Chapter 11

Kristoff continued to spend time with his family as he played with the younger trolls and spent time with his adoptive mother who was proud of man her son had become. She had heard how he was willing to give up Anna for her to be happy, something Bulda found few men would do. Kristoff began packing his sled as he realized there was someone he had forgotten to talk to.

"Ma, where's Grandpabbie?" He asked.

"Up there, I believe he is medidating so don't sneak up on him." Bulda said. Kristoff nodded as he made his way to Pabbie who sat silently with his eyes closed taking in focus of harmony around him. He heard the butterfly's wing, he tasted the water in the air, he saw the rays of the sun reaching down on Earth. As he inhaled he ascended above the Earth itself as he observed her in her natural beauty. He watched as millions went too and fro, wondering what they were thinking.

"Pabbie?" Pabbie suddenly descended back to the earth and snapped his eyes open.

"Yes Kristoff!" Pabbie said as he stood up to great the man. "How is Princess Anna doing?"

"She's doing great! We are actually seeing each other now." Kristoff said.

"Ah young love, tis nothing sweeter." Pabbie said smiling. "How is John assimilating into your world?"

"Well he is incredibly naive which is quite surprising. I can tell he feels uncomfortable at some points, he always looks like he's ready to fight someone." Kristoff said. "He has been spending time with Elsa, I was hoping since they were both- well you know, she would help him come out of his shell."

"Good to hear, do me a favor. When you see him next, tell him I wish to speak with him." Pabbie said.

"Got it." Kristoff said as he boarded Sven. He was a little nervous at the thought of talking with John again, the last time they talked John lost his temper. Kristoff was a big guy and could hold his own against most people but John wasn't a normal person. Then again, John seemed very professional so he hoped that John would have cooled down by now. He shook his head as he made his way back to Arendelle. In the castle, John left Elsa so she could get her disguise ready so they could do into town without getting swamped by citizens. John decided it was best if he changed out of his guard attire as well. He got enough unwanted attention as it was from his sheer size, wearing a uniform would only add to that attention. He went to his room which still had little in terms of decoration save his bed, wardrobe, dresser, and chest containing his armor and weapons. He wondered if he would ever need to put his armor back on again. He was wondering if he should get rid of it, that way he could finally move on and let go of his old life completely. He finally decided against it as he never knew when he would need to throw it on again. John took off his uniform and neatly hung it up in the wardrobe. He took out the clothes Elsa had given him his first night a few days ago. He threw on the leather pants and boots and the loose white undershirt. He then grabbed the leather vest and placed it over the white shirt. He took out the ponytail in his hair and let his long hair fall to the sides. He looked at himself and saw his facial hair was growing in quite fast as well. He would need to get it all shaved soon. He would wait to go see a trained barber as he did not want to risk messing up his hair. He decided to leave his hair hang as to cover his face. His hair was down to his shoulders and it covered the top part of his head. He took a dagger and pistol and hit it in his attire should the need arise. John left the room and locked the door and went to see if Elsa was ready. Elsa sat still as Anna combed her long blonde hair down from her usually braided curlier hair.

"So why the change in hairstyle?" Anna asked carefully brushing through Elsa's hair as not to accidently pull it and hurt her.

"Well John and I are going into town an-" Elsa began to say.

"YOU AND JOHN ARE GOING ON A DATE?" Anna squealed excitedly.

"No, we are just going to walk around town. We both need a break after the last few days." Elsa said.

"Oh this is sooooooooo cute!" Anna cried. "The beautiful queen going into town with her strong handsome guardian. Sounds like a fairy tale!"

"Anna." Elsa said getting annoyed with Anna's teasing. "I just thought I would treat him to a day out in town. He hasn't been out much and I still owe him for stopping Johann."

"Oh please you mean to tell me you don't like him?" Anna said laughing.

"Well he is an interesting one." Elsa said looking down. She really didn't know what to think of him. She really confided in him and felt comfortable to talk about anything with him but wasn't sure if she liked him. Elsa at first wasn't into him, actually she was terrified of him at first. It wasn't until he took off that armor and they had the heart to heart talk about their pasts that she felt a small spark ignite but neither of them had the experiences in love for a full fledged relationship this fast. "I mean, I don't wanna rush things like a certain someone I know."

"Ugh! You're not gonna drop that are you?" Anna rolled her eyes knowing Elsa was referring to Hans.

"Of course not." Elsa giggled. "I just, we are both young and inexperienced in that area. "I remember Mama saying many first relationships fail because people rush into them too fast."

"I dunno Elsa, you might not be able to see it but I can. The way he acts when he's around you is a clear sign."

"What do you mean?" Elsa asked.

"Whenever I see him talk to anyone else he seems quiet and speaks only in short sentances. When he's talking to you he seems interested." Anna said. "Plus I've seen the way you look at his butt."

"Is it that obvious?" Elsa asked blushing.

"I wouldn't worry, he probably stares at yours." Anna giggled as Elsa blushed harder at the thought.

"Really? This is John we are talking about here." Elsa laughed knowing how innocent John was in that field. "You know he would NEVER do that."

"Still, even a guy like him can't hold out forever." Anna said.

"What do you mean?" Elsa asked.

"Elsa look at you, every man drools over you! I mean you got the bigger boobs and bigger butt!" Anna said. She had to admit she was envious of her sister's bust.

"They aren't THAT big!" Elsa said looking down at her breasts. "And what do you mean my butt is big!?"

"It was only a compliment!" Anna said shrugging her shoulders as she brushed the last bit of hair. "Done!"

"Wow, I barely recognize myself!" Elsa said pushing her long blonde hair out of her eyes. She positioned it so it would cover one side of her face.

"Anyways you never told me. Why are you doing this to your hair?" Anna asked.

"I don't want to be getting swarmed by citizens at every corner when I go out." Elsa said as she got up to grab a green summer dress. It was tighter up on the chest and stomach but was loose at the legs. The belt had a bow holding it together in the back. She put on a pair of white gloves and shuddered at the memory, she quickly took them off. She grabbed a green pair of shoes and a brown beret that had been given to her from the French ambassador at her coronation.

"That's a cute outfit!" Anna complimented as Elsa twirled in the mirror. "John will love it!"

"You think?" Elsa beamed before realizing what she said. "I-I mean uh-"

"Let's just get you two lovebirds outthere." Anna said as she opened the door where John was waiting. The sisters were caugh off guard by his long curly locks drooping down his face.

"Well that's a new look for you." Anna said.

"I wasn't feeling the ponytail." John said.

"Why is that?" Anna asked.

"Men with ponytails aren't exactly a thing from my time." John said.

"I like it." Elsa said going up to him moving one of his locks out of his eyes.

"You look lovely yourself." John said averting her look causing Anna to hold back her laughter.

"Well let us be on our way." Elsa said as the two made their way to the doors that exited the castle.

"John, while we are out there in public, call me Elena so people don't get suspicious." Elsa said.

"Sure thing." John said. He wondered if he should have a code name but then again, John was a very common name. The two made their way outside where the sun brought its rays down. Normally it would have been hot but due to Arendelle's northern location and the sea breeze, it was also relatively cool. Elsa couldn't help but notice John constantly looking behind them and around them.

"John it's okay, you don't have to be on your guard like that." Elsa said.

"I don't want anyone to hurt you." John said.

"You are too kind but its hard to enjoy yourself if you constantly fear an attack." Elsa smiled. "Come on!" She said grabbing his arm and dragging him. Elsa struggled a bit to move the large man at first but he eventually started to move with her.

"Elena!" John said as she dragged him through the crowd of people to the center of town where dozens of merchants and traders set up their kiosks. John could smell the fish, bread, and sweets being concocted within the kiosks.

"Well where to first?" Elsa asked as John took in the sweet aroma.

"That one!" He said loudly as he pointed to a chocolate kiosk.

"I like your thinking." Elsa said as the two walked over. The owner, an italian man, watched as the two approached.

"EY! Giusepee! Look at his lovely couple!" The italian man who sported a long black moustache said.

"She a no wearing a ring Luigi!" The other italian man said as he popped his head up from behind some barrels.

"Hello, we would like to buy some chocolates." Elsa said sweetly.

"Why yes my signora!" The man named Luigi said.

"One of everything!" John said.

"One of everything!" Luigi said. "Holy! Giusepee!"

"Yes Luigi?" Giusepee said coming up.

"Tell a Giusepee what you a just told me!" Luigi said.

"One of everything." John said.

"ONE OF EVERYTHING!" Giusepee yelled as the two italian men incoherently and excitingly babbled as they grabbed different squares of chocolate into a large bag. Luigi walked over with a large bag filled to the brim with chocolate.

"We got a everything! Dark a chocolate, milk a chocalate, creamy a chocolate, peanut a chocolate!" Luigi said. "Try a one signora!"

"Thank you." Elsa said popping a chocolate into her mouth. She smiled in delight as the tasty treat melted in her taste buds.

"SHE A LIKE IT!" Luigi said. "How about you a big boy!" John grabbed a chocolate and put one in his mouth. The look on his face was enough to tell the italian brothers he enjoyed it.

"That will be a twenty krones!" Luigi said as John handed them twenty krones before Elsa had a chance to put hers down.

"Nice a doin a business with you!" The brothers called as they happily went to work cooking up more chocolates. Elsa and John went to a nearby bench and sat down. They opened the bag and looked in awe at the booty in front of them. Each took a handful to sample. Elsa noticed John going through them quite fast.

"I never took you a for a chocolate lover John." Elsa said.

"Back during the war, it was one of the few things I looked forward to at chow time." John said as pulled out several and popped them in is mouth at the same time.

"Save some for Anna!" Elsa said appalled at how many he just put in his mouth.

"Sowwy!" He said in a wierd voice. He then scrunched his face up as he chewed awkwardly.

"Something wrong?" Elsa asked.

"Peanuth eth caramelth! Ith stuth to my mouth!" John said trying to open his jaw but the sticky caramel prevented him from opening all the way. Elsa lost all composure and fell to the floor laughing. Her cheeks glowed red as tears ran down her face.

"Ith noth funny!" John said pulling out his dagger in an attempt to scrape the caramel off his teeth. Elsa held her sides as she pulled out a leather water bottle.

"H-here." She said wiping away a tear. "Drink this it'll help."

"Thanth you!" He said squrting the water down his mouth. He finally managed to free his jaws as he let out a loud yell when he did. "AHH! I think I've had enough sweets for one day!"

"John you are too much." Elsa said still laughing a little. John gave the sack of remaining chocolates to Elsa who placed it her bag she carried around her shoulder. The two continued throught the market visiting each kiosk and grabbed cheese from France, tea from England, some native bread, and some rice from China. Elsa was having a lot of fun being able to go out and do this, she wished she could do this all the time but being queen left her leisure time severely constricted. She looked up at John who was in amazement at the world around him. every new food, every new drink. His face lit up like a child on Christmas morning. Still, no matter what he never laughed or even smiled! She could still see that infamous thousand yard stare her father used to get from the Northern Conflicts.

"John, are you enjoying yourself here?" Elsa asked.

"Yes, I am." John said.

"You don't miss anything back home?" Elsa asked.

"I admit there are some foods and technologies I found nice that don't yet exist but aside from that absolutely not!" John said. Elsa was surprised by his response.

"You don't miss it?" Elsa asked. "Your old home, your old life?"

"Elena, what I had before I came here wasn't a life. It was fight or die every day. Every day I saw people die, every day I felt the weight of my failures. Everyone I was ever close with died. I never got to do stuff like this, just go out and enjoy the day. Believe me, after a lifetime of fighting, to just sit back and enjoy life, I can't even describe the feeling, it's like I-. Point is, yes, I like it here. I can now live the life I never had." John said. That was exactly what Elsa needed to hear.

"I'm glad to hear it John." Elsa smiled. She liked seeing him happy. Even if he didn't show it externally, knowing he was at peace on the inside made Elsa feel complete in a way. Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud crowd which had swarmed a nearby park. The two decided to investigate and headed over. John looked up and saw a makeshift ring with two bloody men swinging punches.

"Igor! Igor! Igor!" The crowd chanted as a large man covered in brands picked up his smaller opponent and threw him out of the ring which was returned with a roar of approval from the crowd. Elsa was repulsed at the though of fighting but looked up at John and saw him staring.

"Is there no man who dares fight Igor!" The large man named Igor called out as people showered him with gold and krones.

"Ugh, I hate when they do this." Elsa whispered. "I am trying to have this kind of stuff banned." She almost gagged at the amout of dried blood she saw as the smaller opponet was carried away by his friends.

"Hey your pretty big!" A nearby man said to John. "Why don't you fight this guy?"

"Yeah!" Another one said. "You'd give him a run for his money!"

"I am not interested.' John said.

"Come on man! There is a ten thousand krone prize for whoever beats him!" Another one said. Igor overheard the conversation and turned to see John talking with the three men who were egging him on to fight.

"YOU!" Igor called out to John. "You will fight me!"

"I'd rather not!" John replied resulting in a boo from the crowd.

"You coward!" Igor yelled as John turned around. "Come up and fight me!"

"Excuse me!" Elsa called out. "He said no!"

"BAH! This little whore thinks she can talk to a man like that!" Igor spat. Elsa gasped at what he just said. If only he realized who he was talking to. John could not believe what he just heard come out of that man's mouth. Elsa looked up and saw the look on John's face.

"John drop it, it alright he isn't worth it!" Elsa said not wanting John to get hurt on her behalf.

"No, that isn't alright." John said turning around and facing Igor causing the crowd to start cheering. Elsa watched in horror as John walked up on to the ring to face Igor. Igor stood a John's height but was more thick and fat around the middle but still had large amount of muscle. His long black hair in braids in the back of his head. His breath reeked of alcohol and smoke. He was missing several teeth and was covered in blood that wasn't his.

"Apologize." John ordered.

"Make me." Igor said laughing. John punched Igor in the gut with a tenth of this strength and sent the large man to the ground. Igor felt the wind get knocked out of him as he clutched his stomach. The crowd roared in approval as John slowly took off his shirt revealing his massive lean body causing the women to swoon.

"You'll pay for that!" Igor roared as he ran at John. John held out his hands as the two men locked fingers. Igor pushed with all his might while John was barely breaking a sweat. Igor screamed as he pushed with his legs in an attempt to get John off his feet. The russian's quadriceps burned as the pushed with all their might only to be met with fruitless results. Igor jumped back and began to wind up a punch which John easily dodged. Igor roared as he swung another hit which John blocked. The russian was now getting mad as he he swung blindly as fast as he could but no matter what, John blocked or dodged everytime.

"HOW DARE YOU MAKE A FOOL OF ME!" Igor yelled as he wound up the hardest punch he could muster. John saw it coming and quickly moved his arm under the arm Igor was swinging with putting the russian in an underhook. John that used the man's momentum to throw him in a swinging hip throw. Igor slammed the mat hard as he landed on his back. The crowd went wild as John took this time to look back at Elsa who was in a trance from his muscular body. Elsa's trance was broken when she saw an explosion of wood over John's head as he fell to the ground. She screamed as Igor held up a broken log. Igor marched around the ring roaring and beating his chest as the crowd booed him for his cheap shot. Unknown to Igor, John had gotten back up and was standing right behind him. The crowd started cheering as Igor turned to see John with a very angry look on his face.

"Oh shit-" Igor said as John punched him in the gut multiple times. John than punched then side of Igor's knee breaking his stance and forcing him to fall to his knee. John than wound up and delivered a kick which sent Igor across the ring. Blood from his broken nose splattering everywhere. John walked off the stage as the crowd patted him on the back till he got to a semi conscious Igor. John grabbed him the hair and held his head up.

"APOLOGIZE! NOW!" He yelled angrily.

"Sorry!" Igor yelled loudly as blood spurt out his nose. John let go of his hair and walked back onto the stage to grab his shirt. John was walking off when a man in a suit came up to him with a large bag.

"My good sir, aren't you going to collect your money?" John looked up and figured he had no need for it and neither did Elsa.

"Donate it to charity." John said walking away as he put his shirt back on and made his way back to Elsa who stood there shocked. "Are you okay Elena?"

"Why, why must you insist on putting yourself in harm's way like that?" Elsa scolded.

"He insulted you." John said.

"I don't care what he said. You had no business going up there." Elsa said. She could not believe he had just done that.

"But what if he made a pass at you?" John asked.

"I could have revealed my identity and every guard here would have tackled him." Elsa said. "He could of hurt you!"

"Really?" John said raising an eyebrow. "Him, hurt me?" Elsa did have to admit John threw him around like a rag doll. "Please you need to understand, I have been fighting since I was a kid, I know what I am doing. You need to trust me."

"I do, its just." Elsa sighed. "I don't wanna see you get hurt."

"Come on." John said. "We still got a lot we can do, don't let this ruin the day."

"Your right." Elsa admitted. That fight was probably nothing to John. "At least you donated the money to charity, that was very sweet of you."

"Well I didn't need it, unless you wanted it." John said.

"Oh heavens no!" Elsa said. "I'm the last person who needs that."

"You know, while we are out here, I was looking to buy a horse." John said. He would need a way of transportation when it came to long distance.

"There is a horse breeder a few blocks down." Elsa said. "He has all kinds of breeds."

"Show the way." John said as the two made their way to the horse dealer.

Chapter was really long so I'm splitting it up into two parts. How do you all feel about John and Elsa's relationship so far?