Frostskader

That's "Frostbite" in Norwegian

Disclaimer: *Forlorn sigh*

A/N: This story has been only out for a month, and already I've gotten a bunch of follows and reviews! So yay! Celebration update!

I stared at the mirror image of myself, feeling as though cold stones had been dropped into my stomach. The nightmare version of me stood poised with a sword-my sword- held aloft. There was burning hatred in his malachite eyes, but also something that was not usually found in a nightmare demon's eyes.

Fear.

The nightmare me had fear gleaming in his eyes and fear twisted into his sneer. And I knew that the real reason why I was featured in Queen Elsa's nightmare wasn't because I tried to kill her.

It was because I had been afraid of her.

"Why did you bring me here?"

"I couldn't just let them kill you."

"But I'm a danger to Arendelle. Get Anna!"

"…Anna has not returned. If you could just stop the winter, bring back summer, please…"

"Don't you see?..."

"…I can't."

I shook my head out of the memory, heart pounding. The nightmare Hans was in front of me, the words forming slowly on its lips.

Monster.

I jolted awake, back in the real world. Elsa was whimpering and twisting under my palm, ice encircling her like a pair of jagged teeth. I yanked my hand back and studied it. Red, raw, and prickled with ice needles, but miraculously not frostbitten. I glanced back to the Queen, then wrapped my hands in the rags of my shirt and shook her shoulder.

"Queen Elsa!" I shouted. The blizzard stung my face and nipped at my nose. I couldn't feel my fingers. "Awaken!"

Elsa's heartbeat fluttered under my palm. If I could feel it through the rags, then she must be absolutely terrified.

I set my teeth and shook her harder. "Awaken!"

The Queen gasped and whirled around. Skewers of ice rushed through the bars of the cell and pinned me to the wall, several feet off the ground. One stopped a mere inch from my throat.

I sighed. This was becoming depressingly familiar.

Elsa struggled to her feet, hands clasped tightly to her chest. Her eyes were wild and turbulent, practically glowing ice-blue as she struggled to get a leash on her powers.

The queen took several more steadying breaths and shut her eyes tight. The spears holding me off the floor melted into small blue snowflakes and disappeared.

I fell to the floor, whip-lashed by one of my chains. "Oof."

Elsa continued her calming breaths. I waited, watching her and absently rubbing at the ice bandages still wrapped around my wrists.

Several minutes past.

I just about dozed off again when Queen Elsa's voice shook me from my stupor. "Thank you."

I shifted back upright (after slumping against the wall) and glanced at her in surprise. "You're welcome."

Her gaze wandered to the window, where the first rays of dawn were just cresting over the mountains. "How long have I been out?"

I shrugged. My chains clanked. "Your guess is as good as mine, Your Majesty. I'd say half the night."

She nodded, her gaze fierce. "I can still make it back without anyone noticing," she muttered, more to herself than me. "Anna isn't a morning person, and the guards know I like to slip out a lot during the night."

She locked her eyes on me. "This will never reach anyone, you hear?" Her voice was low and menacing, and I got the feeling she knew I witnessed her nightmare. "Or you'll feel the wrath of me."

I nodded, teeth still chattering with cold. "I hear."

"Good." She settled back and paced backwards up the corridor. "And, again... thanks for waking me up."

She turned around and hurried up to her room.

I smiled after her retreating form. "Your secret is safe with me, Your Majesty."