Hey all! Here's the next chappie! Hope you enjoy!
I only got three reviews on chapter two! Did you all not like it or was it not interesting enough?
Huge thanks to the wonderful csarcher3, Katie, and Olafqhace for reviewing chapter two!
Also a thanks to some recent reviewers of chapter one who weren't thanked in the last chapter! These marvelous people would be JJ, Guest, Olafqhace, and Guest!
IMPORTANT QUESTION! What do you all think about Anna developing powers? I'm playing with the idea but I'm not sure. So if you care at all, let me know what you think!
Please leave a review? Please? And maybe go back to chapter two and leave a review? I really want to know why it didn't get the same response as the first chapter! Was it bad?
Sorry it's a little short. I'll try to update soon depending on what sort of response I get!
Disclaimer: I do not own Frozen! Unfortunately...
"You can't leave now," Anna looked at Kristoff tearfully, holding his hand tightly. The large blond looked very resigned indeed to leave.
They were standing near the stables where Kristoff's beautiful new sled was being loaded with supplies. Five guards especially assigned to be Anna's bodyguards were milling around, their gazes alert. But they gave the couple some space to talk.
"I have to," he sighed, pulling her close. "Royal Ice Master stuff. It seems that there's some sort of corruption among the ice cutters. They've been cheating some of the southern villages."
"Can't someone else do it?" Anna asked. Kristoff sighed again, running a hand over one of her red brown braids, feeling its silky texture.
"It's my duty, Anna," he said regretfully. He didn't want to leave- really, he didn't. But a little part of him felt excited to be out in the open air again. He didn't really belong in the castle with the fancy vases and carpets and five different forks for the five different courses of dinner.
If only he didn't have to leave Anna behind.
"I know," Anna rested her head against his shoulder in an uncharacteristically vulnerable way. His resolve to follow through on his duty wavered. Maybe he should stay and protect Anna. What if this threat wasn't just a threat like all the others?
Like I can even protect…Ha! Just think about how you've done protecting her in the past!
Let's see, she could have died in the sled crash while running from the wolves, a result of his steering. Then she had gotten struck in the heart with ice, something that Kristoff might have been able to prevent if he had gone with her into Elsa's ice palace. And when her life was in danger, freezing from the inside out, he had dropped her off at the castle, thinking he didn't belong. He hadn't even made sure the whole true loves kiss thing worked out. That was the mistake he regretted the most. He had basically frozen her right there.
He should have known better. Instead, he hadn't wanted to be reminded that he couldn't have Anna. He couldn't bear being there when another man kissed her. So he had left, and in that action he had condemned Anna to freezing.
Olaf had told him how he found Anna crumpled by the door after Hans' betrayal, too weak to even speak louder than a whisper. The image killed him every time; made his chest clench and his heart race with fear.
And when he finally realized what he had to do, he couldn't even get to Anna in time to save her.
Let's face it. I'm a failure. Heck, Anna would probably be safer without me here.
He would leave. The mountains were where he belonged and this was his duty, something he could finally do right. The royal family received threats all the time, and there was no guarantee that this threat was any more valid than the others. Elsa would keep Anna safe.
And he would be back as soon as he could.
Kristoff pulled Anna towards him, his lips softly meeting hers. Her arms tightened around his neck, but all too soon they had to pull apart.
"I love you," Anna said softly. "I'm going to miss you."
"Me too. But you'll have Elsa," Kristoff tenderly touched her cheek, sweeping a strand of hair out of her face.
"I'm afraid she's shutting me out again," Anna sighed, her bright eyes filled with worry.
"If anyone can shake her out of it, it's you," Kristoff reassured her with a smile. Anna immediately brightened.
"That's true!" she grinned. "I won't let her retreat into that horrible room. We have to work together. It's what sisters are for!"
"Exactly," Kristoff's brown eyes sparkled with amusement.
"Sir, your sled is ready."
Kristoff turned, arranging a couple things and checking ropes and supplies as Anna bid farewell to Sven.
"Goodbye," Anna looked down at the ground.
"Goodbye. I will be back soon," Kristoff promised, kissing her cheek before getting onto the sled.
And with a tug of the reins, he was gone.
There was a soft knock on the door. Elsa looked around the room, sudden embarrassment filling her at the walls coated with ice.
"Elsa?"
It was Anna.
Elsa sighed and ran a hand over her platinum braid, tried to compose herself, walked five steps to the door, and opened it.
The relief on Anna's face made her wince inwardly. She knew her sister had been afraid she wouldn't open the door.
"What's wrong? Are you hurt?" Alarm suddenly filled Elsa as she took in Anna's red puffy eyes and miserable expression. "What's wrong?" she grabbed Anna's shoulders, looking her over for an injury. Anna sniffed.
"Kristoff had to leave," Anna mumbled, tears welling up once again.
"Oh," Elsa stifled a sigh of relief. She was about to remark about the matter not being grave after all, but stopped when she saw Anna's face. "I'm sorry. But he will be back."
"I know. And…" Anna's face brightened slightly, but she didn't finish her sentence.
"And…" Elsa raised her eyebrows curiously.
Anna flushed slightly, twirling a ginger braid around her finger.
"…and you opened the door," she said quietly.
"I will always open the door for you," Elsa promised, her bright blue eyes serious. She hesitated, then reached to embrace Anna. Around her, the ice melted off the walls, dissipating.
Love will thaw...
"Can… Can we build a snowman? And go ice skating in the big hall?" Anna pulled from the embrace, eyes shining excitedly.
"Sure," Elsa laughed softly.
"Let's go then!" Anna pulled her down the hall, both of them laughing.
Maybe it wouldn't be so terrible while Kristoff was away.
"Let's build Olaf a friend," Elsa grinned mischievously. Anna gasped with delight.
"Do it Elsa," she laughed, sliding around on the ice. "Whoops!" she slipped on the ice and landed hard on her behind.
"Here, let me help," Elsa pulled her up with a smile.
"You know, this all seems so familiar," Anna twirled around, looking at the ball room covered with ice and snow. The guards were at the door, keeping careful watch of their beloved Queen and Princess. "I don't know why..." she trailed off, her beautiful turquoise eyes surveying the room.
Elsa turned away, a rush of emotion going through her as she remembered holding her tiny sister's still form, remembering the accident which had changed their lives.
"Mama! Papa!" she had screamed in fear. But they were alone. "It's okay Anna. I've got you." But her sister had only grown colder in her arms, a strand of white hair forming in the ginger locks.
She had never told Anna.
"It should be familiar. We... we played like this when we were little."
"But..." Anna's brow furrowed. "I don't remember..."
"No, you wouldn't. Let me explain..."
Elsa drew her sister close to share the painful memory instead of pushing her away.
That night, the nightmares held at bay.
Anna stirred slightly, suddenly aware of something uncomfortable around her mouth. Her blue green eyes blinked open and a masked face above her swum into focus in the dim light. She screamed with alarm, but the sound was strangely muffled.
There was a gag around her face.
Frightened, Anna clawed to get away, panic racing through her veins, but the person had grabbed her wrists, holding them in an iron grip.
Elsa, Kristoff, please! Elsa!
"Relax Princess. You don't want to hurt yourself. That's our job," the figure whispered.
There was a sharp pain at the back of her head and the world went black.
Please leave a review! to make me happy :) and I want to know if I'm doing okay!
Also, should Anna develop powers?