Elves make no move to stop her.

The other says, "...so you're keeping our foster daughter until we are ready to speak to the King?"

"The child is safe here and repatriation would need to be discussed with the King, yes. If only she had any surviving relatives who could reassure us that she'll be safe."

"We have custody," says Foster Mom.

"Well, now we have custody."

"...I meant we have legal custody."

"This is a different country. The King's word is law here. You don't have legal custody here."

Hostage, right. The Emperor doesn't value Avalor, he won't care if they threaten her, Avalor makes a terrible hostage. She is suddenly unsure of her own freedom to leave - the Emperor doesn't care about her much but her father-in-law is important - she edges back toward the wardrobe.

Elves make no effort to stop her. 

That's weird.

Presently there are some guards on their side of the wardrobe too.

After some discussion Elves read their minds.

They are missing dinner till the next shift comes by. The ladies must have lost their minds. Maybe the kid escaped. This one has a kid that age and he can get out of anything, can't take your eyes off him for a second.

Are the Valar coming quick.

Quick for Valar, I suppose.

It might be important that it be actually quick. 

I know that. So does my father. Only so much we can do.

Okay.

Elves keep singing.

Avalor likes the singing, in a crying sort of way.

If she wants more hugs he will give her more hugs. 

That would be nice.

Hug hug. 

Sigh. You all sing so nicely.

People don't sing where you're from? Maybe that's why they are horrible, they haven't better coping mechanisms.

There are singers but most of them aren't that good.

Huh. 

And after a while someone brings them dinner and suggests that children often benefit from sleep.