Chapter Five: Moves and Counter Moves
Anna, please be safe, please be safe.
Elsa had lost count how many times she muttered those words in prayer. It had been two hours since she and Gerda had holed up together in the castle cellars along with several of their courtiers. Kai lay in one corner of the room, deeply sedated with morphine by the castle doctor. The bullet that hit him entered his right shoulder. It didn't hit any vital organs but they had to get the lodged bullet out and he had bled profusely in the process. The doctor had pronounced he would be alright but it did little to calm Elsa's apprehensions.
Anna was out there with her children. If the French were fighting their way to the castle, they could have accosted them on the road. What if they had been taken prisoner?
It was the horrifying scenario that played on her mind over and over again. No one seemed to know what exactly was happening. All they knew was that the French forces had come demanding for her surrender and opened fire on the Northern Isles soldiers in the bridge leading to the castle. Lord Nyberg had assured her that things would be resolved soon. They would not let her be taken. They had reinforcements already in the fjord and they could easily subdue the French.
So why in the world was it taking them so long to get here?
Deep in the cellar, they could not hear any sounds of gun-fighting. Over the last hour, Lord Svenson had come up to say that French forces had been expelled from the castle courtyard. However, they remained in the peripheries of the castle near the village. There seems to be an ongoing standoff. Every fifteen minutes, he had been checking in to tell them that no further shots were being fired from both sides. The French just seemed to be waiting.
Waiting for what? Elsa puzzled. The Northern Isles reinforcements are just in the fjord. If they wait too long, they would be here and if Lord Nyberg is to be believed, the French forces are no match for them. Unless… they can afford to wait. If they already have Anna and her children as hostages!
There was a sound of footsteps and Lord Svenson appeared. Elsa was up immediately to greet him. "Lord Svenson, please, just let me go out there. I need to know if they have my sister and her children!"
Lord Svenson however, held out a hand and a relieved smile was on his face. "It's alright. It's our men, they've come at last."
There was a general cry of rejoicing from the courtiers in the cellar but Elsa could not bear to join them. "Lord Svenson, my sister?" she insisted.
The man took her hands in his. "Courage, my Queen, we shall know soon enough. If they have Princess Anna and her little ones, I will not rest until I have recovered them safely." He gallantly kissed her hand.
Elsa could do without such dramatic gestures at a time like this. However, she let it go. She followed after him out of the cellar and into the main entrance.
She saw the front door and even the gates now lay wide open. Soldiers in the uniform of the Northern Isles were streaming into the courtyard, moving swiftly towards several vantage points around the castle, surrounding it with efficiency. Something about the urgency of their movements felt rather odd. However, before she could think of it, she spied a familiar face emerge among the soldiers. She recognized immediately the tall red-haired handsome man with his distinctly round spectacles.
"Lars!" she cried out.
The third-born Westergard prince didn't look to her immediately. His gaze took in the people next to her. He seemed to be focused on Lords Nyberg and Svenson and their generals. A look of satisfaction passed his face before he held her gaze.
"Are you alright Elsa?" he asked without emotion.
"Yes, but my sister? Is there any word?"
"Princess Anna and her children are safe," he replied in the same deadpan tone.
Elsa breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you. If you can have them sent here…"
"If you could please just step here beside me," he interrupted. He made a gesture to her to come to him.
She felt the danger in his tone like a tingle down her spine and knew immediately something about this was very wrong. "Lars, what's going on?"
"Just come here," he said more gently. "I want to make sure you're alright."
Elsa hesitated but obeyed. Lars took her arm when she was near, he brought her even closer. "I'm glad to see you're unharmed sister," he whispered to her before he spoke out loud: "Arrest them!"
Elsa turned around as sounds of guns being cocked rang in her ears. All around her the Northern Isles soldiers had turned their weapons at Lords Nyberg and Svenson, their generals and soldiers.
"Prince Lars! What is the meaning of this?" demanded Lord Nyberg.
"Lord Nyberg, Lord Svenson, Generals Hensey, Eldrin and Bern," Prince Lars declared. "You have been found guilty of conspiracy and murder of the rightful ruler of Northern Isles, an act of treason that will mean your death."
"That's preposterous!" Lord Nyberg cried. "We have done no such thing!"
Lars stared back at him with fury in his green eyes. "Prince Knudsvig is dead, murdered in cold blood and you have conspired to lie to the people of the Northern Isles that his wife is with child to lay claim to power."
Blood pounded in Elsa's ears as she realized what Lars said. Amelia! She doesn't know. She doesn't understand. Does she think I had something to do with her brother's death?
"There is no proof of that!" Lord Svenson argued.
Lars scoffed. "No proof. We already have written confession of the doctor you paid that testified to Queen Elsa's false pregnancy. He has further spoken of your involvement and your plans to put her on the throne. You have now been sentenced to death as a consequence."
"By whose authority?" Lord Nyberg challenged.
"By Queen Amelia of the Northern Isles," Prince Lars replied without missing a beat as he glanced at Elsa.
Elsa shrank back at his gaze, but managed to find her voice. She whispered to him: "Lars… please… let me explain…"
"Take them!" the prince ordered before he turned to Elsa and held her arm. "Come inside with me sister. We have much to talk about."
Elsa could do nothing but obey as Lars marched forward towards the castle with his hand linked to her arm. As she passed Lord Svenson, she saw the man's eyes were confused and frightened and she realized he had nothing to do with Knudsvig's death.
"Lars, I need to explain... There has been a misunderstanding…" she began once they were in the privacy of Kai's empty office.
The prince held out his hand to stop her, his expression impassive. "No need to Elsa. You were held against your will by these power hungry nobles of the Northern Isles who took your husband hostage. On the threat of his harm, they compelled you to lie to the French ambassador that you are pregnant. They then killed Knudsvig last night to demonstrate the extent of the violence they are capable of committing if you do not go through this farce of a coronation." His expression hardened. "That's the story you will tell Marshall Baujeu if you want to keep the lives of your men in the French army."
Elsa stared at him in stunned silence. Lars' tone made it perfectly clear what he said was not a suggestion. She was so confused she didn't know who to believe anymore.
"Lars... Lord Nyberg and Lord Svenson... I don't believe they have anything to do with Knudsvig's—"
"Be very careful of your next words Elsa," he warned. "Those men's lives are now forfeit. I would advise you not to dig yourself a hole deeper than you already have by rising to their defense."
Elsa gasped as the implications of what he said chilled her to the bone. Suddenly they were the sounds of gunshots from outside the castle. Lars didn't even look surprised.
"No! Lars please!" she cried to him. "They were just trying to protect me!"
Another gunshot and then silence. Elsa counted five in all. She collapsed to the floor as her heart tore out a sob. She couldn't believe this was happening. Innocent or not, those men deserved at least a trial and not a quick execution outside my castle walls!
She got up from the floor. Her heart pounding in her chest so fast her entire body was shaking. Frost covered her walls and snowflakes began raining around them. "How dare you!" she accused him. "This is my land! My castle! You dared to execute them? You have no right!"
Lars stared fearfully for a moment at the growing layer of ice covering the room. He let out a breath and came back to her with conviction:
"I have every right. They are citizens of the Northern Isles, Elsa. They committed treason and you know our laws. The one to decide their fate rests solely on the reigning monarch of their country. You are not that monarch unless you want to challenge Amelia's claim... and that of our son."
"Son?" Elsa puzzled. "Amelia is..."
"Pregnant again, yes. You ought to congratulate us Elsa. We are hoping this time it's a boy," he replied almost lazily. "No one can really tell if it will be, but that hope is good enough for the rest of the Northern Isles nobility back home at least for now. Between Knudsvig and you who may or may not even produce a single male heir, my child with Amelia is their best option right now. And if it turns out it's another girl... well..." he scoffed. "A lot can happen in nine months for the Northern Isles to be accepting of a princess instead of a prince to seat the crown."
He paced the room, seemingly unperturbed by the now blocks of ice covering the furniture. When he spoke again, his voice was calm but the words were menacing enough.
"So I ask you again Elsa. Are you challenging my wife's claim? I assure you she is really pregnant with a potential legitimate heir. Are you?"
Elsa could not answer. She was caught in a lie and knew there was no way to rebut him without incriminating herself further. Lars was both a scholar and a lawyer. It was an odd profession for a prince but he had always been the different one out among his brothers with his intelligence. She had seen him argue his way out of anything. His exceptional intellect can rival the best minds in her kingdom, probably even the whole of Europe. The man was simply a genius.
So he has this all wrapped up so neatly. I should have known and expected it from Lars. He may have been kind to me in the past. I've seen him as a friend, a brother even, but he is still a cunning Westergaard who uses women and their offspring to control nations. Perhaps Lars was even the one that ordered the killing of Knudsvig and his children so he can put his wife into power! If this is so, Lars is a dangerous man to cross. Poor Amelia! Does she even know what kind of man she married?
"Is Amelia even aware of all this? she asked.
Lars let out a rather sinister snigger. "Oh I assure you my wife is fully aware of what's happening here and is the one who signed the death warrants. She's also aware you did not exactly resist the idea of becoming Queen-regent of the Northern Isles."
"You must know why I had to lie," Elsa explained as she slowly allowed her ice to recede. "France intends me to be a prisoner. The Emperor has threatened to put us under military control."
"I completely understand Elsa. I'm sure Amelia does too. What happened here is all water under the bridge. There's no reason for us to make this unpleasant between us. After all, we are family. We are here to protect each other. Marshall Baujeu was a little trigger happy when he started firing this morning. As your brother-in-law, I felt compelled to clear things to him that you are merely the victim here. I hope I don't need to change that statement."
"You won't," replied Elsa with a defeated breath. Potential murderer or not, Lars right now was her only hope for aid against France. She had to maintain appearances and the alliance with the Northern Isles was now essential. She hated to beg but her pride was little sacrifice if she can maintain Arendellian independence and lives of her people.
"Lars, you are my brother-in-law. Help me to convince the Emperor to keep us free. I won't strike against France. I remain loyal to you and Amelia. But I will not... I cannot be used as a weapon."
Lars looked at her and his expression softened. "I would love to Elsa, if I could," his said in tones laced with sympathy. "But this is now beyond my capabilities. My priority is to my wife, our child and the preservation of the Northern Isles. I cannot go against France. To do so is willing disaster. I will help all I can to ensure you maintain your reputation as a loyal ally of the Emperor, but I regret I cannot do more."
Elsa nodded silently. She figured as much. She was alone now with no one to turn. She can only hope to appeal to the Emperor himself.
"Can I offer you one piece of advice Elsa?" Lars said gently.
"Yes," she replied almost in a whisper.
"If you want to survive this, you need to find an ally to protect you. You get that ally by proving your loyalty."
Elsa stared back at him, unsure of what he meant. Does Lars mean him and Amelia? Is this a test of my loyalty not to betray them? Or is it something else? Does he mean for me to prove loyalty to France?
"How do I prove my loyalty?" she asked carefully.
"Offer something of value and that establishes a permanent connection, a lifelong tie..."
Elsa realized what he was saying. She had been in this position before and it did bring her kingdom a significant respite from disaster even at the cost of her own personal sacrifice. The ally he was referring to was still not clear. Did he mean Denmark, Austria or some other French-sided nation? That was quite difficult to determine lately as it seems everyday nations were switching sides. The alternative would be to go over the fence and join among the nations of the newly formed sixth coalition. But which one? Britain? Russia? Prussia? Sweden? She could not yet decide. What she was sure of was the means Lars wants her to establish that connection. Her impediment to pursue that connection was already eliminated for her. Whether it was by Lars or someone else, it was definitely a timely circumstance.
"You're saying I should marry again?" she asked.
"It doesn't have to be you."
Anna, Elsa realized with dread. Suddenly she understood what Lars' game was. Anna had already told her exactly how powerful the Southern Isles can be, not through brute strength but by the influence they exert through the princes' wives, mistresses and secret illegitimate children. Caleb may be the one king in this region that still has a lot of influence from both sides of the war. But how can I get his support to protect my men without being a pawn in his own game?
"I am sorry for your sister's recent loss," continued Lars. "But her freedom is a small price to pay for the safety of your people. If you come to find someone to offer you that protection, you should take it."
So Caleb wants control of Arendelle and by extension control me by marrying Anna to one of his puppets. She mentally ran a list of Caleb' eligible brothers. The first name that came was the most plausible one. It was too much of a coincidence to ignore. If he was the one to be set on Arendelle, then Caleb was directing her towards a certain side of the war. From Lars' words, Caleb was already setting her up to take the bait. Do I dare test this theory?
"Marshall Baujeu will soon be here, I presume?" she asked.
Lars looked rather startled at her sudden change of topic but he quickly returned to his cool exterior.
"Yes, I've kept him away but he will arrive shortly. My men have told me he met Anna on the way and he is now escorting her and her children towards the castle as we speak."
She got up and paced silently for a few seconds, her movements deliberately random to indicate unease. At the same time, she allowed bits of frost to encrust the room and snowflakes to fall heavily.
"Elsa... are you alright?" Lars cried in alarm when he realized he was about to be buried in snowfall.
Elsa allowed herself to collapse on a nearby couch, her body arched in an almost defensive position.
"I'm sorry... I... it all just got too much..." she replied with ragged breaths. She slowly allowed her ice to dissipate.
Lars cautiously approached her and sat down next to her.
"You must know, the Emperor wishes for Marshall Baujeu to marry Anna."
Lars raised an eyebrow in surprise. So this is news to him too. This could be an advantage.
"I know now what I need to do," Elsa went on. "Anna will be devastated but it must be done."
"What do you mean Elsa?"
She faced him slowly and met his eyes. "What you've advised me to. Let Marshall Baujeu marry my sister to show my loyalty to France. Then I'll come to Paris as the Emperor bids me. I'll beg him to spare my men and send them home. Perhaps the Emperor will be convinced to let them go when Anna's married to his marshall. If not, I can guarantee Arendelle will be loyal with myself in the Emperor's custody..."
Lars jaw openly dropped. "Elsa... I don't think you understood..."
"No, I understand perfectly now. You have made it clear. I have no choice! We both don't. You need to protect the Northern Isles, I need to do the same to Arendelle at whatever cost. I only fear..." She allowed her voice to falter that Lars took her hand in his.
"What is it?" he almost begged.
"I don't know what Emperor Bonaparte intends for me. He knows what I am capable of. If he forces me, I know I will not be able to resist... not when he has Arendellians in his army he could hold over me. What's stopping him from using me against his enemies? He can use me against Prussia... against Sweden... even against the Southern Isles..."
She paused to lace her fingers against Lars. "You have brothers now allied to the Coalition. It frightens me that I will do them harm one day if I am forced to if we come to battle with France."
She felt Lars shudder and she could not help but feel a surge of triumph. Have I gotten to him? Can he possibly call to Caleb to help me out?
There was a knock on the door and Elsa was relieved for a bit of respite. It could allow Lars to think this through.
"Enter," she said as she got up from the couch.
"Your majesty," Gerda came in nervously. "I would not have interrupted but it is urgent. "Marshall Baujeu is on the way here with Princess Anna. I tried to keep them in the throne room but neither one is willing to wait any longer to speak to you."
Elsa breathed a sigh. "Please do send them in. I am eager to see them both."
"Yes, your majesty," Gerda bowed out and left.
"You must excuse me Lars. I need to speak to my sister."
She bowed to him to signal a polite dismissal but Lars did not return it.
"Stall it, Elsa," Lars whispered.
"What?" she asked.
"Make Marshall Baujeu think you will comply with the Emperor's demands but make no commitment. Delay it as much as possible."
"You know I will only face the inevitable. If I delay, the Emperor might become impatient and harm my men." She moved towards the door as she heard footsteps approach.
"I'll find a way to get them out," Lars declared.
I got him!
Elsa took a moment to school her features before she turned around to face Lars.
"You told me your hands were just as tied as mine to France," she whispered as she became aware the footsteps were almost at the door."
"They are, but my brothers are not. I'll reach out to some of them. We'll find a way," Lars managed to whisper back before the door burst open.
Elsa was suddenly enveloped by three pairs of arms. Anna had her wrapped in a tight embrace while the twins each grabbed at her legs.
"Elsa! Oh Elsa! When I heard I didn't know what to do! I'm so glad you're safe!"
Elsa held her back and felt tears sting her eyes. Oh little sister. We're not out of danger yet. It's only just beginning.
"It's alright Anna, it's alright." She gave her sister one final embrace and kissed each twin before she faced the tall hooked nose man that stood in rapt attention to the side.
"Marshall Baujeu?"
"Your majesty," the man bowed respectfully before he came forward to kiss her hand.
"Let me extend my most heartfelt gratitude for your assistance to us in this terrible crisis," Elsa told him.
"The pleasure is all mine Queen Elsa. I am here at the service of the Emperor and he deems it necessary that I protect his ally at all costs. Perhaps now you would be willing to accept his invitation. I assure you, you shall be safer in Paris."
Elsa forced herself to give him a sad smile. "I am honored that the Emperor should feel so concerned of my welfare. But you must understand. My husband... has passed only last night. I must honor him in the Northern Isles tradition. A period of mourning must be observed."
The Frenchman looked at a lost for a moment. "But Queen Elsa, the Emperor insists you must come immediately."
Elsa approached him and lightly touched his arm while she turned her eyes at him. "Marshall Baujeu, my sister and I have been through a horrible ordeal. I have been threatened and now widowed of the man I have shared my life with. Please, allow me this chance to grieve."
The man immediately looked guilty. "Well perhaps I can write to the Emperor for a while longer."
"Thank you, sir," Elsa replied. "I am sure your men will continue to enjoy the hospitality of Arendelle in the meantime. You must get to know my sister better. May I invite you to have dinner with us tonight?"
The Marshall caught the hint while Anna looked puzzled. Elsa shot her a look that told her she will explain everything later and thankfully Anna said nothing. Elsa hated herself for using her sister this way but she needed time for Lars to take action.
She met Lars' eye and he nodded, a silent confirmation he would proceed as planned.
I managed the third Westergaard prince, Elsa thought as she kept up a fake smile with Marshall Baujeu. Now it's time to wait and keep my eye out when the thirteenth one arrives.