Thank you once again for everyone who reviewed the last chapter. And of course to those following etc.

Nothing I can say about this chapter except enjoy.


Chapter Nine.

There were collective gasps from the three brothers who had been stood silently next to their leader.

Frozen in shock, Anna just stared at the former Prince leering over her. "Wait, what?" She had sworn she hadn't heard him correctly.

Hans flashed a chilling grin. "Oh do excuse me Princess. Did I not make myself clear enough? I said you will be the one that will be hurting your sister."

Anna simply chortled. "If you think I'm going to hurt Elsa, then you're more crazier then I thought." She crossed her arms defiantly. "Nope, no way. And you can't make me."

Hans grabbed her chin roughly, forcing her to look at him. "I'm not crazy Anna, I'm eccentric. And you will hurt her. I can guarantee it."

"Elsa is my sister, and I love her. I would...could never hurt her."

Hans smiled broadly. "We'll see." He then turned to the brothers. "Wilheim. I'm going to need you to do me a favor. I will be requiring for you to deliver a personal invitation to the Queen."

"What me?" he questioned. "I don't think-"

With a burst of anger, Hans grabbed the thief, forcing him up against the wall. He then placed his hands around his throat, sealing off his oxygen supply. "Are you failing to comply with my request?"

Wilheim shook his head vigorously, whilst trying to pry the strong hands away from his throat.

Hans finally let go and Wilheim doubled over, gasping for much needed air, before answering. "Okay..I'll... do it."

The former Prince smiled. "That's more like it."

Once Wilheim had left safely with the letter, Hans strolled over to the Princess who was slumped in the corner. "It won't be long now Princess. Actually I'm quite looking forward to having your sister join us. Someone who just happens to be on the same intellectual level as my own, is always a bonus. Maybe I should have made more of an effort to win her affection at her coronation. Who knows what might have been."

"Elsa would never have been interested in someone like you! You're an arrogant jerk with a heart of stone."

Laughing cruelly, he whispered, "Anna, I'm deeply hurt. Is that what you really think of me? because if I remember correctly, you were the one quite desperate to marry me after just one day."

"I guess that will always be my deepest regret. And believe me, I learnt my lesson the hard way."

"You're right Anna. And sadly you're about to learn another very harsh lesson. I always win Princess. One way or another. And very soon you and your beloved sister will come to realize that too. Now tell me, what would you like to do to Elsa first? You have three choices..."


Elsa was pacing wildly across the floor to the throne room, hugging herself tightly, when Kai entered.

The head servant bowed before her. "Your Majesty?"

Elsa was not focused on formalities right now, but more on the condition of her brother-in-law. "Has there been any word on Kristoff?"

"I've been informed by Doctor Peterson, that he's going to make it. He's lost quite a lot of blood, and he will be weak for some time. But the lad is strong. The doctor is confident he will make a complete recovery."

Elsa smiled appreciatively. "Thank you Kai."

"Um...Your Majesty, before I leave. Has there been any word on the Princess?" he queried as delicately as possible.

The young Queen turned to face him. "No, not yet. I should be out there looking for her. But I have no idea where to even start."

"I cannot believe that bastard had to audacity to come back here, much less kidnap the Princess. I wish I could have been there, I would have...have..."

Elsa interjected. "You could have been hurt...or even worse, killed too. Even my powers were no use against him."

"From what it seems, you did the best you could."

"No Kai. Because of my incompetence, Anna is out there god knows where, with that maniac. And Captain Bergman and that other young guard are dead."

The servant glanced at his Queen worriedly. "Don't blame yourself, Your Majesty."

Just then Gerda burst into the room. "Queen Elsa, Your Majesty. This was just delivered to us."

Elsa took the letter from her head maid. "Thank you Gerda." She opened out the piece of parchment and began to read.

Dear Queen Elsa of Arendelle

Hans Westerguard and Her royal Highness Princess Anna of Arendelle, formally invite you to be the guest of honor at their house warming party.

Be here by eight and don't be late.

Fun and games do await.

Directions are as follows...

Elsa unfolded another piece of parchment showing a shoddy hand drawn map. "The western province," she muttered under her breath.

"Is it from him?" Kai asked curiously.

"Yes...I-I need to go."

"Wait, Your Majesty. You cannot go alone. I absolutely forbid it. This man is dangerous, and like you said, this time he has three accomplices."

"Kai! I am going alone. I will simply not risk anymore men's lives."

"But Your Majesty. These men have a sworn duty to protect you."

"No Kai. Now please. Hans has issued a deadline. I have to be going. Just...just take care of Kristoff for me."


Kristoff awoke to the familiar face of Gerda, smiling softly down at him. "You're awake."

"Yeah, I guess I am." He shifted uncomfortably, hissing through clenched teeth at the pain radiating from his abdomen.

"How are you feeling dear?"

"Like I've been shot with an arrow," he chuckled humorlessly. "How is it, the wound I mean?"

The elderly maid cast him a reassurring smile. "You're going to heal up just fine. But the doctor said you will need to rest for a good week or so."

No, no, simply won't do. "A week? I can't rest for a week. I need to find Anna."

"Calm down my dear. Her Majesty has already left in pursuit of Princess Anna."

"W-What, when?"

"Oh, some time ago now. Just after she received the letter."

"What kind of letter? when?"

Gerda squeezed his hand gently. "Well she didn't really elaborate on what it said. But it was obvious from her reaction, and then how quickly she left the castle, it was from that man. There was also some kind of map attached to it."

"A map?" Kristoff inquired. "To where?"

The maid shook her head. "I really shouldn't say anymore."

"Gerda, please. It's important."

"I heard her Majesty mention something about the Western Province. That's all I know."

Kristoff clutched his heavily bandaged side as he clambered out of bed.

"What do you think you are doing?"

The ice master could feel his heart thudding in his chest. "What does it look like I'm doing? I'm going after her."

"Oh no, no, no, no. You are under doctors orders to rest. Your injury is nowhere near close to healing. You really do need to lay back down."

"Anna is my wife, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let Elsa go alone."

"Her Majesty already turned down the assistance of the palace guards," Gerda explained. "I also know she would not want you to go risking your life out there. And just think about what Princess Anna will say when she returns, if she were to discover you've needlessly ended up aggravating your injury even further."

Kristoff sank back down. "You're right."

Gerda flashed a smile. "That's more like it. Now why don't I go and prepare you some of my fine vegetable soup?"

"That would be lovely."

As soon as the older woman left the room, Kristoff swung his legs over the side of the bed and staggered across to the wardrobe to obtain some clean clothing. His legs wobbled and he winced with the sudden movement, but he knew If he stood any chance of catching Elsa up, he needed to leave promptly.


Elsa squinted from the rays of the sun. The heat on her back had forced her to rest at a small river. She knelt down beside the riverbank and cupped her hands in the clear, calm water. The liquid was so refreshing. She splashed some over her face, and then gathered some more in her hands so she could have a drink.

She hadn't thought about what would happen once she found Anna. She had no plan. Hans was obviously going to be ready for her, and she was pretty sure he wasn't going to just let her sister go without a fight. He was devious and cunning, she would give him that. She knew full well what he was capable of. She had seen up close and personal how sadistic he could be.

As she stood to continue her journey, she heard a rustling noise from behind her. The sound seemed to be coming from some nearby bushes. Elsa froze. Her first thought was that it was Hans, or one of his henchmen. No, that really makes no sense.

The Queen took a defensive stance, arm outstretched ready to unleash her power on anyone who dared to attack her. She listed intensely to the heavy footsteps. Her heart was pounding as a figure loomed before her. Instinctively she summoned a icicle in her hand as the stranger slowly approached her. She gripped the sharp weapon tightly, ready to strike if need be.

The figure was almost upon her and she lunged forward. Suddenly, she felt two large hands latch onto her wrists.

"Hey Elsa. Lighten up, it's just me." He plucked the sharp instrument from her delicate hands and threw it unceremoniously to the ground.

"K-Kristoff? what are doing here? You could have been killed."

"Thank you for that clever observation, favorite sister-in-law. But I came to help you find Anna."

Elsa huffed in exasperation, before turning swiftly and walking steadily away from him. "You can't be here Kristoff. It's not safe. I told you to stay at the castle. Why did you disobey me?"

"Because Anna is my wife, and I was kind of concerned for your welfare. Hans is a crazed lunatic, and powers or no powers you may need my help."

"I don't know if I should be flattered or outraged that you chose to come along, despite you're injury."

"Look, this is my choice Elsa. I'm a big boy now," Kristoff pointed out.

"Fine. But you do exactly as I tell you. Do I make myself clear?"

Kristoff grinned from ear to ear. "Crystal, Your Majesty."


"So what's it going to be Princess?" Hans asked Anna for what seemed like the tenth time.

Anna had refused to pick any of the torture methods Hans had chosen to inflict on Elsa. "I'm not doing it!"

Hans was running out of patience. "Pick one Princess, or I'm going to have to make the choice for you."

As hard as she tried to restrain herself from crying, a tear threatened to escape. "Please don't make me choose, please."

"Okay Anna. You leave me no choice." He crouched down in front of the now weeping girl. "Hmmm, I wonder just how long your sister is able to hold her breath for?"


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