Note:

Just as I thought I was not going to have an update – BAM! Update. This was supposed to be about 8,000 words, but AGAIN my crew believed it made more sense being on its' own. Eighteen will be up when they are done hacking at it. Thanks for sticking around gang!

[x] Song: "Be The One" (acoustic version) by Sinéad Harnett, from her 2019 album "Lessons In Love"

Disclaimer:

I do not own Frozen at all – I just own this fanfiction and my OC's and the plot.

Happy Reading!

-JQ

Chapter Seventeen: Meet Me in Vennesvurg

It had been about an hour since Elsa left Tina's guestroom and the princess was nowhere near close to falling asleep now. After her intense and enthralling 'conversation' with Elsa, she was on a high that she never wanted to come down from. While it certainly didn't solve her and Elsa's main problem of not being able to be together – and what to do going forward – the princess could at least find solace in the knowledge that the ice wielder's hesitancy to remain friends was due to the strength of their mutual feelings for one another.

So Tina tossed and turned in her bed, restless due to the lingering feeling of Elsa's lips on her own. In addition, she couldn't shake the feeling of the blonde's hands on her waist...it was all just too much for the princess to take. For as inexperienced as Elsa claimed to be (and with what everyone had insinuated this far), she was incredibly gentle and an incredibly fast learner. Tina groaned and sighed; she had fought an honourable battle against the sheets and pillows but no matter what position she tried to settle in, she just couldn't get comfortable.

[x]

It was official.

The ice wielder had ruined her forever.

Ruined her from a good night's sleep.

Ruined her from ever wanting any other person again.

Instead of sleeping, she got out of bed and walked over to one of her bags that she kept with her. She scavenged through in search of her notebook. She had an idea and she hoped that it would help settle her mind so that she could fall asleep.

...

It was around noon in Arendelle. The sun was high in the sky and there were very few clouds hovering around. All things considered, it was a beautiful day. However, the sounds of footmen and maids hollering orders at one another made it clear that it was not an ordinary day at the castle.

It was time for the Botarskalic Princess and her entourage to leave Arendelle for Vennesvurg. The carriages were all packed up and ready for travel. Queen Anna had also taken the liberty of providing the soldiers with a new map for the trip. She had been in constant discussions with Vennesvurg's royal council, over the last few weeks – something about her knowledge of the princess' visit to Vennesvurg.

Anna didn't quite understand it, but she felt as though the arranged marriage between King Karl and Princess Tina was not supposed to be common knowledge. She told Vennesvurg's council that she believed the princess' trip was for public relations purposes. She made up some random story that she thought King Hallgrimur was trying to re-establish his kingdom's public image before his eldest daughter took the throne (a suggestion by Arnold). Anna knew that this entire deal seemed suspicious and she decided to hold her tongue. She promised herself that she would write to the Crown Princess of Botarskal to discuss her concerns with the deal once the visitors had left.

"I really mean it this time," Anna said holding Arnold and Tina's hands in hers, "please be careful."

"Hey," Ingrid interjected, "we weren't driving!" everyone started to laugh at the handmaiden's comment. Well, everyone except for the soldiers – but they were knowledgeable enough to keep their thoughts to themselves on that front.

"Still," the queen reiterated, "I want you all to be safe. Please inform me if you need my help for any reason, upon reaching Vennesvurg." Anna tossed a structured glare at all of her new friends, "That's a Queen's direct order."

Tina laughed lightly and pulled Anna in for a hug. "I will write to you as soon as we arrive." she promised, still holding on tight to the queen. "And thank you so much – for everything. Whatever you will need, from Vennesvurg or Botarskal, just let me know."

"And likewise from Arendelle," Anna said, "anything you need. Just give me a shout." the two royals hugged again. Some feet behind them, Ryder was bidding farewell to Gunn-Britt.

"Welp." the reindeer herder said, standing tall. "Sad to see you go." he told the Botarskalic personal guard. "You have been a real treat to get to know and I look forward to seeing you one day, for our yak-off." then Ryder stuck out his hand for the woman to take.

She eyed the gesture cautiously before taking his hand and shaking it roughly. "Likewise. You have been a respectable adversary." while they seemed to have butted heads most of the time, Ryder and Gunn-Britt ended up having a great friendship. They bonded over their shared love of animals and it was disguised as bickering. Either way, they were each very happy to have become unlikely friends throughout their stay at Arendelle castle.

A few feet away, Elsa and Kristoff just observed all of the 'goodbyes' and 'farewells' taking place. The ice wielder shared one thing in common with her brother-in-law – the fact that they were not as sociable as their beloved redhead. Elsa and Kristoff had already said their brief 'goodbyes', so they stood back and waited patiently for the guests to leave. Once they left, Elsa and the Nattura siblings stated that they'd head back to the enchanted forest tomorrow.

"You okay?" Kristoff asked Elsa. The ice wielder gave him a puzzled look before answering him, curious as to why he was asking her that.

"Yes," she responded, still confused, "why?"

Kristoff just shrugged. "I dunno," he began, shyly, "Tina's leaving." the fifth spirit froze. She knew that he had been aware of what had transpired between her and the princess. However, she had to keep herself in check – nothing could come of it now. They had pretended last night. Now, they had to start pretending something different. Elsa was determined to have a head start on things.

"Yeah. Tina's leaving." she echoed. She wasn't looking at Kristoff, but he knew that she was having a difficult time. He wanted to make sure that she was okay.

"So...are you good?" he asked again, trying to sound a little more sincere than earlier. Elsa just sighed, still refusing to look at him. She knew if she looked at him now, her resolve would dissipate and she'd never forgive herself.

"I have to be, don't I?" she asked in reply.

Kristoff hummed, pretending to think about it. "Debatable, I think." he said as honestly as he could. The pair of blondes returned their attention to the people in front of them. At some point in time, Tina had started to make her way over to them, much to Kristoff's delight and Elsa's despair.

"Goodbye, Kristoff." Tina said, as she pulled him into a tight embrace. "You have a lovely family and I hope we cross paths again." Kristoff just smiled.

"I'm sure we will," he told her with confidence, "what with all the 'royal' stuff we will both have to attend." He was happy to have known the princess and was hopeful that she could hang out with his family again in the near future. As for his hopes about her and Elsa? He just hoped that the blonde would figure things out faster than the rate she was going.

Ever as stubborn to get through to the blonde, Tina released her hold on Kristoff and turned towards the ice wielder. For a few moments, they exchanged nothing but polite smiles and neutral eye contact. Just watching them proved to be too painful and intense so Kristoff politely took his leave to give the women their space. Once he was out of earshot, Tina sighed.

"Well...I guess this is goodbye." she said with a happy smile that was not reflected in her eyes. Elsa knew her own expression mirrored the princess'. She just hoped that she looked as poised as she could.

"Yes," Elsa nodded, carefully. She then looked at the younger woman with sincerity in her eyes. "Please take care of yourself, out there."

"I'll do my best." Tina smiled. "And...Um, I have something for you." the brunette reached behind her to retrieve an envelope that she had tucked into her skirt. She presented it to the blonde with shaky hands, but tried to keep her composure. "I-I know we didn't agree on letters and such, but I just wanted to write this for you." Tina swallowed a lump in her throat and regained her composure quite quickly. "I'm not expecting you to write back, or even read it. Really, it was for myself...but I'd like you to have it." Elsa decided to take the letter from the princess. The ice wielder turned the envelope over in her hands, feeling the materials between her fingers.

"Oh-okay." Elsa replied, trying her best to smile politely. "Thank you." then, Tina reached her hand out to place her hand on the older woman's shoulder. After giving Elsa's shoulder one last squeeze, the princess retracted her hand and held it in her other one. There was a brief flash of sadness that danced across Tina's eyes very quickly. It was so quick that Elsa might have believed that it was a trick of the sunlight, but she knew better. The brunette gave the blonde one more smile before taking a step back.

"Take care, Elsa of the Enchanted Forest." was all she said, before returning to the carriage that would take her away from Arendelle for good.

"You too..." the ice wielder stated all too quietly – probably too quietly for Tina to even register.

And so, Elsa watched helplessly as the object of her most recent affections (and quite honestly, her only known affections) walked away from her. At this time tomorrow, she'd be in Vennesvurg preparing for her upcoming nuptials that would take place at the end of the year. There were so many things that the both of them had agreed to leave unsaid for fear of making things worse for their eventual separation. Instead, they just kissed their troubles away last night – temporarily, at least.

But she would move on.

She just had to.

There was no other option for them.

...

[Vennesvurg, Sweden]

It took the Botarskalic caravan approximately eight hours to travel from Arendelle to Vennesvurg. North Sweden had a plethora forests making their landscape a marvellous plane of greenery. Tina would have loved to enjoy more of the scenery, but they had arrived just after sunset. The sky had become dark and it was past the time that dinner would have been served. Despite that, the Vennesvurg castle has gone and prepared a separate dinner for the princess and her entourage that evening.

"The King sends his apologies for not being able to receive you, Your Highness." stated a young man with blonde hair and greyish blue eyes. He had introduced himself as Ethan Lindahl – King Karl's Royal Assistant. He was wearing a charcoal-coloured vest with embroidered patterns of blue and yellow threading (the chosen colours of every Swedish royal house). "He, and his advisor, had a meeting with the Queen of Kollsvik. The next kingdom, just South of us." Lindahl informed.

"That's quite alright," Arnold stated, before Tina could say anything, "we knew we would most likely be meeting him tomorrow, in any case."

Ethan nodded towards him and then began to address the princess again. "I'll have Anton show you to your room, Your Highness." Lindahl then stepped aside to showcase a tall and stout man in a black coat and a black hat. He bowed before her and gave her a short smile.

"If you will please follow me, Your Highness." Anton said, gesturing for the princess and her handmaiden to follow him. As such, Tina and Ingrid bid their temporary farewells to Arnold and Ethan to follow Anton and prepare for their late dinner.

Arnold was about to leave to unpack his belongings in his new quarters when a hand on his shoulder stopped him from moving. He turned around to see none other than Lindahl behind him. Before he was able to ask anything, Lindahl tilted his head down a hallway that was to the left of where they were standing.

"Follow me please, Mr. Arnold." was all that the assistant had said before walking down the hallway himself. Now, this seemed pretty peculiar to Arnold. He carefully looked around them, taking in his surroundings. Some servants were taking their belongings inside, from the carriages, and other castle staff were just minding their own business. Ultimately, he decided to follow Lindahl down the hallway to try and sort things out for himself.

...

After following Lindahl through a myriad of hallways in Vennesvurg's castle, the advisor and the assistant ended up somewhere in the basement halls of the castle. The hallway was lined with deep oak walls and cobblestone flooring. Candlesticks lit up the hallway, providing suitable lighting for the subterranean environment.

"Where are you taking me?" Arnold asked the assistant, as he followed him through another hallway.

Arnold was quickly growing tired of being strung around in the dimly lit halls of a castle he knew nothing about. Before Arnold could utter his next gripe, Lindahl stopped in front of a burgundy coloured door. He quickly twisted the door's golden handle and gently pushed it open. Arnold gave Lindahl a confused look, but the assistant just gestured for him to walk inside.

Once inside, Arnold looked around the room. It was a small room, probably utilized for nothing more than simple storage. Whatever it's intended use was supposed to be, it was being used as a small sitting room. There was a dark brown table with scrolls and books strewn about, along with a multitude of fountain pens. Arnold just looked back at Lindahl, hoping his expression conveyed all the questions he was about to ask. Lindahl then nodded at Arnold, as if to say that he knew the advisor was going to ask a multitude of questions.

"I'm sorry for being silent," Lindahl told him, "I couldn't speak freely, among the other servants and workers in the castle."

"But what does that all have to do with me?" Arnold questioned, "Why bring me down here? I'm just the Princess' appointed advisor!" Lindahl then walked over to the table and picked up a piece of paper. It appeared to be a letter. He then handed it to Arnold.

"Take a look." he instructed. As Arnold looked over the contents of the letter, he noticed that it was written by Tina's sister, Katla.

Arnold was puzzled. "You've been corresponding with the Crown Princess of Botarskal?"

Lindahl nodded. "Yes."

"Why?"

"It's a long story," Lindahl sighed, taking the letter back from Arnold, "but essentially, I have had suspicions about the King's engagement to Princess Hrafntinna."

Arnold scanned the assistant's face for any signs that he could be lying. When he found none, he asked, "What...what kind of suspicions?"

"Princess Arnkatla requested that I provide the requisite documents from the agreement that was supposedly drawn up by King Oswald and King Hallgrimur." Lindahl began to explain. "You see, when we initially came to your kingdom –!"

"Barging in like a pack of mangy wolves –!"

"– to retrieve Princess Finnborja, the King's advisor kept quoting a treaty that had been written and signed between Botarskal and Vennesvurg." Lindahl then pointed to the myriad of scrolls and papers on the table behind them. "I've been scavenging through our records, and so has your Crown Princess. Thus far, we have turned up with no such agreements or meetings from a so called 'treaty' between our kingdoms?"

"But..." Arnold stated, "How can King Hallgrimur agree to such an all-encompassing deal without documentation?" the advisor couldn't really grasp all of this new information.

"That's what we are trying to figure out." Lindahl said simply, "That's why I have come to you. We need as many people looking for evidence as possible. Can I, and the Crown Princess, trust you with this information?" his tone was entirely serious and Arnold had no hesitancy to assist.

"I – yes, absolutely." Arnold declared, "I live to serve the Royal Family of Botarskal."

"Good." Lindahl nodded. He then began to list off some more instructions. "We report down here, every night after dinner service. No one follows us. No one else knows. Not even your Princess. Do you understand?"

"Why?" Arnold asked, "Tina would love this information?" Lindahl just shook his head, apparently very against information of this plan being leaked.

"To make sure everything is under the radar, we must maintain the optics." Lindahl emphasized, "Karl and Hrafntinna must look like they are trying to get acquainted so as not to draw any attention. We will inform them of the plan when we find more evidence. Until then, the deal still stands." the assistant appeared very grave. It seemed as though nobody wanted this deal to happen in the first place. "Again, I ask can we trust you?"

"Yes," Arnold replied with conviction, "you can trust me. I live to serve the Royal Family of Botarskal."

After their discussion, Lindahl began to lead Arnold back to the main area so that he could tend to his belongings and prepare to meet Ingrid and Tina for dinner. On the trek back to the main floor of the castle, Arnold reflected on what had just been shared with him. It was going to be difficult to hide all this from Gunn-Britt, Tina and Ingrid – the four of them were very close and did almost everything together. No matter – Arnold needed to focus if he wanted to truly be of service to this new task.

Additionally, Arnold started to ponder the situation in its' entirety. If King Hallgrimur sent his daughter away, without a legitimate treaty in place, there were two options. The first being that Vennesvurg was holding something over the king – binding him by blackmail and shame. The second was something that he was hesitant to even consider; that King Hallgrimur did not give a damn about the welfare of his daughters.

Whatever the case may be, Arnold was determined to help Katla and Lindahl figure it out. And they had to work fast – even though the wedding was scheduled for some time in December, it was the first week of October and time was not going to wait for any of them. Arnold just hoped that they would be able to figure things out in time.

He wanted Tina to be free.

He wanted to help her to get her life back.