She was trapped in a cold dark fortress; not that she minded anyway. She shrunk away from any sign of warmth and, in those cases, a rumble would resound as well as a few shouts before it would quiet. She couldn't help it, her lips would pull back over her teeth and her confines would rattle. Not long afterwards, all would be cold and silent again.
It was second nature to her. Her body shuddered as she felt a compelling unshakable urge to bash her nose up and out. She felt cramped and had never really stretched herself out; before she knew it, she was free. The world, similar to where she had been before, was a soothing dark.
Even though it was tough she pulled her body out of the shell and landed with a wet splash against the ground. Turning around she kicked off the egg sack deposits that still clung onto her little figure. It was then that she heard a rattle and ,immediately, felt hatred towards her brethren still inside beginning to wake. She spat at their prison-turned-tomb and watched how the ice crept all over the sides of each of the eggs- freezing what life there was inside.
It wasn't a bad way to go for her kind. They preferred the silence and the cold. And now there would be nothing but an eternity of that for them.
"You're heart is frozen but I don't care. I love you just the same and here you'll remain by my side. Rest, daughter of mine, Precious little Elsa."
She curled herself up in a little ball and drifted to sleep. A gnawing at her stomach gave her no peace for the rest of the terrible night that lasted forever inside the cave.
Her short life turned upside down. Locked away in the dungeon of a castle for thirteen years, by anyone's standards, was considered very unpleasant.
Dragons were rare already as it was. To spot her breed was even rarer; it was not to her luck that the King and Queen of Arendelle took interest in her. So after they murdered her mother they ripped the newborn hatchling off of her mothers corpse.
The yolk from her hatching had yet to dry off of her before she was carried away.
"Why have you come, Little Princess? Come to kill the beast now that your mother and father have passed away; it's not like you'll believe me, but I had no hand in their undoing. There deaths were just that- another casualty carried away to the depths of the sea."
She flinched away at the harsh voice, "Of course I won't kill you!" Was that hope she saw in those light blue eyes? "I'm sorry for what my parents have done t-"
"I don't need a shallow apology; I've heard so much of them as it is. None of them have ever changed my life for the better. After the exchange of greedy money between your sires and my trappers, your sires have yet to come and see me in this damnable imprisonment they've placed me in. Those two Bastard monarchs left it to others to feed me and wile away the rest of my life in injustice. What good did it do them to buy a motherless hatchling only to lock it away for the remainder of my days; why couldn't they just kill me?"
"I cannot change the past and I can only deeply regret their treatment of you." Little tears escaped down the side of her cheek as she placed her hand through the cage, "I can only try and fix things for you. It'll never be enough, though."
Anna continued, "Either way, your freedom will be granted, but I'd like to ask you for help. I don't know how to run a kingdom, I was never taught by any of my scholars or my parents, but I know that you do. You've read all the books in the kingdom's library and I know dragons are smart. Could you help me? I can understand if you don't want to…"
Elsa stared again and saw the girl for what she was, just that. A child, not unlike like herself at one time, who had lost her parents too young and didn't know what to make of the world. She could let the girl keep her innocence untouched at least for the remainder of her youth. And suddenly she found nothing more important than sheltering someone from the burden of having to grow up too fast.
"I'll accept the offer on two conditions only: I will never be locked away again and you will spend the rest of your days atoning for your parents cruelty."
The Princess slowly nodded as she accepted the dragon's demands, "I can agree to that. Thank you! I'm sorry, but I don't know your name?"
"You may call me 'Elsa.'"
"Elsa," she tried out the name on her tongue before smiling, " you can call me Anna, then!" She unlocked the gate do Elsa's cell and then stepped aside so the dragon could move. The dragon slowly made her way out but kept a weary eye on Anna. Elsa had long since outgrown the confines of her cell and, over the many years, her body had changed. She stretched out her wings for the first time and embraced the newfound freedom.
Anna, on the other hand, had massively misjudged the dragons size and was frozen in awe. She would have to get a bigger room arranged and deal with the mess that introducing Elsa would cause the council. But that could be dealt with later…
For now she had found her first friend.
There was no bedroom large enough to fit Elsa's bulk except one from the royal wing. She was adamant about rooming with Anna and eventually got her way in the end. The Princess was a bit reluctant at first but eventually accepted that she would be sleeping at night with a dragon; it didn't take long for her to become grateful for this. It was a scorching hot summer but having an ice dragon around kept things on the cool side.
The council was in an uproar. To let a young uneducated Princess run the kingdom was one thing, but to let an icy dragon rule Arendelle was an entirely different matter. Whereas the young Princess could be controlled and influenced, Elsa could not. When Anna walked in with Elsa tailing not far behind, it took at least half an hour to get the indignant men settled down.
Finally, it took the dragon threatening to eat everyone in the room for it to go quiet.
"Anna will remain the figure of the crown for I have no desire for it, but matters of politics and law shall be given to me. At least until she turns twenty-one."
"This is absurd," said a particularly rebellious councilmen, "I'll not stand to have the scourge of your kind rule our beloved kingdom of Arendelle."
"I'm afraid that on that matter, you do not have a choice. The young Queen has appointed me acting ruler and none of you have the power to disobey." She affixed a cold eye to each of the men in front of her.
A few grumbles of complaint sounded but none of them chose to actively speak out this time.
"Again, all matters of politics, trade, law, and matters regarding the royal family shall be passed to me. You may find me either in the library or by Anna's side. I understand that many of you do not approve of this arrangement but I kindly suggest you keep it to yourselves."
Anna smiled grateful and turned to leave the throne room with Elsa, once again following closely behind. When Anna exited Elsa stopped to say one last thing before she left.
"Furthermore I know that there's a few of you who will try and defy Anna's wishes. For that I can only say that you better pray that I can't find you for I serve the crown now. If any of you seek to threaten it, I'll freeze your hearts from where you stand."
Her throat rumbled in pleasure while her eyes shown approval. Anna stopped touching and tried to hide her mirth unsuccessfully.
"Jeez, Elsa! You're just like a cat." Anna scratched the tip of Elsa's nose bridge and giggled once more when the dragon all but purred.
"I am nothing like those disgusting rat-catchers."
"Suuuuuure," Anna drawled, "then explain why all the rats that find their way into your bedroom winds up frozen solid."
"They're abhor-able creatures. I want nothing of their filth close to me."
"Okay, I understand Els. You don't have to deny it so fervently." Another scratch on Elsa's monstrous head before she hopped into her bed for the night. The bedroom dropped a few degrees until it reached a comfortable temperature to combat the summer's heat. She was quickly finding that having Elsa around was changing her life for the better.
Winning over Anna was one thing.
Winning over the hearts and minds of the people was quite another.
Elsa quickly realized that the life she was living in the castle was simple just another cage. A highly glorified and roomy cage, but one nevertheless. And dragons, no matter the size or type, weren't fond of cages.
"Anna?"
"Yes, Els?"
"Can we go outside today?"
"Sure, I'll let the guards know to clear everyone out of the garden."
"No, I mean, beyond the castle walls. I want to go down to the village where the people are. There's a festival going on today and they'll be singing and dancing. People will be walking the streets."
"Els," Anna said somberly, "I don't think that'll be such a good idea. You know that they don't know about you and I don't know what they'll do when they find out." She reached out to pat the dragon on her head but Elsa shook herself away.
"But what about our promise. We agreed that I wouldn't be locked away ever again, doesn't that still matter, don't you still care about that?"
"Of course! You can still go outside wherever you want to."
"Except I'm not allowed to meet any people?" Elsa finished dryly, "The only ones I see everyday are the servants of the castle and they barely acknowledge my existence."
"I'm sorry Elsa but you're being unreasonable. It's not right to drop you on the people like that. You're a big enough secret as it is and they're important to me. Now, I know you want to go and see them but… You just can't! Not right now."
The dragon had considered all of that; however, was she really going to live the rest of her days stuck all day in the castle? She adored Anna and valued her input but the little Princess didn't share Elsa's pain. The Princess got to go outside and make pleasantries with the citizens of Arendelle. She also was allowed to make her appearance at the festival and to play games, have fun, and meet everyone down there.
Was it too much to ask for Elsa to be allowed to do the same?
"Okay, then."
"I'm really sorry, I promise, I'll make it up to you later."
"No, I'm fine. You go have fun and enjoy yourself. I'll just stay here and sign some more documents."
Anna smiled brightly and tickled underneath Elsa's chin, "Thank you."
"I love you, Anna, I hope you know that."
"I love you too, I'll come and visit you when I'm back."
Elsa grinned as the little Princess danced away to her chariot. The girl spun around a couple of times to wave at her before she had rounded a corner and was gone from sight. Elsa dropped her cheerful countenance at once and sighed, "I love you most." And made her way back inside the castle.
It was the first day that her and Anna slept apart. The Princess argued that she was getting older and needed her own room. The dragon was hurt but agreed after a short while; Anna was old enough that she deserved her own space. She couldn't be by Elsa's side all the time.
Anna turned sixteen the second day of the Summer festival.
Elsa disobeyed Anna and went down the hill to the village for the first time.
Everything was new to her. It was night and the town was still; so unlike the commotion during the day. A few dogs started to bark at her but were called back inside by their owners. Elsa was left by herself once more. The streets were lined with empty shops which, the next day, would be replenished with bright and gaily items to draw customers. This was a new experience for Elsa. She had never been truly away from the castle except when she was a hatchling. She wasn't even a week old yet when she was brought here.
She felt like a child looking at the world with new eyes. The dragon snorted and weaved in between little stores and alleyways until she reached the town square. A beautiful fountain gushed water out and played a lovely tune to her ears.
She started humming and dancing. It was her first time letting go.
Beautiful creations decorated the floor; each one telling a story. It was an eloquent creation with bauble like fixtures hanging loosely off a loosely weaved net. Then next to it a ship rose out of a pile of snow and several men and women danced on its deck. One of the people that was crowned was peering down into the snow. A little head peered out stretching out her hand with a fish at her side, a crab on her shoulder, and a seagull floating along in the water beside her.
It was a fairytale that Elsa loved to read to Anna only a year ago. Those had stopped too when the Princess complained that those stories were only meant for little kids.
Not far away a woman glared at the girl in the water; her torso was that of an octopus. Wrapped around her chest and shoulders were two eels that smiled wickedly at each other.
A few more scattered seashells, starfish, and sand dollars. Elsa turned to make her way back to the castle when a set of uneven footsteps on the pavement scared her.
She hid.
"Hey Sven old boy, why don't we settle down for the night. I'll go to the tavern and get us a place to stay; maybe I can even find us a few carrots?"
"Why of course," said the same voice but it shifted into a lower octave, "You better remember to buy them this time or I-"
The voice cut off as it viewed Elsa's masterpiece.
"Wow, now this is ice!" He tripped over his words excitedly and ran forward to examine the craftsmanship more closely.
"Flawless," he said as he ran a hand across the bow of the ship, "boy, would I like to have a word with the person that created this!"
As it just so happens, he got his chance when the Dragon knocked over a pot with her tail. She was hidden behind a stall at the moment and gasped when she exposed her location.
"Is anyone there?"
"No, no one at all." Elsa responded.
"Usual voices come from somewhere." Kristoff smiled and walked towards the sound of her voice.
"No, don't come any closer!"
He stopped.
"Did you do all of this?" He waved a hand behind him.
A shy Elsa spoke quietly, "Yes."
"Well, man, you're good. I mean, I've tried my hand at ice-carving but wow! I couldn't even come close to being able to do something like this. So you did this for the festival, right?"
"Yes, my sister loves fairytales. Or loved, she hasn't let me read one to her for a long time now." Elsa made a white lie but she did consider herself Anna's sister. She loved her in that way, which meant that she was betraying her right now by even being here. Elsa had agreed with Anna not to go down to town, and look what she did, she was speaking to someone she wasn't suppose to.
"Well, I'd like to congratulate you in person, if that's alright?"
"No, no, no. It's okay, you don't have to do that," she responded a little to quickly, "but you should probably go. Please."
"But I just got here?"
She groaned, "Look, okay. I'm really shy and I don't want people to see me. This was suppose to be a surprise for my sister."
Kristoff smiled lightly and patted Sven on the head, "Okay. But will I eventually get to see you?"
"Yes, no, maybe? I'll be here next year."
"Next year? That's a long ways away! Fine, I suppose that's as good as it's going to get. And look, I understand not being totally comfortable around people. I'm not going to judge. But I'll be back next year. After all, I'll be to busy during the winter harvesting ice to sell during the summer. That's the only reason I'm in town at the moment."
"Thank you."
"No problem," he smiled and began to walk off, "What's your name by the way? Unless, you don't want to tell me. And again, I'm not one to judge."
Here was her moment to lie, but Elsa felt like she could be brave. Even if it was for just one moment.
"Elsa, but please don't tell anyone."
Kristoff grinned head-to-toe, "Okay, see you next year, Elsa. I'm looking forward to your next creation." He left whistling and humming an old tune.
She was rolled up in a little ball catching the sunlight that filtered through the window. Suddenly, Anna sprinted in gaily and was squeaking with bottled-up excitement.
"Elsa, you should have seen it. Some person decorated the town square last night with decorations and no one knows who it was. Everyone in Arendelle is searching for whoever did it! Its simply marvelous!"
Elsa shifted politely and turned her gaze upon the Princess, "Oh really?" was all she said.
Anna shook her head fervently, "Yeah, it's a depiction of the Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson. Ah, the Prince dancing on the boat is so dreamy and the mermaid is peering up out of the water at him. I don't know where he got the seagull from though."
"Anna, I thought you weren't interested in fairy-tales?"
"Of course not, but the man that did that must be so handsome." She sighed dreamily and started fantasizing about the mysterious ice-sculpture of Arendelle.
Elsa was relieved that Anna didn't suspect her and also really disappointed, "Not all amazing artists are handsome, and what makes you think that the person that made that was a guy?"
"He must be in order to haul all of that ice into the town square."
"Maybe," Elsa admonished and went back to napping in the sunlight.
It seemed next year couldn't come soon enough.
Anna turned seventeen.
By this point, she really didn't know how to use her wings. And Elsa was scared of flying. So the dragon walked all the way back down to the square and was a little more cautious this time around; however, as soon as she reached it, she felt truly free. This time, she didn't craft mermaids or men. She brought to life another story.
A humble little round table rested right in front of the fountain. Teacups, plates, silverware, and furniture all stood side by side to form a giant ring around the center square. A girl reclined against the base of the fountain while a beastly man in human clothes hovered right above her; his eyes looked down filled with concern but most of all love.
A little rose bloomed on the small table she had first crafted and a thin-translucent ice dome fit just over it. Right next to the pair at the fountain was a little tea-set, and one of the teacups was cracked minutely on its rim.
A few scattered rose bushes here and their and an elaborate candlestick later, her newest fairytale-inspired-art was finished. She would be heading back to the castle now; Elsa felt a little disappointed.
"So you've returned. The man's voice from last year called out. She ran to the same place she hid last time but luckily he didn't see her. He was walking down a street nearby but a house blocked his view of Elsa; all he saw was the magnificent scene playing out right before him."
"Hey, are you here or did I come too late?"
The dragon remained silent for a few moments before replying, "I'm here."
"Good, I'm glad I didn't miss you. And bye the way, I love what you've done to the place. I might cry."
"Go ahead, I won't judge."
Kristoff sighed and rested his head against Sven, "Is that Beauty and the Beast?"
"Yes, another of my sister's favorites."
"You must really love her."
"I do, but she's changed. Sometimes I wonder what happened to the girl who adored fairy-tales and tailed around all the time behind me like a little duckling. She's changed and I'm afraid that it is not necessarily for the better…"
"Funny isn't it? People do change with time. Gosh, I would know better than anyone else. I've had to baby-sit hundreds of children at one time, all from my very large family. Now they're embarrassed when I tell them stories of what they use to do when they were younger."
"Seems like you have a very loving family."
"Well, yeah. I suppose so; but enough about me. Didn't you say I could see you this year?"
"I'm not sure that's a good idea." Her voice colored in fear and disapproval.
Kristoff barked in laughter, "Trust me; I bet I've seen worse. Do you have a weird scar or something?"
"No, but I'm really not suppose to let people see me."
He was silent for a moment as he took the time to ponder this new bit of information, "It's not like you don't like people. It's that you're not allowed to see them. Does your family not let you go outside much or something? How could they, what is wrong with them?"
"It's not them, it's me!" Elsa pleaded but Kristoff only shook his head. He sighed, letting go of some of his frustration, and made up his mind to try and coax Elsa from out of her shell. Or from out of the back of an empty stall in this case.
"Come on, I promise I won't freak out."
"You sure?"
"Yeah, I promise."
"-Cause I don't want you to freak out or anything."
"I promise."
"Well, okay then…" She knew it was wrong but Elsa decided to fight her reason and just let go of all inhibitions. She had known Kristoff for a year, or at least, he had kept his promise to not reveal anything about her for that long. She could trust him, couldn't she?
Elsa brought her head out and peered at the man for the first time.
His mouth twisted in horror and he was about to start screaming.
"Please don't freak out!" The dragon screeched and hid her head once more.
He closed his mouth and a little whimper escaped from it. The man started hyperventilating and his reindeer sidekick rolled his eyes. Sven butted Kristoff with his antlers, hard.
"Ow! Okay," he gasped out, "not what I was expecting. Just a simple dragon with magical icy powers. Okay. I think I can handle that."
"Can you?" Elsa retorted smugly.
This calmed him down the rest of the way. Right now it was simply the woman-dragon-thing he had met and talked to last year. "I think I'm alright now; you can come out of their now. I'm beginning to understand why you don't get around outside much and why you're so reluctant to meet strangers."
"No," she sighed as she crawled out from behind the booth and turned her head away, "I'm not that shy, trust me. It's the fact that I'm really actually not suppose to be here right now."
"Curfew?"
"If only. Well, I'm a dragon. And people don't usually meet a lot of -well- dragons; like, 'hey there how you doing?' That's why no one can no I've even been here. Please don't tell anyone." Her voice turned to pleading during the last few words she said.
"I won't. I still promise not to say anything; just like I'm not going to judge you. But don't you ever get to go out?"
"Not really. No?"
"Well, I'm an ice harvester. During the summer, you can find me here in town but I start to make my way out of here during the fall. You see that mountain over there in the distance? I know it's dark right now but dragons are suppose to have excellent eyesight"
"Yes, why?"
"Good, I go there during the fall and spring. During winter I'm down on the Fjord harvesting ice. Anyway, if you need a brake at anytime and simply need to get out of wherever you're living at, just go down to the base of that mountain and yell for help. You'll probably come across my family really quickly by doing that."
"What's your name?"
The man quirked an eyebrow at Elsa but responded, "Kristoff."
"Kristoff, thank you! For everything you've done and for being my first friend."
