The palace was unusually quiet in the early hours of the morning. The council had convened secretly, their faces etched with concern and determination. They knew the decision they were about to make would change the course of Arendelle's future, but they believed it was necessary for the kingdom's safety and stability.The United Kingdom of Auradon had extended an offer for Arendelle to join their coalition. It was an opportunity for greater security and prosperity, but there was a catch: Lord Hades, King of the Underworld, had to be banished to the Isle of the Lost. The council had debated for hours, torn between loyalty to their queen and the potential benefits for their people.
Ultimately, they reached a consensus. With heavy hearts, they agreed to the terms set by Auradon. The safety of the kingdom had to come first, even if it meant betraying Elsa's trust.
As dawn broke, the council summoned Hades under the guise of a routine meeting. Unaware of their intentions, he arrived in the council chamber with his usual confidence. The moment he stepped inside, guards surrounded him, their faces resolute.
"What is the meaning of this?" Hades demanded, his blue-flamed hair flaring with anger.
The head of the council, an elderly man named Lord Alaric, stepped forward. "Lord Hades, we have made a difficult decision for the future of Arendelle. The United Kingdom of Auradon has offered us a place in their coalition, but the price is your banishment to the Isle of the Lost."
Hades' eyes widened in disbelief. "You can't be serious. You're betraying Elsa for a political alliance?"
"It's for the good of the kingdom," Lord Alaric insisted, his voice shaking slightly. "We need the protection and resources Auradon can provide. Please understand, this is not personal."
Before Hades could react further, a magical barrier formed around him, cast by the council's most powerful sorcerers. He struggled against it, but the barrier held firm. With a final look of fury and betrayal, he was transported to the Isle of the Lost, leaving the council chamber eerily silent.
---
Elsa paced nervously in her chambers, waiting for Hades to return. The council had been acting strangely, and she had a sinking feeling something was wrong. When she finally heard the news of Hades' banishment, she felt as if the ground had been pulled out from under her.
"No," she whispered, her voice breaking. "This can't be happening."
She rushed to the council chamber, her heart pounding. When she burst through the doors, the council members stood in a solemn line, their faces filled with guilt.
"Where is he?" Elsa demanded, her eyes blazing with a mix of anger and fear.
"Your Majesty," Lord Alaric began, his voice heavy with regret, "we did what we had to for the future of Arendelle. Hades has been sent to the Isle of the Lost."
"You betrayed me!" Elsa shouted, ice creeping up the walls of the chamber. "You betrayed him! How could you do this?"
"We had no choice," another council member pleaded. "Auradon's offer was too important. We had to think of the kingdom."
Elsa turned away, her heart shattering. She stormed out of the chamber, feeling more alone than ever. Her thoughts raced, her emotions a chaotic whirlwind. How could they do this? How could they take Hades away from her?
Days turned into weeks, and the pain of Hades' absence gnawed at her. She spent long hours in her chambers, replaying the events over and over in her mind. It was during one of these long, sleepless nights that she felt a strange sensation. A flicker of magic, but different from her own.
Panic and hope surged through her as she summoned the palace physician. The examination confirmed her suspicions: she was pregnant. She was carrying Hades' child.
Elsa's emotions were a turbulent mix of joy and sorrow. She was going to be a mother, but the father of her child was trapped on the Isle of the Lost. She knew she had to be strong, for both herself and her unborn child.
Months passed, and Elsa found solace in her small visits to the Underworld. It was in the quiet moments of the night that she could reach out to Hades, with meeting in the underworld. These encounters were brief but filled with love and longing.
"Elsa," Hades whispered during one such meeting, his form shimmering in the dim light of the underworld. "I miss you more than words can say."
"I miss you too," she replied, tears streaming down her face. "Our child... I wish you could be here."
"I will find a way back to you," he vowed, his voice filled with determination. "No matter what it takes, I will return to you and our child."
The reunion was always cut short soon leaving Elsa alone once more. But she held onto his words, drawing strength from his promise. She knew that their love was strong enough to overcome any obstacle.
As the months went by, Elsa prepared for the birth of her child. She found strength in her role as queen, determined to lead her people despite the pain in her heart. When the time came, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. She named him Grayden, a name that symbolized strength and hope.
Holding Grayden in her arms, Elsa felt a renewed sense of purpose. She would raise him to be strong, to understand the power of love and magic. And she would never give up on the hope that one day, Hades would return to them.
The path ahead was uncertain, but Elsa knew that with love and determination, they could face any challenge. She would continue to fight for her family, for her kingdom, and for the hope of a future where they could all be together.
Except it seemed everything wanted to keep them apart.
King Adam and Queen Belle of the United Kingdom of Auradon had always been staunch advocates for peace and unity among their territories. Yet, when it came to matters involving magic, especially dark and unpredictable forms, they exercised strict control. Upon learning about Elsa's secret marriage to Hades and the birth of their child, Grayden, they decreed a new set of rules. For the safety of their unified kingdom and to maintain the delicate balance of power, Elsa was strictly forbidden from speaking of her marriage to Hades or acknowledging him as the father of her child. This decree was to prevent any potential unrest or fear among the people, who might not understand the complexities of such a union.
Elsa found herself in a precarious position, her autonomy severely curtailed by these new restrictions. The edict meant she had to carry the weight of her secret alone, presenting Grayden as a child born out of an unexplained liaison. The silence imposed upon her was stifling, yet she understood the fragile political landscape that King Adam and Queen Belle were navigating. Any mention of Hades could incite fear or rebellion among their subjects, especially those who harbored deep-seated anxieties about magic and the supernatural. Thus, Elsa had to conform, burying her true emotions and history deep within her heart.
This decree also affected Elsa's relationship with her council and subjects as those who knew had been spelled to forget. Now she was unable to seek counsel or comfort from those around her, fostering an environment of isolation. Yet, her smalll circle including her sister and her son would know of the reality of the situation. It would stay in the castle of frozen secrets.
Her duties as queen became more burdensome as she navigated the complexities of ruling without the freedom to discuss her past openly. Grayden, too, was affected by this silence. He would grow up aware of his true heritage but his father's identity shrouded in mystery by everyone else around him.
Despite the challenges, Elsa resolved to protect Grayden and uphold the kingdom's peace. She took solace in the rare moments when she could connect with Hades in the underworld, drawing strength from their love and his promise to return. Yet, the silence imposed by King Adam and Queen Belle was a constant reminder of the sacrifices she had to make for the greater good. Every day was a struggle to balance her duty as queen with her personal grief and longing. Nevertheless, Elsa remained steadfast, determined to ensure that her son would grow up in a safe and prosperous kingdom, even if it meant keeping the most significant parts of her life hidden from the world.
YOU ARE READING
Of dead and winter
Fanfiction(No Frozen II) Prince Grayden of Arendelle and the Underworld faces three major dilemmas, all rooted in the actions of the King and Queen of Auradon: 1. No one knows Hades is his father. 2. His half-sister, Mal, is trapped under the control of her...