Chapter Seven: What it Means to Rule

"So Queen Elsa consented to the plan?" I asked rather puzzled. She seemed rather resolved against it before and with good reason. "Why?"

Kai shrugged. "I really don't know. She never told me what happened when they talked. I suppose Captain Westergard convinced her it was the only way. And it was what won us the war."

My mind swirled in horror. I simply couldn't imagine my sweet and loving aunt as a monster murdering innocents.

"It didn't come to that," the steward assured me as if he read what I was thinking. "By God's mercy, she was spared from committing an atrocity that could have ended many lives. Weselton surrendered in less than two days. Queen Elsa didn't even need to create an ice storm."

I felt enormously relieved at that, though I felt discomfited that my aunt decided to commit mass murder to end the war. I wondered what Admiral Westergard said to her to convince her to make such a decision. I wanted to ask Kai for the full details of what happened but we already reached my quarters and he was gesturing to my door.

"Do hurry and get dressed Your Highness. Princess Anna expects you down in the main hall in half an hour," Kai said.

"Of course," I said. "Thanks for sharing it with me Kai." He gave me a short bow then walked away to resume his duties. I was about to enter my door when Kai stopped and called out.

"Prince Fredrik, don't judge Queen Elsa too harshly. When you rule, sometimes there are decisions you cannot help but make for the greater good."

I nodded and thanked him again. I entered my room and sat down at the edge of my bed. I thought for a long moment what he said. When I become king would I ever be faced with such a moral decision? And if I was, would I be making the right one?

I let out a few ice sparks from my hands and I watched it rain little snowflakes on my bedroom. For the first time in my life I realized what this this gift truly meant. This power can promote both good and evil. Yet sometimes, it's hard to discern which is which. I prayed I would never have to face that question in my life.

I suddenly remembered I was expected downstairs in a few minutes. And I wanted to hear more stories about the war before the formalities of the victory celebrations went on. I took the quickest change in my life though it didn't seem fast enough. I wish I could learn how Aunt Elsa changes her outfits using only her ice powers. It would be so much more convenient.

I was out of my door in ten minutes. The moment I stepped out my room, I was yanked back by the collar.

"Not so fast, Fredrik!" Mama scolded. "Let me look at you." She gave a little laugh. "You've got your buttons all wrong."

I looked down. In my rush to get dressed, I've inserted each of my buttons one hole away from the right one making my shirt look lopsided. She fixed them as I tapped my foot impatiently.

"Now I want you to be in your best behavior. We are hosting a victory ball for all the returning sailors of Arendelle and there will be a special toast for the homeguard as well."

"Will the ice harvesters be there?" I asked.

"Of course they will and so would I," a familiar voice spoke from behind me. I turned-ran to hug the tall man that appeared.

"Good to have you back, Papa," I said. I haven't seen him in a week as he was patrolling the mountains with his group of ice harvesters. Olaf was with him and so I figured he returned when the snowman met me in the square.

"Kristoff," Mama cried happily before they sandwiched me in a three-way hug. They shared a lingering kiss that went on for a minute until I squirmed out of the way in disgust. They finally broke apart and Papa gave one final kiss to Mama on her cheek before kissing her on the top of her round stomach. He reached out and ruffled my hair.

"And where are you off in such a hurry?" he asked.

"I want to hear more stories about the war from the returning soldiers," I said.

"Don't you want to hear stories about my side of the war?" he asked.

"You weren't in the war, Papa."

He gave a pout. "Of course I was. I was patrolling the mountains. And did you know that we captured some pirates just now?"

I gaped open. "You did?"

"Didn't Olaf tell you?"

I shook my head.

"That Olaf is really quite the commander," Papa said wistfully.

"Are we talking about the same cuddly, eternally cheerful, carrot-nosed-snowman-with-a-personal-flurry-Olaf here?" I asked.

"Yup, you haven't seen his tough side yet."

"He has a tough side?" Mama asked.

Papa laughed. "It turns out he did. Come on walk with me and I'll tell you all about it..."

It's been a week since I've seen a different view apart from the snowy-white mountains. Patrol duty was starting to get to me and all I could think of was to get back home in front of the fire and have my darling wife and children cuddle next to me. But I knew that their safety was a priority and so here I was, my scraggly beard scratching my face while the cold stung my cheeks.

I sat on a boulder and huddled close to Sven for warmth as I stared into the valley below where I knew Anna and the kids were probably going about their usual day. I clutched at the golden locket that I wore constantly around my neck—a token reminder of my family and felt comforted that they were still safe though I worried how much longer they will be. It was still the height of summer—a blessing I never forgot to be thankful for. In another month, fall would start and then deadly winter.

"Where are you Elsa?" I whispered into the air. I hoped somehow my words could be carried back to her by the wind. Despite the years I've known her as my sister-in-law, there was something about her ice powers that never ceases to awe me. Ice has been my life from as early as I can remember and I've come to think of her as something that gives me and all the rest of Arendelle life. It was odd but I thought of Elsa sometimes as more of a mother than a sister. She wasn't the warm type that would hug you like my adopted mother Bulda. But she was someone I've always looked up to for troubles I knew I couldn't handle. There was something comforting in knowing that we were all safe with her on the throne. The last few weeks without her left me with a feeling of uneasiness. Anna was doing the best she can, though I felt it wasn't the same. I knew that if anything happened to Elsa and Anna would take the throne I would do everything I can to support her reign. But I knew I wouldn't be much help. I wasn't looking forward to becoming a prince consort to the queen. I would be terrible at it.

A chilly breeze whipped the loose strands of my hair that escaped my cap. I wished for it to bring my message to its mistress: "We need you home soon, Elsa. Do what needs to be done. Just come back."

The four ice harvesters that accompanied me on patrol were busy cooking our lunch. They were singing together a familiar harvesting song. Normally I would be the first to lead them into the chorus but I wasn't really up to it.

Crack!

The sound was faint but it was definitely something. I stood up and shushed my companions.

"What's wrong Kristoff?" one of them asked.

"I heard something," I whispered.

A tense silence hung in the air and my ears pricked as I listened closely. This time I recognized a raspy voice. I took out my harvesting blade and silently motioned my men to do the same.

Suddenly there were angry voices. Men—dozens of them in filthy rags, armed to the teeth with eyes blazing wildly were all around us.

"Drop yer weapons lad if you want to live," threatened one tall man with dirty dark hair and a beard that covered most of his face. His eyes were bloodshot and he had a desperate look about him that made me realize he had no qualms about shooting me and my companions if I made a wrong move. We gently laid down our weapons onto the snow-covered ground.

"They have food!" one of the wild men cried over our half-cooked meal. A scuffle ensured among our captors as they fought over our stores. Our packs were seized and they began stuffing themselves with our rations.

"Who are you?" I demanded from the man that threatened me. He was among the few that restrained themselves from gorging like the rest and were still pointing pistols at our heads.

"We're the victims of that monster you call queen," he replied, spitting the last word as if it disgusted him.

"She's not a monster!" I cried out in protested.

"Oh yes she is," he hissed at me. He came forward so close I almost choked at his foul stench. "Do you know what that creature did? She left us to die when she trapped us between two walls of ice for weeks until our stores ran out."

"What do you mean?" I asked, puzzled. The Elsa I knew would never knowingly harm anyone.

"That witch built a second wall after the first one around Arendelle. Not even our cannons can break down either wall and we were left without a way out. Our men were starving so we scaled the mountains to search for food. It was a death trap. We started off with more than three hundred men on twenty ships. This is all that's left."

I realized they were the pirates that attacked us just before Elsa's wall appeared. The fishermen reported that the pirate vessels beyond the wall haven't been sighted in days. We presumed they had gone off perhaps to resupply or get reinforcements. Never could I have imagined that Elsa built a second wall that entrapped our own besiegers. I couldn't help but admire the sheer brilliance of Elsa's use of her powers. She not only protected us from the pirates but also found a way to reduce their numbers without needing to fire a shot.

Not that this would help myself or my companions. I estimated that there were at least forty or fifty men holding us captive—though they hardly looked like men anymore. They were incredibly thin and their faces were gaunt. I could see some of them had extremities showing signs of frostbite and from the coughs I was hearing most were already sick or dying. These were desperate men and that made them all the more dangerous.

"You will take us to the village," the same man who I now presumed was their leader, ordered.

I stared back defiantly at him. "No."

"Fine then," replied another man with blackened teeth. "I guess your flesh will serve us well tonight."

I gulped in horror though I fought not to show it. If these men were starving for weeks, no doubt cannibalism most likely occurred among their dead. It could only mean we were next. But no matter what they did to me, I will not put my family or any of Arendelle's citizens in danger.

"I'll start with the talkative one," the savage man replied as he raised his knife.

"Wait!" the leader stopped him. He came forward and I saw him looking at something on my chest. The golden locket that Anna gave me on our last wedding anniversary was still hanging outside of my coat. The man grabbed it viciously that the chain snapped. "This is the royal crest of Arendelle," the man said. To my dismay, he opened it. I knew he would find the portraits of Anna and my children inside. He stared at it for a moment before his face lit in a chilling smile.

"We're in luck boys," he told his companions. "This here's the husband of the princess regent. A very valuable hostage. I'm sure his lady wife will open her doors for us if she wants to see him alive. We'll keep him with us. Keep the reindeer too, he'll carry the wounded. Kill the rest."

My companions were forced to kneel on the ground. They cried to me their last messages to their families. All I could do was assure them I would do everything to let their loved ones know of their affections.

Suddenly there was ascream from one of our captors. I looked up and saw that they were pointing at a familiar figure emerging from the north side of the mountain.

"There you are Kristoff!" Olaf said cheerfully. "And who are these guys?"

"It's one of the witch's creatures!" one of the pirates cried at Olaf. There were collective gasps and some men ran back away from the little snowman while crying out:

"It's alive!"

"It's the devil!"

"Keep it away!"

Olaf scratched his head with one of his twig arms. "I'm not sure what you mean. But I'm Olaf and I like warm hugs. And you are…?"

I would have laughed at Olaf's innocence if the situation wasn't so dire. "Olaf, these are pirates that are trying to kill us," I said.

"Oh… so that would explain the pistols and the knife-wielding," he said without missing his cheerful tone. "That's not very nice."

Bang!

A gunshot blew a hole in the middle of Olaf's stomach—if he had a stomach. The snowman looked startled then glanced down at his now gaping midsection. "That's not very nice either!" he protested.

"Olaf, these are bad men!" I cried in exasperation. "They're trying to hurt us!"

"Oh… well in that case," Olaf said as he held his head high. "By the power vested in me by Queen Elsa of Arendelle, pirates, I demand your surrender!"

There was a short pause and then one by one the men began to laugh.

"It's just a silly little snowman," one pirate said. "Let me put it out of its misery."

Bang!

Another shot flew and this time it narrowly missed Olaf's feet—or bottom—or whatever it was he uses to walk.

Bang!

This time the bullet sent his carrot nose flying to his cheek. I was worried that Olaf was getting hurt. However, he just grabbed his nose and fixed it back into place before his face registered obvious annoyance. "Fine, this means… Marshmallows!"

The men continued to laugh.

"What are you going to do send us a box of sweets?" one of the pirates taunted him.

"No," Olaf said as his personal flurry repaired the hole on his body. "You don't deserve them. Marshmallows attack!"

There was a rumble on the ground and the men stopped laughing. Then all across the north mountain the mounds of snow began to rise and several icemen emerged all fluffy and cuddly like Olaf though each was roughly about twelve feet tall.

The men stood in awe then fear as ice spikes appeared on the icemen's skins making them appear like white reptilian giants. The men tried to run but they were no match for Elsa's ice giants which we ice harvesters had long ago fondly renamed the Marshmallow Brigade. Olaf was in the thick of the fighting, pelting snowballs on one fleeing foe after another until they slipped or were bashed by his bigger brothers.

My ice harvester companions and I regained our weapons and together we soon disarmed the pirates and rounded them up. We marched them down the mountain for several hours. The ones that were too weak to walk, I had the ice giants carried. When we reached the bottom of the mountain just outside Oaken's Trading Post, I ordered our group to stop and make camp for the moment. I sent one of my men to call for reinforcements so we could have the prisoners properly secured before proceeding to the village.

"So what are you going to do to us? Freeze us to death?" the leader taunted me.

"No," I told him. I knew he expected a direct execution or perhaps torture. No doubt after seeing Elsa's giants they now feared the worst. I don't even know why I'm bothering to explain but somehow I wanted to show these people that we were no monsters. "When the reinforcements are here, you and your men will have food and have your injuries treated. Then you'll be taken to the castle dungeons where you will await judgment."

The man snorted. "You expect to me believe you will feed us and treat us before you hand out our death sentences. Your princess wife must be a very foolish woman to even bother."

"Food and care are more than what you deserve," I spat back. "But my wife is the most kind-hearted soul in the world and despite what you are and what you've done she'll give you a fair judgment."

"Actually Queen Elsa will judge them," a familiar voice in a thick accent said behind me. I turned around and found Oaken towering over me. A smile was plastered on his face as he announced: "The Queen is back. War is over! No more siege. And now I can re-open with a big summer blowout!"

Author's Note: I'm a little stuck on my serious plotlines so I decided to add a light-hearted chapter for once. I must admit, I wrote this primarily just to make Olaf say "I demand your surrender" and also to give a little spotlight on Kristoff and his own role in the war.