Really appreciate all the positive reviews so far. So glad you're enjoying the story. And now, let's dive into the investigation into Olaf's question.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything mentioned or referred to in this story.

Chapter 16

The Search for Answers

Elsa woke up to a knock at her door. She sat up in her bed, eyes half closed. "Who's there?"

"It's just me, your majesty. I'm sorry to wake you." It was Kai, the head-of-staff at the palace, getting her up for another day as queen.

"No, no. It's totally fine, Kai. I've been up for hours," Elsa said with a yawn.

"Excellent, ma'am. I was just reminding you that Kristoff is heading into his meeting in an hour. I might suggest you start to get ready to leave by then."

As Elsa got up, she noticed the sun was beginning to shine into her room's window. She frowned a little. Kai normally woke her up a half hour later. Still, she had to appreciate his determination to ensure that everyone was up and ready with plenty of time before an event.

It was then that Elsa noticed her reflection in the mirror. Elsa frowned. Somehow, her hair had gotten undone, and there seemed to be a little drool dripping down her chin. Clearly, she must have been sleeping as hard as Anna usually did. Kai was definitely right to get her up. She needed to do some quick work to make herself look presentable in front of her people.

It was as Elsa was getting ready that she remembered the conversation from last night. When Olaf had asked the question about the deeper connection between gifts and Christmas, Elsa had been as confused as anyone. Gifts had been a common part of Christmas, but Elsa had been more focused on her fears than on what Christmas meant in the past.

When Jack and Olaf had suggested going down to the village to ask around, Elsa had been unsure. After Olaf's last adventure, Elsa was uncomfortable with the idea of traveling around too far from Arendelle, at least by yourself. Still, she knew that the wolf problem was getting cleared up without eliminating the species entirely. Thus, the woods were safer to travel through now. Besides, they would mainly be in the town proper, not the woods. Not to mention it would be a good way to visit her subjects and get to know them better. As Elsa thought about it, the idea seemed to appeal to her more and more. To be honest, she was kinda excited to hear what her subjects thought about Christmas.

A short breakfast and they were off. Kristoff drove the sleigh with Sven to the village. People were starting to set up shops and merchants were setting up stands in the markets. It seemed to be a very good winter day.

Once the sleigh stopped, Kristoff turned around. "Alright, I'll be heading out to help the ice harvesters and finish up the administrative stuff for the year. That should take a little while, so I'll be back by sundown. You all can head back to the palace if your search is unsuccessful. Let me know what you find. Good luck."

With that, Kristoff flicked the reins, and Sven took off. Everyone had gotten off and were looking around.

"So, what do we do now?" Olaf asked.

Jack shrugged. "I guess we make some conversation, and make sure to bring up the question you asked, Olaf. Then, we make sure to gather the remaining party materials we need."

Everyone looked at each other and nodded. Seemed like the best thing to do.

Olaf smiled. "Great. Let the search begin. I'm sure this'll be the most informative trip ever."

It was the least informative trip ever. Elsa and the others had found out next to nothing about the deeper layers of Christmas. Everyone had seemed to have an idea or two about holiday traditions, but nobody had any ideas or time to discuss the deeper meaning of Christmas.

The trip hadn't been a disaster, though. They had had a good time, overall, helping out around the village, getting Olaf some chocolate to try, and even going as far as Wandering Oaken's to order some stuff and ask him about Christmas as well. But while the Christmas shopping seemed to be done, the answer to Olaf's question seemed far out of reach.

Maybe that was why Olaf's smile seemed a little less bright. Elsa looked down at him. "I'm sorry, Olaf. It doesn't seem like the people we asked have answers to your question."

Olaf looked up at Elsa. "It's ok. I might not have gotten an anwer, but I do know that Christmas is still fun. Lots of great traditions, events, and gifts. I know whatever gift I get will be great."

Elsa smiled. Olaf seemed to find the bright side in any situation. Never complaining, always cheering you up. He was the best snowman ever.

Anna smiled as well. "You know, maybe there isn't a deeper reason here. Maybe it's just the sense of family and togetherness that make Christmas special."

Olaf nodded, a little distracted. "Very interesting idea, Anna, but hold that thought. Do you all hear that?"

Everyone looked at Olaf. "Hear what, Olaf?" Jack asked.

"Hear the singing. It sounds so sweet and nice."

Elsa perked up her ears to hear. Now that she thought about it, she could hear some singing as well. It seemed to be coming from the church. She couldn't quite make out what they were saying, but the tune sounded nice and catchy.

Anna looked over at the others. "I hear it too. Maybe it's carolers."

Olaf gave a small gasp. "Carolers. I love carolers. What are carolers?"

Jack looked down. "Carolers, Olaf, are people who sing Christmas songs at Christmas time. Usually, they travel from door to door, spreading some hope and cheer with the songs they sing. The songs are very good."

Olaf's smile grew even bigger. "I like that idea even more. Can we go and see them?"

Elsa thought about it. It was starting to get late, and the weather was getting cloudy. She wasn't sure if they should be heading back. Still, it seemed to be cheering Olaf up. Maybe it could be a good higlight for the end of the day. She nodded. "Alright, Olaf. We can go see. But not for too long."

Olaf nodded. "Thank you, Elsa. This'll be great, I know it."

As they made their way over, the song started to get clearer and clearer. It was a faster tune, with a sense of catchiness and nostalgia somehow seeming to fit together. And the lyrics were good lyrics indeed:

God rest ye merry gentlemen

Let nothing you dismay

Remember Christ, Our Saviour

Was born on Christmas Day

To save us all from Satan's power

When we were gone astray

O, tidings of comfort and joy

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy

There were several other verses like it. All telling about a baby that was born in a town called Bethlehem, with people coming to see him. As Elsa got closer, she noticed a group of people gathered around a singular spot outside the church. They were all wearing warmer clothes and had little choir books out. They were indeed carolers.

The spot they were gathered around seemed to fit the song perfectly. It was a small recreation of a stable. A man and a woman were leaning down in front of a manger, where a baby seemed to be laying. Several small men were gathered around the stables as well, bringing gifts to the manger. None of these people were real of course, just pieces of the recreation. Elsa smiled. She had seen these little nativity scenes at certain spots in Arendelle. Still, it seemed to her that this scene was one of the best made versions out there.

Elsa decided to wait on interjecting until the singing had ended. Olaf was hopping to the beat and Jack and Anna were nodding their heads to the tune.

Now to the Lord sing praises

All you within this place

And with true love and botherhood

Each other now embrace

This holy tide of Christmas

All others doth deface

O tidings of comfort and joy

Comfort and joy

O tidings of comfort and joy.

Once they had all finished, Anna clapped her hands. "Nice vocal chords. You could give Kristoff a run for his money."

The carolers turned around at the clapping. They all looked shocked when they saw who was standing there. "Your majesty," they all said while bowing.

Elsa shook her head. "There's no need for formality. We heard the music, and wanted to come and see."

Olaf nodded. "Indeed. What's going on here? Who's the baby in the manger?"

The carolers looked at each other. A smaller man with glasses stepped out, obviously the leader. "You mean you have you not heard who the child is?"

Elsa and Anna looked at each other. Elsa seemed to vaguely recall her parents mentioning this once or twice. She couldn't recall the details, though. Anna seemed to share the same look of forgotten memories.

Anna turned back. "I don't think so."

Some of the carolers looked shocked, a few giving gasps. The leader turned back to them. "Shame on you all. We are not the only ones who need to know the Way. Jesus said to make disciples of all nations. That's why we tell others the Good News we have heard, especially since the News is rather joyous. It's only fair and our duty to explain this News to them."

The leader then turned back. "I'm Paul, by the way."

Elsa nodded. Paul seemed friendly and helpful, though if it hadn't been for the church, Elsa would have thought this gathering was a cult. Still, it wouldn't hurt to listen. Maybe they would gain a little more insight into Olaf's question.

Paul began. "The manger represents a very important event. A long time ago, in the Ancient Roman Empire, there was a woman named Mary, who was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph. One day, Mary was told by an angel that God had chosen her for a task of great honor. The Holy Spirit would conceive a child within her. He would be called Jesus, and would be the Messiah.

"This news was rather tremendous. Not only would Mary's child be conceived in a supernatural way, but the angel said that God had chosen her as the mother of the Messiah. The Messiah was a person who was prophesised hundreds of years prior to be sent by God to establish a kingdom that would never end, bringing peace and justice to the world. Also, the angel said that the Messiah would be the Son of God, through God's creation. So the fact that Mary not only heard the news that Messiah was coming, but also found out that she would be the mother of Jesus, the Messiah and Son of God, was very tremendous and exciting. And Mary accepted the news with honor and humility.

"When Joseph found out Mary was pregnant, he was worried about her. People might have gotten the wrong idea, and the punishment for comitting adultery was deadly. He had decided to divorce her quietly, so that she wouldn't get the punishment. But God told Joseph in a dream to not be afraid to take Mary as his wife. Joseph was then told the news about Messiah and Joseph became excited for the big day as well.

"When the time came for the baby to be born, Mary and Joseph had to travel to a town called Bethlehem, the home of Joseph's family, for a census. There was no room at the local inns, so a stable was all they had to use for sleep and the time of the baby's arrival. When Jesus was born, Mary wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger.

"There were other visitors who came to the scene. Some were local shephards who had been told the news by angels and went to see for themselves. Others were wise men, or Magi, from the East, who had come based on a star God had put up to mark the occasion. That's what the nativity scene here demonstrates. Joseph and Mary in front of Jesus, and the wise men and shephards coming to celebrate him."

Everyone was silent for a second after Paul finished speaking. Elsa paused. She felt like she had heard this story before, but she had never heard it this way. While she had heard of the baby in the manger and the shephards and wise men, Elsa hadn't heard about the Messiah aspect to it.

Olaf nodded. "That's a great story. So is that what Christmas is about?"

Paul nodded. "Yes. Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus' birth. Just as God gave the gift of His Son for us, so we remember what He did for us and give gifts to each other."

Anna gained a slightly confused look. "What did Jesus do? I mean, it's an excellent story, don't get me wrong. And I also get now what the nativity scenes represent, but I don't know what the full siginificance is. What did Jesus do?"

Paul looked over at her with kind eyes and a bright smile. "Everything."

Elsa was confused. What did that mean, exactly?

But before Paul could continue, lightning flashed and thunder crashed. Rain started falling hard. Elsa looked up, realizing that they had stayed out too long. Even if she could freeze some of the raindrops, she couldn't freeze them all. They needed to get home quick.

She pulled Anna and Jack away from the crowd. "It was very nice meeting you all. I do want to hear more about this. Maybe at the Christmas party?"

Paul nodded. "I'll be there. By the way, if you're interested to see what I'm talking about, look for a Bible. Look in the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and the book of Romans. They are great places to start for understanding Jesus and what we're talking about. I'll be sure to come and tell you more at the party in a few days."

Elsa nodded. "Good, see you there."

She then turned and started following the others, who were making their way back to the palace. But before she left the small square, she turned back to the nativity scene. The manger was there, and the lighting on the stables seemed to make it and the baby shine bright.

Elsa had felt something as she had heard Paul's story. It wasn't a bad or terrible feeling. If anything, it felt good. It felt peaceful and loving, wanting to learn more about the nativity and the baby behind it. Elsa didn't consider herself religious, but she hadn't fully felt this way before, even when she had gained control of her powers. Elsa decided then that maybe she would look for Paul or one of the carolers at the party in a day or two and ask them more questions. This conversation was definitely one that needed to be investigated.

And we have finished. This is what I was referring to in the last chapter regarding the new sub-arc. This concept will be brought up here and there throughout the rest of the story. Just want you all to be aware. Thank you again. Please rate and review.