He sees her in the distance, her elaborate jewellery and fine clothes marking her for what she is: a princess. Her hair glints golden red against the bloody sunset, her eyes flashing as they meet his, a sneer of disgust marring her delicate features. The order to plunder the village dies in his throat as something takes root in his mind, something dangerous…

"Herre? What are your orders?"

He hesitates, sparing the briefest of moments to weigh up the benefits. His mouths curls into a smile as he replies.

"A change of plan…. I don't think we will burn this one,"

"Oh?" the man looks confused, and rightly so. At this stage, waiting for the Red Fox's command to decimate the village was merely a formality, one that ensured his word was law.

"Don't look so surprised, Friedrich. Even I can be merciful…if tempted by the right bargaining chip." He turned and grinned wolfishly. "Have someone set up a meeting. I want to propose a deal,"

"What for, herre? This place is already on its knees… What could they possibly have to offer us by sparing them?"

Hans kneels down, using the cloak of a fallen warrior to wipe his blade. When he is satisfied that it's cleaned to his liking, he sheathes it and turns back to the other man, grinning.

"Why, the princess, of course."


"What?"

Anna doesn't have time for manners now, not when bodies of the villagers lie bleeding into the ground and one of her guards bears news as repulsive as this.

"They what?" She advanced on him, fire in her eyes.

"Your advisors are having some sort of meeting, your majesty. I believe the barbarians have proposed some sort of treaty?"

"And they dare shut me out?" She seethed, sweeping from the room. She knew she shouldn't shoot the messenger, but controlling her temper was somewhat difficult when she seemed to be facing opposition to her authority at every turn.

She marched down the hallway, focusing on unballing her fists and attempting to walk in a more regal manner. She tried to remember how Elsa walked – so poised, with so much grace…right before she had been oh-so-gracefully run out of the kingdom by suspicious troublemakers. Nothing had ever been the same since; Anna had been expected to take her sisters place, but with far less training and experience than Elsa, she often found her supposed advisors attempting to go behind her back regarding one matter or another.

But enough was enough – Anna would not be cast aside whilst the fate of her people was decided. She had a right to be there, no matter the opinion of the haughty elders. In fact, she may just find herself a few elders short once this whole ordeal was over… She really had tried to be patient, but there was only so many times she could bear being treated this way. Shewas in charge here, and it was time to show it.

She heard low murmuring coming from behind the door of the meeting room, occasionally punctuated with an odd laugh. Were they exchanging jokes? What was the meaning of this? Anna threw open the doors, startling the men of her court but causing the barbarian representatives to merely look round curiously. She narrowed her eyes, noticing those of her advisors grow wide with horror as she approached.

"Am I really that much of a figurehead that I'm not even invited to discuss matters regardingthe safety of my people?"

The barbarians sat back and smirked at Anna's advisors, clearly enjoying the show. A voice whispered in the back of her head that showing dissent in front of the enemy was a bad idea, but how were they supposed to present a united front when she hadn't even been in attendance? It was madness.

"Your highness! What are you doing here?"

"Surely the more prudent question is: why, as crown princess, was I the last to know about this little meeting? And further still, why was I not invited?"

Before the man could answer her questions, one of the representatives spoke.

"Your majesty, I'm afraid there's been a terrible mix-up. You were never intentionally left out, believe me." Anna snorted, between her treacherous advisors and the bloodthirsty beasts from afar, she didn't know who in the room she trusted the least.

"In fact, it is of vital importance that you hear the terms for peace."

Anna eyed the man suspiciously. He was remarkably well-spoken for a savage. Not a speck of blood from the battle was apparent anywhere, either. Perhaps even savages had their own sort of diplomats.

"Yes," she nodded curtly. "It is."

"Actually, may I suggest that you personally agree the terms with our prince? Surely it should be the people in charge making the decisions, not people like us," he gestured around the room to himself and the advisors.

"Now wait just a minute, we haven't -" One of her advisors, Alrik, tried to interject.

Anna cut him off, addressing the barbarian instead. "Well, where is this prince, then? I don't see him with you,"

"He believed coming in himself might walk him straight into a trap. He remains outside."

"He cannot judge everyone by his own standards. Bring him in,"

"Meaning no disrespect, but… he has far more to lose than you at the present time. We have you beaten and surrounded, and the only reason we haven't pillaged this place for all its worth is because he wishes to negotiate."

Ah yes, there it was; that brutish streak. Anna supposed they couldn't ever get rid of itcompletely, no matter how eloquently they spoke.

"Your majesty, going outside would prove unwise, I must advise against this…" The elder man leaned towards her, whispering. "If you just leave it to us, we'll get it all sorted…"

"Oh please, what could he do? Kill me? If he wanted that, I'd be dead already. And you need not worry about the decision. I will not rush into it. I will fully consult with you all before agreeing to any terms, but mark my words, I will be a part of it,"

The man turned away, muttering under his breath. Anna just managed to catch what sounded like "-whether you want to or not,"

Shaking her head at his cryptic words, but not wanting to engage in any further discussion with him, she made her way to the entrance, flanked by both her personal guards and the barbarian representatives. They left the relative safety of the castle and descended the steps to the courtyard, where a small group of fur-clad men were waiting.

She was greeted by the same man she had seen earlier from her balcony. She had initially thought him quite handsome…that is, until she saw him ruthlessly run through at least a dozen men with his sword, which was thankfully tucked away out of sight. For now. His eyes flashed in the rays of the dying sun as he turned to look at her, a smirk breaking across his blood-spattered face.

"Ah, your majesty. Do forgive me, I believe we've not been properly introduced…"

Another eloquent savage. No matter though – no amount of pretty words could hide the monster she knew lurked within.

"No, you killing half the population of my kingdom puts a bit of a dampener on formalities, don't you think?"

"Quite," his smirk morphed into a grin, revealing two unnaturally sharp canines which made the princess suppress a shudder. He looked positively feral. "Although there's no time like the present to rectify that. The Red Fox of the Southern Isles, at your service," he inclined his head, not quite bowing.

"Princess Anna, of the village you're currently pillaging." She mimicked his movement, believing such a beast deserved as little of her respect as she could possibly get away with. "Arendelle, in case you didn't know. I doubt your kind pays much heed to trivial things such as the names of the places you destroy,"

"Oh, but this is wonderful. I never usually have the opportunity to talk with those whose villages I've decimated. Are they all quite as charming as you? If so, I really must make a habit out of it."

Anna ground her teeth together but held her tongue. She mustn't let herself get carried away. He had allowed her those remarks, but she couldn't let this treaty slide for the sake of controlling her temper. Her people needed her, and for once she wanted to be able to prove she could be of some use. She let out a slow breath and straightened her back, looking him straight in the eye.

"I was told you were willing to come to some sort of arrangement. What are your terms for leaving us in peace?"

"They aren't terms, so to speak. More a demand. Just one. Though it is non-negotiable,"

"Non-negotiable?" she blanched. What could he possibly want so much as to propose such an all-or nothing deal?

"Non-negotiable," he repeated, starting to slowly pace back and forth in front of her. "Although, I suppose it doesn't matter much if you refuse, I could just take it anyway. At least this way your little village will remain intact,"

"What is it that you want?" she asked, curiosity piqued. Anna couldn't really think of anything Arendelle had that couldn't be found elsewhere. The tapestries, perhaps? That would explain why he hadn't burnt the place down already.

He stopped pacing and turned to look at her, fire in his eyes again. "You,"

Anna couldn't help the laughter that bubbled to the surface, clapping a hand over her mouth to help keep it in. "I'm sorry, I think I must have misheard you."

"No, you heard me quite right, princess. You, in exchange for the lives of your people."

"You mean…my life?" she looked for his sword, remembering the way it gleamed before it sliced through cloth, flesh, bone.

He laughed, seeming genuinely amused by the idea. "No, no. If I wanted that I would have already taken it." He saw her frown and spoke again. "Let me put it in plainer terms: I take you as my prize, and I won't burn Arendelle to the ground."

She gaped at him, a small voice in the back of her mind wondering if this were a cruel joke, though she knew full well that savages had better things to do with their time than play tricks on her.

"Your - your prize? I am a princess!"

"That merely makes you a better prize, my dear,"

"You're disgusting," she spat. "I'd never go with you!"

"Well then, looks like your little village is doomed. Oh, and -" he leaned towards her conspiratorially, although everyone surrounding them could still hear. "I'll just take you anyway. It'd just serve my purposes better if you weren't traumatised from watching your home razed to the ground, hence why I'm giving you the opportunity to come with me now,"

She took a step back, her hands held up. "There really must be some other arrangement we could come to…" she flailed her arms, as if she were trying to pluck ideas from the air itself. "Trade agreements? A part of our wool stockpile each year? Free passage through our lands? S-something…"

He laughed, those terrible teeth flashing again. "Like I said before, this is non-negotiable."

Anna took another step back, right into her guards. She turned to them, eyes wide and pleading. She saw them look to each other, doubt clouding their features. Their eyes shifted to Alrik, who nodded.

"Apologies, your highness…" one muttered, eyes not quite meeting hers. "But we have no choice,"

"No…" she whispered, backing away a little. But to where? "No!" she dove to the side, not sure where she was running to, but unable to think of any other option.

"After her!" She heard Alrik bellow behind her. Anna knew she wouldn't get far – her gown wasn't really created with running in mind – but she had to try. Had to be free one last time before…before– a rough hand clamped around her wrist, and she found herself being dragged back towards the sea of savage warriors, all matted fur, wild eyes and blood-stains.

"You can't do this! It's treason!" Panic bubbled in her chest, making her voice shrill.

"Princess, treason is an act committed against a ruler…since your dear sister left, you haven't really done so much ruling as moping,"

Anna had hardly suspected Alrik to put up much of a fight against this – with her gone he would be free to seize the power he so desperately wanted – but she'd thought he'd at leastpretend to have some remorse. Hands still restrained by the guards – her own guards – she did all she could think to do, which was to spit right in his face. She felt a grin twist her lips as it trickled slowly and oh-so satisfyingly down his face.

"You're welcome to her!" He looked to the jeering mob, his face contorted in anger. "Despicable behaviour…" he muttered, turning away to dab at his face.

"Says the one serving up the princess like a piece of meat to a bunch of savages!"

The redhead, who had been watching the altercation with a small smile playing across his lips, stepped forward. "Now princess, is that any way to talk about the men who will be taking you in?"

"I think there's a slight difference between taking someone in and kidnapping them!" she hissed, fists clenched.

"It would be best if you didn't see this as a kidnapping, princess…" He smirked, eyes glittering. "As that would imply I had any intention of giving you back,"

"You speak as if I have any intention of going with you to begin with," She lifted her chin defiantly, crossing her – now released – arms.

"And you speak as if you have any choice in the matter. Your people have chosen, and now," he chuckled, beginning to circle around her. "Now? You belong to me," He whispered the last part into her neck and Anna willed herself not to flinch, holding her ground despite the desperate thrumming of her heart against her ribs.

"I belong to no one, least of all the likes of you," She stared straight ahead, doing her best to ignore the way his breath felt against the hairs at her nape.

"That's where you're wrong," he breathed, placing his hands on her waist. Before she had time to react, he spun her to face him before carelessly throwing her over his shoulder as he turned and walked away from her castle, her home.

"What do you think you're doing?" she yelled, in amongst the jeers of his men. "This is completely undignified! Put me down at once! Do you hear me?" The thick furs he was wearing meant he barely felt her fists against his back. Anna wondered if pulling his hair would make him drop her, or just make him angry. She decided to risk it, grabbing a fistful of his fiery locks and yanking down hard. He let out a hiss of pain as his head snapped back, but his stride never faltered.

"'Aving some trouble eh, Fox?" One of his men yelled, the others hooting with laughter.

"I think this one might require some breaking in," He called over his shoulder, letting the hand holding her in place travel to her rump, giving it a possessive squeeze. She kicked out, hoping to catch him in the stomach and make him double over, but he merely chuckled and hoisted her a little higher.

"A difficult one, ent she?" Another one commented as he trudged past.

"Some would say difficult… but I merely say spirited."