After enjoying a festive Christmas dinner and dessert, Elsa and Anna headed for the parlor where a Christmas tree stood surrounded by presents. They had been joined by Kristoff and some of their favorite servants who had faithfully served their parents before their death. Elsa and Anna sat next to each other on a couch with Gerda while Kristoff sat in a chair nearby. Others stood near them in case they would have to fetch simple items such as hot cocoa and Christmas cookies or blankets. But so far, they were not required to do anything except enjoy the exchange and opening of gifts. The opening of presents was to start with Elsa. Anna placed the first present in her sister's lap. It was a golden box covered in a snowflake pattern and tied with a red bow.

"Here, Elsa. Open it. I hope you like it even though I didn't know what to get you and I know you're not bothered by the cold and-"

"Anna."

"Alright. I just hope you like it. I made it myself."

"I'm sure it's fine."

Elsa pulled the ribbon off the box and had a smile on her face that Anna hadn't seen in years. It was the sort of smile that she used to wear as a child before they drifted apart. Even Kristoff and the rest of the staff in the room were pleasantly surprised to see such a glowing smile on their beloved queen's face. However, the smile would fade as Elsa was unable to take off the top of the box being called by Kai from the doorway.

"Queen Elsa?"

Elsa paused in mid-action and looked up at Kai. She poised herself after setting the present aside Anna gave her. Anna felt hurt that her sister had to push the present she gave her to the side, but then she looked over at Kai as did everyone else did.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but we have a guest in the castle. He is a poor soul who needs a place to stay for the night and have some food in his stomach. Will you come to see him?"

"Of course."

Elsa rose from her comfortable spot between her sister and Gerda and addressed everyone before she left the room.

"Please, all of you enjoy opening the gifts. I will be back to join you as soon as I can. If not, then do not worry."

Elsa then joined Kay at the doorway before leading the way to the foyer. "Shall we go, Kai?"

"Yes, Your Highness."

Elsa and Kai left the parlor to meet the poor stranger.

Anna was torn. On one hand she wondered what would become of the poor man. She did hope he was given a place to stay and have food to eat. On the other hand, Anna was hoping to see Elsa's face when she opened her present and thanked her. She slumped in the couch. Gerda offered to get some hot cocoa for everyone else and went off to the kitchen. All the other servants began plucking presents from under the tree. One of the servants plopped a present on Anna's lap that was from Elsa. Kristoff had opened a present from Anna and was very pleased. He received a new leather cap from her. He looked over at Anna to thank her, but he didn't have the chance for he saw that his Anna had something else on her mind.

"Anna? Are you okay?"

Anna had her arms crossed across her chest and stared at the present on her lap.

"I just wish we could all be here to open presents together. We're all kind of like a family and it's not the same without Elsa being here."

"I know it's hard for you, Anna, but maybe you'll cheer up if you open your present from Elsa."

Anna sighed in defeat and then looked at Kristoff.

"Maybe you're right, Kristoff."

Kristoff gave Anna a gentle smile. Anna directed her focus back to the present in front of her. It was a green box with green sparkles and a red bow. Anna slipped off the bow and took off the top of the box. She peered inside the box and saw something that resembled a photo album. It had a blue and green embroidered cover. Anna turned to the first page which had a picture of a three year old Elsa holding a newborn Anna. She had a huge smile on her face staring lovingly at her sister. She turned to the second page and it held a picture of a five year old her and an eight year old Elsa. The picture was taken a month before Elsa isolated herself from her. Anna could feel her heart tear apart. She closed the album without glancing at any other pictures and placed it on the arm of the couch. Kristoff looked concerned for Anna.

"Anna?"

Anna remained silent until an idea came to her like a sudden thunderstorm arrived on a sunny day. A huge smile formed on her face.

"Kristoff, I got an idea."

"What?"

"We'll meet the man with Elsa. I don't care if we're not really needed, I figure that the most important to me is to be by my sister's side. That's all I want right now and what better way to remedy my longing for being near my sister than becoming my own solution? Come on, Kristoff, let's join Elsa. Besides, I'm sure our guest would like to meet both members of the royal family and see how nice we are because deep down we're not that different from other people."

"But Anna, I don't think that we should-"

Before Kristoff could finish his point, he could feel himself being dragged by Anna out of the parlor. As he was whisked away by his energetic girlfriend, he assured the staff to just relax while they waited for their return.

To Be Continued…