Once upon a time

Love will thaw
(A Season Four Fanfiction)

Written by Faenya

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Characters of Once upon a time by Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz,

Frozen by Disney,

The Snowqueen (2002) script by Simon Moore,

The Snowqueen by Hans Christian Anderson

Hi, thanks again for the comments and private messages, new favorites and followers. Welcome. It has been a while since I've published another chapter again, but I got distracted... season premier and the second episode did not really strike me as brilliant (I mean come on, I am fairly sure they've stolen some lines from some fanfictions.) But episode 3 got me again. So here we are again, most of you have already guessed Elsa's identity in my fanfiction, some are on totally the wrong track (Just as my predictions for the season, pitty.) :D But that topic will be handled in Chapter Ten: Identity. But for now we first have to send our favorite love birds back home.

Chapter Nine

"I appreciate the dashing rescue, love. But could you please give me a hint as to our direction?" It had not been the first time the pirate had asked where they were heading. But this was just the perfect timing. Emma slowed down, they had been hiking up a mountain range for a few days, then walked over a plain for some time and then stumbled through yet another forest at quiet a speed. They had barely slept or even rested and only eaten what came across them on the way. Luckily there had been always enough water from either a river or a well in the mountains or they would have never made it that far. But now they were just coming in sight of their destination. "I told you about Prince Frances and his wife." Emma mentioned. She had already told Killian the story of how they had helped her on her way to the Snowqueen's palace.
"Pity the carriage they gave you is not at our disposal right now." he mumbled.
"Sorry, but I came across some obstacles on my way to the Snowbitches palace..." Emma replied, "...to rescue you."
Killian held up his hands in defence. "No complains, love."

"Anyway, look over there, in the east?" Emma knew it was east because the sun was just rising over the towers and walls of the huge castle. "That is where we are going."
"Is that the castle of that prince and princess?" Emma shook her head. "No, Archenland would be a few more weeks down south. Not a trip I would be looking forward to, without supplies and a carriage."
"You learned quiet a lot about this realm?"

Emma grinned at him and dipped her head to the side. "They taught me a thing or two about where we are."

"So what is that place over there. The castle where we are going."
"Some relatives of them." They told her if she needed any help she should go there. That they would know how to get her back to her own realm. Emma turned around to Killian and looked up directly into his eyes. "I have no idea how, but we are getting home." At that announcement, he smiled and brushed a strand of her hair back behind her ear. "Aye, we're going home."

###

This was beyond strange. This was not possible. But there, the book said it and the book was always right, wasn't it? Elsa was sitting on the bed in the spare room at the Charming's loft. The last few weeks she had stayed there, which had not helped much with her sleeplessness, but it was better than staying in Emma's apartment alone.

She had taken the storybook out of its hiding place and went through the final chapter again and again. As she did not know his part of the story, Elsa was fairly sure it had not been in her book, when she read it as a child. She had read the book from top to bottom and those fairytales had all had happy endings. This was certainly not one. Suddenly it all made sense. It explained why the Dark One had send her to the enchanted forest, at the calculated time. He knew Emma would travel to the past, knew she would bring the urn to the Land without Magic. If this was real, he had not tricked her. There was a way to save Anna, to save her parents. It all started here. In Storybrooke.

Well, it even explained why the pirate had been so angry at her the morning he was abducted by the Snowqueen.
"Good morning your highness!" the Hook greeted her after a quick knock on the door. Elsa didn't know what time it was, but whatever the hour, it was too early for her considering her rather unpeaceful sleep. She yawned deeply and blinked a few times. "Go get ready, Emma is preparing breakfast."
"Aye aye, Captain!" she retorted frowning at him. "Well, ready." she said immediately. Afterall she didn't have clothes to change at hand and she had slept in what she had worn the day before. "Maybe you should take something from Emma's closet." he suggested eying her slightly muddy jeans. The dirt in the forest had not been gentle on the fabric. A quick question in direction of the kitchen settled it and a few minutes later Elsa felt relieved wearing clean clothes again. She had carried her dirty shirt and pants and asked what she was supposed to do with it and the pirate showed her a basket. "Emma puts her stuff here. I have no idea how this sodding washing machine is supposed to work, but the clothes come out clean afterwards." "Wait!" Elsa stopped him from throwing her clothes in the basket. She had almost forgotten about it and pulled out the jewelry that the Dark One had given her out of the pocket. Suddenly Hook grabbed her arm and glared at her dangerously. "Where did you get this?" he growled in a low voice so Emma, in the other room, would not hear. He held up the jewelry, that Rumpelstiltskin had given her. "Where did you get that from?"

"The Dark One gave it to me before he send me here." she explained rather angrily. What was that about?

"Why?" Surprised by this sudden outburst, Elsa was too apparently too slow in her answer, as he repeated his question more fiercely only seconds later.
"Why did he give you this? What is this supposed to mean?"

"He said something about..." His grip around her arm tightened. "No, his words. His exact words."
She tried to remember the conversation ,but it felt as if it had been years ago. In another lifetime.
"It will help you convince them. He meant my parents I think, but I'm not sure." That was what he had said, although Elsa had not understood the meaning of it. As she had not yet met her parents - she wasn't even in the right realm after all - she had all but forgotten she even had that ring. The pirate's frown turned from angry to confused. He then buried his face in his hand and sighed. When he looked up again he eyed the ring, then her, then the ring again and took a deep breath. With a stern look he stared at her, took the ring from her hand and held it under her nose. "Emma mustn't see this!" he stated. "She must under no circumstances see this ring. Are we understood?" Hook underlined every word separately. He did not say anything more but it showed on his face, that he was not content with just a nod, so Elsa said, "I don't understand, but if it is so important..."

"It is important. A life depends on it." he emphasized and something changed in his eyes. He was concerned - no - even afraid.

All this seemed a bit overly dramatic but she agreed. "Fine then. Emma will never know I have this!" The pirate was obviously still not convinced, but left it at that and turned to walk towards the kitchen where Emma waited.

Elsa just wanted to read the part were Emma and Hook made it back home again, but suddenly she heard Snow calling her name from downstairs. "Elsa, Regina is here!"
It was time again for her weekly training lesson with the black witch. Or rather the magic relieve for the wristband, so her powers would not freeze her from the inside again. "On my way." she shouted and quickly hid the book under her mattress. Not the best of all hiding places but it would do for now.
The others had searched for the book in the first days after Elsa had taken it away, but now they seemed to have given up on that matter. Not the first time that the storybook had simply disappeared.

"Hi Henry." Elsa greeted the boy on her way to his mother. "Have fun." he replied jokingly. "As always." The sarcastic tone in her voice was all but subtile. "Hey at least you don't get to be babysitted all the time." Henry was wrong. It was true that, since Emma had run after the Snowqueen, either Regina or the Charmings had been taken care of him. But with her it was no different. When she didn't have lessons with Regina, she was to follow David around, or stay with Snow and the baby. That's what they called babysitting wasn't it? "Not so sure about that! They're taking turns on us, don't you think?"
"Yeah. Maybe." He knew, that Elsa did not really enjoy the lessons with his mother much, but it was definitely better than having the Dark One teach her. The book had told her a thing or two about his methods. Not that he had offered such services anyway. "See you later!" Henry held up his comic books and waved, as he made his way upstairs. At the door Regina was already waiting impatiently. "What took you so long?"
Elsa sighed. "Here we go again."

###

"Welcome to Cair Parawel. Our cousin from Archenland has already announced your arrival, Princess Emma." They were lead into an enormous hall with pillars on each side of it. A man dressed in red and gold, rose from his throne and walked towards them, his arms outstretched in welcome. The palace was massive. The light shone through the stained-glass windows at the on side and opened up to a view over the ocean in the other. In the morning they had caught sight of the palace, but the way to it had still been a long one. By now the sun was already setting again. Emma was relieved it worked out so well. The guards at the front gate had her doubt her plan for a second, but after all they had led them him, although a bit roughly. Killian had had his sword gripped tightly when the kings men had surrounded them. Anyway, a simple phrase had done the trick.

"My name is Emma Swan, I am here on advice of Prince Frances and Princess Helena? The King Edward might be expecting me."

"You royals really stick together, don't you?" Killian whispered in Emma's ear as they were greeted by the presumable king and queen of the country. "I am not actually a princess you're highness," "No need for explanations, Cousin Frances has written us a few letters about your predicament." The king approached her and took her hand in his. "The Enchanted Forest, the Land Without Magic, Neverland. You lead quiet an adventures life, princess." Then he turned to the pirate. "And you must be the one she was looking for, Prince..." Hook had to keep himself from grinning, rather unsuccessfully though, "Captain," he answered with some effort, "Captain Killian Jones, your highness. No royal blood I am afraid." He bowed and threw a look at Emma, combined with an arched eyebrow. She knew what he was thinking without him saying it. Prince? Really, that again?

"As you are here, I assume your fight against the White Witch was victorious." the king wanted to know, eyeing his guests hopefully.
Emma shrugged, "I got what I was here for, but I don't know where she ended up."
The queen raised her voice for the first time, asking from her throne, "So the witch is not dead?"
"We had to leave in a hurry slightly when the ceiling came down on us." Killian replied. "Where are my manners." the king said quickly, "May I introduce my wife. Queen Cecilia." The queen bend her head to which Killian bowed, yet again and Emma curtseyed. Then they quickly summed up their fight against the Snowqueen, leaving out just some minor details. "Prince Frances told me you had a way to send us back to our realm?" All this talking had Emma on the edge again. What she wanted was to get her ride home and to her family, but sadly and still most importantly to her bed. She was so tired she was almost falling asleep standing up.
"Of course, yes. If you would follow me? I will show you." Finally.

King Edward led them personally through more halls and corridors with walls that were filled with paintings and statues. It seems each and every member of the royal family tree was represented along the way. However, one painting stuck out. It was odd that among all the portraits, there was a grand painting of a lion. Emma didn't have time to read the caption as someone took her gently by the arm. The king had walked out without noticing her delay. "Are you all right?", Killian asked. "Yeah. I'm fine." she answered, though she was all but. When they had caught up with King Edward they soon exited through a small gate and were presented with a spectacular view over the ocean. Emma felt Killian take in a deep breath by her side. "Feeling landlocked?"
He turned his head to her and just opened his eyes. "Not anymore."

"This is your way to your realm." The king redirected their attention to himself, and continued, "My ancestors have fought the White Witch centuries ago, when she attacked them in your realm."

"Does this mean,.."

"My family is originally from the... how did you call it?"
"Land without magic." Killian answered.
"Yes. The witch brought them here."
There was one important question she had to ask, "Could she perform her magic then?"
King Edward nodded, "She did." Killian and Emma looked at each other meaningfully upon realising the meaning of this.
The Snowqueen, other than Emma, Regina the Dark One or even Elsa, could cross the townlines of Storybrooke and still keep her powers.
If the witch could even perform magic where there was none, what else was she capable of?

The king redirected their attention to himself, explaining, "By this, my relatives could have gone back but didn't."
Many guards were standing around a tree in heavy armour. Seemed a bit drastic and overly protective. The pirate had the same thought as Emma. "It's just a tree." Killian protested silently. " fruits of this tree can fulfill a wish." The king pointed at a sign at the foot of the tree.

Come in by the gold gates or not at all
Take of my fruit for others or forbear
For those who steal or those who climb my wall
Shall find their heart's desire and find despair

Emma looked up at the branches. "Of course it had to be apples? Right?" - "Why? Don't you like apples?" King Edward asked wonderingly. Killian replied to that, "You have to appreciate the irony." The king was still confused about that comment, so Emma added. "It's a family thing."

Apples. Of course it had to be apples. She shook her had. Apples. "Wait a minute!"
Cair Paravel. The picture of a lion, the White Witch, the tree. Those three words sounded awfully familiar.

... No!...

"Where are we again, did you say?"
King Edward marveled at that, "Cair Paravel." No. No. No.
"No I meant, what is the name of your kingdom?" The king looked at her curiously.

Don't say it please don't say it!
"Why, Narnia of course!"

Of course! Emma buried her face in her palm and started giggling. First silently and supressed but then she could not withhold it any longer and broke out laughing. "Are you all right , Emma?" Killian asked, his voice a mixture of amusement and worry. She tried to answer but could not get a word over her lips between the outbursts. "I think, the journey has been to much for her. May I ask if we could stay the night?" Emma looked up and grinned at the worried faces around her, shaking with laughter. "Just so she can rest for just a while?" King Edward wondered at Emmas breakdown but replied, "Of course, Captain. We will arrange for some chambers to be prepared."

###

"I can't do it!" Elsa gave up. The magic was brimming in her hands and the trees in front of her had gotten a frosting yet again, literally. If this went on like this, most of them would not survive her next few magic lessons. "Of course you can't. With that attitude?" Regina snarled. "How did you revert it the last time?"
"I didn't. Emma did." Before, as Elsa's power had broken free, Emma had stanched and revoked it. "Yeah, you told me as much, but how did she do it?"
"How should I know?" Elsa snapped and went on ranting, "I told you. She took my hands in hers and some kind of magic light crawled through hers in to mine and then everything just melted." She huffed. Regina frowned.
Suddenly she approached her and grasped her hands. The former evil queen closed her eyes and concentrated.
Then they waited. A few seconds. A minute. Nothing happened.

"Now this is awkward." Elsa said.
The black witch snorted at that and let go of the Queen of Arendelle's hands. "Did she do anything else? Did she say something?"
Amazingly, Regina really sounded frustrated. Must be hard on her, that the saviour could do something with magic that she could not accomplish. Despite that smug thought Elsa did try to recall what had happened that night. "You can't hurt me." Emma had said.
That had been the only reason Elsa had agreed to this lessons with Regina. When the black witch detached her heart and put it somewhere safe, she was almost as resilient against Elsa's magic as Emma was.
But it was still absolutely dangerous when her power was not restrained. She could have broken Emma's neck, or struck Killian when he had left the safety of the stones he was supposed to hide behind. She could have frozen the entire town if it had not been for Emma. They were risking so much for her and they didn't even know her.

Elsa felt a warm prickling in her fingertips and looked down on her hands. They were glowing.
"What ever you are doing, go on." Regina advised her. So Elsa closed her eyes and concentrated on that warm feeling.

They were not afraid of her.
Elsa opened her eyes again and looked at the ice coated trees.

They did not think she was a monster.
She raised her hands and aimed at the snow-covered forest ahead.

"Don't be afraid! You won't harm us!"

And suddenly, that strange light cast through her hands and flowed all around. The winter wonderland was gone.
Elsa panted, more from surprise than effort, "I did it?"
"It would seem so."
"How?" More frustrated than ever Regina replied, "No idea."

###

The room that the servants had prepared was huge. Despite her little nervous breakdown Emma was amazed by the king size bed with what felt like hundreds of pillows on it, which made it look even more like cut out of one of those fairytale movies. Velvet curtains, brocade tapestry and fur carpets just completed that image. "Captain, I will lead you to your room." the servant addressed Hook. He nodded and wanted to follow, but Emma was fed up with the charades. "He is not going anywhere."

"I am sorry your highness, but the king ordered..." She cut the poor guy of mid sentence,
"Tell him, that I went through hell to get him out of the White Witch's clutches and that I am not letting him out of my eyes now." The servant nervously looked between Killian and Emma and broke out in sweat, slightly intimidated by Emma's outburst.

At that Killian seemed to feel the need to intervene. "What my wife is trying to say, is that this room is, well, spacious enough for the both of us." He smiled at the scared servant and added, "We don't want to put you into more trouble preparing another room." If the young man was intimidated by Emma he was terrified of Hook's presence.
"Of course, Captain. I bid you and your wife a good night."
"Why, thank you." And the door closed. "Wife?" He must have known she wouldn't just miss that little detail in his speech. "Don't get your knickers in a twist, love. I just wanted to spare the lad the embarrassment." Emma snorted, "Why the hell should he be embarrassed?"

"To tell his master, that his unmarried guests insist to sleep in the same room." He took some steps forward and licked his lower lip. "Especially if they happen to be a princess and a pirate captain, though I don't think he has guessed as much." Killian wrapped his arms around her and gazed at her face. " "Probably wonders why a princess went through such lengths to safe a mere naval officer or the captain of your royal guard or the likes."
Emma shook her head and frowned, "Most royals are snobs, right?" "Aye, in my experience they mostly are." He leaned and kissed her gently.
When he moved a few inches away, their foreheads still touching, Emma whispered darkly, "Don't do something like this to me ever again."
"I beg your pardon?" Eyebrows arched, he pulled away. "Not that, idiot. I meant dying."
"Standing in front of you, hale and hearty, Swan. I didn't die." "You almost did."
"I am sorry love. I did not mean to scare you. Though it's nice to know, that you can't bear to lose me." he emphasized the quote dramatically.
"Sure that's what stuck, Hook."

"No hook anymore, love." he waved with both his hands. His grin almost radiated his happiness. "What am I supposed to call you then?"
"I am sure we can think of something." He approached her again and this time it was her who leaned in for a kiss. His hands wandered, one to her hips, pulling her close, the other cupped her face. Emma felt their bodies melt together and all of the sudden she was wide awake. She did not know how much time they had spend in this realm, how long she had been searching for him. When she had finally found the pirate and after defeating the witch, she had almost instantly felt guilty for worrying her parents and Henry so much. For just running off to save Hook. While they had made their way to King Edwards castle she had not wanted to give in to the joy she felt, having him back. Not until they had a way home for sure. Now they had one, though she didn't yet understand how a freaking apple tree was able to bring her home. However she had more than once travelled the realms by one means or the other, so who was she to doubt a magic apple. There were few things that could still shock her. Being in Narnia, with her just recently rescued pirate. "Are you all right, love?" he whispered shortly interrupting the kiss and her thoughts. All she could do was nod in reply.

The feelings she had tucked away safely in the back of her mind came crushing down on her that instant. How much she had missed his comments and retorts, the smiles and grins on his face, his eyes sparkling with love, desire and occasionally with mischief. The way he made her want more. More of him. More of everything.
Their kiss grew more fierce and intense. With one hand, she started to slide the leather jacket down his shoulders, the other already caressed his bare back under his shirt. "Emma, I think you should rest, it's been rather a journey for you." Killian muttered against her lips, but she only raised a single eyebrow and retreated backwards to the bed. With every step she unlaced another bit of her dress in the front, revealing more and more skin, whispering, "Really?"

To hell with resting. Right now she didn't want to sleep. All she wanted was to find out what her pirate could do with two hands.

###

It had been a hell of a day. When Regina dropped Elsa of at the Charming's loft, all she wanted to do was fall on her bed and sleep. So she quickly greeted Snow and David and walked past them, while Regina seemingly informed them about her progress. But when Elsa climbed up the stairs she found Henry sitting on the bed. With the book on his lap. So much about her restful sleep. "Why did you hide it?" he asked, but the better question was, why she didn't hide it in a better place. It had been stupid of her to just leave it in the spare room. It was not her room, it wasn't even Henry's. Everyone came and went, but because they had just dismissed the disappearance of the book as one of Storybrooke's little mysteries, she had grown careless. "How much have you read?" Elsa asked Henry in return and while his answer didn't surprise her at all, "I read it all." it unsettled her. She gulped drily and sat down beside him on the bed. "Then you know why."

"We have to tell them." That comment was a relieve to Elsa. It meant that he had not yet told Snow or David about it. But it also made her angry.
"Haven't you just learned your lesson about time travelling?" Elsa snapped. "What is the worst that could happen?" Henry tried to convince her. And in fact he was fighting a battle that was already won. Of course she wanted to tell them. She wanted to tell them since she found out. Snow and David, even Regina. To split the burden between them. But at the same time she didn't know what consequences would arise if she spilled this secret. Hook probably already knew. The way he had snapped at her could not have been mistaken. And if he knew, it would probably be best to tell the others as well. Tell them the whole story, but she would wait until Emma and Hook were back in Storybrooke. "I will tell them, but promise me that you keep my secret until then?" Henry frowned. "Let me tell them when I am ready." she underlined.
The boy finally nodded and agreed, "Alright. But we have to do something about this future." He tipped on the cover of the storybook.
"Trust me, no one in this town wants this to happen." Elsa had to smile about this boy. He was always so sure about his way. He really was
'The Truest Believer' from the stories. "I wish I had your confidence."
"Mom always says something along that line too." he said grinning.
The Evil Queen, Snowwhite, Prince Charming, The Saviour, The Truest Believer and as newest addition - Captain Hook. What a weird family.

All of the sudden there was a knock on the door. Then another one and when someone downstairs finally opened the door to the impatient late evening guest, shouts and cries of joy sounded through the loft. "Henry, Elsa! Look who's back!"
Elsa met the look of the boy and the same second they jumped up and ran for the staircase. Henry bet her down and was in the arms of his mother before Elsa had even reached the livingroom. They were a bundle, everyone surrounding Emma and hugging her from all sides. Hook stood on the sidelines his arms crossed in front of his chest smiling at the knot of arms and heads. David was the first to let go of his daughter and walked over to the pirate patting him on the shoulder. "Good to have you guys back."
the prince said grinning. "Glad to be back, mate." Hook replied nodding. David chuckled, "No doubt about that."

"They gave us this apple and of course that guy here almost ended us up on the beanstalk again, or worst Neverland."
"Hey you were the one who started retorting, love."
"I just got back at you, once for all of your innuendos you threw at me over the years."
"Timing, Swan." They started to squabble as usual, but at some point Elsa had her attention elsewhere. They were back. And everyone was smiling and embracing them, showing them that they had been missed. Of course the storybook had taken a bit of worry away from them, but it was yet another thing to see them. Elsa wanted so badly to go over to Emma and hug her. To tell her everything right away. But she could not bring herself to do it. She was not ready yet.

"I mean, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe... seriously?" Everyone was concentrating on Emma telling the story, so Elsa looked over at Henry who just nodded to her. Then she left the apartment unobserved by the others. She leaned at the banister in the stairwell and couldn't keep the tears from running down her face while she sobbed helplessly into her palms. Seeing them had been just too much. Her whole body was trembling. Since she had heard of her sisters death, Elsa had not weeped this intensely and she didn't really want to know what her surroundings would look like right now, if the wristband was not restraining her powers. They would surely run overboard - Regina's training futile.

"Are you all right, lass?" Startled she quickly wiped over her tear strained face and stood up straight. Obviously somebody had noticed her absence - the pirate had followed her. "It's just. I'm..." the sniffed and faked a smile at him. "I am just happy you guys are back safely." He stepped closer, his forehead creased in a deep frown. He looked as if he was debating something inside his mind. Then suddenly he pulled her into an embrace und pressed her head against his shoulder with his hand.
"It's alright, Elsa." It was the first time he had called her by her name. Not 'Your highness', or 'Princess', or simply 'lass'.

This gesture caused her weeping to start all over again and she buried her face in his shirt. In between hiccups and forced breathes she asked, "You know..., don't you?"
"Aye. I do." he answered. So he really knew. Probably since the day the Snowqueen arrived. He knew.
Somehow that was a weight off her mind. Henry had already found out, she did not know how long she could keep it from every one else. She was glad they found out. That she wasn't alone with this secret. That they were in on it.

"We should go back in. The others will notice." he muttered.
"I can't go in there!" Elsa sobbed and shook her head. "I can't look them in the eye."
He took a step back and looked down on her with a serious face. "You mustn't tell them!"

Elsa nodded. "But I feel like I am lying to them. To Emma. She doesn't know who I am. She..."
"You cannot tell her." His voice was determined, his look not less so.
"Why? You already know, so what's the deal? At some point I'll have to tell her." she looked in his eyes and whispered. "And you. I will have to tell you...!"

"It's true I don't know the whole story, but you just have to trust me on this. Not now."
There it was again. The same look he had had when he found the ring with her. Worry. Fear.
Captain Hook, the cutthroat pirate was afraid. And suddenly Elsa understood. Understood why it was imperative to keep this secret from Emma. At least until a certain point.

Killian gave her a few seconds to pull herself together. Then she braced herself as he held the door open for her.
There they were, Snow and David, Henry and Emma sitting around the dining table, lost in the story of her adventure.
Elsa recalled the words Hook had said to her when he had seen the ring she had brought with her from the future.
Nobody was to see that ring. Nobody was to know she had it, know who she was. Especially Emma.

My life depends on it.