Ember stands before us in the dead center of the throne room.
His dark hood is still draped over the majority of his face, save his fiery gray eyes. He seems to be clutching his cloak around himself tightly.
Basically, he looks uncomfortable in every way.
It took everything within me to get him to come back with me.
He seems to feel great remorse over the damage he has done to our kingdom... I have a hunch that my remorse is considerably greater.
I imagine he agreed to come back in order that he might take the consequences of his actions, which is something I admire.
However, he made sure to warn me numerous times on the short journey back to the castle that the damage might become even greater if he were to return. Either this was a cautionary warning or simply a threat.
Whatever it may be, he stands here now and nothing has yet bursts into flames.
The throne room is scattered with only a few other people, most notably Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf.
Anna looks as though she is about ready to rip Ember to shreds. I quite hope she is able to control herself.
"I would like to begin." Anna declares. I can hear the heat in her voice.
I hesitate, but I do give her my consent.
"First off, I'd like to say that I do not like you." She jabs her finger in Ember's direction. "You ruined my wedding, destroyed my kingdom, and-"
"Anna." I interrupt.
"He did!" She shrieks.
Kristoff clears his throat. "Perhaps we should listen to what our witness has to say?"
I nod at him. "Indeed. Baker, would you come forward?"
The village baker makes his way toward my throne. He kneels down before me. "Queen Elsa." He rises.
"Baker, you may begin your story."
"I was just one of the many spectators at Princess Anna's beautiful wedding ceremony. I was enjoying the beautiful procession, when I noticed a strange cloaked figure out of the corner of my eye.
I thought it was quite peculiar. Why was this man sneaking around town when there was a royal ceremony to be in attendance to? I knew that he had to be up to no good, so I followed him. Imagine my surprise when I realized that he was breaking into my store.
I was outraged. I rushed in after him only to find that he was stealing some of my fresh-baked loaves of bread. They were meant for Princess Anna's reception.
The next thing I new my whole store was in flames. I don't believe I've ever been quite so devastated in my entire life."
"I am deeply sorry for your loss, but I promise you on my royal crown that your bakery will be rebuilt." I assure him.
"Thank you, your majesty!" He bows deeply.
"Indeed." I smile sympathetically at him. "You are dismissed."
He exits the throne room.
Anna takes this as her cue to continue. "Why did you steal from our village? Why were you even in our village in the first place? Where did you come from? Why-"
"Anna!" I snap at her. I know my patience is wearing thin. It's been a long day and my fingers are causing me a great amount of pain.
"I'm just trying to get to the bottom of this." She narrows her eyes at Ember.
"Why don't we listen to Ember's side of the story?" I suggest.
We all turn our attention to Ember, who is still standing in the center of the room, looking as though he is very much out of place.
I nod my head at him, willing him to begin.
He hesitates for a long enough moment that I believe we are all beginning to doubt if he is ever going to say anything at all, when at last he finally proceeds to speak.