Author's Note: Hi, guys. I probably cannot formulate coherent thought because of how tired I am from working long hours this week, so please be patient with me. I'll get to the chapter in a little bit, but I've got a couple announcements. First, I will not be posting next week. I was hoping to find a way to find time, but I work in the morning next Saturday and then I have an event in the afternoon and evening. Thus, there will be no chapter next week. However, the following week the chapters will continue as always. I apologize for all you who are anxious to read the ending. Second, the ending is near! By my calculations (which might be wrong), we only have five chapters left. So, as always, thanks for the great reviews and advice and I will see you all next week!

19. Caught

"We aren't saying you can change him 'cause people don't really change. We're only saying that love's a force that's powerful and strange."

–Frozen, Trolls

Elsa leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes against the harsh light of the blue sky. The cool air encircled her as she took in a deep breath.

"Are you sure you don't want to play?"

Elsa opened her eyes at her sister's voice, and focused on the game of crochet being played before her on the frozen lawn. Anna and Kristoff, having reunited and talked for several hours about what happened, had decided to set up more parties before the wedding. Elsa still couldn't believe that the wedding was only one week away, and preparations were in full swing. However, it felt as if something was missing. Elsa wondered why Hadyn returned home. She shook her head, telling herself to put him out of her mind.

Focusing on her sister a ways before her on the lawn, Elsa shook her head. "No thank you," she called, and Anna shrugged.

Whatever Elsa was feeling towards Hadyn, it didn't matter. What did matter was that Anna was happy. She was smiling today like she hadn't smiled since this whole craziness for the wedding had begun. Even fending off Lady Gabbri and her insistence on planning the wedding didn't deter Anna's spirit.

Speaking of Gabbri, Elsa was pulled out of her thoughts as the poodle herself flounced down on the seat beside her. Gabbri seemed to have acclimated herself to the fact that Elsa had powers and was not a monster, but she still acted a bit dismissive to the queen, considering Elsa did rule this place.

"Your majesty, there you are!" Gabbri exclaimed in her high-pitched, nasally voice, which sounded to Elsa as lovely as fingernails being run down a chalkboard.

Elsa nodded in acknowledgement, but kept her chin high as she regarded the puddle lady coldly. "Lady Gabbri, I hope you are well."

Gabbri waved a hand dismissively at the same moment Elsa noticed that she was breathing heavily. Perhaps she had been running.

"Oh, your majesty, I have been looking for you everywhere. For being the queen, it is amazing that no one seems to know where you are!"

Elsa didn't comment that, even if people knew where she was, they would hardly tell Gabbri. Instead, she said dryly, "If you have more ideas for the wedding, than you are wasting your breath. Everything in planned and set up."

Gabbri shook her head vehemently. "No, I mean, yes, but that can wait. After all, the tapestries are a disgrace. But no, I wanted to talk to you about Hadyn."

Elsa froze at the prince's name from rolling her eyes at Gabbri's previous comment, and stared at the young woman before her. "Pardon?"

Rubbing her hands together anxiously, Gabbri continued, "Well, I learned this morning that Hadyn left yesterday for his country. Honestly, I was shocked!"

"Indeed?" Elsa asked, keeping any hint of emotion from coming through her lips. "Why would you be? I believe he was called away for business in his country."

Gabbri rolled her eyes. "I don't believe it. Look, I know you've been around each other the last few days. I've seen you. Anyway, something is strange about it. Of course, you don't know Hadyn like I do. He's not the type to care about politics or the face of his family house. He's rebellious. Cute, but rebellious." She paused to sigh at some thought and then continued, as intense as ever. "But to leave because of business? Never!"

Elsa opened her mouth to respond dismissively, but Gabbri continued before she could.

"But that does raise a brilliant point. There I go again, saying brilliant things! I am just so brilliant all the time. Anyway, it does make me wonder why he came in the first place. You do not know how shocked I was to see him here when I arrived."

When Gabbri paused to take a breath, Elsa pointed out, "I believe his father commanded him to come."

Gabbri waved her hand again. "Nonsense. He's not the type to follow his father's orders. At first I thought he might be one of your suitors, but this is Hadyn we're talking about. He does not do anything he doesn't want to do and he most certainly would never want to marry you."

Elsa bit her lip and look away, feeling a wave of anger go through her. Yes, Hadyn had no reason to love her. He was just in a bet with his cousin on whether Elsa would marry him. He would never want to marry her. Rising pertly, Elsa clenched her fists. "If you will excuse me, I have a few things to do."

"But—" were the only words Elsa heard Gabbri emit before she was out of earshot.

She shouldn't be so upset about Hadyn. She should be happy about her sister. Everything was fixed. The wedding was proceeding without a hitch. The fire prince had only scratched her heart. And yet, she could not get him out of her head.

"My queen!"

Elsa jumped at the loud exclamation from across the gardens and glanced around for the source of the voice until her eyes landed on a small snowman bounding over. Despite her serious thoughts, Elsa couldn't help but smile. She noticed the basket he held in his stick hands.

"Olaf, what are you doing?" She asked.

Olaf pointed towards the town. "I'm taking some apples to a friend of mine in the stables. Care to come?"

Elsa agreed readily, pleased to have something to take her mind off a certain fire prince.

Olaf was someone who could put a smile on anyone's face. He was, surprisingly, Elsa's creation. That was another reason she couldn't understand her powers. She got that she could create snow and ice…but life? That seemed to be pushing it a bit. But still, she loved Olaf as if he was her younger brother.

The walk down to the stables went quickly as they chatted, pausing once in a while to greet citizens. Finally, as they entered the stables, Elsa queried, "Why are you bringing Sven these apples?"

Olaf shook his head. "I never said I was bringing Sven the apples."

"Oh. Then who are you bringing them too?" Elsa asked curiously. She was certain Olaf didn't regularly hang out with animals, especially since most of them wanted to steal his carrot nose.

"Shay is my newest best friend. But don't worry, you and Anna are still my bestest friends."

Elsa let out a laugh. "Shay?" She didn't know of any creature stabled here named Shay. Perhaps it was owned by one of the visiting dignitaries.

"Want to meet him?"

Olaf made his way inside the stables and into one of the stalls. As Elsa entered smiling, she felt her breath catch as she stared at the tall, Arabian horse before her.

One word escaped her lips. "Shaja'a."

Olaf walked over to the horse and set the basket before him. "Yep. That's his name, but I've given up trying to pronounce it. He really likes apples though."

A hundred thoughts went through Elsa's head as she stared at the animal before her. Shaja'a, Hadyn's beautiful stallion, stood before her. Why? It was clear Hadyn loved the animal. He had even said that he had brought the animal because it could not be left alone. And yet he had left it here…there was no way.

"What's wrong?" Olaf asked, seeming to realize she was upset.

Elsa could merely shake her head for a moment as her brain formulated reality. Jain's plan. Hadyn vanishing. Shaja'a being here alone.

She slowly placed a hand over her mouth as a horrifying realization dawned on her. "He's killed him, hasn't he?"

Olaf calmly looked at her. "Well, it's just an apple. It doesn't mind being eaten."

Elsa shook her head. "Olaf, this is bad."

"Hmm?"

Elsa turned and hurried out of the stall.

"Where are you going?" Olaf called.

"To get answers." Elsa headed directly towards Jain's room, both furious and horrified. This was not happening in her castle! If Jain had hurt Hadyn in any way, there would be hell to pay.