Chapter 1 – Anniversary
"Anna, lunch with you was wonderful, but I have to attend to my Queenly duties," Elsa said on their way out of the dining room.
"Queenly duties can wait!" her sister said, spinning with joy. "Besides, Kristoff is still away with Sven on a delivery and won't be back till later. We should celebrate! It's been one year!" Anna threw her arms around the queen, nearly knocking her over.
Elsa sighed. "Don't remind me." She opened the door to her study, attempting to leave Anna in the hall.
Instead, Anna barrels through the doorway, incredulous. "Why not?"
"One year after I froze the entire kingdom? The anniversary of everyone hating and fearing me? The day I was hunted like an animal and tricked into thinking you were dead, only to have you freeze to solid ice in front of me. I would much rather forget it."
Elsa turned away and looked out the window overlooking the fjord. Her hands rested on the sill, which began to freeze. She withdrew her hands, realizing her fear wasn't as far behind her as she thought. She took a deep breath attempting to calm herself.
"Okay, you have a point. Buuut it's also been one year since we opened the doors. I spent most of my life sitting outside your door wondering why you suddenly seemed to hate me. We used to play together, but one day it just...stopped. One year ago, I finally got my sister back. It doesn't matter what we've had to go through to get to this point. I love you. I wouldn't change a thing." Anna took Elsa's hands in hers, and the chill disappeared from the room. Elsa smiled back at her sister.
A knock at the door interrupted their moment.
"Come in," Queen Elsa called.
Kai entered, looking nervous and holding a piece of folded, official looking parchment. "My Queen, you have a message...a request, actually."
"From what kingdom does it hail?"
He paused, glancing at Anna. "The Southern Isles."
"If it's from that lying, cruel-"
"Anna, perhaps you should step outside," Elsa suggested.
"You can't be serious. He's evil! Why would you even consider listening to him? He tried to kill you and he left me for dead!"
"I know that. Didn't you say he had ten brothers?"
"Twelve," Anna corrected, crossing her arms.
"It could be a harmless letter from any one of them, or the King and Queen themselves."
"Actually..." Kai began. Elsa raised a hand to silence him.
She put an arm around Anna, guiding her out the room. "Why don't you look for Olaf? He wasn't at lunch. Make sure he doesn't find his way to the stove in the kitchen. I'm not sure my flurry will hold up against it."
Anna hesitated, then complied.
Once the door was shut, Kai confirmed Elsa's worst fears. "Your Grace, it is from Hans."
Her heart jumped to her throat. She swallowed hard, trying to quell her emotions. She held out her hand saying, "Let me see."
Kai, one of the select few who have always known about her powers, eyed her outstretched hand warily. Elsa withdrew her hand. "Fine, you may read it to me."
"Queen Elsa, greetings from the Southern Isles! I have heard nothing but good things about your kingdom since I left after your coronation. I understand my actions that day were unforgivable. After working as a stable hand for a year, I have had time to reflect on my decisions. I understand you may refuse me, but I humbly request an audience with you to discuss past events. Please at least consider my request so that I may have a chance to explain. My utmost respect and heartfelt apologies, Hans of the Southern Isles." Kai looked to Elsa, waiting on her reaction.
"Why? Why would he do this? Is this his idea of a cruel joke? There's nothing to explain!" She darted to the window, gazing at the North Mountain in the distance. She remembered those few peaceful hours she spent in her gorgeous ice castle alone. Things were so much easier without other people around. She couldn't avoid everyone for long.
Kai sensed her thoughts and moved directly in front of the door, blocking Elsa's escape should she choose to run. He realized the risk of her magic, but was willing to stand firm if it meant keeping Arendelle and it's Queen safe.
Elsa snapped back to reality when the entire window frosted over, the ice obscuring her view of the mountain. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to calm herself and reverse the magic. She tried to think happy thoughts, but they all circled back to Hans. How he asked for her blessing, invaded her ice palace, questioning her in her own dungeon while her hands were encased in iron, lying about Anna in the middle of the stormy fjord. "If he thought I would refuse him, why did he send the letter in the first place?" When she looked back at Kai, he was shivering and dusted with snow.
"I-I d-do not kn-know, Your G-Grace."
Elsa took a deep breath, and the snow stopped falling. "I'm sorry."
"No need to apologize," he said, dusting himself off. "If I may, Your Highness, to me, he sounds as though he is sincere."
"Sincere? You heard Anna. He tried to kill us!"
"I am aware," he said, bowing his head low. "But what harm is there in simply granting him an audience?"
"He could do it again!"
"With all due respect, My Queen, you of all people should understand when it comes to second chances. If you agree to an audience, I would make sure that you and the Princess are heavily guarded."
She regarded him in silence for several long moments, weighing his words. "I acquiesce. But let him know he will not be our guest. He shall be boarded in the dungeons and provided with food and water. I want four men each around Anna, him, and I. Two for Kristoff, just in case. If there are men in training, I want them pushed, tested, and assigned positions immediately. Promote officers if you must, to accommodate the influx. I will not have a repeat of last years' events. Are we clear?"
"Yes, My Queen." He saluted her and left with purpose.
Elsa sighed. The frost faded from the window, but her fears continued to linger, like a shadow of a storm on the edge of the horizon. "What have I done?"