Disclaimer: I don't own any aspects to this story.

Chapter 18

Preparations and a Break

Kristoff got up. It seemed like today was going to be a very nice day. The sun was shining, the wind seemed cool, and the villagers were going about their daily lives. Perfect day to start on decorating.

Kristoff was actually kinda excited about the party this year. This would be his second Christmas at the palace. Last year, Elsa and Anna had tried to do a party on Christmas Eve, only to find that most of the people were busy with their holiday traditions. Since then, the sisters had decided to try the party on Christmas Day. That date change got more confirmations from people who wanted to come. As a result, this year would have a Christmas Day party, with great decorations and good food. Not to mention the fact that people could still do their holiday traditions on Christmas Eve. It was a win-win for everyone.

However, for every party, there comes a time where the decorations need to be put up and the food needs to be made. Today was that day, apparently. Elsa had insisted that they get the decorations ready two days before the party. It was kinda surprising that nobody had gotten Kristoff up yet. Maybe it had to do with the fact that he had decided to sleep in the stables with Sven to stay closer to nature. Still, Anna, Kai, or somebody else should have come by now.

As if to answer Kristoff's questioning thought, there was a knock on the stable doors. Sven woke up with a snort. Kristoff turned to Sven. "You ready to prepare, Sven?"

Sven looked at Kristoff, smiling. "Indeed I am, Kristoff. Can't wait to spend the day carting decorations," Sven said.

"Thank you, buddy. Well, enough lollygagging. Time to get started." Kristoff got up and went over to the door, Sven following behind. He opened the stable door, expecting to see Kai with Kristoff's first assignment.

Instead, he found Jack waiting on the other side. Jack was leaning on his staff, a tired grin on his face. A big block of ice on a plate was sitting on the ground beside him.

"Hey, Kristoff," Jack said.

"Hey, Jack. How are you?"

"I'm doing great. Moving a large block of ice to carve a sculpture for Elsa, after listening to very precise instructions on how it should look. Why wouldn't I be excited?"

Kristoff gave a sympathetic smile. "Elsa's gotten controlling again?"

Jack's eyebrows raised in curiosity. "Again? This has happened before?"

Kristoff nodded. "Yep. During Anna's last birthday, she strived to make the party and surprises perfect. Gave herself a cold in the process, so part of the schedule had to be changed."

"Huh, the snow queen got a cold while preparing a precisely planned birthday, causing a planning change. That's a little ironic."

"You said it. Do you need help with the ice?"

"Nah, I got it. May add my own flair to it. So, are you planning on attending the Christmas festivities?"

Kristoff and Sven looked at each other. "We have our own traditions on Christmas Eve. It involves celebrating the life of a wondrous troll. So we won't be able to join for the beginning of Yuletide traditions, but we will be able to partake in later Christmas festivities. You're welcome to join us, if you want. Free grass galore," Sven said.

Jack nodded. "Ok. I think I'll pass, unfortunately. You have fun, though. Oh, before I forget, Elsa was looking for you. Find either her or Olaf. Elsa made him message delivery snowman. He's actually quite good."

Kristoff nodded. "Thank you, Jack."

"You're welcome. See you, Kristoff. And see you, Sven."

As Jack went off carrying the block of ice, Kristoff felt a small tug on his pants. Kristoff looked down to see Olaf waving at him. "Hi, Kristoff."

"Hey, Olaf. How are the preparations going?"

"Oh, they're going good. I've just been delivering important messages, like the one I delivered to Anna from Anna. It was so good."

Kristoff shook his head, smiling. Olaf was always a good fellow. It didn't matter that he was naïve. He always meant well, and was the one who helped others when they were down.

So it was kinda sad that Olaf seemed a little preoccupied lately. Kristoff could relate somewhat with Olaf's predicament. He couldn't tell what Sven really wanted for Christmas. That was one of the few things Sven couldn't really say. It was hard to know what you wanted, espeically if you didn't fully understand your friend at times.

That uncertainty about a gift reminded Kristoff. "Olaf, buddy, any luck on the gift you want?"

Olaf gave a semi-smile. "I'm afraid not. I'll admit, though, I think part of the answer might be learned in what we found out yesterday."

"You mean what that choir at the church told you all? I'll admit, I found the story very interesting. It explained what the Nativity is, but I'm confused what the importance of a baby in a manger means, regardless if he is the Son of God."

"Well, Elsa did find records written by a man named Josephus that this Jesus existed. Josephus wrote that Jesus died, though there were claims that Jesus rose from the dead. That being said, I don't have an answer either for why that's significant. I guess we'll find out the truth when the choir comes to the party."

Kristoff nodded. "I'll definitely be interested to hear what the choir leader was talking about."

Olaf nodded. Then his eyes widened. "Oh, Kristoff, I remember now. Elsa wanted me to deliver a message."

Kristoff nodded. "Right, Olaf. What does Elsa need me to do?"

Olaf reached behind him and pulled out a small stack of papers. "Elsa wants you to pass these papers out around Arendelle. They're party notices, so you can spread the word."

Kristoff took the papers. They were somewhat formal, though they had some pictures of people having a good time at a party. Anna's addition, probably.

Olaf raised a hand. "Before I forget, Elsa and Anna know that this trip would probably go past lunctime, so they had Chef whip this up."

Olaf reached behind him again and pulled out a large basket. The basket was filled with sandwiches and snacks. Surprisingly, it was even larger than Olaf. Where did he carry that… never mind. Something to ask another time.

Kristoff took the basket. "Thank you, Olaf. I really appreciate the help here.

Olaf nodded. "Good luck, Kristoff."

Olaf then turned around and went back inside. Kristoff looked to Sven. "Ready to head out, Kristoff?" Sven asked.

"You know it, buddy," Kristoff replied.

It was early afternoon by the time Kristoff returned. He had been all over Arendelle, spreading the invites. Almost all the villagers had agreed to come to the party, so the place was gonna be packed.

When Kristoff walked inside with Sven, he heard a loud crash. Kristoff ran over. What was going on? If Anna had gotten hurt, he would never forgive himself.

"Everyone ok?" Kristoff asked, rushing into the throne room.

"We're fine, Kristoff," Anna replied. She was helping Elsa up from the floor.

Jack reached down and helped a servant up from a snowpile. "Elsa tried to pick up some garland while directing a servant to put up a wreath in a precise spot. She tripped and sent the ladder falling with a sudden ice burst."

Elsa looked over at the servant. "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine," was the reply.

Elsa nodded. "Then we need to keep going. Time's a-wasting."

Anna looked over to Jack and Kristoff. Anna's look matched what Kristoff was thinking. Elsa had been going non-stop. She really needed a break right now. They all did.

But before Kristoff could say anything, Jack held up his hand in an "ok, I got it" gesture, then went over to Elsa. "Elsa, have you ever considered the saying 'work to live, don't live to work?'"

Elsa looked over at Jack. "Yes, I have. But we need to make sure everything's ready."

Jack nodded. "I understand. But we are way ahead of schedule. And all due respect, but you're more tense than, say, a yeti preparing toys for Santa in the Christmas rush."

Olaf looked over. "But I thought elves made the toys?"

Jack looked worried for a second, then waved it off. "Yeah, elves. That's what I meant. My point is, we all need a break. And I know just the thing."

Elsa looked over. "What do you have in mind?"

"Glad you asked, Elsa. I've done a little bit of this in my travels over the years. It's a friendly competition. We need two teams for this. Won't take more than five minutes. I want you to create a large snow fort on one side of the room. Something with battlements and gates that people can run through. Trust me, you all are gonna love this."

Elsa looked a little concerned. "I don't know. We should probably finish up all the preparations before we could consider taking a-"

Elsa's statement was interrupted by the sudden presence of a snowball lightly hitting her head. Kristoff couldn't tell for sure, but he thought he saw a blue sparkle momentarily appear around Elsa's eyes.

Elsa turned to the others. "Who threw that?"

All eyes turned to Jack. Jack looked around. "I can neither confirm nor deny the answer to that question. I do know though, that the thrower regrets nothing."

Kristoff backed away from Jack, noticing Elsa's determined look. Surprisingly, a chuckle came out of Elsa's mouth. "You want a competition, Jack?" she asked with a sly smile.

As Elsa made the fort, Kristoff turned to Jack, who was building another fort. "Now you've done it."

"It worked, didn't it?"

"Yes, though I'm unsure if you're getting more than you're bargaining for."

"Guess we'll have to wait and see."

Once the two had finished carving the snow, Jack turned back around. "Alright, Have we determined our teams?"

Kristoff raised a hand. "I call Sven on my team."

"That's the spirit, Kristoff," Jack replied. "I'll take Olaf on my team."

Elsa looked over. "I'll join you, Kristoff." She turned to Jack. "I've got a score to settle you know."

Anna nodded. "If that's the case, then I'll join Jack's team. That should even the playing field."

Jack nodded. "Fine by me. Alright, you should find some supplies when you get to your snowforts.

When Kristoff arrived at his fort, he saw a bunch of snowballs laying in a pile. "Are we doing a snowball fight?" he asked, turning to Jack.

Jack nodded, grinning widely. "Indeed, we are. Time to have some fun. Last team standing in five minutes wins. Ready, set, go!"

With that, Jack picked up a snowball and threw it. Kristoff ducked, picking up a snowball and returning the throw, running to his team's fort for cover.

With that, the snowball fight began. It was pretty evenly matched. Elsa and Jack provided additional snowball supplies alongside throwing their own in grouped projectiles. Anna and Sven turned out to be pretty good throwers. Sven had a good eye for trajectory, so he was able to throw his snowballs behind the fort's defenses with the help of his antlers, and Anna had a killer arm. Olaf loved to be thrown over both sides as a snowball. It was unclear who would win.

When five minutes had passed, Jack raised his hands. "Alright, everyone. That's it. Game over." A snowball immediately pelted him.

Kristoff looked over to see Elsa with a snowball in her hand. "I would like to say that the thrower of that snowball regrets nothing," she said, slyly.

"Point taken, Elsa." Jack mumbled.

As Elsa and Jack worked to clean up the forts and snowballs, dissipating the snow, Anna asked, "So, who won?"

Jack and Kristoff looked at each other. "I don't know. I guess it was a tie," Kristoff replied.

Olaf made a big gasp. "Great. Everyone wins. I like those kinds of games."

Elsa nodded. "I agree, Olaf. And you're right, Jack, I needed that."

Jack nodded. "I know, right? Everyone needs a break now and then. Helps to even up the tension and bring some fun into the work. Now, what say we get back to work?"

Elsa nodded. "Yes, let's."

Soon, everyone was back on decorating. After the snowball fight, everything seemed to go by much quicker and easier. Everyone was a little more cheerful, and Elsa was less demanding.

After dinner, Kristoff went over to Jack. "Hey, Jack."

"Hey Kristoff. What's up?"

"I just wanted to say thank-you. You've really been brightening things up here, especially with Elsa. She's been a little more cheerful, which hasn't been the case since before you arrived. I don't know what you did, but you've really helped her. So thank you."

Jack nodded. "Thank you, Kristoff. I really appreciate it. It means a lot, actually."

With that, Jack turned back to his room. Kristoff looked after him. It was very nice and fun, what Jack had done. With that, Kristoff turned back to head to the stables to sleep.

Thought it would be nice to give the group a break. Besides, how could Jack be in Arendelle with a fellow snow-powered person, and not do a snowball fight? That would be almost impossible. Please rate and review.