Kristoff took Anna's hand as he helped the young woman up the mountain. The blindfolded princess felt her foot slip and gasped as she grasped onto her boyfriend's arm. "It's okay, "Kristoff said as he placed a gentle hand on her back. Sven pressed his nose against her to help balance the young princess.
"You know this would be so much easier if I could see," Anna reminded her boyfriend as she tugged at her blindfold.
Kristoff smacked her hand and replied, "That would ruin the surprise." He lead her up an icy staircase and watched her carefully. He pushed open two large door made of ice and led her by the hand into the foyer of Elsa's ice castle. He slowly untied the dark green bandana used as a blindfold. The icy interior had clear tall vases with roses carved out ice around the room.
Anna looked around and asked, "What is all of this?" The pink, orange, and yellow lights of the sunset reflected in the walls and floor of the building.
Kristoff bent down on one knee and took her hand in his. He shivered as he felt the cold of the floor seep through his pants. "Anna, I love you," he said with a goofy grin plastered on his face. "And I want to be with you forever. So do you want to…I don't know…marry me?"
In midsentence, , Anna leaped onto him and wrapped her arms around his waist. She chanted the word "yes" a million times even as he managed to slip a small silver band onto her finger. She kissed him violently as he held her close to his chest.
When the couple stepped outside, Anna looked up to see the snow falling down around the building. " I can't still believe this castle is still here," Anna commented as she looped her arm through his.
Kristoff explained, "I think it's like a vacation home or something."
Anna jumped into the carriage as Kristoff hooked up Sven. "Do you think Elsa is going to be okay when she finds out?" Anna asked as she leaned forward.
"She's already given her blessing," he replied as he grabbed the reins and sat beside his fiancee. Sven began to trot down the mountain as Kristoff wrapped an arm around Anna's petite shoulders.
When they returned to Arrendale, Anna jumped and ran into the study where she found Elsa on a sofa with her nose in a book. The redhead sister tackled and hugged her sibling. Elsa looked up in surprise and chuckled, "Someone is in a good mood." She looked down at her sister's hand. "Oh my gosh, he finally proposed!"
"I know!" Anna squealed. "I'm getting married!"
Anna had always dreamed of her wedding day. She always wanted a beautiful white ballgown and the whole village piled in their cathedral. She and her husband would share a passionate kiss then head to their reception where they would serve sandwiches and chocolate. "I just can't wait to plan this wedding," Anna exclaimed as she clapped her hands together.
"You can have anything you want for your wedding," Elsa responded. Although she was happy for her little sister, she couldn't ignore the pit growing in her stomach. Naturally, she was overjoyed that Anna found her soulmate. Soon she would be married and have little children; however, Elsa's life was comparatively empty. She loved being the ruler of Arrendale, but craved the close intimate relationship that Anna quickly obtained. Unfortunately, any man interested in the Ice Queen was after the throne, and Elsa vehemently refused to be some man's trophy wife.
"Elsa, are you okay?" Anna asked as Elsa's mouth drew into a small straight line and her eyes seemed heavy as if weighed down by boulders.
"I'm fine," she quickly responded as she forced a smile.
Anna nodded as she stood up. She hugged her sister as her eyes met the straight black hands of the grandfather clock in the corner. "I'm sorry, but I have to go. Kristoff and I are going to tell his family about our engagement," Anna said rapidly before hurrying towards the door. "Are you sure you are going to be okay?" She asked.
"Yes, I'm fine. Go."
The castle was as silent as Elsa's childhood. She wandered aimlessly around the halls until dinner. When she wound up at the dining room, she sat alone at the head of a long empty table. She poked at her baked chicken and broccoli until she threw down the white cloth napkin and stormed into her bedroom. She released her long white hair from the braid before changing into a pale blue sleeveless nightgown. She crawled into her bed and lay still for what seemed like hours. She kept her eyes on a singular point of the ceiling. Finally, she sat up and scratched her head as she stared at the door. She lifted the comforter off her before slipping out of bed and asked herself, "What am I doing?" She looked back at her bed for a few moments; however, she found herself sneaking out of her room.
Her bare feet gently padded the cold floor as she crept through the dark halls. Her small candle was the only light that illuminated the night.
The stair case down to the dungeons had cobwebs around the door and corners of the ceiling. The stone stairs were hard against her feet, and Elsa wished she had atleast put on slippers. She gulped and glanced over her shoulder as she crept closer and closer to Hans's cell. She took the brass keys off a small hook on the wall and unlocked the door. She stepped inside to see the handsome young prisoner asleep on the bed. The door behind her closed with a loud thud which caused Elsa to jump.
Hans rolled over and murmured, "It's not time to wake up yet."
Elsa took a step closer before bending down and placed a hand on Hans's shoulder. She gently shook the young man until his eyes fluttered open. His eyes focused on Elsa's face and grumbled, "Elsa, what are you doing down here?"
"I'm sorry to wake you," Elsa said as Hans sat up and rubbed his eyes. "It's just Anna is getting married, and I…"
He scooted over so the young lady could sit by him. Elsa took her seat by him and placed her head on his shoulder as he gently ran his fingers through her hair. He couldn't remember a time where she allowed herself to be as vulnerable around another human being. He moved his hand down to her back and felt the soft cotton of her nightgown.
"I'm going to be all alone again," Elsa muttered as she wiped a tear from her cheek.
Hans bit his lip. He had been banned to solitude, and loneliness was a terrible burden whether in a prison or palace. He said reassuringly, "Elsa, you will find someone."
"Hans please. I highly doubt there is another man who can handle my abilities or wants to marry me because he loves me not my throne. People like that don't exist," she said weakly as she drew her knees up under her.
Hans felt a pang in his chest as he looked at the pale fragile woman in his arms. "Not all men are monsters," he said gently,
Elsa looked up at him. She smirked as she realized the irony of their conversation. She wondered if she would have married Hans if he hadn't proposed to Anna or tried to kill her. She wished their circumstances were completely different, but she was forbidden to convey it.
"I know I'm a monster," Hans said half-jokingly,"but I'm not going anywhere. You can always spend time with the helpless prisoner."
Elsa wrapped her cold arms around his neck and murmured, "Thank you, Hans. I am sorry to wake you up."
He chuckled as he pressed his forehead to hers. "Believe me, your majesty, there are worse ways to wake up," he replied.
Elsa, with a smile on her lips and blush on her cheeks, left the cell and locked the door behind her. Hans grinned as he placed his hands behind his head and laid back down. He looked out the small square window covered in steel bars to see a single star shine. He said to himself, "So dreams do come true."
