Once Upon A Time Frozen Over: Shards of Secrets (Book One) [COMPLETE]

CHAPTER SEVEN - INTO THE WOODS

Present Day

Midday

Elsa, now in her dusty blue, white fur-trimmed riding coat and white trousers, was intently reviewing the map of the kingdom in her study.

Alrik, one of her advisors, came into the study, bowing his head as he entered.  "Your Majesty, all of your affairs are in order and we have set up a curfew as you instructed." 

"Thank you," Elsa said, without looking up, still fixated on the map.  She was desperately trying to memorize every inch of the forest. 

"Your Majesty," Alrik pleaded, "you don't have to do this.  We can send out our best soldiers —"

"No," Elsa interrupted, "I do have to do this.  I had my chance to destroy the manticore and I failed.  I'm queen and these are my people — I have to protect them.  This is my fight now."  Elsa quickly grabbed the map in frustration and turned to leave the room.  The long, flowing train of her riding coat, whipped behind her as she hurriedly walked out of the study, made her way out of the castle and into the courtyard where Anna was waiting for her.

Anna, with her hand resting on her sword in its sheath, was in her pine green riding coat, purple, lace-up corset and tan, suede trousers and gloves.  Her long, fiery red hair, full of waves from being unbraided, looked ablaze against her green coat.

Elsa was at the bottom of the steps to the courtyard, when she suddenly stopped walking toward Anna.  Elsa had a look of disappointment and concern on her face.  It turned out that Anna wasn't the only one waiting for her.  Standing next to Anna was a tall, blonde-haired man in a harvesting tunic with an ice pick in his sash, a large, worn backpack on his back and a reindeer by his side.

Elsa, now irritated, saw little flurries begin to swirl around her.  She quickly swiped her hand in front of her to make them disappear before anyone could notice.  She took a deep breath, straightened her posture and quickly walked toward them. 

 "What is he doing here," Elsa said, glaring at Kristoff.

"Good to see you too, Your Majesty," Kristoff snarked.

"I thought he could help.  He knows every inch of the kingdom like the back of his hand," Anna explained.

"Oh, that's new," Kristoff said, inspecting his hands and clearly not paying attention.

Elsa glowered at him and rolled her eyes.  "I see you brought your smelly coconspirator?" 

Sven snorted. 

"He's not that smelly — he just had his bath last month," Kristoff replied.

Elsa huffed, turned back to Anna and said, "Anna, I thought it was going to be just me and you today."

"But, we need him to come with us." 

"I studied the kingdom's topography for three years.  I think we can manage on our own," Elsa said, tightening her grip on the map.

"Exactly, you have only studied it.  Kristoff has actually traveled all through the land.  He knows all the shortcuts and the areas we should avoid," Anna said convincingly.

"Maybe this isn't about the forest at all...maybe this is your feelings getting in the way," Elsa said quietly to Anna as she glanced at Kristoff.

"Yeah...uh...Anna told me that she told you about us and I can assure you there is nothing to be concerned about," Kristoff interjected.

"And her last dalliance tried to kill us all, so I think I have the right to be a little concerned," Elsa said firmly.

"I thought we agreed to put that behind us," Anna said, looking confused and a little hurt.  "I thought you were happy for us."