Trips, Tailors and Tight shirts
Hey guys me again!
Here's the next installment to Frozen 2: Love Defrosted. I've been getting some good feedback from you guys about this book so far and it's definitely helped! Enjoy!
I enjoy walking through Arendelle like this, a free queen feeling comfortable around her own people, and they around her. Seeing all these very different faces greeting me, all happy to see their queen in the flesh this often compared to, well never! A small family walking with their child wave to me, and as I return the gesture I realize I recognize them; the mother is the same lady that I bumped into on that night while I was fleeing from that horrible Duke of Weasleton, I'm so glad he's been dismissed from my beautiful town. Their young son is already walking! I recall him sleeping in his mother's arms when we first met, though I was glad he couldn't conceive me.
I continue my stroll, taking in the sights and sounds of this wonderful place, I can finally explore my home how I'd always wanted to; unrestricted and without fear! I'll never get tired of thi- I see him, that auburn hair is unmistakable, as is his slender build. That MOSTER of a man! How dare he set foot in my kingdom after he tried to kill me and, worst of all, Anna! I bound towards Hans and I'm ready to call my guards to arms when he turns to me and I halt in my tracks. This is not the same man that my attempted murderer was, but a simple man with a respectable posture, and a puzzling look. "Queen Elsa? Are you okay your Majesty?"
"I'm…" I'm out of breath! "I'm fine, sorry for startling you…" This isn't right. I'm seeing that slimeball everywhere. I'm being ridiculous! He's gone back to the Southern Isles, where he no doubt will feel the wrath of his brothers once the French Foreign Dignitary delivers him to them. He can't hurt me anymore. He can't hurt Anna anymore! Get him out of your head!
It doesn't help I haven't been sleeping very well lately, since my absence there has been a lot of work that has needed my attention, 'queeny' stuff that can't be finalized without my say. Even Anna isn't allowed to contribute, and thank the heavens no one let Hans make any drastic decisions, if you don't count ordering my execution, but I'm totally past that. So that takes up the majority of my days, then sleep escapes me at night, where I'm haunted with the memories of everything that has happened. Every time I close my eyes, my mind fills with images of Anna and that strand of platinum-blonde hair that I put there, and tears always follow. I could never tell Anna this though, if she saw me crying over it, she'd be so upset and when she cries I cry. It's a vicious circle. I get a lump in my throat now just thinking about it!
Well cheer up Elsa. Today is my first day off in a long time, and I intend to enjoy it as much as I can! I arranged for the entire main hall to be set for a feast for just us. Our little circle of friends and family, I even ordered Kai and Gerda to join us and stop being servants for the day! I chuckle at how awkward they might feel, but I don't care, Queen's orders! Kristoff will be joining us sporting some flash new clothes as well, courtesy of Anna's love of playing dress up! If there's anyone that can get him out of those clothes, it's her (oh behave…).
Upon this thought, I actually realize that I've been walking for quite a while and I'm near the harbor, I've completely skipped past the marketplace and I'm staring out to the ocean. Why did I come here again? Oh yes, I was trying to track down Kai and ask about the crown. He's most likely finished his rounds by now and he'll be back at the castle. I should really check in on Anna and Kristoff and see if Anna has worked her magic.
As I head back to the Palace, It dawns on me how nervous I am for tonight. At long last I can have a social gathering with my newly found family, but what do we do? Do we just eat and talk? Do we talk first or while we eat? Where are we all supposed to sit? I've never done this before, I never got the chance at my Coronation! I think it would make sense for Anna and Kristoff to sit together now that they are officially a couple, and Kai and Gerda will want to sit together, I guess that leaves me and Olaf, but he won't actually eat anything, he is a snowman. So I guess I'll just sit and make awkward conversation with two couples and someone that won't eat anything, at least I think Kai and Gerda are together? It makes sense. Sounds fun I guess.
That's a point: Kristoff and my sister are now well and truly in love with each other yet I barely know anything about him, other than how he'd helped Anna to get to my Ice Castle up in the North Mountain and that he sells Ice for a living. Other than that, I know nothing!
I decide that will be my goal for the afternoon, to learn more about my sister's lover's (and possibly my future brother in law's?) background. I recall Anna telling me once that he was raised by a family of trolls? That could be an interesting dinner conversation- Wait a minute! Could it be that he was raised by the very same trolls that my father confided in all those years ago for advice on my powers? As far as I'm aware there is only one major troll family that live nearby, so it could well be them!
The distinctive smell of Ernie's baking brings me back to my surroundings. It appears that I have made it back to the market, my mind wanders a lot! I decide to give in to temptation and grab breakfast at his, he is the best baker in Arendelle!
He notices me immediately and straightens his stance "Queen Elsa!" he says while lowering himself into a bow "A pleasure as always votre Majesté! How may I be of service?"
I almost blush at his submission "Hello Ernie, how have things been this morning?"
"Trés bien merci!" he eagerly replies, straightening up again, "The people of Arendelle always keep me busy, and when I'm busy business is good eh?"
"That's good to hear! May I trouble you for some breakfast muffins?" I just saw him take some out of the stove and they're looking piping hot and fresh! I've had my eye on them since I approached the stand…
"Of course your Majesty! Pas un probléme!" as he immediately begins preparing my satchel. "It would appear that I have been graced with both the queen's and the princess's presence this fine morning!"
"Oh really? Anna was here?"
"Oui, she was! She almost tackled that mountain of a petit ami she has. I was raised in the country or romance, yet I have never seen a mademoiselle so amoureux!"
"Armouroo?" I query, I am usually very familiar with the French language, but this word seems new to me. He chuckles at my lack of understanding, making his long, thin moustache wobble.
"Haha no votre Majesté, Amoureux! In love! She's completely infatuated with him!
That I can't deny, Anna may have thought she was in love with Hans, but this is the real thing. When I see those two together, it reminds me of the stories Mother used to tell me of when she and Father where young. I like to think that, with everything that has happened, Anna has learned the difference between love and lust. I may not know much about him, but she loves that man. That's good enough for me, and I trust him with my cherished sister, he didn't have to protect her on her long journey!
"You're right there Ernie, it does make me happy to finally see her with someone she cares about other than me." I like that fact that, even though I'm queen, I can instill so much of my thoughts to others; I do try and make myself an approachable royal.
"She deserves it á mon avis, after what that l'homme du mal did to her" I appreciate his opinion, Hans has become somewhat of a symbol of hatred after his schemes against Anna; leaving her to die and pinning the blame on me to have me executed! Everyone knows the story now.
"Mark my words votre Majesté, if I had known his intentions I would have snapped the petit merde myself right there!" his tone became more and more furious as he made a crushing gesture with his hands. The profanity caught me off guard; no one ever curses in front of the queen, let alone directly TO her! But I understand, and I am grateful for his promise.
"Thank you Ernie, but you might have to talk to Kristoff about that. If the opportunity ever presented itself, I promised him he could have first shot at Hans." That is a sight I would love to see. Even though I am strongly against any form of unnecessary violence, I do catch myself fantasizing about Kristoff's retaliation to that little worm every now and then. Why couldn't Anna let him at Hans on the boat that day?
"Oh! Well in that case I needn't get my hands dirty, I believe his vendetta is stronger than mien!" he says, finding assurance in that fact. "Anyway, don't allow me to keep you any longer my queen!" he said as he hands me my breakfast.
"Oh no please, it's great to chat! But on this one occasion I do have business to attend to so I must go, always great talking to you Ernie!" I said as I placed a few silver coins on his counter top. He declined at first but I ordered him to take it. As Queen I technically own all of Arendelle, including all its resources and goods, but I would never expect people to just provide for me without any kind of repayment.
"If you insist, votre Majesté. I wish a great day to you!" he said, bowing once again.
As I begin to leave, I quickly turn and call back, "Ernie! Do you know where Anna and Kristoff went?"
He looked taken aback at my abruptness "Err I believe I overheard them make plans to go to the Tailors votre Majesté!" he bellowed back.
"Okay great! Thanks!" Thank goodness! That means Anna has finally managed to convince him to grab some new clothes! I think I'll meet them there.
Now all she needs to do is let him know that Sven actually isn't allowed in the palace... I wonder; she may well have done already! I should start giving her a little more credit!
I've never seen Kristoff so uncomfortable before...
We've been in the Tailors for almost half an hour and I've tried him with so many different shirts that I didn't even know existed. They are all too small for him! There are so many shirts on display here as well, a cute little cabin made of varnished wood and stone floors, fairly premium! His Height isn't the problem though, even though he is fairly tall. It's his width! I'm not saying my Krissy is fat, no! It's the opposite! His muscular build is proving a challenge for the main tailor, Philippe.
"oh dear, no, it is no good. This will not do either!" he exclaimed, starting to show his apparent irritation. I can't say I blame him, he's running out of ideas! "The chest and arms simply will not fit in any of my shirts!"
"So what you're saying is I'm too BIG to fit in?" he says, pumping his arm in exhibition of his bulk. It would have been funny, had the shirt he was currently trying on not ripped straight down the left arm and across the chest… No I lie, the mixed look of innocence and delight on his face was hysterical! But Philippe did not look amused by this.
"Do NOT laugh at my expense of your pathetic 'Peacock' display!" Kristoff and I immediately stop giggling. I'm the Princess of Arendelle, yet I feel so insignificant in the presence of someone so passionate about fashion. "Please excuse me." He mumbles as he slipped out of the room. I feel terrible, and I can see that Krissy's amusement, and patience, is starting to wear thin.
"Ah it's no good Anna, we'll just have to tell Elsa that we tried but there's nothing here" he said as he ripped off the rest of the shirt from him in frustration. I can't help but blush, his stature is amazing, a very toned set of abs on his belly, broad shoulders and strange 'wing' muscles that stretch halfway up his neck, and a back that looks like the landscape of the North Mountains. He is seriously cute!
I gather my thoughts again, "Well let's just wait until Philippe returns, he may have something for you out back okay?" I said sympathetically, intertwining my arm with his and resting my head on his chest. It makes me so happy to know that I can be like this around someone without worrying whether or not they will try to kill me.
"Okay…" he yielded, as he places his other arm on my shoulder, I am very good at the power of persuasion!
"-Oh Kristoff, put some clothes on will you?" a light voice said from behind us. I'd recognize my sister's voice anywhere, but it catches Krissy unaware.
"Oh, ah… Sorry your majesty" he quickly said, as he amusingly tried covering his chest with the ragged remains of a shirt.
She giggles a little, "You know you really don't have to be so formal around me, we're practically family now!" I gleam and her open acceptance of my handsome man.
"Oh, okay… Elsa." He stutters, like a schoolchild that has just been scolded, he is so adorable!
She then notices all of the shirts that have been thrown aside around us, "Um, so how goes the shirt hunt?"
"-ah, there's nothing that we feel would be suitable!" Krissy interrupts me before I can tell her the real reason why, although by her glance at the torn fabric in his hands, I think she already knows, as she raises one eyebrow. I smile and wink at her.
"Right I've had one more blasted idea-" calls out Philippe from behind the curtain "but if this doesn't work then so help me I'll-" he emerges from the drapes and instantly freezes and straightens up "Queen Elsa! Forgive me for making you wait, how may I be of use to you your Majesty?" Rude! he completely disregarded us! But I do love it when Elsa makes people eat their words…
"I'm fine thank you Philippe, but I would appreciate a little improved service towards my sister and her escort to my palace" she said in a matter-of-factly way.
"Your palace! Oh goodness! Why didn't you say so Princess Anna!" I purse my lips at his sudden change of attitude to want to help, "I've had a thought, if you'd like to wear this jumper and pants for now Sir, and leave your clothes with me. I'll see what magic I can weave!"
"Absolutely" Kristoff said, gratefully putting on the new attire. The Jumper stretched to accommodate him fine and he clearly approved of its design; a thick green sweater with a V-neck, an image of a snowy mountain on the front (how appropriate) and a pair of denim, I think it's called, jeans that matched very well. "When shall we come back?"
"Oh don't worry yourself about that Sir! I'll have them delivered to you when they are complete!" Philippe explained, Elsa nods her head as much as to say that's better!
"But wait, isn't everyone meeting in like, 5 minutes?" said Kristoff, slightly alarmed.
"It's OUR palace Kristoff," said Elsa, it doesn't matter when we get there" she winked, as we said goodbye to Philippe and left the shop.
Where is everyone? Elsa said she'd come and play after her errands, but that was almost half an hour ago! Arendelle's not that big! She should have made me a friend to play with as well, otherwise the rest of my life I'll spend wandering around bored out of my mind! I should go and meet some new people! I love meeting new faces! I look around the courtyard, but everyone here seems noble or are servants, none will want to play, although I can see Kai return with a big basket of food and supplies.
"Hey Kai over here!" I shout at him as he walks through the gates.
"Oh hello there little guy! How are you this morning Olaf?" he asks, continuing his route, in a real posh, well-spoken tone.
"Bored… No one wants to play this morning! They're all out doing important stuff! I want important stuff to do too!" I say as I begin to walk with him and we head down to the kitchens.
"Aww you poor thing, you wanna come help me in the kitchen?"
"I would, but last time I want in there everyone was cooking the main courses and Gerda had to scoop me up from the floor, this flurry isn't the best thing when it comes to eight lit stoves apparently!" that wasn't my best day.
Kai seems to be stifling a laugh, though I imagine it looked pretty funny, "Well there'll be no ovens or fires while we prepare today, we'll be making lunch for the Queen and her associates, I believe we've both been invited also!"
What! Lunch with all my friends! That's gonna be amazing! "Oh. My. Gosh! I'm so excited!" I do a little dance of cheer as Kai opens the door to the pantry and begins to unload his supplies in different arrangements over the cupboard. "Is Gerda coming?"
"I believe so, we've both been relieved of duty for the day but I, as a servant to the royal family, wouldn't want to be served by my own colleagues, it would seem a tad rude, so I'll do most of the preparations as usual." I don't know what colleagues means, but I assume it means he's gonna work anyway.
I grab a cleaver and begin to swing it like a warrior. "Aha! So who be our opponents in this fine duel matey?" I say in my best pirate accent.
"The ruthless and evil cucumbers and carrots me hearty!" said Kai, clearly as excited as me, as he holds a carrot to his eye like a spyglass. "Just try not to hurt yourself Olaf!" he says in a more serious tone.
"I won't!" I say as I stand in a ripose stance, "but the carrots are mine!"
"Okay snowbeard, here, chop these for me would you?" Kai says as he drops some of my targets on a chopping board and begins to chop the cucumber with pinpoint accuracy and supreme speed. I cant help but look in awe!
It takes me a while but I'm getting the hang of it! I develop my own pace and am making good progress, although for every carrot I chop, Kai's done four cucumbers, which is even more impressive considering they're twice as large as my carrots!"Haha! Look at me! I'm flying through it!" I say proudly, dancing around a little as I chop away! "All done!" I declare as I throw the cleaver in the air in victory and catch it again! I then group my chopped victims again so that Kai can easily count them up!
"Okay calm down now master chef!" He says as he inspects my work."Nicely done- wait Olaf, where's your nose?"
"My nose?" I question as I feel around my face for my absent carrot that usually sits... right here? Nope not there!
"Hang on, I gave you six carrots to chop didn't I?"
"Ummmm... I think so yeah?"
"Okay lets do a quick stock count" Kai says quite urgently as he taps each carrot one at a time as he counts, "One, two, three, four, five, six, se- oh dear..."
Oh Olaf...
Well, thanks for sticking around for this next chapter, I had a lot of fun writing this one! I have a few college assignments to do over the week so it may be a few days before Chapter Four is up and ready, but rest assured it is coming!
Before I go just a quick not to say I can't believe how popular this story is becoming! 160+ views already, and only 5 of them are people I've practically forced to read it! That's crazy! It means so much to me that there are actually people who enjoy this, and it makes it so much more worth while!
What do you think of the length of these chapters now? I'm going to try and keep the content itself to around 2,500 -3,500 words, I think that's a good length?
Don't forget to follow and favorite me and the story to get regular updates!
See you next time,
-Dan
P.S. Shoutout to my bud Jordan, became a Dad last week. Proud of you bro! -
