As Elsa was making an attempt at following Kristian, Kristian was preoccupied with his own thing. While Elsa was partly right about what Kristian was doing, Kristian was not actually in the mental plain. Kristian actually had transported his conscious to his old mountain home. It was a trick that Grand Pabbie had taught him.
To transport his conscious to another location, Kristian needed a part of his magic at that other location. Fortunately, Kristian had left two flaming markers on the top of his parents' graves as a tribute to them. At that time, Kristian didn't realize that he would be able to use these magical stones he created to come back. The flames had actually gone out on the stones some time ago. However, there was enough residual magic left in the stones for Kristian to make a connection. Once the connection was made, the stones flared backed to life with fire.
Technically, Kristian is not actually physically here at the grave markers. The form that Kristian takes is totally made of fire. However, this form is not the erratic flames that Tollak had used in his fiery form. The flames that Kristian is using are smooth with only small flare ups coming off the top of his shoulders and head.
Anyway, at this particular moment, Kristian was glad that he could come back to his old mountain home. He needed to be here right now. After witnessing the joy and sadness of Anna and Elsa at their parents' memorial, Kristian needed to release his own pent up emotions. Kristian needed to be with what was left of his family. Right now, the only family that Kristian can think about is these two grave markers.
While back on his mountain, Kristian has been reminiscing with the grave marker of his mother. "Hi, mom. Well, another Christmas is coming again," says Kristian. "It has been a long time since I've celebrated Christmas. Heck, it's been a long time since I celebrated any holiday. You know how Goran was like. He didn't celebrate the holidays. However, things have changed. Goran is no longer an influence on my life anymore. Now I have a chance to celebrate the holidays with people that really care about me."
While Kristian was talking, he had spent some of the time cleaning the snow off the grave stones. Once Kristian finishes speaking, he pauses for a moment. Kristian's head drops down as he looks at the bottom of his mother's tombstone. Then he has, "Mom, I'm having a harder time with this holiday than I thought I would. When I was living with Goran, Christmas was always a sad time for me. Yet, I could always confide in you here. I always knew that I was missing out, but I didn't realize just how much I was missing."
"However, now all that has changed. Do you remember the girlfriend that I told you about, Elsa? She has allowed me into her life. So this year I am spending Christmas with her family and friends, and I am seeing what that means to all of them. The problem is, when I watch them, I begin to see what they have and what I don't. Don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed watching and participating in many of their activities. It's just well… they're all family to one another, where I am not. Sometimes I feel like I am still an outsider. I know that I shouldn't be feeling this way, but I can't seem to shake this feeling. I find myself wanting what they had as children, and that has been making me miserable."
By now, Kristian has cleared a small area around the grave markers of snow. With the snow gone, Kristian finds a nearby boulder for himself to sit on. As he sits down, Kristian says, "I'm really missing you a lot right now, mom. You're the only family that I have left, and you aren't even here. Maybe it is crazy for me to be talking to you like this, but what else can I do?"
While sitting there, Kristian's eyes look towards the ground. It was during this time that Kristian suddenly hears a hiss as if something was rapidly melting. So he looks up to see what might be making the hiss. It does not take long for Kristian to find out what is causing the noise. What he sees is the fires that cover the enchanted stones have changed color. Instead of the normal orange red of fire, the stones now burn with a blue flame.
"What?" exclaims Kristian as he stands up and stares at the color change of the flames.
Then suddenly Kristian hears a voice coming from behind him. "Kristian, is that you?" asks the voice.
Kristian turns around and stares in astonishment. "Elsa?!" exclaims Kristian out of surprise.
The thing that Kristian sees is an elegant crystalline ice figure of Elsa standing about twenty feet away from him. Just like what Kristian had done with his magic, Elsa has used her powers in an attempt to enter Kristian's mind. However, it was not Kristian's mind that she entered. Instead, all Elsa's magic did was follow Kristian's conscious to this place. As it did Elsa's own magic created the form that her own mind now controls.
"It is you isn't it, Kristian," says Elsa as she walks towards Kristian. "And I am sorry about intruding on you like this, but I was worried about you."
"You shouldn't be here!" exclaims Kristian out of shock. "Elsa, how did you even manage to get here? It should have been impossible!"
"It was a little tricky by myself, but I have worked with your magic before," replies Elsa. "I'm just sitting next to you in your room and inserted my magic into your magical energy. Then I focused my thoughts so that I could join you on the mental plain. I do hope that you aren't too upset about me being here."
"What are you talking about?" asks a perplexed Kristian. "Elsa, this isn't the mental plain. This is my old home. This is the place that I used to live with Goran and my mother."
"This isn't a creation of your mind?" exclaims Elsa out of surprise. "I just assumed you were back reliving an old memory. I never imagined you would have traveled somewhere!"
"I can't believe that you are even here!" exclaims Kristian. "I'm only able to be here because I left a piece of my magic behind. You don't have any magic here that you can use as a focus. So how in the world are you even able to send your magic here?"
"I think you are forgetting one thing, Kristian," replies Elsa. "I do have something here that I can use as a focus. I have worked with you and your magic on many occasions. So I have become very familiar with your style of magic. I've come to know it almost as well as I know my own. So you see, as long as you don't object, you can act as the focus for me to use."
"I didn't realize that I was becoming that familiar to you," says Kristian as he feels a little uncertain about this situation.
"Oh, there are still many things that I could still learn about you; and I am sure there are things that you can learn about me," replies Elsa. "However, I think we both know each other well enough to understand each other on a very intimate level." With this Elsa smiles at Kristian in the hopes of reassuring him.
In response, Kristian smiles back. Then he says, "I suppose that you do have something here that is a pretty good focus."
With Kristian's smile, Elsa is feeling a little more relieved about being there. So Elsa allows herself to examine the surroundings a bit. So it doesn't take Elsa long for her sight to fall upon the two tombstones. Then Elsa asks, "So what are these two stones supposed to represent? Are they grave markers?"
Kristian turns to look at the tombstones, and he lets out a slight sigh. Then he says, "Yes, they are grave markers. This is where my parents are buried. I just needed to come back here to see them again."
"Is it because of Anna and me that you left us so abruptly to come here?" asks Elsa politely. "Was I neglecting you?"
"What?" exclaims Kristian out of surprise as he turns to look back at Elsa. "I'm sorry about leaving like I did, but you and Anna had nothing to do with my leaving, well… not directly anyway. I suppose in a way, you were spending too much time with me."
"Too much time? I thought you would have enjoyed spending this Christmas with me and all of my family," replies Elsa.
"I did enjoy many of the moments over the past few days," says Kristian. "However, I was also noticing how you and Anna would reminisce about your parents. Well…, listening to the two of you talk about your parents was starting to get to me."
"Our trips down memory lane were bothering you?" asks a surprised Elsa. "I'm sorry, but I did not think Anna's and my memorable family moments would annoy you."
"You're misunderstanding," replies Kristian. "Listening to Anna and you did not bother me like that. It's just that listening to the two of you was beginning to remind me of my own life. Seeing what your sister and you had as children, even with the difficulties of your magic, was reminding me of what I didn't have."
"I knew it was likely that you wouldn't have had much of a Christmas in your past. Yet, I thought if I involved you in this one, you would have enjoyed it immensely," says Elsa. "I didn't think you would have been brought down by it."
"I'm grateful for the effort, Elsa; but I'm just intruding on your family's fun," replies Kristian. "It is the reason why I came here. Just like you are with your family, I had to be with the only family that I know."
"What? But Kristian, I do consider you to be a part of my family, my family of cherished friends," exclaims Elsa. "It is why I wanted to have you be a part of this Christmas celebration."
"You consider me to be family?" replies Kristian as he is puzzled and surprised by Elsa's remark. "I would have thought you would have only included Anna and her fiancé as part of your family.
I won't deny that Anna is very important to me, and I have come to appreciate having Kristoff around," comments Elsa. "However, while I cherish Anna and Kristoff, they are by no means the only family I have. You are forgetting about Olaf."
"OK, so there is Olaf as well; but he is a creation of your magic," replies Kristian. "So in a way, he can almost be considered a child of yours, a child of your magic."
"Yes, Olaf and I are both creatures of magic, one completely made of magic and the other possessing magic," says Elsa. "However, there is another individual in Arendelle that possesses magic as well; and that person is you. That makes you part of a family of beings that even my sister Anna doesn't belong too. I, for one, am glad that you are part of that family; and I have come to cherish your presence in my life."
"I've come to enjoy you in my life as well," replies Kristian. "I'm just sorry that I am ruining this Christmas for you."
"You haven't ruined it," says Elsa. "Actually, I think I've been the one who has been ruining Christmas for you."
"The way that I've been feeling has nothing to do with what you have done," objects Kristian. "I'm just having issues with my past. Issues that I have to work out."
"But that is how I've been ruining this Christmas. I've been so concerned about making you a part of my Christmas, that I've never tried to be a part of yours," replies Elsa. "I've should have been talking with you. I've been so busy reliving the past with Anna, especially concerning our parents. I've done that so much that I have neglected you and your parents. I should have been honoring your parents just like I've honored mine."
"Elsa, it is a nice idea; but I don't see what you can do to honor my parents," says Kristian. "You never knew them, and my live was not all that memorable. Most of the time I just try and forget my past."
"If you were trying to forget your past, then you wouldn't be here," replies Elsa. "Plus, I think there is a way that I can help you honor your parents."
Then after this comment, Elsa raises a crystalline hand into the air. With this motion, Elsa uses her magic to create a Christmas tree out of ice between the two tombstones. Then Elsa begins to create other structures out of ice and snow around the area. Soon the whole area becomes exquisite to the eyes in beautiful creations.
"Whoa," says Kristian as he looks around at what Elsa has done. "Sometimes I just can't believe that you are able to create all of this beauty, but I don't understand why you would."
"I honored my parents by creating a beautiful display to celebrate the Christmases we had together," replies Elsa. "It is only fitting that I should do the same for the parents of the man that I love. I would do more if I could, but I have no idea what you or your parents look like when you were young."
"You have always done so much for me, Elsa. Sometimes, I wonder if I deserve it," says Kristian. "However, why don't you let me handle the final details."
So Kristian begins to raise his hands made of total fire. As he does, a fire begins to swirl up from the ground a few feet away from the Christmas tree. The fire flares to a little over four feet in height before it begins to form into the image of two people. One image is of a woman sitting on a chair holding a book and reading it aloud. This woman wore an elegant gown, and she looked very refined.
The other figure was of a boy sitting on the floor. This boy had his hands resting on the legs of the woman, and it looked like he was listening to the woman read.
"I take it that is you and your mother," inquires Elsa about the creation.
"Yes, it is the fondest memory that I have of my mother," replies Kristian. "She would wear that dress on special occasions, and the gift that she would often give me was stories of a wonderful kingdom. I would sometimes dream that I was living in that kingdom."
"I guess in a way, that dream has come true for you. Now that you are living in Arendelle," comments Elsa with a smile.
"Huh? I really haven't thought about being in Arendelle in terms of that dream," replies Kristian. "But I suppose the dream has become reality. It's not exactly like the stories my mother use to tell. Yet in some ways, reality is better than the dream."
After this comment, Kristian then begins to create another image composed of fire. This second figure stands several feet away. It is of a man dressed in warm travel clothing. A sword hangs from his side, and a cape hangs down from his back.
"Your father?" questions Elsa.
"I really don't remember him that well," replies Kristian. "This is how I last remember seeing him. My father came to the mountain to bring my mother and me back home. However, I didn't know who he was at the time. For most of my life, I hated this man because of what happened to my mother. Now I understand that wasn't his fault. My father was trying to do right by my mother and me, and Goran ended both of their lives for my father's attempt to accomplish it. I've gained a respect for my father for what he tried to do. I'm just sorry that my life has given my family such miserable luck."
"I am sorry for your loss, Kristian," says Elsa. "Yet, from what I can tell, your mother loved you and you loved her. She did her best to keep you safe and give you a secure home. It is also thanks to her that you did not succumb to Goran's influences. So if it wasn't for your mother, I wouldn't be here talking with one of my closest friends."
Kristian begins to smile. Then he says, "My mom always did try to do the best that she could for me."
"Why don't you tell me about her?" asks Elsa politely.
"What, now?" replies Kristian with some surprise.
"This place obviously contains a lot of memories for you," responds Elsa. "I think it might do you some good if you shared some of those memories, and I am more than willing to listen."
For a short while, Kristian ponders what Elsa has said. Finally he says, "All right, I guess it won't hurt to share a few memories."
So Kristian begins to tell Elsa of his past on the mountain. He tells about the time when his mother and he showed up on the plateau during a winter. Kristian tells of how the mountain winds were causing difficulty on the journey. Kristian also tells of how he was barely able to keep his flames lit in the strong winds. These are the same flames that Kristian was using to try and keep his mother warm.
While talking about this, Kristian begins to lead Elsa up to the higher plateau. This higher plateau is where the houses were that sheltered everyone from the elements. As they reach this plateau, Kristian begins to tell Elsa about the first encounter with Goran. Kristian tells of how his mother and he first turned to move away from Goran. This is because Goran saw Kristian flaming. Kristian then tells of how Goran revealed his power to them and how the cold eventually drove them both into Goran's home to seek shelter.
Elsa had heard these stories before. However, actually being here has given Elsa a better appreciation of what Kristian had gone through. Not to mention the fact that Kristian is able to talk about his life in more detail. This is because this place on the mountain brings memories back to Kristian.
What initially was only going to be a short tour turns into a lengthy trip down memory lane for Kristian. However, Elsa didn't mind. In fact, she was curious. Kristian was the type of guy who wouldn't lie to Elsa, but he wasn't likely to open up and talk freely about things he felt uncomfortable about sharing.
Anyway, for almost a half hour, Kristian talked about his time with his mother. Finally, Kristian was getting fatigued at maintaining this fiery projection of himself. So eventually, Kristian stumbles a bit because he is getting tired.
"Kristian, are you OK?" asks Elsa as she sees Kristian stumble.
"I'm fine. I'm just getting a little tired," replies Kristian as he straightens himself up.
"I'm beginning to feel a little tired as well," adds Elsa. "We should both head back to Arendelle. The amount of energy required to maintain these forms are beginning to fatigue us both."
"Part of me wishes that I could disagree with you, but you're right," replies Kristian. "Anyway, I could always come back some other day after I am well rested."
"Well if you want, I could always come back with you when you do," suggests Elsa. "I would be more than willing to give you some company."
Kristian smiles as he looks at the beautiful crystalline form of Elsa. Then he says, "I may actually take you up on your offer some day."
So with this last statement, Kristian's image begins to fade. As Kristian's image fades, so does Elsa's image. After all, Elsa was only able to be here because of her connection to Kristian. So as their images fade, their consciousness are transported back to their respective physical forms. As both Elsa and Kristian return to their bodies, the flames that cover all of Kristian and parts of Elsa fade away.
With the flames gone, both Kristian and Elsa open their eyes and look at each other. "Hi," says Kristian with a smile on his face. Kristian also moves his hand to take hold of Elsa's hand, which was resting on his hand during the trance.
"Hi, yourself," replies Elsa with a smile on her face as well.
Finally their gaze is broken by the sound of Anna's voice. "Well, it is about time," exclaims Anna in a relieved tone. "I was beginning to get a little worried."
In response, both Elsa and Kristian turn to look at Anna and Olaf. "Anna, I completely forgot that you were here!" exclaims Elsa.
"Obviously," replies Anna. "It has almost been an hour since we came here. Do you know what it is like just sitting here and not knowing what is going on."
"I'm sorry Anna, but I got a little preoccupied with Kristian," says Elsa as she and Kristian get up from the floor. "I hope that we haven't upset you too much."
"I'm starting to get use to these sorts of things between you and Kristian," replies Anna. "Yet, sometimes they will still unnerve me."
"I can't even believe that you are all here!" exclaims Kristian.
"Of course we are all here, Kristian," replies Anna. "We all care about you, and Elsa was becoming concerned. So we had to make sure that you were OK."
"Right, where else would we go?" chirps Olaf. "When a member of our family needs us, we will always be there to help in any manner that we can!"
"Family!" exclaims Kristian in surprise. "I hardly consider myself a member of your family. I'm merely just a friend to all of you."
"Don't be ridiculous!" exclaims Anna. "Of course you're family! All of us here are way beyond that of close friends. So the only word that can best describe us is family!"
"Yes, and we will always try to do right by members of our family," adds Elsa.
"Speaking of doing what is right, did you manage to resolve what was troubling Kristian?" asks Anna.
"Not so much as resolved it, but more like gotten an understanding of the situation," replies Elsa. "It is going to be more of a work in progress."
"So, what needs to be done? I'll be glad to help!" chirps Olaf.
"There is not much to do right now," replies Elsa. Then she looks over to Anna and continues, "However, we may need to tone down our celebration. I want Kristian to enjoy this Christmas, and our exuberance may make that difficult."
"Don't ruin your Christmas because of me," interjects Kristian. "That is the last thing that I wanted to do. I was hoping to deal with things on my own so that I wouldn't disturb your enjoyment. Now it looks like I've done just that."
"Christmas is about spending time with the people that we love," replies Elsa. "And besides Anna, I can't think of anyone else that I would want to spend time with."
"Hey, what about me?" chirps Olaf. "Don't you want to spend time with me too?"
"Of course I want to spend time with you, Olaf," replies Elsa with a smile. "It just wouldn't be Christmas without you, Kristoff, and Mattias there as well."
"We certainly will make the strangest family that anyone has ever seen!" chirps Olaf.
"We're not actually a family. We're just friends," replies Kristian. "Granted, we are close friends, but we are just still friends."
"Kristian, it takes more than blood to make a family," politely objects Anna. "Kristoff is not yet related to Elsa and me. Yet, we both consider him as part of our family. Then there is Olaf as well. He is not a blood relation, and yet he is family."
"Yep, I am bloodless, not a drop," chirps Olaf. "My pasty pale complexion is proof of that."
A smile comes to everyone's faces because of Olaf's comments. Then Elsa says, "Blood is only one way to measure what a family is. However, love and a commitment to one another is a more important measure of what a true family is all about. Both of which, I have for you, and I am certain that you have for me."
"That sentiment goes for me as well," adds Anna. "However, my affection is more of a platonic nature than that of my sister's."
"Well, I just love everybody that I meet! So I must have a really big family!" adds Olaf gleefully.
"Yes Olaf, you do have a very big family. All of Arendelle can be called your family," replies Elsa with a smile. Then Elsa turns and looks at Kristian. "Kristian, I know that you would like to keep your predicament a secret; and I will keep it a secret. However, you must also not forget that all of us are here for you."
"Elsa is right," adds Anna. "If there is one thing that true friends and a true family will do is help each other. Whatever it is you are going through, you've got a family here that cares about you."
"I know you all care. I just wanted to spare your celebration from my depression," replies Kristian.
Hey, there is nothing wrong with being sad," chirps Olaf. "It's just a short trip from being sad to being glad, and that trip is easier when you have good friends on the journey."
"Olaf is right," adds Elsa. Then Elsa stretches her hand out towards Kristian and continues to speak. "We need to take you on that special journey. So if you wouldn't mind, I think we can begin that trip by creating some new memories."
A slight smile comes to Kristian face as he reaches out and takes a hold of Elsa's hand. "If you are willing to put up with me, I will go along with whatever you have in mind," replies Kristian. "Just be warned, I might be a little moody on this trip."
"I think I will be able to find a way to brighten your mood," says Elsa with a devilish smile on her face as she begins to walk with Kristian out of his room.
"And if she can't, I'm sure that I will be able to put a smile on your face in no time!" chirps Olaf as he and Anna follow Elsa and Kristian out of the room.
(Honestly, I think that I get lost in coversations sometimes. Somehow, I need to find a way of shortening them.)
