Anna looked at the windows with much excitement. It had been four months since the letters were sent, and Anna had been counting down the days for the grand arrival.
"Which one is better, coral, rose, carnation pink, fandango, lavender—" Andrea threw all the dresses out of the cabinet.
"Hey, what about this olive-coloured one?" Fredrick jeered as he picked up a green gown.
"Eew, I am not going to wear it!"
"Just wear it!"
"But it does not look good on me!"
"It does!"
"Does not!"
"It does!"
"Does not!"
"It does!"
"Does not!"
"Children, no arguing!" Anna said dreamily, actually did not mind the little quarrel.
"What about this wisteria one?" Andrea picked up the gown with puffy short sleeves that had skirts flared out with layers of petticoat.
"You always look good on anything, like your mother." Kristoff scooped Andrea from behind.
"Oh, Kristoff, have you—?" Anna began but soon stopped, gawking at her husband.
Kristoff was in his silver suit, looking smart and sophisticated. Anna simply could not leave her eyes off him.
"Tell me, does it go well with the hat?" Kristoff put on his blue sailor cap while Andrea was placed on his shoulder.
"Kristoff, that does not go well with the hat!" Anna said.
"Okay. Be honest, does the costume work without the hat?" He took off his hat.
"It doesn't work with the hat!" Anna raised her eyebrows.
"So what about the hat?"
"Forget the hat, you big old baby!" Anna exclaimed and snatched the hat.
Andrea sniggered at the funny scene. Kristoff sighed and put down Andrea.
"Now, you two, just behave yourselves and do what you are told." Krsitoff told the children. "Don't make a fuss, okay?"
"Got it, blue sailor cap guy!" Andrea and Fredrick chanted and dashed out of the room without being told twice.
Estelle stayed in her room for the whole day. Whenever she thought of the scene with swarms of people standing in front of her, the frost will grow on the ground and the air surrounding became mist.
"Don't panic. Just stay calm, you're going to be fine. Just stay calm." She muttered.
Then the door swung open, fretting her and the frost covered the floor with few inches thick.
"Estelle?" Elsa asked. "May I come in?"
Estelle nodded hesitantly, and her mother came in, patting her shoulder. At the moment when Elsa touched her shoulder, Estelle whimpered, obviously frightened that she might hurt her mother.
"Do you wear gloves?" Elsa offered.
Estelle looked at her mother, not knowing what she should answer. Elsa took out a pair of teal gloves and gently pulled Estelle's hands onto her lap and helped her to wear the gloves.
"Now, don't be afraid. You're not alone." Elsa beamed at her.
"What if I embarrass myself in front of everyone? What if I shoot ice to people and hurt them? What if they think I am a monster?"
"Relax, there's nothing to worry of, as long as you control your fear and think positively."
Estelle looked thoughtful for a while, pondering over her mother's words. Then, she gave the queen a weak smile.
"Good, I will meet you at the ball room. Just relax and enjoy yourself tonight." Elsa patted her daughter's head and left the room.
A large ship arrived at the fjord of Arendelle. The full-rigged ship had a flag pole at the bowsprit, featuring the flag of The Western-Isle. The king walked out of a room and stood on to the deck.
"Oh, Arendelle. My most precious trade partner, let me find more of your secrets." The king grinned.
"Papa, is that Arendelle?" A little girl popped out from the room that the king had just came out from. She had curly brown hair that reached her waist, and green eyes that shone like emerald. While clutching her fluffy teddy bear tightly, she looked around, wondering what Arendelle looked like.
"Louisa, look!" Jonas yelled and pointed at the quay. "Now this is what Arendelle looks like."
The Arendelle wharf was ever so busy, offloading and carrying of goods did not seem to have ceased for any moment. Looking up from the dock, Jonas could see the green mountains and little cottages flourishing with prosperity. The sky was ever so azure, with an occasion of cotton-like clouds passing by, otherwise the sky would be clear, like a reflection of the deep blue ocean.
As the three came down from the ship, they were welcomed by Kai.
"Your Majesty." Kai bowed deeply. "The carriage is ready."
The king nodded and the trio got into the carriage and it carried them to the castle. While on their way, Jonas and Louisa peeped out from the window and gasped with surprise, for both of them had never seen such scenery, cobbled roads and quaint shops on each side of the road, fishermen selling seafood that could not be found in their country, large furry draft horses pulling sledges and people playing willow flute and bukkehorn.
When they passed through the castle gates, a large stone castle appeared in front of them, with Arendelle flags on the stone walls. As soon as the carriage stopped, they stepped out of the carriage and entered the castle. While the children were examining the portraits on the wall, the king led them to the ball room.
"King Frederick of Kramned and Prince Tobias of Kramned!"
"King Oscar of Nedews, Princess Silvia of Nedews and Prince Daniel of Nedews!"
"King Eldar of Ísland and Princess Richenza of Ísland!"
"King Henrik of The Western-Isles, Prince Jonas of The Western-Isles and Princess Louisa of The Western-Isles!"
Henrik and his children bowed with respect. Elsa and Erik nodded politely, while Estelle hid herself behind her mother's gown. Jonas caught the glimpse of the princess and grinned. So she's Princess Estelle, he thought.
"It is a pleasure to be invited to Arendelle." Henrik said. "But I am not sure if our appearances bother the princess."
Estelle hid herself in the shadows, hoping to escape from reality.
"Estelle, be decent."
Estelle bit her lip and nodded at the three guests while frowning, then quickly hid behind her mother again.
"Looks like the princess is shy. Perhaps we should go and have some nice chats with the others." Henrik chuckled and left.
Estelle popped her head out of the shadows, watching the two children walking away with their father. Jonas looked back and waved at her, grinning broadly. Estelle's cheeks reddened as she waved back with carefulness. What had attracted her attention were his bright sapphire eyes that were wide and deep like the ocean, with sophistication and insight. She held her breath and gazed at him until he disappeared into the crowd.
"Estelle, what are you looking at?" Elsa asked.
"Nothing."
Elsa knew nothing comes from nothing, she glanced at the crowd, wondering what had made her daughter so engrossed.
"Mama, do you think I can go out and chat with the others?" Estelle asked bravely, knowing that there was a great possibility that the queen would forbid her from doing so.
Elsa looked at her sparkling eyes that shone with prospects. She was at first trying to say no, but thinking how little her child would tell her mother what she wanted, it was a great chance for Elsa to satisfy her will, as well as to strengthen their bond.
"You may, but come back soon."
Estelle showed a huge smile and disappeared into the crowd. She was finding someone, someone that had caught her special attention. Due to her concentrated state of mind, she accidentally bumped into another child.
"Oh, sorry." Estelle immediately lowered her head and attempted to walk away, but was stopped by the enchanting voice.
"That's nothing."
She looked up and saw the smart outfit matched perfectly with his face. Jonas beamed at her, clearly did not mind what she did just now.
"You must be Princess Estelle." He began.
Estelle was surprised, she opened her mouth but there was nothing for her in her mind to continue the conversation.
"I'm Jonas, The Western-Isles."
"Nice to meet you." Estelle smiled politely, trying to act like a perfect and demure princess, but soon found that was ridiculous and did not look natural.
"Want some chocolate?" He pointed at the silver plate at the table which was filled a heap of chocolate.
Estelle nodded and went to the table with him. She carefully picked one and took a bite. The amazing sensation of the chocolate soothed her tension and made her grin.
"Is this the first time you come to Arendelle?" She asked.
"I think so, at least I don't have any memories about here."
Estelle simply could not continue the chat. She bit her lip and stared at the floor, discovering that frost began to grow under her feet. Fearing that Jonas would regard her as a freak if he found that out, she took a step backwards, smiling with a slight hint of embarrassment.
"Estelle! Estelle!"
Andrea and Fredrick broke through the crowd and dashed towards Estelle.
"Papa just now gives us a willow flute, saying that it is a traditional instrument of the Sami." Andrea showed Estelle a tube.
"That's really amazing." Jonas chipped in.
The three looked at him. Andrea gawked for a while before introducing herself.
"I'm Andrea, Estelle's cousin. This is my brother Fredrick."
"I'm Jonas' sister, Louisa." A voice rang from behind Jonas.
Louisa came out and showed a friendly smile.
"Oh, would you like a tour around our castle?" Andrea suggested.
"Andrea—" Estelle began.
"I think it's a good idea. Right, Jonas?" Louisa turned to her brother.
"Why not? I think it's boring to stay here and do nothing."
"Let's go!" Andrea pulled Estelle's hand and the five disappeared into the dark hallway.