The Secret Document
An unnatural rain pounded on the roof of Arendelle Castle when Gerda woke her king and queen. “Lady Idun,” she said cautiously, “Lord Agdar, I apologize for waking you at this late hour, but I’m afraid this is an urgent matter.”
"Of course, Gerda," the king replied, a stifled yawn the only indication that he had been asleep. Gerda had always admired how well he held himself in any situation. He and his wife made to leave their bed, pulling night robes around themselves.
"It’s a babe, Your Majesties. A babe was left at the gate, frozen to the bone, the poor dear, with a note." Gerda withdrew the note from her apron pocket and read it aloud:
"Hail King Agdar and Queen Idun
"Please forgive me for my boldness and irresponsibility, but I can no longer care for my daughter. I know that you still have not borne a child, so I consider it my responsibility to help you in the only way I can. I have no money to offer as thanks or to help with her upbringing. Please, love her as your own despite her abnormal abilities; I’m afraid she was born with them. I have named her Elsa, but you may call her by another name if it suits you. Again, please accept my deepest apologies.
"Your Faithful Servant"
"A babe? Oh, Agdar!" Lady Idun grasped her husband’s arm as she spoke. "A little girl? Where is she? How old?"
"She’s not but a few months old, at my best guess," Gerda said solemnly, "I ordered a few of the maids to take her to the kitchens to warm and feed her."
"What of these ‘abnormal abilities’?" King Agdar asked cautiously, always the practical thinker.
"My Lord, I have not seen anything out of the norm." Gerda waited patiently as the king and queen exchanged a meaningful look.
"Please give us a moment, Gerda," the king requested.
"Of course, Your Majesties," Gerda said, bowing as she backed out of the royal chambers.
"A babe!" Lady Idun whispered excitedly, rounding to face her husband.
"At what cost?" He asked dramatically, raising his hands as he spoke, "What if this is some kind of ploy? Some kind of trap?"
"Oh, Agdar," she shook her head. "You suspect everyone of treason."
"Our safety is of utmost importance," he reminded her, "after all, our country needs us."
"Agdar!" the sternness in his wife’s voice startled him, "How dare you be a pessimist in such a promising event? Give the infant a chance before you decide that she’s a spy or a threat." She extended a shaking hand toward him. "Come, let’s meet our daughter."
"She’s not our daughter yet," he reminded her, but Queen Idun recognized a tone of resignation in his voice. King Agdar offered his wife his arm, and they made their way to the kitchens.
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