Disclaimer: I often pretend that the canon characters in this story belong to me, but pretend is pretend, and this is reality. Canon characters belong to Me. Wait, I mean Disney. Yes, Disney.

Author's Note: Thank you SO MUCH for your kind reviews, and for adding this story to your fav/follow lists. I'm truly humbled and cherish the thought that someone, out there, is reading. It makes me feel connected to something during these trying times.

~x-X-x~

Chapter #14: The Son of his Father

Kai blinked at Henrik beneath a furrowed brow. The boy had his cap clenched in his hands as he shifted nervously from one foot to the other. They were standing in front of the stable doors. It was nearly five in the morning, and Kai could still feel the restlessness of the previous night lingering at the corner of his eyes.

It had been a long night of waiting, pacing, and the sort of thinking that caused grown men to fall into the rabbit's hole. The Queen and Princess had never before broken the unspoken curfew befitting decency and decorum, and if it had not been for Gerda's firm and continuous reassurance that the sisters were fine, Kai would have sent out the Royal Guard in search for them.

The early hours of the morning had brought a frantic Henrik to the kitchens with news that the sisters had returned and Kai, dressing haphazardly in his hurry, had followed the boy out to the stables with a wave of relief washing over his unsettled nerves. The boy had found the sisters asleep in the stables.

Impossible, Kai had thought. And then the frown, which still creased the centre of his brow, emerged with the realization that nothing was impossible in light of the Queen's most recent behaviour. Spending the night doing who knows what with who knows who without the protection of a guard or an adherence to etiquette was not, Kai kept reminding himself, acceptable behaviour for a sovereign. Where he was concerned, this was the final straw.

And yet Kai's morning had not been the only one disturbed by the unexpected. When Henrik had awoken that morning, his greatest concern was whether he could pilfer an extra piece of bread from Vera before mucking out the stalls. He had no idea that providence would throw him into a scene that he—as a pragmatic boy with very little imagination—could ever fathom into existence. Henrik had entered the stables that morning to find three bodies strewn between the bales of hay. He recognized the figures immediately, but their bodies had failed to register as sleeping and instead Henrik had tripped backwards at the sight of what he could only assume were the corpses of the royal family.

Then one had stirred—the Princess—and Henrik had found his breath long enough to rush to the kitchens and inform the others of such a scene.

Now he stood, his eyes focused on the buckle of Kai's left shoe, as the older man gazed at the stable doors.

'They're all in there, then?'

Henrik gave a small, nervous nod. 'Yes, sir.'

'Do you know what time they got in?'

The boy shook his head. 'No, sir. They were a'ready in there when I came along. I didn't know what to do about it…'

'You did the right thing, coming to get me. I'll take care of this from here.' Kai pulled open the stable door, but not before looking over his shoulder with a frown. 'We won't mention this again,' he said, firmly.

Henrik nodded, his throat suddenly dry. He understood. Finding the Queen and Princess asleep in the stables was the stuff of scandal, and he knew better than to fan the fire.

Kai gave a curt nod and disappeared beyond the stable doors. Henrik let escape a low whistle and clamped his cap back onto his head. There was no use lingering. He could not get any of his work done with the royal sisters slumbering in his workplace.

He turned around and headed back towards the kitchens, a light blush spreading over the freckles on his nose as he recalled the sight of the Queen asleep in his favourite bale of hay.

~x-X-x~

He had battled sleep and won. His goal? To keep the night from ending. But he could not deter the sun from rising and Niklas felt the night dissolve into a new memory he would cherish.

He was sitting on the front steps of his cottage as he wove his lucky blue button between his fingers. The sun had only just risen, and his mind drifted as he observed the delicate beauty of the lingering dew nestled in the blades of grass.

'So, you've finally admitted it to yourself.' Ingrid passed him a cup of coffee and sat down beside him on the stone step.

Niklas peered down into the cup and crinkled his nose. 'I don't drink cof—'

'You'll be needing the kick,' she interrupted, and pushed the cup he held to his lips. 'Drink up.'

Niklas dutifully took a sip and grimaced as the thick liquid seared the back of his throat. 'And I don't know what you mean by admitted…'

'Oh, come off it,' Ingrid chuckled. She held her own cup to her lips. 'It was only a matter of time before you figured out your own heart.' She took a gulp and let out an exaggerated sigh of satisfaction. 'You love her. Oh, happy day.'

Niklas clenched the button in the palm of his hand. 'I don't know how else to explain what I'm feeling. Is it love? It's the only word poetry has taught me that explains… that explains….' He peered up at the red sun, the mist rising from the fjord creating a haze of orange in the morning sky.

'That explains what you're feelin',' Ingrid supplied, knowingly. 'Never been in love before, eh?'

He shrugged. 'I've certainly never felt this—' he lifted a hand to his chest, '—before.' He turned to her, a small smile appearing on his lips. 'It's unfair, really, Ingrid.'

'What's that.'

'When your heart creates a love that can't be shared.'

Ingrid choked on her coffee. 'I don't know what that means,' she said, wiping the dribble from her chin. 'But I think my earlobe just cringed.'

Niklas blinked. 'Ear… lobe…?'

'Just drink your coffee there.'

Niklas let out a soft chuckle as he tucked his lucky button back into his chest pocket. The two of them sat in silence, the older one contemplating a visit to the market for some fresh peaches, while the other tried to reconcile the reckless abandonment of any coherent thought. Dwelling in these feelings made Niklas feel a contentment in all things. All of a sudden everything was whole and wonderful. He felt like writing. He felt like flying. He felt like disappearing into the memory of clear, blue eyes. But most of all, he felt like dancing.

'So, you'll tell her, then?'

Niklas nearly dropped his mug. The brown liquid swirled over the edge of the rim and doused the front of his pants.

'I… what? No… what?'

Ingrid shook her head, grinning, as she passed Niklas her handkerchief. She watched with growing amusement as he sopped up the coffee from his lap. 'Well, why not then?'

'There's… no need for any of that sort of thing…'

Ingrid tilted her head and blinked at him. 'You're… not going to tell her how you feel?'

'Nope,' Niklas responded, with a hard shake of his head.

'But that's the stupidest thing I've heard all week.'

'Even more than a cringing earlobe?'

'Oh, Nikki-boy. Stop trying to distract me and just tell her. No one has time for a love story where a person just sits there pinning for the girl.'

'I don't plan on sitting here and pinning for her,' he replied, his expression belying the rigid tone of his voice. 'I'm perfectly content with the position I'm in.'

Ingrid was skeptical and her facial expression showed it.

'I just mean… I don't know… I'm perfectly content with just, how do you put it…'

'Loving her from afar,' Ingrid supplied. She did not sound convinced.

'Exactly.'

'So, you don't care to know if she feels the same as you about you…'

'Right. Also, that's irrelevant because she can't possibly feel—'

'That's errr-revelant because you're happy with the way things are…'

'Right, her friendship is more than I—'

'And finding out if she feels the same way would mean musterin' up some courage, which you lack in abund—'

'Ingrid.' He said her name kindly, because he knew that although she appeared exasperated, she was only thinking of his happiness. And he appreciated her for it. 'I want to stay beside her,' he said, slowly, in an attempt to put words to his feelings. 'I know you think this is an excuse, but she is the Queen of Arendelle and she is a magical being. That sort of… puts her in a whole other category, if I may understate myself, and as I think you'll agree. She carries the weight of the world on her shoulders because she's still not sure what her place in it is. I don't want to add to that weight.' He ran a hand through his hair as he squinted up at the snowflake adorning the steeple of the clock tower in the distance. 'She has a sister and a friend to help her support that weight. I just want to be near enough to her in case she stumbles. I want to be where she rests.'

'Oh, Nikki…' Ingrid's eyes misted in spite of herself. She felt quite touched by this school teacher's sentiments and it occurred to her that everyone had their own reason for why and how they loved. Had not she, too, once loved from afar? 'The thing is, I think maybe the Queen is affected by you, whether you choose to see it for yourself or not.'

It was Niklas's turn to look unconvinced.

'No, listen, Nikki. There's a reason why she visited you in your home. There's a reason why she dressed up in a disguise to have dinner with you. There's a reason why—'

'I've been wondering why myself…'

The sour roll of her eyes did not go unnoticed. 'Oh Nikki. It's the same reason she picked up the tab at a tavern filled with wayward characters with no judgement; for the same reason she came down from that castle of hers to spend an afternoon with the wee ones; for the same reason she spent a morning handin' out jars of jam instead of just makin' a servant do it. Our Queen may hide behind a shield of ice, but her actions speak louder than words. There's love in those actions.'

Niklas blinked at her.

Ingrid let out a frustrated sigh and stood up with such force she nearly stumbled from the step. 'Fine. I'm done with you.' She took the cup from him and huffed as she made her way across his yard and into her own. As she walked through her gate she paused and gave him a mildly contemptuous look. 'Just… don't regret anything.' She squinted at him, and then turned with quite the flourish and disappeared into her house.

Niklas sat there, his mind and heart in a battle for his attention. He let out a sigh and stood from his front step. Ingrid's last words left him feeling unsettled, and when he felt unsettled there was only one place that could bring him some solace. He made his way through his cottage, passed the clutter in his backyard, and into his studio. The room sparkled with the splintering light through the ice that formed his one window. Her ice.

He sat down at his desk and dropped his head into his hands. The lack of sleep was catching up with him but he refused to succumb to it. He rubbed one eye with the back of his hand as he looked around for a distraction. His gaze fell on the manuscript box. He was curious to see what feedback Elsa had left for him, but as he pulled the box towards him, he knew that deep down he really just needed to feel her presence. He trailed his thumb along the seam of the ribbon tied around box—tied with icy cold fingers he ached to lace with his own.

Is Ingrid right, though? He pulled at the ribbon and untied the bow. Am I okay with the way things are?

Niklas was a simple man. He had always walked through life with a casual stroll—with one hand in his pocket while the other held a satchel filled with paper, ink, and books flung over his shoulder. He was curious about all things but sought happiness in the little pleasures that punctuated his routine days: the innocent observation of a child, the sharpening of a new pencil, the scent of chalkboard dust, the afternoon sun shining through the branches of an old tree. He enjoyed his afternoon strolls through the market and the extra helping of roasted potatoes Magnus would add to his evening meals. He felt at home in his little cottage and was thankful for Ingrid's kind nature and caring hand.

He had been content, and in this contentment lay his happiness.

But things were starting to shift, and suddenly his simple pleasures included the scent of fresh snow resting on the branches of a pine tree; the comfort of the air crackling around him; the warmth that flowed in the gentle gaze of large, cerulean pools of light. Could he remain content with such pleasures without the want for more?

What choice do I have…?

He lifted the lid of the box and his eyes widened. Sitting on top of his manuscript was a package tied with yet another ribbon—a pale yellow one this time—holding together a few leaflets, two books, and various articles. One name popped out of the words so clearly that Niklas's breath caught in his throat.

In his hands he held every printed work by Professor Ector. The works he had once felt impossible to acquire now sat so casually in the palm of his hand. He had spent nearly his entire life scouring every library, every bookstore, every stall that carried even the remotest hint of a literary artifact. All to no avail, and yet here they were, Professor's Ector's life work.

And then suddenly Ingrid's words repeated loudly in his mind. 'Her actions speak louder than words….' Niklas blinked. 'There's love in those actions.' The package slipped from his fingers and fell to the floor at his feet.

His heart thumped against his chest and he lifted his hand and touched the pocket that held his lucky blue button. Her blue button. Niklas felt the regret rise in not opening the manuscript box sooner. She had given him such a gift and had not spoken a word of it the entire night.

But why?

He hurried out of his studio and through his cottage, his large feet carrying him to his bicycle, though not without a few bumps and knocks into random objects and furniture along the way. But his thoughts were only mildly paying attention to the happenings of his body. Instead, they focused on the thunder in his heart. Each clap brought closer the realization he had denied himself.

Could she?

Did she?

He was on his bicycle and peddling as fast as he could, the chain clanging loudly in protest. He only peddled faster, because the fear of losing her to his own cowardice far outweighed his reservation.

He had to know.

And there was only one way to find out.

~x-X-x~

It was a weird sensation. But she loved it.

From behind her she could feel the heat from Kristoff's body. He had his chest pressed against her back with his arms wrapped around her waist. In front of her she could feel the familiar warmth—tinged at the edges with a slight chill—of her sister's back against her own chest, with her own arms wrapped around Elsa's waist. The sensation of hot and cold had cocooned her in a blanket of comfort throughout her sleep.

She scratched at her tangle of hair as she pushed down the heavy cloak that bound them together. When Elsa had removed her cloak and blanketed them with it she could not remember, but she smiled at her sister's inherent nature to care.

Where…?

She squinted up at the light creeping in through the cracks in the stable walls as she unearthed her nose from Elsa's frosty locks. Sven's musty scent invaded her senses as she pushed herself up, her movement causing Kristoff to shift slightly with a groan.

Oh, right … the stables…

They had returned to the castle in the early hours of the morning. Tiptoeing through the orchard and creeping in through the door in the North Wall had been easy enough, but when they had reached one of the side entrances to the castle, they had found the door locked.

'How can you not have a key?' Kristoff had asked, incredulously.

'Locked doors are a bit of a theme with us…' Anna had joked. 'Besides, there's always someone around to open the door for…. Elsa, do they have an official title? Door openers. Door stoppers. They who open doors. Keepers of the doors. "You shall not pass" commanders…'

Not wanting to alert the guards, Kristoff had offered the idea of spending the night in the stables. He had bunked with Sven numerous times before and had coaxed the sisters with the promise that sleeping in a bale of hay was the best type of sleep.

It was now two hours later, and Anna stifled a yawn as she pulled random pieces of straw from her hair. Was it the morning sunlight that had awoken her? Or…

Her eyes fell on the shadow of a figure looming over them. She followed the contours of the shadow until her eyes lifted to a very firm face.

'Oh! Uh… good morning, Kai…'

'Good morning, your Highness.'

He was staring down at them, and aside from the scowl on his lips and the very apparent look of relief in his eyes, he seemed completely devoid of any reaction at seeing the three of them spooning in a pile of hay.

Anna flashed him a sheepish grin as she nudged Elsa in the ribs. Elsa groaned as she turned further away from her sister, and it was then that Anna noticed Olaf snuggled against Elsa's chest. Four spoons in a pile of hay…

Anna quickly searched for an explanation. Admitting that they had spent the majority of the night in a tavern filled with locals, sailors, and questionable visitors seemed a little too honest of an explanation. And yet, Anna was a terrible liar and no one could see through her as well as Kai could.

To her relief, Kai saved her the need to explain.

'I'm glad to see you have all safely returned.'

Anna was still smiling up at him, but she could sense that something was a little off in the tone of Kai's voice. He may have appeared unphased, but she knew better.

Kai was worried.

'I'll ask Vera to prepare your breakfast. Gerda is already putting out your clothes for the day,' he said, before Anna could respond. 'I'll leave you three—ahem—four to make your way inside then. The Queen has an appointment in one hour.' He turned and made his way towards the stable doors.

'So early?! With who?!'

Kai looked over his shoulder, his brow narrowed. 'With me, your Highness.'

~x-X-x~

The guard looked down at his list. 'You're not on the approved visitors list for today.'

Niklas ran a hand through his hair and wiped the sweat on his brow with the cuff of his sleeve.

'Right, no, not for today.' He was out of breath and he tried to control his panting long enough to get the words out. 'But I'm the school teacher, Niklas Evensen, see, and I've been invited to the castle—wheeze—before….'

'You're not on the list.'

'Yes, right. But if I could—huff—just see the Queen for one sec—'

'The Queen?' The guard turned and smirked at her colleague. 'He's here to see the Queen.'

'I'm a f-friend, so I would apprec—'

'He's her friend,' the other guard repeated, chuckling. 'When was the last time a friend knocked on the Queen's door?'

Niklas let out a sigh. 'Please. I just need one moment—'

'Step aside, sir.' The first guard was no longer smiling, and Niklas realized that there was no use.

'I apologize for taking up your time,' he mumbled, as he turned away. He could feel their eyes trailing him as he led his bicycle across the bridge.

Well, that failed, he thought, as he crossed the main road. But instead of continuing towards the Market Square, Niklas veered left onto the side road that would take him to the orchard. Thank goodness for back-up plans…

~x-X-x~

Elsa was perfectly fine with silence. Thirteen years of isolation had resulted in a better understanding of what it meant to be quiet. She had learned to fill silence with her own thoughts, with processing, and with stillness. As the years had drifted silently by, she had found that dwelling in silence allowed her to reflect without the finality of spoken words.

She was sitting at her desk in the study, trying to ignore the sore spot below her sixth rib where Olaf's carrot-nose had lodged during their nap (because eighty minutes could barely count as proper sleep). Olaf now sat at her feet with Anna, who was leaning her head against Elsa's knee and trying—and failing—to smooth out her hair. Kristoff, looking surprisingly refreshed, sat on the couch by the large window. Gerda hovered by the door and Kai, his hands clasped behind his back, stood rigidly before her.

Elsa was prepared to explain her actions, but she had not been prepared for the crease in Kai's brow and the look of worry in his eyes. Had she crossed a line? Had she disappointed him? She clasped her hands in her lap and a small fluff of snowflakes drifted down onto Anna's shoulder. She waited in silence.

'Your Majesty.'

'Yes, Kai.'

'Look, it was all my idea,' Anna started, sitting up. 'I orchestrated the whole thing. We've been to town a billion times so I was like, "wouldn't it be nice to see it at night for once?" and then just made it happen, so if you're going to tell us that we broke protocol or something then we're sorry. But nothing bad happened and it was fun, and you can't fault us for wanting to have a little fun, right?'

Kai's lips twitched. He had a soft spot for the Princess. Gerda had always been a little closer to Elsa but Kai found that he could deny Anna nothing, not even the falsehood she was now telling to protect her sister.

'Your Highness, it's not how you spent the night that concerns me,' he said, with a reassuring nod of the head.

Gerda cleared her throat. She recalled how, only hours before, Kai's worry over the sisters' whereabouts had triggered his incessant pacing. Not concerned, indeed…

Anna scratched her ear. 'It… isn't…?'

'I would like to discuss the matter of who you spent the night with.'

Anna choked on her own yawn. 'Okay, that sounds misleading and a little… you know. I mean we just dinner'd and danced…'

Elsa did not respond, but rather lingered in her silence. Her eyes observed Kai's nervous intake of breath and the slight flap of his coattail. He had his hands clasped behind him because he was fidgeting. When Kai fidgeted, he was nervous.

Elsa had never seen a nervous Kai before. She was beginning to feel a little less prepared.

'You have a concern about Niklas Evenson.' She squeezed her hands together.

'There is a matter about his past that I think warrants a discussion,' Kai said, slowly.

Although he had wanted to expose Niklas's past from the moment the school teacher had re-entered their lives, he had failed to rehearse exactly how this exposure would occur. Kai now found his stubborn resolve melt as he stared into Elsa's large, gentle eyes. He pulled his gaze away and reminded himself that she had a right to know, and that although this right to know could cause her some distress, in the end it would protect her. Kai was adamant that this was true.

'We already know he used to work for us in the stables,' Anna supplied. 'We're not bothered by that—'

'That's not it, exactly, your Highness,' Kai interjected. He cleared his throat as his eyes fluttered towards Gerda. She took a step into the room and he was met with the hesitation on her face.

The look that passed between them did not go unnoticed by Elsa, and she realized that Kai, for the first time since the start of her rein, was hesitating in advising her. Although she felt a nagging unease regarding the pending conversation, she did not want Kai to lose his confidence. She valued his guidance, even when she was not prepared to process it, and she did not want Kai feeling that he had to censor himself for her.

'I trust you, Kai,' she said, suddenly. 'Everything you do you do in the best interest of this family. You have always protected us. I know that whatever you have to say you're saying because your duty compels you to.' She gave him a small smile. 'But I know you're hesitating because beneath that duty is a man who deeply cares for—' She paused. The confliction on Kai's face spoke volumes. 'I understand, Kai. Please know that I understand that what you're about to say is in my best interest.'

Kai let go of the breath he was holding, the look in his Queen's eyes releasing him from his doubt. 'Niklas Evenson is the son of the man who threatened to expose you as a monster fifteen years ago.' He said it quickly, as if the words would escape him if he did not get them out. He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. The secret was out.

Elsa's lips parted, but no words came out. She stared at him, her eyes unblinking and suddenly vacant.

'What?' Anna sat up on her knees, the shock of this news clearly evident in the widening of her eyes. 'What do you mean Niklas's father threatened to expose Elsa? Threaten who exactly?'

'As you're well aware, when King Agnarr decided to close the gates, he let go of the majority of the palace staff and kept only a scant few who could be trusted. He ensured that each individual left with enough means to live comfortably until a new post was acquired, and in return they promised their loyalty.' Kai's coattail flipped in agitation. 'What you may not know is that the layoff of so many people caused quite a stir in our kingdom. People became curious and began to question, and with this questioning came the rampant rumours and theories regarding the closure of the gates.'

'I remember this…' Kristoff turned towards the window and looked out at the houses nestled between the cliffs and the water. 'I remember the ice harvesters talking about it. I was just a kid, but I knew something was up. Everything happened really fast and people were confused.'

Kai nodded. 'We had to come up with an explanation for the sudden dismantling of the palace structure and the sudden disappearance of the royal daughters from the public eye. We had to protect the heir to the throne. So, we purposely spread the rumour that Princess Elsa had fallen ill and that the King and Queen were taking certain precautions to maintain her health.'

Elsa felt the space around her heart tighten. The air around her cracked and she wondered, as Anna stood from the floor and sat down on the arm of her chair, if her sister could sense her rising panic. She could feel herself starting to flurry. From the corner of her eye she noticed Gerda stepping even further into the room.

'The rumour helped quench some of the noise,' the housekeeper added, her eyes fixed on the Queen's face.

'But the world is filled with mean and selfish people.' Kristoff's hands had balled into fists, but he kept his eyes focused on something outside of the window.

'And greedy, conniving people,' Kai added. 'Emil Evensen was one such person. Every member of our staff, including those who had been let go, kept the secret locked in their hearts. Only Emil Evensen's allegiance dissolved in greed. He demanded compensation for his loyalty, and threatened to expose your… powers… if his demands weren't met. Spreading the lie that the royal family had produced a monster would surely have brought an end to the monarchy. The public is prone to take irrational steps when afraid. Your father and Emil both knew this, and so it was easy for Emil to use this fear against your father.'

'But father wouldn't have…' Anna was finding it difficult to process this information. She would have been a child of six years at the time and would have been completely unaware of everything except for the sister who had locked herself away from her. She lifted her hand and squeezed Elsa's shoulder. She could feel Olaf snuggle against Elsa's leg.

'The King had his choices but I can't fault the one he chose. He paid Evenson off under the condition that he and his kin would leave Arendelle forever. And never return.' Kai straightened his back, his jaw firm. 'Every household has one bad apple. Emil Evensen was ours.'

There was silence. All eyes were focused on either a spot on the floor, or the view from the window, or a crack in the ceiling. Only Elsa stared straight ahead, her eyes seemingly unseeing as her mind ticked.

'But Niklas isn't like his father…' Anna said, slowly. 'Niklas would never—'

'With all due respect, your Highness, but you can't be completely sure.'

'Young Niklas was only a boy when this whole mess was unravelling,' Gerda pointed out. 'I doubt he knew what his father was capable of. I doubt he knew the reason behind their leaving.'

'A boy of eleven has enough sense to know what's happening around him.' Kai was unrelenting. 'What could such a father have taught his son about morals, and values, and—'

'He was always such a good-natured boy,' Gerda interrupted. 'He was a little shy, but he was always so polite and respectful, and with such kind eyes. He has those eyes still.'

'Gerda, it's been fifteen years. You can't judge a man by his kind eyes…'

'First of all, yes you can,' Anna interjected, her voice tense. 'Second of all, Niklas hasn't shown any sign of meanness or rudeness or greed or however you want to tie him to his father. He's sweet and gentle. He's our friend.'

She could feel a rising lump forming in her throat. She felt like crying out in frustration. She was finding it hard to believe that Niklas could in any way resemble his father. Not the Niklas she knew. Kai was being unfair and Elsa's lack of reaction was beginning to worry her.

'But can you be sure of that, your Highness?'

Gerda pressed a hand to her brow. 'I agree that every child is raised, Kai. But every child is also born with their own nature.'

'But can you be sure?!' Kai pulled at the collar of his shirt. 'It's my duty to ensure that the Crown is protected. Some of us may be able to risk a friendship with a man associated with such a father, but as Queen…' and here his eyes fell on Elsa '… can you really afford such a risk? He might be harmless. But he might also cause a lot of harm.'

Anna was on her feet now. 'But he hasn't caused any harm. And what would be the point now? Everyone knows about Elsa's powers. It's been three years. My sister is not a monster.' She rounded on Elsa. 'He's just Niklas Evensen, the school teacher!'

Elsa's head moved just a fraction of an inch in Anna's direction, and although she said nothing, Anna could see the deepening of the crease between Elsa's eyebrows. Ice was forming on the arm of her chair.

'Elsa…'

A movement at the window caught Anna's eye and she frowned when she saw Kristoff getting up off the couch. He had been gazing out of the window, and now turned to address them. 'Sven…' he said, to no one in particular.

'Where are you going?' Anna asked, her eyes widening as she watched Kristoff cross the room without so much as a glance at the others.

'I… forgot to feed Sven this morning. I'll be right back.'

'Wait, what? Can't you feed Sven later?! We're kind of in the middle of something here!'

Kristoff turned at the door and their eyes met. 'I'll be right back.' There was an intensity in his gaze and Anna recognized it immediately. She suddenly understood. She gave him a curt nod and watched as he disappeared through the door, her hold on Elsa's shoulder tightening.

Kai's eyes moved from Elsa, to Anna, and then back to Elsa. The temperature in the room had dropped and he could see his breath visibly frost in the air before his lips. 'Your Majesty, I apologize if I've spoken out of line. I only wanted to—'

'I understand.' Elsa rose from her chair, the air around her cracking as thin sheets of ice snapped in the unfolding creases of her dress. She had mustered a smile, but no one in the room was convinced by it. 'You've given me a lot to think about, Kai.'

'Your Majesty, I—'

'Don't worry. I appreciate knowing.' She held his gaze. 'I always want to be in the know, Kai. So, thank you for sharing.'

Kai paled. 'Of course, your Majesty.'

Elsa turned and held her hand out towards the door, a trail of snowflakes fluttering from her fingertips. 'I think I need a moment to think over a few things in light of this conversation.'

'Of course, your Majesty.' Kai and Gerda made their way to the study door, both knowing that they were being dismissed. 'You know where to find us if you need anything.'

'Shall I bring up your tea in a little bit?' Gerda asked, stopping at the door.

'Yes, that would be lovely.'

Gerda gave Elsa a reassuring smile, and when Elsa smiled back the older woman was relieved to see the slight crinkling of Elsa's eyes.

'She'll be fine,' Gerda said, as Kai closed the door behind her.

'I don't know…' Kai rubbed a hand over his face. 'I was so sure that telling her was the right thing… that she deserved to know in light of the time she's been spending with him.'

'Do you regret telling her?'

Kai shook his head. 'No. It had to be done.' He frowned. 'But did you notice the walls?'

'The ice…'

'I regret being the reason for—'

'You're not the reason, Kai.' Gerda put a reassuring hand on Kai's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. 'The ice only means that she's processing. Give her some time.'

Kai nodded. 'She didn't say much, did she?'

Gerda sighed. 'No… but that's her way. She retreats when something distresses her.'

'I feel better knowing that the Princess is with her.' He did not need to explain the reassurance of Anna's presence to Gerda. She knew. Anna was the only one who could break Elsa's silence.

'Come on, let's go see Vera. She must be on tenterhooks waiting for news of their return.'

She grabbed Kai's arm and the two of them retreated, side-by-side, down the hall, leaving the chill in the air behind them.

~x-X-x~

Niklas's bicycle lay in the grass beside the path he had worn through with his pacing. Entering through the door in the North Wall and waiting in the garden for someone to randomly appear had seemed like a good plan at the time. But it was now an hour later and he was beginning to lose confidence.

'What are you doing here?'

Niklas whipped around, startled. It was Kristoff, and although Niklas felt a sense of relief wash over him, he could not help but notice the cold look in Kristoff's eyes.

'Thank goodness. I've been waiting for someone to pass by, and I'm glad that someone is you! I was hoping to see Elsa—'

'Listen, I need you to leave.' It was not Kristoff's intention to sound so curt, but in light of the news he had just heard of Niklas's father, it occurred to him that the school teacher's presence at the castle was suddenly problematic.

'I-Is everything alright?'

Kristoff let out a low sigh. 'I'm not sure. Things have suddenly become a bit… complicated.'

Niklas frowned. 'She d-didn't get in trouble, did she?' His brow creased with worry as his eyes fluttered up to her bedroom window. The curtains were drawn.

Kristoff stared at Niklas. He felt conflicted. On the one hand, Kai's description of Emil Evensen's character did not in the least resemble the man who stood before him. Although he had once been suspicious of Niklas himself, these past few weeks had convinced him that the school teacher was indeed harmless. And yet Kai's assertion that one could never be sure of a man's character rang some truth, and the raw anger Kristoff had felt earlier still coursed through his veins. Could he trust this man?

He had to find out. 'Listen, I can't say anything right now. Meet me at the tavern after dinner tonight.'

'I… okay… but will you at least tell me if she's okay?' Niklas could feel something gnawing at him in the pit of his stomach. He had come here with such determination, and he now felt that determination being replaced with a sense of foreboding. 'Did someone find out about the tavern? Was it something I did? I shouldn't have made her feel like she had to break the rules…. Just tell me she's alright. Please.'

'She's fine.' Sort of…. 'Listen, just… don't worry. I'll see you later tonight. Make sure you're there.'

Kristoff gave Niklas a quick nod before turning and making his way back up the path. When he reached the steps, he turned and looked over his shoulder. 'Try to leave without being seen.'

'Of c-course…'

Niklas watched Kristoff disappear through the castle door. He then picked up his bicycle and hurried towards the door in the North Wall. He was moving quickly, but his shoulders sagged and his head was lowered like a man defeated.

What could possibly have happened in the last two hours?

But there was no way of him knowing that somewhere in the castle, the one he loved was stumbling.

~x-X-x~

Next Chapter: With Anna taking Niklas's side and Kristoff supporting Kai's, Elsa is forced to break her silence.

Author's Note: The secret's out! Yeeeeesh, that was rough. I apologize for this chapter being a bit of a mess! It was difficult getting the story out and I had some trouble being cohesive. Please forgive the mess, and thank you for reading! I appreciate you.