Finally, you meet Helga

The rest of the trip is much quieter. Though the heavy snow is an annoyance, it never gets as bad as that one storm. You enter the small territory of Helga's host and make your way to the castle. It is small, but of solid stone, covered in tapestries meant to reduce the bitter cold of the local climate. You are welcomed by her great-uncle, a small, forgettable old man, head covered in wispy white hair. His face brightens when you hear that you have come to meet Helga. "Oh, yesh, good" he says through toothless gums. "Helga" he says, licking his parched lips, " eagerly awaits a fine shuitor, hmm, shuch ash yourshelf. But my dear Helga, she prefersh to meet one on one. She doeshn't do well in groupsh" he says, noticeably uncomfortable. "Is she intimidated by groups?" you ask. "Oh no!" he says, waving his brittle arms in front of himself. "Shesh jusht, well, eccentric. It only takesh time to get ushed to her, um, _shtrong _ pershonality" He smiles awkwardly, hoping for a change of topic. "Very well" you say, "I'll go alone." He visibly relaxes and leads you away from your party down a short hallway.

He comes to a thick wooden door. "Helga dear!" he yells, knocking on the door. "A dishtinguished young man ish here to shee you! A king!" There is silence for a moment. "Send him in" an unimpassioned but attractively feminine voice says from behind the door. He pulls the door open and lets you in. At the desk sits a young woman. You almost stop in your tracks as you start to comprehend her incredible beauty. If you had to use one word to describe her it would be, well, princess. Her features are extremely delicate and feminine, and she is tall, pale and thin with a confident posture. Light, straight platinum blonde hair goes almost down to the floor from her seated position. As she turn to look at you, you notice that her eyes are crystal blue, almost looking hollow. The main thing detracting from her beauty is her cold frown. Combined with her looks and attitude, you would believe her able to kill with just a stare. Maybe not so much princess as ice queen. You are starting to understand your host's nervousness, and perhaps eagerness to see her married off. "Come, sit" she says, not even gesturing to you before turning her head back to its original position.

You sit down across from her. "I take it you understand the situation?" she asks coolly. "The basics" you reply. She sighs. "I shall explain further then, so we're all on the same page. My father's kingdom allows men to take a wife, but also as many concubines as their wealth and position justify. All children of unions with their concubines, such as myself, are legally entitled to the same rights and privileges as the children of the wife, if perhaps a slight reduction in their pride and prestige. Thus, rulers of my people have used the institution of marriage purely for alliance and political gain, and concubines for enjoyment." She snorts disapprovingly. You nod your understanding, and she continues."I much prefer the system of your people. One wife, one line of descent. The illicit dalliances of your men are just that, illicit, giving no legal claim to the offspring. Not perfect, but better. My people cannot consolidate any gains. Anything a man wins in his life is divided between a whole brood, and no progress is made. What is not reduced to a pittance is squandered through internicine fighting." Her voice is full of conviction; she has likely thought on this a great deal. You try to read her, but she is almost completely emotionless besides the occasional flash of scorn. "And you would like a marriage to-" Helga butts in "To reclaim the lands of my father, yes. I have as much right as any of my siblings, I merely lack the power to press my claim. You should, barring disaster or any strategic genius of one of my siblings," she says, rolling her eyes, "have forces strong enough to defeat or **** the submission of my rivals." She folds her hands together, staring through you with her blue gaze.

It sounds like an easy route to great gains: two kingdoms joined under your line! Still, you need to think about this. Could you bear to tie yourself to this frigid beauty? And perhaps the dangers of this icy land will bring you misfortune. You need to tread carefully.