The Head That Wears the Crown

Chapter Five

Dinner

Anna sat in the dining room in silence, miserably picking at her food. Kristoff sat next to her, also picking around the edges of his plate, unsure of what to say, unfamiliar with how to handle the situation.

Anna threw her fork to the table. "I can't believe this!" she snapped.

Kristoff placed his arm around her shoulder. "I'm sure there's a good reason, Anna. Something probably just came up, that's all."

"I know," Anna said. "I know I shouldn't be upset. She is the queen, after all, and she has important work to do. But I just want her to be a part of my life again, and I feel like she's taking me for granted already."

Anna banged her head on the table in frustration, a decision that turned out to be a mistake. "Ow!"

"I don't think she's taking you for granted," Kristoff said. "Now, I'll admit, I don't know her as well as you do, but I saw her on the fjord when you . . . froze. I've never seen anyone react like that before. She was absolutely devastated."

"Yeah, well, apparently Elsa only is good at showing how she feels when she thinks no one else is watching. Because whenever I try to get her to share how she's feeling, it's a struggle from beginning to—"

A knock sounded at the door. Anna and Kristoff looked at each other.

"Are you expecting company?" Kristoff asked.

"Nope," Anna said. "Who in the world could that be?" She stood and walked to the door. "Whoever you are," she said, loudly, "you might as well come in. We have lots of extra food here, and it's all just going to go to waste, so feel free to—"

Anna opened the door and went silent. Standing on the other side of the door was Elsa. Anna's irritation at her sister's severe tardiness evaporated when she looked at her. Elsa's eyes were puffy and bloodshot, her hair disheveled, her typically composed and reserved face twisted with conflicting emotions. "Elsa? What's wrong?"
Elsa swallowed, trying to regain control over her emotions. "Hi," she said, smiling weakly. "I know I'm extremely late, and I understand if you want me to leave. I just . . . I just wanted to make sure I talked to Kristoff quickly."

Kristoff had followed Anna to the door. At the sight of Elsa, he bowed low before her. "Your Majesty," he said.

"Oh, Kristoff!" Anna said. "Stand up. It's Elsa. We don't exactly follow the rules about titles when it's just us in the room."

Kristoff stood, nervously trying to avoid eye contact with Elsa. He had seen what she was capable of, and, based on what Anna had told him about what had happened the last time Elsa had met a man Anna brought home, he was certain he was about to meet a very painful fate involving ice and one or more of his extremities.

Elsa entered the dining room and approached Kristoff, who involuntarily stepped backwards. "Kristoff, I just wanted to say . . . to say thank you for what you did for my sister. I can never adequately repay you for what you have done."

Kristoff opened his mouth to reply, but Elsa cut him off. "However, I want to provide you with compensation for your time. I understand that your sleigh was destroyed during your ordeal. Rest assured, we will replace it with a better model. No expense shall be spared."

Elsa wrung her hands, nervously. "I just wanted to make sure I told you." She turned to Anna. "I'll go now. I'm . . . I'm sorry I was so late. I'll leave the two of you alone."

She turned to leave, but Kristoff stepped forward. "Your Maj—, um, Elsa, please don't leave. Come inside and eat with us. There's still plenty of food left."

Elsa turned around. "You really want me to stay? After I . . . after I already let you down once before?"

Anna smiled. "Well, you just owe us for the next time." Taking her sister's hand, she dragged Elsa toward the table.

"Now, you are going to sit down, and I'm going to watch you to make sure you actually eat a decent meal for once."

Elsa hadn't realized how hungry she had been, and she found herself eating plate after plate of Anna's cooking. "Wow, Anna, this is . . . this is delicious! Thank you so much."

Elsa's praise lifted Anna's spirits. "I'm glad you're enjoying it," she said. She went to the kitchen to bring out dessert, leaving her sister and Kristoff alone.

An awkward silence descended between the two, neither one knowing what they should say to the other. Finally, Elsa said, "Anna tells me you are an ice salesman. How are things in that line of work?"

"Oh. Well, for one thing, it's been very, very busy. Summer's my peak season, obviously, so I've been working late most days, trying to sell as much as I can before winter arrives."

"Of course," Elsa said. Her face twitched slightly. "I'm sorry about this past week. The weather, I mean. It couldn't have been good for business."

"Oh, well, that's all right," Kristoff said. Frankly, he was somewhat surprised at how he really wasn't upset with Elsa. He had been counting on all the extra income he would have received from selling ice at the coronation festivities to help him get ahead for once. The curse Elsa had unleashed had placed his finances in serious jeopardy. And yet, Kristoff found he couldn't be upset with her. Maybe it's the fact that she looks so nervous and scared all the time, he wondered. I wonder what it's like, having to live with a curse like that.

A sad smile crossed Elsa's face. "No, it's not," she said softly. "I've hurt so many people with my actions. You're just one more to add to the list. If you would like, you can tell me how much money you lost and I will gladly repay you. For all of it."

"You don't have to do that," Kristoff said. "It's fine. Really, it is."

Silence returned to the room once more. This time, it was Kristoff who spoke first. "I never had the chance to compliment you on your ice palace. I know ice. I mean, I really know ice. And what you created up on the mountain is . . . it's . . . it's breathtaking! I've never seen anything so flawless in my life."

"Thank you," Elsa said quietly. "I didn't exactly think consciously when I built it. I just sort of . . . let it happen, and that's what appeared."

"It's beautiful!" Kristoff said. "How long? I mean, how long have you known you can control ice and snow?"

"Since I was very young," Elsa said. "I never thought anything about it. I guess I just assumed that everyone could do it. And then, when I showed my parents and they were so worried, that's when I realized that there was something wrong with me."

"I wouldn't say there's anything wrong with you," Kristoff said. "If anything, I would say there's something wrong with the rest of us."

"What do you mean?" Elsa asked, confused. "Isn't it obvious that I'm not normal?"

Kristoff snorted. "In my experience, people who pride themselves on being normal aren't that great to be around in the first place."

"I don't understand," Elsa said. "Do you think it's just a game, having these abilities? Do you not realize what a burden it is?"

"No, no, that's not what I meant!" Kristoff protested. He took a breath and tried again. "What I meant was: You have this amazing connection to the natural world that the rest of us can only dream of having. It's like the rest of us forgot where we came from, while you remembered. Don't you see how precious that is?"

Elsa paused. "I never thought about it like that before," she said. "So . . . so you don't think there's something wrong with me?"

"Elsa, I've been around a lot of people in my life, and I've stayed away from all of them because of how callous they can be, how self-absorbed, egotistical, vain. But you and Anna . . . you're the first people I've been close to who are willing to put the needs of others before your own. Who forgive each other when one of you makes a mistake not because you have to, but because you genuinely love each other. If that means something's wrong with you, than be glad that you're not like the rest of humanity! The world would be a much better place if everyone was more like you, believe me."

A solitary tear slid down Elsa's cheek. "Thank you," she whispered. She cleared her throat, and suddenly regal, calm Elsa was back. "Kristoff, Anna cares a great deal for you. I can see that. I'm sure you can as well. I just want to ask you one thing: Do you love her?"

"Yes," Kristoff said, not missing a beat. "And before you ask, let me make it clear: I'm not just saying that. When I first met her, I wasn't sure what to think. She's headstrong, stubborn, overtly optimistic, naïve. And yet, she's also the most loyal, loving person I've ever known. And . . . and I can't stand the thought of not being around her. She makes me happy. So I want to make her happy as well. No matter what it takes."

Elsa nodded. "You are a good man, Kristoff," she said. "With a good heart. You may be with Anna. I can tell that you two belong together."

Kristoff smiled, grateful to have Elsa's blessing.

"However," Elsa said, "if you hurt her in any way, you will be lucky to escape me without losing your limbs to frostbite. Am I clear?"

Kristoff couldn't tell if Elsa was joking or serious. "Crystal clear, Elsa."

Elsa smiled. "Good. I'm glad to know that I can adequately fulfill my role as the concerned older sister."

The door to the kitchen opened and Anna emerged, a large cake positioned precariously on a tray. "Who's ready for dessert?!"

Dinner was over. Kristoff had left to return to work, citing the need for extra time to dig up additional ice for the coming weekend. Elsa and Anna sat together at the table, each lost in their own thoughts.

Finally, Elsa spoke. "I like him, Anna. He is a good man. Be sure to keep him around."

"Thank you," Anna said, squeezing her sister's hand. "That means so much coming from you. I'm glad you approve."

Anna spoke next. "Elsa, what happened today? Why were you so late to dinner? You looked . . . you looked so upset. What's wrong?"

Elsa turned to Anna, dreading the upcoming conversation. "We need to talk, Anna. We can't trust anybody in this palace except each other."

"What are you talking about?" Anna asked. "What's going on?"

"There's a problem," Elsa said. "A very serious problem."

Anna leaned in to her sister, her face mere inches from Elsa's. "Tell me everything."

AN: Finally, Elsa and Kristoff get to have a conversation. This was fun to write! More to come; check back soon.