Arendelle Castle early the next morning

"Alright! Food, blankets, rope, picks, extra clothes...Is that everything?" John tapped his chin as he recounted every item in his travel bag for the twentieth time.

"I believe you are all set sire. The men Queen Elsa is sending with you have extra supplies as well." Harald moved to stand beside the prince before giving him a pat on the shoulder.

"Ah, right." John nodded and put on his gloves. As anxious and terrified as he was, he didn't get a wink of sleep last night. He was up all night cursing himself for asking the Queen such a question, and putting her on the spot like he did. What was he thinking? Needless to say, he also made the vow to never look or speak to the Queen again, that would just be too humiliating.

"Are you ready, my lord?" Harald asked as he handed John his travel bag. With a nod, John tossed the sack over his shoulder and made his way to the door. At the entrance, he stopped and turned around to face his butler, his friend.

"Ah, Harald, I-" While searching for the right words, Harald put up his hand.

"I know my young prince. Bring your brother, the princess, and her fiance back. You'll be fine." Harald assured John with a quick bear hug before shuffling John down the hall. He slowly, but surely made his way to the foyer of the castle which led to the courtyard. When he stepped through the giant doors, there was a gust of cold air followed by the howling sounds made by the wind. The courtyard was empty of villagers for the first time since he had been here. The only people there were a few men covered in gray cloaks and members of the castle staff. To John's surprise, Queen Elsa was no where to be seen.

"What did I sign myself up for?" John whispered to himself as he stepped onto the pavement. As he did, it was as though everyone could he the sound of his foot hitting the ground, for everyone in the courtyard turned to face him. Having all the attention on him, John did the first thing that came to mind, he smiled.

"Your Majesty, if I may introduce myself, I am Head of the Royal Guards of Arendelle." A tall and very muscled man with an impressive mustache stepped forward with his hand outstretched.

"Pleasure." John let the guy grab his hand in a very rough shake.

"Have you had experience with navigating snow covered mountains?" The guard asked John after releasing his hand.

"Ah, this mountain? No, I have to say I have not." John replied while pointing to the mountain.

"All humor aside my lord, this is a serious matter. Those mountains are hard to navigate alone, you must-"

"But I won't be alone right? I have those guys over there? They seem experienced with navigating." John interrupted to point out any flaws in conversation he might hear. Quite frankly, he wasn't really listening. He was too anxious to get going, he was too built up on stress to focus on what a man five times his size was saying.

"True, but-"

"I'm sorry, but we should get going before we reach high noon, it's already late enough as it is." John cut off the guard and made his way over to the already saddled horses.

"Sire, I should want to tell you of the dangers in the mountain, this Hans boy, he's trouble! He's most likely holding the princess and our Ice Master hostage! He's a danger to this whole kingdom and-!" The head guard rushed after John continuing with information about the problem when John turned on him before he could finish.

"And he's also my brother! Let me handle the situation, I'm not incompetent! I know what my brother is capable of! I don't need you to tell me! Thank you!" John dismissed the guy like he was not bigger and stronger than him, but that didn't matter to John. His brother may be crazy, but he didn't need someone else to tell him how bad his family members may be.

The Royal Study

Elsa couldn't take her eyes off the window with the view of the North Mountain. Somewhere on that mountain was Anna and Kristoff with Hans. She couldn't bear the thought of something happening to them. How badly she wanted to go herself, but John was correct when he said that she had a duty to her Kingdom. She couldn't walk away and leave her people alone without protection.

"Your Majesty" Elsa jerked around to find Gerda standing in the doorway with an empty tray.

"Gerda, is everything alright?" Elsa put on her best fake smile. Being cheerful at a time like this was far to difficult.

"Yes, I'm just surprised that you are here. I thought you would be outside seeing off your new hero." Gerda placed the tray on a nearby table and cleaned her hands on her apron.

"Oh, John. I, uh, I believe having the Head of the Royal Guards see him off is enough of a farewell." Elsa sighed and moved closer to the fire to sit on a couch. She didn't want to face John after last night. She was positive John was upset with her for dismissing his confession the way she did. She was upset with herself as well.

"You don't want to see him my lady?" Gerda asked in shock.

"It's not that-" It's exactly that. "I just-well he-...He'll be better off without me standing there waving goodbye." Elsa took a deep breath before resuming the twiddling of her thumbs in her lap.

"My lady, could this be because of what happened last night? After dinner?"

Elsa's head shot up after hearing those words exit Gerda's mouth.

"You heard?" Elsa slowly stood up and dreaded the next step of humiliation. Gerda simply chuckled and took a seat by the door.

"I'm afraid there's only so much sound proof from a wall and doors my lady." She looked up at Elsa with an apologetic smile. Elsa turned away and sighed. The last thing she wanted was the staff hearing about her and John's conversation last night.

"Your response was very brave." she heard Gerda say from behind her.

"Brave? How was that brave?" Elsa turned around to face Gerda.

"To give up your chance at love for the sake of Arendelle is more bravery than anyone could ask of a Queen." Gerda replied.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand. I'm not in love with John, I can't be." Elsa said aloud what had been going through her mind all night.

"You're not in love with him or you can't be in love with him because of your duty to your people?" Gerda asked in a quiet, yet strong voice. A question that left Elsa confused.

"It's my duty to the people to put their needs before my own. And even so, John is just a friend. I-I don't see him that way, at least I don't think I do..." Elsa moved to sit on the couch again, suddenly feeling slightly dizzy.

"From the way I've seen you two, I'd say otherwise. He is the one person other than Anna whose company you enjoy. Your eyes always light up upon his arrival. You laugh and smile more when he is around. You accepted him, even when he lied to you from the moment you met, you forgave him. You and Prince John have bonded my Queen. Don't let the fact that you have to job of more importance elsewhere let that cloud your feelings." Gerda sat down beside Elsa and patted her shoulder. After hearing that whole speech, there was only one thing Elsa could say.

"Gerda, you spend way too much time listening in on other people's conversations." Elsa said with a slight giggle. She wasn't angry, she was more shocked and surprised. She hadn't realized she had done those things with John around. He made her feel so...normal, yet great without even doing much. Perhaps she did have feelings for him?

"After working here for all the years I have, you know everything that's going on in the palace." Gerda replied.

"Gerda, it's nice of you to say such kind words, but it would never work. He belong in the Southern Isles, and I belong here. I have no time for a romance when I cannot go two months without being attacked!" Elsa sighed and brushed her hair back from her face.

"Your mother and father did it. As nervous as you father was, he fell in love with your mother. The young King of Arendelle, barely a younh adult and he managed to do both. Protect his kingdom and fall in love." Gerda smiled at the memories of watching the late King and Queen fall in love and marry.

"Really? I-I never knew..." Elsa should've known that's what her father did, it's what every monarch did. Though, she was still uneasy.

"Well you were young. Your Majesty, Arendelle trusts you, but we are not completely helpless. You may be a Queen, and you may be under enough pressure as it is, but you don't have to go through it alone. There is room for love Elsa, don't be afraid to embrace it. Because once you find it, there's no going back." Gerda gently squeezed Elsa's shoulder before grabbing her tray and leaving the study, silently shutting the door behind her.

When did Gerda become so wise and smart? Was all Elsa could think.

She abruptly stood up and ran for the door. She had to get outside, she thought, before John leaves.

"don't be afraid to embrace it."

If Gerda was right, than Elsa loved John. If her father could do it, than so could she. Reaching the foyer, she raced through the doors leading to the courtyard.

"Let's go!" John raised his arm to his travel mates before galloping away on his own horse. They raced through the gates and into the empty village. Too early and cold in the morning for people to be out and about. When they galloped along the long stretch with the ports beside the water front, John could've sworn he heard something.

"John!"

It must've been his imagination. Who would be calling his name now? Nobody even knew his name.

"John!"

He wasn't imagining this time. He could've sworn he heard his name. He slowed to a stop and glanced at the two men beside him.

"Did you guys hear that?" John asked. They just stared at him.

"Huh?" One of them reached up to their ear and removed the earmuff covering it.

"Really? Earmuffs? Is it too cold for you or something?" John rolled his eyes and dismissed the question.

"John! Wait!"

John turned around to find the surprise of his life running at high speed towards him.

Queen Elsa.