Notes:
I realised that Olaf had disappeared - so in this chapter he's back, with an explanation for his absence and everything. We also address the issue of Anna's excessively fair skin, and the inevitable casualties of an unexpected magical snowstorm.
17/04 - couple of tiny grammar edits.
Anna shut Frankenstein with a snap. It was a good story so far, but the main character reminded her forcefully of Hans, and that was not ok.
The sun had traced its stately way across the sky, and engrossed in the book, Anna had failed to notice the slight redness creeping like a blush across her arms and shoulders.
"Oops."
She retreated inside in search of Gerda and her sunburn remedy, book still dangling from her hand, and had just reached the first floor landing when something out the window caught her eye.
Sunburn forgotten, she turned on her heel and hurried straight back down the stairs, across the entrance hall and out into the courtyard.
She turned the corner to the stables.
"Hey!"
Kristoff, who had literally just finished pouring a bucket of water for Sven, turned around. His hair was messy and his face a little flushed from exercise, but Anna thought he looked wonderful.
"I missed you this afternoon. Where'd you go?"
"Hey yourself. Trolls." He waved a hand in the rough direction of the mountains.
"Oh. Of course. I was sort of worried you'd gone without saying goodbye for a moment!" She laughed as breezily as possible. "Um. How are they?"
Kristoff shrugged. "You know. Loud."
He caught sight of the redness of her skin and frowned. "Are you ok? You look kind of sunburnt."
Anna grimaced. "Yeah. I've been reading. I sort of lost track of time. And sun."
Kristoff shook his head. "We need to put something on that." He began rummaging through the pile of things they'd bought from Claude's Climbing Supplies the previous day.
"Oh, no, it's fine – it's not that bad, and Gerda's probably got something for it inside – "
"It's ok," Kristoff said, extracting a small bottle from the bag. "Your shoulders are going to start peeling unless you get something on that soon."
Anna looked a little humbled and Kristoff came over, shaking the bottle.
"I didn't think they'd do sunbalm in a climbing shop."
"Of course they do," he replied, lifting up Anna's hand and squeezing some of the bottle's contents into her palm. "Sunburn is one of the worst things on the mountains. The snow reflects the sun like crazy."
"Wow."
"Yeah. Now rub that in."
Anna did so. It had a slightly strange smell – not the floral top-notes of her usual product. She was on the verge of asking him what it was – but decided it might be better not to know.
"What've you been reading?"
"Frankenstein." She waved the book around. Kristoff took it so she could rub the balm into her other arm. "Elsa's got about a million and one things to do, so I thought I'd get out of her way. It's about a scientist. And his creation."
Kristoff raised his eyebrows. "Huh. I would have thought you were more of a romance girl."
Anna blushed – though it was impossible to tell against the sunburn. "You'd be right. I thought it would probably be best to take a bit of a break from the romances, though. Ground myself a little." She grinned, embarrassed.
Kristoff shook his head, looking over the little book. "Nah. I think you're perfect as you are."
Suddenly realising what he'd said, he went as red as her. "I mean, everyone does. You're the princess."
Anna laughed and brushed off the compliment. "Ahh. You know. I try. Is the back of my neck red?"
She twisted round so he could see.
"Uh. No. You're ok. You've missed some on your face though."
Anna went crossed-eye trying to see.
He laughed, and was about to rub it in for her – but caught himself. "It's uh – just the side of your nose. No – other side."
She got it, and smiled. She was all shiny with balm.
Taking the little bottle back, and handing her Frankenstein, he went to put the bottle away in his bag.
"So you missed me, huh?" Kristoff he called over his shoulder, looking a little smug.
Anna nodded. "Of course. You're my guest! You'll stay at the castle again tonight, right?"
Kristoff was about to reply when the guards from that morning rose to mind.
"What?"
"Nothing. Sure, if you're offering. Feather beds."
"Of course I am. What's up?"
Kristoff shook his head, but Sven nudged his arm and stamped a hoof.
He looked at the reindeer in annoyance. "What?"
Sven gave him a look.
"What, Sven?"
Sven nudged him again and Kristoff glared.
" Sometimes I really don't like you."
Sven seemed satisfied and returned to lapping from his bucket of water.
Anna watched this exchange with a little half-smile, confused but intrigued.
"What did he say?"
"Oh. He, uh – this morning, we –" Kristoff cleared his throat and glanced around. There was nobody in sight. Anna huffed and sat down on the nearest hay bale.
"What's up?"
Kristoff shifted uncomfortably and rubbed the back of his neck. He wanted to sit, but there was only one bale.
"I'm not really sure that me staying here is going to work, Anna."
She looked distressed. "What do you mean?"
Kristoff felt awful – but he'd wanted to talk, right?
He heaved a sigh.
"After the address this morning, I went into town – to give you and Elsa some space. I got talking to some guards, and they asked who I was – I said I was your guest, but one of them recognised me –" He couldn't meet her eye and couldn't stop fidgeting. "They, uh – listen, Anna. I'm just an ice harvester." He paused. "Maybe they're right. I don't belong here, at the castle."
Anna's face had hardened. "What did they say?"
"It – well –"
"Kristoff, what?"
He sighed. "They didn't believe an ice harvester could be your guest. And I know, it isn't that– but –"
"Who were these guards?"
"It doesn't matter, the point is –"
"It does matter. How could they be so rude? Yes, you're an ice harvester, but what does that matter? We need ice as much as we need protection, or wood, or – everything else!"
Kristoff shook his head. "Anna, the last few days have been… this is all new to me." He shuffled uncomfortably. "I don't fit in here, Anna. I belong in the mountains. You... I think the sooner I get my sled and get out of here, the better."
Anna had gone very quiet. She was looking down at her hands. "Do you want to leave?"
He hesitated. "Well, no, but –"
"Then why do you have to go?"
Kristoff was confused. "I just said –"
"You said you belong in the mountains. But can't people belong in more than one place?"
Kristoff was about to reply, but paused, considering.
"Take me for example. I belong in Arendelle. But I also belong wherever Elsa is. That's why I went to the North Mountain. And – I thought I belonged with Hans, but I was wrong."
Slowly, Kristoff nodded. "I see what you mean, Anna, but –"
"But what?"
He bit his lip. "I don't think everyone feels like that. The guards this morning didn't feel like that."
"Pfft," Anna flapped a hand and shrugged. "What do they know? They don't know you at all. Personally," she smiled at him. "I think you fit in here perfectly."
Kristoff shook his head again. "At dinner last night – there were so many…" he'd gone bright red again. "It's kind of unusual for me to eat with one fork, let alone four different –"
Anna looked at him curiously.
"Forks?"
"And spoons. There were too many spoons."
Anna nodded, lost in thought. "Well, don't worry about that. I've never really got why there are so many anyway."
Kristoff sighed. Anna stood up.
"Please stay, Kristoff. Just for a few more days. I had no idea you felt like this." Anna shook her head and sighed in mock-exasperation before seeming to be caught up in a train of thought.
"What?"
"Oh – nothing. Come with me."
Elsa rubbed her eyes.
"Send in the next one, Kai."
She had already heard about shattered windows, frozen crops and traumatised livestock that afternoon, and had dished out thousands from the royal treasury – but it was worth it, she reassured herself. And it was the least she could do. Apologies could only go so far – actions were what determined rulers, she remembered her father saying. Actions, not words.
In the corner, and very quiet for once, was Olaf. Elsa had sternly told him he could only stay if he promised to be quiet. He'd been delivered, disgraced, to her office shortly after the dignitaries had left – apparently, he'd been enthralled by his trip to the kitchen the evening before, and had been keeping himself very busy there ever since. Too busy.
Olaf insisted he'd just been trying to be helpful, but when the kitchen staff had found him trying on different carrots, it was the last straw. Their patience only extended so far.
So now he was following Elsa around and trying his best to be helpful elsewhere.
Elsa shot him a stern look as Kai brought in a small, pale woman who curtsied low.
"Your majesty."
Elsa inclined her head. "Please approach. What is your name?"
"Martha, your majesty."
"Martha. What grievance do you have for me?"
"Your majesty –" the woman was twisting her hands together and seemed too scared to look at the queen. "Your majesty, my grievance is not one of livelihood or property."
Elsa was puzzled; frowned. "How can I help you? Do not be afraid."
"Your majesty – the cold is always harsher on some more than others. The very young, the old, the sick…"
Elsa felt her stomach plummet.
"My great-aunt, your majesty – she went peacefully, but when she passed, she was cold as ice…"
Elsa felt a little dizzy. For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
"Martha – I am so sorry – " composure cracking, Elsa fought back tendrils of frost snaking their way towards her fingertips.
She wished Anna were here.
Taking a deep breath, Elsa reminded herself: love will thaw.
"Martha. There is nothing I can do to ease your grief. I know well enough that no amount of money can even begin to repair the damage I have done to your family."
Elsa sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose briefly.
"But if I may, I would pay for the funeral and all associated costs. It is… a poor attempt to convey the depths of my sincere regret, but it is at least a start."
After a moment's hesitation, Elsa rose from her throne and went to the woman. She folded her hand in one of her own.