Frozen: Ice and Wind

After the return of summer, a bright romance blossomed between Anna and Kristoff. Within a few months, Kristoff proposed, and with Elsa's blessing, the two were married before winter returned on its own. It was a glorious affair attended by all, including Kristoff's troll family (disguised, of course) and visitors from other lands.

At the reception, there was dancing and entertainment galore. The Great Hall was more packed than it had been at the Queen's coronation, and Anna had gone overboard with the decorations. Kristoff, of course, had tried to convince her to tone it back, but for Anna there was no such thing.

The menu had included the soup, roast, and ice cream Anna so desperately wanted. Elsa and Kai had both worked to convince her that people would want more than just that, encouraging her to add potatoes, vegetables, and fruit to the menu as well. She had finally agreed, though she wasn't happy about it. Strangely, bags of carrots had come up missing shortly before the wedding.

Elsa, after years of first being kept apart, then keeping herself apart, was still uncomfortable with large parties, but she was doing her best, staying at the high table and greeting those who came to pay their respects to the Queen. She wore a modest dress of light blue and crystals, her hair braided over her shoulder; she tried hard not to take attention away from Anna on her big night. As the evening moved on, she was considering retiring to her chambers and retreating from all the guests. She was tired of hearing them discuss the Ice Queen, or having those same guests call her that to her face. She had just reached her decision to retire when one other visitor approached.

"Good evening, Queen Elsa," the visitor said from beside her, startling her slightly.

"Oh, hello," Elsa replied in a startled tone, noting the badge on his chest bearing the head of a wolf, "King..?" She looked up at the tall, dark blonde man with deep bluish green eyes flecked with gold. He wore a dark grey jacket with matching pants, and a light grey shirt. Aside from his badge, he had no other adornments, and appeared to be no older than herself at first glance. In truth, he was not much more than a year older. His eyes told another story, conveying a mind that had seen more, much more, than it should have.

"Ah, forgive me, I forget my manners. I am King Nikolaus, of the Northern Alliance, or simply the North if you prefer. I received your invitation to your sister's wedding, and thought it best to attend in person rather than send an envoy as I did last time. You may not recall, but you met my brother, Aksel, at your coronation. I had...other matters to attend to at the time," he explained, bowing and laying a kiss upon her outstretched hand, though she thought she saw a flash of pain in his eyes before he lowered them. After a moment, he raised his gaze back to hers, and with a smile said, "And may I just say that I am glad I came this time. Arendelle is a beautiful land, and the Queen and her sister are most lovely."

That caused her to blush. "Well, I'll be sure to let them know," she replied, somewhat flustered at the blatant flirtation. His explanation helped her understand why his face seemed familiar, though she had expected him to be much older. She rose slowly and turned to Nikolaus. "If you would excuse me, I was going to catch some fresh air and then retire for the evening. I'm not much for parties, unfortunately," she informed him, attempting to escape before her feelings of insecurity began to overwhelm her.

"May I join you for that fresh air?" he asked casually. "I, too, find myself uncomfortable at large gatherings, particularly festive ones such as weddings. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate them, but in the expansive hardness of the North, we have them only on rare occasions." He smiled at her, indicating that a no would be acceptable.

"If you wish." She turned and headed for the door to the open terrace, frustrated that, somehow, she DID feel that she might actually want some company. It was exceptionally strange to her that she felt a desire for this complete stranger's company. Nikolaus followed to her right and slightly behind her, glancing around and apparently taking in the architecture of the palace as they walked.

As they moved outside, the sounds from the party inside diminished substantially. Elsa stood at the railing, staring out into the calm sea. Nikolaus moved beside her, keeping arm's length away; she could feel his eyes on her for a moment before he turned his eyes out to the sea. "Such a wonderful night for a wedding celebration. Those two deserve one another," he commented, breaking the silence.

Elsa nodded. "I'm so happy for the two of them. He's so much better of a person for her than Hans ever was," she remarked, remembering the man who had attempted to steal her kingdom through his own ambition. The last anyone had heard, his brothers had confined him to a solitary wing of the castle on the Southern Isles, where he couldn't trouble anyone again. Kristoff, on the other hand, had done everything in his power to save Anna during those tragic events.

"My brother stood against his sentencing of you, speaking of those trying times," Nik commented. "He didn't believe anything you did was intentional or even under your control. I would have done the same, based on his observations."

"You'll have to thank him for me, then," she returned, still staring out across the fjord. "Far too few felt that way about my powers. I'm glad to have changed their minds." To herself, she thought, 'Why do I find myself comforted by this man's presence?'

"I shouldn't ask," she heard Nikolaus hesitate, and felt him glancing over at her, "but is that why you stay apart? Your powers?" She turned to look at him quickly, and she knew the uneasiness in her icy blue eyes would be plain to see. Nikolaus' face, however, remained curious instead of becoming fearful, and he quickly continued speaking. "Powers like that aren't to be feared, Queen Elsa. Not when someone as good as you holds them. You can use them for so much good for your kingdom."

"And what do you know of magic like mine?" Elsa shot back, a slight edge to her voice as her eyes bored into him. "I injured Anna twice with these powers, how can I be sure I won't do it again? How can I be sure I won't destroy Arendelle?"

He hesitated again in his response, but didn't back away from her like everyone else normally did. "I know because I...have a friend with similar powers. And he too was frightened of them. But he learned to use them for the good of the Kingdom, and in doing so now controls them even in stressful times. His powers hold great danger, but also great promise. Yours are much the same."

Her expression softened as he spoke, his words and conviction in them easing her a bit as the music drifted from inside, though she thought she heard a hint of pain in his voice. She looked up into his eyes, seeing for the first time the way the specks of gold swirled about like a thunderstorm. 'What have those eyes seen to cause so much pain?' she thought to herself. Outwardly she smiled. "Thank you, King Nikolaus. I feared you would be another who would mistrust me because of this magic. So many from other lands still do."

His smile was heartwarming, and the sadness was suddenly gone from both his eyes and his voice. "My pleasure, Queen Elsa." The music slowed to a soft waltz, and he extended his hand. "I have heard you don't dance, but it would be my honor to show you out here. No one will see, so your secret will be safe with me."

She hesitated for a moment, then relented. "Well, I suppose, just this once it couldn't hurt. But you can't tell anyone!" she said with a serious undertone to her voice.

Nik took Elsa's hand with a smile and twirled her into an easy sway, keeping time with the music. As they moved about the terrace, she became more at ease in his arms, and her movements became more fluid as she followed his lead. She soon found herself smiling brightly as they swayed, truly enjoying herself for the first time in years. They talked of several things, including events in and around other kingdoms, and how some where going so far as to turn their sovereignty over to others.

He talked a little of his own background as well. Coming from a long line of kings, he was one of the youngest to assume the throne. His mother had died in childbirth of his youngest brother, Aksel. He spoke briefly of his father's death during battle in the harbor at Karland, though Elsa could tell he left out some details. As the eldest brother at 14, he was thrust onto the throne. His father's shoes, he claimed, were large ones to fill, but he did the best he could. In the eight years since, the North had prospered independently, relying very little on outside influences.

Nik smiled warmly at Elsa as she loosened up, enjoying how much brighter her face seemed to be as she enjoyed herself. He understood her fear all too well. He understood because he'd lived it, he still lived it; his father had insisted on monthly trips to the wilderness for practice, encouraging his son to use his magic for the good of the people and the land. This support and understanding carried only to his immediate family, however. It was a secret he didn't let many know, and no one outside the North knew to his knowledge. He was the reason crops did so well in the rocky lands, and why his ships could make such speeds in the waters around his harbors. This woman, though, could be different. She might understand enough that he could share his secret. But not yet. Tonight wasn't the right time. No, for now it would be enough that she knew someone like her existed in this world.

Suddenly the sky erupted in flashes of light. They both looked skyward, their dancing slowing to a stop. "What the? Lightning? But the sky was clear a few moments ago," Elsa noted.

Nikolaus frowned, then turned to her and bowed, kissing her knuckles again. "I must be going now, Elsa. I must return to my own seat at Stonewell. I left many affairs unattended to, and I fear they can wait no longer. Thank you very much for the dance. Your secret is safe with me, do not fear. I hope you don't mind, but I would like to write you from time to time."

"I'd like that very much, Nikolaus. Have a safe journey," she blushed as the words left her lips. No man had ever made her feel safe and at ease with herself like he had, and she had only known him for a few minutes. She didn't know why, but she was drawn to this man. She very much didn't want him to go, but some correspondence would be better than none. She was also warring with her deeply engrained fear of human contact. She watched him leave the terrace before turning and heading to her own rooms, the emotions swirling inside her. She needed to be alone before she lost control again.

He left by way of the outer walk, avoiding the party inside. He strolled through the streets of the city, his thoughts wandering to the last hour. "Get it together, Nik. This is the first time in years you almost lost control," he muttered to himself. Even in Damond, he hadn't lost his control. As he had danced with Elsa, he lost sight of all else. The lightning in the sky was his fault. It was simple heat lightning, intended to brighten the sky and amuse people. It wasn't dangerous, but he didn't normally let it out. It was still dangerous to possess magic, and people knowing it could make potential enemies. He understood all too well how, if she ever lost the love of her people, Elsa would be in grave danger. But for now, she was entirely safe.

When he returned to his ship, he ordered the captain to shove off. The deckhands hurried to hoist sails, and the light breeze moved them out into the harbor. Nik then lifted his hands and, calling on his power to control the wind and weather, created a localized wind that accelerated the ship out of the fjord and into the open sea, heading back to his homeland.

Once they were underway, he retired to his quarters. He had mixed emotions to work through in regards to Queen Elsa. She was everything he had expected, and so much more. He laid on the bed, staring at the ceiling, deep in thought. He'd felt drawn to her, in more ways than he realized. Her magic called to his, and it was a strange, but wonderful feeling.

But she was also very distant, and almost fearful. It troubled him. She had been called a monster by some, Aksel had told him, just because her magic was wild and uncontrolled. But she hadn't, in the end, actually hurt anyone; even her sister had been saved. If anyone found out what he had done in Damond, they could call him a monster, and rightfully so. But he'd done it for the good of the citizens, and the reality was that over half the pirates had turned honest, joining the Northern navy as experts in anti-piracy. In that light, he was a man who would sacrifice much to protect his people. Perhaps he could help her, and not just with her powers.

He would definitely write her. He hoped he would have a reason to see her again in the future. And with luck, helping her might help him avoid becoming what he feared.