IT HAD been a month since Elsa disappeared in Corona. Anna, Kristoff, Balder and the dignitaries of Arrendelle returned to their kingdom, bearing the news of the death of their queen. Since Anna was next in line, she was now the rightful heiress of Arrendelle and had to take the throne.
Anna's eyes were red because she had been crying for days. She had no more tears left in her.
Going through life without her sister was hellish and each day that passed felt like a year.
ANNA SAT on the throne in the grand, lavish throne room with Balder at her side. A townswoman entered the room and Anna nodded, permitting her to proceed. The woman stood before the throne.
The woman was unsure of how to address Anna.
"Feel free to speak," Balder said, "Queen Anna will listen to everything you have to say,"
The woman nodded uneasily.
"Greetings, my Queen," the woman said with a curtsey.
"Greetings," Anna said.
"My Queen, my family has been raided three times this month," The woman said, "Our livestock were stolen and our stables have been burnt,"
The woman began to choke up.
"They killed my husband," the woman said, beginning to weep.
Anna did not respond and Balder saw that she was choking up as well. The Guards glanced at her.
"The Queen has heard your plea," Balder said, "She will ensure that you are given more livestock and that your stables are rebuilt,"
"Thank you, thank you," the woman said with some relief in her voice.
The woman left the throne room. Balder waited for her to walk out the door.
"My Queen, you must to speak to them," Balder said.
"I can't," Anna said.
"I am not the ruler of Arrendelle, you are; the people need to hear your voice, not mine," Balder said.
Anna sighed.
"Okay," Anna said, "I'll try,"
A townsman entered the throne room and walked up to the throne.
"You may speak to the Queen," Balder said.
"Greetings, your Grace," the man said.
"Greetings," Anna said.
"You Grace, it has been over a month now since Queen Elsa had promised to do something about the raids," the townsman said, "With those criminals running around, the town is going into chaos. How long must we wait before those criminals get their punishment?"
Anna did not respond and Balder glanced at her.
"We –," Balder tried to say.
"I am trying my best at the moment," Anna said, "I have had soldierss sent out to apprehend them,"
"Apprehend them? Those criminals need to be put to the guillotine," the townsman said.
"I don't think death is a reasonable punishment for thievery –," Anna tried to say
"But it is for murder," the townsman said.
Anna took it aback and the townsman frowned.
"You did not know?" the townsman asked.
Anna looked away from the man.
"Those criminals have raided peoples' homes and left them burning," the townsman said, "They need to be executed,"
"We will have them thrown in the dungeon," Anna said.
"And what about the lives they have taken? What about the children they have left homeless and the women they have widowed?" the townsman asked.
"It would not change things if we repay murder with murder," Anna said.
"W hat I am asking for is justice," the townsman said boldly.
"I … I will do what I can to take those criminals down," Anna said, "They will not get away with this,"
"They had better because I sleep every night fearing for the lives of my wife and child," the townsman said.
The townsman left the room angrily. Balder waited for the townsman to leave.
"My Queen, did you forget about the criminals killing people?" Balder asked.
"I didn't know," Anna said.
"You did not know?" Balder asked, "The woman who came before said that they had killed her husband,"
"I'm sorry, I didn't hear her," Anna said, shaking her head.
"You need to pull yourself together, my Queen," Balder said, "For the sake of your kingdom,"
Anna nodded. A townsman entered the room and Anna permitted him to walk up to the throne.
"You may speak," Balder said.
"My Queen, before Queen Elsa died, she had said that she would do something about our shortage of food," the townsman said, "The yields have been poor this year and our reserves are dwindling,"
"We will distribute wheat, grain and meat from the royal reserves in the Great Hall until we can get more food," Anna said.
"I thank you, my Queen," the townsman said.
The townsman bowed and left the throne room. Balder waited for him to head out the door.
"My Queen, the food in our storehouses is running out as well," Balder said.
"Then try getting some from another storehouse," Anna said.
"There is none left in the others," Balder said.
"Well, what am I supposed to do?" Anna asked.
"Speak to the Treasurer, he is in charge of the kingdom's finances," Balder said.
Anna groaned and began to rise from the throne.
"My Queen, you still have thirty eight townspeople to speak to," Balder said.
"We've been at this for hours," Anna said.
"The people need to speak with you," Balder said.
Anna sighed and sat back on the throne.
ANNA WALKED into Elsa's large and neat office. She had spoken to the Treasurer who had said that trade was poor this season and that the kingdom's finances were low.
Anna walked passed bookshelf, brushing her fingers across the plethora of books. She was not much of a reader, but Elsa loved books. It was probably how Elsa quickly brushed up on the things she had missed in the years she was locked up in her room.
Anna was bitter over the loss of her only sister. She began to hate her parents for robbing her of the childhood she could have spent with Elsa. They had lots of fun as children and Anna always loved the snow. Playing hide n' seek, building snowmen; all of it. She wondered why her parents did what they did and began to blame them for it.
Anna shook her head and knew that she was being unreasonable. Her parents, in their attempt to protect her from Elsa's erratic powers, were not to blame. It was the monsters that were to blame and whoever had sent them.
During the time of her mourning, Anna tried to search the Old Norse books to find out who had sent the Frost Giants. She could remember all the battles and how the valiant gods fought off the Giants, but could never remember who the Giants fought for. She thought that since the Giants were real and on earth, their leader was close by.
Kristoff had told her not to bother as it was pointless and would make her bitter, but Anna would not listen. Sometimes she would question her own sanity in even thinking of trying to avenge her sister by taking down the leader of the enemies of gods, but she could not let herself stand by and do nothing. Kristoff was right because seeking meaningless revenge only made her depressed.
Anna walked up to Elsa's table and saw the letter she had left unfinished the day before they set sail for Corona. Anna browsed through it and saw that it was for Queen Rupunzel, asking for help with their food shortage.
Seeing Elsa's handwriting hit her as another push down the hill of sorrow. Anna wept and fell back in Elsa's chair.
ANNA FORKED her food absentmindedly, cupping her chin in her hand. Kristoff sat on the opposite end of the table. With Elsa and Olaf gone, dinner was unrealistically quiet. The only sounds were that of chewing, the clanking of the silverware and the fire crackling in the lamps.
A squire poured wine into Kristoff's glass and he gestured for him to stop. The squire placed the flagon on the table and stood in the corner of the room.
"That will be all, Jeremy," Kristoff said.
Jeremy nodded and left the room.
Kristoff looked at Anna concernedly as she had barely eaten. From the look on her face, she must have been crying for hours. Kristoff did not like this at all.
"Anna, you need to eat," Kristoff said.
"I don't want to," Anna said.
"You're going to starve," Kristoff said.
"I kinda don't care right now," Anna said with a sad chuckle.
"Look, it's been a month since Elsa disappeared, but now we're back home," Kristoff said, "You need to pull yourself back together,"
"I can't," Anna said.
Kristoff put his fork and knife down and walked over to Anna. Kristoff sat beside Anna and looked at her concernedly.
"I know it's hard, but you need to get through this," Kristoff said, "You are now Queen of Arrendelle; you need to lead your people,"
"How can I? Elsa's gone and there's nobody else to take her place," Anna said.
"You are Queen now," Kristoff said.
"Yeah, well I don't wanna be," Anna said, "This was meant for Elsa, she is the one the people need right now. I can't do anything for them,"
"Elsa is gone, Anna …, I'm sorry, but it's true," Kristoff said, "Killing yourself will not bring her back,"
"Well, I should, it's not worth living without her," Anna said, a tear rolling down her cheek, "How am I supposed to take her place?"
"I can't give you a good answer because I'm not royalty, but the people need you," Kristoff said, "I need you,"
"This is all my fault," Anna said.
Anna got up from her seat and walked up to the fireplace. Kristoff followed her.
"How is it your fault?" Kristoff asked.
"I'm the one who had the fly over to the beach when the Frost Giants and Fire Demons attacked," Anna said, "The whole time when the Giants and Demons attacked, I couldn't help her. If I hadn't discovered this curse, she wouldn't have died,"
"You did the best you could, Anna, don't blame yourself," Kristoff said.
"I'm all alone now," Anna said.
Anna stared at the fire and wiped the tear off her face. Kristoff held her hand.
"You aren't, Anna," Kristoff said reassuringly, "I'm here,"
"Well, where were you when they attacked?" Anna yelled.
Kristoff looked at Anna in surprise and saw nothing but rage in her eyes.
"I was looking for Olaf," Kristoff said.
"Oh, really, you were looking for Olaf," Anna said angrily, "Well, he's dead now, so how'd that turn out?"
"What could I have done? I couldn't fight them," Kristoff said.
"You could have at least been there," Anna said.
Kristoff sighed.
"I'm sorry, Anna, but this was a bad time for us all," Kristoff said, "Losing Elsa, and Olaf, has had its toll on all of us, but we need you right now. If you don't pull yourself together, this kingdom will fall apart. You are the Queen now, the people need you,"
"Just go, Kristoff," Anna said.
Kristoff placed his hand on Anna's shoulder and left the room reluctantly.
BALDER SAT amongst the councilmen in the council chamber for a meeting. He knew his councilmen secretly despised him, but he would not let their opinion deter him from performing his duties as Advisor of the Queen and Head Councilman.
"Let us call this meeting to order," Balder said.
"And we do this why?" Adalstan asked.
"'Cuz Bally's too stuck up and too rigid to come up with anything else to do around here," Bard said.
"I wonder why we call him that; he doesn't have any," Diethelm said.
The councilmen laughed and Balder darted his eyes around.
"If I were king, I'd have all your heads," Balder said playfully.
"Take mine first, I'm tired of spending hours at a time looking at your raggedy, ugly faces," Bjarke said.
"Come on you guys, we should be serious," Balder said lightly, stifling laughter, "We are the council, the men who assist the Queen in ruling this kingdom. How can we do anything if we are not serious? This is very important. It's serious,"
The councilmen looked at each other uneasily.
"Or, we could just goof off," Ben said.
The councilmen laughed again, Balder laughing the loudest. Balder wiped a false tear from his cheek.
"Man, I'm gonna miss you guys," Balder said.
"You going somewhere?" Bard asked.
"Nah, we're just gonna die soon is all …," Balder said, playing with a quill in his hand, "Running outta food and stuff, no big deal,"
"Yeah, running low on cash as well," Adalstan said, "Who's the guy in charge of money?"
The others pointed at Ben who was quietly penning down something on a paper. He looked up and was confused.
"What?" Ben asked.
"What're you doing?" Adalstan asked.
"Nothing," Ben said.
"Give me that," Adalstan said.
Adalstan grabbed the paper from Ben and read what he was writing. He chuckled.
"He's busy writing poems," Adalstan said.
"To Elsa?" Diethelm asked.
"Look," Adalstan said.
Adalstan passed the paper to Diethelm who received it and read it.
"You do know she's dead, right?" Diethelm asked.
"Not to me," Ben said.
"A crippled man well over his sixties with no teeth would have a better chance with Anna than you do with Elsa," Adalstan said.
The councilmen laughed at Ben.
"Just stop it," Adalstan said.
"Well, might as well keep writing," Bjarke said as he sat back, "If love has no bounds, I'd like her to come back from Hel and take you down with her,"
"You're such a jerk," Ben said.
"Which is why you love me," Bjarke said.
"Let's not speak ill of the dead," Balder said, "You know what? Let's not speak of the dead at all,"
"Sorry," Bjarke said sarcastically.
"If you don't wanna talk about the dead, let's talk about what's happening right now," Diethelm said, "When is the Queen gonna do something about these rebels? They're out and about running amok and she is doing nothing,"
"Well, the fun ended fast," Balder said, sitting back on his chair.
The councilmen murmured angrily amongst each other.
"She has sent soldiers to apprehend them, they –," Balder tried to say.
"And when are they ever gonna stop? When I'm dead?" Bjarke asked.
Balder took it aback.
"Arresting them clearly isn't doing anything," Ben said, "Their numbers are rising,"
"Criminals have escaped the dungeon before; it is clearly not working," Diethelm said.
"You want them dead?" Balder asked.
"It will send them a message that the kingdom still has a ruler who should not be challenged," Diethelm said.
"What're we even arguing here for? It's not like she's gonna do anything about them," Adalstan said.
"He's right, even if the Commander has the will, only she can give the order to have somebody's head," Bjarke said.
"This stuff bores the hell outta me," Bard said with a sigh, "If the Queen's not gonna do something, who cares? Just ship off to Valantis or something,"
"Have you been listening? We're broke! We don't have enough money to get outta here," Adalstan said.
The councilmen murmured angrily amongst themselves, excluding Balder who was growing impatient and Ben who continued writing.
"We need a different ruler, someone else who knows what the people need and does what needs to be done," Diethelm said, "Anna's too soft,"
"You'll address her as Queen Anna," Balder said.
"Yeah, right," Bjarke said with a chuckled, "Knew we should have had a man on the throne. Elsa was something, but damn, Anna doesn't have anything under her control,"
"I probably should have been a royal, then I would've done a better job," Adalstan said.
"Seriously," Bard said, "Maybe someone will come by and take it from her,"
"Should I take this as treason?" Balder asked.
The council chamber fell silent, some members sharing glances because of Balder's question.
"Good," Balder said, "Listen, Queen Anna is still mourning the loss of her sister; we all are, but that does not mean that she cannot rule the kingdom just as well as she could,"
"I don't have a pocket watch, but I'm sure we're running outta time," Bjarke said.
"Give her some time," Balder said, "She is young and she needs the support of her council, not their contempt. We are facing tough times and we will only get through it together,"
The council chamber fell silent again and Balder wondered what their response was.
"I miss Elsa," Ben moaned.
The councilmen looked at Ben disapprovingly and Balder held the bridge of his nose, shaking his head.
"Man, get real!" Bjarke said angrily.
The councilmen reprimanded Ben.
ANNA SIFTED through the papers on Elsa's desk, looking for the letter she was writing to Rupunzel so that she could send it herself. After about twenty minutes of searching, she realized that she had thrown it out when she was crying the other day.
Anna pulled out a fresh sheet of paper and dipped a quill in ink. Anna placed the quill on the paper, but was unsure of what to write. Sure, she knew how to write a letter, but she was not sure how to address a royal.
What was the right form of address for a royal in a letter? Were you supposed to use titles? Praise them? Use a different form of speech? What were you supposed to do?
Anna decided to wing it and started writing. A knock came at the door.
"Come in," Anna said.
Balder entered the room,
"Greetings, my Queen," Balder said.
"You don't need to be so formal," Anna said.
"But I must; it's custom," Balder said.
"Just call me Anna, we're friends aren't we?" Ann asked.
"Okay," Balder said.
Balder took a seat and watched Anna as she faltered in writing her letter.
"What is it, Balder?" Anna said.
"I've just had a meeting with the council, you weren't there," Balder said.
"I was busy," Anna said.
"I've told you, you need to attend these meetings," Balder said, "As Queen, you need to know all the concerns of your kingdom,"
"You know, I'm getting a little bit irritated with everyone telling me how to run the kingdom," Anna said.
"It is my duty as your advisor, Anna. I'm sorry if it's bothering you," Balder said.
"No, it's fine," Anna said with a sigh, "I'm sorry, I'm really not able to do this on my own. Thanks for the help, I need it, I'm just …, I'm really going through a hard time right now,"
"My condolences, Anna; we've all lost a lot," Balder said.
"Thank you," Anna said.
Balder looked around, sighed and leaned toward her.
"I need to speak to you about something," Balder said.
"What is it?" Anna asked.
"I spoke with the council and they're all upset about the way you have been running the kingdom," Balder said.
"Isn't everyone?" Anna asked, "I kinda wish I wasn't Queen. Maybe I could leave and go somewhere else. How's Westeros? I heard it's a lovely place,"
"Who told you that?" Balder asked with shock.
"Olaf, he said he read it in a storybook," Anna said.
"Well, he has a very confused understanding of the word lovely," Balder said, "I highly advise against going there,"
"Why can't I go there?" Anna said, "Shouldn't a queen be able to go wherever she wants?"
"Didn't you say you didn't want to be queen?" Balder asked.
"Well, why can't I go there?" Anna asked.
"I have worked for fifteen years, trying to claw my way out of that hellhole," Balder said, "Trust me, you do not want to go to Westeros,"
"Okay," Anna said uneasily.
Anna sat back in her seat and Balder nodded, content that she got his warning. He continued.
"The council seems to think that it'll be better if you had the criminals executed, most likely before the people, to send a message to the rest of them," Balder said.
"That we are barbaric?" Anna asked.
"That you are a Queen who should not be challenged and that justice still exists here in Arrendelle," Balder said, "I'm not for brutality, but it would cause a stir among them,"
"And probably make them more violent and try to take revenge," Anna said.
"Well, what you do with them is yours to decide, but what I really came to talk about is how they actually view you," Balder said, "Most of them prefer Elsa over you,"
"Been telling people that myself," Anna said.
"But, maybe I'm just being paranoid, but they implied that someone should take the throne away from you," Balder said.
"Someone can do that?" Anna asked.
"Don't tell me that you actually agree with them," Balder said.
"I'd do anything to leave it," Anna said, "I just don't know any relatives from around here or I'd have abdicated it already,"
"The throne is rightfully yours, my Queen," Balder said, "What worries me is that they might be planning to take the throne away from you,"
"By killing me?" Anna asked.
Balder sat back and sighed. Anna furrowed her eyebrows then chuckled.
"They're just playing around," Anna said, "They may not like the way I do things, but they wouldn't have me killed,"
"They may have not sounded serious, but I wouldn't be too comfortable, Anna," Balder said, "Such things are possible,"
"You're just being paranoid, Balder," Anna said.
"I hope so, I would dread if we lost another one of earth's wonders," Balder said.
Anna shook her head.
"I'm sorry, it's a bad habit," Balder said.
"Seriously?" Anna said with a chuckle.
Balder shrugged and Anna chuckled.
ANNA ENTERED Kristoff's workshop, finding him working on a shoe for Sven. The shop was small, slightly dim and hot compared to the outside. It was smoky because of the furnace and she was slowly getting used to it, sort of.
"How's the Ice Master doing?" Anna asked.
"Oh, hey," Kristoff said.
Kristoff tossed a newly forged shoe into a bucket of water.
"What brings you here?" Kristoff asked.
Anna coughed and fanned the smoke from her face.
"Death, I guess," Anna said.
"Sorry, maybe we should speak outside," Kristoff said.
"No, I'll manage," Anna said.
"Okay," Kristoff said.
Kristoff placed his tools on a table.
"So, what brings you here?" Kristoff asked.
"I just wanted to apologize about the other night," Anna said, "I didn't mean what I said; I shouldn't have blamed you,"
"Well, you were right, I should have been there," Kristoff said.
"Then again, what could you have done, what with the fire and –,"
Kristoff gave Anna a feigned glare.
"Sorry," Anna said.
"Well, don't be, I wouldn't have done much anyways," Kristoff said, "But now, I might,"
Kristoff went into the backroom.
"How?" Anna asked.
Kristoff emerged from the backroom.
"With this," Kristoff said.
Kristoff held up a large axe.
"Whoa, what's that?" Anna asked.
"Made it myself," Kristoff said, "Thinking if those things came again, I might as well arm myself,"
"You saw how swords were nothing against them, right?" Anna asked.
"Well, it's better than actually doing nothing," Kristoff said.
"Okay, just don't hurt yourself with that," Anna said.
"Sure," Kristoff said.
Kristoff placed the axe against a wall.
"How's about I make it up to you?" Anna asked.
"You don't need to make it up to me, it's no big deal," Kristoff said.
"Well, it is to me," Anna said, "How's about we get some ice cream?"
"It's freezing out there," Kristoff said.
"Which is why I want some ice cream," Anna said.
"Did you not hear me or something?" Kristoff asked, "Why would you want ice cream when its cold?"
"I dunno, but since Elsa disappeared, I've had a craving for ice cream," Anna said and cocked her neck, "Maybe Olaf's rubbing off on me or something,"
"Well, I think I'm gonna pass," Kristoff said.
"Come on! Just one?" Anna asked.
"How's about you get ice cream and I get Hot Tea?" Kristoff asked.
"After being in here?" Anna asked.
"Better than getting myself sick with ice cream," Kristoff said.
"Just come," Anna said.
Anna walked up to Kristoff and grabbed his arm, dragging him out of the shop.
ANNA LAID in bed with several extra blankets on. The winter night was far colder than ever and Anna now had to use three woollen blankets.
She tossed, turned in her bed, and still felt chilly. Maybe Kristoff was right about ice cream making her sick.
The door creaked open and she did not hear it. A masked man clad in dark clothing entered the room wielding a bow.
The man picked up an arrow and drew the bow, aiming for Anna's head.
THE WIND blew hard on the snowy landscape. Everything was covered in shades of white and the breeze was blinding. A figure walked through the snow.
"Hello! Hello!" Olaf yelled.
Olaf walked through the snow, battling the furious winds that nearly carried him off.
"I'm getting cold out here!" Olaf yelled then snorted, "Me getting cold, yeah right!"
Olaf continued walking and bumped into something. He looked down and saw that it was a person, Elsa.
Elsa laid unconscious on the ground, her body covered in the snow.
"Elsa!" Olaf gasped.
Olaf shook Elsa and she did not respond.
"Elsa, wake up!" Olaf called desperately.
Olaf shook Elsa, but she did not respond.
"Well, here goes nothing," Olaf said.
Olaf stuck his finger in his mouth and his 'saliva' froze on his finger. Olaf shrugged and shoved the finger in Elsa's ear.
Elsa shot up, screaming and clung to Olaf's head.
"Monsters!" Elsa yelled.
Elsa looked at Olaf then yelped and backed away from him. Elsa sighed then ran her finger in her ear. She looked at her finger then frowned at Olaf.
"Olaf!" Elsa yelled.
"Sorry, you wouldn't wake up," Olaf said.
"How'd I even feel that?" Elsa asked.
"I dunno, guess you were cold," Olaf said with a chuckle.
Elsa rose to her feet and looked around.
"Where are we?" Elsa asked.
Olaf cocked his head.
"Something's weird here," Olaf said, stroking his bucktooth.
"What is?" Elsa asked.
"I dunno," Olaf said, "Did you do something with your hair?"
"My hair?" Elsa asked.
Elsa ran her hand through her hair and realized that she did not have any clothes on. Elsa quickly conjured up a dress and looked around uneasily.
"Hmm, did you do something again?" Olaf asked, "Something's different again, but I can't put my finger on it,"
"Just forget it, Olaf," Elsa said.
"Okay," Olaf said, wondering what had changed about Elsa.
Elsa looked at Olaf closely and realized that he had a rock in place of the carrot nose he had.
"Where'd your nose go?" Elsa asked.
"I dunno," Olaf said, "I didn't even have arms and it was hard to find these. I just appeared here and I've wandering for a while, looking for you,"
"Where is here?" Elsa asked.
Elsa and Olaf looked around, the snow seemed to stretch for miles, and they could not see beyond a couple feet because of the blizzard.
As always, Follow, Favourite and Review and Await the Awesomeness as we dive deeper into the universe. Thanks for reading.
