History Fanfic / TheQueensMercy

The story is being hosted on Website/FanFictionDotNet and the first chapter can be read [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10910214/1/The-Queen-s-Mercy here]]. As of February, 2017 it stands at 86 chapters and receives bi-weekly updates.

** [[Spoiler: To keep Arendelle stable, Elsa cannot reveal to people the truth about the Faithful or her new divine status after her victory. She therefore has no choice but to simply tell her subjects that Anna wasn't a traitor. As expected, not many people believe her.]]

* RealityEnsues: Yes, it's enjoyable to see how a poor girl is suddenly ushered into a life of luxury by the Queen of Arendelle. But a great many of people take issue with a commoner becoming so close to the Queen, especially after Anna's criminal past is revealed. ** [[Spoiler: To keep Arendelle stable, Elsa cannot reveal to people the truth about the Faithful or her new divine status after her victory. She therefore has no choice but to simply tell her subjects that Anna wasn't a traitor. As expected, not many people belive her.]]

* TookALevelInBadass: After being exposed to Elsa's magic, Anna gradually develops superhuman strength and enhanced durability. The mechanics of this are unclear, as Anna was far from the first person to be healed by Elsa's magic. WordOfGod claims that the answer will be revealed eventually, and is central to the plot.[[spoiler: She actually gains this through her relationship with Elsa, thanks to the Queen being a reincarnation of a Goddess. Divine consorts receive magic from their relationships, and the stronger their relationship grows the stronger Anna becomes.]]

* [[DarkerandEdgier Darker and Edgier]]: Like you wouldn't believe! This doesn't merely extend to the film it's based on, but also pertains to its position amongst the ''entire Elsanna fandom.'' While it still has it's cute moments, the story pulls no punches in terms of death, violence, and loss.

* BlackandWhiteMorality: Both played straight and averted. Drell and his followers [[WellIntentionedExtremist mean well]], as their only goal is to prevent an evil Goddess from conquering the world. Their methods, unfortunately, make their conflict with the heroes a case of [[WhiteandGrayMorality White and Gray Morality]]. However, [[spoiler: the [[BigBad Winter Goddess]] and her faithful are unambiguously evil, making their conflict with the heroes a clear instance of this trope.]]

* DarkerandEdgier: Like you wouldn't believe! This doesn't merely extend to the film it's based on, but also pertains to its position amongst the ''entire Elsanna fandom.'' While it still has it's cute moments, the story pulls no punches in terms of death, violence, and loss.

* SpannerinTheWorks: Anna. By pure chance, she ruins the villains' initial kidnapping of Elsa, and from there on proves the single greatest thorn in the side of the Queen's enemies.

* AndIMustScream: [[spoiler: Elsa is subjected to this after her former incarnation (the Winter Goddess) possesses her body. She's forced to watch a monstrous goddess use her body to torment her loved ones and commit atrocities, all while being completely helpless to stop it. That same goddess also intends to do this to much of the world, leaving them frozen forever, but still alive.]][[spoiler:When she finally does, everyone save herself and Anna are transformed into ice statues]]. [[Averted: When everyone is thawed Hardly anyone even realized they were frozen.]]
* AttemptedRape: In an earlier chapter, Anna is nearly raped by Prince Alec but was stopped by Elsa Though he lies and said Anna tried to mug him, Elsa doesn't buy it.

* AssHolevictim: Jocasta, King David's advisor, a member of the Faithful and Anna's torturer, is poisoned by [[spoiler: Evangeline]] to mislead the Queen's investigations. David himself, a King who gladly tried to kill Elsa and later tortured Anna for information is murdered by Elsa. [[spoiler: After Elsa thaws the world she executes the Faithful one by one. Starting with Evangline.]]

* BlackandWhiteMorality: Both played straight and averted. Drell and his followers [[WellIntentionedExtremist mean well]], as their only goal is to prevent an evil Goddess from conquering the world. Their methods, unfortunately, make their conflict with the heroes a case of WhiteandGrayMorality. However, [[spoiler: the [[BigBad Winter Goddess]] and her faithful are unambiguously evil, making their conflict with the heroes a clear instance of this trope.]]

* BitchinSheepsClothing: [[spoiler:Kayla at first seems like a sweet thirteen year old maid dedicated to Anna. But we soon find out that she is part of the Faithful and one of the most powerful mages alive. It turns out she was the one who (willingly) sent wolves after Anna and Kristoff (leading to Sven's death). Later, she also assists in Drell's torture. Out of all the faithful she wants to kill Anna the most because of all the time she had to serve her.]]

** [[spoiler:It's implied that Elsa was FightingFromtheInside, influencing the Goddess to spare Anna for the time being. Given that Anna was the only real hope to stop the Faithful, this was a very good thing.]]

* DrunkontheDarkSide: The Goddess and her Faithful are more powerful than any "Ungifted" and revel in exerting their abilities over them.

* GlassCannon: Elsa, just like in the film. While she has incredible powers, she is still as fragile as any human and can be taken by surprise. [[spoiler: Once her divine magic returns during the climax, she becomes far less vulnerable. After becoming a full goddess she mentions she is stronger and faster than Anna ever was.]]

* HoistByTheirOwnPetard: The Faithful wanted to bring Elsa's past incarnation back to create a world where they [[spoiler: the gifted]] rule over humanity. [[spoiler: However thanks to Anna, the real Elsa regains her body and keeps her power, allowing her to punish the Faithful for their crimes and protect humanity FROM THEM. Furthermore she BringsThemDownToNormal first.]]

* JerkWithaHeartofGold: Kale is a sexist, arrogant man who makes it clear he dislikes Anna because she is a female knight. [[spoiler: But he does not allow Anna to rot in the Queen's dungeon when he knows that she is innocent.]]

* MasterofOneMagic: Humans only have magical power if they [[spoiler: are descended from a God.]] Even then they can only do one thing: Enobaria can control water, [[spoiler: Kayla]] controls animals and makes them stronger, [[spoiler: Evangeline]] teleports through shadows, Will can generate electricity, etc. The same rule does not apply to Gods and Goddesses, which is why Elsa has healing abilities in addition to power over ice.

* ThePowerOfLove: A recurring theme in the story. It is stated that [[spoiler:Gods]] can imbue magic into their mortal consorts, [[spoiler:hence how Elsa is able to grant Anna her magical powers, even saving Anna from near death by proposing to her]]. TrueLovesKiss is even stated to be the cure-all for curses, [[spoiler:as Rapunzel used it to [[ThickerThanWater save her dying brother.]]

* RealityEnsues: Yes, it's enjoyable to see how a poor girl is suddenly ushered into a life of luxury by the Queen of Arendelle. But a great many of people take issue with a commoner becoming so close to the Queen, especially after Anna's criminal past is revealed.[[Spoiler: Elsa cannot reveal to people the truth about the Faithful or her new divine status so she simply tells her subjects that Anna wasnt a traitor and that she was framed by Evangline. Of course not many people belive her.]]

* WouldHurtaChild: In ancient times the Faithful crucified a little girl (along with her grandfather) simply because she made disloyal statements concerning the Goddess. In the present Evangline murders TWO classrooms of children between the ages 8 and 16 just to lure Anna into a fight.
* WrittenbytheWinners: During her reign of the earth the Goddess claimed that she had ruled since the dawn of time. [[spoiler: In reality she was part of a pantheon...until she started a war that led to the king banishing all of the divines save her. Only the Faithful were allowed to know this truth]].

* AndIMustScream: [[spoiler: Elsa is subjected to this after her former incarnation (the Winter Goddess) possesses her body. She's forced to watch a monstrous goddess use her body to torment her loved ones and commit atrocities, all while being completely helpless to stop it. That same goddess also intends to do this to much of the world, leaving them frozen forever, but still alive.]][[spoiler:When she finally does, everyone save herself and Anna are transformed into ice statues]].

* AssHolevictim: Jocasta, King David's advisor, a member of the Faithful and Anna's torturer, is poisoned by [[spoiler: Evangeline]] to mislead the Queen's investigations. David himself, a King who gladly tried to kill Elsa and later tortured Anna for information is murdered by Elsa.

* GlassCannon: Elsa, just like in the film. While she has incredible powers, she is still as fragile as any human and can be taken by surprise. [[spoiler: Once her divine magic returns during the climax, she becomes far less vulnerable.]]

* RealityEnsues: Yes, it's enjoyable to see how a poor girl is suddenly ushered into a life of luxury by the Queen of Arendelle. But a great many of people take issue with a commoner becoming so close to the Queen, especially after Anna's criminal past is revealed.

* AllLesbiansWantKids: When pointed out by a noble that she can't produce an heir with a woman, Elsa briefly feels a twinge of {{Angst}} over this. She talks about the idea of raising a family with Anna, deciding to adopt one day. [[spoiler: during her final battle against the goddess, Anna reminds Elsa of this to snap Elsa back in control.]]

* GlassCannon: Elsa, just like in the film. While she has incredible powers, she is still as fragile as any human and can be taken by surprise. [[spoiler: Once her magic takes the earth she becomes far less vulnerable.]]

* HopelessBossFight: Anna's first confrontation with [[spoiler: a possessed Elsa]] certainly comes across as this. It's painfully obvious throughout the entire duel just how outmatched she is. For the story's narrative to continue, it's also necessary that she lose. Even in her weakened state Anna cannot win by brute force, so instead she outsmarts her.

* InstantWinCondition: One for the villains. If the Goddess regains her divinity, it's game over for the protagonists. No questions asked. Worse, it's apparently ''destined'' to happen. [[spoiler: however Anna pulls a LoopHoleAbuse were Elsa DOES regain her divinity except the evil "goddess" personality is eradicated leaving the "queen Elsa" personality in control.]]

* ThePowerOfLove: A recurring theme in the story. It is stated that [[spoiler:Gods]] can imbue magic into their mortal consorts, [[spoiler:hence how Elsa is able to grant Anna her magical powers, even saving Anna from near death by proposing to her]]. TrueLovesKiss is even stated to be the cure-all for curses, [[spoiler:as Rapunzel used it to [[ThickerThanWater save her dying brother]]]].
[[spoiler: Turns out the reason true loves kiss didnt work with Anna and Elsa during the Fallen ark was because Anna technically kissed the goddess. Once Elsa managed to take back control after seeing Anna dying and kisses her, it works and the goddess fades into nothing.]]

* YouCantFightFate: Prophecies are incredibly rare, but any magical prediction made by a Seer is said to be ''absolutely'' true. This is bad news, as the last prophecy made states in no uncertain terms that [[spoiler: the Goddess's divinity will be restored.]] Many of the [[spoiler: Faithful]] delight in lording this fact over the heroes. Given how the rest of the prophecy has ''already'' come true, it's hard to argue their claims. [[spoiler: Finally in chapter 90, the goddess releases her power upon the world.]] [[spoiler: Thankfully it is subverted. While the prophesy of the goddess returning to power DOES come true Anna manages to bring back the "Elsa" personality leaving HER in control of the immortal goddess body while the goddess herself is erased.]]

* AllLesbiansWantKids: When pointed out by a noble that she can't produce an heir with a woman, Elsa briefly feels a twinge of {{Angst}} over this. She talks about the idea of raising a family with Anna, deciding to adopt one day.

* GlassCannon: Elsa, just like in the film. While she has incredible powers, she is still as fragile as any human and can be taken by surprise.

* HopelessBossFight: Anna's confrontation with [[spoiler: a possessed Elsa]] certainly comes across as this. It's painfully obvious throughout the entire duel just how outmatched she is. For the story's narrative to continue, it's also necessary that she lose.

* InstantWinCondition: One for the villains. If the Goddess regains her divinity, it's game over for the protagonists. No questions asked. Worse, it's apparently ''destined'' to happen.

* YouCantFightFate: Prophecies are incredibly rare, but any magical prediction made by a Seer is said to be ''absolutely'' true. This is bad news, as the last prophecy made states in no uncertain terms that [[spoiler: the Goddess's divinity will be restored.]] Many of the [[spoiler: Faithful]] delight in lording this fact over the heroes. Given how the rest of the prophecy has ''already'' come true, it's hard to argue their claims. [[spoiler: Finally in chapter 90, the goddess releases her power upon the world.]]

* AndIMustScream: [[spoiler: Elsa is subjected to this after her former incarnation (the Winter Goddess) possesses her body. She's forced to watch a monstrous goddess use her body to torment her loved ones and commit atrocities, all while being completely helpless to stop it. That same goddess also intends to do this to much of the world, leaving them frozen forever, but still alive.]][[spoiler:When she finally does, everyone except her and Anna are ice statues]].

* AndIMustScream: [[spoiler: Elsa is subjected to this after her former incarnation (the Winter Goddess) possesses her body. She's forced to watch a monstrous goddess use her body to torment her loved ones and commit atrocities, all while being completely helpless to stop it. That same goddess also intends to do this to much of the world, leaving them frozen forever, but still alive.]]

-[[spoiler:Ever since getting her memories back she has been a thorn in the goddess. From managing to kill several Faithful, including Kayla who could have been the most powerful Faithful in history. To being the only person on earth not a statue when the goddess freezes the earth.]]

* CharacterDeath: Sven, of all characters, bites the dust in Chapter 25. Kai later dies during the uprising, and [[spoiler: his wife Gerda]] is forced to poison herself by the eventual BigBad. Kristoff is killed by the Faithful during a raid on the rock trolls. Evangeline reveals before fighting Anna that she kileld Drell.

* EqualOpportunityEvil: During the raid on the trolls place, one of the members of the Faithful reveals to Anna that he doesnt share the same views that the rest of the Faithful do and he honestly doesnt care if Anna is gifted or not. Yet he is no less selfish and follows the goddess mainly so that HE gets comfortable living in her world.

* EvilIsPetty: The goddess and the faithful despises Anna and wants her to suffer simply for having had relations with the goddess. They also murder innocents [[spoiler: Evangline in particular murders children]] just to stick it to Anna. In the old days they murdered people for not COMPLETELY worshipping the goddess and for fun.

* ILied: The goddess lied about only being able to release her power on the winter solstice to give a slight amount of security to her enemies, it all works out for her as she engulfs the planet on December 3rd.

* KickTheDog: [[spoiler:Possessed!Elsa]] breaking up with Anna was cruel enough, but she somehow makes it into the most despicable act imaginable. First, she lies by saying that [[spoiler: Elsa]] had just been using Anna from the very beginning and never actually cared for her. Next, just to twist the knife, she claims that [[spoiler:Rapunzel]] was in on it as well. ''Then'' she forces Anna into a duel, beats her to near death, and locks her in a dungeon to await torture. Evangline mocks Anna about how much she took from her and about the suffering that Elsa [[spoiler: NOT the goddess]] went through because of her arranging for her parents to die.
* KickTheSonOfABitch: During an attack on the trolls a large group of faithful are murdered by Anna. Including Kayla who was revealed to be just as cruel and wants to kill Anna most of all for having to serve as her maid, is beheaded and left in the snow.
* LackOfEmpathy: The goddess and the Faithful beleive that empathy for others, especially non-gifted, is weakness. They are all completely cruel and outright enjoy murdering non-gifted for gain or fun. Notably they take glee in Anna's suffering and Evangline remarks sadistic pleasure in murdering two groups of children and cruelly taunts Anna about how much she took from her and Elsa [[spoiler: not the goddess]].

* MagicRealism: Humans only have magical power if they [[spoiler: are descended from a God.]] Even then they can only do one thing: Enobaria can control water, [[spoiler: Kayla]] controls animals and makes them stronger, [[spoiler: Evangeline]] teleports through shadows, Will can generate electricity, etc.

* WeHaveReserves: While the Goddess does appreciate her Faithful and doesnt kill them at a whim. It is no secret that she considers even the most powerful and loyal expendable. Not that the Faithful mind.

* YouCantFightFate: Prophecies are incredibly rare, but any magical prediction made by a Seer is said to be ''absolutely'' true. This is bad news, as the last prophecy made states in no uncertain terms that [[spoiler: the Goddess's divinity will be restored.]] Many of the [[spoiler: Faithful]] delight in lording this fact over the heroes. Given how the rest of the prophecy has ''already'' come true, it's hard to argue their claims. [Spoiler: Finally in chapter 90, the goddess releases her power upon the world.]

* YouCantFightFate: Prophecies are incredibly rare, but any magical prediction made by a Seer is said to be ''absolutely'' true. This is bad news, as the last prophecy made states in no uncertain terms that [[spoiler: the Goddess's divinity will be restored.]] Many of the [[spoiler: Faithful]] delight in lording this fact over the heroes. Given how the rest of the prophecy has ''already'' come true, it's hard to argue their claims.

* CharacterDeath: Sven, of all characters, bites the dust in Chapter 25. Kai later dies during the uprising, and [[spoiler: his wife Gerda]] is forced to poison herself by the eventual BigBad.

* KickTheDog: [[spoiler:Possessed!Elsa]] breaking up with Anna was cruel enough, but she somehow makes it into the most despicable act imaginable. First, she lies by saying that [[spoiler: Elsa]] had just been using Anna from the very beginning and never actually cared for her. Next, just to twist the knife, she claims that [[spoiler:Rapunzel]] was in on it as well. ''Then'' she forces Anna into a duel, beats her to near death, and locks her in a dungeon to await torture.

* WouldHurtaChild: In ancient times the Faithful crucified a little girl (along with her grandfather) simply because she made disloyal statements concerning the Goddess.

* AssHolevictim: Jocasta, King David's advisor, a member of the Faithful and Anna's torturer]], is poisoned by [[spoiler: Evangeline to mislead the Queen's investigations. David himself,a King who gladly tried to kill Elsa and later tortured Anna for information is murdered by Elsa.

* CrapsackWorld: [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10910214/80/The-Queen-s-Mercy Bonus Chapter 3]] shows what the world was like when [[spoiler:the Winter Goddess was ruler of the world. If you were Ungifted, you were a slave with no rights and could be killed by the Faithful at any time for no reason at all. Even worship deemed 'insufficient' by the Goddess was met with a severe reduction in food rations.]]

* HeelFaceTurn: After learning the truth about Elsa [[spoiler: that she did love her and was possessed]] Anna apologises to her friends for her attitude.

* StoryBreakerPower: Played with. Elsa is far and away the most powerful sorceress in the world, and it's well understood by her enemies and allies that she is virtually untouchable in open combat. Both times she enters a fight prepared are CurbStompBattles in her favor. Unfortunately, TheConspiracy works around this by using ambush and less direct tactics, which come close to succeeding several times.

The story is being hosted on Website/FanFictionDotNet and the first chapter can be read [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10910214/1/The-Queen-s-Mercy here]]. As of May 17, 2016 it stands at 76 chapters and receives weekly updates.

* AllForNothing: Anna goes alone to see the trolls, hoping that they'll know something that can help Arendelle identify the conspirators. [[spoiler: Unfortunately, Grand Pabbie knows nothing that can be of use at the moment, and on the journey back Sven is killed.]]

* AlternateUniverse: [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10910214/58/The-Queen-s-Mercy Bonus Chapter 1]] shows an alternate Chapter 1 where [[spoiler:Anna was the merciful queen and Elsa was the homeless thief. Due to her difficult upbringing in this universe, she only uses her powers sparingly, still afraid of the destruction they can bring]].

* AnArmAndALeg: During an attack in Corona, [[spoiler: Rapunzel loses part of her right arm to an ambush. Her magic is able to heal the wound and prevent blood loss, but not reattach the limb.]]

* AssHolevictim: Jocasta, [[spoiler: King David's advisor, a member of the Faithful and Anna's torturer]], is poisoned by [[spoiler: Evangeline to mislead the Queen's investigations.]] David himself, [[spoiler: a King who gladly tried to kill Elsa and later tortured Anna for information is killed by Elsa.]]
* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe: Part of the reason Anna falls for Elsa is because she is one of the few people to show her genuine kindness. [[spoiler: Similarly one of the reasons Elsa falls for Anna is that her powers do not scare Anna in the least, which she appreciates. And although Anna is clearly intimidated by Elsa's status as Queen for some time after their first meeting, it doesn't stop her from treating Elsa as a friend. Since Elsa's parents died years before the first chapter and left her alone save for her servants, this has an understandable effect on the Queen.]]
* BlackandWhiteMorality: Both played straight and averted. [[spoiler:Drell and his followers [[WellIntentionedExtremist mean well]], as their only goal is to prevent an evil Goddess from conquering the world. Their methods, unfortunately, make their conflict with the heroes a case of WhiteandGrayMorality. However, the [[BigBad Winter Goddess]] and her faithful are unambiguously evil, making their conflict with the heroes a clear instance of this trope.]]
* BigBad: Unknown. Part of what makes the conspiracy such a threat is that no one knows anything about them...or who their leader is. [[spoiler: Anna's swordsmaster Drell and his conspiracy group initially seem to take the role; they believe that Elsa is an evil goddess reincarnated who intends to unleash her wrath upon the world]].

* BreakTheCutie: [[spoiler: Anna undergoes this to some extent when captured by David and interrogated (i.e. tortured) by Jocasta, but her abilities shield her from the worst of the pain. She ends up suffering from PTSD, but her psyche survives intact.]]

* BrokenAce: Queen Elsa is beautiful, powerful, intelligent, and kind. However, she is unskilled in social interactions, has no qualms about killing her enemies, possesses a significant GuiltComplex, and even [[spoiler: kills King David in cold blood.]]

* CharacterDeath: [[spoiler: Sven, of all characters,]] bites the dust in Chapter 25. [[spoiler: Kai]] later dies during the uprising, and [[spoiler: his wife Gerda]] is forced to poison herself by the eventual BigBad.
* ColdBloodedTorture: [[spoiler: After being captured by King David of Lucrania, Anna is subjected to this by Jocasta.]][[spoiler: Drell is subject to this after his imprisonment by Kayla and Evangline.]]

* CrapsackWorld: [[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/10910214/80/The-Queen-s-Mercy Bonus Chapter 3]] shows what the world was like when [[spoiler:the Evil Goddess was ruler of the world. If you were Ungifted, you were a slave with no rights and could be killed by the Faithful at any time for no reason at all. Even worship deemed 'insufficient' by the Goddess was met with a severe reduction in food rations.]]
* CurbStompBattle: One hundred soldiers vs. Elsa. [[spoiler: They never had a chance.]]

* DemotedToExtra: [[spoiler: Hans]] only appears in one brief scene.

* DisproportionateRetribution: The reason the Goddess despises Anna. [[spoiler:She shared a relationship with her future incarnation and current vessel (Elsa).]]

* EarnYourHappyEnding: Discussed and deconstructed. Several characters can't help but note that Anna's experiences make it clear that ''deserving'' a happy ending by no means guarantees that one will achieve it. [[spoiler: It's taken even further in the cases of Euegene and Rapunzel, who long since won their happy endings only to be plunged back into hardship and tragedy...showing that even if one gets their happy ending, there's no guarantee that they will ''keep'' it.]]

** Anna has a dream sequence in Chapter 23 of Elsa [[spoiler: kicking her out of the Castle and back to her old life. Come chapter 68. The goddess takes over Elsa's body but instead of throwing her out imprisons her...]]

** A crack of thunder splits through the air (and wakes Anna up) the very second that [[spoiler: King David]] is mentioned to have arrived for a conference. He turns out to be an enemy who [[spoiler: has Anna tortured.]]

* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler: Anna attempts this twice, first taking an arrow for Elsa and later staying behind to hold off any overwhelming force of enemy soldiers. She survives both times, but only through incredible luck.]]

* PreventTheWar: Anna convinces Elsa to try and avert a brewing conflict between Albion and Lucrania over recently discovered copper mines, using her powers to threaten to both Kings. [[spoiler: RealityEnsues as it leads to King David trying to kill Elsa and torturing Anna, though the conflict is indeed averted.]]

* RealityEnsues: Yes, it's enjoyable to see how a poor girl is suddenly ushered into a life of luxury by the Queen of Arendelle. But a great many of people take issue with a commoner becoming so close to the Queen, especially after [[spoiler: Anna's criminal past is revealed.]]
* SecretRelationship: Due to the inevitable backlash, Elsa and Anna agree to keep their relationship secret for a few months until the rumor mill can brace the public for the revelation. [[spoiler: Anna accidentally outs them in a moment of rashness.]]
** [[spoiler: We don't find out until after Vlora's death, but she and Evangeline were in one. Vlora (correctly) knew her aristocratic family would not approve.]]

* SlidingScaleOfIdealismVersusCynicism: Despite a romance between a poor thief and a magical Queen taking center stage, the setting is far closer to the cynic end of the scale than you may expect. Noble characters die for no good reason, protagonists are more than willing to kill their enemies, and some of the aristocracy hates the situation [[spoiler: to the extent that they plan to launch a revolt.]]

* TakingAdvantageOfGenerosity: Anna is often accused of this, given that the Queen rescued her from poverty and gave her a new lifestyle soon after they met. [[spoiler: Jocasta in particular mocks her for it during an interrogation session.]]

* TheWoobie: It's hard not to feel bad for Kristoff [[spoiler: after Sven is killed.]]

* WouldHurtaChild: In ancient times the Faithful crucified a little girl (along with her grandfather) simply because she made disloyal statements about the Goddess.

* BitchinSheepsClothing: [[spoiler:Kayla at first seems like a sweet thirteen year old maid dedicated to Anna. But we soon find out that she is part of the Faithful and one of the most powerful mages alive. It turns out she was the one who (willingly) sent wolves after Anna and Kristoff (leading to Sven's death). Later, she also assists in Drell's torture.]]

* DangerouslyGenreSavvy: The Winter Goddess is this in spades. Even with a prophecy foretelling her victory (in a world in which prophecies are always right) she ''does'' not fall into NothingCanStopUsNow territory. She continues to perceive the heroes as a threat, accurately predicts many of their moves, and avoids subjecting useful servants to YouHaveFailedMe.