We do not own 'Frozen' or any of its characters.
"Frozen Again: 'Love Never Ends"
Act VIII
Chapter 18
"An Arendelle Family Christmas"
'Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere! Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born!'
With the backdrop of that glorious northern mountain range, it was not too distant in the surrounding forest behind Arendelle Castle that Kristoff Bjorgman found himself tromping aimlessly all afternoon.
Well, perhaps not entirely aimless.
His father-in-law's furtive footpath to seek out the 'absolutely perfect' Christmas tree from their Norwegian countryside backyard at least gave the older man he was traveling alongside the smidgen of a valid excuse to go up the mountain.
Not to bring his big girl Elsa home or anything like that at all.
Perhaps, having second thoughts when he discovered Elsa had left home with that Russian Prince and his little girlfriend from Enchancia, the King just wished to ensure that his daughter was coming home soon, and in time for Christmas.
"How about this old guy, Sir? He's about ready to go." Kristoff ventures to ask Anna's preoccupied father, for his 'man of nature' abilities gave the young blond insight on the lifespan of this particular coniferous tree.
The tall, strapping mountain man presents to the King the even taller Scots pine tree whose long skinny trunk had a wide array of massive foliage that triangulated at the top of its crown to make a decent looking Christmas tree.
"Hmm? A proper Norwegian picea abies features dark green needles that are rectangular in sections and blunt at the tips, with drooping branchlets and cones that hang down on their stems. Not to be confused with the common pinus sylvestris, whose cones stand erect over sharp pointed, much lighter blue-green needles." Agnarr was not so much showing off his years of book-learning and nature lessons on the many species of trees he had studied over the years spent alone in his youth in his kingdom exploring his nation's countryside.
No, he was being merely informative to his ignorant son-in-law.
But when it came to trees, though he may not have been able to recite all of the Latin names or genus species, Kristoff Bjorgman was none too ignorant. The big blond had wandered the same hills and mountains himself as boy and man enough to know when a tree was speaking to him to say it was ready and willing to leave this world with joy.
Expert with the axe and saw, the Ice Harvesters had taught him to cut down many old dried out trees for clearing harvesting paths, the warmth of burning in the fireplace, or doing the backbreaking work for others to put food on the table for he and Sven in their nomadic workman lives.
But never had Kristoff personally chopped a fresh, unblemished fir tree down in its prime for no reason other than to be a decoration inside a home.
First you cut down a tree and then you decorate its corpse with candles? I LOVE IT!
"So, that's a 'no', right?" Kristoff asks the picky King, who looked rather odd wearing regular workman's clothes and plain tweed overcoat with ear covering cap. Little mother-to-be Anna had insisted her Papa and Kristoff wear to keep warm in the dropping temperatures up in the mountain hills.
The pregnant Princess was heartbroken not to be able to go on this outing with her Papa and her strapping husband for the annual Christmas tree foraging mission up into the bitter cold woods this year.
But Queen Iduna and multiple midwives whom the anxious King had already employed to keep an eye on the feisty girl had put down their collective foot on the matter.
A young girl in her fragile condition dare not endanger the life of her child with an unnecessary, taxing excursion into the woods where only able-bodied men should endeavor out in this frigid cold.
Anna would be permitted – if feeling well enough – to be put in charge of the tree decorating tradition itself — her mother promised. The Queen also impressed upon her pouty little girl that this may prove to be another father/son learning experience in which the stubborn King could get to know her young mountain man more.
Her Papa would most likely come to appreciate that her Kristoff was capable enough to know these mountains like the back of his hand, to uncomplainingly go ax down a tree with him, mano-a-mano.
Or something like that.
"Definitely a 'no', big fella."
But it didn't hurt to have along one other brave man who had volunteered to accompany the father and son-in-law's lone excursion to the forest.
General Mattias answered the left hanging question drolly. The old soldier had ceased his happy holiday carol whistling about halfway up the mountain when he, like Kristoff, had noted their terse companion, King Agnarr obviously had his nerves frayed.
The Ice King had shown little to no patience with either of them so far on this manly journey, as his coldly stubborn streak had peeked through again. Most likely occurring due to he and his wife Iduna having another 'minor' disagreement concerning Elsa hitting the slopes for some silly whim of the Russian Prince Royal rather than staying home and celebrating with her people.
"I would hardly call this poor excuse of a diminutive Scots pine worthy of being the centerpiece of our Christmas celebration." Snobbish King Agnarr looked down his long nose at what he considered the inferior Scots pine tree as compared to the proud Norwegian spruce he was ideally in search of.
"Don't let them hear you say that." The Snow Prince mumbles the warning, covering the pine's listening monoecious cones with his extra-large mittened hands. Due to the Snow Prince's extrasensory ability, he sensed the older Coniferae was happy and willing to be welcomed into a warm, loving home in its dwindling days. Kristoff gives a brotherly pat on its reddish orange trunk that had survived over two hundred years of lonely growth on the outskirts of the forest, as well as two harsh and sudden eternal winters.
The least they could do was show this thirty foot dwarf tree some respect for that.
"You gotta admit he's got a point there, my Crown Prince." Mattias sides with Kristoff, much to Agnarr's chagrin, as the man places his own dark hand to the fir tree's similarly toned trunk with sympathy.
Thinking himself the more down-to-earth one on this matter of talking to trees, Agnarr rolls his kingly eyes to the heavens at the pair of them. Then he walks forward up the hill alone, pale hazel eyes gazing around the bend eagerly in search of Elsa as he went.
"Well, how about that one then? She's a real beauty, and we'll still likely make it back before dark. Let's choose this willing fir tree before we end up going around in circles." After a mental apology to the first, slighted tree, Kristoff points to a mediocre, regular pine close by that at least had that proper conical Christmas tree shape.
"No. It's far too sparse and not impressive enough to fill our expansive drawing room. The ideal tree is yet to come, young man. You simply must be patient and wait before you settle. I know my nation's countryside like the back of my hand." The annoyed ginger King removes his quite unnecessary gloves and hat and tosses them almost testily into his horse's saddlebag. He runs an icy hand through his wavy hair with a cool, cross look befalling his chilly handsome features.
"Uh…yeah…I'll just go up and get a bird's eye view for a sec. See if I can spy any good Norway spruces." Giving the irate man some space as he cringes to Mattias, who waves him on, Kristoff easily climbs up the tall fir.
But he doesn't see any of the desired type fit for the pernickety King's desire in the near vicinity. So he scopes out the countryside for that fuller, darker green, much sought after 'Norwegian spruce' in its prime.
"Fine. But then I hope we can convince the boy to just behave and follow my lead." In a huffed whisper of 'mature' frustration to his oldest friend, Agnarr vents.
"As long as we're all on our best Christmas behavior." The army General who had learned the value of speaking under his breath for far too many years, blows ice vapors of humored chastisement at his leader who Mattias was determined to lighten up by the end of this long day out in the wilds.
Though the ginger King was making it difficult to spread holiday cheer when he was so uptight and cocksure of himself, just the same as he was in his youth.
You've become a man, but haven't grown out of the need to be taken down a peg every now and then, my Prince.
As Mattias chuckles up the path behind him, Anna and Elsa's father kept insisting that he was too much a tree expert to admit he couldn't find that perfect tree. Nor get lost in the dark of his kingdom's proverbial backyard.
This is just like that time when Iduna went wandering off by herself…Elsa's so much like you, my headstrong native beauty…
But the early darkness was beginning to descend nonetheless, and that fabled Christmas tree was not yet in sight. Kristoff sighs, putting up with this, all for Anna's sake.
The frustrated young man who knew these forests well was sure the pair had passed many suitable trees already. So, before he came down from the tree he had climbed to get a better view, the Wind Whisperer paused to ask the squirrels where the best tree that the King had in mind, would be.
King Agnarr seemed less interested in finding that 'impeccable conifer' as he was in traversing up the mountainside. Here, perchance, the Ice King could trace where his older daughter had left the castle earlier this morning while he was touring the HmNos Gler with King Roland and his son, in his Vise Admiral's place.
Certainly, he had condoned Prince Hans to travel up to the North Mountain to escort Olaf with his gifts to see his 'family' at the Ice Palace. In fact, King Agnarr was gladdened, believing it a fine way to keep Elsa celebrating Christmas at home with the family as he wished.
But Agnarr never imagined that irascible Prince Hugo would insist on asking for the Queen's personal accompaniment to take him and Princess Sofia up there and away from her kingdom.
The concerned King now felt compelled to spare his daughter the trouble and bring her home from that upstart Russian Prince's silly cross country skiing proposal that just might cross her path with Prince Hans'.
That is, unless her wily father brought her home first.
But I wouldn't put anything past that unpredictable Dane to have smoothly conjured this clever ruse in order to acquire some alone time with his fiancé.
Hmph…I'd probably have done the same to spend those first Christmases with my Iduna unchaperoned…
"I…uh…think you're right, umm…Sir. From up there I saw that this northeastern path you've just about chosen probably does have a better choice of the best Norway Spruce trees…uh…because of the rich and deep, moist, fertile soil there." The normally frank and direct blond was starting to learn from a certain red-headed Danish Prince. He had chatted with Hans recently on the 'how-tos' in dealing with the reappearance of Anna and Elsa's intractable Papa.
'You deferentially concur with the authority figure on all subjects, praise his judgment as being analogous to yours, and make him believe he was the one who suggested each good idea in the first place. That is how to ingratiate oneself with this frosty King. And I should think this shaggy mane pony Christmas present will do for your Anna, eh? That is, if you, as her husband, have no genuine objections to my presenting her 'Guddy' back to the Princess on Christmas morn?'
"Glad we are in agreement, my boy. Your expertise in climbing, as I witnessed in Flåm, in conjunction with your skilled sawing of the tree once I chill its trunk for an easier cut, will all come in use once we locate the finest specimen I aspire to find." Prince Hans' sapient advice on dealing with the King does the trick for Kristoff. With a small smile tickling his lips, the young recalls dribs and drabs of his last conversation with the wily Dane just last night before Hans set out to the mountains with Olaf.
"Yeah, that works for me. I've got a good feeling about this direction you've chosen…Your Majes…ugh…Admir…ummm…Dad?" Kristoff's mind was so busy keeping up on one level with the squirrel chatter debate on which Norway spruce they most recommended that he didn't exactly discern what he was saying.
My boy?
Dad?
Mattias mouths the affectionate titles passing between his companions to the laughing wind with these massive steps into new frontiers of family territory. He always imagined that would be difficult for his sheltered Crown Prince, now grown stringent King, whose own Father was un-familial prickly, at best.
King Agnarr certainly was caught off-guard by that familiar paternal address from this common mountain boy of Anna's. But surprisingly, the lonely man who never imagined he'd ever have a son, didn't quite dislike it as much as he believed he would, as he blindly followed his smiling General's gesture to pursue Kristoff up the hill.
"Yes…well, it is good to be in agreement, Son. Aha! There! I believe I spy the perfectly formed crown of our ideal tree up there on the next rise." Excited as a child, Agnarr strains his eyes, amplified by an icy verglas telescope he just cryokinetically crafted. Through it he glimpses that dimensionally flawless, full-branched and lush Norway spruce on the sunlit, snow-crested glen just out of the shadow of the mountain.
"I knew you guys would find it, if you put your heads together." Mattias admires the pair of father and son-in-law's unexpected cohesion when he came along into the cold to make sure they didn't tear each other apart.
"Great! Let's go get it!" Kristoff urges, his every molecule yearning to return to Anna back in Arendelle before dark, so as not to cause his girl worry when she found out they'd been gone too long.
Or more likely, pregnant Anna would come tromping out here up in the hills in the dark to fetch them.
"'While shepherds kept their watching
O'er silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shown a holy light
Go tell it on the mountain
Over the hill and everywhere
Go tell it on the mountain
That Jesus Christ is born!"'
Destin Mattias made sure to keep up the pleasant atmosphere as Anna had asked him to this morning with a holiday themed song belted out as he watched the younger men work together – and well.
But by the time the trio had arrived at that far-off tree's location in the deep valley glen, the 3 PM darkness of the eve before Christmas Eve had dramatically descended upon them.
"We'll make this quick and painless…" After getting all his cutting gear out of his still reindeer-less, ice-powered sleigh he'd brought to cart the tree home, Kristoff speaks softly to the older fir tree.
The Wind Whisperer had deferentially asked permission of the fifty foot tall spruce with its twenty-five foot spread at the bottom to be the luminary symbol for the celebration of Christ's birth in Arendelle Castle and he wanted to give it respect.
He had just finished setting up the knee-level notch cut marks on its three foot diameter trunk and Kristoff made certain that he had cut a scarf in the side of the tree facing the drop zone direction that would endanger no other flora or creatures.
"Perhaps you're right, Son. The night is falling." Agnarr concedes to his son-in-law's judgment here. "Elsa must be home by now." Closing his eyes, the King murmurs to himself under his frosty breath, trying his darndest to trust his little girls to be responsible young women now, enough to recognize when it was time to come home.
That's when Kristoff sensed Elsa's uninhibited mental signature approaching nearby.
Yeesh! Just in time before your Pops has a meltdown!
Thing is, Elsa was traveling beside the one person whom Kristoff had a bad feeling wouldn't be too popular with her pensive Papa, found alone and unchaperoned with the breathlessly exhilarated young monarch.
"Ah! There she is at last! It's good to see her out and about again! My big girl must've simply gone out for some riding on this beautiful day with her friends! Did I ever tell you how excellent an equestrienne my Elsa is? She was a natural in the sport, ever since she was just a tiny babe." Swinging the lantern he'd just heedlessly lit, the Ice King proudly smiles to see in the corner of his eye that amazingly unfathomable trail of ice kicking up from the horse's hooves closing in from the distance.
"Oh, how much she loved to ride her white 'horsie', standing straight up with her wee arms outstretched like angel wings on her Papa's lap with the wind blowing snowflakes through her loosed long flaxen hair then." King Agnarr reminisces of those early, happy, untroubled days raising his tiny 'Snow Angel' to be carefree in using her ice magic out here in the open fields where no one could see.
"Uh-huh." Halfway climbing up the chosen tree to double slip-knot the rope anchor and tension pulley to encourage the especially large and tall tree to fell in the desired direction, the Ice Harvester tries to keep up the amicable conversation with his father-in-law.
On top of all that physical labor, Kristoff simultaneously was attempting to wave off and contact Hans to warn him from being caught by the King with the young Ice Queen alone all afternoon.
"I have this end secured!" The lifelong Navy man takes hold of the other end of the rope and attaches it to the prepared mountainman's pulley. "Is it my imagination or is that horse white? Yet Elsa no longer owns a white horse in Arendelle…?" A suddenly quizzical King Agnarr was distracted as he only offhandedly dug the pulley's anchor into the softened ground at a 45° angle he was supposed to.
But the unfocused man did so without packing the dirt tight again as Kristoff had specified, for both safety and directional tension reasons, as Mattias had done so correctly on his end.
Unaware any of the goings on, the agile mountain man quickly descended the tree and began notching a 'V' into the side of the centuries old tree that was to fall. With his double-bit axe, Kristoff's muscle-bound arms start swinging his blade down into the tree at the Ice King's targeted frost point where he had previously weakened it.
"Is that rope loosening?!" With cold sweat pouring down from his cap-covered hat, Kristoff was just putting down his sharpened tooth, curved crosscut felling saw and wedges he had cleverly used into their sleigh's tackle bed. That's when he noticed in panic the groaning pulley the sidetracked King had not correctly anchored, suddenly pulls out from its tension held knot…
"That anchor's ripping out, boys! Watch out!" General Mattias warns in his most serious military tone when he spies the poorly attended anchored rope snap up from the shallow ground it had been incorrectly placed in. The sharp anchor goes slinging its heavy metal projectile across the plane at over 200 mph.
And to Agnarr's horror, his laughing little girl upon her white filly was, by pure ill fortune, in the crosshairs of the dangerous likely beheading accident –
But fortunately for all, she had a brave knight in shining armor waiting in the wings. Prince Hans of the Southern Isles had heard the Wind Whisperer's psychic feed minutes earlier.
The Danish man had veered off the imperceptibly rising hill main trail as not to be incriminatingly spotted by the King with his daughter.
In doing so, with the wind at his back, Hans had the vantage point that an unaware Elsa did not. He, upon Sitron's brave back had launched bodily forward at an increased rate of speed to, as gently as possible, force bump Iriserende and consequently a befuddled Elsa out of the perilous spinning pulley's way.
As for himself, lucky number thirteen Prince Hans literally ducked at the exact moment to escape this unintentional executioner's beheading punishment yet again.
"Elsa! Are you all right, my Snow Angel?! Good God! That could have been a fatal accident! Once again, your father's thoughtlessness could have foolishly lost you!" Flying over on his instant ice sled in the frenzied flash of a few seconds, King Agnarr melts in a puddle of regret. With an indigo fire calming his frozen white eyes, the King wraps his arms around his stunned, yet blessedly unharmed daughter.
Stabilized himself, Agnarr brings Elsa down from Iriserende's thankfully steady back as the ground stops trembling beneath them.
"But, by His grace, it appears I have a worthy second-in-command to stand as your better protector than I now, Elsa. I cannot begin to express my dedicated appreciation, good sir." With icy tears in his wild, watery eyes, King Agnarr looks up to Prince Hans who had stared death in the face for Elsa once again.
The young and able Danish Prince was immediately there at her side, leaping down from Sitron to ensure that his fiancée was unscathed by the abrupt incident where he had forced her from the road.
"You and I would have to be in competition to use the term 'better protector', Admiral. And, at least from my point of view, we are not that." Choked up with emotion himself, Hans was grateful for this unexpected opportunity to prove himself to the strict King.
"And here I thought I was the silver tongued smoothie." Mattias chuckles to himself mostly at the suave and oh-so-polished sophisticate fiancé of Elsa's choice who apparently had that certain felicitous knack to disarm his frosty friend.
Agnarr may not have looked so kindly upon the subterfuge involved this day before, but times were indeed changing.
"I once again must thank you for your timely arrival, Vise Admiral. On many accounts." An ashamed King Agnarr, feeling many strange elements whirling about him, tries to collect himself. And still gather his authority as well, with a hand brushing back his hair in disarray along with the messy tears in his eyes.
"It is always my honor to serve your family, your Majesty. And may I say, this is an exceedingly lovely Christmas tree you have chosen to grace Arendelle Castle with, this momentous season." Hans puts on his most disarming smile to lighten the heavy mood a peg or two while checking Iriserende for any unintentional bruises.
But he need not have bothered, for Sitron already had attended the previously skittish and frightened, but now calmed and doted over Fresian mare.
"She's fine, min elsking (my love). Her own attentive mate has been seeing to her needs." With grateful azure blue eyes that spoke volumes to Hans, who raises one brow in curiosity, Elsa nuzzles Iriserende's muzzle close to Sitron's with genuine warmth.
"That sounds a little risqué, Vise Admiral. How about a treat to sweeten the ride home?" Taking up the horses' reins, Destin Mattias was never in short supply of snappy retort or sugar cube for a well deserving equine.
"I've never known Sitron to decline a sugar high." Teasing Hans winks to both the Arendelle General and his best friend of a stallion feeling his oats.
"I don't know about you guys, but I think it's about time we finished getting this poor, half-cut tree down the rest of the way safely so we can take it home for Anna to get decorating. If you two ice wielders wouldn't mind stabilizing big Lucey here with those dangling ropes now minus their pulley, I'd like to use my felling saw to get a nice flat surface cut the rest of the way. How's your arm at the two-man crosscut, Hans? It'll definitely go faster and straighter if we do it together." Kristoff picks up his sharpened tooth, curved crosscut felling saw with a wink to the thin and wiry redheaded Prince, wiping off the now relieved cold sweat that had poured down from his covered cap over his face.
"My lean arms may not appear so, but they were born ready." Evoking the tone and humor of an absent Princess Anna that made Agnarr and Elsa share a smile, Hans removes his Arendelle long grey cloak and flexes his ample bicep muscle.
In the same flawless motion, he places the cloak over Elsa's bare shoulders with a smirk.
The youngest son of the snobbish royal clan Westergaard had no qualms about going right to work on the other side of hard-working commoner Kristoff's crosscut saw. Quick learner Hans expertly applies just the proper rhythm to the pull of the two-man crosscut that the Ice Harvester was fairly sure he could rely on in this seemingly Jack-of-all-trades Prince.
"It is a beautiful tree, Papa. Mama and Anna will be pleased." Elsa watches with admiring eyes her handsome suitor's fluid body movements as he proudly wore the Naval uniform of Sjoforsvaret which she always adored on her father.
"And are you truly pleased this Christmas, my Snow Angel?" Agnarr looks down upon his child's gaze full of adoration for the Danish Prince, who somehow continually earned his respect time and time again.
"More than words can say, Papa. Just like when we were little girls. But even better this year… I have a tremendous feeling that this is going to be the most perfect Arendelle family Christmas I ever imagined." Elsa whispers, full of happy emotion as she snuggles for the first time in a long time into her Papa's warm embrace. Within the contentment of the holiday spirit, the two keep up the iced rope tension for the cross-sawing young men.
And he just as warmly hugs her back with the tender love between father and daughter the pair of ice gifted sovereigns had not felt free to share for a very long time.
"Okay, I think it's ready to call 'Timber!', Sir! If you'll do the honors –?" Kristoff announces with a great big smile as he and a satisfied Hans stand back from the 50 foot tall, beautiful evergreen Norway spruce.
"Your Majesty?" Agnarr deferentially bows to Elsa as he too steps back to allow the young Queen to be the true monarch in charge he had taught her to be.
"All right, then." Elsa smiles broadly in the dark, cold winter night as she gazes between the warm, caring eyes of the quartet of men surrounding her. With Anna's spirit ever close in her heart, Elsa feels absolutely no fear, nor timidity, as she just shows herself to be the monarch of the Winter she was destined to be.
"TIMBER!" Her coloratura soprano rings crystal clear through the starry night sky as Gale's wind rustles one last time through the proud fir's bows, while Jordskjevelvet's ground heaves a pleased sigh of roots of the past letting go to make way for the light of the future.
In unison, the Ice Queen and the Ice King cryokinetically let go of the ropes they had been keeping the tension taut of on either side of the magnificent spruce Kristoff and Hans had manfully chopped down together.
By Bruni's silent glow reflected off Nokk's frozen water cascade nearby, the Norway spruce falls silently soft upon the pillow of magic snow. The exquisite Queen of the North Winter had artistically created the drifts as her elemental gentle winds float the downed tree towards the waiting sleigh.
There, Hans and Kristoff, under King Agnarr's instructive supervision, use the ropes to securely tie the massive tree to the sleigh. Then they each attach their tackle as they ride Sitron and Iriserende on either side of the front of the sleigh to help pull the impressive tree home.
With the beaming 5th Element of Harmony silently standing in control at the helm, and her Ice King father proud to be merely watching that all went well from the rear, the sleigh swiftly maneuvers down the steep mountainside's hills back to their brightly moonlit kingdom of Arendelle.
"Here we come a caroling, among the leaves so green…'"
From the North Mountain hills, as if homing in on her trek home, Marshmallow had brought Olaf and all of his snowgie brethren down the long trail to join their dear Elsa's cavalcade to Arendelle.
"Olaf! Marshmallow! My dearest snowgies! Everyone I love will be home for Christmas now." Almost tearful Elsa whispers into Hans' cloak shoulder her contentment in the crispy snows that felt the Queen of the North Winter's wishes.
Once again, feeling peaceful music inspired in her heart on this Christmas time night, Queen Elsa softly begins to hum one of the timeless hymn's beautiful verses with Prince Hans' tenor gently harmonizing as caroling backup General Mattias drives them into Arendelle village.
"Silent night! Holy night,
Son of God, Love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy Holy Face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy Birth!
Jesus, Lord, at Thy Birth!"
Through the streets, the good people of Arendelle look out the windows or step out their doors to watch and listen to the tender carol ringing through the cold night as the biggest, fullest and greenest Christmas tree makes its way towards the festive castle.
There a psychically alerted Anna had rushed from her bed to come running down to the open gate with Eliana. The two were soon joined by her mother Queen Iduna, Gerda and Kai and Johanne and Esteban as well, all gleefully waving at the joyous sight of their family returning home.
The early morning of Christmas Eve dawns bright and promising…
"Oh, that was the funnest Christmas tree decorating party EVER!" With ecstatic Olaf at her side, Princess Anna had opted to stay in the Castle with Elsa in her room after the exciting night before.
The entire castle seemed alive, happily scrambling to put up the Christmas tree that Elsa and Papa had brought home – with Kristoff, Mattias and Hans' help– from the North Mountain forest.
"That would be 'most fun', Olafy. And it was most fun." Calm, cool, collected Eliana the snowwoman never failed to correct her snowboy's grammar and diction as she wiped tinsel and sparkle dust out of his internally gleaming mouth and eyes. For all the reference books he read, snowpea brain Olaf would always need his snowlady's neat, helping, correcting hand.
"But funner just sounds better, Olaf!" An excitable Anna agrees with Olaf's descriptive word as she sticks her chocolate coated tongue out in her beloved snowman's defense.
The ginger young woman vividly recalls the unforgettable Christmas songs being sung as they lit the tree once arriving back in Arendelle Castle with everyone.
Elsa had done a spectacular job displaying it in the courtyard outside for all the citizens of their beloved hometown to partake in. The 5th Elemental had called upon Bruni's Fire spirit to light the candles on the tree boughs, with Gale's Wind spirit to swirl garlands of intricately woven snowflakes that Nokk's Water spirit had lent some expert splashes of water to his fellow elemental's aid.
Olaf's Christmas star tradition too was not forgotten. He, surprised in the moment giving Eliana the special decoration figurines of the pair of them Marshmallow and the snowgies had crafted in Anna's tradition of presenting homemade gifts to Elsa, Olaf and Eliana both rose by Elsa's cryokinetic power to place the this year's new star on the tree.
All while Jordskjvelvet had the ground raise enough for all the townsfolk to see, near and far, of this new tradition of the 'Arendelle Family Tree Lighting Ceremony', of which all of Arendelle's people were included as Elsa and Anna's family.
Because they truly loved the pair of special young women as their own daughters, and would always keep this tradition alive for as long as their were Christmas trees and snow on the ground in Norway. As long as Elsa and Anna lived side by side with Arendelle's loving ciizens, with carols to be sung together in raised voices of worship for the little King of Kings, Baby Jesus born this day in their hearts joined together.
Once the Ice Queen had telekinetically transported the tall spruce tree inside the castle's large hall - as if by Christmas magic - all were invited to help decorate it as if they were residents of the castle too. That was because the sisters considered it the people's house too, that love making it truly a home unlike any other.
So the specially selected spruce fir tree came aglow with glittery tinsel, glassy bauble ornaments, lighted candles representing stars with strung popcorn and gingerbread cookies all being hung on that huge spruce tree Kristoff had informed his little wife was named 'Lucey'.
Just like the St. Lucia! Does Christmas decorating get better than knowing the name of the tree you welcomed in your home?! Heeheehee!
And the piece de resistance of Anna's night, the moment that made her totally forget all of her wobbly tummy trouble demands was when her Kristoff ever so gently carried her up the step ladder. Her new husband, on their first married Christmas together, had lifted her still small and thin body up entirely to place the golden star upon the crown of the Christmas tree.
"Last evening certainly was more fun than either you or I have had in a very long time. All of us together, with Papa and Mama again as a family, Anna, made everything so magical, so unforgettable." In concurrence with her second snowperson creation, proper Elsa more eloquently corrects Olaf and her sister as she sentimentally remembers the night before herself.
"Especially that unforgettably 'magical' ice mistletoe I saw you trying to pull on Mr. Red Silk shirt and that secret little present for you he was trying to secretly hang on Lucey." Her now frosting white tongue popping out again, Anna teases her big sister, having witnessed Elsa aggressively tugging a tense Mr. Westergaard near the Christmas tree. Poor man was trying to hide both his present and her seduction from a watchful King Agnarr who was standing like a hawk by the holiday punch bowl.
"I have no idea what you are speaking of, Anna." Her cute little nose up in the air, Elsa tries to cover up her flare of passion caused by just one little innocent sip of eggnog Princess Amber insisted she tried. But Elsa had no idea it contained just a touch of added rum which had stirred up the inhibitions of the platinum Ice Queen, who obviously had little to no tolerance for alcoholic beverages.
"Besides, Prince Hans has already given me my Christmas gift, early—umm…that I can't speak to you of quite yet." Elsa bites her lip, just then remembering how her thoughtful fiancé had pleaded with her not to speak of Iriserende. At least not until Anna's Christmas morning present of Guddy the Gudsbrandal colt was appropriately revealed by himself for the most gain.
"Ooh, Elsa! That sounds enigmatic. That Red better have been behaving…But, okay, Christmas is the secret present time for not poking around too much…Guess I've already got the bestest Christmas present Kristoff could ever give me hidden in here." Anna coos, showing off her lover's incomparable gift with a rub to her slightly bulging tummy. "Too bad it makes me sicky sometimes. Just like eating too much chocolate or buttery cookies late at night. But totally worth it." Battling the morning sickness she was slowly growing accustomed to, Anna deliriously smiles as she lies back down with a flop to the bed Elsa had just primly made.
And for once in her life she pushes away her cookie stash.
"I can't believe it's Christmas Eve already! I'm literally going crazy thinking what to do first! Squee! What are we gonna do first?! What are we gonna do with Mama and Papa all back and the gates open?! We are going to have so much fun, Elsie! Like our dream Christmas come true at last!" But before the yawning young woman - still mostly in her sleepwear - could climb back up from where she had wriggled herself in the midst of the fleecy blankets on the messy bed, she was already sound asleep and snoring.
"It's too early for you to get up. You just go back to sleep for a few more hours, Anna. I think I'll go down to see if Mama needs help with the music in choir practice. Or maybe Johanne could use some assistance in the last minute chapel decorations." Elsa had already gotten herself clothed and ready for the morning while her little sister was raving about last night.
The tall and elegant young monarch smiles in the mirror to see her slumbering baby sister before she quietly left the bedroom, attired in her stately, regal purple morning dress.
On her way down the stairs, Elsa was sure that she spied a little red elf – rather a tall and slender titian haired Prince – who looked so polished and gorgeous even at this early hour in the morning. He was sneaking into the living room and hanging several little present boxes onto the boughs of the massive spruce tree that was now fully and loudly decorated, as per Anna's colorful, vivacious style.
She did not wish to disturb Hans in whatever sweet gesture of generosity her handsome, winsome fiancé was up to, so Elsa quietly brushes past without saying a word. She walks into the connected Arendelle Chapel, contented that her love was near in her hearth and home.
But there was nowhere his beauteous Elsa Bernadotte could go that observant Hans Westergaard would not have noticed in the corner of his keen, green eyes.
'Born Thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now Thy gracious kingdom bring.
By Thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by Thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to Thy glorious throne.'
"Elsa, min Flicka! Oh my darling! How glad I am you have come to Chapel early." Since those horrid days held captive by that evil pirate, Queen Iduna was always up with the dawn.
Her personal organizing of the church service for Christmas Eve was a special treat for the devout little mother this year. And it was well overdue after seven hard, absent ones, now that the Queen mother had returned to her family and home.
"Why is that, Mama? What's all the excitement about? Your choir does sound glorious this fine morning. So surely that is not the problem." Elsa nods to each of the other Arendelle Chapel choir members and orchestra musicians who were already making beautiful music in praise as they practiced.
"Well, you see, Sven and Svala have just arrived back at Anna's cottage with a message from Princess Valentina and Prince Alonso." Queen Iduna takes Elsa to the side of the pews to quietly make the statement, glancing around particularly to where Chancellor Esteban was helping a smiling Johanne with the final decorations at the altar.
"Yes? What message did they send that has you in such a fluster?" Elsa asks in curiosity at her mother's pensive voice.
"The message was for Chancellor Esteban. The young couple are planning on returning with the entire Royal family to South America on the King of Portugal's private yacht, soon after New Year's Day, to make the long journey across the Atlantic. Their grand wedding, as you know, is scheduled for Valentine's Day in Paraiso." Iduna whispers as she and her daughter walk down the aisle together.
"Yes, I recall Princess Valentina pointedly mentioning that." Elsa replies with an arched brow, vividly remembering the ostentatious Princess' declaration of her marriage to the Norwegian Queen's former Argentinean suitor.
"Our good friend Chancellor Esteban, as he was commissioned as the Prince of Cordoba's guardian, feels compelled to return with Prince Alonso in order to explain to his father, King Juan Ramón, of his son's unforeseen, life-altering romantic arrangement. The honor bound Duke has also confided in me that he honestly wishes to marry our Johanne and intends to take her back with him on this voyage to start their new home together in Avalor, where they will wed."
"Oh, I see. That's wonderful news, then! …Isn't it?" Her own wedding preparations still up in the air made Elsa's heart flutter just to think of all the connubial arrangements her once inconceivable marriage would also entail. And now, she realized, there would be a rash of other upcoming matrimonial plans she and Hans would have to juggle around the days attending, on top of it all.
"It has been weighing heavily on poor Johanne's mind all morning how her older brother will react to the sudden news that she must leave immediately on a ship to Portugal to make it in time to meet Valentina's launch home. Perhaps with you here to give your blessing, Minister Kai will be more agreeable to the plan? I dare not ask your father to intercede. He can be very pigheaded about such matters, knowing how dear Johanne has been to him as nanny and lifelong friend." Even as Iduna bitterly spoke of her intransient man, she knew that their long time Arendelle rigid regent, head servant, and close friend would also not be in peace with this situation.
"No, Mama. I've known Johanne and Kai all my life. Minister Kai loves his younger sister. He will be even more devastated to not be able to properly give away his sibling at her wedding. Faced with that eventuality, it's likely he won't allow her to leave, especially unchaperoned on a long ocean voyage alone with the Chancellor. And Papa probably will back him up. Christmas will be ruined for all of them." A worried Elsa bites her lower lip in consternation as she joins her mother in wringing her hands at their dour suppositions concerning the mature lovers.
"Then, why not hold their marriage ceremony right here, right now, in Arendelle before Chancellor Esteban and Miss Johanne must leave for that voyage to their new home in Avalor? If so, her family – which includes not only good Councillor Rosenvalen and his wife Gerda, but the entire Bernadotte clan, who are like family to the faithful woman as well – can be in attendance to celebrate her happy day of new beginnings." The handsome man with big ears and an even bigger strategic brain could not help but eavesdrop on the pair of Queens he had silently stalked into the Chapel, with the mere intention to stealthily sit in on his fiancée's practice recital.
"Godmorgen (Good morning), Your Majesties." The Danish Prince gives an elegant bow to the two royal ladies in the morning greeting of his native tongue.
"Hans!" Elsa swirls around, surprised, but not surprised, that her deep concerns were concisely and judiciously being addressed by the astute man she had sworn her heart to.
"Why, yes. That is a wonderful idea! It will solve everything! If they are already married and setting out on their bridal tour, Kai can rightfully have no further objection as to his sister being in Esteban's care. And Johanne will be so pleased to have Kai give her away, with all of us in attendance at the ceremony to send her off. You are as brilliant as you are attractive, Prince Hans!" Queen Iduna latches on to the idea, causing the blushing Danish Prince's cheeks to flush red from all her praise. Iduna gazes to where Esteban was aiding a smiling Johanne in setting the holy candelabra on the altar straight in the proper order.
Iduna giggles, recalling Agnarr's rash rush to marry her that Kai had no choice but to happily accept while she ponders this new perspicacious proposal.
"But what about Papa?" Elsa pours a little icy cold water on this early morning hatched plan, even as she gazes into Hans' eyes with utter gratitude for his always obliging, salient mind.
"'What about Papa?'"
King Agnarr himself had wandered into the church chapel, drawn to the blessed holiday music his starved soul had yearned to hear from his kingdom's well-performed choir again after missing the last eight Christmases, thinking each one would be his last.
Wide-eyed Elsa and Hans – whose hands had somehow entwined themselves between the empty church pews – freeze in place as the intimidating ruler of this land's low baritone abruptly intrudes into their conversation.
But one woman would never be overawed by his kingly aura. Though she was still so madly in love with him, his inflexibility made her blood boil in anger.
Until the next words which exuded from his mouth beneath that twitching ginger moustache.
"Is he such n ogre - this formidable Papa of yours - that he would not wish for a long overdue love to finally shine upon the life of one of his dearest friends?" He quirks a smile at the conniving trio huddled in the rear of the Lutheran Chapel pews, gaining their rapt smiles as Iduna, Elsa and Hans look to one another in pleased shock.
"Johanne? May we have a word with yourself and the Chancellor?" King Agnarr takes the problem by its reins, calling out across the church to the pair in question, coincientally at the altar.
"I hear that you will be leaving us to start a new journey, my dearest nanny. Would it be amicable with you if we hold the wedding ceremony here already, today perhaps, to celebrate your joyful marriage with your family? May I speak for everyone here in Arendelle Castle to say that we all love and admire you so dearly that we only want for your happiness now?" 'Little Agdy' smiles kindly to his first friend, taking both of his dear old nanny Johanne's trembling hands in his stately ones as she approaches her King's beckon.
"Today? Here in our palace home parish…?" Johanne's once dulled grey eyes perk up even more at the idea, looking as if all the riches in the world had just been handed to her. "But…Your Majesty. What will my brother Kai say to this? He has always been so good a brother to me, I would never wish to hurt him." There were mixed tears in Johanne's normally sedate eyes as a compassionate Esteban wrapped a warm arm around her fragile, thin shoulders.
"'Fear not," said he for mighty dread
had seized their troubled mind
"glad tidings of great joy I bring
to you and all mankind.'"
Everyone pauses at the emotional conundrum, soaking up the practicing choir's Christmas tribute of "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" by George Frederic Handel for several minutes before anyone says another thing.
"Johanne's happiness… What does that South American know of my sister's happiness that I have been watching out for all these years without his help? What good were those silly correspondence letters I sent back to the roué 'return to sender'?! Where was he all these years to not come across the ocean to woo her if he cared so much?" Just outside the Chapel side door, and able to hear his King's words faintly as he peered in through a stained-glass window, Kai himself had returned from his long walk outside.
The Arendelle Castle regent/ director/ butler/ Councilor had come to speak with the Lutheran minister as to the timing of the liturgical and Scripture readings in the church service for later tonight.
In the cold of the bitter winter outdoors this Christmas Eve, Kai had been angrily seething. The fat man had paced back and forth, observing for the past half-hour or so with tormented, jealous eyes, his younger sister and her attentive Avaloran beau's rekindled romance lighting the Advent candles at the altar.
But Kai Roservalen was not a bad person. His intercepting the correspondence Esteban sent to Johanne those almost three decades ago was, he thought then, an act of kindness for his impressionable younger sibling. He believed Johanne had found contentment in her work here with her Arendelle family, before the royals had issues of their own.
Issues which closed the castle gates down for the rest of the time until recently, when bold Princess Anna dared to dream outside of the box, and showed her sheltered sister that love melted every cold heart.
"'All glory be to God on high,
and to the earth be peace;
to those on whom his favor rests
goodwill shall never cease.'"
So as he paced the snowy grounds, pondering these things on this blessed morning, the large set balding gentleman was not untouched by the calming Christmas music. It inspired a peace in his heart towards nostalgic love now requited that his devout wife Gerda had been gently, but firmly, trying to impress upon the stoic older servant these past few weeks.
That and a soft kiss of snowflakes which suddenly spilled from the sky to land upon Kai's exasperated, tearful cheeks. The wind-sent snowflakes melt upon his hot eyelids that had been raised to Heaven praying incessantly to God for strength.
Not to give him incredible forbearance and merciful kindness the once headstrong young man lacked, but rather to simply keep things as they were. Kai preferred everything to be proper and unchanged, with that dashing Chancellor back on the boat returning home, leaving Johanne here at her home where she belonged.
As a youth, Kai could have lost himself in the cold logical world with the Snow Queen, if not for faithful Gerda's enduring devotion and patience to bring him back to the warmth of love.
'Your heart is warm and your eyes unclouded by any trace of the cold shards now, my brave little Kai. So why do you still hide behind my old Mirror of Reason when Queen Elsa has shown you all the brilliance of her new Mirror of Love? The more you try to reason, the less reason you gain. But the more love you give, the more love you will be blessed with. So please embrace your new Queen's bright way, my beautiful little boy. God gave us His gift of 'Tenerity' – Trust, Encouragement, Nobility, Empathy, Righteousness, Inspiration, Truth, and Yearning. And through each virtue, we must spread His Tenderness to share with mankind, not hoard them away like an old miser. Especially not from those we love dearly, especially not at the Lord's precious Christmastime of charitable generosity.'
Perhaps only in the quiet hush, close to a holy sanctuary such as this, with the angelic choir singing in the background, through the echoes in his heart the Snow Queen could still speak to Kai. After all his cluttered heart's confusion revealed over the past few weeks, her gentle words made this all clear to him, and stiff Councilor Kai begins to open his eyes anew.
Eyes that now spill over openly with hot warm tears full of the understanding and kindness he had not prayed for, but had received, as God's incomprehensible Love granted to each of us unawares.
"Ready to go inside the Chapel and be part of the day, sir?" Snow Prince Kristoff may have had a hand in relaying his mother's message to Kai so the distraught older man could hear the Snow Queen's gentle soprano voice in his head so succinctly.
"Thank you, yes, Prince Kristoff. The choir does sound especially sweet this morning." Minister Kai rarely addressed Anna's mountainman by his title, either by birth or marriage as a 'Prince'. But even Arendelle's stuffy political advisor felt appreciative of the young blond.
"I wouldn't mind listening to that holy music playing in there myself, gents, with a certain lovely baker lending her lilting legato lyric contralto to the choir."
General Mattias had been indulging in the privilege these past few days to rearrange his schedule to be doing his rounds immediately nearby Arendelle Chapel early mornings. Perhaps it was less about duty and more about hearing his new bride Halima sing like an angel the Christmas melodies.
"How can someone learn to swallow his pride and find the words to let his baby sister move half a world away?" Minister Kai laments in a whisper his troubles concerning his one and only sibling as the holiday music reminded him of how much Johanne loved to celebrate Christmas as a little girl.
"You can, old friend. Because the Lord never created a man so adept at diplomacy and keeping a dysfunctional household together as a family because you have a heart warmed by the Christ-child's love in there." General Mattias possessed a wisdom – maybe after spending many a year with a sagacious native woman who epitomized the word – that spoke beyond old rivalries. Mattias' smile touched directly on Kai's aching heart's pain to soothe it as the dark skinned soldier poked meaningfully at the large-set advisor's chest where a great big heart secretly existed.
"Thank you as well for that…old friend." Councilor Kai responds in kind to the similarly graying hair man he has come to respect now more than mere words could express.
"Hehehe! That's a hoot! I had a bet with old Petersen that I'd get you to say that years and years ago!" Destin Mattias bursts out laughing, as he recalled an old 'bet' with the previous Lord Regent of Arendelle whom the man before him succeeded.
The merriment of which did not leave Kai unaffected with a small smile quirking around his lips at the mention of stoic Lord Petersen, whose merciful decision long ago to take orphaned native girl Iduna into Arendelle castle changed all of their lives.
You were right again, Sir. 'Nothing endures but change', teacher Petersen…
Leaning on Mattias' strong arm that offered him both mental and physical support as well as a handkerchief, Kai blows his big bulbous nose. Allowing the Christmas music to penetrate at last, Kai shares Mattias' guffaws of laughter.
He shakes his head positively with his first genuine smile to his former rival, now slowly becoming his dearest friend, as the Councilman wipes the tears from his eyes while they open the Chapel doors.
The unlikely pair shocks everyone by suddenly barging into the church's rear entrance, their laughter instantly ceasing into a more serious mood.
"Were you not planning to inform me about the subsequent departure and special Christmas Eve wedding you seem to have all planned behind my back, Esteban? Or is your bride's older brother not even invited to walk his beloved sister down the aisle?" Trying to keep a straight face as he talked, Councilor Kai shook Mattias off so he could march down the said church aisle toward the tall, debonair Duke of Avalor portentously.
"But of course, Brother Kai. You are the most important guest Johanne and I could ever be blessed to welcome to our joyous occasion. I will be honored to call you my Hermano (brother), sir, and you Madam Gerda, my Hermana (sister), from now on." In his lilting Hispanic accent, Esteban awards Kai with a sweeping bow and a gentlemanly kiss to Gerda's fat little paw decorating the pew nearby.
The rushed-off-her-feet, flour-dusted housekeeper had been alerted by Kristoff, via Anna, to come running into the Chapel and poke around to perhaps circumvent an argumentative scene in the holy place.
"I am the one blessed to see my little sister have this second chance, despite my past mistakes, to experience the kind of tender, abiding love my Gerda and I have shared all these years. Thank you, Chancellor for making Johanne a happy woman at last." Kai finally let go of that all too human shard of overbearing jealousy that had kept him prejudiced against the charming Chancellor all these years after he had returned Esteban's pleading love letters unopened.
"Then it is fortunate that we have the Bishop himself, right here at this beautifully festooned church you have all worked so hard in decorating, to perform the special ceremony, is it not, Bishop?" King Agnarr steps in here to urge the none-too-pleased serious Lutheran pastor of this abrupt change of plans to his well mapped out Christmas Eve service the Minister had been prepping all morning.
"Amen to that! I have the perfect cake all ready at my bakery! Destin will go fetch it right now for you, dear!" Halima comes elegantly sailing down from the choir apse above, full of friendship and good, sweet cheer.
"Oh… Why not?" Growing a bit grouchy in his old age, the curmudgeon cleric could not help but smile when he sees the blushing bride being sweetly dragged into the rectory changing vestibule.
There, a stunned Johanne, already wearing for Christmas Eve her finest frock of chestnut brown and deep salmon, was about to be transformed into something magnificent.
In a whirlwind of new Christmas bells, pale blue gossamer veils and borrowed flower crowns were placed upon this ladies maid's for once pampered head by Queen Iduna and Gerda, Halima and latecomer Anna too. Still a blushing bride that proved age had no limit, Johanne Roservalen was then dolled up like a true Lady of Arendelle by artistic young Queen Elsa's magic silvery ice rose accents.
"Oh, Johanne! We finally have our chance to dress you up after all these years of you taking care of us!" Elsa sings in gratitude as she finishes decorating her ladies maid with crystalline diamonds that the selfless, quiet, dedicated woman never asked to be adorned with.
"Thank you for all you've done to keep us the best groomed Queens in Scandinavia! Now it's your turn to look beautiful!" Iduna chimes in as she wraps her own gold chained Cross necklace around her faithful servant's neck. After all, Johanne had wordlessly accepted her and done so much to make the girl far away from her home feel welcome in Arendelle as its Queen.
"Chancellor Esteban will find you irresistible!" The most recent bride in Anna naughtily whispers in a red-cheeked Johanne's ear as she places her own veil's preserved flowers in the nanny turned ladies maid's soft grey tresses.
With giggles and smiles, the Arendelle royal family had done the good, kind, devoted servant up proper—right down to the traditional silver sixpence the older ladies' maid laughed with glee to find in her shoe.
Chancellor Esteban was rewarded to be waiting at the Christmas altar for the woman he yet saw through the eyes of love as that bouncy blonde young girl in her twenties again.
Sweet Johanne had brought joy and wonder into his gloomy life then, and was bringing love and tranquility to his fulfilled life now. The two exchanged their vows of undying love and eternal devotion in the sight of God and her brother too.
And for once, new Duchess Johanne Flores was the star of the show for once in her life, in front of all her friends from the kingdom gathered at this quiet, private ceremony filled with romance and Christmas magic.
After Chancellor Esteban and Johanne Flores' wedding party dinner in Arendelle Castle's Dining Hall…
"That was an amazing wedding! I didn't know I could still be a bridesmaid! It is so romantic to be married at Christmas time, with all the decorations of silver and gold and angels with the snowflakes falling outside the window reminding us to keep each other warm inside! Kristoff and I have to do it again someday - probably at our, like 25th anniversary year - but this time at Christmas!" Princess Anna was still exuberant from being called upon to be a bridesmaid, even if she was already married herself and expectant with child. She wiggles the wedding band on her gulping guy's hand with the crazy second wedding (or was it their third?) future plan.
"Well, it is Queen Elsa's second time as a bridesmaid. Is it not, your Majesty?" Princess Hildegard was a little miffed to have not been invited to the Chancellor's impromptu wedding ceremony, as she and Cleo had been out sightseeing with Prince Desmond in Arendelle village all afternoon.
"And you know what they say: 'Three times a bridesmaid, never a bride!' I'd avoid attending other women's weddings like the plague if I were you." Princess Amber did not mean to be unkind, but she did have quite a bit of superstition when it came to a proper lady keeping with tradition.
"I assure you that my fiancée will be Mrs. Hans Westergaard in the near future, ladies. Superstition or no." Prince Hans returns, leaneing over the railing to land a surprise peck possessively on Elsa's chilly cheek.
He delivers some assuredly non-alcoholic punch for his Queen at the early Christmas Eve party/ wedding reception Queen Iduna was throwing for her newly married friends, Duke Esteban and Duchess Johanne.
"Shall you and I entertain your guests with your lilting vocals at this lovely pianoforte your parents gifted you for your birthday, min kæreste?" As the early evening sun was setting, Prince Hans sweeps a talented hand across the well-tuned keys which then sweep Queen Elsa into the Conservatory where a few more of the guests from her mother's choral society and their families had gathered.
There were also several of the church members and their kin who had come to view the stunningly majestic Christmas tree the King and his sons-in-law had brought in last night for the ladies to decorate.
"He's dreamy. Does he have any brothers?" Having no idea what she was asking, lonely heart Princess Hildegard sighs, feeling like a wallflower as she sways to and fro to Mendelssohn's score of 'Hark the Herald Angels Sing'.
"Don't ask." Rolling her eyes at the innumerable handsome Danish faces popping in her head, Anna mumbles with her mouth full.
Excellent pianist Hans Westergaard first chose this piece for his silky voiced angel Elsa to take the harmony of, in his invited merry keyboard duet.
"'Peace on Earth, and mercy mild. God and sinners reconcile!'" Hans' golden throat croons, hands flying jubilantly across the keys with a nod to prompt Elsa to sing along for his delighted smile.
Green with envy Hildey makes a wish on the Christmas star atop the tree that she had a princely boyfriend who was half as romantic – not to mention good-looking – as Queen Elsa's.
"'Joyful all ye nations rise!'" Elsa's high-pitched soprano fills in the soaring line of Charles Wesley's 1739 Christmas hymn.
"'Join the triumph of the skies!'" Hans playfully responds in his flawless tenor, then prompts Elsa to sing along with her next, pitch perfect octave higher lyric.
"'With angelic hosts proclaim:'" Elsa was getting into the Christmas spirit, trilling in her pretty soprano high octaves to her love's beckon.
"''Christ is born in Bethlehem!'"" Hans and Elsa's voices intermingle superbly as the glint of love found in one another's eyes was undeniable.
"'Hark the Herald Angels sing, glory to the newborn King!'"
Hearing the duet's joyous melody ring through the castle, King Agnarr pauses in his stroll through the hallway. He stops at the Conservatory door to peer in upon his older girl and the dashing young man she had chosen to be her partner in life.
Elsa seemed so carefree sitting at her new piano, melodically dueting together with Prince Hans, hands lightheartedly flying across the keyboard over one another as they sat so complementary close, side-by-side.
"Well played." King Agnarr murmurs under his breath that catches when he senses someone sneak up behind him in the hushed hall.
"They do complement one another, do they not? I'd say a perfect match." Queen Iduna had followed her husband's meandering trail towards the lovely music Elsa and Hans were making together at the Conservatory piano.
Iduna! There you are! You've been flitting about all day like a wisp of the wind I could never catch hold of! Anyway, it's getting dark. This may be the best chance to reveal my present at last to all three of my precious girls.
"The young man certainly has a talent for vocalizing. But you always had a preference for the Westergaards' brassy flair." Wearing a bemused smile, Agnarr could not help but jab and mildly step in it again with that saucy comment to his wife.
"And you always have had a chip on your shoulder concerning the 'Danes'." Iduna snaps back in a snobbish, mimicking voice, spinning on her heel to leave her irksome man skulking in the dark hall alone.
"With just cause in most instances – Ooh, that woman! This wasn't how it was supposed to go!" The vexed ginger Ice King retorts loudly enough to interrupt Hans and Elsa's playing at the musical string instrument as they quickly wrap up their piano piece.
"Do pardon me." Apologetically nodding to his guests as he enters the room, the King regretted his flippant remarks already. But his ashamed wife had already gone ahead to attempt to halt Anna from pigging out too much on gingerbread cookies at the dining buffet.
Perhaps this requires another tact…Naval man Agnarr thinks in sailing terms to himself as he waves to the Conservatory for Elsa to join him in the hall.
Hans accompanies her as they follow Elsa's father into the library where Queen Iduna and Anna were arguing over a handful of frosting coated gingerbread men at the desert table.
CHOMP!
"You are going to regret that later tonight, Missy." Queen Iduna was having a rough time imparting her personal struggle with pregnancy and sugary fixes with her renegade feisty daughter. But neither she nor Agnarr had the heart to deny their always wide-eyed and hungry younger child from wallowing in saccharine sweet snacks growing up.
"Perhaps you had better pay heed to your mother, Gingersnap. Or else you may not be feeling well enough to come outside to open your favorite early Christmas gift made by someone who loves you dearly." King Agnarr dangles the even sweeter treat before Anna's silently bulging out eyes. "And it's particularly exceptional this year."
Incredulously, Anna looks from her blank mother to the similar expression on Elsa's face where her big sister hung on Hans' arm, also wearing an imperturbable expression.
Then the peppery ginger's face lights up to corner Kristoff where the shy guy had been guiltily hiding from the guests. The awkward mountainman, looking rather suave in his Prince Consort getup he had promised to don for Christmas Eve for two hours this time, could be found stoking the fire at the fireplace in each room since after dinner. All while keeping a watchful eye on his continually nonstop eating machine of a hungry wife bouncing from noisy spot to spot.
The Wind Whisperer had been maintaining their mind meld communications at a bare minimum since yesterday with the excuse of Christmas surprises that would be blown if she should traipse through his mind like usual. Kristoff wasn't about to give away her father's big surprise either.
{"Hang on, Baby. It just gets better. 'Oh-ohh, tidings of comfort and joy'."} Knowing how Anna would love the second half of the surprise, whistling Kristoff's sealed psychic message was as teasingly enigmatic as his smug smile and obstinate big manly 'hands on hips' pose.
"I promise you all, I had a little extra help, so it is truly special this year. Come, children. My Queen? You must all wear your warmest coats and hats, please. It's growing chillier as night falls." With an enticing smile to all his guests and hand extended to Queen Iduna, King Agnarr had that mysterious air about him. It came out whenever the man was presenting to his family the 'annual Nativity figurine' he had worked all year at carving in his 'secret' workshop in years gone by.
And this time Agnarr could share his furtive glances with Kristoff and Hans, Mattias, Esteban and King Roland, as well as many of the friendly village carpenters specially invited to the Christmas Eve party where they had helped their King in his special last minute this time, gift giving mission.
"Kristoff? Hans? If you could watch that those two girls don't trip with their eyes closed. The frozen steps can be rather slippery." As King Agnarr leads his hand-held-over-her-eyes petite Queen and the hushed group out from the Castle to the frosty front portico, he instructs the two young men at their side to be vigilant as giggling Elsa and Anna close their eyes and squeeze each other's hands just like they did each year when they were wee little girls.
An impatient Anna's excitement builds so much that she thought she would just pop, her eyes dying to flip open as Kristoff from behind steadies his bubbly Feistypants from jumping out of her own skin.
But she was game to enthusiastically wait until her Papa said all was ready, even as the church choir was beginning to chant and sing quietly in Latin. It was the oldest of all Christmas hymns that seemed to suit the pianissimo moment of the hushed and holy, wintry theme they were stepping out into.
"'Corde natus ex parentis Ante mundi exordium
A et O cognominatus, ipse fons et clausula
Omnium quae sunt, fuerunt, quaeque post futura sunt.
Saeculorum saeculis.'"
(Of the Father's love begotten ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega, He the Source, the Ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see
Evermore and evermore.)
Leading Elsa by the arm as his well studied mind mentally translates the fourth century Latin piece titled 'Of the Father's Love Begotten', Prince Hans looks upon the platinum blonde's gorgeous face smiling.
Elsa was gliding forward on his arm, with eyes closed glowing in the moonlight as she too felt the holy words reverberate within her soul.
As if he had stepped into some ethereal Christmas fantasy, Hans never thought he'd glimpse anything as beautifully pristine and innocent – purple face paint and all – than that of the Ice Queen whom the once cold calculating young man had fallen hopelessly in love with.
Nor did he, the outcast, unwanted, unloved, throwaway child, ever think he would ever be welcomed to such a place as here in idyllic Arendelle, in the peaceful setting of the bosom of his dream Angel's loving Christian family.
"All right, Iduna. Elsa, Anna. You may open your eyes. It's ready." The King had gestured for the people around to hold their awe of the unveiled scenic Nativity crèche until his three girls glimpsed it.
The handmade Nativity now housed the full, meticulous set of the holy family with shepherds and sheep and cattle and donkeys. Not to mention the new additions of that unforgettably detailed angel above the structure and the strategically hanging star that cast down an almost ethereal light upon the sweet-faced Baby Jesus.
It was all working perfectly, just as the intelligent King had devised his theory of a lit flame mirrored behind the sheeting long ago. But it took the know-how of many skilled local carpenters and capable perspicacity of Elsa's Hans and Anna's Kristoff to set all the parts Agnarr had assembled into proper placement, at long last.
"Looky at that angel and how the new star shines on Baby Jesus! Look at the stable full of real hay for the animals! It's so lifelike, I want to kneel down to worship with the shepherds!" Despite her semi-regal, mature black and teal dress, Anna was still as excited as a kid in a candy shop. Her eyes light up admiring each of the figures with the new addition of the Christmas angel in the star this year to complete their Papa's special Nativity set.
"Oh, Papa! It's beautiful." Elsa whispers in awe, daintily touching the faces as she admires each of the now completely finished and assembled figurines that her talented father had painstakingly sculpted and painted over the years for his children's Christmas presents.
"My funny little sheep finally has a real home!" Bundled up in a thick coat so she could hardly walk, Kristoff had to steady her gait as Anna knelt down to the snow to sit beside her old friend, dubbed 'Mr. Wooly' little lamb long ago.
The sparkling young woman looked so sweet, like a part of the scene as she pet the sheep lovingly where the decades-old, somewhat lifelike dingy, glued cotton ball coated sculpture lay by the manger beneath the lopsided donkey.
"You have truly outdone yourself for your girls, min älskare (my love). Thank you for being such a good father to them. I'll go welcome the parishioners and invite all our citizens to view your masterpiece on their way to chapel." Her hardened heart melts down a little more this Christmas Eve night of her husband's selfless generosity. Moved, Queen Iduna lands a soft kiss on her man's cheek before turning to attend to their guests.
Just that simple loving gesture, Agnarr's handsome face lights up like a Christmas tree, recalling that first Christmas he and Iduna spent together as teens.
He lovingly watches his stunning little native beauty turned Queen benevolently socialize with devout rich man and poor child alike who had been slowly gathering into the gates early on their way to Christmas Eve church service to see the King's breathtaking Nativity.
"So, my beautiful girls! On to our next special family treat!" The animated King claps his hands together, gladdened that his standoffish wife finally had kind words to share with him on this Christmas Eve.
"When you girls are finished examining your completed Nativity, I thought we could, as a family, attend the door to door caroling I pledged to the pastor we would join in celebrating this year, to shepherd the citizens of Arendelle to our Christmas Eve service."
"YYEEEEEE!" Anna does not suppress her squeal of pure delight as she jumps up from where she was kneeling at the manger.
"I think that she approves of the idea, Sire." General Mattias says lowly to Agnarr as he peers into the 'stable' area to comment on for once speechless Anna's evident jubilation.
So happy, Anna rushes over and squeezes her father around the neck so tightly that the King was at a definite loss for words – not to mention breath.
"You're going to kill off your Dad for Christmas if you don't let up that stranglehold, Feistypants." As he walks by nonchalantly, Kristoff drolly comments in his nonplussed way that Anna sometimes listened to.
"Oh! I'm sorry, Papa! But we're sooo happy for this super Christmas you've given us! Aren't we, Elsie?" The spontaneous young woman ditches her half choked father to twirl her teary-eyed older sister 'round and 'round the cobblestone ground of the ice and snow covered courtyard until both their braided heads were spinning.
"Absolutely." Hans speaks up for his speechless, dizzied fiancée as he steps in to stabilize rescue the more sedate sibling from her high speed baby sister's frantic excitement.
Anna sticks out her tongue at him, revealing a purplish/red/blue mouth interior due to the evidential boysenberry pie she had been helping Halima and Gerda mix in the kitchen previously.
"Where are your manners, min spadbarns? Especially in front of the Bishop and Pastor before the Christmas Eve service later this evening! Not to mention the Duke and Duchess." Amused by Hans and Anna's angsty brother/sister relationship, Queen Iduna respectfully nods to the clerics as she then teases her newly wedded friends.
"Now what is all this fresh excitement about?" As Mattias escorted her back to the outdoor creche, Iduna thought she heard Anna squeal a second time with delight, and had returned to the crèche to insure her pregnant daughter did not overexcite herself.
Iduna had been welcoming visitors into the Arendelle Chapel doors with Johanne and Esteban. The maidservant timidly yet proudly, stepped into society for the first time as 'Duchess', on her new husband, the Duke of Avalor, Esteban's, devoted arm.
"The King has fortuitously suggested we invite our ladies to accompany the choir caroling around Arendelle. And I heartily agreed it would be a splendid idea to usher the good people in to observe the Christmas Eve service in church with us all." Hans puts his charming hand to relieving the last remainder of underlying tension between husband-and-wife he had an inkling was on his behalf since the Masquerade Ball three nights ago.
"Caroling? Why… Agnarr, that doesn't sound like your doing." Iduna bitterly recalled how her mate had prohibited the disappointed children on past Christmases from ever going outside, or even listening to – nevermind joining – the passing singers from town.
For over a decade, King Agnarr shunned the idea of the carolers who paraded just beyond the closed Castle gates and locked doors, for fear Elsa may lose control and be discovered.
"…I must admit, Iduna, that when the good Reverend informed me of their caroling itinerary for Christmas Eve, I was inclined to decline once again. But the memory of Anna's enthusiasm back then made me feel it may be, at last, time to reenter the world of living. With so many new reasons to give praise to the Lord and enjoy life unshackled this year, I do not see a rationale why not to anymore." Agnarr gives a side glance at Anna's stomach which Kristoff was tenderly rubbing.
The overprotective father even dares to glimpse Hans' arm resting around Elsa's contented bare shoulder that was no longer in fear of being touched.
And the mulish King lets out a resigned sigh to his dubious Queen's delight. Her doubtful eyes shift from dull to a more attentive, indigo glow, meeting his again with nothing but their special, undying love again.
"I've waited for years to hear you say that, my darling." Queen Iduna whispers, close to tears. She wished they were alone in the room so could speak all that had been captive in her heart for the past seventeen years of the family's self-imposed exile, hidden from the world.
"If you haven't noticed yet, I'm a slow learner, my wondrous Windlass." Using his teasing nickname for his childhood sweetheart that meant much as this sailor's 'strong anchor', Agnarr was glad of heart to have his wife and life partner's smile granted back. Iduna was beaming up at him properly again during this precious family time of Christmas Eve, when it seemed all that much more dear.
Not to mention the fact that they had a wedding anniversary on the New Year soon to come in one short week's time he had to live up to.
"I've noticed." She responds, thinking on how to soften up her stubborn man to be amicable to hastening Elsa's upcoming wedding to the Danish Prince, now that the King appeared to be no longer that discontented with the whole idea.
Prince Hans was yet scheduled to return to sea in the near future to continue his tour of duty, and wily Queen Iduna was now focused in finding a way around that, too.
With Agnarr and Iduna, Hans and Elsa, and Anna and Kristoff in the lead, and newly married couple Esteban and Johanne, with Kai and Gerda, Mattias and Halima, King Roland and Queen Miranda, and their children taking the sides and rear, the jubilant choir of itinerant carolers go from friendly door to door, partaking of sweet treats and wassailing merrily.
"'God rest ye merry, Gentlemen, let nothing you dismay! Remember Christ our Saviour was born on Christmas day! To save us all from Satan's p'wer when we have gone astray. Ohh, tidings of comfort and joy. (Confort and joy.) Ohh, tidings of comfort and joy!'"
Musically inclined Kristoff switches between his songful lute and that tuneful all in one instrument Varian had left with him to harmonize with many good ole carols like 'God Rest ye Merry, Gentlemen' to 'Good King Wenceslas' and 'Here We Come A-wassailing' and back to a reverent 'Silent Night' among many others.
The church members, locals, visiting friends and royal family members all share in song and one another's company for the first time in forever in the pleasant, chilly winter evening in praise and thanksgiving and worship on this happiest Christmas Eve Arendelle had ever seen.
'Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright.
'Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child. Holy infant so tender and mild.
Sleep in heavenly peace, sleep in heavenly peace.''
It was growing quite late by the time the jolly carolers arrived back home to Arendelle Castle's holy Chapel after visiting nearly every house in town that opened its doors to see its beloved royal family together and celebrating the joyous season with them, at last.
The Bishop and Pastor were both smiling broadly, for the carolers – most likely owing to the energetic inspired singing and presence of the young royal family – had brought in more citizens than the church had seen in decades.
The Christmas Eve service was warm and familial and splendid for all who attended. From its celestial choir music and singing; to the reading from the Gospel of Luke which King Agnarr and Queen Elsa together emotionally read; to the Bishop's inspired message of the Holy song that connected Heaven and earth on that miraculous moment when the angels heralded God's incredible Love born from humble beginnings.
And that timeless hymn of 'Angels From the Realms of Glory's' triumphant verse was sung by Prince Hans in a solo request after the choir master begged the velvet-voiced young Vise Admiral to sing in their lead tenor's place, as he was ailing with a cold.
So, to Elsa's and everyone else in the bursting chapel's enchanted ears, Prince Hans had led the choir in vocalizing to the finest of his golden throated abilities God gave him. His soaring tenor was inspired by the inspiring hymn of that first Christmas at the close of the sermon to never forget the song of Christ's glory shared on this holy night over 1800 blessed years ago.
"Angels from the realms of glory,
Wing your flight o'er all the earth,
Ye who sang creation's story,
Now proclaim Messiah's birth,
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Shepherds, in the fields abiding,
Watching o'er your flocks by night,
God with man is now residing,
Yonder shines the infant Light,
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
Gloria in excelsis Deo!'"
Winter Queen Elsa of Arendelle could be no more at peace in her heart and in love than she was with this young man, as all the elementals of nature and the Northern Lights glow with the 5th Element's pure joy of the season of giving and Love.
By the time the Christmas Eve Midnight Mass had concluded, Kristoff had to carry Anna from the church the remainder of the way home.
Partway through the sacrament of Communion, when the Bishop started waving the incense smoke filled thurible censer around with clouds of scented smoke, Anna was not feeling quite up to snuff.
Perhaps the combination of pregnancy, incense and downing more milk and cookies and treats that every Julebukken filled household had to offer the sweet-toothed Princess on their caroling adventure was not good.
But Anna soldiered on to stick out the Church service with her family until the last Christmas hymn of 'Silent Night' was sung.
"'Silent Night, holy Night.
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy Infant, so tender and mild.
Sleep in Heavenly peace.
Sleep in Heavenly peace.'"
"It's Christmas Eve and the stars are awake…" Gazing up at the bright sparkling stars from where she lay in Kristoff's arms, the overtired girl yawns big. Then Anna of Arendelle, contented, drifts off to sleep, as the soft recessional hymn echoing them home instructed, even before they entered Arendelle Castle's doors.
"I'd better get Anna off to sleep in her room. It'll be a big day for her tomorrow. You know how she loves Christmas. Thanks for the Nativity and the wonderful night of caroling before that amazing Church service. She really enjoyed it." Kristoff pauses at the foot of the stairs to say good night to Anna's parents, the discomfited boy quite at a loss as how to thank them for including him in it like a true member of the family.
"Thank you for all your help… Son. I am…glad you will be there to watch over her all night after such a taxing day." Inviting Kristoff for the first time to stay in the castle, Agnarr was sincerely grateful that Anna had such a stable loyal young man such as Kristoff Bjorgman.
Even if he looked and acted like a common mountain workman.
"Good night, Mom. Good night… Dad." Kristoff found addressing kind eyed Queen Iduna in the familial way was not as hard as it was looking in the cool face of the King of Arendelle and uttering the terrifying word 'Dad '.
But Kristoff had a brave, honest soul. And it was just about Christmas, after all.
"Good night, Kristoff." Iduna answers for both herself and her husband with the small chuckle she could not restrain as a gulping Kristoff tucks tail and nearly runs up the stairs with Anna bundled tight in his arms, double time.
"Are you laughing at me, my pet? Would you have me deter him, if the Snow Queen's son so chooses to call me 'Dad' rather than another proper respectful address? We must make allowances, for the dirt covered boy was not raised properly in his youth." Agnarr clumsily makes excuses, he and Kristoff indeed having that bonding experience which Iduna had hoped they would forge together on their trip to find a perfect Christmas tree yesterday.
"You are correct as usual, my love. This is going to be our most wonderful Christmas, now that we're back together as a true family." Iduna declares with a pleased smile of contentment as she rewards her husband with a warm embrace.
It was followed by a passionate kiss that promised of more to come if he continued to play his cards right as she enticingly led him up the stairs.
"Do you think Elsa will be all right by herself down there, finishing up for the evening…?" Agnarr pauses his step on the staircase, giving a slight glance back down to where his hardworking older girl, who had already bid them each good night, was yet seen at the writing desk through the doorway of the Conservatory.
"Oh, Agnarr. We must trust Elsa by now to be that good and noble, competent Queen of this nation as she sees fit. We've raised two beautiful girls who are as smart and fine and decent as they are tenderhearted and kind. You need not worry for either of them! They've both proven how capable they are in everything they attempt, and finally allow them to embrace their destined loves that the Lord has gifted them with. Just as you and I have found His blessing in one another to enjoy together for many years to come." Iduna whispers in his ear, directly addressing his fatherly worry with gentle, understanding love more than frustrated, cool anger this time.
"You're right, of course, Iduna,min kjære (my dearest). They're just like you. A young woman who could accomplish anything she set her heart on. And I am still the fool." Continuing up the stairs, Agnarr smiles with pride as he thinks of the responsible, talented, mature young women his daughters had become in leading their kingdom and their lives.
But his heart was yet irresolute, the man still having that niggling thought about Northuldra leader Yelena's prediction of his true role in this land to deal with in the back of his mind.
And yet…this was Christmas. It was the time to celebrate today a precious yesterday over eighteen hundred years ago, and not be anxious for tomorrow.
"My marvelous, beautiful fool." Stroking her Agnarr's loosed bangs over his thoughtful, furrowed brows, Iduna reminisces. Her eyes soften as she remembers that first intimate embrace when she brushed back a young ginger Crown Prince's mussed hair from his delirious forehead on that fateful day in the Enchanted Forest.
And fell head over heels in love with the boy from the other side of the tracks.
"Hehehe. Still got it, eh?" Agnarr chuckles as he stoops down to retrieve Iduna's special Northuldran shawl that had tumbled off her shoulders as the couple had felt the urge to canoodle on the staircase.
That's when the Ice King's keen eyes glimpsed – at the last possible moment before he and his wife ascended the staircase – a certain slim bodied, quick moving man in uniform quietly enter the Castle entrance vestibule and make a swift turn in the hall towards the Conservatory.
It is that someone else who is much like me whom I'm more concerned about tonight…But I have learned to trust my big girl…
The King stoically juts out his chin with the decision and continues up the castle stairs.
All the sentimentality her husband displayed this Christmas Eve had showed Iduna that Agnarr was not beyond help when it came to the young men in his daughters' lives. The fact that she could see her stubborn husband was trying to bend, albeit ever so little, proved to her that he was wholly worthy of her forgiveness.
So he must be rewarded now to make up for the past few mentally punishing days.
"Ooh. I think it's time for you to unwrap your first Christmas present from me, my lover." Queen Iduna whispers seductively in her husband's ear, pulling his fine chin to give her his attention alone. Her eager arms temptingly pull him up the remainder of the steps towards their bedroom that she had not resided in for the past few nights.
As for Elsa, she had been attending to her royal duties of assuring that the holiday servant's gift packets were each personally handwritten, named and left on the fireplace mantle. There, Minister Kai would pick up and deliver each present to those who had faithfully served them all through the festive season.
Elsa then returns to the desk to finish writing a royal note to the Bishop on his much appreciated Christmas sermon this night in the Chapel, based on that unforgettable "Gloria in Excelsius Deo", not to mention the orchestral performance.
A wistful Elsa blows out the lamplight on the desk, leaving the hearth fire flickering beside the fully decorated Christmas tree in the darkened Conservatory.
"Still hard at work I see, my Queen? Did no one tell you the story that Father Christmas only visits good little girls who are tucked up in their beds on Christmas Eve night?" Breaking the crackling fire's quiet, Prince Hans' smooth voice enters both the darkened room and Elsa's heart in his silky way.
"I don't know if that Christmas tradition counts for Queens who have much responsibility to her people, even on Christmas Eve." A secretly smiling Elsa responds in a soft hush, just finishing signing her letter for the Bishop and placing it on the desk where reliable Kai would surely see to it in the morning.
"But there is one Christmas tradition I am absolutely sure yet counts for even a Queen." With that flirtatious statement, a confident Prince Hans skulks across the room in an arrogant Westergaard swagger.
For several curious seconds he stands before a flummoxed Elsa in the dimly lit room where the yule log in the fireplace cast interesting shadows within. Then Prince Hans abruptly grabs hold of a shocked Ice Queen in her dark blue velvet fur trimmed gown and yanks her to him by her bare shoulders.
"Merry Christmas, Snowflake."
Her defenseless hands and arms are thrust against his navy blue officer's jacket chest in a hushed thrill, Elsa's dashing betrothed stealthily holds up a cunning red bow tied sprig of mistletoe. He had been hiding behind his back over Elsa's absolutely surprised head.
"Now that I have finally caught you alone, may a lowly reprobate such as I beg for a kiss under the mistletoe, my Queen, as we welcome in this Christmas day together?" Hans teases in his low timbered voice full of airs. With quirked brows, he playfully asks for the festive osculation with a saucy grin upon his face that plainly said he knew he already had the woman's acquiescent consent.
I have you at last.
In one motion Hans wraps his other strong sinewy arm to dip a compliant, supple Elsa down in proper position like a fox who had his prey right where he wanted her.
"You may." A breathlessly giggling Elsa's eyes invite Hans Westergaard's delectably moist lips to her cool ones before they close in utter delirium adoration while the young lovers bask in the playful Christmas tradition.
Her every lilting giggle and cool breath excited his senses with a profound depth of feeling Hans had not known possible before.
"You are the melody to my harmony, the words to my tune, the music to my song, Elsa of Arendelle. Come, play with me tonight." After several thrilling minutes of quenching his passionate thirst for her desired kiss at last, Prince Hans turns to the romantic and leads his willing fiancée to the gold-trimmed, ivory parlor grand piano on the other side of the Christmas tree.
There at the piano, the two young lovers quietly perform a side-by-side duet in perfect harmony and melody of the Greater Doxology of the 'Hymn of the Angels', also known in its Latin as "Gloria in Excelsius Deo" (Glory to God in the highest) that Vise Admiral Westergaard had won acclaimed approval performing at the Christmas Eve Arendelle Chapel service.
All of Prince Hans' dreams of spending Christmas with the one who loved him were coming true tonight. He makes a wish on the shooting Christmas star he and Elsa glimpsed through the window, with her head resting trustfully on his shoulder, in the quiet, as it soars through the polar night sky.
"I love you with all my soul, Hans Westergaard. Thank you for coming home to me." As if to illustrate these heartfelt words, the emotional 5th Element of Harmony unconsciously sends a breathtakingly glorious array of Northern Lights across the polar night sky. Not only did the multihued colors weave ribbons of light to adorn the fresh morning sky that marked Christmas was here, but they told her fellow Spirits and those in the Enchanted Forest that she was truly home, filled with love's complete contentment of a heart of joy.
"I will always love and cherish the miracle of you, min kæreste. Thank you for giving me a loving home to be part of this magical Christmas." The Prince of the Southern Isles whispers on this holy night as he buries his celestial nose in his beautiful lady's wispy blonde tresses, breathing in the sweet reality of having her finally so close at hand.
Undaunted eyes meet eyes, fearless lips meet lips, satisfied hands wrap around one another tight as liberated hearts beat as one under this special lightshow starry night of peace on earth under the Lord's blessed heaven.
With a kiss straight from their hearts, Elsa and Hans pledge undying devotion, boundless hope and abiding trust for all their Christmases to be as full of joy and praise and family and love as this one—beginning with the promise of their bright, limitless future.
"The true Light, which gives light to every man, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him." – John 1:9
P.S. The frisky Mistletoe scene between Hans and Elsa can be seen at Setsunakou at DeviantArt by my talented big sister who inspired the scene with her beautiful drawing of Helsa in the breathtaking holiday kiss! Please check it out! :)
"Go Tell It on the Mountain" – anonymous African-American spiritual song from early 1800s
'Corde natus ex Parentis' ('Of the Father's Love Begotten") - 4th Century Christian poet Prudentius
"Good Kind Wenceslas" – 15th century Finnish carol written 300 years before published by John Mason Neale in 1853
"Here We Come a-Wassailing" – English traditional Christmas and New Year's carol 1840s
"Hark the Herald Angels Sing!" – Felix Mendelssohn & Charles Wesley 1840
"While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks" – Nahum Tate 1703
"God rest you merry, Gentlemen" - 16th century extant carol, printed in 1760
"Silent Night" – Father Joseph Mohr & Franz Gruber 1816
"Angels from the Realms of Glory' lyrics by James Montgomery in 1817, with merged refrain of "Gloria in excelsis Deo" (Latin for "Glory to God in the highest") 4th century Christian hymn, also known as the Greater Doxology 'Hymn of the Angels', written as the psalmi idiotici- private psalms of the Byzantine morning prayers. The Latin translation is traditionally attributed to Saint Hilary of Poitiers in the 4th century. The hymn sings with the words that the angels said when the birth of Christ was announced to shepherds in Luke 2:14.
Merry Christmas, dear Frozen Again friends!
I hope you enjoyed this festive family episode for our inhabitants of Arendelle! It was a work of joy and love to celebrate the greatest Gift to mankind God generously shared in the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
I hope and pray that His Love and peace touches each of your lives to reach that cherished warmth and faith and love in your hearts to end this trying year with the New Year of hope and endless possibilities to come for you and your families this Christmastime.
God bless us, everyone!
Merry Christmas! ^_^
And please let us all let our light so shine this Christmas Eve to share our love and joy with a world that needs some extra Christmas spirit this year!
Love and holiday smiles for the gift of Baby Jesus,
Haruka :)
'Joy to the world! The Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room!
Let Heav'n and nature sing! Let Heav'n and nature sing! Let Heav'n and nature sing!'
