Chapter 2: How the Other Half Lives
Just as she had decided not to become a hermit, so too had Elsa decided not to become a wandering vagabond. She would instead live among her own people as a peasant, a commoner. She was not sure what skills she had - besides making snow and ice - that would allow her to learn a trade or make a living. But that could be decided later. Right now, she needed to find room and board. And some food.
Anna had bequeathed her with plenty of money from the palace - her inheritance, she had said - and Elsa intended to spend it wisely. She came upon the Baker's cottage, and he sold her some bread. He smiled warmly at her as he expressed that he was sorry she was no longer Queen, but that he was honored that she would be living amongst her people. Elsa smiled back and waved as she left. She kept moving.
Beyond the harbors and wharf, on the outskirts of the village town, there was a stretch of land known as the Seam. Mostly coal miners and the poorest of the poor lived here, crammed up against Arendelle's only coal mine. Though she had enough money from her inheritance, Elsa knew that a rent in Town could eat up her savings very quickly - after a few months at most. Perhaps a kindly miner would take her in as a boarder.
A house opened to her on the first door she tried, and a handsome gentleman with piercing grey eyes fell to his knees before her. "Your Majesty!"
"Oh, get up!" Elsa rolled her eyes, face blushing as she helped him to his feet. "I am no longer Queen here." Her face grew even more hot as the miner regarded her curiously, wondering what she was doing here. Of course, the news of Elsa's abdication had spread, but none of the common people knew what would become of her. "Perhaps I can find some work here in exchange for food and lodging?"
The miner smiled. Elsa found that she rather liked his smile. "That you could. You ice powers could certainly help in cleaning. You may stay here." He held out a hand. "Kenneth Everdeen, Miner Foreman."
Elsa shook it. "Elsa, former Queen of Arendelle."
Kenneth laughed. "Well, then come inside, Elsa, former Queen of Arendelle."
Elsa was allowed a second floor room in Kenneth's home. As the weeks and months passed, Queen and miner learned more about each.
Kenneth was a bachelor, who had up till now lived alone. Born and raised poor, he had worked his way up through the ranks until he achieved the coveted position of Miner Foreman. Some days he remained aboveground, but on others he would have to go below the Earth to oversee his workers and their duties. It was a dangerous job, one that made him rise with the sun and that did not allow him to come home until late in the evening.
While she waited for Kenneth, Elsa would keep house for him. One day while cleaning out her boarder's room, she discovered a book of herbs and other natural medicines. Curious, she began reading through it. Kenneth was amused when he came upon Elsa reading it one evening, telling her proudly that he had compiled the text himself.
"If you'd like, I can gather some herbs for you and you can experiment with healing."
Smiling, Elsa nodded.
Soon, Elsa became absorbed in the practice of medicine. When she had become skilled enough, Kenneth would bring back injured miners for her to treat. Elsa worked methodically and calmly in administering the treatments. More often than not, her ice powers would come in handy to help.
Sunday mornings were the quiet days, with Kenneth off from the mines. He would go out hunting, coming back with a felled animal to cook for his and Elsa's evening meal. One night, while skinning the meat, he began singing:
"Are you, are you coming to the tree, to strung up a man who said he murdered three? Strange things did happen here, no stranger would it be, if we met at midnight in the Hanging Tree?"
Reading her Book of Herbs at the table, Elsa was transfixed. She had never, in all her life, heard such a beautiful sound. When Kenneth caught her staring, he blushed and glanced away.
"Oh, please don't stop!" Elsa begged. "Just... sing again. I could listen to that forever! You would have been amazing at court, in the Chamber Choir!"
Kenneth's cheeks grew even more hot. "Such a compliment is an honor, coming from you, Your Majesty."
Elsa smiled softly. "Elsa. Just Elsa."
But even more astonishing than Kenneth's illustrious singing voice, was Elsa's realization that they had become very... domestic.