Author's note: Guys, I know I'm two days late (please don't kill me). Honestly, I had this chapter written weeks ago, but this weekend (being Labor Day Weekend) has been so busy, posting this completely slipped my mind. It's my fault and next month, I will try my hardest to be on time. In this chapter, the games truly begin. As usual, let me know what you guys think and I'll see you all in October. Have a great week!

6. Fire and Ice

"Is there sorcery in you too? Are you a monster too?"

—Frozen, Duke

Elsa took a deep breath, going over in her head all the things she had to do. Freeze the pond for skaters, figure out the menu for dinner, and choose a theme for the wedding all while having to avoid all the guests. It was exhausting just thinking about it.

It had been three days since the guests had begun to arrive. She felt so worn out that she might fall over on her nose any moment. While it helped to keep telling herself she was doing this for Anna, it didn't make the experience any less painful.

Oh, she'd forgot about fixing yet another one of the ice sculptures. This one was apparently destroyed by one of the princes playing cricket. Stupid princes. Luckily, it was early in the morning and no one but the servants and herself were up this early. Making her way to the small courtyard behind the palace, Elsa found the shattered sculpture. Poor thing, it was one of her favorites too.

Elsa set to work shaping a new sculpture, ice spinning out of her fingers. She had started to love making sculptures. It was the best way, she found, to relieve stress and make sure her power didn't get to unruly. It took her only minutes before a ten-foot-tall sculpture of a horse stood before her. Satisfied, she let her hands drop.

Clap! Clap!

She turned in surprise at the sharp sound in the silent garden, only to see the last person she wanted to see applauding her. It was that prince again. She had been lucky to avoid him for the last two days, but it seemed as if her luck had finally run out. Crossing her arm, she watched as he approached.

"I must say, I am impressed. It's a wonderful talent."

She bit her lip, remaining silent. She knew if she opened her mouth, she would snap at him again. And she was tired of snapping.

Luckily, he continued, "Look, I apologize about the other day. I wasn't the politest of fellows, was I? But I meant what I said."

"About what?"

"That I know what you're going through. My grandfather, you see, possessed the power of fire, similar to your ice."

Elsa paused, wondering if he was telling the truth or just trying to get on her good side. "Really?" Her tone was cynical.

The prince continued, undeterred. "He was considered the black sheep of the family. When my father didn't inherit his power, the royal family was thrilled. My grandfather died before my great-grandfather, and thus he never possessed the throne. I wonder, though, if he had lived, would he have been disinherited."

The prince moved to stand next to her, staring up at the horse sculpture she had just finished.

"Do you know, my father always hated his father. And I never forgave him for that. And he never forgave me for taking after him."

"Your father?"

"My grandfather."

"You take after your grandfather?" Elsa paused.

"You know, something is missing." He was still looking up at the statue. After a moment, he held out his hand.

Elsa watched in astonishment as fire shot out of his palm, flying to suspend above her sculpture and then slowly shape into a fiery horseman. A fiery horseman riding a gallant steed. It stood mere centimeters away from the ice, but it didn't appear to melt it.

Finally, the prince turned to look at Elsa. He reached his hand out. "Hadyn, if you wondered."

Turning from the incredible sculpture to the man before her, Elsa felt at a loss for words. This man…this man was like her. Well, not exactly. But his power meant she was not alone. That there might be other people like her out there, with powers like hers.

Finally, she realized he had said something. "What?"

"My name. It's Hadyn. And I have a feeling we'll be seeing each other a lot, your majesty."

Smirking, he turned away and headed down the path, not looking back.

Elsa crossed her arms. What had just happened? She turned back to the stature, just as the flames melted away into the cold air.

She looked back after him.

"Wait!" Breaking into a trot, she caught up with his wide strides in front of the back door. Grabbing his arm, she turned him to look at her. "You possess the power of fire? Like your grandfather."

Hadyn bowed his head. "I thought that was obvious. But indeed I do, a fault my father reminds me frequently of. That was the reason I came here. Because I heard you had powers too."

"So," she paused. "Do you know anyone else like us? Who have powers like ours?"

He shrugged. "I knew one king from the west who could control plants. But he died nearly ten years ago. So, for now, I guess you and me are the only ones. At least, the only ones who don't hide it. Or were found out, in your case. Did you seriously think you could hide a power like yours forever?"

Elsa blushed, more from anger than embarrassment. "And I'm glad I did. I can't imagine what it would have been like to have all these invaders come into my home unwelcome when I was a child. I did what was best with the knowledge I had, which is what I will always do."

"Are you taking offense again?"

"Sir, I am a queen. It is my prerogative to take offense at everything. You and I may share in common a power, but I see little else that we have in common. If you are telling the truth and the only reason you came was because you were curious about my powers, then your motivation is complete. You have seen my powers and now you can go."

Elsa turned to leave.

"I never said that was the only reason I came."

She paused at his words, but didn't turn. "What other reason do you have then?"

"Will you marry me?"

Elsa turned in horror to him. "Are you mad?"

"What? You asked me for the other reason, and there it is. I plan to marry you, and I don't intend to leave this palace until I do."

She crossed her arms. "Then you will be here until you die, for I would never marry you."

"We'll see."

"What makes you think I would be more likely to marry you than all the rest of those princes and kings here?"

"Because I've got something they don't." He raised his hand and a flame flickered above his palm. "You see, I've already caught your attention."

Huffing, Elsa turned and stomped away.