25 May, 1841
The Deck of the Vinterrose,
The Sea Between Arendelle and the Isles
The sea was calm, smooth. As smooth as fresh cut glass.
He found himself fidgeting with the cuffs of his jacket as he watched the stars overhead. It did not seem real, that they had spent the last several months silently making preparations for this moment, all the while playing the parts they needed to in front of their councils and people. In the months since her visit, he had been able to make headway in helping his people, removing councilmembers and courtiers who did not see the benefit to anyone but themselves of making a profit off the backs of the poor. Things had improved greatly for his people; he had put in better housing regulations, a greater check on businesses, expanded the fishing industry, as well as made allies with the likes of countries to the south of them, making sure to keep a good relationship with Arendelle in the process. Elsa, meanwhile, had done just as much good, if not more, for her people, including removing councilmembers who did not see eye to eye with her- she instated a couple new members, including a young man by the name of Bismark, if Hans remembered correctly, who had traces of tribal blood within his veins, thereby giving a good case for the tribes in the off chance they ever came to Arendelle for assistance.
A hand on his shoulder brought his attention from the stars, and he turned to see Juni, the housekeeper of Eskil Castle and his mother's former lady-in-waiting, by his side. The older woman had first been a lady's maid for his mother, before becoming one of her ladies-in-waiting, before taking on the position of Personal Housekeeper for the Queen. When his mother had died, Juni and a good majority of the royal household had stayed, surviving the revolution to see the youngest prince take the throne. She smiled at him, turning him to face her as she gently adjusted his collar. "You have grown into a fine young man, Johannes. Your mother would be proud."
"I hope she would." Sadness tinged his words.
"They loved you, both of them. Their deaths, and those of your brothers was not your fault, you must stop blaming yourself." She gently cradled his cheek. "Their deaths were what was needed to change the Isles. You are doing good things for the Isles, Johannes. And that bride of yours is doing good things for her country as well. You will rule wonderfully together."
"We will never rule together, Juni. The laws of our countries won't allow it, hers especially."
The older woman smiled knowingly. "You may not sit upon your thrones together side by side, but that does not mean you cannot guide your countries in ways that benefit them both. Sometimes, two rulers who do not share the same throne but share love of not just their respective countries but each others' is best. Because one can see what the other is missing. Just like marriage."
He chuckled softly. "Marriage... doesn't seem real-"
The soft clearing of a throat caused him pause, and both turned. She had finally stepped onto the deck on her sister's arm, stopping to take a deep breath. It was Anna who had cleared her throat, and once she had their attention, she smiled at him before turning to her sister. In the light of the moon overhead, she shone like the brightest of stars fallen to earth.
The white gown she wore was crafted of simple ice, with a scoop neck and puffed sleeves coated in iced lace, the skirt belling out slightly. There was no train, and she wore a simple sash around her waist; her hair was pulled back in a braid, and she wore a tiara that, upon closer inspection, was actually crafted of her ice, delicate ice crystals dangling from within each loop; the veil that tumbled over her hair was decorated in delicate rosemaling, similar to the hem off her dress. She held onto no flowers, merely her sister's arm as Anna walked her towards him.
Once before him, Anna pressed a soft kiss to her cheek before stepping aside and joining Juni, Kai, Helena and Gerda, while the priest began the simple ceremony. Hands clasped, the pair stared into each others' eyes, reciting the vows softly to each other, as the most trusted of their households bore witness. When it came to the ring, they had compromised; because she had to play the part of the available young queen, the ring would not grace her hand for the ceremony, but was instead strung through a chain that she would wear about her neck. As Hans gently clasped it around her throat, their gazes locked, the meaning clear-
When the time was right, and they knew they could expose their marriage without fear of revolution, he would slide it upon her finger, and not a moment before.
She smiled at him, taking his hands again once the chain was clasped, unknowingly stepping closer to him as the priest spoke next, "I now pronounce you man and wife."
Not another word was spoken, and if it was, the newly married couple did not hear it, for their gazes were locked on each other. This moment they had waited nearly four years for had finally come; a betrothal that should not have happened had taken place, bringing about a wedding that would only make their love stronger. Neither knew the trials that lay ahead for them, the decisions they would have to make in regards to their family, kingdoms and reigns, in that moment, they only knew each other, and the happiness they both felt at finally being joined together in holy matrimony.
She rose onto tiptoe, as he leaned down and captured her mouth with his. The kiss was chaste, parted slowly, only to be followed by another, this one slightly longer than the one before. As they broke apart a second time, their foreheads rested together, and he nudged his nose against hers before kissing her one last time as the stars above bore silent witness to the wedding of the Queen of the Arendelle and the King of the Southern Isles.
The reception after was a quiet affair, a simple dinner of fish and wine by candlelight within the small dining area below decks. The couple shared a glance as they sat surrounded by their most trusted household members, and after a moment, he took her hand, bringing it up to kiss. Anna watched the pair with stars in her eyes as the two shared a gentle kiss, before sighing in contentment. She only hoped she would be so lucky to find a man who would look at her as Hans looked at her sister.
"I'm sorry it is not more, Lise, Hans. You deserve the grandest ball in the world to celebrate your marriage."
The couple turned to her, and after a moment, Elsa reached across the table for her sister's hand. Anna quickly slipped hers within, and Elsa squeezed gently. "It's okay, Annalei. This is..." She glanced at Hans. "Perfect."
"We wouldn't have it any other way." He added, sliding his arm around her waist and tugging her close as she met his gaze. "Grand balls and parties... excess that gets in the way of what's truly important. Love, promises and marriage... the loyalty of friends and family..." He glanced at each of them in turn. "Is far better than any grand ball or celebration." Elsa pulled her hand from her sister's, taking his and lacing their fingers as their gazes locked. "These are the most important things in life. At the end of the day, love and loyalty remain long after the grandeur of a court is gone."
Juni smiled softly, knowing he was speaking of his family, and the slaughter that had taken place just a couple short years ago. And in those two short years since he'd taken the throne, he'd more than proved that he was not to be the council's puppet. He was making changes that benefited the good of the Isles, expanding the jobs market and improving the livelihood of every citizen. At a mere nineteen years of age, he had done far greater things than his father had ever done, and proved to the court and his council that he was not a marionette to do as others wished. He was his own man, his own king, and his reign would be defined by him, no one else.
The young queen's smile was bright as she leaned up; they met in the middle, the kiss chaste and slow to part. "And one day," She sighed. "our children will inherit the strength of two monarchies. They will do what we may not be able to, and unite Arendelle and the Isles as one."
"Is that really what you would want, Your Majesty?" Kai asked; he and Gerda had watched the Queen and her sister grow up, and he knew the hostilities behind the separated monarchies, but not the extent. He merely knew that the last time there had been a battle of any kind between the Isles and Arendelle, his father had fought in it, and come home wounded. "To unite the Isles and Arendelle?"
The pair turned to them, and after a moment, she spoke up, measuring her words. "I am not Elizabeth of York, Kai, nor is my husband Henry VII of Lancaster blood and Tudor name, and this is not the War of the White Rose and Red Rose. We cannot unite our countries, just as we cannot unite our dynasties in our time; it must be our children who do so, but we may lay the foundation upon which they build."
"But you forget, Your Majesty, that the strongest queen came from the combination of two monarchies- the woman whom you share a name. The British do not call her 'Good Queen Bess' without cause."
"A queen who scorned and bowed to no man." Elsa set her glass down. "Forgive my impertinence, Gerda, but I am not Good Queen Bess. I will not bow to a man, but I will also not remain as pure as Elizabeth I." She met her husband's gaze. "As soon as I am able, I intend to bear the heir to our crowns, and prove to my council that I am not some weak little girl as they seem to think."
"But how will you hide it, Your Majesty? Short of the Divine, a woman does not merely become pregnant and bear an heir." Juni spoke up, and Elsa glanced at Hans.
"They don't need to know by whom exactly, my council just needs to know that my husband is of high blood. They do not need to know if that blood is Arendellian or Southern Isles, and as long as my heir is healthy and strong when it leaves my womb, it should be of no consequence-"
"Easy, Eliza, hush my love." She turned to him, the ice of her tiara sparkling in the candlelight. "Do not work yourself up so. There will be plenty of time for children later." He kissed her quickly. "Let us just enjoy the coming months before we try for children." She opened her mouth to protest, and he quickly rested a finger against her lips. "I know, but we have only just exchanged our vows a couple hours ago. For now, we have only each other to think of. Everything else will come in time."
She seemed to relax. "Becoming king has made you wise, my darling."
He shook his head, tilting her chin up. "No. Becoming king made me realize all the good I can do for my people. I only became wise after falling in love with a great queen."