Arendelle was putting on quite the production. Cassandra was standing behind two ornate chairs, where her travel companions were seated. Running its four walls, the foyer was lined by a terrace on the floor above it. The audience packed in to watch the first attempt to thaw Arendelle's Ice Queen and her King. While the onlookers crammed over each other, the Queen Regent was isolated. She sat opposite the grand staircase which fed directly into the Frozen Lovers. Cassandra watched Anna more than she did the show. It was hard to concentrate with a set of guards from other countries rubbing up against her. The man to Cassandra's left had his fingers crossed as two dozen ice harvesters performed below them. The show had people captivated. Some were on their feet leaning over the wooden railings to get a closer look at the magic. While others sunk into their chairs and watched through their fingers. The ice harvesters had flooded and frozen the foyer floor. They were moving with such intensity over the ice.
Cassandra was well aware that Arendelle was playing up a farce. They had exhausted all ideas months ago. They did not have the resources to find a solution for such powerful ice. This was all a political game anyway. Cassandra had made a case to Rapunzel about it when they first got their invitation. There was no reason for them to lose focus on the threats to Corona. Arendelle's main goal was to show off their new everlasting ice. But Rapunzel, ever the optimist, cared far too deeply for Elsa. She refused to let her become nothing more than a political pawn. Cassandra would have to make time to thank the Princess for appealing to Cassandra's softer side. There was no place she would rather be than somewhere she had eyes on Arendelle's Queen Regent.
The new object of Cassandra's affection was watching the Ice Master. Anna had spoken about Lord Kristoff quite freely the night prior. The respect in Anana's voice was unquestionable but Cassandra sensed the relationship was intense. They were a turmoiled pair. Even now, Anna's gaze hid nothing. She was in awe of the way Lord Kristoff carried himself. He was at the center of the show. The cork soles on his boots had him light on his feet as he orchestrated the event. Only a trained eye could see the choreography was quite simple. The men were passing around intricate-looking tools. They were striking and sawing at blocks of ice. The crowd gasped when the metal of a few ice picks collided with a gaff. When they hit the large ice sculpture, the entire foyer shook. They combined that with a cloud of fog to add a sense of mystery and suspense.
Cassandra was well-versed in magic. She had never wielded it but it was at the center of her being. Whatever had led Queen Elsa to freeze over brought Cassandra to Arendelle. Whatever would come of this trip would be brought on by magic. Cassandra's momentum in life was the friction needed to ignite the head of a match. Cassandra was keeping an eye out for when the magic would strike.
There was none in this show and no hope in Anna's eyes as the ice harvesters prepared the scene for its finale. Cassandra knew they would fail to thaw Queen Elsa. But Arendelle fooled the audience well enough. The fog built up again. All the Lord, Ladies, Royals, and their stewards held their breath. Rapt in anticipation. There was a moment of quiet and then the whispers overtook the fog. As of fighting it off, people's hopes and longing beat the dense cold. There was a collective gasp as some of it cleared to reveal Lord Kristotff. He was standing on top of the frozen monolith. His boot directly over the Ice Queen's body. The Ice Master had a splitting bar held high over his head. The tool was made for this show. The tip of it was fashioned to look like one of Arendelle's crocuses.
Small shards of ice spat back at him as he struck. Cassandra jumped along with the crowd. She wasn't expecting Lord Kristoff to be able to mark the Queen's magic. He kept striking. The sound of the spade connecting to the ice rang out like the toll of a bell. Cassandra could feel people want to count down to Elsa's release. The fog started to rise again, inching this time. It overtook the Ice Queen and rode up to the Ice Mater's ankles. Lord Kristoff stopped. He turned his focus to Anna.
He was out of breath and somehow built up a sweat amongst all the cold. Elevated, he was almost at the Queen's level. He wasn't hiding anything. The crowd might have read his anger as a sign of his failure but in reality, he spat it at Anna. Cassandra wondered if anyone else saw the couple speak silently to one another. Their public spat had kept everyone awake and speculating. It was still the topic of conversation when Cassandra got up in the morning. Enchanted rumors of the frozen couple shifted. Focus fell to the cold words Arendelle's spare parts exchanged. Kristoff had been the one to carry Anna out after she exhausted herself. But it seemed they had not reconciled.
Cassandra watched Eugene lean into Rapunzel and make that same speculation. "I sure hope not," the Princess answered. They turned their attention back towards the grand finale. The uproar was loud. The noise could have fooled anyone to believe that Arendelle was victorious. The applause was alive, boisterous, and in awe. As the fog faded away, the foyer revealed two life-size ice sculptures. They were being pushed along the ice, each rounding from opposite sides of the frozen couple. When they meet in the middle, the King's sculpture fit into the arms of a replica of Arendelle's first reigning Queen. The two fell into an embrace locked by their lips.
Anna had mentioned having to practice her reactions in the mirror. She had shown Cassandra the face she would pull to gracefully convey her disappointment. All the practice was for naught, even Kristoff's eyes left Anna. He didn't see the betrayal as Arendelle presented Anna with a copy of her heartbreak. The crowd started to move, shoving at each other. They rushed the stairs to get a good look at true love's frozen kiss. Cassandra could have fought them off if Rapunzel hadn't wrapped her arm around hers. She pulled Cassandra along. The bodyguard lost sight of the Queen and let herself be taken to the lower level. It was so much colder with each step she took towards the ice.
"Those guys are impressive," Eugene said complimenting the ice harvesters. The Prince was uneasy on the ice below him. There was quite a lot of glee and flailing arms as people tried to keep their balance. Many grabbed the ears of the performers. Far too many Lords were grabbing ice gaffs and saws and beginning to spar with them on the ice. Cassandra weaved through careless swings as Rapunzel kept pulling her along. When Princess reached the Frozen Couple, she immediately began examining the fresh scars on the ice.
"So, it can be cracked," she noted as she ran her hand over the ice. "It's pouring out cold."
That got Cassandra's attention. She reached out, and even grazing a thin cut ran a chill throughout her entire body.
"It really does a number on this alloy," Eugene said. He had Lord Kristoff's splitting bar in his hand. The metal had been eaten up, it was a garbled mess. Cassandra looked over Eugene's shoulder. The Ice Master wasn't yielding to any questions. He retreated far into a corridor. It was off-limits to anyone who wasn't on the Arendellian Council.
"Maybe we can get to her," Rapunzel was more than hopeful. It was a long shot considering how little ice was chipped away. Eugene magically had an axe in his hand. The handle looked brand new but the metal had been whittled down, there was nothing left to sharpen. It couldn't even be used to split wood. The couple hunched over whatever tools they could pry out of someone's hands. Cassandra let them follow that lead. She had to admit she was less worried about reaching the Ice Queen. Everyone's focus was on the wrong place. It was Anna who deserved to be seen. She was the one that needed to be thawed.
Cassandra looked up towards the Queen Regent's seat. Anna wasn't there anymore. The bodyguard assumed she had made her way down to the crowd, so she glided along the ice seeking her out. It was clear right away that Anna was not around. She was on everyone's tongue. The gossip was loud. There were many Arendellian accents telling stories of the Queen Regent's tantrums. They called her a child, a petulant one at that. They called her ill-fitting and worried she would mishandle Queen Elsa's gift to Arendelle. The bodyguard recognized this type of talk. She was often on the receiving end of it. It was the unfortunate cost of being authentic. A glance at Anna had told Cassandra she was no ordinary royal. No, Anna did not hide herself from anyone or for any reason. Grief was an ugly thing. The Queen Regent's pain was darker than any piece of funeral garb. It was blacker than the black heat Anna was now wearing around her neck. It made people uncomfortable.
The talk continued. It spread to other nobles from other countries. While Anna did have some sympathy and support, there was a lot to gossip about. Whether it be that Anna was set to marry a commoner, or that she did not have enough dignity to emote behind closed doors, the consensus seemed the same. Anna was not fit to be Queen. There was so much desire for Elsa to be released from her frozen prison. That's where all the hope lay. Everyone had an opinion of who would be a better leader for the ice trade if each country failed.
"She made a better Princess," an Arendellian woman said. Anna didn't have very many votes. Hearing so made Cassandra fume. "She can't put aside her feelings and get things done," another added. The bodyguard barged by them. Was she not walking through one of the Queen Regent's accomplishments? These ceremonies were a feat in and of themselves. This gathering was as large as Foreign Summits. And was being solely funded by Arendelle. To have this many countries attend was a great testament.
It didn't add up. Why was Anna so unfavourable when she managed to build such a grand event? The lure of Arendellian ice was honey. But Anna had already made several solid trade agreements within the last year. Corona did not need this event to cement dealings.
Cassandra was still scanning for the Queen but ever the solider, she opened up her resolve. She noticed the pattern. The majority of conversations about Anna were prompted by Arendellians. It was them who seeded earworms into their guests. They were fanning flames to any observation that implied ineptitude. Cassandra floated around listening. She didn't have a title, her presence was ignored by most. There were so many details to turn over. She tried to pick what was useful.
Cassandra took notice of groups of people deep in those topics. She listened for accents and read people's features. She tested if they got heated by adding in the odd counterargument. She noted rank and nobility and kept a wary eye. It wasn't a large group inciting the idle chatter, but it was catching on. Chatter about King Tarik pointed the conversation to question the Queen Regent.
Even fashion seemed to be tied to Cassandra's budding conspiracy. There seemed to be a trend in clothing and accessories that had not reached Corona. It seemed most prominent in the Southern Isles, but even Arendellians were wearing dual tones. Whether it be a pendant or broch, the center of the item was parted into two separate colors. The most prominent display was the Royals and their men from the Southern Isles. Their jackets were a deep gray tone on the left side and whatever style on the other. Even some military uniforms of Arendelle's guard had subtle tone differences. But they were there. Not only had Cassandra seen that on Anna's pendant, but it was also the look of the Queen's hair. The trend mirrored Anna's red hair opposing her blanched white side.
Maybe it was nothing, but it was still on Cassandra's mind as she made her way up the stairs. There was still a large crowd up there but there was space to move. She made her way to Anna's spot up on the terrace. It was cordoned off and the Captain of the Guard himself was stationed at the entrance.
"Nice uniform," Cassandra said as she noted that he was in fashion. She was glad to see the man. The strongest build in the room would only mean the Queen was nearby. "May I have an audience with Queen Anna?"
Captain Ioas shifted, making space for Cassandra to pass. He'd been reluctant to let Cass near Anna at last night's party. Anna was a bit buzzed when she told her guard that Cassandra always be let in. They went uninterrupted for almost a good hour. One the Captain made Cassandra pay for this morning as some of the guards got together to spar.
"She hasn't much time. Another performance is set to take the stage any minute," he answered.
Cass was happy to leave Captain Ioas behind. She found Anna crouched down next to her little snowman friend. They looked like they were in a two-person huddle. Like an underdog team offering up a prayer before their last play. Their focus was on an odd collection of things by their feet. It allowed Cassandra a chance to take Anna in. It felt like such a better use of her energy than the little bit of recon she'd done in the foyer.
Anna was wearing a different type of gown today. It was something she was more free to move in. The sleeves were long but they held a tight wrap around her arms. Though it was floor length, it was more of a tunic and had slits on either side. It was the odd squat position that showed off her legs. To be at equal height to Olaf she was on the tips of her toes with her knees in a deep bend and her bum sitting on her heels. Covered by the sheer fabric of tights, her legs were pointed out. She didn't seem to struggle to hold herself up in this silly frog-like position. By the look of her, Cassandra wouldn't expect Anna to get fatigued by anything. She was all muscle. Her legs were flexed and showed she was dedicated to some sort of craft. Her arms gave away what, she was welding something heavy. And was likely quick with her weapon at that.
Cassandra felt her stomach flip. Her mind was in the courtyard where she had spared this morning. And Anna's toned arms were coming at her. The sight of the Queen in action. That would likely render Cassandra useless; a fight her weak knees would never win. Maybe she groaned at the thought of it because something caused Anna to jump.
"Gods, you startled me," Anna's body sprung to a stand in response to the intruder.
"I didn't mean to interrupt. I thought you might be lonely in your tower. But I see you have a friend." The friend in question threw his body over a few trinkets, hiding them from Cassandra.
"Nothing to see here," he said.
"I can go," Cassandra offered. Anna's arms reached in objection.
"No, no, stay. This isn't really anything," she said. Even her fingers were strong as she pulled Cass down. "We are just looking at some things." Anna encouraged the snowman to trust Cass. He seemed relieved as he jumped up. There was no longer anything scattered on the floor. All the trinkets were stuffed into his belly and poking out of the snow. Anna started to pull at the items. Several of them were pebbles. But there were some items of interest too. A ring worth more than Cassandra's life and a tree nut. There was marble and a white pawn piece belonging to a chess set. As well as a note folded up and a gold coin.
"What's all this?" Cassandra asked the pair. Olaf was keen to answer, as Anna picked out a dried flower out of the snow. It was a white rose like the one Anna had held during Rapunzel's enchantment.
"We are collecting little things for our new friend Firn. She likes them." Just then Cassandra noticed something sharp poking out of Olaf. She leaned over to grab at it. It was little, she used two fingers to pinch it out. It was a white and grey marble toothpick. Cass spun it in her fingers.
"That's sweet to do for a new friend," she said. Anna was smiling at the rose in her hands, she'd managed to keep it from being damaged.
"Thanks," Anna was saying when her face dropped at the sight of the pick. The rose fell back to the ground. The Queen pounced forward, wrapping her hands over Cassandra. "Careful, that's sharp."
There was a shift in Anna, one Cassandra saw many times during Rapunzel's attempts to save Elsa. It was the gloss over her eyes she had in the foyer the night prior as she screamed out to see Elsa. She'd collapsed right after. Cass was ready to grab Anna now but the moment passed. She pulled the toothpick into her chest. The levity she had a moment ago was gone, replaced by her grief.
"Hey, will you meet me out in the courtyard later? Something is bugging me that I need you to fix." Cassandra asked. She made sure not to have a grave tone but it concerned Anna no less.
"Of course," she answered. The Capitan approached. The interlude was over. It was time for the thawing ceremonies to continue. Before Cassandra was escorted out she pulled at a thread in her jacket and popped off a silver button. She handed it to Olaf.
Out in the courtyard, Cassandra had worked up quite the unladylike sweat. It built up at her brow and ran the side of her face. It was exhilarating. Her muscles hurt but it was a small price to pay to have a man on his ass in front of her. She was on the receiving end of many insults she hadn't heard in a while. Cassandra had made a name for herself in Corona. It was rare nowadays that people tested her for being a girl. A few royal guards regretted in now as she best yet another. Rapunzel whooped out. She was cheering her bodyguard on as if she wasn't more than capable of doing the same. Most soldiers were booing or harassing the men who failed to prove their masculinity. It all died down as a set of heeled footsteps approached.
"Your majesty," a member of Arendelle's guard said. He fell into a respectful bow.
"Aye, what do we have here?" Anna asked as she approached. The ceremonies were over for the day. The performances had failed but the party was a great success. It bled out to all corners of the castle. In the courtyard, the sparring, booze, and gambling were in full swing. The space was full of foreign royals and military men. The Princes of the Southern Isles were busy betting against Cassandra. The Queen joining their festivities seemed to have sullied their mood. But Cass knew that wouldn't last long.
"These men are having trouble besting me today," she answered as she threw a look over her shoulder. Prince Caleb was paying Eugene a fair sum of coin. Cassandra had finished humiliating one of their men. "Would you like to give it a try?"
Anna cued into what Cass had meant back on the terrace. "But I outrank you," she answered evenly.
"That's a cop-out," Eugene egged the men around him on by shaking his ever-growing pouch. It rattled right in Prince Caleb's ear.
"Well have any of the Princes sparred?" Anna asked.
"I haven't," Eugene answered. "But I can admit when I don't have what it takes to best a woman."
"I doubt it would be a serious brawl. I'd love to just be included in the game," Anna added. Captain Ioas had been at her flank. He didn't seem to have any objections. Quite the opposite. He made his way to the weapons table.
"I don't fight girls," Prince Pietro interjected. His brother stiffened, peeved that Pietro had decided to engage.
"Perhaps that was your man's problem. You can't beat something you've never laid hands on," Cassandra mocked.
"That's enough Cassie, grab your earnings and call it a night." The Queen chastised. Prince Caleb had his arm out in front of his brother but Pietro ignored his rank.
"Let's have it then Princess. It's your party after all." He said as he made his way to the centre of the group. All eyes were on Anna, who smiled wide like the outcast being passed the ball. She was playing her part well.
"Let's take it easy on each other," the Queen Regent practically sang. Captain Ioas rejoined her and handed her a large halberd axe. Cassandra loved being right. She saw the gleam in the Queen's eye. Anna spread her arms apart as she gripped the base and neck of her axe. She gave it a few small swings to stretch out those muscles Cass had admired earlier.
"Whenever you're ready," Anna said as her stance widened. The crowd had to move back as everyone noticed her weapon would have a wide reach. The long axe was a great partner for Anna's build. The staff was light, it held all its power on the head. Anna was petite, she'd have speed and reach in her favour. Prince Pietro had two swords at his side. They were lighter metals, strange for a man as thick as him. His body did not have any of the slender grace gifted to his older brother. He would likely swing fast. His hits would have his weight behind them. While it looked like the fight was unfair, Cassandra could tell they would be well-matched. The crowd was about to get their money's worth.
Queen Anna was the first to advance. Her swing was careless. Pietro only had one sword drawn. He barely had to move to press close to Anna. His smile was cocky. Cassandra wanted to laugh. Men were so easy to prop up. Anna did again. Pietro somehow missed how solid her stance was. Her novice strikes were a ruse. When he poked at her again he collided against the belly of the axe's shaft. She held it parallel to the ground. It was a decent defense. Pietro didn't pull back, he wanted to rub a warning in her face.
Anna smirked. She pulled her weapon to the side, still fighting the force Pietro pressed into it. The yank was fast. It caused a spark. The blade of Pietro's sword got caught by the beak of the axe. Anna's force ripped the sword right out of the Prince's hand. It went flying across the courtyard. Pietro stumbled. The inertia took him down to a knee. Was it really already over?
Anna sucked in a breath through her teeth. "Sorry, I forgot we were taking it easy." She stepped back to let the man recover. He did with his second sword high above his head, a strike like that could end a life. It was all power and no tact. Anna sidestepped and drove the butt end of her weapon into his back. She could have turned the axe around on him and had the blade up against the back of his neck. But instead, she stepped forward. Captain Ioas picked up the discarded sword and offered it to her. She received it only to throw it at the Prince's feet.
"I think it's safe to say, you can give me all you got." Cassandra got caught up wondering if Anna's voice could ever be anything but sweet. But the words themselves conveyed the sass her tone could not. Pietro did as he was told as if he was a humble servant of the Queen Regent. With both swords in hand, he was the soldier Cassandra sized him up to be. He had Anna on the defensive.
The onslaught of his blades was fast and heavy. Anna had to react fast. She tilted the length of her axe and angled it against his blows. But they pushed back at her. The first few she was able to deflect but Pietro kept building. Anna got her own fist to face as the swords pushed far enough back at her. Cassandra could see the tendons in Anna's wrist pop out, as she gripped her weapon over her face. A knee to the stomach, got the Prince to ease off. But he gave Anna no room to recover. This time his force knocked her back. Anna fell, but by choice, his weight followed. She dug a knee into his gut and guided the Prince forward flipping him into the ground. She slid herself along the stone to avoid his body crashing down on her.
He caught himself despite his hold on his swords. But he did not have Anna's agility. When he turned back to the fray Anna had a heel coming at him. Putting the entirety of her weight into it, she clocked his face and used it as leverage to jump back. She earned a second to use her axe to stretch out her body and roll her neck. That was three wins already. Had Anna led with the beak of her axe, Eugene would already be collecting their earnings. Prince Pietro did not seem to be counting as he rushed the Queen again. Anna was done playing. She was not on the defense anymore. She dropped down, narrowly avoiding the cross of two blades aimed to take Anna's head. She swung her body around and swept the head of her axe at Pietro's feet. The big man fell. If he was made of ice he might have shattered on the stone beneath him. Anna did not bother to point her weapon at the fallen Prince. She offered out her hand instead. The crowd was getting loud. Pietro had to accept.
Cassandra didn't realize that she was screaming. She and Rapunzel were on their feet cheering and laughing and hugging. Eugene was running around with an open purse. The bodyguard took in the scene around her. She and the Princess weren't the only ones boasting. Anna was receiving a merciful bow from Prince Caleb. Captain Ioas rounded his protege and they exchanged a warrior's handshake. There was a shift in the air. The crowd was surprised by Anna. Cassandra felt like she'd planted her own seed. Anna's skills would continue to cultivate it. Cassandra wanted Arendelle to see the spark inside of the Queen that had drawn her in. That light approached Cassandra from behind.
"Come with me," Anna whispered into the bodyguard's ear. The Queen was on her tiptoes one moment and then taking off the next. Rapunzel gave Cass a smile coupled with raised eyebrows. Cassandra didn't have time to react to it. She turned and followed the Queen out to the halls. Anna held nothing back as she kept running. It was evident she didn't care whose head she turned. Cassandra kept up but stayed at a distance. She was far too entranced by the slight cock of Anna's head when she turned back to check if Cassandra was still in tow.
Anna led them to the royal gardens, where she stopped dead in her tracks and bent over to catch her breath. The adrenaline was coming out of her threw winded exhales. "I can't believe we just did that. Wow." Anna had he hands on her knees as she steadied herself. After a moment, she stood and faced the bodyguard. "Seriously Cassandra, thank you."
"That was all you," she answered. She could feel her smile stretch out her cheek muscles.
"I guess. I dunno. I needed the push though." Anna's confidence waivered a bit as she started pacing the gardens. Cassandra followed. "It's so easy for me to fall into my old ways of thinking," Anna admitted. Her eyes were bouncing from flower to flower. She seemed uncomfortable, not with Cassandra's presence but perhaps her words.
"I grew up feeling useless," Anna continued. She was fidgeting with the pendant at her neck, thumbing the side that was made of ice. "Like I was something you can't get rid of on the off chance you might need it someday. Something you hide away somewhere it won't get lost. But life goes on and you forget you put it."
Cassandra's first instinct was to reach out and shake Anna. How would a person who had schooled so many men be that hard on herself? But Cassandra regressed. Anna was sharing the answer. "I always thought my parents' love, and time, and energy belonged only to Elsa. They spent every minute making her the perfect Queen. And I was forgotten at the bottom of a drawer somewhere."
Anna stopped and turned to the bodyguard. Cassandra had nothing to offer her. "I'm sorry," was all she had.
"Don't be. It's silly. I know the truth now and trust me, Cass, it was nothing like that. But I can't help but feel inferior, underprepared, and weak. It's so easy for me to feel small again. I have to remind myself that my father forced back the reach of the throne. He left Elsa and in turn me, with a fragile power. He sold it off to the Lords to keep Elsa from ultimate control. Now they are both gone and my position is weak." The explanation made sense. There seemed to be a lack of respect for Anna's position, even as Regent. Cassandra knew how far Arendelle fell from grace when they closed their gates. They did not hold anyone's interest until news of Elsa's coronation broke.
"Your parent's failure isn't yours," Cassandra tried to offer Anna something more. She believed in this warrior Queen. "It only takes a few drops of blood to be royal. You have everything you need to best all expectations. Don't go putting yourself in your collection of little things, Anna."
Anna cleared her throat a bit. She wasn't holding back tears. They were freely collecting at the corner of her eyes. Still, she choked a bit and banged a closed fist over her chest.
"Are you alright?" Cass tried not to be alarmed.
"Yeah, I'm just feeling something I haven't in a long while." Anna, who left the pages of her book open for anyone to read, said. Cassandra knew to be weary. The Queen had a broken heart, even if pieced together, it belonged to her sister. But there was that spark in Anna's eye. It told Cassandra she wasn't alone in feeling wistful. Always one to proceed with caution, Cassandra folded up her feelings. She fought the urge to reach down and pull the Queen in and smiled at Anna instead. She hadn't meant it to be a lure but Anna stepped in closer.
"That's promising," Cass found herself saying. Anna sighed as if she was surprising herself. She made the same choice Cassandra had. Anna tucked her chin into her chest and pushed herself into the bodyguard's arms. Cass encircled her. A week ago she was setting sail to Arendelle. Now Cassandra was holding their Queen, making her mark on this little country's future.