(A/N Hello, hello! As I mentioned in my last update of this piece I had ideas to continue it, but I chose not to for a large number of reasons. Plot and timing being the two big ones. But the plot I was not totally sold on when I published this story actually links well with Frozen 2's plot line. So I am going to publish a sequel to Thawing. It will be called "Puddles of Fate." I do not have it complete yet. But here is what I will post as the first chapter when it is complete. This chapter acts as a sequence of events between Thawing and Frozen 2. It spans over 2 years, so I hope I made it clear when things are happening. If not I am sorry!

I hope you enjoy!)

This was it. His nerves were frayed, his hands were sweaty, and he felt like he was going to throw up. But he was finally here. He raised his shaky hand and glanced back to Sven.

Rap. Rap.

A short burly woman with graying blonde hair answered the door.

"Um, hi. I don't mean to intrude, but I was wondering if...well I mean…" He'd rehearsed what he planned to say, but as he faced this woman everything he had thought of left his mind.

The look on her face wasn't helping. At first she seemed confused, then she was shocked. Now she was looking at him as if she dared not be hopeful.

"Kristoff?"

"Uh, yeah." He scratched the back of his neck trying to think of what to say next. She knew him, so maybe he was in the right place.

"Elias! Get down here now!" Her voice was almost panicked.

"I'm sorry. I know years ago…" he trailed off again as a man exited the house to stand by his wife. The man had a build similar to Kristoff's, but diminished slightly with age. His hair was grayed but darker and grew into a beard.

Kristoff recognized him as one of the other ice harvesters. Kristoff usually worked to avoid the others; he didn't feel as if he belonged because of who his "family" was. Clutching his memory stone he realized this aversion was more of the troll's influence.

"Is everything okay, Nora?" She didn't acknowledge his question, just kept staring at Kristoff. The man, Elias, finally gave Kristoff more than a simple glance and his eyes opened in wonder and shock. "Kr-Kristoff?"

This time he only nodded. These people knew him. These people were his parents. What would they think of him? The man he was now? Of where he had been all those years? Would they hate him? Would they seek vengeance on Bulda?

"My boy!" Elias cried as he surged forward and enveloped Kristoff in a bone crushing hug. Everything else could wait. Right now he was just home.

.

"Kristoff!" He was the first face she saw as she left the ship. She tackled him in a hug, but he just caught her in midair and spun her around as they both laughed.

"Princess Anna," Kai said with a smirk on his face as he came to greet her. She supposed someone needed to remind her formalities did exist.

"Hello Kai. How did Arendelle affairs hold up in our absence?"

"Just fine Princess. I notice your trip was not as long as anticipated."

"We were prepared for any eventuality. Or, at least we thought we were…"

"We'll exchange debriefings in the queen's counsel chambers. I'll leave you to enjoy your welcome."

"Thanks Kai!"

"Before I go, where is the queen?"

"Either trying to quell her seasickness or convince our escort to stay."

"Escort?"

"After Max…" her voice broke as tears gathered in her eyes. She could still see his limp frame on the ground. She was immensely grateful for Kristoff's arms around her as she tried to keep her composure.

"In the counsel chambers," Kai restated as he left. He seemed a little shell shocked at her abrupt and incomplete news.

.

"You're coming."

"I said I would escort you home. You're home."

"What about whatever Anna was talking about?"

"I'm sure you'll find it interesting."

"It's an insult to refuse an invitation given directly from a queen."

"I'm about to go into hiding. I think I can ignore the formalities of royalty."

"Please." He looked into her eyes. It was hard to refuse her, but he had no business here.

"Your people would hardly accept their queen hosting such a guest."

"There are only a handful of palace workers who know why you were banished. After explaining the events in the Southern Isles, I'm sure they will accept you."

"Offering a warning of immediate danger hardly makes up for threatening your life directly."

"Well, perhaps Kristoff has information we'll be interested in."

"Why are you so stubborn?" He couldn't quite keep the frustration from his voice .

"I've become accustomed to people listening to me in the past year."

"Yes, I'm sure being queen is nice like that." She smiled at him, and he wanted to give her what she asked, but he couldn't get attached to her. Eventually she was bound to come to her senses. Besides, he was a liability with a target painted on his back.

"Just stay. You can take a few days to plan your self inflicted exile, and listen to any shared information in the meantime."

"You're good at this debating and compromising thing." Her grin said nothing but triumph as she led him from the ship's deck to the port.

.

She couldn't care less about Tuesdays. Sure, noon was spent with her found family, but aside from that hour or two was irrelevance. Correspondence. So many letters that didn't actually say anything noteworthy. So many invitations she had no interest in accepting. Sometimes she would rope Anna into helping, but as queen it was her duty to answer each and every one of these correspondences.

It had been five months since she and Anna had returned from the Southern Isles with Hans. Their family had quickly encompassed him and none wanted him to go into hiding as he had planned. She could not count how many times he had tried to leave, but they always found a way to convince him to stay. She found her mind wandering to him again as she considered what her next excuse would be.

Shaking her head she focused on the letter in her hand again and groaned when she saw it was from the Duke of Weselton. She wished Hans was with her now so he could burn the affronting object. With a sigh she opened it.

"That sounds promising." She gave a start at the voice behind her, freezing her hands onto the table.

"Hans, don't do that! I could have hurt you!"

"I doubt that," he said, glancing at her entrapped hands.

"Regardless…." She glared and shook her head at him as she broke her hands free. "What did you need?"

"I'm not entirely sure." He took a seat beside her and fiddled with his gloves.

He wore gloves for the same reason she had for so long. He removed them to practice his powers, but kept them on at all other times. He had gotten very good at controlling his powers, too. He could create small things and manipulate just about anything. He had very purposefully never created anything that might become animated. What he did create was amazing. As it took form it would flicker in his flames and solidify into a hard translucent reddish orange surface. His creations always gave off heat and beneath the surface flames still appeared to be flickering. He refused to test his limits, afraid he may hurt someone. She had tried taking him up onto the mountain, but he pointed out that melting too much snow would cause an avalanche.

"Well, what are you sure of?" she smiled at him. His expression softened, but he remained serious.

"I need to leave." She felt her expression fall. She knew it was coming soon, but she hadn't prepared another counter yet. All she had was…

"But you're family." It came out in a whisper. She hadn't even meant to say it. He gave a sad smile and nodded.

"And I love this family. But I need to go."

She looked away. Right now, he was family and she was not willing to risk that by allowing him to isolate himself. So, why would he risk it by leaving?

Scowling she opened the letter she was holding. She needed to get her mind off the man next to her. As expected, the Duke wanted to reopen trade routes. She could see the ink pools where he hesitated in his writing, probably trying not to accidentally call her a monster.

"Elsa."

She continued scrutinizing the letter.

"Elsa, please."

Ice threaded over the paper in her hand.

"Elsa, will you listen? Please. I want you to know why I have to go."

She swallowed as she willed the ice to recede.

"I want you to know I plan to come back for you."

Her heart stopped as her gaze darted to his eyes.

.

Oops. He cleared his throat as he backtracked a little.

"I will come back to you - to your family!" He cleared his throat again as she watched him. After her initial shock at his brazen statement she had placed her unreadable "queen mask" on. He hated that contemplative look. It could mean anything. She had other tells to show if she was nervous or bored, but he couldn't tell what she was thinking.

"Olaf would miss you," she said in a dismissive manner. He smiled. He didn't deserve this family, and he would never try to win Elsa's affections, but every now and then he liked to pretend he could.

Right now, he imagined saying 'Poor Olaf won't know what to do while I'm gone,' while taking her hand. She would blush and avert her eyes, answering 'Perhaps you should assure him you won't forget him?' Then, he would lean in and -

"You wanted me to understand? Help me finish these correspondences and I am all yours." He smiled wishing she could truly be his, but her attention would have to be enough.

.

"So, Christmas?" Anna asked as she skipped along hand in hand with Kristoff.

"Christmas," he said scowling.

"Oh, come on. It won't be that bad."

"Anna!" he whined, "I don't know how to do this! I'm still learning how to have a family! You know, not my family. I mean! Uhn…" He ran his hand down his face.

Anna smiled at him. He'd gained so much and he let everything so new stress him. He had three families that loved him: the trolls; herself, Olaf, Elsa, Hans, and the palace workers; and his birth family. He just needed to understand that their love meant their understanding and he could balance his time with them in any way he wished.

"Everything will be fine, Kristoff."

"I just… I only really know the trolls' traditions and-"

"I would not lead with those," she giggled as he glared and continued.

"- and I promised you I would be with you for your new traditions. I don't even know my family's traditions!"

"But you can learn them. And I will not keep you from your family. Maybe visiting them for their traditions will be our tradition."

"Our tradition. I like the sound of that." She blushed as he pulled her close and pecked a kiss to her forehead.

.

"Elsa? Elllllsaaaa!" She giggled as Olaf opened the study door.

"How are you Olaf?"

"Did you forget about our lesson? If so, I understand, but you should remember when you-"

"Olaf," she cut him off, "I didn't forget. It seems you forgot that I have other things to attend to before our lessons. And before you try to make me feel guilty, Anna and Kristoff are teaching you too, so if I am late or cancel I am not causing any real harm. Okay?"

"Yeah… I just like having an excuse to spend time with you. Your duties can get overwhelming."

"I know. I try to keep ahead of everything, but I'm still a little new to this."

"But you're doing great," Hans interjected as he laid another response on her pile to approve and sign.

"Right." She wasn't so convinced, but she let that slide.

"Ooo! Hans! Have you-"

"No, Olaf. I have not made you a new friend. I will not be making you a new friend. There will be no fire demon friends being made."

"But-"

"No."

"I-"

"No."

"What if-"

"Olaf."

Elsa giggled again at their argument. Olaf was convinced that a creation of Hans' would give the best warm hugs.

"I'm almost finished here Olaf. Why don't you pick a book for us to read tonight and we'll do an abbreviated lesson at bedtime, yeah?"

"Ooo! Bedtime stories!" he exclaimed as he frolicked down the hall.

"Dinner will be soon," Hans pointed out as he looked at the clock. She sighed and took in the letters she had left. It wasn't a lot, but she didn't want to do any more. Her hand hurt, her eyes were dry, and she was bored out of her mind. "Why don't we take a quick walk and then finish this up when our bellies are full?"

"I'd fall asleep on a full stomach." He laughed with her as he held out his arm for her to take.

It was peaceful walking down the halls together. Hans led her to one of the balconies and they both braced themselves as he opened the double doors. Though the wind buffeting her wasn't necessarily pleasant, the cold itself didn't bother her. Hans was able to warm himself against the cold and she could feel a light heat coming off him.

The ghost of a memory of pain lit up in her side as she recalled healing after he had cauterized her open wound. She wished she could remember him treating her, but she only remembered brief pain and then passing out. His handprint was forever a scar on her side. She didn't mind, he had saved her after all. But she was still embarrassed when she thought of it.

"So," he spoke under his breath.

"So," she answered sadly.

"This was on my bed when I returned from breakfast this morning." He held up a small note. Carefully protecting it from the wind she unfolded it and read.

"Marked for death.

Nowhere to hide."

She gasped softly at the two lines.

"Franz. They've known I'm here. I'm guessing now they have the means to act while they didn't before."

"But why warn you then?"

"Drawing me out will be easier and cleaner than striking me while I'm here."

"And you want to play into their hands? You want to let them kill you?"

"As if you would do any better."

"Excuse me? I wouldn't walk into a trap knowing full well it was one!"

"You would trade your life for Anna's. You did try to trade your life for Anna's."

"But-"

"This proves they can get inside the palace, or at least know someone who can. I'll not endanger you and everyone else by staying here. The target on my back will lead them elsewhere."

"Hans-"

"Don't-"

"You're not supposed to interrupt a queen." She lifted her chin in challenge.

"Yes, well...I'm about to go into hiding. I think I can ignore the formalities of royalty," he grinned at her. She couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her lips.

"And I've grown accustomed to people listening to me." His grin faded.

"Not this time."

She sighed and nodded. They looked out over the kingdom together and she placed her head on his shoulder. She felt him stiffen for a fraction of a second before relaxing again. They both often encompassed the picture of etiquette, breaking only for Anna and Olaf or small children on some occasions. Right now, the only composure she was keeping was her resolve to not cry at the loss of her close friend.

"You'll stay until the holiday passes?"

"I'll leave a week from tomorrow."

She nodded again. He brought his hands forward and cupped them. Feeling the familiar swell of magic in the air, she watched as small flames looked for escape through his fingers.

"An early present," he offered. She looked down at a set of earrings. They were studs in the shape of teardrops, small flames moving about in the swollen dips.

"I'll treasure them. But remember, you promised to stay until after the holiday. No early gift giving in the hopes of sneaking off in the middle of the night."

"Yes, Your Majesty," he replied in a mocking tone accompanied by an eye roll.

.

It was three days until Christmas and Anna was determined to make it the best day ever for Elsa. She set up a scavenger hunt, where every present was hid with a clue to the next. The two giggled as they raced through the palace finding sweet treats, an assortment of books, a new dress (Hans made it.), a stone necklace (Kristoff had it enchanted by the trolls. It dulled the effects of magic on those who wore it. He'd had one made for Hans for Christmas too.), and a small portrait of the six of them that she could keep in her study.

It was blissful for the two to have one another like this. They spent a few minutes in the afternoon going over details for the ringing in of the season in a few days time, but overall they were duty free and just enjoying one another's company.

.

Gingerbread men. There were Gingerbread men everywhere. They were on the mantel, on the tree, every counter of the kitchen, and one embroidered on a jumper for everyone in the family. Gerta and Bridgette, his sisters, showed off their previous jumpers. They had one for every year. Cole, his brother, kept pelting him with questions about the troll's Christmas traditions. Anna was trying to learn everything the family usually did for Christmas. She was fascinated.

Elias did a good job of making sure Kristoff was comfortable and not overwhelmed. When his siblings got a little overbearing Elias would interject a question about the best areas to harvest ice, or ask for a tale about his and Anna's past. They found it strange that their long lost son was courting a princess.

The afternoon was fun and full of life. And they understood when it was time for the pair to return to the castle.

In the ballroom Olaf was waiting by the fireplace with a new Christmas book, while Elsa cast a contained snowstorm throughout the hall. Hans sat with Olaf, matching pictures with words.

Anna had grabbed a tray of hot cocoa from the kitchen and the five of them, plus Sven, set about making snowmen and snow angles and snow castles. Anna put on a show with Elsa providing the props-it was about an enchanted forest haunted by elemental spirits and a prince being saved by a stranger. The sisters shared a sad look when the story concluded.

Gifts were exchanged, and news was given. Hans planned to leave the following morning.

.

Three weeks. His provisions lasted three weeks. He didn't really know what he was looking for, but he needed to find it quick.

So far there was no sign of his brothers, but that could change at any time.

He felt most alive, most free, while sailing. He still had to beware his powers, he didn't want to set his ship ablaze, but he didn't worry about hurting others.

.

Eight suitors in six months. Anna felt annoyed on her sister's behalf. After the New Year, the council had made the comment that, at 23 years of age, Elsa should be entertaining the idea of marriage. Elsa had been insulted and incredulous, obviously, and they hadn't brought it up again. However, it was clear they all had sent requests to distant relatives or social ties to call on the queen.

Many correspondences outlined suitors' plans to come visit Elsa. A few sleezeballs had simply shown up and expected her to ignore her duties. Granted, two of them were gentlemen, but Elsa wasn't interested. The one who arrived yesterday, visiting his uncle-who was a council member-seemed nice enough. He also seemed genuinely surprised when his uncle insisted Elsa 'take a breather' today… and 'maybe show the young man around.' Real subtle.

The man-was his name Randolph?-tried to allow Elsa to refuse as he saw her silent fury, but everyone went on about how splendid an idea it was. When the sisters had left the hall he caught up to them, offered a clumsy bow, and repeated stuttering apologies. Elsa smiled and said worse things could have happened.

So today, Anna found herself up in a tree reading in the garden when Elsa and Randolph-she was pretty sure that was his name-came into view. She was about to jump down and announce herself, but Elsa looked around with such a fond smile that Anna decided to stay put.

"Enjoy the gardens often, Your Majesty?"

"Hmm? Oh. When I can, I suppose."

"Your duties must keep you busy."

"You've no idea."

"I apologize for my uncle."

"He's far from the only one."

"Who is it?"

"What?"

"Who were you thinking of when we came in?"

"Oh." She blushed, ducking her head to avoid eye contact. "No one. It's just a nice space is all."

"Sorry. I didn't mean to pry."

"No. You're very perceptive." She gave a wry smile and Anna watched with bated breath. She knew she shouldn't be spying, but Elsa had been a little off lately. "I mean, I spent 14 years of my life afraid to see anyone, afraid to touch anyone. I wouldn't even let my parents comfort me when I felt like I was losing control." She conjured a swirl of ice and watched it in her palm. "Now I can hug my sister and hold her when the stress gets to either of us. She's not cut off from the world and I'm learning to let others into my life. It's a lot all at once. Not to mention I'm learning this while simultaneously running a kingdom," she scoffed.

"Adding suitors and marriage turns 'a lot' into 'too much?'"

"Yes," she sighed.

"I must apologize again."

"No. I've enjoyed the day to relax and your company is quite nice."

"Well, I'm glad I could offer a respite."

"What about you? You didn't seem to enjoy the idea of courting a queen?" Randolph turned bright red.

"Your Majesty, I-"

"No, it's quite alright," she offered a reassuring smile.

"My father doesn't approve of her. I'd assume that would be why they coaxed this situation. Who could say no to a queen?" he chuckled nervously.

"Who indeed?" Elsa offered another smile, but her eyes were distant. He gave her a questioning look. "Even when you know someone is leaving it's hard to prepare for missing them. Especially when you didn't realize how important they were."

"Having someone real is very important when surrounded by people with agendas."

"I will never be able to truly express my gratitude towards my sister for filling that role, but it was nice when I had another. It is nice."

"Thank you for allowing me to fill in for a day."

They shared a smile and continued down the path talking of the different parts of the garden and who cared for the plants.

.

Anna received many gifts as her birthday approached. Kristoff wished he could grace her with some of the extravagant things foreign dignitaries had sent, but he knew she appreciated the lyre and lute he'd gotten her. She had been borrowing his and trying to teach herself some chords, and he thought they could play together this way.

He was about to present his present to her when one in odd wrapping caught his eye.

"Anna?"

"Yeah?" she called from the opposite side of the room, hidden by the mountains of packages.

"Who is this on from?"

She approached with the sound of at least three objects clattering to the floor.

"Well, it looks like that one is from you," she grinned at him as she tried to swipe the wrapped instruments from his hands.

"No, that one," he indicated the red-orange wrapped cube.

"Huh." She approached it and noticed there was no tag.

Slowly she ripped off the paper to reveal a box. Her hands seemed to shake as she lifted the lid. She pulled out some paper meant to cradle the object and then gasped.

"What is it?"

In answer, she picked up the rust colored statue of a doorway. There was a door on hinges, but it would not latch. No matter its position it was always open.

"He's alright," Anna smiled.

"Let's tell Elsa," Kristoff offered as he held out his arm, but Anna took off running instead. He laughed and chased after her.

.

Anna was doing her best to stay awake. The cabinet meeting was dreadfully boring, and Councilman Jean's smug attitude was making it all the worse. His nephew, Randolph, was the only suitor who had been invited back to the palace over the past several months. Jean, however, didn't realize it was only to arrange a meeting between Elsa and Randolph's sweetheart, Nelly. They were speaking of planning a secret wedding, officiated by the queen herself, to take place the week before Christmas. Their parents' couldn't fret over the 'poor match' after the queen gave her blessing after all.

Of course, Anna's boredom was lifted when an icy pulse nearly tore the doors off their hinges.

"Excuse my frankness, but you don't seem to understand tact. I am not entertaining suitors. Whoever is telling their nephews, or cousins, or family friends that the queen is looking for a husband can stop." Elsa shot glares to the offending members of the council in turn.

"Your Majesty, with you age-"

"No. You are not hearing me, so let me be very clear," she pulled Randolph in front of her and showed off his newly white strip of hair among his brown locks. Anna blinked in surprise and subconsciously grabbed at her own hair. "I am not, and likely never will be, in complete control of my powers. Bursts of ice appear when I am startled, Snowgies form when I sneeze, ice spikes around me when I am stressed," she waved away the growing spikes to make her point. "Heaven knows what would happen if someone tried to make me their wife." The men all blanched as they realized where she was going with this. Propriety be damned.

"Your fear, uh-"

"No. There is a big difference between refusing to let fear control me and courting disaster. I will not risk the life of someone I care about like that. I have already named my heirs. Even if I conceived without killing my husband, that is nine months-ten really-of trying to keep the life I created from dying of the cold."

"But as queen-"

"I will not marry a man and be a forever bride. That is unfair to the suitor. And I will not leave my people with baited breath waiting for an heir that will never come."

"But-"

"The next suitor to show up at our door will be escorted home to his family by whoever invited him. And then you will be taking an extended vacation to visit said family. Am I clear?"

There were several grumbled affirmatives as they refused to meet her eye.

.

He wasn't as far gone as he had thought he would be. Truly, he could be back to Arendale within a week if he desired to return. The season's change told him it had been about 18 months since he'd left her. A large part of him did wish to go back, to fulfil his promise to Elsa, but he stayed away.

The island was small, he could walk the entire shoreline in a day. There was an active volcano at the center, but he took note of the vent areas that he needed to avoid and kept his boat in a bay ready to sail at all times.

He'd built a home, or rather, he made it. It was no ice palace, but he was very pleased when his flame hadn't destroyed the branches he created his treehouse atop.

He also created a...demon dog. He hadn't meant to! He was half asleep and dreamt up a companion, a dog. He didn't even realize he was using his magic until a fiery puppy pounced on him and started licking his face with a tongue of flames. Luckily the dog was nice and listened to command and the flames were harmless. He had to be careful to keep Spark out of the water though.