Becoming the Queen

The Invitation

Arianna sat and looked out the window. Since her sister left, it was her favorite pastime. Yes, it was pretty boring but there wasn't much left to do. Her sister used to drag her around and bring her into all sorts of trouble. Then she decided to get married and leave for Arendelle. 

Consumed in her thoughts, she didn't even hear her father come in her room. He was kind and didn't ask much, and he always found time for his children. He was just as saddened at Iduna's absence as Arianna. 

"Arianna? What are you thinking about?"

She sat up. "Iduna. I miss her, Father."

He walked over and placed his arm around her. "I do, too. But that's part of the reason I'm here. We have been invited to a ball."

"Father, you know I don't like to attend balls."

Her father laughed. His laugh made her smile as the sound echoed in her room. "I know, Arianna. But it's from a certain queen in a certain country.... One who has a particular interest in our country...."

Arianna jumped up. "It's Iduna! Of course I will go! When do we leave?"

Her father laughed. His big belly laugh he did when he was genuinely happy. He hadn't done that much since Iduna left.

"Well, Arianna, I cannot go with you. But your brother will accompany you. He needs to learn to be a diplomat anyway. And Agnarr can help him."

Arianna ran out of her room so fast, she didn't even hear her father calling for her. She made her way down the hall to the throne room. Her brother was normally found there most days. 

She stopped at the door and straightened herself out. She made sure her dress and hair were in place. Then she pulled on the doors

The large doors creaked as they opened for her. She gracefully waltzed in, as one would think a princess should. But when she heard her brother call her name, she could no longer contain herself. 

She broke from her royal trance and ran down to where her brother was at. He was sitting at his desk situated close by their father's throne. Piles of paper were stacked high on it, mostly his own notes of his father and his reign. 

He stood and she hugged him. Despite living in the castle together, they rarely saw one another. He was always busy with his training to be king. 

"Eric! I'm so happy we are going to get to see Iduna! When are we travelling to Arendelle?"

Eric laughed and pulled away. He was smiling from ear to ear. He was just as excited, not only to see Iduna, but to work with his brother-in-law and learn more about running a kingdom. 

"Well, Arianna, we can leave tonight, if you'd like."

She squealed and hugged him once more. She jumped and turned to leave but Eric stopped her.

"Ari, please be sure to get your nicest clothes. It is a ball and there are bound to be eligible suitors there..."

Arianna swiftly faced him. She had the most disgusted look on her face. Her family had been harping her to get married even before her sister got married. Arianna simply wasn't interested. She felt she had too much to do before she took on that kind of responsibility. 

"Are you both trying to get me to go in order to meet young men? I don't want to get married yet and I am not going to find any suitor when I go to see my sister."

"Arianna, you know how strange it is for the younger daughter to be married before the older. You will make our kingdom a laughing stock if she had a child before you are wed. I'm only thinking of your well being. And it would make Father so proud to see you settled and happy."

She turned to walk away. She saw her father in the doorway. She understood everything he wanted for her. But she wasn't sure that's what she wanted. Meeting young men, being wed, and having a family were just not big parts of her agenda. She wanted to have adventure first. 

"I will go to this ball. But I am not interested in young men, nor do I plan to engage with them. I will be in Arendell to see my sister and that will be all."

I walked past my father. I could hear my brother's raging behind me. But I do not care to notice. I was packing to board the ship tonight and see my sister by the weeks end. And that was all.