Frozen 3

Second part

Chapter 22

Anna

I opened the shutters of my window. The sunlight dazzled me instantly. I was not used to it anymore, I who had lived several cold and dark months. The warmth seemed to come back little by little. I had missed it so much. I looked down. Arendelle was coming back to life. The kingdom had been plunged into a dead calm during the winter. All activity had ceased. Everyone had stayed at home. But everything was finally coming back to life with the spring. The snow had finally retreated, leaving the cobblestones of the streets and the roofs of the houses to reappear. The alleys were full of life again, with children shouting happily as they crossed them. The people seemed to be returning to the normal life they had missed. I smiled as I watched them. They were so carefree and enjoying the return of the good weather. I envied them terribly, as I had been in their place only a few months before.

"Your Majesty?"

I gasped, not having heard Kai enter.

"Some villagers are asking for you at the main gate, Your Highness," the butler said with a solemn look.

I frowned. It was early. Too early for my presence to be requested already.

"Just give me time to get dressed properly and I'll be right over," I said to the servant, keeping my usual smile as best I could. "Yes, ma'am."

Kai slipped away and closed the door of my room behind him. I fell back on my bed and let out a grunt. I felt exhausted - again.

"You can do this, Anna, you can do this," I whispered to myself.

I straightened up in one piece, not allowing myself another minute of rest, and headed for my closet.

***

Two guards opened the huge wooden door. A line of people was lined up in the courtyard. The chatter died down when I arrived. I noticed the many shifty looks. Some of them could not take their eyes off their feet. I could feel the awkwardness and the heavy atmosphere outside. I didn't understand what was going on. Their serious faces frightened me. The crowd began to dissipate, soon forming an eerie mass of people who seemed just as lost as I was. Whispers were flying in all directions. I stood upright on the raised threshold of the palace. I could not understand what was being said. The whispers blended together, becoming an incomprehensible hubbub. Suddenly, a dark-skinned man, taller and more imposing than the rest of the crowd, stepped forward and pushed his way through the crowd. He towered over the crowd. The crowd moved aside, making room for him. He wore a khaki green uniform and a cream-colored cape. Lieutenant Mattias. I hadn't seen him dressed like that since he decided to leave his post after thirty-five years of loyal service to the kingdom of Arendelle. He walked up the few steps that separated us from each other. He greeted me politely, leaning forward slightly and keeping one hand behind his back. Then a bucket covered with a tarp was brought to him.

"Queen Anna," he began, "I speak to you today as both a civilian and a military man."

His face was closed. I expected the worst. I had never seen Lieutenant Mattias so tense and formal. He bent over to the bucket, removed the cover and brought it up to his waist. I found apples, carrots and some tiny but already blackened cabbages.