Ex: I am unworthy to speak to you, my snowsparks, after yet another long wait.
"And once again, the Duke of Weselton has requested that trade be reopened." Mathias said to Elsa, reading from one of the many letters on the desk. Without even looking up from the document she was signing, Elsa replied,"Again, the request is denied." Mathias nodded, holding the paper between his thumb and fingers and creating a small spark, causing it to burn for a moment before is dissipated to ash. Mathias looked at the ashes with satisfaction before grabbing and opening another letter."How many times is that now?" he asked Elsa.
"More than I care to count. Remind me to tell you about the time he tried to show up to one of the balls we held during the spring."
"He didn't."
"He did, and I froze the harbor so his ship couldn't dock." Elsa replied with a satisfied smile. Mathias laughed and moved on to another letter."Speaking of which, we have an event of sorts tonight, do we not?" Mathias asked.
"Just a small party, nothing like the last one." Elsa replied, Mathias sighed and went back to reading the letter in his hands. "I get nervous every time we have any sort of celebration."
"They do seem to attract attention."
"If by attention you mean magic, plots of murder, and demons."
"And occasionally visiting dignitary who still thinks I can be swayed to cancel our marriage in favor of their nations prince."
"That can't be helped. The queen who holds the power of winter in her hands, people tend to take notice. Especially when she's as beautiful as you are."
"Well then," Elsa said, leaning closer to Mathias."I suppose it's a good thing I have my handsome prince to chase them away with a warning glance and a quick shock."
"I never give them the warning glance." Mathias said, a smirk on his lips. Elsa returned the small smile before continuing her work. Her attention was drawn back to Mathias as he looked over the next envelope with confusion."What is it?" She asked.
"A letter from my father." He replied, handing her the letter. Elsa took it and recognized the royal seal of Tonitrus, an image of a fox done in red wax, holding the letter closed. Elsa and Mathias exchanged a curious look. in the months since they had last seen him, Mathias' father had written only once, and the letter had been addressed personally to Mathias. Now, the letter bore Elsa's name, or rather the Arendelle royal family.
Elsa opened the letter and began to read aloud.
Queen Elsa of Arendelle,
It is our pleasure to invite you to our decennial winter hunt. As our trade partner and ally, we would be honored if you would join us. The festivities will be held for the entire month of December. We look forward to your attendance.
Best regards,
King Simon, head of house Basquete, ruling family of Tonitrus.
Elsa and Mathias exchanged looks once more."I've never heard of a winter hunt."
"Most people haven't." Mathias said, looking over the letter once more."Of course, considering we only hold it every ten years I suppose it makes sense. Honestly, I'd forgotten it existed."
"So, do you think we should attend?"
"I don't know." Mathias replied as he stood and walked over to the window."We are busy enough as it is here."
"We can make time if you want." Elsa said, following him to the window. She watched his eyes follow the snowfall outside, a look of contemplation etched on his features."It's not important to me." He finally said, turning to her."We can if you'd like, but I personally wouldn't mind missing it."
"It wouldn't' hurt, but we are busy. We can think about it, in the meantime I think we've earned a break from all this paperwork. Come on, let's go meet Anna and Kristoff for lunch." Mathias nodded and followed her out of the study, heading to the dining hall. When they arrived, Anna was already seated."There you two are, what kept you?" She asked as they sat themselves.
"More letters than I care to count." Mathias replied.
"At least we're nearly done for the day. With any luck, we'll be able to get some swordplay practice in today." Elsa said.
"Mind if I join you? Kristoff and I haven't practiced in a while either." Anna asked.
"Of course you can. By the way, where is Kristoff?"
"Just out with Sven, he should be back any minute." It was at that point that lunch was served. After a while of silent eating, Anna asked,"So, any interesting things going on within the wild world of running a kingdom?"
"Well, today's the first time I've ever been invited on a hunt." Elsa replied. Anna eyes widened as she said,"A hunt?"
"The Tonitrus decennial winter hunt, to be specific." Anna turned to Mathias and said."Tonitrus as in, your Tonitrus?"
"The same."
"Wow, cool. I've never been on a hunt before, I mean, I guess that's obvious but still, cool. When do we leave?"
"Don't get too excited, there's no guarantee we're going." Elsa said.
"Why not?"
"We won't be missing out on anything Anna." Mathias answered."It's really just another reason for the dignitaries to compete disguised as a few parties and a lot of dead animals."
"Oh," Anna said, looking a little upset."That last part doesn't sound very nice at all...but still, it could be fun."
"What could be fun?" Kristoff asked as he entered to room and sat next to Anna."We've been invited on a hunt," Anna replied,"in Tonitrus."
"Is it time for the Tonitrus winter hunt?"
"You've heard of it?" Mathias asked.
"Some of the other ice harvesters have talked about it." Kristoff replied,"It's apparently quite the honor to be invited, though I'm sure being the prince helps."
"Nothing else would. I've never actually been on the hunt."
"Really? Why not?"
"I was too young the first time, and the second time, I guess I just didn't go."
"Well, there's another reason to go." Anna cut in."It will be a new experience for all of us."
"I'm surprised you're so interested Anna, you know what goes on at a hunt right?" Kristoff said to her.
"Yes I know, but still, when was the last time we ever visited another country for a party?"
"We'll think about it." Elsa said."In the meantime, let's finish eating, and then we'll see about a little swordplay practice before our party tonight." The rest of the meal passed with relative silence before they finished. After the table was cleared, they all made their way to to their respective rooms to change into more appropriate clothing for practicing combat. Mathias finished changing and headed out his door. As he turned to make his way to the courtyard they used for practice, a voice catches his attention.
'Mathias...' He looks around the hallway for the source, but finds the hallway empty other than himself."Must be hearing things." He says to himself before continuing to the courtyard to join the others.
As another long winter storm clouds the skies above Tonitrus, the streets are cloaked in near complete darkness. A lone light illuminates the door to a large house near the edge of the city. Into the light steps four figures, each with a scarf pulled up to cover their face. They approach the door slowly, each wary of their surroundings. The one in the lead takes one last look to the streets before kneeling in front of the door, pulling out a few tools and fiddling with the lock."Can you get it?" One of the others asks him.
"Of course I can, just give me a minute." he replies irritably.
"I don't like this." Another of them says nervously,"We shouldn't be doing this tonight, there are too many guards out."
"Calm down, they're too busy guarding the square preparing for the hunt." The final one speaks.
"Be quiet all of you." The one at the door hisses." I've just about...got it." He says as the lock clicks open. He opens the door slowly and peers inside. When it appears empty, he signals the others and they all enter."Alright, grab whatever you can, but be quick about it. If guards show up, it's every man for himself." They all nod and disperse throughout the house, searching for valuables."Are you sure no ones going to catch us?"
"I got word from Charly, this place has been abandoned for years. It's just been sitting here, ripe for the picking."
"yeah well they didn't leave that much behind." Another of them cuts in as he exits one of the upstairs bedrooms."There's nothing here."
"Maybe not, check it out." One of them says triumphantly as he begins moving aside a large couch, revealing a safe hidden behind it."Ha, and they thought they were so clever, hang on boys, I'll have this open no problem." He begins to attempt to pick the lock, however to no avail."Come on, you stupid lock." he says in frustration.
"Great, the one thing of value in this place and you can't open it."
"If you think you can do better-" He stops his sentence when to safe door pops open."See, not a problem." He returns his attention to the safe and opens the door. The rest of them look over his shoulder, anticipation clear evident in their features. This quickly fades as they find the only content of the safe to be a single silver ring with a green gemstone."What do you think it's worth?" One of them asks as the leader picks up the ring."I don't know, but it's gotta be worth something."
"Not to you it isn't," A voice cuts in from behind them. The ring lifts from the mans hands and flies behind him. All the men turn to the sound of the voice and the direction the ring flew. They see a female hooded figure, now holding the ring her outstretched hand."Besides," She continues,"It's mine."
"Look lady, I don't know how you found out about this, but this is our score." The one in the lead says, drawing the dagger on his belt."Now give us the ring and get out of here before you get hurt." She lets out a laugh, a sinister sound that causes him to take a step back."Funny, I was going to say most of that to you."
"You're in no position to bargain lady." He says, and the others draw their own blades behind him."It's four to one. You're outnumbered." He tries to sound intimidating, but she can hear the tremble in his voice, the fear. 'His sweet,delicious fear.' "I know," She says as she begins moving closer, her green eyes glowing bright in the darkness."That makes it fun."
Ex: So completely unintentionally, we had yet another delay. I won't go into all the details here, just know that this will be the last time. I have recommitted myself to my story and to my readers. And I know, some of you will inevitably say that I've said this before, and you're right, I have and you have every right to be upset. But believe me when I say that I have no intention of leaving this story unfinished, I will see it through to the end.
Elsa: And don't worry guys, despite this incredibly long delay, I'll leave him in good enough condition to write.
Ex: Thanks...I think. Moving on, sidenote, it was one year ago today that I saw Frozen for the first time. did I have any idea how much it was going to affect the next year of my life? Absolutely not. Anyway, as Celebration for this and as a way of apology, I'll be uploading the next chapter either sunday or monday, and hopefully two new chapters to snowsparks(Which is not forgotten) afterwhich weekly updates are still the plan, Aftershock on saturday or sunday, Snowsparks on Sunday or monday.
Elsa: Remember that suggestions are open for snowsparks, as well as songs for the story. Speaking of which, we're two chapters in and we've yet to have a song.
Ex: All in good time Elsa. Anyhow, review, follow, Possibly favorite? And, I can't say it enough, I am so sorry for the long wait and thanks to all of your for sticking with me.
Elsa: See you guys next time!