Chapter: 4 Crossroads of the Heart
Sunlight shimmers between partially cloudy skies. The East Wind blows such a puffy veil over the kingdom of Arendelle. Chirping sparrows and cooing doves herald the lively awakening of Queen Iduna. She sits up at her bedside and stretches with a yawn. She glances back at her slumbering, mumbling spouse and runs her fingers through his hair. "Good morning, my love." Iduna whispers.
"Hm?" Agnarr murmurs and starts to stir. His brows raise as he blissfully leans into Iduna's touch. His mustache curls with his delighted grin as he says, "Morning, dearest." His eyes flutter open and he succumbs to joy. For having his beloved be the first sight of his morning is a blessing in itself. "How'd you sleep?" he asks.
"Oh Agnarr," Iduna sighs while drawing the curtains. "I had the most peculiar dream. There were puffins flying over Arendelle. Squawking and waddling about."
"Puffins just waltzing in our kingdom." Agnarr chuckles. "Now that would be a sight." He slides out of bed and jokingly waddles for a moment.
Iduna snickers. "I'm sorry," she teases. "I wasn't looking. Would you mind doing that again, Mr. Puffin?"
"Mr. Puffin?" Agnarr reiterates while relishing in her laughter. "So formal," he says with a bow. "At your service, my queen." Iduna giggles as Agnarr waddles his way over to her. He playfully squawks upon reaching her and 'pecks' her with a barrage of kisses. They hold each other in a tight embrace as a gentle ray of sunshine streaks against their faces. This guiding beam prompts the couple to peer outside and observe their kingdom.
Iduna sighs, taking in the sight of glistening waters and sunlit homes. "It's just so..." she mumbles while leaning into Agnarr. "...so-"
"-peaceful," her husband says. Iduna gently smiles until she hears the stress in his tone. "I'll take all the peace we can get," he laments. "Especially knowing how much is at stake with this trade agreement. If the Duke of Weselton isn't pleased, we'll-"
"No matter what happens," Iduna assures and takes Agnarr's hands in hers. "We'll face it together." They exchange dutiful nods before she adds, "Let's check on the girls while we still have time."
"Good idea," Agnarr replies. "That'll ease my mind some." His faint grin fades as he and Iduna part ways. "Or so I hope," he worries under his breath.
Stress over the upcoming trade delegation is getting the best of Agnarr. Yesterday's tense standoff has left his mind to wander and create various, worst-case scenarios regarding the meeting. Agnarr's no stranger to giving such thoughts a place in his mind. Every time he ventures to Elsa's bedroom, he fears what he might find just beyond her door. He feels he can only do so much for her and is left wondering about every unsupervised moment. Agnarr's never sure if he's going to walk in and find the room frozen solid or his daughter wailing in a corner. As those nightmares plague his mind, Agnarr contemplates who Elsa's gloves are really for.
He's reaching for his key to unlock Elsa's door when he hears a bewildering sound. Was that- Agnarr thinks as his brows furrow. No. It couldn't have been. The dark hall is eerily silent as he puts an ear to the door. His jaw slowly drops in befuddlement as the sound returns. That's...laughter?
"Elsa?" Agnarr beckons while unlocking the door. "Are you-" There's an oddly welcoming chill as he steps into the bedroom. "-alright?" Agnarr mutters and glances up at the ceiling. Gentle snowflakes plummet from a stationary cloud as it hovers over Elsa. His eldest daughter sits by the window, bathed in sunlight as she pours imaginary liquid for her puffin companion.
"Papa!" Elsa rejoices and eagerly waves to him. "You're just in time for the tea party! Won't you join us? Sir Jorgenbjorgen can scoot over." Agnarr has to aggressively scrub his eyes twice and keep from slapping himself silly. He's left speechless at the sight and goes so far as to pinch himself on the arm. Elsa's giddy grin fades with her father's panic. "Papa?" she queries. "Are you alright?"
"Um..." the king barely mumbles. "I don't-...how did..." He has to stop and recompose himself. "I'm sorry. I'm just not used to seeing you so...well-"
"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious?" Elsa blurts and renders her father a bumbling mess.
"Super qualified expecting what?" Agnarr stammers.
"It's just how I feel!" Elsa cheers and pours more tea for Sir Jorgenbjorgen.
"Wherever did you learn such a wild word like that?" Agnarr asks and Elsa goes silent. The king's voice deepens with his own anxieties. "Elsa?" he intones.
"I...um-" Elsa chokes as the teacup rattles in her hand. As she debates on whether or not to tell him about Mary's visit, her own stress settles in. "Well, I-"
Agnarr's eyes widen when he looks to her hands. "Where are your gloves?"
"I thought I didn't need to wear them," Elsa hastily answers. Her breaths shorten, almost mimicking her father's elevating stress. "I can control-"
Agnarr's eyes sway to the nearby clock and he huffs. "There's no time for this now," he asserts. "I need to get ready for the delegation and I can't have you disobeying me."
"But Papa!" Elsa retorts as the snowflakes rapidly swirl with her emotions. "I can control my powers!"
"You can't, dear." Agnarr murmurs and gestures to the whirlwind of snowflakes.
Unable to destress quick enough, Elsa only gets worse under Agnarr's added pressure. She panics while trying to control the snow around her and it smears against the walls. Afraid that someone will somehow see her from the window, Agnarr furiously closes her curtains. Elsa gasps at her sudden gesture as darkness consumes her room once more. The final remnants of sunlight vanish with Agnarr's frightened gaze as he ties the curtains together.
"Someone could've seen you," he warns.
"I'm sorry, Papa." Elsa whimpers. "But I swear I had it under control!" Her pleading only has Agnarr averting his gaze. It pains him to hear her so saddened and he doesn't want to burden her with his own weakness.
"Elsa," Agnarr sighs in a tone that has her body stiffening. "Just...put the gloves on."
"Papa?" Elsa gasps.
He recovers the garments from her nightstand, kneels before her, and places them in her hesitant hands. "Please," he insists with pain in his eyes.
Elsa clutches the gloves and hangs her head. "Yes father," she says in a tone so resigned that it nearly brings Agnarr to tears. He impulsively wraps his arms around Elsa and holds her in a warm embrace.
"You know I love you...right?" Agnarr nervously whispers amidst the darkness. "And that I'm just trying to protect you?"
Elsa's hugging him back, but her blank stare lists on into nothingness. "I know," she answers, more for his sake.
Without even realizing that he's only reassured himself, Agnarr softly smiles and kisses his child's forehead. "It's going to be alright," he tells her. "Remember. Conceal, don't feel. Don't let it show." He glances at the door and sighs. "I have to go, sweetheart. But I'll be back later."
"Okay," Elsa answers at a nearly inaudible volume. Agnarr departs, leaving her to stand in her shadowy...suffocating bedroom. Gone is the cleansing sunlight to spark the uncommon smile on her face. Sir Jorgenbjorgen sits at a table where even imaginary tea won't flow. As Elsa clenches her gloves and stares down at them, her tears plummet and dampen their fabric.
Iduna stands in the castle's empty halls and wonders what's taking her husband so long. She wishfully hopes that things have gone well for him and Elsa, and that their daughter isn't having another panic attack. A steady cadence of steps has her turning to see Mary Poppins on the approach. The nanny's flowery hat alone is enough to prompt a smile across Iduna's lips.
"Good morning, your majesty." Mary says.
"Good morning," Iduna replies and Mary instantly picks up on her shifting tone. She doesn't even have to ask, and merely tilts her head to coax an explanation out of the queen. "It's just such a beautiful day outside," Iduna confesses. "And while I know this trade delegation is important, I do wish I could spend some time with my girls." Iduna sighs as if a fond memory has briefly warmed her heart. "You know, things weren't always this...bleak around here." She holds her hand up to the nearby window and observes the stony bridge leading into town. While it remains vacant, she imagines her family crossing it hand in hand. Iduna's imagination is so vivid, that she can even hear them laughing together. Such a merry sound brings tears to her eyes and she hastily wipes them. "I'm sorry," she tells Mary. "Let's just say that for as little as it may be...it's nice to see you bringing some joy back to this castle."
"Well since the day is so splendid-" Mary proposes. "-why don't I relieve dear Gerda of her flower shopping duties? Anna and I can make an outing of it."
Iduna's eyes light up at the idea. Before Mary had arrived, she might've dismissed such a request and remained as reclusive as the rest of her family. After all, everyone had shut themselves out in one way or another since the incident. While Agnarr had retreated into his kingly duties and Iduna into her research, their children had suffered the worst. As Anna roamed the halls like a neglected specter, Elsa remained locked away from all hopefulness. Yet now, Iduna finds a spark of possibility when she looks into Mary's eyes. Her gaze is so bright, blue, and as welcoming as it had been on the day she'd arrived. Thanks to Mary, Iduna's heard Anna giggle for the first time in forever. Considering that those were the results of merely one day in Mary's presence, Iduna takes a leap of faith and approves of the outing.
"I think it would be great for Anna," the queen says just as Agnarr emerges from the stairwell. With each heavy stomp, the somber king heralds a wave of depression in the shadowy corridor. Before his energy will inevitably reach her, Iduna gives Mary one more grateful smile. "Thank you," she says. "And please, don't hesitate to take any extra help with you. I don't want Anna lifting anything too heavy for her. I know how daring she can be!"
Princess Anna awakens with widened eyes and giggles as Mary enters her bedroom. The incident in Elsa's bedroom has Agnarr mentally and physically exhausted. His eyelids droop as Iduna worriedly approaches him. As Mary tells Anna about flower shopping, she practically springs out of bed with an excited scream. Iduna wants to scream as the darkness returns over her and Agnarr. Their joyous morning was so brief that she's barely had a chance to savor it. Mary has to remind Anna to sit still, but the little princess can barely contain herself. She happily bounces on the edge of the bed as Mary buckles her shoes and snaps the buttons atop her dress. Iduna brings her hands up to Agnarr's military uniform. He hangs his head as she fastens his buttons, providing strength where his is fading. Agnarr's paralyzed, despite his constant efforts to conceal his emotions. As Iduna snaps the final button into place, a single tear drips against the back of her pale hand. She peers up at her king, caressing his face until he feels safe enough to look at her with reddened eyes.
"I don't know how much longer I can do this," he tells Iduna.
"I'm ready!" Anna cheers to Mary as she leaps off of the bed.
Realizing he's breaking, Agnarr shuts down and tries pulling his walls back up. "Conceal," he intones. "Don't fe-"
"Stop," Iduna says, a lump forming in her throat as she does so. "Just come here," she barely whispers and pulls Agnarr into a teary embrace. "It'll be alright," she says. "We'll get through this."
While Agnarr's tears flow into Iduna's chestnut bun, hers meet his jacket's soft fabric. A knock at their door has him straightening his posture. "Your majesties?" Kai beckons. "The delegates are ready for you."
Agnarr genuinely cannot remember the last time he's ever, truly cried. He quickly wipes his tears and clears his throat with a cough. "We'll be right there," he tells Kai and looks to his beloved. "Shall we?" he asks and offers his arm.
"Shall we?" Mary asks, extending a hand to Anna.
"For Arendelle," Iduna says, recomposing herself and linking arms with her husband.
"Let's go!" Anna declares and takes Mary's soft, gloved hand.
Agnarr and Iduna put on their best, regal smiles for the good of the kingdom. Even as their hearts ache, they exit their bedroom and head to the council chambers. Anna doesn't think she could stop smiling even if she tried. It's like she's constantly being tickled with joy and is ecstatic over her outing with Mary. As Anna's heart races exuberantly, Mary leads her out of her bedroom and off on a new adventure.
The jittery princess skips towards the stairs, but suddenly loses all momentum when Mary heads down the opposite hallway. "Wait, what?" Anna blurts. "I thought we were going flower shopping."
"We are," Mary assures. "And your mother said I shouldn't hesitate to take any extra help." Anna relinquishes her grip on Mary's palm. Her curious eyes soften, only to widen once more as she realizes where the nanny is headed.
"Hold on," Anna utters. "Do you mean-" She can't even finish her statement, for the fear of being wrong gets the best of her.
"I mean that it's a beautiful day," Mary says. "And I think both of you should share it."
Anna swallows hard and scurries over to Mary's side. She's as eager as she is skeptical until they reach Elsa's door. Twinges of hopelessness pry at the child's resolve as she glances up at Mary. "Knocking doesn't work," she murmurs. "I've tried."
"Yes well-" her nanny begins. "In some instances, we must go beyond a knock to help the ones we love. Prisons come in many forms, Anna. Be them made of wood-" she gestures to the door. "-or one's own inner workings." She taps a finger on Anna's forehead, making the princess cross her eyes.
"Go beyond a knock?" Anna asks. "But how? The door's locked."
"I suppose it is," Mary mumbles and raises a pensive brow. "If only we had a key of some sort."
Anna stares into the narrow and vacant keyhole as an idea sparks within. Her gasp is quick and her hands are quicker as she rummages through her pocket. Mary watches as Anna retrieves a purely pale swan's feather. She stares intently at it and recalls her mother's words.
"You see, Anna...Like so many wonderful things in life, this beautiful little feather is what you make of it. You alone can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Is it really a feather...or so much more? Your imagination decides. What do you see?"
"I see...a key!" Anna had said. "A magical key to take us anywhere and open any door!"
"Even Elsa's," Anna says as she holds the feather close. A subtle grin finds its way to Mary's lips while Anna approaches the keyhole. Taking a deep breath, the child dares to insert the swan feather. As Anna does so, she shuts her eyes and focuses on all that's warmed her heart. Her voice of uncertainty drowns beneath a wave of joyous memories. She recounts meeting Joan of Arc and befriending a dragon upon leaping into their painting. Even now, Mary Poppins is with her. Her residence remains comforting and inspiring, calling for Anna to trust herself. Beckoning the princess to believe, now more than ever. Anna's eyes shoot open as the lock clicks with a twist of the feather. She wants to deem such a feat impossible, but her joy and Mary's presence has her trusting in miracles.
The door creaks open and Anna's unsure what to do. She can't remember the last time she's ever even seen it budge. Her heart sinks as the crack in the door reveals a room darker than the shadowy hall. With drapes shut and a frigid chill in the air, the room appears hauntingly abandoned. "Mary?" Anna worries and looks back at her nanny.
"It'll be alright," Mary says and gently rubs her shoulder.
Anna slowly nods and dares to step into the room. The door's opened so quietly, that any occupant wouldn't have heard a thing. As Anna cautiously tiptoes in, a series of sniffles catch her attention. "Elsa?" she calls out. Anna's voice alone causes a hunched silhouette to rise from the shadowy corner. Anna squints, using what little light has come in from the hall to faintly make out her sibling's face. Elsa shudders at the sight of her sister but all Anna wants to do is hug her. Before the little redhead can charge in with open arms, Mary steps in and holds her back.
"Not so quickly," Mary intones, noticing Elsa's distress. While keeping Anna at a distance, she kneels between the two and removes her hat. "Elsa?" she speaks softly.
"Mary," Elsa croaks, her voice tired from crying. "You shouldn't be here. Not with Anna."
"But why not with me?" Anna blurts from over Mary's shoulder. Despite the nanny's efforts to quell her, the feisty princess persists. "What did I do?" Her raised, strained voice only makes Elsa shrink further back into the shadows. Her heart races as she struggles to control her magic in such close proximity to Anna. "Please just tell me!" Anna persists. "No one will tell me! Not Mama. Not Papa. Tell me what I did wrong so I can be sorry!"
"I'm sorry!" Elsa yelps and the room goes silent. The princess' eyes are shut tightly and her hands are closed in frustrated fists. As she slowly looks to Anna, she discovers sheer astonishment in her sister's eyes. During her outburst, Elsa has coated her knuckles in a thick layer of frost. Frightened, she scrubs it off and hides her hands from Anna. "I can't do this," she whimpers. "I-I can't."
"Elsa," Mary says calmly. Her soothing voice is enough to coax the princess into looking at her. "You still haven't put your gloves back on," Mary points out. "You can do this."
Elsa stares down at the unused gloves Agnarr insisted she wear. Her eyes list back over to her sister, who remains frozen in a state of bewilderment. "Elsa?" Anna worries. "What's going on?"
It feels as though the eldest princess' racing heart could give out at any moment. And yet, her powers don't fluctuate in her panic. She finds herself grounded in Mary's presence, thinking of their puffin adventure from the previous night. Feeling unsure, she looks into the nanny's vivid, blue gaze. Mary's eyes are as soothing as they are true. As Elsa weighs her options, she realizes that there's no turning back.
"Anna," she barely murmurs at first. The painful weight of so many years comes crashing down as she tries to get the words out. "I-" Elsa bites her lip as an aching lump forms in her throat. "You-...We just-" Elsa looses an exhausted sigh and raises her trembling palms. Anna cups her hands over her mouth as intricate fractals swirl from her sister's fingertips. She watches as each crystalline fragment sparkles and connects to a unique snowflake.
The ensuing silence is daunting. "There was a moment where I thought this was all some kind of gift," Elsa says. "The snowflake cracks under her grief and its pieces plummet into her palms. "But when I look at you, Anna. I'm reminded of what a curse my powers are." As Elsa's eyes swell with tears, Mary inches over and rubs her back for comfort. "I used to do magic like this all the time for you. We had so much fun and I loved putting the biggest smile on your face."
"I don't remember any of that," Anna admits. "I know we used to make snowmen and go sledding. But...magic?"
Mary continues to sooth Elsa as slivers of trauma lurk within. The princess' body stiffens and she struggles to even look at Anna and her innocent eyes. "Because your memories were-" Elsa fights to carry on, only finding comfort in Mary's tender touch. "-erased."
"Why?" Anna asks.
While she means well, her rapid questions only spur Elsa's anxiety. "Because I hurt you!" she snaps, a tear fleeing each of her eyes. She drops her voice down to an aching whisper and murmurs, "We were playing one night...and I hurt you. It was an accident, but it doesn't change the fact that I struck you with my powers." She gestures to Anna's head as tears roll down her pale cheeks. "I thought I was going to lose you that night, but the trolls saved you. And while I struggled to accept your lost memories for a while, I came to understand why." Elsa looks at the fractured snowflake in her hands. "This...and all of the suffering it brings is not worth remembering. I wasn't worth remembering, especially if it meant keeping you safe. I never wanted to hurt you or anyone else again. Even if I-" Elsa sniffles, her face now reddened from her sobbing. "Even if I disappeared from everyone's memories." Elsa breaks down, this time crying against Mary's sleeve as she clings to her arm. Frost forms across the ground in accordance with her heightened anxiety.
Anna just stands there, taking in every word until she clutches one of her pigtails. She raises the braid to Elsa and points at a unique, white-blonde streak running through it. "So...you did this?" she asks. Elsa gulps, wipes her tears, and solemnly nods. Amidst such a heaviness in the room, Anna smiles...and then she giggles. "After all this time," she says, still laughing to herself. "I thought I was kissed by a troll!"
Her silly statement coaxes a faint smile out of Elsa as the princess shakes her head. "What?" she whispers, still wiping her tears.
In that instant, Anna refuses to hold back any longer. She pulls Elsa into a sudden embrace and Mary backs away. As Anna holds her sister tight, Elsa stands with timid arms raised. "I don't care about what went wrong," Anna whimpers while burying her face in Elsa's shoulder. "I just want my sister back. I love you, Elsa."
Her words have tears swelling in her big sister's eyes all over again. Her bare, shaking hands slowly relax and drop towards Anna. "I-" she begins, letting herself feel. She thinks about the joyous puffins on Arendelle's shore, reunited and flying free. She considers the bliss she felt in the skies above her kingdom and embraces that sensation all over again. "I love you too," she says and dares to touch her sister back. Elsa's hands wrap around Anna and they hold each other close. Years of physical deprivation fade away in such a tender embrace as the children cry into each other's shoulders. Neither wants to ever let the other go again. As Elsa surrenders to love, the frost beneath her feet thaws away.
Mary kneels beside the girls and places a hand on their backs. They look to her with blissful smiles as she says, "Well done, your majesties." Mary's caught off guard and nearly thrown off balance when the girls turn and hug her. She grins down at them, gently patting their backs before presenting her proposal. "Now Elsa," she says. "Your sister and I were actually about to go flower shopping. Your mother suggested I bring any help I needed, and I couldn't think of someone better than you."
Before Elsa can answer, Anna's already eagerly tugging at her sister's arm. "Oh please oh please say yes!" she urges.
As much as Elsa wants to go for the outing, she can't help but think of her parents. "But what about Mama and Papa?" she asks. "This is all so nice of you, but I should really talk to them."
"They are currently at a delegation," Mary says. "Which will take hours, possibly carrying on into the late evening." When the princess remains reluctant, Mary opens the drapes so sunlight may return. She lets Elsa bask in the kingdom's daytime glow before saying, "Sometimes life gives us a beautiful day, but we have to be the ones to seize it." Mary stands against the window and turns back to Elsa. Her brightened silhouette makes her appear angelic as she asks, "So what say you, Princess of Arendelle?"
Elsa glances at Anna, who proudly stands in support of Mary's words. With a deep breath and racing heart, Elsa plucks Sir Jorgenbjorgen from his chair. She holds him close, looks to Mary, and says, "Let's seize the day."
"Yes!" Anna cheers and energetically shakes her sister.
"Look lively, my dears." Mary says. She totes a playful, yet authoritative voice. "Atten-tion!" she brays as if she's captain of the Arendelle Guard. Anna and Elsa fight to conceal giggles while standing at attention. "Right turn!" Mary orders. She guides the girls as they form up together in a line towards the door. Only then does Elsa realize all which is about to unfold. She's actually going to leave her room...and this castle during the day. Her heart flutters with her reinvigorated spirits as Mary flourishes her umbrella like a ceremonial sword. "Quick...march!" At her command, Mary leads the princesses in a zestful and spirited march out of the room. Their knees are high and their stomps are lively, as if to awaken everyone and everything in Arendelle Castle. As they traverse the halls, Mary flicks her umbrella at every closed curtain. Her swift swishes untether them, sending bright sunlight glistening in.
Anna can't help but get in on the fun herself and happily tugs open some of the curtains. Meanwhile, Elsa's still marching in disbelief. It's been so long since she's seen any other part of her castle, that it's all practically foreign to her. Despite her merry experience, she is unprepared for the liberation of truly feeling the sun.
Elsa basks in pure sunlight from the moment Mary opens the castle's main entrance. The trio marches against cobblestone, making their way towards the gate and bridge. From atop the castle wall, Lars stirs to the sound of such a peculiar cadence. "Huh?" the guard murmurs. There's not supposed to be a guard change until-" He peers over the ledge and is surprised to see Mary marching with two children. "What in blazes?" Elsa has been so isolated, that staff members like Lars don't even recognize her. For all he knows, the eldest princess is Mary's apprentice.
"Good morning," Mary calls to the guard. "Would you mind opening the gate? We're off to get flowers for the delegation."
"Um...sure," Lars responds, still suspicious about Mary. He eyes Princess Anna and says, "Would you like an escort?"
"We'll be alright, thank you!" Marry hollers back as the gate cranks open. "And remember, don't slouch!"
"And have a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious day!" Elsa adds, making Lars question his sanity. As the ladies depart, he cautiously tests his hot chocolate for any traces of alcohol.
Every step across the castle's prestigious bridge only elevates Elsa's glee. The marching has ended and she finds herself skipping alongside Anna. They take in every second of each other's long lost company, sharing laughs and pointing out the wonders of Arendelle's village. Mary steps behind them, supervising their wanderings as they dash across the bustling square. The most Anna gets is a passing glance from older citizens, for she and Elsa have been tucked away in the castle for so long. Suddenly, a delectable smell makes its way to Anna's nose. It isn't long before Elsa's sniffing away too and asking, "What is that?"
The girls whiff together until the enchanting aroma prompts a single word. "Chocolate!" they shout in unison. It matters not how long they've been apart, for Arendelle's chocolate delicacies are enough to get the sisters running.
On impulse, Anna takes her sister by the hand and pulls her close. "Come on!" she snickers and looks toward a bakery.
While initially frightened to be holding Anna's hand, Elsa relaxes...embracing the love they share. She squeezes Anna's palm and scurries over to the bakery with her. Mary catches up as the girls press their hands against an alluring display case. Warm, gooey chocolate chips lay nestled atop freshly-baked cookies the size of dinner plates. The baker chuckles to herself, never tiring over the impressions her desserts make on children. The older woman smiles and leans over her humble counter. "Like what you see?" she teases, already knowing the answers. As the girls look up and nod, the baker's grin suddenly falters. The children are as overjoyed as can be, completely unaware that she knows who they are.
Those shimmering blue eyes, the baker thinks. Those precious smiles. It feels like it's been a lifetime since I've seen any of them...especially together. But no matter how many years pass for the royal family, I'd know Queen Iduna's children anywhere.
Mary comes through the door and exaggerates her huff. "I do hope they aren't giving you too much trouble, madam," she says and looks at the girls. "What is it that you want?" she asks before reaching into her pocket.
"Whatever it is-" the baker hastily interjects. "-it's on the house." Mary tilts her head with intrigue as the baker smiles sympathetically. "It's the least I can do." While the children remain perplexed, it's as if a mutual understanding ignites between Mary and the baker. The woman bows her head and smiles, just happy to see the royal children outside again.
"Not too fast now," Mary intones as they walk towards the flower shop. Even as Anna and Elsa share it, the colossal cookie seems endless. The sisters' chomps slow as they look at each other's chocolate-coated lips and chortle. "Honestly now," Mary mutters, taking a handkerchief and wiping their faces. "If you girls laugh any harder, you'll start floating." Anna and Elsa's eyes widen as they wonder if there's any truth to Mary's warning. They rewrap their sugary snack before entering a whimsical flower shop. The open door sends a breeze rustling across tulips and roses alike. Anna fixates on a pot of crocuses and likens them to what her mother calls her.
"Un momento, por favor!" a delightful voice hollers from between the floral arrangements. "I'll be right with you."
"Take all the time you need," Mary says and the florist stops dead in her tracks.
Lupe's black curls bob forward as her head darts up in alarm. "Mary Poppins!" she rejoices with an exuberant flourish. "You've returned!" Her hazel gaze darts towards the princesses. "And I see you've brought some friends with you."
Elsa's etiquette shows as she curtsies before Lupe and says, "I'm Princess Elsa."
Her face red with embarrassment, her sister rushes to mimic Elsa's gesture. "And I'm Anna," she bumbles. "Princess Anna!"
Lupe's grin widens and she clutches the hem of her golden dress. "Princesas," she greets. "Mucho gusto."
"Huh?" Anna wonders until her big sister leans over.
"That means 'Nice to meet you', Anna." Elsa whispers.
Lupe smirks. "Someone knows some Spanish," she says. "I'm impressed."
"Let's just say I've had a lot of free time to read," Elsa mumbles.
"So what can I do for you wonderful ladies?" Lupe inquires.
"We need flowers to adorn the council chambers with," Mary explains. "Any recommendations?"
"Oh but of course!" Lupe proclaims and springs into action. "You'll want a delightful blend of sunflowers paired with some lovely, white lilies. I can prepare some baskets for you." As Lupe steps towards a bushel, her cheery demeanor suddenly dwindles. "Ay no," she whispers. "Not again."
"What is it?" Elsa worries and tries looking over.
"Just some of my weaker flowers getting too much sun," Lupe remarks and opens her window. Her dainty daisies are bent and listing under the sun's bright beams.
Although she fidgets with her fingers and wrestles with the thought at first, Elsa chooses to speak up. "I might have an idea," she says. Elsa regrets saying anything once all eyes fall upon her. But she wants to help, and looking at Sir Jorgenbjorgen reminds her of how she saved the baby puffin.
"Go on, your majesty." Mary says, encouraging the princess to speak.
"I think I could cool your flowers off," Elsa utters.
"Really?" Lupe asks. "How?"
Anna catches on and happily chants, "Do the magic! Do the magic!"
At first, Lupe's alarmed as to why she's the only confused one. She crosses her arms and watches with a curious gaze as Elsa stretches her hands towards the daisies. The florist bites back a gasp when a beam of ice magic spirals out from the princess' fingertips. In accordance with Elsa's relaxed state of mind, the magical beam spirals atop the flowers and causes a tiny cloud to materialize. The cooling, personal flurry provides just enough shade to keep the meek flowers out of the sun.
"Es increíble," Lupe lauds and smiles at Elsa. "You have a gift, princesa!" While Elsa remains humble, Anna playfully nudges her sister in acknowledgement over the deed. "You know-" Lupe continues. "-I do have some other flowers suffering the same fate as those daisies."
With her confidence on the rise, Elsa rubs her hands and grins back. "Just show me to them," she insists.
Regardless of all that has changed since he's been crowned king, Agnarr still loathes meetings. Council gatherings of any kind stretched on forever, and this delegation is no different. He catches his mind wandering repeatedly and only the reassuring touch of his wife's hand can bring him back to the moment. He knows that the trade routes of Arenfjord are on the line, but he can't stop reliving his last encounter with Elsa. When I see her again, he tells himself as the meeting becomes an inaudible blur. I've got to make things right. I'll spend more time in her room. I'll tell her all about this boring meeting over a cup of imaginary tea. We can try to control her powers together. We-"
There's Iduna's hand again. She's tapping on his thigh and trying to bring him back. She's known him long enough to know when he's drifting elsewhere. As Agnarr returns from his rumination, he finds himself back in the dimly-lit council room. Clasping Iduna's hand for strength, he peers across the table and observes the other delegates. King Frederic and Queen Arianna of Corona seem just as troubled in their own ways. While Frederic's raking fingers through his chestnut locks, Arianna appears to be biting her tongue. Agnarr would ask himself why, but he remembers the whole reason he started dissociating in the first place. The Duke of Weselton...still hasn't stopped talking.
The stout, yet extremely vocal old man shakes a sturdy fist. His circular glasses and loose-fitted toupee bob with each, strident jeer. "And what's to stop the Southern Isles from stepping in?" he continues to gripe. "Arendelle might have the ports, but the world is changing. My...your economies won't grow unless we support one another."
"And opening trade routes with your kingdoms will be beneficial," Iduna says. "But only if the conditions are fair and reasonable."
"Agreed," King Frederic concludes. "Corona will remain open for trade negotiations, but not if it means being taken advantage of by the likes of Weselton."
The duke huffs and looks at the King of Arendelle. "King Agnarr," he says. "Surely you can see my reasoning here. Equality is brilliant on paper, but impractical when used in real business. Now I'll let Corona slide given the king and queen's...predicament."
"Excuse me?" Frederic growls as Arianna takes his hand. There's a fierceness in the bold man's eyes that only his wife can try to quell.
"But surely Arendelle knows better," the duke continues. "Whether you like it or not, our kingdoms need each other."
Agnarr sneers at the duke. Frustration simmers within after observing the elder's disrespect towards Frederic and Arianna. Seeking to let calmer heads prevail, Agnarr rises from his seat and says, "I order this delegation to be adjourned."
"You're only delaying the inevitable," the Duke of Weselton says. "Either you reach an agreement on my terms or you can kiss our trade agreement goodbye."
"This delegation is adjourned until further notice," Iduna reiterates. She stares the duke down until he frustratedly gets the hint. As Agnarr steps off on his own, his queen comes to check on him. She places a calming hand on his back and asks, "Where is your head?"
"Anywhere but here," he confesses.
She leans into him, giving his back a comforting scratch. "And where is your heart?" she asks.
"Elsa," he answers. "I can't stop thinking about this morning. I just-" He stops himself as the King and Queen of Corona approach. Agnarr straightens his posture and bows beside Iduna. "Your graces," he greets.
"Thank you for giving us some room to breathe," Arianna says. Her mournful, emerald gaze trails off as she continues. "People tell us it gets easier, but no matter how many years go by...that hole in our hearts never quite goes away." She takes Frederic's hand and rests her head on his shoulder.
"I'm so sorry," Iduna tells them. "No parent should have to go through your pain."
"If there's anything we can do for you," Agnarr adds. "Trade agreement or not, the safety of one's family is the biggest priority."
A faint grin forms beneath Frederic's regal beard. "Thank you," he says. "But at this point, I'm not sure what more can be done."
In that instant, a series of hurried steps echo from down the hall. "Your majesties," Gerda huffs. "Your...majesties!" The elderly servant is nearly out of breath as Agnarr rushes over to her.
While he sees to the servant, Iduna worriedly occupies their guests. "Has there been any word on your missing daughter?" she asks.
"Nothing," Arianna laments.
"WHAT?" Agnarr gasps. His sharp outburst has Frederic, Arianna, and Iduna snapping their heads over to him.
"Will you excuse me?" Iduna tells the other royals before rushing to Agnarr and Gerda. She arrives just in time to hear Gerda explaining the situation.
"I'm telling you-" Gerda says while Agnarr leads the way to Elsa's bedroom. "I went to bring her breakfast and she wasn't there! The door was unlocked!"
"That's impossible," Agnarr panics. "Only Iduna and I have keys. Dear, do you have yours?" Iduna quickly checks and finds hers while Agnarr clasps his own. As the group heads upstairs, they're alarmed to find all of the curtains drawn open. The sunbeams have nearly blinded them by the time they reach Elsa's very unlocked bedroom. "Elsa?" Agnarr calls out, his breaths shortening with each repeated shout. "Elsa!" As Iduna's heel snags on a pair of discarded, turquoise gloves, she picks them up and shows them to Agnarr. "Oh no," he utters. "She couldn't have gone far. Where would she go?"
Iduna glances out the window and observes the bridge leading into town. "Agnarr," she murmurs. "The gates are open."
He races to the window while Gerda says, "Miss Poppins was only taking Anna flower shopping...right?"
Agnarr's eyes twitch and brows furrow. Terror grips his heart as he stares out at the village. "Poppins," he utters. "What has she done?"
Noticing her husband's distress, Iduna tries to calm him down. She reaches for his face and says, "Let's just take a moment to think about this-"
"There's no time, Iduna!" Agnarr panics. "Our Elsa is out there! Gloveless and-...and-" He rigorously shakes his head and rushes out of the room.
"Agnarr!" Iduna calls to no avail.
"I have to stop this," he urges. A castle guard ascends the grand staircase just as he heads down. "Bring me my horse," he commands. Iduna and Gerda exchange worried stares before the queen pursues her husband.
Neither Lupe nor Anna seems to tire of Elsa's snow flurries. They watch with awestruck gazes as the princess uses her sparkling gifts to protect the weaker flowers from harm. "Amazing," Lupe whispers. "Simply amazing." Mary stands with her back to the wall and an admiring grin on her lips. Brows raise and heads swivel as the tromping of hooves sounds from outside. By the time Lupe looks out her window, the stallion's rider has already dismounted. Her shop door swings open and a gleaming epaulet catches her eye. "Your highness?" she blurts.
The king's head snaps towards the gasp of his eldest child. "Elsa," he pants.
"Papa?" she worries and nervously clasps her hands together.
Her bare hands.
"What were you thinking?" Agnarr scolds, instantly regretting his tone. As his daughter stutters, another rider gallops towards the shop. Iduna hurriedly dismounts and rushes inside.
"It's okay, Papa." Anna insists. "I know everything."
"You know ev-" Agnarr can hardly speak himself. Fear overwhelms his livid, green gaze as Iduna reaches for him. The queen's gentle palms try to sooth his stiff shoulders. His nostrils flare as he glares at Mary. "I...we trusted you," he says.
"Agnarr," Iduna tries to get through to him.
"She was only supposed to look after Anna," he pleads with his wife. "Can't you see how dangerous all of this is?"
"It's not dangerous," Anna speaks up. "Elsa's helping the flowers. Look!"
Despite the coldness created by the flurries, Agnarr feels like he's overheating. He rubs his temples and peers down at his daughter. "My dearest Anna, you just don't understand."
"Then let's help her," Iduna implores. "Maybe this is the moment we've been waiting for, Agnarr. Perhaps we've only made things worse amid our search for answers. Let's talk about this together, as a family."
"Alright," Agnarr huffs. "But we do so back at the castle. And Elsa, please-" Merely reaching into his jacket's pocket has Elsa tensing up. She hyperventilates upon catching a glimpse of turquoise fabric. The gloves flop out as she nervously backs away.
"Please, Papa. I don't want to." Elsa pleads.
"I know," Agnarr laments while cautiously advancing. "But it'd just be until we got back to the castle. You're lucky nothing happened."
Mary looks to Agnarr and says, "Respectfully, your majesty-"
"Respectfully," he reiterates. "I think you've done enough." He forces a smile and returns his focus to Elsa. "Please...just put the gloves back on."
"No!" Elsa panics, staring at the thick entrapments.
"Agnarr," Iduna intones, seeing the fright in their daughter's eyes. "She doesn't want to!"
"She didn't want to hurt Anna either!" Agnarr retorts. From the moment he barks such a statement, his brows instantly relax with remorse. Brokenness fills his eyes as he observes his scared and cornered child. "Elsa," he says, his exhausted voice cracking. "I'm sorry I-"
"You don't trust me," Elsa whispers. Her tone is as cold as the temperature dropping around them. Each flower pot's personal flurry swirls with her rising frustration.
"That's not true, Elsa." Iduna pleads. "We love you!"
"Elsa?" Anna worries as her big sister's hands tremble.
Everyone else's words have become a blur as Elsa focuses on the gloves in Agnarr's hands. "She didn't want to hurt Anna either!" echoes within her mind over and over and over again. With each repetition, she feels herself returning to a dangerous pain until that sickening phrase returns. "Conceal...don't feel. Don't let it-"
"NO!" Elsa shrieks, breaking down into tears. She thrusts her arms forward, casting out such horrid thoughts as the flurries burst around her. Icy fractals spew across the shop while multiple layers of frost coat the walls and flooring. Snowy mounds emerge from the corners of the room and cluster outward. Sharp icicles form a defensive barrier around her while pale beams spark from her body. The incoming, icy gusts have Lupe ducking for cover behind her counter. Iduna scoops up Anna and Mary opens her umbrella to shield them from the winds. Window panes crack and burst while flowers freeze over beneath them. As an eerie silence settles over the shop, so too does a chilling mist.
Iduna is the first to rise from behind Mary's umbrella. Glimpsing such a mist reminds her of the Enchanted Forest from many moons ago. As if she's reliving some twisted nightmare, Iduna also sees Agnarr sprawled against the frosted floorboards. "Oh no," she gasps and drops to his side. "Agnarr?" she beckons and tries to shake him awake. "Agnarr!"
"Papa?" Anna worries. Only then does she spot Elsa's timid silhouette standing in the mist. The child is trembling with fear-stricken eyes. Elsa glares at her twitching hands as if they're lethal daggers and nothing more. Her gaze returns to her parents, and the look of fright on her mother's face. As she stares at her father's limp body, she realizes that all she's feared has come to pass. Tears swell in her eyes as her heart sinks to new lows.
By the time Agnarr stirs, Elsa's already fled deep into the mist. Realizing her father is alive, Anna gathers her courage and chases after Elsa. I can't lose her, the princess tells herself. Not again. On her way out of the frozen flowershop, she steps over their unfinished cookie. Sir Jorgenbjorgen is left abandoned on against the icy floorboards.
Thank the spirits, Iduna thinks as Agnarr awakens. From the moment she holds him close, her smile instantly disappears. She has to make sure it isn't the room at first and puts a hand to her husband's body once more. His skin is just like Anna's was all those years ago...Ice cold. While Agnarr's eyes remain shut, he groans and grips at his chest. It's as if he's clutching his aching heart as he shivers intensely. Iduna's fears deepen when Agnarr's auburn strands slowly turn as white as the snow around them.
Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading this week's chapter. All of your love and support is greatly appreciated. I'll see you next Saturday for the magical conclusion of this story!
Long Live Imagination,
~ Michael