Chapter 15
Six Months Later
Fredric
Fredric paced his tiny room, contemplating his next move. Now that he knew where he was, he had to make plans to escape. He just couldn't figure out how and when.
Five months, stuck on an island somewhere; not even knowing where he was. All he ever saw were men in hooded brown robes who gave him his meals every 6 hours. He couldn't get any information out of them for these monks had taken a vow of silence.
Fredric always knew his way around people, but this was brilliant. He had told the guards that they had gotten the wrong man, that he was a twin and that his name was Henrik. The real Fredric had escaped and that they should go find him. The two guards stared at one another and hesitated putting the chains on his wrist, which is what he counted on. What he hadn't counted on was that they really didn't believe him for a second, but that second was all it took for him to knock them out with two of those water bubbles to their faces. By the time they wiped the water off their faces, Fredric was gone and no one could find him.
Truth was that he ran down a dark alley and blended into the darkness. He waited until the light came, but by then it was too late as the Guards were able to grab him again.
This time they chained him up and knocked him out. He woke in the tiny room that he was in now, not knowing where he was or how he got there.
Fredric felt as if he was still in a prison as the room had been locked; his meals served to him were passed through a small opening at the bottom of the door, which was made expressly for that purpose. Two months had passed, according to his markings he made with a rock he had found, in his cell, they opened up the door and let him walk outside for a few minutes every day. The minutes turned into an hour and then to an hour and a half according to the mantel clock right outside his room.
Fredric supposed that the monks trusted him more and more as they saw that he would not make trouble for them. They seemed to show him a kind of love that he never had before and he responded favorably to it. He did the chores they gave him to do without hesitation. He even promised that he'd join the order in a few months. It seemed to make them happy.
And it seemed that, for once, he felt happy as well. At least, for a little while anyway.
Just two weeks ago, he found a book left in his room that contained a map of the place and the name of the monastery he was in. He was surprised to learn that it wasn't far from Arendelle at all, in fact, it was right near the village itself.
And so, here he was, pacing in his room, thinking about an escape. He would get his revenge, he was sure of it.
In the meantime, he had to play like an innocent man who lost his memory. He actually had no choice, but to keep up appearances. He'd find a way out of here, he knew he would.
XXXXXXXXXX
Elsa, Anna, Henrik and Kristoff
First Day of the Fun Family Festival, Enchanted Forest
The Fun Family Festival's first day was truly a success. It had taken months of planning, sketches and setting up booths and exhibits to get it exactly right, but it was worth it. It would be a week-long festival revised from the one day that was originally planned.
Thanks to Kristoff's talks with Yelena, Ryder and the other Northuldrians, it was educational and informative. Henrik supplied the mythology connected to the Enchanted Forest, told fortunes and agreed to put on magic shows to keep the children busy. Elsa made ice sculptures for children and adults alike. Kristoff started making crude sketches of people attending the fair and Anna packaged them. There was plenty of food and desserts to partake of.
Kristoff, Elsa and Henrik had boasted of beautiful sunsets and clear starry nights in the Enchanted Forest now that the mists were gone and Anna couldn't wait to see it.
"Well, you guys were right," Anna said, leaning into Kristoff as the four of them, marveling at the clear sky. "It really is beautiful and it's so quiet after such a busy day."
"Hey," Kristoff said, "you think it was busy today, wait until you guys see what's in store tomorrow."
"And the next day, and the next day," Henrik said. He turned to look at Elsa, Anna and Kristoff.
""I hope that you're all ready for my magic shows, they're starting tomorrow and you know, you'll all be in them."
""I had heard that," Kristoff said, still staring at Anna who was staring right back at him. "I wonder who'll be better at it."
"Well," Elsa said, "my powers are different than Henrik's."
"Yeah, I know that," Kristoff answered, "He's threatening to cut me in half and then you can freeze me. I can hardly wait."
"Now that sounds interesting." Henrik said, smiling.
"Well, we'll see," Elsa said, "I'm sure it won't be that bad. Henrik is still teaching me all these tricks to do and I may even try one of them out on my own in a few days. I'm actually going to be assisting him when he cuts you in half."
Kristoff and Anna were lost in each other as usual. Twelve years come and gone and they still loved each other.
"Hey, maybe we ought to go to our separate tents? We do have to get up early, you know." Henrik said, helping Elsa up.
"Good idea," Kristoff whispered his eyes meeting Anna's. He pulled her close. ""What do you say?"
"What about the kids?" Anna whispered.
"You know that they're in good hands," Kristoff said, kissing her nose. He let her go and stood up, putting out his hand to help her up. "They're with Yelena and Honeymaren tonight. The nannies will be here tomorrow."
"Well, if you're ready," Henrik said, "So it's good night until tomorrow."
And the two of them headed off to Elsa's tent.
Kristoff held out his hand and helped Anna up. "Come join me, Your Majesty."
"I'd love to, Your Highness."
XXXXXXXXXX
Henrik and Kristoff
Kristoff couldn't sleep. He didn't want to disturb Anna who, for once, looked very peaceful. He smiled, shook his head and left the tent without waking her.
The stars were beautiful as usual. It was as if the entire night sky was lit up. Not that they weren't in Arendelle, but there were no gas lamps lit to block out the beauty and the wonder of these nightlights, as he sometimes referred to them.
"Lovely, aren't they?"
Kristoff turned around to find Henrik in back of him. He smiled.
"What are you doing up?"
"Watching the stars," Henrik said, "as you are. What about Anna?"
Kristoff smiled and shook his head. "For once, she's sound asleep. I didn't want to wake her."
Henrik smiled. "Elsa tells me that you…"
Kristoff laughed. "Adore her? She always describes it that way. And yes, I do. There is no world without Anna in it, none. Anna and my kids are what I live for. It's the first time in my life that I have ever felt confident, secure." He put his arm behind his head, a little self –conscious now. "How do you feel about Elsa?"
Henrik turned quiet. He looked away from Kristoff. "What about her?"
"Well," Kristoff said, "She's always been there for me when I needed her. We confide in each other a lot. We have lots in common other than ice. You two would be good for each other."
Henrik turned to look at him, smiled, and turned back to look at the sky. He shook his head. "I would love to get to know her better, Kristoff. I am in love with her, I won't lie to you. But, as all water nymphs, I'm not made that way. And I don't want to hurt her. I can't get tied down to one person, but that doesn't mean that I will never see her again."
Kristoff's eyes widened. "You think it could get serious?"
Henrik shrugged. "I don't know. We are still in school, Elsa and I and she's learning quickly. It happens that way sometimes. And who knows, I just might change my mind."
"And?"
Henrik looked at him. "She's enjoying her freedom. It's all she's ever wanted. She says maybe in the future, but I'm not going to hold her to it. Elsa deserves someone who can devote his or her whole time to her projects and I am not made that way, I told you."
"And I never ever thought that I'd get used to this kind of life," Kristoff said, "I didn't start out wanting to be royal; it was just love and acceptance that brought me around and now that's all I feel. A family is a family and for once, I finally have one that I can love and one that loves me in return."
Kristoff yawned and stood up. "I've got to get back inside before Anna wakes up. Aren't you going in?"
Henrik smiled. "I will in a few. I still have a some things to add to the show. You are singing tomorrow, aren't you?"
Kristoff nodded. "Yep, I planned it all out. The Noble Singers of Arendelle," he smiled.
Henrik laughed. "I like it. Can I bill your group as such?"
"Sure," Kristoff said. "I guess it's pretty catchy." He yawned again. "Night, Henrik. See you in the morning."
"It's already the morning," Henrik called out as he watched Kristoff enter his tent.
He waited until he disappeared inside and turned to look at the sky.
He had this nagging feeling that something was coming and he couldn't shake it loose.
