Elsa had put herself in a tough spot as she made her way to the conference hall. She had killed a man in a blind rage, and whether or not he deserved it, it would have been a decision best left for another day. But Hans sentenced himself. In the game of political poker, he went 'all in', and lost. He was a dead man walking. The problem is, what would Hans's father, the King… of the Southern Isles think? Why didn't he just marry Anna? His plan could've worked, why did he want both sisters dead?
With the knowledge pasted to her from Hans that Anna had died from her own hand, she was ready for Hans to finish her off, and had no desire to go on living. But that would have been his plan 'B' all along, marry Anna and kill Elsa. Then Anna comes to the rescue, only to die in the process, and foil his plan. Or maybe she wasn't really dead, and Elsa could possibly save her. She didn't know, but she had a kingdom full of people who were still alive, and in need of rescuing right now. Elsa needed to focus her attention on them, then she could go about finding a solution for Anna. Even with all these lingering questions, she could not help but think; "It should have been me."
"We have got to find a way out of here before we all freeze to death." Said the Duke to the rest of the stranded dignitaries assembled in the conference hall. With a gust of wind the doors of the hall slammed open against the stops while Elsa entered amongst a flurry of snowflakes swirling around her.
"Going somewhere so soon, Duke? Such a shame, this shindig was just getting started. You did see how your friend Hans had to leave the party?, it would be a real tragedy to send you home in a box as well." A collective gulp was had by all in the room; Elsa wasn't messin' around right now. She was getting down to business, and she was incensed.
"Your Majesty, it seems there have been some grave errors on all our parts, perhaps you'd like to have a seat, and we can discuss the matter civilly."
"You should consider yourself fortunate that I don't convict you of treason right here, and ram an icicle thru your chest."
"Your Majesty, if there's anyth..."
"Quit your sniveling, and sit down! You're still breathing because I need a favor from you, all of you." She took a deep breath and sighed, what she had to say would pain her deeply.
"Arendelle is doomed... I want to evacuate the entire kingdom, and I'm going to need your help. In exchange, I'm going to make you all very rich."
"What do you have to offer us, Queen Elsa?" Said the French liaison.
"Ice... Pure...Clean... Fresh ice. In any form you want, any time of the year, and in great quantities." The dignitaries huddled up, and murmured amongst themselves, the truth is, this was great deal. They would all make a profit from this bargain.
"If you will excuse us, your Highness, we would like to discuss this in private."
"As you wish. I will grant messengers safe passage to your kingdoms, but this comes with a warning. Do not cross me, or I'll bring my wrath to bear on your Homelands."
"Thank you for your mercy, your Highness."
"Come before me at high noon tomorrow with your proposal, Duke. In my study, and don't make me wait!" With that, she turned on her heels like a marching soldier and the wind slammed the doors behind her.
"I guess we should keep her around for a little while longer." Said the Duke, nervously twisting at his mustache, thinking about all the money he could make off this endeavor. Arendelles citizens were also highly skilled, they weren't just a bunch of dirt farmer peasant folk. They would be welcomed anywhere.
This deal was just too good to be true.
It would be weeks before the other kingdoms would get word of Arendelle's demise if they didn't send messengers out. The bad news was everyone arrived by ship. Most of those had been locked into the fjord or outright destroyed. And none of the foreigners had any knowledge of the back mountain passages. Elsa needed someone she could trust, but she didn't want to send any of her own guard, they were needed here. There was only one man for the job.
Kristoff…
While it was a bit odd to let him hang around the royal stables, Elsa figured it was the least she could do considering what he had done for Anna, now it looks as though this was a bit of good fortune to let him stay.
"How may I be of service, Queen Elsa?" Kristoff had asked Kai how to properly address Elsa when Kai found him in the stable with Sven. He practiced the line on Kai.
"You will be fine, and I'd personally like to thank for rescuing Princess Anna."
"You're welcome, Kai. I wish I could've done more."
"Being valiant is sometimes enough."
"I miss her. She could be incredibly annoying at times, but…." At this time Kristoff found a tear trying to escape his eye, it took all his strength to hold it back.
"I as well, Master Bjorgman. Remember, I was there since she was born, she was like a granddaughter to me."
"This must be excruciating for the Queen."
"That much is certain. Come with me, Master Bjorgman. We shouldn't keep the Queen waiting."
"This way, Master Bjorgman." Kia opened the large double doors. Kristoff could feel the large, dry lump in his throat rise up. He had been in Elsa's presence before, but that was so he could rescue Anna. This was official royal business, something he wasn't used to dealing with.
"Your Highness, presenting the ice harvester, Kristoff Bjorgman."
"Your Highness, how may I service you,….no, wait, that's not right. How may I,…. um,… how? Rats! Maybe I should start over…."
"It's OK, Kristoff. There's no need to be so formal around me, well, not any more, anyhow." Elsa let out a giggle over Kristoff's faux pas. It would be one of the very few times he would see this side of the Queen.
"My apologies your Majesty, I…" Elsa cut him off.
"Elsa, just call me Elsa. I shall soon be the queen of a wasteland, with me as its sole human occupant. That's why I need your services, Kristoff. I assumed that you helped Princess Anna find my Ice Palace?"
"Yes, um… Elsa." Kristoff practically bit his tongue saying her name, expecting a thunderbolt from the sky to strike him dead for not properly addressing the Queen. "It was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen." Kristoff's face drew a blank, dopey expression upon the thought of it.
"So… you have knowledge of all of Arendelle's back country?"
"Yes, like the back of my hand."
"Good,… I have an important mission for you. I need you to lead a contingent of messengers over the mountains to the port of Mariabronn safely; can you handle it, Kristoff?"
"Of course, Elsa,… anything to help the kingdom."
" Then I may as well let you in on my plan. This winter will never end, and Arendelle is doomed. I want to evacuate the entire kingdom." Kristoff's face turned white. He thought about his adopted home, and what may happen to it. He would have to inquire about Elsa's plan.
"Do you mean everyone?"
"Well, all of Arendelle proper, and most of the outlying villages."
"What about the Valley of Living Rock?" There was a slight quiver to Kristoff's voice. This was his home, and the place has magical properties that are important to the Trolls. In other words, they would perish.
"I don't know, Kristoff. Have you seen them recently?"
"Um,.. yes,… I took the Princess there hoping they….. could…." Kristoff couldn't finish the sentence, but Elsa knew where he was going with this, they had helped Anna with Elsa's errant attack before.
"Elsa, I must tell you, when you came to the Trolls the first time, I was there. That's why I went to them. But Gran Pabbie told us that only an act of true love would thaw her frozen heart. He could not help her. So I brought Anna back here to the castle, back to Hans." The words pierced thru Elsa like the long icicles that clung to the eaves, while Kristoff hung his head. He felt just as responsible for Anna's death as Elsa, he delivered the Princess right to the Devil's door.
"My first responsibility is to Arendelle's citizens. Are the Trolls OK, Kristoff?"
"Yes, the geysers and hot springs are keeping the temperature stable there."
"Very well, they can stay for the time being. I need for you to lead this mission immediately. Time is running short, and it will take a few weeks for rescue ships to make it here. When you get back, please come before me, and we will discuss the role I have for you."
"Yes, Queen Elsa. Good day to you."
"Farewell, Kristoff, and good luck." He turned and left the study, wondering if it would be for the last time.