Chapter 38
Disclaimer: I don't own Frozen.
It's been a few days now since Elsa came back home, but even in that time, the women have been inseparable. Anna went to all of her sister's business meetings, did the mountains of paperwork alongside her, ate meals with her, she's even set up a temporary bed in the queen's bedroom so they can have sleepovers. Of course, it won't be there for very long. The princess plans to get a permanent bed in there soon. But there is just one more thing she has to take care of.
"Ta-da!" Anna holds her arms out while Elsa grins at the object that stands before them.
"You got me a chair?" The blonde asks, a smile bright on her lips.
"Yep." Anna nods excitedly. "And it's handcrafted by the finest furniture maker in Arendelle! Erik, he's really nice. But anyway, it's way more comfortable than the other one! Go on! Try it!" Anna takes her sister by the shoulders and sits her down in the chair.
Elsa has a minute to get a feel for the chair, taking her time in deciding her exact emotions toward it, to the slight annoyance of her sister. "Anna," She looks at the girl, who cringes, not knowing what her older sister is about to say. "I love it!" Elsa exclaims, causing Anna to breathe a sigh of relief.
"I knew you would." Anna tells her in a doubtless and confident voice, leaning on the back of the chair. She staggers a bit, momentarily throwing off her groove, but quickly regains it. She's cool. No worries.
"Thank you, Anna." Elsa smiles gratefully. She leans over and gives the girl a hug. Then Elsa gets a look on her face. It's one of those looks that means she has an idea. Getting to her feet, the blonde takes her sister's hands in her own. "How about you and I get some hot chocolate?" She asks.
The sun is going down, the summer is done, and the autumn is coming to a close as well. It's getting to the time of the year when animals begin to find shelter from the elements, plants lose their color, the sun disappears from the sky earlier, and leaves flutter off to the earth. To put it simply, it's getting real cold, and hot chocolate is the perfect thing right about now.
"That sounds like a great idea!" Anna bounces up. "And I happen to know how to make the best hot chocolate." She boasts a little, casually checking her fingernails. "Oh." She frowns slightly, now really looking at them. Her nails are kinda dirty.
Elsa giggles. "Aren't I lucky to have you as a sister then?"
"You sure are! But I think I'm even luckier." Anna says truthfully, taking her sister's hand.
"Let's go." Elsa girls race down the halls, arm in arm and chattering about all of the unusual things they pass: the crooked armor statue, the broken piece of wall that they've been meaning to get fixed, the painting that Anna swears can move (It's eyes follow her no matter what she does. And not in the way paintings normally do!), the mismatched inch of wallpaper by the kitchen, Brandr looking intently at a bowl of apples, seemingly plotting something.
Wait, what?
"What do you think he's doing?" Anna whispers as the girls watch him from afar. The boy suddenly looks up and around, sensing somebody.
"... I'm not sure." Elsa whispers back once he shrugged and continued whatever it is he's up to. "But I'm going to find out."
They carefully sneak over, just as the distracted teen reaches out to take an apple.
"You know, you don't need to steal those, Brandr." Elsa speaks up, causing the boy to freeze (figuratively).
"... Yeah." Brandr says, eyes slightly widened, but remaining calm. "I know." Anna notices his eyes darting around, looking for a way out.
"How would your mother respond? Or your sister?" Elsa asks, placing a hand on her hips. Anna spies the subtle smirk on her sister's lips. She doesn't think Brandr can see it, but it's clear as day to her. Elsa is messing with him.
"I dunno." Brandr shrugs. "Punish me, possibly. But they aren't here." He retorts, folding his arms with a sly grin of his own.
"Perhaps I should take on that role and spank you myself." Elsa suggests, seeming completely serious. It takes every bit of Anna's willpower not to burst out laughing as the boy's smile (and the color from his face) disappears completely
"It won't happen again." Brandr promises quickly, his eyes as wide as dinner plates. "Ma'am." He adds quickly.
That does it. Anna can't help but start laughing, and neither can her sister.
"Don't worry." Elsa says to the boy. "I'm not going to do that."
"Yeah, she's only joking." Anna assures him.
Brandr laughs nervously and shifts his weight. "Ha. Ha, yes. Joking."
"But if you are ever caught stealing, there will indeed be consequences." Elsa says, and this time Anna knows she isn't fooling around.
"Yes, ma'am." Brandr says, standing up a little straighter. Anna giggles again.
"You don't have to call me that." Elsa says kindly.
Brandr nods. He waits a moment. "Okay." He says. "I'm going to go now."
"Are you sure? We're having hot chocolate." Anna tempts him, beginning to get a pot from the cabinet.
"Naw, I'm good. Kinda tired actually." He stretches and yawns falsely. "Gonna go bed early, probably. Okay? Bye." He awkwardly waves his hand and slowly begins to shuffle to the door before running away at full speed, leaving the two giggling women behind.
"Alright, I'll find some chocolate, you set out the milk to simmer." Elsa says.
Anna nods and hits her fist to her palm. "Okay! Let's do this! Making hot chocolate! I am now pouring the milk in the pot!" The girl fills the pot a little less than halfway with milk. She puts the milk over the fire and turns to face her sister. "I am now putting the milk in the flames, while Elsa should be chopping up the chocolate and NOT eating it!" She smirks accusingly at the blonde, who has been caught red-handed.
Elsa holds out a piece. "... Would you like some?" She asks meekly.
Anna grins. "What kind of question is that? Of course I would!" She takes some and together they enjoy it.
At least until they decide that for hot chocolate to be made properly, they actually require chocolate for it. Who knew?
"Wow, Anna." Elsa smiles as she tastes their concoction of chocolaty deliciousness. "This is great. I never knew you could cook."
"Well," Anna shrugs and gives a half-smile. "You learn a lot when you've got nothing else to do for thirteen years. But it's only hot chocolate. You should try my open-faced sandwiches! Now those are tasty!"
"I can't wait." Elsa smiles, gently folding her hands together.
"And I can't wait to share them with you." Anna brings out two mugs, one green, the other blue, and places them down. She carefully pours the hot chocolate into each cup, then hands her sister the green one.
"Mmm. Chocolate." They both say in unison after taking a sip, before breaking off into giggles.
"I'm really glad to be back." Elsa says, fondly smiling at her sister, cupping her mug with both hands.
"Me, too." Anna says. "Ooh! Tell me about your trip! We've been so busy these past few days what with you getting back and trading and Brandr living here and adjusting and the other nations and- what was I saying? Oh yeah, tell me more about your trip. I want to hear about this awful Northern Isles queen."
She and her sister move to another room and take a seat on one of their more comfortable couches near the fireplace.
"Well, my first stop was in Spain, as you know." Elsa begins, carefully sipping her hot chocolate.
"You wrote me a letter saying you had a dinner you were nervous about. How did that go?"
"It went really well actually. Trade was simple to discuss. The royal family were all very kind people, and the dinner went along splendidly. We ate, we conversed, and they even wanted to see my powers."
"Well who wouldn't?" Anna smiles and playfully nudges her sister.
"Actually, in my next stop, the Northern Island queen wasn't very fond of me nor my powers." Elsa confesses.
"From what you said, she did not sound very nice at all."
"She only had a different opinion than ours. Queen Gretta is a person who appreciates extravagant things." Elsa explains, sitting up in an extra regal way to help prove her point. "She rather enjoyed showing off the surplus of items in her collection. Which, although impressive, was also mildly frightening."
"That sure sounds like an interesting place. Very posh and rrroyal." She rolls the "r" sound on her tongue. The girl then daintily takes a sip from her mug, mimicking an especially fancy attitude.
Elsa giggles at her sister's act. "Oh, it was." She nods, agreeing with the princess. "And you wouldn't believe how strict security was. Guards at every door. Only certain people were allowed in the castle at certain times. They even went as far as to hire a bodyguard to stay with me."
"A bodyguard? How bizarre!" Anna says. She leans back and sinks into the settee, now dropping the charade.
"Indeed, it was." Elsa says simply, taking another drink of cocoa.
"Tell me more." Anna requests in a light-hearted, not-really-demanding, sort of way.
"Well..." Elsa pauses a second to think. "After the Northern Isles, our ship docked in Corona."
"That's where Uncle Frederick, Aunt Cathrine, and Cousin Rapunzel live!" Anna reminds her happily.
Although her meeting with her cousin was brief, she really seemed to enjoy seeing her... for the first time... ever. Hmm... Why is it that she is just now meeting this cousin? She thinks there might have been something about the sun and a flower and a thief and a kidnapper, but she's not entirely sure.
"Don't forget Rapunzel's boyfriend, Eugene." Elsa adds. Well there's the thief. "Oh Anna, it was such a lovely place! You would have adored it there. I wish you could have come."
"Next time I will." Anna promises, taking Elsa's hand. "Because I'm never letting you out of my sight again!" She hugs her sister tightly, yet somehow avoiding spilling a single drop of either of their drinks.
"And I'm not letting you out of mine." Elsa smiles and places her mostly empty cup down.
Anna opens her mouth to ask something, but then hesitates. Should she? "Can I ask you a question? Well, besides that one I just asked."
"Of course. Anything."
"Why didn't you just sail off of the island?" Anna asks softly. "You said you could make a boat out of ice. And you did. Make one, I mean. So why not leave sooner?"
"We couldn't have simply gone into the middle of the ocean." The queen says, fiddling with her braid, not entirely sure how to explain it. "With no idea where we're going, and the nearest civilized land being so far away, we would have had a very little chance of succeeding."
Anna nods quietly. She understands exactly what Elsa means. In fact, she is glad that the queen did not attempt to risk drowning or being eaten by a shark. While Anna might be a better thinker under immediate pressure, Elsa takes the time to rationalize her situations, when given the opportunity.
Well... sometimes.
There was that time when she shut Anna out, not realizing the damage that was done because of it. Or when she accidentally struck Anna in the heart when she got upset. Elsa overreacts a lot. Not that Anna is blaming her for anything!
"Hey." Elsa gently and playfully nudges her sister's arm, breaking her from her thoughts. "I love you." She says, for no obvious reason other than she wanted to.
Anna smiles. There's no point in dwelling in the sadness of before. It's like what they say; if the past comes a-knocking, don't answer. It's not like it has anything new to tell you. At least, she thinks people say that.
"I love you, too." Anna replies.
"Do you wanna build a snowman?" Elsa asks with a soft grin.
"Make it a snow unicorn, and you've got yourself a deal."
"Hey Elsa," Anna waves her sister over to the desk she was hunched at. "Come look at this."
They both were going through a stack of letters for work. Elsa told Anna earlier that she is perfectly capable of handing business on her own, but the younger woman was persistent in helping. To be honest, Elsa is glad to spend the extra time with her sister.
"What is it?" Elsa asks, leaning over her sister's shoulder.
"A letter from Weselton." Anna tells her.
Oh no, Elsa thinks. Since she's been home, Elsa hasn't put very much thought into her situation with Hans and Weselton and it frightens her as to what content the letter might hold.
"Well, what does it read?" Elsa calmly asks, sounding mildly interested despite her fear being very prominent in her mind.
"Ahem," Anna clears her throat and begins to read.
"'Dear Princess Anna of Arendelle,
We in Weselton are saddened to hear of the demise of the queen. The late Queen Elsa was a valuable trade partner to us here and we offer you our condolences.
However, we have received your letter and are pleased that you are willing to rekindle the business with us. We accept. If you would be willing to sail to Weselton to discuss it in person, we would be most pleased.
Sincerely,
The Duke of Weselton'"
Elsa breathes deeply. She was expecting something from Hans himself, and if Anna sees something like that, the outcome could only be bad.
"That was interesting." Anna speaks up, folding the letter in half and setting it down. "Funny that they don't know that you returned. I'll reply to them right now." She picks up a pen and puts it to paper.
"What are you going to write?" Elsa asks her, peering at the letter.
"Oh I'm just letting them know that you made it home okay." Anna shrugs, writing her words down. "And if they want to discuss trade, they are going to have to come here, because there's no way I'm going on a ship after what just happened."
"I'm glad."
"I mean, how in the world could they think I'd want to leave Arendelle?" Anna continues, throwing an arm carelessly into the air. "Especially if they think you've just passed away in a shipwreck!"
Elsa frowns. Could Hans have planned- never mind. She doesn't even want to consider that right now.
"It's very odd." Elsa says simply, not wanting to reveal her inner mindset.
"Yeah..." Anna purses her lips, beginning to go into a deep thought herself. She then shakes her head. "Let's finish this work up, shall we?"
Elsa smiles. "Okay." She picks up the next letter in the stack and opens it. "Ugh." She say, reading it and rolling her eyes. "Another marriage proposal. I don't even know these people! Why would they jump straight into marriage? It's insan- are you giggling at me?"
Anna nods, trying to contain her mild laugher. "You're so goofy sometimes, Elsa."
"Not wanting to get married before meeting a person does not make me 'goofy.'" Elsa says in her defence.
"Yeah, but you get so worked up over these proposals. It's funny." Anna shrugs.
Elsa sighs, and then smiles alongside her sister. "Maybe I am a bit goofy. But I'm not the only one."
"Of course you aren't. There's no way I will let you do it alone." Anna says, holding her head up high. "I'm goofy and I'm proud!" She states.
Now it's Elsa's turn to giggle. "Me too!" She adds. "But we really need to finish this."
"Whatever you say, Elsa." Anna begins to read through more letters.
Elsa gives her sister a fond smile, but the princess is too absorbed in her task to notice it. Elsa knows Anna will do anything for her; just like she'll do anything for Anna.
It's so nice to be home.
"AHHHHH!" They hear Brandr run past the room. The two girls jump up, prepared for anything. They run and follow him outside.
"Brandr, what's wrong?" Elsa quickly approaches the teen. She stops a few feet away when she notices his hands are ablaze. "Are you okay? Why are you on fire?" She asks frantically.
"I don't know!" Brandr yells, looking just as confused as she was feeling. He finally shakes the flames away from his hands. "Well... That's never happened before..." He looks over his hands, an almost worried expression all over his face.
Elsa and Anna frown too. Then Elsa get another idea-look on her face. She gently places her hand on Brandr's shoulder.
"I think I know the place to go." She says.
Trolls. Apparently that's where Elsa was taking him. And Anna, Olaf, and that Kristoff guy were going too. Apparently Kristoff is related to the trolls... Yeah. Not that Brandr has anything against that. No, that sounds kinda cool, actually.
The group took two horses and a reindeer to the Valley of the Living Rock. Elsa and Brandr to one horse, Anna and the very chatty Olaf on the second, and Kristoff rode on Sven the reindeer. They've been riding for a few hours now, and are trotting through a clearing, geysers scattered all around them, some of which occasionally going off.
Elsa slows their horse down as they near the valley, allowing Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf to continue on ahead of them.
"Now the trolls may seem a bit odd, but Grand Pabbie knows more about magic than you and I ever will." Elsa tells the teen. "Let's hope he knows what's going on." The geyser besides them begins to hiss, and then shoots a column of steam into the air
"I just don't get it... I've never had trouble controlling my powers before." Brandr heaves a sigh, this situation clearly weighing heavily on him.
The two continue on into the valley, where dozens of rock-trolls were going gaga over the others. They seem friendly, Brandr thinks as he enters. They all then fall completely silent when they see the two. What did I do?!
"It's the queen!" One of them shout, pointing at Elsa. Brandr exhales in relief. They weren't referring to him.
"Yup." Olaf nods. "Elsa's the the queen. Of Arendelle, too." He tells the troll next to him, who nods, knowing this.
An ancient looking, mossy troll rolls up to Elsa. "Your majesty." He nods his head. "Is there something the matter? The Arendellian monarchs do not typically visit us unless there is an emergency." This must be Grand Pabbie.
"Ahem!" Anna coughs.
"Except our lovely Anna, of course." Pabbie gestures to the girl with a smile, who smiles back with a thumbs up.
"Well, there isn't anything wrong, per say, only a bit strange." Elsa pushes Brandr forward. "This is Brandr." She introduces.
"Hi. How ya doing?" The boy waves. Pabbie immediately takes his hand and examines it.
"I sense a strong magic within you." Pabbie says. "Dangerous magic, that I've never seen before. But very controlled. This you know, I'm sure."
Brandr nods, impressed. "Yeah, but that's the issue. Earlier this morning, my hands burst into flames for no reason... Not really controlled at all."
"Hmm." Pabbie considers this. "You are thirteen years old, yes?"
"Yeah, how did you know?"
"Magic. I confess I know little of your powers, but I'll tell you of the knowledge I do have." Pabbie begins to explain his theory, waving his hand. "Now, you are only an adolescent, and your magic has yet to reach its full potential. This time it is just a slight fluctuation in your powers."
"This time?" Brandr asks.
"Yes. You are young, over-emotional, and have yet to mature." He shushes Brandr, and keeps him from interrupting. "They are strong and will continue to grow stronger, maybe even before you're entirely ready. Like Elsa's, your powers are directly controlled by your emotions and you must be very careful, especially at this age when emotions can be unstable."
"Fear will be your enemy." Elsa supplies confidently.
"No, no!" Pabbie shakes his head, earning a confused look from the queen. "Fear is your enemy, Elsa."
"I'm not scared of my powers." Brandr says, trying to be helpful.
"I know. Brandr, I believe that you must be wary of guilt." The troll says, looking into his eyes. "You might not feel bad whenever you take things for self-preservation, but I feel great amounts of guilt buried deep within you. Tragic events that you feel may be your fault. But you must not let them overwhelm you."
Brandr looks away in disbelief. "H-how do you know?"
"Magic." Pabbie shrugs. "Please Brandr. You are capable of very powerful, very dangerous things. This is why I am so concerned. Fire must be watched over and tended to carefully, or else it destroys everything."
Brandr nods in understanding. "Okay." He says. "Then I'll be okay?"
"Yes. You are doing a fine job of controlling it now." Pabbie says. He looks to the rest of the group. "It's nice seeing you all again. Are you going to be staying for dinner?"
Anna and Kristoff look at each other, and then nod happily.
"Yes, Grand Pabbie." Kristoff answers. The trolls then cheer, and begin to go find food suitable for humans. "Careful, it's not the best food." Kristoff warns them... Well, warns Anna mostly. But Brandr is sure he means it for the others too.
What Pabbie said to him really made a lot of sense. It doesn't bring up any happy thoughts, but it makes sense. Today wasn't the best for him emotionally, but the strange fire was just because he's growing up. Maybe there was a little more to it, but Brandr is fine. He decides to put the thing out of his mind and begins to hum the "Happy Birthday" tune.
"What is that terrible sound?" He hears somebody yell and immediately stops, a slightly embarrassed grin on his face. He sometimes forgets he is not a singer. Whoops.