Chapter Twenty-One

Anna snatched the turquoise ribbon from Elsa's fingers. Elsa pushed away the hands that began to pull at her hair.

"Anna, stop! I can braid my own hair."

"You were injured yesterday! Let me help you."

Elsa took the ribbon back from her sister, "I fainted. That is not an injury."

"That doesn't make it normal."

"People faint. I wasn't unconscious for long. I woke up in General Bennet's office and he said thirty minutes had passed. It happens sometimes."

Elsa saw Anna cross her arms in the vanity mirror as her sister's face frowned in protest. Her arms rested comfortably over her budding stomach and Elsa suppressed her grin. Sometimes Anna looked too adorable when angry since her pregnancy started to make her features slightly puffy.

"It happens? Do other people also," Anna paused to check her left and right. She placed a hand on the side of her mouth and harshly whispered, "Hear voices when they pass out."

Elsa froze. She recalled their sounds. Distant echoes in the back of her mind warning her for something. Something that involved Alexis. Her heart fluttered and hurt. Elsa couldn't shake off the sense of worry whenever she thought of Alexis. Of course, she shared everything with Anna once she returned home but that only fueled Anna's concern. It must be the new maternal instincts.

"No, they do not." Elsa finished her braid. "While it's not a good sign, I do not have time to look for answers. We have a guest."

"Can't you postpone it? I'm sure he'll understand that you need your rest. What if you pass out again or those creepy voices come back? Just give it more time."

"Anna, I am completely fine. Even if the worst case scenario happens, I can't sit around in fear of another possible incident. Also, Prince Caleb still deserves a proper thank you. It would be rude to have him travel all this way for him to be sent back home." Elsa rose from her seat but Anna still looked unconvinced. Elsa took her sister's hands, "You'll be at my side during lunch so you can help me if anything happens. I promise we can go see Pabbie soon if that will make you feel better."

Anna pouted, "Promise?"

"Promise."

As the tension seemed to melt away from her sister, Elsa linked their arms together. "Let's go."

The two sisters positioned themselves at the entrance of the castle once word sent that a royal carriage was approaching. A guard at the tower called to have the gates open. The wood creaked as it welcomed the new arrival. The beige horses whined as they pulled a luxury carriage into the courtyard. Two maroon flags in the back, marked with a silver griffin, waved wildly. Decorated jewels sparkled within the velvet material that covered the carriage. Gold laced every edge and around the door.

"He knows how to make an entrance," Anna muttered.

"I suppose the Kingdom of Edelar has an expensive taste," Elsa said.

Once the carriage came to a stop, the sisters stepped down from the stairs. A footman scurried over to open the door. Prince Caleb poked his head out before exiting. He bowed before the girls.

"Good day, Queen Elsa and Princess Anna."

"Hello," Anna curtsied.

Elsa nodded, "Thank you for accepting my invitation, Prince Caleb. We welcome you to Arendelle."

"Thank you. For your kindness, I have brought gifts from Edelar."

Caleb gestured to the footman and coachman as they brought out matching velvet boxes. They revealed the jewelry that laid in the satin cushion. The white stones sparkled in an array of pale purples and pinks within the silver chains of the necklaces and bracelets.

"What are these?" Anna asked as she examined the jewels closer.

"Opals from Edelar's mines," Caleb said.

"These are lovely gifts," Elsa watched his servants hand off the boxes to her own, "but we wanted to thank you for your bravery at the ball. You shouldn't have brought us anything."

"Our kingdom's custom is to bring something to show appreciation to new friends. Are congratulations in order, Your Highness?" Caleb gestured to Anna.

"Oh yes! Don't worry, you are correct! We have a new member of the family coming very soon."

"Please let us know when your baby is born. I'll have something sent over for congratulations."

"Thank you! That is so sweet!"

Elsa smiled, "Let us gather in the castle. I believe our meal is prepared."

Gerda spoke up, "Right this way, Queen Elsa. We have everything set up in the garden for the afternoon." She snapped her fingers at the servants by her side, "Make sure those two are rested before they depart."

The servants scurried to usher Caleb's workers away as Gerda escorted the royals to the garden. She presented a small table nestled next to the hedges filled with flower buds beginning to grow. Servants weaved through each other placing down plates and pouring tea.

"I received orders from your council for the arrangements. I had to fight for the third chair," Gerda muttered to Elsa.

"That doesn't surprise me. Might as well and enjoy it."

"My eyelids struggled to keep open. I looked over and our visiting dignitaries had fallen asleep!"

Elsa laughed, "I've never seen that happen before!"

"What did your brother do?" Anna leaned forward.

Caleb snorted, "Didn't notice a thing. He never learned to filter his public speaking and his idea for more trade expansion lasted almost two hours. My father had to cut him off once someone started snoring."

"Thank goodness I've never been to a meeting like that. But that one about the herring tax is a close second." Anna elbowed Elsa.

"You decided to join me. I warned you."

"You didn't do a convincing job. At least I know dying from boredom is a possibility."

The sisters' banter was interrupted when a young maid scurried over to the table. She gave a small curtsy.

"Good afternoon, your royal highnesses. I have come to report that the Royal Ice Master and Deliverer has returned home."

Anna squealed. She merely glanced at Elsa before her sister nodded.

"Go ahead."

Anna bolted out of her seat to greet her husband. She barely turned back to call out, "Nice to meet you!" Her guard chased after her and yelled to be careful.

Caleb waved back. "She is certainly excited."

"She worries about Kristoff when he's out on harvest. She understands he's grown up with this profession but it's still a dangerous job."

"He's very lucky to have such loving and caring wife. Was there a guard following her?"

"It's her personal guard. She asked for one after the incident."

"What about you?" He offered to refill her tea.

Elsa accepted, "For a while, I did have my own. I decided to dismiss him against Anna's wishes." If she could be honest, Elsa didn't like being followed. Left on her own for years and the past few months she spent sneaking around, a guard made her feel like she was under surveillance. So she lied, "I can't seem to shake off the feeling that I only need myself for protection. Then again, it was you who protected me that night. I owe you many thanks for your bravery"

"I'd rather call it human decency than bravery."

"Someone ought to tell the guests who hid beneath the table."

Elsa laughed as Caleb choked on his tea sending droplets down his chin. His coughs turned into a chuckle.

"They probably thought you could handle it," he said as he dabbed his shirt.

"Magic powers don't make one invincible," Elsa shrugged as her frost decorated the cup.

He studied the display of magic, "Please tell me if I am crossing boundaries. I did not know your parents but from which one did you inherit your gift?"

"Inherit-? Oh no, neither of them had magic. I was born with them."

"No other family member had these powers?"

"Not that I am aware of. My parents tried to search for an answer. They researched endlessly and I'm certain they studied our family tree. My father told me I was simply blessed."

"Hm. Have you ever thought of researching yourself?"

"Do you think he was wrong?"

"No! Not at all! I'm afraid I developed my tutor's habit of questioning. He didn't believe in miracles and exasperated how everything had a reason no matter how complex. Unbelievable ideas have believable backgrounds."

"Interesting. I've never thought of it that way."

"While I am not as extreme as he is in that belief, the origins of your powers could prove to be a fascinating subject to research."

She stared at her hands. "I've always questioned why I received my powers especially when Anna did not. I believed if we found that answer, perhaps there was a way to…" She bit her lip and closed her hands. Elsa had control now. She no longer needed a removal. However, the chance to find the truth and how they would affect the remainder of her future intrigued her.

"I think you are right, Caleb. It is never too late to search. Would you mind assisting me?"

"I would be honored to help, Queen Elsa! I have a few books back in my library that could start us off."

"We shall schedule another visit." Elsa smiled and toasted her teacup. Caleb's cup clinked against hers. This new chapter excited her. Who knew what she could discover?

She fiddled with the bracelet hidden inside her sleeve. It also provided an excellent distraction.