A/N: Sorry you guys for the weird update. I had meant to give you guys an author's note in the previous chapter to explain that for part of my absence I was on an annual family trip to the mountains for a week and before that I was pre-occupied with other activities and another project. I also felt like if I had posted an author's note in the previous chapter that it would congested. Anyhow, I apologize for the inconsistency in updates and I would like for you guys to know that I plan to update the story more frequently than a month in-between each chapter. In addition, I was ready to post this chapter sooner (8/6), but I had waited out a day to realize that I made a big boo-boo and had to fix it before it was posted. So…here you guys go: the fixed chapter.

Anna, Kristoff, and Kirsten had spent some time window shopping and playing a few games with the children. After two hours of absorbing the happy and simplistic lifestyle among the Arendelle citizens, the three friends dropped in a bookstore. Anna excused herself to go find a book in particular that required that she is by herself. This left Kirsten and Kristoff alone together.

Kirsten made a beeline for the world history section and Kristoff followed behind her. Kirsten stood happily among an aisle of books dedicated to world history. She looked around for a book that would pique her interest like a kid looking for the perfect lollipop in a candy shop. At length Kirsten found book that intrigued her and slipped it out from its nook and opened it to the first page. Kristoff leaned over her shoulder to see what had his friend's attention.

"What are you reading, Kirsten?"

Kirsten blinked before looking over her left shoulder to be face-to-face with her ice harvester friend.

"Oh, Kristoff. I'm reading the history of Feudal Era Japan. Would you like to share the book with me?"

"Not really."

"How come?"

"I don't know how to read very much. Seeing as I was raised by trolls, I didn't learn how to read many books because I was isolated from most of human society for all my life until I met Anna."

"Oh….I'm sorry, Kristoff. It hadn't occurred to me that you didn't know to read very well. You seem very knowledgeable."

"That's okay, Kirsten. I have survival skills and forest smarts which, up until a certain point in my life, was all I needed. But things are different now and I feel like I am behind the rest of you academically."

"Oh…That's okay, Kristoff. If you would like to, I could help you learn to read better."

"You would do that for me, Kirsten?"

"Sure. What are friends for?"

"I'm not sure. I'm still very new to a lot of social norms, but if friendship among people is anything like friendship among trolls, then that would mean you are willing to do a favor without expecting any form of payment in return."

"You could see it in that way."

"Well, if you're sure Kirsten, the yes I would like for you to help me."

"Great. Now let's find a place to sit down at and then we can start the lesson while Anna is off doing what she needs to do."

"Okay."

Kristoff and Kirsten walked around the bookstore until they happened upon two simple wooden chairs tucked in a cozy corner and sat down in them. Kirsten reopened the book and helped Kristoff pronounce words correctly and tell him the definition of them ad how they were used. She often used her right index finger to guide Kristoff's eyes to the words and made sure he knew words before she had him read along with her and learn about the history of Feudal Era Japan.

By the time the two friends finished the third chapter, Anna found them with a bundle of books wrapped in brown paper and plain string tucked in her arms.

"Hey, guys. Are you two ready to go?"

Kirsten immediately stood up and smiled brightly at Anna as she approached her. "Anna! You already purchased the books you wanted to get?"

"Yep. How about you, Kirsten? Are you getting that book?"

Kirsten looked down at her history book and decided she wouldn't purchase it right then and there. She considered waiting for another time.

"Not this time, Anna. Maybe I'll get it later on."

"Oh. Okay." Anna looked over at a seated Kristoff. "Kristoff, have you found anything you like?"

Kristoff stood up and brushed off imaginary dust from his chest. "No, Anna."

"Then, are you ready to go?"

Kristoff slowly made his way to Anna and Kirsten. "Yes."

"Okay."

"Just let me put this back where it belongs."

Kristoff and Anna looked over at Kirsten and watched as she had put the history book back in its proper place. Once she was done, she joined her friends and they exited the bookstore together.

On their way back to the castle, Anna spotted a chocolatier shop. She thought it would be a good day to end their day in town with a little sweet treat to enjoy for later. The next thing Kristoff and Kirsten knew Anna had practically bolted in the chocolatier shop. They jogged behind her to catch up.

Kirsten and Kristoff quickly found Anna looking at a brilliant case of chocolate truffles in the chocolatier shop and joined her soon after. The truffles were an array of flavors and colors ranging from more traditional flavors such as dark chocolate to more exotic and tropical flavors such as orange flavored milk chocolate with orange and lemon brine. Anna was especially interested in the chocolate delights. Her face was bent down so close to the glass casing that her breath practically fogged it up.

Kristoff noticed how close Anna was getting to the case and gently pulled her away before she could further embarrass herself, him, and Kirsten, and possibly ruining the glass. He knew how accident prone she could be and internally praised Elsa for her grace, skill, and patience to handle Anna in the most diplomatic way. He tried his best to mimic her, but even he couldn't stand every little quirk that made up an important component of his Anna's lovable personality.

Despite being pulled away from the case by Kristoff, Anna went right on and planted herself back in front of the truffle case. She didn't care that Kristoff had separated her from it for a brief time. She was on a mission. And yes, her intention of coming to the shop was to spend some quality time with Kristoff and Kirsten in town while waiting Elsa and Karen's magic practice, but she stayed longer than planned for Elsa.

Anna knew that she didn't need to get her sister anything while the three of them were in town, but her instinct told her that her sister would appreciate a small chocolate gift from her as a well to melt any stress she may have accumulated from practicing with Karen. And that was another thing. She ought to get Karen something as well so she is not left out of her thoughts. Anna thoughtfully tapped her chin and hummed.

Kirsten noticed Anna's thoughtful behavior and joined her by her right side leaning toward the case. She took notice at the variety of chocolate truffles and wondered which ones Anna was fixated on.

"Anna, what are you doing?"

Without tearing her eyes on the chocolate truffles, she gave Kirsten a timely reply.

"I'm picking out something for Elsa and Karen. What do you suppose Karen would like to have?"

"The milk chocolate truffle with orange and lemon brine. She's very fond of citrus flavors."

"Good to know. Now, I just have to pick one for Elsa. I have to make sure it's perfect for her."

"Anna, why are you so bent on getting Elsa the perfect truffle?"

Anna straightened out her spine and looked at Kirsten with a frown on her face.

"Elsa is my sister and I love her. What's wrong with me trying to get something nice for my sister to show my appreciation for her?"

"Nothing. I was just curious as to why you were so intent in selecting particular truffles."

"Well, it wasn't my intention to just come in here and only get Elsa a truffle. If you and Kristoff were absent too, I would have selected a truffles for you two as well."

Kirsten smiled. "How thoughtful of you, Anna."

"Don't think any of it, Kirsten. I would be happy to share the joy of chocolate to those most dear and closest to me. That includes you and Karen."

"Oh, Anna…I am so pleased to know you feel that way about me and Karen."

"We are friends, Kirsten. I see nothing wrong to do things with and for friends such as to get a single truffle for them or to acquire something else to show your appreciation for them."

"Then, you must be very fond of Elsa."

"I am very fond of Elsa especially since we have so much lost time to make for. I can't fathom ever losing my sister over anything that may come our way. Each time I learn something new about myself and about love, I look back on my past and how I went about my life like a fool thinking I knew more about love than Elsa did. I try to right the wrong of the past with my actions in the present."

"Well, don't dwell too much on past mistakes and don't take forever picking out a truffle for Elsa."

"Maybe you should help me out for Elsa. That way I can decide on one sooner and thus we will be able to leave with our purchases sooner and move on."

"Fine. That sounds good to me."

Anna turned to find Kristoff standing a few feet away. "Is that alright, Kristoff? Could you wait long enough for us to pick some truffles?"

"Yes."

"By the way, Kristoff, would you like one?"

"A plain one, please."

Anna smiled at Kristoff. "Okay."

Turned back toward the truffle case and continued her search for a truffle that she thought would fit Elsa perfectly. While she was absorbed in searching for a truffle for her dear sister, Kirsten came in closer on her side and thought what her friend might like to speed up the process. Even though she liked the idea of helping Anna out picking choice truffles, she did want to see the rest of the town before it got too late in the day.

She examined the selections and could tell why in that instant why Anna was having selecting truffles-all of them looked absolutely delicious and delectable. Every truffle was a sweet, miniature masterpiece. One truffle caught her eye that seemed quite tasty. It was a dark chocolate truffle sprinkled with raw, pink sugar and had a slice of strawberry perched at the top slanted on its side that had milk chocolate covering its tip.

Anna gasped and pointed to the truffle she found for her sister. "That one!"

Kirsten blinked out of surprise. She glanced over where Anna was pointing at and found her eyes stumble upon the same strawberry truffle she had looked at a moment ago.

"That's the one."

Without bothering to look at her friend's triumphant and brilliant smile, Kirsten nodded in approval.

"I think it's perfect for Elsa, Anna."

Kirsten could feel a warm hand pat against her shoulder blades. "It is, Kirsten. It is."

Kirsten stood up causing Anna's hand to fall at her side.

"So, are you going to get it with the other truffle?"

"Well, do you want one?"

Kirsten blinked. She was not expecting Anna to ask her such a question so abruptly. But she was not fully shocked as she considered Anna's question be very in character thing to say. She looked back at the case and looked from side-to-side and then found the truffle that she wanted. She pointed it out for Anna.

"That milk chocolate one with the blueberry on top?"

"Yes."

"Okay. Just hold on. I have to get one for Kristoff and myself and then I'll pay for them."

"Wait? You're paying for all of our truffles?"

"What? It's not like I can't afford to."

"No. I know that, Anna. I mean, I wasn't expecting for you to pay for both mine and Karen's truffle."

"Why do you think I asked what you and Karen liked?"

"No, Anna. I can't accept your generosity. I'll pay for mine and Karen's truffles."

"No, I'm paying for everyone's truffle. Consider it as a token of our friendship. You have to accept it."

Kirsten chuckled. "Fine. You win. But let me buy you something later as payment."

"That won't be necessary, Kirsten."

"Please, let me do something."

"I'll think about later. Just let me pick out two more truffles and pay for them. Then we can leave and be on our way to the castle."

"Okay, Anna."

Anna brightly smiled. "Thank you."

For one last time, Anna turned toward the truffle case and found a plain one for Kristoff and a milk chocolate one with a regular strawberry on top for herself. Once she had all the truffles in her head, she called for a chocolatier to help her with the truffles, had them wrapped and paid for them. The middle-aged chocolatier handed her a box of truffles with a sunny smile.

"Have a wonderful rest of your day, Princess Anna."

"Thank you, Lucas. May you have a wonderful rest of your day as well."

"Thank you, Your Highness. It's always a pleasure to see your beautiful face. But where is Queen Elsa?"

"She's out training one of my friends and helping her to control her ice and water powers."

"Oh. Queen Elsa always putting others before herself and that's a very fine trait she has, but I wish she would take more breaks than she does now and treat herself to a day of fun and relaxation. The last time you were here, Princess Anna, you were accompanied by your delightful elder sister, Queen Elsa. Oh you two were so nice have in the shop. The next time you come over, I hope to see Queen Elsa with you, Princess Anna."

"I'll be sure I drag her away from signing tedious documents that can wait to be signed."

Lucas chuckled at Anna's light-hearted joke. "See that you do! Queen Elsa may be the sole ruler to this kingdom, but she is still young and deserves to enjoy her youth while she can."

Anna smiled. Just as she was about to leave the shop with Kirsten and Kristoff, Anna was brought back to Lucas' attention by his gasp.

"My dear sweet Princess Anna, what happened to your lovely cheek?"

"My friend, Princess Karen of Denmark, accidentally sliced my cheek with a piece of ice. Me, my sister, Princess Karen, and her sister," Anna gestured toward Kirsten, "Princess Kirsten were having a snowball fight and Princess Karen meant to shoot out water at her sister but shot ice and got me instead. That is why my sister is gone training with Princess Karen to help have better control her powers. In the meantime, the three of us are spending time in town and we have gotten truffles for them once they return to the castle."

"Oh, how nice. Well, have a nice day to all of you."

"You too, Lucas."

Lucas waved goodbye to Anna and Anna returned the favor. Kristoff and Kirsten also waved goodbye to Lucas and then they were on their way out of the shop. On their way out, Kristoff saw how Anna balanced the box of truffles on top of her books wrapped in brown paper.

"Anna, would you like for me to hold those for you?"

"No. It's okay, Kristoff. It shouldn't be long until we get back to the castle. Thank you for offering to help though."

"Are you sure, Anna?"

"I'm positive, Kristoff."

"Kristoff, just let Anna hold onto the items. I know you want to help, but she's fine. There's no need to fret."

Kristoff frowned as he looked his friend. He wanted to help Anna, but after hearing essentially the same thing from Kirsten he chose to back off and let Anna be. Maybe he would have other opportunities to be more useful for the young women whom he proudly called good company (aside from Olaf and Sven).

"Okay."

From that point on, Kristoff looked back the ground in front of him and comfortable silence fell upon the group. The three of them headed back to Arendelle Castle in the orange glow of the late afternoon.

To Be Continued…