A/N: Hullo everyone! Welcome to my latest misadventure, The Snow Queen's Knight. This is an alternate universe Wreck-It Ralph/Frozen crossover fan fiction. And yes, THIS IS AN ICEBREAKER FIC.

This is my take on the crossover idea of these two and I sincerely hope all of you like it.

I dedicate this story to one of my very best friend's and my co-writer for this story, the lovely Ms. GND-KicaCris. Without her support, friendship and inspiration, I would never have gotten this started. Thank you so much!

The Snow Queen's Knight

An AU Wreck-It Ralph/Frozen Crossover Tale

Written by

The Phantom Soldier

Co-written by

GND-KicaCris

Chapter 1: A Surprise on the Southern Winds

"How long until we reach Arendelle, captain?" the princess asked, her tone one of building annoyance.

"Another day, sure as raven flies," the captain replied, his Russian accent laced with amusement at the princess's impatience.

The princess let out a groan of exasperation. "Tell me again why we had to take this massive turtle instead of one of the faster ships," she asked, her voice sounding annoyed.

She was right. The ship they sailed was a massive first rate man-o-war, boasting over one hundred guns on three decks and crewed by the best gunners in their navy. But despite boasting numerous sails across her three fully rigged masts, the ship was much slower than others.

Her advisor stepped forward, a gloved hand clasped over his lips as the rocking of the ship made him nauseous. "Now...your highness. Ulp...we needed to…ohhh nelly…bring as much…trade goods…as we could…Heavens…Plus…this is the flagship of the...gulp...navy and...Oh my land I feel sick...and we just want to...ulp...protect you."

The general laid a comforting hand on the advisor's shoulder, trying to steady him as the massive ship broke through the waves. "Sad to say he's right princess," she grinned. "While most pirate crews have moved to warmer climates, doesn't mean some stick around the colder waters."

The princess huffed again, casting a sideways glance over her shoulder. "Any pirate tries to capture this ship or me will have to go through my knight," she grinned; looking over at the man she had appointed her guardian. He was wiping down his greaves and vambraces, cleaning them up. He still left the minor dings and scratches embedded in them, battle scars of great encounters he had fought and survived.

"That may be Princess," the general said, "but we're not going to take any chances. Besides, we have a hull full to bursting with goodies and we're going to show Arendelle just how serious we are about this trade agreement."

The princess suddenly jumped up in joy at the mention of their destination. "I can't wait!" she cried, her dress hardly restricting her movement. "First thing I'm gonna do after the meeting is build a snowman!"

"I think it's the wrong time of the year for snow, kid," her knight said, not even looking up from his work, polishing his plating.

The princess turned and stuck her tongue out at her guardian. "We'll see who's right, Sir Stinkbrain!" she jeered.

The whole deck, sailors, captain, general, advisor, princess and knight alike erupted in laughter. They were on an adventure towards a new land and Lord alone knew what awaited them beyond the horizon and in Arendelle.

-X-X-X-X-X-

The next morning saw the sun rising on the prosperous kingdom of Arendelle, with merchants opening their doors, the town's people heading about their business and other's just enjoying the summer day. But nowhere was business being more attended to than in the library of the palace.

"In conclusion, your highness, the representatives of our new trading partner should be arriving in the next few days in order to finalize all of the arrangements." His report finished, the minister of trade returned to sitting in his chair, his posture remaining upright and professional while his face retained a warm smile.

"Thank you minister," the Queen replied softly, her sincere blue eyes showing the gratitude behind her words. "Is there any other business to discuss before we adjourn the meeting?"

Looking around the table, her gaze was met by a series of nods and a mixed chorus of "No, your highness" and "None, your majesty." Satisfied with the answers, the Queen smiled warmly to her cabinet.

"Thank you once again gentlemen, for your time and hard work," she said gratefully. "You tireless work helps ensure that our people are never wanting."

The ministers smiled at their Queen's praise, knowing she fully meant every word of it. To them, she was every bit the daughter of her mother and father, as courteous as the most experienced ambassador, as graceful as the winds of late autumn, and as sincere as the most affectionate heart. Truly they were blessed to serve such a Queen.

Collectively bowing at their waists, the gave their thanks to the Queen and made their way out of the palace library, knowing that the Queen usually followed her meetings with an afternoon of reading, perhaps indulging in the odd chocolate every now and then.

Once her ministers had filed out of the library, the Queen breathed a sigh of relief. Sweeping her purple cape to the side behind her, she collapsed into the plush chair, letting herself calm down. 'A little bit better each time,' she thought. 'I can do this. Mama and Papa believed in me.'

Drawing up her strength, Queen Elsa of Arendelle stood once more, allowing her cape to once again resume its place behind her as she strode away from the table. Dressed in her more regal dress as opposed to her usually icy trappings, she looked every part the young, industrious and beautiful Queen that every one of her people knew and loved. And she was only one year into what her people prayed would be a long and fruitful reign.

And so far, it had been. Despite her icy start the year previous, the kingdom of Arendelle had strengthened its ties with its trade partners (Weselton notwithstanding), saw its economy flourish thanks to the Queen's skills in diplomacy, and had even seen a rise in the ice business thanks to the ingenuity of the kingdom's royal ice master and the aid of his perpetually energetic girlfriend, Princess Anna.

Elsa reached the glass doors leading to the balcony overlooking the courtyard and offering an unrivaled view of the town and the sea. Looking towards the horizon, her thoughts turned to the impending arrival of her kingdom's new trade partner. She blushed slightly at the memory of precisely why they had had to find a new one. Though she did not regret her decision in the slightest, her choice to sever ties with Weselton had been made slightly in haste and its effects had not been readily clear to her. After several months, the kingdom began realizing that they were lacking several goods that Weselton had provided to them. When she had first realized what she had done, she nearly froze her entire room in ice due to anxiety. When Anna and Kristoff had finally calmed her down, Kristoff had suggested that she should ask the people what they thought.

Elsa immediately took to the idea, sending town criers out to call an informal meeting of the townspeople. When they had all gathered in the courtyard, Elsa walked among them, asking if they thought she had made a mistake and should perhaps rescind her decree, feeling extremely embarrassed and unsure of herself.

The answer she got was a unanimous 'No' voiced by everyone. They too remembered what the sneaky Duke of Weselton had tried to pull. They spoke as one saying they could do without the goods that that kingdom had provided, preferring to abstain rather than invite back a place that had nearly robbed them of their Queen.

Following that meeting, Elsa excused herself from her sister and friends and made her way to her bedroom. Once there, she let herself cry tears of happiness: happiness at knowing her people, her friends and her sister loved and accepted her despite her powers.

However, she was still determined to see that her kingdom wanted for nothing, and the following day she had gathered her ministers to start looking for possible kingdoms to replace the gap in trade that Weselton had created. And now, here they were a few months later, ready to receive guests from a large nation far to the south, in order to finalize a trade agreement that would prove beneficial to both sides.

Standing out on the balcony, letting the warm summer wind and the scent of salt from the ocean kiss her smooth alabaster cheeks, Elsa could not help but feel a twinge of anxiety mixed with curiosity. She wondered about her coming guests. Despite her research and correspondence with other trade partners, she knew very little about what to expect from them. Despite supposedly being an empire, they were as much a mystery to her as Arendelle had been to its trade partners a year ago.

Still, she forced herself to calm down, hugging herself with her gloved hands, as though she were trying to chase away the nervous feelings with warmth. Despite Anna trying to get her to do otherwise, Elsa still wore her gloves whenever she was dressed more regally. Elsa argued that it was more for the style of it rather than any fear of freezing things by accident, but both sisters knew that deep down, Elsa still had her lingering fears.

The sound of laughter broke her from the spell of her thoughts. Looking down into the courtyard, Elsa immediately spied the source: her sister Anna, riding atop the mighty reindeer Sven, as Kristoff lead them both into the center of the courtyard.

Elsa smiled at the sight of it. After the fiasco with Prince Hans, she had been wary of any other boys that Anna might present her with, but knowing how Kristoff had helped her during the spell of Winter, she couldn't help but like him. He seemed a better match for Anna than the Prince could ever hope to have been. He, Sven and lovable Olaf were her family now.

Peering closely, Elsa spied something that gave her pause: Anna was wearing a blindfold. Her curiosity piqued, Elsa stepped backwards on the balcony, obscuring her from view in case either of them looked up.

'I wonder what they're up to,' she mused as she watched Kristoff help Anna down from Sven with a lift from his well-toned arms.

-X-X-X-X-X-

"Alright Kristoff, where have you brought me?" Anna asked, a playful smile on her face as she poked at the blindfold around her eyes. She was wondering what her boyfriend had up his sleeve. "Is this another attempt to get me to go ice-fishing?"

"Just hang on Anna," Kristoff Bjorgman said, boasting a grin so wide it nearly split his face. He let Anna wander about blindly for a few moments while he got himself ready. He walked over to Sven, scratching his faithful reindeer behind his antlers, giving him a smile. "Well, here goes nothing old buddy," he whispered.

Sven reached forward and licked his friend across the face, a gesture of good luck on the reindeer's part. Kristoff merely smiled and wiped his face, taking a deep breath before he turned back to Anna. "Alright Anna, you can take off the blindfold now," he said.

Anna quickly tore the blindfold off, looking around her quickly, causing her braid to fly around her head. When she immediately noticed that they were in the courtyard of the palace, she turned to look at her boyfriend with a look that seemed a mixture of annoyance and confusion. "Uhm...Kristoff? Why?" she asked, her foot tapping on the stones of the courtyard.

Kristoff rubbed the back of his head, feeling slightly embarrassed. "Well...I didn't want to drag you all the way to Oaken's trading post just so he could tell you I couldn't come in. So I figured here was better than a random spot in the wilderness."

Anna quirked an eyebrow at the ice master, feeling completely lost. "Kristoff, you're making less sense than that idea you had about making a metal box full of ice so food can be kept cold," she said, her tone still sounding mildly annoyed. "Just what is it you're trying to say?"

"That was a good idea and it would have worked if Olaf hadn't annoyed the blacksmith," Kristoff defended.

"Whatever," she huffed, looking him over again. "What's the point of all this?" She gestured around herself in a sweeping motion.

Kristoff shifted back and forth on his feet, looking like he was choosing his words carefully. What Anna couldn't help but notice was how he was keeping his right hand in his pocket. "Well I...uhm...well...y'know...it's been a year now...and...uhm...yeah...see..." he said in his cute stuttering manner.

Her patience wearing thin, Anna threw her hands up in the air and stared at him. "Kristoff, just spit it out already!"

Kristoff drew himself up to his full height and looked back at the redhead he loved so much. 'I can do this,' he thought confidently. Taking in one more deep breath, he looked right into Anna's eyes with determination. "Princess Anna of Arendelle," he said as he dropped down to one knee. From his pocket, he withdrew a slim golden ring that was topped by a crystal of green, red and yellow, the same colors worn by his family. "Will...will you marry me?"

Anna stood stock still, her breath caught in her throat as she stared at the ring being offered to her. In all of her wildest dreams, she had never expected Kristoff would be the one to propose to her, especially not after the last time she'd asked where things were going and he somehow 'accidentally' wound up with his face shoved into a pie. But here he was on bended knee, asking her to marry him.

-X-X-X-X-X-

Elsa couldn't believe her eyes. Kristoff was asking Anna to marry him. Even more worrisome, she found herself praying that Anna would say yes.

A year ago, she would have been resolutely opposed to any thoughts of Anna getting married, but she'd matured a lot over the year, and Elsa had seen the two grow close. And honestly, she didn't care if Kristoff wasn't of noble blood. She knew he had a noble heart and that he truly loved Anna, and that was good enough for the Queen.

'C'mon Anna,' she mentally prayed. 'Give him your answer...'

-X-X-X-X-X-

A minute had passed by and Anna still hadn't given her answer. Her mind was racing seven ways from Sunday and she was trying to keep herself calm.

Across from her, the smile on Kristoff's face was beginning to drop. 'Maybe she doesn't want to,' he thought worriedly, hoping she would give him some kind of answer soon because the waiting was killing him.

"Yes," he suddenly heard, his eyes looking up to Anna with unbridled hope blazing in them.

"Anna?"

"Yes, Yes, YES, YES YEEEES! OF COURSE I'LL MARRY YOU YOU ROCK HEADED MAN!" she cheered, launching herself at him and tackling him to the ground, despite her lighter frame and his stronger build.

Kristoff had no time to prepare himself as Anna bent down and captured his lips for a deep kiss. Reflexively, his arms snaked around her waist, keeping her there as they shared the kiss for quite some time.

When they finally broke the kiss, Anna sat back, still straddling Kristoff's chest and leaking down at him with a triumphant smirk. Kristoff returned her smirk, gingerly taking her left hand into his and sliding the ring onto her finger. She admired the ring on her finger before she looked back down at her now fiancé. "You sure you know what you're getting yourself into?" she asked.

Kristoff chuckled, lifting her up on his chest a little. "Anna, if I didn't know what I was getting myself into then I've wasted a year of valuable time."

Anna playfully slapped him in the shoulder, looking down at him with a playful pout. "Jerk," she said softly.

"Brat," he countered back with a smile.

Anna stood up and let Kristoff stand up from the ground. She immediately clasped his hands in hers and began pulling him towards the palace entrance. "C'mon! We gotta go tell Elsa!"

Kristoff has a sudden look of terror in his eyes as he dug his heels into the stones. "El-Elsa?" he stuttered. "You're-ahhh...you're sure you want to tell her right...now?"

His hesitance struck a chord with the princess anD she immediately stopped her pulling. "Actually... now that you mention it...Maybe we should wait a little... especially after last time."

Little did Anna and Kristoff know, Queen Elsa was already way ahead of them.

-X-X-X-X-X-

Elsa smiled as she watched her sister hug the man she loved around his neck, swinging around and around in utter happiness. She wandered back into the library, alone except for her thoughts.

Despite how happy she felt for Anna in that moment, she couldn't help but feel a stab of jealousy in her heart. It wasn't that she was jealous of Anna snagging Kristoff, it wasn't that at all. It was jealousy of Anna having something she doubted she'd ever have: true love beyond family.

She looked down at her gloved hands, feeling tears starting to well up at the corners of her eyes, cursing the powers she had been born with once more. The powers that had almost killed her sister twice and had nearly destroyed her kingdom.

Elsa sighed deeply, her thoughts once again turning to her future. Since the entire debacle the previous year and despite having met several other royals from other kingdoms who attempted to play the suitor, they all either revealed themselves to be frightened of her powers or playing the same game as the despicable Prince Hans. She found that her prospects of ever marrying were slimmer than her waistline. She would remain a virgin queen while Kristoff and Anna married, had children, and then one day the throne would pass to Anna and her happy little family. Elsa would simply be the loving aunt, forever unwed.

She turned around, staring through the glass out at the ocean. She took a deep breath before sighing deeply once again. 'Maybe,' she mused sadly. 'Maybe there's someone out there for me, just beyond the horizon. Someone who can look past my powers, past my title, and just try to see me for who I am...'

'Ah, but who am I really?' she wondered sadly. 'I'm a queen, I have these powers, but who am I beyond that?'

She pulled her gloves from her hands, placing them on the panes of glass, not even caring as they began to frost over. 'Please,' she prayed. 'All I ask for is someone who understands. Someone who knows what it's like. Someone who can…love me.'

The door to the library suddenly burst open with a thunderous crack. Elsa whipped around, expecting to see Anna barreling in, but her brow knit in confusion when she saw that it was one of the palace guards, who proceeded to snap to attention. "Forgive me your highness," he said promptly. "But the guards in the watchtowers have signaled that they've spotted a sail on the horizon. It's on course with Arendelle, your majesty.

Elsa momentarily forgot her depressing thoughts as a cold lump of dread suddenly formed in her stomach. "A sail?" she echoed worriedly.

When the guard gave a precise nod of his head, Elsa spun around to walk back onto the balcony. 'They can't be here this early, can they?' she dreaded. In her hands, she quickly formed a telescope, shaping the ice in such a way as to form the flawless lenses needed for magnification. As she peered through it, her breath caught in her throat.

It was indeed a ship, and even at the distance it was at she could still tell it was a large one. The hull was painted in a mixture of jet black and forest green horizontal stripes, leading up to billowing sails painted in red & white vertical stripes. When her gaze took her to the top of the mainmast, she confirmed her worst fears. Flying from the mainmast was a blue flag, upon which the center sat the emblem of a candy-striped shield marked with an ornate letter 'S', flanked on one side by a mighty steed rearing up on its hind legs while the other side was guarded by the silhouette of a rearing wolf.

Elsa felt her stomach drop. 'They're early?' she thought worriedly, her mind already running with all of the necessary preparations they'd need to make. She turned around to the guard who had informed her of the incoming vessel.

"Please, move as quickly as you can through the palace and inform everyone that are guests are coming," she said, trying to keep her voice from cracking with panic. "Inform the staff to ready rooms, to prepare the throne room, send other guards to alert the other posts to prepare to welcome our guests."

"Yes your majesty," the guard said, bowing at the waist before turning on his heel and walking briskly out of the room, setting about the task the queen had given him.

Elsa pressed her hand to her forehead, trying to quell the mounting headache. 'They weren't due for another few days,' she thought worriedly. 'This is going to be a disaster. The palace isn't ready, we haven't had time to prepare, there's so much to do. They're going to think we aren't serious about this trade agreement and that we completely wasted their time.' The more she worried about it, the more ice began forming around her in jagged formations that gave away her anxiety.

"Elsa?" said a voice behind her.

The queen nearly jumped into the air, shocked out of her nervous thoughts by the sudden interruption. When she spun around, she saw no one at first, but then her gaze travelled down to the telltale permanent snow cloud that preserved Olaf, the ever friendly snowman who was wearing a smile beneath his carrot nose.

"Oh, it's just you Olaf," Elsa said, slightly clutching her chest to calm her beating heart. She returned his smile the best she could, though she still felt extremely nervous.

"Yup it's me!" he said cheerfully, contrasting the anxious mood she found herself in. Olaf had a penchant for being able to ignore any perceivable danger around him because he was usually so blissfully optimistic, even remaining blind to the angry formations of ice forming out from Elsa's feet. "Just wanted to see how the best queen in the world was doing today!"

Elsa momentarily forgot her conundrum thanks to the snowman's cheery demeanor. "Thank you Olaf," she said quietly. "And I'm not doing very well today."

Olaf's eyes went wide. "What?!" he asked, his voice sounding slightly anguished. "What's got you so down Elsa? What can I do to help? Will jokes help? I learned one from a man on the dock the other day..."

Elsa held up her hands in a slowing gesture. "It's alright Olaf," she said, trying to calm him. "It's just that I learned we're going to have guests very soon and we haven't had time to prepare."

The snowman's eyes seemed to brighten up. "Guests? Guests?! Are these the guests who are coming to replace that weasel guy?" he asked excitedly, hopping around on his stubby feet.

The queen couldn't help but giggle at his phrasing. "Yes Olaf, the very same guests," she replied.

"Well then what's wrong?" he asked, his eyes full of concern. "I thought you'd be happy they're arriving."

"I am Olaf, but it's just that I'm worried because it's on such a short notice," she said, looking away. "I'm worried that if we're not ready by the time they arrive, they won't take us seriously and they'll withdraw their trade offer."

"They won't do that!" Olaf crowed, looking up at the queen. "You told me they come from a warmer climate, so that means they must give great warm hugs! And nobody who gives great warm hugs can't possibly worry over some missing banners and decorations!"

Elsa sighed, finding the snowman's naivety refreshing. "I...guess you're right Olaf, but we still need to prepare."

"Well what can I do to help?" Olaf asked, bright-eyed and ready for action.

She smiled down at him, glad he was always ready to help. "The first thing you can do is go out onto that balcony and tell Anna and Kristoff to prepare themselves. Oh, and Olaf? Don't tell them I saw them, okay?"

Olaf looked up at her with a look of confusion. "Uhm...okaaaaaay?"

Elsa thought up a little white lie to tell her little friend. "Anna and I are playing a complicated game of hide-and-go-seek, and it wouldn't do to let her spot me now, right?" she said, giving him a conspiratorial wink.

"Right right right!" Olaf replied, accepting the answer given to him, he bolted past Elsa to push through the balcony doors, calling down excitedly to his friends below.

Elsa smiled, allowing herself a moment of peace before she strode out of the library, her thoughts returning to the rush of events she knew was coming. She had much to do and very little time to do it.

-X-X-X-X-X-

Anna burst into her room with Kristoff following closely at her heels. After the two of them had been thoroughly hugged by Olaf, they were told of the impending arrival. Anna, still energized by Kristoff asking her to marry him, had practically flown to her room, eager to impress the coming nobles before announcing her engagement to Elsa.

She dove into her closet as Kristoff sat upon her bed, still riding the wave of euphoria and relief that came with having Anna accept his proposal. He knew his family was going to be rolling for days when he told them of it, but he was truly happy. Nothing could take this victory from him.

"Kristoff!" Anna yelled, still digging through her closet. "Where's my Lilly dress?"

'Well that didn't last long,' he thought amusedly. He looked over to his fiancé with a smile on his face. "I think that one is still recovering from our last little 'adventure.'"

Anna stopped digging through her various dresses for just a moment, a very becoming blush coloring her beautiful face. She recalled the night in question quite well and just how much of an 'adventure' it had been for the both of them.

She cast a seductive eye over her shoulder at the blond man sitting on her bed. "You really need to know your own strength, ice driver," she said with a slight sultry tint to her tone.

"From what I remember, your hands were busier than mine that night," he replied, a roguish grin crossing his lips.

"Oh hush!" she spat back, pretending to be annoyed. They're intimate adventures proved more intriguing and engaging each time. She just prayed that Elsa wouldn't catch on to their fun. "Anyway, why don't you go wash up? You'll be present at the welcoming and I'd like my fiancé to be presentable and not smell like reindeer and moss."

"Uhm...How do you expect me to do that?" he asked. "If they're as close as Olaf said they were, then by the time a bath's ready they'll be here."

"Then just go wash in that little stream behind the castle like you always do," she said with a smile.

"How do you know about that?" Kristoff asked, his eyes going wide in horror.

"One of the chambermaids saw you bathing in it one day a few months ago," Anna said coquettishly. "I decided to see for myself and I've been watching your cute behind ever since."

Kristoff blushed at having had his secret bathing spot found out and at having been watched by his fiancé doing it. "I'm...gonna go wash up and change," he said shyly, making his way towards the door.

"You do that Kristoff," Anna said, her smile still delightfully smug and perverse. "Now where did I put the dress from the coronation?" She resumed her attempts at unearthing a suitable dress.

-X-X-X-X-X-

After the better part of two hours the massive ship passed through entrance of the harbor and entered the fjord that was Arendelle's harbor. Fishermen, sailors and citizens of the town looked on in wonder, having never seen such a leviathan before. They could only wonder what riches lay within its hold, what power slumbered behind its closed gun ports, and what exotic citizens it bore to their humble land. Smaller vessels behind it saw the warship's name across the stern. Framed by elegantly carved wood and written in exquisite gold was the name Jawbreaker.

Reading signals from the harbor master, the ship was directed towards the largest berth that the harbor of Arendelle had. As the sailors aboard the massive vessel began casting out mooring lines to the men waiting on the dock, they grinned from ear to ear as they overheard the heated debate going on behind them between the princess and her knight.

"Do I have to?" asked the knight.

"Yes," replied the princess, a smile lighting up her face.

"Why?"

"'Cause I said so."

"But wouldn't it be better if I-"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

The knight heaved a long suffering sigh and left to find his quarters, having been ordered out of his more ornate formal coat and shirt and into his armor plating. "Seriously, aren't we trying to befriend these people, not scare them?" he asked over his shoulder before disappearing down the hatch.

The general laughed as she watched the knight retreat, smiling down at the princess. "He never was much for following orders when he was in my corps," she said with a laugh. "Then again, he never had the discipline that my corps demands."

The minister of trade laid a hand on the general's. "Now now, honey," he said in his calming voice. "He may not have been cut out for your troops, but he's still a good man who can always do the right thing."

The general looked down at the minister and flashed him a look somewhere between a smile and a sneer. "I swear half-pint, you're so sweet and soft that sometimes I wonder how you sweet-talked me into marriage," she said in her dry humor.

He met her smile with one of his own. "'Cause you're my gunpowder gal and I love you with all of my heart," he said without a second thought.

The general leaned over and gave him a kiss on his forehead. "You could charm a cobra right of its skin,"

"BLECH! Could you two quit it with that lovey-dovey guff already?" the princess whined, thoroughly not enjoying their display.

The clank and thud of armored feet alerted them to the knight's return. He rose up from the hatch, his helm appearing first as the rest of his powerful frame followed. The princess smiled appreciatively, glad he did as she asked.

"Alright, I'm all dressed up," he said through his helm, his voice having gained a metallic ring to it. "Can we go now?"

"Yes," the princess said smugly. "Let's go make some new friends."

She turned just as the gangplank landed on the deck of the ship, allowing her and her companions to dismount and meet the waiting diplomats.

-X-X-X-X-X-

Elsa sat primly atop her throne, waiting patiently as Anna and Kristoff stood by her side while her ministers lined the carpet leading toward her throne. Elsa was still clad in her regal dress, her hands still gloved. She'd had no time to change into something more elegant while she was busy directing what preparations she could in the short time they'd had. A small part of her mind had urged her to just have it out and present herself as the alluring ice queen, but she'd clamped down on the rogue notion immediately as she did not want to give the representatives the wrong impression of her.

The majority of the room was empty. Elsa had opted not to have the population informed because she knew it would have clogged the path to the palace. She felt guilty about keeping her people in the dark, but she silently promised herself she'd arrange a more formal introduction to the delegates later.

For the moment, she kept herself from growing tense by watching Anna and Kristoff out of the corner of her eye, the two of them stealing glances at each other like they were young children. She couldn't have been happier for Anna, but she had a duty to her people first.

A throat being cleared brought her back to reality and her anxiety returned with her as the court herald made ready to announce the entrance of the delegates. Outwardly, she looked every part the calm and collected Queen. On the inside, she felt like her heart was going to give out from worry.

The herald stood up straight as he readied his introductions. Every head in the room turned toward the door through which they would enter.

"Now presenting, the representatives of the Sugarsian Empire, Lord Felix Réparez.

A short but handsome and well groomed brown-haired man entered the room, an optimistic smile on his face. He was dressed in a well-tailored blue coat with a matching waistcoat and trousers. He quickly strode towards the throne and bowed at his waist.

"It is an honor to meet you, your majesty," he said politely.

Elsa returned his smile. "The honor is mine, Lord Réparez," she said.

He was about to continue when the herald began speaking again. "Introducing, the commander of the Sugarsian Army, General Tamora Calhoun Réparez."

Elsa and Anna briefly looked at each other before looking towards Lord Felix, who was maintaining his bow. Through the door strode a short haired blond woman who looked to stand as tall as Kristoff. Her leather boots were well worn but polished, leading up to military cut trousers and a tunic that hugged her buxom form like a glove. Across her abdomen and trailing her hips were four matched pistols, held in place by weathered holsters. But what truly drew everyone's gaze was the eyes set in her lovely face, eyes that seemed capable of cold logic and warm affection all at once.

The general bowed at her waist before Queen Elsa, their eyes locking with one another as the general grinned. "Thank you very much for having us in your kingdom, your highness," she said.

Out of the corner of her eye, Elsa could see Anna and Kristoff trying to subtly figure out why the minister and the general had the same last name, but she pushed that mystery aside for later. "You honor me with your gratitude general," she spoke kindly.

The herald opened his mouth for the final announcement. "Introducing, the heir to the throne of Sugarsia, Princess Vanellope Von Schweetz and her personal knight, Sir Ralph of Wreckingham."

The door opened fully and two figures entered. The first was a girl who couldn't have been more than ten years old. Her pale cherubic face was framed by her raven black hair tied in elaborate twisting braids around her head. She shuffled forward in the light green dress she wore, lifting the blooming lace skirt of it with her hands as she made her way in.

Behind her came a figure that did not walk so much as he lumbered. The man who shadowed the tiny girl had to be a full seven feet tall and a half again as wide as Kristoff. His head was encased in a cylindrical helm like that of the crusades while his neck was shrouded by what could only have been a wolf skin. The pauldrons atop his broad shoulders and heavily muscled arms were dented but clean, patterned to look like metallic brickwork, while his metal gauntleted hands looked as though they could easily crush a man's skull with their size alone. His chest wore naught but a cloth bearing the symbol of Sugarsia's flag as chain mail rattled beneath it. Each step he took of his greave clad feet sent a small tremor through the room.

Every eye of Arendelle in the room opened wide in awe and slight terror as they suddenly wondered just what exactly Queen Elsa had invited into their kingdom.

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