Chapter: 14 Setting Sail

The ride back to Arendelle castle is long and tiresome. Then again, everything is tiresome considering how long I've been awake for. The sun has become an irksome foe to my eyes and I bury my face in Kristoff's back. The horse we've untethered from our would-be killer's carriage fares well in my fiancé's hands, though I can tell he misses Sven. I loose a prolonged yawn and Kristoff mimics it.

"Stop it," he says. "Before I fall asleep at the reins."

"You wanted to come," I tease and Kristoff brings the horse to a halt. The abrupt stop has me clunking into his back and I scoff. "Hey! I was just kidding." I realize he's staring off at something and peer over his shoulder. "What is it?" There's some form of commotion occurring in Arendelle's square. Citizens are scrambling about and Elsa's pale, icy dress is visible from our slope. They all seem to be congregating around her as I fear the worst. "That doesn't look good," I murmur and Kristoff spurs the horse.

My sister's voice becomes more audible as we enter the village. "We need to get search teams out as soon as possible," she says. "They were last seen-" Elsa pauses and her eyes widen upon seeing us.

Madam Siv stands alongside the vast array of servants which I assume have been gathered to search for us. "Found them," she grumbles and gives me a death glare. "What do I win?"

The citizens of Arendelle rejoice in their queen's arrival and look to my bewildered sister. "Anna, Kristoff...where have you been?" Elsa asks. "I've been worried sick!"

"We...needed some fresh air," I reply as the crowd disperses. "Kristoff thought I looked stressed and thought some ice harvesting might help."

"In the middle of the night?" Elsa retorts.

"Yes," I defend. I'm about to raise my hand until I realize it's still stained with blood. "And boy it's cold!" I blurt and shove my arms under Kristoff's coat. "We definitely stayed out too long. I could use a bath, hot soup, and a nap. Lemme tell ya!"

Kristoff's slowly catching on to why my hands are under his coat, but it doesn't stop him from leaning back. "That blade of yours is locked, right?" he mumbles.

"It's fine. Trust me." I grunt beneath my forced smile.

Elsa's leer is daunting as we ride towards the castle. "Where'd you get that horse?" she asks. "It's not from our stable."

Kristoff initially gulps but raises a daring eyebrow to reply. "I wanted to try my hand at horseback riding."

"What about Sven?" Elsa inquires.

"He needed to rest," Kristoff assures. "I think he had one too many carrots and looked like he could sit one out."

"Uh-huh," Elsa mutters and watches us ride back.

"Madam Siv," I beckon. "A blanket, if you would. It's freezing out here."

Siv's brows furrow as she contemplates what exactly I'm playing at. We guide the horse to a spare stable and dismount. Siv arrives with a towel and nearly gasps at the sight of my arm. "For heaven's sake," she utters and rushes over. "Shoo!" she shouts and swats Kristoff with her blanket. "I'll take it from here, mountain man."

"Siv," I say and immediately brace for the worst. "He...knows."

"He what now?" Siv looks quite capable of strangling us both and hiding our bodies in a hay bale. "I thought you had this under control!"

"And I do," I assure. "I have it under control with Kristoff."

"With him?" Siv scoffs and wraps the blanket around me. "You'll only endanger him now. He's a hindrance...a liability!"

"Hey," Kristoff mumbles. "I'm standing right here."

"And?" Siv snarks. "If you think for a second that I'm training you, think again."

"I don't want your training," Kristoff insists. "Nor do I want to be in this little organization. I'm here to support her."

"Krist-" is all I can say before Siv raises a hand to me.

"You should get cleaned up before someone sees what's under that blanket," Siv suggests. "I do hope all this trouble was worth it."

"We did find some rather complex information," I assure.

"All of which can be discussed in my quarters," Siv replies. "Now go." I start to leave, but Siv snatches Kristoff by the sleeve. The elder closes in on Kristoff and hisses, "I've got news for you, boy. You're in this now whether you like it or not. Guilty. By. Association. That's all fine and wonderful that you're here to support what Anna wants, but you've got to ask yourself a serious question...What do you want?" Kristoff doesn't respond and I choose to intervene.

"Kristoff," I say. "You don't have to answer."

"Think about it," Siv tells him and relinquishes her grip.

Kristoff is left a pondering mess as we head back to the castle. I'm worried and give him a playful nudge. "You alright?"

"I'm not sure," he admits. "I think I just need some time to myself. Maybe I'll give Sven a bath." He lightly kisses my forehead and steps off on his own.

"Okay...bye," I reply. By the time I say I love you, he's already out of sight. I try not to beat myself up about it too much. Speaking of beat ups, my body aches from the carriage scuffle and I'm eager to take a bath. Bubbles, I think. No. EXTRA bubbles.

I suppose if you take away the part about almost dying, I didn't lie about ice harvesting and how cold it was. The cuts and bruises on my bare, freckled skin are a reminder of what Kristoff and I survived. Without a scarf to obscure it, I can clearly see the raw scrapes on my neck. I submerge myself in a sea of bubbles and finally breathe a sigh of relief. While my body relaxes, my mind remains ever busy with the situation at hand. I need to understand Corona's involvement in this shrouded plan along with how and why Arendelle's involved.

"No!" someone howls and I almost leap out of the tub.

I splash bubbles while turning and catch a pudgy snowman sitting in one of the lounge chairs. "Olaf?" I blurt and sink deeper. "How long have you been in here?"

"I've lost track," he admits while avoiding eye contact. "I didn't even hear you come in if we're being honest. Sometimes a good book can just be so...immersive."

"You can say that again," I murmur while ensuring my bruises are covered. "Um, what's got you so dramatic over there?"

Olaf holds up the text and sighs. It reads "Trailblaze" in golden lettering. "I'm just sad because the story ended on a cliffhanger."

"Well you should go to the castle library," I suggest. "There's a part two and three, you know."

"And a part four?" Olaf eagerly inquires until I frown.

"I don't think so. Sorry."

"I'll go check," Olaf insists and leaves my room. I'm about to recline until a pale hand catches the door on his way out.

"Anna?" Elsa calls.

I bite back a groan and face the doorway. "Yeah?"

"What's going on?"

"Can't a girl go ice harvesting?"

Elsa peeks in to sneak a glare at me. "It's not what you did," she intones. "But how you did it. You didn't even tell me where you were going."

"Well," I quip. "We didn't exactly end things on the best terms last night."

Elsa sighs. "I'm sorry, Anna. Watching over the Enchanted Forest isn't anything like ruling this kingdom. The spirits and Northuldra all need to be maintained in this perfect balance. Sometimes I worry how the rest of the world could ever factor into it."

"You're right to worry about it," I say. "Word's already gotten out. That forest isn't much of a myth to some anymore. That's why I wanted to see if you wanted to accompany me to Corona." In light of recent developments, I realize how problematic that could be. "But I should've respected your decision," I placate. "I'm sorry, sis."

"It's alright," Elsa remarks. "You were just looking out for me."

You have no idea, I think to myself.

It feels good to embrace my sister once more and we part ways on happier terms. Her chilly arms slide out from under mine while the Nokk whinnies from the fjord. "These last couple of days have been...eventful," Elsa admits. "But I must be getting back to the forest."

"Please be safe," I worriedly reply.

Elsa simpers and mounts the Nokk. "You're the one setting sail for diplomacy," she teases but ultimately lightens up. "You'll be fine, Anna. And that scarf is a nice look on you!" I make sure the garment is secure while waving goodbye to Elsa. My smile fades as she rides further across the fjord and I realize duty is calling me.

A mission awaits and Siv's quarters is our base of operations. She and Kristoff have a seat as I act out our entire endeavor. "If I didn't know any better, I'd think she was playing charades," my love jests until I shush him.

"As I was saying," I continue and raise my invisible pickaxe. "After we defeated the killers, we searched their bodies and found this." I toss Siv the golden badge.

She squints her eyes and reads, "Corona Trading Company? What business does Prince Hans have with this neighboring region?"

"That's an excellent question," I mutter and sip my hot cocoa. "Let's go over what we know. He shows up in Arendelle and dismantles the council."

"Technically, you did that." Kristoff murmurs.

"Okay but he incited things!" I snap. "Then he anchors his ship in our harbor and stays a night."

"Then has two ice harvesters and Ambassador Corti at his disposal," Kristoff adds.

"And whoever The Shadow is," I mention.

"Oh," Siv scoffs. "You mean that person you failed to uncover? Honestly, Anna, did you learn nothing about tailing from my lectures in the academy? Keep your distance! Never make it obvious."

I roll my eyes and sulk. "We messed up, okay?"

"And it almost cost you your lives," Siv retorts. "But at least you got another lead. The trail for this Shadow in Arendelle might've gone cold, but you might find an answer in Corona." She peels back the curtains and relishes in a quiet, moonlit harbor. "With Hans having departed this morning, you at least know he isn't stirring trouble here. Do you have an alibi for visiting?"

I fervently nod and straighten my posture. "Kristoff and I will sail for Corona to ratify my trade accord. I briefly met their kingdom's princess during Elsa's coronation and she seemed quite generous. During the day, it'll be all about negotiation. But by night-" I run a hand across one of Siv's assassin tapestries. "our investigation begins."

There's a stark contrast to my staff's energy level now versus when I'd left for the academy. As far as they're aware, Arendelle needs any ally at this point. Our voyage to Corona is unanimously accepted and General Mattias dutifully reassumes control. I look over everyone's hopeful visages as I stand on our rickety dock. "Safe travels, your majesty." Mattias tells me.

"Thank you, general." I reply. "Although I must say, bodyguards are unnecessary."

"I insist," Mattias says as two of his guards board my vessel. "With all due respect, Queen Anna, Arendelle is more vulnerable without its allies. I don't doubt your abilities. It's the dangers beyond which I don't trust."

I huff at the green-uniformed duo while they patrol my galleon. I hope this doesn't complicate things, I dread while Kristoff glares at me. I bid my general farewell and notice a twiggy arm waving from beside his leg.

"Tell Princess Rapunzel I say hello!" Olaf blurts and I snicker.

"You got it!" I holler back as our ship sets sail. The galleon drifts along the fjord and out to sea while I make my way to Kristoff. He's leaning on the starboard side when I slip over to join him. His eyes trail off and observe the glistening waves of an open ocean. "Hey," I speak up. "I just wanted to check in."

"What's on your mind?" he queries.

"You're doing this because you chose to, right?" I ask. Kristoff's pause makes my heart sink until he finally nods. "I didn't force you to tag along?"

"Of course not," he assures me. "I love you."

"And I love you," I insist. "Which is why I want to make sure your desires are met as well. You do so much for me and I just want to be fair to you."

"I know," he sighs. "But honestly, Anna. I don't know what I want." We lean on each other and observe the open ocean. The kingdom of Corona and all of its wonders reside beyond the horizon.

Author's note: Thank you so much for reading this week's installment! Your kind support is always appreciated! As a reminder, "Anna's Creed" chapters are now every other week. She and Kristoff will return in action Saturday, October 17th. In the meantime, there's always more Frozen to enjoy on my page. The Frozen Star Wars adventure, "The Frozen Force" has a new chapter every Friday while "Haunted Arendelle" has a new installment every Saturday in October!

Long Live Imagination

~Michael