Hans, it's you again, so it's your fault, admit it. Anna said sharply as she went on the attack and Aldrich, who was listening to me, widened his eyes because it wasn't what he expected except for hostility towards his younger brother, but he heard those from the very beginning of the accusation.
- me!?, if there is someone's fault here, it's only yours, yours, tell me Anna, is it a personal revenge, after these few years, tell me but honestly. Said Hans, stretching out his right hand and pointing with his finger at the angry queen standing behind the cordon of soldiers, but it wasn't for long because Anna immediately accepted the challenge, pushed through her own soldiers, confidently approached Hans and with a quick and fierce blow to the right cheek made Hans Az fall down his own soldiers, and seeing and hearing everything, Kristoff, despite the first beheading, picked out some words from Hans' words that surprised him, because he did not expect it, accusations from the enemy.
- My queen, that's enough, please. Destin said, trying to stop his queen's sudden fit of anger.
- Anna, let me. Kristoff said, clown his beloved's hand and pulling it away from Hans holding his face, while Aldrich standing next to him in an instant showed a modest smile because he knew perfectly well that his brother deserved it.
- dear Hans, you were right, he is a person with an exceptionally fiery temper, but enough of this malice, today I will help you and calm my brother and our tongues, because the importance of the matter requires it, Hans, let your older brother speak more quietly. Aldrich said. Then his brown eyes turned to the queen and Kristoff, who wanted to tell everything, but it was he who beat everyone by throwing the Arendelle soldiers and the quickly reacting general a bag with the Arendelle banner and shield falling out of the inside.
Knowing this, both Kristoff and Destin Mattias opened their eyes wide, unable to believe what they were seeing, it was the banner of Arendelle, the banner and shield which turned out to have been brought from a destroyed village on palm island and that's what Aldrich started with stroking his black mustache.
- our settlement, everything has been destroyed, the settlement, the mine, everything has been collected and burned in a great ashes, and there we found it, your symbols, shields and banner, tell me how you explain it, I'm waiting. Aldrich said, clasping his hands in front of him, expecting an answer.
- where did you get it, it's not impossible, we never, never. Said shocked Anna, unable to even understand what she sees with her own eyes.
- Aldrich, tell me directly if this is some provocation of your throne!, same provocation that took place in the south sea, Destin. Kristoff said, and the general standing beside him threw evidence of Aldrich and his nation, the banner of the Kingdom of the Southern Isles, on the ground.
It was another moment when both Aldrich and Hans standing behind him fell silent for a moment and their soldiers stared in disbelief at the banner, and not just any banner, because it belonged to the duke's special guard, there was silence for a moment, Aldrich took the banner in his hands and his mind was beginning to see something more than a mere attack on his lands in this Rivet.
- so that's it, you want to whiten yourself, explain yourself, where did you get the ancestral banner belonging to the princes, where did you get it, because we never attacked you, you [attacked us first. Aldrich asked, gently holding the banner of his nation in his hands.
- I'm not going to explain anything, because the innocent don't have to explain themselves, you explain yourself first. Kristoff said angrily as he took Arendelle's shields and banner from the ground.
- or maybe it's your doing, Hans admit it, you have personal scores here, right, go ahead and tell me what the truth is, tell me what you want from us. Anna said as her eyebrows began to cross in anger and her adversary Hans sneered.
- oh Anna, my sweet Anna, you take me for such a monster, what have I done to deserve it, I would never raise my hand against my own citizens, unlike you and even more so your elder sister who drowned her narw in any ice. Hans said as he appeared before his older brother, and his statement immediately provoked a response from Anna and others.
Aldrich, listening to the conversation, suddenly took a step back because he understood that everything had already wandered too far towards the inevitable when his own mind suddenly saw a certain light, the possibility that someone unknown to them for unknown reasons provoked it all, but who, why, there was no other molarity, so Aldrich looked at his brother, his anger and certainty, Anna's fury, and Kristoff's anger, what was already inevitable what you grow seethed in the hearts and faces of the soldiers on both sides, for a moment Aldrich searched and found the only calm brown eyes of the army general, Destin he stood alone alone, also wanting to find another option than to suspect war-seeking and blame the Kingdom of the Southern Isles, but the situation was already too tense and now unstoppable.
- your sister would turn everything into a block of ice, crazy girl. Hans said, his voice downright mean.
- bark it back immediately, you hear Hans. Anna said, her voice hissing.
- you're not my queen to listen to, you're both crazy, all of Arendelle is crazy!. shouted Hans.
- crazy?!, this is Arendelle!. Anna screamed and launched a strong kick, Hans suddenly and with a bang fell to the ground in front of his soldiers and a sudden melee attack pierced the last curtain, soldiers from both sides rushed to the hall wielding swords, shields and a crossbow.
- Stop, please, enough!. Aldrich shouted, stopping his own soldiers.
- that's enough, it's not time, they're diplomats, you can't touch them, you can't. Said Destin Mattias pausing his own troops then he and Aldrich retreated with the troops and the vision of war was already inevitable, despite the small spark that someone unknown wanted to provoke everything, now it was inevitable.
- I'm sorry that this can't be ended in any other way, but if it is, you don't give us a choice. Aldrich said, even though he sounded confident and angry, he didn't feel happy or proud because war was what he wanted to avoid.
- So be it, war! Kristoff shouted for Anna who at that moment suddenly turned pale because all anger had passed and the vision of an unnecessary fight suddenly shook her.
- war, and not in a few days, in a week, maybe even in two days, our fleet is on its way. Hans said smiling at personal enemies.
- what!, what did you say, I thought. Aldrich said looking back at his younger brother standing in front of the ship.
- it's obvious brother, with such an initiative I left home, your parents agreed with my opinion, probably for the first time, but the most important thing is that our fleet is on its way.
- so we will fight in a naval battle, let truth and justice accompany the victor. Said Destin Mattias come on and he didn't want to see and participate in a useless war again, which, as before and now, was mainly fueled by fear in the hearts of them and their now opponents.
- come on brother, in a few days we'll tidy up here. Said Hans, leading his soldiers aboard the ship.
- Hans tell me honestly, you only see a personal reckoning in this war huh?, it shouldn't be like this, don't be like your enemies if they are guilty. Aldrich said as he and his brother boarded the ship.
- sometimes to defeat great evil, fight on its terms because they don't expect it, apart from that you won't win the war with peace, it's time to strike at the enemy and since I will take personal revenge on Anna, why not, it's worth taking advantage of it. Said Hans as he boarded and looked in front of the central mast at the city of Arendelle, and the nearby palace where he tried to seize power a few years ago.
- if you prefer, but I won't enjoy it, especially when it comes to fighting, it's not good, but today I understand, there's no other choice, Captain, we're sailing away. Aldrich said, and the captain in the black hat turned the wheel, the sailors hoisted the anchor, hoisted the sails to the masts, and the ship set off on the return voyage to rendezvous with the strike fleet.
Meanwhile, Anna, standing in the port, suddenly began to tremble because today she understood what had just come, Anna only looked at the general, giving him an order that she never wanted to give, and yet it happened on that terrible day.
- Destin, we need to gather troops, mobilize, ships to be ready if we have enough. Anna said, her voice expressing great pain.
- the enemy does not have a large fleet, only twenty ships, as many as we, but we must prepare for battle, I will take care of it personally. Said Destin, and he and the soldiers accompanying him set out into the city and the surrounding villages and outposts where the soldiers were stationed and the townspeople chatted nervously, sometimes in whispers, sometimes loudly.
Anna looked around her at the beautiful city, once peaceful, now facing a great war she never wanted for her people again, but once again it became clear that war was inevitable.
- I failed everyone, all of you oh, I Elsa would have acted differently, how stupid I am. Anna said slowly returning to the castle.
- Anna, wait, it's not your fault, they, provocateurs, I don't believe in any of their words, they wanted to win something for themselves, I don't know what they mean but I know, war is inevitable anyway, madmen. Kristoff said, giving Anna his right hand and leading her to the castle where the mobilization was already underway.
- maybe yes, but, this is not how it should be, I had such big plans, everything seemed so quiet, peaceful, and now. Anna said as she and Kristoff walked across the bridge leading to the castle.
- Anna, our wedding can always be postponed, I know it means a lot to you. said Kristoff wanting to cheer Anna up, but his words caused a completely different reaction, and Anna suddenly took her hand from his grip and looked into his brown eyes.
- you really think that I put this day above the good of my people, for the sake of Arendelle, I'd rather be an old maid, I'd rather be alone, live unmarried just to stop the war, but it's inevitable, which I've done. Anna said pop and ran to the castle leaving behind a surprised Kristoff and approaching him a white snowman and a brown reindeer who roared and poked his friend.
- Oh, how stupid I am. Kristoff said to himself.
- well, you still don't understand girls, really. Olaf said and together with Sven looking at the princess in a black and green dress disappearing through the castle door.
- I think so. Kristoff said closing his eyes sardonically at the whole thing and what was coming until he suddenly made an important decision.
- I know what I will do, I will sail with our fleet, I will personally take part in the fight, me and Destin Mattias will personally lead our soldiers. Said Kristoff which obviously shocked both the snowman and the reindeer.
Meanwhile, in the dressing room where the white wedding dress hung, Anna sat alone, looking not at the dresses but at the window overlooking the city, looking at what could soon be lost, destroyed, at the coming pain and the vision of loss that will soon hit everyone, Anna squeezed her eyes shut shedding a few tears again evil seed, feeling in her heart how much she failed her citizens.
- stupid, stupid, Elsa, you would be a better queen today, you would not let the war. Anna said and got up from her chair, silently passed the hanging dress with gold insignia and, standing in front of the window, began to sing about the upcoming loss.
where have the times gone.
Sweet times.
Innocent times.
Why does it all go away.
It disappears like a flash of a star.
As the sun goes down.
I take so much from them.
I take away their peace.
What do I give them.
War, damned war.
Who have I become today.
I took so much from everyone.
And what did I give?
Just pain and fear.
Big crash.
Suffering and pain.
Dried like salt.
War, you take away the silence of our home you take away so much from us.
Why, why, why.
Who am I, who I'm not a queen I'm not a queen I'm not.
What now.
What will I do.
How will I survive.
How will I stop, how will he know.
Why is it me.
Why the cursed war.
Cursed war.
Anna spoke for the last time and fell silent, looking with regret at the image of the once peaceful city and now the city that had already begun to feel the tense situation about the coming war, it was already certain that the flying raven in the sky, above the city, the croaking raven croaked the worst it could croak, like breaking a mirror like a black cat crossing the road, so the black shadow of war hung over everything, over the two kingdoms and their citizens.
War is coming.
L
Hans, how I like to go back to such bad characters, he has everything, he's clever, cynical, sneaky, but does that mean that he started it all, it doesn't change one thing, a black raven flying in the sky croaked all the worst, his black shadow he enveloped heaven and two kingdoms.