It took just two weeks to repair the castle and courtyard.

Elsa invited all of Arendelle to participate in the renovation and the response was overwhelming. They arrived the next morning carrying with them tools, buckets, wheelbarrows, and anything else they thought might help with the project. Elsa was reminded of ants swarming over their anthill while they ran to and fro, hauling heavy loads, and climbing over scaffolding. Most of the volunteers knew nothing about the work they were doing; after all they were farmers and tailors and shoemakers who had no idea how to repair a castle. However, there were a few with experience in construction and Elsa set them up as foremen to oversee the work.

One of these men, a widower named Julius with snow white hair and leathery skin, was a skilled carpenter for most of his life until arthritis robbed him of his ability to swing a hammer. Having to give up the work which defined him for a lifetime had been crushing and he became a shell of his former self, but after Elsa put him in charge of replacing the castle doors and courtyard gates, he came alive again. He led a team of volunteers to complete the task with unmatched dedication, showing up at the first light of each morning and working late into the day, and his joy for the work was contagious, infecting everyone he worked with.

On the other hand, Kristoffer, the middle-aged man tasked with repairing the courtyard, was both short-tempered and harsh. He didn't seem to be happy unless he was barking orders or expressing his displeasure with the workers assigned to his care. On more than one occasion John, who was charged along with Kristoff with overseeing the project, had to pull him aside and instruct him to be more kind, an appeal which resulted in only a temporary reprieve. John recommended removing him from his position but Elsa hesitated to do so; he truly was a master stoneworker and the results of his work proved it. In a short time both the north and south walls were restored with impressive speed and precision.

The only structure which received less attention was the church. Except for a few minor abrasions, the walls mostly escaped damage, but every window which faced the courtyard had been blown out leaving gaping holes like empty eye sockets. There was no one among the residents of Arendelle who knew the art of stained or etched glass, and so they cut planks of wood to fill the spaces, painting them to match the decor of the building and designing them so they could be opened and closed like shutters. Elsa had it in mind to restore the glass as soon as she could, but in the meantime the results of this compromise were both practical and pleasing to the eye. In fact, the whole courtyard was coming along so well it was difficult to detect any sign something unpleasant had taken place there, and that was fine with Elsa. After all, this was the public face of Arendelle and a part of what she called home, and she wouldn't have it marred by a reminder of the horror which occurred within its walls.

It was far easier to scrub those memories from the castle though, than it was to remove them from herself. It gave her pause when she considered how close her kingdom had come to perishing, not to mention her own brush with death. On more than one occasion, over the course of the two weeks it took to renovate the castle, she'd awoken in the dark of night, her brow soaked with sweat and her heart pounding. There was no dream to accompany these unwelcome nocturnal interludes, but that was little consolation as she reminded herself the kingdom was safe and the tragedy averted.

In these moments of introspection, when her mind delved back toward sleep, she would think about the ones who stood against the forces which conspired against Arendelle, and she knew she wanted to find a way to repay them. She could never truly repay them, she knew that, yet somehow she wanted to recognize those who were willing to sacrifice everything. That's when she decided to hold a celebration.

And that's exactly what she did.

Everyone in Arendelle was invited, once the construction was done, and on the day of the festivity they'd all come, streaming into the courtyard as the sun hung low in the afternoon sky. Men, women, and children, dressed in their finest as they filtered down from the slopes of Arendelle, streamed through the town square, and entered the courtyard. They were greeted by Kai and Sara and directed by servants to predefined areas. The people were prompt and it didn't take long before they were all in place, save for a few stragglers, and they stood shoulder to shoulder, organized into narrow rows on either side of an aisle running the length of the courtyard between the porch and the gates.

Once everyone was in place the servants took up their own positions on either side of the stairs, facing the crowd, forming two lines which branched out from the castle like the open arms of an embrace. Only Alek wasn't counted among them. He was on the porch next to one of the pillars, seated in a padded chair designed to accommodate his injury. Watching over them all were Pumpkin and Marshmallow, the gigantic guardians who towered over the servants from the sides of the porch.

There was an electric charge running through the audience, a hum of excitement and whispering and pointing as they waited. An event like this had never taken place, not in their lifetimes, and they understood the significance of participating in such an important ceremony, even if they had no idea what was going to happen. As time went on their whisperings tapered off, and a deep silence which bordered on restlessness settled in; but no one complained, nor did anyone demand an explanation for the delay.

When the castle's newly minted doors finally opened it sent a surge of energy through the crowd, a visible wave which rippled from front to rear. Nearly a dozen guards emerged, marching side by side in two single file lines, their heavy boots ringing out as they descended the stairs and marched down the aisle. Two men at the head of each line peeled off, one to the left and one to the right, facing each other as the rest of the guards marched between them. Then the next pair did the same, and the next, at even intervals until both sides of the aisle were lined with guards standing at attention, arms at their sides, staring straight ahead.

Next Elsa came out, followed by Olaf, and they were greeted with a cheer, a joyful cry rising up at the sight of their queen. Elsa couldn't hide her smile as she returned their collective greeting with a wave of a gloved hand.

For one self-conscious moment she wondered if she should've worn the gloves. Earlier, she'd hesitated before the mirror in her dressing room, considering her history with them, but in the end she decided they were too splendid to ignore. Pink satin gloves which ran the length of her arms, ending just beyond her elbows and matching the high necked gown that left only her shoulders exposed. It was strange how the right outfit could fill you with confidence, imbue you with a sense of dignity and esteem, but that's just what it did.

Olaf jumped in front of her, grinning and waving his stick arms at the crowd who responded with whistles and shouts of "Olaf!"

Elsa felt a swell of pride at seeing so many people delighted to see them. She wanted to wade into the crowd and hug each one of them, telling them how much she appreciated their support, but she settled for smiling and waving instead.

"Long live Queen Elsa!" someone shouted.

"LONG LIVE QUEEN ELSA!" the crowd erupted in unison followed by sustained applause.

The servants, who'd been facing the crowd, turned to face Elsa, joining in the ovation.

Elsa anticipated a warm welcome, but such an intense reaction was unexpected. Her smile broadened and she kissed the palm of her hand and waved again, directing special attention to her servants. She caught Alek's eye, who was sitting to her right, and they exchanged smiles. He had a long way to go toward full recovery but Elsa was happy to see him there, his discomfort eclipsed by the joy of the occasion.

After a time the cheering tapered off and the courtyard became silent again, giving Elsa the opportunity to begin her speech. She hadn't written anything down, but she spent most of the day thinking about her words, trying to find the right ones. That was the funny thing about words, they were a poor substitution for feelings, and none existed which could convey to the full how she felt about the ones she loved.

"Thank you!" she said, projecting her voice so even the ones in the back could hear. "I am grateful for such a warm welcome. Arendelle truly is home to the greatest people to be found, and I'm honored to be your queen."

There was another spate of enthusiastic applause.

"But this day is not about me," she said, after it subsided. "Not many nights ago, many of us stood in this very courtyard, caught in the clutches of a woman consumed with evil intent. I'm indebted to you, my people, for supporting me and our beloved kingdom through everything that has happened. For that I thank you. It makes me proud to know my subjects, my servants, and my guards refused to give up on me, regardless of the danger, great or small. But little did any of us know how much danger we were in.

"The power of those who tried to destroy Arendelle was great. If it weren't for the actions of a few fearless individuals, I wouldn't be standing before you today. Because they were willing to sacrifice everything to save Arendelle and its queen, you and I can look forward to another tomorrow, one free from fear. That's why we've gathered here today, to recognize the courage and valor of those to whom Arendelle owes its very existence."

She motioned toward the open gates.

"Please welcome…the guests of honor."

The audience turned as one to look. When they saw Kristoff and Anna walk through the gates, followed closely by John and Sven, they welcomed them with an outburst of applause.

This time Elsa joined her subjects, clapping as the newcomers made their slow march down the red carpet. The guards who lined the aisle drew their swords and held them aloft, crossing their tips to form a metallic corridor and dropping their arms after they passed through. It created a wonderful effect, Elsa thought, the appropriate level of pomp and ceremony for such an important occasion. She was aiming to impress, there was no shame in that.

Kristoff appeared more relaxed than she imagined he'd be, considering he wasn't fond of crowds, or getting dressed up, or bathing, for that matter, all of which Anna insisted he do to prepare for the event. He'd obeyed, albeit reluctantly, and the results were astounding. Kristoff always had that rugged mountain man look about him, and he was undeniably handsome; but on the rare occasion when he dressed up he looked like a true gentleman, and she didn't know why he fought to avoid that so much. But he hadn't really put up that much of a fight, he just made sure his opinion on the subject of wearing fancy outfits didn't go unheard.

Anna, on the other hand, spent the entire day skipping about the castle, serenading the servants, and trying on every dress she could get her hands on. She'd settled on a velvet blue evening gown with off the shoulder straps, and she wasn't able to contain her excitement when she found it.

"It's gorgeous!" Anna proclaimed when she happened upon it in their parent's room. It was their mothers, but they'd never seen her wear it. "What do you think mother would say?" She asked in a moment of doubt. "Maybe I shouldn't wear it."

"Nonsense," Elsa replied, taking the dress and holding it up to Anna. "You'll be the envy of Arendelle."

And she was.

But if it was Anna who captivated Arendelle, it was John who captured Elsa's attention.

As he strode down the carpet in a white uniform, complete with tasseled shoulders and black, knee high boots, Elsa felt a tickle of warmth behind her navel. It spread through her abdomen and into her chest, like drinking hot glogg on a cold winter's day, and she bit her lip to stifle a cheesy grin. He'd spent most of the morning fussing over what he was going to wear, upset and disappointed his best outfits were lost with his ship; but she told him it didn't matter what he wore. However, watching the Prince of the Southern Isles parade down the carpet in full uniform made her realize she'd been wrong about that. She also realized she was staring and, with no little effort, forced herself to look away.

Elsa and Olaf descended the stairs when the group arrived and they took their place on the porch, standing in a line next to Alek, facing the crowd who intensified their applause, showering the guests with waves of adoration. Alek joined them, looking down the line as he clapped, though he was gentle with his motions.

Alek initially declined to participate in the ceremony, insisting that as captain of her guard it was his duty to protect the queen at any cost and anything less would be a dereliction of that duty; but she would have none of it. If anyone deserved to be up there he did, and she'd make sure he received the recognition he deserved, whether he liked it or not. But she could tell he wasn't at all unhappy to be included amongst the honored. Neither were the others. Next to him, Sven stamped his hooves and bobbed his head, thrilled to be in front of so many admirers. John stood with his hands clasped behind him, trading smiles with Elsa and nodding his appreciation to the people. Anna looked like a coiled spring, holding her arms close and scrunching her shoulders as she waved at those she recognized. Kristoff was the only one who appeared uncomfortable, tugging at the collar of his jacket and scratching at his neck.

Eventually, the courtyard fell into silence again, waiting for Elsa to continue. Elsa, though, had to take a moment before she was able to address them. An unexpected surge of emotion cut off her words and she pressed a fist to her mouth, clearing her throat before speaking.

"People of Arendelle," she said, making a wide sweep with her arm. "THE SAVIORS OF OUR KINGDOM!"

The audience burst into applause again and Elsa motioned to Olaf, signaling for him to perform his assigned duty. The snowman scurried to Kai who held an ornate wooden box, which he handed over. The applause subsided as Olaf returned and held it out to Elsa. She pried open the lid to find five medallions of various shapes and sizes laying upon a cushion of purple velvet, each one selected with great care and consideration for the person who would receive it. She plucked the first one from its place, which had a short strip of rainbow colored cloth attached to a medal engraved with three stars, one large star in the foreground and two smaller ones partly concealed behind it. It was called the Southern Cluster, named after the cluster of stars the founders of Arendelle followed to discover what was now Elsa's domain, and it was reserved for soldiers who displayed exemplary valor upon the battlefield. The last man to receive it had shielded his king from a hail of arrows, and he had, like most of the recipients, been awarded it posthumously. In fact, Alek would be the first man in many decades to survive the event for which he was receiving it.

Alek pushed himself to his feet as Elsa ascended the steps. It took great effort, she could see that, and he winced in pain as his hands left the support of the armrests. She'd told him to stay seated, to not strain himself for fear of opening any wounds, but his insistence on formality wouldn't allow him to. He stood straight, arms at his sides, his chin high as he tried to disguise his discomfort, but he couldn't hide it from Elsa, she'd known him too long.

"Alek," she said, and when she uttered his name the audience behind her grew so quiet she had half a mind to look over her shoulder to make sure they were still there. Everyone heard what Alek had done, and she was sure they'd all been affected by the tale, yet their feelings were nothing compared to hers. As prestigious an honor as the Southern Cluster was, it was a pale substitution for how she really felt about him.

"As the captain of my guard, you have the unenviable task of protecting this kingdom and its queen from all threats, wherever they may arise. I think no greater threat has ever risen against Arendelle, but neither has a greater captain protected the throne. No one has performed this duty with more dignity and honor than you have. Therefore, it brings me great joy to bestow upon you one of the highest honors of the land…the Southern Cluster."

She pinned the medal to the breast of his green jacket, and though Alek tried to maintain a straight face he couldn't help but smile as the audience clapped their approval. He stood beaming as the light reflected off the stars on his chest, but he couldn't stand for long, and his injury forced him into his chair again.

Elsa returned to Olaf and extracted the next medallion from the box, which was a silver bar, like a small plaque, hanging from a long strip of fabric. Across the face of the silver was inscribed that day's date in fanciful, curling script.

Sven was hopping from hoof to hoof as she ascended the stairs, and as she approached he licked her, a mighty slurp of his tongue which wet her face from chin to brow. She stopped in her tracks, frozen with surprise, and the crowd roared with laughter. Then she wiped her cheek and scratched Sven under the chin, causing him to neigh with delight.

"Sven, you're here today because no one has expended themselves more than you in helping to protect Arendelle. The deeds you've performed in behalf of my kingdom and my people are worthy of commemoration, and therefore, I declare this day of this year, and every year after, 'Sven's Day,' a day of remembrance and celebration."

She unfurled the long bands which held the medallion and slipped them around Sven's neck, taking a moment to connect the clasp and all the while expecting another slobbery assault, which never came. When she drew away, Sven thrust his antlers high in the air, puffing out his chest to display the silver bar to all.

As everyone clapped, Elsa returned to Olaf to extract the next trinket from the box. It was a large golden key attached to a length of chain; it was the Key of Arendelle, and though not as rare or prestigious as the Southern Cluster, it was nevertheless a great honor to receive.

Elsa had struggled with how to honor John, but in the end she kept coming back to this key. At first she wondered if it would be enough, if it would appropriately convey the depth of her gratitude; and it wasn't until she considered what having a key really meant that she made her decision. The Key was a symbol of trust and acceptance, a sign the receiver was held in the highest regard; but more than that it was an invitation, a request to stay and explore everything there was to offer, and a promise that nothing would be held back. It was a key, not just to Arendelle, but to her heart.

Elsa still couldn't believe the events which transpired over the past few days, events which resulted in a son of the Southern Isles standing before her, ready to receive one of the greatest honors of the land. And who would've thought she'd fall in love with a brother of Hans? It was a notion which defied all odds. If Inger hadn't assaulted Arendelle with her magic, if she hadn't bled the land dry of its water, then John never would've come to offer assistance and they might never have met. It was a strange twist of fate, for something so good to come from something so evil.

"Prince John of the Southern Isles," she said, meeting his stormy blue eyes. She tried to restrain that cheesy smile again, but it was no use and she couldn't help grinning like a schoolgirl. John gave her a wink, which only made it worse, and she was happy her back was to the people. "Prince John, you and your men sacrificed everything to help Arendelle in its greatest time of need. Despite the risks, you braved the wrath of your king and proved yourself a true friend of Arendelle, but more than that, you've proven yourself a true friend to me. Therefore, it is with great joy that I present to you…the Key of Arendelle."

John bowed and Elsa slipped the chain over his neck. When he stood again the key sparkled upon his breast in flashes of sunlight, and the crowd responded with hearty applause. This time it was John who was unable to restrain a cheesy smile.

Elsa turned to Olaf again and extracted the next item from the box, a large, golden heart which hung from a golden chain. She concealed the heart in her hand as she went to Anna, who was practically glowing. Seeing Anna so elated stirred something inside her, something she'd only ever felt with her sister. It reminded her of when they were children and Anna would ask for the magic, her sparkling eyes imploring, and when the magic came her whole face would light up and she'd look at her like she was looking at her now. The memory was a good one, and she had to brush a tear from her eye before continuing.

"Anna," Elsa said, feeling that familiar lump rising in the back of her throat, "the Princess of Arendelle, and my dear sister. It is to you I owe my life. You've saved me many times and in more ways than you know.

"What can I give the Princess of Arendelle that she doesn't already have? She has a kingdom full of adoring subjects, she has a wonderful fiancé, and she has the eternal love of a sister who admires her. What else could she possibly want?"

Elsa paused, allowing that question to spark the imagination of her sister. She didn't expect her to respond, nevertheless, Anna grabbed her hand and whispered, "I already have everything I want, right here."

That lump swelled again and she felt tears burning in the corners of her eyes, but she choked them back.

"You already have my heart," Elsa said, "but there's one heart you don't have. Today, I present to you, the Heart of Arendelle."

She opened her hand and unfurled the large golden ornament, the heart-shaped pendant, and Anna gasped.

"Elsa!" she said, covering her mouth in a look of shock exceeding every reaction Elsa anticipated. She'd imagined this moment, wondering how her sister would react when she discovered the lost family heirloom would be given to her. Olaf hopped a little closer, curious at what had evoked such a response, and John and Kristoff leaned in to get a better look.

Anna took it, cupping it like it was a fragile creature she was afraid to injure.

The Heart of Arendelle belonged to their mother, a gift she'd received from her grandmother-in-law on her wedding day. It'd been the sole right of the queen to possess, a sign of majesty and honor passed down from generation to generation. Their mother cherished the gift, only to be devastated when it disappeared. That resulted in a frantic search of the castle with every servant and many guards scouring the castle for the lost artifact. The search lasted for days but in the end turned up nothing. At the time, no one knew a traitor had stolen it and sent it to the Queen of the Southern Isles.

"Elsa," Anna said, as she turned it over in her hand. It caught the sun's rays and sent a sparkle of light dancing across her freckles. "This belongs to the Queen of Arendelle."

"There wouldn't be a queen if it weren't for you. Open it."

Anna's fingers went to the hidden latch holding the two halves of the heart together, but stopped before undoing it.

"Is it still there?"

Elsa nodded, watching Anna's reaction as she gently pried it apart. For a moment it was as if they were alone, the lights, the sounds, and the audience, all gone. There was only Anna and the locket and her expression of awe when she saw what was inside. Anna gave a sad smile and a tear beaded in her eye. Elsa knew that look, she was sure it was the same look she had when opening it, spurred by the bittersweet combination of precious memories with the pain of loss.

When their mother received the locket it'd been known only as the Queen's Pendant and was empty. It was their father who sought to fill it, and he found a man renowned at creating fantastic art in miniature, whether they be sculptures no bigger than your little finger or paintings which could fit in the palm of your hand. It was the painting which interested him, and he hired the man to come to Arendelle and create a family portrait.

Their mother always complained about her appearance in the picture. The way she told the story, she'd spent half the morning chasing little Anna around the castle, trying to get her bathed and dressed before the portrait was to officially begin; and when that time arrived she barely had a moment to throw her own dress on and pin up her hair in a hastily contrived bun. Elsa had no memory of that, but she recalled the painting of the portrait quite well. She must've been about six years old at the time, and she remembered how difficult it was to sit in her father's lap for what felt like hours. How her mother had kept three year old Anna still for that long was nothing short of a miracle, but the results proved well worth the effort.

It was a painting of surprising detail, considering how small it was, and if you studied it closely you could make out even the tiniest elements. The wrinkles in Anna's yellow dress as she sat on her mother's knees, wearing pigtails and a grin that revealed a row of baby teeth. Her father's stern expression, her mother's warming smile, and Elsa's ungloved fingers grasping her father's hand, which rested upon the folds of her light blue dress.

"Do you know what this is?" Their father asked when presenting their mother with the final product. He opened the pendant to display the image to her. "This is the heart of Arendelle."

The Heart of Arendelle; and now Anna was looking at it the same way their mother had all those years ago.

"It's beautiful!" Anna said, throwing herself upon Elsa's neck. Elsa was unprepared for Anna's hug, and the force of the embrace drove her heel off the edge of the step and she pitched backwards, pulling Anna off balance too. Anna let out a yelp of surprise and the audience gasped, and they both would've tumbled down the stairs if Olaf hadn't caught them, leaning into Elsa to steady them.

"Thanks, Olaf," Elsa said as they regained their balance.

Anna blushed, clutching the pendant to her chest.

"Sorry."

She looked positively adorable, Elsa thought, and she wanted to scoop her into her arms and tell her how much she loved her. But there would be plenty of time for displays of affection after the ceremony.

"Thank you," Anna said.

"No, Anna. Thank you."

Anna slipped the pendant over her head as the crowd applauded, then rubbed her fingers across the smooth golden surface of the heart. Elsa wanted to give Anna the perfect gift, and the look on her face made her confident she had.

She took the last remaining item from Olaf, a large medallion with the seal of Arendelle engraved on its face, a triangular shield inscribed with a three petaled flower, above which rested a jewel encrusted crown. There was only one other medal like it which ever existed, a medal commissioned by the third king of Arendelle to recognize Thomas, a young squire who uncovered a plot to assassinate the king, standing alone against a treacherous band of knights who murdered their compatriots. The sole survivor of the uprising, Thomas battled the conspirators, slaying many of them and protecting his king until reinforcements could arrive.

Afterwards, the king had the seal of Arendelle changed in honor of Thomas, whose coat of arms bore the symbol of the flower, and, in a ceremony not unlike this one, he was awarded the medallion, the first item to ever bear the new image.

Since then, the seal had been inscribed upon many official documents, molds, and carvings, but never again had it been set to a medallion. Never again, that is, until now.

As Elsa approached, Kristoff became rigid, his back stiffening and his fists clenching at his sides. Elsa chuckled to herself. She knew Kristoff wasn't fond of so much attention, and he'd probably prefer sitting in the audience rather than standing on a stage with every eye upon him, but she'd have it no other way.

"Kristoff," she said, studying his expression. She wasn't sure if she saw unease or gratitude there, and it wasn't the first time she'd been perplexed by his soft brown eyes. He was so hard to read sometimes. Regardless of how he felt, though, she'd been waiting for this moment a long time, the moment when she could express how much he meant to her. "I'll never forget the first time we met. It wasn't a pleasurable experience for you, I'm sure. I threw you out of my palace and chased you off a mountain, literally. I didn't know who you were then, or what you were doing, and at that time I didn't care. You were just a stranger helping my sister. Little did I know you would one day become the love of her life.

"Suitors were not a subject of much debate during our years in the castle, however, had anyone asked me who Anna might one day marry I never would have imagined she'd end up with an ice harvester. And yet, if I were to spend a thousand lifetimes in search of someone worthy of her hand in marriage, I'd never find a man better than you. A man full of courage, kindness, and valor. A man whose unshakable devotion and unmatched bravery saved a queen and her people from unspeakable evil. If it weren't for you, Kristoff, my kingdom and I would be forever lost.

"Therefore, it is my decree you shall now no longer be known as the Official Ice Master and Deliverer. Henceforth, and forevermore, you shall be known as the Hero of Arendelle."

The crowd erupted in applause, a thunderous roar so intense Kristoff was taken aback, astonished. But Anna's smile bore no hint of surprise. She was beaming with pride as Kristoff leaned forward to accept the medallion, bowing as Elsa slipped it over his head, and when he rose again the applause only grew louder, until it seemed to fill all of Arendelle.

After the ceremony the festivities began, and there was music and dancing and food and fun, which lasted late into the night. There was much talk of the trolls, and toasts to Grand Pabbie, who though was absent in form was present in spirit. There was also much singing and laughing and storytelling, without anything to hinder the mood. The specter of the drought was gone, its memory blunted by the celebration, not to mention the wine. Elsa especially had the freedom to enjoy herself at last, and that she did, without inhibition or reservation, dancing with John, laughing with Anna, and playing with Olaf. By the time the party ended everyone was tired and ready to turn in for the evening, but Kristoff insisted they go on a walk through the rose garden before the night was over. So he grabbed Anna and they left the servants, who began cleaning up the mess, and, together with Elsa and John, exited the courtyard and skirted the edge of the castle.

The moon had hidden itself behind a cloud and the castle was thick with shadow, concealing their way, causing John to ask if anyone had a torch.

"C'mon!" Elsa said, grabbing his hand, "it's more exciting in the dark, don't you think?"

"Race you there!" Anna said.

Elsa heard the pitter patter of bare feet skittering across the cobblestone ahead, then the click of heavy boots as Kristoff followed after.

"Oh, no you don't," Elsa muttered as she pulled off her own shoes, holding them in one hand and John with the other.

"Run!" she said, yanking on his arm as she took off.

"Elsa!" John said in surprise, but before he could protest they were running along the castle wall, following the footfalls of the pair ahead of them. The stone felt cold on her feet and she knew her stockings would be a dirty mess, but she didn't care. Anna wasn't going to win.

"Run, John!" she said, pulling on his arm. He was being cautious with his steps and falling behind, and she couldn't blame him; after all, he was running blind through a strange place, but they had to move if they were going to catch up. Anna knew the grounds better than her and she had a head start.

As they drew closer to the corner of the castle she saw Anna and Kristoff's silhouette against the backdrop of a yellow glow which shone on the outer wall before them. The light was coming from the rose garden, but no one should be there. She had a sudden contraction of fear as she wondered who might be waiting for them. As they rounded the corner Elsa waved her hand, and a wall of ice sprouted across the gap in the archway just before Anna ran through. Anna stumbled into the barrier, catching herself with her hands.

"Hey!" she said, spinning around. "That's not fair!"

"Shhh!" Elsa said, clapping a hand over Anna's mouth as she cocked her head sideways, listening for who, or what, might be on the other side of the garden wall. Anna thrust her hand away, frowning.

"Elsa," Kristoff said, with a hint of irritation, "let us in."

Elsa waved a hand at him, straining to listen. Who could it be? The people had all gone home, the servants were in the courtyard, and the guards were at their stations. The light of the torches flickered up the face of the castle. Who'd lit them?

"Elsa. Please let us in," Kristoff said, and she wondered why he was neither curious nor concerned.

"Kristoff," Elsa whispered, as if someone might be listening, "There shouldn't be anyone in there."

"There's not anyone in there."

"How do you know that? Someone lit the torches. Can't you see that?"

"I had the torches lit. Now will you please let us in?"

His response didn't make any sense, but it did settle her nerves. She pulled her shoes back on.

"You had the torches lit? Why? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because I wanted to surprise Anna!" he said in frustration. "Now will you please let us in?"

The fear which seized her only moments ago evaporated, and she realized what a fool she'd been. Of course it was Kristoff who lit the torches. What was she so afraid of?

She waved her hand and the barricade dissolved, and Anna stepped closer to peek inside, still holding her shoes.

"A surprise? For me?"

"Come and see," Kristoff said, grabbing her hand and leading the way. Elsa and John followed them along a path paved with gray-white bricks which were weathered with age. Torches lit the way, set atop waist high poles which were planted at even intervals on either side. They passed the place where Hans had been found and ended up near a blackened tree with patches of green tracing their way around the trunk. A sign of life. Their path crossed another one, and at this intersection was assembled a ring of candle stands with fat, yellow candles sprouting dancing flames.

"What's this?" Anna asked.

Kristoff led her between the candles into the middle of the circle where he turned to face her. He grabbed her shoes and tossed them aside, taking both her hands in his. Elsa had no idea what Kristoff was doing, but the combination of the warm evening air, the glow of the candles, and her sister with Kristoff, put a lump in her throat. She wrapped her arms around John and he pulled her close, as they waited to see what would happen.

"Anna," Kristoff said. "I told you I asked you to marry me because I didn't want you to die alone."

"Kristoff," Anna said, "you don't have to—"

"No, let me finish. I told you I asked you to marry me because I didn't want you to die alone. Although that was true, that wasn't the whole truth. I asked you to marry me because I thought if I didn't ask then, I might never get the chance to ask you again, and that was something I didn't want to miss out on.

"I was wrong, though. I would've had another chance, and had I known that, I would've waited and done it properly. So…"

He fished in his pocket and produced a necklace of woven thread, similar to the one Grand Pabbie wore, but instead of green crystals it had rounded red stones sparkling like rubies. He got down on one knee and held the necklace out like an offering. Anna pressed a hand to her lips, waiting for him to finish.

"Anna, Princess of Arendelle. You are the love of my life and the person I want to spend the rest of my life with. Will you marry me?"

"You know the answer is yes," Anna whispered.

Elsa's heart melted, and she felt like she might melt right along with it, becoming a puddle in John's arms. This was by far the most romantic thing she'd ever seen, and it gave her a new appreciation for her soon to be brother-in-law. Kristoff was many things, but romantic wasn't the first thing that came to mind.

Kristoff slipped the necklace over her head, then Anna grabbed him, pulling him forward and planting her lips on his. He held her around the waist and they lingered in the kiss as if they'd forgotten they weren't alone. Perhaps they had.

Elsa wiped away a happy tear and gave a sniffle. It was a quiet sniffle, barely breaking the silence of the night, but it was enough to remind the embracing couple they had company. They drew apart and Anna lifted the necklace, displaying it to Elsa, its fiery gems twinkling in the candlelight.

"I'm officially a troll!"

Elsa laughed and went to her, choking back tears of joy as she took Anna in her arms and kissed her on the cheek. It'd been a long time since she'd seen Anna so happy, standing in her bare feet and smiling from her head to her toes. She was reminded of that little girl she used to play with as a child, running and giggling through this very rose garden and begging for her to 'do the magic.' And it was still magic that lit the fire in those eyes, but this time that magic came from Kristoff.

"I'm getting married!" Anna squealed as John joined them. He offered a hand to Kristoff, who took it, and John clapped him on the shoulder.

"Congratulations!"

"Thank you," Kristoff said, with a boyish grin.

"Elsa!" Anna said. "You should get married too! We can have a double wedding!"

Elsa raised her hands in protest.

"Whoa, there. Not so fast. Where did that come from?"

"Think about it! It'd be perfect!"

Elsa had to admit the idea had appeal, and for a moment she pictured herself and Anna dressed in white wedding gowns, standing at the altar with John and Kristoff, all of Arendelle gathered behind them to witness the ceremony. But then she shook her head, scattering the vision.

"No Anna, that's not a good idea."

"Why not?"

"I can't marry a man I just met."

"You can if it's true love, and believe me, it's true love. I should know." She held up the necklace again. "I'm a love expert now!"

Elsa laughed and grabbed her sister's hands.

"I have no doubt that you are, but this night is about you. Tomorrow we will continue the celebration we started today, and then we will plan the biggest, most beautiful wedding anyone has ever seen."

And they did plan the biggest, most beautiful wedding anyone had ever seen. But that's another story for another time.