Even though the winter months were well behind the small country, Arendelle's late spring mornings were still chilly. Kristoff wore some extra layers to ward off the cold and some of the soldiers on guard duty were shivering. Elsa wouldn't need it, he thought, she can handle anything cold. However, the events of the past two days caused him to wonder if that was really true.
A messenger had been sent to the ice harvester village where they attended the celebration and returned yesterday afternoon with Jole and Kirt. Since then, they had been helping Kristoff prepare the supplies they would need for their trip into the mountains.
Like many ice harvesters, Kristoff included, Jole and Kirt had a flare for humor and would joke around to bring fun to their often dreary and hard lives. However, when there was work to do, all humor fell to the wayside and professionalism asserted itself. They knew that ice harvesting in the mountains was a dangerous business. The recent avalanche illustrated that. Even the simplest mistake could have dire consequences, so they put all their focus into ensuring they were prepared for any dangers, especially when it came to the safety of their queen.
Kristoff was double checking the supply list for his sleigh when he heard the sound of footsteps behind him. He turned to find Captain Jokkon approaching with the three guards he had chosen to accompany them on the trip.
"Ice Master," the captain greeted, extending his hand.
"Captain," Kristoff replied as he grasped it in a firm handshake.
"How go the preparations?"
"We just started double checking the supplies."
The captain nodded and signaled his men. They saluted and left to assist Jole and Kirt.
"I've been meaning to ask," Kristoff said once they were out of earshot. "Have you discovered anything new about the smuggling rumors?"
The captain gave a tired sigh. "Unfortunately no. While the contraband items you found have been a great clue for the investigation, we have only been able to conclude that we are just being used as a conduit for smuggling operations elsewhere."
"So the items found could have been sold by mistake?"
"That's what we think. Queen Elsa hopes that this is as far as those lowlifes go. We don't have…" He trailed off. Kristoff guessed that he was worried someone might overhear and divulge information that would compromise Arendelle's security. Kristoff knew the difficulties Jokkon and Elsa faced in keeping order. Sure, most of her people loved her, but there were always the few who would seek to exploit Arendelle.
"I know," Kristoff said as he got back to checking his sleigh. The captain strode toward some guards who were looking on to give final instructions.
After half an hour the castle doors opened and Elsa and Anna emerged. Anna was dressed in traveling attire similar to what she wore during their journey to Elsa's ice palace. Elsa had forgone her traditional ice dress and wore something more suitable for the journey.
They were followed by an ever-jovial Olaf, who was constantly shifting his attention between Anna and Elsa. As they got closer, Kristoff noticed something was different about Anna. He watched her as she looked at the wagons and sleigh with an excited expression on her face. She grabbed Elsa's hand and dragged her in Kristoff's direction.
That's it! Anna wasn't sleepy! She seemed very alert as she approached Kristoff.
"Morning, Feisty Pants," Kristoff greeted. "Good morning, Elsa."
"Why do you sound more formal when you talk to my sister?" Anna demanded.
Kristoff looked at Elsa for a second then back at her. "Because she is the queen." He gave a dramatic bow. Anna snickered and Elsa rolled her eyes.
"By the way," Kristoff said, changing the subject. "How are you so awake? You're usually as tired as a bear after hibernating for a full year."
"A bear?" Elsa asked.
"You're comparing me to a bear?" Anna was aghast.
"Uh…" Kristoff didn't like how this was turning out.
"Bears are very big you know," Olaf pointed out as he hopped on Sven's back.
"Not helping, Olaf," Kristoff said.
"I think he is," Elsa said. "Bears do have a lot of fat on them."
"Kristoff thinks I'm fat?" Anna asked in horror.
"Wouldn't be the first time someone thought one of us was fat."
"Someone thought you were fat, Elsa?" Anna said looking ready to punch someone.
"Yep."
"Who was it? If it was that rude merchant who wanted you to try that vegetarian diet I'm going-"
"It was you."
Anna was dumbstruck.
"Don't worry guys," Olaf said. "A doctor once told me people need fat to survive."
Kristoff, Anna and Elsa looked at each other for a few seconds before bursting into fits of hysterics.
"What did I say?" Olaf asked confused at this sudden turn in events. They just laughed harder.
"Ahem!" They all turned their heads to see that Captain Jokkon was looking at them with a smirk, though he still had an air of professionalism about him. "If we are all satisfied with our fatness, we can leave whenever you are ready, Highness."
"Ah yes, of course," Elsa said, trying to salvage what dignity she could. "We are ready." She turned to Kristoff. "Let's depart."
Kristoff gave a slight nod. "At once, Elsa." He helped the sisters and Olaf into his sleigh and made sure Sven was properly hitched before climbing in himself. The others piled on the other two wagons and with a short word from Elsa, they were off.
As they traveled through the streets of Arendelle, people started to take notice of their party. At first it was only one or two people plus the occasional sleepy child wishing them a safe trip. Then, as word spread, more people came to see their queen and princess off.
Kristoff watched from the corner of his eye as Elsa freely interacted with her people. She gave two small children little ice figurines and smiled as they enthusiastically thanked her. All too soon, they reached the town limits and the crowds departed and returned to their daily lives.
The trip to the Valley of the Living Rock passed without incident and they found themselves at the border before noon. Elsa ordered the others to stay behind while she, Anna, Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf went to talk with Grand Pabbie. Captain Jokkon protested being left behind.
"Are you sure, your majesty?" He asked. "I don't like the idea of leaving you or Princess Anna without an escort."
"There is no danger, Captain," Elsa replied. "The trolls guard their borders vigilantly and have been of great help to our country in the past. Besides," she said with a smile. "There are few people who can best me in a fight."
Captain Jokkon still didn't appear satisfied, but seemed unwilling to argue the matter further. The soldiers and ice harvesters dismounted and secured the wagons while the small party departed.
After half an hour of walking, they came upon the clearing populated by round boulders of various sizes. Some were as small as Olaf's stomach, while others were big as barrels. Silence permeated the air but it brought peace, not emptiness.
"I'll try and wake them up," Kristoff said walking ahead. "Hey everyone! Were back!" he called out as Olaf and Sven hurried to catch up with the sisters not far behind.
The response was immediate. All the boulders started rolling toward the party, transforming into trolls when they stopped. Soon Elsa and her friends were surrounded once again by the merry race who tackled them in their joy.
Kristoff watched as the queen smiled and answered as many of the questions fired at her as possible. It didn't take long for her to captivate the little troll children with her snow powers. The first couple of times he brought the sisters with him to visit the trolls after the Great Thaw, she had been nervous at best. However, she soon grew to enjoy their rambunctious company.
"Ahh, Kristoff," Kristoff heard the gravelly voice of Grand Pabbie behind him and turned to see the kind, old troll smiling up at him.
"Hi, Grand Pabbie," Kristoff greeted kneeling down.
"It is good to see you again, my boy."
"You, too. We actually have a question – Oof!" Kristoff exclaimed as three small trolls tackled him, demanding that he pick them up.
"How can I do that when I'm pinned!" he complained.
"You carry ice blocks all over the place, Kristoff," one of them said. "Hurry up."
As the little trolls led him away, Kristoff saw Elsa approach Grand Pabbie. Content to let her do the talking, he focused on his game with the little ones. He and Anna again found themselves the objects of attention of the adult trolls who, to his astonishment, only asked once this time when they were going to get married. As usual, Kristoff replied that they hadn't thought of marriage yet and wanted to just be good friends first. Thankfully, the trolls let the matter drop and continued with their fun and games.
Eventually, it was time for the trolls to return to their normal activities. Olaf went off to watch some of the younger ones while Kristoff and Anna stayed with Bulda, who wanted them to tell her about the ice harvester party they attended. When Kristoff finished, Anna told her about the purpose for their visit.
They talked for a while until they heard the voices of Grand Pabbie and Elsa. They looked behind them and saw the two approaching, still deep in conversation.
"It will mean a lot to me if you agree to come, Grand Pabbie," Elsa said.
"I know, Your Majesty," Grand Pabbie said. He paused for a moment, looking around the clearing at the trolls he had taken care of for many years. "I will come."
Bulda quickly rolled over to her father. "But you haven't left the valley for a long time," she protested. "None of us have."
"I know my daughter. But this power Elsa senses may affect us all if not contained. It feels familiar yet dangerous to me. I can't quite place my finger on it though. That's why I go to help Queen Elsa."
Bulda sighed. "Well then. If you are going, you will need a few things."
She rolled away as Grand Pabbie looked on with a smile on his face. "She has always been rather strict when it comes to my wellbeing."
Kristoff chuckled. "I remember when she thought I forgot to bring my cap one time. I had to endure one of her lectures for an hour."
Grand Pabbie chuckled at the memory. "Yes indeed. When my daughter returns we can leave, Elsa." He looked skyward. "The days are nearing their longest, so we should have plenty of time left for traveling."
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