"Alright, you barely said three words at dinner and you even turned down chocolate cake. What gives feisty pants?"
Anna kept her back to Kristoff, her arms slowly beginning to wrap around her stomach.
"Elsa got a letter today." She murmured, looking out the window and up into the bright stars above.
"Ok, but Elsa get's a lot of letters?"
"Not from the Southern Isles."
"Oh." There was a breath. "Oh."
"Yeah." Anna sighed, looking to the floor, waiting for the next question.
"What—what did it say?"
She took a deep breath, "You know how we have had a lot of visitors asking about what happened?"
"Yeah."
"Well, they were checking our stories…preparing us."
"Preparing you for what?"
"The trial." Anna said, clutching her chest. "They…they want us there for the trial."
There was silence, only the crackling of the fire heard as the words hung between them. Some how, even though Elsa had told her just hours before over cookies and hot chocolate, the idea of it all finally sunk in.
She heard his heavy footsteps and then felt his strong arms wrapped around her waist.
"You ok?"
Anna let out a snorted laugh, "You're the first one to ask that actually."
"What about Elsa?"
"She wanted to, I could tell she did, but she wasn't sure how to I think. She's still getting used to everything." Anna laid her hands on his, "But she told me it would be ok. She has to go too."
"You still didn't answer my question."
Anna sighed, "No, no I'm not ok." She turned in his arms, looking at his suddenly interesting sash. "I'm tired of telling this story. I'm tired of being reminded of how dumb I was, of how quick to judge I was. Now, now I'm going to have to tell all these people and have them all mock me for it and judge me for my choices and then he will be there and I…" Anna leaned into his chest, feeling his arms wrap tighter around her. "I just wish it was all over."
She stood there listening to the steady beating of his heart.
"Don't worry about what people say Anna, it's not worth it nor is it important. They don't know what happened, what you went through, they have no place to judge."
"I know, I know I just…" Anna turned her face into his chest, "I am just tired of remembering it all."
"I know you are. But after this, you won't ever have to remember it ever again. You just have to get through this one last retelling ok? You're strong, you can do it."
Anna nodded, arms squeezing tightly around his waist.
"Plus, you won't be alone. You'll have Elsa and me and—"
"Wait, what?" Anna pushed back and looked up at him.
"What? You think I was going to let you and Elsa go off to that horrible place alone?" He smirked, "You're funny."
"But—"
"Anna, I'll follow you anywhere and everywhere. No matter what. Even to some stinking old isles if need be."
"But—you'll have to dress up and look all pristine and I know you hate it and you wouldn't enjoy it and you'd have to leave Sven and—"
"Hey," He gently grabbed her chin, bringing her "You need me. That's the most important thing. I don't care about the suit or fancy people or anything and Sven could use a few days of relaxation. All I care about is you."
Anna smiled a watery smile, "Thank you."
"I'll always be here for you, no matter what feisty pants." He kissed her forehead. "Don't you ever forget it."
"Never."