The Price of Love

Chapter 1:

The Treasure of King Nicholas

One afternoon, Anna and Elsa spent their time together looking through old books in the library. Anna had never been a big reader, but after the Great Thaw, Elsa turned her onto it by introducing her to many wonderful novels like Oliver Twist, Robinson Crusoe, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Every Friday afternoon, the two went to the library together, and read novels. However, today they decided to look through some non-fiction books instead. Elsa flipped through one of the many volumes on the history of Arendelle. When she and Anna were kids, their father would often tell them about their family history. She and Anna were always in awe about the kings and queens that have come and gone; their policies as well as the wars they partook in. There was one story that they enjoyed more than others. The story of the long lost Arendelle treasure. As Elsa flipped to the next chapter in her book, she came upon the chapter about the treasure.

"Wow! Do you remember dad telling us about the lost treasure of King Nicolas?" Elsa asked.

Anna's eyes lit up. "I loved that story! I haven't heard it in years though!"

"Would you like me to read it to you?" Elsa offered.

"I'd love that!"

Elsa cleared her throat, and began to read.

"During the reign of King Nicholas, there was a war between Arendelle and the kingdom of Labraza. The war broke out over a land dispute. There was an island in between Arendelle in Labraza. Both kingdoms wanted the island for agriculture, but each kingdom thought that they alone were entitled to it. For the next five years, they fought each other for rights to the island. During this time, King Nicholas was in possession of a large fortune, which he kept locked away in his vault. Eventually, the war came to the kingdom of Arendelle, and Nicholas feared that the Labraza soldiers might steal it. One night, he and a few of his most trusted men set off to hide the treasure at some unknown location. When the war was over, King Nicholas caught pneumonia, and died soon after. Before he passed, he made his men swear never to reveal where he hid the treasure. The men promised; they were loyal to their king, and wouldn't dare cross him. Over the years, many have searched for the treasure. Some believe that Nicholas left clues behind to find it, but no such clue has ever been found, and the treasure remains undiscovered."

"Wow! How neat would it be if we were to find the long lost treasure of King Nicholas?" Anna asked.

"It would be neat, but it's highly unlikely. People have been searching for centuries, and no one has found a trace of it. Besides, we don't even know where to start. I don't think he left any clues to where it's hidden."

"Don't you think that's strange?" Anna asked. "I mean, technically it's our treasure. It belongs to the royal family of Arendelle. Surely, he would have to let us know somehow. Didn't he tell his children?"

Elsa shook her head. "Nope. When Nicholas died, he took all his secrets to his grave; including the location of the treasure."

"That's a shame. I'd love to be the one to find it," Anna said.

Elsa smiled. "Well, you never know, Anna. Maybe one day you will."

Anna sat up, and looked out the window. She could see Kristoff and Sven entering the courtyard.
"Kristoff is back!" Anna cried. "I'm going to go greet him!"

Before Elsa could reply, the princess raced out of the library, leaving Elsa to put away the books that they had been looking at. Before leaving, Elsa took one last look at the chapter about the Arendelle treasure. She glanced at an illustration of King Nicholas; admiring his resemblance to her father. Anna was right; the treasure did belong to them. If anyone should have it, then it should be them. But if no one had found it by now, then no one ever would. It would remain a mystery forever. Placing the book back onto the shelf, Elsa closed the door to the library, and went down to the courtyard to meet up with Anna and Kristoff.

When Elsa arrived at the courtyard, she saw Anna and Olaf surrounding Kristoff, listening to him talk about his day. The ice harvester recounted how after work he paid a visit to his family of trolls. He hadn't seen them in a while; so a visit was long overdue. Elsa admired Kristoff. He was a good man; a hard worker, and he cared a lot for Anna. She could see how happy he made her, and for that she was forever grateful. Anna deserved all the happiness in the world after all that she'd been through. They both did.

Upon seeing Elsa, Olaf ran over to greet her. "Elsa! Elsa! Kristoff is back!" he said.

Elsa smiled. "I see. How are you, Kristoff?"

"Pretty good. It was an eventful day. I got a lot done though," he said, gesturing to a large collection of blocks of ice on his sled.

"Nicely done. It seems like my decision to make you the Royal Ice Harvester and Deliverer was a good one."

Kristoff smiled. "Well, I just love ice," he said modestly.

"Oh, I know," she said. Elsa recalled the very first conversation she had with Kristoff. The man couldn't stop talking about how amazing her ice palace was. He even went as far as to say it was the greatest thing he'd ever seen.

"How about we go inside?" Elsa suggested. "Dinner should be ready soon."

After dinner, the four of them went into the parlor, and talked together. It was a ritual they did every day. It was a great way for them to catch up as well as to talk about what they should do during the upcoming weekend. Kristoff suggested that they go sailing on the water, Olaf wanted to go see the trolls again, while Anna suggested that they have a picnic in the meadows down by the forest.

"I love picnics! It's so pretty there too," she said.

"You know, I don't think I've ever told you about this, but there's a log cabin in the woods somewhere that we used to go to when we were kids," Elsa said. "There's even a lake nearby."

Anna's eyes widened. "You're right! I almost forgot about that! We haven't been there in years!"

"What do you say tomorrow we go on out to the meadows and have a picnic, and afterward we spend the rest of the weekend at the cabin?" Elsa suggested.

"That sounds like a good idea. We even practice shooting my rifle if you like," Kristoff offered.

"Kristoff, I've never fired a gun in my life," Anna said.
"Same with me. Besides, I don't think I'd need one to begin with. I have my powers to defend myself," Elsa said, twirling a ball of snow in her hand.

"That's true. But it's always good to know how. Not just for defending yourself, but for hunting as well. If we go out I could even hunt us something to eat. I'll even bring my bow and arrow as well. You might prefer that to the rifle."

"Could we go fishing? I love to fish," Anna said.

"Of course. I've got two poles. We can keep whatever we catch."

"Well, it sounds like we have a plan together," Elsa said. "First thing tomorrow morning we'll take the horses, and Sven out the cabin. Hopefully I still remember where it is."

"Great! Maybe we can go look for buried treasure as well!" Anna cried.

Elsa laughed. "Anna, you're not going to find it."

"It couldn't hurt to try! Maybe he hid it nearby!"

"What are you talking about?" Kristoff asked.

"Anna, wants to find the long lost treasure of King Nicholas of Arendelle." Elsa explained the story to Kristoff, who seemed very interested in what he heard.

"That certainly would be the discovery of a lifetime," he admitted. "So where would we start digging?"

"We don't even know if he buried it in the ground," Elsa said. "He gave no indication whatsoever as to where it is. No clues, no messages, nothing. He never wanted the treasure to found so he made sure that no one would ever find it."

"Wouldn't you two be entitled to it, though? You are descendants of King Nicholas," Kristoff pointed out.

"We would be, yes. But like I said, we have no idea where to start looking. It would literally be like looking for a needle in a haystack," Elsa said.

"Still, it sure would be neat to find the treasure. We would make history!" Anna said.

"True. But are things worth more than treasure," Elsa said, pulling Anna in for a hug.

"Well, it's late. We should get to bed. It's going to be a fun day tomorrow!" Elsa said.

Anna and Elsa hugged each other, said goodnight, and went off to bed. Before she fell asleep, Anna went to the library, and picked up the book that talked about King Nicholas's treasure. "Wouldn't it be something to find it," she said to herself. Anna pictured her and Elsa on a treasure hunt, looking for clues, and making history together. Not only would it be exciting, it would bring them even closer!

Since the Great Thaw, Elsa had been doing everything in her power to make up for the thirteen years of shutting her out. Truthfully, Anna wasn't mad at Elsa for doing this. She often reminded her that all that was in the past; all that mattered was that they were together again, and that was true. Anna glanced over the words in the book "No trace of the treasure has ever been found." Elsa was right that there were things worth more than treasure, but just to be able to do something adventurous like this with her sister would be incredible. Anna went back to room, and climbed under the covers; already excited for the day tomorrow.

A/N: What do you think? If you like it please leave a review and let me know. I don't want to continue this if nobody thinks it's good. This will be a story that focuses on Anna and Elsa's relationship, and it will also be an action/adventure story. Hans will also play a role as well. Hope you're enjoying so far!