"It's a thing to see when a boy comes home." – John Steinbeck
Lieutenant Colonel Fredrik Amundsen stood contently on the deck of the Sea Wolf as it entered the harbor of Arendelle. He savored every feeling and every sight – the beautiful snowcapped mountains rising behind his beloved home, the cool breeze of the late summer against his face, the clear blue harbor stretching ahead like a finely-crafted piece of stained glass. He'd missed the cool weather and the mild summers more than he could say. Even the harsh winters were beautiful in their own way.
It's good to be home, he thought.
He felt the necklace he wore beneath his green uniform, the color of his native country, and reflected. It'd been nearly three years since he'd been home, most of which he spent leading expeditions into Africa. The lion claws that hung from his necklace and poked his chest were a constant reminder of his time there, time both glorious and terrible. Even at his highest moments, Fredrik had never stopped thinking of Arendelle and what it would be like to return to its warm embrace. It hadn't been how he'd expected to finally go home, being recalled by a brand-new, reclusive Queen along with whatever other forces were abroad, but he readily accepted it. He'd heard a rumor that there'd been some sort of coup attempt on the young monarch earlier that summer, but the details hadn't found their way to Africa. He'd heard all kinds of other ridiculous rumors, but paid them no mind. As long as Arendelle waited for him, he was happy.
A young sailor came by and informed him they'd be making port within the hour, elevating Fredrik's mood even further. He'd have to report to his commanding officers first, but after that he'd have some time to himself. He yearned to walk the streets of the town again, to poke his head in the shops and taverns and have real conversations with his fellow countrymen about something other than military matters.
The Sea Wolf docked and Fredrik was the first to disembark, having been assured his horse, Odysseus, would be unloaded for him. He bounded onto the dock with undeniable vigor, his feet finally back on his native soil.
"Fredrik!" called a friendly voice.
Fredrik quickly spotted its source, Jørgen Larsen, a fellow soldier and his closest friend. Jørgen wasted no time in running over to Fredrik and pulling him into hug that squeezed the breath out of the young lieutenant colonel.
"It's good to see you, old friend," said Jørgen as he released his comrade.
"You too. How'd you know when I was docking?" asked Fredrik.
"Fredrik, I'm a captain now. Don't you think I could find out when my best friend's ship would arrive?"
Fredrik couldn't help but smile at this. Jørgen had been his bunkmate at Arendelle's military academy and the pair had forged a bond of friendship that remained unbroken despite years apart.
"Well, thank you for the welcome," said Fredrik.
"My pleasure. It's not every day you get to greet 'The Lion' himself," said Jørgen jokingly.
"How'd you know about that?" asked Fredrik, surprised his nickname from Africa had followed him back to Arendelle.
"Everybody in the army has heard of you, Fredrik! You're a celebrity among the men and, if I've heard correctly, many of the officers are quite interested in you."
"Well… stories always get exaggerated, you know?"
"Your humility just leaves me limp with envy," laughed Jørgen, "Come on, let's go celebrate in a manner befitting a hero such as yourself."
Fredrik frowned at the word hero as Jørgen beckoned him towards a local tavern.
"Actually, I'm afraid I have to go report to command," said Fredrik, stepping back from his friend.
"I completely forgot," said Jørgen as he slapped his forehead, "Well, I do hope you can find room in your busy schedule to come carousing with a fellow officer tonight."
"Count on it, Captain. We'll see if Arendelle is still standing tomorrow morning."
Fredrik bid goodbye to Jørgen and headed off towards Arendelle's barracks. He could've hired a carriage, but preferred to walk the streets. He couldn't believe the change his home had undergone. The once subdued streets were now bustling with people who were all talking and laughing and trading goods Fredrik had never seen in Arendelle before.
Come to think of it, I've never known Arendelle to trade much other than ice, thought Fredrik as he walked.
Fredrik noticed a cart of mangos and was instantly drawn to them. They were a personal favorite of his, a succulent fruit he'd never tried until his time in Africa and had certainly never seen before in his native land.
"Would ya like one, soldier?" asked the vendor with a broad smile.
"I'd love one," answered Fredrik as he reached into his pocket to pay.
Before Fredrik could get his money, the vendor tossed a mango to him, "Here. It's on the house."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, take it. Business has been good to me lately."
"I've never seen these before in Arendelle," said Fredrik as he bit into the fruit, savoring its juicy flavors.
"We've only just gotten them in. When the Queen finally opened up trade with some of the other nations, we got access to all kinds of new goodies," said the vendor.
"I'm glad Arendelle's not such a hermit-kingdom anymore," said Fredrik, taking another bite out of the mango.
"I couldn't agree more, soldier. With the castle finally open, perhaps we'll get –
"Wait, the castle is open?"
"Sure. It's been open the past few months."
"That castle's been locked up like a vault for as long as I can remember."
"Well, it's open now. Where've you been lately anyway?"
"I was serving abroad," answered Fredrik as he finished his mango, "Thank you for the fruit, sir. I'd love to stay and chat, but I'm afraid I've got to go report for duty."
"No problem, soldier. Welcome back to Arendelle," said the vendor warmly as Fredrik walked away.
Fredrik walked briskly to the barracks, continuously amazed by how his home had changed. He almost didn't recognize it. It was like a black and white drawing that had suddenly been filled in with living color. It was different, but a good different.
Arriving at the barracks and the command building, Fredrik gave his name and rank to the soldiers on guard and was beckoned inside. He sat in a plush chair and waited, his commanding officer, General Broulard, evidently busy. The room was empty, save for the General's secretary, who worked incessantly, making copies of the General's correspondence. Fredrik could see his own reflection in his highly polished boots. He looked fine, yet he felt a little uneasy. Jørgen had said everyone in the army had heard of his expeditions and he wondered what details might have gotten confused.
"Get in her, boy! We don't have all day!" called out a jovial voice from the General's office.
"General Broulard will see you now," said the secretary obviously before immediately returning to copying letters.
Fredrik entered the office and sat down. If anything in Arendelle hadn't changed, it was General Broulard. The squat, wrinkled man who sat behind the ornate desk was the same man who'd sent Fredrik off to Africa three years ago.
"Welcome back to Arendelle, my boy! How was your trip?" asked the General.
"Fine sir. It's good to be home," Fredrik answered honestly.
"Ah certainly. I trust your time in Africa wasn't too terrible?"
"It was alright sir. My men were as disciplined as any I'd seen and we did our duty."
"And did it well if I've heard correctly. Word is you boys held your own in numerous engagements. Too bad combat couldn't do anything to fix that ugly mug of yours, though," teased the old General.
Fredrik chuckled. General Broulard, despite his rank and age, was an unpretentious man that enjoyed messing with his subordinates.
"I'm afraid miracles were in short-supply down there, sir," said Fredrik with a smile.
The General laughed at this and leaned forward on his desk.
"Victories certainly weren't. I've been reviewing your records and I must say I'm impressed, Fredrik. Or do you prefer The Lion?"
"Uh, Fredrik, sir. Some of those reports were probably exaggerated."
"Humble, I respect that. It's something rarely found in a man of your qualifications: top cadet at Arendelle's military academy, youngest soldier ever promoted to lieutenant colonel, experience in Arendelle's cavalry, leader of numerous successful expeditions into uncharted territory. Shall I go on?"
"No thank you, sir."
Fredrik was increasingly uncomfortable. The General's company was pleasant, but he'd rather not review his actions in Africa, parts of which he was glad to leave behind. The General simply grinned nonchalantly, as if they were discussing the weather.
"You know, I was at another one of those dull meetings today, surrounded by nobles turned generals who'd never so much as set foot in a military academy, much less a battlefield, and I got to thinking. I started wondering why the highest jobs went to most unqualified. Why do you think that is, son?
"I suppose because of their connections, sir."
"Probably so, but I'd rather have able men commanding, so congratulations my boy. You've been promoted!"
"Pardon me, sir?"
"You heard me. By the authority vested in me by her majesty the Queen, you are now the youngest man ever promoted to colonel in the history of Arendelle's military. Congratulations," said General Broulard, shaking Fredrik's hand.
"Thank you, sir. I promise I won't disappoint you," said Fredrik, surprised with the meeting's result but certainly not unhappy.
"I don't doubt. Now, go out and enjoy yourself tonight, but be here at 0600 tomorrow morning. The Queen's holding a meeting with an assortment of officers and nobles and I'd like you to come as my guest."
Fredrik promised he'd be on time before taking his leave. He hurried to drop his stuff off in the barracks, hoping to locate Jørgen soon after and hit all the taverns Arendelle had to offer.
Queen Elsa walked in the shade of the castle gardens, carefully obscured from the late afternoon sun. She liked the fresh air, but the sun always had a way of making her sick, it's heat overbearing on her generally cold person. Elsa's walks provided one of her only forms of relaxation, something that was becoming harder to come by since her ascension to the throne months earlier. Since the Great Thaw, summer had progressed beautifully and nobody had been happier than Anna. Just thinking about her little sister drew a genuine smile from Elsa. Anna was summer epitomized, warm, radiant, and friendly. She belonged outside the castle, among the people.
Elsa stopped and admired the fine red roses perfectly maintained beside the small path. She took a deep breath and crafted a fine ice rose among the others. She was reminded of what the trolls had told her long ago. Her gift could indeed be beautiful. She gotten better at controlling it. Ever since Anna had shown how love could thaw the ice fear created, Elsa had maintained control. Any time she felt it slipping, she just thought of her sister and the ice would recede. She still worried for Anna sometimes, like any protective big sister would. Unfortunately, Anna's kind and trusting nature could be taken advantage of by certain people. People like Hans.
Elsa shuddered at the memory of the scheming prince who'd almost killed her and Anna. Ice slowly began to creep up Elsa's arms as she remembered his cruelties. Convincing Anna he loved her. Leaving Anna to die. Telling Elsa that she'd killed her beloved sister. All just to assume the throne of a kingdom. The Southern Isles had bent over backwards to appease Arendelle afterwards, not wanting to lose a trading partner. King Albert, Hans' eldest brother, had assured the young queen that his brother's crimes would not go unpunished despite being royalty. Last Elsa had heard, Hans was doing hard labor somewhere in the farmlands of the Southern Isles and still had many years remaining on his sentence. She was glad for it. Elsa wasn't hateful, but believed in justice and as long as Hans remained in custody, Anna and Arendelle were safe.
Anna is safe and so is Arendelle, thought Elsa, the ice she'd generated quickly thawing.
Elsa decided to return to her office, her walk complete and her work not. Endless piles of paper cluttered her desk and she began to sift through them. In some ways the work was a blessing. It was the only time Elsa's emotions were so subdued that there was no threat of anything being frozen. As she read another report on the production of grains in the northwest section of her country, Elsa wondered how her father had ever handled something so boring. It was ironic really. Elsa finally had the freedom to leave the castle yet her duties kept her confined to her office most of the time.
Then Elsa heard the distinctive, rhythmic knock on her office door that she'd heard hundreds of times on her bedroom door as a child. It only belonged to one person. Elsa hurried to open the door, remembering the countless times she hadn't opened it.
You never have to shut her out again, Elsa thought as she opened the door to reveal her sister grinning ear to ear.
"Hey, are you busy right now?" asked Anna hopefully.
"Um, sorta. Why?" asked Elsa, glancing back at the pile of papers on her desk.
"Well, I was just wondering if you wanted to go on a picnic."
Elsa hesitated, remembering all that she still had to do, but one look at Anna's excited face made her decision for her.
"Sure. Sounds like fun," answered Elsa.
The words were barely out of her mouth before Anna took Elsa's hand and pulled her along with childlike eagerness. Elsa laughed despite herself. The months she'd gotten to spend with her sister had reminded her of the fun they'd had as kids, before she had to hide her powers.
A few minutes later, both the queen and princess of Arendelle were sitting under a large tree near the stables of the palace. The sun was slowly descending behind Arendelle's mountains and a cool breeze blew the leaves above their heads.
"It's so beautiful today," said Anna, observing the way the setting sun bathed the tops of the mountains in golden light.
"I wouldn't mind it being a little colder," chuckled Elsa.
"After our mini-winter, I'm happy with a little more summer," said Anna with a smile, "So what've you been up to today? I haven't seen you since breakfast."
"I had to meet with some dignitaries and review a bunch of our production records. That stuff seems unending," groaned Elsa, "On top of that, Weselton is still sending envoys here to try and reopen trade."
"Ah the joys of being queen. I would've thought Weaseltown would've taken a hint by now."
"Well, turns out the Duke is as stubborn as he is a bad dancer."
"At least you weren't the one who actually had to dance with him," said Anna with a laugh, "Although the Duke might've been a better dancer than Kristoff."
Elsa laughed at the thought of the friendly mountain man trying to learn something as formal as ballroom dancing.
"Oh come on, Anna. He can't be that bad."
"It's like he's got two left feet! I was trying to teach him earlier, but progress has been kinda slow."
"Go easy on him. I don't think ice-harvesting and hanging out with reindeer really prepares you for things like that."
"I know, I know. I love him either way, dance or no-dance. Speaking of which, how come you haven't given it a try?"
"Anna, I'm probably even worse than Kristoff and the Duke. Even if I did give it a try, I'd probably be so nervous I'd freeze the whole room."
"Better than freezing the whole kingdom," quipped Anna, whose humor was rewarded with a snowball to the face, courtesy of her sister.
"Hey" laughed Anna, brushing snow off her, "can you at least wait until winter for that so I can return fire?"
"You asked for it," said Elsa wryly.
Finished removing snow, Anna reached into the small basket she'd brought and pulled out a crisp apple to eat.
"It's so nice to have this," she said as she bit into the fruit.
"Yeah, it's good to have Arendelle trading again," observed Elsa.
"No, not the apple. I meant this," said Anna, gesturing to her sister, "I really missed getting to spend time with you like this."
Elsa smiled.
"I did too."
Author Note: This is my first Frozen fanfiction. I hope you guys enjoy it because I certainly do. Be on the lookout for references to a variety of books and films I enjoy. It may be something as simple as a line of dialogue, a description, a name or I may just say it directly. All reviews, follows and favorites are greatly appreciated. See y'all in chapter 2.