To the high command of the Kingdom of Arendelle, and my inner court ONLY,
I greet you as queen and friend. In the last special session of our ancient parliament, the Great Assembly approved the joining of our two nations of Arendelle and Northuldra, united in brotherhood and sisterhood, to work together on securing Arendelle’s future among the community of countries.
To this end, I’m pleased to announce, in coordination with General Mattias and the members of my Exalted, Operation Wolf Patrol.
Operation Wolf Patrol is Northuldra’s contribution to protecting our increasingly far-flung overseas assets and networks. From jungles of the Americas to the steppes of Eurasia – and in cities around the world – the Northuldras’ warrior-huntress, Amira, will be the champion of this operation, her peerless tracking and other covert skills – certain things that can only be done in the shadows by tribeswomen of her caliber – of invaluable use to the kingdom’s cause.
Our operations, working with other governments and embedded in diverse societies, are searching tirelessly for the fabled fragments of my ultimate prize: the elixir of life, the substance that will protect Elsa’s legacy forever.
My heart is still uncertain about drawing Northuldra and its people, our countrymen and women, into my struggle. But it’s what Maren wants. It’s what Yelena has given her assent for. It’s what Amira has asked to do for what she sees as the future of her country.
And what is this country? It does not exist yet. But as long as I remain queen, my life will be devoted to its final realization and creation. This coming union, Northuldra-Arendelle, will be strengthened even further by Amira’s new role.
*
Arendelle
Maren knocked on the door of the Grand House, the only dwelling left in the hands of the Mundilfari clan. Keep Mundilfari, the great castle that was the target of the Moonborn a few months ago, had been vacated forever. It was no longer safe, now that it had been targeted by the first Moonborn to reveal himself in name, Majestic Maximillian. She took a deep breath, still not quite daring to believe the news of Anna’s decision.
Her fellow tribeswoman, Amira, was going to become a field agent of the Arendellian military, reporting directly to the queen and her most trusted general.
“Wow,” she whispered to herself. “And she deserves to be, after how she put everything on the line for Anna during the defence against Katina.”
Amira had long left her past as an anti-unification saboteur behind, and become a war hero beloved by Northudran and Arendellian alike. She’d not only sabotaged Russian supply lines, but also fought against two Grand Dukes during the course of hostilities with the Russian Empire: nearly losing her life to the werebear warrior Yaraslaf and, during the invasion of Arendelle, defended the Northuldran front from the lich Nykras.
Hilde opened the door, yellow werewolf eyes meeting Maren’s brown Northuldran gaze. They greeted each other and Hilde led her up the stairs, turning into the long corridor before opening a door. There was a spacious bedroom, with a large vanity table, mirror, and a crackling fireplace with a round tea table and two comfortable chairs. Resting on the huge bed beside the windows was the prime minister of Arendelle.
“Hello, Northuldran,” said Countess Vi, her red eyes glowing. Hilde moved away from Maren to stand beside Vi’s bedside, snapping her boots together and standing at attention.
“The queen sends her fondest regards,” said Maren, giving a deep nod of the head to Vi and Hilde. Considering Vi had once tried to outright take over Northuldra, their relations had come a long way. “Where’s Miss Gaunt?”
“Tess is resting. You’re visiting me in the dark hours of the early morning, after all. You know I’m most comfortable with the midnight hours as a vampire… and our secret discussions are best had during this time,” said Vi, resting her back against her satin pillow. “I’m still not in fighting form after what Majestic Max did to me – shine light into my body with the power of the sun.”
“You look like you’re rallying your strength, though,” said Maren, putting a hand over her chest. “The queen, no, all of us, are hoping for your full recovery so that you can join her once again in the Great Assembly.”
“Looks like she’s doing fine without me,” snorted Vi, elegant hands on her blanketed lap. “I’m bedridden, not out-of-date.” She peered at Maren, admiring the elegant purple Arendellian outfit that hugged the Northuldran emissary’s form.
“I heard about Executive Decree 321.”
“Operation Wolf Patrol,” said Hilde, nodding approvingly. “I like Her Majesty’s choice of names.” She crossed her arms. “After all, I’ve been asked to fight like a wolf for Anna as well.”
“It’s a big step into the unknown for Amira, the huntress that once stalked the streets and houses of the kingdom,” observed Vi thoughtfully. “Is she up to it, Maren?”
Maren pursed her lips. “Well, we’ve seen many among our friends take up new responsibilities to help Anna achieve her goals. Sir Alan became the commander of the Borealis Corps. I mean, you made Kristoff the new manager of Mund-Bjorgman, our largest merged company. It’s only natural that some among us want to step up, too.”
Vi nodded, closing her undead eyes. “True, true. My, my, how far our queen has come.” She glanced at Maren. “I wonder what the woman that Anna is doing all this for thinks about everything so far.”
Maren lowered her head. “Elsa,” she acknowledged, feeling almost surreal. Elsa had remained a counsel to Anna, but recently, she and Maren hadn’t had so much time for outings and picnics in Northuldra, what with Maren spending more and more time in Arendelle. “I don’t want to speak for Elsa. She’s always been supportive of what Anna does – but I’d be willing to bet that Amira has probably given it a lot of thought.” Her brown eyes glimmered. “In fact, perhaps she’s even spoken to Elsa herself.”
True to Maren’s gut, right then in the heart of the Northuldran forest, a lean woman in furry boots and armed with deadly Northuldran weapons lifted off her wolf’s hood, staring at the spirit-queen before her. “I ask for your blessing, Fifth Spirit, in my coming campaigns for your little sister,” called out Amira, brushing back her dark hair, which was now longer and went past her shoulders.
Blonde hair flowing ethereally, Elsa turned around, eyes shining with the brightness of the Northern Lights.
“Come sit with me,” she invited kindly. “I sense things on your mind, including about Anna. Let’s talk.”
The Arendelle Guardian 