#prince of two realms

[bad-at-names-and-faces]

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ao3

ffn

chapter index

Inga lay on her bed, staring out the open window at the moonlight, contemplating her curtains which were blowing in the breeze. The curtains were different in each room, even though many of the rooms here looked similar otherwise. She dozed in and out, not quite dreaming.

“Are you sure?” he asked, pulling away from the kiss.

“I’ll tell you when I change my mind,” she replied.

She woke up from the wind gusting in through the window, and tried to convince herself that she was remembering a dream, nothing more.  That was all. She knew it wasn’t true, but she still tried to convince herself of that.

There was another gust of wind, and a letter landed in her lap. She opened it quickly.

October 18th, 1865

Dear Inga,

Good news! The ship I'm on is making excellent time, and I should be in Arendelle in less than two days. I'm quite looking forward to seeing everything you've been planning, but most of all, seeing you. I hope you're feeling better now, but please don't feel like you need to pretend you're feeling well just for my sake. 

Love,

Henry

Inga smiled at the letter, but started crying as she looked outside. She still wasn't feeling any better, and at this point she wasn’t sure if Henry would be disappointed coming to visit, no matter what he said to the contrary. 

Perhaps the doctor could give her something to settle her stomach. The doctor would stop by in the morning, so she needed to sleep as much as she could before then.

***

Anna sat with Kristoff at breakfast, looking out at the town preparations for the Harvest Festival.  

"Is Inga still not feeling well?" Kristoff asked with concern. 

"She was working herself too hard the past few weeks, so I've been making her rest for the last few days. Hopefully she'll be feeling better before Henry gets here, since he's the whole reason she's been putting quite this much effort into the preparations."

"Well, I just hope it's nothing serious," he sighed.  The last thing they needed was the worry of their children getting seriously ill.  Luck and isolation had been on their side avoiding a lot of outbreaks, but he never quite felt secure about that.

"Nobody else in the family has gotten sick, and nobody in town seems to have anything, so I think she just needs to take better care of herself.  I wish she'd eat more, though. Gerda says that Oline tells her that Inga has refused everything except for toast and butter."

"I'm sure she'll be hungry enough in a few days," Kristoff smirked.

"Oh, when Henry gets here," Anna glared at him.

"Well, I should go find Frederick and Anton and Peder now. They're going to take the wagon out and bring down some pumpkins from the farm a few miles out of town."

“Send them with something nice from the kitchen to bring to the pumpkin farm. There should be some good pastries ready." Anna stood up and kissed him before starting to get herself ready for the day.

***

“I’ll tell you when I change my mind,” Inga told Henry, kissing him again.

Henry pulled away from the kiss once more, looked at the door, and back to her. “It’s getting late, maybe-”

“Nobody will be looking for me,” Inga interrupted him quickly, not thinking about her words, “not until lunchtime, probably, and Gerda selected this dress because she knows I can get out of it on my own.”

“Can you?” he said, his voice cracking suddenly.

Inga realized what she had just said, setting the painting down on the nightstand safely.  “Oh, I mean… Not that I… Well, I can, of course.”

He stood in front of her, completely still, his eyes wide.  “I- you-”

She kissed him. “I don’t want to leave, not right now.  I know I’m not supposed to, but… but nobody knows we’re here, and nobody suspects anything. And-”

Inga stared at the ceiling, half awake.  She slowly forced herself to sit up, and watched as the sun rose.  There were a few ships arriving, but the light hadn't yet hit the fjord at this hour so she couldn’t see any details. She had hoped she would be feeling well enough this morning to cancel the doctor's visit, but she had no such luck today. 

She cleaned herself up and made herself decent enough for the doctor, but she supposed there was no point in dressing up all that much.  She hadn’t really eaten the day before aside from some toast, so her stomach wasn’t bothering her very much, but she was still so tired, and something just seemed… off.

She looked out the window into the courtyard, and could see her brothers taking the wagon across the bridge. It was already time to get the pumpkins. She wanted to be with them helping, but now she wasn’t even sure if she would be able to show Henry around. She looked at herself. She didn’t look like the girl Henry painted, but she wasn’t always sure if she really looked like that girl. 

The doctor knocked at exactly the time she had asked him to arrive.  Inga opened the door.  He was a kind old man, and had been the royal family’s physician for quite some time now, well before she was born, when her mother was a little girl.

“Good morning, Your Highness,” the doctor greeted her.

“Doctor,” Inga acknowledged him.

“I got your note yesterday.  Are you not feeling well?” 

“I haven’t been feeling very well, no,” Inga told him as she sat on the edge of her bed.  “My mother thinks I was just working too hard the past few weeks, but it’s not just that I’m tired.  If I eat anything besides toast, I get sick.”

The doctor raised an eyebrow. “How long have you been feeling this way?”

“On and off for a few weeks,” she told him, “pretty much since I took on the extra work for the planning last month.”

“I see,” he nodded.  “And how was your summer? You don’t get many scrapes or bruises any more, so I almost never see you these days.”

“It was a nice summer,” she smiled, “I suppose it was good that I didn’t have to do any of the planning for my birthday party, it might have worn me down entirely too much.”

“I suppose that’s a possibility,” the doctor muttered, beginning to look in her eyes and ears.  “May I see your throat?”

Inga obliged. 

“This all looks fine, though of course you haven’t complained of any kind of cough,” he said when he was done looking into her mouth.  “May I ask if you’re wearing a corset? I need to feel your stomach.”

“No, I’m not,” Inga replied. “I haven’t really eaten since yesterday, so it’s not feeling too bad today.”

“I see,” he hummed, poking and prodding a bit.

“I hope I’ll be feeling well enough this week,” she continued, not really sure if he was expecting small talk.

“Of course, you’ve been helping organize that,” he replied.  “And, I hope it’s not forward of me to ask, but I believe you have plans of getting married?”

“The engagement should be official soon,” Inga said, trying to ignore the continued poking and prodding. “Henry's going to be arriving soon with a letter from his grandfather.”

“This is the young prince from Corona, I assume?” the doctor said, finished with his prodding.

Inga nodded. 

“If I might ask a delicate question, have your menses been regular?”

Inga realized she hadn’t put much thought into that lately.  “I suppose not, but again, I have been rather busy.”

“Indeed?”  The doctor stepped back a moment and turned to his bag, looking for something as he continued speaking.  “You mentioned your engagement.  Has your mother, or… someone… discussed marital relations with you?”

“Sort of, and I've read some books about it.  Why?” she asked.

The doctor turned around.  “If you will permit me, I would like to examine more thoroughly now.  If you could remove any underthings and lie back.”

“Oh, I suppose, if you need,” Inga hemmed, but complied with the doctor’s request. He said nothing as he examined her.  

“Thank you, you can sit up again,” he told her. 

He was looking at his bag but didn’t seem to have any particular thing he was looking for while she got her undergarments back on.  

“So, what do you think it is?” she asked absentmindedly.  He turned around and was frowning, looking very seriously at her.

“Inga, have you… spent much time alone with the young man you are promised to?”

***

The sound of a polka came through the windows from the courtyard down below.

“There,” Inga said as she pulled off her shift, “now you have a proper model. What should I do first?” 

Henry sat on the bed with his notebook and stared, wide-eyed. “I’ve never done this before.”

“I know, you told me,” Inga giggled.  “You didn’t get to work from live models in Paris.”

“I mean… I’ve never really…” Henry took a deep breath. “I’ve never even kissed anyone else.”

Inga realized what he meant. “Oh, um, well I haven’t, either. I mean, I suppose I’m not supposed to, not really, of course…  Are you going to draw me or not?”

“I don’t know if I could draw anything right now,” he confessed.  She noticed the tip of his pencil shaking a little.

Inga walked over. “Should I get dressed, then?”

“No. I mean- no- yes… no…” He covered his face.

Inga pulled at his hands, pulling him back. “Here,” she said, undoing his collar, “this looks tight.”

“What?” he asked.

Inga kissed him before he could ask more. His hands began to trace down her back as she began to unbutton his shirt.

***

Inga paused before answering the doctor’s question.

“We’ve been alone, yes,” she admitted. “Why are you asking me this?” 

“I’m asking you this because everything you’ve told me as well as what I’ve seen would seem to indicate pregnancy.  If this is not a possibility, I need to know.  If it is, in fact, a possibility, you need to know.”

Inga stood stunned, catching her balance on the edge of the bed. 

“I’ve known your family for a long time, and I do not share secrets,” he said, hinting at a deeper meaning, “but I believe this is one that you will need to tell someone.”

The doctor closed up his bag and looked at her with his eyes full of pity.  “I can send someone up here right now,” he said, “or not, that is up to you, Your Highness.”

“I think I’d like to be alone,” she told him.  

“Very well.  I will be in the castle kitchen for the next hour, if you need to find me,” he told her gently. “Your Highness.”

Inga sank to the floor as he left, not noticing the sound of the door closing. 

This should have been obvious. It's what can happen, she knew this.  How did she think she would be any different? She grabbed a pillow from the bed to muffle her sobs.  What would her parents think?  She wasn’t supposed to be careless like this.  That wasn’t who she was.  

What would Henry think?

She did her best to rise from the floor.

***

The royal physician sighed as he went into the kitchen of the castle. It was a familiar place for him, having been one of the few outside people allowed inside the castle for many years, he knew the family and many of their secrets. Something would work out for the princess; somehow something would work out.

“Excuse me, sir, I mean, doctor…” 

It was the maid who had brought him the note from the princess.

“Yes?” he replied.

“Are you here to see Her Highness?” she asked.

“I’ve already seen her, in fact. You are her maid, are you not?” 

“I am. How is she doing? I was hoping to bring her breakfast, though she hasn’t had much of an appetite lately.”

“Perhaps you should go see her,” he suggested.

***

Henry breathed in the crisp fall air as the ship sailed into the fjord from the open sea. They were early, and he was bound and determined to surprise Inga. He was almost giddy with nervous excitement, pacing back and forth along the deck.  

James would take care of seeing that most of his things were ready, but he had his sketchbook with him. He made a few quick sketches of the fjord, trying to spot the places he had been on previous visits. He flipped back through the pages, finding some of the sketches of Inga he had made during the summer, and before that, the many sketches he had based on the photograph from the year before. Usually, he would sketch only her, but sometimes he would sketch her more as she appeared in the photo, surrounded by the large family, holding the baby. 

After what felt to him like an eternity, the ship docked at the harbor, and he almost ran down the gangway to the quay. He tried to act calm as he hurried to the castle, pausing to look around the market square, which was nearly empty except for a few people preparing for the Harvest Festival. It was early, perhaps he could surprise Inga. 

The halls of the castle were nearly empty, though Henry saw one older man, not obviously a servant, entering a door to go to the kitchen, but Henry was fairly certain nobody saw him. He got to Inga's door and immediately knocked, too excited to think through any sort of elaborate plan beyond rushing in to surprise her. Maybe it was early enough that he could wake her, though he wouldn’t hope for more on this day, at least, with so many people coming and going.

The door wasn't latched, and swung open with his knocking. Inga was sitting on her bed, staring out the window.

She turned around and smiled.

“Henry?  Are you really here?” 

He ran over and sat next to her, kissing her briefly.  

“The ship got in early,” he told her.  “I didn’t want to get your hopes up if we didn’t get here today.”

“I’m hardly even dressed,” she told him.

Henry realized she was in a dressing gown. 

“I don’t care, I mean… you know…” he gave a bit of a smile. 

She started crying, burying her face in a pillow.

“Inga… what’s wrong?”

She was still sobbing, so he laid down next to her. She kept sobbing as he put his arms around her, and she buried her face in his coat. James would probably have a word over the coat getting dirty, but never mind that.  Henry wondered if something had happened to someone in her family.  Perhaps it had been too quiet this morning.  Inga continued crying as she grasped him, heaving and trembling in his arms.

“Inga, please, you’re starting to scare me,” he pleaded. “Are you sick? Is someone in your family ill?”

She looked up again.  “Henry… about last summer…”

“I’ve got the letter from my grandfather. They can’t change their word on that. You haven’t changed your mind, have you?”

“No, I haven’t changed my mind. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t now…”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m pregnant,” she whispered.  As quiet as the words were, he felt like he’d been punched in the gut.  He held her tighter, not sure what he could actually say.  

“Wh-” he stopped himself. He had been about to ask how it happened, which he knew very well was a stupid question. 

Through his mind his family’s words echoed, reminding him that he was only nineteen, and just how young that was. It was exactly what he eventually wanted, eventually, but not like this. 

“I’m sorry…” she muttered.

He realized he hadn’t told her anything coherent. 

“Look, I said I’ve got the letter from my grandfather, so we can get married now,” was all he could think to say.  It was true.  He wasn’t sure how it would work, or whether people would gossip, or what a mess their lives would be now, but that much was true.

She gripped him more tightly.  “You’re not mad?” 

Henry was confused.  “Why would I be mad?”

“It’s… it’s not how this is supposed to happen,” she insisted. Henry wiped a tear from her cheek as she spoke.  “I’m so scared.”

“Well, no,” he admitted.  “I’m scared, too. Everyone in Corona was telling me how young I am.”

“We don’t even have a wedding date scheduled.  What if the council wants to delay more? And my parents…  My mother will know…”

“Why would they object or delay? I have the official letter,” Henry insisted, “but if I have to take you on the boat back to Corona with me to get married there, that’s what we’ll do.”

He held her close to his chest, stroking her back, trying not to let on just how terrified he felt at the moment.  Of course they needed to get married right away.  

Inga sniffled.  “I don’t want to elope if I don’t have to.  That’s too much of a mess for everyone…  but… but I’m glad you still want to marry me, Henry.  Thank you.”

Henry stopped what he was doing and kissed Inga’s forehead.  “Why wouldn’t I want to marry you? Besides, it’s not like I wasn’t involved.”

“No, of course,” she said, almost laughing. “That’s… I hope that’s obvious.”

“It’s not the best time, that’s true, but… it’s just… earlier than we intended. That’s all.”

Inga gave a smile. 

***

Kristoff had gotten Frederick and the twins on their way with little difficulty, and now had joined Anna for breakfast.

“Do you see that?” he asked Anna as they finished their breakfast, “I thought you said the Corona ship wasn’t expected for another day or two.”

Anna looked out the window, watching the ship being unloaded.  “We should let Inga know.  I think that will cheer her up.”

Kristoff nodded in agreement.  

They walked down the hallway to Inga’s bedroom.  

“So I suppose you’re going to start planning their wedding now?” Kristoff asked.

“Unless they’ve changed their minds, but I doubt Henry would have come all this way.”

“I assume she would have told you if something happened with that,” Kristoff replied.

As they neared Inga’s door, they could hear her talking, sounding like she was crying.

“I still don’t know what to say,” they could hear from the room.  Anna and Kristoff stopped and looked at each other.  Anna grabbed Kristoff’s hand, knowing that his instinct was to barge straight into the room unannounced. 

“Maybe Oline is in there?” Anna whispered.

Anna knocked at the door as she opened it. "Inga!" she called out with forced cheerfulness. 

"Mother? What…" Inga trailed off. She was sitting on her bed in her dressing gown, looking like she had been crying, with Henry right next to her, holding her.

Kristoff shut the door securely behind them.

"Um," he mumbled, "we came to tell you that the ship from Corona arrived early, but I guess you already know that…"

"I… we… yes," Inga stammered. "I forgot the door was still open." 

“We can leave if you would like a little time,” Anna said. “Though for propriety Henry should probably come with us.”

“What?” Henry asked.

“You know how this could look,” Kristoff said, frowning.

“But we would like to know why you were upset, Inga,” Anna added.

“It’s fine now,” Inga said. “At least, I think it will be. Henry has the letter from his grandfather, so we can get married now, right?”

“Yes, as soon as the council has the letter, we can start planning,” Anna said. “I would still rather not rush things. I think Henry would want his family to attend.”

“How soon could they get here?” Inga asked him.

“The steamer takes a week,” Henry said. “I could write to my mother this afternoon.”

“Wait,” Kristoff said. “What’s all this? I know you’re excited, but are you really talking about getting married next week?” 

“I suppose we could wait two or three weeks if we really have to,” Inga said. “I don’t really want to elope.”

"It would only be as a last resort," Henry blurted out.

"You don’t have to elope, we never said no,” Kristoff sighed, rubbing his forehead. “We’re just saying that you really shouldn't be in such a rush to get married.”

Henry leaned over to Inga. "We need to tell them," he whispered. 

Kristoff suddenly felt his stomach twisting, but tried to convince himself he was jumping to conclusions.  This was Inga, she wasn’t the sort to do something foolish.

“I had the doctor in here this morning,” Inga began, her voice shaking noticeably. "He told me-"

Kristoff looked over at Anna. She was shaking her head. Inga was looking away. 

“Please, Inga, finish what you were saying,” Anna pleaded.

Kristoff was fairly certain he and Anna were both thinking the same thing now, but desperately hoping it was something else. But what could possibly be good news if she was having so much trouble telling them?

Inga looked at Henry again, then straight at them. "I'm pregnant. I don't want to elope if I don't have to, but I will."

Kristoff remembered the rumors the morning after Inga’s party, and the confused explanations for who was seen going into Henry’s room. And the forgotten gift. 

"I… I suppose I don't need to ask you when this happened…." Anna said flatly. 

They had trusted Inga, and given her so much freedom.

"You're mad at me," Inga stated, "I understand."

"Not mad. Disappointed. Very disappointed," Anna sighed.  

Everyone stood silently for what felt like hours.

“Obviously, we’ll need to get married as soon as possible,” Inga repeated

“I don’t think that’s obvious,” Kristoff interjected. 

“Why wouldn’t we get married right away?” Inga demanded.

“This isn’t the sort of thing you want to rush into,” Kristoff replied. “I just don’t want you making a mistake.”

“What else would you suggest? Sending me away? Like-”

“No,” Kristoff cut her off. He wasn’t sure what Henry knew, but this wasn’t the time to let it slip. “I don’t think you should be sent away.” 

Anna was staring silently, and she had clearly understood their daughter’s meaning.

“Then what?” Inga prodded, starting to cry again.  

“And what about me?” Henry asked. “I’m standing right here!”

“Yes,” Kristoff sighed.  “But can she trust you?”

“Trust me?”

“After you seduced her?”

“What do you mean?” Henry asked.

Kristoff rubbed his forehead. “I’m talking about how you got into this… situation…”

“He didn’t seduce me,” Inga interrupted.

“Inga,” Henry whispered, “you don’t have to-”

“No, Henry, I do,” she insisted.  She looked at them, wiping the tears from her face.  “I’m not defending my judgment this summer, but I wasn’t seduced.”

Just then, there was a knock at the door.  

Everyone stopped and looked at each other. Finally, Inga walked over and opened the door.

Her maid stood there, surprised at the number of people in the room. 

“Um, Your Majesty…”  Oline curtseyed. “Your… Highnesses…”

“Yes, Oline?” Anna prompted.

“I was in the kitchen and the doctor suggested I come check on the princess, but I can come back later,” she said.

“Thank you, Oline, I think that would be good,” Inga said, oddly calm.

The maid curtseyed once again and left.

After the door closed, Anna sighed.  “I’ll speak to the council today.”

[bluerosefox]

It's shenanigans time guys

So have this DpxDc idea.

So, the Justice League and the Light (OR villains in general) have two newish members, they've both been around for about a year and they're from the same plane of existence (a place called the Infinite Realms according to those who dabble in the occult)

And the two seem to have some serious beef with each other.

Wisp and Wrath are basicly feral cats hissing and hekles raised when they spot the other and their fights normally ends in draws. They're evenly matched and sometimes the two even fight to the point they are out of steam and just fist fight.

Needless to say everyone believes they totally hate each other and might one day kill (or end?) One of them.

So everything gets turned upside down when suddenly both factions of heros and villains are suddenly summoned to the Infinite Realms.

In a throne room.

In front of the Infinite King (or most commonly known as the Ghost King)

A King who looks very, very much like Wisp and Wrath (like yeah the two do sometimes look alike, like when they grin with sharp teeth and their hair color, but one has blue skin and red eyes for crying out loud!)

He's staring at them, glowing green eyes that seemed to just... know.

"Welcome to the Infinite Realms. I am King Phantom." His voice echoing in the throne room and seemed to rattle them deeply, like a sudden chill in the early morning.

"I have summoned you all here for a single reason." He continued to say "Tell me..."

Here he paused, closed his eyes before leaning back on the chair then he smiled big and cheerfully asked.

"How are my kids doing in your world? Dan and Ellie arent causing too much chaos in their wake are they? They tend to go a tiny bit overboard sometimes but what siblings don't when they rough house you know. Tell me everything."

[annot8]

Queen Regent Kettricken & King-in-Waiting Dutiful

[v-e-l-v-e-t-g-o-l-d-m-i-n-e]

The Vampire Armand (1998)

Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis (2016)

Blood Communion (2018)

[hiemaldesirae]

snow and fire dont mix !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️ will rb with older version after bc i dont want this to get tainted

[selene-bathory]

DAEMYRA APPRECIATION WEEK

Day 4 | Parallels

House of the Dragon s.01e01 | s01.e03

“Daemon and Rhaenyra share the blood of the dragon. They are restless and chaotic.”

A.k.a. Visery’s headaches.

[ninjakitten1699]

Ninjago writers: Yeah we have no idea what Benthomaar is

Me, who has been using DND/Forgotten Realms lore to help fill in spaces for my rewritten AU: I know what he is. He’s a Triton. Look at them and then look at our boy, Benny. Tell me I’m wrong. Sure the newer designs might not have black hair but they can have very dark blue hair and since Benthomaar here is constantly living underwater, his hair is bound to look darker wet. Question just remains how he got separated from the rest of the Tritons.

[sweetestpopcorn]

I like how much love you give Aegon III. Many seems to overlook his and Viserys II’s characters in favor of his older half-siblings.

They are literally like 25% of why I even ship Daemyra <3 they are both just so incredible.

I have nothing against the "Velaryon" princes, I do think they all seemed like very nice boys, but I could never get attached... I mean they were just there to die honestly 🤷🏽‍♀️ I do think it's tragic but I just can't really get attached to characters that seem to just be there to add to the drama and are just fated to die since the first moment they are mentioned. Like let's be real, they would have never become kings, not even if there was no Dance. It was always Aegon and Viserys. Like this moment in the books just says it all.

"Prince Daemon had at last a living son of his own blood... and this new prince, unlike his three half-brothers, was plainly a Targaryen." (Fire and Blood, 384).

Targaryen was even written in italic. Why this moment - including how Daemon finally had a son to all of you who think he was any girl dad - is just so powerful.

PS: The lack of content about Daemyra and their babies is absolutely sinful and disturbing.

[imfromsixam]

The Princess and the Vampire Kids Bedroom (CC Pack for The Sims 4)

I'm happy to share my latest CC pack with you, the magical realms of "The Princess and the Vampire Kids Bedroom".  This CC pack is a celebration of childhood fantasies, with two distinct themes: the grace of a princess and the mystique of a vampire.

Imagine a bedroom that captures the whimsy of a fairy tale princess or the playful spookiness of a vampire's lair. It's not just furniture; it's an adventure waiting to unfold!

In the Princess Bedroom, elegant fantasy takes center stage. A canopy with drapes and an elegant puffy bed that are fit for royalty. In addition to other items such as a brand new activity table, a rug with cute designs, a little cloud wall lamp to enhance the room, and some other elements perfect for your little prince or princess. This bedroom is out of a fairy tale.

On the other hand, the Vampire Bedroom brings iconic vampire aesthetics to life in a kid-friendly way. Think bat-themed decor, coffin-shaped bed that's both spooky and inviting. A toy box with some mysterious plush friends and a cute Dracula lamp. It's a perfect blend of darkness and fun that'll leave your little Sims feeling enchanted.   I can't wait to see your Sims' kids embark on fantastical journeys in these enchanting bedrooms! 🌈🏰🧛‍♂️

▶️GET EARLY ACCESS HERE

Check out all the info about this pack on my website here.

[phantom-phortune]

This is why you don't sleep with the Tyrant King - The consequence is children

Constantine avoids involvement with the Infinite Realms for two reasons.

Who wants to deal with all those Ancients in the first place?

He’s avoiding yet another unhinged ex of his.

Of course, hooking up with Pariah Dark wasn’t really an actual relationship, more like a one night stand via dream walking (Nocturn owed Pariah, but seeing as it would be insane to release the Tyrant King from his endless sleep, he’d give him a dream partner every couple centuries) - regardless, Constantine doesn’t want to deal with that.

So yeah - the fact that the Justice League is attempting to summon the High King into the Watchtower has him wanting to drink more than usual.

Of course he gave warnings, but they’re dead set on doing so. A green folder had appeared in the secure “cursed artifacts” vault with no trace of whoever left it there. How else were they gonna find out how it got there?

So Constantine’s stuck there to set up wards, and is trying to find his way out of this one.

When the summoning circle worked, no one expected the teenager to pop out of it. 

Instead of Pariah Dark, or even the sarcophagus showing up, there was a white haired ghost boy with glowing green eyes the same color as the flames of the Crown of Fire. Except he didn’t look exactly like the others ghosts. He had a human skin tone, his proportions were exactly like a human teenager’s, and he was wearing a black and white hoodie with black sweatpants, for God’s sake. 

… Were ghosts able to reproduce with humans?

Before any of the Justice League can get into questioning, Constantine speaks up:

“You’re not the Ghost King.”

Green eyes settle on him, lighting up with recognition - Danny knows exactly who this is, with the amount of complaints on his desk about the blonde. Clockwork also informed him (he didn’t want to know but now he does) of the man’s stint with Pariah. 

Daniel “Commit to the bit” Fenton chooses to do just that.

“Of course not,” The confusion crosses the face of the heroes present- “That’s just because I haven’t had my coronation yet! I’m the Crown Prince, it’s practically the same thing!”

Oh, and the dread and realization crossing Constantine’s face is almost enough to make his core purr in amusement. 

“Now I will gladly answer all your questions, but first!” His eyes swept over the heroes before raising his hand and pointing accusingly at the British warlock.

“John Constantine,” his voice boomed, the temperature of the meeting room dropping as his face stretched with a smile too big and too pointy, “You owe me fifteen years of child support.”

[bad-at-names-and-faces]

The Coming Storm

ao3

ffn

chapter index

The fjord shrank in the distance, and Arendelle became a speck on the horizon.  Inga felt invigorated, holding Henry's hand.  As they walked around the ship, she smiled, hearing her brother calling out commands to the crew.  

As she began to relax and enjoy the voyage, dark clouds rose on the horizon in the west, and the waves grew larger.  She looked around for Henry, but couldn’t find him, and the captain was suddenly unfamiliar, and none of the voices she heard around her were voices she recognized.  Searching the ship up and down, she finally found a room at the bottom of the ship.  The door locked behind her as she went in.  

“Let me out!” she yelled, her voice catching in her throat.  

“Admit your crimes, and you’ll get out!” a strange voice shouted.  

The ship’s motion grew more and more violent, and she felt overcome with a feeling of seasickness. 

Inga woke up suddenly, feeling like the room was still moving, though she could see in the evening light that she was in her own bedroom in Arendelle.  The room felt like it was swaying even though the dream was over, and she ran as quickly as she could to her bathroom, barely making it in time. 

As she sat feeling miserable and sorry for herself, she heard a knock at her door.  “Your Highness?” she heard Gerda call out.

Inga took a moment to clean herself up a bit, and walked over, opening the door just a crack.  “Yes, Gerda?” she asked.

“Dinner is in a few minutes, and your mother sent me to see if you need help getting ready.”

“Oh… and where is Oline?” she asked.

“Oline is taking care of some things in the laundry. That’s why your mother sent me.”

“Of course. Who will be at dinner?” Inga asked.

“Just family,” Gerda told her.

“Tell them I’m not feeling well,” Inga replied.  “I think I'll be going to bed.”

“Very well,” Gerda replied, “good night, then.”

***

Anna looked around the dinner table. The youngest children, as usual, had eaten in the nursery and were now in bed, but Sofia had started joining the rest of them at dinner now.  Anton and Peder both focused on eating, but Frederick was eyeing the empty spot where Inga would normally be sitting. Gerda had checked on her, and she was still unwell.

 “How have you been doing, Frederick?” Anna asked.

“Well enough,” he shrugged. “Let me know if you need my help with anything. I don’t have much to do until I leave for Corona, now.”

“When is that?” Anna asked, trying to hide her worry, since she knew it annoyed Frederick, and Kristoff had been reminding her that he needed to be allowed to try this, at least.

“Their classes start in January, so I suppose I'll leave after Christmas.”

Anna swallowed and forced a smile.  “I’m glad you did so well on the exam, Frederick.  I’m sure your father and I can find things for you to help with until then, especially since I would like to lighten Inga’s work.  She seems exhausted.”

“I think she’s spending too much time writing letters,” Frederick muttered under his breath.

“What do you mean?” Anna asked.

“Oh, you know. It’s been almost two months since Henry was here, and I’m not sure there’s been a day when they haven’t written to each other.”

“Well, yes, of course,” Anna nodded.

“She certainly wasn’t exhausted when he was here,” Sofia commented. “How much dancing did they do?”

“Sofia,” Kristoff interrupted, “Do you like your tutors?”

Sofia nodded, taking a bite of food.  “It’s more interesting with them than the governess.  She’s nice enough, of course, but I’m not sure if she knows very much beyond reading and arithmetic.  I think I’d like to play piano, though.”

Anna smiled at this.  “Is the old piano teacher still in town, Frederick?”

“I’m pretty sure he left for the conservatory in Bergen,” Frederick said. 

“I’ll ask around,” Kristoff suggested. “The trade guild people are always talking about their accomplished children, so I’m sure they know some piano teachers.”

“Why doesn’t Frederick teach me?” Sofia asked. 

“I’ll be gone next year,” Frederick protested.

“That’s next year,” Sofia said. “Papa can find someone else next year.”

“Frederick, you just said you had nothing to do,” Kristoff reminded him.

As dinner finished, the children ran off to the library for games, and Anna and Kristoff took their time.  

“Do you think we should check on Inga?” Kristoff asked.

“I’m sure she’s fine, but I’ll stop by,” Anna said as they left the dining room for the servants to clean up. 

Kristoff went on to catch up with the children in the library, and Anna walked up to Inga’s room.

She knocked lightly.  “Inga?”  she called through the door.

There was some commotion on the other side, and she heard a groan and some footsteps approaching the door.  “What is it?” Inga asked, opening the door.

“We missed you at dinner.”

“Sorry,” Inga apologized, staring blankly.

“Well, you are exhausted, aren’t you?” Anna said sympathetically, instinctively putting the back of her hand to her daughter’s forehead.  “You don’t have a fever at least, but please just get back to bed. I’m sorry I woke you.  You can sleep in tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Mama,” Inga said as she went back into her room, closing the door behind her.  Anna took a deep breath, realizing she couldn’t remember the last time Inga had called her ‘Mama’ instead of ‘Mother.’  

***

Inga fell back asleep after her mother left.  She had yet more strange dreams. She was having so many strange dreams. It felt like she was going back and forth between being so exhausted she instantly fell asleep, and being stuck in an in-between state of neither being rested nor feeling any energy.

She couldn’t remember if she had written to Henry, and since she was awake now, she grabbed some paper and a pen and began writing.

October 6th, 1865

Dear Henry,

I seem to be working myself too hard. That’s what my mother has told me several times.  Now I seem to be sick, and I just hope that I’m better soon. There is so much left to do before the Harvest Festival, and I want to push myself just a little harder and get through this, but I know that I should rest so that I’m actually well enough next month for the celebrations. 

I hope you’ll be taking a steamship back here when you visit, because I have to admit it was frustrating knowing just how long it took you to get back to Corona, especially knowing that every minute until you returned is another minute they won’t give us approval to get married. 

I don’t mean to sound so negative, though.  Frederick has passed his examination. I forget if I mentioned that before, so he will be traveling to Corona after Christmas.  Perhaps I can visit Corona then, as well. 

I’m looking forward to seeing you again.

Love,

Inga

Inga went to the window and opened it, whispering her usual greeting to the wind spirit before releasing the letter.  There was a bit of a chill in the air, but it felt rather nice. She hadn’t realized how warm her room was, so she left the window open as she went back to bed.

***

Henry sat at his window, the glow of the city spread out below.  He had sent three letters since the last letter from Inga, and as much as he knew she had quite a lot going on, part of him worried.  As if to answer his question, the wind rattled on his window, and a letter landed on his desk mere seconds after he opened the window.

Smiling as he saw the writing on the outside, he quickly sat down and opened it up to read, but frowned as he saw that Inga hadn’t been feeling well. Helpless to do anything for her right now, he wanted to hold her. He thought of the wildflowers in the meadow. He wasn’t sure what they were, but they were nothing like anything he had seen in Corona. He grabbed his sketchbook and drew what he could remember of that meadow, with the trees along the edges, and the shade where they sat. Inga sitting by the tree, so proper, and yet, he knew… he had committed every detail of her to his memory. He could draw her any way he wanted, but he would draw her in the riding dress for this.

He took the drawing of the meadow out of his sketchbook, signed his name in the corner, and carefully folded it up. On another sheet of paper, he jotted down a quick note.

October 6th, 1865

Dear Inga,

I’m so sorry that you’re not feeling well.  I was beginning to worry when I hadn’t heard from you.  Please take care!  I’ll see you soon.

Love, 

Henry

He frowned.  When could he leave for the festival?  All of the formal letters for an official engagement had been signed. He wanted to rush to Inga’s side now, to help her feel better.  Could he simply tell his parents that he was going and leave on the next ship out? Perhaps he would.

***

Henry had barely slept that night, trying to decide if he should just declare that he was taking the next ship to Arendelle, or if he was going to ask when he could travel. It shouldn’t have been such a decision. He had already mentioned wanting to leave at the end of the month, so this was not a difficult question.

It was finally morning, and his parents and sister were sitting together having breakfast.

“Henry, are you joining us?” Hilde asked.

“Yes, of course,” he replied, sitting down and helping himself.

“I was thinking…” he began.

“Indeed?” Hilde smirked.

“Hilde,” their mother said as a warning.

“Sorry, go on,” his sister replied.

“Well, when is the next ship going to Arendelle?” he asked.

“Of course,” Hilde chuckled, immediately stuffing a roll into her mouth to avoid saying whatever was on her mind.

“I haven’t checked,” his mother said, looking at his father.

“Aren’t they going twice a week now?” his father asked. “Mondays and Thursdays, maybe?”

“Today is Saturday,” Henry said. “Could I go Monday?” 

“The day after tomorrow?” his father asked. “I suppose James can deal with that.”

“Does Inga know you’re coming sooner?” his mother asked.

“Um, no, I wanted to surprise her,” he said. “But she knows I’m hoping to come to the festival.”

“I hope she likes surprises,” his mother replied.

***

It was late Saturday night, and Inga had fallen asleep early. She was awoken by a rattling at the window. She took a moment to realize what she was hearing, and finally walked over to see some leaves swirling around outside. It was Gale. Inga was still in enough of a muddle that she momentarily forgot how to unlatch the window, and a blast of freezing night air greeted her when she finally opened it, but she wasn’t surprised that a letter fell into her hands.

October 7th, 1865

Dear Inga,

I will be leaving for the fall festival this week, and I’ll be bringing along a letter signed by my grandfather giving us permission. I hope that will be enough for the council. I’m looking forward to seeing this festival, because you told me so much about last year’s, and I don’t want to miss it.

I miss you more, of course. I’ll be dreaming of you.

Good night,

Love,

Henry

Inga read the letter several times over. 

Her mother had told her that she needed to stop working so hard with planning the festival and rest for a few days.  The previous year’s festival had been the first one that Inga herself had put work into, although, of course, she had assisted her mother most years going back to when she had been perhaps eight or nine years old.  It was an enjoyable occasion to plan for, because unlike parties, there were lots of excuses to blend into the background helping with one thing or another, and she didn’t have to worry about being the center of attention.  

Not like with a wedding. Even then, that would be a few hours to endure, and then they would be married.

Inga drifted off into a pleasant sleep, dreaming of Henry, as he probably was dreaming of her.  She woke once to a brief rain storm, then drifted off to sleep again, though her dreams weren’t quite as pleasant this time.

***

Inga looked up at the church in front of her.  It was the familiar chapel of Arendelle castle, where the Royal Family made their customary appearance every Sunday when they were in town.  Their mother, after all, was officially considered the head of the church.  Inga had never quite understood why her mother was considered the head of the church, when the bishop made all of the decisions, and in many ways had power over their own family.  As their mother often pointed out when Inga asked too many questions, the bishop was a good man, and he was on their side when others weren’t.  Inga kept this in mind, and did her best to keep her doubts to herself.  

This time, the church was packed, almost more crowded than it was on major holy days.  They were all looking at her. She looked ahead and saw Henry standing up at the front of the church, along with the Bishop, and realized this was her wedding. She looked around, and realized she was on her own, though.  Wasn’t her father supposed to walk her down the aisle?  And where was her mother?

When she looked around again, it was obvious that this wasn’t the chapel in Arendelle at all, but the chapel in Corona that she had sat in the year before when Henry and his sister had been invested at their Coronation upon their eighteenth birthday.  

The King of Corona, Henry’s grandfather, stepped up next to her. 

“Where is everyone?” Inga whispered.

“Everyone is here,” he replied.

“But where is my family?” 

“What do you mean? You eloped here with Henry. You’re lucky Arendelle hasn’t declared war on us.”

“Wait, what?”

The church bell was ringing outside as Inga woke with a start. Of course, it was Sunday morning.  What did the dream even mean?  Why would they elope? Of course, she and Henry had joked about it, but there was no reason to elope.  They had his grandfather’s permission, and it was merely a matter of getting everything else planned for the wedding.  Real planning could happen soon enough, though she was beginning to see the wisdom of waiting a little longer. 

***

Anna looked over the letters.  Two were from nobles from the provinces, who had questions relating to the Royal Council issues.  They would probably need to convene the council again soon, since there were so many issues to discuss.  Once official permission for the engagement came from Corona, the royal council of Arendelle could officially recognize the engagement, and they could set a date and begin planning.  That would make Inga happy, even if she accepted waiting until the following summer.  Anna was also fairly certain that Inga would rather that the succession issue be dropped officially.  Perhaps the council would finally agree to that. As Inga herself had mentioned, surely they wouldn’t want the line of succession blending in with Corona’s.  That always created complications, anyway.  

Another letter was from Admiral Sorensen about the cadets Arendelle would be sending to the Naval Academy of Corona. Frederick would get his interest in the navy out of his system soon enough, she hoped.  Kristoff seemed to think that Sorensen had hand-picked Frederick as a possible successor as admiral, which would assume that he wasn’t first in line of succession for the crown, so hopefully Sorensen had a back-up plan. Frederick was still young. Her other children were even younger, and she couldn’t possibly start planning out their futures. 

She hoped Inga felt better soon enough.   

Inga had been looking tired for several days now.  She had been visiting Isabel, who was still recovering from what was, by all accounts, a very difficult birth.  Anna had visited their home once, and she had also made sure that the castle guards were ensuring that Captain Olsen could spend as much time as he needed to with his wife and new child.  

Halima had, of course, been quite busy, and Anna had learned that she was looking to hire more people to help with Hudson’s Hearth so that she didn’t need to be doing quite as much work there. Their youngest ward, Meibel, helped quite a lot, but Kate and Edith had never been particularly interested, and Halima would never pressure them into helping.  

There was a knock at the study door.  

“Come in,” Anna called out. “Kristoff?”

“You sound surprised to see me here.”

Anna laughed. “No, no, just, it’s Sunday, and you went to the trouble of cleaning up and showing up to church, I figured that you would take the rest of the day for other things.”  

“How has Inga been? I thought I’d see her today.”

“No, I haven’t seen her today, either.  She wasn’t at church, but she did go to bed early last night because she hasn’t been feeling well. Though as busy as she’s been with the festival planning and helping Isabel, I’m not that surprised.  She needs to rest sometime.”

“How is Isabel doing? I haven’t seen Captain Olsen around very much.” 

“Better,” Anna said. “And Inga tells me that the baby is quite pretty.”

Kristoff nodded. 

“She still does seem to be intent on getting married, even with everything she’s doing around here, though at least she seems happy to wait until next summer now.”

“Does she really have to move if she gets married?” Kristoff asked.

“I don’t know for sure, but it wouldn’t be something they could just decide on a whim. These things will need to be negotiated. The council made that much clear, I thought.” 

“I hope she understands,” Kristoff said. 

Anna nodded, looking at the papers spread across the desk again.

“So,” Anna said, changing the subject, “Frederick passed the examination for the Naval Academy in Corona.”

“I know,” Kristoff chuckled. “I was meeting with some of the Trade Guilds when he and his friends came into Hudson’s Hearth to celebrate.”

“It sounds like it was quite an event, then. The rest of us were having a quiet dinner.”

Kristoff smiled. “I think Frederick and I were both trying to pretend we weren’t at the same place, but I was happy for him.”

Anna smiled. Kristoff went to put some more wood in the fireplace, and sat down across from her at the desk.

“So, have you started making plans for this wedding that isn’t officially happening yet?”

Anna shook her head. “The Bishop did come to speak with me after the meeting in August, and he said that whenever it’s approved, we can name the date to have the chapel.”

“I hope both of them know what they’re getting into.”

“I think that’s part of why Inga has started accepting the idea of waiting until next summer. I know it’s not that much time, but it’s enough for her to really consider things.”

Kristoff nodded.  “I’m pretty sure Henry doesn’t have the first clue about scheming, at least.”

Anna shifted in her seat. 

“Sorry,” Kristoff added, glancing over.

“No, that’s a valid point,” Anna assured him.

It had begun raining at some point since Kristoff had come in, and the gentle sound of rain on the window plus the new log on the fire beginning to crackle were the only sounds in the room now.

“What if we had gotten married that summer, when I was eighteen?”

Kristoff looked over.  “Things would have been different, that’s for sure.”

“I know.”  

“I would have been fine with everything. I hope I’ve always been clear enough about that.”

“I’ve never questioned that,” Anna said, smiling. 

“I was- Last year, I mean to say, I was talking with him… after he knew the truth. I told him as much. That boy was afraid that I was going to blame him for everything that happened.”

“He was worried about the same thing when I spoke with him. I wish that we had been able to speak more. Once everything was in motion, though, it would have been odd to change our minds.”

“I know. The position was… it’s not what I would have chosen.”

They sat across from each other at the desk for a little while.

“Kristoff, I wouldn’t have asked you to do that, you know, marrying me back then. Well, I didn’t ask you. I could have, and it would have been convenient in some ways, I suppose.”  Anna looked at a bookshelf, as if she were looking for some specific volume, but her eyes weren’t really focused.

“I hate to ask this, but was anyone else you met on your tour a candidate? It’s been nearly twenty-two years now, you can be honest.”

“Nobody,” Anna quickly replied. “I know enough to know that more than a few were interested in me at the time.  But none of them were you.  Who knows, though, if you had run off before I returned to Arendelle, perhaps I would have written to the Crown Prince of Maldonia…”

“Isn’t that the father of the prince that Inga hated so much?”

“Oh, that one, yes. His father wasn’t too terrible, as far as I can remember.  Very matter of fact, though, but I think that’s what I would have wanted at that point.”

“So, if I had disappeared, you could be enjoying warm weather and abundant citrus fruit right now.”

“I’ll take a little cold weather, thank you very much.”

***

As Sunday morning turned into afternoon, Inga had another dream, the memory of which evaporated as soon as she heard her maid Oline putting some things away in her dresser.

“What time is it, Oline?” Inga asked.

“It’s afternoon, Your Highness, but please don’t mind me. I had no intention of waking you.”

“I really need to get up,” Inga sighed. 

“You’re not well. Please just rest.”

“Do you think I should have the doctor come this week?” Inga asked.

“I think that might be a good idea, but also… Please don’t take this the wrong way, but there has been some talk…”

“Talk?” Inga asked.

“I’ve told them you worked yourself too hard, but you know how those girls in the laundry are.  Even with the dressing down about gossiping they got after your party… I can only imagine how bad it would be without the fear of getting sent away…” Oline trailed off.

“What are they talking about, exactly?” 

“The fact that they usually shut up when I arrive, I can’t tell you very much, but they say some awful things.”

“Well, I suppose they’ll do that,” Inga sighed, resigned after the rumors she had heard about her birthday party.

“You don’t care what they’re saying about you?”

“I… I care, but, well… It's me. I shouldn’t be surprised if they’re talking about me.”

“It really doesn’t bother you?”

“Why should it? I suppose if Henry believed whatever it was, it would be a problem.”

“Do you think he’s heard the rumors?” 

“He already knows there are rumors. He says he hears worse in Corona, anyway.”

“That sounds horrible,” Oline said. “But, yes, you should rest. If you’re still not feeling well, I’ll pass on a note to the doctor. I’m sure he will figure out what’s wrong with you. Lots of things can cause this sort of thing, you know.”

“This sort of thing?”

“Don’t worry about it,” Oline insisted. “There are girls who need to worry, but you’re a good sort.”

Inga stopped herself from asking Oline’s meaning. She had an idea, and she wouldn’t contradict her.

“Thank you, Oline. I think I’ll go ahead and rest some more.”

***

Later in the day, Anna walked into the library to find General Mattias and Admiral Sorensen sitting by the fire. 

“Good morning, General, Admiral,” she greeted them, smiling.

“Good morning, your Majesty. We were just discussing your son's upcoming enrollment at the Academy in Corona.”

Anna forced herself to smile. “Yes, I’ve heard he got very high marks on the entrance exam.”

Sorensen smiled. “He also performed extremely well last spring on the training mission. The boy has a knack for this.”

“Yes, I suppose it will keep him occupied,” Anna said.

“Admiral?” General Mattias said. “Perhaps we should save this discussion for later.”

“No, no, it’s fine, really,” Anna insisted.  “I still think of him as a young boy…  and he is next in line, but since I seem to be in good health, we should probably give him something useful to do.”

“Do you really think the council will reject the succession bill?” Admiral Sorensen asked.

“They haven’t acted on it in over a year,” Anna said. “If they haven’t decided at this point, I can’t imagine they will now.”

“I suppose there is that,” the Admiral agreed. “If this engagement goes through, most of the council members object to the line of succession being shared with that of Corona.”

“For the record, Inga has expressed her desire not to change the succession.”

“At this point, unfortunately, I think her opinion on the matter is not something many members of the council care about,” General Mattias sighed.

“I have noticed that,” Anna said.

“If you allow me to give my candid opinion, Your Majesty?”

“I hope that you always do so, Admiral,” Anna replied.

“Of course,” the Admiral assured her. “Within the bounds of politically expedient politeness, of course.”

“Go on, then,” Anna prodded.

“I’ve heard a few saying they would like to wait to decide until, perhaps, a year or two after any marriage. Corona retains the preference for the male line, so if they have a boy-”

“This is my daughter we’re talking about here, Admiral. You should just be glad that Kristoff isn’t joining us for this meeting.” 

“In my opinion, I think they should decide now, regardless of any marriage,” the Admiral insisted. “I will admit some bias for Frederick remaining free to pursue a naval career, if that is what he wishes. You asked me to be candid, Your Majesty.”

“I did ask for that, yes,” Anna said. “And I wish they simply would decide on the matter so we can get on with things. I regret ever bringing up the idea.”

“Shall we discuss the new ship coming from the American ship builder, then?” the Admiral asked. “Ambassador Nilsen has told me some very encouraging things about the negotiation.”

Anna agreed. “Yes, it sounds like it will be a good deal for everyone.”

Sorensen chuckled. “After the last ambassador abandoned his post, I have to admit I wasn’t very optimistic about the replacement, but the young man seems to be taking the role seriously.”

Mattias nodded. “Anna, I have to say, you showed some real judgment of character with that one.”

Anna did her best to smile. She was quite certain that neither Mattias nor Sorensen knew of Lars’s true identity, and she hoped to keep it that way, as much as Mattias in particular was a dear family friend. She knew that Mattias meant well, only the best, with his comment, but it hurt to think about.

“He does seem to be doing well,” Anna agreed. “And I believe the ship builders are making good progress?”

Sorensen smiled. “The ship is to arrive in Arendelle next summer, and the ship builder is quite eager to become a regular supplier to Arendelle. I’ve seen their plans, and they’re quite good.”

“Now that we’ve settled that,” Anna said, “I think I would like to go into town and see how the festival preparations are going.”

“Will Inga be coming along?” Mattias asked.

“She hasn’t been feeling well the last few days, unfortunately, but I’ll ask Frederick if he would like to come along.”

“I’m sorry to hear about Inga, but Frederick is always welcome company,” Mattias said.

***

“Inga?” Frederick called through the crack in her door.

“Come in!” Inga called out.

“It’s after lunchtime, and you’re still in bed?” Frederick asked.

“I’m feeling a little better, I promise,” Inga insisted. 

“You’re not going to be like Mother now, are you?”

“What do you mean by that?” Inga asked. 

“Getting sick like that, you know.”

“Mother is quite healthy these days, Frederick. She hasn’t been sick in a long time.”

“Oh, I know it’s not all the time, but often enough.  Remember last fall? And a few weeks later you were sick, too.”

Inga realized he was talking about the time right after Lars’s wedding. She had asked her mother why she hadn’t gone, assuming she was friends with Mrs. Nilsen like Aunt Elsa was. She had been mystified at the time, but a short time later, she realized exactly why her mother had reacted so strangely. 

“I don’t know about Mother, but I had a headache,” Inga insisted. 

“Fine, but there was the year before when Mother was sick around my birthday.”

“No, that year she was sick in January, not December. Don’t you remember Father coming back early from visiting the ice fields? You must be thinking of your twelfth birthday.”

“You’re right, that was the birthday when she was sick.  It was before the spring when Karl was born.”

“So?  Lots of people get sick in the winter.”

“But I remember some of the times it was in the fall. Father was always worried, don’t you remember?”

“Father had reason to worry then, you know, Frederick, it’s not-” Inga pushed a thought from her head. “Anyway, that’s different.”

“Fine, then,” Frederick said. “Just, take care of yourself?”

“So, is that all? Giving me a hard time about being sick? I promise I’ll send for the doctor this week if I’m still not feeling well.”

“No, sorry about giving you a hard time. I just wanted to let you know that everyone missed you in town today.”

“Everyone?” Inga asked.

“Well, the General, and the Admiral, and Renata, and…”

“Is Renata in town this week? I am sorry I didn’t get to see her.”

“She was talking with Halima about opening up a spa resort just outside of town.  She just finished helping with one up along the way to Bergen, you know.” 

“Oaken has several of those, I know,” Inga replied. 

“Halima will be setting up the restaurant.”

“Has she hired a new cook yet?” Inga asked. 

“She’s been trying out a few, Meibel tells me,” Frederick replied. 

“You’re going to miss that, aren’t you?”

“Hudson’s, yeah,” Frederick said.

“Meibel is going to miss you, that’s for sure,” Inga laughed.

“You think so?” 

***

“I have everything ready,” James announced. “The official letter with permission from your grandfather is in the trunk on top. I will be sure it is in a clear place when I unpack in Arendelle.”

“Thank you, James,” Henry said. “I know it’s sudden. Now, my parents insist on coming with me to the harbor, so if you can go with the bags in the wagon, I think I’ll be walking.”

“Very good, Your Highness,” James nodded.

Henry walked down to the gate where his parents were waiting. Hilde was there, too. They began walking silently, Henry trying not to fidget or rush ahead. 

“Please tell us if you make any plans while you’re gone,” his mother said when they were about halfway down the hill. 

“I’m pretty sure the plan is for next summer now,” Henry said. “But I’ll let you know as soon as we set a date.”

“Good,” his father said. “No more surprises, please?”

[nerdpoe]

Atlanteans keep summoning Phantom. They don't mean to, but now he has a very different look.

Apparently the summoning ritual for the High Prince of the Infinite Realms was leaked (he's pretty sure it was Johnny and Kitty), and teenage Atlanteans are like any other teenager; absolutely willing to peer pressure their friends into doing stupid creepy shit.

He keeps appearing underwater, and it's super uncomfortable to take that moment to remind himself to stop breathing so he doesn't accidentally inhale a lungful of water.

Easy solution; he's already got two forms, and one of them is pretty malleable. As a ghost, it's not like he needs to use his legs anyways.

So he changes it.

It's got glittering white scales, glowing green freckles, claws, and a betta-fish-like tail with glowing neon ridges. He calls it his mer-sona, and makes sure to call it that before Tucker can beat him to it.

Now whenever he gets summoned, he just sticks to that form.

[thesummerestsolstice]

Concept: Elrond is, by Middle-Earth standards, a perfectly respectable level of fancy. You know, he's an elf-lord, he has plenty of robes with intricate embroidery or layers of flowing fabric, he wears finely-crafted jewelry, especially during formal occasions. He's elegant, but not gaudy– there are some tasteful references to his various ancestors in his outfits, he's got a whole image. He assumes that this is like, standard for the Noldor.

What Elrond failed to realize when he sailed to Valinor is that the expectations for "Middle-Earth elf lord with vaguely Noldorian implications" and "Noldor prince in the Blessed Realm" are two very different things. He goes to a feast and everyone is dressed like they'll die if they're not wearing four layers of skirts and at least 20 pounds of gems and precious metals. He shows up to Finarfin's court wearing more jewelry than he ever would've worn in Rivendell and people still flash him strange looks and ask him whether he wasn't feeling up to dressing up that night. He'll braid his hair in the half-up half-down style he often wore in Rivendell and it'll cause a scandal because– gasp– Elrond had part of his hair loose. In public. Noldor keep giving him jewelry because they've collectively decided that he's clearly been deprived in Middle Earth. He's confused and a little bit afraid, frankly.

Thankfully, most of the attention is taken off Elrond when Tirion is engulfed in drama the likes of which hasn't been seen for hundreds of years. The cause? Galadriel showing up in Tirion with her hair entirely loose, and no jewelry to speak of. Her robes are entirely plain. Her only adornment is her unbearably smug smirk.

[call-me-strega]

Dc x Dp prompt #13: Hell to Pay

They say there are only two things certain in life: death and taxes. That’s why even the Joker doesn’t fuck with the IRS.

However, unfortunately for the Joker the other certainty is death and he has yet to pay his dues. Just like how he could only get away with tax evasion for so long, there are only so many times the Joker can dodge death.

Death is coming to collect, with interest.

And the Joker will have hell to pay.

~ A dark green cloud swirls over the city. From it, emerge three oppressive figures:

The one on the far left with flowing hair like white-hot fire. His vambraces made of (what appeared to be) molten glass stopped under his fingers, which then extend into into claws that seemed to drip lava. He had spiked obsidian pauldrons on his shoulders, fastening a luminous, stark-white cape to his shoulders. He wore a coronet of lightning and wielded a flail that appeared to be made of coal chains and a shrunken Red Giant star.

The second on the far right had a helm of dark iron wreathed in a plume of purple flame. His gauntlets and sword flamed with green hellfire. A pure black sheath seemingly made of void and a silver hunting horn were tied to his waist. He wore an armor forged of shadows and proofed with fear. He rode atop a mighty stead. An inky dark stallion with a curved horn and bat-like wings. His form was constantly slightly shifting depending on the angle which you viewed him making him appear larger and more slippery than he was, enhancing his disquieting nature.

The third stood in the middle, smaller but no less terrifying than her companions. Her hair was wild with movement, only just visible because it appeared as if someone had bound the winds to her head. She wore a tiara made of storm clouds and pearls. She carried with her a spear, the shaft crafted of amazonite and the tip of a clear quartz, almost reminiscent of sea salt. At her hip lay a whip made of a restrained gale and a sea glass knife. She wore armor that appeared to be Greco-Roman in origin: a chest plate made of some sort of coral-like material and a battle skirt decorated with metallic bronze feathers.

They slowly descent on the city, bringing down a sense of power and dread. They paused at the top of Wayne Tower, where the city's vigilantes had all gathered in an attempt to create and feasible plan of action to discern what these beings want. The young woman in the middle speaks and the wind carries her voice. She is not loud but it the whole of Gotham hears her words.

"Greetings, Heroes of Gotham. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Spirit, Princess and Head Diplomat of the Infinite Realms. This is Samhain, the Fright Knight, loyal knight to the king,” she gestured to her right before switching to her left “and this is Prince Wraith, current General in Chief of the Realms. We come to you as the King’s Guard and entourage. We have official business in your city and wish to civilly notify you of our presence. The King will be arriving shortly and your cooperation would be great fully received.”

Batman moved forward to shake her hand and address the situation.

“I’m afraid that we prefer not to have unknowns operating within the city. Would you be able to tell us what business you have here? Perhaps we could reach an agreement?” Batman tried to negotiate as politely as he could. He did not want to risk offending the evidently powerful beings.

Princess Spirit’s smile sharpened as she thrummed her finger against her knife. She spoke again with an unnervingly pleasant tone.

“It appears you do not understand. We are not asking for your permission.” Her grip around his hand tightened. “ We are informing you.” She finished releasing his hand.

Batman withdrew his aching hand and regarded her with the beginnings of a protest on his lips. She didn’t allow him to speak.

“ This is out of your jurisdiction Batman. This is a matter of the Realms and the Afterlife. Whatever worldly rules or morals you wish to impose on those who enter this city do not apply to us. We will do our best to work within them, so as to appease you and to attempt to maintain a friendly relationship but in the macrocosm of the multiverse and afterlives you have no official power over us. Additionally, we have direct permission to operate here however we see fit from the City Spirit herself, Lady Gotham.”

Batman’s shadow seemed to fluctuated. His and his team's shadows moved from beneath them, closer to the Princess. Lady Gotham, though not manifesting, was making her presence and approval known. Batman could not deny what he was seeing. His team shifted uncomfortably behind him. He appealed to her once more.

“ I see that we can’t stop you. We don’t want to get in your way either. Could you at least tell us why you are here?”

She smiled as if telling a joke, “All will be revealed in time”

Suddenly, there was a loud noise that sounded like tearing fabric. The green clouds mixed with purples and blues and began to churn faster. The cyclone emitted a flashes of bright light. In unison all three of the King’s Guard lifted up from the roof and took place underneath the eye of the wind storm.

Spirit holds her spear aloft. With one swift, commanding move she slams the butt of her spear down, creating a platform out of solidified air.

Wraith bellows out smoke and ash onto the platform to discolor it. With ferocious and precise movements his claws to carve in a sigil, leaving a soft orange glow against the black and gray.

Samhain sheathes his sword and pulls his horn from his waist. He wills his dark stead to rear up as he blows the horn, letting out one loud prolonged cry.

The three warriors stand at attention and Princess Spirit calls the winds to project her voice once more.

“ Now introducing the Ruler of the Infinite Realms, High King of the In-Between, The Great One, The Benevolent King, The Peace Maker, The Guardian of Souls, The One with the Cloak of Stars and the Crown of Frozen Light, The Perfect Balance, Ancient of Space and Reality, The Infinite King: Phantom!”

With a flash of white light a figure appear in the center of the platform. Simultaneously, the three knights bow in reverence.

The King has arrived.

As the Heroes of Gotham regain clear vision they are met with a striking figure.

There stood a toned young man appearing both boyishly young, yet wisened and weathered. He had side swept hair the creeped to the bottom of his neck. His skin was pale with an icy blue tint. He opened his eyes to reveal they shone an electric green. Upon his head rest a crown made of a crystalline material, reminiscent of an aurora. He wore a navy blue cloak that had a rich purple hood lined with stark white fur. The underside displayed a shifting galaxy pattern. His under suit was the same midnight black as Samhain’s. He donned golden arm bands and a gold chest plate in style quite similar to Spirit’s. His hand were covered in snow white gauntlets that matched Wraith’s vambraces.

They all stood in awe, beholden to the almost divine figure.

The king sent them a gentle smile. It was warm and comforting yet sent a chill down their shoulders.

King Phantom began to fly down toward the center of the city, his entourage fell into step behind him. He hovered several hundred feet over Wayne tower and looked down at the city. He then spoke in a booming voice, his tone kind but commanding.

“ I humbly greet the Lady Gotham, her champions, and her citizens,” the shadows curled toward him appreciatively. “ I am grateful for your cooperation in our effort to rectify a great injustice. As High King of the Infinite Realms it is one of my duties to preside over the afterlife. To bring guidance, peace, and justice to the souls under my jurisdiction. Recently, it has been brought to my attention that there is a soul among you who has not only dodged death, but caused great strife to a vast number of souls who call for justice.”

On the roof of Wayne Enterprises Jason and Damian both stiffen, but remain firm in their gaze toward the king. The king looks out at the city and sparing them the quickest of glances. He continues onward.

“ The man formerly know as Jack Napier, now called The Joker. He has avoided death on many an occasion but his life should have ended moment he fell into a vat of chemicals. Since then he has sent hundreds more to the afterlife. He has long yet to pay his dues. That is why on the behalf of justice, restoring balance, and of my subjects I officially condemn Jack Napier.”

“Jack Napier, you have been allowed 24 hours turn yourself into our custody in order to be put on trial for your crimes in the Infinite Realms. Should you fail to turn youself in, we shall take that as an admission of guilt and acceptance to be punished for your actions. After the 24 hours are up, Samhain shall use his horn to summon The Hunt and we shall track you down.”

His gaze passed specifically over Red Hood, one of the Oracle’s drones, Nightwing, Signal, Red Robin, and Batman before he spoke his next words.

“All those souls who have been wronged by the Joker, both living and deceased, who wish to have a hand in their justice have been invited to join The Hunt if they so choose.”

The king lifted his hand, calling the swirling green clouds to his gather in his palm. The clouds swiftly rearranged themselves into a smokey timer hanging in the sky.

An impish smirk graced King Phantom’s face as he let out a malicious laugh and gave his final decree.

“ Your time begins now!”

[jaxon-exe]

Dp x dc prompt

So this starts with Danny becoming the ghost king on his 18th birthday and almost immediately every power-hungry ghost in existence starts proposing to him. At first he just ignores it but after the 10th time someone tries to kidnap him to marry him Greek god style, he’s fucking sick of it and goes to Clockwork for help.

He’s not much help. The only way for other people to stop trying to marry him is if he’s already married. What’s more, because he’s the king of the infinite realms, it has to be someone that’s considered a citizen of the Infinite Realms. (Like he can marry someone that’s still alive but they wouldn’t count and people will just keep trying to marry him) CW also warns him that people will try and kill anyone he marries if they can so a living person isn’t really ideal. The only bit of real helpfulness he does provide is a list of non-evil non-power-hungry citizens so he can have an easier time finding someone.

So Danny takes the list and starts crossing of names (like Johnny, even tho the guy won’t abuse the power of being the ghost princess, kitty would kill Danny for good this time) when he comes across the perfect candidate.

Jason Todd (Robin/Red Hood)

He’s been to Gotham before, knows the Robins all do good work and knows the Red Hood is already a good and fair ruler of his criminal underground. Plus the guy could definitely fight off any ghost trying to kill him even without the power boost and some helpful weapons Danny would give him if he agrees. Plus he has the perfect bargaining chip to get the guy to help by offering to fix the corrupted ectoplasm in him (not that he wasn’t gonna do that anyway when he had the time to but Hood didn’t need to know that)

So Danny hops over to Gotham and after quickly getting permission from Lady Gotham (she’s very protective of her Knights) heads over to crime ally and pitches the idea to Red Hood.

Which basically goes like-

Danny: so I give u, the title of prince, access to the Infinite Realms whenever u wish, a sweet private wing in my castle, any of the op ghost weapons in the castles armoury and a fix for ur rage problems and u marry me so I stop getting people trying to propose to me in increasingly more annoying ways :)

Jason, a literature geek with a secret desire to be the protagonist in a shitty YA romance: u had me at Prince

So the two of then jump over to the Infinite Realms to get married thinking it’ll take 30 minutes top only to learn that CW left out that a Royal wedding has to take at minimum a week otherwise no one will consider the Marriage valid. So the two, not backing out at this point, join in on the week of parties and celebrations without putting much more thought into it.

Meanwhile back in Gotham, after not having Red Hood check in after his patrol, Oracle searches CCTV and finds Jason having a conversation with a figure that is glitching out the camera to much to identify them, then the figure seemingly grabs Jason and drags him into a portal and the two of them disappear.

So obviously the Batfam comes to the conclusion that Jason was kidnapped by some sort of magical being and calls in John. He identify the magic as that of the ghost king’s and has been hearing that the king had been looking for a bride so comes to the conclusion that Jason has been kidnapped Persephone style to be be married and is under the (wrong) conclusion that it will mean Jason can’t leave the realm of the death after.

And so the Batfam + Constantine start planing to crash a wedding.

[radiance1]

The Ghost Prince does not, under any circumstances, answer a summoning after it was made aware he existed. None know why he doesn't, some are bitter and hateful of it while others are thankful that it's one less bloodthirsty manic to deal with.

The Ghost King meanwhile hasn't been seen in multiple eons, so the magical community who wanted to use his power just, stopped, trying to summon him for a long time.

Most magic users knew that the Ghost Prince never answered a summons, and that the Ghost King just dropped off the radar.

So could you really blame Constantine for not taking it that seriously when some wannabe hotshot cultists try to summon both of them in the middle of a city to wreak havoc?

He'll give them some credit though. Points for doing it in broad daylight and actually being somewhat of a threat with not relying on just summoning the Ghost royalty and figuring out what to do from there.

The area they were in was somewhat destroyed, then the cultists manage to complete the summoning circle to summon both of them and Constantine, well he just light up a smoke.

It isn't going to work anyways so what does it matter?

...

Is that a fucking Ice cream truck he hears? Who the fuck is driving an Ice cream truck while their city is being under attacked with cultists trying to summon eldritch ghost royalty?

He'll give them some points for dedication, though.

Then he looked at the cultists and nearly had a goddamn heart attack to see that the summoning circle is actually fucking lighting up and working.

The Bat is so gonna give him a headache over this.

----

Danny Phantom, crown prince of the Infinite Realms. Does not answer summons.

For one, it is annoying as shit, whenever someone interrupts his day just to ask for infinite power (that he can't give), world domination (that he won't do) or infinite riches (which he also can't do).

It just got annoying being summoned all the time so. One day he just, well, no. And hey, it worked out well enough for him to not continue doing it.

Then he also learned that Pariah Dark is basically the same, after he got out the coffin and stopped trying to take over the world for whatever reason. He was actually a pretty swell guy!

He was just with him too, with him being not so swell at the time for making him go through lessons about Ghost etiquette, rules, stuff that's expected of him as the crown prince.

And don't even get him started on the engagement and marriage proposals.

Overall, he just wanted to find an excuse to leave. Then he felt the familiar suggestive pull of a summoning and, instead of rejection as he usually does in a second. He thought for a bit if he wanted to go with that or crown prince duties.

It was tempting, but dealing with cultists seemed worse than this so he was about to reject.

At least, before he heard an Ice cream truck playing in the background. He doesn't even know how the hell that popped up through the pull but by the gods has it been a while since he's had Ice cream.

So he answers and is gone with a pop.

Pariah Dark just stares for a good second or two, before breathing out and deciding to also answer. Fright Knight is just there, off to side, questioning what he should do now.

Danny wastes no time with the cultists on the other side and in fact, he pushes them out of the way and goes diving for that Ice cream truck he hears. Only to realize he doesn't, have any money on him.

Fuck.

Pariah Dark is less inclined to follow the rules imposed by humans like money, but he does know it can be important. Once in a while. Not that often, but it has its times.

So when he sees his adopted son being sad over being unable to pay for some kind of human delicacy, he digs around in his hair (yes, his hair.) and pulls out some money and puts it on the counter as payment.

The man inside the tiny vehicle had shrieked before getting what they wanted. Which is good. Fear is a good motivator, Pariah thinks.

Unknown to him, it wasn't out of fear (Well, mostly) but because the Ghost King placed down a coin made of pure, solid gold on his counter.

The two then go about their business in the human realm, completely forgetting about the fact that they were summoned here for something.

Constantine is both relieved and about to have an aneurysm at seeing Infinite Realm royalty only answering a summon because of Ice cream.