NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3: Chapter 3
Elsa was looking out across the castle grounds, and the town beyond. It was a glorious day. The sun was shining, with a few puffy clouds floating by on a gentle breeze. It was a little chilly, as winter had not fully released its grip yet. But it was nice, and the castle and town shone like a jewel.
The peaceful scene was interrupted by a screeching whistle, rising in pitch. Suddenly, a blinding blue flash, followed by a roaring explosion. The world turned pitch black. Suddenly there was a low grumble that went entirely through her. Then, in front of her, she saw a pair of yellow green eyes, pupils narrowed into thin slits. Just below them, two rows of conical teeth. The rumbling growl continued, until the jaw opened. In a blink, the face moved towards her with blinding speed…
Elsa sat up with a scream, and put a hand to her forehead. It was drenched with sweat. She looked around her bedroom and saw it was no longer dark. The sun was up, but had not risen over the tops of mountains yet. She then laid back down, gathering her thoughts. "Just a dream" she murmured to herself. She'd had a few of those recently. The other was of fire, and a flash of a black creature, with bat-like wings. A flash of red along with it. She didn't dream this every night, but often enough to not lose the images.
She threw the blankets off, and sat on the edge of the bed, feet on the floor. Shaking her head to remove the last of the images. She was Elsa Ellesmyre, Queen of Arendelle, the Snow Queen. She wouldn't let some dream frighten her. She believed they may be premonitions, or some distant memories, but she wouldn't dwell on them for long. She had a kingdom to run.
She slipped her feet into her slippers, and walked towards the bathroom. She ran some water in the basin, and washed the nights' sleep from her face. She then rang for her servants to help her get ready for the day. Court was to be held this morning, along with some meetings with a few ambassadors from neighboring countries. She put on a simple dress and some shoes, quickly putting her hair in a simple braid, then headed towards the private dining room for her breakfast.
Even though it was not quite time yet, Anna was there, and the greeted her with a small curtsy, and a warm smile. The small-ish table was set, and the two sisters made small talk before their meal was served. Elsa asked after Kristoff, who was currently off tending to his ice business. Their relationship had grown much, especially since she found he had a really big heart, and loved Anna with every bit of it. He had bought a small house on the edge of town. 'Completely unnecessary', she told him at the time. He did not want to stay at the castle permanently to be 'absolutely spoiled', he said. She admired that, after all, he was a simple man, and her respect for him grew.
After the food was brought out, a footman appeared to announce the arrival of their guests this morning, Heimir Aarnodson, Minister of Finance, General Anfast Hroldstadt, Head of the military council, and her head courtier, Catarin Almbech. The sisters rose, and the new arrivals bowed respectfully. Breakfast was usually a private affair, but not always. Especially when the castle was full of foreign dignitaries. With winter giving way to spring, travel was easier, so planning for the visitors was under way. There were also plans to be made for the upcoming Seasonal festival, which was held at the changing of each season. Anna especially loved these, and Elsa made it a point to put more and more of the responsibility for planning on her. It was part of her 'princess training'.
After breakfast was over, the guests left. Elsa and Anna shared a hug, then went their separate ways. Elsa walked back to her chambers, offering morning greetings to the staff members she came across. At her chambers, she was greeted by her handmaidens, to whom she gave a warm good morning. They then set about dressing her in one of her more queenly dresses, and worked her hair in her usual rolled-up braid. They all made their way down to the main floor of the castle to the throne room, where she held court.
Court was usually held once a week, it's an opportunity for all her subjects to address the Queen formally. Either to voice concerns, or to ask for help. It was also to settle the minor squabbles between the various guilds, or the aristocracy(which never seemed to cease), and for foreign dignitaries to announce their arrivals or departures. The main issue this day was the artists' guild, the trade guild, and the farmers guild. They were all vying for space in the castles' courtyard for the upcoming festival. The Queen assured them they would all have equal space and footing, in the prime areas of the courtyard.
After court, Elsa made her way back to her chambers. She then was changed out of her clothes into a dress that was a little less regal, then made a round of the castle. This was to make herself available to the staff to voice concerns, and to fix any small problems that might crop up. She walked down to the gardens, which was one floor up from the main floor, on the back side of the castle. They were walled in, but were designed to receive a vast amount of sunlight. There wasn't much growing there now, but soon, there would be planting going on. This was their mothers' favorite spot in the castle, a love that was not lost on the sisters. And, like their mother, would often get 'hands on' with the care and tending of the gardens.
Elsa then walked to her office for a few hours of work before lunch. It was one floor up from that, which was higher than the floor of the gardens, for the ceilings on the main floor were very high. This was where much of the kingdoms' business was done. It was spacious, in the middle of the floor it was on, and had four large windows on one wall. On one end the walls were covered with various paintings of the castle and the Arendellian countryside. on the other end, the walls were covered by bookshelves. There was also a fireplace, in front of which sat her large desk. In front of the desk, there was a small couch, along with two chairs.
After a couple of hours of work, which included looking over a few trade agreements, and a meeting with a foreign official, Elsa made her way to the private dining room for lunch. Anna was there, and started to give out her ideas for the Spring festival. After agreeing on a general theme. Anna chose to broach a prickly subject. She tried for nonchalance: "You know, with the Spring festival, the castle will start filling with all kinds of visitors." Elsa gave her a sideways glance, half a glare, she suspected what was coming. "Oh you know, all sorts of dignitaries, Princes, Kings…", Elsa stiffened, "Anna, we've talked about this…"
"I know, but…"
"I refuse to marry for convenience, or for alliance, or anything else if there isn't love…"
"I know, I… I just, I just want to see you happy with someone, like Kristoff and I".
The earnest look in her sisters' eyes immediately stole the anger from her. Anna loved her, there was no doubt. She was only trying to help. Elsa sighed, "Anna, I have a kingdom to run, I don't have a lot of time to allow myself any kind of romantic pursuits, let alone friendships".
"Yes, of course, but if you would just, maybe get out a little, it could help".
"If YOU would take on a little more responsibility around here, THAT would help on that front…" Elsa countered.
They'd been around and around on this subject too. She was sure Anna liked her life the way it was, but maybe, it was time to take on more responsibilities. She feared it might detract from her usual sunny self. And it hadn't been brought up officially, but marriage had been mentioned, to much spluttering from Kristoff. It would help her in this regard too, perhaps…
"Well, if I'm going to get married someday soon, more responsibility might help…" Anna said. Elsa smiled.
"Anna, I know you could run this country just as well as I, you have quite the formidable brain, even though you hide it so well…"
"I know, right, but… HEY!" Anna gave Elsa a playful swat on the arm, and they both broke into a fit of giggles.
"I like the way things are, but if it will help you, then lead on, my teacher!" The girls then engaged in some girlish talk for the remainder of their lunchtime. When they finished, they both stood, and clasped hands. the warm glances they gave each other spoke volumes. They were each thankful for each other, the love and support. They had put the past behind them, and relished the time they spent together, just being sisters.
The rest of Elsas' day consisted of a few more meetings, a few more documents, and letters to be written, and read. She then walked across the courtyard to the guards' barracks for a short tour, then to the stables to look in on the horses. It was also to make herself available to her subjects. She liked it when she felt it gave them confidence in her rule. They could approach her with their problems, and she would do what she could to help. When she finished, she headed towards her private chamber to freshen up for the evening meal.
The meal was nothing too fancy, and was held in the private dining room. There weren't any ministers of high standing to use the main dining hall, adjacent to the ballroom. The conversation was light, and the meal satisfying. After a couple of hours, the Queen and Princess said their good-nights, and retired upstairs. They made their way to a room on the same floor as her office. It was called the parlor. It was used as a staging room for people meeting the queen, or for foreign dignitaries to have meetings on their own. It was spacious, and had two fireplaces. There were couches and chairs facing each other over short tables. at one end there was a smaller table than the one in the dining room. It could be used for meetings, or could double as a dining table as well. There were large windows along one wall and a pair of glass doors leading to a girls stepped out, and sat on a bench. They stared up at the stars. As they were talking, something caught Elsas' eye. It looked like a shadow passing in front of the stars.
"Anna, do you see that?" she asked. Anna looked out in the direction she was looking.
"What IS that?" There was no moon, it could have been a trick of the lighting. It was barely perceptible. Elsa could swear she could see a shadow there somewhere, passing in front of the stars. She shivered, and not from the cold. She decided in the end it was nothing. Then the sisters bade each other goodnight, and headed to their own chambers.
After a nice warm bath, Elsa changed into her night-robe, and climbed into her bed. As a rule, she didn't work after dinner, but tonight's' was a little longer than planned. She thought to have Anna accompany her tomorrow to start learning some of the daily routines. She wasn't holding a lot of hope that Anna wouldn't be bored silly. It was a start. She laid her head down on her pillow, and was asleep soon after. She dreamt of black flying creatures with bat-like wings…