(A/N: Sorry for the delay for those who are following Frozen Tales. Update schedule has been weird lately. I have been spending a little extra time on Grim Knight and The Queen and the Harvester, but I'm back.)
CHAPTER 22: STRONGEST MAN IN ARENDELLE
Since the rule of Aren, the founder and first king of Arendelle, the kingdom held an annual event for men. It started out as a barbaric fighting royal, but as time passed and rules were changed little by little, it became reduced to the "Strongest Man in Arendelle competition." Men from all over the kingdom will perform mighty feats to pit their strength against others. Whoever won would get the honor of wearing the golden Crown of Aren. It wasn't really his crown, just an object paying homage to the founder of the kingdom and the event. Aren never wore a crown, believing his people were his equal and he treated them as such, according to legends since some in Arendelle believe Aren was myth while others believe he was real. The first and last time Elsa and Anna witnessed the event was when they were very little. King Agnarr and Queen Iduna would act as silent judges, but Elsa and Anna were always jumping excitedly in their parent's laps cheering, which was entertaining for their parents no doubt. Sadly, the event was done away with when King Agnarr closed the gates and certain traditions were lost, traditions like the ringing of the Yule Belle. Since Elsa and Anna brought back the Yule Belle, many wondered if the Strongest Man in Arendelle competition would make its return under Queen Elsa's first year of ruling.
"No, Anna," Elsa explained firmly from her desk while she worked.
"Oh, come on, Elsa! The gates are opened again. Everyone in town is wondering about the event as well, not just me. The day is coming up soon," Anna reminded Elsa.
"I know very well, Anna, but I am the Queen of Arendelle and I have made up my mind," Elsa stood firmly by her decision to not bring back the silly event.
Anna stood up and inhaled deeply, which made Elsa look at her. "Kristoff!"
Kristoff quickly entered, "Is she bringing it back?"
Anna's expression said it all which made Kristoff groan loudly with frustration which made Elsa speak up to defend her decision. "This is just some silly male event to justify men acting like fools and show off their muscles and add to their enormous egos."
"It's more than that Elsa. This is an old tradition that the Ice Harvester Guild love attending yearly. Yes, it began as fights, but it kept this kingdom strong," Kristoff attempted to justify the event, "If you take away the competition, you take away every man's self-respect and dignity."
Elsa looked up at him suddenly, "Excuse me, Kristoff?"
"You heard me, Elsa," Kristoff said firmly.
"My decision is final," Elsa repeated and got back to work.
Kristoff and Anna looked at Elsa before Anna looked up at Kristoff, "Nice try, Kristoff."
"The guys are going to throw their own event, they are going to restart the fights. You can come with me to watch Anna," Kristoff said.
"Fights, really?!" Anna exclaimed with excitement.
"There will be no fighting in my kingdom," Elsa stood behind her desk and declared firmly.
"The Harvesters are going to throw it up north outside of Arendelle. They said they'll not spread the word around if you'll bring back the 'Strongest Man in Arendelle competition.'" Kristoff explained to Elsa.
"The Harvesters are blackmailing me?" Elsa asked with a hint of amusement in her voice. "Just how desperate are they?"
"They're getting restless. Having the event become a friendly strength competition prevented people from getting hurt. It was an outlet for tension and helps with the kingdom's morale," Kristoff explained more, taking one last jab at Elsa with logic and reason.
Elsa thought on this. "I don't want anybody getting hurt. Very well, Kristoff. You've convinced me that Arendelle needs this event. I'll make the announcement so that competitors can prepare for the event."
Anna excitedly hugged Elsa, "I have the best sister ever!"
Elsa laughed at Anna's behavior.
Elsa made the announcement in the Royal Palace courtyard after summoning the people of Arendelle. Her announcement sent everyone into an uproar of excitement and the citizens all rushed off to prepare for the upcoming event. Elsa returned inside where a small special vault in her office sat undisturbed for over a decade. She opened it to look upon the Crown of Aren. I hope I'm making the right choice bringing this event back.
Anna walked around the kingdom, watching everyone express such excitement for the return of the competition. The competition was also known for its many various types of foods that the people would enjoy as they watched, which was Anna's favorite part, especially the chocolate treats from the Wilkerson's, sandwiches, Krumkake and Flangendorfers from the Baker's. Hmm, Anna drooled, her taste buds and tummy already shaking with excitement.
The sound of a hammer seized Anna's attention. At Diantha's Orphanage, Kristoff was repairing the front door. He noticed her when she got close enough, "Hey, Anna. Thanks for your tip. Elsa really does crumble under logic and reason."
"What can I say? I know her very well," Anna shrugged.
"More like TOO well," Kristoff laughed, finishing up with the door.
Anna recalled Kristoff's revelation of wanting to adopt Cian and Ciara and the way he looked at her when he mentioned wife and mother and the way he held her right hand. Does he…? How much of our future has he already planned? Nervously, she moved some hair behind her ear. "How are things going with the orphans?"
"Great. They still miss Diantha's father. One girl in particular, Fraida. She's Diantha's daughter," Kristoff shared as he started picking up his hammer and jar of nails.
"Oh? Another young woman has caught your eye? I might be jealous," Anna teased, getting closer to Kristoff.
Kristoff got nervous as Anna got closer with a smile. He laughed nervously as her hand touched his arm and the other his chest. Kristoff noticed the kids inside watching and whispering with giggles. "Uh, Anna? They're watching us."
Anna looked behind them and saw the children and greeted them happily, "Hi, there!"
Kristoff watched Anna with mesmerized curiosity as she greeted the children and she smiled as they showered her with questions. One which was personal.
"Are you and Kristoff going to get married?" one orphan girl asked with a giggle, followed by the others giggling.
Anna and Kristoff's eyes met and they both turned red and looked away with awkward smiles. "I should get back to Elsa. See if she needs any help with the event," Anna excused herself, stealing a glance of Kristoff's red face as she walked by. Behind her she could hear Kristoff getting onto the children and making them laugh even more, which made her laugh as well.
Inside the throne room, Anna found Elsa on her throne meeting with Arendelle officials to set up the competition. She groaned slightly, needing to talk to Elsa about something important…and private. She waited patiently, but her troubled face caught Elsa's attention, "Anna? What's wrong?"
"Your busy. I'll come back later," Anna assured her and was heading out.
"Anna, wait. May I have the room please?" The officials all left, leaving Elsa and Anna alone in the large throne room. Elsa approached Anna and took her sister's hands in her's. "What's wrong?"
Anna blushed, unsure of how to talk about this with Elsa. "Um…I don't know how to explain it?"
"Is it Kristoff?" Elsa asked with a smile. She laughed when Anna gave her a surprised look. "Only Kristoff can make you blush that much, sis."
"Well, we've been dating for almost a year now. We both love each other. I think things are getting…serious," Anna explained with a smile at the end, which made Elsa enter big sister mode.
"Just how serious are we talking?" Elsa asked motherly.
"Oh, Elsa. We only have snuggled and kissed. Nothing beyond that," Anna assured Elsa.
Elsa began walking back towards her throne as she replied, "I know. I caught your public display of affection on the North Mountain in Kristoff's sleigh."
"That was you! You caused the snow to fall on us," Anna exclaimed, pointing at Elsa, who smiled at her. "Okay, we do that occasionally-"
"How occasionally?" Elsa asked again motherly.
"That's not the point of why I needed to talk to you. Kristoff…I think he's thinking about asking me to marry him."
"What?" Elsa asked with surprise. "Anna, are you sure? Did he use the word?"
"No, but he's been making strong hints to me recently," Anna replied.
"And just what hints are those?" Elsa asked with small laughter, believing Anna was looking too deeply into what was going on and misinterpreting things.
"Kristoff is wanting to start a family, because he revealed he was wanting to adopt Cian and Ciara. Since they were already adopted, he shrugged it off saying that a family wouldn't be complete…without a wife," Anna explained, "The way he looked me, Elsa, and said that. He once commented what a great mother I would be one day."
Elsa was silent by Anna's revelation. She had no idea Kristoff felt that strongly about Anna. "Tell Kristoff I need his help with something. I'll try to discover what his intentions are."
"Please, Elsa. Don't make him feel awkward about it. He might back out. I REALLY love Kristoff, Elsa," Anna begged.
"So, you WOULD say yes if he asked?" Elsa asked.
"Of Course, I would. I just don't want to rush him," Anna explained.
Elsa smiled at how mature Anna was being. "Okay, sis. However, I would still like to talk to him to gauge how serious he is. I'll be subtle."
Anna left to send Kristoff to Elsa. Elsa thought deeply on what she had just learned from her little sister. I'm happy. I really am. I did give Kristoff my blessing to court Anna, so why am I so surprised? It's a bit sooner than I suspected. Anna is cautious about it, which is good.
Kristoff entered the throne room to find Elsa deep in thought. A smile came across his face as he snuck up behind her and suddenly grabbed Elsa's shoulders, making her tense up immediately and create a bunch of ice at her feet.
Elsa turned around to give Kristoff a scowl as he fell to the floor with laughter. "My sister is having too much of an influence on you, Kristoff," she said firmly, recalling all the times Anna has done that to her.
"Anna said you needed my help with something. What do you need?" Kristoff said, getting up.
"I need to set a table out by the gates. Competitors will need to sign in and be given a number. Friday night is the deadline," Elsa explained. Before she could help carry the table, since it was heavy, Kristoff picked it up himself and held it over his head. "Uh…Kristoff?"
"Yeah?" he asked, turning around and almost hitting Elsa in the head. He just stared at Elsa, clueless.
Elsa smiled, "Never mind." She grabbed two chairs and walked by Kristoff as they headed outside. She snuck a few glances at him, thinking how to bring the subject up. She remembered Diantha apologizing to Kristoff about Cian and Ciara. "Cian and Ciara got adopted. I'm going to miss them. It was nice having them with us in the palace."
"Yeah, it sure was," Kristoff smiled.
"Anna mentioned you were wanting to adopt them," Elsa shared, "That's why you were deadset against me sending them to Diantha's."
"No, not exactly," Kristoff replied, sitting the table down by the gates to explain more, "I was in orphanages a lot when I was little. I was bullied a lot and sometimes mistreated by the adult I was assigned to. It wasn't something I wanted them to go through, but Diantha was different."
"So, building a family wasn't your reason?" Elsa asked.
Kristoff was silent briefly. "I wouldn't say that. The thought has crossed my mind, but maybe a little later down the road."
Elsa smiled with relief. She was afraid Kristoff was going to rush things, but he's just as cautious and patient as Anna. "How are things going with Anna?"
"Great. Anna is amazing, Elsa. There was no one before her, so I never imagine someone like her would be interested in a guy like me. She makes me happy and makes my life feel more exciting," Kristoff shared.
Elsa smiled at Kristoff's answer. She sat the chairs by the table before laying a signup sheet on it with a feather pen in a small thing of ink. All of Arendelle was notified about where to sign up during Elsa's announcement. Eventually, men started arriving to sign up. Elsa smiled and wished each one good luck. Anna arrived and Kristoff gave up his chair so she could sit next to Elsa. He stood behind them when he asked, "Do either of you know who the champion of the last event was?"
Elsa and Anna thought hard since it was so many years ago. Elsa searched for a paper and found a name. "The current champion of the Strongest Man of Arendelle competition is a man named Bear."
"Oh, look! Oaken's name is on there," Anna pointed out and Kristoff got close.
"Why am I surprised?" he asked, rubbing his head where it banged against his trading post sign when he got tossed out for calling him a crook. "Bear, huh?"
Just then, the largest man in Arendelle stepped forward and laughed, "That's me!"
Anna stared at how big the man's muscles were. "You're big."
Bear laughed proudly, "You like, Princess? I knew the competition would be returning, I have been training since the last event years ago. Can't have some rookie steal my title."
"No, we can't have that," Elsa replied, forcing a smile. Bear reeked of a macho attitude which she didn't find appealing. Certain men liked to boast about strength and how big their muscles are, but she was always more interested in an intellectual man who could hold a conversation and contribute valuable solutions to any given problem.
After signing up, Bear popped his pecs for Anna since she was so mesmerized and left with a laugh.
"Don't build men like that anymore," she said, still looking at Bear as he left.
Elsa noticed the look Kristoff had when she said that. Kristoff silently left, unnoticed by Anna. Elsa scowled at Anna and elbowed her.
"Ow, what was that for?"
"Just as clueless as ever," Elsa said, leaving Anna with Kai, to go after Kristoff.
Elsa caught up with Kristoff, "Kristoff, wait. Don't take what she said personally. She says things sometimes without thinking."
Kristoff froze, not looking her way. "Today is Monday. How long can you hold off on making that list official?"
"Midnight, Friday night. The competition will last all day Saturday. Why?" Elsa asked.
"I'll be back then," Kristoff said before leaving. As the week passed, competitors signed. On the final day to sign in, Elsa was forced to delegate sign ups to Kai to take care of another task. Kai came to deliver the sign-up sheets which contained lots of names, but many were crossed out.
"Kai? Why are many of these names crossed out?" Elsa asked with concern.
"I believe Bear's entry deterred many of the participants, Your Majesty," Kai replied.
Elsa read the list to see the few who were brave enough to oppose the proud champion. Oaken. Several names from the Ice Harvester Guild. The Blacksmith and…Elsa's heart froze when she saw the final name written on the sheet.
Today is Monday. How long can you hold off on making that list official?
Midnight, Friday night. The competition will last all day Saturday. Why?
I'll be back then.
She laid the paper down on the desk to hurry off to find him. The last name on the sheet. Kristoff Bjorgman. She searched his room and the stables, but couldn't find him. In fact, his wagon was still missing, a few of his things and Sven. Gerda noticed her worried behavior. "Is there something I can help you with, Your Majesty?"
"I'm looking for Kristoff. Have you seen him?" Elsa asked.
"Only when he arrived to sign up for the competition tomorrow. Then he grabbed a few of his things and headed into the woods nearby. Looked like he was going camping," Gerda shared what she could.
"Thank you, Gerda," Elsa said before hurrying off since it was getting late. She followed the smell of something burning. Sven immediately noticed her and greeted her happily, causing Kristoff to stand too. "Kristoff, we need to talk."
"What about?" he asked. When he stood, Elsa noticed he looked slightly bigger
"Kristoff…why are you participating?" Elsa asked.
"Is there some unspoken rule that I can't join?" Kristoff laughed, deflecting the question. "I figured I'd join too since the guys from work-"
"You entered because of Anna…what she said," Elsa corrected.
Kristoff was silent, his eyes left Elsa's awkwardly.
"Are you that afraid of losing Anna to another man that you feel you have to impress her?" Elsa asked, deducing his motive from his silence.
Kristoff looked at her and became slightly defensive. "Good night, Elsa." He laid back down by the fire and placed his cap over his eyes before comfortably joining his hands on his chest.
Elsa sighed before walking off. Kristoff moved his cap and watched Elsa leave. Are you that afraid of losing Anna to another man that you feel you have to impress her? Elsa's words struck at his heart. I am.
Next morning everyone was gathered in the training grounds where the Royal Guard would train. Due to the uneasiness of bringing this contest back and meeting Bear face to face, Elsa felt the need for security. Captain Halden of the Royal Guard and the members of the Peacekeepers were given special orders to ensure things don't…get out of hand.
Elsa and Anna took their seats at the head of the field, under a large piece of material that provided shade. The perimeter, the crowd, and the contestants were being monitored by the Royal Guard and the Peacekeepers. Anna brought a big sandwich and took as big a bite as she could which made Elsa laugh slightly. Anna looked at her with a full mouth, "What's so funny?"
"Oh…nothing," Elsa smiled, wiping the corner of Anna's mouth. "Anna. You and I are SILENT judges. We need to be impartial, so we can't cheer. I don't think I have to worry about you since that's quite a…large sandwich," Elsa commented as Anna took another large bite. Oh, Anna.
"This is going to be great! So many people signed up," Anna commented after swallowing.
Elsa cringed, "Yeah, about that." She handed Anna her copy of the list.
Anna nearly choked on her next bite when she saw how small the list turned out, which worried Elsa. "Anna?!"
"This is it?! Where are all the names I saw the other day?" Anna asked, looking at Elsa.
"Bear's return intimidated many to drop out," Elsa explained, feeling disappointed as well. The event was meant to be fun, but too many dropped out…out of fear.
Anna examined the list closer and she froze when she saw Kristoff's name. "Kristoff?"
Elsa watched her face the whole time to see her reaction. "I'm sorry, Anna. I tried to talk him out of it."
"Why? This is great!" Anna exclaimed with excitement.
Elsa became confused. "Wait. You want Kristoff participating?"
"He's my boyfriend. I didn't think he would participate…but this is a surprise. He never seemed like the competitive type," Anna said, looking at Kristoff's name on the sheet.
Elsa looked away at the field. "Your comment drove him to it."
"What was that, Elsa?" Anna asked.
"You were…drooling over Bear when he signed up. Kristoff felt-" Elsa explained.
"Jealous?" Anna asked with a laugh.
Elsa cringed slightly, recalling her conversation with Kristoff the night before. "Wounded. He joined because he thinks he has to impress you."
"Impress me?" Anna asked, confused.
"Or else he fears he'll lose you," Elsa finished. This struck at Anna's heart.
She quickly stood, "I need to go talk to Kristoff. I didn't mean to make him feel like that."
Elsa grabbed her wrist. "You can't be near the contestants. You are a judge and people may think you are showing Kristoff favoritism."
"Well, of course he my favorite. He's my boyfriend!" Anna yelled back with frustration.
Suddenly, horns began to blow Arendelle's national anthem. For which, everyone rose as the flag was raised on the field along with an old flag that was made during the time of Aren to commemorate the event and its founder. During this, the contestants marched out on the field. Ice Harvesters they both recognized. The Blacksmith. Oaken, who greeted them with a "Yoo Hoo! Hello, Your Majesties!"
Anna smiled encouragingly when she saw Kristoff, who met her eyes and smiled back warmly as if comforted by her smile. Elsa stood to speak to the contestants, "Welcome, men of Arendelle! Today you will pit your strength against one another in a number of four tests! Each round, whoever lifts the least weight will be disqualified. May God grace you all with strength and perseverance! May the strongest man in Arendelle win!"
Bear laughed, "Oh, I plan too! That crown is as good as mine!"
On the field, multiple round boulders that varied in size sat. These were provided by stone carvers years ago. The first contest was to see who can lift the most weight and move it across the field the quickest. All the contestants removed their tops to reveal bulky muscles. Bear dominated. The middle-aged Blacksmith was disqualified. The second contest was to push larger round boulders. Again, Bear dominated, moving his with ease. Several ice harvesters were disqualified. All that remained was Kristoff, Oaken and Bear. Third contest, each was strapped to a boulder of their choice to drag to the other side of the field. Kristoff forced himself to go heavier to have any hope of keeping up with Bear. Bear slowly dragged his slowly but still faster than the other two. Oaken was a bigger man than Kristoff and was getting ahead. Kristoff turned around to grab the chains attaching him to the boulder and pulled with all of his might. This helped him gain momentum and pass Oaken who ran out of steam. "Oh, dear. That's no good." Oaken however managed to finish equally with Kristoff.
Oaken greeted Kristoff with respect, holding out his hand. "You did great out there fellow."
Kristoff smiled and shook his hand. "Thanks, you too."
Bear was nearby. He looked at them angrily. Someone should have been disqualified!
Kristoff and Oaken joined Bear's side as the field was prepared. To have three contestants for the fourth and final round was unheard of. Kristoff looked up at Bear who towered next to him. "You got luck, maggot." Kristoff ignored his comment and held out his hand to wish him luck. Bear growled before shoving Kristoff several feet away, earning a gasp from the crowd. "Hey!" Princess Anna yelled, standing up. Elsa stood up too and threatened regally, "One more disrespectful act like that Bear and you will be disqualified and banned from ever entering the competition again."
Bear just scoffed and turned back to the field.
Fourth contest was to press as much weight over their head. There were four different size round stones. Oaken was smart and went with what he knew he could handle, the second heaviest. Oaken was older than Kristoff and didn't have the strength he used to. Bear laughed and chose the largest stone, causing a commotion in the crowd, since that size had never been attempted before since there was no one strong enough. Kristoff who was by the third heaviest, suddenly moved to the fourth.
This caused an even bigger commotion. Especially, Elsa and Anna. "He's going to hurt himself," Elsa thought out loud with worry. Anna shared her worry. Bear laughed at Kristoff mockingly. The horn blew and each began to lift. Once lifted, if the stone fell, the contestant would automatically be disqualified. Oaken lifted his with shaky limbs. He was going to do his best. If the other managed to lift theirs, he would be disqualified for lifting the least weight, but that didn't matter. He only entered for the fun. The crowd cheered for Oaken who pressed his weight above his head. He put his down and stepped to the side of the field. Bear, even though he was big, had trouble with the largest boulder. Contestants in the past attempted it, but could never lift it. He smiled since he was the first. With slow determination, he pressed his above his head and laughed loudly and proudly. He turned to taunt Kristoff but was silent.
Kristoff got off to a shaky start. Everyone was watching with great anticipation as Kristoff's fingers got underneath the large boulder as he strained to budge it upright enough to get underneath it. Anna was about to yell something but Elsa grabbed her hand. Kristoff spread out his hands to hold the large boulder leaning on his back. He leaned forward to get his legs into position and managed to lift the stone off the ground. The crowd was cheering. Kristoff legs trembled under the great weight and he staggered onto one knee, but still holding the weight up.
"Come on, Kristoff!" the other harvesters yelled. They never competed against one another, but always supported one another if one of them made it further. Their cheers got the crowd to cheer for him as well.
Kristoff began to push against the ground with his leg, getting his other leg into position. This is really, really, heavy. Getting his hands into position to push it over his head. He lifted large blocks of ice before, but this was different. His muscles were on fire, threatening to give out on him. If I can take it, I can make it. Everyone became silent as Kristoff slowly began to raise it, groaning from the strain. He paused briefly to dig deep for one last go. Kristoff yelled loudly as he pressed it above his head to everyone's shock. Everyone cheered loudly over what they just witnessed. Anna and Elsa both excited, stood up to clap for Kristoff.
"There can't be a tie!" Bear yelled, "There can only be one Strongest Man in Arendelle!"
Bear was right. This has never happened before. Elsa was as stumped as everyone else. Bear stepped forward when she asked him, "What do you propose?"
"One more round. Just me and Kristoff in a circle. Whoever can push the other out the boundaries wins," Bear proposed loudly for all to ear.
"Very well," Elsa answered.
Anna took her hand, "Kristoff is very tired. Shouldn't they rest before moving forward?"
Elsa understood Anna's worry and was about to say something, but Kristoff assured her, taking deep breaths to compose himself from the ground, "It's okay…Anna. I can…keep going."
"He can't, Elsa. Call for a recess, please," Anna whispered and Elsa stood, "To ensure the contestants perform at their best in the fifth round we will begin again in three hours." The crowd was confused since this had never happened before. It was new and it added to the hype. Everyone left to get more food and talk among themselves.
Anna helped Kristoff from the field to where she and Elsa sat since his entire body was like jelly. "I must say, Kristoff. I'm impressed," Elsa commented, give a respectful bow of the head.
"Me too," Anna smiled as she patted Kristoff's brow dry with part of her dress.
Kristoff looked at her, "You are?"
Elsa excused herself, "I'll go get you plenty of food. You'll need your strength for the final round."
They watched Elsa leave before Anna looked back at Kristoff, "Of course, I am, Kristoff."
Kristoff smiled, "Glad to hear."
Anna was silent briefly before speaking, "Kristoff…about what I said…I'm sorry if I hurt you. I didn't mean to make you feel…" Anna went silent, guilt rendering her speechless as she looked away. Kristoff smiled and took hold of her hand.
"Anna. I never want to enter this again," he said truthfully. "Everything hurts."
Anna laughed, "Like what?"
"Here," Kristoff struggled to merely move so he could point at his knee. Anna leaned in and kissed his knee, surprising Kristoff. His gaze met her's.
"Here," he said softly, pointing at his elbow. She smiled and kissed it too.
"Here," he said even softer, pointing at his shoulder. She kissed it longer.
Rendered speechless by the tenderness of her lips, Kristoff pointed to his lips. Anna leaned in and kissed his softly. Their lips gradually became more passionate as Anna got closer and Kristoff began to hold her. Elsa arrived with a tray of the best foods she could find. She stopped when she saw them and looked away awkwardly as their kisses became more passionate. Anna inched on his lap before Elsa cleared her throat and Anna pulled away, "Elsa!"
As Anna went over by Elsa, she smiled with a red face as Elsa eyed her. Elsa put the tray down on Kristoff's lap. "Thanks, Elsa. Ooh, carrots! How did you know?"
Anna and Elsa both laughed at Kristoff's sarcasm. Kristoff felt a little better after eating the food Elsa provided. Before they knew it, the crowd returned for the final round. The field was prepped for the two contestants. Bear waited on the field. Kristoff got up and headed out, but stopped when Anna took his hand. "Kristoff…you don't have to prove anything to me. Win or lose…you'll never lose me. Just have fun."
Kristoff entered with Bear. Bear looked down at Kristoff, not with a smug mocking look, but more curiosity. Bear held out his fist to Kristoff, which Kristoff stared at with confusion. He looked up at Bear as Bear gave an approving nod. "May the strongest man in Arendelle win."
Kristoff smiled and bumped his fist gently against Bear's. Both knelt and prepared. When the horn blew, both collided, grabbing the other's shoulders and pushing. Bear with his size and strength had the advantage. Kristoff just focused on staying in the circle for as long as he could, hoping to wear Bear down. The crowd was cheering. Kristoff was being pushed to the edge. This went back and forth for several minutes. Each feeling the fatigue hitting them. When Kristoff was pushed to the edge of the circle again, he made one last desperate attempt to win, taking advantage of Bear's heavy momentum by quickly trading places with him and pushing with all his strength. The two looked down and Bear's feet were outside the boundary, causing the ref to blow the horn and raise Kristoff's tired arm into the air to signal to everyone. The field roared with cheers. Anna ran out into the field and jumped into Kristoff's arms. Elsa wrote Kristoff's name on the paper that contained the names of champions and picked up the Crown of Aren before walking onto the field and presenting the crown to Kristoff for the rest of the day. Kristoff smiled as he looked down at Anna, before removing the crown and placing it on Anna's head.
(A/N: Sorry for the long chapter. This one got away from me a little.)