The man shuffled through the town with his head down. He didn't like being noticed. He headed towards the castle. He halted when he got to the gates and raised a fist, knocking four slow, steady beats. They were opened and a fat bald man in a servants' gray uniform approached him, looking him up and down with concern.
"Yes?" Said the servant.
"I'm Kristoff Bjorman. The new stable boy." Said the hunky man.
The servant sniggered to himself. This man was more hulk than boy.
"Yes, come in." He was lead into the castle, unbeknownst to the wicked conspiracy going on inside.
Meanwhile, Anna was nervous. Hans was having dinner with her family, and she was panicking. He smiled to himself. If only she knew. Kuzon had made sure everything was going to plan. Anna was vigorously pacing up down the corridor, inventing different theories of ways it go wrong.
He didn't know how he would be able to stand this for the rest of his life, but then he remembered the perks.
"What if he asks about your heritage. He might not like that your brothers are like, 50 years older than you. Oo, or what if doesn't like your hair, because I know it's adorable and everything, but he might not feel the same way, and..." Anna continued babbling for God knows how long until they were called to the dining room. Before they went in, Hans gripped Anna's arm tightly and said "He was the one who agreed let me court you right? It'll be fine." She nodded as they walked in.
The king greeted them with a huge smile and sat them down at opposite ends of the table, with him at the head, with an ever watchful eye. Hans watched the king take his first mouthful, yes! If Kuzon had made sure everything had gone to plan, then he would soon be king of Arendalle.
For most of the dinner, the conversation was small talk. How many brothers did Hans have, were they very much older than him? Was any of them married? What did he think of Arendalle so far? Of Anna? Playing the part, he said exactly what the king wanted to hear.
Halfway through dessert, the king felt a strange felling overcome him. He groaned, clutched his stomach and fell to the floor.
"Papa!" Anna rushed to her father while he moaned in pain. Two guards carried him off to his chambers whilst another servant went to fetch a doctor. Hans and Anna were bustled out of the room and given glasses of brandy. Kristoff Bjorman had no idea what he was getting himself into.
Anna bit hard down on her nails with Hans' arms around her. The king had been ill for 6 days now, with no prospect of getting better. The doctors were still investigating the cause. They had told the princess to be prepared for the worst.
Anna had been hearing his moans and mutters for too long. She couldn't bare to be near him anymore. She knew it was wrong, but it just hurt too much to look at him. Even Hans couldn't comfort her. Enough was enough. A short ride alone through the meadows would clear her mind.
She walked away slowly, with dignity. When she was out of sight, Anna broke of into a run. She was getting those feelings again. The feelings of letting go. She had almost forgotten what had happened. She had almost been okay. Now the demons were slowly creeping back into her mind.
Anna was lost so deep in thought she didn't realise she was not alone in the stables. She ran forwards and bumped into a large chest.
"Whoa!" She heard. Anna looked up. She gasped. It was the blonde man who had rescued her."Anna?" He asked. She turned to run away, but he grabbed her arm. "Hey! She tried to pull away, but it was no use. She was too weak, too pathetic.
"Get..get away from me!" She screamed.
"Listen," said the man. "I just wanna talk. Please." Anna nodded and he let go of her arm.
"Okay?" He said.
"Okay." Said Anna. They both took deep breaths.
"What are you doing here?" Said Anna in a voice smaller than usual.
"I could ask you the same question. But, anyway. I'm the new stable boy. And um, my name's Kristoff." He scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly.
"Oh, well then. I...I live here. I'm the princess, kind of." She said meekly.
Kristoff was shocked. He'd saved a princess from suicide. That was a very touchy subject!
"Um," he said.
"Can I have my horse?" Said Anna.
"Oh! Yeah. Sure." He stumbled and went to get it. He swore. Why was he so nervous around her? He came back with her horse a few seconds later.
"Well." Said Anna.
"Well." Said Kristoff.
Anna started to mount her horse when she heard a voice calling her. It was Kai.
"Princess Anna!" He said. It seemed he had been running, and was quite out of puff.
Anna cleared her throat and spoke. "What is it Kai?" She said.
"Your...your majesty. The king is in his final moments. He is asking for you."
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