Elsa’s Column: What does it mean to be Queen?

Featured image art from: https://www.zerochan.net/2793982

By Elsa, Queen Emerita of Arendelle

I’m a bridge between the spirits and humanity and a bridge between Arendelle and Northuldra. So is Anna, and in many ways her burden is much heavier because her task is much more complicated. Politics, governance, and statecraft are things that I’ve passed on to her, because I needed to be free and she needed a grander purpose beyond even Kristoff and me. Now our bond, which is stronger than ever, must be put to use in service of Northuldra and Arendelle.

As you may know, dear reader of this column, I visit the palace much more often, sometimes sleeping over for well over several days, perhaps a week. Anna is betting on unleashing me against what seems to be a gallery of increasingly dangerous foes, especially those that wield supernatural powers like me: the Russian Grand Dukes come to mind. I’m more than happy to be her “weapon.” I never shied away from my powers again after we booted Hans out of Arendelle. I’m not about to go reticent, either.

Michael’s Musings: A Special Thought

As I was writing a quick note to my Snow Queen niece, Elsa, the memory of what happened after Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, Sven, and Elsa came back from Northuldra and Ahtohallan popped into my mind. It was the first time I laid my eyes on Elsa up close after her amazing transformation during their trip to find the truth about why the spirits had caused the chaos in Arendelle, as well as the source and reason for Elsa’s powers. 

After Elsa and the Nokk stopped the flood wave caused by Anna and the Earth Spirit’s destruction of King Runeard’s dam in Northuldra, we all had cheered Elsa and her new friend. Once they left, we all returned to our homes, while Kai, Gerda, Olina, and the guards and staff returned to Arendelle Castle. As I mentioned before, Elsa came with them. So here’s what I truly remember.

Autumn-Red Tresses, Blood-Crimson Eyes

Featured banner art by Arute (@ast05water) 

Anna and the new dark master of Keep Mundilfari sat across from each other in the castle’s grand hall, eating quietly. The hall was a magnificent room, far larger and more lavishly decorated than the modest stateliness of Anna’s own palace. The estate of Mundilfari was far larger than Anna’s home; with some wings of the complex dwarfing Arendelle Castle.

The hall they sat in tonight was generously lit, with an enormous, elaborate chandelier hanging above the trestle table. Anna and her host sat at the far end near the ornate door, through which uniformed housecarls – all of them young boys and girls – brought fresh food, removed dirty silverware, and poured drinks for the two women.

Anna shifted uncomfortably, watching Viola swishing a glass of red wine in her pale hand. “Don’t be a poor sport, Your Majesty,” said the sinister woman, observing Anna with those unnerving yet mesmerising crimson irises. “Unless you’re a vegetarian, I recommend you try the pheasant. I personally went down into the forests below our Jotunheimen mountains and shot a few for tonight’s dinner. I’ve been thinking about your visit more than the funeral of my grandfather,” she declared, her voice raspier than usual.

“You’ll forgive me if that’s of little comfort. Especially when you murdered the rest of your family to gain leadership of your clan,” replied the queen of the realm tersely. She lowered her gaze, biting her lip. “I thank you for hosting me, but I’m sorry, Viola. I just can’t be nice to someone who’s openly told me that she wants to kill my sister, the Fifth Spirit.” She raised her head, cerulean eyes flashing.

“As long as you threaten Elsa, you’re my sworn enemy.”