Aleksander Solberg grew up on the edge of society. His early life, as he would call it, was nothing remarkable. Happy, but no one would ever write any stories about it. His mother and father had left their village before his birth in search of more steady income. They had settled in the mountains after his father had befriended a group of loggers and was offered a job. Alek was born in the same mountains to the far north of the country. He loved it there, enchanted with the forest and the animals living within it. It was in those mountains his parents would raise their young, growing family. It was there where he would play along the stream that ran about a quarter mile from their home, where he learned to tend to a garden with his mother and grow herbs for medicine, where he would follow his father on hunting excursions and had started to learn to use a rifle. By the time a third son, Karl, was born and Alek was 7, his father deemed the family needed a more appropriate place to live and packed them up to move to a village about a half a day's travel from Arendelle, the capital city that shared the same name as the country. Alek never really got used to living out of the mountains, but at least now there were other children to play with and an actual school he and he brother, Einar, could attend.

Life unfolded similar in the village as it had in the mountains; content, yet uneventful. From time to time, Aleksander would accompany his father to different villages to trade. He even once was able to take the trip to Arendelle when his father needed to pick up a new sleigh he ordered. Those times with his father were some of his most cherished memories.

As was common in households, Alek was expected to pull his share of the household chores. One of those tasks for the eldest Solberg son included watching and sometimes caring for his younger siblings. He didn't mind it, usually. Except on days when his friends wanted him to play and he was stuck at home while one or both of his parents left for a short time on an errand. Over time Alek was trusted for longer periods of time with his brothers. At the age of 11, Alek now had three brothers that included the newest baby, Jonas. It was an early winter morning when both his parents got into the sleigh to travel to a nearby village for the day. He never knew why, just that they would return that evening. Alek bid his parents goodbye with a huge hug and kiss on the cheek from his mother and a ruffle of hair from his father. The day went on as usual and he didn't even notice that they had not returned as dinner time moved to bed time. He didn't even worry too much when they had not returned the following morning. Winter storms could pop up at any time, delaying their return.

It wasn't until a full week later, that Alek accepted the fact they were not coming back.

The villagers were helpful for a short time, but in the end, no one was willing to take the children on a permanent basis. The boys were initially brought to an orphanage in a nearby village. It was over crowded and within several weeks, Alek and his baby brother were separated from Einar and Karl and sent to the orphanage in Arendelle. It was swift and it was cruel, but it was the unfortunate reality for many children of lost parents. Alek was only sent to Arendelle by the shear fact he wouldn't let anyone touch Jonas. It was easier to let Alek hold onto Jonas a little longer for the trip to Arendelle. There was a couple waiting for Jonas and neither husband nor wife had been informed of the existence of Alek, Einar or Karl. Only that a baby, just 5 months old, had become available to adopt. A baby they had yearned for years, yet were unable to conceive on their own. They probably would have taken all four boys if only they had been told…If only they had known. Upon arrival to the city, the last semblance of Alek's family was ripped from him and he was left absolutely alone.

Older children were expected to help and contribute to the daily functioning of the orphanage. Alek took to helping out as much as possible fairly quickly; just like he had for his parents. It helped occupy his time and he was soon one of the trusted children to handle tasks outside the orphanage. The nuns tried to find trades and apprenticeships for the older children, but it was easier said than done. They were so consumed with the task of feeding and caring for so many, that there was no time to find work for the older ones. Occasionally a blacksmith would come around looking for an apprentice, a or a group of ice harvesters would come looking for some boys that were interested in learning the trade, but it was sporadic at best. At eighteen, a child was sent off into the world too many times with fingers crossed they wouldn't end up in jail, dead or worse before their next birthday. The girls, they could at least usually get married off if necessary, but the boys had a harder go of it. Sent off on their own with no major skills was just asking for trouble, but they had no choice. Alek had always figured something similar would happen to him.

Alek couldn't decide if he was better off on his own or at the orphanage. While the nuns were kind, the orphanage seemed so suffocating and offered him a dim future. The building was cold and damp. The nuns did what they could to keep it clean and cheery, but with limited funds, it was a losing battle. Food and clothing and warmth were the priority for them and the building's desperate need for repairs had to go unattended. Plaster chipped off the walls, the floors creaked and there were numerous leaks that caused quite a problem during rain storms. He hated living there and thought no other place could be so depressing. Although, he had started to notice a few changes after the odd week it snowed in July.

The princess paid a visit in August. He saw her from a distance leaving the head nun's office as he was bringing a basket of food to the kitchen from the market. He wondered to himself why on earth the princess of Arendelle would even step foot in the building. A few weeks later all the children had new clothes, shoes and a coat for the winter. He noticed over the next few months some other changes. There were several repairs happening within the building, the nursery got a fresh coat of paint, and a few new toys showed up. Alek wondered occasionally what was going on, but he bided his time with errands and chores for the orphanage. The princess continued to visit and had now taken to talking with the children and reading stories to them. Alek avoided her at all costs, not having a clue what he'd say to her if she actually greeted him directly. He'd probably faint from embarrassment on the spot.

At Christmas, the main dining hall had been decorated with the largest Christmas tree he had ever seen and he suspected it was the princess's doing. She came back on Christmas Eve day. She was accompanied by a tall blond young man who looked uncomfortable being in the orphanage, but would smile at the Princess whenever she looked over at him or introduce him to one of the children. He crouched down and spoke to each child the princess brought over. After a little back and forth with the boy or girl, he would stand back up and turn, hands on hips and carefully scan the enormous pile of wrapped boxes. He looked like he was concentrating so hard at selecting just exactly the right package. Once he picked a box, he would turn back and hand the package to the child, smiling as they ran away, squealing in delight. For her part, the princess was almost skipping back and forth between the pile of packages and other children. In between bringing some of the younger children over to the man, she was handing out presents herself. Alek didn't even realize she was sitting across from him until he felt something and glanced up. She was looking right into his eyes.

"Hi!"

"H…hello."

"I'm Anna. What's your name?"

His eyes darted back and forth looking for something to focus on besides the princess. "Uh. Aleksander."

"Well, Aleksander. I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting you yet." She said as she extended her hand. He reluctantly held his hand to meet hers and she grabbed it giving it a firm grip and two shakes. The princess just touched his hand. He thought he was about to die.

"I've seen you around. You seem like a hard worker- always busy. The nuns must be very happy to have you around." All he could do was give her a slight nod as a blush hit his cheeks. "May I ask how old you are?"

"Twelve, but I'll be thirteen soon."

"Okay, give me a second." He watched her pop up from the table and dart over to the presents. She thought about it for a moment for before picking one and was back to him in an instant.

"Merry Christmas!" she exclaimed with a bright smile as she handed him the gift.

It was the first Christmas present Alek had received since his parents died.