It was an unusually warm autumn day in the kingdom of Arendalle. Although nothing could be stranger than the weather that the kingdom had faced only months before, though it seemed like it had been much longer. It was the middle of July, and Princess Elsa was about to be crowned queen. The coronation was the first time in thirteen years that the gates would be open and the public would be allowed in the castle. For unknown to them, Elsa had the power to create snow and ice. As a child Elsa had hurt her sister Anna and her powers were growing too strong for her to control. The king and queen were afraid of how people would react to Elsa's powers, so they limited her contact with the outside world. Elsa wasn't even allowed to see her sister. The king and queen died three years ago, but Elsa was not of age yet. Shortly after she had turned twenty-one, her coronation was held. It was then that her powers were revealed to the kingdom. She fled to the north mountain and set the land in an eternal winter. She returned from the mountains, only to almost die at the hands of Hans, the prince of the southern isles. Anna had been able to save her and Elsa took her rightful place as queen. She was a fair and just ruler who was loved by all in the kingdom.

"Elsa, do you really have to go," Anna asked through a pout.

Elsa shook her head. "Anna, it is my duty as queen to meet with the rulers of all Arendalle's current trading partners and possible new ones."

"But I hardly see you anymore."

Elsa had to admit her sister's words were true. During her first month as queen, she did not have to worry about foreign affairs so she had more free time to spend with Anna. They had so much catching up to do. While the castle staff was preparing everything for the new queen, Anna and Elsa spent almost every moment together. Elsa had told Anna about what caused the two sisters to be separated. After that they did all the things they had wanted to do with each other for so long. Unfortunately, once Elsa had to start her queenly duties, she had less time to spend with Anna.

"Well, can I at least come with you?" Anna looked at her sister with big puppy eyes.

"Not this time Anna. I'm not sure how long I'll be gone and I need you to look after things."

"But no one has heard anything from Molyneaux in ten years! Who knows if they even want to be trade partners?"

"Oh Anna, Arendalle had limited contact with the outside world for thirteen years. We at least need to try." Elsa saw that this answer did not please her sister. "How about this? When I get back we'll throw a big party and the next day it will be just you and me. How does that sound?"

Anna did love balls and she knew if Elsa said she would make time for just the two of them, she would keep it. But she still felt a bit mischievous. "I'm so glad that the queen would take time out of her busy schedule for me." She dramatically flopped onto Elsa's bed and the two girls burst into laughter.

All the preparations had been made. Elsa was to leave in the morning. Anna, Kristoff, and Olaf were very concerned for her safety. She tried to convince them that she'd be fine, but she finally agreed to let Olaf come with her, to put all their minds at ease. Truth be told, Elsa was glad that Olaf was coming along. After thirteen years of solitude, she was much happier in the company of those she loved. Before she knew it, Elsa and Olaf boarded a boat that would take them to France. This wasn't Elsa first trip out of Arendalle. She and Anna had gone to Corona shortly after the "eternal winter" and found out Princess Rapunzel was their cousin. That trip had been so much fun, but she doubted the trip she was about to go on wouldn't be fun. It was a diplomatic/political trip. And it was much further from Arendalle than Corona was. But Elsa had to stay strong, for two reasons. The first was she was still getting used to her queenly duties and needed to appear knowledgeable of foreign policies. The second reason she needed to stay calm was to make sure her powers didn't overwhelm her again. After Anna helped her gain control of her powers, Elsa was pretty good at keeping them under control. But this was all new and frightening to her, so she felt it was best to try and avoid another breakdown. Putting a land in an eternal winter was probably not the best way to start a trade partnership.

Anna ran up to her sister and wrapped her arms around her. She thought of when their parents had drowned at sea. Anna couldn't bear the thought of losing Elsa. Tears streamed down her face. She looked at Elsa, who seemed to have the same thought on her mind.

"Promise you'll come back."

Elsa hugged Anna tight. "I promise."

The sisters wiped their tears away. Elsa turned to look at Olaf. His snow flurry was still going strong. He could tell that Elsa was nervous so he smiled up at her and grabbed her hand.

"Everything is going to be ok Elsa. I'll be right here with you."

Somehow the snowman's words calmed her down. Elsa was so glad she had decided to bring him along.

Most of the kingdom had shown up to see off their beloved queen. Elsa was touched. Only months before Elsa saw herself as a monster and a danger to everyone around her. After her powers were revealed it seemed like her fears were true. But once she accepted herself the way she was, everyone else did as well. As she walked through the crowd to the boat, she heard people giving her their best wishes and their assurance she would return home safely. If only Elsa could believe that for herself. As she and Olaf boarded the boat, Elsa addressed the crowd.

"Thank you all for coming to see me off. I know Arendalle hasn't gained any new trade partners in years, but I intend to change that. Farewell my dear subjects. Not a moment will pass without me thinking of you." Elsa looked straight at Anna after that last bit of her speech. Anna understood what Elsa was saying and she waved to her sister.

Elsa watched as Arendalle grew further and further away until she could no longer see it. She sat down on the deck. Suddenly her heart sunk and a wave of homesickness washed over her. She felt so far away from home, from the world she knew and could handle. As Elsa felt her eyes fill with tears, Olaf plopped himself right next to her. He had a big grin on his face and Elsa found herself smiling as well.

"Thank you for coming with me Olaf. I thought I'd be able to handle being alone, heaven knows I've had a lot of practice, but now I see that I was just trying to put on a brave face."

Olaf just giggled and patted her hand. "No one really wants to be alone, do they?"

Even though he was only a few months old, Olaf was very wise. Elsa thought back to those long thirteen years of loneliness. She had wanted to be with her sister, but was too afraid that she would hurt her again. If she had known how to control her powers then, she would not have stayed alone in her room. Elsa looked at Olaf's earnest face and she gave the snowman a hug. She noticed that a few tears had escaped her eyes, but she didn't care nor did Olaf.

After a long month at sea, they had finally reached land. Elsa was so relieved to be able to stretch out her legs. The small bed quarters were fine for Olaf, he was short. He could walk in without having to duck his head. Some days Elsa was a tad jealous of his luck, but then Olaf would do something sweet for her. During the long month at sea, Olaf seemed to know exactly when Elsa was in need of a pick-me-up. She again silently thanked Anna and Olaf for insisting he come along. Olaf rushed into her quarters shaking Elsa out of her thoughts.

"Elsa, Elsa!" He sounded like Anna when she was little, asking her to come play. Elsa put a hand to her mouth as she let out a small giggle.

"Elsa, we're here! We can roam around free!" Olaf giggled.

Elsa thought back to their month at sea. Olaf tried to make friends with the crew, but they were too focused on their work. And no one was more focused than the captain. But Elsa completely understood why. The last time any member of the royal family had traveled by sea, they met an untimely end. That was why Anna and Elsa had traveled by land to get to Corona. She tried to explain this to Olaf as best she could without tearing up. Luckily, Olaf seemed to have a basic understanding of what had happened. So the two of them spend most of their time together, only seeing the crew at meal time and almost never saw the captain.

"All ashore that's going ashore."

Elsa and Olaf had walk for what seemed like hours before they finally found a town where they could stalk up on supplies and ask if anyone there knew what had happened to whoever ruled over this land. Elsa had made herself a dress that was a bit less elaborate than her dress she wore as the snow queen of Arendalle. It was much easier to travel in. But she still wore heeled shoes. Elsa hadn't worn flat shoes since she was thirteen. She knew as the future queen she had to become a proper lady and proper ladies wore heals. As they came closer to the village, Elsa wondered how she would present herself. Would she act as a queen should, or would she be too fearful? And how would the people react to a queen entering their village? What if she lost control of her powers? So many questions flooded her mind, she almost didn't hear Olaf.

"Look Elsa! The town is right there!" Olaf hopped in place. He hadn't realized how much he missed people until he saw the village.

Elsa took a deep breath to collect herself and clear her head. She had decided that she would just act as natural as she could. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Olaf bouncing up and down. It hit her right there that she could not bring him with her. Elsa was unsure the townspeople even knew that Arendalle had a new queen, much less one with the power over ice and snow. It broke her heart to have to tell Olaf couldn't come with her. He seemed so happy.

Elsa cleared her throat. "Olaf, I think it's better that you stay out of sight." Her heart sank as she spoke. But Olaf took the news better than she expected.

"Oh right, they might not know about your powers." Elsa was surprised that he knew exactly what she was thinking. But she should have expected it by now. Over there long trip, Olaf proved himself to be very insightful.

"Just wait right here and I'll be back as soon as possible." Olaf nodded in response and plopped down, humming to himself.

Ok Elsa. You can do this. Just picture these people as your own subjects. Elsa took another deep breath, put on a brave face, and made her way into the village.