For the next hour, Elsa and the others hunt for a suitable tree for the family quarters in the palace. For a while, every tree that the guys find, Anna and Elsa would find something wrong with it. Finally, Olaf is able to find a tree that both sisters could agree upon. So with an axe, Kristoff goes and cuts the tree down. Then Kristoff and Kristian haul the tree to the sled and place it into the back. Of course, Olaf helps some by carrying the top of the tree as the two men haul the tree from the bottom.
Finally, the tree is loaded. Then everyone heads back towards the village. On the way back, Anna and Elsa begin talking about the upcoming Christmas celebration for the village. The celebration was going to be held three days before the day of Christmas.
After that, the sisters start to talk about the private celebration that they are going to have on the day of Christmas. Soon their talk begins to drift into their Christmases as children. Once again, Elsa and Anna begin to talk about the joy and fun that they had during Christmas, even the times during Elsa's isolation.
During Elsa's isolation years, the royal family would still celebrate Christmas together. These family times were important to both sisters. For Elsa, she got to feel like part of the family again, even though she refrained from interacting with the others. As for Anna, Christmas was a time where she could interact with Elsa. The interactions were reserved, but Anna enjoyed those little moments she had with Elsa.
As for Kristoff and Olaf, they enjoyed listening to Anna and Elsa talk about their past. However, as Kristian listens to Anna and Elsa talk, he gets lost in his own thoughts of his own past. Kristian's life had always been tough. The last Christmas that he had celebrated was when Kristian was about twelve. It was also the last Christmas that Kristian had with his mother.
For that Christmas, all Kristian and his mother had for a tree was one branch of a fir tree. It was tough on the mountain, and Goran did not believe in doing anything that was for pleasure. Everything that was done on the mountain was either for survival or to train Kristian in then use of his powers. There was little time for Kristian to help his mother to do anything to celebrate Christmas. Still Kristian's mother did the best that she could. For many Christmases, there was little that Kristian's mother could do. However, every Christmas, Kristian's mother would put on her best dress and tell her son stories of the wonders that occurred in the palace that was once their home.
Now for Goran, he was the man that gave Kristian and his mother shelter during Kristian's isolation from the rest of the world. Like Kristian, Goran could control fire. However, it was not compassion that allowed Kristian to stay with Goran. Goran saw an asset that he could use in Kristian's powers. It was only due to the encounters that Kristian had here in Arendelle that eventually led to the revelation of Goran's true dark intentions.
Anyway, before long, Sven pulls the sled up to the front doors of the palace. Once the sled stops, everyone climbs out. However, Kristian still remains seated. "Hey Kristian, are you coming?" then chirps Olaf.
"What?" responds Kristian as he snaps out of his thoughts.
"I said, are you going to be sitting there all day; or are you going to move and give us a hand?" again chirps Olaf.
"Um, sure. Sorry about that," replies Kristian as he climbs out of the sled. "I just got lost in my thoughts."
"Pleasant thoughts, I hope," interjects Elsa with a smile.
"Well, um, they were about my past Christmases," replies Kristian as he tries to avoid giving an in depth explanation. The last thing Kristian wants to do is to bring everyone down with his less than pleasant past.
"What were your Christmases like?" inquires Anna. "I mean, you really haven't talked about your past that much."
"Anna, please, you can be so nosey at times," objects Elsa. "It is not a polite thing to pry into other people's activities."
"Who's prying?" replies Anna a little surprised by Elsa's reaction. "I just asked a simple question."
"Well, it was an inappropriate question," counters Elsa. "Kristian is a guest here and he deserves to be treated with respect!"
"Whoa, Elsa, take it easy," interrupts Kristian. "You are blowing this out of proportion. Besides, I thought that I was past the guest stage. I'm starting to become part of the daily routine of the village. I may still be trying to figure out my role here, but I like to consider myself a citizen of Arendelle."
"Elsa, I think you are being too protective of Kristian," adds Kristoff. "Besides, we are all friends here. Whatever Kristian wants to talk about, I'm sure we all would respect what he has to say."
"It is my duty to protect the people of the Kingdom of Arendelle," replies Elsa as she becomes a little remised about her previous outburst. "And Kristian is special. Because of this, he needs to be shielded from outside dangers."
"And you think that I am a danger?" asks Anna.
"No…, that's not exactly what I was thinking," replies Elsa feeling even a little more ashamed about her comments.
"It's OK, Elsa. I think I might understand your outburst," says Anna trying to reassure Elsa. "You have always been protective of those that you care about, and I know you care about Kristian. The thing is you are not the only one that cares about him. Kristian may be your boyfriend, but he is also my friend."
That's right, and Kristian is a friend to us all!" chirps Olaf. "He has been palling around with me all the time."
"And it is not always been by my choice," adds Kristian sarcastically.
Kristoff laughs, while Anna and Elsa just smile. Then Elsa says, "I guess that I am a little too protective. I just had a sense that you really didn't want to talk about your past."
"There really isn't much to talk about," replies Kristian. Then after a slight hesitation he continues. "You all already know how most of my life was like. My early years, I was almost always moving from one place to another with my mother. That didn't leave a lot of time to celebrate Christmas. Mom did her best, but the Christmases were rather meager. Then when we lived on the mountain, and Goran did not celebrate anything."
"You didn't celebrate Christmas at all?" inquires Olaf. "No tree, no sparklies, and no yummy treats. That is so sad. Christmas is the happiest time of the entire winter. I remember how wondrous all of my Christmases have been."
"Olaf, you've only celebrated one Christmas before this one," interjects Kristoff.
"Yes, and it was my best Christmas ever!" chirps Olaf.
"Ya, well, mom still tried to have a simple Christmas," continues Kristian. "However, the only tree we had was a single branch; and the decorations were merely polished stones."
"So this is going to be your first big Christmas," comments Anna.
"Yes, it will be the first one where I will be spending it with more than one person," replies Kristian. "And it will be the first full size Christmas tree that I will have the chance to sit around."
"Speaking of trees, shouldn't we be getting this one inside?" inquires Kristoff. "She is a big one and I can't haul her by myself."
"Sure, I'll give you a hand," replies Kristian as he moves to aid Kristoff. "We've gone far enough down memory lane for now."
"Yes, but we have just begun to create the memories of tomorrow," adds Elsa. "And I think we need a special tree to help begin those new memories."
"I thought we already found our tree?" asks Anna a little puzzled by Elsa's comment.
That is the perfect tree for inside the palace," replies Elsa. "What I'm thinking about now is a tree for the courtyard." Then Elsa raises her hand. As she does, Elsa begins to create a large Christmas tree made out of ice. This tree made of ice is built by Elsa in the center of the courtyard, and it continues to grow until it can be seen above the courtyard walls. As the tree finishes its growth, Elsa begins to create ornaments made of ice. In one area of the tree, Elsa makes several special shaped ornaments. These ornaments look exactly like Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, Kristian, Sven, Mattias, and Elsa.
"Oh, pretty," exclaims Olaf as he gazes at the tree. "It's even all sparkly!"
"It's beautiful, Elsa," adds Anna. "You're aiming to out do what you did last year!"
"I don't know about out doing last year's displays, but I do hope to keep thinks fresh for everyone," replies Elsa. "I would hate to become boring to the people of Arendelle."
"I don't think you could ever be boring," responds Anna. "You are the Queen of Arendelle! Everything you do would interest people. Your magic only adds another wrinkle to the people's fascination."
"I guess that I will have to learn to live with their fascination," comments Elsa. "Still, it is better than trying to avoid their recrimination of my abilities. Considering what could have happened, I've been very blessed."
"It is the Kingdom of Arendelle that has been blessed, and so have I," replies Anna. "I've been blessed with having you for a sister."
"I feel the same way towards you," says Elsa with a smile.
Then after a brief moment Olaf chirps up. "So what's next? Are you going to bling up the rest of the courtyard?"
"Not right now," replies Elsa still smiling. "I think the rest of the day needs to be spent on decorating the real tree with my family and my closest friends."
"Right, then Kristian and I should get this tree up into the family quarters," says Kristoff as he goes and grabs the tree.
"Sure," replies Kristian as he goes to take a hold on the tree opposite to Kristoff. Then Kristoff and Kristian pull the tree off the sled.
"Here, let me lend a hand!" exclaims Olaf as he comes running up to the tree.
Olaf manages to catch the peak of the tree as it falls off of the sled. However, Olaf disappears into the branches of the tree; and only his legs stick out of the bottom. For a moment, Olaf begins to walk in the wrong direction. By doing so, he begins to affect the direction that Kristoff and Kristian are carrying the tree.
"Olaf, what are you doing back there?" exclaims Kristoff. "The front door is in that direction!"
"I can't see where I am going!" exclaims Olaf. Then after a moment, Olaf's head pops out above the tree. The snowman had attached his stick arms to the side of his head. Then he climbed his head up out of the branches.
"Olaf?!" exclaims Kristian as he sees the snowman's head sitting above the tree.
"Ready, guys!" exclaims Olaf as he waves one of his stick arms. "Let's get this bird's nest inside!"
Both Anna and Elsa giggle at this sight. Then the two ladies lead the boys inside the palace. Then with a little grunting and groaning, the boys manage to work the tree up stairs to the private family quarters. Then after a short breather, Anna and Elsa direct Kristoff and Kristian where they would like the tree to be placed. Then after a little fumbling around, the two guys manage to get the tree to stand upright. Finally, the family tree for Anna and Elsa is in place.
With Kristoff's and Kristian's work done, the two guys move over to the couch. Once there, they both sit down onto the couch with fatigue. Then with the guys out of the way, Anna and Elsa begin to go to work on decorating the tree. For the rest of the evening, everyone is busy decorating the tree. Even the guys get involved as they help Anna and Elsa to reach the upper branches of the tree. As they work on decorating, Mattias contently sits in the fire place. His fire helps to provide light to these busy workers.
Next morning, Elsa is up early as usual. She had just sat herself down at the table in the private dining room, when Kristian comes walking into the room. Elsa looks up and greets her favorite gentleman. "Good morning, Kristian. Did you have a pleasant sleep?"
"I've got no complaints," replies Kristian as he sits himself down across from Elsa. "It was a pretty average night for me. Luckily, there was no fire this morning." Once Kristian is seated, the servants begin to go to work to serve Elsa and Kristian their morning breakfast.
"That is some good news," says Elsa with a devilish smirk on her face. "That means I won't have to pay for a new set of sheets this time."
"Hey, it's been a couple of weeks since I last set my bedding on fire," replies Kristian with a smile and a hint of disapproval. "And if you are so concerned about the bedding, I will gladly pay for all the sheets that I have already burned up."
In response, Elsa begins to laugh. Then she says, "You don't have to be concerned about the sheets. I consider it part of my duty. You are my guest at the palace. Besides, for everything that you have done for Arendelle and me, I consider a few burnt sheets a minor problem."
"I just consider what I've been doing as me earning my keep," replies Kristian. As Kristian has been talking with Elsa, he happens to notice a piece of paper sitting next to Elsa. "So, what is that you've got there?" inquires Kristian as he nods towards the paper. "Is that the work you are going to be doing today?"
"In a way," replies Elsa. "I'm just organizing a list of things that need to be done over the winter months. With the fiord waters beginning to freeze over, activity in the village is settling down. So there is little demand for my time. This is just something to help me keep the kingdom in order."
"Then today you have a free day," says Kristian. "Is there anything special that you have in mind to do?"
"I thought that Anna and I would go see our parents today," replies Elsa. "Since Kristoff will be attending to Goran's mausoleum today, I thought that Anna and I could have a solemn celebration at our parent's memorial."
"Then this will just be a day for the two of you," comments Kristian. "Very well, I shall find something to preoccupy my time. I believe the cooks and the bakers could use a hand today. They always seem to like the way I can control the temperature in a baking oven."
"Yes, you could work with the kitchen staff; but I wouldn't mind if you came with Anna and me, today," replies Elsa. "I mean if you don't mind listening to a couple of ladies reminiscing over the loss of their parents."
"Um… sure, it won't be a problem for me to come; but are you sure you don't want to share this moment with just Anna?" questions Kristian.
"Even if you are there, it will not be a bother," replies Elsa. "I've spent all of my life trying to keep secrets. Now I don't want to do that anymore. So in a way, I actually want you there. It would be nice to share things with someone other than my sister."
"All right, I will come with you today," says Kristian. "Besides, how can I not say yes to spending time with two beautiful ladies?"
"You better be talking about Anna and me," replies Elsa with a smile. "Or are there two other attractive ladies you are talking about?"
Kristian smiles a little. Then he says, "I wish that I was fortunate enough to have two other ladies on the side. It certainly would make life more fun."
"Oh, you devil!" exclaims Elsa with a slight laugh, as she creates a snowball. Then Elsa projects the snowball towards Kristian.
Kristian was expecting this move. So he just laughs as Kristian quickly raises a flaming hand into the air. With this hand, Kristian is easily able to vaporize the snowball away. "I take it that you don't approve of my last comment," says Kristian with a smile.
Elsa giggles a little. Then she says with a smile, "Of course not. What women would want to have their guy spending time with another lady?"
"OK, I get the message," replies Kristian with a smile. "I will only be spending time with one beautiful lady, you."
"Good," says Elsa with a smile. "And if you don't, you know what you will be getting from me."
"I know, a genuine cold shoulder. If not the deep freeze," replies Kristian with a smile.
"Correct, but I was thinking more in line with a cold seat," says Elsa with a giggle.
With this statement, Elsa begins to cause ice to form on the legs of the chair that Kristian is sitting on. This ice quickly moves up the legs of the chair. Then the ice begins to cover the seat of the chair itself. It was at this time that Kristian realizes that Elsa is icing over the chair.
In response, Kristian stands up quickly. At the same time, he exclaims with disapproval, "Hey!"
With this reaction from Kristian, Elsa begins to laugh. Then after a brief moment of annoyance, Kristian begins to laugh as well. Then Kristian uses his magic to thaw the chair out. Once the chair thaws, Kristian sits back down at the table. So with the fooling around done for now, Elsa and Kristian are able to enjoy their breakfast with each other's company.
A little later that morning, Elsa and Anna leave the palace to visit the two large stones that represent the memorials to those lost at sea. These stones have taken on a very significant importance for the sisters. This is because Anna and Elsa lost their parents due to a storm at sea. Thus the stones have become the memorial markers for the former king and queen.
Besides Anna and Elsa, two other figures travel with this royal family. One person is Kristian, and the other individual is Olaf. It takes this group a little time to reach the location of the markers. Once there, there was a brief moment of silence as Elsa and Anna remember the loss of their parents.
Finally, Anna speaks up. "Elsa, do you remember all of the attention that our parents gave us? It was like they would almost not leave us alone."
"I know," replies Elsa. "Mom and dad got very protective after our accident. They wanted to make sure that you and I were both safe."
"I can understand why they might have wanted to keep us safe. Any parent would try and do the same. Yet, why did they keep us so busy? There was always a subject we had to study." says Anna.
"It was partly because we were the children of the king," replies Elsa. "Since I was heir to the throne, it was important that I was well educated. Though, I must admit that they might have pushed our education a little harder than normal. I think it was their way of keeping us too busy to truly interact. In truth, I didn't mind all the studying. It helped to keep my mind off my problem. The problem I was having with my magical abilities."
"Well they didn't keep us apart all of the time," comments Anna as she walks up next to Elsa. Then Anna wraps an arm around her sister. Then with a smile, Anna continues. "We did have several meals together as a family."
"I guess so," replies Elsa as she contemplates Anna's comment.
"We also had some studies together as well," adds Anna with a grin. "I thought ballroom etiquette was rather fun."
"Yes, that was rather enjoyable," replies Elsa with a slight smile. "I do remember you twirling around quite a lot during those lessons."
"Of course," says Anna with a big grin on her face. Then Anna steps away from Elsa. Then Anna begins to sway and swirl a little as she dances in the snow. While doing this, Anna says "I got to pretend that I was at a dance with music and lots of people. It was also a time that I actually got to be with you, even if our parents kept our interaction under control. Still, I couldn't help but enjoy those little moments."
"I sort of enjoyed those moments as well," responds Elsa. "I was still worried about harming you and our parents, but it did feel nice to be included."
"It was so unfair to you the way that you had to be isolated," says Anna. "Yet, you have to admit that our parents did try to make the best of the situation. They always tried to find ways to include you in everything that we did as a family. I remember the nights were we would stargaze out on the bridge. It felt so magical out there under the stars."
"I know what you mean. The magic during those nights seemed to make my own powers seem less significant," adds Elsa. "Those nights made me feel like I was part of the family again."
"I'm sure there were other times as well," continues Anna. "In fact, we are approaching one of those times right now."
"Yes, Christmas was always enjoyable," adds Elsa. "Besides, winter was always my favorite time of year as a child. Any problems that I had with my magic could easily be explained by the weather. So I was able to relax a little. Now that I think about it, that may have helped me to control my powers better."
"All I knew back then was that you were there," replies Anna. "I know that I tried to play with you during Christmas and there were a few times that we did play together. However, we never were able to play alone; but now I know why. Yet, Christmas was always a wonderful time."
"There was always so much love during Christmas," adds Elsa. "I could feel it coming from our parents and from you. It is the reason that I wanted to come here with you. I had such a hard time dealing with my abilities after hearing about the death of our parents. Because of my magic, I couldn't be there for you. Now I want to make that up to you, and to remember the love that our parents had for us."
With this said, Elsa begins to use her powers to create a Christmas tree out of ice. Then next to this tree, Elsa creates two full size replicas of her parents out of ice. In these replicas, Elsa's father has his arm around Elsa's mother. Of course both parents are smiling in a loving way.
Once done with the ice sculptures, Elsa begins to decorate the two memorial stones with intricate designs made of ice. When Elsa was done with all of her work, the display nearly resembled the private family quarters in the palace.
"There, what do you think?" then asks Elsa as she is satisfied with the work that she has done.
"It is beautiful, Elsa; but it is not quite done yet," replies Anna.
"Not done?" asks a puzzled Elsa. "I thought that I captured everything perfectly. I got all the important parts of the tree and our parents. Plus, I think my replica of the family quarters is fairly good. What more does it need?"
"Everything that you have created is perfect. It's just missing one thing, a sense of family," replies Anna.
"Family?" questions Elsa.
"Yes, you've got our parents; but where are the two of us?" replies Anna with a smile.
"Oh, is that what you want to see?" says Elsa with a smile. "You want a whole family event." So Elsa quickly creates two full sized images of Anna and herself as children. While these young replicas of the girls are happy in appearance, they are also reserved in what they are doing.
"That's a better feeling for a family, but you sort of missing the feeling of Christmas," comments Anna. "I really like the love you have being portrayed by our parents, but where is our excitement for Christmas? I don't know about you, but I was always excited to see what I was going to get for presents."
"Too much of a family portrait here, huh," replies Elsa as she examines her work. "All right, you want to see some childhood excitement." So Elsa creates presents under the tree. Then Elsa changes the images of Anna and her to show the excitement for the gifts. "Yes, that is better; but it is not quite right," comment Elsa. So Elsa changes the sculpture again. This time Elsa has Anna tearing into one of the presents, and Elsa has herself carefully opening another present.
"Yes, I am liking this," comments Anna. "This is how I remember our Christmases being like."
"I will agree with you. This is definitely better," adds Elsa. "Yet, I think I can make one slight improvement." So with this comment, Elsa alters the sculpture once again. This time, the Anna sculpture is holding a doll in her arms with the biggest smile you ever did see. As for the Elsa sculpture, she was holding a tiara. You could also see a very bright smile on her face as well.
"Oh Elsa, you remembered my favorite doll!" exclaims Anna. "I was so overjoyed when I received it! Even today, I cherish it. I have it safely stored away in its own box."
"I remember you being fond of that doll," replies Elsa with a smile. "It was the happiest that I ever remember you being."
Then Anna looks over at the ice sculpture of Elsa and examines the gift in its hands. "You seem to be really happy with your gift too, Elsa," comments Anna. "You were so reserved in your actions back then, but I do remember you being very happy when you received that tiara."
"It was more than just a tiara to me, Anna," replies Elsa. "It was my first crown, given to me by our father. That tiara meant everything to me. It represented my royal heritage. Since our father gave it to me, it meant that he accepted me as his daughter. He was willing to accept me even with the problems that I could cause with my magic. That simple tiara made me feel like his daughter. It made me part of the family."
While Elsa was speaking, Anna could see a slight tear form on her sister's face. Yet, Elsa was still smiling. So when Elsa finished speaking, Anna walks up to her sister and gives her a long hug. In response, Elsa holds tightly onto her sister.
Finally, the sisters release each other. Then Anna says, "You have always been part of the family. In fact, right now you are the most important part of this family; and I am glad that you have allowed me to be a part of your life."
"How could I not allow you into my life," replies Elsa with a grin. "You kept on pestering me. I had to let you in otherwise you would never stop."
With a smile of annoyance, Anna gives Elsa a slight shove on her arm. Then she says with a smile, "You're one to speak. I had to be pushy. Otherwise you would have never allowed anyone get close to you, little miss leave me alone!"
After this back and forth banter, Elsa and Anna burst into laughter. While the sisters are laughing, Olaf speaks to Kristian. "Isn't Christmas the best time of year? It's a time when love is freely shared, and family becomes the most important thing to all those involved."
"Yes, family is important," says Kristian somberly as he watches Anna and Elsa interact. Then after a moment of watching, Kristian drops his head slightly and stares at the ground.
Olaf notices this action. So he asks, "Hey Kristian, are you OK?"
For a moment, Kristian is quiet. Then he says quietly, "I've got to go." So without another word, Kristian turns and begins to walk away.
"Kristian, where are you going?" asks Olaf out of concern.
"To be with family," replies Kristian without turning to look at Olaf. So in this manner, Kristian continues to walk away.
"But…, I thought that we were your family," says Olaf quietly.
(I really struggled with this interaction between Anna and Elsa here. However, I thought that it was important because it affects Kristian's next action. I think I almost spent three weeks working on this chapter.)
