Chapter 1

"Don't look back!"

Princess Anna still heard the guard's last words in her head as she rode like the wind through the chilling forest pass. She was returning from a state visit to The Republic of Hammerfall when her caravan was ambushed not long after crossing the border. During the chaos, one of the guards handed over his horse and told her to get back as soon as possible. She had no idea how long it had been since that moment, nor how close she was to her homeland of Arendelle. All she knew was that her windswept face had turned dry and night had fallen. It was getting harder to see the road and at this point, she could only hope.

Hope. One could describe Anna as its unending fountain in times like these. Though her body was small and delicate, it stood in stark contrast to her flaming red hair, large blue eyes and a feisty, bull-headed attitude that more often than not, got her into trouble. These, along with her positive outlook and deep-rooted love for her sister Elsa saved the world from eternal winter. In light of those events, she was recognised as a national symbol of Arendelle, receiving formal training in diplomacy and then appointed as a royal envoy of interstate affairs.

She could not bear to think of the consequences if anything happened to her now.

Anna's eyes lit up as she saw the faint lights of home when she felt a brief drop on one side. Before she realised the horse was about to give out she was thrown clear of it, hit the ground and rolled several times into a ditch. It was a few minutes before she came to her senses and attempted to stand up. She was onto her arms when something shone, though subtly, ahead. Looking hard into the darkness she could see... a small circle? No, two small circles close together, slowly but surely getting bigger. It was unusual for someone like Anna to experience fear, but she realised what she was looking at - and what was looking at her. The two circles became four. Four became six. Then six became what looked like legion.

And she was alone.

A pack of wolves appeared before her. She wanted to escape, but her body was rendered frigid, eyes wide open, entranced by the image of drooling maws, bared fangs, hungry snarls and stares of bloodlust. Though she was still, she felt her heart pounding and her mind becoming unhinged. Then a thought blazed into her: No! If I'm going to die, then I'll die fighting fear! I'll never give in to it!

She was about to run when she was stopped again. In a blink someone grabbed her chin, jerking her head back, followed by something cold and sharp pressing into her neck. A man whispered

"Not a word, not a muscle."

Her body froze again. Now she was feeling fear from two directions: The pack in front, hungering for her blood, and the stranger to the side, with his blade at her throat. The thought of being eaten alive was bad enough, but now her brain was thrashing itself to keep out what she really did not want to know: What he would do to her. She was sweating as the two fears merged together, their meanings dissolving into something worse: Terror. Her heart ready to burst, her mind at the gates of madness, she mustered one more thought before she would scream; Is this what Elsa felt before she-

"Hold your nerve!" the stranger said abruptly, "If you panic they will attack!"

Anna was confused. It was a different tone. Assertive but without malice. This isn't the voice of a bandit, she thought, is he protecting me?

With this possibilty she managed to wrench her eyes from the pack. Out of one corner she could see the stranger's face. He had the same murderous intent - only his were aimed at the wolves. This revelation was like a hammer that, from nowhere, smashed half of the terror into oblivion. Yes! she thought to herself, I can get through this! Now to find something... anything! Come on Anna, think!

She shut her eyes in an attempt to find whatever she could to remain sane. She began to feel the stranger's body, then noticed something she had not done before - her breath was short and rapid, his deep and steady. Now with something to focus on, she was getting to match his breathing. It was difficult at first - the pack was still staring into her mind, but through sheer concentration she was breathing slower, then deeper, then both. In time, she was in rhythm with the stranger. She could also feel her heart beating calmer, her mind becoming at ease before finally, the fear dissipating from her body and into the shadows along with the wolves.

Anna was stunned when she opened her eyes - the wolves had disappeared.

Her calmness did not last long. She grabbed the stranger's arm and poured her gratitude on him in a barrage of joy. "Oh thank you thank you thank you Mister... Stranger! Yes! Thank you Mister Stranger for saving me! I know, it's not like me to be scared being me and all and... Oh, I'm sorry! I don't think we've met before! But seriously I am so grateful right now I could kiss you! Did I say thank- Mister?"

He had maintained a stern, stony manner throughout her outburst. She tried to study him, but since it was dark she could only deduce that he wore a dark coat, his black hair was dishevelled and that he was not much taller than she was. She regained her composure and asked "Sir, what's wrong?"

"What is a woman such as yourself doing out here, alone at night?"

Though Anna, older and (questionably) wiser was able to keep her cool in formal atmospheres, she would still be prone to impulsively speak her mind without the watchful gaze of high society, and was offended by the man's blunt response. "Well, excuse me mister! I did not choose to travel alone, thank you very much! My caravan was attacked by bandits and I need to get back to Arendelle immediately!"

She could now see the stranger's face better. It was slim and taut with a tight-lipped mouth. In truth, it was quite refined, but it was the eyes that caught her attention - dark grey and hardened, or rather, sharpened to the point of piercing souls. Much like the wolves, looking into them made her uneasy and yet fascinated by their intensity. She could see he was contemplating his own situation before he replied.

"Madame, forgive me if I appear tactless, but it is dangerous out here - the wolves could return anytime. If you are heading to Arendelle, I can assist you most of the way, but I must be elsewhere afterwards."

"I graciously accept your help. Shall we?"

"Can you let go of my arm first?"

"Only if you tell me your name!"

"What?"

"Sir, you saved my life! I want to at least know your name! If it helps, my name is Anna."

The stranger was visibly annoyed, but he knew it would be rude if he did not return the favour, especially from a lady.

"Very well, my name is Schmidt."

"Thank you, Mister... Schmidt?"

Suddenly she felt uncomfortable. One important item she was to bring back was to warn Arendelle of a criminal, wanted by Hammerfall in connection to an incident called the Red Morning - he was said to have that name. Schmidt quickly placed his hands on hers, eyes more open. Even his plea had the same focus. "Madame, I know what you are thinking, but believe me when I say I was not behind this "Red Morning". My father... died that day and he was the only person who mattered to me. When you return home, I beg of you, do not mention myself being with you."

Anna learned not to trust those who tried to gain her favour so soon. But with the predicament she was in, she answered, coldy

"Schmidt, had you said that any other time I would've punched your face. But you did save me, so just this once I will honour your request."

They spoke only once during the rest of their journey when she asked

"By the way, where's your knife?"

"What knife?"

"The one you held me up with?"

"That was a twig."


The morning sun's light had not yet reached the frost that lay over the royal garden. It glowed with an orange-pink hue, like a salmon embarking on its grand voyage, while its touch welcomed those escaping the cold shadows still holding coverage over most of the grounds. In the centre of it all, a woman stood in silent solitude.

To say this woman was extraordinary is an understatement; she was Elsa, Queen of Arendelle. To all the artists of the world, she was the living embodiment of perfection. Her hair was of white gold as it swayed carefree in the breeze, and her soft flawless face was in harmony with her keen blue eyes. The ermine gown she wore hid a body so elegant one could say it was sculpted by the divine itself. All of it was carried with such integrity it seemed to emit an aura compelling anyone within it to feel as empowered as she must be.

But what made her truly stand out was something that instilled both awe and dread - she had the power to summon snow and ice. She had known it all her life, only she was not prepared for just how powerful it became as she grew up. Once in her childhood while playing around, she nearly killed her sister Anna with it. Fearing for the safety of all, her parents dictated that she never use them again. They thought she would learn to control it, but the potency that grew each day only held her in more fear. She succumbed to that fear on the day of her coronation, her power unleashed beyond her control, and in her shame isolated herself from the world, not realising she plunged it into winter. It was only through the efforts of Anna, almost at the cost of her life, that she would return to rule Arendelle and bring the world to normality.

Fours years have passed since. She had taken her duties as queen with the utmost of importance, ensuring peace was maintained across the royal states. She was also aware there was as much enmity to her as there was admiration. All of this, together with the situation in Hammerfall, weighed heavily on her mind, and so when she could, she would come to the garden at dawn and contemplate the sun rising over North Mountain - the place of her sanctuary when she ran away those years ago.

She thought, just a few more minutes. How liberating it was to be free from fear, from the danger to herself and others. A few more minutes to feel that way again, then like the sun, she would be ready to face the day...

"Good morning!"

The cheerful greeting irritated Elsa. Who could possibly be interrupting her this early? It was not a voice she recognised. Stepping out of the shadows was a man, hanging his coat on a bust of her late father. His black shirt and trousers, the same colour as his hair, were clearly too big for his frame. His boots and mauve cravate fit better, but only made him look smaller as he rolled up his sleeves.

"I do apologise if I have intervened at an inappropriate time, Your Highness, but I am afraid a commoner such as myself could never reach you through normal means, please understand!"

She thought it odd that this commoner had the posture and speech pattern more fitting for a noble. It would have been amusing were it not at a moment such as now.

"When I was growing up, I had heard tales of a "Snow Queen" with peerless beauty and a mind to match! That would have been satisfyng enough, but to hear that you are also blessed with ice magic, this I had to see! If you could be so kind Madame, may you allow me to witness your pow-"

Elsa smirked as she instantly encased the stranger in ice. She would inform the guards to have him ejected afterwards. As she walked away, she thought, he didn't expect that!

She did not expect to hear

"You could at least let me introduce myself!"

She was surprised to see him brushing off the ice as if it were mere dust, and wondered if she had she become ill as he bowed before continuing.

"My name is Schmidt. As it implies, I was to become a smithy like my father before me, but due to events four years ago I was drafted into the military."

This sentence made her realise the stranger is a Hammerfall soldier. What was he doing out here in Arendelle?

"As you can see, I do not meet the required minimum height to be a soldier, and thus was constantly bullied back at the academy. However, what I lacked in that I made up for with sheer determination and hard work. A painting of you there was the inspiration I needed!"

Elsa was getting fed up of his speech when she finally asked

"What do you want?"

"To kiss you, My Lady!"

"Really? You entered royal grounds without permission, dishonoured my father's memory, prattle on about yourself while I'm not properly dressed, and then have the bare faced cheek to kiss me!?"

"But Madame, I told you-"

Elsa was in no mood to listen as she launched an icicle from her hands. Schmidt grinned as he casually dodged it. She shot again, only for him to deflect that with a mere wave from his arm. No matter how hard she tried, he was either too quick for her to land a hit, or the few times she did, it was as effective as snowballs thrown by a toddler. She tried everything in her power, ice floor, ice wall, hailstones, but they were not slowing him in any way. She did not know he was runnng circles around her until she started feeling dizzy. In panic, she surrounded herself in a snow chamber, trying to buy time to regain her composure. She was about to fall when Schmidt charged into the chamber and grabbed her arms.

Elsa was trying her hardest to escape his clutches. She knew she did not have the strength to wrestle out of it, so she concentrated as much as she could to freeze him - or herself if she had to. "What are you doing?" she cried as the ice continued to grow, "Unhand me now!". But he refused to let go, and in her frustration, she looked straight at him.

She wanted to turn away, but it was too late. She could only gaze at his handsome face, his thick black mane and those intense grey eyes, now softening as he smiled at her. It was a warm, welcoming look, so much that she began to feel it throughout her body, now helpless and quivering in sweat but... without resistance? The ice began to melt away, and her only action she had left was to simply drop, only his hands kept her standing, not in fear, but... What was this sensation she was experiencing? As water continued to flow from her reddened skin, she thought: I am Elsa, Queen of Arendelle. Though I have dedicated my life to ensuring peace and prosperity of the land I have inherited, should there be a situation so dire, I have the power to destroy the world. Yet now my power has been rendered impotent! Here I am, reduced to jelly and at the mercy of this scoundrel! I feel so hot, so exposed but... I like it. I want it! No, why am I even thinking this!? It's too much!

She jerked her head away. Never before had she felt so ashamed of herself, of allowing her soul to be revealed to this stranger. It would have been less shameful if she revealed her body.

"It has been a pleasure," said Schmidt gratefully as he kissed her hand, "Your Majesty!"

Elsa was left standing as he dashed to his exit. It was as if she was a pile of toys precariously balanced by a playful yet focused child, to be left as his masterpiece; if she moved an inch, she would surely collapse. Somewhere in her mind, she could hear her name being called throughout. As she struggled to comprehend this strange turn of events, the name was growing louder, like someone was trying to wake her up. She was unsure if she wanted to...

"ELSA!"

Anna stood next to her in complete shock. "What the hell happened!?" she asked. Elsa had to look around to understand what she said - the garden had become a bombsite dripping in slush. Still speechless, she shrugged. Anna then asked

"Are you okay?"

As reality slowly returned to her consciousness, she was able to collect enough thought to reply in words.

"Uh... Yeah. Why?"

"You're all wet!"

She wondered why that was the last thing she noticed, nearly taking her back to that abnormal state of submissive rapture. In response, she smiled in confusion and said

"Oh!"