The Ice Behind Bars
Chapter XVI: Innocence – Part I
The Moment they opened the door, Elsa froze and her eyes shot wide as she stared at dozens of people, men and women, who all stopped what they were doing and turned their eyes on her.
"Hey, everyone!" Anna waved, "Meet her highness, Princess Elsa!" She said cheerfully.
A moment of silent overwhelmed the room. Everyone just stared blankly at her, before suddenly, everyone's face lit up in unison and they all started running towards Elsa to greet her.
Elsa saw the crowd whom were rushing to meet her… or kill her. And she quickly cowered behind Anna and Rapunzel.
"WOAH-HO-HO, woah, woah!" Aiden's voice suddenly came out. "Back away from the princess!" He shouted with an intimidating and determined voice. While he stood all puffed up in front of Elsa, Anna and Rapunzel so he could cover them up.
Everyone stared dumbly at Aiden before they backed away a bit.
"Good." Aiden said while he crossed his arms.
"Woah there, guard dog! They just wanna see Elsa here." Anna joked while she tapped his shoulder.
Aiden moved to the side and allowed Elsa whom was hiding behind Anna, to see the others.
Anna turned her head and looked at Elsa from behind her shoulder, "Say Hi, Elsa." Anna encouraged.
Elsa looked at Anna, then at the crowd then back at Anna then at Aiden for some reason then back at the crowd. She gulped nervously before she lifted her hand a bit from behind Anna's shoulder and gave the smallest and shiest wave.
Then suddenly the crowd started shouting and greeting in excitement again and moved forward towards Elsa.
Elsa tensed again, she clutched the stick hard and backed away.
Aiden, Flynn and Kristoff moved to push the crowd away. Aiden held two men at the same time off the ground so he could shove them away. Flynn and Kristoff struggled with the others.
"God! These people are like friendly puppies!" Rapunzel mocked while she laughed in unease.
The room's temperature suddenly dropped immensely. This was too much for Elsa. Too many people. She'd been interacting with only two people for fifteen years, and they were never good to her.
Some stopped their tracks and backed away a bit as they remembered that Elsa could have literally impaled them with icicles or exploded ice everywhere at any minute, but most of them were stubborn and tried to reach Elsa so they could introduce themselves to the royal highness.
Anna felt the cold temperature. Uh-Oh. She turned her head and saw from behind her shoulder how Elsa's eyes were wide with fright, her shoulders reached her ears again as she began to cower in fear and held to the stick as if she will forever. Before Elsa could panic, Anna felt her anger rise at the dumb guild members. "ENOUGH!" She yelled loudly. Her voice was so full with determination and boldness that everyone froze in place but unfortunately, Anna forgot about Elsa's reaction. Anna turned to look at Elsa who already closed her ears and shut her eyes in fear whilst she trembled.
Anna sighed. She knew she shouldn't have shouted like that. But at least she stopped them from freaking Elsa out more. She turned to the friendly, excited female guild members while Aiden placed the men on the ground and glared at the male guild members. Then, both Anna and Aiden started talking turn by turn.
"Alright. Now that you are all quiet, I want to clarify some things for you here." Anna started.
"Princess Elsa, is to be treated with respect." Aiden demanded.
"She is just a normal woman, just like us." Anna said as both kept speaking continuously.
"She is still frightened and who dare get close to her…" Aiden said while he harshly pocked one of the men.
"Should have to deal with…" Anna continued.
"Me." Aiden finished while he glared his eyes through the men's soul.
"She also wants to be treated like a regular girl. Do you hear me?" Anna reminded.
"A regular. Girl!" Aiden stood over the men as he was very tall comparing to the others.
Both sides of women and men nodded at the two before they stood straighter and smiled apologetically at Elsa.
"Alright, that's better." Anna said before she turned to the scared girl. "Sorry, Elsa. Excuse our friends' enthusiasm, since it's the first time they meet a royal. And they are a bit… Friendly." Anna said sarcastically with a chuckle. And it's the first time they meet a woman with ice magic.
Elsa opened her eyes and looked up at Anna who was smiling warmly at her.
"Okay, then." Anna started happily. "Elsa may I introduce, Olly," One of the men bowed. "His sister Sally," A women from the right waved. "Cosmo, Jacob, One legged William, Emma, The Twins Abigail and Emily, Michael, Jayden, Alex and finally, Crazy Mason." Anna announced while she pointed at each and every one of them in turn whom either bowed, waved or curtsied.
"Okay, everyone. Now if you would please excuse Princess Elsa, she has a fort to explore." Rapunzel said while she waved her hands at the guild members in a shooing motion.
As everyone went back to their business, just when Anna and the others were about to take Elsa out of the sanctuary. Brandon and Tyler entered the main hall while they were arguing on something.
"I'm telling you. Keeping her here is too dangerou-" Tyler was saying when he was surprised to see Anna and the thieves were standing around a platinum blonde, ice princess.
"You're awake!" Brandon called happily while he ran to Elsa and the others.
"Yeah… awake." Tyler mumbled under his breath grumpily while he remembered the damage she'd done and followed Brandon slowly.
They all turned at Brandon's voice. Brandon walked towards Elsa but stopped and kept a bit of a distance. "How's are you feeling?" He asked with a soothing smile.
Elsa stared at Brandon for a minute, unsure of what to do or say. She looked at Anna as if asking for help.
Anna smiled reassuringly, "Elsa, this is Brandon and Tyler." She said while she pointed at the men.
Elsa only somehow squinted her eyes as if trying to analyze Brandon. Have I seen him before? She wondered.
The idea suddenly exploded in Brandon's mind. His eyes shot wide as realization hit him. Elsa was trying to recognize him since he was the one who was there at the ambush. How did I forget that?! He quickly turned his back to her and hid his face. "I-uh… U-Uhmm… I-I-I have to go, now! Me and Tyler have some business to attend to. Come on, Tyler!" He said before he rushed away not waiting for Tyler to respond.
Tyler gave him a quizzical look then before he could follow him, he turned to Elsa and bowed mockingly, "Your highness."
Fortunately, Elsa and the others didn't quite get the insult.
"What was that for?" Anna asked. It's like Brandon was scared of Elsa. God, she's not a monster! She just… accidentally sent ice everywhere. Anna thought angrily at Brandon's behavior.
"It's nothing, Anna. I'm sure Brandon just remembered some important thing to do." Aiden covered him up.
"Yeah, right." Anna replied, unconvinced.
Aiden sighed, "Can we go outside, now?" He asked. He didn't want to argue with Anna about this, so he preferred to stick to the point of showing Elsa around.
"Yeah! C'mon, Elsa!" Anna said cheerfully.
Elsa kept her wondering eyes on Brandon's back before she snapped out of her thoughts when he disappeared around the corner of the hall. "Hmm?" She said distractingly.
"We're going outside!" Anna repeated again happily. "Let's go!" She said excitedly while she pointed at the sanctuary door that led to the fort's town square.
When they opened the door for her, Elsa's eyes were totally blinded by the brightness outside and she quickly took a step back inside and hid her eyes with her arm from the sun that burned right through them. The sun that she did not see for fifteen years nor did it shine on her pale skin and gave it warmth.
The others stepped outside then turned to wait for Elsa to do so too. "It's okay, Elsa. It's just the sun." Anna encouraged.
Elsa was unable to see. She blinked several time and tried to adjust her eyes on the current brightness and stepped carefully outside. The sun illuminated her skin and hair that they almost looked white. She felt her eyes burned, so she kept them closed.
"Don't worry, Elsa. Just open your eyes." Anna said again with a gentle voice.
Elsa tried to open her eyes slowly again. Everything seemed blurry at first, but as the image in front of her slowly cleared, her jaw dropped and her eyes just darted around the fort quickly in fascination and amazement.
Just by the huge open space in front of her, made her lose her breath. She almost felt naked outside, as the beautiful summer breeze caressed her whole body for the first time in forever. She couldn't stop her cyan irises from moving around her eyes as she took sight of everything in front of her. She just couldn't choose one thing to concentrate on. She saw multiple children were running behind each other for some reason, yet they were laughing. She saw some of the women around the crops pulled an orange thing from the ground and placed it inside a basket full with vegetables. Dogs and chickens and multiple other animals were roaming around the fort. She saw people locked in discussions and arguments. Some were pointing and looking at her as if they never saw something like her before, but others were smiling at her sympathetically. She saw a man was grooming a huge white horse that stood tall and proud right next to the stables. She saw multiple guards were pacing around the fort fences, and most of them were staring at her in awe… but she did not recognize that. Men were carrying wood, hay and metal. Thieves were training in the barracks. There was a small market square, where merchants were shouting and advertising their goods. Small wooden shacks were scattered around the fort and at the corner on the right, were a stone longhouse that was probably the tavern.
Everything seemed so wide and opened. The huge green landscape and far beyond, the beautiful blue and warm sky, the white puffy clouds, the bright yellow sun. There were just so many colors around. All these years all the colors that Elsa's eyes were able to catch, were blood red, darkness and frosty blue and strawberry blond of her father's hair. Elsa kept staring around at many things and just couldn't stop her desire to look for more.
Anna and the others watched Elsa happily. They knew they shouldn't talk in a situation like this. They wanted her to see for herself, slowly and adjust to the new life. Though, they were pretty occupied at staring at Elsa's eyes. The cyan irises were literally almost glowing from the sun rays that hit them. They looked so bright and full with awe and a child's curiosity that wanted to rush and explore the world. Elsa's mouth was opened in surprise. Her hair was now bright white. Anna and Rapunzel giggled at Elsa's reaction. She just looked adorable.
While Anna and Rapunzel saw her adorable, the men never realized until now how astonishing and beautiful Elsa really was. Yet they all felt a bit heartbroken when Elsa's scares and injuries looked bright red on her pale skin.
Aiden leaned a bit to Anna's ear. "Anna, shouldn't you tell her to close her eyes before they fall off?" He joked. Those damn gorgeous eyes!
Anna punched him playfully on the chest. "Give her time, ya big oaf. Can't you see that she just can't get enough?" Anna said with a radiant smile.
Aiden chuckled a bit, "I'm just joking." He said while he held his hands in defense.
"I don't blame her though," Rapunzel said, "Fifteen years in a dark cellar isn't quite an easy thing as I recall."
"I confess," Flynn started, "I don't think any of us would have survived what she went through. It's quite shocking actually how she can still at least talk and walk."
"Though not much- Oof!" Kristoff said before he received an elbow to his stomach from Anna.
"Stop it you guys. Give her a break. Don't make me remind you that she was just a kid when that piece of a poopy father did what he did." Anna said with a small glare.
"Poopy?..." Aiden asked with a playful smirk, "He's more than just poopy. It's an insult to poop. Poop aren't cruel!... Okay maybe sometimes they are stubborn to come out-"
"Ah!-Bluajkbbdqikjqen EEWWW, I don't wanna hear it!" Anna said while she covered her ears. "Gosh, that's disgusting!"
"Said the one who beat me in a burp competition." Flynn reminded.
Aiden stiffened a snort laugh while Anna gasped and blushed so hard, her face was literally red from embarrassment. You shouldn't have said that in front of Kristoff! She thought angrily at Flynn, but relaxed a bit when she heard Kristoff laugh.
"Seriously?" Kristoff laughed again, "Burp?... Then I think you should have a worthy opponent like me someday." He said while he puffed his muscular chest.
Anna blushed even harder and rubbed her hands nervously, "Y-Yeah…" She said then laughed awkwardly. Okay. Tonight: Kill Flynn. Midnight: Suicide mission of embarrassment. She thought before she sent a death glare to Flynn who only replied with shrugged shoulders. She frowned at him before she pointed two fingers to her eyes then back at Flynn in a motion of 'I'm watching you'. Then she heard Aiden's snort again and she sent him a death glare too and he quickly straightened and stopped laughing, yet the smug smile never left his face.
"Guys, are we going to talk about poop and burp here or are we gonna wake Elsa out of her trance?" Rapunzel reminded with a laugh.
"Oh! Right." Anna said before she turned to Elsa and approached her carefully so she couldn't spook her. "Um, Elsa?"
Elsa quickly jumped in surprise and snapped out of her reverie. She looked at Anna quizzically to answer but then her eyes landed on the snowy mountains way high up and she lost focus on Anna again and continued her trance.
"I'll take that as 'The fort is beautiful'" Anna said while she giggled. "Well, you still have a lot to see, though. So C'mon!"
As they walked into the fort town square, Anna couldn't stop herself from talking. She took the responsibility to be The Guide for the fort tour yet she didn't quite noticed the eyes on them, or technically, at Elsa, who was walking next to Anna in unease, since it's been more than a decade since she walked in such an open space. Not just that but she felt as if everyone's eyes were piercing her back. And she just wanted to go back in the sanctuary and hide in her shell.
"Those are the stables over there." Anna pointed at where a man was grooming Maximus. "See this? That's where we plant and harvest our crops…" She pointed at where several women were busy working in the corn field, but stopped what they were doing to smile and wave at Elsa, yet she quickly looked away shyly.
"That's The Snuggly Duckling Tavern over there." Anna pointed at the stone longhouse at the corner before she giggled a bit then, "It's Flynn's favorite place."
"Hey! It's not my fault they make great ale." Flynn reasoned.
Anna only rolled her eyes and continued walking and showing Elsa around. "Here is the infirmary. Though I don't advise you to get in there. It's always busy in there and-" Anna was explaining and her eyes suddenly widened when she remembered that she did not introduce the most important person to Elsa. "Oh my god! Elsa, you met about half the fort and you still didn't meet my mum! God, she was the one who healed you, so you have every right to meet her!" Anna said before she started rushing towards the infirmary but was held back by Rapunzel's voice.
Rapunzel, Aiden and Flynn quickly panicked when Anna have begun talking about letting Elsa meet her mum. And especially since Anna's mum, was actually Elsa's too.
"Uhh! I-I think your mum already told you that she doesn't need to be bothered Anna… S-Since you know, she's a b-bit busy and all" And desperately wants to talk to her daughter.
Anna stopped in her tracks and turned with a frown while she thought the idea through. "Damn, you're right. She did say that… Hmmm, well don't worry Elsa. You'll meet her tomorrow or after." Anna reassured happily.
"Aiden! Anna!" A cheerful woman's voice suddenly startled them to attention.
Aiden winced in embarrassment as he recognized the voice before they all turned towards the voice and saw a fat woman, with dark hair and brown eyes that stood next to a merchant stand full with flowers of all kind while she have been waving at them happily and motioned for them to come.
"Bulda!" Anna called happily.
Bulda was a florist. She sold the most beautiful and colorful flowers in all of the country. And she was the one who treated Aiden as her own son.
They all walked towards the woman before Anna wrapped her in a hug. Elsa followed slowly with the help of the stick right behind Rapunzel and tried to hide as much as she can behind her.
"Where have ya been, lass!" Bulda said while she hugged Anna. "It's been a week since I last saw you! What were you up to ye big rebel?!" Bulda asked with both a playful and serious voice.
Anna laughed a bit, then, "You can't even imagine where we were, Bulda." She hinted playfully.
"It's really good to see you all and- Aiden! Come here youuu!" Bulda said before she wrapped Aiden in a crush hug.
Aiden felt his breath went out. "B-Bulda… hug… can't… breathe." He managed to say before Bulda snapped out of it and released him.
"Oh! Sorry, lad. I just missed my little boy so muuucchh!" She said while she pinched Aiden's cheek and made him recoil back and he blushed in embarrassment.
"Buldaaa…" Aiden whined in a childish manner while he rubbed his cheek.
Bulda placed her hands on her hips and glared playfully at him, "Oh don't you Bulda me! Your puffed up chest won't scare me boy!"
Anna and the others laughed as they saw Aiden blush harder.
Bulda turned to the others and Anna, "Well, have you heard the latest gossip? They said some of the guild members brought an injured princess here. And not just any princess, but an ice princess." She scoffed, "I'm telling you Anna, your mother had been definitely giving these people the wrong medicine and forced their brains to whack out of their empty heads- Oh!..." She stopped when she noticed Elsa who hid shyly behind Rapunzel. "And who's the cutie shy lass?" Bulda said while she pointed at behind Rapunzel and tried to take a better look from behind Rapunzel's shoulders.
They all smiled before Rapunzel moved away and revealed Elsa before she gave her a tiny push on the back and encourage her to move forward towards Bulda.
Anna giggled a bit, then, "Bulda, meet Princess Elsa of Arendelle."
Bulda's heart was strangled at the sight of Elsa's injured body and how the princess leaned on the stick for support, but she was amazed at the woman's strange eye color and white hair. She did not show her shock or sadness for the sake of encouraging Elsa not to be shy more than she already was. She softened her face as much as she could and smiled warmly at Elsa. "Well, hello there, little lass." She said with a gentle voice that all the others never heard from her before. "Elsa… What a beautiful name ye have there, lass." She approached her a bit but stopped when she saw Elsa's shoulders crunched up a bit in unease. She widened her smile and tried to look as friendly as ever. "My name is Bulda. An old cow that had been living in here for years but my milk didn't ran out or rotten just yet." She joked and made the others laugh awkwardly at her blunt statement, yet Elsa only stared, unsure on what to do or say.
Did the cat eat your tongue, little lass? Bulda thought playfully, yet she didn't felt it was right to say it aloud.
"Why are ya wearing gloves, lass? We're in the middle of summer!" Bulda asked in confusion.
Elsa's eyes went a bit wide in fear and her body tensed.
Anna ignored Bulda's question and moved to help Elsa out. She placed a hand on Bulda's shoulder to somehow send her message to stop asking questions, then, "Elsa… Bulsa is a florist! She sells her unique flowers here in the market square. You can also say that she's the big oaf's adoptive mother." She said with a smirk while she pointed at Aiden.
Bulda gave Anna a skeptical look. But luckily, Bulda understood the message and turned her head back at Elsa with a smile, "Aye! I raised that calf into the brainless buffalo he is now." She said while she smacked Aiden on the head.
"I have you know, I'm smarter than you think!" Aiden argued with an angry pout.
"Of course you are." Bulda replied sarcastically while she patted his back.
"Bulda, how about we show Elsa your flowers!" Anna suggested excitedly.
"Of course! There's the flower stand over there. Just go do whatever you want with it." Bulda said with a chuckle while she pointed behind her with a thumb.
"C'mon, Elsa!" Anna said while she motioned for Elsa to follow.
Rapunzel and Anna ran to the stand and followed by Elsa, while the men stayed with Bulda.
When the girls went out of hearing reach, Bulda's face fell a bit to a sad expression.
"Poor thing. How do you think all this happened to her?" Bulda asked as she kept her eyes on Elsa's bandages and scars.
"Bulda, we were the one who brought her here." Flynn revealed.
"Really?!" Bulda asked in surprise. "Well, what did you do to her?!" Bulda asked angrily.
"It wasn't us, Bulda!" Flynn reasoned.
"Then do you know anything about all this?!" Bulda said while she pointed at Elsa.
"Bulda, she was being tortured horribly… by her own father. The king of Arendelle." Aiden said sadly.
"Oh my goodness!... Why?!" Bulda asked in shock as her eyes went wide at Elsa.
"We're not sure yet. But we're thinking it's because of her powers or something." Aiden explained.
"So… The powers are true?!... That ice that came out of the sanctuary-"
"Yes, Bulda. It was her when Anna's mother had to burn her wound." Flynn cut off.
"Oh my… I never believed in magic. But looks like I have already enough proof." Bulda noted.
"Tell me about it." Kristoff deadpanned.
"Though… doesn't the princess seem a bit… too shy and well… doesn't talk a lot." Bulda asked while she scratched her head in wonder.
"It's because she was six when she got locked away. It's been fifteen years since she probably last time saw the sun itself." Aiden informed.
Bulda gasped in shock and covered her mouth with her hand. "Six!?... Oh my god! You poor, poor girl! This is… It's so cruel! It's insane! Did the king lost his mind or anything?! She's his daughter!" Bulda exclaimed.
"We know, Bulda. We know." Aiden said sadly while they all kept their pitiful eyes on Elsa.
As the men and the fat woman kept gossiping, Anna and Rapunzel showed Elsa every single flower and educated her on the names and origins. Elsa gazed around at the flowers in amazement with an invisible grin. There were so many different shapes and colors of flowers, even the simplest like the pure white daisies astonished her.
"Hey, Elsa! Look at these!" Anna called while she pointed at a pile of orange Tulips. "They are called Tulips. They say they communicate a sentiment of perfect love. And this one…" She said while she pointed at a pink Lotus. "It's called a Lotus. It describes purity, beauty and grace." Just like you, Elsa. She thought as she smiled warmly at the princess who kept glancing around at the flowers.
"My favorite are the roses!" Rapunzel revealed while she pointed at the pile of crimson red roses, then both she and Anna turned to Elsa and saw how she was staring at something in astonishment that they never saw before.
"Elsa?" Anna called but Elsa kept her wide eyes fixated to the right. They followed Elsa's gaze and landed on a single, unique, rare, beautiful and fully bloomed ice-blue rose. When the two turned to look at Elsa again they gasped silently and their face lit up in the most radiant smile and their hearts fluttered in joy at the sight: Elsa was smiling brilliantly.
Elsa didn't acknowledge them. She approached the blue rose, her cyan eyes so full with pure awe and curiosity and for the first time, carefree. Her eyebrows lifted in amazement as she held her gloved finger right next to the flower and tried to touch it.
That was the first time everyone saw Elsa smiled. But the most exciting thing is that Elsa's joyful lip-parted smile reached her ears in admiration and glee. It was the most beautiful sight to see for the thieves.
"Oh my god, Rapunzel look at her!" Anna whispered in excitement. Her body shuddered and she bit her lip to prevent the both joyful and sympathetic tears from coming down.
"I know!" Rapunzel squealed with a whisper joyfully. They both didn't want to wake Elsa from her thoughts or daydream with the rose. They just stood and watched in silence for Elsa's behavior around the rose that stole all her attention.
"Look at that boys." Bulda started with a gentle voice as she saw how Elsa was smiling at the blue rose.
The men watched in amazement. Elsa just looked even more gorgeous and simply stunning with a smile.
Wow… Aiden thought, speechless. He just never realized Elsa's beauty.
She… She's smiling! Flynn thought happily.
"You see that, boys... The single sight of a simple flower, can draw a smile on her face." She paused while she smiled warmly at Elsa. "What do you call this, boys?" She said while she pointed at the blissful Elsa.
The men kept staring at Elsa and tried to wonder what was Bulda talking about, yet Flynn answered. "Lack of knowledge about flowers?"
Bulda smacked his head before she chuckled and shook her head at their ignorance. "No… I call that Innocence."
The men finally turned at her with a quizzical and confused look.
Bulda rolled her eyes at them before she pointed at Elsa again. "Can't you see?... She'd been locked away when she was a child. Her father locked her, but that doesn't stop her body from growing to that of a full woman, and…" She trailed off. "He had locked her mind, heart and soul more than the body. She sure is a woman on the outside. But on the inside, she's still nothing more than a six year old child, ready to explore the new world that she never saw before. She's so full with a child's wonder, pure intentions and awe. She had missed so much, and she is very much more than willing to explore and discover her surroundings. But… she is afraid to do so. Right behind these eyes, boys…" Bulda's smile faded, "Lay a helpless little girl. Scared, alone and confused… The king had done more damage than you think. He took so much from her… and no bandage can fix that."
Aiden suddenly felt his heart crumble as he remembered holding her delicate, weak body. He remembered how she was so tiny and vulnerable in his arms. He rubbed his chest where her platinum head once rested. A sudden unfamiliar sense crept in his mind and he felt an immense desire to protect Elsa, and to help that little terrified girl inside of her to open up and explore the world she always wanted. He couldn't help but smile while he stared at her own smile that grew as if she felt the best feeling ever when she finally touched and brushed her gloved fingers on the blue rose.
"Such a shame…" Bulda started again. "If only everyone was that Innocent... She'd been through hell, yet look at her… She was able to see the little things that makes life great. It's just brilliant."
Now that the men realized that Bulda's words were more than right, their confusion on why really Elsa was locked away grew.
Why does she keep saying that she sinned then? Flynn thought. "But Bulda," He started. "When we were inside, she told us that she deserved to be locked away and that she somehow did something… really bad."
Bulda scoffed sarcastically, "I never knew you boys were that stupid… Think about it. You can convince a six year old child that he can fly. So I don't think it was hard for the king to convince her that she's a bad person?" She paused then looked back at Elsa with a sorrowful look. "Whatever he planted in her child mind, she grew up in fifteen years believing it's true." She finished before she walked towards the girl and left the men speechless.
Anna and Rapunzel watched in amazement as Elsa kept hovering her hand around the blue rose and her face was full with glee. They just wondered what was Elsa thinking of all that time by just looking at a rose. But they did suppose it's because Elsa definitely never saw a flower, and especially a blue rose.
She just looks so happy! Rapunzel thought joyfully. If only Aphrodite could see this.
Maybe blue is her favorite color? Anna wondered and tried to get to know what Elsa's interests are.
A gentle hand on her shoulder snapped Anna from her thoughts and she turned her head to see Bulda smiling warmly at her. "Looks like our princess is in love." Bulda joked while she pointed at Elsa who was still in her own world with the rose.
Anna giggled silently, "Yeah..." She said while she watched Elsa again with a fond smile.
Bulda moved slowly next to Elsa, "Do you like it, lass?" She asked.
Elsa jumped in surprise and snapped out of her thoughts. She blinked at Bulda nervously before the question finally went in her mind. Elsa blushed a bit and nodded shyly with a tiny grin, her eyes not leaving the flower.
"Here," Bulda said before she grabbed the blue rose's pot and held it up for Elsa.
Don't say 'Hold it.' Don't say 'Hold it.'! Anna thought worriedly.
"You can have it then. It's yours." Bulda said with the most reassuring smile and Anna exhaled in utter relief.
Elsa's eyes widened a bit in confusion. She looked over at Anna and Rapunzel as if she wanted to take their permission, then back at Bulda before she pointed an unsure finger at herself.
Bulda only nodded happily in confirmation that she was indeed giving the flower to Elsa and kept the rose held up.
Elsa's face drew a tiny goofy smile before she took the pot that held the rose with both her gloved hands shyly. "Than… Thank you." She whispered while she stared at the rose in her hands happily.
Bulda chuckled silently at Elsa's shyness and innocence. "Be sure to water it every day morning." Bulda instructed.
Elsa wasn't sure she'll wake up alive tomorrow but she nodded slowly anyway.
Anna and Rapunzel walked towards Elsa and Bulda before Anna wrapped Bulda in a hug and whispered in her ear, "Thank you."
Bulda patted Anna's back and shook her head. "Don't mention it, lass. Just keep her happy." She whispered back. "She deserves a lot better than a flower after what she'd been through."
Anna bit her lip and forced her tears not to come down at Bulda's words before she nodded.
I will. Anna vowed.
They broke from the hug and turned to Elsa. "Okay, Elsa. Let's continue through town. You still have a lot of things to see." Anna said happily.
The men and Rapunzel finally approached them. "Alrighty now! Shall we continue then?" Rapunzel asked happily and received a nod from everyone, including Elsa.
As they all walked away from Bulda, all the thieves didn't notice Elsa turned a bit and waved goodbye shyly at Bulda.
Bulda quickly waved gleefully back and felt joyful tears forming at the corner of her eyes. Oh child… It's always the innocents who suffer the most.
I greatly recommend that you listen to : Innocence – Avril Lavigne
It fits the chapter more than perfectly. And it describes Elsa's thoughts on all this.