A/N I'd like to thank everyone who has taken an interest in this story, either by adding to favorites or leaving a review.

Sorry this chapter is a little short, but the next chapter will be longer with more drama.

Also no particular warnings in this chapter.


Chapter Two.

What happened here? Where's Elsa?...Oh God, where's Anna?!

Upon his return from a five day ice harvesting expedition, Kristoff had arrived to find the castle in complete and utter chaos. Sudden panic laced his nerves as he stormed through the palace like a wild animal searching every room and pounding on every door. "Anna! Elsa...where are you?!"

Noticing the ice master's obvious distress, several members of the castle staff finally came to his aid, calming him considerably before directing him towards the castle infirmary.

The infirmary? Oh no, this can't be good. Kristoff feared the worst as he rushed down the hall. Once outside he could feel his heart constricting and his breath hitched. He wasn't quite sure what to expect and that is what scared him the most. C'mon, Kristoff. Whatever the situation, you're going to need to stay strong.

The heavy door creaked open and Kristoff almost stumbled through the doorway, terrified to almost look inside. However he was utterly surprised to see Anna sitting upright on a bed, looking a little worse for wear, but thankfully alive. The castle physician, Dr Heins seemed to be tending to a wound to her head and Kristoff was half amused at his wife berating the poor man.

"Ouch! Watch it! That hurt I'll have you know!" Anna protested, while fidgeting and writhing on the edge of the bed.

"Your Highness, please. If you don't allow me to clean the wound thoroughly then there is a higher chance of infection," the Doctor warned her as politely as possible.

"Infection? But it's just a scratch," Anna retaliated, wincing as the alcohol based fluid came in contact with her skin.

The physician quickly apologized. "I'm so sorry, Your Highness, but looking at how deep the wound is, I'm afraid to say it may need a few stitches."

The Princess grimaced, she definitely did not like the sound of that. "Stitches?! Absolutely not! No way!"

"Don't tell me that Miss feisty pants, the girl who battled wolves and a giant snow monster is afraid of a few stitches?"

"Kristoff!" she yelled. As soon as the redhead had recognized her husband's voice, she leaped up off the bed and threw herself into his arms, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Oh, Kristoff. I'm so glad you're back. W-Whilst you were gone, s-something terrible happened."

Concern immediately gripped him at how distressed she was. But that wasn't the only thing that worried him. As he drew her closer his heart sank at the state of her injuries. A deep gash to her forehead, just below the hairline, several cuts and scrapes, not to mention an array of dark bruises littering her pale skin. "I can see that. Now tell me, Anna. Who did this to you?!"

Anna fought down a lump in her throat, her eyes stinging with tears as uncontrollable anger boiled up inside. "Thugs! Brutes! What does it matter? They raided the castle in the middle of the night. Kai said they managed to subdue all of the guards with some kind of potion. He also told me that some of the staff tried to fend them off, but they were unprepared and outnumbered."

Kristoff exploded angrily, his chocolate brown eyes narrowed in rage. "Where was Elsa when all of this was happening?! Why the hell didn't she use her powers?!"

"I don't know!" Anna exclaimed. "Perhaps they used the potion on her too. All I know is that they took her. They took my sister!"

With his fists clenched and body shaking, he momentarily dismissed any concern for the Queen, instead interrogating his wife further. "That still doesn't explain how you ended up with these injuries?"

"I'm so sorry Kristoff. You see, after being awoken by all the commotion, I somehow knew Elsa was in trouble. I tried to go to her, but as soon as I left my chambers two of the men grabbed me. I tried to fight back but they were far too strong. After realizing I wasn't the target though they muttered a few disgusting obscenities and then flung me violently across the room. I must have been knocked unconscious because I don't remember anything else after that. When I finally awoke, I found myself here and Kai delivered the awful news that Elsa was missing."

Kristoff felt an odd wave of emotion pass through him. On one hand he was furious that Anna would deliberately put herself in harms way, but on the other he couldn't help but feel a hint of admiration. After nearly two years of living in the castle he was well aware of how close the sister's were and how protective they were of each other.

Wrapping his arms tightly around her, he consoled her as she broke down in tears. Any sliver of anger had now slowly melted away. "I'm sorry, baby. I just don't know what I would do if anything happened to you. I love you so much, Anna...and Elsa too...in a sisterly way of course. So that's we're going to find her, I promise. But first you must allow, Dr Heins to take care of that wound of yours."

"Wait, what?!"


As he marched along the lengthy passageway, shadows danced and flickered on the cavern walls from the several lit torches. Finally he reached a locked door. Taking the key from his pocket, he carefully unlocked the door and slipped quietly inside.

He hadn't stepped foot in his brother's laboratory before. His first impression was that it looked rather grim, clearly not suitable for such a majestic creature like Elsa. But then again this place wasn't exactly designed for comfort.

Walking over to Elsa's inert form, he leaned in close, keeping his voice close to a whisper. "Queen Elsa? Can you hear me?"

The young woman stirred, but did not awaken. A sly smirk crossed his stoic features as he ran a hand through her platinum blonde tresses, before gently sweeping her bangs which had fallen over her eyes.

"What the hell do you think you're doing down here, Hans?!"

Startled by his older brother's sudden appearance, the auburn haired man whipped his head around. "I just came to check on our precious cargo. Now do you care to inform me at how close we are. I thought you said the Queen would be ready by now."

"And she will be," Halberd assured him. "But these things take time. The conditions have to be right...the timing perfect. You need to be patient, brother. Just remember all good things come to those who wait. Now move aside whilst I begin my examination. It is vital we know whether the potion has taken effect before we continue."

Hans sighed heavily. "Just do what you have to do, but hurry up about it, I'm growing rather bored with all of this waiting around. I need results!"

Halberd got to work immediately. First he took a blood sample, mixing the red crimson with a blue potion already contained in a small vial. "Aha!" he squealed excitedly as the two liquids merged, then bubbled before finally turning pure white. Next came the more physical part. He was thankful to his potions for keeping the Queen asleep. He was sure she would not appreciate him poking and prodding around in such delicate places.

Hans tapped his foot impatiently. "Ugh! What's taking so long?"

Halberd whistled joyfully, smiling at his brother as he continued his work. Hans however did not share in his brother's obvious delight.

"You'd better be smiling because you have some good news to share and not because you're getting some sick pleasure of feeling up the Queen."

Responding to neither question, Halberd instead continued with business. Twenty more minutes had passed before the older Prince seemingly concluded his examination.

Instantaneously, Hans snapped to attention. "So...?"

"I am happy to announce that the Queen is just about ready. I'll give her something to help her regain consciousness. Once she is fully awake we can reveal our plan to her in its entirety," Halberd explained.

Hans gleamed with excitement. "I can't wait."

"Now, before we start I'm just going to need to fetch some extra supplies. I won't be long. You just stay here. I'm sure you can keep our lovely guest entertained until I return."

"Oh I think I can do that!"


Elsa woke with a sharp pain in her stomach. She gasped inwardly, instinctively springing up, until she was forced back down on the bed by a searing pain and a strong, firm hand.

"You shouldn't try to move," a stern voice commanded, with perhaps a hint of concern.

Grogginess was instantly banished as Elsa recognized immediately just who had spoken those words. "P-Prince Hans?! B-but how?"

"It's a terribly, complicated story really. Perhaps I'll even tell you about it some day, but right now we have more important matters to discuss."

Elsa's expression contorted into one of confusion and despair. "I don't wish to discuss anything with a manipulative, traitorous snake like you!"

Grinning wickedly, Hans reached his hand down and gripped her chin roughly. "You know, Your Majesty. I was hoping for a somewhat warmer reception, but then again what would I expect from someone as cold and frosty as the Snow Queen. Although I do hope some of this feistiness is a trait that passes on to our child."

"Child?!" Her cerulean blue eyes were full of fear as she tried to grasp what he had just said.

"Oops! Oh I do apologize. I believe my brother wasn't exactly very forthcoming with the more intimate details. All will be explained...soon."

The Queen found her voice wavering. "That man from before...he's your brother?"

"One of them anyway. I'm actually quite surprised you didn't spot the uncanny family resemblance. It appears you're not very observant. Anyway his name is Halberd and he's five years older then me. The only thing we used to have in common is that we were both rejects. However after I was forced to return to the Southern Isles after that big misunderstanding, he began to take a significant interest in my ramblings about Arendelle's mysterious Snow Queen and her magical abilities.

To tell you the truth he helped me out of a tough spot, and although I hate to admit it, he's the real brains behind this operation. He's the one who for the past two years has read every text book there is on alchemy. Studied like crazy day and night, until he had it perfected. So you see, we now share a common interest. We both have a certain goal in life and that is to create something so wonderful...so beautiful. He's a real genius, you know that? He won't fail."

"I don't care how much of a genius you say he is. He's sick. Actually, you're both sick and twisted. Now let me go!"

Even though the wayward Prince hadn't planned on telling Elsa everything until his brother's return, Hans simply couldn't wait any longer. What harm can it do anyway? "I hate to have to tell you this, Your Majesty, but you're really going to have to get used to being here. You see once the seed is planted and the pregnancy establishes, you're going to be in our care for at least nine months."

A wave of dizziness overwhelmed her as she fought to fully comprehend. "PREGNANCY?!"

Hans evil laugh reverberated throughout the entire room. "Oh lighten up, Elsa. You should think this an honor. It's not everyday you get to become the mother to my future child. And not just any child. This child is going to be the most powerful being the world has ever seen."

Elsa shook her head vigorously. She couldn't accept it...she wouldn't accept it. No, no, NO!"


A/N More to come...