"Look, I'm going to tell you one last time, I transport ice; not people." Kristoff was so upset, he was near shouting the words.
"And I'm going to tell you one last time, you don't turn down a request from the King and Queen," his friend Declan repeated. Declan was an officer in the kingdom's military. He had been charged with the task of finding the least expected, but most trustworthy person he could find to help transport the youngest princess, whom they had arranged an engagement for upon her seventeenth birthday. The King and Queen had enemies, especially those who would be keen to intercept one of the mysterious princesses kept locked in the castle all these years. They needed her to travel as inconspicuously as possible. They didn't want anyone finding out this journey had been made until after it was completed. Declan couldn't think of anyone more perfect than unassuming Kristoff for such a task. He let out a sigh. "I know it's not the ideal situation, but it pays. And it pays well. You could use the money. Selling ice certainly hasn't left you with riches to spare."
Declan watched the internal battle is friend had. He had always known Kristoff wasn't much of a people person, and certainly the idea of traveling closely with a princess wasn't something he would be too fond of. However, he also knew the man was in dire need of more income. This was an opportunity he couldn't afford to pass by.
"How is a princess supposed to know how to navigate the mountains and forests?" Kristoff asked, offering his last defense.
"You'll teach her. All part of the job." Declan saw the objection spring into Kristoff's eyes and quickly added, "Did I mention they are willing to provide you with a brand new sled to make the journey? Yours to keep. They said to consider it a bonus."
With that, Kristoff's resolve broke. "When do we leave?" he asked with a defeated tone.
"I knew I could count on you. You leave at dawn, three days from now. That should be plenty of time to pack."
To say Anna was excited would have been a vast understatement. The girl had been practically bouncing up and down with anticipation since her parents had broken the news to her. She knew deep down she should be sad about leaving her family and her childhood home, but the knowledge that she was finally going to have a life outside of the castle, and a relationship with someone other than her parents, stopped her from feeling very sad about it. After all, she couldn't remember the last time she had been beyond the castle gates. It must have been well over ten years ago. For the last decade at least, she had been stuck in the same place, with next to no company. Her parents tried to make time for her, but they were so busy with running the kingdom, and spent most of the free time outside of that behind the closed bedroom doors of Elsa, Anna's older and reclusive sister.
Anna felt like she had spent her whole life just sitting by, waiting to truly begin living. She didn't know much about this fiancé of hers, just what she had seen in portraits and read in the few letters they had exchanged since the engagement was finalized. He seemed kind enough, and if he looked anything like his portraits, he was exceedingly handsome. She already felt like she loved him. Her parents had told her that Prince Hans, her fiancé, was in line for his own thrown, but must wed before he is eligible to rule in his kingdom. That was where she came in. The whole thing seemed dreamy to her, just like the so many fairy tales she had read to pass her time as a child. A mysterious and handsome prince of her very own to sweep her off of her feet. Sometimes she felt she might swoon just thinking about it. She never did of course. Anna wasn't really one to swoon, and what was swooning anyways? Was it like passing out, only daintier? It just was what the princesses who marry princes were supposed to do, so she felt she ought to for her own fairy tale to work out properly.
It was the night before she would leave to begin her journey to Prince Hans' kingdom, Castell, and Anna was so awake she wasn't sure she would ever sleep again. She glanced out of her bedroom window, seeing the Northern Lights dance through the night sky, and let out a sigh. Her trunk had been packed for her days ago, carrying her needed clothing items, accessories, several family heirlooms, and her dowry. She had been told when she arrived to Castell the palace staff would see to ordering her a new wardrobe and all new things. That hadn't satisfied Anna though. She thought she ought to pack a bag of the things she would need to make the new palace feel like home. Which was how she found herself sitting in front of her open pack, with several small knickknacks of hers tucked inside. She had also brought her favorite dress and nightgown, her diary, and the ocarina she had learned to play in her free time. She still felt like something was missing though. How did one take the feeling of home to go?
Giving up, she closed the bag and went to lie on her bed. The petite redhead wasn't sure she would ever get to sleep, not with the excitement of her new life about to begin, but at some point she must have dozed off, because she woke to the sound of a knock on her door, and when she opened her eyes the room was filled with the light of the sun peaking over the horizon. The knock on her door sounded again, "Princess Anna? It's time to wake now. Your guard will be here to begin the journey any moment."
Anna bolted upright. The time was here. She was finally leaving. Brushing her mess of hair out of her face, she was surprised to find she was actually quite sad now that the moment had arrived. This was really happening. She might never see her childhood home again. "Of course. I'll be out in just a moment."
No more than ten minutes later, the young princess came sliding down the banister of the stairs and into the entrance hall of the palace where her parents were waiting, earning a look of disapproval. "Anna really, you mustn't continue to act like that, especially once you arrive at Prince Hans' palace," the Queen tutted, shaking her head at the girl.
"Oh, let her enjoy her last moments of childhood," the King said, "she shall become a married woman soon."
"Just promise me all those etiquette lessons will kick in once you arrive. We wouldn't want the future king to think we've sent him a wild woman to wed."
"Oh Mother, I'm sure Prince Hans is the type to enjoy a little fun. After all, I am sure he will love me for who I am. I feel like I already know him from his letters. He sounds daring, and exciting, and dreamy." Anna said, going starry eyed, and slipping into her fantasies of life with the Prince, as she had so many times these last few weeks.
Her mother looked to her father as if hoping he would be the one to drag her back to reality, but they were both saved the trouble. For at that moment, the front doors of the palace swung open, and the butler entered leading with him a large blonde man. He stood almost a head taller than the King, and absolutely dwarfed Anna. Was this the man she was supposed to be traveling with? He seemed…. Intimidating. He was dressed warmly but roughly. Most of his clothes seemed to be patched up in multiple places. His blond hair was unkempt, and he wore a scowl on his face.
"Your majesties, may I present Kristoff Bjorgman. He is the man Officer Declan procured to take Anna to Castell," the butler announced, though he seemed to not believe the words he was saying. Anna couldn't blame him. Her parents had told her that they wanted her journey to be a secret, but this seemed a little much. This man was the one chosen to transport a princess? It must be some joke. He barely looked like a respectable gentleman. Was he safe? Though, Anna caught herself thinking, it wasn't as if she had any idea what a true gentleman looked like. All she had for reference were paintings in the castle's many art galleries, and her father.
"Thank you for agreeing to this journey. And thank you for your discretion," the King said, stepping forward to shake the man's hand. That settled Anna's opinion. If her father trusted this man and would shake his hand, he was trustworthy. Though, she always had been a little too quick to trust. "If you'll follow me outside, I will show you your new sled we purchased for the journey. The princess' trunk is already inside." He hadn't seen the small pack Anna carried on her back. The pack of things to remind her of home, of who she was.
Kristoff nodded, and the group headed outside. There, in the courtyards, was a brand new sled. Anna caught the look of shock on Kristoff's face. The King and Queen had spared to expense, the sled was beautiful. A servant was leading a horse out to harness to the sled.
"Oh no, I only travel with my reindeer, Sven. He is more equipped to make this journey than any palace horse. We make it several times a year." Kristoff said, speaking for the first time. Anna was caught off guard by the sound of his voice. It was deep, and gentle, and for a moment made her stomach tie itself in a knot. She shook off the feeling. After all, this was her first time hearing a new voice in over a decade. This was the feeling of freedom, nothing more. The King nodded his acquiescence to Kristoff's request, and Kristoff let out a whistle. Seemingly out of nowhere, an excited and large reindeer came bounding towards him, almost barreling him over in the process. Anna let out a small giggle, and then turned to her parents as the man began hitching Sven to the sled.
"I'm going to miss you guys so much. I'll write every day."
"We'll miss you too sweetie. So much."
"Be safe, and remember, we love you."
The three royal's embraced in a hug, before the butler reached out a hand to help Anna onto the sled. Kristoff slung a large bag from his back into the back of the sled with her trunk before sliding in the bench seat next to her and taking the reins, and Sven began to walk toward the castle gates. As they approached the large, menacing gates that had held Anna prisoner for so many years, she found herself holding her breath. She had never seen them open before that she could remember, but sure enough, as they arrived the gates opened a small amount, just enough for their sled for fit through. Anna practically stood in the sled to get a better look as they left the castle grounds. This was the beginning of the rest of her life, she wanted to make sure she didn't miss it.