Here we go guys! This the Anniversary Edition of Warmth of Love! I added several new scenes, enhanced the entire chapter with a new style of writing. More of an insight to certain characters, and their relationships. So, I dont want to hold you up any longer. Enjoy!
"Aren't you excited?" Zack turned and asked his friend. She glared back at him, wiping her mouth slightly. Zack was dressed in a fancy dark blue jacket with a white shirt underneath. Dark blue pants, and black dress shoes. Toni was dressed exactly the same, but instead of blue. Her clothes were dark red. Behind them, Vani slipped away, making sure to keep an eye on everyone approaching the castle.
"Why the fuck did I have to come? Why didn't you take May?" Toni demanded, he chuckled as she followed him off of the boat. When he didn't answer right away, she glared at him, and hit him.
"Ow! What?" Zack asked her, she gave him a look.
"Why?" She demanded once again, he shrugged, and looked around. He vaguely remembered this place, though last time he was here was years, and years ago. Frankly it was pissing Toni off, he was never this distracted.
"You need to get out more." Zack answered her simply, before turning his gaze to her, and looking her up and down. "And I can't believe you aren't wearing a dress." He muttered. Nobody in Mantriella minded, but this was different. And he had never been to the coronation of a Queen. Well, he was there for the wedding of Rapunzel and Eugene, but that was because of his sister. This was for his own interests. Toni glared at him with irritation.
"I don't do dresses. They're too girly." She answered him simply, he shook his head, and walked into town, off the docks. There were people everywhere. It was staggering, he hoped he could actually see Elsa today, if not… He would have Vani get into the castle, then let him in so he could talk to Elsa.
"But you are a girl." He replied coolly, with a smirk. He knew that would set her off. He loved to make her angry, and she loved to be angry, so it all worked out in the end. So many people wanted to see the Queen. Each had different reasons. He had advised Vani to keep an eye on some… Questionable people for him. Zack, himself was here for one reason really… Reconnection. He wanted to see Elsa again, he has memories of her, and Anna… But they're fuzzy.
"Gee, I had not a fucking clue! I just hate dresses… You know that, so fuck off." She snapped, he rolled his eyes, and smirked. Walking away. She stayed with him, making sure not to get lost in the sea of people here to see the coronation.
"Toni, please be on your best behavior. We're going to the coronation of royalty. This is important to me, so please don't embarrass me." Zack said, turning to her, with a smile. Toni sighed, and ran a hand through her short brown hair. Her dark caramel eyes hardening as she glared into his deep blue orbs. Toni crossed her arms childishly.
"You act like I'm a child… Or untrustworthy… I can behave…" She trailed off, Zack crossed his arms with a smirk, and raised an eyebrow at her she glared up at him before sighing dramatically. "Forget about that already! It was an accident, and I apologized to her 'majesty'" Toni told him, matter-of-factly. Zack frowned.
"You fucked her lady in waiting! In her bed!" Zack exclaimed loudly, earning a few curious looks from those around him. Toni glared at them all, making eye contact with each one, and putting hatred behind her gaze.
"Fuck off, nothing to see here!" She yelled at them, crossing her arms embarrassed as Zack shook his head. He looked towards the castle and hummed.
"Anyway, we've got some time to kill before the coronation actually starts… And it's pretty hot out, let's go get some ice to cool off." Zack said, Toni shrugged and followed him. They made their way to a cart. Two people were standing by it with a Reindeer. A woman, and a man. Each was dressed the same way, same Ice Harvester outfit, though the girls was noticeably smaller. Her frame smaller than Toni's relatively normal figure.
"Hey you two, need some Ice?" The man asked, blonde windswept hair, and a friendly smile on his face. Zack returned the gesture. The girl next to him had shoulder length blonde hair, the same shade as the man. She also had these big innocent blue eyes. Toni thought she was really pretty.
"Actually yes, we do. Looking to cool off before the Coronation." Zack told him, the man nodded. He moved, and grabbed some ice, putting it in a cloth bag, and tying it with a string. He handed it to Zack, who gratefully accepted it.
"You're going to the Coronation?" The man asked, Zack nodded. Toni was looking around absent mindedly, she saw Vani moving through the crowd, she seemed to be following someone. Toni swore, that girl never stopped working.
"Yeah I am. So, this ice is still really cold, way colder than I was expecting." Zack told him, the man smiled, and looked at his sled affectionately, rubbing it with a smile. The girl was petting the reindeer they had with them.
"Yeah, we are good. Names Kristoff, that's Kelsi, and Sven." Kristoff introduced the three of them, Zack nodded and smiled at him.
"I'm Zack… Um, Prince of Mantriella. This is my friend Toni." Zack introduced himself, and Toni, who glared at him slightly. Kristoff's eyes widened as he heard who Zack was.
"You're a Prince?" Kristoff asked, Zack shrugged.
"More or less… In fact, I'll let you in on a secret… I'm engaged to the soon to be Queen." Zack told him, Kristoff hummed, with a smile.
"That's awesome… Uh, feel free to mention our Ice Business to the Queen if you get a chance." Kristoff suggested, Zack smiled at him, and handed the bag of Ice to Toni. She took it, and dabbed it across her forehead. Kelsi watched her, and giggled a little bit.
"Oh, if I get the chance I will. Always happy to help out." Zack said, Kristoff smiled at him, then looked around. He gave Ice to another customer, before turning back to Zack.
"So, how is it you and the Queen are engaged? The castles been on lock down for years."
"Thirteen years to be exact… That's when I had to leave the castle. Things happened, let's just leave it at that. You see, they might have closed off the castle, but they never could close off my feelings… All these years, I've been waiting to come back." Zack told him, Kristoff nodded.
"Why did you wait so long?" Kristoff asked him, Zack frowned, and looked down at the ground. He ran a hand through his black hair, before sighing.
"My dad wouldn't let me, said it wasn't the right time. In fact, I really wasn't supposed to leave according to him… But after suffering through countless Princesses trying to claim that we were meant for each other… I tell you, Princesses are insane." Zack said with a laugh, Kristoff shrugged.
"I wouldn't know, probably never will. I'll take your word for it though." Kristoff replied, Zack smirked at him, and shrugged.
"You never know what life holds." Zack told him, Kristoff rolled his eyes. Toni snuck a look at Zack before getting a mischievous look. She undid the knot of the string, and pulled a piece of ice out of the bag. She tossed it in the air several times, looking around.
She spotted Hans. Some Prince that came to Mantriella and tried to woo her one time. She very aggressively explained to him that she didn't like guys, and kicked him where it hurts. She smirked, and tossed the ice at him as hard as she could.
The ice flew and hit him in the neck, it wasn't a large piece, but it was noticeable. Hans looked around confused before looking down from his horse, and seeing the ice cube. He looked up to see Toni standing there innocently watching Zack, and Kristoff talk. He made his way over there, and got off his horse. Vani made her way to Zack's side protectively.
"Hey! It's Prince Zack, and his Personal Guard!" Hans exclaimed, Zack glanced at him. He had to maintain a polite demeanor, didn't want to cause an incident between nations. Vani however was not bound by such things, she only cared about Zack's wellbeing. Though that encompassed Toni also, Vani did not like the girl too much. They had a few incidents in the past. Several Prank wars.
"I'm here too. Idiot." Toni muttered under her breath, Hans ignored her completely, and shook Zack's hand. He also introduced himself to Kristoff, and Kelsi. The latter of which he hit on shortly after. Kristoff came to her defense, explaining that she wasn't comfortable with that sort of thing. Hans nodded politely, and turned his attention to Zack.
"It's a pleasure Hans. It's been too long." Zack said, Hans smiled at him.
"It really has. I've been dying to return to Mantriella ever since I left, your country has such a rich culture. Plus, I wouldn't mind a chance to win my dignity back." Hans laughed, Zack laughed with him, remembering the duel they had. It was a close match, intense too, but in the end Zack won.
"Maybe I can convince Elsa to let us have a rematch here?" Zack suggested, Hans laughed.
"Maybe, she is a Queen, or going to be, ruling a land is hard work, I doubt she'd have time for such simple matters." Hans said, before humming. "I would love to stay and chat, but I was planning to see more of the town, I'll see you inside Zack." Hans said, before getting on his horse, and riding off. Vani kept an eye on him.
"I will shadow him. Make sure he doesn't try anything." Vani told Zack before following after Hans, Zack smiled a little bit. Toni sighed, and saw people making their way to the Castle. She looked at Zack, and hit his arm to grab his attention.
"Hey, I think the gates are opening." Toni told him, Zack nodded and looked to his new friends. They were packing up their sled. Kelsi was hitching Sven to the sled, while Kristoff was tying down the ice.
"You guys aren't coming?" Zack asked, Kristoff shook his head. It was an open invitation, anyone who wanted to come in Arendelle was welcome. Though formal invitations were sent out of course, this was only to the other nations.
"We would, but this is the only time when no one will be around to steal the Ice out from under us, we can make a huge profit if we play this right." Kristoff explained to Zack, who nodded. Zack waved to them as they got on the sled and rode off. Zack and Toni made their way through the crowd. They quickly got to the front of the crowd with ease. They see Rapunzel and Eugene there, and wave to them.
Moments later the large gates open up, and out comes the Princess. Princess Anna, she looked exactly like Zack remembered, but older of course. He smiled, she was preoccupied with singing a song, so she rushed past without really seeing him. He chuckled, classic Anna. He considered following after her, but then hummed, see the balcony doors open up.
He and everyone else filed into the large courtyard as Elsa came out, and watched them all from the balcony. Zack just stared up at her, she was even more beautiful than he remembered her to be. Toni smirked next to him, and elbowed his side a bit, causing him to glare at her before looking back to Elsa.
"Wow, you've got it bad, holy shit." Toni commented on his behavior. He was never like this, he was always attentive, but now he seemed to be focused on one thing, and one thing only. Toni didn't believe that the kind of love Zack was feeling really existed, that true love. Her heart had been broken, her trust betrayed. She didn't think anything was so permanent.
As Zack is staring up at his childhood friend, he thinks for a moment, that as she's looking down, scanning the crowd from on high, that she might lock eyes with him, and recognize him. But then he realizes how unlikely that is, he had his doubts that she remembered him after all this time, but he hoped she did.
Shortly after this everyone enters the church, and sits down, waiting for Elsa to come and take the Royal Scepter and Sphere. Signaling the weight, and responsibility of rulership. This would officially induct her as the Queen of Arendelle. Zack sat in the front row, Toni next to him, and Vani stands in the corner, watching everyone in the room. Anna rushed inside and took a breath of relief that she wasn't late. She made her way to the side in front of the rows of people sitting, she was in front of Zack's row.
"Zack?" She whispered, recognizing him immediately, Zack smiled at her but before he could respond the choir overhead began singing, signaling that the Queen was making her way down the aisle. She reached the priest who was holding the Royal Scepter, and Sphere on a pillow. She reached for them, only to hesitate when the Priest whispered something to her. She removed her gloves, and proceeded to actually take them this time, turning around, and taking in a deep breath holding it. The Priest began his speech.
Zack frowned slightly as he noticed how nervous she was, and how the frost started to form on the scepter and sphere. She still wasn't in full control of her powers. Back then, she had been careful, but he had been helping her. The one night he wasn't there, something went wrong. He partially blamed himself, he had been out with his father that night, for his birthday.
The priest finished his speech, and Elsa hastily turned around, and placed the Royal scepter, and sphere back down, putting on her gloves once again. She then proceeds to walk out of the room. The rows follow her out, but Zack, Toni, and Anna stay back until everyone else leaves. Once this happens the three leave the church.
"Hi… Uh, you are Zack right? If not, then you look exactly like him, or how he would look! He used to be around all the time, then he just left one day, anyway, he was really nice, and he left, and I think you might be him, so are you him?" Anna asked, Zack chuckled, and wrapped his arm around her.
"Oh, I see you're still the same rambling Anna I remember." Zack told her happily, she squealed. Literally squealed in delight, jumping up and hugging him tightly, he laughed, and hugged her back, picking her up, and spinning her a few times. He put her back down, and she smiled up at him.
"I can't believe you're actually back! Wait until Elsa finds out! Oh, my god! Are you here to marry her?" Anna asked, Zack laughed at her.
"Easy Anna, I don't know yet. Maybe… I hope at least…" Zack trailed off as they entered the ballroom. Anna perked up.
"I hope you do! Elsa, and I haven't been close since you left. She just shut me out after that, I doubt she even likes me anymore… Maybe you could talk to her for me?" Anna asked, Zack smiled at her, and hugged her.
"Of course Anna." He promised her, though he frowned once she looked away. It was hard imagining that Elsa had really shut her sister out, but Zack believed Anna, she wouldn't lie about something so serious.
"Oh! I think I have to be up there… Come up, and we'll talk some more, and you can surprise Elsa, okay?" Anna asked, kissing his cheek before bouncing off. Zack shook his head, and looked to Toni. She was looking around bored out of her mind, she was never good during these events.
"You okay Toni?" Zack asked his friend, she glared at him slightly before it faded into a bored look of recognition. Elsa came out to look upon the crowd, and the dance begun.
"You know how I feel about these kind of things." She reminded him, he nodded, then smirked getting an idea. He grabbed her arm, and started leading her to the crowd. "What the fuck are you doing?" She demanded, he chuckled, and pulled her in close, placing his hand on her back.
"Dance with me, you spent all that time learning, time to put it to the test!" Zack exclaimed excited, Toni glared at him, as they began to dance.
"I fucking hate you sometimes. Making me do this, around all these people! You're a fucking cunt!" She yelled at him, he just laughed at her, as they began to move faster. Toni looked down at her feet real quick, before back at her best friends smirking face.
"You know you love me." He replied, as he spun her around and pulled her against him. She pushed off, and spun again, with a glare on her face.
"You know I hate it when you spin me. Asshole." Toni accused, Zack laughed again, they continued on like that, Toni insulting him, as she danced with him. He was the only person who she could let her guard down around. They were best friends, the closest out of everyone in their group of friends.
"Did you have fun?" Zack asked her, as the song ended. She rolled her eyes.
"Just go, and fuck your Queen. I'm thirsty." She told him before stomping off, he laughed at her retreating figure, which she heard and sent him a gesture that told him she was angry. He knew it wouldn't last however, she could never stay mad at him. In truth she had never really been mad at him once.
Zack decided to follow Toni's order, and went up to the front of the room where Elsa, and Anna stood. He saw a short, old man drag Anna away, he smirked and waved at her as she passed by him. He chuckled and went up to Elsa, with a slight bow.
"Queen Elsa… My name is Zack Domino Keire, Prince of Mantriella. You remember me?" Zack asked, Elsa's eyes widened, but she quickly regained her calm, composed demeanor.
"I do… It's wonderful to see you again Zack…" Elsa told him politely, Zack sighed, and gave her a serious look.
"I remember Elsa." He told her, she gave him a confused look before realizing what he meant. A panicked look came to her eyes.
"What exactly do you mean?" She asked him, he gave her a small smile.
"About… Well, the Snow, and the Ice…" Zack whispered to her, she sighed. "You don't have to worry. I would never reveal your secret." Zack told her, she let out a small breath of relief.
"Thank you… Zack." Elsa thanked him with a slim smile, he smiled, and held out his hand.
"So, can I have this dance, your majesty?" Zack asked, she gave him an apologetic smile, and shook her head.
"I don't really dance." She refused his proposal, he sighed, and retracted his hand, looking to Anna, she gave him a look, and he looked back to Anna, remembering her words from before, about being shut out. He looked back to the older sister, and frowned.
"Elsa, don't you remember how close we were?" Zack asked sadly, Elsa looked away, and frowned.
"I do… But…" She stopped, she could feel her control slipping, and she had to maintain her regal, respectable manner. She was a Queen, and her powers were too dangerous. This couldn't go on. "I'm sorry… But I think you should go now…" Elsa muttered sadly. It tore her apart to say that to him. He frowned disappointedly.
"Elsa… You can't keep pushing people away, and freezing them out. People love, and care about you… Like Anna… And me… So, don't ask me to leave, don't push me away… Please…" He pleaded with her, he gave her a sad look, she had to look away from him, to the ground. Anna came back at this moment, she was clutching her pained foot.
"You are just as bad as she is! Letting me be dragged off like that!" Anna complained. Then she saw how the two looked, she looked between them worriedly. "Ow. What's going on here? Exactly?" Anna asked, Zack hummed, and Elsa looked at her sister.
"Nothing at all Anna." Elsa answered coolly, Zack scoffed at her words. Anna looked at him, she was about to ask what upset him, but he shook his head and walked away from the two. Elsa stared after him, and frowned, before taking a deep breath regaining her composure.
"What's wrong? Did you two have a fight?" Anna asked, Elsa didn't answer, Anna frowned and looked to where Zack had gone. "He was really excited to see you again…" Anna explained to her sister, Elsa sighed, and rolled her eyes.
"It's fine Anna. Don't worry about it." Elsa told her coldly. Anna looked down at the ground, and played with her fingers.
"But, I was hoping you two would be like you were… When we were little… He would always play with us, and you and him would do everything together… You could be that way again?" Anna suggested gently, Elsa closed her eyes, and shook her head.
"Anna, please… I know that happened… It doesn't matter anyway, the gates are going to be closed again soon. He couldn't stay." Elsa explained to the Princess, who got a sad look in her eyes.
"Well, why not?" Anna asked, reaching for her sister, causing the Queen to turn away from her.
"He just can't." Elsa answered, Anna frowned, and felt some tears coming to her eyes, and she swallowed a lump in her throat.
"Excuse me…" Anna said, before she walked away from her sister. Elsa stared after her as Zack's words echoed in her mind, his sad look surfaced in her mind, and she took a deep shuddering breath, trying to gain control of her emotions once again.
Zack was navigating through a crowd of people, trying to find his friend, he finally found her by the drinks. She was making out with some girl Zack didn't recognize. Of course he thought, she could talk her way into anything. He tapped her on the shoulder, she opened and eyes, and looked at him. She pulled away from the girl, and cupped her face.
"I have to cut this short cutie, find me later on, and we'll continue okay?" Toni asked, the girl blushed, and nodded, before stumbling off. Toni smirked as she watched the girl walk away from her. She turned to see Zack with a bored look. This was bad, this was very, very bad. He never lost his cheery demeanor.
"Let's go." Was all Zack said, Toni shrugged, and trialed after him, as he left the room. She had to think of something, he had never been like this before, well once, but that was when she first met him.
"What's up?" Toni asked, concern lacing her voice, Zack frowned, and looked back at her, giving her a fake smile.
"Nothing! I just needed some air, and wanted to hang out with my best friend." He told her with fake cheerfulness. Toni could tell the difference. She glared at him.
"Snap out of it Keire. I know that attitude is fake. Tell me what's wrong. Was it Elsa? Do I have to kick her ass? Because you know I will." Toni told him, Zack frowned, and shook his head.
"It's not like that, and please don't fight her. Couldn't stand my two favorite people trying to kill each other because of me. Just forget about it." Zack told her, she glared at him.
"No. I won't forget, that fucking bitch made you sad! Again!" Toni yelled, starting off towards the room. Zack gripped her arm, and stopped her. She looked at him to see a heartbroken look. She frowned, and hugged him tightly, almost hurting him.
"Please Toni. Just let it go. I'll be fine, plenty of time to convince her, right?" Zack asked, Toni smiled at him.
"That's real, keep that attitude up! I know, let's go dance like fucking morons!" Toni exclaimed, Zack laughed at her as she pulled him back inside the room. They began to dance, and laugh together. This continued until a slower song came on, and Toni leaned her head on his chest.
"You know… This is nice… Dancing with you, away from all the bullshit back home." Toni muttered, as she danced with him, he smiled.
"Yeah… I'm surprised you're actually doing this, you hate tender intimate moments like this." Zack commented, Toni huffed.
"I do not. I can have tender moments with people I actually give a shit about… So, just you. Consider yourself lucky." Toni muttered, Zack chuckled.
"Oh, I am lucky to have a friend like you… Even though everyone is staring at us like we're a couple." Zack told her uncomfortably, she shrugged.
"Fuck them." Toni muttered, the song ended, and she pushed her head off his chest, smiling up at him, he was only slightly taller than she was. Zack sighed, and looked around.
"It's pretty late… You want to go now?" Zack asked, Toni hummed. Zack had promised to show her around the village before they had to leave. She shrugged, and followed him outside the Castle, about halfway across the bridge they encountered Anna, and Hans, walking side by side, laughing, arm in arm. They also noticed that something behind them looked like it moved in the shadows. Vani no doubt, following Hans, as she was ordered to.
"Anna? Hans?" Zack asked, Anna heard him, and detangled herself from Hans, opting instead to run and embrace her friend.
"I'm sorry about Elsa, I didn't think she could be so cold… I'm sure she cares about you, she has too! But… I don't know, I guess she just shuts everyone out…" Anna muttered bitterly, Zack smiled sadly at her, and pat her head like he used to when they were kids. She smiled at this comforting gesture.
"Its fine, I'll be fine. So, why are you with Prince Hans?" Zack asked politely, he was suspicious of the Prince, who gave him a confident, and sincere looking smile. Toni could see past it however, she had an excellent bullshit detector, but it was nothing compared to Vani's.
"Prince Hans, and I… Are engaged!" Anna squealed, Zack looked between them. Anna was innocent, and judging by what Zack had heard, had little to no experience with these types of things. And Hans was… A womanizer at best, and manipulative snake at worst. But, Zack bit his tongue so he could support his friend.
"That's awesome Anna, congratulations… Didn't you just meet though?" Zack asked, Anna nods.
"It's True Love."
"Right, well when is the wedding Anna?" Zack asked her in a cheerful tone. It was real to everyone except Toni. She could see past it. He wasn't pleased, he wanted to protect Anna, and Hans was… A bad influence.
"We haven't worked everything out yet… We still need a few days to plan the ceremony… In fact, maybe you could come with us? We're going to ask for Elsa's blessing, she might feel more comfortable if someone she knows is around. Plus, I'm sure she totally loves you still! So, she should support whatever decision you make, and you support us, so she should too!" Anna explained her plan, Zack hummed and nodded.
"Why not? It would be nice to have another chance to try and talk to her." Zack replied. The four of them, not counting Vani, who was following behind silently, scaling walls, and all to avoid detection. They meet with Elsa in the middle of the room.
"Elsa! I mean, Queen Elsa. I would like to present to you, Prince Hans, of the Southern Isles." Anna introduced them, Elsa just looked between the four people curiously. "We would like your blessing, or our marriage!" Anna, and Hans exclaimed. Elsa just blinked at them, looking to Zack, seeing if he approved. She looked back to her sister, and her 'fiancé'.
"I'm sorry, I'm confused… What?" Elsa asked.
"Were engaged!" Anna repeated loudly, holding onto Hans' arm. Elsa cleared took a breath and looked at her sister worriedly.
"Anna, could I talk to you?" She looked to the other three watching the conversation between the sisters. "Alone?" Elsa finished, Anna gave her a look, and grabbed onto Hans' arm.
"No. Whatever you have to say, you can say to both of us." Anna said firmly, Elsa took a breath and regained her regal manner. She folded her hands in front of her.
"Fine. You can't marry a man you just met." Elsa told her coolly, Anna gives her a look of sadness.
"You can if it's true love." Anna tried to reason with her sister. Elsa didn't lose a bit of her poise.
"Anna, what do you know of true love?" Elsa challenged her sisters logic, Anna was taken aback.
"More than you! All you know is how to shut people out!" Anna accused the Queen, who visibly recoiled, her calm look melting into one of sadness. She also glanced at Zack, and saw him looking just as uncomfortable with the accusation. Even after all she did to him, he was still on her side. Still wanting to stand with her, she noted.
"You ask for my blessing, but my answer is no. Now, if you'll excuse me…" Elsa said, staring to walk away from them.
"Your majesty, if I may attempt to ease your-"
"No. You may not, and I'd appreciate it if you left." Elsa interrupted Hans, looking to a guard. "The parties over, shut the gates." Elsa ordered her guard, who saluted her, and went off to inform the captain of her bidding. In one last desperate attempt to get Elsa's attention Anna grabs her hand, only for the glove to slip off, Elsa turned around panicked, clutching at her exposed hand. "Give me my glove!" Elsa panicked, Anna held it close to her chest, in both hands.
"Elsa, please! I can't live like this!" Anna exclaimed loudly, Elsa looked at her sister, heartbroken at what she must do. What she must do, to protect her, to protect her sister.
"Then leave…" With that Elsa turned on her heel, and started walking away, Anna just stared at her, close to tears, and anger bubbling inside her. Zack looked between them, he didn't know who to side with at this point, but he knew that he had to help mend this relationship somehow.
"What did I ever do to you?" Anna demanded from her sister, this got the attention of most guests, who turned to look at the two.
"Enough Anna." Elsa muttered, close to the door.
"Anna, stop." Zack ordered, grabbing the Princess' shoulder, she shrugged him off.
"No. Why did you shut us out? Why do you shut the world out? What are you so afraid of?" Anna demanded from her sister, anger making itself evident in her voice. This caused Elsa's own anger to spike, she was sick of fighting, she just wanted this to be over, and she lost control over her emotions for a split second.
"I said enough!" Elsa yelled, turning around, and accidentally making a barrier of Ice Spikes. She gets a panicked look to her eyes, clutching at her hand, Zack saw that look. He knew Elsa, and he knew people. He recognized a fear in her eyes, a primal sort of fear, that an animal gets when they're about to run. He had to stop her, reason with her somehow.
Zack ran around the spikes, Elsa noticed this and opened the door, running out of it. Vani who had been watching the whole time, moved fast, she ended up bumping into Elsa, knocking her off balance, and slowing her down a little bit, so Zack could keep up.
"Elsa!" Zack yelled, he saw her in the courtyard, and ran to her, she had just frozen a fountain. She accidentally shot off another Ice blast at the stairs where the Duke, and his goons stood, causing them to fall, she ran to the fjords, and hesitated slightly, this allowed Zack to catch up to her, and grab her arm.
"Zack, let me go… Please." Elsa begged him, Zack just shook his head.
"No Elsa. I'm not letting you go. I just got the chance to see you again, I'm not about to give that up. I won't lose you again!" Zack told her firmly. She thought it over quickly, she had missed him more than anything. She was just afraid of hurting him, but… She was also afraid of being all alone out there. With no one. She didn't want to live like that anymore, she would not be alone. So, she made a last second decision.
"Then come with me… We can be together again…" Elsa suggested, Zack hesitated before answering, looking back to the village, he bet that Anna, Hans, and Toni were approaching. They would be here at any moment. Who needed him more? Anna? Or Elsa? He looked back to her, and saw her face. She didn't want to leave, she hated that she had to. He wasn't about to let her go through that alone.
Zack nodded, and let Elsa lead him across the fjord, as the water froze underneath her. Zack would have slipped and fell, but he had been trained by his past with Elsa, and the intense training his father made him go through. He had gotten used to running on ice because he used to chase Elsa across ponds when they were little.
After that, they didn't look back, they just ran. They ran as far as their legs would take them. Eventually, when they realized they were on top of a mountain, they stopped. Elsa smiled gently at him, and took a deep breath. She began to sing.
"The snow glows white on the mountain tonight. Not a footprint to be seen. A kingdom of isolation, and it looks like I'm the queen." Her voice is timid, Zack just stood back watching her, and listening to her melodious voice.
"The wind is howling like this swirling storm inside. Couldn't keep it in, heaven knows I tried. Don't let them in, don't let them see. Be the good girl you always have to be. Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know. Well, now they know." She grabbed her glove and threw it off, as she began to form snow, and ice from her fingers. Zack followed her as she slowly walked forward.
"Let it go, let it go. Can't hold it back anymore. Let it go, let it go. Turn away and slam the door. I don't care. What they're going to say. Let the storm rage on. The cold never bothered me anyway." She un-clips her cape as she began to walk at a faster pace, Zack followed her, and he noticed she happened to make a snowman.
"It's funny how some distance. Makes everything seem small. And the fears that once controlled me. Can't get to me at all." She began to run as she formed the beginning of a staircase out of snow.
"It's time to see what I can do. To test the limits and break through. No right, no wrong, no rules for me. I'm free." She took a step on the snow staircase and it turned to ice underneath her, Zack is intrigued by what she plans to do.
"Let it go, let it go. I am one with the wind and sky. Let it go, let it go. You'll never see me cry." She ran while forming the staircase underneath her, Zack followed her up, amazed she can do such a thing with her powers.
"Here I stand. And here I'll stay. Let the storm rage on." She stomped the ground and a giant snowflake formed underneath her as Zack reached her position, he arrived just in time to have the snowflake raise off the ground and began to form something big. An ice palace perhaps, Zack thought. Walls form around the two of them, Elsa danced near the center Zack just watched her.
"My power flurries through the air into the ground. My soul is spiraling in frozen fractals all around. And one thought crystallizes like an icy blast. I'm never going back, the past is in the past." She removed her crown and threw it across the palace, Zack watched as she let her hair down, and made a new ice dress with her powers. She began to strut forward, Zack just stood there, captivated by her beauty.
"Let it go, let it go. And I'll rise like the break of dawn. Let it go, let it perfect girl is gone." She reached the balcony and the sun shined on her.
"Here I stand. In the light of day. Let the storm rage on! The cold never bothered me anyway." She turned and with a wave of her hand shut the balcony door, Zack just stood there staring at her dumbly. She smiled at him.
"Whoa… What was that Elsa?" Zack asked her, she smiled and walked towards him, looking at her hands.
"I don't know… I guess I just had to get that out… Just had to let go of my old life… Ever since you left I've been alone, trapped in my room, forced by my parents to hide my powers… I never saw what I was really capable of… What do you think?" Elsa asked him shyly, he smiled at her, looking her up and down appreciatively.
"Beautiful, and so is the way you used your powers… What is this place? A palace?" Zack asked, Elsa smiled at him, and nodded.
"Yes, and thank you for the compliment…" Elsa trailed off, she cleared her throat after a minute of silence. "I'm so happy you decided to come with me… I was terrified of being alone again, but… You're here now, so everything will be fine." Elsa told him, moving closer, he smiled, and took her hands.
"I like the dress by the way, and the hair… It suits you better." He told her, she blushed and looked away from him, with a small smile. She looked back up at him.
"Thank you… Would you like me to make you a new set of clothes too? We could be the rulers of our own lives, no more hiding, and no more running. IT could be just the two of us." Elsa suggested, Zack smiled at her, and stepped back.
"Sure. That would be cool." Zack told her with a chuckle, she raised a single eyebrow, and gave him a look.
"Seriously? That was a terrible pun." She told him, he chuckled at her.
"Just make me some sweet ice clothes." He told her, she giggled, and waved her hand. Replacing his current fancy clothes with an ice variant. The main differences were that the dark blue jacket, and pants were now lighter, and had snowflakes on them. His shoes also turned a pure white, and his shirt remained the same. He smiled at her. Their clothes had the same shining effect, even the white shirt. Zack examined them with a smile.
"How's that?" Elsa asked him confidently, placing a hand on her hip, Zack chuckled, and moved to hug her. He placed his hand son her shoulders, and gave her a serious look.
"Perfect, now… I have a big question…" Zack trailed off, losing a bit of his confidence, Elsa raised an eyebrow, and cupped his face to make him look at her.
"Something wrong?" Elsa asked him, he smiled at her.
"No… Can I kiss you? I mean, I want to start something… We were set to be married this year originally anyway… Then the incident happened, and I left… So, can I Kiss you?" Zack asked, Elsa rolled her eyes.
"You don't even have to ask, I thought we already agreed to continue our engagement?" Zack gave her a surprised look, she rolled her eyes, and pulled him close, kissing him. It felt like an eternity, but in reality only lasted a quick couple seconds. Zack noted that even her kiss was cold, just as she was cold to the touch, not enough to make him uncomfortable, but it was noticeable enough.
"How was that?" She asked him smugly, he smiled at her, and kissed her once again, then they pulled away, they leaned their foreheads against one another.
"Everything I've ever dreamed of… Elsa, I'm so happy were together again… But, what about Anna? You know he'll try to find us." Zack reminded her, Elsa pulled away, and sighed.
"I know. I'll just tell her to go back to Arendelle. She deserves to be happy, with the gates open, and without me to hurt her." Elsa answered him, he sighed, a sad look in his eyes.
"Elsa, you won't hurt her. You would never do that. I know you, regardless of what happened in the past… Plus you were a kid then, you have better control, and a grasp over your powers now. Look at how much you just did, you didn't hurt me, and I've been with you the entire time. That's got to mean something." Zack told her, she thought his words over, and moved close to him, kissing him once again. She smiled up at him.
"You always make me feel better Zack. Even when we were ids, and it was something stupid." Elsa said leaned her head on his chest. This reminded him of Toni. She would probably tear Arendelle, and anyone in her path apart to get to him. Chances are she would be with Anna. Zack shook his head, and focused back on Elsa, who had been silent this whole time.
"Elsa, I had the time of my life with you back then. I loved taking care of you, you have to know that I'll always be here for you, and even if you don't know, even if you think I'm not… I'll be there, protecting you, loving you. I'm never leaving you again, that's a promise." He proclaimed, Elsa looked up at him to see a serious yet cheerful face, she smiled widely, and kissed him once again.
"I'm sleepy… Will you carry me to the bedroom please? You can stay too of course." She assured him in a sweet voice, with a yawn at the end. Zack swept her up bridal style, and smiled at her.
"Sure. But, where is it?" Zack asked, Elsa blushed realizing her stupidity, only she knew the layout of this palace.
"On this floor, through the door, and at the end of the hall." She told him, he nodded and followed her directions, arriving at the bedroom. He saw the bed, it was large, and had a large snowflake over it, with smaller snowflakes forming four pillars to hold it up, and exquisite ice curtains hung around it. Zack hummed.
"Damn Elsa, that's… Extravagant…" Zack muttered, she merely hummed in response. Zack smiled down at her before placing her on the bed, he pulled the covers over her, and kissed her fore head before climbing in himself, and wrapping his arms around her. Drifting off into a blissful sleep for the first time in forever.