(A/N: I keep forgetting about Olaf. Most of the time I just had him wandering about being the curious child-like character he is. I had to write him into this chapter. I don't know why I keep forgetting him. Poor snowman. XD)
CHAPTER 24: Twenty-Two Candles
Elsa was tending to her duties after the incident with Kristoff subsided. She had to explain Kristoff's strange behavior and brief absence from work to the other harvesters who were concerned for him. Despite my sister's good intentions, she meddled with stuff she shouldn't have. Kristoff will be missing from work to recover. That was all she could say to the harvesters when she personally met with them on the frozen lake up north. Having a more attentive eye on the Ice Harvester guild after making Kristoff Arendelle's official Ice Master and Deliverer gave Elsa intimate knowledge on the dealings of the guild and the whereabout of the harvesters. Everyone in Arendelle was familiar with magic, but what happened with Kristoff…what Anna and he discovered about his past. It wasn't something she felt she should share. It was too soon and not her place.
She glanced over at Olaf who was on a chair so he could look over the balcony at people with her small telescope. She laughed at how child-like he was as he shared everything he could see. "Hey, Elsa?!
"Yes, Olaf?!" she replied from her desk, where she worked on documents.
"Men have short hair and Women have long hair, right?"
That was random. "Yes, Olaf. Traditionally, that is correct," Elsa laughed.
"Uh…then I must be seeing a REALLY big and strong lady or a guy whose confused, cause-" Olaf said, louder that he probably should've that Elsa jumped from her chair and took the telescope and brought him back inside.
"Remind me to teach you about manners," Elsa smiled, putting the telescope on the shelf. "Why don't you go find Anna while I finish with my work?"
"Okay," Olaf said, running off.
Elsa's worried thoughts returned to Anna and Kristoff. She felt more sympathetic towards Kristoff now more than ever. She knew Kristoff could be strange and often questioned Anna for picking him, but each passing day he became part of the family and she felt more connected and understanding. When news came of their parents' deaths at sea, the pain and anguish Elsa felt that day. Kristoff had to live with it every day. First, thinking his parents abandoned him. Then learning all over again they died. At first, she and Anna were worried for him when he isolated himself. However, her worries were tended to when she passed Kristoff's room and overheard him and Anna talking two days after the incident.
I shouldn't have gone to Grand Pabbie. I should have just respected what you said in the stables and left it at that. I just-
Kristoff hugged her and kissed her head gently.
Hey, it's okay. I know now what happened to my parents. Thank you for helping me learn the truth, Anna. Don't worry. I'll be okay. I promise.
Elsa commanded time away from work, but that didn't stop Kristoff from copping by working at the orphanage and others things around town. Elsa felt like she should chide him for disobeying her, but didn't see the point and let it go. The duties Kai had on the agenda for today kept her busy, but something felt off. Kai. Gerda. Olina. They were all acting strange as if hiding something from her. Elsa also hasn't seen Anna in a while. "Kai? Is something wrong?"
Kai flinched slightly, knowing he had been made, but tried to quickly recover his calm composure. Kai was jumpy. Elsa had known him all her life and Kai was always so calm and collected, rarely showing emotion. "Wrong, Queen Elsa?"
"Anna. You. Gerda. Olina. Every one of you are acting strange," Elsa explained from her desk, looking up at Kai who was starting to get nervous.
"Oh, it's nothing, Your Majesty," Kai laughed. "Today is just a busy day. It's messing with everyone."
"No," Elsa rose from her desk and slowly approached Kai. "That's not it. You are keeping something a secret from me." Her posture and tone were that of a queen, calm yet firm. "I haven't talked with my sister in the past two days due to my tasks and the fact that she's been avoiding me." A smile came across her face when a thought came to her and all the pieces came together. Of course! She's- Oh, sis. Elsa laughed quietly to herself. "So that's what you all are planning. I should've known better. Don't tell Anna I know. I'm sure she wants it to be a surprise."
Kai's eyes widened slightly, "I- I don't know what you are suggesting."
Elsa laughed again quietly and smiled at him for his devotion. "Of course, Kai. Don't worry. I don't know and you didn't tell." She gave him a wink and left the room. She made her way to the kitchen when she heard some noise. She stopped by the door and snuck a peak, smiling as Anna and Olina worked on baking a cake. From the looks of it, they were making a chocolate cake. Emphasis on the chocolate. Olaf was up on a chair getting into stuff.
"Olaf! What are you doing?" Anna gasped with shock.
Olaf froze with his twig finger in his mouth, "I'm not eating chocolate."
"This is for Elsa's surprise birthday party. You can have a piece later," Anna said and Olaf got excited.
Anna smiled with pride, which Olina shared, once they put the cake in the oven. "Now, I'll take Elsa on a walk so she won't smell it baking."
"Is that really necessary, Princess? Kai is keeping her busy with work in her office. Surely, she won't smell it all the way from upstairs," Olina said.
"Don't underestimate my sister and I. When it comes to chocolate, we have the noses of blood hounds," Anna smiled. Elsa covered her mouth to suppress a laugh. She's right. "Gerda and the others are prepping the Banquet Hall. Kristoff is aware and is gathering her gifts under the illusion he's working. When will the cake be finished?"
"Forty-five to an hour," Olina estimated as she began cleaning the kitchen. When Elsa saw Anna heading for the door, she ran for the library and casually sat in her father's large chair, reading a random book off the shelf. Really? A romance novel?
"There you are, Elsa," Anna's voice. Elsa had to contain her smile and quickly hid the book. "Let's go for a walk. It snowed more last night and everything looks pretty."
"I'd like that," Elsa smiled and stood. She already knew what Anna was doing and went along with it to amuse herself more.
Anna noticed the book Elsa was reading. "What's that? What are you reading?"
Elsa's face turned red before she quickly threw it back on the shelf and guided Anna away. "Nothing, Anna."
"That was a romance novel! Since when do you read romance?" Anna asked as Elsa pushed her forward.
"Don't be so surprised Anna. I'm human too. My taste in literature may be more refined and educational, but I have needs like every other woman in Arendelle," Elsa quickly said, then regretted it. What am I saying?!
"Didn't realize you had a cardinal bone in your body," Anna thought out loud. It was true, Elsa was a woman, but Anna never recalled Elsa showing any interest in that kind of stuff. She turned away suitors prior to Coronation Day. The letters she receives daily she just pitches into the fire place.
"Anna, let's go outside or I'm staying inside," Elsa threatened.
Outside, Anna's face became twisted with mischievous intent as she created a snowball and eyed Elsa who was ahead and had her back on her. She finally threw it and hit her in the back of the head, making Elsa jump startled.
Elsa turned to the sound of Ann's laughter and smiled before creating a large snowball over her head and began running at Anna, making her scream and run. Before the two knew it, they were in a snowball fight. The courtyard was filled with snowballs and laughter. Kristoff suddenly arrived in his wagon with a tarp over the back, which is where Elsa assumed was where he was hiding her gifts.
Elsa had an idea and wanted to mess with Anna, "I told Kristoff he wasn't supposed to work. I should remind him what happens when someone defies my orders." She went for the stables and entered to "confront" Kristoff and could smell the many Purple Heather, despite the manure of the Horses. Kristoff freaked when he turned and saw Elsa standing there. Anna caught up and blocked Elsa's path.
"How about a hike to your ice palace or around the wilderness?" Anna suggested with jittery desperation, which made it almost impossible for Elsa not to smile.
"What's that smell?" Elsa asked.
Kristoff sniffed and replied with heavy nervousness, "I'm sorry that was me. I had some beans for lunch…and I REALLY need a bath. That's it. Right, Anna?"
"Yes, exactly. I told him not to eat those beans earlier but he wouldn't listen to a word I said and he REALLY needs a bath. I mean like REALLY, REALLY needs a bath. Even Sven smells better than Kristoff now," Anna rambled. "Maybe I should cuddle with Sven instead."
Kristoff casually nudged her from behind and gave her an offended look. Excuse me? I took a bath this morning.
Their jittery behavior as they attempted to hide the truth with lies just made Elsa laugh loudly, which confused them, but Anna took the opportunity to guide Elsa out of the stables and away from the palace.
Elsa followed Anna's lead and they walked down the streets. She glanced at Anna, fighting the urge to tell her the truth about already knowing. She was starting to feel bad about having a party after what just happened with Kristoff. Kristoff is helping Anna with my surprise party and seemed in much better spirits then before. I don't know about this. I should tell Anna. She stopped, "Anna, I need to talk to you about something."
Anna looked back at Elsa and became concerned by Elsa's worried expression. "What about?"
Elsa was about to say something, but Anna noticed the time, "We got to head back, Elsa! Come on!" She took Elsa's hand and rushed her back to the palace. Before entering, Anna quickly tied a blindfold around Elsa's eyes. "Oh, Anna. Is this really necessary?"
"Yep," Anna's excited voice replied, Elsa felt Anna's warm hands take hers and guide her. Elsa knew she was being guided into the banquet hall because she knew these halls just as well as Anna. She was guided into the room where Anna ripped the blindfold and Elsa was barraged with a small crowd of people wishing her, "Happy Birthday!"
Anna. Kristoff. Olaf. Kai. Gerda. Olina. Other palace staff members who could attend. Elsa looked down at the large three-layer chocolate cake in front of her and looked up at everyone who was clapping and cheering. Olaf hid his face behind Anna's skirt and yelled in a gravelly voice, "Twenty-Two is crazy old!"
Everyone, including Elsa laughed. Anna gave him a nudge with her foot. "Blow out the candles, Elsa. Make a wish!"
Elsa glanced at Kristoff briefly. He seemed very happy, but she still felt weird about celebrating her birthday.
My birthday…is the Winter's Solstice. Same as Elsa. I had no memory of it until you unearthed it. The reason why I couldn't remember my birthday was because it was the same day I lost my parents. If it's all the same to you, Anna, I'd rather do without cake and candles.
Elsa smiled warmly, looking back at Kristoff. "Kristoff? Can you come over here for a moment?"
Kristoff looked confused, but came over. "What's wrong?"
"I'm a bit out of breath after the snowball fight and running with Anna. Will you help me blow out the candles?" Elsa requested.
"Sure thing, Elsa," Kristoff smiled.
"Make a wish," Elsa smiled before they both leaned close to the candles on opposing sides of the table and looking each other in the eyes. Kristoff blew harder then necessary and Elsa jumped when the icing got on her face. Kristoff quickly went around the table to help wipe her face clean. Same as Anna. All Elsa could do was laugh along with the palace staff.
Make a wish. I wish for everyone to remain safe, Elsa wished.
Kristoff met Anna's regal expression and smiled apologetically, but she just started laughing. Make a wish? I wish…
After everyone got a piece of cake, Anna and Kristoff brought her gifts to her as she sat at the table. Several vases of Purple Heather, which Gerda had the lower maids place in chosen rooms. A typewriter, which was newly invented. This should help with that paperwork. Next was a contraption called a camera, which could capture a person's likeness better than any painting. We should take a group photo later with this. Two bicycles. Anna got one for herself so she and Elsa could got on rides together. After some convincing, Elsa got on her bike, raising the skirt of her dress so it would get caught. Anna gave a push and Elsa rode it awkwardly around the room.
"Keep your balance. Keep pedaling." Anna encouraged and Elsa finally got used to it.
The final gift was ice carving tools. Elsa was a master at carving detailed statues of ice. With and Without powers. It was a hobby she started young and never knew what became of her old chisels. Afterwards, they gathered in a spot. Kristoff. Sven. Olaf. Anna. Elsa. Kai took their group picture, which Elsa had developed and framed to hang on the wall to always remember this day.