It was a warm autumn evening. Elsa was standing on the balcony of her bedroom in Arendelle castle. She has been a queen for nearly two years now. Two years since the memorable coronation day. The day when her powers became apparent to the public, the snow storm she created and ultimately getting back her sister. Since then life was pretty good. Everybody seemed to accept her and her powers. After years of isolation she couldn't ask for more. Of course being a head of state has its drawbacks. She couldn't spend as much time as she wanted with Anna due to her responsibilities. But Anna had Kristoff, who was good for her whenever he was around.
That was probably the main reason why they parted ways. He was so rarely around. Of course he was, she thought to herself, You've made him the official Ice Master and Deliverer of Arendelle, so he was harvesting ice nearly whole winter, and then managing the distribution around the capital city and villages around the kingdom. Yet Anna seemed happy whenever he came from the mountains along with his reindeer Sven. Elsa herself very much liked to spend time with both of them, although she preferred his stories and anecdotes about his trade. Not that he had many of them. She leaned on the balcony support watching the orange aura of lights around the city. I haven't seen his blonde hair here since… My god, it's nearly six months, she thought.
Though Anna did made him more open he felt better in the mountains either alone or with Sven. He told Elsa these very words during some loose conversation between one of her meetings with the dignitaries. She remembered it because though he seemed happy his eyes were distant. And when their eyes met he smiled, as if he'd say "Don't worry about it". Elsa knew this kind of smile. It was a smile one gives to a child to not make it sad or frightened. She used this smile many times on Anna, although most of the times without success. And such smile was offered to her by her closest friend, apart from Anna of course.
The queen looked at the sky. It was alive, as Anna use to say. Elsa smiled. After a few minutes she went back to her bedroom, lighted the oil lamp and started preparing herself to sleep. She was already in her nightdress, hair still in braid, the same shape since she became queen. Sitting in front of mirror she began to comb her hair. Usually Anna did it before going to sleep, they'd chat, laugh and have fun while doing it. But now since Anna left for the university together with Olaf and Princess Rapunzel, Elsa is alone again. Temporarily, but still. She looked at herself in the mirror. Long platinum blonde hair, nearly ivory skin, brightly blue eyes. All the years of solitude came back to her and a soft snowflakes started to drop from the ceiling. She quickly got hold of herself. She put too much effort in learning the control over her powers to loose it now. Elsa stood up and went to the other mirror in her room. The big one that she could see her whole body. Twenty three years old and still I don't look a day older than nineteen, she giggled. During her reign few young princess, tall and handsome tried to seek her accounts, but without success. She always suspected more nefarious reasons behind it.
The only man the company she wasn't bothered was Kristoff. It's strange, she thought, that I felt so nice with him around. With this huge and goodhearted mountain man. Although they were the same age, and Elsa was taller than Anna, Kristoff was even taller. And broader in back, and his eyes were… She caught her reflection in the mirror, hugging herself and a blush on her cheeks. Elsa's eyes opened and she immediately scold herself. While sitting down Elsa knew what she had to do, what she thought she wanted to do, to be precise. She had to meet with him, just for a chat, maybe a walk, just to get rid of this feeling of loneliness. They were still friends after all. She put on the night gown and headed out of the room. On the corridor the queen asked "Does anybody know the whereabouts of the Ice Master?"
The day was very sunny and warm. You wouldn't think that winter was getting closer. Kristoff got up earlier than usual, maybe because he was impatient before the harvesting season, or maybe he just had a goodnight sleep. Whatever was the cause of this, he was in a good mood. Standing on the porch of his own lodge in the mountainside of the Arendelle kingdom. He bought this lodge with a bit of land from one of the ice harvesters who moved out to a bigger house due to having a baby. At the magistrate there were no bureaucratic problems whatsoever. The perks of being the royal Ice Master were undeniable.
He was drinking coffee when his reindeer friend came around. "Good morning Sven" he said, and seeing the reindeers expression he replied for him "Not so good". "Awww what happened? You didn't sleep well?", mountain man asked. Sven shook his head and looked at Kristoff as if he'd like to say "Do You have to ask?". Mountain man laughed, pet the reindeer and gave him a bunch of carrots for breakfast. Sven instantly started to eat, and Kristoff just watched for a while with smile. Then he set his eyes upon small lake that was also his property now. He may go swimming later, but now it's time to get to work. He drank his coffe and went inside the lodge. Few minutes later he came back wearing some old used up clothes and an axe. "Well then You enjoy hard earned rest after breakfast while I'll go chop some wood so we won't freeze in winter", mountain man said seeing the reindeer lying on the ground next to the empty wooden bowl. Sven only snorted which made Kristoff laugh out again. Yes, this is going to be a nice day, he thought himself and went to the chopping block.
This is a bad idea, a bad idea, bad idea, Elsa kept telling herself while riding a horse to the place where Kristoff was living for the last few months. This is so like out of some cloak and dagger story. Going to see her friend with a couple of servants and two soldiers to protect her. Whole company dressed as commoners and only the most trusted people. Officially she is on one of her travels to trade with one of the other kingdoms. Which one? Unspecified-dom it should be called. Everything, though rushed, was prepared within the week. All dignitaries, ministers were given orders, decisions were made, Arendelle was safe. At least according to every signs on earth and in the sky. And of course its just a couple of days tops. Yes, just few days of talking with someone else than just ministers and castle staff. So why am I so worried, she kept asking herself. Is it because this time Anna won't be here? That has to be it! Every time when they spoke to each other it was either in the presence of or waiting for Anna. And now she'll be alone with Kristoff. I mean I did take some backup after all, she smiled on that thought. Two well trained soldiers should be more than enough to deal with a mountain man.
What am I thinking about?, she scolded herself. Kristoff wouldn't hurt a fly. He was very respectful towards Anna, and she never complained about him being… Elsa's face became red on the thought of Anna and Kristoff, well… pushy about certain relationship thing! Very mature indeed. Anna never said nothing negative about it. If you think about it she never did talk about it actually. Again woman, what are You thinking about!
"My lady?", a voice threw her out of her thoughts. "Yes?" she replied trying to hide the blush on her face. It was one of the soldiers riding next to her. "We are getting close to our destination, your majesty. It's just fifteen minutes now", he informed her. "Thank You." Was all she could reply. The soldier bowed on the horse and got ahead watching surroundings. Fifteen minutes, fifteen minutes, fifteen… Ooooohhh, this was a really bad idea, she told herself, and a little path of icy land formed right under her horse.
When they got to the premises Elsa got off her horse and went to the gate, soldiers two steps behind her ready to protect their queen. Though she could definitely handle herself using her powers, they were needed to keep the appearances of official visit. Some of people say that since the queen can rule the ice the army could be disbanded, but Elsa knew better. Not only she would not want to use her powers on such scale but also disbanding the army would mean a hundreds if not thousands of unemployed people.
The wooden sign above the gate stated "Property of the Official Ice Master and Deliverer of Arendelle. ". Nothing special, you could easily miss it if you wouldn't pay attention. But for Elsa this meant two things: one – Kristoff took his role seriously and second – she was just at his doorstep. Elsa took deep breath, pushed the gate and started walking up the path leading to the household. She could hear the sounds of chopping. Bad idea, bad idea, bad idea, kept running through her mind, but the feet were moving her on their own. She was so close…
Kristoff was getting ready to chop one of the last pieces of wood when he heard the familiar female voice "You're a hard man to find Ice Master". He turned his head towards the direction of the voice and saw her. Sven woke up at the same time, raising his head he looked like he was either happy or confused. Or rather happily confused. He started to jump around like a puppy and walk towards Elsa. Two men behind her immediately rushed in front of her but she stopped them with the gesture of hand. "Hello there Sven. How are You" she kneeled down and pet the reindeers head. Sven started licking her hand in return.
Kristof was standing there, thousand thoughts running through his head. How? What? Why is the queen in his garden? Why is she petting Sven? Why is she dressed like a commoner? Who are the men behind her looking at me like they'd like to beat me up? Why am I still holding this axe? What the hell is happening? Finally he put the axe down and slowly walked towards Elsa. She looked at him still kneeled down petting the reindeer and smiled gently. Kristoff finally kneeled down on one knee and said "Your majesty. Ermmm… How may I be of… ermmm.. assistance?". In his ears he sounded like an idiot. But hey, I can't go greet the Queen of Arendelle with a "Hi!".
Elsa stood up. "I am on one of my unofficial travels around the country Ice Master. I would be honored if I could stay here as Your guest for a couple of days." Her voice was soft, smile was still on her face. Her eyes where looking straight into his. "I, well…. Ummm… Of course your majesty. But thing is I don't have a guest house, and the lodge is… well… kind of small... and not of royal standards". Great job Kristoff, he thought to himself. Now you sounded like you were refusing not only a woman, but a queen herself. Elsa chuckled a little "Well then Ice Master. Is there an Inn you can direct me to?" she asked "And you may stand up." He immediately thought of the nearby village where he'd get his supplies and groceries. "Ermm.. Yes, your highness. Just around thirty minutes of horse ride up the main road. There's a small village. There is very good inn and general store." Elsa's smile came out of her face and she was silent for a while. She stared at Kristoff, who tried not to look a little bit intimidated. Ah yes, a large and muscular mountain man defeated by the glare of a slim woman. But she is a Queen, and by God she is beautiful… and scary… sometimes… but mostly beautiful. With her big icy blue eyes, long blonde braid and… Wait? What the hell is he thinking. It's the Queen. And Anna's older sister. Geeezzz… I'm done for it.
"Very well then, Ice Master. Thank You for the information." she gently said finally. She turned to the two men behind her . "Captain, you know where you're quarters will be. Send for my things and You can be dismissed. I will be staying here for the next few days. And don't worry. I'll be safe. Enjoy the few days off." She said to one of them. They bowed and went back the pathway still sometimes looking at their direction.
Kristoff was standing with what he thought was the stupidest face he ever showed, but Elsa came to him and poked him with an elbow. "Will I be safe here Ice Master?" she asked. "Of course your majesty." he replied immediately. She smiled again, this time a blush came on her face. "Call me Elsa, please". What the hell is going on? Kristoff was asking himself all the time. He glanced at Sven who was apparently enjoying the show on his expense. Thanks very much buddy, he thought to himself.