Chapter 4: Back to Arendelle
The night sky is clear as Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf make their way along the path that leads them from the Valley of the Living Rock back to Arendelle. Elsa is showing little signs of fear as every now and then a little bit of ice, or snow, appears and disappears as she worries over Grand Pabbie's revelation of the danger from the Duke of Weselton.
"Maybe, I shouldn't have cut off all trade with that little weasel?" she mutters
"Elsa?" replies Anna
"I'm worried Anna, I don't think Arendelle has ever faced a crisis like this, well not for a very long time, I can't even remember Papa mentioning Arendelle ever being attacked or going into battle.
"I don't mean to alarm you Elsa," interjects Kristoff, "but, you are leaving little patches of ice and snow here and there," pointing to the small patches of ice and snow appearing.
"I know, it's because, well, because I am a little scared, I'm fighting it but, well, I have a lot on my mind, I'll have to talk to Kai as soon as we get back to the castle."
"Elsa," says Anna then pausing, "you did the right thing with that weasel, I mean," her voice getting a little high pitched, "he sent his two goons to your ice castle to kill you, and at least you didn't have to suffer the way my feet did when I danced with him." A smile appears on Anna's face.
Elsa looks at her and smiles back.
"Well yes your feet did suffer that night."
The two laugh and with that the little patches of ice and snow stop happening as Elsa's mind is distracted from the fear it was feeling.
"I don't understand, what is an enemy?" asks Olaf
"And I hope you never find out Olaf;" responds Kristoff, "let's just say it's someone who really doesn't like you."
"But how can anyone not like Elsa and Anna?" asks Olaf smiling at Anna and Elsa
The two girls smile at Olaf's statement.
"Yeah, it's hard to know how anyone couldn't like these two, and maybe even love them" Kristoff replies looking directly at Anna, who blushes.
"Actually, changing the subject, something I don't understand Elsa, why do you prefer to ride around in my sled when I'm sure you must have a magnificent Royal Carriage to travel in?"
"Oh..oh yes we do, it's gathering dust in the east storeroom of the castle, Momma and Papa never took it out either, they believed it to be a bit pretentious, they didn't like to be seen to be better than the people, but as one of them and I will continue that tradition. The people of Arendelle deserve a King, or Queen as in my case who is just one of them."
Elsa pauses for a few seconds trying to retrieve a memory.
"You know, that awful carriage was a gift from the Duke Weselton to our parents Anna, he's been trying to weasel his way into Arrendelle for a long time."
"Geez I just remembered, I was outside in the courtyard before your Coronation Elsa, and I remember hearing him saying something about opening the gates and exploiting Arendelle's riches."
Elsa and Anna look at each other and get a little annoyed look on their face, then the sled rounds the corner and the lights of Arendelle come into view.
"Home at last." says Anna smiling.
Kristoff's sleigh pulls into the courtyard of Arendelle Castle and is greeted by some Palace Staffers and Guards. Kristoff gets off first and helps Elsa down from the sleigh.
"Your majesty" he says to Elsa smiling.
Elsa laughs a little, "I must admit, I don't think I'll ever get use to that, thank you."
She turns to one of Palace Guards.
"Sir, can you inform Kai that I need to see him straight away on a matter of urgency."
"Right away your Majesty." He responds punctually
"I think I am going to have to change that, anyway, I must go, I'll see you later," she shrugs her shoulders. "Queen stuff."
"I'll be around" smiles Anna
Elsa than leaves and enters the castle
"So Kristoff, what are your plans?" asks Anna
"Well, I do need to get some carrots for Sven and as the official Ice Master and Deliverer; I suppose I should make a trip up the mountains and get some ice."
"Well that sounds like fun, would you like some company?"
"Aren't you supposed to be here for King Bjorn tomorrow?"
Anna's face becomes a frown. "Oh...I forgot about that, oh I don't want to meet Hans's father, he might be nice and all that, but he's still Hans's father."
"Well, you are the Princess and you have to do what Princesses' have to do."
Anna frowns more and folds her arms in frustration.
"I'll go with you Kristoff." says Olaf with enthusiasm.
Kristoff pauses and thinks for a moment
"Why not"
"Great, my first road trip."
"Kristoff, are you trying to avoid something?" asks Anna with a cheeky grin.
Kristoff, looking a little embarrassed: "Ahhh, I don't think so."
"Well you know, a little question to my sister, after all I have known you for more than one day, nearly a year now."
"Yes, we have haven't we, but."
"I know your last name Mr Bjorgman and that you have brown eyes."
"Well that's good but you know your sister."
"I've had many a meal with you, your table manners could improve."
"Hey" he says smiling.
"I have even seen you pick your nose."
"What, oh yeah sorry about that, but hey, I've seen all your habits too you know."
"Wait, what, I don't have any bad habits."
"Oh no, you play with your food."
"I do not"
"Elsa says you dribble when you sleep."
"What, well I can't help it."
"I've even caught you picking your nose."
"No way, mister, I am a Princess."
"Yes you are and all that adds up to why I love you."
"Ohhhh" coos Anna. "I love you to, so when are you going to speak to Elsa."
"Well I will, but I want to do it right and make sure it's alright and your older sister is in a really good mood, I mean, you remember what happened last time you told her you were getting engaged."
Anna smiles then turns to Sven, then imitating Kristoff, "I think he's afraid of your sister."
"Hey wait, you can't talk like Sven, that's only for me to do."
"Yes she can."
"Sven"
Sven just grins the way a reindeer can.
Anna then walks up to Kristoff and gives him a small kiss.
"I know you will ask, but you're right, now isn't a good time."
"Yeah, I think Elsa has a Duke of a problem right now."
Meanwhile Elsa has entered the great hall where the throne of Arendelle is placed; she notices Kai and immediately calls out to him.
"Kai"
"Yes your majesty, how can I help you?" he answers.
"Kai, Elsa will be just fine, no need for formality except at, you know, official functions."
"Very good Ma'am, I mean Elsa, how can I help?"
Elsa smiles a little, "Kai, we may have a serious crisis, I have just found out that the Duke Weselton maybe planning moves against Arendelle."
Kai, whose expression turns to one of concern.
"That weasel is planning moves against us, outrageous."
Elsa, with equal concern on her face and in her tone:
"Kai, I have no experience, I am going to need your help and advice, what do I do?"
"I would recommend you call a council with Arendelle's top military men, General Vuorinen should definitely be there," he pauses, "but we have King Bjorn arriving tomorrow morning."
Elsa looking frustrated:
"That's right, so much happening at the same time."
"He is also bringing his son Tuomas."
"What, no not another son, the last one was bad enough."
"That would be correct Queen Elsa, sorry, Elsa, but we can't change that, we'll just have to hope he is a lot better than the other one."
"Hmm that won't take much."
"Elsa, I'll schedule the council for tomorrow afternoon, that should give you plenty of time to greet King Bjorn and Prince Tuomas, actually, if the Southern Isles wants to redeem themselves, they should stand with us against Weasel town, after all, before that business with Prince Hans, the Southern Isles had always been our closest ally, their formidable navy would be very advantageous."
"Yes, Grand Pabbie told me of how the king and my father were close, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to ask, oh make sure my sister and Kristoff are on the council."
"Princess Anna and Kristoff?"
"Yes, Anna needs to learn and who knows, maybe Kristoff's experience as an ice harvester may come in handy, I'll bet he knows every possible way into and out of Arendelle through those mountains."
"Very good, Queen sorry so use to formality, Elsa, I will have all arranged by morning when King Bjorn arrives."
He bows to Elsa and walks off into the castle.
