#restless night

They had sung that some things never change. But then, just in those days so much had changed. And still, Olaf was right "one thing will always last - love". Dear Olaf. Happiness filled her heart knowing Olaf was just a few feet away outside, together with her friends. The memory of his little body fading and flurrying off her embrace in the cave's dark made her quiver, but then, he was safe now, and cheerful as before.

While clasping her blanket Anna ran a finger over the ring on her left hand. A new touch. She glanced at the treasure on her hand and the orange stone shimmered in the light of the fire. She smiled about how wondrous her life had changed in such short time. And all for good. Though her body hurt, and her joints ached, reminding her of the climbing, running, and jumping efforts of the past day, Anna tried to take in how blessed she was.

Still stroking the ring on her finger, Anna´s memory wandered to the moment when Kristoff had taken her completely off guard with his sweet proposal. Hadn´t she dreamed of such a moment all her life. And then, compared to the rushed and false proposal performed by Hans back then, Kristoff was so genuinely in love with her. It was almost aching, the bliss that overcame her now, and something stirred within her. Anna turned to her side and took in her surroundings.

Honeymaren had invited the two sisters to sleep in her Kota, and Anna admired the colourful patterns on the inside of the walls, and Elsa´s new home made her smile.

Anna felt grateful. Still, something was unsettling within her. Her fingers run over the engagement ring again. Her engagement. A new change. A good change. A change for good and for love.

She sat up quietly as not to disturb Elsa´s sleep. As generous Honeymaren´s offer was… she mused. Annas place was not by Elsa´s side anymore. She belonged not in this accommodation. She belonged to someone else's side now.

The queen to be got up very quietly, silently gathered her blanket and tiptoed towards the entrance. She carefully opened the flap and hushed outside and glanced around.

All was quiet. It seemed that everyone had gone to sleep. A few reindeers paced the grass between the lodges and few fires were about to burn low. Anna turned around and peered over to where Kristoff had placed the sleigh and put up his own fireplace. It was a clear night, and the stars were shining bright. The moon was nearly full and lit the place almost in a magical light.

Olaf was asleep in the sleigh, snoring fully content.

Sven and Kristoff were not there. Maybe they were still with Ryder. He had asked Kristoff to join him taking the reindeers to a field outside the forest. It was well for her. Kristoff deserved a good and solid friendship. If he could take a good lot of the trip, it was a happy thing for her, too.

Anna decided to stay and wait. She could settle herself down and why not try to sleep a bit. Kristoff had of course found the perfect spot to camp. The ground was soft and dry and covered with a bed of soft moss. She fed the fire with some logs that lay prepared aside and then lay down with a sigh.

A sudden thought made her stir. Kristoff had not commented greatly on the fact that she was to take the crown now. Anna knew, he had told her before, to him she was his queen. Something she had always chuckled off. It had seemed simple of meaning to her. Now, she was about to be truly crowned. Her duties would increase, a full lot more than before.

So, what would it do to Kristoff? While they were best friends, though dating, he had never been bound to any official duty on his person, other than being appointed official royal ice deliverer. As her spouse, he would gain the title prince consort. Title itself was of no importance. But what impact would their new status have on their life as married couple? She was wondering if Kristoff was aware of that. If even to her all was kind of misty, how would he know?

Worry started to stir at the pit of her stomach. What if he got terrified by the sheer thought of that prospect? What if he had not realised up until now and would reconsider his love for her, compared to his freedom he had much appreciated before? Was she overacting and exaggerating now?

Anna laid confused and heavy breathing. Fear crawled unto her and a long forgotten mean little voice whispered into her ear, “what do you know about love? If only there was someone out there, who loved you. Really loved you, fought for you...” Anna shook off the mean voice and focused on what she knew today. No, she would not listen to this sort of lie again. She concentrated. That was all long gone, and Kristoff was NOT Hans. So, of course, she was exaggerating.

Nevertheless, Kristoff deserved only the best and happy life. A life well lived; not imprisoned in a castle and buried in terrifying duties and banquets just to please his wife. And for the sake of her love to him, honesty, and trust, she had to ask him exactly this scary question.

And it would be the next right thing to do, though something within told her, all would be fine. Why, she did not know, but trusted after all, it must be so.

Anna closed her eyes and sleep finally overcame her.

**********

Kristoff had enjoyed accompanying Ryder and the reindeers and learning so much about their lives here. But now it was time to retreat, and he turned to call Sven. His friend raised his head and peeped over to Kristoff. Sven seemed reluctant coming over. He enjoyed the company of his newfound friends. Kristoff understood, strolled over to the deer, and stroke his neck.

“It´s ok my friend,” he said, cuddling the animal, “you stay here and keep company. Just if you will come back home to Arendelle with us, okay?” Sven understood, the bond between them was so entrusted. In response Sven nuzzled his head against Kristoff´s chest and muffled his affirmation.

Walking back to his fireplace Kristoff mused over the past two days and a shiver ran down the strong man´s spine when he thought of their adventure and all the danger they had encountered.

And then, his heart leaped for short, recalling the sweet moment of their engagement. Anna had accepted his proposal; Kristoff could still hardly believe it and warmth filled his chest.

Still, he could not deny the abrupt change of their family bonds was a thing that might need time to sink in. He was wondering if Anna were aware what it meant to return to Arendelle without her beloved sister. At this very moment nobody worried about anything troublesome. The freed peace of the reunited spirits laid like a comforting blanket over the place – Northuldra and Arendelle equally.

He stopped abrupt and bent forward to have a closer look. Was he dreaming or did he truly see Anna lying there just a few feet away from him? He placed his feet carefully as not to wake her up. Still standing and staring down at his ginger sweet love, he started asking himself if anything had happened. Why was she out here and not sleeping in a much comfier way at Honeymaren´s place?

Kristoff turned and bent over the sleigh to check on Olaf. Snoring and chuckling in his sleep, the little snowman seemed lost in dreams and murmured contently. A peaceful sight. Good. Anna loved Olaf and his company will surely help her going back with a sense of familiarity.

And then, so much change lay ahead of her. New responsibility, new duties, and the weight of a crown she did not have to bother before. If anyone was strong and determined to lead Arendelle into a prospering future, for sure it was Anna´s heart that held up a gut of love for her people.

Kristoff peered down at the sleeping snowman and smiled. Olaf did not have to think about any of this. His world was all right the way it went, if only he had his friends to give warm hugs and summer would come back in turns.

A thought made its way back to the man´s mind. One he had carefully locked away in the back of his mind this afternoon, after learning that Elsa had decided to stay here, passing the crown to her younger sister. It seemed to be lurking in the dark, like an intruder would await the safety of night.

What position was he supposed to take at Anna´s side once she was crowned queen?

Not that a position and title itself would mean anything to the young man. In the contrary. All those functions, obligations and formalities terrified him in a way. There had been many occasions, where he had been invited and even requested to join a banquet or celebration at the princess´s side.

Elsa had made sure for etiquette reason to give Kristoff a proper legitimation of doing so. A few months ago, she had raised him to title of Lordship. The ritual of knighting had been kept as simple as possible and with a quiet and close circle of guests.

So, what now?

His mind felt blank. Would Anna know? Did she herself have a slight idea in that meaning? What if she did and was afraid of telling him? Then again, there had hardly been time musing over this matter on her part, right?

A sense of fear crawled up from somewhere in his guts up to his throat and threated to strangle his breath. He had felt this before. The moments he had tried to propose to Anna and failing in words and performance. But then, he had managed at the end and Anna did not seem to remember his former attempts. Apparently, she did not mind his clumsiness in formal affairs at all. Never had she ever scorned him for not going along like a fine aristocratic. Anna was always sweet when it came to give him small hints or gestures to make him find a proper answer to a guest´s question or request of action; like toasting or even give an official start to a small private banquet or dinner. As a princess, Anna was not the first person of attention of things.

There had still been Elsa above her. Now, she would be the rightful queen of Arendelle and he…. How could he possibly fit in?

He pressed his clenched fists to his chest. Swallowing the knot in his throat that seemed to take his breath. Anna deserved only good.

But then, she was so happy and overwhelmed of his proposing. Confirming it all with this little cry and throwing herself indulgingly into his embrace. Another thought made its way into his mind and lowering all the way into his heart, “she loves you the way you are!” So, what if she wanted him, nevertheless? What if she did not bother about his lack of royal education?

If so, oh if so, he would get along. He would make it work, somehow. He would learn his deal and try his best. And then there would be time for mountain trips, he was sure. Either way, Kristoff was convinced that he´d rather take the challenge of living a royal life with Anna, the best he could, than a so-called free life without her. He could never settle for anyone else. He sighed. Still, he had to speak up to her. She deserved the chance to think over it.

He turned and got down on one knee to have a closer look at his bride. His eyes rested on her face, tired and still so beautiful in the firelight. His gaze wandered to her hands. One was tucked under her cheek, while the other rested on top of the blanket, holding it to her chest. Her skin was bruised and scratched, testifying her adventurous journey of late.

Kristoff got up slowly and quietly. He turned to the sleigh once more and nestled under the seat, carefully not waking Olaf. There it was. He pulled out a little flask of his bag. No matter where he went, he always had his supplies of first aid with him. The flask he held in his hand had been a gift from his adoptive mother, Bulda. The trolls had their own remedies to handle wounds and illnesses. He got down to Anna´s side again.

“Oh Anna, I love you so much. Sleep well my ginger sweet love.” Kristoff carefully took her left hand and started pouring the oily fluid unto her skins. Soft and tenderly as not to wake her up.

*****************

There was a soft touch to her hand. It felt so nice…

Anna opened her eyes and smiled at the man to her side. He had just finished his task on Annas left hand and was musing over how to get hold of her right hand, when he realised, she was looking at him.

“I´m sorry I woke you”, he apologised, still whispering. Anna chuckled.

“I´m glad you did”, she said with a warm smile.

Kristoff sighed and relaxed. Anna looked down at her left hand.

“Thank you”, she said softly, smiling back at Kristoff, “that feels good. Bulda´s magical remedy, yes?” Kristoff nodded. He was not sure, what to do next. For the time being he gestured as to sooth her right hand, too. Anna sat up and let him repeat the procedure, gratefully taking in his gentle touch.

“I am surprised to find her majesty lying in the moss. Does this have a special reason?” He tried to be jokingly while putting the flask aside. He hoped to make her feel at ease. She did. She gave him a loving smile.

“Ah, yes, there is,” and she glanced at him warmly, though with a sigh, “Kristoff, I´m sorry for calling on you so late!”

“Oh, but Anna why would you say that? You know, it makes me happy when you trust me that much as to come out and seek my companionship no matter the time, day nor night!”

Anna lowered her face and then looked up with a sparkling smile.

“Kristoff, I couldn´t sleep, my mind spinning with questions and wondering how everything will work. But then, one thing I realised, and it was then so clear to me. My place is at your side now, and I simply could not stay over there for a reason.”

She pointed in direction of the lodges. Kristoff swallowed. Was she aware of the meaning? He remembered the urgent topic he felt necessary to bring up. But not now! Now, rest was at bay.

“And I feel completely honoured hosting my lovely lady.” He reassured her with a wink.

“Thank you.” Anna said quietly.

“Of course!” he exclaimed and then shifted to lay down close to her.

“Come here”, he said softly and reached to pull his bride into a comforting hold. Anna smiled, scooted closer and snuggled in.

“Good night, my love”, she sighed, placing her palm on Kristoff´s chest and he reached to rest his hand on hers and they both smiled into the trustful touch.

“Good night, my queen”, Kristoff replied, kissing her forehead. He took in the magical moment, before closing his eyes and drifting away with a warm touch to his heart.