Chapter 38: Gone
Lilith dashed through the castle hallways as fast as she could. Word was spreading like wildfire throughout the village, and luckily she was just leaving her husband's business and returning home to pick up on the news. She peeked into the library and let out a sigh of relief.
"Princess!"
Anna glanced up from the book she was reading. "Lilith? What's wrong?"
"Milady..." she started, practically out of breath. "The king has returned! I have to get you ready for dinner tonight!"
Anna blinked. "Now?" She glanced at the grandfather clock against the wall. "Dinner is still two hours away..."
"Milady...this is the King! He demands our best! And he's brought a guest with him."
"A dinner guest?" Anna asked. "Who?"
"I don't know. But someone important." Lilith said, setting Anna's book aside and pulling the princess to her feet. "Please, your highness. ill go downstairs and get your gown pressed. I'll meet you in your room as soon as I can." Lilith quickly turned and ran back towards the servants wing.
Anna walked back towards her room slowly. A dinner guest? I wonder who it could be. Someone important, I imagine. Ooh, I wonder if it's visiting royalty! For the upcoming ball! Oh how exciting! Anna smiled to herself as she put her hand on the doorknob of her room. Maybe a princess for Frederick...
She turned the doorknob and stepped into her room, closing the door behind her. The room was darker than usual because the curtains were drawn, and the drapes themselves were billowing in the breeze.
...Why is my window open? It's freezing in here! Anna quickly went to the window to close it and stopped halfway when a sick feeling started creeping into her gut. Something wasn't right.
TWO HOURS LATER
Hans adjusted the lapels of his coat and straightened his tie. Tonight was the night and he needed to look his best. Not just for his returning father, but Anna as well. Hans took a long look into the mirror as if it would somehow calm his nerves.
Anna's ring box lay on the small table by the door. He picked it up in his hands and opened the box, admiring the ring inside. "Ok, Hans...you can do this... you can do this..."
Without another word he closed the box and shoved it into his pants pocket, then with a nervous quick pace he went to the dining room. After dinner, just get her alone...and ask her. That's all you have to do...there's no way you could mess this up.
He rounded the corner and walked into the dining room. "Father, it's good to..." His voice trailed off when he realized King Alexander wasn't alone in the room. There was a woman standing near the head of the table in a long, regal blue dress and matching cape. Her blonde hair was wound tight into a formal bun.
Without hesitation, Hans dropped down one one knee in a respectful bow.
"Queen Elsa..."
"Hans." She said cooly, keeping a good distance from him.
"Hans, my son!" Alexander came over to his youngest and motioned for him to rise. "It is good to see you."
"And you, Father." Hans said nervously, glancing at Elsa. "How are you, your majesty?"
Elsa hesitated for a moment. "Fine, thank you." Only one exchange and the small talk already became awkward for them both.
"I have to admit...your arrival is quite the surprise." Hans replied.
"So was your King's when he sailed into my fjords." Elsa said, fidgeting with her hands. "I'm here on his request. For peace...and for my sister."
"Anna..."
"Yes. I hope you haven't killed her." She said bluntly.
"Queen Elsa, that is highly..." Alexander began but Hans waved him off.
"No father, it's alright. I deserve that." The young prince sighed. "No, your sister is quite well. And happy, in fact. My brothers and I have given her only kindness."
"A shame you couldn't do that the first time." she said, then turned away and shook her head. "Forgive me, I'm being rude."
Hans straightened. "It's alright. Like I said, I deserve it. So," He began, stepping back a step or two. "How long will you be staying?"
"Queen Elsa has agreed to attend the ball."
"Oh no. You're not presenting her to Freddy, are you?!"
Alexander snapped in response. "Queen Elsa is my personal guest."
"Thank goodness." Hans sighed in relief. "He's going to have enough girls vying for his attention."
"Who is?" said a voice behind them. Hans turned to see Frederick, the twins, and Alexei enter the dining room and bow before Alexander and Elsa.
"You when we try marrying you off." Hans rolled his eyes. "Meet Queen Elsa of Arendelle."
"Ah, yes." Frederick knelt before Elsa and took her hand. "Your Majesty, a pleasure it is to greet you at last. And may I say, you're just as beautiful as your dear sister."
Elsa retracted her hand, uneasy. "Thank you. You're quite kind."
Frederick stood and introduced Elsa to the remaining princes as they filtered into the room. She tried her best to remain calm. What she wanted more than anything was to see Anna. Much time had passed and the princess was the only member of the dinner party absent. The young queen maneuvered through the crowd to Hans. As much as she didn't enjoy being in the same room as this man, he was the only one she knew...and could trust to give her a straight answer...about some things, at least.
"Hans...where is my sister?" She asked.
"I...don't know. Getting ready, I imagine."
The doors to the dining hall finally opened. Elsa's eyes lit up for a moment, than sank when two more of Han's brothers entered. Dirk and Derrick...the two no one expected to show.
Hans leaned over and whispered to her. "That's Dirk and Derrick. If you thought I was a monster, these two are worse. Keep your distance." He shifted his position to temporarily hide her from their view.
The doors opened again but this time it was Kristoff who joined. He stopped in his tracks upon seeing the room full with princes. "Wow. There really are a lot of you..." He scanned the room for Elsa and made his way over, giving Hans the stink eye. "Elsa. Sorry I'm late. I was in the barn feeding Sven."
"I'm sorry. Who are you?" Hans asked.
"Kristoff Bjorgman." He said dryly. "Why are you here?"
"...I live here?"
"Kristoff, please." Elsa sighed. "It's alright. And you're not late. Anna still hasn't come in yet."
"Does she know we're here? Because that will get her moving for sure."
"No...King Alexander wanted it to be a surprise."
"That's my father...full of surprises." Hans muttered under his breath. "I hope Anna didn't get cold feet." Damn it Anna...where are you? Tonight isn't the night to hide...especially from me...
Suddenly there was a shrieking sound coming from the corridor, and the room went silent.
"What was that?" Ludwig asked.
"That sounded like a maid..." Alexei said, and opened the dining hall doors. Before he could step outside Lilith ran right into him and clutched his jacket. There was a frightened stare on her face. "Your highnesses! Something's happened!"
Hans rushed over, followed by Elsa and Kristoff. "Lilith, what is it? What's happened?"
Lilith struggled to catch her breath. "The princess..." she began.
"Yes?" Elsa asked, trying to control herself. The temperature in the room took a good drop and frost began forming on some of the polished silver. "What of my sister?"
"Princess Anna...she's gone!"