Okay everybody, this one will be based on my previous works, "The Frozen Heart: Part 1" and "The Frozen Heart: Part 2." If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend it, but it isn't required reading. You can understand this story fine without reading it, but may get a bit lost sometimes. If you haven't read them yet, it's a fun read, and was fun to write.

Anyways, read on!

Frozen Short Stories

The Lonely Baker

Stian opened the windows on the second story of the bakery. Sunlight flooded in, and the sounds of the Kingdom along with it. He took in the view for a while. The sun shown over the German looking cottages, each squeezed next to each other leading up a large hill to the Castle. This was Corona. The smell of the ocean and the seagulls flying overhead. People went about their business, buying and selling goods, dancing, and spreading the recent gossip. Stian remembered he had to be downstairs. Today was his eighteenth birthday, and he wouldn't have a cake unless he baked it himself. He clamored out of his small room, which consisted only of a rough bed and dresser, and down the staircase into the bakery below.

"Morning, Mom!" Stian called. His mother pulled a few loaves of bread from the oven. She was a stout woman, wearing an orange dress with a bonnet and apron. Stian himself had settled on his usual white shirt, pulled up the elbows, his pants and his favorite pair of boots.

"Stian! Happy Birthday, my boy! Ready for another day of hard work?" she asked.

Stian rolled his eyes, and smiled. He tied on his father's old apron, and began kneading dough. "Of course, Mother."

The day went by quicker than Stian expected, and before he knew it, it was lunch time. Stian wiped his hands on his smock. "Alright Mom. Time for a break?" he asked. The older woman agreed, and sat down at a table behind the counter. She exhaled.

"You're... Twenty today?"

"Eighteen, Mother." Stian reminded her.

"Right, right... An adult!" His mother looked at him. "You look like your father did when I first met him. All but that hair." she laughed, brushing the boy's platinum blonde hair.

"Mom..."

"No, no! You're hearing this story! I saw him baking my sixteenth birthday cake... Do you know where this was?"

"Arendelle."

"Arendelle! I miss it, Stian."

"I do too..." Stian slouched down onto the table, folding his arms over his mouth.

"Oh, posh. We love it here too!" she said, trying to cheer him up.

"I miss her, Mom." Stian said. His mother looked at him sadly.

"I do, too. You two were the best of friends. Her mother and I always loved to decorate the Garden... But then they closed the gates. Then your father died, and we had to leave..." Stian's mother looked downtrodden.

"Oh, don't spoil the mood, Stian! Where was I? My birthday. Your father gave me my cake, and I've never noticed anybody like that. His eyes were so green... His hair was black... His face was perfect..."

"Mom..." Stian said, embarrassed.

"We married two years later. That's that." she said, standing up from the table. "We'll have to get back to work soon. Get some lunch before you starve, Darling."

Stian remained at the table, fantasizing about Arendelle. The summers were warm all the time, and the winters put a nip in the air. There was almost no winter in Corona. The people were the nicest, and nobody ever fought. They always had the best bread in the bakery, made by Stian's own father.

Then there was his best friend. Stian always had a crush on her. The two met one morning in the square. Stian had no idea she was the Princess, and they played chase and looked through the windows at all the goods in the shops. Hours after playing, a woman approached the two children. She wore formal attire, and a fancy looking jewly thing in her hair. The square was near empty, and aside from a few guards, there was nobody there.

"Come on, little one. We need to get home." she said. The girl begged to play more, but her mother insisted. A pout came across her face. The lady took her daughter by the hand, and began to walk home, wherever it was.

"Wait!" Stian called, "What's your name?" he asked, taking her hand.

"I'm Elsa. What's yours?"

"I'm Stian! Nice to meet you... Alsa?"

"Elsa." the girl laughed.

"Well, can we play tomorrow, Elsa?" Stian asked. Elsa looked to her mother.

"Alright. But you can come to our house, tomorrow. Who's your Mother?" the lady asked.

"She's the baker! We make bread every morning. We can bring you some if you want." Stian offered.

"Thank you, that's very generous. Make sure you tell your Mother before you come to the Castle." the woman said.

"The Castle?" Stian asked.

"Oh, Elsa didn't tell you? That's usually the first thing she mentions to people. Go on, Elsa."

"I'm the Princess." she said. Elsa got close to Stian, and whispered in his ear, "Don't tell anybody. It's a secret."

"I thought the Princess was a baby?" Stian asked.

"That's my sister, Anna."

"We'll see you tomorrow, Stian, okay?" the Queen said.

"See you tomorrow, Stian." Elsa said, before kissing him on the cheek, and began skipping back to the Castle with her mother. Stian nodded excitedly, and ran home.

He sighed, and stood up from the table. He wanted to make a cake. He wanted to celebrate his birthday.

He gathered the ingredients, kneaded the dough, and placed it in the oven. He took other orders, and baked more bread. He took his cake out of the oven, and began to frost it. There was one thing that stuck out in his mind. He frosted it a light blue, and used white frosting to spell out his message.

"Happy (late birthday) Elsa." he wrote on the cake. He wrote "18" below it. He smiled. Stian remembered her birthday from a conversation they had on their second playdate. He'd stuck up that he'd received a toy sled, and Elsa had asked him when his birthday was.

"January." Stian said.

Elsa laughed. "I was born in December! I'm older than you!" Elsa laughed. Stian took this opportunity to show her his toy sled. They laughed together, and played with it all day.

Stian finished off the frosting drawing of a small sled. He admired the cake for a second, before placing it on the shelf behind him, and going back to work.

That night, Stian didn't get too much sleep. He stared out his window at the moon outside. He missed Arendelle. Corona was amazing, don't get him wrong. But he missed his friends. He missed his father's bread.

He missed Elsa.

Stian heard crackling at his side. He turned to the windowsill. A thin layer of frost began to spread over the sill. Stian's eyes widened, but shut immediately.

Control it.

Stian opened his eyes, and even thicker frost greeted him. He leapt from his bed in terror, and lit a lantern. He placed in on the sill, and the frost began to melt away. Stian sighed with relief, and tried to sleep. He visualised Arendelle in his mind.

Calm. Quiet. Gates open. Lanterns burning bright. He imagined what Elsa might look like by now. He hadn't seen her in nine years. Who could know? Stian was positive there was one thing they did share, though.

Platinum blonde hair, and blue eyes.

Stian's eyes were brown and his hair was black until he and Elsa had an accident. Elsa's hair was a darker blonde and her eyes were green. One day they strayed a bit too deep into the forest and-

No, no no. Happy thoughts. Don't let fear control you. Stian remembered playing with Elsa. All those days they spent roaming the gardens, and making mediocre bread at the bakery. Stian smiled, and sleep took him.

Stian awoke the next morning to a commotion on the street below him.

"Are you sure?" a woman asked.

"Saw it myself, pulling into the docks this morning!" a man said, hefting a box off the ground, and placing it onto a market stand. Stian was intrigued.

"Saw what, sir?" he asked out his window. The two people looked up, as if not expecting to see him.

"The King and Queen of Arendelle are here for two days, boy." the man shouted up at him. Stian didn't know how to react at first.

"Arendelle..." he said quietly to himself, shutting his windows. Maybe Elsa or Anna was with them.

He threw on his clothes, and went downstairs to the bakery. "Mother, I'm going to the docks. I won't be long!" he promised.

"Be back in time to help with the next batch, dear!" she called after him. Stian threw on his coat, and raced down the winding street to the docks at the bottom of the hill. There were three ships docked, two of them being trading frigates. The third was smaller, but fancier. It had a expertly crafted mast and hull, and the sight of it impressed even Stian, who knew nothing about boats. That was the King and Queen's ship.

He stood there for a while, thinking out a plan to meet with the King and Queen. No way were they letting a random boy off the streets in to see them. But...

Stian raced back to the bakery, grabbed his birthday cake off the shelf, and ran back to the docks. A steward sat at the gangplank, making sure nobody got in, and only those who should could get off.

"I have a delivery for the Cook." Stian said. The steward looked at him.

"A cake?" he asked in a thick accent.

"Yes sir. It's for the Cook. It's his... Birthday." Stian said. The steward looked at the cake. He read the wording on it, and looked confused, but waved Stian in none the less. The Baker went below deck, and looked for where the King and Queen may be staying. There, at the end of a long hallway, he found it. The ship felt bigger on the inside, but Stian was probably just used to being in his cramped house all the time. He went to the golden border- encrusted doors, and knocked three times. Nothing. Twice more. There were sounds of movement, and looks being undone.

"Who is it?" came a voice.

"I- uh, the Baker. I have a delivery for the King and Queen..." Stian said nervously. The door slowly opened.

On the other side of the door stood the Queen herself. She looked tired from a long journey, but no different than what Stian remembered. Dark brown hair, albeit a bit messy, and a smear of ink across her hands, like she'd been up all night writing decrees.

"Oh, thank you." she said, taking the cake from Stian.

"Your Majesty... Hello." Stian said. The Queen looked at him awkwardly.

"Hello?" she responded.

"Oh! Sorry, I forgot to introduce myself-" Stian was cut off.

"This cake."

"Yes?" Stian asked, scared.

"It's for Elsa?" the Queen asked.

"Yes?" Stian said, still unsure. The Queen looked further down the cake, before seeing the drawing of the small sled. A tear came to her eye. She set the cake down on a table to her left.

"Your Majesty, I'm sorry if I-" Stian was interrupted by a hug.

"We missed you so much." she said.

"Your Majesty-"

"Oh, stop it. We've known each other long enough, Stian. I'm Neiva." she said, getting her bearings. "It's been..."

"Ten years." Stian said.

"Ten years! Ever since... I, I mean- come in! Tell about yourself!" Neiva said, motioning for Stian to enter. The room was more like a quarter. There were paintings on the walls, desks lined up against the corners of the rooms, and lanterns burning above them.

"If I'm not mistaken, your birthday was yesterday, right?" Neiva asked.

"You remember that? Yeah, it was."

"I only know because Elsa turned eighteen this time last month, too. You two were the best of friends."

Stian looked around. "Where's the King?"

"Right here. It's been years, old friend." The King emerged from a side room, looking rather rugged. He shook Stian's hand, and pulled up two chairs across from him, and he and Wife sat.

"It has been a while. But, uh, excuse me for asking... What made you close the gates?" Stian said. The mood in the room became much darker.

"Stian, I don't think-" the King started to say.

"No, no. It's okay." the Queen said, placing her hand on the King's. "We had some problems... With Elsa."

"Elsa? What's wrong, is she okay?" Stian asked frantically. He could see his own breath, even though it wasn't cold at all.

"She's fine. It's just... Remember when you were kids? You journeyed too far out into the forest and-" the King was cut off.

"I remember. It was my fault. I was so stupid!" Stian said, looking down.

"You were both affected. Stian, you seem to-" the King stopped talking. Stian looked down at the floor. A thick layer of frost now coated the immediate area around him. The Queen gasped. Stian stood from his chair, and backed up.

"Sorry! I'm sorry!" he apologized.

"It's okay," the King said, standing up, "We know."

"No, I- I'm sorry..." Stian said. He stepped back, and a sheet of ice spread from his foot. His powers never acted up like this. Why?

"Stian, it's fine. Just calm down-" the Queen reached out to him.

"No! I... I need to go." Stian said, opening the door.

"Elsa has the same problem, you know." the Queen called. Stian stopped. What? He entered the room again, it was still frozen.

"Elsa?"

"Yes. That's why we shut the gates, Stian. Nobody could know. She didn't want to hurt anybody. We told you about her, and look. Everything's frozen." the King said.

"I'm sorry..."

"No! It's okay! We understand. Stian, would you like to come back to Arendelle with us?" the King asked. Stian's eyes widened. Arendelle?

"You could help Elsa. If you two were together, something tells me you'd have a better grasp on your powers." the Queen said. Stian had to. He felt like he had a responsibility to help his best friend.

"Yes! I mean, thank you... I mean-"

"We're leaving tomorrow. Make sure to let your Mother know." the Queen said. It seemed like an eternity since he'd last heard those words from the Queen.

"Absolutely not." his mother said.

"But Mom, I know how to control my powers!" Stian said, trying to convince her.

"Stian, don't call them powers. Listen, why would I let you pack up and leave for Arendelle tomorrow? You have a responsibility to Corona. People count on you to keep them fed. You can't go."

"Mom, if you'd just-"

"Stian!"

"Listen to me, please!"

"Stian!"

"Elsa needs me!"

"Enough about Elsa! You're not going! Your staying here where you belong! Elsa can help herself, she doesn't need a distraction like you in her life right now!" his Mother yelled. Stian fell quiet. His eyes began to water.

"Stian, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that-"

"No. She doesn't need me. You're right. And I don't need her."

"Stian-"

"No, Mom. She's a memory now." Stian climbed the stairs to his room, and shut the door behind him. He flung himself on his bed, and tried not to cry. Goodness sakes, he was eighteen. He couldn't cry over a girl! But Stian realized. This wasn't just any girl.

This was Elsa.

His best friend. They'd spent their lives together at a young age.

But his mother was right. He couldn't leave Corona. He had a duty to the people. He ran down the stairs, and to the docks. He didn't look back.

"I'm sorry. I have a responsibility here." Stian explained. The Queen and King looked at each other.

"We understand. Still Stian, if you want to come to Arendelle at anytime, just let us know by messenger. We'll send a ship. We really think you can help Elsa figure out her powers." The Queen said.

"I know I can. Thank you." Stian said, hugging the two. That night, he watched the ship sail into the distance. He wiped a tear from his eye. He missed Arendelle so much. But he had a life here for the time being. He had to stay. The one thing he'd missed more than all was his friend, though. Sure, he had acquaintances in Corona, but he mainly kept to himself. But he could be himself around Elsa, and not have a care in the world. Having shut the gates, Elsa must be terrified of her powers. Stian knew she needed help. He'd help her. He swore it.

When the news arrived three days later, Stian nearly collapsed.

"Mom..." he cried, holding the memo in his left hand. His hand shook violently as he sobbed.

"Stian, what's the matter?" she asked.

Stian placed the memo on the counter, and leaned against it for support. He sobbed even harder, tear drops falling onto the counter. The memo read:

We regret to inform this residence of the death of the King and Queen of the Kingdom of Arendelle. The first night of their voyage homeward, a storm capsized their vessel. Their bodies have been recovered, and will receive a proper funeral. Rule of Arendelle at this time falls to the Princess, Elsa. She has appointed Edward, the Steward, as temporary Chief Legislator until she reaches the age of Coronation, at Twenty One. Arendelle will not be taking visitors until that time has come. Thank you.

"Stian..." his mother choked back tears. Stian hugged his Mother. The King and Queen had seemed like family to him, and now they were gone. Elsa had nobody to turn to. Stian knew her only family was Anna now.

"You were right, Mother." he cried.

If he had gone on that boat back to Arendelle, he'd be gone as well. His Mother had protected him without even knowing it.

"I'll stay, Mother." he said.

"No, Stian." she said. Stian stepped back, surprised.

"What?"

"Elsa needs you more than ever. But there will not be any visitors for three years. We'll have to wait." she said.

"I love you, Mom."

"I love you too, Son."

Stian opened his window. Twenty One. Today was the day. He was going to Arendelle, and nothing could stop him. He'd have to take the second fleet, though due to high traffic. He was fine with that.

He wasn't fine with figuring out the whole fjord surrounding Arendelle had frozen, and that the Queen had gone missing. Stian insisted he needed to get to Elsa, but nobody could sail through the thick ice. He'd have to wait even longer.

Three long months, in fact. Stian finally decided he should go. The fjord had thawed after five days of being frozen, and Arendelle was now accepting visitors.

"Sorry, no passage." the Steward said.

"What? Why?" Stain asked, setting his pack on the ground, upset.

"Full ship. There won't be another one in a few months. The Queen is seeing suitors."

"Suitors? Like... To get married?" Stian asked. He could see his breath.

"Why else?"

What? Elsa was getting married? Stian hoped she hadn't chosen a suitor yet. Not that he wanted to marry her, eww. And all the responsibilities of being a King? No thanks. He just needed to see her. He had to get aboard that ship. Stian waved his index finger in little circles, making care to hide it. The sails of the ship became solid as rock.

"Sir, your sails are freezing." Stian said.

"What?" the steward turned, and ran aboard the ship shouting questions to the crew. Stian swung his bag over his shoulder, and walked aboard the ship, casually. He went under deck, hung his bag on a hammock, and lay there.

He was going to Arendelle. He was going to see her. He was going to help her.

He was going to see his best friend.

He was going to see Elsa.