A/N: Well, I ran into some writer's block after I uploaded my Mass Effect story, so I thought I might just write something new to see if I get anything going in my noggin. This won't be my usual frozen fare, of someone with powers meeting Elsa and the gang after the movie's events; no, I am having a little trouble coming up with cohesive plotlines, so this one will be within the framework of Frozen itself. Enjoy my newest 'what-if';

Ice and Dragons

Chapter 1: The Encounter

Elsa was worried, terrified really, for her sister. The trails of frost left behind by her powers as the family raced into the forest was a very visible testament to that fact. She hadn't meant to hurt Anna, really! She found herself becoming more and more worried about her powers as the ride went on. Finally, her depressing thoughts were interrupted by the group arriving in a clearing surrounded by steam vents. Against her will, she was curious what they were doing here- there was nobody living here, not even a house! All that was visible in the clearing were lots of moss-covered rocks.

Imagine the shock that young Elsa got when those 'rocks' suddenly started rolling around and talking! Finally, one known as Grand Pabbie stepped forward, and put a hand on Anna's head. He said a few things to her mom and dad, but she didn't listen to it, except she caught a snippet referring to a 'curse'. She figured that was about her; after all, what use was a power that could hurt her sister? It wasn't a gift, it was a curse indeed. Finally, she saw the images of the fun she had with Anna; she was shocked to see the images all had to do with her power, and was relieved when the rock-man said that he would leave the fun, just taking the magic out and changing the memories. With little Anna well once again, they thanked the trolls, her father pledging to close the castle to the public and to reduce the staff until Elsa could control her powers better. The ride back was filled with self-recriminations and many thoughts on how she would do better, for her sister. When the horse pulled up short, far too soon to have returned to the castle, Elsa looked up, expecting to see ice or something horrible she had done blocking their way. She was happily relieved to see only a boy, looking around her age, standing in the road bowing. Her father dismounted, looking into the forest suspiciously.

"Young man, why are you out and about at this hour? I would not be, if not for great need."

The boy straightened up, revealing unnaturally vivid green eyes. "Good King, I am here by advice from my father; he told me to introduce myself politely to the ruler of the country I would choose to live in."

Elsa's father was visibly confused, as was Elsa herself. Why in the world would a commoner feel like he had to do such a thing?

Her father put their shared question to words; "Well, I do not know why you do so; even as King, I cannot be directly responsible for all the residents of my realm."

The boy surprised them by letting out a deep belly laugh; somehow, the King's reaction was funny to him. When he finally calmed down, he straightened out his face and replied.

"Good King, I am not a normal resident; if anything, I am closer in nature to the Trolls that you just visited." At this, the king's eyes widened, and he put his hand on his sword. The child held up his hands, showing he meant no harm. "King, I have no ill will, and I did not spy upon you; I simply smelled them on you. Anyway, as I wish to cause you no more distress, I will take my leave now."

The king, now thoroughly confused, stops the child. "Son, I don't know why you think you are unnatural, but you seem normal to me. We should get you back to your family, before they worry."

The child is silent for a moment, and answers in a cold tone that takes the King aback. "I do not think I am unnatural, just like you don't and the trolls don't. As for family, they are all dead due to you humans having too much greed and attacking us. You wish to know what I am? Look into my eyes and see."

At this declaration, the Queen hugs Elsa and Anna close, hiding the young boy from sight. A moment of silence later and the king's astonished gasp rings through the clearing, along with the ring of drawn steel.

"Dragon!"

His hissed words startle the Queen enough that Elsa pulls free to see the child's reaction to her father, as well.

The child has backed away, his clothes melting away into a scaled set of armor; at least, it looked like that at first glance. It was, in reality, his bare chest. The expression on the boy's face was one of sorrow and regret.

"King, I did not come here to fight or to hunt; I require little food and I wish no hoard. All I wish is to live in peace, away from the band of killers who ended my mother and father."

At this, his armored scales melt away and he steps forward once more, putting his neck right up against the bare sword the King wields.

"I have nowhere else to go; this is the last possible refuge for me. I can go no further, nor can I go back. If you cannot take me at my word, at least end me quickly now, and save me the torture of the dragon hunters."

The new silence stretches out for what seems like hours, until the King sheathes his sword and speaks. "Young dragon, you certainly have courage. I will give you leave to live and hunt in these mountains, as long as you stay clear of pastures and do not harm the populace… and one other promise."

The child raises an eyebrow. "What would that be, king?"

The monarch hesitates for a moment, and then continues. "I would have you protect the crown family, when you are grown more. If you would agree to this, I would offer you a place even in the castle to live."

The child is visibly stunned; he had never expected this! Thinking it over, he nods. "I agree to your terms, King. However, I need space to grow to my potential, and I will have to decline the offer to live in the castle for the moment. Maybe once I hit my twenties? We shall see. I will listen to news from the kingdom, and if you have need of me, I will be at the North Mountain."

The King nods and holds his hand out. They shake, and the king says one last thing to the dragon boy. "If you would attend the coronation of my Elsa when it comes time, I would be grateful for you to introduce yourself. She will likely not remember this with the shock of today, and it would be good for you to reaffirm the alliance with her."

The boy nods and turns away, walking out into the brush. When he disappears from view, a flash of vivid green light cracks the darkness, and a horse sized dragon flies out from the nearby clearing, heading up towards the north mountain.

Elsa, tired and stressed as she was, would indeed not remember the meeting, but she would come up with the notion that the north mountain would be a good place to seek comfort.

As the years passed, the young dragon indeed kept his ear out, listening for news about the royals and the affairs of the kingdom. When he heard of the King and Queen's death at sea, he was greatly saddened; he did not know what to do, as nobody else knew about him. So, he kept his vigil, growing into his body and powers, studying all he could see, learning all he could learn.

For thirteen years, the boy grew and learned alone. Finally, at twenty three, he felt knowledgeable enough to meet the new royals. When he traveled down to the city and learned the news of the upcoming coronation, he could barely believe it. It was time- he was to show himself to the world, and he didn't know if he could do it. Bracing himself, he decided to at least attend the coronation, and if he could, introduce himself. If not, well, he would see about later. Mind made up, he changed his attire from simple hunter's garb into a sleek suit fit for a royal ball. Appearance ready, he joined the line to enter the palace. When he heard the guard asking for names, he panicked. His draconic name was too foreign, too odd to use here! Thinking franticly, he came up with a name just in time.

"Name, good sir?"

"Mathias Zephyerium."

While the guard raised a brow at the odd name, he did not question it, merely marking it down, asking how it was spelled when he could not figure it out himself. Now inside the party, the newly dubbed Mathias was at a loss as to what to do next. He didn't want to appear suspicious, so he had to interact some with the guests. He had knowledge of how to act, but he had never been in a situation even remotely like this; he had raised himself in the mountains, for god's sake! His mental turmoil was interrupted when he was impacted by a hyper, redheaded blur that quickly resolved into the princess Anna, much to his surprise. After he caught her, she started babbling, embarrassed at what had happened.

"Oh, my! Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to run into you, or knock you over, or anything! Although, you didn't move when I hit you so you're built like a brick wall, wait, what?"

Chuckling and holding up a hand to silence her embarrassed speech, he speaks. "Quite alright, it was no problem at all; I should have been more aware of my surroundings, myself. Mathias Zephyerium, at your service, milady."

Blushing, Anna responds. "Well, thanks for not letting me fall. I was just so happy that the castle is open again! I get to see new people, dance with someone even! It's just so exciting!"

Mathias chuckles at her spirit. "Well, I will leave you to you excitement and your happiness, princess."

She froze, looking suspicious. "I never told you I was the princess. How did you know?"

Mathias thought quickly, trying to figure a way out of this predicament. Fortunately, he had just the thing come to mind.

"Well, I doubt the guards would let a guest run around the castle freely like you were, and even then they might have issue with your bare feet. It was just a guess. Anyway, I leave you to your merrymaking." I give a short bow, and she quickly curtsies back. "Well, I'll see you at the coronation ceremony, Mathias!"

He turns and smiles. "I look forward to it, milady."

A/N: Switching back to first person now- forgot how much trouble I have with third-person writing.