Disclaimer: I don not own The Flash character or comic book series. It is all property of DC and whoever else has legal authority. I am not making any kind of profit from this writing; it is all for fun and freedom of expression.

Based off of a prompt seen on ColdFlashTrash on Tumblr.

A Frozen Heart's Melting

Chapter 1

The sound of a clock's soft chime filled the air as the early morning rays of the sun gently illuminated the room through large arched windows.

Hazel green eyes fluttered open at the sound of the bell chiming, blinking away the last tendrils of sleep as awareness of the world retuned. With a small groan the owner of these eyes pushed away the covers of his bed and sat up. As his eyes looked about the room the young man let out a small sigh, his expression growing pensive.

This was not his room, this was not his bed that he had slept in the night before. Though luxurious and tasteful, all of this was merely one of the many many guest quarters within the castle. Taking in a deep breath, the young man pulled back the covers fully and rose from the incredibly soft four poster bed and stretched his long limbs. The chiming from earlier had ceased now, as it always did in the week since he had arrived here.

The young man padded across the room towards the large arched windows and reached for the latch to open one of the smaller panes. The pane fell away to reveal the vibrant yet snow covered world outside. Down below was the sprawling front courtyard of the castle that led to the great wall that enclosed the palace ground. Beyond it lay the city with all of its people going about their morning in excitement. They had much reason to be excited, but the young man now observing them from his window found that he could not quite join them in their excitement.

Today was the day that this foreign land would officially become his, the day that all those people down below in the city would become his subjects.

Today was the day that he, Prince Bartholomew "Barry" Henry Allen of Central Kingdom would join in the bonds of marriage with the king of this land, the kingdom known as Nevar. A king by the name of Leonard Snart.

Nevar was known as the Winter Kingdom because of it was cold most of the year, with only a few hot summer months before it was back to snowy days. If there was one thing Barry could say about Leonard Snart, the man he was to marry today, it was that while he kingdom was cold, he was colder by far.

As he gazed out at the light snow that had begun to fall outside his window, Barry took a moment to reflect on how everything that would be happening today came about.

Barry who had lost both of his parents at a young age was lovingly raised by his father's successor, King Joseph West. They may not have been related by blood, but Joseph and Barry's father Henry were brothers in every sense of the word. It was why it had not been very much of a shock when Henry, who had no other family had named Joe as his successor to the throne of Central Kingdom. Central Kingdom had prospered greatly under Joe's rule, and along with it Barry, who grew up deeply loved beside Joe's daughter Iris. The pair were the best of friends besides being siblings.

Three months ago, Joe had been conducting his usual morning meeting with his royal advisor when his chief advisor, Lord Martin Stein had come forward announcing that a missive had just arrived from the Kingdom of Nevar.

Nevar and the Central kingdom had always been neighbors for as long as anyone could remember, yet Nevar had always kept to itself and remained a mysterious place. Hardly anyone knew anything about the deeply private kingdom, even more so about the dynasty that ruled it. Sure there were a few traders who would occasionally come to Central Kingdom with Nervarian wares that were exquisitely made and highly sought after but it was like the traders had all taken a vow of silence and never divulged anything when asked about their monarchs.

It could have been because Nevar caused such fear in her own people, or it could have been because it inspired such great loyalty, no one knew for sure.

But back to the main recollection, the missive had arrived from Nevar and Joe had asked Lord Stein to read it. When he did, to say that everyone was stunned would have been the biggest understatement.

The message from Nevar had been not just any message, it had been a proposal. A proposal to join Nevar and Central kingdom together in an alliance that was stronger than friendship.

Marriage, specifically Barry's marriage to the king of Nevar, his majesty King Leonard Snart.

Things had quickly erupted into chaos with those in favor of the union and those against it jockeying for position to get their opinion across to King Joseph. Joe himself had regained order by loudly declaring that there was no need to make a decision as of that very moment, and that the decision was not his, but Barry's.

Later on that day, Joe had informed Barry and Iris of the situation. Barry had laughed it off as some kind of joke while Iris, being the inquisitive mind that she was had proceeded to ask question after question, like why all of a sudden Nevar was reaching out? What kind of man was this Leonard Snart? What would happen if Barry said no, would Nevar declare war on Central Kingdom for such insult?

To this Joe had calmly explained to both his children that the proposal was exactly what it was, a proposal of alliance with no threat attached to it should a rejection occur. It had simply stated that Central Kingdom send its reply by the end of the month. Barry had been all for sending his rejection as soon as possible but Joe had simply said that it would be best to keep the matter open until the end of the month because there was always the chance that Barry could change his mind and agree to the union or this Leonard Snart could change his mind and rescind his proposal.

Barry had simply rolled his eyes and declared that there was no way in hell he's change his mind and agree to marry some complete and total stranger. They had not even sent a portrait of this Leonard Snart along with the missive so for all Barry had known, the man could have been some hideous buck-toothed hunchback. On top of that, when he had found out that this Leonard Start was forty-three years of age, Barry had been cheeky as he commented that the man must be well and truly desperate for a spouse if he was sending out proposals to complete strangers.

After that Barry had simply gone about his life, training in various weapons and learning the healing arts as were his chosen field despite being prince.

About two weeks later though, that was when everything had changed. That was when Iris got inexplicably and dangerous sick. One moment she was fine, enjoying lunch with her husband Edward Thawne, the next she was collapsing as a dangerously high fever took hold of her. Nothing the best healers in Central Kingdom did worked, not even Barry's attempts. For three whole days and nights Iris suffered before a desperate and terrified Joe ordered that messengers be dispatched to all of the neighboring kingdoms, pleading for them to send the best healers they had, or the best remedy that was known to them, and that he would pay any price.

Barry had been beside himself, never leaving Iris's side, hardly sleeping or eating save for what a select few around him, such as Cisco his best friend and page, or Lord Martin Stein, or even Joe himself could coax him into eating.

Edward "Eddie" Thawne was no better. His handsome face had grown haggard with worry for his beloved wife, and while Barry let himself fall into disarray, he tried his best to make sure that Eddie did not collapse. Both men stayed ever constantly at Iris's side as she continued her battle to fined the sickness that had gripped her.

Healers and remedies did answer Joe's desperate call, but for all of their efforts, none succeeded in freeing Iris from the deadly grip of the fever. It was on the seventh day, when all hope seemed lost, that a lone rider atop a giant dapple gray stallion all but charged through the gate onto the castle grounds. Dressed in steely blue colored armor and with a long bellowing dark blue cape attached at his shoulders that had a white emblem in the shape of an ornately designed snowflake.

Without much preamble the rider had dismounted his steed and spared enough time to identify himself as one General Mark Mardon, the commander of the armies of Nevar before he had demanded to speak with Joe immediately.

When Joe had rushed up to greet the new arrival, Mardon had bowed to Joe and then relayed that he had been personally sent by King Leonard Snart to render aid. Mardon had then reached into one of the inner pockets of his armor and pulled out a tiny glass box which contained a fine, pale indigo colored powder and presented it to Joe, telling him that this was the remedy that King Snart had dispatched him to bring in answer to Joe's desperate plea.

After that was a mad dash to the get remedy prepared for Iris. As per Mardon's instructions, Barry had taken the powder and carefully mixed it with some warm milk and than fed it to a barely alive Iris. The hours that had followed were by far the longest hours for all of Central Kingdom. While Barry, Joe, and Eddie did not sleep for that whole night, they were a bit surprised when instead of one of the usual servants coming in with a much needed meal, it was Mark Mardon who entered Iris's room with the tray, quietly asking them to at least eat.

Everyone had drifted off in the early morning hours though, unable to stave off sleep, but Barry was the one who was jolted awake when the hand that he had been holding all night squeezed his tightly, almost to the point of pain with renewed strength. When the sleep had cleared from his eyes he found himself staring into the exhausted but smiling face of his beloved sister.

Barry's yells of happy relief may as well have woken the entire kingdom as he all but jumped onto the bed and hugged Iris, who's fever had finally broken thanks to the remedy from Nevar. Joe and Eddie had been beside themselves as they too rushed to Iris's side, while Mardon had stood off to the side with a relieved little smile over his stubble covered cheeks.

A tearful Joe had then sought out Mardon, pulling the Nevarian General into a crushing embrace and thanking him tearfully. Eddie and Barry had been no better, hugging the man and thanking him for helping them in their time of need.

Mardon's reply to all of this was to simply shake his head and tell them the the real person they should have been thanking was the king he served, his majesty Leonard Snart.

Barry had felt the full weight of this truth jolt through his heart, and it made him feel terribly ashamed that he had ever though ill of the King of Nevar. That feeling had only increased when Joe had asked Mardon how he could ever repay Leonard Snart for saving his daughter's life.

To this they had watched as Mardon grew incredibly sad as he shook his head, he told them that his king wanted no payment for the service provided, not one jewel or one coin. Mardon told them that all Leonard Snart wanted was to see that Iris lived.

When Joe asked why, Mardon had simply told them that king Leonard knew full well what it was like to have someone he loved with his whole heart be fine one moment, then burning with fever the next, and then passing from this earth like a flame being snuffed out. Mardon revealed that up until five years ago King Leonard had been happily married to a man named Mick Rory, a Prince from a land across the sea known for their love of harnessing the power of fire. One day Mick had fallen dangerously ill and despite every effort that was made, Mick had succumbed to the illness before Leonard could even send out a call for aid to the neighboring kingdoms like Joe had done for Iris. After he had cremated Mick in accordance with the customs of Mick's people, King Leonard had vowed to find a cure for the fever and also made sure that everyone in Nevar was inoculated against this disease and many others.

Mardon finished his explanation by simply stating that one the message from Joe asking for aid had made its way Nevar, his King had dispatched him with the remedy for Iris because Leonard would spare anyone, dearest friend or most bitter foe the pain that he himself went through when he lost his husband.

Joe, Barry, and Eddie had all been struck dumb by this revelation. It was at that moment that Barry also came to a decision regarding his own future and whether King Leonard Snart would be a part of it.

When Mardon took his leave of Central Kingdom to return to Nevar, he did not leave empty handed. He left with Barry's reply to the proposal that had been sent some weeks before from Nevar.

Yes, he would marry King Leonard Snart.

Though it had stunned his family and they asked him whether it was out of some sense that he owed Snart for saving Iris's life, Barry assured them that it was not out of some sense of fleeting gratitude, in honesty, while he was forever grateful for what this unknown king had done for his sister, and he empathized with the loss this man suffered, Barry was deeply, deeply intrigued by the mystery of Nevar and its enigmatic ruler. But despite the mystery of it all, Barry did know one thing for sure, if this king could send his general across hundreds of miles to deliver life-saving medicine for the princess of a kingdom that his kingdom had next to no relationship with, it said something very clear about the heart of the man himself.

After that came weeks of preparing for the journey to Nevar. Iris was back to full health who had taken complete control over her brother's impending nuptials, not that Barry minded, all he cared about was that she was alive to boss him around and order about the tailors and jewelers who were tasked with creating a new, more formal wardrobe for the prince. Joe was about as happy as any father would be with his child getting married. There was a lament that Barry's mother and father by blood were not alive to join in the celebrations.

And so Barry had packed up his life in Central Kingdom, and along with his family had set off to Nevar to face the future he had chosen for himself. The royal procession had been grand but alert under the watchful eye of Captain Singh, head of Joe's king's guard.

The change of scenery was slightly jarring, as the bright spring green of Central Kingdom slowly turned into the deep shade of evergreens and white snow of Nevarian lands.

When the royal procession had reached the city, Barry had been just about glued to the glass window, Iris, Eddie, and Cisco right there with him as they had taken their first real look at Nevar. Joe had chuckled at the open wonder on their faces, but he too had been quietly impressed by the city of Nevar.

The city itself was impressive, buildings of rich blues and grays, ranging from simply square buildings for shops and stores to ornate structures that seemed accented with ice itself. It was when they had caught sight of the Nevarian palace that Barry felt the breath leave his body for it was an exquisite sight. The palace stood tall and imposing, made of dark gray and black stone. The battlements seemed to be made of crystal that glinted in the sun, great banners of deep blues and purple baring the same snowflake emblem gracefully floating against the wind. It was located atop a frosty hill and surrounded by every greens. Behind it stood a formidable mountain range of black and gray peaks covered in pure white snow. (Think of a larger darker version of neuschwanstein castle in Germany.)

The place was truly magnificent.

When the royal procession had finally reached the grand and slightly ominous looking gates of the palace, Barry had looked down when a hand had covered his own and squeeze. He turned to see Iris giving him a warm smile, but there was sadness in her eyes. Barry had done his best not to lose his composure right then and there and instead had offered Iris his best grin and squeezed her hand back.

Then the royal carriage was coming to a stop in front of the large and ornate doors of the palace. They seemed to stretch all the way to the heavens, made from wood and polished so greatly they looked black. They had intricate carvings inlaid with silver, and more of that ice-like material. They were just as stunning as the rest of the place.

The footman had opened the door and Joe was the first to climb out. Iris and Eddie went next, followed by Cisco. Then finally Barry had climbed out. There was a definite bite of cold to the air, and Barry was forever glad he had opted to wear one of his favorite maroon colored jackets with fur lining along with the leather trousers and knee length boots he had on. Draped from his shoulders was a simple chain of linked gold disks that met at the center where hung the emblem of Central Kingdom, a golden sunburst with a lightening bolt going through it. It was the mark of his station, and yet not too ornate.

The royals of Central Kingdom stood on the large blue carpet that lay over the middle of the large marble steps that led up to the great doors and had waited. A few moments later there was a loud, resounding gong and the sound of mechanical gears shifting and turning. They had all waited with bated breath as the great doors and slowly opened and swung inward with a low groan. They fell away to reveal Mark Mardon, dressed in ornate ceremonial armor of a pale bluish-silver leading a procession of similarly dressed guards carrying wicked yet elegant looking ceremonial spears. With military precision once Mardon had cross the threshold of the great doors, these soldiers who had been walking two perfectly straight line broke off and seamlessly flanked either side of the blue carpet, tapping the ends of their spears against the floor in a resounding thud they all stood to silent attention.

It was impressive. It was slightly intimidating. Barry had done his best not to fidget as Mardon had warmly greeted them and led them into the castle. The interior of the castle was just as grand and impressive as the outside. With spiraling pillars that were huge and the seemed to stretch forever up to the arched ceiling that was beautifully painted, the place was breath taking.

Mardon had led them to the foot of a truly grand marble staircase. At the end of each sweeping marble bannister stood a magnificently carved white marble lion sitting tall in quiet elegance.

Another loud gong had sounded and all eyes had turned to the top of the stairs where two figures had appeared. Barry had felt the breath leave his lungs yet again as he had stood transfixed and beheld the man and the woman who had descended down the stairs hand in hand.

There was no denying that the man was his majesty King Leonard Snart.

He had was tall and proud with pricing steely blue eyes. With his hair buzzed close to his head and lightly smattered with a few grays and his features chiseled and sharp, he cut a striking figure as he descended the grand staircase with the lady beside him. Dressed in a deep royal blue jacket with silver embellishments. Over this jacket he wore a long floorlength sleeveless coat that was lined with light brown fur. Draped from his shoulders was an ornate chain of silver disks with a beautiful blue sapphire in the middle of each surrounded by pearls and diamonds in a star-like pattern. At the very center of the chain hung the Nevarian snowflake emblem made of intricate interwoven silver and accented with more sapphires at each end, and a large perfectly round diamond at its center.

Beside the handsome king walked a strikingly beautiful woman dressed in a flowing deep purple gown with a belt identical to the king's chain around her waist. Atop her head was a simple, elegant circlet of braided silver and pearls. Her rich chocolate brown hair fell about her shoulders in soft waves and her eyes were a softer blue-gray compared to the kings, but no less striking.

The pair had reached the end of the stairs and in perfect sync the King had bowed and the lady had curtsied gracefully. Joe, Barry, Eddie, Iris, and Cisco returned the gestures. Introductions were made and indeed, the man was King Leonard Snart. The woman turned out to be his younger sister, Lisa Snart, Princess of Nevar. Cisco had openly gawked at Princess Lisa until Eddie had discreetly elbowed him to make his snap out of it. Barry's best friend had stuttered out a greatly and grinned widely at the gorgeous woman, who had surprisingly smiled back at him just as warmly. When she and Iris were introduce there was an instant spark of mischief between them, as only younger sisters could understand. When she had finally met Barry, she had smiled widely at him and given him a kiss on the cheek. But where Lisa was cordial, Leonard had been stoic and reserved as he had greeted first Joe, then Iris and Eddie, and Cisco before he had finally come to stand before Barry.

While his face had been pleasant enough, all Barry could see in Leonard's blue-gray eyes was ice. Leonard's tone as he had spoken his gratitudes for Barry accepting his proposal had been strictly formal, and a little awkward. When they had shaken hands, Leonard had been quick to let go, like he could not bare Barry's touch. But Leonard had not been quick enough for Barry to not notice the silver ring that had still adorned the ring finger of Leonard's left hand.

That had been a week ago and in all that time Barry had rarely crossed paths with his future husband. Whenever he had asked where Leonard was, there was always some excuse about some important matter of state that had suddenly come up. On the rare occasion that Barry and Leonard did happen to cross paths, it was always an awkward encounter with Barry not knowing what to say and Leonard being completely closed off.

Barry quickly shook himself out of his musings of the past and went about his morning routine. He brushed his teeth and shaved before he got dressed. He put on a pair of simple leather trouser and donned a white tunic over which he pulled on a light green over jacket with a high collar. Just as he was giving himself a final once over there was a knock at the door.

" Come in." Barry called as he ran his fingers through his spiky brown hair one last time. He turned to face the door and found himself smiling as Cisco walked in.

" Morning Barry, your dad sent me to get you for breakfast, everyone else is waiting."

Barry nodded and headed out of the guest room with Cisco following behind him. Friends since childhood, Cisco was the son of one of the lords of the hierarchy Joe ruled over as head. The young man had quickly grown to be one of Barry's most trusted friends and confidants. It was comforting beyond words that in addition to Barry taking Nevar as home, Cisco would be doing so as well, since his duties as Barry's Page called for such.

As the pair headed down one of the magnificent hallways of the castle Barry took note of the way that there was a bounce in Cisco's step that had Barry immediately suspect. With a small, knowing smirk Barry spoke.

" Lemme guess, Princess Lisa is joining us?"

At the way Cisco's entire face turned bright red and he ducked his head to hide his grin, Barry couldn't help but grin himself at how hard Cisco was crushing on Princess Lisa, and the most amazing thing was that she would always take the chance to flirt right back at him.

Barry felt his grin dim as he thought about his own situation with the other Snart sibling.

" Lemme also guess that his majesty King Leonard will not be joining us?" He asked knowingly.

To this he watched as Cisco sent him a slightly sad look before the younger man shook his head.

" C'mon Barry it's your wedding day, you guys aren't supposed to see each other before the ceremony anyway. "

" Yeah well, he hasn't really gone out of his way to have any kind of contact with me Cisco. I get the feeling that won't change once we tie the knot."

Cisco really didn't had a response to that, so instead the pair made the rest of the way to the small private dining room where they had all had breakfast together for the last week in a comfortable silence.

Once they reached the room, Joe was the first to greet Barry, pulling his son into a hug and wishing him a good morning. The moment Joe let go Iris had taken over with the squeezing. Next came Eddie who gave Barry a firm but not to tight hug. Then Lisa came forward, with her handmaiden Caitlyn Snow smiling behind her.

" Morning new brother." Lisa said with a smile before she gave Barry a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

" Morning new sister." Barry replied with a grin as he hugged Lisa back.

Where Leonard had made himself as scarce as possible, Lisa had taken every chance she could to spend time with them, especially Barry and Iris. She would regale them with stories of the happenings of Nevar, history of past kings and queens, though she never mention her and Leonard's parents for some reason. She had also gone out of her way in private to assure Barry that with time Leonard would come around.

After the greeting they all took seats at the round mahogany table that was already laden with a sumptuous looking spread of breakfast items both familiar to Central Kingdom, and newly discovered Nevarian delicacies.

Breakfast went by quickly but enjoyably, with Lisa and Eddie causing peals of laughter with their easy banter. But all too soon the large grandfather clock by the far wall chimed, signaling that it was ten o'clock.

The ceremony was set for noon sharp. With a final goodbye to Lisa and Iris, Barry took his leave with Joe, Eddie, and Cisco. Doing his best to remain calm, Barry headed towards the grand bathing chambers as he had been instructed to do in the days prior. Joe, Eddie, and Cisco would be getting ready there as well, and would also help Barry get ready as per Central custom for any man that was getting married.

As he walked Barry couldn't help but feel a dull twinge in his heart because here he was heading off to get married. But the problem was that while his soon-to-be husband was handsome and proved that he possessed a good heart when he saved Iris, when it came to Barry himself, Leonard was still so distant, so cold.

Talking another deep breath Barry continued to walk through the lavish and grand halls of the Nevarian palace, for today he, Bartholomew Henry Allen, Prince of Central Kingdom was getting ready to marry the man of his choice, a man nearly twenty years his senior, still grieving the loss of his first husband, and glacial towards Barry at best.