Chapter Twenty-Six: Elsa's Works

Anna kissed the heads of her sleeping twins and was extra careful not to wake them. It was mid-afternoon and she looked forward to some quiet before dinner. She had been playing with them all morning and even with all of Anna's energy, she simply could not keep up with her children.

Maybe I'm growing old, she thought miserably. Or perhaps I've been gone away from them so long I've forgotten how much of a handful they could be.

She remembered how Kristoff would take over for her in distracting the children when they wanted to go running around in the forest near their cottage. She missed Kristoff's steady presence and wished he was back here with her. However, Elsa told her a few days ago that Kristoff needed to remain hidden for now for his safety and her sister had even expressly warned her that Kristoff's whereabouts should not be revealed to anyone, not even Hans. Anna protested this secrecy but Elsa explained that things were still in a precarious situation for them politically. Their alliance with the Sixth Coalition was not a guarantee of their safety from France and there were factions within their court that could be allied with the Purification League that could bring harm to their family. Anna didn't need Elsa to spell it out for her. She could sense that Elsa was keeping Kristoff away so she can be courted publicly by Prince Holford as a show of their willingness to side with the Sixth Coalition. It was the same diversionary tactic they had been doing before with Marshall Baujeu. And although Elsa wasn't giving her the full details, Anna knew Elsa was working on ways to strengthen their ties with the Coalition through Hans.

Holford wasn't as bad as Baujeu. He was always polite, considerate, and even charming in his way. However, Anna never forgave him for the casual way he praised Hans when he thought his younger brother executed Kristoff. Holford's one note to Hans revealed the true callousness of the older Southern Isles prince's character and Anna could never see him in any good light after that. She was civil, but she can never really bring herself to warm up to him despite all his efforts.

Hans was so different from him. Anna could tell he was putting an effort to make up for his past mistakes in the way he was treating her people and helping them to learn how to fight. He was always busy over the past week that she barely saw him during the day. However, at night, he would always be up for some time with her and her children. In last night's charades game, he showed how well he fitted in with their family. Her children had even taken to calling him "Uncle Hans." Olaf was starting to befriend him too.

Well, this was what I wanted all along last December. Hans is here helping to keep all of us safe. Now, if only Kristoff can come home then it would all be perfect.

She heard soft footfalls outside her door. A soft knock followed and she knew it was her sister even before her head poked through the door.

"Are they asleep?" Elsa whispered.

"Yes, finally," Anna replied as she stared back at her twins. She felt Elsa approach and sit next to her. "It's been an hour and they haven't stirred. That's a first. Agdar's being stubborn about taking afternoon naps these days. He misses his Papa so much. Kristoff can calm him better than I can."

"I miss Kristoff too," Elsa said. She paused and Anna sensed Elsa was wool-gathering as she seemed to be a million miles away even while she was staring at Agdar's blond little head. It was also strange that Elsa was here at this hour. Normally, she was occupied with council meetings or reading documents in her study the entire day.

"No meeting today?" Anna asked.

"I do, but we have a bit of a break. I just wanted to see how you were doing."

Anna shrugged. "It's quiet time for me, which is rare on afternoons like this. Most of the time I'd be running around and answering a million questions from these two."

Elsa chuckled. "I remember. I was stuck with them for months."

"How did you manage that on top of all your meetings?" Anna asked.

"I had help, Anna. Gerda and the other servants were there. And they do have a nanny, which by the way you can allow to take over if you're too tired."

"I know, but I want to be with them all the time. I've been away so much, I just want to make up for all the time they've been apart from me."

"I understand that Anna. Last night was fun, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, I mean it's been so long since we had family charades."

"I'm glad we did it again and I think our guests enjoyed it too. Well, at least Hans did. I've never seen him act so informally. He just really went all out in that game. He seems to be getting on so well with Agdar, Iduna, and Olaf.

"Oh, he's been wonderful to them, Elsa. He's a natural with kids. It's funny because I know he had a terrible childhood. I suppose having a bad family life doesn't necessarily mean he'd be bad with children."

Elsa let out an uneasy laugh as she smoothened Iduna's curls. "You think Hans… would be a good father someday?"

"Yeah, I think he'd be great…" she paused as something about the way Elsa spoke seemed to be skirting an issue here. "Elsa, is there something you want to tell me? I know you do, so just out with it."

Elsa heaved a sigh. "Okay, fine you got me. The truth is, I came here to ask you about Hans. I mean I know you said you've become friends but I still can't help but feel that you might be feeling awkward with him around after what happened between you two before."

Anna had to laugh. Typical Elsa was overthinking things again. "Elsa, I told you before, we've buried that hatchet long ago. Hans and I are friends now and I'm more than happy he's come to stay with us. If anything, I'm more worried about you. I know you think he's trying to get our people on his side to fight for the Sixth Coalition, but at least they're getting trained properly. And I've seen our people. He's doing a lot of good for them. I think he's changed and we should put the past behind us."

"Don't worry, we're getting along," Elsa replied. "He saved us. I'm grateful to him for that, and I suppose, we're kind of friends too..."

She trailed off and Anna could sense there was more that Elsa wanted to say. She was about to cajole her sister to continue but Elsa spoke again.

"You said he wrote a poem for me before?"

Okay, that was off-topic. Not typical with Elsa who usually got to the point, but I'll let her get to that.

"Yes, he did…" Anna replied carefully. "He's talented."

"Would you... would you recite the poem for me?" Elsa asked haltingly as if she was embarrassed to ask.

Anna's interest was now definitely piqued. She gave in to her sister's request and slowly repeated the poem, emphasizing those last two lines she had only recently discovered. Elsa listened to her, her gaze seemingly far away. When Anna reached the end of it, a small smile grazed Elsa's lips.

"It's lovely," Elsa remarked. "I... wished I didn't accidentally kill that dove. Maybe I could have read it then..."

Anna stared at her sister as a new exciting theory began building in her mind. Could it be that Elsa likes Hans?

"If you read the poem then, would you have considered him? I mean would you have given him a chance as a suitor?" she asked.

Elsa shrugged. "I don't know... maybe... I would certainly be curious about him. I mean, he got the icy metaphors right. The coincidence would have fascinated me."

Oh my God! She is so interested! Anna gave her a knowing smile. "What about now?"

The smile faded from Elsa's lips. "Now? Do you mean Hans? Don't be ridiculous, of course not."

However, Anna could read beyond her sister's denial. Elsa does like him! I can tell! "Elsa, if you like him, I think you should give him a chance."

But her sister shook her head and refused to meet her eyes. "That's silly Anna," she said but her tone lacked conviction.

Hah! I knew it! She likes him but knowing how selfless Elsa is, she won't admit it to anyone, not even herself. If I push her, she'll just be all stubborn and say I'm delusional. Well, I'll just have to let her admit her feelings on her own, but it doesn't mean I can't help move it along.

"Whatever you say," Anna said as a million ideas raced in her head on how to plan activities to get Elsa and Hans to spend more time together.

Maybe I can set up a dinner for them… no dinner is just too ordinary and it would only last a few hours and people will still keep interrupting them. I need to get them together alone. A picnic in the secluded gardens! Yes, that's it…. No scratch that. The councilors can still barge in on them at a moment's notice. Oh, I know! A tour of some far-off village in the kingdom in one carriage! It will force them to stay together for hours in private! And once they're in some secluded place, maybe they can share some time under the stars. It will be so romantic…

"Anna? Anna! Did you hear me?"

Anna blinked as she realized Elsa had been calling out to her.

"Sorry, you were saying?" Anna asked. She was surprised to see that Elsa had in her hands their mother's old sewing kit. She didn't notice it before when Elsa came into the room. "Why do you have that?"

"I've taken up embroidery lately," Elsa replied.

Now Anna was confused. Elsa was good at a lot of things but needlework was not one of them. She used to remember the day when their governess complained about Elsa's subpar embroidery skills. It was one of the best days of Anna's young life to realize her perfect sister had one minor flaw that could allow her to excel better in the eyes of her teachers. Of course, that elation ended when Anna had to take her embroidery lessons and couldn't create the stitches any better than Elsa.

"I was thinking of making a doll for Iduna and I want to make it from scratch," Elsa went on. "Do you remember that chest full of gloves I have?"

"The one in the attic where we found the Olaf gifts I made for you?" Anna asked.

"The same one. Can you, maybe go over to the attic and get me some old gloves we can turn into a dress for Iduna's doll? You can even look around the trunk for anything you want to use. I do remember there was a bolt of unused muslin in there when I last checked."

"Okay sure," Anna said. The request was again jarringly off-topic it baffled her.

"I was also thinking of making other useful things, like a scarf or a few handkerchiefs," Elsa went on. "Do you think Hans… would appreciate a monogrammed handkerchief?"

Oh my God! She is so smitten with him, it's adorable! "With his initials or yours?" she teased.

"Sorry?" Elsa asked, seemingly oblivious.

"Nothing," Anna sing-songed as she made it towards the door. "I'll go get those gloves and cloth then."

"I just have to meet up with my council now. Can you meet me in the library later? Maybe an hour before dinner? There's a book of embroidery designs we can look into after my council meeting."

"Okay," Anna replied with a wave. She merrily skipped past the long corridors and headed to the rear tower that led to the attic. It's turning out how I wanted for him. It would be so great if Hans and Elsa fell in love and got married. He'll be part of the family and he can be my real brother.

She paused midstride as something occurred to her. But Hans may not feel the same way about Elsa. Well, he had a crush on her before, but could that still hold? Never mind, I'll find a way to get them together. All he needs is a little push in the right direction. Oh, this is going to be so much fun planning so many romantic activities for them.

She finally reached the tower and asked for a lamp from a passing servant. The maid quickly brought her one already lit in just a few minutes. Anna then climbed the narrow staircase that led to the attic. She noticed that this place had been dusted recently for it was cleaner than the last time she had been here. Maybe Elsa had been spring-cleaning and reminiscing of the past.

She had no trouble finding the trunk. It was still tucked in its usual place in one corner. Anna opened it and burrowed through the contents. She found there was more than one color of gloves in there. Although Elsa favored white ones embroidered with the crocus of Arendelle in blue, underneath all the white, Anna found gloves of an assortment of colors from beige to pink, green, and even red. Elsa could have a matching pair of gloves for just about any dress.

"Now where is that bolt of muslin?"

She shifted through the neat pile until she felt something long and solid at the bottom. She pulled it out expecting a rolled fabric but discovered instead a cylinder made of metal. It was rather odd to think that such a narrow container would hold a bolt of muslin, but there was nothing else in the trunk aside from the gloves.

Anna uncapped the cylinder and shook it out. What fell out though was not fabric at all but several sheets of paper and a rolled canvas. Curiously she picked them up and realized they were drawings.

Elsa's drawings!

She gently laid them out on a nearby table where she can examine them with the light from her lamp.

It was indeed Elsa's amateur work. Drawing had been part of their formal studies and Elsa had always excelled in them. Anna used to remember that her father and mother would show her some of Elsa's works. They were always exceptional even at her young age. The contents of the cylinder were works Anna hadn't seen before. It contained several portraits, each one dated at the bottom corner with Elsa's neat little signature. The first ones were simple charcoal sketches of what appeared to be a man dressed in a naval uniform. The images gradually developed over each successive sketch. From simple charcoal drawings of a hazy profile, they became more detailed as she moved to watercolors of the same subject. There was something oddly familiar about the subject but Anna dismissed it as a coincidence. However, it was the last one, a painting on canvas, that made her gasp as soon as she unrolled it.

"Oh my God!"

The finished oil painting showed the man's face in full detail, staring back at Anna with his vivid green eyes and flaming red hair. The likeness was unmistakable.

It's Hans! Elsa painted Hans?

Her eyes moved to the date on the bottom corner and it gave her an instant chill.

The year was 1803.

Elsa completed the painting when she was only sixteen years old? How in the world did Elsa paint Hans when she had never even seen him?

She checked the previous sketches and found they were made even earlier. The earliest was done when Elsa was only eight years old and Anna noticed an even more spine-tingling piece of detail on that very first sketch. Right at the bottom, Elsa identified her subject with a name.

J. K. JORGENBJORGEN

"Johannes Kristian Jorgenbjorgen," Anna whispered aloud as her heart pounded in her chest at this astonishing revelation.

Elsa did not just paint a man she had never met. She also correctly identified Hans' full name thirteen years before he even took that name.

Anna reeled at the implications. The cosmic forces must certainly have been at work. It was too much of a coincidence to ignore.

Oh, Elsa! You've been dreaming of Hans since you were a child and he's been dreaming of you. He wrote that poem for you when he never even knew of your secret. You and Hans were meant to be! On your coronation when I demanded your blessing to marry him, I ruined it. No wonder you reacted the way you did. You finally met the man of your dreams and I came in and told you I was marrying him. I stole Hans from you and you never said a word. I have to fix this. Now! You and Hans have wasted so much time.

She carefully rolled the drawings and slid them back into the cylinder. She then ran out of the attic, intent on showing these to Elsa. As she passed by a window, she noticed the gleam of a familiar redhead coming on horseback towards the stables.

How serendipitous! Hans is here. If Elsa is too shy to acknowledge her feelings, maybe if I show Hans these, he'll realize exactly how Elsa feels.

She stuck her head out the window and called out: "Hans! Hans! I need to speak to you!"

He looked up, seemingly startled. "What is it Anna?" he asked.

"Don't move!" she ordered. "I'm coming over!"

She ran out into the afternoon sunshine and found him just as he alighted from Sitron. He seemed to have come from a long ride with his horse for he was quite wind-swept. "What's the hurry?" he asked. He sounded rather alarmed as if he was expecting some sort of disaster.

"Don't say another word until you see these."

She uncapped the cylinder, unrolled the sheets, and thrust them at his face. "Elsa made these," she declared.

"Elsa?" He asked as he stared intently at the figures. Confusion marred his features but Anna knew his brain was putting it all together. She followed his gaze which focused on the signature and dates. He looked at each of the drawings, comparing them carefully.

"Well?" Anna hinted.

"You say these were made by Elsa?" he asked rather calmly.

"Yes," Anna smiled.

"And these dates here, they reflect when they were done?"

"Yes!" Anna repeated excitedly. He's getting warmer. Certainly, he should see the connection by now.

"Where did you get these? Did she show them to you?"

"No, but I found them in the attic when Elsa sent me up there to find some cloth she wanted to use for…" she stopped as she realized Elsa would probably want to surprise him later with her hand-embroidered handkerchiefs. "I mean it doesn't matter what she wants with the fabric. These were all hidden in a trunk in the attic."

Hans wordlessly rolled the sheets and the canvas and slid them back into the cylinder. "Excuse me," was all he muttered before he calmly walked away back towards the castle.

Anna was confused. She expected some form of reaction from Hans but walking away without as much as a peep was not it.

Maybe he needs time to process it all. Or he wants to look at those drawings of himself without an audience. I should leave him alone. Maybe I should talk to Elsa.

She made her way back into the castle and turned towards the conference hall. Elsa's councilors were still inside and she can hear them discussing within. Anna figured she would have to wait and resolved to do so right outside. The moment Elsa stepped out, Anna was going to demand her attention. This was too big a thing to let pass.

She spent the next fifteen minutes hammering out plans for Elsa and Hans' romantic outings. She was just finalizing the list of music she needs to get for a ball she planned to throw for them when the door to Elsa's chamber opened and Kai stepped out. She could hear the murmur of men within the room who appeared to be packing their things to leave for the end of the day.

"Kai?" Anna asked. "Is Elsa about to come out?"

Kai frowned at her. "Elsa didn't attend the meeting. She excused herself this morning before we even started. I finished up with the council members. It was just some routine matters that didn't require Queen Elsa's presence."

"But where she is now? She told me she was going to the council meeting?"

Kai scratched his forehead. "I wouldn't know. She hasn't been to the council hall all day."

"Err… excuse me, Princess Anna," Berge who had been by the door, came forward. "General Jorgenbjorgen came around a few minutes ago and requested a word with Queen Elsa. It seemed rather urgent."

"He met with her?" Anna gasped. "Where are they now?"

"I didn't quite hear, but I believe the General might have requested to see her somewhere on the second floor," Berge replied. "It appears to be the general direction where they went, but I am not certain in what room."

"Okay thanks, Berge," Anna replied before she skipped away. She was over the moon with delight at the thought that Elsa and Hans were probably putting their heads together in light of this new revelation about their past.

It would be too much to think he would be declaring his love for her right now. That's not how Hans is, not after the fiasco with our engagement. He would probably take his time and court her. And Elsa certainly would take her time even admitting her feelings to herself, much less to him. They're probably going to dance around each other for some time before they even reach an agreement. They're both so stubborn that way. But I'm going to help them out in this.

The grandfather clock nearby chimed. Dinner was still hours away but Anna figured she might as well wait for Elsa in the library. She walked to the library and entered it without bothering to knock. What she found within though made all her thought processes halt altogether.

"Oh… my…!"

A/N: It's been months since I've updated and I do apologize for the long wait. I do have one chapter after this that's mostly written already so you won't have to wait too long to know what exactly Anna found in the library. Any guesses?