ANNA:

It was incredibly satisfying to watch Hans disappear over the side of the ship, but my elation was short-lived...because I soon realized, thanks to the excruciating pain in my right hand, that I might have broken several fingers when my fist slammed into his face.

Rubbing my badly-aching knuckles, I turned my back on where that lout had been standing and then, suddenly, the pain was gone and forgotten as Elsa wrapped her arms around me and pulled me close.

As she rested her head on my shoulder, I looked over hers, watching as two men poled a large, flat-bottomed barge out toward the ship. Upon reaching us, they secured it.

I leaned back and looked into my sister's eyes.

"Come on, Elsa, let's go home."

She smiled and nodded.

Twenty minutes later, the two of us, plus Kristoff, Sven, and Olaf were once again standing on dry land. Taking Elsa's hand in mine, I turned and began walking in the direction of the castle.

As we neared it, though, she suddenly stopped in her tracks and then stood staring in silence at the open gates, and I watched her confident smile disappear. As she lifted her eyes to the castle itself, her lower lip began to tremble and, suddenly, I understood why: She was terrified of what lay ahead. The prospect of having to face/explain herself to the hundreds of townspeople, to the military, and to everyone else whom her actions had affected was a frightening one.

I was fully committed to helping her - through all of it - but I wasn't sure how to actually go about that, or even where to begin. Suddenly, however, inspiration struck and, looking over my right shoulder, I asked, "Kristoff, will you join us for lunch?"

He hesitated.

"Well, I really should get back to-"

"You must be hungry," I persisted, "so, come with us and have some refreshments. Please?"

I turned back to my sister.

"Is that okay with you, Elsa?"

Apparently eager for a distraction from the impending difficulties that lay before her, she replied, "Of course. And please bring Sven along."

"That's a good idea," I agreed. "There's room in our stable for Sven. It's near the kitchen, and I'm sure the cooks can spare a few carrots."

Sven needed no further invitation. Grabbing Olaf by his nose and flinging him up onto his back, he then grabbed hold of Kristoff's sleeve and took off at a near-gallop.

As Olaf's excited "Whee!" faded into the distance, I turned back to my sister.

Giving her my most reassuring smile, I began walking again, slowly yet deliberately, toward the castle. Upon reaching it, I led her around to the back, to where George the stable boy was grooming one of our horses.

I turned and looked at Elsa.

After several seconds, she realized that addressing him was to be the first of her queenly duties, but before she could speak, a single word pierced the air.

"Horsey!" squealed Olaf, and George looked up, startled, and dropped his curry comb. As he stared, open-mouthed at the talking snowman, Elsa finally spoke.

"Hello, uh-"

"George," I whispered.

"Hello, George," Elsa continued, shifting nervously from one foot to the other.

"Your Majesty," he answered, nodding his head politely, but watching her with obvious apprehension.

His uneasiness was not lost on Elsa, who dropped my hand and now looked like she was planning to flee.

I reached for her hand again and gave it a reassuring squeeze.

After a somewhat lengthy pause, during which she seemed to collect herself, she spoke again.

"George, how do we..." she paused, searching for right words, then continued, "how do we ask for things? Is there a head butler?"

(After Mama and Papa died, staff members would leave Elsa's meals outside her door three times a day. When she set the empty tray back outside, she'd sometimes include a note asking for anything else she needed, such as soap, underthings, etc.; so while it was sad that she was unsure how to address the staff it was also understandable.)

"Yes, ma'am," George replied, "Kai is Master of the Household – which is like a head butler."

Elsa's face brightened.

"Oh, Kai! I remember him from before I – I mean, from when I was little! Is his wife Gerda still Head Housekeeper?"

At first, I found this statement surprising. Didn't she remember Kai introducing us at the Coronation Ball? It then occurred to me that, since she was so busy trying not to make a mistake, her focus must have been turned mostly inward.

"She is, ma'am," George replied.

Elsa nodded, hesitated for a moment, and then she continued, "I'd...like to make arrangements for lunch."

George pointed toward a door in the castle's rear wall.

"Chef is in the kitchen, there. You can order lunch directly from him. He can send word for Kai to meet you, too, if you'd like."

After leaving Sven (with feeding instructions) as well as Olaf (who wanted to "look at the other horsies") with George, I thanked him and then, with Elsa and Kristoff in tow, approached the kitchen door and knocked.

I was expecting Chef to come to the door, but it was opened by Kai.

I immediately stepped aside and gently pushed Elsa forward.

"Your Majesty!" Kai declared, raising his eyebrows in surprise.

I watched Elsa's cheeks flush, but she answered promptly,

"Hello, Kai, it's nice to see you." This declaration was followed by a somewhat lengthy pause, then she added, "I would like to arrange lunch for three, no wait, Kristoff looks rather hungry, so please bring enough for five people."

Kai's face fell.

"I'm so sorry, ma'am," he replied, "but I'm not sure we have anything gourmet on hand. You see, we were not expecting-"

Elsa smiled and shook her head.

"No apologies are necessary. I'm sure that some of whatever the staff are having will be fine. Is there enough for three more people?"

"Yes, ma'am. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

She thought for a moment then answered, "Yes, actually, would you please...arrange a few things for me?"

"Of course."

I wasn't sure if this part of their conversation was supposed to be confidential, so I turned to her and said, "We'll wait for you inside the main entrance."

She nodded, so I grabbed Kristoff's arm and led him around to the front of the castle.

Shortly thereafter she appeared and we all walked into the Sun Room, where two staff members were hastily setting the table.

"Chef said lunch will be ready in about twenty minutes," one of them informed us.

We waited until they had finished and then, looking more than a little uneasy, Elsa took a seat at at the head of the table. I took the one to the right of her, and Kristoff sat down directly across from me.

Eager to break the ensuing, awkward silence, I began wracking my brain for a safe subject to begin making small talk, but before I could decide on one – and to my great relief - Chef appeared, earlier than expected, wheeling in a cart containing three bowls of soup and a large platter of assorted sandwiches.

Setting these and a large pitcher of apple juice on the table, he asked Elsa, "Is there anything else I can bring?"

Still looking very uncomfortable, she shook her head and said, "No, that will be all for now. Thank you."

With a nod, he left the room, and I turned my attention, not to the soup in front of me, but to my sister, looking at her expectantly.

After a moment, she realized what I was waiting for.

"Sh-shall we begin?" she asked.

I nodded, but continued to watch her. She looked so pale and wan. Had she eaten at all while up on the mountain? Based on her appearance, I was almost certain that she hadn't.

Apparently nervous due to my unwavering (and pensive) gaze, she gestured toward my soup and, realizing that I'd been staring, I began the meal, while still keeping one eye on her to make sure she herself was eating.

After only two mouthfuls, she set her spoon on the edge of the bowl's wide rim and turned to me with a look of despair.

"Anna, how am I ever going to face all those people?"

"With my right by your side.

She shook her head, then wailed, "They're all going to h-h-hate-"

"They're not! They don't!" I declared, slapping my palm on the table. "Elsa, listen to me. All you need to do is explain to them what happened. You've brought summer back to Arandelle, so now everyone's seen for themselves that you can control your powers."

Staring at the tablecloth, she answered sadly, "I, I guess."

"Well, see? Then there's no reason to worry. I'll be right there with you...for all of it. Now, let's finish this soup before it gets cold."

Looking unconvinced, she nonetheless she picked up her spoon again, and I returned to my own lunch.

A few minutes later, I glanced up from my bowl again to see Elsa looking not at her food, but at me, and with eyes so full of sorrow and regret that I knew exactly what she was thinking.

"Anna-"

I shook my head.

No, Elsa! I already know what you're going to say...so you don't even have to say it."

"Yes. I do."

"It's not necessary, I promis-"

"B-but Anna," she persisted. "Please, let me. I-I really need-no, want to!"

Again I shook my head, this time vigorously. Reaching over to where she sat, I took both of her hands in my own.

"Elsa, listen to me! Everything that's happened, none of it was your fault...none! And it's all behind us now, forever, so there's no need to feel bad about it...or to ever bring it up again."

She didn't reply.

With a warm smile, I turned her hands over and planted a kiss in each of her palms.

"It's still like it used to be," I said encouragingly.

Not buying this at all, she looked down at the table again.

"Well, it's going to be...and soon," I insisted, "so don't worry...about anything. Now, let's talk about something else...something like..."

Elsa looked like she was about to cry, so I focused as hard as I could on finding something...anything...that might get the small talk going again. My mind, unfortunately, drew a complete blank.

"Wow, this potato chowder is delicious!" stated a voice from across the table, and Elsa and I both gave a start.

We had completely forgotten that Kristoff was sitting there.

As she and I sat watching him enthusiastically empty his bowl, I relaxed, knowing that we now had a "safe" subject to talk about. As I tried to figure out what to ask him first, he said, "Pass the sandwiches, please."

I promptly grabbed the tray and held it out toward him. After a moment's consideration, he decided upon smoked salmon and onions on black bread.

I then presented the tray to Elsa. After staring at it for a long moment, she picked up a Black Forest ham and some kind of cheese on a whole grain bun. I then grabbed a chicken and watercress sandwich on a french roll for myself.

I'd just taken my second bite when Kai appeared with a tray of cookies.

Setting it on the table, he turned to Elsa.

"Chef sends dessert...and his apologies for forgetting to bring it with the rest of the meal."

"Thank you," she replied, then added, "Would you please arrange one other thing for me?"

"Of course, ma'am," he replied, leaning forward attentively. I couldn't hear what she was saying to him, so I turned back to Kristoff.

"So...do you have any family around here?" I asked.

He shook his head.

"No, and I don't remember them, or even when I lost them. The trolls raised me from a very young age."

"And what's it like being an ice harvester? Do you work alone?"

"There's a crew of us; about twenty."

I listened politely as he told me a little about each of the other men, then replied, "I see. And where do you live up there? Do you have a nice place?"

He shrugged.

"Well, as nice as a troll cave can be. Actually, though, I recently found an aband-"

He stopped speaking abruptly as Kai entered the room again. Walking over to where Kristoff was seated, he set a handsome leather wallet next to his plate.

Kristoff turned to Elsa.

"Is this for me?"

She nodded.

"Thank you!" he exclaimed. "What a nice gift and, now that summer has returned, I'll soon have something to put insi-"

"Open it," she instructed.

He did as she directed and then gasped.

I stared, wide-eyed, as he riffled through the deep stack of kronor bills in it.

"To replace your lost wages," she announced, "with my apologies."

He shook his head in protest.

"But I only lost three days of sales! What's here is more than I make in an entire-"

"Kristoff, I insist."

He wavered for nearly a minute but then, seeing that her mind was made up, he exclaimed, "Thank you so much! I was just telling Anna that I found an old, abandoned cabin near the trolls' field. I checked, and it looks like the land is publicly owned, so I was going to repair the place and move in, but I never had enough money for materials."

"Well, now you do," I declared. "So, how many trees will you have to cut down to make enough boards to fix the place?"

He shook his head.

"Actually, I won't need to cut down any. There's a lumber merchant here, on the edge of town. He also sells hardware, so while I'm there, I'll buy a few tools, plus nails, hinges, and other items." He looked over at the mantle clock, then out the window and added, "I can just make it there before closing if I leave now. I hope you don't mind if I eat and run, but I'd like to get there and then back up North before night comes, because it looks like it's going to start rain-."

"Can I come?" a shrill voice interrupted, and we all turned to see Olaf skip into the Sun Room. He bounded up to where Kristoff sat and begged, "Oooh, let me come and help you with your new place!"

Kristoff looked down at him and asked, incredulously, "Do you know carpentry?"

Olaf frowned.

"Is he a friend of yours?"

I stifled a laugh.

"I don't mind taking you with me," Kristoff said.

"Well, I don't know...," Elsa began.

Olaf's face fell.

"Awwww! I wanna see where Kristoff is going to live and help him fix it up!" he insisted, now turning his face expectantly/hopefully toward me.

Knowing that he was going to be more than a handful, I smiled regretfully.

"Olaf, I'm sorry but I agree with Elsa on this. I really think that-"

"Let him come," Kristoff broke in. "I promise to keep a close eye on him."

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea," Elsa countered.

"I can have the trolls help keep him entertained," Kristoff added quickly.

Elsa looked down at her plate for a moment, then turned back to Olaf.

"Why don't you go keep Sven company for now, while the rest of us talk this over?"

With a sad nod and a sigh, Olaf turned and headed for the door.

Elsa turned to Kristoff and said, "You seem awfully eager for Olaf to join you. Why is that?"

"Well, you know..." he began, but then fell silent.

Noticing his reluctance to continue, Elsa replied, "It's alright, Kristoff, you can speak your mind.

He hesitated, but then continued, "Uh, do you think that Arendelle is ready for talking snowman? I mean, after...after everything else that's happened?"

His words had the effect he'd feared, and I watched her face fall. While he had only meant to be helpful, suggesting that everyone get to know Elsa first before introducing Olaf, she took his remark personally - as a severe commentary/criticism on...well, on all of the havoc that she'd caused.

The three of us sat in awkward silence for perhaps a full minute, but then Elsa managed to compose herself and said, "All right, Kristoff, you can take him with you for a bit. Thank you for being considerate enough to do it."

Looking relieved that she wasn't more upset, Kristoff pushed his chair back and stood up.

Approaching Elsa's seat, he said, "Your Majesty-"

"Elsa," she replied.

"Your Majesty, Els-"

"No, just Elsa," she insisted.

"Oh, okay then, Elsa, I'd like to thank you so much for lunch, and for the money."

"And I'd like to thank you," she replied, "for taking care of Anna, and for everything."

With a nod, he took her proffered hand...

...and then mine...

...and then he was gone.

She turned to me and managed a smile.

"Have you finished eating?"

Glancing down at my crumb-strewn plate, I nodded.

She stood up.

"Well, then."

I did likewise and, after pushing our chairs in, we stared at each other, unsure of what to do next.

After a minute or so spent deep in thought, during which I waited patiently, she reached over and, taking my right hand in her left, led me out into the hall.

As we walked down the corridor that led to our bedrooms, I was sure she'd be leaving me at mine. As we approached its door, she did come to a complete stop; but then, after another long pause, and with my hand still in hers, she took a couple of tentative steps toward her own room then turned and looked at me questioningly.

With a warm smile, I nodded and followed her to the door.

Once there, she hesitated again, deliberating, but eventually opened it and led me inside.

I wasn't sure what to expect. My first thought was that the walls might be frozen, but they weren't. For as long as I can remember, I'd been curious about Elsa's bedroom, and now that I was seeing it for the first time, I eagerly began looking around for her "stuff", which would be perfect to get the conversation going; but after glancing around - in all directions - I soon found, to my great dismay, that Elsa didn't have "stuff."

No toys.

No decorative objects.

Not even a book.

Not a single thing to amuse herself...which meant that she'd spent all of her time in here focused on one thing only: her non-stop, crippling fear.

It broke my heart.

Instinctively, I did understand why she wasn't allowed any books: It would be cruel for her to read about all of the exciting places and things out there in the world - things that she would never get to experience. As for novels, well, they can excite a person's emotions, which would not have been good for her.

Suddenly, I realized that Elsa was watching me. She was watching me look all around her bedroom, realizing that I was judging it (and her), and her expression was full of fear that I was thinking how pathetic the room (and she, herself) was.

I turned to her and managed a bright smile.

"What a great bedroom, Elsa! Everything so neat and orderly! You should see min-no! Actually, you shouldn't see mine, because it's always such a mess...well, unless the housekeeper has done her weekly cleaning, and then it looks kinda okay, for about fifteen minutes, and maybe then you can come check it out someti-"

Realizing that I was rambling, I stopped speaking abruptly and turned my attention back to Elsa, who was still looking at me sadly, all of the joy and confidence that she'd shown earlier in the day now completely gone.

I moved closer to her and and took her left hand between both of my own. As I did, she lowered both her head and her gaze.

"It's been a really long day," I began.

No response.

As she stared in silence at the the area of floor that lay between our feet, I struggled to find the right thing to say, finally deciding on, "Why don't you relax and take a long, hot bath? How does that sound?"

After reflecting on this suggestion, she nodded, but she didn't move, so I let go of her hand and walked, for the first time, into her bathroom. Crossing to its far side, I bent down, closed the bathtub drain, and turned on the faucets. Once I was satisfied that the water temperature was correct, I let the tub begin to fill and started looking around for bath salts. When I couldn't find any, I decided to go get my own.

Walking out into her room, I said, "Be right back!" and then ran down the hall to my bedroom.

I spent the next five minutes ransacking my own bathroom, flinging open and digging through every single cabinet, but ultimately I came up empty-handed. Then I remembered that I'd used the last of my bath salts two days before and had forgotten to ask Gerda for more.

Oh, well.

I hurried back to Elsa's room and, as the door was still open a crack, I let myself in without knocking. To my surprise, she wasn't there, but then I saw her ice dress draped over the back of a chair, and her shoes on the floor next to it, and I realized that she was already in the bathroom.

Walking to the closed bathroom door, I gingerly pushed the handle down. It was locked, so I knocked on the door.

"Elsa?"

"I, uh, I'll be out," she replied, now sounding near tears.

I stood in silence, staring at the closed door and thinking hard.

Poor Elsa.

I couldn't even imagine how horrible all those years spent alone, feeling terrified and unloved, had been. Had Mama and Papa ever hugged her...or had they been too afraid to touch her? Whether or not they had, they were gone now - and had been for three years - and right now I really wanted to be in the bathroom with her, kneeling next to the tub and telling her how everything was going to be okay as I washed her hair, and then her back, and then wrapped her up in a warm blanket..and in my arms.

But she had locked the door.

Feeling disappointed, I sat on the edge of her bed nearest the bathroom door and waited.

About twenty minutes later, she emerged, wearing a white flannel bathrobe and shaking a towel over her wet hair with both hands.

Suddenly I had an idea.

"I'll brush your hair for you," I offered, jumping up off the bed and running across the room to her dresser. I snatched up her hair brush...

...and promptly dropped it. As it hit the uncarpeted floor, the handle broke into three pieces.

Crap! Why can't I do anything right?

At the sound of wood hitting wood, Elsa emerged from under the towel and looked, questioningly, from the broken brush in my hands, up to my face.

"I'm so sorry!" I blurted out. "Don't worry, you can use my brus-no, wait! I have an extra one!"

Turning on my heel, I raced back to my bedroom and began rummaging through every dresser drawer until, finally, at the very back of the last one - and buried under a ton of junk - I found what I wanted: a new, unused hairbrush (similar to Elsa's) with my initials on it. It had been a gift from one of Mama's friends.

I hurried back to Elsa's room, closing the door behind me, to find her already dressed in a blue, calf-length nightshirt, very similar to my green one. Her hair, while still damp, was already brushed, and I guessed that she had just used the undamaged, bristle part of her own brush. I held out the one I'd brought.

"Here. It's a new one that I haven't used. You can keep it."

"Thank you," she replied, taking it from my hand. I watched as she crossed the bedroom to set it on her dresser, and again I felt disappointed.

I'd really been hoping to be in the room with her while she dressed.

I was absolutely thrilled to finally have Elsa back. The pain of life without her had been unbearable, and now, after so many years had passed without her company, naturally I was curious and wanted to know every single thing about her: her favorite ice cream flavor, whether she liked horses as much as I did, all the places she hoped to visit someday, and even what her body looked like. It must be beautiful, and I wanted to see it.

I didn't know exactly why...I just wanted to.

I mean, that wasn't a bad thing, was it? After all, Mama had often put us in the same bathtub as children.

Elsa seating herself on the foot of her bed woke me from my reverie.

I stood in front of her, rocking back and forth on my heels, unsure of what to say next, but as she lifted her gaze to mine, an idea occurred to me, and I asked, "What would you like to do this evening?"

She looked tired (understandable, considering the day we'd had), and I expected her to say she wanted to sleep (which I of course would have respected, leaving the room immediately), so I was surprised when she answered, "Whatever you like."

At this, I was somewhat taken aback. I had no idea that I'd be asked to plan the evening's entertainment, nor any time to do so. I glanced out her bedroom window. It was now raining, plus Elsa was wearing her nightclothes, so a moonlit walk in the garden was out; but suddenly I had another idea, and asked, "Would you like to sit in Papa's study for awhile?

She nodded.

"That sounds nice."

As happy as her answer made me, at that moment an entirely new thought occurred to me: Because I had been looking for her since the evening of the Coronation Ball, I hadn't taken a bath or even brushed my teeth for three days; and I quickly realized that I did not want to sit next to her unless I was 100% clean.

"Elsa, I'm gonna get ready for bed. Can I meet you there in 45 minutes...unless you're tired?" I added quickly, politely giving her an "out."

Looking up at me, she shook her head and replied earnestly, "No, I'll be there."

Running into my own room, I snatched a clean night shirt and drawers from my closet shelf then sprinted down the hall, and around the corner, then halfway down that hall, and then, pivoting to the right, through the high-arched door to Papa's Sporting Club.

The huge room had originally been used for boxing, but I remember seeing Mama's disapproving stare across the breakfast table at Papa's blackened eyes on more than one occasion and so, less than a year later, he switched sports and began fencing.

Entering the room, I ran across its highly-polished wood floor, past the rows of seats, past the wall rack of epees and sabres, past the collection of iron dumbbells in the corner, then through the door at far end and into the changing room.

Racing past Papa's dressing table which, like all of his and Mama's possessions, had remained preserved and untouched since their passing, I finally stopped short, breathing heavily, at my destination: his shower bath.

The stall, which was about five feet square, had gray-and-white tiled walls with brass fixtures; and the floor was also tiled, with a drain in its center. This new (at the time) invention was a great time-saver, much faster than taking a regular bath, and I often used it when I was in a hurry (which I usually was). The staff were aware of this and kept it stocked with soap, clean towels, etc.

Stripping off as quickly as possible, I threw my clothes on the floor and kicked them into a heap.

Reaching into the shower, I fiddled with the water temperature and, once satisfied, I stepped into the stall, pulling the heavy, waxed canvas curtain closed behind me.

After the day I'd had, it was such a pleasure to feel the spray of hot water beating down on my back and shoulders; and so, after soaping up from head to toe, I gave myself permission to relax – just for a minute. Extending my arms forward and resting my palms against the tiled wall in front of me, I lowered my head and closed my eyes.

Heaven.

I'm not sure exactly how long I stood there, but eventually I realized, with a sigh, that I'd need to get out soon.

As I leaned back and started rinsing the soap out of my hair, I began to reflect on my suggestion to spend time in Papa's study. I had no idea where that idea had come from, but it had been an absolutely inspired one. For starters, the room, while large, had a decidedly cozy feel due to its dark paneled walls and overstuffed furniture. Such a comfortable environment would surely make it easier for Elsa to talk if she felt like it. If she didn't feel like talking, the room contained part of Papa's book collection, at least 200 volumes so, if she wanted, I would read to her – something not too exciting – I think I remembered seeing a book of Nature poems in there somewhere. If she wasn't interested in that, Papa's collection also included several large art books, which contained beautiful reproductions of famous paintings, so we could sit and look at the pictures together.

Suddenly I realized that I was daydreaming, instead of hurrying back to see Elsa. Crap! How much time had I just wasted?

Turning the water off, I jumped out of the shower, dried off hastily, tamed my hair (I don't think Papa would mind if I used his hairbrush), and then ran over to the sink and brushed my teeth. Dragging my clean drawers up over my bare shanks and my nightshirt down over my bare torso, I snatched up my dirty clothes and ran out, dropping them into a basket at the Club's front door for the staff to sort/wash later.

As I tore down the hall, barefoot, I remembered promising that I'd meet her there in 45 minutes. How long had it been? I absolutely hated the thought that I might have kept her waiting.

Skidding to a stop outside the study door, I managed, with effort, to quiet my loud, ragged breathing, then I pressed my ear up against the door and listened intently.

The room was completely silent inside. Had Elsa fallen asleep back in her own room?

Or had she just changed her mind?

Bracing myself for disappointment, I turned the knob and entered...

...and was immediately relieved to see a head of light blonde hair just above the back of the sofa.

I then glanced at the mantle clock.

"Ha ha! I made it!" I yelled triumphantly. "And with a minute and a half to spare!"

My voice must have startled Elsa, because she immediately levitated at least a foot off her seat.

Someone (Kai(?) had lit a fire, which was a relief, both because I wasn't wearing my robe and slippers and because the castle's interior was often cold, even now in early July.

As I walked around to the front of the sofa, I saw that Elsa, too, was in bare feet and without her robe. She looked up at me with a tired smile.

My attention then shifted to the low table between the couch and the fireplace, where sat two large glass mugs of hot chocolate and a plate with four custard tarts on it. At first, I hadn't been sure what we were going to talk about, but food is always an excellent conversation starter!

Ordinarily, I can easily inhale four custard tarts all by myself, and in no time flat, but I wasn't about to be greedy now so I sat down on the couch next to Elsa and held out the plate to her.

She shook her head.

"No, thank you."

I grabbed one for myself and took a polite bite.

"These are so good. You don't know what you're missing."

"Maybe later," she replied, taking a long sip of hot chocolate - much to my relief.

At least she was consuming something.

Setting her mug down on the table, she leaned back into the couch cushions and sat looking directly into the fire, while I turned my attention back to my snack. Once my hunger was somewhat assuaged (and, for the record, I only ate two of them(!), I turned back toward her and sat, staring at her profile in the firelight.

She was so beautiful.

In silence, I continued to watch her, wondering what was on her mind, but she wasn't facing me so it was impossible to tell exactly what her expression was. It was obvious, however, that she was deep in thought.

Pondering what to do next, I decided to take a stab at conversation. The only problem was that I had no idea where to begin. I mulled this over for a bit and then, starting with the premise that she was still upset from what had transpired that afternoon, I decided to try to put a positive spin on things.

"Elsa?"

She turned to face me.

"Yes?"

I took a deep breath, and then began, "Do you know what the best part of my day was? It was seeing the way you smiled after you brought Summer back to Arendelle. It meant the world to me to finally see you so happy."

The expression on her face had been neutral, but at my remark, it fell...

...and I soon found out exactly what had been on her mind.

"How am I ever going to face everyone?" she lamented.

"Slowly."

"No, Anna! I know I'm never going to be able to-"

"Let's start with the household staff first," I suggested gently.

She started to tremble.

"No! I can't even talk to them! They all see me as a...a freak!"

"No, they don't!" I countered hotly. "You're imagining things that aren't real, El-"

"Didn't you see what happened in the Sun Room this afternoon? Chef barely made eye contact with me!"

"Elsa, Chef was busy serving lunch. Of course he was looking at the table instead of at you."

She didn't reply, nor did she seem to buy this explanation completely.

We then sat in silence again, and I spent the time trying to figure out what to say next. Finally, to my relief, I had a viable idea. Turning back to Elsa, I smiled and suggested, "You and I are going to have tea tomorrow...with the entire staff!"

(Actually, that was more of a declaration than a suggestion.)

At this announcement, her eyes widened in fear, but as she opened her mouth to protest, I quickly added, "It doesn't have to be a big, elaborate thing. We'll make arrangements Kai and Gerda."

"No! I don't want to!"

"You're going to be fine."

"B-but why do I have to face them all at the same time...all twenty or more of them?"

"Because then you'll only have to do it once," I pointed out (wisely). "It won't even have to be a long party; just an hour, two at the most. We'll all enjoy some nice refreshments, and then you can talk to them for a bit. I'll even help you explain what happened...if you want me to."

"B-but what if they don't want me anywhere near them?" she persisted.

"Elsa, they've known you – and loved you - since you were a baby."

She shook her head violently.

"No! They knew me until I was eight...then they didn't see me for thirteen years! The next time they did see me, I fr-froze everyth-"

I reached over and took her hand, saying very gently, "All you have to do is explain what happened."

"I c-can't do it!"

"You can!"

"I can't!"

"Elsa, someone who can unfreeze an entire kingdom can do anything!"

This spontaneous remark caught us both off guard. I wasn't sure if she agreed with what I'd said because she didn't answer, but finally she shook her head and said, both slowly and resolutely, "I'm sorry, Anna...but no."

Struggling to hide my disappointment, I lowered both the volume and tone my voice and replied, "Come on, Elsa, I've seen you talk to Kai today, several times and without any problem at all, so I know that you can do this."

She didn't reply, so I added, "Just think about it...okay?"

With a short, non-committal shrug, she turned her gaze back to the fire and, moments later, I watched as her chin dejectedly dropped onto her chest.

As I sat studying her profile, my heart sank. It was obvious that she had little to no intention of following through on my idea, and I also began to suspect that she was seriously considering becoming a complete recluse again.

At that thought, I shivered involuntarily...and violently.

She turned back toward me.

"Are you cold?"

"A little," I admitted.

I thought she would then proceed to lecture me on running around the castle without my bath robe and slippers, but instead she reached behind herself and began pulling at the huge, folded plaid blanket that was draped over the back of the couch. Getting to her feet, she shook it open and then, bending forward, she wrapped it around me lovingly, taking her time, and giving my cheek a little caress when she'd finished.

A knock at the door caused Elsa to stand up straight, and we both looked in that direction to see Kai enter the room.

"Is there anything else I can do for you, ma'am, before I retire for the night?

I watched the expression on Elsa's face change several times as she wrestled with herself internally. Finally, after what seemed an eternity, she took a deep breath and answered, "Yes, there is. W-w-would you please arrange a...a tea party for me?"

As my lower jaw dropped in shock, I heard Kai say, "Of course, ma'am. For how many people?"

"About twenty-two."

He nodded.

"All right, and when will it take place?"

"Tomorrow afternoon."

He looked surprised but said, "Well, yes, I'll be happy to do that, but I'm not sure that the invitations will be received in ti-"

Elsa shook her head.

"Actually, we won't need to mail out invitations. The party...it's for the entire household staff, at four p.m. And it's not formal at all, so there's no need for anyone to dress up. I'd just like to request an hour or so of their time."

Kai nodded. "And the refreshments?"

"I'm...not sure," she faltered.

"Would you like me to take care of the menu for you?"

"Yes, please," she said, looking relieved, then added, "I'm sorry that it's so last minute."

"That's all right, ma'am," Kai replied. "It doesn't take long to organize a tea party. I'll inform the rest of the staff. So, four o'clock, then?"

"Yes, please," she replied.

I watched as he closed the door behind him, and then I reached up and grabbed both of my sister's hands. She looked incredibly shaken, so I exclaimed, "Elsa, I'm so glad! You have no idea!"

As I did, the blanket slid from my shoulders and, as she leaned over to rearrange it, I saw her shiver.

While I suspected that this was solely due to her apprehension about the party, I asked, "Are you cold, too?"

"A little," she admitted. "For the first time in long time."

Holding onto the edge of the blanket, I straightened out my left arm.

"Come here," I said softly. "Come and sit with me."

After only a moment's hesitation, she sat down next to me, and I moved that end of the blanket up around her shoulders. It didn't quite cover her, so she moved closer, until we were sitting hip to hip, and then she pulled the blanket tighter, enclosing us both inside.

Wrapping my left arm around her waist, I took her right hand in my own and twined my fingers with hers; and then, choosing my words very carefully, I said in a low voice, "I know you're a little, uh, nervous about tomorrow, but it's going to be fine, I promise. I'll be right there with you, for the entire time...okay?"

Elsa answered with a sad, little nod and then, suddenly, she leaned sideways slightly and rested her head against mine.

She smelled wonderful. I wasn't sure of what, so I closed my eyes in order to focus, trying my hardest to figure it out, thinking as I did that, after everything that had happened recently, what a great problem this was to have.

I was completely and utterly spent from everything that had happened that day, but I wanted to stay up and talk to her all night, so I decided to keep my eyes closed for just a few more minutes, to rest them. Shortly thereafter, however, my head must have dropped onto her shoulder because the last thing I remember is leaning against her neck and deciding that the wonderful scent must be from her raspberry bath soap, before a deep and profound sleep overtook me.