The Cross of Roses
Chapter One
Anna came toward Kristoff, kissing him on the cheek.
"Elsa thought it would be fun if you delivered presents to the children of Arendelle on a specific day of the year. If you're up to it."
"I would love to engage in that activity," Kristoff said to Anna, his novia. "I'll get Sven to run the sled as we deliver them. What day were you thinking of? Easter?"
"That sounds swell, but I think Christmas might be a better time of year for it."
"Oh, Christmas! I love Christmas!" Kristoff said, lifting Anna up and spinning her around in his arms.
In the throne room, Elsa was planning a trade affair when a court hjester pranced in with a rod shaped like a cat. Its eyes gleamed red as he raised it in Elsa's direction. She felt fear creep up her spine, but at that moment the valet came and wrestled the court jester to the ground.
"It is the Cattan Yolyoick! Basicallyt, two cats from a picture book series will squeem you dry if you don't ice it over," the valet said.
"You will be visited upon by two cats, Queen Elsa!" the harlequin exclaimed.
She awoke to the sound of rustling nine hours later. A gray feline was loking at her with its lamplike green eyes.
"I'm Solo," the cat said. "If you see and can hear me, you'll never meet a boy."
"Cheerio," said the cat, before leaping out the window whose ledge was eight feet from the floor.
"I'm Miln. I can negate Solo's push on you, but only if you're willing to become a toy."
"BALOO!" the Calico shouted.
Elsa felt herself shrinking…
"What did you do to me?"
"Youjre a toy now," said the Calico. "And one day, a girl will find you. You will be her plaything. And your sister's
"Oh yeah, almost left without casting the spell of frost. That would have been unwise."
A breeze whirled toward Elsa and for the first ever, she could actually feel what a pain cold could be. This didn't seem right though, hadn't she always been immune to frost, to the cold, biting , numbing pain ice could inflict. She had heard the tales of
"Elsa still seems to be missing," Kristoff said. "But this doll was discovered. She looks just like your sister."
It's me, Anna. Please recognize your sister when you see her.
"She looks very much like Elsa," Anna said. "Do you know who crafted this? They did a very good job."
"Whoever did it must have studied Elsa's features quite well. Never seen any doll that resembled the inspiration for it so much as this one."
"I'm going to have this doll on my bedside table. Whenever I look at it, Elsa will be on my mind. Of course, I'm always thinking of her. But I mean…until the real Elsa returns to me. Hey, I bet it would surprise her to see this doll. Think she'd be thrilled?
Not too likely, Elsa thought. Would remind me of being a toy. Oh come on, Anna, don't you recognize me?
"She feels so warm," Anna said. "I know! I'll kiss her on the nose. That'll magnify the likelihood I'll see Elsa again soon."
Always the optimist, aren't you, Anna? Thought Elsa. Though she was happy when Anna's lips sailed toward her nose.
"I'm going to sleep with you tonight, Elsa, and it'll be as if my own dear sister were in my hands."
No kidding.
Anna hugged Elsa quite tightly. And Elsa felt a surge of heat rush through her. How long would she remain like this? A toy…frozen. Immobile. And yet…her sister loved her as much as ever. The predicament wasn't too awful. She didn't know what the Calico's plan was, but at least she was alive still, and Anna wasn't neglecting her, even in this form.