Chapter 7
While Anna and Kristoff were out, Elsa was doing some paper work in her office. A few hours had passed since they left. Her mind kept drifting to Anna. She was so worried about her little sister. As she recalled Anna was quite handful as a young child, she used to get constantly scolded by their mother and father. Although teenage Anna was constantly getting berated by her. This situation was different, as Anna was in a body and mind of a five year old, so she could be unpredictable and more vulnerable.
She let out a deep sigh, as she put her quill down. Turning to look out her window, wondering what Kristoff and Anna were up too. She hoped he didn't take her too far away from the castle, as danger lurked in the woods beyond Arendelle. She hated to admit but she was slightly on edge about Hans escaping prison. If word got out about the princess than anyone could take this to their advantage.
She was brought out of her thoughts, when a knock resounded on her door.
"Come in" she looked up to the door, to see Gerda carrying a tray off tea
"Here's your tea, you requested your majesty" Gerda walked over to Elsa's desk, looking at the dazed look on her Queen's face. She knew what it was about. The Queen had informed the castle staff about the situation with Anna; however they were sworn to secrecy not to let it go beyond the castle walls.
"Thank you Gerda, any sign of Kristoff and Anna?"
"No your majesty, I'm sure they're fine, Kristoff wouldn't let anything happen to the little lady" Gerda looked at the Queen with a warm and genuine smile on her face. Elsa knew that Kristoff would risk his life Anna, but she couldn't help but worry.
A Gerda took her leave, Elsa finished the documents she was currently doing while sipping her tea.
"Elsaaaaaa" She heard a little voice bellow down the corridor of the castle, she was than greeted by her little sister who burst into her room, with Kristoff hot on her heals. The little girl jumped onto her sister's lap. Elsa let out a smile as she hugged Anna
"Elsaaa you're hugging me too hard" she whined trying to get out of her sister's death grip
"Sorry" Elsa let out a sheepish smile as she lessened her grip on the child; she looked up to an out of breath Kristoff, who was leaning on his hands on his knees, looking, flushed
"Were you a good girl for Kristoff?" Anna shook her head furiously
"Yep I'm always a good girl Elsa! We met some trolls!" Anna bounced up and down on Elsa's lap
"Is that so?" At this Elsa looked at Kristoff questioningly, not sure if to get mad at the fact he was visiting them with Anna, without her acknowledgement. Or that she didn't think to meet the trolls earlier. He gave her an uneasy smile in return
"Yep, they were really funny!" she was so delighted to have met some trolls today, she knew they existed
"Hmmm, well it sounds like you had quite the adventure today, why don't you play with this book, while Kristoff and I talk, okay?" Elsa lifted the little girl off her lap, while placing her on the floor with a book about fairy tales. Anna looked up at the two adults both of them had a concerned look on their faces.
"We're just going outside, we won't be long sweetie" Both Elsa and Kristoff made their way outside of Elsa's room, making sure that Anna wasn't within ear shot. As soon as they were out of Anna's earshot, Elsa rounded on Kristoff with an annoyed look on her face
"Why didn't you tell me you were going to visit the trolls?" she tried keeping her voice down, trying not garner any unwanted attention from the castle staff. Kristoff was trying not to look directly into Elsa's eyes; the woman could be really scary.
"I didn't want you to worry! You needed to be at the castle" He exclaimed gaining more and more confidence. He felt the temperature in the air slightly drop, as he looked directly into Elsa's icy blue eyes.
"If it concerns my sister I have every right to know, I should've gone with you!" Elsa was furious at Kristoff now; she could feel ice at the tips of her fingers, willing it to go away. After a few Minutes Elsa calmed down knowing Kristoff had good reasoning behind his decision.
"I'm sorry Elsa, I should've told you" He bowed his head once again, Elsa sighed taking a deep breath
"Did they tell you what was wrong with her?" Kristoff looked into Elsa's eyes; all he could see was hope. Like he felt when he was with the trolls earlier
"Well…. I've got some good news and some bad news…." He drifted off, Elsa's stomach flipped at this
"Just tell me now" Once again raising her voice
"Good news is I know what has caused it….Bad news is that Grandpabbie doesn't know of a cure…" Elsa's head was reeling at this; she thought the trolls knew all kinds of cures. He continued to explain
"Grandpabbie told me that such magic is caused by a magician called Merlin, who can create spells and potions" Elsa's mind was trying to take in the new found information she was just told. She saw Kritstoff shuffle uncomfortably in his place. There must be more to it.
"He also mentioned it could be dark magic….." Kristoff droned out. She ran her fingers through her blonde hair, clearly stressed
"Did mention any cures?" She felt the floor beneath her feet covered in ice, luckily Kristoff didn't notice
"I'm not entirely sure, Grandpabbie didn't tell me much" He glanced at the tall woman, who was visibly dazed
"Why are you yelling?" The little voice announced looking up at her sister and Kristoff. They both didn't realise that their voices kept voices getting louder.
"It's nothing sweetie, why don't you go back into my room. I'll be there in a second" She said as she walked over to Anna and patted the girl on the head, ushering her into her room. Elsa than turned back to Kristoff, concern clearly etched on her face.
"This whole situation is a mess" Kristoff only nodded at this not sure what else to say
"I better get back to Anna; she's probably causing havoc in my room right now as we speak" Elsa turned back to her door thanking Kristoff for looking after Anna. As she entered the room, she saw the little girl jumping up and down on her neatly made bed.
"Anna" she sternly stated "Get off my bed now" the little girl got off the bed, bouncing towards her sister
"Sorrrrrry" the red head sung, hugging her sister. Elsa patted her on the head
"jus-" She was about to say something when she was interrupted by Kai, one of her servants.
"I'm sorry your majesty, but you have a meeting in five minutes" She berated herself, she forgot all about her meeting. She was too focused on Anna that she forgot.
"Okay Kai, I'll be there in 2 minutes" She looked down at her sister wondering what to do with the little girl, while she was in her meeting
"Can I come with you to your meeting Elsie?" Anna using Elsa's childhood nickname for effect
"I'm sorry dear, but you will have to stay with Kai" she crouched down to the eye level of the strawberry blonde, brushing a stray hair out of her hair
"But I wanna play" Anna pouted, folding her chubby arms
"I've got an important meeting to attend to, which children can't attend" she relayed to her younger sister. Secretly she didn't want her sister to come, as she didn't want anyone else finding out about her 'condition'. She was meeting with a few royals from other kingdoms, concerning their relations.
"You're no fun Elsa" Anna stuck her tongue out at her elder sister, trying to get a reaction from the older blonde
"Watch your tongue young lady, or you won't get chocolate cake later" she teased the young girl. Picking her up in the process. She than realized Kai had been standing outside her room for her.
She then handed over her sister to one of her most trusted servants, she knew Anna was in safe hands and that she shouldn't worry, however she couldn't help but feel uneasy
"Now you are a good girl for Kai" She kissed Anna on the head. Elsa than disappeared towards the grand hall where the meeting was taking place, she felt slightly guilty for leaving Anna but she had no choice, the relations between the other kingdoms still had a little bit of tension since the great thaw.
She entered the room to be greeted by five portly men each sitting at a round table, each dressed in the royal dress of their respective countries. They watched as the queen proceeded to the head of the table to take her place.
"Good afternoon gentlemen" She curtly announced, gracefully taking her seat, two guards place either side of her chair.
"Your majesty" All five men chimed, looking at the queen wearily. No matter how much she tried they were still cautious of her.
"I would like to discuss the situation" she announced chills running down her spine. Unbeknownst to her that her sister had other plans.