The first story in Grrlgeek's 'Worthy Queen of Greatness' trilogy, 'Verðug dróttning stór' is an effective little thriller that does an excellent job setting up the new world featured in this story arc. It is a bit disconcerting to imagine that this fanfic, with its seiges, battles, plots, plans and threats of witch-burnings, is taking place in 1840 (this sort of action is more suited to Game of Thrones than the mid 19th century) but Grrlgeek brings her world to life in incredibly vivid detail. The opening, which shows Elsa being bound and beaten, is a pretty impressive hook which powerfully demonstrates that she is going to endure a lot of pain in order to protect her sister and kingdom. The events before and after this shocking scene provide a simple and intense story, with a tight timeframe, a confined setting and extremely high stakes generating plenty of tension, as everything steadily builds to an action-packed, explosive climax. This concluding fight is easily the best action sequence Grrlgeek has written, and seeing Anna and Elsa turn the tables on their tormentors is definately worth the 9-chapter wait. Ultimately, it is this strong finish which allows ' Verðug dróttning stór' to become a legitimately great fanfic...

In many ways, this is a remake of Grrlgeek's first story 'Beautiful, Powerful, Dangerous, Cold', with Elsa coming up against an enemy who wants her to meet a fiery end. Needless to say, this story is FAR darker and edgier. In 'Beautiful, Powerful, Dangerous, Cold', Elsa had her anxieties and fears under control, allowing her to be strong and brave in such extreme circumstances. However, in Verðug dróttning stór', she has had less time to recover from her problems, meaning that her emotional turmoil is far more extreme. The scenes where she is abused by Weselton's thugs are pretty brutal, and her nightmare of being burnt as a witch is genuinely disturbing to read (This story is not for kids...) That said, Elsa is no damsel in distress. Although she appears to submit, she secretly plans her escape, and spends plenty of time warning the Weselton forces that she is going to create a lot of trouble for them. When Elsa makes good on these threats in the climax, it is incredibly awesome. For all her worries, Elsa is a brilliant fighter, and mistreating her is a terrible idea. Though she's a lot more vulnerable in the 'Worthy Queen of Greatness' series, Elsa still remains an awesome feminist role model...

Anna is also portrayed really well in this tale. One weakness of 'Beautiful, Powerful, Dangerous, Cold' was the fact that Anna could not be involved in the final battle. That mistake is resoundingly rectified here. Elsa's plans are dependant on Anna's ability to be strong, brave and resourceful, but she definately manages to meet (and sometimes even exceeds) Elsa's lofty expectations, proving to be a strong and capable military leader and saving the day in spectacular fashion. In addition, the scenes where Anna looks after Elsa at the end are excellent, providing much-needed warmth, happiness and even some humour - it is a real pleasure to see the two sisters interact, and this allows ' Verðug dróttning stór' to end on a relatively upbeat note, in spite of the fact that this whole story has been incredibly traumatising for Elsa...

In Grrlgeek's stories, the villains solely exist to hurt Anna and Elsa as much as possible. This makes things even more difficult for our troubled sisters, and allows their triumphs to feel all the sweeter. However, Grrlgeek's overreliance on this strategy in ' Verðug dróttning stór' proves to be its most substantial weakness. In spite of his hatred of sorcery, the Duke of Weselton is not one of Disney's strongest villains, so it feels like a bit of a stretch to turn him from the pompous nuisance of the movie into a witch-burning despot. The callous sadism of his plans in 'Verðug dróttning stór' is best suited to a powerful, imposing and genuinely monstrous Disney villain like Scar or Frollo, so it feels odd to see them being carried out by a diminutive idiot whose primary traits are dancing incredibly badly and getting angry when people mispronounce the name of his kingdom. Grrlgeek tries incredibly hard to make us fear the Duke and almost succeeds, but you need to banish memories of the movie from your mind in order to do this, and even a writer as gifted as Grrlgeek cannot quite pull this off. Outside of Elsa's big nightmare, the Duke is entirely absent from this story, with his malign presence being represented by the thugs who invade Arrendelle and their unnamed commander. The word 'thugs' tells you all you need to know - these characters have no shades of grey or redeeming features, they just exist to push their weight around and be mean to Elsa and her friends. Needless to say, it's pretty satisfying when they get their comeuppance...

Overall, 'Verðug dróttning stór' is an intense and powerful thriller in its own right, and a pretty strong opening act to the 'Worthy Queen of Greatness' trilogy. On its own, it tells a compelling story about how far Elsa is willing to go in order to keep Anna and Arrendelle safe, whilst highlighting Anna's strength and willingness to fight for Elsa. However, it also serves as a strong set-up for 'With a Monarch's Voice' and 'In the Reign of Queen Anna of Arrendelle (which is probably my favourite story in this trilogy, even though ' Verðug dróttning stór' is probably the best-written overall) establishing Elsa's struggle to control her fears and anxieties and Anna's growing strength and maturity as she evolves into a potential queen...

This fic is very good and well written. you portrayal of Elsa's emotions were spot on. I am very proud of you

Well I finally got to reading this and I can't say I'm anything less than intrigued. This should be a very fun story and I can't wait to read more. Also, while I'm here, I would like to make a suggestion to you for a story. It's called Intermingled by Wolf of the Western Woods, I think you would enjoy it. It was written well before Frozen of course, and the author isn't active anymore, but it's still a very fun story with and interesting plot.
Until next time,
~The Archduke

That was a really enjoyable story, well as enjoyable as an attack on Arendelle together with a tortured Elsa can be. At least it wasn't as heartwrenching as the beginning of the alternate ending to "The Spare" :P

The commander is an idiot. I would have gone for the liver or a kidney, those organs that love to bleed. :-)

To start off, I really like how realistic to canon this is. It makes sense that the Duke wouldn't just want to leave Arendelle alone after being cut out of trade with them. This would make a good plot for a Frozen sequel.

Also, I really love the opening section. It's great at drawing the reader in, and I'm excited to read more.

I’M LATE I’M LATE I’M LATE!
But awesome chapter! I loved this, I loved this more than words can express!

I do like how Anna’s yawn is out of tiredness because of all she’s been through and lack of sleep rather than out of boredom. As much as I like the headcanon of Anna not liking to sit through meetings, I don’t think it should mean she won’t pay attention if she has to, so I really, really, REALLY like that you’ve portrayed that! She doesn’t like them so she makes them brisk and doesn’t delve into the bureaucratic stuff, but she still makes sure she covers it all. I loved to read it, especially with the way Nordholm, Naismith and Norgaard talk about her. That line the Bishop says, “there’s some depth in that one”, is one of my favorite of the chapter.
I adored the bit when those three were commenting things. I found it a very nice device to convey information in a very original way, without having us to sit through the whole meeting along with Anna XD It was also very nice to read their positive opinion about her. And so was the way they were impressed with the fight Elsa put up against the Weselton commander – the fact that their own soldiers marveled at her strength is saying something, in my opinion.
And Anna’s comment about how the casualties won’t be easy to deal with for the families. I found it a very powerful consideration and it definitely gave me goosebumps!

The fact that Anna holds the funeral alone is a nice throwback to the movie, to that other funeral she had to hold. And yet it’s very different because this time Elsa can’t go not because of her powers, but because she’s healing, and this time Anna is not feeling alone because she knows why Elsa hasn’t come –– actually insisted for her not to come XD
The scene of the mourning was very quiet, very nice, and still intense. I really liked it, especially Anna’s confession to Kristoff about how afraid she had been to lose Elsa for good. Maybe it was because the chapters have been very frenetic with all the battles and havoc going on, but sometimes her worry for Elsa feels more subtle, but it’s there! And if someone missed out on it… well, now they’ve definitely been hit by it, FULL FORCE.

The fact that Elsa refused to sleep until the funeral was over was another extremely powerful image.
I also loved to read the “real” side of healing – the fact that Elsa has to eat and especially drink a lot. Also, her powers being as exhausted as she is? Fascinating!
The way they fall asleep together is so darn cute, oh my gawd! SISTERLY FEELS! THE SISTERLY FEELS ARE STRONG! I love how Kristoff watches over them quietly, content to be there for the two of them, ready to make sure that no one disturbs them – he even tells Gerda to keep quiet, though Gerda would have probably known it already, but he wants to make sure anyway!

The library scene was so adorable! MORE SISTERLY FLUFF FOR ME, I AM A HAPPY READER! I loved how you set up the scene with the fire and the silence, the warm coziness of the place. I can feel it all – the heat from the fireplace, the crackling of the logs, the dozen atmosphere… loved it all!
I also really enjoyed Anna’s stream of consciousness, filling us in with all the missing information because of what’s happened over the week. I smirked at the “He’d be shaking in his high-heeled boots when his pirate fleet didn’t return on schedule, anyway. Let the little weasel squirm for a while.” line, that was GENIUS! And I do like that there are trial involved.
The way Kristoff brings Elsa to her room was adorable and Anna’s subsequent thought were amazing to read! It was nice to read some innuendo to their love story now that it’s all said and done, now that the storm’s passed. The way her mind linked Kristoff carrying Elsa to her father carrying Elsa to Kristoff carrying their children, eventually. It was quite a train of thoughts! Aaaaaaaaand theeeeeeeeeeeyyy kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiIIIIIIIIiiiiss HAHAHAHAHAHAAHA! Adorable precious cinnamon buns.
The ending of the chapter, with the song that gives the story its title, and Elsa’s confession to Anna (and Anna’s response to it), was very intense. I thought the song was very beautiful too and I admire your going back to dig out the text, putting it in with the translation and all!. And I totally love how the coward theme comes up, and what Anna’s reaction to that is, reassuring Elsa and actually supporting the decision she had made in that desperate time (which did call for a desperate, and she realizes that and accept it to the point she’s ready to make the same decision).
I also liked the way you shared the story of her nightmare and of Joan again, just in case people had forgotten about it or skipped the chapter about the nightmare, it’s very thoughtful of you.
The final back and forth was adorable. Great way to wrap up the chapter!

…and oh.
Oh man. I can’t believe this is the last chapter.
Thank you so much for this wonderful story. It’s been a blast, and it’s been my honor to review this stupendous piece of writing!
‘Till next… well. Not next chapter. But next story, perhaps, if you won’t mind!
‘Till next time, dear one.
Thank you so much again!

Hello, dear one! It’s review time again – and right on time, thank goodness! Right? ;D
INCREDIBLE CHAPTER! There’s so much I want to say about it, and I’m going to try to do so the best I can! I’m also going to tell you right away, this review might end up feeling a bit different from the other ones I’ve left you before; you see, for some reason, I don’t feel like my usual approach for this – read the whole thing, then reread paragraph by paragraph and comment – will work enough because I feel I won’t be able to actually review it right, because this is just so powerful that such an approach would actually make things very repetitive and almost… dull. So this review will probably be focused a lot more on my impressions, but I’ll still weave in comments on structure and devices. I hope that’ll turn out okay!

The thing that struck me most of the beginning part is that there is a lot of stream of consciousness at the beginning to get us all caught up with the current situation – like the way Elsa knows that Anna will attempt her escape and she’s listening for any hint of something being amiss to see if she can finally break out. Once that is out of the way, on the other hand, the stream of consciousness is actually reduced to give room to dialogues and description, not focusing (on purpose I think) on Elsa’s feelings. I think that choice actually tells a lot about Elsa’s very state of mind: we see her pacing, thinking to herself, at first, but now she’s into action right in the middle of things, and the thing is, she’s not exactly pondering things. She’s thinking, sure, but they’re thoughts that are centered about survival alone – for instance: door is locked, let’s find another one, I HAVE to give the signal to the Admiral. And she’s all about that, her mind focuses of nothing else but recalculating her paths and plans, about getting that signal up in the sky. She’s not pondering, she’s not thinking, she’s just all about action and reaction. And that is extremely subtle because none of that is said, but it’s the style of the descriptions that balance out the dialogues that give it away. And it’s just… I don’t have a word for it. But I do have the goosebumps!

I am particularly fond of the way you’re dealing with her powers, making them harder to summon when she’s tired and drained from stress and lack of sleep. It’s something I hadn’t quite read like that and I am very fond of the way you’ve handled and explained this side of her magic, both in the way it starts to slip from her control at first to actually fade itself as her very strength fails during the chapter, worn out as she is.
And I absolutely love how her first question to the guardsmen is “has my sister escaped”. I was expecting it because that’s the way you’ve been dealing with her character – everything to Elsa right there and then is Anna, Anna, Anna – but it was still so great to actually read. So powerful, omg, so powerful!
HAHA, THE ALCOHOL DEFINITELY GOT THE JOB DONE! Nice strategy, very nice strategy! And I actually love how you reminded us of that hinting at it briefly in the previous chapter just to come all out now in this one and show the consequences of that strategy. Very nice structure here, very sound and very reader-oriented too: you wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page, and I respect that very much.

The fact that Elsa just bursts the gates open, actually tearing the doors out of their frames, is a very powerful image. And for some reason, I can’t help but sensing a little irony, perhaps? Like, the image I have of the gates is the one we get in the prologue of Frozen, when while the king says “we lock the gates”. And now I’m imagining the same screenshot, with the great big wooden doors shut, suddenly freeze over and come crashing down and I can’t help but sensing that there’s SOMETHING at work there! I don’t know if it’s irony or some sort of character development, but it’s an image that speaks to me. But I might be seeing things XD
I loved the battle descriptions, especially for how you combined the little explanations of battle formation and the mess that it actually is. I particularly appreciated the way you stressed the chaos cause by the sounds – the shots, the clash of steel on steel, the screams, the steps running on the stones of the courtyard. THAT was powerful and I also think it depicted perfectly the image of the messy battle you were going for. I also really loved the way you decided to treat the battle, very realistically: you say directly that there are people – Marines – dying, falling after shielding Elsa with their own bodies. And you just say that straightforwardly, without beating about the bush. And I just ADORE that. It’s bittersweet because my heart does feel for the fallen, but at the same time I just love this cut you’ve given your story.
I will be honest with you, Anna’s three paragraphs there in the middle of the battle, when she snatches her arm away from Eric’s grasp almost without realizing it just to rush to Elsa is my favorite moment. I like how it links back with the scene on the fjord in the movie, but it’s even more natural (because in the movie Anna kind of thinks about it). And I do like that Elsa doesn’t really need saving this time, but that Anna gets there just in time to support her once she’s had her I’M THE QUEEN OF ARENDELLE AND I’M GONNA KICK YOUR SORRY ASS moment. But her kicking the Commander in the face was awesome XD
About Elsa’s moment! LOVED IT. All of it. The choice of having the Weasel Commander (lovely nickname, by the way!) to pin her against the door was extremely powerful and I loved it. What I loved even more though was seeing Elsa switching from despair and fear (which was kind of pinning her too) to go all out and raise a hand to her threatened throat to shatter his sword, then ripping the other blade from her arm and shattering that as well. I kid you not, I was squirming. I couldn’t sit and read still! It’s a bout of strength that I loved reading, because this time she doesn’t just fall on her knees ready to accept her fate, but she’s fighting back because she’s not going down, no sir! And I love how that happened after she sends one last thought to Anna. It’s such a rich, psychologically complex sequence, I’m not even sure I can actually put into words just how much I’m reading into it. I’m overwhelmed!

I did love how Anna accept to let go of Elsa to go hold her people back from doing something everyone would have had regretted. It’s very mature of her, especially because she leaves Kristoff to watch over Elsa. We’ve seen her take responsibility once, and now there’s this too. I might have mentioned this before, but I hate seeing Anna treated like a happy-go-lucky princess without too much brain attached, and I’m so, so very happy to read that you do all but writing her that way. The Anna I’m reading here is a PRINCESS in the sense of a Queen’s right hand. And I love it. I love it I love it I love it.
Her speech to the people was wonderful and amazing! I think it hit all the right notes AND, to top it all, it was perfectly In Character for Anna – because it was honest, I mean, she was actually pleading! And that did get across. And yet, her speech was so well structured it also didn’t feel like someone begging, but also as a leader talking sense into his followers. SO MANY LAYERS OMG I CAN’T EVEN! And the description of the angry mob was wonderful. I love how you focused on their anger, taking your time to really communicate all the outrage they felt and the blind fury they’re actually experiencing right there and then, the need of vengeance and retribution burning deep within them, to the point that at first they don’t even notice Anna. I loved reading that bit.

I loved how Anna takes a moment to think about those they lost while on her way to the infirmary. And that detail of the guy who’s getting the amputation? I’m shivering!
Her talk with the doctor was amazing. Especially for the way the doctor addressed her – I could literally hear the formality and the expertise in his voice, which sounds so obvious… but that’s actually all but an easy thing to actually write down. So bonus points to you for achieving the effect so skillfully!
I also have a terrible soft spot for the way Anna took care of her sleeping sister. The little moment they shared when Elsa woke for a bit was the sweetest thing – and I do adore how her thoughts went to the fallen guards as well – and the hug she gave Kristoff right before bursting into tears against his chest? SUBLIME. That’s when I got the full blow of how strong Anna’s grief and worry are. Like, she’s been holding it all back up to know because first she had to trick her kidnappers, then she had to escape, then she had to get back to save her sister and her people, then she had to calm the crowd, then she had to listen to the doctor, then she had to comfort Elsa. But now that everything’s been dealt with… she just breaks for a moment, finally safe in the arms of the man she loves. Of course it’s not all said and done, because she gets right back up when Gerda reminds her of the cleanup they have to take care of… but the fact that such a moment was there is insanely powerful and it just shocked me for a second!

And omg, this got so long… and to be honest, I feel like there’s a lot more than I’d like to say about technicalities about descriptions and balance and witness of the dialogues… but at the same time, I can’t bring myself to thoroughly comment on that because I’m so overwhelmed right now! Perhaps I should have waited a moment before getting to the review XD but oh well, what’s done is done! I do hope it’s good enough because this chapter was terrific!
For the records, anyway, I think you performed masterfully with the technical elements as well. You’ve employed some wonderful strategies with that presence/absence of the stream of consciousness, your descriptions were amazing to read, always rich and balanced f

Hello, dearie! Yeah, it’s review time again :D LOVED THIS CHAPTER!

HA! So glad the Weselton guy’s got a nice big headache!
And Anna was GENUIS, setting up her habits like that to make sure she can gain time when she finally makes her escape. And the way she timed it all up with Gerda was amazing – the clothes, making her bring her tea while the guard was still watching to make sure she wouldn’t have been blamed for helping her out.
I just love how she talks to Sven *-*

I love how you used the “hour of the wolf” phrase to describe the time of the night, I find it so appropriate in so very many ways!
And I adored the guard’s point of view in this piece of the chapter. It does add quite nicely to the variety and it did provide a little bit of extra insight on those who those thugs are. For instance, the fact that he tells the other guy that Anna is asleep in her room instead of gone, to get him in troubles instead of himself: you can tell his heart isn’t in it, because if it was, he would have alerted everyone immediately, tried to find her; but nooooooo sir, he’s just worried about saving his own skin.
And I see that bottle of liquor’s going around! Good job, marines in disguise ;D

I adore the detail of the dust and the bugs and thingies in the passages, it really gives that bit a shard of reality (even if an unpleasant one because I really hate spiders, and I sense that Anna kinda does too, but a nice shard of reality still!). And I just love you for the fact that you’ve made Anna clever enough to plan her escape in order to be sure to be out of harm’s way before they had the chance to realize she was gone. LOVE IT.
AND YOU HAD HER RAMBLE AS SOON AS SHE WAS IN KRISTOFF’S ARMS. FEEEEEEEEEELS! Squeal!
The fact that Kristoff and the Marines exchanged bird calls to signal each other their presence was very interesting and I loved the detail. I also really enjoyed the conversation between Anna and the Captain and the Major. I think they were all very in character even in their manner of speaking, which is something I really admire you for – I love when I can feel the character I’m reading even though the way they talk and act, and I believe you totally nailed that part.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaand my heart’s breaking too at Anna’s cry of anguish. And loo, Major, NOW YOU’VE MADE HER MAD! BAD MAJOR! IT’S DANGEROUS TO MAKE ANNA MAD! But she was so badass, taking responsibility and insisting like that to get right back in to go get Elsa! I loved it, especially for the way she stands up and for how she shoots down every argument they throw at her to talk her out of this. But she’s so stubborn and wonderful. And the thing I love most about this, is that she’s not doing it out of sheer stubbornness – I mean, she KNOWS what she’s doing, she knows what stepping up like that means. She’s not doing it lightly. She does it to save her sister and that in her eyes outweighs anything else, but she’s not doing this lightly. She’s ready to accept the responsibilities that this act might place on her shoulders. And her strategy, even though it’s a bit reckless, is still sound.

Loved this. Loved this, loved this, loved this. FOR QUEEN ELSA OF ARENDELLE! CHAAAAAAAARGE!
Speaking of which, I’m curious to see how Elsa’s doing too. She’s having those nightmares constantly, isn’t she? I’m really curious to see if she’s aware of Anna’s escape already…

I guess I’ll just have to read on XD
But gorgeous work, dear one, really!
‘Till next chapter!

Hello there! Well, we’ve talked on Tumblr, so you know I’ve been trying to get back to the reviews but never made it for some reason. However, I am back now – and on schedule, so far, so maybe this is the right time!
Alright, on with the review!

First off, I’d like to say that you were very kind to give the warning and I also appreciate how you kept the chapter short to have it contain just this nightmare, so that if anyone can’t read it because of the content they can just press ‘next’ without missing any plot. I personally read in and enjoyed it and I’m reveling in the insight you provided on Elsa’s character, but at the same time I really like what you did for those readers that might have been triggered by this. Just something I wanted to say!

The setting up of the nightmare is very nice: the way she’s losing track of time with only Anna and the meal Gerda brings to her to mark the time, which also leads to a sense of disconnection from the world, was fascinating to read. I love how she actually struggled to keep herself calm, holding on to those markers she had to make sense of the passing of the hours. I also really liked the fact that she almost forces herself to sleep: it keeps her mind off the pain and the worries, to some extent, it makes her pass the time and it allows her to maintain her strength, especially considering that with the little food they let her have she probably doesn’t have too much to begin with. Yes, very nice set up indeed!

The nightmare is very intense, from different points of view. There are many feelings attached, many heartbreaking emotions, but there’s also the vividness of sensations like pain, smells, brightness and nausea. That’s the part that struck me personally, I think, the sharpness of this nightmare. The part in which she gags without being able to vomit is particularly powerful, due to its authenticity.
The role the Duke played was also interesting. I’m making assumptions here because I don’t know what your take on the Duke is, but I personally don’t see him this… wicked. But the interesting thing here, is that we’re not really given the Duke himself. We’re given some twisted image of him, a reflection Elsa’s mind has cast to make this nightmare as excruciating as possible, slapping the Duke’s face on a nameless cruelty which she fears and that acquired his face because of the current circumstances as well as their previous interaction.
The vividness of the nightmare also makes me think that Elsa has replayed this scene in her mind – more than once. All the knowledge we’re getting about how long it takes for a person to burn alive, for instance, is provided by her own mind. Same goes with the way the square has been set up. Or with the words the Duke uses to describe just how the fire will kill her. Those aren’t actual words that would be spoken, they’re almost literary, and I think that’s because they don’t want to resemble a real dialogue. This is not really the Duke speaking, this is Elsa’s own mind, her own terrors that have been whispering in her ears for more than a decade and that now burst to life in her head through this nightmare. The fact that she’s almost captivated by the swaying of the torch kinda supports that idea (is it that self-destructive streak of hers speaking?). And while that is excruciating and I feel for Elsa, it’s also very interesting to analyze and I think you’ve done a wonderful job with this.
I loved how Elsa is able to steel herself, looking only at Anna and not at the flames, mouthing that last I love you (and ouch, by the way, good thing I didn’t need my heart!).

Now, the scene where she wakes up. Generally I’m not too fond of characters that wake up from nightmares flailing because it feels overdramatic… but THIS is the exception. That nightmare was just too strong, too laden with horrors from her own past for her to wake up in any different way.
I admire how you wove Joan’s painting in. The fact that you made it a trauma she suffered as a child puts on an even deeper plane – and the scene with little Elsa sobbing unconsolably over the book? Amazing. So powerful.
And now we know what happened to Joan’s painting.
I loved how she uses her happy memories to fight to get out of that very, very dark place the nightmare’s put her in. And “The Duke’s threat to burn her as a witch had exhumed that trauma kill some wraith from a cold damp grave” is a STUNNING description. Stunning.
Her final resolution, that of not allowing the Duke to burn her at the stake. I like it. For so many reasons. The biggest one is that it MAKES SENSE, as heartless as it is to say so. I know she’s not counting on it and that she’ll do EVERYTHING to avoid that outcome, but the fact that she’s ready to go out with a blast, taking everyone with her to make sure that Anna will be spared the horror of seeing her die like that (better an icy spike through a heart, fast and cleaner, than burning alive, especially for her too, since such an experience would be worse than death itself for her) and to keep her out of harm’s way. Because if she dies before they set sail, there’s no reason for them to bring Anna along. That way Weselton won’t be able to arrange her into some kind of marriage. It’s a sound reasoning. It’s painful to consider that outcome, but at the same time… that’s so great.

Alright, done for this round too!
Great work with this. I loved this chapter. The insight.
‘Till next chapter, dearie!

An adrenaline-pumped story. I can really see the struggles that Elsa faces from the invaders, and the bond between Anna and Elsa indeed is strong. Good story

Lord, your description of Elsa's nightmare in the dungeon seriously almost made me sick to my stomach...I mean that in a good way, ha! I rarely am affected by depictions of torture and death in fiction (especially Fanfiction), but that dream sequence had me cringing and nearly tearing up, especially the part where Elsa meets a helpless Anna's eyes over the crowd and mouths "I love you." It's been a while since I've read this, but that image remains seared Into my brain. So very artfully written. I love all your Frozen stuff, but this fic is one of my favorites. I love the way you write Elsa; so vulnerable, and so badass at the same time, such a tragic hero! And your depiction of the sisters' relationship is one of my favorite out of all I've read. They are one another's everything, and I can very easily imagine one or the other of them not being able to live without the other, especially after all they've been through. Elsa releasing her terrible power in full upon the people who took her sister from her, and then finding a way to take herself out. Anna telling Elsa that she would never have let it get to the point where her sister would have to face the steak; she would have taken them both out so they could be together always. It's just so beautiful! And I also love your portrayal of Anna and Kristoff's relationship; they are gradually falling for each other, and Kristoff is realizing that he is willing to give up his preferred solitary life to be with these women he is coming go love so much (especially Anna, obviously), and even willing to die for them! This is frohana done right! Anyway, wanted to leave you a review (I said I would, sorry it's been so long) to tell you how much I love your writing! Hope you keep on with it for a long time!

Ooooohmg, this is so late it’s not even funny! Which is too bad, because this chapter was amazing! I mean, there is a LOT going on a quite a variety of points of view – a little detail I really enjoyed, and I dare say things are going to get VERY intense VERY soon! I can’t wait to read on, but first let me review this one chapter.

So, the beginning of this chapter was quite fascinating. I loved the fact that you stressed the multiple little abuses the Weselton guys force Elsa to go through and that you pointed them out as humiliation. I also smirked a bit when I noticed they started it right when the Admiral and his marines were out of sight (well, they did bound her hands before they left, but all the blows and hair pulling only came later) – they knew they weren’t going to be tolerated easily by Elsa’s faithful ones, orders or no orders… they would have obeyed their Queen, but such a behavior might have started some hostile turmoil going around, and the Weselton commander clearly knows it’s better not having to deal with it.
I like the use you made of the “conceal don’t feel” little mantra – I love seeing it in a context that’s not necessarily psychologically self harmful for Elsa.
KICK THE COMMANDER OFF THAT THRONE. Seriously, omg, I want Elsa free and angry just get in there and look at him with two Marshmallows at her side and going something like “get out of my chair”. I CAN’T WAIT FOR RETRIBUTION! …provided you will give me retribution and that you won’t just kill anyone, of course. But I’ll just be thinking lovely thoughts and daydreaming of retribution for the moment XD
I loved the description you made of Aka’s picture and all the sequence that leads up to that result – the back-handed blow that broke her lip, all the yanking her to her feel by the hair that got her braid and bangs undone, the hairpin opening that scratch on her forehead.
The scene between the sisters was heart wrenching and I love the way Anna’s first reaction is to throw caution to the wind to run to her sister’s side as soon as she sees how they’re hurting her. The Commander, again, is perfectly overconfident and lured by Anna’s behavior into thinking that being royalty means being dumb, so he lets her run to her sister and Elsa jumps at the chance to give Anna that secret passage hint. By the way, great technique of secret whispering there and I like how they were both clever enough to keep the act up as well, keeping up the crying and all while they pass essential information to each other with their faces hidden in each other’s shoulders. Veeeery nice touch!
HA, THAT’S IT ELSA, YOU TELL THAT BASTARD HE’D BETTER NOT TRY ANY FUNNY BUSINESS! Also, quite impressive how Elsa also managed to get herself a way to know if Anna is still prisoner or if she’s managed to escape (or if something has happened to her, which will still be a good reason for her to bring Ragnarök on the Weseltonian’s heads – clever reference, by the way!)
Also, I really appreciated the detail of the door slamming shut and effectively separating the sisters – another door, another obstacle. Different reason, but still another door. Loved it! Very nice echo!

I like the little detail of the blood feeling scalding hot – or cold – when it rushes back into Elsa’s hands as soon as her bonds are cut when she’s pushed into her cell. And I also really like how you stressed the detail of the adrenaline keeping her from feeling the full extent of the pain her body’s into. Also, thank you for making this a windowless dungeon!
The nightmare you picked for her is very interesting, especially because personally I haven’t read one like that before. I like the parallel you’ve drawn between the two situations, especially because you back it up with her fear of being executed in her cell that stirs within her when she hears the key turning in the lock. Also, the fact that you didn’t describe the nightmare itself but simply summarized it really makes me wonder and gets me to play with the idea as I try to imagine what it could have been like. And I like that! It’s a little trick that’s not so easy to master because you’re taking something from the story on purpose and, if done with the wrong detail, it can annoy the reader, but that’s not your case because I think you made an excellent use of it! :D
Gorda! YAY! I’m happy to see that, after Kai’s short PoV a few chapters earlier (when the Weselton mercenaries got in the castle and he was forced to “welcome” them) now we have a little glimpse of Gerda with Elsa as well ) I like your decision of having them take care of Elsa – as the Commander says himself, too many angry subjects might cause troubles, so better keep the Queen as unharmed as possible even though while still providing those “lessons” from time to time to remind her who’s got the upper hand (or who he thinks has got the upper hand, at least…). Anyway, I love how Gerda struggles to hide her motherly inclination that stirs when she sees Elsa in that condition and I really, really LOVE the detail of her re-braiding her hair. It’s a snippet that speaks to me. It makes me wonder if it’s done in order to keep Elsa as regal as possible or if it also has a personal streak – who knows how many times she’s done her braid? Is the repetition of it now some kind of ritual to comfort them both?
I also really enjoy reading how the Weselton men are always trying to mock and taunt Elsa, but they still stay true to their agreements (ex: they do take Anna down to the dungeons so that Elsa can see her). They know they can’t try any funny business… Oh, and the fact that Anna tries to speak with Elsa even if she’s gagged? Adorable!

Now, to Anna’s PoV.
I love how she’s always careful to behave in ways that will make her look like an idiot – because, as she says, idiots can’t come up with clever escape plans! – even though she still manages to do everything she feels like doing: reading, hugging Elsa, talking to Sven, maybe eating with the staff in the kitchen… I like your way to portray her and the way she thinks too (the “little Anna” detail, I mean).
Speaking of Anna’s characterization and saying first that I like when she’s not portrayed as a stupid silly girl (because she’s NOT a stupid silly girl), I must admit I have enjoyed how you had her needing Elsa to give her the hint about the secret passage in order to connect the dots. It’s not like she hadn’t thought of that – part of her had, as “little Anna” proves – but all of her mind has just been flooded with fear for Elsa that she hadn’t made the connection just yet. I like it because it’s very Anna – heart first, mind second. Loved it. Adored it. I worship such characterization.
Another thing I’ve thoroughly enjoyed was reading how Elsa herself decided that Anna should have had the same tools that had been taught to her. It’s not something that’s found in too many stories, and no stories I’ve read so far had this on a such complete level – Anna doesn’t just help Elsa with queenly things, but she’s ready to take up every queenly thing herself. This was very, very refreshing to read and I adored it. And I also like that you made it mutual, you know, the fact that Elsa can learn things from Anna too – very real, and it does give me some sisterly feels :)
Totally support your headcanon of Anna being all over the secret passages! They DO interact well with Anna’s own sense of adventure and hunger for exploration, so I like how you had her memorize the passages and enjoying doing so. I’m curious to see where the entrance will be hidden because, judging from the premises, it’s going to look amazing!

Oooookay, I think I’m done for this chapter. I feel like I’m forgetting things, as if there were a lot more I’d like to say (which is highly plausible knowing me), but this is getting close to the word limit and I’ve decided I’m going to try to stick to it since I still have plenty of room (I mean, this IS already more than a couple of pages long after all!).
I can’t stress it enough. THIS STORY IS ASTOUNDING AND GORGEOUS AND AMAZING AND YOU ARE A WONDERFUL WRITER. I can’t wait to read on!
Also, hope the review was worth the wait!
‘Till next chapter, dearie :)

Your writing is astounding, I must say, so I'm happy to also award this story with the I.C.E. award for excellency, and hope you continue to write more exceptional works in the future!

I might actually make it on time tonight, wooohooo! Let me get to the review right away before I pass out and end up being late anyway XD
First off, great chapter! I loved all the strategies you used to make it some kind of preparatory moment – I can totally feel that Hell is about to crush down on me and squeeze my poor little heart in the next few chapters, but you know what, if that’s the price I have to pay to read such beautiful writing then BRING IT ON! Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever read a set up nicer than this one.

The brief “backstory” on how Kai and Gerda took Elsa’s orders was really interesting to read! I think what struck me most of it was the loyalty they showed, especially Kai! The fact that being a good butler to him also meant keep up Queen Elsa’s honor was a striking realization for me and I admit I totally fell for that. But I have to say that what really made me want to jump on the table and start a slow clap was the way he addressed the Weselton commander! “Can you manage?” “Of course I can”. There it is, ladies and gentlemen, KAI’S SASS.
The preparations for the Marines switching with the castle staff were hella interesting and I truly admire the attention you place in the little details such as “oh, okay, so they have to move like this and that in order to be able to fool everyone”. That was so awesome and so beautifully described, especially because it’s coupled with a description of the mercenaries’ stances, which immediately tell Jorgensen that they’re all but professionals. The details, oh, such wonderful, beautiful details!
I also loved all those mercenary-ish quotes you wove into the chapter here and there, they just gave this 3D feeling to the setting for some reason…

Anna’s being a little genius, keeping at playing the “empty-headed, spoiled” princess like that! Great way to keep relaxed and overconfident, and as soon as she’s out of their hearing range there she is whispering to Gerda! Very, very nice touch! I’m wondering how long it’ll take her to find the hidden passage, I’m guessing that (provided that she does know about them) the anguish is kinda messing with her ability of thinking straight right now. And I did enjoy her thought of taking a bubble bath anyway :)
Now, there is one particular thing I noticed in Anna’s sequences that truly intrigued me: Joan’s painting. I had seen the pictures of the moved canvas before over Tumblr, so I knew what you were talking about, but the fact that you dug up such a small little detail makes me wonder. I think you have something in store for that painting, I feel it wasn’t just a filler… oh no, you’re going places my dear, I’m sure of that and I’m deadly curious! But for right now, the connection between Joan and Elsa provided by Anna’s nightmare was really nice.
The “inner Anna” is pure GOLD! I loved it, I loved every bit of it, especially how Anna decides to handle “her”: she’ll just ignore it until her very own impatient self won’t drop it on her head XD I found that adorable, funny and perfectly IC, I honestly think that little inner Anna just became one of my favorite pieces of this fic! And I also have a soft spot for Anna’s internal chats and monologues.

The little trick behind the whole wagon parade was another example of the insanely smart strategies you make your characters come up with – knowing that the Weselton mercenaries would have worried about STUFF getting in, they weren’t going to keep an eye on the PEOPLE getting in. And that is just BRILLIANT! By the way, awesome descriptions here as well! You have such a richness in your vocabulary it never fails to amaze me.
The trick to get the guards drunk was just as incredible too and I love how you’ve built the scene. The card game, the Queen’s Own soldiers acting out, the Weselton guards falling right into the trap. I was particularly impressed by the acting skills of the Queen’s Own and, even more, how you were able to portray such acting skills. That was quite something, I don’t believe I’ve read anything quite like that. I’m impressed!

The thing I liked most about the ending scene with Elsa was the fact that she’s planning ahead. I mean, she’s acting all confident and encouraging, but she also knows the risks and she doesn’t stress out about them, she ACCEPTS them. She knows what she’s into and she wants to do everything in her power to keep things going from back to worse, and among those measures there is making sure that Anna gets the throne in case something happens to her. I truly, truly adore how she put Rapunzel in there (because I’m just going to assume the second cousin you mentioned is Rapunzel) just in case everything fails, but how in her mind having Anna die is not really an option because she isn’t likely to let that happen. She’s ready to die, to sacrifice herself, but she just knows that Anna will be fine because she WILL make sure of that much. And that is just downright awesome.
There was one sentence you said while describing Kristoff that stuck with me: “he was uncomfortable witnessing what could be Elsa’s last official act as Queen”. That sentence right there gave me goosebumps because it snapped my mind right back picturing just how much things could go wrong. Truth be told, I’m shaking! And the other bit of narration that I really like was that one about the “lunatic” plan, that was another awesome piece!
The little chat between Elsa and Kristoff was both heartwarming and heartwrenching. Heartwarming because I loved seeing them interact: the two of them are linked by Anna and to both of them Anna is what their worlds revolve around, but that won’t stop them for caring for each other too (Kristoff is worried about Elsa and she worried about his happiness enough to make him a baron). Heartwrenching because it made me think again of all the things that could go wrong!
Baron of the Living Rock. Don’t know how Pabbie feels about it, but I LOVE IT! And I love seeing Elsa’s planning-in-advance skills one more time – making sure that Anna can be happy, even if she won’t be there to see it.

Now, if you don’t mind, I’m going to curl up and break down for a moment before start steeling myself for the chapters that are about to come (and that, honestly, I can’t wait to read!).
This read is being a blast, dearie, I truly mean it! You’re so very talented for writing and I adore (if not worship) all the detailed background you describe in here.
‘Till next chapter then!