He picked up the last crate and brought it to the wagon. The bread in the crate was fresh baked, warm and tasty, made by the best bakers of Hathir and Arendelle. Isaiah took one for himself when he paid the bakers, brothers Bjorn and Bjarne, but the others remained in the crate.

"Pick this one." Ethil received another crate, full of apples. "Just be careful. Do you want one?"

"No, my lord." Ethil answered. "Thank you, but I am not hungry."

Nodding, Isaiah approached the wagon, patting the donkey. "Let's go, girl." he took one apple, giving it to her. Bella sniffed at it and ate it, leaving some of it in Isaiah's hand too. Ethil didn't need to be reminded and, with one hit, the wagon started moving slowly. Isaiah didn't get to the wagon, but stood beside Bella, leading her slowly by the reins.

The square the wagon stopped at was filled with all kinds of homeless people, some with torn clothes, others whole, but unclean. Children were all naked, wearing only shoes, and very skinny, playing with the mud while their mothers and fathers watched them. Five drunkards stood in the corner, throwing dices for their bottles. Their feet, without shoes or socks, were all bloody and hurt.

Isaiah's eye fell on them and so he raised his hand, Ethil stopping the wagon.

"Come!" he said to all the homeless. "There is enough for everyone. We have bread, apple and water." he took one a roll of bread, giving it to a beggar who stood first beside the wagon. "Don't be afraid. It's for you. Come!"

Mothers and children stood up first, children striding towards the wagon despite their mothers' protests. Noticing that, he took a big crate off the wagon and placed it in front of them. Crouching, Isaiah gave them a smile. Only one, girl of about ten, returned it, looking at him in a timid manner.

"So, you're in chief here, are you?" he asked her. "What's your name?"

She looked back at her mother, who hesitantly nodded. "Emma."

"Emma? A beautiful name." he offered his hand. "I am Isaiah, Emma."

She shook his hand, looking at the sign on his shoulder. "Is that a wolf?" he looked back at it. "Are you a werewolf?"

"No." he said. "I am, however, their biggest enemy. You see, werewolves are afraid of one thing alone, and that is wolves. So whenever a werewolf sees me or my father, they ran like puppies." then he made a mocking impression of puppy squealing, making all the children laugh. "And no werewolf will do anything bad while I am here! Plus," he pushed the crate towards them. "I have a gift for all of you. And why don't you call your mothers, they are probably hungry as well."

"Mommy!" all the children said to their mothers, rushing towards them and carrying as many apples as they could.

A hiccup was heard back from that corner of drunkards. He rolled his eyes. "Ethil! Take this place, please. And give me that bag."

The drunkard with a red mark on his face has constantly been winning every bet, with everyone else losing their bottles.

"What's the business, friends?" Isaiah said, slapping them on their shoulders. "A bet of the month!"

"More like a bet of the day, good sire!" the big one said. "This one has robbed all of us!"

"Really? Friend, this is really inhumane. I mean, these men have not even shoes, yet you take their..."

"What do you bother with that? Get lost, boy!" he had another hiccup and drank. Isaiah tilted his head. He doesn't know? That will make it even interesting.

"How about you and I gamble?"

He scoffed. "For what? Your coat?"

"For my shoes."

They all looked at his feet, some of them looking at their own. "Fair!" the Red Face didn't even think twice and took two dices. "Say number."

"Really? And what about your name?"

"I don't care for yours and as for mine, I forgot where I put it. So just tell me the number."

"Seven."

"Nine." the man said for himself and then threw them. The first time one showed three circles, and the other two. Isaiah then took the dices, throwing them in the same way. The result was one with six circles, and another with two. That was close!

"Third luck!" said the man, grabbing them and throwing them. One was three, the other six. "Ha!" the man laughed. "If you really thought you could beat me, I pity you. Now, what are the shoes you talked about, a figure of speech?"

"No. Here you go." In front of them, he took off his shoes. He had his black hosen so the feet were covered, but shoes he gave to the man who beat him. "That is it. Now," he took four more pairs of shoes out of his bag. "I don't know for you, but I have many shoes to share. I have some socks too, though not enough for all of you. Three pairs. So," out of his pocket he took two golden coins. The beggars looked at them with such delight it made him smile. He gave them to those two. "There is tailor half an hour away from here, his name is Thomas. One pair of socks, if I remember well, is worth one golden coin. So? There it goes."

The man reached out to take the coin, but Isaiah pulled his hand back. "If you give me a bottle of that wine of yours."

"Here!" the man said, giving him one of his only two bottles. "Just give me that."

"It's all yours." .

They all smiled with such warmth Isaiah had to do the same. Only the Red Face was staring in unbelief.

"Well, I have to go." he said and brought them a crate of bread, patting them on the shoulders. "Thank you all for your cooperation, it means a lot."

He turned to leave, climbing back to the wagon, but...

"Hey, youngling!" the Red Face called him.

"Yes?"

"You are lord Isaiah of Hathir, aren't you?"

Isaiah just grinned.

"Ha!" the beggar said. "If anyone told me I'd be wearing a lord's shoes..." he waved. "See you, lad!"

"Hopefully!"

Ethil waited for him on the wagon, like he always did. "Let's go! Before my father grows angry for this again."

"It's not the part where you help beggars, my lord." Ethil said. "Pardon me, but I believe your lord father is angry because you interact with them so much."

"Well..." he shrugged. "We cannot all get what we want, no?" He patted Bella on the back. "Let's go! Olaf is going to get angry at me."

"Five hundred people." Anna said, fixing her dress. "Imagine, Rapunzel - five hundred have come to the festival today. How many will come later!"

"I know!" she said, holding little Elsa in her arms. "The festival has never been this full, has it?"

"No, dear." said aunt Arianna. "The last time was ten years ago, a little before your grandfather died. The festival stopped soon after, but there were thousands coming to it before the event."

"Wonderful!" Anna exclaimed. "This will be so perfect!" then she bit her lip. "If only Elsa would tell me what her surprise is."

"I agree." Rapunzel said.

Aunt Arianna, however, just smiled absently and turned away. Anna gasped. "You know what it is! You figured it out!"

"Actually," she looked back at her. "Elsa told me."

Anna and Rapunzel were both frustrated, but Anna showed it very physically. Her hands started shaking. "For the sake of actual goodness, why? What is it!"

"Aha!" she said. "It is a secret, dear Anna."

"So she shares it with her aunt, but not with her sister!" she crossed her arms. "Now, that is a very rude attitude."

"You tell her that if you can. After all, she is a queen."

Rapunzel tsked. "When I am queen, I'll make sure to be a thorn in her side."

"Rapunzel!" aunt said, raising her eyebrow.

She bowed her head in shame. "I was joking, of course..."

She shook her head, smiling. "I am sorry, darling, but no. Elsa would freeze me if I told you what is supposed to happen. She did, however, say you will like the surprise."

"I hate surprises!"

"That is what everyone says!" she kept firm. "Until they get surprised and love it."

"Oof!" she said. "Dear. Sometimes I wish I were not a princess, only to cuss at you." She gasped and Anna, regretting, waved her hands frantically. "I didn't mean that, aunt! I just..."

An awkward silence followed, with Anna only being able to stare at aunt confused. To break the situation, she coughed. "Um...I'll go with Olaf. He probably feels alone. Bye aunt, I love you!" and scurried of the room. Heaven, that was close! I have been spending too much time with common folk, I forgot how to talk with my aunt.

Olaf was sitting with Asmund, looking at a book.

"And what does this letter mean?"

"Olaf, that isn't a letter." Asmund said tired. "It is a crocus."

"Oh." he said. "And what does crocus mean?"

The priest sighed and massaged his nose. "It is a flower, Olaf. Symbol of house Aren."

"Oh. And why do they use it?"

Anna waited for a long explanation about how Ragnar the First founded Arendelle on the place where the trolls brought him and healed his wounds with flowers of crocus. Asmund made her recite that story detail by detail every third day before going to bed. For a time she hated him for it when she was little. He was really hell-bent on making her remember it.

"Because they liked it, Olaf." was all he said.

"Wow!" he said. "I understand! I also like some things. Do you know what else I like?"

"Warm hugs?"

"Yes!" he jumped at him, hugging him as tightly as he could. Asmund just chuckled weakly. Maybe it was out of self-pity or joy, but Anna couldn't guess.

"Olaf! What do you say we go for a walk?"

"Oh, I'd love to!" but then his eyes fell down. "But I can't. Asmund will be sad if I leave him alone."

"Not at all, dear Olaf!" Asmund grabbed the snowman's sticky hand. "In fact, I will be disturbed if you do not go and do what you like!"

"Really?"

"Absolutely!"

"Hm." Olaf thought a bit. "Then I will make sure you're not sad!"

"Thank you, Olaf!" he smiled. "You are the best friend one can have. Incredibly thoughtful of others!"

The moment Olaf turned his back, Asmund sighed and fell back to his chair. Anna stiffled her laughter, leading Olaf by the hand to the outside.

"Anna, do you ever worry about the notion that nothing is permanent?"

She just shrugged. "Not really, no. I have you, Elsa , Kristoff, our family...and that's all I need. No need to worry about things we can't control."

"Lovely, Anna. I agree. We should only worry about bad things we could have prevented but didn't."

"That's..." she chuckled. "that's not what I meant, Olaf. I meant..."

"Ah, you're right." he played with a rock he picked up from the ground. They passed by a tall building and Anna started thinking about what he said.

Her parents were her whole world, yet after that one journey, they were gone. And the entire world crashed. Her and Elsa's friendship ceased. Their entire family was divided and dispersed. Rapunzel stolen when she was a baby. Hans almost killed her. Sure, now things seemed right. But how long will it last? She believed nothing could end their previous life...but it did.

"Maybe you are right, Olaf." He gave no answer. "Olaf did you..."

He was gone.

"Come on, move!" Ethil said, throwing the belt in the air, and keeping himself from not hitting Bella. "My lord, she just won't move."

"I see it too, Ethil." he said, patting her. "What's the problem, girl?" she just brayed in response. "You hungry maybe?" he offered her the apple, but she barely licked it.

"Just hit her with a belt!" someone cried, passing by. "All animals understand that language!"

"Thank you on the suggestion!" he yelled back. I would rather stay here all day, but... "Come on, Bella." he patted her again. "Just move!" she brayed again. "You really have something against me today, don't you?"

He brushed the dust off her back. "Ethil, I'll go find her carrots. She likes them more than apples. You be careful not to let her go away."

"Yes, my lord!"

Isaiah took the bag with money and went for the nearest market.

Olaf whistled as a bird, shambling through the different squares.

"This will all make sense when I am older..." he chanted. He's been trying to think of what comes next after that text, but the thought just doesn't want to appear. "This will all make sense when I am older...Or will it. You know, why do things get better only as they get older? I never understood it. If I have more years, how does that make anything better? If I have one rotten carrot and then take another rotten carrot, isn't that worse?"

"Take that! He said we should only have two, not more than that!" someone exclaimed on the opposite corner of the street.

"As if he'll know..."

"He absolutely will! He will fry you like a steak if you don't stop!"

"I'd like to see him try!"

They must need some help!

So Olaf, as a responsible citizen, went towards them. The eight men were dressed in long black coats, and were gathered around a huge wagon, filled with red boxes holding some strange sign of the shape of a candlelight. They were very invested in their job, so they didn't even notice Olaf when he came to them, so he decided to be polite and introduce himself.

"Hi, good people!" he said. They all, excited at seeing him, widened their eyes. "I heard you were arguing about something and I thought if I could help you maybe? I would be glad to."

The friendliest one gently pushed the others, pointing at Olaf. "Get him!"

"Three silver coins," Isaiah said, "for a bag of carrots? That's theft."

"If you don't like it, take a look at other stalls. Be my guest!"

Half of the other stalls didn't have carrots, while others had them rotten...if those really were carrots at all.

Isaiah cussed. "Fine! You'll have it your way!" he tossed the silver into the woman's hand. She smiled at him. "Good young man. Maybe there will be something from you."

"Where do you think I got that silver from?" he allowed her a smirk. "Goodbye! Have a nice day!" I hope you choke on those carrots, honestly, lady.

That wasn't a rare sight on this market. All sorts of people were bringing their items, clothes and food from far away lands. Isaiah noticed many foreigners selling exotic food and drink. Some too exotic. So much that traders needed to clean their spaces every day from throw ups. There were some strange items as well, including gems that almost seemed to shine with their own light, well-crafted weapons and some objects of, supposedly, magical properties.

As magical as my socks in the morning, he thought.

He left the market, entering a different street, one with walls so close as to almost lean on another. He knew where the path to the wagon is, but decided to have a bit of walk as well. I am tired of riding, honestly.

Slight sound of breaking vases was heard somewhere.

"He wants him too!" one of them said.

"And he will get him!" the other said and threw a vase at Olaf.

Olaf ran from them in a circle, screaming.

"Get back, animal!"

"He's a snowman, you woolhead!'

"Technically, every living creature is considered an animal." Olaf tried to educate them, but the two men ran after him.

"Get back here!" He ran the fastest he ever did on his small snowy feet, barely escaping them for just an inch. The end of the street was too long for him to hide, so he just ran as far as he could, until something stood in his way. He felt weird and looked up, expecting one of those guys.

"Isaiah!" he hugged his leg. "I have never been more happy to see you! And I've only seen you a couple of times!"

Isaiah slowly shook his head, crossing his arms. "You are a magnet for trouble, aren't you Olaf?"

"Am I a positive or a negative?"

"Positive. Unfortunately." the men stopped running at the sight of Isaiah. They all went silent, holding their clubs. "Good men, I am happy to see you! Is there a problem?"

"There will be for you unless you move." the one in chief said. "Give us that thing and we will let you leave."

"A generous offer, but one I am afraid I must refuse."

"Really? Too bad." the largest one played with his club and grinned. "I'll have to get my hands dirty."

"I wouldn't be so confident, sir." Isaiah said and revealed his sheath. He grabbed the sword by the hilt, showing a part of the blade. "I m not professional at craftsmanship, but I seem to remember swords are better than clubs."

The other seven all paused looking at his blade, but the chief wasn't very impressed. "Maybe you are good at swordfight, but this is our terrain, lordling."

"I'll have a try. I like to challenge myself. However, you will not be in a good position if someone finds out you wounded lord Isaiah of Hathir, no?"

"We have a businessman." the chief said. "Let's just say we are afraid of him more than your daddy, boy. So I would ask you to leave. For your own good."

"Oh, I will." he said, turning and pulling Olaf with himself. "With him, of course."

He got used to sneak attacks long ago, so he knew where to hit the hero who attacked him from behind. Hitting him in the crotch, it pulled him out of the moment, giving Isaiah the opportunity to knock him out with two punches in the chin. Grabbing the club, he threw it at the others, pushing Olaf away. "Run!"

Olaf wasted no time, leaving Isaiah alone. Then, two of them took out their blades. Smaller and of lesser quality than his own, but still a blade.

He knew he couldn't best them in a swordfight, so he just parried and dodged their attacks, avoiding them as much as he could. When he changed positions with them, he was now surrounded. He managed to push one man away, but there were still six of them standing. However, he was no longer in their circle, but outside of it, gaining the upper hand.

Isaiah looked behind and saw one man running after Olaf. He gave him no moment, catching up to him and surprising him from behind, pushing him away.

"I got you!" one of them caught up to Olaf, grabbing him, holding his long dagger. "Now, let's see what you're made of, creature!"

Isaiah didn't think but ran at the man and fell to the ground, wrestling with him. The man held the dagger by his throat, ready to spill it. He found the right moment and hit the man's head with his own.

"Run, Olaf!" it was all he could say before the man stabbed him in the side. Taking multiple stabs, the wound burned like fire and Isaiah held onto it. Then, someone pulled him away and threw him at the ground.

"You son of a mule!" they cried and started beating him and punching him with the strength of bulls. He was not able to move and everything around him became dizzy.

Olaf lead them to the street, Grandan followed by five fully armored soldiers. The old guard followed his instinct and yelled a curse at the bandits. The moment they turned, they were terrified.

"No!" they all yelled and ran. The guards caught two of them and killed them, but the rest slipped out of sight.

"Olaf!" Anna ran to him, hugging him.

"Anna, I am fine. But Isaiah!"

Anna then looked around herself and saw a young man laying on the ground. He was bruised and heavy blood was pouring out his side. His eyes were absent and confused.

"Call for help, Grandan! Call for medics. Now!"