And here I thought you all would say I wasn't going fast enough. Apparently you guys think the pace is just right, which I couldn't be happier about. Someone even said that it was progressing on the fast side. I'm glad you are willing to take the time to see their relationship grow. I can tell this story is going to be on the long side, this is only the fourth chapter and already the word count is near 15,000. But if you are willing to read, then I will be more than happy to write.

"Your majesty, the princess has requested your presence in the garden," Gerda said. Elsa looked up from the table covered in maps. Her advisors also looked up.
"What?" The queen asked.
"She says to tell you the children are here,"
"Oh, of course. Let her know I'll be down in a minute."
"And that's why she sent me," A cheerful voice said. Olaf walked into the room. "Anna said to threaten to sit on your documents if you don't come right away."
"Alright, I'm coming. Gentlemen if you would excuse me."

She and Olaf headed to the garden together. Once they got outside Elsa saw the children they'd met yesterday had brought friends. There was close to twenty kids running in the gardens. There was small group chasing Kristoff and Sven.
"Hey! I say not to start tag without me!" Olaf said hopping over to them.

The kids sitting in the grass with Anna, mostly girls, were making crowns from flowers. Zephyr was close by; he had a crown of flowers and was wrestling with two boys. Elsa went next to him.
"I'm jealous. Your crown is better than mine," She teased. Zephyr laughed.
"My new friends made it for me," He said while lifting up the two boys, one in each arm.
"Whoa," One said.
"You won't win!" The other said, while he tried to make sense of the world as he hung upside down.

"I'm an evil sorcerer and these two are knights." Zephyr explained.
"You look a bit light on weaponry to be knights," Elsa said. Zephyr placed them down and Elsa beckoned them over. They ran to her side. She made two small play ice swords.

"Cool!"
"Thank you your majesty!" They both grabbed one and charged at Zephyr.
"Uh-oh," He leapt to his feet and ran, but not too fast, so the boys were able to catch up with him. One took a swipe at Zephyr's legs and he made of show falling, rolling over several times. The other boy stepped forward but dropped his sword. Zephyr picked it for him.
"Here you go little guy,"
"Thank you," He said before he 'stabbed' Zephyr in the chest. "Take that evil sorcerer,"
"Ahhh!" Zephyr cried out, gasping for breath. Then he lay still. The boys were laughing.
"Okay, you can be knight with Tomas now and I'll be the bad guy," One said to Zephyr. The young man didn't move.
"Zephyr," Tomas shook him. "He's dead! Jack he's dead, you killed him!"
"I didn't do it! You did it,"

"Arghg!" Zephyr jumped up scaring the boys. They fell back and ran, hiding behind Elsa. Zephyr did his best evil laugh. "Mhahahaha! You can't stop me with those swords! Only magic can defeat me!" He cried in a deep voice. Elsa was struggling not to laugh. The little boys pulled on her dress.
"Queen Elsa you can defeat him!" Jack said.
"Yeah! You have magic!"
"Me?"
"Yeah you can beat him,"

"Well your majesty, do you think you can defeat an evil sorcerer," Zephyr said grinning. Elsa smirked at him.
"Most definitely,"
"Ahhh!" Zephyr charged at her. Elsa twisted her hands together, making a snowball and threw at him. He ducked. "Ha, you will have to do better than that!"
So Elsa did better, making an even bigger snowball, having it hover over her head for a second. When Zephyr saw the size of the snowball he stopped dead in his tracks, then turned tail and ran. Elsa threw the snowball and it hit its mark, leaving Zephyr covered in snow. The boys were beside themselves with laughed. Zephyr's head popped from the snow only making the boys laugh harder. The others had noticed and were laughing too. Elsa went over and offered a hand. Zephyr took it and she pulled him out. He shook the excess snow from his hair and clothes.

"I admit defeat," he said with a gracious bow, "Your powers surpass mine. Now I am but your humble servant, milady," He winked at Elsa making her laugh.
"More snow! Queen Elsa, make more snow!" One little girl cried running into pile of snow. The others all joined in, crowding around Elsa pleading for snow.
"Stay back you ruffians!" Zephyr said dramatically, making the children laugh with glee. "I won't let you harm my lady,"
"But we want snow,"
"Okay," Elsa laughed, holding up her hands to pacify them, "Okay, I'll make snow."

They screamed with delight as Elsa flourished her arms upwards making snow cascade down. She made several snowdrifts and the garden was covered in snow. The kids ran around throwing snowballs at each other making snow angels. Zephyr joined them, laughing as he ran from four kids ganging up against him.

Elsa was grinning as she watched. She felt something on her head. She turned around to find Anna grinning at her. She lifted a hand to her brow and felt a crown of flowers.
"I told you spending time with these kids would do you some good," Anna said. Elsa smirked.
"And I suppose you invented Zephyr so it would do him good as well." She asked. Anna shrugged.
"I suggested it to him and he seemed eager to meet the kids, plus I figured you wouldn't mind having him around," Anna winked, making red bloom across Elsa's cheeks.
"I don't know what you expect is going to happen, but playing match maker isn't going to help,"
"Oh I wouldn't say that," Anna said nodded her head in Zephyr's direction. He was running towards them, Tomas and a little thrown over his shoulder.

"My lady I've captured rebels. What do you suggest we do with them?" He asked. The kids were giggling.
"Let them go!" Olaf suddenly yelled. The snowman was standing on a hill of snow looking down at everyone. "I'm the evil snowman emperor! And I say let go my men!"
"Never!" Zephyr yelled up at him, "We will never give in to your tyranny!"

"Yeah!" Some of the kids yelled together. Others had decided to ally with Olaf and were running up the snow bank.
"If you don't let of them you shall regret it," Olaf said doing a maniacal laugh.
"You are no threat to my lady. I do not fear you," Zephyr said. The kids on his side were cheering for him.
"You leave me no choice. Maybe you will think differently when we capture your queen and princess."

Suddenly Kristoff and Sven jumped out from behind a snow bank. Kristoff lifted Anna off her feet, throwing her over his shoulder. Anna let out a startled cry before she started laughing. Sven lifted Elsa with his head and carried her to the back of Olaf's hill. The sisters were laughing.

"I guess we prisoners now," Anna said giggling.
"I believe we are."

"Ha ha! Now let go my men!" Olaf cried.
"Alright! Just do not hurt my lady," Zephyr said. He put down the two children and they ran to Olaf's side.
"Ha, we aren't going to let the royal sisters go," Olaf said.
"No! I let them go," Zephyr said. "We had a deal. This means war!"

"They are really getting into it," Elsa said.
"They kids are loving it," Anna said. "Look at them," The kids had all picked a side and were now building snow walls for the impending battle. On one side Olaf, Kristoff and Sven were leading the other Zephyr.
"I'll give them a hand," Elsa said. She made two ice fortresses. They took up most of the yard, being large enough for a grown man to run inside comfortably, and each having two levels, the lower one being enclosed but the top only had low walls, with no ceiling perfect for tossing snowballs. Both had an inner fortress then the outer wall over ten feet high. There were walls with holes to fire snowballs from, and a balcony that ran along the top so the kids could throw snowballs from the top of the fortress. She even included jail cells. Since she and Anna had been caught fair and square they were both in a cell.

"Wow!" The kids cried at the ices walls grew around them.
"This is so amazing!"
"This is going to be the best snowball fight ever!"
"Get ready to defend the fortress," Kristoff called.
"For Olaf land!" Olaf cried.
"Olaf land!" The kids on their side cried.

Zephyr looked at the fortress and then the kids who sided with him. "Alright we have to save the queen and princess. Are you with me?" He said kneeling down to their level.
"Yeah!" They cried.
"But it will be dangerous, we will have to go into the enemy's fortress,"
"We can do it," A little girl cried.
"For Princess Anna and Queen Elsa," Jack cried.
"For Elsania!" Zephyr cried.

Inside their cells Anna and Elsa couldn't see anything, but they could hear.
"He named his side after you," Anna gushed. Elsa rolled her eyes but she was laughing.
Outside Zephyr's team had split into two. The first group were firing snowballs, distracting Olaf, Kristoff and the others. Meanwhile Zephyr with three kids, two girls and Jack were sneaking around to the back of the ice fortress. He helped the kids over the wall and then they climbed in through a window. No one had seen them yet. They were to focused on the snowball fight.

Zephyr found the jail cells. "You guys get Anna, I'll Elsa," He said. The three kids ran over to Anna's cell let her out. They started to head outside. Zephyr opened Elsa's cell bowing to her.
"My lady," He said barely able to stop from laughing.
"My hero," Elsa said with curtsy.
"Shall we escape and then lead our side to victory,"
"After you good sir,"

Kristoff happened to look down from his perch on the wall and spotted Anna escaping.

"Prison break!" he yelled.
"Uh-oh," Zephyr and Elsa heard the cry from inside the fortress. "We got to go," Zephyr took Elsa's hand but as they turned Olaf and four kids came down the stairs.
"Get them!" Olaf cried tossing a snowball. The kids did the same. Zephyr moved quickly.
"Forgive me my lady," He said before sweeping Elsa off her feet. She placed her hands around his neck for support. He wove through the snowballs. He jumped over Olaf and the kids landing on the steps and running up. They came out on the top level. Zephyr turned around looking for a way down.

"I can make a slide," Elsa said. Olaf and the kids appeared at the top of stairs.
"No time, hold on," He held her tightly and jumped over the side of the fortress. Everyone stopped to gasp. He landed on a pile of snow and got to his feet, placing Elsa down. Anna and the three kids were being blocked by Kristoff and Sven. Elsa made ice below Sven's hooves, making him unable to move properly. Zephyr tackled Kristoff into the snow.

"Go! Go! Go!" He cried. Elsa, Anna and the kids ran from the fortress laughing. When the other kids saw them escape they cheered. They got to their own fortress, closed the doors and climbed to the top of walls. Elsa made piles of snowballs.
"Get ready!" Anna cried. They all took a snowball in hand. Zephyr emerged from Olaf's fortress running as fast as he could. The kids on Olaf's side were chasing him tossing snowballs.
"Help!" he cried, trying to cover his head.
"Fire!" Anna yelled. They all threw their snowballs. Zephyr jumped grabbing on to the edge of the wall but he started slipping. Elsa grabbed his hands, pulling him up. But two boys jumped grabbing on his feet, pulling him back down. Elsa fell with them, landing in a pile of snow, laughing.

"Elsa, are you okay?" Anna called down.
"Ye-yes," Elsa was gasping for breath from laughing so hard. She couldn't remember the last time she'd laughed this hard. Zephyr's face was red from laughing so much.
"They are outside their fortress," Kristoff cried, "We can capture them,"
"Oh no," Zephyr cried jumping to his feet making a snowball and tossing it, then another and another keeping the others at bay. Elsa joined him fending off the advancers. They retreated back into their fortress.

Elsa collapsed against Zephyr laughing.
"Okay, you know how to have a snowball fight," Zephyr said wiping tears from his eyes.
"Me? What about you jumping of the fortress. Won't you scared?"
"Heights don't frighten me," He said with nonchalant grin.
"Hey! We could use some help here," Anna called to him.

They joined the others at the top adding to assault. With Elsa on their side it wasn't long before they saw a white flag waving.

Olaf's team emerged from their fortress covered head to toe in snow. But the kids didn't seemed to mind they were all laughing.
"You know having the snow queen on your side gives you an unfair advantage," Kristoff called to the winning team, who were celebrating.
"All's fair in love and war," Anna said to him. He huffed and shook his head and shoulders ridding himself of extra snow.

"But he's right. I would never want to have to fight you, in any situation." Zephyr told Elsa.
"You won't bad yourself. Quite heroic the way you lead the prison break and not to mention holding off Kristoff so we could escape."
"Anything to protect my lady," he said with a bow. Elsa laughed.

"Why don't we all go inside for some hot chocolate?" Anna suggested much to the kids delight. They all trooped into the castle following Anna. Kristoff, Olaf and Sven went with them. Elsa stayed behind to clear away the snow and Zephyr stayed with her.
"Don't you want to go warm up?" Elsa asked him.
"You'll forgive me if I'm a bit apprehensive around hot chocolate now," He said with an easy grin. Elsa laughed.
"I hope you haven't sworn off it forever,"
"No way," He exclaimed, "How could I? It's much too good to go very long without. Especially if you make it."
Elsa blushed. She melted the last of the snow and turned towards him. "Well, I'm sure they would have lit a fire for the kids. We could just sit by the flames."
"That sounds like something I could do, after you my lady,"
"Is that what you're going to call me now,"
"Maybe. Why? Don't you like it, my lady?"
"I think I like Elsa more,"
"I can't blame you, Elsa is a beautiful name."
"It's four letters,"
"And? You don't need a terrible long name for it to beautiful. I think true, unmatched beauty lies in the little things. A laugh, a smile, a new blossom, a simple name."

"Where did you become so philosophical?"
"I guess from my travels. You learn to see the beauty in the most mundane things when you've been around as much I have. If you don't you could end up passing some of the most amazing things."
"Zephyr, why did you start travelling?"
"At first it was to get away. But I ended falling in love with it, so I never stopped."
"To get away? Get away from what?"
"My past," He said simply. She waited for him to explain further but when he didn't she didn't press him. Everyone was entitled to their secrets.
"So, I supposed you won't be here long? You probably want to get back to your travels soon,"
"Actually, I think there are something things here worth sticking around for. If I leave too soon I might miss some things I won't be able to see or do anywhere else." He smiled at her, "I mean, how many kingdoms are there where can a guy have a snowball fight, in autumn, with a talking snowman?"

Elsa laughed, "Well I'm glad to hear you'll be staying for a while,"
"You are?"
"Yes, it's nice to have someone to talk to like you. I hope I don't sound too rash by saying this but I feel as though I know you. I know we just met, but…"
"Elsa, I get what you're saying. I feel as though we share a connection of sorts,"
"Exactly," Elsa said happily, but then her smile flattered, "it isn't strange is it?"
"So what if it is? I think normal can be very dull. If it's between being strange or normal I'll take strange any day."

So Zephyr stayed and the first few weeks of his stay flew by. He came to know the staff very quickly. They all took a liking to him. He was always good for a laugh, always cracking some joke or acting silly for the sake of a laugh. Elsa genuinely enjoyed his company, and the two spent a lot of her free time together. Whether he would play his flute for her, or tell a funny story to hear her laugh, or where they were simply talking. This didn't go unnoticed by Anna, who conspired with the staff to try a get them alone together as much as possible. But because of Elsa's busy schedule 'as much as possible' proved to be not much at all. So when an opportunity presented itself Anna jumped at the chance.

One evening for dinner Elsa entered grinning.
"Someone is in a good mood," Zephyr said.
"I am. I have some good news," She said to Anna, "The dignitary from Spain was supposed to visit the day after tomorrow. But I just received a letter, he won't be able to come because of some family matter."
"And that's good news?"
"It is, considering the fact I have the entire day set aside for his visit. Now I just have an empty day in my calendar,"

Anna's eye lit up. "A whole day? Where you have nothing to do?"
"Yes, I was thinking we could spend the day in town," Elsa said.
"That sounds great! Zephyr, would you care to join us?"
"What?" Everyone around the table, except Zephyr looked at Anna as if she had gone mad. Anyone who knew Anna knew she loved her days with Elsa more than anything. She never let anything get in the way, of those days. So they were more than a little surprised when she invited Zephyr.
"Anna, are you feeling okay?" Kristoff asked.
"I'm on top of the world,"
"Are you sure? Because you just asked Zephyr you join on your day with Elsa,"
"I know,"
"Well, it's just, that's odd. I mean sometimes you don't even let Olaf or me co…ah-ow!" Kristoff yelled out suddenly his hand flying to his knees. It didn't take much to figure out Anna had kicked him under the table.

"So Zephyr, do you want to come with us?" Anna said ignoring Kristoff's complains.
"It's funny. Just yesterday I was thinking I've been in Arendelle almost three weeks now but I've hardly been outside the castle."
"Then it's settled. You are coming. Who better to show around you Arendelle than the queen," Anna said nodding. Elsa noted that Anna only mentioned her.

"That sounds great, if you don't mind me intruding," Zephyr said looking at Elsa. She shook her head.
"Not at all,"
"If Zephyr is getting to go, then I want to come too," Olaf said.
"Of course Olaf. Kristoff and Sven can come too," Anna said.
"Are you sure you didn't hit your head or something?" Kristoff asked.
"I'm absolutely fine,"

Elsa watched Anna carefully. Her sister was more than fine, she was scheming something.

Two days later Elsa wasn't really surprised when Anna showed up in her room first thing in the morning.
"Elsa, I don't feel so good," She said leaning against the doorframe.
Any other time these words would have Elsa fretting with worry in an instant. But today she was expecting it.
"You've not going to bail on our day just so I can be alone with Zephyr."
"How'd you know that was what I'm doing?"
"I'm your big sister. You're going to have to try harder to get something past me,"

Anna huffed, then gave her sister a glance over. "You're not wearing that are you?" She asked indicating to Elsa's dress. Elsa looked down at the green dress.
"What's wrong with it?"
"He's seen you in it already!"
"He has?"
"Yes, you wore that dress two weeks ago,"
"Oh right. I remember now," Anna rolled her eyes. She stormed past her sister and into her closet.
"What are you doing?" Elsa called after her.
"What does it look like? I'm getting a dress for you to wear,"
"I'm already wearing a dress,"
"What part of you can't wear that do you not understand?"

"It's just a dress," Elsa said.
"It is not a just dress, it's the dress you are going wear on your first date with him," Anna gasped. "Do you realise this is your first date, ever?"
Elsa snorted, "It's not a date. You, Kristoff and Olaf are coming. You were the one who suggested he come remember."
"Take off that dress," Anna said ignoring her sister's words. "Where is it?" Anna asked searching through the racks of clothes.
"Where is what?"
"That blue and white dress you got the last time we were in Corona,"
"Third rack, near the back,"
"Ah-ha!" Anna found the dress and emerged from the closet. She frowned when she saw Elsa still in her dress.
"Why didn't you take it off yet?"
"Because I don't need to."

"I swear if you don't I'll make you," Anna said.
"I'd like to see you try,"
"It won't be very difficult. You keep writing materials in your desk don't you? Including a bottle of ink?"
"Alright, I'll change," Elsa holding her hands for the other dress.
"Thank you," Anna said skipping from the room.
"But you're still coming with us," Elsa called as she left the room. Anna stuck her head back in the door.
"Of course. I'd never miss our day together." She said smiling. Elsa didn't like that smile, she knew Anna was still planning something.

Later Elsa went down to the main hall, where she was supposed to meet everyone. So far Zephyr was the only one there. He smiled when he saw her.
"Wow, you look, wow," he said. Elsa couldn't help but blush.
"Really?"
"Yeah. That dress really suits you,"
"Candid as always," Elsa said with a gentle smile. He smiled coyly.
"Well you are one of the few people who actually appreciate my frank nature,"
"Where is everyone?"
"Don't know, I've been on my own for a few minutes, I'm sure they'll be down soon,"
"Oh they better be," Elsa looking down the hall. Surprisingly they did show up, all three of them came down the hall together.

"You ready to go?" Anna asked cheerfully.
"Yep," Zephyr said. Elsa didn't answer. She was looking at Anna. There was no way she'd just give up. They collected Sven from the stables and headed into the town together. Elsa tried to keep an eye on Anna, wondering what she was up to. But it didn't look as if she had any ulterior plan. She seemed to be simply enjoying herself, chatting with Kristoff, Olaf and Zephyr. Then Elsa made a mistake. She let herself get distracted for a moment while she watched Zephyr do a handstand around a fountain. When Zephyr righted himself he asked,"Where are the others?"

Elsa turned around to find they were alone.
"Anna," She muttered under her breath.
"I swear they were here just a minute ago. Do you want to look for them?"
Elsa sighed and shook her head, "Something tells me we won't find them," She said. Zephyr gave her confused look.
"They'll probably find us again later," She said knowing fully well they wouldn't.
"So I guess it's just us," Zephyr grinned, "That doesn't sound so bad to me,"

Alright time to respond to some reviews-

To respond to a question from Sarah, Link (and by Link I assume you mean from Legend of Zelda) wasn't really an inspiration for Zephyr, but I do see some similarities now that you mention it. And no, he's not one Of Hans' bothers.

To Mary, thanks for the free advertising. The fact you think my work is good enough that you would tell all your friends warms my heart, thrutly.

Thanks to everyone who reviews, favs and follows. You all rock, and I'll see you for the next chapter, which I have a feeling you are going to want up as soon as possible.

Nardragon~ until the next page.