Frozen does not belong to me. This is pure fanfiction.
Oh Gods! I am deeply sorry for taking so long in the upload of this chapter. It's just that work is consuming me.
But since I got 5 reviews I felt I should at least be grateful with those fellow readers who took their time to write a review. It does encourage me to continue.
I hope you enjoy it. Sorry for my grammar if I missed any mistake.
Chapter 12. Be our guest
A man in his fifties was descending from the ship start when he glanced at the castle beyond. "The people of Arendelle look very happy. Don't you think Captain?"
"Aye. I wonder what would be the cause for such enthusiasm."
The guard who was taking care of the luggage approached them "That'd be because the Queen and Princess themselves are participating in this years' celebration."
The old man spoke "I see. Nice ladies I presume?"
"They are the nicest sir. Princess Anna even spends some time and practices with us. And she's pretty good with the sword too."
The Captain was surprised. Not every day one would hear about a girl, and even less a Princess that would wield with her own guards.
"What about your Snow Queen?" asked the older man.
The guard smiled. "Her Majesty the Queen is loved by everyone. She always cares about us guards that we eat and sleep well. Along with the Princess they treat us as equals. All those rumors that her magic is dangerous we don't believe 'em. Someone as beautiful as our Queen could never be evil. Nah! If you ask me, I bet that Weasel of Duke is the one that spread those stupid rumors."
"Now that's what I call a loyal guard." Exclaimed the old man. "And Captain you might need to arrange that hair of yours a little, since we are about to meet a Queen and a Princess."
"Aye, sir."
...
They were in the Great Hall. Elsa had been sitting in a chair she had conjured, and was watching Anna and Kristoff moving graciously along the dancing floor. Olaf was teaching them the waltz. Anna and Kristoff had been dancing for two day by now.
If you could call that dancing. The Queen thought.
For the moment the only improvement Kristoff has made was to finally differentiate a waltz from a polka.
Still the Princess and snowman never faltered in teaching the ice harvester the basic movements. Anna was sure a persistent person. And so was Olaf. "One, two, three...one, two, three..." The snowman recited. "Well done Kristoff, this time you just step on Anna once."
Soon Kai entered the room and approached the Queen.
"Excuse me Your Majesty I was just informed by Oskar that our guest the King of Rosendelle has arrived."
"Thank you Kai, you can lead him to the living room and ask Oskar to take his luggage to his room."
"Of course Your Majesty. But..." he paused.
"What is it Kai?" asked Anna who had been listening to the conversation. "Ouch!"
"Sorry." Kristoff apologized for stepping again in her feet.
"It happens that the King didn't came alone. He is accompanied by a young man. Oskar told me he was the Captain of the ship in which the King arrived."
Elsa thought for a moment.
"Listen Kai inform Gerda to prepare a room for the Captain and send my apologies to them for the inconvenience. I know you are all busy with the extra work the Council has brought."
The man bowed "It's our job Your Majesty. Then I shall lead them to the living room." and he left.
Elsa stood up. "Anna, I'm going to attend our guests. I think you should come as well. You know he was papa's old friend."
"You're right. Kristoff do you want to come?"
"Do I have to act regal and stuff?" he asked.
"Not really." The blonde said "If my memory is correct, he used to be a man who didn't act very regal himself."
"Then I'll go."
"Do you think he likes warm hugs?"
The other three laughed at Olaf's question.
"I don't know Olaf, maybe he does. Let's find out." said Anna.
And the four of them walked together to the living room.
...
Kristoff opened the door and let the girls and snowman enter.
A soon as the Princess entered a tall bulky man in, gray-dark hair and moustache with a scar near to one of his eyes ran towards Anna and embraced her in a bear hug. If it weren't for his tiny glasses and tender smile one would say the man was a retired pirate.
"Princess Anna! Sweet child you look so beautiful. Good thing you only inherited Agdy's hair. I hope you remember this old geezer".
Anna mumble something incomprehensible.
"Did you say something?" the man said.
"I... can't...breathe" said Anna almost out of breath.
King Frederick let her go. "Excuse my manners Your Highness. I'm just excited to see you both." He then turned to the older sister. "And by the seven seas! Queen Elsa, you are the vivid image of your dear mother Idun."
Elsa thanked God, the man didn't ran to hug her. She may have control of her powers now, but thirteen years of isolation had left in her a mark. She was still not accustomed to human touch. Only Anna was the exception to the rule.
"It is so nice to see you again King Frederik. Also, allow me to introduce you to our Ice Master and Deliverer Mister Kristoff Bjorgman. He is courting my sister. And this is..."
"Hi, I'm Olaf and I like warm hugs!" the snowman launched himself to the young man who was standing behind the King"
"What the …?!" the Captain yelled.
"Olaf! …Er…You'll have to excuse our snowman Captain. He really, really likes hugs." said the Queen to the young man, while Kristoff pulled Olaf apart.
"Is he really made of ice?" the Captain man asked her. It surprised Elsa that he didn't sound angry but more interested in the snowman instead.
"Yes. Elsa made him with her magic. We still don't know why he is alive though." Explained Anna taking a seat in the couch with her boyfriend.
"You'll have to excuse our behavior gentlemen, since our family is not an ordinary one." The Queen pointed out. "And Captain I hope you do not mind a little bit of weirdness in the Castle."
"On the contrary Your Majesty." the young man commented as he passed his right hand through his dark brown hair. "Maybe it's my turn to sing this time: mirror, mirror on the wall who is the weirdest of them all."
Did he just… Moved by a deja-vù feeling Elsa who was busy separating Olaf from the young man, turned to look at him quickly. He was taller than her. He was wearing a navy blue suit and white shirt underneath. His hair was dark brown and it reached his neck and looked a bit messy. At first sight he could be identified as one member of the Naval Army but there was something else. His posture and way of talking belonged to a man raised by highborn family. Then something called the Queen's attention. He was wearing a golden insignia, with a Wolf engraved in it. Elsa recognized the insignia as the Royal Coat of Arms of Rosendelle.
She then looked at his face. Thin nose, white but tanned skin and blue dark eyes. He raised one eyebrow at her. He was testing her. The young Captain was playing with her.
Could it be? Derek? She thought. "Cap…I mean your Highness, I must admit it never came to my mind that the mysterious Captain was in fact you."
The young man bowed at her.
"My sincerest apologies Your Majesty. Indeed, my father the King intended to travel alone in his frigate. But his eyesight ..."
The Prince was interrupted by a loud cough. He and Elsa turned to look at King Frederik who was giving at his son a severe look.
The young royal sighed. Elsa laughed internally by the old man's reaction. He was stubborn as she remembered. She wondered if her father, if he were still alive would become also as stubborn and childish as his friend. Probably, but if her mother were still alive too, she would put her husband at the line as she used to.
The Prince cleared his throat. Elsa turned her attention to him again.
"As you can imagine Your Majesty, I just wanted to give some company to my father because…"
Elsa raised her hand and he stopped talking. "There is no need for explanation for that. I understand the feeling, believe me." Elsa made a pause. There hadn't been a single day that she didn't regret to insist more to her parents to cancel that trip. "And by all means, you are very much welcome to stay with us Your Highness."
"Once again, thank you. And if her Majesty has not forgotten, I would like to make a request for the way I shall be addressed as. About my title, uhm…" his hand rubbed his hair.
Another déjà vu sensation made Elsa smile faintly. And once again she interrupted him.
"No need to refresh my memory Captain. Though it's been years, I can still recall we both shared the same idea about being addressed by our nobility titles."
He raised his eyes to meet hers.
"Good memory, as always." He teased her.
"Quite." She responded proudly.
"I only have one question?"
"Be free to ask."
"By which name shall I call my old partner in crime? As I recall, she responded to three names, one of them very hard to pronounce I must add." He smirked.
Elsa lost for a moment her regal mask and a frown appeared in her features. Though he didn't reveal the names, she knew exactly which names were: her real name Elsa, Winter and the way Derek used to call her to tease her Adele Dazeem.
"I believe you are smart enough to know which one." She said coldly. "Prince Derr..." She stopped before she finished to pronounce the name.
"You would not dare." He whispered in a serious tone. He was not smiling anymore.
It was the Prince turn to lose his regal posture and look upset at her.
Elsa raised one eyebrow and looked at him daringly. Her message was clear as water.
Try me Derry.
They both locked eyes frowning at each other.
An inner voice in Elsa's mind was telling her to behave since she was in front of a King, a Prince and her family. But that voice strength was weak in comparison to her pride. She was feeling like a little girl again against the boy who dared to choose the same hiding spot many years ago. She didn't know what was inciting her to act so childish. Maybe it was because they used to be friends? Or was it because they also used to be rivals? Whatever it was, she was not going to lose that easily.
...
For a moment none of them said a word. They were just staring at each other. The Prince stare was serious and calculating but Elsa's eyes were full of determination.
From a corner Anna and Kristoff looked at each other.
"What is going on?" The Ice Man whispered.
"I have absolutely no idea."
"Why are they looking at each other like they want to strangle each other? It's creeping me out." Kristoff said.
King Frederik who was sitting next to the fireplace with Olaf said loud enough for Anna and Kristoff to hear him.
"Let them be. All those years and they still play that game." He said smiling and taking out a little book from his coat.
"Game?" asked Kristoff. "What kind of game? Who looks the scariest?"
"I told you, I never understood their weird friendship." Anna said as she quoted with her hands as she said the word friendship.
Then the Prince blinked twice.
"Damn it Elsa!" He cursed.
Elsa smiled mischievously at him "I think I win. Again."
"Wait a minute." Said Kristoff loudly. "Were you two playing stare?"
The Queen and Prince blinked and turned confused to look at Kristoff.
"Well, of course." They both said as if it were the most obvious thing the world.
"And Derek just lost. Again."
"Oh come on Elsa. If you were sailing for a week in the sea your eyes would be also dehydrated."
"You and your poor excuses. I see you are still a bad loser."
"And you are still a bad winner."
"Well, at least you matured enough to accept that I won this time."
They were now back to back with their arms crossed.
Kristoff felt as Anna's hand closed his jaw.
"See?" the Princess said as her arms closed. "I told you, one moment they could be considered acquaintances, even seen as friends but then well… whatever this is called, happened every single time." She said pointing at her sister and the Prince.
"Are they going to stay like that or what? Shouldn't we do something?" Kristoff asked.
"You are probably right. I better intervene, before they start babbling about who is best in chess."
And then, the Princess walked towards them.
...
"Prince Derek? I hope you remember me as well." Anna questioned as she stood up and approached near Elsa.
Soon, Elsa and the Prince seemed to forget their little argument and turned to look at Anna.
The Prince bowed in front of Anna.
"Pardon my manners Princess Anna. And no, I would never forget you. And please, call me Derek only, since we were friends once."
"Just Anna. Once friends always friends right." She smiled happily.
"Well, just Anna, I hope you are not still getting in trouble."
Kristoff who was now standing next to Anna rolled his eyes "If she only could".
"Hey!" Anna punched him in the arm.
"Sorry" Kristoff muttered.
...
The King laughed. Elsa turned to look at him. He was resting in the sofa cleaning his glasses.
"As always, a visit to Arendelle can never be boring. If only Agdy and Idun were here." He said.
Feeling the sadness in the King's words Elsa and Anna shared a look. Without even speaking they both joined the King in the living room.
Behind them, Derek and Kristoff followed them.
A few minutes later Elsa and Anna were sitting in a sofa while Kristoff and the Derek In the other. Olaf was sitting in the floor, his big black eyes fixed in the King; though giving quick glances to the fireplace.
The King was telling them a story when the young versions of Prince Agdar, Prince Alexander of Corona and himself used to attend to the Naval Academy of Corona.
"And since Agdy lost the bet he had to jump to the icy water. But what we didn't expect was that at the exact moment that Agdy got out of the lake Mayor Armstrong appeared out of nowhere and well Alex and I ran as fast as we could. Agdy, was not so lucky and he bumped into the man."
"And then what happened to papa?" asked a very excited Anna.
The old man smiled. "Well, let's just say poor Agdy became a dirt freak since he had to clean and polish the Mayor's boots for three months."
They all laughed.
"Elsa did you ever polished someone's boots?" asked Kristoff.
"What? No." the Queen said. "Why the sudden strange question Kristoff?"
But it was Anna who responded instead.
"Duh. Because you are also a dirt freak. I mean, I can understand why papa became that way, but you always keep everything in place."
"I see no fault in having order in things." Defended the Queen.
"I agree." Said Derek.
"Oh please." Said Anna "Derek order is fine, buy my sister goes beyond that. Can you believe Elsa forbids the castle staff to move her things in her study? I once borrowed a quill and she noticed. She noticed!"
Elsa sighed. That's because you left chocolate fingertips in my desk.
King Frederik laughed. "Ha! My cub here has the same issue I'm afraid. One day when he was staying home for vacations, he rearranged and cleaned all the books from the library. The noise at night drove his older brother crazy, since his room is under the library."
"Just like Elsa does almost every month. She cleans every single bookshelf and book by herself!" Kristoff blurted out.
Soon everyone except Derek and Elsa were laughing. Elsa who was starting to feel embarrassed soon felt a tingle in her neck. Instinct made her turn her head to her right where she met the Prince's stare.
He made a half smiled and shrugged.
She shrugged as well and showed a simple smile.
Soon both broke the eye contact and Elsa turned to look towards the fireplace. Where Olaf was really close to it.
Wait what?!
"Olaf! What are you doing?" She said.
Everyone stopped laughing and turned to look at the little snowman whose face was starting to melt already.
"I wasn't going to touch it." The snowman excused himself as he turned to look at Elsa.
"Odin's beard! He is melting!" yelled the King.
"Not to worry. Olaf come here, please." Pleaded Elsa at her friend.
The snowman did three jumps and landed in front of Elsa.
With a swift of her hand Elsa froze Olaf's body and fixed his face.
"Thank you Elsa."
"You're welcome Olaf."
"Incredible!"
Elsa almost jumped when she heard Derek voice so close to her. She didn't even noticed when the Prince stood up and approached the snowman.
"I know, Elsa's magic can take your breath away, no matter how many time you see it." Said Anna.
"I still cry every time I see her ice palace." Said Kristoff with watery eyes.
"You made an ice palace?!" asked her Derek with his eyes wide open.
Elsa nodded with her head. She was starting to feel even more embarrassed for all the attention everyone was giving her for just a simple wave of her hand.
Please someone say something else. Anything.
Funny how irony works, since someone else did say something else. But not the way she was expecting for.
"Elsa are you going to jail?" asked Olaf out of the blue.
"Wait what?!" said Anna, Kristoff and Elsa at the same time.
Derek was looking at her and the King looked perplexed.
"I…I beg your pardon. Olaf did you say jail?" asked perplexed Elsa to the snowman who was resting in her legs and smiling innocently.
"About an hour ago, I though Derek called you his partner in crime. Did I hear wrong?" explained the snowman.
"Uhm, no you did not." She said.
"So are you going to jail or not?" Olaf asked.
"Elsa what's going on?" asked Anna.
"Well, that's how we used to call each other as children." The Queen explained.
"Is this another weird game of yours?" wondered Kristoff. "Or why on Earth two kids would call themselves as partners in crime."
"Er…"Elsa didn't know what to say. Somehow she didn't feel like revealing the time she and Derek sneaked out from the castle in order to attend to the Winter's Fair.
"Uhm, well you see…" she started. But before she could continue the Prince spoke for her.
"That mate" he said to Kristoff "is because Elsa and I used to borrow chocolates from the kitchen. A low degree crime, but still not allowed."
At the mention of the word borrow he made the hand sign of imaginary quotes.
"Ohhhh. Is that forbidden then?" Olaf looked at Elsa. "Anna and I do that all the time. She said that nobody would car..." but he couldn't finish the sentence since the Princess right hand was now covering his mouth.
"Well... it's been fun and all but we need to go. You see… we have to do… the thing in that place. Don't we Kristoff?"
"Uhm, ouch…I mean yeah the thing right. Uhm, see ya."
And they left leaving the Queen, the Prince and his father.
Derek turned to look at Elsa. He raised an eyebrow. Somehow she understood the message.
"You'll get used to it." she answered.
"Well, it's been a wonderful evening but even a marine like me needs a good nap in a real bed after a week in the ocean." The King said.
Soon Elsa rang a bell and Kai came.
"You called Your Majesty."
"Yes Kai, would you be so kind to escort King Frederik to his chambers. And also I was wondering what news do you have about our other guest room?"
"The room will be ready for disposal in an hour."
"Excellent. Which room is it?" she asked.
"The one nearest to the library."
Elsa half-smiled at the irony. He got exactly the same room as before.
"Good. You and the ones that are preparing the room can take a break after you finish. You deserve it. I will lead our guest to his room myself."
"But Your Majesty..."
"I Insist." she said in her authoritative tone. "You and the staff have done more than enough, I cannot ask more of your time. Now please, if you may escort his Majesty to his chambers."
"Heavens! Not only had you inherited Idun's beauty but her character too." The king exclaimed.
"Indeed she did" muttered Kai to the King.
Another royal might even get his steward executed for speaking his mind but Elsa was different. She considered Kai as family and was more that flattered when sometimes he would compare her to one of her parent's qualities.
The King started to chat with the steward about his trip and both men left.
Elsa sighed as the Prince took a sit in the same couch she was, next to her.
None of them spoke for a while, and remained watching the fire in the fireplace.
Soon Derek pulled towards them the coffee table with a chess in it. He started putting the black pieces in their places.
Elsa understanding his message, started to arrange the white ones.
So many things were in her mind at the moment. She wanted ask him so many things and also share with him some events about her life. But not any of the sort she said. Instead she asked casually:
"So you are a Captain now?"
"Aye." He answered as his knight moved in L to the middle of the chess set. "I went to the same Academy my father and yours went. It's been a year since I graduated."
"Aren't you too young to have the title of Captain?" she said as her bishop took one of his towers.
"Good one." He congratulated her. "And answering your question. Yes I am. I actually studied Maritime trades and took courses of strategy tactics. I got the title of Captain by vote just recently."
"Really? How so?" she said trying to hide her discomfort when Derek's knight took hers in an intelligent move.
"Marines can decide who their Captain will be by vote. The latest Captain of the Jackdaw, the ship in which we arrived today, he…"
"Yes?"
"He retired suddenly. He loves the sea but his eyesight is no longer what used to be. So, since I was already used to the size and crew of the ship I got promoted."
Elsa noticed a bit of sadness in his voice.
"You don't sound so happy for it." She said as she took his other bishop with her Queen.
"You got me." He laughed sincerely. "You see this is my first trip as a Captain."
"Derek that's great. Congratulations." She said smiling at him.
He smiled back.
"I know, it's just…"
"What's troubling you?"
"Uhm…you see, the former Captain, my mentor, happens to be also the King of Rosendelle and my father."
Elsa understood why he was feeling so upset.
"You feel that you are taking from him what he loves the most isn't it?"
"How…how did you knew?"
Elsa shrugged as she moved another of her pieces changing her strategy.
"Let's just say I am familiar with the feeling of guilt. But, you should not feel sad about it. You should be grateful you can share your happiness with your father. I remember your father used to say that one day you would take the helm one day. I bet he must be very proud of you."
...
Derek looked down as he protected his King with the left tower. He couldn't believe how easily she had deciphered what was troubling him for months. And in less than an hour she had managed to make him feel better. Even proud to be Captain of his father's ship.
He turned his gaze towards her once more. He gave her a small smile as thanking her and she returned the smile. In an instant he felt even more relaxed. But still there was something that was bothering him. Elsa had mentioned she was familiar with the feeling of guilt. Elsa? The Elsa of Arendelle guilty of something?
He wanted to ask her but he was afraid how she could react. They might have been childhood friends but she was still a Queen and he just a Prince recently promoted to Captain.
"Uhm Elsa…can I ask you something?"
"What is it?" she said still looking at him.
"What did you mean when you said you were also familiar with the guilty feeling?"
She paled a bit and her eyes looked sad. Soon her gaze went to the chess game. She remained quiet.
Derek wanted to kick himself hard. He had stepped in a sensible zone for the young blond.
Stupid! You had to ask!
"Uhm…you know what. You do not have to answer me anything. I apologize, I didn't mean to… as you can see, I'm still that silly brainless boy, only with longer hair." he was having trouble with formulating words.
She let out a laugh. "Indeed, although now it seems you and the comb have come into terms of peace." She said returning to her normal self.
He laughed as well. "My hair has come to an agreement with the comb yes."
"Still, you got it quite spiky in the front. Maybe you should ask Anna for a suggestion. You wouldn't recognize her with her bed hair."
"Really? Anna? But her hair looks perfectly brushed." he said. He was glad Elsa sounded even more relaxed now.
"They might say I can do magic; but I if you ask any woman the power of turning your mess of hair into something beautiful as Anna's hair, nobody would deny that's the real magic."
They both laughed.
"Now I'm intrigued, is there anything else I should add to my personal list of must do and see in Arendelle before I leave." Said Derek.
"There are many things in Arendelle, yes. If you want I can show you some of them if time permits it."
"Sounds great. Let me write it down." He said as he wrote in a little notebook a list of things he should do in Arendelle.
"Oh my God, you weren't joking. You do carry a list." Exclaimed Elsa laughing.
"Don't tell me you wouldn't do the same Your Majesty." He teased her.
"Fine. Fine. You win this time. I would probably do exactly the same".
"See. You can have also matured enough to admit when I'm right."
"Uhm, maybe." She said. "Maybe you should add this to the list."
"What is it? Another must see?" he asked excited.
"Indeed. In fact I can show it to you right know."
"Excellent. What is it? How is it called?"
"Just look down Captain." She said.
Derek didn't understand what she meant but he looked down where the chess was.
"I don't understand Els…wait what?!..." he said as he saw the arrangements of the pieces more carefully.
He turned to look at her.
"How did…when did….?" He muttered still astonished.
"I believe the proper name for this is Check Mate if I'm correct." She said proudly.
"Ha, ha…so funny Elsa. I am not adding that to my list." He said. "Anyway, great game."
"Likewise. It's been a while since I played chess."
"What about Anna?"
"She does play with me some time to time, although she is more of a girl of playing in the outside. She is the adventurous one."
"I understand." He said. "Anyway, talking about adventures, did you get any luck finding any ghost while I was gone?"
...
After having dinner with the Rosendalle royals and the King of Corona (Anna's and Elsa's uncle), who had arrived late that night, everybody had retired early to bed since the Council would be starting since very early in the morning.
The bell of the grandfather's clock from the Painting room marked midnight and Elsa who was still very awake was looking at herself in the nightstand mirror. She still wondered what clothes and hairstyle would be the most appropriate for the week's Council. Anna had pointed out that she should attend in her regular Ice Queen attire. But something was bothering her. Her ice dress did called the attention of many people.
She didn't want to be bothered about what Uncle Alexander had implied at, but here she was worrying about something she had never considered before.
"I must warn your dear niece" the King of Corona had said. "With that beauty and you being a young Queen, more than one of the Council attendants will seek a different kind of alliance with Arendelle. Just be careful dear."
Suitors. Elsa frowned at her own reflection.
She could handle a few hours acting regal-as Anna had mentioned before- Elsa was a natural diplomat.
But this was different. How can a girl who had spent thirteen years avoiding human contact manage a man with different kind of "diplomatic intentions".
Maybe Kristoff is right, the Ice Queen outfit might scare them a bit.
But fear was something Elsa would never use to rule.
"No! Fear is out of the table." She said to her reflection.
The voice of Derek came to her mind. He hadn't speak much at dinner. None of them had, since King Alexander and his old friend King Frederik were the talkative ones.
He said "You could try this: just be yourself. Add a bit of Elsa to the touch." And then he returned to his food.
A bit of Elsa? What's that supposed to mean?!
Derek hadn't change a bit. He was still an enigma to Elsa. But what he said had given her an idea. She would wear a normal formal dress similar to the one she wore to her coronation. A dress so simple and boring that would maintain suitors bored of it and so away from her. But instead of putting her hair in a bun she would keep it in her usual braid and maybe also keep the ice shoes. She looked at her reflection once more and decided her decision was finally made.
As for the unpleasant suitors, if she could handle Anna's snoring she could handle a bunch of Hans Westergards as guests. And if not, she could always introduce them to Marshmallow in the process.