Anna

The town of Arendelle was situated on the banks of the Austefjord. The castle was on the edge of the water, with the town proper sprawling out over and up the mountainside, the tall buildings tightly packed with steep roofs. A simple stone bridge separated the castle from the town. Arendelle was divided into four Districts, the first three arranged radially outward from the castle, with the Shipping District on the docks a fair distance from the rest of the town.

The Business District in the center of town, just outside the castle gates, was usually a bustle of activity, with shops and stands and shoppers packing the main square, and this morning was no exception. Townsfolk and traveling traders alike, all trying to convince the throngs of people that they had the best fruit, the best clothes, the best jewelry.

Beyond the Business District lie the Residential District, which housed most of Arendelle's 1,500 residents in houses of all shapes and sizes. The houses here were packed seemingly haphazardly, with tiny alleys stretching and twisting between the buildings in paths known only to the children.

The Agricultural District was the outermost district, set outside the city walls, reaching up into the mountainside and down to the water's edge, where all the city's food and livestock were raised. It was in the Business District that Princess Anna spent most of her time in the city.

She was dressed plainly, just wearing a simple shirt and trousers, her hair unstyled and her teal eyes shining from a makeup free face. At first glance, it would be hard to tell that the freckled redhead, a cute, clumsy girl lacking the grace of her older sister, wandering around the shops, poking her nose into the different stalls, and making conversation was in fact Princess Anna. It had become one of her favorite pastimes, walking around the town incognito, enjoying interacting with her people without the filter of being royalty. A little artist's shop she had never noticed before caught her eye, and she went inside. A bell tinkled above her head, and a voice boomed out from her left.

"Welcome, young miss! Are you looking for anything in particular, or just here to browse?" The shop's proprietor was a cheerful looking man in his late 50's, with a magnificent white beard that reached nearly to his waist, smiling at Anna from behind the counter. Filling the tiny shop were paintings of everything from noble's portraits to stunning landscapes with a masterful use of color.

"Oh, no, thank you, I'm just looking!", Anna replied. "Did you paint all these?"

"That I did, young miss", he said, chest swelling with evident pride. "I've been painting since I was just a lad. Do you like them?"

"Like them? I love them!" As Anna continued admiring the paintings, one in particular, partially obscured by the artist of what appeared to be a beautiful portrait of a wedding in the town chapel. "Ooooh, I really love this one! Is that someone's real wedding?"

"Ah, that one. That's one of my favorites. That's actually Her Highness' wedding, Princess Anna's. I'm surprised you don't recognize it, the whole town was in celebration!" Anna was no longer even listening. She did recognize the scene. She was lost in her thoughts, transported back in time. Back to a happier time.

Soon after the Great Thaw, after Sven had passed away peacefully in his sleep one night, Kristoff had moved into Arendelle for good, finally abandoning his life of vagrancy to continue courting Anna. It was then that he met Alan, on one of his many visits to the castle. Alan was the weapon master's apprentice, and he and Kristoff began sparring for fun and exercise. Kristoff learned to wield a sword with great skill and finesse, his natural athleticism complimenting his abilities, but his technical prowess was far outmatched by his ferocity- a lifetime with ice harvesters made him strong and graceful, and when he was angered, it was a good idea to be very far away. Kristoff and Alan soon became fast friends, spending much of their free time together. Anna might have been jealous, if it weren't for Cari.

Cari was the best archer in the Arendelle Royal Guard now, but just four years ago, she was just a commoner, scraping out a living as a vagabond. Anna met her during the first attack on Arendelle after Elsa's powers came to light. Two soldiers had snuck in by boat in the dead of night in an attempt to assassinate the queen. Anna had stumbled upon them by pure chance on the bridge to the town, intending to surprise Kristoff with a late-night visit. Cari had been rummaging through the trash bins behind the fruit shop, looking for something to eat, when she heard Anna cry out and rushed to assist. Practically before Anna knew what was happening, Cari was there, striking one of them over the head with a piece of wood and pulling Anna from their grasp. She helped Anna raise the alarm, and the two men were apprehended without bloodshed by the guard.

After that, Anna thanked Cari for her help and asked what she desired. When Cari had answered, "Just a meal and a place to sleep tonight", Anna immediately insisted that Cari move into the castle permanently. Cari had tried to resist, but Anna could be stubborn when she wanted to be. After Cari had been living there a few months, she and Anna had grown very close, and Cari began teaching the princess archery, which the redhead took to with great enthusiasm, surprising everyone, mostly herself, when she proved to have quite a natural aptitude for it.

In time, Elsa managed to secure enough support from the Royal Council to allow Anna to marry Kristoff, and the wedding was held in the town chapel. The wedding party was very small, with Elsa as the maid of honor and Cari as a bridesmaid, and on Kristoff's side, Alan served as best man while Grandpabbie was a groomsman. The wedding celebrations had lasted for days, and absolutely everyone in the town attended, closing down the port and shops to celebrate. Even Olaf and Marshmallow came down from Elsa's palace (to the unending delight of the children). Anna could not remember ever being happier than she was that day. But all that was a long time ago.

"Miss?" The question startled Anna out of her reverie. "Hmm?"

"Well, you've been just sort of… staring for a bit. Are you okay?" He was looking at her with concern evident on his face.

Flustered, Anna said, "Yes, of course. I was just remembering something."

"I see." Anna hesitated. "Umm… can I ask you something?"

The man peered over half moon spectacles. "Yes, of course."

"What… what do you think of Prince Kristoff?"

"I'm sorry?"

Anna paused, then pressed onwards. "The Prince. What do you think of him?"

"I'm- I'm not the best person to ask, miss, I've never spent any time one-on-one with him, I'm just a humble artist-"

"Please," Anna implored. "Please."

He sighed. "Very well. The Prince seems like a fine man. He is gracious and kind to all he meets, which has made him well loved among the townsfolk, and he has done well to conduct himself with the dignity due his new station. I would personally have no problem under his rule, if, god forbid, something were to happen to the Queen… or yourself."

Flustered, Anna found herself speechless, and the artist laughed. "Come now, Your Highness. At a distance, you look rather unlike yourself, but look!" He pointed behind her, and Anna spun to find herself face to face with- herself. The large portrait depicted Elsa and herself on Coronation Day. "Your sister had that commissioned before the Great Freeze, but never actually picked it up in all the confusion. I wasn't sure what to do with it, so I just left it here. Besides- that question was not exactly something a townsfolk would just ask out of the blue."

Anna was stunned, and tried to change the subject to cover up her incriminating inquiry. "It- It's a gorgeous painting, to be sure. I'll… I'll make sure Elsa is notified, we'll get someone out here to pick it up as soon as possible, plus a little extra for the trouble."

The artist waved her off. "No extra is necessary, Your Highness."

"I insist. And don't call me Your Highness. It's Anna." Anna glared at the man.

"But… but Your Highness, you are our Princess. Surely you can't expect me to just call a Princess of Arendelle by her first name?" Anna's eyes grew even more intense.

"I can expect it, and I do. I am no different than these people but for the circumstances of my birth, and I am not something to be revered or awed. When the situation demands it, yes, you may call me Your Highness, Princess Anna, whatever. But as long as it is up to me, I will be known as nothing but Anna. Got it?"

He sighed, relenting. "Very well, Anna. But I must confess my curiosity, why did you ask after your own husband? Surely, you know him better than a simple artist." He hesitated, then pressed foward. "Are… Are you two... okay?"

Anna was speechless. "Um… well, I-" The artist cut her off with a raised hand.

"Say no more, Your High- Anna. It was not my place to ask, my most humble apologies. I don't know what possessed me to ask such a question."

Anna threw up her hands. "It's only natural to be curious. It was my own fault- it was a strange question, and I feel like I owe you some explanation, at least." Anna took a moment to try to collect her thoughts. "I guess… It's just that we haven't really been… speaking lately. He did something that I've never seen before, and… it scared me. I don't know! I'm just so confused." She hid her face in her hands, and the artist nodded with an understanding smile.

"Anna, if I may offer some advice. I was married once." Anna looked up. "She died in childbirth. Her and the child."

Anna gasped. "That's terrible! When?"

"Over twenty years ago. And Anna- if it taught me one thing, it's this: never take the time you get for granted. Do you love him?"

"Yes," Anna whispered. "No. I don't know!"

"Then, Anna, if I may be so bold. Find out. Life is far too short for such uncertainties."

Anna thought a moment, then nodded. "You're right. I will. Thank you. Truly, thank you."

The man smiled, kindness in his eyes. "It was my pleasure. It's not often you get to converse with a princess!" Anna laughed. "And, Anna, if there is anything I can ever do for you, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Likewise," she replied. "It was excellent to meet you, Mr….?"

"Berdal. Francis Berdal."

"Mr. Berdal. Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Berdal."

"It was my pleasure, Anna. I've met much royalty in my career, and I can say with certainty that you and your sister are the kindest, humblest, and most gracious I have ever met. I wish you the best of luck in life."

Anna giggled, blushing. "Well, I don't know about all that, but I appreciate it all the same. Take care, Francis."

"You too, Anna." Anna turned to go, but she paused at the door and looked back.

"Francis?"

"Yes?"

"Please don't tell anyone I come to town like this. It is one of my favorite things to do, and I'd hate to be found out."

"Of course, Anna. I would never deprive any royalty from walking freely among her people, only good can come of it."

"Thank you." With that, Anna walked out into the square, lost in her own thoughts.