FROZEN: The Queen and Her Knight

(A total overhaul of The Queen and Her Star)

PROLOGUE

-

A firm pat on his shoulder jolted Leon from his thoughts, and his father’s familiar chuckle followed.

"Just relax, Leon; it’s not like she’ll bite... yet."

His father said with amusement.

Easy for him to say.

His father was the King’s personal guard, a man who stood by His Majesty in the face of any danger for the pride of the kingdom, so he'll get a pass on anything that happens in that room.

Babies were unpredictable, weren’t they? What if she cried the moment she saw him? What if he did something wrong in front of the King and Queen? Would he get sent to jail for disrupting the future heir's sleep?

He nervously followed his father toward the double doors ahead that lead to the nursery of the castle. The maid at the entrance, dressed neatly in white and black, curtsied with a respectful bow before opening the doors.

Leon stepped inside hesitantly.

At the center of the room sat the King and Queen as they leaned over a small wooden crib; usually the presence of the powers of Arendale was regal, but it seemed that it softened as their attention was solely focused on gazing at the child within.

Leon’s father cleared his throat.

"Your Majesties, sorry for the interruption."

The King turned at the interruption, standing with effortless grace. His eyes, which were so sharp in court, now held warmth as he approached with a smile.

"Erik, you certainly move fast."

He greeted with familiarity, clasping his father on the shoulder. Then, his gaze drifted downward to Leon.

"And this must be young Leon. It has been quite some time."

He swallowed the nervous knot in his throat as he quickly lowered his head in a stiff bow.

"It’s an honor, Your Majesty."

The King chuckled, and even the Queen, still seated beside the crib, smiled gently.

"You don’t need to be so nervous, Leon. Come closer; I have something to show you."

He said, his voice patient as Leon hesitated, then took a cautious step forward. His eyes flickered to his father for reassurance, and Erik gave him a slight nod.

And then, a small sound—light, soft—drew his attention.

Leon turned toward the crib.

Wrapped in a blanket was a tiny baby girl, barely more than a bundle of warmth with thin patched silvery hair. His breath hitched as he perched before the crib.

Princess Elsa, the future Queen of the kingdom he resided in.

... She was smaller than he expected. Her round, sleepy blue eyes fluttered open, gazing at him in open curiosity. And then, before Leon could look away, those eyes locked onto his.

Something stirred in his chest, though he didn’t know why.

The Queen’s voice was gentle as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Go on, Leon. Say hello."

He blinked in confusion at the Queen's words before his eyes gazed back at those sky-blue eyes. What was he supposed to say to a baby? She wouldn’t even understand him.

She blinked up at him, her tiny fingers curling in the air before reaching forward towards him. Without hesitation, he moved his hand into the crib with his finger stretched out, watching with amazement as her little fingers brushed against his before curling onto it tightly.

A soft laugh came from the King.

"It seems she’s already taken a liking to you."

"My Lord?"

His father questioned the look that the King had on his expression.

"Erik, you have always been my most trusted guard ever since that circumstance and have been with me through thick and thin. My shield when I needed it most."

He glanced down at Leon, then at Elsa, whose curious eyes had not left Leon since their brief touch, as if she already recognized him somehow. That was all he needed to see as the King smiled faintly.

"Iduna and I have been thinking... Perhaps it is only right that your son should become hers."

"Huh?"

Leon looked up at the King with a shocked expression. His father, too, was silent for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, his eyes flickered to Leon, observing His Majesties' expressions and nodding.

"…If that is your will, My Lord."

As the three adults in the room delved into discussions about the future, their voices became a distant murmur in Leon’s ears. His attention had already drifted elsewhere.

Back to the tiny princess before him.

She... She was so small. So delicate. Yet, in that moment, she seemed completely at ease with him, as if she had already decided he was someone safe.

He swallowed, his mind still spinning from what had just happened.

Become her personal guard?

The idea was a little overwhelming if he was being honest. He's only five, six soon, and was just a child; how would he be able to guard and protect her at such a young age? What were the requirements?

But as Elsa let out another tiny coo, her bright blue eyes locking onto his as she giggled, something in him settled.

He didn’t know what the future held.

But if she needed him…

Then he shall serve.

Slowly, hesitantly, he tightened his fingers around hers in the smallest of promises.