CHAPTER ELEVEN: The Bells of Arendelle
A few months had passed since Arendelle and the Enchanted Forest were set ablaze by a justified vengeance. Elsa returned to the Northuldra to help them recover and restore the home they've always known. Anna, with the help of the people, Arendelle was restored to it's former glory. Then came the day when the church bells of Arendelle rang loudly.
Anna was being prepared for the wedding as various servants helped her put on her mother's wedding dress, which Elsa insisted she wear. They also helped her with her hair and makeup. Anna could hardly breathe with the butterflies flying around in her stomach and her heart beating loudly. She stood tall in front of the mirrors and examined herself, turning various ways as the servants complimented her.
She quickly turned towards the doorway when she saw Elsa standing there watching with a proud and happy smile. Elsa remained quiet, just taking in how beautiful her little sister looked in the same dress their mother wore.
"How do I look, Elsa?" Anna asked nervously.
Elsa came to her and held her hands, "You look wonderful, Sis. Mother always wanted one of us to wear her dress."
Anna smiled and tears filled her eyes like Elsa and the two sisters hugged one another. "Thank you, Elsa, for always being there for me."
Elsa laughed, still embracing her little sister, "You stole my words, Sis."
Finally, Elsa left the room to find her seat, leaving Anna to undergo final preparations before she was called to the church.
When Anna got together with Elsa and made the plans for her wedding, they split the decisions. Anna took care of guests and the banquet hall while Elsa insisted on taking care of the rest and wouldn't share the details with Anna. You'll just have to wait and see, Anna.
Since her father died at see long ago, Anna requested General Mattias be the one to give her away. Mattias smiled and teared up like a proud father, "It would be my deepest honor, your Majesty."
The reverend stood at the altar facing the guests, who consisted of important officials from other kingdoms. The reverend spoke to the crowd briefly before motioning them to rise. Mattias and Anna walked in, arms locked. Anna was blown away when she saw Northuldra standing in the balcony above singing the same song they sang to her and Elsa in the Enchanted Woods following the announcement that their mother was Northuldra. Tears swelled in her eyes as she locked eyes with Kristoff, who was dressed in royal attire. He held up one finger. One hour. You get this for one hour. Anna laughed to herself.
On the left side, in the front row, stood Elsa who briefly took her hand before Anna was escorted to the altar. The singing stopped.
The spiritual minister motioned for everyone to be seated before he spoke. "Who gives the bride away?"
"I do, General Mattias of the Royal Guard," Mattias announced before Anna was guided onto the stage and she took Kristoff's hand. She couldn't stop smiling as she faced Kristoff. The minister gave the traditional procedure for the ceremony. "If anyone believes they should not be together, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Elsa suddenly began to wonder. Where's Olaf?
The doors slammed open and Olaf approached the altar. "I, Olaf, the snowman who likes warm hugs, object!"
Elsa buried her face in embarrassment as the crowd began to laugh to themselves. Anna and Kristoff struggled to contain their laughter. Olaf continued, "Why should the Queen of Arendelle settle for a pongee Reindeer King when she can have…perfection?" He asked and started walking like Elsa.
"Olaf," Elsa tried to intervene, embarrassed.
Olaf held up one of his hands to silence, "Not now, Elsa. I'm on a roll."
Olaf continued dramatically, "Why, Anna?! After all we have been through. We held hands. We rode a boat down the stream. You confessed you loved me."
Anna replied back to go with Olaf's joke, "I'll always love you, Olaf. Although I love Kristoff, you will always have a place in my heart."
"That sounds fair. Continue, please," Olaf gave his blessing and Elsa quickly scooped him up and rolled her eyes at him.
They delivered their vows from the heart and then placed the wedding bands on one another's fingers before the greatest words came, "You may now kiss the bride."
Anna's lips locked with Kristoff's passionately and the whole room cheered. That wasn't the end of it, though. Anna was escorted to the front row next to Elsa while Kristoff faced the minister.
"Since the loss of King Agnarr of Arendelle. The Kingdom has been without a King, until now," the minister announced before Kristoff bowed and a crown was placed on his head. The minister came back with a pillow that held the Scepter and Orb of Aren. Kristoff faced the crowd and beamed happily at his bride. The minister delivered his prayer in latin, blessing his reign and the kingdom before announcing, "I give you King Kristoff of Arendelle!"
Again, everyone rose cheering and clapping. When Anna and Kristoff were escorted outside, the whole Kingdom had gathered outside. The crowd roared with cheering and applause.
After Anna and Kristoff formally thanked the important guest inside, a celebration of given inside the banquet hall, which Elsa had decorated with her powers. Dancing, music and conversation of the future. Important artisans and trade partners introduced themselves to the royal couple. Kristoff and Anna started the first dance to slow music. They looked at one another happily and their lips met once more. As other's joined in, Anna noticed Elsa slipping away and she and Kristoff secretly followed.
Elsa went up to the North Mountain to the castle she made long ago. In the center of the large room stood Alek's ice statue. Her hand stroked his face. Memories of their time together came rushing back. Her discovering him in Ahtohallan. They sitting on the cliff watching the sunset. Their kiss.
Elsa felt the emotion coming back and she spoke to herself, "Why are you crying, Elsa? You didn't know him that long."
She suddenly turned her head when a hand rubbed her shoulder. "It was true love," Anna spoke.
"Why are you two here? You should be down there celebrating," Elsa asked.
"We came because your family," Kristoff said with a genuine smile.
Elsa began to tear up again and the royal couple embraced her.
