Chapter 6

The queen sat on a small padded bench in front of a beauty mirror, brushing her long platinum blonde hair getting ready for the day; when she jumped frightened by a knock abrupted on the door, Elsa placed her brush down.

"Who is it?" Elsa asked, knowing it couldn't have been Gerda she was down with a cold as well Kai. Elsa frowned, worried about her two loyal severance that been around before the incident with Anna.

"It's Anna, may I come in?" Anna asked.

"Come in." Elsa said sweetly to her little sister, Elsa turned back towards the mirror; going back to brushing her hair when her ears picked up the set of running feet. Elsa immediately stopped what she was doing but was too late to stop her sister from leaping at her causing them both to fall to the ground, feeling the tight embrace of her little sister. Anna moved away a bit still hugging her sister and gave her big goofy grin.

"Morning." Anna said with glee, Elsa propped herself to her elbows staring at her sister.

"Good morning Anna. You know you are a major goofball, do you think you could give me a hug instead of tackling me to the ground; first thing in the morning."

"Yeah, but then it wouldn't be any fun." Anna gave her big sister a joyful smile that's a picture of innocence, poking her nose in the process..

"Huh," Elsa sighed still being pinned underneath her younger more rambunctious sister. "Anna, do you think you can remove yourself from me, please."

"Oh, right." Anna stood up and backed away from her sister, giving Elsa enough room to stand; Elsa rose from the floor, straightening out her nightgown. "Sorry, guess I should've been more subtle. But aren't you excited for Christmas!" Anna practically yelled so though whole castle would hear, and hear the joy in tone.

"Yes, I am overjoyed." Elsa chuckled, going back to sit back down on her bench reaching for the brush on the bench.

"Oh," Anna took the hilt of the brush before the queen shocking her quite a bit, Elsa grinned muttering something under her breath. Accepting Anna's help when she began to brush her hair. "I cannot wait for christmas, all the gifts, party games. Will also have two men joining us, my lovely fiancee Kristoff and your darling boyfriend Nathan; also the decorations. Like the tree covered in ornaments, the wreath… The mistletoe." Anna whispered the last part all so lightly glancing away from her older sister for a brief moment, turning back to see Elsa redden face.

"Mistletoe." Elsa stuttered, knowing where Anna was getting at; clearing out her throat, turning her head to stare intently in her turquoise eyes. "Anna, what are you planning?"Elsa inquired, crossing her arms.

"Nothing." Anna backed away with a wide grin and her hands up, backing away towards the door; Elsa stood, her expression serious.

"Anna?" Elsa took a couple steps forward before Anna was out the door. "Was that it?" Elsa went back to the stool, sitting back down giving a heavy sigh; placing a hand on her cheek thinking what her sister had said to her. Mistletoe. The words rang through her head, Elsa drifted off.


Elsa sat one ground on the ground in the library, in front of the dazzling flames of the fireplace and the candles that illuminated the room enough to show her scarlet dream dress with green trimming to design mistletoes. Gasping when she felt a cloak hit her shoulders as well as a gentle yet strong hand, Elsa's face flushed red as she glanced up and her heart fluttered to see her boyfriend standing there with a warm grin on his face told her everything even those three words. Grasping his warm hand, as her eyes saw what he was wearing a green shirt with a deep neckline, wearing the same vest and belt, his red trousers and his regular boots.

"You know the cold doesn't bother me." She said softly, gently pulling him down next to her, to his love one and his joyful smile never left his lips.

"I know, I just gave you my cloak out of instinct." He softly chuckled, rubbing the back of his head.

"You are so weird, Nate." She slightly chuckled at him.

Elsa leaned her head against his shoulder, and her cheeks flared red when she felt him reposition their hands; to have their fingers intertwined with each other. Nathan leaned closer to her ear.

"I love you, my snowflake." He said softly to her and she couldn't help but smile upon hearing those words.

"Nate." She turned her head towards his, to realize the where only inches apart from each other.

Elsa heart raced like a hummingbird's, as her blue eyes caught Nathan's green eyes travel down to her red lips, inching closer he tilted his head to the left; closing both their eyes when his soft lips drew in for the kill. Their hesitant lips grew more comfortable each second once they realized not either one wanted to pull apart. His lips were warm and smooth, he moved back to take a breather, his breath was shallow just like Elsa's. Elsa may have her lips captured too long by the mouth, that belonged to man she was in love with; and yet she missed them when they parted ways.

"I love you Nate." Elsa spoke softly and genuinely meaning it. Upon hearing the words come from her partner's sweet lips, his heart rate skipped a couple of beats.

His eyes drifted up to catch something above their heads, a grin formed on Nate's face. Elsa felt Nate's left arm drape across her across her slim waist as his right hand grasped the back of the young queen's nape. Seizing her lips with greater passion, his tongue traced her lower lip pleading for entrance, which Elsa graciously approved. Their tongues wrestling for dominance which was becoming heated battle between the queen of ice and snow to peasant who stole her heart with a charming smile and his green eyes that she's never see eyes so green. Elsa laid on her back with Nate over her, caressing her neck. Their lips separated, removing his right hand caressing her cheek.

"I love you, and I absolutely love mistletoes." Nate smiled at Elsa scrunched face in confusion with a brow up. Nate moved aside his head and there she saw the mistletoes above the both.

"Well, from what I'm seeing her Nathan," now Nate's turn to be confused. "were still under the mistletoe. So…" she wrapped her hands around his neck, he grinning showing his white teeth getting the picture.

"I love you Snowflake." Nate whispered sweetly, as he went back to capture mouth.


Elsa snapped out of her daydream realizing she had moved to the open window with a wide grin on her face and a red flush across her cheeks. Her eyes caught another gardeners staring up at her from the palace, embarrassment rose across her face, she scoffed closing the curtains. Turning her back to get quickly changed into her ice dress with her hair up in a french braid bun, leaving her room to see her servants decorating the halls with wreaths with red ribbons with gold trimming. Waltzing down the decorated hallways of her castle to enter the dining room to see her sister downing a stack of waffles drowned in syrup and and chocolate, Anna swallowed her chewed up food.

"Hi, how are this morning?" Acting as if she didn't say anything to the queen to make her giddy for the upcoming christmas gathering.

Elsa didn't answer for a brief moment as she walked over to her seat, as a servant pulled out the chair for their majesty; Elsa tucked the train of her dress underneath her before to sit upon her chair. The servant pushed her in at the head of the table, seeing a smudge of chocolate and syrup mix on her right cheek.

"Anna you have a smudge on your right cheek."

"Oh," Anna grasped ahold of a napkin and wiped away the mix of syrup and chocolate, placing the napkin down she smiled to her elder sister; who only had a one eyebrow lifted as if she was about to ask a question. "What?" Anna questioned the look on her sister's face.

"What are you planning?"

"Planning? I'm not planning anything, are you?" Anna tried to play mind games, but it wasn't going to work.

"Anna." Elsa spoke one word, Anna snapped to attention to her sister. "What are you planning? do not try mind games because you already gave me a clue already?"

"What would that be?" Anna just smiled at her, Elsa stood from where she sat and moved towards her sister; Elsa's gloved hand traced the table, halting when she got close to her.

"Mistletoe." Anna's eyes widened , she hoped she didn't hear what she spoke softly. "So what is it that, you my darling mischievous sister are planning?"

Anna knew the jig was up, taking a deep inhale and let the air flow out of her lungs as she exhaled.

"I was planning, for you and Nathaniel to do a redo."

"Redo, what exactly?"

"The kiss."

"A kiss you interrupted, it can't be a redo."

"Okay, so it's a redo of what almost happened before you know… Before I interrupted your almost kiss."

"Anna," Elsa shook her head not knowing what to do, she took a deep breath and said. "Okay, tomorrow is christmas and I will do the redo." Elsa told her as she returned to her seat. Out came a royal butler with a plate of freshly cooked two pig sausages and two sunny side up eggs, placing it down. Taking a bow before they left the hear the queen say "Thank you."

"So today I was planning on stopping by Nate's house to give him, some advice on what to get you and tell him what time to be here tomorrow." Anna said glancing toward her sister seeing her place a piece of cut off sausage in her mouth, Elsa swallowed staring at her sister confused and flattered.

"I don't think he'll be at his house, since he'll be at work." Elsa said politely as she cuts a slice of her egg letting the yolk drizzle out, then to another piece of her sausage in her mouth.

"Work? I thought he was a farmer?"

"No, apparently he bought dead land and within the year he sold his horse to keep his property, also he's a blacksmith."

"What, how did you know that?" Anna raised her brows, impressed that Elsa found out that much about her mysterious boyfriend.

"The archives of the town's residents, apparently he moved here four and a half years ago."

"Alright, by the way Elsa what are getting Nathan for christmas?"

"Oh, I didn't even think of that." Elsa rested her elbows on the table, bowing her head down till an idea popped into her brain. "How about a horse?"

"Ah, a horse, I mean that's a little much don't you think. He might see it as a marriage proposal and run."

"Or just a gift from the queen."

"Why not something less valuable than a horse." Anna looked at her sister who was contemplating the idea agreeing with her, before Elsa opened her mouth to speak before Anna interrupted her. "Or a dog because he might think that you wanted a committed relationship that includes kids."

"Okay, so no, on living breathing animals, so what should I get him?" Elsa thought for a few moments, then got what she should give to her boyfriend. " I know what to get him."

"What?" Anna leaned in closer to her sister.

"It's a secret even from you, don't want you accidently telling him."

"I woul-" Anna was going to object but stopped short from the rise of her sisters arched brow, Anna sighed in defeat. "Understood, sis." she saluted her older sister with a serious expression, causing them burst out laughing a moment later. "So I'll stop by his work after I eat and you go shopping for your, BOYFRIEND." Anna said teasing her sister, succeeding when seeing Elsa furiously blush; clearing her throat.

"Okay, sounds like a plan." Elsa agreed, finishing up her breakfast as Anna did as well, leaving the dining room, to get ready for the day.


ARRA TAVERN...

Nathan was at Arra Tavern helping the hostess Eris clean up the place from the brawl, that resulted a couple broken chairs, a tables, a window, and the wasted booze. Nate held the broom and began sweeping up the dust and whatever else was on the ground, he could feel intense stare from gold eyes directed on him. Sighing, he stopped what he was doing, to turn and stare at her right back.

"Okay, I'm sorry I wrecked the tavern." he said apologetically to Eris whose eyes just said that all the damage to the tavern and the all out brawl was all his fault. He turned away, with a growing sly smile on his face, knowing it was his fault his fault but in his heart he knew it was worth it; he wasn't going to let Roger get away with speaking ill of her. Yes he was mad of the insight to his past, but it didn't matter to him for some reason; he just knew he wasn't going to let anyone speak that way of her, not while he lived and breathed.

"You know that fight, you had some pretty nice reflexes." Eris stepping closer to him, her eyes scanning his body as if it were a map.

"Thanks, I train." Saying with no tone in his voice, not paying attention.

"Really, who did you train with?" She inquired, Nathan turned to face her, ceasing his brooming.

"I don't know you well enough to disclose that information."

"Oh, one of those. If I tell you I'll have to kill you. Type of things."

"No, its one of those called it's my business; so mind yours."

"Darkness." Eris simply said.

"What?" He arched a brow in confusion.

"Your business which is your past, it's filled with darkness as is your heart. For what happened to you, your actions, what you saw filled you with darkness and hatred."

Nathan's blood went cold but began to boil, knowing that it was true; he has done things that he shouldn't have done and sw things that scarred his very soul. His breathing became irregular and deep, clenching the shaft of the broom so tight, he felt the wood begin to crack and splinter till it snapped in his bare hands.

"Sorry, but you're going to have to finish this yourself, I got to go." Placing down the broom, he turned towards the door, exiting the tavern. Eris just stood there with a smile on lips, interested in the young man.

"Hmph… I love darkness." she said to herself filled with lust.


Anna walked across the town looking for the blacksmith shop, saying good morning to the passing citizens; stopping seeing a wooden sign that had an anvil and a hammer in black paint. Entering the store where no was in the front of the shop, but she could hear yelling about Nathan being late for work. She couldn't help but giggle at the situation, she smiled thinking to herself. "Oh, Elsa you have one troublesome boyfriend." The backroom door open flew open to see the master blacksmith with a red face huffing, storming before he caught sight of the princess of his home country, he bowed in respect greeting her.

"Please don't bow, please stand." Anna sid with a gentle kindness in her voice, the man stood straight up towering over her. 'Man must be 8 feet tall like Oaken, kind of reminds me of him too…' The man was muscular, tanned, brown eyes, and blonde hair with sideburns that connected to his jawline tracing along to his goatee that grew lines to his thick mustache. "Ohm.."

"Oh, where are my manners, my name is Stein Iversen. My lady, what can I do for you today?

"Could I have a word with Nathaniel, alone please."

"Of course my lady." He bowed slightly before he moved out of her away.

Anna strolled in seeing Nate leaning against the stone table, eyeing with a brow arched and his arms crossed, curious on why she was here. Nate moved his hand signalling her to speak, Anna took a deep breath.

"Are you an-" mumbling her last words that didn't even sound.

"Heh." Nate inched closer, confused what she was trying to speak.

"Are you an orphan?" Anna inquired bluntly.

"Kristoff told you this?" Nate said, dodging the questions that made his anger rise more, not wanting to answer that painful question, that led to those horrifying memories.

"Yes." Anna could see that he was getting more mad, even if he didn't want to show it.

"What else did he tell you?"

"About the book, mention of your little sister and your father's sword?"

"Why did you come here, then?" His voice cracked with a hint of sadness when he heard her mention of his little sister.

"Well, ohm, curiously how did you become an orphan? Two what are getting Elsa for Christmas?"

"A book, because that's all I can afford."

"Okay, you're not going to answer the other question are you?"

Nathan strolled over to her, staring into her eyes.

"No, I'm not, because it is my past and it is my business, and when I'm ready to Elsa, I'll tell you too." Not wanting to sound harsh but his voice had become stern, but he didn't like it when people who'd pry into his past. Not wanting to relive the memories of his family demise.

"Sorry, if it's any consolation to my visit, a book sounds great she'll love it." this brought a smile across Nathaniel's lips.

"Anna, I'm sorry I got up in your face, and thank you does feel better." Nate did a slight genuine smile towards Anna. But it wasn't alright he hated, no he absolutely despised when people who ask questions that, brought back terrible past memories that haunted him every night and day. Of the the day of his life that was eternally changed, he was was scarred and damaged, but no twelve year old should have been through.

"Oh, "Nate, ohm, come by around twelve tomorrow. Also make sure you give Elsa a good kiss under the mistletoe." When the words escaped the princess's mouth, it struck Nathan with a warm red blush creeping along his cheeks and the tips of his ears. "Okay, bye." Anna climbed the steps before opening the door, she turned back facing with a quick snap and half serious voice. "Don't tell Elsa, I said that."

"As you wish, princess." He bowed his upper body with one arm behind his back, Anna rolled her eyes, stifling a laugh, before she exited the room. Nate straightened his back, feeling sadden of painful remembrance.


The sunset and sunk deeper down the horizon, causing the sky to dark with sprinkles of light and an orb that shined down massive amount for it being the waxing gibbous. In the Mikaelson household, Finnick was at the head of the table, while his wife Felicity Mikaelson was at the other end, Nathan was right as his little sister was on left smiling. Loving spending time with her big brother and father, enjoying the moments, she couldn't play with Nathan since he was always training to be a knight, a soldier, just like their father. The family was high spirited toasting on their son's, brother on two weeks before he passed training, to become an apprentice; his father was most proud, because he would be the one to teach Nathaniel everything he was taught. Felicity wrapped her arm around taking hold of his shoulder, pulling him towards her; to only give him a big wet kiss on his.

"I'm so proud of you my son. You will make an excellent knight under your father's leadership and become just like him." Felicity downed her wine, Nate did just a fake smile that could lead of of convincing.

'Yeah, always my father, to always be in his shadow.' Nathaniel thought.

"Actually about that-" he couldn't get a word in over the howling of his family. "I'm not going dad to train me!" Nathan bellowed to get his word in, stopping there pre-celebration; the woman of the family remained seated, while the father stood. Finnick eyed his child, his flesh and blood, in confusion, hurt, and pissed off.

"What, why?" Finnick sounded in a mixture of anger and hurt.

"Because I-I-" Nate having a tough time saying the words, wondering if his father would even listen or just dismiss it. "I do not want be a knight!" Nathan shouted in hopes his father would hear and understand, to be happy with his decision. Nathan stared into his father's eyes, while Finnick's were wide with shock, blinking a couple times.

"When did you decide this?"

"Since the beginning when you told me, that I was going to be at the castle's training grounds to become one. I tried to tell you before, but you always dismissed it." Nathan stood strong, when his father lowered his head, only to rise it with his brows furrowed, his hazel eyes filled with animosity and disappointment.

"So tell me, Nathaniel. What is it that you are planning to do with your life when you're sixteen!" Finnick raised his voice slamming his fist against the table.

"I don't know, but anything is better than working with that fucking corrupt ass royal family."

"Watch your language young man! Pretell what are you going to do to provide your future family?"

"Bake, blacksmithing, fisherman, logger, architect. But hey at least I'll be there for my family."

"Where am I now Nathaniel?"

"Yeah, tonight because we were celebrating something that I didn't even want!"

"Well too damn bad, Nathaniel you are going to be a knight!"

"No, I am not going to protect that selfish bastard or be anywhere near him."

"If you got another job, Nathaniel you still would work for the Kingdom!"

"Then, I'll leave go somewhere else; the place you and mom talked about. The Southern Isles."

"No, do not go there Nathan!" Felicity yelped out.

"Why?" Nate questioned.

"Reason's Nathaniel, that you don't need to know." Felicity told her son.

"Fine, what about Corona?"

"Nathaniel Ryder Mikaelson, you are staying here! I am your father and you are only twelve years old! So I know better than a child!"

"I hate you and wish that you were never my father." Nathan continued to stand strong, his voice cracked and tears trying to form but failing to do so. A strong heavy handed knock at the door, Finnick turned his head towards the door.

"Huh, who could it be at this hour?" Felicity inquired.

"I don't know, but stay there." Finnick marched to the door, only to open it half way enough for his body to show; hearing a low grunt. Nathan emerald eyes followed his father's body collapse backwards; hitting the floor with a bloody stab wound near his near puncturing his lung, he was still alive by the slow rise and fall of his chest.

The family's eyes widened as the saw who had down it, a close family friend Thomas, his short shaggy red hair, india brown eyes, and medium mutton chop sideburns. He was tall and muscular wearing a beige full length sleeve tunic with a deep split line neck, brown drawstring waist pants that are full cut with a sharp taper at the ankles. A belt across his waist that held a pistol and the unsheathed sword that resided in his left hand. Stepping over his body.

"What the hell did you do Thomas!" Her voice crack with fury and despair, her eyes burned holding back the tears of losing the love of her life. She wanted answers, wanting to know why he did this to his best friend.

"I'm truly sorry Felicity." You could hear that he meant it, he took a deep breath regaining his composure of a cold cruel hearted knight of Corgen. "I am under orders here Miss Mikaelson." She gritted her teeth of the miss not mrs.

"Thomas?" Felicity quickly glanced to the table, then back at the traitor.

"Take them!" His voice was demanding in charge.

Felicity reached under the table, drawing out a short sword hidden, stepping in front of her two children. Not knowing if she could fend them all off on her own, but enough time for her children could run.

"I thought I would have to use this sword for another reason, but I'd call this a reason. Nathaniel protect your sister, take her and run away as fast as you can."

Nathan nodded his head in conformation as she began to battle it out against Thomas, Nate took his little sister's hand who was screaming at the death of their father. He didn't want to leave, his mother, Nathan wanted to stay and fight; reaching the back door, once opened, he did a complete 180 rushing away from six more men. His eyes quickly scanned the situation that was happening by the front door and saw the staircase; knowing if he timed it just right, he and Fiona would avoid having his head chopped off. Making a quick left to the stairs dodging an incoming slash from Thomas's sword.

"Mom, behind you!" He exclaimed, than continued up the steps to make a beeline for their bedroom; once inside he let go of his sister's hand, slamming the door shut. "Fiona, go hide."

"Mommy, daddy?" Fiona was scared out her mind, hot tears streaming down her face; Nathaniel kneeled down infront of her, his hands cupping her cheeks getting her attention; wiping away the tears. "Nathaniel." She stuttered.

"I know, I need you to hide, okay? I'm going to take care of it." He let her go run and hide in their room, he gripped the scabbard of the sword; standing to suddenly no noise of metal clinks and grunts, besides footsteps. He pinned his back against the wall near the handle of his door. His hand skimmed the hilt of the sword hearing the footsteps on the stairs once it reached his floor he gripped it tightly. His heart rate rapid, his breathing was short and rapid. He heard the hand hit the handle, slightly drawing his sword from its sheath; his eyes were waiting for that door to pop open. Sweat beading down his hairline; taking a deep breath when he saw that handle twist...


Elsa was on a stroll through the town greeted by her people with a deep bow and curtsy, she smiled at the townsfolk. Entering a shop that had a pleasantly familiar face, when he caught sight of her.

"Good morning, Queen Elsa." He said giving her smile.

"Good noon, Todd." Correcting the time of day, cover her laugh with her hand.

"Oh, is it noon already, huh oh well. How can I help?"

"Yes, I would like a pair of _, there for Nathan; don't ruin the surprise when you to talk."

"Don't worry, I won't so; I have a question for you." Todd sounded serious. Elsa raised a brow in confusion of why he was serious.

"What is it?"

"Are you really, okay, with keeping his past a secret from you?"

"Yes, I am." She didn't even have to think about it. "His past and your past seem painful to talk about, and I don't want to overstep my boundaries and lose him. I've kept a secret from my sister and the people for years until one day, I couldn't hide and the truth set me free and love is what helped me control it."

"The more time you spend with him, he'll open up and show his true self. He won't be always be a hard ass, but from where we come from, secrets kept us alive, so it takes awhile."

"As I said, I'll wait till he's ready to tell me. Good day, Todd." Elsa left the store for more gifts and one personal gift.

"Good day, Queen Elsa." Todd bowed his head to her as the Queen exited.