Chapter 25: Welcome to Arendelle

The sun peeked in and out through the clouds early that morning. As time passed and the sun rose higher one of its rays made it through a part in the curtains awakening the sleeping monarch.

Morning already?

Elsa sighed and sat up in bed and shielded her eyes from the sun. After a quick stretch she tossed the blankets off her and got out of bed. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something odd about today. Her gut told her this was going to be no ordinary Saturday. She stopped on her way to her wardrobe and thought for a moment. Today wasn't a holiday, was it? No. And it certainly wasn't her birthday...or Anna's for that matter.

Elsa shrugged. Perhaps the situation would present itself later. For now, she needed to get dressed. She had scheduled herself to walk through the kingdom this morning and much time had already passed. The last time she was going to make her rounds she had to cancel upon hearing of her sister's disappearance.

The queen opened up the doors of her wardrobe and shuffled through her clothes. Normally she would don her familiar ice-styled gown but today she pulled out a floor-length dress with several different shades of blue. A high icy blue collar and long tight sleeves adorned with subtle snowflakes, then the bodice and skirt were navy blue with the skirt flaring outward from the thigh down for movement. With it she chose her signature heels and braid. The dress also came with a matching blue cloak so she decided to wear that as well, not that she really needed it. After all, the cold never bothered her anyway. Of course, the final touch to the look was the tiara she placed on her head before leaving the room. Normally she didn't wear it for just a walk through the kingdom and after all, she wasn't expecting any visitors today...but following her gut, she put it on.

Kai met her at the entrance to the gates. "Good morning, your Majesty."

"Good morning, Kai." She said. "Are you ready for our trek through the kingdom?"

"As always, Milady."

Elsa formed a small smile. "Then let us get started!"

It was a good day for Elsa's stroll. While the air was still very cold, the sunshine brightened not only the morning but the townspeople's spirits as well. The streets were bustling with activity. As she and Kai rounded a corner a group of small children ran up to them.

"Queen Elsa! Queen Elsa!" A little girl squealed, then made a cute curtsy before the monarch.

"Hello there." Elsa smiled and knelt down before the children. "What are you all up to?"

"Just waiting to see you, your majesty!" The girl replied.

A young boy held out a bouquet of purple crocus flowers. "For you, your Majesty!"

"They're beautiful, thank you!" Elsa smiled and tussled the boy's hair.

"Queen Elsa will you come by my Papa's shop today?" Another little girl asked. "He owns the jewelry shop in the town square!"

Elsa smiled. "I'll do my best."

Kai stepped forward. "Milady, we must press on."

Elsa sighed. "Of course, Kai." She turned back to the children. "And what are your names?"

"I'm Henry!" The little boy said, pointing to his chest.

"Karine!" said the smallest girl.

"Alexa!" Said the jeweler's daughter.

"Well Henry, Karine and Alexa, I'm pleased to meet you all."

"Do you really hafta go?" Karine asked.

Elsa nodded. "I do..." The queen thought for a moment. "But I promise to visit you all again as I make my rounds. We'll see each other again soon, and perhaps I can meet some more of your friends, too." She smiled.

"OKAY!" the children said in unison and ran off to find their parents. Elsa watched them scamper and couldn't help but feel a little jealous. Oh how she wished she could have had a childhood like theirs. Friends, family...fun... even a chance to see her parents, the King and Queen as they walked through the village. For a child, the chance to meet their rulers one on one must be a truly special event. She couldn't help but think of Anna now, the only family she has left. Oh Anna, I wonder what you're doing right now... if you're being treated well, if you've made new friends. How I wish you could be with us on a day like this...

"Are you alright, your majesty?" Kai asked, helping her to her feet.

"Yes, I'm fine. Where to next?"

"I believe a visit to the west end is-"

"Your majesty!" called a voice from the distance. Elsa turned to see a fisherman running towards her. The man kneeled before her, out of breath. "Queen Elsa, there is a ship entering our fjords!"

Elsa turned her head towards the docks. "Is it one of ours? A returning merchant or trade vessel?"

"No, your grace. It's a foreign ship."

"Perhaps one of our allies." Kai suggested.

Elsa shook her head. "None of our trade partners sent notice of an incoming vessel. Can we get a closer look?"

"Yes, this way." The fisherman said, leading Elsa and Kai to the docks where several Arendelle ship captains stood eyeing the ship coming in.

"Your majesty!" said Captain Gruber. He lowered the binoculars he was holding.

"Can you see what vessel that is?" She asked.

"Once it comes a bit closer." He replied. "I was preparing my own vessel for our latest trade with Corona when my crewman spotted her in the distance. She's a fast one, that's for sure."

"Milady, perhaps it would be best if we returned to the castle." Kai suggested. "We don't know who is on that ship. They could be hostile."

"You forget, Kai...so can I." She flicked her fingers and froze an empty wooden bucket to prove her point. She then turned to Gruber and held out her hand for the binoculars. "May I?"

"OF course." Gruber handed them over and watched as she peered out to the incoming ship. "Can you see it?"

"Yes...and I know where its coming from." She said. I know that symbol all too well...

"Corona?" Kai asked.

"Malengrad?" Gruber suggested.

"No..." Elsa said, lowering the binoculars and glancing at the gentlemen. "The Southern Isles."

"The Southern Isles?"

"Do you think..." Kai started. "Perhaps this is Princess Anna returning home?"

"Oh I hope so...that would be wonderful." Elsa said. This must have been the source of that feeling I had this morning... Anna coming home! There is so much we can catch up on...not to mention her experiences in not one but two foreign kingdoms. Elsa shook herself out of her thoughts as the ship reached the docks and dropped anchor. She crossed her arms close to her chest and scanned the ship. She saw several crewmen from her vantage point and what looked like a royal guard near the railing... No sign of her sister. Perhaps she's below deck, asleep. She always did sleep late.

Elsa motioned for the men beside her to make way for the ship's boarding ramp. She then took Kai's suggestion and took several steps back to distance herself, just in case the men aboard weren't peaceful.

Once down, several royal guards immediately went down the ramp and flanked it on both sides. An older man then appeared and started down, wearing rich robes under a traveling cloak. He was heavyset with graying auburn hair and a decent sized beard. Elsa took one look at the large rounded crown atop of his head and knew immediately who this must be. But why would he come unannounced? Does he have some plan up his sleeve? And is Anna there with him? There were so many questions...

"Presenting his Excellency, King Alexander Westerguard of the Southern Isles!" A royal guard announced.

Captain Gruber as well as the other seamen on the dock bowed respectfully. "Your majesty." Gruber said. "Forgive our surprise, you were not expected."

"I am aware of that." Alexander replied. "Now, I am in need of an audience with your Queen."

"You've got one." Elsa spoke up and stepped forward with her arms still crossed over her chest. "King Alexander. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to Arendelle."