Chapter VI - Deuteronomy

He was an old man who had followed the same routine every Sunday for thirty-seven years. He woke in the dying moonlight and fixed himself a fresh brew of coffee. The Sunday coffees were the best because he could sit on the porch and watch the sunrise as he drank. Other days, he would drink in the dark while walking to the palace.

He watched the waves roll across the sea. He had once been a young lad who lived by his own rules and dreamt of sailing across the globe in search of exotic lands, fortune and glory. When he was twenty-one and old enough to join the deep-sea crews, a storm capsized his ship and he passed out in the water. He awoke on an abandoned beach next to empty nets and broken wood, and he decided it was time to start going to church. He gave up his foolish dreams and found work in the King's court.

Martha awoke to find Jonas sitting on the porch, reclining in the old wooden chair, rolled up sleeves, barefooted, taking in the morning sky. She went out to the porch and kissed her husband on the cheek.

"Sleep well, dear?"

"Very well."

"Is the coffee good?"

"Always."

They went inside to wake the kids and put them in their Sunday best. As they prepared, the clouds rolled in and it began to storm. It was a light drizzle, but the gloominess and drab displeased Jonas. Sunday mornings were meant for clarity and brilliance. It was regretful the weather had been so drab when Jonas led his family to the cathedral for the last time.

Jonas climbed up the hill with his family. They reached the gates and the guards examined them from the ramparts. Streets were narrow, leading up the hill, twisting between the architecture, with muddy streets and staunch guards. Buildings were tall, thin, colorless, enduring thousands of years of weathering and warfare. Citizens kept their heads low as they walked. Such was life in the Southern Isles.

The cathedral was in the center of town, overlooking the faceless buildings and oppressive palace. Jonas and his family walked through the deluge and depravity, mud squashing beneath their boots, until they reached its massive doors. He held the wooden door open for his family and stepped inside, took off his cap and jacket, and a servant took the soggy clothes and hung them on a rack. He followed his Sunday routine, greeting and shaking the hands of friends and acquaintances, commenting on the week's work, and then following his wife and children into the main sanctuary.

They walked down the center aisle until they reached their regular spot. They sat down and listened to the raindrops tap on the roof and roll down the windows. Citizens entered with their heads low and sat in the same spot they did every week. The system was complete.

The pipe organ was the first to speak. Notes rumbled in the gargantuan pipes, resonating and harmonizing with the room, through ears and to the soul. The choir joined, their voices floating atop the dark rumble. Voices lifted from the congregation, dull and plain. The magic and wonderment were lost. This is what they did every week.

After the hymns, a priest dressed in white rose to the podium. It was the generic

greeting. He thanked the congregation for their attendance, announced upcoming town events, and delivered a message from the king. The congregation bent their heads in prayer. Then, the priest opened the text.

"Today's scripture comes from Deuteronomy, chapter thirty-one, verse six."

Jonas buried his head in his hands. That was it.

He could no longer grant the church his attention. He stared at the ground, at the windows and at the intricate archways that lined the hall. The religious messages never reached his ear. His brow filled with sweat. He slumped. Once service was over, he was the first to leave.

It had stopped raining. Jonas left the building and walked over the puddles in the street. Martha caught up with him.

"Where are the kids?"

"I sent them home with Silje."

"Good. We will see them again tonight."

They walked home together, holding hands. It had been years since they had any time to share with only sun streaks piercing the gray skies, they walked in simple solitude.

"Was that it?"

"Yes."

"How long?"

"Tomorrow, probably."

"Tomorrow night?"

"Yes."

They reached the walls and walked down the hill to their shack by the shore. The water was rough from the storm. On Sunday afternoons, the old man liked to take the skiff out on the water. He had not caught anything in months, and he never regretted his decision to leave his old life behind.

He opened the door and followed Martha inside. He sat at the table across from her.

"Will you tell the kids?"

"Yes. In time. Maybe when they are older."

"Yes, that would be good."

"I want them to know…"

"As do I."

"But now I think they are too young. I'm afraid they will tell their friends."

"After this, they won't have many friends."

"I know."

"Do you remember what to do?"

"Yes."

Jonas leaned back in his chair and looked out the window. The clouds were forming again. His land was a mixture of grass, rock, and dirt. Nothing special. A meager existence for a servant, but enough to make spare foods and clothes for his family. The shack was Jonas's reward for a life of servitude. It was better than living in the lower levels of the palace.

Martha looked back at her husband.

"Do you have to go in tonight?

"No, the King has given me the day off."

"A good choice for him."

"Yes."

Jonas cleared his throat and leaned forward. He placed his old hand over his wife's gentle fingers. She had dark eyes, gray eyes. They reminded him of the storm.

"Promise me that you can take care of the kids."

"I can. And I will."

Anna stood on the pier long before the sun appeared. She watched the sea until the

sun rose and it hurt to look to the east, and then she kept watching. She saw the white sails appear in the sunlight and jumped for joy.

When the Frostskader docked in Arendelle, the Queen was the first to step ashore. Anna ran across the docks and into her sister's arms, and all the loneliness and longing for love was gone. She held her sister in her arms, snug against her shoulders, and the connection spoke louder than words ever could.

"Elsa… I missed you so much…"

"I missed you too, Anna."

They closed their eyes. The sea breeze and their embrace. It was all they needed.

"I was so afraid of… of…"

"Don't worry, I'm going to stay here with you. I told you nothing would happen to me."

Elsa chuckled. It was nice to be back in Arendelle. She released her sister. Anna had a gleaming smile, wore a common sundress, and was brighter than the morning sky, bouncing to contain her jubilance.

"How did the trip go?"

"It went… well."

"Oh, you have to tell me what it's like out there! I've always wanted to see the world outside of Arendelle."

"It's nice, I suppose."

"Was it pretty?"

"Yes. Very."

Kristoff stood behind Anna, smiling at the love Elsa and Anna shared. He bowed.

"Your Majesty."

"I told you not to call me that."

"You're right. As you wish… Elsa. Uhh…"

"Thank you for taking care of my sister while I was gone."

"Yes, of course. That was no problem at all."

Kai stumbled off the Frostskader. His eyes were dark and struggling to stay open. He bowed to Anna.

"It's good to see you, Your Highness."

"Kai!"

The servant was in Anna's arms, spinning around the pier, his eyes spinning from the twirl and his head spiraling from Balestrand.

"I missed you so much, Kai!"

Kai pushed from the Princess's arms and waddled to the Queen.

"Uh, I need sleep," he turned to Elsa, "But first, there is much we have to discuss, Your Majesty."

"Go get some sleep Kai. You've earned it."

"That may be true, Your Majesty, but we have a kingdom to run."

"I know, but I need to spend some time with Anna. Go get some sleep."

"I… As you wish, Your Majesty."

He left for the castle.

The sailors were unloading crates and supplies. They brought boxes from below deck and stacked them at the end of the pier, each one greeting the Princess as they passed. Gabriel climbed above deck, still in uniform, hand on his sword.

"Who's that?"

"Captain Gabriel Alvarsson of Balestrand. We're promoting him to General."

The Captain walked down the plank. When his eye's met the Princess's, he stopped and bowed.

"Your Highness, you must be Princess Anna."

"Yep! That's me!"

"I've heard a great number of things about you. Your heroics during the Great Freeze are legendary in Balestrand. Your bravery and devotion is… remarkable."

"Uh… thanks. Your victories on the battlefield are, uh… pretty awesome as well."

"Thank you, Your Highness. It was an honor to serve my Queen and country."

Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Gabriel walked to the castle. It was morning, and the streets were not crowded. The Guard enjoyed looser activity – Balestrand had been a nightmare when it came to protection and logistics. Arendelle was cordial and predictable, and it was the last place on Earth the Queen felt safe. The Kingdom had to stand.

"Come on Anna. There's a lot we need to do. I promise to tell you all about my trip soon."

Anna and Elsa walked to the castle, followed by Gabriel and Kristoff. It was a Sunday morning and the sun was high. All was well.

On Monday morning, Jonas woke at dawn and went into town. He wished for his last walk to be a bright one, but the rain had returned and the sky was gray. It was peaceful.

There was a patch of grass snug in the center of the urban sprawl. The Crown used the area for town gatherings and speeches, but today it entertained bored children and widows. There was a bench in the middle of the park. His contact sat on the right. Jonas sat on the left, hands tucked in his coat pockets.

Jonas had never seen the contact's face before. It was young, angled, sharp. He wore a gray overcoat and top hat, hands rested on a black cane. Jonas kept his distance from the man. Their conversation would go unheard by public ears – They were just an old man and a young entrepreneur brought together by circumstance for a morning chat.

"We were worried you had missed the signal." The contact's voice was cold and shrill. The sharpness of the words cut through Jonas's mind and stole his consciousness.

"I got it."

"Good. There is much we have to do."

Jonas watched the children play in the dirt and the laborers slump to their jobs as the man kept talking.

"I presume you will be working in the King's palace tonight?"

"Yes."

"And you know what you must do?"

"Yes."

"Listen to me Jonas. There can be no mistakes. We have only one shot at this. My employers do not take failure kindly."

"I know."

"Just remember why you're doing this."

It was a cold morning. Goosebumps dotted Jonas's arms and hands. He pulled his jacket in closer to fight the chill. The nerves accelerated the feeling. He knew he could complete his task, and he knew what came after. His life was not a concern. But the children; sweet little Froli and Albert would begin schooling next year.

"You can take care of them, right?"

The contact looked at Jonas, into his eyes.

"Of course."

"You're absolutely sure?"

"We have the most powerful men in the world underneath our fingertips. I can assure you, they will get the protection necessary. They may even lead better lives than the ones they lead here."

"Yeah…"

"Everything has been taken care of."

"I'm sure."

"Our organization is more powerful than you think it is. You're part of something greater now, Jonas. History will remember you."

"I don't care about history."

"And that's why you are exceptionally valuable to us. Other men work with us for coin or women or fame. But you... You are a rare breed. You're willing to do what is necessary."

"How long until the nation improves? I'm sick of seeing my people begging and starving in the streets."

"We have economists and politicians projecting improvement within a few months. Of course, it all depends on how quickly we succeed in Arendelle."

"You know about the Queen, right?"

"We know more about the Queen than the Queen knows about herself."

"I see..."

"Don't worry. The situation in Arendelle will be resolved. Your people will get the prosperity they deserve."

"Of course."

"I know it's hard but you have to trust us. We've toppled monarchs before. This one will be no different."

The man seemed decent. His voice was cold but comforting. Reassuring. Jonas trusted the man. He had no choice - It was for his kingdom and family.

"Jonas, are you ready?"

"Yes."

"Good. You see that guard over there? The one by the tree?"

"Yes."

"He has what you need. You know what to do?"

"Yes."

"I believe that is it, then."

The businessman stood up in front of Jonas and extended his hand. Jonas shook the black glove.

"It was a pleasure doing business with you."

And he was gone, lost in the crowd and the town.

The guard was standing the park, poised and ready to defend the law. He bore a silver shield in his hand and a broadsword at his side. His tunic was red, powerful and decorated with golden medals and embroidery.

Jonas rose from the bench and walked across the park, grass crumbling beneath his boots. He kept his head low. His hat covered his eyes. He darted towards the guard and the guard began his patrol, walking across the park. Jonas's feet moved without thought into the guard, and they collided. Jonas braced the fall with his hands. There was dirt in his mouth. He rolled over to face the guard towering over him.

"Hey, watch it you filthy peasant!"

"Yes sir. I'm sorry, sir."

"Next time I'll 'ave your head on the choppin' block, you 'ear?"

"Yes sir. It won't happen again, sir."

The guard spat and the saliva covered Jonas's broken face. He wiped the dirt and the spit off his skin and examined what the guard had left for him. It was small and laying in the grass, wrapped in black cloth. Jonas shoved it in his coat. He stood and lowered his cap and went to work.

Elsa spent the entire day with Anna, spilling stories in Elsa's room and spending time in the castle grounds. Anna took Elsa down to the fjord, and they ate a nice dinner with Kristoff while watching the sunset. It was a pleasant day, and the first since the Great Thaw that Elsa had devoted all of her time to Anna.

Amidst the darkening world, Anna was her beacon of hope, her tether to sanity. Her

sister's optimism was charismatic and contagious, spilling from person to person until laughter filled the evening sky. Without Anna, the Queen knew she would be forever lost. Life was merciless.

On Monday, she was back to business. She woke up at sunrise and got dressed and left her room, leaving Anna slumped asleep across the couch. She went to her study. A servant brought her coffee and breakfast. She ate and sorted recent papers and reports. Arendelle was still in one piece.

At midday, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in." She did not look up from the papers.

The door opened and Gabriel stepped in. He was still dressed in his military garb from Balestrand and wielded his sword, but he was cleaner, trimmed, with the blood and gore of the battle washed away. His tunic was white, with brown fur decorating the trimming, his armor shined, and his purple cape glided over the ground.

"Your Majesty, you wanted to see me?"

"Uh…" She put down the papers, "Yes. Please, have a seat."

She gestured towards the coffee table. Elsa and Gabriel took their seats. Gabriel poured two cups of coffee, offering the first to the Queen. She took it and drank. Gabriel placed the coffee on the table in front of him, but did not drink.

"So, we need to officially promote you to General."

"When?"

"Tonight, hopefully. Kai is working on spreading the message and logistics."

"You can't just promote me now?"

"I could, but traditionally, there's a ceremony. The people are trusting you to defend their friends and children. They want to see you."

"Okay."

"Good. Tonight will be simple. The town will gather in the chapel, I'll promote you, the priest will say a few words, and that will be it." Elsa drank more coffee. "Kai will see you later. He'll make sure you're prepared."

"As you wish, Your Majesty."

Elsa relaxed. It was easier than she expected.

"Is this your first time outside of Balestrand?"

"Yes."

"That was my first time outside of Arendelle."

"What did you think?"

"It's… different."

"Yeah…"

Elsa finished her coffee. Gabriel stared at his.

"I suppose that's everything. Um, you're free to go."

Gabriel stood and bowed.

"It was a pleasure, Your Majesty."

"Thank you."

Gabriel paced to the door and left the room. Elsa went back to her desk to resume the day's work. Kai suggested that she begin writing to other leaders to reestablish broken relations between Arendelle and the world.

Elsa put her pen to the paper. Ink etched into the parchment as she forced the words on the page. It was drab. Elsa gave up. A knock on the door saved her from work.

Her sister stepped into the room, gleaming smile and bright eyes.

"Hey sis!"

"Hey Anna."

"What are you doing?"

"Writing letters."

"Huh. Sounds like fun."

Anna took her seat in the wooden chair across from Elsa's desk.

"Anything I can help you with?"

"Not really. I'll just write them later…"

The Queen reclined in her chair. Anna folded her arms and smiled.

"You never really told me what happened in Balestrand."

"It was awful."

"I'm sure it wasn't that bad…"

"No, it was awful. The people outside of Arendelle hate me, Anna. There's nothing I can do."

"Come on Elsa, you just need to give it time."

"No, I can't. There is nothing I can do. I tried to show off my powers, just as I did here, and they almost started a riot. We left the city after that."

Anna's face dropped and her eyes saddened. She leaned over the desk and took her sister's hand.

"Oh, Elsa…. You can't give up on this."

"Anna, but-"

"We're going to get through this problem together, just like we got through the past thirteen years and… We've always been together, and we've always made it through everything."

"Anna…"

"I will find a way to make this better. I promise!"

"Anna…"

"And one day the people will see how great of a person and sister you are and how wonderful your powers are and-"

"Anna! That's not how the world works."

Anna dropped Elsa's hand. It was covered in a white, rough layer of ice.

"Elsa!"

"Ugh, where are the gloves?"

Elsa rummaged through her desk, pulling out drawers and pushing aside papers.

"Wait, Elsa!" Anna reached for the frozen hand. "Just calm down. Look… breathe…"

Elsa stopped scrambling and leaned over her desk, looking into her sister's loving eyes. It was the same feeling she had on the pier after returning from Balestrand, after the celebration when Anna assured her the Kingdom would find peace, after Anna thawed on the fjord. Everything was okay, calm, peaceful. Her sister had the rarest of gifts – She could find fear and topple it with her love.

The ice was gone and more of the Queen's heart thawed. She felt a tear roll down her cheek.

"Thank you, Anna."

"I told you this would all be okay," Anna smiled.

"There's still a lot to be done…"

"…But we've already come so far. We'll get there, I promise."

"…And if we don't?"

"I will still love you."

Monday night, the town met in the chapel for the ceremony. Kai spread the message across town, encouraging citizens to see their new vanguard and stay for the drinks. Arendelle's nobles and townsfolk and beggars all gathered in the chapel wearing their formal attire to celebrate the new General.

Before the ceremony, the townsfolk stood outside with their drinks. There were rumors of uproar in Balestrand, but rumors were common among drunken sailors and merchants. Arendelle was a port. It was used to false rumors. Elsa was thankful for that.

Princess Anna wore her coronation dress and walked with Kristoff to the chapel. They made their way inside. A few solemn citizens reclined in the pews. She knew one.

"Hey! Mark!"

She waved at the merchant across the room, yelling louder.

"Oh, hey! Anna!"

He stood up and walked over to the Princess and Kristoff.

"Uh, hey Kristoff."

"Hey."

"How have you been, Anna?"

The Princess was gleaming in her coronation dress, with a green ribbon decorating her hair.

"Much better since Elsa's back. Is your shop doing well?"

"Yeah, I can't complain."

"I need to come by again soon."

"That would be nice…"

The chapel doors opened and Elsa walked in. She was wearing her Ice Dress.

"Oh , yay! Looks like the ceremony is about to start. I just love stuff like this, don't you?"

"Yeah. I'll… I'll be over there."

Mark went back to his seat and Anna and Kristoff walked to the front of the chapel. The Princess stood next to the Queen and the priest, looking out over the crowd. Elsa stepped forward and the people took their seats. The ceremony began.

The gatekeeper allowed Jonas into the courtyard. The palace was ornate and gothic, with large pillars and buttresses and arches supporting the marble and stone towers that watched over the city. The palace stood apart from the drab urban sprawl, with smooth stone that turned gold in the morning afternoon sunlight. The palace was a reminder for the city – As they worked in the fields and in the dirt, they could look up from anywhere in town to see the golden tower of the palace rising over the city, flawless and immaculate, created by the old renaissance architects and their geometric perfection, and they saw the glory of a passing age. The palace was built for exuberance, not defense. Its construction was the ambition and manifestation of a past tyrant's ego.

Jonas walked through the courtyard as the bell tower struck six times. He walked across the cobblestone floor and around the fountains without thought or hesitation, instead carried by something greater than himself. He was part of something bigger, something grand, and he would be one of the unsung heroes of history.

He entered the castle. The walls were white and the floors were marble. Gold and red banners lined the hallways, placed between paintings and statues brought from the world's finest collectors.

Jonas walked to the dining room. The walls were red and commanding. The room was lavish with silver plates and golden platters sitting on the long table. Tall windows looked over the city where the sun was falling beneath the slanted rooftops. There were eighteen golden chairs seated around the white tablecloth. The largest was at the head. It was for the King. One chair awaited the Queen, twelve were for the Princes, and four for the wives of the older Princes.

The Royal Family would be meeting for dinner within the hour. Jonas followed the other servants into the kitchens. When they returned, the twelve Princes, their parents and wives sat at the table.

King Thomas wore a red robe with white fur and golden jewelry. His peppered hair flowed past his shoulders, and a golden crown lay on his head. He was smiling, laughing with his children and enjoying the wine. The Queen sat upright and tight, hands folded in her lap, with a stern stare targeting the Princes.

The Princes wore white royal tunics, decorated with medals and badges that reflected their unique endeavors on the battlefield or among the scholars. The eldest, Adrian, sat next to his father. He had experienced skin, thick muscles and long black hair. The King and eldest son locked in conversation. The table filled to the end, with the second youngest, Stefan, sitting at the end.

Jonas and the servants carried covered plates with enticing auras teasing their contents. They encircled the table and lifted the covers off the plates in synchronization revealing hams, turkeys, venison, fish, potatoes, beans, cheeses from the south, and the finest delicacies the Southern Isles denied its citizens.

Jonas stood in the back of the room as the Royal family ate. They finished and the Princes began to get up and leave the room. The King and Adrian were still talking. The Queen was silent.

Prince Erik conversed with his wife and Prince Henrik at the table. He had brown, slick hair, was clean-shaven, and reclined in the wooden chair. He called Jonas over. Jonas always liked Erik. He was one of the few who knew Jonas by name.

"Your Highness?"

"Hey, Jonas. Is Martha doing well?"

"Yes. Quite."

"And the kids?"

"Also good."

"That's good to hear."

The Prince wiped his mouth with his handkerchief. He pointed at the rest of the food.

"Can you do me a favor and gather some of these scraps for Hans?"

"Of course, Your Highness."

"Let's say this is for 'good behavior'. It'll be better that the normal sludge they feed him."

"I will tell him."

"Thanks. He's down in the dungeons."

"Your Highness, if you don't mind me saying, I thought you despised Prince Hans?"

"I do, but he's still family."

"I see…"

"Well, you don't have to be polite about it. Just toss it through the cell door and watch him scrape it off the ground if you like."

"I'll see what I can do."

"Thanks, Jonas."

Jonas took some assorted scraps and put them on a plate and left the dining room. He walked across the palace and downstairs to the dungeons. They were dark and cold, and his eyes took a moment to adjust to the darkness.

Prince Erik had pushed for Hans' punishment, and the King collapsed to increasing pressure from the eldest brothers. Prince Hans had a royal cell. The King punished Hans for embarrassing the Southern Isles, and was as cruel as a distant father could be to a spoiled son. The cell had a nice bed, warm sheets, a wardrobe, desk, writing materials, and all the comforts of his quarters – Prince Hans just had to endure life three stories lower and without a pleasant view.

Jonas looked down at the plate. There was a slab of turkey, bits of fish and bone, and a pastry. He looked at the Prince, asleep on the bed, and back at the food. He dumped the food through the metal bars and watched it splatter across the ground. Hans shook and awoke, looking up at Jonas. He hadn't shaved in days and his eyes were dark. He sighed and threw off the blankets.

Jonas pointed at the food.

"For 'good behavior'."

Jonas left the dungeons and went back into the castle. He avoided the other servants and ducked into a secluded hallway. The Royal Family and their servants would be continuing work by now.

He pulled the black cloth from his coat and laid it on a table. His fingers found the edges and unwrapped the contents. The blade sparkled and shimmered in the light. The dagger had an ornate hilt with red jewels. It was small, the blade was thin, and it fit in Jonas' pocket. He pulled out a pair of black gloves and put them on, then folded the cloth and tucked it in his pants.

The King and Queen always went to their study after dinner. Jonas went back into the Entrance Hall and up the stairs. He passed other servants, faceless people he had seen for years but never knew. He kept his head down and watched his feet as they carried him down the hall. His hands were in his pockets, and he grasped the cold hilt of the dagger.

"Hey! You!"

Jonas turned to see the servant walking down the hall carrying a tray of evening tea.

"Do me a favor and give this to the King and Queen. I forgot the sugar. Tell them it will be right up."

He thrust the tray into Jonas's hands. This would make it easier.

Jonas approached the King's study. There was a single guard standing outside the door.

"I have tea for the King."

"Oh. Yes, of course. Go on in."

The guard opened the door and Jonas stepped inside. The door shut. Jonas stood in a glamorous and baroque room. The walls were dark and the floor was wooden. Fancy furniture gifted from all parts of Europe decorated the room, and foreign artifacts and porcelain rested on top of them. It was a large room, large enough for the King and Queen's bed, a desk, a coffee table, and all the King's belongings. A long window encompassed the back wall, from floor to ceiling. It looked at the starry night and the cathedral.

The King was pulling off his thick robe. The Queen sat on the bed, undoing her hair.

"I have… tea."

"Oh yes. Set it there."

"The sugar will be here soon."

The King pointed to the coffee table and looked into a mirror. Jonas put the tray down and stood there, enjoying his precious last breaths. He drew the dagger.

The King saw him approach in the mirror. He turned as Jonas grasped his head and brought the dagger up, ramming it into his throat. His eyes widened. His mouth opened as the blade cut skin and bone and tongue. The King's desperate cries were lost. Torn vocal cords. Cries composed into mere frantic pulses of blood that squeezed between the skin and blade. The blood dripped down Jonas's hand. The King's eyes rolled back. Jonas pulled the dagger from the King's skull. His body fell at Jonas' feet.

The Queen screamed. She stood. Jonas pushed her and she fell on the bed. Jonas took a pillow and pressed it over her face, deadening the pleas. He took the dagger and thrust it into the pillow. Through fabric, skin, skull and brain. He pulled the dagger out. Blood flew across the room. The pillow was red. He thrust the dagger into the Queen's face again. And again. He stabbed until the pillow was a red pulp of blood and entrails. The Queen's limp body lay over the sheets. Blood dripped from the bed.

Jonas stood over his handiwork. Pools of blood and two dead bodies. It was done.

The door thrust open. The guard stood, mouth open, at the sight of the murdered Royals. A flick of the wrist, and the dagger left Jonas's hand. It implanted in the guard's throat. His hands grasped his neck as he fell to the floor.

"Quick! To the King's room!"

"Hurry!"

The voices came from the hall. Jonas rushed to the door and shut it. He locked it. The wood could not last long. He glanced around the room. There was nothing, no hope of escaping the scene. He accepted that long ago.

The door kicked open. Shards of wood flew into the room. The guards filed in, swords drawn.

Jonas turned and ran at the window. He broke the glass. Shards flew into the night sky and his body beat the glass to the ground.

The doors opened and Gabriel stepped in. Everyone stood. He paced down the center aisle, guards saluting as he passed. His eyes focused, beyond the men in uniform and the souls he protected, to the Queen and the Princess. Their security was now his main concern.

Gabriel reached the Queen and knelt at her feet. The priest walked to the podium.

"Ladies and gentlemen, commoners and nobles, Arendelle," he said, "I give you Captain Gabriel Alvarsson of Balestrand, son of General Arnbjorn Alvarsson of Balestrand."

The crowd was silent. The soldiers examined their new commander. He was precise, commanding and stubborn. They were pleased.

"Captain Alvarsson, you are to repeat after me."

The priest began reciting his list of oaths for Gabriel, and Gabriel repeated them. He swore his life and service to the Queen, the Princess, the Royal Crown of Arendelle, the people of Arendelle, and all her holdings.

The priest nodded to Elsa. She raised her hand, and it shimmered with a white and wintry light. The hilt appeared first, shimmering and transparent, and then the snowflakes fell and molded into a blade, blue and vengeful in the light. It was flawless ice, sharper than steel. The Queen tapped Gabriel on both shoulders with the blade, and he was no longer a Captain.

"I, Queen Elsa of Arendelle and daughter of King Adgar of Arendelle, by the grace of God, promote you, Gabriel Alvarsson of Balestrand, to Supreme General of Arendelle and her armies."

The General rose and faced the crowd. Elsa stepped next to him, and Anna stepped to her right. They accepted the cheers of the crowd. Nobles were clapping, peasants were shouting – It all reminded Elsa of the coronation. Half of Arendelle was there.

The priest cleared his throat.

"Today, to bless this event, I have prepared a few passages. May God and good fortune smile down upon General Gabriel Alvarsson, and the people of Arendelle."

He coughed and flipped through the pages of the tome in his hands.

"The first selection is Psalms twenty-three."

The priest brought the text to his eyes and began to read.

"Hey, congratulations!" Anna smiled at the General, trying to hide an awkward hand wave from the crowd. The General nodded.

When the first passage was over, the priest searched for and found the next passage. He cleared his throat and ended the ceremony with a final verse.

"The second verse is Deuteronomy, chapter thirty-one, verse six."

The priest read the verse and concluded the ceremony. It was over. The message was received.

A/N: This was a very fun chapter to write. This story has really started to take off! I have adjusted to my new school schedule, so I now have lot of time to write. As always, let me know what you guys this of this story. Any feedback/comments/reviews are appreciated!