Prologue

Queen Elsa wasn't sure if she was supposed to crave freezing cold winter days or dread them, but truth be told it was a little bit of both. The people of Arendelle had by and large grown to trust that their queen would never force a winter on them again. They'd stopped giving Elsa wary looks on frosty mornings when she ventured into town to participate in charitable events, cut ribbons for grand openings, or accompany Anna as she visited the many friends she had made since the palace gates had opened at last.

Although Elsa identified her own fiercely independent personality with the irrefutable icy power of winter, and was never bothered by its freezing blasts, there was something she'd come to appreciate about the warm weather. Spring, summer and fall were gentle seasons, never evoking memories of traumatic events in her life. Still, on a cold day, there was a feeling of familiarity in the biting air, the knowledge that somehow it understood her better than most people did, and vice versa.

Anna, freshly outfitted in a sublimely suitable pine green cloak and muff, stroked the soft plush fabric affectionately and gave a satisfied smile. "Isn't it exciting?" she enthused to Elsa, referring to the annual celebration they were attending that day, in commemoration of their defeat of Prince Hans, Elsa's triumph in mastering her powers, and the new bond between the royal family and the people of Arendelle that was represented by the opening of the gates. "I can't believe it's already been two years! And so much has happened since then." Accustomed to her sister's quiet, thoughtful nature, Anna contented herself with Elsa's answering smile and straightened the bow on her cloak.

As if in affirmation of the changes that had occurred since their momentous victory, a boisterous knock at the door preceded the entrance of Kristoff, looking horrifically uncomfortable in a frilly white shirt and a green jacket to match his wife Anna's attire.

"Oh, Kristoff," Anna breathed, trying to bite back a laugh and failing pathetically, "What did they do to you?"

"If you think this is bad, wait until you see Sven," Kristoff chortled. "I'm so glad you're not actually making me wear this." He loosened the green silk tie and stuffed the offending garment in his pocket, rolling his head around his shoulders with a sigh of relief.

"I think you look splendid," Elsa smirked from her window seat, trailing a finger down the pane and absent-mindedly staring at the line of ice she left behind. Tiny, lovely little drawings of people ice skating began to sprout across the window.

"You are, again, the least helpful sister-in-law of all time," Kristoff groaned. "Anna, you need to fire that new wardrobe master. He's a hack and you know it."

"I don't know about that," Anna grinned. "Don't you like what he made me?" She twirled in her beautiful new outerwear, the thick frills of her dress protruding underneath and making her look like a graceful ballerina...until she landed on her behind on the floor with a pronounced "oof!", that is.

Kristoff, used to his wife's enthusiastic displays, took her hand and pulled her back up with the ease of habitual affection. "I love it," he murmured, placing an emphatic kiss on her mouth. "Even though the designer clearly likes to make you look fantastic while punishing me. Does he have a past life in the ice industry? Do I owe him money?"

Elsa rolled her eyes at the display of affection between Anna and Kristoff, feeling again the intensity of her solitude by comparison. While she treasured her independence, Elsa often dreamed of meeting a man who would allow her to revel in it while providing romance and companionship.

No knock preceded the rushed entry of the palace guard who came almost sliding into Anna's room, skidding slightly as he stopped short, ice melting from his boots. "Your majesties!" The guard exclaimed, "We are under attack! You must come outside at once, and alert the army to assemble."

"Under attack!" Elsa said loudly, completely shocked by the sudden shattering of this joyful day's mood. "By whom?"

"I can hardly even describe the beast who is storming through our gates, my Queen," the guard replied in terror. "I can only warn you that there is a colossal monster headed directly towards the castle."

Elsa, Anna, and Kristoff made for the gates as fast as they could, followed closely by the royal army. Indeed, a savage and terrifying creature, massively hulking in form and as tall as the gates themselves, was wrathfully plunging towards them. What stopped Elsa's heart in her throat was the realization that the creature was made entirely of fire. Orange, red, and yellow flames flickered all over the beast's form as it touched rooftops, setting fires to her peoples' houses as they ran screaming from their doors.

Elsa reached deep down inside herself and summoned the greatest force of her power, unleashing an icy blast that struck the beast and made him instantly howl. The creature buckled, and at Elsa's next attack, he toppled over completely, seeming to lapse into unconsciousness.

"What are we going to do?" Anna whispered fearfully, her eyes huge with panic at the sight of Arendelle burning before them, with a perhaps only briefly incapacitated beast lying in the middle of the chaos, too alight with fire to be tied up or otherwise imprisoned.

"My Queen, if I may have a word," said one of the soldiers, grimly approaching Elsa.

"Of course," Elsa replied, crossing her arms and listening attentively.

"I've heard about this creature before, in legends told among the guards and soldiers. Never did I believe this Fire Beast was anything more than a tale told to frighten new recruits. But now..." The soldier shuddered.

"Where? Where were you stationed when you heard this tale? Where does this creature come from?" Elsa was desperate to learn some kind of history that might inform her how to proceed, how to protect her people from this completely unanticipated threat.

"The Southern Isles, my Queen," The soldier explained. "That's where the Fire Beast has been rumored to roam. The legend tells of him rising up to thwart the enemies of that kingdom, and that there is one chosen to control the beast and provide his orders."

"Who has been chosen?" Elsa asked, baffled.

"I have no idea, your majesty. Yet we all know that the monarchy of the Southern Isles have long looked upon Arendelle with a greedy eye. There is one who might know more about this dreadful threat to our safety, and yet, I hesitate to make the suggestion that you consult him. I even hesitate to speak his name to my Queen."

"It's alright," Elsa replied, swallowing hard to assuage the wave of revulsion that overtook her at the thought of what the soldier was so clearly indicating. "I know who it is you mean. I have to speak to Prince Hans."