(A/N: I'm beginning to really love this pairing a lot. Still a loyal Kristanna shipper, no doubt, but just think about it for a moment; she's the ice queen and he's the ice harvester/merchant. It's perfect! And plus, I'm pretty sure the Kristoff dolls are sold with the Elsa dolls. I wouldn't know for sure, though.)
Lord Destroyer (Guest): Since this is an AU story, things will happen differently. You will find out how exactly in the future ;P
Disclaimer: You know that #1 animated movie in the nation? Yeah, Frozen? I don't own that.
Chapter 3: Kingdom of Isolation
Back at Arendelle, things were not going so well.
"Hans," Anna had begged the prince. "We have to go back for her; who on Earth knows what she'll do?"
The prince thought for moment. Then he nodded.
"You're…you're right."
Looking around to the villagers, he announced, "I need volunteers to go and look for Queen Elsa; this needs to stop, and it needs to stop soon."
He got several hands, and soon a search party had formed.
"I'm coming, too," Anna declared.
"Anna? Anna, no –"
The princess wouldn't take no for an answer.
"She's my sister," she said defiantly. "She may be hostile, which is why there needs to be someone she can talk to; if I have to. And I know she'd never hurt me."
Hans did not want her coming along, but he had no choice.
"Very well. We're leaving in thirty minutes; take whatever you need."
He eyed the North Mountain determinedly. "You're time is up, my queen."
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"So tell me, your Maj – damn it – Elsa," Kristoff began as the two trekked through the snow. "Why…why exactly do you want to head to the North Mountain?"
The queen shrugged. "I don't…I don't know, really." He urged her to go on.
"It just seems like…the place I need to be right now."
Kristoff thought for a moment. "So you think isolation is going to help you?"
Elsa shook her head. "Honestly, it doesn't sound half bad right now, considering all that has happened recently."
Kristoff was ready to suggest staying with him, but he held his tongue in what seemed like disappointment. I should just let her do what she wants.
"Well, if it'll help you," he said after a while.
Elsa shot him a grateful smile. "Thank you, again. Really. What…what will you do about your business?"
He chuckled and turned to her. "I think that all depends on you."
The queen grimaced. "Look, again, I'm really sorry –"
"Hey!" he raised his hands up and smiled. "I haven't done something like this before; so let's make it fun. We'll worry about it when we do."
Elsa smiled once more and nodded. "Okay."
The two continued up the mountain, stopping every once and a while to take in the view. Most of it was of Arendelle; it was a sight that couldn't be ignored. Snow covered the castle top to bottom, with every rooftop completely overrun with white powder.
The queen had to constantly shake herself out of the fact that it was that way because of her and her only, of how she had failed to conceal her powers…she had one job and one job only –
"Elsa?"
The man eyed her cautiously. "Y-yes?"
"You're doing it again…shaking, I mean. Are you…are you cold?" He subconsciously wrapped an arm around her, and she instinctively leaned into him.
"Yeah – I mean no, I'm not cold, I'm just…I'm scared."
She glanced up at him and saw concern as he furrowed his brow. "You always know you can talk about it to me, right?"
She nodded. "Of course…it's just…knowing that this was all because of me is terrifying enough, but there are probably already people out looking for me, and I don't even know their intentions – they could be good, but they could just as easily be bad, and – well – I don't know how I'm going to –"
"Hey, hey! Relax." He held her tighter: firm, but gentle. "That's why I'm here. I'm going to help you, okay? Not everyone wants to hurt you, I know for a fact."
Despite herself, Elsa couldn't help but smile up at the man. "How…how do you know?"
Kristoff shrugged. "Well, you've got a sister, right?" Elsa nodded, and he continued. "She's got to be worrying about you, and in the most caring way possible. I don't think Princess Anna will be bent on hurting you. And plus – " Kristoff turned slightly red, and Elsa noticed – "I know I won't hurt you."
Elsa's smile grew wider. "Thanks, Kristoff; that's sweet."
He returned the facial gesture, and the two stared into each other's eyes for a bit.
Or, perhaps more than a bit.
Sven finally neighed loudly, snapping both of them out of it.
"Ahem, right. Well, uh, it's getting dark, so I'll set up the tent. Tomorrow, the road will be good to use the sleigh."
Elsa nodded, and Kristoff began to set up.
"Um, do you need any help?
He waved her off with a smile. "Nah, I got it. Thank you, though."
"Mhm." She watched him set up the makeshift home, working each gear and pole with concentration.
Elsa let her eyes travel to his muscles, which flexed as he moved his arms.
Wow; he really is attractive. The…the way he smiles when he looks at me like he's doing right now is so – wait, what?
She shook herself out of it and noticed Kristoff grinning her direction with a twinkle in his eye.
"Am I blocking the view, my queen?" he teased, and Elsa flushed.
"Or am I the view?" he added in a quieter tone, but Elsa was too embarrassed to hear.
As she purposely looked away with her cheeks slightly tinted red, he couldn't help but smile genuinely. She looks cute when she's flustered.
XXXXXXXXXX
"I leave the royal dignitaries in charge while we are gone," Anna announced to the citizens. She looked at Hans, who walked over to her.
"Keep an eye on the Duke's men; I think something is up," he spoke in an undertone, and she nodded. "Thank you for letting me come," she told him.
Hans shot her a grin. "Of course; anything for the princess." Anna smiled before turning back to ready her horse.
The prince chuckled. "Just know that you won't have a reason to return when you're dead."
