Happy New Year fellow fanfickers
Since it's 2016. I decided it would be great to start a year with a new chapter.
Let me now your ideas and opinion. The more reviews the fastest I write.
Special thanks to Marcz for the review.
Note. King Stebor of Renalia is a canon character from Frozen Universe. He appears in one of the light novels.
Disclaimer. Frozen and other Disney characters belong to Disney Co.
Chapter 16. What happens in Arendelle stays in Arendelle
"Get Inside." She said in a whisper trying to control her emotions by pressing her teeth.
Once he entered she closed the door of her study quickly with her powers, whishing no one had seen them.
She passed next to him, avoiding to look at him.
"By the Angel!" she exclaimed frustrated. "I hope…I can't even…"
She rested her hands in her window rail. She let out a deep sight keeping her head down giving him her back.
For a while none of them spoke.
She raised her head a bit to look at his reflection on the window.
The young man behind her looked as he has just had a fight with a bear. His face was down, eyes lost at the carpet. It was the first time she noticed he was missing a boot and a sock.
As her eyes kept lost in his reflection, she noticed as ice patterns started forming in the window crystal. Instantly she removed her hands and crossed her arms; a habit she had gained during the passing years. She tried to remove the frost from the window but she was not able to concentrate at all.
Please not again.
She tried again. But the frost remained.
Giving up the Queen of Arendelle took another deep breath.
"Please say something." she said almost inaudible, but her tone still sounded upset. She did not turn her body yet.
The Prince raised his head. Elsa felt uneasy when it seemed that his reflection was looking straight at her.
"It was an accident." he muttered. "If it weren't for that bloody pig."
"Again with a pig?" She said blinking not understanding anything. "Derek what pig?"
"Remember that mysterious ghost we went looking for?"
Elsa nodded still not turning around. Part of her didn't want to let him see the frost in the window; the other part of her, was so mad at him that she was afraid she might do something she would regret later.
"Well, we followed the trail." He started as he cleaned his face with his wet shirt. "And we found out it was hiding somewhere in the castle."
He made a pause, probably giving her time to say something. She didn't say anything.
"So," he continued. "We knew it was probably some kid or animal under a white blanket. After a while the lady with creep…uhm… the Housekeeper lady joined the party to help us."
"Then what?" she said deciding to finally face him at last.
He looked at her for a moment but broke the eye contact while rubbing his muddy hair and looking at her desk instead. She could tell he was feeling upset as well.
"We split." He said finally showing his face at her. "I got to look at the East Gardens where you and …"
"Let's jump that part shall we?" she said quickly. There was no need to retell that story, since it was replaying itself in her mind.
Seeing that he was no longer speaking she decided to talk.
"What I want to know is, how did you…well…we…end like this?" She said louder that she intended. She opened her arms for a moment forgetting the reason they were closed at first. She pointed at his ruined clothes and then at hers.
"I was going to explain that part." the Prince said.
Elsa raised an eyebrow.
"Oh please enlighten me, for I cannot understand anything." She said sarcastically once again crossing her arms.
"As I was saying, I was searching near the roses when I found some footprints on the dirt. They seemed to belong to an animal. So I leaned under the bushes to see them more properly. I was so distracted in the footprints that it was too late when I heard something approaching me from behind. The animal pushed me so hard I fell in the mud. I can still taste the dirt you know."
Elsa rolled her eyes, ignoring his joke. "So you went after the animal?"
"I imagined a wild animal running in the castle was unwise." He said giving her guilty smile.
"Indeed it was." She admitted remembering what just happened in the gardens.
"So, when I stood up I saw him. It didn't ran, it was there right in front of me. He might have a blanket over his face, but I recognized a pig behind the covers."
"A pig?"
"Aye. Quite handsome the little fella, but the dragon's breath…" He assented with his head.
"Derek!?"
"What? I'm just adding some details to the story. Don't give me that look."
"What look?"
"That look!"
"I'm not giving you a look."
"Yes you are."
"I'm not…" it was then that she noticed how their faces were. Feeling too close, she took two steps back in an instant and broke the eye contact. "Just, finish your story before I throw you an ice ball."
"Easy, easy. As i was saying, I made up a plan. I would use the same blanket to tie his trotters."
"By the state of how we look now, I presume your strategy didn't work Captain."
"My strategy was doing fine" he defended himself "until the bell in the clock tower echoed in the walls and it startled the pig. As I feared it started running scared and I jumped to grab him by the collar of his big neck. But I never expected that pigs could give up a fight like that."
"You mean? You fought with a pig?"
"Where do you think I got all my clothes ruined? I was grabbing the white sheet while he started jumping. I lost balance easily and he was freed from it. But he didn't escape. He went towards me. That bloody pig! He pulled my clothes, and almost bit me in the arm twice. I couldn't do much while having so much weight over mi chest, and…"
"How did you manage then?" she found herself interrupting him. "Sorry, please continue."
"Forget about it." He said. "Well, I'm not proud of what I did but it worked."
"What did you do?"
He rubbed his hair once more and arranged his shirt collar that was torn.
"Promise me you won't tell anyone." He muttered frowning.
"What are you…?"
"Elsa." He said more serious now. "You have to promise first."
She sighed. "You know you can trust me."
"Not even to you sister. Or the reindeer."
"Derek."
"Fine, I'll tell you." He said. "I..." he took a deep breath. "I bit him back."
"You bit him back?" she repeated what he said, trying to process it. "You mean you …?"
"Yes."
With your mouth?"
"I told you it's not something to be proud of."
"That is..." She felt sick by just imaging it.
"Come on, you can laugh now."
She didn't laugh. Instead she made another question.
"Uhm, so where did you…?"
"In the ear." He answered before she could finish the question.
"After that he hit me in the arm but I was able to crawl and stand up."
"Are you alright?"
"I'll be fine, I've tasted worst things in my life."
"I wasn't talking about the taste of the pig's ear Derek!" She said rolling her eyes at. "You know what I mean."
"At least three pigs will be needed to defeat me."
Elsa didn't pushed the matter more. She knew that was his way of saying he was alright.
"So, what happened next?"
"Well the fella squealed in pain as I got myself free. And I started chasing at him again. He hid into the big bushes at the middle of the gardens and I followed behind. Then you know what happened next. I…I didn't realize I was still carrying that with me."
Elsa looked at the chair where his hand was pointing. Over the chair a white sheet - stained with mud and red paint-rested. She wished she had fire powers in the moment instead, so that she could burn that thing into ashes.
Silence reigned once more. For about a minute they stood like statues.
The Prince was the first to break the silence.
"You think she'll be fine?"
"She is seventy years old Derek." she spoke finally failing to hide her discontent and fear in her voice. "I, I thought I would frost everything again when she fainted. If you hadn't catch her in time….what if?"
"Elsa. You must understand none of this was your fault. I will apologize to her properly. I give you my word."
"I know you will." She said in a calmer tone. "I guess you also deserve an apology."
"Are you out of your mind? It was all my fault!"
She gave him a sad smile. "If I hadn't slipped in the first place we wouldn't end up like this." She said as she arranged her wet braid in her back. "And…." She hesitated and her eyes looked down slightly "I'm… I'm sorry about your shirt."
"Never mind about that." he gave her a soft smile. "This old thing used to be my old training shirt. And the pig was the one who torn it in the most. Besides it was time for me to get a new one anyway." He approached to the chair and took the dirty blanket. As he started folding it, he spoke once more.
"So, what now?" Instinctively he was about to take a sit but a sudden change in the temperature of the room made him stop abruptly.
"Don't even think about it." Elsa's cold voice made him shiver even more than his wet clothes.
She stopped looking at him as she started to think carefully what to do next.
"We cannot let anyone else see us like this."
"I agree on that."
"We need to clean ourselves before dinner."
"And definitely I need to brush my teeth like a thousand times."
She didn't know if Derek was joking or not. If it were her case, she wouldn't be joking either.
Her eyes were fixed in a book shelf.
"I have an idea."
The Prince stood beside her as she pulled the same red book she discovered many years ago. The one with the tittle "The labyrinth by Daedalus" with a Greek Delta.
Derek whistled.
As expected, the bookshelf opened as a door.
"This brings back memories." He said as they both entered.
She grabbed an oil lamp and lit it.
"Shall we?" she asked.
"Ladies first."
…..
"Your Highness? Princess Anna? Oh there you are Princess." the voice of a man interrupted the named girl who was setting some of the ornaments in the Christmas tree.
"Oh hello Kai." said the Princess as she was balancing the best she could on the staircase that Kristoff was holding.
"Princess Anna I just came to inform you that her Majesty will not join you until later to set the Christmas tree decorations."
"I thought Elsa would be free this afternoon?" asked Kristoff.
"Indeed Mister Bjorgman."Explained the Butler "But I'm afraid something surged that needs her attention."
"Did a meeting with her Council came up?"
"Her Majesty did not gave me the details. She just asked me to inform you she will join you both, as soon as she can."
"Oh, well I guess it can't be helped. Thank you Kai." Anna set the red sphere in its place. "Kristoff could you pass me that ribbon, please?" asked the cherry blond. "Not that one! What's wrong with you and colour orange! Honestly…." Anna sighed. "The big golden one. Thank you."
As the young man lend her the golden ribbon and rolled his eyes. "But orange is a natural colour. Like carrots. Golden is not."
"Don't be silly, we want everyone to feel the Christmas season not carrot's harvest season. Just leave the decorations to the professionals." Reclaimed Anna.
"And who might that be?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"Elsa, Gerda and Kai of course. Oh, and me. Elsa promised to add a bit of her ice touch to the tree later."
"I like the idea of real ice ornaments." the blond man said with a shine in his eyes.
"I wish she were here with us. UGH! I hate this week! I hate the Council of the Realms!"
"Your Highness!"
"Whoa, whoa. Calm down baby. Why the sudden burst?"
"I… it's just… Well, Elsa thinks we don't notice. But I know her, you know her. She barley sleeps and ... and also she's been working on everything at the fullest. I'm sick of it. I just want her to rest and have the perfect Christmas."
"And she will Anna." Assured her Kristoff looking up at her. "This is Elsa we are talking about. And we will help you with it. Right Kai?"
"Mr. Bjorgman is right your Highness. No one deserves a much better rest that her Majesty."
"Still," said Anna in a more relaxed tone. "Elsa told me she would have the afternoon free today. I thought she would be having tea with Queen Violet of Genovia and later she would join us to set the tree together. I was looking forward to tell her all about the ghost and the pig and everything."
"The life of a ruler is not an easy one Your Highness."
"I know." Admitted the girl.
"Also, Princess Anna, you should be careful. That ladder is as old as myself."
"Don't be ridiculous Kai, I won't fall from… Whoa!" screamed the Princess as she lost her balance from the stair and fell. Luckily the Ice Master caught her.
"Watch it feisty pants! We still need you in one piece."
The Princess smiled and got to her feet. After she arranged her green dress she addressed the other man. "Oh, stop giving me that look Kai. We have everything under control, I promise. Don't worry."
"Of course you are Your Highness." The head butler said sarcastically. Then he did a little reverence and before he left the room he approached Kristoff. "Keep an eye on her."
Kristoff nodded and then Kai left.
"So, I never asked. What happened with your loyal Sidekick and Mr. Secretary?"
"Right, I totally forgot after all the things that happened with Ser Bacon. Olaf went to the infirmary giving Gerda some company while she rests a bit. About Derek, I really don't know. He mentioned before how hungry and tired he was. Probably he took his chance and went to look for something to eat. I'll bet my dessert he's hiding in the library right now."
"Sounds like him."
"Still I can't believe he'd so easily quit to our mission." She said frowning. "I'll have to teach him some manners later. I'll ask Elsa for ideas."
"What kind of ideas?" he frowned at her not understanding.
"For payback of course." She smiled mischievously giving Kristoff the chills.
...
A knock at the door made him abandon his impossible quest.
He looked around the mess in the floor. Clothes were everywhere. Not only he had lost today his only training shirt but also he couldn't find the other pair of shoes he had brought with him.
Curses!
"Coming." He said quickly to the person behind the door. "Just a second please."
He quickly removed all the clothes and hid them inside one of the empty drawers.
He closed one of the drawers energetically. After his third try the drawer finally closed.
Making an internal note to himself to buy more training shirts later he pulled the hand of the door.
"I'm little busy right now. Could you ... Elsa?" He was really surprised now. When he opened the door he was expecting to see his father or a servant. But the Queen of Arendelle herself was in front of him instead.
"What… what are you doing here? Why are you still dripping wet? What if someone saw you?" he asked quickly, not giving her time to answer any of his questions. It was then when he noticed she was carrying something in her hands.
The blonde, who was still dripping wet suddenly raised her eyes to look at the sealing. Her face turning to a shade of pink.
"Uhm…No one is in the royal wing at this time of day." she said looking at his door instead of him. "I thought… uhm… you might need this." She threw at him a pair of boots and some dried towels.
Derek caught the bundle of towels and boots. He felt himself smiling as he looked at the bundle of towels. The boots were at least one size bigger than his but he didn't care.
"Thanks. But where did you get these?" Derek said as he turned to leave the things he was carrying on a chair.
"Kai." Was her quick response. She didn't sound her normal self. If he didn't knew her better he would say she was acting nervous.
If she did this, she can't be that mad at me.
He turned around to thank her. But she was already gone.
He quickly ran to his door out of the hallway looking for her, only to see her door closing in a loud noise.
If he had paid more attention to his surroundings he would have noticed the traces of ice in the carpet right below him.
"What's wrong with her now?!"He thought as he closed the door.
Such manners Your Majesty. He thought as he rolled his eyes.
"Now where did I leave that toothbrush?"
He passed the chair, then the full body mirror to reach his trunk.
He stopped abruptly. He felt as if all his blood had been drained from his body in an instant.
Slowly he took a step back. Then another one. He turned around even more slowly. After a second or two, he was looking at himself in the mirror.
He felt his stomach shrink. It was not the poor image of a vagabond he gave. Nor was messy spiky hair all muddy and wet covering part of his eyes. It wasn't even his wet white training shirt all ruined.
From being totally cold his body felt hot. He could feel all his face warm up. He wanted the earth to swallow him. Maybe he should abandon his current life and change his name to Dork.
He let himself fall at the top of the bed. But he had forgot about the towels being there. He slipped and fell in the floor hitting his head and back.
"Bloody hell!"
But the pain could never be compared to the embarrassment and anger he felt for himself.
"Why!? Of all the people, snowmen and reindeers in Arendelle. She'll never forget me for this. I am so dead now."
If she had considered the chance of forgiving him for the garden's incident now it was out of the question.
She will probably take revenge for this. There was no doubt.
He took one of the boots she just gave him and threw it to his left in frustration. Followed by a weird noise the drawer opened up like a bomb, making all his clothes rain. What was left was a worst mess than before. He removed one of his socks from his head. He hit his head in the front of the bed in frustration.
How could he not notice before? How stupid could he be to never notice, he was not wearing any pants?
….
It was very late that night.
Elsa was brushing her hair when a distinguishable knock on her door made her stop.
"Come in Anna."
Her sister closed the door behind her.
"Hey Elsa."
The older sister saw from the reflection her mirror casted as Anna took a sit in her bed.
"Elsa?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you planning to work late tonight?"
"That was my original plan but so many things happened today that I decided to leave work for tomorrow"
"I see." Her sister said.
Anna remained silent for a while admiring her sister's ritual. But after some minutes the warm blooded Princess started to play with her nightgown and biting her lip.
Sensing her sister's urge to tell her something Elsa left her sit in the mirror stand, and joined her sister in the corner of the bed.
As soon as Elsa took a sit next to her sister, Anna bursted out.
"Alright what's going on?!" she immediately said. "Why did you excused yourself from dinner so soon? Why are you not wearing your ice dress?"
"Well…"
"I mean you look beautiful in that dress as well, but not as beatifuller."
"Anna."
"And what was that face you made after you heard about a ghost in Arendelle?!" her sister seemed to be lost in her monologue to even notice Elsa was actually trying to respond her.
"I know you are not telling me something Elsa and it's killing me to see you concealing yourself like this…I don't ..."
ANNA!"
The Princess stopped talking.
Finally.
"Sorry."
Elsa smiled at her sister.
"Don't be." She said calmly. The blond laughed to herself.
"What's so funny?"
"It's just, well. Everything you said."
"What about it?"
"It's seems I cannot hide anything from you."
Anna smiled too.
"That's because I'm your sister silly." She said. "Now, care to explain to me what's going on?"
Elsa took a deep breath, reviving all the things that she's experience the whole week. From the oldest memory to the most recent one today. Feeling the embarrassment already take part of her emotions she preferred to remove from her mind today's events.
Anna raised both her eyebrows at her sister. There was no doubt she was waiting for a full explanation.
"Fine." The Queen said.
"Remember that time we received full cargo of wood?"
"The one from Rosendelle right."
Elsa nodded.
"Well, even if it was only a gift it made me realize something."
"What is it?"
"That I should be extremely careful with my powers, because I am also a Queen."
"I don't understand."
"The reason King Frederik sent especially wood was in case I lost control of my powers once again. The wood reserve would help the people of Arendelle to warm up. I know he had good intentions, that's exactly why I know he did it. Because he cared about our people as well."
"So that's it? You're worried that your powers might lose control again?"
Elsa was surprised how easily Anna had understood what was worrying her.
"Yes." She answered.
"But, ever since the Great Thaw nothing has made you lose control over your powers. Well, there was that time in my birthday surprise but you were sick. That does not count."
"Actually," Elsa said looking down at her hands.
"Wait, don't tell me something happened."
Elsa raised her eyes to meet Anna's.
"Elsa? What happened?" she noticed her sister's worried voice. "Please." She added in a motherly tone.
This was one of those time Elsa thought herself acting more like the younger sister and Anna being the protective older one.
She sighed.
"It happened the day Prince Robert and Derek got injured in that meeting."
Elsa told everything that happened in the meeting. She told her how angry she felt the moment the son of Lord of Dull insulted Olaf and herself.
"Where is he staying?!" said Anna standing up from the bed. "In the Hotel? In a ship? In an Inn? You know what, I don't care. When I see him I'm gonna…"
"Anna" Elsa said grabbing her sister's arm and pulling her back to the bed. "Please sit down."
"So did you froze him or what?" Anna asked anxiously wating for an answer.
Elsa denied with her head.
"I would lie if I told you the image came to my mind but I didn't."
The Queen told her sister the rest of the story when Derek suddenly fell from his chair followed by Prince Robert of Andalasia.
"Elsa, to freeze your ink pot is NOT a crime. It could happen to anybody." Anna said. "Well, not anybody, but … it was a little accident and you hurt no one."
Elsa denied once again with her head.
"There's something else." She said calmly. "I was the reason Derek injured his back and Prince Robert to fall as well."
As Elsa was telling her sister, the memory played in her mind as clear as water.
…
Elsa remained still looking out the window. Today's sky was so clear that even the North Mountain could be seen from the castle.
Checking the time in her watch she decided to pay a visit to the infirmary and see that both Princes were alright. Maybe the right thing to do was to escort them from the beginning to the physician's but the recent events with the Lord of Dull still bothered her mind.
"Your Majesty?" came a soft male voice behind her.
She turned her head to look at the butler.
"Hello Kai. Are you here to inform me the state of our injured guests?"
"The doctor is checking them now as we speak."
"Good to know. I should probably go see them now."
"Uhm…Your Majesty?"
"Yes?"
She noticed as he arranged his collar in a nervous manner.
"Something is wrong isn't it?"
"Well, yes."
"Are they all right? I knew Dere..I mean, His Highness was lying when he said he was fine."
"It's not about any of the Princes Your Majesty."
"Then what is it?"
"Maybe you should see it for yourself."
After closing the door the head butler turned to the Queen.
"After everyone abandoned the meeting room I personally inspected the room to see if any personal belongings had been left behind. I trust the staff members but a political crisis is the least we need in Arendelle."
"I agree, thank you for your consideration Kai." The Queen said. "But I'm still confused, why did you bring me here."
"I found this Your Majesty." He took out of his pocket something. Whatever it was, it was tiny and covered in his handkerchief.
Elsa took it and removed the handkerchief. It was her ink pot that remained frozen.
"Thank you Kai." She said, hating herself for being so careless.
"There's something else you need to see Your Majesty."
She didn't liked the tone he said that last part. He sounded worried. Kai might always act worried but he always had everything under control. This time he looked as lost as he was the time she ran away the day she was crowned Queen.
Elsa followed his gaze towards the under part of the table.
She found remains of wooden sticks - probably from the chair Derek was sitting on – but what she saw right under the table made her gasp.
A straight line of ice picks and frost came from her own sit. But what scared her the most was that all those sharp ice picks seemed to be pointing directly to Derek's sit.
She kneeled down not even caring the face Kai was making for such an unqueenly stance. She inspected carefully with her fingers the carpet. Not only there was a thin layer of ice in Derek's place, but also under the sits that were next to it. The sits of Prince Robert, King Frederik, and King Stebor of Renalia.
"Kai?" she said still not standing up.
"Yes Your Majesty?"
"I'll appreciate that this stays between only you and me."
"Of course Your Majesty. Should we reassign another room for tomorrow's meeting?"
Elsa thought for a moment while she held one of the broken wooden sticks in her hand.
"No." she said in a quiet tone. She stood up as she put the wooden stick in her pocket alongside her still frozen ink pot. "We can't let anyone suspect something wrong happened in this room. I'll get rid of the ice. And after that you'll bring a team to clean the room. I'll trust you with the selection of the team."
"Yes Your Majesty. I'll let you know the moment the room is ready for use."
"Thank you Kai. For everything."
"Don't even mention it."
…..
"What happened after that?" asked Anna.
"It took me more time than usual to unfreeze the ice, but at the end I finally did it. After that, I went to meet you at the infirmary."
"I can't believe it."
"It took me by surprise too."
"Not your ice powers acting in a stranger way than usual. What I can understand is why didn't you tell me right at the moment?"
"I guess," Elsa made a pause feeling guilty. "I guess, I felt ashamed of myself. It seems I am still very far from having full control over my powers."
"You can't feel ashamed of that. Look, it was just bad luck, that man decided to talk nonsense in the meeting. You should feel proud Elsa. I believe you actually were able to control your powers. If it had been me, with or without magic powers, I would have totally lost control of myself and jumped straight at him to beat him."
"But that's the point. It would make completely sense if the ice had been directed to the Lord of Dull's sit. But it wasn't."
Anna thought for a moment.
"Mhmmm. You said that you were sitting right in front of Derek weren't you?"
"Yes, that is right."
"Maybe your powers just followed a straight line from your point of view."
"Maybe," she said. Elsa thought of other times her magic would behave in that way, but she couldn't remember any. "I just hope it doesn't happen anytime soon."
"It seems to me dear sister." Said Anna playing with Elsa's pillow. "That magic is a mystery bigger than Kristoff love for colour orange."
Elsa laughed for the first time today. Anna was trying to cheer her up, and it was actually working.
"Could it be because carrots are also orange?"
"Chocolate is brown and brown is not my favourite colour. It's green."
"Good point."
"Oh, by the way, I wanted to ask you something about him."
Elsa raised her eyebrow not fully understanding her sister's question.
"About who of what?"
"I mean, Derek. I was expecting a proper apology of him."
"About what?"
"After we split looking for the ghost he never appeared again. I think he went hiding to the library or his room."
"Oh." Said Elsa.
"He didn't even came down to dinner tonight. So I need some suggestions from you to have my revenge."
Elsa thought for a moment. She actually knew the reason the mentioned Prince had disappeared mysteriously since the late afternoon. The reason involved her too. But she and Derek had come to an agreement to never speak to anybody what happened in the gardens.
"Derek was invited to dinner by Queen Violet." She explained Anna,
"Really?" the other girl said surprised. "How come? I never thought they were friends."
"He was probably summoned for some business talk."
"Then why would his father not attend too?"
"Derek is an expert in merchant routes and shipment. Probably the Queen just need some advice."
The real reason Derek was absent for dinner, was simple yet Elsa could not reveal it either to her sister. The Prince of Rosendelle had invited the Queen of Genovia to dinner as an apology for today.
"I never knew he was that good."
"That's why we should never judge a book by its cover."
"Still, he aborted his mission as Secretary."
Elsa got an idea. That way she would not also be doing her sister a favour but also to Derek and herself. After seeing him wearing only a torn shirt and underwear it was an unspoken agreement between them that tomorrow they would probably be avoiding each other.
"I think I have a suggestion to have your revenge on him…"
…
How did everything turn out this way? Derek asked himself.
First came the ghost; then the pig; then the incident in the gardens with Elsa; then Elsa again; then Queen Violet who had looked at him weird the entire dinner; then that awkward moment during breakfast where he had to say good morning to Elsa; and now this.
For some reason, Anna was not very happy with him. Apparently she was asking of him to accompany her and help her with all her duties for today as punishment for quitting his job as Secretary yesterday. Of course he was not a deserter. But he could not explain the real reason behind his disappearance either.
He preferred spending a day with an energetic Princess than another awkward minute of silence with the Queen of Arendelle.
And so he followed Anna here and there around town. They made many stops. In the market to check that all merchants had their permissions of their stands for the Winter Fair. Later they went to the local children's school to listen to some Christmas Carols the kids had prepared.
After lunch in a small coffee shop they continued the Princess's appointments. They visited a man named Oaken and bought some carrots for Sven and Ser Bacon.
"That bloody pig."
"I'm sorry Derek did you say something?"
Realizing he had say that out loud he spoke quickly.
"I was just saying I am actually enjoying myself today." he didn't lie to her. It might be like running a marathon to keep up with the Princess energy but at least what they were doing was not boring as a meeting.
"Oh, that's…great."
…
Anna felt frustrated.
In a way, she was happy, even flattered that Derek was also enjoying helping her out. But that also meant that Elsa's idea to bring Mr. Secretary to assist her was not working at all.
"So, where to Anna?"
"We need to get Kristoff formal robes from the tailor."
"Formal robes? Is he attending tomorrow's dinner perhaps?"
"No, he doesn't like those kinds of events. The clothes are for the Winter Ball next week."
"Oh, right I totally forgot about that. I'm not into social events, but my father would never allow me to skip it."
Then it hit her.
That's it! Oh I'm so brilliant I deserve myself some ice cream cake.
She had figured out exactly how she would teach Derek to never ever leave her deal with a pig on her own. And also she would make Elsa to fulfill her promise.
…
If there was something the Princess of Arendelle was good at was being perseverant. But being at the end of the week of the Council already, and not finding a dancing partner for Elsa had been so hard.
Kristoff´s family members were out of the question since they were not royalty under the Arendelle law. Besides, Elsa would never dance with a rock anyway. Anna would never allow her sister to be accidentally stepped on by a rock. Being stepped by her mountain boyfriend was already hard enough.
She had asked her uncle of course. But the King would be returning to Corona as soon as the Council would end. He wouldn't miss the opportunity to spend Christmas with his daughter.
She had omitted King Frederik. She knew how difficult it was for Elsa to deal with physical contact and Anna knew from experience that the old man's famous bear hugs could literally break a bone or two.
She had even considered asking the Salvatore brothers, whom by some reason ever since Elsa talked to them they had treated both sisters very nicely. And they had become good friends. But they had no nobility title, and the Queen has to dance with a royal according to tradition.
Anna considered asking some members of Arendelle's royal aristocracy, but after what the Salvatore brothers had warned her she doubted any man was safe enough. According to Ezio, most people were wishing to meet the Ice Queen to see her powers; while Nico had said that others also wanted to meet her for her good looks. Both twins warned her to be careful especially for those men that would look at her sister more like a trophy than a person. They had promised her they would protect Elsa in exchange Anna would dance with each brother on the Winter Ball. So yes, aristocrats were mostly out, since it would take Anna ages to investigate all of them and find the proper one to be Elsa's dance partner.
That left Anna with the next option. The Prince of Rosendelle. The man that would argue the most with Elsa, but also the only one apart from Kai and Kristoff that Elsa seemed to trust.
Elsa would be busy all day dealing with Ice trades and since Rosendelle already had one with Arendelle, Derek and his father were free today. And he was meant to spend all day with her. This was an opportunity of a lifetime.
They reached their final destination. Her usual visit to the Headquarters of the Army. The Prince was actually looking forward to this appointment. Apparently, it was not very common for a Princess to master sword fighting. But for Anna it was as normal as being sister of the Ice Queen.
"You can fight with a sword. Kristoff speaks reindeer. Your sister gave life to a talking snowman but you all consider me weird?" The Prince said while he took out his celestial bronze sword.
"Point taken." Anna admitted. "We never had a normal childhood. Elsa barely left her room. So I started to hang out with the servants and the guards…. And Joan."
"Who?" Derek asked.
"Never mind."
"I didn't know that." Derek muttered almost to himself. His left hand reaching his left pocket in his vest.
He seemed a bit distracted after that. This might be her chance.
"So…. Derek. I noticed you and my sister are always trying to demonstrate which one of you two is the best in everything. Right?"
"Correction dear Anna. She is the one who is trying to do the things I can normally do."
"Yeah sure. Whatever you say." Said the Princess. "Still I was wondering if you are interested in making a bet."
"A bet?" Derek looked uninterested but his gaze remained in the Princess.
"Yes. If you win I will tell you something Elsa is not good at. That way you could beat her."
The Prince's dark blue eyes lit up. He was interested now.
"Go on…" he asked smirking. "That would make her forget about … never mind. Oh well…In love and war everything is fair."
"Yes." Anna shivered a bit. He could be as scary as Elsa when he wanted to win.
A slight smiled appeared in his mouth.
"Alright." He said. "I like it. But what if you win? What's in for you?"
Anna smiled. This might be her only chance to achieve her goal.
"Well…" she took a deep breath. "You'll havetodancewithElsaattheWinterBall….please".
"I beg your pardon?" the Prince said. "The only words I understood were please and the Elsa's name"
"Sorry." Apologized the Princess. "I meant that you'll have be Elsa's dancing partner for the Winter Festival Opening Ball."
"Dancing?!" he said hesitant "I…I don't dance." His free hand was now messing his already messy hair.
He looked terrified. But Anna was already expecting that answer.
"Yes, but it happens that you are also a Prince. And the Queen of Arendelle needs to open the Ball with a royal."
"Kristoff is not a royal and you are dancing with him." He said playing his last card.
Anna smiled. "He has a title."
Derek looked upset but remained his calm.
"I'm not a very good dancer." He admitted.
"So? Elsa doesn't know either. " She said. "That's why Olaf would be teaching you as he has been doing with Kristoff and me."
"But, the Ball is next week."
"Believe me. If Kristoff learnt to do it by know you two can manage."
The Prince looked puzzled. His hand went to his pocket again. He was deep in thought.
"Fine" he said after several minutes. "I only need to win."
Suddenly he looked very concentrated. Anna could tell he was not joking this time. He was taking the bet really serious.
And so the match began. Derek was really good with the sword. He might not be a dancer but he seemed to be moving in harmony. There was no doubt he had received military training. He was one with the sword. Anna was having a hard time. She had to come up with a plan. And soon.
The only person right now who could actually defeat him is Elsa. If only…
A sudden realization hit the Princess. That's it! Elsa!
She would apply Bulda's (Kristoff adoptive mother) advice:
"Girl, a man can only think one thing at a time. If you ever need to stop Kristoff speaking to himself as a reindeer you only need to mention something else he likes. Just mention the Ice or carrots and he will forget for an instant what he was doing or saying at all."
"Not bad." She said. Stopping his sword with hers.
"Same for you Anna. You are really good."
Their swords clashed together and they jumped at the same time as they separated from each other. Anna jumped back and stood near a little pond of mud. She was exhausted. He was not even sweating. She had to end it quick or else she would lose the bet.
He stood there for a moment. She took a deep breath. His sword in defensive position, never losing guard.
"You are the same as Elsa. None of you accept defeat." The Princess said. "Maybe I should ask her instead if she knows something you don't want her to reveal."
At the mention of the Queen's name Anna noticed how the Prince lose his fighting posture and his cheeks reddened. Derek was blushing.
So there was something Elsa knew about him that was completely embarrassing for him. Now she was curious.
While he stood there, trying to focus again she saw her chance. Anna took an offensive position. The one Frank (one of the gates' guard had taught her once) and got ready.
Derek must have understood she was not willing to move from her position because he raced at her. Still, Anna noticed he was not as concentrated as before.
He was coming fast ready to make her fall. The one to lose would be the one to drop the sword first.
Just a bit more. She thought waiting for him to reach the spot she wished.
He was now very near to the little pond of mud.
"So you don't want to dance with Elsa because you are afraid she can be a better dancer than you." She said.
"What?! No!" he blurted out but kept running.
"Why do you want to know something she is ashamed of then?"
"Information tactics."
Just a bit more.
"What are you planning to do with that information?"
"Keep it."
"Is it related with something embarrassing she knows about you?"
He stopped abruptly. He was now standing in the pond.
Anna smiled triumphantly.
"That's none of …" but before he could finish his sentence the thin ice that covered the pond broke with his weight. And he fell. Hard.
At the normal eye the little pond could be just a little pond and nothing else. But Anna and the guards knew better. It was a hole.
The Prince's body was buried. Mud reached him till his waist. And he had dropped his sword in the process. She had won.
As for his face. Anna couldn't decipher what he was feeling. Astonishment or embarrassment or anger.
"That… was…not…fair…" he said while he tried to come out of the mud.
Anna smirked. She tried hard not to laugh for his clothes covered in mud.
"Didn't you say it yourself Derek? In love and war everything is fair." She was now grinning.
He tried to leave the pond but every time he fought his body would sink even deeper into the hole.
"I'll give you a hand if you accept to offer yourself as Elsa's partner."
"I don't want to."
"Also, you'll have to ask her tonight."
"Tonight. Why does it have to be tonight?" he muttered to himself once more.
"What's wrong about toninght?" she asked. "You two, always end up talking about books or something at dinner. That'd be the best opportunity to tell her."
"Nothing's wrong."
He grunted. He was more upset that he showed of course. Some of the guards were hiding their laughs under their hands, but it was in vain. And it might have been Anna's imagination but it looked that even the horses were laughing at him.
"Fine you win. I will keep my word and pay the debt." He said in the most royal tone he could muster. But with his not so royal appearance it made Anna lose it and laugh. "But, you will have to bring the topic. I give you my word I will accept the offer."