Kjekk trotted up the north mountain, but he didn't carry his usual rider. Instead he carried her sister, Queen Elsa, and behind her a larger figure, Prince Nicholas of Glowerhaven.
"So," the Prince asked his traveling companion. "Do you really think it was just coincidental that Kjekk here was the only riding animal available in the stables; and not even a sleigh for him to pull."
Elsa smiled as she added, "And so leaving us no alternative but to ride together on Anna's horse. Yes it does seem convenient." She added. "I'll admit, I don't find it unpleasant."
"Neither do I. I'm just worried that you'll think I'm being too forward."
"Not at all," she answered. "You've shown yourself to be a perfect gentleman. I just have a sister, and a soon to be brother in law, who are hopeless romantics."
"Well," Nicholas said, "He does claim that his family are love experts."
"Kristoff isn't actually one of them. But then I'm not the biggest fan of the trolls, given what they recommended for me."
"To be fair, the way I heard the story, I think your father may have misunderstood what the trolls meant. Maybe he should have let them teach you."
"Hmm," she mused. "Magic tutoring from Pabbie. Well I wouldn't have been cut off from my sister...and I would have grown up knowing Kristoff."
Knowing that he couldn't see the wicked smile on her face she said, "Who knows, he might have ended up with the other sister."
"Yes, I guess that could have happened. Lucky for Anna it didn't."
"And...Lucky for anyone else?" she asked.
Nicholas chuckled. "Well yes," then leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Whatever very fortunate man wins your heart one day."
That sent a shiver through her. She decided that, while she might like to continue this little flirtation, she'd rather save it for later. Maybe after they get to the palace. She switched to a different subject. One that she was curious about anyway.
"So tell me about these other gifts that the fairies gave you. You said abnormal strength, how abnormal?"
"I'm not a real life Hercules. I can't bend prison bars or anything, but..." he paused. "Let's just say anyone you know wouldn't last long in an arm wrestling contest, not even Kristoff."
"You're not being very forthcoming," Elsa complained.
"My parents taught me not to boast. As my father said only a very weak man needs to tell everyone how strong he is."
"Very poetic," She told him, adding, "I like that philosophy. But do you mean to tell me you wouldn't be willing to show your lady companion a little demonstration?"
"Well when you put it that way...But I really can't think of much of a demonstration out here. Maybe we can find something when we get back."
"Ha, okay. I'll hold you to that."
"Just don't try to gather some big crowd please. Keep the spectators to a minimum," He responded.
"It's a deal," she agreed.
Just as they were talking it came into sight. Nicholas looked, amazed, at the sight before him. A perfect crystal palace on the side of the mountain. It looked like something from a dream.
Wanting to see Nicholas' reaction, Elsa turned her head toward him. He sat straight, eyes wide and gaze transfixed at her creation. Elsa felt her face go flush and her heart soar with pride at his expression.
"You like?" she asked.
Nicholas nodded as he found his voice. "Yes... It's incredible. I can't wait to see from the inside."
She felt giddy at his admiration of her work; Work she considered an outward expression of her true self. Suddenly she couldn't wait to give him a tour of it.
As they approached she told him about the day she created the palace. The sense of freedom. No more 'conceal don't feel' NO! She just let it go. She slammed her foot down and poured all that she had felt, all that was inside of her, into what she, at that point, had intended to be her new home. Nicholas listened in rapt attention as she opened up like never before.
Soon they arrived at the palace. Nicholas dismounted and then helped Elsa down. He lifted her as though she weighed nothing. She supposed to him she didn't.
Elsa took his hand and led him across the bridge to her ice palace.
"So, what do you think?" Elsa asked as they entered the palace.
"Kristoff wasn't kidding about how incredible this is. It's stunning... beautiful." He turned to her and added, "Just like its creator."
'Oh wow' Elsa thought to herself. She wasn't sure how to answer a comment like that. She was amazed at how she and Nicholas were just fitting with each other. Was this how it was with Anna and Kristoff? She had felt some envy. Could she have something like what Anna and Kristoff had...Could Nicholas be the one she could have it with?
She was taken from her thoughts when Nicholas took her hand, again, and asked, "Please, show me the rest."
She gave him a big smile and said, "With pleasure," as she led him up the stairs.
She took him to the dining room, the throne room, and even had a brief dance in the ball room, providing their own music of course.
After that they got to the balcony; the room where Elsa fought the guards. The evidence of the fight was still present.
"Not my proudest moment," Elsa said.
"Why? You were defending yourself. One woman against several armed guards, I'd say you did a pretty good job."
"They still won. I guess I lived only because Hans wasn't ready to kill me yet."
"No training in combat. I think you did better than most would." He then added. "Although seeing this," he said looking at the sheet of ice with an arrow embedded in it. One that he knew had come inches from hitting Elsa. "I'd really like to get my hands around his neck."
Elsa saw the look in his eyes when he said that. His eyes really did look like they had flash frozen, and the tone in his voice sent a chill down even her spine.
"Easy there my good Prince. I'm fine, Anna's fine, calm down." His look softened as he turned to her.
"I'm sorry." His tone suddenly gentle again. "I've come to care very much for you and your sister in the short time I've been here; and the thought of what could have happened..."
"It's okay. Come let me show you the great hall and my quarters."
He followed her. The great hall was as incredible as the rest of the palace. Then they went to the Queens quarters.
She sad on the side of the bed, made of ice and snow like everything else, and patted the spot next to her to.
"You know I was worried for a minute there, that YOU were going to lose control."
Nicholas grinned slightly. He had been wondering how he'd bring this subject up, but now Elsa had done it.
"Oh don't worry about that," he paused. "By the way how are you doing with control?"
"I've been doing okay," she answered. "I don't need the gloves anymore."
"Elsa," he said. "You never needed the gloves. What you need is confidence. The gloves gave you the confidence that you wouldn't lose control and so you didn't."
She looked at him skeptically. Then he took something out of his pocket.
"Where did you get those?" she asked as she saw one of her old pairs of gloves.
"Gerda gave them to me when I told her I wanted to have this talk with you." He handed them to her and said, "So you think those contained your magic? Elsa, how did you start building this palace?"
"I stomped my foot down."
He nodded and then did something she didn't expect. He reached down and took hold of her ankle, bringing it to his lap. He then took her shoe off. He then handed the shoe to her.
"So look at those and tell me which is thicker?"
She saw his point. She answered in a tone like a child being taken to task. "The shoes."
Nodding, he responded. "Yes, if they can't block your magic, the gloves certainly can't. You believed you had control, so you did. When you doubted it, you lost control."
"Okay I see your point. No, uh how about putting my shoe back on."
"Alright, if you insist." With a smile he took the shoe. But just before he slipped it on a mischievous thought came to him. He set the shoe down next to him.
"One other thing I need to know first."
"And what is that?" She said in mock irritation.
"Elsa, this is important," he said, a sincere expression on his face. "I need to know...Are you ticklish?"
"What? Ahahaha! Stahap."
He did stop. After all he just wanted to tease, not torment. He put her shoe on as Elsa caught her breath.
She looked for a moment like she was trying to decide if she was angry, but her look softened. "Apparently the answer is yes, you wicked man," she told him.
"Apparently?" He said, adding. "You mean you didn't know until just now?"
"Well no. I never played those silly child's games. Not after the accident," she told him with a slight look of regret.
"I thought that might be the case. No games of tag or hide and seek?" He asked.
"No, not after the accident. I was only eight then, and Anna was only five."
"Well," he said getting up. Elsa stood up to. She was starting to learn his expressions and that same mischievous look was back. She slowly stepped back as he slowly walked toward her "I guess," he said raising his hands and wiggling his fingers as she continued to back up, giggling the whole time. "Then you need to make up for lost time...Starting," He lunged at her, "NOW!"
Elsa turned and ran, laughing the whole time.
Gone was the dignified, mature monarch; replaced by a kid just having fun, playing like she hadn't since she was eight years old. She could almost believe that, if she looked in a mirror just then, she would see that eight year old girl looking back.
Behind her, a playmate chased her.
They ran through every room in the palace, up and down many stairs. The contrast between now and the last time she had run up those stairs had not escaped her. Then, she ran in fear of her life. Now, she ran to evade tickle torture. The delightful absurdity of it brought on more laughter.
She knew it would come down to stamina. And she was pretty sure he would outlast her...Well, she thought, maybe she kind of wanted to be caught.
Sometime later a rider approached the palace. "Just like the Princess said," the rider said to himself when he saw the Queens creation.
He arrived at the ice bridge. He walked across and called out.
"QUEEN ELSA. YOUR MAJESTY ARE YOU IN THERE?"
Of course, she was and she heard. She and Nicholas stepped out on the balcony that they had just repaired to see one of Arnedelle's guards. She knew she looked a little disheveled and was a little concerned that the guard might get the wrong idea.
"YES, WE'RE COMING DOWN." She turned to her companion. She wasn't thinking of him as a visitor anymore. "Looks like playtime's over." She said with a hint of regret.
"Got to grow up sometime," he said.
She rewarded him with what he was sure was the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen.
They did what they could to look more presentable as they descended the stairs. When they got to the entrance the Queen asked, "What's the problem sergeant?"
"We have visitors...From Weselton."
