Ever After

Chapter Four: Reconnection

"You put seaweed in Grimsby's pocket and he walked around smelling like a fish the entire time while conversing with the delegates from my country."

"I can't believe you remembered that," I laughed, fascinated at her amazing recall of this tiny detail among the letters I sent her so many years ago.

"How could I forget? You had me laughing so hard with that story." She giggled back slightly, as a flush formed on her cheeks that I found adorable. "And I finally found an explanation for Kai when he mentioned the Tastris ambassador smelled like the sea. That's Kai's diplomatic way of saying he stinks. Unfortunately, that comment of his got around at the Arendelle court before I can tell him the truth. Now poor Grimsby has a reputation for smelling fishy in my kingdom and it's all your fault."

I couldn't help but crack up on that one. "Well I hope now that your people have had a chance to meet Grimsby, he can salvage his reputation."

"It's too late for that Eric. His title as the 'Fishy Ambassador' got stuck in Arendelle. It's going to take quite an effort to change people's perception."

I leaned in as if to whisper conspiratorially but in truth I just wanted to find an excuse to get nearer to her to inhale her intoxicating scent. "Well let's not tell him that, shall we Elsa?"

To my surprise she didn't pull away and instead gave me a little wink. "I wouldn't dream of it," she said breathlessly.

Oh those eyes and those lips! I could stare at them all day.

Is there any other creature more fascinating than Queen Elsa of Arendelle? We've only had one turn among the gardens after dinner but it feels like we've been talking for ages. In this private moment away from my courtiers and her people, I was able to open up more about the little stories we used to tell each other. It was like no time passed since our last letter. There was no awkwardness, no hesitation on her part to delve on those old childhood memories and I was only too glad to indulge her. As an only child I had no siblings I can share my silly antics so I usually wrote about my boyhood pranks to Elsa. She appreciated a good story and always had a witty comeback to my tales. Tonight, I was discovering that her humor was even more fascinating to observe in person.

"I'm so glad we've finally had this chance to meet Eric," she said with sudden seriousness though the smile never left her dimpled cheek.

"I wish we had met sooner," I uttered before I remembered it was entirely my fault why we did not. Memories of some of her last letters came to my mind. Her words showed plainly her pain even though she was trying her best to show me the depth of her concern for me.

You haven't replied to my last letter. Eric, I'm sorry if I kept this from you, I was just scared. I never want to hurt or frighten you, but if I did, please forgive me...

I haven't heard from you in three months. I know I've hurt you, but please, I don't want to lose your friendship. Write me if you can...

I'm so sorry about your father. To have him gone from your life so soon after your mother... I cannot imagine your pain. My heart goes out to you. You are in my prayers every night and I hope this letter may comfort you. You have my support not just as one monarch to another but as your old friend. Write me one line, even just one. I beg you. Let me know you are alright...

I did write her back. I wrote her three lines. Three horribly cruel lines that made her stop writing altogether. When Grimsby attempted to get me to sail to Arendelle on my eighteenth birthday to see her and we got shipwrecked on the way, I never even bothered to reassure her with a note to say I was still alive. I let Grimsby do it for me when he sent that cold official report. There was no excuse for it. I was horrible to her and the least I can do was to acknowledge it now and provide an apology.