The sky was awake, the green and blue lights flickering and flowing across the sky. The air was mild, as neither the heat of the midday summer sun nor the cold blast of the winter winds ever reached this valley. A soft moss covered nearly every surface.

Inga led Henry along by the hand after they dismounted their horses at the edge of the clearing. She knew the spot well.

"Where are we?" he asked as they headed further away from the path.

"I don't want to wait for the council, and I don't care, we're going to get married right now."

"Here?" Henry asked. "Wait… is this-"

The ground began to rumble, and the moss-covered rocks so familiar to Inga approached.

"Inga!" dozens of voices cried in unison. Henry looked around in a daze.

"We're here to get married," Inga declared.

"Where are your parents?" one of them asked.

"They… they're busy," Inga insisted. "It's fine."

That answer seemed acceptable to everyone, even to Henry, and somehow she didn't feel surprised by this. She couldn't remember actually leaving home, but she felt unbothered.

Soon there was general commotion, and the ceremony was performed without delay. Inga had heard so many descriptions of her parents' own wedding, that the cloaks, the stone pit, the crowns of leaves, all of this felt entirely familiar.

The main ceremony was over, and Henry stood next to her.

"Now what?" he asked.

"I don't remember," she admitted. "Nobody ever told me about what happens after the ceremony."

They looked around, and the trolls were silently blinking.

"You know what to do next," one hinted. "You know."

A breeze rattled the open window, startling her awake. It was light, but still early morning, so early that the courtyard was nearly silent, and even the town didn't seem to have any noise. She thought about her dream, wishing she were willing to be that bold. She couldn't simply pick any wedding she wanted. The council wouldn't recognize just any wedding between royals, after all. Perhaps her mother should have changed the law back, but that wouldn't look right. She and Henry would have to get permission from the council, and she had seen the council, that could take months. Perhaps she could threaten to go back to Corona with Henry and get married there, where she wouldn't need permission once she was eighteen.

Inga stopped herself from thinking about eloping or any such thing. She looked out the window at the light streaming in. It was her birthday, she had almost forgotten. She took a deep breath. Today she was eighteen, but she felt the same, really. She wasn't sure if there was supposed to be anything different about how she felt today, though perhaps she would feel a little more different when she turned twenty one and officially came of age in Arendelle. She couldn't be sure, but it would be rather strange to feel different just because of the official age when she was considered to be of age in a particular place.

The clock in the room chimed seven, and Inga was beginning to hear the work beginning in the courtyard outside, setting up for the party later that afternoon. The mood of her dream was still lingering in her mind, and she didn't really want to speak to anyone just yet. She would have to sneak out the side door if she didn't want to be asked any questions, but that would be easy enough to do. Perhaps she could even get out of town for an hour or two and just enjoy herself, though she really wanted to see Henry before the party to spend a little more time alone. At the party, everyone would be there, and unless she wanted to turn it into an engagement party and have even more questions and attention on herself, she would not be able to spend the entire party with him.

She glanced at her wardrobe. Oline had hung two dresses on the door of her wardrobe, though Inga knew that Gerda had been the one to pick them out. They were both perfectly nice, and later she would need to decide on one.

There were still several hours until she needed to prepare, so for now, she would get herself breakfast, like any other day. After hurrying down to the kitchen to grab a piece of pastry, she stood in front of the pantry shelves deciding whether to have coffee or tea this morning, when she heard the door open. She looked over and couldn't help but smile.

"Henry?" she blurted out in spite of herself.

He stood at the door, looking happy but a little bit stunned.

"Good morning," Inga greeted cheerfully.

"Good morning, Inga," he smiled as she walked over to him. "I kept meaning to find you alone the last two mornings, and I kept failing."

Inga stood next to him, and set down her pastry. "I know Elsa was there yesterday, but what about the day before?"

"Oh, I ran into your mother the other morning while I was looking for your room. I have no idea what she thought of me…" he trailed off as he stood looking at her some more.

"Well?" she teased.

He picked up her hint and began kissing her. She forgot everything else for a moment. They were leaning against the door frame, and his kisses began to move to her neck again. She was breathing heavily, pulling herself closer to him, remembering the dream from the morning. She heard a noise from the hallway. "Stop," she whispered, pushing him away a little.

She looked out the door, feeling a moment of panic as she saw someone passing by in the hallway. This spot was too public, or perhaps not public enough. If there were more people around, she would behave. But why was she even thinking like this? The last words from her dream echoed in her mind.

"Do you want to go outside?" she looked at him very intently, and his eyes darted back into the kitchen.

"I… I should get something to eat, as long as I'm here." His voice sounded somewhat strained. Inga wasn't sure why he seemed suddenly uncomfortable.

"Of course," Inga mumbled, looking at the pantry mindlessly as Henry went and grabbed a roll for himself.

"Inga?" Henry began, taking her hand, "I… we talked about some things a few days ago, but we haven't settled anything."

"We haven't?" she asked innocently, then realizing what she was saying, "no, of course not, but that would be a good idea. You know, my mother promised to have a meeting with the council tomorrow, if, you know, we want to talk to them..."

"Oh, really?" Henry laughed, clearing his throat before going quiet. "I mean, that's good, of course! It's just not what I meant…"

"What? You don't have to-" she stammered. He had kneeled down and was holding a small box. She realized what he was doing, and was thankful they were alone.

"Princess Anna Idunna Ingeborg of Arendelle… will you marry me?"

"You know I already said yes!" she laughed, pulling him up to kiss him again.

"I didn't even open the box," he groaned, opening it up. "Here!"

Inga looked down at the ring shining from its box, with fascinating green crystals surrounding it. "Beautiful," was all she managed to say.

"You like it?" he asked nervously.

"Of course I do," she insisted, kissing him again after putting the ring on and admiring it a little.

"I got it in Portugal," he explained, "the man at the shop said the crystals came from a nearby mine."

"It's wonderful. Your drawing of Lisbon was probably my favorite of the ones in your letters, though I like all of them." She leaned into him and rested her head back. "I love your drawings, every one of them."

"I forgot to tell you happy birthday, you know."

"Oh!" she laughed, "I almost forgot. This was far more interesting. The rest of the day will have a hard time keeping up, I think."

Frederick awoke to knocking on his door and Anton yelling his name on the other side.

"I can hear you!" Frederick shouted back, feeling slightly hoarse. "What is it?"

"You wanted us to practice one more time, so Peder and I are here!"

"Fine!" Frederick groaned, rolling out of bed and walking to the door.

He opened it up a crack and Peder poked his head into the room. "There you are!"

"So," Anton continued, "are you coming or not?"

"I need to get dressed, you know. There are people milling around all over. I can't exactly go to the ballroom looking like this."

"Why not?" Peder laughed.

"Just give me a minute!" Frederick called out as he closed the door again, leaving his brothers in the hall.

Frederick looked at himself in the mirror. He could get properly cleaned up later, closer to the start of the party. Kai had reminded him a few days before that he'd be expected to wear his naval uniform. It wasn't too bad, really. He supposed eventually he'd have one of those dress uniforms with a ridiculous amount of decorations on it, but certainly not now.

There were a few others who had been on the training voyage at the party here this evening, though Jorgensen was the one he really considered a friend. He'd had lunch with them a day or two before. Jorgensen was also selected for the academy in Corona, and they were going to be taking the entrance exam in a few weeks.

"Fred!"

"Coming!" he shouted back, stomping out the door.

His brothers grabbed his arms,almost dragging him to the ballroom.

As much as Frederick had doubted his brothers' ability to follow through with anything organized, he was happy to see that they had already tuned their violins with the piano. That, at least, was a good start.

He set down his copy of the music, and looked at them standing there.

"Where's your music?"

The twins looked at each other, then back at him.

"We memorized it," they said together.

"Fine," Frederick sighed. "I'll be the judge of that."

"Anna?" a voice called from the other side of the door.

"Yes?" Anna mumbled, mostly asleep.

"It's Dagmar, may I come in?"

"Oh, of course," Anna replied. The young lady-in-waiting let herself in and immediately began to tidy up the dresses in Anna's wardrobe.

"Happy birthday, by the way," Dagmar added a few moments later.

"It is, isn't it?" Anna murmured, still groggy. She was eighteen now, much good it would do her.

Dagmar smiled and nodded, picking out two dresses for Anna to choose from. Dagmar was the daughter of her mother's lady-in-waiting, and the pair were both nobility. But despite knowing Dagmar since was a girl, Anna never quite felt like they were really friends. Dagmar always acted as if there was something she wasn't saying, and changed the subject very quickly sometimes, but of course everyone did that. Anna knew by now what things she wasn't supposed to ask about, though it made it hard to feel truly close to anyone.

"I don't suppose there will be any kind of party," Anna sighed.

Dagmar walked over and sat on the edge of Anna's bed. "Once you're dressed, let's go to the kitchen and have them make a cake for you!"

"I suppose that will have to do," Anna smiled. She only had a vague memory of a real birthday party when she was very young, and there had been nothing the last year or two, not that she had felt like celebrating, anyway. At least her sister's coronation was happening soon. Perhaps things would change for the better.

Anna looked around the courtyard where her daughter Inga's eighteenth birthday party was being set up. Elsa was helping with some decorations, along with Kristoff. The youngest children were running around as usual, and Frederick and the twins, Anton and Peder, were helping, or at least making the appearance of helping, whether or not they were doing anything useful at any particular moment.

Kristoff came over to her, looking around at the courtyard's transformation. "I think it looks pretty good," he said. "You're sure this is what she wants, though?"

"Well, it's too late now, but I think she will enjoy it, no matter what," Anna laughed looking up at him.

Anna knew this wasn't really Inga's idea to have a party this big. In fact, Anna hadn't really intended to make the party this large, but now that they had invited people, everyone seemed to like the excuse of a large gathering. It had taken on a purpose of its own.

In a way, it seemed like the appropriate thing for Anna to do for Inga, she was her oldest daughter, and while she always felt nagging in the back of her mind when someone referred to her as her oldest child, she was the oldest child she was allowed to acknowledge. And she was the oldest child of hers and Kristoff's. Nothing changed that.

Anna's reverie was broken by Kristoff's familiar hand resting on her shoulder.

"Have you actually seen Inga today?" He sounded almost worried rather than amused. "I thought I saw her going down to the kitchen this morning, but I haven't seen her since."

"I'm sure she's taking it easy," Anna dismissed. She had seen Inga work on her own birthday party earlier in the summer, helping out Nanny when the younger children were starting to get restless. Inga deserved some time to herself.

"I knew I'd find you here!" Anna heard the familiar voice and turned around.

"Oh, Dagmar! I wasn't sure you'd make it!" Anna leaned in for a hug.

"I think everyone was ready for some time in town," the baroness smiled, then lowered her voice, "besides, from the way you phrased your letter, I thought I had better try to make a council meeting for once."

"Thank you, but, let's keep it quiet, of course, there's nothing official quite yet. Inga doesn't really like having a big fuss, I guess."

Dagmar looked around and the preparations. "And what is this, then?"

Anna laughed. "Well, this was my idea that got a little out of hand. I'll tell you more when we're someplace more private. In the meantime, is your whole family here? I don't think I've seen Johanne since she was a child."

"She's sixteen now, but she's already upstairs changing. She was talking about this all the way here. She never has enough dancing for her taste where we live."

"And your husband?" Anna asked.

"He's around somewhere, I'm sure. There are some guards that he's kept in touch with by letter, so I'm sure he's found them by now. The boys were following him when we got here."

Anna smiled. "And what about you?"

"Same as always, I suppose. Is there anything you need help with here? I still feel the urge to help out after all these years."

Kristoff looked around at the bustling preparations for the party. He had helped with a few things, but the hired hands were quick, and he needed to find the boys to get the piano moved. He was starting to regret agreeing to help with that.

Their children's birthday parties were usually much simpler affairs. This was the first one of them turning eighteen, of course. The harder he tried not to think about Inga's age, the more he ended up thinking about it too much. She was eighteen now, the age Anna was when he'd met her.

As his daughter got closer and closer to that age, he thought about everything that had happened to Anna then. He wished he could protect Inga from anything bad ever happening, but she had to be able to live her own life. Still, he kept his ears open. He had heard a few men with titles or fortunes talk to him as if he was interested in bargaining about her. He never told Inga about them, and only said anything to Anna about the ones who had also talked to her. He did his best to be polite, which was difficult.

Inga seemed happy enough overall, and Kristoff certainly understood her desire to limit herself to family and a few close friends when she was able. She did the public appearances and royal duties because that's what she was raised to do, but she didn't naturally take to it, not the way her mother seemed to.

She was a very different person from her mother, and he had always heard people say that Inga took after him. He wasn't entirely sure about that, but he let people say it. They usually judged on appearances, anyway, but he was starting to appreciate just how different her personality was, though.

Kristoff looked over and saw Henry standing tentatively at the edge of the courtyard. He was about to walk over to speak to him, but then Frederick was already on his way over.

"Hey, Henry! Do you want to help out?" Frederick called to Henry.

Henry stood looking around, obviously not intending to come out quite this early. "I'd be happy to help, what do you need?"

Kristoff eyed the young man intently. He hadn't really gotten to speak with him as much as he would have liked the last few days, and Ambassador Meyer had managed to find excuses to keep Prince Henry to himself the other nights. At any rate, the little Kristoff had managed to talk to the young man, he seemed nice enough. At least if his daughter was going to settle on someone foreign, it was nice she found someone who didn't insist on speaking French. He could speak and understand a bit of the language now, but it was still difficult. Proper dinner etiquette might have been tricky to learn, but the forks didn't start talking about him like he wasn't there the minute he slipped up.

Inga sat in front of the mirror in her bedroom. Henry had walked with her as far as the top of the stairs, where they had decided it would be most proper if they waited until the party to meet again, taking several minutes to finally say their goodbyes.

She looked at the ring on her finger, with the green sparkling crystals. She turned so that the sun from the window would shine through, and there were green flecks of light on the wall opposite from her. On the same wall was her wardrobe with the two dresses, and she still hadn't decided which she would wear for her party. One of the dresses was adorned with embroidery in the same green of her ring, and it was entirely too tempting to coordinate the two.

Outside, Henry was helping her brothers with setting up, and guests would be arriving soon. Halima had come early to assist with the preparations, along with Meibel. Inga spotted Kate and Edith in a corner working on something insignificant. Inga realized if they saw the ring they would fawn all over her, and she wasn't ready for that, especially not before she and Henry had a chance to speak privately with her parents.

Inga found a simple gold chain in her dresser, attaching the ring. It went very nicely with the dress she had picked. Gerda had been wise enough to pick dresses that Inga could just possibly manage on her own, and she had no trouble getting the dress on. The ring stayed just under the collar, which was exactly to her liking, and she could show it to Henry easily enough. Even though the idea of keeping this a secret, at least for the party, was more about Inga not wanting the extra attention, there was something exciting about having a secret between just the two of them.

She saw her mother first as she stepped outside.

"Hello," Inga called out as she stepped into the bright sunlight, squinting a little bit.

"Oh, good, Inga!" Her mother waved cheerfully. "Your father was wondering where you were, but he's off helping your brothers right now."

"Well, here I am," Inga replied, almost feeling like she was already the center of attention, rather than standing in a corner of the courtyard talking to her own mother.

"The band is warming up," her mother informed her. "and Frederick was talking to them, so I hope they'll be playing things you enjoy."

"I think I can trust Frederick to select the music," Inga laughed, then looked around. "Where is… I mean… When are the guests arriving?"

"They'll be here soon enough. A few people we know are already here, of course."

"Johanne?" a woman called from behind them. "Oh! Anna, I'm sorry! And this must be Inga?"

"Hello, again!" her mother said to the woman. "Inga, do you remember Baroness Dagmar?"

"I know I've heard about you," Inga smiled. "I think I was very young when I last saw you."

"It's very nice to see you again, Inga," the woman replied. "It's funny, you looked exactly like my daughter from behind. That seems to be a very popular dress this summer!"

"Oh?" Inga asked.

"It's your day, I can send Johanne up to change if you'd like."

"No, no, please don't!" Inga insisted. "Besides, I'll have an easier time recognizing her in the crowd this way."

The Baroness let out a giggle. "Well, I should go find my daughter. We'll be seeing you around."

Inga waved, and her mother made some indistinct greeting.

Remembering that her mother had mentioned that her father was helping her brother with something, she glanced around but couldn't find them. "Where is Father?"

"He went off with your brothers somewhere," her mother replied. After a beat, she looked at Inga knowingly. "And Henry is with them, too."

"Oh, um, yes," Inga mumbled, swallowing, suddenly feeling anxious again, though it must be a good sign if he was with her father and brothers.

"Don't worry, Inga," her mother reassured her, "there aren't that many people here. Most of the nobles from the provinces showed up, and a few foreign princes besides. And I wouldn't worry too much about the guest list, most of the countries we sent invitations to just had their ambassadors send their best wishes to you, and most of the rest are looking for an opportunity to speak to me without having to formally arrange a meeting."

Inga laughed. "You'd think they would want a chance to have their sons meet the accomplished and well read princess of Arendelle."

"Well, yes, there are more than a few here for that, from what your father has gathered."

"I'm sure they'll be disappointed," Inga demurred.

"Are you going to announce something tonight, then?" her mother asked, sounding some combination of hopeful and surprised.

"That's not… not what I meant, I mean…"

"Look, Inga," her mother said, pressing her hands, "I won't pressure you, but the council members are nearly all here for the week, well beyond a quorum… if you do want any decisions, we will need to know."

"Oh, right. Of course." Inga felt warm, and not from the summer sun.

"Well, you look very nice today," her mother said after a moment, "did Gerda help you?"

"She picked the dress," Inga told her, "or, well, she picked two dresses for me to pick from, and I chose this one. I hope my hair is fine, I couldn't see the back."

"It looks very nice, you did a good job," her mother smiled.

"So, I look fine?" Inga asked.

"Of course you do!" Her mother gave her a hug. "Look, the band just started!"