Scene 11
The Snow Queen enters and we are transported to her palace.
GERDA
Excuse me.
SNOW QUEEN
Yes?
GERDA
Are you the Snow Queen?
SNOW QUEEN
Yes.
GERDA
I'm Gerda.
SNOW QUEEN
I know.
GERDA
I'm looking for my friend, Kai.
GERDA
Is he here?
SNOW QUEEN
Yes.
GERDA
I've come to take him home.
GERDA
Will you let him go?
SNOW QUEEN
I do not keep Kai here against his will. He is free to go when it is time for him to go.
GERDA
Well, it's time for him to go.
SNOW QUEEN
He shows no interest in leaving. He is happy here.
GERDA
I don't think he's happy here. I think he's forgotten who he is because his heart has turned to ice. But he's still Kai, and when he sees me he'll remember. And when he remembers, he'll want to go home.
SNOW QUEEN
Do you think you can do such a thing?
GERDA
Yes.
SNOW QUEEN
So much power? For a little girl? What makes you think you can do this ?
GERDA
I just do. Because I have to.
SNOW QUEEN
I see. Well, you are welcome to speak to Kai yourself. But I fear you will be disappointed.
GERDA
No I won't. I won't be disappointed
SNOW QUEEN
I'll send him to you.
GERDA
Wait. A gift.
SNOW QUEEN
A fish? You brought me a fish?
GERDA
Uh huh. It's a nice one, isn't it?
SNOW QUEEN
What am I to do with a fish?
GERDA
I don't know. Have it for dinner ?
The Snow Queen is amused in spite of herself and smiles. Then Kai enters. He is cold and gray and haughty. He carries the seven sticks and circle.
SNOW QUEEN
Kai, your friend Gerda is here. She wants to take you home.
GERDA
Kai! The Puzzle! The Rose! Where is the rose?
(Gerda cries. The Gardener enters, collects her tears and deposits them in Kai's eyes and heart.)
KAI
(opening his eyes, confused)
Right up there near the...Gerda?
GERDA
You know me? You know me. Kai, you remember.
KAI
What happened? Was that me saying all those hateful things? Gerda; I'm sorry. I don't know what was wrong with me.
GERDA
I do, but it's a long story. I'll tell it to you when we get home. Come on, let's go. We can't
KAI
But it we solve the pubble the Snow Queen will help us home.
GERDA
Maybe the circle is a zero or an "o".
KAI
Hey, I never thought of that.
He puts a stick in front of the circle, and makes ten.
GERDA
Ten? You have to stay here ten years?
KAI
(shakes his head, no.)
I have six more sticks. Let's see...
He forms an N out of three of the sticks.
N O. NO. Four sticks left over.
GERDA
Oh, please don't let it say NEVER.
KAI
Not enough sticks for that. N O E? That's not a word.
GERDA
O N E is a word.
KAI
But that doesn't tell us anything.
GERDA
W. Let's make a W.
KAI
O N W.
N O W. NOW! That's it, Gerda. Now. I'm supposed to leave now!
GERDA
Let's go.
The Snow Queen appears.
SNOW QUEEN
So you have solved the puzzle, Kai. I whall miss you. But your nature is in the world. Go back to your warm fires on sunny rose garden. Go. Now. Goodbye Kai. Gerda.