Chapter 6. Partners in crime

Elsa woke up earlier than usual that morning. It had been a week since the Festival had started and today was the final day of it. The Council Meeting would end until the next day. That meant their parents would be busy all day with final preparations. For the last days she had been spending some time with Derek and Anna. The three of them had spent so many hours eating chocolate, playing hide and seek and just playing. To her surprise, Elsa had found in Derek a friend and a rival. Derek could jump higher but Elsa could finish a book faster; they were tied in who could remember as many flags and symbols of royal families; she was better at Geometry and in Math but he was better in Geography and Astronomy. They'd competed in almost everything: even they'd tried who could eat much chocolate (although Anna would always beat them both).

Remembering her little sister Elsa turned to look at her still sleeping. She felt pity for Anna. The last time she'd played hide and seek (one of Anna's favorite's games apart from building a snowman) didn't ended quite well.

Why did she hid behind the plates? Again? Thought Elsa while arranging the covers over her sister. And it was all thanks to Derek that she was now safe.

Poor Anna, she got injured just before Christmas time. Her mama had told Elsa that Anna needed rest. At least Elsa and Derek would read stories to Anna in the afternoon before dinner.

The sound of the grandfather's clock from the living room made Elsa get dressed quickly and she took the piece of parchment that was standing near the old book "Arendelle a History" and left her room quietly. She then went to the library. Today is the day.

...

For the last week breakfast at the table has been quite amusing for young Elsa. She was used to her parents and Anna. But now that the guests from Rosendelle were staying for the Council Meeting and also for the Winter Festival, things had been quite different. The royal family of Arendelle now had breakfast and dinner with the Andersen's. Except for Anna who had to eat in their shared room due to her injury.

"…and then poor Alex had to wear a pink shirt for a whole day." chanted King Frederik one of his many stories about his years in Naval School along with King Agdar and Elsa's uncle in law King Alexander of Corona.

The adults were enjoying themselves and remembering the good old times. Elsa was sitting in the other side of the table. She was anxious for the little adventure she and Derek had been planning for that afternoon. And she was happy her powers had been at ease as ever.

Suddenly she felt something little hit her hair. She took a look at it. It was a pea. She then looked up and met the "Wolf's" stare –the way Elsa called Derek when he looked up to no good. She'd came up with that name for his wild hair and family symbol.

"How are you doing?" he whispered so that the adults wouldn't listen.

"Nervous" admitted Elsa. She could feel ice forming in her hands. Lucky she had both of them under the table.

"Don't worry it'll be all right" Derek said once again smirking.

She relaxed a little and the ice disappeared. Again with that mischievous look. What if they suspect us?

As if her mother had read Elsa's mind she asked both the children in the table. "Elsa, Prince Derek what are your plans for today?"

Elsa gulped and Derek who was drinking his carrot juice started to cough.

Suddenly the temperature of the room decreased slightly. Elsa knew that her parents knew the reason was her. Oh she was in trouble.

"Well we…" Elsa looking at her mother. Her father and King Frederik were all looking at her. Even Kai who was standing next to the door was paying attention to her.

Is this what it feels to be a Queen? To have all eyes over you? How can papa …. She could feel the ice forming in her hands once again.

"We are staying in the library." Said Derek quickly.

"Oh really?" asked the Queen of Arendelle raising an eyebrow.

Elsa turned to look to Derek trying to send him the message: She's not buying it.

"And then doing some exploring around the castle. We are hunting ghosts." Derek added quickly. "Right Elsa?" He gave her a Help me here! look.

Elsa took a deep breath and talked. "Yes mama. The other day we were reading The Canterville Ghost story and we were wondering if this castle has spirits too". Elsa said as calmly as possible. An assuring look from Derek told her she did it well.

"Ghosts? Here in the Palace?" wondered Derek's father. "My boy, I don't think …"

Elsa could feel her father's stare at her. He noticed the cold. He must be worried now. I must control it. She tried to calm down and the room soon started to feel warm again.

"Well you two…" Her father said calmly, referring to the Princess and the Prince. "Just be careful, the castle is not a playground. We will be occupied the whole day arranging the last details for the Council Meeting so stay out of trouble." He then smiled to her daughter. "I want a full report of your quest by dinner."

"Yes papa." Elsa felt relieved at her father's comment. The temperature of the room had completely returned to be warm again and no traces of ice in her dress could be seen.

"Yes sir, we will." Derek in the most serious tone he could conjure.

The Queen took her husband's hand and both shared a smiled. For the last days Elsa had shown improvement in controlling her powers and had made a new friend apart from Anna.

Soon breakfast was over and Elsa and Derek excused themselves. Elsa would spend some time with Anna playing with their dolls. She even conjured a bit of snow by her sister's request. She would meet Derek later in the afternoon. She wouldn't tell Anna though. If by any change they got caught in their mischief Anna would be totally be out of the scolding. The less she knew, the less trouble she gets into.

Now it was up to Derek to get the stuff they needed for Operation Winter Fair.

...

She had arrived punctually at five minutes to four in the afternoon. Elsa was waiting behind the door of the library impatient. After three knocks from the other side she whispered "Who is it?"

The voice of Derek came from the other side "Your partner in crime".

The young Princess suddenly smiled and let Derek enter. "Did you get them?" She asked.

"I was lucky. The skinny, almost mummy like lady barely caught me but If Anna has taught us something is to hide behind the plates can be convenient sometimes" He smirked.

Elsa raised an eyebrow. "First of all, that skinny lady has a name. Her name is Gerda. And she is not that skinny, she is the normal thin. There is a difference. Secondly…." She raised her tone a little bit, but not so much of fear to get caught. "Are you kidding me?! You could have get hurt! Remember what happened to Anna when she slipped and then …"

"I know, I know…" Derek said. "But after all we planned I couldn't give up that easy right?" showing that smirk of his.

Derek was right. After Kai mentioned a few nights ago, today was the end of the Winter Festival. And that meant, the Winter Fair. Elsa always dreamed of visiting the town's fair. There would be games, music, dancing, ice sculptures and …"

"I can't wait to see the fireworks" whispered Derek.

"Me too" She admitted. "And I also want to see the ice sculptures".

"I've never see one before arriving to Arendelle. I saw a swan-like in the Ball the first night we met." Derek mentioned. "I mean, we have ice in Rosendelle but we don't make figures with it. We are better in wood and boats. So yeah, ice sculptures are something I want to see too."

"So returning to the plan, did you get everything?" Elsa asked.

"Yes. I brought sandwiches, chocolate, some money my grandpa gave me before coming to Arendelle and matches for the tunnel" Derek said. "Oh, and some clothes too".

"Clothes?" Repeated a perplexed Elsa "I don't understand why?"

"That is why Elsa, I'm smarter than you. You didn't expect to go around town dressed like a Princess did you? People would recognize us in an isntant. So I took this clothes from one of the maids."

"I must disagree with your intelligence but you forgot adult clothes are too big for us. We are only seven Derek". The blonde said irritated. Here we go again. She wouldn't admit it but she enjoyed arguing with him.

The boy's blue eyes were shining with pride. "Not to worry this are her children clothes." Derek put one finger in Elsa's mouth "And before you say it, she will never notice. I promise I will return them late tonight."

Elsa nodded and Derek smiled again. She remained still even after he removed his finger from her mouth.

"So did you bring the book?" Derek asked this time.

Elsa handed him the piece of parchment she had brought with her. "I drew the passage here so that we don't need to carry the whole book."

"Great idea." He said looking at the map Elsa made. "I must admit it you also have brains".

"So is it a tide?" Elsa wondered taking from him the map.

"For now." Derek admitted. "Here, put this on and I'll change into mine" he gave her an old green dress. "I'll go change in the other room. See you soon".

"Alright" said Elsa holding the dress. "Operation Winter Fair starts right now."

"Yeah! Operation Winter Fair is on!" Derek whispered a bit louder, giving her a thumbs up.

….

The sound of the kitchen and the horses outside was he only sound Elsa could hear. Well that and her heartbeat and breathing. She was afraid the sound of her footsteps or Derek's would wake the sleeping guard in the corner.

As if reading her mind Derek took her hand and squished it a bit. He looked at her. His stare returned Elsa the confidence she needed and she smiled. Part of their plan was to avoid speaking by all means. She squished her hand back as a response and they kept walking toward the paintings room.

Suddenly out of nowhere a servant exited from Great Hall but he was so busy trying to keep his balance while carrying a tray of food that he never saw nor hear them when the children hid under the sofa.

That was close. Thought Elsa.

Derek looked at her. She could translate that look to "I know."

After the servant's footsteps couldn't be heard, they left the sofa and ran as quietly as a child of their age could possibly do. Finally they reached the knight's armor that remained unnoticed by so many in the castle. But not for them. For them it was their key to an adventure.

They both exchanged looks and nodded at the same time. They took the right's arm of the knight and pulled it down. Suddenly a thin and tall portrait of the North Mountain opened. The secret door that, according to their research, lead to the back side of the castle.

Derek took Elsa's hand once again and lit up a match. And into the darkness they went.