Lost in the Woods

Anna: The Hunt

Anna wished Elsa was there.

She was spending more and more time away with the Northaldrin in the enchanted forest since travelers began appearing to study the mysterious land. Magic was still idolized and feared by many, while others still didn't believe it existed and dozens had come to see the "Ice Queen" and elemental spirits.

Yeahhhh. People still referred to Elsa as the queen, despite her resigning and Anna becoming the new ruler of Arendelle. Anna didn't mind her sister getting all the attention from foreign affairs though. Even with her powers, Anna could never envy Elsa. There was so much turmoil her sister dealt with as a result of being magical, and all Anna wished was for Elsa to have peace.

However, today was a different day.

The fjord glistened under the partly cloudy sky, hinting at the blinding jewels beneath the water. The winds danced among the sky, rippling the purple and green Arendellian flag. The heavy fabric echoed in the chorus of the wind as it tore through the air, desperately trying to blow away. Anna breathed in, closing her eyes. She counted to ten and turned around to make her way out of the palace and to the front gates.

There she would meet the representatives of the Southern Isles. This was the first time Arendelle would make contact with the kingdom in two years. As she turned to exit the palace, Olaf blipped out of nowhere, jumping into Anna's arms.

"There you are!" He cheered in his squeaky voice, as Anna cradled him in an endearing hug and set him down. "What are you doing?" He stared excitedly at Anna, his usual grin taking over his misshapen head.

"Didn't I tell you already?" Anna chuckled, patting the snowman's head. She was glad to have a friend by her side today. "I'm going to welcome representatives from the Southern Isles today. It's going to be one of my first big, important, event-things since my coronation."

Olaf giggled and skipped beside Anna as she walked. "You'll be great! Just make sure not to start any wars--*gasp*!" Olaf halted, almost falling over. "The Southern Isles?? As in..." he knelt down and covered his mouth with his twig arm. "Hans of the Southern Isles?"

Anna raised her eyebrows at him. "Yes." She straightened herself out, trying her best to look regal and continued to walk towards the gates. "But it's not like he's going to be there."

"That's good. You know, if he did come along, wouldn't the awkwardness be worse than anything?" Olaf took his carrot nose and stuck it in the side of his head. "Kill me now! Am I right?"

Anna shook her head. "Would you like to come along?"

"Oh yes!" Olaf jumped like he was walking on air. "I've never been to an ambassadors meeting before! Are they fun?"

Anna's brow scrunched up and she shrugged slightly, trying to wiggle the sleep out of her tired shoulders. A layer of sweat decorated the back of her neck. "Well, um, I wouldn't know. I've never been to one either."

"It'll be both our first times then!" Olaf said and ran ahead across the bridge dividing the townspeople and the palace Anna lived in. Olaf lived with her and they worked together to plan Anna and Kristoff's wedding. Kristoff was living on his own for a while, to make their special day even more special. It was in just a few days!

Meanwhile, Anna was draped with tons of other responsibilities. Elsa was writing to her about issues in the enchanted forest with the spirits and newcomers that wanted to see the magic for themselves. Anna couldn't blame them--it was truly a sight to behold. But according to Elsa, her problems were piling up--Elsa didn't come right out to say there was a problem, but sisters can tell. Anna tried to come up with new laws and accommodations to reduce the issues, but her advisors weren't very helpful, and everything was moving so slowly.