That first night shared together as husband and wife was passionate, slow and gentle. While the rest of the small retinue slept, the royal couple took their time getting to know each other, discovering each others' likes and dislikes, relishing being in each others' arms finally, after their years separated. As they finally lay together, sweat cooling on their skin and blankets tangled around them, she reached up, trailing a finger down his nose. He kissed her finger as it trailed down his lips, sliding a hand along her hip and pulling her closer.
She pushed him gently onto his back, shifting until she was straddling him, her long, snow-white hair tumbling down her back and shoulders in messy tangles. He slid his hands along her waist and around to rest on her hips, studying her silently as he lay amongst the pillows. "What do you find so fascinating, Hans?" Slowly, his green gaze moved up to meet hers.
"Just wondering how I managed to get so lucky." She giggled, and with a shake of her head, leaned down to meet him nose-to-nose. With her wild curls obscuring everything, she reminded him of the eleventh century noblewoman who rode through the British town of Coventry with only her long blonde hair to obscure her most private of areas, in protest of her husband's oppressive taxation on his lands.
"I'd say we're both lucky, my love." Came her whispered reply as she gently thumbed his bottom lip before pecking him sweetly and settling her chin upon her folded arms across his chest. He trailed a hand up her back, tangling it within her hair, and she sighed in contentment. Silence settled between them for several minutes, before he finally spoke, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
"I cannot believe how lucky I am, to be allowed to be your husband." He met her gaze. "I cannot wait to build a life with you, however fleeting it is."
The kiss was soft, tender.
In the hours before dawn, the crew of the ship respectfully looked away, giving their monarch and her new husband privacy, for this time together until their next meeting was precious. The captain had been paid handsomely by the young Arendellian monarch to keep this most secret of ceremonies quiet, but he had admitted to her that she need not pay him or his crew, for they were loyal to her and the princess- and that loyalty extended to her husband, regardless of whether he was of Southern Isles blood or not.
It was evident that the young Southern Isles King made their newly crowned monarch happy, and that was all any of Arendelle wished for her- eternal happiness with the man she loved, no matter how long her reign upon the throne. The Arendellian military had been loyal to the House of Bekkerdahl for decades, regardless of ruler, but many had watched Elsa grow up, and so held a soft spot for the new monarch. In her short time on the throne, her moniker had changed from the People's Princess to the People's Queen, and this secret marriage to the King of the Southern Isles was seen- at least by the military- as a gaining of allies. The Southern Isles was known for their strong Navy, having not enough land for an Army, and so to have the King of the Isles in their queen's corner should she need him, was a great benefit.
"One night is not enough, Johannes-"
"Shh, I know, Elisabeth, my love. Were I lucky enough to spend a thousand nights with you, they would still not be enough." He gently brushed the tears from her cheeks, before sliding his arms around her waist and lifting her up. The captain watched out of the corner of his eye as the five foot tall young woman wrapped her arms around her new husband's neck. It had always amazed him that despite her petite stature, she was quite strong-willed and stubborn. "Don't fret, Eliza, my darling. We have many diplomatic visits to plan, and I will look forward to each one. I love you, Elisabeth Westergård Bekkerdahl."
Her smile tugged at his heart, and she pulled him closer.
"Say it again, my husband."
He met her gaze. "Say what again? That I love you?"
"No." She gently brushed an auburn curl from his forehead. "My name."
A soft chuckle escaped him. "Elisabeth Westergård Bekkerdahl."
Her soft laughter tugged at the hearts of all on board who heard it, and her arms went around his neck as he spun her around. It was this sight Anna and the others came upon when they came above decks. Hans, spotting them, quickly set his wife down, clearing his throat softly and stepping back. Anna giggled, seeing the flush of her sister's cheeks as Elsa stepped back, her proper posture returning as she turned back to her husband. "Return to me soon, Johannes."
He stepped closer, taking her hands. "Upon my honor, Elisabeth." The kiss was soft, searching, and he whispered softly against her mouth before pulling away. She watched him follow the first mate to the side and start down the ladder, before gathering her skirts and following. By the time she reached the side, he, Juni and the first mate were a quarter of the way from the vessel.
"Johannes!" He turned back, seeing her standing at the side. "I love you too!"
The smile that met her could rival the dawn that would break within hours.
By the time they returned to Arendelle, Elsa was wide awake, while Anna was exhausted. The young queen was used to being up early, for she often rose at four or five to begin her day. She bid her sister to bed and led Helena to her chambers, where the young girl quickly drew her a bath and helped her get ready for her day. When Anna finally made an appearance at the breakfast table, Elsa had been up for hours. Conversation was soft and minimal, before Elsa rose from her chair at seven and made her way to the meeting room where she would meet with her council. Not wanting to be left behind, Anna hurried to catch up, slipping into the room right as the meeting began.
Though she had no idea what would be discussed that day, she knew it would be boring, but she also knew that when it would also provide her entertainment- to see her older sister put a stop to whatever schemes the old men of her council tried to push on her was quite enjoyable. Her older sister was not the meek little flower many perceived her to be- like Victoria of Britain, she had quite a mind and quick wit.
"... but why change your name, Your Majesty? Forgive my impertinence, but you will gain recognition as a separate ruler to your mother by being the second one to bear her name-"
One slender eyebrow rose. "You are new to my council, Lord Bismarck, and so I shall allow you your... lack of knowledge for the time being." Anna's head perked up, gaze snapping to the young man in question. She didn't recognize him, but if what Elsa said was true, then he was new. His sandy hair fell into his hazel eyes, and he blushed, bobbing his head quickly in apology. "Now, I love my mother, rest her soul, and I chose her name to keep her with me, but I do not want my rule to be confused with hers. My mother was a wonderful woman and a strong queen, and while I am of her blood, I, and my reign, are not extensions of her and her reign. I will not have my reign be known as Iduna II's." She glanced at each man in question. "My mother was a singular woman, same as I am, though we bear the same name, my rein will be distinctly different to hers."
Silence fell for several minutes as she drank in each face, before turning to her sister and studying her. "Therefore, because we were two separate people, from this moment forward, I wish to be known formally as Iduna Elisabeth II, thereby keeping with the tradition of a chosen name and still keeping my reign as my own, separate from my mother's." Silence. "Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Taking a seat quickly in the corner where she normally sat, Anna watched as her sister quickly turned from that matter to whatever else was on the agenda. "Good, now in regards to the treaties with the Danish..."