Elsanna Week: Suitors

The beauty of Queen Elsa was renowned across the world. And so it was that suitors came to Arendelle, brash young princes from far shores seeking the fair queen’s hand in marriage.

Elsa would have none of them, but still they lingered. They lingered as stubbornly as the men who tried to woo the defiant queen of Ithaca.

Elsa sighed and rolled her eyes. At last she proposed a challenge. Any who could solve the riddle of her heart and tell her what most moved her soul would have her.

But none of these men could answer. For they did not know the queen. They did not know what she loved. They saw nothing of her but her beauty. That was evident from their crass and fumbling words.

But one day, a suitor stepped forward, all robed and masked. This suitor spoke of the richness of Elsa’s life, of her little dreams in childhood, of her hopes and joys and cares. All marveled, for surely this was one who knew the queen and loved her truly. This was one who knew the secrets of her soul.

Then this suitor removed their mask. And all saw the face of the queen’s own sister Anna, fiery hair streaming down her back.

Old greybeards of the court began to mutter, but in faith, Anna had fulfilled the queen’s decree. It was a royal decree, a royal oath.

And so Elsa caught her sister in her arms, laughing rapturously, and kissed her before all the court. Seeing the queen and princess so giddy with joy and love, all were humbled. The old men of the court spoke no more. And the suitors turned away with dignity, each returning to their own lands.

The wedding was wondrously beautiful.