Fact of the Day: Google is the name of one of the most popular search engines, but where did the name come from? It's actually a real number represented as 10^100. In other words, it's a number with 100 zeros following. The real name of the number is googol and google is a miss spelling. So I guess google doesn't actually know everything.

For more fascinating facts of the day, subscribe to my stories. You don't have to actually read the story... you can technically just read the fact of the day and be perfectly content.

"And what are you planning on doing when Weselton calls for their debts to be paid?"

Somehow, despite Elsa's best efforts to keep the matter secret, word leaked out that Weselton had proposed an alliance through marriage, and suddenly there were five nobles at her door, demanding an audience. While Elsa had severed trade agreements with Weselton, she did not allow her nobles bereavement of their private debts. Those debts had nothing to do with the reason why she decided to end the alliance and Elsa didn't want to tempt a complaint to the emperor himself.

Elsa rubbed her temples as she tried her hardest not to make it snow, but honestly it was difficult. Not because her emotions were running high, but because she honestly wanted nothing more than to dump a large avalanche on them.

They insisted that Elsa was to blame for this situation, completely ignoring the fact that they were the ones who elected to borrow the money. Did they honestly think that trade partner or not, Weselton would not eventually call in their debts regardless of their political standing with the kingdom? King Agnar wouldn't have allowed such things, and quite frankly, neither would Elsa. But for three years after her parent's death, Elsa had no authority in the matter. And that was apparently long enough.

"I am taking the matter under careful consideration," said Elsa.

"Careful consideration? Have you thought about the economic impact? Milady if you do not allow for this alliance to go forward, then we insist you help erase our debts," insisted one nobleman.

"The debts you created in the first place?" said Elsa. The nobleman turned beet red either with anger or sheer embarrassment.

How much Elsa wished Kai were around. He was normally the one who dealt with this nonsense.

Just as though her wish came true, Kai came bolting through the door. He slammed it shut behind him, breathing hard.

"Your majesty," he gasped.

"What is the meaning of this?" said one of the noblemen.

"Kai?" she said, realizing something was very wrong. She ignored the whispers of the nobles. They didn't understand her relationship with her steward and always put themselves ahead of everyone. They were jealous actually. Jealous he had such sway over the queen, not realizing that it was a trust he earned back when she uttered her first cries in the world.

"You can't have her marry him," said Kai.

"Would you excuse us? Please?" said Elsa.

The nobles were reluctant, but they ultimately agreed, finally pulling the doors closed.

"Kai, what's the matter?"

"You can't have Anna marry that man..."

"Kai, is that blood?" she asked. He didn't notice the stains on his shirt from when he beat the young prince senseless. He might have even killed him.

"I..." he said.

"Kai, talk to me," said Elsa.

It turned out that he didn't have to say anything. The envoy from Weselton immediately shoved the doors open, without waiting until permission to enter. Elsa, jumped a little, causing a few snow flurries.

"Where is that bastard?" shouted Sir William.

"I did not give you permission to enter," said Elsa, standing between Kai and Sir William. Sir William approached her, dangerously close to the Snow Queen.

"Your steward beat my son," said Sir William. "I demand justice."

Elsa called for the guards, who immediately escorted Sir William out over a small layer of snow.

"What did you do, Kai?" Elsa asked.

"He hurt Gerda..." He broke down in complete sobs. This was so uncharacteristic for the man that Elsa didn't know what to do. She could barely manage her own problems. How would she ever even manage his?

Can't think about myself. I need to stop thinking about myself, she said to herself as she got a grip on the snowing, effectively thawing her mess. "How do you know he hurt Gerda?"

"He talked about hurting Anna. You can't marry him to her, your majesty. Anna doesn't deserve that," said Kai.

"Kai, I know what you're saying, but I can't think of her like my sister."

"Damn it, your majesty, if you can't think of her like your sister, than you shouldn't think of her at all! That's not what your mother wanted!"

-o-

Gerda couldn't stop looking out the window, watching the landscape go by. There wasn't anything really that remarkable about Osboro that made it different than Arendelle. It was simply not Arendelle and that apparently was enough for the maid to feel a level of excitement. She didn't even notice the overgrown fields, the run down houses and the heads of people not proud enough to even look up. It was just the feeling of being so far away from all she knew that excited her and she wanted to take in every moment of it.

Idun smiled a bit at Gerda's childish display. "Fascinating, isn't it?" she said.

"Oh, I didn't mean..." said Gerda.

"It's okay. I thought you lived outside Arendelle before."

"Yes, but not this far away and definitely not in a different country," said Gerda. "It's so..."

"Different? Yet familiar?"

The biggest cultural shock was when the carriage came to a halt and the driver opened the door. Then, he spoke something in Swedish and Gerda didn't understand a word of it.

"He said we'll take a break while they switch horses," said Idun with a smirk. Gerda felt slightly embarrassed but Idun put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll work on it. You'll be fluent before you know it."

"I'm not sure how that's possible for me to learn a language, when I can't even..."

"It's possible because you're smart, Gerda. Besides, you don't really have a choice," said Idun stepping from the carriage.

"I suppose I don't," said Gerda with a sigh.

The air felt so clean out in the woods, much different from Arendelle. It was a small village, surrounded by beautiful green fields and a lovely sunset. Idun was busy speaking with an entourage of people, whom Gerda assumed were members of Osboro's court. They all wore fancy suits, adorned with bright colors.

Gerda assumed she didn't have to do anything. Idun didn't say anything. When they were at the port both in Arendelle and wherever it was they landed, everyone else busied themselves to carry the queen's bags. She thought it was the same here. So Gerda walked around, watching a man shoe a horse, when suddenly she heard yelling. When she turned around, one of the fancy suited men was coming at her, yelling and gesturing to the bags that were on the ground in front of the carriage.

"I-I'm sorry, I don't understand," said Gerda.

"Don't understand? Because you're dimwitted?" said the man, speaking Norwegian.

"Paulus," said Idun, her face angry. Despite the conversation carrying on in Swedish, Gerda knew exactly what was spoken practically word for word. Idun had this conversation a thousand times with a thousand different guests who came to the castle.

"Your majesty," said the man with a bow.

"You do not talk to her like that," said Idun.

"Your majesty... I thought... well... I thought she was a servant."

"She is a servant but she answers only to my command. Do you understand?"

"Yes, your majesty," said Paulus, utterly humiliated.

Protocol prevented Idun from giving Gerda any sort of open gesture of friendship, whether it be a smile, a hand on the shoulder, or anything. Still, the message was clear: Gerda was special to the queen. This annoyed so many people who couldn't understand why a commoner would gain so much trust.

The rest of the carriage ride was in silence and by time they reached the castle at Osboro, everyone knew that the only person who could ask Gerda to do anything was Idun. Gerda was grateful of course, but she wondered if it could lead to some shunning by the other servants. Then again, that might happen anyway, since Gerda didn't speak the language.

Osboro wasn't as large as Arendelle, but it was economically based on industry as opposed to production of raw materials. The houses all looked bleak from dust and soot, and many of the roofs appeared in disrepair.

"Rodik!" said Idun the moment they arrived. She threw her arms around the handsome young man who stood by the castle gates to greet them.

"So good to see you, little sister," he replied. "And how are you?"

"I'm well."

"Good. And my niece?"

Idun gave a heavy sigh, not sure how to answer.

"No matter. I'm very sorry about all that. But come along. Let's get you settled in," said Rodik. He then turned to Gerda and in Norwegian said, "You Gerda?"

Gerda nodded.

"I heard much about you, Gerda," said Rodik. "It good to see you. I'm sorry my Norwegian is not so good. Not like my sister's."

"No, it's very good." And it was. Well enough that Gerda could understand him.

"That's good. My sister gave very clear instruction that I am to speak Swedish to you," he said. He then lifted one finger, "but only in a kind, loving and patient way as to help you learn."

He and Idun were like loving siblings, laughing as they walked down the hall, pointing to almost every little thing as they recalled aspects of their childhood. Rodik was a man who was initially proud that Agdar never mistreated his little sister. Of course, he was such a big man, that Gerda imagined he'd probably rough Agdar up if he ever did anything like that.

They finally arrived to the several rooms that would make up Idun's apartment, which Idun felt glad to be off her feet and able to rest.

"Servant quarters are down the hall," said Rodik with a heart felled smile, just like his sister.

"She stays here," said Idun, with a sigh, holding her hand on her head. "Could I have a drink of water?"

"Very well," he said. As he poured a glass from a nearby pitcher, Gerda bent over where Idun was sitting and whispered.

"You should tell him," she said.

"So how was your trip?" he asked, handing Idun the glass.

"Fine. Rodik, there's something I have to tell you," said Idun. "But you have to promise me not to tell anyone else."

"Idun, when have I ever told a secret of yours. Other than where you kept that pet squirrel of yours, but you just five and I don't think that thing was very happy," said Rodik.

"I'm serious, Rodik."

"Okay. What is it?" he said, his face turning to a frown.

"I'm pregnant," said Idun. Rodik's eyes grew wide.

"Pregnant?"

"Agdar and I..."

"I have decent knowledge of how children are made Idun, and I'd rather you not fill in the blanks," he said. "But it's not good. The reason father and mother aren't here is because they've gone to meet with the man they intend to marry you to. They will not be happy with this. They'd call it 'immoral.'"

"I'm married to Agdar. What did they expect I'd do with him?"

"Who knows? Apparently not that," said Rodik, leaning his elbow against the window. "Was the child conceived while you were still married to Agdar or after the annulment?"

"That's very difficult to tell," said Idun. "What does it matter?"

"Father's agreement with this man was very clear that all ties with Arendelle must be severed. Let's just say that it was a good thing Agdar opted to keep custody of Elsa."

"Maybe. But I wish to keep my child, no matter what this man says," said Idun.

"If the agreement is that the child is gone, it has to be gone. So I suggest that you write Agdar immediately, and hope he'll come and take it."

"So then I have to be separated from my second child too? Why? I did nothing wrong. This child isn't going to be a political threat to my new husband in anyway."

"It represents a conflict of interest, Idun," said Rodik, sitting down next to Idun.

"There has to be something Rodik... I..."

"There is nothing. If the child is Agdar's, it's for him to deal with it. I'm sorry," said Rodik.

"What if the child was yours. Legally speaking."

"Idun..."

"I'm asking you to officially adopt my child."

"Agdar wouldn't like that."

"Agdar abandoned me. Took Elsa from me. He doesn't know this child even exists. So it doesn't matter," said Idun. Rodik sighed, and thought about the situation. He couldn't blame Idun for being so determined to keep this child. And her idea was clever, legal and would effectively resolve the conditions of Idun's marriage. The child would remain in Rodik's household, but for Idun, that was much closer than Arendelle.

"Fine," said Rodik, though he wasn't happy about the idea. Rodik had no opinion of Agdar but it seemed wrong to lie to the man. And it was unfair. Idun was essentially declaring her child a bastard. But he understood it. And his love for his sister was far too much to ever deny her anything. "But we need to tell mother and father as soon as possible.