That morning Elsa, Anna, Kristoff and Tobias dined together for breakfast. It became a Sunday tradition that after mass at 8a.m the family would eat together – just as Elsa and Anna used to, with their father and mother.

It was fair to say that Kristoff (being the man of the house) would eat quite contently throughout the meal – he made his way through four open sandwiches and an entire bowl of blueberries. Yet, Anna and Elsa effortlessly held onto their composure – eating only what could fill them - the ladies tended to save their appetites for evening desert after dinner.
Elsa took a sip of her coffee every now and then, and then peered up at Tobias held in Anna's hands – he was swaddled in a maroon blanket which suited him quite well, and Elsa realised how calm and content the boy was. He rarely stirred, and kept his eyes on his mother the entire time, as Anna looked down at him with a tender smile. "He's so quiet, isn't he?" she didn't remove her eyes from her son whilst saying it – Anna was absolutely in love.
"I've noticed, he seems very disciplined." Elsa giggled lightly and smiled at Anna.
"I would never have thought it – after all, he is our child." She then looked at Kristoff and giggled and he chuckled back.
"Well touch wood, because that might just change." He beamed at his wife.
"Well I hope not. I have much hope in him being an excellent future king." Anna looked up and her eyes looked disheartened, her mouth dropped and formed a sob at Elsa comment.
"Oh Elsa! Don't say such things – you will find someone, and be happily married, and then have your own heirs, and their own heirs and more. We'll have all of the dukes and duchesses." Kristoff took a sip of his tea and nodded along.
"No. You and I both know that that won't happen, and we shouldn't pretend otherwise." With that Elsa stood from her chair at the head of the table, and removed the napkin from her lap, turning to one of her ladies in waiting that stood to the side of the table: "Anette, please tell Henrik that I will be in the gardens this morning, but if anything comes up he can send for me straightaway – for I desire some fresh air." The girl nodded lightly and curtsied at the queen and left.
Elsa walked over to Anna, who had further despair in her eyes – as if she had truly offended Elsa. Elsa laid her hand on Anna's shoulder and looked into her fierce green eyes; "don't despair for me Anna, I am quite happy with my situation. I have all that I want." That for the most part was true, but even Anna could see that Elsa was really missing something. With that Elsa left the room, and made for the gardens – she had decided to pick another rose for her office, and not let it perish this time.

As she dawdled through the garden mazes she took in the fresh spring air. There was a light breeze that lingered in the gardens and she contently held onto her cape and was thankful for her gloves, but invited the warm sunlight that streamed on her face in soft winks.
Elsa turned a familiar corner, and walked with her arms outstretched – like a child holding onto the two sides of the stairwell banisters – yet elegantly she skipped over to her favourite bench within the shrubs of the rose bushes and pulled a small book out of her pocket. Pulling the cover open she picked out the bookmark and placed it next to her, then delved into chapter 17.

Anna reluctantly handed baby Tobias over to Helen (his nurse) and decided to take a turn through the gallery. It happened to be one of her favourite places, which she would often run around in, when she didn't have Elsa to keep her company.
However, now it wasn't such a cosy place – guests from Tobias' presentation would wonder in every now and then, and Anna would bitterly think to herself when will they leave? Anna sat down on one of the central seats of the area and stared blankly into the space. Kristoff was at the fish market that evening to say a speech, and Elsa clearly wanted to be alone, so she took the opportunity of silence. Just then, someone that Anna least expected to encounter stepped in front of her, blocking the light with his toned physic. She looked into the face of a fetching fabricator that she really didn't want to be anywhere near.
"Princess Anna." He bowed to her lightly and she stood, her fury making her body move faster than expected.
"I don't think you should be here!" Anna's voice echoed throughout the parlour and everyone looked at her in equal shock and irritation. Hans awkwardly glanced around and Anna couldn't help but blush vigorously. "I'm so sorry." She dusted her dress and composed herself. "Gooday sir."
She walked across the room without looking back at the bane of her existence. Hans followed the princess across the room, without making a fuss. Anna couldn't tell that he was behind her, but her pace had quickened. She turned a corner and made for Tobias' nursery, before she stopped at the request: "Anna, please wait."
Anna felt her back tense at the sound of her name, which he had once won her over with. She turned on the man and flared her nostrils in dissatisfaction. "Hans, I… I just can't speak to you." Yet she didn't move, she stood in front of him carefully. Over the years Anna had become more conscientious.
"Look, I know that you will probably never ever want to speak to me again. And I deserve that." He frowned but looked deeply into her eyes, and he had no idea how much that face had once attracted her, and every other girl that ever passed him. "I wish I could take back what I did, I really do. I am ever so sorry, princess Anna." At the mention of her name she lost the look of sympathy and stood at her full posture with pride.
"I don't understand."
"I-"
"I thought I saw you, but I wasn't too sure- four days ago, at my son's presentation. Why did you come?" Her voice was quite monotone, but the confusion came through.
"I'm here with my mother, and two of my older brothers."
"Oh. Well- I suppose you'll be leaving soon. You have no right to be within our kingdom, anyway, and Elsa should see to that right away- I'll tell her that you said goodbye." With that she turned and Hans stepped forward – he almost felt like grabbing her and sticking her to the surface just to get one sentence through her ears, but he knew better than to be so rash. He had forgotten how heard-headed the princess could be.
"Anna, wait." The sound of his voice danced on her ears and she turned and could see the clear plea in his eyes.
"What." She bit her lip in anticipation.
"I just need to speak to Elsa. Please tell me where she is." Anna shifted uneasily and wondered if she should give the information. But then she remembered that Elsa could take care of herself, even more so than herself.
"She should be in her office."
"I've just been there, and she wasn't there." Confusion came across Anna's face like a sunset and then her eyes sprung back to the light.
"Then she's in the rose bushes, you know near where we walked after her coronation…" The happiness slowly left her tone, and her face grew younger somehow, just how he remembered it. He smiled at her and bowed.
"Thank you, Princess Anna. I know exactly where I need to go." He then turned to walk in the opposite direction, but then turned back, remembering something: "And, your son- Tobias. A lovely little boy." He then bowed again, and this time waited for Anna to turn away before walking off.

Hans made his way to where Elsa and he stood four nights ago. And there she was, she wore a lilac dress that brought out her paleness in a desirable way. She delved into the pages that she was reading, and Hans wondered how intelligent she must be. He then thought of what he would have to do within the next few seconds. He would have to break the news to the ice queen. He stepped closer to the queen and as he did so, she slowly picked up the metal object next to her and placed it in the book without looking away for a second. She then shut the book and looked up, but the contempt was soon gone from her eyes.
She did not stand. She did not move. Queen Elsa didn't know what to do. She didn't think that Hans would be back so soon, nor at all. In fact she thought that he had left the night after Tobias's presentation. Once that thought had occurred, she then became further intrigued – for what he had wanted to tell her must have been something of some importance. Standing she stated: "Prince Hans." He step towards the queen and bowed lowly to her,
"Queen Elsa." He stood and she met his eyes and looked in them for some signal of danger or a lie. But he looked, in a way, quite genuine.
"You stayed." She didn't show any emotion. She was always good at that.
"I did. Are you shocked?" he furrowed his brows almost mockingly, but secretly he was genuine.
"I am, but don't be surprised. For I never envisioned you as one to keep promises." She hoped that wounded him, and it slightly did.
"Some promises are more important than others." He looked at her with hope in his eyes, and her eyes widened and took in what he had just said.
"Tell me what you want to, then."
"I believe it is you that wants me to tell you." He smirked lightly and Elsa blinked. She didn't like playing dangerous games like this.
"Just say it, Hans." He then became serious again.
"I think you should take a seat." He jested his hand towards the stone and Elsa look at him in dismay.
"No."
"Elsa-"
"It's queen to you!" She felt frustration prickle at her fingertips.
"Queen Elsa, just sit. Please." That time she listened and sat quite heavily. She didn't like the emotions that were coming off of him. She didn't like how weird he was acting.

The prince stood in front of the queen, at a few step's distance. He looked around and wondered where to begin. He didn't like this at all. He almost wanted out.
"Hans, just say it. I'll sit, and listen." She sensed the anxiety coming off him – he probably had a message from his father or something, and perhaps he felt intimidated. But then again, he did command her to sit down. Which was awfully unruly.
"We are to be married." With that he inhaled. She had no idea of how difficult it was for him to say those words. "To bring unity to our kingdoms, and to bond our counties to create a sovereign state." Elsa felt frost creep onto the inside of her gloves and scratch the back of her hand. She inhaled slowly and didn't look at him once. Anger burned inside her.
Hans looked down at the queen and he saw her grip her skirt and look as if she wanted to run. "The courts have agreed with the notion, and legally it has to happen. My father believes that the bond between our kingdoms needs to be made more evident, as ever since the passing of your parents and the incident between Anna, you, and myself- I suppose it's my punishment." He looked down at her again and tears beaded at her eyes. She stood slowly and nearly came to his full height, looking him right in the eyes.
"It's my punishment too." Her voice was a soft snarl that was like metal being scraped across rickety ice. She walked past him, almost in deliria not looking at him again. She flicked the falling tear from her cheek with her frozen glove. Hans just watched her go.