~Chapter 4~
Anna
Kristoff and I showed up at the dining hall early as I didn't want to be late. Sven was given his dinner of carrots and oats early in the palace stables. Olaf held my hand as we came into the room. For once our long dining table would have every seat taken up tonight as the Princes of the Southern Isles stood up from the table as I entered. Kristoff pulled out my chair from the table as the rest of the brothers sat down again. Hans remained standing glancing at me.
"Princess Anna, may I present my brothers, the Princes of the Southern Isles."
He went in chronological order going up from him. So there was Hans, Jon, Ivan, Richard, Henrik, Karsten, Erik, Aaren, Niklas, Raulin, Lars, Stellan, and Josef.
As all the introductions were made to me, I hoped there wouldn't be a test in remembering them all. The oldest son was the heir to the Southern Isles throne, but many of these men had married into other families and were princes of other provinces as well.
"What no sisters?" I joked.
Lord Alastor sat beside his eldest son seemingly unamused at my joke. I couldn't wait to hear how his meeting with my sister went. What a grump.
"A pleasure to meet you all, thank you for making the trip to Arendelle for the wedding of my sister Queen Elsa to your brother, Niklas the future king of Arendelle."
I raised my goblet as the princes followed my lead. Moments later, Elsa and Niklas joined us a few minutes late and Niklas made introductions again. All the brothers got up to hug and shake hands with Niklas. Elsa was surrounded as well and politely made the acquaintance of each prince. They were curious about her magic peppering her with questions and as a simple demonstration, she froze one of the empty chairs by the table. Everyone present who hadn't seen such a feat yet looked on in awe. Aria suddenly burst into the room as one of our staff Brigitta chased after her. She ran right to her father Stellan's arms as he scooped her up off the floor.
"Forgive me, your highness." Brigitta said, trying to catch her breath, "We were playing a game and she slipped away from me."
"No harm done," Stellan replied, as he set Aria back on the ground, "Aria, this is a dinner for adults. Play with Brigitta until I come to tuck you in."
"But that could be hours," Aria complained,
Everyone laughed lightly, everyone except for Lord Alastor. I wondered if he had a funny bone in his body, with such a stern countenance.
"Besides, I'm practically grown up now," The little princess continued.
"You're not even ten," Stellan answered.
Aria came over to Niklas and me smiling broadly looking up at Elsa and Niklas.
"I'm excited to be your flower girl, Uncle Niklas." She smiled, then glanced at Elsa, "I saw the dress, it's pretty, Elsa."
My sister got down on her knees getting at Aria's level.
"Aria, what did I tell you about how to address people of noble birth," Stellan chimed in. My sister glanced at him reassuring him it was quite alright.
"I'm glad you like it," Elsa replied, "Thanks for being a part of our big day,"
She hugged Elsa as Brigitta extended her hand for Aria to take and clear from the room. My stomach was growling wildly by now with the aromas that filled the room. Olaf had been sitting beside me since we came down and I urged him to keep Aria company.
"Hey Olaf, I think Aria would love your company for awhile," I told him, "What do you say?"
"But Anna, don't you want me here?" He inquired, sounding glum.
His question broke me as he scooted out the chair like he was leaving.
"You have the energy to keep up with Aria. Consider it a favor for Brigitta. I'll come find you right after dinner, I promise."
Brigitta had just started to take Aria from the room when Olaf came up and reintroduced himself to her. She took his branch of a hand in hers and together they left the dining room. Brigitta glanced at me mouthing her appreciation from across the room. Elsa took Olaf's seat and Niklas sat on the other side of her as dinner began. Kai clapped his hands as cloches were set down on the table in front of us. Everyone lifted their cloches to reveal a traditional dish enjoyed here in Arendelle. Kjottkaker served with potato dumplings. Everyone was hungry as well all dug into our plates. I didn't talk much and just listened to the conversation between my sister and the princes. They must not have been told much about their brother and Elsa because they had many questions.
"So when do you meet?" Erik asked.
"Last year, father had me come for a birthday celebration and for a formal apology," Niklas answered glancing over at Hans.
"Are we incapable of moving on from that?" Hans grumbled.
"Disgrace sticks with a man, son." Alastor piped up as he took a drink from his glass.
Hans fell quiet after that looking embarrassed and frustrated.
"We had a great time and I was thrilled to show Aria around my home," Elsa said getting back to the conversation.
I grew excited as dessert was brought out. Trollkrem. A tasty sweet treat mostly consisting of lingonberries. Everyone seemed to enjoy the food, save for Lord Alastor. I don't think he'd enjoyed anything since we arrived. Was he grumpy due to the conversation he had with my sister?
Stomachs were full and that was easy to tell as the princes all leaned back in their seats with looks of contentment on their faces. Elsa and Niklas appeared tired, but I think that was from the surplus of conversation. As people stood up, the evening was still young and I whispered an idea to Kristoff quietly.
"I think the distraction will be nice," Kristoff agreed.
Elsa thanked our guests for coming to dinner as the princes and Lord Alastor said their goodbyes for the evening. Hans remained with us as he took Niklas aside to talk. I grabbed Elsa's arm excitedly.
"Woah, hey, that's still attached you know." She said.
"Since it's getting dark, I thought we might go outside maybe I could light up a fire. It might be nice to close out the day, huh?"
Elsa's eyes rose appearing intrigued.
"Sounds fun, it would be a nice distraction instead of thinking of what I have to do tomorrow," Elsa replied.
"Told you she'd appreciate it," Kristoff smirked, nudging me in the arm.
Hans finished talking with Niklas before bidding us goodnight. Once we filled in Niklas of our plan, the guys escorted us out of the dining hall. We caught up with Olaf and Sven climbing up the hill outside of town to get a better view. Kristoff gathered up wood for me and in seconds, I started a raging fire for us. I could understand my sister on a whole new level in the development of my own abilities. Trying to never let fear stand in my way.
The lights of the village were dim for the evening, but gave an impressive backdrop. If I were a painter, this was a visual worth capturing. Olaf chased Sven around as Sven always playfully tries to chomp down on Olaf's carrot nose. As impressed as Olaf was with the flames, he knew not to get too close. It didn't take long for the northern lights to emerge across the sky and it was breathtaking. Living here we saw them often and they never ceased to amaze. I glanced over at my sister who leaned against Niklas as he put his arm around her. This man was good for her and I know if father were still here, he would undoubtedly give Niklas his blessing, he had mine. Elsa needed someone strong, loyal, and disciplined. Not only for her, but to lead Arendelle. Niklas was more than capable and I was excited to see it all unfold.
"So, how was everyone's day?" I asked, "I mean, leading up to dinner. I got Kristoff to take a picture with me!"
"I find that hard to believe," My sister smirked.
"Believe it," I said, taking out the picture from my pocket.
I had brought along our picture tonight just in case I got the chance to show it. Niklas and Elsa stared in surprise as Olaf hopped on Elsa's back to have a better look.
"I was there and somehow Kristoff you look taller," Olaf giggled.
"Embracing new things is a positive thing," Niklas nodded.
"And on that embarrassing note, surely someone else has more exciting stories of the day." Kristoff chimed in wanting to change the subject.
I kissed his cheek.
"Sorry for embarrassing you. I'm proud of our picture." I nodded.
"It's worth it for all the joy it brings you." He replied.
"Though I gotta say, the picture doesn't do you justice," I winked.
Kristoff gave me a little squeeze of a hug as the fire crackled sending some sparks into the air. I manipulated the sparks and pulled out several more from the embers of the fire. I hovered them high over our heads and even began to make a fiery image in the night sky, but Elsa extinguished my art with quick blasts of ice.
"Hey!" I complained shooting an annoying look at her.
"Just looking out for the trees, Anna," My sister winked.
My face softened as I couldn't stay mad, not even a little. In many ways, fire was more dangerous than ice, but considering I survived a frozen heart experience, I'd say maybe we're tied. Power isn't the danger, but lack of control is.
"Well if the two elemental artists are finished, how about a campfire story?" Kristoff said.
"Ooh, I love stories!" Olaf clapped, "Though mostly making some up."
"The imagination is a powerful resource," Niklas said.
"Well, this story is anything but fiction." Kristoff added, "My grandmother told me this story before she died and it's been told for many generations."
"You've probably already told me this one," I nodded.
"Sven is the only one who knows, he's a great listener," Kristoff replied nodding at Sven who sat just beside him.
"Alright Kristoff, you're keeping us in suspense," Elsa remarked.
"Okay, okay," He said clearing his throat before sitting up looking serious, "Norwegian lore tells of an ancient sorcerer who is the creator of magic who sought to make a home for himself where he would be safe to explore and use his abilities." Kristoff began.
"Sounds like the very reason someone fled to the north mountain and made a home of ice for herself." Elsa chimed in.
"Shh," I told her, bringing a finger to my lips.
My sister's sarcasm had weird timing at times.
"My grandmother said that this man who went by Raevich led a peaceful life and spent decades mastering his craft fully developing to be able to harness and use powers of all four of the elements."
"All four?" I questioned, glancing at my sister.
I was intrigued, but Elsa and Niklas both held sour expressions.
"Though with each passing year, his thirst for power grew never satisfied with learning control, but always wanting more. This drive led Raevich down a deadly path killing hundreds beneath the waters of the fjord."
"Wait, you don't mean this fjord," I questioned.
"The very same," Kristoff clarified, "As punishment, the families of the victims placed a curse on him to never allow him to find rest in his passing. His body lies buried beneath the fjord, not living or dead, just existing as punishment for his greed."
Sven grunted loudly as he had moved behind us scaring all of us. Kristoff planned this.
"Your humor is misplaced!" I said shoving him.
Elsa threw a snowball at him hitting him right in the nose.
"Ouch, hey. I thought I made an excellent storyteller especially given the true lore." He replied scratching his head.
"I should head for bed," Elsa said, standing up stretching her arms, "Busy next few days. We all should sleep."
"Not after a story like that, my adrenaline is gonna keep me up," I replied.
Kristoff hugged me from behind.
"What if I sing to you with my lute, will that help?" He smirked.
I raised an intrigued brow.
"I might allow it," I said.
Elsa and Niklas said their goodnights going ahead of Kristoff and I back to the palace. He and I stayed up to watch the Northern Lights longer with Sven and Olaf, but once I started to yawn five times in a minute, Kristoff escorted me back home. He sang me to sleep with his lute and this was the first time in recent nights that I fell asleep relaxed. Once this week was over, my sister married and Niklas crowned, things would get back to some normalcy. I couldn't wait for that.