Royal parade

Anna held the letter in her hand and mused over the fact that the conditions might get tricky.

It had been a few weeks since the wedding and she was happy with things going fairly smooth, with her stumbling on her duties here and there. And she was proud of Kristoff, the way he had stepped into his tasks as prince consort, facing positions of which he hadn't even known before, they existed in the first place.
  He had taken part in parliamentarian discussions about education administration for less fortunate citizens. Another part that had took more and more of his focus was the unity of guilds' policies. He had set his mind of optimizing their trading and working conditions. She would let him have his way. Anna recognized the passion growing in him, that was astonishing.

Only now, she would not know how to confront her husband with this invitation they had received this morning. She had asked Kai to call for the stablemaster. She needed his advice.

Mr. Hansen was announced and entered the royal office.
  Anna explained to the experienced horseman, that in short time he would have to indulge in teaching his majesty, him riding a horse.

Mr. Hansen was a keen man, straight forward. A characteristic type, Kristoff liked very much. But now, Mr. Hansen swayed his weight on his feet, to the toes and heels, slowly, hands locked on his back, considering the queen's request. After a while, he curled his lips and then sighed, "by all respect, your majesty. I'm sorry. I'm aware this is what is asked of the young prince. But I doubt he will like it. Not that he wouldn't like the animal, but this is not his type of riding partner."

"I know that. And believe me, I hate the thought of leaving Sven out. But I can't possibly riding on a horse, and him not. How would that look?" Anna shrugged and sighed.

"Maybe her majesty would discuss this with his majesty in the first place. Once he agrees, I will help the best I can. Besides, I'm sure he would learn it easily. You know, I wouldn't know about riding a reindeer. But with his balance routine it might not be that difficult to swop the style."

Anna thanked the man and then braced herself on telling Kristoff.

She would find him in the library, going through a documentation he was looking for earlier.
  "Hi there," she approached and laid a hand on his shoulder, bending down to perk a kiss on his cheek.

"Hi sweety," he replied and grinned up to her, always delighted to see his delicate wife. His face sobered when he noticed her looks. "Hey, what's wrong Anna? You look worried. Anything happened?" He got up that fast, his chair tipping over in the haste, putting his hands softly on her shoulders.

Anna sighed and shrugged. "I don't know. No. Nothing, at least in particular. We received a letter from King Berthold and Queen Maria of Svezia. You remember?"
  Kristoff thought hard, then he nodded. Far back in his mind he had heard those names before. "So, what's so terrible with that letter? Declared war?" he mused jokingly.
  Anna frowned and shook her head, "that's not funny." Kristoff tilted his head, apologizing to her. "So, what is it then?"

"It's an invitation to their royal festivity, celebrating their round anniversary." Anna looked down at the letter, then glancing up with pressed lips, nearly whispering, "it beholds a request..."
  Kristoff knew that facial expression of his lovely spouse. He started musing, "okay, they want us to dance all night through till we all drop dead. Or we must parade like the overdressing aristocracy, riding white horses with ribbons in their manes." He laughed; the thought was too hilarious.

Anna still didn't laugh, she pulled a face, remarking, "almost. Just, without the dancing part."
  "Wait what?!"

She would read out the part, where the royal guests were asked to bring their finest horses for a show-off parade, to the greatest delight of their hosts.
  Kristoff glared at her, then at the letter, then back at her. "Okay, say you're kidding, right?!"