Ciao! So, I received a review from an italian reader. And in her/his honour I decided to upload another chapter.
Don't worry about your English my friend, I myself am not a native English speaker. I'm Mexican (Hola). And I also speak a bit of French and Italian (but my Italian is not that good :P). BTW It's funny how things turn out but it happens there will be 2 Italian OC's (named in honour of two characters from some fandoms I love) So I hope you like them.
Also next chapter will be last to be about Elsa's and Anna's childhood.
Also Frozen is not mine it belongs to Walt Disney Co.
Chapter 7. Winter Fair is Coming
Elsa felt excited this was the first time she ever left the home. She was glad her powers were at ease for the moment. They were standing in the docks near a flower shop. Nobody seemed to care about two seven year olds. It was perfect.
"Elsa" Derek said. "Here. I forgot to give you this." He gave her a cloth. "You should cover your blonde hair. I will use a little hat. That way we will look different as our real selves. And protect us from the cold". He shivered a little while he rubbed his hands.
"Oh right, thank you." Although I don't mind the cold. Besides the snowfall from yesterday can hide my powers if I lose it a bit.
...
The fair was full of people. Many children were playing and running around, families and couples. Elsa guessed the whole townspeople had attended to the Winter Fair. They were watching the ice sculptures when a blonde boy about their age approached them.
"Hey, ehm…" he hesitated. "You like ice no?"
"Yes!" Elsa answered. Why wouldn't I like it?
Well, there's this snowman contest at five noon. You can come if you want to." He said.
"Awesome we ...ahhhh!" Derek screamed and so did Elsa.
A baby reindeer had appeared from nowhere and was holding what looked like pamphlets in his mouth.
Derek took one from the animal. "Uhmm... Thanks? I guess".
As soon as Derek took the paper the blonde boy and his baby reindeer left them.
That was weird. Elsa thought.
"What do you say? Should we give it try? Maybe we can win, they are giving prizes and everything." he said happily.
"Sure, why not? It sounds fun. Let me take a look at the invitation" She said.
He handed her the piece of paper and she read it.
Ice Harvesters & Associates of Arendelle are pleased to invite you
to the "Annual So You Think You can Build a Snowman Contest"
Maximum groups of two people can participate. (Not age restriction)
First Prize – Two silver watches with the winners' names inscription
Second Prize – Two pair of skates.
Third Prize - A family discount in the Wandering Oaken's Trading Post & Sauna
The registration stand will be located in front of the park. Competition starts at five in the afternoon.
"I'm in." Said a very excited Elsa. "Here says that we need to register so I was thinking we should use fake names. Because, well… you know so they can't recognize us."
"Good thinking. But I get to pick your name." Derek said.
"Only if I can chose yours" responded the girl.
"Sounds fair to me. Ladies first" Derek said in a funny tone. Elsa didn't liked the tone. It seemed Derek was up to something.
Elsa thought for a moment and then came up with a name. "How about Wolf".
Derek made a disgust face. "Wolf?! We said names not animals."
Elsa laughed. "Your dad calls you his cub all the time. And you kind of remind me of a little wolf with that wild hair of yours".
Derek grunted. Thanks a lot papa.
Elsa was having fun teasing him. "Or maybe I should call you Derry".
Derek blushed hard. "Anything but that. Don't you ever dare to call me …that…I hate to be called Derry. My aunt Rosemary calls me Derry". My father and his big mouth.
Elsa was having fun buy making him angry. Maybe she should make him get angry more often.
"Alright I'll be Wolf. At least it doesn't sound that stupid." the boy said giving up to Elsa´s suggestions.
The boy then looked at her with an evil smile. "Now is my time for revenge".
Elsa shivered and certainly not for cold. Indeed, it was his turn to torment her. She wondered what name he could came up with to bother her. Wolf, ehem, Derek, cleared his throat and looked at Elsa. What name should I put her? Grumpy? Goldyocks? Nah, there has to be something that describes her.
Suddenly a strong breeze made him almost miss his scarf and Elsa's hair to be uncovered. She seemed to enjoy the weather for she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her blond hair seemed to shine. It seemed what suited her most was the…
"Winter" he said in almost a whisper.
"I'm sorry did you said something?" the girl asked as she hid her hair with the cloth once more. Derek wished she didn't though, he preferred to watch her blonde hair.
He cleared his throat and spoke "I said that your name will be Winter".
….
Her eyes opened wide. Winter?! For real?! Of all the names he could imagine he picked Winter?!
And then a thought came to her mind. She paled a bit. Did he found out about my powers? Don't be ridiculous! She said to herself. It must be a coincidence, just relax before real winter pops up from your hands. Right.
"What?" asked Derek "You don't like it?"
It's not that I don't like it but… "How did you came up with…with that name?"
Derek looked confused while his eyes locked in the docks avoiding her gaze. "I don't know. It just suits you." The Prince suddenly felt embarrassed and started to give glances around the Fair and shops looking for any ideas for another name.
"If…if you don't like it" he started "your other option will be…err…." He was looking everywhere, reading all the signs from the shops. "Found one!" He spotted one in one of the shops."You can be named Adele Dazeem".
"Adele Da-what?!" Elsa asked puzzled "Are those even real words?"
"It is a real name. Look there by the bread post." The boy pointed to a little purple tent.
Elsa turned around and read the inscription that was hanging in the top of the tent. It said:
"The Wickedly Talented and One and Only Adele Dazeem Divination Post"
Enter and find out about your future in love and wealth.
Card reading - 2 silver coins
Tea reading - 1 golden coin
Stars reading (only by night) - 2 golden coins
Palm reading (hands need to be previously washed)-2 golden coins
For your notice:
Not such thing as Crystal Ball Divination is practiced
(that thing is as fake as the Wizard of Oz himself. Never trust in that phony)
We open/close when the stars say so (or when we say so).
Elsa finished reading the inscription. So a name such as that really exists. No thank you very much.
"You know what, I think I'll take Winter as my fake name. I don't think I could ever remember the other one" She said returning her gaze to Derek.
"Don't worry I will remind it to you."
Elsa frowned at him.
"Okay, okay. I get." He said. "Probably I would forget how to pronounce it. But Adele is easy to pronounce isn't it?"
"So Derry what should we do before the competition." She said pronouncing slowly the Derry name.
Derek made that face of disgust again. "Fine, I won't call you that if you stop calling me you know what."
She frowned. "Fine. So Mr. You Know What, have any ideas where we should go first?" She was smiling again. It was really fun teasing each other.
Derek pretended he didn't listen to her and looked at the clock located in the center of the park. "It's your kingdom, you pick. We still have a few little time before the competition. What do you suggest Winter?"
She smiled at her fake name. "Now that you mention it, I always wanted to see the big fountain of the park. Papa once told me about it. He said the legend said if you dropped a coin and made a wish it will come true. But only if you were pure of heart" the Princess said.
"I don't know about you, but today I feel very pure of heart." He said smirking.
"Me too!" the girl said smirking as well.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" He grabbed her hand and they went in look for the fountain.
...
Elsa was grabbing the golden coin Derek had gave her. She was wondering what she could wish for. Maybe tons of chocolate for her and Anna? Or maybe a new novel? She had everything she ever wanted. Her parents loved her and she had Anna. And know she had Derek as a friend. She even had control over her powers. They had increased a little this year but nothing to worry about it.
If only Anna could be here with us. She could make the wish instead. I really don't need anything. That's it! Anna! Maybe If I wish she recovers soon we can build a snowman together.
"So, did you decided what you are wishing for?" Asked Derek playing with his own coin.
"Yes I did." Elsa said giving a wide smile. "And you?"
"About eons ago. You can really be slow sometimes." he smirked.
She frowned "I am not slow".
"Yes you are." He teased "Maybe you should wish to be faster in making wishes".
"And maybe you should wish for a decent comb for that spiky hair of yours." The Princess said.
His face turned read and he passed both hand over his hair. "It's the bloody wind's fault."
"That's a bad excuse. Even for you."
"Fine you win. This time".
I win all the time. Elsa thought.
"So, ready to throw it?" She said and he nodded. "On the count of three… One…"
"Two" said Derek.
"Three" both children said and threw their coins.
...
"So what did you wished for?" Elsa asked while she was making their snowman's face.
"Ah ah…I'm not telling." Derek said not looking at her. He was having trouble with the carrot nose. "There!" but the carrot fell to the ground for the third time. "It keeps falling." He said sadly.
"Here let me do it". Elsa took the nose and put it without any trouble. "Why are you not telling me?"
"Not telling you what?" he asked as he watched her putting the carrot nose.
"What did you wish for? Back there in the fountain." Elsa said looking at him.
"Duh! Because it might not be granted if I tell." He said putting the left arm to their snowman while Elsa added the eyes and mouth. "Really Elsa … Sorry, I mean Winter…" he looked around to see if somebody had heard him but everyone was busy with their own snowmen; except from that kid from earlier. He was actually making what looked like a horse with antlers. He couldn't tell.
That was close. "Where did you learnt to build snowmen? You have a talent with snow you know. Maybe you should try someday with Ice Sculptures."
…
Elsa didn't know what to do. "Well…you see". She hoped she could tell him. But papa and mama said to be careful with everyone; even with Derek and his father.
"Just tell me the secret. I promise I won't tell anyone." Derek said putting some stones in the chest of their snowman as buttons.
Snowflakes were falling slightly. Elsa couldn't tell if the snow was her fault or not but at least nobody seemed to notice.
Thank God is December. She thought.
"Secret huh?" she hesitated. "Well, uhm…"
"Yeah, you must have practiced a lot. But I don't think Arendelle is covered in snow the whole year." Derek commented looking at her.
Suddenly an idea popped into her mind. It was a silly idea but at least she would give it a try.
"My secret is that you have to practice with chocolate pudding." Elsa said showing a small smile.
"You have to be kidding me?" Derek said laughing.
"I'm not joking." Elsa said trying not to laugh. "Chocolate pudding is something you will always find in the palace because of Anna and me. The chocolate is harder to play with than snow." The Princess was actually telling the truth. Well at least part of it. She and Anna had tried once to make figures with pudding and at least for Elsa, snow was easier to give the form of a snowman.
"Okay I believe you. It sounds so ridiculous that it has to be true." Derek said "But seriously, what's up with you and Anna and chocolate?!"
"I don't know. We just love it." Elsa said.
...
The bright moon was shining and the night sky was full of the many colours of the fireworks. The smell of cinnamon, powder and forest caused such a pleasant sensation to Elsa.
So pretty thought the blonde Princess looking at the scenery.
"Elsa" the voice of Derek made her turn her head towards him.
Derek was sitting next to her holding his brand new silver watch with care and staring at it. It had been about an hour ago since their return to the castle. After they changed to their normal clothes they had went to the library's balcony to watch the fireworks.
"What is it?" the girl asked. "You don't like our prizes?" She showed him her own silver watch. "Because I do. Now I can never be late to Anna's tea parties."
He smiled at her, then spoke. "It's not that. On the contrary! It was great that we got the first place."
"Then what's wrong?" the Princes was starting to get worried.
"I.. I…"He looked at her blue eyes. He had lost his courage.
"I need to go to the bathroom!" He got up quickly and left her alone.
Elsa's face was blank. What did just happened? Boys! Oh well, he will miss the last round of fireworks.
…..
Meanwhile outside the library's door a Prince was walking in circles. Why did I said that? He wondered.
If it hadn't been for her they would've never found the secret passage. Also she was the one who suggested their fake names, which came very handy when the judges asked them their names. And at the end it was because of her they had won the contest as well. But most she was the main reason he had had so much fun today.
He'd never needed friends before. He was alright being by himself most of the time. And to show weakness to his new rival was simply too much.
The sound of the last firework made him realize he should be returning soon or she would start asking question he wouldn't like to respond. So he returned to the balcony.
At the sound of his footsteps the Princess spoke but her gaze was at the fireworks display.
"So did you make it on time or do you need a new pair of trousers now?" She was making fun of him.
He took a sit next to her again and spoke.
"Ha, ha. So funny. As it was demonstrated before, I'm the fastest here. So I managed to get there in time."
"I see." She looked at him. She then gave a face of disgust and moved away to her right."Eww! Derek how dare you?!"
"What?!" the Prince asked
"Don't pretend you don't know!" She pointed at his hands. "You didn't washed your hands!"
Realization hit Derek hard. His hands looked any but clean after their activities from that day.
"Don't tell me you never wash your hands when you go to the bathroom?! How unclean."
"I...I…" he didn't know what to say or do.
"I recommend you to take a full bath before dinner." The Princess said while standing up and took her silver watch. "See you there. DERRY!" and she left.
Derek stood up and yelled "For your information ADELE, I just needed to see my reflection in the bathroom's mirror! I didn't use it."
He heard the girl's laugh.
"Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the weirdest of them all?!" Elsa's voice was heard one last time.
"ELSA!" but his voice was lost in the strong sound of the last firework.
...
They were all having dinner in silence. The King of Arendelle was reading some correspondence Kai had brought him while the others were just silently eating. Derek, who's hair still looked wet from his quick bath, was busy trying to cut his steak when his father spoke to him.
"So tell me cub. How was your hunting today?"
"What hunting?" Derek said not understanding what his father meant. He was only a boy; he wasn't allowed to use a sword or bow yet.
"Frederik is referring to your ghost's hunting dear" the Queen of Arendelle explained.
"Oh..." Said Derek looking at Elsa's mother with fear. "That hunting".
…
The young Princess who had been quiet the whole time took a napkin and cleaned her mouth. She knew Derek would forgive about their supposed quest around the castle. But she didn't. She couldn't risk it.
"We had a great time mama." The blonde girl said. "Although we didn't find any ghost we did found a tunnel that communicates the Great Hall and papa's study".
King Agdar looked at her daughter with interest. Maybe he'd never heard of the secret tunnel before? Or maybe he was suspecting of them already.
"Elsa, sweetie did you really found such thing?" his father asked her.
"Yes papa. If you push hard the Arendelle symbol that is behind your throne a secret door opens that will lead you to your study." Elsa explained.
…..
Derek was just quiet. He never saw that tunnel in Elsa's book before. Maybe she is making it up. But she would never lie to her father. She must have found it by herself once.
"And if you want to go from Agdy's study to the Great Hall?" Asked King Frederik.
…
Elsa smiled. Her plan was working perfectly. The adults seemed more interested in this new discovery now.
"It's easy." The blonde girl said. "In papa's studio there is a book shelf near the window. Among the books there is a collection of thirteen books that correspond to The Olympians…"
"I'm sorry but I don't understand why this is relevant child?" interrupted Derek's father.
"Frederik let my daughter finish. I bet she has an explanation that will illuminate us all." King Agdar said and smiled at her. "Please Elsa, continue."
"Yes papa." Again every eye was on her. But she felt confident this time and not a single snowflake to be seen. Maybe being a Queen can't be that bad after all.
"I once read in a book that there were only Twelve Olympians. So I wondered, if there is a book for each of the Olympians, then why would it be needed a thirteenth book?" She took a brief pause.
Many gasps sounded at the same time. Derek tried his best to don't sound as surprised as the others so they wouldn't suspect anything. But all he found it hard.
She was enjoying telling the story. "The thirteenth book corresponds to Daedalus, but he is not a God. He was the man about the story of the labyrinth and the Minotaur. So why someone would put that book in there. If you pull that book, the whole book shelf will open and will lead you to a series of tunnels. One of them will lead you to the Great Hall".
…
Elsa that was brilliant! The young Prince thought.
Then, King Frederik hit his old friend in the arm.
"By the seven seas Agdy!" He was laughing now. "And I thought you were smartest person I knew. Let me tell you little lady, when the time comes you are going to be a great Queen."
Elsa blushed a little. Then she smiled when she felt her mother's hand on her back caressing her with affection.
"Good job dear." Queen Idun said "It seems you both had fun after all." The little girl smiled to her mother.
"How about you show me that tunnel some time later Elsa." Asked her father smiling.
"Sure papa. Can Anna come too?" the Princess asked.
"Can I come too?" asked king Frederik.
"Of course they can. I can carry Anna in my arms so that she doesn't walk." said the King of Arendelle. "As soon as we finish with the Council we will go on our quest".
"Just like good old times." said Frederik. And then again he began to tell stories from their childhood.
Derek was watching the scene in silence. He then looked at Elsa who was showing chatting with her mother. As if feeling his gaze she turned at him and winked at him. He winked back. He was too proud to admit it to her, but today she had definitely defeated him. You win this time Elsa.