Chapter 7:

She Walks in Beauty

A/N: Enjoy!


One afternoon, after finishing a long list of deliveries, Kristoff took the time to explore Arendelle palace. He had seen most of it since he started dating Anna, but there were still a few places that he hadn't paid much attention too. One of them was the library. Nobody knew this, but Kristoff really liked to read. Whenever he had enough money left over, he would go by the bookstore and pick up a novel or two to read. But his reading interests didn't just lie in novels; he thoroughly enjoyed poetry as well.

One of his favorite poems of all time was the poem "She Walks in Beauty" by Lord Byron. It was such a sweet poem; it made him think of Anna every time he read it. Upon entering the library, Kristoff browsed the shelves of books, looking for anything that looked interesting. He found a collection of poetry on the middle shelf. He picked it up, and looked through the table of contents. He quickly noticed that the book contained his favorite poem: She Walks in Beauty. Kristoff flipped to the page that it was on, and began to read. He was so focused on reading that he didn't notice someone enter the library.

"What are you reading?"

Kristoff looked up, and saw the Snow Queen standing before him. He quickly hid the book behind his back. Though Kristoff enjoyed reading, it was not something he wanted people to know about. Most people couldn't picture a strong, ice harvester having a passion for reading books. It just didn't seem natural.

"Nothing," he said.

Elsa raised an eyebrow. "Really? Then what do you have behind your back?"

"Um…" Kristoff was lost for words.

"That's what I thought. Now what are you reading?"

Kristoff knew she had him cornered. He held the book out in front so that she could see it. Elsa took the book from his hand, and flipped through the pages.

"I love poetry," she said.

"Really? That's interesting."

"I take it you like it too?"

"Well, I like a couple of poems. Reading really isn't my thing," Kristoff lied.

"Then why on earth would you be in a library?" Elsa asked, a sly smile on her face.

Kristoff knew that he was beat. "Ok. I like to read, alright. Just don't tell anyone. I don't want them thinking I'm soft."

Elsa chuckled. "Your secret is safe with me. But it's not something to be ashamed of, Kristoff. Lots of people like to read. I know I do."

"Well, that makes sense. You're an intelligent…young woman, it's only natural that you'd like to read."

"So I only enjoy reading because I'm a woman?" Elsa asked, quizzically.

"No, no, no. That's not what I meant at all. I mean you just strike me as the reading type, that's all," Kristoff explained.

"I see. And you don't think you are?"

"Well, when one thinks about ice harvesters, they don't usually picture them enjoying poetry," Kristoff scoffed.

"Everybody's different."

"That's true."

Elsa flipped through the pages, taking notice of the title of each poem as she went. She stopped when a particular poem caught her eye; one that she had always loved.

"This one is my favorite," she said, showing the poem to Kristoff.

To Kristoff's surprise, it was the same poem he was reading earlier: "She Walks in Beauty" by Lord Byron.

"I love this poem!" he found himself saying. There was no point in hiding anything; Elsa already knew that he loved to read.

"Really? Well, you must be something of a romantic then," she said.

Kristoff blushed. "I wouldn't say that, but I really do like this poem. It makes me think of Anna."

"Aw! That's so sweet," Elsa said. "Have you shown it to her?"

"No I haven't actually. But I should. I think she'd like it."

"I'm sure she would. Even though Anna's not much of a reader."

Kristoff laughed. "Yeah, I don't think she could sit still long enough to read a book."

The two started to laugh, both trying to picture Anna actually sitting down and reading a book. She was too hyperactive to for something like that. Kristoff placed a hand on Elsa's arm; balancing himself. As their laughter died down, Elsa acknowledged Kristoff's hand on her arm. She could feel the warmth from his hand surging through her like a fire.

In that instant, she again felt the feeling she had in the infirmary with Kristoff days earlier. That warm, pleasant feeling that she had never felt before until that moment. It was as if Kristoff was the cause of this emotion, but how? All he did was place his hand on her arm. Sure, she would naturally feel his body heat, but why it did it feel so pleasant at the same time? She didn't feel any sort of affection towards Kristoff. Of course she liked him, and thought of him as a good friend, but she certainly had no romantic interest in him.

And yet, here she was feeling like she never felt before, and it was because he was here. In the past few weeks, Elsa was surprised to learn just how much she and Kristoff had in common. The two were both introverts, they loved ice, and they had a passion for reading! If only she could find another man just like that. But she knew that Kristoff belonged to Anna, and Elsa would never do anything to break the two of them apart.

Just then, the door to the library opened, and Anna walked in. She saw Kristoff's hand on Elsa's arm, and wondered what was going on.

"What are you doing in here?" she asked. "I thought you said you hate to read, Kristoff!"

Kristoff looked at Elsa; the Snow Queen smiled back at him.

"Well, there are some things that I enjoy reading, Anna. Come over and here, and I'll show you."

Anna took a seat beside Kristoff on the coach, and Kristoff opened the book of poetry to Lord Byron's poem. He began to read it aloud to her.

Elsa knew that she should give the two some space, especially with an intimate moment like this. Quietly she left the library, hearing Kristoff read the words even as she walked down the hallway. When he finished, he told Anna that the poem reminded him of her. Elsa heard Anna exclaim, "Aw! That's so sweet! Thank you, Kristoff!"

Elsa could picture Anna wrapping her arms around him right now, and kissing him passionately. She could see the two pulling apart and gazing lovingly into each other's eyes. Two people so very much in love.

When Elsa reached her room, she noticed a long trail of ice left behind in her wake. She had been so busy thinking about Kristoff and Anna that she didn't notice what she was doing. With a flick of the wrist, she dissolved the ice to nothing. That was weird, she thought. Upon entering her room, she took a seat at her desk, and got started on some more paperwork. As she read through the documents, she once again thought about Anna and Kristoff kissing each other. She hated to admit it, but she actually felt a bit envious of her sister.

She Walks in Beauty

She walks in beauty, like the night

Of cloudless climes and starry skies;

And all that's best of dark and bright

Meet in her aspect and her eyes;

Thus mellowed to that tender light

Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,

Had half impaired the nameless grace

Which waves in every raven tress,

Or softly lightens o'er her face;

Where thoughts serenely sweet express,

How pure, how dear their dwelling-place.

And on that cheek, and o'er that brow,

So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,

The smiles that win, the tints that glow,

But tell of days in goodness spent,

A mind at peace with all below,

A heart whose love is innocent!

- Lord Byron


A/N: She's slowly, but surely falling in love. Next chapter will focus entirely on interactions with Anna and Elsa. I've noticed that I haven't had much of those in the story so far. Thank you all for the reviews! Reading them always puts a smile on my face!

PS: I do not own "She Walks in Beauty."