(A/N: Had to re upload to correct some grammar and other mistakes I missed. Sorry. How will Anna and Kristoff continue their relationship? What fate does Elsa have planned for Hans after what he tried to do to Anna? How can Anna help Elsa better connect with her people? How will the people look at Elsa after saving their beloved Queen again? But most importantly…How will Elsa react when she catches the interest of a young man who works within the palace?)
CHAPTER NINETEEN: ONCE BROKEN, NOW WHOLE
Anna, the one person he hated more than anyone in the whole world for denying his glorious accension to the throne of Arendelle, was beneath his body and at his mercy as he choked the life out of her and attempted to rape the Queen. Immense evil pleasure poured out of him as he reveled in disgracing the young Queen by claiming both her pure innocence and her very life. Even if he was executed by the guards for his transgression, he could die with a satisfied smile knowing he got his perfect revenge. Victory is within my grasp!
That's when it happened. It happened so fast, yet the immediate death that was coming straight for Hans approached slowly in his eyes. What he heard was like terrible thunder- no, it was like the wrath and rage of Mother Nature herself, intensified by a hundredfold, as it tore its way through Arendelle, through the palace. He didn't have to question what it was, because the source made it perfectly clear to his wicked mortal mind. For the first time since he was much younger and abused by his father and elder brothers…he knew what REAL fear was. His eyes turned to his cell door as it was obliterated by someone divine and ALL POWERFUL.
The heavy metal door was reduced to shards as the extremely angry figure came straight for him, enveloped in a strong storm of snow and ice. His eyes slowly widened with fear as a fierce Elsa rushed him with eyes like white fire and her appearance was far beyond what his eyes could comprehend, something a mere mortal wasn't meant to see. All the Powers in the world were coming straight for him like a roaring wind of vengeance. Vengeance…for ALL he had done.
Her steel like grip seized him by the hair and did not show any mercy in holding back as she forcefully ripped him off of Anna's body, freeing her before destroying the wall in her way and taking Hans far away from her Anna. They were moving so fast; Hans couldn't scream from the pain of her grip. She didn't care if his hair was savagely ripped from his scalp. The fury Elsa was feeling. Hans underestimated the depths of her angry heart. Still quite some distance from the ice palace, Elsa threw him at the ice castle's door, causing him to go through it and strike the farthest wall. The impact alone should've been enough to kill him instantly, but all he could feel was indescribable pain. How am I still alive? What force is denying Death from taking me? He was bleeding and he definitely felt many of his bones broken. It's Elsa! She's denying the mercy of death. She wants me to suffer!
The doors flew open and Elsa walked in regally, her fierce gaze remained on her face. Her appearance was the same as before. It was so beautiful and divine that his mortal eyes wanted to look more, but since his eyes were not meant to look upon her state, they began to burn, forcing him to look down.
"LOOK. AT. ME." Elsa's voice was calm, yet very angry and commanding that Hans was forced to obey. "I want you to see what's coming."
Hans, in his heart, had given up on living. He wasn't going to allow himself to look weak in anyone's presence. Not even Elsa's. He buried his fear and forced himself to stand and approach Elsa.
Elsa, in her divine state, just smirked. When he reached half way across the room to her, she instantly rushed him and grabbed his face firmly. "Am I supposed to be impressed? You think acting brave will touch my heart and make me spare you? YOU…TOUCHED MY ANNA!"
"Kill me," Hans groaned in her grip. "I refuse to be afraid. Kill me and let me die with pride."
Recalling Anna's plea to spare Hans so he could rot in her dungeons made Elsa's eyes softened and her divine state faded away as she transformed into her more human appearance. Anna's wish to spare Hans an easy death was the only thing taming the wrathful force of nature right now. "You are mistaken. I'm not going to kill you." She then unleashed her ice magic on Hans through her hand, making him scream. Elsa just stood there with a cold expression. "I'm going to trap you in my own personal hell. You will yearn for Death to take you away but, but you are banished from Death. You will be my prisoner FOREVER."
Anna, Kristoff and the guards all jumped when they saw the bright light on North Mountain from the hole in Hans's cell. "What was that?" Kristoff asked fearfully.
"I don't know," Anna muttered. Elsa, what did you do?
"I guess we should be grateful Elsa is on our side. If she hadn't intervened…who knows what that filthy prisoner would've done to our beloved Queen Anna," a guard said. Anna was comforted by the guard's loyalty and managed to feel herself calming from Hans' attempt on her life.
Anna looked up at the multiple guards when another said, "OR Elsa is somehow in league with Hans and she only spared him for her own secret motives. She could be plotting with him right now to destroy Arendelle and is only pretending to be on our side to get us to lower our guard."
The accusation triggered Anna and made her quickly rise to her feet and smack the guard across the face. "HOW DARE YOU!" Kristoff grabbed her wrists from behind and held her back before she could strike him again. "I KNOW ELSA! SHE WOULD NEVER BETRAY ME OR ARENDELLE!"
"ANNA!" Kristoff yelled to get her attention. Hearing his voice behind her calmed her. "Calm down, please." She turned into his chest again so she could find comfort. Hans was so close to raping her and taking her life. She was so terrified and desperately needed someone to hold her.
One of the older guards stepped forward and knelt. The other's followed his example. "Your Majesty. Send us to investigate Elsa's Ice Palace to learn of the prisoner's fate. If he lives, we will personally execute him as punishment for the attempt on your life. His transgression cannot go unpunished. We are blessed to have such a merciful Queen, but there comes a time when evil doers must pay the ultimate price."
Anna looked at the other guards nodding in agreement.
Anna pulled away from Kristoff to face her guards. "Very well, but I will accompany you."
"But your Majesty!" several of her guards gasped.
"No, Anna. It might be too dangerous to be around Elsa right now," Kristoff warned like a worried lover.
Anna smiled with gratitude at him, but caressed his face as she assured him, "Elsa is FAMILY, Kristoff. She would NEVER hurt me."
That convinced Kristoff, but he replied, "Then I'm going with you. I'm staying with you. I'm not going anywhere."
Anna was greatly comforted by his words and even felt an affectionate warmth in her heart, "Kristoff, I-"
"My decision is final, Anna," Kristoff said firmly. Anna was startled by his authoritative tone and devotion to her. She was getting him back. It filled her with so much joy that she kissed him right there with such steamy passion that she was completely oblivious to the shock of her guards and Kristoff.
Despite how much Kristoff loved the taste of her lips, he had to slightly push her away to break the kiss. "What?" Anna asked, but then turned red when he turned red with a smile and motioned with his eyes. She turned to see her guards still on their knees looking down but struggling to contain their smirks. Anna cleared her throat and spoke regally, "Captain, ready the horses, mine included."
"Yes, Your Majesty," the officer chuckled before leaving with the guards, leaving the two embarrassed young couple alone in the cell.
"Well? Shall we?" Kristoff asked.
Anna quickly looked at him with shock, "Now? I was JUST almost raped, Kristoff!"
Kristoff understood what she was implying and immediately became embarrassed, "No, Anna! I meant- I meant the stables so we can ride to Elsa's palace."
Anna became flustered and held her head high, "Of course! I knew that! I was just testing you!" Kristoff smirked at her with amusement, which made her heart pound quicker, so she turned away to leave. "And you pass. Congratulations! Follow me."
Anywhere, Kristoff thought before following.
Several hooves pounded the ground as Anna on her horse, Kjekk and Kristoff on Sven rode fast up North Mountain with twelve Royal Guards, armed with swords. The horses reacted to something when they got close enough. No one except Anna noticed and ordered her guards to stay back.
"What is it?" Kristoff asked her, noticing Sven was reacting to something too.
"Elsa's emotions affect the color of her ice. It's yellow," Anna replied.
"I don't understand. What does that mean?" Kristoff asked.
"It means she's furious. I better go in alone to calm her down. Seeing the guards might upset her even more," Anna advised and dismounted, running for the door before any of them could protest. She cautiously approached the door. Her heart froze when she saw Elsa panting angrily in front of a frozen statue of Hans. She could never sneak up on Elsa on Ahtohallan. She would always react to her presence whenever she tried. So far, Elsa showed no signs of acknowledging her presence.
Elsa was so furious that she couldn't calm down. Not until Anna's arms slowly hugged her from behind and said her name, "Elsa?"
"Anna?" Elsa replied with surprise, turning to see Anna's scared look, a look she never wanted to see on Anna's face. She turned towards a frozen Hans, then back to Anna before starting to tear up. "I had to. I had to!" Elsa kept insisting.
Anna hugged her, trying to calm her. "Thank you, Elsa."
Elsa teared up more. Anna was safe. "When I saw what he was doing to you- I snapped. It- It reminded me of when humans attacked my home long ago. What they did to me when I was powerless. I wanted to kill him, Anna."
"Shh. It's okay," Anna whispered, remembering everything about Elsa's past that Elsa revealed to her.
Elsa suddenly became aware of the multiple guards outside her home and quickly pulled away. "You brought guards here, Anna?"
"It's not what you think, Elsa," Anna tried to explain.
"Then tell me!" Elsa demanded.
"They came to retrieve the prisoner for execution," Anna explained.
"NO!" Elsa yelled, "He's my prisoner now!" Elsa was starting to tear up again before Anna's eyes.
"Elsa," Anna said, trying to calm her.
"I was raped when they came into my home! I lost Jack! I lost Olaf! He was about to do the same thing to you! I won't let Hans have a second chance to do that to you! I won't let him!" Elsa cried yet there was an angry edge to her tone. Anna suddenly understood and hugged Elsa as she continued to cry. Elsa was so frightened for HER that she was refusing to release Hans. "I don't know how I could live for the rest of eternity if he succeeded. If your soul passed on beyond my reach, I wouldn't be able to bring you back! That's my greatest weakness Anna! Your mortality!"
Anna hugged her firmer, "I'm fine. Thanks to you. You saved me, Elsa. Hans didn't succeed."
The captain stepped forward, "And he never will. You can trust us, goddess, to make sure of that."
Elsa hesitantly released Hans from his icy imprisonment. Hans looked at her and laughed, "I knew it! All that power, but you're still weak as ever! PATHETIC!"
Elsa was angered and about to respond, but Anna quickly hugged her and kept her facing away from Hans as several guards walked past them to their prisoner.
"Hold him still!"
"You think you're in control, Anna?! You think you're-?!" The sound of a guard's sword cleaving Hans' head at the neck filled the palace. Elsa flinched, even though she didn't see the execution, but Anna did. She thought him rotting in her dungeons was the perfect punishment. How naïve she was. Being queen means being able to make hard decisions, like executing a dangerous criminal.
The ice all around them turned to its normal color when Elsa knew the threat to Anna's life was permanently dealt with. She was released from her fear for her safety. The captain and the guards headed out with Hans' body, but Kristoff stayed behind outside the main door to wait for Anna.
Elsa noticed his hesitance to enter. "You may enter Kristoff." Kristoff stepped inside the door but stayed a safe distance from Elsa.
Anna smirked, "What are you doing, Kristoff? Come on over and meet Elsa."
"We've met," Kristoff said.
"Wait, what?" Anna asked. So that explains why I felt Kristoff's presence with Elsa's in my room -!
Elsa was obviously reading Anna's thoughts and confessed, "I confronted Kristoff after our talk. I'm sorry, Anna."
Anna stepped back with shock, "YOU WHAT?!" Her tone surprised Elsa and made her recoil slightly. Anna quickly went to Kristoff and held his face, "Tell me, Kristoff. What did she do to you?"
Elsa stepped forward, "Anna-"
Anna turned to look and pointed at her, "I'll deal with you later." Elsa was silent. Anna turned back to Kristoff, "Kristoff? Tell me what happened."
Kristoff saw the worried look on Elsa's face, which surprised him after how she acted furious with him earlier. Apparently only Anna could reduce the goddess to a timid and worried state. Kristoff actually felt concerned for Elsa. She wanted to protect her relationship with Anna. "She helped me," Kristoff said, smiling at Elsa. Elsa became surprised by his answer. "I was so focused on where I stood in society…that you were too far out of my reach." He looked in Anna's eyes, "I was worried that it wouldn't be right for you to be with me. I thought I was protecting you by distancing myself from you, but I only hurt you so much. I never wanted that-"
Anna placed her fingers on his lips to shush him and just smiled before pulling him by the collar of his shirt into her lips for a slow, steamy and passionate kiss.
Elsa looked away with an awkward smile. Oh, great. I have to watch this again. She glanced back to see if the intimate act was done, but Anna was far from over. She was becoming more passionate with his lips as she escalated the kiss with Kristoff. "AHEM," Elsa said loudly to remind them that she was still there.
Anna pulled away from Kristoff and giggled when incoherent words escaped Kristoff's lips, clearly mind blown by what just happened.
"I do not require sleep being a goddess, but you two should return to Arendelle," Elsa advised.
"Okay, MOTHER," Anna replied with sarcasm, taking Kristoff's hand and walking out to Kjekk and Sven. Elsa followed to see them off. Anna headed off first and Kristoff was about to follow her, but he halted and looked back after Elsa spoke to him through his thoughts, Thank you, Kristoff. The door closed before he could see her, but he briefly caught a glimpse of a grateful smile. He smiled before heading back.
Anna began to laugh when Kristoff caught up to her, "Eat my dust, YOUR MAJESTY!" Sven took off even faster, enticing her to snap the reins and make her horse run faster. The race with the man she loved was miraculously enough to make her forget about Hans and what he tried to do with her. She was alive…and she was happier than she ever been before. She was home. However, a deep fear surfaced.
Back at the stables, Anna blushed and her heart raced as Kristoff's hands held her hips while helping her down from her horse. Her hands positioned themselves on his firm upper chest to support herself, but they slipped and she fell into his arms. He quickly held her firmly to keep her from falling. He could feel his chest pounding hard against her's. Anna pulled away slightly and got lost in his eyes. How did my life get so perfect? I'm home. Arendelle is free. Elsa is back. Kristoff loves me. How can this not be a cruel dream? Anna began to tear up.
Kristoff became startled by her tears and caressed her face. "Hey, what's wrong, Freckles?"
A laugh escaped her lips as the tears rolled down her face. "I'm afraid."
Kristoff chuckled as he wiped her face, "Afraid? You're the Queen of Arendelle! What could possibly make you afraid? You got Elsa watching over you. You got the Royal Guard. You got everyone in Arendelle who love you…and you got me."
The tenderness of Kristoff's voice and hands as he comforted her made the tears worse, causing her voice to break with emotion, "I'm- I'm so happy." Kristoff looked down at her with a confused look. Anna explained, "My parents drowned before my eyes. I am held prisoner by Elsa, but we became very close. I get separated from her thinking she took her own life because of what I said when she refused to help me save Arendelle. Then we face the Duke in three long months of suffering and death. I almost lost you when they were going to hang you. Then you avoid me. Hans almost- then I have you back. Something bad is going to happen, I know it!"
Kristoff hugged her to comfort her. They have both been through so much. He also had a hard time processing that the Duke's reign was final over. "It's over. The bloody conflict is finally over. Elsa did it. She saved everyone and liberated Arendelle. You don't have to be afraid of the future anymore, Anna and neither do I. Elsa has set us free…to live…and love." He stroked her face, making her smiling slightly. "Let me take you inside. You should get some sleep."
"No!" Anna said loudly with fear, clinging to him. "I'm so happy. I don't want to go to sleep and wake up to learn it's all fake! I- I don't- I don't want to go back to Hell." She was so rattled that she was questioning whether or not the reality she was seeing was even real.
"Anna-" he tried to pull away with a chuckle so he can look her in the eyes and assure her today was very real, but he held his tongue when she whimpered and clung to him more. It suddenly dawned on him. He was raised in this conflict, but Anna wasn't. When he met her that day, he noticed how innocent and naïve she was, almost like a child. She was forced into a conflict and it affected her more deeply than he could've ever imagine. Through what Hans tried to do to her on top of that. It broke his heart. Anna was a young woman who lost her parents, raised by a cold Elsa, lived through a bloody conflict, became the youngest queen in Arendelle's history and was almost raped and murdered by a man she once cared for.
"Do you truly believe something bad is going to happen?" Kristoff asked, confronting her troubled mind.
Anna looked up at Kristoff, "How could it not?! Everything is too perfect! Something bad has to ruin-" Kristoff quickly kissed her on the lips gently. A warmth enveloped her as she felt the soft lips of her greatest love slowly move against her lips. She could feel her anxiety and fear melt away from her by his love.
He suddenly felt awkward, like he overstepped. Should I have asked for her permission first? Oh, crap! He tried to pull away so he could apologize and explain himself, but Anna's lips crashed into his.
"It's okay. I want you to. Hold me and kiss me like you did when we woke up at the lodge. Please," Anna softly requested with a whisper and Kristoff recalled their first real kiss after they were saved and brought to the lodge and Anna confessed. Anna…are you really giving me permission to-?
"Your Queen has spoken, Kristoff," Anna said, but her face was still stained with her tears.
Seeing her act so regally yet look so vulnerable caused him to act quickly, meeting her lips again, but with more hunger and passion then ever as he picked her up and carried her to the nearby pile of hay.
Kristoff carefully laid on her down with one hand around the small of her back and the other cradling her head as his fingers went through her auburn hair. Anna suddenly pushed him away slightly, which caused him to freak and ramble, "Uh- Sorry, I- Did I do something wrong?"
Anna just covered his face with her lands and laughed. She couldn't stand how adorable his face was. "You're so adorable," she laughed.
Kristoff, annoyed by how she was laughing at him, swatted her hands aside and gave her an annoyed look.
Anna gave him a smug smile before flipping him onto the hay and quickly climbing on top of him.
Kristoff smirked, "Bold much?"
Anna just smirked before kissing him again, pushing down on his chest with her hands as she straddled him, rolling her hips against him. Her actions were making him moan. Bringing pleasure to the man she loved filled her so much with happiness. "I love you, Kristoff," she said before rejoining his lips.
"I love you…Anna," he replied in between kisses.
The nearby lantern casted their intertwined shadows on the nearby wall, betraying their passionate kissing and embrace to the animals inside.
The next morning, Kai was in a frenzy, looking for Queen Anna. He saw that the Royal Guard returned, but not the Queen with her suitor, Kristoff. He didn't quiet understand what she saw in the random harvester. He didn't quite care as long as the young man possessed the necessary traits of a king should it be Her majesty's choice to wed him. Where on earth could that young woman be? He had his wife, Gerda, check the royal chambers and bathroom in case the Queen was not decent. However, she wasn't there. He checked her study, the library, the art gallery. She was no where to be found. He stopped to rethink and figure out if there was anywhere he could've overlooked.
"I checked the Royal Garden, sir," a young man spoke. Kai turned to see his assistant, Donovan.
Kai felt relieved to see the young man who he was training to one day take his place as the steward of the palace. Please tell me you found her. "And? Was her majesty there?"
"No, sir," Donovan replied with a frown.
"Blast it! Where could she be?" Kai vented his frustration. "I'll check the training ground. Queen Anna has interest in combat training and has visited the Captain of the Royal Guard to watch and often participate in training."
Donovan's eyes widened. "She trains with the Royal Guard? She's the Queen. Isn't that a bit strange for royal etiquette?"
Kai nodded, "That's our Queen Anna. When she was little, she was always a very joyful and wild young princess. Even her parents found it difficult to keep her in line. May their souls find peace. Yes, Donovan. Her Majesty is not one to follow tradition. A traditional and conventional Queen, she is NOT."
Donovan was amazed by this. He just started and wasn't familiar with Queen Anna as well as his mentor was. He always saw royals as cold, regal humans who existed on their own plane of existence above commoners and lesser nobles as well. Queen Anna went against all that. An idea came to him. "What about her old bedroom? Didn't she use that room ever since she was crowned? There are also the stables. If her horse is there, then we'll at least know she returned back safely and maybe just took a stroll around town."
"Good thinking. I'll check her old bedroom and you check the stables. If her horse is back, we'll go from there and look elsewhere for her majesty," Kai instructed.
Donovan gave him a nod and quickly walked for the stables. The young man was tall with a thin build. His brown hair was perfectly combed. His brown eyes, out of habit, went to the faces of everyone he came across, expecting one of them to be Queen Anna. No such luck. He however received smiles and waves. He quickly and awkwardly smiled and waved back to not appear rude to ANY of his coworkers. He needed to make a good impression.
After taking multiple turns and taking a couple flights of stairs, he finally made it to the first floor. Whew! Finally made it! No way I'll gain any weight going up and down these stairs all the time. He exited into the courtyard and went right to the stables. Being groomed for Kai's position, he was introduced to Queen Anna's horse, Kjekk. He entered and went right for his stall, happy to see the gray colored horse standing up to greet him. He stroked the horse gently, "Hey, there. Where's Queen Anna, boy?"
Donovan froze when he heard a human moan and turned. His eyes widened to see Queen Anna laying in a pile of hay on top a large man. "Uh…Queen Anna? Your Majesty?" he said hoping to wake her up gently.
Anna woke up and sat up, still sitting on Kristoff's nether region. Both were still clothed, thank God. Anna noticed him and gave him a guilty smile. "Oh, hi, Donovan. I can explain-"
Donovan quickly held out his waving hands, "No. No. No. You don't have to. You're the Queen. You have every right to spend…ALONE time with your…" he looked away embarrassed. "Lover." So, the rumors are true! I've heard gossiping of Her Majesty being interested in a harvester, but I thought it was just idle gossip.
Anna stood, struggling to contain her embarrassed face as she fixed her dress and disheveled hair. "Did you need something?"
Donovan almost forgot what the original purpose was for seeking out the Queen, but remembered, "Kai just wanted me to inform you that Olina is preparing breakfast as we speak. She's making biscuits with sausage and gravy."
"Oo. That's sound delicious," Anna 's face lit up. Over the years, Elsa surprised her with her favorite foods. This was one of them. Anna then remembered Kristoff and looked down to see he was still asleep. Her heart warmed up and she knelt to remove a strand of straw from his face. He looked so cute. She wished she could kiss him and cuddle with him all day, every day, but duties before pleasure. She stroked his handsome face, stirring him from deep, blissful sleep. "Good morning."
"Good morning," he smiled and tried to pull her close again, but she halted his hands and gestured at Donovan with her eyes. His eyes widened and he quickly stood up.
"Will, uh, your lover- I MEAN SUITOR be attending breakfast as well?" Donovan asked.
"He will. Inform Olina to set a second spot at the table," Anna instructed. There was something else she needed to instruct him, but couldn't remember what it was.
Donovan gave her a bow and hurried off, desperate to just get out. Once he was out, Anna deadpanned, feeling embarrassed. Was is it with people walking in on Kristoff and I? Just let me romance my future husband in peace PLEASE!
"You don't think he'll tell anyone, do you?" Kristoff asked, feeling worried.
Anna's eyes widened. "I knew I was forgetting something!" She began to pace back and forth in front of Kristoff. "This is bad! Very bad! Stay calm! I'll figure out something!" An idea hit her, "I know! We'll exit the stables separately so no one will assume anything! At the table…you should sit far as you can from me so we don't draw attention! Unless they think we're trying to hide something! In that case, you should sit right next to me! Wait, you can't do that! That's too obvious!"
"Anna," Kristoff said, grabbing her by the shoulders to calm her, "We'll do what we did last time. We'll just enter with our heads held high and just take it."
Anna's face turned red. She took a deep breath and hooked his arm with her's and they walked. They both became embarrassed as they felt all eyes on them as they entered. People were whispering. Kristoff was just smiling nervously as he rubbed the back of his head. A habit of his that Anna always found adorable. Anna sat in her chair, not her father's which was placed at the end of the table, but the second chair on the left. It's where she always sat next to her mother. Anna smiled up Kristoff who pulled the chair our for her like a gentleman and she patted the chair right next to her with a smile and a raised eyebrow.
He just smirked and sat next to her before noticing young ladies peeking from the barely open kitchen door. "Uh, I think we have some spies watching us," he whispered to Anna.
Anna looked up and smiled before waving at them, "Hi, ladies!" The door quickly closed, causing Anna and Kristoff to laugh a little. "They're probably checking out the Queen's suitor- I MEAN GUEST." She immediately became flustered. She loved Kristoff. She wanted him to be the ONE, but didn't want to pressure him into one day marrying her.
That was the second time someone referred to him as Anna's suitor and that could only mean one thing to Kristoff, but why doesn't Anna want to refer to him as her suitor. He didn't make it obvious that he heard her quickly correct herself, but he did. What could've possibly changed since last night? Is she suddenly having second thoughts? Then why would she even invite me to have breakfast with her?
Anna glanced and became worried seeing how deep in thought and sad he looked. She took his hand, causing him to look over at her. "Kristoff, you are the first guy outside the palace that I've been around a lot. Rumors were spreading about us being…an item and…now that you are here with me. People like those workers in there are going to be talking a lot about marriage. I hope that doesn't make you feel uncomfortable. I can go in there and speak with them."
This surprised Kristoff and he chuckled with relief, "Oh. That's good to hear. I was afraid you were…having second thoughts already."
Anna quickly took his hand, "No. I love you, Kristoff. I want to be with you. I could never dream-"
Kristoff leaned in, kissing the adorable Queen's lips. She was so cute when she rambled like that. He was glad she shared how she truly felt. He finally pulled away, but still remained close to her lips, "I feel the same way. I can't imagine my life without you in it. I love you, Anna."
She smiled as he pulled away more. Her cheeks completely red. She was so happy that her heart felt like it was going to burst out of her chest. I want to marry him! Like right NOW! No. Contain yourself, Anna! Patience. ARGH! I don't think I can wait! Elsa, please help me. This is murder! The joy I feel is too much. I'm going to die!
Elsa was standing on the balcony of her Ice Palace, looking down at Arendelle. She giggled and shook her head. Oh, Anna. Your thoughts are so loud. Calm down. It's just Kristoff.
You calm UP, Anna's thoughts retorted.
Elsa smirked. That's not even a thing. It's impossible.
Whatever! Just get down here and hold me back before I do something very scandalous to Kristoff in front of my staff!
Elsa shook her head. I know you are a woman and he's a man, but you're a queen, Anna. Have some decorum. Kristoff would be frightened and run out of the palace if he saw the frightening desires in that wild head of yours. Maybe I should give him a peak so we can find out. Wouldn't that be entertaining?
Anna instantly sat up straight with fear which confused Kristoff. Oh, no! You wouldn't!
Elsa giggled playfully, Is that a challenge I hear?
Elsa, please! I'll try. I promise! Anna thought fearfully.
Don't worry. I wasn't going to. What you feel for him is natural. I won't betray your privacy like that, but you can't let your lustful desires get the better of you. Such emotions make humans do very stupid things. Since you are Queen, it is expected of you to have a little restraint and control. Whether you are upset or passionately in love.
Anna sighed with relief and the color returned to her face. How?
For now…distract yourself from what you feel. Talk about something related to the kingdom with Kristoff. Just breathe. You'll be okay.
Anna smiled slightly when she felt Elsa's presence leave her mind. "You okay?" She looked over at Kristoff who was obviously concerned.
Elsa turned away on the balcony to give Anna privacy since she already had her fun for the day, but quickly turned back to Arendelle when something caught her ears. Her eyes widened, unable to believe what she was hearing amongst the people.
Anna became flustered, "Who, me? Yeah, I'm fine. I'm fine!" She looked away to take a few deep breaths.
This made him more worried. He was about to press to find out why she was suddenly acting very weird. Well…weirder than when they first met. However, the kitchen staff brought in the food. Anna was glad for their arrival, because 1) she was starving for some biscuits and gravy and 2) she wouldn't have to answer Kristoff. "Oooh, great!"
Plates, silverware and cups were placed before each. Others placed a large bowl of white gravy with small chunks of sausage in it and a platter of freshly baked biscuits. Anna drooled, smelling the buttery scent from the biscuits. "Thanks for the food!" Kitchen staff smiled at her before returning to the kitchen.
Anna wasted no time digging in, but Kristoff was just staring at the plate as if he never saw either before. Anna noticed, "Hey, what's wrong? Don't tell me you don't like biscuits and gravy? If you don't, WE won't work." The last part she said playfully.
"Don't know. Can't say I've ever tried this before. Food was pretty scares growing up in a never-ending winter," Kristoff shared.
Anna stopped chewing and just paid attention to him as he continued. "Winter struck Arendelle like a raging storm. Crops were the first to be wiped out, then the livestock. Farmers tried to salvage what they could of vegetables. When animals died, people began to butcher cows, pigs, horses, chickens, goats, reindeer for meat. People were desperate. I was raised by Tora after my parents died during a food run. The harvesters gathered to pull in all they could gather and we looked to ourselves first. I essentially grew up on meade, eggs, bread, meat on very rare occasions, vegetables, fruit."
Anna felt so guilty. Elsa was creating her favorite meals on Ahtohallan over the years but people here in Arendelle were eating whatever they could get their hands on. Kristoff noticed how down she looked, "I'm sorry. I bummed you out. Everything is okay now that you are Queen." Anna looked up at him, "You helped restore life for everyone in Arendelle. I just haven't had the pleasure of trying out new things so…out of habit I've been sticking with what I know."
Anna smiled, "Well THIS, you'll love. Try it." She took a piece on her fork and fed Kristoff. She lit up seeing his reaction. He clearly never had biscuits and gravy before and liked it very much. As she watched him eat, an idea hit her and it was a brilliant idea. She stood up with excitement, "I'll throw a banquet for our friends! You! Oaken! Henrik! Ella! Everyone!"
"Hmm?" Kristoff asked, his mouth full of biscuits and gravy. He couldn't get enough of it. There was a bit on the corner of his mouth.
Anna looked back at him, "Yes, a banquet!" She caressed his face with her hands, "Oh, Kristoff! You're amazing! I can invite Elsa and introduce her to the group…officially." She quickly licked the corner of his mouth to rid it of the gravy before rushing into the kitchen, leaving Kristoff alone to comprehend what Anna just did. He reached up and touched the spot she licked. A charge rushed down his jaw and neck briefly, making him groan since his mouth was still full. I'm in trouble.
Elsa was once again just outside the kingdom, standing in the woods. She kept listening to the conversations that surrounded a single topic. She clocked herself and entered the market square. It had to be a dream.
"My brother serves in the royal guard. He was there. Queen Anna was being attacked by a dangerous prisoner but the goddess Elsa saved her and punished the prisoner."
"No way! Really?!"
"The witch actually came to the defense of our Queen? Why?"
"It makes sense. She did save the Queen from being hanged and she liberated all of Arendelle from the Duke and his soldiers."
"Is she on our side?"
"Does the Queen have some sort of power over Elsa? Does she have to obey her or something?"
Elsa smirked, She wishes, but that's not too far from the truth. Ever since the day I first discovered her in Sorenson's room, everyday I find it difficult to deny her. My sole desire is to protect her, help her in whatever struggle she is faced with and keep her smiling. Why? What do you have over me, Anna? Is it the love you show me? Is that why I don't want to see you upset?
Elsa looked up realizing how quiet the market square had become and she looked around. Everyone is staring at her. She looked around to make sure. Countless eyes wide and mouths wide with shock. Elsa noticed a little girl nearby. She knelt slightly and asked softly, "Can- Can you-? Can you see me?"
The girl's eyes and mouth were still wide as she nodded.
Elsa quickly stood up with shock. How is this possible? She looked up to see people were inching closer to her. She felt someone hugging her around the leg. It was the little girl, who looked up at her with a grateful smile, "Thanks for saving us."
Elsa felt strange inside. A warm sensation filled her heart as everyone else drew close to her with smiles and similar grateful affirmations and praise. Whatever she was feeling, it was a very foreign feeling and she reacted with fear and managed to escape and run away.
Anna and Kristoff were walking from the kitchen to the courtyard exit in the main lobby. Anna smiled with pride as she had her arms wrapped around Kristoff's right arm while he patted his full stomach. "What a breakfast."
Anna giggled, "I'm glad you like it. I can make sure Olina prepares something special for you tomorrow if you'd like to come again."
"If I keep eating like that, I'm going to get fat," Kristoff laughed, "Thanks for the offer, but maybe another time."
Anna drew close and rubbed his bloated belly, "What's wrong with that? I happen to like my men BIG and-" Kristoff placed his hand over her mouth to halt her from finishing that sentence.
"I'll inform the others about the banquet at work. They'll spread the information to the others," Kristoff spoke up to change the subject. He could feel her smile against his hand before she nodded.
She instantly looked at the door with alarm.
"What is it?" Kristoff asked, looking at the door too.
"It's Elsa!" Anna said with excitement. Her smile turned into a confused look, "and she's…RUNNING TOWARDS the palace door?"
The door flew open and Elsa ran in and slammed the large doors closed with her divine strength, causing a loud boom to echo through the palace. She faced Anna and Kristoff. "HIDE ME, PLEASE! THEY'RE AFTER ME!" Elsa begged fearfully before running past them and up the stairs.
Anna and Kristoff looked at her with confusion and then at each other. Kristoff spoke first, "You handle Elsa, I'll take care of…WHOEVER is chasing her."
Anna nodded and took off after her, "ELSA, WAIT!"
Kristoff exited the palace and saw guards trying to keep a crowd of eager people at bay. He got up on a pillar's base and yelled, "HEY! WHAT'S GOING ON HERE?!"
"Can we see Elsa?"
"Why did she run?"
"We only hugged her and thanked her for saving us. What did we do wrong?"
Kristoff took a second to process what they just said before laughing for a whole minute. "Everything is okay. You just scared Elsa. She's not used to love and affection. Please return to whatever you were doing. Thanks."
People began to pout as they left. A guard nearby thanked Kristoff. Kristoff responded with a nod. He began to chuckle again. The all-powerful goddess is scared of a crowd of loving fans? That's so hilarious.
Anna ran into the Royal Chambers and noticed the moving bump under her blanket. She smiled and shook her head before crawling under her blanket to join Elsa. Anna laid on her side and faced Elsa who just stared into her eyes. "So…Elsa. How was your morning?"
Elsa didn't answer or smirk. She only shook in fear which surprised Anna since Elsa was never afraid. Anna scooted closer. "Talk to me, Elsa."
"There were too many of them. They were TOUCHING ME," Elsa replied shakily.
"What?!" Anna laughed.
"Check the courtyard. Tell me that they're gone," Elsa fearfully requested, refusing to come out from the safety of Anna's blanket.
Anna humored her and noticed the crowd leaving and Kristoff standing below her. "Kristoff?!"
He looked up at her. "Apparently everyone wanted to thank Elsa for protecting you and saving them from the Duke. Elsa freaked from all the affection. Isn't that hilarious?!"
Anna giggled alittle.
Elsa yelled from under the blanket, "YOU KNOW WHAT WOULD BE MORE HILARIOUS, ICE BOY?! I TURN YOU INTO A FROG AND TRAMPLE YOU UNDER MY HEEL!"
That made Kristoff freeze and Anna gestured with her hand that he should leave. He obliged and Anna returned to the bed, pulling the covers. Elsa sat up, crossing her legs. "You ran away from a crowd of people who like you?"
"It was scary, Anna. I almost suffocated," Elsa replied with a shaky voice.
Anna took her hands, "Come with me. We're going for a walk-through town. You'll see you have nothing to be afraid of."
"NO!" Elsa yelled fearfully, ripping her hands away and recoiling backwards so fast she rammed into the corner of Anna's bedroom and knelt in the corner of cracked walls. The sight of Elsa pulling her knees to her chest and burying her face in her knees worried Anna as she went over and knelt by her.
"Okay. I won't force you, Elsa. If you prefer to remain in the ice palace until you are ready, then okay. Let's go," Anna encouraged.
"I can't. They saw through my cloak. I don't know how, but they did. I overheard them saying all those things and I wanted to listen better. I'll return when it's night so I can sneak out of the kingdom," Elsa insisted. "Can- Can I stay here until then?"
"I got a great idea!" Anna said happily. "Why don't you stay here with me? We can be roommates! We'll drink hot chocolate! We'll have pillow fights! We'll tell scary stories!"
"Anna-" Elsa tried to speak up but Anna was too excited.
"My bed is big enough. You can sleep with me," Anna rambled on. "Oh, wait. You don't have to sleep, being a goddess who lacks nothing, but we can still cuddle like we used to."
Elsa smiled, "Anna! I would love that very much. To be honest. It was getting lonely in the Ice Palace…without you."
Anna smiled and crashed into Elsa, hugging her firmly. Elsa smiled before hugging her back, already feeling much better.
Palace staff all parted ways for Queen Anna and Elsa as they walked down the halls. Anna was sharing her plans for the banquet. Elsa listened with a warm smile, oblivious to the shocked stares she was receiving.
Around the corner, Donovan was rushing to the Queen with several documents in hand he needed her to sign asap. However, he hit something hard when he ran around the corner, causing him to fall on his back and the papers to fly all over the place.
Anna was shocked, "Elsa, are you okay?"
"Yeah, just startled. What was that?" Elsa asked. Both looked at whoever the brown blur was that zipped around the corner.
Donovan groaned on the floor. Anna rushed to help him, "Donovan? Are you okay?"
"Queen Anna? QUEEN ANNA! I'm very sorry. I wasn't paying attention-"
"I'm okay. You didn't run into me, but Elsa," Anna smiled and gestured with her hand.
Donovan looked at Elsa and the color left his face. Oh, no! I bumped into a goddess?!
Elsa instantly knelt down, using her powers to place all the papers in the proper order in her hand before handing them to him. During which, she eyed him. She suddenly remembered him, causing her eyes to widen slightly before relaxing but she kept that information to herself. "There. Are you okay?"
Donovan blushed, "Yeah. My head hurts a little, but that's on me. I shouldn't have been rushing like that."
Elsa leaned in closer, surprising everyone with a gentle peck on his forehead. His eyes widened from the act and the healing that came to the spot he bumped his head. She gave him a small smile. Elsa stood and noticed the look Anna was giving her, but she quickly looked away and hugged herself, clearly now uncomfortable.
"Those look like papers for me to sign, correct? Kai sent you," Anna said.
Donovan quickly stood and presented the papers, "Yes, Queen Anna. Kai was insistent that you get to these as soon as possible since you have a meeting with the dignitaries from Spain, Germany and France this afternoon."
Anna groaned, "That's right. Well, thank you, Donovan. You are dismissed."
Elsa and Anna walked past him. He felt stupid for not bowing to the Queen before she left. It was something he noticed the other staff members doing before leaving her presence. He bowed at the waist, at least until they left his line of vision. He glanced up and noticed Elsa sneaking a glance at him before disappearing around the corner with the Queen. Those two seconds made his heart pound hard and fast, but why? Fear…or was it coming else?
In Anna's office, Anna worked hard on signing the documents while Elsa stood by her window that overlooked the bridge that connected the royal palace to the rest of the kingdom. The memory of encountering Donovan triggered a past memory. More accurately…the day she first arrived in Arendelle to confront the King and Queen in order to flex her divine powers in order to frighten them into submission. All to warn them to leave her alone.
(Fourteen Years Ago)
All of Arendelle began to panic as an unnatural blizzard suddenly appeared around the royal palace and the bridge. At the start of the bridge, a beautiful woman manifested.
"It's Elsa! She has come to kill us all!"
A mother and her five-year-old son were amongst the crowd. The boy impulsively ran for the beautiful figure, not thinking about his own safety and not hearing his mother screaming his name.
Elsa's cold, merciless eyes locked onto the closed gates. She took one step forward, but froze when a hand grabbed her's. She turned around and calmed when she saw it was a boy. His hair brown and his eyes were like chocolate. He was adorable and reminded Elsa of Olaf, bring more pain and anger to her heart.
"You're the goddess Elsa? That's so cool," the boy said with excitement. That shocked Elsa. 'Finally, a mortal who idolizes me,' she thought with an amused and arrogant smile. However, what he said next had a bigger impact on her. "You're very pretty. Can I keep you?"
The storm almost lessened, almost pacified by this random boy. "What's your name, child?" Elsa asked. After she was done here, she would use the knowledge of his name to keep an eye on him to learn more about him.
The boy's mother ripped herself free from the two men who were holding her back to run to her child and snatch him away from Elsa. "Honey, get away from her! Don't tell her your name! She's an evil witch! We have to go!"
"But Mama!" the boy whined as she ran away. Elsa's eyes were locked on his sad ones and his hand reaching out to her. He didn't want to leave. She was a witch in their eyes, yet this small boy didn't fear her. The warmth Elsa felt for the first time in centuries just made her angrier before she made the storm worsen before she turned into snow and violently made her way to the Throne Room.
(Present)
"Elsa!"
Elsa was pulled out of her deep thought by the sound of Anna calling her. She turned to see Anna behind her with concern on her face. "What is it, Anna?"
Anna pointed and Elsa noticed that she covered the window with a thin layer of frost. This startled her and she quickly removed it. The fact that she still does this even though Pitch was gone for good, greatly angered her.
"Something's bothering you," Anna said, "Are you still shaken by the people this morning?"
"No, it's nothing like that. I was just-" She couldn't tell Anna, "I was just remembering a day long ago. I'm fine. Really." She smiled for Anna's benefit but Anna didn't look like she was completely fooled. Anna returned to her desk and Elsa sat in a nice chair on the opposite side of the desk.
Elsa glanced at Anna awkwardly a few times before working up the courage to ask her something very important. "Anna? What can you tell me about Donovan?"
(A/N: There was supposed to be a bit more exploring this new character Donovan, but that'll have to wait until the next chapter since the chapter took longer to write. Two more chapters remain.)