~Elsa's POV~

"Are you sure you want to invite the Vampires of Transylvania and the Ogres of Farfarawae?" Asks my most trusted adviser, Kai, as he proof read the letters I had written to our guests. "I don't mean to question your judgment, your Majesty, but...they don't exactly sound safe. Even the Cavemen and Vikings sound safer than these...creatures."

I understood his worry and find myself nodding as I continued to look at my father's portrait. "I share your worry too, Kai, but it's very important that we increase our number of allies. No matter who or what they may be. You know as well as I do that we need more."

I couldn't see him, but I knew he nodded. "I understand, your Majesty, and forgive me for pushing, but...are you really wanting to put our kingdom at risk? We don't know anything about Farfarawae since we've never been allies with them, and your father ended the alliance with Transylvania as soon as he found out about them being vampires-"

"But before his discovery," I jump in, hoping to ease his worry, as well as mine, "Arendelle was allies with Transylvania for years with no record of dead bodies or missing people showing up. And If I do recall correctly, my grandfather was rather fond of Lord Dracula. And besides," I turn around to face my most trusted and beloved servant, "the whole vampire and ogre thing could all be just an assumption. From what I've heard, Grandfather Runeard doesn't sound like the type of man who would willingly put his trust in vampires."

No, he sounds like the type of man who would hunt them down and kill them for fun.

"Father has also never met the Transylvanian royals before," I continue, still trying to defend my choice, "he's heard of what they looked like through his father and has asked about them to locals during his travels, but he's never actually met them. He saw connections and made the assumption of vampirism. The same can be said about the ogre royals in Farfarawae. A rumor was spread that the princess was an ogre, therefore making them all orgres, but we don't really know that for sure."

I sigh, the lack of sleep making my eyes feel heavy. I didn't sleep at all last night and I'm sure Kai knows it. "Look, Kai, our own people probably have assumptions about me and I...I would like it if they gave me a chance. I want to do the same for our guests. And...should they really be a threat..." I look down at my hands, covered in a pair of gloves that matched my outfit. "...I'll take care of it."

I'm just not sure if that means using my powers to fight them, which I have no idea how to do, or if it means I'd succumb to their conditions to secure peace, whatever they may be. For the vampires, they might turn me into their blood-slave. That is, if they really are vampires.

I believe they are, and so does Kai. He believes in all magic and its creatures, it's why he was my parent's favorite servant, so of course if my father deems something supernatural, Kai is going to believe it. So am I. Father had the ability to be very persuasive. However, just because we believe that these royals are vampires and ogres, it doesn't mean that we're right. It really could be just be one big misunderstanding. One big assumption.

A part of me hopes that it is, and yet a really messed up part of me hopes for them to be what we believe them to be.

It'd be nice having guests that...are a little bit like me.

Different.

"Very well, your Majesty," says Kai with the brief nod of his head. "I believe and put my trust in you. Shall I send the letters out now?"

"Yes, that would be great." I say with a nod before turning my back to him, back around to face the large painting of my father. "And if you don't mind, I'd also appreciate it if I am not bothered for the rest of the day. There is much rest I need to catch up on."

"Of course." He says. "I shall tell the rest of the staff. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

My eyes never left the eyes of my father as I shook my head. "No, that is all. Thank you."

I see him bow from the corner of my eye and without a second thought he heads for the door and leaves, leaving me alone with only my raging thoughts to keep me company.

"This is it," I say to myself, hoping to gather some confidence. "If they accept your invitation, you're going to have many worlds colliding. You're going to be going against father and grandfather. You're going to mend the broken bonds and be the Queen Arendelle needs you to be. You're doing the right thing. You're mending the bonds."

Because the majority of the broken alliances were done out of selfishness.

Grandfather ended our alliance with Berk because of their dragon problem becoming too expensive on our end. His reasoning was that their damage was costing us too much. So his selfishness led him to break the alliance off.

Money was also a factor in him breaking off ties with Dun'Broch, a kingdom in Scotland that's not exactly the richest. He broke it off with them because of how poor they are, saying that they are not beneficial enough.

The people of Tumaro reached out to us first, begging for an alliance, to be taught the ways of technology, which they didn't have, but because of their savage ways and attire, grandfather saw them as a waste of time and money. (Money seems to be a trend here.)

With Avalor, when the kingdom needed him most during their battle with a witch named Shuriki, he turned their back on them, not wanting to be caught up in magic.

Which is why I'm shocked that he forged an alliance with the Northuldra. According to father's story that he told to Anna and I years ago, which was on the same night as the accident, Grandfather Runeard allied himself with the Northuldra people, people who lived in harmony with magic, and who attacked them for no reason.

Just as father wondered, I wonder too. Why did they attack for no reason when all Grandfather wanted was peace?

And why did he associate himself with them, with magic, when he didn't want to be involved with magic at all with Avalor? Is it because they were at war? Most likely. In father's story, it was grandfather who wanted to establish peace, so for whatever reasons it was for his benefit. Helping Avalor wouldn't have been beneficial for him. And as karma would have it...things with the Northuldra didn't go his way.

Anyway, it makes sense why father was so obsessed with magic and why he was also weary of it too. For years I thought it was because of my powers and how they came to be, but after listening to his story and growing wiser, I realize his obsession was because magic killed his father. He became obsessed about it and it's creatures after the death of his father, but I never knew if there was a goal to it. Did he want to learn how to harness power, get rid of it, or to live in harmony with it like the Northuldra did? Did he think of me during his studies? Was his main goal to help me?

My heart swells at the thought.

Whatever his reason, his studies are what helped saved Anna. How else did he know of the trolls had it not been for him reading up on them? His studies and his findings are why he ended the alliance with Transylvania. Like I said to Kai, he saw connections and came up with an assumption that's probably not true. They're most likely people who love the Gothic arts.

If they accept my invite, then I suppose I shall find out the truth soon.

And I really really hope they accept.

If they are vampires, then we have a powerful (and scary) ally, and if they aren't then we still have an ally to add to the list. Beggars can't be choosers.

Moving on to Farfarawae. Farfarawae is a land of magic too, just like the Northuldra, but Arendelle was never allied with them. Ever. They were a possibility that grandfather never got around to because he wanted to focus on the Northuldra and their magic first. After them, it was his plan to reach out to Farfarawae second, but he died before getting that far. And when it was my father's time as King, he didn't want to risk it, especially since it was rumored that the princess is an ogre, which then led to the assumption of the whole family being made of ogres.

Father didn't want to associate himself with a magical land full of magical beings, just like his father did before him with the Northuldra. He didn't want to face the same fate my grandfather did. Magic...it can't be trusted.

Which makes me wonder if he ever trusted me. I know he loved me, but did he ever trust me? If he did, I broke it when I hurt Anna in the throne room. I know that for sure. But what about my aunt and uncle? The King and Queen of Corona. Queen Arianna is his sister, my aunt. Did he not trust them too? Why not? They know of my powers, so why did he break off ties with them after the accident? The only reasonable explanation I can come up with is because he wanted to keep them safe.

From me.

I shake my head and shift my thoughts to something else, drowning away any negativity.

The last kingdom on the special list of guests is Motunui. Now Motunui is especially special because it was them who ended their alliance with Arendelle years before my grandfather's reign. They broke the alliance because they simply didn't want to voyage and trade anymore. Simple as that. Father and grandfather had nothing to do with them. Whoever was ruling at the time had nothing to do with it, and honesty...I'm relieved.

I heard word that they're voyaging again, and I hope that since they are now going back to their roots that they'll accept the invitation and are willing to trade again.

I hope.

I stick my hands inside the secret pockets of my dress and when my left hand comes in contact with an envelope, my eyes widen. How could I have forgotten? This letter is the one that kept me up the most last night. This is the letter that I'm going to be delivering myself.

"I might as well get it over with," I say out loud, taking note of the shakiness in my voice due to nerves. How embarrassing. I hope my nerves don't get the better of me.

Without a second thought, I'm heading back to my father's desk, my desk now, and I'm opening up one of the drawers, revealing two teleportation snow-globes given to me by North. I pick one up and carefully put it in the same pocket with the envelope. After I do that, the second snow-globe is in my shaking hands.

Every inch of me is trembling and it's all because I'm going to be meeting Mother Nature, the only Guardian I haven't met. I hope she won't be angry with my sudden visit. Will she kick me out? Will she even let me speak? Will I even see her at all? Will she be there?

Only one way to find out.

I put my shaking hands to use and shake the globe.

"Moonhaven Palace," I say to it, and watch as the water inside of the globe transformed into an image of Queen Tara's kingdom. Or what I think is her kingdom. I've never seen it before, so I wouldn't really know what it looks like. From what I can see in the glass ball, it definitely look like a kingdom that would belong to her.

Composing myself one more time, I do the last step, and throw it against the wall, just as I was instructed to do. When the snow-globe hits the wall, I expected to hear the sound of glass, but instead a much louder sound is heard, followed by a bright light.

I jump back in fright at this, my hands tingling at almost releasing my powers, and my eyes squinting at the bright light. When they adjust to the brightness, they stare into the loud, bright, and swirling portal that's painted on the wall.

"Whoa," I breathe out, no longer fearful. My feet remained glued in their spot, unsure if I should continue, and after much conflict between my heart and brain, I find my feet hesitantly moving forward, toward the portal.

When I'm directly in front of it, I slowly bring my hand forward to touch it. From the way it looks, one would expect it to hurt, to burn or sting, but instead it felt like the wind. It felt...pleasant.

"You can do this," I say to myself, ignoring my nerves. "She's Mother Nature. There's nothing to be scared of. She's a Guardian. She's magic. Like you. She's...a friend." And with that being said, I close my eyes and...

I walk through the portal.

And when I make it to the other side, I'm greeted with people in green outfits made of leaves, surrounding me, and pointing their very sharp arrows at me.

Shit.

I should have thought this through.

The man closest to me is the first to speak. "Who are you and what business do you have in Moonhaven?"

I gulp under his stare and stammer out my reply. "I-I'm Princess Elsa. Soon to be Queen of Arendelle. I-I've come to talk to Queen Tara, or...Mother Nature as my kind knows her as." I stop talking, hoping it would be enough for him to know that I'm not a threat and to my surprise it works.

The man's eyes widen and he signals for his soldiers to lower their weapons, not even saying a word. With their weapons down, he says to me in a much nicer manner, "Forgive me, your Majesty for not realizing sooner. It's been a while since I last saw you."

Confused, I say: "Wait, what? We've met before?"

"Well, I've met you, but you haven't met me." He says, smiling a friendly smile. "My name is Ronin. General Ronin of the Leafmen. I used to watch over your kingdom when you were younger."

I almost choked on my own spit at his words. "Wait, what?!" I exclaim in an unqueenly manner, which causes my face to heat up in embarrassment.

"Tara will explain," Ronin answers, but his eyes were clouded over with uncertainty. "That is...if she even wants to speak with you. You arriving is definitely unexpected. She has a thing with-"

"Not wanting to be seen by mortals," I interrupt without meaning to. Geez, I need to get a grip. I'm losing all of my mannerisms. "I don't know if you know Jack Frost, he's a Guardian like Queen Tara is, but he told me all about how she doesn't like it when mortals see her when it's not necessary. She fears that something bad will come of it."

General Ronin nods. "Indeed, and since you know of this," he pauses, probably to think of the right words, "why is it that you've come? Surely the thought of her not wanting to see you has crossed your mind?"

"It has," I answer honestly, nodding my head and remembering the letter and invitation I have in the envelope that's in my dress pocket. "But the reason why I've come is because...well...I do suppose that's something I should discuss with her. If she'll have me. Let's just say I'm in desperate need for her aide. I wouldn't be here if that wasn't the case."

Ronin nods again and I liked how he didn't question me any further. "Very well. Let us go then. As far as I'm aware, my Queen is free this afternoon, so you've come at a perfect time." He extends his elbow out for me to take, and for a moment I'm tempted to link my arm with him.

But then I remember my curse and how badly it wants to be released because of how badly my nerves are provoking it. The last thing I want to do is freeze this entire kingdom. "Thank you," I start as I elegantly fold my arms over my torso, trying not to hug myself, "but I'd rather keep to myself if you don't mind."

To my surprise, General Ronin's eyes glance down to my gloved hands, as if he knows what they can do. "As you wish," he says, then starts to walk towards the gates of the kingdom, which I realize are made of twigs. "Follow me, your Majesty."

And follow him I do.

I tried to keep my gaze ahead of me, to be as regal and sophisticated as a Queen is supposed to be, but the more we walked through the kingdom of plants, the more I found myself staring. This place is incredible! Bees, butterflies, and birds of all species flew above us, as big as horses, and just like horses they had riders. The majority of the riders are Leafmen, specifically the castle guards since they wore uniforms similar to the soldiers I had met by the gates, but there were some riders who were plants. Actually living plants! With faces!

The sight made me laugh in astonishment.

"See something funny, princess?" Asks Ronin with an amused smile.

Blushing, I say, "Not funny, just...amazing. This place is incredible! It's my first time leaving my castle and I'm just so blown away. It's everything Jack said it would be, but better! It doesn't look like anything I have ever conjured up in mind."

"You and him are close, I assume?" Asks Ronin, and I feel like he doesn't really care, he's just trying to conversate, which I'm grateful for. Awkward silences are the worst.

"We used to be," I admit, pushing away feelings of guilt and sadness. But still my heart ached. "We haven't talked to each other in a year, and it's for the best. Did you know him?"

Ronin groans and says, "Know him? He's pretty much Queen Tara's son."

"So that would make him a prince then?" I wonder out loud, more to myself then asking a legitimate question.

I always knew he was close to Queen Tara, but I never realized that he's her son in a way, therefore indirectly making him the Prince of Moonhaven. The romantic in me is making my heart race at the thought of Jack in princely attire that would match my princess attire, and I quickly shake the ridiculous thought away. He might look good in my head, but let's be honest. He'd look horrible dressed in Royal Arendelle fashions. But what about Moonhaven clothing? No, he wouldn't look good then either. Green isn't his color at all.

But the coloring of royal clothes isn't what makes a person a royal. There's so much more to it, and Jack doesn't have it.

He's just not meant to carry so much responsibility.

But can I?

No, what am I saying? Of course I can. It's my duty. It's my birthright. I was born to be Queen. Ruling Arendelle is what I was meant to do. It's why I was born. Father needed an heir and that's what I am. I will not let him down.

"No," Ronin says, laughing, "definitely not. The day Queen Tara declares Jack a prince is the day I quit being her General and move. Back to you though, you said you haven't talked to Jack in a year and that it's for the best. Why is that?"

"It just is." I answer, not wanting to dive into details with a man I just met.

And luckily, he didn't pry on the matter. Ronin is intimidating for sure, but then again everyone here is. Even the cute flower people. I haven't been surrounded by this many people in years. It's very overwhelming. Ronin is, however, also friendly and knows boundaries. This still doesn't mean I should tell him everything. But if all of Tara's Leafmen Soldiers are this well-mannered then I'd like for us to be allies even more.

A soldier who knows kindness and respect is just as strong and valuable as a soldier who knows the ways of combat.

"You don't need to worry about your powers, by the way." Ronin says after a moment of silence, sending my powers bristling in my veins. "You're only two inches tall. If you froze Moonhaven, Queen Tara will simply grow herself to Stomper size and enlarge the plant life covered in ice to break it off. As for snow and frost, that can easily be melted or swept away."

"How did you know about my powers?" I ask, followed by: "And what's a Stomper?"

"A Stomper is what we call humans like you," Ronin says, eyes ahead on the path to the palace, "And as I mentioned earlier, I used to guard Arendelle. I've witnessed your powers a plethora of times. All of our guards have. You've never noticed because we were either our regular size or because we were your sized but glamoured."

And just like that...

I'm creeped out.

"I...you...but why?" I manage to ask after much trouble.

"We were ordered too. That's why." Ronin answers, keeping it simple. But this is far from simple.

"For what reason?" I ask and I suddenly felt like my sister, asking all these questions. How can I possibly stay quiet though? This is information I need to know. Information I wish I had already known.

I wonder if Jack has known about them. He must have because of his relation with Queen Tara. Is this another secret that he's kept from me this entire time? What more is there?

Ronin stops in his tracks, making me do the same, and looks at me in confusion, which only makes me confused too. "What do you mean, for what reason? You really don't know? I figured you'd know by now."

"Know what?" I say, worried, which causes frost to coat the tips of my fingers from inside my gloves.

Conceal it, Elsa, I say to myself, urging my power down while wondering at the same time. What is it that I'm supposed to know?

"About-" Ronin starts, but he cuts himself off quickly and sighs. "Forget it. It's best if you don't know."

My curiosity is intrigued, but I did not pry for more information, no matter how badly I want to know it. I know exactly what it's like keeping something from someone because it's the best thing for them, and yet...I hate not knowing. What was he going to say? Is it really best if I don't know?

I kept my mouth shut as we marched on, and luckily we didn't have much longer to go. Up ahead was a mountain-like structure that probably would have come up to my thigh if I was in my normal "Stomper' size as they call it, but as a being who is only 2 inches tall, the mountain is huge! And falling from it is a beautiful waterfall that feeds the spring below it. Upon seeing the spring water, my eyes land on the trees surrounding us, and that's when I realized.

This kingdom is hidden. It's hidden by the tress that are grown on the tops of the rock pinnacles which are surrounding the kingdom like protective sentinels.

Amazing.

The rest of our journey is done in silence as he leads me inside the palace, which is really the mountain. We passed by a lot of guards whose eyes widened at the sight of me, and I couldn't help but blush at their gazes. How many guards know of me exactly? Of what I can do? All of them? What must be going on through their minds?

Do they see a cursed girl with the ability to freeze them where they stand?

A threat to their kingdom.

Does Ronin see a threat?

He knows what I can do and yet...he's not afraid.

Perhaps that's because he knew me as a child.

Jack...he was never afraid of me.

Not even when I almost hurt him last year during out argument.

I wonder what he's doing right now. I wonder where he's at right now. Is he thinking about me?

A disturbing thought suddenly comes to me, causing my eyes to widen and for my heart to skip a beat. It's me who stops in my tracks this time and everything feels tight. Way too tight. The beat of my heart is racing within seconds and I'm finding it hard to breathe as panic fills me.

Ronin realizes I'm not next to him and turns around with a worried look. "Princess Elsa? Are you alright?"

He couldn't tell because of the gloves, but I knew just by the feeling that the entirety of my hands are covered in frost at the thought that is currently making me sick. "I...I can't," I whisper, so low he probably doesn't hear.

But he does. "Can't what, your Majesty?"

But I don't answer him. Instead I fumble for the envelope in my pocket, being careful not to drop the snow-globe, my only way home. With the envelope now in my hand, I extend it outward for him to take, my shaking visible.

"What-" Ronin starts, but I cut him off.

"Please, just take it," I say, as I put it in his hand, desperate to return home. "Give it to the Queen. I wrote it for her just in case I wouldn't be able to talk to her." I'm stepping away from him then and carefully digging out the snow-globe.

"Wait, your Majesty-" Ronin starts, but I ignore him as I tell the globe my destination. I'm then shaking and throwing it before Ronin could form anymore words.

"I'm so sorry for the inconvenience," I tell him, embarrassed and wanting to get the hell out of there. I run through the portal without a second thought, ignoring his calls for me to wait. He had plenty of time to follow me through the portal, but luckily for him he's a smart man and knew better.

When the portal closes behind me, I quickly take off my gloves, throwing them aside on the floor of my bedroom, and place my hands on the mattress of my bed, releasing the magic within me that is begging for release. And the pleasure at finally letting go was so strong that it actually made me moan out loud in relief. If anyone had walked by my room and heard that moan, their thoughts most certainly went to a dirty place, and honesty...I don't care. I'm too emotional to care.

And when I'm done, the power in my veins satisfied, my bed is partially covered in ice and partially covered frost, and the sight...

Well it makes me cry.

"Damn it, Elsa," I curse at myself as I wipe my tears away. "You were doing so well. You made a fool of yourself. He probably wasn't even there."

But what if he was?

Jack and Mother Nature are close, their relationship equal to a mother and son.

So what if he was there with her?

This is the thought that had went through my mind a moment ago. The thought that had sent me into a panic.

I may want to reunite with Jack, but I am nowhere near ready for it. I still need time. If I was ready, I wouldn't have reacted the way I did. How does one even know if they're ready to reunite with the person they love, but who has also caused them pain?

Because I genuinely don't think I'll ever be ready to meet him again, no matter how much I want it.

And since that's the case, then the only thing I can really do is let him go and move on.

But...

I can't.

I don't know how.

And I probably never will.

.

.

.

A.N: I just want to let y'all know that I added some stuff to some of the previous chapters. It's not important to the plot (at least I don't think so. It's mostly dialogues and thoughts that I added) so you I don't think you have to reread. I'd also like to say that if a character feels OOC, just remember that this a multi-crossover ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. That's why I love AU's so much because whenever you accidentally write a character OOC you can just blame it on the AU setting *nervous laughter* Anyway, I hope this chapter didn't suck too much.

Also I fucking love that Elsa already loves Jack. If you read the previous chapters, you'll know that he's in a little bit of a denial about his love for her. MUTUAL PINING IS DELICIOUS! I can't wait for it hehehehe. Anyway, sorry for any typos and thank you for reading. Stay tuned for more! ^_^

*Ronin is from Epic (2013)*