“I don’t know how Elsa did this every day. I think my stack of papers multiplies when I’m not looking.” Anna sighed and added a few more sheets to her ever-growing pile. She was still adjusting to her new position as Queen despite all the support from Gerda, Kai, and Kristoff. Even Elsa came to her rescue with letters delivered by Gale, but it wasn’t as often as she would have liked.
“Maybe it’s time for a light snack and some tea.”
Anna abandoned her papers and wandered down into the kitchens. It was early enough in the afternoon that they wouldn’t be busy preparing for dinner, making it easier for her to slip in and out without being noticed. Or at least questioned. At least once a day Kai would have something new to talk about regarding Arendelle.
“Anna have you been told about the wheat harvest?”
“Your majesty, have you had a chance to look over the Togersen Accord?”
“Pardon my interruption, but his grace Iver still is awaiting your reply.”
She shook her head of the thoughts. What mattered now was the tea. She couldn’t remember the point of the accord nor what Iver was asking about. It was a lot to keep track of.
The kettle was just beginning to whistle when the door swung open.
“Anna?” Kristoff asked. “What are you doing down here?”
“Oh thank goodness it’s you.” Anna sighed, running over and hugging Kristoff’s arm tighter than usual. “I’ve just been so overwhelmed and I thought I’d make myself some tea and I was afraid it was Kai coming through to remind me of some other thing I hadn’t written down. How did Elsa do this?”
Kristoff laughed. “Well for one, she didn’t take hourly snack breaks like some queens do. And second, she was raised for this. I mean, you were too but not in the same way. And she had a lot of time to get things right being alone for all those years. You’ve just started and you’ve accomplished a lot.”
“Really? You’re not just saying that?”
“Why would I lie to you? Look. You’ve got...the trades! Remember how you negotiated that deal with the tradesmen for a better return on our wood?”
“Yeah, but I also think I might have scared him.”
“You did all that research to optimize the orchards. We’re gonna have so much more in storage for the winter!”
“Okay, but I also wanted more variety in pies, so-”
“And you also worked with the fishermen to make sure their journeys were safer.”
“True but Kristoff. Listen. That was just, well, me. It doesn’t seem like I’m being very Queenly.”
“Anna,” he said, gently stroking her cheek. “you’re not your sister. Sure you gotta deal with the boring paperwork but when you’re not you’re out there solving people’s problems and making Arendelle the best kingdom it can be. And that’s why people love you. You’re approachable. You don’t let anyone push you around and you stand up for those who need it. I think you’re a great queen.”
Anna sighed. “You’re right. Thank you, I needed that. But just to be safe, let’s not mention this particular snack break to Kai.”
Kristoff smiled. “You got it.”
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