Chapter 17
„Dear Oscar. We had been assaulted by bandits a day ago and lost our carriage. Right now we managed to locate a train station and head to Helsingborg, where we board the next train to return to Falsterbo. If you're thinking right now about how the princess is after what happened with the pirates, don't worry, she's okay. To be exact, she's pretty tough than how she looks. She managed to get us out of their hands first, so we could escape. It was amazing the way she had pulled it off. You should have been there. You would have been astonished as I was. In two or three days we should arrive at Falsterbo. Sadly our way got longer, due to having to make our way by feet after the assault until the said train station. I'm looking forward to see you on the day we arrive. Greetings, Hans," Hans read it out loud as he sat leaning against the wall of the wagon next to the husky, which lied beside him listening to his letter.
„It sounds good," Donny said watching Hans roll it back, before putting it inside the pocket of his overall. „How are you going to send it?"
„Mail or if there is a swift delivery, that way. By mail it would be fine too, it would only take a day or eventually two. Important is, that Oscar knows, we're coming,"
„Yes, sure," Commented Donny, then looked across the wagon to spot the princess sitting with her legs out of the wagon admiring the passage of the green landscapes. Hans gazed at the princess as well, then Donny tilted his head at Hans' side to see him pay attention to the woman and wagged with his tail aware of the way he was looking at the woman.
„Will you go talk to her?" Questioned the dog, then Hans looked at him and shrugged. „And just sit there and enjoy the landscape?"
„I…...why are you…..why does it sound to me like you're trying to convince me to get to her?" Questioned Hans curious.
„Why not? What's the point of sitting here anyway? You're not making any progress,"
„What progress? We're sitting in a train until Helingsborg, we can't do anything else,"
„We are three inside this train. We can at least talk about something," Commented Donny sitting up and Hans looked at the dog.
„This may sound crazy, but I have the feeling you're trying to set me up together with her," Stated Hans rolling his eyes at the princess before returning them at the canine.
„I'm helping you. I've never seen so many complications in my short life….okay I haven't, this is my first one,"
„Why are you doing that? It's not right,"
„Sure it's not right, but I can't see this getting more complicated. I know very well you like that there's something going on between you two,"
„It's not that, I'm talking about, that she's going to be with Oscar together," Whispered Hans. „She is amazing, Donny. There's no doubt, but….you know we can't," Spoke Hans making Donny drop his ears, then he looked at Anna, which was in the same posture, and decided to walk towards that direction. „Donny? What are you going to do?" Questioned Hans watching the husky leave, then Hans got up to follow the canine, which had taken a seat beside the woman.
Anna noticed Donny's presence, which began to pant and wag his tail making Anna smile and caress the dog with her hands around his face hearing him clap with his tail on the wooden ground.
„Hello my boy," The strawberry-blonde greeted, then Donny got on top of her lap with his front paws, so she could pat him on the back while he showed joy by the movements of his tail. „Good boy!"
Hans took a seat next to the dog, observing him being fondled by the princess.
„He grew to like you a lot these past days," Mentioned Hans. „It's quite fascinating,"
„Perhaps one of the many reasons, they're beloved by many people is the love they give you," Assumed the princess looking at Donny moving the head up and lick the princess above her nose. Anna giggled at sensing his tongue, followed by Hans chuckling and looked out at the landscape.
„Sweden sure has a lot of green fields,"
„It looks endless," Added the princess. „It makes me wonder of how big the world really is,"
„By feet mostly, right?" Commented Hans making Anna chuckle.
„That sure is more notable if you think about it," Commented the woman making the man nod. „Have you wondered how long we've been in here?"
„I don't know, but it feels like more than a few hours," Commented Hans. „Have you seen a sign yet announcing the next location?"
„No," Anna shook her head answering the question.
„Alright, won't be the end of the world," Commented Hans, then heard the other passenger whistle to call their attention.
„We have stopped only one time before, right?" Questioned the man making Hans nod. „I think at least two hours are now in front of us, we will just lose time because of the loading at the train stations,"
„Oh right," Commented Hans looking at the other boxes around their wagon, then glimpsed at the passenger again. „This wagon sure will be checked as well?"
„Yes, I think we have to see the marks on the boxes. These two here beside me are to Helsingborg and the four there leaning against the wall go to Ängelholm. The other ones I haven't seen,"
„I think I read Bastad on it," Commented Anna making Hans shrug his shoulder.
„Well the moment we arrive at the train station we should make sure to get out of here and get back after the staff left the wagon ready," Spoke Hans making Anna nod.
„If you're going to stay there at the entrance, warn when we're getting closer and we get ready to leave the wagon," Suggested the passenger making Hans nod.
The young Gerda stood along with Prince Rollan and Prince Hugo on the balcony watching a small airship with the symbol of the Weselton kingdom float over near the bridge leading to the entrance of the castle. On the bridge stood Queen Elsa together with a group of guards watch the airship drop from the sides the ropes down, reaching the ground, and the guards left in a Quartett to pull the rope to assist the blimp to sink down closer to the bridge. Two guards, which stood at the door of the airship opened up a door, putting it down diagonally so it would be near the bridge, which was a few steps away. One of Elsa's guards jumped at the board, then held his hand out for the queen, which handed out her hand and leaped carefully at the blimp. After her entrance, two other Arendellian guards got after her and the Weseltian guard gave a thumb up at the guards of Arendelle before he closed the door. The guards slowly let the ship up in the air, afterward, it turned around towards the river, that led between the canyons to make its way towards their destination.
At the balcony, the girl looked at the boys that glimpsed at the airship disappearing.
„Are you two alright?" Asked Gerda earning a nod from the boys.
„We're just worried about the trip, nothing much," Commented Hugo making Gerda nod.
„She's in good hands. You two can take this time to get to know Arendelle or suggest anything to help our kingdom's future,"
„Yeah this was a good day today….you said tomorrow we could all discuss together what we could do in respect of the orphanages? Or only when Elsa's around?"
„Well if you're interested, you could talk about this as well, but you needed to wait for Elsa to discuss the budget in the end and the financial consultor," Mentioned Gerda making the blonde nod.
„Okay, I'll be going to get myself ready to meet my dad for a discussion," Stated Hugo waving at the two. „See you tomorrow,"
„Good night," Wished Gerda, then she looked at Rollan, which leaned his back against the wall of the balcony and looked at the sky to see the airship going through the hills. „You're okay, Rollan?"
„Yeah, I'm just thinking about I had the feeling I was starting to get closer to her until the guards showed up and mentioned Anna's sight,"
„With due to all respect, this and the arrival of you princes came all at the same time and it's doesn't seem like an easy bite for Elsa to get any further with you and the other way around,"
„That's what I thought," Spoke Rollan making Gerda nod and sit beside him on the wall. „Perhaps none of us at the moment has any chance,"
„There is this chance at the end of the deal, that we make up a new deal or Elsa decides to reject or accept someone of you,"
„What if she rejects both of us?" Questioned Rollan making Gerda shrug her shoulders.
„You gotta accept it," Commented Gerda. „Even if there's a chance, that you two get re-invited again, you'd need to be very convinceful to be seen as a good, future ruler by Elsa,"
„Oh yeah, that's right. Tomorrow I could go out and walk along the streets to get to know the kingdom better, make notes from anything I notice, talk to people and all,"
„Yeah, that's a good idea,"
„What do you think? Are you going to tag along with me?" Questioned the Spaniard making Gerda shrug her shoulders.
„I'm not sure, I'm supposed to go with both of you. I can't just take you only or Prince Hugo,"
„Okay and what about a simple promenade around the kingdom to get to know each place?" Suggested Rollan. „No bet about who's more suitable, no doing of improvement to suggest Queen Elsa. Just a walk,"
Gerda grinned, then nodded.
„Alright, I suppose I can come with you. So far I don't have anything else to do here at the castle, at least Elsa didn't tell me otherwise nor Kai,"
„You can also take your time and enjoy your…..free day," Rollan commented jokingly making Gerda cackle.
„A free day I would perhaps spend out of Arendelle,"
„Who knows, we could get out there too if you wish,"
„It's alright, it's not necessary." Mentioned Gerda, then walked back to the entrance to the castle. „I'll be going to my room to read. If I won't see you, good night," Wished the blonde making Rollan smile.
„Good night, Gerda," Replied the Spaniard back waving at the girl, that entered the castle walking towards the hall disappearing through the next door.
Princess Anna sat on a camping place near a village around the campfire with Donny watching Hans grill above the fire a chicken skewer.
„It's still going to take a little while, perhaps 5 more minutes," Mentioned the Auburn-haired man making Anna nod, then looked at Donny yawning, then sit up to sniff from afar the meat being grilled over the fire.
„Watch out your nose, Don," Warned Hans making Anna grin watching the dog continue to sniff, then took his head away and glimpsed at Anna, which was smiling at the pet.
„Is it ready yet?" Asked Donny making Anna shake her head.
„Just a few more minutes of waiting time and it's done," Answered Anna making the dog frown. „Hey….I've got an idea…..have you ever learned any tricks?"
„No. What are tricks?"
„Well I give you a word of a deed and you perform it. I will teach you how and you obey when I ask you to," Explained Anna. „Do you think that is easy?"
„It sounds easy," Answered Donny making Anna smile, then she held out her hand flat at the dog.
„Great. I'm gonna teach you to give your paw," Stated Anna making Donny tilt his head.
„I can't give my paw. It's attached to my body,"
„No I mean, that's how the command is called…..or similar," Said Anna unsure about the right description. „It's actually you moving your paw up here on my hand,"
„How exactly?" Questioned Donny watching Anna grab Donny's paw and press it on her hand softly.
„Like this," Commented Anna, afterward Donny pulled it back and watched Anna look at him with a confident smile. „You're ready?" Asked Anna earning no reaction from the dog, then shrugged her shoulders and opened her hand for the dog, which looked at it. „Give me your paw,"
„How? I can't remove the paw off me," Commented Donny making Anna sigh, then shake her head.
„Pay attention to me….You move this paw here and place it here on my hand. You will have to do this on your own," Explained Anna watching him take it back. „Now give me your paw," Ordered the princess watching Donny look at her hand, then up at her. „Paw up my hand. As I showed you,"
„What's the point of it?" Questioned Donny. „Nothing happened,"
„That's not the point,"
„You'll get a prize if you do that," Commented Anna passing her hand on his face. „I promise, you just have to do what I say. It sounds weird for you, but many family dogs do that,"
„But why do they do that?"
„They just want to show, that they're obedient and smart. I know, that you're just like them," Stated Anna. „You're going to be a great dog someday. I want to help you to get there,"
„Will I be able to impress my humans?" Questioned Donny making Anna nod.
„Me you would definitely impress," Commented Anna, then held out her hand again with a smile at the dog. „Give me your paw, Donny," Asked Anna, then Donny placed his paw on Anna's hand making her smile happy. Donny panted at seeing Anna's expression, then was patted by Anna on his head. „Great job, Donny! That's the right way to go," She complimented, then went down with her hand awaiting a repetition. „Let's do it again," Asked the blonde making Donny close his mouth, looking at Anna confused. „Come on, you did it great. You can do this right now too," Cheered Anna, then heard a screech shrieking Donny along with her and she looked at Hans, which flinched with his teeth as he had been trying to cut a shank off the chicken.
„Uh….dinner is ready." Spoke Hans and moved to the other side to remove the other one.
„I think as a reward I owe you a bit of meat," Mentioned Anna earning a nod from Hans, which removed from the edge of the chicken's waist a piece of meat and threw it at Donny, which caught it.
„I'm nearly starving," Commented Anna jokingly, then moved around the campfire on her knees to get to the other side of the plate.
„Feel free to choose, what you like," Commented Hans, after that Anna picked up the shank to take off a bite. „Spice is missing as to be expected, but I managed to get from the grass down there to put them over it. I'm not sure, it they're well for this, but it's worth a shot,"
„Hmm…..it's okay If I have to be honest,"
„Thymus or Rosemary would be something more fitting according to my mother. Sure it would be more tasteful if it had other spices as well,"
„It sure would," The princess agreed followed by watching Hans cut off a part of the chicken breast and cut a third of the removed breast to place it on the ground and saw Donny get around the fire to sniff it.
„It's a little hot, Donny," Warned Hans watching Donny warp his lip making Hans cackle at the way it looked for him, then noticed Anna while eating look across the ground at the sea spotting afar a ship transporting goods on it.
„They're transporting over the night as well," Mentioned Anna making Hans nod.
„Perhaps they're heading to another country," Commented Hans.
„Like Denmark?" Questioned the woman making Hans nod.
„Sure or they could be going to the other side of Denmark. You know down there and somewhere up there is one of the islands, that are Danish. Then behind it, we have Denmark as a mainland,"
„So are you telling me, we could see from here one of the islands of Denmark?" Questioned Anna making Hans shrug his shoulders trying to force his eyes to see the darkness.
„Maybe we could see something by daylight or on a ship only,"
„Right….talking about that….which of the isles is your homeplace located?"
„Counting from here it would be the first island. You would see its harbor first, then between our castle would be the woods and behind our castle the village. We had dark to light shades of brown around our castle and so where most of the houses down at the village. The ones around Falsterbo look more joyful,"
„I can't recall a lot about Arendelle. I have spent most of my life inside the castle and the other part inside the castle you got me out of it. I recall our castle to be in a light color, the roofs were green and from my room, I could see the waterfall and the giant rock behind,"
„Your view looked more admirable," Commented Hans making Anna smile.
„What did you see from your room? The woods?"
„Along with a part of the village. It's actually nothing special compared to what you explained,"
„I assume it…..," Anna commented, then threw the bone into the fireplace, afterward Hans noticed Anna had thrown it,
„You know the bone we could have given Donny as well," Pointed Hans out as Anna took out a wing from the chicken.
„To eat?" Questioned Anna. „Dogs shouldn't eat chicken bones, cause it could cut them in the organs. The splinters, that come from breaking the bone,"
„Oh I had no idea,"
„Yeah, it's strange. People acknowledge it's good, but not at all,"
Hans cut off another piece of the chicken to give it to Donny, then did the same for himself. In the meanwhile, Anna looked at Hans taking his own slice and spoke at him again.
„Have you thought about sending at one of these moments a letter to your family? Your mother, mostly?" Questioned Anna looking at Hans as he took a bite of the meat, then he sighed at her question.
„You believe it would be okay to do that?" Questioned the farmer, making Anna nod.
„At least for your mother, it would be good," Explained the blonde. „If you want, I can take that job for you and write about you. I address it strictly towards your mother, she gets it and she sees you're okay,"
„It's worth a try" Commented the farmer. „You're gonna write it in Danish?" Questioned Hans making Anna shrug her shoulders.
„I thought we should go with English?" Questioned Anna making the auburn-haired man nod.
„Well, that's a good point too. I think tomorrow we can look together for a sheet we can write on. Do you agree with this?" Asked the princess making Hans nod, then she embraced his arm tightly, making him shut his eyes up in surprise. „You'll see, she will be so happy about knowing about your well-being"
„Sure….." Spoke Hans, then rolled his eyes at Donny, which was passing his paw beside his lip trying to remove the meat of his teeth.
