Christmas music and carols set the mood of the blessed season of giving in this chapter! When researching the history of Christmas songs, we found many of the most famous ones we all know were written post-1843, the year in our story where "Frozen Again" is taking place. Yet, there is still more than a smatter of timeless classics I've been able to incorporate in my Yuletide tale! I hope they inspire you as they have inspired me to sing along and feel the joy of the Christmastime cheer! Merry Christmas-time tidings of good cheer, Frozen friends!
– HarukaKou
We do not own 'Frozen' or any of its characters.
"Frozen Again: 'Love Never Ends"
Act VIII
Chapter 16
"Ring in the Season"
"'On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me: twelve bells-a-ringing'…
Silently ushered by General Mattias on one side, the redheaded Prince follows the solemn older man's rapid path back into Arendelle Castle, up to the second floor hallway where Agnarr had just carried his ailing child.
There was much ado of people standing in front of the King and Queen's master bedchamber, all wearing fretful looks upon their faces.
Queen Iduna and a professional looking man, who was holding a foreboding black leather doctor's bag, were just finishing up some serious discussion that solemn King Agnarr enters into. Mattias stands beside the King, carefully listening, as Halima joins Gerda in comforting Queen Iduna who heads back towards the door.
"Oh, Hans, dear. Thank goodness you are here." The anxious faced older Queen takes hold of Hans' elbow and gives it a squeeze as she pulls him aside. "Please go right in, Elsa needs to ask you to do something for her. Everything is in such a tizzy today." Even the usually nonplussed Queen Mother herself seemed to be stirred up over some unknown quantity.
And the source thereof, Hans' heightened senses knew, was right behind that engraved wooden bedroom door that the petite woman had been pacing in front of with the staid royal physician.
Her eyes meet her husband's disturbed ones as Queen Iduna ushers Prince Hans into their master bedroom.
"Elsa? How is your sister? Huh? Kristoff? Why is he the one laid up in bed? Was he not allright? Did he have a relapse?" Upon entering the darkened bedchamber, Hans was thoroughly confused.
He found the ginger girl whom he expected to find there after nearly taking that horrible spill earlier, was not the one tucked under the covers of the King and Queen's large master bed after all.
It was her blond mountain man husband instead lying beneath the bevy of blankets, propped up on a mountain of pillows.
As for Anna, she was seated on the bed's edge, with Elsa standing close by, quietly conversing with her sister.
"Why is Red here?" Spying Hans over Elsa's shoulder, a pink-cheeked Anna twists her lip sourly, causing a surprised Elsa to spin around on her icy heel.
"Hans!" She looks over to him with tears running down her trembling cheeks, thoroughly perplexing the young Dane.
Again the Prince of the Southern Isles goes into utter shock when the platinum pale Queen turns around and throws her arms around Hans' neck.
"Min kæreste, what troubles you?" Not accustomed to seeing his quiet, sedate lady in such an emotional state, Hans glimpses Anna's imperturbable expression. The restless ginger was massaging Kristoff's muzzy head on her parents' bed where the Ice Harvester was lying semi-conscious and slightly moaning.
"No troubles, my darling. I'm just so happy, Hans. This is such a wonderful day for our family." Elsa breathes into her fiancé's tickled nape with a relieved smile that extends from him back to Anna who sticks out her tongue at Hans in a nonsensical expression.
More and more bewildering…
"What auspicious news brings this about, my dearest one?" He had witnessed missions of many varied dangerous scenarios which brought the members of the Bernadotte clan to the point of tears. And thankfully, Prince Hans was fairly sure he was not responsible for any of it, this time.
From near-death experiences by pirates, to rediscovery of thought long-dead parents, to Snow Queen mirror magic and Devil Troll King strife the elementals helped battle, Hans was baffled by all these thoroughly confusing sights and sounds that now welcomed his worried senses.
Neither Anna's unreadable demeanor, nor Kristoff's obvious concussion or worse that would have the burly man laid up in bed, hardly spelled 'happy day' to him.
"Babies… Baby… My Baby's going to have my baby…" But Kristoff's incoherent murmurings answer Hans' question for him.
"Yeah! Anna's going to have a baby! How'd that happen?! I never came across it yet in the encyclopedia. Gotta look it up…It feels like magic though! She didn't have one this morning! Is the baby hiding in here?" Innocent snowman Olaf chimes in, clapping and hopping about the busy bedroom as he reaches up to touch Anna's tummy, with no idea of what he was talking about at all. Her Mama, all the handmaids and the doctor seemed to be so interested in prodding and poking and listening to Anna's midsection close, talking low about 'the baby', that Olaf deduced it must already gotten in there when he wasn't looking.
Olaf had followed Hans following Mattias and Elsa and Anna's Papa's harried trail up the stairs to the master bedroom where everyone seemed to be congregated in a state of disarray.
After a minute or two of wordlessly staring at Olaf and his insatiable curiosity she would have a hard time explaining, Anna climbs onto the bed and literally beams down at her man who was lying on his back.
Kristoff's eyes blink open several times.
"Sorry about that scream in your ear, my big buttery muffin. But I was so excited to hear we're going to start a family of our own, it's like the greatest, super Christmas present ever!" Anna declares with a deep breath and rub of her rather full stomach.
Kristoff weakly smiles up at her as he comes to from Anna's enthusiastically shrill, blood-curdling scream that knocked him out cold earlier. The high-pitched sound was still ringing not only in the Wind Whisperer's ear, but also echoing through his affronted swirling brain synapses that had mentally collapsed after his energetic little wife heard the doctor's pronouncement.
"Princess Anna is with child? My congratulations to the kingdom. Is that what you meant by excellent news, my Queen?" Hans inquires of Elsa after a sigh with relief at the now comical scene. The tough little young mother-to-be was giving her husband ministrations with sweet – if not tender – hands.
A cooing Anna pulls Kristoff to her lap and rubs the large red bump growing on his noggin after the dizzied blond's head came smashing down against the King's bedroom desk in the melee of first news excitement.
"Baby… owww… My baby…" The Ice Harvester's mind was yet swirling from his bond with Anna's psi-link that the intuitive young man thought was a bit crowded and wacko of late.
And now he knew why.
"Yes, it is wonderful. Thank you." Elsa nods a lackluster response to her polite young man who tickles the back of her neck into a smile rather than the frown which had been creasing the thoughtful brow on her gorgeous face.
"Then what is the matter, my love? Do you not care for the idea of having children around?" Hans asks about the touchy subject tentatively, a million new questions now popping up in his mind about the Ice Queen's perhaps dislike and aversion to 'discordant' children.
"No, of course not! There will be a new member of our family to shower with love, soon." Deeply blushing in shame on the topic her fluttery mind dare not entertain at the moment, a mortified Elsa utterly shoos away her slight grimace that only her Hans knew well enough to distinguish.
That's a relief.
Longing for a family of his own all his discarded life, Prince Hans already was harboring dreams of the future child(ren) he would be so lucky to father with his Norwegian beauty.
A family of my own…
Elsa swallows under Hans' inquisitive, intense, yet wistful gaze before continuing to speak.
"People have already gathered in the courtyard for the Bell Ringing Ceremony. Although I believe after his accident, it will not be safe for Kristoff to be the Master of Ceremony Bellringer to usher the Arendelle Christmas bell to the Cantebile high tower as he usually does every year. I don't wish to risk his falling from such a height in his bleary state of concussion, so I see no other recourse but to replace him at the ceremony scheduled in just a few minutes' time." Elsa whispers to Hans as she points him to the balcony window to view the expectant, populated courtyard below.
"However, the only other experienced Arendelle Bellringers – who in the past used to convey the bell up to the Belfry tower over a decade ago – are rather elderly now, and definitely out of practice. Our citizens will be so disappointed if we must cancel this traditional start of Christmas." Elsa pulls Hans aside after the got-it-together Ice Queen supplies Anna with an ice pack for Kristoff's big bruised noggin.
Elsa confides in Hans as they watch the always resourceful ginger girl wrap the frozen ice piece her magic sister had created from thin air in a stray pair of hidden stockings she had gathered from under her Mama's bed.
After all, free spirited Queen Iduna cared as little for the restricting, itchy, overheating undergarment as her wild child Anna.
"Ioffered to do it, 'cause I'm ace at climbing now! Kristoff brought me up to the mountains for climbing training a million times! But Mama and Papa both said 'no', emphatically. Spoil sports." With a pouty face, Princess Anna was still born ready and willing for any physical task. But she would have to be getting used to her new 'delicate ' condition that would prevent her from doing the many strenuous activities the feisty girl enjoyed.
"I thought I was just being a little extra gassy because of all that yummy pumpkin pie Gerda and Mama cooked up last night!" Feisty and honest as ever, her excruciating stomach pain's violent fits of nausea AKA morning sickness had now passed.
At least enough for the energetic girl to volunteer to replace her unfit, dizzy husband from the annual honor of being the Grand Master Bellringer granted the dangerous task of attaching the raised, huge, hefty bell to its tower.
But Anna's father had vehemently objected to her ridiculous offer, with Mama and Elsa being no help either. Both doe-eyed women were worried for the just declared six weeks' pregnant girl that they would all have to begin insisting on slowing down from being so active…somehow.
"That's why I asked Papa to call you here, Hans. As an able seaman, whom I have witnessed the agility of firsthand, I know you have no fear of heights. And I know you are a capable sailor who will know how to correctly tie the ropes that attach our massive, heavy, ancient Campanile castle bell to the tower headstock. Oh, I'm doing this all wrong! I'm sorry, Hans, I'm in such a jumble this morning. Ahem...may I request you, Prince Hans of the Southern Isles, to assume the role of Grand Master Bellringer in Mr. Bjorgman's place this year, to aid our kingdom of Arendelle once again – this time in ringing in the blessed season? I have already discussed this with Pap—the King." Adding the quick disclaimer that her usually begrudging, but surprisingly compliant this time, father was on board, Elsa bites her lip nervously as she looks to Hans.
"After all, Arendelle is your kingdom now, too, Vise Admiral Westergaard."
Her blue orbs twinkle at him with the fluttery-eyelash appeal. Elsa thought she already knew what her young man's response would be, but it tickled her pink to make the formal request anyway.
My kingdom, too?
"It will be my high honor to do all in my capacity to accomplish this task in benefit for the good citizens of this great nation. And above that, I relish serving at the pleasure of my beguiling Queen, in any position she entrusts to me." Prince Hans puffs up with pride that his Queen Elsa would think to include him in the auspicious ceremony of this magical northern kingdom of Arendelle.
Hans gratefully squeezes Elsa's hand that had landed lovingly upon his brightly glowing cheek.
"I do trust you, in all things, my handsome Prince." Elsa revels at Hans' warm, fearless touch with a soft smile full of love, as the affianced pair lose themselves in one another's eyes.
Then the door opens to the master bedroom and the King and Queen of Arendelle were accompanied by that dour doctor entering the room.
Anna was softly singing an old Lutheran Christmas lullaby to ease Kristoff's head wound.
"'From heaven above to earth I come
To bear good news to every home;
Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
Whereof I now will say and sing:
To you this night is born a child
Of Mary, chosen virgin mild;
This little child, of lowly birth,
Shall be the joy of all the earth.
Give heed, my heart, lift up thine eyes!
What is it in yon manger lies?
Who is this child, so young and fair?
The blessed Christ-child lieth there.'"
"That was quite lovely, Gingersnap." King Agnarr strokes Anna's ginger head lovingly before turning his attention to Hans with a more serious look. "Ahem, Vise Admiral. If my daughter has informed you of your current assignment, sir, you may be excused to acquaint yourself with the other church bell ringers gathered below to take instruction from them as how to best perform your duty at our traditional ceremony. I have instructed General Mattias to notify Minister Kai and speak to those involved below in the courtyard of the cast change. My wife prefers for us to remain here with the Princess, so it will be up to you to take orders from Queen Elsa directly as to the timing of the ceremony this year." King Agnarr instructs Prince Hans, coldly exact in what Elsa had already informed her father she wished to occur.
"On my honor, Admiral, I will serve your kingdom and its offices at this celebratory time of the year to the utmost of my abilities." Hans deftly bows his head to King Agnarr, who merely nods in acknowledgment as the preoccupied King moves towards Anna and Kristoff.
Hans backs away from his respectful address to the King to lock eyes with Elsa, who wiggles her fingers at him with an inviting, bitten lip grin of conspired amusement at her father's chilly reception.
In the next half hour's time, intelligent and dexterous Prince Hans was introduced and hearkened to the older men's sage advice. The clever young officer indeed impresses them all by quickly familiarizing himself with the mechanism of Arendelle's architecturally sound Campanile Belfry, taking each older bellringer's advice to heart.
The high Arendelle Belltower had been decorated with festive Julebukken and previously prepared last evening by Kristoff and the other church bell ringer society after hours of painstaking, sweaty practice for this year's Christmas 'Ringing in the Season' Ceremony.
The Arendellians took this beloved affair quite seriously and embraced it again wholeheartedly now that they had the chance to celebrate it as they did years ago. Together Elsa and Anna rediscovered that the true significance of the holy season's traditional start. It began when King Agnarr and his new bride Iduna had brought the time-honored custom back when they returned peaceful rule of the kingdom from the restrictive tyrant of the past, controlling King who felt Christmas was a waste of time.
From the yoke headstock to clapper Bell below the sound bow, Prince Hans admires the over six foot tall bell that was near his height. It had been polished and shining silver with its elongated cup-shaped cast metal embossed with Arendelle's crocus symbol crest in seasonal design from top canons down to its flared thick rim.
Sprinting up in a quick run-through from ground level where the bell had been stored in a nearby palace shed housing for the rest of the year, Hans times his swift movements down again from the belfry tower to the ground level courtyard.
There, Hans gazes from the expectant faces of children with their families in the citizens of Arendelle crowds all gathered around for the much anticipated Christmas Bell Ringing Ceremony which the Queen of Arendelle had reinstated four years ago after a thirteen year long absence.
This bell apparently symbolized much in this country, of not only opening the holy celebration of Christmas, but also the traditions in memory of happier times in the kingdom, when the gates were wide open and their beloved, young royal family were not in sheltered hiding from their people.
Keen to listen Hans had picked up all this gleaned information from overhearing the townspeople talking to one another as he conversed with the male church volunteers who had been scheduled to help raise by hand the large heavy silver bell.
All the people were especially pleased to attend this year's celebration that marked the return of their dear native son, King Agnarr and his lovely Queen Iduna, after the entire nation had been in mourning for these seven years of their absence from the kingdom.
"We hope Queen Elsa will be able to ring that weighty Christmas Bell all by herself! I heard our feisty Princess Anna won't be joining her after the unfortunate spill on the ice this morning!" One plump-cheeked brown bun-haired woman gossiped to another.
"The Queen is so tall and elegant and powerful, though she is just a slender sylphlike little thing." One old man concluded to the despair of the crowds.
"She'll be too sad to ring the bell alone if Princess Anna is hurt bad!" The quavering young children and twitching older women all talk at once about the dire rumors that the Christmas bell may not be rung at all today due to the early morning skating accident some witnessed.
"Let's pray for our dear Princess to not be laid up in bed, paralyzed permanently like we heard the footman say! She was so sprightly and full of life, poor lively little girl!" The older choir woman, who had taken on the role of pianist for the remainder of the skating competition, adds to the doubtful conjecture of the rumors spreading like wildfire in the castle's silence.
Anxiety was the overall sentiment for a great deal of the nervous crowd where canards of dread had been abounding for the past hour of uncertainty.
"It must be true! Kristoff and Sven aren't here to even haul the bell into the castle entrance! It's still the stable." One bent over grandfather points out that tittle-tattle tidbit with his cane.
"I bet the King is probably going to cancel Christmas because Princess Anna is sick. The bell won't ring, the whole kingdom won't celebrate anymore, and we won't get any presents this year." Once sourpuss face little boy kicks the snow bank curb with the unhappy negative thought cascade.
The pinch-faced boy pulls his bundled up little sister's blonde hair done up in a long, side-braid styled like her idol Queen Elsa.
"No! Queen Elsa loves Christmas! She won't let him!" The mournful-eyed toddler girl was so small and frightened, and about to burst into tears at her cruel brother's taunt that it touches Hans to speak up.
"That's right. No such thing will happen, child." Trying not to eavesdrop, or give the appearance of it anyway, Hans could not keep quiet any longer as he had been in the shed checking on the Campanile bell's tackle that secured it to its sleigh. He had attached his horse Sitron to be the lead of the special sleigh cart to take on the transport of the ceremonial item in anxious Sven's absent place.
"King Agnarr will NOT cancel Christmas. He is our smart, thoughtful leader who recognizes very well God's glad tidings of great joy through the gift of His Son, the baby Jesus, as our most precious present. He will always live in our hearts, and be our sweet friend all through the year, if we love one another in the true meaning of Christmas. Remember, just as God gave the best gift of all to us, we in turn must give the presents of love and kindness freely to each other as its own reward. No one can ever hide such love away from us." Prince Hans takes the time to pause in his duty to kneel down before the weepy little girl and know-it-all boy arguing in front of the Arendelle stable.
"Truly, Prince Hans?" The wee girl instantly recognized and was instantly in awe of Queen Elsa's handsome suitor.
"Truly." Charismatic with all females, young and old, Prince Hans gently wipes away the blonde child's tears with tender thumbs.
These children were among many listless ones, who, along with several old men and women of all ages, had been trudging about the street waiting for news. They each had been thinking the holiday season that they had been so looking forward to may return to the past of being quietly uncelebrated by the whole kingdom altogether.
But still they remained gathered in the tinkling snow in the bright sunshine, something inside yet expectant of ringing in the season of Christmas together as one, after this long, hard, cold winter.
As agile Hans deftly leaps atop the shed's pitched roof outer gable, each of the citizens blink up in the blinding sun at the handsome young redheaded Prince with slight glimmers of hope in their suspicious, doubtful eyes.
"Good people, your concern for your dear youngest Queen is admirable. I can happily inform you that I have just been in Arendelle Castle where Queen Anna is being well attended. And I may assuredly share with you the fact that your lovely, vivacious Princess full of life will be in fine form to celebrate Christmas alongside her family and share her immense capacity for love with you all." Hans' strident tone bolsters the people of the kingdom who adored their picture-perfect royal family and its attractive young Queens who took sincerely to heart the physical and mental welfare of their citizens as well.
"And you're right, min dyrebire (my little dear), your beautiful Queen Elsa, whom I adore, indeed loves Christmas. Because she believes, with all her heart too, in God's promise of love bestowed upon us at this time of year." In his most mild voice now, like an acrobat Prince Hans hangs down from the shed's low gable to touch the weepy-faced little girl's cheek.
With a tender brush to her hair, the winsome young man rests her tousled, mimicked blonde braid back into place over her left side chest.
"Hee hee hee." The little blonde child giggles at charmer Hans' tickle under her chin to make her laugh. Then in one swift motion, he gracefully leaps down to confidently stand in front of the crowd before the shed doors.
The Danish Prince's few words and message of hope along with tender kindness caused the entire disheartened crowd to soon share smiles and pleased nods at this positive messenger of general goodness of their dear Princess' health and their beloved King and Queen's conviction to espouse the Christmas spirit.
"My friends. Let us all this year not only physically ring the Christmas Bell out of tradition, but also lift our voices and cheer to show to the Arendelle Royal family how much sharing this joyous season of giving – not receiving – with them and one another means! Let from our hearts be a great outpouring of blessed love to the glory of God Almighty who has mercifully watched over and safeguarded Queens Elsa and Anna, to reunite with their parents King Agnarr and Queen Iduna, back to our wondrous land! Are you good people ready to ring in the season in that spirit of joy and love and gratitude to encourage Queen Anna and her family and give them a celebration of Christmas that Arendelle will never forget?" If Prince Hans Westergaard excelled at one thing – humility forefend him from counting his other numerous credentials – it was his unmatched style of eloquence in rousing speechifying.
"Merry Christmas to Arendelle!"
"Merry Christmas to Arendelle!" With a roared shout, the rallied citizens of Arendelle answer Hans' stirring call, reinvigorated to ring in the season properly with merriment and laughter.
Unified in one voice, they raise their hands and hearts and minds together to the inspiring speech of Prince Hans.
Looking very dapper and commanding in his Sjoforsvaret Navy blue officer uniform, he assuredly knocks in signal to the closed shed to have the volunteers usher out from the darkened stable housing the hallowed Arendelle Christmas Cantabile Bell.
The tall silver bell that had been kept well-polished and preserved for hundreds of years in this kingdom full of traditions is wheeled out by Sitron into the light. The golden-dun fjord horse proudly wore the wintertime blanket that held the Royal crest of Arendelle and the holiday Julebukken symbols alike as the Sitron proudly pulls the weighty sleigh bed with the monstrous, silver and gold, decorated bell strapped upon it.
"Oh come all, ye faithful, joyful and triumphant. Oh come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem!"
At the Vise Admiral's fitting Christmas carol's soaring introduction and beckoning hand, the re-inspired crowd follows Hans and Sitron carting the large silver bell down the cobblestone lane. From the stable shed rear they emerge back out around towards Arendelle Castle's front bridge entrance where the Bell tower was at the end of the road, vacantly awaiting the silver Christmas Campanile to complete its festive scene.
Hans smiles when the large wooden Castle doors open to reveal Queen Elsa's stunning figure.
Elsa had changed from her skating outfit to her formal Christmas dark blue long velvet gown. It featured a snowy white fur mantle accentuated with red berries and sparkling with ice crystals streaming from her every pore to greet the ceremonial Christmas Bell's arrival.
As the procession was excitedly approaching the Castle, Prince Hans spies where a smiling from ear to ear Princess Sofia was standing with Prince Hugo hand in hand. Her parents King Roland and Queen Miranda, along with siblings Amber on Prince Desmond's arm and James linked in a trio with Princesses Cleo and Hildegard, soon join them at the front door when they hear the melodious procession.
A pleased Chancellor Esteban also had emerged at the entrance from where he had been holding court in the King and Queen's absence among the several emissaries, ambassadors, dukes and duchesses who had not yet departed Arendelle after the Masquerade Ball.
Johanne waves to her friends from town, as even her brother, Councilor Kai, tired, yet smiling for the season, makes a showing alongside the Reverend clergy on the east end of the castle frontage.
Those friendly faces and royal visitors stood in the background sides of the castle façade while energetic Varian and Cassandra had, last-minute, decided to join Hans and the people in the street.
The young inventor rushes forward with his newest, latest invention which was to be Princess Rapunzel's Christmas present. The spiky, dark-haired young scientist eagerly adds his ingenious keyboard piano-cymbal-harmonica multi-instrument strapped around his slight frame.
Varian inserts his music making all-in-one instrument invention to the joyful procession as the mathematician competently performs the harmony backup. For music was essentially about numbers of timing and rhythm, now stirred by the heartbeat of romance that the young man's blossoming love for his Cassie had awakened.
Varian's now requited girlfriend Cassandra unashamedly steps out to prompt the less animated church musicians mixed in the crowd to join in, too. With some various string and woodwind instruments she had gathered from the castle's music room, the blunt guardswoman urges them, in no uncertain terms, to join Varian in accompanying Hans' powerful a cappella tenor in the 'O Come All Ye Faithful' Christmas composition.
Attractively smiling as he hears the music rise behind and in front of him, commanding Prince Hans gloriously projects his powerful voice as he not only leads the group of Bell Ringers and the Campanile Bell into the castle precinct, but also the re-energized entire town's citizens and music accompanied Christmas Carolers to join in as well.
"'Come and behold him, born the King of Angels!'"
The triumphant Christmas melody rings through the cool crisp air as nimble Hans races past Elsa—with a spontaneously irresistible split-second capture of his Queen's stunned, mouth-watering lips as the confident man flies past her—up through the castle interior towards the Bell Tower to guide the incoming Campanile in.
"''O come let us adore Him! O come let us adore Him!"
His beautiful golden voice continues to belt out the Christmas carol by the English hymnist John Francis Wade that certainly expressed the joy of the season. But even as his voice becomes fainter as he climbs altitude, the crowd raises their voices in joyous unison, just as the Danish Prince intended, to inspire the citizens and Royal family of Arendelle alike.
Feeling the spirit of the season, Princes Hugo and Desmond lend their 'muscle' to the trio of older men heaving and hoisting the large dome bell to set in place in the bell tower where Master of Ceremonies Prince Hans had just arrived to receive the Christmas Bell.
Hanging from the tower like a stealthy cat, Hans adroitly grasps the dangling rope noose. He uses all his raw power strength to pull the thick hemp rope to loop the tower in just such a way to rest upon the big wooden headstock's sturdy lumber.
Hans masterfully checks the double ropes around the massive yoke that they were strapped securely while he was adeptly balanced at the dizzying height of the tall tower in Kristoff's place.
"'O come let us adore Him! Christ the Lord!'"
Hans takes in the heady view from this height of the breathtaking kingdom, its adoring people gathered in adulated admiration, and the pure snow white vista landscape of the preeminent country beyond every angle this castle's monarch ruled. Then the dapper Vise Admiral peers down through the wooden hatch he slides open to see his stunning platinum beauty who outshined them all, there alone.
A few minutes ago, inside…
"Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation! Sing all ye citizens of Heaven above!'"
"Listen Anna, they're caroling. You've always loved to hear the carolers at Christmas time." Iduna says nostalgically, recalling the small little girl who raced to the closed castle gatehouse and pressed her ear to the walls.
Though she knew they'd never open, Anna ran down to the gate just the same every year, to hear the pleasant sounds of people outside the secluded kingdom sing joyful songs of Christmas fun the outgoing girl longed in sharing. "And now they're right outside your window bringing the carols home just for you, min spadbarns." Iduna remembers wanting then so desperately to allow her pretty little girl with the bright ginger hair and even brighter eyes to venture at least for one night on Christmas Eve to be out in the town with other human beings celebrating.
But her recluse Papa was too concerned for his girls in those times to ever permit that to happen, for fear Elsa was not ready to face the quizzical world which would surely mistrust her and her amazing abilities. Though the circumstances were different, he acting out of genuine paternal caring, in the past Agnarr had wrongly mimicked his domineering, cruel parent.
King Runeard had secluded his son and shunned any hint of supernatural powers restrained in Agnarr, holding him back, ashamed of any and all 'magic' – and that of Christmas as well - when the Crown Prince was growing up.
But between Gerda, Kai , Johanne and Mattias - though those faithful servants dared not defy the former King in encouraging Agnarr's innate elemental abilities - they did each teach him to love and worship God in the greatest gift of all called Christmas – Christ's sacrifice.
And those precious lessons Agnarr had passed down to his beloved children, as well as their mother Iduna's own spiritual journey that led her to the Lord to cherish the season.
"'Glory to God in the highest!'"
"Caroling, Kristly! Just like I planned. Yeah..." Anna was fighting another wave of nausea that had the new mother-to-be curling upon the bed now, her recovered hubby sitting beside her on the edge.
Anna closes her eyes as she squeezes Kristoff's massive bicep oh-so-tight, trying to battle her pain and overwhelming fatigue. But when the braided young woman hears the citizens of Arendelle all raising their voices together for the spirited Princess who adored celebrating holidays with her loved ones more than anyone, she forgets her pain for a few minutes.
Surrounded by pillows to ease her lower backache, Anna sits up straight in the large bed to enjoy the multitude of voices in holy song.
"I want to watch Elsa ring the Bell from the balcony!" Her normal exuberance returns, and a smiling Anna tries to get up, though dizzily stumbling from the bed.
"Okay, okay, Feistypants. I got this." Chuckling, Kristoff staggers to his feet and scoops his again lively bride, glad to see her not so sickly or dispirited as she had been for the past hour or so.
"Oh, come let us adore Him, oh, come let us adore Him!"
After all, nothing was worse than to see his boisterous, noisy, clamorously joyful Princess sad.
"Anna! What are you doing, boy! Is she going to be warm enough after that trauma?!" King Agnarr returns to the master bedroom just in time to witness a compliant Kristoff carrying Anna towards an open door that led to the balcony's frigid weather overlooking the front entrance vista.
"We are, some of us, used to the cold, Agnarr." Queen Iduna responds cattily cool, even as she wraps a warm scarf around Anna and Kristoff's combined necks, symbolically tying them together with a pointed look at her husband that plainly said: 'Happy?'
"I'm fine, Papa! C'mon! They're singing Christmas carols!" Anna's aquamarine eyes glow from beneath that woolen scarf she manages to call out under to her worrywart father, her invite drawing him out to the balcony as well.
"'Ye Lord, we greet Thee! Born this happy morning! Jesus to Thee be glory given.'"
"It is indeed a splendid sound to hear the citizens sing praise and glory to Him whom we owe this blessed Christmas season to. Such strong vocalization and enthusiasm this year, eh, Iduna?" The King too was moved by the scene of his citizens enjoying the season so enthusiastically to give encouragement to their ailing Princess.
"'Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing!'"
"Young love." Iduna sentimentally approves of Kristoff's doting over Anna, watching him chuckle with love's endless forbearance at the ginger girl's silly, not very funny jokes in his ear about Hans' singing.
The King suddenly disappears into the bedroom closet, returning in a short minute.
"If you say you don't mind the nippy cold… Since Anna appears to be feeling better…Then perhaps I can escort you down to this glorious outdoor caroling notion, my Queen? I can still see you wearing this at our first Bellringing Ceremony together those twenty-five years ago." In an attempt at nostalgia, Agnarr extends yet another olive branch as he had collected Iduna's most favored fur stole. The one that was white and snowy and soft that he remembered buying for his young wife many a Christmas past ago that he wraps around his little woman's still slim and slender shoulders now.
"Good Lord, it makes you look like that girl of seventeen I was about to marry all over again, my swan." Agnarr whispers in her ear, trying to make up for their earlier argument.
"Thank you, no, Agnarr. I have already chosen this warmer cloak that I wish to wear today." Iduna purposely brushes the chic winter stole aside in exchange for a black cloak she grabs off the coat rack nearby. "I promised our guests King Roland, Queen Miranda and the Chancellor to join them downstairs at the Ceremony once Anna was comfortable. She seems so to me in the arms of the honest man she loves and trusts, who fulfills her every bidding uncomplainingly, without gated restraint nor undue cold detachment at her request." Fighting tears, Iduna purposely sweeps the small girlish wintertime stole from her shoulders and replaces it with the black cloak that her big sister Arianna had recently sent her for Christmas.
"Oh, come let us adore Him!'"
"Excuse me." Iduna does not wait for Agnarr's stuttered response as she hastens leave their master bedroom and join their Royal visitors outside with Elsa waiting at the front steps for the ceremonial Christmas Bell to be rung.
"But, Iduna!" The King was torn between following his wife downstairs or staying here with his under the weather child. His pale hazel eyes scan to see that the soaring tenor voice leading the vast crowd of his citizens was none other than that of the second-in-command of his Navy whom Agnarr had collected to perform the delivery of the ceremonial Bell at Elsa's bequest.
"Oh, come let us adore Him! Christ the Lord!"
"A fine skill to rally the citizens with such a fine voice in praise of the Lord. Good choice, my Snow Angel." Agnarr murmurs in approval of this Westergaard boy to himself on many levels, regretting his coolness to Prince Hans when they arrived which Iduna alluded to now.
The King peers over the balcony to view the limber young Dane leading the happy crowd in both morale and song before making an agile dash up to the Bell Tower to attach and hook up the huge Christmas Bell's roof stanchions.
"Did you say something, Sir?" Kristoff asks against the bitter cold balcony wind the big blond was cuddling his ginger gal close to shelter from as he turns to his father-in-law with the query.
In Kristoff's strong arms, Anna was totally enthralled by the exciting scene below to notice her Papa was even present.
"Just… I'll be going down to attend the ceremony with your Mama and Elsa after all, Anna. Will you be all right?" Tossing the unwanted white fur shawl aside on a chair and stopping at the closet to retrieve something else instead, King Agnarr had already quickened his pace back through the master bedroom with a set path to its exit door without waiting for the reply.
"My Baby'll be just fine, Sir." Unheard Kristoff answers as go-between with Anna's attention now on the quintet of helpful citizens and princes assembled together below at the thick ropes they had been using to ingeniously wench up the Bell to the tower of the Castle.
Hans must've been somewhere in the tower, just about to give his cue to the Queen once the Bell rope was lowered to her.
But once in the Hall, instead of going down to the audience as he first intended, Agnarr follows Prince Hans' wet boot tracks up to the belfry tower that had come through the center of his family's castle home.
The King finally watches the adept Danish young man expertly loop the thick ropes up and around to secure the canons by the Bell's crown to be properly aligned with the headstock yoke like a pro.
As Hans keeps the ropes taut while capturing the loose end, he peers down through the small trapdoor, hoping to see Elsa's slender pale neck gazing back up at him through it.
Everything appeared to be going well, but Hans sensed Elsa was uncomfortable to be the sole royal pulling the heavy rope, with all eyes upon her alone, as her own eyes were darting from him to connect with Anna's on the balcony, where she and Kristoff were waving.
"Oh Elsa. I wish I could be down there for you, to help you draw that rope. I didn't realize it would be so cumbersome a pull for a single person off balance alone. It is meant for two at least to give proper counterweight. You and Anna together were very strong…" An agitated Hans, recalling Anna's retelling of their bellringing fun these past few years, speaks to himself as his mind races to think how he could ease the weight from up here without being deafened by the large bell's proximity.
What Hans did not realize, was that his future father-in-law, the King of Arendelle was within earshot of the echoing belfry tower.
"Allow me to arrange that, Vise Admiral." With an interesting knit fabric draped over his shoulder, the Ice King swiftly conjures up a solid ice post placed safely behind the thick Bell rope for the agile young man to slide down in record speed to be there to pull the rope alongside his solitary young Queen.
"I remember the heaviness of that dense rope myself well when Iduna and I performed the ringing with two small girls on the other arm. I'll keep it taut up here while you make haste down to join Elsa. Then I will drop the rope through for you two to ring the Arendelle Bell together. You await my signal. Understood?" King Agnarr gives the order to his naval officer low in his baritone as the singing, music-making crowd had come to an expectant hush in lieu of the pivotal moment when the beautiful ruler of Arendelle would ring in the season for them.
"Thank you, your Majesty." Hans quirks a smile of unforeseen respect, bowing his head in gratitude to King Agnarr and grants him a salute before the prince's slender and sleek form quickly slides down the ice pole to elegantly land on the steps, just a few feet down directly beside a shocked Elsa.
"Hans! But aren't you –?" A pleased, but surprised Elsa smiles her most epic grin to her fiancé, who suddenly, miraculously appears at her previously anxious, unsettled side.
"I'm not the only one who knows you were not meant to do this alone, min elsker." As the thick rope drops down from the Bell tower's dark hole above for Hans to catch, Elsa feels her young man place his warm hands over hers. Hans directs her gaze upward to where her Papa had unexpectedly been present to send the ceremonial Bell rope down to them.
Instead of being the one to pull the heavy rope for his little girl as Elsa remembered so vividly in Christmases from her youth of yore, King Agnarr had magnanimously sent Prince Hans in his place this time.
Thank you, Papa. Elsa silently mouths up to her first hero who awards her the salute that the Admiral monarch of the country never had to give anyone else, for he was raised and groomed all his life to be the supreme leader of both kingdom nation and naval armed forces.
But times were changing.
After giving a departing King Agnarr a few moments to leave the bell tower, Elsa waves up to Anna who was pointing at Hans and laughing with Kristoff in the balcony above.
With Hans' fingers firmly around hers, Elsa signals to her prince that she was ready to pull the weighty Bell rope in synchronized unison with a brilliant smile.
After all, it wasn't only strength needed here, but the spirit of heart, where Elsa felt Anna close right by her side as she gazes up to her best friend and little sister Elsa knew was cheering her on.
"This is the moment we been waiting for, everyone! Let the Christmas festivities begin!" Elsa announces, projecting her high voice to the large crowd. She was no longer self-conscious to be standing at the front steps of the castle entrance in the spotlight because she was not alone.
Everyone was with her, after all.
With Olaf rolling up at the last minute to lend his support, Elsa and Hans become lost in one another's eyes again. Together as one they pull the Arendelle Cantebile rope up and down several times in perfect melodic rhythm with one another in steady and strong heart beats.
Sharing a look of pure love and lasting happiness of peace on earth with the citizens who glow with pride at the harmonious scene, Elsa and Hans, hand over hand, heart in heart, together ring in the holiday season with the traditional Christmas Bell that chimes throughout Arendelle.
DING-DONG, DING-DONG, DING-DONG, DING-DONG, DING-DONG!
"Bravo! Wonderful! Thank you, Queen Elsa! Thank you, Prince Hans! Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Season's Greetings! Merry Christmas! Yay! What a handsome couple you make!"
Hans had indeed rallied the citizens of Arendelle, with the people, young and old, shy and bold, fun and dull, all enthusiastic to ring in the season with their royal family. The satisfied crowd punctuates the much-anticipated Arendelle Bell Ringing Ceremony with a montage of cheers and applause right after the final chiming bells finish ringing throughout Arendelle to bring in the season of Christmas' light and love and joy to come.
CLAP CLAP CLAP! CLAP CLAP CLAP! CLAP CLAP CLAP!
"Merry Christmas, min kæreste." Not disappointing the wowed crowd's expectations, Hans abruptly turns to Elsa, sweeping the slender, tall beauty off her feet and into his tender embrace to land a gentle kiss on her delighted parted lips.
Olaf does his best to copy the same dashing maneuver with Eliana who was on hand nearby clapping. But the inept snowman falls apart, carrot nose and all colliding with Eliana's more petite root. Nonetheless, the little snow-woman chuckles in delight and smooches Olaf on his chilly snow cheek.
Many of the happy townspeople mimic their Queen and her handsome suitor with hugs, embracing one another. Even those who remembered what Hans Westergaard had done nearly five years ago, now decided to forgive him as well.
Just as their magnanimous Queen chose to pardon the handsome Prince of the Southern Isles as the good Lord called us to do, made especially poignant at this forgiving time of the year.
And those who didn't know what Hans had done were undoubtedly charmed by the Queen's dashing action hero and inspiringly good-looking fiancé.
"Everyone! We thank you all for attending and giving this celebration your great support! We realize you all have your own Christmas family traditions to get to now, but if you will indulge your Royal family and stay a little bit more in Arendelle Castle? We wish to celebrate with you an important, special announcement concerning your dear Princess Anna of Arendelle that will be the best present of all to us this year!" King Agnarr had gone upstairs and collected Anna. She was feeling uplifted and better enough to come down with the joy filled pronouncement from the doctor.
Anna's father had brought his little girl – with Kristoff trailing close behind – down to the Castle's open door foyer entrance where Gerda had been waiting at the open door with a warm coat and hat to place upon the head of the king and Queen's younger child.
"If you would do the honors, my love? This was your nation first of all." Kindly smiling beneath his moustache, King Agnarr puts Anna down to stand between them. He recognizes Iduna's roots as the indigenous native of his country, as he turns the prestigious announcement over to his wife as he symbolically drapes her Northuldran shawl over her thin shoulders.
A startled Iduna steps forward from where her husband, Kristoff and Hans were supportively flanking the beaming young girl wearing one of her mother's stylish large blue outer coats over her puffed pale blue velvet attire. Anna wildly waves to the townspeople, along with Elsa on her other side as the big sister squeezes her little sister's hand.
Her intricately woven shawl begins to softly glow in purple, blue, indigo and aqua elemental lights as Iduna's wide eyes interlock within her Agnarr's loving orbs, begging for her forgiveness.
She smiles upon her husband and the two young men accepted at his side, embracing their daughters at that time of year.
"It is so very good to see you all here to join us at this joyous Christmas season start, dear friends! We deeply lament the far too many years that we have been parted, but have peace in our hearts to know how our daughters have opened up the kingdom and their hearts to share their love with you, our beloved citizens." Queen Iduna gazes proudly from Elsa's exquisite face to Anna's bright one, knowing the sisters' unbreakable bond that had been tested in fire and ice, had shone through strong and true and fearlessly unselfish to include their citizens as friends in these past years on their own.
She links hands and smiles with her two beautiful, mature young daughters as Iduna draws each lovingly to her motherly side, as her knit shawl illuminates even brighter with the three special women's hearts and souls connected.
"As a delighted mother, I feel privileged to announce the happy news for both our girls. As you probably have heard, your Queen Elsa has chosen, and will soon be wed to her courageous and valiant betrothed — Prince Hans of the Southern Isles!" With a defiant back glance at her husband who tensed behind her, but nods his head compliantly Queen Iduna gestures to Elsa and the man at her side, Hans, who nobly bows to the audience.
"And now, to add to our family's bliss, before all of our eyes, your tiny Princess Anna of Arendelle, has grown up into a brave and beautiful young woman, married in true love to her utterly good, always helpful, strapping mountain man, Kristoff Bjorgman. So, we are beyond pleased to also tell you that in the summer, Anna and Kristoff will be welcoming to the kingdom of Arendelle the newest member of our happy family. Our baby is having a new baby to bring back the joy of God's blessing to our lonely kingdom that only having a child around can bring!" Recalling with nostalgic fondness those happy, limitless days of her idyllic young life in the Enchanted Forest, Iduna now contentedly looks upon her glowing child who was with child.
The tearful Queen Mother hugs Anna in a show of her support and love for her fine girls and their own growing families the quiet little matriarch could only fantasize of years ago.
"To our Anna and her Kristoff's new baby, coupled with our Elsa and her Hans' imminent wedding! Two wondrous new additions to our family!" Iduna kisses first Anna, then Elsa as the trio embrace. Then she extends that motherly kiss to an embarrassed Kristoff's blushing cheek, and finally Hans' in speechless gratitude as she announces this Christmas' joyous double news to all of Arendelle.
"HOORAY! To Anna and Kristoff's blessed new baby! To Queen Elsa and Prince Hans' happy wedding! HOORAY!" The citizens of Arendelle proudly respond in kind to their older Queen enthusiastically as Elsa warmly hugs her baby sister, who was not so much a baby anymore.
She then relinquishes Anna to Kristoff as Hans claims Elsa in his embrace.
Queen Iduna joins in the familial love by placing her hands on Anna and Kristoff's shoulders in a parental blessing before the people of Arendelle, with a look to her husband on the other side to make the same gesture to the other young couple.
King Agnarr pauses at his wife's raised eyebrow insistence, stiffly intaking a deep breath. Then he surprises Iduna as he acknowledges Prince Hans with a smiled nod. The Ice King then acquiesces to his Queen before the crowd of his citizens to give his official royal blessing to Elsa and Hans' union with a warm hand on Elsa's bare shoulder and a stiff palm to rest upon Hans' tall, uniformed one.
And the symbolic spirit elements knit long ago into the shawl upon the Northuldran woman's shoulders emanate with radiance anew of wind, water, earth and fire that dazzle Agnarr's now awakening eyes which were only privileged to see the special shine.
Iduna's indigo blue eyes share in that unearthly brilliance up to her husband. And that indefinable glow of love passes between them once again, unaltered by the years of the past, as together, in harmony, Agnarr and Iduna proudly present their children's future to their people.
The Spirit of Harmony was aware on some level of the significance of her parents' accord going on behind her when her Papa's hand had landed encouragingly upon her shoulder coupled with Hans' at her side. Gazing to Anna's exhausted, yet happy in her soul smile shared with their Mama, feeling as a family again truly for the first time in forever, the younger Queen of Arendelle's pleased as punch, laughing voice tinkles through the cool, but festively apropos, winter air.
"Let the Christmas festivities begin! Please, dear friends, join us in the joy of decorating Arendelle Castle together as the season of love begins at last!"
The kingdom was full of electricity and the people's obvious excitement as the eternally shy young woman - who dreaded opening the gates once upon a time - now welcomes in the bustling crowd of citizens as friends.
And this time they all happily accept their Queen's invitation.
"You've turned into quite a popular, outgoing and gracious monarch, my Queen." Prince Hans whispers in her ear, the only one to remain outside with her to greet each and every one of the incoming townspeople.
It was basically left up to Elsa alone as King Agnarr and Queen Iduna had ushered Anna and Kristoff inside, out of the cold with their other Royal guests who followed close behind asking endless queries of the new baby.
"As long as you're here to stand at my side, Hans, I can be anything. But if you will… may I assign you to shake the hands of the more boisterous, big men, my Prince?" The platinum blonde's innate shyness around rough men - whom Anna generally dealt with - especially still peeks through a mite, despite her best face at it. Elsa silently signals for Hans to clap hands of the next set of big brawny farmers approaching as she just nods and rather daintily greets the gentle women and their small ones to come into the Castle.
"I will do all to strive for your happiness from this moment forward, my betrothed, as I anxiously await you to set the date of our connubial bliss to make mine complete." Hans murmurs in Elsa's titillated ear, before dutifully charming all the rough-edged citizens with his "Merry Christmas" greetings to the townspeople streaming in with his disarming smile.
Hans' enticing expectation for their upcoming matrimony was perhaps spurred on by her mother's prompting of their 'soon to be wed' status, causing warm shivers to be sent up and down the Ice Queen's spine.
It was a strange mixture of pure joy and ecstatic trepidation combined as Elsa siphons off her excited frissons into an extra ice banner that read 'Joy to the World!' to stretch across the Castle's foregate, much to her citizens' clapping delight.
"Do come in to share in the glad tidings, good Arendelle citizens, as we welcome you all to join in our kingdom's celebration!" In his resounding tenor, Hans fills in where Anna would usually sound off. The bold redhead gathers Elsa's chilly hands and rubs to temperate them as he escorts his Queen into the warm Arendelle family Christmas festivities with a confident, debonair smile upon his winning features which Elsa basks in.
'Deck the Halls with boughs of holly, fa, la la la la, la la la la! Now the joyful bells a-ringing, fa,la la,la la, la la la la! Lift our hearts like birds a-winging! fa,la la,la la, la la la la! All ye mountains, praise the Lord!'
The rest of the day was chock full of season's greetings and decorations going up with the pleased citizens joining in with offers of their own traditions to add to the fun.
From candy cane making, to choral rounds of caroling to candle wreath lighting, the busy sights and sounds smelled of gingerbread baking to fill the joyous atmosphere of the once forgotten Castle.
Anna was feeling a little dizzy, and her concerned Papa continually insisted Kristoff or he have a chair ready for her to take a necessary break. But the lively gal would never miss out on all these exciting Christmas time activities that the Arendelle people brought to the table within the bustling Castle.
By sundown, the sparkling interior was decorated from top of the front stair entrance foyer to the just cleaned up ballroom and the hallways in between. Much got done, with many of the eager citizens helped Iduna and Anna and Elsa distribute the full collection of Christmastime decorations which had been long stored within Arendelle Castle's attic and storerooms for too many lost years.
Sacred angels trumpeting the Christ child carvings, Julebukken wooden cutouts, holly and garlands, strung bells of silver and gold and bows of green and red and white and shining blue transform the once forlorn, lonely place an unforgettably dazzling holiday vista.
The artistic Ice Queen lended her cryokinetic assistance to whomever dared to ask, particularly useful in the high cathedral ceiling tasks where ladders usually would have been required. Elsa added her frost gossamer glistening to every heartfelt decoration she hung at her family, friends and citizen's sides.
With Anna and Iduna smiling to watch Elsa in action, Arendelle Castle was being decorated top to bottom splendidly by the womenfolk who stayed indoors at the fireplace warmed hall where there was much love and friendship. Christmas time stories and jaunty carols of holiday songs were being shared with the once unapproachable royal family.
Their visitors, citizens and servants alike all chatted with the Arendelle family for the rest of this exciting day, with endless talk of birthing babies and wedding preparations with happy times to come to the kingdom again as only a gaggle of ladies could.
As for the men, General Mattias had convinced King Agnarr to propose decorating the exterior of Arendelle Castle. Just as the old soldier had always dreamed since being trapped in the Enchanted Forest for three decades plus, holiday decorating was on top of his agenda this time of year.
Bells and tinsel and wreaths of every shape and size were to be hung festively in the frigid cold weather that Mattias knew his 'Crown Prince' was more comfortable in entertaining.
Agnarr watched with a smile how Destin Mattias' eyes light up like a boy himself again, blowing off the dust as he showed the younger children the old decorations that secret Christmas lover Mattias had the servants cart out from a back storeroom.
Letting his joyous General take the reins in the outdoor decorating, the King pulled a few of the town's skilled workers to the side.
Agnarr quietly led them into a sectioned off workman's shed full of tools and tables that had been covertly stationed in the back of the stable.
There, collected and neatly stored on shelves and benches, were raw geological petunse and glazing materials amid the professional sculpting tools from all around the world. The wide selection of carving knives to chisels, sculpting picks, augers and files ranged to modeling hammers and mallets, to a high-heat clay firing pit kiln for porcelains and pottery.
It was hardly the sort of collection the men would hardly have expected to find on the castlr premises, with these many laymen tools in the possession of an aristocratic Royal King.
"God knows I have had time to hone this hobby of mine, where the intense kiln heat was never an issue to manage." Agnarr doesn't go into full detail of how his Ice King magic could come in handy in super cooling the 1400°C fired hard-paste porcelain fast. But he knew those present had an inkling of his rumored cryokinetic abilities, now that his elder daughter had plainly displayed the similar inheritance and was accepted at last. "But again, with this among many other aspects of the gifts He had granted me, I have fallen short." Agnarr explains with a degree of regret, running his hands over his early failed pourings of faceless angels and patchwork shepherds glued together.
The King's chilled hands finally land the painstakingly detailed faces of Mary and Joseph gazing down at the Christ child.
Agnarr had been constructing this outdoor centerpiece, minus the wooden stable for the large sculpted porcelain Nativity he had taken years to carefully sculpt and glaze each piece for his daughters as a present on each Christmas past. The King had studied and learned the art of sculpting to hone his patience and control of his ice powers during his time in the Navy when all he could do was long for Iduna and his girls back home.
And when he got back, Agnarr had used his talent to spend a great deal of those misbegotten years in self seclusion of his sheltered kingdom. His skilled hands had intricately finished those Nativity pieces he had started ages ago.
From shepherds, to donkeys to sheep and cows to the angel; Mary and Joseph, to the sweet baby Jesus himself in the manger acquired during his maritime journey, Elsa and Anna's father had designed, carved and sculpted one each year out of love for his children those thirteen forgotten Christmases when Arendelle was in virtual lockdown.
"The final piece of this well worked creche was the structure barn itself, for I must admit to not having one percent of the skill of carpentry and architecture I so admire. So the Nativity never went up yet, as well as this star I sculpted but did not know how to safely be fashioned to somehow hang above it all. I never did have the chance to finish this for Elsa and Anna growing up. Perhaps this year that the Lord has granted me back is the one that I would hope to complete it."
"Perhaps some of you gentlemen know a thing or two about carpentry and would be kind enough to assist me in completing this labor of love for my girls this Christmas? I have heard many hands make light work, though I have always been a stubborn obstinate disbeliever in that fine proverb." Agnarr respectfully asks of the older men who had obediently followed him to his secret workshop the King had hidden away from his curious children behind the stable tackle stall.
Several of the carpenters and workmen nod and smile pleasantly to their King and were already sorting through some of the wood planks that Agnarr assembled while others were drawing up a plan.
"It would be my honor if you allow me to also assist, your Majesty. These figurines you have so expertly crafted of kaolin and feldspar mineral composition are quite impressive. From the painstaking glass work that must've been put into sculpting and kiln firing this ass and cattle; to the meticulous expressions on each of the life worn shepherds as well as holy Mary and Joseph's faces; to the captured innocence in the Baby Jesus' glorious eyes gazing up to His Father in Heaven, each show your scrupulous dedication. I can certainly see where Queen Elsa has inherited her creative artistry from." Caught up in the remarkable array of art, observant Prince Hans had quietly followed the King and his entourage of older workmen. He had watched them surreptitiously sneak into the workshop just behind the stable stalls close by where the Danish Prince had been visiting his horse Sitron with some pilfered sugar cookie indulgences.
"Why, thank you, Vise Admiral. The baby Jesus with his bright smiling eyes was Elsa's favorite piece when I presented Him to her and Anna on a Christmas over a decade and a half ago." King Agnarr smiles fondly at the memory of the joy on his children's squealing faces each year he would bring out one of the fragile Nativity 'dollies' for his little girls to play with.
"Let me guess. This one was Anna's favorite." Kristoff had a sixth sense about things when the King and Hans encounter the young Wind Whisperer in the entranceway. He had been instructed by Queen Iduna to be mentally monitoring King Agnarr and Hans should the twain meet to keep the Christmas spirit of peace between the father and prospective son-in-law.
The mountainman had hurriedly finished dangling from the roof to hang the last of the Christmas bells Anna had insisted he place along every one of the tall Castle chimneys.
So we can all hear them ring when Santa and his reindeer sleigh come tomorrow night!
"Ooh, I'm so cute! My ears have only been knocked off three times! Now I can see both ways at once." Putting on a funny voice much akin to when he mimicked Sven, but in a higher pitch, Kristoff enters the shed and holds up with a jaunty shake the small, misshapen, runty sheep who had patchy wool spots and crooked, derpy eyes. Not to mention the cracked, re-glued again and again, super deformed ears.
"How did you know? Anna never did lose her attachment to this shabby little fellow who was the one I first took a stab at sculpting for the children when they were just wee little things. As you can hopefully see in these yearly attempts, my sculpting abilities had progressed with time, since those sorrier days my dear friend Lieutenant Mattias – ergh, pardon me, General Mattias – had tried to inspire me to try sculpting as a lonely boy in the castle." As the group of men chortle at the blond Ice Harvester's mimicry, King Agnarr humbly chuckles to himself at his past sculpting efforts. He gives credit and a wave to his dark skinned top soldier, just passing by the workshop he had a hand in secretly setting up for the forlorn, motherless – and practically fatherless, if cruel, conniving, prejudiced King Runeard was sincerely appraised - on the way to decorating the stables.
"'Glo-ohohohohoh-ohohohoh-ohohoh-ori-a!'"
As he sung at the top of his lungs, Mattias was grinning like a Cheshire cat with strings of garland and bows of red and green adorning his personage and even a wreath carried around his humming neck. Busy as a happy Christmas elf, the Arendelle General salutes back, was glad to see his Crown Prince back at his sculpting hobby like in days of old.
With his friend's contagious glad tidings in his smile, Agnarr then pats that wonky sheep and short stub-haired donkey which were his beginner's attempts. But each piece indeed improved after the meticulous King had practiced further and taken a great deal of time and effort over the years. But the young father had loved his two little angels enough to try his hand at making something special for them each year.
"From one dabbling artist to another, there is much inspired aptitude to be admired here, Admiral. It is apparent from every one of these and the hours of work each represent, how much you loved your children growing up, to have put in all this effort to produce each impressive piece." Hans had a good eye for artwork, as he himself, a proper well-rounded gentlemen in the arts, had also dipped his hand at sculpting.
Of course, his sculptures were mostly fantasized depictions of a certain beautiful blonde Princess from the North he would be wise not to mention at this agreeable moment to her father.
"You sculpt as well, Prince Hans? What were your subjects? I would like to see some of your past art." Agnarr plies some pleasant conversation with the polite Prince of the Southern Isles, but Hans' heart sinks with the guilt his ever poker-face does its best to hide.
"That would be enlightening, Your Majesty. But any of my past works pale in comparison to yours." Hans sagaciously employs the complimentary way out of the dicey situation.
"Yes, Agnarr. I agree with Prince Hans on the quality of your exemplary art. The young man obviously shares your deep discernment and understanding of beautiful things, with the generous heart that was inspired by God to create them." King Roland had been requested by King Agnarr to oversee the indoor Christmas decor of the Castle should the females need some muscle while the Arendelle King snuck outside to attend to his special gift he needed some professional help with assembling.
But after sampling too many cookies, pie, and marzipan from the kitchen that Sofia and Amber and their friends Anna and Elsa had been cooking up with their Queen Mothers, Roland remembered his promise to Miranda to watch his waistline for this Christmas when she chased him outdoors to help the men.
"He undoubtedly has that." Considering Hans' good taste, Agnarr looks upon where a sheepish Prince Hans had volunteered to ably assist one of the Arendelle carpenters the King had brought in.
Hans had expertly drawn up a schematic on how that difficult porcelain star would configure precisely so it would be seen and in scale from a distance, yet hang properly safe over the roof of the cave-like stable. The Arendelle woodworkers had been employed to rapidly manufacture the special 'Bethlehem' inspired stable to house the one-third scale porcelain statues the Arendelle monarch had sculpted, fired and glazed.
"I must thank you all for your help in finishing this long-in-coming gift for my girls. Just in time, too, before it's too late and they both grow up entirely." Agnarr again sighs, feeling terribly old now, with Anna to be a new mother and Elsa conclusively to be married soon.
His precious little girls, whom Agnarr had tried to keep so safe and secure, and away from the harsh world that he believed would have been prejudiced against them on many fronts, had matured all too soon nonetheless.
"Your daughters will always be your little girls, Agnarr. Even if they grow up and invite other men into their lives. One does not detract from the other, you know, though it appears to be so at first glance. I have found out myself that God created the human heart big enough for your Navidad Angels to share with at least two gentlemen, without overcrowding." With his classy español accent, Chancellor Esteban strokes his polished goatee as he retells a lesson from his very elderly Abuelo (grandfather) Francisco about an older man recognizing the wisdom of knowing when to let go.
Esteban recalls having a difficult time letting go of his little 'Navidad Angel', his young cousin Isabel – whom Esteban always treated as the daughter he never had. That was when the scientist genius girl suddenly announced she would marry a stranger to them all that shocked the rest of her familia, including Esteban.
Recalling those emotional days, Esteban accentuated the fact by placing the Joseph figurine to stand in the background of the Nativity crèche, whose superstructure was already up. It was Saint Joseph's place to lovingly watch over both Mother Mary and the Christ child. It was true that Agnarr himself painted on the face of Joseph the enlightened knowledge to stand behind, with a fatherly faith that plainly spoke of humility and the deep acceptance of this special Baby's purpose to suffer a horrible death someday he could neither protect from, nor deny the heavenly glory of.
"Share my angels?" Agnarr murmurs aloud with a thoughtful nod to Esteban who had peeked into the King's workshop after a heads up from Johanne, who had heard from Kristoff, where the men all were gathering. His icy hazel eyes scan how Hans and the carpenters had been joined in their woodworking architecture by Kristoff.
"Is this all culminating into the 'time drawing near' for me that Yelana spoke of?" It was more to cement the question to himself than for anyone's ears to hear. The Ice King gazes upon Joseph the earthly father of Jesus that Esteban had called his attention to.
Yes, it was that good man of faith's designed role to step back from the limelight to be a teacher, protector, provider, a role model perhaps. But more God placed Joseph to play his part as a mere watchman that led to his child's future glory, so to speak.
"A woman has more love to offer than we men can ever comprehend fully." The Chancellor of Avalor wisely comments as he cocks his head, not quite interpreting the anomalous, anxious look crossing Agnarr's face. "Oh, and I was sent by my Johanne's kindly sister-in-law to fetch you and all these fine workmen for a mid-day snack of bread and cheese." He says on a quick change of subject, his own stomach rumbling for the tasty treats.
With a debonair bow to those present, Esteban then retreats at the call of sweet cinnamon rolls and fresh baked bread being served in the Great Hall by Gerda's piercing, cooing voice.
As most of the older workmen take their lunch break at the Chancellor's invite, the King watches how fastidious Hans and undeterred Kristoff shake them off and continue to work well together side-by-side, hefting wood planks high and nailing them in at the old carpenter's blueprint instruction.
Familiar with an ice saw, Kristoff easily uses a regular handsaw to slice the wood structure like a hot knife through butter as adaptive Prince Hans skillfully wields the hammer like a pro.
The King watches as the two indomitable young men build the creche of the Nativity Manger scene, showing the older man their dogged determination and ability to work together well.
Sharing is the first gift, the true gift of Christmas, after all, you stubborn man.
The honest voice inside the decent man's conscience pricks at Agnarr as he considers his older friend's poignant words. The King secretly smiles beneath his ginger moustache at how well Anna's strapping young husband and Elsa's competent fiancé collaborated to tirelessly lend their able hands to the King's long time project.
"'I saw three ships come sailing in, on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day. I saw three ships come sailing in, on Christmas Day in the morning." Prince Hans suddenly becomes aware when he catches Elsa's father's intent gaze upon he and Kristoff across the room.
So what for the self-conscious young man to do with his nervous energy but sing?
The red headed Dane utilizes his golden throat to start to warble an age-old tune with his gorgeous tenor as he finishes swinging another nail into its wooden slot.
"'And what was in those ships all three, on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day? And what was in those ships all three, on Christmas Day in the morning?'" Kristoff Bjorgman was never adverse to breaking out into song or joik himself. The musical Snow Prince with minstrel blood in him joins in assuredly with his mellow mid-tones while he continues to sand the jagged edges of the purposely roughhewn wood to avoid a dreaded splinter from the holy display.
"'O they sailed into Bethlehem, on Christmas Day, on Christmas Day; The virgin Mary and Christ were there on Christmas Day in the morning.'" Blending his baritone to Hans and Kristoff's shared duet to make it a jolly trio, Agnarr puts an arm around the only remaining old carpenter chewing on his pipe beside him. The joy of the season is injected into the busy workshop by the power of music Prince Hans had begun.
"Why, you boys are mighty good enough to lead our carolers on our Christmas Eve Julebukking trek from house to house in Arendelle! What say you to that idea of joining us as we start our caroling ramble here at the Castle when you celebrate the inauguration of this beautiful Nativity scene, your Majesty?" The Arendelle Lutheran Church Chapel priest, as he had been partaking of holiday eggnog the Queens were serving up in the Great Hall with the sweet scones and candied nut rolls, had wandered away for some quiet prayer time.
That's when he was sure he heard a trio of heavenly voices harmonizing with the old Christmas favorite that Navy men generally sang in rounds as they hoped to return home from their far-flung voyages, at least for the special day of Christmas to spend with their families.
"Well, Father, I don't believe –" Agnarr, as usual, was automatically about to back out of such a public embarrassment, speaking without even opining with the two young men of his daughters.
That is, until his eyes caught sight of that crooked, mottled cotton ball covered little sheep that reminded him in painful flashback of the precious little ginger girl who begged to go caroling every year. And every year Agnarr foolishly denied her the adventure when his wee gingersnap heard the parishioners echoing traditional Christmas songs blithely in the streets of Arendelle without her.
"– I should say, I don't believe we could refuse. As long as we can keep it a secret between us, sirs, so as we may invite a few special ladies to join your 'caroling trek', as you have so-dubbed it, with us as a Christmas Eve night surprise?" Having a change of heart conversion to be more sociable and open was not an easy thing for the ice cold cucumber recluse of a royal King.
But for the sake of his two girls – make that three, with his wife Iduna also necessary to inspire this year – Agnarr would give it a try.
"Yes, your Majesty! Everyone is welcome to sing the praises of the Christkind with us. Good sirs! We would be most honored to have your three glorious voices lead our caroling trek in song!" The deafening high volume Reverend jubilantly exclaims with a clap of his liturgical hands as the King walks back with the clergymen into the Great Hall.
"The matter is settled then. But not a word to Queen Iduna, Queen Elsa, nor Princess Anna. Nor any delicate female who may inform any others between now and then, for that matter, if you please, Reverend. Let this be our little holiday surprise for the ladies." Agnarr warns the loose-lipped Reverend who smiles and nods compliantly without saying another word.
"Come, gentlemen. We have progressed extremely well on my project, due to your assiduous industry. You must both be hungry working so diligently on our project. As soon as you have completed that section, let us take a break with the others for a while. Lest my suspicious ladies are liable to think I kidnapped you. Or worse." Agnarr found his strained mood concerning these two young usurpers of his daughters' affections of late changing to humor as the holiday afternoon wore on. Glancing from Kristoff's lumbering stride to Hans' more polished gait on either side of him, Agnarr heeds his wife's desires and was giving himself a chance to get to know them.
And so far, he found he was not unimpressed.
Thus far.
"Oh, drat. I told Varian those goats Anna wanted up there would come loose if we didn't tie down each leg to the gable. So much for 'the science of equili-equili-brio-something and tring- tregro- tragrono-dromedary'. I better get back up there and fix it right before it gets too dark and Anna sees them drooping. Hans?" Kristoff gives up on the camel-like big words Varian laid on him as he shields his eyes from the falling sunset to see two of the Julebukken wood cutouts down, fancy scientific terms or no.
He had climbed up there and harnessed them together at his hasty bride's direction, but Varian - who had been conscripted by Cassandra to aid him – had his scientific notions for the swirley-horned goats to be climbing on the castle roof with the center of gravity point only strapping them.
But obviously that science was faulty, for the cutout Julebukken had fallen back flat on the roof precipice.
"Certainly, Mr. Bjorgman. The science of equilibrioception has all the physical qualities of balance, and trigonometry indeed involves the lengths and angles necessary for your harness. However, the capricious wind has her own ideas on the subject of gravity. Come, I'll help you restore those ornery billies." Tossing a back glance to the wind elemental he had a feeling may be whispering around, the Danish Prince yet again impresses the King.
Prince Hans had an easy conception of the metaphysical desirable point between two surfaces and yet still possess the charisma to be charmingly genial. The young Dane respectfully bows his head to Agnarr to follow Kristoff the back way up to the roof to repair the wobbly decorations, the breeze rustling his hair.
When the King enters the castle by himself, a flustered Elsa approaches her father with the visiting King Roland and Prince James flanked on either side of her.
"Papa! Our guests have taken great interest in viewing our Sjoforsvaret Navy's new steamship technology innovation and are requesting a firsthand tour." Pleased to find her Hans still intact, Elsa was doubly glad her father was in a pleasant mood. And here to deal with these kinds of issues that she, though the leader of the Admiralty — as she forcefully informed her dashing Prince once upon a time — was hardly qualified to show around these older men, interested in the onboard ship workings of their formidable Navy she had not served with and knew little about beyond book learning.
"What a craft! The Norwegian Sjoforsvaret is as formidable as I always believed! My James here could benefit from seeing how a well-run Navy such as yours, Agnarr, can broaden the mind far beyond mere hockey and playing around with young ladies. And I daresay Desmond's father would agree with me that he could use a few pointers from your impressive armed forces and that notable ship that has just come into dock today as well." King Roland and his son James had been fascinated by the appearance of the sleek and mighty HmNoS Gler which had docked in Arendelle overnight.
"Certainly, Roland. As it is already nearing darkness tonight, my Vise Admiral would only be too glad to show you, your son, and friends our fleet's facilities early tomorrow morning on a guided tour on the grandeur of the HmNos Gler. It has indeed returned to dock after being newly renovated with the latest updated technology of mast and steam." Proud Naval man King Agnarr unwittingly assigns his compliant junior officer, Prince Hans, to the task of a tour that would no doubt take up most of tomorrow's Christmas Eve morning when the King would be busy with his last minute present's final details.
Elsa's heart sinks, though her pretty, forced smile would not convey her disappointment that she and Hans had not been able to spend much quality time together as yet. Not since the morning, with all the excitement of Anna's announcement, the kingdom's Christmas decorating and guest entertaining.
But it is only December 22nd. There will still be Christmas time for us.
Impatient Elsa takes strength in how dashing an obedient figure her Prince Hans made when he and Kristoff re-entered the Great Hall and was informed by King Agnarr of his duty schedule to visit the Gler in the morn.
Hans' green eyes encapsulate Elsa's, even as she was yet again whisked across the room by some more cooing visitors needing her approval of proper baby names.
Responsibilities must take precedent for us, for now, my darling angel. Then our reward will be all the sweeter when we are at last together on Christmas Eve, you breathtaking creature…
'And when we're together, I'll have all I wished!
All around the Christmas tree, there'll be dreams coming true.
And when we're together, my greatest gift is you…'
Min spadbarns – my child in Swedish
Min kärlek – my love in Swedish
'The Twelve Days of Christmas' – 18th century English Christmas round with lyrics by James Halliwell 1841
'Deck the Halls' - 18th century Welsh folk song by John Parry and John Hughes, set to Mozart's 18th Sonata
"Hark the Herald Angels Sing" – Felix Mendelssohn, Charles Wesley 1826
'O Come All, Ye Faithful' – John Francis Wade 1744
'Good Christian men rejoice!' – John Mason Neale 1837 to J.S Bach's 'In Dulci Jublio' music
"I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In" - Willian Sandys 1833
Birthday and Felice Navidad early! Frozen friends! ^0^
I think we can all use a little holiday magic! And it all starts with my beloved big sister Setsuna's birthday!
Here's the first of the three-part Arendelle family Christmas extravaganza I'll be releasing throughout this Christmas countdown! I hope you enjoyed it, and feel the spirit of the season too as you can sing along with 'Olaf's Frozen Adventure' songs plus the pre- to mid-19th century carols woven through the chapter to give that holiday mood!
Whee! Anna's having a baby! Kristoff's Feistypants will have a lot of learning on how to be a good and responsible Mother! Good thing Iduna is back to be an example and answer her questions about the next phase of Princess Anna's young life - the mystery of 'Motherhood'!
As his Queen has been hoping and praying and giving her husband the cold shoulder about his attitude problem with son(s)-in-law, the Christmas spirit finally seems to be affecting Papa Agnarr! Hans is definitely leaving an impression on his future father-in-law as he watched his capable future-son-in-law be there for Elsa at the Bell-ringing ceremony and the King and his son(s) in law subsequently worked on Christmas decorations together. Hope our dashing Dane doesn't blow those good vibes as Christmas in Arendelle nears…
Stay tuned for the rest of the holiday fun! I wish you and yours a happy birthday and blessed Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations to come as we 'Ring in the Season' together!
Love, HarukaKou
P.S. Hans seems anxious to set the date for his yearning lover Elsa, our Hans-some Helsa couple's upcoming wedding details are soon to be revealed! Love and romance will definitely ring in through Christmas here in 'Frozen Again: Love Never Ends'!
P.P.S Happy Birthday to my artist, my best friend and my dearest inspiration for this entire Frozen saga, my beloved sister Setsuna, as we ring in the joyous season together!
