Kristoff returned to Arendelle to a warm welcome from the King and Queen.
"Well my boy," King Agdar said, "Come in and tell us of your adventures since the last time we saw you."
With that the three walked into the palace.
"Well there's not that much to tell." Kristoff started before being tackled in a hug by the princesses.
"I missed you so much," Anna said, followed by Elsa's amendment, "We both did."
"I missed both of you too," He told them as they clung to him.
"Come in and let's talk until dinner." Elsa said.
Two days later, on the Kings orders, there was a banquet and ball to honor all of the searchers Arendelle had sent to find the no longer missing Princess.
The searchers were lauded by the King and Queen, many toasts were made, and speeches given. The ball went late into the night and many took notice of how focused on each other the ice harvester and the elder princess were as they danced.
But this happy night was not to last. Soon tragedy came to the royal family.
Kristoff went with the girls to see their parents off. He and Anna could see she needed some support. They stood on either side of her as they said goodbye to the King and Queen.
"Do you have to go?" Elsa asked in an almost childlike tone.
"You'll be fine Elsa," her father said. "You will take care of each other until we return from Corona." He looked Kristoff in the eye. "Young man, I charge you to care for the Princesses. Keep them safe and happy while we're gone."
"I will sir."
The King nodded his approval and then commanded him, "Kneel Kristoff."
He was puzzled but did as the King ordered. The girl's eyes lit up when they saw their father draw his sword. They knew what was coming.
He lifted his sword and tapped Kristoff first on the right shoulder then the left. "I dub thee Sir Kristoff, Knight of Arendelle." After a pause he said. "You may rise."
Kristoff did as commanded. "I trust I need not worry for my daughters in your care."
"You do not Sire," He answered solemnly.
"Very good. Then we will be off." With that he took his wife's hand and they left to board the ship.
A couple of weeks later Kristoff would stand in front of a memorial to the King and Queen, one arm around each of the Princesses. He held them tightly as they cried. Kristoff himself tried to hold back his own tears, with...limited success.
Kristoff kept his word to the King. He was no longer an ice harvester. He was a Knight of Arendelle, his first and only concern was the well-being of the two treasures that King Agdar had entrusted to him. Now, three years after that terrible loss, today was Princess Elsa's coronation day.
Kristoff waited just outside of Elsa's suite. He would soon escort her to the cathedral for the ceremony. He was as nervous as she was about this, given what Elsa had in mind for the ball afterwards.
"M'lady," Kristoff greeted her as she took his arm.
"Sir Kristoff," She said with a smile, then asked "Have you seen Anna?"
"Not yet. She's running around enjoying the festive atmosphere."
Kristoff saw the worried look on Elsa's face. He added. "The Captain of the guard has men posted all over the town. He told me that, no matter where she goes, she'll never be more than a few feet away from one of his men."
They went to the Cathedral. Kristoff led Elsa to the front to stand before the Bishop. "Remember, I'll be right here." He whispered to her before turning to sit in the front row, trading brief smiles with Anna in the process.
The choir sang and the Bishop began the ceremony. As Elsa bowed before the high clergy Kristoff noticed Anna turn to wave at someone in the crowd. Kristoff looked to see a slim, young man wave back.
'Looks like Anna has a new friend, maybe more than a friend.'Kristoff thought. He might have to give him a subtle 'big brother' talk.
Elsa took the scepter and orb in her hands and turned to face the church full of dignitaries. As the Bishop recited something in Latin; Kristoff had no idea what he was saying. He supposed he should have asked one of the priests or something; Kristoff could see she was nervous. But she did as he had suggested, she looked over to him to see his reassuring smile. He saw the slight bit of ice on the two objects dissipate. Kristoff hoped that no one else had noticed that bit of ice.
Later at the ball the two sisters stood at the front of the room. Kristoff stood between but several steps behind them. Once they were formally introduced Kristoff stepped forward to talk to the girls. "How are you two holding up?" he asked.
"I'm doing fine, great!" Anna said, clearly excited.
Elsa smiled at him and said, "Thank you Kristoff, and you to Anna."
"For what?" He asked.
"For just being there at the coronation. The support I felt from both of you. I don't know how I would have made it through that without you."
"It was my pleasure," Kristoff said, in a tone befitting a Knight to his sovereign.
Elsa looked at him with a sudden impulse to reach up and kiss him. But that wouldn't be proper in this circumstance.
Then Kai announced one of the visitors.
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Weasel-town."
A short older man stepped forward, clearly unhappy about what appeared to be a deliberate mispronunciation of his Dukedom's name. "That's Weselton." He turned his attention to the Queen. "The Duke of Weselton your Majesty. As your closest partner in trade, it seems only fitting that I offer your first dance as Queen." He put on a show of his spry nature, ending with his toupee flopping over to expose his bald spot. Both of the girls stifled a giggle. No doubt, Kristoff thought, the Duke will assume that their giggles are a girlish response to his suave personality.
Recovering, Elsa answered. "Thank you, but I've already promised this dance to Sir Kristoff."
Kristoff masked his surprise well, as Elsa offered her hand to him. Then a mischievous idea came to her. "But I'm sure my sister would be happy to accept."
Before Anna could object the Duke had hauled her to the dance floor. Kristoff, meanwhile, escorted his dance partner in a somewhat more dignified manner. He leaned in to whisper in her ear. "You are a wicked woman."
She smiled, whispering back. "I know."
They danced on, just happily enjoying each others company.
The dance ended and Kristoff escorted Elsa back to the front of the ballroom. He stood in front of the dais with her as they continued talking.
Soon Anna trotted up to meet them. But in place of her dance partner, she was in the company of a slim young man in a white uniform. The same one Kristoff had seen her waving to. "Elsa, Kristoff, I want you to meet someone." She gestured to her companion, "This is Prince Hans of the Southern Isles." She turned to the Prince. "Prince Hans, my sister, Queen Elsa."
The Prince bowed slightly, "Your Majesty." Before either of them could say anything, Anna continued the introductions. "And this," She gestured toward Kristoff. "Is Sir Kristoff, our appointed protector, and kind of a big brother, I mean to me, he's not her big brother, I mean he and Elsa are actually the same age. Almost exactly, like just a couple of weeks between them." Anna settled long enough to let them talk. "An honor to meet you Prince." Kristoff said in a manner that would have made the Queen Idun proud."
"The honor is mine, Sir Kristoff. I see the royal family is well protected."
Kristoff nodded slightly in acknowledgment, remembering that the King, and his own grandfather, told him to always give a humble response to praise.
"Well," Hans said, "With your permission," he said to Elsa, "And yours Sir Knight," He said to Kristoff, "I'd like to ask Princess Anna for another dance."
Elsa smiled, "Enjoy you two. I think we may take the floor to."
Both couples did indeed take to the dance floor. As the music began Elsa and Kristoff began to flow with it. They were in perfect sync together. 'But why shouldn't they be.' Elsa thought. She gave voice to those thoughts. "We've come a long way since my parents started giving us our first dancing lessons."
"Ha, yeah I remember. You got some sore toes out of the deal though."
She laughed slightly. "Yes, that's true. But you did always massage my poor mangled feet"
"Ah, yes. And I'm glad I did. How else was I going to find out how ticklish they were?"
She gave him a tight smile and told him, "Oh I remember." Then she turned his earlier comment back on him, "You are a wicked man."
He whispered to her. "I know."
As they danced Elsa decided that since she was ready to come clean with her subjects, maybe she should do the same with Kristoff. She whispered to him, "You know I love you." adding. "And I don't mean like a brother."
He told her. "I feel the same way. I love you to."
They finished the dance in silence. Then the Queen, accompanied by her Knightly protector made contact with more visiting dignitaries. She was suddenly excited to have some time to talk to her Knight in private, but for now, duty called.
She had just finished talking to her cousin Rapunzel and Rapunzels husband Prince Eugene. Then, just as some other visitors were introducing themselves Anna and Prince Hans walked up.
"Elsa, we want to talk to you. I'm mean Hans wants to talk to you. I mean Prince Hans wants to talk to you."
Elsa held up her hand to stop her energetic sister. "Okay," She turned her attention to the Prince. "What do you want to talk about?"
Hans straightened himself and cleared his throat. "You Majesty. I would like your permission to call on Princess Anna."
Elsa's eyes widened. 'This was the night for revelations it seemed.'
"Formal permission to court. Very proper." she paused. "Very well. Permission is granted."
"YES!" Anna squeaked, bouncing on her toes.
Elsa continued. She really wasn't sure what to say in this situation. What could she say that wouldn't sound to aggressive, or have possible double meaning? She settled with "Treat her well, and you may court."