wouldn’t travel to Arendelle to see Princess Elsa’s coronation in person, Harmon was still celebrating in its own way. Many people were closing their shops early and planning to rejoice in the streets with shared food, good friends, and dancing. Ma had baked several cakes for the occasion, Goran from the market was bringing a roasted pig and potatoes, and Papa had talked with some men who were bringing their lutes. It was a glorious summer day, and she could feel the charge in the air.
After three years without a true leader, Arendelle was finally getting its queen.
Coronation day was all about new beginnings and fresh starts. Anna wished the day when she, too, would get her new beginning could arrive sooner rather than later, but how could she argue with her parents? She was still young. Sort of. And they needed her help. Definitely. Three more years would go by fast…she hoped.
“Thank you, Anna!” Mrs. Eriksen said as Anna placed several cinnamon buns in a bag for her. “I will see you later at the party.”
“See you tonight!” Anna said, watching Mrs. Eriksen open the bakery door. When it opened, Anna noticed a young man outside with a reindeer. Their backs were to the door. Kristoff!
She couldn’t believe he had come. She wiped her hands on her apron and rushed outside, hearing Kristoff’s conversation with Sven in the process.
“Yes, I’m going to talk to her. Maybe.” Kristoff huffed. “You, Bulda, Grand Pabbie…you act like this is so easy! They may be so-called love experts, but they’ve never left the valley.”
Sven snorted.
“Hi,” Anna interrupted, feeling funny. She was suddenly very aware of how she looked, and how he did, too. Kristoff had on a bright blue dress shirt and clean pants. She was wearing a green dress under a flour-and-icing-covered apron. Her braids, which she’d had in for two days, needed refreshing. “Were you looking for me? I mean, not actually looking, but you’re here, so maybe…you’re hungry?”
He immediately blushed. “What? Yes. I mean, no. I…” He pressed a bunch of carrots into her hands. “I just wanted to give you what I owed you.”
“Oh.” Anna looked down. “You didn’t have to bring me back—oof!”
Sven had bumped into Anna, sending her flying into Kristoff’s arms. The two tumbled backward, falling onto several stacks of flour Anna’s parents hadn’t had a chance to bring into the shop yet.
“This is awkward,” Anna said, struggling to get up. “Not because you’re awkward. Because we’re…I’m…awkward.” She stood up. “You’re gorgeous. Wait, what?”
She’d never said anything like that before. Did she think Kristoff was gorgeous? She needed to change the subject fast. “So that’s the only reason you came by? To give me carrots?”
“Oh. Uh…” Kristoff looked like a reindeer caught in carriage lights. “Uh…” Sven kept snorting. “I can’t stay. I have a delivery in Arendelle, so I’m headed down the mountain.”
“Down the mountain?” Anna cut in. “That’s where I’m going! Well, not today, but in three years. I’m going to open up my own bakery in Arendelle.”
Kristoff scratched his head. “In three years?”
“Yes,” Anna said. “My parents want me to run their shop, but I want to leave Harmon someday.” Kristoff just looked at her. “You should understand. You get to see the whole kingdom with your ice business! Your carriage takes you everywhere, while I’m always stuck here.”
“I wouldn’t call it stuck,” Kristoff muttered. “Seems like a nice place to live. Try begging to sleep in people’s barns all the time when you’re on the road and being raised in a field full of rocks.”
“What?” Anna thought she must have heard him incorrectly.
“Nothing.” Kristoff looked away.
Anna thought again of the life Freya had lost. She didn’t want to waste another moment being in a place she didn’t truly love. “You don’t understand.” She played with one of her braids. Three years feels so far away.
“Hey.” Kristoff moved closer. “Your hair.”
“Oh.” She was used to this question. “The white stripe? I was born with it,” she explained. “That’s what my parents were told. They actually adopted me when I was a baby. I dreamt that I was kissed by a troll.”
Kristoff’s eyes widened. “Did you say ‘troll’?” He hurried after her to hear more.
“Anna is…dead?” Olaf repeated as if he didn’t understand the words coming out of his mouth.
Elsa saw his heartbroken face and heard a sob escape her lips before she even realized it was happening. “I think I killed her.”
A blue glow appeared above her fingers, ice escaping and climbing up