Taking a Break
A month has passed since the winter at Arendelle. Well, it's not technically winter because it happened at summer but the cold can make one argue that it was winter but then again it was only for a short time so it can be called winter at summer and – eh, you get it.
Kristoff lay in his hay bed and sighed. He thought of the events that happened last month. The events that changed his life forever. By helping the princess, he suddenly had a purpose in life now. Before, he always thought he would die alone in a musty, old cave. But now he was Arendelle's Ice Master and Deliverer. Since then he wasn't sure if his life actually got better or worse.
A small moan came from Kristoff's side. He was slightly startled, but realize it was only his loyal companion, Sven the reindeer. They'd been through much together and he still slightly thinks that reindeers are better than people.
Kristoff gave him his favorite carrots but was too lost in his thoughts to take a bite himself. He thought about life and the probability of a princess falling for him. Probably a measly 1%. But that 1% can still happen and it did in the form of Princess Anna.
He covered his eyes and tried to remember her. It was always Anna' strawberry blonde hair came to his mind first. Then her blue eyes came next and then her freckles. He envisioned her small lips, which he could kiss all day if she gave him her permission, and soon he had the perfect image of Anna. She offered him to sleep at tha castle, but he declined. Kristoff reasoned that a mountain man like him could never be used to castle life, so he left and promised he would come back someday later.
Sven nudged his now carrot-less hand. "You miss her, don't you?" Kristoff imitated his reindeer's thoughts.
"What? No, I don't," Kristoff gave off an uneasy laugh. "What makes you think that, buddy?"
Sven raised his eyebrow and Kristoff knew that his best friend could see right through him.
"Is it that obvious?"
The reindeer nodded.
Dammit, even animals knew that he was in love. Yes, he was in love. In love with a princess he knew he could never be with. He was not a prince, he was not rich or good looking or had servants. Hell, he wasn't even sure if qualified as a servant for royalties. He had nothing to offer to Anna, whch made it even more impossible.
But during that last month they'd been together for a couple of times, Anna did show great interest in him. She asked tons of questions about his job, his family, his hobbies, his foot size, etc. She also looked concerned when Kristoff slipped because she spilled some water on the floor. And most importantly, Anna seem to liked his presence. She would always scoot next to Kristoff and move her face uncomfortably close to his when they talk.
They kissed of course. Kristoff also asked for her permission and was shocked when she said yes. But it was only one time and he was confused if that already meant that they were a couple. He was never good with people, and he would never admit it to Anna but she was his first kiss. Kristoff touched his lips and hoped he wasn't such a bad kisser.
"I just wish that things could be more simple." Kristoff put his cap on his head. "I mean, she's a princess. A princess, Sven. Totally out of my league. I'm starting to think that even Hans would be better for her if he wasn't such a manipulative freak."
Kristoff sighed again. He was in for a long night
"Elsa, have you seen Kristoff?"
Elsa heard Anna's voice from her room. She had been busy with paper work all day and had no time to know about the whereabouts of her sister's friend.
"No, Anna. I don't. Now leave me and close the door."
Instead of following her orders, Anna came closer and sat the end of Elsa's table. She looked grudgingly at her younger sister.
"Who gave you permission to sit on my table?"
"I'm the princess. I can do what I want."
"And I'm the queen, which makes my rank higher than yours, which means you have to follow what I say," Elsa finished quickly. She and Anna have been through this conversation hundreds of times.
Anna laughed light-heartedly. "I know, I know. You're the queen who hates people and does not know how to have fun," she teased.
Elsa barely looked at her sister and instead continued to read some kind of contract.
"You can make skating rinks but that was only one time. What else have you got?"
"I don't need fun, Anna. I'm fully contented in my castle," Elsa said, slowly getting annoyed at her sister's antics.
"Doing boring stuff, writing down on boring paper and staying here in this boring castle. Seriously, though, don't you ever do anything fun?" Anna laid down on the table, much to Elsa's annoyance. Then Anna's face suddenly brightened and she smiled at her sister.
"I do not like that look on your face," Elsa said nervously. When Anna smiles like that it means she has some crazy idea in her head and she would do it no matter what.
"We could go on a trip!" Anna squealed. "It'll be so much fun, Elsa. Just imagine, the sun, the trees, the smell of mud. Eew, okay disregard that last one."
Elsa wasn't sure if her sister was shaking from excitement or having a seizure. The idea of leaving suddenly appeared appealing.
"Where are you going?" Anna was now lying down on her stomach.
"Just going to grab a drink," Elsa stood rather hastily and shot a weird look at her sister.
"Hurry up, okay! Kristoff will be back any minute now and I'm going to ask him to take us on a trip."
In your dreams, Elsa thought. She was not going anywhere. Anna could never understand the duties and responsibilities of being a queen. She had tons of work and catching up to do after 13 years of isolation.
Her shoulders slouched as she poured herself a glass of water. Ruling a country is very hard, which is an understatement. She had on her shoulders the fate of her people. She has to stand for them. She would not let them starve. She thought about the winter incident and immediately felt regret that she let herself run wild.
Elsa was going to return to her room when she bumped into someone. She lost her balance and almost fell if it not for the strong arms that grabbed her waist and put her feet back into the ground. She looked up and saw Kristoff, the mountain man.
"Sorry, uh, Queen Elsa," Kristoff gave her a sheepish smile. "I wasn't looking and then you suddenly came and then I –."
Elsa cut her off with a wave of her hand. "It's okay. You don't need to apologize." She tried to hide the blush one her cheeks and go but Kristoff was making it hard.
"Your Majesty, have you seen Anna?" Kristoff asked quickly.
"Actually, I have. Is there a problem? Do you have a problem with my sister?"
"No," Kristoff said rather defensively. "You got it all wrong, I was just going to ask her some questions. Please don't put me in the dungeons."
Elsa held her gaze at his brown eyes. Then, she giggled a bit. Did the Queen just giggle at me, Kristoff asked himself.
"I was just messing around. She's at my room. You can talk to her if you like."
"Thanks, Elsa."
"Can you also tell her to get off my table? I won't put you in the dungeon of you did," Elsa smirked at Kristoff and then went somewhere else.
That was weird. Kristoff thought he was going to rot for life in the dungeons, but the queen just giggled and winked at him. Maybe she was laughing at Kristoff's clumsiness, but at least he got away safely.
He entered Elsa's room and saw Anna playing with her hair.
"You bored?"
Anna sat up quickly and straightened her dress. "No, not at all."
Kristoff snorted. "Please, you play with your hair when you're bored." Kristoff took a seat beside her at Elsa's table. What was that part about the dungeons?
Anna grabbed his arm and pointed a finger at his chest. "Well, mister know-it-all, I have something to say for you."
Anna pressed her lips against Kristoff's. It was a soft and passionate kiss.
Stop, a voice in Kristoff's head said. You're not here to do that. In fact, you came here to do the exact opposite thing!
Kristoff broke the kiss. Anna looked disappointed and he immediately regretted his poor decision. "Anna, I came here to tell you something."
Kristoff dreaded what he has to say, but he has to break their relationship. He thought about all the possibilities in their life if they were not stuck with each other. In the end, he figured it was for the best.
"What is it?"
"Promise you won't hurt me but," Kristoff gulped. "I think, uh, maybe we should take a break. You know, from the relationship stuff?"
Once he said those words, he felt like his heart broke into a million pieces. Anna's face was enough to do all that. He saw that he was hurt, and he felt her pain.