Chapter VI: Back Home

Kai looked at his grave with Elsa next to him. His eyes focused intently on the carved words. Then, he looked around him. He looked at the other graves, and realized that no one was buried here. These graves were just memorials. Snow fell lightly over the grave, and over their heads.

Images started to flash in Kai's mind. He heard screaming in his mind, and the scene of fire. His eyes widened, not wanting to remember the pain. Kai fell to his knees, seeing the horrific images replaying themselves in his brain. He couldn't show it. The memory was too painful. Elsa knelt next to him, and looked at his eyes. She saw that they were empty, but at the same time, pulled with pain. There was something Kai wasn't telling her. That was something she had to know.

She put her hand on his back and rubbed it. Kai looked at Elsa with pained eyes. She looked closely at his, and saw flames burning in his red eyes.

"Kai..." Elsa said. "There's something your not telling me."

Kai stood up, and turned his back to Elsa. He held his hands together. How could he tell her, if he had trouble dealing with it himself? Kai didn't want to tell her, but he knew that she would be able to comfort him. Kai cleared his throat, and turned back to Elsa, not meeting her eyes.

"Remember the old lady and her son that took care of me?" Kai asked.

Elsa nodded.

The images started to flash in Kai's mind again. His eyes widened, and a single tear ran down his cheek.

"It was about a month since they found me. I wasn't fully well. It was a dark morning, and rain fell hard against the house." Kai said. Elsa listened patiently, and silently. "The son... he looked out the window, and told me to go out back. I offered to help with whatever was going on, but he insisted. I did as he asked. I took one look back, and found a bunch of goons beating the boy at the door. I tried to help, but the old lady stopped me. She told me to run, and I did. As I left the house, I could see the men set it on fire. I could've stopped them, but I let those two innocent people die!"

Kai fell to his knees, and started to sob. Elsa has never seen Kai break down like that. It hurt her on the inside. She couldn't bear seeing him so distressed. Elsa knelt next to Kai, and rubbed his back.

"It's not your fault..." Elsa said.

"It is my fault! I let those who helped me survive die. I couldn't help them in return... I'm a coward." Kai barked.

Elsa stood up and turned her back. She couldn't believe the words Kai was saying to her. He stopped believing in himself when she didn't.

"The Kai I love is many things," Elsa said, "but he's not a coward!"

Kai looked up at Elsa. He couldn't act like this in front of her. Once, he gave her hope. What hope would she have if Kai didn't have any? Kai stood up, and put his hands on her shoulders. Elsa crossed her arms, and put her hands over his. She then let them go, turned around, and looked up at Kai. She hugged him, and he let it happen. He needed this. He hasn't felt this much affection in a long time. He missed the way Elsa would hug him. He missed the way Elsa would kiss him.

They stared at each other when they let go. Kai stopped crying, but Elsa's eyes were tearing up. Kai didn't know why she was crying, and neither did Elsa.

"It's not your fault." Elsa said. "There was nothing you could do."

"I could've helped them. I could've attacked them..."

"You were hurt!"

"That's not an excuse!"

Silence. They both didn't know what to say to each other afterwords. Elsa knew that Kai could've done something, but that may have not ended well for Kai. Kai didn't care, though. He owed those people, and he let them burn. Kai could never forgive himself for that. It was easy for Elsa to say it wasn't his fault. She had never experience this pain. That memory haunted Kai's dreams ever since.

"We should go..." Elsa said.

Kai looked down at his feet, and then looked at the castle.

"Yeah..." Kai said.

Kai walked off to the castle, and Elsa ran next to him. She held his hand, but he didn't grab hers. Elsa knew that Kai wasn't in the mood, but she had to find a way to cheer him up. As they walked, Elsa pondered how she would cheer Kai up. There weren't a lot of things that made him happy.

The two entered the castle without saying a word. They walked to the grand main hall, and Kai stopped. Elsa followed his example.

"What's the matter?" Elsa asked.

"I... I don't know what to do now." Kai said.

Kai usually had a plan. He usually knew what to do. Very little times has he found himself without the guidance of others. Elsa smiled. Kai needed her help. He had things to do, and Elsa was the one to give out those things. Eventually, Kai would have to go back to work as her Captain of the Guard, but Elsa decided it was best to give him a break.

Elsa grabbed Kai's hand, and led him to a room on the side of the main hall. Elsa opened up the door, and told Kai to walk in. There was nothing in the room but a portrait of Elsa's father with a sword displayed on a table in front of it. Kai walked in front of the table, and Elsa stood behind him.

"That was my dad's sword." Elsa told Kai. Elsa walked up and picked up the sword. Kai looked up at the picture of the old king. It depicted him at his coronation. "He left it here when he went on his trip." Elsa continued.

"Why did he go?" Kai asked.

"I don't know why, but I know that he went to Corona for some reason." Elsa replied. "Here." Elsa held the sword's handle in front of Kai. "Seeing as you lost your Captain's sword, you need a replacement."

Kai looked at the sword. "I can't accept this."

"Please. He won't need it, and you do. Kai, I insist."

Kai understood that this was important to Elsa. He couldn't let her down. Not again. Kai took a deep breath and took the sword. Elsa stood back while Kai spun it around. He imitated hitting someone with it. The sword was lighter than his old one, but he ignored that fact. He strapped it to his waist, and thanked Elsa.

"Do you remember that cafe we usually go to in the afternoon during summer?" Elsa asked.

Kai smiled. "How could I forget?"

"Why don't we stop by there really quick?"

"It's not summer time." Kai joked.

Elsa held onto Kai's arm, and they walked out of the room to the grand door that led to the courtyard. Elsa felt proud of herself. She was able to put a smile on Kai's face. Things looked bright for them today. Kai smiled and looked at Elsa as he opened the door. When he opened the door, they were deafened by the sound of clapping. In the courtyard, many people stood there clapping their hands together at the sight of Kai and Elsa. Colorful banners hung around the courtyard. Tables filled with food were around the courtyard. Musicians played in a corner. Olaf was with a few children, teaching them how to build a snowman. Kristoff stood at the front of the crowd, smiling.

"What is this?" Kai asked Elsa.

"A party." Elsa answered.

"Did you set this up?" Kai asked.

"No." said Anna's voice behind them. They turned around and saw Anna smiling behind them. "I did."

Elsa hugged Anna. It felt good for Anna to have her sister back. She longed for affection from her sister ever since she isolated herself once again. Elsa was glad that she could return to her old self again. Anna let go of the hug, and smiled at the couple.

"How're you guys enjoying each other's company?" Anna asked.

Elsa put her head on Kai's undamaged shoulder. "Good to have him back." Elsa said.

Anna walked past the couple, and stood in front of the crowd. She raised her hand in the air, and they became silent. Anan spoke to them in a loud voice. "Today, we celebrate the return of Captain Kai!" The crowd cheered, and clapped. Anna walked down the short few steps to the courtyard, and hugged Kristoff. Kai and Elsa followed Anna down.

Kristoff kissed Anna's cheek, and smiled. "Quite a party we threw, huh." Kristoff said.

Anna smirked. "Kai won't come back uncelebrated."

The couples looked at each other, and the sister smiled at each other. If only their parents could see them now. As a child, Elsa didn't think she'd ever find love, and as a child, that's what Anna dreamed about. But, both were now happy.

"I better socialize with some guests." Kai told Elsa. Elsa nodded, and pecked his lips. Kai walked off, leaving the three alone. Kai walked to a group of civilians, and started talking. They talked about unimportant things, and that bored Kai to death. But, he knew it was professional for him to socialize with them, and it would make him look better with Elsa.

Anna looked at Kristoff. "Where's Sven?" Anna asked.

Kristoff pointed to one of the food tables. The girls looked over at it and saw that it was a huge mess. Food was scattered everywhere on and off the table. The plates were broken, and the guests stood a few feet back from it. Sven was running around the table, eating whatever he liked. Who knew what the limits to his appetite were.

Kristoff covered his face with his hands, embarrassed with his friend. Anna and Elsa were laughing at the mess. Sven amused them so much, and they never got sick of it. Then, they looked over at Olaf who was flirting with a female snowman the children made for him. The snow woman wasn't alive like Olaf, but that didn't stop Olaf from chatting her up.

The three walked up to Olaf, and he looked up at them.

"Hi guys!" Olaf exclaimed.

Elsa patted Olaf's head, and he chuckled. "Hey Olaf. Who's your little friend?" Elsa asked.

"This is Olafa!" Olaf answered.

"So original." Kristoff whispered in Anna's ear. Anna punched Kristoff's arm, and he yelped in pain.

"Be nice." Anna ordered.

Elsa twirled her fingers over Olafa, and they watched in awe as magic spread over the snow woman. Olaf gasped as he saw Elsa work her magic. Olafa's black eyes started to look more like eyes. Eye lashes popped out over Olafa's eyes. Soon, Olafa turned her head to look at Olaf.

Olafa hugged Olaf, and Olaf was paralyzed. His crush was showing affection to him.

"H... Hi... Hi Olafa..." Olaf said.

Olafa blinked, and smiled. She didn't talk at all, but she held Olaf's stick hands. If snowmen could blush, Olaf would be doing it right now. Olafa led Olaf away, and he followed star struck.

"Awww..." Anna and Elsa said at the same time. They adored the new couple. The three watched Olaf and Olafa play with thick, colorful sticks. Olafa held the stick as Olaf connected it to another part.

"Aren't those the fireworks?" Kristoff asked. Anna and Elsa ignored him. They were too busy looking at the cute couple.

Olaf took off his arm, and scraped it on a small peace of stone on the ground. The peace wasn't covered by sand. Fire was on his stick arm, and Olaf lit the firework while Olafa was still holding it.

"Uh-oh." Kristoff said.

The firework shot into the air with Olafa. When it was high enough, the firework exploded. Dozens of colors flashed in the sky, and popping sounds were heard. Everyone in the courtyard looked up at the spectacular sight. Kai looked up in awe at the show of color. Soon, the fireworks stopped, and Olafa was no where to be found.

"Awww..." Anna and Elsa said in disappointment.

Olaf waddled to the trio with a smile on his face. Then, Olaf immediately broke into frozen tears.

"Can you make another one?" Olaf asked Elsa while crying.

"Uhh..." Elsa said, unsure. She didn't want to let Olaf down, but she didn't trust him with another woman. It would end up just as bad as this one did. "I gotta go." Elsa told Olaf. Elsa walked away, and walked towards Kai.

The people Kai was talking to were aware of Elsa's presence, and they assumed she wanted to talk to him privately. They bowed to Kai, and walked away. Kai turned to see Elsa, and smiled at her. He spun her around and hugged her. She giggled and kiss Kai's cheek. Then, she saw Kai grab his right shoulder, and wince. Kai was still in pain, and he tried not to show it.

"How's your arm?" Elsa asked.

"Still a pain to move it." Kai answered. "But, I'll manage. I've experience worst pains."

That wasn't true. For those months, Kai was in the worst pain in his life. He's never been shot with a bullet before Deren, and he assumed that it wasn't something he wanted to experience. Well, there's a first time for everything.

"Enjoying the party?" Elsa asked.

"I'm having a swell time, despite the fact that I'm stuck talking about politics with these people, and I haven't even tried the food. Plus, I could've sworn I saw Olaf fly up with the fireworks." Kai answered

"Don't worry about it." Elsa said.

Kai rubbed his arms, and took a deep breath. He was able to see his breath. Elsa could never see her breath since her body had a natural resistance to cold. Kai usually did too, but Kai's body was currently weak.

"Wish I brought a jacket." Kai said.

"I bet." Kristoff's voice said. Anna and Kristoff walked next to them, and the sisters hugged. KaI looked at Kristoff in envy. Kristoff wore his ice mining outfit, and he stayed nice and warm.

"Lucky..." Kai said.

Kristoff laughed, and friendly smacked Kai's back. Kai winced in pain. His back was still sore from his fall, and Kai showed it on his face. Kristoff's smile faded.

"I'm sorry, Kai." Kristoff said.

"It's alright." Kai said.

Elsa looked at Anna with a saddened face. "Anna... I'm sorry." Elsa said.

"For what?" Anna asked confused.

"For last night. I was out of line. I was too harsh. I was-"

"You don't owe me an apology." Anna smiled. "I understand. You were upset, and distraught. We've all been there. Let's just forger about it, okay?"

Elsa smiled, and hugged her sister once more. This time, she kissed her on the cheek. Elsa's kiss was warm. Usually, they felt cold to Anna.

Then, the group looked at the center of the courtyard. Around the fountain, the crowed made a big circle. A few party goers walking into the circle and started to dance. Olaf joined them and started to dance with some children. He seemed unfazed by the whole Olafa incident. It was nice to see him smile again. The kids took Olaf apart and started to dance with his individual pieces. For some reason, Olaf enjoyed it.

Anna grabbed Kristoff's hands and ran to the dance area. He almost tripped, but he ran behind her, smiling. Together, they danced to a fast paced song while Kai and Elsa watched. Anna and Kristoff were having the time of their life. They did so many dance moves, and many of them were hard to keep track of.

Kai and Elsa stood at the front of the crowd, and watched in awe. They couldn't believe Anna's enthusiasm, yet, they did. This was expected of Anna. Soon, the music slowed down, and the mood changed. The music became a love song. Couples in the crowd walked onto the dance floor, and did a slow dance, hand in hand. Kai held his hand out in front of Elsa.

"That's sweet of you," Elsa said, "only I don't dance."

"Neither do I." Kai smiled.

That made Elsa feel better. They would improvise this together. Elsa took Kai's hand, and he led her onto the dance area. No one in the dance area seemed to care about the snow on the ground. As they danced, facing each other, Elsa put her head on Kai's shoulder.

"I missed these days." Elsa said.

"Me too." Kai said.

They could remember the first time the danced together. It was on the soon to be The Royal III's deck, on their way to Teranhall. Olaf played the violin as they danced. After the dance, they had their first kiss. It was one of Elsa's fondest memories, and one of Kai's as well. They had learned so much on their adventure together, and most importantly, they learned about their feelings toward each other.

Then, Elsa let go of Kai. She turned around in a full circle to look at everybody.

"Anyone want to go skating?" Elsa asked the crowd.

The crowd cheered to the idea. Elsa stomped on the ground, and ice spread over the ground. The snow that once covered it disappeared. Then, from the ice, ice skates formed under everyone's feet. Soon enough, people started to skate around Elsa's little rink. Anna and Kristoff danced with each other as they skated. Olaf slid around like a penguin.

Elsa looked at Kai who had his arms sticking out to his sides, struggling to keep his balance.

"This is nice and all, but I can't skate." Kai said.

Elsa grabbed Kai's hands, and dragged him along with her. She held one of his hands while she skated. He tried so hard to keep his balance while she enjoyed the rink. He was always under the danger of falling. Elsa saw Kai's struggle, and dragged him to an area without ice. Kai stomped his feet on the ground, breaking his skates.

"Let's not do that again please." Kai suggested.

Elsa laughed at Kai. Kai couldn't believe she found this funny. He obviously doesn't. He doesn't skate very well, and he didn't understand how he was able to slide down one of Elsa's ice slides one time. He guessed he got lucky.

Kai looked to see that they were next to an open gate. The gate opened up to the stone bridge that led to the rest of Arendelle. Kai and Elsa held hands and walked on the bridge. They looked at their reflections in the water. The fjord wasn't frozen, but it was icy water, and it was thick.

"How about that cafe?" Kai smiled.

They walked together through the city. They acknowledged those who stopped to say hi. People stopped in their tracks when they saw Elsa. They haven't seen Elsa in public for a long time. Her presence surprised them, and Elsa knew it. She was amused by the expressions on their faces. Some men drooled when they saw Elsa. They thought she was the most beautiful thing they've ever seen. Kai noticed this. He held his hand out and created a fireball whenever he saw men do this. They would yelp and walk away.

As they walked, Kai told Elsa about his meeting with the kingdom. She was glad to hear that they would continue business with Arendelle. Arendelle would need all of the help it could get. It already has made enemies with a few other countries.

They soon came across the cafe, and the waiter there greeted them as friends. They took their usual seats, and ordered what they always did; Kai ordered coffee, and Elsa ordered tea. They relaxed as they enjoyed their drinks.

"This is nice." Kai said.

"Yeah." Elsa agreed.

"Now, we just need some icing on the cake." Kai said.

Elsa knew what Kai meant. Kai leaned forward, and closed his eyes. Elsa leaned forward to kiss his lips, but before their lips touched, someone interrupted them.

"Milady." A guard said.

They looked to the side of their table, and saw a castle guard standing there.

"What do you want?" Kai asked.

The guard pulled a letter out of his coat pocket, and gave it to Elsa. The guard walked off while Elsa opened the letter. Elsa's eyes widened when she read it. After a minute, Elsa dropped the letter on the ground and stood up. She walked away from the cafe, and Kai watched confused. Kai picked up the letter, and read it. His eyes also widened.

Dear Queen Elsa of Arendelle,

You have been accused of being responsible for the eternal winter many months back at Teranhall. A war council, hosted by the Southern Isles, was held. The executive decision was based on you being a threat. Misunderstood or not, you have been considered dangerous by the majority of the kingdoms. The kingdoms, purely looking out for their own safety, have agreed to support a war effort on Arendelle behind the name of the Southern Isles. We are sorry to inform you that war has been declared on the country of Arendelle. You still have the right to request a peace council hosted by your own kingdom. Best regards.

From, The Kingdom of the Southern Isles