The Valkyrie sat tied to the dock in the Arendelle harbor under the warm sun of the restored summer. The ship's towering masts challenged the castle's spires for dominance over the city's skyline. The six frigates were anchored in the harbor, their sails furled and their decks empty.
Queen Elsa had seized the frigates as reparations for the damage Anton's forces had done to Lillehaven, along with all the weapons from the Valkyrie. She had learned the hard way that Arendelle's defenses were lacking; the six ships would help bring the fleet up to date. Elsa had considered keeping the Valkyrie itself as well, but Arendelle had no use for such a massive, purpose-built ship, and Elsa felt a hint of satisfaction from the idea of Prince Anton's flagship returning home in disgrace.
Elsa did find the Valkyrie's size to be convenient for one thing, though. It was large enough to carry all of Anton's men back to the Southern Isles. While Elsa would have been within her rights to keep them all imprisoned, Arendelle simply lacked the prison space to hold them all. The castle dungeons were too small to hold more than a few, and Elsa didn't like the idea of having so many prisoners anyway.
Elsa had even decided to return Prince Anton to the Southern Isles and allow his own family to punish him. Despite Anton's actions, Elsa still had hopes of establishing a positive relationship with the Southern Isles, and she wasn't about to risk that possibility just to impose her own punishment on Anton. Elsa was confident he would face severe consequences when he returned home, and his imprisonment in the brig of his own ship seemed like a good start.
Now, back in her regular blue dress, Elsa found herself on the dock at the foot of the Valkyrie's gangplank, facing another prince from the Southern Isles who had once tried to kill her. In recognition of his assistance in stopping his brother, Elsa had allowed Hans to remain free. He would command the Valkyrie on its voyage back to the Southern Isles, escorted by one of Arendelle's own ships, of course. Hans carried his brother's sword, which Elsa had allowed him to retain as she thought it would help him maintain authority over his brother's men. It would be the only weapon on the Valkyrie. Elsa had confiscated all the others.
"With Anna's help, I have written a complete account of Anton's attack on Arendelle for your king," Elsa said as she handed to Hans one of three envelopes she was carrying. "You are welcome to read it, if you wish. I believe you will find it fair and unbiased."
"I'm sure it is, Your Majesty. Thank you." Hans replied.
"I have noted your assistance to Arendelle," Elsa added. "Perhaps it will be a first step towards redemption in your family's eyes."
"I hope so," Hans said. "I do truly appreciate you allowing me to return my brother and his men to the Southern Isles myself."
"I am only doing so because I believe Anton's men will respect your authority," Elsa said. "The only alternative would be to send you all home in chains."
"I understand," Hans said, "but, still, it is very gracious of you."
"Do not mistake my generosity for forgiveness," Elsa said sternly. "I don't want to see you or your brother in Arendelle ever again. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Hans replied.
"Then I wish you a safe journey home," Elsa said. "Goodbye, Prince Hans."
"Farewell, Queen Elsa," Hans said with a bow before ascending the gangplank to the deck of the Valkyrie.
Elsa took a deep breath and turned to face another ship docked opposite the Valkyrie. It was also preparing to sail, but it was a departure Elsa wasn't looking forward to. Elsa had chartered it to take Lars home to Weselton.
Lars and Elsa were both privately dreading the moment they knew was coming. They were each aware of their own feelings, but neither of them knew how the other felt. Even though they each thought they had seen subtle signs of reciprocation from the other in Lillehaven, now they weren't sure they hadn't simply imagined what they wanted to see. They were both so afraid of what the truth might be that neither of them could bring themselves to take the chance and admit their love to the other. As the moment of their inevitable parting grew closer, they each desperately hoped that the other would speak the words that they were too scared to say.
Lars spotted Elsa from the deck of the ship and quickly scrambled down the gangplank to meet her. He was excited to see her. He wanted to take her in his arms, tell her he loved her and passionately kiss her. He had to remind himself to resist that urge; she was the queen, after all, and if such an advance wasn't welcome, the consequences would be severe. When he reached her, neither of them spoke for a moment. There was so much they each wanted to say, but were too afraid to. They didn't know where to start. They stood staring at each other, lost in the awkward silence, before Lars finally found his voice.
"Your Majesty," Lars began, opting for proper formality, "thank you again for arranging for this ship to take me back to Weselton. It really wasn't necessary."
"Sir Lars, after what you risked for me... for Arendelle... it was the least I could do," Elsa replied. She offered Lars one of the remaining envelopes she was carrying. "In fact, it isn't nearly enough, so I've prepared this for you to take back with you to Weselton."
"What is it?" Lars asked, cautiously taking the envelope.
"It's a new agreement to reopen trade between Arendelle and Weselton," Elsa replied. "The terms aren't as generous as they were before, but I'm sure the duke will find them acceptable."
"Thank you," Lars said. "This will mean a lot to the people of Weselton."
"I have something else for you as well," Elsa said, handing Lars the last envelope. "In appreciation of your heroism on behalf of Arendelle, I've asked the duke to name you Weselton's official representative in all dealings with Arendelle."
Lars looked at Elsa in stunned silence. He was speechless, as it was a gesture he hadn't anticipated, and he wasn't quite sure if it was merely a symbol of professional trust, or an indication of her personal feelings. His hesitation as he tried to make that determination made Elsa nervous.
"It would be up to you to accept, of course." Elsa quickly added.
"It would be an honor," Lars said. "I promise to come back with the duke's answer as soon as I can."
"It's agony to wait," Elsa replied, trying to make the comment seem facetious, disguising the fact that it accurately represented the sadness she felt about his impending departure.
Neither Lars nor Elsa wanted the moment to end, as neither of them knew how to say goodbye, especially with so much left unsaid, yet as they were each bound by obligations and responsibilities, neither of them could see any other alternative. They stared into each other's eyes, unwilling to look away. Finally, the moment was broken as Lars heard the ship's captain call out his name.
"Well, it seems I have to go," Lars said reluctantly. "It has truly been a pleasure, Queen Elsa. I look forward to seeing you again."
"Farewell, Sir Lars," Elsa said, trying as hard as she could to hold back her tears.
Lars bowed, then turned to begin ascending the gangplank. Elsa turned away and started walking back up the dock. Lars paused partway up the gangplank and looked back to see Elsa walking away. He watched her for a moment, hoping she would turn around, but when she didn't he continued up to the ship. Almost as soon as Lars had turned away, Elsa stopped and looked back over her shoulder. She watched him reach the deck of the ship and disappear from view before continuing on her way.
From the stone wall on the edge of the town square overlooking the harbor, Anna and Kristoff were watching. They hadn't meant to be voyeurs; they had merely been taking a relaxing stroll through the town when they paused to take in the view and noticed Elsa and Lars down on the dock below. Anna had watched curiously as Elsa and Lars spoke. Though she was too far away to hear any of their words, Anna thought she was seeing something in her sister that she had never seen before, but she couldn't quite figure out what it was.
When Elsa and Lars parted, Anna could see the heartbreak in Elsa's eyes while Kristoff sensed in Lars a feeling of regretful resignation that he knew all too well. Suddenly, Anna and Kristoff had a simultaneous moment of realization. Finally comprehending what they had just witnessed, they turned to each other and exchanged knowing glances.