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"Frozen Again: 'Love Never Ends"
Act X
'The Ice Queen's Fairytale Wedding'
Part 4
Chapter 36
"All My Heart Has to Offer"
As colorful lights radiantly glow around them, the kiss between the Ice Queen and her returning hero was becoming so hot and intense that more than a few catcalls—mostly emanating from Cousin Eugene and his buddy Lance Strongbow on Carpet, with more than a few Snuggly Duckling guys ogling the long liplock—ring out over Arendelle port's now miraculously cleared up weather.
Woo! Woo!
However, one of the onlookers may not have been so enthralled by the publicly romantic reunion.
Tinkle…tinkle…tinkling wind chimes…
At least that was what the mortified Vise Admiral was led to believe when the whistles and the light tinkling of windchimes called him back to reality from his Elsa's thrilling and extremely welcoming osculation.
"Oh—ahem—pardon me, Your Majesty! Reporting for duty, Admiral Bernadotte. The HmNos Gler and her able crew are accounted for and in peak docking condition. Permission to disembark…Sir…?" After his lips complete their lively quadrille with Queen Elsa's, Prince Hans finally realized that the pair of lovers had an audience. And the premiere naval one at that, whom Hans was expecting and had prepared a speech for as he glimpsed King Agnarr's profile in his periphery.
But her father, King Agnarr, whether agreeable or vexed, did not appear as the returning captain of the sailing ship had expected him to be at all.
Though wrapped in rapturous bliss to be holding his Elsa physically close in his arms after all their long trials, the keen observer in Hans Westergaard noticed that something was decidedly different about Admiral Bernadotte than when they last had met.
Yes, Hans well understood that the King of Arendelle possessed the same cryokinetic gifts which he had passed down to his first child. But there was something even more…elemental…about Agnarr Bernadotte that left the Danish prince wondering.
Particularly when the ice pendant Elsa had gifted him at his journey's onset in Paraiso now reacted with an almost blinding Aurora Borealis glimmer. As King Agnarr approached, all pale and silvery in clothing and demeanor, Hans' pendant reflected the new 5th spirit's harmonic signature, more powerful and commanding than Elsa's more delicate and serene connection to the elements of nature…
Under the dreadfully pale skinned, platinum haired monarch's penetrating gaze, the suddenly nervous prince of the Southern Isles, all in one fluidly deft movement, disentangles himself bodily from his lissome fiancée's embrace. He takes a forward straight lockstep to stand before his ultimate commanding officer and respectfully salutes the Sjoforsvaret's Admiral with flamboyant panache.
If the colorful lightshow of ice and AB streaks was not enough, Agnarr's recently opened eyes note how his elder daughter—scantily clad in a body hugging, purple hued ice creation as she was—was left breathlessly standing on the pier, gazing at her delectable Dane with deliriously enthralled eyes.
Yes, I remember that hungry look of yearning well from my Iduna after my own months' long voyages across the seas. Especially that first one when we two were engaged…Good thing these two are to be wed in a day.
I can't believe I just thought that. The North Winter King almost lets out a scoffing laugh at himself for acknowledging this once unacceptable idea.
But time and tide and Iduna had worked on the stubborn spirit to find the harmony at last in his cold heart to relent that his child was ready to marry, and this young man was indeed the mate she had chosen. Let's see if he still has that unshakable mettle to deserve it all…
"As per chain of command, you have already secured docking permission from Queen Elsa, your new Sovereign Commander of the Sjoforsvaret, Admiral Westergaard. You no longer are required to salute me anymore, sir. I serve as but a mere figurehead now in this kingdom." His baritone voice resonating, Agnarr swallows his pride. Before Hans' astonished eyes, the looking extremely pallid 5th spirit of harmony upgrades from his 'humanoid' form wearing naval uniform and frosty cape, into his King of the North Winter, pure crystal ice embodiment which indeed resembled a ship's figurehead more than an actual man.
Then, with one raised icy hand, a flame flickering in the lighthouse above tells the sea behind them to roil an unnatural wave with a whinny, at the same time a localized wind kicks up dust from the grumbling shore.
Was the 5th spirit of nature just blowing off some male steam, or was he impishly trying to frighten the young seaman who was a day or so away from appropriating his title as supreme 'Admiral of the Navy?'
Prince Hans, though one brow lifts at the transformational prowess of his now even more powerful future father-in-law, was not taking the bait. His serious green eyes meet Agnarr's white-blue tinged hazel ones.
'Ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhh…Behave, you knave…ahh, ahh, ahh, ahhhh…'
"Welcome home, our dear Prince Hans. All of nature's song for you responds." The Queen adds with a melodic smile at the astonished young man.
Her sleeves' willow vines softly slap her naughty mate on the cheek as she flows in with her long wisps of hair blowing in the breeze, her entire sweeping skirt of leaves rustles with the Northuldran symbols of the elements at their joint control.
"Has my 5th spirit mate been showing off his skills? Don't let him get away with his intimidating thrills." It was time for the 6th spirit to put on her own vast elemental show on display as 'Mother Nature' swoops in to set right and bestill the stirred up earth, wind, fire, and water her mischievous partner unnerved, with a simple gently trilled rhyme.
So this is the upheaval I've been sensing on Elsa's ice pendant the nearer we drew to Arendelle shore…Fascinating…
Hans stands back to take in the uncommon changes which had occurred in this amazing Land of the Midnight Sun and its rulers while he was at sea.
Iduna then prods her husband with an arm poke and pinch to consolidate her sentiment to the boy who was to marry their daughter.
"Yes, yes, indeed. Welcome home…Admiral…after your long and successful voyage to South America. I trust the Gler performed well?" Agnarr stiffly converses with the comely young officer as he eyes many others who had hitched a ride aboard the Norwegian steamship.
"She sails like a dream, Admirale! Under our Danish friend's steady hand, I've never seen such a focused seaman, perhaps save for you, mon ami! But, as it now appears, you have uncovered a new world full of even more intrigue than the high seas. Perhaps far more than any of us will ever be at liberty to imagine all of our lives. I cannot say I do not envy you, because your exquisite bride is right at your side." Observant Prince Ferdinand Egalite claims this moment to make his flamboyant entrance. He sweeps down the ship's just starting to lower gangplank to lay proud hands on Hans' shoulders.
"Mon cherie Elsa! Your chic fashion would put the Paris runways to shame! You are looking exquisite charmant! Is she not blooming in radiance, like her beauteous mamere, Helena?" Ferdinand asks of his own, less ostentatious bride with the smallest tinge of envy expressed in a churlish French smile to Hans over his scintillatingly attired beauty.
"Exquisite." The Duchess concedes amicably, well aware since her last visit in December that the tall, slender blonde Norwegian Queen far surpassed her when it came to demure loveliness and poise. But nonetheless, Helena did not lack confidence in her Frenchman's devotion to her.
"Thank you both so much for coming. You're looking very lovely yourself, Duchess Helene. That mauve pink ensemble suits you wonderfully." Elsa had learned to never be too wrapped up in the moment to share a compliment.
Elsa, still hanging to Hans' (for once) dumbfounded arms, gazes up at her fiancé with an apologetic bitten lip. "So much has happened to them…You must forgive Papa and Mama, since they stepped into their new roles, they're—" The Ice Queen searches for the word to best describe the playful, no longer attached to convention, carefree attitudes of her parents who had selflessly become spirits of nature, to fulfill their destinies.
And set hers free, at the same time.
"They're absolutely breathtaking. Just like everything else about this beautiful country which you have so magnanimously promised to allow this humble man to share in the splendor of. I deserve it not, and am yet considering the merciful mastery of the Lord Above to have aligned our stars to traverse side by side." With his platinum blonde lady proudly on his arm, Hans waxes nautically philosophical.
Then he suddenly recalled something he thought he had heard earlier, but didn't wish to sound presumptuous to his fiancée about it without confirmation.
"Donuts! Cocoa! Get your favorite treats here!" Princess Anna had come to pacify any citizens or visitors who may have ventured out and been fearful of the new 5th and 6th spirits meandering about all shiny and hollow-like. So she was proffering smiles and mugs of hot cocoa and donuts from Halima's bakery, which Lance and Eugene on Carpet above helped in passing out with General Mattias and Halima's aid to calm them down.
Soon, the resilient Arendellians who did show up were no longer fearful or aghast at the reformation of the flittering around King and Queen, they taking it in their stride when caring Princess Anna explained her parents' sacrifice.
"Is my hearing faulty in all this wonderment—or did your father refer to me as 'Admiral?' Twice." As she approaches him with a steaming mug of bouillon, Hans pulls Anna to the side when Elsa pauses to thank First Officer Hoffsen and Lieutenant Jan for their service as they come ashore down the gangplank.
"Yeah, he did. And that's not the half of what Elsa's got planned for you, you lucky Red dog." The expectant ginger mother-to-be shoves a hot crumpet into Hans' gaping open mouth as she exchanges a crooked smile with her sister, who gives Anna warning eyes upon her return.
"Min hvvidue?" Utterly flummoxed by now of the full Naval appointment, the handsome, red-headed man looks to his bride-to-be in a somewhat state of shock at all the invigorating new data for the enticed avenues of his whirring mind to now unexpectedly explore.
"You'll just have to wait for our wedding ceremony tomorrow for me to reveal all my heart has to offer, my handsome Prince." Feeling a bit more bold with every passing minute that would take her closer to a perfect union with the heroic man who had proven himself perfect for her, time and time again, Elsa coyly runs a finger up Hans' stunned jawline.
"Sounds tempting." Hans smirks, giving into her whims with a firm arm around Elsa's small waistline. The small audience titters at the romantic tension on unabashed display before them, including many of those disembarking from the Gler.
Already grown accustomed to the romance in full bloom between Queen Elsa and that Prince from the Southern Isles, Minister Kai was more flustered by King Agnarr and Queen Iduna's uncanny, altered appearances.
"Y-y-your Majesties? What has—? Why this—? How are—?" The normally articulate royal advisor trips and stutters over his numerous questions as the large man crossed the pier. Just to find himself standing before the pair of glowing, somewhat translucent, otherworldly spirits who were swirling snowflakes and leaf petals around to assuage the four Elementals who were growing restless just waiting around the dock of the bay.
"I know, right? But you get used to it after a few days. It's actually kinda nice, in a loose and flowing, no tension sort of way." Sympathizing, General Mattias steps in here with a hand clapped over his old friend and sparring partner Kai Roservalen's wide shoulder.
"It is Queen Elsa whom you serve from now on, Kai, not I. I have a new kingdom to be a new part of with my Iduna in our unfolding Realm of Melodic Harmony, where we are to maintain nature and the seasons, for the good of the nation. We leave Arendelle in Elsa and Anna's capable young hands, knowing you will be always near to continue to support our family." The Winter King assures his right hand advisor with a wise nod exchanged with his favorite General who, too, would be there to watch over his girls.
"You have my promise, Sir. And you have my eternal pledge of loyalty, your Majesty, Queen Elsa." The generally stuck-up older man accedes to the increasingly growing diaphanous Ice King at his smiling wife Gerda's encouraging nod.
"Ooh! So pretty and warm and toasty!" Gerda boldly pets the chiffony leaves of Iduna's willowy sleeves, squeezing Iduna's translucent hands and receiving a homey aura of a blissful high at that simple touch.
"Dear Gerda. Please always keep that childlike joy so rare, with our girls and generations to come to share." Squeezing her plump hands back, the 6th spirit felt such an innocent purity exude from this sweet woman who had changed the course of all their lives through her belief and kindness to the original Snow Queen who had unlocked much enchantment in the magical hearts of their family.
"You can count on me, my Queen." Though she had no children of her own, Gerda's forever smiling eyes told the new 6th spirit, who was yet uneasy to leave her daughters behind as they were moving into critical stages of their maturing lives when mothers should be involved, that they'd be well cared for in her absence.
Iduna felt secure now as a mother that good saintly Gerda would watch over her two baby girls while she and their father had new duties to perform, living so far away in their isolated Northern Realm of Melodic Harmony.
She wanted both their beloved daughters to live and thrive down here in peaceful Arendelle, and for Elsa particularly to continue to embrace her warm heart full of love from now on.
And what better way than with a stunningly handsome Prince Charming to keep that lovelight burning all the days of their promising lives together?
"Iduna? I always knew you had so much more in you!" On the verge of tears, Queen Arianna, coming out of the castle to meet the incoming visitors from the Gler, sees her sister for the first time in her new form.
"I thought I was the one who first pointed that out, Ari. Gotta say, both my older sisters are aging gracefully. Love that hair, Idun." Just at that moment, Princess Willow comes trotting across the gangplank of the Gler and up to the pair of queens. giving a tug at one gleaming strand of Iduna's elementally charged tresses and a pat to Arianna's cheek.
"There's our lost little black sheep! I wasn't sure if you were going off on another expedition or what to make it back in time." Oldest sibling Arianna was always critical of the worldwide wanderings of her headstrong baby sis. And after what had occurred here in Norway with Iduna, Arianna was feeling more responsible for getting her other little sister settled down now as well. But that would be like trying to tie down a wisp of the wind.
"I wouldn't miss your Elsa's execution day for the world!" The irreverent younger woman balks at the whole institution of marriage with a chuckle.
"Wilhelmina! No such thing is happening to our sweet Elsa! You are incorrigible!" The Queen of Corona got her wild sibling's drift, but still deplored her usage of terms for the happy event of marriage to take place tomorrow which she, Rapunzel, and Anna, and so many others had all worked hard on to make perfect.
"Willow is right in nature's poetic way. We must die for love a little every day." The lyrical 5th spirit gazes across the skies to where her own mate, who had become, along with her, part of God's ever-changing seasons of birth and death and rebirth, reflected through Christ's Love and sacrifice.
"Well, just tell me what I have to do for my part to make this wedding poetry run smooth for our girl!" Wilhelmina cracks her hands-on knuckles together, ready and willing to help out.
"Sisters, I cannot express all my appreciation, for you guiding my Elsa in her happy wedding in this nation." The 6th spirit of melody vocalizes her thanks to Arianna and Willow as she envelops all three of them together in the warmest, most tender embrace within her vibrant, soft leaf sleeves.
"Horace! HORACE!" King Edmund of Bohemia's loudest voice bellows when it was his turn to descend from the Gler. "There you are, my boy! Will you find Hamuel a suitable tree? Being cooped up on that ship for all those long weeks has done a terror to the usual sheen of his feathers. Hasn't it, ole boy?" The large framed older man talks to his wall-eyed raven with compassion for his faithful avian friend even as he calls out orders to his son.
"Hiya, Pops. Do I get a 'how do you do?' 'I missed ya, Kid.' 'How's the wife?' 'How's the kiddies?' 'How's the weather?' even?! Nope. Just 'play with my bird'. Really, old man, your tact and manners are lacking to say the least." Eugene bellyaches, but does as told anyway and collects the goofy-eyed black bird, who hops onto his arm happily enough.
"Come on, Hammy. We'll find you a nice tree and hang you out to dry." Eugene grumbles to Carpet with the signal to zip up, having had his fill of bossy parents and in-laws to last him for a while.
"By Jove! Why are those people over there semi-transparent with vines and frost growing on them?! Is there some foul disease running rampant in Arendelle?! You definitely should add more protein vitamins and nutrients to your diets, Sir, Madame!" Long suffering from his own sickness of 'foot-in-mouth,' King Edmund gives the not entirely solid 5th spirit a good thwump! on his icy back, nearly cracking Agnarrr's frozen spine.
The Winter King turns and would have awarded more than frosty dagger eyes had his warm-hearted wife not stepped in with a soothing song as she led him away to the forest. The 6th spirit, through Gale and Nokk and Bruni's lookout, had sensed the next ship which was to come into port later in the afternoon was one her easily riled mate may wish to not be present to meet.
Not right off, anyway.
"Better lay off rubbing the Ice King the wrong way, Dad. He might leave a blizzard in your shingle." Then Eugene returns on foot, his attention elsewhere, more pleasant. "Lookin' fine, Sideburns. That was quite an entrance. Your little lady obviously can't wait to corral you down the aisle, the way she's been a-hanging all over you. Once they get their mitts on you, there's no escape." Eugene comes sauntering up, giving sage advice to both father and 'lillebror' both as he does.
"Eugene."
"Not that I would ever have reason to even try, Liebling." But the sneak thief had to cover his words quickly upon turning around to find himself on the receiving end of his own little wife Rapunzel's raised 'eyebrowsers' and hands on hips in need of a frying pan as she had taken a break from the kitchens to fly in and peek at all the new friends' arrival on Carpet.
"And here I thought I was the reigning resident Casanova cad in our illustrious clan." Prince Didrik of the Southern Isles proclaims as he and his wife and five daughters come to shore from the Gler.
"But I have more discretion to ever impugn my beautiful Antoinetta's pride with such an unjust utterance concerning our sacred marriage. You'd do well to follow my example, Squirr—Hans." Feigning innocence, suave Didrik plays with his dark handlebar moustache as he stated his devotion, though it made his dapper good looks appear rather villainous, ruining the effect as he amended calling Hans the old demeaning nickname of 'Squirrel.'
"Oh, sacred, yes, brother Didrik." Sister-in-law Princess Lujza, who had also been passenger on the Gler's return trip home from the wedding they attended in South America, scoffs as she and her husband Prince Peiter and their three daughters also join the growing Westergaard clan on the dock below.
"At last, we have come to visit your beautiful country, Elsa dear! We will truly be sisters now! Oh, my, you are almost at your time, little Anna! Where is that big, hunky husband of yours hiding from me?" Talkative, boisterous, entertaining, the Princess of Portugal warmly embraces the pair of young women, soon patting Anna's bulging tummy.
"You won't have to wait long now to be like this yourself soon, Elsa, knowing how our Westergaard men are quite virile in giving us baby girls anyway, ha ha! Yours is an especially good captain who knows how to run his ship to please, no doubt swiftly, too." Petting her own three girls smooth dark heads, Lujza unabashedly speaks on the subject which caused Elsa's cheeks to violently blush. "Awww, you're so sweet."
"She is that, Storesøster (older sister)." Hans sees Elsa's agitation and decides to speak for her to his noisy, yet well-meaning sister-in-law. "The commitment of my love for my flawless Queen Elsa is as unassailable as it is enduring." Hans answers Lujza, Didrik and Eugene with all the right words. Many of the young ladies gathered swoon at the handsome prince's forever pledge as he easily draws the pale young queen closer to him in one fluid movement to kiss the back of Elsa's hand quite gentlemanly.
The pinkness of her cheeks was of love now rather than embarrassment or nervous shame as she proudly displays the sparking snowflake engagement ring worn on her left hand ring finger, which Hans kisses again gallantly.
"The ring—it's so perfect…" Elsa breathlessly murmurs her delight at his forethought in giving her such an ideal ring, in the shape of a snowflake, meant only for her.
"Not nearly so perfect as the hand wearing it." Comes the smooth as butter reply with yet another kiss to her hand.
So, as more of their wedding guests accumulate from the HmNos Gler's rapid travel across the sea, Elsa melts onto her beloved seaman's arms. She was so elated that her heart's song had on that Bukkehorn she had learned to play at his special request had reached his heart—and then some.
And as for Hans, he could be no more pleased that Elsa not only still wanted him to be her husband, even after all the mysterious changes going on between here and that mysteriously unlocked new Realm to the North, but she was offering him to share in all her heart, her home, her soul. And in just two more days and nights, he would give his everything to make her his completely…
Once the Gler was fully docked and all the obligatory greetings to the multiple incoming dignitaries—from King Joaquim of Ecuador, King Wakim of Africa, to Prince Otto of Greece, Prince Desmond of Burgundy, Princess Charlotte of Isleworth, Prince Zanda from Tangu, King Toshi of Satu, and every other royal house in between—were all settled, with Sir Grimsby and young Prince Eric also last minute hitching a ride aboard the Gler, and smug Scuttle tagging along quite placidly, the luncheon Queen Arianna had planned with Halima was interrupted before it really started.
For the second wave influx of several other representative nations, arriving from quite opposite directions and methods, had come in almost simultaneously.
The high flying group of Pegasus riding in with invited guests, which included Queen Miranda and King Roland, with their son Prince James and daughters Princesses Sofia and Amber of Enchancia; and Prince Hugo of Kiev with Princesses Hildegaard and Cleo, had all been ushered in by 6th spirit Iduna on Gale's welcoming wind currents to the courtyard below. All while 5th spirit Agnarr and Nokk brought in Prince Marzel and Princess Marisa from Coronado's depths to join the party on the surface.
However, soon after, the large naval ship hailing from the Southern Isles was about to get a more frosty reception from the Winter King as the Danish delegation—which was quite invasion force large with all the remainder of the Westergaard brothers, their wives and children who wished to attend the once banished youngest brother's grandiose wedding to the fantasy Ice Queen of Norway—comes in for the first time since the era of maritime warfare between them.
For even though he was getting up there in years, King Christian VIII himself had come to celebrate this remarkable union for the son he had finally made amends with after over two decades of shunning the boy for being the cause of King Christian's beloved wife Louise's death at his unfortunate birth.
It took one amazing young woman, whose heart was as pure as the beauty of her ice, to show the stubborn old curmudgeon that Love is not only from God, but Love for God still connects us together with those who have gone on before us. And through the Love of God, we are healed when we share that Love with others left behind to cherish.
"My boy." The King of the Southern Isles had paused the pair of his oldest sons, Prince Kaleb and Prince Anders, who had been supporting the weak-legged man stand by supporting him on either side, so he could look his youngest, thirteenth child, Prince Hans, in the eye.
His poor health had improved enough for him to make this journey from his kingdom, for he so prayed to be able to attend his youngest son's union with the Queen of Arendelle, who had changed his life for the better.
"Praise God, I, a contemptible old man, have been allowed to come to witness your joining to this extraordinary young creature. You have made an old man's heart extremely glad, Elsie." King Christian gives a winking tease to his fond pet name for Elsa from when she was masquerading around his Egeskov Castle as a mere chambermaid.
It was at that time, when she was not trying to portray herself as queen at all, that she had moved King Christian's cold heart to recall the love that the Lord once instilled there that the years and heartbreak had lost.
"Thank you for being here, Father. It means so much to both of us." Elsa, indeed, felt a genuine affection for the older gentleman as she squeezes his large, withered hand in one slender pale one. Her other appendage was wrapped around Hans,' as she connects the three of them together with he warmth of forgiving love.
"I promised you both I would. Since you brought this angel into our lives, Hans, I am a happy man." The King whispers with grateful tears on his still comely features.
"You will always be the most honored, welcome guest in our home, Father." Hans speaks to his once unapproachable parent with tender kindness as he took his older brother Anders' place to lead the convalescing King into Arendelle Castle's waiting sitting room where many guests were already milling about.
"Iduna? Is that really you?" Having a moment now to stop and look around, Prince Anders' deep voice breaks through all the noise and hubbub of the Danish entourage at the port. The tall, dark haired man gazes at the wild, long flowing hair of the now vague spirit woman he had almost called his bride almost three decades ago, had it not been for a duel and a young upstart king from this frozen land.
"Anders." Agnarr coldly answers for his mate who was too busy fluttering her magic of Spring abilities over the assembled Garden party that 'mother nature' was throwing for her first child's blessed event the day after tomorrow.
"Don't you recognize her? My beautiful Queen has always been a breathtaking force of nature." Proud of himself for not self-destructing—which could have gotten pretty ugly—he remaining calm, cool and collected in his normalized pale grey snow-capped cape uniform yet. He almost took pleasure in watching the 2nd-in-line Danish Prince squirm at the thought of having been being that close to having been married to the abnormal, wraithlike 6th spirit of melody.
As for Iduna, she was unaware of the confrontation as she was magically spreading waves of spring warmth around the courtyard area, while melodically singing exquisite notes, sometimes with Elsa, sometimes with Anna, and even with her dear friend, Johanne, too, to the astonished guests' delight.
You don't know what you're missing out on…sir…And you never will, you second best Princeling!
"Whoosh…!" The venting cold smoke Winter King could not refrain from blowing directly towards only one seat at the Danish delegation's table, a flurry of sprinkling ice shards to fall on Prince Anders' chair cushion just moments before the given-the-cold-shoulder Southern Isles Prince sat down.
"…!"
"Heheheh…" The 5th spirit of harmony still kept hold of enough of himself to laugh mischievously at his former rival's discomfort in the wet seat of his princely pants on this otherwise warm and friendly, nearly springtime garden party…
Queen Elsa's Garden Party to celebrate her returning hero was a rip-roaring success with all the many guests present. They were quite enamored of the springtime spirit vibe which the mother of the bride emanated everywhere she danced around the courtyard.
Iduna must have used all her magic of bridging the gap between humans and spirits to keep her, at times, less serene partner in line with his role as '5th spirit of harmony' upon the once hermit King being confronted with numerous monarchs and diplomats.
All were curious to see what had befallen their Norwegian counterpart, as rumors abounded, and were pleased that this once inscrutable land was in a state of peace with nature at last, through he and his wife.
But no one was more blissful to attend the party held in his honor than the man himself. Prince Hans, watching his fiancée mingle and be sociable and popular with so many familiar faces—royals and servants alike—gave the young man a pride to fill his heart.
For Hans understood Elsa's sheltered past as the young girl he followed keenly as a boy, and he empathized with her shy reticence to interact with others. And now, after witnessing her sparkle full of elegant grace and warm decorum as an adult, he would devote his entire being to keep his Elsa be the shining Queen she was meant to be.
No doors anymore, my beautiful dove.
Because love is an open door?
Hans could not help but slide in the enjoinder with a handsome smirk down at Elsa's younger sister who was unmistakably supportive and still rather saucy about his nuptial joy with the older sister she adored. Anna, with good reason, was the one having a hard time giving Elsa away to her once sworn enemy. But through Love's forgiveness, Anna had come to peace with the idea by now.
Speaking of ideas…
"Princess Anna, if the weather is as fine as it was today, what say you if yourself and Elsa have a picnic outing tomorrow with my visiting brothers' children? I'm certain my nieces will be thrilled to take in all the gorgeous sights of Arendelle castle they've heard so much about. The older girls will only be too glad to help with all the preparations of food and provisions necessary, while monitoring the younger children as well to help you. They are all enthusiastic about expanding their accomplishments as young women, and will only be an asset to you, dear Anna." Hans cleverly brainstorms as the garden party begins to wind down.
At the party Anna was once again a natural with the younger of the Westergaard clan, just as she had been in Egeskov. The twenty-three granddaughters—and one partially recognized grandson named Lukas, whose mother Daphne had also come along, at Princess Marguerite's kind insistence—had become fast friends with the vivacious young ginger princess.
"Yeah! I'd love to host a picnic by my cottage! I mean…why are you so concerned about me all of a sudden, Red?" Anna asks suspiciously after the pleasant thought of hosting a small, funtime picnic with Elsa and the children of Egeskov was dangled before her.
"I'm mortally wounded of your suspicion, dear little sis!" One hand over his heart dramatically, Hans pushes his boundaries, already aware of the feisty princess' distain for him calling her by the diminutive, familiar title of 'little sis' to which, Anna rolls her eyes and sticks her tongue out at him in a very mature, ladylike manner.
"Yes, you have caught me red-handed, as it were, again, Princess." The dashing Dane flashes her a winning smile before he continues on. "I was hoping that, perhaps, sometimes during the afternoon tomorrow, I could find a few moments to steal away with Elsa on horseback, alone together as a pre-wedding surprise. We have not seen one another for almost a month, and as you can imagine, with all these visitors, her schedule of meetings is already overfilled, leaving little time for little ol' me." Hans plays to the heartstrings of his fiancée's 'little sis.'
"If I recall, my bride-to-be is very fond of horseback riding and is an excellent equestrienne. I, too, have missed my dear friend, Sitron, to no end while I was at sea, and this will prove the perfect opportunity to spend quality time with both the ones I love conjunctively. It will do us all some good to get out on the open prairies to clear our heads before the big day. I know riding always does mine." Hans concludes in the privately whispered corner of the garden after most of the other guests had already moved into the castle.
"Okay…If that's the only kind of 'horseplay' you've got in mind, pre-wedding, Mister Song-and-Dance Man." Anna agrees, but with the accusatory addendum to the slick operator Prince of the Southern Isles.
"Scout's honor, Little Si—Anna." Hans revises his calling her 'Sis' and gives Anna a two fingered salute and crossed heart smile instead.
A long time ago it seems now, Anna never would believe she could trust this particular man with the most precious treasure she owned—her sister's pure heart. But Hans Westergaard had proven himself to Anna Bjorgman, through battle and hardship, distance and time, loyalty against adversity of the highest level. And most of all—Prince Hans had shown that he was someone Elsa could rely on to be there for her through all life's story.
Just like my Kristly is always there to share in mine.
"All right, Westergaard. I'll tell Elsa the picnic with the girls is my idea, so it doesn't sound fishy coming from you." Anna was secretly smiling to be in a secret surprise her beloved big sister would no doubt love.
"I'd expect no less of my cunning penpal who orchestrated calling me back from the far reaches of India so clandestinely." Smiling at Anna, Hans then leans down to address the unborn babe. "I don't know if I told your fine Mama yet, little guy, but Uncle Hans was rather impressed."
Joseph chose just this moment to kick at Anna's bulgy stomach from the inside.
"Is that Dane pestering you, Anna?" Just then, King Agnarr's irate baritone cuts across the otherwise empty garden party area. The 5th spirit wasn't feeling that harmonious himself as he had been forced to meet with far too many inquisitive visiting royals, stuffy foreign nation dignitaries, not to mention an entire unending slew of Westergaards, naval ship and all, who had landed their armada on his castle's front step.
Correction, Agnarr. Elsa's castle's front step, where Westergaards are apparently welcome. Sigh That might take a LOT of harmony to get used to. Sigh
"No, Papa! We're doing just fine! Hans is just telling my Joseph how smart I am!" Anna intercepts her icy father's cold chill that would no doubt be coming Hans' way had she not spoken up for him. I can't believe I'm sticking up for you, Red! I sure love my sister!
At least if he had to be a Westergaard, he's the smartest one of the lot of them. Agnarr thinks begrudgingly.
{'You're finally seeing the light, min alskare. Prince Hans will make you a fine son in a day.'}
The 6th spirit's melodic voice penetrates the 5th spirit's mind which she could easily read from where she and Bruni had been warming his heart malleable.
{'Where warm breezes meet icy seas, there are windchimes full of melodies…'}
{"A Westergaard and a mountainman for sons…hmph…Come, Nokk. Let us blow off some steam…"} The 5th spirit glides through the dusky air towards where the Arendelle port connected to the sea. {'Coming, Iduna?'} The stubborn King of the Winter, once unmovable and frigid of heart, was at least growing prepared to let his mate take over and shift to the new season of spring…
{'I will follow you, min karlek, to the ends of the world and back.'}
The regal Queen of Arendelle, with her intended handsome Prince ever close at her side, hosts an elegant dinner that night for her multitude of guests. They were all friends and relations and close allies from around the globe whom she had personally touched along the way during her long journey back here to her home.
Elsa and Anna's parents' extraordinary transformation was the topic of the evening, even though the pair had mysteriously disappeared as enigmatically as they had arrived.
But the bride-to-be felt reassured that her adored Papa and Mama would stay close in spirit, and certainly be present for her wedding ceremony in just one day's time.
So, as the busy day, filled with royal meetings and one-on-one representative dignitary greetings, after jam-packed teas, a full course dinner and aperitifs and dessert afterwards where someone called upon her ear, Elsa felt like she barely had much time all day to spend with her returning hero Prince Hans.
Though he had tried his best to stay at her side all through the afternoon, there were times when, for the sake of Elsa's health, Hans just wished he could pull rank and clear out the room with just a simple 'Goodnight' as he recalled his father doing when he was young.
But no, he would have to have the ultimate authority of 'King' to do that, not merely 'Prince' or 'Prince Consort' as he was about to become when he wed the true monarch. While Elsa, as Sovereign Queen now could, by rights, be that taciturn, Hans was doubtful the shy, thoughtful of others, retiring young woman ever would give such an order.
Elsa was a good and kind hearted female, extremely gentle and temperate when it came to being officious. All of which were not exactly perfunctory leadership qualities which made a fine leader, as Prince Hans of Denmark had been trained since his youth.
When he was young, Hans had yearned to someday be ruler of his own nation, and this gem of a Scandinavian one, with its beauteous young first daughter destined to be queen, was definitely in his sights in days of old.
That craving for power was an ambition that was not in Hans' plans anymore whatsoever. No, Hans Westergaard had learned the error of his ways. In his repentance, he was perfectly content to be his powerful lady's silent shadow, her backbone and backup when the decisions got tough. He would be the wind beneath her glorious angel wings whenever she was weighed down by the anxiety and strife of ruling a kingdom. That would be his role, as he had learned from Prince Albert at his stopover in London, months ago, that the job description for his Sovereign Queen Victoria was the same.
Yes, my Elise, I will live to bolster and support you all the days of our lives together.
"Hans? What are you thinking about so seriously?" The delicately charming female on his arm pipes up from where the debonair young prince had been taking her for a midnight stroll on Arendelle's familiar rooftop setting when the pair had finally been able to sneak away.
Many stolen kisses had passed between the wordless couple along the way as they were just enjoying being close in one another's arms again.
"Hmm? Forgive me, my darling. I was a thousand miles away, wasn't I? How can I make it up to you?" The Danish Prince was ashamed that his attention was for even one moment not attending to his precious lady as his guilty green eyes gaze down at her flawless beauty in the pale moonlight with a breath taken smile.
Elsa lifts her face as Hans lays his lips over her willing, moist ones, devoting every ounce of his affection now to her every desire.
"Are we really going to be husband and wife this Sunday, Hans?" Elsa murmurs against Hans' cologne scented neck, she still half believing this was a dream she dare not awaken from.
"By the Lord's grace, may it be so, min hvvidue." Bowing his eyes reverently to the forgiving God who allows all wonders to even those who do not deserve, the Southern Isles' Prince envelopes the lissome girl up in his strong arms.
"Did you really write all those pledges in your beautiful letter just for me? I cry every time I think of the sentiment behind each one." Elsa was already waxing emotional as she recalled the Biblically inspired pledges her Hans had scripted and personalized from his heart for hers.
"I never intended to make you cry, my darling. I only wished for you to think of my love, and dance for joy, as I am in raptures over the good fortune of sharing your love. I have found my angel, with the dust of the stars in her eyes!" With a songful interlude to finish it off, Hans kisses Elsa's teary eyelids with so much warmth of love.
"Because these are our happiest days, that will never end, my love. Promise me, no more tears, min kæreste. I only want to ever bring you smiles, as I will strive to all our lives." Hans swears this in kisses all up and down Elsa's still tearful, yet now blissfully smiling face.
"We are dancing! We are flying! And she's taking me back to the skies!" His glorious tenor sings throughout the still air as Hans spins Elsa around light as a snowdrop feather on the rooftops in a breathtaking waltz, where for lovers about to grasp the joy of forever together, there was no ceiling or floor.
And they two dance the night away…
The next morning dawned especially bright and early, defying the usual late hour appearance of the solar body at this still Midnight Sun time of the year. Was it the out of the ordinary aurora borealis effect befalling this enchanted land since its rulers had become its watchful spirits and had followed them here? Or was it the Lord Above kissing the last day of winter farewell with special warmth and blessings for this coming spring?
Thank you, Lord, for Your rising light and promise to watch over our nation to keep our people safe in Your arms. Thy will be done.
With a morning prayer for her fellow countrymen, she sleeping in after last night's exciting rendezvous with her handsome prince, Elsa surprised herself when she got up past 9AM. A bit ashamed, but fully rested, she cryokinetically throws open her bedroom's balcony door with a flourish. The crisp, but tens of degrees warmer temperatures, told the former 5th spirit of the Elements that the seasons all around her were indeed changing.
Just one more sunrise would she have to face the world on her own. Just one more morning would she awake in a lonely bed. Just one more day would go by with her being single and alone…
Oh, Hans…I hope I can be a good wife to you…without too much ice…Shivers run up and down Elsa Bernadotte's cool spine as her vivid imagination ran a little wild with heady thoughts of her lover going even a bit further than he had seductively danced her to all night on the rooftop until both young bodies were left breathless and clinging to one another, with hot kisses galore in the cooling night air. She had almost lost her composure then in her flurry of emotions, and snow had been falling all around only them—to Hans' laughter. But how much more would she inadvertently conjure on their wedding night?
Shaking off her feelings of insecurity as she walks back from the balcony, Elsa quickly dresses herself before her new ladies' maid—who was not Johanne—even showed up. The invigorated Ice Queen peers out from her bedroom door with the half insane, half romantic notion that her Prince Hans, so fervent was he last night, might still be skulking about in the hallway, just waiting for her to rise at this late morning hour.
"If you're looking for that Hans, I chased him away like an hour ago. Good morning, Elsa! Glad you got your beauty rest today!" Princess Anna's bright a cheery morning greeting was tainted with her disdain for a certain 'Red' Danish Prince marauding around her sister's bedroom at all hours of the morning.
"Hans was here? Did he want something!? Oh, Good morning, Anna." Elsa tries to cover the fact she was thrilled that her fiancé was feeling the same jittery excitement to see her as she was to see him on this final morning before they wed.
"I bet he did." Anna murmurs sourly under her breath. "Uh-no, just probably a case of insomnia. Hope it doesn't run in the family, like what 'Punzie was explaining to me happened to Eugene. If that's the case, we gotta really watch out, 'cause we've got a boatload of Westergaards holed up in our empty guest rooms!" The younger Arendelle sister makes a joking tease. Anna was actually pleased herself to finally have every room filled to the brim with visitors from all exciting, exotic locations of the world, just like she always imagined her dollies and stuffed animals were visiting dignitaries and princesses assigned to each guest room to visit her when she was little.
"Oh, Anna, you're so silly in the mornings!" Anna dispelling her nervousness, Elsa giggles at her sibling softly so as not to disturb any of the many guests in the rooms they passed. "Speaking of which…what are you doing here so early? It's unlike you." With the desired effect Anna hoped, Elsa simply chuckles at her little sister rather than honestly wonder why late sleeper lazybones Princess Anna was up and already dressed here in the castle, apparently before the cock crowed.
"Yeah, well, somebody had to welcome the Avaloran delegation who had flown in early this morning via their Jaquins. So cool and colorful, those big cats flying through the skies! I finally got to see them! Kristoff sensed something coming, and Mama popped in tell me to let you sleep in. So, 'Auxiliary Queen Anna' to the rescue!" Anna enthusiastically gestures on how the latest set of visitors had arrived from the air rather than the sea like most.
"Besides, I'm a responsible young wife, you know. Kristoff helps a bit, but I gotta keep doing them wifely morning chores for my hard-working guy out chopping wood and building and such. Sure hope that soft Hans pulls his load for you." Anna puts her hands on her hips with the advice, though Elsa knew for a fact that Kristoff 'pulled' the majority of the chores load in their relationship.
"My Hans is a very hard-working, responsible, capable person, who is excellent at cooking and cleaning, if I may remind you of his endless tasks and duties on board that horrid pirate ship before we liberated him!" The tall blonde proudly states her man's qualities while quietly walking down the steps beside her pregnant sister, steadying Anna along the spiral staircase way down towards the kitchen.
"Greetings, Queen Elsa. Salutations, Princess Anna. May I offer you this early morning's finest solicitudes?" Practice wearing his suit and bowtie, Olaf, who had obviously been studying proper etiquette and manners from some of the snobbish royal guests, emerges from where he had been brushing up on his reading about marriage all night in the library.
"Did you know there are many different wedding traditions around the world? In the Philippines you release a pair of male and female white doves; in Germany, the new bride and groom have to saw a log together; in India, the sister and cousin of the bride pull a 'Joota Chupai'—isn't that fun to say?—and hides the groom's shoes for ransom; in Niger, a camel is brought in to dance at the reception; in Mongolia, you cut out the liver of a chicken for good luck—" The talkative snowman had obviously stored up all this worldwide marriage tradition information and couldn't wait to share them with his pals.
"—ewgh, that's gross." Anna sticks out her tongue at that final tidbit, her stomach already feeling queasy without that last, too descriptive thought. "Glad we don't do that here!" She wrinkles her nose. "Although…stealing Hans' big black boots might be fun!" She teases her sibling with a poke, knowing how fond that Hans was of his tall, sleek footwear.
"Anna! Don't you and Rapunzel get any ideas!" Elsa was appalled at the odd wedding traditions Olaf had come up with. "But I do like the sound of the white doves…" Elsa comments dreamily, she and Hans having a tradition of their own concerning ice hvvidue (dove) signifying much in their love story already.
"Where are you guys heading today? Can I come?" There was an innocent need within Olaf's plea that simply said 'I miss being with you,' that touched both sisters' hearts.
"Sure, you can, Olaf! You read my mind! I was actually thinking about us having a last day of winter picnic together!" Anna announces as she over butters a stack of toast just popped from that ingenious Varian guy's 'bread browning' invention gift from Elsa's birthday. "Yum! Perfection dark toast!" The hungry mother-to-be scarfs down her third helping at the kitchen table.
"I LOVE PICNICS!" Olaf pops himself with the fun outing adventure, all his studied fine gentleman training going out the window, as does his bowtie.
"Oh, Anna, I don't know if we can spare the time with all our guests…" Elsa then was reminded of her duties as queen.
"It's just gonna be by my cottage and I thought we could invite all those Westergaard children to show them a good time outdoors and not just sit all stuffy in the castle." Anna explains.
"That's quite a large crowd for an impromptu picnic…" Elsa considers the almost two dozen nieces and nephew of Hans' brothers' families visiting.
"No worries! I already had Gerda and Johanne—I mean 'Duchess Flores' is back!—and all the extra cooks we hired to pack up a huge basket of goodies, with tons of that exotic fruit Queen Elena brought in this morning from Avalor. Oh, did I tell you how early this morning the Avaloran delegation flew in and made a massive South American fruit salad and buffet breakfast for everyone?! That should take care of feeding the masses for a while! Isn't Queen Elena great? I love her and little 'Esty'!" Anna felt instant camaraderie with the bright-eyed Hispanic woman who was also considerable with her 5th child, and it still didn't stop her, either from carting around her fourth baby boy named after Chancellor Esteban.
Speaking of which…
"Oh, yeah, Chancellor Esteban said he would help Kai and Mattias to handle all the dull meetings with the representative dignitaries and such, while we take the afternoon off with the kiddos. Wasn't that great of them? Here, have a 'cherimoya,' also known as a 'custard apple' even though it sounds like a cherry. Who knows. So yummy." Anna had snuck some of her favorite tropical fruit snacks to go in her pocket as she offers one to Elsa now, too.
"But, Anna…" Elsa, while fond of her horde of nieces and the idea of taking the day off, was a responsible enough leader to not shirk her duties, not with a castle full of visitors. Plus, she didn't exactly relish the idea of babysitting on her last day off as a single woman.
"We got this, sis! We'll be picnicking in two shakes of Lamby's tail! I've been keeping an eye on Cousin Rapunzel's pet sheep she picked up on Mosken Island—remember that place!?—while Kristly and I have been taking turns monitoring Svala. She's real near her birthing time, so one or the other of us has been hourly checking up on the poor girl in the barn Kristly just built for her. Maybe nearby it will be a good spot for our picnic so I can relieve Kristoff a spell during the day. Plus the little girls might like to sit with Svala and Lamby, too." Anna stifles a yawn, she having been a very busy little mother hen for more than herself to worry over, with Sven's first little reindeer fawn on its way, any day now.
"Sounds like you've already got the whole day mapped out." Elsa comments at her go-getter younger sibling taking charge of her schedule.
"Beats stuffy conferences with all those foreign dignitaries and ruler guys in the castle, right? I sicced Mattias and Kai and now Chancellor Esteban to sort it all out between the three of them. They've got us covered." Anna was grateful for the trio of older gents whom they had trusted with the kingdom before in the past.
"But no one could deny us a day out with the visiting kiddies! Aren't I a brilliant genius?" Anna smirks. She felt like kicking herself the second after she admitted that Hans' scheme, once again, was foolproof.
And with Halima, Rapunzel, Cassandra and their gang finishing up the cake and decorations for the castle, Gerda, Johanne and Queen Elena taking care of the wedding meal, and many of the Egeskov princesses volunteering to help out Queen Arianna and Princess Willow with the flowers and chapel arrangements, Anna could now breathe a little.
With their multitude of family and friends now pitching in, the sister of the bride could just be glad to be free to spend this last day with her best friend and their special little guy, Olaf, too.
"You are that, and so much more, Anna. You are always so good to me. I love you, forever, Sis." Elsa, knowing how much Anna had put into this whole wedding event, start to finish, despite her own physical and emotional struggles with it along the way. She could be no prouder than to be her sister than she was right now as Elsa concedes to Anna's plans.
She saw the veracity in her logic about nonstop, boring meetings with older folks being palmed off on their agreeable, assembled royal advisors, while the two sisters, Olaf, and the young children had the chance to enjoy the fresh air of the day.
"I love you forever, too, Elsa. Ain't nothing gonna ever change that." The ginger princess goes in for a wide hug—the only kind her largely pregnant self could give nowadays.
"'Ain't' isn't a proper word, Anna." The more educated, eloquent and elegant Queen primly chides.
"Well, we're NOT being PROPER today! Today, we girls PLAY HOOKY! Yeah!" Anna announces, defiantly kicking off her boots to run barefoot into the springtime grasses that had miraculously grown just outside Arendelle's front doors, with spring officially just one day away.
There, in the scenic garden the group of little girls and young women who all bore the proud name of Westergaard was anxiously waiting for their friend, Anna, to lead them to the land of cakes and fruits and cookies—AKA her cottage, where Halima had been delivering boxes of Papa's favorite soft gingerbread cookies for ages now and Queen Iduna had sent them down to the pregnant young mother rather than make her svelte older husband rotund, previous to their life-altering trip to Ahtohallan.
"Can I come play hooky, too? Even if I'm not a girl?" Olaf was feeling a tad left out after his Eliana had dumped the loose-tongued snowman to help Cousin Rapunzel arrange the flowers that he, with his allergies, couldn't do.
"Yes, Olaf. Even if you ain't." Elsa shrugs with a chuckled grin at herself for sounding like a normal girl. She was picking up on Anna's contagious effervescence and shine that would always make Anna a favorite with the children—and Elsa as well. Soon, Gale and Bruni peek in to join her child-like antics with laughing 'Mother Nature's' soft songs playing all around them sweetly in the background of their frolic and games.
And happy as a lark Olaf was right there, boyishly running around with Lukas in the thick of it, becoming lifetime friends in this unforgettable land of innocent wonder.
But about an hour into the fun and games and cookie eating contests that Elsa could do little more than laugh at her sister's youthful inanity, something unexpected catches her eye.
The glint of gold, a patch of black and white, and the glimmer of silver soon were crowned by the undeniable mahogany red streak of a dashing young man astride a golden fjord horse. And the rider-less, silvery white Fresian mare galloping alongside him could only mean this was an invitation for two.
"Care to take a spin with me this fine afternoon, m'lady?" In his most come-hither tone, Prince Hans Westergaard lays it on thick as he extends an ungloved hand down to the Ice Queen who had been quietly standing there, out of her element amid all the children and their free-spirited activities.
"I would if I could…" As much as she was tempted, Elsa had enough familial loyalty to not just run out on her sister and Olaf on their afternoon outing together which doubled as a babysitting mission, with some very small children involved.
"Fear not, kind-heated maiden. Reinforcements have arrived, if I am not mistaken..." Hans' velvety voice lingers for a few seconds before he lets out a pleased 'Ah, yes,' to the sight of several young female riders arrive on pegasus and horse, of all sorts from another magical land called 'Enchancia.'
"Our dear friends Princesses Sofia, Amber, Cleo and Hildegaard have elected themselves to come and assist your good sister in her magnanimous childcare endeavor benefiting my family." Hans says with an illustrious hand pointed to the 'incoming troops' of Princesses.
"Unencumbered, you may feel free to accompany me on my own, more personal outing." He shines a winning smile that flashes in the sunlight on his stunning white teeth.
"But…Anna…" Elsa felt torn to go or stay with her sister on their declared 'Sister Hooky Day' off together.
"It was her idea in the first place, my Elise. Time for you to just LET IT GO." He teases the catchphrase as he prompts Sitron forward to scoop up Elsa from where he was in the saddle. Then he neatly and elegantly seats her on Irisirende's eager side saddle, already at the ready for Elsa.
"Have her back in time for dinner, Westergaard! Then sleepover for you and me tonight, Elsie!" Anna's voice rings out loud over the countryside even as Hans, tall astride Sitron, and Elsa, lovely and demure as ever upon Iriserende's matched pair, gallop off into Arendelle's hidden forests and hills to spend some quality time together at last.
Laughing and sharing smiles all the while, when Sitron and Irisirende had leaned their heads to huddle close every now and then, Hans and Elsa share some sweet kissing interludes between races and cantering side by side.
The Ice Queen had never felt so free and liberated than to be here with her chosen man, enjoying the pristine beauty of the nearly spring climate like young lovers should.
Its soft, fragrant breeze eventually leads the blissful pair to a nearby lake where Hans and Elsa pause in their exploration of the glorious season to let their horses drink in the sparkling fresh waters.
RUMBLE TUMBLE RUMBLE! SMACK! CLANG!
"What on earth could that be?" Elsa's relaxed body tenses from where she had been lazily lying beside a leaf-tickling fingered Hans by the knoll of the lake on the other side of the Arendelle Castle rear.
The pair had paused there for an impromptu snack of grapes and cheeses and wine which the intelligent, romantic young prince had the forethought to bring in his saddlebag.
"Good question." The usually ready with his sword soldier scans the near vicinity, wishing he had packed his rapier as well, but had left his blade behind, not thinking a quiet horseback ride on the peaceful hills of Arendelle would require any defending.
But the Dane's martial arts skills, picked up when he had visited the East, were not lacking, so he was preparing to take down any enemy who dared threaten his lady love with his bare hands alone, if necessary.
"We dig, we dig. We dig the whole night through!
"We did, we dig, It's what we like to do!"
As the curious pair lead their steeds back down towards the rear path leading to the Arendelle Castle courtyard, not sensing any danger, Hans exchanges a quirky smile with Elsa.
Then he moves in closer to the cacophony of sounds piercing the otherwise flawlessly still, sun-drenched countryside, where they begin to make out strange shapes, leading up to a multitude of silhouettes.
"Uh-oh!" The nearer the couple drew towards the strange brown dirt mounds with stone bounders on either side of the straight path leading to the courtyard rear, they could discern that in the midst of each mound was an adorable little green plant growing.
"I know this path well. None of this was here before. I wonder who—?" Elsa starts to conjecture when the small boulders lining each side of the walkway start to shake to life…
"SURPRISE!" All at once, a dozen or so Rock Trolls unfold from their rock formations to be smiling up at the flummoxed blonde.
"Rock Trolls? Why have you clever fellows taken a hankering for gardening here this fine afternoon, pray tell?" Prince Hans puts his fiancée's question to words.
Blink. Blink. Blink. Blink x twelve pairs of Trolly eyes blink blankly up at the tall humans looking down at them in wonder.
"Because I asked young Kristoff and he kindly offered his family's services to assure in establishing your wedding gift from we Northuldrans." Chief Yelana steps out from the forested section just a few yards back in order to answer Elsa and Hans' query.
"We're ace at digging!"
"Yeah! We wanted to help make your special wedding present!
"Now it's from us, too!"
With dirt flying as proven display, the ground burrowing Rock Trolls make quick work of plotting out holes under Cliff and Bulda's 'level' and 'straight and true' direction. What they were digging was indeed in an even and straight line, spaced perfectly on either side of the stone walkway leading to the rear of the castle courtyard.
"Thank you. How sweet of all of you…" Elsa says with genuine eyes of grateful friendship, though she still did not fully grasp what this 'special gift' was exactly.
"I guess Anna forgot to tell you not to come back this way, huh?" Wiping sweat from his brow, Kristoff, busy working man he was, had been busy helping Ryder lift the sapling trees in their pots to the newly dug holes his Troll friends had made.
"Alas, I don't believe she mentioned it." Hans could not find a feasible cover story for why he had not obeyed such a request from the ginger princess, so he tells the truth.
"Perhaps it is better this way, for you two to be able to see the special wordings our people have engraved on each seedling's ceramic pottery created in your honor. They each foretell what form of good fortune will grow for you as a pair in every blossom and bloom, throughout the years, of verdant happiness, abundant love, and blessed fertility. May each of these trees live healthy and long, producing much fruit and flora to beautify the landscape of your lives." The Northuldran chief speaks, her old wrinkled hands elucidating with her staff towards the specially chosen saplings.
GranPabbie, the ancient Troll leader had slowly rolled in at Yelana's feet. His ancient stone had risen to the occasion to travel one more long road for this special young woman who had changed the course of all the lives of all peoples of her nation with her purity and shine.
"But more importantly, may they line the path behind you as they grow taller and stronger each passing year with their rings to remind that the seeds planted here in the past will grow and thrive into your future. These trees will prosper if you nurture the gifts of your love's song, from start to finish, with nature's ideal melody and unending harmony always playing to inspire them." Pleased with what he sees in their young eyes, GranPabbie's wise, placid face nods to the Northuldran sage before giving Elsa and Hans each acknowledging nods as he finishes Yelana's wise sentiment.
"Now join hands and walk the path and you shall see what gifts they hold in store for you." The sage old woman then points to each of the twelve etched Saami pottery which held the twelve specially selected tree saplings.
As they pass, the Northuldran writings flickering upon each stone pottery begin to glow in different colors of the Northern Lights when Elsa and Hans hold hands. The elemental spirit power burns right through the specially kiln forged terra cotta ceramics and etches the word and sentiment engraved right into every molecular cell of the young trees, boring right into its trunk and branches, coursing through every strand of its DNA's future flora, greenery and special fruit.
On the pair of pears, green lights Jáhkkit and Rámidit—Belief and Praise, sparkle.
On the two apples, blue twinkles Iohpidit and Guopmat—Promise and Understanding, glow.
On the double peaches, yellow glitters Čaibman and Lihkku—Laughter and Happiness, wink.
On the dual plums, purple incandescence Hælsso and Lassánit—Health and Increase shines.
On the lemon & citrus, orange shimmers áigumuš and Niehku –Wishes and Dreams coruscate.
And on the twin cherries, red gleams Duohtavuohta and Ráhkistit—Trust and Love radiate.
Even though scripted in Northuldran Saami language, Elsa and Hans both could easily decipher the blessings these two most ancient peoples of Norway were devoting together for them.
"Thank you, Chief Yelana. Thank you GranPabbie." Elsa whispers with gratitude at this well thought out and enduring present of fruitful love illustrated.
"Please thank all your peoples for us. This is an incredible gift. We know how much you have invested in nurturing these trees, and in me as well, in our cherished times together. I thank you." Elsa waves to where Ryder was with Little Rock and Boninite, helping Kristoff lift the new trees into place lining the path.
"We will cherish each gift of those saplings and care for them as our kingdom will honor our ties to your two races for decades to come." Prince Hans eloquently adds with a conviction that satisfies both the Northuldran chief and the ancient leader of the Rock Trolls, too.
"In the arms of my love I'm flying
Over mountain and meadow and glen
And I like it so well that for all I can tell
I may never come down again
I may never come down to earth again!"
The elated Prince, taking Yelana's advice about their inspiring 'lovesong' to heart, breaks out in music as he and Elsa elegantly dance down the colorfully glowing, tiny tree lined pathway, hand in hand, gliding back towards their castle of dreams.
With less than a day left until their joyful unification, and so many pleasant guests being welcomed, with heartfelt gifts being given with such generosity and goodness of spirit, Hans and Elsa felt like nothing could go wrong now…
"Ten Minutes Ago" & "Loneliness of Evening" – songs written for musical Cinderella by Rodgers and Hammerstein, performed by Santino Fontana and Laura Osnes
Lilebror - little brother in Danish
Storesøster - older sister in Danish
Min karlek – my love in Swedish
min kæreste – my darling in Danish
min ædle – my precious in Danish
min flicka – my little girl in Swedish
min hvvidue – my dove in Danish
'Jeg elsker deg' – 'I love you' in Norwegian
Dear Frozen Again friends!
Here is Part 4 of the 5 part Fairytale Wedding special! I pray you will all be attending the conclusion chapter where our destined lovers will finally tie the knot!
I have been furiously working through this terrible flu I caught a few days ago and am still trying for my Valentine's Day deadline! But at least, I will have it up by the 17th, I pray, when my dearest friend's real-life wedding is taking place. May we all send our good thoughts and well wishes for my dearest friend on her happy day! Writing my heart out in dedication to my inspiring Daddy, in the spirit of true love, I am trying to get the 'Fairytale Wedding' event complete for my beloved friend's special wedding gift!
Please Lord, give my dreams and imagination wings to fly on this week we celebrate Love most of all!
Thank you all for sticking around too for the long and adventurous romantic ride, my dearest 'Frozen Again' friends! We'll see you soon with the series finale of Prince Hans x Queen Elsa's Happy Ever After Ending!
God bless you!
Love, HarukaKou
p.s. Hope your lovely guy's shoes stay put, Helsa-chan, with no Anna planning a Joota Chupai for you! ^0^
