Ex: So, chapter 11, yeah. I really don't know how to open chapters anymore. It's a lot easier when I have some audience feedback to work off of, oh well.
Elsa: You started writing this right after posting chapter 10, there wasn't time for audience feedback.
Ex: Good point. I do have one thing I want to mention. If you've gone back and reread Thundersnow and noticed something different about it, there's a reason. During writer's block I've been going back and making some changes to Thundersnow. Nothing major or story altering. Just a few grammar fixes and rewording of some sentences that I decided could be worded a little better. I really would benefit from a beta reader. Anyway(I say anyway a lot and I've only just noticed) Let's get started shall we?
Elsa: On with the show!
Hans made his way through the people gathered in the street, careful to steer clear enough from the guards to not be recognized. Though his face isn't as well known as Alan's, Tanas had made it very clear they were not to be seen or do anything to raise awareness to their location. And as much as he despised the shade, he knew better than to irritate him. In many ways, he frightened him more than even Zalran had.
When he arrived back at the house on the edge of town, he looked around carefully before entering, making sure he wasn't followed. He quickly slips through the door and shuts it behind him. Alan is waiting for him inside, and a few of Cyrena's lesser shades float around the room.
"What did you learn?" Alan asked.
"I didn't see them at all, and I didn't dare get close enough to the palace to confirm. People are talking though, and it seems Cyrena was right. Elsa and Mathias have arrived in the city."
"Excellent news." Tanas' voice rumbles before he appears in a flash of smoke. "The mistress should be informed."
"If Hans knows, I doubt she's in the dark about it. Regardless, she's not here." Alan answered.
"What? where is she?" Hans asked.
"I have no idea. As usual, she saw fit to tell me nothing."
"If you needed to know Alan, she'd probably have told you."
"Yes, that's become abundantly clear."
"You will show respect, Alan." Tanas replied with a growl. "You were nothing before Cyrena took pity on you."
"I am a prince!"
"You are a disgraced second born. Only through Cyrena's mercy have you been given a chance to be anything more than a pathetic second in line."
"Just as you were to Zalran?" Tanas let out a deeper menacing growl and a few of the other shades began to circle them excitedly.
Hans took a step back as the two stared each other down, not wanting to get caught in the middle of a potential fight. This was the main reason he feared Tanas more than Zalran. Zalran was intimidating but his wavering loyalty gave some room to criticize Cyrena. Tanas on the other hand was absolutely loyal to his master to the point it was zealous.
Before the two come to blows, a flash of green fire appears between them. "Can I not leave the two of you alone for longer than a few minutes without having to worry about you killing one another?" Cyrena appears on the upper level of the house's entryway.
"My apologies, mistress." Tanas says with a bow, quickly flying up the stairs to her side. "Hans believes our targets have arrived."
"I learned as much myself. You missed quite a show out there while you were busy arguing."
"So what now?" Hans asked, "When do we strike?"
"Patience my dear. They know we're after them once again, entirely by design. Now we continue to set the trap. Tanas, how are our forces in the mountains fairing?"
"They've kept most from wandering where they aren't wanted." Tanas replied. "There have however been… difficulties."
"The fox?" Tanas growled in confirmation. "As expected. Take as many as you can and keep that pesky animal as far away from the city as possible."
"Yes mistress." Tanas said with a bow before he and most of the shades in the room disappeared.
Cyrena then turned her attention back to Hans and Alan. "As for the two of you, keep watch over the mansion while we're away."
"Where are you going?" Alan asked.
"I have a party to attend."
"Ok, I think this should be perfect." Elsa said, Taking the blue necktie she'd selected and handing it to Mathias to put on. While Mathias tied the tie, Elsa took a step back to observe her work. Mathias' old wardrobe hadn't given her too much to work with in terms of variety, but she thought she'd done a good job.
She'd gone for something of an opposites look. While her outfit was mostly light blue accented by her new darker cloak, Mathias's suit was a darker shade of blue for the suit coat and pants with a lighter shirt. The final touch had been a silver necktie, not unlike the color of a storm cloud, which she thought was fitting.
Mathias finished with the tie and said. "Alright, how do I look?"
"Ready to impress. I told you, you pull off formal attire very well." Elsa said as she straightened his tie.
"That doesn't mean I have to like it."
"I'm going to struggle getting you dressed up for our wedding aren't I?"
"For you, love, I'd dress like a clown for a week." Mathias turned to the mirror on the inside of the wardrobe and smoothed out his suit. "When it comes to impressing anyone else however, I don't really care what they think. That being said, you did an excellent job."
"I like to think I have a little sense for fashion. We should get going, you don't want to be late for your own party."
"Stop calling it my party, it's for our engagement."
"But we're in your birth kingdom now, that makes it your party." Elsa said with a teasing matter-of-factly tone.
"You're just excited to not be the center of attention."
"That would be nice too, but I doubt I'll have the luxury of being ignored."
They left the tower and went down the hall where Anna and Kristoff were waiting just outside their room. As they approach Anna looks at them and says, "Well look who got all dressed up."
"You can thank your sister for that. I'd never have bothered without her encouragement." Mathias responded.
"I had the same problem with Kristoff."
"Hey! I clean up by myself just fine." Kristoff scoffed.
"Alright you three, we should hurry along." Elsa interrupted, "We don't want to be late to the party."
"Are you that excited for a second engagement party Elsa?" Anna jokingly asked.
"See? I'm not the only one who thinks it's your party too." Mathias added.
Elsa just laughed and said, "Well then, care to escort us to the ballroom?"
"I am the only one who knows where it is. Let's go." They headed down the stairs at the end of the hall and through a few familiar hallways before Mathias led them in a direction Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff hadn't seen yet. They went through a few winding hallways before reaching the entrance to the ballroom, where king Simon was waiting for them.
"Ah, there you are." Simon greeted them as they arrived. "You're just in time, the last of the guests just arrived."
"Let's not keep them waiting then." Mathias said.
"Actually, that's why I wanted to catch you out here. I want you and Elsa to come in from the doors on the backside. I'm going to announce your engagement after I welcome the guests and would like for you two to enter while I have everyone's attention."
Mathias softly sighed but nodded. "Alright, We'll head there."
"I have a guard waiting. Once you arrive he'll let me know you're there and I'll begin the announcement. Hurry along. Anna, Kristoff, if you would join me inside?" The guards at the entrance opened the doors and Simon, Anna, and Kristoff headed through the doors.
Mathias gestured to the hallway the opposite way they came from and said, "Come on, it's not far to the backside doors." They headed down the hallway and around the corner. As they reached the end of the hallway turning towards the backside of the ballroom, Elsa heard a sound from behind them, almost like fast quiet footsteps. She turned and looked back down the hall. She didn't see anything, but stopped to scan the hall.
"Elsa?" Mathias asked, turning to follow her gaze. "Are you ok?"
"I thought I heard someone behind us."
Mathias scanned the hallway, Creating a ball of lightning in his hand and pushing it back down the hall, using the light to see if anyone was there. Not finding anything, he dispelled his lightning and said, "Could just be a draft, this old castle's constantly whistling with wind."
"Probably." Elsa said, still watching the hallway for a moment before saying, "Come on, we should hurry." They went around the corner and arrived at the doors.
"Greetings your majesties." The guard greeted, "Are you ready?" They both nodded and the guard said, "Very well, I'll inform your father you've arrived." The guard headed through the doors. From outside the doors they could hear the chattering of the crowd begin to quiet down, signally that Simon was about to begin speaking.
"Lords and ladies of Tonitrus," Simon's voice said, muffled through the door. "As well as from kingdoms whom I call friends and allies. I welcome you today into my home. Tonight we celebrate and prepare. For tomorrow marks the beginning of the decennial Tonitrus winter hunt!" The crowd inside clapped at Simon's words. After they quieted down, he continued, "As you know, this event is perhaps the most important event we hold as a nation…"
While Simon continued to speak to the crowd, Elsa turned to Mathias. Her eyes drifted to the symbol on his left hand. It wasn't bright but it was faintly glowing, an indication that mathias was nervous."Are you ready?" Elsa Asked.
"Not entirely, but I've learned to not let that stop me." Mathias said, squeezing his palm, forcing the glow to fade before extending his arm to join with hers. Elsa smiled and looped her arm through his and turned back toward the doors. Her attention is again drawn from Simon's speech when she hears the sound again, like small fast footsteps. Before she looks in the direction she'd heard it from, Simon's words draw her back.
"Now, as much as the hunt is the pride of our nation, tonight I have another announcement. One that is a great pride not only to our kingdom, but a great moment of pride for me as a father. Tonight, I make it officially known that my youngest son is engaged to be married, in a union that will strengthen both our nations, as well as strengthen those it joins together. To that end, I present to you, Prince Mathias of Tonitrus, and her majesty, Queen Elsa of Arendelle!"
The doors of the ballroom opened and Elsa and Mathias stepped inside, greeted by the applause of the walked next to where Simon was standing and stood, waiting for the crowd to quiet down. When they did, Simon turned to Elsa and Mathias spoke again. "Queen Elsa, Mathias my son, may your future union bring prosperity to Arendelle and Tonitrus." He turned to the guests once more. "Now, I ask that you all congratulate these two on this happy occasion, and enjoy the rest of tonight's festivities. For tomorrow, the winter hunt truly begins!"
The crowd applauded once more before they all rushed to congratulate and speak with Elsa and Mathias. They were both bombarded with introductions and questions from the guests. For Mathias the next few minutes were a blur. Many of the people who introduced themselves had familiar faces, likely from having been to the castle and meeting his father before, but it was the first time they'd spoken to him. For Elsa's part, she took it in stride, used to being at the center of attention. Clearly uncomfortable to those who knew her, but polite and elegant in masking it to others. After a few minutes Anna and Kristoff pushed their way to the front of the crowd. "Hi, excuse me. Princess of Arendelle coming through, needs to talk to her sister. Excuse me, sorry." Anna apologized to the people she'd butted through before saying to Elsa, "Wow, these people certainly are interested in the two of you."
"No more so than usual, we've learned to manage." Elsa replied.
"That doesn't mean it isn't nice to see some familiar faces." Mathias added. "I almost feel bad that I don't remember half of who these people are."
"If they're important, someone will remind us." Elsa said.
"Times like these I'm grateful Anna's not the queen, keeps me out of the spotlight." Kristoff said.
"All the easier to watch people here." Anna said. "Has anyone been suspicious?"
"What did I say about trying to bodyguard us?" Elsa Scolded.
"I'm not bodyguarding, I'm just curious. You didn't answer my question, any suspicious characters?"
Suspicious isn't the word I would use." Mathias answered. "Suspiciously friendly maybe but most people are to us."
"Regardless Anna, Relax. You can't be suspicious of everyone." Kristoff said.
"Not everyone, just the people here I don't know." Anna said with a huff.
Elsa gave Anna an understanding look and said, "Anna, I appreciate the effort, but Kristoff is right, relax and have fun. Mathias and I can take care of ourselves. Besides, I know how much you like to socialize at parties."
"If anything it's a good opportunity to get to know people here, find the suspicious ones on your own." Mathias added.
"Good idea Mathias! Come on Kristoff, time to make some new 'friends'." Anna said as she made her way back into the crowd. Kristoff just laughed to himself and followed.
"I'm not sure if what I said actually helped her relax or not." Mathias said.
"Maybe not but Anna is social and friendly. Knowing her she'll actually make friends." Elsa said. "Shall we continue to mingle with our guests?"
"Our guests?"
"Our party, our guests."
Ex: Alright that chapter only took…7 months? I'll take what I can get at this point. I'm not sure why this chapter took so long to write, but I'm a little disappointed in myself for it.
Elsa: There have been longer wait times.
Ex: I guess that's true. This chapter wasn't particularly exciting, but the next one has some more meat to it that gets the story going. And I should get it out soon, as I planned to have part of it attached to the end of this chapter. But I think we all know better than to hold me to any promises. Anyway, review, follow, possibly favorite? And with luck the next chapter will be up shortly.
Elsa: See you guys next time!