Olaf, Phillip, and Mandevu's Frozen Adventure

Chapter 1

Princess Anna gestured to a spot in the shade of a big twisted oak tree and smiled at her sister. 

"What do you think?" she asked.  

Queen Elsa nodded.  "Perfect," she replied.  She helped Anna spread an oversized blanket onto the soft grass.  Once it was stretched out nice and flat, the two collapsed on top.  Joining them were their two dear friends: Phillip and Mandevu.  

"Oh, I love these sister picnics," said Anna, grinning.  She sat up and peered into the picnic basket.  "Mostly for the sandwiches," she added.  

"They're definitely the best part."  Elsa rolled over and propped herself on her elbows.  

Anna picked up a neatly wrapped sandwich and handed it to Elsa.  "But being with you isn't so bad, either."  

Elsa chuckled.  "Thank you," she said.  "You're pretty good company yourself."  Then she smiled and watched as Phillip ruffled Mandevu's mane as they watched the two sisters.  "And let's not forget those two," she smirked and took Phillip's hand.  

"Phillip's practically our brother, and Mandevu's like our papa," Anna giggled and the two girls kissed the lion's nose, which made the king smile more.  

At the beginning of the summer, the sisters had vowed to have a weekly picnic and it had turned into a great little tradition.  They were able to do two of their favorite things: spend time together and explore.  Each week they would hike, heading in whichever direction their feet chose to take them, until they found a beautiful spot.  As autumn deepened, though, the growing chill made picnics outdoors more difficult.  

After taking a few bites of her sandwich, Anna stretched out on the blanket and looked up at the last few leaves dangling from the giant oak, the sun sparkling around their curved edges.  Two leaves fell as a breeze blew.  Now only one remained, and Anna pointed it out to Elsa.  The sisters lay side by side, admiring the last clinging leaf for a moment before realizing what it actually meant.  

"I can't believe it's almost winter," said Anna.  

Elsa sighed in agreement.  "I know," she said.  "Fall went so fast."  

It was strange to think about all that had changed in the past year.  And not just for Anna and Elsa, but for everyone in Arendelle.  The last time the cold had come was not in winter—it was when Elsa had caused a magical snowstorm!  That was before she had learned to control her magical powers, when she and Anna had hardly spent any time together at all, and when Anna had nearly frozen to death.  The cold would soon be back, but this time it would happen naturally.  

Life was so much better now, and the sisters appreciated each other every single day.  
Anna bolted upright and her eyes brightened.  She had a great idea.  

"Elsa!" she said, grabbing her sister's hand and pulling her to her feet.  "I think this year we should celebrate winter!"  

Elsa loved her sister's enthusiasm.  "What do you have in mind?"  

"I mean really celebrate," said Anna.  "Do something big!  Huge!"  

"I like where you're going with this," said Elsa. "Something incredible.  For the whole kingdom." 

They racked their brains, searching for that big, huge, incredible thing that would ring in the winter.  The holidays came to mind.  It would be their first Christmas together!  

"Well," said Elsa, "we could shine up the Yule Bell—try to make it look new."  

When they were children, the bells in the tower were replaced with the giant Yule Bell during an annual ceremony.  The sound of it ringing across Arendelle signaled the beginning of the holidays.  But since their parents died, the bell had been hidden away in storage.