In the cool river that ran through the Valley of Living Rock, Kristoff's skin felt hot to touch. He dove under the water, but all his eyes could see was that girl.

He burst through the surface. For a second the sun shone on his skin and he smiled.

"You've been smiling all day. What's gotten into you?" His mama troll asked, watching him from her perch on the cliffs. "I just had a good day." Kristoff shrugged, sinking back into the water.

"Hmmm that's not it." The troll rolled down the hill and stopped on the bank of the river. Kristoff ignored her and dove under the bright clear water, slowly sinking to the rocks below. They were smooth and cool under his hands. "KriStOfF" He could hear his adoptive mother calling for him from above the water. He waited until his lungs screamed for release, then silently broke through the water. "Yes?" He said, barely moving his head above the current. "Aren't you going to talk about it? What's making you smile like a cat?"

Kristoff thought about it again; her standing in the doorway, her blue eyes.

"Nope-

It's just been a good day"

Anna was different the rest of the day. She alternated between quietly walking around, thinking about Hans and what he would do if he found out about the Man on the Balcony to dancing and jumping around with new elated energy. Her body was filled with a crazy light and she couldn't remember when she last felt like memory sparked from two years ago, when the gates opened for the first time in years. Anna stopped in the hall of portraits, suddenly still and quiet. There, next to the grand canvas that portrayed her parents, was her. Elsa. her portrait loomed over Anna, her grey blue eyes stared coldly over Anna's head, as if she wasn't there. She was painted in her coronation gown, her hands folded calmly in front of her. Her dark blue gloves seemed to glow in Anna's eyes. The gloves. Her last words to her sister, their fight...

That party. The icicles speeding towards her - Anna would still see them in her dreams, feel the rush of cold in her face. That door slamming shut behind Elsa when she vanished into the night.

That was the last time she saw her sister, the last time anyone did.

"Anna? There you are." Hans approached her from behind. She had been standing there for longer than she realized, and dusk had fallen outside. "I've been looking everywhere for you. What have you been doing...oh." he looked up at the painting. "I see." Anna nodded, moving closer to Hans. "I miss her so much." She gasped into his shirt. "shhh...I know you do." he lifted a gloved hand and touched the top of her head. "Nothing to see here, move along." He spoke sternly, and the maids that had paused to watch the scene scuttled out of sight. Hans moved, put his hands on Anna's shoulders and held her at arm's length. "Oh- this is not how a queen behaves." He ran a thumb tip under Anna's eye, swiping the tear that had begun to race down her cheek. "Go and collect yourself. I don't want the staff to see you like this." His face changed and Anna felt worse than before- of course, she was being dramatic. She was embarrassing him. "I'm sorry." She swiped her wrist across her nose and tried to stop stifling. "I know. There's a girl." He put his hand on her cheek. "A queen is strong." She nodded, taking a deep breath. Hans kissed her, his teeth trapping her lower lip. When he retreated Anna tasted blood.

The sun was warm the next day in Arendelle, and the sky was a bright clear blue. Anna was standing on her balcony- Hans was busy with his Royal Duties, which made Anna laugh under her breath. She usually inquired if she could accompany him, but not today. Today she cheerfully kissed him on the cheek and watched him as he walked out her door to the meeting chambers. And since then she has been leaning against the railing of her balcony, the metal slowly marking her elbows, but her eyes never leaving the streets of Arendelle. It was nearly an hour before Anna finally moved. She saw him, the man from yesterday. His blonde hair shone like a halo in the summer sun, plus not many people traveled with a reindeer. Anna bounced on the balls of her feet until he was close enough, then she called out to him. "He-hello! Sir...reindeer!" The man paused and looked around, but not up. "Up here!" He finally looks up, and Anna could have sworn he smiled at her.

She beconned him over to the castle, pacing the balcony nervously until he came through the gates and stood just below her, just as he had done before.

"Come up!" Anna was surprised at her boldness- giving commands! To a stranger! But the man smiled and started to climb with the same grace and strength Anna had remembered.

When he came over the railing, Anna realized she had backed up against the stone wall, retreating again. She shook her head and convinced herself that she could do this. "You wanted to see me, M'lady?" The man looked at her, a small smile played across his face, his eyebrow arched.

Anna forgot how to breathe.

"Yes...yes. Wait here." She went into the shaded living area of her room, to the back wall, picking up a small bag of Arendellean coins from her dresser drawer. The bag was red velvet and soft to the touch. Anna turned quickly back to the doorway and slammed against the man's broad chest. "Oh! Oh I'm so sorry…!" Anna hastily backed up. "No no, I'm...I apologize...It was kind of hot out there." His face was tinted a soft pink that may or may not have had anything to do with the sun outside or the radiant beauty in front of him, who's cheeks were the color of a bright sunset.

Anna awkwardly snorted, then clasped her hand over her mouth. The man's eyes watched her cautiously, careful not to scare her. "Here." Anna held the bag out at arms length. He held out his hand and cradled the small purse. "What...No I can't accept this." He peered into the folds of velvet, his eyebrows scrunched together as he counted the coins. "No I really really can't take this."He thrust the bag back Anna shook her head. "Nonsense. I wont take no for an answer. I wouldn't have a shoe if it weren't for you."

The man turned his head, his eyes following the flow of Anna's skirt to the floor, where the fabric barely covered her two bare feet. Anna followed his gaze. "Oh...well...it was very hot today..." He chuckled, like the sound of a brook over stones.

Kristoff laughed. "I assure you, M'lady, I will find the thief of these missing shoes, and they shall be punished greatly for their crimes!" he bowed dramatically, which brought the most beautiful giggle from behind Anna's hand.

"But until then, I must humbly return this reward." He slowly moved towards her, his hand outstretched. She mimicked his movements, her eyes never leaving his face. He held her hand in his, placing the purse on the top. They stayed this way for only a second, but Kristoff didn't dare breathe.

"What's your name?"

"Kristoff."

"Hello."

"Hello."