Kristoff held Sven's reigns lightly. The Reindeer knew the way between the Troll valley and the royal palace of Arendelle. No guidance was needed.

Next to Kristoff sat a beautiful young girl with platinum blonde hair and crystal blue eyes, the girl that Krsitoff now considered his best friend.

"Looking forward to getting back to your family?" Kristoff asked.

"Yes, I am. Especially Anna."

"Yeah, you'll have some new tricks to show her with your powers to." He paused. "She's what, nine now?"

"Yup," Elsa answered. "Had a birthday just before I left last time." She added. "You need to stay for classes this time. Gerda says you're doing well. And Anna missed you at her birthday party."

"The Trolls teach me to. I probably know more languages than most royals."

"Yes but don't you enjoy your time at the palace?" Elsa retorted. Before he could answer she added. "Also father says he has a surprise for you when he sees you next."

Seeing the trepidation look on his face she said. "He seems pretty sure you'll like it."

He turned to look at her. "You know what it is, don't you?"

She looked at him smugly. "Yes, but you'll have to talk to him, because," she continued with a sing song tone, "I'm not gonna tell you."

"Oh, you won't?" he said, as he let go of the reigns and reached around to her sides, squeezing lightly.

"Haha, Noho." she said as she squirmed and tried to hold back laughter. "Nohahat eheeheeven if you torture mehehehe."

"Tell me...You'd better talk. I'm not gonna stop."

"NEHEHHEVER!" She said attempting to sound defiant through her laughter.

Then they saw the bridge to the city and ended their play session. Elsa added. "The Princess is saved from the evil ice harvester."

He nodded his head. "For now, Princess. But you haven't seen the last of me." He said in the most melodramatic tone he could manage.

She chuckled. "Well I certainly hope not."

Soon they arrived at the palace. Elsa got out of the sled to meet her waiting parents. The King called out to Kristoff. "Young man, come to the courtyard as soon as you've made Sven comfortable."

"Yes, your Majesty."

Kristoff got Sven in the barn. The stable boy brought some food for the reindeer, including some carrots. Then Kristoff went to the courtyard as he had been instructed.

Once he arrived he was greeted by Anna running up to him and putting her arms around him.

"Kristoff! Come on, come on. Papa has something for you. I missed you as much as I missed Elsa. When are you going to take me to see the trolls?"

Darn she's cute. You just can't talk to her and not smile. Kristoff thought to himself.

Anna led him over to where Elsa was already standing with her parents. He stopped and addressed the King.

"Sire, you wanted to see me?"

With a warm, fatherly smile King Agdar answered. "Kristoff my boy. You know you don't have to be so formal. But yes."

He unraveled a cloth and presented Kristoff with a sword. Not full size, after all he was still only twelve years old, but a sword none the less.

"Now of course this isn't a real weapon. You'll see that it has no edge and the tip is blunted. It's a training weapon. If you're going to spend time with my daughters then you had better know how to protect them, as a young Prince should."

That was an odd thing to say. Kristoff thought. "Sire...I mean sir, I'm not a Prince."

"Oh no? Tell me again young man. Who is your grandfather?"

"Grand Pabbie is sir."

Agdar nodded. "And Grand Pabbie is..."

Kristoff saw where he was going and answered. "The chief of the trolls."

"That's right and you're his adopted grandson. Isn't that right.. Prince Kristoff?"

Kristoff gave in. Although he still thought it was different since he was an adopted grandson. "You could look at it that way."

"Alright, that's settled." The King said as he presented Kristoff with the sword and sheath. "And one day you will have a real one. You will knell before me and you will become Sir Kristoff."

Both girls seemed excited at that thought.

"Now," the Queen said, "You will dine with us tonight and tomorrow you will train with the captain of the guards." She bent over and gave him a kiss on the forehead.

Several months later the royal couple called their servants Kai and Gerda in, as well as Captain William. As this would also concern Kristoff's education and Elsa's progress getting control of her powers, the chief of the Trolls was also invited. Kristoff had brought him in that morning.

The King addressed Kai and Gerda. "How are the children doing academically?"

Gerda answered. "All three are doing well, at or above where I would expect at their ages. Of course each has strong points and weak points."

Kai spoke. "The boy's manners have certainly improved since we started teaching him. He no longer wants to share carrots with his animal"

He then voiced a question that had been puzzling him since he'd met the boy. "If I may ask Sire, why are you so interested in this young man? He has a family so I assume that you don't intend to take him in. If you did, it could jeopardize Elsa's claim to the right of succession."

"It's very simple, Kai," the King said. He has a bond with our girls. He will almost certainly be a part of their lives when they grow up. No doubt he will at least be a confidant, an adviser to them. Possibly even have a position in the royal court. He will need to be competent to do that."

"Possibly more than that," Gerda added. "The girls are both quite fond of him. As they get older, it's not unlikely that his relationship with one of them will grow beyond friendship. He could well become your son in law; if I may be so bold as to point it out."

Queen Idun smiled knowingly. She had grown attached to Kristoff and had brought this same thing up with her husband sometime back. Truthfully, she wouldn't mind at all if things went that way. She was already thinking of him as a son anyway.

"That had occurred to us. If so, all the more important that he has a proper education."

King Agdar nodded. "Quite true." He wasn't ready to talk about his daughter's romantic futures just yet. 'Is any father EVER ready for that,' he thought to himself. He brought the subject back to education.

"Captain, how are Kristoff's lessons going?"

"Very well. His time surviving in the mountains is serving him well. He has amazing stamina and strength for his age. He has done well in swordsmanship but also uses his pickax in combat. His marksmanship with both a bow and riffle are also good. Though, he seems to do better with close in weapons."

"Good," The King said and then he turned to Grand Pabby. "Sir, how has Elsa been doing with her powers?"

"I'm very pleased to tell you that she is doing quite well. She has overcome her fear of her powers that stemmed from the accident with Anna. The support she's received from her family and Kristoff has been immensely helpful. I anticipate no further problems regarding them. Now that she can control them, we are teaching her to use them constructively and for self-defense if needed."

Gerda then brought up a different subject that had been on her mind.

"We have another subject to teach them now that Elsa has control of herself. Social situations. They all have good table manners but royal balls being a common social affair, I think it's time for them to learn how to interact with larger groups. And none of the children even know how to dance.

"I'm sure you and Kai can take care of that." The King told her.