"You showered for my birthday, you have to shower for your queen's!" The winter solstice was mere days away, and Elsa would be turning the "ripe old age of twenty-two", as Kristoff liked to put it. He was just trying to make himself feel better about being an entire year older. He would often grumble and complain in many respects, Anna found herself thinking more often than not, and here she had another prime example for her case.
"Anna, I don't smell. Maybe there's a slight lingering smidgen of pine and musk, but it's barely noticeable. Honestly." He lifted his arms and gave a look of See, there's no way your sister would pass out unless she was hugging me, which we know isn't happening!
"I swear you wouldn't even notice if Sven plopped a glob on your own bed!" Anna giggled despite her ever-growing anxiety about giving Elsa the perfect birthday, as the queen had put so much thought and care into her own. Sensing her stress, Sven trudged over and gave her back a gentle rub with his antlers. The three of them were in the royal stables, where the reindeer was still a bit uncomfortable sticking out like a sore hoof among fine-bred equines. Kristoff would spend many evenings like these visiting him along with Anna and Olaf, the latter of which was tickling the velvety nose of a Fjord horse on the other side of the stable, giggling as his snow cloud perplexed the horse.
"If it truly means that much to you, I will bathe at dawn," Kristoff said, feigning exhaustion. Pecking his slightly scruffy cheek, Anna bounced up from her seat on the hay bales.
"Thank you, I know it's tough, especially scrubbing behind those ears," Anna joked, earning a sarcastic laugh from Arendelle's ice man. "I'm going to check on Elsa before I turn in for the night." Kristoff gently kissed her hand, bidding her goodnight. Failing to stifle a ferocious blush, Anna called down to Olaf. "Are you staying here or are we having another sleepover?"
"Ooh! That sounds wonderful! Will you read me more of those fairy tales? I especially love the one about the enchanted mirror…" on and on Olaf babbled.
The princess and the snowman entered the great hall and, seeing that it was empty, made their way to Elsa's study. Gerda was still trying to teach her the ins-and-outs of running a kingdom, and Elsa's lack of confidence was proving to be quite a challenge. Anna knocked rhythmically on the door frame before peeking inside.
There stood a shocked Elsa, four solemn guards, and a shivering man in a long burlap cloak. The guards surrounded the figure, swords poised to protect the queen. At the sound of Anna and Olaf's footsteps, everyone in the room spun around. Elsa's eyes locked with her sister's, and in that moment Anna sensed deep confusion and dread. The walls had become slightly frosty. The cloaked figure removed his hood, causing a stir among the guards. The head of auburn hair lifted, sharp green eyes delving into Anna with a sharp pain. His voice twisted her guts.
"Good evening, my lady," Hans rasped.