In the streets below, Anna was strolling dreamily around the harbor, watching the ships and imagining all the fun the coronation party would bring. For once, it wouldn’t matter that Elsa didn’t want to spend time with her, because she’d be spending time with everyone else!
Anna rounded a corner and suddenly–smack!–a horse bumped into her!
Caught by surprise, Anna lost her balance and stumbled, falling into a small rowboat on the dock. The boat tipped precariously toward the water. Luckily, the horse came forward and placed its hoof on the end of the boat to keep it from sliding into the harbor.
“Hey!” Anna exclaimed in surprise, looking up at the horse and its rider.
“I’m so sorry,” the rider said. “Are you hurt?”
Anna tried to regain her composure. “Hey, uh… No, I’m okay,” she managed to say. She couldn’t help noticing that the rider was very handsome.
“Are you sure?” the young man asked. He hopped off his horse. He was tall and sharply dressed in a fancy uniform. He looked very concerned about her welfare.
“Yeah, I just wasn’t looking where I was going,” Anna said. She smiled. “But I’m great, actually.”
“Oh, thank goodness,” the stranger said, smiling. He stepped into the little boat and extended his hand to Anna. When their eyes met, a happy charge of excitement passed between them.
The young man smiled. “Prince Hans of the Southern Isles,” he said, introducing himself.
Anna stood up and curtsied. “Princess Anna of Arendelle,” she replied.
“Princess?” he responded, horrified. “My lady!” He dropped to one knee and bowed his head.
His horse also dropped to one knee. Immediately, the little boat tipped backward, and Hans tumbled on top of Anna. They both giggled awkwardly.
“Hi again,” Anna said. The prince’s face was just inches from hers.
Apparently realizing his mistake, the horse slammed its hoof back down on the boat. Anna and Hans fell the opposite way. This time, Anna landed on top of Hans!
“Oh, boy,” Hans said, embarrassed.
“Ha! This is awkward,” Anna said, acknowledging their positions. “Not that you’re awkward,” she said, trying to cover her embarrassment. “But just because we’re…I’m awkward!” she said. “You’re gorgeous.” Her hand flew to her mouth. Had she just said that out loud? “Wait, what?”
Hans jumped to his feet, quickly regaining a royal posture. “I’d like to formally apologize for hitting the Princess of Arendelle with my horse. And for every moment after,” he added.
“No, no,” Anna said. “It’s fine. I’m not that princess. I mean, if you’d hit my sister, Elsa, this would be…” She paused for a moment. “Yeesh! Because, you know…” Anna patted the horse, trying to recover her rambling thoughts. “Hello,” she said to the horse. She turned back to Hans and offered him a princess grin. “But lucky for you, it’s just me.”
“Just you?” Hans asked. A warm smile spread across his face.
Anna couldn’t help smiling back. All of sudden, the castle bells began to peal.
“The bells!” she cried. “The coronation—I’d better go,” she said. She hopped off the boat onto the pier and waved. “Uh, bye!”
Hans waved back. Even the horse waved, lifting his hoof off the boat for a moment. Unfortunately, that caused the boat’s weight to shift again.
“Oh, no!” Hans said.
The boat flipped off the dock and Hans fell into the water with a splash! Lifting the boat off his head, Hans peeked up from the water and watched Anna run through the streets toward the castle. He grinned as he thought about his wonderful chance meeting with the beautiful princess.
Soon the people of Arendelle, along with dignitaries from around the land, were making their way into the royal church for Elsa’s coronation. Kristoff, however, was far away, in a corner of the town. He had sold all his ice and was now busy bargaining for a brand-new sled.
“Watch this, Sven,” Kristoff called as he played around with the sled’s special features, which allowed it to switch between runners and wheels. “It’s a sled! It’s a wagon! It’s a sled! It’s a wagon!”
The sled salesman looked concerned, as if he was wondering what kind of person would talk to a reindeer. But he wanted to finish the sale. He tried to make small talk as they completed their deal. “You sticking around to see the queen and the princess?” he asked Kristoff.
“Are you kidding?” Kristoff replied. “I’ve got a brand-new sled…with wheels!” He grinned. “I’m hitting the road.”
“Suit yourself,” the man said. “But I bet they’re beautiful.”
Kristoff didn’t even hear the man. He and Sven were already headed back to the mountains with their new sled.
The cathedral was packed with people as the coronation ceremony began. An orchestra played and a choir sang while the royal procession walked down the very long center aisle. The bishop led the way, followed by Elsa, looking regal and serious, and finally Anna, holding the train of Elsa’s dress.
At the altar, Elsa and Anna faced the bishop. Near him lay a silver platter holding the royal crown, scepter, and orb.
Peeking over her shoulder, Anna spotted the handsome Prince Hans. He sat straight and tall, and a stranger was asleep on his shoulder! Hans waved at Anna, who giggled.
The bishop placed the crown on Elsa’s head. Then he turned for the scepter and orb and presented them to Elsa. She reached for the royal items, but the bishop cleared his throat. “Ahem. Your gloves, Your Majesty.”
Elsa took a sharp breath. If she took the gloves off, she might accidentally let out her icy magic. She hesitated, growing pale with worry.
Anna took that moment to look over at Hans and smile at him. She couldn’t wait to talk to him at the ball!
Elsa slowly removed her gloves and placed them on the satin pillow. With a deep breath, she took the orb and scepter into her hands. She turned to face the crowd.
“As the undoubted queen, protector of this dominion,” the bishop intoned, “keeper of the doctrine and government thereof from this day forward, I present to you Her Majesty…”
Elsa’s eyes widened as the scepter and orb began to freeze in her hands! She tried desperately to control her emotions. She was just so nervous!
“…Queen Elsa of Arendelle!” The bishop finished his decree.
The people in the church rose. “Queen Elsa of Arendelle!” they echoed.
Elsa quickly placed the orb and scepter back on the silver tray and grabbed her gloves. With a sigh of relief, she realized that no one had seen the ice on the orb or the scepter. She smiled at the cheering crowd. She had made it through the ceremony!
Later, at the coronation ball, Elsa and Anna stood side by side in a long receiving line at the entrance to the Great Hall. Elsa felt relaxed, almost content, now that the most difficult part of Coronation Day was over. Festive music filled the air as guests danced across the floor of the lavishly decorated ballroom.
“You look beautiful,” Elsa said to Anna.
“Thank you,” Anna said in surprise. A smile spread across her face. Her sister had actually spoken to her! “You look beautiful-er,” Anna replied. Then she realized how strange that had sounded and blurted out an explanation. “Not that you’re fuller. No. Just more beautiful!”
Elsa grinned. “Thank you.” Then she looked out at the crowded ballroom. “So this is what a party looks like?”
Anna nodded. “It’s warmer than I thought.”
“All the people, I guess,” Elsa said. “And what is that amazing smell?”
Both of them caught a whiff of a sweet aroma wafting across the room. “Chocolate!” they exclaimed at the same time. Then they looked at each other and started laughing.
Anna could hardly believe that Elsa was treating her so kindly. She was about to say more to her sister, but just then, a guest stepped up to be presented to the new queen and the princess. “The Duke of Weaseltown,” a royal attendant announced.
“Weselton,” the Duke corrected him. Then he bowed his head. “As your closest partner in trade, it seems only fitting that I offer you your first dance as queen.”
Elsa stiffened and clasped her gloved hands together. “Thank you,” she said. “But I don’t dance.”
The Duke looked offended, so Elsa quickly nudged Anna forward. “But my sister is a marvelous dancer.”
Anna was a little startled, but she allowed the Duke to lead her to the dance floor.
Unfortunately, the Duke was a horrible dancer. He couldn’t seem to take one step without crushing Anna’s toes. As he bobbed up and down, his toupee bounced back and forth on his head—and he never stopped talking.
“Bump-be-dump-bah! Look at me!” he crowed. “This certainly makes up for being shut out for twelve years for no reason. Do you know the reason?” he asked Anna. “No? Well, watch this: like a chicken with the face of a monkey, I fly!”
Anna cringed as the Duke danced around her like a dying peacock. Then she caught sight of Elsa watching from the side of the room, barely able to keep from laughing. Anna shot Elsa a number of “help me” looks, but there was no way out of it. She was forced to finish the dance, much to Elsa’s amusement.
After the dance, Anna limped back to Elsa. “Well, he was sprightly,” said the queen with a smile.
“Especially for a man in heels!” Anna replied. Both sisters giggled.
“Are you all right?” Elsa asked more gently.
Anna smiled. “I’ve never been better,” she said, glancing into Elsa’s eyes. “This is so nice. I wish it could be like this all the time.”
“Me too,” Elsa said wistfully. Then she caught herself and stiffened. “But it can’t.”
“Why not?” Anna asked, surprised at Elsa’s sudden change of attitude.
Elsa tensed. “Because it can’t,” she said firmly.
Anna’s felt all her old disappointment rushing back. “Excuse me,” she said. Elsa watched sadly as Anna walked away.
Anna pushed through the crowd of guests, and one of the dancers tripped into her, knocking her backward. Someone grabbed her by the arms before she hit the floor.
“Glad I caught you,” Hans said, smiling.
“Hans!” she said, surprised.
Hans lifted Anna back to her feet, and the two immediately were drawn into the dance. Hans was an excellent dancer, and Anna was happy to let him guide her around the ballroom, twirling her at just the right moments. She was amazed at how natural it felt.
After that, she and Hans walked and laughed and danced some more. One hour turned into many hours of them talking and enjoying each other’s company.
Finally, they took a break and strolled into the rose garden. Hans plucked a rose and placed it in Anna’s hair. As he did, he noticed the white streak running down the side of her head. “What’s this?”
Anna put her hand to her hair. “I was born with it,” she told him. “Although I dreamt I was kissed by a troll.”
“I like it,” Hans said.
On the balcony, they sat on a bench and Anna taught Hans how to eat a krumkake. “Just bite it. The whole thing!” she said. The pair laughed as the treat crumbled all over Hans’s face.
Hans told Anna about his family. “I have twelve older brothers,” he said. “Three of them pretended I was invisible…for two years.”
“That’s horrible,” Anna said.
“It’s what brothers do,” he replied with a shrug.
Anna smiled knowingly. “And sisters,” she added. “Elsa and I were really close when we were little. But then one day she just shut me out, and I never knew why.”
“I would never shut you out,” Hans said, gazing into Anna’s eyes.
Anna beamed. “Okay, can I just say something crazy?” she asked.
“I love crazy,” Hans said with a wide grin.
“All my life has been a series of doors in my face,” she said. “Then suddenly, I bump into you!” Anna explained that she felt like she’d been waiting her whole life to meet him. And Hans agreed. He felt the same way! Anna couldn’t believe her good fortune. At last, here was someone who understood her. Someone who was open to new experiences and people, exactly the way she was. Hans was sweet, kind, and fun. They spent the rest of the party together, dancing, laughing, and discussing their pasts—and their futures, too.
“Can I say something crazy?” Hans asked suddenly. “Will you marry me?”
Anna gasped. “Can I just—ooh. I mean, yes!” She was amazed that she and Hans had found each other. She just knew that they were meant to be.
“Elsa!” Anna called from across the ballroom. She pulled Hans toward her sister. “May I present Prince Hans of the Southern Isles,” she said formally.
“Your Majesty.” Hans greeted the queen with a deep bow.
Anna was beaming. “We would like—”
“—your blessing—” Hans continued.
“—of our marriage!” Anna finished breathlessly.
“Marriage?” Elsa asked. “I’m confused.”
“Well, we haven’t worked out all the details,” Anna said. “We’ll need a few days to plan the ceremony. Of course, we’ll have soup, roast, and ice cream…” Anna turned to Hans. “Would we live here?”
“Here?” Elsa asked.
“Absolutely!” Hans cried.
“What? No,” Elsa said.
“And we’ll invite all twelve of your brothers to stay here with us, and—” Anna stopped as Elsa put up her hand.
“Wait,” she said. “Slow down. Anna, no one’s brothers are staying here. No one is getting married.”
Anna’s mouth dropped open. “Wait, what?”
“I need to talk to you,” Elsa said sternly. “Alone.”
Anna linked her arm with Hans’s. “No,” she said. “Whatever you have to say, you can say to both of us.”
Elsa shook her head. “No.… You can’t marry a man you just met.”
Standing straighter, Anna spoke up. “You can if it’s true love.”
“What do you know about true love?” Elsa replied, scoffing at her sister’s naiveté.
“More than you,” Anna replied. “All you want is to be alone.”
Elsa took a deep breath. “You asked for my blessing, but my answer is no. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” she said, and started to move away.
“Your Majesty,” Hans said. “If I may—”
“No, you may not,” Elsa snapped. “And I think you should go.” She walked off and signaled to one of the guards. “The party is over. It’s time to close the gates.”
Anna ran after her. “Elsa! No!” She reached for her sister and grabbed her hand. As she tugged at her to stay, Elsa’s glove slipped off.
“Give me my glove!” Elsa exclaimed.
Anna held the glove up and away from Elsa. “No, listen to me,” she said, “I can’t live like this anymore!”
Elsa fought to gain control. “Then leave,” she finally said. She saw the hurt on Anna’s face. She turned to flee from the room.
“What did I ever do to you?” Anna cried.
“Enough, Anna!” Elsa ordered.
“Why do you shut me out?” Anna asked. “Why do you shut the world out? What are you so afraid of?”
“I said enough!” Elsa shouted, spinning around. As she did, ice shot from her bare hand, coating the floor of the ballroom and frothing up into icy plumes.
The music stopped abruptly and everyone turned to stare at Elsa in shock. She stared at her subjects, wishing with all her heart that she could take the magic back.
But it was too late. Sheets of ice covered the dance floor. The Great Hall fell into a chilly silence.
The Duke gasped. “Sorcery! I knew there was something going on here.”
“Elsa?” Anna called, but Elsa was already pushing through the doors and racing out of the room.
Elsa burst into the courtyard. She was so afraid now that her secret was out. She hoped she hadn’t hurt anyone. Regardless, ev
eryone in Arendelle would soon know about her magic.
“There she is!” cried a townswoman, excited to get a glimpse of the newly crowned queen. The woman obviously had no idea what had just happened in the ballroom. “Your Majesty! Long live the queen! Queen Elsa!”
Elsa backed away from the woman and quickly weaved through the crowd, trying hard not to touch anyone as she backed away. She didn’t want to cause any harm with her powers. She just wanted to leave the kingdom and hide!
A young woman with a small child in her arms called to her. “Your Majesty, are you all right?” she asked, full of concern.
Elsa put her hands behind her and moved away. She slowly walked backward, accidentally bumping into the fountain in the center of the courtyard. As soon as she touched the fountain, the water in it froze to solid ice.
There was a loud gasp from the villagers. People turned and ran away from Elsa.
The Duke and his guards ran down the castle steps. “There she is!” he shouted, leading the charge toward Elsa. “Get her!”
“Just stay away from me! Stay away!” Elsa cried. She held her hands up, causing the castle steps to ice over. The Duke’s guards slipped and tumbled down to the ground.
“Monster!” the Duke hissed.
The crowd panicked. A swirl of cold air traveled through Arendelle as Elsa ran along the streets, leaving ice and snow in her wake.
Anna watched from the castle gates. “Elsa!” she called. “Wait, please!” She rushed from the castle and ran after Elsa. Hans trailed behind her. “Elsa!” Anna cried desperately.
Elsa looked over her shoulder as she neared the water. When she turned, her foot touched the lapping waves—and the water in the fjord immediately froze. She took another cautious step…and another sheet of ice bloomed under her foot.
“Elsa!” Anna called after her.
Feeling her panic grow, Elsa ran across the fjord. With each step, more water froze underneath her. Soon she was moving at full speed, heading toward the mountains on the other side of the lake. As she passed, the ships belonging to the visiting dignitaries creaked and locked into place, frozen in the ice. The gorgeous summer day had turned into a growing winter storm.
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