11
The afternoon had clouded over as Anna, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven did their regular walk around Arendelle. Anna liked doing this because it let her stay connected to the people and hear their concerns, share their good news and the things that made them happy. As far as she was concerned, she was just one of them despite the crown she wore on her head.
Her people were the most important thing to her, of course Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf and Sven were equally important to her as they were her family. She and Kristoff would walk around holding hands, answering questions, saying hello and most importantly, listening. Olaf, was simply sensational with the children who just adored him.
He would happily play games with them, make them laugh, give warm hugs and lift their spirits. Anna knew her kingdom was a happy one, the people worked together to make everyone's lives fulfilling and happy. She took great pride in her work when she saw smiling faces and the enthusiastic greetings from the oldest citizens to the youngest.
But, today, she had Hans on her mind and Anna was still not one hundred percent sure it was the right thing to request him to return to Arendelle. She knew that many of her people will question her wisdom for taking this course of action and she knew she would have to let them know if he agrees to return.
The letter was sent three days ago, Hans should have received it yesterday and Anna knew there was a ship due in this evening from the Southern Isles which may bring forth a reply. She squeezed Kristoff's hand a little tighter to try and reassure herself.
Kristoff noticed and saw that hint of worry in her face.
"Are you okay honey?" he asked softly.
"I think so," replied Anna, "there's a ship due this evening from the Southern Isles which may have Hans's reply."
"You think he would reply straight away?"
"I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise after what Pabbie said."
"Don't worry Anna, you have the entire Arendellian Guard, me, Sven, Olaf and of course Elsa to protect you this time. He won't be able to try anything this time."
"I know, I know, but I'm worried about how I'll react to seeing him again."
"You will act like Queen Anna of Arendelle." Smiled Kristoff
Anna looked back at him and just smiled, then warmly hugged her husband.
"Thank you," she said lovingly, "I was so lucky you walked into Oaken's that night."
"Yes, you were, though I wasn't quite as lucky, remember he threw me out."
"Yes, he did and luckily for you I bought those supplies for you and Sven."
"That was the best bit of luck I ever had," Kristoff replied smiling squeezing her back.
They continued their stroll for another half hour before heading back to the castle to settle in for the night. The ship from the Southern Isles would be at least another two hours so Anna treated herself to some chocolate to try and settle her nerves. Different scenarios kept playing around in her head as to what would happen when Hans got there, though she particularly liked the one where she got to punch him again.
Then a feeling of loneliness came over her as she suddenly really missed having Elsa around to help guide her in ways only your older sister can do. Luckily for her, she knew how to summon Gale so she could get a message to Elsa quickly in the Enchanted Forest.
She found her way to the balcony that overlooked the courtyard and harbour to see if she could see any sign of the ship from the Southern Isles but, the horizon was clear. Kristoff was taking care of Sven, however, Olaf found her staring out at sea.
"Hi Anna, are you looking out for the ship?"
Anna sighed, "I am Olaf, I'm really nervous about this."
"Yes, I have noticed that and I still don't understand why you are asking for that monster return."
"I must admit Olaf, I sometimes have my doubts as well, but it is something I feel compelled to do after what I saw at Ahtohallan and what Pabbie told us, that what he did was about revenge on his family because of how they treated him."
"Well, let's hope he is honest with his answers and don't let him play upon your good nature Anna."
Anna turned to Olaf with a look of admiration, "how did you get so smart Olaf?"
"I had good teachers and good books." He smiled back.
"We try," replied Anna.
"Anna, did I hear that the Fifth Spirit runs in your family?"
"Yes, Olaf, apparently it does, the first-born daughter from the Fifth Spirit's family becomes the next Fifth Spirit. Our mother was supposed to be the next Fifth Spirit, but when she saved our father and left the forest, her link with the Spirits was broken."
"Oh, and as Elsa was the first-born daughter of your mother, she was destined to become the Fifth Spirit."
"That's right Olaf."
"So, Elsa's first-born daughter will be the next Fifth Spirit?"
"Well," started Anna, "that's how it's supposed to work, but I don't know if Elsa will ever have children."
"Why not?"
"Hmm" started Anna feeling a little uncomfortable and awkward, "well you see, Elsa has to meet someone and fall in love first before that can happen."
"So, you mean she needs to receive true love's kiss?"
"Something like that," she answered, "however, if Elsa doesn't have any children, then it will be my first-born daughter."
"Oh," replied Olaf, "so when are you planning to have a daughter?"
Anna, now feeling even a little bit more embarrassed as she never dreamt, she would have this conversation with Olaf.
"Well, I don't know Olaf, Kristoff and I haven't discussed having children yet."
"Oh," replied Olaf, then looked at Anna curiously, "what does Kristoff have to do with it?"
Just then Kai came onto the balcony, 'You're Majesty, the ship from the Southern Isles is approaching the dock."
Anna, breathed a large sigh of relief, not about the ship, but she could end this awkward conversation with Olaf. "Thank you, Kai, Olaf can you tell Kristoff to meet me at the docks?"
"Okay Anna, I'll ask him about you having children as well."
Anna suddenly smiled, "I'm sure he'll be able to answer that you."
Anna, made her way to the docks to wait for the ship from Southern Isles and see if there was any mail on it, namely a reply from Hans on whether he was willing to return to Arendelle for the many questions that Anna wanted to ask him.
On her way there, she contemplated how she would feel about seeing him again. She knew that she hated him for his betrayal and how he used her and Elsa to try and usurp the throne Arendelle, but after seeing what she saw of his childhood at Ahtohallan, she understood how he became the monster that he was. The question for her was whether or not she could do, or more importantly, if she was willing to do what Pabbie had recommended, to try and redirect his heart.
Anna also knew that she simply couldn't trust him, she wasn't that naïve teenage girl anymore. In many ways, the experience with him made her grow up a lot within those few days. Though, despite how bad that experience was, because of Hans she met Kristoff, her and Elsa were reunited as sisters and of course there was Olaf. She started giggling at the thought of Olaf asking Kristoff the same questions regarding having children that he had asked her.
The ship became visible just as she arrived at the dock so, it would be a few minutes yet until it docked.
"Anna," came the voice of Kristoff.
She turned and saw Kristoff approaching with a rather exasperated look on his face and Olaf and Sven a few steps behind them.
"Anna, darling," started Kristoff, "umm, what were you discussing with Olaf before you sent him to get me?"
"Oh, we were talking about how the first-born daughter of our family became the Fifth Spirit," she giggled.
"Oh, so I needed to explain to him, well you know?"
"And I know you would have done a great job honey." She smiled cheekily.
"Well, I could have had some warning about that discussion, I mean I thought that was many years off."
"Just think of it as practice honey," she said as she kissed him on the cheek.
"Well, I hope the next time is easier, is that the ship from the Southern Isles?"
"Yes, we'll see if Hans has replied straight away."
They watched as the ship docked and the crew tied it up to the wharf than lowered the gang plank. The captain appeared at the top of gang plank and made his way onto the dock.
"Your Majesty, this is indeed an honour." He said as he bowed.
"Welcome to Arendelle Captain, I'm just wondering, is there anything specifically addressed to me with you?" asked Anna nervously.
"In fact, Your Majesty there is, I was told to deliver this to you personally."
He reached into his jacket and pulled out an envelope with the Royal Seal of The Southern Isles on it.
"Oh my," said Anna as she took it from him and preceded to open it and read it. Her face went a little white with apprehension.
"Well Anna, what does he say?" asked Kristoff.
Anna turned to Kristoff, almost tearing up, "He's coming, he's coming the day after tomorrow."
She then turned back to the captain, "Thank you Captain, enjoy your stay at Arendelle, but if you will excuse me, we have preparations to make."
"Very good Your Majesty," bowed the captain.
Anna turned again to Kristoff, "I have to meet with General Mattias straight away, and I need Gale."
They rushed back to the castle where Anna found Kai and instructed him to summon the General and the Arendellian Guard for an immediate audience. She and Kristoff then went into the study where she pulled a piece of paper out quickly and began writing a quick letter to Elsa.
"I have to let Elsa know so she can be here on time."
Kristoff put his arms on her shoulders to try and calm her down. "It's going to be alright Anna, no one in this kingdom is going to let that monster get the better of you this time."
He turned her to look at him, "I'll be here and you will be in control."
"I hope so," she replied hugging him, then turned back to the desk to put the finishing words to her note to Elsa. She then folded it into a paper bird like she did with all her messages she sent to Elsa by Gale.
Anna walked out onto the balcony and cried out, "Gale! Gale! I have an urgent message for my sister!"
Within a few seconds she felt Gale's breeze wrap around her.
"Thank you, Gale, now please get this to Elsa as quickly as possible."
The letter floated out of her hand and rose in the air and then was whooshed off by Gale with all haste to Northuldra and Elsa.