Chapter Six: The Two Widows

Arendelle Castle

April 20, 1813

Lt. Roland Kjekk - Returned home safely to his family.

Anna felt an enormous satisfaction at writing those last five words down on her journal for the hundred and sixty eighth time.

One hundred sixty eight men returned home alive to their families to resume their lives. There are fifty-two more were awaiting transport from various ports in the Southern Isles and Copenhagen, and a final 18 were accounted for in France, she thought happily.

Anna could only marvel at the strings that the Westergaard brothers had managed to pull to bring home so many Arendellian soldiers from various parts of the Empire in less than a month. Through a series of diplomatic pressures, cajoling, bribery and outright threats, Lars and his brothers came up with the most comprehensive list of Arendellian survivors in less than a week and proceeded to extract them. More than eighty percent of the original Arendellian fighting force that marched with Napoleon last year was now accounted for. Each new ship that brought home live soldiers had been a cause for celebration. The effect of the returning men, Captain Otto reported, had significantly increased people's favorable opinions on the Arendellian royalty within the surrounding villages. However, the continued presence of the French military in the capitol raised apprehensions that they could be called upon to serve Emperor Napoleon in another campaign.

Marshall Baujeu was certainly hinting that in his frequent visits to the castle. Elsa had just about given every excuse she could to delay committing another armed force to fight against the Sixth Coalition and staving off her own visit to Paris. The Marshall stationed several French soldiers all over the castle, including one rather persistent commander named Captain Foix-Lescun. The younger, eagle-eyed Captain Foix-Lescun and his men insisted they were there for increased security, but their loitering at every opportune moment was an obvious indication that they were there to watch Elsa make a false move and report it to the French Marshall.

Anna had to do her own share of skirting around the Marshall Baujeu. The man was old enough to be her father but he carried on around her as if he was an ardent young suitor. Anna found his sticky glances unnerving. Even more so, as his leers were equally directed at her and Elsa. His conversation was always extremely dull and long-winded, often peppered with topics that she had little interest. He couldn't seem to take a hint that she was often lost in his tirades. He also hated children. That much was obvious from the moment they met. He either ignored her twins or wrinkled their nose at them whenever they were in his presence. Her children were quite a well behaved pair whenever in outside company so Anna could not see sense on his displeasure. She could only wonder how he would react if Olaf were present.

"Olaf," Anna murmured longingly as she gazed at the window of her room that had a view of the north mountain. As if he heard her, a gust of wind blew in from the same direction and touched Anna's cheeks with a cool kiss. It felt just like Olaf that Anna was sure her adopted little brother had sent it. Just like Elsa, Olaf seemed to be growing his powers over the years. Olaf no longer needed a flurry to sustain himself. He could read and write, draw the most fascinating pictures and had a flair for dramatics. He also had a way of sending Elsa messages through the wind. Anna hadn't figured out how to decipher it yet but then again she was not exactly magical. Still, she opted to talk to him in the air.

"I wish you were here Olaf. I know Elsa had a point when she decided to send you away to be with Marshmallow and the Snowgies when all this trouble was brewing. She's trying to keep things calm and not frighten any of our allies in the Northern Isles over her powers. But I'm afraid she's in over her head. She's so caught up in being the perfect normal queen, she's losing her identity. I could really use someone to talk to about all this. I miss Kristoff and Sven and you. It just feels our family is so broken up now."

Another cold breeze swept her face and it comforted her immensely. Anna liked to think Olaf heard her and was sending her a hug as a silent comfort. She only had a moment to savor it for someone knocked on her door.

"Princess Anna? Dinner will be served soon. Will you come?" Gerda asked behind the door.

Anna heaved a huge sigh and got up from her seat. "I'm coming."

She faced the mirror in her room and proceeded to smoothen any stray hairs escaping her severely tight bun and straighten out wrinkles in her plain black gown. She almost didn't recognize the young woman that gazed back at her in the glass. There were worry lines surrounding her face and her dress was devoid of the usual color and decor.

A woman in mourning, she thought to herself. At least I look the part. I just hope it's enough to convince Marshall Baujeu for another night, or perhaps even another fortnight.

Anna remembered Elsa's advice on how imperative it was she play the grieving widow.

"He's been asking my blessing to propose to you," Elsa said when Anna protested the use of such deception when they both knew Kristoff was alive and well. "I keep putting him off by telling him you were still caught in the turmoil of sorrow over your dead husband. I know it feels terrible to do this but we need to play the part of two bereaved widows until the Westergaards can bring all our men home and we can break ties with France safely. Please do your best to make him think you are in no position to accept a suit due to your fragile state."

It was easier for Elsa to pretend, Anna realized. Anna had never been the kind of person who can easily hide her feelings. However, Elsa had years of practice of doing exactly that and her powers of concealment went beyond playing a calm exterior. She can put on a role of a heartbroken wretch so convincingly she can rival a theatre actress. Each time Marshall Baujeu called on them to put forward his proposal for Elsa to go to Paris, Elsa was ready with tears and a plea for more time as she put it "to come to terms with the loss of her beloved (she actually used the term) husband." She had taken to visiting Knudsvig's grave on a daily basis as a show to the French Marshall she was a devoted and devastated wife.

Anna gave one last dejected sigh, smoothed one last stray curl and headed out the door to face another awkward dinner with Marshall Baujeu.

He was waiting for her alone in the main dining room, seated near the end of the long table already decked with their finest plates and silverware. The main dining room was a place she and Elsa rarely used except in formal banquets. The table was just too long with its capacity to hold twenty guests. Even as a child, Anna's family preferred to gather in the smaller dining room near the kitchen where the table was round and it was easier to hold a conversation with everyone else instead of needing to do a shouting match just to be overheard. Elsa however, had ordered that all dinners with Marshall Baujeu be held in the main dining room. The long table served to put both sisters a good ten places away from that man.

Seeing that Elsa had not yet arrived, Anna took the time greet him politely with a bow before making a beeline for the other end of the table. However, she never got there fast enough. The Frenchman didn't seat himself back into his place, but instead headed her way. He caught her hand just before she could sit and immediately pressed it to his lips.

"M-marshall Baujeu, certainly there is no need for such… errr… formal gesture," Anna managed to mumble as she tried not to wince for the Frenchman continued to kiss her hand, far longer than necessary.

"You are right, your highness," he said as he lifted his mouth from her hand to face her directly. "There need not be formal gestures between us in private, for we are friends, yes?"

"Uhhhmmm… yes… sure… friends," Anna muttered as she slowly eased her hand away from his grasp and stepped back.

"My heart is gladdened to hear that from you, Princess Anna," he replied. "These many weeks that I've been here in Arendelle have been a fascinating experience for me. Fascinating indeed. I have travelled on many lands, have seen many things, but no adventure, no little step or jaunt, no experience, no sojourn from the streets of Paris, the shores of Calais, the bustle of Berlin, the humdrum of Warsaw, or the desolation of Moscow has compared to this. This place, it enthralls me, it comforts me, makes me feel alive, tingles my senses, drives my soul to new heights, pushes me do more, feel more, experience more. I wish to do more, live more, taste and feel and love and take. It keeps me breathing, pounds my heart. Do you know why?"

"Huh…?" Anna could only utter. She lost his meaning somewhere between Berlin and tingling senses. Anna had learned long ago that Marshall Baujeu was the kind of man who imagined himself a poet but was constantly jumbling words into one big mess of a rather long convoluted speech only he seemed to understand.

"Oh your highness, it is rather fortunate we find ourselves alone tonight with your sister away…"

"Elsa's coming isn't she?" Anna interrupted as she asked the footman on standby.

"She has sent a message of apology that she will be coming in rather late," Berge, the pleasant faced footman replied.

"No matter," Marshall Baujeu said. "We shall amuse ourselves Princess and I do need a moment alone." He turned to Berge and said almost haughtily: "You are dismissed."

Berge hesitated and turned to Anna. Marshall Baujeu smirked at him as if he was an annoying cockroach. "I said you are dismissed," he repeated in a harsher voice.

Anna felt slighted in the way the French Marshall had cut Berge. She and Elsa had never as much as given a rude gesture to their servants. Nonetheless, she sensed it would be more prudent to let this go and make it up to Berge later. She gave the footman a curt nod to indicate her assent for him to go. Berge nodded politely and exited the dining room, with a worried frown on his brow still clearly showing.

"Such impertinence in the servants," Marshall Baujeu went on. "You ought to have that one shown the door Princess."

"He's been in my family since I was a child," Anna couldn't help but mutter back at the slight.

"Well that's the trouble with old servants. Keep them long enough and they think they can walk all over you. You and your sister are not at fault of course, Princess. I understand you have not had a man in this castle to help with discipline since your father had passed. A woman needs a strong man by her side with these unpleasant things such as handling servants, don't you agree?"

Anna did not agree at all. She and Elsa had been handling the servants for years. Even when their father was alive, it was their mother and not their father who took care of managing the castle household and the servants. It was Queen Iduna's courteous and encouraging manner that Elsa and Anna followed which prompted the servants to do their best work. They were efficient and always ready to help.

However, Anna realized, it would not do to say that quite out loud with Marshall Baujeu, who now took hold of her hand as he continued talking. "Well Princess, you need not fret about these things much longer."

Anna didn't exactly know how to respond to this, except to say, "I shouldn't?"

"No princess, such matters can be taken care of when I am around."

Anna felt deeply insulted for his presumption but before she could even utter a word, the man had gotten down on one knee before her without releasing her hand and was suddenly spouting out another speech:

"Princess Anna, as I was saying before… you must know… but of course you must know by now… how much I esteem you. I have refrained from saying it… But I confess I cannot hold it back… I have waited long… but I shall not make you wait no longer…"

"I'm sorry I don't understand—" Anna began but he didn't seem to heed her.

"You are fair and virtuous and will make an excellent wife. Our union shall bring Arendelle in a closer alliance to France that would be for the good of all. Certainly you see the advantages."

By instinct, Anna recoiled and retracted her hand, her temper flaring with his arrogance. "Marshall Baujeu, please… I… I mean, I can't…"

The Marshall stood up before her, rather startled at her reaction, but he continued to speak condescendingly: "But it would please the Emperor very much if we have a union soon. I understand you have been widowed only recently. But I assure you, a marriage to me will bring you all the happiness you can wish for. I am a man of the world, educated, experienced in battle, with a high rank in the military and an even more enviable position in the French court. By my side, you will have the chance to be the consort of one who will have power and prestige when France takes this world. Imagine what I can give you that your former husband cannot."

The insult to Kristoff's humble background stung so hard that Anna could no longer keep her composure. She glared at him openly and hissed back with vehemence: "No, you cannot possibly give me a life such that my husband has given me. But that life you offer me is one I will never want! My answer is no!"

He stepped back, clearly surprised at her at her response. For a brief moment Anna felt a surge of triumph at putting him in place. However, it only lasted a second for she realized she lost her temper and as Elsa warned before, there were consequences.

"Do you take me for a fool Princess?" he said suddenly, his manner so harsh that it startled her.

"Sir... I don't..." Anna began but he never let her finish. His expression hardened and Anna was suddenly afraid of him. This was not a silly man like the Duke of Weselton that could be flattered and dismissed. This was a man with power who knew how to use it when he wanted.

"I've tolerated your little charade with your sister long enough! She may have convinced me she is a mourning widow but you have not. I've watched you, watched you for these many weeks. There's no grief in you. There's nothing in your eyes that even hints that your loss of a husband does bother you. I'm convinced it never bothered you at all."

Anna could say nothing. Was I that obvious? Icould never really play grief so well.

"You're no suffering widow. But I do see that you are worried," the Marshall continued. "What could you possibly be worried about? Do you want me to tell you what I think?"

Anna shook her head. "Sir, you are mistaken..."

"Am I?" he went on nastily. "I think you're worried because you are waiting for something to come... or someone."

Kristoff. His name came unbidden in her thoughts. Does he know about Kristoff? That's he's not dead at all? Is Kristoff in danger?

"There's that worried frown again Princess," he taunted. "So I'm right. You are waiting for him to come to you."

"Him?" Anna asked before she can stop herself.

"Yes him! Your lover who at this moment is probably only bidding his time and will soon come here to take Arendelle for the Sixth Coalition."

Anna was completely baffled. Is Kristoff leading an insurgency to fight off the French? How come no one told me? And when had he started leading an insurgency?

"Oh I know what he's doing. He's been blockading my ships along the North sea which is why less than half of my regiment has even reached Arendelle."

"Blockading at sea... wait—what?" When did Kristoff had the ability to put up sea blockades?

"The traitor I once served alongside with in Moscow who betrayed his Emperor!" Marshall Baujeu continued angrily. "He's been capturing French ships at sea, ransoming officers and messing with our supply lines!"

Anna just gave him a blank look. Capturing French ships? That was nowhere near Kristoff's capabilities.

The Marshall now eyed her with open hostility. "You can stop with the pretense Princess. You and I both know who he is."

"Sir, I'm afraid I don't understand," Anna protested.

"Jorgenbjorgen!" the Marshall spouted. "You can't deny you know nothing. He was once your fiance when he was called Prince Hans of the Southern Isles!"

Anna's mouth fell open at this revelation. Hans! He's been helping us? All this time I thought he was so far away in Sweden, but he's out there helping us against France! Perhaps he's even on his way here to liberate us.

"So tell me Princess," he said angrily. "What exactly is your plan with him? Are you here setting a little trap? I warn you now that if you do, it will fail. May I remind you that there are 18 Arendellian soldiers currently in French custody? Your sister has been pleading me for the last few days to have them sent back home. I have ordered a stay of that leave pending her acceptance of Emperor Bonaparte's invitation to see her in Paris. I will only sign for their release once I see her board a ship to France. Do not give me an additional reason not to grant them that leave."

Anna's body shook with fear and anger at this open threat that she could not speak.

"If Jorgenbjorgen comes here—" Marshall Baujeu went on but he stopped abruptly as Anna felt a tingle of cold seep into the room. The Marshall felt it too for he shivered visibly. In the next instant the doors of the dining room blew open and Elsa appeared, an angry harpy-like vision in her drab mourning dress that Marshall Baujeu clearly cowered.

"Do not speak of him, Marshall! Not in the presence of my sister!" Elsa warned as she marched in, her eyes blazing with fury.

For a moment Anna expected Elsa to strike at the Marshall with her ice until her sister's words caught up with her. Wait! Elsa's angry at him not for threatening me but for mentioning Hans?

"Elsa..." Anna began but Elsa cut her off.

"You may go sister. I would like to speak to the Marshall alone," she said with a look similar to what her father used to give that told her she was dismissed.

Anna knew she was being shut out again but saw reason to hold her tongue until the French Marshall was out of earshot. Reluctantly, she headed out the door but the moment she was out, she started running to the kitchen. Whatever they will be talking about, I deserved to hear.

Anna knew every nook and cranny in the castle, including the secret passages used by the servants to go about from one room to the next without being seen. The kitchen had a passageway that led to the main dining room via a secret door that swung open from what appeared to be a plain wall. She headed towards it now and listened in at the crack of the door where she could hear the occupants on the other side.

"I forgive you Marshall, for you do not know," she heard Elsa say. "But I will not tolerate you to continue to hurt my sister by even insinuating that she could ever be involved with Colonel Jorgenbjorgen in any way after what he did to her!"

"Did to her?" Marshall Baujeu stammered.

"He broke her heart Marshall," Elsa explained. "And he attempted to kill me by placing a sword over my head after he accused me of killing my own sister. Certainly you've heard the story."

"Well... there were rumors... but they were unsubstantiated..."

"Unsubstantiated because he tried to bury them to clean his name," Elsa went on to Anna's horror.

Why is she painting Hans as the villain? Anna wondered with growing alarm. She placed her forehead against the door and could now see the two occupants of the room through the crack. Her sister sat next to the Marshall and had taken his hand, something that she rarely did with people she did not know well as Anna was well aware how uncomfortable Elsa was with touch.

"Marshall," Elsa continued, her tone suddenly softening. "We are friends, and I think as friends you must know the full truth. That man you speak of had committed treason in my land even before he committed it against France. If you happen to make inquiries to a certain Captain Bertole in your ranks, he can tell you that despicable man also personally carried out my brother-in-law's execution. Clearly, you can see he volunteered to do so to inflict additional pain for my sister."

"I am quite aware of Colonel Jorgenbjorgen's role in Lt. Bjorgman's demise. However, I assure you it was a legal execution."

"Which I wholeheartedly agree was justified given my brother-in-law's offense. No one is above the law," Elsa replied.

Anna couldn't believe what she was hearing. How can Elsa throw Kristoff's reputation like that? Has she no sense of family?

"Despite my own opinions on the matter you must not say such things with my sister. I assure you she is heartbroken though she may not appear so. But then again Anna is young and in the past impulsive of her decisions, including her rather hasty short-lived engagement to Colonel Jorgenbjorgen. As for her unfortunate marriage to Lt. Bjorgman... well..." Elsa paused and Anna could almost see her sister shrug almost in a disappointed fashion. "She will get over it in time."

Unfortunate marriage! Get over it? Elsa what in the world are you talking about?

"If I may Queen Elsa," spoke the Marshall. "She appears averse to my suit earlier, which raised my doubts of what we spoke about before."

"But you spoke too soon Marshall," replied Elsa, her tone almost cajoling. "Anna is very delicate at this time. She believes herself in love with that common ice harvester. If you wait a little while and allow her to heal naturally, she will come to realize that a marriage to an older more reliable and distinguished gentleman as yourself would be a most desirable match."

She's practically selling me to that man! Anna fumed for a moment before she realized what Elsa was doing. She's playing for time. I just need to trust her to work on this.

"Now on the matter of Colonel Jorgenbjorgen," Elsa continued, her face shifting into a subtle scowl that gave the impression she was affronted. "I hope you never mention him again. After all he did to us, to even insinuate that Anna or I can ever be involved, or God-forbid… collude with such a monster is a great insult to our person."

The Marshall caught the hint and he immediately looked uncomfortable. "Your majesty, forgive me... I did not mean to provide insult... it's just that it appears you hesitate to show support of France... and he... well his appearance in the North Sea makes one suspicious. You can understand the Emperor's caution to suspect given that so many monarchies lately have turned traitor to our cause."

"I apologize if I appear unfeeling," Elsa replied, her voice once more taking in such demure tones. Her hand shifted from his wrist to trail onto his shoulder. "Perhaps I have been caught up in my own sorrows. You cannot possibly understand a woman's heartache such that my sister and I have endured when we lost our husbands. If I appear unsupportive of the cause, I assure you that is not my intention."

Anna could only stare blankly at Elsa's boldfaced lie. She was so good at deceiving people now if she didn't know her sister she would have been convinced of her sincerity.

"Well then your majesty, I hope you will now consider the Emperor's invitation to see you. He is most eager for your visit."

"As I am, Marshall," Elsa replied. "I would like to assure his majesty that we are faithful allies. Which brings me to the reason for my tardiness this evening. You see, I have been to see Captain Foix-Lescun. I have asked him to arrange my transport to Paris on his ship two days from now."

No! Anna almost gasped out loud. Elsa what are you doing? You can't leave!

"Two days?" Marshal Baujeu asked, clearly surprised. "So soon?"

"I don't think there is any cause to delay further. The change of scenery may even lift my spirits and I am certain the Emperor would be very pleasant company."

"Very well," Marshall Baujeu grinned satisfactorily. "However, Captain Foix-Lescun was not my intended man to accompany you to Paris. I am assigning him to see to the fortifications of Arendelle's northwestern border. I was hoping another of my men can escort you..."

"Ahhh... but Marshall, Captain Foix-Lescun is reputed to be a man of valor and strength of character. Forgive me if I seem too forward in requesting him specifically to see me through my travel. As you mentioned, the Swedish navy is currently plying the seas. I fear for my safety. His presence in the castle for my security has been such a comfort to me after the terrible things I've gone through. I believe Captain Foix-Lescun is most capable of bringing me to Emperor Bonaparte."

"He's actually more experienced on land than at sea." Marshall Baujeu remarked uncomfortably. "Which was why I wanted him guarding the border."

"But he is a veteran tactician of three battles, Marshall. His accomplishments are impressive. Certainly he is more than adept at navigating through treacherous waters to bring me to France. I feel he is the only man, besides yourself, whom I can trust with this mission."

The Marshall raised an eyebrow. Anna got the feeling that Marshall Baujeu was slightly displeased at the praise to this other man. "You are aware of his military record?"

"Well not until recently when Anna told me about them."

Okay Elsa where are you going with this? I don't even have an idea about Foix-nosy-Lescun's record. All I know is he's an annoying snoop.

"Princess Anna told you?"

"Why yes. My sister you see is fascinated with military accomplishments. And he is a young, charming, handsome man..." She paused as if to hesitate. "A little too charming for my taste though... Marshall... I confess there is another reason I wish Captain Foix-Lescun to accompany me back to Paris. I... fear it is a rather personal reason. May I take you into my confidence?"

"What is it, your majesty?" He asked with wide-eyed concern.

"Captain Foix-Lescun, I suspect has his eye on my sister as well. Well as you know my sister is rather an impressionable young woman. But he's not the sort of man I would want for her…" She paused as her hand moved up his shoulder to stroke his epaulettes, before continuing. "If you know what I mean, Henri?" Another pause and she blinked at him and offered him a shy little pout. "May I call you Henri?"

The grin that grazed the Marshall's face told Anna he was melted butter in her sister's hands. Anna felt slightly sick at the blatant flirtation her sister was employing on the Marshall. It gave her a distinct reminder of the charms Hans used to display in Copenhagen in the court of her Uncle Frederick or the way he conducted his deceit when they first met.

"Why of course your majesty, I would be honored if you used my Christian name," replied the Marshall. "Just as I am honored that you've favored me as a soon to be intimate of your family."

"Well I only want what's best for my family," Elsa drawled sweetly at him before her gaze turned to the hidden door. Anna was immediately aware that Elsa knew she was watching and her sister's next words assured Anna of what Elsa was really going about. "Believe me, I would do everything to protect my family."

Laeso, Capitol of the Southern Isles

April 21, 1813

King Caleb was not a patient man. If there was one thing that could irritate him most, it was to be kept waiting. And waiting for a queen of another country to make a decision had been wearing down his good humor. He expected Lars to have done his job by now.

He does have a kingdom of his own now, so perhaps he was becoming impertinent with his own power, Caleb realized.

Caleb was usually fond of his second oldest brother. With his brilliant mind and easy charm, Lars was among the few brothers that rarely disappointed him. He had been most obedient, and rather willing when Caleb sent him out to seduce both the crown prince of the Northern Isles and his sister. He succeeded brilliantly that when Prince Magnus met his untimely end, Lars was able to quickly install his own wife to the throne before the other ambitious nobles of the Northern Isles could replace her with Prince Knudsvig or Queen Elsa.

Now that's one woman that's harder to control than I thought. Perhaps she is proving a challenge to Lars. That's a first.

His thoughts were interrupted with a smart rap on his office door. It opened to reveal another one of his brothers.

"Well?" he said irritably as Lucriff entered his office.

"A letter from Lars just came in," Lucriff announced.

"If that's another excuse, I don't want to hear it—," he barked at his brother.

"She's agreed to leave Arendelle," Lucriff cut him off. Normally, Caleb would be affronted with such an interruption, but his third oldest brother had just told him what he wanted to hear and he decided to let this go.

Caleb promptly grabbed the piece of paper Lucriff presented and skimmed through it until he was satisfied with the message. "Well it's about time Lars managed it. I was about to pull him out of it if he couldn't handle her." He stared back at his brother. "I trust then that you can take over from here Lucriff or do I have to send Hans?"

"Hans?" His third oldest brother scoffed. "Why would you send that failure to do this?"

Caleb almost growled at him. He swore sometimes Lucriff lacked foresight. "That so-called 'failure' managed to bounce back from his punishment and now heads the Swedish army. He also managed to charm his insipid little fiancé into taking him back. If Holford hadn't made the mistake he did, Hans would be deep into Arendelle's court by now and in between Queen Elsa's legs."

"And have his cock frozen you mean?" Lucriff snickered.

"He probably would have used even that to his advantage," Caleb pointed out. "Provided the Queen didn't kill him, he could have come up with a guilt trip to keep her into the palm of his hands. You really should give Hans a bit more credit. The boy didn't end up useless. He's turning out to be a true Westergaard after all. He's already captured two French ships since he turned to the Coalition and blockaded the rest from pushing forward in this region. What have you got to show for?"

His younger brother raised an eyebrow. It was the only expression he would allow to show this bothered him. But Caleb knew his brother better. Lucriff was enraged at his underhanded insult to his abilities. As commander of the Southern Isles fleet, Lucriff considered anyone with a better naval conquest a rival challenger. That person being Hans added salt to the wound for Lucriff was one of those brothers who had never even seen Hans as anything but a throwaway. Caleb used to think that too. When Hans committed treason in Arendelle, Caleb didn't even flinch when he sent his brother to a prison cell and later to the frontlines. However, over the years, the glowing reports from the French command about Hans made Caleb suddenly look at Hans in a new light. When news of his promotion to Swedish general arrived, Caleb couldn't help but feel a new respect for the younger man. He's got a far more creative and devious mind than I have, Caleb finally admitted.

It was precisely this reason that Caleb decided Hans was ready for another challenge, although, Hans would now need some extra help to get it done.

"I can do this Caleb. You can count on me to get to her," Lucriff emphasized.

"You better," Caleb said almost nonchalantly. He knew his countenance would infuriate Lucriff even more but he needed his brother motivated enough to succeed. "Make her see reason so she would come to us here to the Southern Isles. If she does not, let her know those 18 Arendellian soldiers of hers are soon to be our unwilling guests."

A/N: I know it's been months since I last updated but I haven't abandoned this story quite yet. I was just a little stuck on some details, especially as we have new canon now for Frozen. But I'm still sticking by this story as an AU and I'm thankful for all of you who are still reading it.