Author's note: I wanted to thank everyone for your patience in my absence. I know it has been a while but I have had 2 family deaths in the last couple of months so and it has been a trying time for my family while we grieved. Most of the reviews have been encouraging words for me to continue so this chapter is for you.

Chapter 26

Anna stares down a table full of men; there are at least a dozen of them. Some avoid her gaze, some stare back. Most of them are overweight and bald, but some are thin and bald, at least. Anna sat at the head of the table, trying her best to look like she knew what she was doing.

"Well, Princess? You asked for this meeting." One of the men said.

Anna took a deep breath, putting on the 'princess mask' she hardly ever used. "I called you all here to brief you on the current situation, gentlemen. I know there have been several versions of the truth filtering around lately and I wanted to set that right."

Anna sat back and watched as her words took effect. Several of the table's occupants raised their brows in response and even Hans looked pleasantly surprised. Stern wasn't her usual style and, as much as it made her uncomfortable, she needed to pretend that Arendelle could still put up a fight.

"So are you going to explain what happened at the coronation and with this winter?" One man asked.

"Well, I kind of thought that part was obvious." Anna said. "My sister has ice powers and she lost control of them during the party. It was unfortunate but my sister has everything in hand."

"Yes, but were did these powers originate from?" Another man asked. "Why did she lose control? Why did she abandon the kingdom? She attacked you; can you really say she's not dangerous?"

"My sister did not attack me. Nor did she abandon the kingdom." Anna said firmly. "To tell the truth, we have no idea where these powers come from, but we have discovered a way to take control. The Queen discovered what she needed and returned to Arendelle to correct the weather."

"Then why is the storm still raging?" Someone scoffed.

"The Duke's attack." Anna said simply. "If it wasn't for him, the entire situation would have been in hand. Now, my sister is recovering and should be on her feet in no time. She will reverse the storm and all will be made right. Right now we are simply asking for assurances in your support."

"But, Princess Anna, we still do not have any assurances that Queen Elsa is not dangerous!" A particularly portly man exclaimed.

"Gentlemen, you are not seeing the possibilities!" Anna shook her head. "Arendelle has always been a friend to all of your nations; we stay out of fights, and are a major trading hub since we are located in between so many of you. We would simply like to maintain the same level of support. But now imagine! How many of your countries deal with some kind of drought? Queen Elsa could provide ice that could be stored and melted for water. Goods travelling through our port would be kept fresher for longer. I saw my sister had created 2 living snowmen, one was small, lively even, while the second was large, I'm pretty sure I saw it uproot a tree; the possibilities are endless."

Anna sat back and watched the men slowly absorb her words. Most seemed interested in the possibilities she had raised and a few had understood the subtle threat as she spoke about the monstrous snowman. It didn't take long for every representative to renew their support of Arendelle. Anna dismissed the meeting, watching everyone vacate the hall, leaving Hans and Kai alone with her.

"Whew! That was nerve-racking!" Anna huffed, sliding down in her chair a bit.

"I didn't know you had it in you." Hans smiled.

"Thanks a lot!" Anna punched Hans playfully in the arm.

Hans chuckled. "No I mean it. You were amazing, Anna."

Hans balanced himself against the table so that he could bring Anna in close to him. It seemed like an eternity ago that they had stood in the portrait room and shared their first kiss. Hans knew that the both of them had gotten caught up in the night, eager to escape their pain, but as he stood with Anna, Hans knew that he still wanted to know her and be a part of her life.

"Anna, I know a lot has happened in such a short time." He started. "But I'm really happy I met you."

"Me too." Anna said softly before leaning forward and pressing her lips to his.

Hans was surprised for a moment before returning the kiss. He could feel Anna's lips turn up in a smile and he couldn't help chuckling slightly. It made his heart swell to know that Anna still wanted him around.

"Thank you." He said softly.

"You're welcome." Anna answered teasingly, earning a laugh from him. "Now come on, let's go check on my sister!"

Hans chuckled again and followed behind as quickly as he could.

Kristoff sat on the left side of Elsa's bed. He had remained quiet since Princess Anna and Hans had left for some urgent meeting, the need to talk had pretty much nonexistent since Elsa was sleeping. The room was completely frozen, ice spikes dominated the walls and frost covered ceiling and floors. Kristoff's breath was visible in the cold and rose out of him in a steady pace. Earlier, Anna had briefly worried that the couldn't see Elsa's breath but the doctor assured them that she was breathing.

Gerda had brought him a tray of food but he had no desire to touch it. Kristoff had briefly wondered what had happened to Olaf and Sven but his main concern was of Elsa. When he had first come in to the room, he had seen how her face was twisted in pain. At least now her features had smoothed out into a more peaceful expression that Kristoff hoped meant she was sleeping peacefully.

Princess Anna's voice continued to float around his head as Elsa slept. "No, I mean, you really like her."

He shook his head to dislodge the memory. Was it possible that he liked Elsa in that way? Maybe even loved her? Kristoff wasn't sure. In fact, all he was really sure about was that he had never felt about anyone like this before. His family had always said love was special and it meant different things to different people but the main thing was putting someone else's needs before you yours. Kristoff knew his actions on the mountain didn't qualify as putting someone else's need before his, and the rest of the trip was simply cleaning up his mess, but he knew that he wanted to.

He wanted to stay with Elsa and make her happy, wanted to continue to be involved in her life. As long as she let him, that is. His thoughts were broken by the sound of Elsa stirring, capturing his attention.

"Elsa?" Kristoff whispered, leaning towards the bed.

"Kristoff?" Elsa mumbled, her eyes blinking open. "What happened?"

"Well, the Duke shot you." Kristoff began.

"I remember that part. How's Anna?" Elsa croaked.

"She's good! All better!" Kristoff assured her. "She's running around the castle now, taking care of things."

"Oh, alright. Kristoff?" Elsa asked.

"Yeah?" He answered.

"Can you help me sit up?" She asked, shifting around a little bit.

"Oh, I don't know if you should move." Kristoff said hesitantly.

"Please?" Elsa begged him.

Sighing, Kristoff stood from his seat and approached the bed. He reached one arm gingerly underneath Elsa's back and lifted her up while he arranged the pillows behind her. When he stood back, she was sitting up and gazing at him with a peculiar look on her face.

"What?" He asked, his brow furrowing.

"I'm just surprised you're still here." She answered him, a light sheen of sweat beginning of her forehead.

"Why? Do you want me to go?" Kristoff offered self-consciously.

"No! No!" Elsa rushed to assure him. "I want you here! I do. I just don't know why you would stay. I mean, there are other who would help me now…" She trailed off.

"Of course I would. We're friends." Kristoff replied quickly but the words sounded hollow to him.

Kristoff broke their eye contact and glanced at the floor; he was never one for lying and there just wasn't enough truth in his statement. The truth, if he wanted to admit it to himself, was that he wanted more. He glanced back up towards Elsa and met her confused glance with a steady one of his own.

"Kristoff, what?" She asked, not sure about what was going through his head.

"I don't want to be friends." He blurted, blood rushing to his face.

"Oh, well ok." Elsa said, looking hurt. "Well, that's fine. I can just have someone pay you for your sled and-."

"No! Elsa, I mean-." Kristoff interrupted her, mumbling under his breath. "Uh, this is not going how I hoped."

He sighed and collected his courage once again. "I don't want to be friends because… I love you!"

He clenched his eyes closed, waiting for a rebuff. The seconds ticked by but only silence followed his admission. Eventually, Kristoff opened his eyes. Elsa was stared at him, surprised, with her mouth slightly agape. What had he been thinking? He berated himself. He had no chance with someone like her.

"You do?" Elsa's voice waivered.

"Wait, what?" Kristoff looked up. He had thought that the look on her face was leaning more towards disgusted or outrage and he had been waiting for the order to remove him from her sight.

"You… love… me?" She repeated, looking oddly vulnerable.

"Well, yeah. You're so smart, you care so much for everybody, and after everything we've been through, I just couldn't help it; you're amazing." He said honestly.

"I think you're pretty amazing too." Elsa said softly and Kristoff felt his heart swell.

He carefully took Elsa's hand in his own, noting the cool temperature of her skin. "I, would, uh, like to kiss you."

"You would?" She asked, her hand twitching in his.

"Only if you want me to." He assured her, meeting her eyes.

"Alright." Elsa decided, squirming a bit.

Kristoff took a deep breath and moved one hand up to cradle Elsa's cheek. Her large blue eyes were bore into his as he leaned in and softly touched his lips to hers and closed his eyes. He heard Elsa gasp before leaning further into him and kissing him back. The feeling was unlike anything he had ever felt before. He was overwhelmed by a feeling of contentment and a warmth spread over him. The warmth continued; uncomfortable now. He could feel sweat gathering at his temple. Worried that he was going to sweat all over Elsa, he pulled back.

"Is it hot in here?" He whispered, slightly out of breath.

Elsa's face was flushed, her eyes still closed from their kiss. Kristoff pulled further back, the sweat on his face rolling down his hair line. He moved his hand from Elsa's face and balanced it on the bed, surprised when he found the bedspread wet.

"What the-?" He mumbled. Finally pulling his eyes away from the queen, Kristoff took in the changes in the room. The bed that had been covered in frost was now damp, the walls were dripping, and the fire from the hearth was giving off more noticeable heat.

The room had thawed.