Author's Note: Another short one, but I liked writing this one. Enjoy! -Foxinstrazt

Part II: Chapter 20

-Echoes-

The Great Hall, Arendelle Castle

Eighth Day of the Savage Winter

Kristoff looked down at the snowflake he held in his hand, bouncing the chilled object upon his palm as he frowned. He was sitting upon the throne that he and his brothers had killed for, had slaughtered innocents for. It did not feel right, and this creation he had found in Queen Anna's chambers, this keepsake, was not his to bear. It was the last piece of a soul that he had helped to wipe from the earth. The sound of boots striking against stone rang out as a soldier approached him, fading away once the man reached the end of the raised stone steps he sat atop of. "My liege." Glancing up, he saw the man give a low bow. It was the new Guard-Captain, a soldier from his own kingdom whose name eluded him in that moment. "We spotted the Queen nearly three days ago, but are unable to pursue any longer. Snow has closed all of the passages further into the mountains."

"Dig them out, then."

His answer caused the other man to grit his teeth, biting back the first reply when he recalled who it was he was talking to. "We have tried, but the storms rage harder each time that we do. It is as if something does not wish for us to follow her."

Kristoff let out a long sigh, closing his eyes as he leaned back into the throne and gave the man a nod. "Then we will simply have to wait this strange winter out. Until such a time as the warmer seasons return, I will not let my subjects suffer. Distribute the appropriate clothing for this chill amongst the commoners. You are dismissed, Guard-Captain."

The soldier gave a lazy salute before turning and marching away, leaving him alone in the hall once again. 'As if something does not wish for us to follow her'? He knew what it was. It was the presence that plagued his dreams, that haunted every waking moment since they had taken this castle. The face that he saw each time he looked at the crystalline snowflake that now sat in his palm, its pale blue surface gently humming with energy. Forgive me, Elsa. Opening his eyes once again, he stared at the cracks that branched out from the middle of the great hall, at the sword that was buried nearly halfway to its hilt into the stone floor. For the first time, he noticed a pattern to the damage that had been left in the wake of his brother's combat with the legendary Knight of Spades.

The cracks upon the floor formed the skeleton of a snowflake, identical to the one he now held. Kristoff felt his limbs shudder as an unnatural chill took over, shaking him from his thoughts and filling him with an impending sense of dread.

"Remember all I have taught you, and know that there will always be regret. But you are stronger than it shall ever be."

Author's Note: Keeping it short because it's four in the morning and I need to get to bed, but just want to tell you all how wonderful you are. I love seeing the e-mails that notify me of new follows, favorites, and reviews. You guys rock! -Fox

Guest: Well, I'm actually writing this story for both of them, so I'd say they are pretty happy!

Tiger-Shifter17: Thank you! And I apologize for driving you nuts, and for killing Elsa.. I'm a mean writer, that's for sure!

UnsightlyViewings: Yep, the Welsh are friendly! Bit of a spoiler, but it's in the next chapter anyway. The lines at the end have a purpose, you'll see tomorrow.. Thanks for continuing to support me and this story, you're pretty much pure awesome!