When the sun emerged over the tips of the eastern mountains and cast its light through the window of the bedchamber, the bright, orange glow that filled the room was enough to wake Kristoff. Careful not to wake his bride-to-be, he slowly lifted himself out of the bed and softly onto the floor. As he did this, he couldn't help but stare at his sleeping beauty. Her teal eyes hidden beneath resting eyelids, the way her mouth lay slightly open as she slept. Her cute little nose, the freckles sprawled across her face. Her strawberry hair, pleasing to his eyes even as she slept with it messily placed around her face. Even the way she snored made him smile. Everything about her was just so amazing. So beautiful. So perfect.
Arendelle's Ice Master and Deliverer, continuing to keep quiet, began getting dressed across the room from the sleeping princess. With the wedding in only a week, Arendelle still had much to do in preparation for the ceremony. It being his own wedding, Elsa had begged Kristoff to relax before the big day.
"I know it's usually your job to supply the ice for the wedding, after all I did give you that job. But I'm asking you to let someone else do it, just this once." Elsa had said, pacing in front of her throne.
"No. I'm sorry Elsa, not for Anna's wedding. It has to be perfect. She asked for ice sculptures, and she's going to get them. Her way. That means only the best ice. I'm not leaving that to some stranger." replied Kristoff.
"Kristoff, please. Anna's going to need someone while I prepare Arendelle for the ceremony. You should know better than anyone, we can't just leave her alone with only a few weeks until the wedding. Hasn't she been through enough?" Elsa's pacing had begun to intensify.
"Yeah, she has, because of you. Anna needed you, and you weren't there for her."
"Look, Kristoff, I'm trying, but-"
"Exactly. You're trying. After all those years of leaving Anna in the cold, you finally had a chance to reconnect with her. But look at you, a year later and you're still putting other people's needs before your sister's. You say Anna's all you care about, yet here you are, leaving her by herself right before the wedding." Elsa's pacing stopped.
"You really think Anna isn't what I care about most? What I live for? I kept myself from Anna to keep her safe. Now I can't get those years back, I know, but what I did, I did for her."
"And now? Are the preparations really that much more important than being with Anna? This is what I'm talking about, Elsa. She still needs you, and you're still not putting her first!"
"No Kristoff. I need to get Arendelle ready for her wedding. You're the one not putting Anna first. She needs you right now, so just let someone else deal with the ice, please!"
"And why not you Elsa? Why don't you make the ice? You haven't used your powers in nearly four months. Now, I appreciate the business, but you're not making any sense. If you want someone other than me to get the ice, then you're going to have to do it. Otherwise, you can count on me to do my job."
"Kristoff, please. You know I can't use my powers-"
"No Elsa, that's what you keep saying! But you haven't told anyone why you won't. Not even Anna. If you'd just tell us, maybe we could-"
"I...I just can't. Please, just let someone else do it. For Anna."
"Elsa, you know I love her, but it's not me that's being difficult here. I'm going to get the ice for our wedding. There's not much I can control, but this, this is something I can. Now, if we're done here, I'm going to go find Anna." And with that, Kristoff had left.
By the time Kristoff had finished getting dressed, the room was fully lit by the now completely emerged sun. Why isn't she using her powers? Kristoff had been unable to sleep since his fight with Elsa. It's not important right now. I need to get going. Kristoff glanced to where Anna slept, but she wasn't there. He turned towards the voice behind him.
"Good morning," said Anna with a heartwarming smile, "How'd you sleep?"
"Perfectly," Kristoff lied, placing his hands on Anna's freckled shoulders, "I always do when I'm with you."
"Good." she said. Anna gracefully put her hands on Kristoff's in-need-of-shave face and kissed him. "I love you." said Anna.
"Like an open door?" joked Kristoff, a grin on his face. Anna made a fist and hit him in the shoulder, smiling too.
"Come with me," said Anna, grabbing Kristoff by the hand and tugging him along as she walked. "I want to show you something. I made it especially for you. I don't know if you'll like it, of course, but I at least hope-"
"I'll be back before sundown," stopped Kristoff, "and hopefully this will be the last of the ice we need. Then, we can spend the next few days together. Just the two of us. You can show me then."
"No," said Anna, still smiling, "you're coming with me whether you like it or not." She returned to pulling Kristoff, to no avail.
"Anna," spoke Kristoff, softly, "If I don't leave now, I won't have enough time to get back from the mountain before dark."
"But do you really have to go again? I made this just for you. I want you to see it," said Anna, walking between him and the door. Her smile was gone, "It's lonely without you and Elsa." Kristoff could see the tears welling behind her eyes.
"I know, but I just want this one thing to be right for you." said Kristoff. He kissed Anna again. "But I really have to go, now." he made for the door, but stopped to turn around. "Anna,"
"Kristoff?" replied Anna; a hopeful smile appeared on her face. The room seemed brighter now, with her standing there.
"I love you." said Kristoff, but he stumbled on the words. Anna held her hand over her mouth to cover a giggle. Kristoff turned and left. As he disappeared, Anna's hand dropped from her face. Her smile faded. She slowly walked toward her bed, laid herself down, and buried her face in a pillow. She began to cry.