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On their return to the ship, Alex told his friends about the castle and the gigantic library; he even spoke of little Anna. But he didn’t utter a word about Elsa, as he gave King Agnarr his word. The other boys were wonderstruck just by listening to his narratives, and it seemed to them as though it was too good to be true. However, his friends believed him and, as agreed upon, told him stories of their itinerary in turn.

Throughout the remainder of their time in Arendelle, the lieutenant and Alex visited the castle two more times. Alex spent his time talking and playing with Anna and reading and discussing with Elsa. Besides, his friends gave him books, puzzles, and board games to play with the sisters, which he carried in a backpack.

Alex had been with Anna for only three days, but he had already managed to teach the little princess a little good manner: both of them bowed to the king and queen before they went off to play.

The evening of the third and last day of the Exploration Corps’ stay at Arendelle came by. As the ship had to set sail before sundown, the lieutenant arrived to collect the young sergeant. They met in the very same hall as they first arrived. The lieutenant was exchanging his final words with the king and queen. Anna stood further behind her parents and watched quietly.

“My King, we enjoyed every moment spent in Arendelle. On behalf of the Exploration Corps, I thank you for your hospitality.” the lieutenant finished.

He smiled and replied, “We are delighted that you were our guests, and we hope to see you again.”

With a bittersweet smile, the lieutenant said, “We really don’t know about that, Your Majesty.”

As he moved to the door and opened it, warm evening sunshine flooded the hall. Without delay, he motioned, “Come on, sergeant.”

As Alex took his first step toward the lieutenant, he heard a sob. His body froze for a split second. He turned around, to Anna who had just begun tearing up.

Alex rushed back, dropped his backpack, and knelt down before her, meeting her gaze. He felt sad himself that the little princess was crying. He wiped the tears away from her face and asked, “What’s the matter, Anna?”

Making an effort to speak through choked sobs, she said, “Please don’t go, Alex.”

Alex briefly grew worried. He digested the request and quietly turned it around his head. But he couldn’t stand Anna’s sorrow.

He felt a small pit of worry in him, which was slowly taking over. He needed to make up his mind as quickly as possible.

“I won’t, Anna.” decided the young sergeant. Anna's sobs paused, and she looked at him with her big, blue eyes in awe.

“Promise?”

When she asked so, Alex got up, took two steps back, and came to attention. Marching up to the lieutenant, he saluted and reported,

“The sergeant wishes to stay longer in Arendelle, sir!”

The lieutenant replied, concerned yet sternly, “Well, be it known that the vessel of the Exploration Corps leaves the port of Arendelle today.”

After a quick moment of silence, Alex persisted, “The sergeant still intends to stay in Arendelle, sir!”

“Then we will have to leave you behind.” concluded the lieutenant.

He walked up to Alex and declared, “Since you will stay in Arendelle, I will not consider that you were stationed here as a part of the Exploration Corps.”

The lieutenant unpinned the sergeant’s Adventurers’ Medal from his uniform and continued, “And as you are no longer a part of the Exploration Corps, I will be confiscating your Corps badge.”

The lieutenant reached for his arm and removed the badge of the Exploration Corps. Next, he reached for his badge of rank. However, he hesitated and informed in a serious tone, “Alex, you are a sergeant. That you have earned and always will be.”

Taking a step back, he told, “Now, come over by six and bid goodbye to your friends, will you?”

Alex complied with a nod. The lieutenant then went over to the door and prepared to leave. Turning around, he told the king, “Farewell, Your Majesties, it was an honor meeting you.”

The king was just as overwhelmed by what had just happened as everyone else was. Nevertheless, he returned, “Farewell, lieutenant.”

The lieutenant closed the door behind him, and there was sorrowful darkness in the hall. Alex only stood there, facing the closed door from which the sunlight shone. He stood there with no badge, no corps, and no home. There was a blunt silence. Taking an about-turn, he marched to the king.

“The sergeant seeks permission to attach to Arendelle, Your Majesty!”

The king replied, “Very well, sergeant! You will attach not as a regular but as a sergeant in Arendelle’s royal guard.”

Alex was going to burst with joy. However, he contained it and answered, smiling,

“Thank you very much, my King.”

King Agnarr went on, “You shall be appointed your duties tomorrow.”

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The queen smiled and nodded in compliance. Alex walked to little Anna. He knelt beside her and took her hand in his.

“I won’t go, Anna. I promise.” he gave his word.

Little Anna was overjoyed and hugged Alex all at once. He was startled at first but then embraced her back warmly.

Just as told, he reported to the plaza a few minutes before six o’clock. The lieutenant briefed the boys about Alex. They were surprised; his friends were disheartened. After the lieutenant finished, Radcliffe cackled and muttered to his sidekicks,

“Ha, be like him, and you’ll meet his fate: no badge, no medal. What a joke!”

Alex ignored his mockery and moved toward his friends.

“I hope you both are not mad at me.”

Herman began, “No, we aren’t. Just sad that you’re going.”

“If you go, who’s gonna be the sergeant now? Who’ll take care of the others?” protested Aksel.

“I’ll leave that one to one of you. Work hard; if you’re true to yourself, you’ll be promoted. I bet!”

Aksel persisted, “Don’t you want to be a sergeant?”

At this point, Radcliffe and company found their way in closer and eavesdropped.

“Who says I’m not? The king has appointed me as the Sergeant of the Royal Guard, effective tomorrow,” exclaimed Alex, thrilled at the prospect.

On this, Radcliffe’s puckish smile was replaced by a dropped jaw, and his ‘friends’ backed away cautiously.

“Woah…” gasped Aksel. “You’re a real sergeant now.”

“Congratulations, you deserve it.” Told Herman.

Alex reached for his backpack, “Thanks. But I must return these--”

“No, no.” “Keep it.” The two rejected their own board games and books.

Alex was stunned, “But… But they’re yours. I can’t keep--”

“You need it more than us.” declared Herman.

“Yeah, it will remind you of us. And our friendship.” supported Aksel.

“Well, that’s settled then.” started Alex. “Thank you, both of you, for everything.”

“We should be thanking you. You taught us a lot.”

An officer from the castle entered abruptly, “Sergeant Alex? I’m looking for a Sergeant Alex.”

The sergeant raised his hand and identified himself, “Right here, sir! I’m Sergeant Alex.”

The officer informed, “By order of the king, you are required to return as soon as possible. The castle is off-limits after dark.”

“I understand that, sir. I shall return right away.” Alex prepared to leave.

“Good.” the officer returned before walking smartly off in the direction of the castle.

The sun was going down. Alex had to get moving.

“I must leave. I will never forget you, my friends.”

Herman replied, “Likewise. You must go now, Alex.”

“I’ll miss you. But Herman’s right,” told Aksel.

“I’ll miss you both too. I won’t forget this day. Goodbye!”

Along with Herman and Aksel, several others exchanged goodbyes with him. Alex waved and looked at each one of them one last time and then moved toward the castle gates.

Later that evening, he stood by a window in that same incomplete uniform and watched the ship of the Exploration Corps sail away. Just like the setting sun, all his friends, juniors and seniors alike, became faint and gradually disappeared out of sight. Thus and so, a new life awaited him in Arendelle.

In the morning, Alex’s first day on his own had begun. He was dressed in a dashing red tunic with a lustrous crest of Arendelle at the belt by forenoon. He even wore a ceremonial peak cap. A broad piece of cloth was neatly wrapped around his upper arm—the uniform of Arendelle’s royal guard was indeed a majestic one. No doubt they were the senior-most regiment. Alex moved to the Great Hall, where the king and queen awaited his arrival. The royal handler, Kai, organized the program with a few others. Alex marched up to the king and queen. Then, he saluted once, smartly. They rose to receive the salute.

Kai recited the pledge, and putting his hand forward, Alex swore every word before the king and queen. After doing so, he knelt before them and took off his cap. King Agnarr carefully drew out the Royal Sword of Arendelle, passed down to him over generations. He gently tapped it on Alex’s shoulders. After the king sheathed the sword, Alex rose and looked nervously at them.

Both the king and the queen removed strips of cloth around his arms, unveiling his badge of rank. Three golden chevrons stood for none other than the Royal Sergeant of Arendelle: there he was, in his full glory, smiling at the king and queen with gratitude.

Later that day, the king and queen went over to Elsa’s room. The door had to be pushed open, as it was fastened to its base by mild frost. When they did enter, amidst the icy air, Elsa was leaning against the wall. She looked downcast. For the first time since her powers got out of hand, she had got to spend time with someone without the fear of hurting them. But now, even that chance was slipping away. She had somewhat already accepted that Alex wouldn't be coming back. Not expecting a miracle, Elsa raised her head and asked, “Father, has the Sergeant of the Exploration Corps left?”

Her father sighed and replied in a gray tone, “I’m afraid he has, Elsa.”

Elsa was displeased and losing all hope; she set her eyes down yet again.

Alex pushed open the door with a start: but not as hard as he did back on the ship. He marched right in. His quick, unexpected entry startled Elsa.

“Who said I left?” he expressed with a humorous inflection.

“Oh no, Alex. We were just talking about the Sergeant of the Exploration Corps!” King Agnarr chuckled and replied.

Turning to his daughter, he continued, “Elsa, meet the Sergeant of the Royal Guard.”

Elsa got to her feet and stared in amazement. Alex slowly walked toward her, smiling.

“Royal Sergeant Alex of Arendelle.” he introduced himself all over again and offered a handshake.

Elsa shook his hand but did not utter a word. Tears of joy trickled down her eyes as she beamed with pleasure. He helped her to one of the two chairs and sat down beside her.

“Don’t cry, Elsa. I’m here to stay and won’t go anywhere.”

He courteously leaned forward and wiped a teardrop off her face.

Elsa stopped crying and looked at him. As she grew delighted, the ice on the walls, doors, and windows of her chamber began to disappear. Alex carefully looked at the teardrop trickling down his palm. He wondered briefly and turned to Elsa. Taking off one of her gloves, he asked, “Elsa, could you freeze this teardrop carefully?”

With her glove taken off, Elsa was already intimidated—she really didn’t want anyone hurt.

“Are you sure?” she asked.

“You can do it; I believe you can.” Alex encouraged.

Measuring the risks, she gulped and hesitantly took aim. Closing her eyes, she focused. When her eyes flung open, she cleared her mind and cautiously channeled a tiny amount of her power toward the drop.

Her aim was dead on—not only had she frozen the drop in its place, but she also did so without hurting Alex one bit!

“You did it, Elsa!” Alex cried.

He looked at the king and queen, “I knew it, Your Majesties. She can truly control her powers!”

Elsa was so focused on the task that it took her a moment to understand what she had accomplished. Her eyes enlarged as she exclaimed, “I did it!”

Turning to her parents, she repeated, “Mama, Papa, I did it!”

She got up and ran to her father. King Agnarr hugged her,

“I knew you could, my little snow.”

The royal sergeant looked at them with a simple smile. However, he suddenly noticed something alarming. At the instant, he got up and ran toward the king, shouting,

“Your Majesty!”

He hurriedly pulled Elsa away from him. “What is the matter, Alex?” King Agnarr inquired, nonplussed.

Alex gently tapped the king’s tunic. Several small pieces of ice fell to the ground as he did so. Not long after, King Agnarr felt a bitter chill on his back: Elsa had frozen her father’s tunic from behind—unintentionally, of course.

The king sighed, “She still has to learn how to control it.”

Alex, too, agreed unhappily, “You are right, my King.”