FROST
Chapter 7: Back in Arendelle
Gerda hurried down the hall, squealing with delight as she passed by the other servants with a letter in her hand, "It's a boy! It's a boy! Queen Elsa has had a boy!" The servants gasped happily upon hearing the news. Gerda swung open the door of Anna's study where she was reading through papers, "My queen! You have a letter from your sister! She has had a son. A prince has been born!" Anna's eyes brightened with pleasant surprise, and she clasped her hands excitedly, "Oh, how wonderful!" Gerda handed her the letter to read, and Anna's eyes gleamed with eagerness, "We have to let Kristoff know about this!" She left her desk, and then after quickening down the corridor she opened a door and crossed the threshold of the room where Kristoff was, "Kristoff! Kristoff, Elsa's baby came! It's a boy!"
Kristoff gave her a sidelong glance, "Oh, really? Wow, that's exciting. I thought her and Jacques said they were expecting a girl." "Read the letter!" Anna beamed at him, handing it over, and Kristoff read over it momentarily, "So, his name is Prince Jacques II, nicknamed Jack. How original." "Kristoff! Don't be sarcastic!" Anna scolded him. "Well, it's not! Besides, a little sarcasm never hurts anyone," he offered the letter back to her. "Aren't you happy about this? You don't seem interested!" Anna said with a look of disappointment. "That's because I'm overworked. I'll share my enthusiasm with you once I get a chance to sleep," he told her. "You have a nephew! Doesn't that appeal to you at all?" she asked, "You can worry about work later!" "Sorry, but no, there's a lot to be done," Kristoff grumbled, "There's too much on my mind right now, so we'll talk about this later." "Admit it! You're in a bad mood! Like you always are!" Anna raised her voice at him.
"It's not a bad mood, ok?" Kristoff protested in a whiny tone of voice. "Sure it is!" she replied, "The least you could do is take a minute of your day to say how excited you are about this!" "Keeping in mind that this is your nephew, not mine," Kristoff told her. "Kristoff," Anna widened her eyes, "After everything Elsa has done for you, that's what you have to say? Well, keep this in mind, you are an only child and could not possibly have a niece or nephew blood related to you because you don't have a brother or sister!" Kristoff stared at her with his arms folded across his chest, "Alright, I see your point." "May I ask, could we invite them over any time soon?" Anna said, hoping he would say yes. "I think I'll be busy all through the fall," Kristoff replied, "It's better to have them visit during the holidays." "The holidays? But that's such a long time away! Like three months from now!" Anna protested, "I was thinking more like, in a couple of weeks!" "Sorry, no can do," Kristoff said, "I have too many meetings going on this month, and in the next coming months." Anna pursed her lips, "Fine. Then I will write them a letter and ask if they can visit during the holidays. Might as well do it now before they think about staying with Jacques's side of the family." "I'm sure they'll be more than glad to stop over," Kristoff told her, "Besides, they can see those people anytime. They would probably be more interested in seeing us." "I hope you're right," Anna said, and then walked out the door and closed it behind her.
A few moons passed. The land grew cold again, enveloped in a snowy splendor with the sun melting away. Anna and Kristoff were in the green drawing room of the castle, the room fashioned with velvet drapes and gold with a glowing chandelier over their heads. Paintings hung around an ornate, white hearth along silk damask walls. Kristoff was wearing a dark green jacket with a light patterning of violet and gold, a navy blue undershirt overtopped with a gray sash, taupe slacks, and brown boots. Anna wore a tiara of silver that was entrenched with diamonds, and the bends of metal were curved in the shape of hearts. She wore a maroon red dress of velvet, the bodice dark purple brocaded with gold. Anna went to go and look out the window down over the stone courtyard. It was growing dark only half past four. "I don't know when they're supposed to be here," Anna said. "Just wait," Kristoff answered, "They'll probably be here before dinner."
"Anna," Gerda called, standing outside the door, "You have a visitor!" "Oh!" Anna jumped up instantly, "Kristoff, they're here!" She disappeared out of the drawing room and walked briskly down the corridor, and approached the door after going down a flight of stairs. The doors opened to her. Anna gasped happily, seeing her sister in the doorway. "Elsa!" Anna exclaimed, and embraced her eagerly, "Oh, Elsa! It's been so long since I've last seen you! I missed you!" "I missed you, too!" Elsa smiled warmly at her. "Oh, I'm so glad you came!" Anna said, "Will you come every year?" "Absolutely," Elsa nodded. "I'm happy to hear it!" Anna said excitedly, "Kristoff will love it, too. Speaking of Kristoff, where is he?" She looked around, and then saw him approach from behind. "Oh, there you are!" she said smiling, and then whispered, "Kristoff, you should have come down right away!" He only rolled his eyes.
She gave him an annoyed look, but tried to be cheerful again. "Listen, I have been getting really antsy to see this baby! So, where is he?" Anna asked, beaming at Elsa. "Here he is," Jacques said, setting down a wicker bassinet carrier. Anna leaned down to peek at him. He had big, blue eyes and a tuft of blonde hair on his head, grinning back happily at her. "Oh! He is the cutest little thing!" she squealed with delight, and a little too harshly to the point of grating Kristoff's ears. "I hate it when she does that," Kristoff muttered to himself, looking irritated. "He is the most darling, precious little thing in the whole world!" she smiled brightly, clasping her hands together, "Elsa, he is beautiful!" "Thank you," Elsa smiled back demurely. "Oh, hello Jacques!" Anna said. "Hello," he replied with a smile.
"Guess who else came to visit?" came a voice, with Olaf walking into the castle, "Sorry, Anna. I probably should have told you I was coming, but I saw Elsa and I got really, really excited! So here I am!" "I'm sorry, he asked to come along," Elsa said with a smile. "Oh no, it's fine. We don't mind having him here," Anna beamed back at her, "That's not a problem at all." Kristoff looked at Anna irritably. "I told you Anna was warm and friendly, she'd never turn me away from a visit," Olaf said to Elsa, and then added mockingly as he eyed Kristoff, "Isn't that right, Sven?" "Well, I'll let you guys unpack and then we can all have dinner! How's that sound?" Anna said. "Sure, we'll be down soon enough," Elsa told her. "Okay," Anna replied, watching them walk off.
She turned to her husband, who had remained quiet the whole time. "Kristoff!" she snapped in an angry whisper. "What?" he asked defensively. "What is wrong with you? You didn't say hello!" she scolded him. "So what? Who cares!" he said, "They're not my family." "Don't be rude," she looked even madder than before, "Seriously? They've come all this way just to see us. Please do me a favor by being a good host." "Have I ever been a good host?" he said sarcastically. She furrowed her brow, and then Kristoff suddenly noticed fire forming in the balls of her fists. "Uh… Anna," he pointed at her, "Your hands." Anna looked down, and appeared to be rather surprised by herself. "Oh," she said. She took a deep breath, and the flames disappeared. "I'm cool now," she told him, "Just don't embarrass me." She walked away from him. He watched her go in a look of astonishment.
Everyone gathered in a red drawing room. Warmth flooded the chamber with tongues of flame licking the wood in the hearth. The yellow flames burned low, casting shadows along the frescos and walls. Jack was lying on the couch with Anna looking down over top of him. "I got your nose! I got your nose!" Anna teased him, and Jack giggled in response. "Where's your nose?" Anna poked him lightly, "There it is!" Jack laughed again. "Oh, oh, let me try! I want to play with the baby!" Olaf said excitedly. "Sure, go right on ahead," Anna said, and Olaf stared at Jack and smiled, "Hey there little buddy! I'm your Uncle Olaf! And you are?" Jack opened his mouth, babbling incoherently. "Oh, that's a nice name," Olaf said, "You've got such a cute little nose, don't you mister?" Jack babbled in response, and Olaf drew closer to him and lightly pinched his nose, "Oh! I got your nose! Where's your nose? Where did it go?" "Where did the funny snowman put your nose?" Anna asked in a playful tone of voice. "Oh, look! I got your nose! I got your nose!" Olaf said. Suddenly, Jack placed both of his hands on Olaf's long, orange nose and yanked it off. "Oh! Oh no! My nose!" Olaf gaped in horror for a moment, and asked, "Where's my nose?" "Oh!" Anna gasped, and then she saw Jack stick the carrot in his mouth and suck on it. "Aw! Now he's got my nose!" Olaf said, noticing that the baby had taken it, "Now Jack, can you please give me back my nose?" Anna laughed, and then called, "Elsa! Look at the baby!"
Elsa turned her head, and flushed slightly with embarrassment, "Oh, I'm sorry, Olaf!" She slipped the carrot out from Jack's fingers and stuck a pacifier in his mouth. "There, that solves it," she said. Olaf held his nose in his hands, and then cringed when seeing drool all over it, "I think I'm going to go wash this off. Be right back." He tottered out of the room.
Elsa sat with him in her lap next to Anna. "Are these your toes?" Anna asked in a playful voice, playing with his legs, "I'm gonna eat them all up!" Jack laughed and waved his arms in the air. "I'm gonna tickle your belly!" Anna blew on his stomach. Jack laughed loudly, feeling ticklish, and Elsa giggled a bit. "Can I hold him?" she asked her sister. "Sure," Elsa handed him to her. "Oh, you are just the cutest little thing, aren't you?" she said affectionately. She turned him to Kristoff, "Look who it is! It's your Uncle Kristoff! Say hi, Kristoff!" "Uh… hi, Jack," Kristoff stared back, looking confused. "Kristoff, remember what we talked about earlier?" she lowered her voice for a second. "What's with the grumpy face?" she said to Jack, playfully, "Hmm? What's with the grumpy face?" She looked at Kristoff again, speaking in a more serious tone of voice, "Smile, Kristoff, will you please?"
Kristoff forced a smile. Anna was taken aback for a moment. Suddenly everyone looked frightened, most of all the baby. He whined a little, sounding as if he was about to cry. "Oh, wow, that's embarrassing," Jacques muttered under his breath, but went quiet when he caught Elsa glaring at him. "Oh, no Jack," Anna tried to coax him, "Look, Uncle Kristoff is happy to see you! He was just trying to be silly, that's all!" Jack only began whimpering more. "Oh no, he's fussing," Elsa said, and she lifted him out of Anna's arms, "I'd better take him off to bed." She disappeared quietly out of the room. Anna looked at her husband, "Kristoff, that smile…" "Awkward, I know," he admitted. "No offense, but you kind of looked like a dork that time," Anna told him bluntly. "Or a psycho," Jacques cracked a smile. "What? Was it really that bad?" Kristoff asked defensively. "Hey everyone!" Olaf came back into the room, "So, what did I miss?" "Kristoff's phony smile," Anna told him, "That scared the living daylights out of Jack." "Kristoff? Kristoff did that?" Olaf asked, and then added, "Kristoff, you ought to be ashamed of yourself!" Kristoff hid his face into his hands, his elbows propped up on his knees. Suddenly, Olaf started laughing, "Oh, boy would I have loved to see that."
Elsa closed the door gently behind her in a dark room lit only by the moonlight. Jack cooed a bit, wriggling in her arms. "Shh," she hushed him, and stroked him gently, "Someone's getting tired." She caressed his cheek softly with a finger, staring tenderly into his blue eyes. He blinked wearily and fussed, and she smiled while fondling his hair, "I'll sing you a lullaby." She sang to him, "You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy, when skies are gray! You'll never know dear, how much I love you! Please don't take my sunshine away!" His eyes were heavy with sleep, yet he still kept them open. "Go to sleep, little one," she said patiently. They listened in silence to the dreamy droning of the crickets, until he finally closed his eyes, drifting off into a deep slumber. She gazed at the sleeping boy in her arms, kissed him tenderly, holding his little hand in hers. "I love you," she whispered to him, even if he had been asleep. She gazed at the moon and shimmering stars, the light from the sky guided her towards the crib that was hidden away in the shadows of the room. She placed him down, pulled a few blankets over him, and then planted a kiss on his cheek. "Goodnight, Jack," she whispered, and quietly walked out the door. All was silent, until Jack began to fidget in his sleep. First he whimpered softly, and then when he opened his eyes he began to cry.
Elsa sat with Anna back in the drawing room with a glass of white wine. "Do you remember all the things we used to do together?" Anna asked. "Of course," Elsa said, "You mean before I was married?" "Well, more like when we were kids," Anna said. "Oh," Elsa replied. "I remember we used to play on the ships whenever we'd go somewhere," Anna told her, "And we'd sing songs, or play dress up. Oh, and we always used to pretend to be pirates." Elsa giggled at that, "And I remember the treasure map you made." They both laughed. "I think you made a better pirate than I did," Elsa said. "What else did we used to do?" "Played dolls," Elsa reminded her. "That's right," Anna said, "And I remember all the times we used to go and outside and play in the snow." Elsa gaped back at her for a moment, "Oh… right." Elsa started thinking about her powers again, and felt a touch of guilt from not having to think of mentioning the truth before. "We should come up with some things to do for the kids. Well, I mean, when Kristoff and I have kids. Kristoff and I are definitely going to have kids," Anna told her, and then stared at Kristoff for a moment, "Right, honey?" "Uh, yeah, of course," Kristoff replied back inattentively. He took a sip from his scotch glass, staring down at a chess board across from Jacques sitting on the other end. Olaf was watching the game, making comments that Kristoff found irritating, "Oh, Sven, it looks like you're going to lose this game." Olaf giggled as he took a drink, and Kristoff glowered back at him.
"You know, I wonder what Jack is going to do when he gets older," Anna babbled on, "He might love the snow as much as you do, or maybe he'll like summer. I guess it's a little too soon to tell right now, but you never know." Elsa felt a pull at her gut, making her uncomfortable. It made her think of Jack, for a reason she didn't exactly know why. Anna stopped smiling all of a sudden, "Elsa, are you ok?" "Yeah, I'm… fine," Elsa said in an uneasy tone of voice. "Are you sure?" Anna asked, unconvinced. "Yes, I'm alright," she told her. She rose to her feet, "I'm going to go check on the baby." "Why?" Anna asked, looking confused. "I'm worried about him," Elsa replied. "Oh, well I'm sure he's fine," Anna told her, waving her hand in the air. "Anna, I'll be right back," Elsa turned to leave the room, her voice sounding more urgent that time. "Elsa, is something wrong?" Anna raised her voice. It had gotten everyone else's attention.
"Is something wrong with Elsa?" Jacques asked, and then Olaf joined in, "Why, what's wrong?" "I don't know," Anna told them, "She just walked out all of a sudden. She's worried about something." "Was it something I said? I can't even remember what I just said," she continued talking, "I mean I've had a few drinks, so I feel like I'm forgetting." "Alright, well I want to see what's going on," Jacques said, and walked past them, "Excuse me." "I feel like I have every right to know about this," Olaf butted in, "So if you'll excuse me as well, I'd like to see what's really going on." "We're all going to talk to Elsa, Olaf," Anna told him, "It concerns me whenever she gets worried, because if gets worried… it usually means that she'll freeze something." Their eyes went open, and at that they all went out the door and brushed past a servant. "More wine?" he asked, and then called after them, "Should I come back later?" With no response, he shrugged his shoulders, "Well, I guess not. More for me, then."
When Elsa got to the door, she saw that it was closed. She didn't remember closing the door when she left. She turned the knob, but it wouldn't open. She twisted it again, but it remained stiff instead of turning. One of the servants was walking past, done from a long day's work. She stopped to notice the queen standing outside the door, "My queen, is there something wrong?" "The door won't open," she said, her voice tense, "Did someone lock this? My baby is inside." "Oh," the servant replied, "Well perhaps a key will do the trick." She pulled a key out from the pocket of her apron, and inserted it through the keyhole. When she twisted it, it wouldn't budge. "It's not working!" she said, looking surprised, "That's odd, it almost always opens." "Are you sure that's the right key?" Elsa asked, panic rising in her voice. "Yes, yes it is," she answered her, "This one always opens the door."
Elsa turned her head to notice her sister and everyone else arriving at the door. "What are you doing here?" Elsa asked. "Well, we were worried about you, so we thought to come and check on you," Anna explained, "What's the matter?" "The door is locked!" Elsa replied frantically. "Elsa, why would anyone lock it?" Jacques asked in a calmer voice, looking confused. "I don't know! The key won't open it!" Elsa cried, tears beginning to well up in her eyes. "Are you sure?" he asked, looking skeptical, "Elsa, you're making a bigger deal out of this than it needs to be." "No, Jacques!" she snapped at him. He flinched back and looked a bit startled. "I know something's wrong!" she glared angrily at him. She looked back with alarm upon hearing a crackling of ice spread from the bottom of the door. She gasped aloud, while everyone else stared back in shock. It filled the hallway, spreading along the floor and the walls, forming large icicles all around. "Oh…" Olaf said aloud, "This isn't good." Elsa blasted down the door. It was just as she feared. The room was completely frozen into solid ice. She stared in disbelief, and then moved closer to Jack's crib in the far corner of the bedroom. Fear filled her as she drew close to see him lying completely still, and he looked as cold as everything else around him. She shuddered. She couldn't bear to reach down and touch him, as much as she wanted to. Sadness was burning through her hotter than fire. She began to cry.
"Elsa," Anna called, running to her. "No," was all she could say, her breath becoming shallower and more labored. Anna stared back, saying nothing, only understanding. Elsa's eyes were pale and growing filmy from shedding tears. "Did I do this?" she managed to say, though weakly. She glanced at Anna, but she looked uncertain. Everyone else walked into the room staring wordlessly. Jacques stood motionlessly in the room. Elsa looked at him, but his eyes were unreadable aside from a look of seriousness. She felt a pang of guilt sting her, wondering if he was angry with her, and muffled her weeping. He paced toward the crib, and looked down inside of it. Olaf broke the silence, "Is he…" Her voice trailed off in fear of saying the wrong thing. "Is he what?" Anna asked apprehensively. "Alive?" Jacques finished for her, and he lifted Jack out of the crib. He noticed a faint movement in his chest. "Yes," he managed to say. Elsa jumped up suddenly, a look of relief on her face. "He's really cold," Jacques said. She stopped again, feeling tears well up in her eyes. "We need to get him to a doctor," Jacques told them. "We could take him to the trolls," Kristoff suggested. "Trolls?" Jacques looked baffled for a moment. "Yes, trolls," Anna said, "They're his family. They've helped us with all kinds of problems." "Oh, alright," Jacques nodded his head, "Trolls it is, then."
"I'll get the coach ready," Kristoff told him, and then left the room. "I'm coming with you," Olaf said, running after him. "Elsa, see? It's okay," Anna said trying to comfort her. "Don't touch me," Elsa withdrew from her, looking away. "Elsa, please don't act like this," Anna said, "We've been through this before." Elsa thought about that for a moment, "I guess you're right." She added, "Anna, what if my powers are coming back? What if they're stronger?" "Worrying about it isn't going to help. It'll do more harm than good," Anna told her, and then she tugged on her arm, "Come on. Let's just go." Elsa pulled away, staring off in silence. "Elsa, aren't you coming?" Anna asked with a concerned look on her face. "Just go," Elsa replied softly, "I'll stay here."
Jacques's voice broke in, "Elsa, it's important that you come along." "No, I can't," she turned to face him. "What's the matter?" he asked. She looked at her son curled up in her husband's arms. "I can't take care of him," she said faintly with a shake of her head. "Elsa," he said, "Elsa, please. Come on, we can figure this out." "I can't do it," she muttered under her breath. "You can't do what?" Jacques asked, managing to hear what she said. "I can't have a family!" she shouted suddenly. Jacques stared back, looking startled. "Let's just face it, I'm better off alone," Elsa turned her face away from him. "No," Jacques pleaded, "Don't say that." "Why not?" she asked, her voice cracking. "Because I need you," he raised his voice for a moment, and then his voice died down, "Your son needs you." She stared at him with watery eyes, and then nodded, "Okay."
The horses led the coach down the dark wooded path. The trees were as black as the night, the spindly boughs freshly powdered, and the forest floor encumbered with white. Hoarfrost covered the blades of grass, supple branches, and flat leaves of the trees that were flaking away. The coachman pulled to a halt as they approached a clearing of rocks with green moss on their backs. He went to go and open the door, and everyone climbed out into the cold, misty air. Everyone moved toward the glade except for the coachman, and the rocks rolled forward, unfurling themselves into little stone trolls. Pabbie immediately noticed the worried looks on their faces, asking, "What's wrong?" "It's my son," Jacques came to him, and then stopped to look at the troll for a moment, "Hi, I'm Jacques. I don't think we've met before." "No, I don't think we have," Pabbie said, "I was wondering who you were." "Don't you recognize him?" Bulda interjected, "That's the king from the other kingdom! Elsa's husband!" "Oh," Pabbie realized suddenly, reminded of the fact, "Somehow I'm not remembering. My apologies." "It's okay," Jacques replied.
"What seems to be the problem?" Pabbie asked him. "He's cold," Jacques said, and then added, "Very cold. My wife thinks he was affected by her powers." "Was he struck by her ice magic?" Pabbie asked. "No," Jacques replied, "We just walked into the room, and we found it completely frozen." "Hmm… perhaps it's something else," Pabbie said, "Now, let's see him." Jacques got down on one knee for him to reach. His stony fingers felt for a pulse while everyone else huddled behind him. "Is he going to be alright?" Olaf asked. "He should be alright," Pabbie told him, and then looked at Jacques, "But you're right about him being very cold." He examined him for another moment. "You know what I think it is? He's probably inherited Elsa's powers," Pabbie explained. "Inherited?" Elsa repeated. "Do you mean he froze himself?" Anna asked him. "Yes," Pabbie answered her. "But wouldn't that mean that he was afraid?" Elsa asked him. "Chances are he might have been," the troll told her. "What do you think scared him?" Anna looked at him wondering. "He was probably scared because he was alone," Pabbie told them, "He needs his mother." The sisters exchanged looks with one another. "What is it called? It's this thing called separation anxiety," the troll said, "It's where the child feels scared if it's away from its mom. It's actually pretty rare for it to happen to a child his age, but it can still happen."
Jack suddenly woke up, and began to wriggle around restlessly. "Oh, maybe I should have talked a bit more quietly," Pabbie lowered his voice. The baby started crying. "Oh, he looks really tired," Bulda said, looking concerned. Jacques tried pulling the blanket over him, but he only resisted. "Isn't he cold?" Jacques asked. "Well, I think that if has powers of his own, he might not be. He probably just exhausted himself after crying. He's probably okay. I'm sure it's just distress," Pabbie explained. He looked at Elsa, "I'm sure you could ease his pain. How about trying to hold him?" Elsa stared back tensely, "I'm afraid to touch him." "Elsa, please hold him, he's your son," Pabbie urged her. "What if I hurt him?" she asked. "No, just trust me. You won't," he replied, "There's no reason to fear. Remember what we've been through with your sister? It'll be alright."
Elsa hesitated for a moment. "Alright," she agreed, and knelt down beside her husband. "Here," he said, handing him over. She took him gently in her arms, peering up anxiously back at Jacques. Jack shifted his body slightly and started to feel warm again. He slowly opened his eyes, the color coming back to his face. "Jack!" she cried out, "He's okay!" Anna smiled as she watched, and wiped a tear from her face. Bulda and the other trolls grinned from ear to ear at the sight of her embracing him tightly, nuzzling him closely to her chest. Elsa gently brushed his soft hair with her hand. He looked at her with trusting eyes. "It seems that your son is extremely attached to you," Pabbie observed, and then added, "It must be because you both share the same power." "Do you really think that's why?" Olaf asked, suddenly curious. "Certainly," Pabbie said, "I've seen it before. In fact, children tend to gravitate towards magic at a very young age, even at his age. I believe it may help to strengthen the bond." Jack grabbed her hand, and stared at her wearily. "I think it's time we should start heading back," Elsa told them, rising to her feet, "Thank you." "My pleasure, Your Grace," Pabbie took a slight bow, "You can always come to me. For anything." "Yeah, you're right. We'd better head back, before someone suspects that there's something going on," Kristoff said, "What about that huge hole in the wall back at the castle?"
Back at the castle, the wine servant came walking down the long hall. He stopped suddenly, his eyes going wide when he thought he saw a huge hole in the wall with ice all around. The wine bottle fell from the tray he was holding, but he paid no notice because he was feeling a bit drunk. "Am I hallucinating?" he asked himself as he stared, "Something's not quite right, but I can't put my finger on it." He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, "Oh well, better get off to bed."