Queen Elsa stood on a parapet wall and lifted the spyglass, looking carefully at the approaching ship. "Oh, yes."
Anna, who had been slightly dosing at her side, suddenly stood up straight and gazed at the harbor. "Is that ship the right one?"
Elsa smiled. "Yes, it is."
"Good. Very good."
"Thank you, Prince Hans, for agreeing to meet with us here in Arendelle."
The prince took a quick sip of the afternoon's wine. "Believe me, Your Majesty, it was a total surprise to hear from you." He glanced at Anna then bowed to her. "And to you, too, Your Highness."
Elsa sat near her fireplace and took a long sip of her cordial. "We want Arendelle to resume its trade with the Southern Isles. It's been too long since Arendelle had normal diplomatic relations with your Principality—don't you think, Princess Anna?"
Anna nodded and took a long drink of her beverage, a tankard of ale, then wiped her mouth with the back of her hand. "Way to long."
"And I must say again how very sorry I am for what happened four years ago. I was young—an idiot way too young to realize what a fool I was being." He looked down to his lap. "I was surprised you wanted me to come."
Elsa had to struggle to keep the contempt out of her voice. "Well . . . things can be forgiven over time. Don't you think, Anna?"
Anna continued to eye the prince. "Sure."
Hans quickly glanced at the Princess and knew that look, his father personified it. Anna was almost drunk. "Are you all right, Princess Anna?"
The Princess sat up and smiled. "I'm fine, Hans. Are you still paying your debt to Arendelle?"
"Not to Arendelle, Princess Anna. But payment goes into your personal coffers, as per the Queeen's instructions."
Anna looked at her sister. "But, why my own, and not Arendelle's?"
"His greatest sin was towards you, my princess, and that warranted direct retribution." The Queen smiled somewhat. "Its the least I could do for you, Anna."
The princess let out a great breath. "You mean I have spendable money and this is the first time I'm hearting about it?" She was about to say more but the look the Queen was giving her told her to drop the subject.
Elsa glanced at Hans before turning back to her sister. "What is your father demanding of you?"
"Well, there as some chores that the servents usually do that I'm doing now, and half of my pension goes to various charities throughout the Isles."
The Queen nodded, pleased at what he had to do. Anna, what do you think?"
"I agree with his father, let him suffer." She looked at Elsa. "Is it dinner time?"
The Queen stood and indicated the parlor door. "Shall we?"
Anna wiped the grease from her mouth and smiled at her sister. "I was so hungry, but now I don't think I'll eat for another week."
Elsa burped, then covered her mouth with her hand and blushed. "How unladylike of me."
The princess laughed. "There is a first time for everything, don't you agree, Elsa?"
"Yes, I do agree. Today, and tonight, was a first."
Both women turned to look at Kai when he entered the dining room. He poured more wine into the Queen's cup. "How was Hans?"
Anna grinned. "He was delicious. Could have used a little sauce, though."
