A/N This chapter will be slightly longer then the first as we get into the action.

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Guest reviewer - A big thank you for taking the time to review and glad you're enjoying.

WARNING: Discussion of violence.


Chapter Two

It was just before midday when the townspeople slowly began to trickle into the courtyard, patiently awaiting the arrival of their queen and princess. All were dressed in their finest clothing and armed with either a gift or a bouquet of flowers.

The royal sisters appeared promptly, emerging from the castle and standing hand in hand on the castle steps. Queen Elsa, dressed in a pale purple dress with beaded detail and small ice crystal design across the bodice and hem. It was simple, yet effective as it still made her look as regal as ever. Her platinum blonde locks were styled into her signature French braid. She was the epitome of pure beauty and even after all this time the people still regarded her with wonder and awe.

Princess Anna, wore a pale green skirt, black velvet bodice complete with gold trim and pale blue chiffon off-the-shoulder straps, revealing just enough of her light freckles which complimented her ivory colored skin. Her strawberry blonde hair had been styled into a fancy braid complete with ribbons.

Kristoff followed closely behind, wearing a high collar white silk shirt with black puff tie. A light tan double breasted waistcoat with notched labels. Two front pockets and gold metal buttons. He wore black brushed cotton pants and lastly mid calf black boots. His usual sandy blond hair had been slicked back.

He recalled how Anna had complimented him that morning as she admired his dress code. "Not too shabby Kristoff. You really went all out on this outfit."

"The tailor did a good job, didn't he? I never imagined ever seeing myself wearing something like this. But if I want to spend the rest of my life with you then I'm going to need to get used to looking the part."

"Well I think you're the most handsome ice master and deliverer I've ever seen."

"And you're the most beautiful princess in all the land."

They had then shared an embrace followed by a small kiss.

Anna gave a little wave to the townspeople, before turning to Elsa. "I'm so happy you invited the kingdom to help us celebrate. No stuffy nobles and dignitaries, no pompous little weasels and best of all no egotistical, crazy, murderous prince's attempting a coup."

Elsa laughed. "Do you remember The Duke of Weaseltown?"

"It's Weselton!" Anna joked. She then attempted the best Weaselton impression she could muster. "Like an agile peacock...or my favorite, like a chicken with a face like a monkey...I fly."

"He was very sprightly," Elsa noted as they made their way across the courtyard, passing several rows of decorated tables with fancy ice sculptures placed upon each one. A huge multi-colored banner hung across the entire courtyard which read 'Happy birthday Anna' Off to the side was another row of tables filled with a variety of foods, cakes, and desserts. There was also a huge four tiered cake with blue frosting and a massive chocolate fountain.

Anna couldn't contain her excitement. "Oh, Elsa, you shouldn't have."

"Do you like it?"

"Like it? I love it!" Anna beamed.

Elsa took her sister's hand once more. "Come, let us go greet our people."

"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls," the queen began. "I would like to thank you all for joining us today. This is the first birthday I've had the pleasure of celebrating with my sister since I became queen. I hope though it will be the beginning of many to come."

The crowd erupted into loud roars, claps and cheers.

"Happy birthday, Anna," Elsa said, placing a kiss on her sister's cheek.

"Thank you, Elsa."

When the noise had settled down, Elsa waved her hand, creating a giant snowflake which she sent skyward. Once it was high enough, she waved her hands again causing it to burst, showering the citizens in tiny snow flurries. "Let the celebration begin."

A young child wasted no time in stepping forward, a present gripped in his outstretched hands. "I'm Peter. Happy birthday, Your Highness."

Anna crouched down to his level. "Thankyou, Peter, this is very kind of you."

He moved closer whispering in her ear. "It's a scarf. I saw my mama wrap it."

"Oh really," she murmured, ignoring the fact that he had just ruined the surprise.

Peter nodded emphatically. "Yes. It's green."

"Well that sounds very nice and it's one of my favorite colors too."

After Peter moved aside the rest of the townspeople came forward to greet the princess with either a bow or a curtsy and to wish her a happy birthday. Elsa still remained vigilant, even in the company of her loyal subjects she couldn't afford to lower her guard.

"I want to see magic, I want to see magic," one little girl yelled, gently tugging on Elsa's dress.

"Brigitte!" her mother scolded, an awkward look flashing across her face. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. She didn't mean to be so rude."

"There is nothing to forgive," Elsa replied softly. The queen lowered her gaze towards the child who couldn't have been much older then five or six. She wore two tiny braids, a few light freckles adorned her face and she had cute dimples. Actually she reminded her very much of Anna at that age. "Later, I promise."

"Yah!" Brigitte yelled, bouncing up and down in utter delight.


Monster, murderer.

Not everyone joined in the celebration. One of the townspeople dressed in a hooded cloak and nursing a cup of ale sat alone, isolated from the crowd, glaring at the queen and princess as the commoners continued to surround them.

Even after the queen had thawed the kingdom, it had still eluded him as to why everyone had been so welcoming, so forgiving. A fancy display of magic and an ice rink couldn't possibly make up for cursing the entire kingdom and endangering lives.

He realized now why King Agnar and Queen Iduna had locked the gates and kept the princesses hidden. They knew that their daughter was a monster. They made the right choice in keeping her locked up. It was just a pity they both had to die, thus allowing that abomination to take the throne. He even cursed Prince Hans for his failed assassination attempt. Even a sociopathic prince on the throne was better then a sorceress with unpredictable magic.

He wanted to kill her. How easy would it be for him to walk straight up to her and slit her throat, watch the blood spill from her pale, slender neck. His hand gripped tightly around the hilt of the concealed dagger. He could do it she was at his mercy. There would never be a better time. She deserved it. Who would suspect him? He was an Arendellian and supposedly one of her loyal subjects.

Yet he hesitated. If she were to die now, she would never know the truth. She would never suffer like he had suffered. She would never have the chance to experience the feeling of watching the one person she loves more then anything in this world die before her very eyes. No. He would stick with his original plan.

It had seemingly taken forever for the crowd to disperse, that impatience had crawled up his spine. Finally though the queen and princess were alone and he could finally make his move. He pulled on a pair of black gloves and and casually sauntered over to the princess with a smug smile, subsequently interrupting her incessant chatter to her obvious beau. He lowered his hood and dipped into a bow. "Your Highness. May I present my birthday gift to you." It was a small red box with black ribbon and a large black bow.

Anna looked up at the tall stranger who now wore a strange grin on his face. Despite this she bit her lip and hesitantly took the gift. "Um... I didn't realize there was anyone else."

"Sorry if I was fashionably late. It's just I don't deal well with crowds. I think you'll like the present though. It is to die for."

Kristoff inched closer to Anna, as did Elsa.

He spared a glance at the queen, meeting her icy gaze. She heaved, her chest rising and falling heavily as her stare intensified the longer she kept her eyes on him. He had been tempted to use the dagger again, but a little voice in his head stopped him. The queen deserves to suffer. Instead his face softened briefly. "I'm joking of course."

Although Elsa hadn't taken that joke lightly, Anna was oblivious and smiled at him warmly. "Thankyou..."

"Call me Balimor." Nerves were getting the better of him. How he managed to keep his voice steady, he'd never know.

"Thank you, Balimor."

He lingered there a moment longer, watching waiting. "Well I'd better be going. Enjoy the rest of your party, Your Highness."

Once the man was several paces away, Kristoff turned to Anna. "Call me crazy, but did he give you bad vibes?"

Anna shrugged it off. "Don't be silly, Kristoff. I think he was just nervous."

Elsa though had to agree with the ice master. Something about this man unnerved her. She decided to go after him. "Wait! Please."

Balimor cursed under his breath as he came to a slowing halt. "Yes, Your Majesty." Did the witch suspect something?

"Do I know you? It's just I don't think I recall seeing you before," she said, keeping her voice calm, but stern.

He turned to meet her accusatory glare. "I've been out of town and only recently returned. As I said, I'm more of a loner and I don't usually cohort with the likes of you!" He slapped a hand over his mouth realizing instantly what he just done.

Elsa blinked, before widening her eyes. "Excuse me?! Whatever do you mean? I'm confused."

Just say it. "I mean a witch!" came the bitter reply, his jade green eyes now narrowed into slits.

The queen recoiled. She looked at him in a mixture of annoyance and disbelief. "What did you say?"

"I said witch! Why does that offend you my precious snowflake?" he purred.

Anna's gaze sharpened. She wasn't about to let this man disrespect her sister any longer. She darted in front of Elsa, her face red with anger. "My sister is not a witch, apologize now, right now!"

"Ahh, Princess Anna. Still loyal to a fault, still defending this monster!" he snarled, his voice shaking with barely contained rage. "Sadly it will be your downfall."

Elsa flinched, her icy eyes faltered, and the grip on her hands tightened. Conceal don't feel, conceal don't feel. She silently repeated the manta her father had taught her from when she was a little girl.

Kristoff grabbed Balimor's arm roughly, his fingers tighter then intended. "I believe the princess asked you for an apology."

"I'm not intimated by the likes of you, mountain man. Now take your filthy hands off of me, you swine!"

Two guards steadily approached, swords at the ready, prepared to take action should the queen give her orders.

He raised his hand in mock surrender. "Don't worry I'm leaving!" Balimor's voice was sardonic, his gaze dark. "After all, the deed is done."

"What do you mean the deed is done?" Elsa asked curiously, a knot forming in her stomach.

Whilst her sister questioned the man, Anna suddenly felt hot, a sheen of sweat appearing on her skin. Her face twisted into a grimace as she clutched her stomach. Then as she stumbled backwards she let out a strangled gasp. The present she had been holding fell to the ground, revealing the carcass of a dead rat.

"What the hell?" Kristoff yelped.

"K-Kristoff?!" Anna gasped, trying to catch her breath.

"Anna! Anna, what is it? What's wrong?" Kristoff questioned in a panic-stricken voice.

Before the princess could answer she collapsed to the floor in a crumpled heap, her body convulsing violently and her once vibrant turquoise eyes now glassy, tearful and full of pain.

Elsa's attention immediately turned to her sister. "Anna!" She scrambled to her side, choking out a sob as she gently cradled her in her arms. "You're okay Anna, I'm right here."

"E...Elsa...I-I can't...b-breath!"

"Someone fetch Dr Hambly, immediately!" Elsa ordered, realizing that her sister was in need of medical attention. She inhaled, exhaled, not quite sure what more she could do.

Upon hearing the commotion, Gerda, Kai, and several of the townspeople had rushed to the scene. There were a multiple array of gasps, cries and shocked faces.

"Am I going to die?" Anna asked, calmer then she expected.

Elsa shook her head, offering her sister a reassuring smile, despite the tears. "You're going to be just fine."

"I love you, Elsa," Anna whispered, weakly.

"I love you too, Anna."

A moment asecond passed between them until Anna could no longer focus on her sister's face. She let out a painful gasp before her eyes fluttered closed.

Elsa's frantic screams split the air only to be swallowed by a loud thunderous roar of a cold, bitter wind that had kicked up beside her. The storm was beginning to rage inside of her. Uncontrollable, wild, relentless. Tears streaked down her cheeks and the queen found herself screaming. "NO! ANNA!"


A/N More to come.