Tenderly

It was an odd letter Elsa had received from Baron Hoskins. A fishing boat had found a man and a woman unconscious on the shore, about five miles north of Crescent Bay. The crew had brought them to the city where "Buck", as the baron was known, was having them cared for. He had sent the letter since it was obvious from their attire that they were from nowhere nearby. From their apparent ages it was possible that they were father and teenage daughter. Although he suspected that they were survivors of a shipwreck, no news of a shipwreck had reached them, and certainly not one that would have been carrying passengers of that sort. He had spread the news among the fishing fleet and asked them to sail farther afield in search of any signs of flotsam or other survivors. He also expected that anyone missing loved ones would likely communicate with the crown first, so he wanted her to have the information. He would send more details when the two in his care revived, or otherwise.

Elsa put her fingers on her temples and shut her eyes. Shipwrecks. She had made peace with her own safety on the sea, but still, the very idea of shipwreck conjured so much dread and pain. Had these two had family with them on the ship whom they couldn't save? How many other broken grieving families did this represent? She wished she could spare anyone – everyone – from what she and Anna had endured. For a moment she could picture herself dedicating her life to simply flying back and forth over the waters with Enceladus, plucking survivors from the waters like the next patron saint of the sailors.

She steered her mind back into focus. Two weeks was a short time - only long enough to attend to critical matters before preparing to leave again - and it was already half gone. A week from now she would be traveling to Crescent Bay to rendezvous with Fenris and return him to Falster. She had decided to travel by boat. Portaling about spectacularly on the back of a white dragon was quicker, to be sure, but not a sensible activity. It was not her intention to draw grand attention to herself or to Arendelle. If she was indeed to be a "beacon to the nations", that was not the type of beacon she intended to be. It meant being away from Arendelle for longer, but she believed Anna could manage - indeed, she seemed to be blossoming under the experience. There wasn't time in her schedule for lingering at Crescent Bay on the way down, and right now the situation didn't seem to warrant it. Perhaps on the way back. Since she was to begin the journey in three days, there was a good chance that any follow-up letter from the baron would come after she had left. She took a sheet of paper and wrote a quick reply informing Buck of her travel plans and current thinking. She set the letter aside along with his in a pile of things that needed to be discussed with Anna before she left.

Three days - and somewhere in there she had to shoehorn a trip to discuss her dream with Grand Pabbie.

The final item in Elsa's to-do pile, because she had saved it for last, was a letter from Heinrick. She smiled as she picked up the envelope and turned it about, studying the lettering and even the paper itself. She hadn't seen much of Heinrick's writing, so it was intriguing to take in his style - assuming, which seemed reasonable, that he had addressed it himself. The letters were somewhat blocky even though they were in cursive, and there were places where consecutive letters didn't quite connect. There was a relaxed quality to it that matched what she knew of his character. The paper itself was a sandstone color - with a faint hint of purple. She wondered if this was their standard, or if it was reserved for special use.

Elsa took more care with her letter opener this time as she sliced the top of the envelope. The paper inside also was a sandstone color, only more pale, and without the purple hue.

Dear Elsa,

It's been such a relief watching things deescalate here. Those who fled their homes continue to return, and there is a general sense of optimism, although it will still be quite some time before everything is on an even keel. Victor has returned from a trip to Balkirck. The mood there remains cautious but optimistic.

Until Fenris is installed in Falster, my father has ordered that our border remain closed. We don't want any appearance of setting up a puppet state. We have received messages from both their council of lords and council of mayors who continue to gather in the capital city. They are rudderless at the moment, but that is to be expected.

As I expected, the coincidence of my health recovery is driving a lot of speculation. But even more grieving to me, it's driving growing interest. Over these past several years my father and I have built a supportive network for those with debilitating injuries, and naturally those families yearn for a miracle. I completely understand. I've told them that you didn't heal me, but I really can't say more without crossing the threshold to outright deception. It pains me to say this, but please be prepared for travelers to come to Arendelle searching for cures. We both know that where there are needy desperate people, charlatans will rise up to take advantage. Sort of like some merchants I've happened upon here selling "genuine" frozen musk rose bouquets. Oh. I should mention that. The ones you made are selling and reselling at increasingly higher prices as the desire to own one spreads further from Cliffs' View. On the one hand I'm embarrassed to see our people behaving this way. I try to look on the bright side though: some families that would never have owned something so esteemed have received quite a boon from it.

We all very much look forward to your upcoming visit. Your investment in our country and our people, at great personal peril, will go down in the history books. You are probably the second most popular person here right now, and you're not even here! There are dolls with your likeness (crude at best) available at market as well as flags with the crocus banner. I'm sure you will see many of both when you arrive.

Of course, I look forward to your visit as well. I know it will be brief and busy. I will do my best to make it gratifying.

Tenderly,

Heinrick

The forewarning about travelers seeking cures had her concerned, and the people's actions concerning her bouquets had her frustrated, but her face brightened as she re-read Heinrick's benediction. "Tenderly," she said to herself quietly. 'Conceal, don't feel' had been a long and effective study on compartmentalization. There had been so much to catch up on since arriving home that it had been natural to compartmentalize her entire time away from Arendelle, but reading Heinrick's letter brought it all back to mind - both the good and the bad. Had it not been for that benediction, the remembrance would have left her more focused on the bad. She took a deep breath and focused on that word. Tenderly. She refolded the letter and returned it to its envelope. Then she crossed her room to where a small leather-covered chest sat on the corner of her bookshelf. She had had it since she was Anna's age. It was a gift from her mother. "It's for love letters," her mother had whispered with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. It had always been empty. She placed the letter inside and closed the lid. My first letter from a suitor, she thought. It wasn't exactly a love letter, but it was - well - tender. She smiled as her hand lingered on the chest. Then she turned and left for the family dining room.

As Elsa approached the dining room she could hear Olaf's voice: "but why aren't they called 'greenberries?'"

And Anna's response: "Just because they're green, Olaf, doesn't mean they're berries."

"There are blackberries, blueberries, redberries,"

"Raspberries," Kristoff corrected as Elsa entered the room.

Olaf gave a dismissive twiggy wave: "linguistic drift," he said. "I'm sure they were called redberries in the beginning. Because why would you call a berry a rasp berry? Maybe the seeds scrape your throat on the way down or something? I'd have to take your word on that."

"Mooaoaoaa," said Sven.

"Oh, don't listen to him," said Kristoff. "His linguistics drift daily."

"Hi Elsa," Anna said cheerfully as she held aloft a cluster of grapes. Would you like some greenberries?"

Elsa nodded as amusement replaced her curiosity.

"There are yellowberries and orangeberries, too," Olaf was continuing. "Well, they're more commonly called golden berries, and gin berries, respectively."

"Gin berries!" said Anna. "That would make a fun fruit salad!"

Elsa took a seat, crossed her arms, and listened with a smile.

"You'd have to be careful with a salad like that," said Kristoff. "Elsa portion, for sure; not Anna portion."

"What's that supposed to mean? Come on, how much gin could you possibly have come by out there in the forest?"

"You'd be surprised."

"I'm sure I would."

"Mooaoaoaa..."

"Shut up, Sven; our little secret."

"Hey, you all look like you're fish in a green aquarium," said Olaf. When they turned their attention back to him they saw that he had a grape in each eye socket. Elsa put a hand over her mouth to suppress an inappropriate snicker.

"Well," said Anna. "I think I've had enough of those. Oh look, here comes the meal!"

Near the end of the meal, Elsa reminded Anna, "Anna, if you have time this evening, we should probably start going over some of the things you'll need to oversee while I'm gone this time."

Anna's mood immediately became a lot less jovial. "Yes, OK."

"Wait," said Olaf, "you're leaving again?"

"Yes, Olaf. We have to pick up Fenris - you remember me telling you about him? - and get him over to Falster."

"He can't get there himself?"

The three of them exchanged glances. "He's going to need some support," said Elsa.

"Oh." Olaf paused contemplatively. "Can I come?"

Elsa's face became more cloudy. Anna answered on her behalf. "They've had their fill of snow creatures down there, Olaf. They aren't used to it like they are up here in Arendelle."

"They just need warm hugs!" he said enthusiastically as he held out his arms. Then looking over at Elsa, he added, "you look like you could use a warm hug right now." He closed the distance and hugged her as best he could while she remained in the chair.

She patted him on the head. "Thank you, Olaf," she said sincerely.

"What's wrong?" he pressed, looking up at her. "You're queen, you know, you don't have to go if you don't want to." Elsa smiled at his innocence.

Anna spoke for her again. "It's where she lost Lotus," she said.

"Oh, yeah." Olaf hung his head. "Well," he began excitedly, "why don't you create another one?"

"I've thought about that," she said, "but it just doesn't seem right. He was unique. Just like you." She touched Olaf on the end of his carrot nose as she said this. "You can't be replaced," she smiled.

Olaf put his hand to his chin thoughtfully. "That's confusing," he pondered. "I mean, do you know how many snowgies you have up at your ice palace right now?" Anna smirked at Elsa's embarrassment.

"Those kind of came as a batch," Elsa groaned. She stretched and took a deep breath while glancing at the grandfather clock against the back wall. It was still relatively early. There's time enough, she thought. "You know, Anna, let's put off the business until tomorrow if you don't mind. Please excuse me." She got up to leave.

Anna looked a little surprised. "Sure, Elsa, no problem," she said as Elsa left the room.

There was time, but there wasn't much time. Elsa knew she would be returning after dark as it was. She made her way straight to the stables and requested her horse be saddled. But it only took those few moments for her to be found.

"There you are," said Anna. "Where are you going?"

Elsa had intended to go alone, but she wasn't going to mislead Anna. She sighed. "I need to talk to Grand Pabbie," she said.

"Now? You won't be back until well after dark!"

"It's ok, Anna. I know this path well."

Anna was silent for a moment. "Well," she finally said, "It'll give us some good girl time." She called out to the stablehand: "Please saddle my horse as well!"

Elsa bit her lip. She had intended to go alone because she had intended to discuss her dream. She didn't want Anna needlessly alarmed. Don't shut her out, she reminded herself. A few minutes later they were riding together across the causeway.

"So..." Anna began. "Is there anything you're looking forward to in your coming trip?"

Of course there was. "I got a letter from him today," she confided.

"You did?! Tell me about it!"

"Very professional. Businesslike," Elsa teased.

Anna pushed her on the shoulder. "Come ON, sis!" she exclaimed.

"He did cover a number of business items. The most concerning one is that people who see that he is healed may travel here looking for their miracle cure."

Anna's eyes widened. "Oh!" she remarked. "Oh. Yeah, that's gonna be a problem. You can't exactly take tour groups to visit the trolls."

"No, and he knows that. But he can't keep them from coming."

They were beginning to make their way through the center of town now. The townspeople bowed and curtsied as they passed along. Elsa gave them smiles and nods. Anna was too focused on the problem at hand to notice.

"I've got it!" she exclaimed. "We can go into business with Oaken! I mean, even if what he sells them doesn't fix them, the experience itself is so memorable they'll feel like it's done something!" She chuckled aloud to herself. "I mean, meeting him that first time in the woods - wooo, let me tell you! What an experience! Wait, why did he have any women's winter clothes, anyway? In July? Hmm... You know, I bet he had them in back, or something, and just decided to bring them out when he saw the snow - you know - just in case someone my size wandered in needing -"

She realized Elsa wasn't with her. "Elsa?" She glanced around and saw her about twenty yards back, staring to the left with a look in her eyes that Anna hadn't seen since that night she fled from the ballroom. "Elsa!" she called with concern. She quickly turned her horse and joined her. "What's wrong?" Elsa didn't reply. Anna grabbed her by the arm and gave it a gentle shake. "Elsa, what's wrong?"

Elsa's eyes flickered to Anna and then back. "Th - that's him!" Elsa whispered. "The man in my dream!" She gestured cautiously and Anna followed her lead. There was a tall old man with short white hair and a long robe walking away from them.

Anna glanced at Elsa, and then back at the man. Her brow furrowed in determination. "Ho!" she shouted. "You there! Stop!" She prodded her horse and caught up with him, leaving Elsa whispering "Anna, no," behind her.

The old man turned as she reached him. "Oh," Anna said as she recognized him. "Mr. Olofsson. You got a hair cut. I'm sorry, I mistook you for someone else. Ahem. And how are you this evening?"

"Very well, thank you, your highness." He bowed. After a moment of awkward silence, he bowed a second time, turned, and continued on his way.

Anna looked back at Elsa and she could see that Elsa was concentrating on keeping herself together. When she reached her, Elsa was breathing raggedly. They continued quietly through the town and out the other side.

"I thought -" Elsa began, and then stopped.

"Elsa, what aren't you telling me about this dream?" Anna asked.