The music was too loud. The people were too loud. Kristoff's pants were too tight. His hair was too stiff. His drink was too fizzy. The fanfare was making him feel sick. It was the kind of nausea that made even his soul hurt. A year ago, this sort of physical reaction to people would have kept him out in the mountains. Today he was meant to star in this facade of a party. Lord Kristoff refused to pretend to be enjoying himself. He stood on his mark and watched the hundreds of delegates bloat themselves on Arendelle's offerings. He swooshed his drink around in his mouth to get rid of all the bubbles.
Day one of the Thawing Ceremonies had been long and taxing. Shaking hands and talking politics, everyone wanted to bend Kristoff's ear. He went from twenty-one years of rejection to being the one to come to when it came to Ice business. It sounded like a dream come true, to be Ice Master. But reality and destiny were two separate things. Kristoff cursed the majestic qualities of Arendellian Ice as much as they cursed him. He hated this life.
Day two of these so-called Ceremonies was almost over. Five left, he reminded himself. Today hadn't actually been that bad. Before the invited nations got their time on stage with the Ice Queen, the people of Arendelle got to play. Arendellians showed off their talents in cuisine and art. They played the sweetest music. It reminded Kristoff of the days he spent relaxing into Sven. Playing the lute and eating loaf after loaf of freshly baked bread. The theatrics were lovely, well-funded, and made with passion for Queen Elsa that was not alive back when she was. It was all too beautiful watch. It taunted him. It was a life he was no longer a part of, now that he was no longer just Kristoff. As a Lord, he was stuck looking down. Always looking down at people. It was much more isolating than his years of solitude.
Kristoff's internal clock told him a quarter hour had passed. It was time to scan the fray and check on the Queen. She was easy to find this time, again, where he last saw her. That was rare. Anna was usually passed around more than a plate of hors d'oeuvres. She had a different goblet in her hand and someone from the service staff was offering her another. Four. That was four drinks and the night was still young. Kristoff took note, keeping an eye out for a handmaid. The Queen had to get cut off.
And who was that, who took the drinks off the platter and put one in Anna's hand? Kristoff did not recognize the woman. He'd spent the entire day prior standing in the throne room greeting guests to Arendelle. His face was even sore from smiling and wishing each of the delegates well on their attempts to save the Queen. His lower back hurt from the bowing style Gerda had taught him. He was meant to do a slight lean forward while keeping his back aligned. That was how the noblemen bowed. Not only was it cumbersome but it reminded Kristoff of Lord Tarik.
Kristoff bared his teeth at the thought of that man and now it looked like he was glaring at the Queen and the woman who had her rapt attention. Were they flirting? She was quite a bit taller than Anna. Her complexion was fair, but it was tinted by summer. Her hair was dark and short, in a masculine way. It did not match well with her gown. Her dress was typical for a lady-in-waiting but it wasn't lost on Kristoff, she had the build of a soldier. Her sharp features and frigid stance gave her away. But Kristoff needed to confirm his suspicion before he made a scene. He saw it. There was a weapon stowed away on the ankle of her boot. That was a big enough flag for Lord Kristoff to advance.
A member of the castle staff beat him to Anna's side. She whispered something to the Queen. Kristoff read Anna's expression expertly. When someone tapped his shoulder, he was not surprised the Council called an emergency meeting. Anna left the threat behind, giving the woman her goblet and heading out. Kristoff was too far behind to call out for her to wait. So he stalked several paces away as the Queen exited the ballroom. It was unfortunate that they had to pass the foyer to get to the councilmen's offices. Dozens of people perked up at the sight of the Queen Regent. They rushed at her. No one ever offered their condolences anymore, not in a meaningful way. The monument of the Queen and her King was far too beautiful, its story intriguing. Anna handled herself well but it was the fourth fizzy drink talking. The crowd slowed Anna down, and Kristoff was able to catch up with her.
"Walk with me," he offered the Queen his elbow. Anna bid a goodnight to the sounds of swooning and took Lord Kristoff's lead.
"With that many people, you'd think we could solve this thing with body heat alone." Sometimes Anna was in the mood to shit talk and sometimes she wasn't. Kristoff always had a decent guess. The way Anna was smiling at the party he thought she would snort at the comment. Instead, she ignored it. She was walking with him but had her neck craned back, looking at the frozen sculpture behind her.
"I thought we'd be free of these jerks for the week," Kristoff tried again. Anna let go of him, flapped her arms a bit and then shook out her shoulders. This was an almost ritualistic movement to ready herself for the Council. A small strand of white hair fell out of place. Kristoff reached out to brush it back. It felt cold like slick ice.
"Let's kill it in there," he said. Anna pushed past him.
Eleven chairs all scraped along the floor as the men took to their feet. They all bowed for the Queen Regent of Arendelle. Kristoff escorted Anna to the head of the table and pulled out her chair. He dropped his chest down, bowing deeply for his Queen. Then settled to her left-hand side. Once the dozen councilmen were seated, Anna broke the silence.
"Yes?" She was leaning forward with her elbows on the table. The way she played with her hands during a council meeting was a tell of Anna's. It was a habit she couldn't break no matter what her advisors told her. She had one hand wrapped over the other, they bunched right at her mouth. Her eyebrows were pulled up. She came off as annoyed and expectant.
"The interruption was imperative, my Queen," Lord Michem said. Kristoff liked this councilman. His area of expertise was healthcare. Many times, he and Kristoff had sat down to talk about mutual aid and education. He was a doctor before he ever was a nobleman. Kristoff, still an ice harvester at heart, could relate to that. Anna liked Michem. That was exactly why he was being used as a mouthpiece now.
"There is unrest, My Queen, civil. It has found its way to our table. Many of us are divided." The man did not have Anna's attention. She was flipping through the documents set in front of her. Kristoff had copies at his chair as well.
"The Law of Lineage," Anna read aloud as she thumbed the lettering.
"Queen Elsa made a few amendments when negotiating her marriage. Many of it is standard practice. There are two clauses, I feel, being interpreted far too liberally." Michem continued, staking his claim on Anna's side to whatever this was. Kristoff eyed up all councilmen trying to see who he was up against.
"I've earmarked the clauses for you," Michem added. Anna had the hard copies. Notes and amendments made by Elsa herself.
"This is standard," Kristoff said. "It states, in the case of their passing, the heirs of Queen Elsa of Arendelle and Councilman Lord Tarik of Veil will ascend to the throne. If under the age of majority, sixteen, a regent ruler shall be appointed." Kristoff tried to be gentle with his tone. Not for the council. Not for a second, did he hold back for them. But this was the loss of Elsa they were so casually talking about. Kristoff needed Anna to keep herself even in front of these men.
"Why is this being brought to council now?" Anna asked, her damned hands moving nervously. Kristoff wished he could hold them down, as he noticed who they were dealing with. Lord Veirnen adjusted himself in his seat. Shoulders squared and nose tipped up, he inhaled.
"My nephew, King Tarik, has a son. A grown boy 15 years of age." Kristoff tried not to roll his eyes. He knew this man was serious. The implications were even mutinous.
"Veirnen is trying to suggest this boy is the legitimate heir to the throne. That these amendments qualify him to supersede you, My Queen." Michem interjected before anyone else could interrupt. The meat of this meeting was on the table. Kristoff was trying to search a year's worth of handshakes and idle talk to figure out who else at the table agreed.
"A bastard child?" One of the older lords scoffed. He elbowed the councilman beside him, urging him to laugh at the insinuation.
"My nephew is of royal blood! As is his child." Lord Veirnen spat. This was his moment. One Kristoff knew had to be a year in the making. He intended to make the threat real. Before his appointment to the council, Kristoff knew Veirnen to be quick to prop up Tarik. The image that came back to Kristoff then was of Veirnen leaning in to light Tarik's cigar. "My lineage is part of Arendelle's legacy. It goes back to the very birth and founding of this great nation. My family and I have served on this council with Elsa and Agnarr. Both were dedicated to seeding the families of Veil into the Royal bloodline."
"Veirnen seeks to make his point through this second amendments vague wording," Michem explained. "Queen Elsa did not name Lord Tarik King Consort. She made it clear. The Law of Lineage will favour Lord Tarik. Say, solely Elsa suffered this curse, King Tarik would be absolute ruler."
"That's ludicrous. This clearly states a child born of Elsa and that scumbag. The lineage cannot be contested if Elsa is not the child's mother." Kristoff finally caught up to the stupidity of this entire meeting. He had to try his words in his head. He knew what Elsa's intentions were with these amendments. They were part of all her little moves to leave Arendelle with Anna. He wasn't sure how to secure the fact that it had little to do with Tarik. Elsa never intended that Anna's royalty be tested.
"Watch your tongue, that's the King of Arendelle you are speaking ill of. He was a favourite to his people. Branches of his family extend far beyond Arendelle. He is beloved not only by our eastern province of Veil but by the Southern Isles. Even locked away from us, my nephew deserves the respect of this table."
"The Southern Isles. They're behind this? We'd all be fools to fall foley to a plan with them backing it," Kristoff didn't know how Anna had stayed so quiet so far. He was reeling. He wanted to call the Captain of the Guard and have Veirnen and any of the men nodding along arrested. "Arendelle's daughters are the ones that have ushered this new age of prosperity," Kristoff reminded the men. Before Elsa, there wasn't much left to fight over. The gates closing had all but emptied the coffers, severed ties, and weakened trade.
"Absolutely," Michem stepped in. He pointed his words at Veirnen. "This kid of yours is a ruse for the Southern Isles to take our wealth for themselves. Anna will provide for her legacy. Soon we will have heirs" The sides were beginning to take form. Each man inching closer to opposite ends.
"The Southern Isles have control of the seas. They are an ideal partner to move Arendellian Ice further." Lord after Lord agreed. "Our exports could reach lands unknown to us. Freezing them out of this venture from spite alone is idiotic," they said.
"The Law of Lineage cannot be toyed with. Beneficial or not. Anna carries the last drops of Arendelle's bloodline." The other side countered.
"The Queen Regent's children won't be our heirs without the matter of Elsa and Tarik being resolved." The argument continued to grow.
"We've had enough with unwed girls running our nation." At that Kristoff was ready to pounce. He was out of his seat. He was seething at the audacity of any Lord who dared to challenge what Anna had accomplished
"You've all been made rich by Elsa's gift," Kristoff's hot voice sneered at the council.
"Okay, okay," Anna tried to insert herself. Kristoff heard her but he kept with his point.
"And made powerful by Anna's execution of this new trade. How could a King do you better?"
"That's enough," Anna pulled at Kristoff's sleeve. He regressed. "Gentlemen, please. I've heard enough." Anna stayed as the sparring began to idle.
"Thank you for presenting your sides." Her voice sounded so soft and sweet after the angry voices of men had tossed around such ardour.
"Yield to the spirit of celebration. Let's not take away from the Thawing Ceremonies. Our little country is doing well for itself and it all started with the thaw. We are meant to be hopeful today." Kristoff's fists clenched. He wanted to reach over and shake Anna. Tell her to drop her voice and to stop being so forgiving. The men, yeah, they were listening but she wasn't commanding the room. She did not have their respect.
"It pains us all to think we might not have our Queen after all our effort. But let's not let that ruin our decorum." Each man had a spear in their mouth, ready to attack one another and trample the Queen Regent. Anna was cracking her fingers one by one. The little popping sound seemed to hone their attention.
"Veirnen," Anna cut the silence. She looked at the Lord head-on. "Your claim is a stretch. Arendelle values your family and you've been made rich as thanks. Respectfully, shut up." Not a man at the table dared let their straight faces react. Anna continued. "To appease the undercurrent in this entire situation. During the ceremonies, an announcement will be made. If we cannot save Queen Elsa and Lord Tarik, a wedding will be the only victorious way to end our week." Kristoff's boiled anger dissipated. It was the reaction of many of the men who had seen Lord Veirnen's side. Those who propped Anna up were elated, relieved to quell the question of who if not Anna.
"Next year's celebration will include a Prince," Anna's voice was still as sweet. Kristoff's stomach turned.
"Elsa's final amendment. It gives you, Queen Anna, sole discretion. We cannot strike down your choice in a suitor," Lord Michem stated. He was the first to smile in this room all night. Kristoff tried to keep his cool but the sick he'd felt at the party was back again.
"Who will be your King?" Michem asked as the tip of his upturned lip pointed at Kristoff.
"Lord Kristoff will have my hand." Anna casually answered. Something new was bubbling up inside Kristoff. Perhaps betrayal. "My sister chose him to be my keeper. The Ice Master of Arendelle will make a fine King. It will reflect wonderfully as we become major players in trade. Arendelle is ice after all."
Over half the men whooped in excitement. Lord Michem clapped Kristoff on the back. "A fine choice," he said among all the new noise. Kristoff nodded. If anyone actually cared to look, all his cards were on the table as began to sweat. He knew Anna didn't dare look at him as much as he couldn't bring himself to look at her.
"Alas, the sky calls me to bed," Anna's voice cracked. There was a rattle there that was undeniably matched to sorrow. "I expect tonight's minutes and whatever paperwork will find me come morning," She added to cover it up. But Kristoff knew the men heard it. Anna got up and the Lords dropped their shoulders until she was out of the room. They all wanted Kristoff's ear but he gave them no satisfaction as he chased after the Queen.
"Anna. Anna, wait," he called out. He could tell she was pushing herself through the long halls. She put up a dismissive hand. Kristoff was pent up from the meeting but this pushed him over the edge. "Anna, stop! Don't walk away from me."
Anna took his demand and started to run. Kristoff fell into stride. "Godsdamn it, Anna." He called out as they left the wing. The hall widened up as they got closer to the Castle's foyer. Anna slowed down as she closed in on a crowd. She was using them against Kristoff. But he didn't stop. He ran right up to the Queen and grabbed her by the arm. He leaned into her ear as a few foreigners greeted the pair.
"I've been at your beck and call this whole year," Kristoff said through his teeth. Anna's eyes were big and wet. She was biting back her tears as much as he was trying to hold back his hurt. "I have done everything you've asked of me. I gave up my life to be here for you. I sold my soul to be on the council. This isn't your choice to make. This is my life too."
"You think I don't know that?" Anna relented. Kristoff had thought he was making a fair point but he stuck a cord instead. She didn't whisper as she pulled her arm back into her chest. She kept moving forward. Her voice grew louder as she added distance between them. "This is all about you, Kristoff. Yes, this is your life. It's your fate and it actually has nothing to do with me. You're getting married to the Queen of Arendelle, Kristoff. It's your destiny you have arrived. Welcome, and congratulations." Anna actually threw her hands up and clapped for him. Kristoff knew this version of the Queen Regent well. She was bitter, and hot, and angry. She lost all care for her performance as Queen. She did it in front of anyone as if her role mattered so little compared to her grief. Kristoff was often on the opposite end of her spite.
"Anna," he said calmly, as a reminder of how much she hated herself at the other end of her tantrums. "Anna, please don't go any further. People are looking. We can't afford to be fighting in front of anyone right now."
"Spoken like a true councilman." Even with the jab, Anna took an even breath. Kristoff was relieved to see it. They already had enough eyes on them. He reached out to her again, ready to escort her to bed.
"Don't you dare touch me," she recoiled. That one mistake and now Kristoff lost her. She pointed a finger into his chest. "And don't you dare list off your sacrifices to me when it was you. You who flaunted your ownership over me to Elsa. I saw you. I saw you up in the mountains laughing in her face for daring to love me. You looked a tortured, battered, broken girl in the eye and you told her she'd fail." Anna punctuated each you with her finger. She poked at him again and again. She was talking about the day Kristoff had escorted Elsa to the ice caverns. The day she lined the walls with Arendelle's future. He had carried a lot of shame for hiding what he knew about Lord Tarik from Anna. But he had never scolded himself for that day that he belittled Anna's true love.
"You told her the trolls' visions of us. She surrendered to Tarik because you told her she was never destined to have me. You killed the fight in her. You took away our chance." Kristoff was trying to keep his composer for Anna's sake. He knew his sins but no one knew Anna's. She was being careless.
"Isn't this what you wanted?" She asked, this time really leaning into him. He was surprised that her breath didn't smell like booze. She was being driven by pure angst. "You might as well take me into your bed right now Kristoff. I'm not fighting this anymore."
"Anna," Kristoff pleaded. He hoped he could still win her calm. "We've learned that there is more to the future than what the trolls can see."
"Were we not at the same meeting just now? Were you so far up your ass in righteousness that you didn't hear what every single one of them was saying?" Kristoff was at a loss. He thought he had defended her well.
"I'm not enough for Arendelle, Kristoff. I either change that or they will take the Kingdom away from me. They've been backing me into a corner since day one." There were thousands of times when Kristoff would find himself thinking about how a year ago, he'd been so lucky. He was falling in love. He had a destiny. That idiot had no idea it was actually a condemnation. He had nothing to offer Anna. She was waiting for him. When no response came she dimmed.
"It does not matter what magic we welcome here. They'll all fail. You're right. This is your life. This is the life your family foresaw for you. We're getting married, Kristoff. Elsa is dead." Kristoff let Anna walk away into the foyer.
Anna's hope was long gone now. She took his with her. It wasn't much, it was built at the hardest of times. In moments Anna came to him seeking comfort, and during the times he'd offered her friendship. They were well-matched. And often hid away together after council meetings to mock the procedures and pomp. They'd laid out plans for Arenedelle and had so much hope for what they could build together. Kristoff wrestled with the vastly different kind of love they had for each other. But at the end of hard days, Anna would seek him out, and he'd lay salve to her wounds in his bed. Whenever she was mean he blamed himself, but only because her lightness could return. She was capable of bouts of joy. He knew he had a hand in that. Those tiny moments were what held him firm, and what tied him to his destiny. It was hard to recognize that Anna's unrelenting love for Elsa kept her from savouring those moments. She was unwilling to take them for what they were worth and let them add value to their future. She'd reminded him again, their future was damned. It wasn't what either of them wanted.
Kristoff heard the Queen screaming in the other room. "No, I want to see her!" Her voice bounced off the walls, even at a distance it was clear to him. He took a breath well aware that the night ahead of him would be long. This was his role in life. He was to be whatever the Queen Regent needed from him. And right now she needed to be saved from herself as she made a scene at Elsa's feet yet again. He ran to her call. She was where he pictured her to be. She was on her feet with quite the audience, including the Princes' of the Southern Isles. Anna's eyes weren't on anything. She wasn't yelling at anything tangible. No one knew she was berating the cold.
"Do you hear me? I want to see her! I want to see her!" The lady-in-waiting who'd been with Anna throughout that evening's party was at her side. Her hands were hovering over Anna's shoulders. She wanted to offer comfort but knew full well Anna was in no space to receive it.
"I want to see her." Anna's yell subsided to a cry. Her voice had that rattle in it again. Kristoff heard some of the councilmen join the scene.
"Godsdamn it. I want to see her," Anna continued lamely.
"Anna?" Kristoff approached. He put his hand out for his Queen to take. She looked at him with a desperate gleam in her eye. The tears there froze and her irises rolled back into her head. Anna collapsed into Kristoff's arms. The crowd gasped. The Ice Master ignored them as he adjusted the Queen and scooped her up. Her eyes were fluttering as if in a dream, he knew she got what she wanted. She was deep in the memories of Elsa. Her head lulled back. Red and white locks fell out of her face. There was a white mark on her forehead that Kristoff had never seen before. It was right at the edge of her hairline where the whites of her hair were most prominent. The cold was bleeding into her skin.
Anna's eyes opened, the green shining brightly like a fresh spring morning. She looked him in the eye for a glance and then buried herself into his neck seeking refuge. Kristoff held on tight and carried the Queen out of the foyer as if she was his bride.
