A war of the Icy Sea

Chapter 4, meeting the princess

The day after HMS Norway came to the rescue of the Spirit of Arrendelle.

The sun rose upon HMS Norway and Spirit of Arrendelle. The Spirit had managed to get its spare sails up and was plodding along at a leisurely 5 knots. The Norway sailed in a guarding position, the Norway's crew had considered the possibility of towing the Spirit but Alexander had quickly shot down that idea as if Norway tried to tow the Spirit, the sheer speed that the battlecruiser could achieve would tear the smaller wooden ship apart. Not a hint of smoke curling out of the funnels. Everyone on-board the Spirit watched as the Norway sailed protectively ahead and to the left of the Spirit. Princess Anna was as curious as any.

But as she watched, a small boat lowered from the Norway's side!

"The smoking ship is lowering a boat!" she warned the Spirit's captain.

But as the small boat lowered from the Norway's side approached the Spirit. Anna recognised one of the men who had been watching the Battle against the Wesleton ships! Alexander watched as the Spirit drew closer as well. His heart pounded like the Anti-Aircraft guns during an air attack. Medical Officer Harper was with Alexander as well as Davies. All three had Webley revolvers with the .455 ammunition. Even with the revolvers, all three officers knew that it was an unlikely chance they would win in just a pistol duel. So the gunners on the Norway were instructed to open fire if they heard the Webleys going off. Eventually, the small motor boat drew alongside the Spirit of Arrendelle.

Someone threw a ladder over the side of the Spirit and Alexander began to scale the ladder. It was quite a strenuous task but eventually he managed to climb onto the deck of the Spirit. As per naval tradition, he turned on the spot to salute the flag and then turned back to the gathered crew. One of them, a woman with coppery coloured hair in twin pigtails seemed to be of a much higher rank than any of the others so Alexander saluted her as well.

"Lieutenant Commander Alexander McDonald of the Royal Navy, Commanding officer of the Battle Cruiser HMS Norway, requesting permission to come aboard" Alexander said in a well-rehearsed, clipped tone.

Harper and Davies climbed onto the deck of the Spirit as well.

Princess Anna watched the three men from the Smoking Ship stood there before her. The language they spoke confused everyone on the ship except her. Only Royals knew how to speak in that language and Kristoff hadn't begun his lessons in that yet.

So hesitantly, she stepped forwards, Kristoff and a few guards close behind.

"Um, Permission Granted?" Anna replied.

Alexander smiled at the Princess warmly and shook her outstretched hand.

"On Behalf of everyone here on the Spirit of Arrendelle, Thank you for rescuing us back there" Anna said nervously, well she had a good reason to be. She was in the presence of the commanding officer of the smoking ship.

"It's nothing really. It's what we do" Alexander replied with a smile.

"Who are these?" Anna asked, gesturing to Harper and Davies.

"This is Lieutenant Davies; my second in command and this is Medical Officer Harper. He wanted to come aboard and help out with the wounded if possible" Alexander replied whilst gesturing to Harper and Davies in turn.

Anna nodded and clicked her fingers, the Spirit's medical officer stepped forwards and showed Harper over to where the Wounded were being kept below decks. Once Harper was below deck, Anna introduced Kristoff and the others on-board the Spirit of Arrendelle to Alexander and Davies.

The two officers were shown round every nook and cranny of the Spirit of Arrendelle. But once the tour was over, Anna, Kristoff, Davies and Alexander sat down in Anna's oversized cabin to discuss what was to happen next.

Anna translated what Alexander and Davies said to Kristoff so he knew what was going on.

"As you can see, our ship is badly damaged and we couldn't possibly survive another assault by the enemy" Anna said all business like now.

"Indeed" Alexander agreed.

"If it isn't too much trouble, I would like your Vessel the Norway to escort us the rest of the way to Arrendelle" Anna replied.

Alexander and Davies just furrowed their brows. They had never heard of Arrendelle before in their entire lives.

"We've never heard of Arrendelle!" Davies exclaimed before he could stop himself.

"Where have you been living?" Anna asked jokingly.

"The Norway has been at sea for a long while now so we don't get much news" Alexander lied; he knew that he would look like a madman if he said what really happened.

Anna just looked at Alexander suspiciously but she accepted what Alexander said.

"So about your vessel..." Anna began

"We would be honoured to escort the Spirit of Arrendelle to Arrendelle" Alexander replied.

Anna smiled warmly and held her hand out for a shake which Alexander took, they shook once and both sat down on their seats.

Little did Alexander know was that when the Norway docked in Arrendelle, his life would be changed forever.